Thursday, March 28, 2024

Opposition MPs walk out of Parliament

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Given Lubinda
Given Lubinda
Patriotic Front (PF) members of Parliament on Wednesday

evening walked out of Parliament after the Income Tax (amendment) Bill of 2009 went through the committee stage following a division.

The PF MPs together with some United Party for National Development (UPND) and independent MPs walked out of Parliament when the Bill, which among other things seeks to abolish windfall tax, passed through the committee stage.

Kabwata MP Given Lubinda (PF) said his party was against the windfall tax charging because it was being applied selectively to the mine investors.

Luena MP Charles Milupi (independent) said there was no need to abolish the windfall tax as the prices of copper on the world market were going up.

In an interview, Mr Lubinda said MPs from his party and some other MPs from the opposition walked out of the House because they did not want to be party to the proceedings which approved the abolishing of windfall tax.

He said the walk out was a protest against the stance by the MMD Government to abolish the windfall tax saying “we just want it on record that we were not party to the amendment.”

However Vice-President George Kunda told the House that during consultations, the Government discovered the opposition political parties were merely politicking over the matter.

Mr Kunda said the PF were against the introduction of the windfall tax last year saying they wanted to save jobs and ensuring that the mines did not fold up.

He said variable tax served the same purpose as the windfall tax which he said was a punitive tax.

“Windfall tax is punitive, it does not take the aspect of costs into consideration. The position is that the Bill should go through unamended,” he said.
[Times of Zambia]

76 COMMENTS

    • Ulishani Zoe! What purpose doe walking out serve? Can i be educated. Kwaliba blogg ishifwaya abanthu ukuposhyanya? LT alampapisha.

    • Ufontini!
      Walking out of a democratic process!!!!!
      It is like not exercising your right to vote because you think that if the canidate you do not prefer wins, then you would be seen to have been party to his election! This is a clear cut case of purelile politicians in Zambia! Charles Milupi.et al.. ata se! These are spoiled brats who think they can do in politics what they did in ZCCM. Shame on them!

    • The beauty of democracy is in the power of argument. If the opposition have real facts on their side, let them debate those issues and their arguments will be recorded for posterity. Walking out means that they do not want to commit their arguments to record so that they can change their tune when they are in power, just like they have already had double minds on this. Why doesn’t someone publish Sata’s speeches when he condemned the windfall tax?

  1. Ba George Kunda stop talking about things you do not understand. A windfall tax is a tax on excessive profits. The question of costs does not arise since profit is calculated by subtracting all costs of production from turnover. It is the profit that is being taxed.

  2. It leaves me wondering as to why the goverment rush into making certain decisions without putting into considerations the adverse effects it will have on the country’s economy. These leaders are too self centered. They only think of themselves and a few individuals – fake Investors!

  3. LT PLEASE EMPLOY SOME RESEARCHERS WHO CAN BE ABLE TO GIVE SOME INFORMED BACKGROUND TO A STORY SO THAT BLOGGERS ARE ABLE TO GIVE INFORMED OPINIONS. FOR INSTANCE WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE “VARIABLE TAX” THAT GOVERNMENT HAS PUT IN PLACE TO REPLACE “WINDFALLtAX” AS YOU CAN SEE ZOE ABOVE DOES NOT KNOW THAT THE PF ARE OPPOSED TO WINDFALL TAX. SHE THINKS ERRONEOUSLY THAT THE PF SUPPORTS WIND FALL TAX ON THE MINES.

    • We need more bloggers like you who can broaden our horizons and understanding of issues. Some topics on L.T.are difficult to grasp at first impression or read.

      I for one, has responded to the heading only before, just because the whole story could not make any meaning at all to me.

    • Walanda bwino mudala. LT has a big problem. When RTSA complained about people drinking whilst driving last week, its LT they were refering to. LT is ever drunk. Always giving us half baked information.

    • Nkole Wa fimofimo,gud tht u have raised the point of LT employing some researchers 2gve background 2story.Well i fully understand the above context,so unfortunate that u tryna think on my behalf.Any learned person can tell tht the PF are not in support of the Windfall Tax as it is clearly indaicated in the context tht the Tax is punitive.I rest my case ni friday lelo.So thanks all the same for that..

