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Zambia’s financial stability under threat

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Zambia’s financial stability under threat
Dr Denny Kalyalya

The Bank of Zambia has noted that weakening economic growth, load shedding and tightening liquidity in Zambia are threatening financial stability in the market.

And the Central Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee has maintained the policy rate, a key determinant in lending rates, at 10.25 percent.

BoZ Governor Denny Kalyalya says the committee took into account projected inflation remaining above the upper bound of the 6.8 percent target range, tightened liquidity and reduced production owing to electricity challenges.

Dr. Kalyalya noted that increased food prices owing to droughts in the last farming season have also had a negative toll on inflation.

He says the above factors required the upward adjustment for the policy rate but the Central Bank had to hold it pending some measures by the Ministry of Finance.

Speaking during the MPC quarterly briefing in Lusaka today Dr. Kalyalya noted that global growth has equally weakened with demand for copper by China having reduced owing to decline in investment in emerging markets and reduction in global trade due to ongoing trade tensions between the USA and China among others.

And Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor Operations Francis Chipimo said access to finance has remained a challenge for private sector growth and investment.

Dr. Chipimo however said there are a lot of developmental issues being undertaken aimed at enabling the financial sector mobilize savings and lend money to investors with ideas.

Why 2021 is critical for ECL and HH

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Why 2021 is critical for ECL and HH
HH and President Lungu meet at late Munkombwe’s burial in Choma
HH and President Lungu meet at late Munkombwe’s burial in Choma

By Chimwemwe Mwanza

Vicious, vindictive and vengeful aptly describes the Zambian political arena. Former Presidents, Kenneth Kaunda, Rupiah Banda and the late Frederick Chiluba all have scars to prove this. In the 80’s, Kaunda locked up Chiluba on flimsy charges that failed to hold in a court of law. After he became Head of State, Chiluba retaliated by sending Kaunda to Mukobeko maximum prison.

The irony for Chiluba is that his handpicked successor, Levy Mwanawasa motivated Parliament to waive off the latter’s immunity thereby exposing Chiluba to several graft charges formulated by the now defunct Task Force on Corruption. With his legacy tainted by a skewed narrative, only death saved Chiluba from possible jail time. To erase his predecessor’s legacy and ensure his humiliation, the late Sata’s PF re-created this trend by consigning Rupiah to a life of court appearances.

Off significance to this conversation, UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema (HH) served time in Lilayi prison on a laughable treason charge – this at the hands of the current PF regime. For a fact, HH has never hidden his disdain for President Edgar Lungu and his stint in a tiny Lilayi prison cell has probably served to reinforce the UPND leader’s contempt for the President.

Just why such vindictiveness and blatant abuse of power seems to gratify incumbents is hard to understand. In the absence of reason, one might well speculate that this show of brutality is all about a naked flexing of political muscle – a bit more like, ‘can I show you who is the boss’. Whatever the reason, the difficulty is that this trend erodes the very democratic tenets and political maturity that Zambia is renowned for in the rest of Africa and the world over.

Which makes 2021 an interesting contest. Other than bread and butter issues, the fore mentioned factors will weigh heavily on the minds of both President Lungu and HH heading closer to the polls.

Who is likely to win?

The tiny but seismic shift in fundamentals on the ground seem to suggest that this will be a closely fought contest. Besides, recent electoral predictions across the globe – even by the most experienced pundits have gone against the grain making it even more difficult to provide an accurate outcome.

For example, in 2012, several analysts predicted an outright victory for Rupiah’s MMD only for the PF to spring a surprise. Suffice to acknowledge that, while characteristics of the Zambian electoral landscape may differ in comparison to mature democracies, there are similarities to draw from – especially in elections where the voter’s desire for change outweighs any other considerations.

Unaware of a groundswell desire for change, an over-confident former British Premier, David Cameroon called a snap referendum to determine Britain’s future in the European Union (EU). He was stunned at the outcome. Against odds, the British electorate voted for Brexit thus paving the way for what has now become Britain’s messy divorce from the EU trade block.

Humiliated by a razor thin loss to Brexit supporters, Cameroon was forced to call his time as leader of the conservative party. In yet one of the biggest election upsets of the 21st century, Donald Trump steam-rolled establishment candidate, Hillary Clinton to become the 45th President of the US. Therefore, the notion that either the PF or UPND might have an edge over the other heading towards 2021 is fallacious. Truth is, this is an election that could swing either way.

Why ECL will be desperate to win

Despite the PF’s public show of confidence, their determined focus on HH and constant whip-lashing of his perceived tribal inclinations, best illustrates their genuine fears and by extention their desperation. Rightly so, they can’t afford to be complacent. 2021 will be a referendum on their ten years in power. Be rest assured that this is one election where the PF’s well – oiled propaganda machinery will likely throw both the sink and kitchen at the UPND bearing in mind what is at stake. In fact, the proposed amendment to the constitution is intended to disadvantage the opposition ahead of the polls.

What troubles the mind is that the current constitution which the PF is attempting to discard was signed into law by the sitting President amid a jam-packed Independence stadium. Three years later, it’s tempting to ask. What has changed to warrant an amendment to this sacred document? By now, PF knows too well that the much-punted humility of their candidate might be a hard-sale more so to an electorate that appears too desperate for change. They can’t afford lethargic arguments such as they being the only party with a manifesto. Need they be reminded that having a manifesto is one thing and delivering on its content is another.

What about the promise that they would lower taxes and put more money in the pockets of the working class? Did they deliver on such including creation of job opportunities? You be the judge. The President is aware that he will be facing an electorate that is weary of rising food costs. A persistent drought over the last two seasons has only compounded the hunger situation – more so in outlying areas of the country. In addition, the policy uncertainty in mining taxation and the stand – off between government and sections of the mining community is taking its toll on economic growth. Perceptions around inaction on corruption might not help his cause either. While some of these challenges might not be, the PF’s making, the electorate always tend to punish a sitting government for their suffering – sometimes unfairly so.

Never mind whether HH has genuine or has yet to formulate charges against the PF, he has consistently warned that the PF leadership will be called to account for wrong doing once he becomes President. The tacit implication of this threat is that, HH is already extending bed spaces at Chimbokaila, Kamwala Remand and possibly Lilayi prisons for use by the PF leadership. And knowing fully well what is at stake, a possible loss is too ghastly for the PF to contemplate. For President Lungu, there will be no better motivation to win the polls than lose to a sworn rival.

Its State House or bust for HH

PF has over-exposed the country to a mountain of debt that will outlive generations to come. It is precisely why the 2021 polls will boil down to the economy. As a businessman, HH knows too well the implications of our foreign debt on the fiscus. Zambia can’t afford to keep borrowing to fund consumption and expenditure on non-productive sectors of the economy.

