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DEC Reveal Probe on FAZ GS Kashala

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The Drug Enforcement Agency has revealed its true mission to Football House last Thursday.

DEC officers raided the Football Association of Zambia headquarters in Lusaka on Thursday afternoon where they confiscated computers from FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala’s office.

“The Drug Enforcement Commission through the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU) on 11th June, 2020 conducted an operation at the Football Association of Zambia as part of ongoing investigations involving Mr. Adrian Kashala,” DEC spokesperson Theresa Katongo said.

“Mr Kashala is being investigated for obtaining pecuniary advantage and money laundering.

“As part of investigations, the Commission seized a laptop and Central Processing Unit (CPU) to help with investigations.

“We wish to assure members of the public that the Commission remains committed to executing its duties in a fair and professional manner.”

President Edgar Lungu values the youths and will prioritize their welfare, Sports Minister

Chief Editor
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President Edgar Lungu values the youths and will prioritize their welfare, Sports Minister

Youths, Sport and Child Development Minister Hon Emmanuel Mulenga have assured youths in the country that President Edgar Lungu values them and will prioritize their welfare.

The Minister said this in Lusaka on Friday afternoon when he engaged the youths from four provinces to discuss how to enhance youth participation in available economic opportunities in mining, construction, agriculture/aquaculture, and manufacturing.

The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Child Development in partnership with the National Youth Development Council.

Hon Mulenga disagreed that the meeting has been hurried according to social media reports and said the government has instead responded to the cry by the youths to be heard.

“We heeded your call to dialogue. I want to ensure that these meetings are held every two months,” he said.

He directed the National Youth Development Council Secretary David Musonda to ensure that such meetings are spread to all the provinces of the country.

He said even those that have shunned the meeting are welcome and find amicable ways to engage the government on issues affecting them.

He reaffirmed President Edgar Lungu’s commitments to the concerns, challenges, and recommendations of the youth.

“His Excellency President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia is growing our youth population into responsible and productive citizens. Therefore, the government is providing a conducive environment for the youths to full actualize their full potential,” said Hon Mulenga.

“I wish to inform this gathering that the government of His Excellency President Lungu is aware of the challenges faced by the youths which include; youth unemployment, limited access to affordable loans, user-friendly business financing, limited participation in governance among others.”

Speaking earlier, Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Child Development Permanent Secretary Joe Kapembwa said the government has provided a platform for youths to engage with the state on issues affecting them.

Mr. Kapembwa said the meeting was called to hear from youths as they called on the government to listen to them through different platforms such as social media, print and electronic media.

Electoral Commission of Zambia Full Media Briefing on Electoral Process

Chief Editor
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Electoral Commission of Zambia Full Media Briefing on Electoral Process

Ladies and gentlemen

On behalf of the Commission, I warmly welcome you all to this Media briefing and to the ECZ. We have invited you this morning to provide you with an update on a number of processes the ECZ is undertaking in preparation for the 2021 general elections.

Firstly, I wish to mention that in order to meet the deadlines ahead of the 2021 general elections in view of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Commission has had to revise its election timetable taking into consideration that the election date is enshrined in the Constitution.

The Commission carried out a critical analysis of the activities and the timeframe ahead of 12 th August 2021 when Zambia is scheduled to hold its general elections.

Allow me to also mention and remind ourselves here that the Commission has a constitutional mandate under Article 229 (2) of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No.2 of 2016, to carry out the following functions;

  1. Implement the electoral process;
  2. Conduct elections and referenda;
  3. Register voters;
  4. Settle minor electoral disputes, as prescribed;
  5. Regulate the conduct of voters and candidates;
  6. Accredit observers and election agents, as prescribed;
  7. Delimit electoral boundaries; and
  8. Perform such other functions as prescribed.

While Covid-19 has posed a challenge not only for elections, but almost every sector of life within and across nations, the Commission would like to ensure that every undertaking is in line with the law, aimed at enhancing the electoral process and delivery of credible elections that meet the aspirations of the Zambian people.

