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Zambia Mourns Hilary Makasa and Rix Mweemba

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Zambian football is in mourning on Tuesday following a high profile double tragedy.
Ex-Chipolopolo midfielder Hilary Makasa and FAZ Vice president Rix Mweemba have both passed away.

1996 AFCON bronze medalist Makasa died on Monday at UTH after an illness.

The former left back played for Roan United and Ajax Cape Town in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Mweemba died early Tuesday morning at the Coptic Hospital in Lusaka after an illness.

“The Football Association of Zambia is mourning the loss of a dedicated and a respected servant of Zambian football. Mr. Mweemba struck us as an admirable family man. His great work ethics and selflessness cannot be doubted,” FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala said at Statement.

Prior to being appointed as Vice President in April 2017, Mr. Mweemba served as FAZ Treasurer and also played a huge role in the restructuring of the Zambia Premier League as chairperson of the League Restructuring Working Group.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the football fraternity in Zambia,” Kashala said.

Revive the economy and Prove Your Critics Wrong, President Lungu task New Bank Governor

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Revive the economy and Prove Your Critics Wrong, President Lungu task New Bank Governor

President Edgar Lungu has sworn in Christopher Mvunga as the new Bank of Zambia (BOZ) Governor following his ratification by parliament last week.

ZANIS reports that Mr Mvunga, the former Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Economic and Finance Affairs, was appointed by President Lungu on August 22, 2020, after the dismissal of Dr Denny Kalyalya.

President Lungu has since urged Mr Mvunga to review and formulate policy-driven solutions to address the macroeconomic challenges that the economy is currently facing.

The Head of State stated that the economy is facing numerous challenges, particularly, this year when the country has not been spared from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the economy, including significant contraction in economic growth, high fiscal deficits, high inflation and a weakening exchange rate. Additionally, these developments also pose a threat to financial system stability,” president lungu lamented.

“I am aware that your appointment generated a lot of interest from various sections of society. However, this should not detract you from focusing on the huge task and responsibility that has come with your new position,” president lungu challenged Mr Mvunga.

President Lungu urged Mr Mvunga to prove the critics wrong by putting in the best of his ability

“The subsequent ratification of your appointment by parliament is a clear indication that you are qualified for the job. It is also an indication that the people of Zambia have placed their confidence in you to turn around the fortunes of the financial sector of the country. Do not let them down,” president lungu added.

President Lungu emphasised that as governor of the central bank, Mr Mvunga has an enormous task ahead of him.

“You will oversee the operations of the entire financial sector as well as the performance of the country’s economy. I am confident that with over 30 years of experience in the private and public financial management sector, “he added.

President Lungu has, however, noted that the central bank has taken measures to mitigate the financial challenges the country is facing.

“Your immediate task, as you take up this new position, is to ensure that there is closer coordination between fiscal and monetary policy to consolidate the existing measures,” president lungu.

“We must create a win-win situation for all the players in the financial sector and the economy, at large, particularly, finding more efficient ways of financing agricultural inputs and managing the oil procurement sector.

He said the current efforts to address debt sustainability and reduce the country’s debt service burden need to be sustained and a successful outcome achieved.

President Lungu stressed the need for the Bank of Zambia to redouble efforts to achieve and maintain stability in the foreign exchange market by closely working with the ministry of finance.

“At the same time, the Bank of Zambia must continue to review and strengthen policies, where appropriate, to improve performance and ensure that the financial sector remains stable while inflation is brought back to the single digit range over the medium term,” he said.

President lungu also sworn in Emily Sikazwe as vice-chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ0.

And president Lungu said the appointment of Dr Sikazwe is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to promote women to positions of authority.

“I am happy that parliament ratified your appointment in accordance with section 5 of the electoral commission of Zambia act no. 25 of 2016 and the submission by the government.

He noted that women are capable of delivering to the expectation of society.

“I am confident that being a long serving member of the commission, you will provide the necessary policy guidance and direction to the commission’s administration, which is critical in the management of the electoral process,” he said.

