Hon. Brian Mundubile, presidential hopeful for the Patriotic Front (PF) party, on Monday, January 2, 2023, went on air on a radio station in Nortthern Province to speak out against the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) party and their handling of the upcoming ward by-elections scheduled for January 20th.

During the programme, Mundubile accused the UPND of enticement and corruption in relation to the by-elections. He alleged that councilors were being offered jobs in the civil service in exchange for their resignations, and that the UPND was using the money allocated for the by-elections for their own interests, rather than addressing issues of national importance such as the shortage of medicines in hospitals.

“The system the UPND are now using, the corruption they are using, they can make adverts about recruiting in the prisons, we are recruiting in the police service, they send the DCs and others to manipulate councilors to resign promising them jobs,” Mundubile stated. “This is corruption. This is what is happening everywhere. Every single day government is talking about corruption. The corruption that is in the UPND is the sophisticated kind of corruption.”

Mundubile also highlighted the hypocrisy of the UPND’s actions, pointing out that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema had previously spoken out against by-elections, stating that they put a strain on the treasury. However, since coming into power, the UPND has petitioned all parliamentary seats except for four and over 200 councilors.

“He was asked in Parliament what about how much money will be used for by elections, nothing has been done,” Mundubile stated. “The UPND don’t care that there are no medicines in hospitals, they don’t care that the roads are not in good condition. If you look at the cost of these by elections, it can buy medicines in hospitals…”

The by-elections, which were called due to the resignations of councilors in four wards, will be held in Itala Ward of Lunga Town Council in Luapula Province, Kashikishi Ward of Nsama Town Council in Northern Province, Kapanda Ward of Kasama Municipal Council in Northern Province, and Nyatanda Ward of Chavuma Town Council in North-Western Province.

HH HAS FAILED-MUNDUBILE

…other than praise singers, no sober Zambian would rate his performance above 35%

Mansa…. Sunday January 1, 2023(Smart Eagles)

PF presidential hopeful Brian Mundubile has said rating President Hakainde Hichilema’s performance in power at 30% is more than fair as one would give him way below that.

Hon Mundubile has complained that no single significant sector known to drive the economic wheels is thriving under President Hichilema’s administration.

He said besides the speeches at self-praise by the Head of State and his praise singers, no any other sober Zambian would rate their administration above 35%.

So I am really struggling, besides the motivation speeches and praises about the UPND for themselves, I don’t think another Zambian would rate them above 35%.

30% is more than fair of a mark to give as one would want to rate them lower than that.

“You know very well that every other ordinary person is complaining. The youths are complaining about unemployment, the miners are complaining, the poor people here in Mansa are crying about shortages of drugs,” he said.

On fuel prices, the potential PF president said “the only time Zambians will celebrate the changes in prices of fuel is when they go below K15 because when the UPND took over government they were about K15. So anything about that, Zambians cannot celebrate even if you say you have reduced. When you go below K15 then that celebration will come.”

He however told the Head of State that good speeches do not matter adding that they will not help the poor man on the streets.

Hon Mundubile said travels in and out of America, in and out of the UK will not resolve the problems the citizens are faced with.

“So Mr President, I think it’s high time, now that this is the first day of the year to sit and reflect upon the sufferings of the Zambian people. I think that is the biggest assignment you have right now. So, to assume that you are doing well when the reality on the ground is different, I think is not a way to go,” he said.

JUDICIARY ON THE CROSSROADS

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Hon.Dr. Mumba Malila is Zambia’s nineth Chief Justice since Independence.

In his inaugural address to adjudicators and support staff at his investiture ceremony held on 22nd December 2022, he won admiration when he spoke candidly about the challenges and difficulties of the current judiciary.

He recognised that the Judiciary has not performed as well it should be and that it stood in susbtantial discredit.

He also recognised that the Judiciary now suffered shrinking faith from citizens and has been under massive and unremitting criticism from members of the public and stakeholders.

He stated that the Zambian Judiciary was deemed failing in the pursuit of Truth, Justice, Fair Play, and Equality before the law by those that seek such sanctuary in it and recognising its sacred place in our Democracy.

WHY IS JUDICIARY IN DISREPUTE?

Dr. Malila identified factors that has placed the Judiciary in disrepute. He stated that the Judiciary suffers reputation damage and accusations that it is subject to manipulation and compromise, that some judgements are motivated by considerations that are inconsistent with the Judicial Oarth of Office.

Other criticisms included lack of pace that has substantially slowed down the wheels of Justice, long delays in delivering Judgements, and many adverse factors that have dampened public confidence in the Judiciary.

He therefore promised to carry out his responsibility without fear, favour or bias.

He said all pending disciplinary cases would be resolved.

He said that this meant that the application of laws of the land must occur, in the solemn words of the judicial oath, without fear or favour, affection or ill will and therefore, without regard to the political, religious or ethnic affiliation of any citizen of the land.

He said none of these factors should be the inspiration for any judicial decision.

He said that in the same vein, those who are perpetually underperforming or otherwise failing to deliver, or to discharge their responsibility competently, diligently and with integrity could expect to answer questions before the Judicial Complaints Commission!

He pledged to redeem the image of the Judiciary by curbing inefficiency, unprofessionalism, indiscipline even as occuring under the guise of judicial independence.

THE JUDICIARY TODAY

Sadly the state of the Judicary continued to as he earlier feared.

No substantial changes have occurred since he took over to take it to a place of reform, efficiency or integrity.

The creation of the Economic and Financial Court and its replication at subordinate court level is a tool to achieve, not judicial or justice goals, but political ends driven by State House.

Besides, it’s President Hakainde Hichilema, in his first official address to Parliament in September 2021, that announced the creation of a fast track court to prosecute financial crimes, corruption cases and to recover stolen public assets.

So when the new Chief Justice, signed a statutory instrument and announced in January 2022 that an economic and financial crimes court as a division of the High Court, and at the level of the subordinate court, will be created, pursuant to Article 133 (3) of the Constitution and Section 3(3) of the High Court Act, for purposes of handling appeals from its subordinate court sibling, it was in full fulfillment of Hichilema’s earlier announcements and wishes and not an act of the Chief Justice.

The wanton transfers of judges and magistrates, especially as those that have occurred in Lusaka is testament that the
judiciary is being shaped for political and other ends other than Justice.

RECENT CASES

1. KABUSHI AND KWACHA CONSTITUENCY

It was sad to witness the theft and day-light robbery of these two seats from the Opposition and we saw the deployment of lawfare as perpetrated by the Executive with the active participation of the Judiciary, the Police and the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

There was total disregard of court orders, conflicting judgements from the same court and deliberate prevarication especially by the Appeals Court when it was evident it has never had a role or jurisdiction in electoral disputes.

KATELE KALUMBA CASE

This is a case of utter injustice committed with the active participation of the Chief Justice.

The Appeals case of 2013 of Stella Mumba Chibanda, Dr. Katele Kalumba, Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu Vs The People needed Hon. Malila and Justice Chinyama to have recused themselves.

The four were charged with offences related to the corrupt practices under the Anti-Corruption Act no. 46 of 1996.

In this case, former Minister of Finance, Katele Kalumba was accused of receiving a bribe of £4,000.00 to expedite payments to two USA based companies that had security contracts with the Zambia Intelligence Security Services ( ZISS).

Stella Chibanda as Director External Resource Mobilizationand later Permanent Secretary received $28,000 and a farm as gratification to process these payments through Bank of Zambia and ZNCB -London Branch to the two USA companies.

Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of non-banking financial institution, Access Financial Services held local accounts for the Zambia Security Intelligence Services that received some money from the ZAMTROP Account from London.

The companies; Systems Innovations and Wilbain Incorporation received about $25million under an MOU and security contracts for the supply and installation of communication, security systems and equipment.

The two companies also installed steel fencing at State House, Vice President, Ministry of Defence, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Finance, International Airport, ZSIS and the Supreme Court and High Court grounds.

The allegations were that the quartet participated in corrupt practices which resulted in overpayment.

The DPP, Lillian Shawa-Siyuni didn’t support this prosecution that was done by her predecessor Mutembo Nchito SC when he was prosecutor and later as DPP.

She said there was no evidence of any overpayment for the works done and systems installed and this was confirmed by almost all witnesses.

She also submitted that the payments and accounts were under the jurisdiction of the Director General of the Intelligence, Xavier Chungu whose duty it was to pay the money as per prescribed contracts.

She also submitted that by virtue of Katele Kalumba and Stella Chibanda submitting to court that they were also secret agents of the Intelligence could therefore be remunerated by the agency and the payment in cash or kind was normal as agents were not on payroll.

She also stated that this did not constitute bribery or an act of corruption as public officers could receive payments from other ministries or agencies for the work they render as experts in whatever field.

She stated that the earlier convictions were flawed as elements of the offences were not proven beyond reasonable doubt.

The court chose to disregard the DPP’s submissions, this is owing, not to flawed arguments, but the bias I have alluded to.

When these matters started in 2003 driven by President Levy Mwanawasa in a controversial and highly politically charged environment against his predecessor, Dr. Frederick Chiluba, he established a Taskforce on Corruption, fired the Director of Public Prosecutions, hired a private prosecutor and caused transfers and selection of magistrates to handle the cases.

Hon. Jones Chinyama was a magistrate transfered from Mansa to Lusaka Chikwa Courts while Edward Musona, who convicted the quartet came from Kitwe.

At the time, Hon. George Kunda SC was both Minister of Justice and Attorney General. This Mwanawasa later changed in 2006 when Hon. Dr. Mumba Malila was appointed Attorney General (2006-2009) and participated in rendering opinion in the prosecution of these matters.

He also continued a matter in which the Attorney General sued Dr. Chiluba and six others in the London High Court to recover money processed through the intelligence account ( ZAMPTROP) held at the Zambia National Commercial Bank in London in the case; Zambia Vs Meer Care and Others were Dr. Chiluba, two london lawfirms, Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu were sued.

(Update: On 31 July 2008 the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court judgment against Iqbal Meer and Naynesh Desai. It found that Iqbal Meer did not dishonestly assist or conspire to defraud or launder money from the Zambian government. Naydesh Desai, who had been held vicariously liable by the High Court, was also cleared by the Court of Appeal).

