PF FUNDERS HAVE RUN AWAY BECAUSE UPND IS HARASSING THEM – FORMER PF SG MWILA.

FORMER PF secretary general Davies Mwila has lamented that all the people who used to give the former ruling party money have run away because UPND is harassing them.

In an interview, Mwila said PF funders were being intimidated and had since gone into hiding.

He, however, said the expectation was that those who still liked the party would raise money for the general conference slated for March 2023.

“All the people who were giving us money have run away because UPND is harassing them. They are being harassed so all of them have hidden,” Mwila lamented.

“Those are African politics. Unless it was an enemy in America or UK, the same funders can stay but in Africa, they have run away. They are being intimidated and being harassed so they’ve run away. Of course, we will have one or two well wishers and people will come on board.

We cannot just be completely without anyone. It’s not possible because people like the party. They still want PF. So they have to come on board and help financially. That is what we expect. That is why we have enough time to raise money.”
Meanwhile, Mwila advised party members to be patient because PF did not want to make a mistake in choosing its new leader.

“There’s an acting president of the party and when we want to replace him, we don’t have to be in a hurry. We don’t want to make a mistake. We want to do a better job. That’s more of a reason March 2023, we will be able to scrutinise all those that want to be president. So we cannot be in a hurry. The one that we are going to elect is the one we will go with in the 2026 general elections. So in terms of the process, we have to be cautious and we cannot be in a hurry. So we’re on the right track as far as the party is concerned and people should not be in a hurry,” said Mwila.

“On the finances, that’s why we gave ourselves March in order to raise money that is required for the general conference. For example, part of the money that will be raised from the fees will go to the general conference. So if we’re going to have six candidates, we’re going to raise 1.2 million. So that is a starting point and members will start contributing and by March, we will be ready as a party for the general conference. So let them be cautious and patient.”

(Credit: News Diggers)

CIRCUMVENTING OUR CONSTITUTION – A VERY SERIOUS THREAT TO OUR GROWING DEMOCRACY

25th August 2022 —- The New Heritage Party is greatly concerned and disturbed at the recent attempts by the UPND through it’s surrogate individuals and or institutions to eliminate participation of some candidates in the upcoming Kabushi and Kwacha constituencies.

The New Heritage Party expects the ruling party to uphold and protect our constitution, as it is the supreme national guiding and impartial tool.

The Law Association of Zambia has cited the law, which clearly states that the said candidates’ participation in the upcoming by elections is valid. We urge the UPND and its surrogates to respect the professional views on the matter as espoused by the Law Association of Zambia.

The New Heritage Party expects the Electoral Commission of Zambia to remain neutral and uncompromised as it discharges the role of election management on behalf of the people. The Commission must never involve itself in political frays nor be seen to be siding with any one side as doing so will certainly lead to erosion of public trust and confidence in the Commission’s ability to manage the electoral processes with impartiality.

The path the ruling party wants to set our country onto is extremely dangerous and must not be left to set sail, as it will destroy the fabric of our young democracy that our forefathers and mothers sacrificed so much for.

The New Heritage Party condemns the attempts to turn Zambia into a de facto one party state. We expect the ruling party to respect the rule of law.

We urge the Zambian citizens to be more vigilant in protecting and nurturing our growing democracy by standing up against all schemes that attempt to erode the foundation of our national unity, peace and harmony.

This issue is not about Malanji and Lusambo. We must look at the wider effects on the nation. When decisions are made to target certain individuals, then we do ourselves a disservice as a nation. Remember the Parentage Clause and the issue of theft of motor vehicles being non-bailable. These laws were made to target specific individuals but ended up affecting and inconveniencing the whole nation and for all time.

May the spirit of ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION continue to flourish in our land.

God bless Zambia.

#LetZambiansWin.

Chishala Kateka
President – New Heritage Party

THE Concourt and it’s judgements.

By Pilato

Okay to start with, I am not a lawyer and I do not intend to sound like one. But since all of us are expected to follow the law even if we are not lawyers, allow me to express my thoughts on the ECZ and the Malanji and Lusambo issue.

I have read the provisions of the constitution quoted by ECZ in their statement and have read the Concourt judgement in the addressing the matter. I have also read the statement by LAZ and my conclusion is that the Concourt is deliberately neglecting its responsibility to provide solutions to constitutional questions in this country. I draw this conclusion by looking at the following;

The Concourt has not in its judgement disqualified Mr Bowman Lusambo or Mr Joe Malanji. The judgement says nullified. The question is, does the nullification of an election equal the disqualification of the candidate that won in the said election?

The Concourt ruled that Lusambo’s election was procured by fraud and was marred with violence. The Kabushi was nullified on grounds of electoral malpractices.

In Article 72 (2) (c) of the Zambian constitution speaks of a code of conduct. Is this the electoral code of conduct or the parliamentary and ministerial code of conduct?

I think the Concourt should be specific in responding to constitutional questions to avoid the confusion generated by their judgements.

So now we are left to use our creativity to figure out what the Concourt meant in its judgement.

On the other hand the ECZ have interpreted the “nullification” of the elections of Mr Bowman Lusambo and Mr Malanji as to mean disqualification.

On what grounds can one be disqualified from an election? Article 70 (2) does provide the grounds on which one can be disqualified participating in parliamentary elections. I think the established grounds on which one can be disqualified does not apply to Lusambo and Mr Malanji.

I think the duty is on the Concourt to come back to the people and tell us if by “nullification” they meant disqualification.

I think that the move by ECZ to reject nominations from the two PF members is baseless especially if it’s by the constitutional provisions they have indicated in their statement. The Concourt judgment does not state whether the two members of the PF are disqualified or not but that their elections were nullified.

We may have issues with the PF as a party and may not even like Mr Bowman Lusambo and Mr Joe Malanji but we should guard against destroying ourselves in dealing with their sins. We do not have to become the evil we are trying to cure. We must get back to the Concourt as soon as possible and get a clear position on this matter.

ECZ ON FIRM GROUND NOT TO ACCEPT MALANJI AND BOWMAN’S NOMINATIONS

LAZ is citing wrong Articles instead of speaking to the cited Article cited by the ECZ.

ECZ has not used the word disqualification as a reason for not accepting the papers of the duo but for causing a vacancy by the decision of the court as provided for in Art 72(4)

LAZ is speaking to the obvious which point is correct and i agree with that the court did not disqualify the duo but its DECISION caused a vacancy in the office of the MP.

And the Constitution demands that such a decision of the court that causes a vacancy in the office of the MP entails that the affected MP can’t recontest for the rest of the life that parliament.

This is why the ECZ was cautious not to include Lawrence shawa for Luangwa because he is not affected by the Constitution provision of Art 72(4).

For him it is Art 52(4) that will be invoked should he dare to file in tomorrow.

