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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.
Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu
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.
Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu
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.
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.
The Zambia United Local Authorities Workers Union (ZULAWU) is pleased with the 12% salary increment across the board awarded to council workers in the country.
ZULAWU and Fire Services Union of Zambia (FIRESUZ) and Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development on Tuesday concluded negotiations for the 2022 improved Salaries/Wages and Conditions of service for local authorities employees.
ZULAWU President Emmanuel Mwinsa said the parties also agreed for a new job evaluation and re-grading exercise to be undertaken for purposes of restructuring and development of new organization structures for local authorities in line with the decentralization policy.
Mr. Mwinsa revealed that ZULAWU will commence the engagements with the Government outside the bargaining process to put measures on how best salaries for the division iv’s in salary scales grade 1 to grade 3 should be harmonized with those in the public mainstream.
“The Zambia United Local Authorities Workers Union (ZULAWU) wishes to announce that the bargaining process between the local authorities of the republic of Zambia and the Zambia united local authorities workers union for improved salaries/wages and conditions of service that commenced on Wednesday, 27th January, 2022 came to concussion on Tuesday, 8th February, 2022 and as the parties we have since signed the collective agreement with a salary increment of 12% across all the salary scales from less 08 to less 18 and g1 to g3 of division iv salary scales,” he stated.
“We also wish to inform our members that the parties also agreed for a new job evaluation and regrading exercise to be undertaken for purposes of restructuring and development of new organization structures for local authorities in line with the decentralization policy. The parties also agreed to have the revision of salary scales for stores officers, registry supervisors, public relations officers, and clerical officers, plant/machinery operators to be addressed through the job evaluation and re-grading exercise. The reason for not undertaking a piecemeal approach is to avoid distortions in the salary structure, hence a comprehensive approach through restructuring of the councils organization structure,” Mr. Mwinsa said.
He said the variance between the lowest paid employee in division four in the local authorities and those in salary scale ‘a’ in the public mainstream is currently standing at 1,468.91.
“We wish also to state that the union shall commence the engagements with government outside the bargaining process to put measures on how best salaries for the division iv’s in salary scales grade 1 to grade 3 should be harmonized with those in the public mainstream. The variance between the lowest paid employee in division iv in the local authorities and those in salary scale ‘a’ in the public mainstream is currently standing at 1,468.91.As a union we have confidence that this difference shall be addressed by the new dawn government considering the seriousness attached to local government as already demonstrated in the area of fiscal decentralization,” Mr. Mwinsa said.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Wisdom Bwalya said the increment is aimed at ensuring that councils maintain a positive work environment that boosts employee morale, retention and productivity.
Mr Bwalya repeated that the New Dawn Government is committed to improving the welfare of employees as demonstrated by the award of the said 12 % Salary increment amidst hard times.
“I now challenge the Local Authorities employees to reciprocate this gesture by working hard to improve service delivery to the people,” Mr Bwalya said.
Mr. Bwalya said the 2022 improved salaries/wages and conditions of service will be financed using the 2022 Local Government Equalisation Fund and locally generated revenues.
He directed principal officers of Local Authorities to develop strategies to improve revenue collection to provide satisfactory services to communities and raise resources to pay salaries/wages on time.
Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) Chama South Constituency Member of Parliament Davison Mung’andu has accused President Hakainde Hichilema of establishing torture chambers in some parts of the country to torment political enemies.
Mr. Mung’andu, the Patriotic Front Muchinga Provincial Chairman, said he has information that former President Edgar Lungu’s barber Shabby Chilekwa who has been detained by police was being tortured.
Mr. Mung’andu was speaking to journalists in Lusaka on Thursday as members of the Patriotic Front went to offer solidarity to Mr. Lungu following the recent arrest of his Aide De Camp Chisanga Chanda and barber Chilekwa.
“I think as the party in Muchinga, we have been taken a bit aback by the New Dawn Government, particularly by President Hakainde Hichilema. Zambians can be reminded that President Hakainde Hichilema has always preached and advised the security wings not to arrest anyone or detain anyone without first investigating that person but what we are seeing is actually a 360 degrees u-turn of his promises, the arrest of Mr. Chanda without being investigated. The arrest of Mr. Chilekwa who is, we believe, is still in detention without being investigated and we have been reliably informed that he is being tortured,” he said.
