Tommorrow, 20 September 2011, is the day. Alea iacta est. The die is cast. The answer belongs to the Lord.
Recently, there has been much talk and speculation and allegations that the Zambia intelligence services are involved in electoral malpractice. This is a very serious accusation that the chief of the service must address and answer to.
Indeed in every intelligence service there are rogue individuals who may do things without the authority of the superiors, but this arm of public service must not be tainted by rumour and innuendo.
The former chief of ZISS Mr Xavier Chungu may have been involved in strange things with his employer the late Dr Chiluba, and that is clear. However, to insinuate that this is an ordinary and normal process for our Intelligence services, needs more evidence than what we have so far been treated to.
In the US and Britain, the work of the intelligence security services such as the CIA and MI5 is so secret that sometimes, as was revealed during the Iraq enquiries as well as the issue of extra-ordinary rendition that even politicians are kept in the dark as to what exactly is going on.
The reason is simple. The responsibility of Intelligence wings goes far beyond the individual politician but extends to the very core and existence of the nation state. Politicians come and go, but the nation state must remain. Thus, where the Intelligence officer sees a threat to the very existence of the nation state, he must act to prevent that damage, even if it appears to be ‘the will of the people.’
Retired General Collin Powel said clearly, ‘I do not comment on what the CIA does.’ This is poignant. The Intelligence service is crucial to the existence of a secure state and that is why we should not subject this high institution to ridicule.
There were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The dodgy dosier on which the whole case for war against a sovereign state was made, was based on a ‘loopy’ Iraq dissident’s thesis whom the CIA never spoke to and was in prison in Germany! There would have been much to say against the CIA and MI5, but none of the politicians ever complained or criticised these institutions, not publicly at least!
Even the media only criticised the polititians and there are some people who were ready to indict Mr Bush and Mr Blair for war crimes. They acted purely on the basis of the intelligence that they were given and that is and will always be fallible as long as human beings are involved.
The point I am trying to make is this, that our Intelligence services have a higher cause to serve than that of individuals. Where they see, rightly or wrongly, a threat to the state, they should act in the interest of the state. They would be wrong to do so in the interest of an individual. Perhaps, our Intelligence friends trained in eastern Europe and under the UNIP regime, may have had other than the correct aims in their work, but this needs to be re-aligned and they need to be re-programmed to understand that their aim is to serve the nation state and not the political party in power. When this is in place, we would not comment on what ZISS does.
What do you mean by saying “where the Intelligence officer sees a threat to the very existence of the nation state, he must act to prevent that damage, even if it appears to be ‘the will of the people”? We have noticed OP sponsored bloggers here stating that “Sata will never be president” because he can do this or that; I know we know them just like they know us. But surely there no way the intelligence can usurp the power of the people just because they perceive it, in their own minds, that someone might be a threat to the nation. Perceptions are easily influenced by somany things hence you cannot allow intelligence personnel to rig elections simply because of perceptions. I know you are not saying they do, but we have heard they do rig.
The work of the intelliegence is to protect the security of vital installations of security nature and guard the security of the country through gathering of infomation which could affect the security of the nation. Alas! the intelligence officers we have around in this country are that cheap that they gather info on who drinks and who doesnt, where do those who drink get their money from, wanting to know who’s married to who, how did that guy bought that corolla…….just cheap data. i have owez wanted to save as an intelligence officer just to protect the security of this beautiful country but the work the guyz hav ended up exercuting…. am sory to say its just gossip and not intelligence
Where as the work of the CIA and MI5 or MI6 benefits the citizens in those countries, the Zambian Intelligence has been designed to serve one person and that person is the president. That’s why they have been exposed I even wonder if their work is even a secret anymore. That’s why the Shushushu’s involvement in rigging is to ensure that this one individual they serve wins at all cost.
2moro we’re going 2 vote peacefully if only they’re not going 2 rig th election & we here some OP officers are putting on police officers uniforms pretending 2 b police officer, we undastand OP guys do put on all th millitary uniforms bt not on times like ths coz they jst hve 2 put on casual so tht they can not b identified. & worn th police officers not 2 missbehave 2moro coz they’ll cause pipoz temper 2 rise as it is gettin hot warn them.
Polling Booths Confiscated:
Concerned Lusaka residents have confiscated a set of polling booths discovered today under a tree in Long-acres area.
The respective polling booths were discovered in the afternoon along Los Angels Boulevard, just opposite the European Union offices.
After the discovery, one of the residents, John Banda informed Transparency International Zambia President Rueben Lifuka and then later informed the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
At MuviTV
PF claims to have inside knowledge of operations of OP, so why would they be worried when that are already aware of everthing?
