IMF CONDITIONS DESTROYED INDUSTRIES IN ZAMBIA REVEALS KABUSHI LAWMAKER

….as he urges the UPND Government to engage China for sustainable development to the benefit of all Zambians.

LUSAKA, Saturday, April 9, 2022 (SMART EAGLES)

BRINGING the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme into the country is like shifting the war from Ukraine to come and kill the Zambian people, former Lusaka Province Minister Hon Bowman Lusambo has said.

Hon Lusambo who is also PF Kabushi lawmaker says memories are still fresh how IMF conditions grazed to the ground most companies in Zambia in the 1990s especially on the Copperbelt leaving thousands of people jobless.

He said the IMF came up with programmes such as privatisation in the country, a situation that saw most state owned companies collapsing.

He said people literally started roaming the streets to beg because their lives had been ruined by the IMF.

“For instance, in Ndola we had Dunlop and other companies. We are not opposed to the UPND employing. We are opposed to the IMF, bringing IMF is more like bringing war into Zambia to come and kill the people,” he said.

Hon Lusambo has since attributed the increase in squatter compounds to the adverse effects of the IMF programmes experienced in the 1990s.

He added that the IMF is a dirty programme that will leave most people in abject poverty than is the current situation.

“I hate IMF because the compounds we are seeing today, it is because of IMF, Kaunda and his go back to your land policy was abandoned. After the Kaunda regime, we lost a lot of jobs , because of that, people failed to go back to their various Villages,” he said.

He said the PF pursued the IMF Programme with an open eye and that President Edgar Chagwa Lungu wanted to protect the interest of the Zambian people.

Hon said the IMF deal should collapse because it has got no meaning to the Zambian people.

He has encouraged the President to go to China and get better deals that would benefit the Zambians.

Meanwhile, Hon Lusambo has rubbished alleged propaganda statements perpetrated by the UPND that it inherited empty coffers from the previous regime.

He said had that been the case, activities in the new dawn Government would have reduced.

He said empty coffers statements are a non-starter as the President Hakainde Hichilema has travelled more outside the country than in his own country even to events which do not benefit the Zambian people.

“Contrary to the word that they inherited empty coffers, we have seen President Hichilema going from country to country. Even to unproductive events which are not benefiting the people of Zambia. He went to launch a book, those are the signs that the government inherited a lot of money when they went into power,” he said.

With regards to the alleged persecution of political opponents using state machinery, Hon Lusambo said there is need for law enforcement agencies to work independently.

He said the issue of fixing political opponents must come to an end because it is not only political figures who commit offences in the country.

“When I become President, all this nonsense of following political figures will come to an end. The institutions such as Anti Corruption Commission, DEC and the police , I will let them work professionally.

“Me as President I will not even have anything to do with ACC, DEC or Police. That is why as President, I will change the Constitution so that the Law enforcement agencies will be appointed by an independent body. Not what we are seeing today, that Bowman is tall, let us fix him nooooo!!!,” he said.

GBM says he is ready to spill the beans once he is taken to court by the Joint Investigative Team.

Mr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba was yesterday questioned with his wife, Chama, at the Ministry of Home Affairs headquarters.

He said he was excited about the arrest and court proceedings following a warn and caution statement recorded because a lot would be revealed.

He said the six-hour interrogation from 09:00 to 15:00 was lengthy and very exciting in that most of the documents that were presented before him didn’t have his signature.

And Zambia Police Spokesperson Rae Haamonga said the team recorded a warn and caution concerning a conflict of interest contrary to Section 28(2) as read with subsection (3) of the Anti-Corruption Act number 3 of 2012 and Section 73 (1) as read with Section 77(1) of the Public Procurement Act No. 12 of 2008.

Mr Haamonga said it was also alleged that Mr. Mwamba was in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime Contrary to Section 71 of the forfeiture of proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010.

“Mr Mwamba has further been warned and cautioned for the offence of fraudulent false accounting contrary to Section 326 of the Penal Code Act Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia. This is in relation to various contracts awarded to a company known as Curzon Global Limited by the Ministry of Defence in 2013 when he was Minister of Defence amounting to US$7, 121, 359=00 where he allegedly had an interest,” he said.

Mr Haamonga said the team had also warned and cautioned Mr. Adolphus Mubanga aged 58 of Plot No. 11438 Makeni, in Lusaka, a country representative for Curzon Global Limited for the offence of being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime contrary to Section 71 of the forfeiture of proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010.

And speaking to the media shortly after a warn and caution statement was recorded on unspecified charges, Mr. Mwamba, who was accompanied by his lawyer, Mr Bonaventure Mutale, said he was excited about the court process because a lot would be revealed.

Mr. Mwamba said he was not shocked to be questioned, alleging that the government was out to get those in the PF regime, which he said was common whenever there was a change of government.

“Since they have taken a warn and caution statement, we should expect an arrest and then go into court which I am quite excited about. In fact, I would like all the media houses to come and listen to that court process because it would be a very exciting one,’’ he said.

Mr. Mwamba said his wife was the first to be questioned for 1 hour 30 minutes but the investigations were focused on him.

He however said despite being quizzed, he stood for the truth.

He said his family was not shaken by the allegations because the truth would set them free as it was not the first time they were faced with such a situation.- Daily Nation

OFF YOUR HANDS IN THE AFFAIRS OF CIVIL SERVANTS – Former Home Affairs

Former Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo has advised ministers in the new dawn administration to let off their hands in the affairs of civil servants for the sake of productivity in government.

The former cabinet minister has signed out the recent impromptu visit by minister of health Sylvia Masebo at Lusaka’s Chipata level one hospital where she took a swipe at some health personnel who were alleged found pressing their mobile phones, that such a move and remarks by the minister of health is a clear intimidation to the health workers.

He says there is no proof pointing to any of the nurses or doctors who were playing with their phones while on duty hence it was wrong for the minister to conduct herself in such a manner which demeans a noble profession like that of nurses.

He adds that the minister should quickly come to the realization that this is 21st century where most of the works such required by health workers and other professionals can be done online hence the embarrassment on the health personnel was uncalled for.

Mr. Kampyongo says surprisingly the minister went on making wild allegations of medicines are getting missing in clinics and hospitals when in fact government knows very well that there are no such drugs in the facilities to be stolen by health workers as alleged by the Minister.

He has since advised the minister not to allow her political emontions to penetrate into the operation of the civil service as she is prisiding over a very sensitive ministry which requires a sober minister as opposed to someone who maybe overzealous.

Mr. Kampyongo says UPND ministers should not dare civil servants whose life span to the system is longer than that of a minister and any other politician.

