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FILE: President Lungu on a bus ride after donationPresident Edgar Lungu is this Friday, January 6, 2017 expected in Accra, Ghana for the inauguration of President Elect Nana Addo-Kufo.
President Lungu will join several heads of state and government at the inauguration of the new Ghanian leader.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba confirmed the President’s trip to ZNBC news. Mr. Kalaba said President Lungu will on Sunday, January 8, 2017 hold bilateral talks with his Ghanian counterpart before returning to Zambia.
At the invitation of the government of the Republic of Ghana, President Edgar Lungu will travel to Accra, the capital city of Ghana for the inauguration ceremony of Ghana’s president-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on January 7th, 2017.
About 12 Heads of State from some African and European countries are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
President of Cote d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara will be the Special Guest Speaker at the inauguration which will also see in attendance 13 other government representatives, five international representatives of multilateral organizations and a number of ex-presidents from West Africa and other parts of the world.
The ceremony will take place at the Black Star Square in the national capital, Accra, on Saturday, with close to 6,000 guests attending, according to Shirley Ayorkor Botwe, a member of the Transition Team of the incoming administration.
Nana Akufo-Addo defeated incumbent President John Dramani Mahama in last month’s general election after polling 53.8 percent of the total valid votes cast while Mahama garnered 44.4 percent.
He will be the fifth president of Ghana since 1992.
Meanwhile, President will today travel to the Copperbelt for state and party programmes.
The President will be accompanied by the following members of the party central committee: Dr Ngosa Simbyakula(national chairman); SG Mr Davis Mwila; Hon Jean Kapata(chairperson for elections); Mr. Alexander Bwalya Chikwanda (chairperson for finance); Mr Samuel Mukupa (presidential campaign manager); and Mr Frank Bwalya (chairperson Information);
Peasant farmers load their maize into a truck before transportation to an FRA depot in chief Mulala’s area. Agriculture faces many challenges in the area and this fuels poverty in the area.
GOVERNMENT has paid out a total of K74, 349,245 to all farmers in North-Western Province who sold their maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in the 2016 crop marketing season.
North-Western Province permanent secretary Ephraim Mateyo announced this at a media briefing held at his office in Solwezi yesterday.
Mr Mateyo said the FRA bought a total of 874, 697 by 50-kilogramme bags of white maize from small-scale farmers in the province in the last crop marketing season.
“I am glad to report that as we stand in the province, all is done. Government has so far paid K74, 349, 245 to farmers in Chavuma, Kabompo, Kasempa, Mufumbwe, Mwinilunga, Zambezi and Solwezi. So we don’t have any credit at all, we are at minus zero and that tension with farmers has died out,” he said.
Mr Mateyo thanked Government for working tirelessly to ensure that farmers in the province are paid their money on time.
“As you are aware, the farmers used to come here making unnecessary demands due to political influence, but you see as Government, we remained steadfast and we owe no one any Kwacha at all,” he said.
And Mr Mateyo said the distribution of the 13,550 e-voucher cards to farmers in Solwezi is progressing well while e-voucher cards for farmers in Mwinilunga district have been dispatched to the area.
He, however, said farmers in Mwinilunga experienced challenges in accessing farming inputs using the e-voucher cards but that the problem has been resolved.
“Mwinilunga had a slight problem because it is Barclays Bank that was given the mandate to work with farmers. Now an agreement has been reached that there will be a mobile team so that the e-voucher system starts almost immediately,” Mr Mateyo said.
Mr Mateyo said the province has received adequate seed and about 97 percent of D compound fertiliser from Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) for the 2016/2017 farming season.
He said the province has received over 40 percent of top dressing fertiliser from Nyiombo Investment and that distribution of farming inputs to farmers in all the districts is underway.
FILE: Committed to investment Zambian Breweries’ US$32 million maltings plant nearing completion in the Lusaka-South Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ)THERE is need for Zambia to accelerate its industrialisation efforts if the country has to achieve economic development, the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) says.
Zambia Association of Manufacturers acting chief executive officer Lewis Chimfwembe said that industrialisation has been behind robust development that countries such as Canada, Germany, Italy, and Japan are enjoying.
Mr Chimfwembe said the key to poverty eradication, high unemployment rates and overdependence on exports of primary products that underdeveloped nations are facing lies in scaling up of the industrialisation agenda.
