Former President Edgar Lungu had a cordial meeting with Catholic Archbishop of Lusaka Dr Alick Banda and Emeritus Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu at his residence in Lusaka yesterday. The meeting, which lasted for a few hours, involved an exchange of notes on various national and spiritual matters.

In an interview after the meeting, Archbishop Dr Banda stated that the three leaders had a productive meeting, where they exchanged views on various issues affecting the nation. He further noted that church leaders are also national leaders and they must work together to address issues affecting the country.

Archbishop Dr Banda also expressed his happiness at meeting with Emeritus Archbishop Mpundu to dispel rumours and innuendos that the church was divided. He stated that the meeting helped to show that they were one church and one leadership.

Archbishop Mpundu also described the meeting as being brotherly, and he emphasized that the church’s mandate is to stand with and speak for the voiceless in the Christian community. He reiterated the church’s commitment to serve the community, noting that they must work together to address issues affecting the country.

Former President Lungu, who expressed his humbleness to be in the midst of “the two holy men,” stated that he sought counsel and guidance in his retirement. He noted that he enjoyed the company of Emeritus Archbishop Mpundu last week and was grateful for the opportunity to meet with both holy men yesterday.

Meanwhile, the President of the Socialist Party in Zambia, Fred M’membe, has expressed his concerns over what he called the government’s “targeting for destruction” of pillars that hold society together. In a statement issued on Sunday, M’membe warned that the government’s actions could have severe consequences for the country.

According to M’membe, the government has targeted Catholic Church leaders, relatively influential politicians, and civil society activists for “neutralization or destruction” since late 2021. He expressed concern that the government’s actions could lead to the deterioration of the country’s social fabric.

“The only sure way of getting the best or positive results is by doing the right things; delivering the essential services needed by our people and giving them a better and happier life,” M’membe said. He added that eliminating individuals or sending opponents to jail or early graves does not improve the living conditions of the people.

M’membe also expressed fears that the government was turning tyrannical and becoming a killing machine. “The ending of tyrants is always the same. They say those who live or rule by the sword perish by it,” he warned.

The Socialist Party President called on the government to focus on delivering essential services to the people and improving their lives instead of targeting individuals and groups that are critical of its policies. He also urged the government to respect human rights and uphold the rule of law.

The Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) has said incidents of violence recorded prior to the 20 April Ward By-Election in Chililabombwe and Serenje District and Mpolokoso can not only undermine the credibility of the by-elections but also have the potential to stir instability.

The ruling UPND won the three local government by elections with huge margins.

CCMG recruited, trained and deployed two Long-Term Observers to observe the pre-election environment in Chitimukulu Ward in Chililabombwe and Muchinda Ward in Serenje Districts and further recruited, trained and deployed eleven (11) election day monitors, stationed in 2 (two) polling stations of Chitimukulu Ward and nine (9) polling stations of Muchinda ward.

CCMG Steering Committee Chairperson Bishop Andrew Mwenda said all political parties should restrain their supporters by taking practical steps in educating their members on the Electoral Code of Conduct and to expel any party members perpetrating violence.

Bishop Mwenda said Police, Anti-Corruption Commission, and other relevant law enforcement agencies should act immediately and thoroughly investigate all reports of violence, intimidation and vote buying and arrest perpetrators irrespective of their political affiliation.

‘While the electoral environment leading to the by-elections was generally calm and peaceful, CCMG noted with concern serious incidents of violence in Muchinda ward of Serenje district, which if left unchecked, may not only undermine the credibility of the by-elections but also have the potential to stir instability. Our appeal goes to all political parties to restrain their supporters by taking practical steps in educating their members on the Electoral Code of Conduct and to expel any party members perpetrating violence and any violations of the Code, and party presidents and leadership should be quick to condemn any violent actions of their own supporters. Going forward, it is our expectation that the Electoral Commission of Zambia will take time to reflect on the many violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct by political parties without any sanctions thus far. This is an opportunity for the Commission to call for electoral reforms both legislative and administrative in order to address many underlying challenges with electoral management,” Bishop Mwenda said.

“Further, ECZ should take practical steps towards full implementation of the 2011 High Court Judgement of Sarah Brotherton vs ECZ in order to make elections more accessible to persons with disabilities. CCMG observed that in all polling stations, voters had to use steps to reach the polling station making it difficult for those using wheelchairs to independently access the polling station. Furthermore, CCMG calls on the Zambia Police, Anti-Corruption Commission, and other relevant law enforcement agencies to act immediately to thoroughly investigate all reports of violence, intimidation and vote buying and arrest perpetrators irrespective of their political affiliation. CCMG commends the voters who exercised their democratic rights in the 20 April by-elections. Finally, we thank our 2 LTOs who worked tirelessly to document events leading up to the poll and the 11 election day monitors who deployed to their polling stations at 05:30 and remained there until the announcement of the Councillor results,” he said.

The Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) is an alliance of four faith-based organisations formed to help promote credible elections through non-partisan citizen monitoring.

The CCMG partner organisations are Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ); Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ); Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections (JCTR); and Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), formerly the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), through Caritas Zambia.