The chap is comparing Mangoes with sand. Our Zambian intelligence is so achaic that it serves no purpose at the moment. We need a more tansparent system in Zambia so that it is never abused the way kafupi did. The fact that RB has allowed Chungu to stay out of prison is confirmaition of his bad connections at the state security services. We need to stop this rote now, VOTE OUT THE MAMPARAS.
These guys need to be watched because they forget that they have families how expect good from them and go on to do things outside there heads with shame Zambian pipo please look out 2morrow. these chaps forget their JOB titles and objectives for selfish gains SHAME.
#2 ABWENZI – Don’t talk about systems you don’t know about. Who told you that the Intelligence in Zambia just works for the President. Muzikamba vanzelu baba. Do you know all types of threats that the country has been facing since independence? Please just talk about your candidate whoever it is, but don’t belittle the work of our men and women in the security services. They work their arses off protecting the country when you are f.u.c.k.i.ng sleeping or maybe catching AIDS sleeping with a gwat. Don’t insult everybody just because you are desperate for your presidential candidate to win. These are trhe same guys who will protect the new president whoever wins. This terrible behaviour in Zambia where everyone is an expert in everything is s.t.u.p.i.d. Keep your matuvi to yourselves.
Thanks indeed the New president!! But what people are trying to say is that the Intelligence services should be above these petty politics and be over board.You fool why are you being so personal?
it’s because is losing
Kunta Kinte uli mbushi
Imwe ba Kunta-kinte ndimwe achipuba. What has this got to do with sleeping with a slut & getting AIDS? Ndiwe zyende of the worst kind…Between you & I I know more than you claim. Ziyach.
Ba moderator leave my objective comment; in fact i will not vote. Ya shani?
ok twaleka kanshi ukulandapo since you are the owner of air, water and land for this website. kalebalika
If rigging happens in zambia the the initiator is sata,this guy has been in allall goverments we have hard and always influencial.so he musn’t cry wolf today.
This author has little or no understanding of the functions or operations of the intel community.
Better leave such complex dynamics to experts
Give credit to Banda. Holding elections this time in zambia is best. Chiluba never thought about zambians. Bane mudala Ayeshako apapena kwena.
Correction-The intelligence services of the US and Britain never acted purely on the basis of the info they were given.They only sought the kind of info that would suit their preffered outcome.Hearings that came later proved this & said that the dossiers were “sexed up”.Even the UN weapons inspector said there was no evidence to support the misleading claims made tto advance the war.Fact is the intel community are humans who can be manipulated to serve the interests of the appointing authority and zambia is no different.
Mulebelenga bwino bane. The author is saying Bush and Blair acted on the intelligence not the CIA or MI5!
I will vote for HH, do you?
WHICH SCHOOL DID YOU GO TO? THAT’S NOT THE WAY THIS QUESTION TAG IS SUPPORSE TO BE. THE RIGHT ENGLISH IS “WILL YOU?” MWATUSEBANYA PE ZED NA BROKEN ENGLISH.
Its sad that police are arresting inocent people and letting riggers go without being arrested! Indeed michael sata is the only hope otherwisd without him even babies will be arrested in future! Shame on zambia! Preaching peace and denying justice which triggers peace!
AWE vote SATA
With copper-rich Zambia’s economy booming, incumbent strong ahead of presidential vote
Courtesy of Washington Post
Since Zambia’s president won a narrow victory over his main rival three years ago, 100,000 jobs have been created and the government has built bridges, airports and hospitals with revenue from a copper boom.
That puts President Rupiah Banda in a strong position ahead of Tuesday’s presidential elections. His main opponent Michael Sata has lost three times previously.
Ten candidates are on the presidential ballot, but only Banda and Sata are considered contenders. Zambia’s 5 million voters also will be choosing 150 members of parliament and more than 1,000 municipal councilors.
poor logic,think of where they have lost ground too.eg chipata central,western province,chongwe(don’t forget that they even lost by election)
The new employees are paid slave wages and the infrastructure development is on borrowed money. S what is the ranting all about?
MI5 or MI6 Ni Donchi fye. Shhhhhhhhh!
n 2008, when copper prices were lower and concerns about the economy high, then-vice president Banda won a special by-election held after the death of President Levy Mwanawasa, who had suffered a massive stroke. Banda beat Sata by just 35,000 votes.
Banda has presented a four-year infrastructure development program that began this year. He pledges to repair, rebuild or upgrade more than 67,000 kilometers (more than 41,000 miles) of roads. He’s already built more than 100 bridges and 27 hospitals.
