Jesse Were Ends Zesco United Stay
Zesco United have announced the departure of two high- profile players led by their goal king Jesse Were.
The Kenyan striker leaves Zesco after a successful five-year stay with the nine-time Zambian champions where he has won four league titles and scored 102 competitive goals.
“Five-years ago, we brought Jesse Jackson Were to Ndola as part of our roadmap towards assembling a strong ZESCO United side. Today, we can proudly say that he has been a success story for this team,” Zesco CEO Richard Mulenga told Zesco United Media.
“Were’s winning mentality has been a catalyst to the growth of this football club. No one will ever forget the goals he has scored for this team and the joy he brought not only to us but also to the ZESCO United fans.
“He is a true servant of the beautiful game who also sold his country to the outside world very well. We wish him the best luck in his next journey.”
Meanwhile, departing Zesco together with the Kenyan is Zimbabwean midfielder Tafadzwa Rusike who joined the club from Zanaco two years ago.
Not allowing the Democratic Party to field candidates has set a very bad and dangerous precedent
By Fred M’membe President of the Socialist Party
Not allowing the Democratic Party (DP) to field candidates in the January 20, 2022 local government and parliamentary by-elections has set a very bad and dangerous precedent. All that one needs to destroy a political party is to sponsor some factions within it. And if each of the factions presents a candidate for nomination then that political party will not field a candidate. And it is not difficult to create such a leadership dispute in a political party that is in the opposition. This seems to be the case with the DP. But is it totally impossible to determine the authentic leadership of DP?
This precedent if allowed to stand will destroy our opposition political parties and consequently our multiparty political dispensation. The destruction or weakening of political parties is an assault on our multiparty democracy itself. I say this because political parties are the main gatekeepers for candidates to participate in elections. Parties therefore have great influence over the degree of our people’s political participation at local and national levels. Political parties determine which candidates are nominated and elected and which issues achieve national prominence. They decide who will be adopted as their candidates in elections.
As intermediary institutions, they link the state and civil society, translating the policy preferences of citizens into political action. Individuals with political ambition are likely to seek out leadership positions within political parties.
Clearly, political parties are essential institutions of democracy. By competing in elections parties offer citizens a choice in governance, and while in opposition they can hold governments accountable. When citizens join political parties they are exercising their basic democratic rights. Participation of citizens in political parties offers unique benefits, including opportunities to influence policy choices, choose and engage political leaders, and run for office.
The Socialist Party supports the development of a vibrant, accountable and inclusive multiparty system that offer citizens meaningful choices and opportunities for political participation.It is said that if you take a dim view of our political parties, you’re in sterling company. It’s with some trepidation that I want to speak up in defence of political parties.bnhu4df nmmkkkkikko9
For well over 57 years, they have played a key role in our representative government. We shouldn’t forget that it was political parties that fought for our independence and created the Zambia we are very proud of.
They are the best stage I know for broad economic, political, and social change. It’s hard for me to imagine a Zambia without them.
For the most part, our political parties have excelled: they accommodate different interests, opinions, and views. Our system does not have enough consensus-building mechanisms; the parties are crucial to this.
Of course, more than building consensus within a party is needed. Our parties also play a lubricating role in the mechanisms of democracy. They get out the vote and educate voters. They teach many thousands of ordinary Zambians what the nuts and bolts of democratic participation look like. They choose and promote candidates who are worthy of holding public office. They play an important role in funding elections, financing the system, and giving candidates a platform. In short, they’re a personnel system for government office.
To be sure, Zambians divide rather sharply on their support of political parties — not just on which they support, but on whether to support them at all. Many avoid identification with them. Others become ardent loyalists. Still others follow them regularly, but not slavishly. At the moment, more people define themselves as independent than as a member of one or the other party.
