“A cartel of strategically positioned senior civil servants and power-broking ‘tenderpreneurs’ colluded to peddle falsified reports against me “- Chilufya

Former Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya has revealed that the infamous Honeybee Pharmacy expired drugs and defective condoms debacle was a scandal cooked up and peddled by a clique of throne seeking former ruling party politicians.

In an interview yesterday with Ichalo Today news, the Patriotic Front member of the Central Committee revealed that there was “a battle of thrones” that raged in the former ruling party, and a particular clique went into a sustained and systematic campaign of mudslinging and falsified reports. designed to eliminate perceived threats to the “throne”.

Dr Chilufya exposed the existence of a clique of politicians that worked in collusion with a cartel of strategically positioned senior civil servants and power-broking “tenderpreneurs” who engaged in lawfaring by misusing the government and judicial systems to eliminate individuals they considered political threats.

He says this ploy included a conspiracy to peddle falsified reports about the Ministry of Health (MOH)under his tenure importing and distributing expired medicines and defective condoms.

The senior member of the PF Health Committee outlined a litany of achievements and significant milestones that had been achieved under his tenure as Minister of health. Dr Chilufya cited the giant strides Zambia had attained in achieving Universal Health Coverage.

He said this included the construction of more than 500 Health Centres across the country as well as and 6 new specialist hospitals, in addition to the construction of regional medical hubs that have significantly reduced the last mile and brought medical supplies closer to far flung rural communities.

“In addition, to all this, we built the first ever medical university in the country (Levy Mwanawasa Medical University) and we recruited more than 30,000 health workers. The culmination of all these efforts saw a very significant improvement in Zambia’s key health Indicators which among other things included a significant reduction in Maternal and Neo-natal Mortality”.

Dr. Chilufya noted that contrary to public perception, MOH never procured expired drugs or defective condoms from Honeybee Pharmacy.

“Honeybee pharmacy are not owed USD 17million as infamously alleged, as they only supplied a third of the consignment. It should further be understood in the context that at the time this supply was delivered, the country was facing a drug stock out. It is also worth noting that to date, Honeybee has not been paid a single Ngwee.”

The Mansa Central lawmaker further highlighted stringent systems that are in place that prevent the importation and supply of substandard drugs and pharmaceuticals.

“Let me set the record straight. Pharmaceutical vigilance in Zambia’s Health Sector is highly alert and suitably configured to deter the procurement of medical supplies”. He added that it was an insult to the medical profession to insinuate that we would procure expired drugs and defective condoms. The medical doctor further emphasised that would go against medical ethics and the Hippocratic Oath he swore “to cause no harm”.

He urged politicians across the political divide to “depoliticise Health Matters” and called upon President Hakainde Hichilema’s new Dawn Government to institute an objective investigation into the controversy surrounding Honey bee pharmacy’s alleged supply of defective condoms and expired drugs.

By Oliver Chisenga

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema should concentrate on uniting the country, says Kennedy Kamba.

Commenting on last week’s arrest of senior Patriotic Front leaders by law enforcement agencies, Kamba, who was chairman of the dissolved Lusaka Province PF committee, said the UPND government has started doing exactly what it complained about under the former ruling party.

He said the UPND should instead focus on delivering on its campaign promises.

“Our colleagues should concentrate on the various issues already affecting the Zambian people. Today we are talking about the issues regarding Indeni [oil refinery]. Why are they selling Indeni back to the whites? Why are they selling the mines? Why are they selling back the mines to Anglo-American? The Zambian people started managing it well, the mine suppliers were being paid, people were not losing employment at KCM,” Kamba charged. “So why should we give them back Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines? What now are they telling the Zambian people? What’s the justification?”

He said the arrest of senior PF officials was meant to instill fear in the former ruling party.

Last Tuesday, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) jointly charged and arrested former foreign affairs minister Joseph Malanji and former secretary to the treasury Fredson Yamba for failure to comply with the law whilst they served in public office. Malanji was also charged with possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime. He was released on bail on Friday.

Also last week, police arrested former home affairs minister Stephen Kampyongo for allegedly “endangering the safety of civil aircraft in flight or service with its passengers on board”.

Kampyongo, who is also Shiwang’andu PF member of parliament, was formally charged with six others for the offence which is alleged to have been committed at Kalalantekwe School ground in Shiwang’andu district in January 2015. Kampyongo was granted K50,000 bail after being in police custody since Wednesday.

Kamba however claimed that the charges were trumped-up and politically motivated.

“Those cases are not going anywhere. They [government] are just politicking and instilling fear in the Zambian people especially those who are perceived to be pro-PF, the senior members of the party,” Kamba said. “Those charges are not going anywhere. What is there is to instill fear and if they concentrate on that, how are they going to govern? How are they going to deliver on what they promised the Zambian people?”

Kamba further urged the UPND government to invest enough money in Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia so that farmers can have cheaper fertiliser.

“… those are the issues which are very important. I can foresee that by next June there will be a shortage of mealie-meal. There will be shortage of electricity as most Zambians will be buying it at a very high price owing to the high tariffs, and there will be a shortage of fuel. People are not going to manage to buy a litre of fuel due to the high price, especially if they [government] remove the subsidies. Those are the critical issues to deal with not this persecution,” he said.

Reminded that the PF in government routinely persecuted and jailed UPND members and other political opponents, Kamba said, “two wrongs can never make a right.”

“Let President Hakainde Hichilema unite the country. We don’t want to be led as if there are two types of citizens in this country, those for PF and those for UPND. That’s not the country we want to see,” Kamba said. “We want to see a united country now regardless of which political party they belong to. Let each and everyone be treated equally. These are politics, let them sober up and unite the country.”

Two weeks ago, acting PF secretary general Nickson Chilangwa dissolved the party’s Lusaka Province executive, citing alleged “indiscipline”. Kamba subsequently claimed that the Patriotic Front was engulfed in hatred and division.

“… there is a lot of bitterness and no forgiveness in the party,” said Kamba. “If president Michael Sata had this kind of bitterness, we would have not formed government in 2011.”-The Mast

A DAY TO REMEMBER: RICHARD SAKALA, SYMON MWANAZA & MYSELF MUST REMEMBER 14 DEC

By MacDonald Chipenzi

It was the morning of Wednesday 13 DEC, 2013 While hosting Former President Rupiah Banda at Longview Lodge who at the time had just lost power and being pursues by the New PF administration under Michael Sata.

The meeting had just started when 2 plain dressed police officers requested me to accompany them to the Zambia Police Service Headquarters for a short interview.

I hesitated since I was hosting an important guest, Former President Mr Banda, to launch our project, who agreed to be guest to my invitation in my capacity FODEP Executive Director, then.

The officers were driving a Mark II white in colour with guns inside and politely pleaded with me to follow them as the interview would not take longer than necessary and would find my Guest.

But before the officers came, a female officer I had chat with the previous day at Parliament where we had gone for a protest/demonstration and petition parliament to force government to release the draft constitution and call for a referendum.

At that time I was serving as the Spokesperson of the Grand Coalition on a people driven Constitution and this female officer had been calling me finding out where I was because she bounced at the office and a letter for me which I later discovered was a police call out.

She was Tonga and addressed me in Tonga and consistently called me “my brother” and seriously wanted us (her and me) to meet that morning.

I inquired what was the issue but insisted for physical meeting which I told her, it was not possible that Morning of Dec 13, 2013 because I was launching a project which launch was to be graced by the former President Rupiah Banda.

Then, she requested me to tell her where that meeting was taking place and the name, directions and location of the lodge so that she could drop by, which I did.

After that she went quiet and never answered my call again and that was the end of our communication to date.

The police officers convinced me to go with them and I obliged.

I requested them whether someone could escort me which reply was that they had no problem and i asked my my National Secretary, Mr Jacob Goma, then to accompany me.

Entering through the eastern gate into the Police Headquarters, we were ushered into the boardroom where we found about six police officers waiting for me.

After 30mins of waiting to be interrogated, my National Secretary was excused and i remained alone.

One office got a copy of the Daily Nation which was headlined secret recruitment of police officers…may validate accusations by opposition of infusion of militia training-Chipenzi (not exact headline).

This was the end of the day and seeing of the sun for 5 days as the interview took the whole day while being told the officers could not release me as they had instruction from above not to.

Among the questions asked by the officers were whether am aware where Richard Sakala was staying and or where Daily Nation was located and operated from, which I responded in the negative.

One officer complained that Daily Nation did not have its operating address written in the paper which anomally i blamed on them not Mr Sakala.

Later they asked whether I knew the story contained as headline in the Daily Nation, which I responded that the best for them was to get hold of my statement since the story was clear that it was a statement not an interview…!

This forced the interview to temporary adjourned to go to FODEP to get the statement and which we came back to the Force Headquarters.

I was kept without food or water until around 16:00hrs from 10:00 hrs when I was transported to Central Police which became my home for 6 days while waiting for Mr. SAKALA AND MR MWANZA to join me in the cell.

Before being transported to Lusaka Central Police, one officer remarked “this man thinks he is going home. Kindly give me your phones”.

I gladly handed them over and he put them in a locker.

On arrival at Central Police and before being ushered into the interrogation room at Central Police, I was taken to an officer in charge of Criminal Investigations then Mr Frank Mummbuna who told me that the charge attracted 3 years in Prison if convicted and must be ready for that.

Further telling me that this was not that he scaring me or hated me but the law was dictating and that after all was said and done and we met on the streets, we must greet each other.

I assured him that I was firm, unscared and strong and ready to face the consequences of my advocacy work and also the statement which called for accountability and transparency in the recruitment of police officers esp taking into account the provision of the law then that that required for recruits to come from each district of this country.

The background to the statement was that the Zambia Police Force then, advertised to recruit new police officer recruits but that applications for the interested must be lodged through the provincial headquarters not districts which caused discomfort to us, as FODEP.

During the same time, there were strong speculations that PF was training its youth in Sudan and other rogue states around the world who were believed to have been fused in this recruitment hence the secrecy around it.

I was picked on 13 Dec and my two cell mates joined me on 14 Dec.

When I was finally sent to the cell, the police officer in charge of the cell that day told the inmates that Please look after this man well. He is speaking for us and make him sleep in one of the VIP rooms. He called the captain and handed me over to him.

The VIP room (1m by 1m) had 12 people sleeping while crisscrossing each other the legs facing different directions.

I had a good time with my fellow inmates and the duo (Mr Mwanza and Mr Sakala) joined the cell the following day (Dec 4) jointly charged with me, denied bond and only taken to court on a Monday, 18 Dec.

With the inmates, it was a conversation around the need for a new constitution and referendum with some pledging to join the advocacy once out.

Today, marks 8 years since i was arrested and 7 years since i acquitted with colleagues and our anniversary yesterday being arrested and today of being acquitted come on day when the New Dawn government has prioritised respect for citizens rights and freedoms.

Further, the two days come when the new President has emphasised bond and bail to be given to suspect where applicable and arrest of suspects after investigations have been done being emphasised by the New Dawn government.

The offence, arrest, detention and trial indeed, was PF orchestrated.

To comrades Mr Richard Sakala, Symon Mwanza your acquit by High Court Judge Late Isaac Chali from the offence of publishing false news with intent to cause public fear and alarm and the nullity of section 67 of the Penal Code was not in vain and we must celebrate this day with joy.

The nights we spent in one small cell 5 nights at Lusaka Central Police and one day at court after the police denied us
bond must not be regretted but celebrated as it was for press freedom and restoration of citizens’ freedom of expression, opinion and view and the dissemination of the same.

We were granted Court bail after those nights in police cells after a spirited fight by our lawyers Mr. Eric Simwamba and Lubinda Linyama, Keith Mweemba, Marsha Mucehnde among others before Magistrate Lameck Mwale.

A ZMK10, 000 was to be deposited as part of the surety and NGOCC contributed ZMK5, 000 thanks to Engwase Mwale for the solidarity and support while the other came from FODEP.

Thanks to Hon Howard Kunda and Mwazi Sakala for being surety to me.

After the bail which conditions were that one of the sureties must be a government worker at director-level hence Mwazi Sakala coming then from Zambia Daily, we pleaded with Magistrate Mwale that the case be referred to the High Court which has jurisdiction to determine constitutional issues to be raised.

Magistrate Mwale was magnanimous enough and granted us our wish and the case was taken to the High Court.

The case took 12 months at trial stage while the two stuck on as sureties for me and never waivered.

The legal costs came from Osisa through Panos Institute which hosted the funds for the constitution campaigns.

Comrades outside the cells organised lawyers, people to visit us and one notable visitors and those who hovered around during interrogations were Bishop John H Mambo, Muzi Kamanga, Lucky Mulusa with the blessings from HE Rupiah Banda, Guess Nyirenda, Andrew Ntewewe, Isaac Mwanza among many.

My FODEP team comprised; president Shepherd Chilombe, Clement Zulu and Jacob Goma.

Others were UNZASU leadership and also staged a protest against my arrest.

The opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema then and now Republican President visited me at the FODEP offices after my release on bail since he was out at the time of my arrest.

Discouragingly, my family members who came to see me in the evening of the Dec 14, 2013 told me that this was why they had been tell me to stop this advocacy because it would land me in trouble one and that their warning had come to pass by what had befallen me seeing me in police cells.

I just smiled at them and wished them well and a good night.

Freedom of expression, opinion and view was restored back into the country after this judgement which nullified section 67 of the Penal Code.

Some who benefited from this persecution or prosecution which led to our acquittal were those charged with the same offence

The nullity of section 57 led to the opposition UPND leader then and current republican President HH force the state to enter a nolle over his alleged statement made that PF was training militia in Sudan.

It is worth noting that advocacy in human rights and freedoms, democracy and good governance is a risk business and one has to be aware and accept the risks to be of use in this business.

