FORGIVE THEM, BUT DON’T GIVE THEM JOBS IN YOUR GOVT, PF MCC MBEWE COUNSELS HH ON CERTAIN PF MPS PLANNING TO JOIN UPND.

……describes certain MPs as traitors planning to join UPND to fatten their pockets.

LUSAKA……………THURSDAY, JULY, 27th 2023 (SMART EAGLES)

Patriotic Front Member of the Central Committee Kebby Mbewe has urged the UPND not to entertain certain PF Members of Parliament who are knocking on their doors in a quest to join the ruling party.

Speaking today, MCC Mbewe described such people as traitors capable of betraying the UPND the same manner they have done to the PF.

He also said that the ‘traitors’ would come to the UPND talking about the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and heap praise on President Hakainde Hichilema when in their hearts they are ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’.

MCC Mbewe has advised President Hichilema to forgive the named MPs for the insults showered at him previously but not to give them jobs in the current Government.

He feels the UPND have enough people whom they can adopt and not the ‘traitor’ who are only interested in fattening their pockets.

MCC Mbewe said the UPND must be very alert when it comes to dealing with such kind of MPs that are pretending to love the UPND today.

“Where were they when UPND was in opposition for the past 20 years, if I was THE UPND, I would not have allowed those MPs to work with them. Those are traitors, they are proper traitors, what they are doing to PF is what they will ditch them when the UPND loses power at dome point. They were insulting HH, yes HH, is the President, forgive them, but do not give them an opportunity to work in your government. They do not mean well, they are traitors, they have betrayed PF, they will also betray UPND

Some of these people I would not mention, came from MMD and they came to PF, now they are rushing into UPND. It is a sign that they are not there to serve the people of this country, it is a sign that they want to serve the interest of their families and themselves. Upnd has a great opportunity to learn from this, we the PF have learnt, we know people who are Genuine and those who are not,” he said.

Meanwhile, MCC Mbewe has called for an end to politics of the belly.

“Some of the PF MPs who want to Join UPND do not mean well for the country arguing that they want to continue having the comfort of leadership. Politics are not only done in ruling party; the Opposition is very important because it speaks for the people of Zambia. Those PF MPs running to the UPND have no integrity and, principles.

Ignore these traitors of Mps that are pretending to be holy today. I am speaking from experience. I saw how some of them came from MMD, now they are running away again. We have learnt a lesson from certain politicians that are prostitutes in this game. They do not have principles, no integrity, they just want to go where they think they would fatten their pockets,” he said

FOCUS ON REDUCING THE HIGH COST OF LIVING NOT CREATING PROPAGANDA AGAINST PF- LIFWEKELO

27th July 2023, Lusaka.

The Patriotic Front wishes to dismiss its strongest terms two malicious articles circulating on social media with the energy that they deserve as mere falsehoods connected by desperate political adversaries.

We recognize that the two articles have been fueld by those who seek to paint the PF party and it’s leaders like Vice President Hon Given Lubinda, MCC Hon Raphael Nakacinda and a host of others black.

One of the articles seeks to insinuate that Hon Given Lubinda has been doing business with FRA suppling polytene bags used to package the maize that FRA buys from farmers..

As such we want to make it categorically clear that Hon Given Lubinda has had no business dealings with FRA, any of its staff or board members as the rubbished malicious article is suggesting.

Therefore Hon Given Lubinda has pleaded with all those especially in the UPND who harbor ill will against FRA board chairman Kelvin Hambwezya and wish to see him out of his Job to push their agenda without having to link him to the man.

Please note that neither Hon Given Lubinda or any of the enterprises he has interests in has had any sort of dealings with FRA not even in the times he served as Agriculture Minister.

We equally urge all members of the press and public alike to treat as false the article claiming that there was a physical or any sort of confrontation at all between Hon Given Lubinda and MCC Raphael Nakacinda at former President Edgar Lungu’s house in Ibex Hill Lusaka as nothing of that nature occurred .

We encourage the UPND to focus their energies on uniting the country amidst the unacceptably highest cost of living currently tormenting the Zambian people as opposed to their continued propaganda against Former President Edgar Lungu and the entire patriotic front party.

Late me put it on record that, We as PF have no time to play cat and mouse with UPND as we are fixed on rebranding and mobilizing our party for 2026 and beyond.

Therefore all attempts to assassinate the characters and spirits of our party Vice President Hon Given Lubinda and MCC Nakacinda and other leaders are an exercise in futility as we remain focused on growing the PF party.

We call on Zambians to vehemently reject the new political hegemony being perpetuated by the New Dawn Government meant as it is meant divide the country on political and ethnicity lines as opposed uniting under the one zambia one nation mantra that late President Kaunda and his peers anchored it on.

Lastly, we in the PF reiterate our commitment to the sustenance of democracy within our party and we shall not be hinged by desperate political opponents who are hell bent on seeing us fall apart by propelling unsubstantiated propaganda against our leaders.

Isssued by
Edwin Lifwekelo
Acting Media Director
Patriotic Front Party HQ
Lusaka.

DON’T SETTLE FOR OUT OF COURT AGAINST CHIENGI MP FOR PRESS
FREEDOM VIOLATION

…. as this would not deter future assailants

Lusaka… Thursday July 27, 2023 (SMART EAGLES)

The Bloggers of Zambia has called on Henry Chunza, a journalist from Times of Zambia Newspaper and the management not to withdraw the case against Chiengi Member of Parliament Hon Given Katuta and opt for monetary payment in preference for out of court settlement.

Bloggers of Zambia Chief Executive Officer Richard Mulonga says as this would not deter future assailants.

Mr. Mulonga says his organization’s position is that Hon Katuta’s physical attack on an unarmed and defenceless journalist is not only a shame on her, but it a criminal attack on press freedom and an affront to the broader democracy.

