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Anti-Corruption Commission Officially Hands over Recovered Proceeds from Crime

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Anti-Corruption Commission Officially Hands over Recovered Proceeds from Crime

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has officially handed over recovered proceeds of crime amounting to K65, 330,000 to the state through the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

The Joint Investigative Team from the Anti-Corruption Commission, Zambia Police Service, Drug Enforcement Commission and Financial Intelligence Centre late last year concluded investigations involving Margaret Chisela Musonda, also called Faith Musonda in which she was found in possession of ZMW 65, 333, 046 and US$ 57, 900 which was discovered in a house in New Kasama.

ACC said at the time that the commission will not institute criminal proceedings against Ms. Musonda because Ms. Musonda has made a full disclosure of the monies in question and has willingly surrendered the same to the State.

Ms. Musonda was charged with Possession of Property Reasonably Suspected to be Proceeds of Crime contrary to Section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crimes Act No.19 of 2010.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Lusaka on Wednesday morning, Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said the recovered funds from corruption will be given to the Ministry of Education to be used as additional university bursaries in 2022.

Dr. Musokotwane said the funds will benefit additional 2,232 university students across the nation who were left out on government bursaries in December 2021 due to budget constraints.

The Minister of Finance applauded the joint investigative team recovering suspected illegally-obtained assets and money.

“As you may be aware, the Zambia police carried out an operation in Lusaka’s new Kasama area, on 17th September 2021, were they discovered trunks of cash amounting to k65, 330, 000. In addition, there was also a safe containing us$57,900. Both sums of money were suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained. Ladies and gentlemen investigations into this matter were immediately commenced, and on 21st October 2021, the joint investigative team from the anti-corruption commission, Zambia police service, drug enforcement commission and the financial intelligence centre concluded investigations. The state, therefore, re-possessed these funds after charging the owner with possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime,” Dr. Musokotwane said.

Dr. Musokotwane explained how the recovered funds will be utilized.

“Regarding the recovered assets in question today, I wish to confirm that the treasury has since officially received them. These funds will be utilised for a prudent and noble cause that fosters the common good of the people of Zambia, especially the youth. The youth are the anchor of this country’s future. The resolve and focus of this new dawn administration is to ensure that public funds are invested in areas that truly benefit society,” he said.

“To compensate for the abolished fees, grants from the government to public schools were significantly increased. These funds for school grants were already transmitted to all the schools before the first term of 2022 opened. This act, though incredibly costly on the part of the government, was in fulfillment of one of the most important commitments that the new dawn government made to the people of Zambia,” Dr. Musokotwane said.

He concluded: “Already, this act alone seems to have changed things for the better because some schools are reporting higher enrollment than before. Today we have high numbers of Zambian children from underprivileged households accessing free education. The benefits to the nation of this improved access to education on the quality of life, individuals’ livelihoods and economic development as a whole is incalculable. Zambian treasury fellow citizens you may also recall from the 2022 budget address, I made a commitment on behalf of the republican president, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, to tackle the challenges relating to the inadequacy of university bursaries for many of our bright young men and women across the nation. I am here today to do something about that challenge. In that regard, and after comprehensive analysis and wider consultations, your government has decided to use the funds that have been recovered from corruption to provide additional university bursaries in 2022.”

Kamanga Hails Shepolopolo For Womens AFCON Qualification

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The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has hailed the Shepolopolo for qualifying to the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup to be staged in Morocco in July after drawing 1-1 with Namibia away.

Zambia clinched their third Africa Cup qualification via away goal rule against a determined Namibian side.

“On behalf of myself and the executive committee, I wish to congratulate our women national team for their qualification to the AWCON. This is yet another milestone in the development of the women’s game,” FAZ president Andrew Kamanga stated.

“This comes in the wake of the team having represented Africa at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games held last year. The consistency shown by the team is commendable and a mark of true sportsmanship,” he said.

Kamanga is already looking forward to seeing coach Bruce Mwape’s side compete in Morocco.

“Our participation at the AWCON should be motivated with the fact that it is also a FIFA World Cup qualifier. Having been to the Olympics our remaining target is to qualify the Copper Queens to the World Cup.”

The Africa Cup is being used as the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in Australia and New Zealand.

