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Acting President Guy Scott listens to Defence and Justice minister Edgar Lungu shortly after Cabinet meeting at State House on October 29,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Acting PF President Guy Scott? has relieved PF Secretary General Edgar Lungu of his duties.
In a letter dated November 03 2014 and released to the media, Dr Scott thanked Mr Lungu for the services rendered to the party.
Dr Scott has since appointed Chipili PF Member of Parliament Davies Mwila as the new party Secretary General.
But when reached for a comment, Mr Lungu refused to issue a response over the matter.
Meanwhile, PF has described as malicious a story by an online media on the health of the PF Secretary General Edgar Lungu.
The Zambian Watchdog reported that Mr Lungu was sick and had no presidential ambitions as he wanted to concentrate on his health.
Contrary to the assertions made, the PF Secretary General Hon Edgar Lungu is in good health and is providing leadership to the party at this critical time. The PF Secretary General remains grateful for the overwhelming support coming from the general populace of the party across the Country.
This is contained in a press statement released by PF director for media and publicity Brian Hapunda.
Meanwhile Mr Lungu has urged all PF members to devote their energies and time to mourn the late leader President Michael Sata with dignity and honour.
Mr Lungu had not shown any Presidential ambitions this far and it was unfortunate that certain media houses were putting his name forward for the PF Party Presidency without an affirmative response from him as regards the PF top job.
“After we have mourned and put our great Leader to rest, he will officially make his position known to the party and nation at large. So should this be to all Party members who are harbouring Presidential ambitions,” the statement reads in part.
The story run on online media was a total fabrication of lies and must be discredited with the contempt it deserves.
Body viewing of the late President Michael Sata’s by members of the general public, which started yesterday at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, has entered day two.
ZANIS reports that deputies of the defence chiefs took their turn and paid their last respects to Mr Sata and Commander In-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Communications and Transport Deputy Minister, Panji Kaunda and his other ministry counterpart, Mwimba Malama also viewed Mr Sata’s body.
Former fourth Republican President, Rupiah Banda said in an interview soon after viewing President’s Sata’s body that Mr Sata was a friend who would greatly be missed by not only him but the nation at large.
Mr Banda, who was flanked by his Administrative Secretary, Mikatazo Wakumelo, disclosed that he had a strong relationship with President Sata to which he claimed that he had benefited from the services of the former Head of State.
“I have lost an active senior citizen and a friend and it is very sad indeed losing such a person. Michael and I had a strong relationship and a I have lost a friend,” Mr Banda said.
He recollected that the late President Sata returned his passport that enabled him to travel to South Africa for a medical review.
The former Head of State said he peacefully handed over power to the late President Sata and wished that there would be no violence during this period of national mourning and three-month transition period under Acting President, Guy Scott.
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson, Irene Mambilima, in a separate interview, disclosed that two newly constructed office accommodation blocks have been completed and could have been launched by President Sata had he still been alive.
Justice Mambilima who was flanked by Commission Board members and Commission Spokesperson, Cris Akufuna, commended the late President for increasing funding to the Commission.
On the proposed Presidential poll, Mrs Mambilima disclosed that the Commission has started making preparations for the Presidential election to be held early next year.
Mrs Mambilima said she would officially write to the Government through the Ministry of Finance to request for funds from the treasury.
On the actual budget required, Mrs Mambilima said the nation would be informed after the burial of the departed Zambian President.
“As l am talking to you right now, two office accommodation buildings have been completed and they could have been handed over to us by President Sata if he had not passed on,” she said.
Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader, Hakainde Hichilema, said Mr Sata was the longest and true servant of the people who gave his life serving the Zambian people.
Mr Hichilema said Mr Sata served in the first republic under UNIP and the previous MMD administration and that demonstrated he was a hard worker.
Meanwhile, Lusaka Lusaka District Commissioner (DC), Ashell Kampengele, wept un-controllably after viewing Mr Sata’s body.
Mr. Kampengele later shunned to speaking to journalists.
Lusaka Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Bright Nundwe, told the Journalists that he would arrange for an interview with them because the DC was still mourning the Head of State.
President Sata died in London on October 28 and his remains arrived in the country Saturday morning aboard a private airline accompanied by the First Lady, Christine some Cabinet Ministers and members of the family.
The late President Sata would be put to rest at Embassy Park in Lusaka on November 11.
Dr Guy Scott Acting President of Zambia with Army Commander Gen Miyovu at Kk international airport wating for the body of late President MC Sata
Acting President, Guy Scott, has urged individuals questioning his legitimacy to go to court.
In a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Senior Private Secretary in the Office of the Acting President, Robert Kamalata, Dr Scott stressed the need to mourn the late Michael Sata with dignity.
Dr Scott has appealed to all colleagues to mourn the departed President in dignity and desist from fractious succession campaigns.
