IT FEELS GOOD TO BE ZAMBIAN UNDER PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA…***

By Stembridge Sikalundu

Let’s wake up and work hard in our lives and contribute to economic development in this country , we can manage to reduce total dependancy through innovation and diversture programs using investment ideas at a small scale .This is the mindset which should preoccupy our lives to prevent our minds from being eroded by people that are critics of any good because of wanting power by their means. The former president once refered president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA as a calculator , these expositions can prove that our president is an intellectual combined with a leadership gifted background that is sober and principled .

Zambians at a large scale have access to state resources in many avenues which the govt has created , through bursaries , loans , increased CDF allocations on projects and many opportunities that were not expected through a frame work of policies that are directly benefiting zambians . Many issues have come into effect which includes payment of outstanding dues for pensioners, creating a flexible system for those retiring tomorrow , 20% NAPSA partial withdrawals a plus on the people of zambia , no political violence , it is pleasing to live in Zambia under the UPND leadership . Zambia is back because what has happened before the lapse of two years under the new Dawn govt gives confidence that zambians are under securable powers .

From the time the UPND govt came into office ,only the people of zambia chose to be patient with the leadership , this is the culture which is known among zambians , that is why govts are given a long rope to hang themselves , a govt which has its own distinguishable Political DNA like the UPND that has a positive vision which comprise maximum attention on the plight of citizens , the UPND party will settle in power for quite some time given the excellence and charismatic approach to governance issues which the people of zambia desired for a long time . Who is going to take away a smart govt of this kind which has been working with less rhetorical responses to irrelevant political critics , a govt that is practical on the concepts and other policy details is very visible . A govt that keeps the people under check and thinking beyond their challenges is dear to the people of zambia ,unless one is radicalised and simply needs political rehab . God bless mother Zambia.

Miles Sampa
CONGRATULATIONS PRESIDENT HH, THE FINANCE MINISTER & ZAMBIA 🇿🇲 FOR THE $6.3BN DEBT RESTRUCTURING DEAL CLINCHED

…Zikomo 🙏🏾 China for your favourable response on the matter

I join Hon Bowman Lusambo the senior member of the PF in commending President HH but I endovour to add the Finance Minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane for clinching Zambia’s ‘do or die’ debt restructuring deal.

It was delicate and required a lot of patience and tactical engagements at various top levels of the global community. Zambia’s good current foreign policy and diplomacy is yielding tangible results.

The 3 years extension on principle repayment will give Zambia the much needed room to breath and navigate out of the current economic challenges. It would have been good if some hair cut of some write off had need realized as well but as it is said ‘a bird in hand is better than two in the air’.

The important thing for now is that the first step has been accomplished, our creditors are on board and the IMF bailout package that was on ice can now commence. It will then trigger more FDIs and cheaper finances into Zambia for our private sector.

The 3 years gives the current government some time to come up with some self reliant economic ‘marshal plan’. We have no choice but to come up with the money to pay the debt in 2026.

The quickest source of tangible revenue for the government is already God given to us, but located undeground on Zambian soils. All our copper and gold mines need to start firing on all cylinders. These are KCM, Mopani, Kasenseli and indeed the sugirite mines fields in Luapula. No more time for ‘talk talk’ in this sector but action and results.

China is our biggest creditor and was key to the successful debt relief talks for Zambia. I thank them for playing ball in our favour.

Again, I join Hon Bowman Lusambo 😊…and other Zambians in congratulating President HH and the Finance Minister for good job done in Paris yesterday. Although there is a lot more you can do better on the domestic front, your foreign policy is commendable and shining example for majority countries in Africa and other continents. The $6.3 billion foreign debt restructuring deal is a milestone for Zambia 🇿🇲 and our great grand children.

Miles B. Sampa, MP
Opposition PF Presidential candidate
June 23rd, 2023

Speaker warns dodging MPs getting K1,500 without shouting “yaah yaah”

SOME members of parliament are dodging the House after logging in their details for payment of their K1,500 daily sitting allowances, Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Muti has revealed.

After attending Parliament and shouting “yaah yaah”, lawmakers are entitled to K1,500 for each sitting they attend and with four sittings a week, each MP gets K6,000 per week.