Meanwhile the former Minister who is also Shiwang’andu MP has wondered why former defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba allies GBM has become a suspect of corruption under the UPND government the allegations which occured some years back and later on went to save as vice president of Hakainde Hichilema now president.

He said this during an exclusive interview with Muvi tv news in Kasama district of Northern province.

Muvi

ACTING Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Budgeting and Planning Brian Kambita says his committee is concerned with complaints that Zambia has the highest tax regime for airport fees in Africa.

Acting Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Budgeting and Planning Brian Kambita says these concerns by tour operators among others need to be addressed to attract more tourists.

Kambita notes that there is need for a multi-sectoral approach between the Zambia Airports Corporation, the Ministry of Finance, and the tour operates to harmonies the non-tax revenue in the tourism industry to boost the Sector.

Parliamentary Committee on Budgeting and Planning which is touring three provinces Southern Province, Lusaka, and Copperbelt to get the first-hand information on non-tax revenue in the tourism sector said Zambia is among the most expensive destinations in Africa.

Acting Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Budgeting and Planning Brian Kambita said this when the committee visited the Zambia Airport corporation at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport that the visit to the institutions to ascertain how the country can benefit from the non-tax revenue.

And Kafue Member of Parliament (MP) Mirriam Chonya said the concerns of Zambia being the most expensive destination is a thorny issue and has the potential to affect the tourism industry.

Chama South lawmaker Davison Munga’ndu pointed out that although the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula airport is better than the airport on the Zimbabwean side, the latter records more arrivals of tourists than Zambia because of high airport fees.

Munga’ndu lamented that in the past five years he has been in parliament under tourism committee, concerns of high fees have yet to be addressed.

He questioned the benefit of having better infrastructure, charge high fees, and yet there are few arrivals on the Zambian airports.

Malole Member of Parliament Robert Kalimi said Zambia Airport Corporation’s failure to use the first secretaries in embassies to help them to conduct a study on the high fees being charged by other countries for them to be competitive is not helping matters.

However, Zambia Airports Director corporate Strategy and Planning Cosam Ngoma said diplomatic engagement is one of the issues in their strategic plan to address the issues of high fees so that the corporation can operate effectively.

Zambia Airports Corporation acting CEO Maggie Kaunda, on her part , said the Ministry of Transport is working on reducing the landing and parking charges for the corporation to be competitive on the international market.

She also highlighted the problems being faced by the corporation as limited air traffic, volatility of the aviation industry, fluctuations of the exchange rate, old ground equipment.

Kaunda said the strategic plan for the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is to apportion part for their vast land for the Economic Zone to encourage investment.

“The other plan is to expand the list of countries that can obtain visa on arrival and to promote of domestic tourism to grow the industry, “ she said.

The Acting Chief Executive officer noted that the aim of the corporation is to increase its income base to reduce on high fees being charged for parking and landing so that it will benefit travelers in the long run.

National Airport Corporation planning and Business Development manager Josiah Mvula disclosed that the ministry of Transport and logistics has come up with measures to reduce the landing and parking by 25 percent and ten percent, respectively.

Mvula said the plan is to reduce from parking fees from 5 dollars per to 10 dollars per day.

Earlier the Parliamentary committee on budgeting and Planning paid a courtesy call on Lusaka province Permanent Secretary Robert Kamalata and highlighted that non-tax revenue in the country is too low.

Kamalata said the province is at times overshadowed in handling activities because it hosts all the government Ministries which at times takes even the activities that the province is supposed to do.

DEBT RESTRUCTURING: Zambia-China trade, investment and debt!

By Alexander Nkosi

1. AFRICA-CHINA RELATIONS

According to the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years. According to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs of China, the total bilateral trade between China and Africa in 2021 reached USD 254.3 billion, up 35.3 percent year on year, among which, Africa exported USD 105.9 billion of goods to China, up 43.7 percent year on year. While this is good, the downside of it is that Africa largely exports raw materials to China while China largely exports manufactured goods to Africa.

Since 2000, China-Africa cooperation has increased significantly. In 2019, China’s stock of direct investment in Africa reached USD 49.1 billion, an increase of nearly 100 times since 2000. CABC chairman Wang Licheng said total Chinese direct investment in Africa probably surpassed US$56 billion by the end of 2020, because some firms did not register their investment with the ministry, and reinvestment was not included.

Africa’s Chinese debt has also grown significantly. According to the Economic Times, Chinese debt to Africa exceeds USD140 billion.

2. ZAMBIA-CHINA RELATIONS

Since Independence, Zambia has maintained very strong ties with China. Bilateral trade volume between China and Zambia stood at USD 5.07 billion in 2018. Zambia has a trade surplus with China which has seen the figure grow significantly from USD 1.25 billion in 2015 to USD 3.13 billion in 2018. Like the case with other African countries, Zambia mostly exports raw materials to China. By the end of 2018, China’s direct investment stock in Zambia accumulated to over USD 3.6 billion. Zambia’s debt to China has also significantly increased over the years and is well above USD 3 billion.

As we step up copper production, it would also be important to note that China remains one of the largest importers of copper. In 2020 the top importers of Copper ore were China (USD33.9 billion), Japan (USD8.51 billion), South Korea (USD4.22 billion), Germany (USD2.03 billion), and Spain (USD1.8 billion).

3. DEBT RESTRUCTURING

In 2018, the Chinese Ambassador met former President Edgar Lungu, during that meeting he expressed the need to actively engage the Chinese government and creditors in the process of debt restructuring. President Lungu promised to constitute a team of ministers and send them to China to discuss debt restructuring.

The new dawn government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening Zambia-China relations. President Hichilema met the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia and discussed- bilateral tade, investments and debt.

IMF conducted a debt sustainability assessment which is key in debt restructuring negotiations. With IMF support, it is much easier to engage creditors aligned to the West, key among them, are the eurobond creditors where negotiations are complex due to the huge number of investers in eurobonds involved. Creditors aligned to the West are more into ensuring we have a clear debt management roadmap so that we don’t slip back into the habit of excessive borrowing and fail to repay them after restructuring our debt. This is where being on an IMF program is key.

The Chinese on the other hand are more into safeguarding their interests in Zambia; ensuring that their running contracts and investments are not in jeopardy. To speed up the process, it would be very important for President Hichilema to travel to China to meet the Chinese President, government and creditors and thrash out debt restructuring. From indications made by the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, they are keen on helping Zambia overcome the debt burden and further cement Zambia-China relations.

4. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Zambia needs its debt restructured to reduce pressure on the kwacha arising from high external debt service outlays (paid in dollars). Debt restructuring also frees up resources for investment in supporting local solutions. It also helps us cut down on borrowing as funds are released from debt service.