In this regard, it was important for the Commission to appreciate the covid-19 environment, including cross learning from other Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) within the region and other jurisdictions on possible best practices and how to effectively conduct elections without compromising any of the tenants of a free, fair and credible election.

As a Commission, we are still learning of how to better conduct elections in the new normal environment and remain open to all interested stakeholders to engage with the Commission on issues that may concern them, including clarifications where need be, in a bid to be inclusive and to enhance our electoral process.

May I also take this opportunity to mention that as part of implementation of the Electoral Calendar, the Commission will enhance its engagement with stakeholders (as is the case now with the Media) and has lined up the Political Party Liaison Committee Meeting next week on Tuesday 16 th June 2020, and Civil Society Briefing on Friday 19 th June 2020.

With that said, allow me to provide some key updates as follows:

DELIMITATION

The Commission commenced the Delimitation exercise in all districts across the country from July, 2019 to December 2019. Following a review of the submissions and recommendations from the stakeholders the Commission compiled a Report with recommendations on the number of Constituencies and submitted it to the executive. The Commission awaits feedback on the next step.

PRINTING OF BALLOT PAPERS

In preparation for the 2021 General Elections, the Commission advertised the tender in September, 2019 in line with the Zambia Public Procurement Act, No. 12 of 2008, Section 26 and Part VI of the Public Procurement Regulations (Statutory Instrument No. 63 of 2011) which requires that procurements of high value be conducted through open bidding.

I wish to inform you that the tender process has since been concluded, the two appeals that were before the Zambia Public Procurement Authority were reviewed and the Commission’s evaluation of the best bidder was upheld. In this regard, the tender for the printing of ballot papers for the 2021 general elections has been awarded to Al Ghurair of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

VOTER REGISTRATION

Ladies and gentlemen, the Commission planned to undertake the registration of voters in May 2020 for 60 days. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic the Commission has had to adjust the activities in the election timetable. Therefore, the commencement of Voter Registration exercise has been rescheduled to October 2020 and it will be undertaken for 30 days. The period of voter registration has reduced to 30 days from 60 due to tight timelines leading to the Elections Day which is enshrined in the Constitution.

3The Commission has reviewed stakeholder concerns and recommendations about its intention to embark on a new register of voters which targets nine million voters. The Commission undertook a thorough analysis of the situation and different scenarios of preparing the register of voters for the 2021 General Elections.

Arising from this analysis, the Commission has concluded that it would be in the best interest of all the stakeholders and the general public for the Commission to undertake a fresh registration of voters whilst ensuring that the current registered voters are still retained on provision that they present themselves for verification, update and capture of additional information required including biometric capture (10 fingerprints and portrait).

Some of the factors considered included:

  1. Post 2016 reviews and recommendations from local and international observer missions.
  2. Audit of the 2016 Register of Voters whose recommendations included a new Register of Voters for 2021 General Elections.
  3. The removal of deceased voters that may not have been declared to the Commission or traced with the available systems for removing them
  4. Implementation of the 2019 delimitation recommendations for new electoral boundaries (Constituencies, Wards, and Polling Districts including relocation and renaming of Polling Stations)
  5. Improved biometric processing (removal of duplicate records, accurate and faster identification)
  6. Accurate Election Planning and Logistics
  7. Realistic Voter Turnout statistics
  8. Capture an additional estimated 4 million new eligible voters since 2016
  9. Enhance Register Integrity and increase stakeholder confidence and credibility of the process and the outcome of the 2021 General Elections.

The Voter Registration exercise will include mobile as well as online voter registration. In this regard, every eligible voter will have to register/verify their details under the new register for the 2021 general elections. As was earlier communicated any by-election that occurs from the time the new registration process commences to a period before the 2021 general elections will be conducted under the current register of voters.

PREPAREDNESS FOR THE 2021 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Allow me to also briefly share with you some of the aspects of the electoral process that the Commission is undertaking in preparation for 2021 General elections.

