Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
FILE: Visiting Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa with President Edgar Lungu at State House
Details have emerged of how members of the University of Zambia Senate were coerced into approving the controversial proposal to confer Honorary Doctorates on President Edgar Lungu and his Zimbabwean counterpart Emerson Mnangagwa.
On Friday, President Lungu and President Mnangagwa are expected to be conferred with Honorary Doctorates for good governance.
But some members of the Senate have revealed that they were duped into supporting the proposal.
The members who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were surprised that such a proposal was tabled in a meeting without following procedure.
“So an emergency Senate meeting was called via email and Senators were told that they will find the agenda as they go for the meeting,” one of the Senators explained.
“As we sat, the agenda was circulated and a write up to support the awarding of the two doctorates was attached. The VC (Vice Chancellor) was not in the meeting but was represented by the DVC (Deputy Vice Chancellor). She told everyone that if they want to find good in people they can always find it and vice versa. So people were asked to ratify the proposed names which is Edgar Lungu and Emerson Mnangagwa.”
The source added, “Then the union leader protested that this is not how things are done and asked why an exception was being made on this one.
“The DVC said they did not have much to say but to just ratify the proposal. So people asked why they were called to the meeting to rubber stamp something they don’t agree with. They were told a committee was constituted and chaired by Prof Baboo from the School of Medicine.”
“The argument was that the two (President Lungu and President Mnangagwa) were Alumni who ascended to the highest offices in the two countries.”
The source said the people refused to endorse the proposal leaving the DVC with no option but to asked for a proposer to which someone did and she then asked for a secondment to which someone else also did and that is how the meeting ended with all members of Senate dumb founded.
And the Patriotic Front has congratulated President Lungu saying he deserves to be conferred with a Honorary Doctorate because of his exceptional leadership.
PF Deputy Media Director Antonio Mwanza says President Lungu will be honoured for among others, appointing Zambia’s first female President and for enacting the 2016 Constitution.
Mr Mwanza said President Lungu further deserves to be honoured for the massive infrastructure development and for uniting the country under the One Zambia, One Nation motto.
He said President Lungu also deserves to be honoured for upholding the Rule of Law and for seeking compensation for the families of the Gabon Air Disaster.
Jesse Were is our main man despite being snubbed by Kenya for the 2019 AFCON says Zesco United assistant coach Alfred Lupiya.
Were inspired Zesco to the 2019 ABSA Cup final with a brace in a 2-0 semifinal win over Buildcon at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on June 15.
The goals lifted the Kenyan’s striker’s goals to 17 this season with nine and six in the league and continental action respectively.
Were’s crime for not even making the provisional team is having not scored for Kenya in 26 appearances.
On June 22, Were has an opportunity to add his 2019 domestic tally when Zesco host Zanaco in the ABSA Cup final on June 22 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
“Of late, Jesse had really helped us. If that coach watches this game, I am sure he will have to think twice,” Lupiya said.
“Jesse is on top of his game now. He is really helping us and he is also playing with an injury but he has helped us a lot.
“But coaches are different, so I cannot say why he (Kenya coach Sebastian Migne) did drop Jesse. The coach knows what he was doing, but for us, Jesse is really helping the team, he is on top of his game now.”
President Edgar Lungu is optimistic that integration of the Free Trade Areas in the region will make Africa a prosperous continent.
President Lungu said the Africa Continental Free Trade Area will emancipate and bring development to the continent through economic integration.
The head of State said this in an interview with ZANIS in Maputo – Mozambique last evening shortly before takeoff for Lusaka, after attending the US-Africa Summit.
President Lungu said the agreement is meant to create a tariff-free continent that can grow local businesses, boost intra-African trade, increase industrialization and create jobs.
He said the agreement creates a single continental market for goods and services as well as a customs union with free movement of capital and business travellers.
The Head of State noted that through the Free Trade Area, Africa is forging a new path for itself to foster sustainable wealth and development for the continent.
It was in 1991 when everyone was shouting “The Hour Has Come”! A new era had just dawn in post independent Zambia. The torch of a one party-participatory democracy, a conveniently crafted political ideology that united 73 ethnic people groups into a one party-ruled united Zambia, diminished and was about to be replaced by a multi-party democracy floodlight.
I recall very well how excited we were as university students who just survived a Mwamba Luchembe one hour coup and food riots that left some students severely maimed and three dead, with two uniformed men uniform in Kalingalinga. My aging grandpa had to brave his lung cancer to travel to his birthplace, 800km from Lusaka, to cast his vote as he believed that vote had power enough to contribute to the end of UNIP and KK’s 27-year rule. The Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) got 76% votes, winning by a landslide victory (125 of the 150 seats, with UNIP only 25). We saw our first president peacefully handing over power to a much
younger charismatic trade unionist and preacher, in Fredrick Titus Jacob Chiluba (popularly known as FTJ). I will forever honour this great man Dr Kenneth David Kaunda (KK) for conceding defeat and passing the mantle to FTJ. FTJ later on even caged super KK, took him to court, declared stateless in 1999 (Imagine!) which he challenged successfully in 2000. Later his dignity was restored as father of the nation by the late Patrick Levy Mwanawasa (LPM). FTJ tasted power and used it to do this. You may ask: Is this possible in a multi-party democratic Christian nation? Oh yes, it happened and written in history to haunt us.
