AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA MR. HAKAINDE HICHILEMA

Your Excellency Sir,

Greetings,

Re: Appointment of ECZ Commissioners

The post of Commissioner for Electoral Commission of Zambia is critical to the promotion and protection of our democracy, particularly at a time when democracy, human rights standards and mechanisms face enormous pressure.

This role is key for the achievement of free, credible and fair elections which is the benchmark of our democracy and the peace that this country has enjoyed in the past decades.

I represent and work closely with human rights defenders, victims of violations and affected communities, as well as opposition political parties who have been silenced through arbitrary arrests and intimidation by your government. In this capacity, I write to you regarding the process for appointing the Commissioners of ECZ as well as the key qualifications and qualities required for the position.

The post Commissioner should be filled by someone of high moral standing and personal integrity, and who is independent and impartial and possesses competency and expertise in the field of human rights. It requires a champion of democracy, who is courageous and principled.

Your nominees should have a proven record of effective public advocacy, as well as demonstrated experience working with defenders and victims of violations. The post requires a strong commitment to addressing discrimination, inequality, oppression and injustice in all its forms, as well as combating impunity and pursuing redress and accountability for all human rights violations and abuses, including those committed by past governments.

The Commissioner’s role is to be the nation’s leading human rights advocate, as distinct from the role of a diplomat or political envoy. Demonstrating solidarity with the majority and publicly calling out abuses should take precedence over friendly dialogue with the executive.

The process of nominating the Commissioners is critical to identifying the most qualified candidates and ensuring the credibility of their appointment. This process should be open, transparent and merit-based. It should involve wide and meaningful consultation with independent human rights organisations and human rights defenders.

Given the above I find it extremely difficult to endorse the nomination of individuals who have exhibited public support of your political party.I have no doubt in my mind regarding the issue of competence of your nominees. However, Ms. Mwangala Zaloumis’ RED photo has gone viral on social media, while Mr. Mcdonald Chimpenzi was recently running a politically inclined civil society organization. As confirmed by your human rights commissioner that the ECZ commissioners are too close to the UPND.

I look forward to your response and to meaningful civil society engagement with this process.

Yours faithfully,

Rev. Given Katuta Mwelwa

Appointing a UPND stooge to ECZ is an assault on democracy – GBM
….HH is daring Zambians
Lusaka, 24.11.2022

Patriotic Front, PF, aspirant for the party‘s top position, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, GBM, has described as a blatant assault on democracy and an insult to the collective wisdom of the Zambian people the appointment of a well-known UPND stooge, McDonald Chipenzi, as Commissioner of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, ECZ.

Mr. Mwamba says President Hichilema is daring the Zambian people by openly desecrating the country’s democratic credentials, an act that has been well noted and likely to sow seeds of despondency among voters.

The former Kasama lawmaker says he is at great pains to understand how the President can proceed with such an appointment when Chipenzi is an active member of the ruling party. He wonders again why the President thinks Zambians are going to sit idly by watching him walk all over the democracy they fought for so hard.

“This guy, Chipenzi, was all over the Kabushi and Kwacha constituencies ensuring that UPND bent every rule in the book to disadvantage PF with the assistance of ECZ. This is the guy you give the Zambian people to preside over an institution which is the nerve center and heartbeat of electoral democracy”. Mr. Mwamba wonders.

The former Defense Minister has called on Zambians, civil society, and Members of Parliament to reject Chipenzi’s appointment and use every legal means available to block the ratification of his name.

Mr. Mwamba says President Hichilema has gone too far in his open contempt for the will of the Zambian and the country’s democratic institutions. He says he must be made to understand that the people and not him hold real power and authority by sending Chpenzi’s name to his desk.

“If you feel so indebted to Chipenzi”, Mr. Mwamba tells Mr. Hichilema, “Why can’t you appoint him to many other positions that have no implication for democracy?”

The veteran politician says President Hichilema has targeted ECZ to for purposes of entrenching an advantage for him so that the 2026 elections are tilted to his favor. Unfortunately for him, Mr. Mwamba says President Hichilema’s strategy and tactics are being read like an open book by all and chances of him succeeding will be dimmed considerably.

“Shamelessly and desperately, Mr. Hichilema orchestrated the ouster of the former ECZ Director, an act that signified his underhand methods and failure to play by the rules of engagement”, Mr. Mwamba says.

ISSUED BY GEOFFREY BWALYA MWAMBA, GBM
CHAIRMAN FOR MOBILIZATION IN THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE PATRIOTIC FRONT
ASPIRING CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT OF THE PF

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, MR. LEMMY KAJOBA ON POLICE OFFICERS WHO WERE ATTACKED IN KAMWAZA VILLAGE IN KATETE DISTRICT.

I have taken time to comment on the incident that occurred in Katete District regarding the attack on officers by some villagers in Kamwaza village because my primary concern was to address the health conditions of officers and ensure that they received medical attention.

You may wish to know that of the Nine officers who were admitted to the hospital, only one is still admitted whose condition is stable and out of danger while others are recuperating from their homes.

Having analysed the details of what exactly transpired in Katete’s Kamwaza Village, I wish to state that it was unnecessary and unacceptable for the villagers to react in the manner they did as there are other available avenues to address their perceived grievances.

I have read and heard various opinions and comments from members of the public over the incident.

The majority of which are commending the conduct of our officers.

In this regard, I wish to acknowledge the heroism exhibited by our officers for not retaliating by using force or opening fire on the villagers despite their lives being at stake, otherwise the situation could have been catastrophic.

Officers had options by law to defend themselves in line with Section 24 of the Zambia Police Act Chapter 107 but they opted to restrain themselves.

I wish to warn members of the public pouring scorn to be mindful with their comments over such incidents as officers are listening to the information they are feeding them.

For Instance, some members of the public have made comments that our officers exhibited weakness by not retaliating and suggesting that there should have been casualties on both sides.

Members of the society should bear in mind that dynamics in policing approaches are now changing world over in line with the dictates of democracy and international protocols.

As such, Law Enforcement Officers are required to prioritise the significance of human value even in extreme situations.

However, Police will not stand and watch law and order degenerate into lawlessness and anarchy.

We will put our foot down and stamp out lawlessness in whatever form it comes, whether it occurs in a village set-up or urban area.

Therefore, the full arm of the law will be applied to all those who participated in injuring officers and burning a police vehicle.

People should know that it does not pay to take the law into their own hands.

In view of this, I wish to inform the nation that we have apprehended twenty (20) people suspected to have been behind the attack on police officers.

The suspects, all male persons aged between 18 and 53 are also believed to have gutted a Police motor vehicle, Land Cruiser registration number ZP 2502B and participated in the demolition of 16 houses.

They were rounded-up today, 24th November, 2022 around 02:00 hours in Joweni, Chinzu and Kamwaza Villages in Katete District. All the suspects are currently detained in police custody while investigations have intensified.

As a remedial measure, Police will enhance civic education aimed at enlightening members of the public on the need for co-existence with the police and other government institutions.

We will embark on the sensitization campaign in Katete and at an opportune time go to Chieftainess Kawaza’s area using officers from our Community Services Department (CSD) and the Police Drama Group so that residents in those communities can appreciate the role of the police.

By engaging members of the public, we will be cementing our relationship and enhancing the police – community relationship and collaboration.

I wish to caution certain individuals to avoid politicizing the incident by making unwarranted statements which are not related to what occurred in Katete.

Let me seize this opportunity to thank the general citizenry for supporting and acknowledging how officers applied themselves to avert what could have been a bloody incident.

And as such, let me applaud the professional conduct exhibited by officers who applied themselves by exercising maximum restraint amidst serious provocation by the unruly villagers.

As a way to recognise their professionalism and sacrifices, my Command is considering to promote the officers involved.

It is also important to inform the nation that the security situation in Chieftainess Kawaza and other surrounding areas is calm and members of the public are going about with their routine businesses without any disturbances.

Lemmy Kajoba
INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE

ACC Head of Corporate Communication Timothy Moono writes…

ACC ARREST LUSAKA PROVINCIAL VETERINARY OFFICER, FORMER ZRA ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR CORRUPTION

The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested Lusaka Provincial Veterinary Officer for corrupt practices involving over K28,000.00.

