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Pentecostal Assemblies Bishops Oppose Amendments to the Penal Code

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Pentecostal Assemblies Bishops Oppose Amendments to the Penal Code

The Council of Bishops of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God has expressed concerns at the proposed amendments related to marriages and procurement of abortions.

Presiding Bishop, Joshua Banda advised Zambians to reject the proposals as they were a danger to the well-being of young people.

He also said the quality of relationships in marriages had fallen citing recent statistics stating that marriages were threatened by infidelity and adultery, and allowing men to procure more women as wives was not the solution.

He urged Parliamentarians to reject such proposals and they should use their roles to help build the nation.

He said the Church will continue to contribute to making Zambia a Christian Nation and a people that live by Christian principles.

Below is the statement.

ISSUED SATURDAY, 19TH FEBRUARY, 2022 FOR DISSEMINATION ON SUNDAY 20TH FEBRUARY, 2022
PASTORAL GUIDANCE TO ALL PAOGZ CONGREGATIONS ON THE ZAMBIA LAW DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PROPOSAL TO REPEAL LAWS THAT PROHIBIT ABORTION ON DEMAND AND BIGAMY

Preamble

The Council of Bishops of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Zambia hereby issues the following guidance to all our over 2000 congregations countrywide as a way of providing broad talking points that our Pastors and congregants may feel free to use in engaging their representatives who return to Parliament this week, to discuss among other things, the constitutional amendments proposed by the Zambia Law Development Commission.

Context and Position

The Zambia Law Development Commission proposes to repeal current laws (Section 166 of the Penal Code) that prohibit bigamy and that regulate access to abortion for pregnant women.

The position of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Zambia (PAOGZ) is that the proposed repeals are unwarranted and should not be supported by the citizenry.

The laws that are in place have enabled the preservation of sanity and moral clarity at all levels of Zambian society.
No protests have ever been mounted against the current prohibitions of polygamy or abortion on demand, because it is widely appreciated that the laws in question have aided successive governments and communities to maintain social order.

There is a broad understanding among all age groups that marriage is most beneficial when it is between one man and one woman.
There is no material disadvantage that has been suffered by any segment of Zambia’s population because of such laws.
Additionally, existing laws are flexible and have permitted customary marriages of polygamous nature, though that form of marriage is not as popular in Zambia as is monogamous marriage.

There also is a common understanding that life is sacrosanct and abortion by choice cannot be accepted.

It is sufficient that existing laws permit abortion under strict controls, such as when the life of both mother and the unborn baby are threatened by a well verified medical condition.

The Zambia Law Development Commission has the standing and leverage to bring to the public eye more critical legal instruments which can help the legislators deal with lacunas in the Constitution.

It is misdirected for the Commission to be more interested in pressing for legislative changes that would serve to open more doors for sexual immorality to thrive in Zambian society.

The proposed changes to the law are a danger to the youth

The PAOGZ warns that such legislative gymnastics can only endanger the youth population which needs sound moral formation, with the help of wholesome laws, as they grow towards adulthood.

UNFPA in their publication, Young People and the Road to 2030, stated in August 2018: “In Zambia, today’s record 4.8 million young people aged 15-35 [36.7 per cent of Zambia’s population] – the largest population of young people in its history – present an enormous opportunity to transform our future.”

We cannot, as a Republic, throw this critical human resource into the precipice of social and spiritual darkness, and turn them into an aimless generation without a sound sense of moral judgment.

The proposed changes to the law only increase dimensions of marital problems

Wholesale permission for polygamous marriage will merely aggravate existent problems afflicting marriages.

Large numbers of monogamous marriages are dysfunctional; how then can increased numbers of polygamous marriages enhance the quality of marital relationships?

In 2021, more than 20,000 marriages were dissolved countrywide with Lusaka, Eastern and Western provinces each recording the highest cases of over 4,000 divorces. A total of 25,851 divorces were entered in registries countrywide in 2020.
Infidelity, adultery, gender-based violence, and poor communication among spouses were cited as being among the major reasons why the affected couples sought divorce.

The average age of those seeking divorce was been 25 and 45 years old. Zambia needs to tackle such problems meaningfully and with clarity, which cannot be realized with added stress which pro-polygamy laws will bring about.

In the meantime, PAOGZ continues close collaboration with brethren in the Body of Christ as well as other stake holders for the greater good of our nation’s future.

In the Lord’s Service, for stronger families in our nation.

Issued by:
Bishop Dr. Joshua HK Banda
Presiding Bishop – Pentecostal Assemblies of God-Zambia (PAOGZ)
President- Pentecostal Assemblies of Africa (PAOA)- Southern Africa Region

Mining in Lower Zambezi – Power of Cartels, Lies & Money

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Mining in Lower Zambezi – Power of Cartels, Lies & Money

By Chimwemwe Mwanza

As an idiom, scratching where it doesn’t itch refers to the act of aggravating an itch that doesn’t exist or worrying about a sore that isn’t just there (ukufwena apashili ichilonda). In this context, it’s akin to repeating a lie hoping it will turn into truth.

