Brief History About Professor Justice MARGARET MUNALULA.

In 2021, Constitutional Court judge Professor Margaret Munalula stood brave to Challenge President Lungu that he didn’t Qualify to stand for a Third Term, in her dissenting judgment explained that Article 106(3) of the Constitution clearly disqualified President Lungu from standing for a third term because he has held office twice.

PROFILE

Hon. Prof Justice Mulela Margaret Munalula is a judge of the Constitutional Court. She was appointed to the Constitutional Court on 23rd March 2016. Justice Munalula holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Zambia; a Master of Laws in Constitutional/Administrative Law and International Law from the same institution; a Master of Arts from the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague; and obtained her Doctorate as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Notre Dame du Lac Law School’s Center for Civil and Human Rights in the United States of America. She was admitted to the Bar in 1982 and remains on the Roll to date.

Justice Munalula began her working life as a resident magistrate from 1981 to 1984 before joining ZADB/Lima Bank and subsequently Development Bank of Zambia as senior legal officer. Immediately, prior to her current appointment, Justice Munalula was a full-time employee of the University of Zambia, School of Law. She joined the University in 1990 at the level of Lecturer grade III and rose through the ranks to the position of Associate Professor of Human Rights Law. Apart from a brief separation from the University of Zambia between 2004 and 2006 when she served as a senior lecturer and head of department at the University of Namibia, Faculty of Law, Justice Munalula taught at the University of Zambia on a full-time basis for nearly 25 years. Over the years, she taught various undergraduate and postgraduate courses including Legal Process, Jurisprudence, Regional Human Rights and Gender Discrimination. She authored two books entitled Legal Process: Zambian Cases, Legislation and Commentaries and Women, Gender Discrimination and the Law and co-authored the book A Right to Life: Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Gender HIV/AIDS and the Law in Southern Africa. Her 40 articles in various scholarly journals and other publications include an entry in the Routledge Encyclopaedia of Women. She has presented papers at numerous conferences both locally and abroad. Between 2010 and 2018, she also taught part-time as a visiting lecturer/professor on the Masters in Women’s Law Programme at the University of Zimbabwe’s Southern and Eastern Africa Centre for Women’s Law.

In addition to the academic activities, Justice Munalula served the University of Zambia in various administrative capacities including that of Dean of the School of Law, for seven years. She was a member of both the University Senate and the University Council. She also represented the University/School of Law on several governmental bodies including the Judicial Service Commission, the Council of Law Reporting, the Zambia Law Development Commission and the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education. She took part in two constitution-making processes as a member of the National Constitution Conference (2008-2010) and the Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambian Constitution (2012-2013). She is currently a member of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association and the International Association of Constitutional Law.

Gregory CHIFIRE Celebrated his Pardon

1644 days of Prison are over

The long and tedious night has finally come to an end. The night that seemed unending, whose darkness was sometimes so heavy and the silence so deafening has gone. Yes it has gone.

It was a period when pain and despair so vehemently gashed down like mighty waters to drown hope. It is the strength of hope that kept me because you prayed for me and the God of all flesh answered your prayers. He gave me hope, yes it is him. Without Him I could have faltered. I saw God’s hand in this trying period. He loves me, He loves you too. I believe in Him, I ask you to also believe in him.

There are moments when I felt like this day would never come. Our Country was taken over by bandits who presided over it in a mafia style whose system promotes nothing but lawlessness with the aim of entrenching thievery and banditry.

I stand as a free man today because we have a leadership that promotes the rule of law. A leadership that was bone out of the desire to serve the interests of the people. A leadership that suffered the terror of the PF regime like no other.

Since the founding of the sovereign State of Zambia in 1964, no political party and its leader have suffered persecution and cruel mockings like the one presiding over us now. Thank you President Hakainde Hichilema for your leadership, thank you for your perseverance. You sacrificed for all of us. You bit the “bullet” for all of us. You had the easier route to take of giving up, but you chose to soldier on. Even after 142 days of being in prison on trumped up treason charges, you remained even more resolute to fight for the Country that you loved so dearly. Thank you for remembering me at time when many had forgotten about me. You could have chosen to forget about me, but because you care for welfare each and every Zambian, you extended your love to me. Your interest is to serve every Zambian irrespective of their political, religious social or otherwise orientation. Words fail me, all I can say is, thank you very much sir.

My heart is at peace. The dark days are behind us. The days when daily mockery and insults by those that felt they owned Zambia are gone. I must admit, some of the mockings were painful.

In as much as my going to exile brought a lot of pain and anguish to me, it cannot exceed the threats that were posed by the PF thugs on the lives of our families. Those were ruthless. Many suffered at the hands of these gangs that were dotted across the country from bus stations and markets to the torturing chamber of ‘Kamugodi’ near Soweto market. I can confess that there were moments when I personally was not sure about the safety of our children at school, especially during the period when I raised issues of corruption against a certain Minister. It’s like a dream that all is in the past.

Zambia is now in safe hands. Peace has returned to our Country. God has given us a rest. We have sober leadership in place.

THE LUSAMBO DIARY PART 3.

Bowman Lusanbo’s recent apology which amounted to surrendering has left the Patriotic Front defenceless and weak. He was the biggest defender of the PF. If anyone was to stand in the way of the authority in defence of the PF ideologies, Lusambo was the man. He always spoke calmly in his deep voice and rarely raised his voice. He seemed to have taken up presidential authority whilst he was a minister, the authority he believes he should speak with in the post 2021 elections.

