CHIEFS in Muchinga Province are furious that their attempts to meet with President Hakainde Hichilema have been repeatedly blocked.

Council of chiefs chairperson, Chief Katyetye has heaped the blame on presidential handlers, whom he said, were blocking his group.

Chief Katyetye said President Hichilema’s handlers will be the source of his downfall if he does not act now.

Chief Katyetye said the President should be careful with his aides who are leading the cartel of those blocking chiefs and other stakeholders wanting to see him.

The chief lamented that there were a lot of issues that the traditional leaders in the province would want to bring to the attention of the President but were being blocked

“We are very worried as traditional leaders in Muchinga with the manner, people surrounding the President are behaving. Why should they make the President we were talking to almost every day while in opposition, be inaccessible to chiefs,” he said.

Chief Katyetye cited plans by some corrupt individuals at the Ministry of Mines to hand over Nkombwa Mine to an investor as compensation for some unfinished business, as one of the burning issues he would like to discuss with President Hichilema.

He said it was unfortunate that the Ministry of Mines would want to give away Nkombwa Hills Mines to an investor without the knowledge of the traditional leadership.

Chief Katyetye has advised the Presidential handlers to open up the Presidency and make it accessible not only to party cadres but traditional leaders who have matters to bring to the attention of the Head of State.

He warned that current happenings at State House where aides were blocking people from accessing the President is a time bomb and a recipe for corruption.

“The situation of blocking people from seeing the President is a time bomb and a recipe for corruption because, some individuals may want to corrupt the aides to see the President,” Chief Katyetye warned.

Efforts to get a comment from State House proved futile by press time.- Daily Nation

By Chris Mfula and Karin Strohecker, Joe Bavier

LUSAKA, Feb 1 (Reuters) – Zambia expects an International Monetary Fund (IMF) debt health check to be finalised this month, to strike a restructuring deal with creditors by April and get a formal agreement with the fund signed off in May, its finance minister said.

“I have to be optimistic, because in the absence of optimism where can Zambia go?” Situmbeko Musokotwane told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. “We are a serious group determined to make sure that this issue of debt that’s been dogging us for years and years, we are determined to put this behind us.”

In 2020, Zambia became the first pandemic-era sovereign default and it is buckling under a debt burden of more than 120% of gross domestic product (GDP). It reached a staff level deal on a $1.4 billion three-year extended credit facility with the IMF in December and now wants to nail down a formal agreement.

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Sketching an ambitious timeline for the restructuring the debt of Africa’s biggest copper producer, Musokotwane said he expected the IMF’s debt sustainability analysis, which forms the basis of the restructuring plans, by the end of February.

Having to renegotiate its debt with a multitude of official and private sector creditors, Musokotwane said he hoped to reach an understanding with them in March or maybe April, which would in turn would pave the way for a formal IMF agreement.

“We’re hoping that we can do this by May of this year,” he told Reuters.

Analysts say the timeline is ambitious as the group of Paris Club creditors and China have yet to form a creditor committee.

China, which has lent heavily to African resource exporters in recent decades, will play a key role in the debt overhaul. Zambia owes more than $6 billion, or 40% of its total publicly guaranteed and non-guaranteed external debt, to Chinese lenders.

“We have reached out to the Chinese authorities asking them to be part of this process. In principle they have agreed, on the specifics those are details to be worked out,” Musokotwane said. “In the end, I feel very confident that the Chinese authorities and the Chinese institutions that lent us money will play along to get us out of the problems.”

‘CARRY SOCIETY ALONG’

Musokotwane announced in December that Zambia had agreed with the IMF to remove unsustainable subsidies on energy and agriculture as part of its reform programme.

“The petroleum sector was in a sense not making sense anymore,” he said, adding that the cost of fuel subsidies alone used to amount to $800 million a year.

Savings from the ending of subsidies would shift to social spending, including education, something also advocated by the IMF, but no timeline has been set for phasing out support.

“You must not be too fast. You must carry society along with you, because these are shocks that we are introducing to society before they actually see the benefits of what we are doing,” Musokotwane said.

High global copper prices, meanwhile, should help attract the investment needed to allow Zambia to boost its annual production to about 3 million tonnes over the coming decade from an estimated 800,000 tonnes in 2021.

First, however, the government must find an investor to take a minority stake in Mopani Copper Mines and fund a planned expansion, Musokotwane said.

State-owned mining investment firm ZCCM-IH (ZCCM.LZ) bought Mopani from Glencore (GLEN.L) a year ago.

The government is also seeking to end a dispute over Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).

Zambia’s previous government handed control of KCM to a provisional liquidator in May 2019, triggering a legal battle with India’s Vedanta Resources (VDAN.NS), KCM’s parent.

“There is a lot that is going on behind the scenes. I cannot go into details of those, because the negotiations are very delicate. But I can assure you that it is happening.”

WE all know that the investigative wings are after former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and that they are targeting all those people who are close to him, acting PF vice president Given Lubinda has said.

Mr Lubinda said this when he reported at the Anti-Corruption Commission offices in Lusaka yesterday after being summoned with his daughter.

He said that it was clear that they were indirectly going after Mr Lungu through his associates like him.

“Even former President Lungu has said that he knows who they are looking for and instead of going directly to him they are targeting everyone close to him including people in shanties whose houses had been broken down,” he said.

He challenged PF members to be ready for more hardships as they were going to be raided at one point.

Mr Lubinda said that they were going to harass more members of the PF but that they needed to remain strong.

He said it was unfortunate that they had not prosecuted any individual who they were investigating which sent a very wrong impression.

Mr Lubinda said that it was shocking that the ACC had summoned him over a loan which his company got from another Chinese firm.

He wondered how getting a loan had become a crime and that if he failed to settle the loan it was him that would sell his assets to offset it.

“Initially they did not give me the reason I was summoned but after I reached I was shocked because I was told that in 2016 my firm got a loan from a Chinese company but I will find out from the courts when getting a loan became a crime,” Mr Lubinda said.

Meanwhile, ACC Spokesperson, Queen Chibwe confirmed that the warned and cautioned Mr Lubinda, 58, in connection with allegations of being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Ms Chibwe said in a statement that Mr Lubinda appeared before the ACC offices for interrrogations in the company of his three lawyers.

She said in a statement that Mr Lubinda was summoned to the Commission as a suspect and as such all procedures related to summoning of a suspect by an investigating agency were dully followed.- Daily Nation

By Mwaka Ndawa

FORMER president Edgar Lungu’s associate Valden Findlay, his wife Dessislava and his four companies have petitioned the state in the Lusaka High Court for seizing their accounts on the pretext that Findlay was a crook, committed fraud, among various financial crimes.

Findlay, a businessman, Dessislava Findlay trading as D Findlay and Associates, Twatotela Properties limited, Chrismar Earth Moving Equipment Limited and Greenview Service Providers say the secretive freezing of their accounts by the DEC without communication is a violation of their rights to be informed about the allegations they face before DEC takes an arbitrary action and for them to have representation to obtain reliefs from punitive measures taken.

Findlay claimed that wealth grabbed from him by the Drug Enforcement Commission was clean as it was amassed from rentals and various business activities which he was engaged in with tax liabilities having been duly paid and the same can be easily verified and explained.