“The new roads are here, the schools are here,” said Banda supporter Moses Phiri.
Referring to Sata supporters, Phiri added: “What more do these people want?”
The Zambian laws and especially the CONSTITUTION seriously needs urgent repealing/replacement. At law world wide if a director of ZESCO awards a big contract to his friend or to a company he controls ,that’s corruption!! He needs to declare interest and abstain in the awarding of such a contract. Now why should RB . BANDA, an interested party and presidential candidate NOT ABSTAIN but continues being president ,controlling KEY institutions including the ECZ up to the election day??And you expect a fair result?.if the law of declaring INTEREST was enacted to curb corruption and abuse why should RB BANDA continue in that office? This is a joke on ECZ,and elections in general. The constitution must be repealed urgently to give key governance institutions TRUE independence from the executive
God made sata in his own image and new that he was not presidential material coz if he was he would have been president by now. Chiluba was very close to sata that he could have made him president if he was presidential material. On 3 occasions I have had an opportunity to help sata become president but since I know that he’s not presidential material, I have never voted for him even once. The people of Zambia have had on 3 occasion an opportunity to make sata President if he was presidential material.Until now, Memebe has always believed that sata is not presidential material but since he has corrupt morals, he now thinks sata can be president of Zambia. NEVER EVER.
It is unfortunate that we are living in this era of some Zambians that do not think properly. Surely, why hold elections when you know that your own intelligence service can manipulate election results to suit their taste? Do these people just want to fool others by staging a semblance of an election? What has such a hard working man like Sata done to deserve this ill talk?
Sata’s campaign has at times appeared desperate. His party had gone to court to try to have Banda disqualified, arguing he was ineligible for re-election because both his parents were allegedly born outside the country.
A judge dismissed the petition on technical grounds last week. Banda, 74, was born before Zambia gained independence in 1964.
Sata and his party then turned to the South African company that printed the ballot papers, claiming it is corrupt and should not have been given the contract. Both the company and the Electoral Commission of Zambia have denied the charges.
The populist Sata has in the past focused on the massive Chinese investment here. But he has toned down his anti-Chinese rhetoric in this campaign.
There’s some anxiety in Zambia about the aftermath of the vote. Sata’s supporters have rioted after previous losses. And while this campaign has been relatively peaceful, violence following recent elections elsewhere in Africa is on some minds here.
National Police Chief Francis Kabonde has ordered extra patrols in volatiles area, and banned street vendors from selling liquor and implements such as shovels and axes that could be used as weapons.
In an address to the nation Sunday, Banda warned those who might be planning violence: “Expect no mercy, expect no favor, expect only the full force of the law to come down on you.”
Sata is the source of all these *****ic violence in the nation.Get rid of Sata and the nation will be free of stupidity.
#13 you must be a big boy,,, who just say whatever comes in mind. How can you give credit to Banda today? The man has failed and in zambia we have never had this tensing election before. 2001, 2006 and the by-election were not as tensing as this one. Be logical shetani.
Now who is this guy who’s authored this article?? Some ghost writer I suppose??? What is the fear?? No one forced you to write the article – so have the courage to say who you are, becoz you are naming people!!
Sata is so tribalistic that he has taken the same trend to politics such that PF is so tribal a party than UPND.The man is just trying to use these other tribes to get to Plot one,after which he would surround himself with his Bemba tribes’ men.So,am urging all NON-BEMBAS not to vote for Sata.
COME WHAT MAY SATA IS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF ZAMBIA
Bitter Pill@28 I wouldn’t swallow you. Instead of being a panacea, you are the opposite. I this your xxx is full of xxxx
Counting down before we VOTE for PF and SATA!
who can really trust Vjs polls the man as old as he is has been surviving on crookedness.He was supposed to a role model to upcoming politicians but the man is a failure and he moves with crimal perfume on his body. All that he should know is that life is dynamic. While old habbits are difficult to do away with but they lead someone to the grave.he can be fullying millions of Zambian by taking a tally template to ECZ and forgetting that GOD is above him seeing his evil did. am praying hard to ensure that this man activities are comming to an end in a very embarrasing way.
Sata is a Crusader of Violence
Should Sata’s template of violence be left unchecked, the Greatest loser may be Sata himself, his family and party leadership because PF may be turned into a party of headless chickens. Sata should be smoked and baptised in the blood of his own violence crusade. Anarchist should not even be given an escape route to the hospital whether under heart attack from the anti violence fumes.
