ZAMBIA has observed that the rule of law is the core principle of good governance and has called on the United Nations (UN) Member States to continue strengthening the tenets of the rule of law in their governance systems.

Zambia is of a strong belief that for the rule of law to prevail, it is crucial for UN Member States to establish an independent judiciary as well as ensuring the doctrine of the separation of powers is respected and upheld.

First Secretary (Legal Affairs) to Zambia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) Muki Phiri has however observed that even if Member States had a sturdy judicial system, if the laws governing the people are oppressive, inhumane, and tyrannical and undermining the existence of society, the principle of the rule of law would be nothing but speechmaking.

Mr Phiri said the rule of law is a critical necessity to the survival of humanity and that its absence or failure would be one of the foremost threats to governance and the existence of society.

Mr Phiri said this during the ongoing 72nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the Rule of Law and International Levels at the Sixth Committee on Agenda Item 84.

“The rule of law, therefore, hinges to a large extent on independent, efficient and effective judicial systems. Unless it is held together by a functional judiciary, the rule of law soon dissipates, and the citizens of a nation are ultimately ruled, not by the law, but by the whims, caprices and vagary of fellow-humans.”

“It is Zambia’s firm belief, however, that even with a sturdy judicial system, laws that are in themselves oppressive, inhumane and tyrannical; laws that undermine the very existence of a society; laws that directly or indirectly rob citizens of the unalienable rights that our Creator granted every human at creation—are not laws by which men must be ruled,” Mr Phiri said.

He explained that it is the solemn duty of UN Member States to establish superstructures and indispensable foundations that would be able to secure a more peaceful, prosperous and just world committed to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and international law and justice.

Mr Phiri said judicial independence is recognized in many international and regional human rights instruments including International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

He stated that Zambia’s vision of becoming a prosperous middle-income country by the year 2030 is anchored on one of the fundamental policies of a conducive governance environment which is a pre-requisite for political stability, human security and sustainable economic growth.

“The rule of law at national and international levels are inextricably connected strands of the same tapestry. Zambia believes that a strong rule of law at the national level plays a pivotal role in the strengthening of the rule of law at the international level.”

“Zambia’s vision of becoming a “prosperous middle-income country by 2030”, has led to fundamental policy shifts, as outlined in the Seventh National Development Plan 2017-2021. Driven by the firm belief that a conducive governance environment is a pre-requisite for political stability, human security, economic growth and sustainable development, emphasis is being laid on five fundamental pillars, one of which is Good Governance,” Mr Phiri started.

Lusaka Province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe says government will continue ensuring that cultural infrastructure is developed and upgraded across the country.

Mr Mwakalombe said the ongoing development of cultural infrastructure in all the provinces, is meant to enhance contribution to the country’s unique natural and cultural heritage.

ZANIS reports that the Provincial Minister was speaking at the Annual Lusaka Province Cultural Panorama held at Kabwata Cultural Village in Lusaka yesterday, part of Zambia’s 53rd Independence Anniversary.

Zambia tomorrow celebrates its 53rd Independence Anniversary under theme: “Celebrating our freedom for continued peace, unity, patriotism and development”.

And speaking at the same event, Lusaka District Commissioner Davidson Mulenga called for enhanced publicity of Kabwata Cultural Village, in order to attract both local and foreign investment.

Captain Mulenga implored visual artists to also take advantage of government policies that have been put in place, in order to unlock the huge potential arts and culture advancements.

The Annual Lusaka Province Cultural Panorama, saw the exhibition of Zambia’s diverse culture in music, dance, foods, handicrafts and other cultural artifacts.

Outspoken young politician and Former ZANASU Vice President Prince Ndoyi has asked for clarity from National Planning and Development Minister Lucky Mulusa and his counter part from Informantion Kampamba Mulenga who is the Chief Government spokesperson on the alleged utterances by Mr Mulusa on the purchase of the 42 fire tenders

Mr Ndoyi who is aligned with the MMD as a policy analyst says the two minsters should tell Zambians whether it was fine for the minister to go in public and say the things he said on the purchase of fire tenders or if there is a code of conduct for cabinet ministers and political appointees prohibiting them from such utterances against the government they are serving in.

