PLANS TO ESTABLISH ZAMBIA NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY STILL UNDERWAY

Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi has revealed that plans to establish the Zambia National Defence University are still underway. He said the Zimbabwe National Defence University will be one of the institutions that is scheduled to be benchmarked during the process of establishing the University.

General Alibuzwi was speaking today at Army Headquarters in Lusaka when he received a delegation from the Zimbabwe National Defence University who are in the country on a study tour.

He said that the process to establish the Zambia National Defence University had faced some challenges in the past, but that the challenges were being addressed.

“The process has been slow; but with a number of (Zambian) Officers you have trained from your college there, we will be able to make it,” General Alibuzwi said.

He said Zambia and Zimbabwe enjoy strong bilateral and historical ties that date back to pre-colonial period. He added that the Zambia Defence Force cherishes the cordial relationship it enjoys with the Zimbabwe Defence Force.

“I am certain that the study tour of Zambia will foster our relationship so that we can explore more areas of military co-operation based on mutual understanding of our needs,” General Alibuzwi told the Zimbabwean delegation.

He pointed out that a number of Zambia Defence Force Officers have trained in Zimbabwe at strategic and operational levels of warfare. He hoped that training exchange programmes between Zambia and Zimbabwe will grow from strength to strength in the quest to prepare Senior Officers for higher responsibility in the Security Sector as well as Public Policy Affairs.

And the Zimbabwe National Defence University Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Michael Moyo said Zimbabwe cherishes the relationship it has with Zambia. He said the bond between Zambia and Zimbabwe is very strong, and is highly cherished by both countries.

He said Zambia shed blood for the liberation of Zimbabwe, and that the bond between the two countries will forever be cherished.

Meanwhile, Malawi Defence Force has thanked the Zambia Defence Force for helping it establish its Defence Command and Staff College.

Speaking at Army Headquarters today when he paid a courtesy call on Zambia Army Commander, Malawi Defence Command and Staff College Commandant Brigadier General Luke Mwetseni Yetala said Zambia has experience in running a Defence Command and Staff College, and that it is one of the countries Malawi is relying upon to share its expertise.

And Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi assured the Malawi Defence Command and staff College Commandant that the Zambia Army will render every possible support to help in developing the College.

Credit: Zambia Army

State Counsel (SC)
By Dickson Jere

President Hakainde Hichilema has today conferred the Rank and Dignity of State Counsel (SC) on Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe and therefore took Oath of Office at a swearing-in ceremony at State House. This is just a second step in becoming State Counsel – the Minister will now await for a Call-Day to be admitted to the Inner Bar by the Chief Justice to complete the process. Congratulations are in order to my friend Hon. Haimbe for taking what we call “Silk” in legal parlance. He will henceforth be required to wear Silk gowns and long ceremonial wigs! His legal fees, when he goes back in private practice, will be higher than the rest! More money in his pocket.
It is an well deserved achievement!

The law – Legal Practitioners Act – permits the President of Zambia to appoint not more than three State Counsel every year. Those intending to be State Counsel apply and there is a process of vetting which includes the Law Association of Zambia and the judiciary. Ideally p, candidate must be someone who has distinguished himself in the practice of law.

However, the law also provides that certain office holders should be conferred with the rank and dignity of State Counsel. These are Attorney-General, Solicitor-General and Director of Public Prosecutions. Before the law changed, holders of these offices were never entitled by right to be SC – that is one Chilupe who served as Attorney-General under the Frederick Chiluba government was never SC. Debate abound whether this should be continued or not but suffice to note that Attorney General is leader of the Bar and therefore makes sense for office holder to be SC.

By convention , only litigation lawyers have ended up being conferred with the the SC title. This has triggered debate as to whether an accomplished legal scholar – without Courtroom experience – should also be entitled to be admitted as State Counsel. We have renowned lawyers such as Muna Ndulo who has taught so many and his books are must read for every law student at undergraduate. Should such be entitled to be State Counsel? What about those who have practiced law in-house as corporate lawyers or indeed company secretaries and have contributed to the growth of law and jurisprudence in Zambia?

You see, State Counsel is senior most position within the legal fraternity. It takes precedence over the other lawyers and you are accorded the highest respect – and State Counsel cannot appear alone but with junior counsel as part of mentorship. So what happens when a State Counsel is appointed Puisne Judge? Should they carry the title? Judiciary hierarchy of precedence is different from lawyers. Whilst lawyers follow State Counsel and number of years at the Bar, the judiciary follow seniority of the Court. Simply, a judge State Counsel in the High Court is junior to a Judge non-State Counsel in the Supreme Court.