“Zambia has abundant raw materials, favourable climatic conditions and abundant labour force, yet the country continues to suffer from high poverty and unemployment rates, and overdependence on exports of primary products,” Mr Chimfwembe said in an interview.
He said to create employment, add value to raw materials and diversify the export basket, it is important for Zambia to fast-track her industrialisation drive.
Mr Chimfwembe said industrialisation creates new markets and linkages, promoting supporting industries which will in turn contribute to Zambia’s economic growth.
He said industrialisation is the growth and diversification of the manufacturing sector, and as the sector [manufacturing] grows, the variation of products also increases with demand for new products.
Mr Chimfwembe said this creates a market for new commodities and emergence of supporting industries such as primary and tertiary industry.
He said when industrialisation is in full swing, it creates a demand for specialised skills and increased labour demand which can be addressed through emerging industries that are a result of growth in the manufacturing sector.
“Industrialisation leads to increased exports, self-reliance and growth of foreign reserves, and as the manufacturing sector grows and new and advanced products emerge, the range of products a country exports widens, leading to more foreign exchange earnings, triggering appreciation of the local currency.
UNZA Vice Chancellor Professor Luke Mumba (centre) and Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Peter Kasanda (right) learn more about the latest broadband technology from a Huawei employee.
Three unions at the University of Zambia (UNZA) have cautioned the new UNZA Vice Chancellor Professor Luke Mumba against lavish and extravagant expenditure.
The three unions are the University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers’ Union (UNZALARU), University of Zambia Lecturers Professional Staff Union (UNZAPROSU) and the University of Zambia Lecturers and allied Workers Union (UNZAWU).
This is contained in a letter addressed to Professor Mumba dated 3rd January obtained by QTV News also copied to Higher Education Minister and the Permanent Secretary signed by UNZALARU President Evans Lampi, UNZAPROSU President Michael Kaluba and UNZAWU President M. Kapatazi .
The three unions allege that since his appointment, Professor Mumba has so far spent a total of K3 million on his individual items that are out of sync with his conditions of service.
They have stated that the Vice Chancellor has spent funds on a personal to holder vehicle which is a way far beyond his entitlement alleging that so far he has spent K1.3 million on a VX8 in an institution where others are told to save.
They claim that he has used university funds to purchase an industrial generator for his residence at a cost of USD 15, 000 when most of the union members have inadequate office space and students’ classrooms have no teaching aids.
The three unions are furthermore claiming that as that is not enough, he went ahead to connect his residence to the University of Zambia power grid at a cost of K400, 000.00.
The letter also claim that recently, Professor Mumba’s recent trip to China was fully sponsored by his hosts, but that he and his entourage got paid per diem from UNZA for 12 days each contrary to the regulations and his own austerity message.
They have furthermore stated that the K3 million spent on his personal items could have offset a number of unpaid gratuities or pension thereby relieving the institution.
They have since advised Professor Mumba and his management to kindly reflect on his spending and assist the university to settle its debt owed to retirees than entrapping the already debt trapped institution into a further debt doldrums.
Meanwhile, Governance Activist Isaac Mwanza has asked the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate such revelations coming from the three unions.
Mr. Mwanza says UNZA has been facing a lot of financial challenges and it is unacceptable for Professor Mumba to be spending funds like that.
A different type of caterpillar known as maize stock bora has hit Chongwe District and it is feasting on the maize farms.
This is a different type of caterpillar from the army worms that have attacked maize in other parts of the country.
This was revealed this morning by Acting Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo who accompanied Vice President Inonge Wina to assess the damage caused by the maize stock bora caterpillars on the maize fields in the district.
Mr Katambo disclosed that 28,882 small scale farmers have been affected who have planted 26,000 hectors of maize.
And Vice President Inonge Wina has encouraged farmers not to be discouraged but replant early maturing maize seed.
Mrs Wina said farmers should also consider planting other crops than can mature during the remaining part of the rainy season apart from maize.
And Lusaka Province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe who was part of the entourage said government’s quick response will serve the maize crop by the provision 1,360 litres of paste control chemicals to save the maize.
He said 17,220 hectors has been affected in the district out of the 33,000 to 35,000 total hectrage in Chongwe District.
Mr Mwakalombe who is also Chongwe MP said the situation is worse in Katoba and Kaluwe areas.