In Zambia, party building has been a challenging and critical component of democratic transition itself. Strong parties serve democracy, and there has long been a relationship between robust, stable party systems and successful democratic and economic outcomes. Political parties continue to be central to our democracy. Money and partisanship, however, do not make for strong parties. What makes today’s politics so volatile is the precise combination of weak parties and strong partisanship.
Zambia has enough maize in stock than it would need for the whole year 2022-Agric Minister
Minister of agriculture Mtolo Phiri has assured that Zambia has enough maize in stock than it would need for the whole year 2022.
Reacting to recent calls to halt the export of maize in the face of the impending drought that has seen scanty rain across the country, with some earlier planted crops dying, Mr. Phiri said that despite the poor rainfall pattern being experienced so far, the maize in stock guarantees food security despite for the whole of 2022 and that Zambia has about 2 million metric tons of maize in storage facilities to date.
Mr. Phiri added that his ministry is also seriously analyzing what to offload on the market from the storage facilities if any on a monthly basis and that government has authorized the export of 1,177,500 metric tonnes of maize.
However, there has been concern from a number of stakeholders about the looming poor maize output due to the late onset of the rains.
Early this month, Paramount Chief Mpezeni of Eastern province supported the government’s plans to re-consider the export of extra maize stocks the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) bought from farmers in the 2020/2021 crop marketing season.
Chief Mpezeni said that it would be unfortunate for the country to export all the extra maize stocks and later import the same commodity because of the uncertainties created by the delayed rains.
The Traditional Leader said that if the situation remains the same up to the end of December, the impact would be devastating and affect income, food, and nutritional security in the country.
Chief Mpezeni said this when Agriculture Minister, Mr. Phiri paid a courtesy call on him in Chipata. Mr. Phri had assured the chief that plans were underway to reconsider exporting the extra maize stocks bought by the Food Reserve Agency from the farmers.
The Minister said with the effects of climate change at play, there was a need for government to hold onto the extra maize stocks to avoid plunging the country into hunger.
Meanwhile Kanchibiya member of parliament Sunday Chanda is calling on the minister of agriculture to provide a comprehensive update on the anticipated impact of the dry spell on next year’s agricultural production.
Mr. Chanda has also reiterated his call on government to suspend export of maize in order to remain food secure as a nation in view of the prevailing dry spell which has so far affected some fields in some parts of the country.
UPND Government should not over-tax its citizens in an effort to facilitate economic recovery
Copperbelt based Good Governance activist Peter Mulenga says the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government should not over-tax its citizens in an effort to facilitate economic recovery.
Mr. Mulenga said the New Dawn Government should implement austerity measures gradually in order not to overburden citizens with the high cost of living.
He observed that the cost of goods and services have gone up in the country owing to the recent increase in fuel pump prices despite workers’ income remaining the same.
“In recent weeks, the country has witnessed a number of social media campaigns, largely triggered by the astronomical rise in the cost of fuel, and increased Road Tax, cost of living, regardless of the fact that the earnings of most people have remained stagnant for months if not years,” Mr. Mulenga said.
“The rest aside, only someone living in an ivory tower would be blinded to the fact that life has become unbearable for the majority. This is driven by the sharp rise in prices of essential goods and services such as fuel, housing rentals, cooking oil and water, surprisingly there is also an increment in prices of medicine in Pharmacies. God save us,” he said.
Mr. Mulenga said the government has a duty to ensure that taxes or exorbitant prices of goods and services do not unnecessarily hurt citizens.
“Look, it should not take people marching on the streets for the government to bring about the change that the public anticipates, in line with some of the promises that the HH-led government made prior to assuming power. There should be that constant rapport whereby the government should share with Zambians what its game plan is, in as far as curbing the economic problems that are rocking people’s lives is concerned,” Mr. Mulenga said.
“When people take to the streets and end up causing disturbances as we witnessed in the Kaunda era, it still comes back to haunt ordinary individuals whose taxes will now be diverted towards footing the bill for repairing the damage caused,” he said.
Mr. Mulenga further noted gaps in communication between the Government and the public.
