Tuesday, March 19, 2024

HH Mocks First Lady Esther Lungu’s donated Fire Trucks

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First Lady Esther Lungu inspects the Ambulance during a tour of Fire Station 94 in California in the United States of America on Tuesday January 22,2019-Pictures by THOMAS NSAMA

Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has poured scorn on the Fire Trucks that First Lady Esther Lungu went to receive in the UNistared States as a Donation after the trucks were spotted in Lusaka.

Post on his social media account, Mr. Hichilema mockingly wondered which museums the trucks were destined to so that he could view them at close range.

Mr. Hakainde mockingly described the trucks as some amazing 19th Century Technology and recounted how as a young boy he used to watch these trucks on a black and white television set.

Early this year on the 19th January 2019 the First lady of Zambia, Esther Lungu arrived in Los Angeles for what the government described as a launch of collaboration between the Los Angeles City Fire Department and the Zambia Fire and Rescue Service where she received 4 donated Fire trucks.

In January, the first lady travelled to the US, in what had been described as a collaboration between Zambia’s Fire and Rescue Service and the LA fire department to collect the four trucks.

According to presidential spokesperson Amos Chanda the purpose of the trip was to assess if the fire trucks conformed to Zambian standards.

However, it has emerged that the donated fire trucks were retired by the LA fire department after serving the area for decades. Two of the trucks are 1985 models, a third one is a 1995 model and the other one a 1996 model.

The the donated Fire Trucks pictured in Zambia
The the donated Fire Trucks pictured in Zambia
The the donated Fire Trucks pictured in Zambia
The the donated Fire Trucks pictured in Zambia
The the donated Fire Trucks pictured in Zambia
The the donated Fire Trucks pictured in Zambia

114 COMMENTS

  1. THESE PEOPLE ARE SHAMELESS GHETTO SUPERSTARS CHAPWA!!
    No shame whatsoever.
    I would leave the country, hanging my head in shame as I exit, if I was exposed for such silly shameful, & rampant Corruption, like Mrs Jona Chakolwa had exposed herself.
    WHAT WRONG DID ZAMBIANS EVER DO TO DESERVE SUCH PEOPLE RUNNING THE NATION?

    • These guys have no shame, if anything expect them to order more such scrap metal while babies continue to die of preventable diseases . Edgar said he d no vision, we should have believed him

    • This is too embarrassing.

      The PF have no shame at all.

      They spent a lot more money on that useless trip than what the fire trucks are worth.

      I mean the trucks are worthless.

      Even the scrap yard rejected them in the USA.

    • “Quiet” some amazing 19th century technology. It is unbelievable that HH can be posting statements on social media with wrong spellings.

    • JEALOUSY!!! At least she came back with used fire engines, not lies like he did. This man is childish. He believe anyone can believe that Americans will spend $25bn in Zambia alone when they can’t do it for the whole of Africa. He has a credibility gap. That is why he loses elections.

    • Look closely at the last picture, that truck looks like Ba Ester Lungu…. Look Loooook look, teba Ester abaimwe in makeup?

    • U see, most UPND leaning tabloids write contrived or made up news. So most likely these pictures are either fake or contrived. I saw the original pictures in American. LT you are becoming like Zambianwatchdog where manufacturing of news is the modus operandi. And you know what happened to Zambianwatchdog, it has been abandoned even by UPND cadres’.

    • I think PF bandits wanted to hide these trucks out of embarrassment…..just last week I commented asking for the whereabouts of the fire trucks…now I understand why they wanted to hide them……you can buy these trucks on Craigslist for less than US $2000…..and PF spent US $3 million for a 25 man entourage to Loss Angeles….this is broad daylight robbery….

    • I gave Esther Lungu a time frame of how long it takes for trucks to ship from USA to Zambia….just one month….Esther’s shipment took 10 months….and if I didn’t comment asking about the whereabouts….these trucks should have still be hidden somewhere…..this is a pile of Junk….and very dangerous for our streets….in the USA civilians buy these for parades and shows…and very cheap…Esther Lungu went to Loss Angeles with funfare and a bedroom attendant in tow….Total expenses US $3 million tax payers money….Yes this is Africa and am not surprised…

    • And the second picture with good tires from last looks like Edgar Lungu….same face and the ambulance looks like Sikazwe…the one who’s always grinning

    • maybe its her newly acquired taste for vintage cars, you know when people become rich even taste changes, she would rather keep a vintage vehicle in the garage for the all year and only show it off during vintage road shows. new millionaires in town .