Procurements of Voter registration and Election materials have reached an advanced stage. The Commission wants to ensure that both security and non-security materials are delivered on time to avert late/delayed delivery of materials to polling stations. Most procurements are currently at contract stage and clearance from the Attorney and Accountant General’s Offices.

The biggest risk the Commission faces is financing which has been adversely impacted as a result of reduced economic activities due to Covid-19 and reduce revenue generation capacity by the treasury. The Commission has continued to engage with the Treasury for funding for the Voter Registration and the 2021 general elections to ensure that we meet our set timelines and we are optimistic this will be attained.

RESULTS MANAGEMENT

The Commission remains resolute towards shortening the time within which Elections Results are announced and declared. As a reminder from our previous briefing, some of the steps undertaken include;

  • Converting streams into polling stations. This will avoid aggregation of the election results at stream level and once each stream is treated as a polling station, the Commission will announce the results for the various types of elections without having to aggregate all the streams into the polling station and then announce the results.
  • Delimitation – the delimitation will lead to the creation of new wards, and polling stations to decongest the existing ones.
  • Satellite devices will be deployed in areas where there is no GSM
    network to enhance the transmission of the results
  • Streamlining the process of results verification at the Election Results Centre to enhance efficiency.
  • Enhanced Voter Statistics – Provision of disaggregated voter turnout statistics at polling stations to enhance reporting of election results and addressing stakeholder requests.

PRISONERS VOTING

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. This entailed that the Commission in fulfilling the ruling was required to undertake Prisoners Voting for 2021 general elections.

The Commission has made steady progress towards finalization of the guidelines to facilitate for Prison Voting and are expected to conclude this by September 2020 in time for the Voter registration exercise. The next steps will involve consultations with key stakeholders especially Political Parties and non-state actors. However, I should mention that this exercise has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic as some of the activities could not be undertaken as planned.

CODE OF CONDUCT ENFORCEMENT REGULATIONS

The Commission has made progress in reviewing the Code of Conduct enforcement regulations to allow it to respond swiftly to acts in breach of the electoral code of conduct. In this regard, the Commission will determine urgent cases that come before it without the cases being brought before the Conflict Management Committee. The revised Code of conduct enforcement regulations will come into effect after being gazetted. We, therefore, call on political parties to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Code of conduct to avoid disqualification and enhance the the credibility of the elections and countries’ democratic practices.

THE THREE (3) LOCAL GOVERNMENT WARDS

Ladies and gentlemen as you may be aware the Commission recently conducted three (3) local government ward by-elections, two (2) in Mongu, and one (1) in Chilubi which was held on 9th June 2020.

I am pleased to inform you that the nominations and the polls were successfully held in the Local Government by-elections in the Nakato and Imalyo Wards of Mongu Town Council in Western Province and the Bulilo Ward of Chilubi Town Council in Northern Province. We wish to commend all the political parties that participated in the just-ended local government by-elections for the peaceful campaigns. The parties that participated were the Movement for Change and Equity (M4CE), National Restoration Party (NAREP), Patriotic Front (PF), and the United Party for National Development (UPND).

In addition to this, we have 11 Local Government by-elections scheduled for July 2020.

In conclusion, I wish to thank the media for the role you are playing in our electoral process.

With these few words, I thank you and God bless you all.

30 days Voter registration might led to 2021 Voter Apathy – Chitika

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30 days Voter registration might led to 2021 Voter Apathy – Chitika

Opposition New Hope Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) National Secretary Hon. Elizabeth Chitika has said that the proposed 30 days Voter registration might lead to a high 2021 voter apathy.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) through its Chief Electoral Officer Kryticous Nshindano yesterday announced that the Voter exercise will run for 30 days and will start on the 18th of October, 2020. He further announced that they will soon undertake a fresh registration of old Voters.

Hon. Chitika in a statement circulated to media houses this morning said that the New Hope MMD welcomed the ECZ pronouncement.