Spike in road accidents saddens Mushimba

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Spike in road accidents saddens Mushimba

Former Transport Minister Brian Mushimba says he is saddened by the recent spike in road accidents across Zambia.

Mr Mushimba said almost daily, there is a loved one being lost on the punishing roads across the country.

“As someone who once was in charge of road safety in the country while I served as minister of transportation, I am at pains to make sense of these painful and unfortunate events,” Dr Mushimba said.

“I remember during my time, we recognized that we needed immediate interventions while we planned for medium and long term solutions (such as better roads, dual carriage highways between towns, public mass transit transportation systems, etc).”

Dr Mushimba said as part of the immediate interventions, he signed a raft of Statutory Instruments (SIs) totaling 13.

“I was subsequently nicknamed the “Minister of SIs” by the media at the time. I wore that nickname as a badge of honor,” he stated.

“We had researched data that those SIs were necessary to stem the trend on accidents and fatalities. We signed SI to move heavy cargo off roads onto rail. We signed SI to ban high occupancy vehicles driving in the thick of the night on poorly lit or marked roads. We signed SI to install speed governors in high occupancy vehicles. We signed SI to streamline driver training and strict conditions for acquiring driver licenses. And many more.”

Dr Mushimba said in the first year, Zambia reduced accidents and fatalities by 13% adding that the trend of reducing accidents and fatalities continued while he served in the Ministry of transportation.

“If these SIs are still standing, can the listening government enforce them better please? If they are not standing anymore, can new ones be instituted to save lives on these roads please?”

“Can we get a plan and timelines shared on the transition to medium term and long term solutions (i.e. dual carriage highways, public mass transit systems)? We can wait on many other things for implementation by the new government but life is at stake here on these roads.”

Parents and Guardians are Free to Evacuate their Children from Ukraine-Foreign Affairs Ministry

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Parents and Guardians are Free to Evacuate their Children from Ukraine-Foreign Affairs Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation says parents and guardians with children studying in Ukraine are at liberty to evacuate in view of the political and security tension between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Ukraine.

The Ministry said that it has received numerous inquiries from parents and guardians of Zambians studying in Ukraine about their safety.

In a statement, the Ministry said that the Zambian Embassy in Moscow is in contact with both the Russian and Ukrainian authorities and both parties have emphasized the importance of dialogue as the only option to end the current impasse.

The Embassy has also engaged the Zambian community in view of the developments in Ukraine and have been directed to remain alert and utilize the available communication platforms.

The Embassy has further advised all Zambians in Ukraine to carry requisite identity documents and avoid non-essential travel around the country as a precautionary security measure.

Below is the full statement

Connections Fees Increase Was an Internal Leaked Memo-ZESCO

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Connections Fees Increase Was an Internal Leaked Memo-ZESCO

ZESCO Limited has claimed that the leaked document suggesting that the power utility has upward adjusted electricity connection fees and separation of meters was concocted.

Featuring on Radio Phoenix’s Let the People Talk Show on Tuesday; Zesco Public Relations Director Dr. John Kunda said the firm has not adjusted fees for electricity connection fees or separation of meters.

Over the weekend, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) described as null and void any change in ZESCO’s connection charges in whatever form or structure, as reported on various media platforms.

Dr. Kunda said the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) is the only body that can approve any tariff or connection fee adjustments.

He described the recent controversy surrounding the alleged upward connection fee adjustment as ‘just an internal memo’ issue.

Dr. Kunda said electricity connection fees are determined by many factors.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kunda says Zesco will clear the current backlog of over 60,000 applications for new connections before the end of the year, some of which have been piling up since 2017.

He said the poor utility is currently mobilizing funds to ensure the current backlog is dismantled and that clearing will be done on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Dr. Kunda said Zesco was aware that the demand for both domestic and commercial power supply in Zambia has continued to expand and in that connectivity remains key to influencing human settlement and growth of economic activities

“When we come to the issue of connections, when you apply for a connection, what happens is that we send a team to assess the requirements. The quantum of materials that are required and we are going to quote you based on that and that has not changed. It remains the same. When we issued a statement after we had seen it all on social media, we made it very clear that nothing has changed. There is no adjustment to the connection fees and that is our official position. And we even said we halted the processing of non standard quotations until we are guided by the Energy Regulation Board and that statement is in the public domain,” Dr. Kunda said.