However, some parliamentarians have devised secondary school dodging tactics of escaping Parliament after logging in their details to be marked present.

Speaker Mutti sounded a warning to the crooked lawmakers just before proceedings took off yesterday afternoon.

“Before we start, I have one announcement to make, and those people who came in after we recited the National Anthem, please pay particular attention. Honorable members, it has been observed, firstly, that some members deliberately come late for sittings of the House, both at the start of each sitting, and following a health break,” Speaker Mutti said.

She said the situation has affected a quorum of the House, and thereby slowing down the amount of business for the House to transact each day.

“Secondly, it has been observed that some members have a tendency or have developed a tendency of leaving the House as soon as they log in their credentials into the electronic system and the sole intention of such conduct appears to be the payment of sitting allowance, even though they do not attend the full sitting. Sadly, such practice will also affect the committee setting,” she said.

“And in view of the above, and in accordance with standing order 242A which requires MP’s to be in the House a few minutes before the appointed time for the commencement of the sitting of the House and after each health break.”

Mutti informed the House that in order to curb such corrupt high school behaviour, attendance registers will continue to take names before each sitting and after the sitting in order to ensure that the payments for the sitting allowance is given to members that attended the full session.

“Additionally, honorable members are urged to stop abstain from merely logging in and thereafter leave the House for the rest of the sittng. I therefore, urge all honorable members to be punctual,” said Mutti.

By Buumba Mwitumwa

Kalemba

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

What Did Zambia Seek? What Did It Obtain?

…Obtained extension of the maturities on its loans to 20 years….

WHAT DID ZAMBIA SEEK?

Zambia was asking for a debt-write off or debt forgiveness of more than $8billion on its $14.2 billion and a restructure of the rest on its foreign debts owed to Chinese lenders, private bond-holders and other creditors, according to an IMF analysis.

This restructuring widely seen as a test of Beijing’s willingness to absorb losses on loans it has extended to developing countries.

WHAT DID ZAMBIA GET

Zambia reached an agreement in principle to restructure $6.3 billion of debt with bilateral lenders, setting a precedent for a growing list of countries struggling to service their liabilities.

Details remain unclear, beyond that the creditors led by China and France agreed to extend the maturities on their loans over some 20 years, with a three-year grace period.

The IMF wants official creditors to outline in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Zambian Government, specific modalities of how they intend to deliver debt relief aligned with the parameters of a $1.3 billion 38-month Extended Credit Facility programme signed off by the fund’s board in August 2022.

Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement:

“I warmly welcome Minister of Finance Situmbeko Musokotwane’s announcement that the Zambian authorities have reached an agreement with their official creditors on a debt treatment, consistent with the objectives of the IMF-supported program. This unique and innovative agreement specifies both a baseline and a contingent treatment that would be automatically triggered if the assessment of Zambia’s economic performance and policies improves.

“This agreement paves the way for the completion of the first review of Zambia’s three-year Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, which is helping put Zambia on a path toward sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.”

“I look forward to the Executive Board taking up this review in the coming weeks and the continuation of our productive collaboration with Zambia in the period ahead.”

STATEMENT BY HON. MAKOZO CHIKOTE, MP, ACTING MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON MEDIA REPORTS THAT SEIZURE OF PROPERTIES BELONGING TO THE FORMER FIRST FAMILY IS A WITCH-HUNT

Government wishes to express its disappointment with the Patriotic Front (PF) party for alleging that the confiscation and seizure of properties belonging to members of the former first family by law enforcement agencies is an abuse of authority.

Such claims not only demonstrate a lack of understanding of the situation but also serve to undermine government’s efforts to uphold justice and accountability.

Government, therefore, finds such claims baseless and politically motivated attempt to discredit its legitimate actions. It is essential to separate political bias from the pursuit of justice and allow the investigative process to unfold independently and impartially.

Further, the reasoning behind the assertion is extremely flawed and a deliberate ploy by the former ruling party to mislead the nation.

It is highly deceptive of the PF, through its Information and Publicity chairperson Raphael Nakachinda and his junior, Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba, to assert that the confiscation and seizure of properties, believed to be proceeds of crime, was an abuse of authority.

