ZMP REMINDS UPND GOVERNMENT TO FULLFIL PROMISE ON THE REHABILITAION OF ROADS.

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Sunday 13th November, 2022. #15
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The state of most township and trunk roads in the country remain a source of concern as the UPND government continues to drag it’s promise to work on these roads.

With the onset of the rain season the state of many roads will worsen putting the lives of pedestrians and motorists at risk.

ZMP wishes to draw Government’s attention to the state of the Chama Lundazi road in Eastern Province, the state of the Kapiri Nakonde road in Muchinga Province, Lusaka Ndola, Mufulira Mokambo road on the Copperbelt Province, Chikankata Kasamu and Kalomo Mapatizya roads of Southern Province among other trunk roads that are in dire need of urgent attention.

Lusaka Mongu Road from Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) all the way to Shang’ombo, Kalabo to Sikongo, Kaoma to Lukulu in Western Province.

Mporokoso Nsama Kaputa road, Luwingu Nsombo Chaba, Mambwe Chozi road, Kalekanya Kavumbo road in Northern Province.

Mansa Kashikishi road, Kashikishi, Chiengi Lupiya road, Pedicle road, Tuta road in Luapula Province.

In North Western Province Kisasa to Mwinilunga and Mwinilunga to Ikelengi roads add to the long list of deplorable roads.

Regarding township roads the situation is not any better in Ndola’s Chipulukusu Compound, Lusaka’s Chawama, Mansa’s UBZ, Kamwanya Site and Service and Katongo Kapala in Mpika, Choma’s Zambia Compound, Kyawama Compound in Solwezi to mention but a few, the roads are an eye sore yearning for a facelift.

We wish to remind the UPND Government to begin to walk the talk by actualizing promises the party made to the people of Zambia.

It cannot be overemphasized the importance of a good road network to the social economic development of communities.

President Hakainde Hichilema promised Zambians many things during his campaigns in the run up to the August 2021 general elections, sadly many of these promises have remained unfulfilled and indications point to a situation where these promises may never be fulfilled.

Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP) under the leadership of President Kelvin Fube Bwalya will give infrastructure development including good road network priority as it has the potential to unlock economic potential of communities and in turn the whole country.

Issued by:

Trymore Mwenda
ZMP Party Spokesperson
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Mobile: +260 977 785490
Email: trymorezmpsp@gmail.com
Party Hq, LUSAKA

ECL DENIES SPONSORING ANY CANDIDATE

….urges all PF hopeful presidential candidates to rally behind whoever will win

Lusaka…. Saturday November 12, 2022

Former president Edgar Lungu has refuted claims that he is sponsoring one of the candidates who are eyeing the PF presidency.

President Lungu however urged the contenders to rally behind whoever will scoop the top job.

Meanwhile, despite the former Head of State opting for a solemn birthday celebration, he had his celebration amid State persecution.

Since the change of government, investigative wings have been seemingly looking for a case to pin the former Head of State with.

The authorities have however been summoning and conducting searches on president Lungu’s family and his associates.

A few days before his birthday, DEC was reportedly conducting a search on president Lungu’s private Bank account, an act which left many well-meaning Zambians in shock.

Even in the face of persecution, president Lungu advised members of the opposition to be prayerful.

Regarding those that are eying the PF presidency, the former Head of State said there’s no need for those who will not get the top job to form their own political parties.

He said this when PF MCCs and MPs, led by the acting party president Given Lubinda, visited him at his residence yesterday as he celebrated his 66th birthday.

“We can cerebrate my Birthday because we are in a sober mood because of the happenings against our family. But what we can encourage you is to remain prayerful and united,” he said.

“There is no need for individuals who will not make it to the PF presidency to form their own political parties. What is important is to unite and negotiate so that the party can remain more united.”

Preident Lungu stressed the need for Zambians to see a united PF with hopes of rebarating them.

“Zambians can compare and contrast and are seeing which ones are better oranges,” he said.

And Hon Lubinda said those that voted against president Lungu last year thinking that he was the enemy have realised that he is not.

Hon Lubinda said the enemity that manifested on August 12 last year was shortlived.

He also indicated that president Lungu was a blessing mainly to his family when he was born but added that he is now a blessing to the nation. See

ABOUT THE NEED FOR DECENCY IN THE EXERCISE OF STATE POWER

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

1. As an elected President of a nation, it is very important that you embrace a higher moral standard in the manner and fashion that you exercise state power. Your standard of conduct needs to go beyond the legal requirements. In other words, legal provisions should be seen as providing the barest minimum of your expected conduct. You as an individual President must endeavor to add to the minimum legal provisions that prescribe what you can and cannot do, by introducing morality and decency in your behavior and conduct. Indeed, the exercise of state power without morality or decency is a recipe for national disaster.

2. Why do I raise the issues of morality and decency in the exercise of state power? Well, because ever since ascending to the Presidency on 24th August of last year, President Hakainde Hichilema appears to prescribe his standards of conduct to the barest minimum requirements of what is legal. However, something might be legal and yet unethical, immoral or indecent.

3. Allow me to illustrate my point with the help of an example. A few months ago, ZNBC the state broadcaster advertised for the position of Director General. The response was overwhelming and candidates from all provinces of Zambia applied for this job. We all know that for quasi-government institutions and agencies like ZNBC, the President of the Republic of Zambia has the final say on who is selected, even though the announcement might be made by the Board or the line Minister. When the Board finally announced that they had selected a renowned and well accomplished journalist by the name of Ms. Maureen Nkandu to lead ZNBC, I for one was elated.

4. The basis of my elation was largely that someone who does not hail from the three Zambezi provinces of Southern, Western and North-Western had been selected to led a key state institution such as ZNBC. I hoped against hope that this gesture heralded a new chapter in President Hakainde Hichilema’s presidency, and that his affirmative action in favor of the three Zambezi provinces had finally been concluded. It is of course an open secret that during the previous PF regime, the majority of key Government and quasi-government positions were held by Northerners and Easterners. But l had hoped against hope that President Hakainde Hichilema would not see his presidency as an opportunity for payback, but would embrace the posture taken by former President Kenneth Kaunda who embraced all regions of Zambia in equal measure.

5. However, it has so far turned out that the spirit of One Zambia One Nation only exhibits itself in President Hakainde Hichilema when he is soliciting for votes. When he is allocating job opportunities, it is the unsaid spirit of One Zambia Two Nations that is stronger and more overwhelming in the President’s mind. One first class nation made up of Zambezi provinces and another second class nation made up of Non-Zambezi provinces. Of course, the first class citizens of Zambia get all the Government and quasi-government jobs and are awarded all the lucrative tenders. On the other hand, the second class citizens are harassed on a daily basis, their property forfeited to the state without any trial, arrested and detained without trial and portrayed as criminals. In other words, the two-class system that President Hakainde Hichilema has created in Zambia so far is such that first class Zambians are largely enjoying whereas second class Zambians are largely suffering and being persecuted. Of course, it is impossible to prove this two-class system illegal in a court of law, but it is definitely immoral, indecent and a future time bomb.

6. It is for the above reasons that when Ms. Maureen Nkandu, someone who hails from the Northern part of Zambia and whom President Hichilema considers as a second class Zambian, was appointed as Director General of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, a key state institution, l was personally filled with a ting of joy that the President had finally ended his divisive honeymoon and had come to his senses and will act like a statesman going forward. But Lord behold, no sooner had Ms. Maureen Nkandu been appointed ZNBC Director General than was her contract withdrawn for unknown reasons. It appears that the President was absent minded when he gave the go ahead to appoint Ms. Maureen Nkandu as ZNBC DG, and as soon as the news reached him, he directed for the withdrawal of the Contract of Employment. Talking about withdrawal, there is no provision in the Employment Code Act No.3 of 2019 which provides for a withdrawal of a contract of employment, only termination. But being the decent human being that she has always been, Ms. Maureen Nkandu decided to accept this illegal termination of her employment as ZNBC Director General without any contest. My view is that had she sued for unlawful termination, she would have been entitled to a hefty compensation.

7. But the unlawful termination of Ms. Maureen Nkandu’s employment as ZNBC Director General is not the main point of my article today. I mean, President Hakainde Hichilema using state power to act with impunity towards less powerful citizens is not something that is out of the ordinary. It doesn’t make the news anymore. The point of my article today is to illustrate the effect that the illegal termination of Ms. Maureen Nkandu’s employment as ZNBC DG has had on the citizens of Zambia, and their perceptions of the President’s preferences in recruiting candidates for vacancies in key Government and quasi-government institutions. According to media reports, there were a total of 14 candidates drawn from all corners of Zambia, who applied for the job of ZNBC DG when it was first advertised. However, media reports indicate that there are only 5 candidates who have now applied for this position after the Ms. Maureen Nkandu debacle, as follows:

1. Mr. Berry Lwando;
2. Mr. Topsy Sikalinda;
3. Mr. Bhenkele Hachitwe;
4. Ms. Macenje Mazoka and;
5. Mr. Bright Nkaka.

8. I must mention at this point that l personally know three of the people on the list above, and they are very accomplished individuals. However, if the list above is accurate, of which l have no reason to believe that it is not, then it presents a disturbing picture. Whereas the first list of 14 applicants represented every corner of Zambia, the above list of 5 applicants only represent one province; being Southern Province. Additionally, it appears that none of the other 13 candidates who were left behind after Ms. Maureen Nkandu was selected, has applied in the second round of recruitment after Ms. Maureen Nkandu’s employment contract was summarily terminated without cause. Do Zambians in general and potential candidates in particular feel that the only way they can be selected as Director General of ZNBC is if they come from the same province as President Hakainde Hichilema? Do Zambians feel that, despite their qualifications and experience, if they hail from certain regions of the country, then they stand no chance of being recruited to certain positions in Government and quasi-government institutions? These are the questions which President Hakainde Hichilema needs to begin to ask himself. But is he a discerning enough person?

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SET 13.11.2022

MY CATHOLIC BACKGROUND PROPELLED MY REVOLUTIONARY, SOCIALIST WORK

The ethical values that have propelled my revolutionary, socialist work came from my Catholic upbringing and education, from my teachers – the Capuchin Fathers, the Irish Christian Brothers and Sacred Heart Brothers. I would even say from my Christian family, home.

I was taught very early in my life that I should not lie. I was taught what was right and wrong, things that should and should not be done. I remember being punished by my Form 1 mathematics teacher at St John’s Secondary School to write 3,000 times, “Oh what a web we weave for ourselves when we first practice to deceive.” I had not done my homework and when asked about it, I lied that I had left it in the dormitory. I was told to go and get it. And immediately after I left classroom, the teacher told the class I was not going to come with any homework. He asked for a bet on it. When I came back empty-handed, the whole class burst into laughter. I have carried these words and memories of that day with me wherever I am and in whatever I do. And I remind my classmates of this incident whenever we meet. That was my baptism out of lying.

Later on, my revolutionary and political involvement began to create in me a feeling of what was wrong, the violation of an ethical standard, an injustice, abuse or fraud. I began to have an idea of what was fair and unfair. I began to have a concept of personal dignity. I think I have always had a sense of justice – from very early on – because of what I saw and experienced.