“Communication is paramount and I am afraid those doing the spinning for the government are not doing much to feed the public with the right information on what is being done to address the problems associated with the economic hardships. It does not help much for the government to empathize with the people and yet fail to communicate what is being done to deal with the problem.”
“Remember, the government has that obligation to see to it that people are not being unnecessarily hurt, whether by taxes or exorbitant prices of goods. Please UPND, don’t over-tax your citizens, it’s never too late to change course,” Mr. Mulenga said.
NGOCC expresses its displeasure over political parties’ failure to adopt women as candidates
The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has expressed its displeasure over political parties’ failure to adopt women as candidates in the Kabwata Parliamentary by elections coming up on 20th January, 2022.
All the seven candidates, who successfully filed in their nominations on Tuesday, are men.
NGOCC Executive Director Engwase B. Mwale said in a statement issued on Wednesday that the council is disappointed with political parties for not fielding women in the Kabwata by election.
Mrs. Mwale said the NGOCC is concerned over the lack of commitment by the political parties to enhance women’s participation in politics and ultimately decision-making positions.
She said it was unfortunate that not even the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) could lead by example ahead of Kabwata by election.
Mrs. Mwale said political parties and the Government must begin actualising Zambia’s commitment to gender equality at all levels as espoused in various regional and international treaties that the country has ratified.
She said it is clear that the exclusion of women from the governance process by political parties is deliberate and systemic.
“The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) wishes to register our disappointment with the choice political parties have made NOT to adopt women to participate in the Kabwata by election slated for January 20th 2022. As the women’s movement, we are extremely concerned by the lack of commitment by the political parties to enhance women’s participation in politics and ultimately decision-making positions,” Mrs Mwale said.
“NGOCC has noted with sadness that all the participating political parties have adopted men to the exclusion of women. We are particularly disappointed with the United Party for National Development (UPND), as the governing party for not leading by example,” she said.
“The numbers of women elected at local Government and Parliamentary levels after the August 2021 elections remain unacceptably low. It was therefore our hope that the political parties would take advantage of these by elections to redress the gender inequalities in these decision-making spaces.”
Mrs Mwale added:”It is high time that political parties and indeed the Zambian Government started actualizing Zambia’s commitment to gender equality at all levels as espoused in various regional and international treaties that the country has ratified.”
“It is becoming abundantly clear that the exclusion of women from the governance process by political parties is deliberate and systemic, further entrenching patriarchy in our society. It is against this background that we demand for a law that will compel political parties to adopt women so as to narrow the widening gender inequalities in the political sphere,” she stated.
“We would like to call upon all the women of this country to rise up and demand for their rightful spaces. Women cannot be reduced to mere spectators and cheer leaders in the governance of their own country. The obtaining of gender inequalities are totally unacceptable and a violation of women’s rights. The exclusion of women from participating in the governance of the country negates democracy. This discrimination must be stopped now,” Mrs Mwale concluded.
The Kabwata Parliamentary seat fell vacant after the death of UPND MP Levy Mkandawire in a road accident on 18 November, 2021.
Seven candidates successfully filed their nominations on Tuesday among them Chilufya Tayali of Economic and Equity Party, Sydney Zyambo of People’s Alliance for Change and Francis Libanda of the United Progressive Party.
Others are Clement Tembo of the Patriotic Front, Andrew Tayengwa of the United Party for National Development, Socialist Party’s and Tripher Ng’andu and Henry Muleya of PeP.
Meanwhile, ECZ could not allow the Democratic Party to contest the election because of internal wrangles that are currently before court as party President Harry Kalaba battles his vice Judith Kabemba.
The campaign period for the elections commenced on Tuesday 28th December 2021 after 15:00 hours and will end at 18:00 hours on Wednesday, 19th January 2022.