Even if ECZ did not invoke Art 72(4) on the duo, and allowed them to file in, ECZ would still have power to invoked Art 52 (2) which empowers it to reject nomination for not meeting the Constitutional requirements and qualifications.

Clause 2 of Art 52 guides that a A Returning Officer [ECZ] shall, immediately on the filing of a nomination paper, in accordance with clause (1), DULY REJECT the
nomination paper if the candidate does not meet the qualifications or procedural requirements specified for election to that office

Ecz is, under Art 52(2) empowered to REJECT any nomination of any candidate.

If ECZ would not have done that i.e. invoking the cited ARTICLES, as citizens, we would have invoked the provisions in Article 52(4) and (6) and the results would still have been the same, probably.

ECZ is on firm ground because it has not interpreted the Constitution of Zambia but has just enforced it.

So the argument that ECZ has interpreted the Constitution is false and misleading.

ECZ even helped other candidates from paying twice nomination fees had it gone ahead to accept nominations from the duo and later be petitioned.

I submit

McDonald Chipenzi

Opposition Political Party stakeholders have expressed divergent views when congratulating a renowned lawyer Kelvin Bwalya Fube popularly known as KBF for launching the Zambia Must Prosper Political Party.

The Socialist Party President Fred M’membe sent a congratulatory message to Mr Fube on behalf of the leadership and membership of his Party, stating that the country needs more voices, representation and political parties.

“What our country needs is more unity in diversity and patriotism and I wish Mr Fube all the best,” Mr M’membe stated

And Patriots for Economic Progress (PEP) President Sean Tembo stated that one strange thing that came out of Mr Fube’s Political Launch yesterday is that, he declared to fix President Hakainde Hichilema in whatever way he wishes, despite Zambia being a Democratic Republic, there is no sane person who can form a political party to fix a person unlike Problems Zambians are facing.

Mr Tembo mentioned that to start with, why would someone form a Political Party to fix an individual and the questions Mr Fube should answer are that, why fixing President Hichilema instead of coming up with a Plan for a country.

He added that according to Mr Fube, he wants to fix President Hichilema for issues such as increasing the Constituency Development Funds (CDF), employing 11,400 plus health workers, employing 30,490 teachers, and introducing freedom of movement and association.

“If these among others are the reasons why Mr Bwalya wants to ‘fix’ the ‘Fixer’ then, he is in Politics for wrong reasons,” he said

Mr Tembo said that Zambians need a Political Party that will enhance the fundamental principles of the fresh air that has been given by President Hichilema.

He added that today, Political Parties are freely wearing their party regalia in public without being harassed, civil servants are commenting on political matters without being beaten by cadres, and Political Leaders are insulting the President without being arrested, so why must we go back? Mr Tembo asked

“How about coming up with a Political Party to further reduce the cost of living, employ more youths, give investor confidence and others,” he said

Mr Tembo cited that clearly, Mr Fube seems to be in politics for personal vendettas and frustrations.

Meanwhile, Patriotic Front (PF) Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa noted that the formation of a political party by Mr Fube is a noble political venture that he has embarked on and only him is the master of his destiny.

Mr Sampa said that stranger than fiction that Mr Fube’s political disposition has been with both the current President Hakainde Hichilema and the former President Edgar Lungu.

“The congratulatory message from his now arch rival President HH is indeed very magnanimous,” he said

He cited that there is no need for him to remind Mr Fube on how his political party was deregistered within a week of being launched in 2014 post Sata’s death and the PF Mulungushi convention.

“All I can say is congratulations to KBF for having successfully launched his party Zambia Must Prosper yesterday,” he cited

Mr Sampa highlighted that the intra and inter party democracy does not only have to flourish, but has to be seen to flourish, thus the voice of the majority ordinary masses must be allowed to prevail freely without undue interference, be it through abuse of the judiciary.

Kelvin Bwalya Fube who’s popularly known as KBF launched his projected Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP) political party yesterday at Mulungushi Kenneth Kaunda International Conference Centre.

Speaking during the launch of the political party, Mr Fube highlighted that he has plans of contesting in the 2026 General Elections as his newly launched party is no longer part of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Alliance.

He has criticized that the UPND Government has failed to make decisions aimed at reducing the high cost of living Zambians have been subjected to since assuming office.

Mr Fube has since urged Zambians to begin preparing for a leadership change that will enable them to jump out of poverty.

He said that Zambians should not be treated to rhetoric leadership with no clear-cut plan to create jobs for ordinary people.

Mr Fube, a former member of the Patriotic Front the former ruling party, was among other political parties who came on board to form the UPND Alliance and championed for regime change during the 2021 General Elections which saw the UPND emerge victorious, though he has been in the background until now when he has re-launched the Zambia Must Prosper Political Party.

Mr Fube has therefore called on Zambians especially the youths to stop relying on free things and accompany him in establishing the new Zambia with ideas that can change their livelihood and lifestyles for the better.

The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) have announced the re-adoption of Bernard Kanengo as the party’s candidate in next month’s Kabushi Parliamentary by-election.

UPND Chairperson for Election Garry Nkombo has further announced that UPND has re-adopted Charles Mulenga for the Kwacha Constituency Parliamentary by Elections.

Mr. Nkombo has told a media briefing in Ndola that UPND is expecting free and fair elections in Kabushi and Kwacha.

He urged the party in Kwacha and Kabushi to campaign vigorously.

The PF has re-adopted Bowman Lusambo for the Kabushi by Election and Joseph Malanji for the Kwacha by Election.

“Allow to firstly, profusely thank all the candidates that applied to run on our UPND ticket. In Kwacha there were seven and we have gone through the filtration process. I want to publicly thank them (aspirants) for walking with us up to this point of the selection of the successful candidate and the party owes you. For Kwacha Constituency the UPND has settled for Mr. Charles Able Mulenga. The UPND has settled for Mr. Charles Able Mulenga. Mr. Mulenga,” Mr. Nkombo said.

Mr. Nkombo also thanked people who applied to contest the two by election on the UPND ticket.

Mr. Kanengo declared that the people of Kabushi have an opportunity to elect a Member of Parliament in a free and fair manner.

“First and foremost I want to thank the party from grassroots level up to the National Management Committee for the support they have rendered to me from the time of elections in 2021 up to now. I also want to appreciate my fellow aspiring candidates we fought together with in Kabushi Constituency to bring justice to the people of Kabushi. Lastly, I must thank the people of Kabushi and congratulate them that they have another opportunity to elect a member of parliament of their choice without violence, without malpractices that happened previously in 2021,” Mr. Kanengo said.

The Kabushi and Kwacha Seats fell vacant after the High Court nullified the election of Mr. Lusambo and Mr. Malanji in the 2021 General Elections.

Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba says his personnel is ready ahead of the forthcoming by-elections slated for September 15, 2022 in Kabushi and Kwacha constituencies, respectively on the Copperbelt province.

And the Inspector General of police has assured the nation that the issue concerning the gassing of people across the nation will not be left alone until a logical conclusion is attained.

The Kabushi and Kwacha Constituency seats held by Bowman Lusambo and Joseph Malanji , respectively, fell vacant after the Constitutional Court nullified the results after a petition.

Mr. Kajoba said the police has constituted a team to ensure that certain individuals who were involved in gassing of people on the Copperbelt are held accountable for what happened to most Zambians.

Inspector General said when he paid a courtesy call on Copperbelt province Minister Elisha Matambo that the police will ensure that peace prevails while law and order is maintained , during campaigns and after elections.

“As you are aware, Copperbelt province will be going to the polls in the two by-elections in Kabushi and Kwacha constituencies respectively.

“ My coming here is also to prepare the ground and plan on how best we are going to police the two by-elections,” he said.

The Inspector General of Police added that elections attract a hive of activities which sometimes culminates into electoral violence and other electoral related crimes.

Zambia police as an institution tasked with the responsibility to preserve peace, maintain law and order, they are more than ready to stop such bad vices.

Policing an election is not an easy undertaking and it takes critical planning and preparations if a violent free election is to be delivered which is a key prerequisite to free and fair elections in line with the democratic tenets.

“We will mobilize and deploy adequate numbers of officers to ensure police presence as a proactive measure of preserving peace.

“ In doing so, we are going to divide constituencies into smaller and manageable zones to easily conduct foot and motorized patrols in an effort to enhance police presence,” he said.

He said the police preparedness will be able to facilitate free and fair by-elections in terms of security for the people in the two constituencies to freely exercise their democratic rights.

And addressing police officers at Levy Mwanawasa , Inspector General Kajoba reminded them of their professional ethics and conduct saying they were the fiber of the Zambia police service.

INJUNCTION WON’T WORK …we’ll discharge it and file nominations – Malanji

By Kombe Mataka

FORMER foreign affairs minister Joseph Malanji says the bid by GEARS Initiative to block him and Bowman Lusambo from standing in the Kwacha and Kabushi by-elections can only work in Kangaroo courts.

GEARS Initiative executive director McDonald Chipenzi has asked Malanji and Lusambo not to recontest on account that the seats previously held by the duo were nullified due to established facts of corruption, violence, malpractices and non-possession or production of
the G12 academic qualification certificate, in the case of Malanji.

According to Chipenzi, the fact that the Constitutional Court upheld the High
Court ruling that nullified Lusambo and Malanji’s elections on account of corruption and malpractices, and non possession or production of the grade 12 certificate “using backdoors to recontest the by-elections was undersmining electoral integrity”.

“We are determined to invite the Constitutional court to interpret the… eligibility to recontest the elections after their elections were nullified on established facts that violated the Constitution, the electoral law and code,” said Chipenzi. “Therefore, Article 72(2) (b) and (h) guide us all that the office of a member of parliament becomes vacant if the member acts contrary to the prescribed code of conduct in this case the electoral code of conduct and/or is disqualified as a result of the decision of the Constitutional court for corruption or malpractices (Article 52(6) among other pieces of legislation, we will be summoning them to support the challenge we are drafting and ready for lodgement if the ECZ decides to accept their nominations papers on August 25.”

But Malanji told The Mast that he was aware that Chipenzi was merely seeking a
job and using him and Lusambo to get a job.

“Mr Chipenzi is very lucky that he is going to the ConCourt because they don’t charge any fees to just go and waste the court’s time. Otherwise if he was being charged for costs, he wouldn’t be dancing the way is dancing,” Malanji said. “You can see that he is a job seeker. He is looking for attention from the powers that be. Well, an injunction cannot work. An injunction is an interlocutory measure. It is not something permanent. So should he go ahead to court on Thursday, we will go to court to discharge it and file.”
Malanji said the bid to have him blocked from contesting elections would not work.

“It will not work unless he will use Kangaroo courts. But any normal court, he knows that nullification of a seat, if the court finds a grave error of contribution by the candidate petitioned, that is when they will proceed to nullify and disqualify that particular candidate,” said Malanji. “For arguments sake, if they found that that candidate is the one who killed someone during campaigns…There is a level to which they would know that he or she had crossed the red line and apart from nullification, they will also disqualify the candidate. It is very
clear. And the two seats (Kabushi and Kwacha) were merely nullified. The court puts itself on record if it is disqualifying a candidate.”

An assessment of President Hichilema’s first year in Zambia

By Sishuwa Sishuwa

Nothing demonstrates Zambia’s political polarisation quite as much as the responses to the basic question: how much has President Hakainde Hichilema accomplished in his first year in office? Where his supporters see total economic transformation and democratic renewal since his inauguration a year ago today, his critics see sustained decline and an abject failure of leadership.

Below, I attempt to offer a more balanced assessment of both the positive indicators and persistent challenges of Hichilema’s last year, focusing on six areas that featured prominently in his campaign.

Economic recovery

Zambia’s economy faced severe challenges under former president Edgar Lungu. Alongside the high cost of living, the country faced a staggering debt crisis, a declining currency, and high inflation. In confronting this situation, Hichilema’s first year has seen five major – albeit mixed – achievements.

First, certain economic indicators have stabilised. Inflation has reduced from an average 20% in 2021 to 9% today, while the Kwacha has improved against major currencies. This has provided a reprieve for Zambians, but many fear it is only temporary. That is because these changes are largely the result of external creditors pausing debt repayments pending a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Second, the government has recruited about 40,000 workers in health and education. This has created promised jobs and helped fulfil the campaign pledge of free public education. The problem is that this job creation has relied on expanding the public sector and will be difficult to repeat. In fact, this year’s increase to the public sector wage bill, which already consumes at least 60% of government expenditure, may constrain the government’s finances in the future and lead to tensions with trade unions if the cost of living continues to rise.

Third, Hichilema has increased the Constituency Development Fund from K1.6 million ($90,000) to K25.7 million ($1.4 million). This is a significant step towards decentralisation, local participation, and democratisation, as it gives each constituency autonomy to decide how to spend its allocation. However, this expansion appears hurried and insufficiently planned. For instance, the present local government system is based on districts (of which there are 116) and not on constituencies (of which there are 156). There is no administrative infrastructure at the constituency level to support the facility. And there are not yet sufficient regulations on budgeting and disbursement of a Fund allocation. More worryingly, project proposals still need to receive approval from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, perhaps indicating central government’s reluctance to wholly devolve power.

Fourth, Hichilema has all but secured a bailout programme with the IMF. This deal is essential to debt restructuring but may raise problems for the government’s job creation programme.