“We would like to offer our solidarity and support to the impending prosecution of Chiengi Member of Parliament (MP) Given Katuta for assaulting a journalist, Henry Chunza. This case is a matter of public interest and we call upon Mr Chunza and the management of Times of Zambia newspaper not to withdraw the case and opt for monetary payment in preference for out of court settlement as this would not deter future assailants,” said Mr. Mulonga.

“We congratulate the Zambia Police Service for acting swiftly and arresting the MP and in view of this, take note of our interest in the matter. We urge all journalists and media bodies to stand in solidarity in addition to participating in trial monitoring for transparency and accountability purposes.”

He said the Chiengi MP has exhibited unpalatable and disgraceful behaviour that does not befit the standards and decorum of a lawmaker.

“Members of Parliament as legislators are expected to be
makers of laws and policies that promote media development but the MP has an appetite for perpetrating a culture of lawlessness, violence and attacking press freedom. We are confident in the Zambia Police Service and the judicial system that Ms Katuta will receive a fair trial and that she will be made accountable for the unwarranted attacks on Zambia’s democracy,” he added.

“We would like to remind Zambians that all citizens are equal before the law and that individuals who attack journalists must be made accountable for their actions and as such, Ms Given Katuta’s successful prosecution should serve as a deterrent to would be offenders, including other MPs who assisted in assaulting Mr Chunza within the grounds of the National Assembly of Zambia. Additionally, we would like to encourage all media bodies and other interested stakeholders to join the campaign for a free press and prioritizing the safety and protection of journalists realising that journalism is the cornerstone of democracy.”

Esther cries persecution, says 15 pricy flats are matrimonial property

FORMER First Lady Esther Lungu has cried persecution as part of her defense before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court saying attempts by the State to grab her 15 double storey houses on suspicion that they are proceeds of crime is a witch-hunt.

Esther said after her husband Edgar Lungu lost presidential power in the August 12, 2021 election her family has been actively targeted by law enforcement agencies.

She has cried to the court that the said government agencies have falsely accused her family of engaging in crime when her husband served as President and the proceedings instituted by the DPP are an attempt to label her husband and their offspring as criminals based on baseless accusations without proper evidence.

In this matter the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri moved a motion before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court (High Court division) to have the properties worth K41, 586, 110. 66. forfeited to the State on suspicion that they are tainted.

The notice of a non conviction based forfeiture order of tainted property was made pursuant to Order 30 Rules 15 and 17 of the High Court Rules, read together with Sections 29 and 31 of the forfeiture of proceeds of crime Act no. 19 of 2010.

However Esther has declared interest in her semi luxurious houses which the State wants to grab, indicating that they were not built using black market money.

She argues that though the 15 double storey flats she is accused of dubiously acquiring are registered in her name, they are matrimonial property which were built by her husband Edgar Lungu.

Esther has charged that Emmanuel Khondowe, a senior investigations officer at the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) under the anti-money laundering investigations unit is not a qualified accountant nor an auditor to analyse her financial status and statements.

She said Khondowe is inexperienced in balancing the books hence he cannot gather financial information about her, analyse it and draw an opinionated conclusion that the property is tainted without conducting a proper financial audit.

In an affidavit of interested party filed in opposition to notice of motion Esther said properties no. 9334/1, 9334/2 9334/3 and 9334/4 Lusaka in State lodge Chongwe were legitimately acquired as she has never engaged in crime.

“I strongly dispute as I have not been involved in any alleged serious offence or foreign serious offence and categorically deny that the said properties are either wholly or partly derived or realized directly or indirectly by either myself or any other person from the commission of a serious offence or a foreign serious offence,” Esther said.

She explained that when she was quizzed about how the properties came into her possession by the DEC on July 26, 2022 she informed Khondowe that the houses were acquired by herself through a direct lease from the commissioner of lands then Barnabus Mulenga.

Esther explained that by virtue of her marriage to Lungu said that the properties were not disproportionate to her earnings as she has a good employment history (CV).

“It is a well known fact that I was the first lady of Zambia as I am married to the former President Edgar Lungu, and that prior to becoming the first lady as aforesaid,I worked for the Zambia Council for the Blind and Handicapped ; the Christian Council of Zambia ; under the United National High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for Refugee counseling services;the Legal Services Corporation;Lusulo and Company; Toplis and Harding Insurance Loss Adjusters; and Independent Insurance Loss Adjusters,” she said.

Ether said she would save the per diems she got on every trip she undertook whilst in formal employment.

“Upon retirement from formal employment,I was involved in NGOs which enabled me to travel internationally to exhibit and sell Zambian products in liaison with the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) where I realized some finances,”Esther explained.

She said she also accrued allowances from the foreign and local trips in her capacity as First Lady.

“I personally informed Khondowe of the source of income that I had acquired both during the said period and the period prior to the said investigations,”Esther said.

“I wish to state that the aforesaid properties registered in my name are in fact matrimonial properties which information was also conveyed to Khondowe the investigation officer and that these properties were developed by my husband (Lungu).”

She disputed the value of the properties claiming it is intentionally inflated.

Esther said the State has failed to give particulars of the alleged serious offence or foreign serious offence nor unlawful activity associated with her persona or any of the properties listed in the application.

She stated that the State has failed to produce sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the 15 flats are proceeds of crime.

The impassioned queen of pleas begged the Court to see to it that her constitutional right of the presumption of innocence until proven guilty should be respected.

She said the State should not publicly convict her on the acquisition of property as it is her constitutional right to be accorded some respect and a right to a fair trial.

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba

In one of the articles I churned out earlier this year titled, “Will Edgar Lungu Pull A Quick One?” I observed that Lungu hasn’t quite retired from politics. I predicated that as we approach 2026, stage-managed calls for the former president to come back into politics will rise to a crescendo. In the fullness of time, the humble leader would invite the media to his Ibex Hill plush mansion and declare that he’s been compelled to run for public office again due to public demand. It seems the pieces are already beginning to fast fall into place.