The reasoning that the confiscation and seizure could only be effected after it was proved beyond all reasonable doubt that a crime had been committed in their acquisition is not supported by the applicable law, the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crimes Act No. 19 of 2010.

Zambians may recall that the Supreme Court of Zambia, in the case of the People v Austin Chisangu Liato (2015), had an opportunity to address four fundamental questions pertaining to the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crimes Act, namely:

1. Whether a predicate offence had to first be established in order to secure a conviction of possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime contrary to section 71(1);
2. What ‘reasonable suspicion’ entails for purposes of proving the ingredients of the offence under section 71(1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crimes Act;
3. What the requisite standard of proof is to prove the reasonable suspicion under section 71(1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crimes Act in order to secure a conviction; and
4. Whether section 71(2) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crimes Act shifts the burden to prove the offence under section 71(1) from the prosecution to the accused person.
   Contrary to the misleading narrative by the PF, the Supreme Court held that:
5. To secure a conviction under section 71(1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crimes Act no predicate offence needs to be proved;
6. ‘Reasonable Suspicion’ under section 71(1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crimes Act means a state of conjecture or surmise, where proof is lacking;
7. Proof beyond reasonable doubt or reasonable suspicion was not contemplated or intended when section 71(1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crimes Act was formulated. The standard of proof is on a balance of probability; and
8. Section 71 (2) does not impose any obligation on the accused person to prove any ingredient of the offence under section 71 (1), but it does afford the accused an opportunity to explain the absence of reasonable grounds for the suspicion that the property he was found in possession of under section 71 (1) were proceeds of crime.

Government, therefore, appeals to all well-meaning Zambians and cooperating partners to dismiss the assertions by the PF party. These assertions are aimed at garnering public sympathy.

The New Dawn Government firmly believes in the principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. The government’s actions regarding those who plundered the country’s resources are a reflection of its commitment to upholding these principles and ensuring that no individual, regardless of their position, is above the law.

The clarity given by the Supreme Court, on the interpretation of section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crimes Act, gives us comfort as Government that the law enforcement agencies are acting within the confines of the law.

Law enforcement agencies are encouraged to investigate and prosecute individuals who they may reasonably suspect to be in receipt of, possess, conceal or dispose of any money or other property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of a crime.

The onus is on the affected individuals to prove that their properties are not proceeds of crime. That is the law that we inherited as the New Dawn administration.

In the interest of fostering a healthy democracy, we encourage all political parties to respect the legal processes and refrain from making baseless accusations that only serve to further polarise our society. Let us prioritise the pursuit of truth and justice, above political interests, for the betterment of our nation.

Hon. Makozo Chikote, MP
ACTING MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON

DEBT RESTRUCTURING FOR ZAMBIA AND THE ORDINARY CITIZENS.

By Topsy Sikalinda

The Zambian Government has been putting forth a lot of effort to deal with our debt problems. In this piece, I shall try and explain the major components of the debt restructuring procedure in order for ordinary citizens to understand.

1. What is reorganizing debt? Restructuring our debt entails altering the conditions of the loans we owe to other nations and organizations. Negotiations are necessary to lengthen the period of time we have to pay back the loan and lessen the financial load on our country.

2. What percentage of the debt is being restructured? Zambia and its bilateral lenders have agreed to restructure its $6.3 billion debt. This indicates that the creditors, notably China and France, have consented to extend the period we have to repay our debts.

3. What does Zambia’s experience mean? By extending the loan maturities, Zambia will have more time than the initial deadline to pay off the debt. We are given breathing room by this extension, which also lessens the immediate strain on our resources.

4. How would it help common people? The economy will grow as a result of the debt restructuring, which will eventually benefit all citizens. It will assist in reducing inflation and stabilizing our currency. For instance, if the currency is stronger, everyone may be able to afford the prices of imported items like petroleum, fertilizer and many other inputs that drive our economy.

5. What does this mean for you and other regular people? This accord, then, is an important step toward restoring our nation’s capacity to sustainably manage its debt. Our ability to manage our debt improves the atmosphere for investment in the private sector. This indicates that companies, both domestic and foreign, will be more inclined to invest in Zambia. Increased investment has the potential to boost the economy, create more jobs, and raise everyone’s standard of living.