And fifth, the new administration has created a more predictable investment climate in the mining sector. In the past year, the Canada-based First Quantum Minerals has announced a $1.25 billion expansion to its Kansanshi copper mine, while a new $250 million nickel mine is set to start operations soon. While these projects are expected to create jobs, questions remain about how much Zambia will benefit in terms of revenue contributions. Opposition parties have criticised the government’s willingness to give mining multinationals huge tax breaks and other incentives.

Notwithstanding some at least promising economic developments, other major problems remain. Protracted disputes over Mopani Copper Mine and Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) – which had led the previous government to nationalise the former and attempt to liquidate the latter – are still unresolved. The government’s issuing of treasury bills has pushed bank lending rates up to 25% for much of the last 12 months, undermining the government’s promise to support small businesses. And instead of reducing fuel, fertiliser and food prices as pledged, these costs have increased.

Democratic reform

Zambia’s previous government undermined democracy and was willing to use both ruling party cadres and state forces against political opponents. It is to Hichilema’s credit that this has now largely ceased and that a relatively open democratic environment now exists. It is still early days, but the climate of lawlessness that characterised much of Lungu’s rule is slowly dissipating. The government’s claims of democratic renewal are, however, overstated.

In the area of institutional democratic reform, Hichilema has wasted his first year in office. Despite his promises, repressive legislation remains on the statute books. Not only that. More people have been arrested and sent to prison for breaking a dubious 1965 law against defamation of the president – a law that effectively criminalises criticism of the president – in Hichilema’s first year than were under six years of Lungu. Moreover, when recent videos emerged of soldiers beating youths for allegedly defaming the president, Hichilema criticised the victims, stating that young people should respect elders. This shows that the lure of authoritarian powers is very hard to resist, and that Lungu’s legacy will take some time to be undone.

The notorious Public Order Act also remains intact. In fact, it was only earlier this month that the Ministry of Home Affairs published a newspaper advert asking for public input into identifying the problems with the law and how it should be reformed. It is difficult to see this move as anything but an elaborate exercise to postpone new legislation until after the ruling UPND’s first term of office expires. Why did the party promise to reform the Public Order Act if it did not know what is wrong with it? Why don’t they publish a draft bill to be discussed in public and parliament, as is the usual process for legislative reform?

Hichilema’s pledge to pass a law on access to information has seen a similar lack of progress. Like many governments before it, the current one has also now dragged its feet on passing an act – or even producing a draft bill – that would make government more transparent and corruption easier to observe.

This procrastination is symptomatic of the new administration’s lack of willingness to make structural changes that would strengthen accountable governance. As a result, Zambian institutions remain as susceptible to manipulation now as they were under Lungu. While in opposition, Hichilema promised wide democratic reform. Now in office, his administration will have recognised the advantage of leaving laws that restrict the opposition in place.

The rule of law

The former government of the Patriotic Front (PF) frequently broke with the rule of law. It failed to comply with the requirements for selecting new judges. It exercised control over who anti-corruption watchdogs investigate. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) became famous for discontinuing prosecutions against Lungu’s allies. The police arrested opposition members on trumped up charges and restricted the activity of civil society organisations. And PF cadres were given license to terrorise opponents with impunity.

Over the past year, the UPND has moved purposely, if slowly, to reverse its predecessors’ state capture of these functions. It appointed professional and independent-minded people to head the judiciary, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), and the police. Party cadre-ism has been drastically reduced. In this way, the abrogation of the rule of law has been largely diminished and political differences restored to some semblance of civility.

However, some serious concerns remain, particularly regarding executive interference in prosecutions. When Hichilema took power, for instance, he declared that corrupt members of the previous regime could be given immunity if they returned stolen assets. Not only does the president lack the power to confer such immunity, but this policy undermines equality before the law. Nonetheless, a year later, the government gave immunity to the Liquidator of Konkola Copper Mines, who faces huge corruption charges, in return for his resignation. The current DPP Lilian Siyunyi, a Lungu appointee, conferred this immunity, though legal questions remain about whether she has the power to do so. Furthermore, there is evidence that top-ranking Hichilema officials worked closely with Siyunyi to facilitate the deal.

The anti-corruption campaign

Hichilema has shown political will to tackle the massive corruption under Lungu. He has appointed the highly regarded former Attorney General Musa Mwenye to chair the ACC, which has arrested high-profile former officials who were untouchable barely a year ago. And he selected the well-credentialed Mumba Malila, who genuinely abhors corruption, as Zambia’s Chief Justice. One hopes that Hichilema will make a similarly wise decision in appointing the DPP – once he succeeds in getting rid of Siyunyi – and not install an ally to do his bidding.

At the same time, there have been several major weaknesses in Hichilema’s first year of tackling corruption. First, delays in enacting legal reforms have left the ACC without adequate power to prosecute private entities. These were among the worst offenders under Lungu, though Hichilema also has many business associates with private companies that could benefit under the current administration.

Second, Hichilema’s repeated refusal to publish his assets and liabilities – in violation of Zambia’s constitution – undermines the fight against corruption and need for government transparency. This has added to suspicion about the extent of the president’s involvement in Zambia’s economy and whether his policies are deliberately designed to benefit companies in which he has an interest.

Third, Hichilema’s persistent suggestions that thieving former officials may be absolved if they return stolen assets has the obvious effect of seeming to legalise or even encourage corruption.

And fourth, Hichilema has shown unwillingness to deal with corruption in his own government. The president has, for instance, maintained complete silence over a controversy in which the Tourism Ministry cancelled 18 hunting concession contracts signed by the previous government in a potentially illegal move aimed at benefiting friends of the UPND.

Another cause for concern has been the clandestine meetings between Hichilema and top-level management of the Johannesburg-based Brenthurst Foundation, a creation of the Oppenheimer family, to discuss their possible future participation in the Zambian mining industry. The main question is whether Hichilema is using State House for his own private business dealings and blurring the line between private and government business amid a lack of transparency.

Diversity in public appointments

Under the previous government, most cabinet ministers and key officials across the state were either from Lungu’s home Eastern province or from one of the three Bemba-speaking provinces that supported the PF. Zambians from Southern, Western and Northwestern – who voted for the opposition – were marginalised.

Hichilema promised to do things differently if elected but has barely delivered. While his cabinet is relatively representative of Zambia’s ten provinces, areas that historically voted for PF are grossly underrepresented while most ministers are from ethnic groups that have typically formed the core of Hichilema’s base. The key ministries (home affairs, defence, finance, justice, education, local government and many more), the leadership positions of all the five security services, the leadership of the justice system, and most permanent secretaries in the civil service are all held by people from the regions that have traditionally voted for Hichilema.

There has been a near complete inversion whereby yesterday’s victors have become today’s victims and vice versa. Among other things, this adds to the risk of a vicious cycle whereby each new leader continues this trend and makes it more likely that the next election will be driven by ethnic rather than policy considerations.