It’s even surprising that those who consider themselves to be crafty and shrewd policians such as Chishimba Kambwili and Godfrey B. Mwamba could not read through such cheap schemes right from beginning. The other day, some women “waylaid” Lungu during his usual morning jogging and cried bitterly. They complained they are suffering under the UPND government.

“You are the only one we consider as president, we don’t know Hichilema. Please come back us and liberate us,” one of them can be heard complaining in Nyanja.

The jumble leader is again seen in a video on social media excitedly exchanging fist bumps and high fives with some kids. This is a choreographed strategy to portray him as a loving father to the public. As the plot continues to thicken, you should expect more individuals of different hues and shades to continue flocking to Ibex Hill for photo opts – students, labour leaders, the clergy, traditional leaders etc.

President Edgar Lungu must not dare take the people of Zambia for granted. He should stop mocking us! The country witnessed the worst atrocities under his brutal regime! Do we surely need to remind him his cadres used to pry open mouths of journalists and urinate in them? Has he forgotten that he closed our favourite The Post Newspapers and equally shut down the popular Prime TV station, institutions he considered critical of his government? Didn’t his cadres gouge out our eyes or hack us with pangas? Who killed Chibulo Mapenzi…..Grazier Mutapa…..Lawrence Banda? Who gassed us in our homes during our sleep? Did Lungu allow the opposition, particularly HH to interact with would-be voters? Weren’t the markets and stations “No Go Zones!” for UPND members? Who stripped our students of mealie meal allowances? Did Lungu avail CDF to opposition strongholds on time? Does he need reminding that his government and party officials became instant millionaires…..they’ve colossal sums of money stashed in their houses, and boast of fleets of cars and mansions everywhere!

Stop hiding in your so-called morning exercises, Sir! Be a man and declare your intentions now so that we can tackle you fairly and squarely!

Prince Bill M Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst

ZAMBIA AMONG MEMBER STATES WHO ATTENDED THE US FLAG RAISING CEREMONY AT UNESCO

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Paris, France… Thursday July 27, 2023

The Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in France, was among the Permanent Delegations accredited to UNESCO who attended the United States of America flag-raising ceremony that took place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on July 25,2023.

US First Lady, Dr Jill Biden graced the colourful ceremony which brought together several Member States of UNESCO.

The flag was hoisted up outside UNESCO’s headquarters in view of distinguished Permanent Delegations.

The flag raising ceremony marks the symbolic return of the US to UNESCO effective July 10, 2023 when an instrument of acceptance of the UNESCO Constitution was deposited in London in line with the United Kingdom’s status as the depository for the UNESCO Constitution.

The Zambian Mission in Paris was represented by First Secretary Political Cecilia Kangwa.

In her keynote address, Dr Biden said that the flag raising symbolises America’s restoration of leadership on the world stage and affirmed her country’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage, empowering education and science across the globe.

And UNESCO director General Audrey Azoulay stated that the return of the US to UNESCO reinforces her oganisation’s universality and boosts its legitimacy for the future.

She said the US return wil allow UNESCO to step up its efforts in strategic domains and expand their presence in field operations, responding to crises, developing digital learning and skill, promoting African heritage and history, fighting racism, opening up science especially to women and young people.

In June, the US announced its intention to rejoin UNESCO with a commitment to repay estimated arrears of $619 million.

The Department of States further committed to pay its 2023 dues and $10 million in bonus contributions this year in support of UNESCO’s programming for Holocaust education, journalist safety, the preservation of cultural heritage in Ukraine, and science, technology, engineering, and math education (STEM) in Africa.

The return of the US to UNESCO brings the total number of Member States to 194.

Zambia and the US enjoys warm bilateral relations

Issued by:
Naomi Mweemba
First Secretary Press
Zambian Embassy
Paris
Email: Naomi.Ng’andu@grz.gov.zm

TEMPERS FLARE –PF SENIOR MEMBERS IN A BRAWL AT IBEX HILL LUNGU’S RESIDENCE

A Chaotic brawl almost broke out at Former president Edgar Lungu’s ibex hil residence were two senior Patriotic Front members got into a heated argument concerning Brian HAPUNDA ‘s revelation that they’re camps fighting fully paid PF presidential candidates to be dropped and hand pick Edgar Lungu.

Security quickly separated the two senior Patriotic Front (PF) Members from assaulting each other at Former President Edgar Lungu’s residence in ibex Tuesday evening, Acting Patriotic Front president Given Lubinda lost his temper and lashed at information and publicity committee Chairperson Raphael Nakachinda accusing him of leaking confidential information concerning the party Convention which has been postponed again from October 2023, to unknown date.

The scene, which saw Former water and sanitation minister grabbing a fruit basket aiming at Former Justice Minister Given Lubinda left Former President Lungu to take a walk of shame” from the lounge leaving the two leaders separated by security elbows and boots.

The meeting which was called by Given Lubinda and attended by Raphael Nakachinda and others , did not call to order as the two got straight into a screaming match,

Nakachinda who could not keep his voice down lost his temper and started talking over Given Lubinda who he accused of not taking firm action against erring Party members who are creating camps and challenging the come back of Former president ECL.

The drunken Nakachinda lost control of his deaminor and the meeting quickly turned into a fracas.

“Citizens want our president “ECL” , back ,but currently we cant manage our affairs internally; we have a acting president who is not keeping members in check, squables are now in the public” He yelled. “Almost everyone in PF has court cases but how many is the secretariat paying for legal representation” Asked Nakachinda.

Nakachinda continued yelling on top of his voice lecturing Given Lubinda who also lost his temper and reached for a glass of whisky, lunging and missing the PF publicity Chairperson by an inch.

Given Lubinda who was restrained by a security guard asked Nakachinda why he was accusing him of having favourites on legal fees representation when his not in the legal department ,and that the PF secretariat is assisting and paying for legal fees of his Girlfriend Saboi imboela.

