By Larry Mweetwa

THE PF EVIL UNFAIR DISBURSEMENT OF NATIONAL CAKE WILL FOR GENERATIONS AFFECT PEOPLE FROM ZAMBEZI

Zambezi river starts from North western into western, central and into Southern provinces and Kariba Dam.

Lungu and PF were so evil and criminal. There was a deliberate planned evil move to weaken economic growth of people from Zambezi region and the new dawn government should not think all provinces are at similar economic growth and economic level so in the name of unity they should do things equally! NO these criminals under LUNGU were so heartless and never cared about what people from Zambezi corridor will feel or say but publicly practiced favouritism.

Here is my justification:

1. During the youth empowerment program where youths got tankers and buses: Tell me! How many tankers or buses were given to youths In kivuku or kabwitutu in Kasempa, Or simunzele in southern province or in Nalikwanda.

Is lusaka the only province with youths, were there no youths in UPND and only PF had Youths? What criteria was used to select who should get the tankers and buses?

So it was easy to give youths in Kasama tankers and buses and Choma Nothing?

2. Lungu decided to give musicians money: other than the Dununa reverse singers, which musician in southern province or kwa bulozi or kalubale was given money?
3. In their insatiable appetite for dominance, Lungu and his PF clique decided to go build 3 government universities in their regions e.g Makasa and Muzindo universities and because these universities were not informed by strategy or rationality they even introduced courses which don’t even make sense and making it impossible to recruit. This was done at the expense of regions such as north western province which is right now the cash cow for the county but all what these mafias did was visiyeni vikalubale and ba kaonde nivo pwalala.
4. Southern province despite having a town which was once the capital city of Zambia has no university or a serious college supported by the government.
5. Lungu and PF were so evil, Under FISP, farmers from Zambezi were being given 3 bags of fertiliser and those from Muchinga corridor nkobatimi akulima they were given 7 bags each. Yes we want to unite but let’s look at history in order to make right decisions.

So what we are saying is that these other regions which were sponsored by PF will forever have a competitive advantage over others. We need to do an economic audit or analysis and deliberate develop policy shift to balance up things in order to match with our brothers from Muchinga corridor.

Ok people let’s have a healthy conversation! No tribalism here! How do you feel ayii?

Zambia´s Economy at Cross-roads
…where do we go from here?

By Dr. Lubinda Haabazoka

In economics, there are several ways one can reach the promised land. The easy way would normally be with the help of others while the hard way would be choosing to go it alone.

Like in politics, economists can be divided into two: Liberalists and Conservatives

Liberalists believe in 100% private sector control of the economy with government have a very limited role. A typical example of a liberal economy is that of the United States.
Under this paradigm, the strong survive and capital thrives.
Conservatives on the other hand believe in a strong presence of government in the economy and believes that government in the economy should be there to protect small and unsophisticated citizens from exploitation by big capital and monopolies.
The ordinary Uncle Joe and Auntie Agatha on the streets.
To be honest, liberalist concepts are more favourable to a country because they promote hard work amongst citizens and help build a strong private sector as evidenced in the United States.

THE ZAMBIAN CASE STUDY

Unfortunately for poor countries such as Zambia, a 100 % liberal direction cannot benefit a large section of the citizens, it’s foreigners that own Capital and all we can provide is labour.
One can argue that we are second largest copper producer in the world therefore theres hope but the mineral resources in Zambia—until KCM and Mopani transactions—are foreign owned so the benefits from the mines elude us.

THE CHALLENGES OF IMF POLICIES IN ZAMBIA
The reason why IMF policies fail in Africa is that the IMF fails to defend the interests of ordinary people in the countries they implement their policies. They often put the interest of the IMF first, not ordinary Zambians.
There is a very huge miss when it comes to understanding economic development as propounded by the founders of economics.

Economic development models do not have “a one size fits all approach.” Each country is unique and Africa as a continent is even more unique from the rest of the world.

When foreign capital goes to the USA or UK, the host governments keep tight control over those resources and they definitely get their fair share in form of taxes. When capital comes to Africa, it is overstated and governments get nothing from that in form of taxes.

HOW DOES AFRICA GET IT WRONG?

One of Africa’s biggest problems is the lack of lobbying power! Africa, Zambia included always bargains from a weaker position such that it ends up begging.
Have you ever heard the IMF mention that Africa should own its mineral resources? Have you ever heard the IMF seriously tackle the issue of illicit financial flows?
Have you ever heard the world bank fund the construction of a factory? Have you ever heard the IMF give money to build a new company to be owned by locals? No.
But they will always tell us that we should borrow from them so that we have enough forex reserves to balance our payments. They tell us that once we get an IMF package, we shall get credibility and FDI will flow into Zambia. Let’s ask questions – Which African country has developed with the help of FDI or an IMF bail out?
Capital knows that it can only operate in countries which are playing on its own rules. So capital engaged the IMF and other strong international funders to drop up rules that favor them.
When those rules are drawn up and a country implements them, money flows into that country. Unfortunately by the time the money is flowing in, all profits go out because of tax concessions that are negotiated for! A country actually does better as it has stable exchange rates and rapidly increasing GDP growth figures. But unfortunately wealth never trickles down to the locals because apart from labour, other factors of production remain in foreign hands.

LESSONS LEARNT

Countries that have learnt this trick have advanced their economies. The trick here is to implement self centered policies aimed at wealth creation amongst locals. But doing it quietly is very important because lobbyists are so powerful that Russia and China now are under sanctions. Sanctions because these countries have chosen not to be conformists. They have decided to create a parallel world order under BRICS to which SA is a member.

THE CASE OF CHINA IN CONTINENTAL ECONOMICS
To me, reducing the IMF debate to politics is a waste of time and missed opportunity. The discourse should be how to prioritise wealth creation amongst citizens. Can you create wealth by increasing energy costs for your business? Can you create wealth by reducing taxes from your mineral resources?

You see, we can’t also push China away because it is set to be the number one super power and largest economy above the United States soon. Yes this is going to happen in our lifetime.
We had Greece rule, then Rome, the Persia, then England, then USA/Soviet union, now USA so it’s now China’s time. The question is, what is our role in global economics? How do we prioritise our citizens? How do we win in this situation?

For me we are not making bold decisions like the one Kaunda made. Bold decisions to get all mines and own them, build indeni, build Mansa Batteries, build all the many factories.
Today our bold decisions as mentioned by the IMF boss is that we have agreed to remove subsidies and probably privatise one or two companies then get $1.4bn. This is where I am getting worried. I am getting worried because I was born to solve huge and complex issues.
I was born to help create models in my country like never been seen before. Create a modern 24 hour economy. Create a sovereign wealth fund to fund infrastructure development. Create a Zambian Silicon Valley. Create a Zambian dominated mining industry. Create an agriculture sector not dependent on rain.

These are the ideas we need to start discussing as a country.

But as long as discourse remains political and not serious, then we might as well follow the Clive Chirwa’s to the diaspora!

The author is an Economist, Consultant, Researcher and respected Academician of local and international repute.

Given Mutinta

MWAMBA PENI’S APPOINTMENT INCENSES MANY PEOPLE

One of the hallmarks of a great leader is the ability to listen to the public.

Listening is not only hearing what is being said but acting on what is being said.

This is what makes leadership-listening always fundamental for an effective leadership.

I am saying this in the light of the appointment of Mwamba Peni as Permanent Secretary in charge of Remunerations at Cabinet Office, an appointment that has enraged not only UPND members but many sections of society.

The rile against Peni’s appointment did not come as a surprise because he is a well-known Patriotic Front (PF) cadre as revealed through his anti-President Hichilema, anti-United Party for National Development (UPND) and anti-people from the Zambezi region vitriolic thoughts he shared widely.

I do not want to open old wounds by recounting Peni’s dehumanising thoughts about President Hichilema, UPND and people from the Zambezi region because his spiteful media footprints are accessible without difficulty.

More incensing to any forthright thinking citizen is to see Peni, a well-known PF monstercat on the list of the newly appointed senior civil servants.

The political blood that runs in Peni’s veins is PF and no amount of UPND political blood transfusion into Peni can transfigure him to genuinely subscribe to the UPND political ideology.

Assuming that the appointment of Peni is a good basis for expecting him to switch his allegiance to UPND is like expecting a leopard to change its spots by changing its environment.

Peni’s dehumanising contemplations against President Hichilema, UPND and people from the Zambezi region point towards what even today he believes to be true about President Hichilema, UPND and the people from the Zambezi region.

Therefore, his appointment will mainly serve PF where his loyalty lies than the UPND led government.

Thus, the question many people are asking is how Peni a hard-core PF cadre found himself on the list of people appointed as senior civil servants in the UPND led government, an entity he detested with passion?

Was there proper fact-checking prior to making the decision to appoint Peni?

If there was, how come the vetting or process of performing a background check on him allowed him to get the appointment?

It is either the vetting system is run by dishonest or incompetent people or both to have cleared Peni for the appointment.

Besides, it is reported that President Hichilema said that he does not know some of the people he was swearing in as they were recommended to him.

Surely, is this not a cause for concern that President Hichilema can swear in people he does not know to work with?

Who is making these recommendations to the President and for what agenda?

President Hichilema should be very careful with the coterie that is being built around him by those masquerading as his indispensable right-hand men that may have an ominous agenda to make him “ciyuni cifwa amafwuta.”

If President Hichilema is methodical as he has made us believe, what is systematic or methodical about Peni’s appointment?

An appointment of a senior civil servant should not only be right to the appointing authority but should also appear right to the public to be served.

The appointment of Peni has been roundingly and resoundingly rejected by many people because he is not only enmeshed in corruption allegations that got him given a sack from the previous regime but he lacks sets of political beliefs espoused by the UPND led government to be considered for his new position.

Is there a shortage of knowledgeable, skilled and experienced senior civil servants in Zambia or in UPND to appoint such that the Cabinet Office will be served by Peni?

I am not censuring Peni the appointee for his past anti-Hichilema, anti-UPND and anti-Zambezi region thoughts he openly shared but simply indicating that the problem here in some measure lies with President Hichilema, why is he leaving out many deserving and qualified citizens and UPND members that suffered with him at the hands of these same people he is appointing?

What is the methodical justification for appointing PF cadres to key senior positions who were a thorn in the flesh to citizens and UPND members?

President Hichilema should know that appointing PF members who tormented the country borders on being an act of demoralisation and betrayal to citizens and UPND members.

Forget the notion that Peni is also a citizen and secretly contributed to the UPND victory because this is not the issue here but that he is one of the people who tormented citizens and UPND members. Appointing PF cadres who brought pain to society and to UPND is being insensitive to the principles of justice. Nothing can justify that not even the so called agenda for national unity.

President Hichilema should not be so quick to forget that had he lost the August elections, he would be right now languishing in jail as it was planned by the same people he is bringing close to his chest.

So let President Hichilema carefully map out his ambition and ideology for national unity because he can unite the country without appointing PF mafias and tribalists that caused indescribable pain to citizens and UPND members.

I hope president Hichilema will take an empathetic listening approach to the voices opposed to the appointment of Peni by showing willingness to listen, understand what people are saying and act prudently.

Ironically, this is the skill most presidents ignore, which leads to pent-up grievances and dissatisfaction among citizens and party members that may make it arduous to win 2024 elections.