Back to Haimbe.
It appears precedence is being created by convention that a lawyer minister of Justice should also be State Counsel. This was started in the PF administration when Justice Minsters Wynter Kabimba, SC and Dr. Ngosa Simbyakuka, SC were conferred the title of SC. It makes sense from the point of view that Minister is “first among equals” in the ministry and therefore cannot be boss of two State Counsel when he is also senior lawyer!
Congratulations to the newest Silk in town Hon. Mulambe Haimbe, SC, MP

LET US CELEBRATE JAMES NDAMBOS OF THIS WORLD

“He is a philanthropist that loves his country”

By Correspondent

We must celebrate our own successful entrepreneurs unconditionally. In the next few days all roads lead to Choma for an event whose magnitude has never been seen before. At least 3000 people of extraordinary means and backgrounds will converge to party , celebrate and spend. The economy of Choma will definitely benefit from the high intensity tourist event. The focal point of this event will be one James Ndambo .

This name has been reverberating in our ears for the past few months and will reach a crescendo as the main event unfolds probably to hysterical proportions. Therein lies the danger for James Ndambo . Our society does not easily embrace success or good works without suspicion.

Questions abound….
How did he make his money?
Why is he doing this?
Does he want to be President?
Is he a Satanist?
Is he Zambian?
Who is his sponsor?

In the next few months James Ndambo will be vilified and not praised or applauded.

The worst backlash will be from politicians and pseudo praise singers who will see in James Ndambo a person flaunting his wealth to shame others who claim to be millionaires and have not provided any meaningful developments in their villages or towns where they come from.

From the time James Ndambo became a businessman 30 years ago, he has built clinics. Hospitals, schools, roads, Churches. He has helped individuals with medical bills, he has helped widows and orphans . He has helped fellow entrepreneurs in trouble. James has not only done this in Zambia but wherever he has been. In English he is called a Philanthropist .

James is now a marked man in our society because his good deeds makes others look like talkers and just people who show off. James has shown us that no matter how much money you make or cattle you have you can only eat so much, you can only drive one car at a time , you can only live in one house at a time but you can share your wealth and uplift others so that you receive more blessings.

Let us celebrate James and many others out there who are successful .

Zamtel up for sale, foreign equity partner found A senior official at state run telecoms firm Zamtel has revealed that government has put the company up for sale.

Acting Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Joshua Malupenga told a special virtual staff meeting last week that government has already found an equity partner to run the company.

Mr. Malupenga did not disclose the name or origin of the equity partner but stated that it was a foreign firm.

The meeting was held two days after Science and Technology Minister Felix Mutati revealed during a tour of Zamtel House that the entity was loss making and that government had no intentions of recapitalising the company.

A source who attended the meeting explained that the meeting was convened to brief workers and explain the implications of Mr. Mutati’s statement.

“The meeting was cordial but tense. The Acting CEO went straight into subject and told us that a decision had already been taken and we have to be ready for the changes that will come with the new equity partner. Job losses are inevitable,” the source said.

The source revealed that according to Mr. Malupenga, government wants the new equity partner to come in before the August first anniversary of its reign.

“The target is August, they want the process quickened because Zamtel is making losses and is now a burden,” the source added.

Mutati recently disclosed that Zamtel is a loss-making venture with about 90 percent of its revenue being utilized for administrative expenses.

Mr Mutati said government will however, not recapitalize Zamtel because it has other priorities it intends to spend its resources such as funding the teacher and health-workers recruitment, Constituency Development Fund and youth empowerment.

Mr Mutati said estimates show that Zamtel currently needs a sum of US$265 million in order to survive as a company by way of investing in its co-networks, infrastructure and other business support services.

Mr Mutati said this is in exception of a staggering debt of around K3 billion and the over $500 million owed to Lapgreen, without taking into account other liabilities.

He said Zamtel as a company has a deficit on working capital of around K1 billion with its balance sheet unable to support programs such as maintenance of current infrastructure, expansion and modernization, a key issue requiring to be addressed urgently.

Mr Mutati said no matter how well-written a letter requesting funding may be, government is unable to finance Zamtel because there is no resource envelope at Ministry of Finance.

He said Zamtel now needs to find an answer to its insolvency beginning with where it will find the $265 million required for survival.

He said the Minister of Finance has his hands tied for him to begin financing Zamtel’s operations as he has to deliver value to the people.

“If it means we need to cut some limbs in order to save the life of Zamtel, so be it because that is where the solution for Zamtel lies. Let’s not take it as an easy conversation” the minister told Zamtel Acting Managing Director Joshua Malupenga.

Television host and actor, Nick Cannon has said that he has “failed miserably” at monogamy.