Undoubtedly, my Catholic upbringing and education influenced me a lot. The Capuchin Fathers, the Irish Christian Brothers and Sacred Heart Brothers inculcated a very strong sense of personal dignity in me, regardless of their political ideas which quite often I didn’t agree with. They valued character, rectitude, honesty, courage and ability to make sacrifices.

The Irish Christian Brothers definitely influenced me with their strict organisation, their discipline and their values. They contributed to my development and sense of justice. Following that path, I came to view abuse, injustice as unacceptable.

If you mix ethical values with a spirit of rebellion and rejection of injustice you begin to appreciate and place a high value on a number of things that other people don’t value at all. A sense of personal dignity, honour and duty form the main foundation that enables people to acquire political consciousness and a revolutionary spirit.

Happy Sunday Comrades!

Fred M’membe
President of the Socialist Party

Mosquito recounts starting his journey from the “stagnant waters” of George compound

General Mosquito, as he is fondly known among youths, started his political journey as Gilbert Liswaniso in the “stagnant waters” of George compound where he actively participated in community affairs, first as a regular radio caller who reported issues his community grappled with, then spoke on behalf of workers at Zambian Breweries where he worked from 1999 to 2011.

Featuring on Hot FM as the station’s guest presenter yesterday (Friday), Liswaniso stated that he started his political journey with the Patriotic Front (PF) where he aspired to be a councillor for a community that raised him. He went on to mention that, “As a very young people that time, I remember being visited by Michael Sata in opposition. I was just starting out, and already, I was able to interact with figures like him.”

When he was not adopted to contest on the PF party ticket, General Mosquito decided to take a lone route as an independent candidate. Liswaniso did not make it as a councillor in 2011, but continued representing his community without fear of any sort of repellant from those that wielded power at that time.

After scanning political parties that championed people’s interests in Zambia, Mosquito was attracted to the “warm blood” in the Hakainde Hichilema led United Party for National Development (UPND).

On being alerted of his desire to join the UPND, then as opposition leader, President Hakainde Hichilema wadded the “stagnant waters” of George compound in 2013 and welcomed General Mosquito to the party at his breeding site.

After making noise in the ears of the Edgar Lungu led-PF in 2016 when arrests of opposition figures broke out, Mosquito was caught in a net, on political related charges that never saw the light of the day.

Asked why many called him Mosquito, Liswaniso said, “Just like a mosquito makes noise, I do make noise for my community and anyone I feel needs to be spoken for. A mosquito irritates in the ear, so do I until things are done for the people, and our community. It was because of my being vocal that the people of George compound, where I come from, decided to give me the name, General Mosquito.”

He advised young people to join politics and get actively involved saying, “Commitment pays. Politics is about sacrifice. A lot of people sacrifice their comfort to champion a cause for justice. A cause for the underprivileged. A cause to serve. For example, my brother Samuel Ngwira, resigned from his job to come and do politics. We have many of you that can do this, however, strategically. Politics is about service to the people.”

Liswaniso added that, “Young people should take advantage of President Hakainde Hichilema, he’s a game changer. Youths can now compete on ideas without fear of intimidation or physical harm. The President has taken the plight of young people as a priority and this can be evidenced by the mass recruitments currently underway. The many youth empowerment programs, plus more. Hakainde is a parent. Ba youth, get involved.”

Kalemba

LINDA KASONDE CLAIMS IMMUNItY TO FORMER PRESIDENT RELATES TO PROSECUTIONS ONLY

The Legality of the Drug Enforcement Commission’s Investigations of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu

Reports have surfaced to the effect that the Drug Enforcement Commission, hereinafter referred to as “DEC”, is currently investigating former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu on allegations of money laundering.

The former President, his supporters, and some members of the public are questioning the legality of the actions by DEC in investigating the former President in light of the fact that he possesses presidential immunity from prosecution under Article 98(4) of the Constitution.

The question is whether there is a distinction between criminal investigations and criminal proceedings and whether presidential immunity applies to both. In the case of Frederick J.T Chiluba v The Attorney General Appeal Number 125 of 2002, former President Frederick Chiluba appealed against the decision of the High Court dismissing his application for judicial review of the decision of the National Assembly removing the Appellant’s immunity against prosecution in respect of alleged acts or omissions made by him while he held office of the President. In upholding the decision of the lower court, the Supreme Court in the Chiluba case stated as follows:

“The lifting of immunity as envisaged in the Article is not for purposes of facilitating investigations but for facilitating prosecution. Thus, under immunity, the appellant can still be investigated, but he cannot be prosecuted because, immunity is his shield…. However, the plain meaning of Article 43 (3) does not stipulate that specific charges have to be presented to the National Assembly before immunity of the former President can be removed. Immunity can be removed even for a purpose of making a former President amenable to the criminal jurisdiction of the court. Amenability to criminal jurisdiction can envisage allegations of criminal conduct, which in essence, was the gist of the President’s address to the National Assembly.”
In the 2016 case of Godfrey Miyanda v The Attorney General, the Constitutional Court held that –
“The Constitution does not therefore, protect persons who have held the office of president from wanton criminality committed during their tenure. Modern constitutions use the mechanism of Head of State Immunity to avoid unnecessary disruption in the execution of executive functions; to ensure that the Head of State is not inhibited in performing his or her executive functions [whilst holding office].”

It can therefore be said that the immunity referred to in Article 98 of the Constitution refers to criminal proceedings and not to criminal investigations. With regard to the powers of the Drug Enforcement Commission to investigate President Lungu, section 4(1)(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act No. 35 of 2021 provides that one of the functions of DEC is the preventing and investigating of money laundering and related offences.

Article 98(5) of the Constitution sets out what happens in the event that the criminal investigations establish cause to prosecute:
“Where there is prima facie evidence that a person who held the office of President or who performed executive functions committed an offence whilst in office or during the period that person performed executive functions, the President shall submit a report, outlining the grounds relating to the offence allegedly committed, to the National Assembly, requesting the National Assembly to remove the immunity from criminal proceedings of that person.”
Thus, in order for there to be prima facie evidence there must have been investigations in order to that to be established. Previously, there was no laid down procedure for removing the immunity of a former President. However, Article 98 of the Constitution, as amended in 2016, now provides for that procedure.

In relation to allegations that the former President is being persecuted by the authorities, Article 18 of the Constitution provides for the right to protection from the law and it enshrines the principal of the presumption of innocence. This means that every person who is charged with a criminal offence is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. The law does provide redress for persons who believe that they are being unfairly targeted or maliciously prosecuted, and anyone who believes they are, including former Presidents, may explore that avenue through the courts.

Linda Kasonde
Executive Director

CHITIMUKULU FUMES

AMOS CHANDA LIED ABOUT THE BEMBA ROYAL ESTABLISHMENT ISSUING A STATEMENT AGAINST HIS INCARCERATION

Dr. Henry Kanyanta Sosala

PART II

The Amos Chanda Saga

One of the world’s greatest evangelists, Billy Graham once said, ‘’Laugh and the world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone.’’ And this has been true in the life of Amos Chanda. In the first place when he was a star at State House, he operated a sort of night club which used to be packed to capacity by people who thought Chanda could pass some words to the President on their behalf. But, alas, as soon as he suddenly lost the post, nobody went there and it was closed.
Second, when PF lost power and in what he thought was a ‘’clever tactical move’’ to find favour within UPND, he ditched the PF. It is in our human nature and we all need sympathy when we face certain situations. And after Amos was arrested, cited for serious criminal charges and remanded in the cruel world of prison, he desperately needed sympathy. And the only remaining institution according to him that could offer blind unreserved sympathy on tribal lines was his tribal lineage i.e., the Bemba Royal Establishment.

Amos Chanda then wrote the following article which his sympathizing fellow press men published in the Watchdog: ‘’The Bemba Royal Establishment (BRE) is disturbed that Amos Chanda, the former State House press aide has been kept in unlawful dentation for almost a week without being taken to court when the offence he is charged is bailable.
On Sunday night Senior Chief Mwamba sent a message through his representative who visited Mr Chanda at Kabwata Police station where the former State House press aide had been detained since Thursday last week.

Senior Chief Mwamba said he was an emissary of Paramount Chief Chitimukulu, of the Bemba people. Senior Chief Mwamba said the Mwine Lubemba was particularly concerned that Mr Chanda was allegedly being persecuted over an offence that was bailable and over a court matter that the Royal Establishment understood closed in 2020.
The Bemba chiefs are concerned that the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the other law enforcement agencies had targeted Mr Chanda for harassment in a bid to get to the former President Edgar Lungu who he served as special advisor for press.’’

But unfortunately his desperation led him to make the Bemba chiefs over-sympathize far beyond their capacity. For sure we chiefs know nothing about bailable cases since we do not deal with those situations in our traditional courts and not even in the nearby local courts. On the other hand, the chiefs in their lines of duty only know the people that they daily see and interact with such as the C.C.P.A., the local court messengers, the police, the soldiers, prison warders and the district messengers who accompany Provincial Ministers, Permanent Secretaries or District Commissioners when they visit their palaces. But we definitely know nothing about the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and we therefore cannot issue any statement regarding any situation since we do not know what they do.

But what had really motivated Amos to apply the ‘’cunning tactical maneuver’’ to manipulate and involve what he supposed to be the ‘’institution of ignoramuses’’ to his advantage? I believe Robert Sternberg, ‘’a stupid expert’’ can help us understand Amos Chanda’s motives in this scenario: ‘’…….this is not actually stupidity in the classical sense, which is usually thought as of a very low IQ. This kind of foolishness must be distinguished from the ‘’mental retardation.’’ And this kind of idiocy has been identified with inferiority complex arising mostly from highly questionable family background. This kind of stupidity comes with displaced ambition; such stupid persons believe that because they are so smart; the world does and should revolve around them. They are gripped by the omniscience fallacy. They are convinced that they know more than everyone else and can influence public opinion to their advantage and that others are just big idiots whom they can easily manipulate.’’

And incidentally who is Amos Chanda and what is so special about him that could cause the BRE such furore inspite of him being arrested and detained on alleged criminal charges! I have known Amos Chanda as a Bemba from Chinsali in Muchinga Province and I know one of his closest relative and is not in any way connected to the Bemba royal family by marriage, sweat or any other way.

The old institution of chieftaincy also like courts of law draws a lot from past precedents. For example, the Bemba Royal Establishment was silent on such a Bemba political hero like Mr. Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe who resigned as Zambian Republican Vice-President ‘’because the people from the northern part of Zambia, the Bemba-speaking people if you like, have suffered physically and sometimes been beaten. They have suffered demotions and suspensions because of my being Vice-President. I cannot sacrifice any longer these people……’’ He was later detained, not on criminal charges, but when his political party the phoenix-like United Progressive Party (UPP) was banned.