    • Wayambako ka? Whats the problem pamene apa? Nkole wa fimo fimo was actually supporting you. Even i thought like him at first. Uzilemba mushe. Osakalipa, ni friday lelo. Wakamba kudala mama.

    • PF has no position on windfall taxes or any other matter as their position depends on which side of the bed Sata woke up. Sata was at one stage in favour of windfall taxes and when government inplemented it, he changed sides and decided he was against it. Now government has removed it and his MPs are walking out of parliament. Just who is taking these guys seriously?

    • I agree with you. What kind of party that is always making noise but is not consistent. You cant keep changing your position when it suits you.

    • Shu cubed, I agree with you. Munapaka ba sub B in this party. They do not have any concrete reasons all the time to justify why they are taking a particular position. Just waiting for an opportunity to oppose. Wait. One day veep would call someone from PF by his or her name and I will not be supriesd to read about such a PF member reacting to tell the veep like “teshinalyandi ilyo”.Is that what it means to be in an opposition party?

    • I agree with you all u bloggers 100% but u should realize that LT is free and that all of you complaining about the lack of researchers should start paying them and you will see quality.Learn to appreciate new things mwebantu am impressed wit the upgrading with the site and LT continue doing what u do and stop listening to these negative bloggers who can’t just appreciate the free things you are offering them…If u think LT is nonsense subscribe to the post and they do a really good job all their stories are ok cause i subscribe to them and the have reporters and they pay them coz people subscribe to them.Good for nothing yall!!!!

    • Wind Fall Tax: Is tax levied by governments against certain industries when economic conditions allow those industries to experience above-average profits. Windfall taxes are primarily levied on the companies in the targeted industry that have benefited the most from the economic windfall, most often commodity-based businesses.Windfall Tax, As with all tax initiatives instituted by governments, there is always a divide between those who are for and those who are against the tax. The benefits of a windfall tax include proceeds being directly used by governments to bolster funding for social programs. However, those against windfall taxes claim that they reduce companies’ initiatives to…

  4. Parley walk out are normal occurrences in political forums and happen worldwide.
    Better than enganging in physical fights like those 2 female PF fighters.

    • Hello Thenjiwe Stevens(Mrs), I think the stance by PF MPs , for now deserves a standing ovation . windfall tax by definition is ,a tax levied by govt against certain companies when and only when economical conditions are favorable for those companies to make above average profits.Going by Hon Milupi `s argument it might display lack of foresight for the govt to amend the windfall tax. The gurus of Economics please shade more light.

  5. I think Kunda is clueless about this Windfall Fall Tax of theirs. They have taken huge kickbacks from mining companies and now want to sell out. . I wish the speaker asked him as leader of the house what he understood by the term windfal tax and I am sure he would have pleaded “kavuluvulu ka lesa”.

    • I think the stance by PF MPs , for now deserves a standing ovation . windfall tax by definition is ,a tax levied by govt against certain companies when and only (I suppose) when economical conditions are favorable for those companies to make above average profits.Going by Hon Milupi `s argument, it may indicate lack of foresight for the govt to amend the windfall tax. The gurus of Economics please shade more light.

  6. Imagine Dora who is so ignorant about a simple term such as “nullity”, what would she know about windfall tax? Just too much to ask from a pisshead like her!

    • Let alone so silly as a minister to start signing documents without reading them! She can actually sign her own death warrant!!

    • I do not agree with Chibamba. LT has given us a platform at which we are able to share and discuss issues affecting our country, our people and ourselves. Through Lt, I have met people that I wouldn’t have met in my entire life. Through these discussions I continue to learn and where possible I contribute with a few remarks, leaving the topic open to anyone with the knowledge about the subject. We may sometimes discuss ‘irrele,’ but that is part of blogging and only serves to spice up the discussions. It has never occurred to me that I have been wasting time. Life is not all about making money, Mr. Kanyama. LOVELY WEEKEND.

  7. A bit more background information would have been useful LT, but I do agree on the politicking bit – people are saying ‘bravo, opposition’ to a party which was against the windfall tax last year. When will you realise they simply say and do things to impress the public? PF needs to figure themselves out.