From the look of things, it is the PF which has tried all sorts of tricks to
1. have their opponent absorbed into their party through the pact.
2. have RB disqualified through the courts.
3. stop the MMD from distributing campaign materials through an injunction.
4. to cause the whole electoral process to be discredited and
5. Prevent voting under a new constitution.
Looking at this, I am just wondering what this party will do to democracy when in power.
If our Intelligence can do anything to stop this party taking us back to the Jurasic age, they should.
FORWARD, FORWARD go, go HH
THERE WAS COMMOTION THIS AFTERNOON IN THE CHINSALI BOMA AS ALERT PF CADRES INTERCEPTED A VEHICLE CARRYING BALLOT BOXES SOME THEM CONTAINING PRE MARKED BALLOT PAPERS AND CELL PHONES RESPECTIVELY.
AS A RESULT, THE COUNCIL SEEMS TO HAVE DELAYED THE DEPLOYMENT OF POLLING ASSISTANTS AND PEOPLE ARE NOW WONDERING AS TO WHETHER THERE IS EVER GOING TO BE LOGISTICS AT EACH POLLING STATION ON TIME FOR VOTING TO COMMENCE AT 05HRS TOMORROW.
THIS IS HOW FAR POWER HUNGRY POLITICIANS CAN GO WITH THEIR EVIL SCHEMES TO RETAIN INTO POWER.
MY ZED PEOPLE WHERE Y’ALL AT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!
IWE FACT…THINK WITH YOUR BRAIN NOT YOUR…..A……R…..S…..E….!!!!
People are u sure u can trust Sata i have just been working with him becoz of the taiwanese dollars dont try to vote for mudala Banda is just ok for the office my boss sata is a lunatic and he has severe BP.
@14. Read properly bwana. It is Bush and Blair who acted not the Intelligence services. You should go to Spec savers!
I feel disappointed for you people commenting when you know you canot vote
Zambia’s intelligence service is corrupt and only imposes leaders via rigging onto the nation. They clearly stated their activities when Mazoka took his election results to court against Levy. Chungu, VJ and others spoke in court how they master-minded the win for Levy as ordered by Chiluba. Our intelligence service serves no purpose but to perpetuate theft, thuggery and poor governance.
# 29 in your dreams were do u think our votes will go.# 26 be realistic out of the development that has taken place u cant c anything very ungrateful useless chap.
OMG! …and you can openly state this…”Thus, where the Intelligence officer sees a threat to the very existence of the nation state, he must act to prevent that damage, even if it appears to be ‘the will of the people.’..” SO WHY VOTE IF IT IS LIKE THIS? AUTHOR PLEASE SIMPLIFY THIS SENTENCE FOR ME. I AM SO CONFUSED NOW.
# 36 xyz u r stupid and a fool.
CIA and MI5/MI6, the Russian KGB,non of these insti8tutions are referred to as “Office if the President” as the Zambian ZISS is. Does this not speak for itself?
And to suggest that an intelligence officer should act against the threat to the state even though it might be contrary to the will of the people is just, well, not intelligent…
Breaking News! Mpika District Commissioner Malama Sokoni caught with pre-marked presidential ballot papers in Chinsali. He is being detained there. PF intelligence was trailling him all the way from Mpika District Council.
Good evening
Not exactly sure where to place this article. Is it meant to be a warning or a reminder?
Anyhow, there is no doubt that the national intelligence services are an important organ of national security. At this point in time their operations will be very much appreciated if they do everything to ensure that people cast their votes in a peace and if they investigate and hold to account all those devising or implementing any illegal methods associated with rigging.
correction: “people cast their votes in peace…”
As the majority of you bloggers are talking shop, I have just rechecked the GPS of my NRC and Voters Card – both intact and polished, ready for battle 2moro. ECZ ppo bazanipeza pa polling station.
Ba LT mwaninamizila flag – ninabwelako ku Nairobery
Mr FACT 20, you should be thinking about serious issues like corruption and and removing of clauses that convict corrupt people. If your eyes just see roads, schools, malls and the like as the only development, you will be sorry when Zambia goes down the drain after all the coffers are left empty. Stop thinking like a child and see what is happening unless if you are one of the plunderers.
And when Mushota talks about stupid Zambia we see loads of people insulting her. If intelligence means determining who should rule Zambia, we are all fxckxed
I think the article is trying to open your eyes to the fact that certain institutions shouldn’t be ridiculed in the manner that every Zambian thinks they hold a PHD.
It seems a matter of fact that Zambians want to have a say on things they are not well informed on or might not even know the consequences of such talk…
Read the article in all cases have you head any of the security agencies having a finger pointing at them or is the blame not falling on those that act on the information
I think this article is irresponsible and uncalled for.