On the other hand, the Bemba Royal Establishment is currently silent on Mr. Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba. He resigned as Defence Minister when I was being harassed by President Sata. And the President asked him to choose between his highly remunerative and prestigious job and myself. And here are his words: ‘’ ‘’ …it’s important for Zambians to know that I hail from the Bemba royal family and it is therefore unacceptable for President Sata to stop me from visiting my grandfather. There is no way I am going to forsake my own blood for the sake of politics. So for me as GBM, I am sorry. I am a very principled person and I resign from government.’’

Mr. Mwamba had risked his own life besides his businesses by standing on the principle of being loyal not only to me personally but to the Bemba people and tribe. And him being a member of the Bemba royal family he failed to betray his tribe for the sake of money and position.

If the Bemba Royal Establishment could be silent on such heroes who gave up great privileges for the sake of our tribe, how on earth could we be so concerned about such an unknown and insignificant individual as Amos Chanda.

And here is what Amos chanda himself later wrote after being released from custody: ‘’Good afternoon. I have been granted bail by the court. My only word for now is that I am thankful for the professionalism of the court which rejected DEC’s absurd opposition for bail on grounds that if released I would repeat the same offence. How can I repeat an offence that I have ever committed in the first place.

‘’The vitriol malice and personal hatred is extraordinary. But I will confront all this during my defence once trial begins on November 23. Magistrate Washimanga directed that there was no legal basis to deny me bail for an offence that is bailable and ordered bail for K10,000 in the recognizance of the two working sureties. I also wish to thank the Bemba Royal Establishment which sent His Royal Highness Senior Mwamba to come and give moral support during my unlawful detention for six days in a crowded cell at Kabwata Police Station.

‘’I have since met Senior Chief Mwamba here in Lusaka and spoken to the Mwinelubemba, Paramout Chief Chutimululi of the Bemba people to assure him that I was well and ready to defend myself against the absurd charges from the DEC’’

On the other hand, Senior Chief Mwamba confirmed that Amos Chanda went to see him at the hotel and apologized for all the misinformation that had taken place while he was in custody. The chief, however, told me that he does not know even where Kabwata police station was and he added that if ever he was taken there could any police man identify him as having ever visited Amos Chanda ? But deducing from his press statement, Amos merely twisted his visit Senior Chief Mwamba to reaffirm the statement that he had posted on the Watchdog

But on my part, I believe Amos Chanda has become a pathological liar since to the best of my knowledge I have never spoken to him for the whole of this year and for him to claim he spoke to me means that his incarceration is having a negative impact on his brains most probably leading to dementia.

Epilogue

And in closing, being the most senior member of the Bemba Royal Establishment, I must declare that I myself and all Bemba Chiefs are committed to work with the current UPND government and President Hakainde Hichilema, just as we cooperated and worked with the Patriotic front government and President Lungu. And I furthermore wish also to recognize and appreciate the fact that we are represented in government by our sisters and brothers from the three Bemba-speaking provinces i.e., Luapula, Northern and Muchinga and we have been honoured to have the Republican Vice-President who hails from this region.

GARY LAUDS KANCHIBIYA DISTRICT

…..Says it is the best in CDF implementation

Kanchibiya, Friday, 11 November, 2022

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo has commended Kanchibiya District for being the best in the implementation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Mr Nkombo says Kanchibiya district is on the map so far following the CDF guidelines. He has therefore emplored officers to continue to effectively utilise the CDF in a balanced and equitable manner as well as to continue attracting investment now, that are poised to grow economically.

The minister said this on Friday during a Heads of Departments meeting in the Kanchibiya council chamber in the Kanchibiya District.

“The Central Business District (CBD) for Kanchibiya will be established at Chalabesa following an agreement between the people and the local leaders including the chiefs while the other site at Chalabesa turn-off will remain as a commercial area,” he told the meeting.

The construction of the civic centre, the Police Post and the Radio station projects under CDF will relieve the government on huge costs it incurs on rentals for offices.

Meanwhile, Kanchibiya area lawmaker Sunday Chanda said the progress recorded in the area is because of teamwork spirit among the officers and the local people in the area.

Attributing the development to the cooperation among officers and the local people, Mr Chanda said it has been the resolve of the community to work together and leave politics aside.

“Both officers and the local people have put politics aside and ready to work together in a bid to bring development,” he said.

The area MP further assured the Minister and his entourage of more support to the government in it’s developmental agenda.

Mr. Nkombo later led his delegation to meet the traditional leaders before heading for the groundbreaking ceremony of three CDF projects namely civic centre,police station and a radio station.

And Speaking on behalf of the chiefs in the district ,Chief Kabinga thanked the United Party for National Development (UPND) government for the great achievements recorded in just one year plus.

Chief Kabinga says the recruitment of teacher and health workers among others has demonstrated the government’s efforts in improving people’s lives.

The Traditional leader also highlighted a number of challenges such the road from Luchembe through to Zampam plantation and the road from Chief Mpepo to Kabinga chiefdom which needs urgent attention.

“As Chiefs we are the custodian of the land hence chiefs should be consulted in matters of land,” the Chief said.

The Minister is accompanied by Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Nicholas Phiri, Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule ,Muchinga Province Assistant Secretary Chiwele Kondomone were among other top government officials who accompanied the minister.

©️ Lusaka Times

RESIST THE TEMPTATION OF BELIEVING THAT ZAMBIA IS PRIVATE BUSINESS, MUNDUBILE ADVISES BALLY

… he says “We can’t turn Zambia into a private business”

Lusaka…. Friday, November 11, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

When any minister under the government of the saints is reported to have committed corruption, all the President does is pick up the phone and call that particular minister, Hon Brian Mundubile has said.

Leader of the opposition in Parliament, who is also PF hopeful presidential candidate said if President Hakainde Hichilema called former president Edgar Lungu corrupt on allegations that he was giving contracts to his friends, he should say the same about himself now.

Hon Mundubile alleged that companies owned by friends to the Republican President are the ones getting government contracts through single sourcing.

He said this when he and other PF MPs addressed the media today at Parliament.

“By the mere fact that the Auditor General did not sign those contracts, when the President was in opposition, he campaigned vigorously that President Lungu was giving contracts to his friends. This was corruption. He called it corruption then, he should also call it corruption now,” he said.

“I want to call it corruption using his definition. Because if he is going to allow companies that are owed by his friends or indeed companies where he has interests, to be single sourced, everywhere. Talk of Mopani, KCM, Military Units, the same companies are doing work. What should we call it?”

Hon Mundubile said it is strange for the government whose leader claims to be fighting corruption to be single sourcing.

“And these particular contracts are not given out to public tender. So this is very strange for a man that has said he will fight corruption. We can’t turn Zambia into a private business. We want to call upon the President to resist the temptation of believing that Zambia is private business. Let the President understand that the way we run a business and the way a country is run are totally different,” he said.

“What we are seeing now is your friends and your companies being given business everyday through single sourcing. This is unacceptable. And we are going to call it out for what it is, this is corruption. And I hope that from here, the President and his handlers will sit down and reflect to ensure that if they are going to build confidence in the Zambian people, in the fight against corruption, we must see that political will.”

The Lawmaker added that “when any minister under the government of the saints is reported to have committed corruption, all the President does is pick up the phone and call that particular minister. And when the Minister refutes the allegation, it ends there because it is the government of saints.

“We have tried with my fellow lawyers and colleagues to try and find the law in the fight against corruption that provides for a mare phone call from the President asking the suspect and once he says no that’s the end. To this end we haven’t found it.”

I’M UNDER PRESSURE
…the President is breathing fire on me, admits Mtolo

By Kombe Chimpinde Mataka

I AM under pressure, the President is breathing fire on me, says agriculture minister Reuben Mtolo Phiri.

Mtolo has admitted that he is concerned with the pace of distribution of fertiliser by some suppliers and that the government would “hand-hold” them to ensure all the fertilisers are delivered on time.

Addressing the media at his office yesterday, Mtolo said farmers would start accessing inputs countrywide from depots today.

He said he was under pressure to deliver and that it was expected.

“[Finance minister Situmbeko] Dr Musokotwane went out there and he has been saying investment in agriculture. Yes this is happening,” Mtolo said. “He is such a lovely Minister of Finance. He loves and supports agriculture and the combination of Dr Musokotwane and President HH (Hakainde Hichilema) is so good for our ministry because they love it. Yes, because they are both farmers. Dr Musokotwane is a diary farmer, the President keeps animals – ranch. He sells for beef and because of that they have got so much love for what we (ministry) are doing. I don’t rest colleagues. I am under pressure. You see me here, I am under a lot of pressure because the President is breathing fire on me and it is expected,” Mtolo said.

He announced that the distribution progress rate of fertilisers across the country, which was procured at US $369,073,965. 74, stood at 55 per cent.

“55 per cent is fair enough and it gives us a lot of hope that most of the supplies will be completely covered before the end of the month which is quite fairly good. It should not therefore affect production. If there could be any, it would be absolutely negligible and I wouldn’t even think about it. That is the reason I read out the weather focast because that is critical. What we are seeing outside, what we would see as rainfall here in Lusaka, is not the situation in the Eastern Province. It is not the situation in parts of Southern Province. It is not the situation in parts of Northern Province,” he said. “So we cannot indicate therefore that because we are distributing inputs now, we are going to have a drop in the production our maize, our groundnuts and soya beans next year. I would not think like that. From the experience that the ministry had, we can work hard by opening up collection tomorrow.”

Mtolo urged farmers to quickly deposit K400 on time in order to collect inputs on time.

Government has placed 1,024,434 farmers on Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) for the 2022/2023 farming season.

And Mtolo revealed that President Hichilema was concerned about lack of graduation from small to medium or large-scale farmers among FISP beneficiaries.

“That is why we are calling it ASP, the Agriculture Support Programme. Those who want to be a bit more technical, they add the C so that you look at a more comprehensive agriculture support programme for the farmers,” he said. “And the President always asks this question, you have given FISP for 20 years, what has it changed? It is the same problem year-in, year-out. Each time you are buying fertiliser, corruption here, there. What…all sorts of things. If you are Minister of Agriculture very very uncomfortable status, this period. A bit of delay in distribution eh, eh. ‘Fire that fellow. He is not doing a good job!’ All sorts of things and you are the ones, you scribes here. You are the ones who write those things in the papers. You write what people say.” Mtolo admitted that he is concerned with the pace of distribution of fertiliser by some suppliers.

“Yes we have concern with some of the suppliers and what we are doing is holding hands with those suppliers. I am not agreeing with the names you are giving me (Agrizam and FSG (Fertiliser Seed and Grain Company). I am not agreeing whatsoever. In fact, the suppliers we are worried of is none of those,” he said. “What we are doing is, we are hand-holding and guiding and giving way so that we can have the products immediately. And we are working seriously. I want you to know that as we sit here there is a team constituted which involves Minister of Agriculture, Ministry of Home Affairs, Cabinet, a number of transport people etcetera. Two teams. There is one logistics and one monitoring. So we are following. If someone says ‘my fertiliser is on the high seas, Zambia has the capacity to know which ships are on the high seas and identify that ship is moving to dock on the 16th and we are already putting measures in place that when it docks in Beira on the 16th, there will be no impediments. The ship will be given priority and the trucks will not be disturbed on the way. They will have access clearance. ZRA will be alerted.”

