“STOP LIVING IN DENIAL, DEAL WITH CHALLENGES IN THE COUNTRY” – CHITALU CHILUFYA TELLS NEW DAWN

…Says Zambians are failing to procure basic commodities because of high prices

Lusaka—Tuesday, February 14, 2023

SMART EAGLES

The Patriotic Front PF Presidential Candidate Hon. Dr Chitalu Chilufya has challenged government to own up and address challenges that country is grappling with.

“We must address the challenges we are facing in the country today. We should not be in denial, Zambians are hungry. When people have no food it’s a recipe for anarchy. And today Zambians are failing to procure basic commodities because of price,” he said.

“The cost of fuel is high, children under five, pregnant women, adults, grown adults are succumbing to premature death because of lack of medicines, because of poor service delivery… it is important that government owns up and make sure that they address these matters. The shrinking democratic space in the country…”He added

He said living in denial is refusing to provide a solution as he drew government’s attention on the drug shortages in the country.

“We need to ensure that all these matters, government owns up and addresses them. It is important that government accommodates divergent views and should take feedback as a basis for improved performance. Living in denial is refusing to solve a problem. If you refuse through Parliament that you don’t have a crisis in the health sector, even when stakeholders are insisting, including the people who are giving instructions are insisting…,” he said.

And Dr.Chilufya has challenged government to admit that it has messed up the agriculture sector.

“If we refuse that we have messed up the agriculture sector when we can see that we are distributing fertilizer in February, something that has never happened, then we are not ready to resolve the problem.” He added.

He explained that this is the reason frustration levels are increasing in the people.

Dr Chilufya said “and that is the reason the previous callers are saying that they want the Patriotic Front to return to power so that the country gets back to its path of sustainable development. PF party we will ensure that we align the party back to its Vision 2030, to lift Zambians out of poverty, to ensure that Zambia attains the status of a prosperous country by the year 2030 by translating our natural resources into wealth,” He said .

“We are blessed with minerals, we are blessed with available land, plenty water, light and all these put together in addition to our natural resources and our human capital, we are certain that with visionary and transformational leadership, selfless leadership, Zambia will be back on its path to sustainable development.” He added.

RESPECT CIVIL SERVANTS WHILE YOU STILL HAVE TIME leader of the opposition in Parliament warns UPND.

………. as Brain Mundubile says UPND has frustrated experienced Civil Servants to the extent where they have stopped performing.

Kelvin Sichizya

February 14, 2023 – Leader of the opposition in Parliament Brain Mundubile has challenged the UPND government to respect Civil Servants while they still had the time to correct the situation they created

And Mr. Mundubile has told President Haakainde Hichilema to go back to the people and explain how his formula that he promised to use to reduce the price of fuel has failed.

Mr. Mundubile who is also the PF Presidential Candidate and Mporokoso Central law maker says the Ministries of Health and Agriculture were now limping because the UPND administration has been too stubborn and does not listen to advise

Speaking on radio Mano and Kasama radio in Kasama today, the PF Presidential hopeful advised the UPND government to bring back experienced suppliers whose contracts it terminated and perhaps add a few it has identified in the procurement and supply of agricultural inputs and drugs or government performance would continue to be shaky.

He said the stubbornness of the New Dawn government which developed deaf eyes has even failed to realise the importance of INDENI and TAZAMA PIPELINE which enabled the PF government to keep prices of fuel low as it bought and Transported fuel in bulk, a move that allowed government to avoid monthly reviews of the commodity

“How are citizens going to survive”? the PF leader questioned warning that in governance of a country, economics can not be strictly adhered to because you have people to take care of

Mr Mundubile accused the UPND cabinet for failing to provide their leader with correct reports on drug shortage in hospitals which resulted into the loss of several lives, asking “how many people died due to drugs shortages which affected mostly the poor?

” The difference is that the PF government was more concerned with the poor in society while UPND cares for the well to do”, he lamented.

He said the HH administration has messed up the civil service and they can’t even advise whether planting time is running out or whether the water for electricity generation is sufficient because most of them who were experienced have even been fired after accusing them of being PF sympathizers and replaced with in-experienced UPND cadres

He called on the UPND administration to go back to the drawing board to establish how the former ruling PF handled situations adding you cannot go about canceling contracts of Pharmaceutical companies and dismissing civil Servants because you associate them with the PF

“It’s time you had a spirit of realising the suffering of Zambians”* he challenged.

Speaking on corruption, Mr. Mundubile said corruption was now more on the upswing than ever before in and previous government “The fight against corruption is not there” he noted.

Speaking on the forthcoming PF Convention, Mr. Mundubile assured the would be deligates that the PF leadership had decided to allow the members the freedom of electing their Party President but that the membership needed to know that whoever wins as PF President will need their support.

THE PF FIASCO: DEFIANT MILES SAMPA MAY NOT BE ACTING ALONE, ACCORDING TO IMPECCABLE SOURCES

By KBN TV

Patriotic Front Matero Member of Parliament (MP) Miles Sampa, who is also one of the party’s contenders for the top job at the forthcoming convention, made news headlines last week after the High Court granted him an injunction restraining the former ruling party from suspending him.