Apart from debt restructuring, the IMF deal will also help us attract capital inflow and access to concessional borrowing. On China, this is an opportunity to redefine and strengthen our engagement, set investment and trade priorities.

Over the years, we have successfully managed to work closely with the West and the East and this can only get better. However, the future should be that of Zambia reducing its dependency on borrowing to finance development. We had this opportunity in 2011 but current high debt levels require that we restructure to give us breathing space to implement local solutions.

“I DIDN’T CONFRONT ANY OF MY HUSBAND’S GIRLFRIENDS, NOT EVEN LUCY SICHONE; I WAS IN CONTROL OF MY MARRIAGE”

BA REGINA NA SELF-CONFIDENCE

DID you know that Regina Musokotwane, that veteran politician, was so much in control of her marriage with former Prime Minister, the late Kebby Musokotwane that she never even confronted any of the so many women he had affairs with, including that fervent human rights activist, the late Lucy Sichone?

“He was a young handsome Prime Minister, oh my God!” exclaims Regina Musokotwane, and continues.
“I am not even going to say Kebby loved women, no. It was the other way round, women loved him.”

For details, follow the excerpt below from

(Conversations with Memorable Personalities)

Amos Malupenga:

I know that towards the end of his life, Mr. Musokotwane had another marriage with the now late Lucy Sichone…

Regina Musokotwane:

It wasn’t a marriage. It was a relationship. When you marry someone there is a sign that you have married. In developed countries they wear rings but here a man has to go to your people and a ceremony takes place.

None of that took place. So I wouldn’t call it a
marriage. I would call it a relationship.

Amos Malupenga:

Since they had a child or children together, can’t we call it a marriage?

Regina Musokotwane:

No. There are men who have children from five different women, are we going to say those are marriages? I told you that Kebby was a very nice person. He didn’t want to hurt a person. And because of that, Kebby ran into a lot of problems.

That relationship with Lucy is one of those things he did out of wanting not to hurt a person. If you go through the writings of The Post where they discussed that relationship, you will not read in any of those articles where Kebby said he was married to Lucy. Even on that television program with Frank Mutubila, Frank asked him a specific question whether or not he was married to Lucy and Kebby said he was not married but the process was still going on.

The first person who took Lucy to Kebby’s relatives was Kebby’s aunt who is now late. They took her to the village. That is why I am saying some things are difficult in the African society. So aunt called the relatives when she arrived and said ‘we have brought this lady because Kebby wants to marry her’.

And they were asked, ‘does his wife know that you people are here?’ She said ‘I do not know’. So they said ‘then get back, go and tell her you are bringing this woman here’.

They came back and told Kebby that ‘this is what they told us’. About three weeks later, Kebby himself went with Lucy to the village. And they asked him at the village to say ‘now you have come yourself? Where is your wife because she should have been here?’ He said, ‘she is in Lusaka and she doesn’t know we are here’.

They said, ‘if your wife is going to bring Lucy to say you want to marry Lucy, we are going to bless the marriage because according to our custom, when your wife agrees that you take a second wife, we your relatives will go to her relatives to seek permission for their daughter to go into a polygamous marriage. We cannot agree on our own if her relatives do not agree because they are even going to charge us for the second time for inconveniencing their relative.
So that process must go on before you marry Lucy. If your wife is not aware or approving, we are not going to approve it.’

Amos Malupenga:

Did Kebby ask you for approval?

Regina Musokotwane:

He didn’t.

Amos Malupenga:

If he did, what could have been your response?

Regina Musokotwane:

I was going to allow him.

Amos Malupenga:

Are you sure about that?

Regina Musokotwane:

Yes. If you remember, The Post came and interviewed me over that issue of Lucy. Late Bright Mwape interviewed me when Kebby was still president of UNIP. I told Bright to say ‘look I have lived with this man for 30 years and it was not a joke to live with a man for 30 years. But you never know maybe I was not a good wife in those 30 years and now towards the end of his life he has found the love of his life so who am I to say no?
Life is too short to waste and I would not want Kebby to die miserable because I have refused him to marry a woman of his choice. I said if Kebby thinks Lucy is going to be a better wife in his last years of his life, please let him go ahead and marry and if he had asked me I was not going to refuse’.
And when I was saying that, Kebby was sitting next to me. I said I am not going to stand in his way.

Amos Malupenga:

Why didn’t he take advantage of your position over that matter to seek your approval?

Regina Musokotwane:

I think it was because he had no cause to marry Lucy. Why do you want to marry a second wife? You want to marry a second wife because of problems in your first marriage. The other reason he didn’t marry Lucy was that we married under the Act. If he married Lucy without divorcing me, it was going to be polygamy, which is an offence.

Amos Malupenga:

If he had no cause to marry Lucy, why was Kebby in that relationship with her in the first place?

Regina Musokotwane:

If it was a first relationship he was having, I was going to question. But Lucy’s relationship was not the first one. Kebby was a very handsome man. Women fell on his feet. How many men are going to have women falling on their feet and then they kick all of them around? You can kick one, two and three but the fourth one you cannot kick.

Kebby was in that position. He was handsome, had a good job and money. Which woman would not want to have such a man? So women came in great numbers. Some he kicked out and others he did not.

Amos Malupenga:

So you knew not only about Lucy’s affair with Kebby but many others?

Regina Musokotwane:

Of course! You mean you can fail to know that after living with someone for 30 years? I told Bright Mwape that the only thing that consoles me is that there is nothing Lucy is going to give Kebby that I have not given him. I said I have given Kebby seven children, I have given him wealth. He went as far as Prime Minister so what was next? That was the end of the road so I asked ‘what is Lucy bringing?’

Amos Malupenga:

So how did Kebby’s relationship with Lucy affect your marriage?

Regina Musokotwane:

It didn’t affect my marriage in any way. Kebby never went away from me, not even for two or three days which is unlike what many men will do in that position. I was in control of my marriage myself. I was in control of my husband.

Amos Malupenga:

Did you confront the other girls or women whom Kebby flirted with?

Regina Musokotwane:

No. I don’t think those were relationships that would make one feel that ‘maybe my husband does not love me’. These are women who wanted Kebby for what he was. I don’t think even these women wanted marriage or something. He was a young handsome Prime Minister, oh my God! I am not even going to say Kebby loved women, no. It was the other way round, women loved him.

And these things didn’t bother me because Kebby was a loving husband. There was nothing he left to chance in the home because of another woman. The children were well catered for. I was catered for. Just look at where we are sitting now. He left this building (a house in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area). There is another building behind this one here. So me and the children are comfortable. We have a farm in Southern Province and we have another farm in Central Province. …

An excerpt from

(Conversations with Memorable Personalities)

Pictures below:

Regina Musokotwane, Kebby Musokotwane and Lucy Sichone.

