UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema says he has noted with dismay the PF regime’s failure to pay council employees and other public sector workers their salaries, allowances and benefits for long periods of time.

Mr Hichilema says the current situation indicates that council workers have gone for over 3 months without pay and yet the PF have funds to bribe voters in unnecessary by-elections.

He said this is uncalled for and a great injustice to families that are already struggling under the economic hardships brought about by the corrupt and failed PF, Mr Edgar Lungu and his friends.

Mr Hichilema said in view of the above, the PF administration should immediately pay outstanding salaries and allowances to all council and other public sector workers who have not been paid.

“We also direct that Mr Edgar Lungu’s PF administration must mmediately release the equalization funds and other grants meant to help run the local authorities and other public sector institutions without any further delay. It is absurd for the PF to keep using council, government and other public sector workers without paying them but funding their PF thugs during election campaigns. A salary is a human right which must be received on time”, he said.

He also directed the President to remove PF thugs from bus stations, markets, taxi ranks and several other public places and replace them with local authorities so as to restore order.

Mr Hichilema said this will save the public from the PF thugs’ harassment and being overcharged for using public facilities.

He said further, this will enable local authorities to properly manage these facilities and collect fair revenue that will facilitate their smooth operations, especially as the rain season draws near.

Mr Hichilema said currently, the PF thugs are collecting high and illegal levies from members of the public in the above stated areas and sharing among themselves at the expense of the councils and the public.

He lamented that this lawlessness and violence with impunity must end now and the councils must without further delay reclaim their mandate to properly manage these public facilities and collect fair levies on behalf of our people.

“As UPND, we would like a situation where ordinary citizens are able to freely use these public facilities without fear of being overcharged, harassed, robbed, beaten or killed by these unruly gun trotting PF thugs”, he added.

And Mr Hichilema has challenged the PG Pay retirees all their benefits immediately because they worked for these benefits, in some cases, for many years and the PF must not be diverting these monies to reward their militias that are harrassing, maiming and killing citizens with unbelievable impunity.

“Lastly, we would like to assure council, government and other public sector workers that are not receiving their dues and other benefits from the PF, that when in government, the UPND undertakes that your salaries and all other benefits including those relating to retirement will be paid on time”, said the opposition Leader.

He said not only will the retirees be paid promptly, but their conditions of service will be improved in line with the party policy of ensuring motivation of all workers.

Mr Hichilema said in addition, the UPND in government will ensure that funding (grants, equalization funds and others) will be paid on time to allow for smooth operations.

UPND Youths have challenged the PF regime to immediately remove their cadres from bus stops and markets failure to which they will be removed by force.

UPND Deputy National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso says the struggling marketers, bus drivers, and their conductors, and the traveling public are suffering a lot of humiliation through unnecessary levies and taxes from these PF hooligans.

Mr. Liswaniso said UPND youths will protect the suffering masses and ensure sanity is restored in public places by Wednesday this week.

He said the starting point will be Lusaka’s Intercity Bus Terminus, City Market, Katondo and Lumumba bus stations and make sure that these are handed over to the Lusaka City Council who can run them effectively and enhance revenue collection.

“We cannot have a situation where public facilities are being abused by a few thugs stealing money from struggling bus drivers, marketeers and traveling public while councils are struggling with resources, failing to pay workers and maintain these places”, Mr. Liswaniso said.

He lamented that what is even worse is that the Zambia Police is failing to deal with these criminals, but instead they are harassing innocent masses.

Mr. Liswaniso said UPND is a party of order and will ensure sanity is restored in these public places starting this week on Wednesday.

Leader of the MMD faction Dr Nevers Mumba has challenged Church Leaders to start engaging government on the evils happening in the nation.

Dr Mumba said his heart is burdened with what is happening in the country among them killings and the Church has a solution to the problem.

Addressing congregants at Matero United Church of Zambia where he congregated yesterday, Dr Mumba said the hope for Zambia is not in politicians but the Church hence the need for the church to get involved in Politics.

And Dr Mumba said only the Church can unite Zambia which has been divided by politicians.

He noted that the Church does not change despite the change of governments and embraces everyone regardless of their political affiliation and tribal grouping.

Dr Mumba regretted that because of Politics and in the name of Democracy, young people are being encouraged to kill each other like was the case in Kaoma.

He said if not stopped, killing each other will become a tradition in Politics mainly because it is not the relatives of politicians who being killed.

Dr Mumba said God fearing people must start aspiring for leadership positions in order to clean the governance of the nation.

He said the difficulties Zambia is currently going through such as unemployment, hunger, poverty and poor economy among others will continue as long as the church does not start up to get involved in politics.

Peoples Alliance for Change President Andyford Banda has admitted being a member of the African Liberal Network, a controversial Organisation accused of advocating for Gay rights in Africa.

