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Do not chase pupils who have not paid their school fees, teachers warned

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Do not chase pupils who have not paid their school fees, teachers warned

Choma District Commissioner, Protacial Mulenga has appealed to school authorities in the area not to turn away pupils who have not paid their school fees.

Mr Mulenga explains that this will allow learners to swiftly catch up on lessons missed while schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ZANIS reports that Mulenga said this in Choma today, when he visited Macha central Basic school, where he also handed over a 1 x 2 classroom block.

“There will be disciplinary action against those who will not comply with the directive,” Mr Mulenga asserted.

And the District Commissioner has also announced that the government has released 25,000 Kwacha to the department of Social Welfare in Choma, for the payment of school fees to the vulnerable pupils on government bursary.

Meanwhile, Mr Mulenga has similarly warned of disciplinary action against teachers who receive housing allowance and yet they occupy government houses.

Mr Mulenga said it is not in order for teachers who receive housing allowance to put pressure on the government to also provide accommodation for them.

ZANIS/ENDS/RJS/PM……………. PIX

President Lungu confers with new Malawian President

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President Lungu confers with new Malawian President

President Edgar Lungu says it is a great honour to have the Malawian President ,Lazarous Chakwera visit Zambia on his first official engagement outside Malawi since his election as Head of State on June 28th,2020, this year.

President Lungu has noted that the visit by his Malawian counterpart is historical and a clear demonstration of the cordial relations that continue to exist between the two countries.

The Head of State said this at State House in Lusaka today when he conferred with Dr Chakwera who arrived in the country this morning for a one-day official visit.

“It is a great joy for me to receive you at State House and it is indeed a great honour that out of so many countries from North, South, East and West, you have chosen to first visit Zambia, we are greatly honoured,” President Lungu said.

The President indicated that apart from the visit of the Malawian President to Zambia being historical, it also emphasizes the strong friendship between the Zambian and Malawian people across the borders.

“And this is indeed historical but apart from it being historical, I think it emphasizes a lot of things about how close the Zambian and the Malawian people across the borders are, so I think that this is a clear demonstration of a strong relationship which exists between Zambia and Malawi and I feel excited,” he stated.

Malawian President Dr.Lazarous Chakwera signs a visitors book after bilateral talks with President Edgar Lungu at State House
Malawian President Dr.Lazarous Chakwera signs a visitors book after bilateral talks with President Edgar Lungu at State House

And Malawian President Lazarous Chakwera thanked the government and the Zambian people for the hospitality rendered to him and his delegation.

“Let me express my profound gratitude to the government and the people of the Republic of Zambia for their warm hospitality. We have been so well received, we are happy. We are home and I just want to thank you for the brotherly gesture,” Dr Chakwera said.

President Chakwera further gave emphasis on the continued co-existence between Zambia and Malawi as it is key for the prosperity of the people in the two countries.

“I want to underscore for a peaceful co-existence we have and continue to share because it is important for us to know how our peoples can also prosper knowing that we share similar aspirations. What troubles one troubles the other,” noted Dr Chakwera.

President Chakwera said he is looking forward to working with the Zambian government and the people despite the challenges the two countries are faced with to improve economic growth, industrialisation and to consequently change the lives of the people in the two countries.

“ I’m looking forward to working with you and the people of this nation despite the problems we face now, of course we have COVID- 19 , but Zambia has always been our friend even when we have had disasters in our country. In our region we want economic prosperity, we want industrialisation, we want our livelihoods changed,” he noted.

The Malawian President also congratulated President Lungu and his party for emerging victorious in the Mwansabombwe and Lukashya September 17th by elections.

“Let me just congratulate you as well because I was following news here and I noticed that last week the ruling Pf won by elections held in Lukashya and Mwansabombwe on the 17th of September so congratulations,” he said.

President Edgar Lungu seeing off his Malawian counterpart Dr.Lazarous Chakwera at State House
President Edgar Lungu seeing off his Malawian counterpart Dr.Lazarous Chakwera at State House

Mubanga, Musakanya Make A Statement in Zesco Practice

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Midfielders Bruce Musakanya and Kelvin Mubanga shined in their debut practice match for Zesco United on Monday as the team prepares this week to head for a pre-season training camp to Western Province.

Musakanya scored a goal while Mubanga netted a brace in each half of the former league champions 8-0 win over third tier side Neelkhant Lime FC at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.

Musakanya and Mubanga, who joined Zesco on two years deals from Red Arrows and Nkana respectively, have been training with their new club since pre-season began last week.

Others on the score sheet were Logic Chingandu, Jesse Were and the latter’s Kenya compatriot John Makwatta, who scored a hat-trick.

Meanwhile, Musakanya, Mubanga, together with fellow new signing and midfielder Lazarus Phiri who joined from Green Eagles, join the team on a seven day training camp in Mongu that starts this Wednesday ,September 23.

Tourists still banned from Zambia despite opening up to foreign travels

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Tourists still banned from Zambia despite opening up to foreign travels

The Government of Zambia has suspended all tourist visas until further notice despite allowing travel for foreign nationals.

This is according to a travel advisory from the US Embassy in Zambia.

It said travelers arriving with a visitor visa or applying for a visitor visa on arrival for non-essential purposes will not be permitted entry despite Zambian borders being officially open.

Entrance to Zambia through non-tourist visas or permits is subject to approval from the Ministry of Health following a health screening at the port of entry.

All travelers coming into Zambia will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) PCR test result.

The test should have been conducted within the previous 14 days prior of arrival to Zambia.

Travelers who do not meet this requirement will not be allowed into Zambia.

A passport and visa are required to enter Zambia.

Passports must be valid for at least 6 months upon arrival and have at least 3 blank pages upon each entry.

Travelers transiting other countries on the way to Zambia, particularly South Africa, should refer to their Country Information pages for additional blank page requirements.

Locust outbreak may affect 7 million people in SADC

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Locust outbreak may affect 7 million people in SADC

At least four Southern African countries namely Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe are facing serious outbreaks of African Migratory Locust.

The outbreak is threatening the winter crops and the main planting season due to start in October.

Seven million people who are still recovering from the impact of the 2019 drought, may experience further food insecurity and following crop damage from the AML.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is working closely with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa (IRLCO-CSA) to support the affected countries to respond to the locust outbreaks.

The IRLCO-CSA however primarily focuses on the control of a different locust pest: the Red Locust.

Awareness of the situation is low due to the absence of dedicated national locust units and, consequently, a lack of regular monitoring and reporting.

FAO promotes preventive strategies for locust management, which rely on early warning and early reactions.

Delaying the response would prove more costly financially, environmentally, socially and economically.

The build-up and spread of the pest could exacerbate the impacts of COVID-19 and threaten the next planting season.

Urgent actions are needed to identify locust hotspots and ensure the pest is controlled in them.

The capacity of countries to monitor the spread of the pest through regular surveillance and mapping should be enhanced in order to increase their ability to take timely and anticipatory action to prevent the pest from causing serious damage to crops and pastures.

The impacts of COVID-19 and restrictions on movement are hampering effective monitoring of the evolution of the pest populations.

The 2020/21 la Niña event could accelerate the multiplication of the AML in the affected areas and increase the threat it poses to crops, grazing and livelihoods.

HH is our leader of choice-UPND

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HH is our leader of choice-UPND

Opposition UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka says the party has no intentions either now nor in the future to replace it’s leader Hakainde Hichilema.

Mr Katuka said President Hichilema is currently the most happening leader in the country whose popularity cannot be overlooked and would be a fallacy for anyone to think of taking over from him at this point.

“Therefore, we wish to warn media houses that are in the habit of fabricating and churning out unbalanced and fake news to desist from doing so but to instead verify each story before such is published, aired, or televised,” he said.

Malawi President arrives in Zambia.

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Malawi President arrives in Zambia.

President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi has arrived in Zambia to discuss areas of mutual interest and to also enhance bilateral relations between the two sister countries.

Zambia has become the first country President Chakwera has visited since he was elected Malawi Head of State on June 28th, 2020.

ZANIS reports that Malawi Airways, carrying Dr Chakwera, touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, (KKIA) at exactly 09:05hours.

The Malawi Head of State who is accompanied by First Lady, Monica Chakwera, among other government officials, was received by Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Joseph Malanji, Lusaka Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, and Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for administration, Patrick Kangwa and other senior government and Patriotic Front (PF) officials.

Upon arrival at the airport, Dr Chakwera inspected the guard of honour which was preceded with 21 gun salutes and also took time to appreciate Zambia’s’ traditional dance troops and the PF Choir which added exquisiteness to the welcoming ceremony.

And according to the official programme released by Cabinet office, Dr Chakwera who is in the country for a one day working visit, will lay wreaths at the Presidential Burial Site at Embassy Park in Lusaka and thereafter, hold bilateral talks with President Edgar Lungu at State House.

Zambia and Malawi have continued to collaborate at regional, continental and international levels through the United Nations (UN), the Commonwealth, the African Union (AU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

President Chakwera 65, beat the former President Peter Mutharika in the June Presidential elections helping Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to bounce back to power after 26 years having lost power to United Democratic Front (UDF) under former President Bakili Muluzi in 1994.

What We Feared Comes to Pass: Schools Reopen Without A Plan

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What We Feared Comes to Pass: Schools Reopen Without A Plan

By Parkie Mbozi

WHAT most of us feared has come to pass. Learning institutions across the country are reopening under the ‘new normal’ without a plan, let alone adequate preparations on meeting the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for re-opening. In essence, ‘boma’ has transferred the responsibility of planning and ensuring that our children are safe and secure from itself to parents and individual schools and other learning institutions.

When officially opening the Fifth session of the National Assembly, President Edgar Lungu said, “I therefore, announce the reopening of all schools, colleges, and universities with caution between 14th September, 2020 and 28th September, 2020, subject to adherence to public health certification, guidelines, regulations, and also to allow for satisfactory, and adequate preparedness by all relevant authorities including parents and guardians.”

In this article I argue that re-opening of schools and other learning institutions is a double-edged sword, if you like. On one hand we needed the learning institutions to reopen to ameliorate the impacts of prolonged closures on the social, psychological, and learning needs of the learners, especially adolescents. In this era of social media, your guess is as good as mine on how our children were utilising their idle time. On the other hand, the health and safety concerns of learners, arising from hasty and unplanned re-opening, cannot be over-emphasised or downplayed. I lay my case by calibrating the article on the subject I published three weeks titled, Covid 19: Without Strategy Schools could remain shut indefinitely.

In the article I wrote, “The conversation about the re-opening of schools is a global phenomenon. The reason is simple: whatever choice a country makes has repercussions. Science (socio-psychological and biomedical) seems to favour letting our kids go back to school. The United Nations Children’s Emergency (UNICEF) sums up that, “schools do much more than teach children how to read, write and count. They also provide nutrition, health, and hygiene services; mental health and psychosocial support; and dramatically reduce the risk of violence, early pregnancy and more. And it’s the most vulnerable children who are the hardest hit by school closures, and we know from previous crises that the longer they are out of school, the less likely they are to return.”

I went on, “There are other scientific reasons which favour re-opening of schools. First, the COVID-19 stats across the globe, Zambia included, show that children are less susceptible to acquiring and dying from the pandemic. Similarly, some modeling studies suggest that school re-opening has a very insignificant effect on wider transmission in the community. “Outbreaks in schools are inevitable,” says Otto Helve, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. “But there is good news.” So far, with some changes to schools’ daily routines, he says, the benefits of attending school seem to outweigh the risks—at least where community infection rates are low.”

While the need to re-open the learning institutions at one time or another under the ‘new normal’ was inevitable and anticipated, the lack of anticipation and planning ahead is what is most bizarre and astonishing to say the least. The President’s speech confirms the lack of planning and preparedness on the part of both ministries of General and Higher education, despite both having ‘planning’ directorates and six months of closure. Part of his speech says, “the Ministry of General Education and the Ministry of Higher Education must come up with modalities that will ensure all pupils and students catch up after losing six months of the academic calendar, which may include revising the curricula. I also urge the two ministries to ensure strict compliance to the covid-19 measures. I am encouraged to reopen the schools in the context of the new normal as espoused by the World Health Organisation (WHO).”

The question is, why couldn’t the ministries begin planning for various scenarios much earlier given that they had six months to do so? On this I again calibrate the case I raised three weeks ago. I wrote, “What is up government’s sleeves on re-opening? As parents and stakeholders, we are asking questions, but we aren’t getting answers let alone be engaged in a conversation. We have heard speculations that all the kids may return to school in September when temperatures are expected to rise. Much as every parent would wish for that to happen, the question is, how realistic is it? September is less a month away and the pre-conditions set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for re-opening of schools have not been met. Equally the commonsense ingredients of planning, conversation and engagement have not taken place. Kenya has already rolled out a plan for re-opening in January 2021. Just what is our problem?”

During a ZNBC Kwacha Good Morning Zambia programme three weeks ago Ministry of Education PS Jobbicks Kalumba was urging stakeholders to advocate re-opening of schools, yet he should have been laying a plan and roadmap for the same. That just confirms that planning and strategizing was never a priority for the educational authorities. Why would he turn re-opening an advocacy rather than a planning issue on the part of his ministry? Likewise, to this date there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that resembles school-specific comprehensive guidelines on the ministries’ websites.

Contrast this with the 45-paged comprehensive guidelines on the website of the UK Ministry of Education. The guidelines provide frameworks on the following broad themes: Section 1: Public health advice to minimise coronavirus (COVID-19) risks; Section 2: School operations; Section 3: Curriculum, behaviour and pastoral support; Section 4: Assessment and accountability; and, Section 5: Contingency planning for outbreaks. Likewise, Kenya has announced a comprehensive plan for re-opening of schools in January 2021.

The school guidelines of the UK and other counties that paid attention to planning for re-opening is a reminder that school-related guidelines are much more than revised calendar and basic health guidelines from thee Ministry of Health, as contained in Dr Kalumba’s circular dated September 14. The WHO has elaborated areas that need to be well thought about and planned for, which I outline below. The major concern is that data from some countries that have pioneered re-opening higher learning institutions show that they have now become the new Covid 19 hotspots. In the USA, for instance, 1,200 higher learning institutions reported a cumulative 88,000 cases as of September 15. This is a warning to the rest of the world.

Prevention and control measures to be put in place in schools

The WHO recommends several actions and requirements that national governments should put in place to ensure the safety of children and school staff while at school. It recommends their customization to the special circumstances of the school and for the type and level of the learning institution. For your benefit I will reproduce them. The purpose is to demonstrate that meeting all of them requires time, engagement and resources. Use them to judge our readiness.

WHO Guideline 1: Policy, practice, and infrastructure: Ensure the necessary resources, policies and infrastructure are in place that protect the health and safety of all school personnel, including people at higher risk.

Question and concern: where are the comprehensive policies or guidelines of the two ministries articulated, if at all? The Ministry of General Education website only links you to the general basic health guidelines contained on the Ministry of Health website. Nothing, and I mean nothing, specific to school environments. Sector-specific policies and practices take long to prepare and should have been the priority during the last six months.

WHO Guideline 2: Physical distancing: Physical distancing of at least one metre between people should be implemented in the school premises and the classrooms. This includes increasing desk spacing and staging recesses, breaks and lunch breaks; limiting the mixing of classes or age groups; considering smaller classes or alternating attendance schedules, and ensuring good ventilation in classrooms.

Question and concern: do ALL our schools and higher learning institutions, which are already crowded, have the infrastructure and spaces for such physical distancing, in classrooms, dormitories, dining halls, etc? The September 14 ‘guidance’ proposes such measures as splitting classes, which was already happening under the ‘old normal’ and unattainable for most schools.

WHO Guideline 3: Screening and care of sick students, teachers and other school staff: Schools should enforce the policy of “staying home if unwell”, waive the requirement for a doctor’s note, create a checklist for parents/students/staff to decide whether to go to school (taking into consideration the local situation), and consider options for screening on arrival.

Question and concern: Do ALL the schools have facilities for screening, self-isolation and treatment and resources to take the children to the nearest health facility?

WHO Guideline 4: Hygiene and daily practices: Hand hygiene and environmental cleaning measures should be in place to limit exposure. Schools should consider the training of staff and learners, a schedule for daily cleaning, availability of hand hygiene facilities and national/local guidance on the use of masks.

WHO Guideline 5: Behavioural aspects: Consider the age and capacity of learners to understand and respect measures put in place. Younger children may find it more difficult to adhere to physical distancing or the appropriate use of masks.

WHO Guideline 6: Safety and security: School closure or re-opening may affect the safety and security of students and the most vulnerable children may require special attention, such as during pick-up and drop-off.

WHO Guideline 7: Communication with parents and students: Schools should keep students and parents informed about the measures implemented to ensure their collaboration and support.

WHO Guideline 8: Additional school-related measures such as the immunization checks and catch-up vaccination programmes: Ensure continuity or expansion of essential services, including school feeding and mental health and psycho-social support.

To conclude, re re-opening of schools and learning institutions in the Covid 19 era is such a complex matter that it needed forward planning and resource allocation. We are in for a long haul with the pandemic. The onus is now on the relevant line ministries and stakeholders to pull the stops to make re-opening a success.

The author is a media, governance and health communication researcher and scholar with the Institute of Economic and Social Research, University of Zambia. He is reachable on pmbozi5ATyahooDOTcom.

 

MoH calls for strict adherence to health guidelines

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MoH calls for strict adherence to health guidelines

The Ministry of Health has called for intensified enforcement of public health guidelines to look at protocols and systems to be put in place with regard to border management in the wake of COVID-19.

Ministry of Health Chief Environmental Health Officer Doreen Sakala said the ministry is concerned with inconsistencies with regards to adherence levels among members of the public.

Ms. Sakala was speaking this morning during a cross border meeting which was organized to look at the protocols and systems to be put in place in the wake of COVID-19 in Chirundu District.

She disclosed that some bar owners have started operating during the week which is against President Edgar Lungu’s directive for bars to open only over the weekends under strict guidelines.

She added that overcrowding in public places has continued, a situation which she said may worsen the COVID-19 situation in the country.

Ms Sakala further noted an increase in Brought In Dead (BIDs) to health facilities in the district.

And officially opening the meeting, acting Chirundu District Administrative Officer Samunyuna Kahinga encouraged the participants to harness the prevailing protocols in order to deal with COVID-19 at points of entry.

The consultative meeting will contribute to improved engagement, cross border coordination and ensuring that the points of entry officials are capacitated to continue with operations relating to human mobility and trade facilitation within the context of public health guidelines amid COVID-19.

The cross border meeting was organized with support from International Organization for Migration (IOM) and brought different players from both the government agencies and multilateral agencies from Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Harry Kalaba’s DP wins de-registration appeal

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Harry Kalaba’s DP wins de-registration appeal

The Democratic Party has won the case in which the Attorney General had appealed the ruling of the High Court to reinstate the party’s registration after it was deregistered in June 2018.

The judgment delivered Monday morning by Justice Florence Lengalenga who cited that the trial judge, Justice Sharon Newa was on terrafirma when she quashed the decision by the Chief Registrar of Societies to deregister the Democratic Party.

Justice Lengalenga ruled and upheld the decision by Justice Sharon Newa that the Chief Registrar’s decision was illegal, irrational, unreasonable and procedural impropriety.

In delivering judgment, Justice Lengalenga guided that the appeal by the Attorney General has not succeeded on all the four grounds of appeal and has upheld Justice Sharon Newa’s decision to reinstate Democratic Party as a dully registered political party.

According to a statement issued by Democratic Party spokesperson Judith Kabemba, the court decision means that the Democratic Party is a legally registered party and ready to form Government in 2021.

“The battle in the courts of law has finally been ended today 21st September 2020 after the appeals court threw out the appeal by attorney general over the winning of DP in the High Court,” Ms Kabemba said.

“The judgement was made this morning citing that Judge S.Newa was in order when she quashed the decision by Registrar of Societies to deregister Democratic Party. Judge Lengalenga guided that the earlier decision has been upheld and that the duplicate certificate be printed and given to the Democratic Party immediately.”

Zim, Zambia happy with progress at Batoka hydro plant

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Zim, Zambia happy with progress at Batoka hydro plant

Zambia and Zimbabwe have expressed satisfaction on the progress made in the construction of the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme (BGHES) since the project was awarded to a Chinese contractor.

The two parties’ Council of Ministers (COM) of the Zambezi River Authority, met last week for an extraordinary session to review progress in the implementation of the BGHES as well as to formally adopt the authority’s corporate strategy for the 2020-2024 period.

The meeting also considered and approved the 2020 supplementary budget for the Zambezi River Authority.

“The COM noted progress on the development of the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme following the award of the project development contract to the Consortium of Power Construction Corporation of China and General Electric,” read part of the communiqué by the authority signed by Zimbabwe’s Energy minister Zhemu Soda and his Zambian counterpart Mathew Nkhuwa released on September 16.

“The COM noted with satisfaction that engagements between the consortium, the authority and the power utilities had progressed well notwithstanding the disruptions of some activities that were caused by the outbreak and spread of the COVID-19.”

The 2 400 megawatt Batoka Gorge power plant, set to ease power challenges between the two countries, was mooted in 1992, but delayed until this year due to community resistance as well as colonial era debts.

The project is being funded to the tune of US$4.5 billion by General Electric and China Power.

The World Bank and African Development Bank have also expressed interest in funding the project.

“The COM considered and approved a supplementary budget for the period July to December for the Zambezi River Authority in the amount of US$403 999 in respect of employment and electricity costs for the period,” the communiqué further read.

“The COM formally adopted the corporate strategy for Zambezi River Authority that would guide the authority’s strategic direction for the period 2020-2024 and expressed confidence that the contents of the strategy will facilitate significant contribution by the authority to the socio-economic development of the two countries.

The two ministers also noted the launch of the public disclosure process of the project’s environmental and social impact assessment and environmental and social management plans reports, a progress aimed at ensuring transparency in the manner the project was being implemented.

The team also noted the change of land use from communal to urban of the north bank as proof that the land for the project was available and on title, a requisite in the provision of the project finance by the developer.

Submitted financial reports were also evaluated and project agreement refined to be entered into the developer for the development of the scheme.

All Eligible Zambians Must Register to Vote in 2021 Elections, Including those Currently Registered-ECZ

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All Eligible Zambians Must Register to Vote in 2021 Elections, Including those Currently Registered-ECZ

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has urged all eligible Zambian citizens to register during the 2020 Voter Registration exercise even if one is currently registered.

In a statement clarifying on the eleigibility to vote in 2021 and future elections, ECZ said that those who will not register during the 2020 Voter Registration exercise will not be able to vote in the 2021 General Elections and future elections conducted under the new register of voters.

In a statement released to the media, ECZ said that all eligible Zambian citizens who will register during the 2020 Voter Registration Exercise will qualify to vote in the 2021 General Elections. but said that

The Commission further said that eligible Zambians who will not register will only be eligible to vote in
future elections when the Commission undertakes another voter registration exercise after the 2021 General Elections.

“If you do not register you will not vote in the 2021 General Elections. The current Voters card will not be used in the 2021 general elections, ” the statement concluded.

Electoral Commission of Zambia Chief Electoral Officer Patrick Nshindano with Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson Judge Esau Chulu and Commissioner Dr Emily Sikazwe during the launch of online voter registration at Mulungushi International Conference center.
Electoral Commission of Zambia Chief Electoral Officer Patrick Nshindano with Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson Judge Esau Chulu and Commissioner Dr Emily Sikazwe during the launch of online voter registration at Mulungushi International Conference center.

Earlier, (ECZ) launched the online voter pre-registration exercise which is expected to run from September 21 to November 6, 2020. ECZ Board Chairperson Justice Esau Chulu urged eligible citizen to take advantage of the online voter registration which will allow them to submit most of their details online, after which they will be required to physically visit designated registration centres for capture of their biometrics before being issued with a voter’s card.

Justice Chulu said the online pre-registration which commenced yesterday will run up to 6th November 2020 and further emphasized that all those who will not be able to pre-register online will still be catered for during the voter registration which will run from 28th October to 30th November 2020.

Justice Chulu emphasised that those that do not register will not be eligible to vote in the 2021 general election.

And ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Patrick Nshindano explained that the online pre-registration is not a final process but is aimed at enhancing the electoral process. Mr. Nshindano said the voter registration will birth a new register that takes into account various factors. Mr. Nshindano further said the commission has developed guidelines that will ensure there is no spread of covid-19.

And ECZ Commissioner Emily Sikazwe urged civil society organizations and church leaders to educate the public on the need to register. Dr. Sikazwe said the voter registration exercise will not be extended due to time limit and tight schedule running up to the 2021 general election. She also wondered why some political parties and Civil Society Organisations are questioning the ECZ’s move to come up with a new register when it was a recommendation from them.

Meanwhile, ECZ has disclosed that they will soon share guidelines with various stakeholders concerning the voting process and other related procedures for prisoners.

ECZ chief electoral officer Patrick Nshindano says the guidelines will be shared in order to fully understand how the process will be conducted following various concerns on the procedural requirements.

Mr Nshindano was speaking today during the question and answer session when ECZ chairperson Justice Essau Chulu launched the online pre-registration of voters.

Mr Nshindano said the commission is committed to ensure the process to incorporate prisoners to vote in the 2021 general elections is done in a credible manner and said soon all political players will be engaged on the matter.

US$472.5 million of transferred funds suspected of fraud in Zambia

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US$472.5 million of transferred funds suspected of fraud in Zambia

Funds amounting to $472.5 million transferred from the United States to Zambia between 2007 and 2017 are suspected to be the proceeds of bank fraud.

This is according to revelations made this week by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

The information, which cites leaked documents from FinCEN, the U.S-based Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, indicates that the bulk of these funds ($462.3 million) originated from Citigroup for accounts housed within the Zambian subsidiary of South African Standard Bank Group, Stanbic Bank Zambia.

Also, $11.4 million in payments made by Zambian banks to foreign correspondents are suspected of fraud.

In total, nearly $2 trillion in international financial transactions are suspected of fraud, involving several prominent Africans or their relatives.

For example, Jean-Pierre Bemba, a politician from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is cited in the report, as well as Lamine Diack, former president of the International Federation of Athletics convicted of corruption within the framework of a vast network involving Russians.

Isabel dos Santos, daughter of former Angolan president José Eduardo dos Santos, is also involved.

The wife of Atiku Abubakar, the former vice-president of Nigeria accused of corruption in the country and who has always denied the accusations, is also involved.

The case is discussed a lot in the USA, where the administration regularly gives itself the competence to judge financial transactions in violation of the laws and regulations in force.

It is therefore difficult to understand how nearly 200,000 cases of suspected fraud reported from banks have not been subject to proper procedures.

It was also discovered that several banks operating in the United States have violated the time limits for reporting suspected fraud.

Depending on the case, these institutions have between 30 and 60 days to report suspicious transactions.

But for several of the banks cited, the time limit for reporting is between 136 days and even 1,206 days.

FinCEN, which gathers all these data, issued a press release, clearing itself of having made these embarrassing documents available to ICIJ.

It invites U.S. justice to sanction the people who would make these revelations.

But in another document, the institution acknowledges that there is a need to review the procedures for fighting money laundering in the USA and launched a call for contributions to this effect.

The revelations have reopened the international debate on the need to strengthen the way financial crime is fought around the world.

In a joint statement, the Institute of International Finance (IIF) and Deloitte called for “a combination of regulatory reform, cultural change, and the deployment of new technologies to better counter the threats posed by illicit flows through the international financial system.”

A Conversation with the Nation : A Case of the Lukashya by-elections

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A Conversation with the Nation : A Case of the Lukashya by-elections

By Nevers Mumba: MMD President

INTRODUCTION

Today, I choose to speak to the core and soul of our Nation. I further choose to bear my soul to the nation and hopefully define my long-held vision of Zambia Shall be Saved. This is not a political slogan but a vision God gave me long before I joined politics.

World history has clear examples of bad governments and good governments. We all know what a bad and failing government looks like when we see one. We also know what a good government looks like when we see it.

Our responsibility as a people cooperate is to ensure that our nation Zambia which we have by choice, clothed with a Christian name does not become a failed state. We do this not for ourselves but the generations that shall come after us.

So, my statement today seeks to demonstrate how far we have fallen and what needs to be done to restore our dignity and image as a nation.

The case of the just ended Lukashya by-election is a good place to start.

LUKASHYA BY-ELECTION

I choose to use Lukashya as a case study of how we have fallen as a people because MMD participated in the by election and I personally spent six days on the ground.
This election revealed the worst in us as a people. It showed the rot and corruption we have embraced as a way of life. Until we choose another path of self-respect, integrity and adherence to the rule of law, our country shall not be saved and shall not prosper.

I wish to address members of the MMD nationwide and assure you that your party is getting stronger by the day after the November 5th 2019 court judgment which restored the legitimate leadership of the party.

The election results as announced by the Electoral Commission in Lukashya do no reflect our performance in the just ended by-election. We did not get 114 votes. The privileged information we have has revealed that MMD was targeted for humiliation by use of pre marked ballots and the swapping of ballot boxes. The strategy of our colleagues in government has been to destabilize the MMD and find a way to take the nationwide structures of the MMD. It is against this background that a group led by Raphael Nakachinda against court judgements continues to claim to represent the MMD, a party to which he no longer belongs with a view to destabilize it.

NEED FOR HONOR

For the past four years since Raphael Nakachinda chose to fight against me and the MMD party, my team members have always reminded me never to answer Raphael back. I have kept this advice because it resonates with my personal position. However, we have now reached a stage where my silence on Raphael’s behavior could be interpreted as recklessness on my part. If he gets the counsel I give him today, he shall save his life and that of his family. I know that he understands the spiritual implications of his conduct. He understands better than many that I am not just a politician, I am God’s servant. He understands that I am not just a pastor, I am his spiritual father.

Over the weekend, Raphael released a statement in which he called me a fool and by implication a failure in leadership. Before I respond to his words, I wish to confirm that yes, Raphael was brought into the political space by myself. From the spiritual side, I can even call him a son.

On that basis, as a father, I am happy with how he has improved his life to own what he owns now and to land a nomination from President Lungu. Especially that I know where I got him from. I am happy for him and his family. That’s what a father does.

It is however not a secret that his presumed success has been built at my expense. The more he insulted me the more support he got from those whose mission has been to stop my God-given destiny. My advice to him however is that, the end result of his actions will not be different from those who did the same thing in the Bible. When Absalom rose up against David his father. When Judas Iscariot rose up against his master Jesus and when Lucifer rose up against God the creator. Their end was the same.

LEADER OR A FOOL

Let me now address Mr. Nakachinda’s statement that I am a fool. Not knowing who he is comparing my leadership to, let me state as follows.

I do not think the Pentecostal/Charismatic Church in Zambia will agree with Raphael that I am a fool.

I don’t think my highly objective wife of 35 years will agree with him that I am a fool.

I don’t think my five children all educated with university degrees would agree with him that I am a fool.

I do not believe that the multiplied millions who got saved through the Zambia Shall be saved television broadcast will agree with him that I am a fool.

I do not think Pastors and young families we have trained and sent all over the world as missionaries would agree with him that I am a fool.

I don’t think the diplomatic community in Canada which elected me as the first african President of the diplomatic association would agree with him that I am a fool.

I don’t think our first President who sought prayer and guidance from me when he restored Zambia as a multiparty state will agree with him that I am a fool.

I don’t think the late President Chiluba who for the first time in Zambian history honored me with a diplomatic passport as clergy would agree with him that I am a fool.

I don’t think Raphael’s own wife who knows where I got him from would agree with him that I am a fool.

In fact, there seems to be no history of failed leadership in my life. I fulfilled all my obligations with diligence. As Pastor, Vice President, and Ambassador. I gave it my all and my best. I am proud of the record I have left behind.

ATTEMPT TO CHANGE MMD HISTORY

There has been an attempt to change the recent history of the MMD to suggest that the current state of MMD is as a result of my lack of leadership. To the contract, my role since I took over has been to bring it back after the humiliation loss of 2011.

Let me be clear. Without our strong leadership after the loss of the 2011 election, MMD was on its way to extinction. A group of MMD leaders led the party into a devastating loss in 2011. Many abandoned the party and joined the new ruling party. When I took over we gave it a new face and began to win by-elections again.
The same group came back and destabilized the party in 2014. This led to poor performance in 2015. When the party was back in its strength in 2016, the same group came back and high jacked the party for three years. Ten months ago, we got the party again and started to rebuild it from the injury caused by the same group. Only strong, proven leadership can rebuild and organization after three assaults.

The constant interference by the same people created an image of instability which in turn affects voter confidence. It is for this reason we have decided to deal with this group once and for all and prepare the party for next year’s election.

Yes, they are those who feel are better than we and MMD can only work under them. Unfortunately, God chooses who he wishes at any particular time. At this time he has entrusted me and our team with the responsibility to lead the MMD.

THE MALPRACTICES

Our claims are based on first-hand intelligence information and the consequent illegal activities which surrounded the just ended the by-election.

While in Kasama I heard a knock on my door at the lodge our team had camped for the Lukashya campaign. A senior member of the PF who is also a committed Christian came to see me at midnight. He looked worried and uncomfortable. He told me to the face that PF under normal circumstances stands no chance of winning this election as there is no goodwill on the ground. A decision has therefore been made to rig the election. He further indicated that MMD was targeted for humiliation so that our political opponents could use our loss as a license to further destabilize the MMD. He advised that the best thing is to compel the ECZ to postpone the election because the levels of malpractices were too excessive. He advised me to sound the alarm about the pending rigging, a thing I did the following day on Radio Mano and Rally on our last day of the campaign.

  1. He confirmed that the pre-marked ballots had arrived in Kasama. He confirmed that 4,500 people had been recruited to stuff the ballot papers in ballot boxes in all the polling stations.
  2. He confirmed that mealie meal was being distributed in the different wards by DMMU and that the PF camps were being supplied by taxpayers’ money with foodstuffs. This alone is sufficient ground to nullify the election.
  3. He provided information on the many GRZ vehicles being used in the campaign which we had also seen.

We are unable to provide the whole list of malpractices to allow the team we have mandated to travel back to Kasama to do an effective forensic audit of all the malpractices to do their job undisturbed.

Further, the extent of violence experienced in the campaign could have caused a working ECZ to have suspended the election or disqualified the culprits. The police for the most part stood helpless as they watched people being beaten and vehicles being broken into and destroyed.

Two PF cadres were nabbed by the police for being in possession of pre-marked ballot papers. When this information reached the senior leaders of the PF, the duo was released privately.

A PF cadre was arrested by the police for taking a picture of his ballot paper before casting his vote. When interrogated by the police, he stated that the PF leaders were suspecting him that he would vote for another candidate and therefore was not going to be given promised money if he did not provide proof. A vote is a secret matter in a democracy. To intimidate members of the public to vote a certain way based on financial gratification is illegal and enough ground to nullify the election.

Based on all these and many other irregularities the ECZ should have suspended this election. It is an illegitimate election and the outcome is also illegitimate. It’s for this reason that the MMD cannot on moral grounds congratulate the PF as having won the said election. Neither do we agree that the number of votes allocated to MMD are genuine. How can our candidate get TWO votes at his polling station where he voted for himself with his family and his church members? Our numbers in one ward are reported by our agents at 1050 votes for MMD and the PF had 400 votes in that same ward. (One policeman who raised this matter was removed from that polling station) How then can we end up with 114 votes for the whole constituency? Our verification team is on its way to Kasama to collect all evidence and witnesses to all these malpractices. It is at this point that the party shall decide on the course of action to take.
I wish to state that these are our preliminary findings and we await the whole report from our verification team.

THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

It is a proven fact that electoral commissions in Africa are the source of conflict and national insecurity. A few decades ago, coup de tat’s were responsible for illegitimate take over of governments. The AU however addressed this matter adequately and coups are no longer fashionable. However, the new juntas of keeping ruling parties in government against the wish of the people are electoral commissions across the continent.

The Lukashya case can be called the “2020 ECZ scandal.”The fact that against all these malpractices, the ECZ is quiet and gone ahead to authenticate the elections confirms our fears that the ECZ is defunct and impotent. Our concern as a people should therefore be how do we even think of facing the 2021 election under such a regime?

Based on these flawed elections a narrative has been formed in the media that the people of Zambia are in love with the PF and that the UPND is a social media-based party that is absent from the grassroots while no one in Zambia wants MMD. This narrative is furthest from the truth and any PF member who believes it risks having a heart attack in August 2021. The Americans would say that ‘PF are drinking their own cool-aid.”

We also wish to announce that we are aware that an IT center has been set up which will permanently hack into the ECZ server to manipulate the numbers in the 2021 election. We are following very closely as to how the recruited South African IT guru shall achieve this goal. The good news is that we know where these facilities are and who is responsible for it.

As a Pastor Politician, my heart tells me we are on a wrong path. Manipulating the electoral process to remain in power is the most evil act anyone can do. This changes the whole reason for an election. It should never be that the most corrupt should win elections but the most qualified and the most favored by the electorate. Very few african countries have this privilege. Zambia can start afresh and divorce itself from the list of african failed states in as far as the electoral process is concerned. Give ZambianS, leaders of their choice and see Zambia get united and develop in leaps and bounds.

IN CONCLUSION:

To the members and sympathizers of MMD both at home and in the Diaspora, don’t lose hope. Some people may call us underdogs as we head towards the 2021 election. In August next year we shall not be the first underdogs to win. History has demonstrated that underdogs have won more contests than those who call themselves front runners. The Bible which never lies assures us with these words, “And the last shall be first…”
Let’s unite and fight like we have never fought before. The future is bright.

To the general public, Let’s gang up and dismantle the current electoral commission and replace it with a functional and patriotic institution. The current ECZ is a danger to peace.

To the Church, Let is rise and speak for equity and justice for all. Let us demand that the PF adheres to the rule of law. As of now citizens are doing their best to keep the law, but the PF has chosen the path of lawlessness. They are holding huge rallies in the COVID-19 season. Campaigns have not been announced by ECZ. We MUST all hold the PF government accountable to the rule of law. The power to change our fortunes as a nation is in our hands. All of us together.

May God bless the New Hope MMD and may God bless the Republic of Zambia.

Lusaka City Council still searching for land for burial sites

Chief Editor
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Lusaka City Council still searching for land for burial sites

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) says it is waiting for the government through the ministerial committee to allocate a piece of land where a new burial site for the city can be established.

LCC Public Relations officer George Simuchimba said a new burial site has not yet been found as the local authority is waiting for the responsible ministerial committee to identify a new burial site in the capital city.

Mr Simuchimba said the committee which comprises the ministries of Local government, Lands and Home Affairs is responsible for identifying a new cemetery following the depletion of burial spaces at Leopard hill, Chunga and Chingwere cemeteries.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka, Mr Simuchimba said the council has no powers to look for burial sites outside Lusaka saying such responsibilities lie in government officials at higher levels.

And when asked about the comments by Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa’s statement to the media that negotiations were underway to secure land in Kafue district for a burial site, Mr Simuchimba declined to comment.

“It is beyond our jurisdiction, Kafue is another district, and we do not have the powers to go to Kafue. That is why the matter is being addressed at that level,” he said.

Recently, Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa said LCC was negotiating with Kafue council to secure land to open up new burial sites for the city following the filling up of the existing ones.

Lusaka city has run out of burial space leading to challenges by the deceased families in finding alternative burial site.

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