Government is concerned with the rapidly worsening COVID situation in Zambia
Zambia has in the last 24 hours recorded 5,255 cases of COVID-19, the highest ever number of new daily infections since the outbreak of the Omicron variant in the country early this month.
And 10 people have in the last 24 hours succumbed to the virus , nine of whom were not vaccinated.
Speaking during the routine COVID updates yesterday, Health Minister Sylvia Masebo said government is concerned with the rapidly worsening COVID situation in the country.
Ms Masebo says transmission is moving swiftly especially in congregate places including work places saying this calls for urgent stringent measures to avert a more severe situation.
She says authoutities through her ministry will beginning today, conduct a 48 hours massive fumigation exercise in all government institutions and has urged the private sector to follow suit.
And Ms. Masebo has discouraged members of the public against patronizing congregate activities during New Year celebrations.
Below is the full ministerial statement
Members of the press, countrymen and women,
Government is deeply concerned about the rapidly worsening COVID-19 situation in the country.
In the last 24 hours, 5,255 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were detected from 16,774 tests conducted, representing a positivity of 31% nationally. This this is the highest number of daily cases ever recorded in Zambia.
We currently have 316 patients admitted to COVID-19 isolation facilities across the country, among whom 119 patients are on oxygen. Unfortunately, we experienced 10 deaths. It is important to note that all the 9 of the 10 deaths were of individuals who were not vaccinated and 86% of the admitted patients are all unvaccinated.
Yesterday, we recorded a total of 25,470 vaccinations, bringing our cumulative number of people who have received dose 1 to 497,818 and those fully immunised to 1,171,582.
We have observed that transmission is spreading rapidly especially among people in congregate settings including the workplace.
This situation calls for urgent and decisive action on our part as Government and the country as a whole, because we cannot wait and watch the situation become even worse.
Therefore, Government, through the Ministry of Health together with other Line Ministries and all stakeholders will implement the following measures:
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- Mobilize to move in all government buildings to immediately start a nation-wide fumigation exercise over the next 48 hours beginning this afternoon.
- Gatherings are strongly discouraged, especially during the end of year festivities.
- Members of the public who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 are encouraged to be vaccinated from various vaccination centers countrywide.
- Members of the public who are vaccinated with the primary series of vaccines and are willing and eligible for booster vaccines should also get booster vaccines.
- Children aged 12-18 years should also be taken to vaccination centers offering vaccines for children.
- The public should continue to use facemasks, sanitize and physical distance as much as possible.
- Members of the public should avoid crowded places and also those who are well should limit visiting hospitals as they are infectious areas.
- The private sector is encouraged to follow suit and ensure in-door fumigation in their premises.
These measures are an effort to mitigate against fast increasing transmission of this fourth wave. The government anticipates minimal disruption on work and business through this period and we call upon the public to cooperate and support this effort.
Hon. Sylvia T. Masebo, MP
MINISTER OF HEALTH
UPND allocated few Police Officers in Kabwata to allow their Cadres to harass and beating people up
By Sean Tembo Pep President
1. As Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) we are disappointed with the failure by the New Dawn administration to allocate adequate police officers to manage the nomination process for the just-ended Kabwata by-election. As a result of inadequate police manpower, UPND cadres went on rampage harassing and beating people up as well as damaging property at the Nomination Center at St. Patrick’s Primary School in Kabwata.
2. During the ensuing fracas, three of our members who are women and members of the PeP Choir group were assaulted for no apparent reason, a PeP branded bus was damaged and music equipment stolen from it during the filing in of nomination for our Kabwata Parliamentary Candidate Mr Henry Muleya. This matter was immediately reported to Kabwata Police Station. We also witnessed a police officer being assaulted by the UPND cadres, his uniform torn into pieces and blood oozing from his nose and mouth, on accusations that the said officer supported the previous regime.
