TAKE THE NAMES OF THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS OF ZNBC TO PARLIAMENT FOR RATIFICATION

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

I have noted an announcement by the Minister of Information and Media, Hon. Chishi Kasanda stating that she has appointed new board members of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation(ZNBC)
Of worry is her assertions that the Board members have to office already.

The Minister must be advised that for ZNBC, the proposed names must be taken to Parliament for ratification and approval.

Until then, ZNBC Board doesn’t exist until an Appointments Committee proposes the names, and Parliament ratifies and approves the proposed names as provided for in the law.

The ZNBC ACT OF 2002 states that;

(2) “The Board shall consist of nine part-time directors appointed by the Minister on the recommendation of the Appointments Committee, and subject to ratification by the National Assembly.”

This was done to continue to provide ZNBC as a public broadcaster with independence and autonomy.

Below was her announcement:

Hon. Chushi Kasanda writes …..

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

I have today appointed the Boards of the Independent Broadcasting Authority, IBA and the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).

INDEPENDENT BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (IBA)
Pursuant to the powers vested in me under the IBA Act No. 17 of 2002, as amended by Act No. 26 of 2010, it is now my pleasure and privilege to announce the members of the IBA Board as follows:
 Mr. Chikosola P. Chuula
 Mrs. Victoria Sombo Mupwaya
 Mr. Oliver Kanene
 Mrs. Elizabeth Mweene Chanda
 Mr. Mumbuna M. Kufekisa
 Bishop Benson Banda
 Professor Jameson Mbale
 Mrs. Susan Z. Ndumingu
 Mr. Makasa Lazarous Luonde

ZAMBIA NATIONAL BROADCSTING CORPORATION
Pursuant to the provisions of section 4(2) of the ZNBC Act, Chapter 154 of the Laws of Zambia, I announce the members of the ZNBC Board as follows:
 Mr. Mato Shimabale
 Ms. Mazuba B. Monze
 Mr. Sunders Dante
 Mr. Nchimunya Hachandi
 Mrs. Bernadette Chilufya Mwaba Phiri
 Mr. Leonard Kantumoya
 Ms. Ophelia Nyambe
 Bishop Joseph Kazhila
 Mrs. Nalituba C. Mwale

Government is confident that these teams have the competence, expertise and experience to grow both IBA and ZNBC to vibrant institutions in the broadcasting industry.

The two Boards come into office against a backdrop of high expectations from both the Government and the people of Zambia on the need for the media to exercise high ethical and professional standards in its role of informing, educating and entertaining the public.

The Boards have a mammoth task of laying a firm foundation upon which the IBA and ZNBC should grow.

I therefore, urge, the Board Members, to familiarize themselves with their mandate as provided in the law in taking these institutions to high levels of excellence.

Congratulations and we wish the Boards all the best.

I thank you.

WE MUST BEGIN TO SEE THE FRUITS OF PRESIDENTIAL FOREIGN TRIPS – HON. KAMPYONGO

… says when in opposition President Hichilema promised to cut down on international trips but he is doing the exact opposite.

Chinsali … Friday, February, 18, 2022 [Smart Eagles]

Shiwangandu member of parliament Hon. Stephen Kampyongo says President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND should not get agitated when questioned about the increased Presidential international trips.

Speaking when he featured on Radio Delight Kwitonta in Chinsali district, Hon. Kampyongo said the Presidential trips comes at huge cost to national treasury.

He said when in opposition President Hichilema promised to cut down on foreign trips in order to save resources but he is doing the exact opposite.

Hon. Kampyongo who is also PF parliamentary chief whip said the head of State should ensure that Zambians begin to see the benefits of the international trips being undertaken by his administration has he promised.

” We know that the President is entitled to undertake international trips but they must be beneficial because they come at a huge cost to the national treasury.

Zambians have a right to question these trips because when in opposition President Hichilema promised to cut down on some of these trips in order to save resources but he is doing the exact opposite of what he promised Zambians,” Hon. Kampyongo said.

And Hon. Kampyongo said the fight against corruption should not be selective and meant to fix political opponents.

He said the Anti Corruption Commission ACC should be proactive in dealing with corruption cases and not not wait until there is a change of Government.

He said President Hichilema has admitted that there are corrupt elements within his cabinet and Permanent Secretaries and he has wondered why the ACC is not moving in to investigate and make arrests.

” President Hichilema has admitted publicly that there are some ministers and Permanent secretaries who are allegedly being taught how to steal by the PF, why is ACC not moving in to arrest both the people teaching ministers and Permanent Secretaries how to steal as well as the same people being taught to steal.

The ACC must be proactive and avoid only acting when there is a change of Government,” Hon. Kampyongo said.

Meanwhile, Hon. Kampyongo advised the UPND Government to focus on delivering on their campaign promises instead of blaming the PF for their failures.

He said Zambians voted for the UPND based on the long list of promises by the UPND prior to the 2021 General elections.

” We are no longer in Government and it is shocking that the UPND keeps blaming us for their failures. President Hichilema promised Zambians that immediately is elected mealie prices will drop to K50, fertilizer to K250 from K750 but now it is over K1,000. We were promised that the Kwacha will also immediately appreciate few hours after inauguration but non of these things have been actualized so far, ” Hon. Kampyongo said.

The Story of the Post by Laura Miti

Thinking about the Post, one is very ambivalent about its place in history.

The paper was, for a long time, the beacon of free speech and a protector of democracy.

Then, it went mad!

A sense by owner, Fred M’membe, that Rupiah Banda should not have stood for elections, after President Levy Mwanawasa died, consumed the paper. Fred was convinced, and declared in the paper, that Rupiah Banda, then constitutionally acting as President, should have stepped aside for “Levy’s chosen” successor, Ng’andu Mangande.

The vitriol that ensued, against RB’s candidature in the Presidential by election was shocking, for me anyway. He was viciously attacked simply for wanting a presidency that had fallen into his lap, and for Fred claiming Levy had told him he preferred Mangande.

OK, if truth be told, Mangande would have almost certainly been many people’s preference and probably a better President than RB turned out to be. RB had the right to pursue a presidency within his grasp, though.

Anyhow, from there, it was downwards into the gutter, for the Post. Fred decided he would use his paper to ensure RB had a short presidency. In came the clean-up-Sata project.

Before then, you see, the Post did not like Sata. Declared him, rightly so I might add, violent, uncouth and much else. But he was, I guess, the only person seen by Fred as being able to unseat RB.

The Post therefore reconfigured itself into a Sata rehabitation and campaign platform. Through some scary and reckless reporting, Fred successfully delivered the Sata presidency.

Sata’s time in office was sadly short lived. It was a short period when the Post (or is it Fred) basked in the kingmaker status. The paper looked away from any wrong doing and sung “Michael’s” praises to high heaven. It seems the Post even stop paying taxes.

I wish it had ended there – with the paper and Fred enjoying the good life, but no.

The most tragic aspect of the degeneration of the Post was its decision to make some seeming hatred between Fred and then UPND president, Hakainde Hichilema, another project of the paper. Unfortunately, it was decided that it was not enough to vilify HH alone. The paper started the Paint-the-Tonga Black programme which was later adopted by EL’s PF, as personified by Chishimba Kambwili and backing voices of Professor Luo and others.

It is the last part, I find difficult to forgive Fred for. He, with clear mind, started a hate campaign against a whole innocent people that took our beautiful country to a dark place.

That said, the Post should not have been closed and especially liquidated. That, ostensibly done because the paper had accumulated a huge tax bill, was really because it did not transfer its worship of Michael Sata to his successor EL.

You see, just like RB had done with Mangande after Levy’s death, EL prevented Fred’s preferred Wynter Kabimba or compromise Miles Sampa from becoming President after Sata died.

Let me leave it there

BOWMAN MOCKS ACC

…they’ll now get my underwear saying proceeds of crime

By Kombe Mataka

FORMER Lusaka Province minister Bowman Lusambo says President Hakainde Hichilema’s days in office are numbered.

He charges that the Anti-Corruption Commission is “wasting my time” adding that soon “they will start getting underwear and start saying proceeds of crime”.

Commenting on the arrest of his wife Nancy on Monday by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Lusambo said it would soon be President Hichilema’s turn to answer to possible charges when he is out of office.

Nancy was summoned to appear before the ACC at 14:00 hours on Monday and was subsequently arrested around 18:00 hours on charges of concealing properties believed to be proceeds of crime.

“I want to tell Hakainde Hichilema that the privatisation issue is not dead. Whether he died today, as we come into government, we are going to investigate. We are going to investigate the children, the wife and whoever will be in custody of their property because he has never given a convincing answer to the people of Zambia,” Lusambo charged.

“Now, I want to address him. I am a politician. I was born a politician. All my life I have been a politician. I have also worked before in this country. I worked for Carnival Furnishers, in Cash Crusaders. I worked for GTV. I owned my own small businesses in this country. It is very unfortunate that Mr Hakainde Hichilema thinks I just dropped from heaven, no! In my tour of duty, definitely, I have been having something. I have been investing. I want to assure him that his days are numbered.”

Lusambo said arresting him or his wife would not add any value to the well-being of the country’s economy.

“This is not what he told the people of Zambia. That ‘when we come, we are going to arrest Bowman’s wife. We are going to arrest [former home affairs minister Stephen] Kampyongo. We are going to arrest [former foreign minister Joe] Malanji no!’ If you arrest Bowman, so what? If you embarrass Bowman, so what? Is it going to change the exchange rate of the dollar to kwacha? no!” Lusambo said.

