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Opposition FDD President Edith Nawakwi has claimed that there is a conspiracy at UTH to murder newly born babies.
Ms. Nawakwi has since appealed to Health Minister Dr Joseph Kasonde to take personal interest in the situation at UTH Maternity ward.
She said newly born babies are dying in mysterious ways especially over the past six months.
The FDD leader has also called on Dr Kasonde to immediately declare UTH Maternity wing unfit for deliveries so that urgent works could start on the facility.
Ms. Nawakwi said she suspects that there is an outbreak of Salmonella at UTH which is infecting newly born babies.
Salmonellosis is an infection with bacteria called Salmonella and most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.
Ms. Nawakwi said UTH Maternity ward is dirty and susceptible to infections coupled with negligence by staff at UTH hence the high maternal mortality at UTH.
“Our UTH maternity wing should actually be closed. Babies are dying two days after birth due to suspected infestation of bacteria because of dirt in the maternity wing. Maternal health care and child health care is unavailable in this country,” she said.
She added, “This country is probably the only country in the sub region with the highest maternal mortality and I think some of it is due to sheer negligence. Ask Hon. Kasonde why he has not declared UTH Maternity ward unfit for deliveries of babies. There is salmonella which has infested our hospitals and he knows about it.”
“A baby is born and readmitted with 39/40 degrees centigrade and they are dying. I suspect there is an infestation of Salmonella in the maternity wing. I know people close to me who have lost babies under these mysterious circumstances at UTH. A baby is born on Thursday at 10:30, discharged at 15 Hours, readmitted the following day and the child dies and this is not the only case, there are several incidences that have occurred in the last six months.”
Ms. Nawakwi said it is saddening that Epidemiological department at UTH has remained mute over the situation in the Maternity wing.
“There is a conspiracy to murder our newly born babies and I think this is extremely serious that Dr. Kasonde should take personal interest and save our babies from any more deaths. “
CHIEF Chisunka of the Ushi people of Mansa has been arrested for running over and killing a person in a road traffic accident.
Meanwhile, scores of Senama Township residents yesterday rioted over the death of Isaac Musonda, 28, who was killed in the accident involving Chief Chinsuka.
The rioting crowd believed that Mr Musonda had some missing body parts and his death was linked to ritual activities.
The accident happened on Saturday around 01:40 hours on the Mansa-Mwense Road at Mutima Village near Kaole Guest House in Mansa.
Luapula Province Police Commissioner Malcolm Mulenga said that Justine Hakamwaya, 54, who is Chief Chisunka, was driving a Toyota Prado registration number ASB 47 towards Kaole Guest House when he hit Mr Musonda of Senama Township.
“Due to the impact, the pedestrian sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot. The vehicle had its right headlamp damaged,” Mr Mulenga said.
He said Chief Chisunka was arrested on Sunday at 10:13 hours and was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Mr Mulenga said the traditional leader was released on police bond and would appear in a Mansa magistrates’ court tomorrow.
He also confirmed that scores of Mansa’s Senama Township residents rioted yesterday demanding justice for Mr Musonda’s death.
Mr Mulenga said Mr Musonda’s body was taken to Mansa General Hospital mortuary where a postmortem was conducted after which it was released to the family for burial yesterday at a site near Senama Township.
It was at that point that some people, believed to be drunk, alleged that the body had no eyes, tongue and other body parts.
The disgruntled people then took over the burial procession and ran with the coffin to within a short distance from Mansa Police Station and left the body for the police.
The rioters blocked a road that connects the Mwense-Mporokoso Road, with burning timber.
They threw stones at other residents and police officers.
By Press time, Mr Mulenga said police were in the area to get the rioters under control.
Police had engaged Mr Musonda’s family to try and get them to inspect the body at the mortuary and assure the rioters that the body was intact.
FILE: Students from the Copperbelt University protesting against management
Copperbelt University Students this morning rioted and blocked Jambo driver over delayed meal allowances.
And Police in Kitwe has arrested one student in connection to the riotous behaviour.
The Students gathered at the Students monk square singing songs demanding that government and management addresses their needs.
In addressing the students COBUSU President Gerald Chiluba told the students that all classes be suspended up until government meets their needs.
Chiluba expressed displeasure that government was not crediting their accounts a week after opening school.
He said government was not being serious on how it was handling the affairs of the students. Chiluba said Student will not continue learning on empty stomach.