My experience in the last 18 years has been that the journey has been long, tedious, sometimes lonely and thankless coated with denials and discouragement from family and friends, discrimination based on perceived political affiliation, accusations of being agents of imperialist and being paid even when you have nothing at home or can’t send your children to school due to limited money, marginalisaton, harassment and suspicions from political establishments and friends, loss of freedom of association as friends and colleagues fear to associate with you for fear of being labelled as political and consequently lose their job and business opportunities with the government and politicians in the ruling party.

Some media houses also discriminate, marginalise you as being an opposition agent and no govt entity would want to give you any business contract or consultancy work

Key in all these tribulations of a human rights defender to soldier on is endurance, focus and passion on the mandate of your calling.

I submit

McDonald Chipenzi

PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA APPOINTS PROF SAASA TO HEAD A NEW ADVISORY COUNCIL

Oliver Saasa is Professor of International Economic Relations and Managing Consultant/CEO of Premier Consult Limited, a social, business and economic consulting Firm based in Lusaka.

Before he joined the Consulting World in 2000 by setting up his own firm, Prof. Saasa served for 12 years as the Director of the Institute of Economic and Social Research at the University of Zambia. Before that, he was Head of the Department of Development Studies at the same University.

During his 21-year academic career with the University of Zambia, he served for the most part in the University Senate and as member of some of the University Council committees. He was promoted to the rank of Professor in 1994.
A Rhodes Scholar, Prof. Saasa obtained his doctorate in 1983 from Southampton University in the UK. His doctoral thesis is on the regulation of transnational corporation in developing countries: A Comparative Analysis of national policy-making towards international investment in Zambia and Tanzania.

Prof. Saasa has published widely in the field of trade, international economic relations and economic development, concentrating in earlier years on regional integration and trade promotion in Southern Africa. In the past 15 years, he has released several publications on the relations between developed and developing countries, focusing primarily on aid flows and donor-recipient structures for aid management. His most recent publications include the book published in Sweden, Aid and Poverty Reduction in Zambia: Mission Unaccomplished, a highly acclaimed publication in the field of aid relationships and effectiveness.

Prof. Saasa has served as a consultant for many regional and international organisations that include the World Bank, OECD, UNDP, UNICEF, USAID, EU, UNCTAD, Sida, IFAD, NORAD, GIZ, JICA, DfID, Danida, COMESA, and SADC, mainly evaluating their programme and project support to Southern Africa and Zambia. Prof. Saasa serves on many boards at both national and international levels. These include the National Governing Council of the APRM (Zambia); Zambia Railways Limited Board of Director where he is Vice-Chair; Public Service Pensions Fund (Zambia); Stanbic Bank; and Governing Council of the International Africa Institute (UK), and African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS).

Lastly, Prof. Saasa was hired by the Zambian Government to prepare Zambia’s Aid Policy and Strategy and did put together on behalf of the Ministry of Finance the country’s Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP)

*OVERALL EXPERIENCE*

1 University Level (up to 200)

2.Director of the Institute of Economic and Social Research (INESOR), University of Zambia,September 1988 to August 2000.

3.Head of the Department of Development Studies (University of Zambia), 1985-88.

4.Member of the University of Zambia Council’s Plannig and Resources Committee

5.Member of the University of Zambia Senate (1985 to 2003)

6.Member, Graduate Studies Committee

7.Member, Research Ethics Committee, School of Medicine, University of Zambia

8.Chairman of the INESOR: (a) Board of Research Programmes; (b) Finance Committee; (c)Appointments Committee; (d) Management Committee

9.Chairman, Senate Universty RestorationRehabilitation Committee

10.Member of the Senate Publications Committee

*CORPORATE BOARDS MEMBERSHIP/RESPONSIBILITIES*

1.Non-Executive Director, Stanbic Bank Plc Board of Directors (this is Standard Bank of SouthAfrica trading in Zambia as Stanbic Bank Plc), 2006.

2.Chairman, Board of Directors, Eastern and Southern African Trade & Development Bank(PTA Bank), December 2013.

3.Special Advisor to the President (COMESA/SADC/EAC Tripartite Regional InfrastructureInvestment)), The Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (PTA Bank,Kenya), May–October 2013.

4.Chairman, Board of Directors, Stanbic Nominees Limited (a subsidiary company ofStanbic Standard Bank Ltd)

5.Chairman, Loans Review Committee of Stanbic Bank Zambia Limited (2007-2011)

6.Chairman, Risk Committee, Stanbic Bank, Zambia, 2011

7.Director, Public Service Pensions Fund Board of Directors, 2005 (Appointed by thePresident of Zambia).

8.Chairman, Technical Committee of the Board of Directors of Public Service Pensions Fund Board.

*NON-CORPORATE BOARDS MEMBERSHIPS*

1.Chairman, National Food and Nutrition Commission (Zambia), 2002-2004.

2.Chairman, Media Trust Fund (Financed by Norway), 2007-2010.

3.Chairman, National Museums Board (Zambia), 2000- 2004.

4.Chairman, World Bank Study Fund Committee (Zambi), 1997 – 2000.

5.Member, National Arts Council, 2009.

6.Commissioner, Zambia Law Development Commission (1997- 2002)

7.Member of the Editorial Advisory Board, Development Southern Africa

8.Journal, DevelopmentBank of Southern Africa (DBSA) Journal, South Africa (200)

9.Member of the Board, Governing Council of the International Africa Institute, London (1996-1998)

10.Member of the Editorial Board,Contemporary African Studies Journal, Rhodes University,South Africa (1998)

11.Editorial Board Member,Africa Insights Journal, Africa Institute of South Africa, Pretoria.

12.Member of the Advisory Board of the Journal of Southern African Studies (JSAS), UnitedKingdom (2000-2004)

13.Member of the International Advisory Board, Insight on Africa Journal, (India), 2010.

*PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITIES*

1.Chancellor, Mulungushi University (Zambia’s third public university), Kabwe, Zambia

2.Chancellor, Copperstone University, Kitwe, Zambia, 2007-2010.

3.Member, National Governing Council (as part of the African Peer Review Mechanism– APRM), appointed by the Minister of Justice, Government of Zambia, Lusaka, 2008.

4.Member, Project Management Committee, COMESA/IDRC Programme on regionalintegration studies (1994 – 2004).

5.Government-appointed Focal Point (in Zambia) of the World Bank-Government of ZambiaCapacity Building Initiative (1998 – 2004)

6.National Secretary / Administrator, Rhodes Trust – Zambia 1992.

7.Member of the Steering Committee, Poverty component, Zambia Social Investment Fund(ZAMSIF), 2001 – 2005

By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone

THE PF left a lot of rubbish which needs to be cleaned up by President Hakainde Hichilema, says Winnerson Ng’uni.

The immediate past Southern Province UPND secretary said former president Edgar Lungu carried the confusion from the PF convention soon after the death of Michael Sata into his governance style until August 12, 2021.

“I say so in that if you look at the PF convention that was held to choose the successor to Michael Sata, the PF members instead of secret ballot had to raise their hands. Others raised their elbows and legs and that was a total confusion and Edgar Lungu was elected as PF president,” he said. “After that, Lungu turned this country into a total mess. It was a total mess. He and the PF left a lot of rubbish which needs to be cleaned up by President Hakainde Hichilema.”

Ng’uni said Lungu divided the nation by appointing people to serve in his administration from mainly two regions.

“If you look at his cabinet it was tribal. So I plead with Zambians to be patient with President Hichilema as he selects people to work on his behalf to serve us. As HH says, it is us who are appointing them to serve us,” he said. “We had a time in the PF where ministers were being changed nearly every month and permanent secretaries moved from one ministry to another. Do we want that now? And also if you look at Nelson Mandela, after 27 years in prison, to be president it was not easy and selecting people to serve South Africans was not easy.”

Ng’uni argued that President Hichilema’s appointments were thorough.

“Look at the appointments made by Lungu in 2016 and look at HH’s appointments and tell me what you see. He has taken into consideration all the regions. So I don’t see the basis of complaints. He is being thorough,” said Ng’uni. “I think, those appointed, they will perform to the expectations of the people. HH has said whatever is to be done needs to be done to the expectations of the Zambian people and not to work for their pockets.”

UPND ACCUSES IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS OF WORKING AGAINST BALLY’S VISION OVER SUNZU’S MATTER

14TH December 2021

BY; IP

The United Party for National Development-UPND has accused some government officials at the Immigration department of working towards furnishing the name of the new dawn government so that is can look as though it doesn’t care about sports by what he calls victimization on the family of Zambia’s football Icon Stopila Sunzu’s.

UPND deputy Youth and Sports Chairperson Kenny Ng’ona says the immigration officers should stop the act immediately because President Hakainde Hichilema means well for the people of Zambia including the Sunzu family.

Mr. Ng’ona has demanded immigration officers to apologize to Stopila’s father for putting his name in disrepute.

He has explained that Sunzu’s father Felix Sunzu came from Zaire just like many other immigrants that moved from Zaire to Zambia as soccer stars and some worked in different fields in the mining towns.

He adds Sunzu played for TP Mazembe as a goal keeper in the 70s and later moved to Konkola blades in the 80s stating that all his children were born in the mining town of Chililabombwe.

Mr. Ng’ona further says Felix Sunzu’s first-born son started playing for Konkola Blades while the young brother Stopila was given a Scholarship by Christopher Kalila at Afrisports in Kitwe.

He says let all those that are troubling the Sunzu family stop doing because Sunzu’s father has stayed in Zambia for more than 40 years now.

Immigration officers should stop the nonsense they are doing – Kenny Ng’ona

Press Statement

Felix Sunzu came from Zaire just like many other immigrants that moved from Zaire to Zambia as soccer stars and some worked in different fields in the mining towns.

Felix Sunzu played for TP Mazembe as a goal keeper in the 70s. He later moved to Konkola blades in the 80s. All his children were born in the mining town of Chililabombwe.

His first born son started playing for Konkola Blades while the young brother Stopila was given a Scholarship by Christopher Kalila at Afrisports in Kitwe.

Let all those that are troubling the Sunzu family stop the nonsense, the father to Sunzu has stayed in Zambia for more than 40 years now.

We know that some immigration officials want the new dawn government to look as though it doesn’t care more about sports. Those immigration officers should stop the nonsense they are doing immediately.

The President of the Republic of Zambia H.E Hakainde Hichilema means well for the people of Zambia including the Sunzu family. The immigration Officers should quickly apologize to Stopila’s father for putting his name in disrepute.

Kenny Ng’ona
UPND NMC Member.
D/National Youth & Sports
Chairman 

PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!!!!

Date: 14th December, 2021

Stop Harassing the Sunzu Family.

The DP is concerned to learn that a team of immigration officials visited the Sunzu family to investigate and ascertain the nationality of Zambia’s soccer icon Stoppila Sunzu.

While we appreciate that the immigration department has a duty to secure our boarders against illegal immigrants as well as prohibited immigrants, we find it strange that the immigration department has suddenly come to a realization that Sunzu is not Zambian. For avoidance of doubt it is the same Stoppila Sunzu who scored the winning goal that made Zambia carry the 2012 AFCON trophy.

Stoppila’s father who was being interrogated is also a football legend who played football in Zambia during the Kaunda and Chiluba days.

The only thing that has changed is that this Son of the soil decided to make an investment in a property that was good enough for a former head of state to rent. Stoppila Sunzu had the option of building a property anywhere in the world but he chose to build in Zambia and it is our view that any leader that means well for this country must encourage Zambians to invest in Zambia and they should be protected for making such investments rather than being persecuted or demonized simply because their tenant is a former head of state.
If the New Dawn government in their wisdom managed to deport Stoppila Sunzu and his family, what will happen to the 2012 AFCON win?

Those who understand the rules of the game will tell you that fielding an illegal player is grounds for disqualification.
It is our considered view as the DP that the New Dawn government should focus on addressing real problems that the people are faced with.

They should be looking at how they will address the issue of free education for university students who have been left out of the bursary and can no longer afford to go into university because their parents or guardians are too poor to afford the fees.

They should be looking at how they are going to address the issue of the cost of living for an average Zambian who can barely afford two meals a day. They focus on addressing the challenge of how citizens are going to afford the looming increase in the cost of electricity and fuel. People expect the government to be focused on real issues not spending tax payers money on witch hunting and settling personal political scores.
Finally, we would like to advise government to be restrained in their actions and ensure that they take time to introspect before they expose the country to unnecessary ridicule and shame through emotional decisions. Zambia are the 2012 AFCON Champions and the winning goal was scored by Stoppila Sunzu a Zambian, get used to it.

God Bless Zambia and Let’s Believe Again!!!

Harry Kalaba
DEMOCRATIC PARTY PRESIDENT

By Kalapashi

Electoral malpractices aside, if there was one person who single handedly salvaged the 2015 & 2016 elections for the PF it was the tall, handsome, well dressed, aging gracefully, humble to a fault man in the person of Edgar Chagwa Lungu. With his silent chalm and unassuming, almost apologetic mannerisms, ever walking softly with hands clasped together in front of him, Lungu left his supporters awestruck and constantly chanting Lungu ee Lungu ee, Lungu eo tule fwaya (it’s Lungu, it’s Lungu, it’s we want)!!

So where did his humble man from Chawama disappear to over the years following his ascendancy to power? As the 2021 elections drew closer, it was like the two leading contenders, Lungu and Hichilema, had swapped personalities. The aggressive and combative Hichilema became mellow and entreating while the soft and unassuming Lungu became loud, aggressive and threatening.