He said that the money in the law firm’s account belong to clients and was received by his wife for distribution and transfer upon the clients’ requests during business operations.

The plaintiffs are seeking a declaratory order that the seizure notices on their accounts are illegal.

They want a declaration that the freezing of the accounts without notification and being given an opportunity to legal representation violates their rights to the presumption of innocence and fair hearing before punishment is meted on them.

The plaintiffs are seeking an order that the accounts be released.

They are further seeking orders for renumeration of the seized accounts, damage to property and unlawful conduct by the DEC aimed at painting Findlay black without giving him an opportunity to be heard.

The plaintiffs said on August 16, 2021 after the announcement of the 2021 general election results, the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) directed the freezing of two Kwacha accounts Twatotela Properties limited (account no.101023160002 and D. Findlay and Associates (account no.1010231001 and 1010231004) domiciled at First Alliance Bank Zambia limited without notice or formal communication.

They said on August 30, 2020 their advocates, Messrs Makebi Zulu Advocates, wrote to FIC to provide details and supplementary documents of the transactions on the accounts belonging to the law firm of Findlay’s wife and Twatotela Properties.

“On August 20, 2021 the Drug Enforcement Commission issued a public statement circulating on various internet social media platforms that Findlay’s bank account had been frozen,” the plaintiffs said.

“There has never been any communication, public or private, to any of the other petitioners by DEC or any other law enforcement agency.”

The complainants stated that a number of false, malicious and defamatory publications appeared on numerous internet social media platforms against Findlay alleging that he had perpetrated financial crimes, money laundering and should be subjected to investigation and prosecuted for the alleged crimes and had abused his acquaintanceship with Lungu.

They said on September 3, 2021, they received formal communication from First Alliance Bank that their accounts were seized by the DEC pursuant to Section 15 of the prohibition and prevention of money laundering Act no.44 of 2010.

Findlay, his wife and companies contended that they are unable to make transactions on the said accounts.

They said there are no reasonable grounds upon which the DEC can believe that the funds were laundered or obtained from illegal activities.

“Your petitioners believe that their rights to be presumed innocent until proven guilty have been breached as they have been punished, condemned and punitive measures taken against them without any trial,” the plaintiffs said.

The businessman stated that in October 2021 the Anti-Corruption Commission searched his house in new Kasama and farm in Chisamba and caused damage to their property but himself and his wife have never been summoned, warned, arrested and charged by the ACC neither have they been informed of the investigations.

The Findlays charged that the searches conducted by ACC without a valid search warrant were illegal, and in violation of their Constitutional rights.

The plaintiffs further stated that their advocates wrote to DEC to release their funds but the Commission declined as investigations were still ongoing.

By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA

THE Constitutional Court has set March 9, 2022, as date of judgement in a matter where the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has petitioned it to interpret the provisions used by the Speaker, Nelly Mutti, to expel from the House nine PF MPs whose seats was nullified by the High Court.

On December 7, 2021, Ms Mutti sent away Nine Patriotic Front (PF) Members of Parliament whose elections results was nullified and had appealed to the Concourt challenging the High Court’s judgements.

The nine MPs are Bowman Lusambo (Kabushi ), Joseph Malanji (Kwacha) , Mutotwe Kafwaya (Lunte), Sibongile Mwamba (Kasama Central), Luka Simumba(Nakonde), Allan Banda (Chimwemwe), Taulo Chewe (Lubasenshi), Kalalwe Mukosa(Chinsali) and Christopher Chibuye (Mkushi North).

LAZ in its petition seeks the Court to interpret the provisions of Articles 72 (h) and 73 (1) (2) and (4) of the Constitution of Zambia. The association cited the Attorney General as respondent in the petition. When the matter came up for hearing yesterday, LAZ president Abyud Shonga said that an interpretation to the provisions used by the speaker would put an end to the debate of whether an MP whose seat has been nullified following an election petition may lawfully remain in the House pending appeal to the Concourt. Mr Shonga reiterated that the association’s involvement in the matter was not to take sides but because it is of public interest.

However, Solicitor General Marshal Muchende argued that the effect of the nullification by the High Court was to create a vacancy in the National Assembly, and that if there is no appeal, the Speaker can communicate to ECZ for fresh elections.

Mr Muchende stated that an appeal to the Concourt does not operate as a stay, therefore, the affected MPs should have obtained stay from the High Court.

He contended that an MP whose seat had been declared null and void cannot continue to hold that seat in the absence of a stay ,unless if the high court that nullified the seat grants the stay.

Meanwhile, the ConCourt has reserved February 15, 2022 , as the date on which it will rule over an application by Mr Malanji on its jurisdiction to hear a petition by Governance Elections Advocacy Research Services Initiative Zambia Limited (GEARS) when there is an appeal against the High Court’s decision to nullify the seats .

GEARS , seeks a declaration that the nine having been declared by the High Court as not duly elected MPs , by attending sessions of the National Assembly and participating in Parliamentary business breached the constitution and the Electoral Process Act.

By Emmanuel Mwamba

DON’T PANIC, DECISIONS WERE MADE BY PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT AND ARE BINDING

Lusaka- Tuesday, 1st February 2022

Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Hon. Collins Nzovu has blamed the Patriotic Front Government as being behind all the decisions on mining in Lower Zambezi National Park.

He said the decisions will however be respected.

“The Decision for Mwembeshi Resources Limited was therefore granted by the PF government.”

“Decisions taken by previous governments are binding.”

“The Government wishes to make it clear that NO NEW DECISION has been made by the UPND Government in relation to mining in the Lower Zambezi National Park.”

Below is the statement.

PRESS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF GREEN ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LUSAKA, 1ST FEBRUARY, 2022

APPROVAL OF MINING IN THE LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

The Government wishes to make it clear that NO NEW DECISION has been made by the UPND Government in relation to mining in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

In respect of this serious matter, there are legacy issues that have to be addressed stemming from the decision by former officials under the Patriotic Front government to overturn the initial decision by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (“ZEMA”) to reject the proposal.

This government is still committed to ensuring that all commitments made, including greening the economy are adhered to, but this will be done in a legal manner and we will therefore not interfere with any institution of governance.

Government will ensure that it exhausts all proper channels to secure a resolution in line with its commitment to the sustainable management of Zambia’s resources.

This means activity that contributes to the economic, environmental and societal development of the country.

Background

In March 2012, Mwembeshi Resources Limited conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) to undertake Large-Scale Mining activities under Licence No. 15547-HQ-LML in the Lower Zambezi National Park (“the Project”).

The proposed project was considered and rejected by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (“ZEMA”) on August 31, 2012.

Being dissatisfied with the decision of ZEMA, Mwembeshi Resources Limited appealed against the rejection in accordance with the provisions of section 116 of the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011.

The Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (as the ministry responsible for the environment was known at the time), Hon Harry Kalaba on 17th January, 2014, allowed the appeal and thereby overturned the decision of ZEMA.

However, Vincent Ziba, Morgan Katati, Noah Zimba, Robert Chimambo, Kasampa J Tembo and David Ngwenyama (the Appellants) filed an appeal to the High Court against the Minister’s decision and obtained a stay of execution of the Minister’s decision (the stay of execution) pending the determination of the appeal.

