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The government has stressed that all the country’s fundamentals of governance such as the rule of law, transparency, accountability, economic, political and social stability are intact and functional.
Acting Chief Government Spokesperson, Stephen Kampyongo says this is contrary to opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema that the country’s economic and governance systems have broken down.
Mr. Kampyongo says it is NOT unusual for Mr. Hichilema to paint the country black because he is a sadist, who sees nothing good about his own country.
He says Mr. Hichilema is under a misguided view that he alone has a monopoly of wisdom when he is not.
Mr. Kampyongo, who is also Home Affairs Minister told ZNBC News, that listening to Mr. Hichilema’s Press briefing there is nothing that Mr Hichilema has to offer as the government is on course in implementing various measures to turn the country’s economy around.
He said it is also wishful thinking for Mr. Hichilema to assert that an early election is necessary to get the country out of the current economic challenges.
Mr. Kampyongo said Mr. Hichilema’s allegations of Zambia being a police State is baseless and targeted at the Perceived international sympathizers.
He said that the fact that Mr. Hichilema and his party functionaries are able to hold press conferences and go around the country to address public meetings and rallies is proof that Zambia’s political environment is democratic in which all stakeholders are free to participate.
Mr. Kampyongo, however, said this does not mean people should act outside the law in their political discourse.
He said that Mr. Hichilema is an unpatriotic Zambian and should desist from making wild allegations against government officials.
Mr. Kampyongo said that Mr. Hichilema should report any such allegations to the law enforcement agencies if he has evidence instead of playing to the gallery.
He said that Government under President Edgar Lungu reaffirms it’s committed to working tirelessly improving the welfare of the Zambians people.
Mr. Kampyongo said this is being done through honest acknowledgment and assessment of the challenges at hand and will NOT fantasize over the lives of Zambians.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Communications Manager Mwazipeza Chanda has quit her position.
FAZ Secretary General Adrian Kashala has confirmed the development in a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Kashala said that FAZ and Chanda have agreed to part ways on mutual consent effective January 31, 2020.
Chanda joined FAZ in April, 2019 and became the first ever woman Communications Manager in the history of the local soccer governing body.
Kashala thanked Chanda for the service rendered to the Association and wished her well in her future endeavors.
The FAZ Secretary General said all communications will be handled under the office of the Deputy General Secretary Mr Joseph Chimpampwe once Chanda leaves at the end of January 2020.
The European Investment Bank has disbursed 21.9 million Euro to clear contractor arrears for works done on the Great East Road between Luangwa Bridge and Mwami Border Post in Eastern Province.
This brings to 61.9 million Euro, the total disbursements made to date on the 80 million euro project.
The outstanding balance of EURO 18.1 million will be accessed from the EIB once the on-going tender processes for construction of the Chipata Dry Port and weigh bridges for the Great East Road are concluded.
Meanwhile, the African Development Bank has written to the Ministry of Finance to confirm it’s lifting of the temporal disbursement sanctions that were imposed on Zambia.
This follows the clearance of a delayed obligation of US$1.4 million to the Bank.
Commenting on these developments, Minister of Finance Dr. Bwalya Ng’andu has thanked the EIB for disbursing the funds that were committed for the Great East Road Rehabilitation Project.
“The Zambian Government remains committed to implementation of the medium term debt management strategy and will apply it’s best efforts to ensure that foreign debt obligations are cleared as they fall due,” added the Minister.
Dr Ng’andu has thanked all cooperating partners for their support during the year and for their commitment to the high-level policy dialogue process in the quest to strengthen their development cooperation with Zambia.
This is according to a statement issued to the Media by Ministry of Finance spokesperson Chileshe Kandeta
Spokesperson.
The African Development Bank has written to the Ministry of Finance to confirm it’s lifting of the temporal disbursement sanctions that were imposed on Zambia.
This follows the clearance of a delayed obligation of US1.4 million to the Bank.
And the European Investment Bank has disbursed EURO 21.9 million to clear contractor arrears for works done on the Great East Road between Luangwa Bridge and Mwami Border Post in Eastern Province.
