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ENERGY Minister David Mabumba (l), African Development Bank (ADB) Amadou Hott and Zimbabwean Minister of Energy and Power Development Dr. Samuel Undenge during the the official opening of the Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Power Investors Conference at David Livingstone Safari Lodge
Minister of Energy, Honourable David Mabumba on Thursday April 13, 2017 launched the much-awaited Electricity Cost of Service Study at the Energy Regulations Board (ERB) offices in Lusaka. During the launch, the Minister said Government is happy that finally the country will have a document that will guide the setting of electrify tariffs based on empirical evidence of the cost of generating, transmitting, and distribution.
The Minister informed participants that the Study is going to be carried out by the Economic Consulting Associates of the United Kingdom in partnership with a Zambian firm called Utilink Zambia. The Study is funded by the African Development Bank (ADB) and is expected to be completed within twelve (12) months.
In order to ensure ownership of the study findings, the Minister instructed ERB to ensure that all stakeholders participate at every stage of the study process.
The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) is deeply disturbed by farmers who have resorted to selling maize at K50 per 50kg bag and soya beans at K80 per 50kg bag and has called on them to be patient.
Speaking when he met District Farmers Associations (DFAs) of Western Province in Kaoma yesterday, April 11, 2017, ZNFU president Jervis Zimba said he is disappointed at the desperation by some farmers who are being cheated out of their produce by briefcase buyers. He said such levels of desperation could even see farmers exchanging their produce for salaula (second hand clothes).
“ZNFU understands that this year will be full of challenges because prices will be poor. This is because Government has continued interfering in the marketing of agriculture produce, especially maize. The 10% tax on maize exports is affecting farmers badly. Then we have grain levies by council, we also have toll fees … this season farmers will make nothing,” Mr. Zimba said.
Charles-ChandaUnited, Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) President Charles Chanda has expressed concern that the ruling PF and opposition UPND are bringing the country into the mud through the animosity between them coming from the last elections.
Mr. Chanda said that Zambians deserve better than what is offered to them politically at the moment.
The UPPZ Leader has observed the need to have some maturity in the handling of the affairs of this nation and people should not treat the citizens as fools.
He pointed out that Parliament at the moment, has become a circus because of the fighting between the same two parties.
Mr. Chanda said that this was not fair to all voters in the country.
Mr. Chanda stated that it is very clear that this country is lacking decision makers with fresh minds
Mr. Chanda has advised the Zambia Police Service to ensure that they intensify security for the Head of State after the Mongu incidence.
Nkana’s early season has lurched from hopeful to crisis on Good Friday after they lost away to Nchanga Rangers in Chingola.
The record 12-time champions were stunned 1-0 by Nchanga to leave new coach Zeddy Saileti without a win from two league games in charge.
And Nkana came into the match without their talismanic striker Walter Bwalya who is serving the first of a three-match ban including Fred Tshimenga who missed the trip due to injury.
Nkana’s defeat also came a week after they were held 1-1 by Nakambala Leopards at home in Kitwe.
The match was sparkless for most parts but it was Nkana who looked the the most likely to score and collect the three points.
Nkana even has the ball at the back of the net in the 28th minute but Simon Bwalya’s goal was ruled out for offside.
An unmarked Kasonde Bwalya broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when he hammered the ball past Kelvin Malunga to seal the 3 points for Nchanga.
The win came a week after Nchanga were crushed 3-0 away by early leaders Napsa Stars in Lusaka.
Furthermore, it ended Nchanga three match losing run at the hands of Nkana dating back to 2015.
Nchanga’s last win over
Nkana was also in Chingola in June, 2015 when they won by the same margin.
Meanwhile, it doesn’t get any easier for Nkana who are back on the road next weekend this time to face Napsa in Lusaka.
Car insurance coverage is one of the essential legal requirements for licensing vehicles in Zambia; vehicles such as cars, pickups, buses, trucks, 3 or 4-wheeled motorcycles, trailers, caravans, scooters, etc. All must be covered in terms of loss, damage or injuries through collision, overturning, theft, etc. All motor vehicle owners are required by law to have a valid insurance disk on their vehicles because failure to do so is subject to a fine. Let’s then go over those types and coverage to help you choose one that fits best for you.
Comprehensive Car Insurance
This is an insurance coverage that compensates for any legal liability for damages caused by your vehicle to other people’s property. It also covers liability following bodily injury/death caused by your car to other people. Apart from that it also covers damage to your car in instances of fire, riot and strikes. The advantage of this insurance coverage is that it protects one from all possible liabilities that might come up and with extra protection one doesn’t have to be stressed much about how they are going to settle any issues that might arise. The disadvantage is that it does not cover wear and tear, mechanical breakdowns, consequential loss, loss of use and third-party damages and injuries.
