Police in Lusaka have recorded a warn and caution statement from Phoenix FM Journalist Logic Lukwanda regarding a story he published over the purported 80 missing Black Lechwes.

Speaking to Journalists at at Police Headquarters, Phoenix FM Managing Director, Muzaza Musulwe described the whole incident as intimidating to the media house.

“Yes, it can be very intimidating because really to find yourself here and being questioned like that, it is not very good but I think it is part of our profession,” said Musulwe.

Logic was accompanied to Police Headquarters by Phoenix FM News Editor Patricia Mbewe, a MISA representative including Lusaka Lawyer Gilbert Phiri.

Last month a Conservationist working in the northern circuit,Nsama Musonda Learns reported that 80 Black Lechwes had gone missing in the Bangweulu Wetlands in Luapula Province.

Ms Learns said the animals were captured from the Bangwelu Wetlands during the now banned exercise where the Department for National Parks and Wildlife began capturing wildlife species from their natural habitats to private ranches.

She has appealed to all concerned Zambians, Civil Society Organisations and Media and Human Rights activists to help locate the Lechwes which are endemic to the Bangweulu Wetlands.

Minister of Tourism and Arts Ronald Chitotela on 2nd October 2019 announced the suspension in the movement of animals from National Parks to Private ranches.

The suspension came a few days after controversy surrounded the movement of animals in Mfuwe where trucks were turned back by residents.

He said it was alleged that one of the Directors at the Ministry of Tourism and Arts signed a certificate of movement of live animals from one national park to a private ranch.

Bangweulu Wetlands is the only place in Africa where the Black Lechwe still occurs in significant numbers.

The population in 2005 was estimated at 35,000 but the area has the potential to carry up to 350,000 Black Lechwe.

Ministry of Tourism and Arts has refuted reports that 80 black Lechwes are missing in Bangweulu Wetlands.

Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga then disclosed that former Tourism Minister Charles Banda in March 2019 issued a capture permit for 50 Black Lechwe to Langani Game Ranch in Kazungula and 30 Black Lechwe to Kwisoko Game Farm in Lusaka.

Mr. Malupenga said that the animals were captured and translocated to the two farms on September 10, 2019 following the authorization.

On 31st October 2019 around 12:31hrs, Ms Learns then received a phone call from +260953892614 where a gentleman calling himself Mumba asked her why she had opened her mouth on the story of the black lechwe when she knew it involved the minister.He said they are aware that the opposition were paying her to destroy PF in Luapula and if she said anything more on the issue she would. A woman in the back ground was screaming on top of her voice that they will hunt her down and break her legs and make sure she lived in a wheel chair

Ms Nsama Musonda Learns says she will no longer respond to police summons over the matter.

Mrs Learns said she has now left this matter with her lawyers and that she will not respond to any police summons until they record a statement from the complainant and explain to her lawyers what charge the complainant has laid against her.

“If conserving nature in line with the legal and policy frameworks on environment and natural resources is POLITICAL and tantamount to treason, I need serious guidance so I am writing to the Anti Corruption Commission for guidance on the whistle blowers policy and protection of citizens.”

Zambia Police in Lusaka are today expected to question Phoenix FM Journalist Logic Lukwanda.

This was after Lukwanda was summoned to appear for questioning at the Police Headquaters in Lusaka.

Lukwanda is scheduled to appear for questioning at 09: 00 Hours.

Several police officers in a white land cruiser delivered the Call-Out to Phoenix Offices on Monday afternoon.
The reasons for his summoning have not been made public but sources close to the Police revealed that Lukwanda will be questioned on his coverage of the disappearance of 80 Black Lechwes.

“Logic has been very active in covering this story and the powers that be feel that he has been paid by enemies of the Findlays to write negative stories about this issue. The summoning is to see what he knows about this issue,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Conservationist Nsama Musonda Learns who first exposed the Black Lechwe saga says she will no longer respond to police summons over the matter.

Mrs Learns said she has now left this matter with her lawyers and that she will not respond to any police summons until they record a statement from the complainant and explain to her lawyers what charge the complainant has laid against her.

“If conserving nature in line with the legal and policy frameworks on environment and natural resources is POLITICAL and tantamount to treason, I need serious guidance so I am writing to the Anti Corruption Commission for guidance on the whistle blowers policy and protection of citizens.”

She said she will also write to the International Union for the Conversation of Nature for guidance on sale and translocation of Red list vulnerable species and the Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International for guidance on the protection of citizens rights.