The Acting President noted that some people clearly took some of his warning as idle, saying that he will not allow President Sata’s funeral to be marred with indignity.
Dr Scott said as party President he has taken this deep again and warns all those who are disregarding a very sensible and humane request to reflect on their conduct.
“The few that think that my acting as Head of State is a matter for legal debate let them take this matter to court if they so wish, but I will not allow any party members including Cabinet Ministers to disregard party discipline while we mourn our departed leader,” Dr Scott said.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has announced that preparations for the presidential by election? have commenced.
ECZ Chairperson Justice Ireen Mambilima told a media briefing today that the Commission will submit a proposed budget to the treasury once the mourning period is over.Justice Mambilima said the Commission has started in earnest preparing for the by election by holding internal meeting ahead of the by election.She said a detailed election programme will be availed to members of the public after the mourning period.
Justice Mambilima is confident that the Commission will organise successful presidential by election.
According to the Zambian Constitution, a presidential by election will have to be held within 90 days.
Attorney General Musa Mwenye after overseeing the hand over of power to Vice President Guy Scott
Attorney General Musa Mwenye misled Cabinet over the appointment of Dr. Guy Scott as Acting President, usurping power from Edgar Lungu, who was left to Act by President Sata
?It is almost becoming generally accepted that Attorney General Musa Mwenye was right to advise Cabinet to allow Vice President Dr. Guy Scott to take over power from Defence and Justice Minister Edger Lungu, who was Acting President (or discharging the functions of the Office of the President) at the time President Michael Chilufya Sata died. However, in the interest of Constitutionalism and posterity, we wish put it on record that we do not agree with the Attorney General’s interpretation of the Constitution.
Before we go any further, let it be very clear that we are not motivated by any personal, racial or other issues. We respect Dr. Guy Scott and we think he can do well to lead this Country in the interim. However, we want the law to be followed. It is not what is convenient to us or anyone that should be used as the criteria to misinterpret the Constitution, especially on an issue of the Presidency.
For the sake of this article we will use the term “Acting” to mean “discharging the functions of an office on behalf of the substantive or legitimate office bearer”. We will also restrict ourselves to the appointment and revocation of a person to discharge the functions of the President, and not the qualifications to hold that office.
[pullquote]Where is it written in the Constitution that Cabinet can revoke the powers of the Acting President and choose another one to act? How did this shift of power happen in cabinet? Which members of cabinet were present in the meeting?[/pullquote]
When can someone Act as President?
There are three (3) possible scenarios where a person can Act as President, which are:
When the President is out of the Country;
When the President is incapable of performing his duties due to illness or mental infirmity;
When the President is dead (which renders the office of the President vacant and elections follow within 90 days).
These are outlined under Article 38 and 39 of the Constitution
Who has power to appoint an acting President?
The common scenario of when someone Acts as President is when the incumbent President is out of the Country, or he is ill. It is clear here that the President appoints someone to Act as President for the time he is out of the Country. Ordinarily, the first consideration should be the Vice President, unless he is absent or incapable of performing the functions of the President. This is provided for in the Constitution in Article 39 (1) as quoted below:
39(1) “Whenever the President is absent from Zambia or considers it desirable so to do by reason of illness or for any other cause, he may by direction in writing, authorise the Vice-President, or where the Vice-President is absent from Zambia or is incapable of discharging the functions of the office of President, any other person, to discharge such functions of the office of President as he may specify, and the Vice-President or such other person may discharge those functions until his authority is revoked by the President.”
Another scenario is when the President is incapable of appointing another person to Act, either because he is too ill or has a mental problem. In this case, the Vice President should automatically Act as President. However, if the Vice President is absent, or ill, or incapable of Acting, another person can be chosen by Cabinet. This is provided for in Article 39(2) of the Constitution, as quoted below:
39(2) “If the President is incapable by reason of physical or mental infirmity of discharging the functions of his office and the infirmity is of such a nature that the President is unable to authorise another person under this Article to perform those functions-
(a) the Vice-President; or
(b) during any period when the Vice-President is absent from Zambia or is himself, by reason of physical or mental infirmity,unable to perform the functions of his office, such member of the
Cabinet as the Cabinet shall elect;shall perform the functions of the office of the President:Provided that any person performing the functions of the office of President under this clause shall not dissolve the National Assembly nor, except on the advice of the Cabinet, revoke any appointment made by the President. “
The third situation is similar to the former, except here, the President is dead and there is no possibility of him coming back, therefore, a Vacancy is created in the office of the President. Death usually comes unexpectedly, so there is no chance for the President to appoint another person, according to the conditions and process described in article 39(1), (note that it says in writing)
In this case, Article 38(2) automatically kicks in. It says:
(2) “Whenever the office of the President becomes vacant, the Vice President or, in the absence of the Vice-President or if the Vice-President is unable, by reason of physical or mental infirmity, to discharge the functions of his office, a member of the Cabinet elected by the Cabinet shall perform the functions of the office of president until a person elected as President in accordance with Article 34 assumes office”.
