Zambia’s New Dawn government has announced its plans to revive stalled solar milling plants owned by cooperatives, according to Minister of Small Medium Enterprise Elias Mubanga. During his tour of solar milling plants, the Minister found that many were not operational due to a lack of resources and capacity. Mubanga assured cooperatives that a lasting solution aimed at boosting the production of mealie meal, a Zambian staple food, will soon be rolled out. The Ministry is already in talks with a Technical Company that has expressed interest in offering technical assistance to enable the cooperatives to operationalize the machinery to full capacity.

Additionally, the Ministry will soon roll out a program aimed at supporting cooperatives that benefitted from the solar milling plants in order to boost their maize production and mealie meal production capacity. The solar milling plants were established to enable cooperatives to engage in more sustainable business ventures that enable them to contribute effectively to the economy. However, during the Minister’s visit, cooperatives highlighted some challenges, including a lack of spare parts, maintenance capacity, resource capacity, and batteries to operate the machinery under varied weather conditions.

The government has acknowledged the current food deficit in the country and has since stopped any export of maize and mealie meal. Defence Minister Ambrose Lufuma announced at a joint media briefing in Lusaka that the defence and security wings have been directed to intensify patrols on the Copperbelt and Northern circuit where smuggling of mealie meal is rampant. Anti-smuggling teams have been formed in all affected districts, and the Zambia National Service and Zambia Correctional Service have been directed to deliver more mealie meal to the Copperbelt, Northern circuit, and other needy areas to stabilize prices.

Meanwhile, Lufuma clarified that the intended import of mealie meal from South Africa will not service the local market but will be exported directly to the Democratic Republic of Congo under security escort. Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu also revealed during the briefing that he has received reports that farmers near border areas have sold their unharvested maize fields to foreigners. The government’s efforts to revive stalled solar milling plants and stabilize the mealie meal prices demonstrate its commitment to addressing the country’s food deficit and supporting local cooperatives.

Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu was reportedly ready to hand over power to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Patrick Matibini, when a petition was brought against him in 2016. This revelation was made during a conversation between Lungu and human rights activist Brebner Changala, as part of a series of discussions by Amos Malupenga with memorable personalities. The discussion also touched on the transition period after Lungu lost power to current President Hakainde Hichilema in August 2021.

Lungu emphasized that he freely conceded defeat and offered to help his successor in whatever way possible to ensure a smooth transition. He also discussed the events of the 2016 elections and the debate that ensued, suggesting that he was ready and willing to hand over power to the Speaker during the time the opposition pursued a petition against his re-election in the Constitutional Court.

Lungu further stated that he had summoned Dr. Matibini to State Lodge with the intention of handing over power to him. However, after a long discussion, Speaker Matibini advised against it as there was no legal basis. The Attorney General shared this view. Lungu continued to serve during the petition period, and he expressed that he was falsely accused of holding on to power illegally.

The conversation between Lungu and Changala lasted for over three hours and touched on various cross-cutting governance issues.

The Christian Church Monitoring Group (CCMG) has challenged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct without fear by invoking provisions of the law against any candidate or political party whose actions threaten peaceful and credible elections.

Some pockets of political related violence have been recorded in Chililabombwe and Serenje ahead of next week’s Ward by-elections.

Campaigns have heightened in Muchinda Ward of Serenje Town Council in, Chitimukulu Ward of Chililabombwe Town and Katilye Ward of Lupososhi Town Council in readiness for the ward by-elections.

CCMG Programme Manager Peter Mwanangombe said there is a need for peaceful campaigns and strict adherence to the Electoral Code of Conduct ahead of next week’s ward by elections in Chililabombwe and Serenje.

Mr. Mwanangombe said the faith based organisation condemns the violence reported in Serenje district in Muchinda ward and Chitimukulu Ward of Chililabombwe.