Mtolo said the government would probably have all its fertiliser sourced locally next year to alleviate possible delays and expenses of fertiliser.

“This honeymoon with UCZ (United Capital Fertiliser ) is not going to last for ever because we will bring competitors for them and they know because we want the price to go down,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mtolo said the government’s concept of farm blocks would enable the sector match up its contribution to the country’s gross domestic product to that of the mining sector.

“We have developed a concept of farm blocks. Zambia, our country is 75 million hectares. Out of this 75 million hectares, 45 million hectares is arable land. You can use it for planting. It is not hills. It is nice soil for planting but we are only using, imagine from 45 million, we are only using seven million. From independence to date 16 per cent of the 45 million. How do you expect us to beat mining? That is why we are below mining in terms of contribution to the GDP,” he said.

Mtolo announced that with respect to seed, government procured 10,244 metric tonnes of maize seed and 10,244 metric tonnes groundnuts representing a total cost of K1,686,760,043.54.

He said a farmer would be entitled to six bags of fertiliser (three Compound D and three bags of Urea), a-10kg bag of seed, and one 25kg of any one legume between groundnuts and Soya beans, depending on the choice of the farmer.

“A million hectares has been identified in each province. I hope you know where these farm blocks are. So you journalists get land here in Lusaka, it is Shikabeta in Rufunsa, in Eastern Province it is in Chinkubilo near Lundazi. In Muchinga Province, Shiwang’andu it is in Lusanya. In Northern Province, Lunte in Mporokoso. In Central Province it is in Nansanga. On the Copperbelt it is in Lufwanyama, Luswishi. In North Western Province it is in Solwezi, in Western Province it is here in Kaoma at Kalumange. In Southern Province it is at Musokotwane where there was Kazungula pontoon,” said Mtolo. “We have identified 100,000 hectares of land in each of these areas and we want people like you to invest, free of charge in your area of choice. I am not joking. If you don’t, foreigners have began coming and they are getting land.”

UPND CELEBRATING ECL’S BIRTHDAY BY SEARCHING HIS BANK ACCOUNTS, SAYS NAKACINDA

….as he applauds the former Head of State saying he is a blessing to humanity

Lusaka…. Friday, November 11, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

It is unfortunate that on his birthday, UPND government, Mr Hakainde’s government chose to give him a birthday present of sending disgruntled Law Enforcement Agencies and officers to go and start searching his personal account, Hon Raphael Nakacinda has said.

PF Chairperson for Information and Publicity said “logically,” a person who is laundering money cannot have would not want the money in their financial system.

He said the account that was being searched is the account that former President Edgar Lungu used when he held the ministerial positions as well as the Presidency.

Hon Nakacinda said this today at Lusaka’s magistrate court premises today.

“First of all, when you try to look at that activity, to try and suggest that the bank account should be searched, analysed, because people suspect that there could be money laundering…. the simple logic is, if somebody is involved in money laundering, actually they would not want to have that money in their financial system,” he said.

“But if money is in the account, definitely, and in this case it’s an account that is known to have been the one used for him to receive his salary, at the time he was minister and eventually when he became President, to which he received his gratuity, both at the time he was minister and later on president.”

Hon Nakacinda said Zambia would be an embarrassment to the world to treat the former Head of State in such a manner.

Meanwhile, the PF MCC applauded president Lungu for continuing to better the lives of the less privileged even after losing elections last year.

“Let me begin by wishing his Excellence, the 6th president, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu happy birthday. We want to wish him long life as he continues to be a blessing to humanity, especially the people of Zambia. Even after his presidency, he has continued to quietly reach out to the less privileged through his foundation and other activities to try and enrich and empower the less privileged,” he said.

“If those funds surely in the mind and thinking of UPND and their President Mr Hakainde Hichilema amount to money laundering, we are a total joke and an embarrassment to the world for us to sink so low and start treating the former Head of State in that fashion.”

STOP PERSECUTING ECL, GREYFORD MONDE TELLS GOVERNMENT

…attend to the needs of farmers instead, lower the Cost of living!

Lusaka…. Friday, November 11, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) party presidential hopeful Greyford Monde has castigated the New Dawn Administration for continuing to persecute former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu (ECL) and his family.

President Lungu, who is today celebrating his 66th birthday, had his personal bank account “searched” by the Drug Enforcement Commission.

Hon Monde has however bemoaned the act saying it can result to a lot of hate as the former Head of State has people who love him.

He said this in an interview in Lusaka today.

“Unity is what we need in this country. You talked about Dr Kaunda being arrested at Christmas. All other presidents, including president Lungu, he is now, here we are. He is being probed. We must stop this cycle. This is not good for the young people in this country. We are creating a lot of hate. These people that we are persecuting, literary persecuting, they have families, they have supporters, the people that believe in them. They have friends,” he said.

“How will they look at you when you begin to persecute them like that with impunity, knowing very well that they still have immunity which requires a procedure for you to do certain things on them. This is a big problem that we are in. Look at how people are being bundled…..? Put in the Bonnet, being driven very far away because there is a UPND cadre who has reported this person. With impunity, the law is being broken, without fear.”

He lamented that the persecution of the former Head of State only brings division in the country.

Hon Monde added that citizens can only be productive when they are united.

The PF presidential hopeful challenged government to concentrate on service delivery as opposed to persecuting the former president.

“So I think that we must have this thing stop. Let them stop these investigations on president Edgar Lungu, let them stop this persecution of the former president and his family. When we are divided, there is nothing we can do. But when we are united, there is more we can do. The big elephant we have here is hunger, lack of medicines in hospitals, you go there now, instead of giving you a prescription they are giving you a caller out to a pharmacy. That is what we need to be sorting out,” he said.

“Issues of fertilizer now, very critical. Issues of cost of living, prices of commodities. People are suffering. Go to Kabwata market where we used to eat nshima there, go to Long Acres, go to Matebeto, there are no longer people there because there is no money.”

And in giving president Lungu his birthday wishes, Hon Monde recognized the fact that the former Head of State is now the father of the nation.

He prayed that God gives citizens wisdom as he adds another year to the life of the president Lungu.

Why do we have private audit companies auditing State Institutions? Kampyongo asks New Dawn Government

Today in Parliament

According to our Republican Constitution The Auditor General’s Report is produced in accordance with Article 250 of the Constitution of Zambia as amended by Act No. 2 of 2016, Public Finance Management Act, No. 1 of 2018 and the Public Audit Act, No. 13 of 1994. Article 212 of the Constitution requires the Auditor General to, not later than nine months after the end of a financial year, submit an audit report to the President and the National Assembly, on the accounts of the Republic audited in respect of the preceding financial year.

Further the Constitution in spells out the AG’s mandate

Article 250 (1) (a) to (d) mandated the Auditor General to:

i. audit the accounts of state organs, state institutions, provincial administration, local authorities and institutions financed from public funds;

ii. audit the accounts that related to the stocks, shares and stores of the Government;

iii. undertake financial and value for money audits, including forensic audits and any
other type of audit, in respect of a project that involved the use of public funds, and
above measures were expected to address most of the queries in the Report of the

iv. ascertain that money appropriated by Parliament or raised by the Government and disbursed:

• had been applied for the purpose for which it
• was appropriated or raised, was expended in conformity with the authority that governed it, and
• was expended economically, efficiently, and effectively.

However, the New Dawn Government has subcontracted privately owned audit companies to audit State Institutions on behalf of the Auditor General’s Office.

Shiwang’andu Member of Parliament Hon. Stephen Kampyongo this morning during the Vice Presidents question and answer asked Vice President Madam W.K Nalumango where will the audit reports from private audit firms go?

In her response the Vice President was unsure but assured the House that she will come back to the House to give a full report on the matter.

Attend to the crises,10 issues submitted to President Hakainde Hichilema

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

1. ● Farmer Input Support Programme, require a declaration of a disaster,to ensure that the $369million investment to procure fertiliser, and the K1.7billion invested to buy seed packs, are not wasted and affect Zambia’s food security.

2. ●President Hakainde Hichilema must suspend the Minister of Health, Hon. Silvia Masebo, over the strong corruption allegations against her to pave way for objective investigations in the $100million construction of infectious diseases hospitals.. The Anti-Corruption Commission though clearly toothless and biased,must investigate this matter and if possible prosecute the culprits.

3. ● President Hakainde Hichilema must resolve with finality, the chaos caused by lack of medicines, medical supplies, Laboratory reagents and other consumables in hospitals, clinics and health centres.

Special attention must also be paid to hospital equipment and diagnosis machines that seem not to be working, broken down or non-functional.

4. ● State House has signed an agreement with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change to support the Zambian Presidency with strategy, policy and delivery of his programs. Who is paying for this consultancy. What are the details? How do we allow access to State House documents and secrets to foreigners?

5. ● Grant Thornton granted access to audit security wings and its procurement is a matter highly misguided and security breach. Because of the security sensitivities and secret nature of the security and defence wings, the Auditor General must be allowed to do this job. Grant Thornton and five other audit firms must be restricted to audit the debt owed to the local suppliers and contractors.

6. ● The case of Vinod Sadhu, who has defrauded the estate of the late John Kalenga’s family with over $12.8million. Vinho Sadhu was Managing Director of the Mr. Kalenga’s firm, Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Sadhu has been accused of changing ownership of the firm fraudulently and in a dispute with the Development Bank of Zambia won court award. However, the Attorney General has been sending the money to Vinho Sadhu’s Swiss despite the evidence that this is part of the estate of Mr. Kalenga. Vinod Sadhu,who has been on Poloce and Interpol wanted list is in the country with the aid of UPND and some State House officials. When Chelstone Police detained Sadhu, UPND officials raided Chelstone Police Station and caused his release.

7. ● Publish details regarding consultancy services contract given to the investment banker, Rothschild & Co on MOPANI Copper Mines. When Zambia engaged LAZARD over its sovereign debt, details were given including fees to be paid. The Liquidator of Konkola Copper Mines has also engaged Rand Merchant Bank, RMB on similar services. We are hearing outrageous consultancy fees to be paid to the two firms. It is imperative that Government publishes these details.

8. ● An investigations of First Quantum Minerals (FQM) on it reported subversive role in Zambia’s General elections. Elections are a sacred undertaking between the governed and governors.

Reports published by the respected Guardian Newspaper of UK, that reveal that First Quantum Minerals hired CT Group, a lobby firm owned by Sir Lynton Crosby to interfere with Zambia’s elections in favour of President Hakainde Hichilema. These allegations are grave and must be investigated especially that FQM obtained favourable tax concessions and tax terms as soon as President Hichilema began to govern.

FQM is also mentioned in coordinating and hosting security meetings at their lodge on lower Zambezi, a meeting that culminated into Zambia accepting a security office of cooperation by the United States African Command Centre(AFRICOM), an active combatant unit of the USA army.

Also, despite our repeated demands, Government has not published the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regulating the stay of AFRICOM in Zambia.

