President Michael Sata of Zambia has threatened to dissolve Parliament and prompt fresh elections, accusing ministers of failing to defend his government from opposition attacks.
Sata’s two-year-old administration has come under fire for having too many Cabinet ministers who, critics say, are cronies of the president and not servants of the nation.
“Why are you not talking? Why are you so quiet?” Sata asked Cabinet ministers in a meeting broadcast on radio today.
“If you are not fit to be what you are, let me know so that I can dissolve Parliament and we go for a general election.”
If Zambia’s Parliament is dissolved, the Constitution stipulates that fresh polls be held within 90 days.
Sata said many of the attacks came from United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema.
“We are pounded left, right and centre. Hichilema today is saying that this Cabinet is bloated. The other day he said this Cabinet is tribal and you people are not replying.
“Who do you think is going to answer for you?” Sata said.
Zambia is currently scheduled to hold its next general election in 2016.
Source: Sapa-AFP
Do it now baba you should have it like yesterday. It will be good riddance to the country now in a dangerous quagmire.
He sounds like someone who has just woken up from the sleep on another person’s bed and wondering where he is and what is going on?
I really feel sorry for Sata, we are asking him too much than his knowledge and sense of judgement can provide. Some people are just better off in the opposition and is one of them.
This is no sane prounoncement from CNP. Adress the nation and tell them important issues and not issuing statement to PF failures and then threatening to punish the whole nation.
Why not just resign yourself so that we go for a presidential by election – of course without you on the ballot paper – time waster.
The best solution in deed is dissolving parly. Why most of these MPs were not elected on merit. Look at Kalulushi, the councilor does not know his MP? This is very serious. As the other person said. At my level as Graduate i can not even mention 6 ministers full names and their ministerial departments, worse PSs.
Let it be and should actually Independent persons to contest as president like MP
Sata needs to be on Ritalin, Zoloft and Ambien.
Every incumbent government in every nation is pounded by the opposition. We don’t care about your replies to these attacks, we care about the well being of every Zambian citizen. Sata, can you give us that?
Dissolve that no good for nothing cabinet. What kind of leaders are you who cant take heat?
Zambian masses are suffering and you are worrying about what Hikainde is saying?
I bet 90 % of you people on this site cant even vote if the elections were to be held.Thats the only downside of the online bloggers they are very vocal behind the computer key pad but nowhere to be seen near the voting booth.
Let’s try HH. he has more class and will definitely provide leadership which is currently serious in short supply
Yes, Yes; At last he has broken the silence and accepted that his Ministers are DULL, the Boat is sinking. Please dismiss them. We have many Young Zambians that can come help you deliver your vision. Enough with Guess work, No direction, full of Ministers that are just passengers / spectators just to keep their Jobs.
@ Saulosi My brother where are you so that we can exchange our views on this matter. Remember our Debut on the sinking Boat. Sata has just confirmed. @Mfumu,@ Mphendula Kayaula whats your stance.
I think Chellah reads my comments, I suggested to dissolve the cabinet that 2 days ago or the other when Kapeya (Ifya bukaya). Today Ba Sata goes even further to dissolve parliament.
Ba Kalamba Ba Sata, you wouldn’t do the best for country than firing entire cabinet. I mean there are only 3 ministers working.
When I saw them in Samfya at funeral yaba Sakeni, I really wondered if Zambia has turned into a Central Republic of Congo?
@Prince; the man had his head in the sand with his thinking parts exposed. Wonder what Saulosi has to say in defense. @Saulosi is wondering off the main topic by talking of us in the diaspora not being able to vote. We have spoken about the bloated cabinet and the uninspiring cabinet. This has finally got through to Sata. Go ahead and dissolve parliament. Would love to hear more constructive arguments from Saulosi et al.
dissolve it so that who dissolve yourself as well
i bet you! he can never dissolve anything, not even just trying, he cant… with kabimba waiting in the wings, HH waiting to pounce on any loose moves… pastor Mumba waiting to come through like the proverbial thief in the knight… ili bad,,, danger zone!
He “cant never“!!!!
@Ndobo, you are biased, why am not on the waiting list, for Sata to dissolve PF= himself.
