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The United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) in Mwinilunga district of Northwestern province through the district conflict management committee have conducted a joint road show to denounce electoral violence before, during and after the August, 12 general elections.
Electoral Commission Zambia (ECZ) district Conflict Management Committee Chairperson, Sylvester Mushoke said the event was organized with the objective of showing political parties followers that they can peacefully coexist regardless of their political affiliation.
Pastor Mushoke said it is important for political party leaders to show their commitment to upholding peace by embracing each other publicly.
“We are here with these political parties to sensitize the members of the public on the importance of upholding peace and violence free campaigns in this year’s general elections”, he said.
Pastor Mushoke indicated that peace is cardinal in the electoral process hence the decision to bring the political parties together and remind them of the need to avoid any form of electoral violence.
And both UPND and PF have praised the district conflict management committee for coming up with the idea further promising to uphold peace.
PF district Chairperson, Henry Kakisa said members of various political parties should embrace each other because the differences in political ideologies does not make them enemies.
Meanwhile, UPND district secretary, Skyton Kaivwa advised residents in the district against fighting one another because they are one despite belonging to different political parties.
And some residents talked by ZANIS applauded the two parties for sending a clear picture to their followers to desist from political violence.
Hendrix Kachola said seeing the two major political parties in the district carrying out public sensitisation against political violence together will send a clear picture to their followers that there is no benefit in violence.
“I am very much happy to see these two political parties together sensitizing their members on upholding peaceful elections, this should continue,” Mr Kachola said.
President Edgar Lungu has appealed to traders not to drop the guard against COVID-19 pandemic which has disrupted the country’s economy and other countries across the globe.
President Lungu re-emphasized on the need for people to observe the health guidelines against COVID-19 pandemic as the virus is still prevalent in the country.
President Lungu said the evolution of the coronavirus is not yet known and that people should ensure the five golden rules are adhered to.
President Lungu made the remarks in Chingola yesterday when he distributed COVID-19 supplies to traders at the Chiwempala market.
He urged the market associations to work closely with the office of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit-DMMU to ensure face masks are distributed.
“COVID-19 is a very devastating disease that has impacted negatively on our people and it has disrupted our economy. What is important is for you to observe the five golden rules so that we fight this pandemic together,” President Lungu said.
And Traders and Marketeers Association of Zambia (NATMAZ) representative, Leonard Katongo thanked President for being categorical in the fight against the pandemic.
Mr Katongo said the President has been so passionate about the fight against COVID -19 in market places and pledged to ensure traders adhere to the set health protocols.
“Thank you very much Mr. President for the support that you have rendered to marketeers in the country. We would also help you to help us with a market shelter here at Chiwempala market so that our traders can trade in conducive environments,” he said.
Meanwhile, DMMU National Coordinator, Chanda Kabwe said the unit has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with seven market associations on the Copperbelt to help with the sensitisation on COVID- 19.
Mr Chanda disclosed that each association has been given K100 thousand to help to reach every market, small or big to see to it that every marketeers has COVID-19 supplies.
“We have further released 20 million face masks to enable every market have access to face masks. We have as well signed another MOU called “Community Engagement and Risk Reduction at Community Level to help reduce the spread of the pandemic,” Mr. Chanda said.
He added that each province will receive at least 2 million face masks to be distributed in communities and schools.
Chief Katyetye of the Tambo Speaking people of Muchinga Province has reaffirmed his support for President Edgar Chagwa Lungu in next week’s general election.
Chief Katyetye said only president Lungu can lead the country effectively and improve the living standards of Zambians.
Speaking when Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) Leader Edith Nawakwi paid a courtesy call on him, Chief Katyetye warned Zambians against listening to lies by the opposition who are just desperate to rule Zambia.
Chief Katyetye further urged his subjects to ensure they vote for President Lungu and all PF candidates for the development that the area has received.
He said the President has always put the interest of the Zambian people at heart hence the construction of schools and health centers in the area.
“President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has built us schools and hospitals. He makes sure that people don’t go hungry by delivering farming inputs on time,” he said.
“President Lungu is an exceptional leader. This is why President Lungu already has my vote.”
The traditional leader further said that the UPND Leader can not rule the country the way President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has.
Meanwhile, Chief Kafwimbi of the Iwa speaking people of Muchinga province has called for leaders to work together to bring development to the people.
Chief Kafwimbi further denounced violence by some leaders in the country.
And Senior Chief Matanda of Mansa district in Luapula Province says he is disappointed by a spate of violence by the opposition which led to the death of two Patriotic Front Supporters.
Chief Matanda described the killings of innocent citizens by power hungry politicians as devilish.
