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ECZ director Priscilla Isaac s
AS the extended voter registration exercise came to an end yesterday, the Electoral Commission of Zambia says there has been a good turnout of potential voters, and they are likely to exceed their 1.7 million target.
In an interview yesterday, ECZ director Priscilla Isaac said the voter registration exercise will however, continue at civic centres across the country.
Ms Isaac said the commission, will open mobile voter registration for two weeks in March next year, to allow those who have missed the just-ended exercise to register.
“We will only be able to know the percentage of our target after we receive statistics from our various centres. We are confident, because last time we received statistics from registration centres, we were at 83 percent,” she said.
Mrs Isaac said the voter verification exercise will be conducted in July next year.
And Lusaka district voter education coordinator Brendah Katongola described the exercise as excellent. Ms Katongola said she was confident that Lusaka has exceeded its target considering the overwhelming response.
“We managed to capture a lot of people who missed the initial exercise,” she said.
Information that was released by the commission last week indicated that they had recorded 1,424,918 new registrations countrywide as at December 3 this year.
Public relations officer Raphael Phiri said the commission had further recorded 1,350,012 people updating their voters’ cards, while 33,120 have been recorded as notifications of deceased voters.
The number of voter applications processed countrywide therefore stood at 2,808,050, with Southern Province recording the highest at 456,867 followed by Lusaka with 446,902 while Muchinga recorded the lowest at 159,563.
Copperbelt Province recorded 334,066 while Eastern Province has 297,455 with Central recording 283,625. Others are Luapula with 196,769, Northern with 231,580 with North-Western recording 160,280 while Western has 240, 943.
Lunte Memberof Parliament Felix Mutati
LUNTE member of Parliament Felix Mutati says the agriculture sector has potential to resuscitate the economy during its difficult time if the diversification programme is well implemented.
“Government should address the issue of diversifying the economy from mining to agriculture in a systematic and pragmatic manner,” he said.
President Lungu recently launched an economic recovery plan that includes making agriculture the country’s economic mainstay.
Mr Mutati described 2015 as the most difficult year because of the economic challenges that have not only affected Zambia, but the world as a whole.
He said the weakening of the Kwacha against major currencies and the rise in inflation are some of the challenges facing the country
“We have seen prices of commodities going up because of the economic challenges the country has faced,’’ Mr Mutati said.
He commended President Lungu for announcing measures to arrest the economic challenges the country is facing.
He said the economic recovery plan as announced by President Lungu is good, but observed that good economic measures are usually frustrated at implementation level.
He said Government needs to ensure prudent implementation of its policies.
The former minister of Commerce and Industry said the mining sector will continue giving the country problems because of the unpredictability of metal prices on the international market.
He said the country needs to diversify its economic activities to offset the negative terms of trade in the mining industry.
Mr Mutati said Government should consider completing pending projects in the agriculture sector such as the Nansanga farm block in Serenje.
He said the tourism sector could also help boost Zambia’s economic activities if well-harnessed.
He further appealed to Government to adhere to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s austerity measures to regain investor confidence which is a critical factor in reviving the economy.
President Lungu with Mrs Wina and Ps Cabinet Ms Miyoba
PRESIDENT Lungu is this week expected to commission the over US$153 million 381 km 330 kilovolts Pensulo-Kasama transmission line.
Zesco spokesperson Henry Kapata said the project, which was executed through a loan facility from the Industrial Commercial Bank of China, has cost a total of US$153,826,305.
Mr Kapata said in an interview yesterday that the contract between Zesco and EPC Contractor TBEA Company Limited of China was signed in September 2010, while the effective contract date was on November 27, 2012.
He said prior to the commencement of the project, Luapula, Muchinga and Northern provinces were supplied with power through the existing 66kv transmission line.
“However, as demand grew in these areas, the 66kv line could no longer sustain quality power supply. This resulted in the aforementioned provinces experiencing extremely low voltages,” Mr Kapata said.
Mr Kapata said the project will increase the power transfer capacity and quality of supply to the three provinces and enhance energy-driven developmental projects.