3. As Patriots for Economic Progress our considered view is that as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, it is the duty and obligation of Hakainde Hichilema to protect all citizens and property from harm. The starting point to achieving that objective is to appoint men and women into the police service command who are capable of properly assessing security threats and allocating police manpower and resources accordingly, to avert identified security threats. With regard to the matter at hand, a competent police command would have known that a by-election nomination day is a major security threat and would have therefore allocated adequate police officers and resources to police the event, as opposed to the five or so police officers who were at St. Patrick’s School during Tuesday’s nomination. What is the point of Mr Hichilema taking selfies with new police recruits if those police officers cannot be deployed to important events such as a by-election nomination day?
4. As Patriots for Economic Progress we believe that the failure by the police command is because Mr Hichilema appointed a tired old man in the name of Lemmy Kajoba, as Inspector General of Police. It is self-evident that Hichilema’s Kajoba lacks the energy, zeal and competence needed to inspire the police command to high levels of performance and professionalism. It is clear that the only reason HH appointed Kajoba as IG is because Kajoba can easily be manipulated to use the police service to perform illegalities at the beck and call of Hichilema. Other than that, there is no other qualification that Lemmy Kajoba has to be the Inspector General of the Zambia Police Service.
5. As Patriots for Economic Progress we strongly believe that Hakainde Hichilema in collaboration with Lemmy Kajoba deliberately allocated skeleton police manpower to the nomination day for the Kabwata by-election so as to give adequate room to UPND thugs led by William Banda to flex their muscles during nomination day, by harassing, assaulting and damaging the property of political opponents. This use of a state institution by Hakainde Hichilema to achieve his petty political goals in Kabwata is extremely regrettable, especially given the fact that the Zambian people voted out the previous PF regime largely because of the unruly behavior of their cadres.
6. In the premises above Hakainde Hichilema is hereby put on notice that his failure to protect citizens and their property from harm by his UPND party cadres amounts to dereliction of his duty as President of the Republic of Zambia and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Indeed, it is self-evident that HH only wants to enjoy the privileges that come with being a President but not the responsibilities. He is happy to fly around the globe like Vasco Da Gama, using taxpayers’ money but does not want to protect Zambians and their property from the unruly behavior of his UPND cadres. Being a President is a total package. You need to enjoy the privileges with the same zeal and passion with which you execute the responsibilities. Zambians are tired of half-baked Presidents.
7. As Patriots for Economic Progress we shall soon by submitting a claim to the UPND Secretariat for compensation for the damage to our party bus and property which was stolen from it as well as the assault on the three women members of the PeP Choir group. The claim will be submitted to the UPND Secretary General as soon as we finalize assessing the monetary value of each of the items in question. We shall expect the ruling UPND Party and its leader Hakainde Hichilema to take responsibility and settle our claim without excuse, once it is submitted.
UPND Government reaffirmed its commitment to upholding Zambia as a Christian Nation
Vice President Mutale Nalumango has said that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding Zambia as a Christian Nation.
Ms. Nalumango says it is, therefore, important that the country continues on the chosen path which is aligned to God’s desires for the nation.
She said this in a speech read on her behalf by Minister of Green Economy Collins Njovu .
Mrs. Nalumango also challenged the church to speak against various vices such as corruption and dishonesty .
She also urged the church in the country to not only criticize the Government but also pray for the leaders as they execute their duties.
The vice president also pledged to support the church .
And in his homily, former Presiding Bishop Pentecostal Assemblies of God Zambia said everyone has a responsibility to build the country.
Bishop Harrison Sakala further said that the church should also contribute to improving the welfare of vulnerable people.
He said there is a need for Zambia to acknowledge God and things will change for the better of everyone.
And speaking during the anniversary, Chairperson for the committee for the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation Billy Mfula said the 30 years of the declaration has signified who the Zambian people area.
Musokotwane unveils new BoZ Board
Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has appointed six (6) members to become part of the reconstituted Board of Directors of the Bank of Zambia.