@nostradamus..iwe nakukanila! you want me to put myself on the head on collision waiting list with the HUGE machine GBM?? ,, Phone Kabimba and ask him!!!,, the man is scared sick, he only moves around in the night, he only goes to his office in the night when the Big BOSS GBM is resting…kabimba is scared of any sound even his own phone ringtone,,, expecting an anytime abush!!
This man also. How do you expect any sane minister to defend the indefensible? Your administration is next to useless thats why it is embarassing to attempt to defend it. Cant even clear the mess in your own party.
Why should he put the country through an unscheduled wholesale election over confusion in his own party? It is like asking ones neighbor to divorce his/her spouse just because you don’t get along with your own.
Abena Chikolopelo please understand what the president is saying, he has actually put it in simple terms! The ministers are failing him and hence the need to dissolve parliament, an admission that they have failed and should not continue in power wasting tax payers money! The election will allow others to take over the govt, hopefully UPND!
Nafuti ni pa Bwaaaaatooooooo!!!!
It seems somewere someone has started to reason now! If the PF government thinks they are porpular, let the president dissolve parliament and the truth of the outcome will be bitter to swallow.
Thats the way to go Mr President.dissolve da Parliament and go 4 fresh elections.
In the absence of any hope for the country under your political circus and doom, procrastinating on this proposed move is a dis-service to the country and indeed every despairing Zambian. You will have executed a smart exit strategy if you did this like yesterday. In turn Zambians would respect and protect your last days on earth. Any delay risk facing the wrath of a critical mass tenaciously building up against failure and a circus PF leadership.
sata, what is important? paying attention to critics or doing the very job they are employed for??? thats a the worst reason to dissolve the parliament….just my idea,,,,
Strange talk indeed
Mr President, how do you expect your cronies to have answers to problems that you yourself have created? Hold a press conference and address the issues at hand. Why are you afraid of holding a press conference? People are waiting to hear from you; the direction you intend to take for this country, how the price of mealie meal will come down, etc. JUST HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE. WHY ARE YOU SCARED? NOW YOU ARE BLAMING YOUR TOOTHLESS MINISTERS. WHAT DO WANT THEM TO SAY SINCE THEY ALSO DO NOT KNOW WHY THEY ARE THERE? THIS IS A COMPLETE CIRCUS. WAKE MR PRESIDENT AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THE COUNTRY IS IN AUTOPILOT. WHAT A SHAME.
The snake in State house fears holding Press conferences the same way he fears bold heads.
Bring it on Sata dissolve this bickering parliament.Dissolution only serves to prove our feelings that Sata’s interests and those of his party come before the needs of 13m zambians.
Fresh elections, can’t never. They will be held in 2016. So already some of you are salivating that it will happen? sorry bwana, keep on dreaming and wait for 2016 which also is not possible for any of you opposition to take the mantle of King Sata.
SINCE YOU ARE DONE WITH PARLIAMENTARY BYE-ELECTIONS,BETTER DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT SO THAT YOU HAVE FEW THINGS TO ACCOUNT FOR IN THE 2 YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN IN POWER OTHER THAN TO WAIT FOR 2016
Parliament is not getting dissolved anytime soon!!! You need to know HEMCS to understand his remarks, is this first time he has threatened to dissolve parliament??? When MPs threw out one of his proposals in parliament, he gave them an ultimatum, that he is counting and the next time they do it, he will dissolve parliament and call for fresh elections!!!
He understand our constitution perfectly well and he uses it to let those wround him know what powers he has and could use, if need be!!!!
This is threatening in a literal sense.Only a person with mental/analytical challenges can take it seriously.
You mean figurative ? Stop using my name if you cant measure up.
But has he not moved the motion of impeachment himself?
Sata thinks by dissolving Parliament he is punishing his Ministers. I doubt that he knows by dissolving Parliament his job is up for grabs. Sata is like a snake with its head cutoff.
“Why are you not talking? Why are you so quiet?” Sata asked Cabinet ministers in a meeting broadcast on radio today.
We double dare you to dissolve parley…. this is appalling cowardly leadership being exhibited by a head of state , why not show them how to respond to questions by calling for a press conference at State House? A true leader leads from the front and does not boss his subordinates like a farmer on a cart does to ox with a stick.