Cabinet approves the FIC Amendment Bill 2020, for publication and introduction in Parliament

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Cabinet approves the FIC Amendment Bill 2020, for publication and introduction in Parliament

Cabinet has approved the Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment Bill 2020, for publication and introduction in Parliament.

The objectives of the Bill are to amend the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, No. 46 of 2010 and to re-define the functions of the Centre.

Other objectives are to revise the definition of high-risk persons in accordance with international standards, provide for customer due diligence on wire transfers in accordance with international standards, provide a risk management framework for anti-mone laundering requirements and expand the scope of reporting entities.

President Edgar Lungu chaired the 21st Cabinet Meeting, held virtually, to deliberate on Bills for introduction in Parliament.

Ms. Siliya says the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, No. 46 of 2010 is inadequate in dealing with issues relating to combating money laundering and financing of terrorism or proliferation and needs to be amended.

She says the call for the amendment is to also conform with the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering -FATF- recommendations.

This is according to a statement issued to ZNBC news by Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya on the decisions made by Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Cabinet approved the Non-Governmental Organisations -Amendment Bill, 2020 for publication and introduction in Parliament during the current sitting.

Ms. Siliya said the objective of the Bill is to amend the NGO Act, 2009, to revise the functions of the Board and to monitor the risk of abuse of NGOs for serious crimes.

She said the NGO Act, No. 1 of 2009 is inadequate in dealing with issues relating to monitoring the use of non-governmental organisations in money laundering, financing of terrorism or proliferation or any other serious offences.

Cabinet also approved the Extradition (Amendment) 2020 for publication and introduction in Parliament whose objective is to provide for measures for monitoring of requests made to the competent authority which is not provided for in the current law.

Cabinet further approved the Zambia Academy of Sciences Bill, 2020, for publication and introduction in Parliament during the current sitting.

FAZ Mourns Rix Mweemba

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FAZ Mourns Rix Mweemba

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Vice president, Rix Mweemba has died after a short illness. FAZ General Secretary, Adrian Kashala has confirmed the demise of Mweemba in a statement availed to ZANIS today by Communications Manager, Sydney Mugala.

Kashala said the deceased who was also a FIFA Instructor, died at 04:00hours on Tuesday at Coptic Hospital in Lusaka.

“The Football Association of Zambia is mourning the loss of a dedicated and a respected servant of Zambian football. Mr Mweemba struck us as an admirable family man. His great work ethics and selflessness cannot be doubted,” read the statement in part.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the football fraternity in Zambia,” Kashala said.

Prior to being appointed as Vice president in April 2017, Mweemba served as FAZ Treasurer and also played a huge role in the restructuring of the Zambia Premier League as chairperson of the League Restructuring Working Group.

President Lungu Swears in Bank of Zambia Governor Christopher Mvunga

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President Lungu Swears in Bank of Zambia Governor Christopher Mvunga

President Edgar Lungu has urged new Bank of Zambia governor Christopher Mvunga to strengthen policies that will ensure the financial sector remains stable and inflation brought to a single digit.

President Lungu also says current efforts to address debt sustainability and reduce the country’s debt service burden need to be sustained. He further says there is need to find efficient ways of financing agricultural inputs as well as managing the procurement of oil.

President LUNGU says the Central Bank should double its efforts to maintain stability in the foreign exchange market. He said this when he swore in Mr. Mvunga as Bank of Zambia Governor.

Others sworn in are MUMBA TEMBO as Public Policy Specialist and MARVIS SOLI as Public Policy Analyst at Cabinet Office.

And speaking in an interview, Mr. MVUNGA has assured Zambians that he will maintain the bank’s independence.

Meanwhile, President LUNGU has urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia -ECZ- to be firm and fair. President LUNGU said the ECZ is currently undergoing a credibility test ahead of the 2021 general election.

He said the actions and decisions of the institution are what will safeguard its credibility in the eyes of the people. The President said the Commission should not lose focus of its work just because some people are accusing it of bias. He said this is not the first time the ECZ is being accused of being biased and it will not be the last one.

President LUNGU said what is important is to make decisions that are in the best interest of the people. He said this when he swore in EMILY SIKAZWE as ECZ Vice Chairperson and Major general VINCENT MUKANDA as ECZ Commissioner.