“I hope that clarifies, currently there is no increase, no increase whatsoever, we even halted the issuance of you know standard connection processes but in terms of what you are paying if you are in Avondale and you decided to get a connection, there was a man who called from Avondale who was building, he was charged somewhere around K5, 000 and that was based on the scopes of work. The scope of work will determine and they will vary depending on what you need. If you need 100 meters of cable you will be charged differently, if you require a pole the charge will be different with someone who requires a pole but the fact of the matter is that this is how we have been doing it and we base on market value and we will say that in the system,” he said.

Dr. Kunda added:”When you leak the document without other supporting documents and then scream that they have increased, all you need is to go and apply, see the process that is being used and then you can say how come? I think it has changed from the process you were following before. Then we can explain to you but we have not released a statement to the effect of having increased any tariff. It was a concoctional document, speaking to how we operate and how we are going to operate. Zesco Limited is a corporate entity and we know what the provisions are for us to effect any changes to tariffs and that is known. So when you are dealing with planning documents, they are planning and internal.”

While pomp grips the 2022 Africa-EU Summit, Africa’s exports to the world’s largest market are contracting

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While pomp grips the 2022 Africa-EU Summit, Africa’s exports to the world’s largest market are contracting

Edward Chisanga

I read that African leader, including our own travel to Brussels, Belgium this week for the sixth Summit taking place on 17 and 18 February. While I refrain from discussing the objective of the summit in this paper, as it could be a topic on its own, I share the results of my research about Africa’s trade with the EU on the one hand, and Zambia’s trade with the EU on the other. While foreign direct investment is one of the most crucial forms of cross-border capital flow into Africa and is important for structural transformation, trade is equally so and I hope it is one of the things that the summit will delve to discuss, in particular how to support Africa’s structural change or a movement from exporting raw materials to manufactured goods to the EU in big quantities.

Africa’s exports to the EU

Whatever discussion takes place during the summit, EU and African leaders will learn that Africa’s exports of all products to the EU have been declining instead of rising in absolute values in the last two decades. The EU and other developed countries often tell us to use trade as an engine of economic development. African leaders too are fond of telling the world, “We don’t want free aid. Help us to trade more.” For many years, Africa’s least developed countries have been enjoying free duty of exports of all their products to the EU.

Yet, Africa’s exports have been falling lamentably. As Figure 1 below shows, Africa’s exports to the EU tumbled from their highest peak of over $200 billion in 2012-2013 to just about half in 2020. Meanwhile, the same Figure shows that Africa’s exports to China have been increasing steadily, reaching almost $50 billion. Obviously, one explanation for Africa’s declining exports to the EU is due to its market diversification to China.

My interpretation is that despite the EU’s gesture to provide free market access, Africa’s response is lackluster. But one has to analyze and find answers to why and part of it is likely to be the very reason d’etre of the summit. Just as it is difficult to blame the EU, it is too to pile the blame on African countries for the declining trend in the latter’s exports to the former. During China’s presence in Africa, many arguments have been floated. The EU and other developed countries find Africa’s partnership with China as lacking good economic governance while China and Africa contend it is based on mutual interests and respect. Whatever the case, it is clear that Africa is divesting its exports from the EU and channeling it to developing Asia in general and China in particular.

As Africa’s quest for export value addition increases, one wants to think that this will be one of its priority discussions with its EU partner. Currently, the proportion of Africa’s exports of manufactured goods to the EU in total stands at only 35% and this is largely due to South Africa’s majority contribution. Excluding South Africa, Sub-Sahara African countries’ proportion of exports of manufactured goods in total to the EU was only 7% in 2020 compared to primary commodities’ share of 93%. In other words, they exported only $2.6 billion manufactured goods relative to $36.1 billion worth of primary commodities.

Zambia’s exports to the EU

As our Head of State is also available at the summit, Zambians would like know that our country’s exports to the EU have equally been slumping miserably as Figure 2 below shows. In the first place, total exports were only $ 228 million in 2020, of which manufactured goods accounted for only 12% leaving primary commodities with a larger share of 88%. It means the larger part of what Zambia exports have no value addition. I agree with the President when he says that he will go and push for value addition at the summit although what creates value addition is largely the country that is exporting.