“President Hakainde Hichilema is establishing torture chambers in some areas of this country which we in the Patriotic Front in Muchinga will not accept. We want to remind him that indeed as our former president has mentioned we went as a new generation to see our (former) leaders being respected the way former leaders in Europe are being respected. I will give an example; you heard the issues that were surrounding the former Prime Minister of Britain Tony Blair. Where did it go? You heard about issues to have to do with Donald Trump in the USA . Where has it gone? So even us we want to appeal to him,” Mr. Mung’andu said.
PF acting President Given Lubinda, PF Parliamentary Whip Stephen Kampyongo, PF MCC in charge of information and publicity Raphael Nakacinda and former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo were among those who visited the former head of state.
“Even in retirement, you can never be a leader without people around you. I am glad that I have the support of my colleagues from the party in these turbulent times that we are going through. Obviously statements have been made, but I am not in a position to talk too much today, but we will allow matters to settle. As you know my ADC was picked on matters of sub-judice, my barber Shabby Chilekwa has been picked for reasons yet to be known, suffice to say all is well that ends well,” Mr. Lungu said at his home.
Former President Edgar Lungu
Meanwhile, Mr. Lusambo said the arrest of the ADC is tantamount to endangering the security of the former head of state.
“It was very unnecessary for the police to act in the manner in which they acted. I want to challenge the police that they do not belong to the UPND. The police belong to the Republic of Zambia,” he said.
Luapula’s PF Mambilima Member of Parliament Jean Chisenga opposed the arresting of Mr. Lungu’s ADC and barber.
“I would like to emphasize only one point. Ladies and gentlemen when people have failed they don’t need to come up with an excuse. To be honest the leadership of His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema has failed. By now we could have been seeing results but what is he doing now? People are being persecuted, people are being pushed left right and center. That is not what we want, that’s not what the people voted for. We want to see development so I urge the people of Zambia to reconsider their thoughts. They are going to see what’s happening and what is happening. They will see actually what is of today and what was of yesterday and they will recognize genuinely the Patriotic Front really cared for the people of Zambia,” Ms Chisenga said.
“It is really just wasting time to actually just persecute just go for this one that one. I think it is not necessary. I speak for the people of Zambia and I speak for the youth that this is not necessary. It is not necessary and this should not go on because as I speak going for the ADC of our former head of state is really a very serious issue because he is not being protected right now. So is it really the ADC that they want or is it the former head of state. These are the issues that we should be talking about so honestly I ask the people of Zambia to gather their thoughts back and just look back where we are coming from,” she said.
Former President Edgar Lungu
And the former President Dr Lungu was appreciative to have received a visit from Members of the PF.
“Even in retirement, You can never be a leader without people around you. I am glad that I have the support of my colleagues from the party in these turbulent times that we are going through,” he said.
“Obviously statements have been made, but I am not in a position to talk too much today, but we will allow matters to settle. As you know my ADC was picked on matters of sub-judice, My barber Shabby Chilekwa has been picked for reasons yet to be known, Suffice to say all is well that ends well,” he stated.
Patriotic Front Acting President Hon. Given Lubinda today refused to have a meeting with a delegation from the American Embassy who had earlier requested for a meeting with the Patriotic Front leadership.
According to a statement released to the media by PF media director Antonio Mwanza, this happened when the US Political Unit Chief Madam Alexandra King Pile and her counterpart, Mr. David Chibanda, the Political Specialist at the Embassy visited the PF Secretariat along Panganani Road in Lusaka this afternoon.
Hon. Lubinda told the duo that he would not meet them or anyone from the American Embassy until the American Embassy in Lusaka responds to a letter that he had written the Embassy, two months ago, protesting the remarks, President Joe Biden made against the Patriotic Front at the UN General Assembly last September.
Hon. Lubinda refused to engage Madam Pile and Mr. Chibanda saying he could not proceed to engage with the American Embassy until they responded to the numerous matters that he raised in his protest letter against Mr. Biden’s remarks were first addressed. Mr. Lubinda said it would be an act of hypocrisy and a lack of courtesy for the American Embassy to sweep the many critical issues that he raised in his letter under the carpet and pretend that nothing happened.
