Field Ruwe EdD
There is hot lava venting gas and steam under the volcanic Mukula Cartel Report, and we, the people of Zambia are seated on the crater, wearing blinders. The allegations made by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) that President of Zambia Edgar Lungu, his daughter Tasila, Given Lubinda and Jean Kapita (cabinet ministers), and Chief Kafula Musungu II, are the most serious after former President Frederick Chiluba’s corruption case. The Mukula Cartel Report insinuates that President Lungu and his daughter have been surreptitiously using established government agencies for personal ends. Such allegations dwell on gross misconduct and the misuse of executive power. If true, the president heretofore could be found culpable of graft and corruption, and his legacy scorched beyond redemption. That’s why coming clean is a matter of urgency. Engaging in discursive deflection tactics in an attempt to deter the public from accepting the report as credible is denying the people of Zambia the right to know the truth.
The President using Fake News as a Deflection Tool
The Mukula Cartel Report alleges that President Edgar Lungu and the afore-mentioned people are involved in a monthly illegal exportation of the Mukula (rosewood) trees in clear violation of export bans, and that the trade generates a total of approximately US$7.5 million paid annually in bribes and informal fees. Patriotic Front Media Director Sunday Chanda, a notorious spin-master, and serial spreader of misinformation, known for altering reality and twisting facts, engaged in elaborate “plausible deniability” in his effort to tamp down the impact of the report. Without providing credible counter evidence on the Mukula trade, he charged the authors of the report with treason.
Other PF militants including Emmanuel Mwamba and Bowman Lusambo succumbed to the same obtrusive strategy, and helped to deflect blame by polarizing, spreading conspiracy theories, and evoking negative emotions against the report. The president of Zambia, Edgar Chagwa Lungu also bought into it. He blatantly labelled the report that has roiled the nation “FAKE NEWS” as a way of delegitimizing it (the report) and removing public concerns and establishing himself as the source of truth. By doing so, Lungu has elevated the use of disinformation as a tool of persuasion and weapon of influence to another level. Consequently, the word “fake news” has found more fertile ground in Zambia. Fake news has become a pejorative term used by corrupt political offenders to deter the public from accepting accusations that might turn out to be true. Fortunately, modern technology has made it easier to evaluate the credibility of a source. In the case of the Mukula Cartel Report, all it takes is for the President’s press aide Issac Chipampe, to engage a bit of critical thinking and conduct some research. In scholarship, there are ways to help tell the fake news from real news. I employ some here to address pertinent questions.
Is the Mukula Cartel Report Fake or Credible?
Checked the source: I took time to learn more about EIA, the source of the Mukula Cartel Report. I combed through Africa Confidential, scholarly journals, environmental news, books and magazines, and other credible sources. I searched for any EIA affiliations to the U.S. and UK governments and their intelligence or political wings. My independent review reveals that the nonprofit Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has been in existence for over 25 years, campaigning on behalf of threatened wildlife species, forests and global climate (visit their website). Founded by UK environmental activists Dave Currey, Jennifer Lonsdale, and Allan Thornton, and run by Alexander von Bismarck as Executive Director, the organization conducts undercover investigations of criminal activities involving the environment, among other assignments. As stated on their website, EIA boasts of a track record that reveals the organization as arguably the most consistently independent, fearless, dynamic and effective NGO on global environmental issues. Importantly, EIA is recognized by research organizations, governmental agencies, and nonprofit organizations around the world for its “extraordinary work on the ground”. Surely, Chipampe and his team at State House can conduct an even more rigorous research what with all the investigative tools at their disposal.
Is there Illegal Exportation of the Mukula in Zambia?
Investigated the Report: While the timing of the Mukula Cartel Report may be suspect, I examined all the passages in the report to see if they contained any political bias that may impact the story. I found none. As a general rule, a credible story must contain reputable and trustworthy citations and references.