And Dr. SIKAZWE said her team will work according to the law and the aspirations of Zambians.

Newly appointed Bank of Zambia Governor Christopher Mvunga takes oath during the swearing ceremony at State House.
Newly appointed Bank of Zambia Governor Christopher Mvunga takes oath during the swearing ceremony at State House.

K60 Million worth gold produced at Kasenseli Mine

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K60 Million worth gold produced at Kasenseli Mine

ZCCM-IH Gold Company has in the past three months produced gold worth sixty million kwacha at Kasenseli Gold mine in the Mwinilunga District of North-Western Province.

ZCCM-IH Project Manager Charles Mjumphi told Journalists in an interview that through the ongoing exploration works, the firm has been producing about 15 kilograms of gold per month.

“Currently we are producing Gold at the rate of about 15 kilograms a month and so far we have produced Gold worth about Sixty million kwacha in the past three months,” he said.

He said the company has now started pilot mining to help the firm understand the geology and mineralization of the area.

Mr Mjumphi said the company has from the start of the project in March 2020 covered five hectares of the total area where they have drilled lengths of up to 5000 meters.

He said samples from the drill cores have since been taken to the laboratory for testing for gold presence.

Mr Mjumphi said the information from the laboratory will help the firm conduct a resource model to ascertain the type of equipment required as well as the mining method to be employed.

He disclosed that the company intends to expand their operations by increasing their processing capacity to fifty tonnes an hour translating to 400 metric tonnes of output.

Mr Mjumphi said the firm also plans to acquire additional mining equipment to enable it stock pile for the rainy season.

He also indicated that 50 out of the total 1,317 hectares of the mine area where the operations will concentrate on is being fenced in order to enhance security at the mine.

Abusive Sun FM journalist condemned by media body

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Abusive Sun FM journalist condemned by media body

The Free Press Initiative (FPI) says the conduct of Sun FM journalist Kausa Mbasela is unacceptable and far from the behaviour journalists are expected to exhibit.

On Thursday last week, Mr Mbasela hosted Socialist Party National Spokesperson Ms Rehoboth Kafwabulula on a live call-in programme on the station’s flagship current affairs programme dubbed Public Forum.

As the programme went on, Mr Mbasela used the moment to cause embarrassment to Ms Kafwabulula by asking her personal questions such as; “who are you sleeping with?” and “are you still a virgin in the political space?”.

“What manner of questioning by Mr Mbasela is not only insulting to women but the entire journalism profession that we dearly cherish and currently trying hard to restore the confidence and trust lost among our people.

If Sun FM values professionalism and respect for women, they must immediately institute disciplinary action against Mr Mbasela for his embarrassing conduct,” FPI Zambia founder and coordinator Joan Chirwa has said.

“What we must not forget is that the power of the media can also be misused to the extent that the very functioning of democracy is completely threatened. As the FPI Zambia, we do not wish that such happens to our dear country. We categorically state here that Mr Mbasela clearly abused his power as an interviewer to embarrass someone and as FPI, we condemn his behavior and demand that he apologises to Ms Kafwabulula, and withdraws his sentiments henceforth.”

She said even if freedom of expression is guaranteed as a basic human right, it is not without limit.

“Mr Mbasela went too far in his questioning and he deserves unreserved condemnation. The FPI further urges journalists to always be ethical as they serve the public’s right to know,” Chirwa said.

The Young should’ve access to factual and age-and culturally-appropriate information about relationships-UN

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The Young should’ve access to factual and age-and culturally-appropriate information about relationships-UN

The United Nations (UN) in Zambia has commended the Government for its announcement that the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curriculum would be subjected to a multisectoral technical review.

In a statement released to the media, the UN said that the recent statement by the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Ms Inonge Mutukwa Wina, MP, provides a way forward, a platform for more discussion of the national CSE Framework, and an opportunity for all actors to find out more about the content of the Framework and results from its implementation.

The UN further said that it believed that the CSE Framework provides an important tool to address early and unintended pregnancies, HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), child marriage and Gender-Based Violence in Zambia and that the UN stands ready to provide support to the Government of the Republic of Zambia on the planned review.