He said the multi-million dollar project is also aimed at increasing international capacity trading with the East Africa Power Pool and Southern Africa Power Pool under the African Union/NEPAD Trans Territorial Energy Infrastructure Development.
Mr Kapata said another objective is to provide an enhanced and robust information communication technology (ICT) transmission corridor through the OPGW Optic Fiber cable that will enhance connectivity between the East African Community and Southern African Development Community and beyond.
He said the project will also support expansion in the mining, agriculture, manufacturing and other sectors through the provision of reliable power supply.
“It is worth noting that with the completion of this project, all the objectives have been realised and we look forward to witnessing the growth in economic and other developmental activities in the three provinces,” Mr Kapata said.
And Mr Kapata has dismissed assertions by some online media publications that some deaths were recorded at University Teaching Hospital (UTH) as a result of the recent countrywide power disruption.
Mr Kapata said contrary to the suggestions, UTH had successfully switched to its alternative power sources to sustain operations in critical sections of the country’s highest referral hospital.
Meanwhile, President Lungu is tomorrow expected to launch what will be the biggest tree plantation in Zambia in Chief Mukwikile’s area in Shiwang’andu district, Muchinga Province.
Special assistant to the President for press and public relations Amos Chanda confirmed the development in an interview yesterday.
Mr Chanda said the launch of the plantation will create jobs to the locals and add to the culture of protecting the environment.
Meanwhile, Muchinga Province Minister Mwimba Malama has said the plantation will boost the economy of the province.
Chishimba Kambwili with Amos Chanda at Statehouse Press Briefing
GOVERNMENT says the Patriotic Front (PF) has proved critics wrong by delivering the constitution as promised to the Zambian people.
Chief government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili said in an interview yesterday that some people were speculating that the PF wanted to remove clauses such as 50 percent-plus-one vote and presidential running mate.
“We have given the Zambian people what they demanded within the said time. We must be appreciated because we have delivered on time,” he said.
Mr Kambwili said the PF disapproved clauses on provincial assemblies, proportional representation and appointment of ministers outside Parliament because of the cost implications.
He said more money would have been spent on building infrastructure for provincial assembly offices and the additional members of Parliament.
Mr Kambwili said Government would rather have the money spent on teacher, health personnel and agriculture extension officers’ recruitment.
He said in its drive to diversify economic activities, Government also wants to invest more money in the agriculture sector.
Mr Kambwili said the PF should be given a pat on the back for delivering the constitution as promised.
“I am surprised that the United Party for National Development and the grand coalition are quiet even after being given the constitution which they demanded,” he said.
Mr Kambwili said the PF government means well for the Zambian people as can be seen by what it has done.
Wynter Kabimba
Rainbow Party President Wynter Kabimba says he has big plans aimed at transforming Zambia’s mining sector.
Mr. Kabimba says if elected into office, he will encourage state participation in the mining sector to promote small scale mines and not nationalize.
Mr. Kabimba says he will introduce clear legislation to separate large scale mining and small scale mining as well as provide finance capital to Zambian engaged in small scale mining.
He says his government will translate government policy into legislation to encourage private investment and promote dialogue with mining companies.
Mr. Kabimba says another issue that his government will focus on is training experts in mining law, accounts and taxation.
The Rainbow Leader states that he will also introduce legislation for equitable retrenchment packages.
Green Party leader Peter Sinkamba
Green party president Peter Sinkamba says the passing of the dual citizenship clause in the constitution bill presents great economic benefits to the country if correctly harnessed.
Mr. Sinkamba says Zambia, like many countries in the region has large diaspora overseas, with substantial Diaspora savings that could be mobilized for development financing citing that According to the World Bank, in addition to the large annual flows of remittances, migrants living in high income countries are estimated to hold savings in excess of $500 billion annually.
He says these savings represent a huge pool of funds that developing countries, including Zambia, can do much more to tap into.
He says the Green Party Diaspora Policy is structured to tap into diaspora taxes, remittances and savings adding that the entry point will be taking a census of Zambians in the diaspora.