6. What about other nations that are struggling with debt? Zambia’s successful debt restructuring serves as a model for other countries, like Ghana, Sri Lanka, and Ethiopia, that are struggling with a similar issue. It demonstrates that debt relief strategies may be developed via tenacious discussions and global collaboration.

7. What comes next? Although this agreement represents a great advancement, it is crucial to remember that it is only the next step. Further talks with eurobond holders and other commercial creditors are required, and Zambia still needs to execute bilateral agreements with each creditor separately. However, this preliminary understanding opens the door for additional development.

8. What makes this a noteworthy accomplishment? The debt restructuring agreement with Zambia is a significant victory for our nation. It not only lessens our financial load but also allows the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to release a $188 million payout. This financial boost would benefit our economy and enable us to make investments in crucial fields like infrastructure, healthcare, social amenities, water and sanitation, education and many more.

This is great news for all citizens. Hope this is helpful.

PARIS, June 22 (Reuters) – Zambia has clinched a deal to restructure more than $6 billion in debts owed to other governments, a French official said on Thursday in a long-awaited breakthrough to ease pressure on the southern African country’s strained public finances.

Zambia in 2020 became the first African country to default on its sovereign debt during the pandemic and has struggled since in protracted negotiations to agree a deal on the $12.8 billion of external debt it was trying to restructure.

“We have reached an agreement on the outline of a debt treatment, we’ve reached the end of the negotiation,” the French official, who did not wish to be identified, told journalists.

Zambia’s public sector creditors agreed to reschedule $6.3 billion, including $1.3 billion in arrears, and private sector creditors are expected to do the same on the $6.8 billion owed to them, the official said.

“We’ve already spoken to representatives of the private sector and they know what to expect, that they will have to restructure and make a comparable effort,” the official added.

The agreement calls for Zambia’s debt to be rescheduled over more than 20 years with a three-year grace period during which only payments on interest are due.

The restructuring agreement with official creditors paves the way for Zambia to receive another $188 million tranche of money from the International Monetary Fund, part of a $1.3 billion package approved in August 2022.

The scale of the debt relief Zambia requires has been a concern for some of the country’s main creditors.

Some Western officials have accused China – Zambia’s largest bilateral creditor – of dragging its feet in restructuring talks, something Beijing denies.

Of the $6.3 billion in debt owed to government bodies, $4.1 billion was owed specifically to Export-Import Bank of China, the French official said.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema was one of about 40 leaders attending a summit in France on Thursday and Friday aimed at easing the debt burden on some of the world’s most vulnerable countries while freeing up billions of dollars in new funds for climate finance.

Beijing was keen not to be seen further holding up debt relief for Zambia at the summit, the official said, adding that French President Emmanuel Macron’s talks with Chinese authorities in Beijing in April also helped unblock the situation.

Zambia is viewed as a test case for a debt restructuring framework backed by the Group of 20 wealthy nations intended to streamline relief for countries caught in a developing world debt crisis sparked in part by the pandemic.

However, the process has been achingly slow for Zambia, a fact that has discouraged all but a handful of other struggling governments from seeking help under the mechanism.-

CREDIT: Reuters

SHOW US THE WITHDRAWAL SLIP FOR THE K 65 MILLION – KASAUTA DEMANDS

JUNE 22, 2023

LUSAKA – THE forfeited K65 million from female journalist, Faith Musonda has taken a different twist, with Parliament demanding the source of money.

During the question and answer session after a ministerial statement by acting Minister of Finance and National Planning Charles Milupi was delivered, Bweengwa Member of Parliament Kasauta Michelo said the question behind the K65 million should not be based on deposits made after the forfeiture, but should be based on the source of the money.

Mr Michelo said the deposit slip issue was meant to derail the matter from the true issue which is the name of the “boyfriend” who gave Ms Musonda the money.

“Minister, I just want to find out from you, when that money was discovered in Faith Musonda’s house, a certain politician rushed to the house and that politician went to negotiate ,that please we do not want to be tried in the courts of law.

Are we in the position to tell us the name of the boyfriend who provided the money to Faith?” he asked.

In his response, Acting Minister of Finance Charles Milupi said perpetrators behind issue surrounding the K65 million want to continue scratching a wound they created and so the matter will be investigated to the latter.

