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Vedanta to support Zambian government’s green energy agenda

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Vedanta to support Zambian government’s green energy agenda

Vedanta says it supports the Zambian government in its green energy transition goals.

The company said in a statement that it is encouraged by the steps already taken by the government, including appointment of the Green Economy and Environment Minister and is aligned to further initiatives that have been presented.

Demand for power in the country has been increasing over the last few years but generation capacity remains stagnant.

This is causing instability in the more rural populations, including the local communities around the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).

Vedanta is committed to aid the government in its vision, including supporting new industry initiatives as well as providing energy security for KCM and its surrounding population.

While Vedanta was operator of KCM, one of its primary undertakings was to replace the old smelter with one that is significantly cleaner and more efficient. The current smelter is the cleanest in the country, it added.

Vedanta will work with the government to use green energy for KCM, ensuring it is running and we are mining sustainably, benefiting both the environment and bringing stability to the local communities.

In its wider operations, Vedanta is planning to be a leader in ESG within the global natural resources sector, having already committed USD 5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net zero, it said.

”We are pleased to see the positive progress that has been made thus far by the Zambian government in its aim to improve the country’s power capacity through the use of green energy. ”Vedanta look forward to working closely with the newly appointed Green Economy and Environment Minister to further progress this initiative and transition Zambia into more sustainable sources of energy, encompassing its already present capabilities for hydro power,” said Sunil Duggal, Group CEO and Chief Safety Officer, Vedanta.

Copperbelt province records an increase in COVID-19 vaccinations

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Copperbelt province records an increase in COVID-19 vaccinations

Copperbelt Province Public Health Specialist Charles Sakulanda has disclosed that the province has recorded 12.1 percent for fully immunised coverage of COVID-19 vaccination.

Dr. Sakulanda told ZANIS in Ndola yesterday that the region has a backlog of people who have received the vaccine but are not yet included on the data base adding that they will be included as the programme is underway.

Dr. Sakulanda explained that the province has recorded a sharp increase in the number of people receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in the recent days.

“We are therefore encouraging more people to go and get vaccinated. The vaccine is readily available and knowing that our neighbours are experiencing the fourth wave of the pandemic, soon our country will be hit with the imminent fourth wave as well,” he said.

He added that people should take the message on the importance of being vaccinated seriously by not listening to social media misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine.

He further stated that Ndola has recorded 17.1 percent of people fully vaccinated which is the highest in the province while Masaiti and Mpongwe recorded the lowest with 3.7 percent.

Dr Sakulanda said Luanshya and Kitwe have COVID- 19 fully immunised coverage of 13.9 and 13.6 percent respectively while Kalulushi is at 11.4 percent.

He said Mufulira is at 10.7 percent while Chililabombwe and Chingola have recorded 9.6 and 8.1 percent respectively with Lufwanyama district recording 7. 8 percent COVID- 19 fully immunisation coverage.

Zambia Association of Manufacturers calles for targeted incentives to companies

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Zambia Association of Manufacturers calles for targeted incentives to companies

The Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) has called for targeted incentives to companies wanting to establish value addition industries.

ZAM president, Ashu Sagar says doing so will help the country develop its own value chains and ultimately enhance the inflow of the world’s major currencies such as the US dollar.

Mr Sagar said in interview that creation of value chains remains the plea of his association that once industrial value chains are established, it will be easier to understand how to create the much needed incentives of taxation.

“As a country we need to concentrate on developing these value chains. Without that plan we will not be able as a country to understand how to create meaningful incentives or an environment for people to be part of it,” he said.

Mr Sagar said there is a lot to learn from what the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC has done when it is comes to developing value chains for electric vehicle batteries.

He said the challenge has been that, a lot of attention has been paid to extractive industries alone and neglecting incentives that can promote value addition to raw materials from such industries.

“Once we develop our value chains, we start seeing how each and every portion of the sector can contribute to that value chain.

“If you develop value chain for example for Copper, from the backward industry to the mine and the forward industry for copper the value chain exists. How does an SME or a big corporate like a mining house be part of the value chain,” Mr Sagar said.

Mr Sagar also called for the skills development policy because the current skills being generated are not meeting industrial demand.

He said the introduction of market demand skills is vital if value chains are to be created.

