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The body of the late Sesheke Member of Parliament Frank Kufakwandi, who died on Monday will arrive in Zambia on Friday.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba disclosed that government has finalized the arrangement for the repatriation of the body of the lawmaker.
He disclosed that the body of Mr. Kufakwandi will be repatriated through Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone and will arrive on Friday.
He said the decision was arrived at because burial is expected to be held in Sesheke.
Mr. Mwamba said he together with the widow Masiliso Kufakwandi will accompany the body of the late UPND law maker and will be received by Southern Province Administration and the National Assembly led by provincial Minister Edify Hamukale.
He said the body will be repatriated through British Airways (operating as ComAir) that will land at 12;50 Hours at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone.
Last month, Government evacuated Mr. Kufakwandi to South Africa at Awryp Medical Center to receive specialised medical treatment for a cardiac condition however, he died on Monday.
The Zambia Development Agency, the primary institution with the mandate of promoting Zambia’s economic growth and development says it looks forward to the Northern Province Investment Forum and Expo slated for 19th to 25th November.
With a multifaceted mandate of promoting investments, trade and enterprise development, the Agency says it is looking forward to the Investment Forum and Expo so as to interact with various private sector players, both local and foreign investors and small enterprises in various sectors to foster and facilitate business synergies.
ZDA Public Relations Officer Russel Haamubbi says the Agency is looking at the Investment Forum and Expo as an opportunity to create linkages both forward and backward between the big investors and the local Small and Medium Enterprises in various sectors of the economy including agriculture and agro processing, tourism, infrastructure development and energy sectors among others.
Mr. Haamuubbi said ZDA’s focus at the Northern Province Investment Forum and Expo is on partnerships and joint ventures between local businesses and foreign as a conduit for technological transfer, access to cheaper funds and access to export markets.
He said the Agency wants to attract investments and stimulate entrepreneurship among the local Zambians in the rural areas of the country so as to create jobs and reduce poverty levels.
Mr. Haamubbi said the Agency will also provide information on market access for various nontraditional export products in foreign markets using platforms such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Southern Africa Development Community, the European Union and the American markets through African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
“Further, on the sidelines of the Forum and Expo, the Agency with the Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry with other Statutory Bodies under the auspices of the Ministry will be conducting business clinics meant at helping local enterprises to formalize their businesses and many other business development services aimed at building capacity of the local enterprises”, He added.
Mr. Haamubbi said the business development services will include the provision of market information, product development, facilitation to access to finance, business linkages and facilitation of possible joint ventures between local and foreign partners.
Mozambique coach Abel Xavier has rallied his charges to ensure victory against Chipolopolo on Sunday.
Mozambique and Chipolopolo meet on November 18 in Maputo in a critical 2019 AFCON Group K penultimate round qualifier on the road to the Cameroon finals.
“They say that Zambia is a giant in African football and are ambitions to qualify but we have to do everything at home to win,” Xavier said.
“And each one must do his part so that the final product is a party for all Mozambicans.”
Mozambique, who are still second on 7 points despite losing their last two Group K games, defeated Zambia 1-0 in the first leg meeting on June 10, 2017 away in Ndola.
A first-ever back-to-back victory over Chipolopolo will end the visitors interest in the qualifiers with a match to spare.
Chipolopolo are bottom of Group K on 4 points, tied with third placed Guinea Bissau who visit leaders Namibia 24 hours earlier in Windhoek.
Namibia leads only on goal difference over Mozambique and should both sides win this weekend will see them through to the 2019 AFCON.
The Health Professions Council of Zambia has suspended the practicing license for Mwansa Chalwe, a Clinical Officer General, holder of license number HPCZ 10/2/14/06491 working at Nansenga Clinic in Itezhi-tezi, Central Province for violating the privacy and confidentiality of his clients.
It is alleged that Mr. Chalwe, posted pictures of clients (Patients) during an ART session on his Facebook page who were attending Anti-Retro Viral Treatment session he conducted which violated their privacy and confidentiality.
HPCZ Senior Public Relations Officer Terry Musonda said the alleged action by the Clinical Officer General was unethical and a professional misconduct and investigations will continue in the matter.
Mr. Musonda said to this effect, Mr. Chalwe will not be allowed to attend to patients and is not permitted to perform any duty at any health facility until the matter is determined.
He said in a statement that the Health Professions Council of Zambia has also written to both the Provincial and District Health Offices in Central Province informing them of this decision.