    • is not paradoxical that not very long ago , there was a thread here , which did allude to the fact that Zambians stand to definite from copper whose world market pricing has improved. SO HOW do we definite if there is amendment to the windfall tax? It really beats me.Its not about PF nor UPND, it is about morality…I wish on this issue to become PF, UPND and independent MPs

  8. DR EUSTANCE MAMBWE AND MUKUPA WERE OUT TO REAP BIG ON THE RADARS MANJE BASANGA KA DORA KELETEYA.SENZANGAKONA JUST FOLLOW THE CROSS EXAMINATION BY ERIC SILWAMBA MAY BE YOU CAN GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT THAN YOUR HATE FOR DORA.

  9. How I wish MMD can realise how much pipo are not pleased with their way of governing the calo ca Zed.

    How are you pipo.

    Missed you like a cup of tea full with milk.Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! Grade 7 love letter.

    • Iam kool ba Moze long time ka.Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! I thot I was the only one,good to know that naimwe munayamba late.have a lovely day big man.Okay missing you like My mother.

  10. my understanding of windfall tax is that it is a tax that the govt should apply on minning companies depending on how high the copper/mineral prices rise on the world market. I am not sure what the the threshold is but this tax will only apply if the price rises beyond the ‘normal’ levels. compare this to your income tax brackets where if you earn below say 1500,000 ZMK you pay 30% tax and if you earn more than 1500000 ZMK you pay 40% the 10% difference will be your windfall tax element. The tax is therefore meant to maximise the benefits to the country should the mining industry be booming. my 3 cents only

  11. While “Mr Kunda said the PF were against the introduction of the windfall tax last year saying they wanted to save jobs and ensuring that the mines did not fold up” is correct, it is great to read that the PF MPs have now come to senses and know what is best for Zambians. I am keen to learn what reaction former Finance Minister Mr N. Magande did when the said MPs walked out of Parliament.

    I hope, the MMD GRZ will not bwaza vintu kumbuyo (take back things) after the progress we made under former Mr President late LP Mwanawasa.

  12. It was unfortunate for Chibamba Kanyama to say that we just waste time on LT. He went further and said with such mentality we cant progress.I refuse that in Jesus name.Maestro you have really changed i thank God for you. Love you my brother,you have become so peacefull and cool.

  13. ALL YOU PEOPLE SUPPORTING THE PF WALK OUT MUST BE NICOPOOMPS OF THE WORST ORDER.THAT’S WHY PEOPLE LIKE CHIBAMBA KANYAMA WILL PUKE IF HE OPENS UP THIS SITE.COZ A BUNCH OF YOU MUPPERTS ARE MISFITS.YOU DONT ARGUE WITH YOUR BRAINS BUT YOUR HURTS.ASK YOURSELVES WHAT HAS CHANGED TODAY THAT PF CAN BE AGAINST WINDFALL TAXES.WHEN THE CURRENT HERO NGANDU MAGANDE INTRODUCED WINDFALL TAXES WHAT WAS THE REACTION OF THE PF PRESIDENT WAMUYAYA.HE HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE AND IN HIS VULGAR LANGUAGE WHAT DID HE SAY.YOU PIMPS WITH SHORT MEMMORIES.

    • Akonpondo, do you feel happy after what you have written? I thought the walk out was not only done the MPs from PF but UPND and indeed one sharp independent MP whose knowledge of accountancy surpasses kanyama Chibamba to power infinitisimal

  14. OH! I MEANT TO SAY YOU SHOULD ARGUE WITH YOUR BRAINS AND NOT HEARTS AND I WAS ASKING SINCE WHEN DID PF CHANGE TO BE ANTI WINDFALL TAXES BECAUSE WHEN NGANDU MAGANDE INTRODUCED WINDFALL TAXES SATA PROTESTED ON BEHALF OF THE MINES.WHAT HAS CHANGED NOW?

  15. The PF has failed to understand the meaning of ‘opposition party’.
    They think to be in ‘opposition’ means to be opposing the Govt at all costs, whether good or bad is done.
    This is a great embarassment to the politics of Africa.
    What does PF offer in place of the Windfall Tax?
    What I know, just like all of us is that it is easier to oppose than to contribute.
    Because to oppose all you have to do is to say, “we dont want” and walk away.
    But to contribute means you have to think and come up with sense which others can follow and agree with. We have not see much of this from PF, as they have put all their effort on not criticism but opposing, coz criticism calls for reasoning.