Yes, he must persuade developed countries to channel their foreign direct investment to Zambia given that that is one of the main drivers of value addition or global value chains and networks. But, again, that largely depends on prevailing conditions in Zambia: whether they’re conducive enough to attract investment.

Zambia has been importing more from the EU than it has been exporting, leading to increased trade deficits. It means our country has not been leveraging external revenue obtained from exports to support economic development.

Concluding

Finally, we saw that Zambia’s total exports of all products to the EU stands at only £228 million, very low numbers to the largest global export market. Of this, exports of manufactured goods stand at only $25 million. Clearly, these numbers are depressingly low and will have implications when we negotiate with the EU. We are clearly not a trading partner with the EU.

To acquire export value addition, the beginning is Zambia’s business sector and its full integration in government decision-making. Government and the business sector must become one. This one unit must work with the best. As Honorable Mutati said this week, “We must dance with the best if we want to develop.” It must work with owners of foreign direct investment in order to bring them to Zambia.

To attract foreign direct investment, there’s need for Zambians to understand the difference between misconceptions and realities. Often, we make our own conclusions that don’t match realities on the ground with owners of foreign direct investment. We think we know what they want when we don’t. We think we have what they want when we don’t. Foreign investors don’t come simply because we ask them to. They’re driven by a package of factors created at country level. Owners of foreign direct investment are not governments but their private sector. Lastly, we need foreign direct investment because our private sector is almost non-existent. Our private sector must work with their counterparts in Viet Nam in order to understand what I’m saying.

Honey Bee supplied Paracetamol tablets distributions was caused by a Mistake-Masebo

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Honey Bee supplied Paracetamol tablets distributions was caused by a Mistake-Masebo

A preliminary report by the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency has revealed that the status of Honey Bee supplied Paracetamol tablets to Kabwe Central and Kasama General Hospitals was erroneously changed from quality control to available status during the stocktake exercise undertaken on 27th December 2021.

And Health Minister Sylvia Masebo has revealed that four bottles out of 58 bottles of Paracetamol 100 tablets per bottle dispatched to Kasama General Hospital were consumed while all those delivered to Kabwe central Hospital were returned.

Delivering a Ministerial Statement to Parliament yesterday, Ms. Masebo said health Authorities in Kasama have since embarked on a trail of all those who consumed the defective drugs and are monitoring them to ascertain any possible side effects and that two patients have so far been traced and are being observed to ascertain whether the medicine has had any negative effect on their health.
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Ms. Masebo who described the distribution of the defective drugs as irresponsible has assured that investigations are currently underway to help ascertain how the error occurred.

Ms Masebo says all the 198 bottles of the paracetamol that was dispatched to Kabwe central hospital were retrieved.

She has since indicated that investigations into the matter are still continuing.

She also said that the matter of the Honey-Bee sub-standard medicines in question is in Court and a subject of state investigation hence making it difficult for ZAMMSA to dispose them off in the case where the supplier failed to collect them.

It’s Important that Leadership is open to different views, especially from outside its circles

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It’s Important that Leadership is open to different views, especially from outside its circles

By Dr Lubinda Haabazoka

For a country to develop, it is very important that the leadership is open to different views, especially from circles they consider not to be closer to them.

One other aspect of leadership is not to come in with a preconceived idea because it becomes very difficult to adapt or change when circumstances call for such.

I would like to discuss two things:

  1. The recently advertised Ndola dual carriageway
  2. Public infrastructure procurement projects

Now that the post-election dust is settling I would like to call upon all foot soldiers, keyboard warriors, party supporters to go back to the barracks of life so that the country can have sober discussions and develop in unity because after all, Zambia is what unites us.

About the PPP Ndola Lusaka Dual Carriageway

There was heavy backlash that the PPP was prized at $1.2bn and that the project stinks corruption. Criticism came in that the private party proposed to build hotels and other amenities and that to a lot of people smell like corruption. In my opinion, the whole issue has got to do with the understanding of the word PPP and how these are tendered. A PPP is a type of off balance sheet funding where government uses the private party to fund build operate and then transfer back to government a fully functioning facility. The aim of a PPP is to use private money to do a project that is handed over to government after a certain period of time. During the concession period, the private party runs the facility to recover the money they have invested in, make some profit and then return to government a fully functional facility.

