Shepolopolo on Saturday defeated Banyana Banyana South Africa 3-0 in a women’s international friendly played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Barbara Banda scored a first half brace in a period Zambia scored all their three goals.
Banda struck in 6th and 38th minute while Avell Chitundu added Zambia’s second in the 30th minute.
Zambia and South Africa were using the friendly as warm-up for next weekend’s 2022 Women’s AFCON final round qualifiers against Namibia and Algeria respectively.
Striker Jesse Were haunted his former employers on Saturday when he scored a brace in Kansanshi Dynamos 2-0 home win over defending FAZ Super League champions Zesco United in Solwezi.
Were’s feat comes a month and a half after Zesco declined to extend his contract after spending six years there, winning four league titles and left as the nine-time champions record goal scorer with 102 goals.
The Kenyan striker struck in the 42nd and 83rd minutes to see 13th placed Kansanshi stay unbeaten in their last four successive games with two straight wins and as many draws on 28 points.
Zesco stay put at number two on 38 points but may lose that spot on Sunday if third placed Green Eagles beat seemingly unstoppable leaders Red Arrows at home in Choma.
Eagles have 36 points while Arrows lead on 43 points knowing a victory in Choma will see them open an eight point lead with eleven games left to play.
12/02/2022
Kansanshi Dynamos 2-Zesco United 0
Nkana 1-Indeni 0
Konkola Blades 0- Kabwe Warriors 2
Green Buffaloes 3-Chambishi 0
Kafue Celtic 1-Power Dynamos 0
13/02/2022
Buildcon-Lusaka Dynamos
Forest Rangers-Nkwazi
Green Eagles-Red Arrows
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has advised the new dawn government not to backtrack on its promise to repeal the Public Order Act and ensure adherence to regional and international standards for freedom of assembly, movement, and expression.
Commenting on the latest report on Zambia’s August 12, 2021 General Election by the European Union observation mission which among other recommendations has recommended that the act be repealed, TIZ Executive Director Maurice Nyambe wants the UPND administration to provide a clear roadmap for repealing the Public Order Act.
Mr. Nyambe said that the act must be replaced with a law that will be more reflective of the current dynamics in promoting effective citizen participation in political and other discourse, whilst maintaining public order.
Mr. Nyambe also supports the EU Mission’s recommendation on the need for a formalized cooperation or signed agreement for closer collaboration among the Electoral Commission of Zambia, Civil Society, and the media.
Three illegal Miners have been buried alive after the pit under which they were digging gold collapsed on them in Chisamba.
Chief Government Spokesperson Chushi Kasanda said that the incident happened Thursday around 24 hours in Yumba village in Kamano area under Chief Chamuka in Chisamba District.
Ms. Kasanda said that the victims are Darius Mwelwa aged 32 of Lusaka, Moses Sekele 35 and the other unidentified.
She said that their bodies have since been exhumed. Ms. Kasanda said that government deeply regrets the death of the three and has advised people to avoid engaging in illegal mining because of the danger it poses on their lives.
She has further called on the police to stop illegal mining activities across the country.
Below is the full statement
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON THE DEATH OF THREE PEOPLE AT AN ILLEGAL GOLD MINE IN CHISAMBA DISTRICT, CENTRAL PROVINCE
Government has learnt with deep-regret and sorrow the death of three people at an illegal gold mine in Chisamba.
According to the police, the deceased who were miners at the illegal gold mine died after the pit they were digging gold from collapsed and buried them alive.
The incident happened around 24:00 hours yesterday in Yumba village in Kamano area under chief Chamuka in Chisamba district of Central province.
The three bodies of Darius Mwelwa aged 32 of Lusaka and Moses Sekele, 35 and another unidentified victim, have since been exhumed.
Government deeply regrets the death of the three and wishes to advise people to avoid engaging in illegal mining because of the danger it poses on their lives.
Government further calls on the police to stop illegal mining activities wherever and whenever they occur, as cases of people dying at such mines are becoming rampant.
I convey Government’s condolences to the bereaved families.
Issued by:
Hon. Chushi Kasanda, MP
Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson
11th February, 2022
Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi has said that Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) must strengthen economic and trade ties by Improving the road network connecting the two countries.
Mr. Milupi said that the need to improve the road linkage between Zambia and the DRC will not only provide export routes for commodities but also provide effective communications between the two countries.
