The Electoral Commission of Zambia has prescribed 13th February, 2020 as the date on which to hold the Chilubi Constituency Parliamentary By-election in Chilubi District of Northern Province.

On the same date, the Commission will also conduct three Local Government Ward By-elections in Nachikungu Ward of Kalomo Town Council in Southern Province, Kakwacha Ward of Mitete Town Council and Kaande Ward of Mongu Municipal Council in Western Province.

The Election in Chilubi Constituency has been necessitated following the death of incumbent area Member of Parliament Honourable Rosaria Fundanga on Wednesday 20th November, 2019.

The vacancies in, Nachikungu, Kakwacha and Kaande Wards were as a result of resignations of councillors.

Margaret Chimanse, the Commission Public Relations Manager said the polls will take place from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours.

Ms Chimanse said the aspiring candidates in the by-elections should lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed before a Magistrate, Local Court Magistrate, Head of a Government Primary or Secondary School, Principal of a College, Commissioner of Oaths, Election Officer or Returning Officer on Thursday, 16th January, 2020 between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours.

She said aspiring candidates for the Parliamentary By-election in Chilubi Constituency should take along with them 15 supporters who must be registered voters in the said
Constituency.

Ms Chimanse said the supporters must have in their possession their Green National Registration Cards and Voters’ Cards.

She she added that aspiring candidates for the Parliamentary By-election will be required to pay K7,500, non-refundable nomination fee.

Ms Chimanse added that aspiring candidates in the Local Government Ward By-elections should take along with them 9 supporters who must be registered voters in the affected wards. Aspiring candidates will be required to pay K750 for City and Municipal Councils and K400 for District Councils, non-refundable nomination fee.

The Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to scrutinise the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019 has observed that most of the stakeholders who appeared before it was in support of the Bill, although, in some instances, the stakeholders proposed several amendments.

According to the report published by the Committee, the stakeholders noted that the Bill was meant to cure and address the various lacunae created by the 2016 amendment to the Constitution.

The Committee further observed that a few stakeholders did not support the Bill and called for its withdrawal citing the lack of broad consultation in the current constitution-making process, which they said was cardinal if the Constitution was to stand the test of time.

The stakeholders further contended that the current process had departed from the initial objective of attending to lacunae created by the 2016 amendment to the Constitution to proposing major changes and, therefore, required further consultation.

The Committee, however, notes that even these stakeholders identified areas of concern in the Bill and made their respective proposals which have been incorporated in the Committee’s report.

Having received the submissions as above, the Committee observed that the Bill has attended to the various lacunae that arose from the amendment of the Constitution.

In supporting the Bill, the Committee said most stakeholders were in support of the amendment to replace the word “multi-religious” in the Preamble with the word “Christian” and Committee agrees with the stakeholders that the amendment will remove the ambiguity in the current Constitution, which gives the Republic two contradictory religious identities.

The Committee notes that replacing the word “multi-religious” with the word “Christian” will create the much-needed  identity which will form the basis for formulating the values and principles upon which the Constitution will be anchored.

The Committee, however, does not agree with the concern by some stakeholders that the amendment discriminates against non-Christians because the  Constitution provides enough safeguards such as Article 19 of the Bill of Rights, which guarantees every person freedom of conscience.

The Committee has since recommended that the Preamble be amended to replace the word “multi-religious” with the word “Christian”.

On Amendment of Article 8 on National Values and Principles, the Committee observed that the majority of stakeholders supported the amendment for “Christian morality and ethics” to be included as one of the national values and principles but observed that Article 9 requires the national values and principles to be used in interpreting the Constitution, laws and government policies.

The Committee, therefore, agrees with the stakeholders that submitted that including Christian morality and ethics as a national value and principle would create difficulties interpreting the law and government policies and recommended that Christian morality and ethics should not be included as a national value and principle.

On the Amendment of Article 47 on the Electoral systems, almost all stakeholders that appeared before the committee supported the amendment to change the electoral system to the National Assembly from the first-past-the-post system to a mixed-member system.

The Committee acknowledged that the mixed-member electoral system, which combines the first-past-the-post electoral system with the proportional representation system, is ideal for  enhancing the participation of marginalised groups in the governance of the country and agreed with the stakeholders that the mixed member system be adopted for elections to the National Assembly.

The Committee has recommended that the mixed-member system be adopted for elections to the National Assembly, but that the system should be clearly defined in the Constitution.

And on the Amendment of Article 63 on Functions of Parliament and National Assembly, the Committee expressed concern with regard to this amendment which removes the National Assembly’s function of approving public debt before it is contracted and approving international agreements and treaties before they are acceded to or ratified by the Executive.

