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WITH six months and some days remaining before the widely publicised United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general Assembly takes place in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Tourism Minister Sylvia Masebo talks to tour operators (not in picture) at Royal Livingstone Hotel to iron out accommodation challenges and other related issues
Government has threatened to shut down all lodges across the country that are operating below the required standards.
Minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo said some lodges were not fit to be operating as such.
Mrs. Masebo explained to ZANIS in a telephone interview in Lusaka today that government was also aware that some lodges operated as brothels.
She said brothel business was illegal in Zambia and should therefore be discouraged at all levels.
She further said turning lodges into brothels painted a bad picture of the country’s hospitality industry.
Mrs. Masebo said government, through her ministry which is a regulator of the industry, shall not condone all those intending to venture into the hospitality sector to run lodges as brothels.
She said Zambians should value the business of operating lodges because it promotes economic development through job creation in the country.
She also stated that as Zambia prepares to co-host the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) conference in August this year with neighbouring Zimbabwe, lodge owners should ensure that their premises were well maintained and were meeting the required standards of the government.
Mrs. Masebo said Zambians should understand that the conference was a huge event that would market Zambia as a tourist destination in Africa and the whole world.
She said owners of lodges should continue maintaining their facilities and operate legally even after the conference.
Mrs. Masebo reiterated her confidence that the country would successfully co-host the UNWTO with Zimbabwe in August this year.
She noted that despite some challenges, government was making steady progress in ensuring that the conference is successful.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Masebo said art helps in contributing towards the promotion of the tourism sector in the country.
She pointed out that government was therefore ensuring that the tourism and art sectors were diversified in the country.
Mrs. Masebo has since called on all stakeholders countrywide to help support the tourism and arts sector in order to build them.
Zambia will co-host the UNWTO conference with neighbouring Zimbabwe in August this year.
Police on the Copperbelt have been urged to be on high alert against unscrupulous individuals and business houses who are smuggling mealie- meal at night to unknown destinations.
In addition, Antelope Milling Limited Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Efstathiou says his company was producing 7000 by 25kg bags of breakfast meal and 3000 by 25kg bags of roller meal.
Copperbelt Province Minister Mwenye Musenge says police in the area should be on high alert and arrest any unscrupulous businesspersons and individuals found wanting in the smuggling escapades.
ZANIS reports from Luanshya that the minister said this in an interview after a business meeting with management of Antelope Milling Company.
He said he has received reports alleging that some unscrupulous individuals are involved in a racket where mealie is been bought in large quantities from outlets and then transported in the night possibly to border areas where the commodity is fetching a higher price.
Mr. Musenge wondered why trucks loaded with mealie meal meant for ordinary Zambians are been allowed by police at checkpoints to pass without inquiring. He said the province had 7 check points and it was unthinkable that police could just be watching truck loads of mealie meal crossing.
He said there was need for everyone in the province to work together in resolving the problem hence the reason his office is meeting millers to get down to bottom of the problem.
He said whilst his office has already agreed with district commissioners and miller to be limiting the number of bags one can buy to two bags, more has to be down so that situation is normalized.
And speaking earlier in the meeting, Antelope Milling Limited Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Efstathiou says his company was producing 7000 by 25kg bags of breakfast meal and 3000 by 25kg bags of roller meal.
He said as far as his company, the company was managing to supply the commodity to all its 55 outlet depots on the Copperbelt.
Mr. Efstathiou assured the minister that the company was working closely with the local leadership so that it can find a lasting solution to problem of the seemingly shortage.
He said management had since resolved to direct all its supplies of mealie meal to Luanshya as it had enough stocks.
Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has said that it is unfair for former President Rupiah Banda to accuse Government of persecuting him through the ongoing investigations into his alleged wrongdoings while in office.
Mr. Sakeni , who was still admitted at University Teaching Hospital ( UTH )yesterday, said in a signed statement that said Mr. Banda, like any other citizen in his situation is enjoying his full human rights and freedoms such as legal representation, including the assumption that he is innocent until proven guilty as per law established.
Below is the full statement
Republic of Zambia Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services
STATEMENT BY HON. KENNEDY SAKENI, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON COMPLAINTS BY FORMER REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT MR RUPIAH BANDA THAT HE IS BEING PERSECUTED
It is unfair for former Republican President Mr Rupiah Banda to accuse Government of persecuting him through the ongoing investigations into his alleged wrongdoing while in office.
Mr Banda, like any other citizen, in his situation, is enjoying his full human rights and freedoms such as legal representation, including the assumption that he is innocent until proven guilty, as per law established.
Further and beyond this, as former Head of State, Mr Banda is still enjoying all the privileges such as state security that go with the status of that office.