Mr. Sinkamba says the next step will be to enter into bilateral agreements with host governments on taxes, remittances and savings, especially that dual citizenship is now legal in Zambia.
He states that the Green Party policy is intended to reverse the trend whereby official development assistance (ODA) is larger than remittance stressing that they plan to make diaspora remittances to be much more stable than either foreign direct investment or private financing flows.
He further points out that they also plan to ensure that government accounting and budgeting system in Zambia captures the remittances.
IRATE miners pointing and shouting at their union leaders
Governance activist David Kapoma has bemoaned the current economic state of the Copperbelt. He said what is happening on the Copperbelt is the exact opposite of what the Patriotic Front promised the Zambian people during the 2011 campaigns. Mr.Kapoma said PF promised more jobs, lower taxes, and more money in our pockets, but what we have seen instead is more suffering and misery the Zambian people are going through.He said after over 50 years after independence we do not have economic freedom as a country and Zambians are living in abject poverty as if we are still under our colonial masters. He proposed that government should promote diversification in the mining sector,grant “emergency loans” to small scale local mining companies and create an enabling environment for new businesses to flourish on the Copperbelt.
Below is the full press statement
Members of the Press, Zambia has continued to face challenges in various sectors of the economy due to poor leadership and failure by successive governments to respond to the root causes of the problems we are faced with. Among the sectors that have been affected is the mining sector which always suffers as a result of various reasons one of them being the dwindling copper prices at the international market.
President Edgar Lungu admitted during his press conference that job losses in the mining sector were inevitable owing to the many challenges the sector is facing. He said government could not prevent mining companies from rationalizing their labour force as part of the survival strategy to forestall possible closure all together.
We are now over fifty (50) years after independence and yet we do not have economic freedom as a country. Our people are living in abject poverty as if we are still under our colonial masters.
The situation on the Copperbelt will have long term negative repercussions not only on the country’s economy but also on the lives of the former miners who have been laid off. The government tried its level best to try and serve jobs in the mines but their best was not good enough and did not produce the expected results.
I can only conclude that our government is not skilful enough to deal with the challenges our country is facing.
Members of the press, I address you this morning as an ordinary citizen concerned about the lives of those who have lost their jobs, their families and the people they look after. People here on the Copperbelt have seen increased levels of poverty, especially with the hike in prices of essential commodities such as mealie meal and electricity tariffs. Most ex-miners therefore, should brace themselves for harder times as I can only predict that the situation will not improve any time soon.
It is very sad that very soon we shall be celebrating Christmas and yet others will have to do so on empty stomachs. Schools will be opening in January and they will have no money to pay for their children’s school fees and buy uniforms, yet the people we entrusted to manage our economy will be enjoying themselves drinking expensive whiskeys, partying, throwing away leftovers, going for holidays in foreign countries and when January comes they will be sending their children abroad for school. Ladies and gentlemen these are realities we are always afraid to talk about.
What is happening on the Copperbelt is the exact opposite of what the Patriotic Front promised the Zambian people during the 2011 campaigns. We were promised more jobs, lower taxes, and more money in our pockets, but what we have seen instead is more suffering and misery the Zambian people are going through.
The current economic state on the Copperbelt is desperate and calls for concerted efforts from all stakeholders, INCLUDING opposition political parties in order to sustain existing operations and avert the continuation of the current spate of suspensions and Job losses in the mining industry. I want to urge President Edgar Lungu to open up to advice given to him by various stakeholders and put the interest of the people first. And those close to the president, please start telling the head of state the truth and avoid telling him only what you think he wants to hear.
Members of the Press, I wish to warn the PF Administration that the Copperbelt province risks becoming a huge white elephant left for tourism purposes if they do not embrace dialogue and ideas coming from other stakeholders. They will be the ones to pack their bags next year as the people of Zambian have the powers to do so using the secret ballot. The PF should be alive to the realities on the ground, and the fact is that there are no guarantees come 2016.