Note that this paragraph begins with, “Whenever the office of the President becomes vacant”, meaning, at any point that the office becomes vacant due to death or resignation. But what is important is for us to apply our minds to what the crafters of the Constitution had in mind when drafting this provision, it is common sense that death comes in suddenly, so the President cannot have time to appoint a person. Therefore automatically Article 38(2) is implied.
Who can revoke the powers of the Acting President?
Again, here, we would like to look at each scenario extrapolated above.
In the first scenario, where the President appoints someone for a period of time in his absence, or when he is ill, it is clear such a person will hand over power to the President. Article 39(1)”…..Vice-President or such other person may discharge those functions until his authority is revoked by the President”. Note that this article does not specify whether it has to be the appointing President or another President, however, such a person MUST be a President.
In the second scenario, where the President did not appoint a person to act, the law is very clear, in Article 39(3) as quoted below, as to what should happen:
3) Any person performing the functions of the office of President by virtue of clause (2) shall cease to perform those functions if he is notified by the Speaker that the President is about to resume those functions or if another person is elected as, and assumes the office of, President.
Essentially, this article is also saying that, the powers of an acting President can only be revoked by an elected President and not any other person, even in the case where the President is not the one that appointed the Acting President. There is nowhere in the Constitution where a person can hand over power to anyone else, apart from the President.
Does Article 39 cover a Vacancy in the Office of the President?
Article 39(3) says: “Any person performing the functions of the office of President by virtue of clause (2) shall cease to perform those functions if he is notified by the Speaker that the President is about to resume those functions or if another person is elected as, and assumes the office of, President”. Note that this article considers the possibility of a new President, other than the one who left office and appointed someone else to act due to illness or metal infirmity. But how can a new President come in, if there is no vacancy and an election? Article 38(1) gives guidance:
38(1) “If the office of the President becomes vacant by reason of his death or resignation or by reason of his ceasing to hold office by virtue of Article 36, 37 or 88, an election to the office of the President shall be held in accordance with Article 34 within ninety days from the date of the office becoming vacant.”
It can, therefore, be concluded that Article 39(3) considers vacancy, which can occur due to various reasons including death. And if that happens, the Constitution says the person acting should hold on to power until the new President takes office. This article reconciles the augment of handing over power to a President in Article 39(1), which says that the powers of acting can only be revoked by a President, because if for any reason the appointing President does not come back (or die), you would go for elections.
What is our present scenario?
The current situation started unfolding on 20th October 2014, with President Michael Chilufya Sata going abroad for medical attention and he applied Article 39(2) by appointing Justice and Defence Minister Edger Lungu to act as President.
Reflection: Guy Scott is the Vice President, the principle assistant of the President, who was supposed to be considered first by Sata, but he picked Edger Lungu instead. Was Guy Scott absent? No! Was he ill? Not to our knowledge. Was the Vice President incapable of discharging Presidential duties? Judging by the repeated action of Sata not to appoint him as Acting President ever, this could be possible.
On 28th October 2014, President Sata died at King Edward VII Hospital in Beaumont, Central London. This meant that Edger Lungu had no President to revoke his appointment as provided for by the law in article ….. As earlier stated, an acting President’s powers can only be revoked by a President. Since President Sata relinquished the Presidency through death, a vacancy was created in the office of the President and Lungu had no option, but to wait until after a New President had taken office.
Reflection: Is Dr. Guy Scott a President for him to revoke the Acting President’s powers? Where is it written in the Constitution that Cabinet can revoke the powers of the Acting President and choose another one to act? How did this shift of power happen in cabinet? Which members of cabinet were present in the meeting? Was Edger Lungu threatened to hand over power? What should we make of Edger Lungu’s subsequent remarks to the media that he would have held on to power, but for the sake of peace and stability he gave it up?
Could the Attorney General be Compromised?
The Attorney General misrepresented himself by saying that there is no provision for an Acting President to continue acting after the demise of the substantive President. He quoted Article 38(2) of the Constitution, when the correct provision is Article 39.
[pullquote]Sata did not leave us as orphans. He gave us a caretaker President until we choose our New President. And this caretaker is most certainly not Dr. Guy Scott. The big question is who has given us Dr. Guy Scott as a caretaker? Are we living in the Cartel era?[/pullquote]
To back his wrong interpretation of the Constitution, the Attorney General cited a “precedence” which was never there. He said when President Levy Mwanawasa, left the country for an AU summit in Egypy in 2008, he left Defence Minister George Mpombo to act as President instead of Rupiah Banda. The Attorney General is quoted as saying: “The nation will recall that when the late President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC died, Hon. George Mpombo was acting president. After the death of President Mwanawasa, President Rupiah Banda, who was then vice-president, had to assume office in accordance with Article 38 (2), despite Hon Mpombo having been Acting President at the time of the death of the president.”