The statement further said that the UN believed that children and young people should have access to accurate, factual, age-and culturally-appropriate information about relationships as they transition to adulthood.

“Contrary to recent rumours and misleading information circulating on social media, the CSE Framework (2014) was developed by the Government of the Republic Zambia through a thorough and consultative process involving education sector stakeholders, traditional leaders, faith-based groups and Civil Society Organisations, resulting in an age-appropriate curriculum respecting Zambian cultural values. The CSE Framework in Zambia has been delivered to learners as an integral part of examinable subjects and not as a standalone subject. It has contributed to reduced teenage pregnancies and drop outs from school, and mitigated the spread of HIV and other STIs among young people in school and out of school,” the statement concluded.

Zambian music legends , Izrael & Nalu release “Will You Love Me”

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Zambian music legends , Izrael & Nalu release “Will You Love Me”

Izreal and Nalu released the video for their single “Will You Love Me“.

The song was written by Izrael & Nalu and was Produced by TK Romaside.

ZNS intercepts 1200 mealie meal bags

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ZNS intercepts 1200 mealie meal bags

The Zambia National Service (ZNS) in Chililabombwe have impounded a truck carrying 1200 bags of mealie meal which was about to be smuggled into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

And Chililabombwe District Commissioner Roy Ngosa has warned people involved in smuggling activities via Chililabombwe that an anti-smuggling task force in the district is working round the clock to curb the vice.

The Tanzanian Truck bearing registration number T628 BDV carrying Bwino mealie meal brand of Kitwe’s Chimwemwe Township was intercepted at Konkola checkpoint along the Chililabombwe –Kasumbalesa main road.

ZNS Copperbelt Commanding Officer Chishala Mulenga said the truck which was intercepted on Saturday night was purportedly carrying mining equipment into the DRC when it was actually mealie meal laden.

“So far, we have intercepted three Tanzanian trucks. It is a cartel as the trucks have fake ZRA seals from the same batch. I want to warn all the drivers of the containerized trucks that we shall be opening the seals,“ he intimated.

Lt. Col. Mulenga appealed to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to investigate the matter as other goods besides mealie meals may be smuggled in the same manner depriving the country of revenue.

He said the officers became more suspicious after the driver of the truck attempted to bribe them with US $ 150 prompting them to summon ZRA officers to facilitate the opening of the seals for the truck.

The driver who pretended to be cooperative to the officers managed to escape leaving the truck and the mealie meal at the checkpoint.

Meanwhile, Mr Ngosa said the fact that three trucks attempting to smuggle mealie meal into the DRC have been intercepted within a month is an indication that efforts being made to curb smuggling are bearing fruit.

The District Commissioner, who praised the men and women in uniform, said there is a suspected syndicate in mealie meal smuggling as all the recently impounded trucks were of Tanzanian origin.

ECZ did not consult us on Prison Voting, says UPND as they storm out of the meeting

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ECZ did not consult us on Prison Voting, says UPND as they storm out of the meeting

UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Lusaka Provincial Chairman Obvious Mwaliteta says the party will not allow the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to bulldoze its electoral mandate without being accountable to the Zambian people.

Prison Voting came about after the Constitutional Court ordered the Government and the Electoral Commission of Zambia to allow inmates to start voting after Prison Care and Counselling Association Executive Director Godfrey Malembeka successfully sued the Attorney General in the Constitutional Court.

Following the case of Godfrey Malembeka (Prisons Care and Counselling Association – PRISCA) Vs Attorney General and ECZ in which the court held that prisoners’ right to vote should be upheld, and the Commission in fulfilling the ruling was required to undertake Prisoners Voting for 2021 general elections.

Speaking shortly after walking out of a stakeholder meeting on Prison voting yesterday afternoon, Mr. Mwaliteta said it was folly for the ECZ to ignore major stakeholders in the electoral process in coming up with a decision to allow prisoners to vote in the 2021 General Election.

Mr. Mwaliteta said a lot of issues remained unclear on how the ECZ intended to proceed with its plans to have inmates vote during the 2021 tripartite elections owing to the lack of a clear roadmap on how political players would conduct their campaigns in prisons.