On 17th October, 2019, the High Court dismissed the Appellants’ Appeal for want of prosecution and further discharged the Stay of Execution.

The effect of the High Court’s ruling was that Mwembeshi Resources Limited was no longer constrained from conducting mining activities in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

The Appellants later lodged an appeal against the decision of the High Court before the Court of Appeal and the same was dismissed on 25th February, 2021.

At the end of the Court process, the approval granted in 2014 had lapsed following the failure to commence project implementation activities within three (3) years from the date of approval.

Mwembeshi Resources Limited therefore re-registered its intention to proceed with the proposed project in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 30 and Part VIII of the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 28 of 1997.

ZEMA proceeded to consider the submission by Mwembeshi Resources Limited in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011 (“the Act”) and the EIA Regulations and accordingly approved the project subject to strict conditions under Decision letter No. ZEMA/EIA/EIS/726.

The Decision for Mwembeshi Resources Limited was therefore granted by the PF government.

Decisions taken by previous governments are binding.

The New Dawn Government wishes to assure the nation that there is no cause for alarm as there is NO NEW DECISION HAS BEEN MADE.

Issued by:

Hon. Collins Nzovu, MP
Minister
Ministry of Green Economy & Environment

By Mwaka Ndawa

ANTI-CORRUPTION Commission investigations officer Christopher Siwakwi has told the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court that he lost the zeal to execute his mandate after he was belittled by Amos Chanda’s wife, who called him a grade 12 failure.

This is in a matter where Chanda, a former special assistant to the president for press and public relations, his wife Mable Nakaundi and sister in-law Ruth Nakaundi are facing charges of using insulting language against officers of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and obstructing the law enforcement officers from performing their duty.

It is alleged that the trio on October 27, 2021 uttered derogatory words against ACC officers, an act which provoked them and would have caused them to breach peace or caused them to make an offense and blocked the officers from searching their properties.

Testifying before chief resident magistrate Dominic Makalicha, Siwakwi said prior to conducting the search at Chanda’s premises in the State Lodge area, he noticed the media had camped at the gate.

He said when he asked the media about their presence during such an operation, one of the journalists informed him that Chanda had invited them to witness the said operation.

“I told them that they were not welcome as they would jeopardise our investigations,” Siwakwi said.

“When Mr Chanda arrived at the property, he attempted to access the premises with the the premises with the journalists but we told them that they could not come in and he used demeaning words such as idiots, criminals and said we were corrupt in full view of journalists. I felt very bad because the video went viral on social media and it was embarrassing to me and my family.”

Siwakwi told the court that when the investigations team proceeded to conduct another search at Chanda’s home on Elm Street in Woodlands area, the accused requested that he conducts a body search on the officers.

“Whilst he was searching me, I told him I only had my wallet in my pockets and he said ‘I don’t want your fucking money’. After he searched us, he then took us to the second house which he claimed was his as he did not know the owners of the first house,” Siwakwi said.

“Whilst searching his house, his wife issued demeaning words that I am a grade 12 failure and I am poorly paid. I felt very bad such that I almost lost focus on the search.”

“KABWATA PRESSURE FORCES STATE HOUSE TO INTERVENE ON EMMINENT FUEL HIKE.”

AS CAMPAIGN MANAGER I WANT TO INFORM THE NATION THAT THE RECENT DROP IN FUEL PUMP PRICE IS NOTHING BUT A POLITICAL MOVE MEANT TO HOODWINK THE PEOPLE OF KABWATA NOTHING ELSE.

IT’S A CHEAP POLITICAL GIMMICK ON FUEL BECAUSE OF PRESSURE FROM KABWATA.
WE CAN ONLY CALL IT FOR WHAT IT IS, A POLITICAL SUBSIDY.

HE HAS BEEN INFORMED THAT KABWATA HAS GONE BACK TO PF THROUGH CLEMENT TEMBO, WHO IS POISED TO WIN BY A LANDSLIDE MARGIN BECAUSE OF THE MANY THINGS UPND AND ITS GOVT HAS BACKTRACKED ON. THE INCREASING PRICE OF COMMODITIES FUEL, MEALIE MEAL, COOKING OIL, SUGAR, SALT ETC.

WHAT IRRITATED HIM, WAS THAT THE SYSTEM ON FRIDAY TOLD HIM, UPND IS LIKELY TO COME THIRD, WITH SOCIALIST IN SECOND PLACE. THATS WHY HE GAVE INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE GIVEN LUBINDA SUMMONED POSSIBLY ARRESTED TO DERAIL US FROM OUR CAMPAIGN. HE HAS ALSO BEEN TOLD TO VISIT KABWATA EVERYDAY DEFYING THE ECZ CALENDAR GIVEN BY ECZ SO THAT PF CANNOT HAVE ACCESS. BUT OUR STRATEGY IS VERY SOPHISTICATED.
REMEMBER ITS NOT US THE PF CAUSING ALL THIS, ITS THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES THROUGH KABWATA WHO ARE TIRED OF THE NUMEROUS FAKE PROMISES MADE BY UPND AND THE BURDEN OF SURVIVAL THREE TIMES WORSE THAN DURING PF.

LIKE WE HAVE SAID, OUR ZOOMING HAS BROUGHT US TO A PLACE WHERE SOURCES ARE EMERGING FROM WITHIN THE SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY THOSE BEING VICTIMIZED.

SOURCES WITHIN HIS BOARD AT ERB REVEALED TO US, THAT FUEL PUMP PRICES WAS SUPPOSED TO INCREASE FOR PETROL K24.89 AND ORDINARY DIESEL 22.22. THATS WHY WHEN YOU LOOK CLOSELY IN THIER STATEMENT THEY HAVE SCRAPPED OFF ORDINARY DIESEL GIVING AN EXCUSE OF INDENI REFINERY SO THAT THEY CAN SHIFT THE PROFITS FROM LOW SULPHUR TO PETROL. INFACT WHEN YOU LOOK CLOSELY ON THE INCREMENTAL DIFFERENCES THEY ARE JUST SHIFTING NUMBERS, A PROFIT OR LOSS HERE BEING BROUGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE AS A REDUCTION OR INCREASE. IN ACTUAL SENSE, PURELY PLAYING WITH NUMBERS.

BUT THE LOSS ON THE REVENUE SIDE, IS HUGE ON THE TAX PAYER MORE OR LESS TRANSLATING INTO A SUBSIDY FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES. PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK WITH IMF.

YESTERDAY AT NOON, SENIOR UPND CADRES GOT WIND OF THE INCREMENT AND STARTED BLOGGING ON UPND BLOGS THAT ERB WAS WORKING AGAINST THEM AND WAS GOING TO MAKE UPND LOSE KABWATA WHICH THEY HAVE ALREADY LOST, URGING THE POLITICAL DESK AT STATEHOUSE TO FORCE HIM TO CALL ERB TO FIND A WAY OF DROPPING THE PRICE, TO INCREASE IT PROPORTIONATELY NEXT MONTH MARCH IN THIER REVIEW.

SO FOR ZAMBIANS, ENJOY AND UTILIZE THIS POLITICAL REDUCTION THANKS TO THE KABWATA BY-ELECTION HEAT BUT BRACE YOURSELVES FOR TOUGHER TIMES AHEAD AS IMF AUSTERITY MEASURES DROWN US ALL BY JUNE. ITS GOOD THAT KABWATA HAS MADE THEM REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN PEOPLE FOR GRANTED AND HAVE BECOME ARROGANT TOO SOON.