However, this example is false as can be proved by an excerpt from the Parliamentary debate of Thursday, 16th June, 2011 which is available on the Parliament website.Click here
The story was also reported by Lusaka Times.“Mwanawasa never delegated Mpombo – State. Justice Minister George Kunda told Parliament that George Mpombo never acted as President at the time of the death of President Mwanawasa.
Conclusion
We are of a strong view that the Constitution was misinterpreted by the Attorney General and he mislead cabinet. Our present scenario is different from context of Article 38(2), in the sense that, the President died after he had already given power to someone to act.
The article that applies in the current scenario is Article 39, which starts with a President appointing someone to act 39(2), then the President dies and this requires the Acting President to continue until a new President is elected. This is according to Article 39(3), which says
39(3) “Any person performing the functions of the office of President by virtue of clause (2) shall cease to perform those functions if he is notified by the Speaker that the President is about to resume those functions or if another person is elected as, and assumes the office of,President.”
The Constitution does not allow the Acting President to hand over power to a Vice President, so Edgar Lungu should not have done what he did. He acted irresponsibly, if he was not threatened.
Reflection: Sata did not leave us as orphans. He gave us a caretaker President until we choose our New President. And this caretaker is most certainly not Dr. Guy Scott. The big question is who has given us Dr. Guy Scott as a caretaker? Are we living in the Cartel era?
Acting President Dr Guy Scott (r) listens to Defence and Justice minister Edgar Lungu shortly after Cabinet meeting at State House on October 29,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
If indeed Vice president Dr Guy Scott cherishes his long friendship with the late President Michael Sata as he said, please let him then stop acting as president of Zambia and allow late Sata’s preferred man, Edgar Lungu act as president of Zambia for this 90days.
As Zambia Republican Party ZRP, we strongly believe that our Late President knew why each time he went out of the country he always asked Hon. Edgar Lungu to act in his absence. We also strongly believe that President Sata knew why when it became clear to him that he was now weak, he fired Wynter Kabimba and gave a lot of responsibilities to Hon. Edgar Lungu
At the same time as ZRP, we also believe that Sata knew why he chose Lungu to act in his absence in steady of his Vice President Dr Guy Scott or any other cabinet minister towards the end of his life. Hence, the need to follow the status quo does not arise.Without us sounding or appearing racial, but if the truth has to be said, we believe that had Dr Guy Scott been a black indigenous Zambian, no doubt late President Michael Sata should have left him to act in his absence.
Knowing also late Sata, no doubt he left Edgar Lungu in that position so that he could lead the party and the nation forward in case of what has now happened, happened.
As ZRP we just hope against the hope that Scott’s insistence to act as president of this country is not being motivated by his desire to aid Kabimba whom he called his boss to bounce back at the summit of both PF and Government at the expense both late President Sata and the people’s choice, Edgar Lungu.
Zambia army soldiers perform the 21-Man Gun Salute after Sata’s body arrived
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Zambia Army soldiers display Sata’s large portrait at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
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Zambia Air Force jets take off to give escort to the plane carrying Sata’s body
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Zambia Air Force fighter jets give escort to the plane carrying Sata’s body when it landed in Lusaka
5.
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda emerges from the plane caryying bags
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Security personnel watch the p[lane carrying Sata’s body land in Lusaka7.
Sata’s relatives mourning at Kenneth Kaunda International airport
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PF supporters of Mulenga Sata campaigning for Mulenga’s PF party presidency with a placard before president Sata’s body arrived
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PF supporters chanting slogans for their man, Mulenga Sata before the body of late President Sata arrived
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National Revolution Party president Cosmo Mumba mourns Sata during the arrival of the late president’s body
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National Revolution Party president Cosmo Mumba mourns Sata
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National Revolution Party president Cosmo Mumba is assisted to recuperate after collapsing upon seeing Sata’s casket
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National Revolution Party president Cosmo Mumba is assisted to recuperate after collapsing upon seeing Sata’s casket.