“Is it going to change me? For God’s sake! I know Hakainde is not sleeping because of Bowman. I know better politics than him and I can assure him that I am not going to stop talking. I will continue talking until he moves out of the seat. It is inevitable that he is moving out of that seat.”

He explained that the property over which his wife was summoned was a property which he was still paying for and had not concealed.

“My wife was called at 14:00 hours over Silverest Gardens properties. Silverest Garden has no contract with my wife. There is no property which belongs to my wife. It is just Hakainde Hichilema who wants to alarm the nation and embarrass people. There is no document connecting Nancy Manasseh. Silverest came to Parliament to sell these houses. National Housing also came to sell their properties at North Gate. Some MPs opted to go to North Gate while others went to Silverest Gardens. There is nothing like concealing. It is a lie,” he said.

“If you go toNorth Gate, 95 per cent of people in North Gate are MPs both from the opposition and ruling. Like my friend Kang’ombe of Dundumwezi [Edgar Sing’ombe], he has two to three houses there. My friend from Bweengwa [Michelo Kasauta] has three houses. They are MPs with four, five houses. I have not even finished paying. That is why we don’t have documentation. These guys (ACC) are saying concealing. What concealing? They started with 49 houses, now they have failed. They are just troubling her, she is innocent.”

Lusambo said very soon investigative officers would start asking him to account for his underwear.

He said there was nothing to conceal in properties which he could procure at K1 million.

“They are wasting my time. We are going to court on 9th March. Let them show how we changed names from me to her. Us parliamentarians, the money we get just sitting allowance is more than K4 million. Just sitting allowance for five years! Those properties are less than K1 million. How can I fail to buy? My gratuity is K2 million, how can I fail to buy a house?” Lusambo said.

“When I told people Hakainde does not like me, this is what I was talking about. I was a provincial minister. They went to Lusaka and Copperbelt, they never found anything. Now they will start getting underwear and start saying proceeds of crime.”

And Lusambo said he would not miss the second session of the 13th National Assembly because he felt his debates were being curtailed by Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti.

“If, God willing, I go back, I will be attending the sessions via online, because I am always curtailed. I only enjoy when deputy speaker, one Attractor Chisangano, is there. She is above board,” said Lusambo. – The Mast

The New Penal Code
By Dickson Jere

Bigamy – is an offence which involves marrying another person while you are already in another marriage. You get jailed in Zambia! But under the proposed new Penal Code, that law will be abolished and instead the aggrieved parties should seek civil remedies. Equally, the offence of “fraudulent pretense of marriage” will be removed from our laws.
“No adult can reasonably be duped into marriage,” read the Report that proposes far reaching changes to the Zambian criminal justice system.

I was honored to chair a session on the official presentation of the proposed new Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) amendment Bills. The process of amending the two laws – by the Zambia Law Development Commission- started in 2011 and finally the final product has been presented to the Minister of Justice.
It is a comprehensive review of the current law. The proposals tries to codify all criminal law provisions in Zambia into one Penal Code. In short, all offenses will now be in one book unlike now where they are scattered in different laws such as ACC, ZICTA, DEC etc. This is a good move and will make the practice of criminal law easier.
The review team was steered by criminal law expert, former DPP and now Court of Appeal deputy President Judge Chalwe Mchenga.

Let us take snippets of the proposed new law.
The team has recommended for the removal of the controversial law on the defamation of the President saying it is archaic and undemocratic.
“The President enjoys Presidential immunity; hence the provision should be repealed and should be regarded as a civil matter,” the Report read.
The committee also recommended the removal of the law that criminalizes the defamation of foreign princess in Zambia. Imagine being jailed in Zambia for insulting Prince Charles!
“Not reasonably justified in a democratic society and its archaic,” the Report said.
The team has also proposed the repeal of laws relating to seditious practices, prohibited publications and insulting the national anthem.
“It contradicts the freedom conscience and freedom of expression,” the Report said.

Further, the team proposed to remove the death penalty and replaced it with life imprisonment in line with international standards.
“Death penalty should be abolished and replaced with life imprisonment,” the Report read.
Abortion and procuring abortion should also be declassified from a felony or serious offence to mere misdemeanor. The team argues that abortion is not a very serious offence to have harsh penalties – a controversial decision among the christian faith.
“Offence not grievous,” the team said.

The team must be commended for the well researched and job well done. It is now up to the Members of Parliament to study, debate and possibly pass the new Penal Code of Zambia and the CPC.

By Kombe Mataka

ZESCO senior corporate affairs manager John Kunda says what will now determine the priceof connecting electricity will be the evaluation of one’s residence.

Speaking when he was hosted on Hot FM’s breakfast show, Dr Kunda said electricity does not fall from heaven like manna.

“Electricity does not fall from heaven like manna or quails. A hydropower plant is K2.4 billion for 750 megawatts. You have lines to transmit that power. You are looking at thousands of kilometres of lines, transmission and distribution networks. You need maintenance for this infrastructure. A treated pole is not just like going into a bush and cutting a pole. Zaffico is treating the poles for a life span of 20 to 25 years. The auxiliary electric equipment is not cheap. Transformers are not cheap. Even garbage must be paid for. Our ultimate is to serve the public good,” he said.

“You write about us ‘saying Zesco had debt. Zesco has nkongole.’ You forget that debt is yours. If I am selling you something at K3 what I should be selling at K10, then K7 I am putting on my books as debt…So let us just work together and do the right thing. Together we can make this country better.”

Dr Kunda said Zesco was forced to borrow huge sums of money at the prevailing rates to meet the subsidised connection fees.

“…what we are talking about are existing predefined…It is not like you came up and say ‘we want to apply and raise the connection . That memo which was leaked is a planning document and it is speaking to planners which looks at how we input the figures, which system we should use and internal processes of instituting our constructive works,” he said.

“The bottom line is this is only referring to a particular category. Electricity tariffs have not been touched. It remains the same. When we touch electricity, I will be back to explain and everyone will know. This one was a leaked document but essentially in terms of practice and how quotations are delivered and executed nothing basically has changed. We haven’t even issued anything based on this. For those predefined areas, we will no longer use predefined figures…K769 for meter separation on even when you need 10 metres of cable, someone who needs one metre is also paying the same! Awe (no). It should vary.”

Dr Kunda said the current model of charging for connection did not meet the basic minimum principles of business.

‘We are not inimical to the feelings of the pockets of individuals. That is a different conversation altogether. Affordability, I think that is what you are talking about. But affordability is one side of the conversation. I am talking about ‘can I produce this service at a rate that is making sense or is it sustainable?’” he said.

“All we are saying is let us have the nearest minimum to ensure the utility continues to be efficient. There are other initiatives that the corporate leadership is putting in place. Quite robust fees’. The internal deflation matrix, which are applying internally here in-house, we need to get rid of it. I think we need to get rid of this deflation thing because it is a planning thing. That memo which was leaked is a planning document and it is speaking to planners which looks at how we input the figures, which system we should use and internal processes of instituting our constructive works,” he said.

“The bottom line is this is only referring to a particular category. Electricity tariffs have not been touched. It remains the same. When we touch electricity, I will be back to explain and everyone will know. This one was a leaked document but essentially in terms of practice and how quotations are delivered and executed nothing basically has changed. We haven’t even issued anything based on this. For those predefined areas, we will no longer use predefined figures…K769 for meter separation on even when you need 10 metres of cable, someone who needs one metre is also paying the same! Awe (no). It should vary.”

Dr Kunda said the current model of charging for connection did not meet the basic minimum principles of business.

‘We are not inimical to the feelings of the pockets of individuals. That is a different conversation altogether. Affordability, I think that is what you are talking about. But affordability is one side of the conversation. I am talking about ‘can I produce this service at a rate that is making sense or is it sustainable?’” he said.

“All we are saying is let us have the nearest minimum to ensure the utility continues to be efficient. There are other initiatives that the corporate leadership is putting in place. Quite robust initiatives. Let us give them chance and space to do the right thing for the good of the people’s company.”

Dr Kunda refuted speculations that the withdrawal on subsidies for reconnection was connected to the IMF deal.

“This has been long overdue. It is a system thing. There is what we call standard connection and non-standard connections. So if you apply for electricity connection today, we will send you a team to your property and we determine if it is a standard or non-standard. If you need two poles I won’t charge for one pole. If you need 10 metres of duplex cable, I will quote you for 10 metres not one metre. We will follow the market price,” said Dr Kunda.

“There is what we used to call standard predefined charges for certain areas if you are in an area called undemarcated. Like you who are in Ma Plot of Mtendere East, in that place irrespective of what you needed to do, we had a predefined system where one would just pay K1,700 even if the true cost is K5,000 or K6,000. The team would come to the site, conduct an assessment. Once the assessment is complete, when they will input into the system and there will be a deflation matrix that will bring down the K6,000 to K1,700.”
(Credit: The Mast)

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA’S FOREIGN TRIPS IN LINE WITH THE UPND FOREIGN POLICY GOALS

Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, the President of the Republic of Zambia is in Brussels, Belgium for the European Union- African Union Heads of State Summit. Like always, there are some negative reactions from some of the critics of the New Dawn Administration.

There is no doubt we have many critics who sadly have not taken time to familiarize themselves with the United Party for National Development (UPND)’s Foreign Policy goals and President Hichilema’s stance on how among other things he envisages using economic diplomacy to win back international support in his crusade to rebuild the ailing Zambian economy.
The UPND party’s Foreign Policy among other things demands that President Hichilema uses his role to position Zambia for socio-economic and technological growth; it requires him to exploit local and international growth opportunities for Zambia; it requires him to sale the country’s tourism and strategic assets; it requires him to participate in the enhancement of regional and international peace; it requires him to participate and lead in attracting foreign direct investment/ official development aid; and it also requires him to position the country as a regional trade hub.

