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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.
Mr Hichilema speaking at a news conference at his residence.
By Wilfred Sameta
THE PARABLE OF THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF
‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ is one of the most famous fables of all time.
The tale concerns a shepherd boy who repeatedly tricks nearby villagers into thinking a wolf is attacking his town’s flock. When a wolf actually does appear and the boy again calls for help, the villagers believe that it is another false alarm and the sheep are eaten by the wolf.
HH THE KACHEMA WHO CRIED WOLF
Going by the heavy sjambok-like whipping and telling off Bo HH has recently received from his facebook followers, particularly after his recent false “wolf cry “about passport fees being hiked, it is clear that many Zambians, including many of his party faithful and ethnic zealots, have become loathe to the predictability, deceptiveness and emptiness of his “wolf” cries.
One of the posts put his penchant for false alarms in context:
You lied that ZAFFICO had been sold; lied that the airport had been sold; lied that you have evidence about the owner of the 48 houses and dramatically pretended to take evidence to ACC.
She continued:
“Just accept that you’re a chronic liar, you should be ashamed that a man of your standing in society should be spreading such falsehoods. Enough of the lies!”
But it is the unrepentant snobbish nature of a conceited HH that annoyed more than a few:
“There is no harm in saying sorry for spreading lies. You are not human enough learn to accept responsibility when you’re wrong. What kind of a president will you be?”
A METAMORPHOSIS OF MALICE
When bo HH entered the political arena some 14 years ago, he introduced himself as a champion of “clean politics” and he vowed to stay clear of lies and insults.
So what happened?
2006
After his first election defeat of 2006, his appetite for power began to grow after taking third place with 25% of the vote, having manipulated his way to lead the UDA alliance, ahead of more seasoned alliance partners like Edith Nawakwi. He snivelled and sobbed “wolf”, to the top, even though he was still in his political diapers and very wet behind the ears.
2008
By the time he lost again in 2008, he had shed off his “Mr Nice Guy Politics” image and he began to play dirty by dabbling into “white lies”.
Zambians had by now began to take particular note of his sour faced demeanour and permanently irritable tone.
The silhouette of the man’s shadowy tribal rise to be the president of UPND became more defined. As his tribalist profile rose…his vote shrank and he could barely manage 19%.
2011
The 2011 defeat was particularly humiliating for Bo HH. Old man Michael Sata his erstwhile, albeit fleeting alliance partner was elected Head of State. Bo HH did not even manage “the best loser” award in this election. He came a very distant third.
My traditional cousin the “Monze bull” developed sour grapes against the Cobra and his party.
His entire being became a deadly dough of disparagement; puffed up by a leavened mixture of anger, bitterness, envy, pride and melancholy. Out of the oven offence came a noxiously baked psyche that drives Mr Hakainde Hichilema as we know him today.
2014 & 2016
Ever since ECL the King Cobra’s down-to-earth protégé from Chimwemwe via Chawama trounced him in the 2014 and 2016 elections, my cousin’s noxious psyche has regressed to a freaky pathological state.
He has graduated from white lies and has become a pathological liar.
TOWARDS 2021: A PATHOLOGICAL LIAR UNRAVELS
A pathological liar tells lies, half-truths and stories that fall somewhere between conscious lying and delusion. Tragically, they often believe their own lying cries about “wolves”.
Along with being made the hero or victim in their stories, pathological liars tend to tell lies that seem to be geared at gaining admiration, sympathy, or acceptance by others.
Such is the tragedy of Bo HH and his false alarms regarding of Wolves of ZAFFICO, Wolves of ZNBC, Wolves of ZESCO, Wolves of corruption, Wolves of rigging, Wolves of 48 houses etc. The cries are aimed at gaining admiration, sympathy, and acceptance by Zambians and the international community (where he cries for Sanctions to be imposed on Zambia).
LYING AS A SURVIVAL MECHANISM
The man’s desperation is palpable and his angst near suicidal.
Why?
Because the stakes for 2021 are high; The outcome of the next elections may most likely bring down the curtains on his chequered political career.
LOSING ELECTIONS SIX TIMES NOT SHAMEFUL IN ITSELF; BUT PERMANENTLY LOSING YOUR MIND IS
Bo Hichilema doesn’t care about anything or anybody. He doesn’t care about the consequences, even if Zambia goes up in flames and remains rubble of ashes. He just wants State House and Contracts for his foreign gay business partners.