Dr. Patricia Bwalya, 50, of Longacres area in Lusaka has been charged with one count of Abuse of Authority of Office contrary to Section 21 (1) sub (a) (b) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.

Details are that on unknown dates but between the 1st August 2016 and 31st January, 2017 in Livingstone Dr. Patricia Bwalya being a public officer namely Livingstone District Veterinary Officer in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries did abuse the authority of office by irregularly charging members of the public for treating their animals despite such a service being free and her receiving a government salary to perform that service.

In the Second Count, Patricia Bwalya is charged with one count of Corrupt Acquisition of Public Revenue contrary to Section 34 (1) Sub (a) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of
2012.

Details are that on unknown dates but between the 1st August 2016 and 31st January, 2017 in Livingstone District Dr. Patricia Bwalya being a public officer namely Livingstone District Veterinary Officer in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries did corruptly acquire public revenue in the manner she irregularly charged members of the public for treating their animals despite the service being free and she collected a total sum of K28,392.50 for her own benefit, matters or transactions that concern the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, a public body.

Meanwhile, the Commission has arrested former Zambia Revenue Authority Assistant
Director for Tax Appeals for corrupt practices involving K22,000.

Sonkwe Kasonkomona, 43, of Lusaka has been charged with one count of Corrupt
Practices contrary to Section 19 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.

Details are that on dates unknown but between 1st February 2020 and 29th February 2020 Sonkwe Kasonkomona being an Assistant Director for Tax Appeals at Zambia Revenue Authority jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown did corruptly solicit for K22,000 as gratification or reward for the facilitation of the release of a truck registration number T673 DEV/T852 CVZ belonging to Ali Raza of Akeza Investments Trading as Ali Raza Investments, a matter or transaction that concerns a public body.

Both Dr. Patricia Bwalya and Sonkwe Kasonkomona have since been released on Bond and will appear in Court soon.

MR. TIMOTHY MOONO
HEAD – CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

Pressure from alert members of the public compels the State to revalue properties belonging to the KAMPYONGO’s

Today in Court, 24th November, 2022

Like in a Zee world movie where flip flopping is most common, yesterday the State Prosecution team left the magistrate shocked with their never ending twists and turns in the case of Former Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Stephen Kampyongo and Wife Mrs. Wanziya Kampyongo.

Details are that in its usual meandering the state yesterday made an application to substitute the indictment presented to the court last week. According to the Prosecution team the changes were being made because the “Public complained that the properties were overvalued” and to the amusement of the entire court the State emphasized that the over valuation of the properties was in public domain.

It should be noted that, upon the arrest of Mr Kampyongo and Wife a team of Journalist from various media institutions visited all the 9 properties which are being considered to be proceeds of crime and when televised the public made their own judgement on what they thought the values of the properties were.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Silvia Munyinya who granted the application for the substitution advised the State to get serious with what they are doing and conduct a final investigation than coming to court everytime with amendments.

However before granting the application the Magistrate returned the amended document to the prosecution to go through and ensure that what has been written is the final document as the Court will not entertain any more changes like this.

And during cross examination, a States Witness being a senior registrar at the Ministry of Lands could not state the amounts of the deed of exchange. But the defense counsel going property by property gave an account of how each property was acquired by both Mr Kampyongo and Mrs Kampyongo, the State Witness confirmed that most of the properties were acquired through transfer by assent and other modes and that Mr and Mrs Kampyongo merely paid Disbursement fees to the Ministry of Lands.

Upon the completion of examining the first witness, the state presented another witness from the Department of Valuation who testified on how the properties were valued. Before the judge the witness and state produced a report that was conducted to arrive at the values. However the Defense could not cross examine the witness and asked an adjournment to study the report.

The magistrate granted the defense application and cautioned the Prosecution against going to court unprepared as they did not avail a copy of the report to the defense to study.

She urged the state to make it standard practice to make copies of every evidence they wish to present in the court during this trial, she then granted the defense the adjournment and set 20th December, 2022 for continuation of trial.

IT’S DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE IN ACC WHEN IT’S NOT SECURING CONVICTIONS – FORMER PF SG MWILA.

Thursday, 24 November 2022

FORMER PF secretary general Davies Mwila says it’s embarrassing that the Anti-Corruption Commission has failed to secure convictions of those accused of corruption when that’s its duty.

ACC Director General Gilbert Phiri recently said the commission doesn’t measure its success by convictions, vowing that they will continue arresting people even if no one is jailed out of 100 cases.

But in an interview, Mwila said it was embarrassing for the ACC boss to issue such a statement.

“A senior person holding that office cannot give such an embarrassing statement. When you are at work, you are given targets. Even in production, you are told that you have to reach 75 percent production and after that, it means you have reached the target. For our colleagues, their job is to investigate, arrest and prosecute. Those found wanting must be convicted. Without that, it will be taken as personal harassment and persecution. This is not the fight against corruption. They are just harassing Zambians. Their job is to ensure that people are convicted. If they cannot be convicted, why take cases to court?” he said.

“That is why cases that have been taken to court cannot take off because these guys are just harassing people. They don’t have evidence. That is what he is saying. He means even cases that they don’t have evidence will be taken to court. That is not the essence of establishing the Anti-Corruption Commission. The ACC was established so that they can fight corruption and only take cases they have evidence of. But if they don’t have evidence, they cannot take the matters to court. So it is very embarrassing for the ACC DG to issue such a statement. I hope that President Hakainde Hichilema changes that statement and that gentleman must be castigated. He must explain.”

Mwila wondered how people could believe in the commission when corruption-accused persons were not being convicted.

“When it comes to current leadership, they have not arrested anyone. The one they summoned, PS Magwende, they have kept quiet because they fear leaders in UPND got involved in those scandals. That is why that case is quiet. So far, they have not arrested anyone within the current government despite so many allegations from Zambians that this government is corrupt. No one has been touched. In fact, they are biased with the way they conduct themselves. They are only interested in former PF leaders who served under Edgar Lungu. They are not interested in investigating those who are currently serving,” said Mwila.

“How will people believe in ACC? They cannot believe in them because they are not doing the right thing. If they cannot take cases to court and people are not convicted, what is their role? Then they are not fighting corruption. What we want is to make sure that all those that they see are surely corrupt or stole must be taken to court and convicted. Why take them to court without evidence and you know they won’t be convicted? It is just an embarrassment. I do not expect Mr Phiri who is a lawyer to issue such a statement. It is embarrassing to him and the current government.”

(Credit: News Diggers)

YOUR DAY FOR RECKONING IS COMING, NAKACINDA WARNS BALLY

…as he gets shocked that govt has paid a deaf ear to the defence auditing debate

Lusaka…. Wednesday November 23, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

PF Chairperson for Information and Publicity Raphael Nakacinda has castigated the New Dawn Administration for seemingly paying a deaf ear to the cries of Zambians over contracting Grant Thornton to audit the country’s defence force.

Hon Nakacinda said the position taken by government implies that they don’t mind undertaking activities with impunity even when they are illegal.

He said the headline attributed to a named government officials stating that the debate on the matter in question are futile as governemnt has already made up its mind makes sad reading.

The PF MCC said this today when he addressed the media at Lusaka’s Magistrate Court grounds.

“I want to express sadness at the headlines we reading in tabloids, reporting that for example a minister of justice has said the debate over the audit of the defence force is futile because government has already made up its mind and it will proceed. In other words, the minister of defence is saying they don’t mind undertaking activities with impunity even when they are illegal,” he said.

“So to that effect they are justifying the fact that even when the Auditor General was never involved in that process.…because one in State House or Community House gave a directive that private firms to which we know he had interest and we can speculate he still has interest, should audit these defence force.”

Hon Nakacinda however warned President Hakainde Hichilema and those in his cabinet that the day for reckoning is coming.