This is the message he has been selling the grassroots. For a fact, he has the support of the broader investment community, including some global mining giants. Most important though, the International Monetary Fund appears to have factored in his possible victory in 2021 hence their reluctance to engage the current government on a possible economic rescue package.

The question is, has the UPND leader’s message of change found resonance with the electorate? While he appeals to the affluent and middle class in Parklands, Kansenshi and Kabulonga, the grassroots in Mandevu, kwa Nagoli and Chamboli seem to be struggling to grasp his vision for the country. Be reminded that he desperately needs this voting block to win the elections.

Against the backdrop of challenges, this looks like HH’s election to lose. Fact is, he can’t afford a record of 4 election loses on the trot. Such a scenario will certainly cast him into political wilderness and the glue that’s bound the UPND together over the years will finally loosen. Is this what he wants?

It’s entirely up to him and how he manages his campaign otherwise it might just well be that he will once again fall short of expectation and hand the PF another 5 years in power. And him being such a vexatious litigant, our Supreme and Constitutional courts will likely be kept busy. Watch this space.

The author is an avid reader of political history and philosophy. He loves Nshima with game meat. For feedback contact him on kwachaoneATgmailDOTcom

Sikota: Honour Lungu in Full , Not Just in Death

Lusaka Times Editor
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Sikota: Honour Lungu in Full , Not Just in Death

Sikota: Honour Lungu in Full — Not Just in Death

United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) Chairperson and senior lawyer Sakwiba Sikota has urged Zambians to honour the legacy of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu in totality  not just with polished tributes after his passing, but with truth, reflection, and humility about how he was treated in life.

Speaking in a solemn interview with Costa Mwansa on Diamond TV, Sikota reflected on the late president’s public and political journey, warning against the growing trend to rewrite his story through emotional eulogies that omit the pain he endured after leaving office.

“This is a man who led the country for seven years,” Sikota emphasized. “He made mistakes, like any leader, but he also gave his service to the nation. If we strip him of dignity in life and only honour him in death, what message are we sending to those who serve today?”

As Chairperson of UKA a political alliance that includes the Patriotic Front, under which Lungu served, Sikota spoke with personal reverence and institutional perspective. He described Lungu as a “humble, soft-spoken man who led with a quiet strength,” and warned that the current outpouring of praise must not be used to mask the hostilities Lungu faced in his final years.

Following his retirement in 2021, Lungu largely withdrew from public life. But Sikota recounted how mounting frustration  including the withdrawal of his retirement benefits, government pushback against his public appearances, and what many viewed as a concerted campaign to sideline him, contributed to his return to active politics.

“President Lungu didn’t come back because he was hungry for power,” Sikota said. “He came back because he saw what was happening to democracy, to opposition freedoms, and to the very institutions he once led. He felt compelled to speak again not for himself, but for the people who still believed in him.”

Sikota said it was impossible to separate the treatment Lungu received in retirement from the political resurgence that followed. “You can only push a man so far,” he noted. “Eventually, he will stand up  not out of pride, but out of principle.”

He recalled how, even while re-entering the political arena, Lungu remained composed and focused on unifying the opposition. “He could have attacked. He could have been bitter. But he wasn’t. He was measured,” Sikota said.

Now, in the wake of Lungu’s death, Sikota challenged those who criticized the former president in life but praise him in death to reflect honestly on their roles. “You cannot erase the years of silence and mockery with one tribute,” he said. “Honour must be earned when it matters  not just when it’s convenient.”

As Zambia prepares for Lungu’s burial, emotions remain high, and political narratives are being reshaped in real time. But Sikota’s message is one of maturity and introspection: that reconciliation, like remembrance, must be full, not selective.

“If we truly respect this man,” he concluded, “let’s remember both the good and the hard truths. Let’s not clean up history to suit our emotions. Let us face it, and learn from it.”

Dogs Maul 72 year old man

Chief Editor
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Dogs Maul 72 year old man

A 72-year-old man of Chitwi Farm Block in Luanshya district is facing amputation of his limbs after being viciously attacked by four crossbreed dogs.
The victim, Willie Konda, a farmworker at Baba’s Farm, met his fate last Thursday evening, when he was on his way home around 19:00 hours.

Mr Konda was returning from watching television at a neighbouring farm when he was attacked by the dogs belonging to a Ms. Simukonda of Kawango Farm No. 4249.

According to eyewitness accounts, the dogs were released from their kennel for routine feeding when they launched the attack, biting off flesh from Mr Konda’s legs, leaving him with large open wounds and exposed bone tissue.

Medical findings at Roan General Hospital where he is currently receiving treatment have indicated that the extent of wounds injuries may lead to the amputation of both legs.

The Luanshya Municipal Council has since initiated legal proceedings against Ms Simukonda for multiple violations under the Public Health Act and the Dog Control Act.

Council Public Relations Manager, Gideon Thole, disclosed that the local authority was also collaborating with the Zambia Police Service to kill the dogs involved in the attack.

And Council Acting Director of Public Health, Justin Siafumba, confirmed that Ms Simukonda will be charged with multiple charges, including failing to secure the animals, keeping unregistered and unvaccinated dogs, and violating local dog ownership limits.

Markets ‘dangerously complacent’ amid Iran-Israel tension: deVere

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Markets ‘dangerously complacent’ amid Iran-Israel tension: deVere

Global stock markets are showing a “dangerous complacency” in response to the sharp escalation of military conflict between Iran and Israel, warns the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organizations.

Despite the scale and significance of recent developments, investor behaviour reflects misplaced calm, with major indices rebounding quickly after a brief dip.

Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, comments: “The world is watching a direct confrontation between two major regional powers, and yet markets are treating it as background noise.

“This isn’t resilience, it’s a mispricing of risk. Investors are leaning into a narrative that no longer fits the facts.”

Following Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure, the S&P 500 dropped 1.5% but quickly reversed. Brent crude surged 4.1% to a high of $91.17 a barrel before stabilising. Gold jumped to an all-time high of $2,431 an ounce, and energy stocks climbed across the board. Yet the VIX—Wall Street’s volatility index—remains subdued, holding near 13.0.

“These reactions are out of sync,” says Nigel Green.

“Gold and oil are reacting appropriately to heightened geopolitical risk. Equities are not. Volatility remains artificially low. That divergence should concern every serious investor.”

The latest military exchange follows Iran’s April 2024 launch of over 300 drones and missiles toward Israel, most of which were intercepted.

Israel’s recent counterstrikes mark a significant intensification, targeting infrastructure inside Iran—a move seen by many as a shift away from proxy warfare and toward direct state conflict.