“We as the Mother of Democracy in Zambia have welcomed the long awaited pronouncements by the Electoral Commission of Zambia. The move by the commission to introduce various avenues for voter registration like Mobile and Online is long over due and a welcome move”, Hon. Chitika said.

Hon. Chitika then took a swipe at the proposed 30 days Voter registration.

“We however have a bone to chew with the commission over the proposed 30 days Voter registration. This is due to a number of reasons which include this exercise is not the usual exercise as it involves creating a New Voters Register which will aim to capture 9 million voters. Secondly, we have to bear in mind that we are living in the Post Covid 19 period and the World Health Organization has indicated that COVID 19 might be here to stay. So there is a high likelihood that it might still be around by October 18, hence a number of people might stay away from the exercise from Fear that they might get the virus whilst undertaking the exercise”, Hon. Chitika.

Hon. Chitika then called upon the Commission to increase the exercise to 90 days.

“Lastly but not the least, We as the New Hope MMD are of the view that the Commission should increase the exercise period to 90 days from the announced 30 days. We believe that within 90 days the commission can achieve it’s target of 9 million voters. Unless, they have other hidden agendas with their 30 days announcement”, Hon. Chitika said.

ERB to probe faster depletion of ZESCO units

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ERB to probe faster depletion of ZESCO units

The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) says it will investigate allegations by ZESCO customers that electricity units are depleting faster than usual.

In a statement, ERB Public Relations Manager Kwali Funi said investigations will be carried out to determine the validity of the allegations and rule out possibilities of meters having been tampered with or malfunctioning on account of age or other factors.

“As investigations progress, members of the public would be informed of the findings, either periodically or at the conclusion of the matter,” she said.

Ms Funi said the board will engage relevant ministries and suppliers to determine facts leading to the anomaly.

“A number of complaints have been received by the ERB, while various media outlets have also reported receiving similar reports, prompting responses from ZESCO on the matter.

The consumers allege that there is a noticeable difference in their consumption patterns for the same number of units and their electricity bills have gone up” she said.

She has advised ZESCO customers to report similar complaints or make inquiries on other energy matters to the ERB may through the toll free line 848.

Ndola Lime fires all workers

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Ndola Lime fires all workers

All workers at Ndola Lime Company Limited will lose their jobs on is 31st July 2020.

According to an internal memorandum signed by the interim Business Rescue Administrator Stephen Bwalya, workers will receive letters of retrenchment together with computations of amounts due to each of them.

“Kindly take note that the last day for all employees under Ndola Lime Company Limited has been set for 31st July, 2020. In this vein, all employees should expect to receive letters of retrenchment together with computations at amounts due to each employee. Further, communication shall be contained in individual letters to each employee,” Mr Bwalya said.

Oxfam donates K1 million to COVID19 Response

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Oxfam donates K1 million to COVID19 Response

Oxfam has joined government efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic in Zambia through a donation of 1 Million Kwacha to support risk communication and public health promotion.

Oxfam has contributed 80 Megaphones, 50 pedal-operated handwashing buckets and 135 dignity kits, production of IEC materials and airtime on radio stations across the country.

The Megaphones will support public health promotion in communities while the handwashing buckets will be distributed to schools on the Copperbelt, Central and Lusaka Provinces.

Further, to lessen the care burden and ensure safeguarding, the dignity kits will go to female patients in isolation and treatment facilities.

Speaking when receiving the donations, the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary – Administration Ms Kakulubelwa Mulalelo commended Oxfam for its efforts in partnering with government to fight the spread of the coronavirus in Zambia.

She said the ministry will ensure that the donated items reach the intended beneficiaries.

Oxfam in Zambia Country Director Dailes Judge said, “Today we are pleased to complement government efforts in fighting the coronavirus by contributing 80 megaphones, 135 dignity kits and 50 pedal handwashing basins and K60,000 worth of radio airtime. This is in addition to printing IEC materials and public health promotion messaging on community radio stations across the country. All the efforts are worth 1 Million Kwacha.”