The new president’s record on other forms of inclusion is even worse. Even though the constitution calls for equal gender representation in public offices, only five cabinet ministers are women, half the figure under Lungu. Furthermore, just one of Hichilema’s eight nominations to parliament – a constitutional provision meant to address electoral imbalances – was female. And only one of the president’s ten provincial ministers is a woman. Additionally, Hichilema has further made no appointments of either youth (18-35) or persons with disabilities to senior government roles in clear violation of the constitution.

Foreign relations

Political repression and violence damaged Zambia’s international reputation under Lungu. Hichilema has begun to restore it, in part by simply not being his predecessor. He has put trade and cooperation at the heart of Zambia’s relations with countries in the region. And he has restored relations especially with Western countries, though his proximity to them has raised suspicions among southern African liberation parties. Some privately view Hichilema as a stooge, especially after he swiftly moved to allow the US to establish an Africom-like military office in Lusaka.

In truth, Hichilema is in a tricky position because of the current geopolitical context. The country’s Copperbelt mines are tied to both South African capital – with links to the Oppenheimer family – and the Chinese, who control large stakes of Zambia’s economy. This leaves Hichilema with a careful balancing act of managing both Western and Chinese interests. Yet rather than listening to officials in his government with a record of looking both East and West, the president has seemed unwilling to devolve responsibilities. A large part of the problem, one minister told this author, is that “Hichilema is not truly a democrat and leans much towards autocracy”.

Ideologically, Hichilema is the closest Zambia has come to having a leader with a clear belief in free market enterprise. This explains his inclination to the West and his association with groups with a classically liberal centre-right political agenda. This approach would leave him open to trade with China, but tensions between the US and China make this complicated. Nonetheless, while the West is the source of much foreign investment, the East provides Zambia’s market for commodities. As the world becomes more geopolitically polarised, Hichilema needs to position Zambia in a way that minimises the risk of the country locking itself into a dependency path with one major power bloc or, even worse, becoming the site of proxy wars.

Also, within and beyond Zambia, there is a growing criticism of Hichilema’s reliance on advisors from the Brenthurst Foundation. Some view its director Greg Mills as the Gupta of Zambia owing to his apparent influence on the president and direction of policy especially in mining. Many fear the relationship will lead to the maintenance of colonial-style extraction of cheap materials to the West rather than prioritising a nationally determined industrialisation agenda.

Not a saviour, but a welcome upgrade

Hichilema has been presented by his supporters – sometimes by himself – as Zambia’s saviour. He is not. Over the last year, he has shown himself to be out of his depth on many key issues. He only appears positive in contrast to the disastrous Lungu, and as memories of the PF’s terrible record fade, the new president’s shortcomings may dawn on more people. This is especially the case as more severe challenges await. The next 12 months and beyond will reveal if Hichilema is a leader of the future, who solves or averts yet-to-emerge problems, or yesterday’s man, who can only address challenges created by those who came before him.

Hichilema is not everything that Zambians want in a president, but he is a clear improvement on the incompetence and authoritarianism of his predecessor. Had Lungu won the election, the country would be in a different place, and government critics – including this author – would likely have ended up jailed, if not worse.

HH REJECTED MY REQUEST TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION AND MAKE ME SECOND VICE PRESIDENT OR PRIME MINISTER, REVEALS KBF

President Hakainde Hichilema rejected my request to make a provision for me to be second Vice President or Prime Minister of Zambia throug a constitutional amendment, says Kelvin Fube Bwalya (KBF).

And KBF insisted that the country does not need to make profits because it is not a business entity, but can get maximum income through taxes and responsible borrowing.

Speaking to his Provincial leaders at his residence soon after launching his ‘Zambia Must Prosper’ Party yesterday, Bwalya said he supported HH on the understanding that we would change the constitution and make a provision for me to be second Vice President or Prime Minister of Zambia through constitutional amendment.

“Don’t be cheated, we are all in politics for benefits through positions. In that UPND Alliance, I wanted to secure your positions through a constitutionally recognised position as Second Vice President or Prime Minister and have you appointed as well. But my friend HH insisted constitutional amendments were not easy and required a lot of work and time. I told him I am a lawyer I could do it easily, but he insisted there were not shortcuts. That proved frustrating for me. We must grow this party and win next elections for you to have positions as well”, KBF told his Provincial committee members.

And Mr. Fube insisted there was nowhere in the world where government was run like a business entity and make profits.

“I keep hearing my friend HH saying politics is not a game but serious business, kwisa, bufi bane. If he wants to run a business entity, let him go back to his business. All governments in the world rely on taxes and and borrowing. Americans borrow, Chinese borrow, the British borrow and all these governments taxe their citizens. Profits are for business houses. So my friend HH is misplaced on this one,” said KBF.

SOURCE: Zambia Eagle

DSTV and Customer Protests
By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

In 2003, renowned lawyer and former Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Vincent Malambo SC led a protest process against DSTV.

In this case DSTV removed various channels from their Bouquet including SABC’s 1,2, 3 that had popular soapies with subscribers such as ‘Generations’ and ‘Isidingo’. Because of a dispute with SABC and DSTV’s failure to pay more,the channels were pulled off the Bouquet across Africa.

DSTV ignored the protests, the disaffection petered out and its subscription base continued to grow.

Since then, there have been similar protests against high subscription fees or programme repeats but have yielded nothing!

DSTV management in Johannesburg appears impervious or unresponsive to customers’ expressing dissatisfaction or protests.

In 2015 there were similar protests against DSTV.

So I am keenly following the latest social-media protests by the “Disciplinary Committee” aimed at compelling the company to reduce its subscription fees in light of the appreciation of the Kwacha against the US$ and waiting for DSTV’s response.

Of worry is the failure for subscribers to have access to ZNBC when the subscription has expired.
Will they ignore or attend to the complaint?
And where are the regulatory bodies such as Independent Broadcasting Authority(IBA) and Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)?

Watching.

Sinkamba Peter

JCC ADJOURNS DPP HEARING TO SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

THE matter involving the Director of Public Prosecutions Lillian Siyunyi’s appearance before the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC) was adjourned to 2nd September 2022 after she demanded that her response will be in writing.

Ms Siyunyi and the JCC have been going back and forth as she demanded certain issues that failed to materialise including wanting to be represented by the Attorney General at JCC, and seeking President Hakainde Hichilema to lift her oath of secrecy for her to divulge certain information.

However Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha rejected both requests and guided the DPP to go ahead and answer complaints levelled against her at JCC. This time around, Ms Siyunui has told the Vincent Malambo chaired JCC that she wants to respond to all complaints levelled against her in writing. In this regard, the commission has adjourn the matter to September 2, 2022.