Bowman Lusambo dined with both the poor and the rich. He had so much confidence that he approached anyone regardless of their social status. He is the only junior opposition member to have held meetings with the Russsian, Chinese, British, and other western embassies. Generally the Russian and the Chinese embsssies rarely welcomes foreign politicians with connections to the western bloc. They simply don’t like it.

Bowman’s rise to political power has been a remarkable one. He first appeared on the political scene in 2012 when he roughed up Major Kachingwe in defence of Nevers Mumba. Bowman Lusambo was in the opposition MMD at that time . Major Kachingwe, a former army executive was brutalised on camera. Kachingwe was holding a meeting at the MMD secretariat to denounce the former victory ministry pastor turned politician. The secretariat is believed to have had a security though this is disputed. Lusambo, in breach of the law, together with his MMD militias arrived at the secretariat and dragged the old Major Kachingwe as if he had just been found in the middle of a coup. The man was bruised, punched and dragged outside where he made a good run for his life. That was the last time Kachingwe ever appeared on the political scene with authority. Kachingwe later joined the PF though he was never recognised as a political heavy weight.

Sooner after the Lusambo – Kachingwe impasse, Dr. Nevers Mumba held a press briefing where he thanked the then youth “Lusambo’s “ militia team. Ideally, Mumba been a pastor, the public expected him to apologise for the unfortunate incident. But he never apologised and has never to date. The Police was also expected to effect an arrest on Lusambo though it never happened. Some political analysts have pointed out that the infighting in the MMD benefited the then ruling party PF. The police would have been told not to interfere but rather enjoy the MMD drama. The incident is believed to have been the start of the new political hooliganism in Zambia since the UNIP days of the 80s. It is on record though that Kachingwe reported Lusambo for assault to the police and the case is still active.

Fast forward to around 2015, Bowman jumped from the sinking MMD mazembe to the PF. We believe this was around the 2015 elections. We also believe that Bowman went into the PF to defend Edgar Lungu from the likes of GBM, Miles Sampa and others who had broken away from the PF. Within months, Lusambo had managed to sneak into the presidential inner circle of Dr. Edgar Lungu. By 2016, with a presidential directive, Lusambo was adopted to stand as a candidate in the Kabushi constituency on the Copperbelt. The 2016 elections like the 2015 was rigged and Lusambo carried the day. Lusambo was later appointed as a Copperbelt provincial minister and later as Lusaka provincial minister, a position he kept until the 2021 elections.

It is not in doubt that the man is a crowd puller. His has always spoken with authority that he once told off Miles Sampa in public and Sampa had to apologise. Sometimes Bowman has also spoken of lies which appeared to be true. He once said that he met Bflow’s parents which BFlow disputed as lies.

In the aftermath of the 2021 elections, Lusambo continued to be a thorn in the fresh for the new dawn administration. He spoke to defend all the wrongs that the PF had done.

In early may 2022, It was rumoured that Lusambo spoke to Dr. Mumba, who counselled him to humble himself. Dr. Mumba has remained a spiritual father to some politicians and pastors. His position in the society continues to be of significancy that at the recent African freedom day celebrations, Dr. Mumba’s presence was recognised.

In mid May 2022, Bowman issued a half apology for his past politics styles. He promised to practice mature politics befitting the new dawn administration. This followed his meeting with Nevers Mumba earlier in the month . The move was received with a mixture of reactions with the UPND refusing to accept his half apology The move has left the PF weak and removed the political drama Zambian youths used to enjoy.

Lastly, we do not think that anyone can foresee Bowman Lusambo next political move. We also do not discount him joining the new dawn government though the man does not really have anything he can offer to anti corruption government of Bally.

Former government chief whip in the Patriotic Front (PF) regime Steve Chungu has said praise singers are misleading the New Dawn government by claiming that all was well under its administration.

Mr. Chungu, the immediate past Luanshya Member of Parliament, said it was a fallacy to claim that things have improved in the first nine months of the UPND in government.

He said the cost of living has continued to rise owing to unstable fuel prices and high prices of essential commodities.

Mr. Chungu said the high cost of living has negatively affected the livelihood of all citizens including supporters of the New Dawn Government.

He said the people of Zambia should rise and demand improved living conditions they deserve.

“Even these so-called praise singers, they will be beneficiaries of what we are saying today. At some point we heard praise singers saying even if the government increases fuel to K500 per litre they were going to buy. How? Is his grandfather, grandmother or uncle going to afford fuel at K500 per litre? And some of these praise singers are dependants being kept in homes by others and they are misleading everyone that it is Okay because the PF was thrown out. Yes the people decided to boot out the PF out of government because of the wrong things they felt the PF was doing,” Mr. Chungu said.

“Let us continue participating in the administration of this country. It is our country. It is our Zambia. This country belongs to all of us regardless of our political affiliation. Let us participate so that the government starts doing it right. Doing things on our behalf and they are in those offices to provide services to us Zambians. Goods and services that would be affordable to every household to every Zambian. Every household is entitled to full meals but now what is happening is something very sad. Even those that are praise singers come out and say it the way you feel it. Not just how you say it. The way you feel it deep down. When you go home you are told you have to buy 5 litres of cooking oil at K300 before you were using K140, before you were paying 14 per litre of fuel now you are paying K26 for a litre of fuel. It affects you, it affects me. It affects your mother, it affects your brother, your grandfather and grandmother so let’s all have one word that the government is going to listen to,” he said.

Mr. Chungu advocated the re-introduction of subsidies on fuel as a way of bringing down the cost of living.