Was Lungu really humble or it was just a posture?
As soon as he was declared winner of the 2015 election, Lungu set his sights on the hitherto influential Post Newspaper. He said of the controversial proprietor of that paper, Fred M’membe, ‘ale fwaya ukwa fwila’ (he is looking for an excuse to die) and ‘I will fall on him like a tonne of bricks’. And for sure, within a few months of Lungu winning the 2016 election, the Post Newspapers was closed and its assets sold in a quick auction with govt disobeying a Tax Tribunal (high court equivalent) order in the process. EL’s operation third term was in motion.

After being outshined by Hichilema and GBM at the 2017 Kuomboka ceremony, Lungu sent innuendos in the direction of Hichilema, ‘umwaiche bala mu bala nokumuma’ (a child is provoked and beaten for reacting to the provocation). In no time Hichilema’s homestead was raided by a combined team of police and PF cadres who tear gased the property the whole night, broke items in the house, beat up the Hichilema workers and eventually dragged Hichilema to the police station in the morning like a vanquished drug lord.

Over his presidency, the supposedly humble Mr Lungu would go on to say other things that left the nation shocked. Statements like ‘ubomba mwibala, alya mwibala’ (one who works in a field, eats from the same field – construed to encourage theft and corruption) and ‘mfwiti mfwiti’ (witch witch (hunt) – as he threw his own FIC under the bus and refused to defend it from PF surrogates attacking it for listing their dubious transactions in its reports), ‘ulya nga nikumbi nga alifwa’ (in another country that guy would be died in reference to Hichilema) and with only a few hours before the 12 August 2021 poll ‘I will holdover power to myself’.

Majority Zambians grew more and more uneasy as they noticed their president’s seemingly ever growing and insatiable appetite for opulence. His taste for the finest clothes aside, Lungu started agitating for a new grand statehouse to be built for him saying the existing one was old, dilapidated and in fact ‘a death trap’. When that vanity drive was defeated by public outcry, Lungu assuaged its lose by purchasing a Gulf stream G650. That story was embarrassingly broke by a Swiss newspaper which wondered how the President of a poor nation, surviving on donor funding, where people lived on less than a dollar, could buy one of the most expensive private jets in the world.

But as the curtain finally drew to a close over his presidency, Zambians again had a glimpse of the ECL that had once enchanted most of them those many years ago. Lungu appeared on national TV, humble and mellow, to read his concession speech. ‘All I wanted was to do the best for my country. I congratulate my brother His Excellency the President-elect Mr Hakainde Hichilema and wish him and the people of Zambia all the best’. Even though those around him were prepping him for a disputed election, the humble Mr Lungu took his final bow without as much as raising a finger.
Where had this guy disappeared to over his presidency?, one is left to wonder.

Employees for Sinoma Cement owned by the Chinese are currently at Community House protesting against poor working conditions and want President Hakainde Hichilema to intervene in their plight.

The employees allege that management does not allow them to form a union but opt to hire a labour broker by the name of KSM Consultant.

THE UNRULY BEHAVIOR OF KSM EMPLOYER AT SINOMA CEMENT PLANT

We have complained to many authorities about the the mismanagement and the conditions at Sinoma Cement Plant but our complaints are not yielding any results. We have decided to go public so that maybe the President (HIS EXCELENCE. HAKAHINDE HICHILEMA) can hear us and take action.The Labour Commissioner has been to Sinoma Several times but to no avail.

KSM is the employer who was awarded the contract of Human Resources at Sinoma Cement Plant but previously was just the consultant and because the Chinese didn’t want the union in the plant and He being the consultant and a good negotiator they gave him the contract as the main employer.

Us the employees we had keen interest to form a union and chose the union executive to represent us and of course we managed to enact the union executive after that quarantine protest which happened last year September but that union executive was dismantled in the name of transition from Sinoma to KSM. and Many of the union exuctives members were fired only leaving two executive members, four were gone. This is evident that the company doesn’t want a union and is denying us the constitutional right of belonging to the union of our choice.

After the transition we again signed the union membership forms but he himself (KSM) never wanted to sign the agreement form so that we can form another union. They came to sign an agreement when we had protested on 21 th October 2021.

When we had a protest he agreed that he is going to make an increament of K1500 across the board,effectively October 2021 but he never abide to that agreement even though it was signed in the presence of the Labour Commissioner. Upto now there is no increment and now he has took his anger by charging and giving dismissal letter to every employee that took part in the protest and when he apear in the media he pretends and gives wrong information that he had resolved the issues at Sinoma but in the actual sense nothing has been resolved.

Please Mr. President we need your intervention here at Sinoma. We have suffered the oppression under this Zambian employer who is the main employer at Sinoma Cement Plant. Mr. President Sir, Sinoma is not far from your residence am sure it’s just less than 10 kilometers. Your quick intervention in this matter will be highly appreciated.

Concerned Workers.

Open letter to his Excellence President Hakainde Hichilema as i do celebrate 25 years in Zambia

Dear Sir,

I would like to retaliate my heartfelt congratulations on your election as the 7th Republic President of Zambia. As a President of the Republic of Zambia, you are indeed considered as a “pater familias” of Zambian people and to other main souls who have only this land, delimited by the almighty Zambezi, the only place they can call a home either as refugees or as people of special concern.

As I had a chance to meet you prior to your swearing in, I am proud to repeat to you that I am one of them hence the move to share my joy with you of my silver anniversary among these people full of humanism.

This is indeed an opportunity to pay my tribute to the Zambia founding father late President Kenneth Kaunda who has left us to be with the lord for his legendary legacy for Zambian people to open both their doors and hearts to the brothers in need of a place full of love and a shelter while making Zambia member of the frontline states during the freedom struggle.

Allow me also to pay tribute to other departed justice champions heroes under inspiration of Jesus Christ’s teachings in practice combined with African spirit of solidarity: Ubuntu. May his souls rest in peace

I am extending my “ode” of tribute to numerous sons and daughters of this nation who went out of their way to find practical and durable solutions in favour of refugees and asylum seekers, years in and out, during the course of their duties.

These will always be occupying a special place in our hearts and in our story telling endlessly so even our offspring could be remembering them namely.

Prominently among them are late Cardinal Medardo Mazombwe, late right reverend Johns Osmers, late President Michael Chilufya Sata, late father Charles Chilinda, late Dr Chileshe Mulenga, late Joseph Chuzu (bakwebangu) and several others. May almighty God rewards this people servants abundantly.

During your term as a pater familias, you found me in high spirits because of these people who welcomed me on this soil as they were expecting me. It was incredible to be welcomed in their homes when I knocked at their doors. Despite the language barrier many of them opted to learn mine and made to be smiling in order to respond to theirs. This was a beginning of healing of a broken heart traumatised by un-describable events.

Coming to my story, I joined many others in running away from an imminent danger without a prior experience of a hardship it was like running while being blindfolded since I had a little knowledge about life out of Rwanda and as an asylum seeker like many of my fellow countrymen.

I came to learn about Zambia due the Lusaka summit which attracted the then Southern Rhodesia freedom fighters and their colonial master in the late 70’s through Kinyamateka, a catholic bi-weekly new newspaper.

In April 1982, I sneaked out of my home in order to eye witness the departure of the “Man with a white handkerchief,” Doctor Kaunda who was concluding his state visit tour in the Great Lakes Region as way of to urge other African countries to support the front liners states. Dr Kaunda was part of the dignitaries who joined us in 25 years of independence celebrations on 1st July 1987 at Amahoro stadium.

Our geographical knowledge was limited since, back home, our main source of news was the only one state owned radio channel with limited hours of broadcasting backed by one state weekly newspapers and a biweekly catholic church owned as the prominent newspapers to talk about.

The incoming of the state-owned television which was officially launched at the eve on the 1993 new year was due to contribute but Rwanda was rather a torn national due to the 1st October 1990 invasion.

Our French education system lead us into Francophile with almost nothing to talk about what is going on in Commonwealth countries.

And on a morning of 13th December, 25 years ago, I found myself at the door of a country called Zambia.

That morning, when the morning star announcing the dawn appeared in a cloudless sky, I was filled with anxieties thinking if I will make it: just a matter of crossing to the other side of the border.

It was a passage obligé. I had managed, in extremis, to avoid a forced repatriation which took place through the eastern border of Rwanda when the country hosting 1994 asylum seekers mobilised its military special forces to chase the 1994 survivors who were looking for a safer place on its soil citing “environment damages”.

Coincidentally, at the western border of Rwanda, in the midst of unconcern International Community, a butchering which has been compiled in the famous “2010 UN Mapping report”, was taking place.

I was due to pass immigration formalities to keep my hope of survival alive. I was not sure but I had no choice. I saw my fellow travelers presenting their passports and being stamped without any problem and pick their hand luggage to continue their journey.

At the time, it was my turn, I greeted the immigration officer by “shinga ubwali visa” thanks to few lessons I got from the lady we shared the seat. This officer who was rather has been doing his work with too much seriousness, I saw his look changing, staring at me and broke into outburst laughter when he regained his composure my “travel document” was already stamped and handed back to me. I got it but I stood still not knowing if I must proceed and he told me: Mzee safari njema. I could not believe it. A smile was enough to express my gratitude and congratulating myself that I have made it in life.

Two days later, the joy of my celebrations evaporated when, finally, I arrived in Lusaka. What arrival! Whereas my fellow travelers could show a sigh of relief that they arrived at their destination, on my side I came to my senses when after coming down the bus I have no idea what could be my next step: I have nowhere to go, I could not express myself in any language. As if this was not enough, I have no single coin remaining in my pocket.

But at least, I was very confident that I am far away from the source of my troubles. I came to learn how lucky rather I was when one Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) senior leader (current Rwanda ruling party) said: “Ntabwo twabonye umwanya wo kubakurikirana” meaning “we ran out of time to follow you”.

The story of turning our back against our country of birth is a puzzle made of innumerable pieces, the struggle for survival did not allow to compile them entirely.

In summary, the 1993 Arusha Protocols Peace Agreement signing revival our hopes that the said agreement could bring to end a 4 year war which started on 1st October 1990, when an invasion backed by a neighbouring country was launched through the Rwanda north east border despite frantic diplomatic efforts of finding a durable solution to the “1959 Rwandese refugees.” Alas, on the 6th April 1994, we were greeted by a tragedy which claimed lives of two neighbouring countries sitting presidents of Hutu tribes respectively Rwanda and Burundi. Burundi was yet to recover from the October 1993 assassination of its 1st ever democratically elected late President Melchior Ndadaye.

On 5th July, 1990, the then President Habyalimana had announced the return of multiparty political system in the aftermath of the 1990 La Baule Francophonie when President François Mitterrand urged African nations to move toward democratisation if they are contemplating to keep benefiting the France government aid. It was during this same period when the Bretons and Woods institutions were carrying out the economic reforms as Structural Adjustment Programs during which the then government was urged to review its military budget.

According to some recent revelations, it was one or another way to prepare the ground of the Rwanda invasion by making easier than easier since it was no longer a secret that a deafening boots noise was growing at its north border since the decision to attack Rwanda was no longer a concern of diplomats.

Various researchers described Rwanda, during the precolonial era, as one of the monarchies (kingdoms) found at the east side of lake Kivu, occupied by 3 major tribes: Hutu (or Bantou speaking people farmers), Tutsi (pastoral Nilotic) and Twa (pygmies). The Rwanda was ruled by a Tutsi dynasty headed by a Mwami who ruled his subjects alongside his mother a Mugabekazi.

The relationship between Hutu and Tutsi was of a servant/master as the Tutsi will emphasize it in their Mise au point letter written by UNAR party pro Mwami addressed to the then Belgian minister of colonies in the middle 50s as a way of resisting to the obvious change in gestations.

The 1896 Berlin conference placed Rwanda under Germany caretaker and later on Belgians took over in the aftermath of the 1st World War. The White fathers were the first missionaries to arrive in Rwanda in 1900 and they established missions (church compounds made up of catechism schools, chapels, and other social amenities), primary schools and colleges (since the vocational training is done at the secondary education level) later on.
These new developments, instigated by the work of evangelisation, made Rwandese people to learn that all people are equal which led to a change of mentality. This newly acquired knowledge would influence the first educated people to start reclaiming equal treatment and equity in sharing and enjoying the national resources. The first generation of Rwandese educated popularly called evolués and working class helping the colonial master in administration, were exposed more than their counterparts hence they start claiming the return to a “self-ruling” system. Those are freedom fighters who started to talk about a “republic state” through democracy tenets as they have learnt on the school benches especially minor seminaries.

The resistance which was exhibited by the then ruling class led to 1959 revolution which made part of Rwandese, pro mwami, to run away and to settle in neighbouring countries. These fiftyniner, as they used to be called, despite having settled and gained the nationality of the country hosts, they organised themselves to disturb the young republic since 1962 but in vain.

In the meantime, both governments of President Grégoire Kayibanda which was ousted by the government of Juvenal Habyalimana in 1973 tried and made frantic efforts to resolve this problem of fiftyniners however the refugees’ wish was the return to power of their mwami who was in exile with them, the power which the mwami had lost through a referendum of 25 September 1961.
Burundi, a neighbour of Rwanda in the south with similar situation socio – economic, has got its share in the Rwanda tragedy.

Rwanda received an influx of “Hutu refugees”, running away the persecution targeting mainly the educated Hutu in various waves: in 1965, in 1972 (called Simbananiye plan) after the Hutu parliamentary landslide victory , in 1988 in the midst of Ntega-Marangara atrocities took place and 1993 in the aftermath of the assassination of a 6 months old President Melchior Ndadaye. The assassination of President Ndandaye raised doubts if the then ongoing Arusha peace talks would yield expected results. Burundi on the other side, was a center of recruitment and transit of Rwandese Tutsi youth who left Rwanda to join the RPF belligerents.

This is the way how, my generation of Rwandese born in post-independence era at the beginning of the 2nd Vatican Council with a different view of looking and analysing some issues, was dragged unwillingly into these trans-generation conflicts.

