ZANACO has attributed the slight appreciation of the kwacha to the statement made by the Chinese Central Bank Governor Yi Gang that China will finally join Zambia’s creditor committee.

According to ZANACO’s Indicative Forex Rates on 22 April 2022, the kwacha is buying at K17.03 and selling at K17.36.

The Bank’s Head of Economic Research Dr. Patrick Chileshe said China’s commitment is likely to accelerate the pace of restructuring Zambia’s debt because previously investors were concerned with china’s participation in the process.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Chileshe said now that China is firmly on board, everyone is indicating that it is just a matter of when and not if as it is almost a done deal.

Chileshe explained that the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s indication that it has finally agreed to move ahead, together with the World Bank on Zambia’s US$1.4 billion bailout package has also contributed to the appreciation of the kwacha adding that IMF was also happy to hear that China is going to participate in the debt restructuring process.

He added that china been the largest lender to Zambia them participating in the process adds more credibility to the restructuring process for Zambia’s debt

“The rates are reacting to positive sentiments that have come out of Washington, positive news came out of Washington and that is what the market is reacting to. All the orders of foreign currencies appear that the kwacha is likely to gain significantly, we are seeing a low of around 15 so what we might see is more and more people might start panic selling and that must push the kwacha to more appreciation”, he said.

“We are seeing the kwacha crossing into well below the K16 mark into K15; it is already indicating that direction at the moment. If you look on the interbank market, the kwacha is trading at around K16.80 and we expect those rates to translate into market rates very quickly. We should see it next week open even much lower in terms of trading on the interbank market”, Chileshe said.- Zambian Business Times

Dimwit ZIALE Graduates

By Godfrey Chitalu

While the meticulous methodical, was on leadership sabbatical and the kingdom was on freefall, a quintuple of dimwit legal minds called for a secret state meeting. At the center of the gathering was Milling Owl – he had defrauded millions from Cola Copper Club but wanted protection from the Damned Public Protector. Conspicuously missing from the meeting was the Anti Cola Calamity and its vociferous sister from the Direct Enforcement Club.

After legal gymnastics, and signature stampings, it was agreed that Milling Owl would be granted legal immunity from his past and future misdeeds – a certain diasporic and theoretic professor insisted that this was impossible! They economically and unanimously agreed that sending someone important like him to jail would set a wrong precedence. Of course, they cited the law according to Faith. The clever airheads insisted that no one would be given the luxury of feeding termites or doing a Lear Toll on the state.

The bigger picture however was the cleansing of Cola Copper Club so that she would be seen as a virgin to an international suitor called Vain Data. Grapevine has it that apart from calendar givers, Vain Data is the puppet master for vultures intent on sharing kingdom resources.

Known for his beer song and suspected bootlicking, praise singer Full Bar, stirred a hornet’s nest when he sole-sourced the DPP as the source of the fiasco. He was supported by other praise singers, oblivious to the fact that Milling Owl had already cut a lucrative deal away from prison. The problem was that all this was happening in his absence: now that he is back we can segue into a free praise conference, replete with mouthful camera personnel and paper tigers from roadside TV stations.

My take is that Milling Owl will be sent to a colander and coalesced with the calendar carrier in hot chilly. Farmers don’t play! These will be joined ku wire by Faithless and those 70 plus vehicles confiscated from choir members. As for the boorish ZIALE oafs who presided over the Milling Owl debacle, they will be given a simple assignment – rewrite ZIALE exams and when you pass get your jobs back.
The author is a social commentator who writes for pleasure. For reactions and feedback call: 0977466284| 0963013760, Email: goddychitty@gmail.com (@goddychitty) Twitter|Facebook)

“Don’t cover up, it’s worse than the original crime,”
…Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba advises Hichilema

Zambia is waiting for an explanation to many things that have happened in the country in recent weeks without a proper explanation, as promised by the New Dawn government under “Mr Fix it” President Hakainde Hichilema.

Top on the list are issues concerning the sweet deal Milingo Lungu the legally appointed court Liquidator of the much-contested Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) sealed with top Hichilema officials such as lawyer Bradford Machila.

The other is the meeting Milingo has sworn in Constitutional Court Documents through Snr Lawyer Makebi Zulu that Milingo met with President Hichilema prior to meeting state officials to conclude the Agreement on the Nolle Prosequi and immunity.

On a Muvi TV special interview, Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba advised President Hakainde Hichilema not to repeat the biggest sin of U.S President Richard Nixon aka Tricky Dick—”the Cover up is worse than the first sin”.