This brings to EURO 61.9 million, the total disbursements made to date on the EURO 80 million project.
The outstanding balance of EURO 18.1 million will be accessed from the EIB once the on-going tender processes for construction of the Chipata Dry Port and weigh bridges for the Great East Road are concluded.
the African Development Bank has written to the Ministry of Finance to confirm it’s lifting of the temporal disbursement sanctions that were imposed on Zambia.
This follows the clearance of a delayed obligation of US1.4 million to the Bank.
Commenting on these developments, Minister of Finance Dr. Bwalya Ng’andu has thanked the EIB for disbursing the funds that were committed for the Great East Road Rehabilitation Project.
“The Zambian Government remains committed to implementation of the medium term debt management strategy and will apply it’s best efforts to ensure that foreign debt obligations are cleared as they fall due,” added the Minister.
Dr Ng’andu has thanked all cooperating partners for their support during the year and for their commitment to the high-level policy dialogue process in the quest to strengthen their development cooperation with Zambia.
George Lwandamina insists winless Zesco United can clinch a top two 2019/2020 CAF Champions League quarterfinal qualification spot from Group A .
Zesco on Saturday fought back at home in Ndola to hold five-time African champions Zamalek of Egypt 1-1 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
That result left Zesco third with 2 points from three games, five points behind leaders and DR Congo giants TP Mazembe and another two points adrift of second placed Zamalek.
Zesco are tied on 2 points with Premiero de Agosto of Angola who are last in Group A on goal difference.
Zesco now have a big test on January 10 when they visit Zamalek in a match they must not lose or could see their Group A hopes dash with two games left thereafter.
“The league is still open. We may have two away games from home but I am sure we can pull a surprise. I am sure Zesco is a team that can do well even away from home, so we are still there,” Lwandamina said.
“I am not a good mathematician to say we have 70 percent or 88 percent chances, but chances are still overwhelming. This is football.”
But Zesco have just one home game left after collecting just one point in Ndola following 2-1 loss to five-time African champions Mazembe there on December 7 after kicking off their Group A campaign witha 1-1 away draw against Agosto in Luanda on November 30
Zesco host Agosto in their penultimate group fixture on January 25 before closing their Group A campaign with a short drive to Lubumbashi on February 1 to face Mazembe.
Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba is not happy with Sundays’ 0-0 away draw in Benin against ESAE at Porto Novo.
The result left Zanaco still winless in the group stages of the 2019/20 CAF Confederation Cup but are also unbeaten from the knockout rounds where they won all four home and away fixtures.
Sunday’s draw also handed hosts ESAE their first 1 point at the league stage after losing their first two Group B matches.
“This is a game we would have won easily had we been responsible at goal. This is a game we dominated almost the entire 90 minutes but unfortunately we were not responsible enough to convert the chances we had especially in the first half. Otherwise on our part, it is not a good result,” Numba said.
“Football is about scoring and if you don’t score, then you don’t get a result. We came here for an outright win that would have put us in a better position to reach the quarterfinals.”
With three games left to play, Zanaco stay third in Group B on 3 points, one less than DC Motema Pembe of DR Congo and four points adrift of leaders RSB Berkane who beat the former 3-0 on Sunday in Morocco.
Zanaco must now beat ESAE on January 12 in Lusaka to enhance their chances, but most critically, before they host DCMP in their penultimate Group B match on January 26.
The top two finishers qualify to the quarterfinals.
WEEKEND SCORECARD
2019/2020 CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
GROUP A
27/12/2019
-Estádio 11 de Novembro, Luanda
Premiero de Agosto 1(Mabululo 12′)-TP Mazembe 1(Rainford Kalaba 8′)
28/12/2019
-Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola
Zesco United 1(Quadri Kola 81′)-Zamalek 1(Mostafa Abdalla 71′)
2019/2020 CAF CONFEDERATION CUP
GROUP B
29/12/2019
-Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto-Novo
ESAE 0-Zanaco 0
-Stade Municipal de Berkane, Berkane
RSB Berkane 3(Alain Traore 29′, Zaid Krouch 41′, Hamdi Laachir 67′)-DC MOtema Pembe 0
2019/2020 FAZ SUPER DIVISION
WEEK 15
28/12/2019
Power Dynamos 1(Fredrick Mulambia 23′)-Napsa Stars 0
FILE: President Edgar Lungu Shake hands with then PS Chanda Kasolo at the fundraising dinner Protea Hotel in Chipata
Former Information and Broadcasting Minister Chanda Kasolo was fired this morning by President Edgar Lungu for what the president termed as giving contrary focus to a statement by State House on the proposed reduction of salaries of high income earners in the public service.