Meanwhile, Police fired tear-gas canisters to disperse the angry student who rioted and blocked Jambo drive.
Police managed to contain the students who at first reacted by throwing stones at them.
Coach Tenant Chilumba believes Power Dynamos are still in the race to win the 2014 FAZ Super League.
Power’s title aspirations were on Sunday dented by the 2-1 home loss to Nkana in the big Kitwe derby at Arthur Davies Stadium.
With two games left to play in the campaign, Chilumba’s Power are second on the table with 54 points, two behind leaders Zesco United after 28 games played.
He said Power will recover from the Nkana defeat and fight hard to win the league until the final game.
“I think we will just keep on pushing we have to more games,” Chilumba said.
He said it is painful that he has failed to engineer a win against Nkana since returning to Power as coach.
“Ofcourse it’s very painful but I can only congratulate Nkana for winning today,” Chilumba said.
He bemoaned the several chances Power missed in the game against Nkana.
“We put up a good we created a lot of chances but we didn’t score they (Nkana) had one chance and they scored.”
Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has commended the Zambia police and Zambia Army for helping retrieve the 25 bodies of people who drowned on Lake Kariba after an overloaded boat they were in capsized.
And 24 bodies of the victims are in the UTH mortuary awaiting postmortem, while the 25th body was being awaited from Siavonga district hospital mortuary.
Addressing a media briefing this afternoon, DMMU National Coordinator Patrick Kangwa described the operation that lasted 57 hours 30 minutes successful.
Mr. Kangwa has also commended the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) for helping out in retrieving the bodies by providing helicopters.
And responding to a question as to why the bodies are being kept in the UTH mortuary in Lusaka, Mr. Kangwa says Siavonga district hospital mortuary has no capacity to keep all the 25 bodies.
He has since applauded the communities around Gwembe for their tireless efforts in retrieving the bodies.
And a 35 year old man is feared to have died on Lake Kariba when the boat he was travelling on capsized last night owing to strong winds.
Gwembe District Commissioner Alice Mwiinga confirmed to ZANIS in Siavonga this afternoon that Royd Hampande from Chilonde village met his fate in Hamatuba area while his colleague Conard Chilonde 38 managed to swim to the shores of the Lake.
Ms Mwiinga said the body of Hampanda has not yet been retrieved as the villagers are still searching for it.
The incident has come barely three days after 25 people among them 22 school children, two elderly women and a one-year old baby drowned on Lake Kariba in Henga area as they travelled for a jubilee outing.
Choma Police Assistant Commissioner Kashif Mphande has confirmed that the search operation for the 25 has been concluded and that postmortems will be done in Lusaka before the burial on Wednesday in Henga area.
Meanwhile, Education Minister John Phiri has expressed sorrow at the death of the 22 pupils from Henga Primary School.
The Minister said today when he visited the deceased families at Henga Primary School that it was unfortunate for pupils who were being educated to become good citizens to perish at once.
Dr Phiri who also prayed for the affected families thanked them for the unity they have displayed during the period of mourning the children.
“ Some of you have lost several children ,others one, while others nothing but you have managed to come together to help each other and government officers have been with you since the incident happened, let this unity continue,” Dr Phiri said.
Beston Chambeshi says Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba 24 hour double for club and country shows his will power.
Kampamba was on target on Saturday in Zambia’s 1-1 friendly home draw with Cote d’Ivoire at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
24 hours later scored Nkana’s final goal in their 2-1 Kitwe derby away win over Power Dynamos at Arthur Davies Stadium when he travelled in the evening after the friendly by road from Lusaka to Kitwe.
In both those games, the 22-year-old striker played the full 90 minutes.
“The boy is a complete player he can give you want as a team and as a coach so I am happy with the way he is playing and I hope he maintains the same spirit,” Chambeshi said.
Kampamba has this season scored 18 goals in all competition; 12 in the league, five in African club competition and one in the Barclays Cup.
File:Street vendors
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) is strategically working to finally curb street vending in the city.
LCC Public Relations manager Mulunda Habeenzu said the local authority was already concentrated on the relocation of traders from Cairo, Los Angeles and Lumumba roads to Simon Mwewa lane, off Lumumba road under phase one of the project.
Mr. Habeenzu told ZANIS that after relocating vendors to Simon Mwewa lane, the council will resume the construction of a mega market in the infamous Chibolya compound where a piece of land has been secured.
He said works were already underway at Simon Mwewa lane to ensure that traders display their merchandise in a conducive environment.