The Minister was speaking in Solwezi, North-Western Province during a bilateral meeting with the DRC delegation which was led by Katanga Province Governor JACQUES KYABULA KATWE while Hon Milupi was leading the Zambian delegation.
The meeting was focusing at finding ways of constructing a road between Solwezi in Zambia and the City of Likasi in the DRC’s Katanga Province.
Hon. Milupi said that the engagements between the two countries are vital as they will be able to strengthen other modes of transport like Railway and air links in addition to the road network.
The Zambian delegation included North-Western Province Minister Robert Lihefu, RDA Board Chairperson Eng. Mulchand Kuntawala, and Director and Chief Executive Officer Eng. George Manyele.
And North-Western Province Minister Robert Lihefu said road connectivity is vital in fostering regional integration.
He said the North-Western Province administration and the Zambian government as a whole stand ready to work with authorities in the DRC to ensure that a good road network is developed between the two countries.
And the DRC Katanga Province Governor JACQUES KYABULA KATWE said the actualization of constructing the road between Likasi and Solwezi will promote trade and lessen the complications in movement which the people of the two neighboring towns are currently facing.
He added that the road which will also see the development of border facilities at Kipushi Border will reduce congestion at Kasumbalesa border in Chililabombwe. MHID/PRO.
Zambia’s earliest known millionaire Tom Mtine has celebrated his 96th birthday at his home in Ndola with call on youths to be humble.
Alderman Mtine, who used to manage 53 local companies in the 1950s as chairman of the Lonrho Group, on Friday turned 96.
Speaking when a group of journalists from the Ndola Press Association visited him, Mr. Mtine said perseverance, sacrifice and humility have helped him in life.
He also spoke against pomposity when asked about the secrets of longevity.
“To do anything good you have to persevere. And persevering is not a joke. When you persevere you meet a lot of people and there you have to go forward,” Mr. Mtine spoke with a smile.
Mr Mtine now leads a quiet life at his home in Northrise, Ndola.
“In our language we say, uzicepesa osati matukutuku ntawi zonse,” he said.
“Look, life we have got to realise that we have got to look at ourselves. Stop this stop that. Stop drinking; the door will open for you. Now, having sacrificed a lot of things, you go forward,” Mr. Mtine said.
Mr Mtine as a youth worked for the government before moving into the private sector and later on rising to manage a group of companies.
After completing school and obtaining a Cambridge certificate, Mr. Mtine and other young trainees at the time, learnt bookkeeping besides learning how to manage co-operative societies in Lusaka.
After managing cooperatives in Lusaka among them Chalimbana Teachers Training College he got a transfer to Ndola at the sunrise of the 1950s.
He used to operate in Ndola, Kitwe, Chingola, Luanshya and Mufulira.
Upon leaving the public sector, Mr. Mtine joined the Ndola Bazaar Limited where he was employed as a bookkeeper.
He later moved to another company and with his background of accounting and salesmanship which meant travelling a lot; Mr. Mtine landed a post at Heinrich Syndicate as a public relations officer.
While at Heinrich Syndicate, Mr Mtine was among the staff that moved to Lonrho Group after its acquisition and as luck could be, at the new company that bought off Heinrich Syndicate, he earned himself an executive position.
He was first managing director at Lonrho and thereafter he became chairman as he was in charge of many companies within the Lonrho Group.
Mr. Mtine was also the first chairman of Zambia Airways, first black mayor of Ndola around 1965-66 and the first black African to run the Football Association of Zambia after independence.
In the past, Mr Mtine has been recalling the time he was special envoy of then President Kenneth Kaunda to South Africa where he went to deliver a classified letter in a secret way for the release of incarcerated freedom fighter Nelson Mandela in the 1980s.
“It was not easy, it was a risk. I had to put that letter at the back of my head to pass through Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe was more frightening than South Africa. The letter was folded, placed in the collar at the back of my shirt and it was to be handed to state security officers in South Africa,” he told the Zambia Daily-mail in the 2016 interview.
Mr Mtine is an honorary member of the Confederation of African Football.
He was awarded by FIFA during the global football governing body at the centenary celebration in 2004 for his contribution to the sport in Zambia.
By Kapya Kaoma
The culture of not responding to accusations of public interest in the HH administration confirms my characterization as a New Dark Regime. By not answering questions, the HH Presidency has chosen to insult us by refusing accountability. When we asked HH and his administration to respond to the KBN audio in which the President was directly implicated in corrupting our democracy, the regime has refused to speak. Now is the issue of torture and the torture chambers being leveled against the dark regime; no comment. This lugubrious foolishness must come to an end. As Zambians we deserve to know; is it true or not that our fellow citizens are being tortured in our name? Kajoba and his staff should accept or deny this solemn accusation.