9. ● Must appoint the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, who must in turn recruit the Chief Electoral Officer. Clearly,the ECZ in the last few months has abandoned its constitutional role to run credible elections and as an objective arbiter in conducting such elections. It has lost credibility and legitimacy. It will take time for ECZ to regain its image.
10.● Focus on economic recovery. We have the highest cost of living in the last 30 years, the highest cost of fuel, cost of living. Special attention must be paid to resolving this crisis, matters related to debt restructuring, debt-service and new debt contraction must be publicised for the sake of transparency and accountability.

UPND SENIOR OFFICIALS STORM CHELSTONE POLICE RELEASE INDIAN SUSPECT ON INTERPOL LIST

By Gregory Chifire

Open Letter to President Hakainde Hichilema

This week I wish to address you on a matter that I feel needs you to seriously crack a whip.

A lot of things are done in your name and some of us that know the truth feel sad. We laboured and put our lives and those of our families in danger in order to root out the criminality that was taking route in our society. We did not do that in order to just change the colour of criminality from green to red, no! We did it because we believed and still believe in you for a crime free Zambia. A corruption free Zambia. Mr. President, you have the opportunity to do it. Zambians still love you, still believe in you.

Mr. President, there is a matter concerning one Vinod Sadhu who has been on an Interpol wanted list. This man and his son named Uddit Sadhu arrived in Zambia on 18 September 2022 through the KKIA, known top UPND officials received him and offered him VIP treatment under official Statehouse Protocol.

On 29 September, 2022, the Police arrest Vinod and his son Uddit together with a named UPND official,Malikani Chifunda and detain them at Chelstone Police Station

On 29 September 2022, a known senior UPND official, in the company of other party officials stormed Chelstone Police Station at dawn and ordered the immediate release of the trio and further made an order for the arrest and detaintion of the police officers that arrested Sadhu and his son. The officers were remanded in custody on 29 September 2022.

The whereabouts of Sadhu and his son are not known, but are believed to be under the protection of the known senior UPND and Statehouse officials. The police has been prevented from carrying out its duty by these known officials.

A few days ago, Uddit Sadhu was spotted driving a black Mercedes Benz in the streets of Lusaka.

Sadhu is facing charges of forgery and uttering false documents and possible money laundering. It is disheartening that Sadhu is committing these acts in conivance with some officers of the State, including some at the Ministry of Justice.

In the event that you don’t have full details, I am ready to avail the details to you. Suffice to state that, so far, Sadhu has received about K114,650,000, money belonging to the Estate of the late John Kalenga. Efforts to stop the Ministry of Justice to continue paying Sadhu have proved futile. The said payments are made directly from the Ministry of Justice into Sadhu’s Swiss bank account.

On my part, Mr. President, I did my bit as a law abiding citizen by engaging relevant officials at the time when the arrest of Sadhu happened in order to ensure that just is done, but nothing has happened.

We are anxiously waiting to see that the right thing is done.

Sincerely yours I remain in national service.

LUSAKA HIGH COURT SETS ASIDE CHITOTELA’S DISCHARGE IN SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

The Economic and Financial Crimes Division of the High Court in Lusaka has set aside the Ruling of Hon. Magistrate J. Bwalya which discharged Hon. Ronald Chitotela on the basis that the Anti-Corruption Commission had made an undertaking not to institute criminal proceedings against him by way of a purported Settlement Agreement.

The High Court reasoned that the Defence misconstrued the meaning of Section 80 of the Anti-Corruption Act as the said Section does not apply where criminal proceedings had already been instituted. The Court found that at the time of the purported undertaking not to institute criminal proceedings against Hon. Chitotela by way of a Settlement Agreement, criminal proceedings had actually already been instituted against him.

The judgment was a unanimous decision of a panel of three judges comprising: Justices E. Musona; S. Wanjelani and C. Zulu.

In delivering the Judgement on behalf of the panel, Honourable Justice E. Musona said the undertaking in question through the purported Settlement Agreement was futile as criminal proceedings against Hon. Chitotela had already been instituted.

The Court has referred the matter back to the Subordinate Court to commence afresh the criminal proceedings against Hon. Chitotela but before a different Magistrate.

In this matter the Commission arrested Hon. Chitotela in 2019 on nine counts of concealment of property and possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime. The matter could not, however proceed as a Settlement Agreement was entered into by the Commission under Section 80 (3) of the Anti-Corruption Act. The Commission later reviewed the matter and found that the Settlement Agreement or undertaking was lacking in fulfilling the requirements of the law and re-arrest Hon. Chitotela on two counts of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Hon. Chitotela contested the arrest before court on grounds that he could not be tried again over the same matter on which he had an undertaking with the Commission. Hon. Magistrate Jennifer Bwalya who presided over the matter delivered her Ruling in which she discharged Hon. Chitotela.

Being dissatisfied with the outcome, the Commission appealed to the High Court requesting the court to set aside the purported out of court settlement that was entered into between the Commission and Ronald Chitotela.

Timothy Moono
HEAD – CORPORATE COMMUNICATION

Zambia to host Innovation Africa summit this month

IN its pursuit of digital transformation in service delivery, innovation, technology and education, Zambia is set to make a landmark stride as it welcomes world-class tech giants like Intel, HP and Microsoft.

The companies will be in the country, along with government officials from different African countries who will be coming, to grace the Innovation Africa (IA) summit which starts on November 16 this year in Lusaka.

The summit, which is being organised by African Brains, seeks to provide opportunity for over 300 government representatives across Africa, to meet with the world’s leading technology companies.

The officials will include Ministers of Technology, Science, Education from 30 African countries.

Innovation Africa chief executive officer John Glassey disclosed that Zambia has an ideal environment to become a regional technology and innovation hub.

“As organisers and promoters, our responsibility as organisers and promoters is, above all, to promote Zambia as the host country [and to] promote investment. We want to attract
monetary investment into this country,” Glassey said at a media briefing at Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka yesterday.

Technology and science minister Felix Mutati said it is no accident that the summit is being held in Zambia as it a step further to actualising her objective of becoming a regional technology and innovation camp.

Mutati said he was recently in touch with Meta on their intentions to come to Zambia as the country has a cadre of intepreneurs , innovators with the capacity to generate home-grown solutions for numerous challenges.

At the same event, education minister Douglas Syakalima encouraged the tech giants that will be coming into Zambia to invest in the education sector by supporting the sector with world-class technology.

Meanwhile, Smart Zambia Institute acting national coordinator Kasale Musenge said the event will provide a platform to learn strategies and new trends in the arena of digital transformation and innovation as the government, through Smart Zambia Institute, is working to enhance service delivery through digital transformation.

By Moses Makwaya

´Poverty shall end President Hichilema´s rule´
…says opposition Media Director Antonio Mwanza

“Insala kapondo takasala (poverty is an enemy without boundaries) when there’s hunger it’s impossible to quieten Zambians, history has shown this already in our country so President ´Sammy´ Hichilema must learn from history if he is wise,” Antonio Mwanza, HOT FM Zambia.

10.11.22

Mr. Antonio Mwanza, the Media Director of the main opposition party in Zambia PF says the political career of President Hakainde Hichilema shall be actualised by the ever-increasing poverty levels affecting millions of Zambians.

Mr Mwanza said the economic statistics Mr Hichilema often brags about such as single digit inflation and a stable kwacha do not matter to ordinary Zambians starving in large numbers.

“Insala kapondo takasala (poverty is an enemy without boundaries) when there’s hunger it’s impossible to quieten Zambians and history has shown this already in our country so President Sammy Hichilema must learn from history if he is wise,” said Mr Mwanza.

The PF media man told President “Sammy” Hichilema that, “You can play with fake economic stability statistic but you can’t play with food and the hunger many Zambians are feeling in their stomachs today, regardless of whether you work or not.”

Mr Mwanza said if founding President Kenneth Kaunda could fall due to poverty in 1991, what would stop Zambians from “booting” Mr Hichilema “Sammy” from office in or before 2026 because they are starving?

“Ubunga, umunani, (mealie meal and relish) plus transport is what makes the economy tick not inflation statistics and the stability of the kwacha Zambians don’t even use the dollar. This economy has collapsed and President Sammy Hichilema,” said Mr Mwanza.

Mr Mwanza said its sad that Mr Hichilema´s blind useful idiots continue to praise him even at the expense of the hunger pangs in their stomachs.
“This government has no economic plan. They have an IMF plan, the IMF is to increase fuel prices, food prices, job cuts and high electricity prices,” said Mr Mwanza.

“Nabalungusha ichalo ba UPND, they have scorched Zambia and burnt it to the ground,” said Mr Mwanza in an interview recorded live on Hot FM radio.

Below are some major takebacks from the interview:

• Campaign violence was largely responsible for PFs loss of ward elections as reported to police and ECZ

• The elections were held under a very violent UPND cloud confirmed by independent poll observers

• Police did nothing to stop the violence perpetuated by the UPND during the last controversial unfair polls

• The international community has remained mute over the violence and electoral malpractices to the surprise of the PF

• Up to 35 PF polling agents were brutalised

• ECZ is moribund with no substantive chair, vice, or CEO against the law, they can’t make decisions they are toothless said Mr Mwanza

• UPND is inherently a violent party especially endorsed by President Hichilema´s silence on violence

• Female leaders like Ms Saboi Imboela have been threatened with ´gang rape´, both President Hichilema and his vice president Mrs Witika Mutale Nalumango have remained quiet.

• Fuel prices continue to rise and pushing food prices further up for the poor Zambians

• Electricity is going up through the roof from ZESCO as it resumes load shedding ended by the PF government

Source: Hot FM, The Hot Seat.

ALL BETRAYERS, DISLOYAL MPs WILL BE REPLACED IN 2026 – FORMER PF SG MWILA.

FORMER PF Secretary General Davies Mwila says the party will replace all disloyal parliamentary candidates in 2026 like the Mafinga member of parliament, Robert Chabinga.

Chabinga recently said President Hakainde Hichilema had a heart for Zambia, adding that if working with the Head of State would make him unpopular in his party, then so be it.

And in an interview, Wednesday, Mwila said Chabinga had every right to support President Hichilema but needed to understand that loyalty was important.

“The way the Bible is, between satan and God, you can only choose one, you can’t choose two. So in short, Chabinga has decided to work with their UPND, that is good for him. And this is not new, that is his personal decision and no one can stop him. But he should understand that loyalty in life is very important. And if he thinks UPND and Hakainde Hichilema are the ones who are going to solve these problems in his constituency, well and good. But I want to say that that is his personal opinion, that is his right, and it’s not new. We knew this a long time ago, so when we saw him on TV, we were not even surprised. If you remember, when Jesus Christ came, there’s only one person who betrayed Jesus, in politics it’s there,” Mwila said.

“And there are no permanent enemies in politics, so he has decided to go and it’s not new. As a party, we are very much aware that he had gone a long time ago, that’s why we are preparing ourselves for another candidate for 2026 as a party. We must be reminded that we are very much prepared, very much ready for that and anyone that is not loyal to the party, that is the route that the party will take, to find a candidate. And we know that there’s one or two who are betrayers and we have found candidates for them, one in Mafinga, the other one on the Copperbelt.

