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Stop feigning illness; just face the law!

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Stop feigning illness; just face the law!

Prior to the 2021 general elections that ushered-in the New Dawn Administration into power, the Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General at the time, Davies Mwila issued the following stern warning to Cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament, “You’ll go to jail if we don’t campaign hard to win in 2021.” This attracted a screaming headline in one of the daily tabloids, The Mast Newspapers.

Mwila obviously knew what he was talking about; no one just turns up in prison anyhow! A felony must have been committed somehow. The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has unveiled an interesting diary of high profile cases coming up during the month of May. Here are the snippets of how it looks like: (1) The People vs. Godfrey Bwalya Mwamba (2) The People vs. Bowman Lusambo & Another (3) The People vs. Gardner Syakanthu & others (4) The People vs. Crint Sichamba & 3 others (5) ACC vs. Francis Muchemwa……the list of course, goes on and on.

We’ve no intention of celebrating when someone suspected to have come into conflict with the law in the past is hauled before the courts of law to dance “pelete.” Mankind must endeavour to uphold the laws of our land at all times. This must equally serve as a warning to those in power today. When you are given a rare opportunity to occupy certain government positions, you must resist behaving like a monkey in a maize field; your day of reckoning shall surely come to pass once you’ve vacated office.

If we may repeat a hackneyed saying, “justice delayed, is justice denied!” The Zambian people expect those believed to have stolen from them to pay back as soon as possible; be it forfeiture of assets suspected to be proceeds of crime or swapping designer outfits for the orange attire to grow Cabbages!

However, it’s increasingly becoming worrisome to see suspects trying by all means to waste our courts time by turning-up in court on stretchers or wheel chairs, limping into court rooms aided by friends and relatives or confining themselves in bed in private hospitals where they can be seen smiling and taking selfies. The same way that only a medical practitioner in a government hospital may sign on medical reports when someone has been assaulted is what should happen when someone requires a sicknote to excuse them from attending court sessions. Doctors in private hospitals may be colluding with suspects to avoid appearing in court by ‘accommodating’ in hospital wards much longer than necessary.

Don’t feign any illness; you must face the law, pronto!

Prince Bill M. Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst

Message For Today:Don’t Give Away Your Power

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Message For Today:Don’t Give Away Your Power

Today’s Scripture,/h3>
“No one can take your joy from you.”
John 16:22, NLV

Don’t Give Away Your Power

Friend, Jesus says that no person can take your joy from you. You have to give it away. The next time someone is rude or leaves you out, just smile and stay in peace. When you let someone else determine whether or not you’re going to stay in peace, you’re giving them your power. Make up your mind that you’re not going to let them take your joy. When someone tries to make you feel small, ignore it and move on. You’re not who they say you are; you are who God says you are—His masterpiece, crowned with favor. Be happy despite what they’re doing.

Don’t keep responding the same old way and let people and circumstances determine your mood, your peace, or your joy. You can’t control what comes your way, but you can control how you respond. If you’re going to reach your destiny, you have to prove to God that you’ll stay on the high road. Do the right thing when it’s hard, and God will take you to levels you’ve never imagined.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You that I have the power to remain full of joy and stay in peace when circumstances and people try to discourage me. Thank You that You made this day, and I’m not going to live sour and defeated. I’ve made up my mind; I’m not giving away my power. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Joel Osteen Ministries

Lungu Is Able To Walk Freely Due To The Rights And Freedoms Restored by UPND

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Lungu Is Able To Walk Freely Due To The Rights And Freedoms Restored by UPND

Ndola District Commissioner Joseph Phiri says former President Edgar Lungu is managing to move freely in the streets of Lusaka because the New Dawn Government has restored tranquility in the country.

Mr. Lungu, the sixth Republican President, was on Thursday seen walking in the Lusaka Central Business District with some PF officials.

Speaking to Radio Icengelo News in Ndola, Mr. Phiri said President Hakainde Hichilema and his UPND have guaranteed human rights and freedoms as evidenced by Mr. Lungu’s stroll in Lusaka.

“I want to thank President Hakainde Hichilema. If you have observed from the time this (UPND) Government came into power there is peace in this country. Everywhere there is peace. Some politicians saying there is shrinking democratic space are just merely politicking. Look, the former President Edgar Lungu moves around freely without being attacked by anyone. This never used to happen during the reign of the last regime especially under the Patriotic Front. We had no freedom,” Mr. Phiri said.

“Now people can go to bus stations and markets with political attire without being attacked. Therefore, I want to appeal to the people of Ndola, to support this Government because it has restored peace and freedoms,” he said.