The year 1991 brought so much hope to many Zambians, young and old, who at that time, were hungry and urgent to push the frontiers of development and achieve their dreams of being proud and free. I was one of those that believed into this new experiment as a second-year student of engineering at UNZA. I was very optimistic that the long queues of waiting to buy a tablet of soap and the hassles of jumping onto those unsafe Tata buses run by vigilantes without losing a shoe, would soon be a thing of the past. And, indeed, the policy of liberalisation and privatisation (though not a policy preference of TFJ and the MMD but a part of the
packaged conditions for development finance) brought good relief to some of the basic ugly evils that were prevalent especially late 80s and building up to 1991. We saw the advent of DCM’s on the road and some weird brands of buses, sweets from Pakistan, eggs and cabbage from Zimbabwe and mealie meal from far places like Canada as if we lived on mass.
The question you may be asking is: Did the dawn of multi-party democracy and its MMD government,captained by FTJ, bring real development to mother Zambia? I believe the answer to this question would be a mixed one, depending on which wing of the stadium you were sitting or are sitting now. If you were in grandstand, multi-party democracy did not get you soaked wet but cushioned you from the pangs of the structural adjustment programme (SAP). SAP brought untold misery to the people that were shouting loudest “pa nkoloko” during campaigns and voted in numbers to give KK a red card that was partially self-inflicted due
to his failure to listen to advice from his technocrats, the likes of Musokotwane, Mwanakatwe, Goma, Luke Mwananshiku and others.
The policy of liberalisation created competition to newly privatized parastatals and most of them folded belly up or shifted their production capitals to neighbouring Zimbabwe. Others simply closed and assets sold to pay off the debt that was inherited at acquisition. Driving through industrial areas in Luanshya, Ndola, Kitwe,Kabwe, Livingstone and others brought so much tears. In Kitwe, Mwekera Forest disappeared in 4 years due to the booming charcoal market driven by retrenched mine workers who resorted to renting out their acquired houses as part of the severance package from ZCCM via an IFC induced Future Search Programme. They built shacks in Mulenga compound but had no access to electricity and so charcoal became the primary energy source. The impact of the closure of industries on the people’s livelihoods and the effect on the environment is still with us to this day, 28 years after the advent of plural political system.
On the other hand, we saw a steady emergence of entrepreneurs that had a bit of capital and some tenacity to withstand bullying rates from banks and shrinking consumer expenditure. They formed huge trading companies and invested in warehouses to import bulk commodities from far and wide and distribute to the open market. With the mines privatised, some mine suppliers, that could not get their money from ZCCM run copper mines, now had their claims paid and so started flourishing. Hammers and other luxury vehicles became a common site on the Copperbelt. We also saw the advent of Shoprite and other South African brand chain stores spring up like mushrooms. The market for these stores was so good that they expanded very quickly in all provincial capitals of Zambia. Even Mazabuka and Mansa saw a Shoprite and Pep Stores, and this became some measure of development in FTJ’s era. For sure, there were no more basic grocery shortages and no more queuing for buses. There was plenty of choice for household commodities and freedom to trade anywhere. People became empowered to form tutemba and make money from them and this had significant impact on aggravated crime which reduced significantly as people could somehow earn a living. They earned a living either as vendors, taxi drivers, conductors or callboys. Some managed to get good jobs in those companies that survived the liberalisation and it’s SAP. It is the glimpse of hope in the masses that gave FTJ another victory in the 1996 elections and condemned UNIP to its final resting place when MMD won 131 seats and UNIP lost all 25 seats it had won in 1991. I don’t know how UNIP managed to do this but it happened!
On the macro-economic front, Zambia did not do as well as was expected, especially towards the end of 2000,to the disappointment of the massive voters. Some of the MMD founders criticized FTJ’s policy and warned that Zambia’s economy was being run like a bus limping on five wheels with loose nuts. In a matter of 4 years, the reality of the struggle of ‘the hour has come’ became apparent. MMD political tactics changed and the MMD government slid into partisan politics and corruption that eroded both the confidence of some of its founding architects and supporters alike. Opposition to the ruling MMD grew steadily with resignation of some key pioneers and an increasing tension among the ruling elites. Again, FTJ did not heed to the crispy advice that was pouring into state house and this became the beginning of the end to his rule that ushered back vigilantism and cadre-is-king mentality.
