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Davies Chama finally charged

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Davies Chama finally charged

Police have jointly charged and arrested former Defence Minister Davies Chama aged 57 of New Kasama for the offence of Attempted Murder Contrary to Section 215 Subsection(a) of CAP 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Also charged alongside Mr Chama is Brain Dumisani Nyoni aged 47 of Matero Compound Lusaka, a former Diplomatic Staff at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia.

This is according to a statement by Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga.

It is alleged that the two persons on the 6th June, 2015 in Sichili of Mulobezi District of Republic of Zambia jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown did attempt to unlawfully cause the death of Mushaukwa Mushaukwa aged 47 of Shesheke.

The two are currently in police custody and will appear in Shesheke magistrate court soon.

Justice Malila is right man for the job- Mwenye

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Justice Malila is right man for the job- Mwenye

Former Attorney General Musa Mwenye says Justice Mumba Malila is exactly what this country needs in the office of Chief Justice.

Mr. President Hakainde Hichilema yesterday announced the appointment of Justice Dr Malila, a highly respected legal brain, as Chief Justice subject to ratification by the National Assembly.

Mr. Mwenye served as Solicitor General at the time when Dr Malila was the Attorney General of Zambia.

“I succeeded him as AG. Knowing his work ethic and acumen, Justice Malila is exactly what this country needs in that office at this time,” said Mr. Mwenye.

He said special commendations to President Hakainde Hichilema for making this extremely fitting appointment.

“For those who may not be aware, Dr. Justice Malila SC was bold enough to write a scholarly critique of the judiciary of which he was a part and also published a candid book on his time on the bench.”

He added, “At a time when so many jurists sacrificed their principles on the alter of political expedience Justice Malila, who is a distinguished Cambridge scholar, maintained his moral campus.”

“As a lawyer, I’m extremely hopeful and optimistic.”

Why President HH Must Establish an Independent Investigation on Corruption: The PF Cartel, ACC, and Police

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Why President HH Must Establish an Independent Investigation on Corruption: The PF Cartel, ACC, and Police

By Kapya Kaoma

The revelation of the state of, and the billions the PF cartel reportedly “spent” on feeder roads per province between 2016 and 2021 is really nauseating. That Southern, and Western Province supposedly received less money than any other province, and North Western received nothing should make every Zambian ashamed–all Zambians deserved to be treated the same despite the political party they support. It is shameful that for years some of our fellow Zambians were treated like skunks. What makes me mad is why did this happen in the nation of laws?

Harboring a crime is an offense and until we start treating it as such, political appointees will continue to abuse their offices to cover up more and more crimes. Is it not time to start arresting and prosecuting people who aided crimes, and stopped investigations of corrupt public officials due to political influence? Unless all those who worked in those offices were mentally unstable, surely one would have questioned how servicing 9,500km feeder roads would cost 13 billion. We need answers. Unfortunately the UPND politicians are not the right source–people who worked in those offices have some explanations to do.

We shouldn’t make the same mistakes we made with the corrupt Chiluba regime. The PF cartel and its abuse of public resources deserves serious investigation as opposed to trial by Twitter or social media. Politicians did not commit these crimes on another Planet–the Bank of Zambia, ACC, the Police and the ZRA were all in operation. We paid them to protect public coffers–so we need to ask them: Why did they fail to do so?

We seem to return to the Mwanawasa era–rushing to debate the lifting of the Immunity of President Lungu without asking why things got to where we are. We didn’t learn anything from the Chiluba saga–the entire scandal was politicized. Of course, the Nchito brothers showed us suitcases of shoes, suits and underwears in court. But we don’t even have a full report as to what transpired, and who let the dogs out. After all, didn’t the courts acquit President Chiluba during the Banda regime? This is what I fear the most. We must ask real questions–why did the system of accountability fail? Who allowed politicians to have the freedom to steal like wildfires? Who knew what?

Answering these questions would involve bringing in former officials and current ones to tell us the truth. Why didn’t they stop it? If they were part of the scheme to defraud the nation, they too must be prosecuted. If they rot in jail, it will send a strong message to political appointees that they will be held accountable for shielding corruption on behalf of public officials.

Emotional reactions won’t provide us with the truth we need to recover public resources. If anything, they will only invite pity for the cartel. Politicians work with emotions, but ethical judgement works with facts. I am among those who believe Chiluba was highly corrupt. But aside from a guilty verdict from a British Judge in absentia, the truth around his corruption remains unknown.