“We cannot be killing our own people like animals. What is happening in Lusaka is totally unacceptable. You can slaughter a goat or a chicken but not your fellow human being .” He lamented .
And the traditional leader has encouraged President Edgar Lungu to continue upscaling measures aimed at curbing political violence as the country goes to the polls .
He welcomed President Lungu’s decision to deploy the Army across the country , saying the move will help curb political violence .
Meanwhile Chief Matanda says there is no need to change government because his chiefdom has benefited greatly from development projects that government rolled out.
The traditional leader was speaking to Luapula Province Presidential Campaign Coordinator who is also the Incoming Mansa Central MP Hon. Dr. Chitalu Chilufya at his palace before allowing him to continue with his door to door tour in the Chiefdom on Thursday.
And Dr. Chilufya said President Lungu was cognizant of the critical roles that traditional leaders play in fostering peace and unity .
He said it is the reason why he was working with them to ensure that peace is preserved Pre and Post elections .
He further called on the traditional leader to ensure that people in his Chiefdom continued supporting the Patriotic Front so that it continues working on development projects even after elections.
Meanwhile Chief Chansa under Chief Matanda praised President Lungu for improving health and educational infrastructure in the area .
By the end of the week beginning 8 August 2021, Zambians will have voted either to continue with the same Captain or change. Zambians will be lost for choice amidst the cacophony of voices coming from 16 potential suitors, all out to woe the Zambian voter to give them a chance to move into the bedroom in Plot 1. You have got to hand it to them all for believing in themselves.
The 12 August 2021 Presidential election is a HISTORIC event. One of the candidates is the most experienced at winning elections and will be the only post multiparty democratic Zambian Presidential candidate to go into an election with two previous victories. Unless the constitution is changed, this may never happen again in Zambia. Another candidate is also making history as the only presidential candidate to go into an election after losing 5 times in a row. Hopefully, Zambians will never allow this to happen again if they can have true democracy in their political parties and make the party more important than a man.
I have borrowed the title of this post from the UPND Alliance’s ‘The Zambia we want’ but modified it to ‘The Zambia we NEED.’ Wants are not essential. One can do without them. Needs however are so essential that life and one’s very existence depends upon them. Whichever political party, creed, tribe or religion we belong to, we can all agree that Zambia is not where it should be. Even the ruling Patriotic Front die-hards know this and that is the reason they are campaigning for another mandate in office- ‘to finish what we started.’
This is by itself shows that they have not arrived. Where then are we going? I think we are looking for prosperity for all Zambians. We are looking for a country where no one goes hungry. We are looking for a country where every child has a good basic education and a good health. We are looking for a country where the life expectancy is long and fewer and fewer people die prematurely. We are looking for a country where there are no street children high on hydrocarbon fumes. We are looking for a land of work and joy in unity, a land of victors in the struggle for what is right, a land where we are all one Zambia and one Nation, proud and free. This is the Zambia we need, and I do not think that there is anyone who can disagree with this.
BUT, we do disagree, and we disagree on the means to get there. This is where democracy comes in. People must be free to chip in their viewpoints and tell how we can get to the promised land. We have given a chance to three political parties so far- UNIP, MMD and PF to take us there. We are not where we were in 1964.
In order to progress inexorably towards the Zambia we need, we must learn for history, and I mean the whole history of mankind in general and the history of Zambia in particular. Armed with this knowledge we must avoid the mistakes of the past and adopt what worked. We have a great cloud of witnesses to learn from. We do not need to re-invent the wheel. Those who vie for power to rule must be armed with answers to the questions before they seek office. It is futile to start learning on the job. They already know what the problems are and they should know how to fix them.
As I close, I am going to suggest the biggest problem in Zambia today and I will suggest the solution. The problem is poverty. The solution is ready access to money for all citizens.
To illustrate this, we need to go back to the primitive human being. What did he need? He needed SEED to sow. Once he had done that, everything else was not in his power. If it rained, well and good but if not, he starved. Replace that seed today with money, capital. Zambians are largely unbanked and while many have great business ideas, they have no access to seed money. It is access to money that will move people out of poverty. The richest man in Africa got a seed loan from his uncle. One of the richest men on earth borrowed money from his father. The Chinese are producing dozens of millionaires every month because they have access to money through low interest loans.
Loan sharks will never produce millionaires. Whichever government there will be after 12 August, think about this. Let Zambians access loans for mining, tourism, agriculture, plumbing, brick laying, electrical work, steel foundry, schools, hospitals etc and we will accelerate to the Zambia we need in the shortest possible time. Great innovations and inventions do not need going to school. Ideas need funding but many great ideas never see the light of the day because the thinkers, the innovators have no access to money. The government should get out of borrowing in the internal money market except under extraordinary circumstances. Poverty breeds corruption.