41-year-old Cannon who spoke to Shelley Wade of New York City radio station 94.7 The Block, admitted he hasn’t always been faithful but is hopeful he will settle down eventually.

The rapper who is expecting a baby with model Bre Tiesi and is rumoured to have another one on the way with Abby De La Rosa, the mother of his youngest twins said;

“I’ve failed miserably so many times at monogamy and relationships.

“But God ain’t done with me. We’re gonna figure it out.”

Wade pressed Cannon to elaborate on what the “deciding factor” would be in returning to the altar, quipping, “because you don’t have a problem getting women, for sure.”

Responding to Wade’s follow-up query, Cannon joked, “I’ve probably had a few mid-life crises.”

He added;

“I’m liking the man that I’m growing into. And I feel like [I’d marry] someone who will understand me and can stand by me … where they’re weak, you’re strong.

“And if I can ever find somebody who knows how to hold me down through all my madness, through all my chaos and toxicity, that’s probably somebody I could rock with for life.”

There’s an impressive range of names that crop up in Cannon’s storied romantic entanglements; from his relationship with Christina Milian in the early- to mid-aughts, to a brief fling with none other than Kim Kardashian in 2006, to a whirlwind romance with Mariah Carey in 2008 that quickly escalated into nuptials that same year.

His marriage with the “Fantasy” singer, 52, is his only one to date. In 2011, the now-ex-couple welcomed fraternal twins Monroe and Moroccan.

Since finalizing his divorce with Carey in 2016, however, Cannon has apparently taken to rapid-fire date-cycling through a series of various women — and has fathered numerous additional children.

The comedian shares children with model Brittany Bell (son Golden, 5, and daughter Powerful Queen, 1), and DJ Abby De La Rosa, 31 (9-month-old twins Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir). He also fathered a son with singer Alyssa Scott, 28, though the baby tragically died of brain cancer at just 5 months old.

Additionally, Cannon is also expecting with model Bre Tiesi, 31, and is rumored to be the father of another baby with De La Rosa, who recently announced she’s pregnant again.

Meadow Walker is sharing her own abortion story after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday June 24.

Reacting to the ruling, the 23-year-old daughter of late actor Paul Walker revealed she had an abortion in 2020, at the onset of the pandemic.

Taking to her official social media handle, Meadow shared a lengthy letter to speak out against the decision that strips away women’s human rights of accessing safe abortion. Walker began by writing, ”Today marks a huge setback in history- a profound injustice to women across the United States. There are countless women who have struggled with making the decision to have an abortion.”

The 23-year-old candidly revealed that she got an abortion during the pandemic and fears that many women will now suffer the consequences of moving to another state to get an abortion. ”I too have battled with the choice but in 2020, when the world was collapsing during the pandemic, I sought an abortion.”

Adding that the decision was ‘personal and private’, Meadow further continued, ”I was lucky enough to have a great doctor who supported me through the debilitating process- with their help, I am able to be the happy and healthy person I am today. Now, knowing even more women won’t have the opportunity to seek safe termination and choose their bodies first is absolutely heartbreaking. In a world that constantly marginalizes females, this feels like the biggest assault of them all.”

Paul Walker?s daughter, Meadow reveals she had an abortion amid Roe v. Wade ruling

She concluded on a strong note resonating with thousands of people who are now protesting against the decision by writing, ”Banning abortion doesn’t prevent abortions, it prevents safe abortions.”

The model isn’t the only celebrity who has shared her abortion story after the Supreme Court’s decision.

Abortions have been legal in the United States for almost 50 years under the premise that it’s a person’s protected right to choose what to do with their body.

States now have the power to pass their own laws surrounding abortion, and Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri and South Dakota have already banned the procedure since the decision was announced two days ago.

Eliminating Political Opponents Through The Illusion Of Truth, The Case Of Dr. Chitalu Chilufya!

…as a report by a Parliamentary Committee confirms that the “Honeybee Scandal” was a hoax.

By Mpandashalo Mwewa.

Lusaka – 26th June, 2022.

A report by the Parliamentary Committee on health, community development and social services for the First Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly led by the UPND Member of Parliament for Lukulu East Constituency, Hon. Dr. Christopher Kalila, has stated that Government did not procure defective medical supplies.

The Committee toured selected pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and public health institutions in Lusaka, Central and Copperbelt Provinces in order to appreciate the challenges that the players in the industry were facing, as well as the quality and availability of medical supplies in public health institutions.