Ms Judge said that at the global level Oxfam is working with multilateral institutions to restructure debt and develop significant stimulus packages that ensure that governments including Zambia do not contract more debt as a result of the pandemic.

Oxfam in Zambia works with smallholder farmers, resource governance and accountability, women’s rights and humanitarian interventions.

Government publishes the Constitution Amendment Bill number 10 to stop speculations

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Government publishes the Constitution Amendment Bill number 10 to stop speculations

The government has published the Constitution Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019 in Gazette number 12 of June 12, 2020.

Justice Minister, Given Lubinda, says this is to stop the peddling of misinformation among citizens.

Speaking during a press briefing where he presented the gazetted version of the Constitution Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019 in Lusaka today, Mr. Lubinda urged the public to read the Bill to give themselves comfort and assurance.

He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment of ensuring trust and consensus building in the legislative process.

And, Mr. Lubinda said Bill 10 has been the most inclusive and comprehensive Constitutional refinement process in the country’s political history.

He said the process lasted longer for any stakeholder to make their submissions, making calls for the withdrawal of the Bill unwarranted.

Mr Lubinda said the government is shocked to hear renewed skepticism on Bill 10 despite having given confidence to everyone that the parliamentary select Committee recommendations would be incorporated in the new constitution.

He appealed to all members of Parliament not to deny their electorates and Zambians in general their wisdom.

Mr. Lubinda wondered whether those calling for the withdraw of Bill 10 are concerned about issues that were raised when they pushed for the refinement of the Constitution.

He said such people are Not true to their conscious that the country should undergo similar circumstances of Presidential petitions after the 2021 elections.

US President Donald Trump Authorises Sanctions against the International Criminal Court

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US President Donald Trump Authorises Sanctions against the International Criminal Court

United States President Donald Trump on Thursday authorized sanctions and additional visa restrictions against International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”) personnel in order to stop the organisation from carrying out an investigation into potential war crimes by US military and intelligence officials.

Under the new executive order, any individuals who “have directly engaged in any effort by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute any United States personnel without the consent of the United States” or have attempted the same against a US ally without that country’s consent may be subject to sanctions.

The latest move comes months after the ICC authorized a probe into alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan by US and Afghan forces as well as alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Taliban. It also follows a push by the court’s Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to investigate potential crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinians — a prospect about which Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said they were “gravely concerned.”

And in reaction to the Sanctions, ICC said that it expresses profound regret at the announcement of further threats and coercive actions, including financial measures, against the Court and its officials, made earlier today by the Government of the United States.

The ICC stands firmly by its staff and officials and remains unwavering in its commitment to discharging, independently and impartially, the mandate bestowed upon it by the Rome Statute and the States that are party to it.

These are the latest in a series of unprecedented attacks on the ICC, an independent international judicial institution, as well as on the Rome Statute system of international criminal justice, which reflects the commitment and cooperation of the ICC’s 123 States Parties, representing all regions of the world.

These attacks constitute an escalation and an unacceptable attempt to interfere with the rule of law and the Court’s judicial proceedings. They are announced with the declared aim of influencing the actions of ICC officials in the context of the Court’s independent and objective investigations and impartial judicial proceedings.

An attack on the ICC also represents an attack against the interests of victims of atrocity crimes, for many of whom the Court represents the last hope for justice.

As it continues to meet its mandated responsibilities, the Court relies on the staunch support and cooperation of its States Parties. The Court wishes to recall, in this context, yesterday’s joint statement (https://bit.ly/3ffJMxD) from the ten ICC States Parties members of the UN Security Council, reconfirming their “unwavering support for the Court as an independent and impartial judicial institution,” as well as the press statement (https://bit.ly/2B4jpvL) issued earlier today by the President of the Assembly of States Parties.

Chairperson of the House of Chiefs calls for the support of Bill Number 10

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Chairperson of the House of Chiefs calls for the support of Bill Number 10

Chairperson of the House of Chiefs, Chief Kaputa is calling on Members of Parliament to support the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019 when it is tabled for second reading in parliament.