Below is Mrs Learns full statement

MY LAST AND FINAL STATEMENT ON THE 80 BLACK LECHWE

Dear Zambians,

Allow me to make my last and final clarification on the case of the 80 Black Lechwe so that those following can make their own informed decision.

On 13th October 2019, I made an appeal to all concerned citizens, CSOs, FBOs in Environment and the media to help us get information on the whereabouts of the black lechwes because they are a rare semi-aquatic antelope endemic to the Bangweulu Wetlands and being a conservationist I was concerned about their survival in a new habitat.

On 14th October, I wrote another statement explaining that the Black lechwe is listed under the International Union for the Conversation of Nature – IUCN Red List as a vulnerable species which requires special attention and conservation, therefore removing such a species from its natural habitat requires the Department of National Parks and wildlife authority to produce an ecological assessment to prove that the species will adapt to the new habitat. The report is supposed to be shared with the community resource board and proceeds from the sale are supposed to trickle back to the board for the benefit of the chiefdoms surrounding the game management area.

On 15th October I was called by a certain radio certain to confirm my appeal which I did and minutes later the Minister of tourism and arts was also called in who then refused that such a thing never happened and since called on the commissioner of police in Mansa to summon me to give more details. On the same day, the Permanent secretary confirmed that indeed a capture permit was issued in March 2019 by the former minister of tourism and arts and the 80 black lechwes were captured on 10th September 2019 and the same day translocated to Kwisoko/ Witpank and Langani ranches.

SURPRISINGLY, despite the answers I sought being given, the minister has gone ahead to accuse me that I’m being paid to attack the strongmen surrounding the president so that when they are out I attack the president himself “ati ichilya amani, bushikubumo chikalya ichibikila amani” meaning those who eat eggs will one day eat what lays the eggs!

Honestly Zambians an attack on the president is tantamount to treason, is this what the minister is saying? How can I , a mare conservationist with no political affiliations, single-handedly attack the ruling party and the president?

I am kindly inviting all interested parties to check all political party records to see if my name appears in any of their registers. As for being paid, Care for Nature Zambia has an account with Cavmont Bank, please be free to check our transactions and align them to our projects, the doors are open for public audit and including on my personal account. Anyone who has witnessed me being paid to attack the PF is also welcome to provide evidence.

As for calls for me to say who captured and counted the 80 Black Lechwe, I think the Department of National Parks and wildlife authority is better placed to give answers. In my layman position, I’m thinking the rightfully people to give the minister full information are:

1. Those who issued and signed the capture permit
2. Those who conducted the ecological assessment and produced report
3. Those who conducted the capture
4. Those who transported the Lechwe and the check points were they passed
5. The buyers and receivers of the lechwes

My final position is that I have now left this matter with my lawyers and I will NOT respond to any police summons until they record a statement from the complainant and explain to my lawyers what charge the complainant has laid against me

if conserving nature in line with the legal and policy frameworks on environment and natural resources is POLITICAL and tantamount to treason, I need serious guidance so I am writing to the:

1. Anti Corruption Commission for guidance on the whistle blowers policy and protection of citizens
2. The International Union for the Conversation of Nature for guidance on sale and translocation of Red list vulnerable species and
3. The human rights commission and Amnesty international for guidance on the protection of citizens rights

I would also like to advise my attackers that they have the right to remain silent or anything said can be used against them in the court of law

Nsama Musonda Kearns
Environmental and Human Rights Activist
Luapula Province -Zambia
3rd November 2019

Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) members from across the country have indicated that they shall respect Tuesday’s highly anticipated MMD Leadership landmark judgment.

This is in the case in which MMD acting National Secretary Ms. Winnie Zaloumis took Felix Mutati, Raphael Nakachinda, Mwansa Mbulakulima and George Kangwa to court to find out who gave them authority to organize the Party Convention of 2016.

MMD Copperbelt Provincial Chairperson Mr. Chisunka said that the illegal convention in 2016 impasse had weakened the party.

“MMD members on the Copperbelt Province, are extremely happy that this case which has dragged on for the last three years is finally coming to an end. Our friends caused a leadership Impasse that divided the party and weakened it. For the first time, MMD failed to field a Presidential candidate in the 2016 General elections. Furthermore, we now have only 4 Members of Parliament from the over 50 MPs that we had in 2011. To add salt to the wound, we have not participated in any by-election since 2016”, Mr. Chisunka said. He expressed hope that MMD members had been eagerly waiting for this day to come when they would regroup and move the party forward as one strong organization.