However, his followers were unanimous in their condemnation of his sadistic deception.
“You are one of the calamities Zambia has been facing. You rejoice when you hear bad news, we saw how you celebrated yesterday after hearing the news of fuel and electricity increments. Indeed you’re a big disappointment. Change for the better Mr Hichilema”
Another chimed in:
“Why are you happy when things are not right? And yet you want to lead the same country? This is not right.”
Yet another:
“HH boza too much. You say you are a patriotic citizen and only you can fix the country and that you’re the most educated economist, why can’t you help the sitting government so that we can see what you can do if you were voted into power?”
While there are definitely some seemingly useful things that once in a while proceed from his mouth, they come with a sting in the tail…a bitter aftertaste.
He does not give any piece of “advice” to help; but rather to make people look st*pid. My cousin has a complex. He thinks he has a patent on wisdom and that he is Heaven’s exclusive gift to Zambia. He doesn’t debate; he talks down on people. One just has to listen to his know-it-all condescending tone in his addresses. Even the traditional leaders in Tonga land except two or three are becoming frustrated with his disrespectful and patronising ways with them.
Humility never killed anyone. Bo HH mwa utwa?
After all, Monze Boy, we know you from your campus days in the 80’s. You were not bad; but you definitely weren’t the sharpest knife in the drawer…not by a long shot! No Siree! But that’s a topic for another day!
THE MORAL OF THE STORY
The moral of the Boy Who Cried Wolf is about credibility through honesty. When you are honest, people trust you. You can’t be a sour and dour deceptive alarmist for long. It is not sustainable.
But sadly for my cousin, he takes his falsehoods for a battle of attrition. Like Adolf Hitler’s propaganda methods, he figures that the more he falsely cries “wolf” the more the people will believe him.
Conversely, he doesn’t realise that the more he cries “wolf” at literally anything and everything progressing in the country particularly by the government, the more he loses credibility. Bo HH has become much like your local neighbourhood “Rover” “Bingo” or “Poppy” that woof-woofs its head off as it chases each and everything moving on tyres. After a while, nobody pays attention.
The moral stated at the end of the Greek version declares, “this shows how liars are rewarded: even if they tell the truth, no one believes them”. Considering the extent to which Hakainde’s lies have lost him credibility, No one will ever wholeheartedly believe him when by a miracle, he tells the truth.
Befittingly, in later English-language poetic versions of the fable, the wolf also ends up eating the boy!
Watch out Bo HH… kunatela kwa toho… (the truth of the matter) is that your own lies will gobble you up…and belch! Your passport to lie will be permanently cancelled!
The Author is a Retired Journalist now tilling the land in Central Province
Zanaco stayed third in Group B of the 2019/2020 CAF Confederation Cup after they were held 0-0 away in Benin on Sunday by ESAE.
The result handed EASE their first Group B points and saw Zanaco still unbeaten but winless after three rounds of matches played.
Zanaco have 3 points, four behind leaders RSB Berkane of Morocco who beat visiting DC Motema Pembe from the DR Congo 3-0 late on Sunday evening in Berkane.
Burkina Faso midfielder Alain Traore put the 2019 runners-up in the 29th minute, Zaid Krouch put them 2-0 into the break with a 41st minute goal before Hamdi Laachir completed the scoring in the 67th minute.
DCMP stay second on 4 points and host RSB in the reverse fixture on January 12 in Kinshasa.
Zanaco be home on the same date against ESAE needing a victory to keep them close in the top two quarterfinal qualifying battle before they host DCMP in their penultimate Group B match on January 26.
Nkana returned to winning ways on Sunday that saw them jump from sixth to fourth on the 2019/20 FAZ Super Division log.
Nkana beat third from bottom Nkwazi 1-0 at home in Kitwe to rebound from last weekend’s 3-0 Kitwe derby away loss at Power Dynamos.
Shadreck Musonda scored the game’s lone goal from the spot in the 5th minute after Idris Mbombo was brought down in the area.
Nkana were later denied a clear goal in the 65th minute when Kelvin Mubanga’s effort was ruled-out for offside but were comfortably in control to send Nkwazi to an eleventh successive game without a league victory with just 10 points from fourteen matches.