President Lungu through his Spokesperson, Isaac Chipampe directed that top bracket earners in the public service should suffer a reduction in their salaries to cushion the impact of the vulnerable during this economic crisis.
But Kasolo said the directive was voluntary as contractual and legal obligations would restrict the directive.
Mr. Kasolo who confirmed his dismissal in an interview Monday morning said he received a letter from the head of state last night.
“Hello everyone, I have had my contract terminated following my radio and tv showing last night regarding the Directive to cut salaries.” “I really enjoyed working with you. God bless and please give your support to the incoming PS. Love you all,” Mr. Kasolo.
He has since thanked President Edgar Lungu for allowing him serve under his reign.
UPND Parliamentary whip and Liuwa Member of Parliament Situmbeko Musokotwane
By: Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane – Economics and Finance Chairman – UPND
28th December 2019
Two days after the 2019 Christmas, President Lungu announced that he is voluntarily cutting his salary. Along side this, he has directed the Secretary to Cabinet to cut salaries of non-unionized civil servants as well as some parastatal heads. The President’s intention is to use the money so saved to assist Zambians who are stressed by the prevailing harsh economic environment.
The response from the United Party for National Development (UPND) follows below.
As a preliminary point, the President cannot unilaterally cut salaries for individuals. The law does not permit him to do so. However, some money for the same purpose may be gathered by compelling those ministers who remained in office illegally after the dissolution of Parliament in 2016 to pay back the benefits that they derived over the period. The legal judgements for these payments to be made have been in place for years and it just requires political will to be implemented.
Getting back to the main issue driving the President’s desire to cut salaries, its good to know that he is aware that people are undergoing unprecedented suffering under his leadership. In looking for solutions to the sufferings however, we must understand the nature of the suffering and what has caused it. Unless you have answers to these two questions you are at risk of prescribing wrong solutions to the wrong problems, as the President has done.
Mr. President people are indeed suffering. The most critical type the suffering is that the cost of living has escalated beyond anyone’s imagination. Let’s give examples from the bare basics. Maize meal, our staple food is above K170 per 25kg bag in many places of the country. PF found the price of the commodity at less than K40 in 2011.
Petroleum fuel which has major influence on the transportation costs of goods was around K5.50 per liter in 2011. Now it is above K16 depending on the exact type. The US dollar Kwacha exchange rate, another key determinant of virtual all imported goods and services was around K5. Last week it escalated to nearly K16 before it gained back; even though the fundamentals still suggest more depreciation.
We can go on and on itemizing goods and services that have escalated in prices but that is not necessary. Just know that the cost of living has escalated. Over this same period, employees have had minimal increases in salaries and wages. For civil servants this ending year they have had less than 10 percent of salary increments. In 2020, they will not have any increments at all because there is no such provision in the tight budget.
Employees in the private sector are also suffering from stagnant salaries and wages amidst the ever-rising cost of living. Most of their employers are struggling to keep afloat. When they try to increase the cost of the goods and services that they sell to reflect increased costs like electricity tariffs, weak Kwacha exchange rates etc. they find themselves failing to sell because their customers don’t have the money to pay higher prices. So, employee salaries remain stagnant because the employers are unable to increase them. In many cases, employees are even losing jobs because employers are forced to lay them off just to survive.
The suffering of the people is country wide. Rural and urban provinces are equally affected. This suffering is in great contrast to what the Zambians expected to live under PF because your party promised them more money in their pockets. In contrast, never before have Zambians experienced so much money escaping from their pockets.