The Committee agrees with stakeholders that this amendment should be rejected as it weakens the oversight role of the National Assembly over the Executive, which is the cornerstone of a democratic dispensation and recommended that the current provisions of Article 63 (2) (d) and (e) of the Constitution be maintained.

The Committee further recommended that Article 63(2) be further amended to mandate the National Assembly to also approve the Executive’s withdrawal from international agreements and treaties.

Meanwhile, on Clause 15 on repealing and Replacement of Article 68: Election and composition of National Assembly the Committee is also concerned about the repeal of Article 68 and the consequent relegation of provisions relating to the election, and composition of the National Assembly to an Act of Parliament.

The Committee is of the view that the composition of the National Assembly,
including the number of Members of Parliament, is fundamental and should not be relegated to an Act of Parliament where it can easily be revised.

The committee has recommended that the provisions of Article 68 should be retained in the Constitution in order to be insulated from frequent amendments.

On Articles 69, 70, 71 and 72 on Nominated Members of Parliament, Qualifications and Disqualifications of Members of Parliament, Nominations for elections to National Assembly and vacation of office as Member of Parliament and dissolution of political party, the Committee observed that this amendment relegates the provisions pertaining to a nominated Member of Parliament, qualifications and disqualifications for election as a Member as well as the vacation of office of a Member of Parliament to an Act of Parliament.

The Committee is concerned that this will make these provisions susceptible to frequent amendment. With respect to Article 70 (d), which provides for qualifications and disqualifications of
Members of Parliament, the Committee agreed with stakeholder recommendations that this
clause be maintained, but amended so that the reference to “a grade 12 certificate” is substituted with “school certificate”.

Regarding Article 72, which provides for vacation of office as Member of Parliament and dissolution of a political party, the Committee also agrees with stakeholders that the Article be maintained, but amended to provide for all possible forms of floor crossing as a basis for vacation of office. Additionally, Article 72(5) should be amended to provide for a Member of Parliament who has been expelled from the political party on whose party ticket he was elected to the National Assembly to continue to hold his or her seat until the matter has been heard and determined by the courts of law.

The Committee, therefore, recommended that the provisions relating to nominated Members of Parliament, qualifications and disqualification be retained in the Constitution and further recommended that Article 72 should be amended to provide for all possible forms of floor crossing as a basis for vacation of office by a Member of Parliament.

And on Article 81: Term and prorogation of Parliament, the Committee said most stakeholders were not in support of this amendment, which provides for the term of Parliament to be five complete years, from the time Members of Parliament are sworn in after a general election up to the day of the next general election.

The Committee notes that the amendment is intended to address the apparent conflict between Article  81(1), that prescribes the term of office of a Member of Parliament to be five (5) years and Article 81(3), which provides for dissolution of Parliament ninety (90) days prior to a general election.

The Committee further notes that the prorogation of Parliament before the expiry of the five years constitutes a breach of contract and, therefore, is of the view that Members should be  remunerated for the 90 day period from the dissolution of Parliament up to the holding of elections.

Additionally, the Committee notes the submission by one of the stakeholders that the current campaign period of 90 days is too long and should be reduced to 60 days.

The Committee agrees with this and is further concerned that 90 days is too long a period for the country to lack Members of Parliament. In view of this, the Committee agrees with the stakeholder that the National Assembly should be dissolved 60 days before the elections.

The Committee, therefore, recommended that Article 81 be amended to provide for the National Assembly to be dissolved at least 60 days before the next general election and for Members of Parliament to be remunerated for the full five-year term.

President Lungu has terminated the contract of Mr.Chanda Kasolo as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting services.

In a statement released to the media by Isaac Chimpampe, Special Assistant to the President,Press and public relations, the President said Pursuant to Articles 92(1), 92(2) (e) and 270 of the Constitution of Zambia he has decided to terminate Mr.Kasolo’s contract as Permanent Secretary with immediate effect.

The President thanked Mr.Kasolo for the service he has rendered to the Government of the Republic of Zambia and also wished him well in his future endeavors.

Recently President Edgar Lungu  announced a reduction of his salary and that of his cabinet between a range of 15 and 20 percent. The President also directed the Secretary to Cabinet Dr. Simon Miti to cascade the directive to all Non Unionised Public Officers including parastatal executives.

However Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo then stated that whilst  the President Lungu had decided to cut his salary by 20%  the decision was voluntary for top civil servants and heads of Parastatals.Mr. Kasolo said that the initiative is voluntary because civil servants are employed on contracts that cannot be altered.

The Peoples Alliance for Change says the reduction in salaries for President Edgar Lungu, his Cabinet and other high ranking Public Service Workers announced by State House is a ploy by the PF government to hoodwink Zambians into thinking that they care for them when in fact not.