“You’re claiming that we’re selective in paying legal fees and returner fees for Patriotic front members but the secretariat is paying all legal fees for your girlfriend Saboi of NDC” ultered Lubinda in heated chaos while been restrained by security.

In a disgraceful fashion Former president Edgar Lungu walked out on the chaotic meeting that did not cover the agenda and warned the two not to call for meetings at his residence when drunk.

“I cannot accept this kind of behaviour in my house like this Mr. Lubinda” said Lungu,

“Let the convention come and allow delegates of the party to vote, the people choose me before, dont waste time fighting each other”,He said.

After the truce of his former ministers the former state man walked out head bowing down.

Initially anointed as the” God father” of PF in 2021, were he contested and lost the General elections by over 1million votes, Lungu did not appoint a party successor, as the Patriotic front constitution requires fresh elections to vote in new office executives.

But the preparation has been plugned into chaos postponing the general conference twice this year, in March 2023 and to October 2023.

Among the aspiring fully paid presidential candidates, is GBM, Chishimba Kambwili, Miles Sampa, Brian Mundubile, Greyford Monde,Mutotwe Kafwaya, Dr.Chitalu Chilufya among others, the PF convention remains without a definite date.

While Camps are fiercely fighting to have their preferred candidate on the 2026 ECZ presidential ballot paper.- Zambia Eagle

YOUR HUNGER FOR VENGEANCE WILL DESTROY YOU, CHILANGWA TELLS PRESIDENT HICHILEMA

24th July 2023
Mr. Hakainde Hichilema
President of Zambia
State House
Lusaka.
Mr. President,
RE: THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT

Greetings from my prison cell in Kawambwa State Prison. Grace and peace be with you.

I desire to share with you a number of issues which will be contained in a series of letters
that I will be writing you on a weekly basis. This I am doing for the sake of our country and
its people.

Let me start by sharing the following Bible scripture coming from the gospel according
to Mathew 18:21-35.

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord someone won’t stop doing wrong to me,
how many times must I forgive them? Seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, you must forgive them more than seven times. You must
continue to forgive them even if do wrong to you seventy-seven times.”

So God’s kingdom is like a king who decided to collect the money his servants owed
him.

The king began to collect his money. One servant owed him several ponds of silver.
He was not able to pay the money to his master, the king.so the master ordered that he
and everything he owned be sold, even his wife and children. The money would be used
to pay the king what the servant owed.

But the servant fell on his knees and begged, patient with me, I will pay you everything I
owe. The master felt sorry for him, so he told the servant he did not have to pay. He let
him go free. Later that same servant found another servant who owed him a hundred
silver coins. He grabbed him around the neck and said pay me the money you owe me.

The other servant fell on his knees and begged him “be patient with me, I will pay you
everything I owe”.

But the first servant refused to be patient. He told the judge that the other servant owed
him money and that servant was put in jail until he could pay everything he owed. All the other servants saw what had happened, they felt very sorry for the man. So they went
and told their master the king everything that had happened.

Then the master called his servant in said, “you evil servant, you begged me to forgive you your debt and I said you did not have to pay anything. So you should have given that other man who serves with you the same mercy I gave you.

The master was very
angry, so he put the servant in jail to be punished. And he had to stay in jail until he could pay everything he owed.

The king did the same as my heavenly father will do to you. You must forgive your brother
or sister with all your heart or my heavenly father will not forgive you.”

This ends the quoted Bible scripture. These are not my words but inspired scriptures from the Holy Bible. The focus must be on verse 35 and I repeat, “This king did the same as
my heavenly father will do to you”

After reading this portion of scripture, what is it that comes in your mind? What are your thoughts? What do you think of this unforgiving servant?

I am sure you are saying, “What a terrible man this man was!”
This unforgiving servant is exactly like you. You might actually be worse than this man.

You were arrested and charged for treason because of your reckless conduct in Mongu.

[According to the statutes once one is tried for this offence] the sentence for this offence includes the death penalty meaning that you would have ended on the death row.

The whole world stood up for you and brokered your release under a Nolle, meaning that
you were restored and given a second chance meaning that God gave you second chance, and God went further to exalt you by giving you the opportunity to lead Zambia as its 7th president.

Just like the unforgiving servant, you were given an opportunity by God the father to start
afresh, a new beginning was given to you. But how have you used this new beginning?
How have you used this new hope? How have you used this new opportunity?

You have gone out all guns blazing to victimize, humiliate, destroy and persecute all your perceived enemies, rivals and anyone you don’t like and anyone you hate!

Zambia is a democracy, and all of us have diverse opinions, different beliefs and we do things differently.

Your duty should have been to promote unity in diversity. You should
have been a bridge builder but unfortunately you have elected to be full of yourself and full of hate!

Just like the unforgiving servant, God has seen and recorded your conduct, behavior
and treatment of others.

Unless you turn away from your wicked conduct and behavior
your end will be very bad.

And I can tell you that all those you are persecuting today will outlive you just as history will show you! And why can’t you learn from history? I will illustrate and belabor this in my second letter to you next week.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse us of all our iniquities. Mr. President, you have an opportunity to redeem yourself.

Don’t listen to your praise singers as when
the time of reckoning comes which is fast approaching you will be alone, just alone and
alone indeed.

I like to believe that even the unforgiving servant had those who were cheering him on
as he manhandled his debtor and had him thrown in prison. Just like your praise singers.

Please note that others are cheering you on as a way of sustainance, but you will be alone very soon! Please slow down on vengeance as it is destroying you, your party and Zambia at large. And not PF!

You are not a king or chief who sits on the throne till death. Your tenure has an expiry date and it is fast approaching!

It is said that “to be fore-warned is to be fore-armed”.

And where I come from it is said that “uushumfwa patunono napa fingi teti omfwe”, and it is also said that “munshebwa
ayile…”

I wish you wisdom from above and I remain to write you my next letter next week.