In an interview that was wide crossing, Ambassador Mwamba known for politics of “issues rather than personalities said to President Hichilema;
“Don’t cover up the reported crimes tomorrow (to President Hichilema). It’s worse than the first crime,” Ambassador Mwamba advised.

During the interview, Mwamba reminded the viewers of the many lies Mr. Hichilema made up to assume office.

No fuel price reductions, no mealie meal price reductions
Ambassador Mwamba added that between 2015-2021, the PF gave more jobs to Zambians at 45, 000 in the health sector alone, undisputed unlike the promises made by UPND so far.

Mr Mwamba also challenged President Hichilema to publicly show that he has not been paid a salary as a President and show a charity or needy area he is giving the money to.

Mwamba insists Mr Hichilema is banking his money compared to President Lungu who in fact stated in writing where half his money would go publicly.

President Hichilema has never said whether he gets his salary or not and if not where it goes.

Ambassador Mwamba cautioned H.E Hichilema that tomorrows Press Conference is important and he should crack the whip.

-MuviTV

HH’s special assistant for politics Levy Ngoma meets UPND to hear their concerns.

UPND media writes…

GOVERNMENT APPOINTEES HAVE FAILED TO REMOVE CADRES FROM THE SYSTEM

The United Party for National Development (UPND) youth leadership is concerned that those that have been appointed to serve in government, have failed to remove cadres from their institutions.

The youth leadership noted that Patriotic Front (PF) cadres who harassed UPND members in the past have continued to enjoy appointments and promotions while ridiculing UPND members.

This came to light when youth leaders from all the structures in Lusaka Province demanded to meet President Hakainde Hichilema’s special assiant for politics Mr Levy Ngoma and the National Youth Chairman Gilbert Liswaniso at the youth command center in Lusaka.

The youth leaders expressed disappointment at the manner they are being treated by officers in different government Ministries by people the fought hard to remove from power.

“We are called cadres and ridiculed when ever we visit offices for information and clarification on developmental programs especially those pertaining to decentralization so that we can also participate as Zambians, why call us cadres?”. submitted Magdalena a provincial trustee.

she added that upnd supporters have fallen victim of arrest over trivial matters and victimized by the same people who were voted out.

Tell the President the truth, upnd member are really disadvantage even after forming cooperatives and companies we are told that they will consider those that were formed 3 years ago, who will benefit from CDF with such complicated processes? she asked.

And the National Youth Chairman Gilbert Liswaniso thanked Hon. Levy Ngoma for taking an interest to hear from the people on the ground.

Mr Liswaniso said the youths are royal to President Hakainde Hichilema and will continue to stand firm with him as he has demonstrated through actions such as increased CDF and many other the will to develop all corners of this country.

He notes that even when 99% of cadres are nolonger in Markets and bus stations presidential appoitees have failed to remove PF cadres from the system, who are working against the good policies of the UPND government.

“We as leaders have managed to remove cadres from these areas, but you who have been appointed in government have failed to remove cadres from your institutions but busy troubling the our people.

You have continued to recruit PF cadres who are now harrassing UPND members and denying them opportunities,” said Liswaniso.

The UPND youth leader thanked President Hakainde Hichilema for starting the process of employing 42,000 civil servants.

And the Presidential political adviser Levy Ngoma reaffirmed President Hakainde Hichilema’s love for the youths and his commitment to better the lives of Zambians.

He said the this is the time for people to work hard and contribute to developing the country.

Mr. Ngoma assured the youths that government is removing all hindrances to doing business effectively.

He said the UPND New Dawn administration is committed to bettering lives of Zambian citizens.

He said he will submit to the Republican President all concerns from the youths.

UPND MEDIA TEAM

HAKAINDE HICHILEMA’S PRESS BRIEFING

24th April, 2022

We are glad to hear that President Hakainde Hichilema has finally decided to come out of his self-imposed seclusion and will tomorrow address the nation via a press briefing.

Mr. Hichilema on several occasions boasted that he would regularly be holding press briefings to update Zambians on pertinent national issues. In fact, after his first and second international trips in August and September of last year, Mr. Hichilema held two press briefings at which he spent over four (4) hours praising himself and boasting on how he met President Biden at the White House. However, after that he went into seclusion, leaving the people wondering whether or not he is aware or let alone care about the many agonising economic challenges that our people are going through.

We sincerely hope that tomorrow’s press briefing will not be another motivational talk-show aimed at self-praise and bragging at a time that our people have lost hope in the capacity and sincerity of this Government to deliver any meaningful change.