Until an independent investigation is undertaken by a professional body without political interference, and all those who were involved in plundering national coffers are held accountable, it is just a matter of time before we return to it. The HH administration may sing Anti-Corruption hymns day after day, with transparency as its chorus, but so did Chiluba. Corruption is only stopped by strong door keepers–in this case law enforcement agencies.

As more and more cases of abuse of public resources surface, we must hold to account those who neglected their duties–big guns at all law enforcement agencies. Politician, and cadres will only stop stealing if we have apolitical law enforcement agencies. We can only do this if we know the truth–as Jesus said, “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 32)

But will President Hichilema’s UPND institute an Independent Investigation in the corrupt activities of the PF cartel without political interference? No–the truth is ethical, not political!

President Hichilema to give back Chirundu and Itezhi Districts to Southern Province

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President Hichilema to give back Chirundu and Itezhi Districts to Southern Province

President Hakainde Hichilema has announced his intention to take Chirundu and Itezhi from Lusaka and Central to Southern Province respectively.

The Head of state has also said that he will take Chama District to Eastern Province.

President Hichilema said that this was after due consultation with stakeholders and upon consideration of the law.

According to a statement released to the media, the President said that was done in line with the Provincial and District Boundaries Act chapter 286 of the Laws of Zambia, which makes provision for the division of the republic into provinces and districts.

Last Month, Chiefs in itezhi-tezhi Districts unanimously resolved that the district be re-aligned from Central to Southern Province.

Speaking on behalf of Itezhi-tezhi traditional leaders, Chief Musungwa says the decision that was taken to move itezhi-tezhi to Central Province was done without consultation.

Speaking after coffering with President Hakainde Hichilema in Namwala, Chief Musungwa said the move has brought many challenges as the district was too far from the provincial headquarters in Kabwe while Choma has remained closer.

“You can imagine, we have to pass through a heavily congested town like Lusaka to reach Kabwe when Choma is just a stone’s throw away. Why should we be forced to cover this long distance to Kabwe when we were better off with Choma before,” he said.

Chief Musungwa said the realignment of the district was done without due consideration of negative consequences such as loss of cultural identity as people in Itezhi tezhi share common customs and traditions with the people of Namwala.

He stated that Itezhi tezhi was part of Namwala before being granted a district status.

And Special Assistant to the President and Presidential Spokesperson, Anthony Bwalya said President Hakainde Hichilema had received representations from Itezhi tezhi Chiefs who want the district taken back to Southern Province.

Mr Bwalya said President Hichilema will study the matter which he said requires consensus.

“The President has received the matter and it is receiving considerable attention,” he said.

Meanwhile, Itezhi tezhi Member of Parliament, Twambo Mutinta said there was a general consensus that the district, is taken back to Southern as it will make economic sense in doing business.

There had been also calls from Chiefs under Chirundu District, to have the district taken back to Southern Province from Lusaka.

Itezhi tezhi and Chirundu districts were realigned to Central and Lusaka Provinces respectively by late President Michael Sata in 2012.

President Hichilema appoints Supreme Court Judge Mumba Malila as Chief Justice

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President Hichilema appoints Supreme Court Judge Mumba Malila as Chief Justice

President Hakainde Hichilema has appointed Supreme Court Judge Mumba Malila as Chief Justice. Justice Malila takes over from late Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima.

President Huichilema said that he has made the decision after looking at the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission subject to parliamentary approval.

Before the appointment of justice Hichilema, Justice Michael Musonda was the Acting Chief Justice .

Meanwhile, President Hichilema has terminated the service of Justice Mathew Ngulube as Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission and replaced him with Mwikisa Mukande. He has thanked Justice Ngulube for his service to the nation.

And President Hichilema has appointed Kondwa Sakala as a member of the Judicial Service Commission and Mrs. Sakala was duly sworn in by then-acting chief Justice Micheal Musonda on Friday, November 12.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema has removed William Nyirenda as Chairperson of the Judicial Complaints Commission and replaced him with Vincent Malambo. He has since thanked Mr. Nyirenda for his service to the nation.

This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Bwalya.