AMB. EMMANUEL MWAMBA IS THE WAY AHEAD FOR OPPOSITION PF PARTY.

Emmanuel Chilekwa
5 December 21

I have taken little time reflecting on the way forward for the embattled and rattled former ruling party Patriotic Front – PF. And using my binoculars, I can only see Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba as the most suitable, viable and vibrant contender come 2026.

But knowing the PF, this young man would not be allowed an inch as the corrupt and selfish cartel of toxic looters have still continued holding this party hostage as of now without a father figure at the helm since Chagwa lost national polls last August.

Let me table the situation around the PF as it pertains now. Please be strong if you have to read beyond this line, lest you may just as well end here, please.

Currently, there’s no one suitable contender among the existing MPs or former ministers to hold strong the PF. It doesn’t matter which name you bring forth – it’s a non starter.

Soon, all those sizing themselves for party Presidency have their past chasing and haunting them and jail is the most likely destination in soon time ahead.

Reading where we are coming from, the corruption fight the Bally government has embarked on is the TKO upper cut blow that will make some of these contenders fizzle out cold and wither down like morning dew.

Let me give you a little hint. For this Bally government to have let go one Faith Musonda , it’s not a weakness as the future is full of revelations which will cause some of the PF contenders land in jail or if lucky, their names will be so tainted that no voter will dare bank on them.

Let me come back to Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba . Why him.for 2026? Is he a better option? Does he possess what it takes?

I know the PF big wigs will not think of EM for top slot. Main reason being they want to lead the party mainly as a convenient PR shield such that when Bally government starts nabbing and plucking them out from the scene one by one, they will cry blue murder, “persecution” as opposition leadership when in fact not. And this may go on for a couple of years and organising the PF will be harder than never imagined.

As it were, power echelons entail that Bally will not avoid to play politics if he has to preserve his Seat for another 5 years after this one ends. And one thing Africa knows is to weaken the strata of any opposing challenger, unless Bally will have been satisfied to go only up to 2026.

So, this situation can only be dealt with if as a start, the challenger is intelligent, sensible, clean, oratory, fearless and strategic. And, no doubt, Ambassador Mwamba fits the challenge ball – the rest are potential jail birds given the way they conducted themselves in the decade-long of PF regime.

Politics of insults, divisions, tribe, ethnicity and violence are behind us. These Millennials abhor such and any politician driving such agenda digs a deeper own grave.

Ambassador Mwamba is strong, intelligent, vibrant, an orator and knows how to work with the youths, the VIPs and the experienced.

Above all, he is innovative and knows how to get the job done – despite any hurdles.

Big question : What if the PF does not allow him space as they have already started their George Orwell ” Animal Farm ” discriminatory imposition of non-existent by-laws saying only parliamentarians should dare stand as PF Presidential candidates? Well, we cross that bridge when we reach there.

Of course, the first target they are aiming to kick out is one Dr Chishimba Kambwili. But they needed not to have gone that far. They could have used these year unbroken party membership. And if the PF holds its Convention to elect a party President next June, CK will have sat on ice glacier automatically without a fight unless he goes back to Saboi Imboela run National Democratic Congress – NDC where he could be the alpha and omega contender.

By Barbrah Chama
There Is No Intelligence If There Is No Emotional Intelligence:

“If Peni Mwamba means well let him apologies for taking part in tribal and regional talks that divided Zambians”

Saying Peni’s appointment is based on his intelligence, raises suspicions and questions as there is no intelligence in lacking emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence entails:
(1) relating better with others,
(2) forming healthier relationships,
(3) achieving greater success without using crooked methods, and
(4) leading a more fulfilling life.

Considering the above simple elements on emotional intelligence, it can be said that a person who acts or says things to intentionally hurt other people’s feelings is not intelligent.

Emotional intelligent is a type of social intelligence that affords the individual the ability to monitor his own and other’s emotions. Peni Mwamba lacks this trait.

Peni’s intelligence is doubtfully intelligence as he can’t deliberately tell the difference between promoting peace and encouraging division in the country; it is either he did or does everything ignorantly or intentionally, either way, his behaviour makes him a dangerous person as such characters can set the country on fire because of their malicious tribal or regional talks.

There are people who were under cover, or were hiding because of being civil servants or other personal reasons but they never uttered statements that could encouraged division in the country. It was only the likes of Peni Mwamba, GBM, Sean Tembo, M’membe and Chishimba kambwili who almost managed to bring division in the country, these are tribal and regional sickening elements zambians are apparently still struggling to heal from. In a nutshell, recommending or appointing Peni Mwamba as Permanent Secretary Cabinet Office-Remuneration is not in order.

Let Peni’s appointment be reversed. He is not as intelligent as justifications are made or coming out. He is only manipulative; with him, there is likely to be confusion or discouragements as would be obvious from the already existing situation. If Mwamba Peni means well to zambians, let him apologies for taking part in tribal and regional talks that divided zambians.

Secretary to Treasury, Felix Nkulukusa writes;

Zambia is spending annually $1.3billion on fuel and electricity subsidies

In my graduate school, when I was doing my MA in development economics, one of the professors, Prof Monteal, taught me about economics being the simplest subject because there is no right or wrong answer as every answer depends on the assumptions one makes.

What is interesting with big brother Mumba’s view point, thou, is that he is advocating for a status quo of maintaining non deductibility of mineral royalty for purposes of income tax in order not to lose $182 million which, in his view, then solves the problems we have.

Interesting though is that we have had this non deductability status of mineral royalty for years now, collected the ‘$182’ million every year and we still have the fiscal challenge.

I take it the assumption here is that we can do the same now that it’s UPND in power and the results will be different. In my view and this is the argument I made way back in 2013 when I was PS in the Ministry of Finance and I appeared on a radio Phoenix programme with a colleague from a CSO who was arguing against removal of subsidies (am sure one can get the recording from Radio phoenix if one desires to). At that radio programme, I talked about the need for reform in fuel and electricity subsidies, arguing that these subsidies benefits the rich more than the poor.

Zambia’s subsidy on fuel is about US$67 million per month or US$800 million per year and on electricity is over US$40 million per month or US$500 million per year.

This means that the Treasury is using about US$107 million per month or US$1.3 billion per year on fuel and electricity subsidy.

What is even more interesting is that more than 60% of fuel and/or electricity in Zambia is consumed by the mines with only less than 2% of the the two products being consumed by the ordinery and vulnerable people who are genuinely supposed to be subsidised. This means that the mines are being subsidised by US$780 million every year in fuel and electricity while the ordinary and vulnerable Zambians are only getting a subsidy of a partly US$26 million per year.

My argument in 2013, which is the same argument I have today, is whether it makes sense to subsidise fuel and electricity in the current structure or we should remove the subsidies on these products and use the resources to better target and support the poor people, be it in supporting or providing bursaries and meal allowances to the vulnerable pupils and students attending school, enhancing education and health services, particularly in rural areas including providing medicines and personal in health facilities to provide Premier health care treatment to the Zambian people, enhancing social protection programmes such as social cash transfers etc.

The broader question in my view is who are real beneficiaries of the current structure of our subsidy programmes? Is it the students in schools, colleges and universities, is it the poor Zambian that deserve government assistance or is it the same multinationals but speaking through the poor to try and maintain the status quo?

Should the government focus on arguing on whether or not to maintain non-deductibility of mineral royalty to retain the US$182 million or we should be fixing the heamoraging of over US$1billion per year in subsidies going to the unintended beneficiaries?

Let me also take this opportunity to explain in simple terms what non deductibility of mineral royalty means. Let us assume a mining company produces one tonne of copper which it sells at $10,000. Let us also assume its cost of production is $3,000 for operation and $2, 000 for salaries to its workers. Let us further assume that the company pays ZRA $2,000 in mineral royalty tax. The question is what is this company’s profit on which it has to pay its corporate tax at 35%?

Under the current law, which big brother Mumba is propagating, ZRA will only allow the company to deduct operational costs and salaries to be deducted from the compan’y revenues meaning that ZRA will tell the company your profit is 5,000 i.e 10,000 less 3,000 (operating cost) less 2,000 (salaries). ZRA then charges company income tax at 35% on 5,000. But the actual profit the company has made is 3,000 because it paid 2,000 to ZRA as mineral royalty in addition to its own costs of 5,000. Now, that tax on the 2,000 which the company paid to ZRA but ZRA refuses to recognise receipt of it for purposes of determining profit to be taxed is what is amounting $182 million. This is the money that mining companies have paid to ZRA, charged on the money that the mining companies already paid to but ZRA as mineral royalty. In simple terms, government is double taxing the mining companies.

Under the new law that comes into effect on 1st January 2022, the Government is now saying that if a mining company pays mineral royalty to ZRA, ZRA should allow and recognise this payment (deductibility) in arriving at the profit to be taxed.

Is the current law a good law or we should change it as is being proposed by the Government? Well, it depends as Professor Monteal says. For big brother Mumba, it’s a good law because it gives us $182million today. For me it’s a bad law because it denies us investment that should make us reach 3 million tonnes of copper production and in turn increase our taxes from the mines from the current under $1 billion to between $4 and $6 billion depending on the copper prices.

In short, it depends on whether we need the $182 million now and forego $2 billion tomorrow or we need the $2 billion tomorrow and we can forgo the $182 million now.

Chibamba Kanyama
ARE WE READY TO PAY THE PRICE WITH OR WITHOUT THE IMF?

After seven years of assurances about an IMF bailout, Zambia is now clearly on course to secure it. This is three and half months after Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, then in opposition, told me unequivocally he would get the IMF on board within three months of UPND in power.

1. IMF HAS REFORMED: The IMF issue generates emotive discussions anywhere in the world. The old ghost of the disastrous Structural Adjustment Programmes is still fresh for many people. Within the IMF where I worked, these realities are compounded by the failed prescription during the Asian crisis (1997/98). I have, however, written before that there are significant adjustments in IMF approaches in programme arrangements in recent years: broadened consultations with stakeholders including with civil society, protection of the vulnerable during the programme execution through wider social cash transfer arrangements and allowing the recipient country to negotiate the terms (conditionalities). Serbia, Ghana and a few countries are the documented success stories of countries that recently weaned off a three year IMF programme, with renewed economic stability though there still remains some doubts. These countries would be valuable lessons for Zambia about how to do it (Serbia) and how not to do it (Ghana).

2. PEOPLE SOULD UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THE OPTION: Of importance now is to get Zambians fully prepared for what is coming. They should know why we have gone into this arrangement, what guarantees exist that we will restore the economy to desired levels after the programme period (healthy fiscal account; increased domestic and foreign investments; high employment levels); and why this remains the best option under the circumstances. It is possible Zambians may come up with other options to demonstrate their resolve to do away with the IMF or any other ‘imperialistic’ solutions. Some of the possible solutions they may propose include an increase in PAYE, VAT and corporate taxes (citizens who mean real business go for this option!). This can help us pay off the debts in about five years and we can be a truly free country economically.

3: THE PROBLEM IS REAL: We should explain to the people that with or without the IMF, we need to sort out the problem before us, the problem of unsustainable debts to the extent that to survive in 2022, we still have to borrow to pay off older debts. You may never know: Zambians, including the trade unions, can decide against the IMF by choosing to bite the bullet beyond an increase in taxes. They can choose to voluntarily remove all manner of subsidies so that those savings can be used to bail out the country. These are real and practical options at this time, and most of them can be worse than IMF conditionalities.