Mr. Mulunda described the space between Lumumba and Los Angeles roads traffic lights and Ben Bella and Lumumba roads traffic lights as the conducive place for trading.
The piece of land is estimated to accommodate about 5,000 traders.
However, the business community, which uses the land between Simon Mwewa lane and Lumumba road as a parking area, has opposed the move by LCC to relocate street vendors to the same place.
Acting President Edgar Lungu greets Malawi High Commissioner to Zambia David Bandawe during the Golden Jubilee celebrations at Freedom Statue in Lusaka on October 24,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
PF Youths in Lusaka have commended Acting President Edger Lungu for dissolving the PF aligned Non Governmental Organisations boards.
The PF youths who gathered at the National Project for Poverty Reduction (NPPR) one of the affected NGOs and spoke through former Lusaka Youth Chairperson Julius Komacki said though the organisations were formed in good faith, they had not achieved there intended purpose as they did not save the interest of the common cadre and youths at large.
Mr. Komacki said nepotism was rife in the organisations as have been turned into family organisations as only family members and close friends of certain individuals in the party were being employed and trained in the NGOs.
“We as PF youths in Lusaka would like to congratulate the Secretary General of the Party as well as the Acting President Mr. Edger Lungu for the bold decision which he has made so far in dissolving the boards of these NGOs.
“These institutions were quiet selective. It was not reaching to the intended youths who were in the majority. These institutions were not reaching out to the common youths who are the reason these institutions were formed,” said Mr. Komacki in apparent reference to NPPR which was formed to train youths in various skills.
He added that the decision will help bring sanity and transparency in the way the said NGOs will be run going forward.
He also said the decision will help open up the institutions to all Zambians and not only PF cadres as that was the purpose of the NGOs.
“The decision will open the institution to all Zambians, not only those in the Patriotic Front but even those youths who are vulnerable in the community.
“Because of the selective leadership in the administration of these institutions it was very difficult for the party to see the good results of these NGOs,” Mr. Komacki said.
The youths said they had gone to the NPPR premises to ensure that the people running the institution were not in the offices.
Acting President Edgar Lungu with his wife Esther “Bana Dalitso” Lungu
Acting President Edgar Lungu has thanked Zambians for the massive turn out at the Golden Jubilee celebrations countrywide.
In a statement, Mr Lungu expressed gratitude on behalf of President Michael Sata to the people of Zambia for the massive turn out during the celebrations to mark Zambia’s Golden Jubilee.
“The Golden Jubilee was a momentous event for the people of Zambia as it gave the country an opportunity to celebrate our past achievements in the last 50 years and as an opportunity to reflect on the future that lie ahead of us,” Mr Lungu said.
He added, “The past 50 years has been a journey of hope, resilience, peace, unity and development.”
Mr Lungu said to mark the historic occasion, Government ensured that all celebrations reached the people of Zambia.
“It has now been established that Zambians from all walks of lives turned up in large numbers in all provincial capital and districts to commemorate and celebrate this day. Further Zambians were given an opportunity to watch live on television and listen live on radio, on ZNBC. Despite the unpatriotic calls by certain members of the Opposition to boycott the celebrations or to wear black, Zambians from all walks of life defied these disloyal calls from some members of the Opposition as these calls were to the detriment of the peace and unity of Zambia.”
Mr Lungu thanked leaders of the opposition who among others took time to commemorate this important national event.
“Further, Government wishes to thank their Royal Highnesses, Chiefs from various chiefdoms across the country for providing leadership. On this day Zambians demonstrated that they can rise above partisan interests and focus on issues that unite us as a people.”
He said Zambians instead demonstrated commitment to patriotism and a high sense of nationalism by participating in all the Golden Jubilee activities and celebrations.
And Government has thanked the Zambian people for the peace, love and unity with which they celebrated the golden jubilee which fell on Friday, October, 24, 2014.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Joseph Katema said the manner in which the celebrations were held amplifies the fact that Zambians were able to rise above political, ethnic, racial and religious diversity in building a united and peaceful country.
In a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Dr. Katema said the celebrations were also testimony of the importance Zambians attach to the freedom struggle which was attained at a great cost and sacrifice.
He said government was particularly happy that Zambians in the diaspora also came together in commemorating the historic event.
Dr. Katema, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, added that the commemoration of the golden jubilee by those in the diaspora was symbolic of the peace and unity for which Zambia is renowned world over.