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National Revolution Party president Cosmo Mumba is assisted after collapsing upon seeing Sata’s casket
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One of Dr Kaseba’s relatives mourns Sata when the late president’s body arrived in Lusaka
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One of the Zambia Airport choppers that was used to give an aerial live TV coverage of Sata’s funeral procession from the airport to Mulungishi International Conference Centre
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Pallbearers lay Sata’s casket on a podium before moving the funeral to Mulungushi International Conference centre
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PF cadre Judge Ngoma, probably pondering his future after Sata’s death. He was captured in a solemn mood at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
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PF cadres draped in Sata’s funeral T-shirts sponsored y GBM
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PF cadres with Michael Sata’s portrait
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Mulenga greets his supporters when he arrived in the advance party at Lusaka International airport
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MMD president Nevers Mumba arrives to witness the arrival of Sata’s body
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MMD cadres arive to witness the arrival of Michael Sata’s body
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MMD and PF cadres console each other before president Sata’s body arrived in Lusaka
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Late Frederick Chiluba’s wife Regina in a pensive mood after Sata’s body arrived in Lusaka
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Guys Scott’s wife Charlotte consoles former First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba
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Government officials and family relatives use their digital gadgets to photograph proceedings when Sata’s body arrived in Lusaka
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Former president Rupiah Banda mourns Sata
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Former Kenneth Kaunda after meeting former First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba
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Former First Lady Dr Maureen Mwanawasa captured following proceedings during the arrival of Sata’s body
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Former First Lady Dr Chritine Kaseba emerges from a chartered plane when Sata’s body arrived in Lusaka
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Former presidents Rupiah Banda and Kenneth Kaunda console former First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba
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Different PF factions printed T-shirts for Sata’s funeral. Here, en unidentified members dressed on one with its unique text
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Central province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta mourning Sata
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Cabin crew from the chartered airline line up to usher family members out of the plane when Sata’s body arrived in Lusaka
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Bishop Joe Imakando takes photographs of the proceedings after Sata’s body arrived
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An unidentified UNIP member followings proceedings through his sun glasses before Sata’s body arrived
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An unidentified PF cadre in a pensive mood before sata’s body arrived
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An unideitified relative to Sata mourns the late president during the arrival of the body
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An unideitified PF cadre following proceddinsg through his sun glasses before the arrival of Sata’s body
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An air traffic controller watches the plane that carried Sata’s body on the run way in Lusaka. The plane was escorted by Zambia Air Force jets
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A Zambia Army soldier keeps vigil on a tank which was among the escort wagons at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
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A Zambia Army sentry guards the chartered plane that ferried Sata’s body from London to Zambia
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A police batallion keeps vigil on PF cadres who wanted to break police cordons before Sata’s body arrived
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A PF cadre mourns president Sata, while holding on to the late president’s portrait
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A PF cadre in one T-shirt scribed with Sata’s funeral message
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A ministerial flag flies on one of the ministers vehicles dring arrivals before the arrival of Sata’s body
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A Kenyan China Central Television correspondent at work when Sata’s body arrived in Lusaka
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A guard walks on the side of the vehicle carrying Former First Lady Dr Chritine Kaseba
An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude occurred near Mansa Zambia yesterday at about 20.30hrs.The effects were felt in Luapula, Copperbelt, North Western, Western, Central and Provinces.
The earth tremor lasted for about 40 seconds.No structural damage has been reported.
Earthquakes are usually caused when rock underground suddenly breaks along a fault. This sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground shake.
Acting President Dr Guy Scott with wife Charlotte Scott during a wreath laying ceremony at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on November 1,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
ACTING President Guy Scott has described President Sata as a revered comrade who was his teacher, brother and leader.
Dr Scott said President Sata has died too soon when he was needed to continue fostering development to Zambia.
In his message written in the book of condolences at Government House in Lusaka on the passing of President Sata on Friday, Dr Scott said he laments the passing on of President Sata.
“How I lament the passing on of my revered comrade, teacher and leader Michael Chilufya Sata in such an early stage of the country’s development programme. We shall carry on with your legacy brother,” he wrote.
Patriotic Front secretary-general Edgar Lungu said President Sata was his mentor, among other attributes.
“My boss, it’s hard to believe that you have gone so soon to the silent world. I always believed you were there for all of us at least up to 2016 so that we could continue as your students,” Mr Lungu wrote.
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Wylbur Simuusa said President Sata was his mentor, hero, father and teacher.
“Words to express the sense of loss I feel at your passing my mentor, my hero, my inspiration, my teacher, father and my boss who taught me to achieve great things, especially in politics,” Mr Simuusa wrote.
Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska said in his message that President Sata taught him that vision should come before budget devotion and perfection.
Dr Msiska said President Sata told him that this was core to the survival of the nation adding that this is supposed to be kept until a nation succeeds.
Mulenga Sata with Chief Mpezini during this year’s Mutomboka ceremony in Mwansabombwe
By Charles Kawesha, Livingstone, Zambia
Firstly I mourn the untimely passing of a political legend and leader Michael Sata. We will miss the King Cobra. May his soul rest in peace!
Let me register that I was shocked to the say the least to hear Mulenga Sata announcing his candidature even before his father’s casket could be lowered into his grave. Is Mulenga Sata such an opportunist and power hungry? I asked myself whether President Sata really wanted Mulenga to succeed him and why he never made him even Deputy Minister in his Government. It is un-African that Mulenga as one of the chief mourners should exhibit such naked ambition even before his father is buried! Mulenga is about to tarnish his President Sata’s image, a legacy he has laboured for all his life!