For a different reason, thats the best threat I’ve heard form Sata to date.The man himself can not face the Zambian people and answer questions yet he beleaguers his ministers for doing what he does? He is absolutely incredulous.I think, he thinks being President is relaxing and getting his wife and all his servants to work.What a country ,what a president! Where did we go wrong?
Please do it just now,hey but its too expensive
Sorry, it will not happen; only until 2016. So you people in opposition should just campaign and sell yourselves. I for one cannot vote for HH or Nevers. So keep on dreaming ba oppo.
Their incompetence is also very costly to the tax payer we might as well cut out losses now!!
*…cut our losses..
Of course cabinet is bloated and is Tribal. The embassies and High Commissions are all full of Bemba speaking chaps. It is difficult for Ministers to defend these things because they are true. Dissolve Parliament and You and your PF are OUT!!
Cabinet is full of MPs belonging to PF and is NOT tribal as MPs from all ethnic groups that worked with him while in opposition got Ministerial posts. Can’t comment on those in the diplomatic missions since people serving out there are not as well known as Ministers.May be there it could be true. How could he appoint people to cabinet who are not his MPs with out being accused of working to destroy the opposition?Any one to have won the 2011 elections from the opposition could have proceeded in a same way as Sata has done in as far cabinet appointments are concerned! Nothing tribal, but everything about the party that puts the President in State House and its MPs!
The republican presidency has been too big for Sata to fathom.Sata performed better as Opposition leader. A leader is supposed to have a vision and a plan of execution.
Wapya Munzi. Blame it on the Ministers and Parliament
Now he is feeling it from Halaise Halaise
Please do it now!
I wish you didnt have to excite me like this for nothing…. i really want all of them gone, we all know they are good for nothing type of losers, what are you waiting for? they will just bring your name down the hole for no one will blame them but everybody will blame you. I want weather boy gone including his rotten band!
@cindy
iwe cindy,, what are your intentions?? dissolve it?? hell will break loose!! he dissolves parliament, he dissolves himself!! alots of vultures circling the number one post in the country, they can smell blood!!
Oh Cindy, just remembered, I look nothing like Andrew Banda, i just remembered I didn’t tell you this from the other thread. 🙂 Bo Ndobo, sorry I spoke kuba kaintu banu without you being around, it was all innocent.
@ Ndobo,
Better then just fire them, what have they done for Zambia lately in the last 3 months it’s just been Tom and Jerry over Barotse issue, Endorsement, the house of Zambia going broke according to the finincial failure house, Disaster stadium, refusing to grace Road ceremony,Chipolopolo training on parking area somewhere outside the country, Cadres protesting and beating up people whilst the dead opposition looks on cheering and us bloggers at each others throats, pouring our scorn on whom ever falls prey, the only positive project i can point at is the NWATO and DR Kasebas if my memory serve me right.
It’s about time he came back to reality and sink this titanic himself if he has to!
@cindy
Be careful what you wish for!! though i dont like PF, this is a delicate situation which needs to be careful handling. At the moment!! PF govt is in serious confusion, there is alot of mistrust amongst thereselves, therefore dont expect anything positive going forward!! they are NOT a team!!!!… And the opposition parties are either confused with the confusion or they are sleeping watching the storm as it approaches!! No one is being seen to step to the plate and show new direction… immeadiate change would a big exposion like Egypt!!!
themselves…
I guess Sata just woke up from his sick-bed
The message has come at the right time. Let us wait for Parly to open. I which i was one of them. They have to be prepared to answer questions especially the Head of the Govt house.
Sata kwena Lishilu. How did Zambia end up voting for this retard?????
Under pressure?? yes, YOU ARE UNDER PRESSURE Mr. cobra sata!! you,yourself sir, know perfectly well that you created those problems! how on earth do you expect your ministers to solve them? of course the opposition has every right to attack because you are being such a BIG BABY! You are clearly loosing control over your party! look at what’s happening between GBM and kabimba?? have you addressed that? HELL NO! why? because you owe GBM trillions dollars and kabimba holds some secrets which i wont dare talk about here.