These are Mrs. Sarah Sally Tembo (Audit Specialist), Professor Douglas Kunda (Systems Specialist), and Dr. Patricia Nchimunya Shansonga-Kamanga (Lawyer).
Others are Mr. Caesar Cheelo (Economist) and Mrs. Pamela Kasese Bwalya (Economist) including Mr. Shebo Nalishebo (Statistician).
The appointments of the above persons bring the total number of Board Members to eight as provided in the Bank of Zambia Act – two of whom are Dr Denny Kalyalya, Governor of the Bank of Zambia and Chairman of the Board as provided for under 13 (1) (a) of the Act; and, Mr Felix Nkulukusa, Secretary to the Treasury, Board member in accordance with Section 13 (3) of the Act.
Dr Musokotwane has since congratulated the new Board Members, wished them success, and urged them to provide the Bank of Zambia with the guidance and leadership needed to ensure a stable monetary and financial system for the Zambian economy.
Below is the full statement
BANK OF ZAMBIA BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTED
Pursuant to Section 13 (1) (b) of the Bank of Zambia Act, Cap 360 of the Laws of Zambia, the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, MP, has appointed six (6) members to become part of the reconstituted Board of Directors of the Bank of Zambia.
These are:
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- Mrs Sarah Sally Tembo (Audit Specialist);
- Professor Douglas Kunda (Systems Specialist);
- Dr. Patricia Nchimunya Shansonga-Kamanga (Lawyer);
- Mr Caesar Cheelo (Economist);
- Mrs. Pamela Kasese Bwalya (Economist); and,
- Mr Shebo Nalishebo (Statistician).
The appointments of the above persons bring the total number of Board Members to eight (as provided in the Bank of Zambia Act – two of whom are Dr. Denny Kalyalya, Governor of the Bank of Zambia and Chairman of the Board as provided for under 13 (1) (a) of the Act; and, Mr Felix Nkulukusa, Secretary to the Treasury, appointed to the Board as provided for under Section 13 (3) of the Act.
The Minister has congratulated the new Board Members, wished them success, and urged them to provide the Bank of Zambia with the guidance and leadership needed to ensure a stable monetary and financial system for the Zambian economy.
Minister of Information and Media commissions a newly constructed car park at ZNBC
The Minister of Information and Media Chushi Kasanda today commissioned a newly constructed car park at the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC). Ms. Kasanda said that it is the government’s desire to have a media industry with a respectable image and inspires confidence with stakeholders and members of staff.
Speaking during the opening of the ZNBC Car Park, Ms. Kasanda said image is important as some clients form opinions about the business on account of appearance.
She said it is for this reason that the Public Service Broadcaster needed a proper parking area for it to serve its clients and the members of staff in an effective and efficient manner.
Ms. Kasanda said it is important that the public service broadcaster matches the quality of its products and services with high quality standards of it’s surroundings like the Car Park.
The Minister has thanked AVIC International for its Corporate Social Responsibility Program for constructing the 94-slot Parking area.
She said the project will not have been possible without AVIC’s positive response towards her request for the company to construct the car Park.
And speaking earlier, ZNBC Director General Malolela Lusambo said staff and visitors were parking in undesignated places which made the situation chaotic.
Mr. LUSAMBO said the search for parking space can be a stressful errand and waste of time and money.
He said by having a Car Park, ZNBC will have a potential clientele that will NOT waste time looking for where to park.
The Director General has appealed to the users of the facility to be orderly and use the facility appropriately.
And AVIC International representative Rigen Tie says the Chinese construction company will continue to contribute it’s resources to help Zambia develop.
He said the company has enjoyed working in Zambia for over 40 years and will always work with the government to help better the lives of people.
He disclosed that the car Park has been constructed at a cost of over K 1 million.
And Lusaka Province Minister Sheal Mulyata said the province has been beautified by the construction of various infrastructures.
Speaking in a Speech read on her Behalf by Provincial Assistant Secretary Gomezyani Gondwe, Ms. Mulyata said quality infrastructure is key to effective service delivery.