“When we look at the greater picture of development, we cannot add value if you do not have skills,” he said.

Mr Sagar said the next stage of Zambia’s stage of development can only be successful if value chains are identified and also put in place the right skills.

Government must disclose the details of the IMF deal to the public

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Government must disclose the details of the IMF deal to the public

By. Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

The IMF team reached a staff-level agreement with the Zambian authorities on a new arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for 2022-2025 to help restore macro-economic stability and provide the foundation for an inclusive economic recovery.

The former ruling party, the Patriotic Front Government chased this agreement under various Ministers of Finance; Hon.Felix Mutati, Hon. Margaret Mwanakatwe and Hon.Bwalya Ngandu, but to no avail.

So congratulations to Hon. Situmbeko Musokotwane and his team as this is a remarkable achievement.

However, this agreement is based on the Zambian government’s commitment to the IMF to undertake bold and ambitious economic reforms.

Further, the staff-level agreement is subject to IMF Management and Executive Board approval and receipt of the necessary financing assurances.

CONCERNS

Government must disclose the details of the commitment the team has made to make “bold and ambitious economic reforms”.

This is an area of backroom agreements and conditionalities that make Governments implement with the IMF, reforms that may be hostile to the social and economic well being of the country.

And it’s this part that is never publicly disclosed to the citizenry.

Will Government remove subsidies that may cause fuel and electricity tarrifs to go up? Will they implement both an employment and a wage freeze for public service workers?

Will Government be made to implement strong austerity measures in the next 3 years?

Will it be forced to restructure and privatise state-owned entities such as ZESCO? Will Government be made to abandon subsidies to the agriculture sector such as scale-down the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) Programme? Will Social Cash Transfer to the poor be affected?

How will Government deal with the current public debt?

How will Government deal with both KCM and Mopani Mines? And the mining policy in general?

This is the part that Government must make full disclosure and inspire honest discussions.

So before Government makes these disclosures, commitments and assurances to the IMF Executive Board, it is imperative that the undertaking and details made to embark on “bold and ambitious economic reforms” are made public.

This helps us remove suspicions, myths and mysteries around the IMF Programme.

Besides, it’s our lives as a nation that will be affected by the “bold and ambitious” decisions.

Make the details public.

UPND cadres storm Mpika FM radion station, order a stop to a programme featuring PF MP

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UPND cadres storm Mpika FM radion station, order a stop to a programme featuring PF MP

The Free Press Initiative Zambia says it is saddened by the storming of Mpika FM by UPND cadres on Wednesday night who ordered a stop to a programme which featured PF Mpika Central Member of Parliament Francis Kapyanga.

FPI Founder Joan Chirwa said the behavior exhibited by the cadres is unfortunate as it does not align with not only President Hakainde Hichilema’s pronouncements that the media is free to operate, but also Minister of Information and Media Chushi Kasanda’s continuous pronouncements of government’s commitment to provide an enabling environment in which journalists will operate freely without any fear of intimidation or harassment.

Ms. Chirwa noted that just when Zambians thought barbaric behaviour had ended, seeing the now ruling party cadres also take up animalistic behavior, waters down everything that has been promised in this democratic dispensation.

She said media practitioners and Zambians at large do not want to see a continuation of harassment, attacks, and threats that the pf cadres put the media through.

Ms. Chirwa said the UPND must immediately act on this and stop such behavior which has potential to stifle press freedom and instill fear in women and the youth who may shy away from participating in politics.

Mpika FM radio station manager Allan Dumingu disclosed that a group of cadres stormed the radio station around 20 Hours on 1st December and ordered the presenter to stop the program immediately, failure to which they would attack him and the security guard on duty and destroy property.

He explained that they said no politician from the opposition should feature on radio anymore as they threatened to deal with the radio station, the MP and anyone else who would allow the station to feature opposition political parties and their members.

Mr. Dumingu said the presenter complied with the thugs and discontinued the program for fear of being attached.

He said the matter was reported to Mpika police station on Thursday, 2nd December 2021, and investigations are still underway by the police.

However, so far, no suspects have been apprehended.

KCM provisional liquidator Milingo arrested again

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KCM provisional liquidator Milingo arrested again

Drug Enforcement Commission’s anti-money laundering unit has arrested the liquidator of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Milingo Lungu for the theft of more than 17 million kwacha ($953,748).