“All countries are now subsidizing fuel. Why don’t we do that? Why should we choose to subsidise copper production at the expense of taxing the Zambian heavily. The already heavily taxed Zambian is being meant to pay more for the management of this country. This country is not broke, let’s not be cheated. Had it been broke, they could not have paid the civil servants when they came into office in August, in September, in October, in November, in December 2021. They are still paying salaries without getting support from the outside world,” he said.

Mr. Chungu continued:”We had 14 Billion nkongole (debt) and now we have shot up to beyond 20 Billion just in the last eight months. So Zambians let us stand up and make sure that we hear that we want to live in a better country. We will support the government of the day but let them do the right thing and they should not ask for more time. They said when they come in at 10:00 hours, 14:00 hours things will change so what more time do they need? We will not give them more time. We want to see them work for us. It is our country we have the rights.”

By Isaac Mwanza

No one should necessarily blame President Hakainde Hichilema or the UPND for the manner in which our judges and judicial officers are subjected to work at the mercy of the Executive led by the President. Judges and judicial officers in Zambia constitutionally work and have been placed at the mercy of the Executive arm of Government led by the President and this has always remained one of my points at every Constitutional review that we must change the system.

Quiet fair, Judges are appointed by the President and ratified by Parliament. But these Judges are recommended to the Executive President for appointment by a Commission (Judicial Service) that is part of Executive. The Judicial Service Commission itself does not only work under the Executive arm but is also appointed by the President.

This is the Commission that is used to deal with judges or magistrates around whom the Executive would like to deal with. The Executive had been and continues to toss judges and magistrates around like a bottle-top because the law allows the Executive to do so. Nothing has changed at all. Everything has remained the same as it was in all previous regimes.

We have yet again another Commission (Judicial Complaints) which works under the Executive arm and is responsible for disciplining Judges and judicial officers. This part-of the executive Commission is appointed by the President and recommends to the President to remove any judge or judicial officer.

These Commissions used to appoint and discipline judges will usually have people who have never been judges or magistrates themselves. Some are practising lawyers who usually have audience before the very judges and Magistrates they would later be tasked to discipline. What do you expect of such Commissions? Can people who have lost cases before some judges or Magistrates be expected to be impartial when disciplining these men and women in wigs?

So when we talk to separation of powers in this country, we talk about a concept and not reality until a time when the Courts will begin freeing these Commissions from being under the Executive arm of government to become truly free and independent.

Magistrates and judges did not choose politics but they find themselves dealing with political powers or being labelled political in one way or another. This is sad for our judiciary. Again, I say this is not the problem created by this current regime, it is a problem of having the majority decide what must be in the Constitution and not listening to minority voices.

The truth remains the same that judges and magistrates, like the so called independent Commissions, are at the mercy of the Executive arm of government in Zambia. Amending the constitution is not the lasting solution because it will create further lacunas or procedures. The judges themselves have been given some constitutional authority to ensure that the Constitution is interpreted in the manner that promote our national values, which includes constitutionalism and good governance.

RETIREMENT AGE: A CONSTITUTIONAL AND NOT POLITICAL ISSUE

Media statement

Sometimes it is just better to just keep quiet than exposing your hate in public.

The Patriotic front government was in power for a good number of years meaning that they do understand issues of civil service recruitment and retirement age in the civil service. Today they want to mislead the nation.

According to the laws of Zambia, a civil servant is supposed to retire at 55 years and he must have served for at least 20 years for him to qualify for his full package.

During pf regime, qualified people who hold different qualifications were not employed by government making them to grow old before they test a government job.

The new Dawn government has come up with a strategy of employing more citizens starting with teachers and nurses. But because of the law, all those who are about 44 years upwards are not going to be employed because by the time they reach 55 years they would have served only 11 years meaning that they won’t qualify to get their full package.

Today we hear pf pointing fingers at UPND government. Why didn’t they employ these graduates when they were young for them to point at UPND of leaving citizens out.

UPND government is seriously looking into issues of employing citizens before they become very old such that they don’t qualify for pession but pf never cared about this one.
It is therefore not right to condemn UPND government over this issue because it is constitutional. The government of his Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema is committed to employing citizens within the confines of the law and not outside the law the way pf used to do it.

We as youths from southern Province wish to ask pf to shut their mouths up because they failed to create job opportunities to the young ones. They concentrated more on bye elections and brutalizing citizens for political millage instead of making sure that citizens get jobs.

Leave UPND government out of problems which you created as pf. UPND government will never work outside the constitution. As a party we are joining President Hakainde Hichilema and his government for working hard day and night to see to it that citizens have jobs in this nation.

Issued by
Lloyd Siambeta
Southern Province
UPND Youth Information and Publicity Secretary (IPS)

NEVERS MUMBA IS FORMER MMD PRESIDENT-HON. GASTON SICHILIMA

26th May 2022

Good morning members of the Press and thank you for making it for this brief but very important interaction with us as Operation Save MMD.

Operation Save MMD is a pressure group within the MMD which is pushing for justice to be done and have the party restored back to its founding being as a pillar of democracy in Zambia.

This Press Briefing is meant to deal with pertinent matters in the party and recent happenings which you members of the Press are familiar with. This Briefing, is also meant to assure all the genuine MMD party members countrywide that we have not abandoned our fight for restoration of democracy in our party and that all is being done to have the Mother of Democracy, MMD, take back its rightful position in the democratic political dispensation through having the right leadership in place that will respect the will of party members and dictates of the party constitution.