I might add that indeed there is illegal exportation of the Mukula timber in Zambia. It has been going on for years. Chinese timber business has been in Zambia since 2005, mostly exporting material in forms of lumps and boards (see Mukula Cartel Report). Between 2001 and 2014, Zambia lost more than one million hectares of Mukula trees, (100 to 276 million trees per year), according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild and Flora (CITES). In March 2018, the Thomson Reuters Foundation reported that Zambian authorities had begun exporting Mukula timber confiscated from illegal loggers “who continue to fell trees despite a nationwide ban to protect the country’s dwindling forests.” The custodian of the funds is Jean Kapita, the minister of Lands and Natural Resources. In the same month (March 2018), an impeachment motion was filed in the Zambian parliament against Lungu alleging, among other charges, that he was involved in the disposal of the transferring of proceeds of the sale of Mukula to ZAFFICO and not the Consolidated Fund as requested by law. It came be stated that Lungu was suspected to be meddling in the exportation of Mukula timber way before the report.
Who, by Name, is Behind the Illegal Cartel?
Searched for other sources: One established fact is trafficking of Mukula timber is rampant. The question is; who is really behind the cartel? This is a question only President Lungu can and must answer. Back in March 2018 when Mukula timber was confiscated, illegal loggers were arrested and/or identified. It is assumed that the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources briefed the President and/or presented him with a full report containing the names of the traffickers, the source of the Mukula, the owners of the trucks hired, and its destination. The minister’s investigation and report must be made public.
It must be noted that Mukula was recently added to Zambia’s list of official commercial species and took front-page news in the reign of the incumbent Lungu. The increase of Chinese traders in the country has exacerbated the illegal exportation of Mukula timber. The Zambian Association of Timber and Forestry Based Industry alleges that about 5,000 Mukula loaded containers from Zambia have been exported to China following the ban on the exportation of the timber species. Who, by name, are the Chinese working with in Zambia? How and where do they obtain their permits? How do they pay? ZTFBI general secretary Kalowa Moota has charged that the government has breached the Forestry Act No. 4 of 2015 by affecting a ban while timber continues to be exported. Moota adds that the manner in which Mukula is exported is designed to cover illegal activities by the privileged few. It has since been revealed that the privileged few include the President and his daughter. The video interviews conducted by EIA in Zambia implicate the President and his daughter, among others. Watch the video at https://eia-global.org/reports/20191205-Mukula-cartel-zambia-report.
No different from Mandrax Trafficking of the 1980s
There can never be a more serious charge on a President than this. The legacy of the Zambian President has been thrust before the entire world as a symbol or proxy of corruption. Accusations of trafficking in Mukula timber are no different from those of the Mandrax drug trafficking of the 1980s. Both involve cross border illegal activities and undermine the rule of law. As President, Lungu faces legal and ethical violations. His current response to the report symbolizes totally unacceptable presidential behavior. As a legal practitioner, Lungu understands that accusations of such magnitude can carry several personal and professional devastating consequences, even if the accusations are unfounded. It can’t be emphasized enough that the Mukula Cartel Report negatively frames the president of Zambia. It erodes Lungu as the critical resource of trust, and takes the nation back into the deeper canal of corruption.
Lessons from the Chiluba corruption case
During the Chiluba regime, we watched a corrupt president with limitless greed, lust for power, and corrosive cynicism, mortgage mines, sell houses and deposit the money in the Zamtrop account for his personal use. Chiluba’s lieutenants assiduously protected him, and created elaborate camouflage and fiendish propaganda so successful Zambians were taken for a ride. In the end, Chiluba drove a vulnerable nation to the poorest level of the world, and left office with a poverty rate of 80%. Chiluba’s presidency demonstrates the venomous and corrosive impact of corruption on freedom and democracy. We can’t allow history to repeat itself.
Time to Come Clean
Enough with misinformation from royalists like Mwamba, Chanda and all those who instrumentalize fake news. They are the reason the Zambian moral engine relies on lies and cover-ups. Such serious accusations against our head of state cannot be fended off with a mere “fake news” flywhisk. Faced with such devastating accusations, President Lungu must come clean. He must not think that all he needs is a favorable opinionated spin. I strongly advise that he immediately addresses the nation factually to exculpate himself from such serious allegations. He must share with the world what he knows about the illegal trafficking of Mukula in Zambia, and provide the names of all involved if he is to clear his name. In the absence of convincing evidence, President Edgar Lungu must be held accountable. Parliament must perform its duty, and pass a vote of no confidence, and President Lungu must consider to honorably step down.