The PF government put KCM into the hands of the Mr. Lungu in May 2019, triggering an ongoing legal dispute with Vedanta Resources, KCM’s parent company.

The Drug Enforcement Commission said in a statement that MR. Lungu, 45, transferred funds from the Liquidation Account to his Law Firm’s fixed deposit account between May and August this year.

“This arrangement earned him interest of K17,250,000.00 which he withdrew. Thereafter, he transferred back part of the principal amount to KCM Plc (in liquidation) through another account,” the statement said.

The Commission said it had since seized close to 137 million kwacha from Mr. Lungu in connection with these transactions.

Mr. Lungu had been released on a police bond and would appear in court soon.

On Oct. 26 Lungu appeared in court and denied other charges of money laundering and the theft of 4.4 million Zambian kwacha ($257,450).

Mr. Lungu’s lawyer Sakwiba Sikota said the anti-money laundering unit should have investigated the matter and placed all the charges against his client instead of bringing them separately.

“They are behaving like gamblers in a casino who are never sure of their bets and will spread their bets to have a better chance to win,” Mr. Sikota told Reuters.

Mr. Sikota also denied claims that Lungu’s account had been seized, saying there had been no court order for the forefiture of any of his client’s accounts after his arrest.

Mwamba Peni’s appointment as P.S enrages UPND cadres, seek its revocation

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Mwamba Peni’s appointment as P.S enrages UPND cadres, seek its revocation

Some UPND have taken to social media to openly criticize the appointment of Mwamba Peni, a well known PF supporter as Permanent Secretary in charge of Remunerations at Cabinet Office.

Mr Peni, believed to a grandson to late President Micheal Sata worked as Policy Analyst in the PF administration and was fired by former President Edgar Lungu after a corruption scandal.

The UPND who have dug up old social media posts in which Mr. Peni attacked Mr. Hichilema and the UPND say he does not deserve to be appointed.

The members feel Mr. Peni’s appointment is a betrayal to the millions of UPND youths who sacrificed a lot for the party while in opposition.

They now want President Hichilema to revoke the appointment failure to which they warned that levels of discontentment among youths will lead to the UPND losing power in 2026.

Masheke Akashambatwa– This man spent years attacking HH and peddling tribal discussions. And do we even know why President Lungu fired him? You know, President Sata was his grandfather..

Maxwell Mainza-The president is being misled, if he is not careful no one will campaign for him in next elections he is busy giving jobs to the people who never suffered for the party wen we have qualified people to take up these positions. This peni guy insulted him and the UPND day in and night & here we’re today he’s being rewarded. So frustrating.

Chali Mathews-HH is turning into a disappointment to us now….how can you appoint this man….he said bad things about UPND and campaigned for pf in 2016 and 2021….

Florence Michelo-He needs to be dropped. He has blood in his hands. This means that there are Moles surrounding our President.

Justin Kajimoto-Let’s be serious as party this man is pf n used to say bad things on our president how come he has a position.

Prioritize disabled people under CDF-Mweetwa

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Prioritize disabled people under CDF-Mweetwa

Southern Province Minister Cornelius Mweetwa has directed all local councils in Southern Province to prioritize cooperatives run by persons with disabilities in allocation of empowerment funds under the constituency development fund (CDF)

Mr Mweetwa stated that persons with disabilities need to be put as a priority under the CDF.

The Minister was speaking when he officiated at the commemoration of the international day for persons living with disabilities in Choma.

He assured the gathering that government is alive to the challenges of persons living with disability, among them, the need for inclusion in decision making positions.

Earlier a representative of persons living with disabilities, Lundu Mwanakasale expressed sadness that government has not included any person living with disabilities in the latest appointments to various positions in government.

She complained that such an anomaly has left them feeling sidelined as they are equally capable of holding decision making positions.

Ms. Mwanakasale said access to information on the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge for persons living with disabilities, especially the deaf as most messages are not user friendly.

She disclosed that during the disbursement of the COVID-19 emergency cash transfer for the vulnerable, most visually impaired beneficiaries were disadvantaged as they could not access the electronic codes to enable them withdraw the funds.

She added that this led to most failing to access the funds.

