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The Ndola High Court has declared that the Electoral Commission of Zambia(ECZ)’s ban on campaign rallies is legal and that acted within its constitutional mandate.
This is in a case where United Party for National Development (UPND) Secretary-general Batuke Imenda had applied for leave to seek the relief of the court to declare the decision by the ECZ to ban political party rallies ahead of the August 12th General elections illegal as well as compelling the commission to prescribe the amount of airtime given to all participating political parties and independents on public Electronic and Print Media.
Making her ruling yesterday, High Court judge Mary Mulanda said that article 229 of the Republican Constitution amendment number 2 of 2016 provides, under sub-article 2(e), that ECZ shall regulate the conduct of voters and candidates, adding that on paragraph 3(1)(f) of the Electoral Code of conduct which confers a duty on the ECZ to ensure that a campaign meeting or rally which is duly organized by a registered a political party is not disrupted or arbitrary prohibited.
Judge Mulanda said the decision by the commission to ban the rallies in view of the surge in Covid 19 cases in the country was not arbitrary as the country has been on Alert State since March 2020 describing the decision as having been made to safeguard the lives of people and was in the best interest of the country and its people.
Judge Mulanda added that campaigns have been allowed to go ahead with parties advised to use appropriate campaign strategies such as mobile public address system, distribution of flyers, and other political party materials with minimal or no contact with the crowds.
However, the Court has granted Mr. Imenda leave to apply for judicial review challenging the failure by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to prescribe the amount of airtime allocated to participating political parties on public television and radio media platforms.
Judge Mulanda said that the prescription of airtime to all participating political parties is highly necessary to enable parties including independents to have equal campaign opportunities in the run upto to the August General elections.
Chapter One Foundation Limited has petitioned President Edgar Lungu for assenting to the Correctional Service Bill no.35 of 2021 when his parliamentary mandate expired following the dissolution of Parliament.
The Bill seeks to give well behaved inmates a fortnight leave to visit their families. Prisoners will also be released on a special license apart from being pardoned.
Chapter One Foundation wants a conservatory order staying the operation of the Zambia Correctional Service Act no.35 of 2021 and restoring the Prisons Act Chapter 97 of the Zambian laws pending determination of the petition.
It wants a declaration that to the extent that the Zambia Correctional Service Bill no.35 of 2021 was assented to by the President after the dissolution of Parliament on May 13, 2021, the Zambia Correctional Service Act no.37 of 2021 was not law enacted by Parliament of Zambia therefore it is null and void.
The Foundation is further seeking an order of certiorari that the Zambia Correctional Service Act no.37 of 2021 be quashed.
In its petition, Chapter One Foundation said that following the dissolution Parliament on May 13, 2021, President Lungu ceased to be part of Parliament.
It said after the dissolution of Parliament until the period when the President-elect assumes office of President in accordance with Article 104 of the constitution, the Head of State can only continue to perform the executive functions of the Republic.
The NGO stated that the constitution vests the legislative authority of the Republic to be exercised by Parliament.
It said according to Article 92 of the constitution, the executive functions of the President, without limiting other provisions of the constitution, are: Appoint ambassadors, high commissioners, plenipotentiaries, diplomatic representatives, consuls and heads of international organisations, receive and accredit foreign ambassadors, high commissioners, plenipotentiaries diplomatic representatives and consuls, negotiate and sign international agreements and treaties and subject to the approval of the National Assembly, ratify or accede to international agreements and treaties.
COF said other duties are to establish, merge and dissolve government ministries, subject to the approval of the National Assembly, appoint people as required by the constitution or any law to be appointed by the President, initiate Bills for submission to and consideration by the National Assembly, among others.
The NGO stated that on April 14, 2021, the Zambia Correctional Service Bill no.35 of 2021 was published and the date when the said Bill was passed by the National Assembly is currently unknown.
“On May 19, 2021, six days after the dissolution of Parliament, the respondent ceased to be part of Parliament and purported to assent to the Zambia Correctional Service Bill no.35 of 2021,” COF said.
“After the dissolution of Parliament on May 13, 2021, President Lungu’s legislative authority conferred by Article 63(1) of the constitution to assent to Bills passed by the National Assembly expired.”