She said the Car Park has added beauty to the Mass Media Complex area.
DP disqualification from Kabwata By-Election has UPND written all over it-Saboi Imboela
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said that it is appalled by the decision of the Electoral Commission of Zambia to disqualify the Democratic Party from the Kabwata polls.
NDC president Saboi Imboela in a statement noted that “While other countries are developing economically and politically, Zambia seems to be taking a serious u-turn in a very wrong and dangerous direction, adding that It does not make sense to aspire for economic development while maintaining political savagery and barbarism in running the country.
Ms. Imboela said that the DP disqualification has the UPND written all over it, saying while her party has been consistently advocating for civility in our politics, but it looks like things are getting worse and now even being endorsed by the government through such decisions as disqualifying a very credible opposition party, using a very laughable excuse of two factions.
She said the the question of faction is no longer an NDC or DP issue, but a national issue.
“Let me remind the nation that, while in the opposition, the UPND had several cases where two members of the UPND had presented adoption certificates at ECZ at the same time. This was very rampant in the 2016 elections were members of the same party even carried pangas and machetes to try and stop the other camp from filing in. We saw it in Munali Constituency, Kafue at councilor level, western province and other parts of the country. We also saw that in the 2021 elections,” Ms Imboela stated.
Below is the full statement
DISQUALIFICATION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FROM THE KABWATA POLLS A SIGN OF UPND AUTOCRACY
As National Democratic Congress, NDC, we are appalled by the decision of the Electoral Commission of Zambia to disqualify the Democratic Party, DP, from the Kabwata polls.
While other countries are developing economically and politically, Zambia seems to be taking a serious u- turn in a very wrong and dangerous direction. It does not make sense to aspire for economic development, while maintaining political savagery and barbarism in running the country. The DP disqualification has the UPND written all over it.
We have consistently been advocating for civility in our politics, but it looks like things are getting worse and now even being endorsed by government through such decisions like disqualifying a very credible opposition party, using a very laughable excuse of two factions. The Question is, what is a faction? Maybe we have to ask and urgently answer that question as a nation. This is no longer an NDC or DP issue, but a national issue.
Let me remind the nation that, while in the opposition, the UPND had several cases where two members of the UPND had presented adoption certificates at ECZ at the same time. This was very rampant in the 2016 elections were members of the same party even carried pangas and machetes to try and stop the other camp from filing in. We saw it in Munali Constituency, Kafue at councilor level, western province and other parts of the country. We also saw that in the 2021 elections.
Not once did the UPND get disqualified for all that confusion and violence at the nomination centres. The party was given a chance to show who the preferred candidates where and in some instances, the camp that had the most violent cadres and weapons carried the day. But ECZ stayed away from making a decision on behalf of the UPND or disqualifying them.
So to see the DP be disqualified now over the confusion that a small group of people made is very unfortunate. Anyone who follows Zambian politics, and just understands governance, knows who the real leaders of the DP are.
This confusion and lack of civility that we see in our politics should not be endorsed by our electoral process and systems. The toxic Zambian politics should not get to the administration or government departments.
By the same token, it is very unfortunate that after all these years of political independence, countries like ours are still classified as Uncivilised States. While the nations/ people are civilised, somehow we have failed to bring the same civility to our states or politics. Sadly, it is such happenings in our politics, that justifies such classifications of our countries as uncivilised states. As angry as this makes us, when we see such happening in our politics are are indeed always reminded that political growth and civility needs to happen for us to even call ourselves a democracy.
We would like the New Dawn government to not only prioritise economic development, but also political development. Three people standing up in the DP and claiming to be the leaders of their party and claiming to expel their president, does not make them the leaders.
It is also very unfortunate that we keep seeing a very strong hand of the UPND in the happenings of the NDC and now DP situation. This is among the grand plans of the UPND to kill off credible opposition parties and and have a one party state.