We ask the President to comprehensively and HONESTLY address the following issues in his address tomorrow:

1. HIGH COST OF LIVING

The cost of living has continued to escalate since Mr. Hichilema and the UPND came into power contrary to the promise he gave Zambians that once elected, the cost of living and the cost of doing business will go down. He promised the people that mealie meal will be K50 per 25 kg bag from around K114; today a 25kg bag is selling around K150; the price of fuel has jumped from K17 to K26, the price of fertiliser has jumped from K650 to as high as K1000 a bag in some places. Conversely, prices of all essential goods and services have either doubled or tripled. This situation is putting enormous stress on our people and must urgently be addressed.

We hope that tomorrow m, Mr. Hichilema will give a clear road map of practical measures his Government is putting in place to arrest the sky-rocketing prices of goods and services.

2. CORRUPTION AND EROSION OF PUBLIC TRUST

Mr. Hichilema has gone to the moon accusing the Patriotic Front (PF) of being corrupt. In fact, he has been presenting himself and his party as saints who can do no wrong.

However, eight (😎 months in Government, the UPND regime is struggling to cleanse itself from the many scandals that its top leadership has found itself embroidered in. From the scandalous procurement of exorbitant fertiliser through a single-sourced deal with one of the friends of the President, the embarrassing Hon. Kakubo Calender and Pen Saga at Sinoma to the Milingo Gate Scandal, the UPND has continued to erode public confidence in their so called fight against corruption.

All that the UPND has been doing is to accuse the Patriotic Front leadership of being corrupt without convicting anyone of the said corruption. This is a carefully calculated UPND strategy to paint the PF black and use that negative perception to try to annihilate the PF from the political space.

It is our hope that tomorrow the President will address the numerous accusations of corruption within his own government. We hope that tomorrow, he will demonstrate courage and leadership by axing his Ministers and other senior State House and Government officials who have been accused of corruption.

3. THE MILINGO SAGA

If there is a scandal that has angered and shocked Zambians this far, is the Milingo Saga. The President and State House have been caught in a web of accusations of lies, illegalities and inappropriate behaviour.

The President and his Government have laboured in vain in a desperate but futile attempts to try to cleanse themselves of this alleged scam but the more they try to exculpate themselves, the more unbelievable and hypocritical their defence sounds.

We want to make it categorically clear that we don’t want to hear the President in tomorrow’s press briefing saying that he has not given Mr. Milingo Lungu IMMUNITY from prosecution, NO! Article 180 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia is very clear, it is only the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who has the authority to discontinue any criminal case before a court of law. The President has no authority whatsoever under our law to give anyone immunity from prosecution so the story of whether he gave Milingo immunity or not is null and void and is not even the issue that Zambians are asking about. The issue here is whether or not the President or his staff at Stare House met Milingo. That is the elephant in the room, not the issue of him giving Milingo immunity, that is purely the preserve of the DPP, the President has no such powers.

We therefore challenge the President, tomorrow to:

a) Show proof that neither him nor his staff at State House met Milingo.

b) If indeed they did not meet Milingo, we challenge the President and his Government to sue Milingo for giving false testimony in the court of law contrary to our laws.

c) If the President is serious with the fight against corruption, we challenge him to axe his staff and officials that have been named in corrupt and fraudulent deals.

We know that they are using the DPP as a scapegoat and a sacrificial lamb now that they have been caught and exposed in their scheme; this is why they are pushing for her removal from office on baseless and unfounded accusations.

4. THE KCM-VEDANTA SAGA

We are aware that the reason why State House had been meeting Milingo was to persuade him to resign as KCM liquidator so that the UPND Government could appoint their own preferred liquidator with the aim of giving back KCM to VEDANTA.

We are equally aware that senior representatives of Vedanta are in the country, in fact they have been here since March.

Tomorrow, we expect President Hichilema to come clean on the issue of KCM; is the UPND planning or negotiating to give KCM back to Vedanta? Can the President give a clear answer on this issue, tomorrow.

6. DETERIORATING SECURITY SITUATION AND THE RISING CRIME RATE IN THE COUNTRY

In the last few months, we have witnessed a deteriorating general security situation and a rise in the crime rate. The number of people whose houses, shops, cars are being broken into on a daily basis has seriously risen. The number of people who are being robbed of phones, laptops and other valuables in a smash-and-grab criminal style is on the rise.

In short, the general security situation in the country has deteriorated with serious and daring crimes such as the reported kidnapping of our dear sister Pamela Chisumpa being reported.

We hope that tomorrow, Mr. Hichilema will address this issue and that he will spell out clear strategies and mechanisms that his Government is putting in place to address the deteriorating security breaches in our country.