In his own official CV, the Chief Justice, Dr. Mumba Malila cites his experience during this period in this manner.

“Was in the frontline in the fight against corruption waged by President Mwanawasa’s administration, led a team of local and foreign lawyers in legal proceedings against high profile individuals, concluded high level agreements on behalf of the Government to the recovery of looted assets.”

As Senior Resident Magistrate, Hon. Jones Chinyama handled a similar cases where the former President Frederick Chiluba, Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu were the co-accused.

Hon. Chinyama, as Magistrate, found the two business executives, guilty of theft and possession of public funds and were each imprisoned for three years while Dr. Chiluba was acquitted.

Clearly the two judges should not have sat to hear and determine this case as they were largely prejudiced and biased because of their previous roles in these matters.

THE JUDICIAL COMPLAINTS COMMISSION

Headed by Hon. Vincent Blackskin Malambo SC the JCC as seen from the recent cases they have handled, has become a tool that threatens the independence of the Judiciary and security tenure of judicial officers.

JUCIAL CONFERENCE IN LIVINGSTONE

A retreat for judges was held at Avani Hotel in Livingstone.

The Guest of Honour was President Hakainde Hichilema. We think this decision to invite the President was poor.
The President meets the Chief Justice during official opening Parliament and this is acceptable.
We recently saw Judges at State House AR a a celebratory luncheon on the abolition of the death penalty.

It is imperative that these interactions are stopped and a distance is created so that separation of powers is seen and also practiced.

CONCLUSION

The Chief Justice must live up to the words spoken during his inaugural address to the adjudicators and support staff. He must ensure that the Judiciary is distant from the Executive and engages in activities that restore confidence from the citizens.

MWAMBA GOES FOR CHIEF JUSTICE MUMBA MALILA
…as he urges the Supreme Court to vacate decision on Katele Kalumba and others and refer the matter to an independent hearing

By Correspondent
PF presidential candidate, Emmanuel Mwamba has called on the Supreme Court to vacate its recent judgement to jail former Finance Minister, Dr. Katele Kalumba and three others as the judges involved must have recused themselves in the case.

Mwamba said the judgement was a great injustice to the quartet as the matter was heard by Supreme Court Judges that should have recused themselves as they had handled these matters in the past when they held junior positions.

He said the case of Dr. Katele Kalumba, Stella Chibanda, Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu was heard by Chief Justice Dr. Mumba Malila, Justice Jones Chinyama and Royda Kaoma.

He said as Attorney General, Dr. Malila sued Dr. Frederick Chiluba, Aaron Chungu and others in the London High Court over the same facts involving a security account, the ZAMTROP, held at the Zambia National Commercial Bank in London.

He said Dr. Malila is on record that he also provided regular guidance and counsel to the DPP on the matters involving the prosecution and recovery of assets related to ZAMTROP account.

Mwamba said for Justice Jones Chinyama, he was the Magistrate who jailed Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu over the similar facts as co-accused persons when he acquitted former President Dr. Frederick Chiluba.

He stated that the proximity of the two judicial officer to the case was too close and they were too prejudiced to hear the appeal when it came to the Supreme Court.

Mwamba has called on the Chief Justice to vacate the judgement and re-constitute a fresh independent hearing by other judges to grant the appeal case a fair and just hearing.

And Mwamba said in this case, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Lillian Fulata Shawa-Siyuni refused to support the prosecution of the case because of how it was founded and prosecuted by her predecessor Mutembo Nchito as public prosecutor and later as DPP.

The DPP had submitted extensively that the case relied on allegations of corrupt practices and overpayment.

She submitted that there was no over-payment as all witnesses disputed this fact as alleged in the earlier prosecution and conviction.

She had also submitted that the renumeration received by Katele Kalumba and Stella Chibanda from the Zambia Security Intelligence Services was because of their role as secret agents of the service, a matter that was never rebutted.

Mwamba said the attempt to provide judgement in corruption cases for political expediency or a false boost to the anti-corruption corruption drive was an act of promting grave injustice as the corruption cases are won, not on the merit but as a consequence to be used as a weapon for political purposes.

The four were charged with offences related to the corrupt practices under the Anti-Corruption Act no. 46 of 1996.

In this case, former Minister of Finance, Katele Kalumba was accused of receiving a bribe of £4,000.00 to expedite payments to two USA based companies that had security contracts with the Zambia Intelligence Security Services ( ZISS).

Stella Chibanda as Director External Resource Mobilizationand later Permanent Secretary received $28,000 and a farm as gratification to process these payments through Bank of Zambia and ZNCB -London Branch to the two USA companies.

Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of non-banking financial institution, Access Financial Services held local accounts for the Zambia Security Intelligence Services that received some money from the ZAMTROP Account from London.

The companies; Systems Innovations and Wilbain Incorporation received about $25million under an MOU and security contracts for the supply and installation of communication, security systems and equipment.

Meanwhile, Amb. Mwamba has expressed reservation that the.Chief Justice invited the President to a judicial conference in Livingstone.

He also expressed concern that judges accepted invitation at State House during the celebration luncheon on the death penalty.

Mwamba said the Chief Justice was promoting an adulterous relationship with the Executive wing of Government that was detrimental to the doctrine of separation of powers.

He said the recent development hindered the growth of Democracy and the independence and autonomy of institutions.

He said judges only meet and mingle with the Head of State at the official opening of parliament as provided for in the Constitution.

ABOUT WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS

PART 1: A CASE OF KATELE KALUMBA

By Sean E. Tembo – PeP President

1. So yesterday after l wrote an article about why l believed the upholding of the conviction of Faustine Kabwe and Aaron Chungu by the Supreme Court of Zambia was misdirected, someone shared with me the full court judgement. I have read the entire 81 page document and there are certain findings and conclusions made by both the trial court and the appellate court in this matter, that l deem to be outright unsound and potentially dangerous to our case law. It is common knowledge that financial crimes are often difficult to prosecute because they tend to be disguised in multiple layers of complexity. As someone who has more than 20 years of experience as a forensic auditor with the requisite qualifications; MBA, BAcc, FCCA, FCPA, FZICA and who has testified in multiple financial crimes cases as an expert witness, l feel duty-bound to challenge some of the findings and conclusions that were made by both the trial Magistrate’s Court and the Supreme Court in this matter.

2. In looking at a case such as this one, the context really matters. Without appreciating the context, it would literally be impossible for anyone to arrive at the correct conclusions. My considered view is that the courts did not appreciate the context in which the transactions in question took place. The entire case is premised on 13 payments amounting to about $66 million which are said to have been processed by the Ministry of Finance and submitted to Bank of Zambia for onward payment to a Zambia Security Intelligence Services (ZSIS) Zamtrop Account that was maintained at ZANACO London branch in the United Kingdom. ZSIS was to forward the payments from their Zamtrop Account to two United States based security companies namely; Wilbain Incorporated and Systems Innovations. The contracts were for undertaking security upgrades at certain Government installations such as Lusaka High Court premises, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Ministry of Finance etcetera. The allegations against Katele Kalumba and Stella Chibanda are that they overpaid the Zambia Security Intelligence Services by approximately $20 million and that in return ZSIS gave kickbacks to the two individuals. The allegations against Faustine Kabwe and Aaron Chungu are that they facilitated the Zambia Security Intelligence Services to pay kickbacks to Stella Chibanda and another person called Professor Mweene.

3. Specifically, the case against Katele Kalumba is that while he was Finance Minister he received $4,000 cash from ZSIS. Katele Kalumba admits receiving the money but explains that in addition to being Finance Minister, he was also a ZSIS secret agent and that the $4,000 cash payment which he received from ZSIS was for purposes of entertaining some guests and paying and informant in the course of doing his work as a secret agent of ZSIS. An Executive Director at ZSIS testified in the trial court and collaborated Katele Kalumba’s story. However, the court found him guilty of receiving a bribe of $4,000 cash from ZSIS as inducement for him to authorize payments amounting to approximately $66 million to the Zambia Security Intelligence Service’s.

4. One of the questions which the court should have asked itself is whether someone who has authorized approximately $66 million would be given such as small amount as $4,000 as inducement, as the prosecution alleged? Like Judge Judy often says; if it doesn’t make sense then it’s not true. If indeed ZSIS wanted to give a Finance Minister an inducement for authorizing payment of millions of dollars, they would give him something much more substantial than a partly $4,000.

5. In arriving at it’s decision to convict Katele Kalumba, the Court listed a number of factors that were considered. One of the factors was that Katele Kalumba did not retire the imprest for the $4,000 as required for all Cabinet Ministers. However, the Court ignored the fact that Katele Kalumba was wearing two hats here. There was Katele Kalumba the Finance Minister and Katele Kalumba the secret agent of the Zambia Security Intelligence Services, and the $4,000 cash was given to Katele Kalumba by ZSIS, not in his capacity as Finance Minister but in his capacity as their secret agent.

6. The other finding made by the Court in convicting Katele Kalumba was that the evidence showed that security upgrades done at High Court, Lusaka International Airport, MoF etcetera as per contract with the two US based security companies were too little for the $66 million or so paid. Well, my considered view is that the Court failed to take into account the fact that it was dealing with the activities of the Zambia Security Intelligence Services and therefore everything is not as it appears. The actual security upgrades might have been done somewhere else and the High Court premises, Lusaka International Airport, MoF etcetera listed in the contract might have only been a cover story. If our intelligence services are going to generate the capacity, competence and sophistication needed to protect the country from internal and external threats, then they need to be given room to operate.

7. Take for instance the security tunnels under State House that were revealed by former President Chiluba, did the Court expect to see a contract from ZSIS saying they are digging tunnels at State House for the President to escape in case of an emergency? Of course not. Obviously when the tunnels were constructed, the contract was disguised as something else, maybe as construction of a bridge in Vubwi district. Imagine prosecuting a contractor because there is no evidence of a bridge in Vubwi district as per contract with ZSIS?