Mr. Musonda said Health Practitioners must desist from capturing and sharing pictures of patients during work sessions and are reminded to uphold the professional code of conduct.
Hundreds of Patriotic Front youths on the Copperbelt have responded to the call by the party provincial leadership to stage a solidarity march with some foreign nationals being persecuted.
Copperbelt PF Youth chairperson Nathan Chanda who is also Luanshya Mayor rallied the call in the party circles for a march in Ndola.
Chanda noted that xenophobic attacks were on the rise in the country and needed to be curbed.
Although there has been no mention of nationality the protest is apparently in solidarity with Chinese nationals who have come under attack from some sections of Zambian political leaders.
The youths marched in solidarity to denounce the incitement of xenophobia against foreign investors in the country.
The youths clad in PF regalia carrying various banners calling for peace and unity denounced Hakainde Hichilema for igniting riots in the province by spreading falsehoods about government institutions and hate speech against foreign investors especially the Chinese.
The youths led by PF Copperbelt Youth Chair Nathan Chanda littered the city, chanting slogans of unity and denounced the incitation of xenophobia.
The youths said they will not allow to be used as tools of violence but will instead engage in politics of discourse that will allow the plight of the young to be heard.
They chanted that they were not weapons to be used for destruction by failed leaders and will not stand and hear falsehoods to be spread about their country.
The peaceful mob honked and sang as they marched the streets permitted to them by the police to express their displeasure at the incitement of xenophobia.
The Human Rights Commission has welcomed the conviction and subsequent sentencing of a police officer to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Kitwe High Court for causing grievous bodily harm to a suspect.
The Commission is encouraged by the sentence of 20 years handed down to the police officer as it will serve as deterrent on other law enforcement officers who habitually engage in cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, including torture of individuals who are suspected of committing criminal offences. The Commission, therefore, urges the courts to continue meting out sentences befitting the seriousness of the acts of brutality against members of the public suspected of having committed offences by law enforcement officers.
The Commission continues to receive cases of police brutality, inhuman and degrading treatment of suspects, including torture, and wishes to reiterate its deepest concern that there seems to be no end to such despicable and dehumanising acts which sometimes begin at the point of arrest and continue during interrogations and detention at Police Stations and Correctional Facilities.
It is for this reason that the Commission continues to engage the State to come up with a law that will criminalise torture in order to protect the inherent rights and dignity of individuals. The Commission is hopeful that the adoption of the Bill Criminalising Torture in Zambia by Cabinet on 4th December 2017 will result in the enactment of the law that will give legal effect to the constitutional provision against torture so that perpetrators can receive appropriate punishment and the victims of torture be afforded effective remedies through the courts of law. The enactment of the anti-torture legislation is part of Zambia’s state obligations under the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
The Commission wishes to remind law enforcement officers and the public that torture is a crime against humanity and its absolute prohibition is not only part of customary international law, but also provided for under Article 15 of the Constitution of Zambia. Torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment are unacceptable in this age of human rights and therefore is no justification for such acts under any circumstances at any time including during a state of emergency or political instability.
Zambia is signatory to UN Convention against Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (UNCAT) which prohibits torture and accepted the recommendation made by nine countries during the Universal Periodic Review process at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in November 2017 to end all acts of torture and to criminalise torture.
The Commission will continue to advocate for the enactment of the law criminalising torture and for building of capacity of law enforcement officers by training them in modern investigations skills and providing them with modern equipment, tools and facilities to enable them carry out their work without resorting to acts of torture.
The Human Rights Commission is a National Human Rights Institution established under Article 230 of the 1991 Zambian Constitution as amended by Act Number 2 of 2016 to, among other human rights functions, ensure that the Bill of Rights is upheld and promoted.
UNHCR has called on states to take faster and more resolute action to help meet the campaign goal of eradicating statelessness.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by UN Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.
Mr. Grandi said this comes four years after the launch of a decade-long campaign to eradicate statelessness globally.
He said more than 166,000 stateless people have acquired or had their nationality confirmed.
Mr. Grandi stated that nine states have established or improved statelessness determination procedures, six states reformed their nationality laws and another two have eliminated gender discrimination such as preventing women from passing on their nationality to their children.
He said despite these accomplishments, millions remain stateless and living in limbo around the world, with the majority to be found in countries in Asia and Africa
Mr. Grandi said in 2017, approximately 70 countries reported 3.9 million stateless individuals, but UNHCR estimates that this is only a fraction of the total, saying the true number could be as much as three times higher.