The risks to global energy markets are growing. The Strait of Hormuz, which Iran could disrupt, carries roughly 17 million barrels of oil per day—nearly 20% of global supply.

Even the threat of closure or interference would “likely push oil well beyond $100 per barrel, reigniting inflation and altering the current trajectory of interest rate policy in developed economies.”

He continues: “Investors are clinging to a framework shaped by central bank support, solid earnings, and disinflation,” Nigel Green explains.

“But if energy prices rise sharply from here, that disinflation story evaporates. Rate cuts could stall. Market momentum could reverse.”

Gold’s breakout is one of the clearest signals. The precious metal is now up more than 20% year-to-date. The current price level of $2,430 per ounce “reflects deeper anxiety among institutional capital—even as broader markets appear relaxed.”

In contrast, the Nasdaq has continued to attract inflows, with megacap tech leading gains despite clear sensitivity to any increase in real yields, energy costs, or broad-based risk aversion.

“Too much capital is still positioned as if volatility is optional,” notes the deVere CEO.

“We’re advising clients to shift toward more robust positioning—adding to gold, defensive dividend payers, and select energy exposure while reducing overweights in overly optimistic growth segments.”

The Iran-Israel conflict is not occurring in isolation. It unfolds against a backdrop of high global fragility: renewed Chinese military pressure near Taiwan, ongoing war in Ukraine, and the political volatility of the Trump presidency in the US.

Markets have absorbed each headline in isolation, but “few are connecting the cumulative risk.”

Nigel Green adds: “The view that markets can power through every shock is no longer supported by the data.

“The conflict in the Middle East has entered a more dangerous phase. It has serious global and far-reaching implications for investors.”

Free Speech

Chief Editor
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Free Speech

Free speech is not just for the people or thoughts we like or agree with; it is also for people we despise and opinions that we do not support

By Sishuwa Sishuwa

I believe in freedom of expression. I live or practice this belief. I believe that free speech is intended to protect the expression of ideas in public, to enable us to communicate with each other about what we understand to be true, and to share opinions, debate differing viewpoints, and challenge the status quo.

I believe that every person has the right to express themselves in any way, to share opinions that diverge from my own or the prevailing narrative, and to say whatever they want or think including when responding to what I share. In turn, I can choose to respond or ignore, although I welcome and make every effort to read and understand the reactions, rebuttals, or concerns that other people express in response to what I have said.

Having claimed and exercised my freedom of expression, I am only all too aware of the right of others to exercise the same right on any matter, including when commenting on my public commentaries. Being human, it is natural that we will have varying lines of thought. Flexibility in slant of views is in keeping up with our humanness. I believe that it is only through many conversations that we can reconsider our positions, challenge our assumptions, question our convictions, and come to appreciate our own ignorance.

One thing I will never do in response to any criticism of my opinions or of me as a person is to block any person, to mute them on social media and consequently shut myself from the knowledge of their views, or to interfere in any way with their right to express themselves fully, even in instances where the person is saying nothing substantive or rational. The right to free speech would be meaningless if it was accompanied by a requirement to only give expression to reasonable or sensible thoughts.

As a matter of fact, I receive a lot of flak, nasty responses, insults or ad hominem attacks over the opinions or ideas I express. As is true of my rather indifferent attitude towards praise, these things do not get to me. They do not bother me at all. If they did, I would have long stopped expressing myself on public issues. I speak to express my opinions, not to secure anyone’s validation, respect, support, or favour. What easily gets to me is reason, logic, or a good argument, displayed by an ability to show weakness in my stated point of view. I actively listen and pay greater attention to content-based criticism. I believe that free speech is the heart of a free, open, and democratic society.

I am gravely concerned about the increasing limitations placed on free speech in Zambia today by two threats. The first threat to free speech is the current administration that has enacted a series of anti-free speech laws and dusted off colonial-era repressive legislation to lock up critics for expressing views that should ordinarily be handled within the realm of political debate rather than by state institutions such as the police. This is a dangerous path that creates a climate of fear, stifles growth, and fuels public resentment against the leadership or political party in government.

The hesitancy that people feel to freely express themselves is grounded in a realistic fear of reprisal from the authorities, as many are worried that one misstep could lead to arrest or – given the absence of an independent judiciary that protects individual liberties – imprisonment. Yes, free speech must be exercised responsibly to be beneficial to society. However, the government cannot be the determiner of what is or is not responsible free speech.

The second threat to free speech in Zambia today is the growing individual intolerance to thoughts or opinions that we do not like. Many people are increasingly hesitant to speak their minds, to share their true thoughts, to challenge or question the status quo because they fear the backlash, mainly from overzealous supporters of the party in power, and the social repercussions: isolation, orchestrated campaigns against them, or personal attacks.

Our appetite or willingness to be easily triggered, offended, hurt, or outraged by opinions we do not share appears to be a result of several factors. These include a general incapacity by many of us to embrace the unfamiliar, to eschew haste in passing judgement, and to attack the thought rather than the thinker. Our extreme levels of intolerance are also, I think, a consequence of our deep-seated culture of subservience to authorities – rooted in a long history of personalised rule and social influences such as the degraded version of Christianity that we practice.

Added to the above factors that fuel intolerance is the uncritical assumption embraced by many that there exists a particular view on certain topics that is supported by the majority, against which dissent is prohibited. This is regrettable. Free speech is not just for the people or thoughts we like or agree with. Free speech is for everyone, even those we despise, with whom we disagree or who do not support what we do. It is for opinions that diverge from our own and includes the right to say things that other people may find controversial, irritating, uncomfortable, and even shocking.

We must all do what we can to defend free speech, to promote understanding and tolerance, and to expand rather than shrink free spaces for the expression of thought including dissent. We must fight for these expansions and not limitations, eliminations, blocking and all manner of anti-free speech behaviours. True believers in free speech are married to facts that are available to them at the material time and to the truth, objective truth as it exists independent of them, and so they hate to persist in error: this is only possible if their opinions or ideas are accessible to all those who care to reflect on them in whatever non-physical violent manner possible.

We all have the right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds by any peaceful means, to express what we think, to agree or disagree with those in power, and to demand a better Zambia. Let free speech reign!

Has America Ever Excluded a President from a State Funeral?

Chief Editor
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Has America Ever Excluded a President from a State Funeral?

By Chanda Chisala

A disturbingly large number of Zambians have apparently failed to imagine that the president of Zambia could legally be uninvited or barred from attending a state funeral. This might be because we have been programmed to think the president is our king or super chief – the chief of chiefs – who is too special to ever be barred from any event, especially one involving the state. Other people are even saying it’s impossible for the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to not officiate or lead any event where the military is performing state honours. The recent controversial impasse between the president of Zambia and the late president Lungu’s family could thus be a great opportunity to learn about how powerful the rights of Zambian citizens are, even when faced against the power of the state.