Mr. Phiri implored citizens to preserve peace and order.

“Let us value peace. Let us treasure peace. This Government has given people freedom to speak freely. People go to radio stations to say what they want but we just watch as the Government,” he concluded.

Former President Lungu walking in Lusaka

PF Accuses President Hichilema Of Abuse Of State Funds

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PF Accuses President Hichilema Of Abuse Of State Funds

The Patriotic Front has accused President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration of misusing state funds to pay former vice presidents Enoch Kavindele and Nevers Mumba. The allegations suggest that the two individuals are receiving monthly payments as “special envoys” of the President, without due parliamentary approval or clarity on the funding source.

The controversy stems from concerns regarding the lack of transparency and accountability in the appointment and remuneration of special envoys. They argue that the use of the term “special envoy” may serve as a loophole to bypass parliamentary oversight, as these roles typically do not require formal approval. Additionally, the PF raised questions about the legitimacy of such appointments and whether they align with the principles of democratic governance.

Below is the full statement

IS HH NOT ABUSING STATE FUNDS TO PAY NEVERS AND KAVINDELE

It would not be shocking to confirm that former vice presidents Enoch Kavindele and Nevers Mumba are receiving monthly payments for being named “special envoys” of President Hakainde Hichilema.
What would be shocking is that President Hichilema could insert these two on the government monthly payroll without such outside-establishment roles being put through a parliamentary approval process.
President Hichilema no doubt understands this fact. He understands too that the use of the term “special envoy” is a clever way to circumvent the need for parliamentary approval. However, it is also worth noting that in Zambia, special envoys are part time and hired for a specific assignment.
But Hichilema can not sidestep the issue of source of funds. That is why it is necessary for the government to explain quickly which vote of the budget is being used to effect payments to these special envoys, said to also include Guy Scott and Inonge Wina.
If the matter of the source of public funds for this project is not explained, civil servants involved in processing these payments should brace themselves for what could be Zamtrop II, over which some former senior public officers were jailed. What Hichilema is doing is exactly what landed Late President Chiluba in problems.
To avoid all this, President Hichilema should simply push a law giving benefits to all the countries former leaders, in the same manner days for National mourning are accorded them on their demise. We have a number of them notable among them, Lilly Monze, Vernon Mwaanga, Rabinson Chongo, Petronellla Kawandami Chisanga, General Kingsley Chinkuli and many others. His current way smacks of just being a selective manner for him to buy political support. What President Hichilema is doing is tantamount to using public resources for his personal benefit. He is using government money to buy and pay for Praise Singers to continue singing for him.
By far the most vocal have been Nevers Mumba and Enock Kavindele, whose loud praises have betrayed the fact that this is a Hichilema’s scheme to boost his public support.
Both Kavindele and Mumba were fired by late President Levy Mwanawasa. Can they then be deemed to have even completed their service? Enock Kavindele was Vice President to Fredrick Chiluba after the failed third term bid. Fredrick Chiluba later on campaigned for Late President Levy Mwanawasa until he won the 2001 elections. When Levy became Republican President, he continued with Kavindele as Vice President until Kavindele was fired. Kavindele himself knows the reasons. Hakainde Hichilema now President should know why Kavindele was fired.
After the dismissal of Kavindele, Levy Mwanawasa appointed Nevers Mumba whom he also later fired for among other reasons insubordination.
Nevers Mumba got the VP position by auctioning the National Citizens Coalition (NCC) which he had just changed from National Christian Coalition before selling it to the highest bidder.. With the kind of praises he has been heaping on Hichilema, Mumba could be preparing to do a similar thing to the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) faction he leads. Auction it for his own benefit.
Kavindele, on the other hand, will go to whoever promises to help him do his North West Railway project. Under the Movement for Multiparty Democracy ( MMD) and Patrioitic Front ( PF) government, Kavindele tried everything possible to bring government on board but he had no enough funds to be guaranteed by the Government of Zambia to borrow.
What Kavindele wanted was to get a government assurance that the railway line would be profitable then use that document to borrow. However, the would be lenders insisted that he also puts his own money on the table. He failed to do so. May be Hichilema has promised to lend him some money.
Kavindele is no longer a wealth man. He is broke. He is just remaining with his name, big house and a Rolex.
It is worth noting that both Kavindele and Mumba became popular and easy to be recognised in politics because they had monopoly in whatever they were doing.
Nevers Mumba was one of the few who preached the ” gospel of prosperity” through Pentecostalism. Kavindele had unique companies that dealt with ZCCM like KB Davis.
When more Pastors preaching similar messages like those of Nevers Mumba came on the scene, Mumba’s influence started fading. Same with Kavindele. When business competitors appeared on the market, Kavindele’s fortunes started dwindling. Both Nevers Mumba and Enock Kavindele are pieces of SCRAP METAL wanting to survive on government coffers.
Kavindele has declared that Hichilema is doing a fantastic job, despite all the daily evidence to the contrary: crippling high cost of living, mismanagement of national strategic maize stocks resulting in compromising of national food security, worst exchange rate in history, murky deals over country’s mining assets, crass tribalism, and the most repressive political environment comparable to the days of one party system.
A very good example of this political oppression is the warning by Zambia Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, that former President Edgar Lungu should not venture into any public place, such as a market or central business district because he will be breaking the law!
This was after former President Lungu took a walk through part of Lusaka CBD and some markets to check how Zambian traders are coping with the shrinking economy, and to encourage people to buy from local businesses to help them sustain their activities.
Former President Lungu as a Zambian citizen should be free to move wherever he wishes. The government, however, wants to restrict him because wherever he goes people are complaining about the high cost of living.
It is even shameful for Hichilema to allow the Police to issue such threats against Egdar Lungu when in 2018 he took a similar tour of the Central Business District ( CBD) of Lusaka.
Worse still, can one compare Edgar Lungu’s walk in the Lusaka CBD with Hichilema’s Motorcade racing against then President Edgar Lungu’s in Limulunga Western Province a stance that led to his arrest?
Hakainde Hichilema and his Graphael Musamba’s Police should not think that every Zambian is a fool.
Who committed a crime between Edagr Lungu who was exercising his rights and Hichilema who endangered the life of a sitting President? Who does Hichilema think he is? Did he drop from Pluto or Jupiter for him to be treated differently?
Kavindele also knows that any sitting President responsible for harsh living conditions in a country can not be said to be doing a fantastic job. Kavindele’s claim, therefore, suggests that he is receiving some kind of benefit!
And in the current form any such benefit could be resulting from abuse of state funds by the Head of State and everyone involved should be prepared to face the consequences when the appointed time finally arrives.
They say the ” Wheels of Justice are slow” but they will surely come.
Which budget allocation is Hichilema using to feed Kavindele and Mumba?