“Today I call on politicians, governments and legislators around the world to act now, to take and support decisive action to eliminate statelessness globally by 2024,humanly, ethically and politically it is the right thing to do,” said Filippo Grandi.
Mr. Grandi said statelessness has many causes, but the biggest driver is problems in nationality laws, including discrimination.
He pointed out that the impact on individuals and their families is immediate and can be dire, because Statelessness means a life without a nationality and everything that comes with it.
Mr. Grandi said being stateless can mean a life without education, without medical care, or legal employment.
He said it can mean a life without the ability to get married, own a home, to move freely without prospects, or hope.
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo talks to a Patient Dalious Chongo at Kafue District Hospital while Kafue District Commissioner Joseph Kamana (r)listens during the spot check of some selected government departments in Kafue District
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo has advised University of Zambia (UNZA) Students to always dialogue with stakeholders in the quest to finding solutions on matters that affect their institution.
Mr. Lusambo explained that it is only through dialogue that challenges affecting UNZA can be resolved.
He said this when he congratulated the new University of Zambia Student Union (UNZASU) in Lusaka yesterday.
ZANIS reports that the Provincial Minister called on the new UNZASU Executive to sensitise fellow students on the need to engage stakeholders in resolving matters at the institution.
Mr. Lusambo said he does expect students to be involved in violence because they are intellectuals who should add value to society.
He further affirmed that the economic development of the nation depends on students adding that, they should not allow politicians to use them.
And the new UNZASU President, Warran Hamusunga said the union will work with the government in ensuring that student’s interest are prioritised.
Mr. Hamusunga also appealed to UNZA management to allow students with outstanding arrears to write their examinations which are expected to start on Monday November 19, 2018.
Zambia Police in Kabompo district in collaboration with the Forestry Department have confiscated timber logs alleged to have been stolen from African timber concession area.
Kabompo District Commissioner (DC), Shatewa Ndumba who confirmed the development to ZANIS in Kabompo yesterday, said the timber logs of about 30.39 cubic meters were intercepted by police yesterday at a check point after a tip off from an anonymous community member.
Ms. Ndumba said the driver of truck and trailer registration number ALE 9793T ferried timber from Kabompo forest area to Manyinga without a production or conveyance licence.
Meanwhile, District Forestry Officer, Jameson Mapupu said the timber was being illegally transported as they discovered a site which appears to have been used as a camp site for the activity during the night.
Mr. Mapupu has therefore, appealed to community members to continue being vigilant and report suspicious activity especially during the night.
He said government will not relent in bringing involved culprits to book as such acts contribute to the considerable loss of the nation’s revenue thereby, depriving development agenda.
The truck in mention has been impounded at Kabompo Police and driver detained as investigations in the matter continue.
Last week, the Health Professionals Council of Zambia, HPCZ, in exercise of its powers as stipulated under the Health Professions Act No. 24 of 2009 of the Laws of Zambia ordered the Copperbelt University, CBU, to immediately discontinue offering two programmes at its School of Medicine for failure to meet set standards in accordance with the health profession Act.
Among others, the Health Professionals Act No. 24 of 2009 bestows on HPCZ the responsibility of:
Registration of health practitioners and regulation of their professional conduct;
Licensing and regulation of all health facilities;
Accreditation of healthcare services provided by health facilities; and the
Recognition and approval of training programmes for health practitioners.
Conducting and managing professional licensure examinations
Under role (4), it is HPCZ’s role, and the only institution in Zambia, therefore, to approve ALL training programmes for health practitioners in the country, irrespective of the owner of the training institution, whether public or private.
HPCZ’s Chief Executive Office and Registrar Dr. Aaron Mujajati said HPCZ had withdrawn recognition and approval of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) and the Bachelor of Dental Surgery after an HPCZ compliance monitoring inspection revealed, among others, gross over-enrollment of students, and an inadequate number of lecturers and the engagement unregistered and unlicensed lecturers.
This was a huge blow to the Copperbelt University, the second largest public university in Zambia.
Upon the order to CBU, however, the Higher Education Authority, HEA, in pursuant of its powers as stipulated under the Higher Education Act No. 4 of 2013 and SI No. 25 of 2016 as the sole custodian of all Higher Education Institutions in Zambia (both public and private) did direct CBU to continue offering the medical programmes suspended by HPCZ. Professor Stephen Simukanga, the Director General of HEA, states, in a media statement, that HEA has the authority to accredit learning programmes in all HEIs. Corollary, one draws the conclusion that since HEA is the sole custodian of HEIs and is responsible for accreditation of all learning programmes in these HEIs, then HEA was right to over-rule HPCZ’s order to CBU to discontinue the two programmes that fell short of HPCZ’s standards for medical training.
