Ndola’s independent Bwana Mkubwa Member of Parliament Warren Chisha Mwambazi has reiterated his resolve to work closely with the New Dawn Government to foster development in his constituency.

Mr. Mwambazi said he needs to relate well with the Government of the day in the best interest of Bwana Mkubwa Constituency.

The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee said he has a good working relationship with President Hakainde Hichilema and his ministers.

Mr. Mwambazi said people criticizing his relationship with the UPND Government are envious.

He said people should understand that the government of the day is key in facilitating development.

“It is not about being pro-UPND but seeing what is making sense. If UPND is making sense, where else should I go? I want development for my people in Bwana Mkubwa Constituency. So if I have a good working relationship with the President (Hakainde Hichilema) and my colleagues who are ministers, why should I go elsewhere? To do what? Remember some of us were rejected by PF. They didn’t want us. They said we couldn’t win but alas my master we beat them. They will still continue criticizing us. If we were a neglected stone now we have become a corner stone. So, for me it is not only being pro-UPND but I work with UPND and I will continue to work with UPND to ensure that our people get development. That is the bottom line. There is nobody who is going to help us but the New Dawn Government,” Mr. Mwambazi said.

“It is a notorious fact that the UPND is the ones in power and we need to support them like we supported others who did not want to listen. The people of Bwana Mkubwa elected me because they saw it fit that we want this gentleman to help us and even today I am still reaffirming my promise to the people of Government that we will deliver development. With the help of the New Dawn Government we will push and have our projects and deliver to the people. We only have one country and development will come through state coffers. Government does not stop, parties will come and go but the government will continue. What is important is for the people of Bwana Mkubwa to get the share of the national cake and to have development. That is what I am pushing as Member of Parliament for Bwana Mkubwa,” he said.

Mr. Mwambazi said people should not expect him to work with the opposition because they have no power.

“I am working with UPND to bring development to Bwana Mkubwa Constituency. I am affirming and agreeing that I am working with them (UPND) and I am working with them because if I have seen that their policies are making sense why not work with them? Should I go to work with the opposition who have got no power? What are they going to give me? I need to work with people who have got power, who have got the purse, who have got the money. Who moves things? So that is why I am working with them. Everybody, even the same people who are saying I am pro-UPND, want the same development from UPND. So why not work with the UPND. Some of us are straight forward in what we say and do. When we choose that we are going to work with this, that is what we are going to work with. So I am working with the New Dawn Government to ensure that the people of Bwana Mkubwa, the people who took me to Lusaka get the development they need,” the lawmaker said.

TRIBALISM AND REGIONALISM UNDER HH AS FALSELY PEDDLED BY SISHUWA SISHUWA AND FRED M’MEMBE

By Shalala Oliver Sepiso

On 18th December 2022, Historian Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa wrote an article entitled “Why Zambia’s president is adored abroad but a disappointment at home”, on the African Arguments website, in which he claims that HH is sidelining Northern and Eastern regions in favour of his party’s strongholds. “Perhaps the most serious issue alienating the president from many Zambians is his failure to reflect adequate ethnic diversity in his appointments …. From the key ministries, security services, and the justice system, to the National Assembly, civil services and ECZ, the top positions are all held by individuals from regions that typically vote for Hichilema,” said Sishuwa.

Sishuwa’s diatribe can easily be critiqued for lacking basic facts and context. I will show that below.

To understand Sishuwa’s mindset, remember that Sishuwa was sponsored to school by Fred M’membe and lived in Fred M’membe’s house in his formative stage of life. Even when he was under scholarship in the UK doing his PhD, The Post newspaper used to send funds to Sishuwa for upkeep. He would study from The Post newspaper’s library whenever he was in Zambia. So his thought-process and indeed his philosophy is somewhat fed by M’membe’s thoughts.

It is not a coincidence that Sishuwa’s article came exactly one year after Socialist Party president Fred M’membe went on radio and misled the country that all heads of the three wings of government and of the defence forces were people appointed from either Southern, Western or Northwestern provinces. But government has only three wings i.e. the Executive, the Legislature and Judiciary. Without digressing much, let me remind everyone that Fred, like his student in the tribalism crusade Sishuwa, usually uses half-truths and lies to make his point.

The first arm of government i.e. the legislature or parliament is headed by the Speaker. Currently the speaker is Nellie Muti. She is Lozi and from Western Province. M’membe didn’t seem to be happy to have a Lozi heading this arm. The second arm of government is the Executive. This one is headed by His Excellency the President Hakainde Hichilema. He is Tonga. His tribe and origin should never have been an issue to Fred M’membe because this man was voted into office by the public and the public knew his tribe. During that election, one of the presidential hopefuls was Fred Namakando M’membe, a Bemba, Lozi, etc – and fourier series of zeroes all over the country which can’t be fathomed by calculus – differentiation or integration – as to what happened. Didn’t voters know that they were voting for a Tonga and leavcing a Bemba prince out with zeroes? HH did not appoint himself for his tribe to be an issue. The last arm of government is the Judiciary. The Chief Justice, is the head of the judiciary. Mumba Malila was appointed as Chief Justice by president Hakainde Hichilema. He is from Northern.

M’membe lied last year because on heads of government, HH only had to make two appointments and those are shared by Western and Northern provinces. This means the UPND stronghold got one and so did the former PF stronghold.

Now let me show you that, similarly, Sishuwa lied.

A look at nominated MPs shows that 50 percent of available slots were given to Northern regions, 25 percent to Western then 25 percent to Southern and the Copperbelt. If you want to look at it from a tribal angle, it is 50% Bemba-speaking people, 25% Lozis and the other 25% to Tongas and Lambas combined. These are as follows: NORTHERN OR BEMBA-SPEAKING: 1. Elias Mubanga (SME Minister, MP), 2. Peter Chibwe Kapala (Energy Minister, MP), 3. Doreen Mwamba (Community Development Minister, MP) and 4. Felix Mutati, (Technology Minister, MP), WESTERN OR LOZI-SPEAKING: 1. Likando Mufalali (MP), 2. Charles Milupi (Infrastructure Minister, MP); SOUTHERN OR TONGA-SPEAKING: 1. Mutinta Mazoka, MP; and COPPERBELT OR LAMBA-SPEAKING: 1. Elisha Matambo (Copperbelt Minister, MP).

Interestingly, of the 8 (eight) nominated MPs, President Hichilema promised five of them as Cabinet Ministers. Of these five Cabinet Ministers, President Hichilema favoured the Northern or Bemba-speaking bunch. Four out of these five Cabinet Ministers are from Bemba-speaking regions. Milupi is the only nominated MP in cabinet who is from outside the PF regions. And who can stand up and say he was appointed because he is Lozi or he is from a UPND region surely?

Let us now cascade to cabinet positions and compare appointments from former PF-strongholds versus UPND strongholds. MINISTERS FROM SOUTHERN PROVINCE OR TONGA-SPEAKIGN REGIONS: 1. Douglas Munsaka Syakalima, 2. Gary Chilala Nkombo, 3. Jacob Jack Mwiimbu, 4. Rodney Sikumba and 5. Mulambo Hamakuni Haimbe. MINISTERS FROM NORTHERN PROVINCES OR BEMBA-SPEAKING REGIONS: 1. Elvis Chishala Nkandu, 2. Elias Mubanga, 3. Doreen Mwamba
4. Felix Mutati, 5. Peter Kapala, 6. Paul Kabuswe, 7. Chipoka Mulenga and 8. Frank Tayali. WESTERN PROVINCE OR LOZI-SPEAKING REGIONS: 1. Charles Milupi, 2. Situmbeko Musokotwane and 3. Makozo Chikote. NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCE OR LUVALE,LUNDA AND KAONDE SPEAKING REGIONS: 1. Brenda Tambatamba. 2. Elijah Muchima and 3. Ambrose Lufuma. CENTRAL REGION OR SALA, ILA, LENJE, SWAKA-SPEAKIGN REGIONS: 1. Collins Nzovu, 2. Chushi Kasanda and 3. Stanley Kasongo Kakubo. EASTERN PROVINCE OR NGONI, CHEWA, TUMBUKA AND NSENGA SPEAKING REGIONS: 1. Reuben Mtolo Phiri and 2. Mike Mposha. LUSAKA PROVINCE OR SOLI-SPEAKING REGION: 1. Sylvia Masebo (Soli).

From the above breakdown, it is clear that our friend Sishuwa is onto some serious mischief and not making a balanced and an objective observation. A reasonable intellectual does not make generalisations not backed by evidence such as “HH is adored abroad and hated by people at home.” An unbalanced view point is biased and not useful for national advancement. It is dangerous when it comes from someone in academia because it is taken as fact and not the utter drivel it is. Sishuwa should talk in context of the list above, both on nominated MPs and cabinet representation. Sishuwa should address his mind to this and discuss regional balancing from this perspective. Given the evidence I have presented here, one would expect Sishuwa to say Eastern and Lusaka Provinces are not well represented compared to other regions. That would be a fair assessment and not the exaggerated bad picture he is trying to portrays. Instead he chose to huff and puff his biases willy-nilly as though Oxford University never had no impact on his medula medulla oblongata and his cerebrum.

In his article, Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa makes assumptions based on his biases on something i.e Zambians are dissatisfied with HH/UPND and then looks for more assumptions and little nuggets which he weaves together to fortify his assumptions which he then presents as an analysis. There is no rudimentary fact checking or statistics to triangulate his thoughts and no verbatim from the ground. It is just assumptions based on his hypothesis. If that is indeed what being an intellectual is, then give him his dues and his roses.

In ending, Sishuwa Sishuwa said: “On democratic reform, Hichilema has disappointed too. After over a year in office, his administration is yet to repeal repressive legislation that undermines democracy nor enact any that promotes human rights and strengthens accountability. Not only that. More people have been arrested and sent to prison for breaking a dubious 1965 law against defamation of the president in Hichilema’s first year than were under six years of Lungu.”

Now this is a pure lie as numbers can easily show. I would have thought an intellectual would base this statement on facts and figures and no on lies. How many people have been arrested on defamation since August 2021 and how many were arrested on the same charge two years before August 2021? Sishuwa won’t give you those numbers because he lied.

Oh by the way Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa, please update your article as that law, and the death penalty, have now been expunged from Zambian laws.

Why Zambians discuss President Hakainde Hichilema ‘s ‘BIG EARS’

On government’s invitation, yesterday I spent my afternoon at State-House and listened to the President explain amendments to legislation on the death penalty amd defamation of President. But what caught my attention was his cry over why Zambians waste time talking about his ‘big ears’ which he said he can’t do anything about and not about other important things such as corruption fight.

Actually Zambians did the same to Presidents: Kenneth Kaunda they called ‘fonkofonko’ because of his sunken eyes, FTJ Chiluba ‘kafupi’ because of his short statute, Mwanawasa ‘Cabbage’ because of his speech impairment, …the list goes on.

Well the reason is simple. Zambians discuss his big ears because thats mostly ‘all’ they can see and know about him. There are other important things but Zambians have been starved and condemned to poverty of information due to lack of access information Law. All they see are his ears so they would rather talk about them than speculate ignorantly over things they dont have information on.

