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Prepare for Impact: Economy is Diving! Brace for Negative Impact! Economy is Falling!

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President Michael Sata, who was accompanied by First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba (right), walks side by side with Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini, who was also accompanied by his wife Ethel (left) on arrival at Parliament buildings in Lusaka
President Michael Sata, who was accompanied by First Lady Dr Christine
Kaseba (right), walks side by side with Speaker of the National
Assembly Patrick Matibini, who was also accompanied by his wife Ethel (left) on arrival at Parliament buildings in Lusaka

By Hjoe Moono

Earlier this week the PF government through its MPs in parliament passed a motion that increased government borrowing from the domestic loan threshold of K200 million to K13 billion, representing a 6400% increase!! Yes, 6400% increase in domestic borrowing!! Wow!! Can someone please confirm my calculations, could I be wrong?

If the government therefore borrows at the limit from the banks, the debt would rise as high as 6400% from where it is today. I could not believe this, my simple calculator could not get this right-it gave me an ERROR! Seriously, this is an ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT ERROR!! The economists at Ministry of Finance should have honestly told Ba Chikwanda that there is an error in the calculation! I know there is an Economic Management Division (EMD) at Ministry of Finance, could it have been changed to Economic Management Error, (EME)? No disrespect for my fellow economists there, they are fine economists, but I suspect they must be working under tough instructions & conditions.

Noting that it passed parliament, I cannot agree more with Mr. Sata’s honesty about his MPs, they seem indeed to be as he said: Useless! For if they weren’t, how could they pass a motion with an error? But then, many things have become LESS in Zambia lately besides the MPs: Our hospitals are Nurse-less and our Kwacha is becoming Worth-less by the day.

Back to the 6400% increase in debt threshold, this is clear preparations for economic failure on the part of PF. But to cement their borrowing appetite and crowd out private investment and borrowers, they have increased the minimum bank reserve ratio from 8% to 14%. What this means ladies and gentlemen is that there is now 6% less money (14%-8%=6%) for banks to lend to you and I, period! It means there is less money in the banks for loan, therefore NO more money in your pockets!

[pullquote]Noting that it passed parliament, I cannot agree more with Mr. Sata’s honesty about his MPs, they seem indeed to be as he said: Useless! [/pullquote]

But what is the reserve ratio you may ask? A reserve ratio is a percentage of deposits that banks must keep in their banks to enable them be liquid, i.e, to easily meet the demands of clients through withdrawals etc. So if you have a reserve ratio of 8%, it means that out of all deposits, the bank will keep 8% and lend out 92%. What the PF has done now is to command the banks to lend less to you and me from 92% to 86% by increasing the reserve ratio. So if you had applied for a loan a week ago, expect it to be declined! Sorry!

But you see, while they have reduced money for you and me, they have increased their need to borrow from the same banks. So it’s the pure case of a dad reducing your daily meals from 3 to 1 to that he can increase his from 3 to 5—Mwadya Mweka Daddy reloaded!

But then, the comedy of errors in Mr. Chikwanda’s economics fails him further: While he reduces the borrowing to the public, he still insists on a policy rate to cap interest rates on domestic borrowing, when the demand and supply sermons he gives on a nose diving kwacha will dictate that the interest rates should rise. Soon, expect to hear higher lending rates from the banks and financial institutions.

It seems the septuagenarian Minister of Finance and his colleagues, mostly septuagenarians too, including the president, have absolutely no idea what they are doing. The best we can do is to prepare for the worst: Higher inflation and higher debt coupled with a valueless kwacha.

With the kwacha free falling at Newton’s 10metres per second speed, higher levels of debt, reduced loans and upcoming higher interest rates, ladies and gentlemen, brace for impact! The economy is diving! Brace for negative impact!

PS: A septuagenarian is a person who is between 70 and 79 years old.

Civil Society Constitutional Coalition commends opposition MP’s

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Civil Society Constitutional Coalition commends opposition MP’s

some guests watching proceedings from parliament

The Civil Society Constitution Coalition has commended opposition Members of Parliament stance they have taken to demand the issue of the new constitution to be addressed by government.

Opposition Members of Parliament have in the last two days disrupted Parliamentary business demanding the issue of the constitution to be addressed.

Civil Society Constitution Coalition vice Chairperson Judith Mulenga has told Qfm News in an interview that the opposition Members of Parliament need to be commended for their courage to speak out and demand for what the people want.