Source : Patriotic Front Facebook page

UKA Boss Lucky Mulusa and Dora Siliya Disavow Alleged Support for Defamatory Statements by Zumani Zimba

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UKA Boss Lucky Mulusa and Dora Siliya Disavow Alleged Support for Defamatory Statements by Zumani Zimba

In a recent development surrounding the defamation case involving Dr. Chris Zumani Zimba, a series of purported statements have surfaced, allegedly originating from key figures associated with the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA). The statements, which have been circulating widely, suggest support for Dr. Zimba’s defamatory remarks against undisclosed parties.

Among those falsely implicated in these statements are Lucky Mulusa, the Secretary General for UKA, and Dora Siliya, a prominent political figure. According to the fake statements, Mulusa purportedly offered himself as a witness against unnamed individuals in the pending case. However, upon investigation, it was revealed that both Mulusa and Siliya vehemently denied any involvement in or knowledge of the statements.

Addressing the matter directly, Mulusa clarified his stance, expressing frustration over the unauthorized use of his name in what he described as a “mud-slinging scheme.” He categorically distanced himself from both the authorship and content of the statements. Similarly, Siliya emphasized her complete ignorance of the purported statement, asserting that it was crafted without her consent or awareness.

In response to the fabricated statements, Dr.Nevers Mumba urged the public to disregard them entirely, emphasizing the need to treat them with the contempt they deserve. He reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing the defamation case to its conclusion, highlighting his dedication to upholding principles of integrity and honesty in political discourse.

Furthermore, Dr.Mumba emphasized that the case transcends individual reputations, framing it as a broader effort to cleanse Zambian politics of misinformation, slander, and unethical behavior. The focus, he stated, should be on fostering a more constructive and issue-based political environment that aligns with democratic values and national interests.

Zambia Ku Chalo

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Zambia Ku Chalo
Barbra Banda and Rachel Kundananji after the Orlando Pride vs Bay FC game
Barbra Banda and Rachel Kundananji after the Orlando Pride vs Bay FC game
Some Zambian fans

Mother and Daughter Detained for Suspected Murder of Husband in Mpika

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Mother and Daughter Detained for Suspected Murder of Husband in Mpika

A 59-year-old woman of Mpika’s Chitulika area has been detained by police together with her 19 year old daughter in connection with the suspected murder of her 50 year old husband.