    • Chishimba kambwili got seven people (ZNBC and Information Ministry Stuff) to collect three old camares in Turkey. what wrong with us?

    • Mr. President please STOP CHILDREN! These guys are evil! If someone gives you something that could have been thrown away could you refuse? Maybe the BOY is busy thinking that the Party of FIRES will now fail to destroy infrastructure HAGAIN! This boy came here to SELL Ziko! Thank God the boy is still an UNDER FIVE and UNELECTABLE.

    • to answer your question @Keleni fwenkula: ubupuba bwalichila mu Zambia. In this country, people like hero worshiping others…Sata was not a saint nor savior of some kind as some PF minions would like to pain the picture. Sata brought about thuggery in government hence we have now arrived at this level. I cannot see why anyone would want to associate themselves with such corrupt people hiding behind fake Christianity. HH is the way forward. HH will fix Zambia no doubt.

    • Animo Farm doctored the photos and picked up two older ones and left others. Google other photos UPND Tribal INCOMPOS with your UNELECTABLE Under Five Boy! That is why your little thief will NEVER be a President in Zambia!

  2. Uhm ba hh be consistent as a “young boy you remember watching this on black and white television!” Thought you have told all and sundry that “as a young boy were herding cattle in the village” … dint suffer from amnesia you never watched tv “as a young boy “

  3. We can make money from those trucks if we park them at Lusaka Museum. Instead of spending on maintenance. Our African neighbours from Malawi and Tanzania can give us good revenue. Do not underestimate their value.

    • HAZALUZA HAGAIN because his party says “ONLY A TONGA can be president of UPND and SAKWIBA you h-a not Tonga!” SeJAni.

    • Lusaka Times do investigative journalism please and stop feeding the UPND TRIBAL STEREOTYPE! These guys have TRIBALISM as their food daily! Nothing good about these Evil-hearted HH people and they have nothing good about them but “Only A TONGA can be President.” Charmaine is Vice President and MUTINTA is Treasurer that is why they SACRIFICE a lot. They love BLOOD.

  4. An expensive overseas trip by Zambian first lady Esther Lungu to collect four fire trucks donated by the Los Angeles City Fire Department has stirred a hornet’s nest back home.

    In January, the first lady travelled to the US, in what has been described as a collaboration between Zambia’s Fire and Rescue Service and the LA fire department to collect the four trucks, the Lusaka Times reported.
    According to presidential spokesperson Amos Chanda the purpose of the trip was to assess if the fire trucks conformed to Zambian standards.
    However, it has emerged that the donated fire trucks were retired by the LA fire department after serving the area for decades. Two of the trucks are 1985 models, a third one is a 1995 model and the other one a 1996 model.
    Furthermore, the first lady’s…

    • Furthermore, the first lady’s entourage included 25 people in all. A bedroom attendant, cook, cleaner, waiter, seven police officers, three secretaries, two fire brigade officers, a communications officer and an accountant were among those accompanying Lungu.
      And the exorbitant sojourn abroad went ahead despite civil rights activist Laura Miti appealing unsuccessfully to US Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote to withdraw the donation to Zambia.
      Details of how much the two-week trip for 25 people cost Zambian taxpayers will not be made available due to Lusaka’s repeated refusal to pass the Access to Information Bill following a litany of excuses.

    • Unreserved apology to you my dull PF friend, he did write ‘Quiet’ instead of that other one. He will never be president at this rate if he continues with his horrendous grammar.

    • Lets talk about Fire trucks. You PF cadres are quick to change topics when caught pants down. HH is not English and how many English can spell the name Lungu. A lot of money was wasted by first lady to go and collect these relics and all you worry about is HH’s spelling!! You dimwit

  5. Sir with due respect. You also went to the USA but just came back with a promissory note. So if you don’t become a president it means Zambians will never benefit from those millions of dollars.
    In Zambia we don’t even produce a single fire truck. Somebody gives you even bad one it’s better than a promissory note. My take on this issue.

    • Ba Charles, HH went there using his own money. Get that into that thick PF skull of yours. If you are a non-taxpaying dependant sit the phuck down and let us who contribute to the treasury and sponsored this woman’s trip talk, m0r0n.