Yours in the service of motherland,

Nickson Chilangwa

WHAT MEASURES HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE TO ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF STREET VENDORS TO CREATE “FRESH AIR” – MAKEBI ZULU QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT

Renowned Lawyer Makebi Zulu has questioned what provisions of law the UPND government has put in place to ensure vendors that were recently removed from the street are able to fend for themselves.

Mr. Zulu says governance should be seen to be for the benefit of the people being governed unlike behind the scenes likening it to a cult.

“Governance is being able to rule in accordance with the way that the people that have put you in power and that looks at being able to satisfy the needs of the people that have put you in office.” He said.

He added that there should have been proper planning and sensitization with the street vendors prior to their removal as opposed to doing so after the act.

“You should have engaged much more, the same propaganda you’ve employed now to clean up the mess that you have created should have been employed before…” Mr. Zulu said.

Mr Zulu was speaking during Tuesday’s edition of 5FM’s “The Burning Issue” radio program where he was featured together with Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe.

And the Justice Minister said that the UPND government is doing exactly what the people want, having given them room to breathe and fresh air, an experience that he said Zambians had not experienced before UPND came into power.

“If we had the opportunity right now we would go to intercity… which was a den of all sorts of activities which is in contrast to what the people of Zambia expected and wanted.” The minister said.

And Mr Zulu further questioned if Government was concerned about the survival of the vendors that had been removed from the streets and wondered if at all there was any law to safeguard their interests.

“The real issue that we are supposed to be dealing with is how are we enhancing the law for purposes of ensuring that our people are living a good life out there,”
Yes you have taken people out of the streets, out of intercity but how are they surviving? Are you concerned about how they are surviving. What laws have you put in place that are going to safeguard their interest?” He asked.-The New Dawn Newspaper

ZAMBIA DESERVES BETTER LEADERSHIP-HON. NIXON CHILANGWA

Greetings!

To all colleagues, friends and family.

I desire to take this opportunity to thank you for your prayers, messages of solidarity
support and encouragement!

Let me start by informing you all that I am perfectly ok, I am at peace, I have accepted
my situation, my fate, and I have quickly adjusted to prison life, learning and experiencing
new things here on a daily basis!

I am at peace because in all things we should thank God, in all things we should praise
God, and in all things we should wait upon God! I am sure, very sure that God has answered all our prayers as He is faithful and just!

There is a reason for everything, for God to have allowed this to happen there must be a reason.

There is something God wants me to learn, or there is something God is talking to me about because everything God does is good and for a very good reason.

Maybe I am here so that my life is preserved, or God is preparing me for another Mission in My
Life!

But throughout history we learn that the calling to service is not for the faint-hearted, nor
for cowards.
Unfortunately so.

Is it not ironic that the UPND leadership and president HH can be so obsessed with me in
this fashion? They have become so stone-hearted with no regard to the feelings and liberties of others.

As long as it gives them joy and meets the desires of their hearts.

Zambia deserves better leadership and God will provide.

But believers will learn from the Bible how stone-hearted Joseph’s brothers became, how stone-hearted Pharaoh of Egypt became towards the children of Israel, even how stone-hearted those who conspired against Jesus became.

In our country we know how stone-hearted those who conspired against President Kaunda became and how stone-hearted those who conspired against President Chiluba became. This is summed up in Ecc 1: 9, “there is nothing new under the sun. What has been done will be done, what has happened will
happen.”

I am blessed because I am in a place where people love me genuinely in Kawambwa and ordinary people are visiting me on daily basis and providing for my daily needs.

This is so humbling even when they themselves are struggling they are sacrificing for me. Not
the elite or the well-to-do but the under-privileged.

My cellmates are an incredible lot who are giving me all the support, they are sharing their food and other supplies with me. They are praying and sharing the word of God with
me and this is just another topic for another day.

I am spending my time prayers, talking to God, understanding His word, reading, writing, taking time to listen to different stories from my new found friends as to how they got here.

At the rate things have unfolded in my first 10 days here in prison, this will be a very fulfilling
mission and a big turning point in my life.

There is no way I will get out of prison with a vengeful and hateful heart if God desires that I come out. I am ready for either a short-haul or indeed the long-haul here.

For the PF family, it is time to stand up and be counted.

It is time for all of us to show leadership and fill in the gaps. The time for the blame game is long gone.

I wish you all peace and grace from above.

NICKSON CHILANGWA
Kawambwa State Prison

OVER THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE ACCESSED NAPSA PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS

…. a total of K7.7 billion has been paid to beneficiaries

Government has disclosed that as of 30th June 2023, a total of 332, 493 members have been paid a total of K7.7 billion under the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) partial withdraw initiative.

Delivering a ministerial statement in Parliament this afternoon, Minister of Labor and Social Security Hon Brenda Tambatamba says there has been an overwhelming response from the general public toward the pre-retirement benefits.

“Madam Speaker, you may wish to note that of the 332,493 members paid as of 30th June, 2023:
15 percent or 48,661 members were female who received 16 percent of the total payout or K1.2 billion 85 percent or 283,832 were male who received K6.4 billion. Further, I wish to state that the youth have also benefited from pre-retirement benefits. A total of K777 million has been paid to 60,240 members of the scheme aged 20-34 years who make up 18 percent of the total members paid. The age group 35-49 years old received a total of K5.3 billion while 53,861 or 16 percent of members paid were in the age group above 50 years old received K1.6 billion as of 30th June, 2023,” she told the House.

The Minister also said government is also cognisant of the challenges faced by some members of the scheme in accessing their pre-retirement benefits.

“Some of the reasons that have led to these challenges include: Mismatch of member details with key service providers such as banks and mobile network operators which the authority has identified as critical institutions for the validation of member details. Non – remittance of member contributions by some employers has resulted in some members failing to meet the eligibility criteria of 60 months of contributions and therefore unable to claim the pre – retirement lump sum benefit. The legacy issue of duplicated national registration cards,” she added.