The way our Zambian government works is such that the President chooses what information the public should have access to and not. This scenario has its own merits but in an event where a government in power has no tolerance to divergent views or is opposed to correction through being transparent, this position of the law can be very retrogressive because the government can just choose not to be answerable to their actions by just blacking-out its citizens by cutting off their access to valuable information.

When this happens the government can even enter questionable and harmful agreements on behalf of Zambians without them knowing as the case is with the IMF agreements the Hakainde Hichilema entered in which they have refused to disclose to the Zambian people, the Africom Military base they are setting up with the US without disclosure of the details to the Zambians, the MOU they have signed with the US to surrender our future mineral rights in the battery value chain which they too have refused to disclose to the Zambian people. Lastest the IMF yesterday submitted a report on Zambian’ Corruption and state of governance which unfortunately will also be kept a secret. How can we offer checks and balances if there is no disclosure?

This position of the law is grossly undemocratic and all stakeholders including MISA, civil society organizations and the church have cried for but politicians have promised to enact a law that will allow Zambians measured access to developmental information but once they get in power they abandon it. It is now 21 years since the proposed law known as the Access to Information Bill docked the chambers of Parliament but is still not signed by any of the previous Presidents including Hakainde Hichilema. The UPND government which also promised to sign it into law is equally skirting around it.

Well, the problem is known, as long as Zambians are denied access to important developmental information, they will continue discussing trivial matters such as the features on the face of their Presidents.

In the interest of progressive development, I challenge President Hakainde Hichilema through his Justice Minister Hon. Mulambo Haimbe and the information Minister Hon. Chushi Kasanda, MP. to present to Parliament the Access to Information Bill for presidential ascent into Law.

The move to sign the penal code amendments abolishing death penalty and the repeal of the archaic defamation of the President laws is progressive. However, it will not empower Zambians from the poverty of information they are being subjected to right now.

Information is power. Give the people access to important information and they will discuss important things.

Wherever we want to go our feet shall take us there.

Kasonde Mwenda C
Economic Freedom Fighters-EFF President

PF DISSECTS UPND’s 17-MONTH-REIGN

…’chides international relation criteria, demands reasons for China alienation’

Lusaka, Thursday, December 29, 2022.

FORMER ruling Patriotic Front has reviewed the Government’s 17-month reign citing various economic and governance shortfalls while seeking answers to the unilateral decision in international policies, chiefly the alienation of China in preference to the United States.

The former ruling party notes that the last 17-months of the UPND reign has been characterised by ‘short-changed policies’ on various economic sectors.

This includes the acquisition of US$2.1 billion in external borrowing while clarifying that the much-heralded abolition of the death Penalty needed consensus by referendum and not by decree as demanded by Article 20 of the constitution.

Acting PF President Given Lubinda notes that the inconsistences in energy policy formulation, delayed fertiliser distribution, which has affected livelihood for the majority 20-million populace-living on ‘hand to mouth’ day on end.

Lubinda, franked by various senior party officials including PF party Presidential aspirants-Emmanuel Mwamba and Brian Mundubile, wonders the logic behind unexplained diplomatic decisions that have seen the soaring relationship with United States over the Battery manufacturing for electric vehicles.

The arrangement in collaboration with northern Neighbour DR Congo if materialised would oversee the maximising of natural and mineral resources was not consistent with the expectations of the Zambian people.

The myriad of shortcomings including the waiver on Mineral Royalty Taxes on minerals mined in Zambia to secure latitude for the country to maximise and produce 3 million tons of copper in 10-years-was ultra-vires and contrasts the electorate expectations that voted in the 12 August 2021 poll that ushered into power the UPND.

Below is the full statement: (Verbatim) 29/12/22

NATIONAL ADDRESS
BY ACTING PATRIOTIC FRONT PRESIDENT, HON. GIVEN LUBINDA DELIVERED AT PARTY SECRETARIAT, LUSAKA 29TH DECEMBER 2022

• MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE;
• MEMBERS OF THE LUSAKA PROVINCE COMMITTEE;
• HON MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT;
• MEMBERS OF THE PF SECRETARIAT;
• MEMBERS OF THE PRESS;
• COUNTRY MEN AND WOMEN;

I WELCOME YOU TO OUR END OF YEAR PRESS BRIEFING WHICH IS MEANT TO HELP US REVIEW THE ISSUES OF THE YEAR AND TO COMMENT ON THE STATE OF THE NATION.

I RECOGNISE THAT A NUMBER OF OUR COLLEAGIES WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE TODAY ARE NOT BECAUSE THEY WENT AHEAD OF US TO BE WITH THE LORD.

I BRING TO MIND HON TUTWA NGULUBE WHO DIED ON 3RD DECEMBER AND WAS PUT TO REST ON 7TH DECEMBER, 2022.

IN HONOUR OF HIS MEMORY MAY WE PLEASE BE UPSTANDING FOR A MINUTE OF SILENCE. MAY HIS SOUL AND THE SOULS OF THE DEAR DEPARTED REST IN ETERNAL PEACE!

COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN
IT IS SEVEENTEEN MONTHS SINCE PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA AND HIS UPND WON ELECTIONS.

DURING THE PERIOD AUGUST TO DECEMBER, 2021 MR HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, HIS MINISTERS AND HIS PARTY FUNCTIONERIES LIKEWISE, REPEATEDLY ARGUED THAT THE PERIOD FROM ELECTIONS WAS TOO SHORT FOR THEM TO COME UP WITH THEIR OWN POLICIES.

THEY FURTHER ARGUED THAT THEY WERE RUNNING THE REMAINDER OF THE PF NATIONAL BUDGET AND NOT THEIR OWN.

THEY PROMISED THAT THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT IN 2022 WHEN THEY WILL FOLLOW THEIR OWN POLICIES AND IMPLEMENT THEIR OWN NATIONAL BUDGET.

AS WE HAVE COME TO THE END OF THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED YEAR 2022, IT IS NOW TIME FOR US TO REVIEW THE PERFORMANCE OF MR HAKAINDE AND HIS UPND GOVERNMENT.

1. STATE OF THE ECONOMY

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.

THE MUCH NEEDED AND TALKED ABOUT TAXES FROM THE MINING SECTOR HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES BY MR HAKAINDE’S POLICIES OF REDUCING TAXATION ON THE MINES.

DURING THE YEAR MINERAL ROYALTY TAX WAS FOREGONE BY ZAMBIA BECAUSE OF MR HAKAINDE’S WRECKLESS DECISION TO MAKE MINERAL ROYALTY TAX DEDUCTIBLE. 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.

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.

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.

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. WE SHALL ADDRESS THIS MATTER IN GREATER DETAIL IN A FEW WEEKS FROM NOW.

INCIDENTALLY, WHILE ALLOWING THESE TAX EXEMPTIONS TO FOREIGNERS, MR HAKAINDE IS MAKING ZAMBIA ENTER INTO MORE DEBT THAN HE FOUND IN 2021.

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.

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?

WHAT IS MORE WORRYING IS THAT EVEN AFTER BORROWING MORE THAN US$ 2.1BN FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES AND HAVING DOMESTIC DEBT OF K 79BN THERE IS NOT A SINGLE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN INITIATED.

THIS THEREFORE MEANS THAT ALL THIS BORROWING IS GOING TO FINANCING CONSUMPTION.

AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF LACK OF ANY SERIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT INITIATED DURING THE LAST SEVEENTEEN MONTHS, THERE IS SLIGHTLY ABOVE US$ 7M ALLOCATED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE 2023 BUDGET.

ONE WONDERS THE KIND OF PROJECTS THAT WILL BE EXECUTED USING SUCH A MEAGRE ALLOCATION.

THE UPND IS BASING THEIR HOPES OF AN ECONOMIC TURN AROUND ON THE IMF BAIL OUT PROGRAMME, EXTERNAL FUNDING, AND FOREIGN INVESTMENTS. UNFORTUNATELY, ALL THESE ARE EXTERNAL AND OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF ZAMBIA.

IN THE MEANTIME, LOCAL SUPPLIERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES TO THE GOVERNMENT HAVE GONE WITHOUT BEING PAID THEIR DUES SINCE JULY 2021.

THE CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS ARE NOT PAID UNDER THE GUISE THAT THEIR INVOICES, INTERIM PAYMENT CERTIFICATES OR CLAIMS ARE BEING AUDITED. THIS EXERCISE HAS TAKEN OVER ONE YEAR. WHEN WILL THESE AUDITS BE CONCLUDED AND WHEN WILL SUPPLIERS BE PAID?

A MEAGRE K4BN WAS PAID OUT OF A TOTAL OF K48BN WHICH WAS OUTSTANDING AS AT JANUARY 2022. HOW CAN THE ECONOMY THRIVE WITH SUCH DISMAL PERFORMANCE IN FINANCING DOMESTIC ARREARS?

AS THOUGH NON-PAYMENT OF THEIR DUES IS NOT ENOUGH, MANY OF THESE SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN SQUEEZED OUT OF BUSINESS BY THE UPND GOVERNMENT UNDER THE MISTAKEN BELIEF THAT ALL THOSE COMPANIES THAT SUPPLIED TO THE GOVERNMENT PRIOR TO THE AUGUST 2021 ELECTIONS WERE PF COMPANIES.

MANY MEDIUM, SMALL AND MICRO ENTERPRISES HAVE HAD TO FOLD UP WITHIN THE SPACE OF ONE YEAR DUE TO THE SQUEEZE ON LIQUIDITY. MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SENT INTO REDUNDANCY AND UNEMPLOYMENT AS A RESULT.

OTHERS HAVE HAD THEIR PROPERTIES FORCLOSED DUE TO THEIR INABILITY TO MEET THEIR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS.

SURPRISINGLY, THE COUNTRY HAS WITNESSED THE EMERGENCE OF SUPPLIERS WHO HAVE NO FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL CAPACITY TO MEET MARKET DEMAND.

THIS HAS RESULTED IN SHORTAGES OF ESSENTIAL GOODS SUCH AS MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND FARMING INPUTS.

SOME OF THESE NEW ENTRANTS HAVE BEEN TRACED BACK TO UPND SYMPATHISERS AND LEADERS. SO, THE SUSPICION THAT COMPANIES THAT SUPPLIED GOVERNMENT PRIOR TO THE ELECTIONS WERE PF COMPANIES IS ACTUALLY A PRODUCT OF THEIR OWN DEEDS.

DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW WE WITNESSED THE HARRASMENT OF SMES, WHERE THEIR MOBILE PHONE BOOTHS WERE FORCIBLY REMOVED.

WE ALSO WITNESSED BIG BUSINESSES BEING HARRASSED.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT SEVEENTEEN 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. REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING STRONG PROMISES:

I. VOTE FOR ME AT 10HRS, WE ARE SWORN IN AT 12HRS, AT 14HRS THE DOLLAR WILL BE K 10

II. PETROL PRICES WILL REDUCE TO K12 PER LITRE BECAUSE PF MIDDLEMEN ARE STEALING K3 PER LITRE

III. MEALIE MEAL SHALL COST K 50 PER BAG

IV. EVERY FARMER SHALL RECEIVE 8 BAGS OF FERTILISER

V. FARMERS WILL BE PAID K 250 PER BAG OF MAIZE.

COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN,

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 DEAFENING SILENCE AND LACK OF SHOPPING AND CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES DURING THIS FESTIVE SEASON IS A BIG TESTIMONY OF THE SERIOUS ECONOMIC CHALLENGES OUR PEOPLE ARE FACING.