4: CHOOSING THE ACCEPTABLE PAIN: The bottomline is that with or without the IMF programme, Zambians will pay the price, especially those with limited economic leverages. It is now a choice of what kind of pain is endurable: either the IMF programme that helps us to restructure the debts by offering us nearly zero interest Ioan but with conditionalities or a home grown programme that will call for more or less the same austerity measures but at least through self-injection. The previous regime tried the latter through Zambia Plus but lacked willpower to inject ourselves. We can also choose to postpone the problem by avoiding to pay the debts, an option that destroys our sovereign standing now and in future.

5. IMF PROGRAMME IS MANAGABLE: Zambians are generally in a better state to endure the IMF conditionalities than was the case in the 1990s. Government is equally more knowledgeable about what to do now than it did in 1990s. Some of the reforms IMF usually pushes for such as liberalizing the exchange rate are no longer an issue. The IMF is also much more prepared to handle our requirements than before and will definitely seek to protect the poor against becoming poorer during the course of the programme.

5: SUMMING IT ALL: We have a problem before us. We postponed making critical decisions at the right time. Now someone has to finally call the shots. Government has come up with one option and it’s a question of whether we accept it or not. If we reject it, we have to come up with another REALISTIC option. It is not enough to simply react against imperialists and think the problem will go away; let us show them what we are made of. It’s a reality check and may God grant us wisdom (‘Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always. Ps 105:4). Have a lovely Sunday.

When you give up $1bn revenue from MRT in 5 years and opt to borrow $1.4bn in 3 years

The finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane announced the reaching of a $1.4billion staff level loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund – IMF to be disbursed over three (3) years.

This works out on a straight line basis to be a loan of $467million per year for three years ($1.4m/3yrs). Is this amount worth the deal and the conditions precedent?

The Finance Minister in his 2022 budget presentation stated that he is allowing Mineral Royalty Tax – MRT to be tax deductible which would result in an annual revenue loss of K3.2billion (about $200m). This works out to $1bn over 5 years ($200m * 5yrs).

Now, this revenue loss on MRT becoming tax deductible is premised on current copper prices which have been projected to even be on the way up and higher in the coming years on growing Copper demand for electric car boom. This means that the country could have even made more than $200m per year from MRT alone.

FQM’s Kanshanshi Mine in 2020 produced gold worth about $200 million as Zambia Gold Company Kasenseli mine which is ZCCM-IH 51% and Ministry of Finance 49% owned is said to have even higher gold deposits with potential to deliver gold worth $500million annually. Is borrowing $467m annually worth it?

We can go on and on to share Zambian projects and products that can make the government $467million annually in direct or indirect revenue which questions the decision to opt to engage the IMF for amounts that the government can raise.

Some questions to ask?

1. Is the $1.4bn over 3 years worth it? Isn’t the difference too small when compared with $1bn in 5 years.
2. Was MRT deductibility trade off which now works out to be a mere $267m per annum worth it?
3. Why should we not work at getting gold from Kasenseli in Mwinilunga to give the nation the $467m than borrow? Are there no other options to re-structure the loans other than through this IMF deal?
4. If it’s technical assistance you need from IMF, you can still get it without putting the country to negotiate on tough conditions precedent that already is not giving you time to find alternatives to sort out innovative ways to cut electricity and fuel prices without the need to immediately increase prices on already burdened citizens and business community?
5. On the need for an IMF stamp to restructure the already existing debt, can’t engagement for technical support only suffice? has Lazard failed? When are you terminating their contract?

We are not in any way saying the IMF deal should be discarded if it works out to be the only option, but our collective experience and history as a nation tells us to take full precautions for the sake of posterity.

We ask again; Is this trade off to forgo straight revenue of about $1bn in MRT opting to borrowing $1.4bn in debt worth it?

-ZBT

By Alexander Nkosi

1. INTRODUCTION

I have done a long and detailed article on IMF, if you have time, access it from my page and read. It explains everything you need to know about IMF, conditionality, evolution of Zambia’s economy and why we need it. This article is a condensed version, addressing emmerging issues as the debate evolves.

2. STATE OF THE ECONOMY

In 2022, Zambia’s domestic revenue is projected at K98.9 billion. A total of K78.6 billion will go to debt service. When we add the huge civil service wage bill, all the domestic revenue is exhausted. This means that we have to borrow to cover other important items outlined in the budget, and this includes social sector spending and activities aimed at stimulating the economy. Our external debt is $12.9 billion, domestic debt is K189.7 billion and domestic arrears stand at K46.9 billion. As debt is rising one would expect that since we are borrowing heavily, arrears should be going down, but unfortunately both debt and arrears are increasing. In the coming years we have eurobond principal repayments which would almost exhaust the entire domestic revenue.

3. ZAMBIA WITHOUT IMF DEAL

To appreciate the importance of the IMF deal, perhaps we have to look at what the situation would be without the deal.

Without an IMF deal, negotiations for debt restructuring will breakdown, implying that we have to go to the capital markets to borrow at very high rates to raise money to repay debt. It further means that very few investers would want to invest in such an economic environment. Forex earnings will remain low since dollar denominated debt outlays will be high, kwacha will further depreciate, pushing the cost of living as well as cost of production up since we are import dependent. The economy will shrink, leading to job losses and many companies closing. Some lenders will probably target our properties due to high debt burden and slim chances of repaying. Under such circumstances, we won’t manage to sustain even the same subsidies we are worried about. We will struggle to procure drugs in hospitals and meet the civil service wage bill. Hence as we discuss the negative effects of IMF conditionality, let us weight that against the negative effects of not getting the IMF deal.

4. WE WILL HAVE A WORSE SELF-IMPOSED CONDITIONALITY IN THE ABSCENE OF AN IMF DEAL

The question we should ask ourselves is: what IMF conditionality are we afraid of which is worse than where we would be in the absence of the IMF program? The problem is that IMF program critics argue as though we are a country with stable economic fundamentals that does not want to focus on domestic solutions but opts for an IMF deal. They forget that domestic solutions require a better economic environment to thrive which is hard under the current circumstances:

a) We struggled to recruit health personnel at a time we badly needed them during second and third waves of the pandemic, yet we are worried that IMF will ask us to implement a partial employment freeze. Didn’t we already have it?

b) We owe civil servants unpaid allowances and arrears, we even struggled remitting loan deductions and yet we are afraid IMF will ask us to impose a partial wage freeze. Hasn’t the way we managed the economy already imposed a partial wage freeze?

c) The stock of fuel arrears as at end-August 2021 stood at US $477.79 million. On average, the monthly cost of subsidising fuel is $21 million and this is bound to rise based on projections. So we borrow to finance fuel procurement, but still accrue huge arrears. We end up with huge debt and arrears. Are we affording subsidies? We are not! we are only accruing huge debt and arrears without any plan of repayment or sustainability. The result is a bad economy. Is a subsidy that comes at the expense of a bad economy worth it? We end up indirectly paying a big price through huge debt which is chocking the economy.

d) With regards to electricity, ZESCO buys at a high price from Independent Power Producers (IPP) at an average of US$c11/kWh and sells to its customers at an average tariff of US$c7/kWh. As a result, it owes IPPs about US$ 1.1 billion for the supply of power. Despite only contributing 20% of total power distributed by ZESCO, IPPs consume about 47% of ZESCO’s total revenue. The other issue is that most of the cost related transactions by ZESCO are dollar denominated while it sells to domestic consumers in kwacha. With kwacha depreciating, this has led to huge losses. When the last tariff adjustment was made, the exchange rate was K12/ $, however it increased to K22/$ by 2021, leading to a huge loss. Between 2018 to 2020, ZESCO made losses amounting to $432 million due to kwacha depreciation. By September 2021, ZESCO’s total debt rose to $3.5 billion. So are we are not managing to sustain the electricity subsidy that is why ZESCO owes IPPs $1.1 billion and has a total debt of $3.5 billion. We did not solve anything but only left the situation to get worse to a level where if we go on like this, we will end up with cheap but unavailable electricity. So what IMF conditionality are we afraid of if we already pushed ourselves into a situation where we have no option but to revert to cost reflective tariffs.

e) In a country like Zambia where the cost of production and cost of living is so high, fuel and electricity subsidies play a key role both to producers and consumers. Removing these subsidies will increase the cost of production and impact on profitability, it will also increase the cost of living. This is a fact we cannot dispute even if the impact has not been quantified. The question is that, much as we know the importance of these subsidies, how do we afford them given our debt and economic situation? Accruing more debt and arrears to provide subsidies will only lead to a situation where we struggle to provide electricity and fuel leading to a situation worse than the removal of subsidies.

5. THE IMF PROGRAM IS NOT ONLY ABOUT THE $1.4 BILLION, THERE ARE MORE BENEFITS THAT COME WITH IT

Let me stress that an IMF deal is not a substitute to domestic solutions but would actually help domestic solutions work, through improved economic fundamentals which would otherwise limit the success of any domestic solution. The package is not only about the $1.4 billion, it will also help us get better debt restructuing which will free up money we are spending on debt service. In the 2022 budget, we are spending K78.6 billion on debt service, if we restructure our debt in a way that frees up K40 billion from this, it means that we borrow less and spend more on stimulating economic activities. The $1.4 billion will help us address BOP challenges and brings stability to our currency. The IMF deal will also help attract investments and hence increased flow of dollars in the economy. This has several advantages; it will lead to kwacha appreciation and reduce prices of imports. It will overally contribute to economic growth, job creation, expansion of domestic revenue.

6. WHY NOT REVERSE THE ADJUSTMENT MADE TO MINERAL ROYALTY TAX AND RAISE MONEY?

Some people argue that we should reverse the mining tax adjustment and make mineral royalties non tax deductible. Note that the estimated revenue loss from the adjustment made is K3.2 billion. Hence, reversing this will increase domestic revenue to K102.1 billion from K98.9 billion. This is not a significant increase and would not necessarily help us substitute the IMF deal which comes with benefits beyond the $1.4 billion. However, this reversal would actually force mines to withdraw $2.5 billion expansion project. We would be engulfed in prolonged disputes leading to a drop in production.

7. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, I’m challenging all those opposed to an IMF program to come up with feasible alternative solutions that can yield results effective 2022. It is not enough to just condemn the IMF program, what alternative solutions would thrive under the current economic environment? Provide projections of annual revenue arising from such alternatives.

Thank you.

CHASEFU CONSTITUENCY INDEPENDENT MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT HON MISHECK NYAMBOSE COMMONLY KNOWN AS CHIMUTHUNZI WROTE👇👇👇

HH DETERMINED TO DEVELOP CHASEFU CONSTITUENCY.

As chasefu member of Parliament I want to pay special thanks to his excellency President of the republic of zambia Mr Hakainde Hichilema for once again accommodating me to a meeting which took place yesterday Thursday the 3rd of December 2021 with a view of sharing his vision for the country and chasefu constituency in particular.

I want to state on behalf of the people of Chasefu how committed and inclusive our president is on his developmental agenda.
I am very convinced that in the next five (5) years this country and chasefu in particular will not be the same again.
For the benefit of the people of Chasefu I want to state that this was the third time that iam interacting with the head of state sharing ideas on the challenges of chasefu constituency.