“We feel that such statements are reckless and we only want to warn that the day of reckoning is coming. It may not be today, or tomorrow. But it will surely come. Mr Hakainde Hichilema one day will have to account for all the actions, decisions and things he has done and he will do while in office. Same applies to Hon Lufuma, same applies to Hon Musokotwane, same applies to Secretary to the Treasury, same applies to all officers who are involved in wanting our security secrets to be exposed recklessly like that just because people are interested in benefiting through that process,” he said.

“That impunity we condemn, and we don’t expect the minister of defense, especially of the standing of Lufuma…. Hon Lufuma is more experienced when it comes to issues of governance than the President because he has been in Parliament for close to 20 years. And therefore it is sad that he begins to participate in the process of justifying such illegalities.”

PRESIDENT HH SQUANDERED AN OPPORTUNITY OF EMPOWERING UPND MEMBERS IN MARKETS AND BUS STATIONS.
Let me say this I appreciate what President HH said about UPND members being free to trade in markets and Bus stations.
But what President HH should not forget is the first day when he formed government he should have said those words to UPND members and UPND members would have been in those markets trading peacefully alongside the PF members.

But see what President HH did. He literally refused UPND members to go to these places because he didn’t want Caderism. I remember alot of UPND members pleading with him that for 23 years UPND members were not allowed to trade in those places. And others wanted get back there stalls or stands which were grabbed by PF but what did President HH tell UPND members not go to those places and he even went further by promising UPND members their own delicious DISH of which up now some of UPND members are still waiting for that delicious DISH.

Hon Garry Nkombo was hash on his own members instead of sympathizing with them. Your people are suffering and you as a minister you out and harass the same people who fought battles when you were in opposition it is shame.
No wonder some are missing PF because they feel UPND is not protecting it’s own members.

Now even if President HH allows UPND members to trade in markets and Bus stations it is too late because PF has already filled up those spaces.
It is regrettably that President HH didn’t see the logic behind Obvious mwaliteta Lusaka provincial chairman when he proposed that UPND should open branches in markets and Bus stations.

Obvious mwaliteta is more experienced and seasoned politician who understands politics. But as UPND leadership chose to trivialized Obvious Mwaliteta idea and see now where are we as UPND members, Still struggling as if UPND is still in opposition.

President HH should quickly find a lasting solution of empowering UPND members otherwise come 2026 the UPND members he has not Empowered are going to fight him the same way PF members who felt let down by PF party they fought their own PF party in 2021 and helped the Zambians to kick out PF out of power. I submit.

PEÑTAGON ZAMBIA MEDIA TEAM.

President Hakainde Hichilema has expressed his grief over the recent death of a Zambian student in the Russia-Ukraine war in Europe.

It is understood that 23 year old Lemekhani Nyirenda died in September but Russian authorities only informed the Zambian government of his death last week.

Mr. Nyirenda had gone to Russia to study nuclear engineering but he was serving a jail sentence – for drug-related charges, at the time of his death.

In April 2020, Mr Nyirenda contravened the laws of the Russian Federation and as such, he was convicted and sentenced to nine years and six months imprisonment.

However, it has been established that while serving his prison term, Mr Nyirenda was allegedly recruited to fight in Ukraine.

Speaking to CNN News, President Hichilema has said it was unfortunate that Mr. Nyirenda, who was in the custody of the Russian government, has died in a war against Ukraine.

He said the Zambian Government does not understand how Nyirenda found himself in the war when he was said to be in jail.

President Hichilema said his government was waiting for an explanation from Russia on the circumstances leading to the death of the young man.

“Lemekhani Nyirenda is a 23 year old child who went to study in Russian and found himself on the wrong side of the law, got jailed for nine years. He was serving a sentence in a Russian jail. How he got out of jail, got to the war-front, got to the arms-way we don’t know as Zambians. We have asked the Russians to explain the situation,” President Hichilema said.

“We are still waiting for an explanation. We haven’t got it up to now. It is really unfortunate that a young person like him, a foreigner under the custody of Russians, could die at war, at this war, war between Russia and Ukraine. Most unfortunate we are waiting for answers and haven’t got them yet,” he said in a television news interview.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Stanley Kakubo, Mr. Nyirenda’s remains have been transported to the Russian border town of Rostov in readiness for repatriation to Zambia.

He said the deceased was a government sponsored student, who was pursuing nuclear engineering at the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute in the Russian Federation.

Through the embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Moscow, the Ministry immediately proceeded to verify this information where it was established that Mr Nyirenda indeed passed away on 22nd September, 2022, in Ukraine.

The Minister said in April 2020, Mr Nyirenda contravened the laws of the Russian Federation and as such, was subsequently convicted and sentenced to nine years and six months imprisonment.

He said Mr Nyirenda was serving his sentence at Tyer Medium security prison on the outskirts of Moscow.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema has in the past expressed his concern about the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine saying he wished to see an end to the conflict.

Speaking when he received credentials from Diplomats, among them new Russian Ambassador to Zambia Azim Yarakhmedov, last May, President Hichilema said there was need to work together to bring the war to an end.

“Your Excellency, it is my noble duty on behalf of the people of Zambia and on behalf of I believe the global community, that the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia is of great concern to us. I think if I didn’t say that, I will be deceiving the reality of ourselves and the reality on the ground. I believe it is not just Zambia, the regional community and international countries. As a proponent of peace ourselves, Zambia I am sure the history is clear of who we are, we wish to see an end to that war,” President Hichilema said.

“And we encourage your country, Ukraine and other countries in that part of the world and all of us to work together to bring that war to an end. We have to do what it takes but you are the first call, and we would like to support that call that would lead us to achieving peace, to restore order in those countries. I am saying those countries because it is not just Russia which is affected, it is not just Ukraine which is affected, it is the Polish. It is anyone else. As you know, we had to evacuate our own students from Ukraine, we would have loved them to stay. So please, let us work together. That is our plea as the global community because when we have peace and stability we can focus on development, focus on social issues, cultural issues. So, we want to wish you the best and whatever we can do as a small decent country, we would like to do.”

Meanwhile, the South African government has sent condolences to the family of Zambian student killed in the Russia-Ukraine war

Presidential Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said it was tragic that the world continued to experience loss of life due to conflict.

“And it is for this reason that President [Cyril] Ramaphosa has been quite consistent in calling for a dialogue between all parties concerned in resolving this conflict”, Magwenya said.

By Richard Banda

KATUBA CDF DISTRIBUTES 350 DESKS TO KAPOPO & CHOMBELA PRIMARY SCHOOL

Katuba Member of Parliament (MP) Hon Mwabashike Nkulukusa led various people to Chombela primary school where they handed over 350 desks for Kapopo and Chombela primary school , the desks where procured using the 2022 Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Speaking at event Mr Nkulukusa believes that delivery of quality education can only be realized through the provision of learning materials,He later narrated that there cannot be quality education and good performance among pupils if there are inadequate learning materials in schools.

The member of Parliament said the 150 desks that have been handed over to kapopo School and 200 to chombela school is part of the 350 desks earmarked to be distributed in 2 schools

“Indeed, the provision of adequate learning materials to schools is a catalyst to realize the much-needed cadre of qualified and well-informed citizenry in the country, “he said.

The MP urged school leavers to take advantage of the forthcoming teacher and health staff recruitment as per the proposed 2023 budget to apply for positions as teachers and health staff respectively

Meanwhile Chibombo council chairperson his worship Mr Newton Nyeleti said ,

“The gesture we are seeing today of receiving desks demonstrates the Government’s commitment to enhance quality and accessible education to every Child in the district, ” he said. it mast be the end of sitting on the floor and this means that all pupils must be sitting on desks.

DEBS for chibombo District mr Musakula appealed to the office of the Member of Parliament to roll out the exercise to other schools in the district to ensure no pupil sits on the floor going forward.

Chibombo District Council Secretary, Stanley Mbewe aged teachers and pupils to take care of desk so that the government focuses on another things in Katuba .

The head teacher at Chombela Day school Mr Leornard sishambi thanked the government .