Nkana have 27 points, four behind second placed Napsa Stars whom they visit this coming weekend in Lusaka.
Napsa are tied ion 31 points with leaders Zesco United.
Red Arrows have replaced Nkana at number six after dropping from fifth after salvaging a last minute point away at Forest Rangers on Sunday in Ndola.
Cedric Djeugoue put Forest 1-0 into halftime on the stroke of halftime.
But Arrows replied in stoppage time of the when veteran striker James Chamanga coolly equalized to take his tally to 8 goals, one behind Mbombo and another two adrift of top scorer Jesse Were of Zesco.
Forest and Arrows are tied on 26 points in fifth and sixth place respectively.
Mansa Chilli Limited has started erecting its pre – fabricated factory building at its Chembe site in Luapula Province.
The company will stop off-site production and target the Nigeria market.
Mr. Robinson Mwansa, the company Chief Executive Officer updated Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa who led a delegation comprising Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Dr. Felix Phiri, Deputy Permanent Secretary Royd Chakaba, Mansa District Commissioner James Nyenjele and Heads of government departments.
Mansa Chilli currently conducts production in Lusaka at its small plant but this is going to be a thing of the past with the factory being set up.
Mr. Mwansa said once the building is done, the Chilli processing plant which was purchased out of a grant from Musika will be installed.
He said the assembling of the prefab materials from China will only take about three days.
And Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa has expressed happiness at the progress made so far.
Mr. Chilangwa said the Provincial Administration will continue marketing the Mansa Chilli product.
He was hopeful that the company would attain full capacity by mid next year.
And Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Dr Felix Phiri has saluted Mr. Mwansa for his commitment towards the realisation of the project.
He said the aim of the Luapula Expo which was held in 2017 was to attract companies like Mansa Chilli.
ZESCO Board at a Press Briefing led by Board Chairman Mbita Chitala
ZESCO Managing Director, Victor Mundende, and Energy Regulations Board (ERB) Chief Executive Officer, Ms Langiwe Hope Lungu and their Management have been called to emulate President Edgar Lungu in publicly slashing their salaries.
In supporting President Lungu call for sacrifice among highly paid civil servants, Cabinet Ministers and parastatal executive, Governance and Legal Activist Isaac Mwanza charged that leaders of institutions responsible for determining tarrifs on electricity and fuel, including the Ministry of Energy must take leadership by showing they too can wear the same shoes as ordinary people during troubled moments.
Mr Mwanza has meanwhile called on the ZESCO Board and its Managing Director an end to a policy where ZESCO employees are buying electricity at K50 which lasts for two or more months.
“We are aware, to this day when ERB and ZESCO have increased tariffs by over 110 percent, that ZESCO employees enjoy a policy of buying electricity at K50. How can ZESCO therefore claim they share in the pain of ordinary citizens when the cost of electricity for them is a mere K50?”, said Mr Mwanza.
Mr Mwanza stated that it only becomes considerate for ZESCO employees to enjoy the privilege of buying electricity at K50 when all is well in supply of electricity in the country.
Mr Mwanza has further called on all Cabinet Ministers and senior Public Civil Servants to heed the President’s call to cut down on emoluments as part of the sacrifice during this difficult period.
“The public service is about providing better service to the public and if those who serve the public are not prepared to subject themselves to the same sacrifice the public is subjected to, then those leaders lose a moral right to lead citizens,” he said
I wept when I watched this video – Listen to This Woman’s Deep Anguished Prayer of Pain and Hurt!
Fellow Zambians, let me quote a scripture below…
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.
James 5:1-6 NKJV
Watching this woman and listening to her prayer as she spoke on TV about the injustice of her situation is so painful I don’t even know what to say. Consider the following
Over K230bn in unpaid pensions are outstanding
Some civil servants who retired over a decade ago are yet to be paid
With LASF, the situation is even worse
Many pensioners have died without seeing their money
Companies have been closed, people retrenched or downsized, and a good number chase up their money (which they faithfully contributed through payslip deductions) for years. This woman exemplifies the hurt, anger and pain of such a situation.
Now, I challenge you. We all know Deut 28 blessings right? Take a look around our nation today and tell me if this is what you see among our people.
Now, take a look at the curses in Deut 28 (from verse 15 to 57) and see whether or not they haven’t manifested in our nation. If you see what I see, then what is the cause?