8. My point here is that it was wrong and unnecessarily overzealous for the DPP to pursue this entire case as it exposed the tradecraft of the Zambia Security Intelligence Services and consequently compromised the security of the Republic. It was even more wrong for the Court to convict the accused persons based on the intelligence activities of ZSIS, which the court has no capacity to comprehend. At the end of the day, the Court applied civilian standards of accountability to intelligence activities which is foolhardy. If the activities of the Zambia Security Intelligence Services could be fully accounted for with receipts and imprest retirements as the Court demanded, then it would be the worst intelligence agency in the world!! But given the fact that the highest Court in the land has made it’s pronouncement, albeit a wrong one, it is now up to President Hakainde Hichilema to correct the injustice done to Katele Kalumba, Stella Chibanda, Faustine Kabwe and Aaron Chungu. These four need to be pardoned immediately by the President. We do not need to wait for Independence Day or African Freedom Day or indeed any other special day. The four are victims of a malicious DPP and an incompetent judiciary. It is President Hakainde Hichilema’s duty to right this wrong.

///END

SET 02.01.2023 I SET2026@pepzm.org

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RE-OPENING OF NOMINATIONS FOR PARTY’S PRESIDENCY AND APPLY – MRS. HACHILONDE URGES WOMEN

Lusaka, Monday, 2nd January, 2023

Patriotic Front-PF- Deputy National Women’s Chairperson Kavumbu Hakachima Hachilonde has urged women in the former ruling party to take advantage of the re-opening of nominations for the Party’s Presidency and apply.

In an audio, Mrs. Hachilonde said despite the fees for both women and the youths remaining too prohibitive, encouraged bonafide women to be courageous and apply for the party presidency saying an opportunity has presented itself.

The PF Deputy National Women’s Chairperson says she would want to see more women vying for the party presidency ahead of the General Conference slated for March, 2023.

Mrs. Hachilonde who believes that women are politically trustworthy says it would be prudent for Zambians in the near future to try a female President.

She says women are not only never-failing but also have an ability to understand and share the feelings of other people, affirming that those are good attributes needed for a leader in a democratic country like Zambia.

The PF recently re-opened nominations for the party’s Presidency ahead of the General Conference slated for March this year without some affirmative action put in place to ameliorate the prohibitive and nonrefundable nomination fees for both women and the youths.

And before the re-opening of nominations for the Party’s Presidency, Mrs. Hachilonde was quoted in some online publications expressing concern that Women were not in the race, saying it would be better to give the elective general conference an ample time to allow women to participate.

Mrs. Hachilonde who is also Party Member of the Central Committee (MCC) by then believed that women did not file in because of challenges with resources, affirming that the extension would allow those interested like a named female lawmaker to source some funds.

Meanwhile, according to some publication by the British Council, low levels of female political representation in Zambia are considered to undermine the quality of the country’s democracy.

Key barriers to women’s political participation include the structure of the current legal framework, a political culture embedded with patriarchal values and norms that are unsupportive to female candidates, and a lack of personal wealth or access to resources to fund campaigns.

MY FINDINGS ON MY HOME TOWN (MHT) ETHOS & Mr JAMES NDAMBO

By Miles B. Sampa, MP (02.02.2023)

I deliberately decided to end my holiday in South Africa by landing in Livingstone, and drive through to Lusaka so as to get a sense of people’s appreciation for My Home town projects, hereafter, (MHT).

Unfortunately, I had hoped to meet the MHT founder in South Africa during my Xmas holidays but was informed that he way operating from his Dubai office. Even without his presence however, the staff I found at his office premises treated me like a king guess simply because they (most not Zambians) figured I was from Zambia where their chairman was born. Imagine entire Manda Hill Mall and with underground parking. That’s the sense I got when one of his workers from Congo Brazzaville offered to show me around his office premises.

Nonetheless and despite not meeting Mr Ndambo in SA, today I am passing through Choma [MHT HQ] on my way from Livingstone so to give me that sense of fulfilment. I tend to follow through to the very end matters of interest to majority Zambians so to fully understand circumstances around a particular perplexing occurrence. In this case why the hullabaloo in Choma last July over to what most of us was just a mare beauty pageant event.

In my first article around the MHT saga, I did allude to the fact that I have known the founder, Mr James Ndambo since my days as Mayor of Lusaka when I enticed him to invest in Lusaka and we have remained close acquittances though our work schedules have not permitted physical meetings. One thing that puzzled me and remains a puzzle around the July 2022 MHT saga at the hands of our friends in UPND after the beauty pageants are the following.

Could it be that none of the current leaders in UPND and I mean NONE, approached the businessman for financial support when they were campaigning to get into power in 2021 and in prior years? And are they angry that he did not financially support them in their time of need?

In the event that one or more of the current UPND leaders received financial or any form of material support from the businessman like most of us leaders lobby various business houses for support, ( and I am already lobbying dozens of business houses for support to ease the financial burden for my Presidential bid for the PF leadership) then where is the sense of morality ?
Lobby for a ladder to climb a tree and when you get to the top, you curse and destroy the ladder that collectively helped you get to where you are? What would be going through the mind of your financial sponsor under the circumstances if you treated them like that?

The answer may have come towards the end of this year when I wrote an article about UPND throwing an olive branch to MHT members and many of MHT sympathisers their thousands both at home and abroad when our head of state drove on a road leading to Choma General Hospital re-constructed by MHT to ease the travel of members of the public and patients on a road that received zero maintenance successive Governments since it was constructed more than 30 years ago. This resulted potholes expanding into craters making the road impassable in recent years.

I salute my brother, the Choma MP and Minister for Southern Province for taking the initiative to request for assistance from MHT to attend to the road. Bravo given our work as MPs is about lobbying for support for our people be it from government, business community or businessmen. The president’s gesture must have come as a relief to MHT members that Infact the UPND leadership cares and if there was a misunderstanding, perhaps false reports may have been proven wrong with the passage of time and as the saying goes, there are no permanent enemies in politics.

I took the decision to write this article because I know for certain, that MHT ethos are for inclusion and not seclusion. To hear his excellency HH inviting former president ECL, for me as politician, I was hearing MHT ethos being recognised and put into practice. The organisation simply does not segregate regardless of beneficiary club or political affiliations. At any MHT function, you will find Zambians and international guests, not political parties.

Visit Mr Ndambo’s company in South Africa which I have over years done on few occasions and you will find among its staff members; South Africans [White, Indian, coloured and black]all races, you will find Mozambican nationals, Namibians, Zimbabweans, Congolese, Cameroonians, Canadians, French, Chinese, Arabic, Russians, British, etc. Inclusion; Inclusion ;Inclusion. To try and expect a man to change his ethos and suddenly favour only a particular section of the country or party, is asking for much. It would be same as asking the Eagle (MHT Logo) to glide very high above ground and not pay attention to the noise.

*My Findings & Conclusion on MHT and Politics.
MHT is not about money handouts but focusses on encouraging its members not to only look to Government for solutions to their everyday bread and butter issues but rather, assist Government where possible, to emancipate community members by identifying human potential and unlocking such potential. This is the reason why Zambians across the country and abroad, rallied in support of MHT since July and growing; because the common understanding is that they augment Government efforts as opposed to perceiving them as opposing Government. Had MHT been opposing Government, the organisation would not have survived 5 different Government administrations before the advent of UPND leadership.

Imagine a population that relies on its own efforts and leaves the state to concentrate on providing a conducive environment for its hardworking citizens to excel, would we be experiencing the insults against the leadership that have become a daily occurrence today? MHT adds impetus to my resolve to win the PF presidency so that we entice 10,000 or more MHT like individuals to get interested in developing their communities across the entire country and end up with more than 70,000 kilometres of tarmacadam roads nationwide built by concerned community members.

I came across this T-Shirt in pic attached and indeed, Zambia needs MHT like ethos. Political parties will come and go but MHT works live on to be used by future generations.

Happy new year to MHT members and sympathizers like myself. Happy new Choma General Hospital Road whenever my Choma MP and Southern province Minister brother will decide to officially launch it. This so that on new year eve he launched the nee street lights in Choma and one hope the MHT that funded the project were invited to the event.

May MHT live on and multiply in all towns of Zambia so all 20 million citizens can benefit from its Ubuntu gestures without being hindered by other Zambians already benefiting. MHT is needed in all 10 provinces of Zambia namely Southern, Luapula, Western, North western, Central, Northern, Copperbelt, Lusaka, Muchinga and Eastern. May Mr James Ndambo never give up on supporting all 20 million Zambians ahead of other African countries kneeling for his support now even as far as Ghana.

May Chairman Ndambo know that what he started as MHT (My Home Town of Choma) has turned itself into My Own Africa. It’s far from being My Own Country Zambia because his ventures knows no political or ethnic boundaries. MHT is for all human beings and may it’s ethos live beyond everyone living today. May our great grand children also come benefit from it.

MBS02.01.2022

THE GREAT INJUSTICE: A CASE OF FAUSTINE KABWE AND AARON CHUNGU

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

1. So a few days ago, the Supreme Court of Zambia finally passed judgement on an appeal by four individuals who had been convicted of corruption by the Magistrate’s Court way back in 2010, and upheld the convictions of former Finance Minister; Katele Kalumba, former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance; Stella Chibanda and former Directors and Shareholders of Access Financial Services Limited; Faustine Kabwe and Aaron Chungu.

2. I cannot comment authoritatively on whether Katele Kalumba and Stella Chibanda committed the crimes that they were convicted for, because l did not have the opportunity to review the evidence against them. However, l thorough reviewed the evidence against the two Access Financial Services Limited Directors, and to be honest, l keep scratching my head up to now on why their company was taken away by the State and liquidated by the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) and they were convicted of corruption and their conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court.

3. The background to this matter is that after working for various international financial institutions, the two Chartered Accountants; Faustine Kabwe and his friend Aaron Chungu came back home in Zambia in the early 1990’s and founded a bank called Access Financial Services Limited. This bank was very innovative and within a few years, it grew to prominence in Zambia. Among it’s customers was the Zambia Security Intelligence Services (ZSIS), which is our agency that is responsible for domestic and foreign intelligence. After Fredrick Chiluba left office in 2002, and Levy Mwanawasa took over, the later engaged in a spirited corruption fight against plunder of national resources during the reign of the former. The main theme that arose during this corruption fight was that members of the FTJ regime were using Zambia Security Intelligence Service’s bank accounts across the globe, including the Zamtrop bank account maintained in the United Kingdom, to siphon money out of the country.