Muchinga Province Police Commanding Officer Paul Achiume has identified the suspect as Phales Mutale and her daughter Evelyn Bwalya, who were arrested for allegedly murdering Kings Musamba Muma of Chitulika Village last week on Wednesday.

Mr. Achiume said the couple which was married for three years was living with Bwalya, a step daughter to Musamba.

Mr. Achiume said on the fateful day, Musamba’s step daughter reported to Mpika Police Station that her father had died after a short illness.

He said the deceased’s brother John Musamba, who lives in Ndola, was also informed of the death which made him travel to Mpika to collect the body.

“John Muma Musamba aged 50 of Lubuto township in Ndola, reported that his twin brother Kings Muma Musamba of Chitulika village in chief Chikwanda, was beaten to death by his wife Phales Mutale aged 59 and his step daughter Evelyn Bwalya aged 19 both of the same village. The deceased sustained cuts on the right eye and chin. Unknown object was used in the act,” Mr. Achiume stated.

“Brief facts of the matter are that the now deceased person was staying with his wife Phales Mutale and his step daughter Evelyn Bwalya in Chitulika Village and have been married for 3yrs now. On the material date around 2300hrs, Evelyn Bwalya reported to Mpika Police that his step-father, now the deceased, had died at home after a short illness. On 3rd May 2024, John Muma Musamba, now the reporter, travelled from Ndola with other family members upon receiving the funeral message. When they went to Mpika Urban Clinic Mortuary to check on the body in readiness to transport it to Ndola, the reporter observed that the deceased was swollen and had a cut on the right eye and chin,” he said.

“He became suspicious and decided to report the matter to the Police.

Acting on the report, a postmortem was conducted on the body of the deceased by a Medical Doctor at Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital and according to the findings; the cause of death was a blunt impact trauma to the head and ruptured spleen due to assault. Following the above revelations, the deceased’s wife Phales Mutale and her daughter Evelyn Bwalya have been detained in custody in connection with the murder of the deceased,” Mr. Achiume said.

The suspects have been detained for murder.

Former Presidential Aide Amos Chanda Sentenced to 12 Months for Theft and Evidence Destruction

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Former Presidential Aide Amos Chanda Sentenced to 12 Months for Theft and Evidence Destruction

Amos Chanda
Former President Lungu’s Press Aide Amos Chanda

Former special assistant to the President for press and public relations, Amos Chanda, has been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment by the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court for stealing and burning a court record. This verdict follows an incident where Mr. Chanda, along with his wife and sister-in-law, was previously jailed for seven months for obstructing Anti-Corruption Commission officers during a search at his house. They were released after appealing their initial sentence.

In the recent case, Mr. Chanda was found guilty of theft and destroying evidence. Lusaka Magistrate Irene Wishimanga also fined him K5,000 for destroying the evidence, with a default sentence of three months in prison if the fine is not paid.

Chanda pleaded not guilty to the charges, which included stealing a case record belonging to the government of Zambia and willfully destroying it to prevent its use in evidence in a judicial proceeding. The court heard evidence that Chanda had a conversation with individuals, including Intelligent Mobility Solutions board chairman Walid El Nahas and former Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) Chief Executive Officer Zindaba Soko, where he admitted to obtaining the court record and burning it.

The theft of the court record, identified as case record number CRMP/001/2020, was alleged to have occurred between May 12, 2020, and October 1, 2022. Chanda was also accused of willfully destroying the record during the same period.

ABSA Cup beckons for Kabwe Warriors

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ABSA Cup beckons for Kabwe Warriors

By Chimwemwe Mwanza

A late afternoon call yesterday from the indefatigable Mutale Ng’andu warmed my Friday. The Kabwe Warriors strongman was in town visiting my adopted homeland – this on the eve of the Kabwe-based soccer outfit’s most important game in almost 2 decades.

Ever generous the person he is, he sent a courteous invitation my way. ‘Yama, ndipa Mandela square mu Sandton, can you please join me for a meal,’ he quipped. Truth is, very rarely do I turn down the opportunity for good company. Unfortunately, this time around he caught me off guard. I had already committed to a date at the famed Busy Corner, a top-rated hangout joint in Tembisa – a sprawling township located east of Johannesburg.