Dr. Katema has however urged Zambians to remain united in building a better and prosperous nation beyond 50 years of its political independence under President Michael Sata.
Mighty Mufulira Wanderers on Sunday moved closer to winning promotion back to the FAZ Super League after beating FQM Mining Operation 2-1 at Shinde Stadium in Kantashi Township.
The win in this Week 32 game pushed second placed Mighty to 63 points together with Division One North leaders Forest Rangers who have a superior goal difference.
Jacob Ngulube and Progress Kalenga scored for Mighty while Emmanuel Sakala scored for FQM.
Mighty now just need to get three points from the last two games to end a nine-year Super League exile.
Forest remained at the top of the table after beating Gomes Wanderers 1-0 with a goal from Diego Dinene.
Chambishi maintained third place after beating Mufulira Blackpool 1-0 to increase their tally to 58 points while Kalulushi Modern Stars beat Kitwe United 1-0 to move to 57 points.
Chitambo Member of Parliament, Mushili Malama, has implored residents of Chitambo to unite, be peaceful, love each other and avoid violence regardless of their political affiliation now that Zambia has attained 50 years.
Mr Malama was reacting to the behaviour by some Patriotic Front cadres who protested against his presence at the Independence Day celebrations on Friday, forcing him to leave the stage and denying him the opportunity to deliver his speech.
The cadres charged that they did not recognize Mr Malama as their area Member of Parliament, saying he does not visit their area and wanted him off the stage.The MP, who is a member of the MMD, said the incident caused the mood at the event to become sad as the majority of the people were not pleased with the behaviour of the cadres.
“The mood at the event afterwards became very sad because everyone was not happy with the behaviour of the PF cadres,” he said.Mr Malama said the day was meant to be celebrated in peace as it was a memorable event for Zambians countrywide.He said it was unfortunate for the cadres to want to attack an elected Member of Parliament and urged the Chitambo District Patriotic Front treasurer, Chanda Mutale, to exercise peace and go through the ballot if he wants to win an election.
He alleged that the cadres were incited by Mr Mutale who has had intentions to be elected as area Member of Parliament.
“Chanda Mutale should know that in order to win an election you need to go through the ballot. You cannot win an election through violence that is a thing of the past. He should not pay people and buy them beers if he wants to win,” he said.
Mr Malama said he came to the event with goodwill adding that he has a lot of respect for the District Commissioner, David Kaseba, who had invited him.
“The DC is a very good man and I respect him. I came because he invited me and I know he means well for the people of Chitambo,” he said.
And responding to the matter in a phone interview, Mr Mutale said he did not have a hand in what happened, adding that the cadres were only expressing their feelings and the MP should reflect on the demands the people were making.
“The people of Chitambo have a conscious and it is rare for them to behave in such a manner. I was surprised but they were only expressing how they feel so the MP should focus on addressing the people’s demands” he said.
And Kapiri PF member and ward treasure, David Musonda, who was also at the event, expressed displeasure at the behaviour of the cadres, saying they were denting the image of the party.
Mr Musonda said the event was meant to unite everyone regardless of their political affiliation, stressing that it was not a political gathering but a jubilee celebration.
He urged the Chitambo PF leaders to show leadership as the behaviour of the cadres reflected poor leadership in the party.
And a PF cadre and businessman, Elias Kate, equally expressed disappointment at the behaviour of the cadres and stressed the need to discipline all those that misbehaved at the event.
Mr Kate said despite the MP being in opposition he needs to be respected as he is the district’s representative in Parliament and his speech needed to be heard.
File:A surviving freedom fighter Abel Mulenga sings song during the Commemoration of African Freedom Day in Kasama.
Freedom fighters in Shawang’andu district of Muchinga province have called on Government to look into the plight of freedom fighters that are still alive and wallowing in poverty.
Chileshe Chali, a Shiwang’andu-based freedom fighter, said most of the freedom fighters have remained poor because their livelihood base was destroyed by colonialists during the independence struggle.
Mr Chali further urged government to also consider the plight of surviving families of the fallen heroes who died in the course of fighting for independence so that the blood they shed would not have been spilt in vain.
He was speaking on behalf of other freedom fighters at the commemoration of the Golden Jubilee independence anniversary on Friday.
The event was celebrated under the theme “Commemorating God`s favour of Zambia 50 years of Independence for continued Peace, Unity, Patriotism and prosperity.”
Mr Chali, however, appreciated government for fulfilling desires that the freedom fighters had of public services such as abundant schools and health institutions country wide once the country got independence.