7. CADERISM, INSULTS AND THREATS BY UPND MEMBERS

One of the commitments Mr. Hichilema made to the Zambian people was that he would end the culture of caderism, a culture that most of our people detest and abhor. In fact the UPND have been bragging that they have ended the ugly culture of caderism.

However, contrary to all those fake claims, the reality on the ground is that caderism has worsened and taken a new form altogether in some cases. For instance instead of the open extortion and harassment of bus drivers, taxi drivers, marketeers and booth operators that was the case in the past, the UPND have devised a secret but ruthless system to extort and harass marketeers and drivers among others. For instance in November last year it had to take the Lusaka Magistrates Court to order the UPND cadres to allow all suspected Patriotic Front bus drivers who were chased from Kulima Tower Bus Station to start operating without any interference or harassment.

Last Friday, the Lusaka Central Business District (CBD) was engulfed in riots when the UPND cadres ran amok after the Lusaka City Council decided to move in and remove forcibly them from Intercity were they have been extorting money from drivers, marketeers and others business operators.

In January this year, UPND cadres stormed the office of Kasama District Administrative Officer, madam Beauty Namukoko and savagely beat her after accusing her of failing to give UPND cadres empowerment funds. Council Police who tried to stop the violent assault were also assaulted.

Further, we have continued to see videos that have gone viral on social media were UPND cadres are insulting and openly threatening to beat and kill anyone who is criticising the President.

We have seen UPND cadres threatening and marching against the DPP, in an attempt to bully her into resignation.

Three weeks ago, Copperbelt Minister, Elisha Matambo threatened to assault and tie with wires anyone who criticise President Hichilema.

The President and the entire UPND leadership have neither condemned nor acted on all these threats and violent acts by their cadres. In their usual fashion they have opted to pay a blind eye to the unbecoming behaviour of their cadres.

We challenge the President to show leadership tomorrow and act on his cadres before things completely get out of hand.

8. PAYMENT OF SUPPLIERS AND CONTRACTORS

Since August, 2021, the UPND Government has not paid local Suppliers and Contractors the money they owe them for the goods and services they have been rendering to Government. This has adversely affected local businesses as it has continued to starve them of the necessary liquidity and fiscal space that they need to continue operating their businesses. A lot of businesses have either closed or downsized their operations and workforce due to lack of funds to operate at full capacity. The action by this Government not to pay local suppliers and contractors has worsened the unemployment and poverty levels in the country.

It is horrifying that a President who claims to be an economist in a country that is grappling with high youth unemployment can instruct his government not to pay local businesses what is duly owed to them. Why is the UPND killing our own local businesses but fully propping foreign companies by paying them promptly and giving them huge contracts such as the supply of poles to ZESCO at colossal amounts? Why is this President working against our local businesses? Why?

It is our expectation that tomorrow, the President will direct the Ministry of Finance and all other Ministries to start liquidating the colossal sums of money owed to our local suppliers and contractors.

9. TAX HOLIDAYS FOR THE MINES

It is ironic that this Government is trotting to and from New York everyday pleading for a 1.4 Billion Dollars IMF bailout when it could easily raise in excess of 1.6 Billion Dollars from mining taxes alone.

It beats logic that a Government that is struggling to raise revenue and service debt has given tax holidays to foreign mining companies at the expense of local businesses. This is yet another testament that President Hichilema is a puppet of the Western capitalists who have been financing UPND for the last 23 years. He has no interest for Zambia, all he cares about is the welfare of the western capitalist friends of his.

We challenge the President to give tax relief to local businesses, this is the only sure way to grow the private sector and create jobs. Foreign mining companies are externalising most if not all their profits thus creating jobs and businesses in their countries while leaving nothing but craters and pollution in Zambia.

Lastly we challenge the President and his Government to come up with a clear economic plan that will address the rising cost of living, the rising cost of doing business and ensure that the private sector thrives in order to create jobs and business opportunities for our women and youths.

I thank you.

Issued by
Hon. Nickson Chilangwa, MP, MCC, AIH
Acting Secretary General
Patriotic Front

APNAC CALLS ON PRESIDENT HH TO FIRE HIS LEGAL ADVISOR CHRISTOPHER MUNDIA AND PPS BRADFORD MACHILA.

…over their alleged involvement in corruption says MUNIR ZULU.

Sunday, April 24, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

The African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) Zambia Chapter has called on President Hakainde Hichilema to fire his legal Advisor Christopher Mundia and State House principal Private Secretary Bradford Machila over their alleged involvement in the Drug Enforcement Commission and Director of Public Prosecution Saga.