“CCMG noted with great concern isolated incidents of violence in Muchinda Ward of Serenje District involving UPND and Socialist party supporters. CCMG recommends that the ECZ effectively enforce the electoral code of conduct by sanctioning those violating the code through disqualification and others sanctions as provided for in the law.Campaign Schedules: We commend the ECZ for sharing a detailed and well-timed campaign schedule in both Chitimukulu and Muchinda wards ahead of the by elections. We call on political parties/candidates to ensure strict adherence to campaign schedules, and on the ECZ to ensure strict enforcement of the same.Monitor Access: CCMG noted marked improvements on understanding of access requirements for monitors/observers by polling officials and commends ECZ for improved training of officials for this by-election. However, CCMG continues to urge the ECZ to adopt accreditation best practices as submitted by a consortium of CSOs in February 2022 to ensure the right of observers to monitor electoral processes is not restricted.Disaggregated Data: CCMG urges ECZ to provide more disaggregated data (gender, age and disability) of validly nominated candidates for future elections.Accessible Polling Stations: ECZ should take practical steps towards full implementation of the 2011 High Court Judgement of Sarah Brotherton vs ECZ in order to make elections more accessible to persons with disabilities. CCMG observed that in all polling stations, voters had to use steps to reach the polling station making it difficult for those using wheelchairs to independently access the polling station,” Bishop Mwenda said.

The Senior Clergy highlighted the key election day findings by CCMG.

“Based on reports from CCMG’s 11 Election Day Monitors and 2 Long-Term Observers, CCMG finds that both the Chitimukulu and Muchinda Councillor by elections followed the standard procedures for the set-up and opening, voting and counting processes. All of CCMG’s monitors were permitted to monitor. At 100% of the polling stations, polling officials checked the fingers of potential voters for indelible ink before voting and marked the voters’ fingers/thumbs with indelible ink before voting. At 100% of polling stations, no one voted without the requisite documents (NRC and voter ID) or had ink on their finger prior to voting. CCMG further noted that 27% of polling stations did not have Braille Jackets for blind voters while all other required materials were present at the start of voting.At polling stations with voters in the queue at 18:00 hours, all were given an opportunity to vote. PF and UPND party agents were present for counting at 100% of polling stations and at 91% of polling stations, polling agents for other parties (not PF or UPND) were present for counting. The party/candidates’ agents present in polling stations all agreed with the results, signed the results forms and each was given a copy. At all polling stations, ballot papers were counted at the polling station where they were cast; all ballot papers were shown to all party agents and monitors present so they could see how each ballot paper was marked; all ballot papers were sorted into individual piles by candidate. At 91% of polling stations, official results were posted outside for the public to see, however, the results were not posted at Mulilima Primary School-02 in Muchinga Ward, Serenje District,” Bishop Mwenda said.

The recent shortages of mealie meal in Zambia have sparked a debate over the role of socialism in the country’s economic policies. Mr Hakainde Hichilema, the current President of Zambia, once attributed the shortages of essential commodities under the Kaunda era to socialism. In response to this, Dr Fred M’membe, the President of the Socialist Party of Zambia, defended the socialist ideology, saying that socialism was not responsible for the shortages.

“It’s very sad that some key political leaders of our country don’t know or understand what caused shortages of cooking oil and other essential commodities during the last part of Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s reign,” Dr M’membe stated. “These leaders are out of ignorance attributing the shortages of many consumer goods under the Kaunda era to socialism.”

Dr M’membe went on to explain that the period of shortages was at the height of the liberation struggle in southern Africa when Zambia was blockaded and cut off from many neighboring countries. “Oil prices had shot up worldwide,” he added. “They had to start companies to produce their own cooking oil and other essential commodities. And these were the companies some of these leaders denigrating them today came to privatize at very exorbitant fees or commissions and enriched themselves.”

Dr M’membe argued that socialism was not responsible for the shortages of mealie meal in Zambia today. “Socialism is not about, or synonymous with, shortages of mealie meal, cooking oil, and other essential commodities,” he said. “Socialism is about a better and dignified life for all our people anchored on equity, solidarity, humility, and honesty and sovereignty of their homeland.”

Dr M’membe also pointed out the successes of socialist states like Cuba and Vietnam, which have managed to improve the lives of their citizens despite facing blockades and economic sanctions from the West. “Whatever their attempts to credit China’s achievements to capitalism, that is a great socialist state pursuing socialism with Chinese characteristics,” he said. “And this is what its leaders say. They attribute their economic successes to socialism.”

He added, “Capitalism has for centuries failed our people. Let them show us where capitalism has succeeded in Africa?”

Dr M’membe emphasized that Zambia needs a citizen-led economic development agenda which, under a socialist government, will be attained. “We want a Zambia where Zambians can have genuine businesses and not these crooked dealers, tenderpreneurs, and those who come to loot our resources and take the profits to offshore bank accounts,” he said.

In conclusion, Dr M’membe stated, “No matter what they say or do, socialism will one day triumph in our homeland.”