PEOPLE HAVE SEEN THAT PRESIDENT HH DESERVES TO BE CALLED “BALLY MUNTU WABUFI” (BMW) – GIVEN LUBINDA.

…says PF will be the first former ruling Party to bounce back to power after five years.

Luwingu-Saturday, 9 April, 2022 (Smart Eagles)

Patriotic Front Acting President Given Lubinda says the Zambian People have seen that President Hakainde Hichilema deserves to be called “Bally Muntu Wabufi” in reference to his alleged deceitful nature.

Hon Lubinda said most people are despondent over the ruling UPND Government in the last eight (8) months.

“Everywhere we go people are saying the man deceived us, we voted for him over deceit. They are telling us that they regret voting for Him (Hakainde Hichilema),” Hon Lubinda said.

He was speaking when he drummed up support for PF Candidate Kennedy Katongo in the April 14th Local Government by- election in Lukutu Ward of Luwingu Town Council in Northern Province.

Other party officials present were PF acting Secretary General Nickson Chilangwa, Shiwanga’ndu MP, Hon. Stephen Kampyongo, PF MCC Mpakata Musonda, Lukashya MP Hon. George Chisanga and PF Northern Province Youth Chairman Erick Nsofu.

And Hon Lubinda is hopeful that the peace experienced during the campaigns will continue.

“I just pray that the peace that we have seen will not be betrayed by some people especially UPND. That they do not engage in violence, that they do not engage in throwing out of our poling agents because that is what they know,” he said.

The PF acting President has since implored residents in Lukutu Ward to vote for Katongo of the PF because he is the only credible candidate.

He said katongo had won but was petitioned over flimsy grounds.

He also expressed happiness by the work done by the campaign team in the area.

Meanwhile, Hon Lubinda has sent a strong message to other political parties that the PF will be the first former ruling Party to bounce back to power after five years.

“I hear that the socialist party are going round telling people that the PF lost power so they will never come back but people are disagreeing to that. There is always a first time, yes this was a first time a ruling party lost after ten years, this will be the first party that has lost power, to come back to power in 5 years. I’m happy with the enthusiasm of the people,” he said.

UPND GOVERNMENT STUCK DUE TO LACK OF AN ECONOMIC PLAN – LUSAMBO

…adds that President Hichilema is chancer who used lies to assume Office.

LUSAKA, Saturday, April 9, 2022 (SMART EAGLES)

KABUSHI Member of Parliament Bowman Lusambo has described President Hakainde Hichilema as a chancer who used lies to assume office.

Speaking during the Round Table Talk, Friday, Hon Lusambo said despite boasting of being an internationally connected Economist, President Hichilema has failed to solve the economic challenges faced in the country since assuming office.

“There is nothing political about President Hakainde Hichilema. He is a chancer. He has no political history in the political fraternity. President HH told us that he is an Economist, but he has failed to use his career as an economist to make himself as a saviour to the people of Zambia. He said he is connected and the people will start enjoying. What we are experiencing today is extremely bad,” he said.

Hon Lusambo has wondered how the commodities in the alleged corrupt PF Government were more cheaper than the unbearable prices in the saint UPND Government.

He said it was unfortunate to hear the Vice President saying commodities have to increase before they can reduce.

Lusambo, alias The Bulldozer, said this shows that the current Government does NOT have an economic plan for the Zambian people.

Due to the alleged lies and failure to improve the economy, Hon Lusambo said President Hichilema would have resigned on what he terms as moral grounds if it were in the Western Countries.

“A Government with vision, works with midterm and long term plans. President Edgar Chagwa Lungu governed the country during difficult times. You remember the pandemic situation, the drought, he ensured that people were well taken care of,” he said.

The Kabushi lawmaker said President Hichilema’s team is like decorations because their is no coordination.

He said most Ministers in “Bally’s” Cabinet are on job on training hence the reason they needed to frequently seek audience with the President.

“All the Ministers are complaining that they are not seeing and interacting with the President. As Ministers, they are advisors to the President. So Mr Hichilema was supposed to open up himself and get feedback from all Ministers. All these Ministers you are seeing are all on job on training,” he said

Hon Lusambo has also noted a disconnection between the President and his Party the UPND.

He said the country does not know how the party manifesto is interacting with technocrats and Government.

“There is a very big gap, this means the manifesto is not yet incoperated in the system This country is in chimbwi no plan, Chipante Pante,” he said.

HH7 WILL LEAD US ON A GOOD AND FAIR ECONOMIC ROAD TO RECOVERY
I have all the hope. People are being unfair to judge HH7 when he has not done even a 1/4 of his 5year term.
History has taught how everyone laughed at Mwanawasa just to start praising him at the end. Just look at the good that HH7 has done.
To me the freedom everyone is enjoying is the greatest measure of success. Just imagine how people were being beaten in broad day light as people watched in fear!

The CDF money that has taken our youths into skills centres. The boarding fees from CDF that is helping kids in Secondary school. This is real here in Constituencies. Those who value school and skills training are getting scholarships.
The fuel issue is not of his making. It is a world issue. Show me any single country in Africa or the world over where fuel is less than US$1.4 per litre pump price unsubsidized.

Part of the money that was being used to subsidize fuel has gone to CDF and the benefit has spread to a school child who does not drive.
Look at the teachers who are being employed without corruption! Do you know that PF Cadres got filthy rich charging innocent souls to get a job, some girls were even being molested being promised jobs which they never even got!

The Zambian Constitution was drafted by people who knew that for a person to be judged as having failed or succeeded as president in office, a term of 5 years is required at least. But we hear even learned people, including those who are in a Law making body, saying HH7 has failed. What kind of hurt & hate speech is this???

My sincere appeal to all those that have so early started judging HH7 in just less than 8 months of his 60 months is that please, let HH7 drive for the 60 month journey that the mandated Zambian voters gave him. You are free to kick him out on Thursday, 13th August 2026. Remember, HH7 said he will raise the bar and so far I have no reason to doubt him.

Hon. Kidson Katunta

Practicing Political Scientist
Friday, 8th April 2022.

“OPEN DOORS TO OTHERS, PRESIDENT HICHILEMA TELLS APOINTED OFFICIALS”

By Kalani Muchima

President Hakainde Hichilema says he has done his part in as far as job appointments are concerned and that the rest, rests with Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, District Commissioners, Mayors and Council Chairpersons.

The Head of State wonders how and why people expect him to start meddling in the appointments of junior officers as he has eyes to handle such issues.

He says it is now the duty of those he has appointed to help others also get jobs including other opportunities from government.

President Hichilema says as Head of the Executive, he has given powers to these constitutional officer holders to to deal with those who were making other peoples lives difficult.