“They say Madam speaker, if one has a wound and you want that wound to heal, you stop scratching it. This matter was going off quietly, but certain people want to keep bringing it up, as a result the deposit slips have been explained, but there is also need to go into the source. Where did the money come from,” he said.

He disclosed that investigative offices have been asked to look into the matter to ascertain even which banks provided the bundles of money found because when it was recovered, the bundles indicated which banks it came from.

“And as a result of that, all the banks that had money coming from them as part of this amount will be called to account and state where it came from,” he said.

WHY IS ECL LIVING IN A RENTED HOUSE WHEN HIS FAMILY HAS BUILT SANCTUARIES ? …***

By Stembridge Sikalundu

No one hates ECL and his family , some people warn us from talking about ECL, but why shouldn’t we when he is former president in zambia , especially that now the family is looking like it is wealthier than the country , he comes into public view , they tell us all the reasons they think are necessary to , , this must be made very clear ,even the fight and struggle to remove him from power was done in the common need to save the country , when I reminded the people of zambia that if ECL was planning to come back in politics , it was not meant to sarve the people of zambia , but to protect this hidden wealth , secure friends and relatives , ensure the country was under extreme surveillance under authoritarian schemes . Who is ECL ? , a new book must be rewritten to confirm his real personality and character on earth .

We have seen the former president of south Africa being charged for various corruption cases , but why do we think in Zambia that one who is a minister or former and respected persons can’t be prosecuted for similar crimes , in fact these correctional facilities are supposed to be more filled with such people than chicken thieves or animal wrastlers . It is time that now in Zambia we know why after 59 years of independence , the poverty levels are extremely high , the gap between the rich and the poor is widening , the country has been dumped with a serious debt crisis . Wealth of a country has been surpped by very few individuals because of our poor judgement in choosing leaders that we trust with the responsibility of this country , sympathy has definitely consumed us .

Was this move before govt could decide to allocate a house for him deciept to the zambian people , when ECL and his family quickly shifted to the current rented house ? , we should recall that ECL once said ,” HE DID NOT SEE ANY REASON WHY GOVT WAS OBLIGATED TO BUILD FORMER PRESIDENTS HOUSES WHEN THEY WERE CABLE OF BUILDING THEIR OWN ” . It is of great concern that ECL left state house to go and rent a house of his choice , when his wife and children had buit houses worth.millions of US dollars money from unknown sources , these properties that are being handed over and siezed from ECL’s family without him having any property in this country calls for the nations attention to remind ourselves who former president ECL was for this country .

This issue brings a lot of doubts in the minds of many zambians whether the house ECL is renting is for the said landlord , if truly ECL chose to rent than going to stay in one of the properties for his children or wife or even friends that were managing their family properties , may be the truth is on its way for the nation to know what is going on and what surrounds the most complicated former president zambia has ever had . It is still compelling to know how former ministers appointed by ECL walked away from govt with so much wealth , how did then him leave govt to go and rent from a football players mansion when his family has such wealth which is seen associated to proceeds of crimes ? .

There has been a lot of soliderity pilgrimages for ECL and his family by his followers , they must be alarmed to see these properties owned by his wife and children , the state has not removed his immunity and it may be premature to suggest ECL made himself richer than zambia . The followers of this family must understand that this wealth generation by ECL’s family has been revealed to PF members , that following blindly is a sin , this wealth belongs to all zambians but power centered it for the family to create an empire . When we saw former ministers with such properties one now should know that birds of the same feathers flock together .

Who is going to continue vindicating president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA for being president of this country ?. Is this persecution to see the law enforcement wings retrieving wealth of the country from a single family of ECL ?, how many schools are we able to build from the 1/4 quarter of wealth just from ECL’s family before his properties are revealed ? , this is sad for the country and we should take these lessons very serious , the first step was to save the country in 2021 , by ushering a leader with a patriotic attitude to consider the securing of our nations future generations , one of the most examples is free education which is an opportunity for every able child to be in school in Zambia. Who is going to take away anything from the new dawn govt ?. God bless mother Zambia .