It argued that President Lungu breached Articles 81(8) and 92(2) of the constitution on May 19, 2021 when he purported to assent to the Zambia Correctional Service Bill no.35 of 2021.
Cuts international Zambia says the Country’s debt is undermining the ability of government to meet its commitments on gender equality and promotion of women and girls` rights.
Presenting her paper entitled Debt and its Effect on Women and Children during a media workshop, Cuts International Programmes Officer, Jane Zulu says this is because the costs of servicing the debt are disproportionately born by women and girls while the funds borrowed are rarely spent in ways that prioritize women and girls` rights.
In her presentations Ms Zulu stated that inordinately high pressure to service debt places pressure to increase revenues often through indirect tax such as VAT, which is regressive and carries a disproportionate impact on women.
“The reduced expenditures in social sectors impact on women and girls who are the majority users of these services due to the existing inequalities that determine gender roles and responsibilities, while devaluing their contribution, ” she said.
On the impact of the debt on the informal economy and COVID-19, Ms Zulu observed that the informal sector accounts for 68% of employment in the country adding that with the high cost of doing business, most businesses have experienced disruptions due to the depreciated kwacha, this coupled with the on-going pandemic has increased the burden.
“These dynamics affect women disproportionately. The informal sector accounts for 76 per cent of total employment for women. In this context, the COVID-19 crisis has had a dual impact on women in the country,” she said.
Ms Zulu on the one hand, said job losses in the informal sector are set to see an increase in female unemployment.
“On the other hand, caregiver burdens largely fall on women in Zambia. As a result of the unequal gender distribution of informal care in the household, women are likely to see their work and life opportunities further constrained in the aftermath of the pandemic,” she presented.
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has urged the business community to adhere to the laid down COVID-19 guidelines as a mitigation measure.
In an interview with ZANIS, LCC Public Relations Manager Mwaka Nakweti said the council has continued to carry out sensitization programs and routine inspections of business houses and bars on the importance of adhering to COVID-19 guidelines.
She said all businesses have been directed to follow the five golden rules which include ensuring that they make available handwashing facilities or hand sanitizers for their clients.
‘’ As Lusaka City Council we have continued with our sensitization programs and routine inspections of various business houses which also includes bars. We have continued to advise members of the public on the importance of adhering to COVID-19 guidelines,’’ she said.
She disclosed that the council staff have been conducting compliance checks in various places within the city and have also disinfected overpopulated areas such as markets and bus stations.
‘’ Our officers conduct compliance checks in a number of places around the city, other than that we have also been conducting fumigation of densely populated areas like markets and bus stations,’’ said Ms. Nakweti
She also called on bar owners to ensure that patrons of drinking places follow the guidelines to stop further transmission.
And in a similar appeal, the council has called on the public intending to hold events such as bridal showers as well as funeral gatherings to apply for permission through their offices.
‘’For those that want to congregate for various functions such weddings, bridal showers, and the likes as the local authority we urge them to apply through Lusaka city Council and only after permission is granted can they go ahead with their functions,’’ she said.
The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and The National Technology Business Council (NTBC) have awarded funding to six successful applicants of the Strategic Research Fund and seven under the Technology Business Development Fund.
Officiating at the awards ceremony at Raddison Blu Hotel, Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary (PS) Kayula Siame stressed that government recognises research and innovation as critical in the country’s development agenda and that they are instrumental in the improvement of the quality and quantity of production of goods and services.
The PS also reaffirmed government’s support to research and innovation, as enshrined in the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy of 2020.
“Research and innovation is expected to play a critical roles in the diversification process and in the exploration of opportunities that will enhance the productive capacities of various sectors of the economy,” Mrs Siame said.
She appealed to the recipients of the Strategic Research Fund (SRF) and the Technology Business Development Fund (TBDF) grants, to utilise the resource prudently.
“I make an earnest appeal to the recipients of the grants to ensure that their projects succeed and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country,” Mrs Siame urged.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, NTBC Chief Executive Officer Chitundu Kasase applauded the Ministry of Higher Education for investing in research innovation and that the awards have been undergoing refinement since their inception.
Dr Kasase noted that the awards have been developed with response to the country developmental agenda.