Full Third-party Insurance Coverage
This insurance coverage is meant to compensate you for any legal liability following damage caused by your car to other people’s property, legal liability for bodily injury/death caused by your car to other people e.g., pedestrians. This insurance does not cover damages due to riot/strikes and fire damage to your car. This coverage also excludes wear and tear of motor vehicles, mechanical breakdowns, and consequential loss, loss of use and third-party damage and injuries. However third-party insurance has the advantage of being the cheapest of all the 3 coverage and the disadvantage of it is that it does not cover your own property or injury to yourself.
Full Third-party Fire and Theft Insurance
This insurance coverage offers the same benefits of compensation for any legal liability following damages caused by you to other people’s property, legal liability for body injuries/death caused by your car to other people. However this insurance also covers fire damage to your own vehicle and theft of your car. It is an economical package that allows many people to enjoy part benefits of the comprehensive package while paying less when compared to the full comprehensive insurance package.
Car Insurance Coverage Package Options
There are several options available when it comes to payment of insurance. Most of the insurance companies have packaged their products in such a way that every motorist is able to afford without much stress, flexibility of payments is one option and the other is the ability to cover your vehicle in quarters, half year and annually. However it is advisable to always pay yearly, as it is very convenient on one’s part as the risk of forgetting to renew is slime. Several factors are considered when it comes to determining the cost of insurance matters such as age of the owner, make of vehicle, driving experience, engine size, intend use of vehicle and other personal details are all factored into coming out with the best possible value. Therefore when it comes to costs it is usually dependent on the above factors as each vehicle is peculiar in its state of condition, features, accessories and others.
Safety comes first. To avoid accidents on the road, drive safely and remember to keep thorough and regular car check up and maintenance. This is a friendly advice from BE FORWARD – your ultimate source of high quality used cars with the lowest prices in the market.
Kickoff time of Zesco United’s 2017 CAF Confederation Cup pre-group stage final leg tie on Saturday against Enugu Rangers of Nigeria has been adjusted by at least two hours.
The match was scheduled to be played at 15h00 but will now be played at 17h30 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
This is due to the Nigerian champions 24 hour delay in their arrival for the match due to industrial action by the players on April 13 on the date of departure from Enugu over unpaid bonuses dating back to February.
“This serves to inform the media, stakeholders and fans that kickoff time for the 2nd leg of the pre-group stage round against Rangers International of Nigeria has been moved from 15:00 hours to 17:30 hours tomorrow Saturday,15th April,2017,” Zesco media officer Katebe Chengo said.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances Rangers missed their flight from Enugu to Addis Ababa yesterday (Thursday).
“The team is scheduled to fly to Ndola and will land at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport at 14:20 hours.”
Rangers were earlier due to land in Ndola at 14h00 on Friday.
Zesco and Rangers head into the final leg level at 2-2 from the first leg match played on April 9 in Enugu.
Minister of Transport and Communications Hon. Brian Mushimba makes the first call to launch the second phase of the Universal Access Programme, paving the way for every citizen in the country to have access to a mobile phone signal.
CABINET has approved a new licensing framework for the telecommunication industry, with a chance for a fourth mobile operator into the sector.
Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba disclosed in an interview in Lusaka that Cabinet had approved a new licensing framework for the telecommunication industry aimed at re-alinging and promoting competition in the sector.
Mr Mushimba said his ministry had formulated a new licensing framework with ZICTA for the Information Communication Technology (ICT) and telecommunication industry in Zambia.
He said the licensing framework would realign the sector and allow more investments and job growth.
“This will also allow more competition in the sector; improve quality of service and lower costs of services in the sector.
“The new regime now allows any operator to apply for a license and allow operator of data such as Vodafone to take a new license that allows them to do voice over IP (VoIP),” he said.
The minister said essentially all ISPs now can be operators and allowed to make voice calls in a regulated and optimised market.
“As the Government, this is very exciting for us. We have cleaned up the licensing framework to unleash the potential of the industry mindful of the latest technological advancements in the sector,” Mr Mushimba said.
“We see a very competitive market now moving forward with lots of investment in the network expansion and backbones because a company can now take one license and based on their infrastructure, offer multiple products,” he said.
Mr Mushimba said the development was very good for the industry as it would bring in investments and jobs as well as taxes for the Government.
He explained that with this in place, there was a chance of a fourth mobile operator in the country.
“With this in place we shall see new jobs created and the quality of services will improve and it will introduce competition and the low costs that comes with that” Mr Mushimba said.
Zambian Voice Executive Director Chilufya TayaliLeader of Economic and Equity Party (EEP), Chilufya Tayali has been arrested and charged with criminal libel.
Tayali was summoned to Kabwata Police Station on Thursday.
He was detained has since been charged with criminal libel.
Tayali is accused of making criminal libelous remarks against the Constitutional office of the Inspector General.
Tayali allegedly used his Facebook page to libel the office holder, the Inspector General Kakoma Kanganja contrary to section 191 of the Penal Code.