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.

2. STATE OF GOVERNANCE

WE HAVE WITNESSED THE WANTON ABUSE OF STATE INSTITUTIONS AS SEEN DURING THE KABUSHI, KWACHA AND LUSANGAZI BY-ELECTIONS.

WE IN THE PF WERE UNRELENTED IN STANDING BY OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FIELD OUR ADOPT CANDIDATES. AGAINST ALL ODDS WE WERE TREATED TO A VERY SHOCKING SITUATION WERE TWO COURTS OF THE SAME JUDICIARY DELIVERED CONFLICTING JUDGEMENTS ON THE SAME MATTER AND ON THE SAME DAY.

WE WERE ALSO RUDELY SHOCKED TO BE TREATED TO A RAPIDLY CONVENED ELECTION PROCESS WHICH LEFT US OUT OF THE RACE.

WE WERE MORE SHOCKED TO SEE PEOPLE CELEBRATING A VICTORY WHICH WAS FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES A ONE-HORSE RACE.

THE VIOLENCE THAT WE WITNESSED IN VARIOUS BY ELECTIONS AND THE VIOLENT INHIBITION OF OUR CANDIDATES FROM FILING NOMINATIONS AS HAPPENED IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE CALLS FOR US IN THE PF AND ALL OTHER DEMOCRACY LOVING CITIZENS TO BRACE OURSELVES FOR THE ARMOUR THAT IS NEEDED TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS TO VOTE FOR CANDIDATES OF OUR CHOICE. THIS WILL NOT COME EASILY. WE NEED TO BE RESILIENT AND FIRM.

WE HAVE ALSO SEEN THE ABUSE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO TOOLS OF OPPRESSION AND HARRASSMENT AGAINST THE OPPOSITION.

DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW UNDER THE WATCH OF MR HAKAINDE, WE WITNESSED SEVERAL CITIZENS BEING ARRESTED AND DETAINED FOR AS LONG AS FOURTEEN DAYS WHEN THE LAW LIMITS SUCH DETAINTION TO FORTY EIGHT HOURS.

WE WITNESSED HOW SEVERAL GIRLS COULD BE ABDUCTED AND NOT BE TRACED FOR MONTHS ON END ONLY TO BE RESCUED BY ALERT NEIGHBOURHOOD YOUTHS WHO LATER BECAME VICTIMS OF THREATS OF THE SAME AGENCIES THAT SHOULD HAVE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED THE ABDUCTIONS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WE WERE SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT SUCH A HEINOUS CRIME AS ABDUCTION AND SEXUAL SLAVERY WAS REFERRED TO AS GENDER-BASED-VIOLENCE.

THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A PROGRAMME TO DESTROY AND SILENCE SENIOR LEADERS OF THE OPPOSITION AND THOSE FEARED TO BE BUSINESS COMPETITORS.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE WERE SHOCKED TO HEAR PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HIS CHRISTMAS MOTIVATIONAL RALLY, WHEN APPOINTING OFFICERS OF STATE WARNING THAT YOU WILL SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE KCM MATTER.

WE WERE DISTURBED BY THIS WARNING BECAUSE IT CLEARLY SHOWS THAT MR HAKAINDE WILL NOT STOP AT ANYTHING TO DIRECT THE OPERATIONS OF EVEN STATE OFFICES THAT ARE SACROSANCT.

MR HAKAINDE YESTERDAY HAD THE TIME TO CELEBRATE WHAT HE TERMS AS THE ABOLISHMENT OF THE DEATH PENALTY. IT IS EITHER HE IS ILL INFORMED BY HIS ADVISORS OR HE HAS A HIDDEN AGENDA UNDER HIS SLEEVE.

WE SAY THIS BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT OUGHT TO KNOW THAT THE DEATH PENALTY EXISTS IN ARTICLE 12 WHICH STATES AS FOLLOWS “ A PERSON SHALL NOT BE DEPRIVED OF HIS LIFE INTENTIONALLY EXCEPT IN EXECUTION OF THE SENTENCE OF A COURT IN RESPECT OF A CRIMINAL OFFENCE UNDER THE LAW IN FORCE IN ZAMBIA OF WHICH HE HAS BEEN CONVICTED.”

NOW ARTICLE 1 SUB-ARTICLE 4 OF THE SAME CONSTITUTION STATES AS FOLLOWS “THE VALIDITY OR LEGALITY OF THIS CONSTITUTION IS NOT SUBJECT TO CHALLENGE BY OR BEFORE A STATE ORGAN OR OTHER FORUM”

THE VITAL PROVISIONS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS OF WHICH ARTICLE 12 IS A PART CAN ONLY BE AMENDED BY WAY OF A REFERENDUM.

THE QUESTION IS: WHAT AUTHORITY DOES MR HAKAINDE HAVE TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OF ARTICLE 12?

MR HAKAINDE HAS SIMPLY AMENDED THE PENAL CODE TO MAKE THE DEATH PENALTY NON-MANDATORY. HE HAS NOT ABOLISHED THE DEATH PENALTY.

HE HAS TO BE SINCERE WITH HIMSELF AND WITH THE NATION. SUCH GYMNASTICS WITH THE FEELINGS OF THE PEOPLE WILL LEAD HIM NOWHERE.

BY THE WAY, HE SHOULD BE REMINDED THAT THE LAST TIME THERE WAS A WARRANT OF EXECUTION SIGNED BY ANY PRESIDENT IN ZAMBIA WAS 28YEARS AGO.

ZAMBIA HAS BEEN A DEFACTO ABOLITIONIST COUNTRY FOR ALL THIS LONG.

ALL SUCCESSIVE PRESIDENTS FROM LEVY MWANAWASA WANTED THE DEATH PENALTY ABOLISHED.

HOWEVER, THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT THEY COULD ONLY DO SO MEANINGFULLY AND TRUTHFULLY BY AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION THROUGH A PEOPLE CENTRED REFERENDUM NOT BY DECREE.

ACTUALLY, NEED I REMIND MR HAKAINDE THAT HE WAS THE MAIN SPONSOR OF THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE REFERENDUM TO AMEND THE BILL OF RIGHTS IN 2016.

HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR HIS UNFETTERED APPETITE FOR POLITICAL RHETORIC THE BILL OF RIGHTS COULD HAVE BEEN AMENDED IN 2016.

WE ARE ALSO AWARE THAT THE REPEAL OF THE LAW AGAINST THE DEFAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT IS ANOTHER PUBLIC RELATIONS STINT.

WE SAY THIS ON THE BACKDROP OF THE FACT THAT MORE CITIZENS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR ALLEDGEDLY DEFAMING PRESIDENT HAKAINDE THAN ANY OF HIS PREDECESSORS NOT WITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT HE HAS BEEN PRESIDENT FOR ONLY SEVEENTEEN MONTHS.

AT THIS STAGE ALL WE CAN SAY IS WATCH THE SPACE.
LET US WAIT AND SEE HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE BEFORE ANOTHER CITIZEN IS ARRESTED FOR EXPRESSING OPINIONS NOT IN THE LIKING OF HIS KEEPERS.

3. THE HEALTH SECTOR

THE HEALTH SECTOR HAS LITERALLY COLLAPSED. THE SHORTAGES OF MEDICINES, MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND LABORATORY RE-AGENTS HAS GONE ON FOR OVER A YEAR NOW.

THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE REPORT ON MEDICINE AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES SHORTAGES COUNTRY-WIDE BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

WHAT SADDENS US ARE THE CONTINOUS DENIALS BY GOVERNMENT DESPITE THE AVAILABILITY OF ABUNDANT VERIFIABLE INFORMATION ON THE CRISIS.

THE COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED THAT AVAILABILITY OF HIV/AID AND TB DRUGS AND VACCINES STOOD AT 53.1% CONTRARY TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION’S MINIMUM RECOMMENDATIONS OF 70-80%.

ACTUALLY ALL THESE DRUGS WERE DONATIONS. THE AVAILABILTY OF 13 ESSENTIAL DRUGS ARE AT 23%.

THEY MAY HAVE ENLISTED 11,000 PEOPLE FOR RECRUITMENT IN THE HEALTH SECTOR, HOWEVER OF WHAT USE ARE THEY IF THEY HAVE NO FACILITIES AND DRUGS WITH WHICH TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE SICK?

HERE AGAIN THE SHORTAGES OF DRUGS ARE BECAUSE OF THE ZEAL TO GET RID OF SO-CALLED PF COMPANIES FROM THE SUPPLY CHAIN AND TO REPLACE THEM WITH OTHERS, WHO IN MANY INSTANCES LACK THE REQUISITE EXPERIENCE AND CAPACITY.

FOR THE SAKE OF POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY MANY LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST DURING THIS CRISIS?

AT WHOSE MAKING HAVE THESE INNOCENT LIVES BEEN LOST?

4. AGRICULTURE SECTOR

SIMILAR TO THE CRISIS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR, THE AGRICULTURE IS ALSO AT THE BRINK OF COLLAPSING.

THE FARMING SEASON OPENED IN OCTOBER 2022 AND YET FARMING INPUTS HAVE NOT BEEN DELIVERED IN FULL.

WHILE THE FISP PROGRAMME PLEGDED TO DELIVER FARMING INPUTS TO
1, 024,000 SMALL-HOLDER BENEFICIARIES, THE FARMERS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO SHARE FERTILISER AND SEEDS IN MEDAS.

A DISGRACE DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS NEVER OCCURRED IN OUR COUNTRY BEFORE. THIS IS AGAINST THE PROMISE THAT EACH FARMER WILL BE PROVIDED 8 BAGS OF FERTILISER EACH.

YES, IT IS EASY TO CONDEMN AND EQUALLY EASY TO APPORTION BLAME ON OTHERS FOR YOUR FAILURE. THE PF HAPPENS TO BE THE DEFENCELESS VICTIM OF MR HAKAINDE’S BLAME GAME. HE HAD AUGUST 2021 TO MAY 2022 TO GET RID OF ALL THOSE WHOM HE CONSIDERED TO BE CORRUPT SUPPLIERS OF INPUTS TO AN EXTENT THAT HE FLOATED TENDERS IN JUNE 2022. IN AUGUST THE PROCESS WAS CANCELED ALLDGEDLY BECAUSE OF CORRUPTION THAT THEY HAD DISCOVERED. THEY THEN AWARDED CONTRACTS IN LESS THAN A TRANSPARENT MANNER.

WE HEAR THAT SOME OF THE COMPANIES THAT HAD BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE INITIAL TENDER WHERE QUITELY BROUGHT BACK ON BOARD. THE OUTCOME HAS BEEN THE MOST SHAMBOLICK FISP YEAR. BESIDES THE INPUTS BEING DELIVERED WITH LONG DELAY, THEIR COSTS HAVE BECOME UNTENABLE FOR MOST FARMERS.

THE PROMISE OF 8 BAGS HAS BECOME A SOURCE OF ANGUISH AND STARVATION FOF THE MAJORITY FARMERS. NEXT YEAR A BAG OF MAIZE WILL TRULY FETCH THE COST OF K 250 AS PROMISED BY MR HAKAINDE DURING HIS CAMPAIGN.