To me it demonstrates that he is determined to change the development tragectory of our constituency and zambia as a whole.
Yesterday’s meeting was so unique that we discussed so many things such as:
1) The fertilizer support program (Fisp). Restalling of the Regumes packages to farmers which had been suspended.. Now farmer will get their Regumes support but under a watchful eye of all stakeholders in order to ensure that only the intended vulnerable farmers benefit.

2) Lundazi – Chama road which has never seen bitumen or tarmac since independence. Dear colleagues you may wish to know that this Lundazi chama road is our cry and it is my anthem as your member of Parliament because once upgraded. It will will bring a lot of benefits and improve our lives.
3)Chasefu boarding secondary school. The only boarding school in our constituency deserves to be completed as it is at 80% completion level.

4) water challenges… We discussed the issue of clean and safe water. You are aware that water is life and it is my desire and that of our head of state that we give water to our people in the constituency unlike exposing them to dirty and unsafe water.
In this direction I shall priotise provision of water to our people first and those projects which are at 80% completion stage.
5) we also discussed Women and Youth empowerment. You may wish to know that the President and his New Dawn Govt has taken Women and Youth empowerment very serious hence he has put more than k800, 000 in the 2022 CDF budget.

6) We also discussed the Chasefu chikwa road via Luwelezi bridge which once it rains Khulikuli and the other part of our constituency gets cut off. I have since engaged Sable contractor and I have scheduled a meeting next week in order to find a short term measure to make it passable to motorists and people even when rains come.

The conversation was broad and fantastic that I am actually energized and motivated so much that I will continue working and supporting His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema until he succeeds in his agenda to uplift not only the people of Chasefu but Zambia as a whole.

My appeal to the people of Chasefu is that elections are over its now time to work for the betterment of the people of Chasefu.
The President and myself your servant, we are on the move to fulfill our commitments.
We need your genuine support for us to deliver.
HH is a good leader committed to change the way things were being done in this country just like me.
Chasefu will not be the same again.
Kwachema…..

Emmanuel Chilekwa

The Bally government is curving and engraving its legacy as a government of fake promises and fake prophecies. At every juncture, their word is missing the target or milestone timeline.

Meanwhile, the Kwacha has continued disregarding Bally’s swearing in milestone of 14hrs as it is confirming that he lied or gave a wrong economic prophecy and yet he is an economist. Bally has still continued giving fresh promises or prophecies – badly missing them like the way Prophet Isaac Amataa missed his.

The Bally regime is totally lost regarding what’s happening to our economy. Today, head of government business in Parliament wondered why commodity prices are not coming down and yet inflation is adjusting downwards though not as expected single digit projected.

To scroungers for an answer, she has tasked the Commerçe ministry to get to the ground and find out why commodity prices are still this high.

What am wondering is whether the Vice President understands that when you are an import oriented country, not exporting as much, your currency is always stressed.

Again, the Verp does not seem to recognise the time of the year that festive season puts stress on the Kwacha because even food spices, drinks and essential commodities are all imported.

If the head of government is this uninformed by her team of experts, we are in for a rough ride. Not amusing that she was presenting a non existing Constitutional law and was unable to distinguish bailable and non bailable offence until she was corrected.

But, these are not the only government leaders missing it. Even Presidential State House Aides have put in the public podium false information about their only Boss, telling us that he sits on certain Boards when in fact not until Banknof Zambia wrote to Airtel to correct the mess.

Even on simple information over vaccinations, communication is a huge challenge to get to know what is being communicated. Someone says it is mandatory, others say it is voluntary and yet when you don’t have it, you are being turned away – raising debate where there’s supposed to he non.

So, if the Bosses are missing it, the 25 advisors are missing it, we only pray to zGod to sustain our going FORWARD by faith not by pseudo facts and missed promises and fake prophecies as they are being given to us.

We are on auto pilot. Mulungu azawelusa.

By Tenson Mkhala,

MINISTRY of Health permanent secretary in charge of administration Dr George Magwende says the investigations being conducted by a joint team of investigative wings are based on past transactions that could have taken place at the Ministry.

A combined team of law enforcement agencies consisting of ACC, DEC and the Zambia Police today conducted a search at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Lusaka.

There was heavy police presence at the entrance of Ndeke House and entering or exiting the premises was not allowed, except for top officials such as directors and Permanent secretaries.

The search which started as early as 07:00 hours only ended around 17:00 hours

And speaking to journalists, Dr Magwende said the search had been necessitated following the queries raised when the Ministry appeared before the Public Accounts Committee.

“The Honourable Minister did observe that you were standing here and so she thought it wise that I should speak to you people regarding what is going on. You notice that there are police officers and they came in the morning to basically carry out what they are calling the routine check of some transactions that could have been taken place in the past.

The staff that were allowed to go in were very cooperative and I think officers can attest to that. Officers themselves are from the ACC,DEC and the Zambia police and they are being very professional. Very friendly and I think our interaction has been very cordial.

The cooporation has been superb from the Minister herself, the PSs, the directors and everyone that has been called to cooperate in the investigations. So, they are basically doing some investigations based on past transactions,” said Dr Magwende.

“They are doing both, looking at the documents as well as speaking to some of the officers that were being called. As you realised not everyone was allowed in for some time.

I am sure you are aware of what has been going on, particularly the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC), queries of what was happening in terms of interaction or engagements at the Ministry and so, I am sure these departments work in a system so this could be an extension to that.”

Congratulations to the Minister of Finance and his team

” However, Government must disclose details of the “bold and ambitious economic reforms” it has pledged to the IMF, to implement”

By. Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

The IMF team reached a staff-level agreement with the Zambian authorities on a new arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for 2022-2025 to help restore macro-economic stability and provide the foundation for an inclusive economic recovery.

The former ruling party, the Patriotic Front Government chased this agreement under various Ministers of Finance; Hon.Felix Mutati, Hon. Margaret Mwanakatwe and Hon.Bwalya Ngandu, but to no avail.

So congratulations to Hon. Situmbeko Musokotwane and his team as this is a remarkable achievement.

However, this agreement is based on the Zambian government’s commitment to the IMF to undertake bold and ambitious economic reforms.

Further, the staff-level agreement is subject to IMF Management and Executive Board approval and receipt of the necessary financing assurances.

CONCERNS

Government must disclose the details of the commitment the team has made to make “bold and ambitious economic reforms”.

This is an area of backroom agreements and conditionalities that make Governments implement with the IMF, reforms that may be hostile to the social and economic-well being of the country.

And it’s this part that is never publicly disclosed to the citizenry.

Will Government remove subsidies that may cause fuel and electricity tarrifs to go up? Will they implement both an employment and a wage freeze for public service workers?

Will Government be made to implement strong austerity measures in the next 3 years?

Will it be forced to restructure and privatise state-owned entities such as ZESCO? Will Government be made to abandon subsidies to the agriculture sector such as scale-down the Farmer Input Suppirt Programme (FISP) Programme? Will Social Cash Transfer to the poor be affected?

How will Government deal with the current public debt?

How will Government deal with both KCM and Mopani Mines? And the mining policy in general?

This is the part that Government must make full disclosure and inspire honest discussions.

So before Government makes these disclosures, commitments and assurances to the IMF Executive Board, it is imperative that the undertaking and details made to embark on “bold and ambitious economic reforms” are made public.

This helps us remove suspicions, myths and mysteries around the IMF Programme.

Besides, it’s our lives as a nation that will be affected by the “bold and ambitious” decisions.

Make the details public.

IMENDA DATES SOUTH AFRICA’S ANC

says Zambia and ANC has immortal, historic relationship

Sandton, Johannesburg~3rd December, 2021.

UPND Secretary General, Batuke Imenda is in South Africa for a visit to that country’s ruling party, the African National Congress-ANC.

Mr Imenda is in that country in order to tap into the ANC’s strategic framework for harnessing the participation of youths, women and persons living with disabilities in governance.

And in his speech delivered at the ANC/UPND meeting at Hilton Hotel in Sandton City today, Mr Imenda acknowledged the historic, immortal relationship that Zambia and ANC shared, charging that Zambia played a critical role in harbouring South Africa’s freedom fighters such as Oliver Thambo, Alfred Nzo and Thabo Mbeki.

He also stressed that the UPND acknowledged that for one to be part of the economy, there was need for them to be players in the economy.

He said the New Dawn Administration of President Hakainde Hichilema was committed to regional, economic diplomacy, devoid of trade barriers.

He charged that the UPND was eager to learn about the ANC’s business model of youth, women and persons with disabilities’ empowerment.

He also reiterated President Hichilema’s recent call on SADC members to promote and actualize a single market for goods and services in the SADC region aimed at boosting trade and investment.

He further stressed that the New Dawn Administration was cognizant that fundamental principles of good governance such as transparency and accountability; respect for fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens; respect for the rule of law, civil and religious liberties if the country was to flourish economically, socially and politically.
UPND Treasurer General Watson Lumba speaking at the same occasion said the party is willing to learn from ANC a party that has been in power for 27 years and has survived without feeling in the government coffers.

He said the New Dawn administration has a clear policy that all resources shall go towards government efforts to transform the economy and better the lives of the Zambian people.

Responding to remarks made by Mr Imenda African National Congress Paul Mashatile said the engagements already made by the New Dawn Administration President Hakainde Hichilema are a clear indicator that the two countries and other states in the region are ready to build a better Africa in a better world.

Mr Khoza said ANC has open doors and looks forward to working with Zambia’s ruling party.

He appealed to the new Dawn Administration that the pressure from citizens are as a result of high expectations emanating from what they went through in the previous regime.

He is accompanied by Treasurer General Watson Lumba, his Professional assistant and Secretary NMC/NEC Mark Simuwe, Assistant Kingsley Nkonde, Joel Mulaisho, Media Director Ruth Dante, Cheche Mazoka, Mr Ferdinand Simaanya, SA chapter SG Eddy Sikaala

UPND MEDIA TEAM

By Ulande Nkomeshya

SHIWANG’ANDU PF member of parliament Stephen Kampyongo says it is irresponsible for government Chief Whip Stafford Mulusa to claim that most PF MPs go to Parliament drunk.

And Kampyongo says the party will need to “weed out” undisciplined members in order to rebrand.

In an interview, Thursday, Kampyongo who is also Party Whip in Parliament said Mulusa didn’t know his role as government Chief Whip.

“First of all, the Government Chief whip should know his role, that means, he doesn’t know his role and if he doesn’t, he has to do a lot to understand the role of the Government Whip. We are in the opposition to offer checks and balances and the nation is able to tell whether MPs are drunk.

The Zambian people are intelligent and you can’t fool them. When we point out the wrongs in the Executive, their responsibility is to address those wrongs, unless he is saying there was no reason in what we were asking them to do,” he said.

“But if you have proved and I am sure you have had a chance to look at the yellow book, it is a public document, so to try and say that, is economical with the truth.

I think we shall deal with that using the Parliamentary Procedures, I would like to have that copy. We shall deal with it following the procedures of Parliament. But that is being irresponsible because I wouldn’t say anything about fellow members of parliament in that fashion.”

Kampyongo said the PF MPs only walked out of Parliament because of the manner the proceedings were being handled.