“On behalf of kapopo and chombela both primary and secondary and on our behalf.we would like to extend our goatitude appreciate to his excellent the president of the republic of zambia Mr. HAKAINDE HICHILEMA for changing the face of kapopo and chombela schools by connecting our institution of the national grid, introduction of free education and recruitment of new teachers”. he said

CIC PRESS TEAM

NO SCHEME BY ANYONE WILL PREVENT ME FROM STANDING AS PF PRESIDENT. I QUALIFY 100%

By Miles B. Sampa, MP

I am still out of the country on Africa Union election monitoring duties but audio has been brought to my attention where a Mr Chilufya Tayali President of EPP has mentioned my name several times claiming that I do not qualify for the PF Presidency because I have not been a member for the last 5 years. He also mentioned the name of one of the 9 applicants that he is supporting.

President Tayali seems to have a lot of PF inner circle privileged information and now has alerted us to what has been schemes behind closed doors. To those he may have misled or those that may have misled Mr Tayali, I was a member of PF from its formation by its founding father Michael Chilufya Sata in 2001.

Upon his death in 2014, succession conflicts arose after the two parallel General conferences held in Kabwe. The High Court and now Constitutional court Judge Mulenga Mungeni and Supreme court led by then Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda ruled against the general conference that had elected me as PF President.

I retreated but later got pushed or frustrated out and proceeded to form a party we named Democratic Patriotic Front (DPF). It was how we got deregistered by then Home Affairs Minister. I stayed partless until late 2016 when I wrote to the PF SG office advising that I had decided to rejoin the club (PF) which was home to me.

In 2017 the then SG Davies Mwila summoned me to the PF secretariat for a welcoming public ceremony. In 2018 the PF adopted me to stand as its Lusaka mayoral candidate. In 2021 the PF adopted me to stand as its Matero constituency MP candidate.

As PF has no membership cards and joining or disjoining is voluntary by public acclamation, I returned to PF in 2016 and we are in 2022 whereas the general conference will be in 2023.
2016 – 2022 = 6 years
2016 -2023 = 7 years

So whichever maths President Chilufya Tayali wants to use, it will show that l have been back in PF atleast for last 5 years. I therefore more than qualify to stand as PF President and I am standing. “ No piece of paper” or scheme by anyone or groups of people will stop me.
I am also against anyone of the candidates being prevented from standing by any technicality.

Let bonafide PF officials or grassroot in the structure have the pleasure to freely choose who they want as their leader. Imposing anyone on them will not do and I am very certain that themselves will not condone it.

In latin it is said “ Vox Populi; Vox Dei” (the voice of the people; is the voice of God).

Let the people exercise their right to voice out who they want. Boardroom tactics won’t work atleast not this time around.

Let those who still wish to apply to stand also go ahead between now and the congress. The more the better for our party officials so they have a wider choice.

Muyopa chani. Finshi muletina. What are you fearing to scheme to target and disqualify me and selected others. Tamwaipule. Your scheme will fail and I will stand come March 2023.

Again I thank President Tayali for revealing what those scared of free and fair intra party elections have been scheming. Baicheme while they can before we start exposing and deal with them one by one. We are 5 steps ahead of them and they won’t catch up. Mwatwangasha pafula.

To our supporters in all the 10 provinces in the party structures, please spread the word above that Miles Sampa is definitely standing and no human being or ‘any piece of paper’ will stop him. I get your numerous inquiries on when I will visit you and be assured that it will very soon. I look forward to reunite in person with each one of you.

Together We Can

Miles Bwalya Sampa
Matero MP & PF Presidential candidate
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶, West Africa
Tuesday 22nd November, 2022

PF IS MORE ATTRACTIVE NOW – HON KAFWAYA

… the things that made citizens hate PF are no longer there

Lusaka…. Tuesday November 22, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

PF hopeful presidential candidate Mutotwe Kafwaya has said PF is more attractive now than it was before.

Speaking when he featured on Millennium Radio, Hon Kafwaya said the things that made citizens hate PF are no longer there.

The contender said those that used to talk about the arrogance of leaders during the PF regime have now seen arrogant leaders under the UPND.

“I think the Patriotic Front is more attractive now than it was in 2020. I say so because now you don’t see the things which annoyed many Zambians in the PF. Now you don’t see anyone accusing PF of political violence,” he said.

“Now you don’t see anyone accusing PF of any of those things which were causing confusion. Some people were saying PF was arrogant, we have now seen arrogant leaders. We have seen leaders who can act outside the law with impunity.”

He said the arrogance of the PF is tiny as compared to the one being experienced currently.

“We have seen elections which can be done in a constituency with an outdated ballot paper. So even the arrogance of PF, the arrogance that people were putting to act is now so minute in the face of what is happening now. So, clearly, if you ask me, and I am being very honest with you, PF is more attractive now than it was….” He said.

Meanwhile, Hon Kafwaya said PF members should not be desperate.

“There should be no desperation. There is no need for anyone of us to show desperation because we have a leadership and we have created a process for ourselves through the constitution of the Patriotic Front to be able to undertake the convention and elect a new leader,” he said.

“Let us mobilize the party let us encourage our party members. Let us give credible checks and balances to the UPND.”

KAJOBA IS A DISAPPOINTMENT – NAKACINDA

…he wants to turn police into UPND branch

Lusaka…. Tuesday November 22, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

PF Chairperson for Information and Publicity Raphael Nakacinda has said the Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba has been a disappointment to the country throughout the period he has served as the IG.

Speaking when he addressed the media today, Hon Nakacinda said people gave Mr Kajoba a benefit of doubt at a time he was appointed as the IG, despite him being a known UPND cadres.

The PF MCC however lamented that the IG has failed to remove the jacket of the UPND and has attempted to make the service a branch of the UPND.

He however noted that Zambians are living in a very delicate time and that they ought to act responsibly.

Hon Nakacinda said both those in government and in opposition, “and of course those mandated with the responsibility to maintain peace and order” should work together to ensure the service wins back the public confidence.

“Mr Kajoba’s time in office from the time he was appointed, he has been a big disappointment and a letdown. Having been known as the one who once served in the service, as spokesperson of the police and held different ranks, people gave him a benefit of doubt even when they knew that he had retired and become a UPND cadre,” he said.

“But I think he has failed to remove the jacket of the UPND cadre and he has attempted to make the police a branch of the UPND. So the perception the citizens have towards the police is not good and therefore, all of us must work together to restore professionalism, restore the confidence and dignity of that service by insisting that professionalism is restored in the police.”

Meanwhile, Hon Nakacinda said President Hakainde Hichilema has continued to be embarrassed by the contrast being created between him and the “President Ruto of Kenya who for example had promised that when he gets into office, under his watch, no one will be arrested for defamation of the president.”

He said while the Kenyan President has been sticking to his words, the opposite is true when it comes to police’ conduct under the watch of President Hichilema.

And the PF MCC advised the Head of State to reflect as he said that he is no longer enjoying the popularity that he thinks he is enjoying.

“Hichilema must know that his popularity, as he claims to have been voted by 2.8 million is not as he thought it was. Just look at North Western Province where he went, a district, Solwezi, that clearly on the voting day and the elections of 2021, people there were determined to even kill for him,” he said.

“But this time around he was driving around Solwezi without any reaction from the citizens. That should be a sign to the President that he may not be enjoying the support that he thought he was enjoying. He needs to sit down and reflect. If I said, he should sit down and reflect in bemba they will say its defamation of the president.”

WHO IS HON GREYFORD MONDE?

He was born 45 years ago on 10th April 1977 in Nampundwe, Shibuyunji District.

Hon Greyford Monde is married to Nancy Bensaia with whom he has three lovely children.

Hon. Monde is a product of Nampundwe Primary School, Itezhitezhi Basic and Mumbwa Secondary where he did Grade 10 to 12.

He is an Economists with a Bachelor of Economics degree obtained from University of Africa.

In terms of governance experience, Hon. Monde was from 2011 to 2016 Monde area Member of Parliament for Itezhitezhi. During this period in 2013 he was appointed Deputy Minister by President Michael Chilufya Sata and then in 2015 was appointed full Cabinet Minister by President Edgar Chagwa Lungu allowing him to serve under two presidents.

Monde while in parliament served in various parliamentary committees including Government Assurance Chairperson and as
1st Vice President IPU. This allowed him to network among Zambia’s foreign partners and make friends in the SADC as well as entire Africa Union.

