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.
AN unidentified child labourer spotted at Buseko market ferrying large bags of stock feed in Lusaka
Ministry of Labour and Social Security says Kaoma is one of the districts that has performed well in terms of child labour withdrawal and support in education and skills training.
Ministry of Labour Commissioner, Chanda Kaziya said programmes aimed at fighting child labour by different organisations have yielded positive results with Kaoma and Nkeyema districts taking centre stage in the fight against the vice steaming from the tabacco fields.
Mr. Kaziya affirmed that the withdrawal and re-admission of children to school especially those who work in tobacco fields with the help of the Japanese Tobacco International Company (JTI) has yielded positive results.
ZANIS reports that the Labour Commisioner was speaking today when he paid a courtesy call on Kaoma District Commissioner, Kennedy Mubanga at his office.
This is ahead of a delegation from the International Labour Organisation(ILO) expected to conduct on the spot check of committees benefiting from the programmes in Nkeyema and Kaoma on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
And Kaoma District Commissioner, Kennedy Mubanga, stated that the rural parts of the country are hard hit economically as compared to urban areas.
Mr. Mubanga echoed his strategy for residents in Kaoma to diversify from growing tobacco to other crops such as cassava and bee keeping for sustainability purposes.
The visit follows ILO planned strategy to stop tobacco companies from funding child labour programmes in the country.
President Edgar Lungu confers with Vice President Inonge Wina before departure for Kenya for a private visit at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
President Edgar Lungu has congratulated the Muslim community in Zambia on the occasion of the holy festival of EID Mubarak marking the end of the month of Ramadan.
In a message yesterday, President Lungu acknowledges the important and unique role the Muslim community plays in advancing the cause of humanity through their religious and charity work.
The Head of State noted that Zambia is a nation of faith which is predominantly Christian but proudly at peace with other religions.
He added that within the diversity, the country has distinguished itself as a tolerant society across various facets of life and that he is hopeful that more can be done to entrench the culture as a way of life.
And President Lungu has encouraged the Muslim community to use this solemn period to reflect on their spiritual responsibilities and also urged them to build bridges across other faiths.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has extended his appeal to the leadership of the Muslim community to participate in the important process of national dialogue to help bring about a broad- based outcome that will benefit all Zambians.
The President indicated that politicians hold divergent views on many things but he is happy that the nation has a generally well settled consensus that religious leaders provide the best possible platform for unity.
The Head of State has since urged all Zambians to view the difference in religious beliefs as a catalyst for peaceful co-existence amid diversity.
He emphasized that as much as the nation has different religions, Zambians must realise that amongst the many good things, religion teaches the greatest lesson which is the message of love.
This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Amos Chanda.
Vice-President Inonge Wina making interventions at the High Level side event which was themed: “Accelerating efforts to end female genital mutilation and child marriage by 2030.” at the United Nations (UN) in New York. Picture courtesy of Zambia Mission at the United Nations/WALLEN SIMWAKA
Acting President Inonge Wina has accorded an state funeral to the Late Former Southern Province Minister and Minister of State in the UNIP government Daniel Munkombwe who died after an illness at Livingstone General Hospital.
Ms. Wina has since declared a one day national mourning in his honour on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 the day of his burial.
On this day, all flags will fly at half-mast and all radio and television stations are expected to play solemn music from 06:00hrs to 18:00hrs.
All activities of entertainment nature should either be postponed or cancelled.
The funeral for the Late Mr. Munkombwe is being held at Kabebya farm in Choma District, Southern Province.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS by Deputy Permanent Secretary for Administration at Cabinet Office, Patrick Kangwa.
And Chief Siachitema of Kalomo district in Southern Province says the nation has been robbed of a great statesman following the demise of the former Southern Province Minister, Daniel Munkombwe.
Chief Siachitema said the late Mr. Munkombwe has done a lot for the country and will be greatly remembered by Zambian people.
The traditional leader said this in an interview with ZANIS today.
He said that the late Daniel Munkombwe whom he described as a great man was charismatic politician.
Chief Siachitema, who spoke through his spokesperson Johns Chiboola further urged Zambians to mourn the late Munkombwe with dignity.
Two women from the same family have died in a quarry stone mine after the earth fell on them at Mushingo village in Chiefainess Kanyembo’s area in Nchelenge District.