4. Among the many ZSIS bank accounts that the former FTJ regime members were accused of abusing for personal gain was a bank account maintained at Access Financial Services Limited. In the matter at hand, Faustine Kabwe and Aaron Chungu are today behind bars serving a five year jail term because they were convicted of corruption because of a $20 million payment that their bank made to two United States based security companies from a ZSIS bank account. But the question is; where is the wrongdoing? Where is the culpability? Besides no ZSIS official was ever charged with any offence.

5. Access Financial Services Limited was a duly registered bank. The Zambia Security Intelligence Services is a legitimate national institution. The payment was authorized by duly authorized officials at ZSIS. The ZSIS bank account maintained at Access Financial Services Limited had adequate funds for the $20 million payment to be made. The bank received a legitimate payment instruction from their client, and they executed it. Where is the wrongdoing here for which Faustine Kabwe and Aaron Chungu should be serving a 5 year jail sentence?

6. The funny part about this injustice is that during the hearing of the appeal at the Supreme Court, the Director of Public Prosecutions testified that there was no wrongdoing by the two shareholders and directors of Access Financial Services Limited. Nonetheless, the Supreme Court of Zambia still decided to uphold the convictions and send Faustine Kabwe and Aaron Chungu to prison for five years. You might ask yourselves why?

7. It is worth noting that this travesty of justice has traversed five administrations, being Mwanawasa, Rupiah, Sata, Lungu and Hichilema. So why didn’t any of these administrations allow justice to be served with regard to Faustine Kabwe and Aaron Chungu? The answer is; giving justice to the two individuals would have been very costly to the State.

8. If you vividly remember Mwanawasa’s corruption fight, there was alot of excitement by law enforcement agencies who mostly pursued cases, not out of merit, but in order to make a political statement. Out of that excitement, our law enforcement agencies decided to take over Access Financial Services Limited and place it on liquidation even before it’s shareholders were charged with any criminal offense. The Bank of Zambia was responsible for liquidating Access Financial Services Limited, and to say that they squandered these assets over the years, is an understatement.

9. Because Access was a very healthy bank, after all the creditors of the bank were paid, there was plenty of money left, but that money was never given back to the shareholders of the bank; Faustine Kabwe and Aaron Chungu. Up to now, the Bank of Zambia has not concluded the liquidation of Access Financial Services Limited in order to render a final account as per the Insolvency Act No. 9 of 2017. Actually, Access Financial Services Limited had so many properties around the country that up to now, the Bank of Zambia collects rentals or more than $35,000 per month from these properties. This also proves that BOZ had no sound basis for placing Access Financial Services Limited on liquidation and that the liquidation of the Bank was wrongful and politically motivated.

10. This brings us back to the question of why the appeal by Faustine Kabwe and Aaron Chungu took more than 10 years to be determined? It is because the State was faced with the quagmire of either giving justice to Faustine Kabwe and Aaron Chungu by acquitting them because they did not do anything wrong, in which case BOZ would have to be held accountable for liquidating their company without a sound basis and the compensation would run into hundreds of millions of dollars, or just uphold the conviction and send the two to prison even if they are innocent. Rupiah Banda’s, Sata’s and Edgar Lungu’s administrations did not want to make that difficult decision so they just sat on the appeal until they left office. However, Hichilema’s administration decided to deal with the matter, although sadly the State chose a path of convenience and not justice. Perhaps because upholding the convictions of these two innocent men fits into Hakainde Hichilema’s narrative that he is a corruption crusader, just like Levy Mwanawasa.

///END

SET 01.01.2023

GBM GIFTS UCZ All SAINTS CONGREGATION IN LUSAKA WITH K105,000

….as he implored congregants to live a life that reflects Christ

Lusaka…. Sunday January 1, 2023 (Smart Eagles)

As he continues spreading love through giving, Hon Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba – GBM left the congregants at UCZ All Saints Congregation in Lusaka’s Chainda area beaming following his contribution of K105,000.

This is not the first time the PF presidential candidate has made such a contribution to the named church.

The K50,000 from the total amount he donated goes towards the construction of the Reverend’s House.

The K30,000 was made towards the three choirs as an appreciation for their angelic ministration during the service.

The three choirs will have to get a K10,000 each.

The remaining K25,000 goes towards the Women’s Christian Fellowship (WCF) who his late mother Grace Chileshe Mwamba adored so much and who sang his late mother’s favourite hymn song 79.

For Hon Mwamba, UCZ All Saints Congregation is home as that is the Church his mother used to congregate from.

She was also an ardent member of the WCF.

The love his mother had towards God’s works is what has been prompting the potential PF president to, from time to time, make contributions to the Church.

Meanwhile, Hon Mwamba implored the congregants to spread love as they enter into new year.

He stressed the need for people to forgive one another of whatever wrongs and live the life that reflects Jesus Christ.

SmartEagles2022

WHAT MUST BE LEFT IN 2022

By Dr Lubinda Haabazoka

As we move into 2023, there are some things we should think about and leave them in 2022 if we have to become better persons or prosper:

– Let’s stop sharing nude photos or videos of other people and public shaming them. We need to grow up!!!

– Stop posting photos of accident victims. These people have relatives on social media and such images can be traumatising

– Let’s stop pretending that we are Christians. Maybe in the past we were Christians but our actions now don’t reflect that.

– Ladies it’s better to get education or a job. Men are not a source of income.

– Don’t live a life you cannot afford. Don’t stress over the beautiful life you see posted on social media. People only post the best moments but you want to live like that everyday!

– Stop being jealous of rich people. At independence we were all poor! Those that have made it just outplayed the system! Follow suit

– Just because you are poor doesn’t mean that you will be rich tomorrow! If you don’t work hard next year, you will remain at the same level!

– Politicians will never make your lives better. They also have families who come first in their lives!

– There is no such thing as common suffering. You are suffering alone. Zambians are good at pretending. Don’t just sit thinking others around you are also struggling. You don’t eat lunch with them to know their status.

– Let’s stop waiting for other people’s downfalls. Other people’s failures won’t make your CV better!

– Let’s remove emotions from official work. Jealous, hatred and poverty mentality can’t be used to drive the national agenda.

– In 2023 prioritise wealth creation! It’s only you who can make yourself rich. No one else! No one cares about you apart from your friends!

– Men people have lost money chasing women but no one has lost women chasing money!

– Learn to love money! Those that hate money are only looking for an excuse of why they have never gotten it.

– Your talent should be your income spinner! If you are good at sweeping floors, a cleaning company should be your goal! If your are a good guard, a security company should be your aim! Always look at the bigger picture!!!

– Stop discussing other people! Big minds discuss ideas and not people! Focus on yourself! Gossip have no rate of return!

– Don’t be short term and short sighted! Always look for the bigger picture. People have lost because niba muselela kwakaba!

– In 2023, stay principled! Just because your friend is not doing good doesn’t mean you have to dump them! God will always give a person a bad patch in their lives so that they see who their true friends are!!!! Fake friends always come back but it’s always too late!

– In 2023, avoid fake friends! Better be alone than with bad friends! Only those close to you can betray you! So be careful the team you build around yourself! Successful people have always been betrayed by those closest to them!

– Don’t eat food amongst hungry people. Don’t discuss money with broke people. Don’t show off your spouses amongst those in unhappy relationships, don’t discuss your success amidst those doing bad!

– In 2023, only retain friends who can build you. If your friend is more successful than you, learn from them and never be jealous! Jealous people never succeed! Learning from others will instead make you a better person.

– 2023 should be about you! Don’t worry about what other people say! Your dream is your focus! No one calls you asking what you will have for breakfast! Your are the star player! Be in tune with yourself!!!

– Stay away from negativity! Don’t listen to the news! The news is all about negativity! Focus on more positive things!

– If you find yourself thinking like 97% of the population. If you want to behave like the 97%, then you will never be part of the 3% rich person! Being different is what makes legend! Not all players are like Messi and not all cars are like a Bugatti!

– Lastly some people have spent 90% of their lives by building their image and wealth! Don’t think you can just come in one day and claim a share of that! Build your own!!!!

Thanks 🙏🏿

State House has responded to several accusations leveled against President Hakainde Hichilema by Patriotic Front (PF) acting President Given Lubinda during the 2022 end-of-year media briefing held in Lusaka on Thursday.

At the briefing, Mr. Lubinda said President Hakainde Hichilema is a liar who has failed to fulfill his several campaign promises.

Mr. Lubinda said President Hichilema is a non-performer but a motivational speaker.

The former Justice Minister and Kabwata Member of Parliament said President Hichilema lied that his Government would reduce the cost of mealie meal, fuel and fertiliser.

“Those of us like me who have known Hakainde Hichilema for many years, know him as a motivational speaker but not a performer. Even then we knew what more Zambians are coming to know about him now that the man believes in his own lies. Once he tells lies, he believes it and convinces himself that it is true. I am not saying these from without. I don’t mean to demean the President but the truth of the matter is that he makes himself believe his lies. I will give a few examples in case someone wants to quarrel with me. Remember how convinced he was when he said these words:” Vote for me at 10:00 hours, at 14:00 hours the dollar will be at K10.” You know for some of us when you are saying something that you don’t believe in you can see it on the face but for Barry I have to respect him for the ability to tell lies in such a manner that he will convince you,” Mr. Lubinda said.

But President Hichilema’s spokesperson Anthony Bwalya has charged that the Patriotic Front (PF) should have taken the opportunity of their end of year Press Conference to account for their wrongs and take responsibility for the damage they caused to Zambia during their 10 year rule.

Mr. Bwalya said it is under the watch of the PF that the economy collapsed to negative growth, cost of living spiked and jobs were eroded; while the country’s debt profile, as well as credibility of the local currency degenerated.