Given this situation, Mr. President, how does your solution improve the lives of the people of Zambia? When you cut your salary and those of your senior managers, how will such an act lower the price of mealie meal country wide? Or, are you convinced that the relatively little money thus saved can be distributed to the millions who are starving so that they are enabled to afford maize meal?
Will it be enough to feed the millions that are near starvation in the Western, Southern, Central, Lusaka and parts of Eastern Provinces where there is unprecedented drought induced famine this past season? Will your solution stabilize the exchange rate or lower the electricity tariffs or make electricity available? The answer is no.
We know the government uses the excuse of drought all the time to explain the current suffering. But this is not the first time Zambia is experiencing drought and it will certainly not be the last. Nor is Zambia the only southern African country that suffered drought. The problems manifesting now stem from poor governance in our country, especially in the economic arena.
The biggest cause of the suffering is the debt crisis that has befallen our country. Nearly all of the government budget is just for paying salaries and debt service. Here are a few illustrative points on debt service and the suffering.
When there was drought and poor harvest in past years the government used to import maize to augment the local stocks. This kept the price of food within affordable range. This time government can’t import maize because there is no money. It has gone to debt service.
In the past government used to import electricity and pay for it through ZESCO. This time round both government and ZESCO have huge debts to pay so they can’t import even if it was available.
Debt service has caused the exchange rate of the Kwacha to depreciate and will continue to do so. This is causing misery and it will continue to do so
Debt service has drained away money from the economy, making it hard for business to survive
Clearly the cuts in salaries of government officials will not address these debt servicing induced problems.
Finally, there are a few things the government can do to moderate the suffering of the people even as the debt servicing problems remain. Once again here are a few examples:
The government should immediately stop enticing councilors from opposition strong holders to resign from their positions thereby causing bye elections. Since 2016, on average there have been bye elections after every two months. A few have been caused by deaths. The majority however have been caused by opposition councilors resigning after being induced to do so by the government. Elections are very expensive. They take away resources from more deserving areas like feeding the hungry, providing money for Constituency Development Fund and many other causes.
Reduce government travel especially the Presidential trips which are very expensive
Re-consider the need of existing facilities such as the Presidential jet which demands expensive debt service arrangements
Put on hold some planned loans for unjustifiably expensive projects such as the Lusaka Ndola dual highway.
In conclusion, UPND takes the position that the salary cuts from senior public employees do not address the real source of the economic misery that Zambians are going through. The real source of the problems are the debt crisis and very bad utilization of the little resources that remain after debt servicing.
UPND will elaborate on these more fundamental solutions very soon. As of now, it is pointless to inflict pain on a few people for no real gain at all. At the individual levels, the senior public employees may have running financial commitments based on what they believed were their income streams for the next few years. They may have loans to service or school fees to pay. Why punish them for no social gains?
The Movement for Multi-Party Democracy has no president and its time we went for a Convention to elect one, says Raphael Nakacinda.
And Mr. Nakacinda says he is still MMD National Secretary according to the party Constitution or stands as MMD Spokesperson if one is to follow the 5th November 2019 Court Judgement.
Speaking during a live Radio program on Pan African Radio last night, Mr. Nakacinda said as it stands after the November judgement passed by High Court through Judge Newa, the party has no president because the term for Nevers Mumba who was restored as President came to an end.
“All of us should be given an opportunity to go and seek our mandates at the Convention… There’s no President in MMD today,” he said.
He said since the Court considered or declared the 2016 convention that elected Felix Mutati as MMD President, him as National Secretary among others to office as null and void, it left the party with no President as Dr. Mumba does not qualify to be reinstated as party President because his term ended.
“If we are to follow the November judgement, I am Spokesperson of my party the MMD. But since we have appealed and the matter has gone back to court, I still retain my Position of National Secretary that I held when I was elected by Members of the MMD in Kabwe,” he said.
He wondered why people should not refer to him as MMD National Secretary when he appealed the decision of the High Court to the Court of Appeal when Nevers Mumba and his faction had continued calling themselves MMD President among other Portifolios when the matter was still in Court.
