The UPND Media Has Failed To Protect HH and The Government:

‘UPND media doesn’t understand media roles in politics’

The role of the party media is not only to publicise government achievements or policies but to defend the government and the President’s reputation.

It is the role of the media to fight propaganda targeted towards the President and the government. Sadly UPND media is handling politics like a Christian Tv or Radio station where responding to rude callers is a chargeable offense.

It has been a trend to see short meaningless posts on UPND media page some of which are copied and pasted on their other pages like Falcon News which is by now becoming evident that it is run by UPND media team. It seems it is a policy of UPND media to write short articles which have no content.

As Socialist Party, Zambia Must Prosper Party, PF Party, NDC Party, EP, EEP etc write long articles which attracts and mislead masses to believe in falsehood or propaganda targeted at UPND government and the party at large, that is when UPND media keeps writing short articles that carries no impact.

In politics, people already know what the government is doing as development is done in their respective provinces, constituencies, wards, or branches. You only panic to always publicise your achievements if you are not doing enough. Otherwise, beside posting government achievements or policies, as a party media, you should spend much of your time checking on which party is using which media platforms to mislead people with propaganda and you must respond accordingly or ignore with intelligent political reasons.

A party media needs to know people in government or party that can favourably respond to sentiments from sensible checks and balances from the opposition political parties and aggressively answer to those spreading propaganda.

Due to the emphasis on democracy or freedom of speech or expression, any President in any country is insulted but so far President Hakainde Hichilema is the most disrespected and insulted leader because of having a weak media team. Apparently anyone can just wake up and insult the President but the party media is quiet.

In politics there is no such things as professionalism when it comes to party media roles. Imagine Fred M’membe after managing The Post News for a very long time, but he is not professional in his writings apparently; he is probably the proprietor behind curtains managing The Mast News but he has taken a completely different approach in his writings which is not professional in nature because he is dealing with politics.

The ethics of journalism don’t allow Fred M’membe to be writing and posting tribal articles in nature but he is doing it whilst the UPND media is endeavouring to be professional by posting short irrelevant articles and government achievements or policies which Zambians read on President Hakainde Hichilema’s page before UPND media picks it up to edit, shorten and post after rendering its content irrelevant.

Wake up UPND media!

Topline Details

“WILL WORK TOWARDS MAKING PF STRONG AGAIN” – GBM

By New Dawn Reporter

PF presidential aspirant, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba has urged party members to remain steadfast and defend the former ruling party from both external and internal forces aimed at killing the spirit of togetherness.

Dr. Mwamba says the PF has the potential to bounce back into power if its general membership stand up and defend the pro-poor agenda it was founded on.

In an interview, Dr. Mwamba says his desire to take over the PF is to make the former ruling party stronger again and make it attractive and ready to face the future.

He said since the party lost power a year ago attempts to have it deregistered have been made, with the aim of killing its focus to rise again.

Dr. Mwamba popularly known as GBM described such schemes detrimental to the development of the country.

“This is one of the many reasons why I am contesting for the position of PF presidency. We need to save our party from all the negative energies trying to kill the aspiration of a better Zambia, a Zambia that we all love and will do everything possible to support and protect our people by making them viable to the governance of the country.

The PF’s agenda under my leadership will promote the agenda of Zambia for Zambians first, and this is were our people regardless of their background will have a say over our economy and governance,” he said.

Dr. Mwamba said the current economic agenda by the UPND promotes and protects foreigners only at the expense of locals, forcing and pushing Zambians into abject poverty.

“This is why PF members and Zambians in general need to come together and stand up for the peoples agenda under the PF, unlike continuing on the current economic trajectory under the UPND which only supports foreign interests while keeping away Zambians in the terraces. And, the leaders in the UPND know very well that the PF is still stronger and is the only party that can address the many difficulties Zambians are facing,” he said.

Dr. Mwamba said if elected to lead the PF he will ensure that he works with everyone and promotes unity of purpose ahead of the 2026 general election and beyond.

(File picture Socialist Party president and PF Presidential aspiring candidate GBM)

Credit: New Dawn Newspaper

MARK SIMUUWE CHALLENGES ANTHONIO MWANZA TO A MEDIA DEBATE ON PF VS UPND AGENDA FOR ZAMBIA

My former fellow UNZA Monks forwarded to me , a post by comrade Anthonio Mwanza, in which he dared among other people , Mark Simuuwe in debates.

The last time comrade Anthonio shared a media platform with me was on ZNBC 2 with Oliver Nzala…. and later never wanted to share such a platform with me .

Though comrade Mwanza is my friend from our days in UNZA up to date,we agreed to disagree on political grounds.

After I read what was forwarded to me… I have this to say….

This is why I say, PF have no agenda for the people of Zambia. The issue is not on who debates more, but who discusses issues affecting people of Zambia, and explaining with empirical evidence how such matters are either addressed by government, or can be addressed in an ideal situation. We call this checks- balances.

As many of your may recall, while Mark Simuuwe questioned ECL’s Bill 10, dissected the content therein, questioned the high inflation rate of over 22% under PF ,high poverty levels, alleged gassing of citizens by PF, Failure to pay 258,000 farmers , fire tenders, mysterious 48 houses, failure to pay council workers’ salary arrears,Mukula saga, failure to pay CDF, political thuggery in markets and bus stations, arbitrary arrests, prolonged pre-trial detentions, prudent management of public funds, theft of public funds by PF, ethnolinguistic rivalry… my Conrade Anthonio Mwanza only went on radio to pledge that his manhood be cut-off if UPND wins elections , and that HH should be caged.

On the other hand, Isaac Mwanza , Andrew Ntewewe, and MISA Zambia grouped together failed to justify Bill10…to citizens…Mark Simuuwe, hammered the above issues, making ECL and PF Media Team resolving to close Prime TV, and directed media houses not to feature Mark Simuuwe.

Bill 10 was also knocked out by other well- meaning Zambians , like Linda Kasonde , my Consitutional Lawyer Sangwa SC, Musa Mwenya, UNZALARU ,Pilato , among others.

In view of the above, it is not an issue of who speaks the loudest with propaganda and often unresearched information, but who is speaking on behalf of the majority Zambians and raising issues on behalf of those who cannot understand what programmes government are there for them, and how their problems can be resolved.

I challenge Comrade Anthonio Mwanza to a radio and TV debate , later on UNZA discussion forum with audience composing of University Students on PF Vs UPND agenda for Zambia.

This focus has been triggered by a realisation that my comrade believes PF was better than UPND government. This in a way will help citizens appreciate which political party has an agenda for Zambia.

I submit!!

I’VE BEEN SOLD OUT BY MY OWN, SAYS UPND KAMWALA WARD COUNCILLOR SIMATAA

My ‘Pamela’ court case has started today after 7 months of back and forth, and I’M SHOCKED that the PF elements we fought and defeated yesterday, still have a dominant foothold in our internal affairs today, getting 100% protection and support from some influential UPND members who’ve made a business of doing PF favours at the expense of their own!

There’s a point at which every man breaks – for me, the breaking point is discovering that my accusers and persecutors are receiving strong backing from people I’ve spent the past 10 years fighting for and with – powerful senior members of my own political party, UPND.