Ms. Mulenga says it gives hope to the coalition and the majority Zambians to see everyone getting united in demand for the new constitution.

Ms .Mulenga stressed that it is only right that President Micheal Sata releases the draft constitution because Zambians are getting tired of depressing statements over the document.

She further stated that the CSO’s will not stop demanding for a people driven constitution.

Yesterday, Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini called for a closed-door meeting with representatives of backbenchers and Government to resolve differences over the constitution-making process.

This cane in the wake of disruptions of debate by backbenchers in the House for the second day yesterday. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday next week.

Dr Matibini told Parliament yesterday that the disruptions were “unprecedented” and “unfortunate”.

“It also goes without saying that in a democracy there are differences of opinion [and] one of the tenets of democracy is dialogue,” Dr Matibini said in urging the MPs to exhibit leadership.

“Both members on the left [backbenchers] and right [executive] are leaders. Zambians look up to us. So, the spirit of dialogue is key; it is absolutely essential,” Dr Matibini said.

He said this last night when Parliament resumed seating after another abrupt discontinuation earlier in the afternoon.

The Speaker was prompted to call for security to help restore order when some backbenchers attempted to walk over to the Speaker’s mace.

The Speaker then went into a meeting with Vice-President Guy Scott and chief whips.

When Parliament resumed seating, Monze Central MP Jack Mwiimbu (United Party for National Development) raised a point of order and said: “We have decided that this process be given an opportunity to reach fruition under your able guidance Mr Speaker. On Tuesday, you will call for a meeting where this impasse will be resolved for the benefit of this House and the nation.”

PPAZ calls on Government increased budgetary allocation to family planning programmes

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The Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia has called for increased budgetary allocation to family planning programmes in the country.

PPAZ Executive Director Edford Mutuma said the Ministry of Finance should scale up its allocation to programmes aimed at increasing access to family planning in Zambia.

Mr Mutuma was speaking in Lusaka when PPAZ hosted a working lunch on family planning for officials from the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders.

In the 2014 budget, family planning programmes are have been provided for with allocations for the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health receiving a combined allocation of seven percent of the total budget.

Mr Mutuma proposed that Government increases spending on health and education budgets by 30 percent in line with regional and international protocols.

“Admittedly, the Zambian government has shown political commitment towards family planning but what we are asking for is Government translating these commitments into actual spend on family planning,” Mr Mutuma said.

“We need visible, frequent, consistent support from political leaders and we also need support within key government ministries for family planning programmes,” he said.

Mr Mutuma said there is need to translate sexual and reproductive health family planning commitments into action to achieve national health targets.

He said the Ministry of Health plays a key role in resource allocation to family planning service delivery in Zambia.

“Government is targeting to improve health system by working on the infrastructure and human resource and increasing contraceptive prevalence rate from 33 percent to above 70 percent which will result in manageable families to match the economic aspiration and empowered women,” he said.

“Targets such as reducing maternal mortality especially unintended abortions to half and lowering total fertility rate from 6.2 percent to lower than four percent will only be achieved by increasing government spending on family planning.”

Arthur Davies to host Nkana vs KCCA CAF Champions League game

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Nkana have moved Saturday’s 2014 CAF Champions League match against Uganda’s Kampala City Council Authority to Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.

Continuous rains being experienced in Kitwe have made the pitch at Nkana Stadium waterlogged.

Nkana secretary Ken Mwansa said the reason to shift the venue for the first round, first leg tie was technical.

“Yes we have changed the venue from Nkana Stadium to Arthur Davies Stadium, this is due to a technical reason,” Mwansa said.

The turf at Arthur Davies absorbs water easily compared to the one at Nkana Stadium.

Mining Companies paid US$87 million in windfall taxes to the Zambian government in 2011

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Kansanshi Mine
Kansanshi Mine

Mining Companies paid tax amounting to US$87 million to the Zambian government in 2011 according to the latest 2011 Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative EITI report.

The mining companies that paid the windfall tax are NFC Africa mining, Chibuluma mines, Chambeshi metals, Kansanshi mine, Mopani mine and Konkola Copper Mines.

Windfall tax was abolished by the Rupiah Banda led MMD government.

And Caritas Zambia has implored the government to have a listening ear and consider reintroducing windfall tax.