Road Development Agency Public Relations Manager Loyce Saili talks to Ng’andu Consulting resident engineer Stephen Mulubila when RDA conducted road works inspection for the Kitwe-Ndola dual carriagewayLUSAKA motorists are fuming and dismayed that the Road Development Agency will not effect repairs to the damaged Lumumba road which is threatening life and property.
According to the agency Lusaka’s Lumumba road is damaged beyond repair and patching it will be just a waste of resources, but there is no money yet to do the job.
Responding to mounting criticism by motorists and the general public that RDA has been negligent by allowing the road to reach this stage of destruction, director for communication and corporate affairs Loyce Saili said she anticipated the road will be completely rebuilt in the first quarter of this year.
Motorists using Lumumba, one of the busiest roads in Lusaka carrying traffic from the city centre to the western suburbs and heavy trucks to and from the north and south of the country, are angry how RDA could allow the road to deteriorate to such extent.
But Ms. Saili said the road is part of the L400 project which is a contractor finance project and that the agency was awaiting the release of funds to commence works on the road.
“Lumumba road has outlived its design and patching it would just be a waste of resources, because it is an old road and the only solution is replacing it with a new one,’’ she said.
Public and Private Drivers Association of Zambia president, Josiah Majuru, appealed to RDA and the Lusaka City Council to work on the part of Lumumba road between Family 24 and the Dar Farms junction before lives were lost due to the bad state of the road.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Nation, Mr Majuru said the road portion has potholes that accumulate water when it rains and make it difficult for motorists to drive safely.
Mr. Majaru said many of the vehicles that pass through the road were at risk of being stuck in the potholes due to the state of the road.
Ministry of General Education Spokesperson Hillary Chipango (in black T-shirt) pays his last respect during the burial of Hillcrest National Technical Secondary School accident victims at Villa Grounds in Livingstone.Picture by KELVIN MUDENDA
Ministry of General Education has appealed to all prospective teachers who were not successful in the last Net recruitment and Teacher replacement respectively, that the required number has since been attained.
Ministry Spokesman Hillary Chipango has since advised all prospective teachers to remain calm as they wait for the next Teacher recruitment exercise to be done in the course of 2017.
“The Ministry acknowledges the overwhelming response of applicants during the 2016 teacher recruitment, unfortunately the Ministry could not get every applicant due to the limited number of vacancies available,’ Mr Chipango said in a statement.
“Further, the Ministry would like to warn all prospective teachers not to pay money to would be masquerading employment agencies claiming to be recruiting teachers on behalf of the Ministry, as the Ministry will treat such matters as criminal.”
Mining giant Konkola Copper Mines say the work stoppage by miners at its Konkola underground mine in Chililabombwe is illegal.
Operations at KCM’s Business units in Chililabombwe have been paralysed after workers refused to enter the main gates into the plants demanding salary adjustments
But KCM Spokesman Shapi Shachinda revealed that only a handful of miners took part in the work stoppage.
Mr Shachinda said KCM values the cordial relations which exist between the workforce, the unions and management.
“Since 2014, KCM has faced challenges related to the low copper price and the higher cost of power. These challenges have been explained to employees and other stakeholders in numerous forums. Despite these external factors, many initiatives have been implemented to successfully manage down the overall cost of production,” he said.
Mr Shachinda said KCM regrets that a handful of employees at the Konkola underground mine in Chililabombwe have decided to go on an illegal work stoppage demanding increases in pay.
He said this is in contravention of labour laws since wage negotiations are still underway between management and the unions and no dispute has been declared.
“Management has engaged the employees and their representatives urging them to return to work immediately. Management will continue to engage workers’ representatives to find a lasting solution to the problems the company is facing,” he said.
There was no immediate comment from the Mine Workers Union of Zambia but some of the affected miners interviewed said among other things they are complaining is the lack of proper treatment and medicines.
They said Doctors at the Mine Hospital are now leaving in preference to Government hospitals, while Indian expatriates are now seeking treatment at the new mini Indian African Medicare Services Limited hospital in Chingola.
The miners are also unhappy about the decision by KCM increase school fees in Trust schools while salaries for its employees had remained the same for four years.
KCM has been facing numerous financial challenges which has seen the mining giant fail to pay contractors and suppliers mostly Zambians owned firms on time.
KCM Zambian senior staff were not paid their Christmas bonus and their December salaries but all Indians expatriates were paid their salaries and bonuses in full.