It pains me that PF did the worst of things to Zambians, not just us UPND members – yet no Zambian, let alone a UPND member, ever saw justice, or won a case in court against them, til this day – all our cases died prematurely at police inquires. PF solidarity, though for wrong reasons, showed what it means to belong to a political family – maximum protection was assured – they never sold each other out to us.

But in UPND today, we’re not safe or secure within ourselves – we’re our own worst enemies – even when we try to do the right thing for the right reasons – like I tried in warning the public to look out for a vehicle suspected to be involved in an attempted kidnapping – you, my senior leaders, there today because we hoped you’d stand for us, took sides with a former PF ambassador and her two sons against me.

The day I received a call from above to “make peace with the PF ambassador”, I knew there was something very wrong – you wanted me to apologize to her, you opened your office doors and ears to her more than me, you looked on when she used PF officers at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe police to throw me and my co-accused youth IPS in cells in Avondale and it took my deputy mayor Ketty Nanyangwe to sign police bond for me…even when I told you her sons came to the police station to mock me dressed in PF regalia, you brushed that aside because you had already sold me out!

I did what I did for public good and safety, but what reason do you, my leaders have, in protecting and advancing the cause of the enemy, one former PF ambassador’s wounded political pride… what do you stand to benefit?

IT’S NOT NECESSARY FOR PF TO CONTINUE APOLOGISING, SAYS DR NG’OMA

By Isaac Zulu

It is not necessary for the PF leadership to continue apologising to the Zambian people for the alleged wrong doings they engaged in, says political scientist Dr Alex Ngoma.

“I think members of the public and all stakeholders should be told that the Patriot Front leadership is on record of categorically stating that the PF has gone on the ground and discovered that there were some wrong doings that the former ruling party might have engaged in,” said Dr Ng’oma. “And if you remember correctly, the Patriot Front acting president Given Lubinda has been on record of having apologized to the Zambian general populace. And those sentiments have been amplified by other PF senior members of the party on a number of media platforms. And in my own considered view, I think that that we cannot continue having the PF rendering an apology every time and again. Can we make progress politically, please.”

And Dr Ng’oma said that the fact the Patriot Front so far has eight presidential aspiring candidates is an testament that the former ruling party is committed to intra party democracy.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Revelation, Dr Ng’oma explained that the number of individuals vying for the position of PF party president is a demonstration that the Patriot Front is an attractive and popular political party in the country.

“I think that given the number of people that have expressed interest in running for the position of Patriot Front president, you can easily tell that the Patriot Front is still a popular opposition political party in the country,” Dr Ng’oma explained. “Further more, this is an indication that the Patriot Front is more than committed to ensuring that intra party democracy prevails in the PF.”

Dr Ng’oma said urged the PF general membership to remain united ahead of the national general convention slated for March 2023.

He said that the Patriot Front can only bounce back to power if they remain united and urged those that might not be picked to contest for the position of party president to rally behind an individual who was going to be elected as party president.

“My clarion call to the Patriot Front leadership is that they should be more united than ever before. They should know that there can only be one presidential candidate at a time. Therefore, it is only prudent that we encourage the PF to rally behind whoever is going to be elected as party president during their national conference “- Daily Revelation

REFLECTION ON THE DEVELOPMENTS AT KAFUE TOWN COUNCIL: CAN THE COUNCIL SUSPEND A MAYOR, COUNCILOR OR CHAIRPERSON?

First is a commendation to the government and ruling party for a quick intervention on the volatile and eruptive situation that was brewing at the Kafue Town Council.

The allegations levelled against the two councilors and some staff are grave and a dent on the no sacred cows anti-corruption crusade by the new government.

This suspension of the concerned persons must pave way for the investigative wings to get to the bottom of the allegations and inform the nation of their findings.

The immediate “suspension” of the Mayor and one of the Councilors among others who are allegedly the cause of the eruptive situation at the Kafue Town Council is a timeous intervention from the government and the ruling party.

The only uncertainty on this “suspension” is who has suspended the Mayor and the Councilor?

Is it the party which sponsored them both during the 2021 General Election indicated or it is the Council?

Now, that the full council meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, it goes without saying that the suspension has been effected by the party i.e. suspension from the Party activities and all the association to the party.

The nation is yet to be informed and hear the decision of the full Council meeting tomorrow on the duo’s fate of their membership in the Council.

Legally, both the party and the Council have the force of law to give matching orders to an erring councilor, chairperson or mayor through meting a suspension or reprimand except that the Council powers end at suspension while the party can even expel an erring councilor.

In this case, the Council has power to charge and recommend to the tribunal, constituted by the Chief Justice, to hear and determine the charges leveled against an erring councilor/mayor by the full Council.

It is only the tribunal decision that can trigger a vacation of the seat by an elected councilor/mayor or chairperson,outside the party expulsion, which decision may cause a by-election.

Constitutionally, Art 157 guides that only death, mental incapacity, disqualification, nullification, violation of prescribed code of ethics and relocation in residence by an elected councilor, mayor or chairperson can trigger a vacation of a seat and consequently cause a by-election.

Another cause of suspension is when, under section 56 of local government Act, the Minister suspends the councilors for failure to discharge civic duties.

In this regard, what is expected of the Kafue Town Council full council meeting tomorrow is either a charge on the duo for violating Art 157(e) using the first schedule in the local government Act which spells out sanctions for an erring councilor, mayor or chairperson; or a discharge altogether which may not sit well with the protesters.

A vote of no confidence by the Council against a mayor, chairperson or councilor is not provided for in the law i stand corrected.

I submit

Mcdonald Chipenzi

President Hakainde Hichilema has assured farmers in the country that they will all receive farming inputs under the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP).

Mr. Hichilema says the consignment of fertilizer is already on the way and has advised the farmers not to listen to lies.

Addressing a gathering at the show grounds in Mkushi, on Tuesday afternoon, the head of state has observed that there has been a lot of lies from the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) and even some extension officers surrounding the farming inputs.

“I am your servant. I am your president and an elder in the church and I don’t tell lies. The fertilizer is already on the way and I am confirming to you as your servant,” Mr. Hichilema.

And Mr. Hichilema has called on the people of Mkushi District to vote for the UPND candidate Melson Chilema in the Mkushi Town Council By-Election slated for Friday 4th November 2022.

The head of state observed that Mkushi was lagging behind in development because he had no direct link to carry his vision.

“I know we didn’t get a council chairperson here in Mkushi. I know we didn’t get the MP here in Mkushi. But God is God of a second chance.

” God has given us another opportunity to correct that which we didn’t do in 2021. Let us join the rest of Zambians that have decided to move forward,” he said.

He said is aware of the poor township roads, scarcity of water and lack of development in general because there is no one he could work with to accelerate implementation of these programmes in the area.

President Hichilema reminded the gathering that he promised to increase the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) during campaigns in 2021 and his administration has since fulfilled.

It is for the first time that the government is ahead in terms of fund releases as well as sending funds to the districts.

“CDF is in the bank and you people of Mkushi you deserve better markets and when you give me Chilema I will have someone to send.

” It is the first time the president has sent money to the district, but I have no one to work with, so vote for Chilema,” he stressed.

To demonstrate the love of the One Zambia One Nation Motto, the government now releases CDF on the same date to all the 156 constituencies.

Mr. Hichilema urged the people of Mkushi to wake up very early in the morning of Friday and vote for the UPND candidate.