“It is the first time the NSTC and the NTBC are jointly awarding these grants and it is gratifying to note that the awards have undergone various developments to make them more responsive to the country’s developmental agenda,” Dr Kasase Said.
And one of the recipients of the Strategic Research Fund Cephas Sialubanje thanked the Ministry of Higher Education for the grant and commended government for showing research interest.
Dr Sialubanje who has been awarded a grant to undertake research to assess the long term effects of the coronavirus disease on survivors in Zambia explained that the study will help gather evidence of what happens in the immediate, intermediate and long-term to COVID-19 survivors in Zambia.
“If we understand the effects of the coronavirus disease with respect to viral load and strain on survivors, we can be able to advise on clinical care,” he explained.
Over K4 million has been disbursed for the seven successful projects under the Strategic Research Fund and over K 2.5 million for the 6 projects selected under the Technology Business Development Fund, through the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and the National Technology Business Council (NTBC).
In the next 24 hours, Zambia shall know how to be, and how not to be a President or Vice President of the Republic of Zambia.
The Constitutional Court, an apex body that we the People of Zambia have delegated authority in terms of Articles 1(5); 5: 127; 128; and 129 to hear and determine matters relating to the Constitution, will be making a final determination on qualifications a of a President or Vice President of the Republic of Zambia.
Until the next review of the Constitution, the determination we anticipate from the Constitutional Court in the next 24 hours, will bring to finality lingering questions on qualifications to hold one of the two apex offices in the Republic of Zambia.
Generally speaking, there are four ways in which one can hold office of the Vice President in the Republic of Zambia, as follows:
First, when one is appointed as a Running Mate by a Presidential Candidate, and that Presidential Candidate is duly elected and sworn-in as President
Second, subject to approval by Parliament, when a minister is appointed by a Vice President who assumes office of President on account of the office of the President has fallen vacant
Third, subject to approval by Parliament, when a Cabinet Minister is appointed by another Cabinet Minister who assumes office of the President after being elected by fellow Cabinet Ministers on account that the offices of the President and the Vice President have fallen vacant at the same time
Fourth, after Parlianent is dissolved, a Vice President continues to hold office of Vice President until the next President-Elect is sworn-in
Generally speaking, there are six ways in which one hold office of the President in the Republic of Zambia, as follows:
First, after being elected and sworn in as President
Second, after Parlianent is dissolved, a President continues to hold office of the President until the next President-Elect is sworn-in
Third, a Speaker of the National Assembly assumes office oc the President on account that an incumbent President who recontested elections vacates office because his or her re-election has been petitioned in the Constitutional Court
Fourth, a Vice President who assumes office of the President on account that office of the President has fallen vacant
Fifth, a Cabinet Minister who is elected by fellow Cabinet Ministers after the offices of the President and Vice President simultaneously fall vacant
Sixth, subject to approval by Parliament, a President whose tenure is extended account that elections cannot be held because the Republic is in a state of war, state of emergency or state of threatened emergency
In all above scenarios for qualification to assume office of the President, where tenure is less than three years, such a period is not recognised by the Constitution as a term. If the tenure is three years and above, then that period is recognised by the Constitution as a term.
According to prior decisions of the Constitutional Court, a person who has served for less than three years as President, that period so served does not count in terms of qualification of that person for election or re-election as President of the Republic of Zambia.
We await to hear what the Constitutional Court will determine on above issues in the next 24 hours.
From me, all I can say is: all the best to the litigants and their supporters.
Chipolopolo have added an extra date on the final stop of their June three-match friendly tour with two matches against Sudan.
Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s side was due to conclude their excursion on June 11 against Sudan in Omdurman.
However, that match has now been downgraded from a full- international to a mere practice game.
“Please note that the FIFA approved friendly between Sudan and Zambia has been moved to Sunday June 13 at Al Hilal Stadium at 19h00 hours CAT,” Mungala said in a communiqué from Sudan.
“However an unofficial match will also take place tomorrow June 11 at the same venue and time.”
Mungala said only the fringe players on the tour would feature in Friday’s practice game and the regulars rested after playing two games in a space of four days that has also seen Zambia undertake gruelling trans-continental flights to fulfill the friendlies.