The Acting President was flanked by Hon. Nickson Chilangwa, Acting Secretary-General and Hon. Stephen Kampyongo who is the Party’s Chief Whip in Parliament.
Patriotic Front Member of the Central Committee Charles Kakoma has resigned from the former ruling party, barely a year after leaving the UPND where he was party spokesperson.
“After due reflection and consultations with my family and friends, I have today decided to resign from the Patriotic Front (PF). As a consequence of this decision to resign from the Party, I have also relinquished my position as a Member of the Central Committee (MCC) of the Patriotic Front. I wish to thank the Patriotic Front in general and the out-going President of the Party, His Excellence Edgar Chagwa Lungu for the trust and confidence shown in me by giving me an opportunity to serve in the Central Committee,” Mr Kakoma has stated.
He stated that his decision to resign from the Patriotic Front was purely personal as he intended to pursue other endeavours in life.
Mr Kakoma stated that he would, however, continue to provide political, social and economic counsel to fellow citizens and stakeholders.
LUAPULA Province Minister Derrick Chilundika has dispelled allegations that there are Ministers and other government officials involved the illegal mining of the Sugilite stone in Muombe area of Sub-Chief Kundamfumu in Chembe District.
Responding to the allegations on K-FM Radio on ZANIS Dialogue programme on Monday, Mr. Chilundika said government has security wings everywhere around the country to curtail any illegality.
On Thursday, UPND Deputy National Chairperson for Administration Stephen Chikota with some party youths accused some government ministers whom he did not disclose their names that they are the ones behind the illegal mining of the Sugilite stone in Chembe district in collaboration with some foreign nationals mining at the site.
Mr. Chilundika noted that the UPND government is a government of laws that can prosecute any person founding wanting including any minister serving in a government position.
He explained that the reason why the said cadres are talking anyhow making false accusations is because they cannot be allowed to do illegal mining.
Mr. Chilundika pleaded with the people in Muombe area to stop the illegal mining they are doing but rather follow the right procedure and get a legal mining license to mine at a place they will be given.
The Provincial Minister further added that government is the government for every Zambian, whether they belong to the party in government or in the opposition anyone that breaks the law will be dealt with accordingly.
On Monday, Luapula Province Commanding Officer Sharon Zulu disclosed that on Friday evening through to Saturday police arrested 24 UPND cadres attempting to access the mining site in Muombe area of Chief Kundamfumu in Chembe district.
She said that those arrested are still in police custody and more arrests will be made as police is still looking for the culprits.
Dear Colleagues, I have noted with interest the debate on the number of Permanent Secretaries for Special Duties. It is important that we respond to this and put things in perspective. Allow me to start with the obvious: government positions are filled up based on the approved staff establishment of a respective arm of government. Currently, Cabinet Office has 4 Permanent Secretaries incharge of Special Duties.
No new office has been created.
Two questions that have arisen are around the specific tasks of Permanent Secretary for Special Duties and the cost of running those offices. Before I can proceed, let me state clearly that it is not true that the previous administration had one Permanent Secretary for Special Duties. There were actually two. What is true though is that they may not have had a well-defined job description.
What are those Special Duties?
Well, let me start from the basics again. Cabinet Office is the epicenter of the civil service. The effectiveness of the civil service depends on this office. Administratively, all Permanent Secretaries report to Secretary to Cabinet and are accountable to Secretary to the Cabinet for contractual deliverables. Secretary to the Cabinet through Cabinet runs the civil service on behalf of the President of the Republic of Zambia.
In practice, it means that Secretary to Cabinet has to work closely with all Permanent Secretaries across sectors and categories to facilitate and ensure efficient service delivery. This is not only exhausting but a recipe for poor service delivery as the amount of work is way too much for one office.
In order to address the above challenge, the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Special Duties at the Cabinet Office comes in handy. Permanent Secretaries Special Duties are Permanent Secretaries without a portfolio. They literally cut across all government ministries, departments, programs, and activities.
Some tasks are specific and defined while other tasks are delegated from the Office of the Secretary to Cabinet and Office of the President as they unfold. While I understand the concern about the cost, I don’t understand what standard is being used to call it as being high.
What is the cost-benefit analysis?
Just for interest, members of the public may wish to know that the office of the Permanent Secretary for Special Duties doesn’t come with any additional staff. At Cabinet Office, there is what is referred to as common services office.