SOLVE YOUR OWN PROBLEMS,SIR. IF YOU CAN’T DO THAT, STEP DOWN AND LET SOMEONE DO THAT.
Ati “Why are you not talking? Why are you so quiet?” what a swine!
# The fist for president
I wonder whether some of you bloggers are Zambians.How can you start dancing and making noise over this issue.That’s how our president talks………………………. get used to him.
You are asking me to embrace mediocrity?
The era for issuing hollow threats is long gone Sata is no longer a UNIP district governor in 1985 but a President in 2013!!
What answers can they provide when Hakainde is speaking the truth???????
These bye- elections are long overdue. Some ministers are sharp. Point is that if you have nothing to say, it helps to keep quite. How does an intelligent person defend the indefensible???Most of the policy pronouncement of this government are simply difficult to defend. How can one intelligently defend the increase of the retirement age or removal of lump sum pension payments? Kind of boggles my mind.
Respectfully, it’s not a bye election when Parliament is dissolved. It then becomes a General election.
Yes please dissolve parliament so that that village in Mpika that is missing its ***** can have you back.
A leader who does not lead can’t expect his ministers to defend him why in the first place does he shy away frm defending himself frm UPND attacks thru press conferences so that pipo can descern the leadership. What is obvious is egoism and threats frm the dictator. Lekeni HH atake!
Yes please dissolve parliament so that that village in Mpika that is missing its id.iot can have you back.
The president is having sleepless nights and needs help. It has now dawned on him that leading a country is no kindergarten stuff. Let him just do the honourable thing by stepping down and concentrate on attending to his health which is gradually becoming mental.
In a nutshell; don’t bite off more than you can chew!!
FINALLY THE MAN IS FEELING THE HEAT FROM HH. TELL THEM HH THE WAY HE WAS ATTACKING MMD. THIS IS NICE.
He wants a reactive Government for the Bemba and the Bemba. Defending the indefensible! The man is under pressure. Kikiki kekeke! Zambia forward!
since when did HH become a factor?
The day Sata started complaining about him.
Good sign and True Leadership, thumbs up to you Mr. President, for accepting that there is a problem.. There is no ways these Ministers will just behave like spectators/ passengers? They can’t talk, nor put forward any tangible suggestions. We cannot just let the president Do everything. We need proper Leaders “NOT JOB KEEPERS” With proper Planning and Clear Vision. We would by now have started seeing light at the of 2016 tunnel. 5 Years is a long time, a serious government with proper strategy, balanced road-map can deliver a lot. That is my honest expectation with PF. If these Ministers cannot deliver give other Zambians a chance. Let’s advocate for a 2 term limit for ministerial role just like The President, to give other Zambians a chance than Dull Ministers in parliament for Life.
Way to go HH! make ’em uncomfortable!
If there is criticism and the PF is pounded right, left and centre, then there is or should I say, there are real problems being highlighted by HH. Do not respond to HH through verbal attacks in the media. Respond by correcting the wrong things PF is doing. Improve the lives of the lot of Zambians. Bachula pafula mwe!
Or address the nation via a Press Conference – Sata’s worst nightmare. I think he retreats to his bed and curls up in the foetal position each time a press conference looms.
I bet Kilistina uses this achilles heel – Just whispers the words ‘Press Conference soon…I can make it go away if you……..” That’s how she got K1.5million (Rebased) free.
Take note, all you out there. You have a free bargaining chip..
Sata has just woken up! I am waiting for PF cadres to wake up. I am waiting for people to comment on HH. HH is doing a good job. Just accept and period.
There is nothing defend about the performance of the PF Mr. President. You make decision alone in state house and you expect ministers to defend what they don’t know. Just accept you have failed and resigned, you want to detach yourself from the failures of the PF and put the blame on ministers. This man is a political trick star.
To some extent I agree with you. He makes his own decisions. My problem is that these ministers have been made to look so dull, they accept to be treated like kids. Why not tell him off?? Yes he is their boss but there is no way on earth SATA would know everything. He needs advisers and people who can functionally challenge him, with facts. Our Ministers made him behave this way, so does the blame goes to them. It’s actually disappointing.
