Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
A government serious about job creation is a government serious about supporting local business and investing in youths. Yet the PF has only created jobs for itself, while its mismanagement of the mining and energy sectors has seen thousands made unemployed.
Youth unemployment is 5 times higher than for older Zambians. Many of our youths have become frustrated and disillusioned with the broken promises and empty rhetoric of politicians, fuelling unrest as they look for solutions elsewhere.
I am ready to fix it. Under our 10 Point Plan a UPND government will invest in our youth so they have employable skills through skill training initiatives and mentorship programmes. We will invest until every child is in school, through bursaries or other financing mechanisms. We will pay for this by cutting waste at State House and fighting corruption by ensuring the full autonomy of the Anti-Corruption Commission.
We will break down the barriers that stop youths from succeeding, such as difficulty accessing credit, and we will give our youths contracts, from supplying furniture to schools to making uniforms for public sector workers.
The Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) has called for a mass voter turnout in Thursday general elections and referendum vote.
AVAP Executive Director, Richwell Mulwani said it is cardinal that eligible voters turn up in large numbers to cast their vote.
Mr Mulwani said AVAP has been sensitising members of the public across the country on the need to turn up and vote in the August polls so ensure democracy and guarantee their civic rights for posterity.
He also advised members of public to attend rallies of
different political parties so that they can understand the
different policies and development programmes being propagated by various aspiring candidates.
Mr. Mulwani has meanwhile urged political party members to avoid
bringing anarchy at polling stations during voting.
Lameck Mangan
FORMER Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani has said the visit by President Edgar Lungu to Eastern Province was a sign that the ruling Patriotic Front(PF) will get more than 80 percent of votes in the region during the Thursday general elections.
Mr Mangani who is coordinator for special campaign team for President Lungu in the province said that the Head of State meetings in the region were successful because of the number of people who attended his rallies in all the districts.
He said the President sold himself well a sign that the ruling party would not need a re-run in the elections.
Mr Mangani said at a press briefing held at Luangwa lodge in Chipata yesterday that the desire for PF was to win the elections in the first round.
“President Edgar Lungu meetings in all the districts in Eastern Province became successful and the response from the people was overwhelmed. It is good that the President sold himself very well to people in the region a sign that he will get more than 80 percent of votes in Eastern province,”he said.
Mr Mangani said going for a re-run in the elections would be costly to the country saying the first round would be more ideal.
He appealed to people to turn up in large numbers and vote in the elections.
He said even,the old should be encouraged to vote in order to get the required number of votes in the general elections.
Mr Mangani said voting for PF in the thursday’s election would be important because of the good leadership which President Lungu has shown to people.
He said there was need to embrace each and every person to show unity and avoid bickering ahead of the polls.
He said he was aware that some candidates from opposition who were supporting President Lungu should continue to do without any intimidation.
Mr Mangani said candidates who were supporting Lungu should be encouraged to do so and wished the best candidates to win the elections.
He appealed to people to reman united in the ruling party in order for PF to get the maximum votes.
Mr Mangani said he was happy that the campaigns in the province became successful despite few pockets of isolated incidents caused by the outsiders.
The Head of State whilst in Eastern Province assured invited the people to his inauguration because he was confident of winning the election.
Mr Lungu said it was clear that the PF would take the day on August 11th.
The President held campaign rallies in
Mambwe,Chadiza,Lundazi,Nyimba,Vubwi,Sinda,Katete,Chipata,Petauke,all in Eastern Province and he also held in Chama District of Muchinga Province which were characterized by huge turnouts and endorsement from the traditional leaderships.
President Edgar Lungu chat with PF Secretary General Davies Chama at the lunch of PF Campaign in the Heroes Stadium
PF SECRETARY GENERAL DAVIES CHAMA CONDEMNS MTENDERE VIOLENCE
9th August 2016, Lusaka–we wish to strongly condemn the political violence that took place in Mtendere Township yesterday (Monday 8th August).