Suffice to mention that President Hichilema’s outside trips are absolutely in line with the party’s Foreign Policy that holds diplomacy as a fundamental tool in the conduct of state to state affairs. Therefore, President Hichilema’s conduct of foreign affairs is inspired and guided by the party’s Foreign Policy goals, respect for diplomacy, and his desire to restore the country’s relations with the outside world.

President Hichilema has repeatedly stated that he is a firm believer of diplomacy as being a tool with which states address the other states and manage their sovereign affairs in their interaction with other mutually recognized states. He has consistently highlighted the need to use diplomacy in order to communicate national goals, policies and views on various topical governance issues such as climate change, human rights, international security etc.

Clearly so, President Hichilema has already begun putting into practice the various forms of diplomacy. He has already effected Bilateral diplomacy (held talks with individual countries such as South Africa, Malawi, Kenya etc.), Multilateral diplomacy (attended international conferences such as the United Nations General Assembly), Summit diplomacy (attended negotiations in Ethiopia for African Union Heads of States), Ad Hoc diplomacy (sent his Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Stanley Kakubo as a special envoy to among other countries Italy to conduct diplomatic negotiations on specific issues), and Parliamentary diplomacy (Speaker of National Assembly has already been to other countries in order to develop strong relations). Through these diplomatic engagements (meetings, dialogue, and negotiations) it is without doubt that President Hichilema is influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments.

Furthermore, President Hichilema has repeatedly referred to himself as the Chief Marketing Officer of our country Zambia. He has gone about this by using diplomacy as a foreign policy tool to accrue the benefits for Zambia by changing and influencing other countries’ opinions, actions, and/ or policies. In achieving this, President Hichilema has expertly used economic instruments to market Zambia.

As emphasized by the UPND Foreign Policy; Zambia’s advantage over other states should be used in marketing the country to the outside world. President Hichilema is doing just that as he has repeatedly stated the urgent need to turn Zambia’s natural resources into strategic assets. President Hichilema has always held that Zambia’s strategic assets must be used to provide political and strategic leverage.

In a nutshell, it’s not whether President Hichilema must or must not be travelling outside the country. Zambia is not an island. Whilst we can produce copper cobalt, mukula or gold and earn foreign exchange, there are still so many things we need from outside. To access these things economically and continue living in a peaceful Zambia, we must invest in diplomacy and this must be led by President Hichilema. He can effectively do so through pursuing both the party and national foreign policy objectives.

Batuke Imenda
Secretary General
United Party for National Development

SOME NAMWANGA FORENAMES AND THEIR MEANINGS

The Namwanga people are an ethnic group found in Muchinga province of Zambia, particularly in Nakonde and Isoka districts.

Naming a child is an important aspect of Namwanga culture. As is the case with many other African societies, the names given to children are usually based on the different circumstances and events that surround the birth of the child, these include; manner of the birth, happiness, fertility, bad occurrences, order of birth and so on. In some instances forenames are given to infants in memory of a dead family member such as a sibling, parent or grandparent. Sometimes the characteristics that parents observe from the child at birth also play a role in determining the name.

Some of the common Namwanga names are as follows:

IVWANANJI: This name means ‘understand each other’. Parents gave this name to their children in order to encourage togetherness and unity among the family members. The name was also given in instances where the father and mother of the child may have had some arguments and the child was seen as the one who would unite the father and mother.

NDOSILWE: This name means “Blessing”. It was usually given to female children. It was given in cases where parents had male children only and they longed to have a female child and they choose the name “Ndosilwe” to express gratitude for being blessed with a female child.

LANDANJI: This name means “Let them talk”. This name was given by parents as an indirect message to outsiders or neighbours who had the tendency of gossiping about them. It was a way of expressing that the gossiping or schemes of outsiders would not stop the family from living a happy life

KUNDANANJI: This name means “love one another”. The aim of this name was to foster a spirit of love in the family.

ALINANI: This name means ‘God is with me’. The name was given by a mother who had gone through some difficulties during her pregnancy but she managed to give birth to the child and she used it as a way of declaring that “God is with her”. In other instances the name was also used as a way of expressing the desire for God to watch over the child as the child grows.

ALINASWE: This name means ‘God is with us’. This name was linked to the religious faith of the parents of the child and parents usually gave this name as a way to show their gratefulness to God for blessing them with a child.

SALIFYANJI: This name means ‘Thanking God’. This name was given to express thankfulness to God on being blessed with a Child. It was also given as a message to some people in the family who did not show gratitude for things that were being done for them by other family members. Parents would name a child “Salifyanji” to remind people who are unappreciative to become more appreciative.

SUWILANJI: This name means ‘faith’. This name would be given to both male and female children. It is an expression of having faith in something good happening. For example in instances where a family was going through hardships, parents would name their child “Suwilanji” because they had faith that the child would grow up to liberate or rescue them from the challenges.

TETELANJI: ‘forgive’. This name was used to signal a fresh start. It was a way for a mother to ask forgiveness for all the wrongs she may have done. The child was a symbol of “Forgiveness” for any past mistakes.

WANKUMBU: This name means ‘mercy’. It was used as a way to thank God for his mercy.

KAFWIMBI: This name means ‘conqueror’. It expresses the desire of the parents for their child to be persistent and have the ability to fight through challenges and be successful.

MUCHINZI: This name means “respect”. This name was given as a way of parents to tell the people in the community to respect them. This would be because the community around them did not give them respect based on the fact that they stayed for many years without a child. This name expressed a demand for respect.

These are just a small selection of some Namwanga forenames. Feel free to comment in the comment’s section below on the other Namwanga forenames you know and their meaning.

(By Zambian Footprints)

About The Post Newspaper Judgement.

By Sean Tembo
PeP President

Lusaka – 17th February, 2022.

1. I have always argued that a court judgement is supposed to put finality to a matter, and not open up the matter to more litigation. I mean that’s the reason why litigants go to court in the first place. So that the court can pronounce who is right and who is wrong, and then proceed to punish the wrong party and reward the party who is right.

2. However, over time in Zambia, l have come across several court judgements and rulings which sound like a draw. 50-50. Both parties walk out of court feeling confused on what the court meant in the judgement or ruling. You even ask opposing counsel on what their understanding of the judgement is.

3. Unfortunately the Post Newspaper judgement that was delivered today by the Supreme Court is one such example. On one hand, the Court ruled that the actions of the Liquidator, prior to and post the liquidation, carry no legal effect. This means that in the eyes of the law, the liquidation never took place. Given this finding of the court, one would expect that the relief which the court would give the Appellants is to try and restore them to their original position before the commencement of the liquidation. And since the liquidation did infact take place and the assets of the Company were disposed of, the only sure way in which the Appellants can be restored to their original position is by way of monetary compensation to be undertaken by the respondents.

4. However, instead of awarding damages to the Appellants as a way of making them whole again, the court decided to order that the liquidation should re-commence in the High Court under a different judge, and the Liquidator should be joined to such a fresh matter. This part of the judgement defeats logic. How can a liquidation which already took place re-commence all over again? By definition, a liquidation is a process of converting the illiquid assets of an insolvent company into liquid assets, for distribution among the various claimants based on a specified formula. Of course am saying this in my capacity as a PACRA certified Insolvency Practitioner.

5. But if the liquidation already took place, then how can it be restarted? How do you undo a liquidation? How can the Liquidator start looking for the various people who bought the assets of The Post Newspapers Limited, start refunding them and collect those assets. In what condition are those assets in? How would the Liquidator start crawling back the distributions of liquidation proceeds that he might have disbursed to various claimants? How practical is that?

6. It is my humble submission that the Supreme Court has misdirected itself in its judgement on this matter. Instead of giving Fred M’membe justice, the Court has left him hanging high and dry. If the court really wanted to give the Appellants justice, it should have ordered their compensation by the respondents. But the court has instead chosen to deliver a judgement that lacks practicality. A judgement that is incapable of rendering justice to the injured parties. A misplaced judgement. What a sad day indeed.

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

ZESCO buys luxury coach for it’s football club

Emmanuel Mwamba writes…

Snippets- the more things change, the more they remain the same

1. ZESCO buys the Scania Irizar i6S luxury coach for its premier football club.

My view; Both Government and ZESCO Management have spent countless time and effort explaining about the dire financial state of ZESCO and the need to introduce cost reflective prices for its services.

And just yesterday, we became aware of their action to jump upwards price of electricity connections from K750 to K6,930.00.

And in the middle of crying for help, they make a purchase that doesn’t demonstrate any austere measure….typical.

2. A newly sworn-in Permanent Secretary flaunts an expensive gift on social-media, a brand new car for his beloved spouse.

In 2021, Mr. Nicholas Phiri, Executive Director of Zithukile Consortium, went into hiding in Southern Province for a period of nine months.

On December 15th, he was sworn-in by President Hakainde Hichilema as Permanent Secretary for Special Duties at Cabinet Office.

My view; PF was in trouble because its cadres and those associated with it flaunted wealth or cash on social-media.

The PS was sworn-in on 15th December 2021 and only clocked two months on 15th February 2022.

He may not even qualify to access medical services under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIMA) as the scheme requires one to contribute for minimum of four months.

In his own write-up the PS says until recently, his wife had to shoulder the financial burden and bills of the family.

Looking at how recent his employment is, he may not even qualify for a bank loan based on his new current status.

Further, the car has been bought from a dealership that appears to have “new purchase orders” from government…a thought for another day.

