President Edgar Lungu is expected back in the country today and will tomorrow, Friday 12 May 2016 hold a Press Briefing at State House, the second since he took over office.
The press briefing will start at 09 Hours.
Following dissolution of Parliament last night, President Lungu is expected to give guidance on a number of issue pertaining to the governance of the nation.
President Lungu is expected to give direction regarding the legality of the Vice-President and Cabinet ministers retaining their positions after dissolution of Parliament.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili has warned UPND vice president for Administration Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba not to dare Government over his own ignorance on the Constitution.
Reacting to reports in the Post Newspaper in Which GBM is quoted as urging Zambians to effect a citizen’s arrest on Ministers that have remained in office after the dissolution of Parliament, Dr Kambwili called upon Zambians to read the Constitution for themselves and avoid being misled by selfish politicians who, according to him, want to gain cheap political mileage to resuscitate their dwindling political fortunes
below is the full statement
Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services
STATEMENT BY HON. CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON REMARKS BY UPND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADMINISTRATION GEOFFERY MWAMBA
Government STRONGLY warns opposition UPND vice president for Administration Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba to stop inciting people to rise against a legitimate Government over baseless grounds.
Mr. Mwamba’s statement in today’s Post that people should effect a citizen’s arrest on Ministers that have remained in office after the dissolution of Parliament is tantamount to inciting people to rise against government.
He is warned not to dare Government over his own ignorance on the Constitution.
It is not Government’s fault that Mr Mwamba is incapable of understanding straight forward provisions in the Constitution and Government will not take kindly to his ignorance as it can set the country on fire.
Mr. Mwamba’s statement is careless, unreasonable and a blatant lack of understanding of the Constitution.
It is time Mr Mwamba grew up and stopped behaving like a ‘kaponya’ on serous national issues.
Mr. Mwamba should be the last person to talk about abuse of public resources as it had to take late President Michael Sata to restrain him from amassing for himself privileges and conditions such as military escorts when he served as Defence Minister which he was not entitled to.
He even wanted to get a Government driver’s competence licence for his wife to drive his official ministerial vehicle which the late President strongly reprimanded him for.
Is this the man who should turn around today and question Government on baseless issues such as Ministers’ stay in Government?
I wish to reiterate that Government, under His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, will not waiver on its resolve to uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia in the governance of this country.
I also call upon Zambians to read the Constitution for themselves and avoid being misled by selfish politicians who want to gain cheap political mileage to resuscitate their dwindling political fortunes.
Hon. Chishimba Kambwili, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
12th May, 2016
Now that Parly has been dissolved where are the massive defections that opposition loud mouths were talking about?
Ha ha ha have you guys not seen enough so far..? Campaigns and rallies for the opposition only start after the 14th May, so wait for the main launch.
And by the way, are there any new “big fish” joining the PF..?
Ci fake Doctor what GBM is saying is the only way to go. What makes you think that its only you and your party PF who have read and understood the so called constitution? Are you saying LAZ, NGOCC, YALI and other individuals against the continued stay of cabinet have not read the constitution? Kambwili I don’t blame you but the university that honored an illiterate stubborn minister like you
What is laughable about the whole insatiable appetite for rejected defectors is that these are none performing rejects in their constituency. Wondering what political capital UPND see as expendable of these none performers. Instead of flaunting for new minds of members, UPND is getting more desperate and obsessed for unpopular rejects with zero constituents on the ground. Politically this is not only at variance with winning political theater, it is reverse thinking you cannot be counting on excess garbage in progress politics. Because Zambians see that if they were to miraclously win, it’s the same failures to fill Government. Unfortunately there is a know it all attitude in the arrogants.
Another hollow and useless speech from this scheming PFool. Lungu can continue clutching his hands in a prayerful manner wherever he goes, but he will be the most incompetent and selfish President Zambia will ever see. His PFake humbleness does not deceive Zambians. That’s why
#ChagwaMustFall
Could this be the laziest or the most clueless President ever in the whole world? So many things have happened since he last held the press conference, now the question is what held him back from addressing the nation. One issue quickly pops out of my mind that definitely needed this lazy bum to face the nation over – the shameless xenophobic attacks on brethren from Rwanda – and so many other serious challenges this country is going through. I can’t wait to see his back. Just a bloody waste of space and time.
Iwe jam wiki. Do you understand that you have a duty of care to advocate on behalf of the 15 million Zambians? So you guys thought it’s a forever like be story to be a minister? Awe sure nimaloza aya. Sometimes I wonder if you put your children, grandchildren and great grandchild into consideration as you make such decisions. So disgusting. Accountability should ring a bell in your cerebellum.
wait and see after they have had their packages.