The PF is treating this matter very seriously and we hope the police can get to the bottom of the senseless inter-party fights as soon as possible, as we independently alongside conduct a separate investigation.
We understand that people dressed in PF regalia were involved in the attack that was waged on some cadres dressed in UPND regalia that were conducting their campaigns in Mtendere.
Allow us to say for the record that time and time again, President Edgar Lungu has publicly condemned violence, signed an ECZ PEACE ACCORD and attended prayers aimed at calming the pre-election and post-election violence, even when others have not.
Therefore it is with the same disdain and contempt President Lungu has openly and sincerely shown against violence that we call for action on the perpetrators of this current wave of violence.
We also understand that at a time like this, sympathisers of different parties have a tendency of getting excited as they try to protect their so called ‘own turf.’
We therefore call for all parties running in this election to avoid deliberately taking action that has a potential to incite violence due to what is widely seen as provocation.
Do not provoke others, stay in your corner and do your campaign peacefully, the votes will still listen to you.
And indeed to our election observer missions in Zambia currently. The PF is the only major party that publicly denounces violence, signs peace accords and signs peace accords because President Lungu resents violence.
Our party will do anything, including handing over to the police anyone found promoting violence regardless of party affiliation. We resent law breakers.
I therefore ask our members to embrace diversity in political expression. It is part of the political pluralism we embrace. Please refrain from violence even in the face of extreme provocation.
We also ask the visiting election observers to be alive to the fact that out of desperation, some opposition parties have decided to fan violence so that they can scream foul if they lose again.
President Lungu, however, insists on maintaining peaceful and unity. Zambia is not violent nation.
As a peace-loving political party, the Patriotic Front would like to urge Zambians to ignore calls from so called leaders who ask them to shed blood but they jealously guard their own blood. Elections will come and go and we will remain brothers and sisters.
President Lungu has clearly demonstrated that the infra structure development roll out, the largest since independence the PF is riding on will win him the polls, not desperation bred by perennial loss of presidential elections.
We fully understand the opposition’s desperation but we also fully appreciate the importance of national peace.
Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS)-participating in this year Labour Day celebrations
The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has standardised a total of 1,136 instruments for various companies across the country in the first half of 2016.
ZABS Head of Marketing and Public Relations Hazel Zulu said the number shows an increase of 27.7% of standardised instruments from the first quarter of 2016 to the second quarter.
Mrs. Zulu explained that the Bureau standardised 499 instruments for industry between January and March this year and 637 instruments between April and June this year bringing the total of instruments standardised to 1,136.
She said the 1,136 standardised instruments reflects the Bureau’s commitment to providing quality calibration services in order to stimulate industrial efficiency and economic growth.
The ZABS Head of Marketing and Public Relations said this in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
And Mrs. Zulu named some of the companies whose instruments were standardised during the period under review as Ndola lime, KCM, Mopani Mine, Lubambe Mine, Sable Transport, Pamodzi Hotel, Zambia Sugar, Zambezi Portland Cement and Alfred H Knight.
Mrs. Zulu disclosed the instruments calibrated as scales, weight sets, dial indicators and measuring tapes, ovens, cold rooms, radiation thermometers and digital thermometers.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Zulu has urged other companies especially institutions such as hospitals to ensure that they standardise their instruments with ZABS to enhance their service delivery.
From Left to right: Dante Saunders, MacDonald Chipenzi and Gabriel Namulambe
Electoral Expert McDonald Chipenzi has described as landmark the ruling of the Constitutional Court ordering ministers to pay back the money in salaries obtained after the dissolution of parliament.
In a statement, Mr Chipenzi said the ruling is the best gift ever four days to the General elections.
“When this issue came first, ministers were advised to stay away from their portfolios but unfortunately they were misled by the Attorney General and President Edgar Lungu,” Mr Chipenzi said.
“It is now incumbent on all the concerned ministers to voluntarily pay back the money to avoid being forced to do so by relevant authorities.”
He added, “President Lungu and the Attorney General must apologise, if not resigning altogether, for misleading the nation on the continued stay of ministers in their respective offices despite the dissolution of parliament. I urge all Zambians to unite and join in the campaign dubbed “Payback the money today.”