And APNAC Secretary General Munir Zulu has bemoaned that the fight against Corruption is being dramatized.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka today, Hon Zulu said it is sad to note that institutions such as the DEC want to judge people in the court of public opinion.

He has since questioned the rush by the DEC to prosecute matters that are not well prepared.

“Are they trying to cause Government loss of money by prosecuting matters that are not well prepared. Where is the rush?.

DEC is always on TV , Radio and newspapers and saying that they are fighting corruption. On the issue of the DPP having written a confidential letter to DEC, you cannot a prosecute a matter when the docket is still held by the DPP,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hon Zulu said there is need to interrogate the alleged corruption that is taking place internally in the New Dawn Administration.

He said APNAC strongly believe there was a deal taking place between Foreign Affairs Minister Stanley Kakubo and the people of Chinese origin seen together exchanging parcels at SINOMA Cement.

Hon Zulu said this is because the explanation the Minister gave that he went to buy Cement does not hold any water.

He said manufacturers do not sell cement to individual customers unless wholesalers.

“The Minister should clear the air if he runs a wholesale,” he said.

Hon Zulu has since challenged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to state to the nation who was moving in a vehicle with a Chinese flag if not the ambassador.

“The New Chinese Ambassador is yet to submit his credentials to the President. Has Zambia become a country where anyone can move in a vehicle,” he said.

By Kombe Mataka

DRUG Enforcement Commission (DEC) director general Mary Chirwa says the decision to re-arrest former KCM provisional liquidator Milingo Lungu was a professional one.

And Chirwa says there was witch hunt in the investigation and arrest of suspects involved in corruption and money laundering cases.

Featuring on Hot FM’s Red Hot Breakfast show on Friday, Chirwa however said the Commission was shocked by the publication of a letter written to her by Direct of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Lilian Siyuni asking her to exculpate herself for re-arresting Lungu after a nolle prosequi was entered into on money laundering cases he was facing involving US $4.4 million.

“Now, I think we need to be careful; this is a matter that is before the courts in different aspects. And it’s not a matter that I would really love to dwell on it and discuss it,’’ Chirwa said after she was asked to explain why she chose to re-arrest Lungu. ‘’But all I can say from a DEC point of view is, that was just a professional decision taken on the matter because even for us it was obviously shocking that that letter was in public domain.”

She said there was currently close collaboration between her and DPP’s office on selected matters but that there was no collaboration on the re-arrest of Lungu.

“On most of the cases, yes. There is close collaboration and interaction, and [National Prosecution Authority] NPA. And even the past I know I worked with judge [Chalwe] Mchenga when he was DPP. I worked well with Muntembo Nchito when he was DPP. We used to sit and discuss cases and present the evidence. They would say ‘strengthen there, strengthen there,” she said. “I know that this is happening even within the three months I have been with DEC. I have been able to sit with some prosecutors under NPA to discuss on how to strengthen certain cases. So, that is the trend that is supposed to be encouraged; we call it prosecution-led investigation. So, you sit with them, take them through and they guide you through the process; so that does happen.”

Chirwa said she had a working relationship with the DPP and there were no misunderstandings between the two of them.

“People think it is two women fighting but it is not the case,’’ she said.

Asked if the DPP had powers to grant immunity from prosecution, Chirwa said the court would preside on the matter.

“I think the courts will determine that, to be fair. I think this is a matter that is before the courts of law. I believe they have jurisdiction in that respect; they will determine that,” she said.

Further asked if an ordinary citizen could be given immunity, Chirwa responded: ‘’Again, we have the competent offices that can determine whether you have. Personally, I know that constitutionally it’s only a President that has immunity from prosecution, unless the immunity is lifted. We have had cases where immunity is granted in terms of turning one into a State witness. “

Asked to comment on claims by some sections of society that the fight against corruption was a witch hunt, Chirwa responded in the negative.

“There was no which hunt, you work on cases that have been brought before you. You are competent enough; you are qualified and competent to assess the credibility of the information. If it was a witch hunt we wouldn’t take the cases to NPA. So, sometimes there is no smoke without fire. So, where smoke has reached you, you need to find where the fire is,’’ Chirwa explained further. ‘’So, literally that is what we do; once we have our evidence, we package it in a way that we take it to the prosecutorial authority, so there is no witch hunt in any of our investigations. We literally verify what has been brought to us and for you to produce a docket, remember you must have documental evidence. So, what witch hunt? In witch craft there is nothing like having evidence. So, there is nothing like witch hunt in financial cases.”

Chirwa assured that the DEC would fully regain the confidence of the public.