He says all those who were seen politically victimising others should be dealt with.

The President has meanwhile cautioned against victimising civil servants who discharged their duties diligently.

He has also ordered that moving forward, all security recruitments in the police, Zambia Air Force (ZAF), Zambia National Service (ZNS) and Zambia Army should be inclusive to all citizens not a particular grouping or children of ministers and senior security officials.

President Hichilema further says contracts such as those to clear roads under routine road maintenance should be an exclusive of the local people and not foreigners.

With regards to student scholarships, the Head of State cautioned those responsible for discharging such funds against awarding students who are from well to do families.

President Hichilema has also disclosed that his government has set aside some money specifically for women employment under the village banking system.

The Head of State has further assured the nation that his government is committed to ending poverty at all cost as this was the reason why his administration was elected into office.

Among the Ministers the President specifically directed to take charge of their ministries included, Infrastructure Minister, Charles Milupi, Local Government Minister Gary Nkombo, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Elias Mubanaga, Western Province Minister Kapelwa Mbangweta, Transport and Communications Minister Frank Tayali, Information and Media Minister Kasanda Chushi and Agriculture Minister Reben Mutolo Phiri.

The meeting was also attended by party Secretary General Batuke Imenda, His vice, Getrude Imenda, Party National Chairman Steven Katuka and the party’s National Youth Chairman Gilbert Liswaniso.

The President is in Mongu to attend the 2022 Kuomboka Traditional Ceremony.

SEVEN (7) MONTHS OF HH VS SEVEN (7) YEARS OF EDGAR LUNGU

IMPLEMENTORS TEAM’S OPINION!!!

Contact Deputy Spokesperson – 0976996312.

LETS NOT BE FORGETFUL, CHAGWA ISN’T BALLY’S LEVEL!!!

In this morning analysis, we hereby bring a REMINDER to ALL Zambians that Chagwa ‘s works in his 7 Year rule can’t match with what Bally has achieved within 7 Months and to be specific within the first quarter of the New Dawn Administration ( January to March, 2022)! In the past few weeks we have been shocked with the utterances by the forgetful and shallow minds who say that if Zambians had voted for Chagwa in August then we couldn’t have been in some crisis such as Fuel increments! We remain wondering, who brought Zambia to the current poor status of the Economy? Why should we forget how Mr. Chagwa Lungu and his failed regime ruled this Country? We have nothing to point at when it comes to what Mr. Lungu achieved and we had no intention to waste more time to write this article, but for the sake of those who are too forgetful or who want to mislead Zambians, we have no option, but to write something.

REMINDER ON THE FAILED PROMISES BY CHAGWA AND THE PF:

1 . Creation of 500, 000 Jobs.

2 . Revamping Mulungushi Textiles.

3 . Promise of Lower taxes.

4 . Stocking Hospitals with enough Medicine.

5 . Promise that the Debt Contraction was within manageable levels.

6 . Promise that the Euro Bond would be used to revamp Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia.

7 . Promise that the Euro Bond would be used to modernise Zambia Railways.

8 . Promise on the fight against Corruption.

9 . Promise that they knew and would bring to book the Master minds of gassing.

10 . Promise that they would order and reduce the cost of fuel by purchasing from cheaper sources such as Saudi Arabia.

The above are among the numerous promises given by Mr. Chagwa and his failed regime. Unfortunately, NONE of them was implemented!

BALLY AND UPND ‘S PROMISES:

1 . Recruitment of 30, 000 Teachers.

2 . Recruitment of 11, 200 Health Workers.

3 . Increment of the Constituency Development Fund to k25, 700 per Constituency.

4 . Clearing all Funds all owed to Retirees.

5 . Paying Council workers on time.

6 . Implementing Mid term gratuity for workers under NAPSA.

7 . Salary and Allowances Increments to Civil Servants.

8 . Reuniting Couples in the Civil Service through appropriate transfers.

9 . Ending Cadrelism in Markets and Bus Stations.

10 . Renewal of PSV Licenses every 5 years.

11. Handing over of the Black mountain to the Youth and Women.

12 . Improving the payment of Bursaries to Students.

13 . Ensuring that all Civil Servants are allowed to operate regardless of ethnicity and political affiliation.

14. Bringing back All Civil Servants who were fired on Political lines or ethnicity.

15 . Ensuring Freedom of Speech.

The above are among the many PROMISES offered and FULFILLED by BALLY and the New Dawn Administration within 7 Months of being in Power. We can’t add any more as our followers and all Zambians are able to compare and contrast for themselves.

WAY FORWARD:

1 . We request ALL UPND Members to be proud of having President Hakainde Hichilema who has scored more than his precedeccors. Which President scored what President and his Government have scored within 7 Months?

2 .. We request the general Public to be real and never be forgetful! There is nothing to point at in terms of Chagwa ‘s works that you may start remembering him for!
Lets follow the works of President HH and the New Dawn Administration and advise them accordingly where possible.

3. AS IMPLEMENTORS TEAM, WE SHALL CONTINUE PUBLISHING THE WORKS OF BALLY AND THE NEW DAWN ADMINISTRATION SO THAT THE PUBLIC MAY BE ENLIGHTENED OR REMINDED.

Surely, there is nothing that Chagwa and the PF did achieved in the 7 Years of their god ( Lungu) that we may put to record apart from leaving a record of high Cadrelism, Violence and Corruption! President Hakainde Hichilema can’t be matched with Chagwa and even if he were to step down now, he will go down in the records of Zambia and Africa at large as being the President who scored more Points within 7 Months of his rule! Indeed, there are setbacks such as Fuel increments and the high cost of living, but these require more time and patience on our side.

We are certain that by the end of his term, President HH would have gone beyond what PF and MMD did in their rule ( 30 years when combined).

All the best to Bally as he continues to lead this great Nation!!! He needs each one ‘s support so as to record every success we need!

In our next similar topic, we discuss, ” The Status of Bally ‘s team, is it supportive enough? “

Ours is to analyse, advise and recommend for implementation without fear or favour.

Implementors Analysis Crew.