Nchelenge District Commissioner (DC) Derrick Mwelwa confirmed the incident to ZANIS today and identified the deceased as Agness Kalumba 54 and her daughter Catherine Chibwe 23 of the same area.
Mr. Mwelwa said the incident occurred yesterday around 15:00 hours.
He stated that one of the bodies has been deposited at St Pauls Hospital Mortuary while the other one is still underground as it has been covered with big rocks.
FILE: Former Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe
By Sishuwa Sishuwa
On 15 June 2018, the heart of Daniel Chibbwalu Munkombwe, a nationalist and veteran practitioner of Zambian politics, ceased to beat. It is easy in the bloom of youth and health to forget our mortality. If there is anything that death should teach or remind us, it is the need to celebrate the ephemera and gift that each day is, to live now and in the present. We sometimes miss out on life when we seek more, when we seek permanence, for what we have is now and we must live in the moment, for that is all there is to life – now. As one of our prominent local artists, Petersen Zagaze, has sung, ‘Ku manda kuli boring’! That song, in my view, summarises what life is: alive!
Well, Munkombwe is no longer alive, but he has left behind a timeless gift in form of knowledge, expressed through his recently-published memoirs that capture his experiences at the centre of national politics for over half a century. Published by Fleetfoot (a local publishing company that provides an important platform for works that are unlikely to win the approval of commercial publishers), The Politics of Influence: an Autobiography of Daniel Munkombwe is an enlightening, engaging and pacy read, which convincingly meets its stated aim: ‘to share with others the story of my long and colourful political career, which has given me a vast insight of the politics of our country and its leaders at various levels’. In a narrative interspersed with superb storytelling, humour and style, Munkombwe accomplishes his goal in less than 150 pages, charting the course of his life, from an adversity-filled childhood to his education in colonial Zimbabwe, to his involvement in the nationalist struggle, and to his role in each of the post-colonial governments.
Having been an active political leader in the decolonisation movement, in the first eight years of post-colonial independence, which witnessed a competitive multiparty and democratic political system, in the one-party state in which the United National Independence Party (UNIP) was the sole legal political formation, in the two decades of Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) rule, and, most recently, in the Patriotic Front government, Munkombwe’s personal experiences illustrate the broader history of Zambia because he has been able to see changes spanning across these different historical periods. If history is the study of events and the role of individuals in those events, then Munkombwe possesses the credentials to write it, for he is a bastion of evidence and experience. Born in Choma’s Mbole village on 16 May 1932, Munkombwe, known for his “politics of benefits” ideology, retains the distinction of having served all the Presidents that Zambia has had since independence (bar incumbent Edgar Lungu) as well as six different political parties – the African National Congress (ANC), the People’s Democratic Congress (PEDCO), UNIP, the MMD, the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the PF. His commendable decision to capture this lengthy involvement in public life in a sharply written personal narrative is a feat that should be emulated by his political peers and juniors. The Politics of Influence, available in Bookworld and other local stores, shades new light on several subjects of national significance and has much to tell us about Munkombwe himself.
First, Munkombwe’s memoirs teach us that there are many more heroes and heroines who contributed to the liberation of Zambia than is presently acknowledged. Munkombwe himself is a classic example. Since independence, there has been a sustained and arguably deliberate attempt by UNIP figures to project an inaccurate impression that the struggle for national independence was initiated and secured by UNIP alone. This is despite the fact that UNIP only came into existence after 1959, just five years before independence and over a decade after the campaign for self-determination was launched, in July 1948, by the Northern Rhodesia African Congress (renamed the ANC in 1952). Munkombwe’s memoirs contribute to the deconstruction of this dominant narrative and bring to light many unheralded people from the ANC and trade union movement who poured their resources and even their lives into the nationalist struggle. These include Mungoni Liso, Paul Mambo, Job Michelo, Robinson Puta, Godwin Mbikusita Lewanika, Omelo Mumba and Dixon Konkola, who was actually the first president of UNIP. Munkombwe highlights the fact that it was the ANC that laid the foundation of the liberation of Zambia, and that UNIP only completed the work started (and nearly secured) by Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula’s nationalist organisation. For the ‘born-free’ generation, the memoirs will broaden their knowledge and understanding of the patriots who fought for independence and the enormous sacrifices that went with their efforts. For the current and future national leadership, the memoirs are a challenge to broaden the definition of independence heroes and heroines to award recognition to those to whom it is due.