SO KABWATA PEOPLE IGNORE THE STUNT, ENJOY THE FUEL DROP THANKS TO YOU BUT DONT FORGET TO VOTE CLEMENT TEMBO YOUR OWN SON.

VoteGreenKABWATA

Issued;
Hon. R.M.NAKACINDA, MCC
1/02/22

By Julia Malunga,

THE Human Rights Commission (HRC) says some of the activities which used to happen under the PF administration, like cadreism, are still happening under the UPND government.

And the Commission has encouraged political players lamenting about being targeted to formally lodge a complaint with them.

In an interview, HRC chairperson Mudford Mwandenga noted that cadre mentality was still in existence.

“Some of the activities which used to happen under PF are still happening now. So, is it a beginning or is it just a change of the actors? I think they are trying as much as possible to try and control the people by speech but does it translate to the cadre? No. Cadres have a different way of thinking.

For instance, if you look at what happened in Kasama, that is the same kind of behaviour that used to happen in the past. I think it is best that the law should take its course. Those activities that used to be condemned in the past are now being condemned.

It is the cadres’ mentality which unfortunately hasn’t weaned, it is still there. Until we deal with this issue of cadreism, these problems will continue,” Mwandenga said.

And Mwandenga said the Commission had not received any complaints relating to individuals being targeted by law enforcement agencies.

“We act on people’s complaints, it is something that needs to be brought to our attention, if it is not brought to our attention, we will lay low. If you are talking about political parties, they have had an opportunity to report their complaints. Even when the UPND was in opposition, they kept coming to us, even PF, they complained to us, so they know the procedure.

If they want something from us, let them send their complaints and we will look at it. I have not received any complaints. There are quite a number of issues which take place, some of them we pick them up, some of them we don’t. So, we encourage them to report,” said Mwandenga.

“The (complaints) are best reported to the Human Rights Commission and the Commission will engage the Drug Enforcement Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission or the Financial Intelligence Centre to find out from what perspective they are targeting those people.

Because if you just shoot blindly, you might end up concluding that they are being targeted when you actually don’t know what the authorities have.

So what I am saying is that a complaint must be put formally so that the Commission should also engage these law enforcement agencies then maybe they can give us an informed position.”

CEJ CONCERNED WITH MINING IN LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

Lusaka, Tuesday (February 1, 2022)

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) is concerned by media reports suggesting that government has allowed the highly controversial open-pit mining project in Lower Zambezi National Park (LZNP).

CEJ Executive Director Maggie Mwape says allowing the mining project to proceed based on legal technicalities would be a serious indictment to the New Dawn administration, bringing into question its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Ms Mwape says the project is in stark contrast to, and a deviation from pronouncements and policy directions of the New Dawn Administration, espoused both locally and internationally in different media.

She has since called on the Minister of Environment and Green Economy to urgently issue a Ministerial statement on the matter.

Ms Mwape adds that noting the stage at which the matter has reached, which seemed to have informed the Minister’s decision, CEJ further calls upon the President, His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema to recall his past pronouncements and Zambia’s domestic legislation and various international treaties the country is a party to relevant to informing the decision process on the project.

She says a firm decision on this project is his chance to do the right thing, stand with the people, leverage political will, and practically demonstrate the country’s commitments to the environmental ethos by exercising his executive authority over the matter.

Ms Mwape says Zambia will be failing to practically demonstrate her commitment to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration should the open pit mine project proceed.

She adds that CEJ will continue to stand by ZEMA’s initial decision which rejected the Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the project, citing strong, credible science for not approving the project.

She says CEJ recommends that the New Dawn government maintains its position and promise made on zero mining in lower Zambezi.

Ms Mwape says CEJ has since recommended that Government revokes both the mining license and environmental approvals given to developing the open-pit copper mine in the heart of the Lower Zambezi.

Ms Mwape says regrettably, a weakness in the attendant legislation which allows the Minister to overturn a decision by the competent authority was actively pursued resulting in the protracted controversies surrounding the project.

Ms Mwape says CEJ wants Government to review the clause in the Environmental Management Act of 2011 which empowers the Minister to overturn ZEMA’s decision when an investor appeal.

CEJ MEDIA

Charles Milupi
EACH AND EVERY ROAD IS ECONOMICALLY VIABLE AND IMPORTANT BUT RANKED DIFFERENTLY

Allow me, in the first place, to thank Fr Evans Miti of the Catholic Diocese of Chipata, and the good people of Chipata, Chadiza and Vubwi districts in the Eastern Province, for having keenly followed our recent inspection tour of roads and other public infrastructure in three provinces of our country.

For us to undertake that inspection tour, it is confirmation of the seriousness we attach to addressing the bad state of our roads and other public infrastructure countrywide. We had to see for ourselves so that when we start devising ways to address the deplorable state of our road network, we do so from a well-informed position.

We, therefore, note with great appreciation, the concerns raised by our fellow citizens following our remarks about the ‘viability’ of the Chipata-Vubwi Road. Let me state here that all roads contribute to the growth of the country’s economy, hence economically viable.

However, in the area of road sector management, there is what is referred to as the core road network, which the New Dawn administration will work on using the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model. Chipata-Vubwi Road is an economically-viable road but it is not commercially-viable in so far as inclusion on the list of roads to be done through the PPP Model is concerned. We were speaking from the context of the PPP Model vis-a-vis management of the core and feeder road network.

To this end, describing a road as not being commercially-viable within the context of the PPP Model, is not the same as saying that road is not going to be worked on or less important. The Chipata-Vubwi Road, and any other road falling within that category, will definitely be worked on by your government as a matter of economic necessity. We note that, sadly, this important road project was procured in 2011 under the Link Zambia 8000 Road Project but it has remained in a deplorable state all these years. It is our public duty to do the needful and work on that economically-viable road. Thanks so much.

WITNESS SAYS HE SAW NOTHING UNUSUAL & DID NOT GET ANY EVIDENCE AT CHANDA’S RESIDENCES

31 January 2022— A STATE witness has told the Lusaka magistrates court that there was nothing unusual he encountered during the search of Amos Chanda’s residence at 67 Elm Road in Lusaka’s Woodlands suburb.

Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) investigations officer Christopher SIWAKWI told Chief Resident Magistrate Hon.Dominic Makalichi that: “no my Lord we did not find anything of evidential value from the searches they conducted against Amos Chanda.”

This was in response to defence counsel Timmy Munalula who wanted to know what the ACC found during their searches at the farm in Njolwe, State Lodge house and Elm Road residence.

The witness also caused laughter in court when he said the ACC left Mr Chanda at State Lodge and went to look for him at his residence in Woodlands.

“No, Mr Chanda did not obstruct us at Njolwe farm, at his property in State Lodge and at his house in Woodlands because he was not present when arrived at all the premises,” Mr SIWAKWI said.

Asked whether accused two (Mrs Chanda) and her sister Ruth MULENGA obstructed him, the witness said they did not.

But he said Mr Chanda’s insistence that the search was illegal amounted to obstruction because it delayed the search.