Sampa dragged the PF to court following his suspension for what the party deemed a defiant departure from their collectively held opinion on some national matters.

In suspending Sampa, the party accused their aspiring Presidential candidate of being aligned to the ruling UPND in his opinion on matters such as mining, where he made a public statement supporting those calling for Vedanta to take over operations at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), a position strongly shared by the ruling party.

While many Zambians may think that the 2026 general elections are still far, we think that preparation work for the game of thrones has already started.

We feel that as someone aspiring to lead the nation, Sampa is open to public scrutiny like any other person putting themselves up for public service.

We are fully cognizant of the matters before the competent courts of law and we will avoid any temptation to talk about any such matters.

However, in the midst of all the party and legal gymnastics that have ensued, impeccable sources have revealed that on 2nd February, 2023, Mr. Sampa had a meeting with a very senior Police figure, who among other things, is in charge of Special Duties.

While it is legal for anyone to meet any other citizen for whatever business, those familiar with the Miles Sampa meeting with a top cop strategist for special duties, say the meeting has raised eyebrows and begs for answers.

As an opposition party Presidential contender and a potential leader of the Nation, Sampa must clear the speculation surrounding his meeting with the top cop, whose name we shall withhold for now.

We challenge Mr. Sampa to clear his name on allegations that he is not acting alone but working with named persons to distabilize the largest opposition political party in the country.

Over the last few days, we have seen a bitter exchange through different media platforms between some senior PF officials, warning Mr. Sampa not to throw stones as he lives in a proverbial glass house.

On the other hand, Mr. Sampa hit back through a post on his Facebook page warning that those attacking him won’t succeed this time around.

It is these public fights that are fueling calls for Sampa to come clean on allegations of being sponsored to keep the former ruling party in fire-fighting mood until 2026.

The PF Presidential aspiring candidate should also clear his name from allegations that he would push to enforce some party constitutional clauses to ensure some named contenders who include Chishimba Kambwili and Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba are disqualified.

While Sampa fights against his suspension from the party and rightly so, he should however, in public interest, clear his name from these allegations.

THEY ARE NOT ACTUAL VALUES OF THE PROPERTIES – ACC

Tuesday, 14th February, 2023

The arresting Officer from the Anti Corruption Commission yesterday testified that the values in the indictment of Former Home Affairs Minister Hon. Stephen Kampyongo and Wife Mrs Wanziya Chirwa Kampyongo are not actual values of the properties as only the market values considered.

According to the ACC officer, the commission engaged the Government Department of Evaluation to evaluate the properties belonging to the Kampyongo’s and confirmed that no quantity surveyor was engaged during the entire process of investigations.

On 20th December, 2022, An Officer from the Department of Evaluation testified and presented a report to the court of the findings the department conducted on the Kampyongo’s and during his testimony the officer at the time emphatically stated that “they did not know how much was spent on the properties” and the report only bared costs of the properties based on the current market values.

And when the matter came before Magistrate Silvia Muninya yesterday, the Defense, questioned the ACC officer based the above stated report on what was the commissions input in the report and basis of the evidence today? In an astonishing and jaw dropping moment not only to the witness herself but to the entire court room, the ACC officer stated that the values in the report are ONLY current market values and denied to answer if she as the investigator knew the amount spent to acquire the properties.

“Can you confirm to this court that what is in this report you are speaking to are not the actual values of the properties but market values?”

The hesitant Officer stated that they are market values were the actual values and the Defense now took it upon themselves to define the terminologies and referred the officer back to the report on the consideration section and was asked to read for the court on what the Government Evaluation Department being the ones who prepared the report considered during the investigation.

With now a clear understanding of what was considered in the report the officer confirmed to the court that the report bared no actual values on all properties but market values, which according to the Wall Street Mojo definition of Market Value does not reflect the actual and true value of something in this case properties.

The matter was since adjourned to 6th March for continuous of trial.

Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu has admitted that the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has not done much for its party members as they expected when forming the government.

Some UPND members, especially young people have complained of being neglected after the party formed the New Dawn Government in August, 2021.

The critical youths say only those in government positions are benefiting from their sweat and sacrifices of spending over 20 years in opposition.

When meeting UPND leaders in Samfya, Luapula Province, Eng. Nzovu said New Dawn government officials cannot shy away from the fact that they are in offices today because of the sweat and sacrifices of party members.

“We have not forgotten our people. On our tour of duty in Luapula Province recently, we took time to interact with the United Party for National Development (UPND) leadership in Samfya district. We cannot shy away from the fact that we are in our offices today because of the sweat and sacrifices of our people. We are in these offices because of UPND and we are in government to implement the UPND Manifesto,” the Nangoma Member of Parliament said.

He said things have been slow despite the efforts by people to form cooperatives and companies.

“It is true we have not done much for the people as measured by their expectations. Things have been slow despite the efforts by our people to form cooperatives and companies. Part of this could be attributed to the fact that some people occupying some offices of authority have been hindering this progress. But our people must never lose hope because we are working tirelessly to put in place legal and sustainable empowerment mechanisms as opposed to the ones in the past where party members used to amass unexplainable wealth through illegalities. Manchester United cannot win the league by playing Arsenal players in their games and in every game there are substitutes. The New Dawn Administration will not condone any person or office to thwart progressive efforts aimed at uplifting the livelihoods of our people who gave us the mandate to serve them. The time has come for us to restore the dignity of our members, the real owners of the change we made on 12th August 2021. Start warming up, we love you dearly our members,” he said.