Some things are best kept away from social-media as they open a pandora’s box, especially for public officials.

3. President Hakainde Hichilema on a trip to Brussels for the African Union/European Union Summit and later an official visit to the Vatican.

This is the President’s 11th international trip in six months.

It is understood that the President needs to make foreign trips for the benefit of the country and because Zambia is part of Africa and the global community.

However, we would not be discussing this if President Hichilema did not spend remarkable time on incessant criticism and attacks of the foreign trips made by his predecessor.

I guess, we may have to make him account on a similar measure and standard he set.

Good night.

O INCREASE IN CONNECTION FEES AS SUGGESTED BY ZESCO, SAYS ERB

Press Statement

Revision of Connection Charges by ZESCO

Thursday, 17th February 2022

For Immediate Release

The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has clarified that it is not in receipt of any application from ZESCO Limited to vary its connection charges, as legally required under the Energy Regulation Act No. 12 of 2019 and the Electricity Act No. 11 of 2019. ZESCO is further bound to strict adherence of the governing conditions in its Standard Licence for the Supply of Electricity. Therefore, any change in ZESCO’s connection charges in whatever form or structure, as reported on various media platforms, does not have the approval of the ERB and is null and void forthwith.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Energy Regulation Act under section 4(j) vests the power and function to determine, regulate and review charges and tariffs in the ERB. Further, section 25 of ZESCO’s Standard Licence for the Supply of Electricity unequivocally proscribes ZESCO from changing tariffs or any other charges for any product or services provided in the course of the licensed activity without the prior approval of the ERB.

The public may wish to know that at the last tariff application in 2019, ZESCO applied for a revision in electricity tariffs and connection charges. At the time, only the tariffs were approved and revised. The application by ZESCO to revise connection charges by 213% was deferred pending an in-depth study and further consultations by ZESCO. As such, ZESCO were guided to re-submit an application for connection fees once these conditions were met. To date, ZESCO has not re-submitted an application to vary the connection fees upwards or for the removal of subsidies.

Members of the public are therefore urged to disregard the reported revised charges by ZESCO for electricity connection and separation of meters. Anyone subjected to the reported new charges should bring this to the attention of the ERB as guided under section 4(e) of the Energy Regulation Act.

Namukolo Kasumpa (Ms.)
Manager-Public Relations
ENERGY REGULATION BOARD

HH IS EITHER A SLOW LEARNER OR HE’S UNTEACHABLE, CHARGES SABOI

By Isaac Zulu

National Democractic Congress president Saboi Imboela has charged that President Hakainde Hichilema is turning the country’s political culture and practice into a circus.

In a statement, Imboela has stated that President Hakainde Hichilema is lacking Statecraft.

“No one is born with Statecraft, you learn it. What someone does or did not learn from a classroom, you can learn through experience. It has been 6 months now since President Hakainde Hichilema became the Head of State and it is either he is a slow learner or simply unteachable. The President has zero Statecraft,” charged Imboela. “There are many things that we simply have to look away and pretend that they are not happening, but our President is turning our political culture and practice into a circus. He is turning the state into his personal business where he thinks that he can do whatever he wants.”

She also stated that President Hichilema is failing to simple do things like saluting the military personnel properly.

“President HH is failing to simply stand or salute properly. Has been doing an American, instead of British salute that we do in Zambia. Has insisted on a civilian to be his main bodyguard and made high ranking officials to salute to a civilian, when they should be saluting to their rank or higher, especially at inauguration. I won’t even talk about him refusing to go to State House or that he reports for work late,” stated Imboela.

And Imboela has called for the introduction of proportional representation system of governance.

She observed that the proportional representation system of governance would allow presidents of opposition political parties to sit in Parliament and meaningfully engage in the governance of the country.

“As a strong proponent of the Propotional Representation system, I pray that Zambia under the UPND will finally adopt it. That way, the opposition political parties and their presidents will be in Parliament and meaningfully engage in the governance of the country as we see in South Africa or Rwanda,” Imboela further stated. “This thing of only learning what governance is really about when someone is already in government is not doing the country any good. The lack of experience is the UPND’s/ HH’s biggest enemy, but my biggest worry is that it’s either our Head of State, President HH, is a slow learner or simply unteachable. Some of the things he is doing now he shouldn’t be doing 6 months down the line. I now see why some of us that went to primary school under UNIP/ Kaunda era had to join Young Pioneers. Standing and saluting properly is the very least that a President can do as he has to do it regularly in his line of work, so he should do it well as a sign of respect and also conformity.”

More @ www.dailyrevelationzambia.com

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON THE DECISIONS MADE BY CABINET AT THE 2ND CABINET MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 15TH FEBRUARY, 2022.

The President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema called for the 2nd Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday, 15th February, 2022, to discuss developmental issues in order for the New Dawn Government to provide policy direction for enhanced socio-economic prosperity for the people of Zambia.

The President stressed the need for public service employees to work together with the political leadership in delivering the much-needed development, in line with the United Party for National Development Manifesto.

The following are the issues deliberated upon by Cabinet:

1. The Emoluments Commission Bill, 2022.

Cabinet approved four (4) Bills for publication and introduction in Parliament during this sitting that commenced Tuesday, 15th February, 2022, particularly that this sitting of Parliament is mainly to deliberate on Bills presented by the Executive Arm of Government.

Cabinet approved “The Emoluments Commission Bill, 2022,” for publication and introduction in Parliament during this sitting. The objectives of this Bill are to among others, provide for a harmonised framework to govern the determination and management of emoluments for chiefs and officers in a State organ and State institution. The approval of the Bill to establish the Emoluments Commission, is in line with Article 232 of the Constitution of Zambia. When enacted into law, the Commission is intended to address a number of the inconsistencies that exist in payment of emoluments across the three Arms of the Government.

2. The Zambia Institute of Marketing Bill, 2022.

Cabinet also approved for publication and introduction in Parliament, “The Zambia Institute of Marketing Bill, 2022.” The objectives of this Bill are to among others, continue the existence of the Zambia Institute of Marketing and redefine its powers and functions; promote and enhance the marketing profession; and provide for the registration of marketers and regulate their practice and professional conduct.

Cabinet is of the view that the Bill, once enacted, will result in the efficient and effective operation of the Zambia Institute of Marketing and further provide a legal framework for disciplining erring marketers in the exercise of marketing.

3. The Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management Bill, 2022.

Another Bill approved by Cabinet for publication and introduction in Parliament during this sitting is “The Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management Bill, 2022.” The objectives of this Bill are to, continue the existence of the Zambia Institute of Human Resources Management and re-name it as the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management and re-define its functions; promote and enhance the human resource management profession; and provide for the registration of human resource management practitioners and regulate their practice and professional conduct.

Cabinet has observed that The Zambia Institute of Human Resources Management Act, No. 11 of 1997, is inadequate in dealing with the many issues relating to the human resource management profession in the country. Therefore, there is need to repeal and replace the Act in order to promote and enhance the human resource management profession and also promote and enforce international best practice relating to the human resource management profession in the country.

4. The Social Workers’ Association of Zambia Bill, 2022.

The fourth Bill approved by Cabinet is “The Social Workers’ Association of Zambia Bill, 2022.” The objectives of the Bill are to continue the existence of the Social Workers’ Association of Zambia; provide for the registration of social workers and regulate their professional conduct; and provide for disciplinary procedures for social workers in the social work profession.

Currently, there is no legal framework governing the social work profession in Zambia. The proposed legislation, therefore, seeks to introduce a legal and regulatory framework to govern the social work profession and ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Social Workers’ Association of Zambia including the efficient delivery of services by social workers and the promotion of the social work profession in the country.

5. Ratification of the African Road Safety Charter.

The last item discussed during the Cabinet Meeting is the approval by Cabinet for Zambia to ratify “The African Road Safety Charter.”

The African Road Safety Charter is an international instrument which was adopted on 31st January, 2016 by the 26th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State of the African Union, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Zambia signed the Charter on 17th July, 2016.

The Charter requires ratification by 15 Member States to enter into force and Zambia wishes to register itself as being one of the countries on the continent to ratify such a progress Charter so that the country benefits from the continental approach towards reducing road traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities, including identifying sustainable funding sources among other policies.

Hon. Chushi Kasanda, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON

16THFEBRUARY, 2022

17 February, 2020

I know the gassing masterminders, claims GBM

PF national mobilisation deputy chairperson, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba claims he knows the gassing masterminders and will report them to the police.

For over a month now, criminals having been gassing people in their homes or schools in different parts of the country but police have not managed to find and arrest them.

Last week, President Edgar Lungu offered a K250,000 reward for any person with information that would lead to the arrest of gassing masterminds.

Mwamba widely known as GBM claimed in an interview with the Daily Nation Newspaper Nation that the plan started five years ago.

“I have the names of the suspects which i will give to the police and the President. The plans of what is happening now started five years ago,” he said.

And during the PF media interactive forum, Mwamba who is populary known as GBM said the gassing issue was a source of concern because the character behind it wanted to dent the country’s good reputation.

“There are certain characters who want to paint a bad picture of this country. I have information on certain characters which l will share in confidence with security wings,” he said.

He said the characters would soon be nabbed and needed to be given stiffer punishment.

Asked what had changed and why he called PF a party of thieves, Mwamba said he didn’t mean it as he was just politicking to gain political mileage while he was in the UPND.

“When you are in the opposition, you don’t say anything good about the ruling party. So, l didn’t mean it. I was politicking for popularity. Deep down my heart, l knew that PF had done a lot in terms of infrastructure development,” Mwamba said.

