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On 16th December, 2019 the Government announced that cabinet had in principle legalized the cultivation, processing and sell of marijuana for medicinal and commercial purposes only. This announcement set social media ablaze with comments, memes and of course some misinformation.
From the onset it is important to clarify that Government has not outlawed the existing laws governing the cultivation, sell or use of marijuana. In short the cultivation, consumption and sell of marijuana remain prohibited under the current laws.
There has also been misinformation that a colossal fee of $250, 000 has been set as licence fee for those who would want to venture into the cannabis business. The truth is that no such amount has been suggested. What Government has done is to set up a Ministerial Committee of experts from the Ministries of Health, Home Affairs, Agriculture, Finance and others to come up with an operational framework of how the cultivation, processing and sell of marijuana shall be done in a controlled manner in line with our existing statutes.
Marijuana has proven to be a money spinner that can turn economies around in the shortest of times. According to available data, the legal trade of cannabis or marijuana can fetch as high as 32 dollars per gram which is nearly 32 million dollars per tonne. The 2018 Cannabis Price Index compiled on WeedIndex.io shows that the price of Cannabis in Tokyo is the highest in the World at 32 point 66 dollar per gram.
In the United States the Marijuana Industry totaled more than $8 billion in sales in 2017, with sales estimated to reach $11 billion this year and $23 billion by 2022.
There were more than 9,000 active licenses for cannabis businesses in the U.S. in 2017, with the industry employing more than 120,000 people.
As more states move to legalize cannabis, these numbers will only continue to rise, potentially providing a new stream of revenue and jobs to local economies.
The Government’s decision to legalise the cultivation, processing and sell of marijuana for medicinal and economic purposes will greatly boost Zambia’s economy by increasing revenue, creating jobs and broadening the tax base. There will be a boost to agriculture, starting with the businesses and individuals who will be growing and harvesting the weed to those who will be processing and packaging the refined weed products. Additionally, those in the marketing and transport sector will largely benefit from the marijuana business.
The proceeds from marijuana business will massively contribute to the development and growth of other sectors of the economy such as Education, Health, Infrastructure and so on.
In terms of medical benefits, science has proven that marijuana can be used to treat a number of illnesses and symptoms ranging from depression, stress, post-trastress disorder symptoms among many others.
Studies on cancer cells suggest that cannabinoids may either slow down the growth of or kill some types of cancer. Research has shown that cannabis can cure Leprosy and many other medical conditions.
The bold step taken by the Government to allow the cultivation, processing and sell of marijuana for medicinal and commercial purposes only will go a long way in rising government revenue, creating jobs and uplifting the lives of many people. The onus is now on the experts in The Ministerial Technical Committee to put up correct measures to ensure that the cannabis business benefits Zambians.
The author is Cde Antonio Mwanza , PF Deputy Media Director
SENIOR Chief Chikanta of the Tonga people in Southern Province and his spouse help each other in making green charcoal during the workshop at Kansanshi Foundation in Solwezi. – Picture by JOHN MUBAMBE/SUMA SYSTEMS.
SENIOR Chief Chikanta of Kalomo District in Southern Province says with the conservation farming technique adopted by Kansanshi Mining Plc, North-Western Province can adequately feed the entire southern African region.
Speaking when he attended a one-day workshop in conservation farming at Kansanshi Foundation Training Institute in Solwezi recently, Senior Chief Chikanta praised Kansanshi Mining Plc for introducing a farming method meant to ensure food security and to eradicate poverty in Zambia.
He noted that Kansanshi Mine management had realised the great need to diversify the country and region to a profitable farming system to accomplish the goal of agriculture being the driver of economic transformation from copper dependence in Africa.
Senior Chief Chikanta said conservation agriculture spearheaded by Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi had helped the province acquire tremendous potential to produce vast amounts of food to feed the entire southern African region.
“I wish other mines in Zambia could emulate Kansanshi in realising that mining alone can’t benefit the whole nation the way agriculture could do and that is why it has through its robust corporate social responsibility, improved the welfare of indigenous people linked to its community projects,” said Senior Chief Chikanta.
Kansanshi Mine has opted to use mining developments to spur agricultural development by investing in conservation farming rather than competing with agriculture for land.
Senior Chief Chikanta said Northwestern Province had favourable climatic conditions that could make it possible for the province to adequately feed the entire southern African region.
The Tonga traditional leader and his entourage are in Northwestern Province on a tour to formalise the relocation of farmers from Southern to North-Western Province with the consent of the Government and traditional leaders from both provinces.