Power Dynamos Leave Bottom of The Log After Beating Warriors

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Limping Power Dynamos have beaten Kabwe Warriors 2-0 at home in Kitwe to sneak out of the bottom position in the FAZ Super Division.

Dynamos needed late second half goals at Arthur Davies Stadium on Wednesday afternoon to end a three match winless run.

Substitute Fredrick Mulambya and skipper Godfrey Ngwenya were the scorers in this Week 11 encounter.

Mulambya, who replaced Tick Chiluba at the start of the last half, opened the scoring on 75 minutes after being set up by defender Paul Banda.

Ngwenya doubled the lead deep into added time as Power recorded their second victory under coach Mwenya Chipepo.

Power moves two places up to number sixteen on 10 points after playing 11 games.

Warriors drops four places to number eight – remaining on 14 points from 11 matches played.

In Lusaka, leaders Green Buffaloes maintained their top spot after edging Kafue Celtic 1-0 at Edwin Imboela Stadium.

Striker Friday Samu scored the goal that ended unbeaten Buffaloes’ three match winless run.

The Zambia Army side top the table on 25 points, three ahead of second placed Nkwazi, who thumped Zanaco 2-0 at home.


Week 11- Results

17/11/2021

Forest Rangers 2-1 Indeni

Buildcon 2-0 Chambishi

Nkwazi 2-0 Zanaco

Power Dynamos 2-0 Kabwe Warriors

Green Eagles 1-0 Kansanshi Dynamos

Kafue Celtic 0-1 Green Buffaloes

Red Arrows 1-0 Lusaka Dynamos

McDonald Chipenzi raises Concern on the Arrest and whereabouts of Former Defence Minister Davies Chama

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McDonald Chipenzi raises Concern on the Arrest and whereabouts of Former Defence Minister Davies Chama

Governance, Elections, Advocacy, Research Services (GEARS) executive director, McDonald Chipenzi has said that the arrest of all those who behaved and acted with political impunity during the previous regime is welcome and long overdue, However, this must be done within the law and a civilized approach.

In a statement released to the media, Mr. Chipenzi said that the emerging silence from police on the status of former defense minister Davies Chama’s case and his whereabouts must now be a source of concern and anxiety to many human rights defenders.

Mr. Chipenzi said that many well-meaning citizens wish to see all suspected lawbreakers brought to account and those charged with bondable or bailable charges be awarded these facilities until their cases are decided by a competent court.

Mr Chipenzi is of the considered view that less flight risk political suspects charged with bondable and bailable offences must be treated within the dictates of the human rights specifications.

Below is a full statement

GIVE DAVIES CHAMA, BRIAN NYONI BOND OR BAIL, IT’S BEEN FIVE DAYS
DAVIS CHAMA ISSUE: IS HE A FLIGHT OR POLITICAL RISK?

The arrest of all those who behaved and acted with political impunity during the previous regime is welcome and long overdue. However, this must be done within the law and civilised approaches.

The emerging silence from police on the status of Davies Chama’ s case and his whereabouts must now be a source of concern and anxiety to many human rights defenders.

Many of us wish to see all suspected lawbreakers be brought to account and those charged with bondable and/or bailable charges must be awarded these facilities until their cases are decided by a competent court.

Therefore, less flight risk political suspects charged with bondable and bailable offences must be treated within the dictates of the human rights specifications.

Almost 4 days now have past since Davies Chama was arrested, detained and transfered to Sesheke, the scene of crime, as the last official update. The sesheke trip was also for Davies Chama to take plea on the offence he is charged with that of attempt to murder-by police.

The question is, has Davies Chama taken plea or still in custody and why has he not appeared in court to ask for bail if the offence he is charged with is available?

Being a former Defence Minister, he cannot be a flight risk and has fixed abode.

It is important that he is treated within the prescribed demands of the law I.e. appear before a competent court within 48 hrs and apply for bail or be bonded if police are ready and still investigating on the case.

I submit

McDonald Chipenzi

Government to introduce a One-License Policy in order to position Zambia as a preferred investment destination

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Government to introduce a One-License Policy in order to position Zambia as a preferred investment destination

Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga has said that government will introduce a One-License Policy in order to position Zambia as a preferred investment destination to the business community.

Mr. Mulenga said his Ministry will change some legislations to lessen the number of licenses for one to set up business in Zambia
He said the current approach and legislation in the trade and investment sectors was not giving government the desired results.