There are parallels to draw from this idiom and the raging battle for the soul of the Lower Zambezi National Park which has captivated Zambian courts over the years. And, mining the truth from the rubble of disinformation and court documents filed by protagonists, Mwembeshi Resources and a coalition of business formations (lodge and campsite owners) opposed to construction of a mining plant in the park, has been a pain. The irony of it all is that while Mwembeshi’s application to set up this mine has prevailed in Zambian courts, it’s losing this fight – at least in the court of public opinion.

Thanks in part to questionable research and an uncritical backing from a biased media both local and foreign, the campaign to reinforce a deeply held antipathy towards Mwembeshi has taken effect. And the narrative advanced by business – backed by cash flush Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) has skewed the truth. At best, this status quo illustrates the impact of big money in Zambia’s tourism and wildlife industry. It’s run by a sophisticated but influential cartel that for long has been pillaging wildlife either for auction to game breeders based in neighbouring countries or for sale to high-net-worth trophy hunters.
This easily explains why the anti-mining establishment is succeeding in cementing the impression that a reckless mining firm is at the gates of a renowned Zambian national park, ready to walk in and desecrate a tourism heritage site. But is this true? The answer lurks somewhere in this rubble of information. For the record, this battle has raged from the lower courts all the way to Zambia’s highest court of appeal – with all rulings favouring the mining company. That the proposed mining site is 42km away from the Zambezi River is cold comfort for business owners.

We can argue all we like and write voluminous research papers on this matter but facts are what both the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and the courts have relied upon for their determination. Curiously, some objections raised by those opposed to mining border on absurdity including a claim that human encroachment would pose a big threat to wildlife – yet they themselves have encroached the very land they claim to be protecting. Another oddity is that most lodges in the park are built on lands that business annexed from locals – whom they banished to the periphery of the valley.

Even their argument that they are the biggest employer of the more than 160,000 inhabitants of the valley is laughable. Majority of people in this area have taken to fishing for a livelihood. A cursory research shows that lodge and campsite owners employed no more than 1,220 people across the valley with menial jobs such as cleaning and waitering topping the list as the highest paying at K700/month (US$38) in some cases. Yet, businesses charge as much as K63,750/night (US$3,541) with the cheapest rates pegged at K2,150/night (US$119) for lodging.

What is day light robbery if this doesn’t qualify for a definition? Hence the perception created by business that they are the true defenders of the sanctity of the park and not the Chikunda, Soli, Tonga, Goba or Swaka speaking tribes who are the ancestral owner of the land is disingenuous. Fact is, the 4092 sq kilometers long, Lower Zambezi Park is a natural habitat for some of Africa’s rarest game making it an easy cash cow for sophisticated wildlife traders. This is largely the motivation for opposing any competing economic interests in the park.

Unmasking an old boys club

To be candid, in no way is this argument meant to support Mwembeshi’s mining project. No matter its mitigating interventions, mining will somewhat impact the ecology of the park. Yet there is nothing more detrimental to any economy than protecting dubious investors that choose to flout simple rules. About 96% of tourism related investors operating in Lower Zambezi have domiciled their businesses abroad. It makes you wonder; do they even pay their taxes? ZRA, go figure.

For tax avoidance, their clients pay accommodation and trophy hunting fees into foreign accounts with little finding its way into the Zambian fiscus. If in denial, the dismal performance of the local tourism industry shines excruciating light on how these so-called investors are robbing the treasury through use of convoluted schemes and other tax loopholes. On last figures obtained from the International Growth Centre (IGC) – which is a policy research center at the London School of Economics (LSE), tourism accounted for a paltry 7% of Zambia’s GDP in 2019.

The industry injected a mere US$1,7m (K30 million) into the economy creating about 469 000 jobs. Does this make sence? Disappointing as these figures are, they however raise a critical question. How is it possible that an industry that is so rich in resources is failing to contribute meaningfully to the national treasury? For answers, look no further than the antics playing out in Lower Zambezi. There might well be several dubious foreign businesses in tourism that have adopted similar tax avoidance practices.

If you care to know, fact is the battle for the soul of the Lower Zambezi National Park has nothing to do with preserving the park’s heritage or ecology but competing economic interests between a very powerful ‘old boys club’ looking to preserve the status quo and a small mining house that simply wants in on spoils of the park.
That said, mining a national park is a very bad idea.

About the Author: Mwanza traversed the Lower Zambezi in December last year – a great experience. He enjoys reading Political History and Philosophy. For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Pyramids Dispatch Zanaco to Second Straight CAF Confed Group A Defeat

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Zanaco’s woeful start to their 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup Group A campaign continued on when they lost 2-0 at home to Egyptian club Pyramids FC at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Sunday’s defeat came a week after Zanaco lost 1-0 away to CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in Rades in a match that was destined for a draw until Kelvin Kaindu’s men conceded a stoppage time penalty.

Bafana-Bafana South African striker Fagrie Lakay scored both goals for Pyramids with his first coming on the stroke of halftime.

Lakay completed his brace in the 83rd minute to keep the Egyptians at the top on maximum 6 points after beating Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya 2-1 at home in Cairo last Sunday.

Second placed Sfaxien are in action at 21h00 tonight away to Al Ahly Tripoli in Benghazi.

Ex-GBFC star Dennis Banda Tips Samu to Shine in the SA PSL

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Green Buffaloes legend Dennis Banda has tipped Zambian striker Friday Samu to excel at his new South African side Maritzburg United.