Second, Munkombwe’s autobiography explains his long-cherished and candid, if controversial, philosophy of “politics of benefits”, which would have been a more fitting title for the book. In April 2013, Munkombwe publicly stated that “there is no more patriotism. Patriotism was only there when we were fighting colonialists, so everybody is adopting my philosophy of politics of benefits. I know people will say Munkombwe has gone into government because he wants to eat but who does not want to eat?” We learn through his memoirs that the “politics of benefits” idea has its origins in the frustrated expectations of independence and the non-inclusive nature of the newly-independent government insofar as the composition and distribution of public positions and responsibilities was concerned.
After the winning of independence, President Kenneth Kaunda moved to establish a government devoid of some of the ANC leaders who had played a not insignificant role in the leadership and financing of the nationalist struggle. In April 1965, ANC leader Nkumbula publicly challenged his unhappy party lieutenants to join the Kaunda government and secure the benefits of their toil. After a series of intra-party discussions, a list of ANC loyalists was drawn and prepared for submission to Kaunda and for deployment into the government, so that they, like their UNIP counterparts, could ‘eat’ too. Munkombwe was one of those appointed. Clearly, he is not afraid to speak his mind and present his views, and leaves the question of whether or not this resolution was right to the reader’s judgement.
Third, Munkombwe’s book contributes to national discourse and the documentation of history. Memoirs or autobiographical writings provide a particularised and alternative discourse free from the rigid rules of peer-reviewed academic publications; a unique way of explaining things and interpreting historical events using one’s understanding; and a much more localised, native or indigenous analysis and construction of national history that includes subjects or aspects that academic researchers, for instance, are unlikely to emphasise in their writings. A skeptic, educated elite or Euro-centric writer, for instance, is likely to pick up on Munkombwe’s lack of higher education and present him as an uninformed person rather than a militant and uncompromising patriot who never dishonoured the cause of freedom.
As we embark on the long journey to Zambia’s centenary celebrations in 2064, it is important that we cultivate a localised discourse that helps us to understand our evolution including what really happened in the preceding fifty years of the Zambian nationhood, to define and shape “the Zambian Dream”, and to set the stage for what we want Zambia to be in the next five decades. What we accomplished fifty-four years ago was simply the first step of a long walk to freedom from want. In order to realise our shared dreams and vision of attaining a better life for all, it is necessary to continue to ask such questions as: what are the fundamental objectives and goals that we are trying to achieve? What are the key elements of our strategy towards those objectives and goals? What are and what have been the most significant obstacles, and how shall we deal with them? What successes and failures do we draw from the past five decades? How do we secure and sustain the progress we have made? What are the big strategic needs and opportunities? Munkombwe’s memoirs should be viewed as a useful, if partial, contribution to that discourse.
Munkombwe also devotes attention to discussing other important national topics and his role in them such as the Choma Declaration, President Kaunda’s release of political prisoners such as Edward Shamwana just before he was defeated in the landmark 1991 elections, the formation of the UPND in 1998, and his stints in the governments of presidents Levy Mwanawasa and Rupiah Banda. He ends with a chapter titled ‘I Feel Betrayed’ in which he narrates his fallout with President Banda just before the 2011 elections. Banda not only questioned Munkombwe’s political input, but further removed the veteran politician from the presidential campaign team, a move that did not sit easily with ‘Old Daniel’.
All in all, Munkombwe’s book is a worthy and welcome publication that goes a long way in addressing the dearth of political writing in Zambia and the needs of students of Zambian political history. It represents an account of what he witnessed and experienced, his interpretation of the historical events in which he was involved, and should be read for what it is: a personal memoir. Autobiographies, especially those of politicians, are notorious for their authors’ appetite for self-congratulation and overdramatisation, their penchant for description rather than analysis, and their highly selective presentation of what they know. Munkombwe’s memoirs suffer from these and other flaws. For instance, what political value did successive presidents see in Munkombwe to keep appointing him to the same position of Southern Province minister or ruling party chairperson, in spite of his repeated failure to wrestle the region from opposition control? How did Munkombwe himself manage to make himself relevant amidst successive political alliances and governments?