Whilst MMD Northern province chairperson Mr. Noah Mulenga challenged the Mutati group to respect the Court’s decision on Tuesday.

“The MMD, unlike other parties, was founded on the rule of law. We the New Hope MMD in Northern province are calling upon everyone to respect Tuesday’s MMD Judgement. Our President, Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba has said he will respect the judgment by the courts. We call upon Hon. Mutati to also echo Dr. Mumba’s sentiments. The MMD is bigger than any grouping and we shall never again allow anyone usurps our party Constitution for their selfish ambitions”, Mr. Mulenga said.

And MMD Southern Province Chairperson, Mr. Kashinka has said that MMD members in his province are ready to move the party into a major political player after Tuesday’s judgment.

“As pioneers of Democracy and the Rule of Law, we had to go to court to protect our party Constitution. We will accept and respect Tuesday’s Judgement and move on to mobilize the party. We the members will ensure that our party reclaims it’s position on the Political arena and not allow anyone to hold the party at ransom”, Mr. Kashinka stated.
Meanwhile, Proprietor of Capital Busses Ishmael Kankara who recently announced he would stop the transport business because of harassment by PF cadres lamented that some of his busses have been damaged by the cadres.

He said the cadres have been harassing his bus drivers and demanding money for a long time.

Mr. Kankara confirmed that some of his drivers have been beaten up for refusing to pay.

He has reiterated that the PF risk losing the 2021 election if they do not tame their cadres.

By Antonio Mwanza

Introduction

ZESCO has applied to the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to approve a hike in electricity tariffs up to 75% across various consumer categories with an initial 50% increment potentially effective, 1st May, 2019.

As expected, this development has been met with uproar and negative criticism from the general public who feel that such a move will push the cost of doing business and the cost of living in an upward spiral.

The ERB has since organized public discussion forums to engage the public to get their views and sentiments over ZESCO’s application.

Before we condemn or applaud ZESCO’s application to ERB, it is important to analyse the facts and deal with the realities surrounding the electricity sector.

FACT No. 1

ZESCO is supplying power to us at a loss. ZESCO tariffs are not cost-reflective, meaning that the current tariffs are below the actual cost ZESCO is paying to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.

ZESCO is supplying power to consumers at 15 NGWEE per kilowatt hour while the actual cost is estimated to be around or above 30 NGWEE per kilowatt hour. Government is subsidising the rest of the cost. Like i earlier said: ZESCO is supplying power at a loss; in short, the current tariffs are uneconomical, not cost-reflective and unsustainable.

FACT No.2

Due to the non cost reflective tariffs ZESCO is failing to attract the envisaged private sector investment which is key in improving the generation, transmission and distribution of power to meet the ever increasing demand. No investor is willing to invest in a loss making venture.

FACT No.3

The demand for electricity is ever increasing. Zambia’s electricity demand is forecasted to be at 3000 MW by 2021 against an estimated capacity of 2971 by the same period. This demand is expected to continue and ZESCO will have no choice but to migrate to cost-reflective tariffs to attract private sector investment, increased generation capacity and to implement the much needed energy mix.

FACT No. 4

Any increase in the electricity tariffs will have an adverse effect on business and may eventually push the cost of living further high. It is in the view of the above that earlier, this year, His Excellency, President Edgar Chagwa halted ZESCO’s plan to increase electricity tariffs.

CONCLUSION

The current ZESCO tariffs are uneconomical, non cost reflective and totally unsustainable. Government cannot continue to subsidize ZESCO, it is simply unsustainable and economically imprudent.

The only way ZESCO can attract private sector investment and continue to improve its generation, transmission and distribution capacity as well as to implement its Energy Mix Program is to migrate to cost reflective tariffs.

However, it must be borne in mind that any tariff increment may disrupt business hence it must be done with caution and after ZESCO complete the Cost of Service Study which the African Development Bank has funded and is expected to be completed this year.

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) is concerned about the financing model of Zambia Airways Limited considering the current fiscal position of government and liquidity crisis within the private sector.CTPD Researcher, Mr. Bright Chizonde describes as worrying that Government has not yet explained to the public exactly how it plans to finance the national airline. We have not seen any budget allocation towards Zambia Airways set-up and government’s debt
situation would merit a caution regarding guaranteeing debt on behalf of the airline.

Mr. Chizonde stressed that it is not even clear whether the planes will indeed be leased from Ethiopia or purchased. Recently it was reported in a number of local tabloids, that government will no longer be receiving a customized VIP Super jet from Russia due to lack of funds to complete payments.