    • Charles Banda you are one of educated morons. Forget HH and ask your innner self if those old trucks are worth the money we spend on the trip undertaken by the First Lady. Were are you going to get parts to maintain those dinosaurs? Do you even know the make of those items? She should have asked for other form of aid. Please do not insult our intelligence.

    • HEREIN LIES EVIDENCE OF HOW A TYPICAL P.F CADRE THINKS, & LACKS ANALYTICAL CAPABILITIES!
      * P.F Cadre Charles Banda is a businessman, living in Lusaka, trading in fresh fish.
      Charles has been ordering fish from Kafue with a full refrigerated truck costing him U$D 300.00c – (Nb* Kwacha’s worth), & he’d take the fish to Lusaka & sell for U$D 580.00 making a small profit for himself. Petrol costs were U$ 70.00c.
      However Brain Dead Cadre Banda heard the same amount of fish would cost U$D 270.00c in Livingstone. However petrol costs to Livingstone & back = U$D 240.00c. Food, & lodging for the Livingstone journey costs U$D 115.00c. Include bribes @ numerous roadblocks to corrupt P.Folice @ U$D 30.00.
      CADRE BANDA LIKE ESTHER LUNGU GOES AHEAD TO BUY FISH IN LIVINGSTONE TO SELL IN LUSAKA,…

    • Continued;
      HOWEVER CADRE CHARLES BANDA LIKE ESTHER LUNGU GO AHEAD, & BEGIN TO ORDER FISH FROM LIVINGSTONE, “COZ ITS CHEAPER”!!
      Countrymen & Women, do you now see why Zambia is in the Current mess, & NO STIFF NECKED P.F BANDIT OFFICIAL CAN ACCOUNT FOR, & TELL US WHAT HAPPENED TO THE EUROBOND, & OTHER LOANS THEY SECURED IN SECRECY?

  6. PFoools with their ka leader, the worst president on earth even he that moron belongs in a museum himself as he has the smallest and dullest brain on earth maybe our kids can learn some, scatter teeth would make a decent example of dull africans in the museum… the chap is an 1diot and has failed

  7. These I mean these unless they are prototypes for engineering students at Unza or Nortec for the Zamtruck project.

  8. A disgusting splurge of public funds is how this trip to L A is perceived by those of us from the outside world looking in.
    Two mechanic’s traveling in economy class was all that was ever required to inspect and evaluate the condition and life span left in these fire appliances.
    However just because they are older vintage do not rule out that they may well still have considerable working life left in them.

  9. Left Hand Drive Too. Zambia in the Sun. Part of Lungu’s legacy is fire trucks; if they are not overpriced, they are antiquated. Sad

  10. At least she came back with something.Not where some colonialist holds your balls and says ‘ will only release the funds in 2041 when you become President’!!

    • Especially being Left hand drive, & speeding in an Emergency.
      Coroner’s report; “DEATH BY P.F, STUPIDITY”!!
      Doubt there’s even a health & safety executive dept in Zed
      Ni Zipaye weka, while you Dununa!

    • How can you go begging for fire engines when you had spent $ 42 million on frigging FIRE ENGINES!? Does that smack of a beggar? We already have permutations that would have got us more fire engines out of $42 million than the measly 42 we got. Yaba!

  11. Some people are bitter. You can tell from their comments most of which are not even bordered on the topic of the story but just personal.

  12. A lone mayor should have gone to collect these old tired fire fighters. The first lady requires guidance, I don’t think she is at fault, somebody should have whispered to her that look this is not in your jurisdiction. To put first lady mu nkhani za mulilo is not right

  13. I feel the first lady was dumped!!!! Want was shown to her was in very good condition. but they sent retired fire tenders. lesson learnt, never trust these donations, they always have a motive behind it. they just wanted where to dispose of those vehicles.

  14. Those things cost less than $5000 , Mrs lungu spent more than $1 million….

    They won’t last more than 2 years…..

    Even the first service will be a challenge for Zambia….

  15. Where will they get the spare parts once they start breaking down?
    Esther is encroaching in a territory she does not understand. This is not the job of the first lady. In Zambia now anything goes.