For those who don’t drink alcohol, Busy Corner is where you find nice things – whatever that means, only Jason Mulaisho and Evans Kapinda or even better Scotch Hamoonga can explain better. For easy explanation, this riddle about nice things, rhymes along the lines of Friday njikata, nkalondolola pa Saturday kind of thing. Back to more serious stuff, I’ve known Ng’andu, the Warrior’s Chairman for several years. Like yours truly, he traces his genealogy to Highridge in Kabwe. Yet for all his worth and friendship, I just couldn’t cancel my plans for the evening to join him.

Before I dropped the call, we reminisced a bit about yesteryears in the town formerly known as Broken Hill. Of all the memories we shared, one experience stood out. The year, 1988. Venue, Railway Ground. As usual, Kabwe Warriors players clad in their white and blue kit, trooped out of their dressing room to greet their supporters in their traditional lap of honor. The objective of this practice was always to invigorate their supporters for some raucous noises – pretty much like New Zealand’s All Black’s use of the Haka choreography to intimidate opponents.

On this day, Warriors was up against a formidable Mighty Mufulira Wanderers side captained by Ashos Melu. I must confess that I have a passionate dislike for Wanderers – despite having lived in Mufulira for close to three years. The reason for this attitude is simple. Mighty and Kalampa used to give Warrior’s hell on the pitch. Admittedly, these two clubs played the best shoe-shine football – at least in my era. So, you can imagine the emotions on this day.

Fresh from winning the Zambian premier league, Warrior’s performance was on the wane. They had just lost their league-winning coach Bizwell Phiri who deserted them for the now-defunct South African Premier League Soccer club Umtata Bucks. Surprisingly, Warriors showed up on this day. They were able to match Mighty, pound for pound. With the game seemingly heading for a stalemate, up-stepped Timothy Mwitwa – Warrior’s newly found protégé.

Timo or ‘Teacher’ as Mwitwa was fondly known by his peers (MHSRIP) was a talented soccer player. He had an uncanny ability to massage a soccer ball with his feet. His ball-passing skills were purely wardrobe stuff. In this match, Teacher taught Melu and his defense partner George Lwandamina a thing or two about soccer. He kept dribbling them at will and with such ease. Super Ash as he was nicknamed, Melu who by then was Zambia’s national soccer team captain would literally flee from the sight of a marauding Teacher. The game ended 1-0 courtesy of Teacher’s superbly taken goal.

It’s thus not a strange coincidence that Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu chose to rebuild Warriors with Teacher at the center of his pivot. Rightly so, the bar that the dribbling wizard set is telling of the talent that Chitalu later brought to Warriors. In came the combative Moses ‘Saddam’ Masuwa, followed by Godfrey ‘Dunga’ Kangwa and John ‘Spiderman’ Lungu to complete a fearsome attacking midfield trio. The versatile Whiteson Changwe, Joe Bwalya, Manfred Chabinga, and big Sam Chomba provided a rock-solid defense for Richard Mwanza in goal. This was Magnificent Warriors then. And now?

Can Warriors finally end a 17-year trophy drought?

Agreed, privatization of the mines has greatly impacted both the standard and quality of Zambian soccer. Gone are the days when soccer clubs owned by Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) would plow millions into soccer academies from where the likes of Mighty, Kalampa, and Power Dynamos used to unearth some of the best soccer gems.

Even more concerning, parastatals such as Zambia Railways which sponsor Warriors are limping and terribly so. It’s unthinkable that a club like Warriors which has produced some of the best players in the history of Zambian soccer has not won a single trophy in almost two decades. Therefore, could Sunday, the 12th of May 2024, be the day that Warriors eventually break a 17-year trophy jinx? ‘Much as I’m certain that we shall prevail, this is a game that could go either way,’ is the Warrior’s chairman’s viewpoint to which yours truly concurs.

The ABSA cup is Zambia’s most prized soccer trophy. As such the current crop of players in the Warriors camp have to die a little. In fact, they owe it to the history of this club and its badge to bring glory and honor to Kabwe and its long-suffering residents. It shouldn’t matter that the club is 6th on the premier log table and that their opponent Red Arrows is leading the pack. Ultimately it will boil down to how they show up on the day. For those fervent followers of the club, you will be heartened to learn that the Warriors team that competed in the 1972 Premier League campaign and consisting of the likes of Fumanchu Simutowe, Jani Simulambo, and Ucar Chitalu among others swept all silverware in that season including the league.