Caritas Zambia Executive Director Samuel Mulafulafu in a statement issued to QFM News today says the $87 million paid as windfall tax is what Government could have been receiving every year from the mining companies which would have made a huge difference to infrastructure development and employment of more civil servants like nurses and doctors.

Mr. Mulafulafu says government’s position on windfall tax has continued to disadvantage many poor Zambians who require quality social service delivery.

He has also implored government to seriously ensure that all mining companies pay their dividends so that the nation can benefit from the inordinate profits generated, considering that only two mining companies Chibuluma and Kasanshi mines paid dividends of the mining companies that were reconciled.

He further wonders how the government reported to have received K7.72 billion from mining companies, more than what the mining companies paid which is K7.67 billion.

Mr. Mulafulafu however says Caritas Zambia is encouraged to note the 100 percent revenues increase from K3.02 billion in the 2010 EITI reported figures to now K7.5 billion according to the latest 2011 EITI report.

Mr. Mulafulafu has since implore the government through the Auditor General’s office to play an active role in enhancing transparency on tax revenue recordings and tax expenditures as well as monitoring and applying pressure for the implementation of audit and EITI recommendations.

Opposition MPs’ conduct is disorderly and not permitted by our Constitution-Speaker

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Opposition MPs’ conduct is disorderly and not permitted by our Constitution-Speaker
Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini
Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini

Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has described the opposition Members of Parliament (MPs)’s action to disrupting proceedings in the House today as unruly and disorderly.

Dr Matibini threatened to invoke Standing Order number 70 which could have seen the MPs being led out of the House by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

“It is clear this is a deliberate attempt to disrupt proceedings. This is disorderly conduct I thereby order the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove unruly MPs.”

“This conduct is disorderly and not permitted by our Constitution. Standing Order number 70 has been violated and it is clear we cannot transact with the Honourable MPs conducting themselves in this way. The only thing to do is like in the past, to walk out. We cannot talk in this kind of situation,” Dr Matibini said.

Parliament’s security wing swung into action to restore order inside Parliament as MPs flocked to the Speaker’s mace area to air their grievance over the Constitution making process amidst flared tempers.

Zambia Police officers were also deployed around Parliament grounds to monitor the situation.

Dr Matibini however suspended Parliamentary business to allow for order to return to the House.

The opposition bench continued their in-house protests over the Constitution which started during Tuesday’s session which led to an early adjournment.

The MPs constantly obstructed the deliberations by insisting that it was inappropriate to continue proceedings without attending to issues of the Constitution process.

But the Speaker said in order to restore order and decorum of the House it was inevitable to suspend business until normalcy was restored.

As the Speaker presided over business, opposition MPs tussled with the security officers who were more than 10, in a bid to bring order in the House.

Cabinet members watched as the scuffle ensued amidst an exchange of words between the opposition and the ruling bench.

Vice President Guy Scott’s security personnel entered the House but this was protested against by the opposition MPs demanding that they leave the House along with the Parliament security officers.

However business resumed at 17:43 with the Speaker stating that what had transpired was unprecedented and unfortunate and that his office would address the matter accordingly.

“What transpired is unprecedented and unfortunate but I have a structure and it will be dealt with accordingly, let us not go back to this issue through points of orders as it has been communicated to me formally and it shall be dealt with,” Dr Matibini said.

Dr Matibini said Zambians were watching and that such matters should be addressed through dialogue as opposed to disrupting proceedings.

Zambia beat Power Dynamos in friendly game

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Zambia on Wedneday afternoon beat FAZ Super League side Power Dynamos 2-1 in practice match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

The home-based Chipolopolo squad has set up camp in Ndola prior to 5th March friendly against Uganda.

Little known defender Adrian Chama of FAZ Division One South side Riflemen headed Zambia in front from close range on the half hour mark.

Clubless captain Christopher Katongo extended Chipolopolo’s lead after 54 minutes when he converted a penalty after striker Evans Kangwa was fouled in the box.

Power’s lone goal came via a spotkick converted by striker Patrick Kabamba after midfielder Roderick Kabwe handled in the box.

Patrice-We respect Uganda

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Chipolopolo coach Patrice Beaumelle says he respects the Uganda Cranes ahead of the 15th March friendly in Ndola.

Beaumelle’s Zambia host Uganda in their first match in 2014 set for Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

“Uganda is a good team, I have respect for the team. They have some good players and they always give us a good challenge so it will be an interesting game,” he said.