When tendering a PPP, governments chose the proposal with the most features. Let’s take for example the Ndola Lusaka dual carriageway. Government gives the following terms: build a road, charge toll fees, recover your money, then give the road back to us. Government says all this should be done in day 20 years.

So in that tender you have 2 companies: one says they will build the dual carriageway and toll gates, filling stations, hotels, shops, truck stations etc for $1.2bn. This party says that they will recover their money from tolls, hotels, truck stations, filling stations and other features. Then a second company bids for $600 and says all they will do is a road and they will get their money from toll fees.

The question is which company do you pick?

Answer: You pick company A with a $1.2bn because both companies will own the project for 20 years but one will only transfer to you only the road while the other one has pledged to build other features like hotels which you shall inherit. In a PPP, you chose a project with the most features. A project with most features is usually more expensive but because of more features, the private party is more likely to get back their money within the concession period.

Mind your government doesn’t spend even 1 ngwee so where is the corruption??

About public infrastructure project procurement

I have heard on TV that a lot of Zambians were given road contracts, paid advance payment and they ran away. This is where technocrats are supposed to be brave and advise the appointing authority correctly. No down payment is given to a company without that company putting in a down payment guarantee. What happens is that against the downpayment, the contractor get more like insurance (in layman’s language). If the contractor doesn’t begin works after after being paid advance payment, the only thing government does is to go and cash in that guarantee to recoup their money. So in all government projects, government can’t lose money.

I just thought of adding my views to these two issues.

My fellow technocrats let’s advice accordingly for the betterment of our country

Nevers Mumba calls on All Christians MPs not to Support Changes to the Penal Code

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Nevers Mumba calls on All Christians MPs not to Support Changes to the Penal Code

New Hope Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) President Nevers Mumba has said that the proposed changes to the penal code are both uncalled for and unnecessary, adding that issues to do with known Christian values are not up for sale to the highest bidder.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Dr. Mumba said that Zambians have not complained about the current laws on marriage and abortion.

Dr. Mumba urged all Christian Members of Parliament to distance themselves from what he has described as an impending abomination.

Dr. Mumba stated that to maintain Zambia as a Christian nation; the country will need more than the desperate press statements people make whenever the values are threatened.

Below is the full statement

WAR ON THE CHURCH: POLIGAMY AND ABORTION DEBATE EVIDENCE THAT WE NEED MORE BELIEVERS IN PARLIAMENT AND GOVERNANCE.

We shall not depart from the conscientious decision we made to be a Christian Nation.

We shall not compromise values that make us a uniquely Christian Nation.

With the coming on of shows like the popular MPALI that has rocked and taken our screens by storm since 2018, it is undeniable that the views of society have slowly changed over time, to such an extent that, today, in a Self proclaimed Christian Nation like Zambia, a debate has become possible, and even ensued, about the possibility that we legalise and recognise Poligamous Marriages

The proposed changes to the penal code are both uncalled for and unnecessary. Issues to do with our known Christian values are not up for sale to the highest bidder.

Zambians have not complained about the current laws on marriage and abortion. As the Americans would say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” There are many broke things in our nation and those are the ones that need the attention of our legislators.

Any member of parliament therefore who votes for abortion and polygamy is on his own. He has departed from the path of Christian morality on which our nation is anchored. We urge all Christian MPs to distance themselves from this pending abomination.

My word to the body of Christ is that, to maintain Zambia as a Christian nation will need more than the desperate press statements we make whenever our values are threatened. We need full representation in governance at all levels to defend Godly values. Our current stand of demonizing politics and Christians involved in politics is retrogressive. We can’t have it both ways. We must choose active consistent engagement in governance.

Christians are paying the price for abandoning politics: All we can do is to cry foul with no powers to make the actual difference. We risk reducing ourselves to media commentators.

Shepolopolo Sweat to Clinch for 2022 Womens AFCON

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Zambia sweated to qualify for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup on Tuesday as they needed an away goal to overcome Namibia in the return match of the final qualification round.

Shepolopolo sealed qualification for the AFCON finals to be staged in Morocco in July after a 1-1 draw with Namibia at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.