FAIR DISTRIBUTION OF THE 2022 TEACHER-VACANCES BY DISTRICT

CENTRAL PROVINCE
1. Chibombo – 621
2. Chishamba – 222
3. Chitambo – 267
4. Itezhi- Tezhi – 468
5. Kabwe – 146
6. Kapiri Mposhi – 464
7. Luano – 285
8. Mkushi – 342
9. Mumbwa – 648
10. Ngabwe – 212
11. Serenje – 370
12. Shibuyunji – 105
TOTAL = 4, 150

EASTERN PROVINCE
1. Chadiza – 105
2. Chasefu – 473
3. Chipangali – 491
4. Chipata – 203
5. Kasenengwa – 283
6. Katete – 278
7. Lumezi – 219
8. Lundazi – 248
9. Lusangazi – 69
10. Mambwe – 325
11. Nyimba – 128
12. Petauke – 532
13. Sinda – 408
14. Vubwi – 119
TOTAL = 3, 881

NORTHERN PROVINCE
1. Chilubi – 174
2. Kaputa – 229
3. Kasama – 383
4. Lunte – 227
5. Luposhi – 258
6. Luwingu – 381
7. Mbala – 482
8. Mporokoso – 199
9. Mpulungu – 413
10. Mungwi – 514
11. Nsama – 174
12. Senga Hill – 306
TOTAL = 3, 740

NORTH WESTERN
1. Chavuma – 312
2. Ikelenge – 269
3. Kabompo – 477
4. Kalumbila – 229
5. Kasempa – 198
6. Manyinga – 261
7. Mufumbwe – 148
8. Mushindamo – 620
9. Mwinilunga – 620
10. Solwezi – 190
11. Zambezi – 530
TOTAL = 3, 583

WESTERN PROVINCE
1. Kalobo – 360
2. Kaoma – 266
3. Limulunga – 200
4. Luampa – 209
5. Lukulu – 307
6. Mitete – 411
7. Mongu – 264
8. Mulobezi – 224
9. Mwandi – 113
10. Nalolo – 93
11. Nkeyema – 167
12. Senanga – 275
13. Sesheke – 158
14. Shangombo – 108
15. Sikongo – 204
16. Sioma – 241
TOTAL = 3, 600

SOUTHERN PROVINCE
1. Chinkankata – 146
2. Choma – 322
3. Gwembe – 376
4. Kalomo – 124
5. Kazungula – 626
6. Livingstone – 127
7. Mazabuka – 161
8. Monze – 359
9. Namwala – 422
10. Pemba – 240
11. Siavonga – 132
12. Sinazongwe – 187
13. Zimba – 92
TOTAL = 3, 314

COPPERBELT PROVINCE
1. Ndola – 53
2. Mufulira – 80
3. Mpongwe – 457
4. Masaiti – 418
5. Lunfwanyama – 788
6. Luanshya – 221
7. Kitwe – 67
8. Kalulushi – 247
9. Chingola – 271
10. Chililabombwe – 91
TOTAL = 2, 693

MUCHINGA PROVINCE
1. Chama – 306
2. Chinsali – 340
3. Isoka – 224
4. Kanchibiya – 193
5. Lavushimanda – 99
6. Mafinga – 285
7. Mpika – 232
8. Nakonde – 210
9. Shiwang’andu – 338
TOTAL = 2, 227

LUAPULA PROVINCE
1. Chembe – 111
2. Chienge – 140
3. Chifunabuli – 256
4. Chipili – 134
5. Kawambwa – 293
6. Lunga – 87

7. Mansa – 383
8. Milenge – 180
9. Mwansabombwe – 82
10. Mwense – 121
11. Nchelenge – 154
12. Samfya – 132
TOTAL = 2, 073

LUSAKA PROVINCE
1. Chilundu – 102
2. Chongwe – 204
3. Kafue – 84
4. Luangwa – 55

6. Rufunsa – 269
7. Lusaka – 26
TOTAL = 740

PF UPDATES THE NATION ON ITS FORTHCOMING GENERAL CONFERENCE

8th April, 2022

Following the Patriotic Front Central Committee decision to consider holding the Extraordinary National Conference and creation of the Planning Sub-Committee to spearhead preparations, I now address you and through the media platform, the PF Family at large to give an update on the planning process so far.

As PF National Chairman and Chairman of the Central Committee Planning Sub-Committee I wish to inform you that the Planning Committee has held meetings and submitted a Report to the National Executive Committee for authority to undertake a consultation process with all the PF Leadership at Provincial, District, Constituency and Ward levels. In addition as the consultations are done, the Planning sub- Committee will invite submissions from well-
wishers and other stakeholders that have interest in the affairs of the Patriotic Front.

Kindly take note that the Consultations will take into account issues of the rebranding of our Party, to make it more desirable as the alternative to the current Government.

Ladies and Gentlemen it is imperative that going forward the operations of the Patriotic Front Party take a united front in order to emerge stronger taking into account the concerns of the members, friends of the Party and other interested Stakeholders.

The consultations will take the form of information sharing on the following:

• Party Standing Orders
• Party membership,
• Party and Members litigations,
• Members harassments within and outside the Party
• and other related matters that needs to be dealt with.

The Consultation process is aimed at making the Extraordinary National Conference, legitimate, transparent, credible and its outcome acceptable to the general membership and players. We further trust that these consultations will give ownership to the Party leadership at all levels and general membership. It is our belief that we will all apply our energies and minds at creating and building an organization that endeavors to create a sense of ownership and belonging amongst its members, an Organisation that is still focused on service to the people through pro-poor policies as stipulated in our 2021 – 2026 manifesto that is relevant today more than ever.

In conclusion, I wish to reiterate that as we plan for the Extraordinary National Conference, the Party will engage in a consultative process within the Party leadership at different ranks as well as other stakeholders and PF Party extended family. The Patriotic Front remains the largest opposition political party that finds favour and hope in a lot of Zambians, and it is for that reason that we are magnanimous enough to embrace the challenges we are facing as a united front.

For the Love of God and Service to the People of Zambia. I thank you all.

From time to time we will call upon you for updates as information sharing is of utmost importance

God Bless you all and thank you.

Hon Davies Chama
General Conference Preparation and Planning Committee
Patriotic Front

By Hon. Bowman Lusambo
THE ZAMBIA-IMF-CHINA DEBT CONUNDRUM

In opposition, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema on numerous occasions boasted that he had capabilities of clinching debt restructuring within weeks of becoming Head of State. He claimed, his finance and economics credentials were so strong that he would easily manage to put all the creditors in one room and get them to agree to restructure our debt. Mr Hichilema sang that song too many times that it even became believable.

Now with almost 10 months in office, President Hichilema doesn’t even know whether he is going or coming over the debt issue. Debt is a subject that he has been avoiding for some time now because not only has he failed to convince the creditors even after getting the IMF on his side but because actually foreign debt has increased by 4% under his watch.

We should have Vicky Ford, the UK Minister for Africa to thank who revealed during the Hot FM Breakfast Show that the G20 Global Debt Restructuring Framework through which Zambia is hoping to benefit is moving slowly because of one creditor. We have it on good authority that the creditor Madam Ford spoke about is China and there are no surprises there.

Since assuming office, President Hichilema has naively chosen to play isolationist politics with China. It is baffling that a man who claims to fully understand how the global finance architecture operates could undertake such a suicidal mission to ignore China when that country holds two thirds of our foreign debt stock.