But the one in the Copperbelt looks like he wants to come back, he has seen that the UPND on the Copperbelt is not going anywhere, so we can give him a benefit of doubt. But these two, we are very much ready as a party, very much. They have the right to go and we are not even surprised, let them go.”

Mwila added that it was only Chabinga who thought President Hichilema had a heart for Zambians.

“That’s what he thinks, that’s not what the people of Zambia are thinking. If honourable Chabinga, that’s what he thinks, well and good for him, and we wish him well all the best. That’s the only response,” he said.

And Mwila wondered which economy the new dawn government was fixing when “things are getting worse every day”.
“Where are they fixing the economy? I don’t know. I don’t know whether these UPND leaders live in Zambia or they live outside Zambia. Because if surely they live in Zambia, they are supposed to know what people are going through. What economy are they fixing? Increasing fuel prices by K8, from K17 to K26, is that fixing the economy? Fixing the economy is about improving the lives of the Zambian people.

That a Zambian citizen is able to manage to buy a bag of mealie-meal, a Zambian citizen is able to have three meals a day. That’s why we are saying then all the Zambians will say the UPND are fixing the economy,” said Mwila.

“People don’t get money, there’s no money in circulation, where do they get money from? Nowhere. The mealie-meal prices they are talking about are still at K150, K160. The price of fertiliser, they said you will be buying at K250, at what price is fertiliser now? Things are getting worse every day. Anyone who is saying things are better than they were in PF is lying.

The only difference that you can see is that maybe we don’t have Kalimanshi on the cadres who were in the market and bus stations. That’s the only thing difference that I have seen. And as of late, people have seen that cadres are still coming back.”

(News Diggers)

PEOPLE ARE FED UP WITH UPND – MUNDUBILE

…..it is the first time in history that a ruling party has lost popularity in 1 year

Lusaka…. Thursday, November 10, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

As the UPND keeps boasting of its “achievements,” PF hopeful presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has mocked it saying it’s for the first time in the history of the country that the ruling party has lost popularity in a year the way UPND has.

Leader of the opposition in Parliament said people are fed up with the way UPND has been running the country.

He bemoaned the shortage of medicines in hospitals as he said such shortages have never been experienced in the country before.

The lawmaker said UPND found drugs when it was coming into government adding that it is unfortunate that none of the government officials has informed Zambians about how many people have died due to the shortage of medicines in hospitals.

Concerning allegations by the UPND that PF left a big mess in the country, Hon Mundubile said PF is guilty of the mess the UPND was talking about was the infrastructure development the party spread in all the corners of the country.

“We are guilty of the mess of having built three airports in the country. If the mess they are referring to are schools, health facilities we built, then we are guilty of the mess. The current shortage of drugs in hospitals cannot be compared to any other shortage in the past,” he said.

“What is very unfortunate is nobody has informed Zambians of how many people have died as a result of the shortage of drugs. I know a number of families are grieving. Lives that should not have been lost have been lost today. Those that have money get medicine from the drug stores but what about the poor.”

Hon Mundubile said the mess the UPND is making is the reason PF stand a chance to bounce back.

He said Zambians can now draw comparisons between the two parties.

The lawmaker said time for stories is now over as both parties will now be judged based on their performances.

That is why the Patriotic Front has a chance. Time for stories is over. Zambians can now compare.

CAN WE ACT ON KCM BEFORE WE LOSE MORE.

It is very clear that Vedanta is Coming Back to Run KCM mines after the matters where withdrawn from the court to allow government to discuss the future of KCM with Vendanta.

I have so far followed the conversations around this matter and looked at the proposals being made by Vedanta on their possible return to managing the KCM assets and my conclusion is that Government must act now without further delays because the longer we take to act the more the KCM Mine Assets are getting into bad shape and the more the people are getting into futher destitution.

Vedanta has so far committed to awarding a 20% salary increament to the workers upon their return with further adjustment to the conditions of service after they they do a foresic audi of the mine.

They have further committed to give the workers a one off pay of K2500 within three months of their return.

They have committed to Paying off the $220 million debts owing to suppliers at the time they left.

They have further committed to inject $1billion into the operations and infrastructure development of the mine.
They have futher committed to increase on the support to the communities through social corporate responsibility programs.

When i look at these commitments i think we are wasting time futher subjecting people to more sufferings ,let us make a decision now and allow Vedanta to come back before people are thrown in more destitution.

What we desire is life to return to the copperbelt and the proposals being made by Vedanta can help turn around things on the copperbelt unlike this Void that has been created since these battles started.

What government needs to do is to hold Vedanta on its commitment so that they dont change course .In the agreement they can put a clause that binds Vedanta to its commitment period because we are wasting time abantu balechula ku copperbelt uku.

I hope that the discussion being held today between government and Vedanta yields something more promising for the people of the copperbelt.

ALA BANE ABANTU BACHULA LETS ACT FAST.

BINWELL MPUNDU
NKANA MP
UMWINA NKANA.

PF WAS ALREADY DAMAGED WHEN I WAS CALLED IN TO HELP – ZUMANI

Former State House Special Assistant for Politics Dr. Chris Zumnai Zimba says the Patriotic Front (PF) was already damaged when he was called in to help by former President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

Speaking this evening when he featured on Diamond Live programme, Dr. Zumani said he knew that the party was damaged even before he was appointed as President Lungu’s Political Advisor. He said that he had provided consultancy services to the party before being appointed as Political Advisor.

“I was honoured to be called upon as a consultant to appear before the PF Central Committee in October, 2019 to present an operational plan for the party for 2021,” he said. Dr. Zumani said he received alot of criticism from members of the Central Committee who did not like what he had presented. He said he recalls how some members of the party’s Central Committee were banging tables and fuming because of his objective presentation in which he highlighted that the PF’s chances of defending power were slim.

Dr. Zumani said he was appointed as Political Advisor on 20th December, 2019 because President Edgar Lungu appreciated his objectiveness based on the operational plan he presented.

He said that the short period he worked as Political Advisor, he and President Lungu tried to salvage the situation but the Zambian people made a decision and it became difficult for the PF to defend power.

He said the indicators of PF losing power were very clear the time he was moving into State House as the party was damaged on the ground countrywide.

On allegations that the former President did not want to concede defeat, Dr. Zumani dispelled the allegations saying it was not possible because President Hakainde Hichilema won the election with a landslide victory that was unquestionable. He pointed out that President Lungu only managed to win in Eastern, Luapula and Muchinga provinces with a narrow margin.

Dr. Zumani compared PF to a football team that was trailing 6-1 with 88 minutes played and only 2 minutes remaining to the end of the match. He said any sensible player who understands football knows that there is nothing one can do in the remaining minutes.

(C) THE FALCON

By Prince Bill M. Kaping’a (Political/Social Analyst)

Part 1

During the recently held by-elections in selected parts of the country, the Patriotic Front could only manage to salvage 2 seats out of 22, while the rest of the opposition political parties which were brave enough to join the fray amassed zero! What do we make of this?

Well, like a reckless driver who defies all the odds, and miraculously emerges from the wreckage of a grisly fatal accident, totally unscathed and goes on to have fun on the road again; the August 2021 general elections didn’t leave the former ruling party ‘comatose,’ desperately gasping for survival on some sort of life support mechanism save for the initial shock of suffering defeat. You see them grumpy and still complaining that the elections were rigged and that they can wallop UPND if the elections were called today!

With over 60 parliamentary seats to their name and their resources probably still intact, PF poses a significant threat to UPND’s hold on power than the likes of Kelvin Bwalya Fube, Fred M’membe, Harry Kalaba or Sean Tembo and Saboi Imboela, who both have a knack for coming out crude and combative, put together! As the Bembas say, “Chimbwi pakulila, ninshi naishiba epo ashintilile (When a hyena to howls, there’s a reason for doing so.)” This exactly applies to PF; who are convinced that they can bounce back to power as early as 2026.

When MMD wrestled power from UNIP in 1991………through the ballot, of course; the former didn’t waste time hauling, and hurling the heroes of our liberation struggle into the lake of fire! Everything panned out so fast and furious – government vehicles were savagely grabbed from former ministers at gun point; their homes were frisked in the middle of the night while others were evicted from government houses wee of the day and dumped on the streets. Those serving in foreign missions weren’t spared either – they were given 24 hours to report back home and henceforth, condemned to a life of misery on the streets! And as if to further add salt to injury, their Bank accounts were instantly frozen while their businesses were crippled to make it impossible for them to mobilize resources and possibly fight back!

Since the incoming government didn’t find anything incriminating against the UNIP leaders as most of them were arguably humble and decent human beings who didn’t relish dipping their hands into the treasury unlike most of the leaders of our present times, the state had to concoct some sort of clandestine plots to find an excuse to send them to jail, hence the infamous – ZERO Option Plan and Black Mamba. The narrative the state fed to the public was that the former ruling party was hellbent on sponsoring covert operations such as planting bombs or gutting public infrastructure to make the country ungovernable so that they can sneak back to power through the back door! As expected, a number of individuals would be effectively rounded-up and detained, indefinitely. It was just a matter of time before this ‘poison’ would take effect and dispatch UNIP to the grave, prematurely.

Fast forward 2011; Sata’s PF deposed MMD from power. In a case of history repeating itself, the Patriotic Front went full throttle destabilizing MMD. Using the state machinery – the combined mighty of Zambia Police, DEC, OP, ZRA and Immigration, hundreds of campaign vehicles were confiscated from MMD, cooked up charges were slapped on them and they were sent to Chimbokaila or Mukobeko while their businesses crushed. Curiously, several factions would sprout up from within the party. While the other political parties were busy mobilizing despite the hostile environment, it was a ‘court season’ for the MMD – it was one court case after another as several individuals dragged each other to court for one reason or another.

The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested former Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Songowayo Zyambo, a former Principal Agricultural Economist, and former Principal Accountant for corruption, involving US$131million in a case of unsupplied fertilizer.

Songowayo Zyambo, age 56, of Sub-Division A/Lot 2336M New Kasama Lusaka, Grey Mwale age 51, of plot 43304, Chifwema Area in Chongwe, and Emmanuel Kabwe, age 48, of plot 13512, Off Kasama Road, Chalala have been jointly charged with one (1) count of Fraudulently Facilitating Payment from the Public Revenue for Goods not Supplied in Full contrary to Section 41 of the Anti- Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 of the Laws of Zambia.

Details being that on dates unknown but between 1st January 2021 and 31st December 2021 Mr Zyambo, jointly and acting together with Grey Mwale and Emmanuel Kabwe whilst serving at the Ministry of Agriculture and responsible for the management and administration of public funds, did make a payment from public revenue, for goods not supplied in full, when they signed a letter of confirmation to Zambia National Commercial Bank on the 8th of April 2021 stating that Neria Investments Limited had delivered 100% of D-Compound and Urea fertilizer according to the requirements of the contract number MOA/FISP/G/1/2020, when it had not done so.