We, therefore, call upon the international community to take a keen interest in what is happening in Zambia and intervene in the so far dangerous undemocratic tendencies of the UPND.
It is like where we move three steps ahead we are also pushed five steps backwards. Let us not make beds that we cannot lay in, because if we make ‘confusion’ as a basis for disqualification, with the uncivilised and toxic politics that we see in the country, soon many people will sponsor confusion in other parties just to get them disqualified.
Issued by;
Saboi Imboela
President- NDC
Kaindu Takes CAF Confed Cup Group Draw By The Horns
Kelvin Kaindu has welcomed the challenge awaiting Zanaco in their 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup Group A draw in which they will exclusively face North African opponents.
Zanaco will face Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya, 2019/2020 CAF Confederation Cup runners-up Pyramids FC of Egypt including the tournaments record three -time champions CS Sfaxien of Tunisia.
“It is a fair draw, we have information about Pyramids, we know how we play we have played them before, we are aware of them,” Kaindu said.
Pyramids after a very familiar face to the Sunset Stadium club after they eliminated Zanaco in the 2019/2020 quarterfinals.
Zanaco are also going to play Sfaxien for the second time in continental football since they met at the same stage of the 2010 CAF Confederation Cup Group B campaign.
In that edition, Zanaco also faced three North African opponents when they also played FUS Rabat of Morocco who later beat Sfaxien in the 2010 final.
Egyptian club Haras al-Hedood who finished bottom of Group A is the other team Zanaco face in the 2010 season.
“We have a bit of time to plan and prepare for the group stage, the biggest enemy will be traveling, it hasn’t been easy traveling to North Africa, it takes two days or three days to be on the road,” Kaindu said.
Zanaco kickoff their Group A campaign on February 13 away in Tunisia at Sfax.
They then have a reunion match against Pyramids on February 20 at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Zanaco will thereafter make their debut trip to Libya on match-day-three on February 27.
No school fees for Public schools from January 2022- President Hichilema
Fulfilling the UPND campaign promise of free education , President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that from January 2022 school fees will be abolished for Public schools.
“Did you ever imagine that you will be entering January without worrying about school fees? Yes. January 2022, if you have a child in a public school, you won’t pay anything.
This is what we promised and we have delivered. When we removed fuel subsidies, this is what we intended for our people,” President Hichilema said in a facebook post.
President Hichilema said education is the best equaliser and the UPND government stands by this.In the 2022 budget the UPND government allocated K18.1 billion to education which is 10.4% of the total budget.This is the largest allocation in the last 5 years.
The previous budget allocations to Education are as follows:
2021 -K13.8 billion
2020 -K13.1 billion
2019 – K13.2 billion
2018 -K11.6 billion
Education Minister Douglas Siakalima said that the removal of subsidies is meant to enhance service delivery in sectors such as education that have been receiving inadequate funding in the past.Mr. Siakalima said that it is the intention of the government to increase funding to the social sector but this can only be done when the country has marshaled enough domestic resources.
Kalaba threatens to Sue the Electoral Commission of Zambia
Opposition Democratic Party(DP) Harry Kalaba led faction has threatened to take legal action against the Electoral Commission of Zambia(ECZ) for refusing to accept nomination papers from their candidates in the forthcoming Kabwata Parliamentary by-election and Liangati and Sokontwe wards in western and Luapula provinces respectively.
According to Mr. Harry Kalaba, ECZ refused to accept nomination papers from DP candidates yesterday on grounds that the party had two rival camps.
Addressing the media this morning, Mr Kalaba said that the party is dismayed by the decision and has since decided to write to the commission over the matter.
Further, Mr. Kalaba said that depending on the ECZ’s response, the party will take the matter to the constitutional court as it feels the commission erred and disfranchised the electorate of candidates of their choice.
Mr. Kalaba argued that the matter which is active in the courts of law involves him in his individual capacity and has no bearing on the operations of the party.