The most powerful commander in chief in the entire world is arguably the president of the United States, at least if we go by military budgets (the US military budget is bigger than the next nine biggest national military budgets combined). And yet Americans understand that their president is just a human being who is elected to serve them, and his personal wishes do not necessarily override the wishes of any American citizen or family if they clash against him. Thus, the president can’t just gatecrash a state funeral where he’s unwanted there, for example, even if he is the Head of State!

In 2018, when senator John McCain died, he was granted a state funeral because of the enormous stature he had reached in American society. And yet McCain had made it clear that he did not want the sitting president of the United States, Donald Trump, anywhere near his funeral.

Despite this, Trump had to grudgingly issue a presidential proclamation ordering all flags to be flown at half-staff at all federal buildings, military posts, embassies worldwide, and even at the White House where Trump was resident. This was officially a full state funeral with military honors and gun salutes, and it was attended by former United States presidents and dignitaries from around the world, but president Trump was not to be seen anywhere near these ceremonies, as desired by the deceased and his bereaved family.

McCain was of course not a former president, so one might think that for former presidents there would be no such option of disinviting the president.

Fortunately, we have a way of knowing whether this is true or not. When George H W Bush also died during Trump’s presidency, president Trump was invited to the state funeral this time, even though he was well known to have an acrimonious relationship with the Bush family. The very fact that Americans were surprised that Trump was invited shows that it is not automatic that the incumbent president has to be invited to a state funeral. The newspaper reports about this event make that crystal clear. See, for example, how the New York Times distinguished between the McCain funeral and the Bush funeral concerning the Trump invitation:

“Unlike Senator John McCain, who made clear Mr. Trump would not be welcome at his own funeral in September,” The New York Times reported, “ Mr. Bush opted not to break tradition by keeping away the incumbent president. But he did not invite Mr. Trump to speak.”

You can see that even though Bush decided to keep tradition (tradition, not law) of inviting sitting presidents to state funerals, even he decided to limit Trump’s role to that of only an attendee rather than allowing him to speak or officiate at the funeral, as is customary. Trump complied and said nothing at the funeral. He was happy just to be at least invited this time!

In Zambia, our colourful Vice-President thinks it is “treasonous” – a crime that is punishable by death – to ask the president not to attend a state funeral! (Even if you don’t like HH, I suggest you keep praying for his health, given who would take over if God-forbid anything were to happen to him).

Nixon

Besides the question of funeral invitations, there has also been further debate in Zambia about whether the family of a deceased former president even has the option of declining a state funeral altogether, in preference for a private funeral or even a burial elsewhere.

We know that the US does not have to be a model for everything, but we can check if they have had to deal with this scenario too, since they are a much older democracy than Zambia, having had at least 45 elected presidents compared with Zambia’s seven. This is why it is common practice for Zambian lawyers to check how they handled similar matters of law when faced with a legal quandary.

When Richard Nixon died in 1994, his two daughters who were his only next of kin, expressed his wish to not have a state funeral. They wanted only a much simpler family event at his presidential library and they wanted him buried next to his late wife in his hometown in California, as he had desired, far from Washington, DC where all state funerals are conducted.

Again, the government did not argue with this choice and they simply helped the family fulfill the wishes of their father. On the other hand, the family did accept a few of the customs that normally accompany a state funeral, even while rejecting the main ones. The state not only granted their wishes within the law, but even organized invitations for the dignitaries to attend the private funeral.

Contrast this with the Zambian High Court case of Kaweche Kaunda against the Secretary to the Cabinet in which the judge clearly misguided himself when the Kaunda family wanted to honor the wish of their father (Zambia’s first president, Kenneth Kaunda) to be buried at his farm and not at Embassy Park. The judge claimed that the Kaunda family had to follow whatever protocols the Secretary to the Cabinet wanted just because they had already accepted the state funeral. No, this is really just a perk given to a president and not some law that has to be obeyed. It is just like any of his other perks and he (through his family or directly) can accept or reject some or all of these perks.

For example, just because a retired president accepts to receive a house from the state does not mean he also has to accept all the other benefits, including the three security personnel and the driver from the state etc. He can choose what he wants to receive; you can’t say that once he accepts one of these perks, then he has to accept whatever else they offer him. This even applies to a sitting president: living in State House is a perk that is offered to him, and traditionally presidents have accepted this perk. But a president has a right to decline this offer and any other perks, including a presidential salary. Should he be forced to accept everything that is offered to him just because he has accepted some things in presidential “protocol”?

The Kaunda family were happy with a state funeral with the gun salutes etc, but they did not want the body of the president being taken around all the provinces of Zambia, for example, and they begged the Secretary of the Cabinet not to do this, especially due to the coronavirus pandemic at that time. The Cabinet Secretary ignored their pleas and they reluctantly accompanied the body to all the provinces. To make matters worse, this is not even a perk that is written down anywhere in normal protocols, but they were still forced to go along with it as if it is the law of the land.

Most painfully, the Secretary to the Cabinet also ignored their pleas to let them honor the wish of president KK to be buried at his farm next to his beloved late wife Betty, just as Nixon had also desired in the US. The judge sided with the Secretary, despite the able lawyer from Simeza and Sangwa correctly pointing out that this government official had no legal right to just overrule the wishes of the former president at a whim. Interestingly, this judge could not see the irony of saying that KK was so special (“no ordinary person”) that we can treat him so badly by ignoring his deepest final wish!

No, you cannot just say that public interest supersedes individual interest, when there is no physical harm being inflicted on others by an individual’s wishes concerning his own life. This is precisely why the Bill of Rights exists. As Kaunda’s lawyer argued, the government needed to first take the issue to parliament to pass a law if they want citizens to follow some specific procedure, instead of forcing them to follow some random orders from a government official.

The rule of law means that government officials cannot just take over private property to treat it as they wish, against the wishes of its natural or legal private owners. And no, a former president’s body does not magically become “state property” just because some politician or bureaucrat says so. The body belongs to his family, just as his houses, cars and all other property of his belong to the family and they have a right to honor any wishes they received from him.

The bottom line is that our young democracy has a long way to go before our mindsets truly evolve to begin seeing individual (and property) rights as sacrosanct. This also means we should stop seeing any ruling president as our almighty king to be treated like a god. All men are created equal.

The author, Chanda Chisala, is the Founder of Zambia Online and Khama Institute. He is formerly a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford University and Visiting Scholar to the Hoover Institution, a policy think tank at Stanford. He was also a Reagan Fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Washington, DC. You can follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chandachisala.