In what ways is ‘loyalty’, if one can call it that, forged within a ‘politics of benefits’? What are the less visible social ties or networks that politicians like Munkombwe draw on that are nonetheless important to their political careers? After fifty years in politics, what does he consider to be his legacy? Munkombwe does not answer these questions and it is tempting to dismiss his book as not very useful when wearing critical academic lens, and to insist that history is better written by people who possess the necessary qualifications and analytical tools and who are detached from their subjects. This is because writing about oneself and others who are still alive and involved in politics generally leads to self-censorship and feelings of conceit.
Yet dismissing Munkombwe’s effort on account of its weaknesses would be a disservice. It is also probably too much to expect someone who is still actively involved in politics, as Munkombwe was at the time the book came out in 2014, to write a perfectly honest and detailed account of themselves and their relationship with others. What is important is that Munkombwe has told his story, and thrown the challenge to other Zambians, including political leaders, to share their own stories and help fill the gaps that might exist in his work. After all, we are all witnesses, and every witness has a story. Munkombwe has shared his. What is your story? What is my story?
29 people have filed their nomination papers for adoption to stand as Lusaka Mayor on the ruling PF ticket.
According to a list obtained from the PF Lusaka District Secretariat, the 29 party members have successfully filed in their nomination papers.
Leading the pack is former Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Miles Sampa, Former Lusala Province Minister Mulenga Sata and former Lusaka Mayor Fisho Mwale.
Others are Lusaka Business man Trevor Ngandu commonly knows as Uncle T, current Deputy Mayor Chilando Chitangala and youth activist Munir Zulu and Brian Hapunda.
The list also includes former Mayor Daniel Chisenga and losing 2016 Kabwata aspiring Member of Parliament Clement Tembo.
Meanwhile, the Patriotic Front has issued guidelines to all Mayoral aspiring candidates and their supporters ahead of the elections.
PF Media Director Sunday Chanda said in a statement the aspiring candidates must not attack or villify other contestants in the Lusaka Mayoral Race.
“Following the guidelines by the Party and the subsequent filling of applications by respective members of the Party vying for nomination on the Patriotic Front ticket, we have witnessed intense debate, which is indeed as it should be in a democracy such as the one which prevails in the ruling Party,” Mr Chanda said.
He added, “We have seen with pride our members taking to respective media houses to debate their personal ideas for the Greater City of Lusaka. This is part of the democratic space existing in the Patriotic Front which we must all guard jealously and ensure it leads to the unity and strength of the Party.”
“There is however concern that some of our Comrades have resolved to attack or villify other contestants in the Lusaka Mayoral Race. Please note that while members are free to support a candidate of their choice in this democracy, this must not give rise to character assassination and derogatory remarks.”
“On the contrary, we wish to encourage conversations among members of the Party focussing on ideas to make the Greater City of Lusaka better under the Patriotic Front,” he said.
Mr Chanda stated that the Candidate for the Mayoral Race on the Patriotic Front ticket will be adopted by the Central Committee.
“As we may be aware, insulting in order to market ones candidate of choice only works to the disunity of the Party and could potentially affect the member in question. This is therefore a clarion call for unity of purpose, issue-based intra-party debates void of insults and character assassination. The Patriotic Front is one family and let this season confirm that we are indeed a shinning example for intra-party democracy.”
The Anti-Corruption Commission has said that it is investigating a total of six cases arising from the 2017 report of the Financial Intelligence Centre.
In a statement to obtained by Q-News, ACC Public Relations Manager, Timothy Moono said that the cases are as a result of four reports received by the Commission from the FIC and involve several individual and entities.
Mr.Moono said that the cases border on suspected corruption, abuse of office, possession of unexplained property, and irregularities in procurement of goods and services, money laundering and tax evasion.
Mr.Moono said that s investigations into these cases are ongoing.
Meanwhile Civil Society organizations among them Transparency International Zambia (TIZ), Alliance for Community Action, NGOCC, have presented the Financial Intelligence Center (FIC) financing trends report to State House.
This follows President Edgar Lungu’s claim through his spokesperson Amos Chanda that he has not received the report.
ACA Executive Director Laura Miti tells Q-news that with the report submitted to State house, the head of state should now act upon it.
FAZ has secured two junior international friendly games for the Zambia Under-20 ahead of next month’s 2019 U20 AFCON final round, qualifier against Burundi.