“If themselves were coming drunk, unless you are saying each time they walked out of Parliament themselves, they were drunk. It is not the same with us. Remember the several times they had to walk [out] but it has taken us long.

There are so many things that could have made us walk out, but we have been much more magnanimous, we only walked out when we couldn’t take the manner they wanted to proceed,” he said.

And commenting on the recent dissolution of the PF Lusaka Provincial committee, Kampyongo said the party would need to “weed out” undisciplined members in order to rebrand.

“When you have two individuals or a few individuals making noise, that does not constitute grassroots. I was in my constituency myself and I inspected some of my structures and other members of parliament have done that. So, you can’t have a handful of party members making noise in the name of grassroots, it doesn’t work.

Rebranding will come with discipline, some of the things that costed us are bordering on indiscipline. We can’t say that we are going to rebrand with indisciplined members of the party. So rebranding starts with discipline,” said Kampyongo.

“Weed out indisciplined characters and then you start putting responsible people. The party is in all the 10 provinces, so if you hear noises of a few individuals in one province, it doesn’t constitute grassroots, because even grassroots need to know what is happening in the individual constituencies.

So not just a few individuals that are able to make noise on social media, it doesn’t work like that. So those who have been disciplined know the channel to appeal not to make noise on social media, it won’t help them.”

PARLIAMENT yesterday passed the proposed K78.9 million budgetary allocation for State House, with nominated Member of Parliament Likando Mufalali saying there was too much partying at Plot One previously.

Mr Mufulali said the new dawn administration is focused on ensuring that Zambians get the benefits of voting for the United Party for National Development (UPND).

During festive periods like this December, there was a lot of partying and dancing at State House until citizens concluded that there was a ‘kadansa’ in State House,” he said.

“People are used to big entourages, but because the new dawn government is responsible, it has cut down on the number of people who travel with the President.”At the mention of the word “kadansa”, Shiwang’andu Patriotic Front (PF) MP Stephen Kampyongo rose on a point of order.

Second Deputy Speaker Moses Moyo urged Mr Mufalali “not to make statements that inflict pain on others but to debate with facts”.

After Vice-President WK Mutale Nalumango had made a policy statement on the proposed budget, Lunte PF MP Mutotwe Kafwaya, tongue-in-cheek, said what Minister of Finance Situmbeko Musokotwane has done is unfair.“Put more money so that the President can travel as a number one diplomat,” Mr Kafwaya said. “The bloated administration at State House is gobbling money.”

However, Mr Moyo advised Mr Kafwaya to debate based on facts.Mr Kafwaya said the President should take advice given by State institutions seriously and not to issue contradictory statements.“I support this head [budget] and I hope you will double or triple it because the trend is already showing that you will be back with a supplementary budget,” he said.Kantanshi MP (PF) Anthony Mumba said as a result of the high number of advisors at State House, the roles will be overlapping.“

The position of special advisor is at the level of deputy secretary to Cabinet. So it means emoluments have increased,” he said.Mr Kampyongo commended the Vice-President for remedying the issue opposition MPs had raised of failure to bring to the House a draft National Development Plan, which is a prerequisite to passing the budget.“We are not here to be antagonistic but to offer credible advice,” Mr Kampyongo said. “State House is the apex institution of this nation. Moving into State House forms part of the Presidency.”

He said Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu now has a “headache” to secure the head of State as he moves from his private residence to State House daily.“It is convenient for the head of State to be flown to State House, which has a helipad. So talk to your counterpart at the Ministry of Defence [Ambrose Lufuma] so that the President is airlifted to State House than make police officers stand during route lining all day,” Mr Kampyongo said.He further said the issue of propaganda must be dealt with because it was rumoured that President Hakainde Hichilema would address the House yesterday. “Now that he is President, State apparatus must manage his office.

This (State House) is a national institution and as we appropriate funds, we should be in a position to attend without fearing what will happen. Our plea to all those that surround the President, they should give him accurate information,” Mr Kampyongo said.Leader of the Opposition Brian Mundubile said the head of State should be carrying journalists from the public media because it is beneficial to his administration.

The presiding officer also asked Pambashe MP Ronald Chitotela to withdraw an unparliamentary word. Mr Chitotela had said: “Shut up, you green horn,” in reference to another member who was passing running commentaries.“I didn’t know that the word ‘shut up’ is not parliamentary.

I withdraw it without any problem,” he said.The Vice-President appreciated the debates made by the members.Mrs Nalumango said Nkwazi House is an old structure which was built in 1935 and, therefore, gobbles more during refurbishment.“Of course, there were some political talks that the President goes round to every by-election.

Some of his travels are done by Cabinet. He is a chief ambassador, the chief marketer who must travel,” she said. “There are benefits in his travel which the nation will soon start seeing.

Daily mail See less

K500,000 ALLOCATED TO DEVELOP A CURRICULUM THAT RESPONDS TO INDUSTRY – MUTATI

Technology and Science Minister Hon Felix Mutati has revealed that the new dawn government through his ministry has allocated K500,000 for the development of a curriculum that responds to the industry’s needs.

Hon Mutati said this is crucial because the ministry is very focused on the development and elevation of skills as well as create opportunities, which is one of the major deliverables of the new dawn government.

And Hon Mutati said $1.2 million support from Volvo has been sourced to support the Northern Technical College (NORTEC) in Ndola which has been used in the procurement of Volvo and heavy duty machinery.

He also said the same institution has seen the placement of high level equipment using the skills development fund under the ministry while another $1 million has been secured from the African Development Bank to support equipment acquisition for other technical schools of higher learning.

The minister said the intention of all this is to support the skills of the Zambian people so that the country’s future is assured and would in turn create quality jobs.

He said thousands of students at NORTEC and other institutions will be able to benefit from this investment once they are enrolled.

“Our strategy is clear and that is of putting our money in equipment and curriculum development. We have put K500,000 to develop a curriculum that responds to industry and this we think is absolutely crucial” Hon Mutati said.

Meanwhile, Hon Mutati said so far, 500 computers have been donated by ZICTA and distributed countrywide with a target to benefit 100,000 learners from this donation.

He said on the Copperbelt province alone, eighty two (82) learning institutions have benefited from this donation.

He also said 82 institutions have been connected to the optic fibre network courtesy of ZICTA in order to improve internet connectivity and access, among them being the Copperbelt University.

“Our idea of ICT is to bring it to learning institutions so that at the very bottom, our people are able to learn these skills. This is a noble program” he said.

Hon Mutati added that his ministry believes that the country cannot achieve digital transformation without connectivity and digital services which is the reason his ministry working to ensure this is attained.

The EU-backed anti-corruption campaign currently underway in Zambia is at risk of veering towards a political purge, according to a new report published this week, a development that may undermine international goodwill towards President Hakainde Hichilema and increase the business risk for foreign investors.

The election of Hichilema as president of Zambia in August was heralded in the political capitals of the world like no other African poll result in living memory. Hichilema, known as ‘HH’, came to power against the odds, backed by a groundswell of support from a youthful population tired of life under the regime of Edgar Lungu.

The EU’s Election Observation Mission (EOM) even acknowledged the efforts to stymie HH’s campaign and his United Party for National Development (UPND), noting “unequal campaign conditions, restrictions on freedoms of assembly and movement, and abuse of incumbency”.
Brussels, like Washington, London and Paris, welcomed HH’s election and rightly supported the mandate he had secured for his policy platform, which centred around a strong but fair anti-corruption campaign.

HH was hailed as the reforming force that could break decades of under-development and drive Zambia’s economic revival, with Ursula van der Leyen emphasising the EU’s intent to “collaborate to drive forward the proposed governance and economic reforms prioritised in your overall programme for the future development of Zambia”.

Now, 100 days after his election, a new report from risk consultancy Pangea-Risk has assessed how Hichilema is performing.

And, while praise for his efforts and intent are clear, the realities of the country’s situation appear to be putting the objectivity of the anti-corruption campaign under threat.

According to analysis of recent data, the report assesses that economic reforms are stalled and the government’s ability to drive meaningful change has been constrained by the conditions of a looming IMF programme.

Zambia’s heavily indebted economy has struggled in recent years, and in November 2020 it became the first country to default on its debts during the pandemic, leading to fears of a ‘debt tsunami’ that could wipe out economic growth across Africa.

This leaves HH with little room to manoeuvre in implementing his policy platform, and increases the risk of short term action that undermine his broader agenda.

At the same time, impatient and powerful political and business backers of the new government are increasing pressure to secure lucrative economic stakes in the mining and agricultural sectors, including fertiliser contracts, that risk uprooting the government’s pro-investor credentials.

One of these backers, Maurice Jangulo – whose wife is a minister in the UPND government – has recently secured a single-source private contract worth $50 million to supply fertiliser to UPND heartlands in Zambia’s fertile southern regions amidst a crackdown on the sector.

Awards like these revive rumours that Hichilema’s campaign is targeting political rivals while also rewarding some of his own political and business backers.

Crucially, such political infighting presents a distraction from the urgent need to ensure delivery of fertiliser to small-scale farmers, thereby presenting a risk of damaging the wider economy and ultimately Zambia’s ability to attract further foreign investment.

According to the report, Hichilema is now torn between pushing ahead with his reformist legacy or giving way to some of his loyalists’ intentions to resume looting of state assets.

The EU itself will feel the impact of this.

Only last week, the €26 million EU-funded Enterprise Zambia Challenge Fund (EZCF) awarded millions of euros of grants to ten companies operating in the agriculture sector.

Last month, a new €30 million initiative was launched by the EU, European Investment Bank (EIB) and Zambian governments to accelerate agricultural investment.

With EU taxpayer’s cash now committed to Zambian farming and agro-processing, any revival of corruption will be seen as a waste of taxes.

At the same time, EU-Zambia talks on enhancing development cooperation must now take into account the risk that established forces will hijack and exploit the anti-corruption campaign.

Robert Besseling, CEO of Pangea-Risk, said: “Expectations for the new Hichilema government remain high even now, three months after his election. However, the reality of the challenges facing Zambia has constrained his ability to act on key issues, including economic reform and his much-heralded anti-corruption drive.”

“Hichilema needs to ensure that his anti-graft efforts remain objective and do not take on the features of a political or tribal purge, otherwise he will lose the goodwill that his reforming message has earned from both domestic and international observers.”

This should be a warning sign to observers and investors from the EU and elsewhere that, without assistance, Hichilema may fall victim to the traditional, establishment forces that have held Zambia back for so long.

This will result in a return to graft, endemic in previous administrations, and mean that Zambia fails to benefit from the best opportunity it has had in years to reform.

Hichilema still retains a strong standing both internationally and domestically, with a clear mandate to clean up the Zambian economy. To enact the change he speaks of, and restore confidence at home and abroad, HH must not allow his anti-corruption campaign to fall victim to the very forces he is seeking to defeat.

01st December, 2021.

A SINCERE ANALYSIS OF 100 DAYS OF THE UPND – ALLIANCE IN POWER.

SOURCE: MPNVP MEDIA TEAM.

We write in order to provide our own independent analysis about the UPND – Alliance Led Government in power for the past 100 days!

Seemingly people have made different analysis and observations about the New Dawn Administration since its triumphant victory in the August 12 general elections. Others have spoken positively of the Government while others sound negative and disgruntled. We still have some who posses a dissenting mind that is liberal and balanced.