The opposition UPND has come under intense criticism particularly from the ruling Patriotic Front for allegedly belonging to the grouping that has a huge membership on the continent interested in pushing for gay rights.

Mr Banda says his party is a member of the African Liberal Network and the ignorance being peddled to just injure people’s reputation without facts won’t take Zambia anywhere.

“We are being attacked indirectly and we shall not sit quietly seeing our characters being assassinated by power hungry and ignorant politicians”, he said.

Mr Banda said he is even shocked that out of ignorance, Kanchibiya PF Member of Parliament Dr Martin Malama proposed a Bill in Parliament to ban political parties that belong to the ALN.

“Why can’t you introduce bills that would give loans to small businesses to access solar energy? I must say that your ignorant propaganda won’t change people’s lives”, he added.

Mr Banda said from now onwards, the People’s Alliance for Change will defend the membership of the African Liberal Network which is the biggest political network in Africa.

“We have political parties coming from countries were LGBT rights are a crime and they are not in the Network to change course but to discuss policies that would help create jobs and to strengthen political parties”, said Mr Banda.

He said through the years PAC has been a member of the ALN, he does not remember gay rights being on the agenda.

Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Hon. Dr. Martin Malama has challenged UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to come out clearly on statements attributed to him, as being part of the African Liberal Network, which promotes Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) rights.

Dr. Malama has challenged Mr. Hichilema, to clearly state whether or not he is part of the organization rather than accusing people of politicking whenever they raise the issue.

“Look him straight in the eyes and ask him whether he is not part of the African Liberal Network.” Dr. Malama stated.

Speaking when he featured on the Patriotic Front’s weekly Interactive Forum, Dr. Malama urged the Nation to be weary of organizations such as those “allegedly” sponsoring the UPND they could distort the morals of the country’s future generations.

Dr. Malama lamented that it was against the Zambian laws and nature, men could have sex with each other and women in the same manner.

And Deputy government Chief Whip Hon. Tutwa Ngulube indicated that Mr. Hichilema, may not state whether he could be part of the Organization because they come with so many incentives like Elections Funding.

The Patriotic Front Media Director Mr. Sunday Chanda also challenged Mr. Hichilema and his senior party officials to clearly state their position and Stance on the organization.

He said if they were part of the organization, the best they could do is tell Zambians that they have pulled out of the organization.

Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu Zambia has congratulated Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Dr. Abiy Ahmed for winning the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.

President Lungu commended Dr. Abiy for his tireless efforts to bring peace in Ethiopia and the neighbouring states.

President Lungu said Dr. Ahmed joins other notable Africans such as Mr. Albert Luthuli, former President Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who earned the prestigious prize for their work. He said the prize awarded to Dr. Abiy for bringing an end to a 20-year border stalemate between Ethiopia and Eritrea, was a recognition that Africa can resolve her internal conflicts and challenges using her own home-grown mechanisms.

He said the recognition of Dr. Abiy by the Nobel Committee will encourage other African leaders to pursue Peace and Security as a foremost priority.

President Lungu said it was commendable that the peace, security and stability that Dr. Ahmed was pursuing in the region was a foundation for both his economic and democratic reforms he has undertaken in Ethiopia that would help deliver national development.

This is contained in a letter of congratulations written to Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia by the President.

Today’s Scripture

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed…”
(Proverbs 11:25, NIV)

Be Generous

Do you need refreshing today? So many people go around overwhelmed, tired, worn down, and barely get by. But that’s not God’s best. He wants us to prosper. He wants us to be refreshed. Here’s the key: be generous and refresh others. Is there someone at the office that you can be a blessing to? Can you lighten someone’s load? Maybe a family member is going through a hard time. Can you help them out? Can you cook them a meal? Refreshing someone can be as simple as a smile or an encouraging word. Don’t wait until you feel like doing it; that day may never come! Do it because the Scripture tells us to. Do it because it blesses the Lord.

It’s easy to get so busy and think, “I don’t have time to help others. I have my own problems.” Helping others can be the key to seeing your situation turn around. The people you see who need encouragement, who need a ride, who need a hand, who need help accomplishing a dream—they are opportunities for you to go to a higher level. Step out and refresh others; live a life of generosity. As you do, you will be refreshed in return and experience His blessing in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, I choose to put my trust in You. I press forward in faith so I can overcome fear. I believe You have my best interest at heart and know that You are leading me in the paths of righteousness all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

By: Anthony Bwalya – UPND Member

To PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND, I want to say this: I can see and feel the pain in your eyes. But in that pain and suffering, rests your love for your country and it’s people. That will always be your greatest victory.

I also want to be clear and on the record from the onset on a number of things:

Firstly, that the UPND holds a very clear agenda for change and reform; an agenda we wish to use in interrogating what we believe has been a failed PF development agenda, as well as their legacy and culture of corruption and bad leadership whose results are evident in all of our homes and communities.