The PF government has maintained its stance that most of the challenges our country is facing are due to external factors. The President fortunately reminded us and confirmed that the buck stops at him. These external factors ladies and gentlemen have crippled the Zambian economy resulting in increased poverty levels across the country and the worst ever loss of jobs in the mining industry in a very short space of time. In this vein I expect the PF Administration to stop heaping the blame on the external factors and show leadership in mitigating the economic difficulties our country is facing.
Members of the press, the PF ministers have not helped President Lungu in providing direction in resolving the economic challenges the country is facing. It is very disturbing that offices like that of the Finance Minister, the Bank of Zambia governor and advisors to the head of state have lamentably failed to provide solutions to mitigate the economic challenges. The PF ministers have been concentrating on politicking and making money for themselves while the people who voted for them are suffering.
On a positive note, it is not my nature to just condemn and ignore the good things that the government is doing. Even if I do not entirely agree that we should be building roads with borrowed money. I want to commend the PF administration for finally listening to the cries of the people on the Copperbelt province. For a very long time the province has been neglected in terms of infrastructure development, and therefore the move by the government to build roads in the province is a very welcome move. I only hope that the projects will be done in a prudent manner and corrupt free.
Members of the Press, in my conclusion, I want to make the following recommendations to the government that I feel will create new opportunities in the province and help sustain operations in the mining sector.
1. Government should grant “emergency loans” to small scale local mining companies’ to help them scale up production as a way of creating new employment opportunities in the Mining sector. I note with concern that all the mining companies laying off workers are foreign owned and do not have the interest of Zambians at heart. They are here for profit making and will always pull out when faced with challenges.
I believe that empowering local people to own mining companies would help in creating and sustaining employment for the Zambian people. In as much as we are trying to promote diversification of the Zambian economy, Zambia’s dependency on mining will not reduce any time soon hence the call to involve local people in the sector.
2. The government should promote diversification in the mining sector. Here I am talking about gemstones like emeralds and green Tomalin and many others. It is unfortunate members of the press that mining in Zambia is always associated with copper production. There are a lot of minerals that can be mined in this country other than copper. Just here on the Copperbelt, we have Kagem mine, the world’s single largest emerald producing mine. Zambia could have been earning foreign exchange through the export of other minerals such as emeralds when copper prices dwindle on the international market.
3. Government should create an enabling environment for new businesses to flourish on the Copperbelt. This I believe ladies and gentlemen that will provide an opportunity for those who have lost jobs in the mining sector to find new opportunities other than in the construction and agricultural sectors which the President wants former miners to take advantage of. This may include increasing the small scale businesses taxable income thresholds in order to help them stay in business and plough their extra income back into their companies.
These measures ladies and gentlemen if implemented will help restore fiscal sustainability and macroeconomic stability on the Copperbelt, as well as help avert the expected exodus of ex miners who might be moving to other provinces to seek employment opportunities in other sectors of the economy.
As mentioned earlier in my speech, the President needs to open up to advice given to him by various stakeholders and put the interest of the people who put him in office first. We should not allow politicians to continue making money for themselves while the people who voted for them are suffering. Ladies and gentlemen need to STOP this.
The fertiliser distribution to Farmers has started , in the picture, Kabwe District Commissioner (DC) Patrick Chishala (right) with Kabwe District Cooperative Union Chairperson Gabriel Ngosa (left) during the flagging off the Fertiliser distribution exercise in kabwe
Some farmers in Western Province’s Nkeyema district have cried foul over the manner the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) is being implemented in the locality and have now called for the programme to be entirely terminated.
The irate farmers complained that some growers, particularly those who hold portfolios in the area’s cooperatives, were being allocated more farmer input packs than others.
But the Ministry of Agriculture in Nkeyema district has allayed the farmers’ accusations and explained that there are no farmer groups who are being allocated more packs than others under FISP or any other such government programme.
The farmers, who sought anonymity for fear of victimisation, alleged that the trend has been that some farmers are being allocated one to two packs each; while others were being given as much as 90 input packs much to the disadvantage of the majority.
But reacting to the farmers’ complaints, Nkeyema district marketing and development officer, Orick Chinyemba, said that what determines the amount of input packs each cooperative receives was the number of members it has as well as how active they were.