“This visit is also meant to facilitate the exchange visits for an acquisition of knowledge to promote the integrated agriculture and lifestyles between the farming communities of Southern and North-Western provinces,” he added.
Senior Chief Chikanta took advantage of the warm welcome of his team to North-Western Province to invite chiefs and other stakeholders from the new Copperbelt Province to visit his province to have a complete picture of Southern Province in terms of animal husbandry and tourism.
Kansanshi Mining Plc has so far trained 36,000 conservation farmers since the inception of the programme in 2010, with over 7,000 farmers being supported by the company in terms of inputs and other logistics.
Kansanshi Mining Plc Corporate Social Responsibility manager Bruce Lewis disclosed that in the 2018/2019 farming season, 7,151 farmers received input support, of which 6,179 received maize inputs, 370 soya, 334 ground nuts, 118 sorghum and 150 vegetable inputs.
Mr Lewis explained that farmers who receive input support are also supported by weekly visits by field officers to guide them and that they achieve close to perfect crop yields.
“This demonstrates our push to diversify away from maize and other crops.
For the 2019 harvest our supported farmers harvested 5,250,000 Kg of maize,” he said.
At Kansanshi Foundation Training Institute, Senior Chief Chikanta and his entourage learnt conservation farming, green charcoal making, vegetable growing, poultry farming and village banking administration. – Courtesy of SUMA SYSTEMS.
We are just about to bid farewell to 2019 and welcome the new year of 2020 in rather gloomy circumstances . The year 2019 has been very disappointing and frustrating in many respects nationally and globally , because there have been so many retrogressive things which have negatively impacted lives of our overburdened citizens. These include the following:
The negative GDP economic growth,
The high food prices which show no signs of retreating anytime soon,
The inability to come up with Constitutional Amendments– and not bill 10-which genuinely represent the free will of the people of Zambia, due to lack of a genuinely transparent consultative process with stakeholders,
The inability of the government to declare hunger an emergency due to drought caused by poor rainfall, not just in Zambia, but in the SADC region as a whole. Countries which have declared hunger emergencies are receiving international support to mitigate hunger.
Excessive Load-shedding, which has caused serious havoc to small, medium and large enterprises in the whole country,
Total absence of any meaningful dialogue among our political leaders, to seriously discuss issues like falling standards of education in our country, the economy, political violence involving sponsored unruly party cadres, particularly during general elections and by-elections, which prevents citizens from exercising their democratic right to freely vote for representatives of their choice because consequently it lowers voter turnout,
Shrinking space for opposition political parties and civil society organisations to freely carry out their legitimate activities, like holding card renewals, public meetings, demonstrations, all of which are Constitutionally permitted.
Misinterpretations of the Public Order Act as amended in 1996, after the Supreme Court of Zambia, ruled some of its provisions archaic and inconsistent with specific provisions of the Constitution of Zambia and the Bill of Rights, which give citizens the freedom to make political choices as well as to assemble. Parliament removed the need for permits to be applied for from the Zambia Police Service and stipulated that the police should merely be “notified”. The new law outlines specific and unambiguous procedures to be followed by both those notifying the police and the police themselves. I have heard senior officers, times without number, use the word permit in 2019. Where are Zambia police getting the word “permit” from because the Supreme Court of Zambia removed it from the Public Order Act in 1996.
Rising levels of political intolerance, particularly between and among political parties, which in turn pollutes the political environment in our country.
Breakdown of the rule of law and disregard of court judgments, as can be seen by the stubborn refusal of government Ministers, who overstayed in office after Parliament was dissolved in 2016.
The Constitution of Zambia clearly states that Ministers shall be appointed from among Members of Parliament. It there goes without saying that when Parliament is dissolved, there can’t be Ministers. This has been the case for many years. The fact that no sanctions have been taken against them for failing to obey a decision of the Constitutional Court, whose judgment is not supposed to be appealed, only goes to show that we have two sets of laws in our country-one law for leaders and another for ordinary citizens, contrary to the Constitution, which clearly stipulates that no one is above the law.
Women in Zambia and the world over are not winning the battle for equal pay for equal work and equal empowerment. The international report issued only a few days ago on the status of women, does not offer women and their male supporters of gender equality, any comfort whatsoever. The report reveals that it will take another 100 years before women can be treated as equal to men in National Parliaments, Cabinets, Courts law, Newsrooms, classrooms, professional organisations, boardrooms, executive positions, equal pay with men. It is a disgrace to society, that women are still being discriminated against in this day and age and not receiving the respect and equal empowerment and recognition they richly deserve. Women are not asking to be given favours or to be empowered more than men. They just want to be treated like men at the workplace and in terms of opportunities no more, no less. Surely, is that not the right thing to do?