FTJ tried to hold on to power, crafted a third term campaign that saw him compromise some of highly regarded clergy who joined and conducted the chorus of third term even in pulpits. This cost MMD its dominance in parliament in the 2001 general elections. MMD’s candidate LPM won the presidential elections with just 29% of the vote in a field of eleven presidential candidates, including
Mr Chama Chakomboka. The MMD survived a political catastrophe as a part and its dominance was reduced to 69 seats in the National Assembly, with opposition parties gaining a majority. Luckily, LPM’s policies brought back some confidence and the economy started breathing again. He rounded up a very strong team of experienced technocrats who managed the economic machinery much better than in FTJ’s era. FTJ was stripped of his immunity that saw him charged with corruption and abuse of power to such an extent that he had to attend series of court sessions most of his last days on earth. What a legacy!
2006 elections provided the litmus test for LPM as he managed to double his votes from 29% in 2001 to 43% in 2006. However, it is worth noting that MMD has not recovered fully from the impact of FTJ’s rule, and after RB back peddled on LPM’s policies and the war against corruption. MMD lost its supremacy in 2011 when the people gave the king cobra 42% of the votes. And we are yet to see whether MMD will recover back to its glory days since up to now there it is not clear who its president is.
But something positive was happening in the background. There was growing confidence in the civil service and to some degree the rule of law was slowly taking its shape in the country that was used to vigilantes. One thing that the MMD government can take credit for is the commitment they made to the HIPC initiative, a pledge to relook at Zambian’s external debt at the time of completion. I will analyse the significance of this in PART II of these series.
What lesson can we draw from the first few years of the multi-party democracy experiment?
Well, there are several. The first and obvious one is that when the people of Zambia say enough is enough, it is difficult to
stop them. Trying to do so is like trying to stop a speeding train with your arms. The result is definitely fatal.KK experienced this and soon MMD experienced it. MMD had a very good support but they totally took that for granted. When the people got tired of FTJ and his political dribbling, they kicked him out. This is one of the benefits and gain brought by our constitutional multi-party democracy. FTJ could be challenged by both internal and external candidates and we can celebrate this new reality in Zambia even today.
The second and maybe more significant lesson is that embracing multi-party democracy and rule of law is one thing and governing by its tenets is another. We saw MMD leadership before 2001 preaching rule of law and democracy but lived completely opposite and even in denial of the same. FTJ almost single handedly legalized theft, corruption, bribery and nepotism in his approach to governance and the administration of the economy. He tasted power and confessed that it was sweet publicly and so it blinded his (and those with him) vision.Instead of delivering on the promises, political power was used it for self-enrichment of the elite ruling families and those sitting with them in the grandstand. Therefore, it is important that when people come to us and
campaign in the name of multi-party democracy and rule of law, we must listen to them with a pinch of salt.Check their track record and see whether they have the integrity to walk the talk. Charisma does not necessarily mean that the person has integrity. “Ichisungu cha mu miona” (if I can borrow Dr Katele Kalumba’s song) is not what we must look for in a good leader but credible references and track record of integrity.
The third lesson is that a nation cannot develop by short term strategies and heavy dependency on externalities, competencies and investments. Although external investment and competencies are critical in the short term, it is important to grow your own internal capacities and competencies for long term benefits.A consistent, predictable, reliable and humane socio-economic development framework with a suite of longterm strategies that put the local people at the core is non-negotiable. We can see how other nations are reaping the benefits of long-term investment in their people and systems. The Kaonde’s have a saying: “baja
na ba nzoro, bankanga ba tumbuka” (literal translation: Eat with chickens, guinea fowls will fly away). We have living examples of nations that believes, up to today, in building its people and systems. I am not for once promoting xenophobia, far from it. Actually, when a nation develops and is economically stable, it tends to attract more external investment and skills. The issue is whether the local people are merely labourers in their own country or flourishing entrepreneurs, business leaders, innovators and competitive employers (not just self-employed).
If multi-party democracy is not underpinned by deliberate policies that support a robust set of policies and strategies, directed and administered by a cadre of highly motivated, skilled and competent people of integrity, it becomes a failed experiment. And it would be a pipe dream to even think of achieving a sustainable socio-economic status without this precondition. We can see pockets of good things here and there but at wholesome level, majority would be wallowing in poverty wearing campaign chitengi materials with begging bowls along the streets. This is becoming apparent in the recent days of our multi-party democratic nation.
You may ask me but sir, we have a very good policy and development frameworks underpinned by regular democratic elections. What are you talking about? Well, when I cast my eyes on the horizon and look both behind and forward, I see a very mixed perhaps even confused multi-party democratic nation. Our development is like a roller coaster, very slow when climbing up and then cruises down very fast. We take a long time to correct, build and develop but only a few years to destroy what was built. And this cycle has
continued as it seems we cannot learn from our own mistakes. At the same time, we see a new elite of grandstand members fattening from a dying calf, with majority open wing members drooling to scramble for the carcass like hungry vultures. And these grandstand members are a product of our so-called multi-party democracy. This is what I am seeing from my humble lenses. There seem to be a denial that again the bus is wobbling this time on 3 wheels with loose nuts on the front axle and the driver still pushing the peddle as if all is well. Passengers are screaming their lungs out for their lives, but the driver and its entire crew are saying
all is under control. Is this the meaning of under control really?