Arising from the tour and subsequent stakeholder meetings, the findings of the Committee, according to the report, indicate that:

“On the quality of medicine and medical supplies received, the stakeholders in the public health facilities visited informed the Committee that the medicine and medical supplies received were safe as the World Health Organisation and the Zambia Medicine Regulatory Authority had certified them fit for public consumption, save for the cotton wool received at Ndola Central Hospital, which was under quarantine.”

This is in stark contrast to unverified reports which were circulated by propaganda tabloids stating that the Ministry of Health had procured from Honeybee Pharmacy expired drugs, defective gloves and leaking condoms worth US$17m as the Committee reiterates that all the procured drugs and medical supplies were tested and certified to be safe.

Also Read: Zambia’s pharmacovigilance cannot permit procurement of expired drugs. Link: http://bit.ly/3HV3b6w

“Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth”, is a law of propaganda. Among psychologists this is known as the “illusion of truth” effect. There was nothing truthful about this story and this write-up seeks to set records right.

The Honeybee scandal started with false allegations that Honeybee Pharmacy Limited (Honeybee) was paid USD$17,000,000. However, the contract was awarded based on good faith and trust because government, through the Ministry of Health (MoH), had no money. Honeybee took the financial burden for all the medical kits supplied to the Zambian government. It supplied 5,000 medical kits at a net worth of USD$3,990,700.

The MoH did not award such a contract to only Honeybee, it had awarded various contracts relating to the supply of health kits within the same emergency supply contract involving two other suppliers which were, Pharmanova and Artemis. These two entities failed to supply without upfront payment leading to the MOH later cancelling the two contracts.

Pharmanova’s contract was worth USD$3,554,100 and Artemis was valued at USD$14,139,450. Honeybee’s priority was the health and safety of their fellow Zambian citizens and provided the medical kits, yet, they were defamed and slandered in the media. Oddly enough, the Auditor General’s report did not mention the contracts awarded to the other two entities who had not supplied any medical kits.

It is evident that the omission was part of the scheme to mislead the nation into believing that Honeybee was single-sourced in a falsified $17m transaction that never happened, with Honeybee being used as a pony in a politically motivated arsenal directed at the former Minister of Health, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, by his rivals within and outside the government.

Also Read: Honeybee Pharmacy Ltd’s response to malicious media and PAC allegations sponsored by business competitors. Link: http://bit.ly/2MOG7xV

This case could help President Hichilema clean up the compromised, and now, completely rotten backbone of the Law Enforcement Agencies. The nation now knows that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was manipulated in Dr. Chitalu Chilufya’s case! And whoever manipulated the former ACC acting Director General, Rosemary Kuzwayo, to have Dr. Chitalu Chilufya tried in the court of public opinion, must have been powerful enough to have touched other oversight institutions in the similar manner.

Consequently, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) and the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) must be thoroughly investigated especially that in the recent past, they have made sensational headlines on falsified reports.

Just why would the News Diggers back unsubstantiated reports by ZABS and Zambia Medicines Regulations Agency (ZAMRA) when its mandate should compel it to question how ZABS tested supposedly defective products without testing equipment, so as to provide the public with verifiable objective content as per our journalism standards?

Also Read: Honeybee Scandal deepens as two ZABS employees who were forced to fake lab results resign. Link: http://bit.ly/2LeFjlH

As for ZABS, just what laboratory did it use in the Honeybee scandal, if any? I had earlier reported that Adeshwnar Meditex PVT. Ltd, one of the suppliers of Honeybee’s contents of the medical kits, questioned the veracity of ZAMRA’s statements on the tests conducted by ZABS.

“With respect to the subject mentioned, we are not in agreement with the allegations put by ZAMRA on the supplied Latex Examination Gloves, and we do not accept the two Test Reports issued by ZABS. In fact, we seriously doubt if Sampling Standards & Inspection protocols provided under ISO 11193:2008, have been followed at the time of conducting the Tests by ZABS. Our company is GMP, CE S& IS0 13485-2016 Certified, with Exports to more than 40 countries and an In House State of Art Laboratory. Our goods have to pass through the entire test Parameters mentioned under ISO 11193:2008 protocol before leaving our factory premises,” read Adeshwnar Meditex Pvt. Ltd. statement that has was availed to me when I was Eagle One – Zambia Editor In Chief.

There’s enough proof that politicians lack political will to outrightly curb the scourge or my investigation on the Honeybee scandal would have reached someone’s table. With a clearly defined unbiased political policy on the eradication of corruption, civil servants would be scared to engage in corruption activities.

The evidence on the table clearly shows that the “Honeybee Scandal” was a hoax that was aimed at:

1. Fixing Dr. Chitalu Chilufya who was widely seen as a potential replacement for the former Republican President Edgar Lungu owing to his efficient and effective handling of the pandemic. Of all the PF infights that we witnessed, this was the largest battle.
2. Discredit Honeybee Pharmacy thereby forcing the then Patriotic Front led government into canceling Honeybee’s contract with hopes of having the cancelled tender awarded to the pharmaceutical Cartel in Zambia.