The farmers talked to said the unfair development is principally rife in Nkeyema district’s Munkuye area were office holders in the cooperatives there are benefitting more than others and wondered what criteria was being employed in the allocation of the inputs.
The farmers alleged that the office holders in some of the cooperatives are reaping more packs under FISP to the point that they end up selling them as they cannot utilise everything they receive.
The farmers said that the unfair distribution of packs under FISP was negating the very purpose of the programme and should thus be scrapped-off so that all farmers could compete on a level and fair playing field.
He said that the Ministry of Agriculture does not determine the number of input packs allocated to each farmer and explained that that task is the preserve of the Camp Agricultural Committee (CAC)).
Mr Chinyemba said that once the District Agricultural Committee (DAC), which comprises of different government departments and farmer groups, decides on the quantities to be allocated to each farming block and camp, the CAC ultimately allocates to the individual farmer cooperatives.
He said Nkeyema district received 5,903 farming input packs for the 2015/2016 farming season instead of the usual 8,700 input packs, but was quick to point out that the area is in the process of receiving an extra of 3,000 packs – which will cater for the deficit.
Mr Chinyemba said that a pack of farming inputs under FISP consists of two 50 kilogrammes basal dressing fertilisers (‘D’ Compound), two 50 kilogrammes of top dressing fertilisers (Urea) as well as one 10 kilogramme bag of seed.
He said that each farmer gets one pack each and no farmer is entitled to more than one pack as alleged by some farmers and called on those with information of any malpractice to report to the relevant authorities.
United party for national Development(UPND) Secretary General Stephen Katuka has reacted to Sunday Chanda’s comments that UPND President Hakainde Hichilema was scared of the 50%+1 and the Presidential running mate clause. In a statement released to the media, the UPND Secretary general said that his party is going to win the 2016 margin by a huge margin that even this 50% + 1 will not count.
” HH has been consistent in 50% +1; we are going to win 2016 by a huge margin that even this 50% + 1 will not count. If they had wanted they would have even gone 80% + 1 we would still be fine, ” Mr Katuka said.
Below is the full statement
Official Statement
12th December 2015
We were not surprised to see chatterbox Sunday Chanda being quoted by the Daily Nation saying, “HH is against 50% plus 1.” First and foremost a good paper would have called HH to verify this outrageous claim from Sunday Chanda.
Secondly the media that published the story should have asked Sunday where HH issued such a statement or said anything to that effect. But we feel duty bound to set the record straight.
First what did the people of Zambia want in that constitution, they wanted a provincial assembly, they wanted Ministers to be appointed from outside parliament, they wanted the state to be under obligation to provide fair and justiciable education, health and shelter systems, where if they failed the citizens would take them to court.
The latter elements of the right to education, health, shelter, water etc. are the things contained in the Bill of Rights, which cannot and will never be discussed in parliament; this is the first blunder the ignorant Sunday Chanda must address.
In the second reading we told Ngosa Simbyakula to withdraw this bill because experience and foresight taught us that this constitution was going to be manipulated and true to our fears, changes were made. So were we not right? We are telling this ignorant Sunday Chanda that we were fighting for the rights of the Zambians to be preserved. Sunday Chanda would have been a beneficiary of a robust bill of rights which essentially would have given the people power to hold the Government accountable.
Instead of people like him failing to go to school because they cannot afford the fees, and end up being political hoodlums and sycophants surviving on political patronage, Sunday Chanda would have benefitted from the economic rights we were fighting for during second reading. But what do we get for a thank you, we get lies from Sunday Chanda. HH has been consistent in 50% +1; we are going to win 2016 by a huge margin that even this 50% + 1 will not count.
If they had wanted they would have even gone 80% + 1 we would still be fine. To illustrate how foolish his comment is about 50% + 1, there was nothing to vote against while in parliament as the PF never proposed any amendments in respect of articles 47 and 101 on the draft constitution so what is Sunday Chanda dreaming about?
Our advice to everyone is simple, stop listening to Sunday Chanda and his gang, their specialty is misinformation as they did “Don’t Kubeba” on you in 2011, they will do the same in 2016.