HOWEVER, THIS WILL NOT BE AS A RESULT OF MR HAKAINDE’S DESIRE BUT BY HIS MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FISP AND THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR IN GENERAL. YES, WE HEARD HIM MAKE PROMISES THAT IT WILL BE HANDLED BETTER NEXT YEAR. HOWEVER, WHAT WILL HE DO TO CUSHION ALL THE CITIZENS FROM THE HIGH COST OF FOOD NEXT YEAR?

5. THE ENERGY SECTOR

THE LAST TIME THAT ZAMBIA INVESTED IN POWER GENERATION BEFOR THE PF FORMED GOVERNMENT WAS IN 1977 WHEN THE KARIBA NORTH BANK WAS COMMISSINED BRINGING ZAMBIA’S GENERATION CAPACITY TO 1,600 MW.

DURING THE TEN YEARS 2011 TO 2021 THE PF GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONED VARIOUS POWER GENERATION PLANTS AND MORE THAN DOUBLED THE CAPACITY TO 3,456MW.

THE CURRENT NATIONAL DEMAND AT PEAK IS UNDER 2,300 MEGAWATTS. WITHOUT THE VISIONARY LEADERSHIP OF THE PF, ZAMBIA SHOULD HAVE BEEN FACED WITH AN ERNOURMOUS POWER DEFICIT.

WITH THE INCREASE OF POWER GENERATION TO 3,456 MW MR HAKAINDE WAS RIGHT TO HAVE DECLARED THAT THEY WOULD BE NO MORE LOAD SHEDDING IN ZAMBIA AFTER HE COMMISSIONED THE KAFUE GORGE LOWER HYDRO POWER STATION.

THE QUESTION TO AS NOW IS WHY HAS ZESCO ANNOUNCED THAT THERE SHALL BE LOAD SHEDDING NOW?

THE ONLY REASON ZAMBIANS ARE BEING LOAD-SHEDDED IS BECAUSE OF THE EXPORT COMMITMENT THAT ZESCO HAS WITH NEIGHBOURING STATES. YOU ALL HEARD THE PRESIDENT SAYING THAT TO SAVE FUTURE PURCHASES OF POWER FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, HE WILL HAVE TO ALLOW FOR ZAMBIA TO UNDERGO LOAD SHEDDING. MR HAKAINDE’S UNDERATNDING OF GOVERNANCE IS VERY DISTURBING.

IF ALL THE SME’S AND OTHER INDUSTRIES SHUT DOWN NOW DURING THE LOAD SHEDDING PERIOD, WHO WILL RECAPITILISE THEM WHEN GENERATION INCREASES?

WE URGE ZESCO TO SUSPEND POWER EXPORTS UNTIL WATER LEVELS IN KARIBA NORMALISES BY MARCH 2023.

6. THE CDF

SINCE THE CDF IS THE SIGNAL TUNE OF THE UPND, I CAN NOT END MY REVIEW OF 2022 WITHOUT MENTIONING A WORD OR TWO ABOUT IT.

WHEN WE SAID THAT THE ENHANCED CDF WAS A HOAX AND A FUSS, WE WERE SAID TO BE NAÏVE AND ENVIOUS. LAST YEAR WHEN THE ENHACEMENT WAS ANNOUNCED WE RAISED THE FOLLOWING CONCERNS AMONG OTHERS:

I. THAT THE AMOUNT WOULD NOT BE RELEASED IN FULL IN ANY SINGLE YEAR;
HOW MUICH OF THIS MONEY HAS BEEN UTILISED? BY THE GOVERNMENT’S OWN ADMISSION ONLY 4% HAS BEEN UTILISED BY DECEMBER 2022.

II. THAT THE CDF WAS TAKING AWAY RESOURCES FROM PROJECTS MEANT TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY SPECIFIC LINE MINISTRIES;
TRUE TO OUR WARNING, THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ISSUED A CIRCULAR TO TOWN CLERKS ON 27TH DECEMBER IN WHICH HE IS DIRECTING THAT EVERY CONSTITUENCY MUST PROCURE THE FOLLOWING USING THE 2023 CDF:

A. POLICE MOTOR VEHICLES AT A COST OF K1M;
B. SCHOOL DESKS;
C. CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION OF MATERNITY WINGS;
D. PROVISION OF IMPROVED WATER AND SANITATION SYSTEMS IN PUBLIC FACILITIES;
E. PROVISION OF ELECTRICITY WITH K1M RINGFENCED;
F. PROVISION OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT;
G. PROCUREMENT OF AMBULANCES
H. CDF RADIO SHOURS AT LEAST ONE HOUR PER WEEK AND
I. CONSTRUCTION OF AT LEAST ONE CHEIFS PALACE.

ARE THESE NOT CAPITAL PROJECTS MEANT TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY SPECIFIC LINE MINISTRIES WHO HAVE SPECIALISED PERSONNEL?

III. THAT THE CDF IS NOT THE SUITABLE VEHICLE TO USE FOR FISCAL DECENTRALISATION;
DO THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE MINISTER ON THE UTILISATION OF THE CDF CONSTITUTE DECENTRALISATION?

IV. THAT THE SYSTEM OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE FROM THE MINISTRY TO DISTRICTS WAS NOT CAPACITATED ENOUGH TO HANDLE SUCH AMOUNTS OF MONEY

TRUE TO OUR FEARS, IN ANOTHER CIRCULAR ALSO DATED 27TH DECEMBER, 2022 AND THROUGH GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 1683 OF 2022, THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS PURPORTED TO HAVE DELEGATED THE FUNCTION OF APPROVING OF CDF APPLICATIONS TO PROVINCIAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICERS.

WHEN HAVE STATUTORY FUNCTIONS OF A MINISTER EVER BEEN DELEGATED TO A TECHNOCRAT? DOES THE CDF ACT OF 2018 ENVISAGE SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT?

V. THAT THE ENHANCED CDF WILL CREATE CONFLICT OF ROLES OF MPS FROM BEING BOTH IMPLEMENTORS OR SUPERVISORS OF LARGE GOVERNMENT PROJECTS TO PROVIDING OVERSIGHT FUNCTIONS AS LEGISLATORS.

AGAIN TRUE TO OUR FEARS, MPS NOW MUST BE ENGAGED IN SUPERVISING LARGE GOVERNMENT PROJECTS INSTEAD OF PROVIDING OVERSIGHT ROLES.

VI. THAT THE ENHANCED CDF WILL TAKE AWAY THE INTENTION OF ESTABLISHING THE FUND, NAMELY FOR MPS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES TO SUPPLEMENT GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS ON COMMUNITY BASED PROJECTS

INCIDENTALLY THE TWO CIRCULARS I HAVE REFERRED TO WERE ONLY COPIED TO PROVINCIAL PERMANENT SECRETARIES, PLGOS, TOWN CLERKS AND DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS AT THE EXCLUSION OF THE MPS.

7. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

DURNG THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW WE WITNESSED A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ENGAGEMENTS WHICH WERE NOT EXPLAINED AND REMAIN SUSPICIOUS.

1. THERE WAS THE CELEBRATION OF ZAMBIA HAVING STRUCK A BAIL OUT PACKAGE WITH THE IMF WITHIN A VERY SHORT SPACE OF TIME.
WHEN THIS WAS DONE, WE IN THE PF WERE REDICULED FOR HAVING FAILED TO ARRIVE AT AN AGREEMENT OVER A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS.

WE EXPLAINED THEN THAT SOME OF THE CONDITIONALITIES WHICH THE IMF WERE ATTACHING TO THE AGREEMENT SUCH AS THE REMOVAL OF SUBSIDIES FROM FUEL AND FARMING INPUTS AND EFFECTING COST REFLECTIVE TARRIFFS ON ELECTRICTY WERE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

NOW WE ARE SUSPCIOUS TO READ THE CIRCULAR DATED 27TH DECEMBER FROM THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY TO OMCS STATING THAT THE 25% CUSTOMS/IMPORT DUTY WILL BE FREE FROM THE CURRENT 25%.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED FOR THE IMF TO RENEGE ON THE CONDITIONALITIES THAT THEY WERE INSISTING ON? WHAT IS THE QUOD PRO QUO?

2. THERE ALSO WAS A VISIT BY THE PRESIDENT TO SOUTH AFRICA WHERE HE WENT TO ATTEND THE LAUNCH OF A BOOK THAT HAS VERY LITTLE SIGNAIFICANCE FOR ZAMBIA. SURPRISINGLY THIS LAUNCH WAS ATTENDED MOSTLY BY LEADERS OF OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES FROM OUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES.

HOW CAN THE PERSONAL RELATIONS OF THE PRESIDENT OF ZAMBIA BE ALLOWED TO INTERFERE WITH THE COUNTRY’S RELATIONS WITH HER FRIENDLY NATIONS?

3. THEN IT WAS A MEETING AT THE LOWER ZAMBEZI WHICH WAS SOON FOLLOWED BY AN ANNOUCEMENT BY ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS THAT ZAMBIA AND AMERICA HAD ENTERED INTO AN MOU FOR ZAMBIA TO HOST THE AFRICOM.

ZAMBIA HAS FOR A LONG TIME MAINTAINED THE POLICY OF NON-ALIGNMENT. WE HAVE NOT ALLOWED ANY SUPER POWER TO DICTATE WHO OUR FRIENDS OR ENEMIES SHOULD BE.

ALL PREVIOUS ZAMBIAN PRESIDENTS HAVE BEEN IN AGREEMENT WITH THE FELLOW SADC AND AFRICAN PRESIDENTS ABOUT NOT ALLOWING ANY SUPER POWERS TO USE THE AFRICAN SOIL TO ADVANCE THEIR MILITARY ACTIVITIES.

WHY IS IT THAT NOW MR HAKAINDE FINDS IT PRUDENT TO ALLOW THE US TO SET UP SUCH AN ENTERPRISE ESPECIALLY WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CITZENS?

4. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY AN ANNOUNCEMENT BY TONY BLAIR INSTITUTE THAT THEY ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT.

WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT SERVICES IS A FOREIGN FOUNDATION TOGETHER WITH THE BRENDTHURST FOUNDATION RENDERING AT ZAMBIA’S APEX OFFICE OF STATE HOUSE? HOW SAFE IS OUR SOVERIEGNITY WHEN FOREIGN ENTITIES ARE FREELY INTERFERING WITH OUR SENIOR MOST POLICY MAKERS?

5. THEN WE READ HOW REPUBLICAN SENATOR JIM RISCH FROM IDAHO, HAS AN ADMIRATION FOR PRESIDENT HAKAINDE WHO HE SAID IS AT THE CENTRE OF WORKING HARD TO ‘CURB CHINA’S MALIGN AND PREDATORY INFLUENCE IN ZAMBIA, AS WELL AS INCREASE COOPERATION WITH THE US.”

ZAMBIA HAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED AN OPEN TRADE AND ECONOMIC POLICY WITHOUT ANY ALIGNMENT. WHAT IS IN IT FOR ZAMBIA TO SIDE WITH A PARTICULAR SUPER POWER AT THE EXCLUSION OF OTHERS?

WE HAVE RECENTLY SEEN OVER-RELIANCE ON THE WEST TO THE EXCLUSION OF CHINA AND OTHER BRICS MEMBER STATES SUCH AS RUSSIA, INDIA AND BRAZIL. THIS IS A SOURCE OF SERIOUS CONCERN.