Let me firstly discuss what is a Political Dynasty? A “Dynasty” is defined as a succession of rulers from the same family or line; or a family or group that maintains power for several generations. A Political Dynasty entails the “concentration, consolidation, or perpetuation of public office and political power by persons related to one another” i.e. a political dynasty controlling the state, rather than the other way round.
In truth, “Political Dynasties” is a term that is as old as politics itself. For the ancient civilizations their rulers were concerned with maintaining their legacy, the crown would be passed from parent to child to ensure the family name continues on down the ages. When the Western world talks about “Political Dynasties” they refer to them as “misappropriation of power” by family. In American politics, “dynasty” is a dirty word. The Founding Fathers, after all, went on record as wholeheartedly objecting to power flowing through blood rather than ballot, declaring in the U.S.
Constitution that “no title of nobility shall be granted by the United States.” The narrative of one of the country’s most prominent political families, the Kennedys, even avoids the dreaded d-word. Rather than referring to the New England clan as a dynasty, it’s romantically painted as Camelot.
Mulenga Sata as new PF presidential candidate?
With the passing away of President Sata, the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has been gripped with rumours of succession battles on potential leaders to succeed president Sata. Examples of political dynasties abound, but in democracies, unlike dictatorships, the children of former leaders are “self-made” men and women, rather than merely groomed and imposed. They are often elected to power many years after their parents’ rule since they work their way up the political ladder with a lot of ups and downs, thus becoming self-made and earning the right to leadership in the eyes of the people rather than just inheriting power through bloodlines like in a monarchy or dictatorship. For example, current Botswana president Gen
Ian Khama, son of founding president Sir Seretse Khama, only became president some 28 years after his father’s death after a very successful career as traditional leader, army commander and politician. The same is true of Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta, son of first president Jomo Kenyatta, who only became president in 2013, some 34 years since his father died. In meantime, he had undergone his own transformation as a successful businessman and launched a political career in which he lost elections numerous times.
In the USA, two sons of former presidents later went on to be elected presidents themselves – after being self-made and with years apart from their father’s tenures e.g. the Adams and the Bushes. In the 2016 presidential election, a second Clinton and third Bush potentials is in the offing if George’s Bush’s brother Jeb challenges Hilary Clinton. Hilary and Jeb are self-made politicians, with Hilary transforming herself from First Lady to New York Senator, runner up to Obama in the Democratic presidential nomination, and Secretary of State. If she is elected president she will be the most experienced president in US history. Jeb has been a very successful two-term Governor of Florida, like his brother George who was Governor of Texas.
Other famous political dynasties in democratic settings are more common in Asia. In Sri Lanka if you belong to the Wijewardena or the Bandaranaike family you are immediately accepted into the inner politics of the country. In Pakistan, the Bhutto’s in Pakistan have played prominent roles in shaping their political culture. In India, the Nehru-Gandhi family name continues to rule the country, with a few interludes like this year’s election of an opposition prime minister.
Mulenga Sata, as a citizen if he is eligible to stand for President, is free to do so democratically and win the trust and confidence of Zambians, rather than merely being imposed on the nation by virtual of sharing bloodlines with late President Michael Sata. Political Dynasties in Dictatorships By contrast, dictatorships and monarchies are characterized by hereditary family dynasties were children are groomed and merely made to succeed their father leaders immediately upon their demise without working their way and earning the right to national leadership in the eyes of the people.
In North Korea, the succession of power from found leader Kim IL-Sung to his son Kim Jong-Il and now to the grandson Kim Jong-Un is a classic example. Other countries ruled by political dynasties have included the Philippines (the Marcos’s and Aquino’s), the al-Assad family in Syria where dictator Hafez al-Assad was succeeded by his son Bashar al-Assad, and in Haiti where former dictator François Duvalier (“Papa Doc’’) was succeeded by his son, Jean-Claude (“Baby Doc”). Usually such societies rot from within and become conflict or war ridden and unstable.
Examples of other “anointed sons” who never succeeded their fathers in dictatorships include Saif Gaddafi in Libya who was groomed by his father Muammar Gaddafi as heir apparent. Gadaffi is dead while the son is in prison. In Egypt, Hosni Mubarak had groomed his son Gamal Mubarak as his heir. He was removed from power and both are in prison. In Iraq, Saddam Hussein had groomed his sons Qusay and Uday to take over from him. He was deposed by the US, Saddam was hanged and his sons were killed by US troops.
Why Mulenga Sata immediately Succeeding His father would be a big Mistake
Political dynasty is not inherently a good thing as it is often accompanied by picturesque formalities and steeped in custom and tradition. The root of it is the inherited power which the recipients may or may not be able to use responsibly. Mulenga Sata is likely to continue with all the traits and customs of his father’s governance style which may not suit the direction Zambia needs to go.
The country would be frozen in time. Research in political economy emphasizes the tendency of elites to persist and reproduce their power over time, potentially undermining the effectiveness of institutional reforms.