This office has directors and support staff in human resource, procurement, finance, audit, etc which service all the divisions under Cabinet office use.
As it stands today, we have to deal with issues of compliance to government policies, CDF issues, depoliticize the civil service, unite the country, undertake targeted reforms, seal financial leakages, and many other things. While portfolio Permanent Secretaries will be implementing this, Special Duties will support ministries to ensure that they succeed.
I thought we could help put the discussion in context.
The Author is Permanent Secretary for Special Duties at Cabinet Office,
Electoral expert Mcdonald Chipenzi has opposed recommendations by the European Union (EU) Observer Mission that Zambia phases out the grade 12 qualification requirement for one to stand as a member of parliament.
Mr. Chipenzi tells Phoenix News that the grade 12 requirement has resulted in the reduction of mediocre kind of leadership that was witnessed in the past.
He says the country should actually be looking at upgrading the qualification for a member of parliament to a degree level as a way of ensuring the relevance of parliament.
Mr. Chipenzi also argues that you cannot find parliamentarians in the UK Parliament adding that most of them are Degree and Masters Degree holders.
And Mr. Chipenzi says the revision of the public order act is currently dependent on how fast Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe takes the draft bill to parliament.
He says the removal of the President’s immunity during election campaigns and reduction of nomination fees can easily be done by parliament and has since challenged the UPND government to fulfill its promises of ensuring these matters are dealt with urgently.
Meanwhile, Politics and International Relations Expert Mwila Bwanga has urged -ECZ-to prioritize decentralizing its operations to district level across the country.
The latest report on the august 12, 2021 general election by the EU Observation Mission says that despite a constitutional provision foreseeing decentralized ECZ structures at the provincial and district level, these are not in place and the ECZ relies on the support of the local administration.
Mr Bwanga explains that in the previous election, although the electoral administration at local level was well organized, it frequently did not enjoy the trust among the local stakeholders and there were inconsistencies in the implementation of procedures at various stages of the process and varying competency levels.
Striker Friday Samu made his South African PSL debut on Wednesday evening in Nedbank Cup action for Maritzburg United.
=SOUTH AFRICA
-Maritzburg United/SuperSport: Striker Friday Samu had a quiet debut for Maritzburg on Wednesday who lost 1-0 at home to SuperSport in their Nedbank Cup Round of 32 fixture.
Samu joined Maritzburg with quite a reputation from Green Buffaloes scoring 15 goals last season and left the FAZ Super League this term as pacesetter on 14 goals.
Samu’s best chance of the match came in the 71st minute when Bafana-Bafana goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams denied him on his first and follow-up attempt before the ex-Green Buffaloes man was substituted in the 75th minute.
His compatriot Gamphani Lungu played the full 90 minutes for SuperSport.
-Mamelodi Sundowns: Kennedy Mweene was again in goal for holders and league leaders Sundowns in Mondays 2-0 PSL home win over 12th placed Chippa United.
=SCOTLAND
Striker Fashion Sakala came on in the 75th minute for defending champions and second placed Rangers’ 2-0 home win over Hibernian on Wednesday after his side had already wrapped up their business for the day.
Kabwe Warriors striker Jimmy Ndhlovu has admitted that his team has slim chances of winning the FAZ Super Division title this season.
Ndhlovu said Warriors have regrettably dropped many points especially at home.
Warriors are placed eleventh on the table with 28 points in 22 matches played with twelve left to play.
Coach Chris Kaunda’s side sits 15 points behind leaders Red Arrows.
“The league is quite tough. We are 18 of us so it is a marathon. Anyone can get it at the moment,” Ndhlovu said.
“The difference between the top club and the last one is not very big but it is very tough. For now you can’t tell who is going to get it,” he said.
Warriors have lost ten matches, winning eight and posting four draws.
“To be honest, winning the league the chances are very slim. We dropped a lot of points at home. Top four is guaranteed but winning the league chances are very slim. We dropped a lot of points along the way,” Ndhlovu said.
Warriors, who competed in the CAF Confederation Cup this season, are just six points away from relegation.
“We can’t go into the National League; we are fighting for the top four at the moment,” Ndhlovu said.
Ndhlovu is the second highest goal scorer in the league this season on nine (9) goals.