The Mkushi Council by-election has been necessitated after the election of Evans Bwalya of PF in the 2021 was successfully petitioned by Chilema.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hichilema has advised Mr. Chilema not abandon the people after being voted into office on Friday.

“We are servants of the people, and we must work to sort out township roads, issue of desks in schools, markets, water and sanitation challenges in the district,” the president advised.

And Mr. Chilema has promised the people of Mkushi that he will provide the servant hood leadership once voted into office.

Mr. Chilema asked the people of Mkushi to vote for him on Friday.

The ruling UPND is fielding Melson Chilema while Evans Bwalya and Mabvuto Nyirenda are standing on the Socialist Party and PF respectively.

Kombe Chimpinde Mataka

I AM coming in with real rebranding, says PF presidential hopeful Miles Sampa.
He told The Mast that what was currently taking place was not real rebranding.
“When I come in it will be a new PF, to get rid of bad habits. I am coming in with real rebranding not ‘lebranding’, changing the party from the old that was hated and voted out because of certain wrongs,” he said. “Us we are coming with real rebranding to make the party fresh. Just like a snake, a cobra, after a while it sheds off the skin and starts afresh. We are coming with the real rebranding. Not this rebranding we have seen in PF that does not care about the public view of the party because elements that led the party to be hated are still noticeable.”
Sampa noted that he had once failed to take over the leadership of the party from Edgar Lungu.

He feels that this was his chance to lead the party.
“If you look at the history of [US President] Joe Biden, he kept trying and trying until he made it. He started when he was very young. I think he was about 30-years-old and he only came to make it much later. If you look at Rishi Sunak the British Prime Minister, he tried, it didn’t work out the first time. When he tried again it worked out. The world was not meant for quitters. Quitters never win. I was not brought up a quitter,” Sampa said. “I already have support and I am very confident that I will be the winner at the convention. Already, I have support countrywide and I have already being assured of votes by delegates. So I am very confident but at the same time I give due respect to all candidates.”
He noted that in 2021 “people were saying HH [President Hakainde Hichilema] is only popular on social media”.

“Those same numbers on social media became one million votes. We interact on social media, it is the new normal. So I also
interact with the youths on social media,” Sampa said.
And Sampa said the PF is still viable.
“Make no mistake, the PF is very strong on the ground. Everywhere, the structures are still intact. Of course loosing an election is bad and we lost elections due to many factors. And one of them being caderism. Something I was fighting as mayor [of Lusaka] but without much ado. If you go back, you will remember I tried to clean up intercity. I tried to clean up City Market and let it run professionally and remove cadres but obviously there were a lot of forces against me,” said Sampa. “Where we are now, the party that we suffered for in opposition with Michael Sata, the people we were with have not left. They have remained intact. The people that have run away after we lost elections are the same ones who came from nowhere when we came [into power]. Now they want to penetrate UPND. I call them ba katyeye mwenda mwalimwa (opportunitists). These are people who came to PF when it was in power and even took the front seat at the expense of people who suffered for the party. Now when we lost power, the same ones have run away quickly to a field that is being cultivated. They are running to UPND to go and eat there without working for it.”

Among those that have filed their nominations for the PF presidency are Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, Brian Mundubile, Greyford Monde, Mutotwe
Kafwaya, Emmanuel Mwamba, Chishimba Kambwili, Given Lubinda and
Chishimba Kambwili.
The presidential convention is expected to be held in March next year.

POINTING OUT TRIBAL INCLINED DECISIONS, ACTIONS OF THIS GOVT IS NOT BEING A TRIBALIST

It’s crass dishonest, ignorance and stupidity for anyone to accuse me of tribalism. Firstly, my ethnic, and even racial, composition make it very difficult and unrealistic for me to be a tribalist or a racist. I directly originate and hail from ten ethnicities and four provinces of our country. And indirectly, I have ethnic links with all the provinces of Zambia. This is my fortune or misfortune!

I am a Toka-Leya. There was this Toka-Leya man from Kalomo who went to what is now Nkeyema and married the daughter of the Nkoya chief, Mwene Kahare, and produced a daughter from whom I descend. I am a Mbunda royal from Mwene Kandala in Yuka, Mabumbu and Mwene Mundu in Liumba, Kalabo. My mother’s grandfather, Ndiyoyi who was the Mukulwakashiko of Lewanika, was a descendant of Mulambwa, the tenth Litunga. Ndiyoyi married a Totela woman from Bwina in Mulobezi – so I am Totela. I am Kwangwa from Kakulo in Ikabako. I am Kwamwenyi and Kwamashi from Silayi, Liuwa, Kalabo. All in all, on my mother’s side I originate from seven ethnicities in Western Province and one in Southern Province.

On my father’s side, I’m a Bemba royal from Mwika in Chinsali. The current Chitimukulu is my cousin. My grandmother, my father’s mother, was Bisa from Makumya on her father’s side – and this is where I was connected to Michael Sata.

My grandfather’s mother was white.
All Lozi or Luyana royals are Lunda. My relative Sikufele is a Mbunda chief in North Western Province. I also have a relative who is a Nkoya chief in North Western Province. It shouldn’t be forgotten that when the Kaonde came to Solwenji from Congo in 1000 AD they found the Nkoya there – so they mixed and became one people. The Mbunda are the same people with the Chokwe, Luchazi and Luvale. So I have a connection with all the ethnicities of North Western Province.

The connection of the Nkoya with the Ila, Sala, Soli and Lenje is well known and beyond dispute. Even the names are same. Nkomeshya is a Nkoya name. Chiti – the first Chitimukulu – died among the Nsenga in what is now Petauke. And it took a year to take his body to Chinsali for burial. The the Bemba royals and Nsenga people are one with a common history and tight historical bonds. Zwangendaba – the father to the first Mpezeni – is buried in Muchinga Province, Chitimukulu’s land. Our Bemba and Ngoni ancestors exchanged blood to bond their togetherness. How can one with this heritage, and the knowledge of it, be a tribalist?

Secondly, my family – both on my father’s and mother’s side – paid a very high price for the independence and oneness of this country for me to divide it. Not less than fifty per cent of the first cabinet of this country were my relatives on my mother’s and father’s side. How can I fail to be a patriot and fail them?

I have fought against Bemba tribalism, Lozi tribalism, Ngoni or Nsenga or Chewa tribalism! I have fought against racism. And I will continue to do so for the remaining part of my life.

Pointing out tribal inclined decisions and actions of this UPND government of Mr Hakainde Hichilema and denouncing them is not being a tribalist.