This achievement is what should be inspiring, Prince Mumba, Killian Kanguluma, Ocean Mushure, Kabaso Chongo Matthews Tolopa, and the upcoming Munda Phiri in their quest for glory. The fact that Red Arrows is favorites to lift the trophy should play in Warrior’s favor. To the coach, Mumamba Numba, be reminded that you are carrying the hopes of many Warriors supporters some of whom are miles away and won’t make the numbers at Heroes stadium on Sunday. Our best wishes. Go Warriors Go. Walya Nganga Niye Walya Nkuku.

Mwanza enjoys reading politics, history, and philosophy. He is an ardent Kabwe Warriors and Liverpool supporter. For feedback, contact [email protected]

We need more expensive electricity

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We need more expensive electricity

By Michael Chishala

Imagine that right now you had a choice between two options:

1) Continue with cheap electricity but get 8 to 12 hours of load shedding.

2) Pay twice per KWh what you are currently paying, but you get power 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. Which of the two would you choose? I can bet my last Kwacha that 99.99% of Zambians would choose option 2.

They would grumble at the beginning, but then eventually adjust and get used to paying more. Almost everyone (except the few with kasaka ka ndalama) would use less power, since they would feel the pinch and the demand for power would eventually cool off and reach an equilibrium with the supply. Then we would never ever have load shedding because there would be plenty of power at the higher price point with reduced demand.

Zambian electricity is too cheap. But by law, ZESCO cannot unilaterally increase electricity tariffs, a relic of the Socialist UNIP government. They need permission from government through the Energy Regulation Board (ERB). ERB holds public meetings, some people protest that electricity is too expensive, the ERB Board sits after taking their orders from upstairs and they almost always push back against higher electricity tariffs proposed by ZESCO whose hands are tied. But this is exactly what we need. Expensive electricity.

What the government should do right now is amend the laws and regulations and allow ZESCO and other players to charge whatever they want, whenever they want. No need for ERB approval or public hearings. Forget “Cost Reflective tariffs”. What we need are “Market Reflective tariffs”. As we wait for the law to change, ERB can just give blanket approvals for tariffs to go up until things settle between Demand and Supply. If only our government leaders had the courage to bite the bullet instead of what they always do of taking a gun, taking careful aim and shooting themselves in the foot!

Many will push back against this “crazy” proposal because ZESCO will begin “exploiting” us since it is a monopoly. But that is besides the point. We need an immediate solution and cannot keep repeating the same actions but expecting different results. The Physicist Albert Einstein called that insanity. Moreover, we can solve the monopoly problem by splitting up ZESCO into Generation, Transmission and Retail. Privatise Generation and Retail and keep Transmission with shares floated publicly.

ZESCO Transmission would eventually pay off the current $3 billion ZESCO debt with increased revenues and would invest in maintaining the grid. More players with big pockets would build many new power plants, attracted by the high prices of electricity that are free to move up or down. They all want to make a killing, so the supply of power would naturally increase with more players until the tariffs eventually come down in future. Let the free market do its magic mwebantu!

Now, of course expensive electricity means production costs of goods and services go up which will trigger some short term inflation. But most nations in this part of Africa actually have more expensive electricity than us. How are they managing? Countries in the region are still exporting and surviving. Between cheap power but zero supply for 8 hours per day versus expensive power but always on, the latter is obviously a lesser evil.

Businesses will lose some customers due to increasing prices with more expensive power, but they will still retain some business. When you switch them off for 8 hours in the morning, they lose half the business day and there is a mad scramble to catch up in the remaining few hours of daylight left. This leads to even higher consumption of the cheap power which defeats the whole point of load shedding, and may even overload the grid since everyone wants to turn on their grinders, cookers, geysers, welding machines, etc, at the same time (rather than spread out during the day).

Whilst expensive electricity solves load shedding, it introduces in the interim a major problem of higher demand for charcoal which means more trees cut down and more Climate Change and less rain and lower Kariba Dam water levels. However, as I already stated, high electricity prices that are not subject to government price controls causes increased investment in new power plants which leads to cheaper power and thus more people connected to the grid and hence less demand for charcoal.

Another good (but very expensive) solution is a technological one. Smart electricity meters which communicate with the ZESCO system and implement localised load shedding. Customers who want power 24 hours a day pay a higher tariff. Their next door neighbour who cannot afford voluntarily remains on a lower tariff but gets “load shedded”, if such a term exists. Everyone will be happy and we can all live happily thereafter with no more “load shredding”.

FURTHER READING

The Real Cause of Load Shedding – Zambia’s Low Tariffs

The author is a Zambian analyst, blogger and IT Specialist with interests in Politics, Economics and Philosophy.