“It’s a matter of inculcating the right values in the officers. I know that DEC has suffered in terms of reputational damage in that respect but I can tell you that having gone back inside the institution, I can tell you that 90 per cent of those officers are credible officers who know what they are doing,’’ said Chirwa. ‘’So, you could have a few bad eggs. We have so far fired a number of them in the past three months; I think five or so officers damaging the reputation of the [institution]. I think the institution stands for what is right. I am sure in the next one to two years, the Commission will be totally different.”

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

I have been attracted by yet another of her Headlines; “Milingo Lungu re-arrest professionally done”,says Mary Chirwa.

Why does she discuss her cases in public? Why does she wantonly play to the gallery? Her arguments and evidence must be submitted to courts of law and not to the court of public opinion.

Why issue prejudicial statements on matters that are in court.

Prosecute your facts and evidence in court!

And I thought she is now the Head of the Drug Enforcement Commission?

She presents herself as Head of Financial Intelligence Centre(FIC) or as Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Even when she was at FIC, she presented herself like she was running the DEC Anti-Money Laundering Unit or the ACC..

Now that she is actually at Drug Enforcement Commission, her role appears more confused.

She is the Head of the DEC, she may need to familiarize herself with her new role..the overlapping of roles, the unguided excitement, and the stretching of her mandate must be watched by her supervisors.

The illicit drug scourge is on the rapid increase, the abuse of drugs by youths is at epidermic levels and DEC appears to have abandoned its statutory role.

DEC’s core and statutory mandate is to fight Drug proliferation, trafficking and enforcement.

DEC is a specialised law enforcement agency with a mandate to prevent and control illegal cultivation, production, trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and money laundering activities.

DEC’s primary role seems to have been lost even by the President.

On swearing Mary Chirwa, President Hichilema called on her to fight corruption cases without relenting. He urged all stakeholders to support her and her new role.

Offcourse the DEC has another appendage role- the Anti-Money Laundering Unit.

This unit is now overshadowing the primary role of the DEC.

Infact there have been plans to make it a specialized and independent wing of Law Enforcement Agency so that the DEC can focus and attend to our biggest driver of crimes, illicit drugs.

We have an illicit drug problem in Zambia and it is negatively affecting our youths.

Yet those mandated to fight the scourge are busy, excited about fighting former leaders to please the new leaders.

Tariro Shiziba writes
STATE HOUSE IGNORANCE – OR STATE HOUSE ARROGANCE?

I could be wrong. But then something just feels wrong.

With due respect to all the recognition our government paid photographer has acquired, something needs to be done.

One would always think that working at State House introduces you to a certain kind of a code on how to not only conduct yourself in public when with the head of state but also in private.

CHELLAH TUKUTAH PHOTOGRAPHY or Chellah Tukuta?

First of all, we need some clearance.

Is Chellah on government payroll as an employee of the state or Chellah Tukuta Photography as a business was hired to be taking photos at state house.

I ask so because I find it unprofessional to have photos being paid for by the state branded with a private label. For all I know those photos should belong to all of us if we’re paying for them. Anyone should be able to use them freely because they’re public property. Of course the not so good photographer can be credited when those images are used.

But someone should correct this. The photographer should stop placing his label on the photos if he is employed and paid for by the state. But if it’s his photography business that was hired then he is right to do that.

PRIVATE SHOOTS

We live in a world where everyone needs a side hustle.

But someone working for state house as a presidential photographer ought to conduct his private hustles carefully and mindful that that can expose him to security threats too. Maybe Zambia is just special.

Here is what I mean, as Presidential photographer one would think Chellah is exposed to a certain level of security clearance. I suppose he can meet with the president, his family and workmates almost anytime anywhere.

Now sophisticated criminals in todays world are capable of planting an assassination to the head of state using the photographers camera.

They are also capable of planting anything on him or to his camera or phone or laptop that can access all private conversations and classified information.

Is the Presidency safe with all those zooming in and out were seeing from the photographer? Don’t blame anyone if we keep wondering how certain audios are leaked from State House. Tell your workers to watch their interactions!

MENTAL HEALTH OR ARROGANCE?

The past few days our photographer has been practically offending people, publicly shaming artists, social media influencers and others and playing high level childishness in trying to prove one’s achievements. Remember last year the same treated us to an award he had self accused himself of being awarded nominee by some organization. A few days later we saw the same organization write a letter denying Chellah was nominated to any award by their institution.

Does State House stand for that kind of arrogance? The president should make no mistake to think that the quality of his workers around him can impact how people think about him.