The opinion the author is trying to bring about is a mere conjuring of rummer and axious speculation.
I dont know wether it was subjected to any rational before being published on this site.
I mean every word I am saying, and not a single letter has been typed accidently on my contribution.
We all aught to be responsible and not reckless.The auther simply to create a certain perception about the Intelligency, which perception is meant to cause uncalled for mistrust in the intelligent and create a platform for formulation of rumours.
Lusaka Times, please be responsible enough to reverse this negative piece of typing you have given the public.
Show us you are worthy listening to or reading from!!!!
The fact that the heavily criticised and highly suspected (whether wrongly or rightly) VJ was once head of intelligence in Zambia shouldn’t ridicule the whole institution. If Sata and his friends once manipulated ZISS through shameless Chungu, he should take his paranoia somewhere else. ZISS still serves the people of Zambia with integrity and professionalism. Simply knowing the people who work in intelligence doesn’t mean that their work has been compromised. I’ve friends who work for OP, but I’ve absolutely no idea about what they do
Its is such articles that suggest you are biassed in matters of the nation. How do you call such a sensitive part of a nation as a discredited profession. Imagine someone saying so much about there own agency such as the kgb… you could here stories from agencies outside that country but not local… You need to be serious and not over look important security matters for your own interested if anything you are putting the security of the nation at risk with your article
@ xwy, negro pliz you sound like apaid up MMD cadre get a life.
Greetings Nine Chale no# 47 and 48. Prayers for mother Zambia. Interesting points indeed. When Choosing intelligence officers, bring in the best Church leaders in the country and Miyanda and morality shall not be an issue.
Greetings Mwanawakwitu. Yes, my bro. we need prayers for our beloved country and I’m also on my knees for peace to prevail. The most High will see us through.
Why do we have to vote if intelligence service can decide on behalf of the massess. The author is also comfirming that the OP have tempered with elections in the past for national security’s sack, i wish you named yourself otherwise you are a potential witness.
HH is MMD in disguise…
@ 49, you are hillarious!!
Good point @ 47
‘Zambia Intelligence and Security services under scrutiny’, scrutined by who and why?
Since they are meant to protect the state and not individuals, it stands to reason that they are on high alert this given moment. No threat to the nation shall be tolerated irrespective of the perpetrators. If anything no plots will hatch under the watchful eye of our shushushu.
Trust ur Intelligent & Security Service
#8 this is not academic debate what #2 has sighted is very true……… shame such ignorance is what is eluding you intellectuals from reality….you know nothing…. The whole ZISS needs proper overhaul like SA has done…. the article has equally concluded very well too…. comment on what you have researched and found out don’t just blog for the sake of it this is serious hence you don’t even know most MMD top chaps are thieves/corrupt because you have no evidence but we do
Zambia’s intelligence has allowed thugs and crooks get into Zambia under the guise of investors and start bribing all around power. At the same time, ZISS has been responsible for the poor governnace that the nation has been going through by rigging elections in favour of the MMD. This must be condemned and the whole organization was revealed to be corrupt by Xavier Chungu and his cohorts. The size of abuses and illegal things going on in Zambia would never be allowed to happen in other democratic countries where citizens know their rights, But in Zambia, our intelligence service is part of the serious problem in governance.
Fred Membe and his little paper the post the vuvuzela for the PF are desperate they both know the inevitable will happen today and that is that they are losing..so this accounts clerk begins rumours, they will be war, ECZ is irresponsible, let the will of the people privail, Mupombo, Chitala,Mulongoti, Masebo, Shaka…have said this and that, RB is not Zambian, Printing of Ballots is irregular, the Intelligence is this and that…..polls show sata will win…the list is endless..the truth? We are sending SATA into permanent retirement….
All Zambians MUST revisit the National Security Council. This group, the highest entity to deal with national security matters is composed of individuals who are basically corrupt and geared to stay in power regardless of the views of their fellow majority citizens. Hence the rigging. It would be in our interest if this entity had representation from leaders of opposition, and regularly reported to the Speaker of national assembly because the security ofrces appear to be partisan and unable to reflect democracy in the way they handle matters with citizens. They have quickly run to shooting citizens in Mongu, Mazabuka and elsewhere because their mandate does NOT uphold democracy in any fundamental way.
#8 Sober up. No need for the kind of words you are using. U seem to be a misfit in the system u are defending. Let the people say whatever they want. Afterall, they may gain nothing at mere speculation. U are a proffessional failure #8.
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