Mr. Nakacinda mentains that it is his legal right to appeal what he considers as an unfair or erroneous judgement and will wait for the Court to render a judgement in the matter.
Asked of who would be President of the Party should the judgement go his way now that Felix Mutati pulled out of the fight for Party Presidency, Mr. Nakacinda said the party has capable office bearers that would lead it for a Convention to elect new leadership.
“Never been time that the MMD lacked leadership and members. 2016 saw the election of a President, two Vice Presidents and National Secretary among others. So we cannot run without leadership as we have those positions intact, except for the Presidency,” said Mr. Nakacinda.
Mr. Nakacinda further revealed that he has had a conversation with with Mr. Felix Mutati who told him that he was not ready and willing to continue fighting for MMD despite him too not accepting the November Court Judgment.
And when asked where his allegiance was to, the MMD Member and nominated Member of Parliament said his allegiance was to the President of Zambia and the people.
He however said he fully supports policies of MMD, his party, and of Patriotic Front, the governing party, which he and the MMD as a party worked with and supported in the 2015 and 2016 elections.
“My allegiance is to the President of the Republic of Zambia. I swore to protect and defend the Constitution of Zambia and pay full allegiance to the President of Zambia,” he affirmed.
On speculations that his continued fight for the MMD was funded by the governing Party, the PF, the Lawmaker said it was funded by well wishers as the tradition has been from inception.
He is hopeful that the MMD once restored to his side by the Courts and well managed by a National Executive Committee which could be elected should elections be held in 2020, the party would get back to power.
The Member of Parliament who is the Chairperson of the Select Committee appointed to scrutinize the Constitution Amendment Bil number 10 of 2019, further asked Members of Parliament to support Bill 10 as it gets back to Parliament early 2020 for further debate.
He hoped Bill 10 will be supported by Members of Parliament as it has encompassed all views from the public made at different foras including the Siavonga Political Party’s Secretary Generals meeting, ZCID National Democracy Stakeholders Summit (NDSS).
Margaret Chimanse, the Manager Public Relations at Electoral Commission of Zambia
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has prescribed 13th February, 2020 as the date on which to hold the Chilubi Constituency Parliamentary By-election in Chilubi District of Northern Province.
On the same date, the Commission will also conduct three Local Government Ward By-elections in Nachikungu Ward of Kalomo Town Council in Southern Province, Kakwacha Ward of Mitete Town Council and Kaande Ward of Mongu Municipal Council in Western Province.
The Election in Chilubi Constituency has been necessitated following the death of incumbent area Member of Parliament Honourable Rosaria Fundanga on Wednesday 20th November, 2019.
The vacancies in, Nachikungu, Kakwacha and Kaande Wards were as a result of resignations of councillors.
Margaret Chimanse, the Commission Public Relations Manager said the polls will take place from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours.
Ms Chimanse said the aspiring candidates in the by-elections should lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed before a Magistrate, Local Court Magistrate, Head of a Government Primary or Secondary School, Principal of a College, Commissioner of Oaths, Election Officer or Returning Officer on Thursday, 16th January, 2020 between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours.
She said aspiring candidates for the Parliamentary By-election in Chilubi Constituency should take along with them 15 supporters who must be registered voters in the said
Constituency.
Ms Chimanse said the supporters must have in their possession their Green National Registration Cards and Voters’ Cards.
She she added that aspiring candidates for the Parliamentary By-election will be required to pay K7,500, non-refundable nomination fee.
Ms Chimanse added that aspiring candidates in the Local Government Ward By-elections should take along with them 9 supporters who must be registered voters in the affected wards. Aspiring candidates will be required to pay K750 for City and Municipal Councils and K400 for District Councils, non-refundable nomination fee.
FILE: PF Secretary General Davies Mwila making the party’s submission to the parliamentary select committee on the Constitutional Amendment Bill
The Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to scrutinise the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019 has observed that most of the stakeholders who appeared before it was in support of the Bill, although, in some instances, the stakeholders proposed several amendments.