Chipolopolo began the tour with a 3-1 away loss to Senegal on June 5 in Thies and a 2-2 draw against Benin on June 8 in Cotonou.
President Edgar Lungu has reiterated the need to maintain peace and unity in the country, even as the country heads to the polls.
President Lungu emphasised that the government believes in peace and oneness, adding that this should be the basis for all Zambians even as the country heads to the polls.
ZANIS reports that the Head of State has since urged politicians to ensure that they do not destroy Zambia, by desisting from engaging into divisive activities such as violence and tribalism.
President Lungu was responding to calls from Chiefs Kapichila, Mpamba and Senior Chief Mwase of Lundazi district in Eastern Province, who earlier called for peace before, during and after the August 12, general elections.
The President said the call from the traditional leaders should apply to all political parties in the country.
And President Lungu thanked the traditional leadership in the district, and the region at large for advocating for peace in Zambia.
Earlier, Chief Kapichila, who spoke on behalf of the other traditional leaders during the meeting with President Lungu, called for peace in the country before, during and after elections.
Chief Kapichila said traditional leaders and their subjects want to experience continued peace in the country.
Meanwhile, the chiefs in Lundazi have thanked the government and President Lungu for the commitment towards developing the district and the country at large.
Chief Kapichila told the President that the provision of bicycles for headmen, as well as vehicles for chiefs has eased the work for all traditional leaders.
Later, President Lungu inspected construction works at the Lundazi Bridge, and made it clear that the project was about development and not politics.
The Head of State further said that the process of development will continue even after elections.
“For those saying we will not vote for you if you do not work on the bridge, we are saying we have a duty to do these things for you. After the bridge is done, we will continue working,” he said.
President Lungu has since asked the residents of Lundazi to give the contractor, Shachitari Construction company space to execute their job diligently.
Meanwhile, Road Development Agency (RDA) Chief Executive Officer, George Manyele, said the K71 million Lundazi bridge project is scheduled for completion in September this year.
President Lungu who is in Eastern Province on a working visit, inspecting developmental projects in the region, is expected back to Lusaka tomorrow.
united Party for National Development (UPND) Alliance leader, President Hakainde Hichilema has charged that nothing will stand in the way of UPND Alliance to prevent it from ushering in the much-needed change come 12th August.
Speaking shortly after a meeting with ECZ, Mr Hichilema stated that change was written on the faces of Zambians including that of flowers.
And Mr Hichilema says the UPND Alliance will no longer be taking unlawful orders from the Police, charging:
“Come rain, come sunshine, there will be a change of Government on 12th August. Change is written everywhere: on your lips; in the sky and on flowers. Chapwa! kabiye! Longa! The group here (Alliance partners) are civilized to allow for a peaceful transition of power. I want to assure you and guide you: from now onwards, we will not obey unlawful instructions. From what happened in Kanyama yesterday, a large procession-does it mean COVID-19 only knows the faces of opposition?” wondered Mr. Hichilema.
Asked to comment on the cancellation of two UPND Alliance Road Shows scheduled for Munali in Lusaka and another one in Kitwe, Copperbelt, Mr Hichilema stated that the party couldn’t proceed as the Police refused to give a go-ahead.
“The cancellation of the Road Show is one of the issues that came through in the meeting with ECZ…that there must be equity, fairness, and avoidance of using the COVID-19 as a weapon to deter the UPND Alliance from exercising the fundamental rights of citizens such as the freedom of Assembly. We also raised issues of the ECZ’s failure to play its role as referee in the Electoral process of the country,” said Mr. Hichilema.
Mr Hichilema stated that PF’s intention was to stop the UPND Alliance from selling its message to the electorate.
“The intention of the PF is to stop us from campaigning and from reaching out to the people. The intention (by PF) is to stop us from campaigning. The Police are used to advance the cause of endesha; chapwa; longa (Edgar Lungu). I want to assure you that courtesy of the people of Zambia, come rain, come sunshine, there will be change of Government on 12th August,” Hichilema said reassuringly.
Commenting on the UPND Alliance’s meeting at the same event, Alliance Chairman, Charles Milupi accused the ECZ of failing to execute their mandate of running the country’s electoral systems, adding that the Electoral body had instead surrendered the role to Zambia Police.