As Area MP, Hon. Monde was instrumental in opening up Itezhitezhi to both tourism as well as industrial revolution through working on the main connector roads linking Itezhitezhi to Mumbwa Road and Itezhitezhi to Choma via Namwala Road which helped improve access to to Zambia’s biggest national park, the Kafue National Park (KNP) to allow for increased tourism.

He also begun the operationalisation of the Itezhitetezhi power station that is currently providing extra electricity to Zambia’s national grid.

An ardent supporter of community development , media freedom and sport, Hon. Monde helped support the operations of Itezhitezhi Community Radio Station by sponsoring programmes and local journalists to do their work and helped set up sports organisations in the constituency.

A committed Adventist, Hon. Monde is an active supporter of youth activities in the many youth groupings of his local church.

In the region, he has forged good working relationships with political and african nationalists in the neighbouring countries and their parliaments.

Monde is a an astute businessman and entreprenuer and has created local employment in both Itezhitezhi and Lusaka.

All this gives him confidence that he can unite the Patriotic Front as its leader and provide formidable challenge to the current party in Government and win the 2026 General Elections.

Hon Monde is your Guy, Our Guy. He is listening to you!

LAZ says there NOTHING ILLEGAL about GRANT THORNTON or other EXTERNAL AUDITORS to audit the Zambian Military, provided prior SECURITY CLEARANCES and PERMISSION are sought.

THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) says the Auditor General has powers to appoint external auditors under section 10 of the Public Audit Act, No.29 of 2016 to audit any state organs and state bodies.

This follows a public discourse on the private audit of Defence Forces.
Last week, some opposition members of Parliament walked out of the National Assembly during a question and answer session accusing Vice President Mutale Nalumango of having failed to give an answer regarding the decision to engage private firms to audit the Ministry of Defence and National Security Services.

Leader of opposition, Brian Mundubile asked Vice President Mutale Nalumango on why three different positions on private auditing companies have been engaged to audit the Ministry of defence and and NationalSecurity Services.

Mr Mundubile stated that the Public Audit Act Section 24(3) prohibits consultants, agents and private auditors from accessing books, records and documents or entering the premises of the Defence and National Security Services.

He demanded evidence to show that Part VII section 73(3) of the Public Finance Management Act No. 1 of 2018 was complied with.
However, LAZ president Lungizani Zulu says despite the general power to appoint external auditors, the Auditor General’s authority to subcontract the audit of the Defence Forces is limited by the provisions of section 24(3) of the said Public Audit Act, No. 29 of 2016.
He said the provisions expressly enjoins the Auditor General not to permit any authorised person, agent or specialist consultant to have access to any book, record, returns report or other document, or to enter the premises of any component of the defence force, national security services or a law enforcement agency.

Mr Zulu said the restriction on access to records of the Defence Force is re-echoed under the provisions of section 73(2) of the Public Finance Management Act, No. 1 of 2018.
“These provisions are aimed at ensuring that the security of the nation is not compromised.
However, the Auditor General can only appoint external auditors to audit the defence forces where circumstances of an audit justify such subcontracting, and additionally, the prior written consent of the President, authorizing access by external auditors is obtained.

This is provided under section 73(3) of the Public Finance Management Act, No. 1 of 2018 and the preconditions are meant to safeguard national security,” Mr Zulu said.

He said it is LAZ’s considered position that the subcontracting of the external auditors to audit the defence forces is legal if it was done by the Auditor General following the President’s prior written consent.

Mr Zulu said the Auditor General is required to satisfy the President that national security would not be compromised by the access, before the President can grant such written consent.

“This press release has been issued on a matter of public interest regarding the security of the nation, compliance with relevant public finance management laws as well as the observance of rule of law for the greater good of the Nation in furtherance of the LAZ’s mandate under Section 4 of the Law Association of Zambia Act,Chapter 31 of the Laws of Zambia,” he said.
(Mwebantu)

WHATS THE MEANING OF THE UPND ENDORSEMENT OF BRIAN MUNDUBILE
A few days ago a number of individuals have made statements and actions that could be perceived as serious endorsement of Mr. Brian MUNDUBILE as PF president, while other celebrated the gesture others took advantage and want to use it as a sign of being a weak candidate for 2026.

Endorsements act as a “mental shortcut” to help voters make sense of a candidate’s policies and positions.
Surely, the level of leadership provided by the Leader of Opposition in the house deserves an endorsement from well meaning individuals and organizations.

The essence of good governance is found in the ability of leaders to listen and to act with the utmost decorum especially in the face of those who they disagree with.
However, it is quite sad to see that Zambia’s political system has become a game of egos as opposed to a group of leaders working together for the good of the masses regardless of their political standing.

Furthermore, it is a system based on suspicion and ‘we vs them’ mentality. It is very evident that “a kingdom divided amongst itself cannot stand.” Such is true in the case of the UPND and the PF parties.

Our leaders have different views over the endorsements, with some zealous supporters crying foul over the idea of the ruling party (UPND) endorsing an opposition presidential party candidate (Brian Mundubile) who has displayed the traits of a reasonable opposition leader.
That being said, there is no better time such as now for the nation to be united towards a common goal: the progress of the nation. It is no secret that the atrocities committed by cadres in the name of their political parties have created a rift amongst the citizens; with people being categorized according to their political affiliation.

However, if we are to progress as a nation, we need to present a united front to the rest of the world. Our patriotism should be what brings us together – the desire to develop, be better, do better for the sake of the nation and not for individual advancement.
Addressing the issue at hand, various sectors of our country have endorsed Brian MUNDUBILE as the suitable candidate for the PF top job. The courtesy call by the US Ambassador must not be trivialized as such was a serious endorsement of his good leadership.
All elections are dependant on the final election results, the winner will receive the support of all members.
Mubwato tatwaka fumemo!
Brian Mundubile
Campaign Team
New Vision, New Future

Lusaka businessman and aspiring candidate for the position of president for PF, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, GBM, has described as disastrous the agricultural policy of the government of President Hakainde Hichilema.

Citing the Farmer Input Support Program, FISP, Mr. Mwamba says some councilors are already reporting instances in which a whole cooperative is being given a single pack which is more of a token than substance.

Mr. Mwamba has called on councilors, Members of Parliament, civil society, and the media to monitor closely the implementation of the agricultural policy under the UPND government and avoid relying on political pronouncements.

“Policy delivery is more important than policy pronouncements”, the seasoned politician with experience in government says. He adds, “Policy delivery is about experiences of potential beneficiaries and targets of the policy in question”.

One video that has gone viral features a councilor from one of the wards in Mufumbwe district who sums up the frustrations of the people in his area. He says after being encouraged to form cooperatives by government, people are shocked and angry that they are being given one pack.

“Where would this one pack take them”, the councilor asks.

Mr. Mwamba has expressed fear that the concerns raised in Mufumbwe may be a microcosm of what is happening across the country. He says, “in view of the strategic importance of government support to farmers and food security, monitoring the implementation and delivery of policy in the agricultural sector must be embarked upon speedily”.

He has warned Zambians against taking Mr. Hichilema by his word saying, “the man is full of self-praise and obsessed with attention-seeking”, adding, “when you get onto the ground, the picture is totally different”.

Mr. Mwamba says councilors, MPs, civil society, and the media owe it to the Zambian people to monitor the implementation and delivery of public policy and report without fear or favor any matters of concern associated with the process.

He says the phenomenon of praise-singing that has reached new levels under the UPND government must be countered with the truth so that wrongs are corrected in real time and failure of policy is avoided.

THE EV DREAM IN ZAMBIA, A PIPEDREAM?

EV Batteries and automotive industry in Zambia…

By Correspondent

A bit of history and numbers would give context to the discourse on EV batteries and vehicle industry in Zambia.

In the 1970/80s, Zambia had a small automobile industry: LMA assembled FIAT and Peugeot cars in Livingstone, Rover Zambia assembled Land Rover in Ndola; Lusaka Engineering Company (Lenco) mounted bodies or pans on chassis to make buses and trucks in Lusaka + Dunlop moulded tyres in Ndola while ERZ conducted maintenance of engines at a more organized level. Today only Lenco is existing and operating, as Agro Fuel, and is still making quality trailers and tankers in Lusaka.