Anyway, the past few hours that’s he’s have probably spent watching some YouTube tutorials on how to shoot beautiful images and how to edit photos without making people look like they wore different colors so that he could improve his skills and deliver what he gets paid for, our guy has been busy posting everything he says he has achieved. Now you must understand the genesis of this battle to appreciate its context.

I have failed to understand why he’d spend an entire day and an entire night bragging. Am not sure State House is so unconcerned about this.

But then his postings the past few hours have made me think too hard.

Then one remembers, how some few years ago Chellah went through some rough patches in life. Behaves in very unquestionable ways. We saw images of him that no photographer would win any award with. People sometimes hardly move on from their past. Especially if something makes them trend. They may seem to be enjoying popularity on social media but deep down inside they are hurting.

And now the question remains, could we all be ignoring sone serious mental health issues and taking it all for fun?

The behavior he exhibits, should he be dismissed sone day, we should not be shocked to hear he’s threatening to post private messages or photos of anyone in senior government positions including the President.

Going forward, we need to have people go through some form of integrity test for them to work for state house. We also need some serious policies on how people working for state house can conduct themselves on social media and run their private business.

Otherwise, we need serious mental health experts resident at State House to attend to staff. And we can all unite and help Chellah become a figure we are all genuinely proud of.

Other than that, we could be dealing with State arrogance.

Happy Sabbath

#YourBushPhilosopher

SUE MILINGO IF HE HAS SWORN IN FALSE EVIDENCE BEFORE COURT, PF CHALLENGES GOVERNMENT

….it will rightly be speculated that Mr Milingo Lungu did actually meet the President, His Principal Private Secretary, the Attorney General, DPP, Solicitor General and others if you fail to Sue says Mourinho.

LUSAKA, Saturday, April 23, 2022 (SMART EAGLES)

THE Patriotic Front Party has challenged Government to Sue former Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Provisional Liquidator Mr Milingo Lungu if he has sworn in false evidence in court that he had met with President Hakainde Hichilema and his Staff.

PF Media Director Antonio Mourinho Mwanza said during Phoenix FM ‘s Let the People Talk radio programme, Friday, that this is because it is an offence to give false evidence in the Courts of Law.

He said if Government does NOT sue, it will be rightly speculated that Mr Milingo Lungu is right.

Mr Mwanza is however baffled with the statement issued by President Hichilema relating to his address to the press on Monday that he has not given anybody Immunity.

He said the Zambian people are not interested in knowing whether the President gave anybody immunity or not because those powers lies in the office of the Director of Public Prosecution.

“The question that the Zambian People are asking is did the Attorney General, Solicitor General and other Government officials meet Mr Milingo….If Milingo Lungu is lying that he has been meeting the President and he his staff, we challenge this Government to Sue Milingo today and take him to court for presenting false sworn evidence before the courts of law….. let this government sue Mr Milingo Lungu and prove that he lied before the courts of law and that he sworn evidence which was false,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Mwanza said Government is spending unnecessary costs in facilitating the movement of the President from the Community House to State House.

He said Police officers are paraded everyday on the roads leading to state House when they are supposed to be offering services to community members amidst the increase in crime.

“Zambia has had seven President’s, all our Heads of State have lived at Nkwazi. A person who has been elected must live at Nkwazi as an official residence. Apart from being symbolic it has got the Security features…..We are hearing news that Zesco are about to spend one million kwacha to upgrade the electricity supply at the Community House. Does the President have Constitutional rights to upgrade the power supply using public resources at his private residence,” he said.

With the huge Community Development Funds (CDF) which the UPND government is releasing, Kanchibiya MP Sunday Chanda explains the 28 massive projects that will be completed in his constituency,.

MP Sunday Chanda writes:

*Successful 2022 CDF Committee Meeting Held*

Yesterday, 22nd April 2022, we successfully held our 2022 CDF Committee. I wish to thank the members for their active participation in a sitting that last almost 8 hours due to the overwhelming response from the 10 wards without exception.

A highlight of some of the major milestones include:

1. Complete works at Kaonda Bridge.
2. Aluni Bridge
3. Lulingila Bridge
4. Kanchibiya Bridge

5. Routine maintenance – Luchembe to Kopa Road
6. Rehabilitation works & culverts – Zampalm to Nchubula Road
7. 15 Banana Boats for different crossing points
8. Speed Boat – Lulingila Ward to address water transport challenges to go to Luapula Province
9. Speed Boat – Mbati Ward to address water transport challenges to go to Luapula Province and Chilubi Island
8. 5 mortuaries located at Luchembe Mini Hospital; Kopa Mini Hospital; Chalabesa Mini Hospital; Mpepo Mini Hospital and Chalabesa Mission Hospital.