On his page, Tayali accused Mr. Kanganja of covering up for his inefficiencies when he charged and arrested United Party for National Development (UPND) leader, Hakainde Hichilema with treason.
Tayali is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
In Zambia libel is not only an actionable tort (civil offence) but also a criminal offence.
This is so especially against the Republican President and other Constitutional office holders
President Lungu Press Briefing at City airport in Lusaka
President Edgar Lungu has reiterated his message that he has no power to intervene in what the Police are doing with the incacerated United party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema. In a speech in Kasama, the President said that although some people are saying President Lungu has the power to intervene in the criminal justice here in Zambia, he does not and will not. He stated that the only power he had was to pardon a convicted person after wide consultations.
Below are some of the excerpt from the speech
When we came for campaigns here in Kasama, I was with Hon Felix Mutati who stood here and told me that our people here in Kasama needed 3 things; a Hospital, University and a Stadium.
So I told Hon Mutati who is now my Minister of Finance that with your appointment, you have an opportunity to deliver to the people of Kasama the development MMD had not delivered in 20 years, I even told the Paramount Chief Chitimukulu when I visited him sometime back.
I have instructed the Ministers for Health and Education to take the lead and complete all work in progress in this region.
The votes Northern province and Kasama gave us the Patriotic Front Ninkongole. I am indebted to you and since I can not come here and start dishing out money to every single person, I can only repay your support with development in the region.
There is a saying in bemba – weumpako, isankupeko. Weumpako, isankupeko. Weumpako, isankupeko. Na weuntana, isankutane! My only desire is to serve our people. We want to finish all work in progress and begin new Projects.
Concerning bamukukulu, I want to repeat what I said when I arrived in Kasama this morning . There is no one above the law! Up in heaven, there is God Almighty, then there is the law and then all of us in that order.
Some people are saying President Lungu has the power to intervene in the criminal justice here in Zambia – no Bwana, I am a lawyer myself and understand my job. Yes, I have the power to pardon convicts and NOT suspects. And I can only pardon a convict after wide consultations.
Let us allow the Judiciary to do its job, the Executive to work and the Legislature to do its part.
Let me ask you; how many of my own cadres are before the Courts of law today? How many have been convicted? Have you ever heard that President Lungu picked up a phone to call any Police officer to drop an investigation or prosecution – so what is so special about the current one?
I know what is happening because I am in charge!
I am cadre number One, you mess up PF, I will deal with you. I am also civil servant number One, you mess up the civil service, you face me. So I don’t expect a civil servant to say “I can not read the PF party manifesto.” You are there because of the party.
I wish to give my response to the news headline that appeared in The Zambia Daily Mail of 8 April, 2017 titled, “John Mambo defrocked – Church of God revokes title of Bishop”. I was quite all this while because I was waiting for the National Overseer’s response to the matter. Members of the press, you may wish to take note of the following:
1. Church Administrative protocols
It is only the National Overseer of the Church of God in Zambia that is the sole spokesperson of the denomination. Any statement from any person within and without does not hold water and should never be taken seriously. I would expect the media to be well versed on these matters. For example, The Zambia Daily Mail reporter had to call America to verify if my credentials were indeed revoked. If I may ask, where is the logic in that? Am I a minister in America or in Zambia? I thought the natural starting point would be to confirm from the Administrative Bishop of the Church of God here in Zambia? What the reporter did was either an act of partisan journalism or sheer lack of professionalism. The Church of God is not a new denomination to anyone in Zambia. It has been here for ages. There is no excuse for anyone to contact the international headquarters without first contacting administrative offices here in Zambia.
2. The headline in The Zambia Daily Mail is misleading
The title displayed in the paper is very misleading but this is forgivable. I take it as inadvertent ignorance either on the reporter or the source of the story. I wish to most emphatically deny that my credentials were revoked. I have a signed letter with me here that reads that the leaders in America are merely granting me my request to have my credentials cancelled. It is not a revocation. It is a cancellation.
I do not need American credentials to be a minister of the Gospel in Zambia. Zambia is not a protectorate of the United States of America.
I requested that my credentials should be cancelled. I told the American leadership why I do not need their American credentials. If the leadership believes in integrity as men of God, they should have told you why I asked them to cancel the credentials. By failing to tell you the reasons for the cancellation of the credentials, it shows they are uncomfortable with the truth because it will backfire in their face. I do not need American credentials to be a minister of the Gospel in Zambia. Zambia is not a protectorate of the United States of America. It is an independent nation and the Church of God in Zambia has that autonomy in the sense that it elected its own National Overseer in August, 2015.
Much as the denomination is the same but we exercise some level of autonomy. It is ridiculous and outrageous to expect a Zambian minister to be licensed by an American. You may wish to know that it is only the Zambian Church through the National Overseer that has the prerogative to endorse credentials. Does the American Church have any means to know the conduct of any individual in Zambia? It is common sense that only the Zambian leadership has the capacity to know who should have credentials and who should not have in Zambia.