The defending U20 AFCON champions will play Malawi and South Africa at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka next month.
Zambia will host Malawi on July 1 and later play South Africa on July 7.
It will be Zambia and Malawi’s second junior international friendly date since May 5 when Young Chipolopolo won 1-0 away in Blantyre.
The friendlies will come a week before Zambia host Burundi on July 14 in a final round, first leg qualifier at the same venue.
Burundi will host Zambia in the last leg on July 21 with the winner over both legs qualifying to next March’s finals in Niger.
Ailing Nchanga Rangers insist their can pull-off an upset on Saturday at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola against Zesco United despite losing to the latter in their last nine successive league games.
Nchanga trace their last victory over Zesco to the 2013 season when they beat the six-time champions 2-1 away in Ndola.
17th placed Nchanga also come into their home game at Nchanga after losing their four successive games and have also picked up just one point from their last seven games since beating Red Arrows 2-1 at the same venue on May 2.
It doesn’t get any easier for Nchanga just four days after they fell 2-0 away at 4th placed Nkana.
“We will be playing at home against Zesco, another big team, but we hope to do better this time,” Nchanga coach Hector Chilombo said.
“We have to start winning because we are approaching the halfway point but at home we hope do better this time.”
But they face the mighty fury of Zesco who have a loaded attack led by Jesse Were and Lazarus Kambole who have six goals each heading to Chingola in this Week 18 fixture and looking determined to stay top and maintain their slender lead over second placed Green Buffaloes.
Victory will take Zesco to 42 points and see them take a four point overnight lead before Buffaloes host Power Dynamos in Lusaka on Sunday.
Zambian house music pioneer El Mukuka releases the remix to his current single “All I Need”. The remix was produced by fellow Zambian House DJ/Producer Sebastien Dutch.
File:Defense Minister Edgar Lungu (l) who is also PF Secretary General with Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe (c) and Western Province Minister Richwell Siamunene (r) at a PF Rally meeting at Blue Gums in Mongu District of Western Province
Veteran politician Daniel Munkombwe has died. Mr. Munkombwe died in Livingstone General Hospital after an illness He last served as Provincial Minister for Southern Province.
Daniel Munkombwe was at one time one of the wealthest Zambians in this country. He was definitely the biggest indigenous cattle rancher and commercial farmer and at a very young age. He was brought up in the same house as Mr. Vernon Johnson Mwaanga (who is his cousin) by VJ’s father Mr. Samson Mwaanga.
He achieved notoriety when in 1972 the largest cheque made out to a farmer by NAMBOARD was to one Daniel Munkombwe. The cheque was so large it came to the notice of then President Kenneth Kaunda. The cheque was bigger than all the money paid out to farmers in Northern Province implying he had produced more maize than the whole Northern Province.
His Kabebya Ranch had the largest cattle herd in the country and a string of butcheries from Livingstone all the way up to Mufulira. He was lured into full time politics and thus began the slow downward spiral of his business empire.
He was a close friend and relative of my father’s Munali classmate Mr. Samuel Mweetwa (another cousin to Mr. Vernon Johnson Mwaanga) and I met him several times when I lived in Mufulira as he had developed a friendship with my father.
He sponsored literally dozens of students at UNZA. His massive Olympia Park home was always full of relatives and his open handed generosity may have also contributed to the diminishing of his fortune.
Whatever his faults in the political arena, Daniel Munkombwe has always been a man to help his friends and relatives and always has a fund of great jokes. A connoisseur of female beauty Mr. Munkombwe married several times and is a real Tonga Bull so to speak.
Daniel Munkombwe has run his race and he made an impact in this country.
Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe has announced that President Edgar Lungu several new austerity measures in an effort to address the country’s worsening debt crisis.
Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe announced in statement released late on Thursday that President Lungu ordered cancellation of some existing loans, banned the issuance of letters of credit and guarantees to state owned enterprises, terminated financing of development project that are below 80 per cent completion and cut down on ministerial travels with immediate effect.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe also announced that the Ministry of Finance has banned all government officials from making public statements on economic matters and debt contraction, going forward.
She said the making of several statements on economic and financial matters by unmandated government officials has continued despite a cabinet decision against the practice adding that this has sent wrong signals that have impacted negatively on the performance of the economy.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe also announced that the debt sustainability analysis (DSA which has just been completed has confirmed that the total public external debt as at end March 2018 amounted to US$9.3 billion, up from US$8.7 billion in 2017 while domestic debt stock (government securities) amounted to K53.5 billion from K48.4 billion over the same period.