“We are not saying that we are opposed to inmates voting in the 2021 elections, but what we are against is them (ECZ) giving us an example that in South Africa it is happening. It can’t work in Zambia because in South Africa the people who appoint the Commission General of Prisons is not the President,” he said.

He wondered how the ECZ would ensure free, fair, and credible 2021 elections if the opposition political parties were not allowed to campaign in prisons while being accused of planning to fane violence in correctional facilities.

“If political parties are not allowed to go and campaign in Chimbokaila, then we are not going to have a polling agent because we need to have a polling agent inside. But, also, suppose the Commissioner-General of the Zambia Correctional Services is given specific instructions by the appointing authority, how are we going to monitor our votes?” asked Mwaliteta.

The Lusaka UPND chief said the Elections body has the mandate to serve the interest of Zambian citizens without whom they wouldn’t have been established.

Farmers Selling Government subsidized Farming Inputs to Neighbouring Countries

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Farmers Selling Government subsidized Farming Inputs to Neighbouring Countries

Nakonde District Commissioner, Field Simwinga has appealed to farmers not to sell their farming inputs which they acquired under the Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP).

Mr Simwinga said he is aware that some farmers are selling their inputs to neigbouring countries thereby frustrating government’s efforts of boosting the agriculture sector.

“I am aware that some of you have opted to sell your inputs to Tanzanians instead of using them to boost your farming businesses,” he said.

He has also appealed to farmers to seek advice from agricultural offices such as camp officers and District Agriculture Coordinator’s office if they encounter problems with their crops or animals.

And Nakonde District Acting Agriculture Coordinator, Matthews Mulengo said so far 945 farmers from about 75 cooperatives have received their farming inputs.

Mr Mulengo has also appealed to farmers to practice crop rotation in order to improve the soil nutrients.

“You should plant a different crop in the field where you planted maize last farming season so that you can improve the nutrients of the soil,” he said.

He pointed out that government has sent farming inputs on time urging farmers to work hard and ensure that they produce a good harvest.

Mr Mulengo has also advised farmers with late maturity seed to start preparing their fields.

Nakonde District has about 11, 000 farmers benefiting from the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

Meanwhile, Government has officially flagged off the distribution of farming inputs to individual farmers in Luwingu District under the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP).

Luwingu District Commissioner Patrick Chanda who flagged off the exercise said over 6,000 small scale farmers will benefit from the inputs distribution exercise in the district.

Mr Chanda explained that government understands the importance of delivering the inputs on time as it enables farmers to adequately plan for the farming season.

He has further commended the farmers for depositing their K400 contribution towards the exercise.

“We are happy to note that farmers have deposited their money to the Ministry of Agriculture to enable them to access the input,” he said.

The District Commissioner has advised farmers not to wait for the rains but start preparing their fields in readiness for the 2020/2021 farming season.

Meanwhile, Mr Chanda has cautioned farmers who will benefit from the programme against selling their inputs stating that those found wanting will be dealt with accordingly.

“Government is implementing this programme in order to address the challenges that you the farmers face in purchasing inputs, therefore I am warning you not to sell the inputs you are receiving” he stated

He said this when he flagged of the input distribution exercise for the 2020/2021 farming season in Luwingu yesterday.

And Luwingu District Agriculture Coordinator Aswell Lubungo said the district has received all its consignment of inputs for the forthcoming season.

“I can confirm that we are on schedule with the exercise and we advise farmers who have not yet deposited their contribution to do so in order for you to access your inputs,” he said

Mr Lubungo is confident that the early distribution of inputs will see the district record a bumper harvest which will contribute to the country’s food security.

He has further advised small scale farmers to take agriculture as a serious business as it is a major contributor to the economic growth.

And speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Lucy Chimulopwe has commended government and Neria investment for distributing the inputs on time.

“We are happy that this year you have started the exercise in good time, please continue working like this even for the years to come,” she said

Ms Chimulopwe has since expressed gratitude to government for coming up with FISP program stating that it has helped small scale farmers across the country.