The answer is in the prayers of people like this woman. Imagine how many pray this prayer, cry bitterly, face injustice, get wrongly imprisoned, guilty walk free, justice is averted, deaths occurring – all because of reasons outlined in that portion of scripture.
What is the Solution?
Repentance – and sincere genuine repentance. Then followed by serious restitution (read what that means). It must be done. If we don’t do it as a nation, we shall continue to see the Curses of Deut 28:15 manifest. This must be a national all inclusive repentance. Its not about who is in charge – this problem was there long before the PF came into government.
I know some will say I am being negative, but please watch that video again and tell me a better reason.
A Kabwe-based non-governmental organization (NGO) Siyaliswa Shelter of Hope (SSH) has commended government for the recent release of the eight circumstantial children at the Lusaka Central Correctional facility female section.
In a statement, Mr Siyambango said since its inception, all the children that had fallen under the blanket of “Circumstantial Children” had suffered psychological and verbal abuse by some adult inmates who at times had intentionally chosen not to mind their conduct in the presence of those children.
Recently President Edgar Lungu through the Ministry of Justice Minister and Home Affairs released eight circumstantial children at the Lusaka Central Correctional Facility and requested.
Government has since begun looking into incarcerated expecting mother’s welfare to see how best both the mother and the circumstantial children lives can be improved.
Mr Siyambango said this move is a step in the right direction because the babies of incarcerated mothers were innocent and did not need any form of correction or reformation as their mothers did.
Success in this life isn’t necessarily about how popular, influential or educated someone is. Success is about living a life of excellence in obedience to God’s Word. When we step out to do what God has called us to do, Scripture says that His favor surrounds us like a shield. When we have His favor, we have everything. We have an advantage for success! God’s favor opens the right doors. His favor will bring good breaks. The favor of God will cause you to accomplish what you could not accomplish on your own. It gives you an edge.
Now, if you’re going to see the gracious hand of God at work in your life, you can’t go through the day feeling intimidated, thinking that you’re average, comparing yourself to everyone else. No, you have to live like you have His favor, think like you have favor, talk like you have favor, walk like you have favor, dress like you have favor! Not arrogantly. Not in a way that portrays that you’re better than somebody else, but with a quiet confidence knowing that you have the gracious hand of God on your life! Live like you’ve got it because you do!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for Your grace, favor and mercy upon my life. I praise You today because You are good. I receive Your truth by faith and rise up to walk in my calling. I know that You are going before me to prepare the way as I walk in Your favor all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
A few days ago, President Edgar Lungu announced a 15 to 20 per cent reduction on his salary and the salaries of both cabinet ministers and the chief executives of parastatal companies. Lungu further directed the Secretary to Cabinet to extend the measure to top-earning non-unionised civil servants, which, in effect, means all workers in management positions. The president claimed that the savings realised from the move will ‘cushion the impact on citizens arising from the increase in fuel prices and electricity tariffs [earlier] announced by the Energy Regulation Board’, although he stopped short of explaining how exactly this would be achieved. Lungu conceded that Zambia’s economy was performing poorly but expressed optimism that it would recover in 2020, owing to a raft of austerity measures that his administration would implement. What do we make of all this?
The first point to note about Lungu’s decision to downgrade the salaries of top-earning public sector workers is that it is illegal and raises serious questions about the president’s understanding of the law. The president has absolutely no powers to unilaterally lower the conditions of service of workers who have clear contracts of employment. Lungu may have thought that as chairman of the Industrial Development Corporation, his powers extend to determining the conditions of service of heads of parastatal companies, for instance. They do not. The respective board of directors of these entities – not the president – employs chief executives of state enterprises and also determines their conditions of service.
Even the board, as the employer, has no powers to adversely and unilaterally vary the conditions of service of employees. The Supreme Court made this point explicitly in the case of Mike Musonda Kabwe versus BP Zambia (see S.C.Z judgement No. 10 of 1997). In that landmark case, the court held that an employer has no powers to adversely alter an employee’s salary without the latter’s consent. To unilaterally slice an employee’s salary, the court stated, amounts to that employee being deemed to be declared redundant or on early retirement from the date the decision is taken. Successive courts have upheld this interpretation of the law when dealing with employment law disputes. Earlier this year, the government moved to enact the Employment Act No. 3 of 2019, which codified the Supreme Court’s ruling. Section 55 of the cited Act expressly prohibits employers from adversely varying an employee’s conditions of service without their consent.