Samu scored his debut South Africa PSL goal on Tuesday in his second match since leaving Green Buffaloes in January.

In an interview, Banda, who coached Samu when he served as Buffaloes assistant coach recently, said the player must work hard at Maritzburg.

Banda, the former Chipolopolo and Buffaloes defender, has expressed confidence that Samu will adapt quickly to the PSL.

“So far so good because this is the second game for him, first game he played a cup game and this is the first game in the league and he managed to score and to assist,” Banda said.

“I can say to him, he has to work extra hard to prove to everyone that he deserves to play that side,” he said.

Samu scored 14 goals in the current FAZ Super Division season prior to leaving for South Africa in January.

“You know it is a challenge to play in a foreign league but the way I know Friday Samu, where he has reached now he is experienced enough and it is very easy to adapt in the South African League,” Banda said.

Samu has in the past played in the Namibian League.

Government worried about Eastern province continued high Covid-19 positivity rates

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Government worried about Eastern province continued high Covid-19 positivity rates

Government is worried that Eastern province has continued to record the highest Covid-19 positivity rates in the country during both the third and the current fourth waves of the pandemic.

The positivity rate in the province has hit as high as 36 percent and consistently been above 10 percent.

This came to light when stakeholders, who included the Presidential Covid-19 Advisor Professor Roma Chilengi and traditional leaders, met in Chipata to engage on ways of increasing the vaccine uptake as one of the interventions in the fight against the pandemic.

In a speech delivered for him by Chipata District Commissioner Elidah Mwanza< Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Paul Thole said the province has struggled with the pandemic because interventions have been perceived as interfering with people’s livelihoods. “Eastern province has been implementing numerous Covid-19 preventive and control measures. However, we have seen that these efforts have not been implemented fully in our communities, and adherence levels are close to none,” he noted. And traditional leaders listed some of the challenges that could be contributing to the low update in f the vaccine. Chief Mnukwa said long distance to vaccination centres is one of the contributing factors. “A lot of matters need to be addressed to change the status quo. For example, the distance to vaccination centres, and the need for increased sensitizations, among others,” he said. And responding to submissions by some headmen to make the vaccination exercise mandatory, Chief Mnukwa said the issue borders on human rights, making it impossible to force people even if the cause is good. Bearing a different view, Chief Madzimawe said the issue of Covid-19 borders on life and death, arguing that some harsh decisions need to be made. He argued that traditional leaders have in the past imposed decisions on their people for their own good, among them, the banning of the local brew commonly known as Kachasu. Chief Madzimawe added that there is need to take up leadership and make decisions for the betterment of the people. He announced that, with the N’cwala traditional ceremony coming up, he will only allow those who are vaccinated to join the group of dancers, commonly known as Impis that are coming from his chiefdom. “To my Impis, those who are not willing to get vaccinated please stay away and enjoy your rights of choosing to die,” he said. Meanwhile, Professor Chilengi challenged the traditional rulers to show leadership given the risks and challenges that Covid-19 has continued to inflict on human existence. He said traditional leaders have the authority and need to come to the aid of government that has done almost everything in its power to conquer the problem. “As government, we have put in measures, we have brought the vaccines, have health personnel in place, among others. This is why we are coming to you, because we have a problem that we need you to help us sort out,” he explained. He added that the Covid-19 situation in the region has been worrying, with regards to the low vaccine uptake and the high positivity rate. “It is unacceptable that other regions have had as low as 6 percent positivity rate while here the rate has been consistently high, up to over 30,” Professor Chilengi said.

Small scale miners in Kitwe say they have been sidelined by the New Dawn Government

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Small scale miners in Kitwe say they have been sidelined by the New Dawn Government

Small scale miners under Chapamo Mineral Resources, an umbrella company of local miners that operated at the black mountain have been sidelined by the new dawn administration’s new mining operations at the black mountain in Kitwe.

Chapamo Mineral Resources Director Kelvin Tembo disclosed that his company is in the dark about the new operations as announced recently by government that involve numerous youth and women cooperatives from the 10 districts of the province and 15 Lamba chiefs in the mining area.

Operations at the black mountain are expected to commence under the new system 7 days after the official hand over on Thursday this week.

Mr. Tembo disclosed to Phoenix News that he and his fellow small scale miners do not understand what is going on with the black mountain operations after the government Thursday officially handed over the slug dump to cooperatives.

He said that Chapamo Mineral Resources is contemplating engaging relevant offices to understand the new operations that will begin in the course of next week after no communication has been made over the role that small-scale miners under his company would play.

Politics of name-calling are rendering some opposition leaders ineffective

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Politics of name-calling are rendering some opposition leaders ineffective

Copperbelt based good governance activist Peter Mulenga says Zambians need to unite and work together as the New Dawn Government facilitates national economic recovery.

Mr. Mulenga, who is also an entrepreneur, said unnecessary criticism and accusations against the Government has the potential to disturb functions of the state.

He said members of the opposition, especially those in the Patriotic Front, must provide proper checks and balances to the UPND Government without malice.