Government extends gratitude to South Africa for support

Support Editor
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Government extends gratitude to South Africa for support

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe has expressed gratitude to the South African Government for the support rendered to Zambia following the Passing of former President, Edgar Lungu.

Mr Haimbe says the South African Government has provided support to the Zambian Government, the bereaved family, and mourners after the death of former President Lungu who passed away on June 5th, 2025, in South Africa.

ZANIS reports that the Minister also conveyed a message of special thanks from President Hakainde Hichilema, to his South Africa counterpart President, Cyril Ramaphosa for the hospitality and solidarity during the mourning time.

Mr Haimbe indicated that Zambia will officially request that the late President Lungu be accorded full military honours by the Government of South Africa upon the repatriation of his remains on June 18th, 2025.

“Zambia and South Africa share long standing relations and the ongoing cooperation in the current circumstance is testament to the strength of the friendship between the two nations,” the Minister underscored.

Mr Haimbe commended the South African authorities, particularly the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), for their unwavering support and close collaboration with the Zambian counterparts.

He further delivered condolences from President Hichilema to President Ramaphosa following the recent devastating floods that have led to the loss of lives and property in the Republic of South Africa.

This is contained in a statement issued to ZANIS by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Principal Public Relations Officer, Eva Hatontola.

Lundazi Road Traffic accident claims 2 lives

Support Editor
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Lundazi Road Traffic accident claims 2 lives

A female cyclist has died on the spot, in a Road Traffic accident (RTA) that resulted in her head being cut off.

And the driver of the motor vehicle involved in the accident died later in the night, while receiving treatment at Lumezi Mission Hospital.

The accident happened yesterday, June 15, at around 18:20 hours, along the Chipata-Lundazi  Road, Eastern province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba has confirmed in a statement made available to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS).

“Involved was a Toyota Probox bearing registration number ARC 7256 which was extensively damaged. It was driven by Male Emmanuel Nkhata aged 22yrs of  Chiswanyanga Village. He sustained a cut on the right hand, bruises on the back and a cut on the right side of the neck. He unfortunately succumbed to his injuries at around 21:40hrs,” Mr Mweemba said.

He added that the female victim of the accident, Musonda Changwe, whose head has been detached from the body, was hit by the speeding Toyota Probox, as she was cycling in the same direction.

“The RTA happened when the driver lost control of the motor vehicle as a result of  excessive speed, went off the road on the left side and hit a cyclist who was going in the same direction, and overturned in the process,” he explained.

The bodies have since been deposited in Lumezi district hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.

ECL to be remembered for infrastructure Development

Support Editor
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ECL to be remembered for infrastructure Development

Former Luapula Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Emmanuel Munsanje, says the late former 6th Republican President Edgar Lungu, will be remembered for infrastructure development under his administration.

Mr Munsanje noted that under the Patriotic Front (PF)  party Government led by President Edgar Lungu, the country witnessed massive infrastructure development especially in the energy sector.

Mr Munsanje noted that in Luapula Province, President Lungu’s administration did a number of projects starting from improving the road network up to the energy sector where the province witnessed the upgrading of Musonda Hydro Power Station from 5MW to 10MW.

“During my time as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, we had challenges of electricity in the province, however, we had hope and indeed the upgrading of Musonda Hydro Power Station in 2020 was a momentous project for President Lungu’s administration,” he said.

Mr Munsanje has since appreciated the government under President Hakainde Hichilema for continuing in completing stalled projects under his predecessor.

“The current government is also doing  fine building up from where the previous regime left it under President Lungu’s leadership, the current government has energy mix, for instance we have the Chisamba solar project and also the Mansa 50MW solar project,” he said.

Mr Munsanje stated that under the current administration they target to inject about 1000MW of solar energy into the National grid.

“By December we will have about 1000 Megawatts injected into the National grid, so, building up from where the predecessor left is actually happening because all the infrastructure development projects that stalled, the UPND government has picked them up and they are completing them,” he disclosed.

Mundubile Urges MPs to Prioritize Citizens Over Partisan Interests in Bill Debate

Lusaka Times Editor
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Mundubile Urges MPs to Prioritize Citizens Over Partisan Interests in Bill Debate

Mundubile Urges MPs to Prioritize Citizens Over Partisan Interests in Bill Debate

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Brian Mundubile, has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to approach the ongoing legislative process surrounding the controversial constitutional reform bill with humility and a people-first mindset. He warned against viewing the bill through the narrow lens of personal education or party loyalty, urging lawmakers to reflect the will and concerns of the people they represent.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Mundubile stated that both ruling and opposition MPs have a duty that transcends political affiliation. “A Member of Parliament is a representative of the people, regardless of whether they belong to the opposition or the ruling party,” he emphasized. “This process should not be about how they personally feel or how academically capable they are. It must be about how the people feel.”

His comments come amid growing national debate over proposed amendments in the Bill, with critics accusing the government of rushing reforms without adequate public consultation. Mundubile’s remarks appeared aimed at reminding MPs that Parliament is not a platform for intellectual competition or political dominance, but a solemn space where the voices of ordinary Zambians should be amplified.

“We must remember that we sit in Parliament as delegates of our constituencies,” he continued. “It is not about us; it is about the Zambians who sent us here.”

The bill in question has already drawn criticism from civil society groups and legal experts, who have pointed out gaps in transparency and inclusivity in its drafting and submission process. With tensions rising, Mundubile’s statement adds to calls for a more cautious, consultative approach to constitutional amendments, one that centers national interest over party expediency.

The coming weeks will be crucial as the bill progresses through parliamentary scrutiny. Observers say the attitude of MPs, whether they prioritize public sentiment or political allegiance, will be a key test of Zambia’s democratic maturity.

LAZ Calls for Legislation to Govern State Funerals in Zambia

Chief Editor
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LAZ Calls for Legislation to Govern State Funerals in Zambia

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has expressed its sorrow at the passing of Zambia’s sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who died on 5th June 2025 in South Africa. The Association stated that it joins the rest of the nation in mourning the late former Head of State.

According to a statement issued by LAZ, the President of the Association, accompanied by Council Members, visited Belvedere Lodge in Lusaka on 11th June 2025 to pay their respects and sign the book of condolences.

The Association said Dr. Lungu was a senior member of the legal profession who had been entrusted with the highest responsibility in the country as President of the Republic of Zambia. LAZ emphasized that the late Dr. Lungu was no longer an ordinary citizen and deserved to be honoured with a full state funeral.

LAZ observed that there is no existing legislation to guide the country in balancing private family interests with national protocol in such situations. However, it argued that in the absence of such legislation, the status of Dr. Lungu as a former Head of State warranted the highest honour that the country could bestow. The Association referred to judicial comments made in the case The People v. The Secretary to the Cabinet, Ex Parte Kaweche Kaunda, 2021/HP/0768, where the court reportedly observed that a former President is not an ordinary person and is therefore entitled to a state funeral.