Members of the Press, I would like to clear the perception created by misleading press statements which were issued by Rev. Sambo and Dr. Cephas Mukuka whom I know were sent by Dr. Nevers Mumba on tenure of office of the MMD Party President.

From onset, I would like to state that Dr. Nevers Mumba is the former President of MMD and the party Constitution in Article 40 (1) is very clear and instructive on that matter, it does not need any debate as the constitution cannot be read in introspective. However, let me state that currently we have active Court matters which our colleagues are deliberately undermining by giving misleading impression to the party members and general public that all matters are over in court when not – this should be well noted to avoid further misleading the nation.

When there was an attempted Party Convention in March 2021 by the Nevers Mumba team, we applied for a court injunction which was granted and that Court injunction is still in force restraining our colleagues not to proceed with that convention.

Ladies and Gentlemen, with that injunction in place it means no one was voted for and as it stand today, they all just masquerading to call themselves whatever tittles and if not careful they will very soon masquerade in jail because what they are doing is contemptuous and as we speak there is contempt of court proceedings against Dr. Nevers Mumba, Madam Elizabeth Katongo Chitika and four others which includes Rev. Reuben Sambo in Lusaka High Court under cause number 2021/HP/0305 we are just waiting for a ruling on preliminary issues the outgoing former President Dr. Nevers Mumba raised which was heard on 16th December, 2021.

Members of the Press, this time it’s not about Hon. Sichilima or Operation Save MMD, it’s about the outcry from party members across the country including his handful followers who lost hope in him and have realized that he is killing the party together with some officials who have been working with him who are calling on Dr. Nevers Mumba to respect the party constitution and step down as his term of office ended yesterday, Wednesday, 25th May 2022 as per his own argument that he was elected on 25th May, 2012 which means by yesterday he clocked 10 years holding of MMD President.

Further, the current situation is not about Dr. Nevers Mumba or any other individual it is about looking at a big picture of salvaging the great party from going into oblivion and this is the reason why Operation Save MMD will not discuss Dr. Nevers Mumba as a person because we know he is immaterial to the future of the MMD. However, in the interest of the party we are calling upon our colleagues National Executive Committee, (NEC), members under the leadership of Dr. Mumba to reflect deeply and listen to majority party members and prevail upon Dr. Mumba to call for emergency NEC meeting where they should endorse what members are calling for, especially on the issue of amnesty to all party members and lift all suspensions and expulsions of all party members. This will allow a level playing field so that together we can start mobilizing the party through intraparty elections which will culminate to hold all-inclusive convention where members from both groups will participate in choosing leaders of their choice.

Members of the Press, it is shocking that today Dr. Nevers Mumba through Rev. Sambo and Dr. Mukuka is trying to mislead the party membership and other interest groups that between in 2016 and 2019 he was never MMD President but Hon. Felix Mutati. However, it is all in public domain that Dr. Nevers Mumba never resigned as MMD President and continued to pronounce himself as the President and he filed as MMD Presidential candidate for 2016 general elections which later withdrew after he realized that he will be humiliated. Dr. Mumba fielded three (3) MMD Parliamentary candidates which included his current National Secretary Ms. Elizabeth Katongo Chitika. He went into alliance with UPND as MMD President in 2016 and he further went on in 2018 and dissolved that electoral pact as MMD President.

Countrymen and women, since Dr. Nevers Mumba claims that he is a man of integrity and morality by stating that Hon. Felix Mutati was MMD President for three (3) years only, we challenge him to resign for now as MMD President for two years, so that Hon. Mutati or then his Vice can finish the two years which remained for him to make a full five-year term – then Dr. Mumba can come back to lead if he so wishes.

We are further shocked that today, ‘the high priest of molarity’, Dr. Mumba, has gone against the judgement of the learned Honorable Judge Madam Sharon Newa who nullified the election of Hon. Mutati as MMD President and restored his Presidency as at 2016.

Finally, I would like to state that politics of Dr. Mumba are so inconsistence and does not believe in give-and-take such that even when he knows what the provisions of party Constitution states, he has always been skating around to find a loophole to manipulate his way to continue his illegality the way he did in 2015 during the Presidential byelections when he imposed himself as Presidential candidate without being endorsed by any organ of authority in the party be the NEC or National Convention, he further created political drama in 2016 when he refused to call the regular convention which was due in April, 2016 defying the resolution of of a NEC meeting in 2015 and at National Policy Conference which was held at NRDC between 18th – 19th March, 2015. It is for this reason that I call upon all party members to rise and speak with one voice, we should not allow him to take the party to the grave as he has already indicated with his Vice President. Rev. Sambo in many of their meetings with officials that the “MMD is like having a dead baby in your hand”.

I THANK YOU

PRESIDENT HH AND THE DEATH PENALTY

Mark Siajunza aka General Mark writes:

President HH, appears to be a dangerous serious PUPPET of the West.

He appears very willing to impress the West even when they are giving him nothing concrete for his nation.

Or is he doing it for his own personal benefit?.

Why is he so willing to sacrifice anything and everything Zambia has to the West?

Who is he trying to impress in just waking up and announce he has decided to abolish or do away with the DEATH PENULT?

Does this gentleman have any sound legal advisors?

Who told him that the issue of the DEATH PENULT is the issue he can just wake up and decide?

President HH, seems to be a danager to himself and the nation and posterity will Judge this him harshly,if he continues on this deadly tragicatory.

He risks going down in the history of this country as the only President who was so willing to sell the sovereignty of this country for nothing.

And let him be reminded that this journey he has willingly decided to embark on with the West may end in tears.