Party President Andyford Banda says the money that will be realised will be nothing compared to the pain already caused to the Zambian people by the increased cost of electricity and fuel announced by the Energy Regulation Board on 26th December 2019.

Mr Banda says the pay cut which is said to be voluntary by Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo is a mockery of the highest order on Zambians who are not even aware of the amounts that Ministers and highly paid Public Workers cited by President Edgar Lungu get per month.

He said if the President is serious about the welfare of the Zambian people he should take away all the incentives given to the Ministers and highly paid public service workers such as personal to holder vehicles, fuel, their children school fees, talk time and other allowances they are entitled to.

Mr Banda said the President must also ensure that your 64 Ministers who illegally overstayed in office payback the money they owe the Zambian people, take action on the FIC and auditor general reports including Civil Servants that have been cited to have abused public resources in the past such as the K34 million at the Ministry of general Education for education development in 2018 pay back the money to the Zambian people and Sell the Presidential jet procured at an exorbitant price and channel the money to the needy areas aimed at easing the burden on poor Zambians.

He said the President must also reduce on your travelling which and reckless spending which have gobbled millions of dollars at the expense of providing service to the Zambian people and stop borrowing and corruption which have seen most of the borrowed money go into people’s (Politicians) pockets instead of projects that would have created employment for the majority poor and unemployed Zambians.

Further, Mr Banda said the President must Institute independent investigations in the export of Mukula and procurement of the fire trucks. Institute independent investigations in the expensive construction projects including the toll gates.

“We have time and again said that there was no leadership in the Patriotic Front and Zambians will do well to vote for PAC that has visionary leadership to take up the mantle and manage the economy in 2021. It will be suicidal for the people of Zambia to vote for the PF in 2021 as they do not care about them.
Zambians must rise and through the ballot vote out the PF and their mediocrity in 2021. Why didn’t they reduce their salaries earlier and channel the resources towards subsidizing fuel and electricity before increasing the prices? This makes it difficult to understand the criteria used by President Lungu and his advisors to arrive at the decision”, he added.

He has since challenge the President to tell the nation how the so called money that will be realised from this so called salary reduction will be accounted for and how it will be used to cushion the burden on Zambians caused by increases in electricity tariffs and fuel prices.

By Wilfred Sameta

THE PARABLE OF THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF

‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ is one of the most famous fables of all time.

The tale concerns a shepherd boy who repeatedly tricks nearby villagers into thinking a wolf is attacking his town’s flock. When a wolf actually does appear and the boy again calls for help, the villagers believe that it is another false alarm and the sheep are eaten by the wolf.

HH THE KACHEMA WHO CRIED WOLF

Going by the heavy sjambok-like whipping and telling off Bo HH has recently received from his facebook followers, particularly after his recent false “wolf cry “about passport fees being hiked, it is clear that many Zambians, including many of his party faithful and ethnic zealots, have become loathe to the predictability, deceptiveness and emptiness of his “wolf” cries.

One of the posts put his penchant for false alarms in context:

You lied that ZAFFICO had been sold; lied that the airport had been sold; lied that you have evidence about the owner of the 48 houses and dramatically pretended to take evidence to ACC.

She continued:

“Just accept that you’re a chronic liar, you should be ashamed that a man of your standing in society should be spreading such falsehoods. Enough of the lies!”

But it is the unrepentant snobbish nature of a conceited HH that annoyed more than a few:

“There is no harm in saying sorry for spreading lies. You are not human enough learn to accept responsibility when you’re wrong. What kind of a president will you be?”

A METAMORPHOSIS OF MALICE

When bo HH entered the political arena some 14 years ago, he introduced himself as a champion of “clean politics” and he vowed to stay clear of lies and insults.

So what happened?

2006

After his first election defeat of 2006, his appetite for power began to grow after taking third place with 25% of the vote, having manipulated his way to lead the UDA alliance, ahead of more seasoned alliance partners like Edith Nawakwi. He snivelled and sobbed “wolf”, to the top, even though he was still in his political diapers and very wet behind the ears.

2008

By the time he lost again in 2008, he had shed off his “Mr Nice Guy Politics” image and he began to play dirty by dabbling into “white lies”.

Zambians had by now began to take particular note of his sour faced demeanour and permanently irritable tone.

The silhouette of the man’s shadowy tribal rise to be the president of UPND became more defined. As his tribalist profile rose…his vote shrank and he could barely manage 19%.

2011

The 2011 defeat was particularly humiliating for Bo HH. Old man Michael Sata his erstwhile, albeit fleeting alliance partner was elected Head of State. Bo HH did not even manage “the best loser” award in this election. He came a very distant third.