“For the country to move forward, the practice of blame-game, which has found some comfortable space in the minds of many people, especially the likes of Emmanuel Mwamba, Bowman Lusambo, Given Lubinda and most of PF Folks’ should be cast away. The issue of Mr. Chikota castigating the police and claiming that Ministers are corrupt is just another attempt and the ongoing campaigns to get Ministers fired. On Saboi Imboela calling the President a slow learner or un-teachable, that makes sad reading indeed. What will Zambians benefit from that? All we need is a proper checks and balance, not childish talk,” Mr. Mulenga said.

“The President is too intelligent to fail for such a campaign. President Hichilema is one of the most intelligent presidents Zambia has ever had and I don’t see him falling for such smear campaigns. The least we can do as Zambians is to let the government function normally, yes checks and balances are needed but allegation after allegation will just unsettle the functions of the Government,” he said.

Mr. Mulenga said politics of name-calling are rendering some opposition leaders ineffective.

“We need to move from the culture of ‘’if you don’t help me, I will get you fired. We know a lot of people supported UPND and they need rewarding, but can everyone get rewarded surely? No one should be a spectator in the new dawn; we understand that, because, in their own right, everyone has a crucial role to play in building the nation, including Madam Saboi Imboela. Madam, advice for free, don’t join the old folks with politics of name calling, engage in issue based matters, then you will look relevant to Zambians. Of course, the government has the larger responsibility of developing policies that should promote resilience, reward for hard work and environments that make doing business worthwhile. This is the reason why you see the likes of Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba on a campaign to discredit the Government. Come on Emmanuel, it’s only 6 months now, give the guys a chance,” Mr. Mulenga said.

He added:”Now there are guns breezing on HH trip to Europe, come on people, this is the most important assignment the President needed to undertake, Every President would want to be at the EU-AU summit for simple reasons- Trade cooperation.”

Mr. Mulenga bemoaned the impact of Covid-19 on the local economy and welcomed Zambia’s new economic recovery strategies.

“Now let’s talk about the recently outlined several strategies to be employed when resuscitating the economy that has been terribly battered by the Covid pandemic. Allow me to digress a little. It is not Zambia’s economy alone that is going through troubled times. Everywhere in the world, prices of commodities are going up and governments are struggling to make their citizens less anxious. The World Bank predicted that commodity prices would go up globally. The same bank indicated that, from mid this year, economies would begin to stabilise and prices of essential commodities such as oil would begin to ease. The only challenge is that, in circumstances of economic depression, it is the poorest of the poor who feel the pinch the most,” he said.

“Zambia, like the rest of the world, is still battling the Covid pandemic, despite that the present crisis is way lesser than was the case from last year up to early this year. Still, even if the scourge got to the point where the world accepted it is longer a public health issue of serious concern, economic recovery is essential in any forward-looking agenda because the economy remains in bad shape. In fact, without broad-based economic expansion, addressing other challenges in sectors such as agriculture, education and health will not be successful,” Mr. Mulenga said.

Mr. Mulenga added:”It is refreshing to note that the UPND Government has not in any way denied that Zambians are going through tough times. Some sacrifices will be hard to stomach like Hichilema has been saying. That is what leaders must do. They should declare their plans and visions and allow that they should be continuously scrutinized as time goes on. As indicated above, a recovery plan has to look into various sectors of the economy and the one announced by the UPND Government is not leaving aside building a resilient and sustainable health system, education, social protection, building a resilient economy and labour market, and building an enabling macroeconomic policy environment. The areas further have corresponding specific measures designed to trigger sustainable production and productivity in the economy by various actors, state and non-state.”

He concluded:”Finally, we have a blueprint that is clearly spelling out the direction the country is taking in recovering and growing an economy severely stressed by the Covid pandemic. This is not HH’s plan. This is not the UPND government’s plan. This is a plan for Zambia. This is a plan which needs everyone on board if it is to be successful. If you are not directly involved in the implementation – though it is doubtful anyone should not be-at least play the oversight task.”

Why I wrote “The Bridge”

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Why I wrote “The Bridge”

By Mwizenge S. Tembo, Ph. D. Emeritus Professor of Sociology

Author of the Internationally acclaimed novel “The Bridge”.

An African/Zambian man is riding in a taxi north of Belfast on a gravel road in Northern Ireland with great urgency. A Middle-aged Irish woman is driving south, on the same gravel road, from her small Irish village. The unlikely couple finally meets at their Internet secretly pre-arranged rendezvous on the rural road under the most inauspicious circumstances, in a romantic face-to-face encounter. A Police Squad car and an ambulance soon arrive on the scene and the African/Zambian man is arrested. This is the dramatic beginning of the transoceanic romantic love adventure story between Trish and Kamthibi. Because of compelling circumstances beyond their control, Kamthibi agrees to take Trish with him to visit his boyhood village in Zambia in Africa. Kamthibi and Trish develop a deep passionate romantic love for each other, which leads them to cross so many bridges.

I had been teaching the undergraduate course “Cultures of Africa” for nearly ten years at the college teaching my American students in the 1990s. I had been using Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” as a supplementary textbook. I had also read Chinua Achebe during my secondary education at Chizongwe Secondary School in 1971. I read Chinua Achebe as an undergraduate at University of Zambia in 1976.Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” deals with dramatic social change in the African societies at the beginning of British and European colonialism in Africa over a hundred years ago in the 1880s.