LAZ further stated that while the family of the late President is a key stakeholder in the funeral arrangements and their concerns must be respected, the State also has an essential role to play. It noted that the citizens of Zambia have a legitimate interest in mourning and honouring a former Head of State, and that such moments call for national unity.

The Association urged the family of the late Dr. Lungu to allow the State funeral protocol to take its full course. It said that President Hakainde Hichilema, in whom executive power is vested, should be permitted to oversee the funeral arrangements on behalf of all citizens. LAZ added that, under the Constitution, only the President has the authority to confer the nation’s highest honours.

Additionally, LAZ called on the Government to enact legislation that clearly outlines procedures for state funerals, noting that the current situation had exposed gaps in the legal framework. It said that such legislation would help the nation manage similar situations more effectively in the future.

The Association indicated that its statement was being issued in the public interest and in accordance with its mandate under Section 4 of the Law Association of Zambia Act, Chapter 31 of the Laws of Zambia.

Is Zambian Economy showing Recovery Signs?

Chief Editor
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Is Zambian Economy showing Recovery Signs?

Stanbic Bank Purchasing Manager index (PMI) Soars to 51.4 in May 2025.

By Mwansa Chalwe Snr

Over the past six months, from December 2024 to May 2025, some economic experts and keen observers of the Zambian economy  have suggested that they have observed early indicators of an economic recovery especially after the credible Stanbic Bank Purchasing Manager Index which measures Private Sector Business confidence and activity soared to 51.4 points in May, the highest since December 2021.This piece aims to independently examine whether there is credible evidence to support this claim.

CREDIT RATING UPGRADE

In April 2025, Moody’s – the credit rating agency-significantly upgraded Zambia’s credit rating from stable to positive. Moody’s cited Zambia’s economic reforms, including debt restructuring agreements and revenue mobilization which have contributed to improved fiscal stability. The rating upgrade is expected to boost investor confidence and make Zambia more attractive to both domestic and international investors.
Zambia’s economic expert and commentator, Dr. Lubinda Haabazoka welcomed the credit rating upgrade and argued that there are economic benefits that may accrue to the country.
“A positive outlook can also lower borrowing costs. As investor confidence rises, Zambia may benefit from reduced interest rates on loans and bonds, which is key as the country continues its debt restructuring efforts,” Haabazoka told Zambian Monitor. “Finalizing these agreements will solidify Zambia’s fiscal stability and demonstrate a commitment to sustainable debt management.”

STATUS OF KEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Since the beginning of 2025, most technical economic indicators have displayed a positive or stable trajectory. These include inflation, exchange rates, monetary policy rates and commercial bank rates as well as gross international reserves.
To highlight a few, inflation has dropped from a high of 16.7 % in December,2024 to 15.3% in May; the Bank of Zambia at its recent meeting kept the Monetary Policy rate at 14.5%, which decision was lauded by the Economic Association of Zambia (EAZ).
“By holding the policy rate steady, the Bank has provided a level of predictability for economic agents, thereby supporting business planning and reducing uncertainty in the credit market. This also allows the economy to absorb and adjust to the cumulative effects of previous tightening cycles without imposing additional constraints on Private sector activity and investment,” EAZ statement released by its President Dr. Oswald Mungule said.
The Zambian kwacha has appreciated in the last six months and half months. It has strengthened by 13.4% against the US dollar between 31st December 2024 and 14 June 2025, from K28.9960 to K25.1110. This was driven by a combination of global US dollar weakness, increased capital inflows from foreign portfolio investors attracted by Zambia’s improving macroeconomic stability, and inflows from mining tax revenues. However, analysts caution that this appreciation does not necessarily signal deeper structural reforms in the economy, given ongoing vulnerabilities such as heavy import reliance and insufficient export diversification. 

Supporting the kwacha’s stability has been Zambia’s Gross International Reserves (GIR) which rose to $4.5 billion as of 31st March 2025, up by $200 million from the end of December 2024. This reserve cushion, equivalent to 4.6 months of import cover, has played a critical role in bolstering financial stability and sustaining investor confidence.

PRIVATE SECTOR ACTIVITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

The Stanbic Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is a monthly survey tracking private sector activity. A reading above 50.0 indicates improved business conditions, while a figure below 50.0 signals deterioration. Over the past six months (December 2024 to May 2025), readings remained above 50.0, except for March 2025.
In May 2025 PMI posted a reading of 51.4, up from 50.9 in April, to signal back-to-back improvements in business conditions across the Zambian private sector. The latest upturn was the highest since May,2023. This growth was driven by increased output and new orders, supported by stronger customer demand and improved business confidence.
“Zambian business conditions improved the most in two years during May, with strong demand driving growth despite electricity shortages. New orders and employment increased, while firms kept selling price hikes moderate amid rising costs. Business confidence reached its highest level since December 2021,” Musenge Komaki, Head of Sales at Stanbic Bank commented on the result of the survey.

Despite facing a severe drought and an unprecedented energy crisis, Zambia’s economy expanded by 4.5% in 2024. This may have influenced the International Monetary Fund (IMF) growth rate forecasts for 2025 of 6.2% initially, and later at 5.8% in the 5th Review of Zambia’s Extended Credit facility (ECF) Program, while the Ministry of Finance and National Planning projects a slightly higher rate of 6.6%.

However, Economist and Development Finance Associates Senior Partner Trevor Hambayi, has disagreed with both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning projections of GDP growth rate of over 6%, stating that the projected economic growth would not happen.

“There are a few factors that will be going against this assumption. I think we will be lucky to just get to around 4.5 or 5% GDP growth rate”, He told News Diggers in an interview.

Finance and National Planning Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, on the other hand, has stood by his optimistic outlook despite the criticism.
“If in a year of severe drought we recorded four percent growth, why should we doubt that in 2025, with improved agricultural conditions and ongoing investments, we can achieve six percent?” Finance and National Planning Minister, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane said when launching new currency notes.
Based on the latest available metrics, and the expected improvements, it is quite possible that the GDP growth rate above 6% can be achieved due to the expected recovery of key production sectors such as agriculture, energy, tourism, and mining.
While challenges persist, the prevailing trends suggest Zambia’s economy is on a gradual recovery path—a view shared by this writer, and likely to be echoed by other objective financial experts and economists monitoring the country’s progress.

IMPACT ON HOUSEHOLDS 

Although key economic indicators have shown visible improvement, ordinary citizens have yet to fully experience the benefits in their daily lives. There is usually a lag between macroeconomic improvements and their real-world impact on people’s livelihoods. That said, fuel and meal prices have seen a modest drop, supported by the kwacha’s strengthening and a higher maize supply after a bumper harvest. 