The Golden Jubilee event was officiated by Shiwang`andu Member of Parliament (MP) Stephen Kampyongo.
Mr Kampyongo said it is gratifying to see that the Zambian economy has continued to register positive growth rate over the past 50 years.
He added that despite the positive economic growth, the country is still experiencing high levels of poverty and unemployment.
Mr Kampyongo said in order to curb poverty there is need to ensure equitable distribution of wealth among the citizens and for this reason government is promoting broad-based reforms through increased citizen participation in the economy.
The Deputy Minister also took time to visit grave sites for the gallant freedom fighters that died in 1961 during the independence struggle.
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda delivering the 2015 budget
Attacks on Hon Chikwanda
Since the presentation of the 2015 budget by Minister of Finance Hon. Alexander Chikwanda, various stakeholders have raised concerns with regards the budget. Whereas the concerns are genuine in many instances these concerns have lacked economic analysis and alternatives. Unfortunately, the debate has lacked objectivity manly due to the fact that the agenda has been framed by a section of the media whose interests are divided. It is a well know fact that the Post Newspaper has guided the budget debate. Even before the budget was presented to Parliament certain parts of the budget were already on the street of Zambia as leaked documents.
The campaign against Hon Chikwanda has diluted the objective analysis of the budget and sadly to note in this country, civil society and the church alike cannot take a critical reflection on issues that affect the governance of the country and instead they join in the mass without accurate analysis of the political situation. The wage freeze has become a political tool to discredit Hon. Chikwanda. Surely of the whole budget, is the wage freeze the only issue that matters? How about the US$4.7 billion debts, and the detailed macroeconomic objective proposed in the budget that have a bearing on the future of this country? Why is it that it is only the wage freeze that has taken centre stage? Yes to mobilize workers against Hon. Chikwanda. This signals politics of wage freeze.
Public Service wage bill unsustainable
While the concerns are justified from the labor movement point of view, their arguments, however, are not economically sound and here is why. The government of Zambia’s public service wage bill currently stands at 52% of the national budget. This means that over half of the country’s resources are being spent on paying emoluments for workers in the public sector. Let us not forget that in the 2013 budget government awarded 200% wage increase with admirable PAYE threshold and minimum wage.
In fact in 2011 the World Bank observed that “Zambia’s public sector wage burden was on the rise “both in absolute terms and as a proportion of domestic revenues—and remained a concern over the medium term. On average nominal wages for public employees have been increasing at a faster rate than inflation. In principle public sector wage bill should be between 5% to 20 % of the national budget or slightly up-to 8% of the GDP. This is to ensure that the economy remains stable and competitive. Clearly, the wage freeze is the only temporary measure to free fiscal space for investment in infrastructure, education and health.
Therefore, lifting or suspending the wage freeze will have economic implication for the growth and development of this country. It will limit allocation of resource to critical development programmes such as increase in access to clean and safe drinking water for our people, modernization of hospital infrastructure and upgrade of health facilities including investment in the road sector, electricity, social protection, constitution making process, CDF, local and foreign debt service. This will also contribute to rising income inequality, current Zambia has high and rising income inequality. We can’t build a stable and prosperous nation without addressing rising inequalities. There wage freeze plays that role in minimizing income inequality. The big question lacking in this debate is, what does lifting of wage freeze mean for the inflationary pressure on the economy and its subsequent implications for private sector growth? It is the private sector that will create jobs and spur the much needed growth and development.
True to the fact that in the short term we will keep our workers happy but in the long term Zambia’s economy will remain sluggish. Therefore, it is important that people see the bigger picture. Clearly, spending 52% on public workers wages is not sustainable in the long term. Government workers deserve a decent wage, but we must cut down on public waste. The alternative are not easy to implement in the medium term i.e. civil service reforms including cutting on jobs in the public sector, decentralization to local levels, fighting corruption and rent seeking and providing information to the general public. These are the areas the government needs to start paying attention to in order to reduce public wage bill.
In view of this Hon. Chikwanda has tried to balance the needs of our scarce resources. Of course not everything in that budget is perfect. There are many be grey areas from a macroeconomics and development perspective that is not right in the budget. However, that will not be my preoccupation in this analysis. The budget has articulated broad macroeconomic framework for economic growth and development.