The American Church only prints the licenses. What does that mean? It means that for my credentials to be revoked, it is the National Overseer of the Church of God in Zambia to do so. If I did not hear from the National Overseer, why should I hear from a Regional Superintendent in Uganda or from a Field Director in Germany? I am not an appointee of the Church of God World Missions; therefore, I cannot have my credentials revoked by those outside Zambia.
3. The reasons for my voluntary request to have my credentials cancelled
If the whole world must know, I requested to have my credentials cancelled because I wanted to show solidarity to my fellow Malawian minister, Bishop Duncan Mboma who has been ill-treated by the American church through their representatives who are hell-bent to destroy a vibrant young man in his prime of ministry due to petty ministerial and professional jealousy. Bishop Duncan Mboma, who came here from Malawi on Zambian Employment permit in 2008 to be Bible School Director has helped to raise the standard of Bethel Bible College.
How can I be proud of credentials when I do not care about the plight of a fellow soldier in the army of the Lord? When one soldier falls it should affect all of us.
The young man has seen to it that the college offers authentic certificates, diplomas, and degrees through his initiatives to connect the college to other seminaries and universities.
However, as the college was progressing, Bishop Mboma was under the watchful eye of jealous and envious people who connived to bring him down. The trouble began in November, 2014 when he invited me to their graduation during which many senior bishops of our Church graduated. The current National Overseer is one of his graduates. The so called concerned inner sources in the Church got angry and made a big deal out of it. The young man was threatened by these leaders. They asked him to apologize for inviting me. All along the young man was considered a great industrious son of Africa but after November, 2014 he became a demon. They have followed him through including discrediting all the work he has done all these years. Since July last year, Bishop Mboma is jobless and does not earn a dime. He cannot go back to Malawi because he has not been paid his dues. The Church of God World Missions has refused to pay him citing that as a denomination they do not pay gratuity or severance.
How can you call yourself a Christian when you treat a fellow minister like that? I singlehandedly took the matter to the Minister of Home Affairs and the Labor Commissioner as President of Chikondi Foundation. This is where the dust has risen. How can I be proud of credentials when I do not care about the plight of a fellow soldier in the army of the Lord? When one soldier falls it should affect all of us. But my brothers in America don’t care at all. To them, it is business as usual. Their representatives, namely Peter Thomas, Charles Karangwa and Jurgen Rudolph, fly almost every month in and out of Zambia. They have the Zambian employment permit but do not live in Zambia. What is the permit for if they are not resident in Zambia?
The Church began as a relationship with Jesus Christ in Jerusalem; when it went to Athens it became a philosophy; when it went to Rome it became an organization; when it went to Europe it became a culture; when it went to America it became a business
I agree with Bishop Duncan Mboma when he says, “The Church began as a relationship with Jesus Christ in Jerusalem; when it went to Athens it became a philosophy; when it went to Rome it became an organization; when it went to Europe it became a culture; when it went to America it became a business. This is what we see today. The American Church looks at the Church as business. Of course there are a few exceptions. I cannot tolerate such an attitude of white supremacy. If Bishop Mboma was a white man, they would have never treated him like the way they are treating him now. Can you imagine these three leaders Peter Thomas, Charles Karangwa and Jurgen Rudolph asked Bishop Mboma to enquire for bus fares to Malawi? How on earth can one even think like that? What should have been natural would be to give him severance pay according to the labor laws of Zambia and give him air tickets to Malawi.
He has done a tremendous job of training over three hundred ministers throughout Zambia across denominations. Ask many ministers in Zambia, they will tell you how fruitful the young man is. If you would attend any of his classes or his sermons, you would agree with me that the young man is called of God and that the Spirit of the Lord is in his life. Most of those that are persecuting him have nothing to offer. Some have even gone to the extent of issuing threats to have him jailed if he does not leave Zambia as soon as possible. They even write in their pathetic emails and memos that they can’t function as long as Duncan is here. Without realizing, they are admitting to the fact that the young man is a power to reckon with. Try to feature the young man on any of your media shows; you will agree with me and a majority of us that no wonder these losers can be jealousy.
If Bishop Mboma was a white man, they would have never treated him like the way they are treating him now.
As John Mambo, I do not believe in hypocrisy. The way the young man has been treated is so bad that one cannot hold their peace. He deserves better. In other denominations, the young man would have been a precious jewel, but with the German brothers together with their American paymasters, they look at the young man as a stumbling block to their business ventures. They hate me because I am not a rubber stamper. I have always maintained my objectivity. I have been the longest serving overseer in Zambia and I was the first Regional Superintendent for eleven countries in Central Africa. When I exited as a leader, I was given an international leadership award which I have up to today. The so called concerned sources in the Church have no accolades to their account. They come in silently and they leave silently.