Beaumelle said he expect massive support from fans.

“I am very happy to play my first game as head coach at home .We are expecting a lot of support because it is the first game in 2014,” he said.

And Beaumelle believes that Sochaux defender Stoppila Sunzu should be available and fit for the Uganda friendly.
Sunzu missed Sochaux’s last league match on Saturday due to an hamstring injury.

“It seems like he will be ready hopefully he will be ready,” he added.

The friendly will kick off at 17h00.

Flamboyant buildings cannot treat patients in the absence of fired nurses- Doctors Association

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Graduates dancing in Mpika during the 8th combined graduation ceremony for Chilonga and Kasama Schools of Nursing and Midwives which was held at Chilonga Mission School of Nursing.A total of 94 nurses graduated.
Graduates dancing in Mpika during the 8th combined
graduation ceremony for Chilonga and Kasama Schools of Nursing and
Midwives which was held at Chilonga Mission School of Nursing.A total
of 94 nurses graduated.

The Zambia Medical Association says flamboyant buildings cannot treat patients in the absence of about 500 experienced nurses recently fired by government.

ZMA president Aaron Mujajati said the dismissal of experienced nurses from major hospitals has affected operations and the quality of healthcare service for the patients.

Dr Mujajati said the health sector thrived on expertise and wondered how the new recruits said to have replaced the dismissed staff would work without the necessary supervision.

The ZMA revealed that healthcare service had remained suboptimal, more so in the absence of trained health practitioner to see that quality of services in public health institutions was far from ideal.

“All medical fields thrive on apprenticeship for safety of patients as one of the major reasons. So who is showing these new nurses the ropes after the dismissal of the mentors? Need we say more?” he questioned.

He explained that while other nations were carrying out mass recruitment of health personnel, the Zambian government seemed to have the luxury of dismissing the nurses without consideration of the patients.

He said although they welcomed the infrastructure development taking place in the health sector, including at the largest health institution in the country, University Teaching Hospital (UTH), there was very little being done to address the question of service delivery.

“Currently if you take UTH for instance only one nurse takes care of over 60 patients in the wards at night and on top of that some of them are new and inexperienced.

“A newly graduated nurse needs to work under supervision for at least 18 months and in some cases three years before they can be left to work alone,” he said.

Dr Mujajati said the doctors were concerned with the state of affairs after the dismissal of the nurses and questioned how long the recovery period could take at the expense of the patients.

He charged that the national population was increasing without any corresponding rise in resources or change of strategy to redress the growing demand of healthcare services, adding that there was a general shortage of health care personnel globally.

“We have stated before that the strike action by the nurses was not right but we still maintain that dismissing them was not the correct way to proceed for a number of reasons, but you cannot simply fire experienced nurses and replace them with newly graduated ones and assume all is well.

“No health worker is happy to nurse a patient on the floor or to be told every so often that one thing or the other is out of stock and you have to hopelessly watch you patient deteriorate. At which point should these issues attract the due attention of those who make the real difference?” he said.

He said as a nation, Zambia had come a long way in the 49 years of independence and should already be at a certain level other than the desire shown to improve the infrastructure.

“Funding to a number of public hospitals is behind by four or more months. Would these issues have a different perspective if our leaders or their close relatives were attended in the same environment as the patients from Kanyama?

“All is not well and we should not as a people and nation deceive ourselves. Is the life of a poor Zambian who has no real alternatives to public hospital services worth saving? We believe that is what it all comes down to,” Dr Mujajati said.

Increased road traffic accidents can partly be attributed to corruption on roads-Mususu

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THE wreckage of the Post Courier Vehicle, registration number ALC 8695 that collided with a Lusaka bound Kobs passenger Bus popularly known as Zambia/Malawi ten kilometres from Katete. The accident happened around 06:30 hours yesterday and the Driver of the courier, Davis Ng’andwe, died on the spot while nine passengers are admitted to St. Francis’ Hospital with minor injuries
THE wreckage of the Post Courier Vehicle, registration number ALC 8695 that collided with a Lusaka bound Kobs passenger Bus popularly known as Zambia/Malawi ten kilometres from Katete. 

Former Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) Executive Director, Bishop Paul Mususu has observed that the increase in road accidents in the country can partly be attributed to corruption in the enforcement of road safety regulations.