Deforestation is expanding deserts at an alarming rate as scientists produce impirical evidence that our climate is heating up considerably. Carbon emissions from wild fires, charcoal, factories, mines, motor vehicles and even aeroplanes are affecting the air we breathe causing all kinds of chest infections and allergies,
Racism has come to the fore once again. Black and other people of colour are bearing the blunt of racial discrimination in sport and in just ordinary life. Black and people of colour are being discriminated against and sold as slaves for pittance yet again in 2019. Ancient people like William Wilberforce and William Pitt, Abraham Lincoln, who were among the pioneers who ended worldwide slavery, must now be turning in their graves.
The number keeps growing of journalists being harassed, arrested, tortured or killed for reporting the truth and investigating corrupt politicians and leaders-and they are many.
conflicts in the world are not diminishing as can be seen in DRC, Somalia, Mali, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon etc.
Many of our citizens are afraid even to voice their genuine grievances for fear of retribution,
Many employees of government-supported institutions live public universities go without pay for a few months,
Freedom fighters have been totally forgotten. Many of the few remaining freedom fighters, die as forgotten destitutes. Many suggestions have been presented to government as to how to assist those who made our independence possible through the enormous personal sacrifices they made. All of these have fallen on deaf ears. Our neighbours who went through similar experiences, have found imaginative ways of looking after their freedom fighters.
What is wrong with our world and what is particularly wrong with us Zambians? Why have we become so inhuman and intolerant towards one another? Where has the spirit of love, respect and reconciliation retreated to? Where has the motto of “one Zambia, one nation” gone to? Why don’t we learn from the Kenyan spirit of genuine political reconciliation, accommodation and brotherhood? I know that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. I have spent nearly six decades of my life in public service and i know that political arrogance does not pay, because power is never permanent. Those currently in power, should treat their opponents as they would want to be treated when they are out of power. They should never forget the lessons of history that what goes round, comes round. History has a cruel way of repeating itself. I hope that as we prepare for the new year of 2020, our political leaders will in all honesty, embrace each other and treat each other as brothers and sisters and stop treating each other as enemies.
Hate speeches and hate politics should become a thing of the past in 2020. All those who write and make hate speeches must be arrested and severely punished. They degrade our society and dehumanise us as a people. During the days of MMD, President Chiluba declared that our country was a Christian nation tolerant of other religions and this subsequently found itself in the Constitution of Zambia. There is nothing Christian about the way our political leaders and their supporters treat each other. Hatred and violence have become the order of the day. The current crop of leaders have rendered this declaration meaningless. This will require political leadership and maturity, which iam afraid have been totally absent. President Lungu as head of state has special responsibilities to take the lead as the person in power for now at least, as used be the case under the leadership of Presidents Kenneth Kaunda, Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa and Rupiah Banda. Zambians want to see their leaders talk to each, eat, drink tea together and treat each other with genuine respect. They want to see their leaders come up with solutions to their many problems and pave the way for a better future for all Zambians and not just a selected few. Zambia is for all Zambians and not just a few.
History will judge and should judge our current leaders harshly if they don’t put our country first and not themselves and their narrow selfserving interests. In 2020 and beyond, i will speak and write less and less about national and international affairs, to allow for a generational change of younger political analysts and commentators.
MISA Zambia Chairperson Hellen Mwale speaks to Journalists after she toured the closed Post Newspapers
MISA Zambia welcomes the appointment of Chris Zumani Zimba as Special Assistant to the President for Political Affairs.
MISA Zambia Chairperson Hellen Mwale observes that Zimba brings a wealth of experience in Political Science, Research from both the government and the NGO sector.
Mwale said the new Special Assistant to the President for Political Affairs has experience in Foreign Policy analysis adding that her organization believes that the appointment together with his expertise will go a long way in developing and enhancing good policy analysis and ultimately good governance.
Mwale has since commended President Lungu for the appointment saying it is timely and wealth commending.
Chris Zimba replaces Kaizer Zulu as Special Assistant to the President for Political Affairs.
Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo has clarified that the International Narcotics Control Board will regulate the export of marijuana by Zambia once the cultivation of the drug starts for medicinal purposes.
Mr Kampyongo says the market will be provided by the Board and will approve the quantities that can be exported at a particular time by Zambia as is the case with other countries.