She stated that the programme has helped to reduce poverty levels among small scale farmers especially in rural areas.

Government says it is not charging truck drivers to get the (COVID-19) certificate

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Government says it is not charging truck drivers to get the (COVID-19) certificate

The government says it is not charging truck drivers to get the (COVID-19) certificate, a requirement for international truck drivers to enter into other countries.

Transport and Communications Minister Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya emphasized that no one should be charged when obtaining the COVID-19 certificate.
The Minister said this at Kasumbalesa Border Post in Chililabimbwe District, Copperbelt Province after interacting with truck drivers and staff at the border post.

Hon Kafwaya, supported by Copperbelt Province Minister Hon Japhen Mwakalombe, went to Kasumbalesa for a fact-finding mission after hearing allegations that the government is charging truck drivers K500 to get COVID-19 certificate.

“When I listened to voice notes which were being circulated on social media, I called the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Kennedy Malama who told me that the ministry is not charging for the certificates. And as you witnessed in the yard when Hon Mwakalombe called the Provincial Health Officer he refused that health personnel is not charging for one to obtain a COVID-19 certificate,” he said.

“You see, I decided to come here and talk to the drivers themselves to get firsthand information. I randomly talked to four drivers in the truck yard and three said they were not charged while one confirmed that he was charged K300 in Ndola. Sadly, this driver was not even swabbed but was issued with the certificate. I immediately asked officers from my ministry to take the driver to Ndola and identify the health personnel who charged him but he has fled.”

He said these are the same individuals who dent the image of the party in power that they are corrupt.

He directed that all those drivers who got the certificates illegally should be dealt with accordingly together with the officials who issued out the certificates.

And Hon Mwakalombe said he was proud to see that the PF government under President Edgar Lungu has brought sanity at the border entry point with neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

He also observed the need to use social media prudently and avoid misinformation.

Earlier, SADC Truck driver’s Association President Stanley Muluka alleged that some drivers have complained of being charged before issued with COVID-19 certificates

Commission of Inquiry on Privatization While Ignoring Recent Scandals and Mismanagement of Our Economy

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Commission of Inquiry on Privatization While Ignoring Recent Scandals and Mismanagement of Our Economy

By Judith Mulenga CiSCA Acting Chairperson

The Civil Society Constitution Agenda (CiSCA), while welcoming President Lungu’s affirmation of Article 88 of our Constitution on the right to petition, would like to caution the President to tread very carefully on the Commission of Inquiry on Privatization.

Zambia currently faces many problems that need laser focused sober solutions than the Pandora Box that he is being nudged to open as it may boomerang in his face. We put it to President Lungu that instituting a privatization commission of inquiry is not in the best interest of Zambia but a ploy to eliminate a formidable opponent in the name of Hakainde Hichilema. Not too long ago, President Rupiah Banda’s government wanted to introduce a degree criteria for a presidential candidate aimed at barring one Michael Chilufya Sata from standing for the Presidency. What happened next, the man won the Presidency in the very next general elections! Provisions of the Constitution should be respected equally. Invoking Article 88 at the expense of other justiciable civil and political rights in our Bill of Rights is setting a very dangerous reckless precedence.

CiSCA demands that since we are in dire straits as a country, President Lungu should make this commission of inquiry the mother of all commissions of inquiries so that he leaves a legacy of leadership when everything that Zambians need closure on was healed in the nation. This inquiry should include, among other inquiries, the cost of the fire engines, cost of the ambulances, mukula trees smuggling, sudden wealth of politically connected persons including his own jump from K2million to K23million in one year, the cost of the Michael Sata Tollgate, the exorbitant cost of our roads, the K450 million money laundering from corrupt government tenders, the outright embezzlement of K4 million by government officials, tribal diatribe from PF senior leaders against the people of Southern Province, the indebtedness that Zambia is in, the fencing of the Chimutengo Forest, the 48 houses, everything! Let us heal this nation once and for all so that as we go to the 2021 elections we are all truly exercising our democratic right to hear freely from all who aspire to rule and for us to vote without anyone’s fear of security of the person that Zambia has had to go through at every election since the 2015 presidential by-elections.