KCM Miners staging a protest outside the main entranceKCM Miners staging a protest outside the main entrance
Emmanuel KaboleYoung Power Dynamos striker Emmanuel Kabole is seeking another stint in the FAZ Super Division following the expiry of his one-year loan deal at Nchanga Rangers.
Nchanga coach Bruce Mwape handed the 23-year-old player a top flight debut earlier last season in a match Zesco United beat the Chingola side 2-0.
Kabole, the son of veteran trainer Fordson Kabole, went on to feature in eight more games for Nchanga.
The youngster cherishes the experience he gained at Nchanga Stadium.
“I had a good experience at Nchanga Rangers even though it was tough at times. I never thought I could play at that highest level of Zambian football,” Kabole said.
“I was taught to be focused in each and every game you have to play. Also to be fit all the time because if you are not fit you can’t compete,” he said.
“Thanks to coach Bruce Mwape for believing in me. I also salute Nchanga management and supporters.
Kabole is pondering his future after leaving Nchanga.
“I have to go back to my club Young Power while thinking about my future. At Young Power they support me a lot so they will help me to decide,” he said.
Kabole revealed he gets inspiration from his father, a former Power Dynamos, Roan United and Nchanga trainer.
“Dad inspires me because he is a true champion. He tells me to work hard, remain disciplined and to respect people.”
Zambian National team Coach Wedson Nyirenda shouting instructions to his chargesWedson Nyirenda has warned that he alone will decide who will play for Zambia during his tenure as Chipolopolo coach.
The Zambia coach told ZNBC that he will ensure he carries out the mandate he was hired for to rebuild Zambia beyond the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and well into the 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualifiers.
“No man can impose a player on me, then I will walk away, that’s how I work,” Nyirenda said on ZNBC Sunday Interview.
“Whoever wants to impose players, let him also lay out his philosophy.”
Nyirenda is four games into his long-term contract with FAZ and is unbeaten in his last two matches with a 1-0 away win over Uganda in a friendly and a 1-1 draw on the road against Cameroon in a 2018 World Cup Group B qualifier.
This is after a shaky start that began with a 2-1 home loss to Nigeria in a 2018 Group B Qualifier and a 1-0 friendly defeat away against Zimbabwe.
Zambia’s next assignment is a yet to be confirmed friendly in March and later the 2019 Africa Cup and 2018 CHAN qualifiers in June and July respectively before hosting Algeria on August 28 in the two sides third Group B qualifying match.
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) employees in Chililabombwe have refused to enter the main gates into the plants of Konkola Business units demanding salary adjustments.
All senior staffs that tried to enter the gates were threatened to be beaten and all the shift employees are outside the gates.
Among other things, miners are complaining of lack of proper treatment and medicines.
The employees talk to said that Doctors at mine hospital were now leaving in preference to Government hospitals, while Asian counterparts’ were now seeking treatment at the new mini Indian African Medicare Services Limited hospital in Chingola.
This mini hospital is located in Ghandi road just after total service station.
KCM has also increased school fees in Trust schools while salaries for its employees had remained stagnant for over four years.
KCM has been faced with numerous self-imposed financial challenges following its deliberate policy to pay Indian contractors on time but not Zambian suppliers and contractors.
All Zambian senior staffs were not paid their Christmas bonus and December salaries but all Indians expatriates were paid in full.
The company has shown no willingness to adjust salaries for its unionised employees and this has led to the protest of today.
Protests by KCM employees usually turn nutsy if remedial delay to be deployed.
KCM main operation and production is in Konkola following the putting of Nchanga Underground on care and maintenance.
The KCM workers at Chililabombwe’s number three shaft have downed tools demanding salary increments.
The over 700 miners who started their peaceful protest on Tuesday alleged that they had never received salary increments for the past five years and that negotiations between the KCM management and the union leaders last year had not been conclusive.
Efforts to get a comment from KCM Public Relations and Communications Manager Shapi Shachinda proved futile as his mobile phone went unanswered while Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) President Chishimba Nkole declined to comment referring the matter to management.
Mr Nkole said the union had reasons for not commenting on the matter saying they were not too sure of the occurrence and they opted to be very accurate when issuing any statement.
However, the miners who spoke on conditions of anonymity said they had lost confidence in their KCM union branch representatives as they were not given an update on the negotiations that started last year.
They said KCM should immediately effect salary increments or trim the workforce and issue them benefits if they had challenges in their operations.
The miners also said they were awaiting National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) President James Chansa who allegedly promised to address them but to no avail by Press time.