The Constitutional Court has ordered Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and provincial ministers to vacate office forthwith because their continued stay in office was against the spirit of the amended Constitution after the National Assembly was dissolved.
And the ConCourt has ordered the ministers to pay back all the salaries, allowances and other emoluments they have drawn from the treasury since May 12, 2016 when Parliament was dissolved.
Constitutional Court president Hildah Chibomba, who sat with Enock Mulembe and Mulela Munalula said the ministers’ continued stay in office was contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.
“The ministers ought not to have continued in office in the absence of the required provision that allowed them. It is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution. We do order that they should forthwith vacate office,” judge Chibomba said.
The court, however, allowed the Vice-President to continue in office so that there is no vacuum created in the governance of the country.
Judge Chibomba also ruled that the ministers knew that their continued stay in office after dissolution of Parliament was illegal and therefore saw no injustice done to them by asking them to pay back the salaries and allowances accrued.
“They should pay back all salaries and emoluments they have drawn from 12th May 2016 to date. The assessment will be conducted by the Registrar of the Constitutional Court. The ministers knew that they were in office illegally and we see no injustice done to them. We would have agreed with the Solicitor General if the Cabinet ministers were appointed from outside Parliament,” judge Chibomba said.
On deputy ministers continued stay in the office, the court said the Constitution as amended did not provide for the office of deputy minister.
“The office no longer exists in the amended Constitution. We do not agree with the Solicitor General’s submissions that deputy ministers should continue in office. Their continued stay in office after amendment of the Constitution in null and void. They should and shall not continue to hold on to office,” said judge Chibomba.
President HH joined by running mate GBM and MMD President Nevers MumbaHH at a Rally in KasamaCrowd at Buseko ground in KasamaCrowd at Buseko ground in KasamaCrowd at Buseko ground in KasamaCrowd at Buseko ground in KasamaPresident Lungu being Welcomed in MonguVice President Inonge Wina Welcomes President Edgar Lungu at Mongu airport on Monday picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/ State housePresident Lungu with Vice-President Inonge on arrival Mongu Airport for rallies on Monday, August 8,2016-Picture by THOMAS NSAMAPresident LunguVice-President Inonge Wina speaks when President Lungu arrived at Mongu Airport for Rallies on Monday, August 8,2016-Picture by THOMAS NSAMAFirst Lady Esther Lungu and Vice-President Inonge Wina arrive at Limulunga Palace where President Lungu paid a courtesy call on the Litunga in Western Province on Monday, August 7,2016-Picture by THOMAS NSAMAPresident Lungu with First Lady Esther Lungu and Vice-President Inonge Wina When they paid a Courtesy call on the Litunga at the Limulunga Palace on Moday, August 8,2016 -Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZAThe Litunga presents a royal walking stick to President Lungu when he paid a courtesy call on him at the palace at Limulunga Palace in Western Province on Monday, August 7,2016-PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZAThe Litunga presents a royal walking stick to President Lunguwhen he paid a courtesy call on him at the palace at Limulunga Palace in Western Province on Monday, August 7,2016-PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA
President Lungu during a meeting with the Litunga when he paid a courtesy call on him at the palace at Limulunga Palace in Western Province on Monday, August 7,2016-PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZAThe Litunga presates a bag of Rice to President Lungu at the palacePresident Lungu being introduced to Induna Mukulwa Kashiko when he paid a courtesy call on the Litunga at Limulunga Palace in Western Province on Monday, August 7,2016-Picture by THOMAS NSAMAThe Litunga at the Limulunga PalacePF supporters when President Lungu paid a courtesy call on the Litunga at Limulunga Palace in Western Province on Monday, August 7,2016-Picture by THOMAS NSAMAPresident Lungu addresses a rally in at Kyawama grounds Solwezi on Monday, August 8,2016-Pictures by THOMAS NSAMAPresident Lungu and First Lady Esther Lungu during a rally in at Kyawama grounds Solwezi on Monday, August 8,2016-Pictures by THOMAS NSAMA
President Edgar Lungu says government will revive rice growing in Western Province.