Fred M’membe
President of Socialist Party

ATTEND TO RAPE THREATS AGAINST SABOI

Antonio Mwanza warns VP Nalumango over ´gang rape´ threats

01.11.22

Patriotic Front Media Director Antonio Mwanza has urged Vice President Mutale Nalumango to move and curb rising calls by UPND cadres that want to ´gang rape´ Zambian women leaders they don’t agree with.
Mr Mwanza said although the ominous threat appears far from Government House where Mrs Nalumango currently resides, it won’t be long before the unruly cadres take it to her doorsteps.
“We called on the UPND to condemn cadres when they first threatened to gang rape our sister our mother Ms. Saboi Imboela, we saw no reaction or condemnation from President Hakainde Sammy Hichilema or bamayo ba Witika (Vice President Witika Nalumango),” said Mr Mwanza.
“The youths threatened to gang rape bo Saboi now they have said they want gang rape Kafue councillor Bumba Malambo bamayo ba Witika, tomorrow they will threaten you that’s how they start, first Saboi, now Bumba next they will threaten you bamayo ba Witika.”
Mr Mwanza said Vice President Mrs Nalumango and President Hichilema will only have themselves to blame if anarchy gets out of hand as ruling UPND cadre continue showing a huge appetite for rape and violence.
Below are some major takeaways from Mr Mwanza´s Radio Live programme aired on 97.3 FM available online:

• President Sammy Hichilema must not boast about recruiting teachers because it was PF´s plan hence the reason it built 14,000 classrooms first
• President Sammy Hichilema should not boast about recruiting medical staff because PF built hospitals and health centre’s first, trained the medical staff with the plan of recruiting them
• President Hichilema must concentrate on stocking hospitals with drugs and re agents, not arresting people
• President Sammy Hichilema must concentrate on distributing fertiliser to farmers, not arresting bo Saboi Imboela
• President Sammy Hichilema must find ways of reducing fuel prices from over K27 to the promised K12 and not remain a puppet of western mining companies and the IMF
• Mr Hichilema Sammy is no longer in charge of running the economy after sub-contracting the job to the IMF
One of the callers to the widely followed programme said, “the greatest mistake Zambians made when we woke up to vote at 2 am was to have a better life but we were conned.”
The caller said the UPND government instead of saving Zambians from poverty, “this stingy failed government, they are here to inflict more pain on Zambian people.”
Mr Mwanza concluded by saying UPND under President Hichilema must now be called, “Abene ba nsala” or, “The Lords of Poverty,” in English.

Source: Live Radio 97.3 FM

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

We called for transparency and accountability in the fertiliser procurement process but our calls fell on deaf ears.

Our maize is grown by small-holder farmers especially those provided with farming input.

It’s November and fertiliser has not been distributed in some case has not even been importe. There are residual supplies here and there but there is no fertiliser across the country.

Now the entire country faces crop failure and food insecurity next year.

Some companies that won the tenders are still processing financing with banks and purchase of fertiliser abroad.

This is because of delays in unnecessary procurement process.

Previously, fertiliser would be in warehouses, sheds and district storage facilities by April/May.

The current procurement process was driven by a singular decision to exclude as much as possible, previous suppliers.

For this reason, the tender process was repeatedly interefered with and botched.

ZAMBIAN CONTRACTORS NEGLECTED

In order to empower Zambians, and to respond to concerns about foreign companies getting huge government contracts, the new Zambia Public Procurement Act of 2020 provides that large-scale national tender from Government should be given to citizen-owned companies as preference.

This has become a danger to large foreign-owned companies that have previously dominated Government contracts.

To this effect, Government officials( probably bribed as there is no other explanation) treacherously, have resorted to procurement through single-sourcing (direct bidding) that overcomes the need to give such tenders to citizen-owned companies.

We saw this in ZESCO’s $107million tender for wooden poles. This has repeated itself in other large-scale procurements by Government and public bodies such as the Ministry of Health $100million contract to build infections disease hospitals, and a $65million medicine supply contract from Egypt.

FERTILISER SCANDAL

For fertiliser supply, the final process that awarded Zambian companies in accordance with the law, was hastily cancelled and replaced by a process of direct-bidding or single-sourcing.

Government cancelled a public tender for the supply, delivery, warehousing and distribution of D-compound(basal) and Urea Fertiliser under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

The tender was conducted under the Open National Bidding procurement method.

Six companies that were picked as best evaluated; Samar Agro Investments, Stutone Investments, Conchak Investments, Alpha Commodities, Agrizam Investments and Evergreen Fertilisers were mostly abandoned in the subsequent process.

On 21st September,2022, Agriculture Minister, Mutolo Phiri announced that six suppliers, mostly foreign-owned, were identified and given contracts for the supply and delivery of fertiliser.

Under this procurement, the Ministry picked six firms; ETG, FSG, United Capital Fertiliser, Alpha Commodities and Agrizam to supply, deliver, warehouse and distribute the fertilizer.

And the Zambia companies that were given contracts; Alpha Commodities and Agrizam are associated with the President.

And Mutolo announced that Government was buying Fertiliser at $1,400 per tonne, the highest Zambia has ever procured.

Strangely, the tender that Mutolo(ZPPA) had cancelled a few days before provided to supply at $1,050 per tonne!

Corruption, favouritism, hatred and procurement irregularities have driven this process that will culminate in food insecurity and food shortages next year!

THE HARD CHOICE- HIGH FUEL PRICES, SUBSIDY AND THE OPPORTUNITY COST

By Alexander Nkosi

In 2021, the total cost of fuel subsidy was USD67.4 million per month or USD809 million per year. In kwacha this is K13 billion, higher than our agriculture budget for 2023 and over 50% of the total education budget for 2023. Note that at this point the price of crude oil on the international market was lower than it is today. So to bring down the price of fuel to 2021 level or below, we need to spend more than K13 billion, probably close to K20 billion. Just to keep it at K17, the previous government left around USD600 million arrears owed to Oil Marketing Companies and borrowed heavily to cover the gap left by suspension of taxes on fuel and petroleum products.

Government has decided to remove the fuel subsidy and spend the money on: hiring and equipping agriculture extension officers, establishing farm blocks for food production and processing, expanding allocation to FISP, constructing 16 irrigation dams, economic empowerment for SMEs, doubling allocation to drugs and medical equipment, hiring more health workers, and improving quality of education through hiring more teachers.

Do we have any options? Below are some options and analysis of why it is difficult to implement them.

1. Reverse mining taxes so as to raise more money to pay for the fuel subsidy. In 2022, both copper production and prices have gone down compared to 2021. Any reversal in tax adajustments made in the mining sector would be met by a further reduction in output leading to a reduction in total revenue from the sector. Mining firms are known for such negotiation tactics. So this won’t give us the K13 billion we would need for the fuel subsidy.

2. In 2023, we have increased allocation to agriculture, education, health and dismantling arrears. Do we cut down on- agriculture spending, allocation to dismantling arrears and allocation to medical supplies- to fund the fuel subsidy? Then how do we grow?

3. Do we borrow more on the domestic market to subsidise fuel? In 2023 total borrowing has gone down by K18.3 billion. This is good for debt sustainability and debt restructuring negotiations. No one will take us seriously if we are asking for debt restructuring while increasing borrowing. Reduction in domestic borrowing will help push down interest rates. However, if government increases domestic borrowing, interest rates will go up and the private sector which essentially should drive economic growth and job creation will be hard hit.

Reducing prices of fuel would benefit both producers and consumers. Good as it might be, keeping fuel prices low at this point would be very expensive, the opportunity cost will be very high. We can’t have it all, we have to give up something. It is a question of what represents the best investment under the current circumstances. Kenya’s new President abolished fuel subsidies and increased agriculture subsidies.

Thank you.

Ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres in Kafue District have staged a protest to advocate the removal of charismatic town Mayor Buumba Malambo.

The UPND cadres have accused Ms. Malambo and other people of illegally allocating land in Kafue Town.

They alleged that Ms. Malambo’s and his unscrupulous people have gone to the extent of demarcating land owned by private individuals as farms.