Because the whole world and particularly Africa is full of such examples of how such relationship with the West has ended.

Where is Mubuto Sesesako today?, didn’t he start like this and how did he end?.

I will not bore you with so many examples because they are simply too many to mention.

It’s just very tragic and painful that he is making us go through a journey we have already Journed and are fully aware of the painful, tearful end.

Was all our past Presidents foolish in ignoring this subject of DEATH PENULT?

Why is he so excited to impress? And who is he trying to impress.

Because the whole world is divided over the issue of the DEATH PENULT.

America itself is very much divided and not agreed over the DEATH PENULT.

Was there even any cabinet meeting that agreed over this issue for him to just come up and make such a huge unilateral decision.

President HH appears too excited and we appeal to those in charge of advising him, to advise him to tame his clearly misguided, deadly excitement over these imperialist forces.

Because before he realizes it he would have completely sold this country,s sovereignty.

I fear for this Presidency, because he is very much in a hurry to impress the West for reasons best known to himself only.

He has no regard for precidance, all the past governments and Presidents where fools only him is intelligent and knows what is best for Zambia.

Because these huge decisions he is taking unilaterally are very huge and difficult to understand.

Yesterday he was voting against Russia in the UN general assembly disregarding the non alliagned position Zambia has taken over the years.

The other time it was Africom in which the entire Africa shamelessly condemned him.

Ladies and Gentlemen country men and women, where are we going with the HH Presidency?

Does this gentleman even care about the legacy he will leave?

Today he is announcing the abolishment of the DEATH PENULT without consulting anybody.

Why doesn’t he just ignore it if he himself doesn’t want to execute anybody?

Can President HH really afford to be making all such huge decisions on behalf of the nation without wider consultations?

Editor comment: President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) has referred the matter for final decision to Parliament.

First Quantum Minerals (FQM) is saddened by the criticism it has received from Minister of Lands Elijah Muchima and Senior Chief Musele regarding its operations at Trident Mine in Kalumbila District.

During a community meeting with Lands Minister Elijah Muchima and North Western Province Minister Robert Lihefu, Senior Chief Musele of Kalumbila District advised the government not to issue a title deed for Trident Mine as the mining giant has failed to fulfill its initial obligations in the area.

This is after the First Quantum Minerals -FQM-operated Mine applied to the government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural resources to put thirty-eight thousand hectares for surface rights and five thousand hectares for township expansion on title.

Chief Musele says before the Mine started mining, they agreed on constructing decent accommodation for those who were resettled in 2013 to pave way for mining activities.

But in a media statement, FQM Country Manager General Kingsley Chinkuli said Mr. Muchima and Chief Musele’s negative comments had the potential to undermine the new spirit of partnership and investor confidence stimulated by President Hakainde Hichilema since the announcement of FQM’s intention to invest an additional US$1.35 billion in North-Western Province.

General Chinkuli said the mining firm met all legal requirements regarding qualified community members displaced by mining activities in Kalumbila District.

He said the people were fully compensated in accordance with the Resettlement Action Plan signed by the resettled people and approved by the mandated government agencies.

“Despite the challenges that are inevitable with any programme such as this, FQM believes its resettlement work at Kalumbila is a model for other companies undertaking similar community work across the world,” General Chinkuli was quoted by the FQM Media.

“First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has noted with concern the media reports of criticism by the Honourable Minister of Lands Elijah Muchima and Senior Chief Musele. The company noted the historic grievances that were raised but expressed dismay that the remarks had the potential to undermine the new spirit of partnership and investor confidence engendered by President Hakainde Hichilema since the announcement of FQM’s intention to invest an additional US$1.35 billion in North-Western Province made earlier this month,” read the statement from FQM.

“Through its Trident Foundation, the company relocated 597 households when it began development of its Sentinel Mine at Kalumbila in 2013. All legal requirements were fully complied with, and all qualifying community members were fully compensated in accordance with the Resettlement Action Plan signed by the resettled people and approved by the mandated government agencies. Families received an equivalent homestead with land title and were economically empowered. Subsequent concerns from stakeholders should be addressed to appropriate government agencies and the District/Provincial Administration,” FQM stated.

Meanwhile, Mr. Muchima during the community meeting said the government will not ignore the input of traditional leaders in making key decisions regarding development.

The Minister said the government values the input of traditional leaders as they are partners in development.

Mr. Muchima said the government wants local people to start benefiting from the natural resources.

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA ACCUSED OF BEING AN AGENT OF PRIVATE CAPITAL

By Kellys Kaunda

Lately, there have been questions regarding President Hichilema’s interactions with private businessmen, among them, those alleged to have funded the UPND in the opposition. Fears and concerns are that Zambia may be going down the route South Africa went during the reign of former President Jacob Zuma and the Gupta family in the now-infamous state capture debacle.

“I am an agent of the Zambian people’, the President has strongly maintained in response to his critics.

First, Zambians are within their right to demand an explanation in respect of the company the President keeps. After all, he is President because he bears their mandate whose use is clearly defined: to be employed for public good. The concerns and fears that their mandate could be misused are legitimate as history is replete with examples of office holders using the privileges of the office for private gain.

However, the concerns and fears may be unfounded as indeed the President may be interacting with private capital owners as part of his official duties as well as in the interest of the Zambian people. An explanation of the nature of these interactions and their contribution to public good is desirable.

If it be of any consolation, the diplomatic terrain has and continues to undergo significant changes. One of these changes is the leader-centric diplomacy in which Presidents, Prime Ministers, Chancellors, etc, are actively engaging a wide range of audiences and interest groups in their search for opportunities for their respective countries.