Worse still, we are more divided as a nation than in 1973, which is very sad and worrying. Who would like their children to inherit a nation full of hate and tribalism, intolerance and even apostacy? No one, not even the members of the grandstand can afford this!
Therefore, the question I asked in the title: “Is multi-party democracy an experiment gone wrong for Zambia?”
is a relevant one. Unless we question this and become brutally honest with ourselves, we will only have ourselves to blame when the wheels finally come off and the Zambian bus crashes with major fatalities as collateral damage. We have the ability to fix this, but we lack the will.Zambia can only become great again if current leaders (political and apolitical alike) plant trees whose shade they know they will never enjoy. This is what we must all commit and aspire to do as a nation!
Let me end with this prayer: “May we have the hindsight to know where we’ve been, the foresight to known where we are going and the insight to know when we have gone too far”.
President Edgar Lungu is optimistic that integration of the Free Trade Area in the region, is one of the key factors on which Africa will become a prosperous continent.
President Lungu said the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement comes at a critical moment when there are calls for integration in the region.
The Head of State said in the quest to become nationalised, there is need to look at some of the long term benefits that the region has been experiencing.
President Lungu said this in an interview with ZANIS in Maputo last evening shortly before takeoff for Lusaka, after attending the US-Africa Summit in Maputo, Mozambique.
President Lungu said the African continent and Zambia as a whole should not sit idle because it is not highly industrialised.
He said once the Free Trade Area is embraced by all countries, the fight for the increase of the US-Africa trade will be obtained.
“How do you industrialise if you do not take part in the process? We need to work together and see how we can push forward, leaving no nation behind” said the Head of State.
President Lungu added that the Free Trade Area is one of the key agreements that will emancipate the continent, adding that it is high time that African people take total control of their economy and ensure that there is meaningful development in their respective countries.
The Head of State noted that through the Free Trade Area, Africa is forging a new path for itself to foster sustainable wealth and development for the continent.
President Lungu says the agreement is meant to create a tariff-free continent that can grow local businesses, boost intra-African trade, increase industrialization and create jobs.
He said the agreement creates a single continental market for goods and services as well as a customs union with free movement of capital and business travelers.
RE: THE NEED TO EXCLUDE KEY HOSPITALS AND CLINICS FROM LOAD SHEDDING: THE CASE OF KITWE TEACHING HOSPITAL PAMSCO CLINIC
Reference is made to the above captioned matter.
I have noted with regret that some vital institutions, such as hospitals, have been included in the on-going load shedding schedules.
The case in point is the PAMSCO Clinic of Kitwe University Teaching Hospital. I was personally affected by the load shedding last week on Thursday 13, 2019 when I was scheduled for medical exams at 14.00 hrs at the clinic. Most procedures could not be conducted on account that vital equipment could not be operated without grid power. I was among several patients who had to wait for several hours before being attended to.
I understand that long before load shedding commenced, Hospital management engaged ZESCO management in Kitwe to exclude hospital facilities from load shedding but nothing has been done yet. ZESCO should be proactive and not reactive. It should not take until a life is lost at a hospital or clinic for ZESCO to take action.
The Zambian government expects to conclude talks with potential buyers of Vedanta Resources Ltd.’s local copper unit within a month, President Edgar Lungu said.
His comments preempt a hearing by Zambia’s High Court on Thursday on the state’s bid to liquidate the asset after a dispute between the government and the Indian company.
The stand-off has rattled investors, with yields on Zambian Eurobonds surging to new records last month.
The government received expressions of interest for the unit, Konkola Copper Mines, from companies based in Turkey, Russia, India, Canada and China, President Lungu said in an interview Wednesday.
He didn’t identify the firms.
“The team which we have put up is interrogating all these companies to see whether they can fit, meet our expectations,” President Lungu said on the sidelines of a conference in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital.
“I think it’s going on very well. By the end of this month, towards the midway next month, we should wrap up in terms of talking to the would-be investors.”
Zambia’s government moved to liquidate Konkola after President Lungu accused the company of cheating on its taxes and lying about its expansion plans.
Vedanta, majority owned by Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal, says it’s a loyal investor that has spent $3 billion on the operations.
The liquidation doesn’t amount to nationalization, and the government stepped in because the company had failed, said President Lungu.
Vedanta reported a $165 million operating loss at Konkola in the year through March. Still, the company valued the assets at about $1.6 billion in its most recent annual report. The government is eager for a private investor to take over because running the loss-making operations would be a drain on an already strained state budget.
“We can’t afford keeping that thing because it’s very expensive and obviously we don’t want government to get strapped in there and get stuck,” said President Lungu. “We want to do this expeditiously and within the law.”
President Lungu also said the government would consider revisiting mining taxes opposed by producers if they proved the levels are too onerous. Konkola, along with units of Glencore Plc and First Quantum Minerals Ltd., is among copper miners that have been affected by higher mining royalties introduced this year, in addition to other tax increases.