Bishop Mususu said driver’s licensesare issued to people who may not be qualified to be on the road.Bishop Mususu told Qfm in an interview that even in instances where some drivers are caught drinking and driving, they are left scot free due to corruption.

He said that as long as corrupt officers are not dealt with, it is difficult to reduce the accidents.

Bishop Mususu said drivers should not be allowed to endanger people’s lives through over speeding, drinking and driving and overloading.

He regreted that many lives have been lost due to road accidents and implored Zambians to observe road safety rules.

NGO ACT is law and concerns raised are mere speculation – Kapeya

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NGO ACT is law and concerns raised are mere speculation – Kapeya
Chief Government Spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya
Chief Government Spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya

Chief Government spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya has said the controversial NGO act is law which needs to be adhered to in its current form and force.He said government is aware of the concerns that have been raised by some NGOs regarding some of the legal impediments within the NGO Act No. 2009 but Government is of the view that the sentiments being made on the NGO Act by some stakeholders are mere speculation as no one has been injured by the said law so far.

460 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) resolved not to register under the Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Act until all the necessary amendments on the proposed unconstitutional Act of 2009 were resolved.

Non Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) Chairperson, Beatrice Grillo, said the Act of 2009 is retrogressive and that it is not in the best interest of some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).Ms Grillo stated that the Act is in conflict with Article 21 of the constitution as its scope goes beyond the prior restraints permissible under the Article and restricts freedom of association and movement.

She stated that the Article is heavy as its requirements impinge on the internal affairs of NGOs especially taking into account that each NGO operates on different mandates in accordance with their own priorities and use different methodologies and reporting lines to achieve their objectives.

She charged that its application and registration provisions are unclear and place a financial burden on NGOs unnecessarily.

Ms Grillo also noted that the Act does not recognise the previous legal status of the registered NGOs under the existing legal frame work(societies Act) and the provision in the NGO Act on re-registration are confusing and ambiguous.

Below is the Full Press Statement

STATEMENT BY HON. MWANSA KAPEYA, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON THE REGISTRATION OF NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS UNDER THE NGO ACT

Government wishes to make its position clear on the registration of Non Governmental Organisations under the NGO Act No. 16 of 2009. This is in the wake of concerns raised by some NGOs over the operationalization of the Act.

First and foremost, Government wishes to amplify the commitment it attaches to NGOs as partners supplementing its efforts in development.

As such, it is Government’s resolve to continue to engage the NGOs through the established structures in ensuring that the relationship with the NGOs is enhanced and sustained.

In this regard, Government is aware of the concerns that have been raised by some NGOs regarding some of the legal impediments within the NGO Act No. 2009 that need to be addressed.

However, since the NGO Act is already law which needs to be adhered to in its current form and force, Government has commenced the registration process of the NGOs as a way of operationalizing the Act while the review process will follow while it is being implemented.

Government wishes to observe further that it is the duty of the Courts to interpret whether the law in question is bad. At the moment, Government is of the view that the sentiments being made on the NGO Act by some stakeholders are mere speculation as no one has been injured by the said law so far.

Government is committed to review the NGO Act as stated in its Manifesto and this issue is scheduled to be tabled before Cabinet.

Consultations with stakeholders, including the Council of NGOs, on the review of the NGO Act are on course and a roadmap has since been developed to commence the process.

By way of updating the nation on the registration process, 420 NGOs countrywide have paid and collected the registration forms out of which 149 NGOs have been issued with certificates of registration.

From this and other figures captured so far, it is clear that a large majority of NGOs have complied with the law by commencing the registration process under the NGO Act.

The second extension of NGO registration expired on 3rd February, 2014 and currently, the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, is taking into consideration all relevant concerns from stakeholders.

Hon. Mwansa Kapeya, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON

27th February, 2014

New video by Alabama Ft Krummy

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alabama

Alabama released the video for the song “Icitemwiko” which features Krummy and IC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz-l-L3n_hs

Hon Kabimba’s Shallow. Hollow. Useless and Uninspiring Ministerial Statement

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By Hjoe Moono

Wynter Kabimba
Wynter Kabimba

Listening to the Minister of Justice, Honorary Wynter Kabimba, ODS, SC give his ministerial statement in parliament left a repugnant feeling about the continued gimmicks being implemented by the PF and its government over the constitution. Re-reading the speech, I find that not only is it shallow, hollow and useless, but it is also heavily uninspiring and flat. It lacked the contents it purported to be delivering, and I am left to wonder just what Wynter was thinking when he was drafting and delivering such a shallow statement on a matter of extreme importance like the constitution. Something isn’t right here.