MPNVP is not an Organization that is sentimental nor easily taken by the public perception. The Organization is not only objective but realistic and factual. It is not an easy assignment making a honest analysis over matters. It depends on the position or location of the person making an analysis. It also depends on the motive, the objectives and whether the sight is poor or normal. Others opt using some appliances and instruments like Binoculars and Microscopes. Among the people making some analysis include some loyal members of the Opposition, individuals who have been in high expectations, the disgruntled youths, independent media houses and individuals who are non aligned. No one would expect those from the opposition especially those aligned to the Patriotic Front party to speak fairly and favorably of the party in Government. Simply put, they are still hurt and are harbouring resentment due to the defeat suffered during the past elections. Very few could be said to have recovered fully from the shock!

Many from the Patriotic Front are still nursing the porous emotional wounds and others are still in a disbelief and up to now have not come to terms with the reality of the loss suffered. A local adage says, ‘A person who hates you never sees anything positive in anything you do’. When shooting a video or photos, the person responsible chooses nice sceneries and only focus on the actual object being snapped. Modern technology has brought about what is called ‘Photo Shopping were the Cameraman improves the quality of the photo and enhances the background as well. Even a person with pimples and rough surfaces on the skin complexion can come out classical and fabulous.

Candidly speaking, the New Dawn Administration has performed exceptionally wonderful in the last 100 days in office. MPNVP is an organization that focuses on the positives of National issues and rarely attends to detriments of the matters. Below are some of the outstanding areas the New Government has scored distinctively!

• DOING AWAY WITH CADRES.

The New Government has undoubtedly managed to exterminate the influence of political cadres in the Country. Zambia was almost becoming a militia nation. For the first time we saw Army Commanders from the streets who have never undergone any military training. All stations, bus stops, central business areas and Government institutions were taken over by cadres. Cadres proved to be mightier and stronger than even law enforcement agencies. The powers of the Zambia Police were usurped. Cadres penetrated all institutions including Hospitals, Government Ministries, Quasi and Private institutions. The President was being dictated by cadres and sensitive decisions could be made by the influence of cadres.

Granted cadres are still there and we will live with them but the New Dawn Administration has drastically and scantly reduced the influence of cadres in national issues. There is total sanity in public places and even a few pockets of cadres remaining are operating with a lot of caution and care.

• ABUSE OF AUTHORITY & CORRUPTION.

The previous administration was marred with abuse of authority and malpractices. The Country was reduced to ‘Wako ni wako’, Nicekeleko, tidyemo business and Kata mulomo. Corruption became part of us. All business transactions especially in Government were characterized by corrupt practices. Procurements and awarding of contracts where only conducted by some corrupt cliques. Inflated prices and exaggerated tenders became an acceptable norm.

Realistically speaking the Government is still battling with the vices because some corrupt cliques are still operating in a number of institutions. However, since the President is championing a zero tolerance in fighting corruption crusade, we are seeing civility being restored in the Government and the public has started gaining confidence in the system. Investor confidence is slowly getting back in the Country.

• REDUCTION IN CASES OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE.

Prior to the August 12 general elections and before, the report showed lack of regard to the rights of the people. It was unheard off for someone to be arrested and the same day being accorded police bond. Some suspects were in detention for several weeks, months and years without being presented before Courts. The Zambia Police were involved in some illegal shootings of suspects and many lives were lost. Police brutality was rampant and there was no respect for Rule of Law.

Many cases prosecuted by the State ended up in Noelle Proseque, Acquittals, Dismissal of cases before Courts and sadly many aggrieved individuals ended up suing the State and subsequently the Government/State ended up loosing millions of kwacha’s in such cases.

• MEDIA FREEDOM.

For the first time in the history of our Country are we witnessing media freedom on a grandeur scale. We are now seeing the opposition being featured on Zambia National Broadcasting Cooperation and are being allowed criticizing the Central Government openly. People are now free to speak their minds on Social Media and using all means of communications without any intimidations from the Government. The Republican President is more tolerant and liberal than any other Head of State Zambia has ever had! Anyone can challenge the President in any way and still His Excellency does not feel undermined. So far we have not heard anyone prosecuted and convicted for speaking injuriously against the President and his Government.

Freedom of Expression is undoubtedly granted! So far the Republican President has not made any changes in the management of ZNBC apart from the dissolved board. Employees of ZNBC are more free and liberal than ever before. Worse still, private media houses are operating freely without the critical influence of the Central Government.

• DECENTRALIZATION POLICY ATTAINED.

Although many might feel that decentralization would only be seen working once fully implemented, the New administration has already demonstrated its will and commitments by documenting the New Budget and enshrining some policies about decentralization program to be effected in all the 156 Constituencies. So far the Government is not relenting in its desire to see the actualization of the decentralization process. The Finance Minister recently announced that by the time schools would be opening in January 2022, all schools would have received grants. Thanks to the able leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema for fulfilling decentralization program which remained rhetorical for a long time now.

• AVOIDING HYPOCRISY & COSMETIC MEASURES.

Although the Patriotic Front led Government is in a hurry rubbishing the measures being undertaken by the New Managers, it must be noted that the New Dawn Administration is original, honest, sincere and authentic! The Patriotic Front Led Government concentrated at pleasing people and never minded about the long term effects of the actions they took. Instead of disclosing the real situations obtaining in the Country, the PF chose to remain quiet and preferred sweeping the dirty under the carpets.

Indeni Oil Refinery Plant for instance has been battling with challenges for many years now. The Patriotic Front at some point opted closing the refinery. The challenges being experienced at Indeni were caused by the cadres who have completely usurped the industry. Almost all suppliers at Indeni Oil Refinery Plant were PF cadres. Contracts and supplies of goods and services were only awarded to political cadres.

The Industry has been underperforming for a long time now. The Refinery was a white elephant or a decorated graveyard. The PF pretended as though the Refinery was doing well for political expediency. The UPND are real and genuine and their coming out placing Indeni Oil Refinery on Care and Maintenance mean well. Neither has the UPND discussed privatizing the industry nor selling it.

The Patriotic Front pretended as if the Oil Marketing Industry was at peace and yet they have been owing suppliers of fuels millions of kwacha’s. The Government has also been spending huge sums of monies through paying of subsidies on fuel and oil. While Zambia remains one of the cheapest in terms of fuel prices, the Government has been hiding too many skeletons in the wardrobes. The UPND are being real by disclosing the huge sums of monies owed through procurement of fuel. By proposing increase in Electricity tariffs and Fuel supply, the Government is being real and sincere. The Government is ready to address the real causes of the problems the Country has been grappling with for many years.

The situation could be compared to parents at home who provide expensive meals for the family without disclosing to the children about the debts incurred for the lucrative meals enjoyed by the family. It is better surviving on vegetables than eating meat with troubles.

The UPND Government is more transparent, prudent, efficient, honest, sincere and consist of men and women with high integrity and profound pedigree. It is better to be hated for telling the truth than being liked for concocted lies. So far the New Administration may not be appreciated by many people for being honest but eventually many will realize.

• THE FIGHT FOR TRIBALISM & REGIONALISM IS BEING WON.

Prior to the August tripartite elections, Zambia was a divided nation. Sentiments like ‘A Tonga would never rule Zambia’ was the most spoken. Regionalism, Nepotism and Tribalism became widespread. The Country was at the verge of collapse. Hatred, Sects, Strife’s, Squabbles, Fights, Sarcasms, Bitterness and Slander characterized the Zambian Politics. Soon after the announcements of the elections, we are seeing National Unity being restored. Many are now learning how to be more embracive to others. We are now able to dwell together in unity. Tribes have started branding and blending splendidly amongst themselves. We are becoming more tolerant and liberal than ever before. The New Government is resolved at uniting the Country in imitation of our Zambian Motto: One Zambia One Nation!

• EQUITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE IS BEING ENSURED.

For the first time in the history of our Country have we started seeing Equity and Social Justice being attained. Our own Natural Resources were not being managed fairly. Some areas where more favored than others. Only a few people benefited from the National Cake. We are coming from a situation where a few musicians were favored with thousands of kwacha’s while many citizens remained empoverished. Some churches received a lot of monies while others did not. Some few individuals were awarded contracts and tenders while others struggled for several years without anything. One could wonder the criterion and litmus test used by the previous Government in determining who to consider.

Alas Equity, Social Justice, Non Discrimination, Fairness and Inequalities are being seen. There is no impartiality in the Country presently. The Law is being applied equally and no one is superior than the other. We are all being treated justly. The Government has put in place policies meant to endure Fairness in almost everything.

In the religious circle, only Pentecostal Churches were regarded. The New Government has decided to embrace all Churches in the Country. Even the Seventh Day Adventist and Jehovah’s Witnesses are being heard in public domains. Religions that are non Christians are now flourishing. Almost all the traditional leaders are receiving attention from the Central Government as compared to the past when only some Chiefdoms could be heard. All the tribes are being appreciated in the Country. We are now living as a Family!

REVEALING THE SOURCE OF COSMETIC TENSION BEING EXPERIENCED IN THE COUNTRY!

Sadly the Country is engulfed with some disgruntled individuals meant to frustrate and sabotage the legitimate Government. These individuals are there with the objectives of creating an artificial tension in the Country. Some people are bent towards creating animosity, despondency, dissatisfaction, curiosity, doubts, suspicions and tension through unnecessary agitations, incitations, irritations and provocations. These are detractors and bitter people whose intentions are to sway away the unsuspecting ones by making them believe that the Government has failed to honor their promises.

These are people who were once at the mantle of leadership but lamentably failed to fulfil the promises they are currently championing. We are surrounded with numerous people who thrive at failures of others. These are individuals who take delight in the misfortunes of others. We have some people with the capacity of creating a storm out of a cup. We need to be weary of such jealous people who are opportunists and fanatics who bank on the failings of others.

Such individuals who are critics and fault finders are busy creating an impression that our Country has degenerated and depleted to lower levels. They are busy coercing and persuading the young ones to start rising against the legitimate Government by making them believe that the Government does not mean well. The New Dawn Administration is on the right trajectory and is poised to achieve amazing economic accomplishments.

May we all tone down in our expectations with the New Government and remain rest assured that good things are yet coming! We need to cultivate patience and a waiting attitude as we eagerly look forward to marvelous things on the horizon!

MPNVP – TOGETHER IN ACHIEVING ATTAINABLE GOALS OF OUR COUNTRY!

Email us: mpnvpngo@gmail.com

A 100 Days of Lies, Deceit and Roundabouting

We have now clocked 100 days under President Hakainde Hichilema. This is a fair enough period for us to assess his governance style, social and economic policy frameworks and the tone he is setting for his administration.

All world leaders have been assessed using the same benchmark. What they said during campaigns and what they did in the first 100 days in office. From President Joe Biden, President Trump, President Obama to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Ramaphosa, all these leaders were assessed in their first 100 days and there is nothing unfair about doing this assessment to President Hichilema.

We have the right to check on his deliverables especially that when his predecessor choose to anchor his campaigns on truth and what the PF government had achieved in the area of infrastructure development, President Hichilema choose lies and deceit to be the hallmark of his campaigns.

Now that we have reached the 100 day milestone, it is only fair that we give a honest assessment of his reign thus far.