Head of the Office of the High Commission of Canada in Lusaka Amy Galigan inspects copper at First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi mine.
Zambia’s foreign exchange revenues could increase in 2017 as the price of copper rose at the end of 2016.
The increase occurred after U.S incoming President, Donald Trump, announced the construction of various infrastructures in his country.
Another factor behind the increase is the significant surge in Chinese demand which represents about half of world’s demand.
In this context, analysts’ forecasts are very optimistic.
U.S investment bank Goldman Sachs said a ton of copper will go for $6,200.
Molly Shut, Analyst at BMI Research, even advanced that copper’s global market will be in deficit by 2019.
Operation-wise, giants of the sector also share this optimism.
Andrew Cole, Chief Analyst at Metal Bulletin Research said many investors were building treasury to acquire mining assets.
BHP Billiton, world’s second largest, listed, copper producer, stated in its annual report that it plans to increase its exploration expenditures by 29% in 2017, and invest hundreds of millions to find copper and oil deposits.
If the projections came true, Zambia could achieve balance in its public accounts.
The nation suffered the slump in the price of copper from which it gets almost 70% of its foreign exchange revenues.
Turnovers of other sectors slumped due to a monetary crisis which weakened the Kwacha.
On the capitals market, the Lusaka Securities Exchange’s major index was the worst of all African stock exchanges.
However, the Central Bank of Zambia, in its latest report on monetary policy, provided a positive mid-term outlook explaining its stance by an increase of mineral resources, import stability and lower inflation pressure.
Nevertheless, it maintained its policy rate at 15.5% and allows commercial banks to easily access its refinancing services.
Dora Siliya meets Mike Tyson
Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya has found herself the target of outrage from some Zambians after photos of her posing with former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson emerged on social media.
Ms. Siliya who is currently on holiday is pictured smiling for the camera with Tyson in an undisclosed location.
The photos were first released by the PF Media team but do not show the details such as the date when they were taken and the occasion.
The Agriculture Minister has been away from the country for the last two weeks and his counterpart in charge of Livestock and Fisheries Michael Katambo has been acting in her absence.
The timing of her holiday has however riled some Zambians who have taken to Facebook to request that she cuts short her leave and returns to the office as the country battles ravaging army worms.
The outbreak of army worms which has been declared a crisis by Vice President Inonge Wina are threatening to wipe out the country’s planted Maize for the 2016/2017 farming season.
Some of the bloggers said it is unfortunate that the Minister in charge of Agriculture is on adventure in Los Angeles and taking selfies with Tyson when farmers are calling for intervention into the army worms eating their maize.
“We have a crisis as a country and she is nowhere to be seen, only seeing her posing with Mike Tyson. Whoever the admin is (the PF Facebook page) has brought this at a wrong time,” wrote Wanda Phiri.
And Chota Ngulube wrote, “You would expect the Minister to cut sort her holiday. Army worms are disaster in the making in relation to food security of our nation. Anyway, what can you expect when she announced that government will do away with Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP)”
“This is indeed comedy. There is an issue in her Ministry to do with army worms and she is away posing with people who do not even care what goes on in our country. Sometimes those in power must sit and think why all these army worms are coming to Zambia. Lack of seriousness on the part of leadership. Very shameful,” wrote George Lorain Kapi.
But Ms Siliya received some sympathy from some bloggers who defended her stay out of the country during a crucial planting season for most farmers.
Mwape Panda wondered whether people expected Ms Siliya to be in all the farms waiting for army worms.
“Where do you want her to be? If we all followed news in Zambia, you will agree with me that the issue of army worms is being treated with respect it deserves. Dora has done nothing wrong by posing with Iron Mike,” he wrote.
President Lungu arrives for the Inauguration Ceremony
By Isaac Mwanza
President Lungu has not said anything about the current innuendos and calls by some of his members to stand for the third time in 2021 as President of the Republic of Zambia but as reputable a lawyer as he is and a man of humble background who wants to leave a legacy, his guidance to the PF and the nation can stop this uncalled for debate about him standing in 2021.
Article 106 clause 3 of the Constitution of Zambia, 1991 as amended in 2016 reads as follows:
“106 (3) A person who has twice held office as President is not eligible for election as President.”
WHAT DOES PRESIDENT LUNGU BELIEVE IN?
Speaking when members of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council paid a courtesy call on him at State House this week, President Lungu said constitutionalism is a prerequisite for peace and security on the African continent.