Mwamba said he was used by the UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema whom he accused of being stingy man.

He said the only thing he learnt in UPND was to hate people, while in PF under President Lungu, he is taught to love people.

Mwamba further said he was ready to accept any position if he was to be appointed by President Lungu to serve the country.

17 February , 2020

The UPND want the Police to immediately summon PF Vice Chairperson for mobilisation Geofrey Mwamba for questioning and tell Zambians what the PF know about ritual killers and gassing of citizens.

UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka says GBMs long silence has cost some lives and people are in panic and yet Mr Mwamba says he has the information on his finger tips.

Mr Mwamba says Zambians have always had strong and compelling suspicions that the PF regime are aware of the people behind the ritual killing and gassing of citizens in their homes.

He said true to these widely held views, senior PF member GBM is today quoted by the ‘Daily Nation’ about knowledge of the people behind these heinous crimes, and that he has infact been aware for the past five years.

“GBM’s confession comes against the backdrop of Mr. Edgar Lungu’s offer of K250,000 as reward for anyone with information about the ritual killers and gassing of citizens. We are aware that Mr. Lungu and GBM were together last week during by-election campaigns in Chilubi constituency. Naturally they must have exchanged notes on a number of matters including the thorny issue of alleged ritual killings and gassing of citizens”, he said.

He has wondered why GBM could not pass on such very sensitive information to President Edgar Lungu then.

Mr Katuka said GBM should know that not reporting a crime to law enforcement agencies is a serious offense and amounts to being an accomplice.

“Citizens are being tormented in their homes while others are being shot at by the Police or killed by mobs in their communities, and yet GBM is quite about it”, Mr Katuka said.

He said People’s livelihoods have been ruined because they can’t go about their business freely and peacefully, yet PF senior members like GBM are aware of these schemes of death and destruction.

He said the UPND has no doubt that if GBM was in the opposition, by this morning he would have been at the police station facing interrogations.

Mr Katuka has warned that if the Police do not arrest GBM, ordinary people will have no choice but effect a citizens’ arrest on him and all those PF members who claim first hand knowledge of these heinous criminal acts.

POST LIQUIDATION ILLEGAL, RULES SUPREME COURT

By Dickson Jere

In a landmark Judgment, the Supreme Court has today declared the liquidation of the Post Newspaper Limited as illegal but ordered that the process should be restarted in the High Court under a new judge so that the law can be followed.

Chief Justice Mumba Malila headed the panel of Judges, that heard the appeal, and ordered that the Post newspaper liquidator Lewis Mosho be joined to the proceedings and made to account even though he may have finished selling the assets of the defunct newspaper.

This means the liquidation of the newspaper will have to start afresh in the High Court as the earlier one did not follow the law.

“We refer the matter to the High Court before a different judge to re-open the liquidation proceedings with a view to ensuring compliance with relevant legal provisions,” the 55 page Judgment read.

The liquidator Mosho shall appear before the High Court as a third party to the liquidation case which will be restarted so that he can be heard as he was not part of the case in the Supreme Court.

“We note that much time has passed since the purported liquidation. We do not believe, however, that such passage of the time has sanitized the wrongful manner in which the liquidation was conducted,” the Judges said.

The Supreme Court has also ordered Post newspaper workers who petitioned for the liquidation to pay the legal costs to Fred Mmembe for the appeal.

The Chief Justice sat with Judge Albert Wood and Judge Chinyama.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we hold that the actions of the liquidator prior to and the post the purported liquidation of the Post Newspaper, are of no legal effect whatsoever”.

This means that Fred Mmembe takes over the company until the High Court hears the petition for liquidation afresh following the Supreme Court decision.

For details, read the case of Fred Mmembe and Another v Abel Mboozi and Others – Appeal No.7 of 2001

The increase of connection fees from K1,700 to K6,995, an over 400% price hike, and the cost of meter separation from K750 to K6,000, an 800% price hike, is nothing but pure capitalist corporate madness in a population where 65% of the population lives below $2.

This is according to Golden Party of Zambia president Jackson Silavwe, who in his statement went on to say that, as a country, Zambians have finally jumped from the frying pan into the fire with the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government in as far as the cost of living is concerned, adding that such interventions show that there is no attempt at critical thinking by those leading the country.

Mr. Silavwe said that looking at the fact that ZESCO is in the process of increasing tariffs, Zambia should have been moving towards ZERO CONNECTION FEES especially since electricity is a daily expense.

Mr. Silavwe said that with a food basket for a family of 5 standing at plus K9,000, the country has officially pushed many of the citizens into poverty with no relief at all.

“I appeal to President Hakainde and his Cabinet to arrest this wild corporate madness of increasing everything. The damage these moves are causing cannot be quantified in monetary terms.

“We need a Government with a Zambian human face. UPND Government is now sentencing our people to a lifetime of poverty with the high cost of living,” he said.

And Energy expert Boniface Zulu has said that the decision by ZESCO limited to remove subsidies on electricity connections will derail the attainment of the government set goal for universal electricity access for all Zambians by 2030.

Mr. Zulu has noted the need for Zambia to start producing equipment and components needed for electrical installations in order to cut costs incurred through the importation of such components.

Mr. Zulu said that the government should consider entering into a private partnerships that will help in ensuring that the components needed for electricity connection are produced within Zambia.

Meanwhile, the Green Party has said that the move by Zesco to remove subsidies on electricity connection fees is a clear indication that the new dawn government is trying to appease the International Monetary Fund in order to secure the bailout package.

Party President Peter Sinkamba said that Zambians should expect more of such decisions from the government as it is trying hard to meet the conditionalities set by the IMF.

In an interview with Hot FM News, Mr. Sinkamba said the move will make it difficult for people to connect their houses to the national grid.

Costa Mwansa takes Amb.Anthony Mukwita
…to ´the other side´
Costa Mwansa, one of the top hard-nosed Zambian interviewers and entrepreneur on the local flick scene is known for many things.
Some regard him as a gentle, ´horse-whisperer´ who treats his carefully selected unsuspecting guests well, often allowing them to pour their hearts out to him easily.

Sometimes, nevertheless, though he can be callous in his “no holds barred” interviews, leaving his guests wondering whether they should have accepted the invite.

This valentine eve, nevertheless, Costa took a softer diplomatic coat on, when he had a friendly bunter with diplomat, author and former Editor Amb. Anthony L. Mukwita.

AMB. ANTHONY MUKWITA AT A GLIMPSE

Amb. Mukwita is a man of many hats whose work credentials like a litany of gold run from being a journalist, a newspaper CEO, a World Bank Investigative Journalism award winning fellow and a consummate diplomat whose last diplomatic assignment was an apex in Berlin, Germany.

Amb. Mukwita was one of the few Zambians tapped by President Edgar Lungu as Ambassador Extra-Ordinary and Plenipotentiary to Germany, the largest economic powerhouse in the EU and the 4th largest globally. He was the youngest to man the seat since Zambia opened up diplomatic relations with Germany long before the Berlin Wall fell according to records.
Here below is how Costa in his widely followed signature Sunday programme “Costa the other Side” walked Amb. Mukwita down his past career path, part of which Costa and the Ambassador have personally shared in the ´close knit´ Zambian media fraternity.

COSTA PLACES AMB MUKWITA ON POLITICS

Costa, a creature of politics by virtue of his calling and entrepreneurship did one cardinal thing that has alluded many in the past—he distanced Amb. Mukwita from a ´day to day´ political creature.

“He (Mukwita) is a scribe, an Editor and a diplomat. Ihave often times told my producers and other people that also he likes to scribe (write) politics, he is not a politician,” Costa said.

Amb. Mukwita thanked Costa for the gracious observation by giving an example of despite him not being inclined to mainstream politics, many things in the daily lives of Zambians such as food, shelter, schools etc were politics.

“But I try to steer clear away from that (politics) which is why even when I served our country abroad, I discussed with you Costa the importance of moving heavy cargo from the roads onto rail tracks, job creation and poverty reduction etc. I never named political names or political parties…I feel we gain more discussing issues than political identities,” Amb Mukwita said.

COSTA TRACES AMB: MUKWITA ON FAMILY ROOTS AND ROUTES

“I am aware that your mother in fact your father too were from the teaching profession how did that impact who you are today as a diplomat, media person and author,” said Costa.

Ambassador Mukwita said, “my upbringing from a family that put education at the center of everything made me whom I am today and perhaps whom I will become in future because of the premium my parents —Elizabeth and Frederick Mukwita—placed on education.”

Ambassador Mukwita has two Masters degrees and various other advanced qualifications aside from being a published author of President Edgar Lungu, which is stocked in Ivy League universities in the United States and beyond published in January 2017 and available locally in Bookworld.

AMB. GROWING UP IN THE 70s ON COSTA

The early 70s are days President Kenneth Kaunda escalated his “One Zambia One Nation” motto so I grew up in Mansa, Luapula, attending Mutende primary school and Ituna primary in Kasama before we finally moved to Livingstone.
Because of the cross country living, “things like tribe have never been an issue to me. In class in Mansa and Kasama, I did the oral reading for the class, books like Chekesoni aingila ubusoja, Musalu walipesamba, uwauma nafyala etc. One Zambia One nation is cardinal to me. I don’t even have a Lozi friend apart from my boys and spouse who unintentionally turns out to be half Tonga half Lozi.”

“I also recall growing up, both mother and father telling us, with my siblings (whom I love dearly) and I that the people that worked in our house “are NOT your workers.”

They worked for our parents and deserved respect always. I will respect everyone from janitor to a gardener up to now. I make it a point to know the name of the waiter.