I CRY ZAMBIA IS MY BELOVED COUNTRY

HH CLARIFIES UKRAINE – RUSSIA PEACE INITIATIVE

The President writes ……

My reflections on our tour of Ukraine and Russia

I am aware that many have been questioning the value of my participation in the African Peace Initiative mission to Ukraine and Russia. Often, things are not reported correctly, so I wanted to take the chance to clarify my purpose and goals- and why this is important for Zambia.

My primary aim was to listen, learn and try to understand a war that not only threatens the lives and livelihoods of people in Ukraine and Russia but undermines stability across the world. I personally experienced the terror of sheltering in a bunker while missiles attacked Kyiv. We witnessed a church that had been razed to the ground along with the people who sought shelter within its walls. We heard the arguments from both sides and got to appreciate the seemingly irreconcilable differences and divergent narratives that are driving this war. We understood how hollow mediation or compromise sounds, when people are fighting for their Ives, their rights, and their values.

We are not expecting a solution to this war to emerge from Africa, but Africa needs to be part of the solution. This trip was important to ensure that African voices are not only heard but also that we must have a say in global issues. We need to be part of the discussion and have our views reflected. To do so, we need to stand together. I acknowledge that there are important differences between us, and that we don’t yet speak with one voice. We do, however share a common goal of ensuring that the principles of sovereignty and human rights set out in the UN Charter are upheld on the continent and across the world. We spoke out to both sides on the need to protect these principles in the interests of humanity.

I see this mission as a start on the path to a stronger and more effective African voice that will be good for the continent and the world. We bring strong values of peace and humanity, and we need to demonstrate these values at home as well as abroad. I am committed to this path, and to ensuring that African voices are heard and are a force for good.

HH

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA ATTENDS PARIS SUMMIT

June 22, 2023

PARIS – President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA is currently in Paris attending the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact.

President Hichilema President Hichilema is expected to engage with various stakeholders to discuss economic matters that directly impact Zambia and the global community at large.

The Summit brings together Heads of State and Government, leaders of major international organizations, representatives of global financial institutions, private sector and civil society representatives.

The goal of the Summit is to lay the groundwork for a new financial system, one that is fairer and more solidarity-based, to meet shared global challenges: the fight against poverty, climate change and the protection of biodiversity.

The New Dawn Government under President Hakainde Hichilema has accordingly placed emphasis on the country’s Economic Diplomacy aimed at promoting the growth of Zambia’s economy by increasing trade, promoting investments, collaboration on bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.

(C) THE FALCON

WHO IS DIMONISING THE 40TH TRIP BY PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA IF IT IS MEANT TO RESOLVE AND RESTRUCTURE THE DEBT CRISIS FOR ZAMBIA IN FRANCE ?…***

By Stembridge Sikalundu

Let someone tell us if this trip is less important for the country , who wants president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA to stay in the country when there is need and an opportunity to resolve the debt crisis which requires a serious address in FRANCE because the leader is heading the team that is attending to such matters internationally , zambia is one of the countries which has this debt burden . Who wants president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA to be around listening to people that call themselves public lawyers that defend plunderers ?. Leave president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA to work for this country in his ability to , this debt was unreasonably accrued by the previous govt ,but govt as an instituition president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA is not giving it an excuse but to use his intellectual abilities and influence from his practical efforts to engage the international community to resolve this matter in order to unlock the country’s sectors of economic opportunity from the issues that are delaying social economic stability and growth .

Let those who knew how to borrow tell us why president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA should not travel around the globe to see that economic diplomacy works for the country , it is zambia which is facing these challenges and the head of state is travelling to find solutions for this country and not for his family , if govt was not an instituition who is supposed to be trodding to resolve the debt issue ? , the same people that are noising in the media houses left this demand to restructure the nations debt , but being what it is the republican president has to work 24/7 to see that this matter is solved within the required time .

PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA was and is still capable of going anywhere in the world for a holiday using his own money , these trips are tiresome but president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA is not relenting until he sees that his dream is being executed with a meticulous visionary program , The president was assured by the FRENCH president that the debt crisis in Zambia needs resolve by July 2023 , this information was given to the people of zambia for public knowledge , the follow up demonstrates the urgency and importance of this meeting in FRANCE , it is inevitable to travel and negotiate for the country’s best future when the will is reasonable ,after the nation was left in the state it has been we must all rally behind the good cause .Let’s support our courageous president who is breaking every barrier that hinders our country from finding ways to improve our country s welfare , we have a president who is welcome anywhere in the world , this is very symbolic that we have a leader that is capable from his modern leadership dynamics that are changing how African leaders are perceived internationally . God bless mother Zambia .