The President observed that some African countries were under strife because of lack of respect for constitutionalism.
President Lungu says constitutions should not be changed at will to serve selfish interests at the expense of the majority citizens.
“Our people want peace. We can give them peace through the respect for our constitutions. Lack of respect for constitutions is a recipe for anarchy,” The President said.
“Let the people’s constitutions be stable. All of us are passengers and we will not be there forever. Leaders must therefore allow the law to take its course for the sake of peace on the continent. It is about the rule of law, democracy and good governance. There is also need for governments to treat former leaders with respect and dignity after they leave office,” the President said.
CAN THE PF LEARN FROM THE PAST?
If there are any lessons the PF can learn from the MMD, those lessons are that the party got divided by the Third Term campaign which was championed by late Michael Sata.
The breakaway group, now Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), was an offshot of the failure by late Dr. FTJ Chiluba to stop those campaigns. Michael Sata himself had to form his own party when Dr. Chiluba, the self – confessed political engineer, dribbled the man who had tirelessly campaigned for his third term bid.
All during the calls for Chiluba’s third term bid, Dr. Chiluba pretended he knew nothing about those calls and said his duty was to just work and work. Everyone, though, knew who was behind those campaigns.
There were, of course, some very friendly private and public media that would would use subtle ways to champion those calls. The people who closely surrounded, diligently and professionally worked for Dr. FTJ Chiluba, like Richard Sakala and Eric Silwamba may be very helpful in advising the public and the PF about the dangers of these third term campaigns.
Richard Sakala and Eric Silwamba are very experienced in managing the Presidency and their advice to those who manage President Lungu may prove very helpful.
PF IN-FIGHTING IS ABOUT PRESIDENT LUNGU’S SUCCESSOR
The wrangles going on in the PF today – truth be told – are centred around the PF candidate for 2021. To me, everybody in the PF realises or ought to realise that under the current 1991 Constitution of Zambia, as amended in 2016, President Lungu will not be eligible to stand in 2021. This realisation has now divided the PF into 3 different camps as it did to the MMD.
One group, while knowing this truth, is acting with deception with a view to getting kudos from President Lungu by beginning calls for him to stand in 2021. But the way I know President Lungu, he will not give kudos to such blind loyalists who can’t even read nor understand the clear provisions of the law.
The second group, acting with deception too, has seen an opportunity to try and identify a candidate ahead of 2021.
The wrangles going on in the PF today – truth be told – are centred around the PF candidate for 2021.
They subtly discuss the expired mandate of the MCCs but their actual goal is the Presidency for they understand that even President Lungu whose 5 year mandates ends in November 2019 has to be renewed. Can the PF afford to hold a convention this year to elect MCCs, and again in 2019, to elect the person who shall be the Presidential candidate for the PF in 2021, as per PF Constitution.
The third group comprises those who also are aware of provisions of Article 106 (3) but would not want to show their true colours least their benefits are curtailed by the first group of blind loyalists.
These are somehow opportunists who wait to see where the national wind blows till the last minute. We had a number of such during Chiluba’s Third Term bid.
The likes of Nawakwi and Tembo who only had to speak out or act at last minute. One member of this group was quoted in the last campaigns as having told the Bemba following that “they have just given Edgar Lungu the Presidency but ikawela again”. This was a serious statement whose results are beginning to show.
WHAT WOULD MAKE PRESIDENT LUNGU ELIGIBLE TO CONTEST IN 2021?
President Lungu would have been eligible to contest the 2021 elections, in accordance with Article 106 (6)(b), as read together with Article 106 (5)(a) and (b), if at a time of his first election in January 2015, he was either the Vice President or the persons elected because the Vice President was unable to act as President when Micheal Sata had died and the Speaker had taken over to supervise the elections where he was elected.
There are three options that would make President Lungu to contest the 2021 elections.
The first option is when Parliament amends the current Constitution to ensure that Article 106 (6)(b) also becomes applicable to President Lungu. We all must remember that President Lungu found that provisions already in the draft Constitution and, at the time it’s was passed as it is, it’s cure was not about his election or serving 1 year 7 months. It had to do with the Vice President who takes over the running of government or, due to failure by Vice President, another person is elected.
President Lungu must end the infighting within the PF by declaring that the next PF Convention to elect both the 2021 PF Presidency who automatically becomes the presidential candidate and the MCCs will be held around 2019 and 2021.