President Lungu said his government will consider establishing a rice plant as well as an abattoir owing to the abundant livestock and fish species in the province.
The Head of State said this in Limulunga district, when he paid a courtesy call on the Litunga, King Lubosi Imwiko the second at his palace.
President Lungu said that resuscitating the rice and livestock industry in the region is the best way of diversifying the economy.
He said the plants once established would create jobs for the people and help reduce poverty levels in Western Province.
President Lungu also
And Litunga’s representative Induna Twaleti commended President Lungu for his good leadership style.
The Litunga said Western Province and Limulunga in particular has received it’s share of national development.
He also praised the Head of State for being an advocate of gender equity through the appointment of Inonge Wina as republican Vice President.
The Head of State was accompanied to the palace by First Lady Esther Lungu, Vice President Inonge Wina, Western Province Permanent Secretary Mwangala Lyomba and senior government officials.
President Lungu later held private talks with the Lozi King.
The Football Association of Zambia has appointed South African Gordon Igesund as the new Chipolopolo Coach.
Highly placed sources at Football House and within the football fraternity have confirmed Igesund’s appointment.
But FAZ general secretary Ponga Liwewe refused to confirm or deny the development.
Liwewe however confirmed that an expatriate coach had been appointed and that he would only announce the name once personal terms and conditions had been concluded.
Igesund was among three coaches that the FAZ interviewed last week.
Born in 1956, Igesund played as a striker in his career before taking up the coaching role.
As coach, he won four PSL trophies with four different clubs and also bagged the BP Top Eight cup with Orlando Pirates and the SAA Super Eight with Sundowns in 2007.
Igesund’s Profile
Name in home country: Gordon George Igesund Date of birth: Jul 26, 1956 Place of birth: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Age: 60 Nationality: South Africa Term as coach:1,71 Years Points per match as manager:1,47 Success rate as coach:39,5 % Wins, 28,1 % Draw, 32,4 % Losses Trainer licence: UEFA A licence Preferred formation:4-4-2 double 6
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 19: Mwape Musonda of Golden Arrows celebrates during the Absa Premiership match between Golden Arrows and Polokwane City at Chatsworth Stadium on December 19, 2015 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images)
Zambian striker Mwape Musonda is not part of the plans at Orlando Pirates this season and is considering heading back home if he fails to get a move to another South African club.
Musonda spent the past season on loan at Golden Arrows but his stay there came to a premature end in April.
Though still under contract for another two years at Pirates, the 25 year-old has been informed by the club that he is not in the plans for the upcoming season and has since stopped training with the club.
“The club has indicated that I am not in the plans for the new season and that is understandable considering the issue of the number of foreign players at the club,” Musonda tells KickOff.com.
“I am currently training with Jazzy Queen’s (Harold Legodi) academy just to keep fit while waiting for a deal.
“If all fails here I will have to go back home because I really need to be playing.”
Pirates already have Edwin Gyimah, Issa Sarr, Tendai Ndoro and Bernard Morrison as foreign players, with one space being left open for the January transfer window, according to coach Muhsin Ertugral.
Two other foreign players Felipe Ovono and Yasser Mugerwa are also not in the plans at Bucs, and have since been placed on transfer.
Musonda was signed by Pirates at the beginning of last year and made just two substitute appearances under Eric Tinkler, before being loaned out to Arrows.
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema and UDF leader Miles Sampa addressing a rally at Villa Grounds in Livingstone
By Eurasia Group, the world’s largest political risk consultancy.
This election poses a bigger test for President Edgar Lungu than the by-election in January 2015 when he ran simply on former President Michael Sata’s legacy. He has lost many of his most charismatic supporters to Hichilema including Miles Sampa and Mulenga Sata, undermining his campaign that has increasingly relied on entertainers and payments to draw crowds.