Dr. Field C. Ruwe is a US-based Zambian multicultural scholar practitioner and author. He holds a Doctor of Education degree from Northeastern University, Boston Massachusetts, U.S.
Abena Emma na Sunday mukambapo bwanji pa nkhani iyi
YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE TREES WERE CUT FROM SPACE, WHAT SHAME.
They tried hard to discredit the EIA but are embarrassed at how genuine that organisation is…….
now the only option is to come up with fuzzy maths to try to discredit the report.
J0n4th@n Ch@k0lwa Ch@gwa & his Daughter T.as!l@ are KAWALALA’Z of the worst order, & between the two Zambia Yagwa, na Kusila BAD!!
How can you clean a permanently stained shirt
Just from the attack on FTJ, one can safely conclude that this article is written by a upnd fanatic. FTJ didn’t sell the mines and other parastatals on his own accord but was a pre-condition by the IMF/WB of which we Zambians overwhelmingly approved through the landslide vote we gave MMD. Such baseless articles will not get upnd to power. They are void of substance and are a demonstration of the hate they have for Edgar Lungu, PF and Bembas/Easterners.
“…..are a demonstration of the hate they have for Edgar Lungu, PF and Bembas/Easterners…”
Citizen trying the siege victim mentality ?
Many citizens dismayed by the constant reports of theiving by lungu and his gang are from eastern and bemba provinces ……
so you can’t hide behind that old siege trick, PF incompetence and theiving has overtaken you.
The other day your friend Sunday was sounding insane when he accused HH of starting the riots against ZESCO in the compounds.
That is how you are now sounding……deranged.
Maybe you and that Sunday chap have been already growing weed at statehouse in readiness hor exports are are chief testers ???
Thieving?? So if upnd came to power, you just point at someone that he’s a thief and he must be arrested, convicted just like that?? What an evil GRZ it would be….
@Zambian citizen. After reading your comment I had to go back to the article and search where UPND is mentioned. I couldnt find UPND or HH mentioned anywhere and yet in your skewed wisdom you chose to bring in UPND. Should I conclude that you are a PF cadre? No I cant because Iam not as stupid as you are….but I still give you respect that what you are saying here comes straight from your pea sized brain and not from PF. Why is it that who ever says something against PF and its corrupt Lungu is labelled a UPND cadre and not a cadre of any other opposition party?
5.2 Zambian Citizen
No , there usually is no fire without smoke,
Every allegation to be looked at, and addressed by leaders and whistle blowers to be encouraged.
The silence and indifference to allegations of theft from lungu is catching up with him.
@PM-because it is Id!ots like you who can’t accept reality. You don’t have to use your brain to understand that the country is divided by political and tribal affiliation. Upnd has since 2011 embarked on a hate charged campaign to discredit PF after they thought PF couldn’t dislodge MMD on its own. Today all supporters of upnd will throw falsities at PF just to be seen as better than their opponents. If you believe upnd has a noble cause, then you are the f.0.0.l. as you cannot read between the lines!! FTJs persecution is part of the plot by a group of evil people attempting to twist our history. Pre 2015, Mmembe totally disliked hh, what changed that hh started having headlines in post?? If you believe this mukula cr@p, check your brain.
we are learning these things with dismay that people we entrusted to take good care of us are now getting our money illegally. this report has just unearthed one area of rampant corruption in this country, the other area of concern is the medical healthy insurance scheme where civil servants are deducted 1% of their salary and there are no medicines in the hospitals. people are told to buy medicines even in critical conditions. we are watching no conclusion yet but after the 365 days.
The Mukula Cartel shall not enter the kingdom of God
The lying, hate riddled, tribalist, homosexual sympathising and evil opposition shall not enter the kingdom as well!!!