Also Watch: Dr. Habasonda on Zambia’s former Health Minister, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya’s arrest. Link: http://fb.watch/dT99IxN9op/

But probably of great interest is reflecting on who has benefitted from fighting Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, extinguishing his political career by those who could not face him at the table of finding solutions to our various socio economic development challenges.

Now that the dust has settled, it’s time for Zambia to shift its attention to Dr. Chitalu Chilufya’s achievements in the health sector, the missing leadership that has now plunged the sector in a national health crisis. Politics should not be a self preservation tool but a vehicle for development.

Also Read: The Health Sector in Zambia will never be the same because of Dr. Chitalu Chilufya. He played a significant transformative role to the successes scored in the sector. Link: http://bit.ly/3QKAU6S

Source: Woodpecker’s Digest.

©2022 Eagle One Zambia, Inc.
Journalism for social change

NEVERS MUMBA TWO TERMS EXPIRES, HE IS AN ORDINARY MEMBER OF THE MMD

MMD loyalists want Nevers Mumba to step aside

By DOROTHY CHISI

MMD party loyalists say they want sweeping changes in the party’s top brass and have called on president Nevers Mumba to step aside.

Leader of Operation Save Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) Gunston Sichilima said plans for the party’s convention must be expedited and a new leader elected.

Mr Sichilima who was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday alleged that Dr Mumba’s tenure expired on May 25, 2022 and no one should go round with the mantle of leader before the convention is held.
“ We are aware that Dr Nevers Mumba has been bragging during his meetings with party officials that the court cases which are currently running involving him and others on party leadership wrangles and the contempt of court are not going anywhere,” he said.

He said that it was only the highest organ at the convention that the amendments of the party constitution could be changed.
He also warned the UPND of entertaining Dr Mumba’s overtures of wanting to work with the ruling party.
Mr Sichilima said Dr Mumba was the only leader under MMD who had never held a convention where new leaders could be ushered into office.

And Rev Silvia Nawa the immediate past national mobilisation chairperson under Dr Mumba’s faction said MMD was not for auction to the highest bidder.

Rev Nawa said the party was a movement whose tenets were embedded in its party constitution.
She said members had the right to demand for what was enshrined in the party constitution and Dr Mumba had no right to drag the party into any alliance with any party.

When contacted for comment to address some of the accusations raised against him Dr Mumba referred the Sunday Times to the national spokesperson.

“That is an old story but let the national party spokesperson respond to you,” he said.
The spokesperson Cephas Mukuka said Mr Sichilma’s concerns lacked merit and verity.
“What is he talking about? We held a convention last year. Our next is slated for 2026 and this is too early to start talking of 2026. and for your information the MMd has had a historical working relationship with UPND for a long time.

“Sichilima must face reality and accept Dr Mumba as our president. Besides, Sichilima is not even our member,” Dr Mukuka added.

ZAMBIA WILL ONLY DEVELOP IF WE CELEBRATE OUR OWN MILLIONAIRES

Seen Mr Ndambo Ndambo trending. Got to meet him in my capacity as Mayor. We discussed partnership in modernizing the Chibolya street goats and pigs abattoir. He was willing to invest in a state of the art cold storage in partnership with LCC on electronic payments of bills. It was not popular with cadres and the big wigs that backed them. They preferred cash payments of all council bills. Lol. Despite majority Councillors approving and as was the case with all initiatives we brought up, it was blocked and nothing got implemented.

I have met Bill Gates before and at the time the World’s richest man. Then in 2019 got to meet Mr Ndambo Ndambo and now reading he is Zambia’s richest man.

In my meetings with both, one thing still resonates with me. They are very down to earth. Bills Gates was taking hand written notes as I spoke, Mr Ndambo not only welcomed me at his office door but had his entire team of staff (mostly whites) attend our board room meeting. He kept referring to me as Sir and had to remind him that he was my senior citizen and it was me to call him Sir.

After our official meeting, he invited my entourage for lunch at his home in the lavish suburb of Rosebank or Sandton I think. His wife, all children and their spouses interacted with us on a very good meal except there was no ‘tu French wine’.

A devoted Christian and family man he is. He had his businesses politically destabilized in Zambia 🇿🇲 some 20 years ago or so. Little did they know they were transplanting him into neighboring countries to grave them with his business acumen.

Every attempt to reinvest in Zambia gets thwarted and one hopes this time around Zambia will get to benefit from his vast business investments and get to create additional jobs for our youths.