I CRY ZAMBIA IS MY BELOVED COUNTRY

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA ARRIVES IN PARIS FOR GLOBAL FINANCING PACT SUMMIT

President Hakainde Hichilema has arrived in the French Capital Paris to attend the global financing pact summit.

President Hichilema’s aircraft arrived at the Paris Le Bourget Airport at 03:45 hours and was received by Economic Advisor, Pamela Nankamba and outgoing Zambian Ambassador to France, Christine Kaseba, and other senior government officials.

President Hichilema will be among several other Heads of State, and leading financiers and other multilateral development and cooperating partners and philanthropists attending the summit.

ZANIS reports that the summit will run from June 22 to 23, 2023, at the Palais Brongniart in the French Capital under the theme; Building a new consensus for a more inclusive international financial system.

And President Hichilema told ZANIS upon arrival in Paris that world leaders will deliberate on many issues at the summit.

The high-level meeting has been called by French President Emmanuel Macron following the COP 27 in Egypt to explore alternative avenues for financing global development especially in least developed countries, largely found on the African continent.

France, the world’s seventh largest economy is hosting the summit that is expected to address the debt crisis crippling many least developed countries, among them Zambia and explore ways of promoting private sector development in low income countries on the African continent.

The summit will also explore possibilities of reforming the multi -lateral lending institutions and ponder ways of making available US$ 100 billion dollars to finance climate change in 2023.

Other notable world leaders expected to address the Summit include United States of America (USA) Secretary of treasury, Janet Yellen, United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Antonio Guteres, World Bank President, Ajay Banga among others.

President Hichilema is expected to hold bilateral talks with several stakeholders to help Zambia in her debt restructuring programme and trade and investment agenda.

President Hichilema will further participate in a high-level debate on climate change and poverty and attend a State Dinner to be hosted by President Macron in honour of delegates attending the global financing summit.

Zanis
May be an image of 4 people and aircraft

Esther Lungu to lose 15 flats worth over K41.5 million

FORMER first lady Esther Lungu is on the verge of losing her 15 double storey flats to the State on suspicion that they are proceeds of crime.

The State has since instituted proceedings before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court to have tainted properties belonging to family members of former president Edgar Lungu, forfeited to the State.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri has filed four originating notices of motion for an application of a non conviction-based forfeiture order of tainted property 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.

This implies that Esther will give up on their properties, without being subjected to trial.

According to an affidavit sworn on behalf of Phiri by Emmanuel Khondowe, a senior investigations officer at the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) under the anti-money laundering investigations unit, the DEC in May 2022 received information from a reliable source that politically exposed persons had illegally obtained property across Lusaka.

Information from the DEC information indicate that there was real property that was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime at various plot numbers in Lusaka’s State Lodge area and belonged to Esther and her associates, which were acquired between 2013 and 2021.

Khondowe said upon receipt of the information, the DEC constituted a team of investigators who instituted investigations in the matter.

Investigations revealed that the 15 flats belonged to Esther Nyawa Tembo Lungu and the same was confirmed in the lands and deeds register.

He said he wrote to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development requesting for the estimated cost of construction of the 15 blocks of double storey flats and it was revealed that the cost of the flats and other associated works on the properties, as at November 2022, was K41, 586, 110. 66.

Khondowe said he investigated Esther’s financial capacity, in relation to the properties acquired, and that he interviewed Brian Mutakwa, a branch manager at ZANACO were Esther holds an account since March 27, 1995 as a sole signatory.

“The bank account had 65 debit entries worth K2, 511, 117.09 and 79 credit entries with a gross total of about K3, 104, 487.14 as credit and debit turnover between January 1, 2012 and August 16, 2022,” Khondowe said.