He said Government should also disclose how much it has made as down payment towards the jet from Russia.
‘’One would wonder how government seeks to deal with fake news using a mute approach on critical issues such as the re-launch of Zambia Airways’’, said Mr. Chizonde.

Mr. Chizonde has urged government to state the current position concerning how Zambia Airways will be launched as it is not sufficient to only update the public that the airline will soon be licensed and cleared for operations without addressing the financial aspects. He further said that limited finances coupled with a poor business model would drain the treasury and erode the limited funds meant for social service delivery.

Mr. Chizonde added; Government also needs to improve the management of information regarding public issues in order to ensure that fake news does not become the order of the day.

In order to advocate for improved Public Finance Management, Mr. Chizonde said CTPD will continue to analyze the decision to relaunch Zambia Airways and share its findings with the public. He stressed that the Centre’s engagement with public officials, private players and experts in the aviation industry continue to deepen CTPD’s conclusion that this decision is a gamble that the nation can ill-afford.

Issued By:
Bright Chizonde
Researcher-CTPD

By: Anthony Bwalya – UPND Member

The Auditor General’s Report for the period ended December 2018 reported that Undelivered Materials had spiked from K1.5 million in 2017, to K9.3 million in 2018.

The Stardy saga explains only a small part of this rot because it is a widespread, carefully designed and executed scheme with the PF party institution very much at the heart of it.

State House is aware of this because they know who is getting paid what for doing nothing, and the PRESIDENT continues to promote and protect these individuals.

Stardy Mwale receives full K1.6 million payment to construct a Maternity Annex in my home Constituency of Kabushi at Kabushi clinic. Except, he has not delivered on his contractual obligations for several years now.

At the time this contract was awarded to him, he was some high ranking PF party officials on the Copperbelt, and despite his criminal conduct bordering on obtaining money by false pretenses, the PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu, proceeded to rewarding him with an even more sensitive position of Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defense.

I would not be surprised that Stardy Mwale is now involved in companies that have now captured military procurement contracts for their own personal gain.

But Stardy Mwale is an example of how the PF have continued to steal public money using fake companies that have zero ability to deliver on public works but proceed to receiving full contract payment amounts even before these criminals have moved an inch of sand on-site.

We have always said how the PF have, between 2011 and 2018, have siphoned over $10bn out of this country using fraudulent procurement schemes, corruption, theft and just pure fraud.

There are a lot of companies owned by PF officials, CADRES and sympathizers who, like Stardy, have created companies that deliver zero contracts but continue to receive payments on these contracts.

The company that bought Fire Tenders for $42 million is a company owned by friends of the PF and enjoyed the fullest protection of state machinery. We know how Stephen Kampyongo benefitted from this theft of public resources because information is official and in the public domain.

The companies that are at the heart and soul of stealing from the Zambian public through the fraudulent procurement, supply and distribution of fuel are owned by proxies of high ranking PF party officials.

This is why the PF could afford to use public money to buy cheaper oil from Saudi Arabia in a government to government deal, but still proceeded to reselling this resulting fuel at a premium to Zambian consumers, with profits going directly into their pockets.

While this is happening, we have no medicines or equipment in our clinics and hospitals, council workers are not being paid, local contractors who have genuinely delivered on their contracts have not been paid for years!

This is why, in part, Zambians must never make the mistake of electing the PF to power – ever again. The carnage they will leave after ejection from power will take several years to rectify.

We can never deliver sensible, sustainable, inclusive national and community development with criminals at the helm of state power.

In the meantime, Stardy Mwale must either resign or get fired, and be indicted for theft of public money.

National Democratic Congress President Chishimba Kambwili has asked Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa to resign over his failure to manage load shedding.

Mr Kambwili said Mr Nkhuwa cannot continue as Energy Minister because he has failed to manage the Energy sector.

He has accused the Minister of Energy of lying to the people over power importation from Eskom of South Africa and EDM of Mozambique.

Mr Kambwili has regretted that many poor people who depend on electricity for their small businesses can no longer put food on the table because they don’t produce anymore.

He said the 15 hours load shedding causes by the incompetence of Ministers is unacceptable.

And commenting on the resolution by PF MPs on the Copperbelt calling for the 2020 convention to be cancelled and make President Edgar Lungu the sole candidate, Mr Kambwili said this is a wrong move that will impact negatively on the governance of the nation.

He said it is laughable that the MPs who are calling for the cancellation of the convention are all MMD.

He advised the PF that as a party in they should respect their constitution and avoid what transpired after the death of Michael Sata.