The refusal to answer questions of public interest is not only authoritarian, but despotic. Democratic governance demands accountability and transparency–the two values the UPND government lacks. HH and his minions forget that democratic power is illusional; you can only have it for a while. Unless they all commit suicide once the cult leader is gone, Kajoba and his fellow criminals will surely end up in similar situations. And it may be in 2026; Kabwata seems to suggest.
I am surprised that columnists didn’t explain to the god of Zambia that the Kabwata election showed that Bally worshipers are not as enthusiastic as they were in August 2021. Moreover, they are also dwindling. That the UPND candidate won shouldn’t dismiss the truth that the majority of the people of Kabwata voted for the opposition as opposed to the UPND. If we put all opposition candidates together, the UPND lost that election. This is the opposite of what we saw in August. Moreover, given that the UPND has the national purse and the President employed his office, resources and corruption in that election, the Opposition has reason to hope. Bally won’t fix it anymore; over 50% of Kabwata residents said. Does Kabwata speak to what is to come once more and more Bally worshipers see the light? Will his vampires face the truth in shame, or choose to fight it out? And will those who have seen the light continue to be misrepresented as among the 2.8 million who sold their souls to the devil?
I feel pity for HH. He is a disheveled President of his self-created terrorist network. Ballyterrorists know HH as a Liar in Chief; thus when he orders them to obey the laws, his worshipers respond by praising the very acts that landed those thugs in police hands. As was the case in Kabwata, Kasama and Mansa, they are proud to disrupt communities, police stations and courts dressed in the UPND attire in peremptory solidarity with thugs as opposed to HH. Moreover, they are proud to release public statements of solidarity with thugs in direct contrast to what Baal just said. One truth they all know, when it comes to truth, Baal won’t bring fire down; his threats against his own vampires are appeasements to donors. In darkness, however, Baal courts their supplications. Hence these vampires are at liberty to insult and threaten police officers. Such demeaning harassment and intimidation of officers, these thugs are proud to post on social media to impress their god.
I am not surprised at the thinking of worshipers of Baal. How can one count HH’s lies one by one and remain unchanged? If you add lies from his cronies, darkness is the light of UPND politicians! A single ray of light over this regime would send them into panicking out of shame for having undressed themselves of the truth. In an effort to deflect from his own corruption, HH is breathing fire like “the devil looking for someone to devour.” Who else is the right victim but PF officials. Continue announcing new arrests and raids to keep the tag of “fighting corruption” alive in the memories of donors, winning cases is not the goal. In short, trial by the court of public opinion. In so doing, his EGOMANIAC pride is appeased
The biblical book of Judges speaks today as it did then: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” So is the UPND. The Kajoba headed Ballypolice knows nothing but imbecile and childish loyalty. Like dogs, their raids are acts of worship of the sacred Master. Bally worshipers know this; hence, the Police they insult, as HH and Kajoba watch. After all, they know that HH and his inner circle are making it big–they are accumulating millions in allowances from his endless trips. But they also know that retribution, as opposed to justice, is the Kajoba evil agenda. When HH says arrest cadres and ensure they are treated well, Kajoba raises his tail. When Baal demands the blood of his opponents, this shameless man tortures innocent persons as libations to Baal. Yet torture of suspects is a crime under international law.
Kajoba will surely pay, but will HH be held to account? I can only pray so.
Zesco United coach Mumamba Numba says their objective this Saturday is to get an away victory at Kansanshi Dynamos in Solwezi to ensure they move two points behind leaders Red Arrows.
The defending FAZ Super League champions are second and five points behind Arrows with twelve games left to play.
Arrows will only be in action 24 hours later and are away to face third placed Green Eagles at Independence Stadium in Choma.
“We cannot go there (to Kansanshi) sitting back because we are looking at catching up with Red Arrows who are ahead of us,” Numba said.
Zesco collected one of their biggest league wins this season with a first leg 4-0 home win on October 20 in Ndola over their hosts this weekend.
But Kansanshi are armed with someone with deep knowledge of the Zesco set-up in striker Jesse Were who was released by the Ndola club in December after six years at the nine-time Zambian champions.