Unless President Lungu provides evidence showing that the affected employees consented to having their salaries sliced, his decision is null and void because it flies against the law and successive rulings of the courts on this subject. If implemented, it has the potential to cost taxpayers heavily. There is a useful precedent on this matter. In 2011, soon after his election, president Michael Sata sacked many lawyers from the Ministry of Justice who protested against his decision to unilaterally abolish their non-practising allowances. The affected lawyers sued the state and, relying on the Kabwe v BP Zambia case, won the matter. They were awarded hefty compensatory damages for breach of contract. Lungu would do well to learn lessons from that case and reverse his ill-advised decision. We taxpayers should not be made to pay for the president’s poor understanding of, or lack of respect for, the law.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services, Chanda Kasolo, now tells us that Lungu’s pronouncement on pay cuts was a ‘voluntary’ call. Kasolo is harassing the truth. Lungu’s statement was clear and a directive, not a voluntary call for workers to consider cutting down their salaries. Why not simply admit that Lungu’s announced decision is unsupported by the law? Kasolo’s assertion represents a weak effort at damage control and a ploy by the government to get around the contractual impediments by forcing workers to ‘volunteer’. Given the president’s interest in the issue, who amongst the targeted civil servants won’t ‘volunteer’? And how will the public know whether or not the affected civil servants ‘volunteered’?
The second point is that Lungu’s move to cut his salary and the salaries of his ministers is a populist strategy aimed at preventing public sector unions from making huge demands for higher wages amidst a poor preforming economy. An understanding of the wider volatile economic context is crucial here. Zambia’s economy has deteriorated to possibly its lowest ebb since the PF came to power, thanks to a combination of government incompetence, grand corruption, venality, a crippling US$20 billion public debt, adverse climatic conditions and external shocks. In addition, record depreciations in the exchange rates and foreign reserves have created inflationary pressure on the country’s import-driven economy. These negative economic indicators have led to rising costs of living for ordinary Zambians.
The recent massive hikes in the prices of electricity and fuel are likely to exacerbate the situation and encourage trade unions to demand better wages in order to offset this surge in the cost of living. Lungu knows that economic recovery is unlikely to occur anytime soon. By announcing a reduction in his salary, he is effectively hoodwinking union leaders to manage the aspirations of their members in these ‘tough economic times that require sacrifice from all of us’. This is the underlying motivation behind his announcement.
It is even possible that the president’s pronouncement will not be effected – where is the attendant Statutory Instrument (SI) showing the declared pay cut? We may not see the SI, but Lungu and the government won’t care much. Publicising the purported pay cut, notwithstanding the possibility that it may be a façade, provides the government the necessary pretext on which to ask public sector workers to emulate Lungu’s supposedly ‘inspiring example’ by way of accepting either a wage freeze, a drastic reduction in their pay, or a meagre salary increment in the name of ‘sacrifice’. Slashing the wage bills of the state and state enterprises may be a part of fulfilling the condition to access the much-coveted IMF bailout.
The net effect is to reduce to the barest minimum government expenditure in order to meet debt obligations. The greatest losers here would be the civil servants and other public sector workers, who, in real terms and thanks to inflation, have had to watch the diminishing purchasing power of their already miserable pay. Even if the treasury implements Lungu’s illegal decision, there is the question of whether the proceeds from the negligible savings will ever reach the vulnerable or poor Zambians or instead merely provide more revenue for government officials to steal.
If Lungu really cares about improving the pitiful plight of Zambians, he should consider cushioning them from his exceptional and self-perpetuating incompetence by cutting short his five-year term of office and stepping aside for a competent leader within or outside the governing party – though not the profoundly clueless and inept vice-president Inonge Wina, who should go with him. All considered, the real threat to Zambia, one that must be declared a national disaster or emergency is not the hunger crisis, Constitutional (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019, grand corruption in government, massive public debt, deep ethnic divisions, serious democratic backslides, or a collapsing economy. It is having Lungu as president, a sad reality that once prompted opposition National Democratic Congress president Chishimba Kambwili to ask God a poignant question, one that the Lord is yet to address: ‘Mwelesa, kanshi Lungu mwamufumishe kwi?’