Mr Mulenga said the one-license policy will make investments favorable to the business community as well as encourage local entrepreneurs to be major players in the investment sector.

He said government was engaging businesses and financial lending institutions to ensure that share holding for local businesses was increased in multi-national businesses.

Mr. Mulenga was speaking at a one day investment workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted by a Zambian Law firm Musa Dhudia and Company in partnership with their South African counterpart Webber Wentzel.

The workshop drew the participation of experts in the mining and energy sectors from private and public sectors in Zambia and South Africa and was aimed at showcasing Zambia as a destination to South African based investors.

Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga
Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga

Power Dynamos Battle to Leave Relegation Zone

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Power Dynamos are seeking to escape from the bottom of the FAZ Super Division table as they host Kabwe Warriors at Arthur Davies Stadium today.

Power and Warriors are meeting in one of the midweek fixtures after posting different results in their last matches.

Bottom placed Power have seven points from ten matches played going into today’s Week 11 match.

Warriors, who are unbeaten in their last four matches, are fourth on the table with 14 points from ten matches played.

Coach Mwenya Chipepo’s Arthur Davies side remains winless in their last three matches in which they have recorded two consecutive draws that followed a loss.

Meanwhile, Power’s Kitwe rivals Nkana have a chance to sneak into the top four when facing promoted side Konkola Blades away in Chililabombwe.

Fifth placed Nkana are tackling Konkola, who are 11th on the table with 11 points, just three behind Kalampa.

Elsewhere in midweek action, leaders Green Buffaloes are out to maintain top spot as they face Kafue Celtic in the lunchtime away match at Edwin Imboela Stadium in Lusaka.

Buffaloes have 22 points, two above second placed Nkwazi, who will host Zanaco later at Imboela.

Week 11
Wednesday, 17/11/2021
Kafue Celtic Vs Green Buffaloes
Nkwazi Vs ZANACO
Lusaka Dynamos Vs Red Arrows
Green Eagles Vs Kansanshi Dynamos
24/11/2021
Konkola Blades Vs Nkana
Prison Leopards Vs ZESCO United

Buildcon Vs Chambishi

Forest Rangers Vs Indeni

Power Dynamos Vs Kabwe Warriors

President Hichilema’s appointments that are highly skewed against women-Chishala Kateka

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President Hichilema’s appointments that are highly skewed against women-Chishala Kateka

The opposition new heritage party has noted with dismay the trend of the Republican president’s appointments that are highly skewed against women.

Party president Chishala Kateka says when ministers were appointed, she noted the fact that only four of the thirty cabinet ministers are female and out of the nominated members of parliament, only two are female and only one out of ten provincial ministers is female.

She adds that with the appointment of district commissioners, it has again been seen that a similar trend of very few females being appointed to this position as happened.

Ms. Kateka mentions that Zambia is not short of qualified women who would meet the criteria for appointments to key public leadership positions and therefore it can only be concluded that this systematic exclusion of women in these key roles is deliberate.

she appeals to the republican president that more qualified females be appointed to strategic key decision-making positions, as they are well able and capable to deliver in those roles as they have been, and ever increasingly critical to economic and social development despite historic and current odds being heavily weighted against them.

There is no fuel Shortage, says Energy Minister as he warns people hoarding fuel

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There is no fuel Shortage, says Energy Minister as he warns people hoarding fuel

The government has warned oil marketing companies and suppliers that may be engaging in hoarding fuel to desist as their actions border on economic sabotage which is a serious offense.

Energy Minister Peter Kapala has also dispelled rumors that there is an imminent fuel shortage.

Mr. Kapala says discussions with the Government contracted suppliers have been fruitful and products have been delivered to fuel depots and more are on their way to ensure the demand is met.

He further says Government has put up measures such as reallocation of fuel qualities under the waiver programme from Oil Marketing Companies that failed to perform to those that have demonstrated positive performance.

And in a statement to ZNBC News in Lusaka yesterdday, Mr. Kapala said there is no reason for the public or motorists to panic regarding the fuel supply situation in the country as it has put up measures to ensure security supply of the commodity.

He has assured the public and motorists that the country has sufficient stock of fuel and more of the commodity is earmarked to be offloaded at different fuel strategic reserves.

Mr. Kapala said sporadic fuel supply is normalising.