WE THEREFORE URGE THE PRESIDENT TO DENOUNCE THE STATEMENT BY SENATOR RISCH AND TO EXPLAIN HIMSELF ON THIS MATTER.

6. THEN IT WAS THE SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN ZAMBIA AND CONGO ON ONE HAND AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON THE OTHER CONCERNING THE BATTERY VALUE CHAIN.

WHEN WAS A PUBLIC TENDER ISSUED TO INVITE INTERESTED ENTITIES TO PRESENT THEIR BIDS IN MANAGING THE VEHICLE BATTERY VALUE CHAIN?
WHEN WAS A DUE DILIGENCE DONE WHICH STATED THAT THE US IS THE MOST SUITED TO MANAGE OUR MINERALS WHICH ARE REQUIRED IN THE BATTERY VALUE CHAIN?

WE THEREFORE URGE THE PRESIDENT TO PRESENT THE AGREEMENT FOR PARLIAMENT SCRUTINY.

6. BEFORE LONG WE HEARD FROM ONE MP WHO HAS BEEN ON A NUMBER OF TOURS WITH THE PRESIDENT SAYING HOW PRESIDENT HAKAINDE’S SECURITY DETAIL IS TRAINED BY THE CIA.

WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SUCH REVELATIONS AS THESE EXPOSE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND THAT OF INDIVIDUALS ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO MAY APPEAR TO BE OPPOSED TO THE POLICIES OF THE COUNTRIES THAT ARE SAID TO BE TRAINING THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT’S SECURITY DETAIL.

IT IS OUR CONSIDERED CONCERN THAT PRESIDENT HAKAINDE’S APPROACH TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO ZAMBIA’S SOVEREIGNITY.

IN CONCLUSION, I WISH TO STATE THAT WE ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE, AGAINST THE DREAMS AND DESIRES OF THE UPND AND OTHERS LIKE THEM THE PF IS NOT DEAD, IT IS FULLY ALIVE AND IS READY TO PROVIDE EVEN BETTER NATIONAL LEADERSHIP THAN EVER BEFORE.

GOD BLESS

GOD BLESS US ALL AND I WISH ALL OF YOU A PROSPEROUS 2023.

LUSAMBO’S UNLAWFUL WOUNDING CASE SET FOR FEBRUARY 2023 NEXT YEAR FOR CONCLUSION AND JUDGEMENT

The Luanshya Magistrate Court has set 20th to 23rd February 2023 as the dates for concluding and passing judgement in the case in which former Kabushi Member of Parliament Bowman Lusambo who is facing two counts of unlawful wounding and assault on two National Democratic Congress (NDC) members respectively.

This is in a matter in which Lusambo allegedly assaulted Mary Musonda and wounded Mathews Musukwa both of Mpatamato Township in separate incidents, during the April, 11th, 2019, Roan Parliamentary by-election.

Luanshya Resident Magistrate Penstone Chiluba warned Lusambo that he risks his trial being heard without legal representation if his lawyers continued to abscond court on set dates of hearing.

Magistrate Chiluba observed that the continued failure by the defense team to appear in court on dates set by themselves was a ploy attempting to derail justice.

He was speaking today when the matter came up of setting of a date for trial, after the case failed to take off on 19thDecember, 2022 owing to the absence of his lawyers before court.

“From November last year, there has only been one adjournment on the instance of the state while the defense team has had several adjournment applications on the matter, both Lawyers in this case Makebi Zulu and Jonas Zimba are seasoned lawyers who know these things and should have treated this matter seriously, when we agree on a date, there will be no any other justifiable reason to wait, the accused will be heard without a lawyer” Magistrate Chiluba added.

He said the matter has taken long and needed to be concluded during the set dates that were agreed upon between the state and the defence.

The Defence from Makebi Zulu and Associates presented a judicial notice that the accused person stands trial in other cases before the Lusaka Magistrate Court, the Constitutional Court, Lusaka Magistrate Court, the Ndola High Court, Ndola Magistrate Court including the recent party to an election petition and the fast-track court for financial crimes.

But Magistrate Chiluba advised the defence lawyer to put on record the dates of hearing for the other cases to avoid future problems of the defence being committed to other courts.

“Am avoiding a situation where we hear that the accused will be appearing in this court when you actually are not appearing, so please put the dates on record for the court to be clear, we need to conclude this matter,” he advised.

Tembo, however, proposed 20th and 21st February 2023 as preferred date for continuation of trial, but Magistrate Chiluba insisted that the matter was to be concluded asking the defence to allow for additional dates.

He further advised the prosecution team to be ready with the last witness as the matter will be concluded on the next date of hearing. The matter has been set for February 20, 21, 22nd and 23, 2023 for hearing the last witness, submission by the defence team and passing of Judgement.

The matter has been before court since November, 2021 and so far, 14 witnesses out of 15 have testified in the matter.

GIVEN LUBINDA ADVISES PRESIDENT HICHILEMA
….to be cautious when tying up Zambia to international deals

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

Former Minister of Justice and current opposition leader for the PF hon. Given Lubinda has advised President Hakainde Hichilema to act collectively when committing Zambia to international deals following a flurry of deals in the public domain by the seventh President of Zambia lately.

Hon. Lubinda said ´failure´ to abide to the Zambian constitution that requires major agreements to be eiter debated or approved by parliament, President Hichilema could find himself in criminal problems once he leaves office.

“Mr Hichilema must remember that he was voted in office for only five years, maybe ten if he is lucky but after five years, he may have some serious questions to answer before the law,” said ho. Lubinda before a packed end of year presser held at the PF secretariat in Lusaka.

Flanked by other top ranking opposition members such as hon. Brian Mundubile and Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba, a fire charged Lubinda aka Zayelo warned Mr Hichilema to always remember that he was voted into office by Zambians and not the IMF, World Bank, or the United States.

He said presently President Hichilema acts mostly in favour of this western partners than he does on behalf of Zambians and to the exclusion of China, Zambia´s largest trading partner.

Hon Lubinda said for instance, “I can slaughter a cow and share with friends because its my cow, but Hichilema wants to treat state assets and agreements as his own, no you cant Mr President you mist consult parliament.”

Of direct concern hon. Lubinda on behalf Zambians asked President Hichilema to:

· Make public the MoU between Zambia-DRC and the United States regarding copper and cobalt value chain without consulting parliament

· President Hichilema must disavow statements made by Idaho US senator James Risch who twittered that Zambia was now working closely with the US at the exclusion of China

· President Hichilema must step up to the plate and make the MoU between himself and AFRICOM public

Hon. Lubinda, the acting President of the PF in his fieriest speech since last year also reminded my Hichilema and deliver on campaign promises of bringing down the cost of living because Zambians are living in the worst poverty on his watch since independence.

CONTINUED DEPRECIATION OF THE KWACHA

According to both Absa and Zanaco websites, slightly over K 18 is needed to purchase $ 1 as at today 29.12.2022.

Last month the Governor at Bank of Zambia ( BOZ ), informed the nation that the central Bank had spent $ 1.3 billion just to maintain a good exchange rate by flooding the market with dollars that had been earned through Mining Tax receipts.

In short, the exchange rate of Kwacha against the dollar has been artificial for almost one year now.

My prediction is that the next ERB announcement on the price of fuel will indicate another increment for diesel, petrol and kerosene since these are imported using dollars by the Oil Marketing Companies ( OMCs) run by private entities.

Here is what government is suppose to be doing ;

1. Identifying commodities that we are importing in huge quantities that we can actually start manufacturing locally such as agricultural inputs, wood and steel products and even medical drugs.

2. Provide appropriate incentives for companies that are ready to start manufacturing such commodities locally and in large quantities .

3. Ensure the right quality is achieved in the final product delivered to the local market so that Zambians support through procurement.

This is one strategy that will reduce the spending of excess dollars on the importation of certain goods aswell as services.

This will not be a short term activity but clearly one that requires immediate planning and implementation.

Lastly, I want to remind government that we need to get more FOREX from the Mining sector as nation ( I will get back to this topic on another day).

Christopher Kang’ombe
Kamfinsa MP &
PF National Youth Chairman
29.12.2022

Zambia: President Hichilema hits the right Xmas note

…by deciding to ´recognise´ his predecessor at a stately event

By Amb. Anthony Mukwita

“I want to invite and recognise the sixth President of the Republic of Zambia (H.E Edgar Lungu) wherever he is…that there are times the country needs you it doesn’t matter what we feel about each other…we must be together during those times,” President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia

28th December 2022.

At the cusp of Zambia joining the rest of the world, exiting 2022 and entering the ´new year´ 2023, I, like many Zambians woke up to some great news from President Hichilema today.

No one was getting arrested, no one was getting belittled or berated.

Instead, President HH ´no.7´ made what many pundits say was a rare reconciliatory public statement during a State House event regarding his predecessor President Edgar Lungu who handed over power to him last year, 2021 August.

“I want to invite and recognise the sixth President of the Republic of Zambia (H.E Edgar Lungu) wherever he is…that there are times the country needs you it doesn’t matter what we feel about each other…we must be together during those times,” President Hichilema said.

The statement has been warmly received in Zambia and even beyond, but questions abound now on whether it will open a new ´warm page´ between President Hichilema and his predecessor, as relations since the elections have been rather frosty.

If the wounds heal between the two ´brothers´ between now and new year, many Zambians believe 2023 could be a year of reconciliation instead of the current ´differences´ that have divided the southern African nation in the middle politically with a lot of blood in the water.

Analysts, however, feel President Hichilema must go beyond the ´statement´ and throw in a couple of ´action points´ such as drop probes against his predecessor, his wife Mrs Esther Lungu, the former President´s daughter Tasila and son Daliso.

In the United States, the country whose democracy Zambia embrace, Presidents since the days of Ronald Reagan have been leaving each other ´love letters´ to demonstrate that the nation was bigger than them and that, “its just an election, win or lose…not the end of the world.”

This ´brotherhood´ if the handshake happens between President Hichilema and President Lungu is one, I am willing to pen another book on.
I have always believed that what unites us, as Zambia is much bigger than our political differences; it will also show political maturity that makes Zambia a budding unique democracy.

From Lusaka to Washington: The Love Letters.

• Barak Obama wrote a ´love letter´ to successor Donald Trump despite frosty post and pre-election encounters

• Ronald Reagan wrote a ´love letter´ to George W Bush and the list has gone on until Trump happened.

The benefits of a possible ´new love affair´ between Hichilema and predecessor Lungu are immense because it means, right at the bottom of the rank and file, we can also cease fire and break down political barriers. The HH team must make haste on this positive presidential direction.
Divided we stand, united we just crumble.
But the jury is still out.

---

Note: Look out for next book, ´The rise of China in Africa, a Zambian story´ recast from my master’s degree thesis in International Relations

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA HOSTS AN INTERACTION LUNCHEON AT STATEHOUSE TO MARK ABOLISHMENT OF THE DEATH PENALTY AND CRIMINAL DEFAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT
Fellow citizens,
We were delighted to have participated in the interactive luncheon hosted today at State House, to mark the abolishment of the death penalty and the criminal defamation of the President, two pieces of legislations inherited from the colonial era that were inimical to our democratic values and respect for human rights.