He said Zambia will not be able to export without being given a quarter by the Board and will not be allowed to export raw marijuana.
And Mr Kampyongo has assured the nation that regulations will be put in place in line with the existing laws to prevent the abuse and non medicinal use of marijuana by citizens.
He said the Narcotic and Psychiatric Substances Act is in force and the Drug Enforcement Commission will continue to enforce the law.
Mr Kampyongo explained that the International Narcotics Control Board will first need to approve the measures put in place by Zambia without which the production cannot start.
He said the Ministry of Health will soon update the nation on the measures and who should be allowed to produce marijuana in the country.
The newly built and furnished ‘Esther Lungu Police Post’ in Kitwe’s Nkana East,
GEARS Initiative Zambia says Home Affairs Minister, Stephen Kampyongo is deceiving the nation by claiming that the Office of the First Lady is a Constitutional Office by virtue of it receiving government funding.
In justifying the action of the First Lady to commission a police post in Kitwe recently instead of the Established government office or official, Mr. Kampyongo, claimed that the Office of the First Lady was well established in law and that the First Lady was in order to commission a police post.
McDonald Chipenzi, the Organisation Executive Director has challenged Mr. Kampyongo to tell the nation which Article in the Constitution of Zambia or Act of Parliament establishes the Office of the First Lady in Zambia other than being the spouse of the President.
Mr Chipenzi said even the funding being channeled to this Office by government without supporting legal instrument can be described as illegality in itself.
“We recall how the First Lady’s Office’s was forcibly allocated a budget line in the national budget and that did not make it a government Office and does not make the First Lady’s Office a Constitutional Office”, he said.
Mr Kampyongo challenged the Minister to help Zambians understand how the Office of the first lady is a Constitutional or government one.
“Otherwise, this propensity by ministers to justifying a wrong in order to impress the president will haunt this government”, he added.
Ambassador Foote with Zambia’s Ambassdor to the United States
By Isaac Mwanza
I have read a couple of media reports confirming that the United States Government has recalled its Ambassador to Zambia, Daniel Foote, following the recent demarche issued by the Zambian Government. This demarche followed his comments on the jailing of a gay couple, for the offence of homosexuality, an act contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
First, let me say there has been a great deal of excitement from supporters of the opposition political parties, mainly the United Party for National Development (UPND), over the differences between the Zambian Government and Ambassador Foote. Additionally, these supporters have yearned, in anticipation that the differences should lead to strained relations between the Trump and Lungu administration.
For the Zambian opposition, such strained relations and any cut of aid would certainly work to their own political advantage. The majority of Zambians who are beneficiaries of such US aid, especially around HIV/AIDS, would suffer and blame it on President Edgar Lungu.
The suffering of Zambians, it is assumed, would give the opposition a clear ticket to winning 2021 elections. The current economic turbulence the country is facing, coupled with loadsheddding due to non-availability of sufficient water for power generation, is good enough for our opposition parties to make political capital.
Most of our current opposition leaders would rather pray that the existing economic situation remained the same if that would contribute to their assuming power in 2021.
If the US had by any chance decided to cut aid to Zambia, especially around healthcare where people’s lives would directly be affected, this would have been a bonus for Zambia’s main opposition parties and their news media outlets.
However, as an ardent follower of US politics, I know the US does not use emotions to make decisions.
Many closer friends know that in US politics, I am more inclined to supporting the Democrats because of their humane approach in many matters such war – one area that distinguishes the Democrats from the Republicans. Besides, it is the Democrats under President Obama who made me become a Mandela Fellow and UVA Presidential Precinct Alumni.
Nevertheless, I fully endorsed the election of Donald Trump in the last US election, and I don’t regret that he won that election over Hillary Clinton, an iron lady whom we shared an auditorium during her visit to Zambia.
Now, American leaders and key decision-makers at the US State Department are largely different from our local African politics. In our local politics, when you disagree with each other, those with “power” (in whatever form) would use such to fix opponents and reduce them to zero. That is not how Americans make key decisions affecting its peoples or other human race abroad.
The above explains why President is now in problems and battling an impeachment inquiry. Donald Trump is alleged to have taken advantage of the “economic” power in withholding and tying military aid to Ukraine in exchange for his political battles against the Democratic Presidential aspirant Joe Biden.
Many American politicians and decision-makers frowned on that act by the President to use aid as a weapon to fight personal political battles.