My traditional cousin the “Monze bull” developed sour grapes against the Cobra and his party.

His entire being became a deadly dough of disparagement; puffed up by a leavened mixture of anger, bitterness, envy, pride and melancholy.  Out of the oven offence came a noxiously baked psyche that drives Mr Hakainde Hichilema as we know him today.

2014 & 2016

Ever since ECL the King Cobra’s down-to-earth protégé from Chimwemwe via Chawama trounced him in the 2014 and 2016 elections, my cousin’s noxious psyche has regressed to a freaky pathological state.

He has graduated from white lies and has become a pathological liar.

TOWARDS 2021: A PATHOLOGICAL LIAR UNRAVELS

A pathological liar tells lies, half-truths and stories that fall somewhere between conscious lying and delusion. Tragically, they often believe their own lying cries about “wolves”.

Along with being made the hero or victim in their stories, pathological liars tend to tell lies that seem to be geared at gaining admiration, sympathy, or acceptance by others.

Such is the tragedy of Bo HH and his false alarms regarding of Wolves of ZAFFICO, Wolves of ZNBC, Wolves of ZESCO, Wolves of corruption, Wolves of rigging, Wolves of 48 houses etc. The cries are aimed at gaining admiration, sympathy, and acceptance by Zambians and the international community (where he cries for Sanctions to be imposed on Zambia).

LYING AS A SURVIVAL MECHANISM

The man’s desperation is palpable and his angst near suicidal.
Why?
Because the stakes for 2021 are high; The outcome of the next elections may most likely bring down the curtains on his chequered political career.

LOSING ELECTIONS SIX TIMES NOT SHAMEFUL IN ITSELF; BUT PERMANENTLY LOSING YOUR MIND IS

Bo Hichilema doesn’t care about anything or anybody. He doesn’t care about the consequences, even if Zambia goes up in flames and remains rubble of ashes. He just wants State House and Contracts for his foreign gay business partners.

However, his followers were unanimous in their condemnation of his sadistic deception.

“You are one of the calamities Zambia has been facing. You rejoice when you hear bad news, we saw how you celebrated yesterday after hearing the news of fuel and electricity increments. Indeed you’re a big disappointment. Change for the better Mr Hichilema”

Another chimed in:

“Why are you happy when things are not right? And yet you want to lead the same country? This is not right.”

Yet another:

“HH boza too much. You say you are a patriotic citizen and only you can fix the country and that you’re the most educated economist, why can’t you help the sitting government so that we can see what you can do if you were voted into power?”

While there are definitely some seemingly useful things that once in a while proceed from his mouth, they come with a sting in the tail…a bitter aftertaste.

He does not give any piece of “advice” to help; but rather to make people look st*pid. My cousin has a complex. He thinks he has a patent on wisdom and that he is Heaven’s exclusive gift to Zambia. He doesn’t debate; he talks down on people. One just has to listen to his know-it-all condescending tone in his addresses. Even the traditional leaders in Tonga land except two or three are becoming frustrated with his disrespectful and patronising ways with them.

Humility never killed anyone. Bo HH mwa utwa?
After all, Monze Boy, we know you from your campus days in the 80’s. You were not bad; but you definitely weren’t the sharpest knife in the drawer…not by a long shot! No Siree! But that’s a topic for another day!

THE MORAL OF THE STORY

The moral of the Boy Who Cried Wolf is about credibility through honesty. When you are honest, people trust you. You can’t be a sour and dour deceptive alarmist for long. It is not sustainable.

But sadly for my cousin, he takes his falsehoods for a battle of attrition. Like Adolf Hitler’s propaganda methods, he figures that the more he falsely cries “wolf” the more the people will believe him.

Conversely, he doesn’t realise that the more he cries “wolf” at literally anything and everything progressing in the country particularly by the government, the more he loses credibility. Bo HH has become much like your local neighbourhood “Rover” “Bingo” or “Poppy” that woof-woofs its head off as it chases each and everything moving on tyres. After a while, nobody pays attention.

The moral stated at the end of the Greek version declares, “this shows how liars are rewarded: even if they tell the truth, no one believes them”. Considering the extent to which Hakainde’s lies have lost him credibility, No one will ever wholeheartedly believe him when by a miracle, he tells the truth.

Befittingly, in later English-language poetic versions of the fable, the wolf also ends up eating the boy!

Watch out Bo HH… kunatela kwa toho… (the truth of the matter) is that your own lies will gobble you up…and belch! Your passport to lie will be permanently cancelled!

The Author is a Retired Journalist now tilling the land in Central Province