The country’s mining-lobby group has warned the government the tax hikes could result in Zambia’s copper output, the second-biggest in Africa, falling by as much as 100,000 metric tons this year from a record 861,946 tons in 2018.
“They always grumble, but I think if they make their case we will hear them,” President Lungu said. “But for now, they’ve not made any case to warrant us reversing our position on the tax regime. We are not convinced.”
The government is a minority shareholder in most of the country’s mines and wouldn’t want to smother them with taxes, Lungu said. Some companies have threatened to shutter shafts and fire hundreds of workers because of the tax increases. At least one — First Quantum — backed down. Still, only two of the country’s five copper smelters are currently operating, though not all the owners have cited the new taxes as the reason for shutdowns.
“Every time we’ve tried to raise our share of tax they’ve always come up with their prophesy of doom, all the time,” said Lungu. “They will put up a fight but we want to get our fair share of tax without killing the industry.”
Grammy award-winner Brandy will headline the 2019 Stanbic Music Festival in October.
The US mega star will join top local artists Afunika, Mampi, Izrael, Danny and Chef 187 for the sixth edition of the country’s biggest musical festival in the Lusaka Polo Club on October 4 and 5. Brandy Rayana Norwood, professionally known as Brandy, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actress. She follows in the footsteps of internationally acclaimed artists like Hugh Masekela, Oliver Mtukudzi, Mi Casa, Earl Klugh, Lira, UB40, the iconic R&B group Boyz II Men, and last year’s headliners Brian McKnight and Joe Thomas, who have performed at the event. The acts have shared the stage with some of Zambia’s best-known artists, including K’milian, Wezi, and Abel Chungu.
“The Stanbic Music Festival is a unique platform to ensure that our local music talents perform side by side with renowned international artistes, and they learn a lot from each other – from arranging a concert to executing it on stage. It is one way local musicians can grow their influence beyond our borders,” said Stanbic public relations and communications manager Chanda Chime-Katongo.
“We are sending a vibrant message while exposing Zambia to the world. The music festival gives Brandy and the local musicians an opportunity to share and sample Zambia’s music and culture around the globe.”
Born in a musical family background, Brandy rose to fame with her first single I Wanna Be Down. She became famous as a teenager in the early 90s with her debut album Brandy, which went platinum in the US. Her hit song Never Say Never bagged her a Grammy, and she followed that by the success of her Full Moon and Afrodisiac albums.
Stanbic last year hosted R’n’B giants Brian McKnight and Joe Thomas at the Lusaka Polo Club with thousands of fans getting a lifetime opportunity to watch their idols and sing along to their all-time hits.
This year, Brandy is set to add another thrilling episode to the Stanbic Musical Festival that has become the must-go event for music-lovers, with a huge selection of songs for fans to sing along to such as Full Moon, True, Fall, Finally, Focus, Piano Man, Who I am?, Should I Go, Where you Wanna Be and Put It Down.
The music festival has grown and become a permanent feature on everyone’s calendar, and it is steadily becoming a significant tourist attraction. People from as far as Uganda, Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa, Tanzania and many other countries attend the two-day show demonstrating the magnitude of the event.
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo on a familiarization tour of City Market Market and part of Lusaka CBD
Lusaka Province Minister Hon Bowman Chilosha Lusambo has rubbished suggestion that he made comments insinuating that he was in support of looting of public funds.
In a statement Mr Lusambo said that desperate individuals, in attempt to misinform and peddle lies, had doctored a 4 seconds video extracted from his recent appearance on Radio Phoenix’s “Let the People Talk” to insinuate that he made comments that supported the looting of public funds.
Mr Lusambo said that he will not be detracted by desperate individuals and vile online platforms run by what he described as ignorant fugitives who are targeting him and hoping to earn some cheap political scores.
Mr Lusamboa further said that the manipulators edited the answer he was offering to a question on the issue of lifestyle audits for public officials.
“In my response I stated that if Ministers indeed do steal, how then do they end up as paupers after leaving office? I also posed a question to the effect that, from the UNIP days to the present day, how many Ex Ministers have we read about being reduced to paupers after leaving office?” asked Lusambo.
Mr Lusambo reiterated that he does not condone stealing of public funds.
“As a Provincial Minister, I do not have access to public funds as my office is not a spending agency. And even if I had access, I would never dip my fingers in public coffers.
“I am focused on my role of serving the Zambian people as member of parliament for the good people of Kabushi and Lusaka Province as Minister. I shall not be detracted by desperate individuals and vile online platforms run by ignorant fugitives who are targeting me hoping to earn some cheap political scores.”
Mr Lusambo said that the Zambian Society has laughed at such numerous stories of how people that served as Ministers in Zambia have been reduced to nothing upon leaving office.
“So my question was, if indeed Ministers are thieves, doesn’t it then follow that they steal so that they live better lives in future? How can you then explain the existence of poor Ex Ministers but you continue accusing current ones of amassing wealth? It simply doesn’t sit well!