The same can be said about the current situation involving US Ambassador Foote and the Zambian Government. No doubt, Ambassador Foote strongly feels against the jailing of the gay couple because the laws of his country are different from our laws and he himself may have a more tolerant view on the free and open practice of homosexuality, an act forbidden by Zambian laws.
The United States, too, has its own law which are in conflict with the Zambian laws. For example, many Americans would consider it absurd to advocate for outlawing polygamy which would see American men have more than one wife. Of course, there may be a few Americans and activists who would support legalizing polygamy among consenting adults within the US just as we have some Zambians who advocate for decriminalization of homosexuality.
The question is, what difference would it make if the Trump administration tied or even cut aid to any African country based on an individual taste or wanting to impose an American – way of life in comparison to precondition which Trump is alleged to have made in Ukraine?
Let’s put this clear once more. The Trump administration policy on LGBTQ is not wholly complete as it was with the Democrats. From the time President Trump was elected, the administration has not pursued the full-tolerance policy of LGBTQ as did the Democrats. Trump himself has gone up to the US Supreme Court to champion discrimination of gays and lesbians from serving in the military. Does President Trump think being gay is a human right such as education and life are?
While America generally pursues a more tolerance policy of LGBTQ, established patterns reveal that Americans are reluctant to imposing their way of life on other countries, just as other countries are expected to respect the preferences of Americans on such matters as polygamy and homosexuality.
The Republicans, despite carrying a general public perception that they are war-mongers, have nevertheless done much more for Africa than the Democrats. Not even the first Black President Barak Obama could match the record of the Republicans in supporting Africa inspire of his African roots.
It was under former Republican President George W. Bush Junior, the extremist, that Africa received more aid towards the fight against HIV/AID pandemic.
While I am of the view that countries such as USA and China who render billions in aid and loans are entitled to air their views, that should only be done within the confines of acceptable diplomatic channels. I don’t know what would happen to the Zambian Ambassador to USA if he decided to make public comments in favour of the impeachment of President Trump. Guess he would not only be recalled but expelled the following day.
To conclude, one of the reasons why foreign dignitaries are required to use proper diplomatic channels to make their views known is for their own good, the good of both the sending and receiving country.
No respected diplomat would want to being viewed as “descending into the internal political arena” in order to influence internal politics and electoral outcomes.
Zambia is at a point where, from the first day after an election to the next elections, parties are politicking. And any public comments from diplomats which appear to be siding with either the opposition or ruling party, are viewed as representing the views of the sending country or its support to that party.
Worse, when u have a country where some parties have, for more 20 years, remained in opposition, anyone who issues remarks which gives them leverage in political campaigns is seen as a darling. Sadly, many of our opposition political leaders have reached a stage where they would want to see ordinary Zambians suffer from sanctions if that becomes part of their means to power.
In Zimbabwe, it was the main opposition political parties and its aligned civil society organisations who worked with International Community to bring sanctions by cutting aid. We know who ended up suffering. The then Zimbabwe’s opposition leaders did not care at all on the effects of those sanctions because, to them, the suffering of ordinary Zimbabweans was a means needed to gain public approval and get elected into power. This must never be allowed to happen in any other parts of Africa.
Compliments of the Season and Prosperous 2020!
The Author is Governance and Legal Activist and a Mandela Washington Fellow
Maamba Collieries Coal Powered Power Plant with Capacity to generate 300 Megawatts of Power
Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa says Maamba Collieries is now feeding 135 megawatts of power into the national grid.
Mr Nkhuwa said one of the two generators that had broken down at the 300 MW coal-fired power plant has been repaired with the second one expected to be fixed in the first week of January 2020.
He said this has reduced the power deficit from 810 megawatts to 675 megawatts.
Meanwhile Mr Nkhuwa said Zambia has continued to receive electricity from Eskom South Africa.
He said Eskom was unable to give the 300 megawatts of power as agreed due to power deficit in that country and will continue giving power until the money paid to them is exhausted.
Maamba Collieries in October said it needed ZESCO to clear outstanding debts owed to the company so it could maintain efficient operations at its 300 MW coal-fired power plant.
It said due to a continued shortfall in monthly payments of its power bills by ZESCO, the company had not been able to keep up a robust maintenance programme at its modern eco-friendly thermal power plant which has been contributing significantly to the energy balance of the country.
United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has said that the action taken by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to cut any financial disbursements to Zambia for failing to repay contracted loans on time means that the country has defaulted.
Posting on his social media account, the UPND leader said that Zambia had now joined the AfDB blacklist of Zimbabwe, Somalia, and Sudan, which he labeled as fragile states.