If one is poor, they cannot afford to maintain their car. They drive an unfit vehicle which is impounded by the traffic police. They cannot afford the fine, so they pay a bribe which is cheaper. The state is deprived of revenue, the police officer gets less pay, and the cycle repeats. If more Zambians run formal businesses, the tax base is widened, more are employed and there is more money in pockets.
The next government must open centres in every district where people can learn about how to write a business plan and to seek funding, budgeting, tax, and running a business. We have hundreds of Business Administration graduates who are unemployed who can be employed to do this. School curriculums must include investing in stocks and shares and cryptocurrencies.
Give seed to the sower and you will be well on the way to alleviate poverty.
President Edgar Lungu has yesterday commissioned the 397 million United States dollar Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola on the Copperbelt Province.
Speaking during commissioning, President Lungu said the airport has been constructed on a government-to-government loan facilitated by the Exim Bank of China.
Mr Lungu has since thanked the Chinese President, Xi Jinping and the people of China for providing the necessary financing for the infrastructure.
The head of state said the construction of the airport, located 20 kilometers west of Ndola is in line with government’s aspirations of transforming Zambia into an Aviation Hub.
President Lungu said Government is fully committed to driving the country’s development agenda and harnessing the country’s economic potential.
“During the project phase, a total of 3,023 direct and 1,478 indirect jobs were created. I am happy to report that our local contractors benefitted through subcontracting from the main contractor. I am reliably informed that as Zambia Airports Corporation Limited commences operations, there will be opportunities for restaurants, retail outlets and duty-free shops in the terminal, apart from the hotel,” President Lungu said.
“Your Government has again delivered another of its promises that further positions our country for growth. The aviation subsector being what it is, is subject to significant regulatory oversight. The immediate period going forward is the last mile in the journey to getting the airport certified for operations,” He said.
The President added that local contractors benefitted through sub-contracting, from Avic International, who are the main contractors of the project.
Mr. Lungu said the airport will also provide opportunities for other businesses.
“I am reliably informed that as Zambia Airports Corporation Limited commences operations, there will be opportunities for restaurants, retail outlets and duty-free shops in the terminal, apart from the hotel,” he said.
The President also disclosed that plans are underway for realizing Airfreight cargo potential, route development and other business opportunities on the airport’s land.
Mr Lungu said this is in line with Zambia’s Seventh National Development Plan agenda of taking development closer to the people.
He implored various agencies involved in the process to ensure required standards, so that safety and security for passengers are upheld.
Mr Lungu called for speedy operationalization of the new state-of-the-art facility.
“I urge Zambia Airports Corporation and the Civil Aviation Authority to complete the operational certifications so that operations can commence,” Mr. Lungu said.
The New Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport consists of a 3.5 kilometer runway, taxi ways and an apron.
Other features include a 2 million passengers per annum, capacity terminal building, a cargo terminal and an equipped air traffic control tower.
The airport also houses a rescue and fire station, navigational equipment, a commercial complex and a hotel.
President Lungu at the Commissioning of the Simon Mwansa kapwepwe
Meanwhile, President Lungu said Government will soon embark on the ambitious project to turn the Lusaka – Ndola highway into a dual carriageway.
He said this project is long awaited and it will not only reduce accidents on the highway but it will give business to local contractors who will also employ many of the young people.
“The projects we commenced at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and here at the new Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Mwansa International Airport are pivotal in facilitating the country’s tourism and industrialization agenda. This infrastructure is key in elevating our development agenda to another level,” President Lungu said.
“Travellers to Ndola can now experience a world-class look and feel here at the new Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe international airport. It is a launchpad to the rest of the Copperbelt and the northern tourism circuit. This airport, as well, is in close proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Katanga province thereby improving business between the two countries,” he said.
The Zambia Police Service Spokesperson, Esther Katongo says police collaboration with the Zambia Army has always existed in bringing law and order in the country.
Mrs Katongo said that the deployment of the army is not something new, adding that their presence in communities should not worry members of the public.
She said that police and the army have strategies and existing structures where their commanders at different levels collaborate on issues of security in the country.
Mrs Katongo explained that citizens should not live in fear of political violence because the army working with police will ensure there is peace, law and order before, during and after elections.
She added that it is also the responsibility of the police to make sure law and order is maintained during this period.
“In the past we have had issues where in some areas electorates were disturbed from going vote and made to return home by some political parties and as police we have ensured to put that into consideration,” she said.