“To address the challenges faced by the members, the National Pension Scheme Authority, has instituted the following measures: Extended hours of operations of the customer service centre from 08:00 – 17: 00 hours to 06:00 – 22:00 hours to allow huge outturns of members who seek assistance with verification of member details and onboarding to facilitate for claim process. The authority has engaged the most affected employers which include among other local authorities, quasi-government institutions, and private employers to make good of contributions as provided for by the NPS Act No. 40 of 1996.”

Hon Tambatamba explained that in order to mitigate the challenge of shared NRCs, the Authority has established a dedicated unit comprising of desk officers responsible for continuously engaging and collaborating with the national registration office for the identification of rightful owners.

“Madam Speaker, as I conclude, allow me to state that the implementation of the pre-retirement benefits has also raised awareness amongst the general public on the importance of pensions. Further, it has exposed employers who have not been remitting their employees’ contributions to the scheme. The new dawn government will continue in the medium and long term to undertake broad social security reforms to ensure that the existing social security schemes are well subscribed and responsive to the needs of our citizens,” she concluded.

By Ibrahim Kabwe mwamba

THE RISE & Fall OF PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA-
A POSSIBLE ONE TERM PRESIDENT.

-PART 1

Known as President HH by many across the sphere and among Zambians.

Here is how President HH may have attained great power yet loose it within a mandate of 5years.

In my opinion, UPND won the 2021 election not because they had might and grit that was outstanding but because people of Zambia got fade up with The PF’s arrogance,lawlessness and bad governance.

The biggest opposition in 2021 was not the UPND but it was The Economy and The People of Zambia from all parties that united as one to deny their own political parties a vote and give UPND a vote in protest of the PF rule.

Today UPND may enjoy a sense of comfort for not having a formidable or united opposition but then soon or later HH needs to realize that it is more dangerous not to have a strong opposition at this point given the 1,276 days remaining till next election. This because UPND does not know their opponent neither do they have familiarity of what Zambians may decide to go with come 2026 because even at war you need to study your opponent. In this case,HH and UPND have no idea what sort of strategy or style could possibly work to combat an aggressive opponent.

Looking at the levels of greed, hypocrisy and selfishness among top UPND leadership/partners including business associates who are minting and currently not talking despite the hardships people are going through because it is bad manners to talk while chewing , it remains not far fetched a possibility that disgruntled UPND MP’s and disgruntled PF MP’s may find a common/mutual ground and work together to field a candidate that may retire HH and also put a stop to PF confusion that is anchored on greed and intolerance. This threat/possibility is very eminent because one can easily read through the lines how UPND ,PF & Independent MP’s engage each other even outside parliament grounds. This could be the beginning of the end for HH because he has failed to honor deserving individuals that worked with him in opposition.

Yes , the President won profoundly with massive support from the greater majority of society.However, he has reduced his status in the eyes of like minded Zambians that are facing serious economic challenges that clearly he has reluctantly failed to address. Yes , the government has employed more teachers and health workers that did not have employment after training prior to him taking over. But here is something we as Zambians need to focus on and ask questions without prejudice.

A driver once said , it is easy to envy a car that seemingly look as if it only needs tyre replacement not until you you become the driver and realize you need to work on the engine more importantly and deal with tyre mending at a later stage -> This illustration is equal to what HH found,hence the statement from him ,”The treasury is empty “. But sadly, he started well then from no way his stopped working on fixing the engine to fixing the music system meaning his neglected the tyres , engine (economy) now focusing on the music system ( just talking and praising himself)

1. Is it not part of Government’s responsibility to create employment among its very own Citizens? My guess remains as good as yours.

2.Has Government provided reasonable accommodation or healthy amenities/living conditions for the newly recruited Civil Servants? My guess still remain as only good as yours .
In all truth and patriotism, the newly elected President HH has delivered in terms of sanity (no more carders harassing citizens) and he has demonstrated a sound economic message for what he intends to do going forward. However, we have a challenge because based on his promises of zero corruption and smart governance, the man has failed to deliver. He promised the common basic needs and the basic needs are now far fetched to attain by the common man( refer to the price of basic commodities).

I wish to categorically state that indeed the government under HH is trying hard to address these critical challenges that we the people of Zambia are facing but I believe an example or scenario would attempt to give a much fair, balanced and easy to understand model of our current economic theory.
According to Milton Keynesians (Economic model) they believe that, because prices are somewhat rigid, fluctuations in any component of spending—consumption, investment, or government expenditures—cause output to change. If government spending increases, for example, and all other spending components remain constant, then output will increase or reduce.

This theory goes to say, “ to secure strong and inclusive growth which benefits businesses and residents, and to sustain the reputation of MK as a prosperous model, innovative and culturally vibrant economic approach need to be in place which are key to economic growth. In short, what MK is saying is simply what grows an “Economy is Expenditure” meaning the Government has to spend money in the local economy for it to grow. Strange enough, HH government has not done much to the latter such as spending money in the local Economy for example, PAYING OFF LOCAL DEBTS OWED BY GOVERNMENT TO LOCAL CONTRACTORS/SUPPLIERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES.

When you decide to prioritize servicing international debt over local debt, you starve an economy hence every Zambian alike is constantly complaining about cash flow..President and his team in this case HH & business partners in charge of our economy have decided to focus on making a good impression to their potential future business associates overseas at the expense of serving the very people who have given him (them) a mandate to rule.

What we are experiencing today is a serious lack of patriotism whereby, a leader is more concerned on how a foreign entity view him as a prospective business man in his future endeavors than what we his own people should view him as President.

The President has failed to distinguish between GOVERNANCE and BUSINESS because if he truly had good intentions by now he’d have relinquished most of his shareholding in private business outfits such as African Life .