When touring Luapula Province, Eng. Nzovu met Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda people at his Palace in Mwansabombwe District.

He assured the Mwata that traditional leaders and Luapula as a Province will never be left behind in the development agenda of the New Dawn Government.

“We had a very fruitful meeting with His Royal Highness Chief Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda people at his Palace in Mwansabombwe District of Luapula Province. We discussed salient national matters which included climate change, environmental issues, Carbon Trading market and governance issues. We assured His Royal Highness that traditional leaders and Luapula as a Province will never be left behind in the development agenda of the New Dawn Government. Government will work closely with traditional leaders to harness the potential in our country. We are grateful to Chief Mwata Kazembe for pledging to work closely with the Government on forest protection matters and to be an ambassador of climate change,” the Minister of Green Economy and Environment stated.

Meanwhile, Eng. Nzovu has saluted the Muslim community in Zambia for their donation of food hampers to the flood victims in Nangoma Constituency through the Muslim Social and Welfare Trust.

“Our sincere gratitude to the Muslim community in Zambia for their donation of food hampers to the flood victims in Nangoma constituency through the Muslim Social and Welfare Trust. We are all brothers’ keepers, a disaster somewhere is a disaster everywhere. When one is affected we are all affected because we are one people despite different religious denominations. More than 5000 people have been affected by floods in Nangoma constituency alone. As a Member of Parliament, I would like to appeal to institutions, organisations and individuals to come forth and render a helping hand to our people during this tough time. Once again thank you so much to the Muslim social and welfare Trust,” Eng. Nzovu said.

BLENDED FUELS, ANOTHER OPTION TO REDUCE FUEL PUMP PRICES IN ZAMBIA, COMING

We are still on course to have blended fuels in Zambia soon. The delay in having blended fuels sold in Zambia has been caused by two factors:

1. The pricing mechanism for the blended fuels was still being developed by The Energy Regulation Board (ERB). They are now done and details will be availed to the public shortly. This will trigger the actual modelling of fuel blending and the roll-out of blended fuels in Zambia.
2. We have been conducting studies to check and calculate the optimum blending ratios (optimum percentages of ethanol and petrol, for example) for Zambia considering the climate we have and the kind of vehicles we have on our roads. Ivariably, ERB had to develop and approve the technical specifications for blending fuels in Zambia.

As a nation, we have to look at the direction of blended fuels for economic, social and environmental reasons, which include energy security, as ethanol blends increase the fuel pool of the country and reduce unleaded petrol imports into the country thus saving foreign exchange.

When opening the 2nd session of the 13th National Assembly, President Hakainde Hichilema said that INDENI shall no longer be processing crude oil but shall be producing locally produced blended fuel, whereby ethanol will be mixed with finished products to create a ready market for blended fuel and reduce cost of imports for fuels.

I have since reported previously that this is being actualised and INDENI is this soon expected to start blending locally produced ethanol with petrol. Indeni Petroleum Refinery Company Limited ceased to operate as a refinery and it is now a new company that operates as an Oil Marketing Company (OMC). As promised by President Hakainde hichilema, all former employees of Indeni have since been paid their dues. All the liabilities the former company owed will be cleared. Further, the INDENI has already gotten the license to become an oil marketing company. Further, Indeni in partnership with ethanol producing companies, will start blending petrol and ethanol at 10 percent. The blended fuel shall be distributed to a few selected filling stations in Lusaka. If successful in Lusaka, the blended petrol will then be rolled out across the country.

In December 2021, I visited the SURYA Energy Plant – an ethanol producing plant – in Katuba area of Chibombo District to appreciate the potential and challenges of ethanol production, a key activity in the value-chain of blended fuel production.

In August last year, a private sector entity announced plans to start the blending of petrol with ethanol. Sunbird Bioenergy Zambia, based in Luapula Province, disclosed that the company was scheduled to have its first-ever ethanol produced from cassava feedstock, blended with petrol. Sunbird Bioenergy Energy Zambia Agriculture Director Mark Muchinga said the company would have its first ethanol blend, done by Indeni Petroleum Refinery in Ndola.

In the same month, The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) revealed that it had developed and approved the technical specifications for blending fuels in Zambia. ERB Public Relations Manager Namukolo Kasumpa, however, said the process of blending had not commenced due to some logistical aspects required to facilitate for blending of fuels, besides the development of technical specifications. Mrs. Kasumpa said once rolled out, the blended fuel would be available to consumers and the general public just like any other petroleum products currently sold by entities licensed by the ERB.
ERB together with the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), working with other key stakeholders constituted a Technical Working Committee which has representation from INDENI, TAZAMA, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), the Biofuels Association of Zambia (BAZ) and Original Equipment Suppliers and Manufacturers among others. This culminated in the development of Zambian Standards for blending diesel with bio-diesel and bio-ethanol with petrol.