She said the deployed troops are working with the police and conducting patrols to curb any form of political violence.
Mrs Katongo was speaking during the breakfast show on radio 4, dubbed Breakfast on Four radio programme.
Meanwhile Mrs Katongo said the deployment of police officers to police elections will be done according to the requests made by the respective provinces.
The New Heritage Party has promised to put an end to political violence in the country by reforming the status of cadres in the country once elected into office on August 12, 2021.
Condemning the political violence that has characterised campaigns in various parts of the country, New Heritage Party vice president Samuel Kasankha stated that campaigns and politics are not about violence.
Mr Kasankha said as a remedy to the violence, the party will put to an end to the current status of a political cadre.
He mentioned currently, the status of being a political cadre fueled violence as political party cadres from the opposition would envy what the other cadres from the ruling party had.
“We are going to look at the different categories of political cadres so that they have a tailor-made form of activity to earn a livelihood. We want our youths to be productive and not the current status of being political cadres,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Kasankha stated that once his party forms government, it will empower Zambians by ensuring that majority of citizens participate in the exploitation and enjoyment of the country’s natural resources.
Mr Kasankha explained that enabling such an environment will foster for an increased inflow of major foreign currencies thereby making the cost of doing business much cheaper.
Mr Kasankha pointed out that this will be achieved through the exploration and export of these natural resources.
“We want to encourage productivity at a local level and this exploitation and export by the majority of Zambians will increase the inflow of major foreign currencies like the US dollar. This will in turn make the cost of importation much cheaper, thereby reducing the cost of living,” he said.
Mr Kasankha who is also a pastor said his party appreciates what the current government has done in terms of development such as infrastructure.
He however said that his party plans to further this development to the end-user at the grass-root level.
Meanwhile, Katete District Patriotic Front Vice-Chairperson Jackson Banda has expressed dismay at the recent murder of its two party members in Lusaka.
He said violence was not the key to making it to the statehouse, but the deeds and manifesto of a given party.
“We are not happy as a party in Katete, we are dismayed. This is just a sign that the political party that did this has already lost. Politics is about selling your manifesto to the public and not violence,” he said.
Mr Banda further urged electorates to turn up in numbers on August 12 and vote for the PF and President Edgar Lungu who is development-oriented.
THE UPND Lusaka Province chairperson, Obvious Mwaliteta has charged that the Patriotic Front (PF) administration pays more attention to the ruling party carders than it pays to professionals, school-going children and ordinary Zambians.
And Champion Tembo has tipped the people of Chilanga ward that this year’s elections are about rejecting poverty.
Speaking at a campaign meeting yesterday in Chilanga, the UPND Lusaka chief said the current administration has no regard for school-going children and professionals.
He said that it is heartbreaking to see a scenario where PF carders drive expensive vehicles while professionals such as teachers and doctors report for work on foot.
“This PF government doesn’t even care about the education of young people. The education of young people is nothing to them,” said Mwaliteta. “What they are interested in only is to see our children become thugs and turn them into PF carders and empower them. Today a PF carder drives a Range Rover while a doctor goes for work on foot. Today a PF carder drives a Ford Ranger while a teacher goes for work on foot. This is heartbreaking!”
And UPND Chilanga District Council (CDC) chairperson candidate, Champion Tembo, has tipped the people of Chilanga ward that this year’s elections are about rejecting poverty and other ills.
He implored on the people to charge of their destiny by voting for UPND candidates and Hakainde Hichilema so that their lives can be valued.
“Aya masanko niyo kana njala. Aya masanko niyokana carderism. Aya masanko niyokana ma call out yaku chipatala [These elections are about rejecting poverty. These elections about rejecting thuggery. These elections are about rejecting prescriptions],” said Tembo. “You need to vote for UPND candidates and Hakainde Hichilema because we value people’s lives.”
And Mr Tembo also took the opportunity to commend the Chilanga ward aspirant, Misheck Mweemba, for introducing the Human Habitat program in the ward during his first term in office which saw the building of over 50 houses for the aged and the vulnerable.
Meanwhile, UPND Chilanga parliamentary candidate, Sipho Hlazo, has pledged to be a servant to the people and not a ‘boss’ to the people when elected into office.
He said he is going to represent their needs in parliamentary and ensure that their lives are uplifted by empowering them with businesses.
Present at the meeting were the Lusaka province chairlady, Rosa Zulu, deputy provincial chairlady, Angela Muuka, Chilanga district chairperson, Chisambwe Chinyama, district chairlady, Lizzie Chanda, district IPS in charge of media, Chrispine Chambwa and deputy district chairlady, Ebony Chuuka.
Others present were the deputy constituency chairperson, Alex Cheelo, constituency IPS in charge of media, Audrey Matale, and constituency trustee, Exildah Mweemba among others.
Zambia goes to the polls next Thursday amidst an ongoing economic crisis and rising political tensions. The election is effectively a two-horse race between Edgar Lungu’s PF and his long time arch-rival – Hakainde Hichilema – who has been tipped to be the likely winner.
The Department of Immigration in Nakonde district, Muchinga Province, has apprehended 13 Ethiopian nationals for illegal entry into the country, contrary to section 11 of the Immigration and Deportation Act number 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
The group was detained on July 11, 2021 aboard a stationary Noah motor vehicle registration number AIB 8988, after they failed to produce documentation authorizing their entry into Zambia.
Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka disclosed that this was during midnight patrols done to check on COVID-19 compliance levels.
‘’This was jointly conducted by Officers from Immigration and other Security Wings, Health Officers and Nakonde Council Police,’’ he said.
‘’They appeared before the Magistrate Court in Nakonde and were all convicted and each sentenced to pay a fine of K 3,000 or in default 9 months simple imprisonment,’’ disclosed Mr Nshinka.
In a similar incident the Department also apprehended 11 Ethiopians nationals aged between 18 and 25 years as they were walking along the Malawi road, which leads to Chipata district, after an alert from members of the public.
‘’It is suspected that they entered Zambia using illegal bush paths with the intention to enter Malawi and later re-enter Zambia and use the Eastern Corridor to reach South Africa, their apparent destination,’’ Explained Mr Nshinka.
‘’They are currently detained at Nakonde Police Station pending prosecution. This brings the number of persons of different nationalities apprehended by the Department between July, 29 and August, 4 2021 to sixty-eight,’’ he said.
Mr Nshinka further added that during this same period the department also removed one hundred and eight illegal immigrants from the country.
‘’ Among those removed were twenty-six Congolese, comprising ten adults and fourteen children removed by the Mongu Regional Immigration Office on July, 31 2021 via Kasumbalesa Border Control,’’ he disclosed.
Mr Nshinka indicated that this was after they were arrested on June, 6, 2021 at a guest house for not having any travel documents and investigations revealed that their movement was organized and that they entered Zambia through Kasumbalesa Border Control enroute to Namibia.
This is contained in a statement made available to the media by Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka.
The PF has urged the international media not to fan instability but propagate a peaceful electoral process ahead of Zambia’s general elections next week.
Zambia’s ruling party, the Patriotic Front (PF), cautioned the international media and election obsevers to clearly state what they wanted if peace and stability were not their agenda.
PF Political and Media Committee Spokesperson Amos Chanda has said the ruling party supported the executive decision to enhance security by deploying the military following the death of two PF members by suspected UPND criminals in Kanyama Constituency in Lusaka City.
Mr. Chanda, a former Presidential Press Aide and Diplomat, said the absence of peace and security would not allow for any credible election adding that Zambia Defence Force operated within the Constitution.
He urged the international media to reach out to ruling party organs for accurate information and that the Ministry of Information would be readily available to be accessed by the international media.
Some sections of the international media reported that President Edgar Lungu deployed the military to intimidate voters. Mr. Chanda said the military was constitutionally mandated to prevent any internal and external threat to peace and security.
He said the regretable killing of two PF members by suspected UPND criminals in Kanyama Constituency in Lusaka was in public domain of which everyone condemned the violence. Mr. Chanda said PF welcomed the enhanced security decision as it was an assurance that Zambia would hold a credible election.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chanda questioned if the international media wanted to promote voter apathy instead of larger turnout. He stated that the high voter registration in PF strongholds was a patriotic decision to mobilize people to vote. Mr. Chanda said PF created a conducive environment for party members to register and it was not a responsibility of the party to mobilize for other parties.
And Mr. Chanda urged all stakeholders to follow the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) rules. He further stated that the ruling party welcomed the foreign observers big delegation currentlyin the country. Mr. Chanda said PF never objected to the presence of foreign observers as there was nothing wrong with them coming in.
He said there was no official comment as they were welcome clarifying that whoever verbally attacked the observers did so in their personal capacity. Mr. Chanda also declined to comment on transfer of power next week because he only sawa sense of continuation. He said the Zambian currency, the Kwacha, was rebounding because it sensed continuation. Mr. Chanda emphasized that the ruling party had worked hard to secure a clear victory.
Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia (PTAZ) has appealed to Government to prosecute Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for abrogating provisions of Statutory Instrument number 35 of 2021.
Association secretary general Benson Tembo says recently Government directed that 50 percent of the fuel must be transported by locals but this has not come to pass.
He told Smart Eagles that “The Ministry of Energy has directed through the Import waivers letters that were given to the Oil Marketing Companies that at least 50 percent of the allocated volume to be transported by Zambian citizens as stated in the Statutory but some OMCs have ignored these provisions but instead they are giving business to their preferred transporters some of whom are not citizens as prescribed by Citizens Economic and Empowerment Commission Act No.9 of 2006.
“We therefore refer you to Section 8 (1) and (2) on offence which states that a person who contravenes these regulations commits and is liable, on admission, to a fine not exceeding eight thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years or both.
When an offence under these regulation committed by a body corporate or an unincorporated body, with the knowledge, consent or connivance of the Director, Manager, shareholders or partner, that Director, Manager, Shareholders or partner of the body corporate or unincorporated body commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a penalty or term of imprisonment specified under sub regulation (1).
“Some Oil Marketing Companies are in breach of these regulations and in view of this, we demand that the full length of this Statutory Instrument be enforced in the manner as prescribed and stated above,” he says
Mr Mr Tembo says “The Oil Marketing Companies listed below must prove you and us that they are fulfilling the provisions of Statutory Instrument number 35 of 2021 and if not must be charged and prosecuted accordingly.
He named the OMCs as Mt Meru Petroleum Limited,Vivo Energy,Puma Energy, Lake Petroleum Limited and SGC.
Further, he says, upon payment of the fine as stipulated by the law, these companies must be regarded as convicts who cannot do future business with the government of Zambia.
“It is our sincere hope and trust that the prosecution of the offenders be transparent and shall send a clear signal to would be offenders. If this demand is not acted upon as stated as required by law, we shall have no option but to report them to other enforcement agents as stated in Section 2 of the Statutory,” he says.
Government has reiterated its commitment to improve the transport and transportation infrastructures as they are critical for the improvement of the livelihood of the people of Zambia.
Northern Province Permanent Secretary, Royd Chakaba, says the transport sector and transportation infrastructures, which include public and passenger vehicles and trains, railways and roads, will remain priority on the government’s agenda.
Mr Chakaba was speaking in a speech read on his behalf by acting Deputy Permanent Secretary, Grace Sinkolongo, during the ceremonial opening of the first-ever bus station in Kasama districts today.
Mr Chakaba noted that the transport sector and transportation infrastructures will drive wider economic benefits accelerate movement of goods and passengers in businesses.
“The transportation infrastructures like the Kasama bus station will support economic growth, enhance well-organised transport systems and create job opportunities among other benefits,” he said.
He also stated that the good roads and passenger shelters including conducive bus terminals, are important for efficient transportation of goods and services and to improve economic growth of any country.
“I urge the Kasama community to work in collaboration with the local authority in order to keep this infrastructure clean and protect it from all manner of vandalism. It is not the pride of Kasama but the province as a whole,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Luis Liye a representative of China Geo Construction, the firm contracted to build the bus station, thanked government for awarding his firm to construct the state-of-the-art bus terminus in the Provincial Capital of Northern Province.
Luis Liye noted that China Geo worked well with the local community and appealed to government to award his firm more of such projects as he promised to showcase good workmanship.
“During the construction stage, we enjoyed good relations with the government officials and the local people. We are ready as China Geo to take up any construction contract and we will work according to people’s expectation,” he said.
And Northern Province President for Taxis and Buses Association, Janny Yambayamba, said the opening of the new bus station for public use will provide more employment for youths in the district.
Mr Yambayamba also noted that the infrastructure is well located for the traveling public as it is centrally positioned and closer to the market.
“This means more employment for youths in the district and the province as a whole because there will be more traders, taxis and mini buses at the terminus which has resulted in a well-structured and formalised transport system,” he said.
The government constructed the bus station at cost of K10 million.
Following an invitation from the Zambian Government, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, has approved the deployment of an African Union (AU) Short-Term Election Observation (STO) Mission to Zambia to observe next week’s general elections.
The STO Mission is led by His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, former President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and composed of former and current African ambassadors accredited to Ethiopia, members of election management bodies in Africa, members of civil society organisations, and independent electoral experts.
The Mission’s objective is to provide an independent and impartial assessment of all aspects of the 2021 electoral process, including the legal framework, the political context and the transparency and effectiveness of the electoral preparations, and will operate in accordance with relevant AU and international standards and obligations for democratic elections such as the 2007 African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance; the 2002 AU/OAU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa; 2002 the AU Guidelines for Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions.
The Mission will present its findings at a press conference in Lusaka shortly after the conclusion of the elections, where a Preliminary Statement will be issued.
This will be followed by a more detailed Final Report that will include recommendations for improvement of future elections in Zambia.
Foreign media reports that the Zambian government has resolved to completely shut down access to the internet beginning next Thursday, the voting day.
According to a highly placed government source, access to the internet will be throttled from Thursday in an effort to maintain peace and order during the voting period.
The source that opted to remain anonymous said the decision has since been communicated to ZICTA for implementation.
“Yes internet will go down from Thursday. There will be a total blackout. We will start to slowly restore access around Saturday in selected areas, we may get full access maybe on Sunday or Monday, depending on the situation,” the source said.
The source added that President Lungu has sanctioned the move as a way to counter any possible unrest that may emerge when results start trickling in.
“There is fear that some negative elements might use the internet to incite and organize protests and this is why we are shutting it down all together,” the source stated.
And Head of Public Policy at Facebook, Southern Africa, Nomonde Gongxeka-Seopa has urged the Zambian government to keep internet open during the election period.
Ms. Gongxeka-Seopa said in an interview with Hot FM from South Africa that Facebook has been engaging the Zambian authorities on the importance of keeping internet access open.
“We know that we rely on social media platforms to communicate and if there is Internet shutdowns, it separates people from reaching out to their families and friends and even their livelihoods and speaking of livelihoods, we know that with the advent of Covid 19, most businesses have moved online to reach out to their customers, so if there is Internet shutdowns, it undermines economic activities and growth by harming small businesses and disrupting the whole start up eco system,” she said.
She added, “So for us, we hold the view that instead of ordering shutdowns and blocking access, perhaps authorities should seek to use and work with online platforms to address emerging issues through maintaining their own online presence and supporting appropriate culture speech.”
“For us as Facebook, we are happy to work with government and law enforcement to provide education and training on how to do this,” Ms. Gongxeka-Seopa said.
Meanwhile, both MTN and Airtel have failed to offer guarantees that they will not shut down internet access over the election period.
MTN Group told the Daily Maverick that its subsidiaries, including MTN Zambia, respected digital human rights, including “the right to communicate, to share information freely and responsibly, and to enjoy privacy and security regarding their data and their use of digital communications”.
MTN said if the Zambian government ordered it to shut down its services during the elections, the company would have to consider the order in light of its digital human rights policy.
But MTN did not say that it would not shut down its services or censor them.
And the company confirmed that it had shut down the internet in four other African countries recently during unrest.
“In all cases, restricting access to the internet is the last resort,” an MTN spokesperson said.
UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda
UPND Secretary-General Batuke Imenda told DM168: “We are disappointed that MTN and Airtel, as Zambia’s two biggest telecommunications providers, will not guarantee to protect internet access ahead of the general election on 12 August and stand up against any attempts by the government to infringe [on] the digital rights of citizens.”
“Combined access to data and internet connectivity is an essential requirement for a free, fair and credible election. There is a distinct possibility that the government will instruct Zambia’s telecommunications companies to shut down the internet in an attempt to subvert the democratic will of the people. Any throttling of the internet, blocking of social media/instant messaging platforms and internet shutdowns will compromise the freedom and fairness of the election.”
“Further, shutting down the internet is a violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens being contrary to Article (20) of the Constitution of Zambia. The tactics to shut down the internet is dictatorial and a serious indictment on freedom of expression.
“These tactics deny voters access to information about the election, including where and how to vote. Importantly, the government of Zambia is also aimed at preventing election monitors [including observation missions] from communicating and carrying out independent monitoring of the voting and counting process.”
“We call upon both MTN and Airtel to take a clear stance in support of human rights and democracy by declaring their opposition to any instruction to throttle or shut down the internet and block access to social media and instant-messaging platforms. They should furthermore indicate publicly what steps they will be taking to engage with government to pre-empt any unlawful instruction,” Mr Imenda said.
In response to questions about how it would respond if the Zambian government instructed it to black out signal over the election period, MTN said: “MTN Group believes that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life and our priority is always to provide customers with full access to our network.”
MTN endorsed the United Nations (UN) stance “that the rights held by people offline must also be protected online”.
“Our response to digital human rights is underpinned by a sound group-wide policy and due diligence framework. In all cases, restricting access to the internet is a last resort. Should MTN Zambia receive an instruction to shut down the internet, we would first have to check the terms of our licence and ensure that we comply with our licence conditions.”
MTN would review the directive against the group’s digital human rights policy and due diligence framework, guided by the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights framework.
“MTN was engaging with stakeholders, including industry players and regulatory authorities, to assess the likelihood of a potential request for an internet shutdown, to identify “potential mitigations” and “manage any potential situation as effectively as possible.”
“As part of our due diligence framework, MTN works to limit the scope, extent, or duration of any human rights impacts.”
DM168 asked MTN if it would comply with a request by the Zambian authorities to censor text messages to remove the names of opposition candidates, as cellular companies did during the recent Tanzanian elections.
MTN said it was “politically impartial in all its operations and does not subscribe to any political party, movement, or affiliation” but would evaluate such a request from either governmental or non-governmental bodies to see if the requests were legal.
“Even as a major player in many markets, we cannot presume that we can influence these events upfront,” MTN said, adding that it recognised it had a role of “advocating globally for respect of digital human rights”.
Asked if it would consider pulling out of Zambia if asked to shut or censor its transmission, the company said it would do “a robust risk assessment before any decision is taken to exit a market”, taking into account numerous factors, including human rights and stakeholders’ perspectives.
“Many of the markets in which MTN operates have the lowest mobile penetration rates globally. Investing in these markets allows MTN to provide vital communications services, ensuring people have access to basic and emergency services and a means of sharing information and staying connected.
“MTN’s presence enables people to realise their basic human rights. Notwithstanding, the risk of human rights incidents in our countries of operation exists. Such risks are a factor of doing business in these markets and these are not strictly limited to MTN.”
DM168 asked MTN for examples where it had shut down or censored communications for governments and why this was done.
“In 2020, MTN received three major requests by authorities, legally permitted by applicable laws or by virtue of a court order, obliging MTN to block or suspend internet or social media services or websites.
“These were in Sudan, Guinea-Conakry and Nigeria, and these incidents took place during times of political or social unrest.
“As an example, in June 2020, Sudan experienced a month-long near-total internet shutdown due to unrest in the country. MTN Sudan followed the Group’s due diligence process, which included understanding the options available before making any decision to comply or reject the requests to shut down services. The process also considered the safety and security risks to employees, customers, and operations. MTN Sudan was commended by its customers for being one of the last operators to shut down and one of the first to reinstate services.”
“In late June 2021, during social unrest in Eswatini, MTN Eswatini received a directive from the communications regulator to shut down access to social media and online messaging platforms. After extensive engagements with all relevant stakeholders, MTN resumed the provision of full internet services nine days after complying with the directive.”
UNITED Party for National Development(UPND) National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso says the UPND Alliance presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership of tolerance and love for people continues to attract Zambians from all the ten provinces.
And Mr. Liswaniso says it is not by chance that the UPND leader is increasingly becoming a preferred presidential candidate in the race toward a citizen being elected as a Seventh (7th) Republican President.
Featuring on University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road Campus UNZA 91.7FM Lusaka Star programme on Wednesday 4th August, 2021, an optimistic Liswaniso said the crowds following Mr. Hichilema are largely new young people and first time voters, a majority of whom are eager to vote out the incorrigible PF due to lies and deception floated in the last ten years.
“We have had figures as UPND Alliance for victory during the time that PF was busy building mansions and denying us space to campaign through the draconian Public (POA), thus HH, Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, UPND Alliance partners and all of us were mobilising privately in all parts of Zambia’s ten (10) provinces, namely; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Southern and Western. l can tell you that we were all over Zambia, even to places we previously had no numbers and these are the crowds you are seeing,” noted Liswaniso.
And Liswaniso has advised school going children eligible to vote to turn in large numbers and cast their individual and collective vote for free education on UPND Alliance ticket.
“l urge my youths still in school to exercise their inalienable right to vote on Thursday 12th August 2021. l know that the young people who are going to vote for the first time love Bally (HH) and I am confident that he is going to give us all free education and most importantly I plead with all Zambians to turn in large numbers and vote for change and economic liberation,”prayed a determined Liswaniso.
Meanwhile, the UPND die-hard activist is expectant that the inclusion of the security wing to help provide peace and order during the much anticipated victory is going to protect all citizens regardless of their individual and collective political affliation.
And Mr Liswaniso has directed all UPND youths and symphathisers to remain calm, united and fearless.
“With a few days remaining to poll day, we must remain united and all stakeholders in the electoral process need to guard Zambia’s credential as an oasis of peace,” said Liswaniso.
Meanwhile, both MTN and Airtel have failed to offer guarantees that they will not shut down internet access over the election period.
In response to questions about how it would respond if the Zambian government instructed it to black out signal over the election period, MTN said: “MTN Group believes that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life and our priority is always to provide customers with full access to our network.”