“We had a very serious meeting with ECZ at which we raise a number of issues concerning the elections. We also highlighted what we have seen in the ECZ who have failed to manage the elections. We have seen an ECZ who are willing to delegate their duties to the Police. We asked them why they are quiet when the Police are discharging their duties. We also raised issues of juveniles, minors registering as voters. We expect the ECZ to play their full role as referees. We also raised issues to do with the period for the announcement of results,” he said.
And UPND Alliance Vice-Chairperson, Ernest Mwansa of ZED, accused the Police of taking the UPND Alliance’s willingness for dialogue as a weakness.
“Some of the things that we raised to the ECZ that we feel that must work on and take responsibility is the Voter Register which up to this time we do not have. Our concern is that we should have been able to verify the Voter Register. The other issue we raised to do with the Public Media, particularly ZNBC which has continued to be a tool for the ruling PF. We are concerned because the law has made it clear because the law provides for public-run MEDIA to offer coverage to all political parties. The issue of Coronavirus: we are concerned that it sis being applied as a weapon to stop the opposition from campaigning,” he said.
He charged that the Police were creating an environment in which violence had become an alternative.
“Even the roadshows which they have allowed, we have police armoured vehicles trailing us. We want to make it clear that we are available to the Police Command. We are available for dialogue that will ensure that the elections are run properly,” he said.
He expressed concern at Inonge Wina’s continued use of public resources such as helicopters to carry out campaigns on behalf of the ruling party.
Mr Mwansa also appealed to the ECZ to take responsibility by conducting elections in line with the provisions of the law.
“The ECZ must not depend on Government to carry out their duties. The Electoral processes are in their hands. We will not expect the Internet to go. To ensure that they protect the vote themselves is not a responsibility that they can run away from,” he said.
Rural Electrification Authority (REA) Chief Executive Officer, Clement Silavwe, has expressed disappointment over the theft of energy saving bulbs being given to beneficiaries of the rural electrification project in Mpika district.
Mr Silavwe has since described the unfortunate trend as pure vandalism and criminal.
The REA Chief says this is the reason people are not putting the bulbs outside their houses as security lighting, but instead have resorted to fit the bulbs inside their houses for fear of being stolen.
ZANIS reports that Mr Silavwe was speaking when he inspected the implementation of the Rural Electricity Service Access Project (ESAP) in Mpika today.
Mr Silavwe however, said he is impressed with the way REA is implementing the ESAP project not only in Mpulungu, but the entire cycle of the project.
“We laid out the project correctly, the reason we are getting positive feedback from the people, as you can see here in Mpika, the set target was about a thousand, but 938 has already been done,” Mr Sikazwe stated.
He also disclosed that one of the recipients of ESAP project is Northern Province and was allocated 3,200 connections of which 2,900 have been done so far.
Mr Sikazwe further explained that the project is being implemented over five years, from the approval date of June 27, 2017, to closing date of 31 August, 2022 with the overall fiduciary responsibility for the project being vested in REA as an implementing agent.
“The project’s development objective is to increase access in rural areas of Zambia, “he added.
He said through this programme, low-income households and medium to small scale enterprises in rural areas are being connected to the national grid at a subsidized cost of 250 kwacha and 769 respectively as compared to 750 and 1,500 Kwacha.
The government of Zambia requested the World Bank to support scaling up the rural electrification programme through Electricity Service Access Project (ESAP).
The Bank has since approved a credit facility of 26 million dollars for the project towards scaling up the rural electrification project in Northern, Luapula, Copperbelt, North-western province, Eastern, Muchinga, Southern and Western provinces.
Vice President Inonge Wina has arrived in North-western province on a two-day working visit.
Mrs. Wina touched down at Zambezi district airstrip at about 09:30 hours, in the company of Patriotic Front Presidential (PF) Running Mate Nkandu Luo, Members of the central committee, and senior party officials.
Speaking upon arrival, Mrs Wina encouraged people in Zambezi district to hold peaceful campaigns ahead of the August 12 general elections.
Meanwhile, Mrs Wina has advised people on the need not to drop the guard in the fight against COVID-19.
“I am encouraged that you are all masked up. We need to protect ourselves from the virus that has killed a lot of people,” she said.