The ministers are in a Catch 22 situation. Their boss is inadvisable, so even if they have solutions, it’s better to go with whichever the Sata-Wind blows on that particular day, at that particular time.
Meanwhile the nation is apportioning them blame for non-performance. Their job has become to watch and wait to make sure you are on the right side of Sata.
And No, the ministers did not make him this way. He appointed a particular calibre of ministers who are now further paralysed as already described above.
What do you expect. We were all told by no other than Kabimba, the Justice minister that the whole cabinet can not equal Sata’s IQ. Either this is by design by Sata so that he appears as the political genius or truly there aren’t any intelligent people in PF who are capable of free thought. Its so painful to be led by men of below average abilities. In all honesty, if the cabinet was allowed to perform without looking over their shoulders, at most five could perform. I had the pleasure of meet Guy Scott when we were research fellows, he was inspiring. Wonder where all that went?
Unfortunately For you Mr Sata, you are like a head decapitated from it’s trunk, but still hallucinating thinking that It still has the ability to carry on with normal life.
He can never dissolve parliament and call for fresh elections because he knows that will be the end of his presidency. Most Zambians are waiting to see the end of Sata’s presidency and PF rule. What HH has said about a bloated cabinet and a tribal cabinet is nothing but the truth. Zambians, with perhaps the exception of those from Muchinga, Northern and Luapula, know this and are not happy. Sata should do the right thing and stop behaving like a small child.
Defence = G.B Mwamba (Northern)
Foreign Affairs = W Simuusa (Southern)
Finance = A Chikwanda (Northern)
Justice = W Kabimba (Central)
Home Affairs = E Lungu (Eastern)
Commerce and Trade = E Chenda (Southern??)
Mines = A Yaluma (Northern)
Agriculture = B Sichinga (Northern)
Health = J. Kasonde (Northern)
Education, Sci & Tech = J Phiri (Eastern)
Gender & Child = I Wina (Western)
Community Dev = J Katema (Northern)
Lands and Env = H Kalaba (Luapula)
Transport & Works= Y Mukanga (Luapula)
Information & Broadcasting = M Kapeya (Northern)
Local Govt = E. Kabanshi (Luapula)
Labour = F Shamenda (Southern??)
Chiefs & Traditions = N Luo (Northern)
Youth and Sport = C Kambwili (Northern)
(Northern + Luapula MP’s)/Total = (9+3)/19 = 63% from two of nine provinces.
Fact, what…
IT’S LIKE DANGLING A BONE TO A DOG. IT WILL BE SO EXCITED AND WAGING IT’S TAIL LIKE CRAZY.
Aleisa Aleisa Aleisa! who are people refering to us Aleisa?
Whoever you want it to be for you. For some it’s Wynter, but the majority I suspect mean Mr. Hichilema.
forget about HH I wonder where these blogger thinking HH can win election even today. Tell us what HH has done for the country . I personally have never heard any plans HH has for the country once voted into power. I only hear him condeming PF and dividing the country into tribal lines. HH had a very big oppotunit but he fails to sale him self to the whole country. Dont force him he has also no plan for the country he will be worst than SATA. Sata when he was in oppossition he sold him self but HH is failing . Insulting SATA and bring tribla debate will not take him anywhere.
It’s good news to hear that dictator Michael Sata is under pressure.Hakainde Hichilema should criticize Sata even more.Those who voted for Sata in 2011 will not vote for him again if he dissolves parliament.In fact, Sata knows that his collapsing PF party cannot win tripartite elections in Zambia,so he can’t risk dissolving parliament.The ministers he lambasted are unable to defend his useless policies because they have no confidence in him.Sata should just resign and let someone else with leadership qualities lead this nation.
If the President thinks or feels that ‘THINGS HAVE REALLY FALLEN APART IN PF’ and he finds himself in a state of “Chimbwi Afwile Ntangalala” for his love both Kabimba and GBM, then his resignation is the most honourable and effective option.
this man called sata, l thought he would make a definite statement to say “because of your failure ba minister, i am dissolving parliament” ekulanda kwamwaume uku, not these kindergarten threats. mr president , do not tickle us with such jokes because we desire that they become true. yaaaba, l’ve just been looking where l had put my voter’s card and its intact
Satas outbursts are hilarious. He started a war he is failing to finish. What did he expect when he unleashed GBM on Winter. Does he think anyone believes his sudden change of heart? If he thinks he is F.O.O.L.I.N.G the nation then he has another think coming. It is clear the shushushu have told him to slow down otherwise he was going to put the house on fire and he was going to die in it. All this new talk is full of hogwash. Mr Sata no one is believing you!