Now China is not coming to the table, without it, the IMF and other multilaterals won’t manage to achieve anything and President Hichilema now has an egg on his face. The man who told us that he is such a respected negotiator now has to rely on Minister Ford and the UK government to plead with China on our behalf to get some commitments on debt restructuring.

It is clear that the man went into State House to be remote controlled by western capitalists and he is now beginning to realise that real power has shifted and now rests with the East. If President Hichilema wasn’t that gullible, he would have taken the presidential challenger and embarked on a trip to China to lobby support from Beijing for us to move forward over the debt quagmire. In his gullibility, his first international trip was to New York and Washington to pander to the interests of his backers who are now stuck with him and can’t move forward without China.

Our advice to President Hichilema, take a trip to Beijing now and go and engage President Xi Jinping. The boy from Kapiri you appointed as your Foreign Affairs Minister is misleading you over the role of China in Zambia’s economy. You sent him to China a few weeks ago and he came back with nothing.

Mr. President, those boys and girls from the IMF will not save your already unpopular presidency, lessons in economic and political history are plenty of leaders who lost power after they went to bed with the IMF.

It should be stated in no uncertain terms that the only true friend we have in the global South is China. Mr President, it is time to cut your huge ego and go and break bread with President Xi.

By Isaac Mwanza

“We removed fuel susbisides to pay for free education” – President Bally

“Fuel subsidies is still there ” – Minister Finance

A subsidy is a sum of money granted by the state or a public body to help an industry or business keep the price of a commodity or service low. So can we say that fuel was subsidised when it had some taxes under the PF regime? A tax makes fuel expensive, and as such, it is not a subsidy when it is added.

UPND Spokesperson said it was one of the conditionalities by the IMF for the Zambian Government to remove subsidies. Question is, did the IMF ask Government to remove taxes that would make fuel cheaper? What exactly was the subsidy which was removed then?

Zambians cannot continue guessing which fuel susbisy was removed by Government in which the country was able to save $809 million dollars Minister Musokotwane had told the nation about.

Just recently, Vice President Nalumango told Parliament that government is not considering reintroducing subsidies which were removed to cushion the fuel rishing prices.

So if the Vice President, and many others who are opposed to the reintroduction of the removed subsidies meant to lower fuel prices believe what they are saying, the subsidies they are referring to are not taxes that would increase fuel prices, once reintroduced.

No one knows which subsidy was removed that helped us to save money for free education, social cash transfer, etc. I don’t think that even my good friend Anthony Bwalya believes the story that there was a subsidy which made fuel cheaper, which was removed.

The biggest trouble we have is that we have an extremely beautiful Chief Government Spokesperson who cannot clarify issues. No wonder the Spokesperson for the Ministry is one now taken up the role of Chief Government Spokesperson. This is an issue the Minister should have been making the public understand which subsidies were removed such that when they are reintroduced would lower the prices of fuel.

In my view, government has not removed any subsidies that made fuel expensive. Government removed taxes that were making fuel expensive then.

GBM SAYS HE WILL SPILL THE BEANS IF HE IS TAKEN TO COURT BUT WHO TOLD HIM THAT IS THE WAY TO DEFEND ONESELF BEFORE ANY COURT PROCEEDINGS…***

By Stembridge Sikalundu

We are going to be very greatful that as GBM goes to court he tells the nation what he knows more about the gassing of the people of Zambia this past year , if he is going to spill the beans which information is he likely to say which is more important than what we went through as a country . I take particular interest on statements that come from people like GBM because I do not only reflect on one single statement but the many issues that surround their being whether good or bad because we have tried to remind each other that we must be very careful as individuals the way we exercise politics on a personal level and the effects we cause on others for us to defend ourselves in the future .

We have tried to remind many politicians , senior citizens , the clergy , members of different political parties that politics of harm and hate has got factorable negativities that are always welcome to remind , I recall the statement made by MR VJ MWANGA in reference to what we don’t know about tomorrow , he said and I quote , ” former president RB (mhscriep,) was my junior in govt service but he went on to become president of Zambia “, careful the way you treat others because you don’t know what they will be tomorrow ” end of quote. What we are reminded is that every situation in life has a lesson to learn from , what happens around us teaches us many things , when you are on the side of good things you should know that fate awaits you , there is time to smile and time to cry , it is not president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA who designed the rule of nature .

GBM should stand firm and defend his innocence without borrowing any statement words to defend himself outside court , when leaders are found wanting on cases of such mature ,they rush to the ordinary citizens for sympathy and help ,but when they are enjoying their undeserved fortunes they even send us pictures while shopping in south Africa around the most expensive malls .We understand that falling from the top tree experiencing the gravity causes pain down there , but that just reminds similar people that even those who are down there do not get used to belong there , it is the means which are very difficult to meet . When you’re a leader remember if the Marx theory was applied for just one hour to equalise the feeling of emptiness and challenges , they can’t endure like us . We urge GBM to remain composed and allow the processes of natural justice to prove him innocent if at he is .God bless mother Zambia .

ZAMBIA FORWARD OUR BELOVED COUNTRY

AN APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBIA TO PAY TAZARA WORKERS.

Mpika, Friday, April,2022(SmartEagles)

Muchinga Province Mpika Constituency Member of Parliament Francis Kapyanga says that the situation of TAZARA workers salary arrears is still current, pressing and unattended to.

Hon Kapyanga says that this month ticks the calendar to mark 5 months of unpaid salaries for these hard-working citizens. While this in itself is something that shouldn’t happen in a society that respects another person’s hard work, it has become a norm for TAZARA workers and my mind fails to be at ease at the thought of this ordeal.

“I’m appealing to the government of Zambia, a government that was built on the promise of meaningful economic growth and service to all to pay TAZARA workers their 5 months salary arrears – no economy grows on the foundation of unpaid salaries to an active labour force,” He said.

“What should be coming to our minds every time I bring the TAZARA issue on our tables is “what do these people eat, how do they take their children to universities and colleges?” In a time as this, when the cost of living is skyrocketing, these people actually pay for transport to get to work which has significantly increased and they still don’t get paid. “

The Mpika Constituency MP said that One of the things that should be done going forward is to act on the resolutions made by the TAZARA council of Ministers on 19th October 2019 to finance the recapitalization of TAZARA by the two governments which includes the putting of TAZARA workers on the government payroll.

He said the resolution was acted upon promptly by the Tanzanian government and something we keep staring right into the eyes and do nothing about.