Further, in August 2022, during my courtesy call on Chief Saili, who represented Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people ahead of the commissioning of the Fuel Depot in Chipata, I revealed plans by the New Dawn Government to set up ethanol plants around the country. I announced that the government would this year start constructing ethanol plants in provincial centres for blending fuel, as a measure and strategy to reduce the cost of petroleum in the country.

The plan is that the blended fuel will use ethanol from cassava, although our original wish was to use maize. Using maize, however, is now not an option because it could threaten the national food security.

Apart from cassava farmers, other farmers and businesses can benefit from the blending of fuels with ethanol. For example, Zambia Sugar has the capacity to provide more than 5% of the energy needs of Zambia through ethanol production from the molasses, which is bi-product of its sugar production. With Indeni starting to blend fuel, it can be an off-taker of this ethanol from Zambia Sugar and that can only mean a win-win for both companies and a boost for our economy.

Blending of fuel will reduce the pump-price of fuel, which will reduce the cost of doing business and also facilitate the creation of more jobs for the youths. With blended fuel, we create employment from cassava and maize growers or farmers, to mill operators to transporters and retailers of blended fuel. Further, The blending of ethanol with petrol is expected to reduce the country’s fuel imports by volume hence reduce on the loss of forex by the economy. We are spending a lot of money on imported fuels and blended fuel will help us save the foreign exchange spent on importing fuel through substitutions. Lastly, blended fuel can increase the country’s fuel reserves and cover since part of the fuel, ethanol, won’t need to be imported.

Good morning.

Hon. Eng. Peter Chibwe Kapala
Minister of Energy

2. 2023

FORMER ECZ chief electoral officer Patrick Nshindano has told the Constitutional Court that the termination of former ECZ vice chairperson Emily Sikazwe’s contract by the President was premature.
This is a matter in which Sikazwe petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking an order that President Hakainde Hichilema’s decision to terminate her contract was null and void and devoid of merit.

Sikazwe was appointed as the Vice Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) in 2018, and her contract was set to run until 2022. However, in 2021, President Hakainde Hichilema terminated her contract prematurely, citing “gross misconduct” as the reason for her termination. Sikazwe then took the matter to the Constitutional Court, seeking an order that the President’s decision was null and void and lacked merit.

During the court proceedings, former ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Patrick Nshindano testified in support of Sikazwe’s case. Nshindano stated that the termination of Sikazwe’s contract was premature and not in accordance with the ECZ’s code of conduct. He stated that, according to the ECZ’s code of conduct, Sikazwe was entitled to a fair hearing before her contract could be terminated. Nshindano also pointed out that there was no evidence to support the President’s claims of “gross misconduct” against Sikazwe.

Nshindano’s testimony was seen as significant as he was a former senior official of the ECZ and had an in-depth knowledge of the Commission’s policies and procedures. He also had a reputation for being impartial and professional in his approach to electoral matters. Nshindano’s testimony was seen as further proof of the lack of evidence against Sikazwe and the premature nature of her termination.

Sikazwe’s case has drawn widespread attention, with many in the legal and political circles expressing concern about the President’s decision to terminate her contract. The termination has been seen as a political move, with some suggesting that Sikazwe was targeted because of her perceived political affiliations. Sikazwe, a highly regarded and respected electoral official, had earned a reputation for being independent and impartial in her work. Her termination has raised serious questions about the independence of the ECZ and its ability to conduct free and fair elections.

In addition to Nshindano’s testimony, several other witnesses were called to testify in the case. These included former ECZ officials, election observers, and experts in the field of electoral matters. Their testimonies further reinforced the argument that Sikazwe’s termination was unjustified and lacked merit.

In addition, the Constitutional Court’s ruling on Sikazwe’s case will have far-reaching implications for the independence of the ECZ and the integrity of the electoral process in Zambia. The case has brought to the forefront the importance of protecting the independence of electoral bodies and ensuring that they are free from political interference. The Constitutional Court’s ruling will serve as a benchmark for the protection of electoral integrity and the independence of electoral bodies in Zambia and beyond.

Regardless of the outcome, the case has already shed light on the need for a clear and transparent code of conduct for electoral officials and the importance of ensuring that they are given a fair hearing before any action is taken against them. It has also highlighted the need for electoral bodies to be protected from political interference and to be allowed to carry out their duties in an impartial and independent manner.

The case of Sikazwe’s termination is a reminder of the importance of protecting the independence of electoral bodies and ensuring that elections are conducted in a free and fair manner. It serves as a warning to all those who seek to undermine the electoral process and the independence of electoral bodies for their own political gain. The outcome of the case will be closely watched by the people of Zambia and beyond, as it will set a precedent for the protection of electoral integrity and the independence of electoral bodies in the region and beyond.

ZAMBIA REJECTS CHINA’S CALL FOR WORLD BANK TO JOIN DEBT RESTRUCTURING

Zambia’s finance minister has rejected a call by China for the World Bank and other multilateral lenders to join a restructuring of the country’s debt and warned that delays to the relief are holding back economic recovery in Africa’s second-biggest copper producer.