Meanwhile Mr. Kapala has observed that the prices of fuel on the International Market have risen by 60 and 66 percent since January this year.

He said the situation has an impact on the local cost of fuel because contracts for the supply and delivery of the product are procured using the dollar currency.

16,000 children could die from malnutrition related causes next year due to inadequate funding-CSO-SUN

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16,000 children could die from malnutrition related causes next year due to inadequate funding-CSO-SUN

The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance has described the 2022 National Budget as a death sentence to over 16 thousand children in the country who are projected to die in 2022 on account of inadequate funding by the government towards nutrition.

CSO-SUN Country Coordinator Mathews Mhuru is disappointed that the 2022 Budget is silent on the nutrition and that the yellow book is not indicating specific figures.

Mr. Mhuru says overdependence on donor support towards nutrition is not sustainable.

He notes with disappointment, reduced funding in agro ecology in the 2022 national budget which supports sustainable agricultural practices.

And Mr. Mhuru has wondered how the government will utilize funding from UK government, the German government and other cooperating partners towards improving the nutrition sector going by the alleged lack of commitment by the government.

He has called on the government to allocate more resources to food safety efforts.

Below is a full statement…..

Press Statement

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, 16th November 2021 – Like many other Organisations who have been fighting for justice for the various people they represent, 12th August 2021 presented a lot of hope for the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance regarding the fight against malnutrition in the Country.

On a number of occasions the President addressed the people, he never missed an opportunity to indicate how important it was for his government to ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all Zambians as a bare minimum. During his first Press conference at the Community House, at his inauguration at the Heroes Stadium and during the Official opening of the first session of the 13th National Assembly, the President at all these occasions emphasized that no Zambian under his administration will go to bed hungry.

With these pronouncements coming from the highest office in the land, we were convinced that for the first time in a long time, we had an administration that not only cared about people having access to food but nutritious and safe food.

We were also convinced that for the first time we would see a shift in the allocation patterns in the national budget as a way of guaranteeing delivery on these pronouncements.

However, on 29th October 2021, Finance Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane delivered the 2022 National Budget which unfortunately spoke otherwise about the commitment shown by the President regarding the provision of safe and nutritious food to the Zambian people. Like in the many previous budgets, there was no mention of the word “NUTRITION” in the budget speech, the first indication that there is limited prioritization of nutrition.

A further perusal of the budget speech and the yellow book indicated that key nutrition budget lines including school feeding program, growth monitoring, management of malnutrition among others are not mentioned at all making us wonder whether the current administration is committed to the fight against food and nutrition insecurity despite the President’s commitments.

Other than nutrition and key nutrition budget lines, the Minister of Finance indicated the commitment by the UPND Administration to boost irrigation farming as a way of shifting from rain fed agriculture and yet budget lines allocated for this important activity have been reduced by over 50 percent compared to the 2021 budget. We wonder how this will be achieved with reduced budget lines.

We have further noted with disappointment, reduced allocation in the agroecology in the 2022 national budget which supports sustainable agricultural practices and is in line with the commitments made at the UN Food Systems Summit in New York attended by President Hichilema this year.

The CSO-SUN is therefore disappointed with the failure by the new dawn government to place any importance to the fight against malnutrition as evidenced by the inadequate allocation to the nutrition sector in the 2022 national budget. This places the New Dawn administration in the same “CLIQUE” of politicians who have not seen the importance of reducing the alarming rates of malnutrition.

We are worried that the 2022 national budget is silent on matters related to food safety. This could mean that institutions mandated to enforce the Food Safety Act of 2019, which include the Ministries of Health and Local Government will be unable to protect the public as far as food safety is concerned. Since enactment, the PF government, and now the New Dawn government have failed to provide adequate resources to food safety, which has led to increased cases of unsafe food being sold to unsuspecting citizens. This has also led to increased cases of unethical practices and falsehood in the marketing of food products which is against the provisions of the food safety act.

With these findings of our budget analysis, we can safely say that the 2022 National budget is a death sentence to the over 16, 000 children who are projected to die in 2022 as a result of failure by the government to increase resource allocation to the nutrition sector.

We are meant to wonder how the New Dawn Government intends to utilize the money given by donors such as the UK Government, the German Government and other cooperating partners towards improving the nutrition status of Zambia when they have failed to place any importance to the nutrition sector in the national budget. We reiterate that donor dependence to fight malnutrition is unsustainable and therefore requires commitment to mobilise resources locally.