They are liars and they lie without shame, that is the problem, they are liars without a conscious and here they are adulterating the constitution for their own benefit by taking away a critical component of self-Government which was the proposed a provincial assembly. The reason is simple, they want to continue stealing at the center and people like Sunday will continue being sycophants serving selfish politicians. Vote UPND for a leadership that is honest and has integrity.
Chipolopolo defender Christopher Munthali has confirmed that he will leave Power Dynamos before the 2016 season kicks off.
Lusaka Times understands that Munthali’s contract at Power ends this month.
Munthali was instrumental at Arthur Davies Stadium this season after returning from a loan spell at Nkana. “I will know by January 1 where I will be going. I have not yet decided which team I will be joining.
That will be made clear in two or three weeks. But I am certain of leaving Power Dynamos,” he said.
Munthali has attracted interest from South African clubs, Zesco United and Nkana.
Meanwhile, Munthali was on Friday night named 2015 Power Dynamos Player of the Year during the club’s end of year gala and awards night in Kitwe.
“I am thankful to the coaches, players and club officials for choosing me as the best player at the club last season.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
The Power of Peace
No matter what may be going on all around you today, you can still live in perfect peace. Peace isn’t about what’s going on around you, it’s about what’s going on in you. It says in today’s verse, “do not let your heart be troubled.” That tells us that we have control over whether or not our hearts our troubled. You shouldn’t focus on all the negative things in this world to the point that it steals your peace.
If you have fear, worry or anxiety about anything, recognize that those feelings aren’t from God. He has promised to give you a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. There is tremendous power in peace. When you are at peace internally, you can think more clearly. You can hear the voice of God more easily. You’ll make better decisions. Even your physical body responds to peace. The enemy knows this, and his goal is to steal your peace. He tries to set you up to get upset. But when you choose peace, then no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Keep your mind stayed on Him every day because there is tremendous power in peace!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for Your gift of peace in my life. I choose to hold it close to me always. I receive Your Word as truth and life to my soul in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
MMD President Nevers Mumba addressing Briefing at MMD Secretariat on 11th December 2015
Movement for Mult-Party Democracy MMD President Nevers mumba has alleged that the Patriotic Front Government had no intentions to give the Zambian People a new constitution.
Speaking at a press briefing to day, The MMD President saluted the efforts of opposition political parties, the Grand Coalition and many Zambians who he said had consistently applied pressure on the PF to deliver the constitution.
Below is the full Press briefing
Members of the Media Fraternity; MMD National Secretary; MMD Members of Parliament present; Members of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy; Our Party supporters; Ladies and Gentlemen.
On this very momentous occasion, a day after a very historic event in the history of our nation, I wish to sincerely congratulate all MMD Members of Parliament for having stayed the course, fighting off fatigue and sleep, staying awake through the night to work and ensure that the process which finally resulted in the delivery of key progressive Constitutional clauses as demanded by the people of Zambia, were finally delivered.
The history of this outcome starts from the failed 90 day promises of the Patriotic Front government. When it became clear to all Zambians that the promise to deliver the constitution in 90 days was an open lie to hood-wink voters, the MMD and other civil society organizations began to demand for a road map of realizing the national dream of the constitution.
PF had no intentions to give the Zambian people a new constitution. We therefore salute the efforts of opposition political parties, the Grand Coalition and many Zambians who have consistently applied pressure on the PF to deliver the constitution.
The outcome of today has been due to the sustained pressure placed on the PF to at least give us clauses which would assist us in ensuring that the next election is conducted in an atmosphere of expanded liberties. MMD has supported this route by using common-sense that if we did not support it, we would not have attained the victory of the 50%+1 and Running Mate clauses. This is only the first step towards getting all that Zambians have been demanding over the years.
MMD understood that going the way of a census and a referendum, which was going to require the participation of at least 50% of eligible voters was not going to be attainable in the time available before the 2016 elections. This has been our party position and I am proud of all those MMD MPs who struggled hard and long to grab these clauses out of the clenched fist of the PF.