Zambia’s complex challenges require a highly competent and sufficiently educated leadership, one with a clear vision and ethical values – courage, compassion and love for fellow human beings, moral force of character, integrity, genuine humility, honesty, a predilection for consultation, consensus-building, communication, co-operation, active listening, and the selfless pursuit of the public good, and not the selfish striving for personal gain. It is hardly possible to look at Lungu’s cabinet today without being struck by the calamity of the absence of this kind of leadership. The burning question is: what are we going to do about our national plight before we sink further into the abyss? How can we move from simply knowing how bad things are to taking action?
The harsh reality is that Zambia is experiencing a crisis of monumental propositions, one that we must confront in its entirety. Yes, Lungu must go if Zambia is to live, but we Zambians must also wake up and demand better leadership – or sink with the rubbish we get. Everything rises and falls on leadership. Everything. I am not sure, however, if the challenges we face need a ‘good leader’ with all the qualities I have listed, without simultaneously igniting a mass movement to demand these values as the core qualities for new leadership. There is so much to undo, to destroy, and to create.
My worry, in addition to the meaningless shuffling of occupants of State House, is the perpetuation of the “messianic, prophetic, great leader” syndrome, which in fact is partly to blame for our circumstances. Political agency is stolen from the citizen who is turned into an immature, passive, child-like, fearful and respectful idiot before any “government” or “leader” no matter how rotten these could be. In fact, I dare say that with the current zombie-like, fearful Zambian, no “good leader” can help us; rather, we would destroy such a one: we are rotten through and through. There is simply no alternative to a mass political movement at whose heart must be the cultivation (imbibing, internalising, demanding and defending by popular mass power) of the fundamental values that are so essential to (public) life.
If there was any doubt in the mind of any Zambian, today that doubt has been cleared as HH has clearly exposed his unpatriotic behavior as well as his selfishness to gain political mileage on the suffering of many Zambians.
Each time Zambians are in pain HH sees it as an opportunity to mock us, his patriotism to this nation leaves much to be desired. Why does he celebrate Zambia’s problems? And what did we do to this man to deserve such kind of bitterness from an opposition leader?
Yes, we have challenges as a country, we all know that, some are local and but the major ones are global and beyond our reach. The US and China trade wars have not spared us either; climate change as well has also significantly contributed to our many challenges.
That said and done, it is the responsibility of every leader, in government and in opposition to do anything in their power to help cushion the challenges our citizens are facing, this must be seen in did and as well as in our spoken word.
It is very unfortunate that HH now thrives at the challenges we are facing as a way to get himself into statehouse. His twits and Facebook posts of today make his leadership of the biggest opposition political party a joke.
Social media today is awash with angry Zambians who have condemned HH for his jubilation at the increase of fuel and the planned increase of electricity in January. HH must examine himself to determine if he wants power to enrich himself or to help the Zambians, but as things stand, it is clear to all of us to see that his intensions are not noble and we must reject his kind of politics. What kind of leader would rejoice when people are suffering because it almost creates an opportunity for him to gain political power power?
HH even has the arrogance to reply in a sarcastic manner to some concerned citizens who questioned his remarks by saying “the good thing is that the same Hakainde Hichilema actually warns and offers solutions which are ignored”, what a lost opportunity for him to have shown leadership.
Today, in the eyes of all Zambians, HH has shown us that he relishes when Zambian go through problems because he knows that problems are a ripe atmosphere in changing governments, what a shameful kind of mentality to have for a leader.
In an unprecedented move, President Lungu has today cut his salary and that of his cabinet by between 15 and 20% and we would like the same HH to acknowledge such a bold move with the same enthusiasm he displays when condemning the government when it faces economical challenges.
Sadly, Today HH has shown us that the current political dispersion exposes the serious weakness in Zambia’s opposition political systems.
HH and his UPND lack credibility in pushing the country forward. UPND has a serious challenge of misguided political leadership to marshal the required effective opposition strength to create a climate for development.
The leadership of UPND suffers from ego, overly rated ambition for power and pride, such that it overcrowds their effective participation on important national matters that affect the citizenry and poor people.