“Let me again, emphasise that we have reconciled all the debt with all our creditors and hereby confirm the debt position,” Mrs. Mwanakatwe stated.
Below is the full statement MEDIA STATEMENT ON ADDRESSING FISCAL AND DEBT CHALLENGES FOR SUSTAINED MACROECONOMIC STABILITY AND GROWTH _STATEMENT ISSUED BY HONOURABLE MARGARET D. MWANAKATWE, MP, MINISTER OF FINANCE – REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA_ www.mof.gov.zm
Introductory Remarks
1.
I welcome you to this briefing at which I will share with you perspectives on the current performance of the economy and the prospects going forward.
I will also address the topical issue of fiscal challenges and the debt position and its sustainability.
I will further provide measures that government is taking to bring the country back on a more sustainable debt trajectory, improve the fiscal position and entrench macroeconomic stability.
2.
Members of the media, the measures I will announce today coupled with other reforms will ensure that government remains on course with achieving sustained and inclusive growth.
I wish to further indicate that the measures come as a resolve from his excellency, the president of the republic of Zambia, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who has already communicated in writing to all cabinet and provincial ministers.
This attests to government’s commitment to prudent financial and sound economic management.
The measures taken by president Lungu will become our blueprint as a government.
Economic Situation
3.
In 2017, government embarked on policy and structural reforms under the economic stabilisation and growth programme, with the view to strengthen our fiscal position for sustained and inclusive growth.
These reforms will lay a sound foundation for the effective implementation of the seventh national development plan, 2017 – 2021.
4.
The implementation of the reforms has shown positive results as reflected in some of the following:
I) the rebound in gdp growth from a dip of 2.9% in 2015 to the current 4.1% rate, above the sub saharan africa average of 2.8% for 2017.
Ii) reduction in inflation to single digits, recorded at 7.8% in may 2018 from a high of around 22.9% in february 2016 and holding within the band of 6 to 8% that government has set to attain in 2018.
Iii) the relative stability of the exchange rate of the kwacha against major trading currencies.
Iv) an improving current account that has been in a deficit since 2015. The current account deficit narrowed to us$139.2 million in the first quarter of 2018 from us$241.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. This was mainly attributed to a higher trade surplus following relatively higher export earnings.
5.
On the basis of the measures and other ongoing reforms, growth in the medium-term is projected in the 4 – 5 percent range, supported by an improving external sector. The fiscal deficit will gradually decline to 3 percent of gdp while inflation is expected to remain in single-digit.
6.
The stability of the macroeconomic variables is cardinal in re-establishing growth of above 7% required to reduce poverty. However, there are a number of challenges and risks that threaten the stability achieved so far.
7.
Therefore, in order to mitigate the threats to macroeconomic stability and overall government objectives of higher and shared prosperity, there is need to take timely and decisive policy actions.
8.
Let me now address critical issues on the country’s debt and fiscal position and related matters.
Unsustainable debt stock and high pace of debt accumulation
9.
We have completed the debt sustainability analysis (dsa) and a full reconciliation of our debt stock. The dsa exercise has confirmed that we need to undertake measures to bring debt risk to moderate from the current high risk.
10.
Total public external debt as at end march 2018 amounted to us $9.3 billion from us $8.7 billion in 2017. The domestic debt stock (government securities) amounted to k53.5 billion from k48.4 billion over the same period.
11.
Members of the media: let me again, emphasize that *we have reconciled all the debt with all our creditors and hereby confirm the debt position.
12.
In order to address the pace of debt contraction and the affordability of the debt, government has undertaken to implement the following measures:
I. Indefinitely postpone the contraction of all pipeline debt until the debt is brought back to moderate risk of distress;
Ii. Cancel some of the current contracted loans that are yet to be disbursed to reduce the debt service outlays;
Iii. Undertake refinancing on selected bilateral loans, both local and external, to extend the maturity profile and attain lower costs on debt;
Iv. Carry out an asset liability management exercise on the debt to ensure sustainability of cash flows;
V. Cease issuance of guarantees to commercially viable projects; and,
Vi. Cease the issuance of letters of credit and guarantees to state owned enterprises that are technically insolvent until their balance sheet challenges are resolved.