Political dynasties aren’t necessarily good things as policies can get old and stale rather than having them change with the times. Mulenga Sata is likely to see himself as merely sustaining the status quo of his father’s policies, good or bad, since he will need to cover the “tracks” of the old man by any means necessary. Political dynasty is not good because it is very likely to form a dictatorship since it is already decided the member or the son of the person ruling will be the next head of government. Mulenga Sata would owe more allegiance to his hereditary roots than to the people in PF or Zambia, the very roots of dictatorship. The “My Party” syndrome is what rules all dictatorships and shadowy structures like the Mob / Mafia.
Reduced Meritocracy and increased Mediocrity:
A political dynasty like any other corporation has a boss and relatives of the boss, the line of thought is pretty much the same, if an individual in a particular party has conflicting views he should go and make his own political party. In a political dynasty the only flaw is that there is little meritocracy. This type of dynastic government will be nudge in increasing corruption since the son will have to prioritize” covering dad’s tracks.” Political Dynasty + Business Dynasty + Corruption = Poverty Conclusion The Mulenga Sata candidature as a PF or republican president is likely to cause a lot of opposition and rebellion within PF and the country since Zambians are not “dynastic” by nature.
But if Mulenga Sata truly wins the hearts and minds of Zambians through his exemplary performance as Lusaka Mayor or MP for example, then he will have earned the right to be elected president in the eyes of the majority of Zambians. Otherwise his imposition may mark the beginning of the end of the PF and the risk of losing power to the opposition is very high if there is a rebellion within the party. It is also very doubtful whether Mulenga Sata’s candidature for presidency would appeal to majority of Zambians. Had late President Sata been alive, he would not have given in to the temptation of “imposing” his son as PF leader “succeeding” him directly. Zambians may not take kindly to any overt transfer of power “within the family.”
Defence and Justice minister Edgar Lungu with Dr Kaunda and former president Rupiah Banda (r) on arrival of President Sata’s Body at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport from London on November 1,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
The MMD in Northern Province has called on it members in the province to mourn the late Republican President Michael Sata with caution.
MMD Northern Province Information and Publicity Secretary Cephas Bwalya called on members to avoid using the death of the Republican President to push personal agendas by encouraging calls for former Republican President to came back to active politics.
Below is the full statement released by Mr. Bwalya.
We hereby urge our fellow members to mourn our dear President Micheal Sata with caution as the enemies of the party (MMD) may use this occasion to ambush our duly elected party President Dr. Nevers Mumba by misleading the former Republican President Rupiah Banda that he can hijack the Presidency of the MMD, a move which is meant to frustrate the efforts of those gallant youths who remained reorganizing the party after the former leaders lost power to PF in 2011 and went into hiding.
MMD North feels that Dr. Nevers Mumba has resurrected the party to its current heights and need to be supported by both leaders including Rupiah Banda and the new generation of youths in the country.
Instead forcing old and tired people to occupy strenuous public offices such as the presidency at the expense of the youths Northern Province rejects those wishing to bring frustrations to the party by calling on the leader like Rupiah to fight his own party and to be called names by his own people instead of being an adviser to his party.
Youths and Sports minister Chishimba Kabwili says causing violence when the country is mourning will be tantamount to insulting the late President Michael Sata.
Mr Kabwili said the late President should be mourned in honour and dignity further stating that championing violence will be diverting from Mr Sata’s legacy .
Mr Kambwili said Mr Sata’s vision was to offer a service to the Zambian people and that his political career was not for personal gains.
He said it is unfortunate that a gallant leader has passed on before he could execute his plans.
Mr Kambwili said it will be very difficult for PF to replace Mr Sata aand called on party officials to unite.
“This not the time for small clashes, because it is unfortunate that we have lost a man who had rare characteristics of loving the poor,” Kambwili said
FILE: Local Government Minister Emmanuel Chenda (left) listens to Lusaka Mayor Mulenga Sata during a tour of Lusaka town centre market
PF Lusaka District Chairman Mulenga Sata has lifted all suspensions of members in the District.
Mr. Sata, who is also Lusaka Mayor, said that the decision has been made in the spirit of reconciliation as party members and the nation at large mourns President Michael Sata.
Mr Sata, who is the son of the late president said that all party members are therefore free to attend the funeral without fear.
Mr. Sata said that cadres have been restrained and ordered against harassing anyone attending the presidential funeral.
He was speaking in an interview with ZNBC news in Lusaka.
And yesterday,the Post Newspaper reported that Mulenga Sata said that he is ready to succeed his father who mentored him not to shy away from challenges.
Speaking to journalists at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka yesterday shortly before the arrival of president Michael Sata’s body from London, the Mayor of Lusaka said he was a servant of the people.