“Mr Chanda informed us that the search had to stop in order for him to file a complaint of assault against his sister-in-law and against himself regarding the fire arm that he alleged was pointed at him.”

“My Lord I declared the fire arm but I was furious with the interruptions and warned accused three,” he said.

He also confirmed that the ACC barred both Mr Chanda and his lawyer from attending the search at State Lodge because of the presence of journalists.

Asked whether his lawyer also wanted journalists to accompany him, the witness responded in the negative but did not explain why the lawyer was not allowed to enter State Lodge property.

He also said he did not know the details of the search warrants for all the properties and so did it know whether the properties under search belonged to Mr Amos Chanda.

The witness said the ACC arrived at State Lodge and found journalists and Mr Chanda was not present but later said Mr Chanda came with the reporters.

When asked to explain the status of the second house at Elm Road, the witness alleged that Mr Chanda told him he did not know the owners of the residence, promoting the defence lawyer to ask who was lying between him and the four other prosecution witnesses who had given a different version to the effect that Mr Chanda told them it belonged to his sister-in-law who was in Chingola.

Asked about the presence of female and male officers in the search team, the witness said it was to allow females search females and males search males.

Mr Munalula then reminded the witness that this was the reason only women were allowed in the female bedroom which belonged to a lady who was absent.

He said he was so furious that he intended to charge at accused three but later said he was never emotionally charged. At this point the defence lawyer said he had no further questions.

And I surprise move ACC prosecutor Martin Mayembe raised a preliminary issue urging the court to censure Mr Chanda for alleged mistakes in the Zambia Daily Mail report of the previous court hearing and for commenting on other ACC matters that were not before court.

In response defence lawyer Munalula said the allegations were new and he did not have instructions to respond but insisted that his client was properly guided to avoid commenting on court proceedings.

The court could not rule on the application so that the defence is allowed time to respond.

In a bad-tempered hearing characterized by emotional charges and counter applications, the court guided that the defence and prosecution must realize that they were doing it on behalf of the court and so they needed to be sober.

HH GOD SENT -SYAKALIMA

By Walusungu Lundu

WE paid for every child who goes to school regardless of whether you are rich or not, says education minister Douglas Syakalima.

Syakalima says President Hakainde Hichilema was God sent adding that he didn’t need to be President to be who he is.

He said the country is bleeding stating that, “people (PF leaders) said they were in government for the past 10 years and told you there was unprecedented development, nothing. So Zambia requires national healing. No one was favoured, we had criminals in the state”.

Addressing the media on Friday, he said Zambians needed to thank God that there was someone who was doing the right thing.

“We paid for every child who goes to school regardless of whether you are rich or not. For school fees, tuition fees, everybody was paid for, including rich people…it has never happened. And Zambians must come to their right senses and say somebody wants to work for them. Because I remember when I was responding to the opening of the schools someone just said ‘you know they don’t have money, this is why they have postponed…’ We postponed because we wanted the children not to go and face the calamity. But within that we paid before the 10th [of January] across the board, including the same person if you have kids, I understand you have kids from everywhere – that was Bowman Lusambo who we are talking about. So I paid for his kids,” Syakalima said, about implementation of free education in public schools.

“When good things or good tidings are coming to you, you must actually thank God that there is somebody who is doing the right thing. President Hakainde is a God sent person. Hedidn’t need to be a president to be who he is today. He is paying back. That’s the way sometimes people thank God. It’s to pay back to the society. Today somebody, when it was 1st January…where are the 30,000 teachers? Because they were used to not being systematic. I have on my plate 10,000 teachers who have not been upgraded, and those are the things we are trying to sort out first of all.”

He slammed the PF for having “messed up” the country.

He argued that there was no part of the country that was favoured under the PF administration.

Syakalima also stressed the need for the country to heal.

“There are no jobs around here. You are talking about the PF, the PF are gone. They messed up this country and I feel pity for those who were voting for them. Because I have gone around this country…in six provinces and this is why I’m now preaching healing. I am calling everybody, start healing. These people hurt the whole country. I have been to Muchinga, I have been to Eastern Province. The treatment which is there is the treatment which I found in Southern Province. So there was no one who was advantaged. The whole country was short-changed, that I can tell you. I found bleeding in Eastern Province, then it was called the stronghold for the PF. There was nothing like that. That was evil treatment of the people who were actually voting for them,” he said.

“I have on my desk 150 stalled schools. Chibombo 111, [I] went to Petauke, 70 kids pregnant. We had evil people in government. 10,000 students applied for bursary loans at the University of Zambia, PF budgeted for 2,000. That 2,000 now on loan costs K65 million yet a little girl was found with K65 million in the house. We had a reckless government who didn’t care for anyone of you. If it was a normal country, our colleagues would not even have survived as a political party today. The country is bleeding. I went to 10 provinces and I saw the damage. It really hurts me to see 78 pregnant kids and they were brought to me. I saw 21 kids brought to me in Shiwang’andu yet we have a big infrastructure where the kids could have been there. I retrieved eight from forced marriages. And I was counting I have lost a doctor here because they were pregnant. I have lost a pilot, an engineer. And people said they were in government for the past 10 years and told you there was unprecedented development, nothing. So Zambia requires national healing. No one was favoured, we had criminals in the state.”

On sale of uniforms in schools that some institutions have continued to do despite the presidential directive of allowing parents to purchase uniforms from open markets, Syakalima said head teachers who want to go against the President’s directive should resign on their own.

“And this is the behaviour that we have been talking about. If you do not agree with what government is stating, then leave. PS (permanent secretary), tell the head teachers that if they do not want to agree with what the President is saying, let them leave. On your own go away. Just on your own go away,” he said.

On the issue of protests over payments at the University of Zambia (UNZA), Syakalima said there had been no protests at the institution as people are getting paid on time under the new dawn administration.

“People can’t get used to wrong things for a long time. They were not responding to anybody in the last 10 years. In the shortest period of time, when the President has given me the privilege of running the institution of education I have done a lot. So if people were not patient enough for 10 years, how can they not be patient for five or three months especially for me who has been in this seat for three months? There used to be protests over non-payment of salaries at the University of Zambia, for 10 years. Last month we gave them two grants for November and December. For the first time they celebrated Christmas with a salary. Ever since Hakainde Hichilema became President, they have been getting paid every month. Have you ever heard people at UNZA protesting? It has finished. So there are certain things that have been taken care of and people must appreciate, of course it is our duty to do that,” said Syakalima.

“If things were bad in the last 30 years and I’m trying to correct them within five months then I must be praised. That I can tell you…Patience pays. And for your own information, the President has donated three industrial boreholes for the University of Zambia. There were no protests. It’s only one union which protested…What I can tell you is that old habits die hard. Zambians are used to bad things. We must bring them back to start thinking new, to start thinking that good things should be appreciated. We are in an abnormal state, that I can tell you. But to bring people to normalcy it becomes very difficult but we will try to manage that. And I think we will manage that.”

FUEL REDUCTION AND FUEL TAXES- Ukutengela Amafina Mu Cilonda

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Before we celebrate the fuel reduction announced by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB), let us remember that to avert an imminent sharp rise in fuel pump prices, Government on 11th January issued Statutory Instrument No.2 of 2002 to continue to waive or suspend the collection of taxes on petroleum products.