The return to multiparty political system as announced on 5th July 1990, revived the hopes that Rwandese will start enjoying the democracy tenets: economy liberalisation, creation of political parties, freedom of expression through liberalisation of the press. President Habyalimana continued this agenda despite the 1st October 1990 war.

Meanwhile our friend Tutsi who we grew together, playing together while sharing the little resources which our country could offer, participating and carrying on together MRND ideology, the then one-party state with its propaganda of unity and peace among Rwandese, were leaving the country to join the RPF ranks. These developments led the Rwandese society of our time into a kind of schism. For instance when an officer of Rwanda Forces Armées Rwandaises (FAR), then regular army, was killed on the front against RPF since some had sent their children to the other side of the front, it was no longer possible to mourn as a neighbuorhood. The international media did contribute in a well and organized campaign against the late President Habyalimana, the same who had won various accolades due to his prudent management of the country meagre resources.

It will be under this environment when Falcon 50 presidential jet was shot down, in the evening of 6th April 1994, in the process of landing at the Kanombe Grégoire Kayibanda international airport returning from a “Peace mini summit” in Dar Es Salaam. Few days later, sometimes towards the end of April 1994, I left my village without able to carry anything I did know that that I have just bought a one-way ticket which will lead me to Zambia.

The invasion of the then Zaïre from east side (while other Rwandese are being pushed back through Rwanda east side), in October 1996, it will explain that there were Machiavellian moves of to “leave no one to tell” and that the invasion of Rwanda was rather a way to create a base of invading DR Congo and chase out of power President Mobutu on flimsy grounds and DR Congo balkanization would follow suit to date.

It is well documented that the same war cost was USD 1 million per day. It didn’t spare Rwandese refugees and their Congolese hosts. 2010 UN Mapping report with other researcher revelations do speak volumes about those inhuman atrocities. This is how those few lucky Rwandese found themselves in Zambia and me, included.
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was set up with a hope that it will prosecute high ranking individuals for massive human rights violations. ICTR did finish its term by judging one side only without investigating the “Kanombe attempt”. It fails short of bringing justice which could have been a reconciliation catalyst among Rwandese.

This is how Zambia and its people through their legendary hospitality and Ubuntu offered a new lease of life to those injustice victims. They restored our dignity and above they showered us with unconditional love. Since then and onward life has been enjoyable and Zambia will remain the only place, I can talk about I am obliged to contribute in its welfare as humanly I can afford so our remaining days on this earth could be worth of it.

We have times to times heard various pronouncements of good political will as far as refugees and people of special concern welfares are concerned, hence some observations which can help policy makers to consider them in order to make our stay in Zambia more enjoyable and enable a gradual integration into Zambian society. Since the people of Zambia have maintained in the assented 2016 constitution preamble to remain a Christian nation, this is could be a good platform of jurisprudence inspiration in policy formulations and decision making over the matter concerning the welfare of refugees and people of special concerned. This practice is a modus operandi by several nations worldwide:

• The application of solis ius for those ones that both parents are either refugees or asylum seekers or people of special concerned as by the say ubi bene, ubi patria those are the ones who constitute a quarter of Zambian society and have adopted their neighbours mother tongue as theirs. Many of them will not hesitate to answer to sudor et sanguins pro patria mia call if a need arises,

-There has been a precedent whereby refugees were issued with a permanent residence; this exercise didn’t continue. Many refugees have been renewing their immigration permits without graduating to a permanent resident status despite they have been staying in Zambia for a period of more than 5 years. A permanent resident is issued for other migrants who has spent more than 5 years or non – Zambian legally married to Zambian citizens,

In the same way refugees do apply for other immigration permits as work permit, study permit, spouse permit, investor’s permit even the resident permanent could be open indiscriminately to all refugees who have spent at least 5 years in Zambia instead of being confined in a refugee camps for ever,

-The introduction of a special rates to refugees and people of special concerns payable to acquire various immigration permits by making affordable, reasonable through a fixed rate. This will help significantly refugees and people of special concern who are unable to cope with the upward adjustment of immigration permits payment,

-The extension of presidential prerogative of mercy to refugees serving due to they have been found with an expired “gate pass” or without it at all out of refugee camps or other designated places. As I have suggested to you, to enable refugees to be issued with permanent residence will allow refugees to be contemplating to stay out of refugees camps at their will so they can integrate easily in the local community,

-The establishment of a commission of inquiry to look into acts of violence which has cost lives of my fellow Rwandese. I am lucky to tell the story since I am a survivor of a gunmen attack. The regularity of these murders, not to mention the manner in which they have been carried out, appear not to be coincidental but a sinister plot which could probably have been hatched and orchestrated by some rather “known” people according to their speeches. Moving around with a Rwandese nationality tag is synonymous of having a Damocles’ sword on our neck,

-The review of the files of those who lost their refugee status through cessation clause procedures and had a “strong bond” with the country host like refugees who are married to Zambian citizen.
-The consideration of Rwanda refugees under the program of resettlement to a 3rd country as one of possible durable solution,
-The declassification of files pertaining on the matter of the manner the Rwanda former minister of justice Ms Agnes Ntamabyaliro who was not allowed to return to her Mufulira home on 27 May 1997. Ms Ntamabyaliro, a product of Rwanda National University- Faculty of Law, once a judge at the Rwandese Court of Auditor and an architect of Rwanda economy liberalization using Parti Liberal umbrella as its founding general secretary.

On my personal side, I have been given a rare privilege to be called mwana wo ku nyumba anything which could bother me, there is that Zambian who has been on my side since day 1 on this wonderful land. I am remaining confident that this senior immigration officer who asked my phone number, 4 years ago, that he will analyse meticulously my file N113 and its subsidiaries to come up with a favorable solution to my outstanding issues.
As I said from the beginning this quarter century has been wonderful. It appears to have lasted as a day. It has been wonderful to be treated as a Zambian whenever I visited these neighbouring countries. One memorable moment, it was when I was invited for an award presentation and after the ceremony I was asked to share the secret used Zambians to win since we were two presenting Zambia.

At the new dawn of another one I remain optimist that my thread of life is hanging on the good will, kindness and generosity of Zambian people. It is my lane which I will keep with certainty. This could a second phase leading me to a golden age, I am very sure it will not be at the point of the beginning of my story.
As it has been happening, soon ECZ will be updating its data while being flooded with many questions with these new comers who I have seen coming on earth. They will be wondering why I am not joining them on the queues as it happened recently at Kabulonga polling station where many were wondering why my thumb has no traces of ink.

There will be always a motivation to keep moving around with a smile since each morning I will be able to shout: “O bone fili mi, zambianus felix civis es. This is my morning catalyst for a positive energy vibe to be thankful for a “gift life” as I learnt from the brave locals. So, I can embark on my quotidian self-given assignment to express my gratitude to those who gave me a pat in the back without waiting any appreciation in return. It is a golden opportunity to let their ears hearing it on their own when they are still standing on their feet.

On the other side, I will use my time to be urging the upcoming ones to preserve this legacy and protect it at all costs. I have been told, by various people from all walks of life, at several times: “you are one of us”. Nothing could match this and it has been accompanied with a shower of word of praises at the level I do check myself whether I am still enjoying earth wonders.
There is enough time to spare and express my appreciation to those Zambians who have walked an extra mile to show me what I never dreamt about: like this Lozi princess who in the middle of the night drove all the way to ascertain my safety during the 2016 lootings, there are these Nsenga hailing from Luangwa who made me their next of kin and one traditional leader does refer to me “as my son” while introducing me to her fellow traditional leaders.
This is the time to start going through that list and start paying my tribute: – I couldn’t believe one young local author could spare more than a paragraph to talk about me in his book, – a certain CEO who introduced me to his senior management as one of them, – I was rather given another local name Chipego, – this boy came to my rescue when he spared his sleeping space in those congested places known to all of us, – a colleague left me speechless when he opted to endure heavy rains while offering his comfortable seat on our way coming back from an assignment in the far flung.
As our pater familias, you will be always an inspiration in our various endeavours with a parental guidance as I will request that the song herein attached could be approved so I can be allowed to be singing together with my peers who have been struggling to memorise it due to the language barrier. We well find a way to squeeze in that: “Zed ngatalipo, nga shikwete kwakwikala, mwalinsunga lelo ndetasha”. This will be a way of encouraging each other that we have to contribute positively and massively in taking this great nation to greater heights and its people of a rare breed human being human.

May almighty God let the sun be always shining on Zambian people, and rains pouring down abundantly on this land so a hamper harvest marks your seasons under a spotless sky covered with showers of the blessings and Zambia shall be always a haven of peace and love.

Yours faithfully,

Jean Serge Mandela

Zambia National anthem
(Kinyarwanda version)

Duhimbaze Zambiya, yigenga
Dufatanye urunana ku mulimo
Dutahukanye intsinzi iharanira ukuli
Twatsindiye ubwigenge
Tuli hamwe nta mususu.

Turi abana bawe Afurika,
Itanazwe n’ibiganza bya Rurema
Rubanda twese tube umwe
Bavandimwe dusangiye umucyo
Tuli hamwe nta mususu.

Zambia ibumbiye hamwe niyo mvugo
Icyubahiro n’amahoro bitwikire iwacu
Nk’inyoni ibyinira mu rya agaca
Zambiya ushimagizwe
Twese hamwe nta mususu.

Inyikilizo
Imana ishimwe,
Ishimwe ishimwe ishimwe
Ihe umugisha iki gihugu
Zambiya, Zambiya, Zambiya.
Twebwe abigenga
Tuzamure ibendera ryacu.
Zambiya ushimagizwe
Twese hamwe nta mususu.

BONDHOLDERS DEMAND DETAILS ON DEBT RELIEF

A group of Zambia’s international creditors issued a statement on Friday saying the government would need to provide more details on the recently-agreed IMF support package, as well as its own economic plans, if the two sides are to successfully strike a debt relief deal.

The group, which calls itself the Zambia External Bondholder Committee, is made up of international funds that own the country’s now-defaulted bonds. They said it was important that creditors like China, which owns as much as 30% of Zambia’s external debts, provide a similar degree of debt relief.

“Inter-creditor equity should also be of paramount importance in the authorities’ approach to restoring debt sustainability,” the group said on Friday.

“To establish a process in which all parties have confidence, the Committee expects the authorities to engage in simultaneous discussions with the Official Creditor Committee for Zambia and the Bondholder Committee with equality of information disclosure for both groups,” it added.

Last November, Zambia became the first African country to default on its sovereign debts during the pandemic, after years of chronic overborrowing under the previous Patriotic Front government.

After months of negotiations, two weeks ago the new government, led by President Hakainde Hichilema, announced it had struck a deal with the International Monetary Fund for three year extended credit facility worth over $1.4 billion.

This rescue package was a central promise of Hichilema’s election campaign in August 2021, when he ran on a platform of government reform and fiscal responsibility.

In November, Hichilema’s government delivered its first budget, slashing government spending and promising to drive down inflation so that ordinary Zambians can put food on the table once more.

Tackling the debt situation will not be easy, with Zambia owing around $3 billion in international bonds, as well as $2.1 billion to multilateral entities such as the IMF and another $3 billion to China.

However, investor confidence has grown significantly following the election of President Hichilema. Shortly after his victory was announced, the price of Zambia’s bonds surged – egged on by a rise in the price of Copper: Zambia’s number one export.

KAMPYONGO ABUSED DIRECTOR GENERAL OF IMMIGRATION DENNY LUNGU AND CORRUPTION WAS AND IS ENDEMIC.

We started this crusade with ZESCO and we highlighted the corruption championed by Mundende at ZESCO and employing of PF caders and we glad he is gone but we are still gathering information on the corrupt Human Resources officers who fired tongas working at ZESCO clinic who she accused of reviewing bogus medical health clearance When we leaked information that pf were recruiting relatives at ZESCO in thousands after loosing power in august.

During Mr.Moola Milomo a carder would never go to immigration office and tell officers to issue a work permit to a foreigner where skills are available in the country, but under PF this was common.

We have been privileged to have damaging information from work permit archives of the immigration department and we will soon Name and shame officers who have been at the core of stinking corruption. We also have information of properties they acquired from plots, houses as well as farms through proceeds of corruption.

Here is our take, Director Denny LUNGU was and is not a corrupt person but the work environment he worked under was so toxic. KAMPYONGO was issuing direct instructions to him on certain issues on how they should be handled instead of allowing professionalism to take shape.

If at all you thought work permits corruption was only to those somalians in Chaisa, you are joking. Immigration department under Kampyongo was toxic:

The Auditor General revealed that over 17,000 work permits were issued by suspected corrupt officers at the immigration department to foreign nationals whose skills-set are locally available and should not have been issued in the first place.

This revelation means that over 17,000 Zambia’s lost out on promotions and jobs to foreign nationals due to the negligent acts of a few corrupt immigration officers.

Under PF and Denny Lungu, Department considered and approved application for employment permits for 17,004 foreigners and renewed permits for 9,242 others whose skills should be transferable”.

President Hakainde Hichilema Must be assisted to uproot the evils at immigration and inject professionalism.

The issuance of work permits is one area that is susceptible to corruption due to the strong interests from mostly private companies seeking to place their international experts. Employment and immigration consultancy agencies are usually the middle men used in these instances, this trend must come to an end.

Coupled with this information above here is the other issue we feel the new dawn government should revisit:

1. Issuance of stroke 73/1 NRC has become rampant and this needs to be curbed as it feeds into the issuance of passports.
2. Passports in the country were issued to foreigners under PF like a teacher giving vitumbua and KAMPYONGO was aware of this but arrogance got into his head.