@ Mr Kudos, wait. Parliament just dissolved two days ago. Some MPs have not even reached their Constituencies. Just wait, Mr Kudos.
Please lead the costitution You fools and stop wild comfrotation You bitter politiclans.more especially HH.why politicising every thing?for your information PF Will resaface again mark my words..you are Just a bitter man
UGANDANS INSULT PRESIDENT LUNGU OVER CARELESS REMARKS HE MADE AT THE AIRPORT.
President Lungu told the Ugandan Media yesterday that Yoweri Museveni is the one who won disputed elections and not the opposition leader of that country. He urged the opposition leader to accept defeat urging Ugandans to change the opposition leader as he was a perpetual loser. But President Lungu’s comments annoyed Ugandans who took to the social media to insult President Lungu.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE UGLY COMMENTS UGANDANS HAVE SHOWERED ON LUNGU:
Kimanywenda May Look at this pig lungu…ur d sperm dat won??:/ really??..dint ur mama ever tell u to mind ur own business:/
Frances Maggie What does that fool know about Uganda’s politics??? I think he looks better when his big mouth z shut!
Samson Griffin K…
Mwalanda mwapwisha?
manje chizungu ichi? you don’t have a spell-check? Ka Grade 12 certificate kazafunika bwana
Comment:OK Mr hippo…..let me ask you a question…where you made to be ignorant or ignorant was made for you….? I get amazed to witness this happening in my life tym Mr hippo if I ask you another one you may think you make any importance in Zambian politics….so to hell with your ignorance….minister my foot….
Truly GBM is lumpen. The man just speaks without giving thought to the effect of his words. You can’t have such a man as a leader. Zambia will be in serious problems if he ends up in leadership. I hope HH realises this. Also, I hope Kasama residents know not to vote for him. The man should remain as a miller where his words will have no effect on national peace.
Taponokapo mulekeni
Ici fake Doctor what GBM is saying is the only way to go. What makes you think that its only you and your party PF who have read and understood the so called constitution? Are you saying LAZ, NGOCC, YALI and other individuals against the continued stay of cabinet have not read the constitution? Kambwili I don’t blame you but the university that honored an illiterate stubborn minister like you
Q; who are you are you sir?
ANS; Mr kambwili…..
Q; oh oh the former mp for loan….?
A; yes!! but am still a minister…..
Q; for which country?
A;sambia….
Q; how come….and under which political party and constituency do you present?…..
A;my friend PF will rule beyond 2016…..and we want to wait and handover power….to the next GRZ….
Q;mr kambwili are you a Zambian or sambian?
A; my friend am warning you to respect the ruling party…..if u want more pliz agree with me…
Farewell press conference, ya Ka Chibwi!
So Lungu is FINALLY GETTING AROUND TO DOING A DAYS WORK!!!
And only because he needs his yes-men to help him write speeches get elected!
What a truly lazy, incompetent clown. Just what has he been doing for his 4X INCREASED SALARY besides being a “GLOBAL” tourist since he was elected?
The Kwacha collapsed – NO PRESS CONFERENCE
Miners were laid off – NO PRESS CONFERENCE
Mealie meal at K120 a bag – NO PRESS CONFERENCE
Riots in the country – NO PRESS CONFERENCE
ELECTION TIME – NOW HE DECIDES TO GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE!
Comment:Ba editor Mailo ni 13th not 12th,yashani?
Disaster Docotor Kwambili, have YOU read the Consitution that your drunk dullard PF clown signed?
Did HE even read it?
Do you even understand the English language? Maybe you forgot to take that subject at your Copperstone “university” !!!
PF now has a chance to show they are a law respecting party by vacating all Ministerial offices and handing back their vehicles. Are you up to this simple task?
1st qualification to be a minister is you must be an MP. It simply means the 1st disqualification not to be a minister is not being an MP. If appointment of ministers outside parliament was retained what is happening could have made sense.
These Ministers…goodness sake!
PF is going come what may. UPND is the only viable party.
If we had a competent police force, they would arresting anyone trying to occupy an ministerial position illegally. If there is no one to do it, then citizens need to be vigilant and take upon themselves to effect arrests to protect their constitution. Chishimba’s language is that of unwarranted threats, even insulting the ‘kaponyas’ who put them in power and whom they send to cause havoc on the opposition sympathisers. And I didn’t think Mr Kambwili was a constitutional lawyer, was he?