For the first time in our history, we have a President without direction. Even a fresh faced Kenneth Kaunda and his comrade in 1964 appears more ready to rule that President Hichilema and his team. They are directionless, heavy on speeches and thin on action.

How does one explain the fact that a man who spent close to 20 years in opposition still doesn’t have a government fully set up 100 days after being inaugurated. All the key strategic positions are still being held by people that served under President Lungu whom he perpetually referred to as thieves?

Now the words methodical and meritorious have disappeared from his vocabulary because he has found that the words were redundant and did not mean a thing after Zambians analyzed his key appointments which have been below par.

What is methodical about appointing Denny Kalyalya as Governor, what is methodical about recalling Remmy Kajoba to Police Headquarters? What is methodical about appointing a bunch of men and women who can bring a defective document to Parliament to debate the Estimates of Expenditure for State House by referencing to the 1996 Constitution, a document that was long repelled. Something this tragic has never happened in the life of Parliament and this can only be explained by the fact that President Hichilema’s government doesn’t know whether its going or coming, they are simply roundabouting!

President Hichilema has spent a good portion of his first 100 days preaching. He is more of a motivational speaker than a President. The downside to that is that his long speeches have become rhetorical and boring.

He has gone to bed with the IMF and they are now forcing him to start implementing policies that he opposed whilst in opposition. The reality of running government has now dawned on him and he is now forced to sound unintelligent, clueless and dataless. All the slides, frames and spreadsheets he shared with us on how he would lower the cost of Fertiliser and Fuel have now disappeared.

The only strategy remaining is to paint President Lungu and his people black with a corruption tag hoping that he will be the only one who will appear whiter without any blemishes. As noble as it may be, endless talk about a non existent fight against corruption will do very little to lower the cost of living.

As we forge ahead beyond 100 days, the Head of State ought to be reminded that governing a nation is far remotely comparable to managing small businesses. It is very complex, tedious and requires a level of deeper understanding which in our current Head of State appears to be in short supply.

With the IMF running our treasury affairs, our advice to Zambians is that let us all prepare ourselves for turbulence. It shall not be an easy ride.

Hon. Bowman C. Lusambo
02.12.21

THE approved 2022 National Budget coming into effect on 1st January under the New Dawn Administration will mark the genesis of Zambia’s transformational journey to a sound economic turn-around and improved living standards for the people, charges party Secretary General, Batuke Imenda.

And Mr Imenda has charged that the opposition PF was still reeling from the shock and pain of the August, 2021 quadratite elections defeat.

This came to light when the party CEO met district and constituency officials from Kitwe at the Kitwe District Secretariat in Nkana East and at Kwacha CC of Kwacha Constituency, respectively.

Mr Imenda, who is in the company of UPND deputy Elections Chairperson, Brian Ndumba, is scheduled to conclude his three (3) days working visit of the Copperbelt today.

Imenda further charged that the big margin in the August 12th elections which saw the UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema voted-in as the 7th President of the Republic of Zambia spelt the beginning of a new era for the people as well as a re-birth of tranquility; respect for human rights and freedoms which he said the former ruling PF took away from ordinary, majority in a criminal and brutal manner.

He insisted that it was impossible for the former ruling PF to rebrand and bounce back into power, stressing that nothing will save the now defunct PF from complete annihilation.

Mr Imenda stressed that the recruitment of 30,000 teachers and 11,000 health personnel would answer some of the dire challenges that Zambia has been grappling with such as unemployment.

He also encouraged the youths of the country to take part in transformational agenda set out by President Hichilema through the formation of co-operatives and companies.

“President Hichilema is inviting all uncertified but skilled manpower among the young people in Zambian to join in the crusade of a robust economic transformation agenda through the formation of co-operatives and companies,” said Mr Imenda.

Speaking during the same event, Mr Ndumba warned the UPND leadership and it’s members in general never to relax, even for a minute, because the pain and shame of losing power after five (5) years will be unbearable.

“If you and I relax, even for a minute, the PF will regroup using it’s corruptly aquired wealth and fight to get back into Government. colleagues, if we relax, it will be more painful and most shameful to win power like we did, and lose it after five (5) years to a bunch of criminal elements driving the former ruling party,” Mr Ndumba said.

Mr Imenda pledged that the UPND will never walk the criminal and lawless part of the PF such the gross abuse of public funds for party activities including spoiling cadres for their violent and other senseless acts.

UPND MEDIA TEAM (C2021)

RATING HICHILEMA’s 100 DAYS IN OFFICE

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

1. Economy: Putting Zambia on an IMF programme is bad for the country. Already, electricity and fuel prices will go up. Additionally, giving the mines a mineral royalty tax holiday when copper prices are at an all-time high and yet we go to borrow to fund our expenditure needs is not only incompetence but it is treasonous. Hichilema’s allegiance to Zambia should be subjected to a detailed investigation. Score = 0

2. Rule of Law: Hichilema only respects the Constitution when it favors him. Forcing people to take the vaccine is a breach of the constitution, removing former civil servants from payroll before their benefits are paid is a breach of the constitution. Creating new ministries and allowing them to start operating before they’re ratified by Parliament is a breach of the Constitution. Score = 0

3. Professional Civil Service: Hichilema replaced PF cadres who were DCs, with UPND cadres. He then proceeded to replace career civil servants who were PSs with his party cadres. Score = 0

4. Cost of Living: The prices of goods in shops are still very high and Hichilema has not put a single plan on the table of when or how these prices will reduce. Score = 0

5. Wastefulness: Despite claiming that the coffers are empty, Hichilema has been very wasteful with public money. He has employed the largest number of advisors than any other President, with a lot of duplication. For example, he has a Special Assistant for Economic Affairs (Jito) and also an Economic Advisor (Pamela), for the first time almost all ministries now have two Permanent Secretaries just so he can accommodate as many of his UPND members as possible. Score = 0

6. National Unity: Hichilema’s narrative that the previous administrations neglected Southern, Western and North-Western provinces has divided Zambia more than ever before. He keeps saying that he is uniting the nation and yet his actions are diving us. Score = 0

7. Arrogance: Hichilema lacks respect for the people that elected him into office. We understand that he might be facing challenges to fulfill his campaign promises, but he needs to explain that to the people in a sober manner. His statement that jobs don’t come from rocks is an insult to Zambians. Score = 0

8. Foreign Trips: We understand and appreciate the fact the a President has to travel to other countries to market Zambia, but in the case of Hichilema, it is his only preoccupation. So far, his 5 foreign trips have not yielded any tangible results in the form of a Trade Agreement or Foreign Direct Investment. Score = 0

9. Decision Making: Hichilema’s failure to decide on Government’s direction regarding the KCM liquidation and Mopani purchase agreement are causing huge uncertainty in the mining sector. Given the importance of mining to the overall welfare of our economy, we would have expected him to act quickly. But hey, even simply picking PSs and DCs took him 3 months. He is very slow for someone who came from the private sector. Score = 0.

10. Setting Priorities: We know that there are always competing needs when you are running a country, but certain things require to be prioritized. For instance, Hichilema has no excuse for failing to raise K318 million to pay farmers who sold maize to Government in Eastern Province. This is an urgent matter and any President who knows how to prioritize national matters should have addressed it. Besides, it is only one Province that is waiting to be paid. Score = 0

Overall rating of Hichilema’s 100 days in office is 0/10.

SET 02.12.2021

HICHILEMA HAS NOT SHOWN DIRECTION ON MANY ISSUES-KATEKA

Kateka Rates Hakainde Hichilema 4 Out 10 In His 100 Days

Lusaka, Zambia

President Hakainde Hichilema has lost the confidence of some Zambians in the first hundred days of being in office, according to an overview shared by the opposition New Heritage Party.

President Hichilema took the oath of Presidency from Former President Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front on 24th August, 2021.

In giving an analysis of the UPND administration in office, Ms. Kateka has observed that since taking office President Hichilema has made too many U-turns on the many campaign promises made before the August, 12th general elections.

She has also noted that there is too much self-praise by the Head of State including what she termed as over-dependence on the West, something she says means the new administration is not at liberty to make decisions that work for Zambia and Zambians.

“President Hakainde Hichilema led administration does not have a clear roadmap of how the UPND intends to reduce the sufferings of the Zambian people. The policy direction of the UPND led administration is not very clear and seems to be contradictory where pronouncements and actions seem not to be speaking to each other”.

The opposition Leader also touched on the uncoordinated approach of communication government business by the new administration which she says is exposing the Head of State to ridicule because they are not well coordinated.

“Composition of his media team at State House that does not seem to liaise with the Government Spokesperson, the Alliance Spokesperson and the Party Spokesperson. They expose the President to ridicule because they are not well coordinated” said Kateka.

Meanwhile, ending cadreism has been listed as one of major achievements of the UPND administration.

The following are the positives noted by Ms. Kateka in the UPND administration going by the standard of the opposition New Heritage Party.

“President Hichilema does communicate his thoughts with citizens. His pronouncements show the right intent. Cadreism is now not at the level that it was. Although it still exists it is now an underground issue. The President has created an aura of someone that is being in control. We feel freer under UPND and then under the PF Government” she said.

Analysis

The New Heritage Party is correct, the State House needs to raise the bar high when it comes to information sharing. We have advised the UPND administration to develop an effective communication strategy, the one in place is either here or there.

The Government chief taker, Ms. Chushi Kasanda must learn fast, the game of defending government policy, her silence is leaving room for government critics to roast President Hichilema. Her quietness is too loud, equally the performance of State House needs to settle fast, fast, the pace at which things are moving leaves much to be desired.

We have advised the UPND administration to develop a communication strategy, presently, there is nothing to talk home about because it is not any better than under the Patriotic Front.

How can a Vice President Mutale Nalumango using taxpayers money say for the price of fuel to reduce, the current price of fuel must first increase. The Minister of Finance Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane is saying it is unsustainable for a government to be paying K21 million to subsidize fuel monthly.

A government is elected to solve challenges facing its citizens, one of these challenges is ensuring that there is cheap fuel amidst high pricing of fuel on the global market.

BY SISHUWA SISHUWA

DECEMBER 2, 2021

● He has undermined the civil service by appointing openly partisan persons.

● he has acted unconstitutionally by creating positions without recourse to the law.

● He has violated the Constitution by not appointing persons with disabilities or youths.
●Appointing persons from the same region to head defence and security wings is worse than

The new president’s first 100 days have seen a combination of promising steps and worrying tendencies.

Today marks exactly 100 days since Hakainde Hichilema was inaugurated as president of Zambia. After a decade and half in opposition, the leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND) defeated the incumbent Edgar Lungu in elections on 12 August 2021. He took office 12 days later.

Hichilema’s successful election campaign was aided by his opponent’s unpopularity and a set of promises to change course. He vowed to tackle the erosion of democracy and human rights, address high unemployment especially among the youth, and rebuild an economy faltering under the weight of huge debt, government incompetence, corruption, and effects of the pandemic.

Hichilema also pledged to reverse the breakdown of rule of law, the lack of diversity in public office, a politicised and ineffective civil service, rampant corruption, poor governmental communication with the public, and Zambia’s weakened voice in international affairs.

100 days into the new presidency, there are some hopeful signs of progress on some fronts as well as some highly alarming signs of broken promises on others.

Promising steps

Of promising steps towards progress, many of which are still on paper, five stand out.