“CCMG Calls for Peaceful Campaigns, Professional Conduct of Law Enforcement Agents and Strict Adherence to the Electoral Code of Conduct Ahead of the Serenje and Chililabombwe 20 April 2023 Ward By-Elections 11 April 2023 As campaigns continue in Serenje and Chililabombwe districts ahead of the 20 April 2023 ward by-elections, CCMG would like to strongly condemn the violence in Serenje district in Muchinda ward. On 8th April 2023 our Long Term Observer in Muchinda ward reported having heard of two incidents of violence. In the first incident, UPND supporters allegedly attacked the Socialist Party President Dr. Fred M’membe and his party supporters at a campaign rally in Mulilima village in Muchinda. At the same time, CCMG is greatly concerned with the use of a firearm by Dr. Fred M’membe in public and the alleged assault of UPND members,” Mr. Mwanangombe stated.

Mr. Mwanangombe said there is a need for all stakeholders to support peaceful campaigns prior to elections.

“We are deeply concerned with the violence reported by our LTOs in Serenje in which UPND supporters caused damage to Socialist Party material and vehicles and we condemn the occurrence; equally, we are dismayed by the use of a firearm by Dr. M’membe and the consequent reported assault of UPND supporters”. In another related incident, our monitor reported that on 9th April 2023 UPND supporters stormed and attacked the Socialist Party constituency office in Mulilima Village in Muchinda ward where they made away with campaign materials belonging to the Socialist Party. CCMG calls on the Electoral Commission of Zambia to enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct without fear by invoking provisions of the law against any candidate or political party whose actions threaten peaceful and credible elections. Equally, the Zambia Police have a duty to provide security, maintain law and order and enforce the law. Our expectations of the Zambia Police therefore are that they perform their duties diligently without fear or favor and that they investigate all acts of violation of the Electoral Code of Conduct without discrimination,” he said.

Mwanangombe urged voters not to engage in any electoral malpractice including selling or offering to sell their voter’s cards and or NRCs ahead of the ward by-elections.

“We call on the police to prosecute those involved in violence to the full extent of the law, and we call on the ECZ to invoke provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct against the two parties who clearly violated the Code’s provisions in the Electoral Process Act. CCMG would like to encourage the media to continue providing equal access and coverage to all political parties and contesting candidates. Media is not only a key stakeholder in the electoral process but a key carrier of political messages. CCMG urges the media to unreservedly and impartially play its key role of providing space for all the political parties and candidates to interact with electorates in order to allow entrenchment of democratic governance through the electoral process in our country. CCMG calls on all stakeholders to support peaceful campaigns and calls on voters not to engage in any electoral malpractice including sale or offering to sell their voter’s cards and or NRCs ahead of the 20 April 2023 ward by-elections,” Mr. Mwanangombe concluded.

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has responded to the recent mealie meal shortage affecting some regions of the country. In a statement, the President acknowledged the severity of the situation, especially with the commodity shortage in neighboring countries. He also mentioned that an emergency response has been activated to address this specific situation.

The President appealed to the citizens to uphold the interventions implemented by the government and maintain lawful and orderly conduct. He also assured the public that the measures taken will improve the situation and that the government will closely monitor developments on the ground.

However, in Kazungula district, mealie meal traders have threatened to pull out of business if the shortage of the commodity persists. A random check by ZANIS at the Kazungula market area revealed that most of the shops dealing in mealie meal have run out of stock.

Mealie meal trader Brighton Mwampole stated that it has been a month since he last stocked mealie meal at his shop. Mr. Mwampole attributed the shortage to mealie meal suppliers not willing to sell the commodity to retail traders buying 200 or more bags. He also cited National Milling, Choma Milling, and Simba Milling companies as suppliers of mealie meal who have imposed restrictions in Livingstone, adding that such measures have affected retail traders from Kazungula who are unable to continue with the mealie meal business.

Mr. Mwampole and other mealie meal traders called for government intervention over the matter, as there will be no profit in selling mealie meal to consumers if they are being restricted to buying a few bags from milling companies. They also expressed concern that other traders could hike the mealie meal price to cover transportation costs, making it difficult for consumers to afford the commodity.

As the government implements emergency measures to address the mealie meal shortage in the country, it is imperative to ensure that all regions have access to the commodity to prevent price hikes and undue economic strain on citizens.