Frequently, leaders are meeting and interacting to discuss matters of mutual interest and formulating international public policy. Gone are the days when they exclusively delegated these functions to their resident ambassadors in foreign capitals.

Second, club diplomacy (government to government) is no longer the only form of foreign relations. Network diplomacy (that includes other non-state parties such as the business community) has become an increasingly popular form of foreign relations and a legitimate one for that matter. The Mining Indaba in South Africa is an example of network diplomacy where national leaders interact with the business community.

Increasingly, national leaders are formally and informally interacting with businessmen and women that include Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Greg Mills, and many others in their search for investment funds for their respective nations.

In fact, the late Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore built his small Island nation on network diplomacy largely targeting leaders of multinationals. The latter hold the key to investment decisions and economic development of nations. Interacting with fellow heads of state may be good for camaraderie, but not that useful for economic growth.

PF EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER UPND’S SILENCE ON LGBTQI FLAGS

Wednesday 25th May, 2022

Today, Zambia and the rest of Africa is celebrating African Unity Day, also known as Africa Freedom Day. The Day is meant to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) now known as the African Union (AU).

We observe this Day to mark the onward progress of the liberation movement, and to symbolise the determination of the people of Zambia in particular and the people of Africa at large to free ourselves from foreign domination.

Fellow countrymen and women, let us use this Day to take an honest introspection of how Zambia, 58 years after independence is fairing economically, socially and politically. For we only truly make progress as a country when we cast away trivial partisan interests and make an honest analysis of the trajectory our country is taking.

58 years after independence, Zambia is slowly but surely surrendering its sovereignty and territorial integrity to foreign Western powers. Today our Government is flirting with the idea of introducing foreign, unZambian and unnatural customs and practices disguised as ‘human rights’. On May 17th, 2022, twenty seven member states of the European Union in Zambia flew Flags at their embassies in support and commitment of Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual Transgender Queer and Inter-sex (LGBTQI) ‘rights’ under the caption “LGBTQI are human rights – always and everywhere”.

As a Party that is the immediate past government of the Republic of Zambia, we found ourselves with the duty to register our deep concern and displeasure with the stance that has been taken by these named embassies to openly support the agenda that they very well know does not have support from any section of our society. We found their actions as a deliberate attempt to undermine the sovereignty of our Nation having regard to the fact that the esteemed offices represent the Sovereign relationship between our respective countries. As a responsible political organisation, we formally protested our displeasure in writing to the named embassies.

Shockingly but not entirely surprising, up to date, the UPND Administration has remained mute on this matter. What is really their stance on LGBTQI? Anyway, we leave it to the people to conclude and judge.

Fellow countrymen and women, our nation finds itself in a very delicate and precarious national security situation with the imminent opening of an AFRICOM command centre at the American Embassy in Lusaka. All well meaning citizens and institutions ( both local and regional) have voiced out their grave concerns at the risk and jeopardy that this undertaking is causing to our national sovereignty, territorial integrity as well as the security challenges it posses to the African continent as a whole.

Instead of hearkening to legitimate counsel from concerned citizens and organisations, the UPND Government has stubbornly dismissed the people’s concerns on this matter. In fact they have issued threats, threatening to arrest and jail anyone who continues to talk about the issue of AFRICOM opening a command centre on our soil.

We want to once again remind our colleagues in Government that President Mwanawasa, President Banda, President Sata, President Lungu, SADC, ECOWAS, and the AU were not unwise to refuse to allow AFRICOM to set up a command centre on the Zambian and/or African soil. They were fully cognisant of the risk and jeopardy such an action would pose to Zambia and Africa at large.

It is never too late to do the right thing. UPND must listen to Zambians, SADC, ECOWAS and AU and rescind their decision to allow America set up a military command centre on our land.

What really is the driving motive behind this action by the UPND Government, what are they getting in return to surrendering our sovereignty and territorial integrity to the Americans? We are really in trouble!

Freedom is not just the absence of war; it is rather the presence of a just society that guarantees the basic needs for its people and the protection and promotion of the people’s human rights, respect and adherence to the rule of law.

Today more Zambians are living in squalor and dehumanising poverty; the cost of living is far beyond the reach of most of our people. The disposable incomes for many Zambians is fast shrinking amidst rising costs of basic commodities and services such as fuel, food, rentals, transport, water, electricity etc. The economy is broken, there is no enough money in circulation and youth unemployment is quickly rising.

Instead of coming up with a clear Economic Roadmap that would reduce the rising cost of living, create jobs, enhance private sector growth and participation, eliminate hunger and disease and reduce poverty, our Government is hellbent at silencing its critics and political opponents by arresting them on trumped up charges and detaining them for a long number of days without bail.

What happened to the so called 10 Points Plan? What happened to the famous President’s Formula he posted on Facebook which was purportedly supposed to be used to reduce the price of fuel? What happened to removing the so called middlemen from the fuel procurement chain? What happened to not giving business and government contracts to foreigners and foreign owned companies at the expense of Zambians and Zambian owned enterprises?