4. The Church of God in America vs the Church of God in Africa
The Church of God in America operates very differently from the Church of God in Africa. The Church of God in Africa is the only unfortunate Church to have a German as Field Director and to have a Regional Superintendent for Central Africa who comes from East Africa. In my time, I spoke strongly against such maladministration. It should be Africans who should be responsible for Africans and not a German who does not even live in Africa. People in Central Africa should have a leader from Central Africa and not from East Africa. But the American Church and Peter Thomas for their own ulterior motives have decided to put things upside down.
It should be Africans who should be responsible for Africans and not a German who does not even live in Africa.
As I speak to you now, there are divisions in the Church of God in America. I have a memo with me that was written by the General Overseer to all overseers in USA and Canada to inform them about such a matter. Africa is not included in that memo; which means they do not recognize Africa at all. In spite of that, the General Director of World Missions writes Peter Thomas to inform overseers in Africa about such matters. My question is: for what? If the General Overseer considered Africa to be at par with the American and Canadian Church he would have included it in his memo. Someone is forcing Africa to be part of the American and Canadian Church for their own reasons.
It is extremely sad that one of the so called concerned sources in the Church of God wrote to the National Overseer that they have nowhere to God except to be part of the American Church. How can a fully grown man who claims to be an ordained Bishop utter such a statement? This is a sign of brainwash. You mean Zambians can’t do ministry except by leaning on the Americans? This is an epitome of disgrace. It is such sources that gave to the press a very confidential letter from the General Overseer. Imagine the whole world has to be phoning the General Overseer in America in order to verify an administrative matter like credentials. To make matters worse, the personal assistant in the General Overseer’s office could not even have the wisdom to refer the reporter to the National Overseer in Zambia; she went ahead confirming such a confidential matter from another country yet the Church has an official representative in that country. This is outrageous.
The Americans and the Germans wanted bootlickers to be overseers so that they can continue exploiting the natives as they have always done. God forbid, I will not tolerate that.
The Church of God in Zambia is one and strong except for the so called concerned inside sources. The so called inside sources are on record to have plundered the national offices and it is just sheer kindness of the current national overseer that they were never brought to book and account for the financial and property mismanagement. They have been sabotaging the current Church administration throughout. For your own information the Church in Zambia was supposed to host a Regional Conference but it has been cancelled twice. The three leaders, Peter Thomas, Jurgen Rudolph, and Charles Karangwa have created a parallel administration. It seems we have two national overseers in this country. There is enough evidence that Peter Thomas, Charles Karangwa, and Jurgen Rudolph undermine the current National Overseer Bishop Booker T.W. Munampelu.
Bishop Booker Munampelu was duly elected by the Church of God in Zambia with overwhelming majority vote. However he is not the American favorite. The Americans and the Germans wanted bootlickers to be overseers so that they can continue exploiting the natives as they have always done. God forbid, I will not tolerate that. A majority of Zambians cannot tolerate that. Those that do not want Bishop Munampelu should go to America and start their own ministry there. We are Church of God in Zambia as we have always been and we shall always be.
Members of the press, ladies and gentlemen, I wish to thank you for coming and you can use my statement as my personal voice. I have no regrets over anything. I am proud of what I have done to show solidarity to my brother and fellow soldier in the Lord. Let the Americans keep their credentials, I don’t need them. Their credentials did not make me a bishop. I am a bishop because of what I have done not because of a piece of paper from people who are not straight and who cannot handle even their own affairs properly.
Bishop John H. Mambo Founding President Chikondi Foundation/Nyamphande Orphanage
STATEMENT BY HON. KAMPAMBA MULENGA, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON ZAMBIA AND
THE IMF PROGRAMME
The nation may be aware that the Government of the Republic of Zambia announced in the 2017 Budget Address that it had developed an Economic Growth and Stabilisation Programme (ESGP) called “Zambia Plus”. The Economic Stabilisation and Growth Programme is Government’s response to among other objectives, ensuring fiscal fitness and overall macroeconomic stability. This is a critical ingredient for higher and inclusive growth, wealth creation and poverty reduction.
The Economic Stabilisation and Growth Programme outlines policy and structural reforms for effective implementation of development programmes under the Seventh National Development Programme (7NDP) that will be launched soon. Some of the key areas of reform under the programme include:
Sustaining Cost Reflective Fuel Pump Prices: this reform has been significantly achieved. In order to achieve longer term sustainability, the Government is currently consulting on the framework that will guide the engagement with the private sector in the procurement of petroleum products.
Cost Reflective Electricity Tariffs: work towards a phased removal of subsidies on electricity tariffs has progressed.
Reforming of the farmer input support programme to improve targeting and minimise financial waste has significantly progressed towards full implementation of the electronic voucher system whose pilot significantly progressed in the 2016/17 farming season;
Dismantling of arrears has commenced and will be accelerated during this year. This is meant to unlock economic activity and support viability of the financial sector.