An appointment to serve on any Govt or quasi Govt Board shouldn’t excite you because no matter how clever and passionate you’re, you only do what you’re told to; any departure will earn you a boot in the ass like Mulenga Kapwepwe. So to pretend that Edgar doesn’t know about the Mukula deals is the worst mediocrity. Kafula Musungu has told us who allowed him to cut and export mukula. Plot 1 is a den of deals
I have no quarrel with the alleged illegal exportation of the Mukula tree in Zambia. My quarrel is with the extent of the illegal exportation of the Mukula tree. It is said that between 2001 and 2014, Zambia lost more than one million hectares of Mukula trees. Now one million hectares is 10, 000 square kilometres equivalent to a strip of area 71 km wide from Lusaka to Kabwe 140 km long. I doubt if Zaffico’s area under plantation is this much. 10,000 square km is also 1.3% OF ZAMBIA’S LAND MASS OF 752, 618 SQUARE KM. How is it possible to have kept this massive devastation of our forest at 1.3% of Zambia’s land mass secret?
You get arrested or brutalised by PF if anyone tries to bring any of that sort to light.
Remember the PF own caders arrested and brutalized for tracking forigne trucks exporting mukula in the dead of night, escorted by kaizer Zulu ???
Engineer Rtd, the only solution is to drag sources of these insinuations to substantiate in the court of law otherwise very difficult to defend in the absence logical thinking as you have done.
One of the Best from Field Ruwe. Unfortunately your counsel fall on the belligerent’s deaf ears. They are, after all, a law unto themselves and above the law.. They will even have the temerity to say, “…How dare you impugn the character of the Head of State?” . They have no morality to speak for them and if a widow’s pension money can be considered fair game what more of our natural resources whose custody is vested in the President. I think he has a problem in in differentiating what should be his and what belongs to others. They will go as far as citing the so called principaled stand om “Gayism” as grounds for the continued malicious campaign against his humble but magnificent vision-free leadership. How did we get here??
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There must a better way of defending the President in the middle of any malicious allegation as the mukula nonsense. The President must be protected. We know the source of the information. Is the source immune from prosecution? Can’t the state sue EIA? Please we need action. This story is in the in public domain and damaging. Unless individuals or organisations are dragged to the courts of law over the mukula nonsense it’s gonna be damaging to our President and Zambia.
how can you defend a thief and a lier.
Ya ya ya Ruwe. I thoroughly enjoyed your delicious description of Sunday Chanda as the “notorious spin-master and serial spreader of misinformation”. This is mastery of word craft. In simple terms Sunday is a demagogue and pathological propagandists never seen since the days of Goebbels in the NAZI heyday.
@Zambian citizen…I really weep at the way you analyze issues. Totally warped. I dont even think you believe in the crap you are writing. Few months ago GBM was calling Lungu a shameless thieve and wanting to go for his throat but today they are campaigning together in southern province. Ask yourself what has changed. Wake up !!!
There is no other alternative for Zambians left except to change the Government. Big Question is WHO DO WE PUT IN??? Do we have any politicians that we can trust will work for the benefit of Zambians? I doubt very much. Maybe Zambian should go back to the roots and invite the British to come back and rule us. People may think I am crazy, not the case. I just do not see any Zambian Politician that will be there for Zambians. Of the past Presidents only Late Levy Mwanawasa lived up to expectations, but then God took him away at the very wrong time (God creates and God takes away (I did not write the bible)) The caliber of the opposition leaves much to be desired. Zambia is in big trouble big time. What a tragedy
Trump has been impeached on just two (2) charges …hope Zambia is seen what others are doing someone will pack his bags as well
Lungu with a finger on his lips busy calculating how much he will benefit from that truck load of mukula he is looking at.
So finally Mr ruwe is now a doctor ? Whatever happened to his PhD from George Fox University , may he could not compkete or his thesis was rejected , if I recall his PhD was in media studies , nomba APA no Education pa Northeastern University. Hmmmm limbi no honorary , me I don’t know teacher .Cikala editor post my comment