Chief Kaputa says there has been a lot of effort to de-campaign Bill 10 further misleading some unsuspecting members of the public.

The Traditional Leader has demanded that all Members of Parliament both from the opposition and the ruling Party should stand resolute and perform their civic duties diligently on behalf of the people who voted for them.

He said this is the most civilised way of dealing with governance matters and giving an opportunity to the citizenly to be enlightened about the intended contents of Bill 10 to the governance of the nation.

Chief Kaputa emphasised that the Members of Parliament should ensure that they debate the contents of the Bill in the House in and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the Bill.

He said at a media briefing in Lusaka that some Members of Parliament have deliberately not explained the contents of Bill 10 to the citizenry in their constituencies, hence leaving room for misinformation and speculations.

ECZ Unveils Plans for the 2021 General Elections, People in Diaspora will not be allowed to Vote

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ECZ Unveils Plans for the 2021 General Elections, People in Diaspora will not be allowed to Vote

Electoral Commission of Zambia Chief Electoral Officer, Patrick Nshindano has announced that the voter registration exercise will commence on 18th October 2020 ahead of the 2021 general elections.

Mr Nshindano said the exercise will be undertaken for 30 days nationwide.

Addressing Journalists at a media briefing in Lusaka, Mr Nshindano said the Commission has also reviewed stakeholder concerns and recommendations about its intensions to embark of a new register of voters targeting 9 million voters.

He revealed that the budget for the voter registration has been reduced from about K800 million to K600 million and continues to be in touch with the treasury.

Mr Nshindano said the Commission has further maintained Al Ghurair of Dubai to Print 2021 Ballot Papers after two companies requested that Commission review the awarding of the contract to the company.

He added that people in the Diaspora will not be allowed to vote in 2021 but will be considered in future elections.

Mr Nshindano said in order to meet the deadlines ahead of the 2021 General elections in view of the COVID-19, the Commission has had to revise the election time table taking into consideration that the election date is enshrined in the republican constitution.

He said the Commission carried out a critical analysis of the activities and the time ahead of the 12th August 2021 when Zambia is scheduled to hold the general elections.

Mr Nshindano says reports of plans to reschedule the elections are untrue because such is a constitutional matter.

And Mr Nshindano has indicated that Prisoners will also vote in the forthcoming General Elections and that the commission has made steady progress in this regard.

UZI Zambia Limited formally withdraws from the Mobile Market

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UZI Zambia Limited formally withdraws from the Mobile Market

UZI Zambia Limited has formally written to the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) informing them that they will not be entering the market following the expiry of their extension.

In May 2020, Uzi requested for further extension for a period of 120 days which was rejected by ZICTA.

Following the issuance of Licenses in September 2018, Uzi was required to commence operations by March 2019 but in February 2019 requested ZICTA for an extension of the commencement date which extension was granted up to November 2019.

However, in November 2019, Uzi requested for a further extension on grounds that it preferred to roll out 5G as opposed to 4G for which the spectrum was allocated.

Uzi added that the roll out was dependent on confirmation of availability of spectrum in order to allow the manufacture the necessary 5G equipment.

ZICTA granted Uzi’s request for the extension up to May 2020 on condition that UZI submits monthly progress reports to ZICTA to include among others implementation of the roll out plan, update on contacts with vendors and update of acquisition of equipment.

Announcing the development in a statement, Minister of Transport and Communications Mutotwe Kafwaya assured the nation that government remains committed and open to ensuring that there is enough competition in the telecommunications sector.

Mr Kafwaya said it is still Government’s policy to enhance completion in the ICT sector for the benefit of the Zambian people.

He directed ZICTA to go back to the market following the laid down procedures and identify a player who is willing to invest in the country as a 4th mobile operator.

Mr Kafwaya said government will support the process to enhance competition and promote improved quality of service and lower the tariff for the benefit of the Zambian people.