Government arrears
13.
The current stock of domestic arears (K12.7 billion as at end-december 2017) has adversely affected economic activity through elevated non-performing loans and subsequently contributed to reduce private sector financing.
To address this, the following are the measures to be implemented:
I. All ministries to concentrate arrears dismantling to areas that will significantly reduce non-performing loans and release liquidity to the private sector;
Ii. Ensure that zra comes up with profiles to liquidate current and non-contentious vat claims;
Iii. The secretary to the cabinet to ensure that civil servants take annual leave to curtail expenditures related to personal emoluments such as commutation of days; and,
Iv. The ministry of finance to enforce commitment controls to curb accumulation of new arears.
Debt contraction in Zambia
14.
Ladies and gentlemen, another issue that I would like to clarify is the process of debt contraction in the country.
Debt contraction is guided mainly by the loans and guarantees (authorisation) act cap 366 of the laws of Zambia. Cap 366 vests powers of debt contraction in the minister of finance.
In this respect, other than the minister of finance, no one has the legal powers to contract loans.
Further, under cap 349, the minister of finance is a corporate body, being an office that can be sued and thus on which loan obligations enforcement can be carried out.
Unsustainable government expenditure
15.
During 2017, budget performance continued to face pressures as revenues fell behind expenditures.
Consequently, the fiscal deficit, at 7.8 percent of gdp, was higher than budget target of 7 percent. Given the continued spending pressures relative to expected revenues in 2018, the deficit is projected to be higher than the 6.1 percent projected in the budget. Particularly, the financing of projects has continued to influence the deficit upwards in 2018.
In this regard, the following revenue and expenditure measures shall be implemented in order to maintain a sustainable deficit.
Revenue measures
I. The ministry of finance wi?l ensure that there is strict adherence to the programmed domestic financing in the 2018 budget;
Ii. The ministry of finance will compel fuel importers to make declaration of fuel imports at borders to curb the problem of smugglingof fuel;
Iii. The ministry of transport and communication will expeditiously implement the telecommunication transactions monitoring system for mobile service providers;
Iv. The ministries of finance and mines and minerals development will put in place legislative measures to introduce taxation on precious metal exports;
V. The ministry of finance will introduce electronically verifiable tax stamps on high risk imports to address the problem of smuggling; and,
Vi. The ministries of justice; finance, and lands will urgently resolve all land titling issues to ensure that the planned issuance of 300,000 land titles is attained.
Expenditure measures
I. The ministry of finance will only fund projects that are at least 80 percent complete;
Ii. In order to control the high expenditure on personal emoluments, recruitments will strictly be limited to the provisions of the 2018 budget;
Iii. The management of the payroll will be moved to the ministry of finance by the end of june 2018 to ensure separation of duties in order to enhance the authenticity of entries on the payroll, address payment of wrong allowances and ghost workers;
Iv. To cut down on the cost of running government by reducing expenditures related to both local and foreign travel, and workshops, the secretary to the cabinet has been directed by the president to immediately issue new travel guidelines that will reduce the number of travels and the size of delegations;
V. The ministry of works and supply will finalize the policy on government vehicles with the view to have them disposed off. This will reduce expenditures on running the government fleet;
Vi. The president has directed that a committee to crutinize the quality of expenditure in ministries should be set up under the ministry of finance.the committee will allow government to take remedial measures on unnecessary expenditures for the rest of 2018 and going forward.
Vii. Electricity tariffs with independent power producers will be renegotiated to ensure that there is parity between the buying and sell prices by ZESCO;
Viii. The industrial development corporation (idc) will implement the president’s long outstanding directive to relook at the portfolio of state owned companies to restructure the portfolio and bring in equity participation for those that are variable; and,
Ix. The ministry of national development planning will establish a multi-sectoral public investment board to scruitnize capital expenditure requests prior to submitting to cabinet.
Communication on economic and financial matters
16.
The making of several statements on economic and financial matters by unmandated government officials has continued despite a cabinet decision against the practice. This has sent wrong signals that have impacted negatively on the performance of the economy.
To address this shortcoming, the president has banned unmandated government officials from issuing public statements on economic and financial matters, including on debt contraction. Such statements will now be done by the minister of finance.
Conclusion
17.