  16. PF’s Lubinda has of late dedicated himself to court issues and has even forgotten that he has a constituency.
    People complain about roads in his constituency and he says the issue they are raising is trivial; how on earth can roads be trivial to society?
    This is the calibre of people PF has, and that is the reason why it is difficult for them to make meaningful contribution to debate in Parliament but simply oppose.
    When asked for their view of issues they simply walk out because they have nothing to offer; this is clearly a great embarassment to our nation.
    Lubinda occupied himself with the election petition, it did not work out now he is escorting harrington to court, what next after?

  17. I really don think that PF and other political parties are just politicking that is what Kunda wants you to think and the MMD. It is true that Sata at first rejected this wind fall tax but later when our eceonomy started to pick due to the contribution that came from winfall taxes (and this was in the papers, about how much revenue went to the government from that tax in particular)It bossted the economy.Thats why Sata and Mwanawasa in the end reconcile seeing the vision Levy had but now with RB its like he is undoing what LPM put in place. Taking us behind in, the next thing you will be hearing it that poverty is increasing in the country and governent will always be asking for aid.

    • Dont tell me that Sata did not have strategic thinking, but waited until he saw fruit.
      If that is how he looks at issues then he is no capable leader at all, because a leader aught to have vuision and be strategic.
      That means you have to have forsight, and plan ahead, see ahead, and not wait for results because if you are the initiator, where are the results going to come from before you put positive action?

  18. I am very much aware that we cannot all agree on everything.
    But where we differ it will benefit our nation if we can be reasonable enough to offer alternative opinions and solutions other than just say “we dont want”, and simply oppose without meaningful criticism.
    Remember that these opposition MPs live on our taxes, and we cannot allow paying people simply for walking out and opposing without meaningful imput to our national affairs.
    Because of idling in the house (parliament), having nothing to offer, we have seen of late that if the PF MPs are not walking out of debate then they are fighting along the corridors of Parliament. Definitely we can not allow such behavior to take root.

  19. So you Mr/Mrs fine, How sure are you that the opposition did not offer any alternative? Lets face the facts about what you have written about others. Think also that suggestions from the opposition were not taken by the ruling govt. What do you then about this presupposition?

  20. Ooh, nice to be back. As you are aware, there is life on planet mars. Am the President. Was so busy campaining!!

  21. Mr simple man,

    If PF MPs walked out of Parliament on the basis that the Govt did not take their views then they do not understand deliberation rules of parliamentary debate.
    PF had their views and MMD had their views, but you cannot think that for PF to stay in the house their views must carry the day, else they walk out. That is not how debate is.
    Debate is about win or lose. PF should not walk out because their view has not carried the day.
    The same way, MMD or UPND should not walk out because their view has not carried the day.

    • Ladies and gentle men , can we come home , I beg please ,yes. . what is our basic understanding of :
      1. windfall Tax
      2. variable tax ( as mentioned)
      3 beneficial effect
      4. Rural language transition
      5. Mine ownership under foreigners
      Shalom.

  22. My position is that the windfall tax should be left as it is because it is almost the same as variable tax. I dont see how it is punitive. Windfall tax is not charged when the prices are low or when the mines are making loses so why remove it? Whats wrong with the MMD Kanshi?

  23. Fine you are around ka? Long time where have you been?Madagascar demonstrating against Ravula ma whatever ka?

    • Consensus among the diasporadicimoyn seem have been reached . This being my understanding on the above thread , allow me to watch a movie …. Mulena bless .

  24. How do you scrap wind fall tax when the copper price at LME has drastically increased. Right Now it if fetching $4119. The mines are already in huge profits. PF has a reason to protest. How much money will these infestors siphon out of Zambia. We need that profit to be injected into Agriculture. So bloggers when you comment you should understand how sensitive the issue is. Zambia is loosing out in the mining deal and this has serious repacations on the economy. Chile was able to build a huger financial resrve in its treasury from its copper mines and diversified into agriculture without raising taxes and now it is the bread basket of south America. Zambians wake up please.

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