Debate has now ensued:
Who is right? HPCZ or HEA?
I would like to contribute to this debate as a health economist having had the privilege of studying and working with medical doctors.
With the humility of knowledge, from the economics perspective, health care provision and the demand for health care is a ‘special’ field that deserves special and meticulous treatment. Unlike all regular goods and services that we can buy off the market, the demand for health care has a special feature in that we demand health care not because we derive satisfaction or utility from its consumption, no, but because we derive satisfaction from the possession of good health, and we assume, in our decisions, that the consumption of health care will yield good health.
However, when we fall sick, we usually cannot identify what is wrong with us, and we defer the diagnosis of what our health problem is, how severe it is and what needs to be done to a medical practitioner. We thus appoint health providers – the medical doctors – as our ‘agents’ – and we want them to act on our behalf. Since the medical doctors are our appointed agents, we submit our health, safety and overall well-being into their knowledge, experience and ethical conduct, and are at their mercy. However, since the doctors will have more information about our health than we would, we find ourselves in a situation we economists call ‘information asymmetry’ – where one party to a transaction has more information than the other, and can thus exploit this. It is at this point that the training and practice of medicine attains a ‘special’ status, and requires regulation from training to practice by specialists, because the costs of having ill trained medical practitioners are high to individuals and society.
The training of a medical doctor or physician is a rigorous process that also embeds in it the principles of apprenticeship. A medical doctor, concerned with promoting, maintaining, or restoring health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury, and other physical and mental impairments requires, requires, as part of his or training, continuous apprenticeship from lecturers that are seasoned practitioners and are dedicated to both practice and pedagogy.
Given the special feature of health as stated above, it follows, therefore, that the training of health professionals be regulated ‘specially’ beyond the measures that would pass any college or university under the HEA. Supreme in such training regulation is the safety and competence of health care providers which would be expected to be embedded in the skills of the would be doctors who graduate from these training institutions. If this is the case, therefore, then HEA has NO competence in the assessment of the suitability and accreditation of higher education institutions to provide medical training. Such competence, however, lies with HPCZ as they are the custodians of health practice regulation, including health training.
The regulation, and thus accreditation of medical training cannot be left to the standards set by HEA, which, though meeting its requirements for a higher education institution, fail to meet the standards required of a graduate medical practitioner. As highlighted above, with regards medical training, one can see this as a two stage approach:
An institution passes requirements for operation as a Higher Education Institution under HEA, and is thus issued with a certificate to operate as such.
For those who wish to offer medical training, however, a second stage requires that they meet the standards and requirements for offering such programmes. Here, HPCZ enters to assess the institution’s capabilities based on the unique nature of the practice, and therefore the training of medical practitioners.
In this case, we can safely say that HEA’s instruction to CBU to continue offering medical programmes that do not meet the standards required for medical pedagogy is wrong, unfortunate and reveals a lack of appreciation of the unique nature of medical training.
Medical practice, and training, is, therefore, special. What HPCZ is doing is actually helping to uphold high education standards in the training of health workers, and this must be highly commended, especially at such a time when the quality of education in Zambia from HEA accredited institutions are losing international credibility.
As I conclude, to emphasize the special nature of medical training, let me cite part of the Hippocratic Oath which all medical doctors, as a passage of rite swear by as they graduate from their training:
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“To hold him who taught me this art equally dear to me as my parents, to be a partner in life with him, and to fulfill his needs when required; to look upon his offspring as equals to my own siblings, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or contract; and that by the set rules, lectures, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to students bound by this contract and having sworn this Oath to the law of medicine, but to no others.
I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.
In purity and according to divine law will I carry out my life and my art.
I will not use the knife, even upon those suffering from stones, but I will leave this to those who are trained in this craft.”
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May the two institutions now harmonise their concerns and arrive at mutually beneficial, socially enhancing outcomes for health training in Zambia.
Young Chipolopolo Zambia’s 2018 COSAFA Under-20 Cup campaign as tournament hosts has been boosted by the arrival in camp of two foreign-based players.
UK-based striker Mwiya Malumo and midfielder Edward Chilufya of Swedish club Djurgardens reported from duty on Tuesday.