GOING FORWARD

1. We will assist the new dawn government with information we have about corrupt officers and we will start with chaps at long acres office who were threatening friends in the offices for being UPND sympathisers.
2. Not all Immigration officers are corrupt, No but they were betrayed by the toxic PF environment.
3. The Newdawn government should be meticulous and methodical in their process of removing corrupt elements at immigration so that they don’t end up removing some people who have experience but due to their allegiance to PF May be perceived otherwise.

Even if someone is PF linked should not be removed from their post as long as they stay professional.

I am basing this argument on immigration officers whom I thought were so bad such as Nkomoka Mapapayi and Mr.Mwansa in KAZUNGULA who have turned out to be the most professional and experienced people in the department and for me I feel these two officers deserve promotion to regional Directors.

We encourage Honourable Jack Mwimbu to quickly sort out the dirty at Department of immigration and we will assist them.

Please if you know of any corrupt officers at immigration office or have information ℹ️ centred on corrupt activities kindly inbox me or send WhatsApp on our uk line on this page and we will never ever review your identity. You can also assist with just permit numbers issued in questionable circumstances.

Thank you so much 🙏

By
Dr. Larry Mweetwa
Senior UPND CADRE

KABWATA BY-ELECTION SET FOR JANUARY 20TH, 2022

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the Electoral Commission of Zambia has prescribed 20th January, 2022 as the date on which to hold the Kabwata Constituency Parliamentary by-election in Lusaka District of Lusaka Province. On the same date, the Commission will also conduct two (2) Local Government Ward byelections in Liangati Ward of Senanga Town Council in Western Province and Sokontwe Ward of Milenge District of Luapula Province. Nominations for the said byelections will be on Tuesday, 28th December 2021.

The polls will take place on 20th January, 2022 from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours.

The election in Kabwata Constituency has been necessitated following the death of United Party for National Development (UPND) Member of Parliament, Mr. Levy Mkandawire on Thursday 18th November, 2021. The vacancy in Liangati Ward is as a result of the death of UPND Councillor Mr. Mwangala Sililo on 4th November, 2021. Further, the vacancy for Sokontwe Ward has been necessitated by the resignation of Independent Councillor Vincent Kunda on 28th October, 2021 .

Aspiring candidates in the by-elections should lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed before a Magistrate, Local Court Magistrate, Head of a Government Primary or Secondary School, Principal of a College, Commissioner for Oaths, Election Officer or returning officer on Tuesday, 28th December, 2021 between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours.

Aspiring candidates for the Parliamentary by-election in Kabwata Constituency, should take along with them fifteen (15) supporters who must be registered voters in the said Constituency.

The supporters must have in their possession their Green National Registration Cards and Voters Cards. Male aspiring candidates for the Parliamentary by-election will be required to pay Fifteen Thousand Kwacha (K15,000), while female and youth aspiring candidates are expected to pay Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred Kwacha (K13,500) non-refundable election (nomination) fee.
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Aspiring candidates in the Local Government ward by-elections should take along with them nine (9) supporters who must be registered voters in the affected wards. Male Aspiring candidates will be required to pay Six Hundred Kwacha (K600.00), nonrefundable nomination fee.

Female and Youth Aspiring candidates in the Local Government ward by-election are expected to pay Five Hundred Kwacha (K500) non-refundable nomination fee.

All Candidates in the by-elections must also present certified copies of their Grade 12 Certificates, as a minimum academic qualification or equivalent.

In view of this, the Commission wishes to advise aspiring candidates who may wish to contest in these by-elections that failure to comply with these requirements shall render the nomination papers null and void.

Media personnel and Registered Non-Governmental Organisations wishing to monitor/observe the elections are advised to apply for accreditation in the respective districts which will take place from Thursday 23rd to Monday 27th December 2021, for Nominations and Sunday 16th to Wednesday 19th January 2022 for the Polls.

Accreditation for political party officials/representatives of candidates wishing to monitor elections in the districts/ wards shall only be up to a maximum of 10 members per political party.

Please note that only a maximum of 5 accredited members per political party/candidates and two accredited representatives of NGOs shall be authorised to represent their respective political parties or NGOs at the Collation Centre (Totalling Centre) at a given time.

Only five (5) senior officials of any participating political party/candidate with Electoral Commission of Zambia accreditation will be allowed to accompany aspiring candidates into the Nomination Centre during the filing of nominations.

The rest of the supporters should remain outside the 400 metre parameter radius from the Nomination Centre in accordance with the law.

Note that the campaign period for these elections commences on Tuesday 28th December 2021 after 15:00 hours and will end at 18:00 hours on Wednesday, 19th January, 2022.

In addition, not more than two (2) political party members/candidate representatives per participating political party/candidate shall be allowed to witness counting of votes at every Polling Station.

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By Mary Mbewe

FORMER Health minister, Chitalu Chilufya has revealed that reports of expired drugs and leaking condoms were falsified and has challenged the new dawn government to thoroughly investigate the alleged scandal.

Dr Chilufya said that there were three forces in government engaged in a battle of ‘thrones’ which included government officials at Cabinet level, rival businessmen and some civil servants all fighting to get an upper hand.

He said a cartel of politicians, rival businessmen and strategically positioned civil servants defiled science and falsified reports to dent political threats.

Dr Chilufya maintained that there were no expired drugs or leaking condoms procured, distributed or dispensed under his tenure in office. But the cartel pushed the false narrative to ostracise their perceived political threats such as himself by denting their names in the public image.

Dr Chilufya said in an interview yesterday that he would be happy if this matter was investigated by the new government so that individuals pushing this ‘false’ narrative could be brought to book for falsifying information.

He said that he had been quiet for too long at the expense of his profession which has been tainted through a false narrative about expired drugs which never been the case.

“There were no leaking condoms and anyone claiming otherwise should be taken to strict proof,”

He said people’s minds must be free that there were no expired drugs ever dispensed under his tenure.

“it is time to set the record straight. We cannot sacrifice science at the altar of politics,” he said.

Dr Chilufya said no one should fraudulently create a wrong narrative to inflame the nation for political expedience.

He said the truth was the victim but that it could not be suppressed forever, saying it was time for the truth to come out.

Dr Chilufya said it was important to ensure that officers put in offices clad in constitutional immunity were not manipulated and should discharge their duties honestly.

He said it was important for politicians from the previous administration and the current one to uphold honest discourse.

PROPHET ANTHONY MWAFULIRWA’S MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA

!!!..Once more Congratulations for God given victory..!!!

This is an Official Sacred Message from Prophet Anthony Mwafulirwa to Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema regarding to the Crisis in the World Economy & the whole world is still sick. Mr President always remember that the people of Zambia voted for you just to bring change & atleast to reduce high cost standard of living. As church we are praying so hard for your leadership to flourish and prolife.

Mr President Sir. For two Sundays as church we have been praying for your leadership and Zambia at Large.

1Timothy 2:1-2… SAYS…I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

I Pray for God to give you Heavy Security, Focus, Wisdom & His decisions according to God’s leading plan.

According to Romans 13:1…SAYS… For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

It is important to remember that leadership face spiritual battles and opposition that they may not be aware of.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)

If you do not have a biblical worldview, you can pray for your minds to align with God’s Word. Rather than Seeking wrong advise but we can fight POVERTY IN ZAMBIA through the power of prayer.

God has revealed His Glory to all Nations. God of Power and Might, Wisdom and Justice, through you authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed.

Kindly Ask Churches to stand with you in Prayers. OUR NATION NEED PRAYERS

Mr President Sir kindly invest more in Agriculture, support farming & put so much attention to farming…help & encourage farmers to reduce importation… let the youth be empowered for farming because 85% percentage of what we eat most comes from farming.. 2022, it can be a year Prosperity but if don’t do this, things will be very expensive even meal mealie will be very expensive which will let cause alot of complaints among the citizens.

It’s hurts me so much to see most of food we eat are imported by Foreign shops doesn’t it mean we don’t have land in Zambia. We can have better market in Zambia by promoting our Zambian products & traditional food that also be exported to South Africa, Uk, USA, CHINA and etc.

Mr President Sir Please Fight hard to make sure there is no shortages of fuel & electricity for these two helps alot things to occur.

Finally, Mr President Sir Politics it’s about Perception & Criticism. (1). About Perception: We love you sir and take time to hear what people are complaining or crying because it’s them that give votes. I know it’s hard to lead 18million and above people. But try hear the cry of the farmers, Civil Servant’s salaries must at-least increase & the living cost must be reasonable. Things are very expensive & there is not enough money in the circulation system. As a Man of God I receive alot of complaints because they come for prayers. We love you Sir…

About Criticism.. Kindly love those who are Criticising you Sir because sometimes critics comes by jealous or to give you more Wisdom. If it’s possible Mr President Sir working as a team with the churches is very important because you can’t separate God with His & it’s also His creation. If it’s possible let God bless your leadership like the leadership of Levy Mwanawasa, Michael Sata, Paul Kagame, His Excellency former president Peter Magufuli & etc…

Kindly Ask also Men of God & Churches to work with you & contiue to stand with you in Prayers. OUR NATION NEED PRAYERS.

GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU FATHER..!!!

WHY THE IMF DEAL IS IMPORTANT – ALTERNATIVES TO THE IMF DEAL ALSO BADLY NEED THE IMF DEAL!

By Alexander Nkosi

1. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

Zambia’s external debt is $12.9 billion, domestic debt is K189.7 billion and domestic arrears stand at K46.9 billion. In 2022 budget, government projects to mobilise K98.9 billion domestic revenue and a total of K78.6 billion will go to debt service. When we add civil service wage bill, all the domestic revenue is exhausted. This debt crisis is at the heart of our economic crisis and it has left us in a situation where the we allocate to debt service, the more we have to borrow to run the economy.

2. HOW SERIOUS IS THE DEBT CRISIS?

To illustrate how serious the debt crisis is, let us look at the growth in allocations to debt service compared to total domestic revenue for the period 2018 to 2022. In 2018 the allocation to debt service was K14.2 billion out of domestic revenue of K49 billion, representing 29%. In 2019, the allocation to debt service was K23.5 billion out of domestic revenue of K56 billion, representing 42%. In 2020, the allocation to debt service was K33.6 billion out of domestic revenue of K71.9 billion, representing 47%. In 2021, the allocation to debt service was K46 billion out of domestic revenue of K66 billion, representing 70%. In 2022, the allocation to debt service is K78.6 billion out of domestic revenue of K98.9 billion, representing 79%.

3. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE IF THIS DEBT CRISIS IS NOT RESOLVED?

From the analysis presented above, allocations to debt service in absolute terms have grown from K14.2 billion in 2018 to K78.6 billion in 2022. As a proportion of domestic revenue, allocations to debt service have grown from 29% in 2018 to 79% in 2022. If this is not addressed, in a few years time, allocations to debt service will surpass domestic revenue. This means that we will have to borrow heavily to pay civil servants and keep all sectors of the economy running. Under such circumstances, economic activities will remain depressed and investments will further go down. This is simply unsustainable. What local solutions can we implement in such a bad economic environment? Local solutions also require that we address the economic fundamentals. Some people have suggested that we reverse the decision to make mineral royalty tax non tax deductible. This results into an additional K3.2 billion in domestic revenue. Does this local solution solve the problem? No! It takes our domestic revenue to K102 billion, 77% of which still goes to debt service.

4. WHY THE IMF DEAL IS KEY

This dilemma explains why Hon. Felix Mutati, Hon. Margaret Mwanakatwe and Hon. Bwalya Ng’andu were all chasing the IMF deal. To understand the importance of this IMF deal, you have to look at the debt crisis at hand as analysed above. The only feasible way is by restructuring debt and addressing the weak kwacha. Zambia is largely dependent on imports for both consumption and production. If we want to step up local production as a key driver of economic recovery, our firms need to import capital equipment which is key in production. If we let kwacha depreciate to K30/dollar, very few local firms will manage to import good capital equipment, if they do manage to import at a high cost, it will push up their cost of production and makes their businesses less profitable and hard to compete with foreign goods and services.

5. HOW THE IMF DEAL WILL HELP STRENGTHEN THE KWACHA

What makes our kwacha weak? It is all about demand and supply of dollars. Producing and exporting more and attracting investments will bring dollars into the economy. Our foreign debt is paid in dollars, so if it debt service outlays keep going up, we lose more dollars and it weakens the kwacha. There are other factors that influence the strength of the kwacha but I will focus on the two major factors so that we understand how the IMF deal comes in.

The impact of the IMF deal on the kwacha can be analysed as follows: (i) Restructuring our debt will reduce the amount (dollars) we pay annually in debt service. This alone means less demand for dollars and strengthening of the kwacha. (ii) Attracting more foreign investers will bring dollars into the economy and aid strengthening of the kwacha as supply of dollars on the domestic market will go up (iii) The IMF deal comes with a $1.4 billion concessional loan. This also increases the supply of dollars in the economy. These three measures will strengthen the kwacha and in the years to come reduce it to below K15/dollar. If it stabilises below K15/ dollar, it will help lower the cost of imports and enable firms to import capital equipment. Note that while cheap imports do disadvantage local products, we are at a point where we need to import better capital equipment to enhance production hence at this stage, cheap imports of capital equipment would favour us more. We can use economic instruments to regualte import of consumables once quantity and quality of production starts improving.

6. WHY A STRONG KWACHA CAN CANCEL THE EFFFECT OF REMOVING ENERGY SUBSIDIES

While today we are worried about electricity and fuel prices pushing up the cost of production as well as cost of living, we should realise that if we don’t address the debt crisis which is at the core of our economic crisis, we risk seeing our kwacha depreciate to as high as K30/ dollar, and send the cost of production and cost of living skyrocketing. Our economic crisis has left us in a situation where all solutions have a painful initial effect but we have to go for the ones that represent better long term outcomes.