COSTA STEERS AMB MUKWITA TO JOURNALISM AND DIPLOMACY

“Lets talk about you cutting your teeth in the media, _there are “cliques” like Jowie Mwiinga, Edem Djokotoe, Emmanuel Mwamba etc, enlighten us?” asked Costa.

At this point Ambassador Mukwita restate the names in the media fraternity that had left an indelible mark on him such ´super columnist´ Jowie Mwiinga, Joe Chilaizya aka China Zaza, whose pen name cannot be reprinted, Joe Mukela, Edem Djokotoe, Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba and Kellys Kaunda and others such as Regina Jere now based in UK and others back home such as Zarina Geelo, Mary Mbewe and Beauty Lupiya to mention but a few.

It was a long short interview in the usual Costa free-style where Ambassador Mukwita who also saved as CDA in Sweden before becoming Ambassador German with extra accreditation to Austria, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovak and Slovenia returned home after power moved from President Edgar Lungu to the current President Hakainde Hichilema.
Ambassador Mukwita did not miss out a special mention of Ambassador Frank Mutubila, known by many in the broadcasting fraternity as the last of the best, after holding the mic for over 50 years and still standing. Mazel Tov Uncle Frank and buddies such as Muleya Mwananyanda at AI in Johannesburg.

COSTA ON AMBASADOR MUKWITA EXILE TO AUSTRALIA

Perhaps the light moment in the in interview came at the tail end when Costa cajoled Ambassador Mukwita to speak about how once he was an enemy of the state facing sedition charges under President Levy Mwanwasa and how he was an A student at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Western Australia and 90pc completion at HFU in Berlin. Below is the full interview recorded live on Valentine eve.

Three names will come out prominently in this missive, Elaine, Lubinda and Lushomo. The still point to my turning world.
The end quote is, “Life is a story, make yours a Best-seller,”–Rebak.

Source: Costa on the Other Side with Amb. Anthony Mukwita, 15th February 2022 LUSAK, DIAMONDTV.

The ZCCM IH Board has learnt that Non Ferrous China Africa Corporation (NFCA) Mining on the Copperbelt has not been paying dividends for eleven years to the Government, which is a share holder in the firm.

The Government through ZCCM IH owns shares in NFCA, a Chinese owned mining firm based in Chambishi, Kalulushi District.

Dividend is a sum of money paid regularly every year by a company to its shareholders out of its profits or reserves.

NFCA Africa Mining Plc was established in March 1998 as the holding company of Chambishi Copper Mine as part of the privatization of Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Limited (ZCCM).

It is majority owned by China Non-ferrous Metals Company Limited (CNMC), which holds an 85% shareholding stake, whilst ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc holds a 15% shareholding stake.

The revelation that NFCA has not been paying dividends to the Government for 11 years came to light when ZCCM IH Board members visited the company on familiarization tour on Wednesday.

ZCCM IH Board Director Bishop John Mambo told NFCA Management to begin paying dividends to the Government starting in the 2021 financial year especially that the company is now recording profits and has a net asset position of over $100 million.

Bishop Mambo said NFCA, who have an investment of over USD 800 million, must increase its production in order to contribute to the country’s copper production target of Three Million Metric Tonnes.

He further called for consistency and timely submission of audited financial statements and the holding of board meetings within three months as stipulated by the company’s Act.

“NFCA with its significant investment of over $800 Million should look to increasing its production in order to contribute to the country’s copper production. The target of the New Dawn Government is 300 Million Metric Tonnes. At the back of this height copper price and an enabling business environment, NFCA share holders should benefit from these dividends. ZCCM IH should be able to attract value from its assets including this company which is NFCA. This include dividends and participation in the mining supply chain of the company despite being the minority ZCCM IH has a right that should be respected by the majority shareholders. There is need for local compliance on the administration side of the business,” Bishop Mambo said.

“Without sound corporate governance ZCCM I H will not maxmise and extract value from its assets which include title of the share in this company. I think the new Government really needs certain things to be done differently but we will respect the investor, you are really doing a great job. We want to see constant in timely submission of audited financial statements and holding of board meetings within the three months as stipulated in the company act. This is a law like in any country you have to follow that law but we look at the minutes and the new board, we see that in two years maybe you just have one meeting so have to ask many how do you run this company? We are very happy to note that the company is now recording profits and has an asset position of over $100 Million we therefore look forward to receiving dividends for the year 2021 financial year,” Bishop Mambo said.

NFCA Chairman Xu Helin said the firm experienced the impact of low copper price in 2014 and 2015 on Zambian mining industry coupled with the effects of the pandemic in 2020.

Mr Helin, however, said the firm has adopted an advanced mining and mineral processing technology with good safety performance in order to build a digital benchmark mine in Africa and explore a new path for Zambia’s mining development.

Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Helin also talked about his company’s commitment to building a green and environmentally friendly mine.

Bowman Lusambo writes;

Traveling on empty coffers

It’s another week, so that means another foreign trip by His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema.

As we come to terms with this new reality, we should always remember that this is a man who told the whole world in a BBC interview that his administration inherited empty coffers.

In the same interview, this man told the entire world that he will run a government that will be serious on prudent management of public resources.

Since he formed government, he has travelled more than any other President in the history of this great nation over the same period.

11 foreign trips in five months against only two in-country trips, this clearly shows where his priorities sit.

No matter how his sloppy PR team attempts to justify his insatiable appetite for foreign travel, President Hichilema is just a liar who doesn’t stand for anything.

A few weeks ago, he was in South Africa launching a book by Dr Greg Mills titled “Expensive Poverty” and one of the chapters in that book speaks to the need for African leaders to cut on their foreign trips. Now you have a man who was Guest of Honour at a book launch that speaks against the same things he is doing. In simple terms, such people are referred to as hypocrites.

Traveling for each and every business summit and conference does not guarantee economic development. There is a Zambian Embassy in Brussels with a full staff compliment including a Trade Attaché, if President Hichilema was serious about prudence in public financial management, he would attend the summit virtually from the comfort of State House or Community House while the Embassy Staff in Brussels attends the summit physically.

At the time of his death, President John Magufuli of Tanzania made 10 foreign trips in his seven years in power but Tanzanian GDP continued to grow at an average of 6% a year. There is no correlation between too many foreign trips and economic growth and we expected a man who claimed to an Economic Manager to know this.

President Hichilema now claims to be a self appointed Chief Marketing Officer for Zambia, no Mr. President, Zambians didn’t vote for you to be globetrotter in the same of Chief Marketing Officer, they voted for you to sort out Zambia’s problems.

Mr. President, your endless foreign trips are making you appear clueless and turning you into an absolute liar. We challenge you to direct your Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development to avail to the nation a complete list of your traveling party just as you used to demand from previous administrations. The story about you traveling with lean delegations is not true as we know that party officials are also sneaking into these trips.

Most importantly, If you believe that the Zambian treasury was empty, why are you jumping on every available plane on the runaway?

FORMER PF COUNCILLOR TESTIFIES AGAINST KAMPYONGO

Chinsali … Wednesday, February,16, 2022 [Smart Eagles]

Trial in which Hon. Stephen Kampyongo and six others are charged with endangering the safety of an aircraft on 2nd January 2015, has continued in the Chinsali Magistrate court.

And former PF Shiwangandu Chandaula ward councilor Martin Mulenga today testified against area member of parliament Hon. Steven Kampyongo.

Mr. Mulenga now UPND Shiwangandu district youth chairman recounts how he was allegedly called by Andrew, the young brother to Hon. Kampyongo to go to Kalalatenkwe primary school grounds with a view of disrupting the planned UPND rally.

He said upon arrival at Kalalatenkwe school grounds with 25 others they found a pot of goat meat boiling on fire with no one around and went straight to the school headmistress to inquire why she had allowed the UPND to hold a rally at the school.

He said the headmistress told them that the UPND had obtained a permit from the police.

Mr. Mulenga recounted how he, in the company of Andrew who was driving a PF branded land cruiser almost hit into a chopper carrying former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa, Felix Mutati, Mutale Nalumango, Patrick Mucheleka and journalist Alexander Musokotwane, when it attempted to land.

He said the chopper however ascended into the air and stones and sticks where thrown at it by PF cadres.

He alleged that when the fracas was going on he saw Hon. Kampyongo sitted in a GRZ Pajero few meters from the crime scene

And during cross examination defence lawyers namely Leon Lemba and George Chisanga who is also Lukasha MP asked Mr. Mulenga if instructions to disrupt a UPND rally came from Hon. Kampyongo, Mr. Mulenga said he only linked Hon. Kampyongo because he was constantly communicating with his brother on the phone.

When shown the video evidence of what transpired on 2nd January 2015, Mr. Mulenga contradicted himself on his earlier statements.

Mr. Mulenga could not clearly state whether the said landcruiser which was seen packed behind a tree drove towards the chopper with a view to hit into it.

Asked if he was bitter with Hon. Kampyongo because he failed to facilitate jobs in the police service for his two sons, Mr. Mulenga said he holds no grudge against Hon.Kampyongo.

Another state witness who testified before the court was Andyford Mwanza a police officer who was a Chief instructor on the material day equally contradicted the remarks by Martin Mulenga who has been found to be a prime suspect in the said violent activities.

Inspector Mwanza wondered why the said Martin Mulenga is now acting as state witness against Mr. Kampyongo’s co-accused when he too was among those who were arrested by police for the alleged offense.

He said from his experience as an officer Mr. Mulenga is supposed to be on the left side as suspect based on the video footage were he has clearly identified himself after he was apprehend together with Andrew Kampyongo the alleged driver at a time.