“I have since taken a formal complaint to the Ministry of Transport and Logistics making an urgent and heartfelt request to the minister in charge to look into this matter and bring it to halt with a lasting and sustainable solution.” He added

“My commitment to the workers of TAZARA is complete with regard to every detail, it is not superficial or partial and this is why for me, paying them today is not enough but knowing that they will be paid every month for all the years each one of them shall dedicate themselves to the industry.

At least 30 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded in a Russian missile strike on a railway station in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine’s state railway company said two Russian rockets had struck the station in Kramatorsk, which is used to evacuate civilians from areas under bombardment by Russian forces.

“Two rockets hit Kramatorsk railway station,” Ukrainian Railways said in a statement.

Thirty dead and 100 wounded as Russian missile hits Ukrainian railway station

It later added, “According to operational data, more than 30 people were killed and more than 100 were wounded in the rocket attack on Kramatorsk railway station.”

Regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said thousands of people were at the train station at the time of the strike, preparing to evacuate to safer regions as Russia focuses its troops in eastern Ukraine.

Reuters news agency said it could not immediately verify the information. Russia has not yet commented on the reports of the attack and the death toll. Moscow has denied targeting civilians since invading Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Thirty dead and 100 wounded as Russian missile hits Ukrainian railway station

‘The occupiers hit the Kramatorsk railway station with a Point-U, where thousands of peaceful Ukrainians were waiting to be evacuated… About 30 people died, about 100 people were injured to varying degrees,’

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky wrote in an Instagram post after the attack.

‘Police and rescuers are already on the scene. Russian non-humans do not abandon their methods. Lacking the strength and courage to stand up to us on the battlefield, they are cynically destroying the civilian population. This is an evil that has no limits. And if it is not punished, it will never stop,’ he added.

Kramatorsk is found in the east of the country, about 80 miles west of Luhansk. Pictures this week have shown hundreds of people at the station boarding trains heading west.

Three trains carrying evacuees were blocked in the same region of Ukraine on Thursday after an airstrike on the line, according to the head of Ukrainian Railways.

Ukrainian officials say Russian forces have been regrouping for a new offensive, and that Moscow plans to seize as much territory as it can in the eastern part of Ukraine known as Donbas bordering Russia.

By Bloomberg

Zambia’s reorganization of as much as $17.3 billion of external debt is being delayed by a single foreign creditor, according to U.K. Minister for Africa Vicky Ford.

“We’ve got one creditor that seems to be — one international creditor — that seems to be taking a bit more time to make a decision,” Ford, who is visiting Zambia, said in comments broadcast on Hot FM radio Thursday in the capital, Lusaka. “I discussed that with the foreign minister as well last night, and I know that he has been working incredibly hard to try and speed up that process.”

Zambia, which became Africa’s first pandemic-era sovereign defaulter in 2020, has been seeking to restructure its dollar obligations under the Group of 20’s Common Framework, a set of guidelines that the most powerful countries drafted to mitigate debt crises in poorer states. Under those rules, Zambia first needed to reach a preliminary bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund, which it did in December.

Disagreements among official creditors or prolonged negotiations with private lenders could delay an eventual restructuring deal and IMF approval into the second half of this year or even into 2023, Fitch Ratings said this week.

Zambia’s $1 billion in Eurobonds due April 2024 have fallen 6% this year to trade at 74 cents on the dollar by 3:43 p.m. in London.

Zambian Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane on Dec. 15 asked bilateral lenders to form an official creditors committee as soon as possible. That’s yet to happen, even as the IMF and World Bank have since completed a debt sustainability analysis that sets the economic criteria used in negotiations for debt treatment.

Ford didn’t identify the creditor that she said has been delaying the process, and Musokotwane declined to name it when asked at a briefing on Thursday.

“I am afraid I can not release that because there are diplomatic issues that we are following,” he said in Lusaka. “Mentioning the name obviously does not help.”

Out of Zambia’s total $17.3 billion of external public-sector debt, commercial and state-owned Chinese lenders account for $5.5 billion, making the nation by far the biggest source of Zambia’s loans, according to Finance Ministry data. Zambia owes $3.3 billion in Eurobonds and interest arrears since it defaulted at the end of 2020 and stopped servicing almost all other international loans. It also has a $147 million debt to Russia’s export-import bank.

Puzzling Plans

The Chinese Embassy in Lusaka didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment. Chinese creditors were “puzzled” about Zambia’s restructuring plans, the nation’s ambassador to Zambia, Li Jie, said in November.

Zambia had been targeting a deal with creditors in the first half of this year, in order to have its $1.4 billion deal with the IMF concluded by June. There has been behind-the-scenes work to establish an official creditors committee co-chaired by China and South Africa, Eurasia Group said in a note to clients last week.

South Africa is still finalizing its delegation for the creditor committee for Zambia, the National Treasury said in reply to emailed questions on April 4.

Ford said she’d be discussing with the IMF and World Bank how to expedite Zambia’s debt treatment at their spring meetings in Washington from April 18 to 23.

“I’m really encouraging them to say: How can we get this process going faster?” said Ford. “Because the longer it’s going, the more that overhang of uncertainty is going to impact on people here.”

SOURCE: bloomberg

Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane has announced that the country managed to raise total revenues and grants amounting to k23.8 billion against a projection budget of k23.4 billion in the first quarter of the national budget implementation.

Dr Musokotwane says Zambia also recorded tax revenue amounting to k19.1 billion while non-tax revenues and grants amounted to k4.5billion and k195.1 million, respectively, within the same period under review.

Speaking when he officiated at the economic and budget implementation performance review symposium for the first quarter, Dr Musokotwane says income tax collections and insurance premium levy were above target, while value-added tax (vat), custom and excuse duties and export duties were below target.

He disclosed that non-tax revenue collections and grants were below target by 13.6 per cent and 57.2 per cent, respectively.

Dr Musokotwane said that total expenditures during the period under review amounted to k33.5 billion against a target of k33.2 billion and that the total financing was k10.1 billion relative to the target of k9.8 billion.

Dr. Musokotwane further revealed that about k5.3 billion was borrowed from the domestic market through the issuance of government securities, k4.1 billion was drawn from the special drawing rights allocation and k730.1 million was a carryover from 2021.

Speaking at the same event, minister of Energy Peter Kapala assured that the new dawn government will ensure that all players in the petroleum world market are happy to play their role in sustainable supplies of fuel to the economy and to the Zambian citizens at manageable prices in view of geopolitical tension in Europe that is having spiral effects on the global economy.

And Bankers Association of Zambia chairperson Mizinga Melu urged the government to prioritize the integrated payment system especially as the country is moving toward a cashless society using digital means, and Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Executive Director Alex Muyebe commended Government for the progress made in addressing the country’s debt situation, while Zambia Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Chabuka Kawsha said the various progressive implementations will boost investor confidence in the country