Coach Bruce Mwape’s Zambia women have advanced to the finals on the away goals rule after the first leg in Lusaka finished 0-0 last Wednesday.

Namibia scared Zambia when taking an early lead on six minutes as their captain Emma Naris headed in a corner.

Substitute Siomala Mapepa scored the important equaliser 20 minutes away from time as Zambia held on to qualify.

This is the third time Zambia is qualifying for the women’s Africa Cup.

Zambia missed the services of inspirational injured captain and striker Barbra Banda in both legs.

Meanwhile, the Africa Cup doubles as the African qualifiers to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

Penal code Proposed Amendments is a contradiction to Zambia’s Christian nation status-CCZ

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Penal code Proposed Amendments is a contradiction to Zambia’s Christian nation status-CCZ

The Council Churches of Zambia (CCZ) has joined in called opposed to the changes to the Penal Code saying the proposal by the Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC) to repeal section 166 of the penal code that prohibits bigamy and regulates access to abortion for pregnant women is a contradiction to Zambia’s Christian nation status.

CCZ general secretary father Emmanuel Chikoya said that CCZ does not support the proposal by the ZLDC. Fr. Chikoya said that it is unfortunate that the Zambia law development commission came up with such proposals without a thorough consultation with other relevant stakeholders.

The Zambia law development commission has proposed to repeal current laws that prohibit bigamy and regulate access to abortion for pregnant women.

Yesterday other churches rejected a recommendation by Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC) to amend the bigamy law so that it no longer criminalises a married person’s decision to have more than one spouse.

The Christian fraternity feels decriminalizing the bigamy law is retrogressive and will destroy many families in the country.

Following the proposed amendment, the Council of Bishops of Pentecostal Assemblies of God, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and Bishops Council of Zambia have urged Members of Parliament to reject the proposal to repeal the bigamy law.

Pentecostal Assemblies of God presiding bishop Joshua Banda said in a statement yesterday that the proposal is a danger to the well-being of young people in the country.

Bishop Banda, who is also president of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Africa-Southern Africa Region, said the quality of relationships in marriages has fallen.

The clergy said marriages are already threatened by infidelity due to unfaithfulness

Government Agrees to Suspend Importation of Onions and Potatoes into Zambia

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Government Agrees to Suspend Importation of Onions and Potatoes into Zambia

The government has agreed to suspend the importation of onion and potatoes into the country until further notice following the complaint raised by the Zambia National Farmers Union over the flooding over the local market with the commodities that can be produced locally.

The Zambia Farmer’s Union (ZNUF) President Jervis Zimba has warned that over K23 million worth of onions in the Country risk going to waste if the government does not address the continued importation of these commodities.

But Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Green Mbozi said that his Ministry had a meeting with ZNFU where it was agreed that the suspension of these commodities should be effected until further notice.

Mr. Mbozi said the desire of the government is to ensure that the interests of local farmers in the Country are protected.

Yesterday,ZNFU said that it was concerned that over K23 million worth of onions will go to waste and is deeply disturbed by the continued authorization of importation of onions and potatoes into the country by the ministry of agriculture even when the country has the commodity in abundance.

ZNFU President Jervis Zimba said that despite the Union engaging the ministry over the issue of importation of commodities that can be grown within the country, among them onions and potatoes, no favourable response has been given on this matter as importation of onions has continued unabated.

Mr Zimba said that as a result of this, the country risks having over K23 million worth of onions going to waste if the matter remains unaddressed.

He had since demanded that the Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo-Phiri clearly states whether he would like to see the country continue being a net importer of commodities that can readily be produced locally.

Mr Zimba is further appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to intervene in this matter before farmers lose out adding that the local strides being made to grow agriculture products locally should be nurtured and not frustrated.

UNZA and CBU students to secure Bursaries from funds from the International Coalition of Fellowships

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UNZA and CBU students to secure Bursaries from funds from the International Coalition of Fellowships

Governments have said that students from Copperbelt University and the University of Zambia who have failed to access funds through the student loan scheme will secure funds from the International Coalition of Fellowships.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Art in partnership with the International Coalition of Fellowships (ICOF) will next month start offering bursaries to 5,000 students across the country.

Under this partnership, the government will cover 25 percent of the costs while 75 percent will be paid by ICOF.