His company (Africa Union) has partners with Congo DR to manage the scanning and electronic payment systems for most of their borders in Congo DR. I have always wondered why ZRA cannot partner with his company to modernize the chaotic Kasumbalesa border which to my estimate Zambia loses about $2M worth of revenue on a daily basis.

I wonder how many Ndambo Ndambos are out in the diaspora and not entered their own Zambian market because they get frustrated back.

Mr Ndambo is currently one of the ‘Big Boys’ of Africa and well known and respected by the AU. Yes he travels by his own jet if that’s a measure of being wealthy.
Let’s cerebrate our own millionaire before we can embrace foreign ones.

Together We Can
MBS26.06.2022

HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE BY UPND WORRIES CHURCH BODY

THE Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has expressed concern at the increasing abuse of Human Rights in Zambia under the UPND government.

CCZ secretary general Fr. Emmanuel Chikoya has cited the latest abuse of human right by the tourture of the three youths in Luapula Province by military officers.

“…wishes to add its voice to the growing concerns around the torture and mistreatment of the three boys that depicted as insulting the Republican President.

While having zero tolerance of insulting and vulgar language against the elders we strongly condemn the abuse of the suspects by the Zambia Army Officers,” Fr. Chikoya the Presidential appointee to the Human Rights Commission said.

He said matters of maintaining law and order should be left to the Zambia Police.

Fr. Chikoya has also expressed concern with comments attributed to a senior military officer who saw nothing wrong in the conduct of his junio officers tourturing people.

“We note with concern comments attributed to a senior military official indicating tolerance and endorsement of the soldiers’ behaviour, this will lead to a culture of impunity by military personnel in the name of defending the Commander in Chief. Law breakers must without exception be dealt with according to the law of the land,” he said.

Fr. Chikoya has since urged to leave matter of punishing law breakers to the courts as they are the only institutions in the country to prescribe the form of punishment upon convinction.

“We call upon the government not to allow a system where law enforcers become law breakers.According to Article 15 of the Constitution of Zambia,’’ No person shall be subjected to torture, or inhuman or degrading punishment or other like treatment.’’ It is against this background that in agreement statement by the Human Rights Commission that we denounce physical torture as seen in the video by the soldiers.

We further are appalled by a growing pattern in human rights violation various stakeholders such as employers like in the case of the Mkushi farm workers who died a needless death, violation of a maid by Chinese nationals that are not treated with same urgency and zeal by law enforcers leading to such cases dying a not so natural death,” he said.

And Fr. Chikoya has described the UPND trend of reporting political opponents in far flung areas as a way of punishing them as abuse of human rights too.

“The trending pattern of reporting cases in far flung areas and transporting suspect mainly opposition leaders in response to such call outs is a bad practice that must come to an end. All acts of lawfare that is using the law to harass opponents must not be entertained-remember the principle as a man soweth so shall they reap.

All these are but a tip of the iceberg regarding human rights violations in the Country. We call upon the media to meticulously follow up all such cases until justice is obtained,” he said.

“We call upon the judiciary to assist decongest the prisons by meting out non-custodial sentencing such community service and guided counselling for offences of this nature.

We therefore call upon the Zambia Police Service to effectively and professionally undertake their duties without fear or favour,” said Fr. Chikoya.

WHO IS MR JAMES NDAMBO???

James Ndambo was born in Zambia on 18th April 1954 who is a Zambian businessman, based in South Africa, he owns Africa Union Financial Services, (AUFS) a longtime business partner of the Republic of Belarus which is active in in the promotion of goods and services from Belarus in South Africa and SADC region. On May 26, 2018 Africa Union Financial Services Ltd. (AUFS) signed a cooperation agreement with The National Satellite Telecommunication Network (Renatelsat) of the Democratic Republic of Congo with a goal to improve the technical capabilities and the financial health of the public enterprise of a technical and commercial nature, created in 1991. AUFS takes care of the rehabilitation of the Renatelsat satellite network as part of a BOT contract (build, operate and transfer)….

Mr. James Ndambo also owns a spot commodity exchange company Africa Union Commodity House (AUC) that deals in commodities on the domestic (South Africa) and international arena. Africa Union Commodity House trading as African Union Commodity Exchange is a subsidiary company of Africa Union Holdings. AUC actively provides services the sectors of SCANNERS, MONITORING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, CIVIL ENGINEERING, MANAGEMENT & FINANCE.