We took the bold decision because we believe that death penalty is not compatible with the fundamental values of our democratic system and is also an intolerable denial of civil liberties.

Further, we are of the view that criminal defamation of the President was an archaic law that was incompatible with modern day democracy.
While it was designed to protect the Presidency, we believe it inhibited the growth of democracy and stifled free speech and basic freedoms. We believe there are enough laws to take care of undesirable discourse and hate speech.

Through consultations with various stakeholders, we shall continue repealing laws that inhibit economic growth and democracy.
Hakainde Hichilema
President of the Republic of Zambia

JK’S LETTER TO PILATO 2017 December 15

Life has a way of biting ones ass indeed, below was JK’s Letter!

Dear Pilato…

You may hate President Lungu with reasons known to yourself but there’s no need to discredit him in a manner that you even start insulting him. Despite being President, he’s a parent, he’s a well respected husband, he has his own private life that he leads.

Politics of this kind should be condemned by all well meaning Zambians. You may be right with your criticism against him but you need to give him respect as an elder.

Criticism is good for people to improve in whatever they are doing but addressing an elder person in the manner you do is not acceptable. President Lungu may have his own weaknesses and i believe you can find better words to use in your songs not such kind of insulting words you use.

Let us learn to practice proper Freedom of speech not what we are witnessing today. I know you are paid by a certain political party to demean the head of state but i would like to urge you to make sure you use your freedom of speech well. Don’t provoke the situation so that they can arrest you and make it seem like the PF government is bad. I know that’s the intention.

Mr Chama Fumba (Pilato), remember that respect is cardinal and we all want it including you, don’t you think the President also deserves it? We all know you don’t like President Lungu but please try to respect him just like you would want other people to respect your father. If that’s not possible then try to respect the Presidency. One day President Lungu will not be President, whoever will be in that office will require respect which is very normal, it’s a trend.

The President has the capacity to do anything he want on you, his quietness shouldn’t be mistaken to weakness, you and i know very well that the head of state holds a very powerful whip which he can’t even use on you because you are too small for it. Remember, President Lungu also has his supporters who may get upset because their leader has been disrespected and i believe the end results may not be good, but that’s not what i’m encouraging. Please don’t be used and pretend to be on your own.

Criticize the President all you want but please, mind the words you use.

RESPECT!!!

Upset JK

INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGE A MOCKERY – MONDE
….how can you increase the minimum wage at a time when all the factors of the economy are going up?
Lusaka…. Wednesday December 28, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

Patriotic Front (PF) party presidential candidate Greyford Monde has said the increase in minimum wage under the UPND government is a mockery to the Zambians.
Speaking in an interview, Hon Monde said the increase in the minimum wage is not realistic.

He wondered why government would be increasing the minimum wage at a time when all the factors of the economy are going up.
Giving the issue of fuel as an example, he lamented that the commodity has been increasing monthly since the inception of the UPND into power.

“In as much as these minimum wages have been made to move for example on the maids and house keepers from about K900 to about K1,300, I think that it is still a mockery to our people. It’s a mockery in a sense that you know fuel prices every month they have been going up from day one that UPND took over power,” he said.

“They found it at K17, its now K27, almost K28 and now to give people this small salary rise or payment rise, I think for me it’s not being realistic. You need to get a government which is serious to begin to increase not just for the sake of increasing but calculate the cost of living for our people. You know that JCTR for the month of October they were talking of K9,000 as minimum for a household.”
He demanded that the UPND need to be serious and put themselves in the shoes of Zambians.

Hon Monde said government is not helping citizens towards the achievement of living decent lives as seen from the reducing number of beneficiaries in the social cash transfer program and the anomalies around the FISP program, among other vital issues.
The potential party president explained that in as much as one would argue that there is now free education, the cost of taking children to school remains high.

“Now you talk of K1,300. I think this is really a mockery, that will not go anywhere. If I were to advise government, I think the minimum wage for anybody working should be around K3,000, including the housekeepers and the maids,” he said.
“They are renting houses, they have got children who are going to school, I know that some people will be saying there is free education, there is free education but the cost of transport, the cost of buying breakfast for the children going to school every day in their lunch boxes is very high.

“So I think for me that is a mockery. I think the UPND government must be serious and they must put themselves in the shoes of these people. Many other services that the government are supposed to provide, they are not helping them.”

By Kasebamashila Kaseba

HOW NICHOLAS PHIRI AND THABO KAWANA EXPOSE HH HYPOCRISY AND LACK OF MORAL CONSCIENCE ON JET AND STATE HOUSE

—- a government and season where President HH and his wife were donating to a hospital maternity ward and inspecting farms whereas MIB Director and wife were in a show room inspecting and buying vehicles to celebrate one born in manger —-

HH rejected the Presidential Jet because it is too luxurious or too expensive for him as he also rejected too dilapidated Nkwazi House which is about 50 years old for his luxurious Community House wh is about seven years but in work the cracked-walls State House which is about 90 years.

With PF, it was the same 1935 State House that HH is working from that was too dilapidated to be renovated but replaced.

For HH, it is the 1974 Nkwazi House built by KK that is too dilapidated to need renovation or occupation.

Instead of renovating the too dilapidated Nkwazi or State House, HH is living and renovating his private so-called Community House.

That is HH whom cadres praise and heroworship especially for lies, self contradictions, hypocrisy and criminality that EL was punished for.

For example, he said he would not draw a salary to donated to the public albeit without the paperwork so far and his Ministers or Government would not drive the “corrupt” and “party after party” PF’s luxurious and “guzzler” vehicles.

As a matter of fact, HH seemed repeatedly clear against PF types of luxurious and “guzzler” vehicles than on him not shifting from Community House to State House.

Today, HH or Secretary to the Cabinet cannot act on first Permanent Secretary right at Cabinet Office Nicholas Phiri or second MIB Director Thabo Kawama buying vehicles and posting on social media when he has said otherwise and according to Kawana traumatised the public.

Both have said that their conditions of service and pay afforded them such expensive luxuries meaning as Kawana argued the public buying was not wrong but only posting on leaking on social media was wrong.

How and where is posting of photos from a shopping mall public showroom and of public worker wrong?

HH’s government cancelled the Civil Service debt swap arrangement that PF government facilitated and the MIB Director whose Ministry announced the cancellation was the one showing off to HH and the public the vehicle and debt contraction, not for himself but for his wife.

Such gifts to spouses of government are perhaps best on birthday or marriage anniversaries and Valentine’s not necessarily Christmas except this is a Christmas government from CDF to Director’s wife showroom vehicle.

Of course, there is more for birthdays and Valentine’s and for other family members.

When tax paid and subsidised public worker works for hypocrite and liar President, there are no consequences for one living above his or HH means and in contradiction of the life, word and work of boss HH.

For example, UPND cadre or consultant and Prime TV Mark Simuuwe can drive a personalised number plate vehicle and Prime TV branded vehicle without any sense of wrongdoing or contradiction or hypocrisy

PEOPLE HAVE STOPPED TALKING, THEY ARE SUFFERING IN SILENCE – MUNDUBILE

Wednesday, 28 December 2022.

PF aspiring presidential candidate, Brian Mundubile says a majority of people in the country have stopped complaining about their suffering because they are fed up of talking.

The leader of the opposition in the National Assembly said the country’s democratic space has continued to reduce as a result of failure to respect the separation of powers.

Speaking when he featured on Joy FM’s ‘The Platform Programme’, Mundubile lamented how the UPND was running the country like a business.

“You know, we should not ignore the suffering of people, people are suffering, if they are talking like this. You know when you listen to individuals on radio, you might discover that maybe some people were given contracts and enjoying a piece of chicken while making a phone call on radio saying, ‘things are going well’. But, you see looking at the problems of people, don’t look at your problems. Go out and look at problems of the majority. A lot of people are suffering, that is what is happening on the ground. You saw Christmas, it’s an indicator. Christmas, us Zambians we are Christians and we celebrate it highly but if you go around the streets from the 23rd, 24th and just doing a survey, you will realise that things are really tough,” Mundubile lamented in Bemba.

“So to the government, what we are telling our rulers is that we are not aiming at fighting all the time, we as an opposition political party, are there to provide checks and balances. My call to you the President is that people are suffering. People are suffering Mr President. Go to the Copperbelt and see what is happening. Go around rural areas and know what is happening. What is sad is that people have stopped talking, those who are talking are lucky and few but they have stopped talking because poverty has escalated and that is very dangerous. So I thought I should communicate to the government that going forward, whatever you do Mr President, analyse and asses what impact will it have on the poor people”

Mundubile who is also Mpolokoso PF MP urged the UPND to govern the country by putting the poor Zambians in mind.

“If we were to do mineral royalty tax deductible, what impact will it have on the poor people? When we reduce in the mines at Kansashi, you put them into royalty what impact will it have on the poor people. If we start governing with poor Zambians in mind, UPND will lead Zambia better. But if they continue to run this country as a business, oblivious of what is happening to the poor people, then am afraid failure is in the envenoms (sic),” he said.

Meanwhile, Mundubile called for the need to respect the separation of powers among government institutions.

“The democratic space is reducing even further, when you look at democratic power by the people for the people. This is where people have a very loud voice, this is an environment where certain institutions are created to make sure that there is an even playing field for all political players. There are certain minimum expectations, for instance you have minimum expectations on how ECZ must function. The Electoral Commission of Zambia, you know you have minimum expectations about how police should conduct themselves during elections as it were,” said Mundubile.

“So, maybe to drive the point home, what happened in Kabushi and Kwacha has actually left a very bad taste in the mouth of many, in as far as democratisation is concerned. Because what you saw, you saw government institutions assuming powers that they did not have; assuming powers of the court, making statements, disobeying court orders. That is very dangerous, imagine that only happened for a by-election on the Copper belt”.

(News Diggers)

AMERICA IS ONLY INTERESTED IN DEMOCRACY, DEAL WITH CHINA IF YOU WANT INFRASTRUCTURE – FORMER PF SG MWILA.

FORMER PF secretary general Davies Mwila says government should deal with China if it wants more money for infrastructure.

Commenting on President Hakainde Hichilema’s statement last week that there was no competition for friendship between America and China, Mwila, in an interview, said countries like the USA were only interested in democracy and could not help with infrastructure development.

“Hakainde Hichilema as President he must swallow his pride and go and negotiate with the Chinese government at a higher level. As we are talking, most of the Chinese are going back because there is nothing that they are doing. The Chinese when they came here, they came to do business, they came to do roads, they came to do clinics and everything.

But I want to tell President Hakainde that China has the money, it is the only country that can give you a loan to do a road. It is the only country that can give you a loan to build a hospital, it is the only country that can give you a grant to build a clinic,” he said.

“America is only interested in democracy, but when it comes to infrastructure development, they are not there. America is broke! If you look at the UK’s economy it is not doing fine. So you will find that the money is remaining with China and Russia. Zambian government under the new dawn administration, they are not dealing with these two countries which have the money. So you can’t deal with countries that are poor, countries that are broke, countries which don’t have the money.

From the time he started working with the European Union and America, President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND have to tell the country how much money has come from all these countries to benefit this country”.
He said the UPND government would have nothing to show for with regards to infrastructure development.