Instead of reducing the cost of doing business in order to encourage the growth and participation of the private sector and in turn create jobs, reduce poverty and youth unemployment this Government has worsened the situation by raising the cost of fuel, water and electricity among other costs being incurred by businesses. Instead of giving relief to Zambian employees by reducing PAYE and other taxes, this Government has given transnational mining conglomerates hefty tax holidays.
If we are to go by the revelation and admission of the Minister of Finance, Hon Situmbeko Musokotwane in his National Budget presentation in Parliament last year, Zambia is going to lose a colossal sum of $12 billion by the end of 2026 in taxes from the mines due to the tax holidays that this Government has given the mines. This amount does not include the billions of dollars the country is losing in illicit financial flows and externalisation of the hefty profits foreign mining companies are minting. Why rush to get a meagre $1.4 billion loan from the IMF which is coming with very bad and punitive conditionalities on the poor masses when they can easily gain double that amount from taxing the mines fairly and correctly? Is it payback time to the foreign business interests that have been bankrolling UPND for the last 20 plus years it had been in Opposition? What price will the Zambian people pay in order to appease and reward the UPND’s financiers?

We should be pushing to increase ownership or shareholding in the mines through ZCCM-IH and ensure that Zambia and Zambians have a final say on what goes on in the mining sector. This is the only way to ensure increased job creation and enhance business opportunities in the mining sector through value addition.

At a time like now when our economy is broken and the cost of living is rising, we expect a rational and caring government to reduce taxes on its people and introduce a tax regime that will ensure that giant conglomerates such as large foreign mining firms pay a FAIR share of their taxes.

Is it really freedom when a Government is persecuting it’s political opponents, arresting them on flimsy charges without first concluding investigations and producing credible evidence before the competent courts of jurisdiction. What about the shady $50 million dollar fertiliser deal given to a friend of the UPND wholly single-sourced?

Is it really freedom when a Government resort to silencing its critics by arresting them on politically motivated frivolous charges and denying them bond or bail on bailable offences? Is it really freedom when ruling party cadres, including their national party leaders forcibly storm our courts of law to intimidate judges and officers of the court and to try to lynch and harm Opposition leaders in full view of the press and the police?

Government must protect the weak not oppress them; it must help the vulnerable not ostracise them. The harassment of street vendors and our poor mothers eking a living out of Kachasu trading is a further indictment of just how this UPND Government favours the rich and powerful over the poor and the vulnerable. We urge the government to quickly find alternative and better trading places for street vendors instead of treating them like criminals in their own land. All citizens deserve government protection and provisions.

When we formed Government we left the street vendors alone as we commenced constructing alternative trading spaces such as Tokyo Way and the famous Lumumba-Mwewa market because we are alive to the fact that our people vend from the streets not out of their own volition but because of circumstances and the inequality that exists in our society thus as a caring Government we gave them an alternative not a punishment.

Countrymen and women, once again, let us commemorate this year’s Africa Freedom Day by honestly reflecting on what is currently obtaining in our country on the social, economic and political fronts as well as the direction this country is taking. Are we heading in a direction of unity, peace and economic prosperity for all or we are sliding back to an era of tyranny, abuse of power, poverty, high cost of living, division and regionalism?

Long live Zambia. Long Live Africa.

Aluta continua!

Issued by
Hon Given Lubinda
Acting Party President
Patriotic Front

The Konkola Copper Mines Plc Provisional Liquidator Celine Meena Nair has appointed Jason Kazilimani Jr to act as her agent at KCM.

Ms. Nair is the Acting Official Receiver and Administrator General of the Republic of Zambia.

In a media statement, Ms. Nair said Mr. Kazilimani, a registered insolvency practitioner of KPMG Chartered Accountants, will be acting on behalf of the Official Receiver on some of the matters relating to her functions as Provisional Liquidator.

The Provisional Liquidator is mandated by law to manage all matters relating to the liquidation of KCM following the vacancy of the office of the KCM Provisional Liquidator.

According to Ms. Nair, as agent Mr. Kazilimani will also support the Provisional Liquidator in the efficient and prudent management of KCM.

She said the KCM acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Enock Mponda, Directors and all ExCo members of KCM retain their normal functions in the Company.

The functions include the operation of the mines and processing plants and all matters relating to employee welfare.

“KCM Provisional Liquidator announces appointment of agent at the firm CHINGOLA, 25th May 2022: The Konkola Copper Mines Plc (In Liquidation) (“KCM”) Provisional Liquidator Ms. Celine Meena Nair, the Acting Official Receiver and Administrator General of the Republic of Zambia, pursuant to section 74(3)(j) of the Corporate Insolvency Act No. 9 of 2017 has appointed Mr. Jason Kazilimani Jr., a registered insolvency practitioner of KPMG Chartered Accountants, to act as her Agent at KCM. Mr. Kazilimani will be acting on behalf of the Official Receiver on some of the matters relating to the functions of the Provisional Liquidator, who is mandated by law to manage all matters relating to the liquidation of KCM following the vacancy of the office of the KCM Provisional Liquidator,” Ms. Nair stated.

“As Agent Mr. Kazilimani will also support the Provisional Liquidator in the efficient and prudent management of KCM. The Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Enock Mponda, Directors and all ExCo members of KCM retain their normal functions in the Company, including the operation of the mines and processing plants and all matters relating to employee welfare,” she said.

Ms. Nair pledged that KCM will continue to meet contractual obligations and conduct normal business with its business partners and other stakeholders.

“KCM will continue to honour all contractual obligations and conduct normal business with its business partners and other stakeholders,” she affirmed.

On 9th May, 2022, Konkola Copper Mines announced that Lawyer Celine Meena Nair had taken over the role of Provisional Liquidator of the mining giant.

That development followed her recent appointment as acting Official Receiver of the Republic of Zambia.

Ms Nair assumed all functions relating to the office of the KCM Provisional Liquidator.

At the time of her appointment, Ms Nair was Principal Legal Officer-International Law and Agteemht at the Ministry of Justice.

