Former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gary Nkombo, has swiftly handed over his office to his successor, Gift Simuunza Sialubalo, following his unexpected dismissal from President Hakainde Hichilema’s Cabinet.
Nkombo, who was relieved of his duties late Friday, officially transferred the ministry’s leadership on Saturday, even before Sialubalo was formally sworn in. His removal from office has sparked widespread reaction across the country, given his longstanding role in the United Party for National Development (UPND).
In a statement on his Facebook page, Nkombo expressed gratitude to President Hichilema for allowing him to serve in government and reaffirmed his loyalty to the party.
“The handover was successful to a deserving man. It is with a pure heart I must thank the President for letting me serve in his Cabinet for this long. I remain loyal to him, to the party, and to the nation at large. I ask for prayers to sail through this moment. God works in mysterious ways. It will be ok in the end. And if it isn’t ok, then this isn’t the end,” he wrote.
During the handover, Nkombo pledged his continued commitment to UPND, stating that he holds no ill feelings about his dismissal.
“We have done a lot to build this party. I will remain a committed member of UPND,” he said.
His successor, Gift Simuunza Sialubalo, is the Member of Parliament for Sinazongwe. While yet to be sworn in, he assumes the ministerial role at a time when local government and rural development policies are at the center of national debate.
Nkombo’s dismissal comes amid ongoing Cabinet reshuffles, signaling possible strategic realignments within President Hichilema’s administration.
Sad, Nkombo was one of the more effective and hardworking ministers. I for one will miss him.
This is like the famous MC Sata vs Kambimba dismissal…version 2.0
Kabimba has never resurrected politically.
He knows he can’t survive outside Politics…these guys can only sustain themselves by being Politicians and overseeing corrupt deals……even Kabimba after being fired he formed his nonsensical party and at some point he joined Fred Mmembe but Mmembe doesn’t have enough business deals so Kabimba is now eating with HH….
Yeah I have never seen a politician in Zambia who has made it after leaving government.
And the only problem with these firings is that they don’t disclose why he was fired….because if its theft or corruption then he is supposed to be investigated and brought to Justice….how do you just wake up and fire someone without disclosure….i know Kabimba was fired because he became big headed and he wanted to impose himself as PF President even before Sata died
Do you even have facts to your assertion that he wanted to impose himself as president
Now UPND is slowly becoming a Mini PF…Father Bwalya…Kabimba…Mawere…Lubusha…Sunday Chanda….Siliya….and HH used to say all these are Criminals but what has changed now
I believe turns for others on their way. Hon Nkombo knows the reason why he has been fired but will not disclose.
It’s the president’s prerogative to appoint and ‘disappoint’ at his pleasure. But Gary has handled himself with class, and such can never be extinguished…
So according to HH…all known PF Bandits have now repented and have stopped stealing and now they’re all saints…Kelvin Sampa is now a Saint and he can work closely with Saint Hakainde Hichilema….Politicians are full of kak
I wish my area allowed cross dressing
this is dangerous
It is difficult to survive in opposition as you are
Better off staying in new dawn and still enjoy
The benefits.
Our president works for foreign organisations. Anyone who puts Zambia first is dismissed in this UPND government. HH will one day understand why Zambians rejected him that many times and his victory was not about the people accepting him but a protest vote to kick out PF. Sort out the growing inequality and poverty or else you will be shown the door. Maybe this a a strategy to try and confuse the opposition, GBM 2.0.
Zambians did not reject him many times. He lost to Mwanawasssa fairly. Michael Sata lied to the Lozi to win in 2011. Lungu rigged in 2015 and 2016, and then lost clearly.
He’s has to watch his every step. One wrong step DEC, ACC etc will be at his door steps. He knows how the god father operates.
@ Futurezed
All African Presidents work for Foreign Governments from the West and East….they’re all puppets of either the West or the East…
Tiza chita bwanji manje?!? They are all the same. Ba yufi, those of you who have seen how governments look after their own, please, please, come forward. Zambia is a country with rich natural resources and with good governance, the sky is the limit. Let us live in a country where you do not care who is in power because EVERYTHING functions.
@Faith
Yes we just need proper and honest leaders not these criminals masquerading as leaders…the fact that Nkombo walked away easily it means that he knows that whatever he did was wrong….corruption and theft is a cancer in our society…156 Ambulances only 11 were delivered…where is the rest of the money……
I have been building my property for more than 4 years all with clean money that I have worked for….but Politicians build massive properties within 6 months with stolen money meant to help the poor…i have no kind words for theives and corrupt government individuals…If Nkombo was fired due to theft and corruption then he needs to be arrested and tried in the courts of law….
HH should come forward and explain to the Zambian people the reason why he fired Gary Nkombo…and if its theft and corruption Gary needs to be sent to jail…NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW..just firing someone is not enough
Until we have life style audits these mansions and guest houses will continue to grow
Why must we work a life time to end up with a plot and reasonable house whilst these chaps do it in a year
Bcoz they are tenderpreneurs and masters of shady gov’t deals.
“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it”- Proverbs 15:16–17
Well, this morning he woke up to no guards and no VX…No airconditioned office built under PF to go to…no more trips to traditional ceremonies. He didnt raze forest 27 as promised so maybe next time…he is a back bencher again
“Kombo’ in Kiswahili means crooked ,bent or shady . Maybe Zambia’s new constitution should ban MPs being ministers to curb these shady conflicts of interests where parliamentarians do both “oversight” of the executive branch decisions and are part of it in the same breadth .Be like USA or Kenya .
Same in Bemba but not the shady part. Just a curved implement
@Tikki
Image….i have no sympathy for thieving Politicians…..people who generally work very struggle to build even a single house….Kawana who had less then K4000 in his Savings account in 2021 today he has millions and he can even afford to buy a brand new car for his wife and build a block of flats for his sidechicks
@Mlevi kachasu
Exactly my brother
They’re all Tenderpreneures masquerading as Politicians….Any Politician caught stealing or involved in corrupt practices should be sent to Jail period…ZRA is sleeping…All Politicians should be filing income taxes every year so that we know how much they’re making if its enough to build massive gated community apartments and mansions all over Lusaka…and enough to buy their sidechicks Range rovers
Comment:to know he was fired is enough, whatever reason, i’m sure it’s for the best interest of the nation.