Mr Ndoyi who seems to enjoy taunting the UPND by issuing disparaging statements against its leadership today turned his guns towards the Minister saying the conduct of Mr Mulusa where he is seen mocking the fire tenders as ‘Wheelbarrows’ is not only a dent on the image of government but seems to qualify the lack of understanding by Zambians on the procurement of the fire trucks.

“….Did Minister Mulusa breach the Rule of Collective Responsibility when he teased on his government and fellow cabinet ministers? Was Minister Mulusa genuinely joking or holds the view that there was corruption in the said procurement and that there is corruption in government?

Mr Ndoyi expressed disappointment that instead of the minister having a field day laughing at fellow cabinet ministers he should have taken advantage by dealing with the allegations of corruption of monstrous proportions being presented by the opposition by way of providing adequate information.

“This is the sorry excuse we have for a Minister in his “Rent A Crowd ” conversations with Zambians in public. The opposition presents you with allegations of corruption of monstrous proportions, and instead of dealing with it, you qualify it by mocking the government you are serving under. And whilst you may be happy for us to be distracted with your lewd and indecorous talk, instead it was better to keep quite or defend government,” he said.

“What are the rules, directives, practices, understandings, standards and norms governing the circumstances under which a Minister or political appointee should defend his reputation in his official capacity or in his personal capacity and address allegations publicly, such as in Parliament.

“What we seek from the minister or indeed the Chief Govt Spokesperson is not an expression of their personal opinion, but an answer on the norms upheld in their government among Ministers and political appointees, as they relate to the issue of defending their reputation for honest dealing in their official or public capacity. The integrity of our leaders in government, and the consequent trust that our people place in the government, could not have been more emphatically touted by past governments,” he said

He challenged Mr Mulusa to either resign if he were as honorable as he portrayed himself or explain whether he was admitting that he was willfully serving in a corrupt government as insinuated in the video.

“The norms upheld in government among Ministers and political appointees in their official capacity is a fair question for Hon. Lucky Mulusa. The truth of the matter is that Hon. Lucky Mulusa had breached the Oath of moral obligation, why? Because if any of the above were true, the Minister indirectly admits that he is willfully serving in a government that he is saying is corrupt and if he was as honorable as he tries to portray himself he should have resigned.

He asked Mr Mulusa to defend himself and government by suing the publishers of the video if he was falsely accused.

“In conclusion as a quote says, ‘the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Any Minister who is accused of improper conduct must clear his name publicly.

“He should not allow the allegations to fester and affect the reputation of the Government. If it is a serious allegation, we would expect the Minister to take court action against the publishers of the video for defamation, unless there are other special considerations.

“He may also need to render account in Parliament, particularly because the matter concerns his discharge of public duties and is of public interest. These are not mutually exclusive options. In all cases, there must be a public government position on this matter,” he said.

Mr Ndoyi’s comment comes as a timely observation, as Zambians are eagerly waiting on what President Lungu will do as he has been on record asking Mr Lucky Mulusa to step down. Vice President Inonge Wina has as well informed the nation, rising to respond to a point of order in parliament, stating that disciplinary action awaits Mr Mulusa against his conduct, and asked whether that may lead to him being fired she declined to answer.

The Ministry of Health has distanced itself from a fake statement circulating on social media suggesting that it has cancelled tomorrow’s Independence Day celebrations.

Spokesperson Maximillian Bweupe has since urged the public to dismiss the statement with the contempt it deserves.
Dr Bweupe has further encouraged all media houses to ignore the statement bearing a fake name of the Spokesperson.
Zambians will tomorrow celebrate the country’s 53rd Independence anniversary.

Meanwhile Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba has warned the public against falling prey to people behind fraudulent e-mail messages and financial scams misusing the name of the Ministry and that of the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to obtain money from unsuspecting individuals on grounds that they have been offered free motorbikes.