The automobile industry in Zambia was created primarily to support an ideological objective (self sufficiency), but collapsed due to economic reasons, principally economies of scale. LMA operated like a small team assembling a jigsaw. Complete cars came from Italy and France in boxes.

All items, including screws, mats and belts were imported. LMA just fastened everything and painted the car. The output was about 500 cars per year. A factory of such size can’t break even nor survive sustainably. LMA was a political project, not an engineering nor economic project.

In conceptualizing a new automotive industry for Zambia, let’s consider the economics, marketing and engineering to the effect that economies of scale matter, purchasing power is important and support industries make a difference. RSA, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia make cars, sell cars and export cars. We can benchmark and work out a sustainable model.

As regards EV batteries, please note that there’s been more politics than science on the subject. Firstly, it’s important to contextualize the meaning of minerals for EV batteries. Two thirds of all cars are made in Asia and half are sold in China alone.

The major mineral for batteries is lithium, mostly in combinations with other minerals as lithium-cobalt, lithium-nickel, litium-manganese and lithium – gypsum (still under development).

It’s very important for people to understand that Zambia doesn’t have lithium. Zimbabwe mines a little lithium while our neighbors DRC and Namibia have some reserves of the mineral, but are still some years away from actual mining. The world largest producer of lithium is Australia (over 50%), followed by Chile, China and Argentina who jointly produce over 90% of all lithium used in the world.

The second mineral used in batteries is cobalt. Please note also that Zambia produces little or no cobalt and there’s no available geological information yet of any huge deposits of cobalt in Zambia. The mineral has been produced alongside copper in Luanshya, Nkana and Nchanga.

Today only KCM produces very little cobalt. Our annual output rarely got over 3,000 tonnes. DRC is producing over 100,000 tonnes of cobalt or 70% of global output.

The key producers of cobalt in DRC are Glencore, ERG and the Chinese. Please remember that Glencore had altercations with GRZ over Mopani while ERG was forced to close Chambishi Metals over a dispute with GRZ regarding import of concentrates from DRC.

It’s now interesting that GRZ is entertaining the thought that Glencore, ERG and the Chinese will opt to export their cobalt to Zambia to use in battery factory in Ndola.

This is probably a case of failing to pay attention to geopolitics and risk management in particular.

The next mineral to consider is nickel. Do we have nickel in Zambia? Here again the answer is ⅓ yes and ⅔ no.

The small yes is in regard to the $1.2 billion investment by FQM to mine nickel in Solwezi. The projected output after full development and ramp up is 30,000 tonnes of nickel contained in concentrate that will be exported.

Though this figure is very small, it will represent the largest nickel mine in Africa. There’s also a toy nickel mine near Mazabuka which has been oscillating between episodes of care and maintenance over the last 15 years.

What’s worth observing is that Zambia will produce nickel concentrates, not finished nickel. FQM might be reluctant to create a facility for producing finished nickel in Zambia because the volumes might be too small to justify investment in new plants for smelting or refining. Multinationals also prefer to export concentrates as a tactical form of metallurgical smuggling of rare metals.

The concentrate contains some little, but expensive traces of other metals that are recoverable in China. Globally, Indonesia, Philippines, New Caledonia, Australia, Russia, Brazil, China and Canada account for over ⅘ of global production and reserves of nickel.

As can be seen above, the available technology and minerals to kickstart EV battery manufacturing in Ndola is a great hypothesis and the timing for project implementation is conjectural for now.

Engineers and scientists are urged to help moderate the expectations and ambitions of politicians. The EV battery and automobile manufacturing industry in Zambia are possible, but not imminent.

The science, economics and geopolitics call for more caution and more patience. On the overall, the observed increased susceptibility to science fiction is worrying. Technical aides are at fault for dereliction of duty to give evidence-based advice.

The pronouncements on EV batteries manufacturing in Ndola, 3 million copper output by 2031 and launch of a Zambian communication satellite in 2024 are probably a result of incomplete advice or inadequate appreciation of scientific facts.

Just thinking loudly…

HOW PF BIGWIGS LOOTED THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OUT OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS

“…. The secrecy and murky environment that covers defence procurement deals presented the PF government with a clear and open opportunity to loot as much as they wanted….”

By Catharine Mulaisho (BA, MBA) – Social & Political Commentator

BETWEEN 2012 and 2013, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) who was then the Defence Minister, failed to disclose his interest in writing on Three Zambia Army contracts and Five Zambia Air Force contracts that were awarded to Curzon Global Limited by the Ministry of Defence.

Curzon Global Limited was GBM’s proxy company that was registered under his daughter and wife and was involved in deals valued over six hundred thousand dollars. Consequently, GBM was arrested and charged with a case of money laundering contrary to section Seven of Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act number 14 of 2001 as read with Amendment Act number 44 of 2010 in June this year.

Between 2011 and 2021, food supply deals valued at over 300 million dollars where also given out to companies that are owned by PF bigwigs and their family members. The plunder at the Ministry of Defense during the PF rule was so overwhelming and highly contributed to bringing our economy down to its knees. We are yet to feel the extent of such a massive plunder of national resources.

In October 2018, corruption accused former Defence Ministry Permanent Secretary, Sturdy Mwale; confirmed media reports that the Zambian Government had signed a second $400million defence deal with Israeli military aerospace business, Elbit Systems. According Mwale the deal included a brand-new Gulstream G650 presidential jet, bespoke to President Lungu’s requirements.

A previous $400million deal previously signed with Elbit Systems covered an unspecified number of F-5 jet fighters, 18 Skylark unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ground vehicles and upgrades for Mi-17 Helicopters. The deals also include centres for training and command, control and communications, as well as maintenance.

And as if that was not enough, the Zambian government also ordered $50 million in weapons and ammunition from Israel Weapons Industries, while Israeli company Ashtrom has received a $200million contract to upgrade the Maina Soko military hospital in Lusaka and a $400m contract to build barracks in Kawambwa district. Despite the Minister of Defence strenuously denying the allegations made, Zambia’s new G650 presidential jet, which was integral to the overall deal, was seen landing in Basel, Switzerland in early November 2018 and finally in Zambia. The current president of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, has refused to use the presidential jet, as he has termed it as an unnecessary luxury.

Having realized as early as 2018 that their time in office was limited, the PF bigwigs went on a looting rampage, siphoning off money from the public purse at every opportunity.

The secrecy and murky environment that covers defence procurement deals presented the PF government with a clear and open opportunity to loot as much as they wanted as they were under the illusion that no one would audit them even after they left government.

Just recently, The Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Clever Mpoha, Director and Shareholder of Savenda Group of Companies for corrupt practices involving over US $900,000. His company was single-sourced to supply military uniforms for the Zambia National Service. Details are that Mr. Mpoha, being a shareholder and Director in African Security Academy, did receive a total of US $527,448, funds which were fraudulently paid by the Ministry of Finance as fees for the delivery of the subject contract payment of the arrangement.

At the center of all these lootings was Sturdy Mwale; he coordinated all the top deals, chose suppliers in coordination with interested top brass PF members and those in government. At one point he was more powerful than some ministers due to the amount of power he welded at the ministry of Defense.

All deals that were done at the ministry of Defense were overpriced and high end kick backs were paid by international suppliers.

At his peak and after a lot of questionable deals, Sturdy Mwale started signing off letters sending key staff from procurement and finance to rural areas. It is clear now that he wanted to destroy all the evidence of massive corruption that had taken place since he became Permanent Secretary.

Sturdy Mwale made so much money such that he paid US$200’000 cash to Mike Arnold, a White Australian farmer to buy part of his vast Simoonga Farm, about 10 KMs from the Mazabuka road to Chikankata mission. If Sturdy Mwale made so much cash, how much more did his bosses make? And where is the loot hiding?