The statement/speech lacked content, failed to rhyme, rather focused on the many other things the PF promised to do in 2011, and failed to acknowledge, that the economy stinks-it would have been heroic anyway to hear such. There is nothing worth picking up from the speech, and just perhaps the opposition MPs chanting in parliament leading to the suspension of yesterday’s sittings are justified.

Among the many glaring faults of the speech, the biggest was the lack of reference to the president’s comments on the constitution, which have been heavily quoted, cited, praised and criticised by all in Zambia. These comments, which have been clear and confirmed over and over are that the PF does not see the need for a new constitution; and that the president should first be shown an animal driven constitution before he could perform his expected duties with regards the current constitution.

But further to this, it seems Mr. Kabimba thinks so low of us to make us believe that the draft constitution was ‘wrongly’ handed over to him when it was supposed to be to the appointing authority, the president.

Questions:

  1. How long does it take to re-direct the handed over constitution to the correct appointing authority?
  2. Weren’t we told that the government only wanted one copy for the president alone?
  3. Isn’t it Guy Scot, VP, MP, who disclosed that the PF does not support the 50%+1 clause in the draft because it will disadvantage them in the coming elections?
  4. So if the contents are already known, and partly reflected upon by the PF, and seemingly rejected, what submission to the appointing authority is Wynter lying about in Parliament?
  5. Wasn’t the nation told that government is studying the submitted constitution initially, only to U-turn that it has not received it? These people should be ashamed of themselves!

Mr. Kabimba states that:

“Yes, the Zambian people need a comprehensive constitution which should address some lacunas in the current constitution in line with the demands of the tenets of democracy in the 21st century. But our people also demand that this government guarantees them food security, a good healthcare system, employment opportunities, social security after retirement and education opportunities up to tertiary level. All these aspects of people’s lives are corollary to the demand for a comprehensive constitution. ….It is in this vein that we should all understand the position taken by His Excellency the President in his pronouncements on the constitution.”

Let us ask Mr. Kabimba, which pronouncements by the president is he referring to? The need for an animal driven constitution before he could attend to the current or that we do not need a new constitution anymore, and that debates and calls on the constitution should be ignored? These are the only pronouncements that HE. MCS, has made. Is Mr. Kabimba emphasising these and telling right in our faces that this is no longer a priority as by the president’s pronouncements?

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Kabimba cites the words of Abraham Lincoln and states:

“We should bear this in mind, and act in such a way as to say nothing insulting or irritating. I would inculcate this idea, so that we may not, like Pharisees, set ourselves up to be better than other people.”

I am left wondering what this hullabaloo by Mr. Kabimba was all about when we have a country that is screaming loud in your ears its demands-a constitution as presented in the draft! Who, if not himself and his colleagues are behaving like Pharisees by ignoring to yield to the demands of us, the ordinary Zambians? Who, if not his appointing authority has been insulting the Zambians by asking for an animal driven constitution, turning to comedy on a matter of extreme importance such as the constitution? Billions of kwacha have been spent on the constitution making process, submissions have been made, and a draft representing the desires of the people has been submitted. All we need is action, genuine action to deliver to the people there demands, a constitution as presented in the draft, period!

We would like Mr. Kabimba to note, as he may have faintly referred in his lame speech, that:

The trinity of freedoms; Political, Social and Economic do not live in isolation and cannot be pursued independently, indefinitely. The pursuit of one may precede the other, yet, they reinforce each other. The political freedoms make the pursuit of the others possible in a dignified and diverse environment. And therefore, the constitution, which is at the apex of these political freedoms is supreme. The economic freedoms makes it possible for people to live a decent, just and dignified life while the social freedoms makes possible the other two.

The constitutional freedoms which the PF promised are not being adhered to, and the utterances by the president and his justice minister do not inspire us to believe there has been any genuine will to deliver to the Zambians what they asked for- a just and people driven constitution. The calls for an animal driven constitution, if a joke, are misplaced, but if genuine, we encourage our current PF leaders to consider standing for elections in one of our many national parks and game management areas, where we hope the animals will be kind enough to give them an animal driven constitution. As we are not animals, we deserve the respect due to humans and our needs attended to as humans deserve.