I asked myself: “Where was a novel about social change in contemporary Africa of the 1970s and 1980s and may be to the early 1990s?” I could not find any good novels that I could use to teach. I told myself: “Why not write that novel yourself? You don’t have to wait until someone else does it!” This is how the writing of “The Bridge” started.

I wrote the first raw manuscript of “The Bridge” in just 14 days in 2001. I wrote from 8:00 hours or 8:00am in the morning to 8:00pm or 20:00 hours in my office. I took a break for lunch for about one hour. That’s when I knew with humility then, that writing was a gift for me because I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of creative writing that is an indescribable experience. I will never forget the first moment I realized that the novel I had written was great is when I gave it to an American sophomore or second year undergraduate student at my college who worked at the College Writing Center. I asked her to edit the raw manuscript for grammar, spelling, sentence construction, and punctuation.

She walked into my office with the edited manuscript a few days later. After a few minutes of small talk, the moment of truth had come. I asked the student what she thought of the novel. She got visibly emotional. Her exact words were: “At the end I cried.”

“Why?” I asked

“Because I was afraid Trish was going to be killed.”

Once the student left and closed my office door, I leaped from my chair and jumped up and down pumping my fist in the air with pure joy. I knew then that “The Bridge” as a teaching tool for Zambia/Africa was going to be something special for college and university students. During the last 16 years since its first publication in Lusaka in Zambia in 2005 and by Lynus Publication in 2013 in New York, it has had great reviews and comments from various readers from different walks of life; Zambians in the diaspora, Zambians in Zambia including the Center for Curriculum Development (CDC) in the Zambia’s Ministry of Education, teachers in the United States and Zambia, the Writer’s Digest, and positive essays and comments from over a thousand of my American undergraduate students.

I creatively and skillfully incorporated with romantic passion into “The Bridge”, Zambian/African customs, social change, languages, globalization, poetry, race and diversity, challenges of travel, a bit of African history, role of tribes, racial harmony in Zambia, urbanization in Zambia and rural village traditions. As a college or university teacher for more than thirty years, I used “The Bridge” to encourage passion for knowledge in my students and creative critical thought.

There are too many evaluations, comments, and reviews of “The Bridge” that have stood out over the last sixteen years. Here are just a few of these numerous reviews.

“The book is rated 84% and approved for use in Zambian Schools as a supplementary book to aid the teaching and learning of English and Literature in English in Grade 10 – 12.” – The Curriculum Development Center of the Ministry of Education in 2016

“Author Mwizenge S. Tembo’s passion for his subject in THE BRIDGE infuses every page and is infectious. In this story, Tembo brings Zambia to life, “like a secret hidden at the end of a mysterious bush trail.” Impressive visual descriptions and incredible attention to detail make the reader feel as if he, too, has entered Zambia. The story concept is compelling and

includes enough suspense to keep the reader turning pages.” – Writer’s Digest 15″ Annual International Self-published Book Awards 2007

“I am slowly progressing with ‘The ‘Bridge’. It is quite vivid in explanation. The sex is depicted as if it were a video film!” – Dr. Wilkinson Kunda Lecturer or Professor at University of Zambia, August 2005.

“The Bridge” is available in Zambia at Book World book stores and Pensulo Publishers in Lusaka. It is available on Amazon.

President Hichilema back home after meeting the Pope

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President Hichilema back home after meeting the Pope

President Hakainde Hichilema has arrived back home in the early morning hours of today after he described his trip as a series of successful and progressive meetings at the EU – AU Summit in Brussels, Belgium, and our positive engagement with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican.

The President said that he will continue engaging with partners in our quest to grow our economy and create an environment for business and investment, adding that trade and development are at the center of our agenda.

The President said that he believed in the power of democracy, collaboration, and partnership to benefit Zambians and that
Zambia is getting better and will be better.

While in Rome, according to the Vatican, the President was received by Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday morning and following the audience with the Holy Father, President Hichilema met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Monsignor Miros?aw Wachowski, the Undersecretary for Relations with States.

A statement from the Holy See Press Office indicated some of the major topics covered by the “cordial discussions,” including aspects of the country’s economic and social situation, and the valued contribution of the Church in various sections of society. The issue of universal access to Covid-19 vaccines and treatment was also treated, as well as the possibility of further study with regard to the drafting of a bilateral agreement between Zambia and the Holy See, “as a further sign of respectful cooperation.”

During the papal audience, Pope Francis presented President Hichilema with a mosaic of the biblical figure of Noah, with the words “With Noah God opens a way of salvation, for the creation and for every human being.” The Holy Father also gave the president a collection of documents from his pontificate, including the 2022 Message for Peace; the Document on Human Fraternity; and a book on the Statio Orbis of 27 March 2020, when Pope Francis prayed for and with the whole world to overcome the coronavirus emergency.

For his part, President Hichilema offered Pope Francis a sculpture in wood and copper representing the typical musical instruments of Zambia.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Vatican News on the sidelines of his visit to the Vatican, Mr Hichilema, a devout Adventist, spoke highly of his encounter with Pope Francis. He said he informed the Holy Father that his government respects the freedom of worship for all Churches and prioritizes unity among Zambia.