UPND Leader revealed that the African Development Bank 1.4 million dollars loan is not the only default as the PF Government has defaulted on some loans in recent months.
Mr Hichilema says a few weeks ago, Zambia defaulted on 6.2 million Euro to an Italian Bank that purchased the Presidential jet.
He said this was despite Finance Minister Bwalya Ng’andu giving assurance in August that Zambia will not default on debt servicing.
“This default will be blamed on UPND and HH, the latter having connived with AfDB”, he said.
Mr Hichilema has however advised the PF that in order not to default on loans, It can slow down on borrowing by reducing deficit for 2020 from 5.5% to 3.4% of GDP.
He said the PF must further consider slowing down on spending, by cutting back on unnecessary or low priority capital projects such new roads, new districts, ministries, commissions and new universities.
He added that PF must improve the quality of public spending, focusing on sponsoring commercially viable public-private partnership projects that will help improve productivity and bring more money into the Treasury through tax contributions.
“A few weeks ago, I shared this graphic on how Zambia is now stressed to service debt, which I share again today. The Eurobonds are due in January (US$112.1m); March (US$40.3m) and April (US$85m). If Ng’andu does not take the measures above, Civil servants must forget about their salaries”, he said.
He regretted that after months of denial about the gravity of Zambia’s debt situation, the PF Government’s self-inflicted fiscal decay has fully manifested, as Zambia fails to pay US$1.4 million interest to the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Mr Hichilema said it is sad that AfDB has thus cut any financial disbursements to Zambia for failing to repay contracted loans on time. Zambia joins the AfDB blacklist of Zimbabwe, Somalia and Sudan (all fragile States).
To understand HH’s desperation to ascend into power, one has to go backwards and analyze our past elections in regards to what was done by HH and his UPND in their quest to rig the 2016 elections. This on its own explains the dangerous predicament we find ourselves in as a country. We have a major opposition political party whose only focus is to grab political power by any means possible and not help change the status core of our poor citizens.
Apart from selling our country to the imperialist who want to loot our mineral wealth, HH and his UPND are also willing to sale our souls to sponsors who believe in homosexuality and worse still they are prepared to do anything to rig elections including using data manipulation of whatever means.
During our last general elections, HH and his UPND engaged the disgraced UK data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica to influence voters ahead of the 2016 general elections.
According to a letter of engagement dated 11 March 2016 from the Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Analytica Alexander Nix to Hakainde Hichilema *(attached below),* it shows in black and white that the firm worked for HH and his UPND in the 2016 election at a rate of $150,000 per month. The contract covered a short period of 3 months. *(We all know what almost happened then)
The letter promised to “deploy certain third-party persuasion techniques which the company claimed had proven hugely successful in past campaigns in Nigeria. It further claimed that a similar approach is exactly what was needed to deliver victory to the UPND.”
Cambridge Analytica was introduced to Hichilema by his British political advisor, Henry Sands, who previously had worked for former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on a controversial election campaign in which he lost power to the current president. Mr. Henry Sands of Sabi Strategy Group is an Associate of the Brenthurst Foundation of which HH is also a member.
Mr. Sands who is also the Managing Director at SABI Strategy Group, a firm that provides comprehensive communication strategies and solutions to international businesses, High-net-worth individual and political organizations, also attended Birmingham University with HH to study for his Finance and Business Strategy masters programme.
Documents uncovered by the Canadian newspaper the Globe and Mail show that Cambridge Analytica had boasted of using unsavoury tactics in that 2007 election in Nigeria, including vote buying and voter suppression, in addition to circulating anti-Islamic videos to stir up voters’ fears.
The Cambridge Analytica Scandal
Cambridge Analytica was also at the center of a controversy over its acquisition and use of personal Facebook data in the 2016 United States presidential election. The firm also come under heavy scrutiny for its role in the Kenyan and Nigeria presidential elections.
The Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal was a major political scandal in early 2018 when it was revealed that Cambridge Analytica had harvested the personal data of millions of peoples’ Facebook profiles without their consent and used it for political advertising purposes.
It was described as a watershed moment in the public understanding of personal data and precipitated a massive fall in Facebook’s stock price and calls for tighter regulation of tech companies’ use of personal data.
The illicit harvesting of personal data by Cambridge Analytica was first reported in December 2015 by Harry Davies, a journalist for The Guardian. He reported that Cambridge Analytica was working for the United States Senator Ted Cruz using data harvested from millions of people’s Facebook accounts without their consent.