7. WHY IMF DEAL IS THE ONLY FEASIBLE SOLUTION UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES

How does the IMF deal come in? IMF deal does not only come with $1.4 billion, it is tied to debt restructuring. There are four key benefits that come with the IMF deal: (i) $1.4 billion (ii) Easy debt restructuring (iii) Increased foreign and local investments (iv) Increased access to concessional borrowing. As explained above, debt restructuring will free resources to help better support economic social sectors which is key to making local solutions work. It will further help strengthen the kwacha and lower the cost of production and cost of living as we are still import dependent.

8. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE WALK AWAY FROM THE IMF DEAL?

Should we decide to walk away, all debt restructuring discussions will break down, kwacha will instantly depreciate, eurobonds will go ‘mad’, the cost of borrowing on the international market will be very high and some lenders will actually ask for our key assets as the risk of default will be very high. We risk a situation where domestic revenue is not even enough to pay debt. Government will have to borrow heavily on the domestic market pushing interest rates up. Government won’t even have the money to pay for the same subsidies we are worried about. The challenge is that as we discuss the IMF deal, we only focus on the pain we have to go through as we implement reforms but we don’t realise that things will be worse without the deal.

9. CAN TAXING THE MINES MORE REPLACE THE IMF DEAL?

Suppose we reverse the decision to make mineral royalties tax deductible and further increase tax rates, the mines will not only withhold planned investments but will also scale down production. Total revenue we get from the mines will instantly decline and our economic crisis will worsen. So whatever measures are taken, we have to fully understand our overdependence on the mining sector and how such actions can easily leave us in a big economic crisis. A survey conducted by the Bank of Zambia in 2019 indicated a 50% reduction in foreign investment. This was mainly driven by a reduction in investments in the mining sector arising from operational challenges and low profitability. Much as prices of copper have increased, we have to anslyse how operational challenges and costs have evolved on a case by case basis. Realising tangible benefits from the mining sector lies in stable and predictable policy environment and tax regime, other incentives to suppprt expansion and sealing leakages in revenue.

10. WHAT IF ZAMBIA BORROWS AND INVESTS DIRECTLY INTO MINING PROJECTS?

What if ZCCM IH goes it alone and embarks on new mining projects? Mining projects are usually phased and require huge capital investments and it takes time before you start making good profit. These projects too need a good economic environment and cannot be relied upon to instantly address our debt crisis. Infact if we borrow heavily from the international capital markets at commercial rates to invest in these projects, we risk a situation where when we start making profit from these projects, all earnings go to servicing debt. By then we would have defaulted on our current debt and we even risk finding it hard to sell our minerals on LME.

11. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, wr are not in a situation of ‘foreign only’ or ‘local only’ solutions, we need a mix and what some people have termed as local solutions would actually require an IMF bailout to work better. Lastly, while the process of restoring economic stability will be painful, its absence will even be more painful.

QUITE SAD
[When Remaining Silent Is Evil]

My heart breaks.
It bleeds.

Hakainde HICHILEMA is disappointing Zambians.
I wonder why.

I know Hakainde very well, too well.
In pursuit of a better Zambia, on the campaign trail, I ate local buns with him for goodness sake, and caused him to cry with my touching anecdotes.

Hakainde believes that education is an equaliser, that it is one of the most powerful tools to address income inequalities.
I know that he believes this, or is it that he BELIEVED this, that now he no longer does?

You see, education is what transformed Hakainde from a poor backwater, rustic lad hailing from a Godforsaken village in Monze into the flamboyant rancher and economist that he is today.

Forget, for a while, that he is Republican President today.
Being an economist and a rancher with over 90, 000 herds of cattle is transformation enough.

Worth mentioning is that the very first time Hakainde, then a villager, came to the city of Lusaka was when he was headed for the University of Zambia.
The same place where our children are today and, the children he is defrauding today.

Hakainde has now broken my heart.
Why, my friend?

Tell me, my friend.
What has changed?
Where is your own brain?
Are you under capture, my man?

I helped Hakainde become Republican President.
But I didn’t know that he could cheat, lie. No, I didn’t know that.

First we must increase the price of fuel before we reduce it!
Mmmmm! What is that? Is that what your promise was?

Uku ndiko kuja amati, uthilana utsi m’maso!
Unyengeza anthu bodza.

Hakainde, even with me as his Vice President for Politics, promised Zambians free education.
And just a few months ago, Hakainde promised that public education in Zambia would be free up to the university level.

Praising our founding father President KAUNDA for his leadershipsexcellence, Hakainde cited himself as a success story of free education to buttress his promise.
Tsono cavuta nciani?

Now Hakainde has broken this important promise.
I have tears in my eyes.

My heart bleeds.
Why, my friend?

You said that it would be free.
But now you are even failing to give loans to all those young Zambians that are eligible.
Why?

Take the case of the University of Zambia [UNZA], your own alma mater
Out of the 10, 682 students that were deemed eligible for loans by your own administration for the 2021/2022 academic year, you will give loans to only 2, 481, which represents only 23 per cent.

Why, my friend?
Why?

Help the poor, Hakainde.
These same poor people helped you, Hakainde.

Never ever forget that.
Their tax changed your life for ever.

This is NOT good at all.
Besides, bear in mind that these are LOANS you are failing to provide, loans which are NOT free!

You said that you would provide free education, Hakainde.
Now you are FAILING to even give LOANS to all YOUNG PEOPLE THAT DESERVE THEM.

Why, my friend?
Why?

My heart bleeds.
I am saddened.

Why wachinja?
Now the mother who voted for you, and whose child you have failed to support, is in tears.

She is now petitioning God.
Be wary, Hakainde, the tears of the poor arexthe seeds of upheavals.

I was quiet.
I chose silence to allow you to perform.

But now I cannot keep quiet anymore.
Being silent when a wrongbis being perpetrated turns me into an abettor.

Your failure is a grave cause for concern, my friend.
Why, Hakainde? Why?

Dr Canisius BANDA
Development Activist

By Isaac Mwanza

MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY?

Having seats in Parliament and Councils is what makes any party strong. UPND strength in Parliament over the last 20 years in opposition was because they had guaranteed seats in Parliament, largely coming from Southern Province and others dotted in other provinces.

So the decision by the PF to legally defend the seats from being nullified is a noble cause the PF must continue to invest their money and energy on rather than investing funds and energies in talking about organising a party convention in hasty. Of what good is a party if it spent huge sums of money just to put Hon Mundubile or Hon Kambwili at the helm of the party when parliamentary and local government seats are being lost or a party that cannot win a by-election at a time when the cost of fuel and electricity will cause discontent among ordinary Zambians?

PF, despite having had control of Parliament, resisted the temptation to change the Electoral Act in order to make easier for courts to nullify targeted seats of the then opposition UPND. They would have abused the Courts to punish UPND MPs. The PF could also have used Speaker Matibini to do what Speaker Nelly Mutti has done .i.e. creating an artificial vacancy in Parliament while, laughably, not declaring the seats vacant. The PF restrained itself from going this route.

Former Speaker Matibni, who was found wanting by the Court in the Kambwili and GBM case, somehow knew the limits of his powers under the Standing Orders which regulate Parliament that he had no power to push the 48 UPND MPs beyond 30 days provided in the law.

Am sure the PF, while in control of the house, would have been happy to have had Speaker Matibini indefinitely suspend the 48 UPND MPs. But that would have killed our democracy and violated our Constitution.

Anyway, going forward, the two factions in PF vying for Presidency should look at the bigger picture and refocus their monies and energies from wanting to lead the party to Kabwata Constituency and reading the mode among Zambians on how they rate PF before even thinking of holding the so called convention.

Essentially, the same people who attended the last convention early this year, the same leadership that made fatal decisions on adopted candidates would be the same people meeting at such a caucus. The only difference is that the convention would not be divided by these two factions but everything remains the same as the last convention.

So, it would be good sign of leadership for these leaders to temporary halt their presidential ambition and work together to solely focus on winning a seat, crafting the right and sellable messages for the people of Kabwata Constituency than thinking of themselves at the helm of the party.

WE NEED TO BE CRUEL IN ORDER TO BE KIND TO OURSELVES.

Authored By Mupishi Jones.

To expect Zambia to recover from it’s economic decay left by the PF regime within a few months is expecting too much! The damage made to this country by the Edgar Lungu led administration requires bold decisions.

Top on the list of these damages is the debt stock….disclosed and undisclosed, internal and external combined!

It’s like a woman who marries a man only to discover that all those glittering goodies she was seeing at a distance were obtained on credit and the owners were up in arms, vowing to grab everything the man owns.

The Zambian economic scenario vis-a-vis debt status is a very precarious one.Truth be told,any option to be taken to come out of this unfortunate dilemma, will injure some citizens. Whichever way we take, some of our citizens will be bruised somehow.

Zambians have to undergo through pain before they begin to get better. Some decisions that will make us come out of this mess are tough ones .We just have to be abit cruel to ourselves if we want to be kind to everyone.

To make it more clear,let me use the following example to explain what I mean by being cruel in order to be kind.

The Zambian economy is sick,no contest about that. It needs tough, brave and courageous leaders and not the faint hearted.

It’s like a father in a village who’s only child has been shot at and the bullet is still stuck in his body.

The child has been crying, gnashing his teeth in pain especially when the father attempts to remove the bullet from his body. Each time the father attempts to operate the bullet, the child cries hysterically and uncontrollably.

Touched by empathy, the emotionally father abandons the operation and instead joins in crying. As a temporal measure, the father embarks on administering pain killers to his child. Each time the child takes pain killers,he felt better and they would start chatting happily together.

This arrangement went on for days and weeks. What the father and his child didn’t realize was that as long as the bullet was still lodged in the child’s flesh, the bullet wound was going to continue festering becoming more dangerous to the child’s life.

One day the child’s Uncle came to visit after news of his nephew’s sickness reached him.
The health condition which the Uncle found of his nephew was beyond expectation.

The nephew’s bullet wound was fast degenerating into cancerous situation. Any further delay to remove the bullet would claim the life of the child.

To save the child’s life, bold, unfriendly and uncomfortable decisions had to be made. The only option was to remove the bullet by whichever means .In the short run,the pain would be excruciatingly painful, even to a point of fainting. But the Uncle was determined to be cruel in the short run in order for him to be kind in the long run.

Because the father considered himself a christian who wouldn’t withstand the pain of the child,he sympathised with the pleading child not to operate him because it was too painful an exercise.

The Uncle chased the father threatening to beat him up if he interfered with his operation work. The Uncle called a few brave men in the village to assist in tying the hands and legs of his nephew whilst he was bravely conducting the operation of dislodging the bullet.

Indeed the process of removing the bullet from the festering wound was an extremely painful one and not for the faint hearted.

The tied child’s cries and wailing could be heard throughout the village as the Uncle went on to remove the bullet.

Finally, the Uncle successfully removed the bullet.

He then went ahead cleaning and sterilizing the open wound before administering pain killers to his nephew.

A few days later, the nephew was on a noticeable recovery path, forgetting all those unprintable insults he was hauling at his Uncle during the operation.

This is what I meant when I said that to come out of the current economic mess, we need bold, unfriendly and uncomfortable decisions. The decisions which others ( Sean E. Tembo ) are advocating for this country are good but they’re like pain killers.

Good for the short run and not helpful in the long run.

What President Hakainde Hichilema and his Finance Minister intend to do is like the brave Uncle .We cannot continue to apply paracetamol in the form of subsidies in the belief that it’ll cure the lodged bullet wound in our flesh.

We cannot continue subsidizing pump fuel price in the belief that we’re helping ourselves in the midst of the piling debts! The question is are these compulsory subsidies sustainable in the midst of high debt stock? Subsidies must be treated like pain killers after undertaking a painful surgery.

This is meant to cushion the aftermath pain of those who will be bruised in the process. At this stage,we don’t have the luxury of applying compulsory subsidies even to those who don’t need them!

Countrymen, removing subsidies is part of the surgical process of resuscitating and raising our economy from the death bed! Keeping a lid on subsidies is tantamount to continue administering pain killers instead of being brave enough to operate the bullet from our flesh.

By advocating for continuing with subsidies is merely procrastinating the problem. The sooner we face it, the better.

When the PF government was recklessly contracting this debt, economist were warning us that this debt would be paid by the citizens and not the PF leadership.

This is what they meant. Therefore, the recovery of stolen (debt) money from the former PF governing elite must be viewed as a process of making them help the citizens in paying back recklessly borrowed money to the owners.

I submit

Mupishi Jones

Provincial vice youth Treasurer western Province UPND

+260977480386

Former Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Howard Kunda says the fight against corruption in Zambia should be inclusive.

Mr. Kunda, the immediate past PAC chairperson, said the crusade against corruption should not be restricted to politicians alone.

The former Muchinga Member of Parliament noted that there were many corrupt elements in the civil service and public sector in general.

Mr. Kunda said pronouncements about corruption must be coupled with action if Zambia is to make headway in the campaign against graft.

The former lawmaker said he has noted political will to fight corruption from the UPND Government that must be punctuated with action.

“We have seen political will whereby they are talking about it (corruption fight). Where they are saying we shall fight this corruption but it is about results. So we are waiting to see the results of these pronouncements saying that they (UPND Government) will fight corruption. Personally, I would want to see a situation where not only politicians are said to be corrupt but every person especially those in the civil service and the public sector,” said Mr Kunda on a Radio Icengelo Programme on Saturday.

“We need to fight this corruption throughout not just politicians because it’s not only politicians that are seemingly corrupt. In fact the most money that exchanges hands it’s with the public sector and the civil service,” he said.

Mr. Kunda further commented on the importance of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in fostering accountability in the public sector.

“I think that this committee is very important to this country and I am sure you saw what we did in the past,” he said.

On the same radio programme, Good Governance activist Patrick Muntanga alleged that corruption is rampant in Zambia.

Mr. Muntanga, the Center for Governance Executive Director, said Zambia as a country doesn’t seem to have the capacity to fight widespread corruption.