Recommendations

Since we have missed an opportunity to adequately fund the nutrition sector in the 2022 National Budget, the CSO-SUN therefore recommends the following to the government;

Prioritize the fight against malnutrition by increasing the funding allocation to both nutrition specific and sensitive programmes.

Ensure that the money given to the country by donors for this cause should be used for the intended purpose to attract more funding that will enable the country to meet its nutrition related needs.

Ensure that the New Dawn Government matches donor funds that have since been committed to food and nutrition.

Allocate more resources to food safety efforts to protect the public from unsafe and unhealthy foods which have devastating health effects.

The food packs given to vulnerable people by both the Ministry of Community Development and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit should be nutrition sensitive to cover up for the dwindling budget to the nutrition sector.

Increase financing to disaster prevention rather that restructure the Farmer Input Support Programme to address the dietary needs of the citizens, and not the promotion of maize production.

Make detailed budgets for individual ministries accessible so that stakeholders can provide meaningful support to the government.

Issued by

Mathews Mhuru (Mr)
Country Coordinator
Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance

Our response to Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba’s harassment article – please, no sacred cows in crusade against corruption!

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Our response to Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba’s harassment article – please, no sacred cows in crusade against corruption!

By Prince Bill M. Kaping’a Political & Social Analyst

We have taken time to dissect and chew over Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba’s article which was trending on social media last couple of days, entitled – “Stop harassing former presidents.” He spews forth conspiracy theories and draws a myriad of inferences.

In one of the paragraphs, Mwamba offers, “There is a pattern that has emerged where new Presidents engage in trashing the legacy of their predecessors, accuse them of massive acts of corruption, and prosecute them while seeking to consolidate their new power gained.”

Wait a minute……According to Wikipedia, a diplomat is someone who can be sensitive in dealing with others and who can achieve peaceful resolutions or facilitate discussion. A person who doesn’t take sides in a fight but who instead helps others to resolve their differences is an example of someone who is diplomatic.

We therefore find it ludicrous that a seasoned diplomat of Mwamba’s stature elects to spin around issues, as if he’s a party apparatchik, in his feeble attempt to defend past misdeeds, instead of endeavouring to help seek justice as etiquettes of diplomacy dictate, indeed!

If we may take time to school our diplomat who is just arriving from war torn Ethiopia: most of our former African leaders, and indeed some that are still clinging on to power, simply deserve titles as tin-pot dictators. They’ve been on rampage abusing the very power entrusted to them by poor country folk, and anybody who dared challenge them risked being cut to pieces!

From oil rich fields of North to West Africa, despots holed-up in palaces decorated with Persian carpets have been quick to descend upon critics and opponents alike and feed them to the crocodiles. And as you venture farther afield into tourist idyllic jungles of East Africa, you’re likely to encounter leaders who think only them, their families or indeed cronies deserve to be at the helm – those that provoke their ire are constant guests in filth dungeons! In mineral rich central and southern Africa, we’ve had a generation of leaders who’ve recklessly plundered their county’s resources and gotten away with it. Is the ambassador therefore suggesting we should continue on such a trajectory?

No bwana! This is the 21st Century, former leaders are now being called to account for their wanton transgressions, everywhere.

In mineral-rich Angola, former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos’ daughter, Isabel dos Santos who is said to have bilked her country of more than $1 billion through unscrupulous dealings has had her assets frozen. She’s now under probe. Equally, her half-brother, Jose Filomeno dos Santos, was indicted for alleged illegal transfer of $500m from the central Bank to a Swiss Bank account! Jose Eduardo Dos Santos himself only returned home in September 2020 after a stint exile for fear of prosecution. He is yet to have his day in court.

Since he previously served there as High Commissioner, we’ve no doubt the ambassador is aware that in 2018, the High Court of South Africa reinstated corruption charges against Zuma from 2009 relating to a $5bn arms deal from the 1990s. Zuma now faces 16 counts of corruption, racketeering, fraud, and money laundering, accepting a total of 783 illegal payments. As if this is not enough, the Constitutional Court has handed him a 15-month sentence for contempt of court after Zuma defied an earlier court order to return and testify before the Zondo Commission, the very creature he created!

Amb. Mwamba goes on to insinuate that while cooperating partners may cheer us on, and even deploy resources in the so-called fight against corruption, they never do this in their own countries, never arrest their former Presidents or Prime Ministers for perceived crimes done while they held office.

Wrong!

In France, the 66 year old ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to three years in jail, two of them suspended, for corruption. This concerns a case when relating to attempting to bribe a judge in 2014, after he had left office.

And according to ABC online news, the record of Trump officials who have fallen afoul of the law is unparalleled in the history of the United States of America. In all, 14 Trump aides, donors and advisers have been indicted or imprisoned since the days when the first-time candidate promised that he would only hire “the best people.”

What are we saying?

If indeed there’s overwhelming evidence of impropriety on the part of former president Edgar Lungu or indeed any of his ministers or senior government officials, they must be held accountable without further delay to serve as an example to the others!

PF Government Signed 1,005 Road Contracts Valued at K127.61 Billion in 10 years

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PF Government Signed 1,005 Road Contracts Valued at K127.61 Billion in 10 years

The government in the last 10 years signed road contracts valued at K127 billion without a clear foresight on how these commitments would be liquidated, Parliament has heard.

Meanwhile, as at 30th June, 2021, arrears payable to contractors and consultants accumulated to K9.68 billion.

Delivering a ministerial statement on the debt status of the road sector, Finance Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane revealed that the government further obtained expensive loans from NAPSA and NATSAVE valued at K4.2 billion as a way of raising funds, but these initiatives did not clear all the arrears to the huge over-commitment.

Dr. Musokotwane says the total arrears plus the loans brings the total to K14.7 billion dollars as of 30th June 2021.

He says this approach is unsustainable and that his Ministry directed the National Road Fund Agency in consultation with other road sector agencies to develop a ten-year debt service sustainability plan which will outline how the government will implement road infrastructure in a more sustainable manner.

Dr. Musokotwane said if approved by Cabinet, the debt sustainability plan will ensure that government does not incur debt unnecessarily without any viable repayment plan beginning in the year 2022.

Below is the full statement

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE ROAD SECTOR DEBT STATUS AS AT 30 JUNE 2021

1. Madam Speaker, I wish to thank you for giving me this opportunity to brief the House on the Debt status of the Road Sector. I wish to start by giving a composition highlighting the five main key players in the road sector.

2. Madam Speaker, the five main players are as follows:

1) National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) falling under the Ministry of Finance and National Planning;

2) Road Development Agency (RDA) falling under the Ministry of Housing Infrastructure and Urban Development;

3) Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) falling under Ministry of Transport and Logistics; and,

4) Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD); and,

5) National Council for Construction (NCC) under the Ministry of Housing Infrastructure and Urban Development.

3. Madam Speaker, the Road Development Agency is responsible for the procurement and implementation of road works in the country.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Housing Infrastructure and Urban Development, the Road Development Agency (RDA) signs contracts with various contractors for major road works mainly on trunk, main and district roads including bridges.

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is responsible for feeder and urban roads in the country.

The National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) is responsible for funding of the road works.

4. Madam Speaker, funding to the road sector in Zambia is derived from both local and external sources.

The local funding source includes fuel levy, inland and port of entry tolls, road license fees, registration and examination fees, weighbridge fines. The external funding is derived from loans and grants from co-operating partners such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, #European Union, funds from contractors financing initiatives and public private partnerships.

5. Madam Speaker, during the last ten (10) years, Government signed road contracts valued at K127 billion without a clear foresight on how these commitments would be liquidated.

As at 30 June, 2021 arrears payable to contractors and consultants accumulated to K9.68 billion.

Further, Government obtained loans from NAPSA and NATSAVE valued at K4.2 Billion as a way of raising funds, but these initiatives did not clear all arrears due to the huge over committment.

6. Madam Speaker, the breakdown of all the contract commitments, debt arrears, and loans as at 30 June, 2021 is as follows:

CONTRACT COMMITMENTS

1) Road Development Agency (RDA) has 690 running contracts valued at K111.46 Billion.

2) Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) has 315 contracts valued at K16.15 Billion.

3) The contract commitments is therefore 1,005 contracts and valued at K127.61 Billion.

A total of K 9.68 Billion is also owed to contractors as debt arrears.

7. Madam Speaker, the following are the commercial loans obtained by (NRFA) totaling to about K5.06 Billion:

1) NAPSA loan, K 3.8 Billion;

2) First NATSAVE loan, K260 Million;

3) Second NATSAVE loan, K500 Million; and,

4) INDO-ZAMBIA loan: K500 Million.

Further, Madam Speaker, the total of arrears plus loans as at 30th June, 2021 is K14.7 billion.

8. Madam Speaker, it is clear that this approach is unsustainable and obviously requires serious adjustments. My Ministry has therefore directed the National Road Fund Agency in consultation with other road sector agencies, to develop a ten (10) year Debt Service Sustainability Plan (DSSP) which will outline how Government will implement road infrastructure in a more sustainable manner going forward.

This ten (10) year plan will:

1) Prioritise payments of all debt arrears due to routine maintenance, small and medium contractors and thereafter ensure timely monthly payments to all routine maintenance contractors.

2) propose the refinancing mechanism of the costly NAPSA and NATSAVE I loans within the next six (6) months, which will result in significant savings when all loans are fully repaid within five (5) years.

3) prioritise the planning and provide adequate funding towards implementation of periodic maintenance and rehabilitation road works, before considering the costly upgrading over the ten (10) year period.

4) Prioritise the annual planning and provide adequate funding for implementation of 80% complete upgrading road projects for completion within the first two years of the ten (10) year period.

5) Propose to the implementing agencies, RDA and MLGRD, immediate termination of the dormant road contracts, to stop the intangible costs, such as interest claims on delayed payment of interim payment certificates (IPCS). The termination costs will be part of the debt arrears in the DSSP.

9. Madam Speaker, the 10 year debt service sustainability plan will in addition propose an overall suspension for the debt arrears, in terms of:

1) The proportion redeemable through the road sector ten (10) year annual work plan;

2) The proportion likely to be suspended now and to be redeemed during the second five (5) years, thus after all the five year loans above have been fully redeemed;

3) The proportion which could be negotiated at sovereign level; and,

4) The proportion which could be a candidate of the medium to long term bonds till adequate funding is available to redeem fully the arrears.

10. Madam Speaker, the Debt Service Sustainability Plan, if approved by Cabinet, will ensure government does not incur debt unnecessarily without any viable repayment plan beginning the year 2022.

My Ministry will table the debt service sustainability plan for cabinet approval before 31st December, 2021.

11. Madam Speaker, The Public Private Partnership (PPP) Unit under the Ministry of Finance and National Planning has been directed to immediately engage RDA and NRFA to identify potential road projects across the country that could be financed and implemented under the PPP arrangement.

This is expected to create relief on the Treasury going forward.

12. Madam speaker lastly but not least, the National Road Fund Agency in collaboration with RDA and MLGRD has been guided to develop a transparent, effective and fair payment mechanism for the period October 2021 to December 2021, in line with the National Road Fund Act Number 13 of 2002.

Going forward, with this system in place, I do not expect contractors owed to lobby for payments as this is breeding ground for corruption which the new dawn Government shall not tolerate at all costs.

I THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER

Delivered by:

Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, MP
Minister of Finance and National Planning.

Tunisia Hammer Chipolopolo to Win Group B

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Chipolopolo have wrapped up their failed Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 loss against Tunisia in the final Group B match.

Tunisia disturbed Zambia with three first half goals at Stade Hammadi Arebi on Tuesday night.

The Carthage Eagles have advanced to the final qualifying round on 13 points after completing a double over Zambia.

After early misses, Tunisia opened the scoring through Aissa Laidouni in the 18th minute.

Forward Mohamed Drager doubled Tunisia’s lead on 31 minutes before Ali Maaloul added the third goal in the 43 minute.

Minutes earlier keeper Toaster Nsabata saved a penalty to keep the score line less.

Zambia put up an improved display in the second half that saw Fashion Sakala score the consolation goal after 80 minutes.

Sakala scored a rebound from the penalty he missed when Patson Daka was fouled in the box.

Meanwhile, Mauritania have beaten Equatorial Guinea 1-0 at home to deny their rivals a chance to advance.

This was Mauritania’s first win of the campaign.

Equatorial Guinea finishes second in Group B on ten points followed by Zambia on seven points and bottom placed Mauritania earned four points in the six-match round.

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