Meanwhile, -Government says more than 30,000 persons with disabilities in Eastern Province face numerous challenges and barriers of inclusion in key aspects of their lives.

Chipata District Commissioner Elidah Banda says 31,831 people living with disabilities in the province face challenges ranging from health, education, employment, built environment, transportation, and Information and communication technology as well as social and political participation.

Speaking yesterday as guest of honour during the commemoration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities held at David Kaunda stadium in Chipata, Mrs Banda said the COVID-19 pandemic has also brought many challenges among persons living with disabilities.

She said COVID-19 has not only affected many aspects of their lives but also revealed the extent of exclusion that most marginalized members of society especially persons with disabilities experience.

The commemoration for this year was celebrated under the theme “Leadership and Participation of Persons with Disabilities Towards An Inclusive, Accessible and Sustainable Post COVID-19 World”.

Mrs Banda said strategic planning regarding the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities is central to not only upholding human rights but also reaffirming Zambia’s commitment to the promise of the 2030 Agenda aimed at combating inequalities within and among countries.

Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) Eastern Province coordinator Kafula Nanyangwe called for the effective inclusion of persons with disabilities in programmes meant to uplift the lives of people in the province.

Ms Kafula said partnerships between ZAPD and other stakeholders will play a role in helping out vulnerable households with persons living with disabilities.

And speaking in a vote of thanks, Manix Ngwira commended government for its efforts to improve the welfare of persons with disabilities.

Mr Ngwira urged government and other stakeholders look into the welfare of persons with disabilities especially under the COVID-19 era.

Police, Journalists dialogue on safety

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Police, Journalists dialogue on safety

Bloggers of Zambia says it intends to reach three million journalists together with the police, with the aim of strengthening police and media relations for the safety and security of journalists.

Speaking at a one day North-Western province police-media dialogue forum held in Solwezi district today, Bloggers of Zambia chief Executive Officer, Richard Mulonga said his organization arranged the meeting in order to enhance police-media relationship.

Mr Mulonga said they have already conducted two practical training for journalists in safety and security which was done at Lilayi Police College this year.

“We also conducted another one at Kanfisa School of public order management where journalists were taken through processes of police work and on how the can police and journalists work together,” he said.

Mr Mulonga said the media and the police depend on each other, adding that without media, police work will very difficult and vice versa.

“Without police work and without journalist work our democracy will be very weak in Zambia,” he said.

Mr Mulonga said people to access information through journalists who in turn need the protection from the police to work effectively.

ZANIS reports that the police-media strengthening relationship programme is being supported by the Germany government and Bloggers of Zambia has partnered with the police to talk about the safety and security of Journalists.

The police-media strengthening forum was attended by both Solwezi based journalist and those from outside.

Zambia, IMF reach crucial agreement for Zambia to borrow 1.4 billion dollars over three years

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Zambia, IMF reach crucial agreement for Zambia to borrow 1.4 billion dollars over three years

The International Monetary Fund and the Zambian government on Friday reached a staff level agreement on a $1.4 billion, three-year extended credit facility.

“This agreement is based on the authorities’ plans to undertake bold and ambitious economic reforms,” Allison Holland, IMF mission chief for Zambia said in a statement.

“The staff-level agreement is subject to IMF Management and Executive Board approval and receipt of the necessary financing assurances. Further details on the agreement will be released on Monday.”

President Hakainde Hichilema, who was elected in August, had started talks with the IMF in early November.

“The IMF programme will provide much needed fiscal space to Zambia and anchor our domestic economic programme,” Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said in a statement.

Dr Msokotwane said this will be in addition to the US$1.3 billion SDR allocation that was received in August 2021.

“Reaching a Staff-Level Agreement was one of the immediate objectives of the New Dawn Government and a directive by His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia that the Ministry should finalize negotiations with the Fund, that had protracted for years, within the shortest possible time, and this is exactly what we have done,” he said.

The Finance Minister added that the IMF programme will provide much needed fiscal space to Zambia and anchor its domestic economic programme, which is based on four pillars that include, economic transformation and job creation, human and social development, environmental sustainability and good governance.

“As a result of the policies underpinning the IMF programme, we will be able to prioritize human development and meet critical Government programmes including social sector spending in health and education,” he stated.