But perhaps, since the Minister of Justice is an Honorary Member of Parliament without a voting constituency—he was just nominated and has never won an election—he may not understand fully the importance of being answerable to the electorates. We will keep vigil and for now, can only ask, what next? Sooner than later, until the peoples’ demands are met, all the tricks will be exhausted, and the people will speak again, just as they did in 2011.

Zambia has not become polarised as regards to the Constitution making process-Wynter Kabimba

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Wynter Kabimba
Wynter Kabimba

JUSTICE Minister Wynter Kabimba has assured that Government is not resisting giving Zambians a people-driven Constitution.

Mr Kabimba said this in his Ministerial statement presented to Parliament yesterday saying it is incorrect to suggest that Zambia has become polarized as regards the Constitution making process.

“It is not correct to suggest that our country has become polarized as regards the Constitution making process. It is also not true to further suggest that there exists one group of stakeholders which is championing the process on the one hand with the Government resisting such a demand against the people’s interest on the other,” Mr Kabimba said.

He reiterated that Government was committed to Constitutional making process to the extent that the programme remained wholly owned by and was also representative of the views of all citizens of the country.

He said that one of the reasons leading to the delay in the handover of the report was the attempt at one point by the Constitution Technical Committee to hand him the report instead of the Republican President, who was the appointing authority.

“I objected to such handover and I returned the documents to the office of the chairperson of the Committee pending my consultation on the handover date with President Michael Sata,” he said.

Mr Kabimba said he had now been advised by the Chairperson of the Committee that the final draft report was ready for handover to President Sata and that accordingly he was consulting with Head of State for a suitable date within his schedule of work for such a date.

He said Government was dismayed with public statements by stakeholders ‘insinuating’ lack of political will or good faith to the process.

He said it was not true to suggest that the country had become polarised as regards the Constitution making process.

“We as Government appreciate the fact that in a democracy, like ours, the people will express their views through different avenues on how the Government should undertake various programmes. This is what democracy entails. However, we should be careful and guard against projecting puritanism in such instances,” he said.

The House also welcomed newly elected UPND MP, Jonas Shakafuswa who took oath before the Speaker.

PF blames regionalism and tribalism for the loss in Katuba bye-election

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PF blames regionalism and tribalism for the loss in Katuba bye-election
UPND supporters celebrating with their newly elected MP
UPND supporters celebrating with their newly elected MP

THE Patriotic Front (PF) has condemned the regionalism and tribalism that characterised the just ended Katuba Constituency by election in Chibombo District.

Conceding defeat in an interview from Abuja, Nigeria yesterday, Katuba Constituency campaign manager Edgar Lungu said while UPND should be congratulated for winning the election, issues of regionalism and tribalism that were witnessed in Katuba must be condemned by all Zambians.

“We gave the process our best but issues of regionalism and tribalism carried the day.

“Let us learn from the Central African Republic, South Sudan and Rwanda and be mindful that regionalism and tribalism is a negative force which we should never embrace” said Mr Lungu who is also Defence minister.

But UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said the victory by his party in Katuba was a vote of no confidence in the PF Government.

[pullquote]“You cannot say that people who live in Katuba are all Lenjes, all Zambians live there. That is just a mere excuse the PF gives when it loses,” he said.[/pullquote]

He refuted allegations of tribalism being cited by Mr Lungu saying this was the excuse the ruling party made whenever it lost elections.

“You cannot say that people who live in Katuba are all Lenjes, all Zambians live there. That is just a mere excuse the PF gives when it loses,” he said.

Former Katuba Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Jonas Shakafuswa has regained his seat after polling 4,781 votes against his closest rival Patriotic Front (PF)’s Moses Chilando’s 2,747 in a tightly-contested by-election.

Returning officer Mutandi Mwanamwalye declared Mr Shakafuswa winner at about 10:20 hours yesterday.

MMD candidate Cecil Holmes was third with 734 votes followed by National Restoration Party’s Joseph Mushalika who got 566 votes while the only female candidate Patricia Mwashingwele of the Alliance for Better Zambia polled 393 votes.

United National Independence Party (UNIP) candidate Friday Malawo got 124 votes while National Revolution Party representative Shakespeare Mwakamui only managed a paltry 23 votes.

Mr Shakafuswa was carried shoulder high by his jubilant supporters shortly after he was declared the duly elected candidate to regain the seat he lost to late former MP Patrick Chikusu in 2011.

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