In an interview in Kabwe District of Central Province yesterday, Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu said the bursary scheme is meant to empower young people from vulnerable families with education.

He said 500 students from each province are expected to benefit adding that government values education because it is essential to national economic development.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nkandu has launched the K 2.3 million youth empowerment scheme targeting 2,500 beneficiaries in Central Province.

And Central province Minister Credo Nanjuwa said during the launch that the scheme will address youth unemployment in the Province.

IBA and ZNBC Boards Cautioned against being Controlled by Government

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IBA and ZNBC Boards Cautioned against being Controlled by Government

The Media Liaison Committee (MLC) has cautioned newly appointed board members for the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) against being controlled by the Government as they oversee the running of the two institutions.

MLC Chairperson Enock Ngoma said the new board members for ZNBC and IBA must not become rubber stamps that will be validating what government wants at all times.

Information and Media Minister Chushi Kasanda over the weekend announced and unveiled the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Boards.

The new IBA Board members include Chikosola Chuula, Victoria Banda, Prof. Jameson Mbale, Susan Ndumingu, Makasa Luonde, Victoria Mupwaya, Oliver Kanene, Elizabeth Chanda and Mumbuna Kufekisa.

The new ZNBC board members are Dante Saunders, Mato Shimabale, Mazuba Monze, Nchimunya Hachandi, Bernadette Phiri, Leopard Kantumoya, Ophelia Nyambe, Bishop Joseph Kazhila and Nalituba Mwale.

When announcing the new board members for IBA and ZNBC, Ms. Kasanda told Journalists at a media briefing in Lusaka that government is confident the teams have competence, expertise and experience to grow the two institutions and make them vibrant.

She said the government and the people of Zambia have high expectations on the need for the media to exercise high ethical and professional standards in its role to inform, educate and entertain.

Meanwhile, in a media statement, Mr. Ngoma, a veteran journalist, said he believes all appointees know exactly what has been the public cry on the operations of the two state institutions.

“The Media Liaison Committee (MLC) is happy that the government has finally appointed new boards for the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and at Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).We are happy with the composition of the new boards but would like to caution the new board members against being used by government and become rubber stamps that will be validating what government wants. We assume that all the appointees know exactly what has been the public cry on the operations of the two state institutions and therefore the expectations from the public are high. The board members need to ensure that they themselves are professional first before they can demand for professionalism whether at ZNBC or IBA,” Mr. Ngoma stated.

“While we acknowledge the appointments of the two boards, their roles and functions must not be ceremonial, symbolic and diluted by the appointing authority as was the case in the past. We also call on the board members not to be theorists but instead should be practical as they give policy direction and guidance to the institutions that have for a long time been run on political whims. We expect the boards to spearhead true reforms and oversight in the media sector by being professional and independent, and embracing recommendations and multi-stakeholder approach in their conduct to avoid discrimination based on certain variables as was the case previously,” he said.

Mr. Ngoma pledged MLC’s commitment to the promotion of media development and freedom of the press in Zambia.

“The MLC remains committed to media development and freedom of the press in Zambia and shall remain open for consultation from all stakeholders especially the new boards at the two institutions. Even as we await the enactment of the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) bill to be enacted into law, we have no doubt that the IBA and ZNBC acts shall be re-aligned to accommodate for media professional regulation to be offered by ZAMEC. We still remind the government that there is need for an appointments committee when appointing board members at IBA as was enshrined in the initial IBA act before retrogressive amendments were made to the act,” Mr. Ngoma said.

He concluded:”We congratulate the new board members for their deserved appointments especially that at least we now have some members with experience in the media who we expect to lead the reforms at the two institutions. We also notice that this time around, the permanent secretary at the ministry of information and media is no longer a permanent board member, a move that is progressive.”

There are Similarities Between FTJ’s Chiluba and President Hakainde Hichilema’s Presidencies -Kabimba

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There are Similarities Between FTJ’s Chiluba and President Hakainde Hichilema’s Presidencies -Kabimba

By Wynter Kabimba

When I was battling the COVID-19 pandemic in hospital in June/July, 2021, I was reading The Mayor of Casterbridge, a classic by Thomas Hardy. The moral of the story is “character is fate.’’