“Both credit and debit turnover consisted of inter account transfers of K500, 000. 00 on May 4, 2020, May 4, 2021, August 3, 202, May 10, 2022 and August 3, 2022, thereby increasing turnover on both ends with no fresh inflows.”

It was also established that the Esther Lungu Foundation had a kwacha and dollar account at First National Bank (FNB) and that Esther was one of the signatories of the Kwacha account.

“The Kwacha account had total debit entries worth a gross total of K19, 459, 606. 86 and in this amount, there were placements of about K3, 000, 000 and US$20, 356.70 into fixed deposit accounts, which did not benefit Esther in her personal capacity,” Khondowe said.

In the dollar account, there was a credit balance of US$55, 115.57.

It was also established that Esther had no other income generating activities.

“I conducted an analysis of her known income and known expenditure for the period August 1, 2012 to August 16, 2022 which revealed an income of K3, 104, 487.14 against an expenditure of K2, 511, 117.09 with a variation of K593, 370.05,” said Khondowe.

“I did a comparison of the known income of K3, 104, 487.14 against the four properties with the 15 flats value at K24, 256, 434.55 which showed a variation of K21, 151, 947.41 above her known income.”

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba

POST TURTLES; THE CASE OF OPPOSITION MASQUERADES

“Ignorance can be cured, but stupidity is forever.”

— Aristophanes

Listening to them “POST TURTLES” masquerading as Opposition political party leaders every time they gather is proving to me how irrelevant they are in our current politics. They always fail lamentably to raise issues of public importance.

These “POST TURTLES” Opposition masquerades are a bunch of egocentric chaps all concerned about the promotion of personal sympathies and riding on past positions. They lack the ability to tell the nation issues of national importance. Their cry is nothing but about being out of public office and blaming the voters for kicking them out and putting them “KU WIRE”. Zambia’s “POST TURTLES” opposition masquerade parties are accountable for their failure to provide the voting public a meaningful alternative to the ruling UPND. They are to blame for their lack of political wisdom.

The “POST TURTLES” opposition masquerades have poor strategies but possess in them well organised errors that render them electorally unattractive. Collectively, in their current form, these opposition masquerades lack legitimacy as contenders for government power.

Self-inflicted arrests and crimes committed while in office will not transform them “POST TURTLES” opposition masquerades into a bunch of meaningful competitors and government-in-waiting. They have no viable, alternative economic management strategy to better satisfy the interests of a diverse voting public. They don’t have a well-developed broad based political strategy targeting the diverse voting public to build voter confidence in the capability of their diminishing parties as possible government. The ruling UPND’s track record of two years of sustained economic growth leaves a formidable challenge to the opposition.

These “directionless”, opposition masquerades will forever be yapping Hakainde this, Hakainde that. Even when they fail to find sleep they want to blame it on Hakainde.

I would like to advise the Opposition masquerades to quickly heal from their agitation on who is President of Zambia. Let them understand what being in opposition means. Let them spare a thought for the issues concerning the common man. The self-inflicted noise they are making is the death knell of cheap politics. The same petty politics that was rejected in 2021.

These opposition masquerades have fundamental right to express their thoughts. However, any illegality in their remarks is subject to scrutiny. Any illegally acquired assets, stealing for the future while in office is subject to investigations and those found wanting will be locked up. Where there is normality no one will be arrested. The last government had several Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other public servants. Not all are on the investigation roll. Only those that thought the rare privilege of serving this republic was a blank cheque to abuse and loot. The number of positions one may have held in public life is not immunity.

These “POST TURTLES” opposition masquerades should learn to appreciate every time they call for a press briefing. Two years ago this country had reached the peak of undemocratic human rights abuses. Lives were lost. Citizens had guns pointed at them in their faces, leaving them urinating in their pants and probably hitting number two. The likes of Obvious Mwaliteta, Trevor Mwiinde were locked up for no reason, and so were many others. Likando Mufalali was brutally beaten and hand broken. The nation was divided on tribal lines, and now we are healing these “POST TURTLES” opposition masquerades want that song to continue playing so they can continue dancing hoping the masses join them. Please spare us the idiocycrancy.

Finally I suggest these “POST TURTLES” opposition masquerades dress in clown consumes at their next press briefing because that is what they are. Gunyu Masaka is available for all consultation’s