While as CiSCA we do not question the legality of the Commission of Inquiry, we are not convinced that the 40,000 signatories in the YALI Petition represent even remotely what would be considered public interest. CiSCA does not believe that President Lungu’s intent is to shine a spotlight on past errors and ensure that such events do not recur. CiSCA is not convinced that the urgency with which events are fast moving on this issue meet the legal reasonableness test. For instance, since there is a case in the High Court on privatization and the High Court is at the same level as a commission of inquiry but without the former’s legal binding status, CiSCA urges the pro Commission of Inquiry on Privatization to hold off and wait for the outcome of the court case. Mind you Zambia has a $18.5 billion albatross around its neck, most of it acquired by the Executive without approval by the National Assembly, therefore ultra vires to the Constitution and another issue needing a commission of inquiry!

We contend that it is wishful thinking, for the petitioners, to think that the Commission of Inquiry will not call witnesses from not only within but also outside our territory since the privatization involved international buyers too. The scope of this Commission of Inquiry is envisaged to be huge taking into account that evidence will straddle three decades. And since a Commission of Inquiry is not a court hearing, it is not reasonably expected that the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry will be acted upon by the court if this became necessary. We further challenge President Lungu to release all Commissions of Inquiries reports since PF came to power. The funds spent on them is not PF’s money but every Zambian’s money.

CiSCA hopes the President, having set a precedence, will also accept a CiSCA petition to withdraw Bill 10 from the floor of the National Assembly in national interest.

For those that have allowed themselves to fit snugly in the PF’s mold of a culture of silence, please be reminded that your voices of apathy should not be louder than your courage of conviction. Being silent is the same as abetting a de facto absolute monarch which President Lungu has become. Him and those connected to him live luxurious lives financed by our very meagre resources that they are supposed to safeguard for all of us, while the majority of Zambians, more than 54.5% live below the national poverty line. If people think this is an exaggeration, we challenge them to name one thing that President Lungu has wanted against the people’s will and he has respected our voices and backed off?

There is a need to ensure teachers are trained to use various ICTs to deliver online learning-ZANEC

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There is a need to ensure teachers are trained to use various ICTs to deliver online learning-ZANEC

The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has appealed to the government to invest in the training of teachers in the use of various ICTs to deliver quality online education.

ZANEC Executive Director George Hamusunga says there is a need to ensure that teachers are trained to use various ICTs to deliver online learning in order to mitigate the crisis of limiting education to the physical presence of a teacher.

Mr Hamusunga stated that reshaping teaching methodologies is crucial in today’s digital era where learning should also be provided to out of school children.

According to a press statement issued to the media in Lusaka on Monday, Mr Hamusunga was speaking during the commemoration of the 2020 World Teachers Day under the theme “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future”, which falls on October 5.

Mr Hamusunga has since described teachers as the true Covid 19 heroes in the education sector.

“Among others, we have proved that removing teachers and replacing them by remote technology is not effective enough to bring about the learning that our children require. This has manifested itself in the low reach of the alternative modes of education designed to provide continuity of learning at home through television, radio and e-learning, hence the recent decision to just reopen schools,” said Mr Hamusunga.

He lamented that the prevailing high teacher – pupil ratio of 1 to 36.9 at secondary level and 1 to 61.9 at primary school level, is too high for teaching recommended under the Covid 19 pandemic.

Mr Hamusunga explained that such a scenario entails that teachers are being subjected to many shifts in order to observe the social distance among the learners in order to ensure the prevention of Covid 19.

“Investment in digital skills and equipment is therefore not an option but a must”, said Hamusungu.

He pointed out that ZANEC research has shown that remote learning initiatives that involved physical contact with children were more successful than others given the many ICT access challenges teachers and pupils face.

ZANEC has since called upon the government to urgently recruit 20,000 teachers in order to reduce the huge burden and workload that teachers are currently carrying as they deliver lessons amidst the Covid 19 pandemic.

The Coalition has since reminded all teachers in community schools, Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres, primary and secondary schools, tertiary institutions and Adult Literacy Instructors to continue being role models to learners.

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