Further reports followed in the Swiss Publication Das Magazine by Hannes Grasseger and Mikael Krogerus (December 2016), (later translated and published by Vice), Carole Cadwalladr in The Guardian (starting in February 2017) and Mattathias Schwartz in The Intercept (March 2017).
The scandal finally erupted in March 2018 with the emergence of a whistle-blower, an ex-Cambridge Analytica employee Christopher Wylie who included HH and UPND on clients that where engaged by his former company. He had been an anonymous source for an article in 2017 in The Observer by Cadwalladr, headlined “The Great British Brexit Robbery”.
Fast forward to 2021 – The New plan
Latest classified information has emerged that link HH to the new Cambridge Analytica owner, Ahmad Al-Khatib, the source has confirmed that a new contract has been secured to help the UPND to win the 2021 elections with massive social media campaigns, data manipulation and increased propaganda against the PF government at a monthly fee of USD 225,000 for a period of 1year 3 month from March 2020.
Cambridge Analytica, has re-emerged with an Egyptian as its sole investor and has its concentrated focus on the Middle East and Africa.
*The new company, Auspex International, will keep former Cambridge Analytica director Mark Turnbull at the helm, according to a Financial Times report that says an unnamed African country (Zambia) is already on board as one of the first clients.*
The Cairo-born investor Ahmad Al-Khatib, now based in London, was the former director of Emerdata, a firm established to rescue and rebrand the Cambridge Analytica operation. The company ceased doing business and filed for bankruptcy in the UK on May 2, blaming the “siege of media coverage.” Ahmad *Al-Khatib was in Zambia for the weekend of 22nd to the 24th of November to finalize the contract with HH.*
Al-Khatib, said the new Auspex will use similar data-driven communication strategies to make positive social change, promoting health care and other programs while countering the extremist influence in some nations.
“We’re not a data company, we’re not a political consultancy, we’re not a research company and we’re not necessarily just a communications company,” he said. “We’re a combination of all four.” In short, they help opposition leaders rig elections in their countries, which is a treasonable offense worldwide.
HH and his UPND must know that they are being watched very closely by security data experts.
Dr. Joze Manda is a Political Analyst based in Lusaka
President Edgar Lungu has implored people in the country to celebrate Christmas responsibly and avoid engaging in practices that will endanger their lives.
And President Lungu has called on the clergy of every faith to be agents of unity rather than instigators of hatred in the church and political arena.
In his Christmas message to the Nation, President Lungu said citizens from different political beliefs run to the church for counsel because they believe leaders of the church are above partisan politics.
He expressed concern that senior members of the clergy are open to the whims of party politics hence the need to pray for church leaders to lead the way in uniting people in the country.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has also expressed concern that the country records increased road traffic accidents during Christmas period hence urged motorists to respect other motorists and pedestrians, and abide by the given traffic rules.
ZANIS reports that President Lungu said this in his Christmas message to the nation today.
Dr Lungu noted that it is during Christmas time that people indulge in activities which cause a breach of the peace in society, adding that the act is not only demeaning to their own lives, but also to society.
The Head of State cited excessive drinking, drinking while driving and scuffles as some of the bad vices that people should desist from.
He explained that as people celebrate Christmas there is need to remember its original meaning and subject themselves to the government of prince of peace who is Jesus Christ by honouring the day through worshiping and thanksgiving regardless of difficult situations.
President Lungu added that people need to show love to their families and avoid domestic violence especially after intoxication.
Quoting from Isaiah 9 verse 6, Dr Lungu noted that the message of Christmas is a message of love and salvation and self-introspection, to take self-examination to see whether people’s conduct during the year reflect Christian values which represent the love of God and his son Jesus Christ
The Zambian government has confirmed that the African Development Bank l has imposed sanctions on the country for failure to service loans, but assured that the nation not to panic as the payments are being processed and will be finalized as soon as possible.
In a statement released to the media, the Ministry of Finance said that it has started processing payment of $ 1.4 Million United States dollars in loan repayment to the African Development Bank.
The Ministry said that the delays in settlement of the bill was due to the sudden depreciation of the kwacha which increased the volume of the Kwacha needed to settle the amount.
The Ministry has further stressed that it must be understood that the government budget is always in kwacha.
The Statement further said that any sudden and significant adjustment in the exchange rate, the ministry of Finance may experience challenges in meeting obligations payable in foreign currency and that this was normal and may occur from time to time.
The government has since assured the nation and all stakeholders that the situation is under control and is not as portrayed on social media.