Situmbeko Musokotwane said in an interview that “time is of the essence” to finish a restructuring of about $13bn of external debt this year, three years after the southern African nation defaulted on it.

He signalled that Beijing’s demand was a distraction from talks on specific terms for reducing the loans. “Discussions at higher levels like those just make our situation worse, because what we are looking for is urgent solutions, not discussions that may drag out the matter,” Musokotwane said. “We should all just focus on and get the debt [relief] delivered.”

China is Zambia’s single biggest creditor, with about $6bn of infrastructure loans spread among several Chinese banks. About $3bn is owed to holders of all the country’s US dollar bonds.

Beijing’s demand to include multilateral lenders would upturn a decades-old rule in sovereign lending that they should be exempt from debt restructuring because they act as lenders of last resort and charge little interest.

China last year agreed in principle to give Zambia relief in tandem with other official creditors through a G20 process known as the common framework.

But since then, detailed plans for a restructuring have stalled and left President Hakainde Hichilema’s government unable to access a $1.3bn IMF bailout or to resume paying its debts. China signalled its latest objection in January when a spokesperson for its foreign ministry said that “the key to easing Zambia’s debt burden . . . lies in the participation of multilateral financial institutions and commercial creditors in the debt relief efforts”.

As well as conflicting with existing rules, the demand also indicates that Beijing objects to basic tenets of Zambia’s debt restructuring rather than haggling over specific terms. On a trip to Zambia last month US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen called China a “barrier” to a deal. Multilateral development lenders make up less than $3bn of about $7bn of external debt that Zambia excluded from the restructuring last year. Lusaka has asked the remaining creditors to agree to reduce the overall value of their claims by about half, or more than $6bn, either through taking direct losses on principal or reducing interest rates and extending repayment.

Beijing is known to be reluctant to set any precedent for taking direct haircuts on its loans to developing nations. But analysts have said Chinese banks could cut their rates low enough to meet Zambia’s debt reduction target and still receive more than Lusaka would pay multilateral lenders. Until official creditors agree to specific terms, Zambia cannot easily secure a deal with private bondholders. “We are concerned about the delays, and we would have liked this to have happened much faster,” Musokotwane said.

Zambia believed it was making progress with creditor engagements and could show its fiscal plans were on track, he said, adding: “For the year just ended, it has been one of the best fiscal performances in decades,” with revenues and spending on target. But this year’s budget and government plans to protect social spending assumed the debt restructuring would take place this year, he added. “There are human beings behind this . . . all this requires that the burden on our shoulders must be removed.”

Some creditors have questioned the economic assumptions behind Zambia’s targets for debt relief, such as a requirement to cut debt to below 90 per cent of exports by 2027, with some suggesting the level could be higher. Others have said it would be fairer for foreign investors in Zambia’s local currency bonds, currently excluded from the restructuring, to also take haircuts. Any inclusion of domestic bonds in the restructuring would “would risk unravelling macroeconomic stability” and will not be considered, Musokotwane said.

Credit story: Financial Times

ZAMBIA ARMY WILL NOT LOWER TRAINING STANDARDS – ARMY COMMANDER

Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi has said his Command will not compromise standards for the candid training of those who will be selected to join the Zambia Army. The Army has maintained high standards and ethics due to following training procedures.

Lt Gen Alibuzwi has said basic military training often prepares recruits for all elements of service; physical, mental, and emotional, and gives them the basic tools necessary to perform the roles that will be assigned to them for the duration of their service in the Zambia Army.

Speaking when he toured the Army Battle Training Area(ABTA) in Lukanga on Saturday, General Alibuzwi said military training areas are important because they enable troops to train more realistically and in greater numbers over a wide area without undue inconvenience to the public or put others at risk.

“Land set aside specifically to enable the Army to train and exercise for combat is out of bounds to the general public,” Gen Alibuzwi emphasized.

The Army Commander has, however, observed with sadness some civilian activities taking place in the area and has directed the Commanding Officer of the Recruit Training Centre to quickly advise members of the public doing farming activities and charcoal burning in the area to immediately vacate before the commencement of military training because the whole space will be fully utilised looking at the big numbers of recruits set for training.

General Alibuzwi says Zambia Army faces growing challenges in carrying out realistic training at its centres and training ranges because of encroachment by outsiders.

The Army Commander was in Lukanga to assess the state of readiness of the training area, the logistical requirements for training to be conducted, and the type of training to shape recruits.

He was accompanied by heads of branches, senior officers, and warrant officers in charge of training, engineering, and logistics.

Statement by Colonel Martin Kalaluka Liyungu
Zambia Army spokesperson

THE ZAMBIA ARMY; DEFEND AND SERVE WITH PRIDE (13/02/2023)

Pictures: Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi accompanied by heads of branches during a tour of inspection to Army Battle Training Area in Lukanga, Kabwe.

CREDIT: TZA

SAMPA HAS EXHIBITED WORST KIND OF INDISCIPLINE, HE CAN’T BE TRUSTED – FORMER PF SG MWILA

FORMER PF secretary general Davies Mwila says Miles Sampa has exhibited the worst kind of indiscipline which has never been witnessed before in the party.

On Thursday, Sampa dragged Given Lubinda and Nickson Chilangwa to the Lusaka High Court, challenging his suspension as well as their positions as acting president and secretary general, respectively.

On the same day, Lusaka High Court Judge Timothy Katenekwa granted Sampa an ex-parte order of interim injunction, restraining Lubinda and Chilangwa from holding themselves out as acting president and secretary general of the PF, among other orders.

In an interview, Mwila said he had cautioned his party members to never trust a person who once left the party.

He argued that there was nothing illegal about the appointment of Lubinda and Chilangwa as acting president and secretary general, respectively.

“That is the worst indiscipline that we have never seen in the party. All those who are not loyal to the party will start exposing themselves. They are exposing themselves and more are going to expose themselves. When I left as secretary general, Edgar Lungu left and Mr Mukupa left and Inonge Wina left, you cannot leave a vacuum. So Edgar Lungu before going appointed honourable Lubinda to act as president and honourable Chilangwa to act as Secretary General. That is constitutional because the Secretary General is not there. If the SG is not there you have to appoint someone to act as president and someone to act as Secretary General,” he said.

“Unless I was there, the constitution says the vice-president can act or the Secretary General can act. So how do I act when I’m not in the position? It is just indiscipline in the party and something must be done. Moreover, he has finished himself politically. Who else is going to vote for him? I told members of the party, never trust a person who left the party and went and destroyed and insulted the party then come back. You cannot trust them, that is the behaviour. That is the result”.

Mwila said Lubinda was actually lenient to suspend Sampa for only six weeks given that he was worshiping their political opponent, President Hakainde Hichilema.

“The party was lenient. The offences that he committed, he was supposed to be suspended not less than six months. The acting president, honourable Lubinda was too lenient. So people must know that there are rules and regulations in the organisation. We have to maintain discipline. Without discipline, our party will not go anywhere. So honourable Lubinda going by the constitution, he was in order. Suspending you for six weeks and you were worshiping and praising Hakainde Hichilema our political opponent? Actually, in other political parties, he was supposed to be expelled but the party was too lenient,” he said.

Mwila argued that Sampa can’t be trusted to lead the party.

“I am not the one acting as president. Honourable Lubinda going by the constitution is the one acting as president because the four of us Mr Lungu, myself, mama Inonge and Mr Mukupa left those offices, we resigned. So you cannot leave a vacuum. So that matter I think the party will go to court because there must be an interparty hearing. That is just an injunction and it can be set aside. So the party will go to court. People must learn from what has happened from honourable Sampa that there are people who are not loyal to the party and they are exposing themselves,” said Mwila.

“If Mr Miles Sampa thinks that he can distabilise the party, he is wasting time because that is not a final judgement. The party will go to court so that that injunction is set aside and we proceed. The court has to hear the other party. It cannot be one-sided. But that will be set aside. The party has to go to court and challenge the decision that has been made. The message which has gone to the members is that they now know who is who as they go to the general conference. So they have to be careful on who they elect as president. They may elect someone then after two days, he will go to UPND. So you cannot trust Miles Sampa, you cannot vote for him. You vote for him, you risk the party”.

(Credit: News Diggers)

Sioma District Commissioner distributes sex instead of CDF

SIOMA District Commissioner (DC) Edmond Mumbula has joined the shameful list of senior public servants allowing their genitals and not policies to make news.

Sioma is a poor rural district tucked in between Sesheke and Mongu with the only asset and raw material found there being Lozi proverbs and dances while access to clean water is a major challenge.

However, instead of drilling boreholes in the district, the 68-year old District Commissioner has been drilling a married woman Harriet Mayambu and earned himself the unenviable record of being the first official under the the almost-new-government to let his manhood interfere with governance.

The grandfather opted to drill the wife of National Prosecutions Authority (NPA) prosecutor Patrick Mwiimbi and record a video of himself and the woman in question under the guise that he wanted to be watching it to remind himself of the sweet sin he had committed before God, man and the Ngonye Falls.

Mwiimbi 59 of house number of Livingstone Police Camp, was only made aware of his wife’s infidelity after his children forwarded to his mobile phone a video of their having sex with the DC.

The couple has been married for 33 years and have six children together.

After being confronted, the DC admitted to committing adultery with Mwiimbi’s wife and agreed to compensate him with a sum of K300,000.

However, Mwiimbi resorted to drag the DC to the Livingstone Local Court after he failed to pay single ngwee of the agreed compensation.

In court, Harriet who acted in the x-rated video admitted before her promiscuity.

Harriet said she had even left her marriage because her children who had seen the video of her kissing and being severely penalised by a man not their father had started calling her ‘Litilimbwa’ meaning ‘prostitute’ in SiLozi.

Harriet accused her husband of causing problems in their marriage because he had a lot of girlfriends.

As for her estranged husband and owner of the prostituting wife; he asked the court to compel the DC to pay K300, 000 for drilling his wife without mercy.

As for for the DC, he admitted to having sex with Harriet but insisted that he did not know she was a married woman.

“I was not happy when I found out she is married. She accepted my proposal because we were both single. I did not know she is a crook,” he told the court.

However, in the balance of law and facts, the court only ordered the DC to pay husband of the woman a mere K25,000 so that he may cool his heart and accept that the morals of his wife, also mother of his children, were cheaper than a freezit during cold season.

Unhappy with the K25,000 awarded to him, Mwiimbi indicated that he would escalate the matter to the Magistrate where he would lodge in an appeal against the “pocket change” judgement.

Kalemba

Bernard Kamba

I normally avoid commenting on issues that are before the court, but just to give a brief insight of the matter i personally don’t see any serious case there, but only politics at play. PF SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL.

Sad that my dear brother Miles Sampa doesn’t learn from his past and he doesn’t appreciate.

I honestly didn’t expect him to behave like this against the party that helped him through his bad times. PF did a lot for Miles Sampa. He should be the last person to even think of causing this confusion to the party.

Otherwise for those having questions about the court order he got yesterday to remove Hon. Lubinda and Hon. Chilangwa from acting in their respective positions is not a judgement.

That’s not a judgment, it is simply an exparte order taken alone without the other party being represented. That is why the Judge gave a quick return date to hear from both parties and the matter will come up for interparty hearing on 16th February were both parties will argue their case.

There is no mention that the Court has lifted the suspension of Miles Sampa. The suspension of Mr Sampa is subject to determination by the Court in the main matter and could not be lifted by an exparte court order. His suspension remains in effect.

Otherwise there is no any serious case there and if all goes well without any political hand, this case is not going anywhere. Hon. Lubinda and Hon. Chilangwa holds those substantive positions by the powers given to them by the party Constitution.

That being said, the issue that comes in is this, if Miles Sampa is being used with the way he looks to be suspicious, then PF should be very careful and worried. This move Miles Sampa has taken can be used to destabilize PF using the court by political opponents, if he is being used. If not, then he is just digging is own grave like he did the other time.

Otherwise PF should be very careful with Miles Sampa. A person who always looks suspicious in whatever they are doing should not be given a chance or room.

Lessons are there to learn from in the case of Kwacha and Kabushi.

Let me not go in details, but am honestly made to believe that there is politics at play.

Miles is a betrayal,

By Martin Mushumba, PhD

The New Dawn Government has now spent 1 year 6 months in office. Despite the high food prices caused by unstable fuel prices on the international marked spurred by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Zambians today are so proud of the change of government witnessed in August, 2021.

Below are some of the achievements of the of the New Dawn Government that are making Zambians proud citizens ;

1. Student meal allowances have been restored across all public universities in the face of various economic hardships for the country
2. Student loans extended across all public universities.

3. Free education for primary and secondary schools- a deeper statement on investment in education.
4. Primary and secondary schools are filled to capacity- it brings joy to note that families are no longer inhibited by high school fees as they send their children to government schools.

5. Bursary for boarding schools being provided across the country.
6. Bursary being offered across all trades training institutes in the country

7. Constituency Development Fund (CDF)-sponsored skills training – free training for skills under CDF sponsorship.
8. All councils across the country receive equilization fund in record time.

9. Marketeers booster loans are being distributed to markets across the country.
10. There is enhanced financial access through CDF, Citizen Economic Empowerment Fund (CEEC), Youth Empowerment Fund, and Marketeers fooster funds.

11. Zambia National Service milling plants have been launched – this has brought cheaper mealie meal on the market.
12. 30,496 teachers employed in 2022. A further 5,000 more are to be employed in 2023
13. 10,000 youth being employed under the voluntary, internship, and graduate programs

14. About 2,000 local government workers are employed across the country.
15. 5,000 youths recruited in the defense forces
16. About 200 youths employed at ZRA

17. About 100 youths employed at CEEC
18. About 100 youths employed at Anti-Corruption Commission
19. About 6,000 jobs were created through Mwinilunga Fruit Factory
20. About 6,000 jobs were created through Chipata Fruit Factory

21. Over 11,200 health workers are employed. 4,000 more to be employed in 2023.
22. Road construction corruption curbed – Road works are now transparent and as a result cheaper.
23. Corruption in the procurement of drugs curbed

24. Corruption in farming input procurement and distribution curbed
25. Fruit processing plants in Chipata and Ikelenge opened to enhance value addition in agricultural produce.
26. Load shedding effectively ended – unprecedented response to the power crisis.

27. Media access is free for all – opposition leaders even have more access to the media than the ruling party leaders.
28. A professional Independent Broadcasting Authority- not one set up to shut divergent voices.
29. Enhanced freedoms of association and assembly – Opposition leaders can today freely patronize supermarkets and shopping malls as well as churches without any restriction.

30. In this space of time, CDF has been increased from K1.6 million to K28.3 million – this has given the people a voice in determining what is good in their pursuit of development.
31. Cheaper roads being constructed through PPPs
32. Electric motor vehicle battery plant being opened on the Copperbelt Province – this is a manufacturing sector game changer for Zambia and Africa.

33. Desk distribution in schools is on-going
34. Classroom construction across all constituencies is ongoing through CDF
35. Construction of more Secondary Schools under the World Bank going on.
36. 60% of inherited retirees’ benefits dismantled – the plight of retirees has been honored.

37. Energy diversification program is in full swing with investments in solar from the United Kingdome, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
38. The government has established through the Citizen Economic Empowerment Fund a special funding for energy investment projects.
39. Public Service workers’ salaries have been increased by 22.5% in 1 year 6 months.
40. Opposition free to insult the President- Penal Code Act repealed to allow for such lawlessness.
41. Death penalty abolished- Penal Code Act repealed.

42. Corruption fight enhanced- past and present corruption being fought without fear or favour- e.g. Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health corruption exposed and fought with the passion exhibited in fight corruption in the former administration.
43. Balanced cabinet and civil service appointments – A government that is representing national character balanced on tribe, skills, and experience. This is inclusive governance.

44. A free and professional civil service restored – tribal and political persecutions abolished which was characteristic in the former administration.

45. Macroeconomic stability- inflation has been controlled to single digits. Whilst food prices are on the rise, they are doing so at a much slower rate than they were around August 2021.

46. Debt contraction is under control- debt servicing is in progress despite economic challenges.
47. Influx of investment flow into the country- there is an enhanced business environment attracting investments not only from China but now also from many Western countries.

48. Cheaper fuel markets explored through MoUs with Angola and Namibia.
49. Enhanced international and diplomatic relations with both the West and East- China relations have also been upheld.
50. Enhanced diplomatic relations with SADC countries and Africa as a whole.
51. Caderism and politics in trading places and bus stations curbed- there are no more station and market commanders terrorizing innocent citizens.

52. Enhanced respect for the rule of law- professionalized security wings.
53. Fairly distributed development across the country – depoliticized development, that is detached from regional politics.
54. Depoliticized response to national disasters – A professional Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit doing its work.

55. Fair access to employment – tribe and/or political affiliation do not matter anymore as employment is now accessible to all Zambians.
56. Restored order in the courts of law- courts are gaining public confidence. Corruption skews justice and compromises the rule of law.
57. There is order in the mining sector- whilst a stable tax regime is being negotiated the order has remained and this is supportive for growth. The negotiations on Konkola Copper Mines and Mopani are also progressing in a much more stable environment which is generally good for the mining sector given its importance to the Zambian economy.

58. A clear distinction between the Party (UPND) and its Government. The Party is purely being run by the Secretary-General Hon Batuke Imenda and other party officials whilst the President and his vice have been focused on government affairs. This has been key in curbing abuse of resources by the party.

59. The focus on national development rather than retaining power- President Hakainde Hichilema has his eyes set on pursuing a united and prosperous Zambia. He has shown disinterest in playing politics even when this threatens his hold on power ahead of 2026.
60. Respect for the traditional leadership – all traditional authorities have been embraced and receive respect, support, and attention from the government as opposed to a system that marginalized others based on their tribe and region they hailed from.

61. Restored peace and security- no more killings and gassing incidences that threatened national security. Citizens can drink and party with a free mind without fearing being attacked by some panga-wielding cadres or being gassed in the night.

In a nutshell, the New Dawn Government has scored across so many spheres of people’s livelihood. It has not only re-established a peaceful and united Zambia, but also created a less stressful society as people’s major burdens such as high unemployment, high schools fees, unpaid terminal benefits, restricted access to business financing and marginalised access to development have all remained in the past.

The Author is a Public and Economic Policy Analyst.

Stakeholders and families must take keen interest in these two government programmes; CSE and SRH&R

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

1. Comprehensive Sexuality Education ( CSE)-this is not your ordinary sexual education. It is a type of sexual education teaches children about other types of gender identities beyond male and female, encourages children to accept this as normal, ordinary and natural occurrence and further encourages acceptance of families that emerge from such gender identities.

In short the CSE firmly embeds the LGBTQ agenda in the sex education. In other jurisdictions children that go through a sense of unease that a person may have because of an allege mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity are quickly drafted in programmes to later change their biological identities through taking hormones and surgery.

2. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights-targeting children and adolescents.The term ‘Sexual and Reproductive Health’ can be defined as a person’s right to a healthy body and the autonomy, education and healthcare to help avoid unintended pregancies or sexually transmitted diseases.

But the LGBTQ movement has hijacked this agenda to turn Sexual and Reproductive Health and turned into a campaign for human rights which should include children’s and adolescents’ “rights” to; freely decide who to have sex with( including same sex), how to obtain contraceptives and have access to “safe abortions” and post abortion care, as a human right! What this means is that, as a case of human rights, children and adolescents must have access to sex, contraceptives and abortions without parental or guardian consent and without legal and other barriers.

I have over the years engaged policy experts and leaders at both the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education who implement these two programmes.

Despite their assurances that the programmes are implemented taking into account Zambia’s legal, cultural, traditional and religious sensitivities, this is different from programmes and activities carried out on the ground….for Comprehensive Sexuality Education( CSE) and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights(SRH&R) were deliberately designed to achieve exactly that…accept homosexuality, free sex and promiscuity, and have access to health services that emerge from such a new society.

These two programmes enjoy large amounts of funding from cooperating partners and agencies and it is extremely difficult to fight a push back to preserve our tradition,culture, religious and legal status.

It’s therefore good to see the Catholic Bishops opposing such material in their mission schools.