The cadres, mostly women clad in UPND regalia, on Monday morning chanted ati-Malambo slogans and said they don’t want the Kafue Mayor anymore.

“They are going into people’s farms to demarcate land. We aren’t afraid to speak out on these issues. They went to get people’s NRCs who are now crying just because they are PF lawyers. We don’t want bogus lawyers. We are going to die for our party. We don’t want to embarrass our President (Hakainde Hichilema). The President has vowed that he doesn’t want corruption. We removed the PF from power because of plot allocation illegality. It seems they stood on our UPND ticket with bad intentions. We don’t want that here in Kafue. Kelly out, Buumba out,” said a woman at the Council Offices in Kafue.

“Council isn’t a family affair. Suspend Kelly Buumba Malambo,” read some placards carried by protestors.

Meanwhile, Dr. Malambo has vowed not to resign following protests against her by UPND members.

In a facebook post, the Kafue Mayor Malambo said she stands for the people of Kafue and no one can stop her from working for the people who voted for her.

“The same group that fought former Kafue UPND Mayor Mr Thomas Zulu until he resigned and joined PF causing Kafue to go for Bye Elections which UPND then lost to PF have come back to fight me at Kafue Town Council and calling that I resign as Mayor for Kafue so that Kafue can have bye elections. In the 2021 elections when I was adopted the same group closed the UPND office and I had to do my adoption application under a tree but that did not stop me. When they saw that I was not scared and weak they organized themselves and raised an Independent Candidate to challenge me but all that went with the wind. The past months they have been sending armed thugs to my house as early as 03am harassing me and trailing my children and as a female politician I reported to the higher party office and the police because I wasn’t and am not safe. When they saw that the malice and insults didn’t not stop me from working they have gone now to disturb the operations of the Council questioning why I went to Kalukungu Market to give support to the marketeers,” Dr. Malambo stated.

She branded the protests against her as works of the enemies.

“They tried the same game when I was just a councilor to a point of sending armed thugs who broke into my house and clearing stated that they were sent and pointed out a gun in my Son’s Mouth who was just 6 months by then and threatened to rape and kill me but God in Heaven came down with force and scattered them. They have accused me of giving help in-terms of food ,clothes ,employment and scholarships to people they call PF and have accused me of having sold plots worth 100 Million, but I ask again is there a ministry that has that k100 Million for me a small girl from Magoba village to have that,” she said.

“This is a total fight on my work and integrity and a total violation of human rights coupled with malice and wanting so much a dent on my name just because i’m a female Mayor they call me “Stubborn”. Sorry to disappoint you, My Name is Dr Buumba Malambo and I stand for the people of Kafue and no one can stop me from working for the people who voted for me. If you think I will resign Ni Fimba Upoke. Will remain Mayor for the greater people of Kafue until 2026. Try next door,” Dr. Malambo wrote.

Dr. Larry Mweetwa

RECRUITMENT OF REGISTRARS/CEO AT HEALTH PROFFESIONS COUNCIL AND GNC SHOULD BE ON MERIT AND NOT FRIENDSHIP/ PATRONAGE OR CONNECTIONS.

While recruitment by headhunt or patronage has worked well in some respects, in most instances it is associated with corruption and leads to a situation where an incompetent person may be recruited just because of the good connections they may have with the board chair person, permanent secretary, minister etc. Moreover, individuals appointed to patronage positions are depended on the will of those who hired them, making them unlikely to speak freely and criticize their bosses.

My analysis brings me to two interesting Health professional bodies that have had interesting toxic recruitment processes and that’s the general nursing council and the Health professions Council. I think for the Nursing council in the last five years they had good choices.

My major Concern has been with the Health Professions Council, from the time i have been a member of this professional body, i have had my own serious observations in the manner the recruitment process of senior Management has been instituited. The only time i saw meaningful progress was during the tenure of Mr.Bwembya, great professional attributes without bias, new infrastructure projects completed etc, yes he may not have been a perfect person like anyone of us, but i think for me he was one of the best.

Right now after his departure we are yet to see if the Board will unlock the position for a fair competitive open Recruitment process with sensible competencies and skills to would be next CEO. We hope to see Someone with Business administration qualifications or Project Management and industry experience should be a must, but as usual i smell a rat where no advert will be shared for this position but in no time we will just hear that such a person was secretly nominated to head the institution.

What we want to see in the new CEO/MD is a person who will inspire and foster professional growth of its members, medical doctors, Medical laboratory scientist, Environmental Health Experts, Physiotherapists, Radiographers, Pharmacists etc.

It is critical to whoever would be recruited as CEO to divorce himself/herself from professional bias as such issues is what led to break apart of health professions council in the UK where for example the General Pharmaceutical Council separated itself. The new CEO must embrace all professions and foster Growth. The new CEO and the Board for the health professions Council should be seen to do the sensible and right thing so that at senior management level of the Health professions Council there must be equal professions representation not where one profession dominate others. Directorate positions must reflect professions unity and equal representation.

Dr. Larry Mweetwa

My remarks on the Process of Electing the PF party President have been Twisted and Misunderstood ~ Mourinho

Monday 31st October, 2022

I have learnt with dismay that my remarks on today’s Lusaka Star program on UNZA RADIO concerning the PROCESS of electing the Patriotic Front President have been twisted, misconstrued and misunderstood by some, either out of malice or out of a sheer lack of understanding of the Patriotic Front Constitution.

Some folks have gone to town alleging that I said that some named candidates are ineligible to contest the forth-coming presidential party elections.

For the sake of putting the record straight let me repeat myself;

1. Application is NOT nomination. Those that have applied to contest the elections will have to formally be nominated at the General Conference in line with the Party Constitution.

2. Article 52 of the PF Constitution clearly stipulates the PROCESS of electing a party President and it states as follows:

a) The President of the Party shall be elected at the General Conference of the Party.

b) The Secretary General of the Party shall submit the name or names of the candidates to Central Committee for consideration and where there is more than one candidate the Central Committee may indicate support for one of the candidates.

c) The Central Committee shall submit the name of the candidate or candidates to the National
Council for APPROVAL or DISAPPROVAL.

d) The person whose candidature for the office is not approved by the National Council shall not be
Eligible for election at the General Conference for the office of the President of the Party.

e) A candidate whose candidature for the office of the President of the Party is approved by
National Council shall lodge his NOMINATIONS papers with the Returning Officer appointed by the Electoral Commission supported by twenty (20) delegates from each of the Provinces of Zambia attending the General Conference.

f) If more than one candidate stand for the office of the President of the Party, each delegate to the
General Conference shall vote for one candidate only and the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes shall be the sole candidate for election to the office of the President of the Republic.

g) Where only one candidate has filed nomination papers at the close of nomination, such a Candidate shall be declared duly elected President of the Party without conducting a poll.

This is what the Constitution states and this is exactly what I was explaining during my interview.

As explained in clause (c) above the powers and authority to decide who is ELIGIBLE and who is NOT eligible is purely the mandate of the National Council and the National Council alone.

I wish to encourage each one of us to familiarise ourselves with the Party Constitution to avoid being swayed by purveyors of falsehoods and lies.

PF is strong and it should not allow anyone to divide it. Let’s remain focused and continue to forge unity of purpose for the sake of the party and our country. People are suffering and are looking up to PF to unite and liberate them.