Neria Investments Limited was contracted by the Government of the Republic of Zambia to supply 75,380.70 metric tonnes of D-compound and 59,619.30 metric tonnes of Urea at a contract price of US$ 131, 142,682.65. The Commission in July recorded warn and caution statements from four directors at Neria Investments Limited, Bokani Soko, of 146 Mukuba Complex, Chudleigh in Lusaka, Justin Mutaa Katanekwa of house number 11965, Chelstone, Mohamed Zuneid Ismail Yousund Nadeem Yousuf both of Makeni in Lusaka.

In 2021, the four directors acting for and on behalf of Neria Investment, by false pretences and with intent to defraud, did obtain money in the sum of United States Dollars one hundred and thirty one million, one hundred and forty two thousand six hundred and eighty two sixty five cents (US$ 131, 142,682.65) having falsely represented that 75,380.70 metric tonnes of D-Compound and 59619.30 metric tonnes of Urea were supplied and delivered at the Ministry of Agriculture when in fact not. The trio have since been released on bond and will appear before court soon.

2022 THIRD QUARTER GENDER BASED VIOLENCE STATISTICS

A total number of 8,790 cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) were recorded countrywide during the Third Quarter of 2022 comprising of 6,303 recorded as criminal cases while 2,487 were non-criminal cases translating to 71.7% and 28.3% respectively. This is in comparison to 4,042 GBV cases recorded in the same period of 2021.

The Third Quarter of 2022 Gender Based Violence disaggregated data indicates that 2,101 child victims were abused countrywide representing 23.9% of all the victims of Gender Based Violence out of the 2,101 Children, 1,640 were girls representing 78.1% while 461 were boys representing 21.9%. A total of 5, 043 women and 1,646 men were abused countrywide representing 57.4% and 18.7% respectively. In terms of gender vulnerability, a total of 6,683 were females representing 76% and 2,107 were males representing 24% were abused during the period under review countrywide.

Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of GBV criminal cases with 1,375 cases translating to 21.8%, followed by Copperbelt Province with 922 cases translating to 14.6%.

Airport Division recorded the lowest GBV criminal cases with 32 cases translating to 0.5%. GBV Criminal Statistics from the rest of the Provinces were as follows; Central Province had 840 cases translating to 13.3%, Luapula Province 645 cases translating to 10.2%. Western Province 583 cases translating to 9.3%, Southern Province 449 cases translating to 7.1%, and Eastern Province 445translating to 7.1%, North-Western Province 408 cases translating to 6.5%, Mchinga Province 349cases translating to 5.5%, Northern Province195 cases translating to 3.1% and Tazara Division 60 cases translating to 1%.

The Zambia Police Act N0: 14 of 1999 mandates Victim Support Unity officers to provide professional counselling to both victims of crime and offenders. The Third Quarter Statistical Report indicates that a total number of 7,282 or 82.8% were counselled by Victim Support Unit officers countrywide.5, 058 or 69.5%counseled were under the criminal cases category where as 2,224 or 30.5% were counselled under the non-criminal cases category. Out of the 5,058counseled under the criminal cases category, 3,356 or 66.4% were victims comprising 609or18.2% were men, 1,662or 49.5%` were women, 193 or 5.7% were boys and 892or 26.6% were girls. 1,702 or 33.6% were offenders in which 253or15% were men, 842or49.5% were women, 120 or 7% were boys and 487or 28.6% girls. Out of 2,224 counselled in the non-criminal case category, 1,276 or 57.4%were women, 740 or 33.3%were men, 85 or 3.8% were boys and girls were 123 or 5.5%.

Twenty-Eight 28 cases of Sodomy were reported during the period under review representing 3.7% of which 18 were boys translating 64.3%, Nine men translating to 32.1% and One woman translating to 3.6%. Out of the 28 Sodomy cases, 10 are pending in court, 17 are still under investigations whilst one case was closed at the Police Station. A total of 540 cases of Child defilement translating to 70.7% were recorded, of which all were girls representing 100 % of all the reported cases.

Under Physical Abuse, a total number of 3,366 cases were recorded translating to 53.4% compared to 2,427cases recorded in during the same period in 2021. The figure showings an increase by 939 cases or 38.7%.

Under Economical Abuse 1,535 cases were recorded translating to 24.4% compared to 692 cases recorded in 2021 showing an increase by 843 cases or 54.9% increase.

Under Sexual Abuse 1,000 cases were recorded translating to 15.9% compared to 685 cases recorded in 2021showing an increase by 315 cases or 31.5%.

Under Emotional Abuse 398 cases were recorded translating to 6.3% compared to 224 cases in 2021 showing an increase by174 cases or 77.7%.

The 2022 Third Quarter GBV Criminal Report indicates that 764 Sexual offenses were recorded representing 16.1% compared to 713 cases reported in 2021 showing an increase by 51cases translating to 7.2%.
Out of these 764 cases, 567victims were girls translating to 74.2%, 184victims were women translating to 24.1%, 10 victims were boys translating to 1.3%, while three victims were men translating to 0.4%.

28 cases of Sodomy were recorded representing 3.7% in which 18 were boys translating 64.3% and 9 were men translating to 32%. A total of 540 cases of Child defilement cases were recorded translating to 70.7% in which all the victims were girls representing 100 % of all the reported cases.

Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of child defilement cases with 145 cases translating to26.9% of all child defilement cases reported country wide. Eastern Province recorded 92 cases translating to 17 %, followed by Southern Province with 89cases translating to 16.5%.

Central Province recorded 60 cases translating to11.1%, Copper belt and North-Western Provinces recorded 45cases each translating to 8.3% while Northern and Western province recorded 22 each representing 4.1% Muchinga Province recorded 15 cases translating to 2.8%.Luapula Province recorded five representing 0.9%.

Airport and Tazara Division recorded Nil.

Still under Sexual Offences; 122 rape cases were recorded in which 111 were women while 11 were girls.

31 attempted rape cases were recorded during the period under review. The country also recorded 50 cases of indecent Assault out of which 40 victims were women and 10 girls. 20 cases of incest were recorded in which 15victims were girls and five victims were women.

Under Physical Abuse, the country recorded a total of 3,366 cases translating to 53.4% in which 533 victims were men translating to 15.8%, 2,521 were women translating to 74.9% cases, 171 were girls translating to 5.1% and 141were boys translating to 4.2% compared to 2,427cases recorded in 2021 Third Quarter showing an increase by 939 cases translating to 38.7%.

Out of 3,366 Physical Abuse cases 2,939 were Assault OABH cases representing 87.3% of all the reported Gender Based Violence cases. 2,521 translating to 74.9% were women while 533 translating to 15.8% were men. 36 cases of Grievously Bodily Harm (G.B.H) were also recorded.31women and five men translating to 86% and14% respectively.

22 Murder cases were recorded during the period under review translating to 0.7% compared to 20 cases recorded in 2021 third Quarter showing an increase by two cases translating to10% increase. Out of 22 murder cases recorded country wide, 12 victims were Women translating to 54.5%, six victims were men translating to 27.2%, and four victims were girls translating to 18.2%. While boys recorded Nil. Four cases of attempted murder comprising of three women and one boy was recorded during the period under review compared to two cases recorded in 2021 Third Quarter showing an increase by two cases translating to 100%. 2, 939 cases of Assault OABH were recorded compared to 2,427 cases recorded in 2021 Third Quarter showing an increase by 512 cases translating to 21.1%.

Lusaka province recorded 612 cases of Assault OABH translating to 20.8%. Central Province recorded 517cases translating to 17.6%. Copper belt Province recorded 303 translating10.3% Western Province recorded 289 representing 9.8%; Southern Province recorded 259 representing 8.8% ,North-Western Province recorded 240cases representing 8.1%, Muchinga Province recorded 227representing 7.7%.

Eastern Province recorded 169 cases representing 5.8%. Luapula Province recorded 163 cases representing 5.5%, Northern Province recorded 105 cases translating to 3.6%, Tazara recorded 54 cases representing1.8% and Airport Division recorded one case at 0.03%.

Under Economic Abuse, 1,535 cases were recorded country wide translating to 24.4%. 694 cases of Failing to Provide Necessaries of life and 636 cases of Neglecting to Provide Necessaries were recorded translating to 45.2% and 41.4%.
Further, under Emotional or Psychological abuse, 398 cases were recorded translating to 6.3%. 168 cases of the use of Insulting language 73 men, 95 women Nil boys and girls.

58 cases of threatening Violence were recorded in which 14 victims were men, 43 women and one boy.

Finally, out of the 6,303 GBV criminal cases reported countrywide, 1,214 cases representing 19.3% were taken to court resulting in 150 convictions translating to 12.4%, 12 acquittals or 1%, 207withdrawals or 17.1% and 845 or 69.6% pending in various courts of law around the country. On the other hand, 2,581 cases are still pending under investigations while 2,508 cases were withdrawn at police stations translating to 50.7% and 49.3% respectively.

A comparison with the Third Quarter of 2021 which recorded 4,042 cases compared to 6,303 cases recorded in 2022 showing an increase of 2,261 cases or 55.9%.

Rae Hamoonga
ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE
SPOKESPERSON

The government has announced that the collection of inputs under the Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP) will commence on Thursday, November 10, 2022 across the country.

Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo said the programme is progressing very well as the disbursement of the inputs to all the depots in the districts across the country has reached 55 percent as per suppliers’ reports.

Mr Mtolo stated that the depots are opening up for all the famers to collect their inputs across the country but encouraged selected beneficiaries to deposit their money as soon as possible.

“We encourage the famers to utilise the inputs for the intended purpose and avoid selling and exporting the inputs. We can assure you that monitoring measures have been put in place to ensure that the subsided farmers’ inputs are not abused,’’ he said at a media briefing in Lusaka today.

And Mr Mtolo has said allegations that the number of beneficiaries for the 2022 and 2023 FISP programme has been reduced are false.

He said the targeted number of beneficiaries remains the same, which is over one million farmers using the direct input support programme modality.

“Government has procured over 300,000 metric tons of fertilizer at the total cost of over 369 million dollars and over 10,000 metric tons of maize seed, 12 thousand metric tons of soya bean seed and over 10 thousand metric tons of groundnut seed,” he said.

The Minister of Agriculture revealed that the government spent K1.7 billion on procuring seed and distributing it to all the districts across the country.

Mr Mtolo said each farmer will be entitled to a pack, which constitutes six bags of fertiliser and one bag of maize seed weighing 10 kilograms (kgs).

He added that each recipient will receive either one bag of legume namely 20 kgs of groundnuts or 25 kgs of soya beans.

He also disclosed that the farmers who have benefited from FISP for over 20 years will be removed from the programme gradually in order to leave room for new beneficiaries.

The Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has disbursed over 1 billion Kwacha as part of the Constituency Development Fund – CDF to all the 156 Constituencies countrywide translating to over 6.4 million Kwacha per Constituency.

According to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary for Administration Maambo Hamaundu, this brings the total amount of funds disbursed under the 2022 CDF to over 19.8 million Kwacha per Constituency, adding that the disbursement was made to all the 156 Constituencies through their respective Local Authorities.