Higher Institutions of learning cautioned against compromising standards

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Higher Institutions of learning cautioned against compromising standards

The Parliamentary Committee on Local Governance, Housing and Chiefs Affairs has cautioned higher Institutions of learning against compromising their standards as they train Constituency Development Fund (CDF) sponsored students.

When touring Northern Technical College (NORTEC) in Ndola, the committee was told that there are councils paying students less meal allowances contrarily to the prescribed K4, 500 per term.

Committee Chairperson Newton Samakayi said he is aware that Kitwe City Council and other councils are paying students meal allowance of 1,500 per term, a trend he branded as not good.

Meanwhile, Mr. Samakayi said the Parliamentary Committee on Local Governance was pleased with the overall training of the over 3000 CDF sponsored students at NORTEC.

The Committee is currently holding stakeholders’ consultative meetings on the implementation of CDF by councils.

“We are told there are councils that are now just paying students K1,500 as a meal allowance for three months because they want to bring more students. I think that is not good,” said the Mwinilunga Member of Parliament.

“We have asked the school management to ensure that they keep standards. If their standard is K1,500 per month, it should be K1,500 per month,” Mr. Samakayi said.

NORTEC acting Principal Martin Kasonso announced that the institution has started establishing satellite campuses in a bid to train more students under CDF.

Mr. Kasonso further proposed the increase in the number of skills courses CDF sponsored students can access.

Dr. Nevers Mumba Urges Authorities to Facilitate GBM’s Medical Travel

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Dr. Nevers Mumba Urges Authorities to Facilitate GBM’s Medical Travel

In a heartfelt appeal, Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba has called on government authorities to facilitate the travel of Honourable Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) to South Africa for urgent medical treatment.

Dr. Mumba, who visited GBM in the hospital, revealed that GBM is in need of specialized medical care that is not available locally. Understanding the gravity of GBM’s condition, Dr. Mumba emphasized the importance of accessing the correct medical help in South Africa.

Expressing concern for his dear brother’s health, Dr. Mumba urged the government to expedite the process of authorizing GBM’s travel to South Africa for the necessary treatment.

GBM’s health condition underscores the critical need for timely and appropriate medical intervention.Last evening, Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, paid a visit to GBM at Medland Hospital. He was accompanied Hon Brian Mundubile and Honorable Joe Malanji.
Earlier, GBM was visited by various people that included Dr. Fred M’membe President of Socialist party, party Vice President Hon Given Lubinda, Hon Richard Musukwa, Hon Richard Kachingwe, former Republican Vice President, Dr Nevers Mumba and Hon Miles Sampa, MP

ZNS’ Growing Infrasctructure Development Prowess Extends to UNZA, Evelyn hone

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ZNS’ Growing Infrasctructure Development Prowess Extends to UNZA, Evelyn hone

Government has engaged the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to construct modern sanitation facilities at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and Evelyn Hone College at a cost of K8.5 million.
The initiative comes after the Republican President and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force, Mr Hakainde Hichilema undertook a fact finding mission to the University of Zambia Great East campus and other Learning Institutions last year to appreciate the sanitation challenges faced.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony in Lusaka yesterday, the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Honourable Mike Mposha said the construction of four additional ablution blocks represents a significant step towards promoting health and dignity.
Hon Mposha who is also Munali Member of Parliament, highlighted that once constructed, the facilities will not only enhance the overall campus experience but also contribute to academic success and personal well-being of students and staff.
Hon Mposha acknowledged that access to clean and safe sanitation facilities is a basic human right, yet it was a reality denied ‘to far too many individuals’, particularly in educational institutions.
The Minister indicated that ZNS was strategically identified to implement the project on a contractual period of six months which he directed to be reduced to three months.
He was confident that the Institution will complete the project within the stipulated time frame and expected standards.
Speaking at the same event, the Minister of Education Hon Douglas Siakalima said Government was investing in enhanced sanitation facilities to ensure hygiene in higher learning Institutions.
The Minister was confident that the construction of the said facilities will also mitigate the outbreak of waterborne related diseases such as cholera that may disrupts learning processes.
And the ZNS Commander, Lieutenant General Maliti Solochi is proud that the reconstituted Builders Brigade has been entrusted with the project.
Speaking in a speech read for him by Builder’s Brigade Commander Brigadier General Isaac Haminwe, the ZNS Commander assured quality works which will meet the expectation of Government.
“The nation may take note that the Service is not new on the construction scene as the Institution has previously participated in major projects such as the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia railway line, alongside the Chinese contractor,” Lt Gen Solochi said.
He revealed that the Service has re-organised, equipment and staffed the Construction Wing with better qualified building engineers.
The ZNS Commander appealed to both the public and private sectors to consider ZNS Builders Brigade as their infrastructure developer of choice assuring guaranteed solid, cost-effective and modern structures.