“That was the context in which I made those comments which have now been maliciously edited to impute that I was supporting corruption. The said clip is a 4 seconds cheap attempt at distorting facts.”
Former Minister of Community Development and Social Services Emerine Kabanshi
Former Community Development minister, Emerine Kabanshi has appeared in the Lusaka Magistrate Court, on charges of abuse of authority of office.
Ms. Kabanshi could however not take plea, as the state had brought a defective indictment.
The former Minister faces two counts of willful failure to comply with laws relating to procurement.
In this matter, Ms Kabanshi is accused of failing to comply with the law, when she engaged ZAMPOST as the service payment provider for the social cash transfer programme.
In the second count, she is accused of having failed to comply with the law in amending the contract, between the Ministry of Community Development and ZAMPOST for the social cash transfer programme.
When she appeared before Magistrate Lameck Mwale, the accused observed that the indictment only had particulars of the offence and not the statement of offence thereby making it defective .
The prosecution team apologised and promised to bring a competent indictmentand Defence lawyer, Katino Mwale also applied for an adjournment to allow him read through the new indictment.
The court has since granted the application and adjourned the case to June 26, 2019, for possible taking of plea.
Minister of Energy Hon. Mathew Nkhuwa is Addis Ababa, Ethiopia investment Conference organised Renewable Energy for Africa Solutions (RES4AFRICA).
Government is finalizing a legislation that will allow for the private sector to participate in off grid solutions by powering entities with renewable energy.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Ethiopia Investment Conference organized by Renewable Energy for Africa Solutions, Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa said the documentation on the new legislation is already with the Ministry of Justice and government is hopeful that it could be tabled in parliament soon.
Mr. Nkhuwa said Zambia has an opportunity to demonstrate that generating power by the private can be done at low tarrifs are possible.
He said Zambia achieved one of the best tariffs in Africa of 6 cents per kilo watts per hour from the Ngoye and Bangweulu projects, stating that this was achieved with the technical help from Renewable Energy for Africa Solutions.
Mr. Nkhuwa said Zambia had invested in renewable energy projects such as solar, wind and hydro.
And the Minister said Zambia”s plans to diversify power generation was advanced and the nuclear project had made headway.
He said there are plans to upgrade the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University and Northern Technical College in order to offer training in Nuclear Science.
He said this follows an assessment that was carried out to ascertain the readiness of the country in introducing nuclear energy.
Mr. Nkhuwa said the programme that is mainly being driven by President Edgar Lungu will see Zambian Students being trained before the country can decide to put up a nuclear plant.
This is according to a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Tourism at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia, Inutu Mwanza.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical services Kennedy Malama
The Government of Japan has given Zambia 591,679 United States dollars, for a Tuberculosis (TB) eradication project.
The project, which will be implemented by Japanese Anti- Tuberculosis Association (JATA), commenced in March 2019 and will end in March 2022.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary of Administration, Kennedy Malama, says government remains committed to eradicating TB by 2030.
Dr. Malama said government is already investing heavily in the country’s health sector, in order to attain universal health coverage, by strengthening health systems with particular focus on integrated community interventions at primary health care level.
The Permanently Secretary was speaking in Lusaka today when he officially launched the project for strengthening access to quality, integrated TB prevention management in high TB/HIV burden communities in Lusaka district.
He said the JATA project that has been launched today, is a clear testimony of how government, working with strategic partners, is investing to strengthen systems at community and primary health care level.
He notes that the project also resonates well with the overarching government’s agenda through the Ministry of Health, towards ending TB by 2030.
And representing the Government of Japan, the Japanese Charge D’affairs, Sugiura Toshio, noted that the new TB project aims at strengthening the system for TB screening and treatment with a view to decreasing the number of TB victims.
He states that the project will provide the general expertise on TB screening and X-ray equipment including the training of doctors as well as x-ray experts and laboratory technologists for X-ray photo taking and reading, among other things.
Mr Toshio said Japan intends to contribute to this process in cooperation with its private sector and hopes that it will contribute to promoting universal health coverage and creating resilient in the Zambia.
The TB project will be implemented in seven health facilities in Lusaka, namely Chazanga, N’gombe, Chipata, Chelstone, Mtendere, Kalingalinga and Kaunda Square.
President Edgar Lungu has described the election of Ms. Zuzana Caputova to the office of President of the Slovak Republic as the expression of the people’s trust and confidence in her.
In a congratulatory message, President Lungu said it is his ardent hope that the trust placed in her by the citizens of the Slovak Republic will inspire her to steer her great country on a path of solidarity for improved welfare and prosperity of your people.
Ms. Caputova, a former activist lawyer assumed the office of President on the 15th of June 2019.
She becomes the first female President and youngest at age 45 to hold the office in the history of the Slovak Republic.
The congratulations were forwarded to the Slovak Republic by Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany Anthony Mukwita who is also accredited to Bratislava, the nation’s capital, on a non-residential basis.