“Corruption is quite endemic in this country. There is too much corruption going on in Zambia. Corruption in Zambia is more visible than other cases. Why do I say so? Corruption occurs almost every hour, every minute if you like it where people are but I think the tools to fight corruption in this country are not there,” Mr. Muntanga said.

HICHILEMA HAS LOWERED THE BAR, SOLD US TO THE IMF-AZWELL BANDA

“It is an IMF wildest dream team. Complete with a puppet and liar for a president”

After our August elections, and what has been happening after the more than deserved humiliating defeat of Edgar Lungu and his choir of thieves, I have found myself wondering what it means to be a Zambian.

I know about the Zambian Constitution, citizenship and all that stuff.

A case is being made that to win elections in Zambia all you need is to have the capacity to fool Zambians by promising everything you think they want to hear you say, knowing full well that most of the rubbish you will be saying may not even be doable.

You should be courageous as you lie, be prepared to spend some nights in jail or police cells, and make sure that you ride roughshod on the weaknesses of the governing party of the day.

Rumour, speculation, conspiracies, conjunctures, and plain simple lies will do: Zambians will drink every toxic drop of this drivel from your mouth.

Finally, of course try and look the part – be presidential and yet a “man of the people” kind of conman.

Somehow be “Christ-like” in your prophetic lies about the good things that you will never shower Zambians with once they unleash you on the government to steal.

Now, I know and I have said it already that people everywhere and not only in Zambia will always be the foolish victims of deception and self-deception in politics, and they always will be until they have learnt to seek out the interests of some class or other behind all moral, religious, political and social phrases, declarations and promises.

I have also already said that champions of reforms and improvements will always be fooled by the defenders of the old order until they realise that every old institution, however barbarous and rotten it may appear to be, is kept going by the forces of certain ruling classes.

What I have never experienced, and did not fully understand, until the election of Hakainde Hichilema (HH) is that apparently the majority of Zambian voters are not just “foolish victims of deception” but that we are also quite moronic and stupid too!

Those who hold this view count among them extremely well Western educated zombies. In my daily life I am usually told by people who are ignorant of my interactions with ordinary workers (many with absolutely no formal education – I have taught in international schools of mixed audiences from different continents and countries, races and backgrounds, of all genders and ages, and with varying degrees of exposure to formal education!) and have rarely encountered this moronic, stupid mental inability to understand the world as it is.

“The Zambian voter is simple, childlike, has no time for big words or ideology, stick to the everyday common problems, promise them what they want to hear like little children waiting for their Christmas toys and gifts and of course attack the party in power with all manner of things” and you may just be rewarded with the presidency of Zambia, I am told. Really?

Sadly, the ‘Bally will fix it’ slogan perfectly captures this mass mental and intellectual suicide.

Do we hate to think so much about who we are, our history and why we are where we are that we are forever looking for a messiah to do the job for us? Is this what explains the tag ‘Christian nation’ when we love debt? Our poverty is also a poverty of true scientific knowledge about the forces that have shaped the world, and control it today, and keep us backward and poor, so that only they can continue to be advanced and rich. We must arm ourselves with this history, if we want to be free. No Bally can fix this, believe me.

After several years of detailed theoretical work in the origins of classical political economy, Karl Marx published the first volume of his magnum opus, Capital: A Critique of Political Economy, in 1867. Marx, quite poignantly said the following about the racism, xenophobia and violence of this period of the origins of capitalism:

“The discovery of gold and silver in America, the extirpation, enslavement and entombment in mines of the aboriginal population, the beginning of the conquest and looting of the East Indies, the turning of Africa into a warren for the commercial hunting of black-skins, signalised the rosy dawn of the era of capitalist production. These idyllic proceedings are the chief momenta of primitive accumulation. On their heels treads the commercial war of the European nations, with the globe for a theatre. It begins with the revolt of the Netherlands from Spain, assumes giant dimensions in England’s Anti-Jacobin War, and is still going on in the opium wars against China, &c.

The different momenta of primitive accumulation distribute themselves now, more or less in chronological order, particularly over Spain, Portugal, Holland, France, and England. In England at the end of the 17th century, they arrive at a systematical combination, embracing the colonies, the national debt, the modern mode of taxation, and the protectionist system. These methods depend in part on brute force, e.g., the colonial system. But, they all employ the power of the State, the concentrated and organised force of society, to hasten, hot-house fashion, the process of transformation of the feudal mode of production into the capitalist mode, and to shorten the transition. Force is the midwife of every old society pregnant with a new one. It is itself an economic power.”

No one, historian or social scientist, has ever written a fuller and better description of the origins and the force that sustains capitalism than this brilliant explanation. This historically true account blew away the lies that wealth was a product of the entrepreneurial, discipline, frugality and risk-taking behaviour of rich people or capitalists. Wealth is the violent savagery unleashed by one kind of humankind on another!

We Zambians, ourselves, are a product of the violent history of dispossessions and displacements of slavery, colonialism, and neo-colonialism. Perhaps our childlike mannerisms are a by-product of this history too – we have been groomed to act the fool to survive. Our fear of authority certainly is.

Important to us today is that Marx was very aware of the savagery and inhumanity of the processes associated with the origins of capitalism, and correctly understood the indissoluble link between the origins of global capitalism slavery, racism and xenophobia. Armed with this knowledge, it is not surprising at all that after a massive protest vote against extreme deprivations and poverty suffered by the majority of the masses of Zambia, and against the thieving and corruption of the PF, the IMF must, in under three months, secure a deal for a loan with government officials on the condition that the agreement is based on the Zambian authorities’ plans to undertake bold and ambitious economic reforms.

What are these ‘bold and ambitious economic reforms’? We know some of them. Kill INDENI. Withdraw subsidies from fuel and electricity. Generally, remove government interference from the operations of the markets in Zambia and free up fiscal space to meet debt obligations at whatever cost to the Zambian people! The neo-colonial native is not fully human, you see.

The IMF staff expressed their gratitude to the Zambian authorities for their open, committed and constructive engagement (their own words), at selling Zambia’s economic and political freedom to choose our own policies and protect our sovereignty, to the IMF. And so it has been, even during the days of slavery, there were some among us who caught and sold us into the arms of slave traders.

We have been here before. Many lost their jobs. Families disappeared. Many have died. Millions of street children litter the streets of all our towns. Orphans loam our streets uncared for. The IMF policies produced a Lungu.

In Kenneth Kaunda and Frederick Chiluba we did not have ingratiating zealotic followers of liberalism and the enslavement of the IMF than HH’s current economic management team.

It is an IMF wildest dream team. Complete with a puppet and liar for president.

The question is, are Zambians really that moronic and stupid that they will never learn not to elect their worst butchers into government? We shall see. Zambia can and must be free. I fought the IMF under Kaunda and Chiluba, and I paid a heavy personal price for it. I am happy to do it again. My freedom is priceless. Comments are very welcome.

The author is a founding central committee member of the Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party headquartered in South Africa; he also serves as the strategy, research and policy advisor to the national leadership of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), and is writing books on Labour, Politics and ‘youth life and politics’ in Southern Africa. You are most welcome to send your comments and opinions to: banda.azwell@gmail.com.

BOWMAN TURNS TO GOD WITH LAMENTATIONS – “GOD SAVE US FROM THE WRATH OF BALLY”

Where is the voice of the Church in Zambia?

Today, been a Sunday, I woke up and took some time to meditate upon the word of the Lord.

My thoughts in principle have been prompted by the recent announcement by President Hichilema that his government will proceed to inflict more misery on Zambians by removing fuel subsidies and raising electricity tariffs.

No matter how much he attempts to defend the decision, President Hichilema knows that the action to remove subsidies and increase electricity tariffs will hurt the poor the most.

In all this confusion, I am searching for the voice of the Church. Where are the Church leaders? Zambia is a deeply religious society with majority being practicing Christians. Throughout our history, the Church in Zambia has always raised its voice the loudest over issues national matters.
The Church has conspicuously been silent over this matter which will gravely affect its flock.

The behavior of the Church in Zambia since President Hichilema assumed office is in contradiction of its original mandate handed down by God, Almighty.

The Church is commanded to be the salt of the earth. The church is called to be both “salt” and “light” amid difficult economic times.

Jesus specifically defined the role of the church in society as that of salt and light. Salt preserves and seasons. Light illuminates darkness and reflects the glory of God.

When the church compromises and becomes more like the world, it loses its flavor and, as Jesus said, “is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”

Because the church is “in the world,” we participate in the economy along with everyone else. The impending economic storm will also affect the church and individual Christians—we are not immune to the economic hardships caused by the pandemic (Matthew 5:45).

The Church in Zambia needs to wake up and speak for its flock. Silence will be a betray of its conscience. The Church needs to denounce the suffering that President Hichilema wants to inflict on the poor people of Zambia.

HH IS JUDAS – LAZAROUS SIMUKOKO

In 2026, many people in government will go to jail. I can assure you and many citizens will be shocked to find out that in fact the corruption being perpetrated by UPND government maybe far beyond the corruption we have witnessed since 1964. The issue of $50 million fertilizer contract which was awarded to the husband of one of UPND’s Ministers. Deputy Provincial PS for Western Province was sacrificed (fired) and not prosecuted.

Civil service must be nonpartisan, well known UPND cadres have been given jobs in civil service against UPND’S promise of cadre free (Nonpartisan) civil service.

HH is not allergic to corruption. HH’s fight against corruption is mere deception.

HH has disappointed many citizens in the manner he is governing the country. When Jesus went to call disciples, among the first people he called was Judas, who ended up betraying him. So it is possible that we could have called HH and he has betrayed us.
He is a Judas who has betrayed us and we don’t have to blame ourselves because we did trust and believed him at that time. We thought that he was sincere and would bring change in the governance of the country.

After trusting him to reduce the cost of living, he has done the opposite. Citizens will now end up paying more for fuel, electricity tariffs, transport and other essential commodities. He is wasting taxpayer’s money on continuous non-beneficial foreign trips, the trips he criticized and promised not to undertake them.

The governance record under the UPND has degenerated to extremely disappointing levels. There is no reason to sympathize with the UPND when they are busy breaching fundamental human rights at will.

UPND is intolerant to different opinions. The more UPND continues to lose popularity, the more political violence will intensify. There is an increasing level of political violence being perpetrated by ruling UPND members against the opponents with no action being taken by the police.

Recently, Socialist Party members were brutally beaten by UPND members in Eastern province during by-elections. Opposition Mpika Member of Parliament Honorable Francis Kapyanga was attacked by UPND members while featuring on a radio station. Another opposition Mandevu Member of Parliament, Honorable Christopher Shakafuswa and his wife were attacked and assaulted while officiating at a soccer tournament in N’gombe Compound, Roma Ward 20, Mandevu Constituency.

Despite reporting these attacks to Zambia Police, no action has ever been taken to arrest these perpetrators and take them to court.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango has called on critics of the Government not to mislead citizens by saying that the United Party for National Development (UPND) during campaigns pledged never to borrow.

Mrs Nalumango said that the new dawn administration promised not to borrow recklessly and that it would restructure the country’s debt.

Mrs Nalumango said that Government is changing the way the country will handle its debt and that the IMF programme should be viewed as a grant due to its low-interest rate.

She said this during the Vice President’s Question time in the National Assembly in response to a question by Zambezi East Member of Parliament Brian Kambita who asked for a comment on public debates on the IMF programme.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango has justified Government’s move to enter into an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) saying the programme is the only remedy for the country’s debt crisis.

Mrs Nalumango said that Government incurs an extra debt every month to run national affairs as the national expenditure is higher than its income.

Mrs Nalumango said that the commercial loans acquired by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government have become impossible for the country to repay as the interest rates are too high.

Mrs Nalumango said that the IMF interest rates are lower at 0.75% and that this will allow the country to repay the loans on flexible terms as well as over a longer repayment period.

And Mrs. Nalumango said it is not the intention of the Government to have INDENI employees lose their jobs as Government has a programme for the company.

She said INDENI employees will continue to work while reforms take place at the Company and that Government will in due course make known the way forward.

Mrs Nalumango said that the Government is not closing the company per se but that it may not continue to operate fully.

And the Vice President reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to providing free education from primary school up to secondary level and that it will fill the gap that will be created by the abolishment of fees that learners have been paying.

Mrs Nalumango said that Government wants to provide relief to vulnerable members of society who have been struggling to pay fees for their children.

This was in response to a question by Bwacha Member of Parliament Sydney Mushanga who asked if Government has any plans on how schools that were dependant on PTA fees will manage to carry out their activities with the abolishment of the fees.

And the Vice President said the Government has NOT appointed any cadres to serve in the new administration and that those who have been appointed have the relevant qualifications for the positions.

She said even mature democracies have political appointments at a certain level but that does not entail appointing cadres who are not qualified to serve in certain positions.

This was in response to a concern raised by Bangweulu Member of Parliament Anthony Kasandwe.

Meanwhile, the Vice President has called on persons holding on to Government vehicles dressed with private number plates to surrender them as the law will visit them if they fail to do so.

Chinese Firm revert Lafarge Zambia to Chilanga Cement Plc

LAFARGE Zambia Plc has announced the appointment of its new director of the board and chief executive officer, Chai Jianping, following its share sale and purchase agreement with Huaxin (Hainan) Investment Co. Limited.

Lafarge Zambia is set to change its name and revert to ‘Chilanga Cement Plc’ following a share sale and purchase agreement signed and executed with Huaxin (Hainan) Investment Co. Limited, the Chinese cement manufacturer, who will now hold a controlling majority stake.

On June 11, 2021, Lafarge Zambia Plc announced that Huaxin (Hainan) Investment Co. Limited had entered into a share sale and purchase agreement with Pan African Cement Limited and Financier Lafarge SAS, in respect of the sale and purchase of their 50.1 per cent and 24.9 per cent, respectively, of the issued share capital of Lafarge Zambia Plc.