The second option is where Parliament repeals the entire Constitution and Zambia enacts a new Constitution (not just amendments). This is what Mugabe did but we know that with Mugabe, it’s survival of the fittest. He cannot afford to lose power because his “enemies” will see him at The Hague, lol.
President Lungu has no such fears. Also, repealing the Constitution means we must also hold another referendum on the Bill of Rights. That is the only process that completes the process of coming up with a new Constitution where everything starts afresh, including is term.
The Third Option is when the matter is taken to the Constitutional Court and the Judges, on the path of pleasing the PF, rule that Article 106 (6)(b) is very much applicable to President Lungu (when it is not) thereby clearing his path to contest in 2021. Looking at the men and women on that Constitutional Court bench, everything is possible. The Judiciary is so highly intimidated, at this point, that they would sacrifice justice at the altar of political expediency. We are yet to see.
CONCLUSION
I know I would have loved to win kudos from those PF “loyalists”, amidst “blind”, if I sang the song to justify why President Lungu qualifies for 2021 but my conscience would still have been troubled.
Because I once interacted with him for a short time, I know President Lungu, because isn’t one who likes false hero – worshipping for the sake of being in good books with him.
Those wanting to rely on Article 106 clause (6) (b) which talks about serving less than 3 years to make it apply to H.E. ECL ought to remember that Article 106(6)(a)(b) cannot be read without reference to Article 106 (5)(a)(b). It is not a completely stand-alone article. An argument based on this article is legally lame as the same cannot apply to President Lungu for 2 reasons:
1. He was not the Vice President at a time he was first elected as President to serve for 1 year and 7 months. The requirement of clause article 106 (5)(a).
2. He was not elected because the Vice President was unable to act and so the Speaker had to act. The requirement of Article 106 (5)(b)
On these two reasons, the reliance on that article is premature and has no basis in law.
President Lungu has held the office of the President twice and he cannot go again in 2021.
The only sure way for President Lungu to stand in 2021 is by amending the entire Article 106 by removing or rewording clauses 3 and 6 to suit the need.
President Lungu must end the infighting within the PF by declaring that the next PF Convention to elect both the 2021 PF Presidency who automatically becomes the presidential candidate and the MCCs will be held around 2019 and 2021. President Lungu can do well to begin grooming a leader who can take over from him then.
He must keep his eyes wide open way Sata kept his eyes wide open. If it was up to me, Harry Kalaba or Makebi Zulu are fine young politicians whose debates even in Parliament are more sober.
One may add young Christopher Pikiti-Kang’ombe to this list. I believe President Lungu won’t allow this infighting to continue when the root of these fights is well known. He must confront the truth.
The Author is the Democracy and Governance Specialist at the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in Zambia. This position does not necessarily represent the position of any body, Association or group he may belong to but represents his positions as backed by various provisions of the Constitution as quoted.
Roan PF Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili on Tuesday celebrated his birthday and displayed a thought provoking birthday cake on his Facebook page.
Official records show that Dr Kambwili turned 49 on January 3rd 2016.
The birthday cake which he says was ‘organised’ by his children shows a hefty looking figure of Dr Kambwili with a raised fit in the middle of a boat with two sailors on either sides of the boat.
The boat has the PF logo written on its side and shows a PF Chitenge rolled inside the boat with the words C.K written by the side of the medium sized cake.
In a short message, Dr Kambwili who is facing disciplinary issues in the PF says the cake captures his passion and drive.
He thanked his children for the ‘gesture’.
“Today is my birthday. First of all, I would like to thank the almighty for adding another year, birthdays are extremely special and we are blessed to see the years go by,” he wrote.
“A big thank you to my children for organising such a thoughtful cake, my passion and drive baked into a cake, what a wonderful gesture.”
The ruling PF has written to Dr Kambwili asking him to exculpate himself and show cause why disciplinary action cannot be taken against him for bringing the name of the party into disrepute.
PF Deputy Spokesman Frank Bwalya disclosed that the disciplinary issues relate to reports that Dr Kambwili has allegedly been making against Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chanda whom he has apparently accused of trying to bewitch him.
But party insiders have said the PF want to expel Dr Kambwili because he is behind some underground movement within the PF that want to wrestle power from President Edgar Lungu ahead of the 2021 general elections.
Kambwili displays his birthday cakeKambwili displays his birthday cake whilst raising a fist, a PF symbol