According to the report published by the Committee, the stakeholders noted that the Bill was meant to cure and address the various lacunae created by the 2016 amendment to the Constitution.
The Committee further observed that a few stakeholders did not support the Bill and called for its withdrawal citing the lack of broad consultation in the current constitution-making process, which they said was cardinal if the Constitution was to stand the test of time.
The stakeholders further contended that the current process had departed from the initial objective of attending to lacunae created by the 2016 amendment to the Constitution to proposing major changes and, therefore, required further consultation.
The Committee, however, notes that even these stakeholders identified areas of concern in the Bill and made their respective proposals which have been incorporated in the Committee’s report.
Having received the submissions as above, the Committee observed that the Bill has attended to the various lacunae that arose from the amendment of the Constitution.
In supporting the Bill, the Committee said most stakeholders were in support of the amendment to replace the word “multi-religious” in the Preamble with the word “Christian” and Committee agrees with the stakeholders that the amendment will remove the ambiguity in the current Constitution, which gives the Republic two contradictory religious identities.
The Committee notes that replacing the word “multi-religious” with the word “Christian” will create the much-needed identity which will form the basis for formulating the values and principles upon which the Constitution will be anchored.
The Committee, however, does not agree with the concern by some stakeholders that the amendment discriminates against non-Christians because the Constitution provides enough safeguards such as Article 19 of the Bill of Rights, which guarantees every person freedom of conscience.
The Committee has since recommended that the Preamble be amended to replace the word “multi-religious” with the word “Christian”.
On Amendment of Article 8 on National Values and Principles, the Committee observed that the majority of stakeholders supported the amendment for “Christian morality and ethics” to be included as one of the national values and principles but observed that Article 9 requires the national values and principles to be used in interpreting the Constitution, laws and government policies.
The Committee, therefore, agrees with the stakeholders that submitted that including Christian morality and ethics as a national value and principle would create difficulties interpreting the law and government policies and recommended that Christian morality and ethics should not be included as a national value and principle.
On the Amendment of Article 47 on the Electoral systems, almost all stakeholders that appeared before the committee supported the amendment to change the electoral system to the National Assembly from the first-past-the-post system to a mixed-member system.
The Committee acknowledged that the mixed-member electoral system, which combines the first-past-the-post electoral system with the proportional representation system, is ideal for enhancing the participation of marginalised groups in the governance of the country and agreed with the stakeholders that the mixed member system be adopted for elections to the National Assembly.
The Committee has recommended that the mixed-member system be adopted for elections to the National Assembly, but that the system should be clearly defined in the Constitution.
And on the Amendment of Article 63 on Functions of Parliament and National Assembly, the Committee expressed concern with regard to this amendment which removes the National Assembly’s function of approving public debt before it is contracted and approving international agreements and treaties before they are acceded to or ratified by the Executive.
The Committee agrees with stakeholders that this amendment should be rejected as it weakens the oversight role of the National Assembly over the Executive, which is the cornerstone of a democratic dispensation and recommended that the current provisions of Article 63 (2) (d) and (e) of the Constitution be maintained.
The Committee further recommended that Article 63(2) be further amended to mandate the National Assembly to also approve the Executive’s withdrawal from international agreements and treaties.
Meanwhile, on Clause 15 on repealing and Replacement of Article 68: Election and composition of National Assembly the Committee is also concerned about the repeal of Article 68 and the consequent relegation of provisions relating to the election, and composition of the National Assembly to an Act of Parliament.
The Committee is of the view that the composition of the National Assembly,
including the number of Members of Parliament, is fundamental and should not be relegated to an Act of Parliament where it can easily be revised.
The committee has recommended that the provisions of Article 68 should be retained in the Constitution in order to be insulated from frequent amendments.
On Articles 69, 70, 71 and 72 on Nominated Members of Parliament, Qualifications and Disqualifications of Members of Parliament, Nominations for elections to National Assembly and vacation of office as Member of Parliament and dissolution of political party, the Committee observed that this amendment relegates the provisions pertaining to a nominated Member of Parliament, qualifications and disqualifications for election as a Member as well as the vacation of office of a Member of Parliament to an Act of Parliament.