  16. “According to records obtained from State House, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is processing American Visas for 25 travelers, among them a bedroom attendant, cook, cleaner, waiter, about seven police officers, four journalists, three secretaries, two fire brigade officers, a communications officer, and an accountant.”
    source
    https://www.lusakatimes.com/2019/01/16/stop-first-lady-from-travelling-to-us-to-receive-four-fire-trucks-laura-miti-ask-us-envoy-to-zambia/

  17. 1. Amos Malupenga – Local Government Permanent Secretary
    2. Florence Chawelwa – Senior Private Secretary
    3. Agnes Imasiku – Communications officer
    4. Wellington Mulambo – Chief fire officer at Ndola City Council
    5. Robert Banda – Deputy chief fire officer at Lusaka City
    6. Mwansa Mumba – Reporter at Zambia Daily Mail
    7. Victor Mwila – Reporter at ZANIS
    8. Doreen Nakapizye – Cameraperson at ZANIS
    9. Thomas Nsama – Photographer at State House
    10. Sandra Ngushi – Staff officer
    11. Dominic Kabamba – Staff officer
    12. Chimuka Chuulu – Staff officer
    13. Musonda Sindazi – Staff officer
    14. Lewis Mtonga – Staff officer
    15. Christianity Kondolo – Staff officer
    16. Christine Nakazwe – Staff officer
    17. Cecilia Mwanza – Medical personnel
    18. Musonda Chitunga – Cook
    19. Chipo Chica…

    • Some of the Names are Quality Jokes aside.
      * No 15, – “CHRISTIANITY KANDOLO”
      That name is Pure Quality, should be in James Hadley Chase novel, & the name I would have used for my Lusaka Times name had I not chosen Keleni fimo fimo!

  18. 20. Charity Chirwa – Bedroom Attendant
    21. Clara Chomba – Cleaner
    22. Mando Phiri – Accountant
    23. Dorothy Musonda Chibwe – Personal Assistant
    24. Mary Kafita Kaonde – Secretary

  19. Hakiende please don’t lie when you say ‘As young boys, we watched these on black and white television sets in some movies” you are on record saying ‘as young boys we lived in the village herding cattle!” but then I guess yours was always special you have ‘black and white television sets showing movies’ whilst you looked after cattle in the open plains….you may have a point but don’t get facts twisted voters never forget what those seeking public office say or do. Oh and by the way the ‘pledges’ from would be investors is the start of ‘state capture’ and also late M from across met those same infectors…good luck in 2021

  20. Being given old disused trucks, huge delegation to receive the old trucks. All this is due to high poverty levels in the country.

    • How to you justify spending $1 million on 2nd hand trucks that are worth $5000 ???

      Let’s hear it from this one , we are waiting

  21. The supidity that characterizes people wielding power in our corridors of state stinks! Sometimes one is given to wonder whether this is a gift they have from god, they are simply on drugs or both. How some Zambians react to HH too says a lot about how tribal bigotry against Tongas had blinded mot Zambians. Sure, a Nyanja man would first vote for a Nsenga or Tumbuka rat before they vote for a Tonga or Kaonde man. This country of your shall break up in pieces sooner than later.

  22. The probem with people who shun away from the National day of prayer and fasting are starborn and this is how far they can think all the time. As Alangizi we are wondering that he has come back after the prayers, really? And instead of appreciating the First Lady for what she done, he is there critisizing the efforts being done. Does he have a company which makes vehicles so that he can donate? the answer is this man is behaving like a rat which has seen a cat he runs away, country men and women he run away from prayers and after the prayers he is back on the scene and yapping nonsense. Shame and fire on him.

  23. Ichikulu is that it pains hh that Mutinta will never get red carpet treatment while Esther is known as the first lady in America. Mock her or not, you will die bitter Mr. Loser!!

    • Those things were donated. They can be used in smaller councils. Transporting cars from Japan or even USA is about $2,000 or so. The work these trucks will do in the small councils will be worth it. Those fire engines were not solicited but a donation to the first lady’s charitable cause. The Americans did foot most of the bill.

    • Zambian Citizen

      Stop lying …….where did the USA foot the bill for 25 people including chamber maids and servants for Mrs lungu ???