The extension for the waiver is valid up-to June 30th 2022.

The taxes suspended or waived on petroleum products are; customs duty (25%), VAT 16% and Excise Duty.

In December 2021, Government announced that the Treasury loses about $41.4 million per month by foregoing the collection of these taxes.

Government also spends another $26million on price differential on world oil market prices and on the exchange rate fluctuations.

Further Government absorbs the cost of applying uniform pump prices across the country.

This amounts to a loss to the Treasury of about $807 million per year since 2020.

Following a Staff-Level Agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) obtained with Zambia, Government announced that it would remove all poorly targeted subsidies including those on fuel and electricity.

Zambia committed to implement bold and ambitious economic reforms before the Agreement is tabled to the IMF Board for approval in June 2022.

On its part, the IMF expects Zambia to shift its spending, away from inefficient public investment and poorly targeted subsidies, towards greater investment in health and education and the delivery of more social benefits.

UKUTENGELA AMAFINA MUCILONDA

Although the Energy Regulation Board has introduced a monthly review of pump prices and has now reduced the cost of fuel from;
Petrol-K21.16 per litre to K19.84 per litre,

And

Diesel- from K20.15 to K18.93 per litre, the concerns of both the Treasury and the IMF on the waiver or non-collection of taxes, remains high.

Therefore the current fuel prices are not in any way cost-reflective until the above taxes are factored in or restored.

As for now, the consumer will continue to enjoy or suffer these small adjustments, in this case a temporal but marginal relief until next month. But the real reckoning will be June 30th 2022.

We say; “Ukutengela ama fina mu cilonda” (When the boil is not drained of its pus,it causes a worse septic wound that may require surgery).

$1.2bn Lusaka-Ndola carriageway contractor back at half price – Tayali

By Charles Tembo

GOVERNMENT says the contractor who was engaged to do the Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway at US $1.2 billion has come back in the country and has agreed to do the works at a-50 per cent lower rate than demanded under the PF regime.

In 2018 the PF administration under then president Edgar Lungu agreed to a contract to do the Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway at a cost of more than $1.2 billion.

However, the Road Development Agency halted the construction of the road and attributed the stagnation to financial constraints.

Transport and logistics minister Frank Tayali has now disclosed that the contractor that was meant to work on the Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway “using colossal sums of money has come back into the country and has agreed to do the works at a-50 per cent lower rate than what was demanded before”.

Tayali during a meeting with transporters from various bodies in Ndola said working on strategic roads to open up the economy was on top of the UPND government’s agenda.

“The Ndola-Lusaka dual carriageway is one of the roads that we have on top of our agenda to be worked on for the transport sector to flourish. The same people that the previous administration contracted to do the road with colossal amounts of money are coming back again to do the road at a very lower cost. 50 per cent lower actually,” he said.

Tayali said there was no need to put up colossal sums of money to work on one road, when the same amount demanded would work on a number of roads.

He said, after the transporters had outlined challenges in the sector, the government had taken note and that it was committed to ensuring the sector flourished.

Tayali also responded to issues of transporters suffering a monopolised system of work stating that he had written to the Registrar of Societies to break the break cartels in the sector.

He urged transporters to unite and fight for their members’ plight.

“Bleeding within operations is lack of leadership. Let us reverse issues and ensure that we work in harmony so as to ensure that we open up the economy for development,” he said.

“Xenophobia is a bigger picture than meets the eye, because even their fellow citizens are facing the same issues. So this is a problem that needs careful examination to look at the way forward.”

And SADC truck drivers president Eugene Njovu said more than 10,000 transporters based in South Africa are expected to be repatriated back into the country as the transporters are being faced with xenophobic attacks.

“The drivers are being affected due to a demand by the drivers in South Africa stating that the business should not be given to foreigners. The transporters have also called on government to seriously look into the issue of mushrooming foreign transporters who are using the country as a spring board to do business as there are no stiff rules and regulations in doing business,” he said.

“The transporters have also cited mines as culprits who are in habit of engaging foreign transporters, leaving out locals who are only being contracted at a-10 per cent basis out of 100.”

Ndlovu said the sector stood to have more than 10,000 of its drivers sent back to Zambia from South Africa.

“In South Africa, most of our members are affected because not less than 10,000 will start moving back from South Africa because the transporters in that country do not want foreigners doing business there,” he said.

Ndlovu also reported harassment of transporters on the road by Zambia Police noting that in a space of two weeks, drivers have been harassed by traffic officers.

“Officers should be professional as harassment has potential to compromise the image of our country,” said Ndlovu.

Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia (PTAZ) secretary general Benson Tembo said there was need to critically look at the issues that the transporters were faced with such as being sidelined.

“The way you have done with the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) is what should be done with the mines on behalf of the transport sector. We want full participation because mines are culprits in engaging foreign nationals in the transport sector,” said Tembo.

THE RISING NUMBER OF ‘COUP DE TATS’ IN AFRICA; A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.

By Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba,

•Chairman, Africa Center for Innovative Governance (ACIG).
•Former Republican Vice President of Zambia, •President of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD).

January 31st 2022

Lusaka, ZAMBIA

Most african countries are committed to the experiment of a democratic system of government. The majority decide who the leader of the country shall be. With all its attendant problems of rigging, democracy has attempted to restore relative peace across the continent.

As leaders, our job is to keep perfecting this system of government in order to measure up with the aspirations of our people.

A few days ago, Burkina Faso fell prey to a military take over. The army undemocratically seized power from a civilian government citing several abuses by the government of President Roch Marc Christian Kabore. In 18 months, in similar scenes, military leaders have toppled the governments of Mali, Chad, Guinea and Sudan.

The response of both Ecowas and AU are for the most part uninspiring. It appears to us that although both bodies have stated their position of anti military coups, they seem to have no capacity to stop or reverse a coup. This emboldens those who would like to replicate this type of action in other nations.

The continental regional bodies like ECOWAS, SADC, East African Community and the African Union itself are too weak to police these undemocratic activities. It is important to appreciate that following early warning signs in troubled countries should be the priority of these bodies.

Our experience has been that most of these communities are only assembly points for Presidents to pat each other on the back instead of challenging each other on issues of good governance.

The example of Zimbabwe under the late Robert Mugabe is one clear example of how SADC failed to have an honest conversation with the late Zimbabwean President about what was brewing in his country. To the contrary, they praised him as a hero until his own army brought him down.

The AU must not only condemn military takeovers but must work on avoiding them and once a democratically elected government has been ousted, they must have enough clout to reverse the development in a few days and place such a country on a path back to democracy.

Unless Africa resolves to fight for working democracies on the continent, soon, other nations shall follow suit and africa could slide back into the old dark, retrogressive ages of military coups.

Until the African Union, and other regional bodies start to ensure that coup leaders don’t benefit personally, and also ends its bias and support of incumbent governments even when they become corrupt, dictatorial, and depart from the rule of law and democratic tenets, we may, as a continent, struggle to stop this rising tide of military take overs.The African Union, must, therefore, take a more pro active and effective approach as the current path has failed us.

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Lusaka- 31st January 2022

It is greatly disheartening to learn that Government has approved the project to open a large-scale open-pit copper mine in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park.