The Committee is concerned that this will make these provisions susceptible to frequent amendment. With respect to Article 70 (d), which provides for qualifications and disqualifications of
Members of Parliament, the Committee agreed with stakeholder recommendations that this
clause be maintained, but amended so that the reference to “a grade 12 certificate” is substituted with “school certificate”.
Regarding Article 72, which provides for vacation of office as Member of Parliament and dissolution of a political party, the Committee also agrees with stakeholders that the Article be maintained, but amended to provide for all possible forms of floor crossing as a basis for vacation of office. Additionally, Article 72(5) should be amended to provide for a Member of Parliament who has been expelled from the political party on whose party ticket he was elected to the National Assembly to continue to hold his or her seat until the matter has been heard and determined by the courts of law.
The Committee, therefore, recommended that the provisions relating to nominated Members of Parliament, qualifications and disqualification be retained in the Constitution and further recommended that Article 72 should be amended to provide for all possible forms of floor crossing as a basis for vacation of office by a Member of Parliament.
And on Article 81: Term and prorogation of Parliament, the Committee said most stakeholders were not in support of this amendment, which provides for the term of Parliament to be five complete years, from the time Members of Parliament are sworn in after a general election up to the day of the next general election.
The Committee notes that the amendment is intended to address the apparent conflict between Article 81(1), that prescribes the term of office of a Member of Parliament to be five (5) years and Article 81(3), which provides for dissolution of Parliament ninety (90) days prior to a general election.
The Committee further notes that the prorogation of Parliament before the expiry of the five years constitutes a breach of contract and, therefore, is of the view that Members should be remunerated for the 90 day period from the dissolution of Parliament up to the holding of elections.
Additionally, the Committee notes the submission by one of the stakeholders that the current campaign period of 90 days is too long and should be reduced to 60 days.
The Committee agrees with this and is further concerned that 90 days is too long a period for the country to lack Members of Parliament. In view of this, the Committee agrees with the stakeholder that the National Assembly should be dissolved 60 days before the elections.
The Committee, therefore, recommended that Article 81 be amended to provide for the National Assembly to be dissolved at least 60 days before the next general election and for Members of Parliament to be remunerated for the full five-year term.
File:Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo urges Germany Ambassador to Zambia Achim Burkart to stop inciting an unnecessary uproar in the Country as reported by an online publication
President Lungu has terminated the contract of Mr.Chanda Kasolo as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting services.
In a statement released to the media by Isaac Chimpampe, Special Assistant to the President,Press and public relations, the President said Pursuant to Articles 92(1), 92(2) (e) and 270 of the Constitution of Zambia he has decided to terminate Mr.Kasolo’s contract as Permanent Secretary with immediate effect.
The President thanked Mr.Kasolo for the service he has rendered to the Government of the Republic of Zambia and also wished him well in his future endeavors.
Recently President Edgar Lungu announced a reduction of his salary and that of his cabinet between a range of 15 and 20 percent. The President also directed the Secretary to Cabinet Dr. Simon Miti to cascade the directive to all Non Unionised Public Officers including parastatal executives.
However Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo then stated that whilst the President Lungu had decided to cut his salary by 20% the decision was voluntary for top civil servants and heads of Parastatals.Mr. Kasolo said that the initiative is voluntary because civil servants are employed on contracts that cannot be altered.
Chief Chikwanda of the Bemba speaking people of Mpika District, Muchinga province has urged some opposition political parties to desist from politicising successes the Government has scored.
The traditional leader says it is disheartening to see some politicians down playing the massive infrastructure projects the Government has posted in the last three years.
Chief Chikwanda says it is not a matter of politicking all the time but to give credit where it is due and move forward.
The chief said this when health minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, Muchinga province Minister Malozo Sichone and Deputy speaker of the national assembly Mwimba Malama paid a courtesy call on him.
Dr. Chilufya was in Muchinga and Central provinces with some members of the management team at the Ministry of Health to assess the quality of health services being provided.