      That trip costs Zambia more than $1 million…

  24. The problem with people who shun away from the National day of prayer and fasting are stubbon and this is how far they can think all the time. As Alangizi we are wondering that he has come back after the prayers, really? And instead of appreciating the First Lady for what she done, he is there critisizing the efforts being done. Does he have a company which makes vehicles so that he can donate? the answer is this man so called HH, is behaving like a rat which has seen a cat and runs away. Country men and women he ran away from prayers and after the prayers he is back on the scene and yapping nonsense. Shame and fire on him.

    • “…And instead of appreciating the First Lady for what she done, ..”

      She spent $1 million looking at $5000 2nd hand trucks ? Appreciate what ??

      So thick , unbelievable….

    • Appreciating her for bringing someones toxic material into the country. I suspect Haiti and other relatively poor countries in the Americas said No Thanks, but us, as usual, said Yes Thanks. How long do you think these trucks will last? Any bets? How many fires will they quench? Any bets. Some district will be called to come and receive the gifts from the first lady. I feel sorry for them. Inheriting problems

  25. I am sure these wrecks are just dyonko – advance party. The ones she viewed and were splashed all over social media are still on the way. You know still being serviced, making sure the spare parts are put together, and training someone to come and train Zambians how to use them.

  26. Appreciating her for bringing someones toxic material into the country. I suspect Haiti and other relatively poor countries in the Americas said No Thanks, but us, as usual, said Yes Thanks. How long do you think these trucks will last? Any bets? How many fires will they quench? Any bets. Some district will be called to come and receive the gifts from the first lady. I feel sorry for them. Inheriting problems

  27. These fire trucks and EMT, plus rescue vehicles should be put into the Lusaka museum. They are a danger to the public being left handed steering wheel machines, also for being ancient and past usefulness. HH for once is correct, this is funny. Whether the city of California footed the bill for the 25 tourists, this is for the Lusaka museum and not Lusaka roads.

  28. Hhmmm! fellow Zambians you are always busy on internet buying disused or second hand vehicles from Japan ,yet you condemn a gift. HH went to his free Mansons to seek help ,that had convened in the USA and pledges were made but blood should follow soon b4 that aid comes. It’s the free Mansons who invited him why did they not invite two or more opposition leaders , other are not members

    • If you get less than 1% during general elections, no one outside your country recognises you as an opposition leader mune.

  29. Are these trucks not from America? Is this not the same America where our own man HH has just returned with a mouthful of promised billions? These are the same Americans. Today, HH may sound a clever man but he is playing with fire. He may laugh at Madam Lungu but what I know is that a good muzungu is only a dead one. We will be there when we shall ask? But being HH he may have answers just lekeni before. Ndeloleshafye

    • The difference is since HH is intelligent he can never be duped like your dull first lady and PF as a whole mune. You are comparing a self-made successful businessman with a thieving lawyer who stole from a widow. They are not on the same level.

  30. If you are given ground nuts unshelled by a well wisher bcoz your big family is lacking do ask the giver to shell for you and verify if they are bad ones . Any reasonable person with common sense would accept a gift ,so fellow Zambians the fist lady, the receiptiant is not at fault i concur with Charles ‘ sentiments . Politicians are trying to gain political milage since 2021 seems to be nearer than we see it for campaigns, they are tyring to using anything or news to their advantage be aware. Be rational in your judgement. Naturally as an African we are humble and gentle so it can be a very bad gesture on the part of the 1st lady to decline to receive a gift on behalf of our pipo.

    • How are you failing to get it into that thick skull that the issue here is about the amount of money wasted on a trip to get scrap vehicles? Are you honestly that dull? Do you even pay taxes??

  31. In Bemba they say umupushi takula akanwa, akula akafumo. Don’t criticise what you can not afford to donate, it shows backwardness.

    • In English we say ‘Don’t spend tax-payer’s money to go receive items that cost a fraction of what you have spent on travel and accommodation. It shows stup!dity”

  32. HH be thankful umutima ububi, the strategic you are using as already been captured so wait for 2021,the power of the ballot 50+1 is coming Viva ECL.

  33. He HH failed to answer simple questions during the interview at BBC and you call him clever,mmmmm kikiki,he is very dull and as failed to make it to plot one 5 times sure sure sure mmmm. 1+1=2 and 5+5=10 he still have 5 times to fail period.

  34. Check on the developments which the current government has done, those with eyes let them see and appreciate.

  35. hh were did you watch black and white television when you in bwengwa hunting for birds in the bush for dinner with an air gun given to you by your father who was a cattle rustler .

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