Mrs Wina said people must not listen to political leaders who are refusing to follow the COVID-19 health guidelines, adding that such people must be held accountable for their actions.
And Patriotic Front Presidential Running Mate Ngandu Luo said that the PF government has been well tested for the past 10 years adding that it will build on many successes, scored so far in terms of equitable distribution of social and economic development.
Professor Luo said massive development delivered by the government across the country, under President Edgar Lungu is what distinguishes the party from others contesting in this year’s general elections.
“I am glad to hear that people in this district will vote for PF ahead of the elections starting with the President to the council Chairpersons, this is what we want to see,” she said.
Professor Luo has since encouraged people in the area to vote in numbers in the August 12 general elections, adding that every vote counts.
While in the province, the Vice President will first call on five local traditional leaders and later hold meetings with party officials and all parliamentary and civic election aspiring candidates on party tickets.
Mrs Wina later in the day will call on Senior Chief Sikufele of Manyinga district and meet two traditional leaders from Kabompo district, and also inspect the construction sites for the civic and district administration.
She will wind up her first day of tour in Manyinga with meeting party officials and all parliamentary and Civic election aspiring candidates on a party ticket.
Members of the central committee and senior party officials have accompanied the Vice President.
The United Arab Emirates will suspend entry for travellers coming from Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda starting June 11, as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the state news agency WAM said on Wednesday.
Transit flights from the UAE to the affected countries, in addition to cargo flights, will continue to operate.
The UAE decision was announced by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and the General Civil Aviation Authority on on Wednesday.
The directive includes travellers who were in the three countries in the 14 days before coming to the UAE.
UAE citizens and first-degree relatives, diplomatic missions approved between the Emirates and the three countries, including administrators working in the embassies of the UAE and the affected countries, are exempt from the ban.
The exemptions include official delegations and businessmen, provided they obtain prior approval, as well as holders of golden and silver residency visas.
Those working in sectors deemed vital by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship and crews of foreign freight and transit planes are also exempt from the ban on condition they present a negative Covid-19 test taken 48 hours prior to their departure.
Those excluded from the travel ban must adhere to precautionary measures, including undergoing 10-day quarantine, take a PCR examination at the airport and on days four and eight of entering the country.
“The General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed that travellers coming from Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda through other countries are required to have a period of stay in those countries of not less than 14 days in order to be allowed to enter the country, with the continuation of cargo flights between the UAE with the three countries,” the crisis and disaster authority said.
“The authority called on all passengers affected by the decision to follow up and communicate with the airlines associated with them to modify and schedule their flights and ensure their safe return to their final destinations without any delay or other obligations.”
The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has recorded a total of USD 5.841 billion worth of projected investments in 2020 from 326 registered investment projects compared to USD 4.880 billion in 2019 from 350 registered investment projects.
Announcing the development at a media briefing today, ZDA Chairperson David Musonda Musopa said this represents a 19.7 percent increase in the value of projected investments.
“Of the total registered investments in 2020, USD 3.170 billion was Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and USD 2.68 billion was Domestic Direct Investment (DDI), representing 54.3 percent and 45.7 percent of the total projected investment, respectively,” he said.
He explained that the Agency in 2020 recorded re-investments worth USD 1.97 billion from 26 investment projects compared to USD 3.95 billion from 76 projects recorded in 2019.
“These investors projected to expand their businesses and to create 1,626 additional jobs in 2020, compared to the 1,101 jobs that were projected to be created by re-investments in 2019,” he said.
Bishop Masupa further said that ZDA has, in the last five years, recorded a positive trend in the growth of projected investments, mainly in Greenfield Projects.
He said the projected surge in investments confirms the relative conducive business and investment climate created by the Government through ease of doing business reforms, political/economic stability, peace, security, good governance, and a favorable legal regulatory environment.
“Notwithstanding the negative effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on investments such as the increase in risk aversion, uncertainty, travel restrictions and the freezing of global investment capital, the continued growth of projected investment attests to the continued interest in Zambia as a preferred destination for investment,” he added.
And Bishop Masupa further said during the period under review, the Manufacturing Sector recorded the highest projected investment of USD 2.67 billion, representing 46 percent of the total investment.