“I don’t know whether they have the money in their coffers. They don’t have the money; because we don’t have drugs in hospitals, they don’t have the money. So it is high time they went and negotiated with the Chinese government. He will be able to see infrastructure development again. Without that I can tell you that come 2026 UPND will have nothing to look at or to point at, that this is what they have done. It is now one year four months, they have not started anything,” Mwila observed.

Mwila said PF’s infrastructure development was influenced by China.

“Our infrastructure development was influenced by China, the ring road was China, Mansa-Luwingu was China, Luwingu- Kasama it is China. The road from Kafue to Mazabuka it is China. All these roads that we are talking about, all these hospitals the Chinsali one, the one in Petauke and most of the district hospitals, it is the money that came from China. There is no money that came from America or Britain. Yes, in in terms of strengthening our democracy yes they will be able to give you money because they have interest in our country. But I can tell you that this country will suffer more because of the relationship between Zambia and America, UK and the European Union,” said Mwila

(News Diggers)

THE MINIMUM WAGE PUZZLE: DOMESTIC WORKERS

By GEORGE CHOMBA

A STORY is told how some employers reduced the salaries for their domestic workers after hearing the Minister of Labour announce the minimum wage in the sector.

This was some 12 years ago as some employers thought then that a minimum wage was the alpha and omega.

But I knew this to be the opposite of the truth as I had come shortly from drinking from the wisdom of the International Labour Organisation in Turin , Italy.

After five months of distant learning Labour laws and social protection as specialisation, the ILO invited 15 journalists from across Africa on a fellowship for physical interation at their school in Italy.

We were asked to pick a field of specialisation and the domestic work sector became my cup of tea, back then in 2011.

Therefore, listening to the now Labour Minister Brenda Tambatamba announcing an increase in the minimum wage for domestic workers from K993.60 to K 1,300.00, triggers memories of more than a decade.

Although the Constitution of Zambia and the Industrial and Labour Relation Act provide for freedom of association and allow workers and employers to join and form unions, this does not apply to domestic workers in Zambia where a household only has one or two employees, a garden boy and the other, a maid inside the house, in upper class home.

According to labour laws in Zambia, there is supposed to be at least 50 workers at a single work place for a legal union to be formed. Unions are the only organisations allowed to negotiate salaries and conditions of service for their members.

Therefore in Zambia, domestic workers join an association for sharing best practices but which don’t have a strong hand on labour matters as regards, salaries and conditions of service.

For this reason, Government sets minimum wages for workers who are not unionised as they are considered vulnerable and left to the wishes of the employers, can easily be exploited.

The minimum wages are however for new entrants in employment and not old guards.
For example, domestic workers who have been on the job for donkey years and have raised children of their employers from nursery school to university can’t be paid at minimum wage.

According to Labour Laws, employees, including domestic workers, deserve an increase in salaries annually, even if it is a One Kwacha.

Therefore, although a minimum wage is static for a new employee, after a year, it changes with an increase unless the reasons for the lid pertains to industrial hiccups, justified and understood by all workers.

This however does not exclude workers, in this case domestic workers, from enjoying other conditions of service.

Domestic workers retain overtime, transport allowance for those who are not living in, 30 days leave pay, maternity leave for female domestic workers, the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) contributions and other allowances enjoyed by other workers but often overlooked in Zambia.

In domestic work, according to the Domestic Workers Association of Zambia, the conditions of service on the part of the employee are overlooked because of desperation for the job. Employees only take their employers to the labour office when there is a dispute at termination of work.

The domestic worker would narrate years of toil and the labour officer would then read out the labour laws and find the employer in the wrong and that is the beginning of paying through the nose.

To avoid confusion and according to the Employment Code Act, an employer is expected to submit a copy of a job contract for a new employee to the labour office and this is expected to be the case when an employee and employer part company.

Hope the sad stories of a decade ago over the minimum wage won’t recur in domestic work and other vulnerable sectors following Labour Minister Brenda Tambatamba’s increased pay today.

In fact, as the true picture unfolds, whether all workers will be in employment.

By 2026 HH and friends will be only Zambians with money, says Silavwe

By Fanny Kalonda

Golden Party of Zambia leader Jackson Silavwe says by 2026 President Hakainde Hichilema and his friends will be the only Zambians with money while middle class Zambians will be reduced to beggars.

He says President Hichilema’s economics is out of touch with reality on the ground.

“President Hichilema must not disguise personal vendetta’s as economics. By 2026 the President and his friends will be the only Zambians with money and the middle class of Zambia reduced to beggars. The President’s economics is out of touch with reality on the ground. It is strange and elite economics,” Silavwe argued in a statement. “President Hichilema’s economics lack a human face. His economics increases the hardships of our people. He is implementing SAP (structural adjustment programme) reloaded and on steroids. His economics sentences millions of Zambians into a life of perpetual suffering and poverty.”

He wondered why the country was removing excess money when there are seven million people unemployed.

“Removing excess money in an economy where 65 per cent of the citizens live in poverty and below USD $2 per day? Removing excess money in an economy where 97 per cent of local businesses are small and medium? Removing excess money where citizens are mostly economic spectators?” he said. “Removing excess money in an economy where workers contribute more to the national budget than companies? Removing excess money in an economy where big foreign companies externalise their profits? Removing excess money in an economy that has no or less industries? Removing excess money in an economy with the highest cost of living since independence?”

Silavwe also said President Hichilema’s obsession with the former ruling party, the PF, is alarming.

“In responding to the press conference held by the Republican President, we surmise that President Hichilema lives in his own make believe reality far removed from the actual realities facing our people. The President’s obsession with the PF is now alarming. The President cannot continue to make PF a standard of his governance and economic success. The people of Zambia said it all on his behalf when they voted the PF out of power. The President should lead the nation now,” he said. “President Hichilema dodged every question asked by the journalists. He did not effectively answer questions on harmonising his campaign promises, Barotseland, high cost of living, impact of load shedding, China, Mopani [Copper Mines], Kansanshi Mine, KCM and fertiliser distribution etc. In his usual style, the President took the journalists and the nation on a wild goose chase to conceal his true thoughts or the lack of if on those key national matters and raised more questions.”

He accused President Hichilema of only listening to himself.

“In the Presidents ‘make believe reality’ it’s only his thinking that is true and any other reality is not, no matter how it hurts our people. The President only listens to himself and the Cabinet only listens to him. We truly fear for the future of our people,” said Silavwe.

MINERAL ROYALTIES SHOULD BE PAID, NOT ON REVENUE OR SALES BUT ON PROFIT

ZCCM-IM, FQM royalty
deal neat solution – Saasa

By Kombe Chimpinde Mataka

I EXPECT that the royalties payments will be income tax deductible for Kansanshi as these are a cost to the business, says economist and mining consultant Oliver Saasa.

Professor Saasa says royalty payment model entered into by ZCCM-IH and Kansanshi Mines could be a model for all mining business in Zambia to consider.

He told Mining for Zambia in an exclusive interview that the royalty should be paid on profits and not the revenue or sales.
“I expect that the royalties payments will be income tax deductible for Kansanshi as these are a cost to the business. In other words, tax will not be paid on revenue (or sales) which are not retained by the company, but on profits, which is in line with general tax principles and best practice. However, as income to ZCCM-IH, I expect these sums to be subject to tax by the [Zambia] Revenue Authority (ZRA). In this regard, the dividend-royalty agreement will be tax neutral from the ZRA standpoint,” Prof Saasa said.

He said the overall average revenue from the royalty model that ZCCM-IH has opted for is expected not only to be higher, but also more predictable and consistent.

“If you ask me, this could be a model for all mining business in Zambia to consider. As I see it, it’s quite clear that ZCCM-IH will be able to extract more value from Kansanshi than would have been the case through dividends,” he said. “The synergy is clear. This agreement can be viewed as a very neat solution to the misalignment of FQM and ZCCM-IH’s interests which, ultimately, have been inhibiting production at Kansanshi. As I said before, there had previously been an inherent conflict of interest between ZCCM-IH and FQM and its investors over the use of annual returns for reinvestment. Because ZCCM-IH will now directly benefit from reinvestment and expansion of operations – as any increase in production will be reflected in a commensurate increase in the royalty payment – this will no longer be a source of disagreement.”

Prof Saasa said for those in disagreement , one needed to justify the argument that 3.1 per cent is too low in light of reality.
“The 3.1 per cent is also on the high end of the average global range, which should bring sufficient comfort to the public,” he argued.
“The ZCCM-IH royalty in no way replaces mineral royalty taxes. The new arrangement will have no effect on the overall amount of tax payable to the State. It is completely incorrect for anyone to be comparing the discussions with the Panamanian government to the Kansanshi agreement. The Panama discussions (which are ongoing by the way) are between FQM and the government regarding the taxes to be applied and paid to Panama’s government. In other words, it’s equivalent to discussing the amounts that Zambia’s government collects from FQM. The Kansanshi agreement, on the other hand, is an agreement with a minority shareholder, namely ZCCM-IH, to change the way they receive a return on their investment. These commentators are simply not comparing apples with apples.”
Prof Saasa said the bad blood and resulting disputes between FQM and ZCCM-IH over the years had been very damaging for both parties, reputationally and operationally.

“If we are to kickstart our mining industry back to life, it is essential that the interests of the parties involved are aligned towards driving production. For that reason, this agreement genuinely is a win-win for both parties, and I think this has been overlooked in much of the analysis so far,” Prof Saasa argued. “By the way, ZCCM-IH will continue to hold all of its current shares, meaning that it continues to be a 20 per cent shareholder in Kansanshi. ZCCM-IH also continues to have two directors (out of 10) on the Kansanshi board, with voting rights. In terms of governance, the company has full visibility of Kansanshi’s operations, including the right to attend the mine site and to inspect Kansanshi’s books and records to ensure it is satisfied with royalty calculations.”

The economist however said he expects full details of the financial impact of the restructuring from ZCCM-IH will be made public by ZCCM-IH itself prior to its AGM.

“Perhaps it may be helpful for the government and ZCCM-IH to clarify these details for the general public before then,”said Prof Saasa. See less

SCRAPPING OF DEFAMATION OF PRESIDENT LAW WORRIES IMENDA

President Hakainde Hichilema should have waited before scrapping the defamation of the president law because this move has exposed him to malicious attacks by Zambians, United Party for National Development (UPND) Deputy Secretary General Getrude Imenda has said.

Ms Imenda, who indicated that her stance did not represent the party but her views, said she was a bit sceptical because most Zambians were not that civil to offer proper checks and balances as history had shown that the president was targeted maliciously.

Ms Imenda said it was a progressive move but that the implications would be bad because most Zambians would not see the positive side of the move.

“For me, I feel the President should have waited because most Zambians are not civil to see the positive side of the move,” she said.

She said the head of state risked exposing himself to a barrage of insults and innuendoes which would be very unfortunate.

“We should celebrate this but I feel the President should have waited a bit,” Ms Imenda said.

Meanwhile, governance activist Isaac Mwanza said the repealing of the law on defamation of the President from the Penal Code by Parliament is a job half done for President Hichilema’s administration for which he must be commended, but he must be encouraged to do more for it to be fully abolished.

Mr Mwanza said the repeal of Section 69 of the Penal Code would not significantly change the country’s democratic landscape unless the government proceeds to further repeal the entire Chapter 18, inclusive of Chapter 8, of the Penal Code which maintains criminal defamation on the statutes.