According to the Zambia Statistics Agency, the national average price of a 25 kg bag of Breakfast Mealie Meal fell by 4.0% between April and May 2025, dropping from K358.86 to K344.41. Additionally, the Energy Regulations Board (ERB) announced a decrease in fuel prices for June 2025, the second consecutive month of reductions.
However, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) reported that its Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for May 2025 rose to K11,272.97, marking an increase of K571.84 compared to May 2024. This indicates that the cost of living remains high for most poor Zambians. 

TAX REVENUE MOBILIZATION

ZRA has implemented several aggressive tax reforms under IMF supervision to increase tax revenue. And they have been spectaculary successful. In 2020, ZRA collected K57.6billion but in 2024 revenue collection was K148.5 billion which is an extraordinary jump of 148%.
Critics, however, argue that the tax system remains unfair. They contend that ordinary Zambians shoulder the heaviest burden, while mining companies avoid paying their fair share due to excessive capital allowances. These allowances keep many mining firms in perpetual tax-loss positions, allowing them to evade corporate income tax entirely. 

Additionally, despite the mining sector only requesting royalty tax deductibility, the government went further by slashing royalty rates by 50% (from 6% to 3%), leading to significant revenue losses. This decision, critics say, prioritizes mining profits over public interest, depriving Zambia of much-needed funds for development. The IMF has even criticized these excessive tax incentives.

“Offering tax incentives narrows the tax base even further while the hope is that it will create higher growth. Research usually shows in both low income and developing countries that tax incentives have not been successful in attracting investment especially FDI,” Zambia’s IMF Resident Representative Eric Lautier, told this writer in a discussion on the successes and failures of Zambia’s IMF supported ECF program.

The Zambian authorities and the IMF ought to careful about the degree to which they take the domestic tax mobilization exercise especially when it is lopsided. They ought to take heed of advice from former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who famously expressed skepticism about excessive taxation in 1904, when he said, “For a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”

This quote highlights Churchill’s belief that excessive taxation can be detrimental to economic growth and a nation’s well-being. The overall point being that trying to solve economic problems through taxation alone is an ineffective and potentially harmful approach.

 CONCLUSION
While Zambia’s projected economic growth rate of 6.6% in 2025 is positive, it remains insufficient to create the millions of jobs for the youth and lift out of poverty. I have long argued that Zambia’s economic challenges can only be resolved through homegrown solutions and sustained double-digit growth rates of over 10%. A key strategy to achieve this is by transforming the country’s economic structure—specifically, by integrating a substantial portion of the informal sector into the formal economy.
This perspective is supported by empirical evidence and historical precedent, which demonstrate that no nation has ever achieved development with 80–90% of its economy operating informally—a situation Zambia currently faces. Formalizing a significant part of the informal sector is the only viable path to sustaining the high growth rates necessary for meaningful progress.

Currently, government economic planning and analysis focus primarily on the 10% of the economy that is formalized, leaving the vast informal sector unaccounted for. Therefore, I strongly call on the government and its Cooperating Partners to support the Private Sector-led Formalization Initiative led by the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI). This initiative aligns with the ILO’s 2015 Recommendation No. 204 on formalization best practices, which emphasizes public-private partnerships as a critical driver of success.

The writer is a Chartered Accountant, Author, an independent financial analyst, and Economic Commentator.

Hichilema rises above Politics and Protocol to mourn his Predecessor with dignity

Lusaka Times Editor
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Hichilema rises above Politics and Protocol to mourn his Predecessor with dignity

Hichilema rises above Politics and Protocol to mourn his Predecessor with dignity

By Mukumbuta Mukumbuta | June 15, 2025

In what is being seen as a deeply unifying gesture, President Hakainde Hichilema has facilitated an agreement with the family of Zambia’s Sixth Republican President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on his repatriation and funeral arrangements.

Following President Lungu’s passing on June 5th, 2025, in South Africa, the Zambian government engaged in difficult but ultimately successful discussions with the Lungu family to ensure national unity at a time of mourning.

While many of the family’s requests diverged from state protocols, the President’s team were able to accommodate the majority of the former leader’s wishes.

In an act of magnanimity, President Hichilema has extended the national mourning period by nine full days, up to the 23rd June, the date of Lungu’s burial.

“This is a time for unity, not division,” said a senior government official involved in the process. “The President gave clear instructions that the family should be listened to, and that the State should act with empathy.”

Contrary to earlier claims, and misinformation on social media it has emerged that the Hichilema administration had officially supported Lungu’s travel to South Africa for medical care.

This was according to Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa, who confirmed that he had corresponded with Professor Njovu, President Lungu’s personal physician, to offer assistance,

“Efforts were made, on record, to support the former President during his treatment,” the Cabinet Secretary affirmed at the joint press briefing. “This government never stood in the way of his care, contrary to public speculation.”

The fact that this revelation has come from the civil service and not the UPND demonstrates how purposeful the President has been in managing his party following the demise of a political opponent, who has left an unarguably divisive legacy.

The quiet and dignified approach of the President speaks volumes about his character: committed to justice, but never vengeful; principled, but never proud.

After days of negotiation, both the State and the family have agreed to a hybrid arrangement that preserves the late President Lungu’s dignity while upholding national protocol:

  • The body will be repatriated privately on 18th June with full military honours.
  • Public viewing will be held at Mulungushi International Conference Center from 19th to 21st June.
  • A State Funeral will take place on 22nd June, with foreign dignitaries expected.
  • A valedictory ceremony and church service will conclude the program on 23rd June.

Each evening, the body will be returned to Lungu’s Chifwema residence, reflecting a clear willingness by Government to respect the family’s wishes.

President Hichilema’s conduct throughout this process has not gone unnoticed. Political observers have lauded his restraint and statesmanship, noting that it takes uncommon grace to honour the very man who once stripped him of his liberty and dignity.

“In moments like this, you see the measure of a leader,” said political analyst Dr. Joseph Zulu. “President Hichilema could have insisted on protocol, but he chose healing. It’s remarkable.”

As the nation prepares to lay to rest its sixth Republican President, the message from Hichilema’s team has been clear: this is not the time for division or blame. It is a time for compassion, unity, and collective reflection.

Today, the national flag remains at half-mast at State House, as well as at President Hichilema’s residence, Community House.

At such a critical moment for the country, the symbolism could not be clearer.  By embracing the family of his former political foe in their moment of mourning, President Hichilema has shown he is a Statesman capable of leading our national Community with compassion.

On the 23rd of June, the country has an opportunity to emerge united and to move forward as One Zambia, One Nation once more.