“I am glad to be here, and I am grateful to the Vatican and the establishment for giving us this opportunity to meet the Pope early in our presidency -we are still less than six months into office. We are really grateful,” said Mr Hichilema.

“We as a government will embrace all religious organisations in our country. They all have space, and they all have the right to basically promote their evangelical work,” said the Zambia President.

The President said he was impressed that Pope Francis is aware and well informed about the development policies that his government has embarked upon. He praised Pope Francis for his progressive views on development in Africa.

“The Pope is aware of our educational policies of offering education to all, including those that are disadvantaged. I told the Pope that I am a beneficiary of free education. Born in a village and education made the difference,” Mr Hichilema explained.

Education will be fundamental to changing Zambian society, he said. While encouraging private education for those who can afford it, the Zambian President is keen that his country should also care for disadvantaged school children.

Regarding unity in Zambia, President Hichilema told Vatican News that his government values and is pushing unity in diversity among all Zambians because it is the decent thing to do. The government, he said, must be a reflection of that diversity. For this reason, he continued, his government is composed of ministers from all ten provinces of Zambia.

Zambia has 72 tribes and many more dialects -the result of a complex history in patterns of Bantu migrations.

The President further pledged to distribute the country’s resources equally among the country’s regions.

“We want to unite the people of Zambia through equity, fair treatment of all regions. It is through this platform that we want to continue binding and bonding ourselves as one Zambia, one nation and one people,” he reiterated.

Zesco Beat Nkana To End Ndola Agony In Copperbelt Derby

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Zesco United on Saturday ended Nkana’s six-year domination over them at home in Ndola on Saturday with a 2-1 Copperbelt derby victory at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

Nkana came into the match with five successive away derby victories over Zesco who traced their last win over the Kitwe side in Ndola to August 2015.

Zesco’s  new Kenyan signing  Vincent  Oburu put the defending FAZ Super League champions  ahead in the 21st minute but a Clement Mwape handball gifted Nkana a 24th minute penalty that was converted by David Obashi.

Veteran midfielder John Chingandu scored Zesco’s winning goal in the 54th minute.

However, Zesco stay put at number three despite the key win and are five points behind leaders Red Arrows on 41 and 46 points with ten games left to play.

Nkana tumbled from fourth to number six on 36 points after the loss  and were replaced in that position by Green Buffaloes who  beat Indeni 2-1 away to  rise to 38 points.

Martin Njobvu put Buffaloes ahead in the 9th minute to give them a one-nil lead into the break.

Clement Mulenga equalized for Indeni in the 47th minute but Kayawe Kapota converted a 59th minute penalty to see  Buffaloes earn their second straight win in 2022 as the former early  season pacesetters begin to show signs of a revival after a poor run of results over the last two months.

Meanwhile, Green Eagles remain second after a 2-1 away win over mid-table Kabwe Warriors.

Collins Mulenga and Ernest Mbewe scored for Eagles in the 6th and 38th minutes respectively while Dominic Chanda was on target for Warriors in the 38th minute. 

 
19/02/2022
Kansanshi Dynamos 3-Kafue Celtic 2
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Proposed Amendments to the Penal Code will remove the Criminalization of Abortions and Bigamy-Mwamba

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Proposed Amendments to the Penal Code will remove the Criminalization of Abortions and Bigamy-Mwamba

Former Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Emmanuel Mwamba has strongly opposed proposed amendments to the penal code that threaten family values and the Christian standing of Zambia.

Mr. Mwamba said the proposed amendments were alarming because if passed they will allow men to have multiple marriages and will also remove the criminalization of abortions.

Mr. Mwamba said this would deviate Zambia from its well-respected standing on such matters.

Mr. Mwamba feared that the amendments would drive Zambia to a state of immorality and lack of respect for human life. Mr. Mwamba reiterated that abortions violate the right to life as life begins at conception and no one is entitled to take it or destroy it.

He said to allow wanton procurement of abortions without deterring measures such as the law, will turn Zambia into a state without respect to life.

He also expressed surprise that Government intends to allow men to be engaged in multiple marriages without regard to the Christian standing of the country.

The government has announced that it will table before Parliament amendments to Section 6 of the Penal Code which will among other provisions, remove the criminalization of abortions and bigamy.

Mr. Mwamba also urged Government to be cautious on the proposal to remove the death penalty as Zambians have always opposed its removal in the Chona, Mvunga, Mwanakatwe, and Mungomba Constitution Review Commissions.

The Zambia Law Development Commission(ZLDC) has proposed that the laws on bigamy and abortions be repealed. The proposals are contained in the review of the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.

While statutory laws prohibit bigamy and polygamy, the arrangement co-exists with customary law which permits the act. Mr. Mwamba said the status quo should be allowed to exist to protect the sanctity of marriage and the Christian principles espoused in Zambia as a Christian Nation.

He said the UPND in Opposition, were accused that they would allow immorality and perversion such as promoting homosexuality and abortions if given state power, and this move will therefore prove those critics right with such amendments to the law.

Mr. Mwamba called on the Church to raise strong objections to the amendments and raise a lobby against the proposals.