Among those fingered in the alleged looting at the Ministry of Defense include but not limited to this list, Former Defense Minister – Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, former Defence Ministry Permanent Secretary – Sturdy Mwale, Davies Mwila ~Former PF Secretary General and former Deputy Minister of Defense, Davis Chama, former Minister of Defence, Amos Chanda former State House press aide, former Special Assistant to the President for Political Affairs, Kaizer Zulu, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs – Harry Kalaba, Brian Muntayalwa Mundubile former Minister for Northern Province, former Northern Province Permanent Secretary Charles Sipanje, Ndozo Lodge proprietor Chrint Sichamba, Clever Mpoha, Director and Shareholder of Savenda Group of Companies, former Special Assistant for Economics Hibeene Mwiinga, former Presidential Advisor to the President Chris Zumani Zimba, former Education Minister – Nkandu Luo, Former lands Minister – Jean Kapata and Former Zambia Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Eric Chimese.

SOURCE: The Falcon

Peace returns to Katete as security and defence top brass visits assaulted cops

INSPECTOR General of Police Lemmy Kajoba has in the company of Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander Lieutenant General Colin Barry and Zambia Correctional Service Fredrick Chilukutu visited officers who were beaten by a mob Kamwaza Village in Chieftainess Kawaza’s area on Saturday.

Nine of Kajoba’s men were handed a savage mob beating that earned them admission to St Francis Mission Hospital after they attempted to rescue a village headman accused of practising witchcraft and protecting suspected murderers.

The assaulted officers were also following up a report of Malicious Damage to Property in Chinzu and Joweni Villages.

According to Zambia Police deputy spokesperson Danny Mwale 15 houses and a Toyota Hilux were destroyed and in the violence.

Mwale has told Kalemba in a statement that, the security and defence top brass visit was to check on the health conditions of the officers as well as seek guidance from health experts as to whether they could be evacuated to Lusaka for specialised treatment.

While at Saint Francis Mission Hospital, the three Service Chiefs were briefed by Senior Resident Medical Officer, Dr. Jonathan Malala about the health conditions of the officers were he revealed that out of the nine admitted seven were discharged on Sunday November 20, 2022 around 10:00 hours after receiving treatment.

Dr. Malala described the condition of the two officers who are still admitted as stable and out of danger though still in pain. One is nursing a swollen leg and a painful right shoulder while the other has head injuries and a fractured left arm.

Dr. Malala guided that there was no need to evacuate the officers to Lusaka at the moment as the hospital was managing the situation.

He revealed that the hospital authorities were grateful to the three Service Chiefs for the fatherly gesture of physically visiting the affected officers.

The Service Chiefs also took time to monitor the security situation in the District before departure for Lusaka.

The situation in Chieftainess Kawaza’s village and the surrounding areas has since returned to normal and Police officers have intensified investigations into the attack on officers.

CAPTION: The defence Chiefs aboard an aircraft on their way to Katete

Kalemba

EVERYTHING THEY ARE DOING IS TO IMPOVERISH THE POOR

Azwell Banda,

It is wrong to view the current extremely shocking goings on in the government supply of farm support inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) as merely “mistakes” and “corruption” enabling shenanigans of the UPND government in general and agriculture minister Reuben Mtolo Phiri in particular.

Taken together, everything the UPND government has done on the FISP since coming into government is conscious and calculated warfare against poor rural Zambian farmers by the UPND capitalist government aiming to wean rural agriculture off essential and necessary government support. The UPND government is determined to drastically reduce, and eventually remove the automatic expectation by our impoverished rural farmers of government rural agriculture subsidies. The UPND government, through President Hakainde Hichilema, finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane and agriculture minister Reuben Mtolo Phiri, are determined to destroy rural agriculture, our backbone for food security, and change Zambian rural life forever. In their discussions and agreement with the IMF, the UPND government has undertaken to transform the Farmer Input Support Programme to make it more “efficient” and less “corrupt” to enable government make savings, for expanding government debt repayment space, and pleasing the IMF.

Besides fuels and electricity, the UPND government has agreed with the IMF that it would make government support to rural agriculture more “efficient” (another capitalist way of saying if it is not profitable, cut it off, even if it is lifesaving) and weed out “corruption”. Government fuel, electricity and agricultural subsidies are all on their way out. Do read the UPND government agreement with the IMF and you will confirm this. All the tinkering and name changing, including the dangerously messed up delivery of FISP both last year and this year must also be understood in the context of a UPND government eager to meet IMF conditions for the balance of payment support of US $1.3 million for three years, get IMF help with debt repayments, and the dreams of foreign “investment flows” into Zambia.

Of course a side war going on in agriculture, just as in health, is the UPND resolve to remove from government business real and perceived PF aligned government suppliers, contractors and service providers of all kinds, in order to starve the PF of money, and thereby defang it politically. Those government suppliers, contractors and service providers known and assumed to be PF aligned who cannot change their loyalty to the UPND face destruction by being paralysed with criminal litigation and cash starvation by being cut off from government business. As all capitalist governments in the world go, there is nothing fundamentally new or strange about this war for government business: politics is economic warfare by other means, and the UPND are simply playing by all expected capitalist standards, and actually innovating these standards.

Political parties are established to win political power – control of the state and government – for their leaders and political constituents so that they can then direct the economy in their favour, and cripple their enemies and political opponents. This is true politics, the real driving force behind all political activities. The only honest and genuinely principled political formations and political parties are scientific revolutionary socialist formations and political parties who openly declare that their intention is to wrestle control of the state, government and economy and installing by all means necessary, the power of the working class in, and over society. These openly declare that their intentions are to establish the dictatorship of the working class in, and over society, as the fullest and deepest possible democratic order, because the working class and poor rural peasants are the immense majority especially of a country like Zambia, and their interests therefore must dominate, if society is to be democratic.

Through this “dictatorship of the working class”, the working class then genuinely proceed “scientifically and methodically” to dismantle all class structures, systems and relationships in society, abolish private property, and thus establish a truly free, just and equal society – a Communist society.

All capitalist political formations on the other hand, hide their “dictatorship of the capitalist class” by claiming to represent the entire society regardless of class and political affiliation. The UPND is such a classic extreme right-wing capitalist political party and liar – it claims to represent all Zambians and yet only a Zambian with a mental tool kit of a special type can fail to see how those Zambians who are working class (employed or unemployed), rural poor farmers and PF are being attacked and destroyed, as the UPND line their pockets with fabulous vast amounts of money from government business, favourable tax conditions, foreign investments and many preferential economic policies!

The war being waged against our poor rural farmers by the UPND government by reducing and inevitably doing away with FISP, this war led by agriculture minister “General” Mtolo Phiri must be seen in this light: UPND capitalists must free up more money for government to pay its debt, meet IMF conditions thereby making the IMF continue to release its tranches of the US$1.3 million debt to the Zambian government, thereby enabling other foreign debt to flow into Zambia from which HH, Situmbeko, Mtolo Phiri and their foreign and local capitalists must accumulate more profits and wealth.

Capitalism is warfare by capitalists against the working class, rural poor farmers and all poor people, whatever lies its practitioners and advocates may preach to secure political power. Capitalist democracy is the dictatorship of the capitalists, the moneyed class, over the rest of society. To ignore and neglect this obvious fact is to fail to understand and appreciate the shenanigans going on in especially the agriculture and public health sectors in Zambia today: the UPND government is waging a capitalist war against their PF opponents and the Zambian urban and rural working class and poor peasants, they must control and profit from the agriculture and health supplies value chains themselves in order to firmly establish both their economic and political dominance in Zambia, their dictatorship of Zambia.

Unfortunately, it just so happens that the majority of Zambians, more than 50 per cent, live and survive on the land in our rural areas, in so many different ways, including by becoming peasant slaves of “out growers” and all sorts of urban conmen and con-women who pay them very little to make them work their small pieces of land, later they grab their produce and pay them even smaller money again, to continue this enslaving practice, year in, year out! The majority of Zambians therefore, still largely depend on these poor, over worked rural small farmers for their food and all other needs. Messing with the government support for farm inputs to our poor rural farmers is directly putting at life threatening risks the lives of the majority of Zambians.