A Focus on wealth creation
The budget focuses on wealth and job creation. This is key for social progress and development. Hon Chikwanda articulates the following in the agriculture sector by investing in critical areas such as increasing extension worker (housing, mobility and technical knowhow), expanding irrigation, crop diversification (provide seeds for a variety of crops according to ecological comparative advantage) and livestock development (including measures for animal disease control). Most importantly, recognizing the challenge posed by climate change in the budget and allocating resources to address it. These initiatives are critical for productivity and food security. However, there is need to invest heavily in post harvest management and maize pricing which are not adequately addressed in the budget.
Hon. Chikwanda mainly focused on areas that have long term impact on economic growth including government prioritizing entrepreneurship training and market- relevant skills development, facilitate infrastructure development to support the growth of the manufacturing sector through the promotion of multi-facility economic zones and industrial parks. Support initiatives such as the Alternative Investment Market launched by LuSE frameworks which will allow SMEs to raise funds from the stock market at an affordable cost and tap into technical and managerial skills through new equity partners. Continue allocating funds to the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission to support value chain development. Government local development through showing commitment in the budget by allocating resources towards industrial clusters that are going to be established in each district as a way of realizing economic independence for our citizens. Most importantly recognizing that for all these to be achieved road, air, rail transport, energy and electricity needs to be improved with marching resources. The commitment towards infrastructure development with budget allocation is critical for sustainable development and this is equally demonstrated in the budget.
Finally there is also equal attempt to demonstrate restrain in external borrowing to 2% of the GDP and expanding the capacity for domestic revenue especially from the mining sector through the newly proposed tax regime for mining operations and also the articulated private sector growth measures and investments in critical areas of the economy (infrastructure i.e. road, rail, air, energy, electricity, health and education.The Minister of Finance has also proposed to maintain stable and favorable macroeconomic environment such
as :
achieve a real GDP growth rate of above 7.0 per cent
achieve an end year inflation rate of no more than 7.0 per cent
increase international reserves to at least 4.0 months of import cover
raise domestic revenue collections to at least 18.5 per cent of GDP
contain domestic borrowing to no more than 2.0 per cent of GDP
accelerate the diversification of the economy, and continue the drive to create decent jobs, especially for the youth
accelerate implementation of interventions in the health, education and water and sanitation sectors all of which will benefit all of us.
Thus, there is need for this country to be objective in debating national issues that have long term effect on social progress and development. Citizens need to be better informed.
By Barnabas Mwansa
The author is a development expert and practitioner
Acting president Edgar Lungu’s motorcade drives along Independence avenue after the independence day march past in Lusaka
The Opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) has challenged Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda to publish a list of how much government is spending on each category of public workers.
Speaking in an interview FDD spokesperson Antonio Mwanza said most the 75% of Domestic Revenue emoluments that the Minister has given as reason for not lifting the wage freeze actually goes towards supporting the extravagant life styles of Ministers and constitution office bearers as opposed to civil servants.
“Mr. Chikwanda has told the nation that he can’t lift the wage freeze because 75% of all Domestic Revenue is going to emoluments.
“As FDD we say the bulk of that 75% is actually going to people like Chikwanda and his friends. The bulk of that money is gobbled by Ministers and other Constitution office bearers through hefty salaries, exorbitant allowances extravagant privileges such as posh SUV cars, phone bills, health and education weavers that Ministers enjoy.
[pullquote]The budget which Chikwanda presented in parliament for 14 million people is actually half of Botswana’s budget, a country which has less than 3 million people.[/pullquote]
“As FDD we therefore demand that Mr.Chikwanda publishes the list showing how much the country is pending on each category of civil servants,that is per teacher, per nurse etcetera and should also include how much the government spends on each Minister and other Constitution office bearers,” Mr. Mwanza said.
Mr. Mwanza also said instead of punishing poor workers Mr. Chikwanda should be devising tax regimes which will maximise revenue collection as opposed to the current regimes which he says continue to favor foreign investors such as the mines.
“Second, it is Chikwanda’s own failure to devise tax regimes that would maximise revenue collection that has resulted into low revenue collection. For example the mines despite being major importers and exporters (accounting to about 80% of all exports and imports) contributes less than 19% of revenue to the treasury.
“But Chikwanda has continued to give the tax breaks including removing Corporate Income Tax and not refusing to introduce windfall tax.
“The budget which Chikwanda presented in parliament for 14 million people is actually half of Botswana’s budget, a country which has less than 3 million people. Chikwanda and PF are a liability. We demand for the list to be published,” he said.