As I indicated several times, there was absolutely no need for the DPP to waste time through legal gymnastics as the Constitution, and the Judicial Complaints Act, provide sufficient protection to witnesses that divulge confidential information to lawfully constituted tribunals like JCC so long as the information is provided on oath and truthful.

One would assume that as a senior lawyer, Ms Siyuni knows or ought to have known about this. The procrastination was really a waste of time as she was pushing an open door.

Let the hearings at JCC finally commence.

Meanwhile, the President should invoke Article 181 of the Constitution to suspend the Ms Siyuni from performing functions of the DPP until the determination by JCC and the Constitutional Court, of the legality, and constutionality, of the indemnity agreement that she entered into with the former KCM Provisional Liquidator Milingo Lungu. For, it is not in the best interest of the public for Ms Siyuni to be a State witness in the Constitutional Court in the matter concerning the said indemnity agreement when she has a toxic relationship with the Attorney General who is representing the State in the matter. Furthermore, neither is such a toxic relationship in the best interest of the administration of justice nor protecting the integrity of the judicial system. If anything, Ms Siyuni’s continued representing the State as a State witness in the controversial indemnity agreement is abuse of the judicial system.

Manchester United and Portugal attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandez has praised ex-Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy saying “Its good working along with him”.

McCarthy was appointed by the English Premier League giants at the end of July.

He was roped in as the first team coach being added to the new gaffer Erik Ten Hag’s backroom staff.

The South African international’s duties at the club include coaching the attacking players and also improving their positioning.

“Welcoming a new face to our coaching team. Great to have you on board Benni McCarthy,” wrote United in a statement.

“Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has added to his back room team with the appointment of Benni McCarthy as a first team coach.

“The ex-forward will specialise in coaching attacking plays and positioning.”

Speaking on his boss’ (Benni) appointment with SuperSport TV Fernandez could not hide his joy of working with the highly rated former South Africa national team legend.

“It’s been really nice working with him,” he said, “It’s a pleasure for me because as a young player, I watched him in Portugal playing for Porto and scoring many goals and it was a joy to see him.

“Having him here now, for many of my friends and family who support Porto, it will be good for them that they can come to Manchester and see him and get a photo with him and everything.

“And obviously working with him. He’s a really funny person, always positive, he brings a good energy on the dressing room and on the training ground.

“He was a quality player and he’s quality as a manager because we do many drills, from finishing and headers that he did really well when he was playing, so he can hopefully help us to score some goals.”

The 44-year-old former West Ham United and Blackburn Rovers striker was on the sidelines yesterday night when the Red Devils edged Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Goals in both halves by Jordan Sancho and Marcus Rashford were enough to hand United their first victory of the season.

Since his appointment, McCarthy has been showered by lot of praises by the United’s family including the gaffer Ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“There was still one place in our coaching staff that I wanted to fill. Someone with a different voice and Benni is that one.

“He has experience as a manager. He was a coach in the professional level and he was a former striker, a really successful striker as well,” Ten Hag told MUTV.

He went on to say: “He will focus on the positioning and attacking. I’m not saying only the strikers, but also the integration from the full-backs and midfielders. Our way of play has to be dynamic.”

WE’LL CONTEST SEIZURE, FORFEITURE OF OUR VEHICLES

THE Patriotic Front (PF) says it will contest any seizure or forfeiture of its assets including motor vehicles by state agencies.

And the party has described the demolition of over 340 houses in Chingola as inhuman and hypocritical.

Vice chairman for information and publicity Emmanuel Mwamba said in LusakaTuesday there was no law in Zambia that compelled a political party to disclose the sources of campaign money and equipment.

Ambassador Mwamba, who is one of the PF presidential aspirants, was speaking when he featured on a special programme on Hot FM radio station.

“We are putting the investigative wings on notice, that we shall contest in court the seizure or forfeiture of our vehicles,” he said.

Ambass Mwamba wondered why the investigative wings were being selective, only targeting PF vehicles when the UPND had almost the same number of vehicles.

“We know that they are just being used to cripple the PF ahead of the 2026 elections, ” Ambass Mwamba said.

The claim that government was seizing vehicles from the PF because it had been the party in power before the 2021 elections was ridiculous because no state money had been reported missing.

“No audit has been done and money reported to be missing. Political parties receive campaign money from well wishers and donors in many ways. PF vehicles were legally bought and registered either directly or indirectly by supporters and donors. It’s the same with the UPND. So why haven’t they seized UPND vehicles?” Ambass Mwamba said.

“We know that the investigative wings are just being used as political tools to weaken the PF ahead of the 2026 elections.”

He warned that the PF would get back its assets through court action the same way UNIP and the MMD did theirs after they were seized by new governments.

And Ambass Mwamba has condemned as inhumane and hypocritical the demolition by the UPND regime of over 340 houses in Chingola rendering over 1,500 citizens homeless using aviation safety as the excuse when City Airport in Lusaka was the most dangerous.

He said the government should have started with the demolition of buildings built close to City Airport in Longacres because it did not meet the minimum safety standards.

Meanwhile, Ambass Mwamba has rated the performance of the UPND government as three out of 10.

While he welcomed the increase of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) he described its implementation as “disastrous”.

Ambass Mwamba also said by employing 30,000 teachers and over 11,000 health workers the UPND was simply completing programmes the PF had started.

He condemned the seizure of a legal car wash business belonging to PF youths in Lusaka by UPND cadres as an indication that cadrerism has not ended but just changed clours.

The project was one of those that benefited from a programme in which the PF gave each constituency K75, 000 for youth empowerment when it was in power.

Ambass Mwamba said President Hakainde Hichilema should have the decency and humility to recognise the work of his predecessor, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and the PF the same way he was boasting and gloating over the increased CDF and employment of over 42,000 civil servants.

He said Mr Hichilema would be commissioning projects started by Dr Lungu for the next four years.
(PF Media Team)

GOVERNANCE, Elections, Advocacy, Research Services (GEARS) initiative executive director Mcdonald Chipenzi is a UPND cadre soliciting for a job that is the reason why he is using patronage so that he could be identified, Patriotic Front Information and Media chairperson Raphael Nakacinda has said.

Mr Nakacinda alleges that Mr Chipenzi has always been eying for a job at the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and now he wants to be noticed.

And PF aspiring candidate Chishimba Kambwili said that Mr Chipenzi was being used as a pawn by the UPND.

Mr Kambwili said that the planned move by Mr Chipenzi of wanting to challenge the adoption of PF candidates for the forthcoming by-election was all part of the nullification matrix. He said that both Mr Joe Malanji and Mr Bowman Lusambo were eligible and that a similar case arose with Ms Victoria Kalima whose seat was nullified but she was allowed to recontest. Mr Chipenzi vowed to challenge the adoption of PF candidates for the forthcoming by-election as they are all part of the nullification matrix.