Yes,it is a well known fact that HH may not have significant influence (Shares) in African Life but truly speaking everyone knows Mr Muna Hantuba is a close associate and business ally to HH as way back as Mr Anderson Mazoka (MHSRIP) era. The two started running businesses together (Anglo-American days) therefore,it is obvious we know HH at the peak of his political career he had to intrust Mr Muna Hantuba as his trustee to hold on to his shareholding component in African Life which was a smart yet cunning business move because today as we interact further, clearly this may end in tears..Que;is WHY ? …he has managed to affirm the very sense of reservations Zambians had about him as HH and his role during the privatization exercise at a very tender age of 27yrs.

What HH did at 27yrs anyone could have done but one would need to be very exceptional for a youth.However,we do not expect him to continue on this trajectory as head of state because he may not be in a position to explain how his managed to attain the billionaire status for him and his partners (Muna Hantuba & Valentine Chitalu) within a space of 5yrs keeping in view not long ago we have seen The Ministry of Mines advert on a lucrative Environmental fund management tender/contract this being notice of award to African-Life not ZISC for Zambians but African-Life for Business associates/partners (Pls note as of 2015,the fund was seating at $35 million )

WHAT SHOULD HH DO FOR ZAMBIANS?

What HH needs to do;
1. HH needs to let go of his influence in most of these companies that are getting lucrative contracts ASAP and listen to Zambians not his partners in running the affairs of Zambians.(Fertilizer characters being awarded )
2. HH must realize that Zambians can not be fooled the same way he fooled us in the 90’s during privatization. Whereby,he had a silent/soft opportunity that pushed him into multiple millionaire status. He can still be a billionaire after 2031 but not this time.
3. HH needs to look after local interests and engage CHINA as soon as possible unlike what he did immediately we gave him power he took his maiden trip to the USA which was a wrong and selfish move for a head of state given what is at stake for Zambians because we owe CHINA more than 30% of our external debt.
4.HH needs to realize that local problems require local solutions, from time and again the people who advise HH have been engaged to advise the government so they could consider signing local MoU’s instead of flying in and out trying address issues of electricity,hunger and economic distress among the Zambian people.

-For example, Nigeria’s Dangote Group planned and managed to commission a US$50mn 30 MW power plant in Zambia in 2014/15, which is now supplying electricity to its cement factory in Ndola city in Masaiti. Why can’t FQM, Kalumbila, KCM and many other factories do the same to reduce our pressure on Zesco ?
-Why isn’t government working with commercial farmers through MoU’s to grow more food (Commercial crops / staple food ) using FISP for example, why not give a commercial farmer(s) who has capacity to grow 50,000MT of Maize,wheat, soya to increase their yield by an extra 20,000MT for government on an MoU basis to cover food security in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture?
5. This habit of selectively calling his business associates who are mostly of foreign origin to go for meetings marked “secret” should come to an end..It was disappointing that the President could chair such a meeting and this is how we have ended up with a fast track hotel at east park mall being built near a University because clearly that sort of always thinking profits will end up auctioning our very own.

Part 2 loading….

The great elephant 🐘
Ibrahim Kabwe mwamba

FPI CONDEMNS HARRASSMENT OF TIMES OF ZAMBIA PHOTOJOURNALIST BY CHIENGI MP
Lusaka, Tuesday, July 25, 2023
The Zambia Free Press Initiative (FPI) has condemned the alleged assault and spitting on a Times of Zambia Journalist, Henry Chunza, by Chiengi Member of Parliament, Ms Given Katuta.

FPI Founder and Executive Director, Joan Chirwa, says the behavior by Ms Katuta is regrettable especially that every member of parliament is expected to have some level of knowledge about the work of journalists.

After being suspended from Parliament by the Speaker of the National Assembly on Friday last week, Ms Katuta attempted to grab a camera from the Journalist when he took pictures of her as she was coming out of the house and in the process, spat on him.
“As Free Press Initiative (FPI), we are really concerned and saddened by the happenings at the National Assembly last week. We were informed of the harassment of Henry Chunza, a Photojournalist from the Times of Zambia by Chiengi Independent Member of Parliament Given Katuta whom we understand was assisted by other MPs to try and assault this journalist. And one of those MPs identified in the police statement was Chawama MP Tasila Lungu,” she said. “This is very disappointing behavior coming from MPs who are held in high esteem by members of the public, and especially electorates that entrusted them with a Hyde responsibility to represent them in the National Assembly.”

The FPI Executive Director said the National Assembly is a place that allows journalists to enter and do their work freely.
Ms Chirwa said the journalists could not have been allowed to do their work if at all it was a place where media personnel were not allowed to have access to.

She said the fact that Katuta was in a place where journalists were allowed to take photos meant that the journalist was supposed to carry out his work without interference.

Ms Chirwa said the nature of the assignment where the MP was told to walk out the House by the Speaker of the National Assembly is newsworthy for any journalist that has nose for news.
“No journalist can miss such an opportunity to take good pictures of the Honourable MP. I am not sure if I should even use the word Honourable in this respect especially that the conduct of this particular MP is totally dishonourable because we do not expect anything like that from MPs for that matter,” she said.

Ms Chirwa reminded MPs to understand the role of journalists and accord them the necessary respect whenever they are doing their work.
Ms Chirwa is disappointed that people entrusted to formulate laws are the ones in the forefront of breaking such laws through mistreatment of journalists.

“We saw her justification of whatever happened and unfortunately, without even a line of apology to the journalist that she harassed, that is very unfortunate,” she said.

Ms Chirwa has urged the police to handle the matter professionally for it to serve as a deterrent measure to others in the habit of assaulting journalists.

“We hope that she can do her own soul searching and we hope that the police can do their work because such conduct should not be tolerated at all. It is better that some lessons are learnt from what happened last week,” she said.

CSPR CALLS FOR A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF STREET VENDING

… the move by government to clean the Lusaka CBD has been long overdue

Lusaka… Tuesday July 25, 2023 (SMART EAGLES)

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) is commending government for clearing the Lusaka Central Business District (CBD) and ensuring that it is clean orderly and sanitary enabling ordinary citizens to operate in a clean environment as provided for by the Market and Bus Station Act.