So, what persecution is Mr Banda complaining about? We challenge him to point out any injustice or violation of his human rights that he has suffered during the ongoing investigations.
But this country is governed by the rule of law. There are no sacred cows. Whoever is suspected to have done something wrong is called to account for their actions in accordance with the law.
The people of Zambia have done just that: to ask their former Head of State to account for his actions in the manner he presided over their resources while he was in office.
The law is very clear. It provides for the removal of a former President’s immunity when there is suspicion of wrongdoing so that he or she can exonerate oneself.
When he addressed his supporters on Monday after appearing before the Joint Investigative Team, Mr Banda is on record as urging sympathizers to remain calm as the investigations would provide him a chance to answer to the various allegations levelled against him.
What has suddenly changed that Mr Banda should now say he is being persecuted over the same process he had earlier welcomed as an opportunity to clear himself over the allegations.
Contrary to his lamentations, Mr Banda will be prosecuted and not persecuted for the wrongs he is suspected to have committed while in office. And these have been clearly itemized for his response.
The Patriotic Front is a responsible Government which has a duty to ensure public resources benefit the people of Zambia. The law will not spare anyone found wanting in this regard.
Hon. Kennedy Sakeni, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
Zambia drew 1-1 with Africa sports Academy in a training game this afternoon in Soweto.
Africa Sport scored through Thabo Moloi while Rainford Kalaba was on target for Zambia in the training game played on artificial surface ahead of playing on another plastic pitch in Maseru this weekend.
“We have to be used on the artificial turf sometimes it is better to play on this surface. Like here, it is better than we played at the Africa Cup of Nations (At Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit),” coach Herve Renard said.
Striker Fwayo Tembo started the friendly alongside Collins Mbesuma before the latter made way for Emmanuel Mayuka.
Defender Stopilla Sunzu who has been nursing an injury came on in the last quarter of the friendly without a hitch.
Zambia wraps-up its training camp in Johannesburg on Friday before heading to Maseru ahead of Sundays 2014 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
The Patriotic Front in Luanshya says the continued overpricing of mealie meal and shortage of the commodity on the Copperbelt will seriously affect its popularity in the province if left unchecked.
Luanshya PF District Political Secretary Alex Simponda says it was for the same problem of mealie meal that led to the downfall of the former President Kenneth Kaunda and UNIP then in the 90s.
ZANIS reports that Mr Simponda said this in Luanshya yesterday when Provincial Minister Mwenye Musenge visited Antelope Milling Company and held a meeting with management over the matter.
Mr. Simponda called on the company to work with the government of the day by assisting it in ensuring that mealie meal is made available in the right quantities and on time so that people do not cue up and wait for too long.
He charged that despite the company claiming that it was delivering mealie meal in the local townships of Luanshya, reports had reached the party that some unscrupulous individuals were buying the commodity in large quantities from the company’s outlets and hoard the commodity to create an artificial shortage to later at a higher price.
And Luanshya Mayor Nathan Bwalya said the problem of mealie has not spared the town as mealie meal was not readily available in most shops and that most bags been sold were 10kg breakfast bags which also quickly run out.
Mr. Bwalya also said some shop outlets after buying the mealie meal in bulk were reloading the same commodity in the night and then transport to unknown destination.
He said there is need to vigilantly monitor the movement of the meal from the milling so that ordinary residents of Luanshya buy the bags cheaply at the official price of KR50.00 per 25kg breakfast mealie meal.
Meanwhile, Kitwe City , the hub of the Copperbelt province has again been hit with a shortage of mealie-meal.
The commodity is scarce and is fetching about KR65 and above in most retail shops.
Meanwhile mealie- meal traders have complained that they are forced to sell the commodity at over KR 50, because they were buying it at KR50 from retailers.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kitwe today, traders who did not disclose their identity for fear of being blacklisted by millers said they were not able to buy mealie-meal in bulk from the millers because the millers were not willing to wholesale the Commodity at KR47 due to high production costs.
The traders appealed to government to ensure that Millers start to wholesale mealie-meal so that they can also comply with the Presidential directive on the mealie-meal price.
This is the second time Kitwe is being hit by Mealie-meal shortage within a spell of about two months but the shortage of Mealie- Meal has persisted in various parts of the country of late.
Copperbelt Province Minister Mwenya Musenge who yesterday toured Mpongwe and Chat Milling Companies appealed to the two Millers to ensure that they sell the commodity at KR47 to retailers so that they can in turn comply with the presidential directives of selling the commodity at KR 50.
Mr Musenge also urged the Milling Companies to ensure that they do not sell more than two bags of mealie-meal to one person to ensure that every one is able to buy.
The minister has further appealed to the millers to first satisfy the local demand for mealie-meal before they can export the commodity.
Mr Musenge further called for the establishment of a list of reliable retailers who should be supplied with mealie-meal so that consumers are not exploited by unscrupulous retailers.
Roan United have complained to FAZ over the alleged use of ineligible player by Nkana in last Saturday’s Super Division Week One match that Kalamapa won.
Roan chairman Charles Sakala said the Luanshya club wrote to FAZ on Monday stating that defender Donashano Malama who featured in the match belongs to Konkola Mine Police.
Sakala stated that Roan were now looking forward to a quick response from FAZ.
“We have complained to FAZ over the use of unregistered player by Nkana. We want our points and hope that FAZ will respond quickly,” he said.
Striker Festus Mbewe scored a lone goal to help Nkana beat Roan 1-0 in the league opener at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
When contacted for a comment over Roan’s allegations, Nkana Secretary Kenny Mwansa declined to comment over the matter.
Meanwhile, Mine Police chairman Gideon Mwenya also refused to comment on the matter.
But a source at Mine Police told LT Sports that defender Malama has not yet completed his move to Nkana.
However, another source at the Chililabombwe club indicated that Nkana have already registered Malama to FAZ.
Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani has appointed a new Nkwazi Football Club executive committee to be chaired by Chewe Bowa.
Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.
This follows the expiry of a two-year mandate of the immediate past committee.
“Be informed that the Inspector General of Police, Ms Stella Libongani has appointed a new Nkwazi Football Club Executive committee following the expiry of the previous executive’s two year tenure,” Kanjela revealed.
“It will be lead by Chewe Bowa as Chairman to be deputised by soccer analyst Reuben Kamanga.
The secretariat has been taken by Donald Mwandila with Musonda Chella as treasurer to be deputised by Mubita Mubita,” she added.
Committee Members include Stephen Jere, Gerald Silwamba, Rueben Nyirenda and James Mpoma while Adrian Kashala continues to be the team Manager.
Nkwazi, who bounced back to the FAZ Super Division this year, on Sunday lost 3-2 to visiting Konkola Blades in the opening fixture at Edwin Emboela Stadium in Lusaka.
Former President Rupiah Banda has requested the Lusaka High Court to overturn Parliament’s decision to remove his Immunity from prosecution.
Mr Banda contends that the decision by the Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini to hear a motion moved by Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba despite his petition submitted in court was illegal and irregular.
Mr Banda said that the time the motion was being moved to stripe off his immunity, he had already petitioned the matter hence the action by Parliament was unreasonable and in excess of the jurisdiction of the National Assembly and there it should be quashed.
The former President contends that the decision by Dr Matibini to proceed to hear the motion despite a petition under cause number 2013/HP/323 having been filed in the high court was illegal and irregular.
This is according to the originating notice of motion for an order of certiorari filed on Tuesday.
Mr Banda’s motion was filed by his lawyers Shamwana and company, Mvunga and associates, Eric Silwamba and company, Sakwiba Sikota’s Central Chambers and George Kunda and Company.
“The decision of the National Assembly of Zambia to resolve that the applicant may be charged with any criminal offence or be amenable to the criminal jurisdiction of any court, in respect of any act done or omitted to be done by him regardless whether such offence or allegation was included in the category of fences presented by the motion is illegal and in excess of the jurisdiction of the national assembly” the notice filed before court read.
Mr Banda said that the decision by the National Assembly of Zambia to proceed and to remove the immunity on a simple majority of 80 out of a total of 158 members of the House was equally illegal and irregular as such it should be quashed.
He added that the decision of the National Assembly to deny him an opportunity to be heard and adopt a summary procedure prior to resolving that he was amenable to the jurisdiction of any Criminal Court was contrary to the principle of the audi alteram partem and therefore it was illegal and irregular.
Mr Banda said the decision of the national assembly to move the motion without due and proper inquiry as to whether the allegations presented on grounds constituted acts performed in Mr Banda’s personal or official capacity was illegal and irregular.
POLICE in Chinsali district in Muchinga Province have intercepted another vehicle carrying prohibited immigrants.This is the second time in four days that alert police officers in Chinsali have intercepted prohibited immigrants.
Muchinga Province Police commissioner Remmy Kajoba confirmed the development in an interview in Chinsali today.
Mr. Kajoba said 11 Ethiopian nationals were intercepted at Nambuluma police checkpoint around 23:00 hours last night aboard a Toyota Prado registration number ABC 8709 driven by male Ibrahim Lungu of Lusaka.
Mr. Kajoba said the prohibited immigrants were en-route to Lusaka.He added that the prohibited immigrants and two Zambian nationals are currently remanded at Nambuluma police station and will appear in court soon.
The other Zambian intercepted together with the prohibited immigrants has been identified as Lemani Phiri of Lusaka.Police said initial investigations indicate that the prohibited immigrants were picked from Nakonde.
On Sunday this week, Police in Chinsali in Muchinga Province intercepted 12 prohibited immigrants who were in transit to Lusaka.
The prohibited immigrants were intercepted at Nambuluma police checkpoint around 04:00 hours.They were intercepted aboard unregistered Toyota Regius belonging to a named schoolteacher in Serenje district of Central Province.They were also picked from Nakonde border.
The 12 who included 8 Banglagesh and 4 Pakistan nationals aged between 22 and 35 years are currently remanded in custody at Nambuluma police station.
The Immigration department in Nakonde also arrested 11 Somali nationals who were also in transit to Lusaka on Saturday last week near Kalungu Village.
The 11 are currently detained at Nakonde police station.
Nakonde district commissioner James Singoyi on Saturday last week complained about increased crime rate in the border town.
Mr. Singoyi said the district has in the recent past recorded an increase in murder cases, house breakings, drug trafficking, human smuggling and trafficking as well as theft of motor vehicles.
He was speaking in Nakonde when Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Rowland Msiska paid a courtesy call on him at his office.Dr. Msiska was on his continued tour of Muchinga Province checking on developmental projects and programmes being implemented by the Government.
The permanent secretary for administration at Cabinet Office Mrs. Anna Mwitwa – Mwewa, Finance Permanent secretary in charge of Economic Management and Finance Felix Nkulukusa, Muchinga province Permanent secretary Charles Sipanje, and Director public service management division at Cabinet Office Mr. Sekwiba Lubasi, among others, accompanied Dr. Msiska on his tour.
The Consortium of Seven (7) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) namely the Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP), the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP), the Operation Young Vote (OYV), the Southern Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD), the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID) and the Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL), seized the opportunity to monitor the Livingstone 14th March, 2013 by election as an enhancement to the democratic dispensation of our country. At the point (11th March, 2013) of deploying the monitors, the Consortium announced to the general public and particularly to the electorate, stakeholders and all other players in the elections and in the same breath the Consortium is obliged to share with the public and all stakeholders its works and outcomes of the monitoring conducted.
The monitoring was done by the local trained and accredited monitors belonging to the above mentioned organisations and was beefed up with the presences of the core team of roving monitors from Lusaka. Numerous activities were undertaken during the process of monitoring the Livingstone by election.
Among the activities undertaken included the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT), which the Consortium used to verify official election results from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). Civil Society in general and the Consortium in particular felt that the Livingstone by election was not only important for Southern Province in particular but also for Zambia as a whole especially that it was the second after the 2011 tripartite elections and a postponement from the 28th of February, 2013 to 14th March, 2013 after the violence that led to the death of a PF cadre.
Pre-election day monitoring
During the pre-Election Day period (after the postponement) the Electoral Commission of Zambia restricted all political parties to campaign using the media and not with any form that would have direct contact with the electorate. However the ruling PF did not adhere to this directive as senior party and government officials were seen to have direct contact with the voters, a case in point is when the PF Secretary General, Mr. Wynter Kabimba travelled to Livingstone to drum up support for the PF Candidate;
Media coverage of competing political parties and candidates failed to adhere to the Electoral (Code of Conduct) Regulations. It was observed that the state media and some private media were biased towards the PF. Only the PF candidate was seen on ZNBC TV while those from the opposition were not. It must also be noted with gladness that certain private radio stations like the Mosi-utunya Radio gave all the political parties to sell their candidates on the eve of the elections. This opportunity was also availed to the Consortium to educate the electorates and call for a peaceful election;
Delivery of election materials and deployment of the election staff was satisfactory in that the materials were sufficient while the staff was adequate for the conduct of the by election. It was however noted that some streams in some polling stations received one polling booth as opposed to the allocated two.
Election Day Observation
On the Election Day, it was observed that most polling stations commenced voting in official time; secrecy of the vote was largely enhanced, and availability of election materials was significantly suitable for the conduct of an election. Other factors of interest included the polling arrangement (access – physical proximity to polling stations), the conduct and behaviours during polling and count, use of public resources i.e. vehicles, voter participation and results; and post-election day issues.
Opening of the Polling Stations
As a Consortium we note with delight at the serious observance of the opening of the polling stations and the commencement of the voting process at 06:00 hours by the ECZ. It must be indicated that the ECZ has tremendously improve on this score and as the Consortium we commend them.
Access (physical proximity) to Polling Stations
Electoral Act No. 12 of 2006 and Section 40 specifically provides that the criteria for Electoral Commission of Zambia to establish a polling station for an election include, for instance, the number and distribution of eligible voters in those polling districts; availability of suitable venues for polling stations; distance to be travelled to reach those venues; access routes to those venues; the availability of transport to those venues; safety and convenience of voters; and the ease with which those venues can be secured.
The Consortium notes that access (physical proximity) to polling stations was largely normal apart from an instance in Zambezi Ward in Bomb in Dambwa Site and Service (the is the area with the largest number of voters) were a polling station was moved and the voters were not properly informed. This coupled with the aspect of not having sign posts disenfranchised the voters.
The Consortium notes that most polling stations were located in schools and other public institutions that could easily be accessible.
Secrecy in Voting
The Consortium notes that secrecy in voting was observed, as most of the arrangements for ballot booths in all the polling streams were set in a manner that allowed ballot secrecy.
Polling Official Staffing
Polling official staffing levels observed in the entire constituency was sufficient for the task in all polling streams..
Political Party Agents at Poll
Polling agents are political party monitors representing the respective competing political parties of individual independent candidates. Most of the streams had one (1) party polling agents per stream while in five or so polling stations it was observed that the PF had two agents. It was further observed that UNIP did not station agents in some polling stations/streams. Observations were undertaken for the three major parties, which are PF, UPND and MMD.
Use of Government Resources/Vehicles
The Consortium notes with concern and regret the continued abuse of government vehicles by those in authority. There were a numbers of vehicles whose number plates were changed and those that had number plates completely removed. The issue of the chopper used by Winter Kabimba is a serious abuse which the ECZ should investigate and mate out appropriate action on the perpetrators of such abuse.
Security at Poll & Transparency before Voting
There was presence of uniformed security personnel in polling stations and others were roving around in land cruisers. It was also regrettably observed that the heavy presence of the uniformed police officers in some wards and polling stations such as Zambezi ward was intimidating to other stakeholders especially the voters.
Observations on incidents of transparency in the status of ballot boxes, indicated that monitors and party agents were shown that all the ballot boxes were empty before they were closed and sealed.
Conduct during Voting
The Consortium did concentrate of on number of factors when looking at the conduct during voting aspect which included the number of people allowed or not allowed for possessing or not possessing documents necessary for voting, tolerance of cadres at polling stations etc.
Not allowed to vote due to one or another reason
Some individuals/voters were turned away and not allowed to cast their votes even when they had both the voter’s cards and NRCs. It was observed that they were appearing in the Duplicate and not the Original Voters’ Roll.While there was another incident where the voter had his voters card and NRC but did not appear in the register.
Allowing and Tolerating Party Cadre at Polling Stations
The Consortium notes yet again with regret at the factor that some PF Cadres were allowed and tolerated in groups within the boundaries of polling stations while the secretly campaigned. PF Cadres were seen less than 30 meters from the doors of polling stations around 12 hours making phone calls to their fellows to come and vote. This was observed in Namatama and the polling station that replaced the Bombed Polling Station
Intimidation or Violence around the Constituency
Acts of intimidation or violence around the constituency were observed. We note the heavy presence of police and other security personnel at polling stations and generally around Livingstone which would have served to intimidate to electorate.
Employers Vs Employees Rights to Vote
The Consortium is greatly concerned at the fact that most employers had their employees on duty throughout the voting period a situation we feel infringed on the employees’ rights to vote thereby disenfranchising them from participating in electing their leader and in democratic governance as a whole.
Voter Participation and Results
Voter turnout in the March 14, 2013 Livingstone by election at about 33% was below average compared to the actual number of registered voters of 67,732 according to the 2011 Voters Register.
Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) by Consortium and Official Results from ECZ
The Consortium conducted a comparative analysis of the PVT and ECZ final election results and the outcome showed some level of consistency between the two of course with minimum margin of error. It is our belief that our involvement as a Consortium gave confidence and integrity to the process..
Conclusion
The Consortium is of the considered view that the irregularities and shortcomings that marred the 14th March Livingstone by elections are surmountable and that the ECZ together with all stakeholders and players can do better if there is mutual understanding and respect of not only each other but the laws and regulations that apply to the electoral process through dialogue and consultations.
The elections on the poll day were generally peaceful and calm with sporadic incidences of violence in some areas. However, the preceding weeks before the elections were characterised by serious vote buying, excessive use of funds to woe voters, arrests of opposition leaders etc. These circumstances render the conduct of the election unfavourable to the spirit of credible, free and fair elections.
The Consortium further notes that the UPND has expressed misgivings of the entire conduct of the elections and wishes to petition these election results. The consortium believes that it is within the rights of the opposition party to question the conduct of elections if they are so aggrieved. The consortium will not condone any malpractices and it is up to the court to decide on these elections.
The consortium wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to all the monitors and all people of goodwill for a job well done. We are also grateful to the political and economic section of the American Embassy in Zambia for partnering with the Consortium.
We also wish to thank the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the media, the Zambia Police and other stakeholders who in many ways contributed in making our work as the Consortium much lighter.
President Michael Sata at a commissioning parade of Zambia Army officer cadets at Kahoma Barracks in Kabwe
Please take a moment to read this article. It is clear that president Sata will not rule Zambia beyond 2021. Two obstacles stand in his way, the Constitution and age. In 2021 he will be 84 years-old, adding another five years of reign will be a strain on his health and unfair to a progressive democratic Zambia. Since this is a scenario that cannot be changed, it is our duty as Zambians to begin now, to prepare a Zambia for the future generation so that whoever succeeds the incumbent can lead a dynamic democratic African country interconnected socially, politically, and economically to a technologically explosive world.
But as things stand, this is unassailable because we are a divided people. In his quest to consolidate his power, our president is creating and encouraging divisions, and fostering enmity in opposition parties so as to weaken them. We are witnessing the arrest of opposition leaders on flimsy grounds. Violent PF cadres are disrupting rallies and claiming fatalities. The president is using the same methods and stratagems as some of his predecessors. In doing so, he is pitting party against party, cadre against cadre, neighbor against neighbor, and tribe against tribe.
Democracy is under threat. The president has given the police force carte blanche to operate with judicial oversight. In a democracy, a police force is an agency of government that is not only knowledgeable and professional, but also non-partisan. In Sata’s democracy, the police force is repressive as under fascism and is subject to the wishes of the ruling party. Sending a police coterie to parliament to restrain the country’s lawmakers is a clear indication of where the country is heading—to netherworld.
No people can advance in a country where civil liberties are disregarded. We cannot prepare a model for Africa under repressive circumstances. We can’t; not when those who can contribute to change face extrajudicial punishment. They are arrested, threatened and detained—some released after spending days in TB infested cells. We cannot advance until we begin to fight this undemocratic seizure of our rights.
39 years down the road and Findeco house remains the tallest high-rise in Zambia
We are in the second year of Sata’s reign and nothing much is happening. We are as we were before—a stagnant people. Like still water our country continues to lose its purity due to fractured politics. From Chililabombwe to Livingstone, our architects have hardly changed the face of the country. The 39-year old, 295ft tall Findeco House still remains the tallest high-rise in the country and the symbol of our immobility.
PHD -mentality of Zambians
From 1964, years have rolled away. It’s 2013. Our politics are still the same—of poverty, corruption, manipulation, and deceit. Our leaders are as they have always been—dishonest, greedy, insensible, and narcissistic. And we are the same individuals—proud, lazy, divided, and easily manipulated. Each one of us carries an element of pride that makes it impossible to work with the other.
In short, we hate each other’s guts. It bothers us greatly when our friends do well in life, school or at work. We hate their talents, aptitudes, and proclivities. Our natural compulsion is to drag them down, trodden them beneath our feet, so we can stand tall even when we have nothing to offer. As a result, we have failed to take ourselves on a virtuous road to eminence—to the perfection of our moral, intellectual, and physical nature.
We are a failed people, suffering from severe cultural lag, a disorder that has become an impediment to the advancement of our political, social and economic status; and one that makes it difficult for us to catch up with technological modernisms. “Cultural lag” is a term coined by William F. Ogburn. In this case it refers to the slow rate at which we are keeping up with the ever-changing and challenging world. We can’t seem to synchronize our adaptive instincts with those of the advancing world.
And yet we can do better. We can become the African country that changed the continent. Yes, we can become a “Singapore” of Africa. It took only thirty years (1965 – 1995) for a small former British-colonized country of Singapore to grow from a developing country to one of the most developed of the Asian nations. Like Singapore, our natural resources should not be minerals, but ourselves and our strong work ethic.
I already can hear groans of a lazy man: “You can’t compare our situation with that of Singapore.” The “Rome was not built in a day” syndrome has become our extenuation. We are like a vagabond who squats at the railway station watching trains enter and leave. Each time one stops, he rushes to the platform for handouts from disembarking passengers. He has become so addicted to begging, shame is not an emotion in him. When asked, he retorts; “What do you want me to do, steal? It’s not my fault that I find myself in such a situation.”
In the great leap from Colonialism to independence we have and continue to overlook the fact that the great number of us live by the use of our hands and have failed to put brains and skills into our daily modern occupations. We refuse to understand that we shall advance only when we learn to dignify our god given intellect and apply it collectively, cooperatively, and in harmony.
Taking charge of Zambia’s destiny
Again, the stumbling block is the undemocratic politics of the day. The president is blocking collectivism and corporation. We need them because they are synonymous with true democracy. We need them for our politico-economic advancement. We need them to alleviate poverty, hunger, and disease. Our people have suffered enough.
Since the incumbent has failed to take us on a true democratic path, we should take ourselves. We should form a freestanding, non-party “public good” pressure group to keep democracy and its ideals alive. The pressure group shall focus on finding ways to transform Zambia into a “Singapore of Africa.” It should comprise advocates of democracy within Zambia and in the Diaspora. These should include political and democratic activists, practitioners, academics, policy makers, and all those who are ready to confront Zambia’s challenges in the 21st century. The mantra of the pressure group should be “change.” It should be a means and a social goal, essential to our advancement.
The future is not ours but for our children
File: Some village boys pose for a photograph
In the 48 years of our independence, we have witnessed firsthand a tranche of successes and failures of our Founding Fathers and their successors. We are now able to understand them. We know their style of leadership is the same. We now understand that if we maintain the status quo their style will be passed on to us and our children. We therefore intend to change the political landscape of our country and develop a set of strategies and recommendations for effectively addressing today’s complex and intractable developmental issues.
We need to live in a country where our thinking and actions are not stifled; where our intelligence is not eroded. Our future leader should see us as a path to upward mobility and as a weapon for intellectual success. As we educate our sons and daughters, we shall also educate children of the poor, and kaponyas. They are the ones who will be gliding through the mazes of technology. We need to identify in them those skills, which will give them the occasion to practice. We should make it possible for the gifted to showcase their talent in the arts and sciences and reward them accordingly.
That’s right, “our sons and daughters;” it is among them a leader should arise, for it is not ours, but their future. It will not do them any good to continue lagging in technology and society. They need strong analytical skills, practical ingenuity, creativity, good communication skills, business and management knowledge, leadership, high ethical standards, professionalism, dynamism, agility, resilience, flexibility, and the pursuit of lifelong learning.
The existing assumptions and values surrounding our current archaic education system leave them all but at a loss. A new form of “culture education” is the only upward mobility; one that is aimed at the improvement of their condition. The years preceding 2021 must be devoted to their advancement. In paving the way for them, we are paving our way to a respected and prosperous people.
The greatest frustration is that we don’t believe in ourselves. The major questions are: Don’t you think we have been held to ransom by the same old politics long enough? Are you happy with the direction in which our country is heading? Don’t you think we have been a disrespected people around the world for a long time? Isn’t it time to show them we are a force to reckon with? Do you truly believe we can change this country? Wouldn’t you want to be part of the people that did it?
There are 14 million intelligent people in Zambia waiting to be elevated in the scale of existence. All we need is a change of character and attitude. We need to start replacing all the negative words with positive ones—“can’t” with “can,” “don’t” with “do,” “hate” with “love” “failure” with “success” and “impossible” with “possible.” We must build a culture of hope; of curiosity; of success; and of efficiency. We must begin to communicate happiness amongst ourselves.
Working together, we can revive Livingstone Motor Assemblers and not just assemble cars, but also make them; Mansa batteries and make solar batteries for rural electrification and locally made radios; help Clive Chirwa realize his dream of a railway system of modern times. We can create new factories for computers, cellphones—even planes, believe it or not. If we believe in ourselves, we can make Zambia a thriving nation with the highest per capita real income.
Call me a dreamer if you like. I believe anything is possible. We can become a country that takes risks; a country that invents and innovates. We can become a Singapore of Africa. Let’s start with the pressure group so that we ensure that democracy guarantees our freedoms and rights. We shall need a thousand brave men and women to sign up in order to have the pressure group registered. Again, this is not a political party. It is an initiative aimed at changing our country. If you believe we can change Zambia send your name, comment, suggestion, or response to [email protected]
Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister, Forrie Tembo
Nyimba Member of Parliament, Forrie Tembo, and his Kapoche counterpart, Nicholas Banda, said they voted in favour of the motion to lift former Republican President Rupiah Banda’s immunity because they were working with the government of the day.
The two, who are Local Government Deputy Ministers, said there was no way MMD Members of Parliament working as Deputy Ministers would have voted against the motion.
They said there was a rule in parliament called the Three Line Rule which advices every MP to support the motion tabled by parliament.
“We voted in favour of the motion to lift the former republican president’s immunity because we work with the government of the day and you do not expect us to work against it,” they said.
Mr Tembo said he was ready for any action that would be taken by his party against him, saying he was abiding by the rule which requires supporting the government of the day.
The three MPs have been accused of being traitors by the MMD in Eastern Province despite serving in government and the former ruling party believes they could have supported the former Republican President by not participating in the voting.