Meanwhile Mr Nakacinda also said that the decision to demolish houses in Chingola was made by the government and the Mayor Mr. Johnson Kang’ombe was just sacrificed to bear the blame.

And Mr Chipenzi said Article 72(2) (b) and (h) guide that the office of a member of parliament becomes vacant if the member acts contrary to the prescribed code of conduct in this case the Electoral Code of Conduct and/or was disqualified as a result of the decision of the Constitutional Court among others pieces of legislation.

He said the electoral code of conduct was violated with impunity.

“Lessons must be drawn from the nomination challenge on Friday this week when we are filing so we urge the trio not to dare the law. It is the rule of law,” he said.

Mr Chipenzi said they were determined to invite the Constitutional Court to interpret the trio’s eligibility to re-contest the elections after their elections were nullified on established facts that violated the Constitution and the electoral law and code.

Mr Chipenzi said he would never compromise on electoral credibility.- Daily Nation

BOTHWELL NAMUSWA RETIRED IN NATIONAAL INTEREST

By Koswe Editors
One of the police officers retired in national interest was Bothwell Namuswa.

In December last year, after change of government, police in Lusaka arrested Bothwell Namuswa, still a senior Police officer for the shooting of a Kanyama resident in 2016.

Namuswa was charged with acts intended to cause grievous harm.

Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga stated that Namuswa was alleged to have committed the offence in 2016.

“Police have arrested Mr Bothwell Namuswa aged 49 a Deputy Commissioner of Police for the Offense of Acts Intended to Cause Grievous Harm Contrary to Section 224 Subsection (a) of CAP 87 of the laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that, on 15th December 2016 at the Lusaka High Court, the accused did shoot at Peter Masani aged 39 of Kanyama Compound who was at the premises for a court hearing,” Mr Hamoonga stated.

He stated that the accused was briefly detained at Woodlands police station and has been released on police bond and will appear in court soon.

On 13th August this year, Namuswa was retired in national interest.

The pictures of the shooting taken by The Post newspaper are attached hereto including one of him aiming his pistol at defenseless UPND cadres who were not even rioting but came to support HH at court.

Before joining the police, Namuswa was a student leader at UNZA and a stellar athlete in Zambia. He went on to be a Director of Sports in the police before he was promoted to operate from State House where he was working from at the time he shot at the UPND cadres.

CCPC IS A TOOTHLESS BULL DOG
Bayopa ba DSTV…

By Miles B. Sampa, MP (22.08.2022)

The news that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has fined the Levy Mwanawasa Medical university 0.5% of its gross annual sales is Africa’s biggest joke. The Zambian owned university built from tax payers money was found guilty of not awarding its students degrees when they should have. Not sure but regardless of why that happened, CCPC is out of order.

Affected students should have indeed graduated when due and on schedule at the public institution but herein lies a huge problem with the CCPC. They seem scared of bitting the real corporate business offenders but happy to nail the non arm twisting quasi government institutions like the medical university.

Essentially it is the Ministry of Commerce sending a penaulty fee to the Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Health. In the end it’s the tax payers being punished to indirectly fund the university twice. To raise or recover that 0.5% charge that is in million of Kwachas, the university is likely to increase their fees. The increamental cost will then land inside parents or gudians personal bank accounts that are already far streched with other economic challenges.

The CCPC penaulty may see increased drop outs on potential medical Doctors that are urgently needed in our constituency hospitals or clinics. In addition the medical university is relatively new and should be supported more by any means necessary on its teething problems rather than canning it.

The big fat elephants in the room that CCPC should be reprimanding with huge penauties are well known. They keep stamping on Zambians and causing perpetual public outcries. These are DSTV’s Multichoice, mobile phone companies (Airtel, MTN & Zamtel), Banks mobile money fees, malls shop rentals and and high end landlords.

They all abusing and stealing from us their clients (Consumers) by continuing to charge same prices they did when the USD/ZMK exchange rate was at 20 or so. Its now at circa 15 per dollar and means they are stealing K5 per transaction from each Zambian that is their customer.

The argument that FOREX is not their main cost factor in pricing actually so confirms the opposite. It means even when the Kwacha depreciates, they should not increase their prices as not all their costs are FOREX based. If can’t pass their huge FOREX revaluation gains to their customers, atleast they should pass them to their Zambian workers. I can bet they have not increased their workers salaries or bonuses since the Kwacha started to gain many months ago.

The Zambian Customer has cried enough especially on the ever over charging DSTV and cell phone companies. They are making huge per head profits out of Zambia far more than they making in their country of origin South Africa or any other SADC country.

The current Board members of CCPC are cowards actually and should resign or be fired for betraying Zambian Consumers or Customers.

The first thing the new board should do is as per usual is go on lavish workshop in Livingstone or Bonanza but except this time their should just have one item on their agenda namely what the acronym CCPC stand for. They will discover that indeed the nomenclature legally stands for ‘Competition and Consumer Protection Commision’.
In reality however CCPC means ‘Customers Customers People Customer’.

CCPC should never abandon or ignore constant cries from the Zambian customers being abused or robbed via exorbitant pricing and bad services specifically from DSTV, Airtel, MTN, Zamtel, commercial Banks, Malls and Landlords.

Together We Can

MBS22.08.2022

CAGE criminals selling land in Kasompe airstrip.

We in the Leadership Movement strongly believe that whatever is going on now has exposed the rot in the administration of land. The Land Commissioner cannot claim innocent from this scandaal because issuance of land belonging to the military confirms the extent to which corruption in the Land administration has gone.

We would like to advise the government to immediately arrest and detain Criminals who sold land in Kasompe airstrip. The action to remedy the wrong should not just end on demolishing the house alone. The people that sold or allocated the land should also face the wrath of the law.

Land experts at Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Land should provide Land education with the right information and not Misinformation to Zambians. Ignorance being expressed among political commentators on the demolished structures built on Kasompe airstrip land is laughable.

Our advise to the government is that, take Action detain and arrest people who sold land in the airstrip as it is unacceptable and totally against International standard for the aviation industry globally.

Below we attach:

LAND OWNERSHIP PROCEDURE

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is striving to administer and manage Land and Natural resources in a transparent and sustainable manner. This is vital because Land plays a very important role in uplifting the socio-economic status of our country.

The following is the procedure of acquiring Land in Zambia:

1. A Client applies for Land through the Office of the Commissioner of Lands stating t he NRC, contact details to Customer Service Centre.

2. In case of Council application, the Client should submit the following documents:

Recommendation Letter from the Council;

Full Council minutes;

Annexure A or C forms;

NRC; and

Incorporation certificate / ZDA (if company, church, society)

3. If application is approved by the Ministry, the client will be issued with an Invitation to Treat (ITT).

4. The Client is expected to pay the fees outlined on the ITT within Ninety (90) days failure to which it will be cancelled.