Mr. James Ndambo is also the founder of a Choma based non governmental organisation known as ‘My Home Town’(MHT). MHT is a NGO concerned with uplifting the welfare of its members which brings together people with common ideals and values. Mr Ndambo, a business tycoon based in South Africa, said he decided to form MHT because of his concern for his birth place, Choma town. MHT also aims at unlocking the potential of its members to develop themselves rather than looking to government and donors for assistance.

Mr. James Ndambo under the Kaunda era worked as a manager in some of the companies owned by Lonrho like Consolidated Motors. In the Chiluba era Mr James Ndambo with the likes of Dean Mungomba opened the dry port port which was located at former Kalipinde Inn or Lido Drive Inn Cinema. He also owned one of the highly classic night clubs in the mid 1990s called Cosmopolitan in Makeni. Cosmopolitan was a first class entertainment club which had the facility of transporting passengers without cars to the club doors. It offered other new facilities like the ‘chi light’ whereby psychedelic lighting was positioned at the sky clouds.

When the Mwanawasa government came into power he took a low low profile on the local scene and has now grown into a recognizable Zambian mogul, though he likes it low.

GOVERNMENT FAILS TO MEET ITS OWN DEADLINE TO PUBLISH THE LIST OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES AS NAQEZ SAYS FAITH IS WANING AWAY

Government yesterday failed to meet its own deadline to publish the list of successful candidates for teachers and health workers

Civil Service Commission had earlier communicated that the lists for successful health workers and teachers would be published latest by June 24, 2022. As at yesterday, no such list had been published anywhere.

Earlier in the week, unemployed health workers and teachers revealed that they had notified Police of their intention to hold a joint protest march to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education respectively, if Government fails to publish the list of successful candidates by Friday as promised.

Chairperson for unemployed Doctors, Dr Wallace Ndumba, told KBN TV in a telephone interview that a joint committee for both unemployed health workers and teachers has since notified the Police of their intention to protest.

“Kindly take note we are basing our demand on the secular that was last communicated by both the Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Health, indicating that the lists will be published between the 20th to 24th June, 2022,” Dr. Ndumba said.

Meanwhile, the National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) says it’s doubtful of the sincerity and feasibility of the teacher recruitment exercise.

In a Press Statement released today, Saturday 25, 2022, NAQEZ Executive Director, Aaron Chansa, says the loud silence by Government on this important national matter troubling, unhealthy, torturous to all the applicants and injurious to the Education Sector.

“While we have honestly trusted and supported this exercise, it is now extremely difficult for us to believe in it. The last bit of faith we had in the exercise is slowly but surely waning away,” says Chansa.

Below is the full Press Statement released by NAQEZ:

“WITH all the uncertainties enveloping the highly anticipated 2022 teacher recruitment exercise, National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) has doubted the sincerity and feasibility of the exercise.

During his presentation of the 2022 national budget on Friday, 29th October, 2021, the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, informed the nation that Government had secured funds to recruit 30,000 teachers.

In January 2022, the Minister of Education, Hon. Douglas Siakalima, announced that the 30,000 teachers would be in schools in May, 2022. Against this assurance, the process has dragged up to now without clear explanation from the Teaching Service Commission, the Ministry of Education or the Government Spokesperson.

NAQEZ finds this loud silence by Government on this important national matter troubling, unhealthy, torturous to all the applicants and injurious to the Education Sector. While we have honestly trusted and supported this exercise, it is now extremely difficult for us to believe in it. The last bit of faith we had in the exercise is slowly but surely waining away!

In the initial stage, the exercise had a very clear road map and all Zambians trusted the process. If the process is to regain the confidence of the citizens, Government will have to immediately publish the list of successful candidates. This publishing is long overdue. Like many others, and because of the critical shortages of teachers in Zambia, we cannot overemphasize the need to have the 30,000 new teachers employed and posted to schools.

In case Government has encountered serious challenges over this matter, it is important for our leaders to communicate to the people.. Keeping mute is damaging the good name of Government as it is breeding unnecessary and toxic speculations and rumours every day.

Government owes an explanation to the more than 100,000 unemployed teachers, their families, educational stakeholders and the entire population. If the process has collapsed, as some quarters are suggesting, it is necessary for the Government to communicate to its people.”

Issued by:

Aaron Chansa
Executive Director
0979 552885
Email: aaronchansa80@gmail.com

Govt to repeal, replace public order Act

By Fanny Kalonda

GOVERNMENT says it is aware that the public’s expectations on the public order Act are very high.
Speaking when he launched the review of the public order Act in Lusaka yesterday, home affairs minister Jack Mwiimbu said the objective was to repeal and replace the Act to develop a legal framework that regulates public assemblies, processions and meetings while being anchored on the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms.