Mr Hamaundu noted that from the total CDF allocation of 25.7 million Kwacha allocated to each Constituency in this year’s national Budget, approximately 5 million Kwacha is yet to be disbursed.

He expressed confidence that the disbursement of the Fund will significantly help the Local Authorities to successfully implement all CDF projects approved by the Ministry since the beginning of the 2022 financial year.

“With this latest figure, it shows that the Ministry has disbursed significant amounts of resources to the Local authorities to enable them carry out a number of developmental activities as outlined in the CDF guidelines,” he said

The Permanent Secretary implored all the Local Authorities to ensure that there is accountability and transparency in the utilization of the fund.

He said that the Government is delighted to note that a number of developmental projects are underway in Constituencies including implementation of bursary schemes, and procurement of earthmoving equipment for working on feeder roads.

On the CDF loan scheme, Mr Haamaundu disclosed that the Ministry has guidelines for the implementation of the loan component, adding that the guidelines are now in place and that there is an agreement with identified financial institutions who will manage the loans

“The service agreement between the Ministry and the identified financial institutions is in place,” he said

He mentioned that a standard application form for loans had been developed and the form will be available through all the Local Authorities, of which the loan will attract simple interest at a rate of 5% per annum.

Mr Haamaundu further announced that the Ministry had disbursed 5.6 million Kwacha towards completion of works of Lukanga Transit Bus Station in Kabwe which had stalled because of financial constraints.

TALKING TO SURVIVE AND TALKING TO IMPROVE LIVES ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS-CHINGEMBU

By now Zambians should know who talks to survive or make money and who talks to improve their lives Susan Kukeng’a Chingembu has charged.

She said Mr Antonio Mwanza should stop wasting people’s bundles and time because he lucks integrity and survives on talking , criticising , condemning and so on too much to please his pay Masters.

“Firstly Mr Mwanza should appreciate the freedom he is enjoying to express his bitterness and dullness after contributing massively to the losing of PF party. The level of his talkativeness should worry many zambians because he is now becoming a nuisance.” Said Chingembu.

“Secondly Mr Mwanza should ask himself questions as to why it’s only him now talking the loudest in PF when others have decided to tame their mouths. When Zambians are quite it does not mean they have forgotten about

• the gassing
  -caderism
  -corruption
• rotten Economy
• tribalism
• unreasonable borrowing and many more that happened during PF rule.” She said.

Ms Chingumbe said Antonio shouldn’t think that Zambians have forgotten his insults and substandard way of doing politics. And why resurface now, when he went into hiding?

She said those zambians Mr Mwanza knew in PF goverment are different from the New Dawn Zambians . That the bar has been raised and he should adjust after talking for years defending PF for him to survive what did he achieve? She asked.

“Finally Mr Mwanza should just take advantage of the good policies the government has put in place channel his energy into farming and taking part in CDF projects. There is no more handouts and tatameni. He is a lazy man who actually wants to promote laziness in most men by making them think talking too much is another way of survivor in Zambia” Explained Ms Sue.

“We say no to men who contributed to the mess of this country. Zambia is in ICU because of men like Antonio Mwanza.”

By Nsofwa Hamudombe

COP 27 A SUCCESS FOR ZAMBIA

When a nation has credible leadership in place, people rest from all forms of governance mediocrity as can be witnessed under the New Dawn administration which explains not just a performing government but also avails publicly on how a political party entrusted with power and authority should put citizens interests’ first in duty functioning.

When President Hakainde Hichilema left for COP 27 on climate change, a high level segment for Heads of State and Government to Sharma El- Sheik at the invitation of the Arab Republic of Egypt President His Excellency Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, alot of opposition political leaders condemned the travel and instigated that, he should have just delegated someone in his place in order to save money on trip costs.

One thing the clique of thieves lack to understand is that, President Hichilema has an obligation to make Zambia a better place for all and every high level meeting with other Heads of States is an encouragement for trade and investment opportunities which shall directly benefit the citizenry in many aspects of life.

Just on the sidelines of COP 27, Zambia’s Chief Marketing Officer managed to sign an MOU with the European Union on Forestry Partnerships.

Now, what are the benefits of this Memorandum of Understanding?

It will help in addressing challenges to preserve our forests while safeguarding this industry which creates an income for the people of Zambia. This signed MOU will also ensure sustainable forest management by improving forest governance and enhance a climate smart business which will lead to creation of jobs in the Forestry department and wealth in making our nation better for all.

This trip was a success in that, the message President HH carried to Sharma El-Sheik of having cooperating partners coming on board to preserve and conserve the environment in promoting Green and Clean Economies has been achieved; unlike those who used to go and dance with teenage girls abroad at the expense of delivering services to the nation.

Welcome back home Mr President and job well done!

God bless Zambia

By Mwaka Ndawa

LUSAKA based lawyer Joseph Chirwa says the acquittal of former minister of health Dr Chitalu Chilufya and eight others in relation to the infamous contract which was awarded to Honeybee Pharmacy Limited by the Ministry of Health to supply ‘defective’ drugs, condoms and gloves, is invalid.

Chirwa said Lusaka resident magistrate Chinuda Chiwaula did not have authority to preside over the complaint which he had logged against the nine and exonerate them because he had discontinued the matter the same day.

This is in a matter where lawyer Peter Zulu has instituted proceedings in the Constitutional Court against Dr Chitalu Chilufya, former Ministry of Health permanent secretary for administration Kakulubelwa Mulalelo, procurement officer Wilson Lungu, Bonaventure Chilinde, Zakir Hussein Motala, Chomba Kaoma, Imran Lunat, Abdurrauf Motala, Honeybee Pharmacy Limited, Chirwa and the Attorney General, challenging the dismissal of criminal charges against them relating to the infamous contract obtained by Honeybee.

Zulu is seeking a determination on whether it was lawful and in compliance with Article 180(4)(c) of the Constitution for magistrate Chiwaula to acquit Dr Chilufya and his ‘accomplices’ on a complaint made by Chirwa in the absence of authority from the Director of Public Prosecutions to proceed with private prosecution.

He wants the court to ascertain whether it was lawful and in compliance with Article 180(8) of the Constitution for the resident magistrate to acquit the nine when Chirwa withdrew his complaint without authority from the DPP.

In his complaint, Chirwa had accused Dr Chilufya and others of having committed criminal offences in the roles they played to secure a contract for Honeybee Pharmacy Limited to supply medical kits valued at US $3, 792, 761.28 to government through the Ministry of Health.

In an affidavit in opposition to originating summons, Chirwa explained that after the Anti-Corruption Commission hinted that it had instituted investigations in the Honeybee scandal, he abandoned his action before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court against the nine and he was alerted of their purported acquittal by the media.

He said there is no legal procedure that permitted magistrate Chiwaula to acquit the respondents of non-existent charges.

In his skeleton argument, Chirwa submitted that magistrate Chiwaula did not follow procedure outlined under Section 90 of the Criminal Procedure Code and he had no powers to take any further steps in the matter unless the said provision was complied with.

“It is settled law in this jurisdiction (country) that a court without any jurisdiction cannot make any lawful orders and as such the purported acquittal is a nullity and of no legal effect,” Chirwa said.

He acknowledged of not having been granted permission by the DPP or the court as per requirement to privately prosecute the nine and that he had no intention of proceeding with the matter, therefore, the court should have considered his withdrawal which was filed before the accused were informed of the charges.

Chirwa said Dr Chilufya and others had had not been put on their defence to warrant the court to acquit them pursuant to Section 88(a) as read with Section 89(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

“The procedure for withdrawing a complaint by a private person is outlined under Sections 88 and 89 of the Criminal Procedure Code and it follows that one needs to obtain permission from either the magistrate or the DPP to proceed with the same.

In this particular case neither of the two happened, hence our fervent submission that there was no legal basis for the court to proceed and acquit the first to ninth respondents,” said Chirwa.

Presidential Aspirant Emmanuel Mwamba calls for ´issue based´ politics
…as Zambia prepares for the next elections

By Staff Reporter.

“Zambia loses up to US$3 billion annually from tax evasion, avoidance, and lack of proper collection of taxes…this is criminal,” Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba, Camnet TV.

07.11.22

One of the most formidable political rising stars in Zambia Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba says he wants to ´up the ante´ of Zambian politics from trivial and vitriol politics to ´issue based´ politics that builds the nation and not continue to divide it.
Speaking in a live Camnet interview, Ambassador Mwamba said there is ´too much trivia, drama and hate´ in the Zambian political space that stifles economic development and encourages the culture of poverty and divisions.

“I am here to raise the Zambian political bar high not the current sad politics where only drama and hate thrives,” Ambassador Mwamba said, “when I post a joke on my Facebook page for instance, there are more likes and hits than when I post policy and development issues. Some educated people sadly even respond to serious posts by saying, “its too long I can’t read.”

Ambassador Mwamba who has served as Permanent Secretary in three different provinces, Western Province, Eastern Province. Northern Province as well as Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Information said his ´success record´ speaks for itself hence the reason he is seeking the national presidency now.

“I re-opened the Northern Coffee company that was closed for five years as PS, I opened the Cashew nut project that was shut down for many years in Western province while as PS for Information I gave out a record number of licenses that even saw me get fired, its in public domain. I deliver on my work and not just speak,” said Ambassador Mwamba.

Ambassador Mwamba has also served in two crucial diplomatic stations namely South Africa as High Commissioner and Ethiopia as Ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations of Zambia.

His father was born in Kasama while mother was born in Chinsali before he moved to Lusaka to work as a banker for Zanaco and head the media team of the late President Frederick Chiluba in retirement until his sad death.

Some major take aways from the interview are below:

• No concessions for the foreign mining companies robbing Zambia of about US$3 billion annually in tax evasion and other vices

• Increase agriculture production and export food across the region instead of growing food for Zambia alone

• Build state of the art railway lines that must stop the haemorrhage of Zambian roads through exports to the DRC

• Clean up the fertilizer contracts and deliver farming in puts on time to avoid poverty and grow the economy

• Check the Zambian government so that organisations like Africom do not wantonly set up offices in Zambia without Zambians knowing what they are doing due to lack of knowledge.

Zambia loses US$3 billion annually from tax evasion, avoidance, and lack of collection, this is criminal.

If it was up to Mr Mwamba, Zambia should refine its own copper, via low than allow exports of the commodity in raw form, including increasing a national stake in all mining companies currently owned in majority form by foreign companies.

He also encouraged educated Zambians to participate in politics because if they don’t they will continue being governed by uneducated individuals.

Even educated people in Zambia stare an analysis article I the face and say ´it’s too long´.

He also described current Zambian politics under the UPND as punitive and divisive that don’t provide ´healing ‘but are steeped in adversary.

“Our politics are adversarial, malicious, and hostile. It doesn’t provide for healing largely because of the fight that precedes the office. We must change this,” said Ambassador Mwamba, one of the eight politicians running for the presidency in the main opposition PF that is due to hold polls next March to select a party leader.

The full interview is available on Camnet DSTV Channel recorded live in Lusaka.

Source: Camnet TV