“So this is a very important game. We are playing a tricky team so for us to go and get the three points we have to apply ourselves positively,” Numba said.
But Zesco have three absentees heading into the fixture with defender Solomon Sakala out with a twisted ankle.
Right-back Simon Silwimba has missed the trip to Solwezi and has been excused to attend to his child who is unwell.
New striker Pedro Miguel has also missed the trip and is out with a fever.
FAZ SUPER LEAGUE
WEEK 23
12/02/2022
Kansanshi Dynamos-Zesco United
Buildcon-Lusaka Dynamos
Nkana-Indeni
Konkola Blades- Kabwe Warriors
13h00:Green Buffaloes-Chambishi
15h00:Kafue Celtic-Power Dynamos
13/02/2022
Forest Rangers-Nkwazi
Green Eagles-Red Arrows
Ministry of Information Media Director and Spokesperson Thabo Kawana has said that it is inhumane for suspects to be made to walk a distance of about two kilometres to attend court sessions in Mazabuka District.
Mr. Kawana said that it is not right for suspects to be handcuffed and made to walk under police escort to the courts as the situation is equivalent to making them take a ‘walk of shame’.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Mazabuka District Commissioner Oliver Mulomba at his office, Mr. Kawana called for a stop to the current state of affairs.
He said Government will not allow suspects to be treated in a manner that infringes on their rights and urged Mr. Mulomba to intervene in the matter by securing vehicles from other departments to assist in transporting the suspects to and from courts.
Mr. Kawana however, assured the District Commissioner that Government will soon complete the process of procuring vehicles for all District Commissioners countrywide.
And Mazabuka District Commissioner Oliver Mulomba said other than police and the correctional facility, most government departments do not have transport.
The Center for Constitutionalism and Legal Justice has challenged the Human Rights Commission to take interest and investigate the reported torture of former President Edgar Lungu’s Barber Shabby Chilekwa by the police.
Center Director Isaac Mwanza said that the reported torture of Mr. Chilekwa is a violation of his rights. Mr. Mwanza has told Hot FM News that the abuse of human rights is a departure from President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive for law enforcement agencies not to arrest anyone before carrying out an investigation.
Mr. Mwanza said that he is saddened that Mr. Chilekwa has been denied medical attention despite him having been assaulted.
Echoing Mr. Mwanza’s sentiments, Golden Party of Zambia leader Silavwe Jackson has called upon the Human Rights Commission of Zambia (HRC) to swiftly investigate the allegations of torture of Mr. Chilekwa by the Zambia police.
Mr. Silavwe also called on the international human rights organizations such as amnesty international (AI) to take a keen interest in this case to protect the country’s reputation.
Mr. Silavwe has further urged the Zambia police and all the investigative wings to avoid draconian methods of obtaining confessions from suspects as no citizen should be presumed guilty before being taken to court.
Mr. Silavwe stated that no matter the gravity of the offense or the party affiliation of a suspect, at law a person is presumed innocent until found guilty by a competent court.
And GEARS Initiative Executive Director Mcdonald Chipenzi has said that the reportedly torture of Mr. Chilekwa is not only a violation of his rights and Zambian bill of rights but the constitution of Zambia too.
Mr. Chipenzi has called for investigations to be instituted immediately against those involved in torturing him to ascertain the violation of the bill of rights and the constitution.
He explained that article 15 of the bill of rights in the constitution of Zambia guides that a person shall not be subjected to torture, or to inhuman or degrading punishment, or other like treatment.
Mr. Chipenzi says this guidance from the constitution is non-derogatory and has no clawbacks.
Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu has expressed happiness with the clean up taking place at Rongxing Mineral Processing Plant on the Copperbelt just two weeks after warning the firm against poor safety, waste and environmental management.
During his recent visit to the Copperbelt, Mr. Nzovu issued a one-month ultimatum to Rongxing directing the firm to stop polluting Mwambashi Stream, to secure its tailings dam and to ensure that waste disposal around the firm is scaled up.
In a media statement issued on Friday, Eng. Nzovu said he has received a comprehensive report detailing a number of improvements Rongxing has made in relation to safety, waste and environmental management.
He said Rongxing Company has made improvements to its tailing dams, waste disposal and is now providing protective clothing to employees, things which were neglected prior to his visit.
“Recently, we visited the Rongxing minerals process company and discovered a number of breaches which included tailing dams not having protective linings, some workers not having proper protective clothing, indiscriminate disposal of waste material among other things. Before we crack the whip as a new government, we believe that it is good to engage and dialogue with the investors first,” Mr. Nzovu said.