Low turnout (32% nationwide) in the 2015 presidential election and the high number of newly registered voters this year present wildcards in the race.
Stronger turnout in Lungu strongholds like Muchinga and Luapula would undermine Hichilema’s chances. Roughly 1.7 million Zambians registered ahead of this election.
Lusaka, Southern and Copperbelt were the top three provinces in terms of new registrations — all three of these provinces will likely trend in Hichilema’s favor, helping him secure a first round victory.
The negative economic climate has been felt most strongly in the two largest provinces that brought the Patriotic Front to its first victory in 2011, Copperbelt and Lusaka. These two provinces will likely swing from supporting the ruling party to backing Hichilema’s UPND.
Other areas where Hichilema is likely to gain ground from a low base is in Northern, the home province of his vice presidential candidate, Geoffrey Mwamba. Even stronger backing from Hichilema’s home province of Southern (90% of voters backed him in 2015 with 49% turnout) will further support the opposition leader. Eastern, Muchinga, Luapula and Northern will likely remain firmly in the Patriotic Front’s camp and turnout will be critical to the overall outcome.
Government interference presents another wildcard. Interim president Guy Scott limited the ability of the government to use instruments of power in 2015. Lungu has clearly sought to use his incumbency advantage; blocking some opposition rallies and closing the opposition-supporting Post newspaper.
Despite this interference, opposition rallies have been well attended, especially in Copperbelt over the weekend and the Post continues to operate though at a more limited scale. In addition, Zambians voted out the incumbent in recent history. In 2011, despite similar practices, Rupiah Banda lost to Michael Sata.
Critically, the vote counting process under the Zambian Electoral Commission (ECZ), which lacks full independence, will be the key determinant of the contest.
Sporadic violence from both parties, despite the ECZ’s 10-day suspension of political campaigns in Lusaka and Namwala districts in July, will likely intensify over the last few days of the campaign and as votes are counted, but is unlikely to threaten national stability.
Zambia has a history of localized election violence, including significant riots in Lusaka in 2006 during the vote counting process when the opposition candidate at the time, Michael Sata’s lead evaporated and Levy Mwanawasa was announced the winner.
The election could extend into September if results are disputed or no candidate reaches a majority
The ZEC took four days to tally results in January 2015; once announced on 24 January Lungu was sworn in the following day.
New constitutional amendments will alter the timeline in this election, however. Vote counting will likely extend until Sunday, 14 August and in the event an outright winner is announced without a court challenge, the swearing in ceremony would take place the first Tuesday seven days following the announcement of the result.
Should the new 50%+1 threshold not be met, a second round would be required within 37 days of 11 August. If results are indeed challenged, a petition must be filed before the newly introduced Constitutional Court within seven days of a winner being declared, and the petition must be heard by the court within 14 days with a decision issued within 30 days.
In this context a winner would not necessarily be confirmed until the end of September, creating a long period of political uncertainty. The constitutional court is a new entity in Zambia, previous court challenges have not blocked the swearing in of a new president. How a challenge would be treated in terms of the swearing in of a new administration is unclear. It could go ahead in parallel with a challenge, likely sparking protest.
One undoubtedly positive result of the recent constitutional amendments is the inclusion of an elected vice presidential role. In the event that a president not be able to complete a full term, the vice president will now take over and complete the remainder of the term. This will eliminate what had become a common practice of snap presidential elections; held both in 2008 and in 2015 after the death of Levy Mwanawasa (August 2008) and Michael Sata (October 2014).
IMF deal likely, but not until December at the earliest
An IMF program is likely to follow a Hichilema victory, but only after the budget is presented in October. The IMF will insist that progress is made on reducing subsidies, especially on fuel and power tariffs though the later in installments after the deep political backlash to the 200%+ increase that Lungu introduced and swiftly reversed in January.
The program would likely run over three years with roughly $1 billion in financing over six disbursements. Under a less likely Lungu administration, a program would still be probable, but future disbursements would be in greater jeopardy as Lungu’s economic team would likely push back on some of the deeper structural reforms. If elections are perceived to have been fraudulent, the US may drag its heels on a deal over governance concerns, pushing the conclusion of a program well into 2017.
The Ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has said that it will respect the decision of the Constitutional Court Cabinet Ministers to vacate their position immediately.
In a statement made available to the media by the party’s media committee, the party said that today’s decision gives credence to a robust and independent judiciary that Zambia has where the courts can enter judgments against the state, contrary to assertions previously made by the Opposition.
Earlier today the Constitutional Court has ruled that Ministers and their Deputies are in office illegally following the dissolution of Parliament.
The Ministers and their Deputies have been ordered to pay back all the salaries and other allowances they illegally accrued.
Below is PF Full statement
WE RESPECT THE DECISION BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT- SUNDAY CHANDA, ON BEHALF OF THE PF INFORMATION COMMITTEE
Lusaka, 8th August 2016 – His Excellency President Edgar Lungu had earlier guided that his administration would respect the decision of the Constitutional Court on this matter. In respecting the rule of law, the Patriotic Front (PF) wishes to state that it will respect the decision of the Constitutional Court. It is on record that the PF under President Lungu delivered a people-driven constitution which also establishes the constitutional court.
The constitutional court plays an important role in, among other functions, the interpretation of ambiguous clauses whenever these arise. Today’s decision therefore gives credence to a robust and independent judiciary that Zambia has where the courts can enter judgments against the state, contrary to assertions previously made by the Opposition.
This is yet another confirmation that PF trusts and respects the doctrine of separation of power as the basis of our thriving democracy and the backbone of our governance.
There may be those across the political divide who may wish to mislead the general public on many aspects not pronounced by the judgment of the Constitutional Court. Some of these vehemently opposed the enactment of the new constitution, but this is expected. In this regard, we wish to inform members of the public that the vehicles are still part of the Ministers’ benefits as such nothing changes, and that Ministers will continue to use their own facilities for campaigns.
Lastly, the Constitutional Court’s ruling confirms that President Lungu has presided over very strong independent institutions with his outstanding record in further strengthening our governance structure. He has exhibited this by delivering the first people driven constitution in 50 yrs. This constitution is the basis of the court that today has demonstrated its independence and delivered this judgement.
It’s a proud moment for any leader to see the maturity of a structure or system that has been one of the milestones of his first 18 months.
Like the constitutional court PF also has confidence in an independent electoral process and administration thereof. In this regard, we must emphasize that other political parties should commit to respecting decisions of these independent institutions such as accepting the results of 11 August 2016, when they lose.
Zambians across the divide can therefore walk with their heads high being fully persuaded that indeed we are a country of laws and not of men.
SIGNED: SUNDAY CHANDA, on Behalf of the PF Information Committee
MAMBWE District Patriotic Front Chairperson, Imange Phiri, welcomes President Edgar Lungu at Mfuwe international airport in Mambwe district on Wdnesday. The President was in the area for a campaign meeting in Malambo constituency.
President Edgar Lungu has disclosed that he would release the former Barotse Activists/Liungadambo at an appropriate time.
President Lungu said he will not be coerced to pardon the activists but that he will do so at his discretion.
Addressing a campaign rally in Limulunga district, Mr.Lungu said erring members of society should be dealt with accordingly in an effort to maintain law and order in the nation.
“I have got room in my heart to forgive people but l will not be forced to do so. After the elections, I will look into the matter of the activists,” he said.
He dismissed assertions that he has got ‘sour’ relationship with the Barotse Royal Establishment, BRE.
Mr. Lungu urged people aggrieved people to utilise the BRE or the appropriate Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs and not resort to insulting him and government officials through incorrect platforms.
“We have got cordial relationship with the BRE and we’re dialoguing,” the President said.
He urged the people not to be swayed or blackmailed by wrong decisions from the opposition leaders.
The Head of State urged the electorate in Limulunga to vote ‘YES’ in the referendum so that people’s fundamental human rights are protected, guaranteed and enhanced in the constitution.