We, the MMD, as initiators of the process through the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) under the Levy Mwanawasa presidency, our dear late President who coined the now popular phrase that “We shall not govern our country according to laws of men, but according to the rule of Law” are extremely delighted that the end of this very long journey is now in sight.
By what transpired in Parliament yesterday and into this morning, our gallant lawmakers have fulfilled the old-age adage which says, ‘Half a loaf of Bread is better than nothing.’ This indeed was why we, the MMD, opted and promoted the ‘piece-meal’ approach to the Constitution-making process as opposed to what we believe would have been a longer, more difficult and expensive Referendum route which offered no guarantees of success and was at risk of having the entire process abandoned with nothing achieved.
We are therefore delighted that as a party, we have remained focused and consistent and provided strong leadership, direction and a sense of clear purpose in making history to enact clauses that Zambians have looked forward to over a very long period of time.
We are happy to have been part of the historical effort to realize and fulfill the Zambian dream of having the 50%+1 clause which will now avoid putting a minority president to rule over the majority. To have the Presidential running mate clause which will avoid wastage of resources when an incumbent Head of State becomes incapacitated and unable to effectively execute presidential duties or indeed dies in office. This new clause will provide for a seamless, cost-effective and swift transfer of power to the running mate without the heavy expense of a presidential by-election as has happened in our country before.
Ladies and gentlemen, millions of Zambians are currently living in the diaspora and have acquired new nationalities, but trapped there, unable to fully enjoy the privileges and rights of their natural heritage as Zambians. With the enactment of the clause on Dual citizenship, a door has now been swung wide open for them to come home without cumbersome immigration complications and procedures.
Zambia has finally joined the many progressive countries who have this clause in place which allows their nationals the right and liberty to enjoy full privileges and ability to invest back home. Key among the Clauses that were close to our hearts as MMD are as follows:
1. 50%+1 electoral system which ensures that we shall now have a majority president unlike the overturned system where a candidate could become president even with 10% of the vote as long as he or she had the highest vote.
2. Presidential Running Mate Clause to prevent a by-election in case the sitting president is no longer able to continue in office.
3. Dual Citizenship for Zambians to make it easier for Zambians with foreign passports in the diaspora invest back home.
4. Strengthening of the Auditor General’s office to effect prosecutions of erring civil servants.
5. Mandatory national Debt contraction through parliament to prevent the current situation where Cabinet can just borrow anyhow and leave future generations in perpetual debt.
6. The Supplementary Appropriation Act to prevent spending money that has not been pre-approved by parliament.
7. Preventing Parliamentary defections and crossing the floor in an effort to bring order to the House and eliminate costly, unnecessary by-elections.
With the 2016 General Elections just a few months away, we the MMD sounded our intention to support these progressive and straight-forward Clauses as espoused during the Presidential debate just prior to the January 2015 Presidential election. We were of the view then and now that these clauses were of paramount importance since they directly hinged on elections and therefore important inclusions for us as a country going forward.
With all these positive indications said about the process, we are however not blind to the fact that there were heated and tense moments during the debate, occasionally drawing strong and sharp exchanges on the floor of the House, particularly during the debate on the Provincial Assemblies and the Proportional Representation voting system which have been set aside for now. This is positive for the advancement of democracy.
The comfort we would like to bring to the people of Zambia, is that all is not lost in fact a lot has been gained. If we remain as focused, single-minded and resolute as we have been during the just ended process, there is no doubt that every clause that the Zambians want will eventually be enacted into Law in due course.
Finally countrymen, my sincere desire is that no side should feel vanquished and the other side as winners. The real winners in this entire process are the people of Zambia whom we all aspire to serve selflessly.
As a nation, let us now forge ahead as one people as we look to scoring greater achievements and successes for the betterment of the lives of our people.
HAKAINDE HICHILEMA SCARED OF 50+1 AND PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING MATE – STATEMENT BY SUNDAY CHANDA, VICE CHAIRPERSON, PF MEDIA AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE
We commend His Excellency President Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu fulfilling a promise that has alluded Zambians from 24th October 1964 to do with a people-driven constitution. Zambians recall that Constitution Review Commissions came and went but they never crystallized into law. This is a promise President Lungu is steadily fulfilling.