Cabinet Approves Beira Development Corridor Agreement

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Cabinet Approves Beira Development Corridor Agreement

Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. Museba Frank Tayali , MP is elated with the move by Cabinet to approve the Beira Development Corridor Agreement.

This came to light following the sitting of the 8th Cabinet Meeting chaired by His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema on Monday, May 6th 2024 in Lusaka which approved that Zambia signs and ratifies the Beira Development Corridor Agreement.
On Monday, Cabinet approved that Zambia should sign and ratify the Beira Development Corridor Agreement (BDCA) amongst the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Zambia.

It is in the interest of Cabinet for Zambia to sign and ratify the BDCA in order for the Agreement to enter into force and facilitate the creation of coordination mechanisms to address the challenges that require to be resolved by the five-member States.

This will promote and facilitate infrastructure development, transit-transport cooperation and cross border trade among the five-member States and ensure that they benefit from the various initiatives and development projects to be undertaken by the various stakeholders and Cooperating Partners within the Corridor.

The Beira Development Corridor is critical to enhancing regional and international trade competitiveness particularly for the landlocked countries of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hon.Tayali says the development is a very welcome move as the Beira Corridor offers Zambia the shortest route to the sea.
The approved Agreement will now be taken to Parliament for the final stage of the Ratification process.Once ratified, it will be the fifth (5th) Corridor Agreement that Zambia would have since ratified under Hon. Tayali as Minister of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics.

The remaining Corridor under consideration and awaiting approval and subsequent ratification is the North South Corridor Agreement which is still waiting for intervention from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat.
Hon. Tayali presented the Zambian case for the Beira Corridor Agreement to Cabinet.

The Minister is highly optimistic that the approval of the Corridor is a sure way in the country’s quest to creating a multi-modal transportation and economic development system in the region and beyond.
Hon. Tayali strongly feels that what Government has done is in line with the New Dawn Government’s aspiration of turning the country into an export-led growth and middle-income country by 2030 as well as transformation into a regional transport and logistics hub.

The Minister also says he looks forward to the development of the Kafue to Lion’s Den railway link which will cut the distance to the Beira Sea Port by over 1000 Kilometres.

Issued by:
NDUBI R. MVULA
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

Government Addresses Key Issues in Media Engagement

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Government Addresses Key Issues in Media Engagement

Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa Highlighted Roadmap for Access to Information Law, Corruption Fight, Economic Challenges, and ZESCO Load-Shedding Concerns

In a recent media engagement led by Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa, several crucial topics were addressed, providing insights into the government’s plans and responses to various challenges facing Zambia.

Access to Information Law:

One of the key announcements made during the engagement was the forthcoming roadmap for the actualization of the Access to Information (ATI) law. The government aims to provide clarity and transparency regarding the implementation of this important legislation, which enhances citizens’ right to access information.

Fight Against Corruption:

Minister Mweetwa emphasized the government’s commitment to combatting corruption through an asset recovery approach. He highlighted that while convictions and sentences are important, recovering assets lost to corruption is equally crucial. The government aims to address citizens’ concerns about the slow pace of corruption-related cases, striving for expeditious resolution.

Response to Allegations Against President Hichilema’s Cabinet:

The Minister addressed accusations labeling President Hakainde Hichilema’s cabinet as the worst in Zambia’s history, dismissing them as unsubstantiated and damaging to the country’s reputation. He highlighted the government’s efforts in addressing economic challenges inherited from previous administrations and projected improvements in key sectors such as mining.

ZESCO Load-Shedding Concerns:

Concerns over ZESCO’s plan to increase load-shedding hours were addressed, with the government attributing the decision to decreasing water flows in the Zambezi River. Minister Mweetwa underscored the government’s commitment to exploring all viable options to ensure a stable and reliable power supply despite challenges.

Call for Re-introduction of Energy Subsidies:

Regarding the re-introduction of energy subsidies to mitigate the escalating cost of living, the government clarified that the recent upward revision of petroleum pump prices was not done in consultation with them. However, measures and projects will be announced to address the power shortage, and the removal of key figures from the Energy Regulation Board should not be politicized.

Overall, Minister Mweetwa’s engagement with the media provided valuable insights into the government’s stance and actions on key issues affecting Zambia, demonstrating a commitment to transparency, accountability, and addressing citizen concerns.

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