Last week, President Hichilema abolished the death penalty and the defamation of the president in the penal code.

He said the repealed Section 69 was solely used for convenience by the Zambia Police in charging persons that issue defamatory remarks against the President because even after the repeal, the Police still have power to arrest and charge any person with criminal defamation of the President based on provisions of Chapter 18 of the Penal Code.

Mr Mwanza has since advised the public that it was too early for anyone to celebrate the repeal of Section 69 of the Penal Code as a victory for democracy until Chapter 18 of the Penal Code was repealed.

“As you may see from Chapter 18 of the Penal Code, the law is replete with many provisions for charging persons with defamation of the President even in the absence of the repealed Section 69 of the Penal Code,” he said

CREDIT: DNZ

By Veronica Mwale

Ndola 26 th December, 2022

UPND ON THE COPPERBELT WARNS THOSE PLANNING TO DEMONSTRATE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT

Copperbelt Youth Chairman Mr Warren Hinyama has warned the Patriotic Front(PF) and those planning to hold demonstration against the government urging the Copperbelt Police Command to be on the lookout.

The Copperbelt Youth Chairman was speaking this morning at UPND Secretariate in Kanshenshi Ndola where he held a Press briefing to address issues of national importance.
He said while the government has created an enabling environment surrounding the governance issues in the country ,the party will not sit idle and let the Patriotic Front (PF) make the country ungovernable.
Mr Hinyama added that the PF had their time to govern the country but failed lamentably that is why the country has gone into serious economical challenges and the ruling UPND under President Hakainde Hichilema are doing everything possible to fix the economy which was left in tatters.

He assured the people on the Copperbelt Province and Zambia at large that things will get better soon as the President has indicated that 2023 is the year to unlocking the local economy.

He reminded those planning to demonstrate that Copperbelt is no longer their bedroom and that PF must behave themselves.

Mr Hinyama reminded the people that gassing, and other political brutality started from the Copperbelt under their watch .”What are they talking about, PF must be ashamed of themselves these are just doomsayers who have nothing to offer any more I urge every well meaning Zambian to ignore them because they will never govern Zambia again “.He said .

“What kind of human beings are you ,you will never change and be remorseful. ” Mr Hinyama wondered .

He further said that the government under President Hakainde Hichilema has done so much under one year ranging from increased CDF from paltry K1. 6 million to now about K28.3 million , Free Education policy, stabilization of Zambian economy, among other achievements so far .

The Copperbelt Youth Chairman said President Hichilema is resolved and determined to bring Copperbelt and Zambia to its economic glory days.

Copperbelt Province Youth Chairman who was accompanied by several party officials was reacting to the purpoted demonstration which PF recently indicated that it will hold demonstrations on the Copperbelt about economical hardships that people on the Copperbelt Province were going through.

CIC PRESS TEAM

Zambians flocking to Radisson Blu Musi-oa-Tunya, says Mpofu

By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone

RADISSON Blu Musi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort has brought in postive interest to the tourism sector, says Wellington Mpofu.

In an interview after a conducted tour of the US $97.3 million NAPSA resort for Livingstone based journalists on Friday, Mpofu who is the Cluster Commercial director said a lot of Zambians have been flocking to book a room or just tour the facility after its recent “soft opening.”

“With the soft opening of the resort we have noted that it has brought in a positive interest to the tourism industry. It has not only brought in interest but has also created confidence that the town, Zambia and the region as a whole is growing,” Mpofu said. “It also brings in the level of confidence in the tourism sector especially in job creation and it also promotes the Zambian culture.”

On the employment of workers at the new resort, he said this was being done on gender equity.

Mopfu, who was franked by his public relations and marketing manager Christine Melu, said 85 per cent of staff are from Livingstone and surrounding areas.

With regards bookings, Mpofu said management was amazed at the high number of locals that flocked to the new resort.

“Some even cancelled their bookings at our neighbouring hotels to check-in with us. People want to taste new things. There is always a novelty about this,” said Mpofu.

The resort’s food and beverage manager Antonio Mansfield said there is a high drive of demand on the local supply side of the hotel’s requirements.

“Almost everything that we get into the kitchen and bars is locally sourced. We try to keep everything within Livingstone but demand is gonna get a lot higher as we get bigger,” he said.

Mansfield said all the Christmas luncheon 200 seats at the rate of K1,700 per adult and K750 per child aged six to 12 years have been sold out.

And the resorts head chef Stefhen

Oberhaizer said times have changed with regards to who should be cooking between men and women.

He said the hospitality industry was now more gender based adding that the best chefs that he has known are women.

“It is about gender equality,” said Oberhaizer.

Thabo Kawaba apologises and raises more social questions

THABO KAWANA WRITE’S

MY WIFE’S CHRISTMAS GIFT

On Saturday Christmas Eve, I took my Wife and children to Southern Cross Motors at East Park Mall. There, I suprised my Wife with a vehicle from their show room that I got for her.

We shared the joy and pictures with our close friends and relatives and called on our family elders to come and bless the vehicle.

Before 19hrs, some of the pictures we took started doing rounds on social media and stories began. It became clear to me then that anyone from among our friends or relatives may have shared the photos with any of their friends who in turn posted them onto social media.

Yesterday was Christmas day, so I kept my phone away and dedicated my time to church in the morning and family in the afternoon.

When I turned my phone back on, I found alot of messages both in WhatsApp groups I am in and on Facebook.

I took time to reflect on the entire situation and realized that the public was outraged. Two issues stood out, one was the question asking why did we flaunt the pictures to the public and the second one was how could I as a civil servant afford the vehicle?

Neither I nor any member of my household posted any pictures on social media.The photos were circulated from the ones we shared with our close family and friends who must have shared with their friends who in turn took them to social media.

As a public worker, I am entitled to a vehicle financing scheme (loan) under the Public Service Micro Finance Company (PSMFC). All public workers are eligible under this scheme to aquire different assets that include but not limited to, farming equipment, building materials and duty free motor vehicles. These vehicles are available from different dealers who partner with PSMFC and one can choose which vehicle one qualifies for from which dealer after assessment of one’s payslip.

When you buy this vehicle under this arrangement, you have it on red book and not white book for the next five years until you finish paying for it with agreed monthly deductions. So to answer the public’s concern on how I could afford the said vehicle, IT’S A CAR LOAN.

Allow me to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize, firstly to the members of the public for the distress and trauma this episode has caused when people were supposed to be enjoying with their families but instead, were made to recall the distasteful recent past were leaders flaunted ill gotten wealth to a struggling majority.

Secondly, allow me to apologize to our Republican President who has led an exemplary life espousing the importance of service to the people before self.

Thirdly, further allow me to apologize to the Upnd and it’s Alliance Partners for setting out a very bad perception that the publication of the said pictures have caused and misrepresented the values and norms that the Upnd and it’s Alliance Partners stand for.

My sincere apologies once more.

Kind regards to all and a Happy New Year as we enter 2023.

Thabo Kawana.

Chapter One Foundation Executive Director Linda Kasonde says the ordinary crime of criminal defamation under Part III of the Penal Code still exists on Zambia’s statute books.

Ms Kasonde said the offence is punishable with a maximum of two years imprisonment or a fine or both.

She said this shows that there is still work to be done to promote freedom of expression in Zambia.

Ms. Kasonde was commenting on President Hakainde Hichilema’s decision to repeal the law on criminal defamation of the President and death penalty.

Ms. Kasonde said the country also look forward to the amendment of the Cyber Security and Cybercrimes Act which also contains sections that restrict freedom of expression.

She said the decision by President Hichilema is bold and that this is a victory for the protection of the right to life and the right to freedom of expression in Zambia for which the government must be commended.

On the abolishment of death penalty, Ms. Kasonde said there are 195 countries in the world and only 55 actively implement the death penalty.

“Subsequently, this move is in line with global trends to abolish the death penalty. The death penalty is widely recognised as being an unjustifiable violation on the right to life, the right to human dignity, and the protection against cruel and degrading treatment.”

“As Mahatma Gandhi once said, an eye for an eye will just lead to more blindness in the world. No study has conclusively established that the death penalty acts as a deterrent to committing capital offences (offences that lead to the death penalty).”

“Regarding the abolishment of the crime of defamation of the President under section 69 of the Penal Code, this is a welcome move as I believe that this offence was an unjustifiable limitation on the right to freedom of expression in a modern democracy such as we have in Zambia,” she said.

“Democracy thrives on the marketplace of ideas. The more access we have to people’s freely expressed ideas, the more likely we will find solutions to the many challenges we face as a nation. If people are afraid to express themselves, we won’t get the best ideas.”

Meanwhile, Activists Isaac Mwanza has reviews that in 2017, President Edgar Lungu was asked about repealing Section 69 of the Penal Code, which provided for defamation of the President. His response was that while it might be attractive for activists, many lawyers knew that repealing Section 69 alone would not be enough to stop the punishment of those who defamed the President using the same Penal Code. The Penal Code still contains provisions that punish criminal defamation in addition to Section 69.

According to Mr Mwanza, the President said he had instructed the Minister of Justice to engage the Zambia Law Development Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the Penal Code.

“Now, there is the great celebration over the repeal of Section 69, particularly among activists. However, this may be short-lived for those who believe they will no longer be charged with criminal defamation,” Mr Mwanza said.

This year alone, Parliament has made two piecemeal amendments to the Penal Code. While President Hichilema has made progress in changing the face of these laws, eventually bold decisions must be made to repeal and replace the entire Penal Code in order to allow democracy to thrive. The Penal Code was enacted during colonial times and does not support the growth of democratic governance in its current form.”

Amnesty International has welcomed the announcement by President Hakainde Hichilema that the death penalty has been abolished in Zambia.

Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa Tigere Chagutah says this is a progressive move that shows the country’s commitment to protecting the right to life.

Mr. Chagutah says Zambia has become the 25th country in sub-Saharan Africa to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.

In a statement, Mr. Chagutah says Zambia’s decision to ban the death penalty should serve as an example to countries in the region that still use the death penalty and compel them to take immediate steps to end this cruel, inhuman and degrading form of punishment and protect the right to life.

Responding to an announcement by Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema on Friday 23 December 2022, that he had assented to a law banning the death penalty and the offence of criminal defamation of the president, Mr. Chagutah said, “Amnesty International welcomes the announcement by President Hichilema that the death penalty has been abolished in Zambia. This is a good and progressive move that shows the country’s commitment to protecting the right to life. We also commend President Hichilema for quashing the offence of criminal defamation of the president, used until recently to muzzle free speech and unjustifiably limit freedom of expression in the country.”

“With the abolition, Zambia the 25th country in sub-Saharan Africa to abolish the death penalty for all crimes. Zambia’s decision to ban the death penalty should serve as an example to countries in the region that still use the death penalty and compel them to take immediate steps to end this cruel, inhuman and degrading form of punishment and protect the right to life.”

He said Zambia’s decision to ban the death penalty should serve as an example to countries in the region that still use the death penalty

Amnesty International also encourages Zambia authorities to promptly accede to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.

In its latest report on the use of the death penalty, Amnesty International documented that executions in sub Saharan Africa more than doubled from 16 in 2020 to 33 in 2021.

There have been important steps towards abolition across Southern Africa in recent years. Angola, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, and South Africa have all abolished the death penalty.