They could be more effective by engaging the government and the ruling party in debating policy frameworks on how to develop the country. Particularly, pushing policies that address the needs of poor people such as improving access to clean water and sanitation, quality healthcare, education, rural and agricultural development, and debate macroeconomic policy frameworks required for growth and development, critically contributing to poverty eradication, employment creation and addressing inequalities.
Zambia is facing serious challenges of the low infrastructure, the low energy capacity of both electricity and oil, poverty, youth unemployment, and weak legal systems. These are issues HH should be lobbying PF government to improve and provide policy frameworks on how to go about address these daunting challenges, instead of twitting jubilation on the increase of fuel prices that are beyond the control powers of the PF government.
Dr. Joze Manda is a Political Analyst based in Lusaka
Patriotic Front (PF), Muchinga Provincial Executive Committee has congratulated and welcomed President Edgar Lungu’s newly appointed Adviser for Political Affairs, Mr Chris Zumani Zimba saying he is the right man for the job.
By: Anthony Bwalya – UPND Member
It is important for us to mention, that in respect of both fuel and electricity pricing, the United Party for National Development (UPND) has consistently provided sound alternatives aimed at giving consumers extended relief through the recall or suspension of controllable cost components in respect of the pump price of fuel, and a complete reform of the fuel supply chain to eliminate unnecessary costs. The UPND has also provided insights directed at improving functional and management efficiencies at ZESCO to remove pricing inefficiencies which cost both ZESCO and consumers money.
Under proposals by the UPND, the pump price of fuel should and can cost at least 25% or K4 LESS than under the current PF regime, and we have demonstrated which cost components can be recalled or adjusted downwards:
1.Suspending excise duty
2.Suspending strategic reserve fund fee
3. Halving Value Added Tax (VAT)
4. Cancel dealer margin
The aforementioned fuel pump price components are firmly under the control of government, but instead of the PF leveraging this position to stabilize the pump price, they are exploiting these controllable margins to benefit government officials, party officials, the party and their business associates.
But the Patriotic Front regime has continued their reckless attack on the poor majority Zambians by pursuing destructive public policies which impoverish the most poor while increasing the advantage of the wealthy minority, particularly the political ruling elites.
With the current loadshedding estimated to cost a minimum $7bn, it is poor households who are poised to be sacrificed at the altar of satanic political practices of the PF, through loss of incomes, jobs and with 1 in every 3 small businesses set to buckled down as the pressure of loadshedding mounts – with energy related business costs up by at least 35% per month.
Thus, for the PF to sabotage what is left of already thinned out household incomes, jobs and small businesses by sanctioning a 10% and 200% hike in the price of fuel and electricity respectively, they have just magically condemned an estimated 1.5 million more Zambians from poorer households into abject poverty. In a few months, once the real effects of PF’s failed economics kick in, we shall have at least 12.1 million Zambians living on less than $1.25 ( around K17.47) per day. And these will be the lucky ones because close to 800,000 will not be guaranteed not even a single meal in a free and independent Zambia as food inflation is expected to rise to above 12% while incomes shrink and disappear.
And in the midst of all this misery, President Edgar Lungu proceeded to insulting the collective conscience of Zambians by offering Zambians a paltry K4,471.86 per month from his TAX FREE salary, while he and his friends maintain all their other TAX FREE allowances as granted themselves under an inequitable Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Emoluments) Act, Cap 262. These ludicrous tax exemptions on allowances are given unto themselves under Section 3(1) and (2).
The reason the President’s offer of a “paycut” makes a mockery of all of us is because those other lower ranking civil servants the President wants to withdraw 10% – 15% of their salaries actually have to pay tax on all their emoluments, including allowances.
This is what leadership incompetence looks like and this is what a regime increasingly out of touch with reality looks like, and this is certainly what a regime that has run out of progressive development ideas looks like.
It is time for citizens to deliver the change they deserve.
Unbeaten in the CAF Confederation Cup this season, Zanaco return to continental action this Sunday away in Benin against ESAE in Porto Novo.
But Zanaco head into match day three seeking their first Group B win after two rounds played in the league phase.
It is the first time that Zanaco have dropped points in this season’s CAF Confederation Cup after winning home and away in the two knockout stages.
Mumamba Numba’s side is currently third in Group B on 2 points and are two points behind DC Motema Pembe of DR Congo and RSB Berkane of Morocco who are also in action this Sunday in North Africa.