He said the Energy and Transport sectors were second and third highest with projected investment of USD 1.66 billion and USD 0.64 billion, accounting for 29 percent and 11 percent, respectively.
“A similar trend was observed in 2019 where the Manufacturing Sector was the highest with a projected investment of USD 1.21 billion, representing 24.7 percent, followed by Energy with USD 1,051.35. Mining sector was third with projected investment of USD 986.49”, added Bishop Masupa.
“In 2020, ZDA recorded one notable high value investment in the Mining sector worth USD 3,660 million, one in the Service Sector worth USD 1,142 million and another one in the Energy sector worth USD 848.0 million.”
Bishop Masupa said the interest in the Mining sector is as a result of the recent export diversification strategy launched by the Zambian government for gold and gemstone to formalize artisanal small-scale mining and trading activities in order to generate revenue from precious metals.
“On the other hand, interest in the Service Sector is a direct result of Government’s efforts in prioritizing the sector for development as well as the Agency’s efforts in promoting and facilitating targeted and strategic investments, such as the promotion of investment in local tourism and renewable energy, in line with the aspirations of the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) media briefing
Meanwhile, a total of 139 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) were formalised in 2020 compared to 63 in 2019, Zambia Development Agency Board (ZDA) Board Chairperson David Musonda Masupa has said.
Speaking when he gave an account on how the Agency performed in 2020, Bishop Masupa said the Manufacturing sector had the largest number of formalised MSMEs with 53 followed by Agriculture and Services with 41 and 24 MSMEs respectively.
He said the mentioned number of formalised MSMEs represents a 122 percent increase.
And Bishop Masupa said ZDA is determined to enhance its performance through strengthened collaboration with various strategic stakeholders.
He said this is after having developed a resilient strategy of the new normal to cope with Covid 19.
Meanwhile, Bishop Masupa said the Agency is committed to the implementation of the ‘Zambia Economic Recovery Program’ (2020-23) that is anchored on the Country’s private sector-led economic growth strategy.
“ZDA is also committed to the N8+1 Implementation Plan that targets Zambia’s neighbouring countries, plus South Africa, as export markets,” he said.
“The expected enactment of the ZDA, ITED, Local Content and Trade Remedies Bills as well as policies such as the MSME Policy will strengthen the Agency’s institutional framework and enhance its responsiveness to the development needs of the country,” he stated.
Former Minister in the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Government Chishimba Kambwili has defended the high prices of commodities being experienced in Zambia
Speaking during the PF interactive forum with host Nakiwe Simpungwe yesterday, Mr Kambwili said that the rise in a global phenomenon as has been observed by the United Nations and scoffed at United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema’s machinations that once he is elected at 10:00hrs the dollar will come down against the Kwacha.
“Someone was being rhetoric that when I am elected at 10 o’clock, 14:00hrs the dollar will come down ni magic abracadabra, please see them for who they are, liars!!” he exclaimed.
“The United Nations has declared that the prices of food world over prices have gone up by two or three times more because of draught, and Covid 19. Global food has extended to the highest in almost in a decade, this is not me, not Lungu but the UN who is stating,” he said
Citing an example of South Africa which hosts a much larger economy than Zambia, Dr Kambwili said;
“Mealie Meal today in South Africa is at R230 – K380 for 25kg bag of mealie meal and in this country [Zambia] a 25kg is costing at K140, a kg of meat is R73- K120 in South Africa… and in Zambia meat is ranging between K70 to K90 kg, lets come to cooking oil 2.5ltrs in South Africa is costing R79 – K130.”
He noted that even the pump prices in South Africa are much higher as compared to Zambia.
“When we come to petrol I have heard people hallucinate that petrol is expensive in Zambia and cheaper in South Africa, where are you getting the statistics from? Petrol in South Africa is R16.91 per litre which translates to K28 per litre, how much are we paying in Zambia, K17,” he queried.
Mr Kambwili observed that it was a pure fallacy and selfish act to state that the Patriotic Front Government had failed.
“You go to the poor people in the compound and you want to mislead them to remove a legitimately elected government, a government that has done so much in ten years, a government that has brought dignity in terms of roads, hospitals, and schools and saying they are a failed government because of the price of commodities. And prices are better in other countries,” he said.