In order to sustain growth and create wealth, it is important that everyone commits to these measures and legal reforms as outlined in the economic stabilisation and growth programme.
18.
Let me on behalf on the president of the republic of Zambia, Mr. Edgar chagwa Lungu, stress and assure Zambians and the international community that the measures I have announced are an undertaking by the government to set a sound foundation for improved economic management, sustained growth and safeguarding of the people’s welfare.
I thank you.
Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has made a passionate appeal to Catholics countrywide to strongly speak out and reject the PF Government’s decision to allow a South African safari company to come and kill 2000 hippos on false allegation of sustainable management wildlife than. Mr. Sinkamba has said culling of wildlife is not an option but a primitive conservation strategy which is driven by greed by a few people in Government.
“I am a Catholic. Our Pope, I mean Pope Francis has repeatedly reminded us that destroying the environment is a sin. The proposed culling of 2000 hippos by the PF Government is utterly destruction of environmental resources. It is not only a primitive wildlife conservation strategy but a sin as well,” Mr. Sinkamba said.
“I am hereby appealing to Archbishop Alick Banda, and all catholic priest countrywide to join in and stop this sin which is about to be committed by the PF Government. It will be an extreme act of irresponsibility by the Catholic Church in Zambia to turn a blind eye to the well-known sin which is about to be committed by the PF Government. Actually, it will not only be betrayal of the Pope but a sin as well,” he said.
“I hope from the coming Sunday going forward, the Holy Fathers countrywide will speak about this sin in their homilies,” he added.
Mr. Sinkamba has since 2016 strongly opposed government’s plan to proceed to cull up to 2,000 hippos in the Luangwa Valley, allegedly for overpopulation and threat of anthrax outbreak. The Green Party leader said Zambia needs to learn from other countries such as Kenya and Tanzania on what to do to wildlife when confronted with overpopulation and drought conditions.
“Culling of wildlife Relocation of entrapped animals is one such modern conservation tool. What is more appalling is that the Luangwa Valley is not overpopulated as they claim. The hippo population in that conservation area has dwindled by about 14-20% in the last 20 years motivated largely by several factors mainly poor conservation policies, strategies and allocation of financial and human resources.
“In any case, Luangwa Valley is not the only Game Park in Zambia. We have about 20 National Game Parks and over 30 game reserves. In fact, most, if not all the parks require restocking. A serious environmentally-conscious government would have opted for relocation than culling. We must take a leaf from the Republics of Kenya and Tanzania that relocate their animals when conditions dictate,” Mr. Sinkamba said.
Mr. Sinkamba said Kenya and Tanzania, do, year-in-year out, relocate wildlife from drought stricken areas to other conservation areas across the country.
“Mind you, hippos are not exclusively for Luangwa. They can live anywhere in the country. So, they can easily be relocated to other parts of the country. If Government says it has no resources do so, we can move in and help marshal the resources. We have done it before for the Copperbelt Environment Project and Zambia Environmental Restoration Project. We cannot fail to do so to save the hippos,” Mr. Sinkamba added.
Mr. Sinkamba has lobbied conservationists worldwide to boycott Zambia as a tourist destination is Government proceeds with the programme.
“Our lobby to boycott Zambia as a tourist destination is going on very well. The response from conservationists globally is quite encouraging. Just wait and see what will happen,” he said.
This government needs to read the ball game. Mining has run its race. It is proving to be unsustainable and no longer as beneficial to the nation as it used to be. The next most viable sectors are high-value agriculture and eco-tourism. So, how do you promote eco-tourism when you cull the very animals that tourists are expected to come and watch? The culling policy is motivated by pure greed,” he added.
FAZ has announced that all league matches under its umbrella will go ahead as planned this weekend amid the national mourning in honour of Gender Minister Victoria Kalima.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday have been declared days of National Mourning by the Government.
“This memo seeks to confirm that our league matches have been allowed by the Government to take place during the period of national mourning,” FAZ League Manager Katongo Kabungo wrote in a circular sent to clubs.
“All players should wear black arm bands through out the matches. Teams and referees must observe a minute of silence before kick off in honour of Gender Minister Victoria Kalima,” Kabungo stated.
He added:” No entertainment music in the stadia throughout the matches. We will count on you (clubs) to observe the above.”
In the past sports activities were postponed during the period of National Mourning.