9. Upgrading and construction of selected community, primary and secondary schools – Phase 1 (Complete list to be availed to members of the public)
10. Construction of houses for medical and teaching staff – Phase 1 (Complete list to be availed to members of the public)
11. Construction, rehabilitation and completion of Healthcare infrastructure in selected areas – Phase 1 (Complete list to be availed to members of the public)
12. Construction of Youth Friendly Centres – Phase 1 (Complete list to be availed to members of the public)
13. Construction of Boarding Facilities in selected schools – Phase 1 (Complete list to be availed to members of the public)
14. Establishment of Kanchibiya Community Radio Station
15. Constituency Sports Programme – Soccer, netball, pool
16. Support towards agriculture projects – Honey, Legumes, Caterpillars, dried vegetables, rice, citrus fruits, fisheries, fresh vegetables
17. Cooperative Farm – Irrigation and electricity

18. Completion of rehabilitation works – Mbati to Chinkobo Road;
19. Police Station – Chalabesa
20. Water Reticulation System – Kate Community for surrounding villages;
21. Completion of 1×3 CRB at Kabinga Day Secondary School and
22. Desks for Primary and Secondary Schools across the Constituency
23. Construction of a bridge – Chimano stream

24. Completion of munkunta health post
25. Drilling of bore holes in selected villages across the Constituency
26. Embarkment of Kalulu – Chinkaba feeder road
27. Rehabilitation of Kabinga – Chinkobo feeder road
28. Construction of Munkunta Primary School, and others.

We also adopted the list of submitted names for Skills Development with amendments as some of the courses did not fall within the ambit of the CDF Guidelines definition of ‘Skills Development’.

An exhaustive list of shortlisted projects will now go to the technical committee for their input before sending them back to the CDF Committee for our attention and submission to the ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for approval.

We realized that some of the submitted applications for loans had missing information. To this effect, we resolved to defer loans and empowerment to the next CDF sitting to allow for rectification of information so that no one is unfairly disadvantaged. We shall hold our next CDF meeting in the shortest possible time to look at the applications on case by case basis.

A full list of approved projects will be made public using different media platforms.

Next week, we start with our Ward Development Forums and thanking the people.

Today I look forward to joining the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Hon. Makozo Chikote, MP, in Luchembe Chiefdom as he hands over goats to selected Farmers. I wish to thank the Minister in advance for keeping his word to support livestock and fisheries development in Kanchibiya Constituency, among other places.

Signed:

Hon Sunday Chilufya Chanda MP
Kanchibiya Constituency
23.04.2022

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) party Media Director Antonio Mourinho Mwanza says he can never join the ruling UPND even when given an opportunity to serve.

This follows minor setbacks by the opposition PF which has seen few of its individuals jumping ship and joining the ruling party. Mr Mwanza said his role is to ensure that the government is held accountable until it delivers.

“Those that are defecting are exercising their constitutional rights to belong to any Political party. I have two primary goals. To hold this government accountable on what they do and what they do not do as well as to make sure that the Patriotic Front emerges stronger in 2026 than what it was in 2021,” he said.

And Mr Mwanza has described the ruling UPND as a “Confused” Political Party without direction. He said the UPND is a political party where one does not know what the Government’s position is.

He said this can be seen from different statements that come from the UPND leadership on topical issues.

“There are too many statements coming from different officials. On the issue of fuel, President Hichilema said they removed subsidies in order to provide for free education, his Vice President said they removed subsidies because they have to increase in order to reduce.

“The Minister of Finance said there are no fuel subsidies, Minister for Southern Province Cornelius Mweetwa said they removed subsidies because it was one of the conditionalities given by IMF, Minister of Energy Peter Kapala said there are no subsidies but tax waivers and the Chief Government Spokesperson Chushi Kasanda said the increment of fuel was due to Russia Ukraine war,” he said.

Mr Mwanza said the truth of the matter is that subsidies were removed in 2013 during the reign of the late President Micheal Sata.

He said what is there are tax incentives on fuel which the current government is planning to remove in June this year. Mr Mwanza said that companies risk closing after June because the cost of doing business will be high.

He added that it is ironic that amidst the various challenges the country is facing, Cabinet has only sat Six (6) times in over 279 days.

“President Edgar Lungu and the PF Government cared for the people of Zambia and introduced Tax waivers on Fuel. The Ministry of Finance and energy have said they will not renew this tax waiver by June. There will be more problems in Zambia because the cost of doing business will be high,” he said.