Issued by;
Antonio Mwanza
Media Director
Patriotic Front

OPINION: WILL A FORMER RULING PARTY EVER BOUNCE BACK TO POWER IN ZAMBIA?

By Isaac, Political Commentator

We have seen from around 1964 from the time Zambia got independence that its becoming almost certain that when a political party loses power, they never bounce back to power. UNIP lost to MMD in 1991 and as at now 2022, they are nowhere to be seen. Not even a Councillor.

The MMD lost power to the Patriot Front in 2011 and the party members scampered like pigeons who sees a cat been thrown on them. Most of them joined the ruling PF party, others went to the then biggest opposition “UPND” . As at 2022, they have no Single MP, Mayor or council chairperson. Only a few councillors in Eastern province.

Personally i have seen a difference with the PF losing power to UPND.

Firstly, most big wigs of the PF have remained steady fast and have continued supporting the party and are loyal to the party. Yes, we have seen a few others leaving the party or openly fighting the party but i have not seen any MP resigning to join the UPND or any Other political Party.

That, should ring something in the minds of the UPND. I have never seen a former ruling party reorganising itself like the way i have seen the PF. During the immediate past independence day celebrations, evidence is there to see that PF dominated the celebrations in almost all places they participated. Copperbelt, Kabwe, Nakonde and many parts of the country. That shows that people genuinely supports PF country wide and still remains a party of choice by many Zambians.

A reality Check to the UPND, They should know that the extra 1million votes they got, mostly, it was a vote of no confidence in the PF and a sympathy vote to UPND, Most people are not willing to gamble on those lines again.

The biggest challenge PF may have is to remain united after the conversion. If they just manage to be united after the conversion, PF will be first political party in Zambia to bounce back to power just infact after just 1 term in opposition.

Tribalism, nepotism, corruption and Failure to govern the country by the rule of Law has made UPND to be detested by most Zambians who thought things could change for the better. They dont realise that they are losing popularity faster than they gained i

PF will definitely bounce back. Its just a matter of time.

TIZ SHOCKED BY MANIPULATIONS OVER KABUSHI AND KWACHA BY-ELECTIONS

TI – Z BITES, UPND, PF, ECZ AND JUDICIARY

TI-Z STATEMENT ON KWACHA AND KABUSHI BY-ELECTIONS

Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) followed with keen interest the events surrounding the recently held by-elections in Kabushi and Kwacha constituencies in Ndola and Kitwe respectively. It is indisputable that the events surrounding the two by-elections have eroded the already weak public confidence in our democratic processes and the autonomy of our democratic institutions such as the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
Unfortunately, the key players in these by-elections elevated their personal and group interests far beyond the larger public interest and public good, thereby driving the country to a near constitutional crisis. Consequently, there was widespread voter apathy, with only 23% and a paltry 14% of the registered voters turning out to vote in Kabushi and Kwacha, respectively.
TI-Z wishes to raise four key issues arising from the events that characterized these by-elections:

(1) It is a well-known fact that the promise to restore the rule of law was one of the significant factors that propelled the United Party for National Development (UPND) to their convincing electoral victory in the 2021 general elections, following their over 20 years as an opposition political party. During their time in opposition, the UPND was a regular victim of political maneuvers aimed at hindering their free participation in different aspects of the country’s democratic process, including elections.

Furthermore, during the lead-up to the 2021 general elections, the UPND was treated to unfair campaign tactics such as the dominance of the then incumbent republican President during the campaign period, which was designed to crowd-out the opposition in selected constituencies under the guise of security or the pandemic concerns. TI-Z therefore finds it grossly unfortunate and deeply disturbing that during the by-elections in Kwacha and Kabushi, the UPND government and party seemingly adopted these same unfair practices in a bid to win the by-elections. The many maneuvers that we witnessed, including through the judicial process, gave the worrying impression that the UPND as the party in government will stop at nothing to ensure that they advance their political interests. Given that we witnessed similar machinations prior to August 2021, it is worrying that a party that was given a strong mandate to govern on the basis of being different is adopting the same tactics that the Zambian citizenry widely rejected. TI-Z therefore calls on the UPND party and administration to refrain from such backward maneuvers and live up the high expectations that the Zambian people have in them. The behaviour of the UPND party in the Kabushi and Kwacha fiasco does not inspire confidence, and we challenge them to change this narrative.

(2) There can be no doubt that the ECZ failed to meet the aspirations of the Zambian people with respect to the manner in which it handled the two by-elections. In aspiring to uphold the value of impartiality, the ECZ should not only act but also be seen to act in a non-partisan manner and exhibit the highest levels of impartiality and professionalism. Unfortunately, the events surrounding the two by-elections provide a basis to question the impartiality and autonomy of the Commission. Ultimately, the decisions taken by the ECZ in proceeding with the by- elections, despite a court order staying the elections being in effect, served to disadvantage other players, in particular the Patriotic Front (PF). The fact that the ECZ’s decisions appeared to always be in line with the desires of the ruling party is a stain on the conscious of the Commission, and will do nothing to change the public perception that the Commission is only independent on paper but not in practice. TI-Z therefore calls on the ECZ to always exhibit the highest degree of professionalism in delivering their constitutionally-given mandate. In the same vein, we are concerned with the leadership gap currently existing at the Commission. The absence of a substantive Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson effectively means that both the management and oversight functions at the Commission are grossly impaired.

(3) In the lead-up to the two by-elections, all the political parties, including the PF were aware of the potential constitutional crisis that could arise by nominating candidates who previously lost the same seats through judicial processes. While respecting the rights of all political parties to select any candidate of their choice to stand on their ticket, it was grossly irresponsible of the PF to elevate this right far and above the peace and credibility of our electoral process. Fielding candidates who are subjects of judicial processes arising from constitutional lacunae, meant that the PF shot themselves in the foot, and this ultimately led to them not taking part in the by-elections. As a party that was in government not long ago, the PF should have anticipated the likely outcome of their decision and therefore could have taken strategic action to prevent this outcome.

(4) We want also to address the role the Judiciary played or did not play in the matters concerning the two by-elections. We noted with great disappointment that, in more than one way our courts failed the people of Zambia by failing, in our view, to clearly, decisively, definitively, resolutely and authoritatively interpret the pieces of law brought before them by different parties beyond doubt. Often, whenever our courts interpreted the law, the public remained with more questions and labored to interpret the interpretations of our courts. We go to the courts to seek finality, however we feel the court’s rulings, in some instances, were vague and ambiguous. We do not want our judiciary to be looked upon as being not independent, partial and incompetent. We equally noted that there appeared to be dissonance among the different courts especially the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court as though they were not falling under one judiciary; their judgments did not always seem to meet some standard of convergence, and this was a matter of grave concern for us and other stakeholders.

In light of all this, TI-Z calls upon all stakeholders in the electoral process to reflect on these two by-elections in order to learn vital lessons, and to take actions aimed at preventing such an outcome in future. We also call on the UPND administration to provide a clear roadmap for the constitutional review process, which process is important to address the many constitutional lacunae, which have the potential to plunge the country into a constitutional crisis.

What happened in Kabushi and Kwacha is a stain on our democracy, and it is our hope that measures will be put in place to avoid a recurrence in future.

Mr. Sampa J Kalungu
Chapter President

TRY NEXT DOOR, BUMBA TELLS HER CRITICS

SHAME!!!