The picture is further complicated by the fact that more than 75 per cent or more of our rural population is desperately poor. Messing with rural agriculture as the UPND are doing is directly plunging into deeper poverty the majority of Zambians. The UPND and Mtolo Phiri, by deliberately sabotaging the Farmer Input Support Programme are condemning millions of Zambians to hunger, deepening malnutrition and increasing possible deaths, as they wage their economic war on poor rural farmers in order to satisfy IMF conditions, free up government money to pay government debt and increase their opportunities to become richer! Objectively, by consistently messing up the supply of farm inputs for two consecutive farming seasons, cutting off abruptly some recipients, changing who and how to collect these inputs, changing the FISP name and other similar obstacles, the UPND government is sending a clear message, directly or indirectly, to our rural farmers: that the UPND government cannot be relied upon to secure their rural food security and therefore their rural lives: they are on their own! This is an indirect and evil way of forcing poor rural farmers off FISP.

HH, Situmbeko, Mtolo Phiri and the UPND government are able to wage and win their economic war against our poor rural farmers because these farmers are desperately poor, scattered throughout the country, many live in very remote isolated parts of Zambia, are poorly or completely unorganised to constitute a formidable fighting force capable of taking on government, and therefore still badly need government help to secure essential seeds and fertilisers, to grow food and survive, in our impoverished rural areas.

One day, and perhaps soon too, our poor rural farmers will discover the power of revolutionary self-awareness of their true class condition, and the power of unity and organisation of the majority of poor rural farmers. Then, and only then, can no Zambian government treat them with the contempt and disdain the UPND government has shown them, thus far!

Send comments to: banda.azwell@gmail.com.

PF CONSTITUTION IN IT’S CURRENT FORM DISQUALIFIES THREE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, BUT THIS WILL BRING DIVISION, LET’S TALK ABOUT IT AT 20:00HRS

Things are not going right in the Country and we need to change Govt. President Hichilema and the UPND have to go through an early election. Therefore we need to prepare a new Govt to takeover from UPND.

While PF was just removed recently, we can’t run away from the fact that, the former ruling party has a big role to remove UPND and replace it with a Govt of National Unity.

However, PF can’t be of help if it is divided, therefore, everything must be done to preserve Unity in PF and this is what I will be discussing tonight at 20:00hrs.

I picked up this article which you should read for to understand my discourse tonight @20:00hrs.

“There is a “big elephant in the room” as far as our candidates for PF President are concerned. The earlier it is addressed, the better for PF and its unity. Those of us that were privileged to be part of the very original members of the team that formed the party with MCS (MHSRIEP), contributed to the creation of critical documentation that constituted the PF, especially the PARTY CONSTITUTION.

It is a requirement that any one wanting to contest to become Party President, among other things:-

(1) must have been a member of the PF continuously, for atleast the past 5years.

(2) must have been in good standing with the party for atleast the last 3 years.

There lies the problem. Strictly speaking, there are at least three of the gentlemen who have expressed interest to stand for President of PF at the forthcoming General Conference, that may well not meet these two conditions.

This issue needs to be addressed NOW and not at the General conference. If there is going to be fall outs, let those happen now and not later.”

From the article above it is clear that Dr. Kambwili, GBM and Miles, are technically out, they are disqualified, but that wouldn’t be good, even though I am supporting Brian Mundubile .

TAYALI THE PUBLIC LAWYER OF THE PUBLIC COURT OF OPINIONS!!!

EEP – ICHALO BANTU!!!

ZAMBIA SHALL ONLY BE LIBERATED BY ZAMBIANS!!!

ZAMBIA NEEDS A GOVT OF NATIONAL UNITY!!!

ZAMBIA MUST BE OWNED BY ZAMBIANS!!!

POSSIBLE EXPULSION OF MAFINGA MP ROBERT CHABINGA V THE EXPULSION CLAUSE: AN IMPOSSIBILITY IN THE OFFICING

The expulsion of an elected Member of parliament from his or her political party is governed by CLAUSES 2, 5-8 of Article 72 of the republican Constitution.

It is tideous and time consuming process which is close to impossibility taking into account that the disposal of the court cases are not timeous in Zambia.

Examples of such attempts are abound among them the attempt by the UPND to expel the then Sianazongwe MP Richwell Siamunene, Itezhi-Itezhi MP, Greyford Monde, Shang’ombo, MP Poniso Njeulu, Solwezi East MP, Teddy Kansonso, Nalikwanda MP, Prof Geofrey Lungwangwa and his Senanga Counterpart, Mulowa while MMD also attempted to expel its MPs for Muchinga Howard Kunda among others.

All the above attempt failed either due to delayed court process or just sheer inaction by the Speaker after being informed of the party decision or indeed the party just ignoring the rebellious conducts its members.

Clause (2)(e) instructs that the office of Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the membe is expelled from the political party which sponsored themember for election to the National Assembly

Clause 5 dictates that Where a Member of Parliament is expelled as provided in clause (2) (e), the member shall not lose the seat until the expulsion is confirmed by a court, except that where the member does not challenge the expulsion in court and the period prescribed for challenge lapses, the member shall vacate the seat in the National Assembly

This means that once a political party effects an expulsion and the expelled goes to COURT, the expelled MP(s) shall not lose his/her seat until the Court validates the expulsion.
.
CLAUSE 6 gives an option of the status of an expelled member whose outcome of the court did not confirm because the EXPULSION was not justified at law e.g. continue as a member or decide to be independent.

It guides thus *Where a court determines that an expulsion of a member, as provided in clause (2) (e), was not justified, there shall be no by-election for that seat and the member shall opt to—

(a) remain a member of the political party and retain the seat

or

(b) resign from the political party and retain the seat as an independent member

In an event the Court confirms the expulsion, CLAUSE 7 DIRECTS that Where a court determines that an expulsion of a member, as provided in clause (2) (e), was justified, the member shall vacate the seat in the National Assembly forthwith.

CLAUSE 8 EXPLAINS the process once an expulsion has been confirmed thus *Where a vacancy occurs in the National Assembly, the Speaker shall, within seven days of the occurrence of the vacancy inform the Electoral Commission of the vacancy, in writing, and a
by-election shall be held in accordance with Article 57.

Therefore the expelling political party justify an expulsion and trigger a by- election is a tow order and very close to impossible.

Unless the PF expulsion clause in its Constitution has section talks of expelling a member for working with the sitting president or ruling party to justify its cogitated action against its MAFINGA MP ROBERT CHABINGA

I submit
Mcdonald Chipenzi .

PRESS STATEMENT

21 ST NOVEMBER 2022

PF IS USING OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES TO FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL

One wonders if indeed some our opposition political leaders are capable of leading this Country when they fail to see how PF is manipulating them to fight its own corruption cases. Out of desperation PF and its Allies have even embarked on a futile mission of impeaching President HH. Let them go ahead, we only wish them the best of luck as we meet them in Court.

As the fight against corruption heightens PF is panicking and doing things out of fear of going to prison. After realizing what will come out of the audit from the Ministry of Defence, PF has embarked on recruiting other opposition political parties to help them fight for survival. PF knows too well about the shoddy deals at the Ministry of Defence. Therefore, it’s only myopic opposition leaders that can choose to associate with PF. We hope there is nothing like ka something from PF.

It’s now evidently clear that the crooks and thieves in PF will not go alone to prison but with a lot of blind followers known as Ba Nkonka Mupulo (mercenaries of ka something). This ka something has hypnotized a lot of people to make noise on behalf of PF. This has created a political vacuum because opposition parties no longer engage Government on issues affecting people but instead make noise with no political content. As long as one is able to insult and fabricate stories against President HH and the New Dawn Government he/she qualifies for social cash transfer from PF.

There is urgent need for some individual political leaders to take a deep self introspection on their conduct. Now, assuming a good number of PF crooks and thieves are sent to prison what will become of their political parties? As New Dawn Government, we need a sober and credible opposition to provide credible checks and balances on behalf of the Zambian people. Our doors are open for anyone with the agenda of bettering the lives of the Zambian people, not those noise makers supporting thieves. We all have just one Zambia, so let’s create harmony and peace to serve the Zambian people prudently.

Percy Chanda

UPND – Chairman for Mines and Freedom Fighter