Ambassador Mukwita said he looks forward to working with the new Slovak leader in accelerating President Lungu’s economic diplomacy.
The Zambian envoy said the Slovak economy, largely fueled by manufacturing of motor vehicles and heavy machinery presents Zambia with vast economic opportunities.
The Slovak Republic is home to several German car manufacturing companies that include Mercedes Benz and VW. With a population of 5 million people, Slovak produces 1 million cars annually.
Copper and cobalt, a crucial ingredient to future and present electric cars abound in Zambia and it is this area Ambassador Mukwita feels Zambia could position herself for engagement with the Slovak Republic.
Zambia therefore would be suited for greater engagement in providing the necessary elements needed for electric car manufacturing if it put into place, a plan now rather than later in terms of value addition.
In terms of market, Ambassador Mukwita said Zambia promises good returns among the country’s 16 million people in addition to member countries in the Southern African Development Community, SADC and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, COMESA.
This is a combined population of about 700million people and a combined GDP of over a trillion dollars.
President Lungu has constantly spoken about value addition and diversifying the economy of Zambia in order to create jobs and reduce poverty.
This is according to a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian Embassy in Berlin Kellys Kaunda.
Mr Jack Kalala speaking at the media briefing in Lusaka today
Former Special Assistant to the late President Patrick Mwanawasa, Mr Jack Kalala, has come to the defense of the late President over the price sale of KCM to Vendetta Resources of India.
Addressing the media today , Mr Kalala said that the total amount realized from the resale of KCM was US $65 million unlike the 1998 sale of US $25 million.
Below is the full statement
SALE OF KCM TO VEDANTA -2004
Incidentally some videos and write-ups are, all of a sudden, making rounds on social media regarding the sale of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) to Vedanta in 2004. In one such video, a Pastor speaks with impetuous passion casting aspersion on the sale of KCM at US $25 million to Vedanta while quoting the buyer to have made US $75 million in three months after the acquisition of the mines. One would only hope that these social media circulations are not being instigated by some sections of our society to divert the attention of the citizens from the current happenings at KCM.
The purpose of this statement is to give insights of what exactly transpired before and during the sale of KCM between 1998 and 2004 unlike the half-baked information of what is being championed by people who were not even privy to the sale.
Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) was sold in 1998 for a total consideration of US $627 million. The sale was divided into 7 sections of which US $25 million was paid for KCM, Kansanshi mine was US $28 million, Luanshya mine was US $35 million, Chibuluma mine was US $20 million and others. The privatization of ZCCM commenced in 1996 after the Chiluba Cabinet, the Board of ZCCM and the Zambia Privatization Agency (ZPA) approved the privatization report and plan presented by the UK based Financial and Legal Advisors, NM Rothschild & Sons and Clifford Chance. At the time of the privatization of the mines, Government was spending US $1million per day to keep the mines running and save job losses.
Specifically for KCM, it was first sold to Anglo American Corporation (AAC) in 1998 for US $25 million during the MMD Government’s privatization of parastatal companies in accordance with Government policy and privatization report and plan. Records are there at involved government institutions for anyone to verify.
President Mwanawasa, MHSRIIP, was elected as President in December 2001 and was sworn into office on 2nd January 2002. Barely a few days after President Mwanawasa was sworn in, Anglo-American Corporation, which had bought KCM decided to abandon the mines due to low prices of copper, which had slumped to lower than 80 cents per pound (lb). This sudden and unexpected move sent shock waves not only across Zambia but the world at large due to the privileged status of AAC and Zambia in the mining world. This created apprehension and uncertainty on the economic future of the country.
In the face of this unexpected crisis caused by AAC, the owners of KCM, President Mwanawasa, as a responsible and committed national leader, rose to the occasion and provided leadership. He assured the nation and the workers at KCM that the mines would continue with the operations and that there would be no job losses until a new investor was found to take over the operations of the mines. To implement this assurance an administrator and CEO, Mr. Jordan Soko, an employee of the mines, was appointed. Indeed for two years KCM continued to operate normally and there were no jobs lost.
The Government of President Mwanawasa handled the resale of KCM professionally, transparently and as provided for by the laws of Zambia. He took a lot of care and caution to protect the interests of the workers and the nation. President Mwanawasa was very cautious especially given the lessons learnt from the liquidation of Zambia Airways and Luanshya Copper Mine that resulted in lives being destroyed, families separated and dreams shattered. It was important that the Mwanawasa Administration took cognizance of the challenges of the liquidation of Zambia Airways and Luanshya Copper Mine.
As such, the Government religiously observed the legal procedures of selling public assets through an open tender. At the time, Vedanta provided the best offer. A negotiating team of experts from both the public and private sectors was appointed to negotiate the price and the terms of sale. The team was composed of Government technocrats and LAZ, among other stakeholders. To maintain the independence of the negotiating team appointed by ZPA, the President deemed it improper to include any staff from State House.
A delegation of stakeholders, among them MUZ leaders, was sent to India on a verification mission of the Sterlite companies operated by Vedanta. The delegation was fully satisfied with the findings and had no objection to selling KCM to Vedanta.