Militarisation of Zambia Police

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Militarisation of Zambia Police

At a time when some countries are demanding demilitarisation and de-politicisation of their police forces the Zambia Police Service is heading in the opposite direction.

The Police is acquiring combat vehicles,military weapons including grenade launchers,camouflage uniforms (do they need camouflage for civil operations?).Now they dress like some rebel force in Latin America,there appears to be no dress code.

Zambia Police now dress like some rebel force in Latin America

While the whole world is campaigning for defunding the police,we are pouring more funds for the police to “fight” the offshoots of poverty and lack of political space.The police have surrendered their authority to party cadres and the IGs speeches appear scripted from the ruling party Secretariat.
The police unashamedly delight in dehumanising the people.How can a senior police officer threaten to break the bones of people peacefully exercising their constitutional rights? Even “lawmakers” from the ruling party echo this! A country calling itself a Christian country led by a lawyer deserves better.

By G.Soko

Bill 10 is a bad piece of legislation and it stinks-Msoni

Chief Editor
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Bill 10 is a bad piece of legislation and it stinks-Msoni

All People’s Congress Leader Nason Msoni has condemned the PF leadership and their surrogates for resorting to attacking the church and the bishops for demanding the withdrawal of the Constitution Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019.

Mr Msoni says undoubtedly, Bill 10 is a bad piece of legislation and it stinks.

He says constitutional matters are not a personal preserve or private issue but are everyone’s business and to arrogantly assert that the bishops should concentrate on church matters is in essence displaying ignorance and lack of understanding of the important role that the church plays in the life of a nation.

Mr Msoni says a good piece of legislation to amend the constitution should be one that is people-driven and consensus built around it with all stakeholders.

“The uncouth venomous tirade thrown to the church and the bishops by the Minister of Justice Given Lubinda is unacceptable and absolutely shocking and shameful. We think that decency demands that he should withdraw his statement and apologise to the church and the bishops”, says Mr. Msoni.

He added that the intended amendment to the constitution is not a private affair or a PF matter but is a national affair.

Mr Msoni says it is absolutely shameful and naive to openly assert that the church should stay away from speaking against the wrongs and injustice in society.

He said the God given role of the church is not just about spiritual guidance but speaking out openly for the weak and the vulnerable in society.

“We think that it is extremely being narrow minded for the PF leadership to only remember the relevance of the church in times of desperation for votes”, he added.

Mr Msoni said abusing the church and the bishops on a poorly crafted bad piece of legislation will not help the PF leadership and those who are dangerously desperate on clinging onto political office with nothing to offer Zambians save for personal aggrandisement.

“It is common sense to everyone that when you offer money to Members of Parliament to solicit for a vote on a particular bill in parliament in essence even you the prime mover of this Bill recognise that it is a bad piece of legislation hence paying out money corruptly for the numbers”, said Mr Msoni.

He said the whole Bill 10 stinks deception and skullduggery and as such must be withdrawn forthwith adding that a proposed bad piece of legislation cannot be fixed by abusing and threatening those opposed to the bill.

He has urged the PF government to inculcate civility and dignity in their desperate push for bill no 10.

DEC raid Football House

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DEC raid Football House

Operations at the Football House were on 11 June 2020 partially paralyzed after officers from the Drug Enforcement Commission raided the offices.

The DEC officers descended on the institution Thursday afternoon and got away with a laptop and CPU from the office of the General Secretary Adrian Kashala and a desktop from his personal assistant.

FAZ Communications Manager Sydney Mungala confirmed the development and said FAZ officials fully cooperated with the DEC officers and have pledged full compliance with the law enforcement agencies.

Mungala said officers from the Drug Enforcement Commission presented a search warrant looking for drugs and narcotics and other related substances.

He said FAZ is however disturbed by the nature of the operations conducted by DEC especially that it has set the benchmark of conducting its business above board.

“As FAZ we wish to reiterate that we operate on an open door policy and remain available to whoever wishes to seek information within the law”, said Mungala.

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