“You do recall that the UPND boycotted the National Dialogue Forum. The boycott was anchored on principle taking into account that the process was not consultative and it was not going to accommodate various interest groups in this country. Having learned from that scenario, we will not allow ourselves to fall in the same pit of failure to adhere and acknowledge the interest of the Zambian people,” he told journalists. “We are going to allow a free and fair consultative process because the law we are going to come up with is not for the new dawn administration. It is for the people of Zambia. And the people of Zambia will speak and make their point known through this consultative process.”

And Mwiimbu said the process would be undertaken in all parts of the country.
He expects that the presentation of the bill to Cabinet would be done in September.
“During the official opening of the First Session of the 13th National Assembly on the 10th September, 2021, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr Hakainde Hichilema, reiterated the need to enhance the democratic dispensation in the country by reviewing the public order Act. In this regard, Cabinet at its 9th meeting held on the 26th April, 2022 approved in principle to the review and amendment of the public order Act cap 113 of the laws of Zambia,” Mwiimbu said. “The overall objective of this law review process initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, working with the Zambia Law Development Commission and the Ministry of Justice, is to repeal and replace the public order Act in order to develop a legal framework that regulates public assemblies, processions and meetings while being anchored on the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms.”

And Mwiimbu said the UPND being a victim of the public order Act, would avoid the same for others.
He disclosed that process would cost approximately K4 million.
“Zambia has been a beacon of democratic hope and stability in the southern African region as far as respecting the rule of law, freedoms and the human rights of citizens are concerned. The new dawn administration is committed to bringing on board all stakeholders to review the public order Act, cap 113 of the laws of Zambia. Government is aware that the expectation by the general public is very high on the revision of the public order Act as evidenced by media reports,” he said. “It is therefore important that wide consultations are undertaken to build consensus. All interest groups such as traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, non-governmental organisations, trade unions, Law Association of Zambia, political parties and academia, among others will have to be consulted. The process will not only protect the content of the revised public order Act, but also produce a forward-looking bill acceptable by all stakeholders.”

Mwiimbu said it was gratifying that various stakeholders had already developed position papers on the public order bill.
“The roadmap for the review of the public order Act will include appointment of the technical committee, receipt of oral and written submissions, national stakeholder consultative meetings, roundtable discussions, national stakeholders’ validation meeting, drafting meeting and presentation of the bill to Cabinet by 29th September, 2022,” said Mwiimbu. “The specific objectives are to, remove from the statute archaic provisions of the law that stifle the enjoyment of the freedom of assembly, association and expression in the conduct of public assemblies, processions and other forms of public gatherings. Develop a legal framework that guarantees autonomy, to law enforcement agencies, in the policing of public assemblies, processions and other forms of public gatherings; and devise measures to prevent arbitrary decisions and abuse of the law in the enforcement of the public order Act. I have no doubt in my mind that the goodwill shown by various stakeholders particularly political parties will result in a public order bill which will be adhered to by all.”

WELL DONE HON. MINISTER OF DEFENCE

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Minister of Defence Hon. Ambrose Lwiji Lufuma MP has emphasised that the Zambia Army upholds discipline, professionalism and integrity which are among the core values of the military.

He has disclosed that the matter of youths that were brutalised and beaten by some military personnel in Luapula Province, is under investigations and culprits will be disciplined.

Amidst the irrational and drowning voices and keyboard warriors of the praise singers, you would think that the abnormal had become normal in this country. That the abuse of state institutions as seen in the past, would continue unabated.

My view about this was beginning to crystallize when an official and irresponsible statement was made by the Director General for Civil Military Affairs, Brig. General Genoh Muke, who clearly condoned the inhuman treatment and torture of the boys and trivialised the entire matter by saying; “A few slaps do not constitute brutality”.

It is therefore gratifying to note a leadership display by the Minister of Defence, Hon. Lufuma expressing commitment to national values and condemning inhuman treatment and torture by the officers.

Members of Zambia Defence and Security Officers are among the well-taught and highly disciplined in Africa and this upholding of these values are confirmed by repeated good reports about the Zambian personnel that participate in international peace-keeping missions across Africa.

So some were confused about the two cases.

While the insults issued by the youths against the President are unacceptable and must be condemned, the illegal and excessive reaction by trained personnel, who even committed grave offences in the mistaken belief that they were upholding law and order and were clearly trying hard to impress their superiors and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, was disappointing.

The law regarding criminal defamation of the President will remain a constant subject of law reforms because we, as a people, aspire to grow our democracy.

It was impressive to note that the Human Rights Commission, the Law Association of Zambia and other entities demonstrated and applied progressive pressure against abuse of state institutions and called for disciplinary action against the rogue officers.