First, Hichilema has developed a clear strategy aimed at fixing the economy and its debt crisis through better fiscal management and accountability.

Meanwhile, the appointment of the well-regarded Situmbeko Musokotwane as Finance Minister, the internationally respected Denny Kalyalya as Governor of the Bank of Zambia and the experienced Felix Nkulukusa as Secretary to the Treasury strengthen the country’s ability to secure an IMF package.

Such a bailout would help Zambia attract foreign direct investment, reassure ratings agencies, and re-negotiate debt payments.

The government’s 2022 budget is also positive and bold. It promises to recruit 30,000 new teachers and 11,200 healthcare staff, increase social expenditure, support small businesses, and invest more attention in agriculture. It also vows to decentralise resources, including by increasing the Constituency Development Fund from K1.6 million ($90,000) to K25.7 million ($1.4 million).

And it abolishes school fees for state schools, making good on the UPND’s promise of free education.

Hichilema’s government continues to face several economic challenges, however.

In mining, the government has formulated a better mechanism of collecting royalties, which had been a perennial source of conflict with extractives companies.

But questions remain, stemming from the previous administration’s takeover of the Glencore-operated Mopani copper mines and its handling of the liquidation of the Vedanta-owned Konkola mines.

It remains to be seen whether the new administration will return these mines to previous owners or seek new investors.

There are also still question marks over how the government will finance its plans, especially after reducing taxes.

It is betting on economic growth and improved revenues from copper, but Zambia’s economy is precarious and failure to reach a deal with the IMF or a fall in copper prices could lead to a dramatic collapse.

Second, Hichilema has greatly improved dialogue between the public and the presidency. Unlike Lungu, who governed through press aides and airport tarmac addresses, the new president regularly hosts press conferences and has appeared on a live phone-in radio show.

Third, Hichilema has presided over a relatively open democratic environment. He has shown greater commitment to civil liberties and stopped the culture of violent political cadres operating in markets and bus stations.

It is still early days, but the climate of fear and lawlessness that characterised much of Lungu’s rule is slowly disappearing.

One hopes that the arrest of a peacefully protesting Kasonde Mwenda, the leader of a small opposition party, for “conduct likely to cause breach of peace” in September is an isolated incident and not the start of a slippery slope.

Fourth, the new president has restated his commitment to the rule of law. Although he has walked back promises to repeal the repressive Cyber Security Act and the Public Order Act, long used by governments to curtail the activities of the opposition and civil society, Hichilema has maintained plans to review the constitution, enhance judicial independence, and improve the operations of the electoral commission.

On corruption, his priority is to recover stolen funds, given that watchdog institutions lack capacity and the judiciary remains compromised.

Finally, the new president has attempted to reposition Zambia on the world stage. Hichilema is repairing the country’s frayed relationship with the West, while being careful to not disrupt ties with China.

More significantly, he is strengthening regional ties – particularly with the DR Congo – through diplomatic visits and promoting greater trade and investment within the southern African region and Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement. Hichilema has also used his platform to support democracy in the region – he notably invited opposition figures from Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Tanzania to his inauguration – and speak out against global debt injustice and vaccine inequality.

ALARMING SIGNS

Alarming signs

Those are some of the positive signs from Hichilema’s first 100 days. The negative signs are, in many ways, much more significant and centre on the new president’s principles.

In the election, the UPND tried to set itself apart from the corruption and lawlessness of Lungu’s Patriotic Front (PF). Hichilema’s speeches were dominated by calls for a return to constitutionalism and good governance. It is on these fronts that the last 100 days have been the most concerning.

Here are some examples.

Pardoning corrupt former officials

Hichilema has shown a worrying contradiction in his approach to former officials accused of corruption.

On the one hand, he has said that it is up to agencies such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate suspects and potentially prosecute them. This is well and good; the judiciary and executive are separate arms of government.

On the other hand, however, Hichilema has said several times that if former officials return stolen money to the government, they should be given amnesty.

It is not clear if this is an instruction or merely advice, but since the president appoints ACC officers – and his predecessor held great sway over the agency – we can assume it will be treated as a directive.

This is unconstitutional in a variety of ways. As Hichilema pointed out, he has no legal power to instruct the ACC. The pardoning of officials who may have engaged in millions of dollars’ worth of grand corruption would be a betrayal of justice. And it would also violate the principle that all people are equal before the law.

Under Lungu, the government targeted its opponents with trumped up charges and tried to prosecute them without evidence. Hichilema appears ready to violate the same principle, albeit in the opposite direction; by saving people from prosecution despite clear evidence of wrongdoing.

It is additionally worrying that the new administration has not replaced officials in anti-corruption bodies. Under Lungu, these agencies were spineless and followed political instructions rather than following the constitution. Keeping these personnel in place does not inspire hope that these bodies can now act independently of the executive or hold those in power accountable.

Creating new public offices without following the law

Historically, State House has had five advisors to the president, responsible for press and public relations, economic affairs, political affairs, legal affairs, and policy and project implementation – each assisted by two deputies known as chief analysts.

Instead of working through these existing offices, Hichilema has created a series of new advisory positions. These include State House Media Director, Special Assistant to the President for Public Policy, Special Assistant to the President for Policy Compliance, and State House Economic Advisor.

His motivations for doing this may be perfectly legitimate, but these actions have not been constitutional. The president is legally empowered to create new public offices, but only through the relevant commission or a specially designed statutory instrument, which has not been the case. It is also concerning that most of these appointments have not been announced and only a few have taken the oath of office publicly, as required by the constitution.

Weakening the civil service

In opposition, Hichilema vowed to depoliticise the civil service and fill it with qualified, competent, and experienced professionals. While he has yet to announce any reforms that would help achieve this, he has taken several steps that undermine the service.

First, the new president destabilised it through a nearly wholesale dismissal of permanent secretaries, the most senior officials tasked with advising ministers and implementing policies. It is unlikely all those sacked were incompetent, unqualified, or corrupt so their removal was likely due to their perceived political affiliation.

Second, Hichilema has appointed several individuals who lack civil service experience or even relevant qualifications. They appear to have been recruited due to their loyalty and are therefore more like Partisan Secretaries, who will last as long as their party is in power, than Permanent Secretaries.

Third, Hichilema has centralised power by creating several new positions around the presidency in a move that demonstrates his lack of faith in the civil service and his desire to run government from State House.

The creation of these parallel positions, many of which already exist in the civil service, undermines existing officials, leads to the duplication of functions, and is an inefficient use of public resources. Worse still, many of those appointed to this “mini civil service” lack the relevant qualifications for their roles.

Undermining the fight against corruption

When it became clear that Lungu had lost the elections this August, the incumbent had initially planned to challenge the results in the Constitutional Court, which was widely seen as biased in his favour. It was only after an unexpected closed-door meeting with Hichilema that he switched tack. In a short, televised address, a visibly subdued Lungu conceded and congratulated his soon-to-be successor.

Moments later, Hichilema delivered his own speech. He welcomed his election victory before addressing Lungu, saying “do not worry; you will be okay, sir”.

He later tried to walk back these words, but this remark was widely seen as the public expression of the two men’s private political settlement; namely, that Lungu would drop his planned legal challenge in exchange for immunity after stepping down.

If this is the case, this deal would be deeply inappropriate. It would undermine the Director of Public Prosecutions and law enforcement agencies whose responsibility it is to decide who should be investigated and prosecuted. And it would bypass the National Assembly, the body with the power to remove a former president’s immunity in the face of clear evidence presented by the sitting president.

Failure to reflect diversity

One key criticism of Lungu’s rule was that he marginalised Zambians from Southern, Western and Northwestern provinces – regions that have historically voted for Hichilema.

26 of his 32 cabinet ministers, for instance, were either from the Chewa-speaking Eastern province or from one of three Bemba-speaking provinces. This preference was also seen clearly in the top leadership positions of the police, army, air force, national service, and office of the president.

Hichilema promised to do things differently if elected but has barely delivered. All five heads of Zambia’s security services as well as the top positions in the National Assembly and judiciary are held by people from the regions that have traditionally voted for him. His 27-person cabinet is relatively representative of Zambia’s ten provinces, but areas that have historically voted for PF are grossly underrepresented while 16 ministers come from ethnic groups that have typically formed the core of Hichilema’s base.

The new president’s record on other forms of inclusion is even worse. Even though the constitution calls for equal gender representation in public offices, just five cabinet ministers are women, which is half the figure under Lungu.

To address electoral imbalances, the constitution allows the president to nominate eight persons to parliament, but Hichilema filled all the slots with men except one. Only one of Hichilema’s ten provincial ministers is female.

He has further made no appointments of either youth, constitutionally defined as someone between the ages of 18 and 35, or persons with disabilities – a clear violation of the constitution.

LOOKING AHEAD

Looking ahead

For someone elected on the promise to restore constitutionalism and the rule of law, Hichilema’s first 100 days provide little inspiration.

Nonetheless, his political position seems secure, for now.

The new president remains popular, though his continued approval will depend on how he navigates the tough conditionalities that could come with an IMF deal.

His central bank governor recently announced plans to remove subsidies on electricity, fertiliser, and fuel. If these moves are not carefully phased or strategically communicated, they could lead to urban discontent.

This will especially be the case if a public sector wage freeze comes next and Hichilema’s administration is unable to provide employment for the many young people who voted for him.

Unless Hichilema incorporates more figures from underrepresented regions and women into his government, he also remains vulnerable to a political rival that could combine populist policies in urban centres with promises to rural areas that feel marginalised. This effective opposition, however, does not yet exist.

The PF is in disarray while other opposition parties are mostly led by elitists without grassroots support or the language to connect with ordinary voters.

NULLIFICATIONS OF THE SEAT FOR NEWLY ELECTED PF LUSANGAZI DISTRICT COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON: A CALL FOR SERIOUS VETTING SYSTEMS AT EXAMINATION COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA (ECZ)

The tribunal nullification of the Lusangazi District PF newly elected Council Chairperson, Patrick Menyani Banda, on account of forging a G12 certificate, is a need by the Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ) to consider installing modern vetting systems and equipment.

For instance in the Menyani Banda case, it is alleged that he allegedly manipulated and used a certificate for Patricia M Banda, former grade 12 pupil at Lundazi Seconday School taking advantage of the “P, M and Banda” name to read as Patrick Menyani Banda despite him completing his school at Petauke Day secondary.

Such acts can’t be detected by the current vetting and verification system at the examination council as can’t show the actual person who sat for the exams at that school.

To this gap, the Examination Council needs to invest seriously in biometric systems to ease detection this crookedness in the acquisition of G12 school certificates in Zambia and consequently stop it and this should be extended to all certificate awarding institutions.

Every election, since this clause on G12 was introduced, forged certificates have been detected and in some cases culprits prosecuted but still many are in possession of such fake certificates.

However, the trend has not been eliminated or may be a sign that Zambia has millions of G12 faked certificates out there which need to be mopped out of circulations.

With G12 certificate being the most important document in the life of any Zambian for anyine to participate in elective politics, get a job and enter college and even getting married, fraud in its acquisition may not be ruled out.

It is for this reason that I propose to Examination Council of Zambia to invest and introduce biometric systems during entry to Examination rooms as this will help fight fraud, forgery, manipulation and impersonations in the acquisition and use of these key documents in the nation by scrupulous people.

I submit

McDonald Chipenzi