Trade Facilitation and Revenue collection enhancement: Government has commenced the development of the single window that will reduce transit times to 48 hours, implementation of the mineral value chain monitoring project and rolling out of Road Toll Sites to enhance revenue and in particular sustainably support infrastructure development. The procurement of electronic devices is also underway to improve VAT collections and adherences to receipting by business houses.
Fiscal consolidation: the Government has undertaken to ensure that the fiscal deficit is limited to levels approved by Parliament. Further, reforms on implementation of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), and Treasury Single Account (TSA) have progressed and will be fully implemented in 2017 to ensure strengthened commitment controls on public spending and borrowing. The Government is also making revisions to the Public Finance Act to stiffen the sanction regime, and Public Procurement Acts while the Planning and Budgeting Bill is due for presentation to Parliament to strengthen public financial management and. Further, an amendment to the Loans and Guarantees (Authorisation) Act will soon be tabled to give Parliamentary oversight on borrowing.
On monetary policy, the Government is collaborating closely with the Bank of Zambia to ensure that fiscal and monetary policies are coordinated to ensure macroeconomic stability. In this regard, the Bank of Zambia has responded to fiscal restraint and lower inflation, by commencing the normalization of monetary policy. Modernisation of financial sector laws has commenced with the passing of a new Banking and Financial Services Bill by parliament
The Economic Stabilisation and Growth Programme has so far resulted in relative stabilisation of the economy. The exchange rate is stable, investors have returned to the domestic securities market with preference for longer term instruments, inflation has returned to single digits while growth is positive at around 3%, above the Sub-Saharan African rate of 1.4% for 2016. Electricity supply is stabilizing giving impetus to economic activity, mining production that has been increasing following a dip in 2015 and agriculture sector where a bumper harvest is expected for 2016/17.
Notwithstanding these developments, risks remain on account of a deteriorated external sector position that has resulted from weak exports, high fiscal deficit and debt levels, the continued threats of climate change and fragility of the global economic growth. In addressing these threats, financing will be required. Given the high deficit and debt levels that Zambia is experiencing, external support will be required to ensure enhanced resilience and response.
In order to assure the continued success of the Economic Stabilisation and Growth Programme in addressing these risks, it is necessary that IMF supports Government’s economic programme, in particular elevating gross international reserves and providing balance of payments support. This engagement will attract more assistance from cooperating partners and boost investments.
In this regard, Cabinet at its sitting on 11th April 2017 authorised the conclusion of discussions with the IMF on its support to our home grown programme. This followed progress made in the initial programme discussion during the IMF Mission to Zambia from 8th March to 24th March 2017.
The nation may wish to note that the IMF approach has evolved from prescription to engagement. IMF programmes now emphasize ownership of programmes by countries. The IMF also emphasizes on policies that focus on social protection, inclusive growth that has potential to create jobs and reduce poverty including ring-fencing of programmes in the health and education sectors. The IMF has done away with structural conditionalities such as wage freeze as these had a negative impact on poverty.
In conclusion, I wish to inform the nation that the Government will keep the country informed on the discussions with the IMF as they progress. I further wish to assure the public that we are on course with stabilizing the economy and ensuring higher growth rates going forward.
Hon. Kampamba Mulenga, MP MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
BRANDING Constitutional Court Judges thugs and criminals by Hakainde Hichilema is the gravest assault on the Judiciary and the UPND leader should know that his conduct towards the Zambian courts is injudicious and not acceptable, Brebner Changala has charged.
And Mr Changala has said Zambian Judges should be protected from political hooligans whom he said were on the loose and on rampage of violating the sanctity of the country’s judicial system.
Mr Changala has demanded that sanctions should be taken against Mr Hichilema for his disrespect and insolence against the Judiciary which is one of the critical institutions of governance in the country.
Mr Changala, who is civil rights activist, said Mr Hichilema should be made to account for his insults against the Judges because such kind of conduct had the potential to destroy the Judiciary without which the governance of the country would be threatened.
He said Mr Hichilema was not the first neither was he the last to have lost elections and that his bitterness over the electoral defeat he suffered at the hands of President Edgar Lungu should not be extended to the Judges who presided over his failed petition to nullify the re-election of the Head of State.
Mr Changala stated that Mr Hichilema’s assault on the Judiciary which was a critical part of the governance system, and demeaning Judges to the level of reducing them to criminals should never be condoned and the UPND leader should, therefore, be condemned in the strongest terms for his unbecoming behaviour.
Mr Changala explained that Zambians had made the right decision to reject Mr Hichilema because the UPND leader was going to destroy the Judiciary had he taken over the leadership of the country.
“Destroying the Judiciary is killing the umpire of justice. Zambians must strongly condemn Mr Hichilema for insulting the Constitutional Court Judges. Zambia is bigger than individual political parties and Mr Hichilema. I am asking that there should be sanctions against the UPND leader so that we can preserve our three arms of government. Mr Hichilema must be reminded that as a man aspiring to take over the leadership of the country, he will not be able to govern if he is going to inherit a nation with a destroyed judicial system,” Mr Changala said.