WHY ZAMBIA IS HEADED FOR A YOUTH-LED RURAL INDUSTRIALISATION

By Alexander Nkosi

Most Zimbabwes who work in cities within and outside the country rent small houses while their families run farm estates. Those who live within the country spend their weekends at their farm estates supervising and planning their agriculture entreprises before they get back to the cities on Sunday evening. These entreprises are the main sources of food and income and have kept them going depsite a struggling economy hit by years of sanctions.

When you go to Nigeria, some of the best mansions in the country are deep in the villages. Nigerians value land so highly and they build their dream houses and set up small industries back home in their villages. In Switzerland, which is arguably the most beautiful country in Europe, some of the best places to live in are villages.

To my fellow youths, Zambia cannot employ 6 million youths in government, let us stop thinking about this. Government cannot manage to give handouts to sustain youths, let us stop thinking about this. The most important endowment we have is land. The real resources are not in Lusaka but out there in the bush: the emeralds, gemstones, gold, water, fertile land is out there in the villages. This is why giant mining firms and tourism investors are out there in the bush. When the Chinese come to Zambia, they would rather be out there in the bush than in New Kasama, State Lodge, Ibex and Kabulonga.

What is government doing to create opportunities for youths? I will pick the agriculture sector as an example and explain it in detail. In 2022 budget, the Minister of Finance announced setting up agriculture estates as a key priority for rural industrialisation and economic diversification. The President started actioning this initiative when he met Africa Development Bank (AfDB) President during the Africa- EU summit early this year. Note that AfDB has been funding food production and processing in farm blocks in Zambia starting with Luswishi farm block where a lot of work has already been done. After meeting President Hichilema, AfDB President promised to expand financing and support more similar projects across the country.

The Luswishi Farm Block Development is an initiative of the Government of Zambia to commercialize agricultural land towards economic diversification and growth, enhance food security and open up undeveloped rural areas while reducing poverty and rural-urban migration. The Government produced the Farm Blocks Development Plan, which has 11 Farm Blocks earmarked for development with total gross area of 895,000 (ha). A Farm Block is a large agricultural area where backbone infrastructure such as feeder roads, electricity, water for irrigation and domestic uses, and communication facilities are provided by Government to stimulate sustainable partnerships with private sector investors in conducting agricultural, agribusiness and economic activities. The Farm Block concept comprises a core venture (private sector), large (private sector), medium, and small-scale farms operating under an outgrower arrangement.

What is government doing to coordinate sectoral initiatives aimed at ensuring farm estates are a huge success?

1) The ministry of water development working with ZNS has mapped out establishment of irrigation canals and mini dams drawing water for existing water bodies.

2) The ministry of defence using ZNS will help do roads, dig canals and dams to reduce costs as ZNS already has equipment and labour.

3) The ministry of health will allocate some of the planned health facilities to these farm blocks to ensure access to health care. Zambia has been setting up health facilities across the country.

3) The ministry of education will allocate some of the planned schools to these farm estates to ensure access to education. Government has been building schools across the country and this will continue as highlighted by the minister of finance.

4) The ministry of commerce has already started working on securing market in Congo DR through high level engagements between the two countries.

5) The ministry of small and medium entreprises has set aside economic empowerment funds in 2022 budget. K350 million has been allocated for economic empowerment in 2022.

6) Government has already established a private sector forum where it is identifying opportunities and discussing what support the private sector needs so as to improve production in all sectors: agribusiness is a key component of these discussions.

7) The ministry of local government has increased CDF so as to increase economic activities in constituencies required for all entreprises to thrive. Money is being sent back to villages to help boost economic activities.

😎 The ministry of science and technology has secured over €6 million for youth skills development.

9) The ministry of transport will ensure improved communication in these farm blocks through establishment of more communication towers where needed.

10) The ministry of Home affairs will establish police posts to enhance security.

11) The ministry of energy through ZESCO will take power to these farm blocks.

As economic activities increase, other business ventures will be attracted to these farm blocks. If you are a an energetic, innovative and determined youth, why would you miss such an opportunity? Almost all ministries are coordinating to create income generation opportunities for you. There is policy consistency and coordination to ensure this succeeds. With this farm estates initiative: you will not only produce milk but also dairy products; you will not only produce livestock but also various meat products; you will not only produce industrial hemp but furniture, clothes, and clean raw materials needed for power generation in place of coal; you will not only produce maize and wheat but also cereal products to fill shopping malls; you will not only produce tomatoes but also various tomatoes products to cut down on wastage and provide a reliable market. This will further create jobs in transportation of products, trading and so many other sectors. This is what will take you out of poverty and turn you into employers.

This is just one of the many initiatives being implemented to empower youths and all Zambians but the problem is that we got so used to fast things, handouts and short cuts. You complain that there is no money in the economy, this is why we want our debt to be restructured so that we can free up money from external debt service to help us dismantle domestic arrears and put back money into the economy. Our farmers and producers need a domestic market with good liquidity. We want debt restructuring so that that government can cut down on domestic and allow banks to lend to agribusiness firms that will support these agriculture entreprises. We want joint ventures with European firms so that we can increase capital, access to better technology and branding so that our products can penetrate the highly protected European markets. Isn’t government already working on this? It is but the problem is that as youths we have gotten so used to handouts.

In conclusion, Zambia’s economy is undergoing repair. There are great opportunities for sustained income generation being created. These opportunities are for all Zambians regardless of political affiliation. Fellow youths, go and get land, position yourselves for rural industrialisation and economic diversification.