This is after a consortium of NGOs lost a seven-year court challenge in both the High Court and Appeals Court on a minor legal technicality.

My immediate appeal is that Government must cancel both the mining licence given to Kangaluwi Copper Mining and the approvals given to both the Australian and Bermuda registered companies; Zambezi Resources and Mwembeshi Resources.

Infact, a fundamental decision has to be made. The natural resources of Zambia must be safeguarded jealously and Zambians as a people, have to agree whether mining activities in protected areas and game reserves can take place at all.

This should never be a simple decision granted by politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats with suspected intentions.

The Lower Zambezi remains a serious growth point for Zambia’s tourism industry and it is a desecration of its status to allow mining activities in the protected game area.

This slefish decision if allowed, will open up other protected areas for similar mining activities.

Lower Zambezi is a pristine natural environment and wildlife Park, unfenced, unspoilt and its beauty lies in its wilderness state.

It has a diversity of wildlife animals and the opportunities to get close to game wandering in and out of the Zambezi channels are spectacular.

The Park lies opposite the famous Mana Pools Reserve in Zimbabwe, so the whole area on both sides of the Zambezi River is a massive wildlife sanctuary.

Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Hon. Collins Nzovu announced that government will allow mining in Lower Zambezi but will put up mitigation measures and strict parameters for environmental adherence.

BACKGROUND TO THE CASE OF MINING

IN 2003, the Australia-based company Zambezi Resources Ltd was granted an exploration licence of 240square kilometers in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

Zambezi Resources Company registered a subsidiary company, Mwembeshi Resources Ltd registered in Bermuda.

MINING AUTHORISED IN LOWER ZAMBEZI

In 2010, the Minister of Lands Natural Resources and Environmental Management granted authority for Mwembeshi Resources to open a large-scale open pit mining in Lower Zambezi National Park.

This was despite the strong opposition by both Zambia Environmental Management Agency(ZEMA) and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA).

Mwembeshi began preparations to open the large scale open pit mine called Kangaluwi Copper Mine.

COURT CHALLENGE TO KANGALUWE MINING IN THE WILDLIFE PARK

In 2014 a coalition of five local NGOs with David Ngwenyama (as 6th Appellant in a personal capacity) appealed to the High Court of Zambia against the Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Management’s decision to allow a large scale open pit mine in Lower Zambezi National Park despite the objection of the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA).

But both the High Court and Court of Appeals of Zambia dismissed the challenge to stop the proposed Large Scale Open-pit Mine in Lower Zambezi National Park for plaintiff failing to prosecute the matter.

The decision by the Court of Appeals sitting in Ndola, although on mere technicalities, effectively ended any challenges to Mwembeshi Resources’ proposal to open the large-scale open pit mining.

DEMANDS

Governmet must revoke both mining licence and environmental approvals given to Mwembeshi Resources to develop a large-scale, open-cast copper mine in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park.

The mine, expected to be located on the northern banks of the mighty Zambezi River, lies in one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas – remote, unspoilt, and spectacular.

Lower Zambezi Mining Go Ahead- A dangerous case of hypocritical leadership.

By Hon. Bowman Chilosha Lusambo

So as expected, President Hakainde Hichilema has given a go ahead to mine in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

We expected this to happen because Mr. Hichilema is an investor in Mwembeshi Resources Ltd, the company behind this project.

Even in 2014 when as opposition leader, Mr. Hichilema opposed the project, we knew that, in his typical style, he was lying.

When he tweeted in 2014 that “LowerZambezi stays untouched,” we knew it was part of his usual hogwash.

In October when a Coalition of NGOs personally appealed to him as President to stop the project through a hard-hitting social media campaign called #SaveZambezi, #SafeZambezi, we knew there were up against a rock because we know the man they were appealing to, he is only motivated by self interest, he is a an egoistic greedy man.

Today, he is President after Zambians bought his lies and as expected, he has gone back on his own words.

To please his white monopoly capitalist friends, he has allowed mining in one of the world’s most wildlife reserve areas. The Lower Zambezi is admired the world over as one of the most pristine, undisturbed, virgin and paradise like places on earth.

As Minister of Lusaka Province, I engaged the Royal Highnesses in Lower Zambezi as the area falls under Lusaka Province and they were forthright in their rejection of this project.

It is now baffling and defeats basic logic and understanding how a country that wants to promote sustainable development now wants to kill biodiversity and kill off such a great wonder of God’s creation.

When the Ministry of Green Economy was created, people felt that this was the beginning of serious efforts to protect our environment. Now as Minister Nzovu wants to ban charcoal burning on which over 80 percent of our rural people depend, he is on the other hand contradicting himself by approving a mining project right in the heart of a game park.

As President, Mr. Hichilema has a duty to protect the interests of the nation. His duty does not start and finish with protecting the interest of those white monopoly capitalists he went to see during a Book Launch in Joburg recently.

We now call on President Hichilema to redeem himself by declaring interest in this matter, directing his Minister for Green Economy to order ZEMA to reserve the Decision Letter on the project and protect our wildlife.

By Mwenya Mofya,

ARCHBISHOP Telesphore Mpundu says opposition political parties will make themselves a laughingstock if they continue talking about petty issues instead of offering proper checks and balances.

And Archbishop Mpundu says it is surprising that the opposition PF is complaining about being persecuted, arguing that there is nothing wrong about witch-hunting if there are witches hanging around.

In an interview, Archbishop Mpundu said government should be queried about significant issues and answers will be given.

“The opposition has the right to speak up because they provide checks and balances. Let them speak up because they have been assured you are not going to be locked up. But they should remember that this country is ours, including the opposition and the incumbent government.

So in their criticism, they should be concrete and not petty. They say the President has gone to New York and the other day he has gone to his farm in Choma, but what are you bringing up? This is just gossip. You can ask, can we come to an understanding and give us reasons as to why you have traveled,” he said.

“I mean New York is a big example and you cannot avoid it because this is where money comes from. They should be constructive but not petty. Issues of criticism should be clear and reasonable. If people are not reasonable, they just make themselves a laughing stock.

They should come out and say why he should not be there today. The trips are many and how do you know that they are important? You should query them and they are going to answer you. Those are checks and balances but not petty things.”

And Archbishop Mpundu said there was nothing wrong with witch-hunting if there were witches hanging around.

“They should not be cry babies for anything but they should come up with constructive criticism but not destructive. This is what will make our democracy much more meaningful. The other day, the President was seen dancing with the Bishop at State House and you think that is something to talk about? Be mature.

You were there before and now it is your turn to be critical but in a constructive way by bringing issues that are important. The other day, I heard someone saying that our people are being hunted down for looting and so forth. I mean, if they are not hunted down, how do you catch them? They say this is witch hunting, but there is nothing wrong with witch hunting if there are witches hanging around,” he said.

“They should be hunted down and prosecuted once they have been charged. If they are found guilty, they will pay for it and the courts will release them if they are not. So just talking just for the sake of talking is not mature democracy.

Come up with concrete and well reasoned points. This is what we are talking about the trip to New York, I mean this is the big apple. You know you cannot avoid that just like going to London. So this is the time to show that we have freedom of expression and liberties to speak out. But when we speak out, let us not make ourselves childish by coming up with petty things. It is cheap and people will start sidelining you because you are not serious.”