Seventy-nine point four (79.4) percent of the shares was bought, while the Government, through ZCCM-IH, retained 20.6%. The cash price was agreed at US $25 million. It was part of the agreement that Vedanta should develop Konkola Deep to extend the life span of the mine and to do further explorations. At the time of sale the life span of the KCM mine was estimated to be 8 years. The public statements made subsequently by KCM suggest that the result of this investment KCM has increased the reserves to over 200 million tons of copper ore, which would translate in many benefits not only to the company but also to the nation, the employees and other beneficiaries, such as contractors. This is a result of responsible, dedicated and visionary leadership that President Mwanawasa provided. He was more interested to develop the country than self and looked at both short term and long term benefits to the country.
In terms of cash consideration, in addition to the US $25 million paid by Vedanta in 2005, Anglo-American Corporation had paid US $20 million to the Zambian Government as compensation in 2002 for abandoning the mines while the World Bank also paid US $20 million in 2005.
Therefore, the total amount realized from the resale of KCM was US $65 million unlike the 1998 sale of US $25 million.
Note that the sale of the mines was a pre-condition given to Zambia to reach HIPC completion point. You may wish to know that Zambia was the last country to achieve HIPC in the region, after Mozambique.
So, in addition, the nation gained from the cancellation of foreign debts amounting to US $7 billion.
None of the growth that Zambia has seen since 2005 could have been achieved had we not achieved HIPC. Clearly, this was a far better deal that President Mwanawasa got from the resale of KCM.
Later the Mwanawasa Government introduced the windfall tax from which it raised US $485 million, which was put in a special account at Bank Of Zambia. This dedicated account was meant to be used on special projects to develop the country as provided for in the Vision 2030, which was to make Zambia a prosperous middle class income country by the year 2030. As I was not in Government after November 2008 so I have no idea what happened to the windfall tax money. Had the course been maintained Zambia today would have been a shining star and a proud model of development in Africa.
In addition to the introduction of the windfall tax on the mines, President Mwanawasa also cancelled the Development Agreements (DA’s) that had been entered into during privatization in the 1990s. The DA’s had provided the mines a tax moratorium of not less than 20 years. President Mwanawasa offered to personally represent the country in any court of law against any litigation by the mining companies.
President Mwanawasa also worked hard and found new investors for the closed Luanshya mine. New mines were also opened in the North-Western Province. By 2008 at the time of President Mwanawasa’s death, the state of the mining industry in Zambia had changed from gloom to great optimism as Zambia produced twice the amount of copper she had produced when the President took office in 2002. It was projected that in ten years time, Zambia would produce 1 million tons of copper. That’s how hard President Mwanawasa had worked to give Zambia a new life and to put it on a positive trajectory to economic prosperity and wipe out poverty.
It is, therefore, wrong and unfair for people who are not aware of the details of how the process of sale of KCM went through. President Mwanawasa strongly believed in consultative leadership. There was no decision on the part of the President that had been made without consulting Ministers, experts and other stakeholders.
It is my considered opinion that decisions made by President Mwanawasa were in the best interest of the country. He had stated at the time he took office that between personal interests and national interests, the later would always take precedence. President Mwanawasa was in office not for personal interest or riches but rather, for Zambia’s collective interest. He considered every Zambian as an equal investor and benefactor of the country’s development effort. President Mwanawasa left office not richer than he was when he became President.
The failure of KCM now, if failure there is, cannot be attributed to the decisions that President Mwanawasa had made. Subsequent governments have been responsible for monitoring the operations and performance of KCM and they have been appointing directors to sit on the board of KCM. The question that should beg answers is: “What have these directors been doing on the board, if not to safeguard the country’s interests?” Why is it that during the time of President Mwanawasa, KCM performed to expectations?
During President Mwanawasa’s time, there was no problem of input VAT refunds because the Government allowed ZRA to ring fence the VAT collections, which were refunded when claimed.
Clearly, we can all see that fiscal discipline was rigidly observed during the time of President Mwanawasa. There was macroeconomic stability and the country was on the right trajectory to achieving the 2030 Vision of becoming a prosperous middle-income country by 2030.
Instead of making aspersion on President Mwanawasa, who selflessly and tirelessly worked so hard to restore confidence in the economy and make Zambia’s dream of becoming a prosperous middle-income country by 2030 attainable, let us, Zambians, focus on finding solutions to the current problems the country is facing.
President Mwanawasa found the country on its knees; he didn’t waste time looking for faults, or blame President Chiluba or indeed Francis Kaunda or Valentine Chitalu for the privatization of the mines and other parastatals. He worked hard to put the country back on course of development. And within the six and half years, that he served, he turned around the country’s fortunes and we can proudly say he left the country much better than he had found it as indicated in his mission statement on assumption of the Presidential Office.
I thank you for your attention and listening!
JACK N. KALALA
FORMER SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT – POLICY AND PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING
