Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Subscribe
Home Blog Page 588

Zamtel up for sale, foreign equity partner found

Chief Editor
-
32
Zamtel up for sale, foreign equity partner found

A senior official at state run telecoms firm Zamtel has revealed that government has put the company up for sale.

Acting Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Joshua Malupenga told a special virtual staff meeting last week that government has already found an equity partner to run the company.

Mr. Malupenga did not disclose the name or origin of the equity partner but stated that it was a foreign firm.

The meeting was held two days after Science and Technology Minister Felix Mutati revealed during a tour of Zamtel House that the entity was loss making and that government had no intentions of recapitalising the company.

A source who attended the meeting explained that the meeting was convened to brief workers and explain the implications of Mr. Mutati’s statement.

“The meeting was cordial but tense. The Acting CEO went straight into subject and told us that a decision had already been taken and we have to be ready for the changes that will come with the new equity partner. Job losses are inevitable,” the source said.

The source revealed that according to Mr. Malupenga, government wants the new equity partner to come in before the August first anniversary of its reign.

“The target is August, they want the process quickened because Zamtel is making losses and is now a burden,” the source added.

Mutati recently disclosed that Zamtel is a loss-making venture with about 90 percent of its revenue being utilized for administrative expenses.

Mr Mutati said government will however, not recapitalize Zamtel because it has other priorities it intends to spend its resources such as funding the teacher and health-workers recruitment, Constituency Development Fund and youth empowerment.

Mr Mutati said estimates show that Zamtel currently needs a sum of US$265 million in order to survive as a company by way of investing in its co-networks, infrastructure and other business support services.

Mr Mutati said this is in exception of a staggering debt of around K3 billion and the over $500 million owed to Lapgreen, without taking into account other liabilities.

He said Zamtel as a company has a deficit on working capital of around K1 billion with its balance sheet unable to support programs such as maintenance of current infrastructure, expansion and modernization, a key issue requiring to be addressed urgently.

Mr Mutati said no matter how well-written a letter requesting funding may be, government is unable to finance Zamtel because there is no resource envelope at Ministry of Finance.

He said Zamtel now needs to find an answer to its insolvency beginning with where it will find the $265 million required for survival.

He said the Minister of Finance has his hands tied for him to begin financing Zamtel’s operations as he has to deliver value to the people.

“If it means we need to cut some limbs in order to save the life of Zamtel, so be it because that is where the solution for Zamtel lies. Let’s not take it as an easy conversation” the minister told Zamtel Acting Managing Director Joshua Malupenga.

Government has secured a market for agricultural equipment to be manufactured in Choma-Mutati

Chief Editor
-
15
Government has secured a market for agricultural equipment to be manufactured in Choma-Mutati

Technology and Science Minister, Felix Mutati has said that the government has secured a market for agricultural equipment to be manufactured by Saint Mawaggali Trades Training Institute in Choma.

Mr. Mutati says his ministry is in the process of engaging the private sector which will lead the signing of a memorandum of understanding that will see the institute supply agricultural equipment on a commercial scale.

Speaking in Choma when he and Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Namani Monze, toured the institute, Mr. Mutati expressed satisfaction with the quality of skills imparted in the students and the modern machinery at St. Mawaggali.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mutati has commended the institute for enrolling 170 students using the Constituency Development Fund -CDF- bursaries component.

He said there have been complaints on procedures and uptake of CDF but noted that St. Mawaggali is a practical example of how institutions can make use of funds.
AND Saint Mawaggali Principal, Tom Kampamba, said the institute has the capacity to produce agricultural equipment and desks using its recently procured modern equipment.

He added that the increased enrollment will result in expanded revenue generation to the institution.

Constituency Development Fund is Practically Workable-Mutati

Chief Editor
-
7
Constituency Development Fund is Practically Workable-Mutati

Technology and Science Minister says constituency development fund (CDF) is practically workable and yielding results as demonstrated by St Mawaggali trades training institute that has taken advantage to utilising the proceeds (CDF resources) and enrolled 170 local youths pursuing various skills development programs.

Speaking during his familiarisation of the college in Choma, Mr Mutati commended St. Mawaggali management for the demonstrated innovations and capability to deliver practical skills training evidently tracked on it’s rich and success record of quality desk production – supply entrepreneurial activities and flying the Zambian flag with outstanding extra curricular participation in the World Skills Training competitions on international fronts.

Mr Mutati was grateful that the college carpentry production was responding to the desk initiative pronounced by President Hakainde Hichilema that every child in class must occupy a desk.

Minister called on all TEVET colleges to emulate St Mawaggali’s initiative in skills development, desk production, and entrepreneurship activities.

Mr Mutati said under Education ministry (official information) 3,800 new class rooms will be constructed in the province hence he challenged St Mawaggali to prepare and increase desk production.

He put an emphasis on providing quality skills development and equip students with appropriate skills in order to transform and uplift their livelihoods driven with entrepreneurial activities.

Mr Mutati disclosed that St Mawaggali trades will be supported with minimal seed funds by the ministry to commence a large scale desk production.
He told management and students that in the agricultural skills activities the trained students will be supported with entrepreneurial outlet market survey to assist them start conducting their various businesses.

Mr Mutati also directed the college to collaborate with the national technology and business council (NTBC) to seek guidance and translate it’s innovations into practical outputs through outlined procedures and finance support in view of the 22 million innovation budget.

He called on the college mangement to put to good use proceeds of the CDF for provided skills training development programs.

And St Mawaggali trades principal Thom Chewe Kampamba said the college was proud that now its delivering and enhanced on training through use of state of the art training equipment provided by the government.

He said despite challenges the college has recorded success in the delivery of quality training and entrepreneurial activities.

The FIC Report to be presented to Law enforcement agencies without any alterations-HH

Chief Editor
-
20
The FIC Report to be presented to Law enforcement agencies without any alterations-HH

President Hakainde Hichilema has said that the 2021 Financial Intelligence Centre trends report will be presented to law enforcement agencies without any alterations.

Commenting on the FIC report on arrival from the Commonwealth Heads of State meeting in Rwanda, President Hichilema said that this time around there will be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption.

President Hichilema said that he has not yet gone through the report but is not surprised that the report highlights people who put their hands in public funds.

President Hichilema said that the fight against corruption should not be reduced to ethnicity when law enforcement agencies act on the report, adding that people cannot take away what belongs to the public and hide behind an ethnic group.

The Head of State has encouraged the media to go through the (FIC) report and play an oversight role.

And President Hichilema said the new government needs to introduce itself to all nations in order to have a good relationship with the global community.

He said no country can operate as an island and that is why the trips that he is undertaking are necessary.

President Hichilema said one of the things that took him to the European Union headquarters in Belgium is the setting up of a 150 billion Euros fund for construction which is only accessed on first come first serve basis and the quality of projects presented.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema said the government signed an agreement in Rwanda to grow that Country’s food in Zambia which will in the long run improve the price offered to the farmers.

HH’s fight against corruption: Cutting through the noise

Chief Editor
-
12
HH’s fight against corruption: Cutting through the noise

By Charles Mundia

Now that Messrs Musa Mwenye and Gilbert Phiri have now received their parliamentary ratifications as Chairperson and Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) respectively, two things should immediately occupy their attention. Firstly, they are taking over a broken down institution whose standing in the eyes of the public is at the lowest ebb. Their close proximity to President Hichilema before the August 2021 election is actually an inconvenience as their execution of duty will be viewed from the same lenses as those used on the Head of State.

Besides a branch and root clean-up of the ACC, the Chairperson and Director General should quickly define their own paths. They should as a matter of urgency seek to take steps that will position the Commission as an autonomous institution with the ability to set its own terms. Chairperson Mwenye should quickly disengage the Commission from the ambit of State House. The ACC Act of 2012 has set out clear and adequate operational framework that to a very good extent guarantees its autonomy. Having the ACC sit at State House does not, structurally, administratively or in any other way help to cut its inefficiencies.

In his inauguration speech, President Hichilema spoke passionately about fighting corruption. He said, “The scourge of corruption has not only eroded our much-needed resources, but it has also robbed us of the opportunity for growth. We shall have zero tolerance to corruption. This will be our hallmark. The fight against corruption will be professional and not vindictive. The institutions mandated to investigate and prosecute will be given unfettered autonomy to effectively and efficiently carry out their mandate without fear or favour of political bias.”

As it stands, President Hichilema’s fight against corruption does not look like the one he promised when he held that Bible in his hand to take his Oath at Heroes Stadium. At best, when he speaks about fighting corruption, he is now beginning to sound like a broken record.

A Crisis of Perception

Established in 1980 under the Corrupt Practices Act, the Commission has largely received a good amount of local and international goodwill. Throughout the past administrations, from the Kaunda right down to the Lungu administration, the Commission has enjoyed a somewhat stable flow of support both technical and financial from its partners including from the Government of the Republic of Zambia. Undoubtedly, the best period for the Commission was during the Mwanawasa administration when late President Mwanawasa launched a zero tolerance policy to corruption and established the Task Force on Corruption which worked closely with Commission to implement the National Anti-Corruption Policy with the Commission as the lead Agency in the fight against graft. During this period, the Commission received unprecedented levels of donor support as many stakeholders actually believed that the Commission was a force for good. Today, some 16 years later, the Zambia Anti-Corruption Commission which commanded huge respect at home, in the region and internationally is unrecognisable. The Commission that sits at Kulima Tower Building in the filthy part of Lusaka CBD is but just a shell. The once respected state institution has been reduced to a wild dog used to scare away political rivals. It backs all the time with little or nothing to show for. President Hichilema has not helped matters. By micro managing the ACC, he is not be absorbed from the blame.

Get some real work done

With a poor average conviction rate of around 11% from over 500 cases, the Commission in its current state is not fit for purpose. Moments following President Hichilema’s inauguration, like excited kids in a candy store, the ACC swung into action and started announcing searches and seizures of property suspected to be proceeds of crimes belonging to former government and party officials who served in the previous administration. As at the end of May, around 20 people closely linked to the PF had been searched, warned and cautioned, arrested and their properties seized or restricted but none have been convicted or even found with a case to answer to date. To their credit, the biggest catch for the ACC so far has been Faith Musonda. She used the Forfeiture of Proceeds Act to reach a settlement with the ACC and returned K65 million, US$57,900 and a House to the State in October 2021. From the heavyweights such as Given Lubinda, Bowman Lusambo, Samuel Mukupa, Ronald Chitotela to junior party officials such as Maxwell Chongo, the ACC and their cohorts at DEC and OP have been very busy issuing very alarming and misleading headlines using a particular Tabloid on some high profile cases when they have very little chance at prosecution. They have also had the offices for former First Lady Esther Lungu searched and they found nothing.

Remember the headlines, “Bowman owns 49 Houses,” which was in the News Diggers Newspaper of January 12th 2021? The ACC leaked the story to gain public support in their so called fight against corruption. When Mr. Lusambo was finally charged, there was no mention of 49 Houses. What he was charged with are 4 counts of possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces. The ACC said Mr. Lusambo was in possession of property number f/609/e/44/13/9, property number Ndo/ln_77505/1, property number Masai/ln_1005309/1, and property number Palab/ln_73112/17.

The also charged him with two counts of concealment of property in the Lusaka and Copperbelt and that he concealed property number Masai/ln_100328/218 disguised in the name of Mbachi Nkwazi and property number Ndo/ln_1004844/191 disguised in the name of Gatbro International Limited. When the matter finally went to court, the ACC in a very unconventional manner was allowed to change the indictment. They struck off the Gatbro International Limited. What was also interesting that the property they screamed about was some virgin land in his home village in Masaiti and the property they suspect him of concealing actually is a half done transaction in the name of Nancy Manase who happens to be his lawfully wedded wife. According to ACC officers, a man can be so dumb that he can actually conceal property in the wife’s name. They made further screaming headlines when they raided Amos Chanda’s property. According to the ACC, having served former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu as his Press Secretary, Amos ought to have been corrupt. They raided his property with the glare of cameras and as usual they drew a blank. They took him and his wife in for allegedly insulting ACC officers and that is a case they have spent close to a year trying to win in court.

Musa and Gilbert should know that the ACC is made up of corrupt, half trained and incompetent men and women who are so bad at their jobs and the Commission is to stand any chance at winning any cases of corruption, a major overhaul is necessary.

Posterity is waiting

Both Musa and Gilbert have done exceptionally well for themselves. As a criminal lawyer, Gilbert commands some good level of respect among his peers. In some circles, he is considered to be one of the finest criminal lawyers around. For Musa, he is respected for his high standards of integrity. He has publicly announced how much he abhors corruption. His experience having served as Attorney and Solicitor General and his many years at the Bar should help provide the much needed leadership at the Commission. The entire Board of Commissioners should also bring some valuable experience in the ACC Boardroom. Both on the good side of 40 years, Gilbert and Musa should be fully aware that posterity is waiting and watching and will judge them accordingly.

*Charles Mundia is a political analyst based in Lusaka

SEPA intensifies awareness programmes to curb environmental degradation

Chief Editor
-
4
SEPA intensifies awareness programmes to curb environmental degradation

A non governmental organization called Save Environment People Agency (SEPA) with support from Action Aid has intensified awareness programmes to curb environmental degradation in the country.

SEPA Chief Executive Officer Mailes Muke has observed that lack of enhanced capacity building on forest dependency, has contributed to high rate of environmental degradation.

Ms. Muke said enhanced capacity building in communities will result in them holding decision makers accountable on their rights to environmental protection.

Speaking during a stakeholders meeting on environmental protection in Zambezi yesterday, Ms Muke said SEPA is working with traditional leaders, women, youths, farmers and extension officers to try and deepen the understanding on how the community can best protect the environment.

She said there is need to build capacity in communities and deepen their understanding of sustainable environmental protection and sustainable natural resources management as well as close gaps between good and bad environmental practices.

The SEPA CEO further stated that bridging the gaps will help communities to appreciate government policies which point to forest management in Zambia as well as feel more confident in holding government institutions and Extractive Industries accountable over community benefits from Extractive.

She noted that due to the high effect of environmental degradation most people have depended on the hospital resulting in increased government expenditure on medicine, adding that all of this can be reduced if people become responsible toward the environment.

“We can reduce the cost of medicine and save a lot of money on government spending on medicines if only all of us become responsible for the environment”,
“No one cares about the water and the environment. All they do is pollute the environment and move on without knowing the impact it has on humans as a result many lives are lost”, Ms. Muke said.

Zambezi Council environmental officer, Carol Mooto said that lack of interest and ownership of the land by the communities has been one of the major contributing factors to environmental degradation hence the need for the community to take part in protecting it.

Ms. Mooto was saddened that people come from other places to harvest timber and make more money leaving the owners of the land in poverty all because they are not concerned about the land they own.

She has since urged communities to stop blaming the government for their negligence, saying that they own the land and they should take ownership by holding accountable those who extract the timber and other minerals in their respective areas.

“We can’t continue blaming the government all the time. As a community we have the responsibility to look after the environment because we own it and if we don’t take part in it we will always remain poor and continue facing the effects of climate change”, she said.

Zesco United Head to Mongu For Pre-Season Camp

sports
-
0

Zesco United are heading to Mongu for a 10-day pre-season training camp.

The nine-time Zambian champions, who finished second in the FAZ Super League last season, left Ndola for Western Province on June 26.

“It is a good environment because everyone has to be fully committed and concentrated,” Zesco coach Mumamba Numba told Zesco Media.

“We don’t want excuses or disturbances to the team especially that we will have an intensive training schedule in order to prepare our players both physically and mentally.”

Zesco kick-off their 2022/2023 pre-season camp a fortnight ago in Ndola.

The side also has continental engagements to plot for with their participation in the 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup this September.

Meanwhile, five players will miss the Mongu training camp due to two Chipolopolo Zambia’s international engagements in July.

The Chipolopolo call-ups from Zesco are goalkeeper Mwenya Chibwe, defender Shemmy Mayembe and striker Enock Sakala Jnr.

Midfielders Kelvin Mubanga and Spencer Sautu are the other Chipolopolo call-ups.

Firstly, Chipolopolo has a 2022 COSAFA Cup assignment from July 5-17 in Durban, South Africa.

Thereafter, Zambia play Mozambique in a 2022 CHAN preliminary round qualifier on July 23 away and July 30.

NAQEZ bemoans the lack of communication and explanation from Government on delay to recruit 30 000 teachers

Chief Editor
-
8
NAQEZ bemoans the lack of communication and explanation from Government on delay to recruit 30 000 teachers

The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) has said that it is doubtful of the sincerity and feasibility of the teacher recruitment exercise.

In a Press Statement released yesterday, NAQEZ Executive Director, Aaron Chansa, said that the loud silence by Government on this important national matter was troubling, unhealthy, torturous to all the applicants and injurious to the Education Sector.

“While we have honestly trusted and supported this exercise, it is now extremely difficult for us to believe in it. The last bit of faith we had in the exercise is slowly but surely waning away,” said Chansa.

During his presentation of the 2022 national budget on Friday, 29th October 2021, the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, informed the nation that the Government had secured funds to recruit 30,000 teachers.

In January 2022, the Minister of Education, Hon. Douglas Siakalima, announced that the 30,000 teachers would be in schools in May, 2022. Against this assurance, the process has dragged up to now without a clear explanation from the Teaching Service Commission, the Ministry of Education or the Government Spokesperson.

NAQEZ said that it finds this loud silence by Government on this important national matter troubling, unhealthy, torturous to all the applicants and injurious to the Education Sector adding that while they have honestly trusted and supported this exercise, it is now extremely difficult for them to believe in it.

“The last bit of faith we had in the exercise is slowly but surely waining away, he said.

NAQEZ said that in the initial stage, the exercise had a very clear road map and all Zambians trusted the process and that if the process is to regain the confidence of the citizens, Government will have to immediately publish the list of successful candidates.

This publishing is long overdue. Like many others, and because of the critical shortages of teachers in Zambia, NAQEZ said that they cannot overemphasize the need to have the 30,000 new teachers employed and posted to schools.

NAQEZ further said that in case the Government has encountered serious challenges over this matter, it is important for the government leaders to communicate to the people, adding that keeping mute is damaging the good name of Government as it is breeding unnecessary and toxic speculations and rumours every day.

“Government owes an explanation to the more than 100,000 unemployed teachers, their families, educational stakeholders and the entire population. If the process has collapsed, as some quarters are suggesting, it is necessary for the Government to communicate to its people.” concluded the statement.

And NAQEZ has also charged that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is yet to have an impact on the education sector and that the organisation is organization is aware of some vulnerable students in boarding schools that have not received any support from the fund.

Mr. Chansa said that the impact so far is minimal as some schools are yet to benefit from the fund adding that no attention has been given to them and there is a need to ensure effective devolution of the administration of the CDF if the entire education like many others is to benefit from it.

Meanwhile, earlier in the week, unemployed health workers and teachers revealed that they had notified Police of their intention to hold a joint protest march to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education respectively if Government fails to publish the list of successful candidates by Friday as promised.

Chairperson for unemployed Doctors, Dr Wallace Ndumba, told KBN TV in a telephone interview that a joint committee for both unemployed health workers and teachers has since notified the Police of their intention to protest.

“Kindly take note we are basing our demand on the secular that was last communicated by both the Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Health, indicating that the lists will be published between the 20th to 24th June 2022,” Dr. Ndumba said.

Zambezi Town to have an extra 40 boreholes

Chief Editor
-
4
Zambezi Town to have an extra 40 boreholes

The ministry of local government and rural development says it is drilling over 40 new boreholes in Zambezi Town.

In addition, 80 existing boreholes are set for rehabilitation as a way of increasing access to clean water and improve sanitation in rural areas.

This is under the scaling up nutrition programme, a joint effort between government and the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) meant to increase access to safe water among the rural communities.

ZANIS reports that District water and sanitation officer Isabel Kalaluka has confirmed in an interview adding that the development in will help mitigate the impact of water borne diseases in the district.

Ms Kalaluka said this when she updated a combined team of provincial nutrition Coordinating Committee (PNCC) and District Nutrition Coordination Committee (DNCC) on activities taking place under water sanitation and hygiene education (WASHE)

While the Town is focused on reducing stunting, it’s important that access to clean water is increased.

“No matter the intervention we give them, if we neglect access to clean water, it means we have done nothing because food preparation requires good water to preserve nutrition and other vital minerals that the body needs”, she said.

Ms Kalaluka further observed that due to increased human activities, the ground water levels have gone down.

“The water is not enough to pump per liter per second. Also drilling of these boreholes has become expensive due to tapping water from deep aquifers”

“Water is life and it brings joy to see the community having access to clean and safe water”, she said.

Ms Kalaluka disclosed that Water Sanitation and Hygiene education ( WASHE) conducted a water quality analysis on 40 water points and 15 were found contaminated with human fecal matter.

She added that lack of community ownership has led to polluting underground water saying that most of the water points lack vegetation which prevents soil erosion around the water points.

“Change starts with one step. It is me and you to walk the talk by safeguarding our water sources which is key to reducing stunting”, she said.

Ms Kalaluka has since urged the community to identify water sources and preserve them, while emphasizing on afforestation of the lost vegetation on the water points.

UPND Alliance Council of Presidents shocked and dismayed by comments Made by Cornelius Mweetwa against them

Chief Editor
-
13
UPND Alliance Council of Presidents shocked and dismayed by comments Made by Cornelius Mweetwa against them

The group calling itself the UPND Alliance Council of Presidents has said that it is greatly dismayed, alarmed, and shocked by insensitive and immature statements attributed to UPND National Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa, against the alliance partners.

In a statement released to the media, UPND Alliance Spokesperson Daniel Shimunza said that Mr Mweetwa’s sentiments were irresponsible and have made some of the alliance partners to be apprehensive, because of the propaganda and disloyalty reposed in the alliance.

Dr Shimunza said that Mr Mweetwa should have confined himself to his functions as spokesperson of the UPND party and matters related to his ministerial functions adding that he overstepped his commentaries on matters related to government policy, which is the role of the chief government spokesperson.

Dr Shimunza has since advised Mr Mweetwa to restrain himself before he destroys the image of the republican president by seeking relevance in an undue manner.

Dr Shimunza has emphasized that the government’s aim is to foster the restoration of the rule of law, re-construct the broken economy, re-unite the country and reinstate the broken-down social order.

Below is the full statement

YOU ARE NOT AT OUR LEVEL, UPND ALLIANCE PARTNERS TELLS OFF UPND SPOKESPERSON CORNELIUS MWEETWA
————————————————————————–
MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE.

The UPND-ALLIANCE COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS, has no time to indulge ourselves in petty issues, with those not at our level. Ours is seeking being relevant, and a commitment to assist His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, to deliver the change and Prosperity, to the People of Zambia, as we promised during the 12th August , 2021 General Elections. As an Alliance, we joined forces with our colleagues, to foster both the change, and afterwards serve in government together, what we promised to:

    1.  Restore the rule of law.
    2. Re- construct the broken economy.
    3. Re- Unite the country.
    4. Restore the broken down social order.

The UPND-ALLIANCE COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS, is greatly dismayed, alarmed, and shocked by the; unsolicited, unmeasured, unfortunate, irresponsible, overzealous, false, naive, insensitive, and immature statements, attributed to one Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa, against the Alliance Partners, on Friday, 24th June , 2022, at the UPND secretariat in a Press Briefing.

It is such irresponsible and immature statements, which made some of our Alliance Partners ,to be apprehensive, because of the inadvertently insidious; deception, propaganda, and betrayal of the sacred trust, reposed in this Alliance.

Whereas, the said Provincial Minister, for Southern Province , should have confined himself to his functions as; Spokesperson of the UPND, as a Party, and matters related to his Provincial functions , but rather in a strange fashion, has recently exposed his ignorance and unmeasured utterances, by overstepping his commentaries on matters related to government policy, which is the role of the Chief government Spokesperson, sadly . Furthermore , he has also been over- stepping the roles of the Presidential Spokesperson, which are not his lane and functions, sadly. We urge him to forthwith restrain himself, before he destroys the image of the Republican President, by seeking relevance in an; undue, careless, and immature manner. For a man of his Stature, as a learned Counsel he should have had a more measured approach, to politics, which he lamentably has failed.

Whereas, the UPND Spokesperson, demeaned and minimised the contributions of the ALLIANCE Partners, as little in the 12th of August, 2021 General elections, the contrary is true.That it’s Members came only three months before the elections. That there was no contracts, for Cabinet or government jobs. That the Zambian people had already decided to change government, even without the alliance. All this is further from the actual truth, that he is ignorant of, and not privy to, at the Council of Presidents level, to which he does not belong, at his level as Provincial Minister, or as a Member of Parliament.

Therefore , the Council of Presidents, of the UPND-ALLIANCE, and all its Partners, hereby, for the record state the following:

    1. That all Partners gave the UPND, a required National Character, which was marred, by tribal proclivities.
    2. That we answered the call of the Zambian people, to Unite, as Opposition Political Parties, against a brutal regime of the Patriotic Front ( PF).
    3. That political Alliances exist for power -sharing, everywhere in the world.
    4. That it was not a popular decision, to support the UPND at the time we joined the Alliance.
    5. That each Partner contributed overtly and covertly, to dislodge the PF government, and generate the extra 1 million votes of the 2.8 million votes.
    6. That the Republican President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, and his Running Mate, now Republican Vice President, were both Alliance Candidates.
    7. That to insult or demean the Alliance Partners, is invariably to do it to both the Republican President Mr . Hakainde Hichilema and the Vice President, who are Members of the Alliance.
    8. That agreements, as to power- sharing and Apointments, were discussed at various meetings, before and even after the General Elections, at Presidential level, which Mr. Mweetwa must respect if he is loyal to his Party President, and if he is a disciplined member thereof.
    9. That his statements, are misplaced and misleading, making the President and Vice President, as deceptive towards Partners, and the entire Country, if as he stated that is their position as a Party.
    10. If we contributed very little, why has the Now Republican President, Vice President, and entire Cabinet, continued to recognise the Alliance Partners in State functions? Is it not because we are Principals of this New Dawn government administration?

CONCLUSIVELY, LET ALL THOSE IN UPND, WHO PEDDLE THE NARRATIVE THAT THE ALLIANCE PARTNERS, ARE NOT PART OF THIS NEW DAWN GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE THEY CONTRIBUTED VERY LITTLE, ASK THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT TO SAY THAT PUBLICLY. THEN THE PARTNERS WILL GLADLY OBLIGE, BUT LETS SEE THE GHASTLY CONSEQUENCES, THEREOF, COUNTRYWIDE.

BY:
DR. DANIEL MVULA SHIMUNZA.
UPND-ALLIANCE SPOKESPERSON

Bowman the Bulldozer – is he a posterchild of transactional politics?

Chief Editor
-
13
Bowman the Bulldozer – is he a posterchild of transactional politics?

By Chimwemwe Mwanza

His theatrics and fulminations in the aftermath of the PF’s loss of power gave rise to a new brand of politics. Pin-point criticism, which he consistently dished to the new government, became a staple for news outlets. Not even the most contrarian punter among his faithful could have bet their house on Bowman Lusambo performing a political summersault.

What happened? For all his bombast and vow to fight the incumbent government to the bitter end, the bulldozer capitulated in the most inexplicable manner. Now, he would like all sundry to believe that he is adopting a civil brand of politics. Really? Forget the pontification of self-righteousness, this Damascus moment has marked another interesting chapter in the checkered life of Bulldozer – one of Zambia’s rising political entrepreneurs.

And they are many such. If in doubt, look no further than Charles Kakoma, Paul Moonga, Captain Cosmas Moono, Kelvin Sampa, Ephraim Belemu, Paul Moonga and Peter Daka – to mention a few. While it remains their right to affiliate with a party of their choice, their reasons for jumping ship are not only cynical but shameless too. Makes you wonder. Had PF bested UPND at the polls, would they have defected to the ruling party?
Back to Bulldozer. Curiously, he sent an apology in the way of the President asking for forgiveness for his rantings and divisive brand of politics. It would be interesting to know your response Mr President? And if Bowman was sincere about his apology, why did he not extend this to victims of his brutality. That he also helped create an intolerant political culture while he served in the former regime is fact.
Is this apology based on genuine contrition? To better appreciate his decision let us contextualise the motive.

Against the temptation to pronounce on his guilt or innocence there-off, it is a fact that the outcome of HH’s determination to uncover graft and other malfeasance allegedly perpetrated by the previous dispensation will determine whether the likes of Bowman and his ilk spend the rest of their lives in jail. And Bowman is alive to this reality. Macabre as this may sound, the Bulldozer is staring right in the face of jail.

Annihilated by a state-sanctioned seizure of a string of his luxury properties – which among other things resulted in the death of a beast held captive at one of his properties, his back is against the wall. His business accounts have been frozen, and a seemingly insurmountable burden has been placed on his persona to prove how he acquired this wealth. For a person that served the last 5 years of his life as a civil servant, this is a tall order.

By any measure, no PF member has borne HH’s wrath in the fight against corruption than Bowman. Whether this is persecution or prosecution is hard to call but those in his inner sanctum speak of a psychologically battered individual that is terrified at the mere sight of a police vehicle. Bailiffs are often not too far from his presence. How the mighty have fallen. Humiliated and facing a mountain of legal bills, reality has finally dawned upon him.

He now knows that he cannot fight a system that is determined to send him to the gallows. Did he therefore cut a deal with the state, or could it be that this apology disguised as an olive branch to the Presidency has earned him a temporal reprieve? Anything is possible but time will tell.
Interestingly, there has been a loud silence from the ACC and other law enforcement agencies since he repented.

Weep not for country but self

Jesus wept is the shortest verse in the bible. And just as Bowman wept when the PF and Edgar Lungu lost the polls, the contrast however is that Jesus wept because he was overwhelmed with the feeling of mankind’s infirmities to God.

Given the unravelling information and extent of plunder perpetrated by the previous dispensation, it is thus fair to suggest that Bowman’s tears were a result of the realisation that the PF’s loss of power effectively robbed him of the patronage networks that catapulted him to the dinner table. In short, he was weeping not for Zambia but for himself.

It remains a fact though that Bulldozer is not and has never been a true green. A die-hard member of the dead MMD party, his loyalty was to Edgar Lungu and not the PF. In fact, it is the former President who plucked him from obscurity and rewarded him with the opportunity to serve in government. Does it, therefore, matter that Bowman has decided to withdraw from the political limelight?

Who in a very real sence cares about his decision? It could well be that some members of his own party baying for his blood are happy to see his back. Good riddance, one can almost hear Chishimba Kambwili exclaiming in reaction to this development. The lesson here? Indeed, arrogance does not pay.

Even those with the most power today must be very careful. Food for thought. Over to you Cornelius Mweetwa.

About the Author: Mwanza enjoys reading Political History and Philosophy. He supports nothing but Liverpool and Magnificent Kabwe Warriors. For feedback, email [email protected]

Shepolopolo Win Saturday 9Training Game

sports
-
0
Shepolopolo Win Saturday 9Training Game

Shepolopolo Zambia on Saturday recorded an emphatic win over a Moroccan side in a training game played in Marrakech.

Bruce Mwape’s girls defeated FC Phoenix Marrakech 6-0 in their second pre-2022 Womens AFCON warm-up match since arriving in Morocco on June 16.

Avel Chitundu and Misozi Zulu scored a brace each with the former finding the back of the net in the 20th and 44th minutes while the latter was on the scoresheet in the 24th and 66th minutes.

Ochumba Oseke and Barbara Banda added a goal each in the 39th and 79th minutes respectively.

The result comes exactly a week after Shepolopolo rallied to a 1-1 draw against 2022 WAFCON hosts Morocco in Rabat.

Morocco are hosting the WAFCON from July 2-23 and Shepolopolo open their Group B campaign on July 3 against Cameroon in Casablanca.

Tunisia and Togo are Zambia’s other Group B opponents.

State House and Promoters of Gay Rights

Chief Editor
-
29
State House and Promoters of Gay Rights

By Dr Fred M’membe, President of the Socialist Party Zambia

The UPND is a member of the African Liberal Network (ALN), which also is a member of the Liberal International (LI). And LI Human Rights Committee Bulletin 4th Edition – LGBTI Rights states:

“In the year since Liberal International launched its Human Rights Bulletin, the final edition of the publication for 2015 – which has attracted contributions from senior ministers, UN diplomats, and prominent activists – has been released, with a focus in this edition on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) rights.

Contributors from Africa, Asia, and Latin America have written and been interviewed about their experiences in fighting for a cause at the heart of all liberals – equality. In this fourth edition of the Bulletin, politicians, activists, and advisors offered insights and practical advice for overcoming the challenges of standing up for minority groups in countries and across continents.

Writing about the landmark human rights manifesto for Africa, adopted in 2014 by member parties of LI cooperating organisation, Africa Liberal Network (ALN), ALN vice-president Rosemary Machua, of the Kenyan liberals, ODM (LI member), emphasised the importance of having a ‘human rights framework for Africa, by Africans’. The fact that sexual orientation is included in the Declaration is a tremendous achievement for African liberals. It firmly entrenches our view that LGBTI rights are important, recognized, and above all that they are human rights, added Mrs. Machua.
Addressing the political challenges associated with supporting minority groups in conservative societies, the Director of the Department for Women’s Rights in the DPP (LI full member), Taiwan, Dr. Ching-yi Lin, spoke of her party’s unwavering commitment to LGBTI communities, changing social attitudes and, eventually, being able to bring about tangible changes in government.

Chair of the LI LGBTI Working Group, Frank van Dalen, conducts an exclusive interview with government LGBTI rights adviser, activist and journalist, Enrique Torre Molina, who shares his views on what more politicians can do to promote the respect and advancement of the LGBTI community. Speaking in Mexico City, Enrique describes the situation for LGBTI people in Mexico and across Latin America more broadly and the role of young people in creating spaces to advance LGBTI rights adding that liberal values are the “essence” of the equality movement.”

These are views from the organisations to which the UPND belongs. To this add what we published yesterday:

If the UPND really wants to know who is dealing with the defenders, protectors and promoters of gay rights, they should start with State House.
On September 29, 2021 President Hakainde Hichilema hosted an ambassador of gay rights at State House. His name is Mr Tony Blair – a former British prime minister. Mr Hichilema held talks with Mr Blair on the possible collaboration between Zambia and the Tony Blair Institute for global change. Mr Hichilema said the institute is doing commendable work and hopes it can assist Zambia.

Mr Blair said his institute stands ready to help the new dawn administration. Mr Blair has been recognised as one of the top gay icons of the past three decades, along with figures such as Boy George, Sir Ian McKellen and Barbra Streisand. Gay Times said Blair’s status as an ambassador of gay rights was undeniable. Mr Blair, as British prime minister, introduced laws recognising trans people, civil partnerships, banned employers from sacking employees because of who they love and made homophobia a hate crime.

Mr Joe Biden, on May 4, 2012 told NBC’s “Meet the Press” anchor David Gregory: “I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women, and heterosexual men and women marrying another are entitled to the same exact rights, all the civil rights, all the civil liberties. Who do you love? And will you be loyal to the person you love? And that’s what people are finding out is what all marriages, at their root, are about, whether they’re marriages of lesbians or gay men or heterosexuals.”

This is the President of United States today, the current occupant of the White House. And early in his presidency Mr Hichilema was a guest at the White House – something they were very proud of, were boasting about!

This week Mr Hichilema visited European Union Parliament in Brussels and addressed it. Gay rights in the European Union are protected under the European Union’s (EU) treaties and law. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in all EU states and discrimination in employment has been banned since 2000. The Treaty on European Union, in its last version as updated by the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007 and in force as of 2009, makes the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union legally binding for the member state of the European Union and the European Union itself. In turn, Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union includes an anti-discrimination provision that states that “any discrimination based on any ground such as […] sexual orientation shall be prohibited.”

Furthermore, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides in Articles 10 that the European Union has a positive duty to combat discrimination (among other things) on the grounds of sexual orientation and provides in Article 19 ways for the Council and the European Parliament to actively propose pass legislation to do so. These provisions were enacted by the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999.

In June 2010, the Council of the European Union adopted a non-binding toolkit to promote LGBT people’s human rights. In June 2013, the Council upgraded it to binding LGBTI Guidelines instructing EU diplomats around the world to defend the human rights of LGBTI people. So if one is looking for gays and defenders, protectors and promoters of gay right the starting point should be State House.

And this is the problem with malice, it boomerangs. Bob Marley sang in a reggae rhythm, “Why boasteth thyself, oh evil man
Playing smart and not being clever?

I said you’re working iniquity

To achieve vanity, yeah (if I sow, I sow)…No weak heart shall prosper

And whosoever diggeth a pit

Shall fall in it…”

Miles Sampa has no right to advise the New Dawn Government on how to handle KCM

Chief Editor
-
10
Miles Sampa has no right to advise the New Dawn Government on how to handle KCM

Copperbelt-based good governance activist Peter Mulenga has said people should detach politics from the issue surrounding the ownership of Konkola Copper Mines.

Mr. Mulenga was reacting to a comment made by Patriotic Front (PF) Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa which suggested that KCM is a time bomb on the treasury if not resolved today.

Mr. Sampa said Chingola is on ice and there is no money in circulation for the residents and entire country partly because KCM is non-functioning.

The Matero Lawmaker said Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe seem to have no say on the mines other than being a complainant.

But Mr. Mulenga said it was shocking that Mr. Sampa is now lecturing the New Dawn Government on how to handle the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) issue just months after his party lost power.

He wondered why Mr. Sampa did not advise the PF regime on KCM before the last August Elections.

The business executive said the government should be given chance and time clean the chaos left by PF among them the KCM issue.

Mr. Mulenga said blame game won’t help matters of KCM.

He said the Mines Minister and government has shown potential to unlock the mining sector and KCM in particular.

“It is shocking that PF Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa is now lecturing the New Dawn Government on how to handle the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) issue just months after his beloved party lost power. It is laughable to hear Mr. Sampa suggest that KCM is a time bomb on the treasury if not resolved today. The Matero MP has demonstrated double standards on this issue. Where was Mr. Sampa when the KCM issue was dragging on during the PF reign? Why didn’t he make the suggestions is making today over KCM to his party OF when they were in power. Zambians are wise and able to read between the lines. The people of Zambia are able to see that the New Dawn Government is cleaning the mess left by Mr. Sampa’s party PF,” Mr. Mulenga said.

“The KCM issue is one of the many chaos created by the PF which the new government is sorting out. Let people allow the UPND government to correct the mess left by the PF. The Minister of Miners and Minerals Development Honourable Paul Kabuswe has already guided the nation on steps the government is taking to unlock the mining sector and KCM in particular. It is vague to say that the Mines seem to have no say on Mines. We all know that the government’s hand was tied by court cases surrounding KCM. Mr. Sampa should not attach politics to a very important issue concerning the unlocking of KCM. This is not a time to play petty politics devoid of character and sanity,” he said.

Mr. Mulenga said it was tough for Zambians to trust PF leaders again.

“These are serious times demanding serious answers from serious people. Instead, we have politicians like Sampa and Nakacinda, who reckon they got the problem worked out only if we give them another mandate in 2026. Zambia is in need of a serious and strong opposition. People must be serious for once. In my opinion the only serious politician offering proper checks is the Green Party. Oh, of course, how stupid of us! There was me thinking people voted them out because they have no other option.But no, apparently, it’s because they thought PF were worse than they think. They should simply be shown how it can be done! With time and following proper channels I am confident the government will facilitate the resolution of the KCM issue. We have leadership in President Hakainde Hichilema and Mr. Kabuswe that is capable of resolving the KCM issue in the best interest of the nation. Let us trust the process,” Mr. Mulenga said.

Like on freedom of expression, Hichilema achievement on the rule of law is hard to comprehend

Chief Editor
-
13
Like on freedom of expression, Hichilema achievement on the rule of law is hard to comprehend

By Venus N Msyani

Like on freedom of expression, President Hakainde Hichilema achievement on the rule of law is hard to comprehend.

He is using the fight against corruption to measure his achievement on the rule of law, which is good. However, the president is not being honest on the outcome.

Last April during a press conference, while trying to explain why his fight against corruption has not started yielding positive results, President Hichilema made a false claim.

He claims that his administration is fighting corruption within the rule of law, which was absent under the previous government. That today an opposition leader is called to the police at 14hrs, charged, arrested at 15hrs, and given bond at 16:30.

President Hichilema is not being sincere. There has been no report of anyone getting arrested and securing bond within two or three hours. Suspects continue to spend days under police custody.

Yes, the rule of law was absent under the patriotic front (PF) government. However, one cannot claim it is present under new dawn administration.

Transporting suspects to remote police stations to go and answer charges that could be answered at a local police station would definitely disqualify the claim. It makes United Party for National Development (UPND) government appear worse that PF government.

Calling people clique of thieves is another act that disqualifies the claim. By calling corruption suspects clique of thieves President Hichilema automatically became the accuser.

When the accused (clique of thieves) appear in court, it puts judges in the fix because the integrity of the president (the accuser) comes into play.

Ruling in favor of any accused among the clique of thieves means acting against the president. Would be very surprised if there is any judge out there who doesn’t feel intimidated.

Cadres are openly demanding courts to be occupied by judges who support president Hakainde fight against corruption. Judges who are deemed difficult are being transferred out of Lusaka. Calling it the rule of law implies that we have lost the meaning of the rule of law.

Talking about freedom of expression. The new dawn administration about to break a record on defamation of the president arrests. Almost every week, someone is arrested for defaming the president.

Despite that President Hakainde Hichilema claims his administration has restored freedom of expression in the country. Is there anyone out there who is able comprehend?

1...587588589...5,626Page 588 of 5,626

Company

Trending

Categories

© Lusaka Times