Archbishop Mpundu said government must be challenged to execute certain duties immediately.

“Right from the word go, opposition was frowned upon by the mighty UNIP government. This kind of thing remains when people speak and they say things that are true, they are intimidated. This is where we come from. There are times when you feel there are certain things that can be done immediately and this is what the opposition should come up with. You do not have to stay in government for 20 years in order to do that and people will say that is good. Freedom of speech goes with maturity,” said Archbishop Mpundu.

“If we are speaking for the sake of speaking, then we completely make ourselves a laughing stock to the world. Destructive criticism brings us all down and there are no two ways about it. People in opposition are not there just to bash and laugh but they are there to provide checks and balances in a mature and intelligent way.

It is generally believed that if you have nothing to say, do not go ahead and say it. This will push our country forward instead of dragging people in administration. It is childish and not democratic.”

By Kombe Mataka

UPND is damaging our integrity through its purported fight against corruption, says Bowman Lusambo.

And Lusambo says MMD leader Nevers Mumba’s insistence that the ministers who served under the PF regime must account for their deeds while in office is a scheme for him to get a job from UPND.

“We do not award contracts. My job was ceremonial. You go to open [commission] toilets. You go to inspect fields and rescuing people from floods in Kanyama and Kuku compound,” the former Lusaka Province minister in Edgar Lungu’s government said.

Lusambo said the fight against corrupt was tarnishing the names of former ministers like him when his role in government was merely ceremonial.

“Mr (Michael) Sata was not brutal, he allowed us [MMD] to offer checks and balances. Mr Sata would speak in the morning and I would respond in the afternoon. The only thing which was there was the clash with Mr Sata’s cadres in City Market where a gun was pointed to my head,” he said. “The brutality we are seeing is taking Bowman Lusambo and other former ministers to the ACC (Anti-Corruption Commission) on allegations that I own 49 houses. This is brutal because they are playing with our integrity. They are tarnishing our names. We are arrested today and being made to stay in suspense as we wait to be taken to court.”

Lusambo said people should be investigated and prosecuted while in office.

“What authority can Bowman use in Lusaka as provincial minister? What programmes were in Lusaka Province, which Bowman had authority over? From cleaning garbage, are you telling me there are any advantages? We do not award contracts,” he said. “My job was ceremonial. You go to open [commission] toilets. You go to inspect fields and rescuing people from floods in Kanyama and Kuku compound.”

And Lusambo said UPND ministers should also realise that their time to account would come.

“I have sat with my colleagues in the UPND. I have told them ‘now you have entered government, next day, they will call you criminals as we are being called now’,” he said.

Lusambo said the fight against corruption would make President Hichilema unpopular.

“We have gone through this. Do you know why Mr Sata stopped the fight against corruption? His popularity was going down. Even him [President Hichilema] his popularity has dropped. He came at 90 per cent. President Hakainde is now operating at 50 per cent today,” Lusambo claimed.

And Lusambo charged that Mumba wants a job from President Hichilema.

He was reacting to Mumba’s comments when he joined the UPND campaign team ahead of the forthcoming Kabwata parliamentary by-election that PF should not complain that UPND was fighting to destroy it.

Mumba also said the PF’s sentence was life imprisonment.

But Lusambo said Mumba should stop using the UPND to advance his personal ambitions.

“Ba Nevers Mumba ni ba chancer fye. Balekeni balelanda, balefwaya incito. Kaili ba Nevers Mumba ba sungu, balibelela ukwikala ku America (Mumba is just a chancer. Let him continue talking, he wants a job. And Nevers Mumba is used to living in luxury),” he said in an interview. “I know him. When you see Dr Mumba speaking like that, just know nabapya abakamba, bali nensala (the old man is broke, he is hungry). They want to find a place where they can get some food.”

Lusambo wondered why Mumba was asking the UPND to continue persecuting former ministers when he was a victim of similar circumstances under the PF government.

UPND WILL FOLLOW PF OUT OF THE DOOR IF THEY CONTINUE MAKING GOOFS, WARNS SICHINGA

Former commerce minister Bob Sichinga says PF is history in as far as Zambians are concerned, warning that the UPND would follow them out of the door if they continue making the same goofs they are making.

Speaking with Daily Revelation, Sichinga said Zambians have mastered their power over the years, and will not tolerate any government that cheats on them.

“The problem that you would have is people don’t want to go back to PF…so you will see that there is a remnant of that good will still for the UPND right now. So if UPND does its homework they will win that seat (Kabwata),” Sichinga said.

He said those in the UPND should not keep on talking and talking without implementing what they were talking about, as that would take them nowhere.

“The issues we are talking about now is people are raising questions regarding corruption. It’s a fact. Why are we buying fertilizer at 1400 dollars per metric tone? And I am giving you this myself, when I was minister we bought fertilizer from Saudi Arabia, top dressing at 393 dollars per metric tone. Why are you paying 1400? The market price for fertilizer right now you can go on Internet is around 400 dollars, why are you paying 1400 and that happened under the UPND government?” Sichinga asked. “How about fuel, what did you say to the people? ‘We have already worked out, we know the middle men, we are aware what they are doing, they are stealing. When we come into office the price will be between K12 and K13 per liter.’ What has happened? It was at K17 so instead of it coming down, what happened? It went up.

“Why did it go up? Have you checked the middle men? Have you established where it was coming from, where the problems are? The answer is no! You haven’t told us that. If you have share with us what you found out.”

He said there was ongoing corruption in the UPND government.

“We are talking about corruption. You can’t go and appoint your sister. You can’t go and appoint your wife…how about all of us that were ministers? Our wives were not qualified? You can’t do that…if you are saying you are fighting corruption, fight corruption conclusively. There should be no sacred cows,” Sichinga said. “That’s what you said. Tell us the truth. The trip by the President to South Africa was definitely not a state visit, everybody knows that. Why are you telling us lies? Why not just state that the President had gone to attend this particular launch of this book. It’s important because there are lessons to be learnt from there. So to encourage the contents of that we were to grace that occasion. You can make trips anywhere except it should not incure government cost.”

Sichinga said President Hakainde Hichilema’s government could not afford to make silly mistakes, and failing to honour the very things they said they would be honoring once elected.

“It’s not correct because the people will simply lose confidence in them. And with time some political party will emerge and people will say let’s try this one. So there needs to be proprietary, there needs to be sensitivity to the fact that. And to say that the president is not worried about re-election in 2026 then what was the whole purpose of him offering himself, if that is the case?” Sichinga asked. “They were not chosen because they were the best party, but the people were protesting against PF. So the success of the UPND must be seen in that context.”

He said as far as Zambians were concerned, UNIP, MMD and PF were gone and should forget about coming back into office, saying Zambians have a mentality of not entertaining parties which have already served their time and were voted out.

“So what you have right now is the goodwill because people were protesting against PF. Therefore it depends, if UPND continues to make the goofs that they are doing now they will be kicked out as well. Remember they lost Kaumbwe in Eastern Province after Chagwa Lungu had already lost. They had not explained themselves well in terms of the policies,” said Sichinga. http://dailyrevelationzambia.com/upnd-will-follow-pf-out-of-the-door-if-they-continue-making-goofs-warns-sichinga