And Journalist Alexander Musokotwane during cross examination said he did not see Hon. Kampyongo on the crime scene.

And speaking shortly after the court proceeding the accused defense lawyer George Chisanga says they will remain resolute in defending his client adding that looking at the testimonies given so far and the contradictions among the state witnesses gives him hope that the matter may favour his clients unless any invisible hand is used.

He said this because the state has decided to bring more witnesses in addition to the seven who were brought before the court.

The matter has since been adjourned to March 9th and 10th 2022.

YOUR MINISTER OF FINANCE HAS FAILED-SEAN TEMBO

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

1. The cost of living was very high prior to last years’ general elections, and that’s one of the reasons why Zambians decided to usher in a new administration. The hope among many Zambians was that the new administration will reduce the cost of living to affordable levels.

2. Ever since Bally and his new dawn came into office, the cost of living as measured by the JCTR basic foods basket, has gone up by approximately 37%. This is causing untold misery and anxiety among the Zambian people.

3. What makes many citizens even more worried is the fact that Bally and his administration do not currently have any economic turnaround plan which they are implementing to try and reduce the cost of living. Further, they have not spoken about formulating any such plan. The Government is currently not driving our economy in any direction. The economy is driving itself haphazardly all over the place. It is on autopilot while facing a storm. If left on its current trajectory, the economy will soon crash.

4. We appreciate those who argue that we need to give Bally and his administration enough time. That he has only been in office for 5 months. But our contention is that as a minimum, the new Dawn administration should have conceived an economic turnaround plan by now, and should have been implementing it. Their failure to even conceive a turnaround plan is what is disappointing more than the failure of any such possible plan to achieve its intended objective. The PF had the Zambia-Plus Economic Recovery Plan which they unveiled in 2017. It wasn’t a great turnaround plan, but at least it was a plan. The UPND have nothing.

5. Remember that lives are being lost due to the increasing poverty and squalor, our hospitals still do not have medicines and poor people are being given prescriptions to buy their own medicine. The youths still do not have jobs, and despite some of them completing grade 12, they are not able to go to college or university due to lack of funds. Some of the more fortunate youths who managed to complete their tertiary education are still unable to get jobs and are still languishing at their parents’ homes.

6. Surely, this is an urgent economic crisis which requires urgent intervention by the Government to try and turnaround our economy onto a path of job creation and reduced cost of living. But 5 months along the way, Bally and his team still do not have a plan. Of course even when such a turnaround plan has been conceived, there is no guarantee that it will work, but at least we shall be pursuing some kind of a plan. The lack of a plan has brought hopelessness among the people of this nation. When there is a plan, there is hope.

7. Our sincere advice to the President is that he should consider firing the Minister of Finance and appoint someone who is more vibrant and energetic. Someone who can develop an economic turnaround plan for the country. Or if the President does not want to fire the Minister of Finance due to their long-standing business ties, he should consider transferring him to a less-consequential ministry. For me, l have been opposed to the appointment of Musokotwane as Minister of Finance since day one. He is simply not the right guy for the job.

8. Sooner rather than later, the President will have to choose between his friendship and long-standing business ties to Musokotwane or turning around the Zambian economy so as to create jobs and reduce the cost of living. If he chooses the former, then he needs to be ready to face the wrath of the Zambian people. Indeed, Bally may soon realize the truest meaning of the phrase; “a hungry man is an angry man”.

/// END

SET 16.02.2022

TOUGH ECONOMIC DECISIONS

By Alexander Nkosi

We are caught between a rock and a hard place. We are in a difficult situation where we have to choose between two equally unpleasant courses of action. To turn the economy around and deliver people-focused outcomes (change people’s lives), we need to support locals to produce more, profitably. Some of the biggest challenges they face include – high cost of production and high cost of borrowing. Not long ago, BOZ increased policy rate and decided to maintain it today. A good move in keeping inflation low but bad in the sense that lending rates will remain high.

Fuel and electricity are key inputs in production. They increase both your production and consumption budgets. They increase both the cost of production and cost of living. Bad as it is, our debt is too high for us to borrow heavily to subsidise fuel. ZESCO owes USD 3.5 billion (IPPs are owed USD 1.1 billion), this has to be paid back and it also needs to invest in improvements. This money should come from somewhere. This is why fees are being increased and most likely tariffs will also be adjusted upwards.

Based on this, we need:

1. An updated economic recovery plan. We need to accelerate dialogue on this with key economic players and think tanks.

2. Detailed sectoral plans showing clear road maps on how each sector intends to navigate these challenges and contribute to economic growth and development.

3. An analysis of the projected impact of high cost of fuel and electricity on production.

4. An analysis of the impact of high lending rates on private sector growth and job creation. How would inflation affect them if not controlled?

5. Analysis of the impact of the dry spell and floods on 2022 budget.

6. A robust communication strategy to ensure people are informed on key decisions being made well in advance.

In this delicate situation, we need all government departments to be at their best. I would encourage the President to ring changes if he is not satisfied with the performance of some individuals and organs of government, he has the full support of Zambians.

We all need to work together and work very hard!

Thank you.

REMOVAL OF SUBSIDIES ON ELECTRICITY CONNECTION FEES AN INDICATION THAT GOVT IS TRYING TO PLEASE THE IMF- EMMANUEL MWAMBA

Lusaka, Wednesday 16th February 2022

Former Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Emmanuel Mwamba says the removal of subsidies on electricity connection and meter separation fees as announced by ZESCO Limited is a clear indication that the New Dawn government is trying to please the IMF and not Zambians who voted them into office.

Speaking when he featured on Radio Christian Voice’s Chat back program, Amb. Mwamba charged that government has found itself in a difficult position in view of the pending IMF Staff Level Agreement which will go to the IMF board in June this year.

Amb. Mwamba explained that the failure to remove direct or indirect subsidies on both electricity and fuel will jeopardise its approval.

“Government is sitting on a hard place on one side and a rock on the other.

If they increase the cost of fuel and electricity, Zambians will be adversely affected and If they don’t, IMF Board may not be pleased as government will be viewed as failing to raise domestic resources and continuing with funding poorly targeted subsidies,” Amb. Mwamba said.

He stated that Finance Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane is therefore not concerned with the interest of Zambians but wants to please the IMF.

Following the removal of subsidies by ZESCO, electricity connection fees will now cost K6,930 from the previous K1,500 while meter separation will cost K6,000 from the previous K750.

Amb. Mwamba who also served as Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the African Union however admitted that the cost of connections fees costed higher than what was previously charged but the previous government treated electricity as an economic right hence its decision to subsidize the connection fees.

He stated that New Dawn government should have gradually adjusted the cost of electricity connection fees and not in the manner they have done it.

And Amb. Mwamba has also noted with regret that the normalization of electricity connection fees will further increase the cutting down of trees as those that cannot afford power will resort to other means such as Charcoal for their energy and cooking sources.

He charged that this will ultimately defeat the purpose of the creation of the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment because the UPND administration is not looking at ways of preserving the environment.

Amb. Mwamba has since called for the abolishment of the Ministry of Green Economy saying that allowing mining activities in the lower Zambezi National Park has also proved that New Dawn government is not concerned about climate change and the state of the country’s environment.

UPND AND PF CONTINUE BEHAVING LIKE TWINS

By Charlie The-engineer Simusokwe

It’s so disheartening for a young person in politics and belonging to parties led by HARD HEADED , INCONSIDERATE AND STUBBORN LEADERS like the ones leading political parties today !

Instead of providing checks/balances …capitalizing and concentrating on;

-The Fuel Price increments that have led to a rise in commodity prices of essential goods and service like mealie meal and transportation costs

-Removal of subsidies leading to ZESCO connection fees rising from K750 to K1,750 to K6,995 with a another looming increment on tariffs

-Job creation and Non consideration of youths in Key position

-No hope for Bursaries/Meal allowances for Universities and Colleges

-Segregated/Regionalized infrastructural development plan

-The looming record high hunger as advised by the JCTR’ Basic Need and Nutritional Basket figures,..

My beloved opposition PF leaders are up in arms against each other LOADING TONS AND TONS OF INSULTS on each other’s shoulders through recorded phone calls and social media voice notes for FAILING TO SETTLE FOR A PERSON TO LEAD US.
It’s about NOTHING ELSE BUT THEM LEADING AND NEVER TO THINK OF BEING LED… REBRANDING MY FOOT!

I turn to wonder if truly it’s COUNTRY BEFORE SELF that we all have when we decide to join politics.

Scold me for bringing this thought here but it was the same with numerous matters prior to our loss!
Many of my young colleagues bemoaned CADERISM and expressed our opinions internally but it all fell on deaf ears. The very thugs we had came ‘guns blazing’ , with all sorts of threats to extents of banning youths perceived to have had an education and pushing the anti-caderism agenda from attending any function where leaders would be present.

LOOK WHERE WE ARE TODAY…

I see the same trend with the UPND even when they try by all means to hide and sugarcoat the true picture. That is the mistake we PF youths made ! WE LET MEDIOCRITY TAKE TOLL FOR FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN yet allowing our party take the path to destruction.

With the UPND , slowly , their cadres are crawling back to the stations and markets. Go to Buseko you will see. Power is slowly getting to the heads of their leaders. Silently amassing wealth as youths keep looking for where to enter from.

They want NO ONE to advise President HH otherwise even when the matter is so clear and the public is observing.
They’ve shielded the president forgetting he is their most valuable capital with the very youths and majority electorates.

They are developing an “I DONT CARE” attitude towards their own youths. A force they used for campaigns. Their phones are now on divert and frequently go unpicked when their own youths try to reach them.