The same group that fought former Kafue UPND Mayor Mr Thomas Zulu until he resigned and joined PF causing kafue to go for Bye Elections which UPND then lost to PF have come back to fight me at kafue Town Council and calling that I resign as Mayor for Kafue so that kafue can have bye elections.

In the 2021 elections when I was adopted the same group closed the UPND office and I had to do my adoption application under a tree but that did not stop me.

When they saw that I was not scared and weak they organized themselves and raised an Independent Candidate to challenge me but all that went with the wind.

The past months they have been sending armed thugs at my house as early as 03am harassing me and trailing my children and as a female politician I reported to the higher party office and the police because I wasn’t and am not safe.

When they saw that the malice and insults didn’t not stop me from working they have gone now to disturb the operations of the Council questioning why I went to Kalukungu Market to give support to the marketeers.

They tried the same game when I was just a councillor to a point of sending armed thugs who broke into my house and clearing stated that they where sent and pointed out a gun in my Son’s Mouth who was just 6 months by then and threatened to rape and kill me but God in Heaven came down with force and scattered them.

They have accused me of giving help in-terms of food ,clothes ,employment and scholarships to people they call PF and have accused me of having sold plots worth 100 Million,but I ask again is there a ministry that has that k100 Million for me a small girl from Magoba village to have that.

This is a total fight on my work and integrity and a total violation of Human rights coupled with malice and wanting so much a dent on my name just because am a female Mayor they call me “Stubborn”.

Sorry to disappoint you,My Name is Dr Buumba Malambo,I stand for the people of Kafue and no one can stop me from working for the people who voted for me.

If you think I will resign Ni Fimba Upoke I
Will remain Mayor for the greater people of kafue until 2026.

TRY NEXT DOOR😂😂😂

Mukose Bane💪💪💪

REFORM REGULATIONS ON FUNDING OF POLITICAL PARTIES

Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba explains 200pin saga

…says its within personal budget of aspirants

31.10.22

One of the aspirants in the opposition PF presidential race Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba has dismissed UPND concerns over the K200,000 application fee as political ´hog wash´.

Speaking on Hot FM, Ambassador Mwamba the former Zambian representative to the African Union (AU) told the radio station its nonsensical for UPND member Obvious Mwaliteta to lose sleep and call for a probe over K200,000.

What we need to do is reform the law that regulates funding of political parties and their activities as it promotes transparency and accountability.

He said UPND is on record of rejecting the Bill on funding of political parties.

He said this way the funding of political funding is not regulated in Zambia and candidates can raise money from well-wishers, members and funders.
The nomination fee was set by the Central Committee and candidates were given two and half months to raise the money.

He says nominations were opened on 1st September 2022 and closed on 31st October 2022.

When asked how he raised his K200,000, Mwamba rwsponded;
“The asking price was actually K500,000 not K200,000 which was first proposed but later reduced,” said Mr Mwamba, “I personally worked as Permanent Secretary for five years and Ambassador for seven years how can I fail to raise 200pin in two months really?”
The application fee for PF presidential hopefuls have kept the UPND rank file talking since eight members filed applications on 27th and 28th October ahead of the party polls set for next March.

Conversely, PF Media Director Antonio Mwanza in an UNZA Radio live interview reaffirmed the fact that Mr Mwaliteta must have his head checked for a wild call for a probe into the source of the PF application fees money.

“I was a student leader myself right here at UNZA and I had no money, but I got lots of donations from fellow students so how can Six points Mwaliteta get alarmed that Messer’s GBM, Kafwaya, Mwamba, Monde, Mundibile, Sampa, Kambwili can fail to raise 200 pin in two months?” said Mr Mwanza.

The PF Media Director said he will ignore Mr Six Points and instead concentrate on rooting for his party the PF following heightened calls from the Zambian public to “rescue” them from growing poverty under UPND.

Mr Mwanza said the cost of living was strangling Zambians that are sending their children to school on empty stomachs and walking long distance because the parents cant afford to pay bus fares for them.

He also warned of a looming total collapse in agriculture, especially maize production because President Hakainde Hichilema and his government have failed to deliver agric in puts two months into the maize growing season.

Source: Hot FM/Unza Radio

Rating agency Moody’s says it expects Zambia to remain subject to elevated risk of redefault in future.

In a ratings update, Moody’s affirmed the Government of Zambia’s Ca foreign-currency and local-currency long-term issuer ratings with a stable outlook.

The decision to affirm the Ca ratings balances Zambia’s limited external financing sources, very weak governance, exposure to environmental and social risks, and ongoing debt default against recent improvements to the economic outlook and efforts to improve fiscal management in the context of the IMF programme approved earlier this year.

Moody’s says the stable outlook implies that the government’s credit profile is unlikely to improve materially until after the current debt restructuring exercise is completed.

It also says the expected losses to creditors remain aligned with those associated with a Ca rating.

“The government is not currently servicing external private sector debt and, while it continues to meet local currency debt service obligations, risks remain elevated that some or all local currency instruments may be included in the upcoming restructuring exercise,” it states.

Zambia’s local-currency and foreign-currency country ceilings remain unchanged at Caa1 and Caa3, respectively.

The three-notch gap between the local-currency ceiling and the sovereign rating reflects the government’s small role in the economy relative to peers and moderate domestic and geopolitical risk, notwithstanding relatively high external imbalances and heavy reliance on a single common revenue source in copper.

The two-notch gap between the foreign-currency ceiling and the local-currency ceiling reflects Zambia’s high external indebtedness and very low policy effectiveness that generate a degree of transfer and convertibility risk, notwithstanding its open capital account and track record of limited intervention.

“After borrowing heavily from a range of external creditors to finance domestic infrastructure projects, the pandemic-induced shock led Zambia to default on its eurobonds in October 2020. Since then, Zambia has ceased servicing of its commercial external debt and is seeking a debt restructuring under the auspices of the G20 Common Framework for debt relief beyond the DSSI (Common Framework). Given Zambia’s unsustainable debt level and the size of the debt reduction outlined in the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Debt Sustainability Analysis, Moody’s expects bondholder losses will exceed 35% net present value at the time of the original default, consistent with a Ca rating.”

It adds,”To-date, Zambia has continued to service local currency debt obligations, including those to non-resident holders. Authorities are seeking to exclude all local currency debt instruments from the restructuring, citing concerns regarding domestic financial market stability and the need to preserve domestic debt market financing post-restructuring, as well as practical and legal considerations regarding the ability to isolate non-resident holders. However, the eventual parameters of Zambia’s debt restructuring will be subject to negotiations between Zambian authorities and its creditors.”

It says, “Risks that some local currency creditors will be included in the restructuring perimeter remain elevated, while Zambia’s weak governance, high exposure to environmental and social risks, and vulnerability to external shocks given its heavy reliance on a single commodity export base leave all creditors exposed to risk of redefault in the future following the restructuring.”

Moody’s expects more clarity on the details of the restructuring, including its overall size, interest reductions, maturity extensions, and treatment of local currency creditors to be outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding between the official creditor committee and Zambian authorities, which will serve as the basis for the next stage of the restructuring process: bilateral negotiations between Zambia and its individual creditors.

FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES DURING PF REIGN WORRISOME

31st October, 2022 – Lusaka

Contact: UPND Media Director Ruth Dante Heaton/ +260 976 593 165

Email: dante.ruth@gmail.com

GROSS financial irregularities during PF rule continue surfacing and posing a worrisome situation. The PF presided over state institutions either without thorough forensic audits of these institutions or such audits were undermined deliberately to loot public resources.

Despite having not been taken seriously by the PF, forensic audits are very important as they are used as a deterrent against potential corruption and employee financial misconduct where the results of such engagements can assist the relevant authorities in developing future action plans to help prevent, detect and deter fraud in public institutions.

For instance, according to the Auditor General’s Report, in the financial years ending 2020 and 2021, the Ministry of Local Government (now Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development) signed a total of 190 feeder road contracts in amounts totaling over K9 million against a total budget provision of about K4 million resulting in over commitment of K9, 433, 913, 996.

In addition, there were 42 contracts on feeder roads that had been brought forward prior to 2020 with contract sums of about K2 million but this ended up in over commitment of contract sums of over K12 million as at 31st December 2021.

The implication of these over commitments was that the PF Government was unable to honour payment obligations and as such, debt and interest accrued exponentially, a situation which in turn affected overall service delivery. They left empty coffers due to financial mismanagement coupled with heavy looting of public resources thereby recessing the economy to a growth rate of negative 2.8 percent as at August 2021 although the UPND Government has managed to turn this situation around with the economy now growing at positive 4 percent.

The need for forensic audit cannot be over emphasized in a developing country such
as Zambia that was highly prone to corruption, an evil that has in the past seen the collapse of the world’s major economies and has robbed developing countries such as Zambia of the much-needed resources.

There surely is need for the current Government to continue closing governance gaps and enhance transparency and support accountability so that the country can now engage in constructive transactions.

The UPND Government’s pronouncement on enhanced forensic auditing of past and present transactions is thus justified. With President Hichilema and the UPND at the helm, the dream of a better Zambia is becoming a reality and together we will achieve.

(C) UPND MEDIA TEAM

I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN REMOVE HH FROM STATE HOUSE SAYS GBM

PF hopeful Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba also known as GBM by cadres has said that only him has the capacity to remove President Hakainde Hichilema from State House.

And GBM has warned the PF that if it chooses a weaker candidate to face Hichilema, the opposition party will quickly diminish.

He says when he was sent to UPND as an agent of destruction by PF, he got serious political ideas on how to cripple Hichilema and the party.

“Once HH is out of the party (UPND) it will be easier for us to win people back but these stories by some of you that those who had gone to UPND must not be voted for as party presidents means that you don’t know politics. Do you know how to weaken and undress a King? The first attacks should be on the strong boys and girls surrounding the King and in the case of Hichilema, I know all his strong boys and girls especially boys and one thing for sure is that they are stubborn but those will be my targets once you vote for me. They are the ones who started calling me Mr K50 Million and daily they were attacking me that PF had bought me to leave UPND and when they start attacking someone, they are relentless and they are not even in the party structures and don’t even hold senior government positions but they know politics and they can bring anyone down as they made me resign from UPND before i could accomplish the mission President Edgar Lungu sent me to do there. Allow me to be party leader and I will daily be attacking them and make them weak and they will stop defending their master and he will remain alone. This is the formula they used on president Lungu. They were daily attacking Lungu’s strong men and then they moved to him and it was game over but if you vote for a weaker candidate, he won’t manage HH as his boys will take that person on and all of you you will be jailed, “said GBM to his party supporters.

The PF has started campaigns to its members on who should be their next leader and face Hichilema in 2026 elections.

Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, Chishimba Kambwili, Chitalu Chilufya, Brian Mundubile, Mutotwe Kafwaya, Henry Mwenjenga also known as Emmanuel Mwamba, Miles Sampa and Greyford Monde are the creme de creme fighting for the party leadership with hope that one of them will remove Hichilema from office in 2026.

PRESS RELEASE
Contact : +260977307847

MR SIANDENGE AND HAMAAMBA ARE FREE CITIZENS.

LUSAKA – 30.10.22
We have noted with concern the levels of misinformation being exihibited by the Patriotic Front aimed at tarnishing the image of the Zambia Police Service and the UPND led government.

The Patriotic Front through their Facebook page carried a propaganda story suggesting that the Zambia Police is headed by criminals such as Deputy Inspector General Special Duties Fanwell Siandenge and Protective Unit Commandant Fred Hamaamba .

This information is not only misleading but trivial in nature as the former ruling party is trying by all means to remain relevant on the political space.

The nation is alive to the happenings that followed the disputed August 2016 General Elections which led to the arrest and subsequent failed trial of Lusaka Province UPND Chairman Obvious Mwaliteta and 4 others on a tramped up charge of aggravated robbery.

Others named in that charge included former Western Province Police Commissioner Fanwell Siandenge and former deputy Commander in charge of the police protective unit Fred , Hamaamba who became instant political fugitives.

It is also imperative to remind the PF and its excited surrogates that Mwaliteta and 4 others went through a vigorous trial before the High Court which lasted for more than a year and resulted into an acquittal.

Mr.Fred Hamaamba was equally arrested and charged with the crime of aggravated robbery and remained incarcerated for more than 9 months before being acquitted by the High Court in the case of the people vs Fred Hamaamba due to lack of sufficient prosecution evidence.

Mr Siandenge was never arrested nor allayed before any court of competent jurisdiction but had to go into hiding in fear of the PF persecution and killing which had become common practice during the PF regime.

Now that the two senior police officers do not stand charged or convicted of any crime,where does the PF get its Dutch courage to accuse them of being criminals,a crime they failed to prove when they had the instruments of power and reigned supreme over the police and other institutions of governance?

The nation will recall how the Hatembos had to live a fugitive life for fear of persecution and possible killing by the PF and their surrogates Nawakwi and Chilufya Tayali.

Infact,we are calling for an inquiry to be instituted on the issue of Milton and Pheluna Hatembo whose lives were put in danger by PF surrogates Edith Nawakwi and Chilufya Tayali.

Today,the same people want to come out clean and allay the people they falsely accused of capital offences as suspected criminals.You failed to prove this allegation then and we challenge you to prove it now or forever keep your peace.

President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND have restored people’s dignity and integrity and now our people can live without fear of persecution or any atrocities at the hands of PF sponsored criminals and street commanders.Allow the nation to enjoy its found freedoms devoid of unnecessary propaganda and infringements on its freedoms.

All that the New Dawn administration has done is to give and restore the dignity of the senior police officers such as Siandenge,Hamaamba and Shapa Wakung’uma who were unjustifiably turned into enemies of the state that which was unconstitutionally stripped from them.

These are Zambians who need protection and the UPND led administration has been human enough to cloth them of their integrity. Report them to law enforcement agencies if you feel they committed atrocities against humanity which you failed to prove when you had authority.

We would like to advise our friends in the PF to concentrate on what they claim to be a path towards rebranding which is already failing owing to the calibre of individuals leading the process. These are the same people that reign terror on innocent citizens through thuggery and other criminal activities including the looting of national coffers.

The PF are a shameful group of unclean people trying to cleanse itself despite not showing any signs of repentance because according to them,they did nothing wrong in the eyes of Zambians.

Zambians are watching!!

Trevor Mwiinde
UPND Deputy National Youth Chairman Politics and Mobilization N.M.C