“I am glad to receive a report that just two weeks after engaging the management of Rongxing, the company has made a number of improvements as we directed them to do. We shall continue to monitor the activities at the plant to make sure there is no pollution to the nearby streams. We expect a number of mining companies, even those we have not visited, to emulate the Rongxing mining company by cleaning up all the environmental mess that poses a risk to the workers and the general public. Our investors need to understand that it’s no longer business as usual – the days of polluting the environment with impunity are gone,” he said.
The UPND Nangoma Member of Parliament highlighted the importance of a green economy in the promotion of health, wealth, and people’s well-being.
Mr. Nzovu said his Ministry has a responsibility to not only protect the environment but citizens from being exposed to dangerous and hazardous materials resulting from pollution.
“A green economy is a clean, environmentally friendly economy that promotes health, wealth, and well-being. A Green Economy is dependent on sustainable development – which means growing our economies in ways that benefit, not sacrifice social justice and equity as well as the environment. My ministry has a responsibility to not only protect the environment but to protect our citizens from being exposed to dangerous and hazardous materials resulting from pollution. This is the reason why I have been visiting small and large scale mining companies so that they understand the vision of the New Dawn government and also to make them aware of the consequences of careless disposal of hazardous materials resulting from the mining activities,” he said.
Mr. Nzovu further warned industries against cleaning up only for the purpose of inspection saying following environmental management regulation must be routine.
“My ministry will make sure that the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) is equipped to carry out its mandate without any political interference. ZEMA must not relent in checking for compliance levels at both small scale and large mining operations. We appreciate the contribution investors are making to the growth of our economy and our job is to make sure that business is conducted in a sustainable manner,” he said.
“In conclusion, I would like to appeal to Rongxing Investments and other companies to not only clean up for inspections but to make it a routine practice as required by law,” Mr. Nzovu added.
Movement for democratic change MDC vice president in charge of politics Leonard Hikaumba has charged that with or without the social contract with the youths, the government has the obligation to create decent jobs for citizens as the population and demand for jobs grows.
Speaking at a press briefing Mr. Hikaumba said that the new dawn government has been emphatic on the issue of job creation and the jobs where social dialogue will be promoted.
Mr. Kaumba said that the country should be looking at the sectors that have already been identified and can respond quickly and effectively to the issue of job creation such as the mining sector.
The alliance partner has urged the new dawn government to also secure and regulate the newly discovered areas that have rich minerals of high value such as gold, saying these are vehicles of job creation.
Mr. Hikaumba has also suggested that chances of self-employment be made available through what he termed as demand-type of job creation.
Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati has said that Zambia will in the next two years transform from the use of Analogue Satellite to the digital satellite.
Mr Mutati said that Zambia’s first satellite launched in 1974 at Mwembeshi Earth centre has been surpassed with advancement in technology making the country lag behind, explaining that moving from analogue will enhance digital economic activities for Government to plan ahead in challenges such as climate change, flooding and in the health sector among others.
Mr Mutati was speaking after touring the Mwembeshi earth satellite and works by Avic International at National Remote Sensing Centre where a digital satellite will be installed in the Chibombo area.
He also urged a team of experts headed by National Remote Sensing Centre Director Faustin Banda, the University of Zambia and the contractor AVIC international to ensure they speed up works for the new satellite
The minister however expressed happiness that infrastructure by AVIC at the Centre is now complete and will have to provide the Antenna for images and computer system.
Meanwhile, Mr Mutati disclosed that Government is looking at ways in which the old equipment at Mwembeshi earth Moving Centre can be transformed to contribute to technology.
This was after ZAMTEL Chief Technical Officer Jason Mwanza explained to the Minister that the analogue satellite can be used for research in remote rural areas.
President of the Socialist Party in Zambia Fred M’membe has said that Zambia Police’s response to what he described as the very serious accusations of torturing former president Mr. Edgar Lungu’s barber, Mr. Shabby Chilekwa, raises very serious concerns and is unacceptable.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Dr. M’membe said that if the treatment subjected to Mr. Shabby Chilekwa isn’t evil then evil has no meaning.
Dr. M’membe said that to date, the Human Rights Commission has not said anything on this very serious and very urgent matter and added that if they are not careful, this regime will soon find itself trapped in the painful politics of impunity.