CSPR Executive Director Faides TembaTemba says the move by government to clean the CBD has been long overdue, the action has not only averted an outbreak of communicable diseases such as Cholera but is also a safety measure against accidents for both traders and motorists.

“We note that the problem of street vending is a source of livelihood in the informal economy, and it is known to be an old practice that has always had a presence in major cities within the country. With an ever-increasing number of streets vendors, it is hard to know the population of the people on the streets, since provision of alternative livelihoods and business opportunities for the jobless youths and women can easily be accessed on the streets,” she said.

“However, the forgoing makes it difficult to provide social amenities, management of solid waste disposal, nonpayment of taxes, road traffic congestion and accidents and the congestion increases crime such as pickpocketing and provision of sanitary services becomes a challenge. Further, its informal nature makes it difficult for the traders to access government empowerment schemes such as the Citizen Economic Empowerment (CEE) Programme, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and Marketers Empowerment programs.”

Ms TembaTemba said while CSPR recognizes efforts by government in putting up formal market infrastructures, such as the new Soweto Market across the country, he organization is calling on government to put up a comprehensive economic strategy with interrelated components for the creation of more employment opportunities through employment intensive growth and formalizing informal enterprises through a context-specific mix of incentives.

“In addition, the government must consider making the law on street vending relevant to the economic situation of today with high unemployment rates.
Therefore, instead of allowing street vendors to becoming illegal tax evaders, government needs to designate gazette areas for street vending so that the vice does not reoccur as been observed with previous governments,” she added.

“As an organization we are against the practice of allowing street venders to operate for political expedience thereby creating a stable livelihood for the vulnerable which gets disrupted each time vendors are forced out of the streets.
CSPR, further commends government for making consultations with various stakeholders in its decision to remove street vendors from the CBD, however, government needs to come up with an informal local economic strategy developed jointly by government, key stakeholders like business companies, civil society organizations, the church, local entrepreneurs and the street vendors. This can help build consensus on regulatory and enforcement of laws and in turn help the government to come up with actual needs of the vendors instead of responding to assumed needs such as building formal market infrastructure for all.”

PF finds another reason to “avoid” convention
…say they will be busy with traditional ceremonies

IN its apparent lack of desire to have an elective convention anytime soon, the PF has found another excuse to delay the meeting further.

Since losing power in 2021, the PF has not been able to hold a convention to elect new party leadership to replace vanquished Edgar Lungu and his executive.

Impeccable insiders have repeatedly told Kalemba that Lungu has u-turned on his decision to leave politics and is using every trick in the book to return to the presidency of the PF after his colleagues convinced him that he would easily win back power in 2026.

The former president’s people have since worked to delay the convention as they work out the best plan to get him back at the helm of the PF.

The convention has already been postponed twice.

At first, the PF blamed its inability to the hold the convention on lack of funds before shifting to blame court cases brought forward by party presidential aspirant Miles Sampa.

Late last month, the PF announced that convention would take place in October but that would be preceeded by a meeting to amend the constitution on July 29, which is next Friday.

But now the party’s PF information and publicity chairperson Raphael Nakacinda says the constitution amendment conference will not take place as announced in order to allow members attend traditional ceremonies.

Nakacinda said the party and its members will be observing the Mutomboko ceremony in Luapula province and the centenary celebration of the Catholic Church in Minga Petauke district of eastern province.

He said the events will occur simultaneously on the same day hence it was resolved that the constitution conference be deferred to allow party members from all provinces to participate in the alteration of the PF constitution.

“This process is one that would not want to have other members of the party especially at the level of the province if not region be undermined or sabotaged from participating fully because there are events that are taking place,” he said.

“That is a matter that is proving to be difficult because we have two national events that are taking place on the same day we had envisioned to hold the restitutive conference. One is the Mutomboko were obviously we cannot avoid but participate as a party two is the 100 years centenary celebration of the Catholic church in Minga Petauke.”

He indicated that some of the provisions that need to be changed is the delineation of the party’s authority from branches of government.

The former minister of water development and sanitation emphasized that the other reason for changing the party constitution is that the PF wants to maintain a professional civil service when it bounces back in power without overcrowding it with cadres.

“There were provisions that seem to suggest we are envisioning to run what seems to have been a one party participatory system. It is envisioned that we are going to have a separation between government and the party,” Nakacinda said.

“The party is basically just an entity or organization through which those who serve in government are sponsored. So when you are sponsored and when you win an election you are expected to serve as a government official without necessarily carrying your tag of politics into government.”

He watered down assertions that the constitution was being modified to serve the interests of a specific individual.

“The party is responding to the demands of the Zambian people and engaging in extensive consultations to ensure the new laws governing the PF meet the expectations of the populace,” Nakacinda said.

He disclosed that after the party suffered a humiliating defeat in the August 12, 2021 poll there have been demands to revamp the party’s image which requires to reconstruct the party structure and its constitutional provisions that do not speak to the democratic dispensation.

“All those petty and childish assertions suggesting that the constitution is being amended with somebody in mind either to enhance their interest or ambition in the party or indeed to undermine somebody’s ambition or desire to participate in the affairs of the party at a certain level is really misplaced,” Nakacinda charged.

He said the constitution reforms are important as part of the rebranding efforts in response to the demands by ‘Zambians’.

“We are consulting widely and we are hoping that at the end of this whole process we will create a piece of law that governs PF, that speaks to the aspirations of the Zambian people and that’s the process we are undertaking,” Nakacinda said.

He appealed to the members of the green family to remain patient as the Leadership is determined to do the right thing on time.

“We will do what you expect us to do not at the instigation of the ruling party or any other individual or organization that we know do not mean well against PF. We will be at a pace and a process that is approved in tandem with the aspirations of the party,” said Nakacinda.

“So it’s only prudent that we re-adjust the dates but I don’t want to pre-empt which option we have because that is subject to the decision of the bigger body which is the National Executive Committee.”

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba July 19, 2023