[pullquote]I think the late president was the last of the old presidents. I expect that the next candidate to be quite young,” Mulenga Sata said. [/pullquote]
Asked about the youths that were chanting slogans suggesting that he must contest the presidency, Mulenga responded,
“These things happen, you have heard my name being proposed here…it is politics. I have been mentored in the school of Sata not to shy away from challenges, so why not?” He said he expects a young candidate for the Patriotic Front in the coming presidential by-election. “Myself, I am a servant of the people. We will look at what the people want given the circumstance. We have got a short period to campaign. Some 70 per cent of the voters in Zambia are under the age of forty, [so] whatever candidate is picked should be relevant to the electorate. I think the late president was the last of the old presidents. I expect that the next candidate to be quite young,” Mulenga Sata said.
And a committee of Permanent Secretaries headed by the Secretary to the Cabinet has been put in place to over see the state funeral.
Committee spokesperson Bert Mushala, who is Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary, has since advised people not to travel to Lusaka saying TV screens will be put in all provincial centers for people to follow proceedings of President SATA’s funeral, live, on ZNBC TV.
Ignored striker’s Evans Kangwa and Jacob Mulenga scored goals for their respective clubs on Saturday just a day after they were left from Honour Janza’s plans for the forthcoming 2015 Africa Cup qualifiers.
Kangwa has yet to be summoned by Janza after six games in interim charge of the team following his appointment in August.
The 22-year-old striker scored a brace on Saturday night in Israel for Hapoel Ra’anana who won 2-1 away to Moadon Sport Ashdod.
Kangwa was of target for a second successive game and has now scored three goals in two matches to lead Ra’anana to victory.
The striker has not played for Zambia since March when he came off the bench to score a brace in Zambia’s 2-1 friendly win over Uganda in Ndola.
Meanwhile, striker Jacob Mulenga was also on target in Turkey on Saturday but his goal was not enough to earn Adana Demirspor a point in their 2-1 away loss to Elazigspor.
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba during the Body viewing ceremony of President Sata at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on November 2,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
The first day of public viewing for late President Michael Sata’s body has started at the Mulungushi International Conference centre in Lusaka.
First Lady Christine Kaseba led mourners in paying last respects to her husband whose remains will lay in state at the conference centre until Sunday, November 9.
President Sata died in London on October 28 and his remains arrived in the country yesterday morning aboard a private airline accompanied by the First Lady, some Cabinet ministers and members of the family.
Acting President Guy Scott, First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda, Fourth Republican President Rupiah Banda, opposition leaders Hakainde Hichilema, Nevers Mumba among others were part of the people who received Mr. Sata’s body which was draped in the Zambian flag.
And the public viewing procession which started slightly after 08:00 hours will take place on a daily basis until November 9, 2014.
Acting President, Guy Scott and his wife Charlotte, Patriotic Front Secretary General Edgar Lungu who is also Defence Minister and Justice Minister accompanied the First Lady to viewPresident Sata’s body followed by Defence Chiefs.
State House staff , Cabinet minister among them Alexander Chikwanda (Finance), Gender Minister Inonge Wina, Chiefs Minister Nkandu Luo and her Foreign Affairs counterpart, Harry Kalaba also paid their last respects to the late Head of State.
Diplomats accredited to Zambia also joined other mourners and to view President Sata’s body.
Former Republican vice-president Godfrey Miyanda was among political leaders that also viewed the body of the late Zambian leader.
Acting President Guy Scott, First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda, Fourth Republican President Rupiah Banda, opposition leaders Hakainde Hichilema, Nevers Mumba among others were part of the people who received Mr. Sata’s body which was draped in the Zambian flag.
And Gospel icon Kings Mumbi popularly known as Malembe Malembe in a separate interview said President Sat had passion for musicians and that was the reason why his administration introduced the hologram to protect the works and sweat of local artists.
Kings recollected that the late President Sata established the Arts and Tourism ministry to cater for the welfare of musicians.
Boxer Catherine Phiri said the late Mr. Sata ensured that the boxing fraternity was sponsored and the sport brought medals to the country.
Phiri who is World Professional Boxing Federation Bantamweight Champion, has since dedicated her November 22 fight in honour of late President Sata.
Her promoter, Oriental Boxing Promotion Manager Felix Malunga says the boxing fraternity would greatly miss Mr. Sata.
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba and family during the Body viewing ceremony of President Sata at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on November 2,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAFirst Lady Dr Christine Kaseba and Family during the Body viewing ceremony of President Sata at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on November 2,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAFirst Lady Dr Christine Kaseba during the Body viewing ceremony of President Sata at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on November 2,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAFirst Lady Dr Christine Kaseba during the Body viewing ceremony of President Sata at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on November 2,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAFirst Lady Dr Christine Kaseba during the Body viewing ceremony of President Sata at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on November 2,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAFirst Lady Dr Christine Kaseba during the Body viewing ceremony of President Sata at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on November 2,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAPresident Sata’s body lying in statePresident Sata’s body lying in statePresident Sata’s body lying in state