Their arrival is a massive boost following news that Lusaka Celtic striker Francesco Mwepu is a doubt for the tournament.
Mwepu is away on a month-long trial at Austrian champions RB Salzburg who already have on their books his brother and Chipolopolo midfielder Enock Mwepu including striker Patson Daka.
The Zambia Under-20 team entered camp on Sunday in Lusaka ahead of the tournament that will be held in Kitwe from December 2-14.
Young Chipolopolo are in Group A where they have drawn against Mozambique, Malawi and guest side DR Congo whom they face in their opening Group A match on December 2 at Nkana Stadium.
Meanwhile, COSAFA and local organizing committee stadium inspectors will on Thursday visit the second tournament venue, Shinde Stadium in Mufulira, to ascertain its readiness to stage its allocated seven group games.
All semifinals, third and fourth plus the final will be played at Nkana.
Works at Shinde have been ongoing over the last two weeks in order to have the venue meet the minimum benchmarks for the tournament.
The traffic Police Officer in a video which has gone viral on social media in which he is seen harassing a motorist of Indian origin to point of threatening to beat him up has been arrested and charged with the offence of Common Assault contrary section 247 of the Laws of Zambia.
Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo has identified the Police officer as Constable Brian Nkhoma of Lusaka Division headquarters.
Ms Katongo says brief facts are that, when the victim, Devidas Rupnar aged 40, reached the junction of Lusaka’s Kalambo road and Freedom way at about 14:00 hours on Monday, 12th November, 2018, Constable Nkhoma ordered him to accompany him to the Police, but that the victim requested that the officer records his particulars so that he could report to the Police station later as he was rushing to the office.
She says this infuriated the officer who subsequently harassed the victim.
Ms Katongo says Constable Nkhoma has since been detained in police custody while the Police Command is also taking further administrative action against him.
She says Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has since recommended that Constable Nkhoma be dismissed from the Zambia Police Service
FILE: President Edgar Lungu (in light blue shirt 2nr up) pose for a photography with Southern Province Chiefs at State House
Six Southern Province based Chiefs have pledged to support President Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front Government to enable it deliver on its promises to the Zambian people.
The Chiefs led by Chief Chikanta of Kalomo district said Chiefs and the Presidency needed to work together in order for government to meet its objectives of delivering development to the citizenry.
Chief Chikanta who was in the company of Chief Coona of Choma, Chief Nyawa of Kazungula district, Chief Simwatachela, Chieftainess Sekute and Chief Mukobela of Namwala said they opted to meet President Lungu while, he was on official duty in Livingstone to show their solidarity for his leadership.
“We thought of taking advantage of your visit to Southern Province. We welcome you and want to show that we give you solidarity as you carry on your national duties. We feel that once in a while, we should be able to meet you here. We have met our own expenses just to give you the support you need,” he said.
Chief Chikanta said this during a meeting with the Head of State at Chrismar Hotel in Livingstone today.
He requested President Lungu to meet the chiefs periodically at State House to discuss national issues.
“…starting next year, we are requesting for your office to allocate a day for you to meet us, Chiefs. There’s a lot that the chiefs want to discuss with you directly in this country in order for you to deliver and reach out to all parts of the country as your responsibility requires,” he said.
Chief Chikanta also commended government for providing logistical support during the funeral of Chief Choongo of Monze district who died last week after an illness.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has accepted the request made by the chiefs and assured them that he is available and at their service.
President Lungu said Cabinet Office will arrange the regular visits requested by the chiefs to facilitate the much needed interaction between his office and the traditional leadership.
He said those who want to engage the presidency and government are welcome to his office.
“Those who are willing can come, it is not compulsory. I know last time we tried this but it did not work out so we will need to polish up this time around. You are entitled to come so you come because we are there for the people,” he said.
The Head of State said he is aware some chiefs had common problems while others had peculiar ones adding that, some worked well with Members of Parliament while others did not.
And President Lungu said the PF will soon introduce a system to assess the performance of its MPs to ascertain whether they are delivering development to the people on party lines and according to government policy.
He also passed his condolences over the death of Chieftainess Choongo of Monze district in Southern Province.
“My condolences…I was personally involved in trying to facilitate treatment. When a chief is unwell, please inform the provincial minister. We want to ensure they get the best treatment. We know there are certain challenges of going to T.B Joshua but unfortunately, we cannot support that program,” he said
President Lungu said if the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) recommended evacuation to South Africa, India or Israel, government would facilitate.