He stated that the policy package also reflects government’s objectives such as provision of bursaries and meal allowances to vulnerable students as well as the implementation of the decentralized programmes under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

“We have engaged in many months of rigorous discussions and consultations to agree on an economic and financial policy package that will help us restore debt sustainability, build a productive and resilient economy, and sustain the livelihoods of our people, he added.

“The Staff-Level Agreement paves the way for debt restructuring talks with our creditors. Upon reaching an understanding with the creditors, including through the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment, the IMF Board will consider Zambia’s application for the ECF Programme. Upon Board approval, we will have access to highly concessional financing from the IMF and will also be able to start accessing financial support from other multilateral and bilateral partners. Having a programme in place will boost investor confidence and move our economy towards a sustainable economic growth trajectory,” Dr Musokotwane noted.

He has since thanked the IMF team, and the Zambian team for the hard work that led to reaching a staff-level agreement.

He further announced that on Monday 6th December, 2021, he will hold a joint press briefing with the IMF Mission Chief to Zambia, Ms. Allison Holland, during which we will provide more detail on the Staff-Level agreement and will be able to answer questions.

In late October, Zambia promised to slash its budget deficit and curb borrowing in a bid to secure IMF support, as well as reduce spending on politically-sensitive subsidies – such as on power, fuel and farming – likely to have been one of the fund’s key demands.

Zambia’s external debt includes around $3 billion in international bonds, $2.1 billion to multilateral lending agencies such as the IMF and another $3 billion to China and Chinese entities.

Nkana Host Nemesis Forest Rangers

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Nkana and Forest Rangers will renew their old rivalry when they clash in Saturday’s FAZ Super Division match at Nkana Stadium in Wusakile, Kitwe.

The two sides are meeting in the round 14 match seeking to move up the table the half season mark loomsKalampa are winless in their last four matches as they host a Forest side coming from a 1-0 win against Kansanshi Dynamos.

Forest are fifth on the table with 19 points in 13 matches while eleventh placed Nkana are three points behind.

“I have seen where we need to improve. It will be a different ball game,” Nkana coach Beston Chambeshi said ahead of the Forest encounter.

Forest last season beat Nkana home and away.

Meanwhile, league leaders Green Buffaloes aim to maintain a six-point lead as they host Prison Leopards on Saturday in Lusaka.

Buffaloes last weekend watched helplessly as their 120match unbeaten run in the season ended in a 2-0 defeat at Green Eagles.

The Soldiers sit on 28 points, six ahead of second placed Nkwazi as going into this weekend’s action.

FAZ Super Division – Week 14
04/12/2021
Indeni Vs Lusaka Dynamos
Nkana Vs Forest Rangers
Konkola Blades Vs Green Eagles
Green Buffaloes Vs Prison Leopards
Chambishi Vs Nkwazi
Kansanshi Dynamos Vs Buildcon

05/12/2021
ZESCO United Vs Power Dynamos
Postponed
Kabwe Warriors Vs ZANACO

Young Shepolopolo Host Ghana in FIFA U20 WC Qualifier

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Zambia on Saturday continues to fight for a place at the Costa Rica 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women World Cup when they host Ghana in the first leg match of the third qualifying round at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

The Young Shepolopolo advanced to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers after eliminating Malawi 8-1 on aggregate last October.

Zambia hosts Ghana in the 15h00 kick-off match in the capital city with confidence.

Zambia captain and forward Evarine Katongo has acknowledged that her side must work hard to overcome the West Africans.

“It will not be an easy game; Ghana has a strong side. We must work extra hard to win this game,” Katongo said during the pre-match press conference on Friday.

“The preparations have been going very well and everyone has confidence that we are going to win the game. You can see that the morale is high, we are going to beat Ghana tomorrow,” she added.

Ghana captain Evelyn Badu expressed confidence during the pre-match press conference on Friday.

“I and my colleagues are here to raise the image of Ghana high, to make ourselves and Ghana proud too,” Badu said.

The return leg will be in Accra, Ghana on December 18.

Only two representatives from Africa will be at the Costa Rica FIFA World Cup.

ZESCO MD Victor Mundende fired

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ZESCO MD Victor Mundende fired

ZESCO Limited Board of Directors with the approval of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has appointed Engineer Victor B. Mapani as the Managing Director of ZESCO Limited with immediate effect.