Secondly, the UPND as an organization does not espouse, promote or encourage political violence. The tenets that gave birth to the party, the same tenets that has held it together for so many years, are very clear in focus. It is about creating a rule of law that works for all of us, restoring the credibility, quality and standard of life for our people by reducing poverty and putting people back at the center of national development and growth.

Thirdly, the UPND has no policy of arming or encouraging it’s members to carry or brandish assault, military grade and other offensive weapons. The UPND continues to emphasize the primary responsibility for the police to maintain law and order and keep all of us safe and to effect the law with impartiality.

Also important to note, is that the call by the UPND leadership for it’s members to defend themselves when attacked, is often done so reluctantly and with such dejection and despair, and as a rallying cry for help and for the police to do their job. The UPND always encourages it’s membership, even under the most intense of provocation, to respond with the utmost restraint, caution and with such complete and total respect for human life.

Further, that the UPND remains committed to collaborating with all stakeholders and political actors in working through all available options and alternatives, to ensure that we retain order to public life, and rid our politics of rapidly degenerating culture of political violence.

The UPND does not want the country to lose focus of the critical conversations around jobs, education, government corruption, poverty, inequality, healthcare, land administration, the economy etc.

These are and will remain our primary areas of focus of engagement as we enter the crucial period leading up to 2021.

But we also take great exception to the deceitfulness of our colleagues in the PF. Yesterday, while Hon. Kelvin Samoa was on Let The People Talk purportedly talking peace with our Gilbert Liswaniso, PF CADRES were in fact mobilizing and preparing to ambush, attack and disrupt the UPND in their process of mourning and remembering the life of Lawrence Banda, slain by paid political assailants.

That was disingenuous on the part of the Patriotic Front leadership and it raises questions around their willingness and commitment to decist from any conduct which may be understood as promoting and sponsoring political violence.

We also think it is distasteful for the PF Deputy Secretary General Madam Mumbi Phiri to wantonly and without an ounce of caution, level Lawrence Banda a criminal who died while trying to steal a bag. That is not how leaders communicate. Her remarks were nothing short of inflammatory and caused anguish to the entire UPND family, but even, to the family and children of Lawrence Banda.

Violence cannot and must never be adopted as the principal medium of communicating our political differences and disagreements. It overshadows and undermines our collective ability to focus on the right sort of developmental, progressive, productive and constructive conversations.

It is sad, that instead of the country discussing the state, quality and standard of public education and healthcare, so that my son can have a fighting chance at a decent future, the country is firmly gripped into a discussion of violent political party politics and polarisation.

When will we have a discussion around how we collectively resolve the question of securing long term land rights for Zambians when current public policy places a demand for hefty payment against it, against a heavily impoverished local population whose ability to buy has been eroded by a fast collapsing economy?

When will we have a productive, honest conversation around public sector grand, political corruption and state capture; all of which have ocassioned such incalculable damage onto our people, irrespective of political party affiliations?

I am proposing a crisis meeting between PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu of the PF and the Republic, and PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND), and the leadership of the police, to be mediated by the Church, to kickstart a different conversation around how we will make violent politics stop.

Plan International Eastern regional manager Richard Kalyata has said that statistics for teen pregnancies in the Eastern Province are still very alarming with Chadiza recording 1,020 from January to October 2019.

Speaking at the event to mark the girl child which fell yesterday, Kalyata said Plan International would continue cooperating with the government in the fight against early marriages and teen pregnancies to ensure the girl child excel in life.

“When you look at the statistics of teenage pregnancies, which are coming out, the other time I remember we had statistics for Chipata, they were quite alarming. Currently, we have statistics for Chadiza district. In 2015 we had 468 girls who fell pregnant, in 2016 we had 336, in 2017 we had 336 then in 2018 the number grew to 1,601. You can imagine from 336 to 1,601. This year from January to October we have already recorded 1,020 teen pregnancies and these statistics are coming from Ministry of Health,” he said.

Kalyata said the figures were coming from the communities and not schools.

“It’s like there is a lot of awareness to the school going girls but we have neglected those girls who are not in school, meaning that there is a gap which has been created and needs to be addressed by us stakeholders so that those girls in the community are also able to get the message on issues of sexuality and be able to change the way they look at things,” he said.

Kalyata said the international day was being commemorated under the theme ‘empowering a girl for a brighter tomorrow’.

“When a girl is educated, her future is brighter, no wonder they say when you educate a girl you educate the nation. We are happy that Mitchell has taken over the office of the mayor today and this is going to inspire her. If she will continue working hard. one day she is going to become a mayor. As Plan International, we are working with government, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to ensure we empower the girl children,” he said.