Below is the full statement
The Zambia Police’s response to the very serious accusations of torturing former president Mr Edgar Lungu’s barber, Mr Shabby Chilekwa, raises very serious concerns and is unacceptable.
Zambia Police spokesman says they will not respond to allegations of torturing Mr Chilekwa by his lawyers and leave that to the Human Rights Commission. Mr Chilekwa’s lawyers say “he was been badly beaten and repeatedly tortured and has lashes on his back, his ears are injured, has blood in his urine and has serious bidy pains”.
If this isn’t evil, then evil has no meaning. To date, the Human Rights Commission has not said anything on this very serious and very urgent matter. If they are not careful, this regime will soon find itself trapped in the painful politics of impunity.
We should all speak out against torture, an abhorrent denial of human dignity. Torture is an egregious abuse of human rights that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Our laws unequivocally prohibit torture in all instances. This is so because torture seeks to annihilate a victim’s personality and denies a human being of his or her inherent dignity.
There’s no felony offence or national security considerations that can justify torture and other forms of cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment. And its pervasive consequences often go beyond the isolated act on an individual to be transmitted through generations, leading to cycles of violence.
We condemn torture as one of the vilest acts perpetrated by human beings on their fellow human beings.
Fred M’membe
President of the Socialist Party
By Sean Tembo PEP President
1. As Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) we are shocked by revelations that former President Edgar Lungu’s Barberman Mr. Shabby Chilekwa was tortured by the Zambia Police whilst he was in their custody. We are further alarmed by the statement from Zambia Police Service Spokesperson Mr. Rae Hamoonga that the Police will not comment on the torture of Mr. Shabby Chilekwa and that they will leave it to the Human Rights Commission to issue a comment. Additionally, we are perplexed with the impunity exhibited by the Zambia Police in refusing to adhere to a High Court order issued by Judge Bowa for Mr. Shabby Chilekwa to be presented before Court yesterday at 16hrs, and instead decided to transport him to Kaoma, ostensibly in order to hide the clear signs of torture which are said to be visible on his body.
2. As Patriots for Economic Progress, we wish to challenge President Hakainde Hichilema to honestly tell the nation whether it is his Government’s policy to re-introduce torture of suspects who are in Police custody. If President Hichilema tells us that his Government has not adopted a policy of torturing suspects who are in custody, then we demand that all the Police and Intelligence Officers who were involved in the torture of Mr. Shabby Chilekwa be interdicted from duty and prosecuted accordingly.
3. If it is President Hakainde Hichilema’s position that his Government has decided to re-introduce the torture of suspects who are in custody, just like they recently introduced a shoot-to-kill policy for suspects, then the President needs to inform the nation which other adverse policies his Government intends to re-introduce. Does he also intend to re-introduce the assassination of political opponents and critics? Does President Hichilema also intend to re-introduce mysterious disappearances of citizens who challenge him? It is important for the President to inform us of all the adverse security protocols which he intends to introduce so that we can prepare ourselves accordingly.
4. As Patriots for Economic Progress we also bemoan the loud silence exhibited by foreign missions to Zambia including the American Embassy, British High Commission, European Delegation etcetera, in the face of these blatant human rights violations. Our regret further extends to once renowned defenders of human rights in Zambia such as Laura Miti, Pilato, Pamela Chisanga, Linda Kasonde etcetera who are now sheepishly quiet in the face of gross human rights violations by President Hakainde Hichilema and his new dawn administration.
5. As Patriots for Economic Progress, we however wish to commend the Catholic Church in general and Archbishop Alick Banda in particular for having the fortitude of mind to raise a concern about gross human rights violations by President Hichilema’s administration, especially at a time when the majority of religious and traditional leaders are tripping all over themselves in showering Hakainde Hichilema with unwarranted praises in an effort to seek personal favors from him.
6. As Patriots for Economic Progress, we wish to put it on record and assure the people of this great nation that, as a political party, we shall always stand firm and challenge the Government of the day on any abuse of authority or violations of human rights, regardless of whether we like the victims or not. This we shall do at any expense whatsoever, even if we ourselves become targets of President Hakainde Hichilema’s harassment and persecution. That is because the democratic virtues of this Republic far outweigh any individual considerations, and therefore no expense should be spared in protecting these democratic virtues.
Thank You and May God Bless the Good Citizens of the Republic of Zambia and Our Ailing Nation.
© Lusaka Times