And in a further cautionary announcement on November 10, 2021, shareholders were advised that all the relevant approvals had been obtained and the conclusion of the transaction was now underway in line with regulatory requirements.

In a notice announcing a change in directorate recently, Lafarge’s board announced the appointment of Chai Jianping as a new director of the board and its chief executive officer of Lafarge Zambia Plc effective November 29, 2021, following the resignation of Jashmed Jahangir Khan, the outgoing chief, effective November 26, 2021.

“…Mr Chai brings over 35 years’ experience in the cement industry to Lafarge Zambia Plc. He has a Bachelor Degree in Inorganic Non-metallic Materials from Wuhan University of Technology and a Master Degree in Industrial Engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. He joined Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd in July 1987 and has held various roles over the years ranging from manufacturing roles, plant managerial roles, directorate roles and management of overseas businesses,” read the statement issued by company secretary, Chibuye Ngulube. “The board looks forward to Mr Chai’s vast contributions to the company in his capacity as director on the board of directors and country chief executive officer and wishes him well.”

Pursuant to section 3.59 of the LuSE Listing Requirements, the board of directors of Lafarge Zambia Plc announced the resignation of three board directors including Ahmed Hosny Fathallah Khalifa, Jashmed Jahangir Khan and John William Stull, effective November 26, 2021.

This followed Huaxin (Hainan) Investment Co. Limited’s takeover of the cement manufacturer.

Founded in 1907, Huaxin Cement today has a cement production capacity of 115 million tonnes per year, aggregate production capacity of 55 million tonnes per year and a ready-mix concrete capacity of up to 27 million cubic meters per year.

Huaxin Cement is ranked in China’s top 500 manufacturing companies and is also listed as a Fortune China 500 company.

This share sale by Lafarge Holcim marks the end of a historic 20-year business presence in Zambia.

In May 2001, Lafarge acquired Pan African Cement (PAC), which became the holding company of Chilanga Cement in Zambia, from the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) as well as a further 34 per cent of Chilanga Cement through a compulsory offer to minorities.

The minority shareholders were well dispersed with over 3,000 shareholders.

In 2007, Chilanga Cement changed its name to Lafarge Cement Zambia Plc, thereby fully aligning the company with the international Lafarge Group aimed at “building better cities.”

And in 2015, following the historic global merger, Lafarge Zambia Plc became a member of LafargeHolcim Group, a global leader in building materials and solutions.

Since then, the company has continued to grow as the leader in the local construction industry as well as in the region, but has faced stiff competition from Nigerian cement company, Dangote Cement Zambia Plc, which established its plant in Ndola back in 2015.

By Masuzyo Chakwe

THE Ministry of Education says learners who are in government boarding schools who are not vulnerable will be required to pay K1,000 boarding fees per term.

In a circular to all provincial education officers, all district education board secretaries and all head teachers, permanent secretary technical services Joel Kamoko said identified vulnerable learners would have their boarding fees paid for through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Secondary School Bursary Scheme.

“The scheme will apply to all learners in government and aided secondary schools who will meet the selection criteria. In this regard, the vulnerable beneficiary learners will be identified at community level in their respective constituencies and possibly at ward level,” he said.

Kamoko said the new dawn government was resolved to implement the education for all policy from early childhood, through primary, up to secondary school levels, starting from January 10, 2022, when institutions of learning open for term one.

“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema has been clear and consistent in stating the new dawn government’s commitment to providing increased access to quality and equitable education to all the citizenry,” he said.

“This was augmented by the Minister of Finance [Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane] during presentation of the 2022 budget speech on 29th October, 2021 where he announced that user fees will be abolished in all government schools from January, 2022.”

Kamoko said the provision of education for all from early childhood education, through primary up to secondary school would be implemented as all user fees at early childhood education and secondary school levels would be abolished as institutions of learning open for term one in 2022.

“The government will take the responsibility to pay tuition fees through a compensatory grant to all government schools offering early childhood and secondary education. Such a compensatory grant will be equal to the amount schools used to collect through user fees,” he said.

Kamoko said the government would also increase the traditional primary and secondary school grants by two-fold in a bid to uphold high quality education standards.

He said all Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) fees would be abolished from early childhood education, through primary to secondary.

Kamoko said the schools would be compensated for the loss in revenue from the increased grants allocated, effective the 2022 school calendar and beyond.

He said the government would pay a subsidy for user fees pegged at K600 per pupil in all aided secondary schools.

“Further, the government will constructively engage the education secretaries for all aided schools to agree on an affordable user fee that they will charge per pupil in all aided secondary schools as they apply for their aided status,” he said.

Kamoko said examination fees for grade 12 pupils in all government and aided schools have been abolished.

He said the government would take up the responsibility for examination fees through a grant that would be disbursed directly to the Examinations Council of Zambia.

“However, it should be stated very clearly that candidates for the General Certificate of Education (G.C.E) and grade nine External Examinations will continue paying the examination fees,” he said.

Kamoko said Provincial Education Officers (PEOs) and District Education Board Secretaries (DEBS), respectively, would be expected to properly guide and ensure the immediate implementation of the new dawn government’s education for all policy as it takes effect during the 2022 school calendar year.

Sean E. Tembo
FIVE PIECES OF ADVICE TO PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

1. Corruption Fight -: The corruption fight that you are engaging on sir is very welcome. However you must constantly remind yourself that there is a thin line between fighting corruption and witch-hunting. Currently your fight against corruption is losing credibility in the eyes of the general public because of the following reasons, among others;

(i) too much focus to the deeds of the past administration and no adequate focus to the deeds of the current administration. We need a proper explanation from your Government sir regarding the $50 million fertilizer contract which was awarded to the husband of one of your Ministers. We also need an explanation from your sir why the Deputy Provincial PS for Western Province was only fired and not prosecuted for failure to follow established procedures in releasing a payment, and yet Malanji and Yamba were sensationally arrested and charged for the same offense. Where is the consistency?

(ii) making too many arrests before securing any conviction. We all remember the sensational arrests that were made by Mwanawasa which subsequently culminated into the lifting of Chiluba’s immunity, and yet when the matters went to court, very few convictions were actually achieved by the State. Chiluba himself was only convicted for possession of expensive shoes. We do not want a repeat of that fiasco sir. Therefore, you should now concentrate on prosecuting the people that have so far been arrested and after securing some convictions, you may proceed with the next round of arrests. That will add some credibility to your corruption fight.

(iii) cases where you or your party members are directly involved. The Zambian people are happy if you can unveil the corruption that took place during the PF regime and recover the national assets that were stolen. However the people are concerned when you start digging old cases relating to the political feuds that your party had with the PF during your time in opposition. Cases like the Mulobezi shooting incident involving Davis Chama, the Shiwangandu helicopter incident involving Kampyongo etcetera. Those cases are too personal to you sir and they smell of vengeance. If you keep pursuing such personal cases, you risk tainting your otherwise good fight against corruption. For your own information Mr President, there is no such thing as absolute justice in the world. You get the justice that you can manage to get and then you move on. That is why even the State occasionally turns some criminals into State witnesses and turn a blind eye to their criminal deeds. It is all because of the realization that absolute justice is simply impossible. So just bury the hatchet on all the personal cases and focus on genuine corruption cases. Remember that even your party committed a lot of atrocities while in opposition. You killed those two PF members in Kanyama, you killed the PF Provincial Chairman for North-Western Province and you have that mapatizya formula which Ackson Sejani always boasted about. So don’t try to portray a false image that you were saints and the PF were the only aggressors, Mr President sir.

2. Vice Presidential Gaffes in Parliament-: I like the energy and loyalty of your Veep. However, she makes too many blunders when answering questions in Parliament. The problem is that she tries to answer the questions off-the-cuff. No matter how intelligent you think you are, answering questions in which you are stating Government position on a particular matter should never be done off-the-cuff. She should note the questions and advise that she will come back with an answer, then go and sit down with the technocrats to couch the answer in the right language. Once the answer is ready, she can then come and present it to Parliament. And she should make sure she reads from the script. That is what former Veep Inonge Wina did, and she performed very well in Parliament. No need of trying to portray yourself as a champion who answers questions there and then on the floor of Parliament.

3. Culture of Condemning the former PF Regime: Mr President sir, the people of Zambia know fully well that the PF administration failed to run this country. That is the reason why Zambians overwhelmingly voted them out and voted you and your party in, despite your party not presenting any tangible manifesto to the people. Therefore, this inherent appetite that you have to condemn the PF administration at every available opportunity is beginning to irritate most Zambians. You said you’d fix it, so fix it. By the way, you’re now even spreading the culture of using the PF regime as a scapegoat to all your Ministers and even senior civil servants. Mr President sir, do not be a cry baby. Just get on with the job of fixing our economy. Focus on the work and not on the excuses.

4. Economic Turnaround-: Mr President sir, l know that you have been holding the belief that the IMF is the solution to our economic turnaround from as far back as 2018 when l was still a member of your Alliance. I disagreed with you then and l still disagree with you now. This IMF route can never take us anywhere and the sooner you realize that, the better. It is never too late to make a u-turn. That staff-level agreement is just a tentative agreement pending final approval of the IMF board, and you can still jump ship. Besides the $1.4 billion bailout loan over 3 years is just too small to have any impact on our total debt or expenditure obligations. I mean the 2022 national budget is about $10 billion, so what tangible impact can $660 million have? The key to turning around our economy lies in utilizing the resources that we have here in Zambia, and we are very lucky that copper is currently doing so well on the world market, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Any mining firm will want to invest in copper mining going forward. They do not need any additional incentives such as making MRT a tax deductible expense in the calculation of corporate tax. No, they don’t need any such incentives to invest in our copper mining industry. The fact that copper has exceeded $11,000 per metric tonne on the world market is an incentive enough. No need for any additional incentives which will only cost out treasury. Mr President sir, if you truly want to turnaround our economy, kindly pull out of the pending IMF deal and also scrap off the tax holidays that you have given to the mines in the 2022 national budget. If you do those two things, then you will be on a path of prosperity for our country. If however you insist on your current chosen path, the Zambian people will undergo so much hardship in the next few years that you will soon have daily protests just like in Malawi. Take this as a timely warning sir.

5. Lack of Sincerity :- Mr President sir, the people are not difficult to govern provided you are sincere in your engagements with them. Never say one thing and do something else without being humble enough to explain why. You will recall that when you ascended to the presidency last August, one of the things l advised you on was that you had made just too many promises to the people during your time in the opposition, and that you needed to have a tête-à-tête with the Zambian people by holding a press briefing at which you would list all the promises you ever made, then proceed to outline a timeframe in terms of when you will fulfill which promises. The people are not unreasonable provided you are sincere and honest to them. But you decided to just keep quite and even made additional promises which you are also failing to fulfill. Mr President sir, you are on record saying that the IMF deal will not result in increases for electricity tariffs and fuel prices. You told us just a few months ago that the IMF has changed the way they do things and that the people should not worry about price increases. But today you are telling us that you need to increase electricity tariffs and fuel prices, although you’re giving the excuse of removing subsidies. It is such lack of sincerity and honesty which the people do not like. Similarly you told the people that they will enjoy free education from 1st January 2022, and now you turnaround and say for those in boarding schools, they need to pay K1,000 per term which comes to K3,000 per year. Then what kind of free education is this where people still have to pay? Mr President sir, never try to outsmart the people that you are governing. Otherwise when they lose trust in you, then you will not enjoy your presidency. You may wish to know sir that so far you’re losing credibility in the eyes of the people very fast. Try to be sincere and forthright with the people going forward.

/// END

SET 11.12.2021

Malanji never used Presidential Jet – Zulu

MACHINATIONS of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) to paint former Foreign Affairs minister, Joe Malanji black have been exposed.

Mr Malanji’s lawyer Makebi Zulu rubbished claims that he ferried millions of dollars from Turkey to Zambia using the presidential challenger plane, while the Lusaka High Court ruled that it was illegal for the DEC to demand that Mr Malanji surrenders documents for his helicopter for him to be released on police bond.

Judge Dancewell Bowa made the ruling when he granted Mr. Malanji bond after setting aside the DEC’s demand.
Mr Zulu said Mr Malanji’s instructions were that, that particular article claiming he went to Turkey using the Presidential jet was malicious and intended to tarnish his image in the public eye.

He said that there was an issue at court relating to the issue of Ankara which did not suggest that he took money from Ankara to Zambia using the presidential challenger.

‘’There is a matter before court relating to Ankara and it does not suggest that he used the presidential challenger at any point,’’ he said.

Mr Zulu said that Mr Malanji would exercise all his options to ensure that his right to a fair trial was upheld rather than what was going on at the moment where his image was deemed questionable.
He said the machinations were aimed at painting him black in the public eye but that he would have his day and defend himself in court.

Mr Zulu said his client was weighing his options and would know the next step of action concerning the malicious article in one of the tabloids.

And Mr Makebi Zulu earlier told journalists after Mr. Bowa’s ruling that the court found that it was illegal for DEC to demand the conditions they sought for him to give them documents they intended to use as evidence in court.
“The court has plainly put it that he ought to be given same conditions that Mr Fredson Yamba (former Secretary to the Treasury) was given,” Mr. Zulu said.

The court has given Mr. Malanji bond conditions of K10, 000 for each of his two working sureties in their own recognisance and himself in his own recognisance.

He was later released from Ridgeway police post where he spent two nights following his arrest with Mr. Yamba on Tuesday.
It is alleged that the former Foreign Affairs minister on dates between December 28, 2020 1st March 2021 flew into Ankara with the presidential challenger jet to collect money believed to have been sent to the Zambian mission for purchasing an embassy building in that country.