Chief Chikwanda who was elated by the unprecedented development projects being under taken in Muchinga and the country at large, said it was time some politicians swallowed their pride and throw their weight to the Government.
“We can’t have a situation where people can’t appreciate what is good in this country,” Chief Chikwanda said .
While in Mpika, Government upgraded Michael Chilufya Sata District Hospital to a general hospital.
Government handed over a utility 26 seater mini bus to Michael Chilufya Sata School of Nursing, 4 ambulances to Chalabesa, Nabwalya, Mfuwe and Katibunga health facilities.
Dr. Chilufya says the hand over and upgrade of the Hospital is in line with what President Edgar Lungu promised the people.
At Kabwe Central Hospital, Dr. Chilufya directed management at the facility to set up an emergency theatre next to the labour ward for easy access.
Dr. Chilufya says President Lungu is determined to see that no woman dies while giving life hence putting it impactful interventions.
The minister also inspected service provision in Mkushi and Serenje.
Transport and Communications Minister Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya
Transport and Communications Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya says it is shameful for Chishimba Kambwili and Harry Kalaba to insist that the PF government is corrupt now that they are out of government.
Mr Kafwaya says the best time for the two leaders to have criticized the PF government over corruption is when they were inside.
He challenged the two leaders to concentrate on selling their manifestos to the Zambian people if they to stand a chance of winning an election.
Mr Kafwaya who is also Lunte PF Member of Parliament said it is difficult to understand why people who enjoyed the privileges of being Ministers are now seeing everything wrong with PF.
He said Zambia is now yearning for ideas that will help develop the country and not the rhetoric spread by the two.
The Peoples Alliance for Change President Andyford Banda
The Peoples Alliance for Change says the reduction in salaries for President Edgar Lungu, his Cabinet and other high ranking Public Service Workers announced by State House is a ploy by the PF government to hoodwink Zambians into thinking that they care for them when in fact not.
Party President Andyford Banda says the money that will be realised will be nothing compared to the pain already caused to the Zambian people by the increased cost of electricity and fuel announced by the Energy Regulation Board on 26th December 2019.
Mr Banda says the pay cut which is said to be voluntary by Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo is a mockery of the highest order on Zambians who are not even aware of the amounts that Ministers and highly paid Public Workers cited by President Edgar Lungu get per month.
He said if the President is serious about the welfare of the Zambian people he should take away all the incentives given to the Ministers and highly paid public service workers such as personal to holder vehicles, fuel, their children school fees, talk time and other allowances they are entitled to.
Mr Banda said the President must also ensure that your 64 Ministers who illegally overstayed in office payback the money they owe the Zambian people, take action on the FIC and auditor general reports including Civil Servants that have been cited to have abused public resources in the past such as the K34 million at the Ministry of general Education for education development in 2018 pay back the money to the Zambian people and Sell the Presidential jet procured at an exorbitant price and channel the money to the needy areas aimed at easing the burden on poor Zambians.
He said the President must also reduce on your travelling which and reckless spending which have gobbled millions of dollars at the expense of providing service to the Zambian people and stop borrowing and corruption which have seen most of the borrowed money go into people’s (Politicians) pockets instead of projects that would have created employment for the majority poor and unemployed Zambians.
Further, Mr Banda said the President must Institute independent investigations in the export of Mukula and procurement of the fire trucks. Institute independent investigations in the expensive construction projects including the toll gates.
“We have time and again said that there was no leadership in the Patriotic Front and Zambians will do well to vote for PAC that has visionary leadership to take up the mantle and manage the economy in 2021. It will be suicidal for the people of Zambia to vote for the PF in 2021 as they do not care about them.
Zambians must rise and through the ballot vote out the PF and their mediocrity in 2021. Why didn’t they reduce their salaries earlier and channel the resources towards subsidizing fuel and electricity before increasing the prices? This makes it difficult to understand the criteria used by President Lungu and his advisors to arrive at the decision”, he added.
He has since challenge the President to tell the nation how the so called money that will be realised from this so called salary reduction will be accounted for and how it will be used to cushion the burden on Zambians caused by increases in electricity tariffs and fuel prices.