According to a statement issued by Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Head of Corporate Communication Namakau Mukelabai, Mapani has extensive experience in the energy sector having worked in various power utilities and quasi government institutions in Zambia and abroad.

Ms Mukelabai said the IDC and the ZESCO Board are confident Eng. Mapani will execute his role diligently and undertake key reforms that will make ZESCO a profitable enterprise.

Meanwhile, the Board of Directors of ZESCO has terminated the contract of ZESCO Limited Managing Director, Mr. Victor Mundende with immediate effect.

The Board of Directors has since thanked Mr Mundende for his services and wished him well in his future endeavors.

Investigative wings seal off Ministry of Health HQ

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Investigative wings seal off Ministry of Health HQ

The Ministry of Health Headquarters was on Friday morning sealed-off by a combined team of officers from the Zambia Police and Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).

A check found the entrance at Ndeke House sealed- off with entry restricted as people trying to access the building were being turned away.

Uniformed Police Officers started manning the main gate at Ndeke House from 07:00 House while other officers were seen manning the main road leading to the entrance.

It is believed the officers were conducting a search at the Ministry’s Headquarters for some alleged ongoing investigations regarding irregularities in the Ministry of Health

No entrance or exit was allowed at the Ministry of Health except for top officials such as directors and Permanent secretaries.

The Police and other security wings are yet to issue a statement on the search.
The Ministry of Health has been at the centre of financial irregularities with officials appearing before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee failing to provide answers to some transactions.

On Thursday, Health permanent secretary Luckson Kasoka who was before the committee hinted that there have been invisible hands in the purchase of drugs and other medical supplies to the ministry.

This was coming a day after former Health permanent secretary Dr. Kennedy Malama and a senior officer in the purchasing department Wilson Lungu were arrested over a contract involving ambulances.

President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that Government will recover public assets from whoever is proven to have wrongly benefited

I did not go to Prison 15 times to come into office and promote the interests of a small number of Zambians

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I did not go to Prison 15 times to come into office and promote the interests of a small number of Zambians

President Hakainde Hichilema has urged senior government officials across the country to serve the Zambian people better.

President Hichilema said the citizens have suffered for a long time and that it is now time to redeem the country and serve the public interests.

The Head of State said this after swearing in senior government officials at State House today.

He urged the Controlling officers to respect public resources by growing them and not to deplete them.

“As you chair the tender committees, you need to protect the public resources and ensure they benefit all the citizens,” he said.

The President explained that from the meeting for Ministers and Permanent Secretaries, government has established where the problem was and have since sealed the leakages.

He said government has full control of the treasury and therefore will ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of all activities.

President Hakainde noted that many things came out from the meeting among them highlighting the linkage between bad leadership and a decline in the growth of the economy.

He said the growth curve for the economy dropped but that the current government is working tirelessly to stabilize it so that it never drops again.

The Head of State further encouraged the newly sworn in officials to work as a team and grow the country’s economy.

He said his government will always strive to do the right thing no matter what.

“We will not get tired of talking and doing the right thing. Over the past seven years, the country was promoting wrong things and that saw many officers affected for doing the correct thing because they were used to doing the wrong things,” he said.

He urged them to ensure benefits go to the people who appointed them to serve.

“I did not go to Prison 15 times to come into office and promote the interests of a small number but all Zambians. We must protect public interests at all costs,” he added.

He said his government will turnaround the economy and make the country better again.

President Hichilema further explained that the 100 days in office indicates the re-alignment that his government has made so far and urged the citizens that they will soon appreciate once they see the results.

He said the country was grappling with debt, corruption and high public expenditure.

Among the officials sworn in include, Siazongo Siakalenga as Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Finance, Norman Chipakupaku as Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defense, Patrick Mucheleka Permanent Secretary Special Duties Cabinet Office, Mainga Kabika Permanent Secretary Gender Division Cabinet Office.

Others include, Mwamba Peni PS Remuneration Division Cabinet Office, Kusobilo Kamwandi PS Management Development Division Cabinet Office, Maambo Hamaundu PS Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Evans Muhanga PS Tourism and Gabriel Pollen DMMU National Coordinator under the office of the Vice President.

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