Mr Changala said the phenomenon of wanting to win an election and get State power at all costs had completely blinded Mr Hichilema who he said had been of the belief that he had won the general elections and had powers to abuse institutions of governance.
He said the UPND leader had no proof whatsoever that the Constitutional Court Judges had been paid by President Lungu to lapse his petition neither did he have evidence that the Judges were nothing but a bunch of criminals.
“Ironically, Mr Hichilema is still going to the courts and will be appearing before the same Judges he has branded thugs and criminals. What sense is he making out of his attacks? How does he insist to continue appearing before the same Judges he is abusing with impunity?” Mr Changala wondered.
“….IT IS NOT ABOUT DEMOCRACY BUT TYCOONS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO FURTHER ENRICH THEMSELVES”
By Cephas Mushanga
Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has appealed to the government of Zambia to adhere to the rule of law and human rights principles in dealing with the opposition in the Southern African country of Zambia…. has been the scream of UPND sympathetic media carriers.
It is well known that HH has the funding of Anglo America, however, what people may not know is that in October 2014 a Brenthurst Conspiracy was hatched, this conspiracy was a conglomerate of mining businessmen who wanted to rid off President Edgar Lungu and usher in fellow businessman Hakainde Hichilema.
Attendees at the meetings included Jonathan Oppenheimer, nephew of the founder of Anglo American, Greg Mills, director of Brenthurst Foundation, Moses Khanyile, member of the Board of Armscor, and Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria.
The agreement was to have Hichilema reduce mining royalties for foreign companies at the expense of the Zambians.
Photo evidence can prove that Hichilema has been dealing with these businessmen and was ready to auction the Zambian mines to further enrich himself and his founders.
Hichilema on several occasions was flown to Oppenheimer family’s luxurious Tswalu game reserve in the Northern Cape, South Africa. In a series of meetings run by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo (who also chairs Brenthurst Foundation), sought to bring together a secret alliance of Hichilema and Rupiah Banda to ensure President Edgar Lungu did not win the elections.
However former president Banda refused to take part in the conspiracy but Oppenheimer family and their partners pledged to support Hichilema in his bid for presidency.
Hichilema has always upheld the interests of foreign corporations at the expense of the people of Zambia and it is this link that businessmen like Obasanjo want to exploit.
So it should not surprise Zambians that Obasanjo is quick to want to fan lawlessness that has been exhibited by his potential partner Hakainde Hichilema.
It would be also important to point out that the integrity of Obasanjo has a few question marks as he never supported the democratic election of Muhammad Buhari or Goodluck Jonathan yet he wants to speak about Zambia’s democracy.
The will of the people supersedes financial pockets and has been proved when President Lungu, Buhari and Jonathan ‘walloped’ the brief case carrying politicians.
However, we know businessmen cannot accept a loss they are looking for ways to make a profit and that is why it should not surprise you to see that Mr Obasanjo would rather promote lawlessness in Zambia.
Respected law professor Muna Ndulo has charged that Zambia under the PF government is degenerating into a police state.
He highlighted the recent death of a ZAF officer and the arrest of UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema as some of the recent events that point to a complete breakdown of the rule of law.
In a statement, Professor Ndulo who is Director Berger International Studies Program at Cornell Law School and Director, Cornell Institute for African Development said the Public Order Act is abused by the police and has become an instrument of oppression rather than policing.
He said, “If one had any doubts about Zambia’s slide into a police state, two recent events clearly debunk the doubt. A few weeks ago, Mark Nchimunya Choonga, was brutally killed in police custody. To begin with, the late Choongwa should never have been in police custody. How does one end up in police custody after a minor traffic accident? There has been no public condemnation of the police on this matter by the leadership and no one has been punished for the illegal detention of Choongwa.”
“Yesterday, the second event gave evidence of the degenerative slide towards a police state. Heavily armed police attacked Hakainde Hichilema and his family in their home. Before the attack, in an unprecedented act of thuggery, police switched off the electricity to the area where Hakainde’s house is located and plunged the area into total darkness,” he said.
Below is Prof Ndulo’s full statement
POLICE BRUTALITY AND THE DECAY OF THE ZAMBIAN POLICE FORCE
Muna Ndulo (Professor, and Director Berger International Studies Program Cornell Law School and Director, Cornell Institute for African Development)
The Zambia is rapidly degenerating into a police state. Numerous citizens are detained in police stations without regard to their rights under the constitution. This has become commonplace as regular reports of beatings, torture and deaths in police custody seldom seem to elicit outrage. Zambians are becoming immune to the routine reports of police brutality. The Public Order Act is abused by the police and has become an instrument of oppression rather than policing.