Mr Mushimba says the recent increase in deceptive schemes designed to defraud members of the public has prompted his Ministry to send a strong warning about any unsolicited e-mail or other unsolicited communications purportedly originating from, or implying an affiliation with, the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

He says the ministry does not send any unsolicited business communications to individuals neither does it operate through other agents nor endorse the activities of private institutions, or other public or private agencies.

Mr Mushimba states that the perpetrators of the scam are asking individuals to deposit a sum of K500.00 in a Standard Chartered Bank Account based in Tanzania and represent themselves as Ramadhan Mfaume of Real Time Transporters in Dar es Salaam and Daniel Mwila.

He says ministry, therefore warns the public against various form of cross-border fraud, advanced fee scams sent by e-mail or hard copy letter in which the ministry’s name has been fraudulently used to induce the members of the public.

This is contained in a statement issued by Ministry of transport and communications head of public relations Maimbolwa Mulikelela.

The MTC wishes to stress that it is neither the author of, nor in any other way associated with, such fraudulent activities of free motorcycles.

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe says all is set for this year’s Independence Day cerebrations in Muchinga Province.

Mr Nundwe said preparatory meetings have since taken place in all the districts and the Province is now ready to host the event.

 

This year’s Independence celebrations will be held under the theme “Celebrating our freedom for continued peace, unity, Patriotism and Development”.

Mr Nundwe said activities have been lined up, starting with the hosting of the flag this evening, with tomorrow’s activities being flagged off at the president’s park.

The PS encouraged residents to turn up in numbers to celebrate this important event which is done in honor of the great works done by Zambia’s freedom fighters.

Mr Nundwe also encouraged Zambians should thank God for the peace and unity that has been enjoyed since Independence.

And Mr Nundwe has thanked residents of Chinsali district who turned up for this year’s National day of prayer, fasting and reconciliation.

The PS has since called on residents to continue praying for the country and its leadership so that peace and unity can continue to prevail.

 

LACK of patriotism by the UPND leaders who have been all over the world speaking ill about Zambia using international media platforms for their selfish motives is what may be causing Amnesty International’s rantings, political analyst Alex Ng’oma has said.

Amnesty International secretary-general Salil Shetty said Zambia was facing a number of human rights challenges with police constantly using provisions of the Public Order Act to limit the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

Speaking during a press conference in Lusaka recently, Mr Shetty said that Zambians have everything to gain and nothing to lose from the country’s history of freedoms that has characterised it since independence despite the country facing a number of human rights challenges.

But Dr Ng’Amnesty Internationaloma, who is a political lecturer at the University of Zambia charged that the unjustified accusations against Government by Amnesty International could be as a result of the UPND leader, Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s lack of patriotism.

In an interview, Dr Ng’oma said it was a wrong ploy by Mr Hichilema and his senior members to play victim and tarnish Zambia’s image abroad for cheap political mileage which he noted has influenced Mr Shetty to accuse the Zambian government of not upholding human rights. “The perceptions that Zambia is facing a number of human rights challenges are not true. The Amnesty International’s remarks unfortunately could have been influenced by the opposition UPND leaders who have been all over the world on international platforms speaking ill about the Zambian government,” he said.

Dr Ng’oma said it was disappointing that Mr Hichilema while in South Africa, used an international platform and allies to pass disparaging remarks on the Judiciary, Executive and Legislature undermining the very country he intend to one day lead.

He said the Patriotic Front led government under President Edgar Lungu respects human rights.

Dr Ng’oma stated further that Amnesty International should refrain from falling prey to the tricks of disgruntled and bitter critics of government who were bent on regime change at any cost.

Recently, the UPND president, who was in the company of South Africa’s Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane and dressed alike, alleged that the Judiciary was controlled by the Executive and also made reference to some of his party members who were acquitted by the same courts of law.

Mr Hichilema was quoted as saying, “In our country today, we have a total breakdown of the rule of law. We have court judgements that are ignored by the Executive. It does not matter what the courts say, those in office will ignore it. We have constitutional breaches that are being committed by those in office.”