Government has also acknowledged that the African Development Bank did write to its Ministry of Finance yesterday to inform them that as of yesterday, that the bank had NOT received full payment in respect of the bank group bills.
On 15th December 2019, the African Development Bank in accordance with its policy on loan arrears recovery informed the government that it imposed sanctions on Zambia.
The bank stated that it counted on the government’s prompt action for the timely settlement of the amounts due to enabling the lifting of sanctions.
The Government has since informed the nation that information circulating on social media to the effect that African Development Bank has put ZAMBIA under sanctions for failure to repay loans should NOT cause any panic.
President Lungu with his Special Assistant for Politics Chris Zimba
The appointment of Political Advisor Chris Zimba by President Edgar Lungu, despite his many negative social media postings about the Head of State, shows that the President does not habour ill feelings against any Zambian, who has the quality and good credentials to save the country.
According to a statement released to the media by the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) PF Lusaka Province Chairman Paul Moonga, advised the party members to desist from attacking Presidential appointees and senior party officials in the media saying doing so is tantamount to attacking the Head of State, and further advised party members to deeply reflect on social, spiritual and political happenings in the country during this festive period and as 2019 comes to an end.
Mr. Moonga said that the party expects Mr. Zimba to link its structures with State House in order to bring harmony to the ruling party, adding that the appointment of Mr. Zimba marks the beginning of a new era that should see the office of the Presidential Political Advisor working closely with the office of the Secretary-General of the Party.
Mr. Moonga called on Mr Zimba to work closely with the party structures and give the Head of State a true reflection of happenings in the ruling party.
Meanwhile, Luapula Province PF Chairperson Nickson Chilangwa has advised people opposed to Mr Zimba’s appointment to respect President Lungu’s decision.
Welcoming the appointment on behalf of the ruling party in Luapula Province, Mr. Chilangwa urged those finding it difficult to accept Mr. Zimba because of his past disagreements with the PF to give him support.
Mr. Chilanwga who is also Luapula Province Minister said people must respect President Lungu’s decision to work with everybody even if they disagree with him.
He noted that this is not the first time the Head of State has appointed people who criticise his government adding that the Head of State has in the past given Cabinet portfolios to members of the opposition.
Mr. Chilangwa said the decision by President Lungu to embrace those who strongly oppose him like Mr. Zimba shows that he is not a vindictive but forgiving leader.
Zanaco left for Benin on Tuesday ahead of Sunday’s 2019/20 CAF Confederation Cup Group B away date against ESAE.
The 18-member team left Lusaka on Tuesday afternoon for Cotonou via Addis Ababa.
“We are going there to try and get an outright win and I think from what we have seen in training, the team is very much ready and looking forward to the game,” Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba said.
Unlike their poor form on the domestic front, Zanaco are unbeaten in continental action this season although they have yet to collect a win in Group B.
Zanaco are third in Group B with 2 points, two points behind second placed DC Motema Pembe of DR Congo and RSB Berkane from Morocco against whom they drew 1-1 away and at home respectively.
ESAE are bottom of Group B following a 3-0 away loss at RSB and 2-0 home defeat at the hands of DCMP.
GOALKEEPERS: Toaster Nsabata, Mangani Banda
DEFENDERS: Lawrence Chungu, Tiberius Lombard, Kebson Kamanga, Kevin Owusu, Jimmy Nakena, Ziyo Tembo
MIDFIELDERS: Lassa Kiala, Tafadzwa Rusike, Ernest Mbewe, Guily Manziba, Charles Zulu,
Kelvin Kapumbu
STRIKERS: Roger Kola, Chitiya Mususu, Moussa Souleymanou, Emmanuel Okutu
Green Eagles have failed to jump to third place on the 2019/2020 FAZ Super Division table following an away loss at Lusaka Dynamos on Christmas Eve at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Dynamos beat the 2019 transitional season runners-up 1-0 in a rescheduled Week 10 fixture hand the visitors their second league defeat of the campaign.
Baba Basile struck in the 25th minute when he turned in an Emmanuel Habasimbi assist to record his fifth league goal of the season.
The result ended Eagles eleven-match unbeaten run since losing their first game on September 8 in a 2-0 away loss, also in Lusaka, at Zanaco.
Eagles stay put at number six on 24 points, one behind third placed Forest Rangers and are seven points adrift of Napsa Stars and leaders Zesco United who are tied on 31 points.
Dynamos are up one notch from 12th to eleventh after halting a three -match winless run on 16 points from fourteen games played.