What most of these youths in politics and belonging to UPND want is an opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing of the Zambian people with the party UPND as a vessel.

They’ve taken a path not different from my Party PF’s. And the ending can easily be predicted …
It’s the Youths to be used , …later DUMPED.

It’s simply back to a game of EACH ONE FOR HIMSELF AND GOD FOR US ALL…

THIS ATTITUDE COMES WITH MONEY I GUESS 😭
Indeed … POWER CORRUPTS.

As usual ,
✌️I COME IN PEACE ✌️

SPECIAL DUTY INDEED…ZERO MILEAGE!

PS FOR SPECIAL DUTIES AT CABINET OFFICE, NICHOLAS PHIRI BUYS A BRAND NEW CAR FOR HIS WIFE

PS Cabinet – Special Duties, Nicholas Phiri writes…

For months, I lived a life of hide and seek. We both knew that my life was in danger. Yet, her faith in God and confidence in me was un-phased

One morning, we had a serious difference of opinion.

She was vehemently opposed to my taking a trip to Choma. It was as if she knew I would never come back not until 7 months.

Her argument was that I had been unwell for two weeks, looked stressed and needed to give my body time to recover.

I had to take the trip. It was important and urgent. It was a matter of life and death.

yet I couldn’t disclose more details to anyone to make them understand why I needed to go.

I learnt early in life about the Abrahamic principal. It’s an important aspect of marriage life: say little both to Isaac and Sarah about the sacrifice. This was my case.

Imagine Abraham telling Sara and Isaac the whole account of who the sacrificial lamp was?

Any, this is not about me or the Abrahams. It’s a story about loyalty, love and sacrifice in relationships.

I said my goodbye, see you even and left for Choma on 4th March 2021.

We both didn’t know it would be to the last goodbye as I would never be back 7 months down the line.

In my absence, it meant that all the household bills were hers alone.

In addition, my old mother who is technically my side chick, became her burden too.

Two years before, I had my job contract prematurely cut. Politics. We did not have savings. I become completely dependant on her.

I would lie if I said she ever woke up with a mood or treated me badly for her being the “man” of the house.

She did her “traditional” duties. I had breakfast in bed, lunch, dinner, clean clothes, literally everything we were taught in our culture.

Once I was out and realized I would never come back home, depending on the election results of 2021, I told her the truth, everything to the coma.

Her faith was astonishing. “It is well honey” was her response. Even at work, or school, non of her friends ever detected they had a potential widow or single but married woman.

Anyways, while to others love is a myth, to me love is real.

I celebrate you today for your loyalty, love and faith.

Please accept my small gift to you. This is from the bottom of my heart ❤️ Shalom Mwiinde Phiri

By Chaka Zulu

Rufusa Gold & Tsetse fly

I recall about 30 years ago during the summer of 1992 in the Uk, when my friend and I decided to stay over for holidays and prepare for our final GCSE final exams. We got a bed and breakfast joint in Hammersmith on the banks of the Thames.

I would ensure I have breakfast in restaurant every morning and I would meet this oldish not English looking gentleman having coffee and reading a newspaper. We would always greet and go our ways until a week later when he called me by my full names and invited me to have breakfast with him.

I was not very moved by him referring to me by name as it was easy to get from the manager, but I jaw dropped when he shared with me what he’s role was when he worked for the Zambian government during the Kaunda Era.

He told me he was a retired Israeli national and was involved in a urge secret mission in Zambia to protect the lower Zambezi particularly the Rufusa area as there was gold discovered and needed protection. He was a scientist at the time working on tropical insects and how they can be used for war or protection for human movement or habitation

He further shared that most areas that had copper and emeralds, where protected by setting ZNS camps and mission hospitals. Non made sense at the time as I didn’t know much for I was not familiar with what he was telling me as student abroad.

Anyway fast forward to the Rufusa project, he narrated how the Israeli government was engaged to protect the area by introducing a an insect that was under study that would keep humans away by infection and would multiply extremely fast but be managed professionally.

Hence the introduction of the Tsetse flies in the Rufusa area. This flies could spread the sleeping sickness rapidly and effectively blocking human habitation in the area. He further tried to explain to me how the flies could be moved but not exterminated if mass mining was to take place.

I was very scared to listen to such conspiracy theories and excused myself. I avoided the man for the coming days until we left. I now look back and analyze the information he shared and makes so much sense now.

My conclusion is there is a lot Dr. Kaunda did to protect natural resources and preserved for future generations and the time is now for this generation to benefit.

We have Lumwana, Kalumbila and many other mines that have come up so it’s time for lower Zambezi to open up.

Former auditor general Anna Chifungula appointed as chairperson of the ZAMMSA board.

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE ZAMBIA MEDICINES AND MEDICINES SUPPLIES AGENCY (ZAMMSA) BOARD

Countrymen and Women

I am delighted to announce the Board of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), today 15th February, 2022 which was appointed yesterday 14th February, 2022.

From the outset, let me state that the UPND Government remains resolved to ensuring that Zambians have access to safe and efficacious Medicines and Medical Supplies.

To that effect, UPND Government has increased the budgetary allocation for procurement of medicines and medical supplies from K1.4 Billion in 2021 to K3.4 Billion in the 2022 National Budget. This is to ensure that the health facilities are stocked with adequate medicines and medical supplies.

Following the enactment of the Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency Act No. 9 of 2019, the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) was established and Medical Stores Limited (MSL) abolished.

ZAMMSA is tasked with the function of procurement, storage and distribution of medicines and medical supplies to all public health facilities across the country.

The Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency Act also provides for the establishment of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency Board. To this end, I wish to inform the public that pursuant to the provisions of Section 6 of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency Act No. 9 of 2019, I appointed members of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency Board on 14th day of February, 2022.

The functions of the Board are stipulated in section 7 of the ZAMMSA Act and include, among others, to provide strategic direction to the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA).

The following are the members of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Board:
The Board will be Chaired by

1. Ms Anna Chifungula – Former Auditor General
   Other members are: ​​
2. Representative from the Ministry responsible for of Finance

• Ms Mwaka Mukubesa​

1. Representative from Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia (PSZ)

• Mr Kennedy Saini​

1. Representative from Civil society organization affiliated to health

• Ms Karen Sichinga​

1. Representative from Attorney General

• Mr Joseph Simachela

1. Representative from Ministry responsible for Health

• Dr Alex Makupe​​​

1. Representative from Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ)
   ​
   May I congratulate all Board members on your appointment.

I wish to remind you that your appointment places a huge responsibility on your shoulders as the Zambian people have high expectations of this Board and look forward to restoration of confidence in the supply chain of medicines and medical supplies.

With your vast experience in the Public Service, I am convinced that you are equal to the task to ensure that Zambians are assured of an efficient and effective supply chain system and have access to safe and efficacious medicines and medical supplies in all our health facilities.

Admittedly, the current narrative of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency leaves much to be desired. In view of this, I am confident that you will work hard to restore confidence in the institution. I expect that you will hit the ground running and begin to put our house at ZAMMSA in order. You are assured of my utmost support.

I wish you success in this mammoth task ahead of you!

Ms. Sylvia T. Masebo, MP
Minister of Health

PF REMAINS A DELINQUENT ORGANISATION WHICH ZAMBIANS TRUSTED AND RISKED TO GOVERN THIS COUNTRY

The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) will not bounce back to power because it is a dead and buried party what has remained of the PF is a ghost party.

The people of Zambia decided to reject the PF party out of power in the August 12 2021 General Elections because they noticed that their deeds were not pleasant.

I am since urging the people of Zambia not to make a mistake by voting for the ghost PF party or in any way be subjective to their lies,
“PF will not bounce back to power because it is dead and buried, what has remained of it is a ghost party,”

I wish to extend my word to the office bearers who are pf and still claims that they are running the system that they should and must watch their space because their hope is in a dead flesh a structure of a skeleton that is pf serve the people of Zambia according to the vision of his excellence president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA and the manifesto of the MIGHTY Upnd party.

It is with the highest brain bimbo to think that ba pf will bounce back in power after loosing terribly.

Without including their violent thugs that brutally attacked innocent citizens.

ZAMBIANS went through a lesson experience which even the unborn children of this country will forever learn to remember , the speeches that were issued by the former head of state Edgar Lungu that ‘’ Ubomba mwibala alila mwibala and his ministers who pronounced that when we are stealing we steal for the benefit of the future’’ these statements classified the magnitude of theft of state resources which leaders in this criminal organization had plundered by competing among themselves, this competition for stealing to become wealthier has been evidenced by property acquisition and flushing of liquid cash in their various constituencies and places of political interests , they even convinced the former president that they had too much money and they had no where to hide it , so they requested to release a Statutory Instrument to digazzet forest 27 and build what they wanted , they became tired of using the roads and opted to buy helicopters , they were not content with having five houses , they needed more and above fifty , while public health institutions had no drugs in hospitals .

There are no clean hands in the PF organization if the former president encouraged stealing , if the procurement authority was organized to be a conduit of capital plunder using overrated prices on projects , then who were the beneficiaries ?*, the same people complaining to being victimized and yet PF ensured only people coming from a certain region were supposed to be the beneficiaries , and that is the uniformity everyone is seeing in apprehensions and arrests .

When they say they are rebranding and bouncing back , they simply mean they are sharpening the edge of their sword to come and destroy more, let’s not experience such a criminal government in Zambia as long as our great country exists .

we thank you for the change we have and the good experience we had hoped for under the man of the moment H.E president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA.

Issued by:
Clinton Simfukwe
Copperbelt Deputy Youth Spokes Person.