ESAE are last on zero points following a 3-0 away loss to Berkane and a 2-0 home defeat to DCMP.
But Zanaco captain Ziyo Tembo said they will not underrate their hosts despite their poor group stage run and who qualified from the pre-group stage in November 4-3 on post-match penalties following a 1-0 home loss and 1-1 aggregate result against Generation Foot of Senegal.
“The best thing now is we just have to start winning games and we will have a better chance of qualifying to the quarterfinals,” Ziyo said.
“But I think each and every game is a difficult game, we can’t take anything away from them, I think they are a good side to come this far to be in the group stage.
“What is important is to show the right attitude and fighting spirit so that we can come back with the right result.”
Meanwhile, Zanaco have one injury absentee in defender Belchance Makiese who has been replaced by Kebson Kamanga.
The match will also mark the return of midfielder Kelvin Kapumbu from suspension who missed the 1-1 home draw against RSB on December 8 following his 65th minute send-off in the 1-1 away draw against DCMP on December 1 in Kinshasa.
Power Dynamos continued their winning ways on Saturday following a 1-0 home win over second placed Napsa Stars at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
The victory saw Power stay unbeaten for a sixth successive league game after collecting their fifth straight league victory.
Fredrick Mulambia’s 23rd minute goal settled the contest to see him net his fifth goal of the season.
The result also handed Napsa their first league loss in nine matches since leaders and defending champions Zesco United beat them3-2 away in Ndola on October 10.
Napsa stay second tied on 31 points with Zesco who were on CAF Champions League duty on the same date at home against Zamalek.
Power stay seventh despite the victory but rise to23 points to hand new coach Perry Mutapa four out of four league wins in charge of the six-time champions.
Meanwhile, Green Eagles moved from sixth to third on 27 points following a resounding 6-1 away win over second from bottom Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy.
IDC Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Mateyo Kaluba
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has dissolved the Times Printpak Board of Directors and made changes at management level as it commences fundamental restructuring of the company.
The IDC has directed the Zambia Daily Mail Limited Board of Directors to oversee the affairs of both Companies and appointed Mr Nebat Mbewe, Managing Director at the Zambia Daily Mail Limited, to oversee the day to day affairs of Times Printpak Limited, in an acting capacity, in addition to his responsibilities at Zambia Daily Mail.
Consequently, other functions like Finance, Legal, Human Resource, Production and Marketing in both companies will be overseen by a single management team.
The Editorial team of Times Printpak Zambia Limited will continue to oversee the publication of the Times of Zambia so as to maintain the editorial independence of both the Times of Zambia and the Daily Mail Newspapers.
The IDC Group CEO Mr Mateyo Kaluba said the IDC has been concerned with the continued deteriorating financial situation at Times Printpak Zambia Limited, the publisher of Times of Zambia Newspaper, which has rendered the company unable to meet its key obligations as they fall due.
This has resulted in growing outstanding statutory liabilities and workers at Times Printpak Limited, not receiving regular monthly salaries, in some cases up to 11 months in arrears.
During the first 9 months of 2019 Times Printpak recorded an operating loss of K41.7m and had a return on assets (ROA) of -49%.
Mr Kaluba said, the restructuring will be done in phases with the medium-term objective of creating a consolidated Media and Newspaper publishing company under the IDC Group.
The first phase involved recapitalising the business to ensure it has the resources to undertake emergency reforms, making changes at Board and management level as well as liquidating all unpaid salary arrears owed to the workers.
He said the model of consolidating media and newspaper assets is not unique to the IDC.
The model has proved successful around the world in optimising value of media companies by creating synergies, eliminating duplications, reorienting resources to growing the business and delivering profits.
“We will continue to work with Government, the Board, Management and Unions to drive the critical reforms necessary for the survival of the Times of Zambia newspaper. The public will continue to receive and enjoy reading their daily editions of the Times of Zambia and Sunday Times Newspapers with better efficiency and higher quality news”.
Mr Kaluba thanked the union leaders and the workers of Times Printpak for their commitment, cooperation and patience as IDC was working out a business strategy for the company.
He further urged the workers to continue to work hard to ensure the business starts growing and assured creditors and other stakeholders of Times Printpak that there will be no disruptions to the operations at the Company.
This is according to a statement issued by IDC Public Relations Manager Namakau Mukelabai.