History is witness to the lives of leaders like Adolf Hitler, Julius Caesar, Emperor Bokassa, Idi Amin and others whose ultimate fate in their lives was driven by their character.

The swearing in of HH as the 7th President of Zambia’s after Edgar Lungu at the National Heroes Stadium last year was seen as a new chapter in the history of Zambia given the political degeneration and internal collapse of PF.

All of us still harbour fresh memories of his inaugural speech which promised a united country which would never see ever again arbitrary detention of citizens, respect for human rights, promotion of the rule of law, a police service which would carry out comprehensive investigations before effecting any arrest and an environment free from cadre overzealousness and hijacked authority and political violence perpetrated against innocent citizens.

According to HH and his UPND, Zambia was witnessing the “New Dawn,’’ a common preamble today in every speech delivered by all and sundry in the UPND government.

Time is man’s enemy, so says William Shakespeare. Six months into his term as president the tide for HH and UPND is turning against all the promises at a rate often witnessed only under populist leaders.

The economy has continued to flounder with the cost of living screaming to the high heavens leaving the ordinary person struggling to survive more than ever before.

Youth unemployment is evidenced by illegal mining calamities such as the landslide which buried three youths in the Chisamba District area on 11th February 2022, leaving their indigent families in grief.

It is during such conditions of political and economic turnmoil that the true character of a man blossoms.

In 1980, Kenneth Kaunda detained Chitalu Sampa, Fredrick Chiluba, and Newstead Zimba, all leaders of the Zambia Congress of Trade Union based on the Copperbelt Province at the time, for allegedly inciting industrial unrest.

I was privileged as a law undergraduate at the time to witness the release of Chiluba by the High Court’s Mr. Justice Moodley on a Habeas Corpus application by his lawyer Levy Patrick Mwanwasa.

In October 1991 Chiluba and MMD won a landslide election victory against UNIP.

The tables had turned and the country was ecstatic after 27 years of the Kaunda rule. Like HH, Chiluba who came across as a fervent Christian believer promised the country a new era away from the iniquities of UNIP.

He immediately revoked the State of Emergency and the Preservation of Public Security Regulations under which he himself was detained in 1980.

Chiluba preached the rhetoric of democracy and the rule of law to woo donor support and went on to establish the current Human Rights Commission. He raised people’s hopes and expectations.

But Chiluba had another agenda.

In order to exact vengeance against Kaunda for his 1980 detention, Chiluba sent police to search his residence for alleged stolen books from State House, a search which did not yield his anticipated results.

On 26th December, 1997, Kaunda was arrested on tramped up treason charges for the failed coup d‘etat and sent to Mukobeko Maximum Prison in Kabwe.

I was privileged to be present in Chiluba’s office at State House on 27th December the following morning when President Nyerere of Tanzania called him to protest Kaunda’s incarceration and the conditions obtaining at Mukobeko, a telephone conversation I was able to over hear on the land phone.

On 01st January 1998, Chiluba granted Kaunda house arrest following Nyerere’s visit to Zambia and after meeting Kaunda who was now on hunger-strike in prison.

The detention of Kaunda in 1997 was preceeded by Chiluba’s opening up of underground security tunnels at State House, alleging that Kaunda had used them as torture chambers during his rule.

He produced no evidence but the people were psyched to believe the story through the programme which was aired on ZNBC for days.

During this same period several of Kaunda’s close political associates were also detained and William Banda who is now a UPND member was deported to Malawi.

As all this was going on the people’s attention was diverted from the corruption which was becoming systemic in MMD and the rising unemployment and poverty levels under the IMF prescribed panacea which they were made to believe would turn round the economy and improve their living standards.

This surely sounds familiar today.

It is said that history does not repeat itself but it certainly does under different circumstances.

The Bible teaches us not to take revenge against those who do wrong to us.

Nowhere is the moral of the wickedness and futility of revenge more highlighted than in George Bernard Shaw’s 1898 play, Caesar and Cleopatra, where Caesar says;

“And so to the end of history, murder shall breed murder, always in the name of right and honour and peace until the gods are tired of blood and create a race that can understand.’’

The last 6 months of the UPND government with HH at the helm show that the gods are late in the creation of a race that can understand. Let’s wait and see.

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