Zambians can trust that President Lungu means well on the Constitution and they will not be making a mistake in trusting him on the Bill of Rights and the Referendum alongside the 2016 General Elections.
In this regard, it is befitting to commend Her Honour the Vice President Madam Inonge Wina in her capacity as leader of Government business in the House for the commendable work she did. We also commend the Members of Parliament from both the Patriotic Front (PF) and the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) who debated all night long into today, clause by clause the constitution amendment bill number 17 of 2015 before passing the bill with amendments. That is dedication to national duty.
Zambians must be wondering why the United Party for National Development (UPND) its Members of Parliament (MPs) to vote against the Constitution Amendment Bill of 2015. The reason is that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema knows the 50+1 clause will disadvantage any leader like him who leads a political regional sect. Further, the tribal factor in the UPND will not allow either of Mr. Hichilema’s two Deputy Presidents to be a running mate.
This is because they would never allow UPND to be led by any other person but a Southerner. Mr. Hichilema may not admit it but he is scared of his two deputy Presidents for the running mate. Zambians also look forward to the day when Mazabuka UPND MP Garry Nkombo will be eat a humble pie over his remarks that Tongas will change Government next year because in his wisdom he pitched one tribal grouping against the rest in an election that must be won by 50+1.
It will be interesting to watch Mr. Hichilema’s desperation in the days that lie ahead considering that even on other fronts, he has exhibited very poor judgement. He has taken to using the global commodity decline and slump as a blunt political instrument to criticize President Lungu despite his efforts to act and save jobs. Mr. Hichilema did not know that the miners he went to tell lies on the Copperbelt Province where more intelligent than he is.
He prescribed Anglo American as the Saviour for the Copperbelt and Mines in general because Glencore retrenched 4000 workers but his medicine, Anglo American plc, the world’s 5th largest mining company has taken harsh measures that will 85,000 workers lose their jobs instantaneously. We shudder to imagine Mr. Hichilema’s judgment had this happened on his “watch” because this could have meant retrenching everyone on the Copperbelt. Indeed it is by God’s providence that some people will never become Presidents.
THERE is no rift between me and MMD president Nevers Mumba, says MMD Lunte Member of Parliament, Felix Mutati.
He said the MMD needed to remain united, adding that at the moment there was no vacancy in the office of the MMD party presidency.
“At the moment there is no vacancy for president in the MMD. Dr. Mumba is still our duly elected president,” he said.
He said there was no need for any fighting between himself and Dr. Mumba and instead all MMD members should fight to strengthen the former ruling party ahead of next year’s elections.
“What we should fight for is the rebuilding of the party which we all love so much. What members should understand is that there are no Mutati or Nevers people in the MMD but MMD family members,” Mr. Mutati said.
He said there was no need to allow for another fragmentation which the party endured during the January 20 Presidential elections.
Mr Mutati warned that any attempt by party leaders and members to fragment the former ruling party would break the party ahead of the Presidential and parliamentary elections next year.
“The fragmentation in the party will break the MMD and therefore dilute its relevance in the political landscape of the nation,” he said.
Mr Mutati said as guided by the ideals and values that underpin the democratic dispensation of the MMD, the issue of the convention would be dealt with by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
He explained that the MMD was a party of rules and the issues of holding of the convention would be dealt with by the NEC at an opportune time in accordance with rules and regulations of the party constitution.
Mr. Mutati said the culture of addressing party issues in the media should not be permitted and that the party should sort them out on their own.
“As MMD we must not permit the culture of addressing our internal challenges through the media. Regardless of the difficulties and disappointments we may have, we need to resolve these issues in our traditional manner, which is a family way,” he said.
Mr. Mutati appealed to the general membership to take note that he would be issuing statements on matters of the party when necessary and would continue to support the party.
“For the sake of decency and order I would like to tell party members that I will be issuing statements on matters relating to the party when appropriate,” he said.