5. After payment of the fees, the Ministry will issue the Client with an Offer Letter.

6. The Client is expected to submit two Survey Diagrams which should be accompanied by:-

A copy of the National Registration Card;

A copy of the letter of offer; and

A copy of receipt where the ITT was paid for

7. After submission of the above documents, the Ministry prepares a Lease Agreement, which the Client is expected top sign together with his witness.

8. The Client should make a follow-up after 30 working day upon signing a Lease Agreement at the Customer Service Centre.

9. Once the Certificate of Title is ready, the Client should collect it at Customer Service Centre upon presenting NRC. Corporate Client and Law Firms are expected to present a Letter of Introduction from the Organization and the NRC of the Title Holder.

Based on this, as LEADERSHIP MOVEMENT-LM we don’t expect a serious Government to keep a Land Commissioner involved in some dirty dealings with Political party caders to remain in a Government office.

Issued by:
Tatila Tatila
Media Director
Leadership Movement-LM

DECISION TO DEMOLISH HOUSES IN CHINGOLA IS BALLY’S – NAKACINDA

…. fears that some “innocent” civil servants will be sacrificed in the matter

Lusaka…. Sunday, August 21, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

That decision to demolish those houses in Chingola is President Hakainde Hichilema’s decision, Raphael Nakacinda has charged.

PF Chairperson for Information and Publicity fears that some “innocent” civil servants will be sacrificed to suggest that President Hichilema is not even aware what has happened.

He said when he addressed the media yesterday that said decision was made by the Cabinet.

“Now we have this scandal in Chingola. They are going to sacrifice two or three people to suggest that President Hakainde Hichilema is not even aware what has happened,” he said.

“But I want to say to the people on the Copperbelt, that decision to demolish those houses is Mr Hakainde’s decision. It was a cabinet decision with cabinet Minutes that exist. And we want to challenge government whether or not they deny that they are the ones that sanctioned and decided to demolish those houses under the office of the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr Hakainde Hichilema.”

Hon Nakacinda rubbished the aid that the DMMU is set to take to Chingola.

“……government that has no regard to the life and welfare of the people they are supposed to preside over by going to, with impunity, without any measures taken, to demolish houses in Chingola, they have now decided that they are going to send the national coordinator for DMMU to go and try and mitigate the situation there by offering whatever packages that they are going to offer,” he said.

“We want to say to the people of Chingola that DMMU packages that are coming are just coming to window dress and fool you. Because if they had consideration towards your welfare they would not have created this disaster.”

Hon Nakacinda said PF does not agree with the actions to burn the Mayor’s house and the lodge.

He said the opposition party is interested in seeing that the law is taking its course.

The PF MCC charged that UPND uses criminal tactics in dealing with matters where they are expected to come out clean.

He said they are using the criminal tactics to remove the DPP from office.

Hon Nakacinda however wondered if the fight against corruption is a political ploy targeting PF, purely for propaganda purposes.

SmartEagles2022

HICHILEMA NOMINATES NEVERS MUMBA AS AN ICGLR OBSERVER TO ANGOLAN ELECTIONS

President Hakainde Hichilema has nominated former Vice President and MMD factional President, Dr. Nevers Mumba to lead the Zambian delegation under the umbrella of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

And Zambia will be head of Observer Mission with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stanley Kakubo.

Zambia was elected as Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics and Security Cooperation.

Below is the posting by Mumba;

THE ANGOLAN ELECTION:

Dr Nevers Mumba

Former Vice President of Zambia.
(Great Lakes Region Election Observer group)

We arrived in Luanda, Angola on Saturday, August 20th. We were met by the Executive Secretary Mr Joao Samuel Caholo of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region(ICGLR) our Zambian Ambassador to Angola Excellency Mr Chalungumana and other Embassy officials.

Millions of Angolans shall head to the polls on 24th August 2022 to elect a new parliament and a President.

In contention are eight political formations. But it’s the ruling MPLA and UNITA and their flag bearers that are leading the pack. Incumbent President Joao Lourenco of MPLA and Mr Adalberto Costa Junior of UNITA.

I am honored to lead the Zambian delegation under the umbrella of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

I share a few excerpts from my initial remarks……

“Angola is an important nation in our region. It’s a big and strong economy with a GDP of $74 billion. An oil rich country with a sea port that Zambia and other african nations need for trade. Actually Angola is investing in petroleum refineries for it to take up its deserved position as “the filling station of the region”. The two countries however are lagging in developing transport infrastructure (road, rail, water and air) critical for supporting trade. My impression is that my younger brother Lawrence Chalungumana Zambia’s Ambassador to Angola is equal to the task. With the foresighted leadership shown by HE President Hakainde Hichilema, it is certain that these projects will be implemented.

Zambia and Angola share a rich history and a long contiguous border. Alot of similarities exist , for example, the languages such as luvale, lunda, luchazi, mbunda exist on both sides of the border, food is similar, names are similar and many cultural practices are similar. It is worth noting that Zambia Angola relations are intertwined across epochs. In the first instance, Zambia played its role as the midwife of the liberation struggle by hosting all the three liberation movements of Angola namely MPLA,FNLA and UNITA in the fight against Portuguese colonialism. Later, Zambia played the role of peace builder with the signing of the Lusaka Peace Accords in November 1994 between Mr Jonas Savimbi of UNITA and President Edwardo Dos Santos of MPLA.

Suffice to say, Angola’s democratic process has continued to grow and improved over the years. This year’s election are the fifth since independence.

President Hakainde Hichilema and the Zambian people remain committed to contributing to peace building in the region. This is why we are here.”

With a long 27 year war which claimed over half a million lives and a serious carnage to key infrastructure, Angola stands out as a letter of hope to any nation engulfed in internal conflicts. They are a successful example in how to resolve deep internal conflicts.
Our Great Lakes region benefits economically from a peaceful and stable Angola.

By its nature, an election is a contestation of ideas among political parties. The people have the final say through the ballot. In the end, it’s the peoples’ will that should prevail. Whilst the winner has the responsibility to govern and implement the program they sold to the people, the opposition also have a legitimate and noble task to provide the necessary checks and balances. That’s how democracy functions.

Africa’s conflicts in the past were mostly instigated along racial(apartheid) and tribal lines, but today, the greatest threat to peace on the continent is internal contestation. Elections therefore should be held in a fair credible and transparent manner.

We are here representing the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region in observing these elections. Other international observers include the African Union, SADC, Community of Portuguese speaking countries (CPLP), and several local observers drawn from Civil society groups and Faith based groups.

We are praying for the people of Angola to emerge stronger after these elections. Our presence signifies the significance the region attaches to Angola’s peace, stability and prosperity.”