Hon. Nzovu Invites Swedes To Invest In Renewable Energy, Sustainable Environmental Management In Zambia

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Hon. Nzovu Invites Swedes To Invest In Renewable Energy, Sustainable Environmental Management In Zambia

Minister of Green Economy and Environment Hon. Collins Nzovu has called on Sweden and other developed countries to encourage their nationals and corporations to invest in renewable energy and sustainable environmental management in Zambia.

The Minister was speaking during a meeting with Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Her Excellency Ms. Anna Maj Hultgård.

“Zambia is determined to rebuild its economy using the green growth pathway,” Eng. Nzovu said. “Therefore, I wish to invite you and other cooperating partners to encourage investment in Zambia in areas such as renewable and alternative energy like solar, wind and bioenergy.”

He explained that investment in sustainable agriculture, forestry management and environment management are key to greening the Zambian economy.

“We want to learn from Sweden on the path to take as Zambia endeavours to reduce its own carbon footprint through reduction of emissions from greenhouses, automobiles and industries, among others,” the Minister said. “We are worried about climate change and we need to strengthen our early warning systems, and ensure that we are resilient to climatic changes.”

Eng. Nzovu appealed to the Ambassador that when Sweden is formulating its five-year Development Cooperation Strategy for Zambia, it should consider incorporating support to renewable energy, biodiversity, air quality monitoring and electronic waste (e-waste) management.

Minister of Green Economy and Environment Hon. Collins Nzovu
Minister of Green Economy and Environment Hon. Collins Nzovu with Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Her Excellency Ms. Anna Maj Hultgård.

And Ambassador Hultgård informed the Minister, who was in the company of the Permanent Secretary Mr. John Msimuko and other senior officials, that Sweden will ensure that it aligns its Development Cooperation Strategy for Zambia with the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), which is being formulated.

Ambassador Hultgård also briefed the Minister about the Stockholm+50, a High-Level international environmental meeting that will be held in Stockholm, Sweden in June 2022. The Stockholm+50 Conference will commemorate the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Environment and celebrate 50 years of global environmental action.

The Ambassador invited the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment to participate in the Stockholm+50 Conference.
The Minister and the Ambassador discussed wide-range of areas of possible cooperation between the Ministry and Sweden through the Embassy.

It is 30% of the total Black Mountain that we have handed over-Mines Minister

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It is 30% of the total Black Mountain that we have handed over-Mines Minister

The Government has officially handed over 30 % of the Kitwe Mineral Slag Dump commonly known as Black Mountain to cooperatives owned by the local youth and women.

The Black Mountain located between Wusakile and Nkana West is owned by Nkana Alloy, who are the major shareholders with the Government having a minor stake.

President Hakainde Hichilema last Sunday announced on Facebook the handover of the Kitwe Black Mountain to a Consortium of cooperatives representing all the 10 districts of the Copperbelt province, the Women in mining group, and the Community hosting the black mountain.

The Ministry Arrives for Blackmountain Handover ceremony
The Ministry Arrives for Blackmountain Handover ceremony

When handing over the 30% portion of the Black Mountain in Kitwe late on Thursday afternoon, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe told the cooperatives to begin operations with immediate effect.

Mr. Kabuswe said the youth and women groups should use the first seven days to ensure that safety measures and a pickup point of chrome for scavengers is secured.

He warned operators at the Black Mountain to ensure that the safety of scavenger’s is guaranteed.

Mr. Kabuswe reminded operators that the Government will not condone gangsterism, cadrelism and jerabo behavior during operations at the slug damp.

Mr Kabuswe, who was accompanied by Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo, said order and sanity should prevail during the operations adding that all cooperatives that have been engaged were scrutinized.

“The community has been given 30%, that is the Zambian youths, the Kitwe District, the Copperbelt Province, the women. Actually I want this point to be clear, the Black Mountain belongs to the youths, belongs to the women in mining and it belongs to all Zambians. So we have handed over 30% of the Black Mountain to the beneficiaries and the beneficiaries are all in the form of cooperatives being represented by all districts on the Copperbelt. All the ten districts of the Copperbelt have cooperatives that are benefiting from the Black Mountain,” Mr. Kabuswe said.

“And you, the media, somebody did a headline today that is very kokai. Please report the correct thing. Every stakeholder was consulted about the modalities on how we have handed over the Black Mountain to our people. It will be in the form of cooperatives that are all over the place so please take that clear and it is 30% of the total Black Mountain that we have handed over. In this vein I would like to thank Nkana Alloy who have been magnanimous in our discussions and that now we have 30% of the Black Mountain handed over to our youths,” Mr. Kabuswe said.

UPND cadres at the Black Mountain Handover ceremony
UPND cadres at the Black Mountain Handover ceremony

The Mines Minister further said a trust fund will be opened which will be run by Kitwe District Commissioner Lawrence Mwanza for people to apply for resources to be coming from the mountain.

Mr. Matambo is elated that President Hakainde Hichilema is fulfilling his campaign promises.

Mr Matambo added that mining will remain the backbone of Zambia’s economy for many years.


Kitwe District Commissioner Lawrence Mwanza said local people should fully benefit from the operations at the Black Mountain.

Meanwhile, Wusakile youths who gathered at the Black Mountain to witness the official handover want to fully benefit from the operations despite not belonging to cooperatives.