“…we’ll take you because that is our responsibility. I am saying this because there was a chief who was unwell and wanted government to send the traditional leader to Prophet T.B Joshua, and accused me of refusing to take them there,” he said.
And President Lungu wondered why some wanted to receive medical treatment abroad when their conditions could be treated locally.
“Others want to go abroad when their conditions can be treated in Zambia, why should government spend money in that case? We care for our chiefs. We don’t want to lose our chiefs,” he said.
He noted that in some areas when chiefs died, conflicts and succession disputes arose.
“With these conflicts and successions we fear that we may lose some chiefdoms like in the case of Chief Mbulu in Luapula where there has been no chief for about 15 to 20 years. There is need for continuity…otherwise we are losing an important institution,” he said.
President Lungu was in Livingstone to officially open the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) Mid-Term Review Meeting at Avani Victoria Falls Resort.
IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 75 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa.
Donors meet every three years to replenish IDA resources and the current replenishment – IDA18- is worth US$75 billion for financing of developmental projects with US$45 billion specifically reserved for Africa.
The Lusaka High Court has dismissed an application to stay the execution of its judgement in a case where Roan PF member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili was challenging his expulsion from the ruling party.
High court Judge Maria Kawimbe dismissed Mr. Kambwili’s application on grounds that it amounts to want of prosecution.
Mr. Kambwili appealed to the Court of Appeal after the Lusaka High Court recently dismissed the case where he was challenging his expulsion from the PF.
He asked the Lusaka High Court to stay its judgment pending his appeal to the Appeals Court.
But Judge Kawimbe observed that Mr. Kambwili’s application, had not met the criteria to stay the High Court’s Judgment pending the outcome of his appeal.
She added that it was unlikely that the appeal will succeed.
However, Mr. Kambwili had argued that if the stay was not granted, his appeal would be rendered to be an academic exercise.
This is because the Speaker of the National Assembly will move to declare his parliamentary seat vacant much to his disadvantage hence the need to be given a stay.
Following the alleged reckless statements that are tantamount to threatening peace and investor confidence in the country, more stakeholders have come on board to share their sentiments.
Senior Chief Chiwala of the Lamba speaking people in Masaiti district and Chief Lumpuma of the Bulima people in Lufwanyama district on the Copperbelt Province being the latest to express their concerns on the matter.
Senior Chief Chiwala said there is need to tone down on political bickering which he stated has potential to instill fear in the peace and investment of the country.
The traditional leader has observed that political players need to be mindful that they are key to preaching messages of peace stating that, this should not be left to non-political players.
“Utterances from both sides of the political platform are alarming. In all fairness, there is need for all politicians to spend less of their time on political bickering,” Chief Chiwala said.
Chief said there are a lot of reckless statements being channeled out even on unregulated platforms such as social media also stating that, as leaders there is need to look beyond politics and look at the challenges being faced by citizens, especially those in rural areas.
Chief Chiwala who is also Chairperson of the Lamba-Lima Royal Establishment said there is similarly need to acknowledge development taking place in most parts of the country.
Chief Chiwala has however, bemoaned the high levels of poverty in the country especially in rural areas adding that, development should be practical and not politicised.
The Chief also expressed sadness over the bad state of roads in his chiefdom stating that only a stretch of 3.1 kilometers is being constructed.
And Chief Lumpuma stated that there is need for people to be responsible on the statements they make, particularly those that are meant for public consumption.
“Even when investors see such statements, they will be scared, so let’s learn to report with facts and not just hearsay,” he said.
He added that Zambians must be cautioned because the peace that the country has enjoyed for 54 years could not be destabilised.
Meanwhile, Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) Copperbelt Provincial Coordinator, Mike Mushanga has implored political party leaders to ensure their statements are fit for public consumption.
He said riots that arose as a consequence of the statement on the alleged sale of ZAFFICO could have been avoided if leaders engaged each other in an orderly manner.
Mr. Mushanga further said government should also realise that it has a responsibility to respond to concerns from the general public regardless of the source.
Furthermore, Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Nativity Priest in charge, Leonard Tembo said people should use the correct channels to air grievances and not to issue statements that can bring chaos into the country.
“Unity is important among Zambians so let’s promote it. We may have differences in opinions, but the peace we have was not easy to gain looking the fact that many countries strive for peace to attain development. Let’s speak with love and always go by the motto ‘One Zambia, One Nation,” he said.