I am a PF supporter but I dont understand why Cabinet has not been dissolved after Parliament was dissolved yesterday. All former Presidents b4 our President Lungu, dissolved Parliament and their Cabinets in 1996,2001,2006 & 2011. Why is President Lungu refusing to dissolve his Cabinet in 2016? What has changed? It appears as if it is only President Lungu who has no respect for Rule of Law and the Zambian Constitution. Why is President Lungu the exception rather than the norm? This is legally and morally putting PF supporters in an awkward position politically.Maybe RB should help President Lungu on this issue. Ifintu ni Lungu!
Cabinet is an arm of the executive branch of government. The executive branch which includes the presidency has not been dissolved. Therefore cabinet need not be dispensed with as this may adversely affect the operations of the executive branch. It is parliament from which cabinet is chosen from which has been dissolved. This means cabinet can continue operating, as part of the executive, even after the dissolution of parliament.
Bwana Phiri, where were you when Zambians were amending their constitution? Lungu is governed by a different constitution from any other president that ruled Zambia.
am waiting for hakainde to defaecate to united poor people’s party.
Like your mother
@Maikalange stop exposing your dullness in Public.Point number one Curently the president can appoint anyone as minister outside parliament .The president can only appoint anybody outside parliament by first nominating him or she as MP.Point number two the executive in Zambia is tied to parliament and when the parliament dissolves the National Assembly also stand dissolved automatically.My question is where does Lungu get the powers to say Cabinet ministers should continue working?
Zambians should make sure this an constitutional act is stoped by arresting these illegal ministers.
Mr Real, it’s read the constitution not lead the constitution. MUKULU ONSE
Ili lishilu lyena
This decision to cling on to ministerial positions will cost PF alot of votes
This constitutional quagmire is self inflicted by Lungu and his minions who want to win the next elections by not leveling the playing field.
For the people who keep bringing up the constitution article about a minister vacating their position, you are missing the point. First that article refers to or assumes that person holding the position of minister qualifies to hold the position. And by qualification I mean meets basic requirements (e.g. being an MP, is a Zambian citizen, age, etc.). Put it this way: what happens to a minister who ceases to be a Zambian citizen after parliament has been dissolved? Do they continue in the position (according to PF and Lungu) until the new president is sworn in?
Also will they continue serving as ministers should Lungu…
Ba Maverick – Yes, they will until the President constitutes a new Cabinet.
contend… also will they continue serving as ministers should Lungu win the next elections since he won’t be ‘new’)?
It is also obvious that the vacation clause was written in line with the removed clause of appointing ministers outside of parliament. They deleted that clause but forgot to modify this one. In any case the current ministers don’t qualify or are not eligible for the position, therefore the ‘vacation’ clause doesn’t even apply or matter.
By the way ‘qualification’ or ‘eligibility’ requirements are not for entry or appointment but the requirements are valid for the duration of holding the position… e.g. if you need to be between the age 30 and 40 years to qualify for and a position of minister, you automatically cease to be one when you turn 41…
116. (1) The President shall appoint a prescribed number
of Members of Parliament as Ministers.
(2) A Minister shall be responsible, under the direction of the
President, for the policy and strategic direction of a Ministry,
department or other State institution, as assigned by the President.
(3) The office of Minister becomes vacant if—
(a) the Minister is removed from office by the President;
(b) the Minister resigns, by notice in writing to the President;
(c) in the case of a nominated Member of Parliament, the
nomination is revoked;
(d) the Minister dies;
(e) another person assumes the office of President; or
(f) the Minister has a mental or physical disability that makes
the Minister incapable of performing the functions of
that office.
Correctly quoted from the amended constitution…All those not happy or have not read the contents of the amended constitution should go to the constitutional court.Logic is not always reality as some people are trying to advance their arguments against the Ministers remaining in Government…The President of Zambia Mr Edgar Lungu advised all Zambians to read the contents of the draft bill but every one including LAZ were snoring saying “people driven constitution thru’ the referendum”…
What was THAT??
(f) the Minister has a mental or physical disability that makes the Minister incapable of performing the functions of that office.
Then the whole PF Cabinet should have vacated their offices long time ago. THEY ALL QUALIFY UNDER THIS RULE!
While the Constitution is clear in the case of a nominated member of parliament who is appointed minister, it is silent in the case of an elected member of Parliament. So don’t just assume that when Parliament dissolves, so should the Cabinet. And don’t blame ECL. He is a learned lawyer who is good at law. He will sort you out clean on this one. You thought you were fixing him when you were barking for a Constitution full of flaws. He gave it to you, so eat it, silly twerps.
contents… e.g. if you need to be between the age 30 and 40 years to qualify for and a position of minister, you automatically cease to be one when you turn 41 regardless of what the ‘vacation’ criteria say.
Why doesn’t President Lungu see that his decision to keep Ministers in office will cost PF votes? Some voters are saying Ministers are being retained in their posts to use govt resources to campaign for ECL and PF. Other are alleging that these Ministers are being retained to assist ECZ and ECL rig the elections. Some are saying these are clear traits of a dictator in Lungu. The perception that President Lungu has no respect for Rule of Law and has failed to uphold the Zambian Constitution is politicall damaging. The President is alienting voters thru such actions. We hope he can correct this perception gaining ground that given a five term he become a dictator of note.
Kambwili try to continue to be in the office. The citizens will arrest you. We are not joking. You mean you did not know that the parliament dissolves on the 11th May to sweep the office for us and prepare your exit?
Is this f00l Kambwili telling us everyone who is talking about this clause including LAZ cannot understand or interpret what the law says apart from him and Edgar! Alitumpa sana cikala cawishi pamo na boss wakwe!
Lungu is a disgrace. A selfish incompetent crook.
Brace yourselves for comedy, U-turns and confusion from Lazy Lungu…I hope our journalists will pickup from where he ended at the last press conference as a lot has happened but then again our journalist are mostly penpushers who cant investigate anything.
Edgar will hold this press conference to intimidate the judges handling the contentious issue in the constitution, and they will surely pass judgement in his favour knowing the cowards that they are, or they will let this case to drag on till August and then they ll pass a meaningless judgement! To some of us taking this issue to the constitutional court is a big wastage of resources and time! Judiciary in Zambia is rotten to the core! In their right minds those judges cannot pass judgement against the appointing authority on this sensitive issue! NOT in Zambia!
Well said Hon Kambwili, GBM is the last one to tell Govt what to do and how to act after all GBM is a corrupt, vulgar mouthed lumpene that has finally found where he belongs in the company of his fellow bloody thirsty bitter, and frustrated Capiltalist cretins in UPND!
WE ARE HEARING RUMOURS OF THE LIKES OF MWALITETA THAT WANT TO RETURN TO PF!!!
ALL ARE WELCOME BACK!!!!
Let the President HE ECL tell the nation tomorrow at 09hrs, we look forward to his address on national issues!
#HungryHyena(HH)MustFallForThe5thTime
2016 ECL nafuti
Self righteous m/fukkers!
You are sick.
While the Constitution is clear in the case of a nominated member of parliament who is appointed minister, it is silent in the case of an elected member of Parliament. So don’t just assume that when Parliament dissolves, so should the Cabinet. And don’t blame ECL. He is a learned lawyer who is good at law. He will sort you out clean on this one. You thought you were fixing him when you were barking for a Constitution full of flaws. He gave it to you, so eat it, silly twerps.
@disgusted for elected MP its even more simple.Their mandate ended yesterday meaning they no longer represent anyone,hence they can not be ministers.A minister in this constitution should first be an MP failure to which he can not be minister fullstop.All those muscurading as ministers will be arrested and jailed including that one who has appointed them should his immunity removed in the next parliament.lets not think for today but tomorrow PF is the first party to be in government.
“A learned lawyer who is good at law” !!????
Hahahahaha! The only thing Lungu is “good at” is bankrupting Zambia with MASSIVE KALOBA and drinking Jamesoni!
How many times has this clown shown his understanding of LAW is pathetic!
It is not ‘silent’… The minister still needs to be eligible to hold the office. Right now no one is eligible to be a minister, let alone an MP.
The ‘vacation’ the constitution refers to is for eligible minister. First you have to meet the requirements to hold the position. The question is are the current ministers eligible or fit to hold the position? No is the short answer. How hard is that to understand?
By the way using your own argument, do we have ministers who were nominated as MP? If we do, will Lungu dismiss them from cabinet since their nomination to parliament has been revoked by the dissolution of the parliament?
Again no doubt was written for cabinet ministers appointed outside parliament and/or during parliament term as LAZ says.
@maverick, how come inonge wina another mp still remains veep? Don’t confuse the requirement for one to be an mp before being appointed minister, and the ways to vacate ministerial office.
This issue sits direcly on the laps of the Judiciary to prove that Zambia is a democracy or a dictatorship.If Judicially fails to sort out this issue Zambians will know that the Judiciary is rotten and irrelevant.The law of the Jungle will reign supreme and it will survival of the fittest.Zambia will be a sangwapo republic.
116. (1) The President shall appoint a prescribed number
of Members of Parliament as Ministers.
(2) A Minister shall be responsible, under the direction of the
President, for the policy and strategic direction of a Ministry,
department or other State institution, as assigned by the President.