“The Patriotic Front (PF) should have taken the opportunity of their end of year Press Conference to account for their wrongs, take responsibility for the damage they wrecked over their botched 10 year tenure of office, and render an apology to the Zambian people, as opposed to casting ridiculous aspersions against the phenomenal work President Hakainde Hichilema is doing of repairing the country. It is under the watch of the PF that the economy collapsed to negative growth, cost of living spiked and jobs were eroded; while the country’s debt profile, as well as credibility of the local currency degenerated. It is also under the watch of the PF that democracy crumbled, basic freedoms suppressed and out system of laws heavily abused to silence the opposition,” Mr. Bwalya said.

He said under President Hichilema Zambia is back to positive growth, inflation is under control, debt resolution well in sight, and that the stability of the Kwacha is back on course.

Mr. Bwalya said the Head of State will not be derailed by his critics.

“However, under the leadership of President Hichilema, Zambia is back to positive growth, inflation is under control, debt resolution well in sight, and the stability and credibility of the Kwacha is back on course. Zambia’s investment environment is booming again with investment inflows over the past one year having risen by an incredible 57%, indicating that investor confidence has been fully restored. It is also worth noting that under President Hichilema’s leadership, the credibility and sanctity of our democracy has been retained as demonstrated by the repealing of the criminal defamation of the President Law, to allow for much more extensive and robust democratic engagement by all. The President will not be derailed by his critics and is firmly focused on unlocking local rigidities to get the economy into high gear for more jobs and business opportunities for all, delivering better livelihoods,” Mr. Bwalya said.

The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) has commended the government through the Ministry of Education for announcing that this year (2022) will be the last year for 100 percent automatic progression of learners from Grade 7 into Grade 8.

In the past few years, including in 2022, all learners who sat for the Grade 7 examinations have been allowed to progress to Grade 8 even when some of them failed the examination. Even without any academic justification, those who are not able to write their names have been forced into secondary schools. This has been torturous and impossible for secondary school teachers to handle such illiterate learners.

The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia Executive Director Aaron Chansa said in a statement that this 100 % progression of learners had been nationally condemned, academically suicidal and an enemy of quality education in Zambia.

Mr Chansa added that it is therefore, commendable that the Ministry of Education has ended this counterproductive practice in 2022, and he has since called on all Zambians to strongly support the new academic direction at grade 7 level because it will go a long way in improving the quality of education at secondary school level.

“We thank the Minister of Education, Hon.Douglas Siakalima, for providing good leadership on this matter,” he said

“As we celebrate the end of 100% progression of learners into Grade 8, we would like to insist on the introduction of serious transitional assessments from pre-school up to Grade 4. Using end of term and year tests, teachers should have discretionary powers to progress or repeat learners. With this system strictly in place, only academically suitable learners will be allowed to move from one grade to the next. This will also make our educational foundations strong, helping to improve the quality of teaching and learning in upper primary grades,” he mentioned

Mr Chansa disclosed that NAQEZ has further asked the Ministry of Education to drastically formulate a comprehensive agenda on how to implement the two-tier pathway which is in the curriculum, adding that the Grade 7 examination was meant to be a departure point for vocationally oriented learners and those academically gifted and at the moment, even those who are never academic in orientation are pushed into academic classes, this is being very unfair to vocationally gifted pupils and the teachers .

Today, Ministry of Education informed the nation during a press briefing that the 2022 Grade 7 candidates are the last to undergo the current grading system, which has no fail grade, adding that effective 2023, the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) will introduce a fail grade in order to end the automatic progression of learners from primary to secondary education and candidates who will fail the Grade 7 examination effective 2023 will have options, including repeating the Grade 7 examination to enhance quality.

The Ministry of Education further announced that a total of 493,932 candidates entered the 2022 Grade 7 composite examination. Of the 493,932 candidates who entered the examination, 255,825 (51.79%) were girls and 238,107 (48.21%) were boys. A total of 44, 393 candidates were absent. And of the 449,538 candidates who sat for the 2022 examination, 64,008 (14.24%) obtained division one, 121,490 (27.03%) division two, 96,356 (21.43%) division three and 167,684 (37.30%) division four.

The 2022 Grade 7 national progression rate is 100 percent. This means that all the 449, 839 candidates who sat the 2022 Grade 7 composite examination will progress to grade 8, under automatic progression.

And regarding the Grade 9 examinations, a total of 307,301 candidates entered the 2022 Grade 9 examination. A total of 22, 421 candidates were absent. Out of the 284,880 who sat for the examination, 136,587 (47.95 percent) were boys and 148,293 (52.05 percent) were girls. Of the 284,880 candidates who sat for the 2022 examination, 154,304 candidates (54.16%) obtained certificates. A total of 104,010 candidates representing 36.51 percent obtained statements.

The Ministry of Education has since set Monday 9th January, 2023 as open date for classes for the Grade 8 and 10, at the same time with the other grades, but with a grace period of two weeks up to Monday, 23rd January 2023.

EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIARY, AN ADULTEROUS RELATIONSHIP

PART I: DINING AND WINING WITH JUDGES – LUNCHEON TO CELEBRATE REMOVAL OF DEATH PENALTY

By Isaac Mwanza

“When the executive and the judiciary start singing from the same hymn book know that citizens are in trouble” ~ Jonas Zimba, Lawyer

INTRODUCTION

This series of four articles intends to provide reflections on four key issues that emerge from a luncheon hosted by Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema at State House in celebration of the removal of the death penalty from Zambia’s statutes. The four issues in chronological order are:

(1). Judges of the superior courts celebrating the removal of death penalty;
(2). The scales of justice in Zambia are balanced towards the rich and against the poor – sentiments of a President on ‘death row’;
(3). Kudos for removal of death penalty attributed to the people whose opinions have been so divided; and
(4) A lone Cabinet decision to decriminalise defamation of the President.

The articles are not intended to either criticise or praise the President or any arm of government but to provide advice which can be reflected upon when decision makers and planners make key decisions in future or plan similar events thereafter.

JUDGES OF SUPERIOR COURTS CELEBRATED REMOVAL OF DEATH PENALTY?

When I saw judges joining in the luncheon to celebrate the removal of the death penalty, my mind’s eye immediately peeped into the workings of the United States justice system, to see what the reaction of both the nine Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, referred to by the acronym “SCOTUS”, and the American public in the event that President Joseph Biden invited the revered SCOTUS Judges to luncheon to celebrate the passing, by the US Senate, and his signing a law to codify abortion rights in all 50 States of the Union. Of course, such may never happen in the US for obvious reasons.

The issue of abortion in the United States, just like the repeal or abolition of the death penalty in Zambia, is a highly contentious issue among lawmakers and the citizenry, based on various considerations, legal, political and religious ideologies.

In Zambia, if a poll was to be taken today among members of professional bodies such as the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) on whether death penalty should be abolished, it would show a divided opinion among legal practitioners but usually its the decision of the majority that take precedence. It is unknown though who the majority are in the case of the death penalty, but that is a story for the third series.

In a functioning democracy, however, the minority have a right to petition the Courts with a reasonable expectation that Judges do not have a position on matters brought before them for adjudication.

This is why, there is a 0.0001 percent chance that Judges of the SCOTUS will join the Executive in celebrating the passage of the law to make abortion legal in the United States, and it would actually be unfair for the Justice Department to send invitations to SCOTUS to join in the celebration by the Executive because the question will eventually require them to make a decision on the very question.

If asking questions is still permissible in Zambia, the question would be: how does one aggrieved with the decision to remove the death penalty expect Judges of the superior courts who, yesterday were celebrating the removal of death penalty at the luncheon, to fairly adjudicate disputes taken before them over the same matter? Impressions do matter here.

By joining in the celebrations at State House, the judges can be seen to have overtly taken a position on the matter.

I must state here, that I have utmost faith in the impartiality of the Judges of our Superior courts, especially that they have shown in some cases which are contentious that they can make decisions against the executive and hold their heads high.

The rare cases include when the High Court ruled against deportation of one Roy Clarke, an alien who is a long term resident of Zambia and overturning the decision by the National Assembly to sentence Dr. Fred M’membe, a person who inspired my childhood, Managing Editor Bright Mwape, and Columnist Lucy Sichone to indefinite imprisonment on 27th February, 1996.

The other cases in which our Judges made history was the striking out the charge of publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public under Section 67 of the Penal Code which would have sent one McDonald Chipenzi, Daily Nation Managing Editor Richard Sakala, and reporter Simon Mwanza to spend 3 year in prison.

Our newly established Constitutional Court is also credited with a landmark decision which required judges to summon courage as custodians of the Constitution to rule against former Ministers on their continued stay in office following the dissolution of the National Assembly based on the ambiguous provision of the Constitution which the then Republican President, a man who had few months decorated them with appointments to the highest peoples’ court, could not be faulted for invoking.

However, it is my humble view that the decision to invite Judges to the dining table by and with the executive, who included the Attorney-General, Director of Public Prosecutions, representatives of investigative wings such as Anti-Corruption Commission, etc., to celebrate the passage of legislation, is of great concern and a worrying matter for many who litigate against the executive.

This joint celebrations paint the unfortunate picture that the judicial branch and executive branch are now “on the same page” or all singing from the same sheet and that this camaraderie between the two, may result in the judiciary being unwilling to hold their newly-found friends in the executive branch, to account as intended by our very Constitution.

There are currently a number of contentious matters before various Courts in which the Executive has shown some form of contempt against our courts. An example of such a matter is the issue of immunity granted to the former KCM Liquidator, Mr. Milingo Lungu, which is before our courts. Yet we have witnessed the Executive branch, through the new Director of Public Prosecutions, completely ignore court proceedings by tearing apart the immunity agreement which is in fact the subject of contention before the courts at this very moment.

How do litigants in such matters perceive the dining and wining between judges and the executive?

Cabinet Office must avoid the temptation of inviting judges to attend events that celebrate decisions made by either the Executive or the Legislature on contentious matters that are likely to land back in courts for adjudication.

Our judges are the last line of defence against legislative or executive encroachment on our rights as citizens and it is a very worrying scenario when we witness this camaraderie between our governors with our judges, to whom aggrieved citizens must go for succour and whose impartiality on any topic must never be perceived, let alone seen, to be compromised when we witness our judges being wined and dined by the executive.

It is an adulterous relationship – adulterous in the sense that judicial independence may indeed be adulterated by an unwelcome friendship between our governors and the ultimate protector of our rights, namely, the courts.

CONCLUSION

In future, it is important for Cabinet Office to learn from other countries on who they should invite to such celebrations. If such similar celebrations on signing a law to codify abortion rights or abolish the death penalty or enactment of laws to protect the practice of homosexuality in the US was to be hosted by the US President Joe Biden, it certainly would not involve judges of the SCOTUS, or the heads of the investigative and prosecutorial organs of the federal state but would have targeted family members whose loved one had been on death row or some specific community that has a cause to celebrate. I am sure the SCOTUS judges would themselves have decided not to attend the celebration.

[First Published by the Daily Nation. 2022]

For Hakainde Hichilema, ‘government’ is ‘business, serious business’

By Azwell Banda,

I steeled myself for the necessary mental discipline required to suffer through Hakainde Hichilema’s ‘End of Year Press Conference’ on Tuesday the 20th of December 2022.

I was rewarded with powerful insights into the soul of Hakainde Hichilema. Ultimately, it all came down to this: Hakainde Hichilema understands and practices politics as ‘business’. He is a ‘businessman’ pursuing business using politics as a business tool, that’s all.

It all makes perfect and very logical sense. A “businessman” engages in business to make money, to accumulate wealth for himself. He is forever looking for opportunities to make money by whatever means available. He makes money to accumulate money as an end in itself. Money is all important, it is everything. A businessman knows that to accumulate money he must spend as little as possible, save, avoid costs, and always act in ways that grow his money. A good businessman is not emotional; he is not moved by the suffering of anybody. A businessman is forever looking for ways to make money, for himself. He dreams about money. He thinks about money. He talks about money, all the time, He even sings for, and about money. He is passionately obsessed with money. Where he cannot see, make and accumulate money, it is a useless place. His whole life is driven by the single minded pursuit, nay, a pathological craving, for money. What is not reducible to money has no value, no meaning, and therefore, it is useless or a cost.

I observed and listened extremely carefully to the underlying motivations, emotions, passions, and deep psychic cravings, in everything Hakainde Hichilema said and did in his long monologue last Tuesday afternoon. I paid particular attention to his voice, breathing, body language, facial expressions and emotional displays every time he spoke especially about money, debt, and of course the Patriotic Front. As he spoke, both before and during the question and answer session, once I tapped into his emotional and psychic relationship to money, all of Hakainde Hichilema’s words, false promises, lies, political behaviour and actions simply fell into perfect order: they are all about one thing, and one thing only: money, and how to find and accumulate money!

It all comes together, it is so simple I am ashamed of myself, for not appreciating, fully, the significance of all this, about HH. Let me apply my findings to some of the key happenings in Zambia today. Let us look at the government health system. Parliament has confirmed that our government hospitals, clinics and health centres are dangerously starved of medicines and other health products they need to serve Zambians and therefore save lives. Parliament has in fact recommended urgent interventions to ensure the medical supplies missing in our public health system are made available.

The UPND has instead defended themselves, and blamed the PF for the pathetic state of our government health system. Government money is available to carry out, with speed, the remedial measures necessary to ensure that medical supplies missing in our hospitals needed to save lives are urgently procured and made available. Of the several important variables at play here are millions of hungry, malnourished poor Zambian patients who rely on government health facilities, the Ministry of Health administration and related state health agencies, Zambian and foreign suppliers of medical supplies, and manufacturers. Hakainde Hichilema is singularly focused on the money part of this complex scenario. If the money cannot move in ways to satisfy businessman HH, medical supplies will not be made available in our government health facilities. We know this means in order to get the money side of things right for HH, health facilities are starved of medical supplies, some patients have died, and more will die: because necessary medical supplies are not adequately available in our government health facilities, countrywide.

Take the Farmers Input Support Programme, FSIP. Huge amounts of money were budgeted for and made available to procure and deliver these inputs. This year FISP is a disaster because the money side was not sorted out to Hakainde Hichilema’s satisfaction. He has in fact said interventions were made to this effect, to satisfy him; even if it meant delivery would not take place in some parts of the country, or would be irreparably delayed. The key parts to this crisis are millions of our rural population among whom many depend on FISP, the rest of the country that needs the cheap food these rural farmers produce, government and of course government money.

For HH, unless the money part of this crisis was sorted out to his satisfaction, no movement would take place, even if irreparable damage would be done to rural farming for this farming season, and the inevitable increased hunger, malnutrition and possible deaths arising from this. National food security takes a back seat, until the management of government money is in a manner that pleases businessman HH. This attitude is also present over exports of food from Zambia: not only have export duties been done away with from several of our food exports, but there is not even a whisper of halting food exports, now, in the face of the food disaster next year. We are told agriculture is a business.

Of course we all know the lies about cheap fuel. Fuel has since become too expensive for many Zambians. The price of fuel is now a monthly rotary. Besides the exponential rise in the connection fees, we must expect the price of electricity to exponentially shoot up next year. It is unpleasing to businessmen that Zambians apparently consume subsidised electricity. This is not good for the electricity businessmen in and outside Zambia. We must buy electricity at ‘cost reflective tariffs’, whatever the employment and income status of most Zambians may be.

Now, all governments of the world understand that fuels and electricity are universal inputs into all domestic and economic activities. Governments influence, and work to control the supply, demand and prices of these vital inputs in the life of any country. The security of the state is directly dependent on how well any government performs these functions. This means no state can claim real social and economic sovereignty over its territory if it cannot assure constant, steady, affordable access for its citizens and economy, to fuels and electricity. For HH, these things like “sovereignty”, “state security” and so on, are secondary to “money”: to pursue his debt restructuring programme with the IMF in order to open the flood gates of foreign money into Zambia. HH actually perilously ignores the significance to our state and economy of affordable fuels and electricity!

Amazingly, in the press conference on Tuesday HH gave everybody a little lecture on the need for Zambia to maintain its share of the “electricity market” by not terminating the exports of electricity, even as Zambia’s economy may sink deeper into the combination of recession and stagnation it is suffering from, and some Zambians may die especially if hospitals are load shaded when they must be carrying out emergency operations. It is reckless to demand terminating exports of electricity without first simultaneously appreciating the human costs to both the exporting and importing country, and the long term political and other relationships this would impact. It is the singular pathological focus on markets and money, and the relegation of other perhaps even more important variables that shocked me, in HH’s comments on this matter of Zambia’s export of electricity, when we have a deficit. We are all aware of the favourable deals being cooked up for the foreign mining companies. HH, in his businessman head, is seeing visions of unimaginable massive amounts money flowing, and opportunities to capture some of this money, as vast quantities of our minerals are mined by foreign companies. He is fixated on the money only, not on Zambia and what this loss of our minerals will do to our environments and future generations’ needs.

All his rumblings about there being no competition in Zambia’s relationships especially between the US and China dissolve into smoke when one considers how, since HH became President, he has related to the US and the West. He actually took some prodding to finally start talking to China, even over the debt restructuring programme. There is a “Cold World War” going on, in case HH thinks we are all blind to the hard dangerous realities of our times. He is a pawn of the US and the West. As a businessman, he sees more money from these, than from the East.

Every businessman dreams, thinks, plans, talks money, lives for money; for himself. This is the iron rule of “businessmen”. “Businessmen” as unlike “captains of industry” are essentially traders, dealers, hustlers of all kinds: they are marketers of their side of the deal, for themselves. Lies are essential to sell the deal. We should all know this. This inevitably makes them liars and, quite frankly, usually con artists too. Zambia is just fast waking up to this reality, about HH and his UPND. It is now absolutely important for HH to make public his business interests. Government, you see, is big business, big money.

Comments to: banda.azwell@gmail.com.

By Wynter M. Kabimba, ODS, SC

In my last Facebook write up I concluded it by throwing a caution to the reader that we should brace ourselves for more lies from HH and UPND. I was not wrong as HH would prove during his speech at the State House luncheon he hosted to mark what he calls the abolition of the death penalty on Wednesday 28th December 2022.

I was dismayed to hear HH make claim to the fact that he knew that there were Zambian prisoners who had been wrongly executed under the death penalty in the past when they were actually innocent. How did he know this? Because he himself was once on death row at Mukobeko Maximum Prison, he told his audience. I saw the cameras zoom on the Chief Justice. Really? If HH had asked for a written brief from his legal team, he would have been advised that he was never on death row but I am sure he did not bother to do so. Like he has done in the past, he wants to intentionally and deliberately run with this narrative that he is a treason hero. I, therefore, disagreed with a UPND friend of mine who said that HH’s statement was one made out of ignorance by a layman. A man like him whose desire is to write and doctor his autobiography during the lifetime of all those who know his past is nothing but a pathological liar. His insatiable appetite for reconstructing his political image is unquenchable.

On the same day as HH was making his outrageous remarks, CNN and BBC were running a story of one George Santos, a Republican congressman who recently won an election in New York on a falsified resume. Santos had made claims that he was a university graduate and that he had worked for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup when in fact not.

He also falsely said he was of Jewish Heritage. Although there is a parallel between the two stories, as a lie is a lie, there is growing pressure on Santos to resign his congressional seat while for HH who is occupying the highest position in the land, his on-going lies whether in economics when he repeatedly says that he took over government in August, 2021 when the Dollar- Kwacha rate was 1:24 when the actual rate was 1:17 or in politics that he is a death row survivor are simply glossed over by society at large. Is it any wonder that it is such want of honesty and integrity in leadership at the highest level that our progress is hampered as a country. At what point should we call to heel a president, minister or even a clergyman who intentionally lies or falsifies what he is or is not?

I consulted the Chambers 21st Century Dictionary for the meaning of the term “death row.’’ It is given as “part of a prison where people who have been sentenced to death are kept’’ HH was never tried and convicted of treason and consequently sentenced to death, so the definition disqualifies him immediately. Let him leave such a claim to Edward Shamwana or Nelson Mandela.

BALLY IS A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, NOT A PERFORMER – LUBINDA

…. It is not surprising that 17 long months after forming government, Mr Hakainde is still blaming the PF for the poor performance of the economy

Lusaka…. Friday, December 30, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

Those of us who have known the man for many years know him as a motivational speaker and not a performer, PF acting president Given Lubinda has charged.

Hon Lubinda said he was not surprised that President Hichilema has continued blaming the economic performance in the country on PF even after being in office for over a year.

He added that the President believes his own delusions.

The acting party president said this on Thursday at the party secretariat during the end of the year briefing.

“It is not surprising that 17 long months after forming government, Mr Hakainde is still blaming the PF for the poor performance of the economy. I say not surprising because those of us who have known the man for many years know him as a motivational speaker and not a performer. We knew then what more Zambians are coming to know now: that the man believes his own delusions,” he said.

“Remember the following strong promises: vote for me at 10hrs, we are sworn in at 12hrs, at 14hrs the dollar will be k 10, Petrol prices will reduce to k12 per litre because pf middlemen are stealing k3 per litre, Mealie meal shall cost k 50 per bag, every farmer shall receive 8 bags of fertiliser, and that farmers will be paid k 250 per bag of maize.”

Hon Lubinda said deafening silence and lack of shopping and celebration activities during this festive season is a big testimony of the serious economic challenges Zambians are facing.

He charged that the poor performing economy can be demonstrated by the basic needs and nutritional basket which stood at the highest of over k9,400 a few months ago.

The opposition leader claimed that the cost of living is at its highest ever.

“There has never been a time in the history of Zambia when a bag of mealie meal costed 20% of the lowest salary. Today that is the case with regard to the revised minimum wage of a domestic worker,” he said.

HICHILEMA GIVING DPP DIRECTIVES IS GROUND FOR IMPEACHMENT,” SAYS NAKACINDA

…As he wonders which immunity DPP Gilbert Phiri revoked when the President is on record denying any immunity agreement with Mr Milingo Lungu…

[Thur. Dec 29, 2022/ Smart Eagles]

PF Information and Publicity Chairperson Raphael Nakacinda says the denial of the existence of an immunity agreement with former KCM Provisional liquidator Milingo Lungu and the revocation of the said agreement by the DPP Gilbert Phiri two days after an instruction from President Hichilema during last weeks Press Conference is evidence that the Head of State is not a sincere man.

Speaking on KBN State of the Nation program this evening, Nakacinda reminded the nation that the Minister of Justice flanked by the Attorney General and the Presidents Spokesperson held a Press briefing in which they said the DPP ,in reference to former DPP Lillian Siyuni, had no power to confer immunity on anybody and so no immunity was confered on Milingo.

Nakacinda said the President ,at a Press Conference held at State House also took time to debunk the existence of an immunity agreement with Milingo. He said the Previous DPP , Siyuni even asked that her oath of secrecy be waved so that she could testify but that she was not accorded that opportunity and was hounded out of office to pave way for what he described as a dead on delivery DPP.

” A gentleman who was the Presidents lawyer , who was an affiliate of the UPND is now DPP and against the Constitutional provision. The President when swearing him in and at a Media briefing gives him instructions . That in itsself is a ground for impeachment because it is against the Constitution,” he said.

” The office of DPP is protected and insulated from any form of interference, influence from any authority or any individual. Its the only office that is even expected not to listen to any public outcry. And the President says “You will see what will happen. People appointed their friends at KCM, now that we have our own DPP,”…How can the President be so wreckless as to describe such a Constitutional office as his own office?” Nakacinda wondered.

He said barely two days after the Presidents pronouncements, the DPP went on to revoke Mr Milingo Lungus immunity. Immunity which the President and the Chief Justice swore never existed.

He said they had even gone to court to argue that the immunity didn’t exist .

” This exposes the lies of this government. That act by the President is impeachable, the act by DPP Gilbert Phiri is contemptuous. Because even the matters of immunity are before the courts of law,” he said.

Nakacinda has since indicated that an impeachment motion against President Hichilema is under construction stating that the President has abrogated the Constitution several times and that the latest act of directing the DPP to act in a particular way was the worst of them all.

“That is a clear threat to the justice system of the country because the DPP as enshrined in the Constitution is mandated to protect the justice system of the country. How does he do that if his judgment is influenced by interested parties? President Hichilema has already mated out judgment. He has convicted Mr Milingo, he has convicted everyone he deems corrupt and has instructed the DPP, ‘go and arrest them’ .What kind of mindset will Mr Gilbert Phiri go with as he peruses those files?And those files are files himself generated because he was at anti corruption commission as director. Investigated, prepared files and forwarded them to DPP, then he has somersaulted through the usual inconsiderate way of operations by Mr Hakainde Hichilema, he is now DPP to come and look at his own investigations and make a judgement that they can prosecute. What kind of government is this. ” bemoaned Nakacinda.

DID PRESIDENT HH MEAN TO HAVE A REAL MEAL WITH PRESIDENT ECL?

By Miles B. Sampa,MP (29.12.2022)

So yesterday President HH unleashed rather surprisingly an olive branch to his predecessor former President ECL. He appealed to him to consider honoring state functions despite their personal differences as “the nation needs” them both. For the first time l heard him refer to ECL as “the 6th President” and which is a good development.

The ‘Praise singers’ (HH backers) have gone to town loud on social media praising HH in the Pavarotti soprano tone for this gesture to ECL. On the other hand the equally die hard ECL supporters are outraged with the gesture and calling HH a hypocrite for himself not having honoured state functions when he was in opposition and ECL was the President.

Post HH winning their relationship started badly with the loud booing of ECL as he handed over the instruments of power at the Heroes stadium. We however recently witnessed the opposite elsewhere in Africa. In Kenya former President Uhuru Kenyatta was applauded inside the Nairobi Kasarani stadium as he handed over power to the new President and own brother William Ruto who he did not support when it was his turn to.

I do not think in yesterday’s rehearsed call to ECL the President meant they should actually sit and eat together. How when it’s public knowledges that himself does not eat anything at public events. Even when he walks to the buffet and picks, notice how quickly the ADC (from Beijing) sneaks away his plate with food from the table.

This so while in opposition and as President. Guess he does not trust anyone with his food away from his home. Nothing wrong here as thats his choice but then how should a former President be invited to come eat with him. So in reality I think the actual eating or dining with ECL is impossible as things are.

I stated before how it is Africa’s pride on how ECL the 6th President at Statehouse took fatherly care of the 5th President RB (MHSRIEP). It did not mean doing cosmetic luncheons together in front of Boba TV cameras. It involved ensuring his safety and peace of mind without any form of harassment to his family members. Thats actually the era when RB’s son Henry Banda got to even visit Zambia freely without state harassment.

So may President HH gesture yesterday be commended to the extent that it is genuine and not usual hypocrisy of saying one thing and acting the opposite. May it not be just a PR stunt and only time will tell.

Any Republican leader has a key role to mend bridges be it literal actual ones during these heavy rains or ones to warm strained relations between two individuals. This also includes broken relations where one of the individuals is the President himself.

We cannot have a Country where everyone from top to bottom, winners & losers, young & old etc etc….are all bitter and fighting each other every day as a hobby.

May we do politics of divergent ideas on how to serve people better using the West, East or median ideologies and not politics of constant hatred.

May we exhale love even as we disagree on ideas.

Amen 🙏🏾

MBS29.12.2022

NEWS DIGGERS
Ministry of Information and Media Spokesperson Thabo Kawana says he is ready to be investigated over the purchase of a luxurious car that he bought as a gift for his wife costing over K1 million.

In an interview, Kawana said anyone who suspects that the money used was obtained through corrupt activities should report him to the Anti-Corruption Commission or any other investigative wing.

“People are free to report me to the police, report me to the Anti Corruption Commission, report me to the DEC. They can even go and report me to the FBI, CIA, they are free. I’ve done nothing wrong, I’m open. I should be afraid of what? The people are suspecting that I used money which was corruptly obtained or whatever. So, you as News Diggers, you are an investigative newspaper, if that is what I claimed, you pick-up yourselves, you go to the Public Finance Micro Institution, find out, ‘did Kawana get a loan here? Where are his documents?’ From there you go to Southern Cross Motors, ‘did Kawana get a vehicle here, how much was it? Was it tax free?’ It is this much. That vehicle is 30 something dollars, and people are talking about $60,000. Please feel free, let anybody who wants to report me, report me anywhere. That is why I have added, if they feel that ACC, DEC and police are not going to do anything because I’m a government official, they can even go to the CIA, FBI,” he said.

He expressed concern at the high levels of ignorance portrayed by some members of the public on civil servant entitlement.
“Well, I think for me what I learn is, a generation without information is dangerous because if these people are ignorant of what civil servants are entitled to… Even when you have explained to people that I got this thing here, I didn’t buy this thing outside Zambian, it’s at East Park Mall. Nobody is going there to check how much it is, but people are flying figures all over, some even claiming that ‘I have done my research’. Where have you researched from? The place is at East Park Mall in Lusaka. The place where I got the loan from is in Roma in Lusaka but nobody is bothered to go there and yet they just want to spread sensational lies and keep saying things that do not exist,” he said.

“I think the idea as a nation for us being very petty, very jealous towards each other is really taking root because it’s difficult to explain it any other way apart from people being petty, and jealous. The institutions I mentioned are here, they are in Lusaka. They said ‘where did you get the money?’ I said I got it from here. So, the easiest thing you do is go and check, isn’t it? ‘The man claims he got money from here, did he? Then the man claims he bought this car from here and we hear it is US$60,000. How much is it?’ And these people are also advertising everyday how much these vehicles cost, duty free, and how much they cost with duty. And someone says ‘I have done my research, it is US$60,000′”.

Kawana said he took full responsibility of all the social media trends about the vehicle purchase.
“You know, it’s baffling and I want to reemphasise. My apology is based on the fact that those pictures caused public discomfort and uproar, and I am very sorry that they ended up causing that. I did not post them, and none of the people in my household posted them. So, even if people leaked them, I still take full responsibility by accepting that yes, those are my pictures, they were leaked and I’m sorry about that,” said Kawana.

“I’m a civil servant, it’s difficult maybe for the party to summon me, but I think my superiors within the civil service are people who know me very well and they can also see that there is no issue here because for you to get a loan, you go through levels of approvals. So, they approved the loan, so then they will see people saying he stole money to buy that car. What can they ask me apart from comforting me to say please this is how people are, ignore them”.
(News Diggers)

ECONOMY LIES IN PERIL UNDER BALLY’S ADMINISTRATION

…it was a reckless decision to make mineral royalty tax deductible – Hon Lubinda

Lusaka, Thursday, December 29, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

Contrary to the false positive narrative that the economy is on the mend, the reality shows that the economy lies in peril as there is very little economic activity in the country, Hon Given Lubinda has said.

The Patriotic Front (PF) Acting President said the much needed and talked about taxes from the mining sector have been allowed to be transferred to foreign countries by President Hakainde Hichilema’s policies of reducing taxation on the mines.

He explained that mineral royalty tax was foregone by Zambia because of the Head of State’s reckless decision to make mineral royalty tax deductible.

Hon Lubinda wondered what use is it to produce 3m tonnes of copper when Zambians can’t benefit from the current production levels.

He said this today when he addressed the press in Lusaka during the party’s end of year briefing.

“This is to happen again in 2023. He is claiming that by Zambia foregoing such huge taxes he is attracting foreign investors to produce more than 3m tonnes of copper in the next ten years,” he said.

“If we can not benefit from the current production of around 800,000 tonnes, of what use is it to produce 3m tonnes. Our mineral reources are a national endowment which should benefit Zambians now and in the future.”

Hon Lubinda says Zambia is better off closing mines if citizens can’t benefit from them.

“Who is it who puts his farm on a cost-free lease for the sake of it being even more exploited without any benefit to his family? If Zambians are not to benefit from these mines here and now, we are better of closing them until such a time that more patriotic Zambians take charge of the running of the country,” he said.

“By the way, the justification given for dividend-royalty agreement entered into in respect of Kansanshi Mine through which ZCCM-IH shares have been swapped for royalty is not convincing. It is a product of ignorance on why Zambia has not been accruing reasonable revenue from the mining companies.”

Hon Lubinda said while allowing the tax exemptions to foreigners, President Hichilema is making Zambia enter into more debt than he found in 2021.

He said this is against his campiagn promises that he will not borrow and that he will quickly restructre debt to sustainable levels.

“During the year 2022 he lamentably failed to achieve this goal. As official statistics show Zambia’s external debt arrears grew by 42% from $2.6bn last June to $3.8bn by September 2022. This is an extremely disappointing performance by a man who claimed to know how to fix the economy and a team that celebrated the IMF bail out package,” he said.

“We are aware of the fact that World Bank this year alone released a loan amount of $740. Added to the US$ 1.4bn from the IMF entered into at the end of 2021, the total external borrowing in 2 years only has been a walloping US$ 2.1bn. The 2023 national budget has nearly US$1bn external financing. At this rate how much will these people have borrowed by end of 2025?”

Hon Lubinda added that what is more worrying is that even after borrowing more than US$ 2.1bn from external sources and having domestic debt of K79bn, there is not a single major infrastructure development project that has been initiated.

KAWANA DOESN’T QUALIFY FOR A K1 MILLION WORTH LOAN – MOURINHO
…he is an embarrassment to the New Dawn Administration
Lusaka…. Thursday ,December 29, 2022 (Smart Eagles)
PF Media Director Antonio Mourinho Mwanza has laughed off uncoordinated and unsolicited “lies” Director in the Ministry of Information Thabo Kawana has been staggering to use in defense of his purchase of the K1 million worth vehicle for his “spouse.”

Pictures of the vehicle in question have been taking rounds on social media, igniting a debate on where Mr Kawana got the money from.
While some are alleging that the Director is an entrepreneur and some claim he got a loan for him to purchase the said luxurious vehicle, Mr Mwanza has ruled out both possibilities.

Mr Mwanza said Mr Kawana who has served in the public service for barely a year does not qualify for a K1 million loan.
On the entrepreneurial claims that people defending Kawana are trying so hard to use to clean his image, Mr Mwanza said “if its GBM or Mikalile slashing the money it’s okay. But Thabo, of all the people, we know each other. He has no business that he does that will give him a K1 million. If he does the business, he can prove to the Zambian people that he does the business.”

Mr Mwanza reminded Zambians when he appeared on Lusaka Music Radio that it was just last year when Mr Kawana could not afford going to India for medical checkups due to financial constraints.

He added that people are raising questions on the matter because Mr Kawana is a civil servant.
“Kudos to our young sister who has gotten this man who can buy her a car valued at K1 million but the question is this, does Thabo Kawana have a K1 million to buy a car? Let us look at his lifestyle. Thabo Kawana was in PF not long ago, just last year he was in PF. And without trying to sound personal, I would say that he fell ill and he needed to go to India for treatment. He didn’t have the money to go to India,” he said.

“We have a list of people who helped him to go to India. Just last year, he couldn’t go to India for medical treatment. The air ticket was K16,000, he couldn’t afford, just last year. so today he can afford a car for K1 million.”
He also charged that Mr Kawana has become an embarrassment to the ruling party.

SmartEagles2022

One of Zambia’s Best Career Diplomats Amb. Lazarous Kapambwe RECALLED

In a notification to All leaders of Zambian Associations in the United States, Ambassador Kapambwe will complete his tour of duty on 12th January and will depart the US on 13th January, 2023.

Amb. Lazarous Kapambwe is the 17th Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to the United States of America since January, 2020. He is also concurrently accredited, on a non-residential basis, to Belize, Costa Rica, El Salavador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. Before taking up this appointment, Mr. Kapambwe served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations in New York from 18 June 2007 to 31st December 2019.

His Excellency Lazarous Kapambwe was elected sixty-seventh President of the Economic and Social Council on 18 January 2011.

Mr. Kapambwe served as co-facilitator of the Ad-Hoc Open-Ended Working Group of the General assembly on the Implementation of the Outcome of the Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis in 2009-2010.

Prior to the United Nations, he served as Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, from June 2003 to June 2007. He was concurrently accredited as Ambassador of Zambia to Sudan, Yemen, Djibouti and Somalia. Before holding that post, he was Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs from 2002 to 2003, after serving as Deputy Permanent Secretary responsible for Asia, Africa and the Middle East from 2000 to 2002. He was the Director for Africa and Organization of African Unity Affairs from 1996 to 2000, after two months as Director for European Affairs from June to August 1996.

Mr. Kapambwe also held posts in Europe and the United States, as Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Zambian Embassies in Bonn, Germany, from 1993 to 1996, and in Washington, D.C., from 1988 to 1993. He was Counsellor for Political Affairs at the Permanent Mission of Zambia to the United Nations from 1987 to 1988. Prior to bilateral and multilateral postings, Mr. Kapambwe held several posts in Government.

During his career, Mr. Kapambwe represented Zambia in major multilateral and regional meetings of the United Nations, Organization of African Unity, African Union, Southern African Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Great Lakes region and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD).

Born on 31 December 1959, Mr. Kapambwe, who is married, obtained a bachelor’s degree in political economy from the University of Zambia, where he studied from 1977 to 1981. He has a post-graduate diploma in international relations from Nairobi University, Kenya, which he attended from 1985 to 1986, and received a certificate in contemporary American politics from New York University in May 1988.

A Social Economist Kelvin Chisanga cites the scrapping off 25% excise duty to make it free rate on fuel as a necessary measure, and the Government’s suspension of excise duty on key commodity such as petroleum, is a good strategic move to moderate security of supply of the commodity which makes a long-lasting solution on the energy subsector in the local economy.

Mr Chisanga explained that the zero rating of excise duty on fuel (thus petrol and diesel) has been subjected to some temporal policy changes throughout the fiscal year of 2022, as this has been the only policy instrument that really enjoyed three month extensions in this particular current running year, and obviously this policy instruments was basically necessitated by many factors that could dive to itemize further.

He said that the background to suspending of the excise duty was first introduced in February of 2021 with a main objective to cushion the impact of global fuel pricing dynamics that was exceedingly characterized by some dramatic effects of price changes that occurred during and after pandemic.

“The zero-rating has been suspended many times in the current budget of 2022 and was then lastly reinstated temporarily in September 2022 for the period up to end of December 2022 to help buffer economic challenges that could have come through with this particular last quarter which is usually considered as a dry-spell period due to less productive activities,” he explained

Mr Chisanga stated that this particular announcement makes the zero-rating to assume as a permanent feature in statute for the coming financial year, so that the government does not have to make some temporary announcements every quarter to inform and give guide on petroleum subsector, adding that it is largely taken as a key administrative component in nature to maintain on the status quo, of course going by the looks of things so as to trigger predictability in business and investment until further notice.

However, the policy aim is mainly to continue cushioning on pricing effects so that economic players are well-guided against the global shocks and rising demands of fuel prices due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

“However, on one hand, as a going concern the government has to also balance up on the demands for generating revenue from fiscal policy processes with the need of meeting up social sector demands which has remains on expansion as well. Meanwhile, businesses on the other side have to reduce the cost of running their operations with a deep sense of focused in prospective and projection especially with the aspect fuel which runs as a serious cost centre on business activities. So, in essence or by an average estimation in view, excise duty is currently valued slightly about K4 or thereabout per litre of the pump price, so it is very much important to state that it will be a huge saving to the consumer profile which also includes the scale players in the domestic market,” he disclosed

He noted that it is also cognizant to say that the cost of petroleum in Zambia is standing relatively expensive as compared to the region market except Malawi and Zimbabwe, so by nature Zambia is standing at a very comparative disadvantage with this subsector owing the country’s position in the market (land-linked location).

“Secondly we have few or lack of oil reserves to guarantee security of supply, no matter going forward we will have a proper projection which shall be availed to the Ministry of Energy,” he said

Mr Chisanga said that with the turn of things, this is a good model to marshal with strongly, as any such moves trying to reduce the consumer burden, are basically welcome ideas, as such tactical plans will help make the economy command competitively and advance on the much needed growth. But as usual certainly it has to be an act of balancing especially between many demanding factors particularly on the public expenditure as the revenue side remains challenging, and this poses with a serious risk to meet up with expectation in the economy.

“By policy implication, we will be avoiding pump prices from reaching K30/litre which is the true cost-effective value,” Mr Chisanga said