Meanwhile, MMD in Eastern Province has warned that it would not tolerate indiscipline among its Members of Parliament (MPs).
Provincial MMD Chairperson Alexander Miti said in Chipata today that MPs found wanting would be disciplined harshly.
Mr Miti said that the MMD Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) was disappointed with Nyimba MP Forrie Tembo who has challenged the executive committee’s stance on MMD MPs who voted for lifting of immunity for former republican president Rupiah Banda.
[pullquote]“We voted in favour of the motion to lift the former republican president’s immunity because we work with the government of the day and you do not expect us to work against it,” they said.[/pullquote]
“As MMD we are warning all MPs in Eastern Province to be careful with statements because some of them we might discipline them,” he said.
Mr Miti expressed shock that Mr Tembo including Kapoche MP Nicholas Banda and Mkaika MP David Phiri decided to back the lifting of immunity for Mr Banda.
He described the three MPs who are currently serving in Government as deputy ministers of being ungrateful to Mr Banda because some of them faced resistance at constituency and district levels during the adoption process for the 2011 general elections.
And Provincial MMD Secretary Samuel Lugomo Phiri stated that the MPs would face disciplinary action for betraying their former leader.
Meanwhile, United Party for National Development (UPND) has vowed to continue supporting former republican president, Rupiah Banda after parliament removed his immunity.
UPND Deputy National Chairperson for Youth and Sports Development Michael Chuzu said in Chipata today that Mr Banda needs support because he proved to be a good leader, the time when he served as a republican president.
Mr Chuzu said that this could be evidenced by the international recognition which the former head of state has received.
He also stated that the UPND was watching with keen interest latest developments that have followed the lifting of immunity of Mr Banda.
“UPND will continue supporting Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda because he proved to be a good leader the time when he served as a republican president between 2008 to 2011,”Mr Chuzu said.
Mr Banda who appeared before the Government Joint Investigating Team (GJIT) for the second time on Tuesday was warned and cautioned on three counts bordering on corruption.
Investigative Team Spokesperson Namukolo Kasumpa said Mr Banda was warned and cautioned for his role in the oil supply deal with unnamed Nigerian Oil firm, campaign materials for 2011 elections and Mpundu Trust Development Fund.
Mr Banda is expected to return to Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) headquarters on Friday for continued questioning.
The Drug Enforcement Commission has arrested the University of Zambia Student Union (UNZASU) President and two other students for forgery, uttering of false documents and attempted theft involving K50 million.
Ali Tunkara, 25, of 22/11 Emmasdale Lusaka, has been arrested and jointly charged with Augustine Mukuka, 24, of Chilanga and Philip Siame, 24, of 7876/2 Woodlands Extension, Lusaka, for forgery, uttering of false documents and attempted theft.
Particulars of the offence are that Ali Tunkara, UNZASU President whilst acting jointly together with Augustine Mukuka and Philip Siame both students at UNZA, between 1st December 2012 and 31st January 2013 did forge the signature of the Deputy Dean of Students, purporting that he had authored an introductory letter to a named bank to enable them open a bank account for the union and deposit a cheque of K50, 000,000.
The cheque was donated to the student union by Prof. Nkandu Luo through Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
The suspects are currently in custody and will appear in court soon.
Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba has urged Zambians to play a more effective role in managing and running state owned entities in the country.
Mr. Yamba said there was need for state owned entities to list on the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE) so as to give citizens an opportunity to own shares and consequently benefit from capital gains and dividends from these entities.
He was speaking in Lusaka today at a consultative workshop for state owned enterprises that are being quoted on the Zambian capital markets.
He said listing on the stock exchange market will not only benefit citizens but also state owned entities themselves because most of them were embarking on massive projects that will require large amounts of capital to take off and complete.
Mr. Yamba said getting quoted on the exchange market will accord state owned entities an opportunity to raise the much needed capital to fund their projects adding that this will also help them raise their public profile with their clients, investors and the media.
He further observed that state owned entities have the potential to be transformed into globally recognised competitive institutions.
He expressed happiness at state owned entities which were choosing new sources of funding other than banks.
And Securities and Exchanges Commission Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wala Chabala has commended government for looking at alternative ways of growing and sustaining the economy of the country.
Dr. Chabala said the zeal and impetus that government has shown in growing the economy will certainly score a different result especially that the country has been known to do the same things for over 40 years with the same results.
He cited the rebasing of the Kwacha and the Bank of Zambia amendment bill as among the initiatives that were likely to yield different results for the benefit of the economy.
Dr. Wala has since called on government and cooperating partners to continue being creative and looking at other ways of having a greater impact on the economy to achieve development for the majority of citizens of Zambia.