(3) The office of Minister becomes vacant if—
(a) the Minister is removed from office by the President;
(b) the Minister resigns, by notice in writing to the President;
(c) in the case of a nominated Member of Parliament, the
nomination is revoked;
(d) the Minister dies;
(e) ANOTHER PERSON ASSUMES THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT; or
(f) the Minister has a mental or physical disability that makes
the Minister incapable of performing the functions of
that office.
NDETI NATI…
This shows you that they are not prepared to vacate even if they lose the election. They are two steps ahead in the game knowing that they are losing. If you know you are winning you just go back to you house and return in three months. Zambians must really prepare for Armageddon.
Comment:
Awe shuwa there will be Armageddon. These guys are not ready to give up power at all cost.
A pool of MPs who makes up parly have been dissolved…How do you expect ministers who belonged to the dissolved pool to continue as ministers…????????
Apart from the legal position why doesn’t President Lungu find it morally wrong for these PF ministers to use state resources funded by tax payers to campaign for him and themselves? Has President Lungu ever heard of good corporate governance or public sector accountability? What the President is doing shows he has no respect for Rule of Law and does not uphold the Zambian Constitution which is contrary to his oath of office. No wonder the President found it in order to take to USA a plane load of hangers on,friends and relatives at the expense of the Zambian tax payers. This is a sign of leadership failure and lack of good corporate governance.
The motive is to ensure orderly handover of instruments of power It should not be that once dissolved parliament, then ministers simply leave with instruments and assets of the state There has to e handover whether that is managed before or within the window of few weeks before or after dissolutions its a matter of review but there has to be formal handover and not like a leavers ball
The handover to Permanent secretaries should however be formal and not for a long period but within a reasonable duration to ensure separation of powers and alignment of Gov to Constituencies fitting into parliamentary Business representation
You will need to regularize though for future and define responsibilities on the ay to constituencies to ensure smooth governance for the future and avoid failure of governance once parliament is dissolved and flight of MPs without formal handover during or before dissolutions
The thinking that its fear is unfounded as most of these MINISTERS will still be re-elected on PF ticket even if tomorrow they handed over
management of Gov is not different from Corporate Gov The chairman and management still remains and Directors handover to Senior Operational managers for tactical transitional management until another boar is constituted with gov corporate Gov and oversight
The director hangovers over his accomplishments and files his declarations and no vacuum is left for future appointees ad business continues unabated
That is why if you have studied political transitions and FDIs in Africa because of the failure to manage the transitions most Firms and supranational suspend operations and funding because of that void
There are so may projects that needs continuity and many of those completed will need to be handed over smoothly and then operational effectiveness of government must continue smoothly unabated
You will need to see episodes of FDIs and Macro performance for African and Zambian This is it the Transitions everything is put n hold until after August 18 That is where you need o safeguard and refine for future
Its not like leavers ball Red metal…
There is no such thing as a handover by ministers to new ministers in the Zambian Constitution. If Lungu wins, he appoints a new cabinet (with or without some of the former names, depending on whether they have retained their seats) If the opposition win, the leader picks his cabinet from those newly elected to the National Assembly. In the Zambian semi-Presidential system, the cabinet is linked to the life of the current legislature and ‘dies’ with it when it is dissolved. This is so that the members of the cabinet may lay themselves to seeking a new legislative mandate in the elections. The only survivors are the President, vice-President and Speaker. The executive powers are bestowed in the President and may exercise them without ‘assistants’ (cabinet)
I hope ba UPND you hears what Mwetwa said about the issue of ministers remaining. Initially it was meant that ministers be appointed from outside Parliament. When that was shot by MPs we didn’t remind our MPs to go back to old system where ministers went with MPs. Ministers going by new new constitution will remain until new President. What lungu can’t do is to appoint a new minister when he fires or a minister dies or resigns
It would have been different if cabinet was constituted from outside the assembly (a clause suggested and rejected for the New Constitution) It is not up to Lungu to decide to have a cabinet continue after dissolution. There is no such provision. But cabinet being dissolved is implied by the fact that unless they have been elected to, or appointed to the assembly, they cannot be cabinet minister.
Maverick, the law, in this case the Constitution, is different. There is nothing automatic or logical about it. It’s just facts on the table. It just has to be stated in the law. If the Constitution has no provision in respect to an elected member of Parliament, then Chagwa is right. I’m afraid in this wrestling match he has managed a pinfall and registered a technical knock-out.
For those former MPs who won’t be adopted by their party PF, do they still remain ministers? And for those who will lose the election, they will still be ministers for some time! This is quite fun! Only in Zambia.