Is dissolving parliament solution to your problems? Its like having marital problems at home and you chase your wife and children thinking you are solving the problem.
How do you expect your ministers to speak out when you don’t involve them in the decisions you make? Very strange indeed! The Post seems to be doing a good job speaking out for you and Kabimba; apparently the only ones you consult through George Chellah.
Finally, he awakes from slumber
if cabinet is not working, it is not for him to dissolve parliament. He should instead dissolve cabinet.
My president consult widely to avoid unwarranted outbursts,I personally wish you will & continue but in a well planned manner.the party issues aren’t solved by the audience,you need closed door meetings to grill ur Cadres,meet them often. Ministers aren’t yapping each time HH says something that’s maturity & leaves time for work & corrective action .wishing you a result oriented and well supervised last quarter.
The complaint from Sata about HH means HH ideas are effective and true rendering PF ministers without any response. As a matter of fact, failure by PF ministers to offer any response the true state of affairs by HH commentary is in order and minister are being truthful at heart. Typical of Sata character of threats, posturing and popularity syndrome CAN NEVER/WILL NEVER DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT. That would be political suicide in the history of Zambia.
To summarise, Sata is not fit to be president! I fancy Kabimba to take over. I think he has the balls – not honey honey monster GBM! Putting it another way, Sata never expected to be come president, forgive him and encourage him to to call for a general election or is it a major erection!
This is another donchi kubeba from the serpent. ****** knows too well that the moment he dissolves parliament (which includes himself), he will go to jail for the Billions of Kwachas he and his relatives have shared with the Chinese sub-contractors.
Foolish people imposed this worthless beast on us. The *******has really gone to the dogs literally.
Apa ni defensive mechanism bane.Imagine beating your wife for financial mismanagement ukamwela ka salary.Si yamene ‘projection’ yamene bakamba ma shrinks.
Cabinet bloated 100% correct and no argument about it, cabinet tribal 100% wrong,who do you want to be in cabinet apart from ruling party MPs who?he appoints from the opposition we scream blue murder!!.By the way,are all cabinet ministers party spokesperson to respond to accusations from the opposition??Guys lets keep on working for Zambia ,politicians are like dew;-)
Its a Tribal Cabinet. Aren’t you the same people who have been telling us that UPND is a tribal party because most of its MPs are from Southern Province? So why shouldn’t be the same for PF? Why are the majority of PF MPs from Bemba speaking ethnicities? Why are most Permanent Secretaries and Parastatal chiefs from Bemba speaking ethnicities? This is tribalism pure and simple! Bembas are greedy and selfish!
Tribal sycophants and nonentities never cease to amaze me. It is as if they are cursed with tribal sin. They rejected Sata and PF in their small enclaves in the 2011 general election. They completely wrote him off as a likely president of Zambia, although this was done with extreme detachment from reality. The majority of Zambians had already resolved to give Sata a go at presidency and they made sure this was achieved to the chagrin of this prophets of doom. Logically and naturally Sata had to pick the bulk of his cabinet from among those who gave him the largest share of votes. These tribal sellouts should revisit their elementary mathematics and fully understand the principle of proportion of numbers and values.
How can Sata dissolve himself? He can’t, so this is another incoherent statement from our Head of state. On the other hand he complains of weak opposition on the other he blames HH for criticizing him for having a bloated Govt. This everyone knows including Sata himself but he blames HH for criticizing him. The contry is about to be handed one of the biggest budget scandals in the history of our country, where borrowed money can be used as a sustenance for paying civil servants. For how long are we going to borrow to sustain that. Everyone agrees that civil servants and any worker in Zambia needs a better Salary but it how we implement it that is the problem.
I DARE YOU DO IT NOW