The police arrogantly assert that only their interpretation of the act is valid. The constant show of and use of excessive force by the police is intended to create a climate of fear and obedience in the general population. Benefactors of the system align themselves with these instruments of fear and defend the police and show scant concern for the victims of police brutality and those whose rights are trampled upon by the police.
If one had any doubts about Zambia’s slide into a police state, two recent events clearly debunk the doubt. A few weeks ago, Mark Nchimunya Choonga, was brutally killed in police custody.
To begin with, the late Choongwa should never have been in police custody. How does one end up in police custody after a minor traffic accident? There has been no public condemnation of the police on this matter by the leadership and no one has been punished for the illegal detention of Choongwa.
Unashamedly, the police have been allowed to carry out what is clearly a cover up. Yesterday, the second event gave evidence of the degenerative slide towards a police state. Heavily armed police attacked Hakainde Hichilema and his family in their home. Before the attack, in an unprecedented act of thuggery, police switched off the electricity to the area where Hakainde’s house is located and plunged the area into total darkness. The police tear gassed and vandalized the house, broke doors and windows, stole whatever they could steal and caused a huge amount of damage to property in the house.
They assaulted whomever they came across in the compound and detained all of Mr. Hichilema’s workers. They did all this without a warrant and in complete disregard of the constitutionally protected rights of liberty and protection of property of a Zambian citizen.
In a shocking decision, after the end of the siege, the police announced treason charges against Hakainde.
Having served as Advisor to the UN in the South African transition period from 1992 to 1994, the behavior of the Zambia police brings to mind the illegal brute force used by the apartheid police to brutalize and pillage black communities in apartheid South Africa in the run up to the 1994 elections.
In the face of this shameful police brutality and serious violations of human rights to life and physical security, the Zambian government has remained mute and at times cheered the police on and made alarming statements about the need to fix Hichilema and his supporters.
Even more troubling is that this is happening at a time when the government is led by a lawyer who should be well acquainted with the rule of law and the concept of constitutionalism.
Zambia finds itself now in a situation where the police force, which should be the upholders of the law, are now agents of fear and intimidation. The primary purpose of the security forces has become to protect the ruling party, and the personal power of the president.
Policing skills in investigation, crowd control, protective and preventive action, have been sacrificed in response to the demands of political obedience, extortion and brutality. The rights of people holding contrary views to those of the ruling party are not respected.
The decay of law and order under the present Government has been matched by a sharp deterioration in the behavior of the police force, which perpetuates the decline.
The political role comes with demands by politicians and the influential to carry out visible crackdowns or arrest specific people. In a context where “quick” and politically defined results are expected and where corruption, obedience, and opportunism are entrenched in the security forces, the torture and humiliation of suspects has become a culture.
The Government is legally responsible for the death of Mark Nchimunya Choongwa and for the violation of Mr. Hachilema’s rights and damage to his property by state agents.
The police is not above the constitution and is not a law at to itself. Not in any state that claims to be a democracy.
The police must respect the rights of individuals as guaranteed by the constitution. All arms of state be it parliament or the executive must act within the terms of their legal authority.
The doctrine of legality is a constitutional requirement under which all institutions of the state including the police are regarded as having only those powers conferred on them by the constitution. The constitution is a charter of government and governs all state conduct.
It is a body of fundamental principles by which a society organizes a government for itself, defines and limits the powers of the government, and regulates the relations between several government organs inter se and defines the relations of the state with its citizens.
The aim of the rule of law is to limit and check the arbitrary, oppressive, and despotic tendencies of power, and to ensure the equal treatment and protection of all citizens irrespective of race, tribe, class, status, religion, place of origin, or political persuasion. It implies a legal framework that is fair, impartial, and that legitimizes state actions.
The idea of a constitutional democratic government, or constitutionalism, and the rule of law connote a government defined, regulated and limited by a constitution. Constitutional democracy is founded upon the notion of checks and balances, namely state institutions: the legislature, the judiciary, and the executive-while operating independently of one another, act to check each other’s operations and balance each other’s power.
In essence, all three institutions are duty bound to uphold the rule of law. A government operating under a written constitution has no more power than is granted to it by the constitution. Zambia cannot be allowed to descend into a nation of illegal actions by one arm of government while the rest remain silent and complicit.
Aggression by any part of government must be condemned by all, the government, the citizens, and those residing within our borders. This is the only way we can begin to restore Zambia.
As Aristotle so aptly put it “Tolerance and apathy are the last virtues of a dying society.”
The European Union has observed that political tension in Zambia have increased over the past weeks following the arrest of UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.
In a brief statement issued by its Spokesperson, the EU has since appealed for calm.
“Calm and to refrain from any actions and rhetoric likely to aggravate the situation are much needed,” the EU said.
The EU said the Zambian people expect all parties to engage in dialogue to contribute to a peaceful and democratic society and to respect the rule of law.