Peace Prevails: State and Family Resolve Dispute to Honour President Lungu

Lusaka Times Editor
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Peace Prevails: State and Family Resolve Dispute to Honour President Lungu

Lusaka | 15 June 2025

In a usual Zambia’s enduring tradition of unity, the Government and the family of the late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu have reached an agreement on his funeral arrangements, bringing closure to a week-long impasse that had gripped the nation.

The resolution, quietly reached behind closed doors, was formally announced during a joint press briefing by Cabinet Secretary Patrick Kangwa and the Lungu family’s legal representative, Makebi Zulu. Their words carried the weight of a nation in mourning measured, respectful, yet undeniably significant. After days of careful discussions, both sides had found a way forward, ensuring the former President would be laid to rest with the dignity his office deserved.

Under the agreed plan, President Lungu’s body will return home from South Africa on Wednesday, 18th June, aboard a privately arranged flight. A full military honor guard will receive him at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, after which his remains will be taken to his Chifwema residence, where he will lie in state each night throughout the mourning period.

The public will have three days, from 19th to 21st June, to pay their final respects at Mulungushi International Conference Center. A State Funeral, attended by foreign dignitaries, will follow on Sunday, 22nd June. The next day, a special valedictory session at the Supreme Court will honor his legal career, culminating in a final church service at Lusaka Showgrounds led by Archbishop Alec Banda.

The government has extended the period of national mourning until the burial on 23rd June—a decision personally approved by President Hakainde Hichilema in a gesture of compassion and solidarity. Officials emphasized that the negotiations were never about legal disputes, but solely about honoring Lungu’s wishes, including his desire for a private repatriation and specific clergy presiding over the service. While the sensitive issue of President Hichilema’s attendance was not explicitly addressed, the final agreement reflected mutual concessions in the interest of national harmony.

The government also took the opportunity to dispel rumors surrounding Lungu’s medical evacuation earlier this year. Kangwa clarified that the State had been formally notified in January by the late President’s physician, Professor Njovu, and had even offered logistical support, an offer the family respectfully declined. “At no point did the government obstruct his travel,” Kangwa stated firmly. “The records show we were prepared to assist.”

For their part, the Lungu family expressed deep gratitude to the Zambian people for their unwavering support and apologized for the delays caused by the negotiations. They acknowledged that their requests to take the body to Petauke and Kitwe could not be accommodated, urging mourners instead to attend the scheduled viewings in Lusaka. They also extended heartfelt thanks to the Patriotic Front, the Tonsi Alliance, and the clergy for standing with them during this difficult time.

A wide range of stakeholders played a role in bridging the divide former Vice President Enoch Kavindele, ex-Cabinet Secretary Leslie Mbula, His Royal Highness Chief Mumbi of Petauke, and Zambia’s diplomatic team in South Africa all contributed to the resolution. Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Haimbe was particularly commended for his early mediation efforts before returning to Lusaka to finalize the agreement.

The moment is poignant for a nation still coming to terms with the loss of its sixth President. Yet it also stands as a testament to the maturity of Zambia’s leadership. President Hichilema, despite a history of political rivalry with Lungu, ensured the process remained dignified and respectful. The Lungu family, in turn, prioritized national unity over personal grievances.

What could have escalated into a protracted dispute instead became a lesson in reconciliation. As Zambia prepares to bid farewell to President Lungu, it does so not in division, but in solemn unity, proving once again that even in grief, the nation’s spirit of togetherness endures.

Lungu’s Burial Date Set as State, Family Reach Agreement

Lusaka Times Editor
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Lungu’s Burial Date Set as State, Family Reach Agreement

Lungu’s Burial Date Set as State, Family Reach Agreement

After days of uncertainty and behind-the-scenes negotiations, the Government of Zambia and the family of the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu have reached an agreement on his burial arrangements.

According to a statement by the Patriotic Front (PF), President Lungu’s remains will be repatriated from South Africa on Wednesday, 18th June 2025, with the burial scheduled for Monday, 23rd June 2025.

President Lungu passed away on 5th June 2025 while undergoing medical treatment in South Africa. Since his death, discussions between the State and the Lungu family have reportedly centred on issues related to funeral protocols and burial rights.

In a brief announcement, the PF confirmed that the outstanding matters had been resolved, but did not provide further details. “The party can confirm that an agreement has been reached between the State and the family regarding the burial of our late leader,” the statement read.

President Lungu, who served as Zambia’s sixth Republican President from 2015 to 2021, will be accorded the respect due to a former Head of State, although final details on the funeral programme are still expected from government sources.

The announcement is likely to bring some closure to supporters and citizens across the country who have been waiting for clarity on the late President’s final journey.

Further updates are expected in the coming days.

Where Did We Go Wrong?

Chief Editor
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Where Did We Go Wrong?

By Gregory Mofu

Growing up in the 1990s, I witnessed Zambia stand tall as a beacon of peace—not just in the region, but across the African continent. Under the leadership of our then-president, Frederick Chiluba, Zambia played a central role in promoting dialogue, mediating conflicts, and hosting peace negotiations that shaped the course of nations.

Zambia was not just known as a peaceful country; it was the headquarters of peace in southern Africa. We watched with pride as our capital, Lusaka, hosted landmark agreements like the Lusaka Protocol, which brought together Angolan President Eduardo dos Santos and UNITA rebel leader Jonas Savimbi in a bid to end the protracted civil war in Angola. We also witnessed Congo’s newly installed president, Dr. Laurent-Désiré Kabila, sign peace accords with over 18 rebel groups—right here in Lusaka. These moments were not mere political events; they were affirmations of Zambia’s identity as a stabilizing force and an honest broker in times of crisis.

But something has changed.

Today, the story feels different. The confusion and political friction surrounding the funeral of our sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, have left many wondering: Where did we go wrong?

I believe I have an answer—politics.

Politics have become divisive, toxic, and misunderstood. Somewhere along the way, we lost sight of the true spirit of democracy. Instead of embracing diversity of thought and opposition as pillars of a healthy system, we have allowed suspicion, bitterness, and mistrust to define our political interactions. Democracy was never meant to create enemies; it was meant to create space for conversation, accountability, and growth.

That’s why I was deeply encouraged by President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent address to the nation. His reminder that politics should not turn us into enemies is a necessary and timely message. It is a step in the right direction—and hopefully, a turning point.

When this moment of political tension and misunderstanding eventually passes—and it must—we must not return to business as usual. Instead, I strongly believe that President Hichilema should initiate a Commission on Peace, Reconciliation, and National Unity. Such a platform could allow Zambia to revisit its founding values, heal political wounds, foster mutual respect among stakeholders, and restore our nation’s rightful place as a beacon of peace in Africa.

We have done it before. We can do it again.

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