The male scavengers, who are not in cooperatives, said they are wondering why the government is prioritizing cooperatives at the expense of people who have been operating at the site for many years.

There was heavy Police presence around the Black Mountain before and after the handover ceremony.

In September last year, Mr. Kabuswe suspended mining activities at all dumpsites until there was sanity in the operations.

In the recent past there were calls on the Government to allow the resumption of operations at the Black Mountain in Kitwe.

Youths on the Copperbelt recently demanded for a clear roadmap on how activities will be conducted at the dump site once operations resume.

If HH is serious about freedom of expression, he should remove the defamation of the president law

Chief Editor
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If HH is serious about freedom of expression, he should remove the defamation of the president law

Economic Front-EF president Wynter Kabimba has challenged President Hakainde Hichilema to ensure the defamation of the president law is removed if he is serious about promoting freedom of expression and guaranteeing other freedoms.

Speaking when he featured on the Friday Edition of The Phoenix FM`s Let The People Talk Programme, Mr. Kabimba described the piece of legislation as ridiculous and obnoxious and has wondered why it has not been taken before the current legislative sitting of parliament that convened on Tuesday.

Mr. Kabimba has also warned that the ills of governance perceived to have been perpetrated under the previous regime such as careerism and abuse of law enforcement agencies, may become worse under the new dawn government, by 2026, with the increasing number of such incidences witnessed in the past 5 months.

The PF leader, whose party previously named Rainbow Party entered the 2021 general elections while in a political pact with the Patriotic Front-PF, further argues that President Hakainde Hichilema has failed to deliver free education, re-instate meal allowances for university students, reduce the cost of living and cut international trips among other promises he made during campaigns.

And Mr. Kabimba says his party is ready to work with the ruling party having written to President Hakainde Hichilema and ready to engage on several matters of national interest and that the same is true for other opposition political parties.

Fred M’membe Started the Tribal Hate Campaign Against the Tongas, taking Zambia to a Dark Place

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Fred M’membe Started the Tribal Hate Campaign Against the Tongas, taking Zambia to a Dark Place

Long-time Zambian human rights defender, Laura Miti, has said that he finds it hard to forgive Socialist Party President Fred M’membe for the tribal campaign again the Tonga speaking people because of his hatred for United Party for National Development President Hakainde Hichilema.

In a post on her Facebook page in which she reflected on the Post Newspaper story, Ms. Miti said that Dr. M’membe, with a clear mind, started a hate campaign against a whole innocent people that took Zambia to a dark place, a campaign that was later adopted by Former President Edgar Lungu’s Patriotic Front (PF), as personified by Chishimba Kambwili and backing voices of Professor Nkandu Luo and others.

Below is the full post

The Story of the Post

Thinking about the Post, one is very ambivalent about its place in history.

The paper was, for a long time, the beacon of free speech and a protector of democracy.

Then, it went mad!

A sense by the owner, Fred M’membe, that Rupiah Banda should not have stood for elections, after President Levy Mwanawasa died, consumed the paper. Fred was convinced, and declared in the paper, that Rupiah Banda, then constitutionally acting as President, should have stepped aside for “Levy’s chosen” successor, Ng’andu Mangande.

The vitriol that ensued, against RB’s candidature in the Presidential by-election was shocking, for me anyway. He was viciously attacked simply for wanting a presidency that had fallen into his lap, and for Fred claiming Levy had told him he preferred Mangande.

OK, if truth be told, Mangande would have almost certainly been many people’s preference and probably a better President than RB turned out to be. RB had the right to pursue a presidency within his grasp, though.

Anyhow, from there, it was downwards into the gutter, for the Post. Fred decided he would use his paper to ensure RB had a short presidency. In came the clean-up-Sata project.

Before then, you see, the Post did not like Sata. Declared him, rightly so I might add, violent, uncouth, and much else. But he was, I guess, the only person seen by Fred as being able to unseat RB.

The Post, therefore, reconfigured itself into a Sata rehabilitation and campaign platform. Through some scary and reckless reporting, Fred successfully delivered the Sata presidency.

Sata’s time in office was sadly short-lived. It was a short period when the Post (or is it Fred) basked in the kingmaker status. The paper looked away from any wrongdoing and sung “Michael’s” praises to high heaven. It seems the Post even stop paying taxes.

I wish it had ended there – with the paper and Fred enjoying the good life, but no.

The most tragic aspect of the degeneration of the Post was its decision to make some seeming hatred between Fred and then UPND president, Hakainde Hichilema, another project of the paper.

Unfortunately, it was decided that it was not enough to vilify HH alone. The paper started the Paint-the-Tonga Black programme which was later adopted by EL’s PF, as personified by Chishimba Kambwili and backing voices of Professor Luo and others.

It is the last part, I find difficult to forgive Fred for. He, with a clear mind, started a hate campaign against a whole innocent people that took our beautiful country to a dark place.

That said, the Post should not have been closed and especially liquidated. That, ostensibly done because the paper had accumulated a huge tax bill, was really because it did not transfer its worship of Michael Sata to his successor EL.

You see, just like RB had done with Mangande after Levy’s death, EL prevented Fred’s preferred Wynter Kabimba or compromise Miles Sampa from becoming President after Sata died.

Let me leave it there.

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