He urged the people to vote for him and all PF aspiring candidates in the August 11 elections.
“Campaign peacefully and l can rest assure you that lm winning,” Mr. Lungu said.
He challenged civil society organizations, the political parties, the chiefs and all stakeholders in Western Province in particular and Zambia as a whole to utilitise the remaining days to educate the masses on the importance of the referendum exercise.
Mr. Lungu said Zambia is admired by the international community for the unity and oneness exhibited by the people despite the many languages spoken.
Mr. Lungu castigated the opposition UPND for agitating violence in the country.
The Head of State however assured that police officers are there to sternly deal with the perpetrators of violence.
President Lungu also held a rally in Mongu as he drummed up support to his PF aspiring Members of Parliament, mayor and councillors.
And PF aspiring Mongu Central Member of Parliament, Joseph Mulyata pledged to develop and initiate new projects in his constituency. e
Information Minister Dr. Chishimba Kambwili when he addressed a mammoth rally at President’s Park in Kasama today. The Minister is in Northern Province to conduct a series of public rallies to explain government programmes.
Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili says government takes great exception to the conclusion drawn by International Press Institute (IPI) that the closure of The Post has been instigated by the PF government to forestall criticism during this election period.
In a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today Dr. Kambwili dismissed the conclusion as deeply flawed and recklessly injures the efforts of the PF administration in furthering democracy in Zambian.
Dr. Kambwili said the case of The Post is and has always been between the Zambia Revenue Authority and the paper itself.
He said the Post dragged the tax collector to court and subsequently lost at the highest level, the Supreme Court.
The Minister disclosed that overt and covert calls have been made on President Edgar Lungu to intervene so that The Post can continue to operate.
Dr. Kambwili said the President has refused to be drawn into the saga in line with government’s commitment of growing democracy by allowing institutions to exercise their legal mandates without interference from the executive arm of government.
He stressed that as PF, the party is determined to set in motion unstoppable wheels driving to an expanded democratic space contrary to previous regime efforts.
Dr. Kambwili said IPI like any other media advocacy institution will rarely pass a guilty verdict on a media house and will always seek to find an excuse no matter how farfetched it might appear to defend a paper, radio or television station.
The Chief government spokesperson pointed out that the IPI principle negates the fact that media houses are run by human beings capable of wrong like any other human being.
He said this principle has blinded some media rights bodies so intensely such that they can hardly see anything wrong in a journalist.
Dr. Kambwili said government refuses to be guided by such selective treatment of citizens and instead subject all and sundry to the same standard of right or wrong.
He further stated that to suggest that The Post has been closed for fear of its critical reporting is to think too highly of the paper because the PF administration cannot be intimidated by the so-called critical reporting of The Post because much of them were manufactured versions of the truth.
Dr. Kambwili who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services (MIBS) cited the case where he alleged that the post in conjunction with the UPND manufactured a story that the electoral Commission was registering foreigners to bolster PF’s chances of winning.
He said an independent audit has proved that the reports are fake and the hapless sources that were used and abused to pose as foreigners are on the run.
Dr. Kambwili wondered why the IPI report questions President Lungu’s democratic credentials when it is under the PF Government that the 50-year struggle to give Zambia an Independent Broadcasting Authority has become a reality.
The minister added that the PF administration stands at the threshold of giving Zambia the long-awaited and hard-fought-for Access To Information (ATI) should Zambia vote “yes” in the August 11 referendum, which the opposition, heavily supported by The Post, is campaigning against.
He said President Lungu has on several occasions campaigned for a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum because he believes in deepening the country’s democratic roots and expanding its scope.
Dr. Kambwili said President Lungu has campaigned that holding the referendum separately may risk a lower turn out and result in failure to meet the technical threshold of high numbers.
He said the Head of State places a high premium on human rights and democracy to the extent that he does not want to leave anything to chance.
Dr. Kambwili said to describe such a man as undemocratic and afraid of a newspaper is downright dishonesty and a deliberate ploy to frustrate the commitment of the Zambian people to a fair and just society.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
