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Zambia’s national electricity utility company, ZESCO Limited, has issued a statement to the public saying that the company is working round the clock to slightly reduce load-shedding hours on both New Years’ Eve and New Year’s day, to allow customers celebrate these important days with their families.
The company said that the decision was arrived at to let Zambians enjoy quality family time on New year’s eve and day, despite the sustained low water levels at the main reservoirs that has adversely affected generation and that the gesture is aonly applicable to domestic customers.
Below is the full statement
ZESCO WILL ENDEAVOR TO LESSEN LOAD SHEDDING ON NEW YEARS’ EVE AND DAY FOR DOMESTIC CUSTOMERS
ZESCO Limited wishes to inform its esteemed customers in the domestic category that the corporation is working round the clock to slightly reduce load shedding hours on New Years’ eve and day, to allow customers celebrate these important days with their families.
This decision was arrived at to let our customers enjoy quality family time on New year’s eve and day despite the sustained low water levels at the main reservoirs that has adversely affected generation.
“The corporation cannot however state specific hours of reduction in load shedding due to unpredictable constraints on the system, suffice to say that this is a gesture of goodwill to our customers who have endured long hours of loadshedding for some time now”.
As a Corporation, we attach great importance to this period as it is a time that promotes the social wellbeing of our customers by bringing families and communities together.
We thank our customers for their cooperation and support during this difficult period.
We however continue to appeal to our customers to continue employing energy efficient initiatives such as switching off all non-essential appliances by using gas for cooking and solar and energy efficient lighting sources to help conserve the available power.
We take this opportunity to wish our customers a prosperous New Year as we hold hands in prayer for more rains as the season progresses.
Issued by: Hazel Zulu (Mrs.) Public Relations Manager
Lusaka Province Minister , Bowman Lusambo with his acting Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Edith Muwana during a press briefing at his office
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo has charged that utterances by UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema that the Electoral Commission of Zambia is plotting to rig the 2021 elections is a sign of desperation.
In a statement released in Lusaka, Mr Lusambo urged Mr Hichilema to desist from attacking governance institutions such as the ECZ.
He charged that the ECZ has attained high levels of credibility in the manner it has managed elections since independence.
“Hakainde Hichilema’s latest attacks on the Electoral Commission of Zambia and its Chairperson Justice Essau Chulu is another misdirected attempt at making himself politically relevant,” Mr Lusambo said.
“His allegations that the ECZ wants to rig an election which is two years away can only come from a man who is a desperate loose cannon sensing a 6th successive defeat,” he said.
“To begin with, Hakainde’s allegations lack basis because every Zambian knows that the same ECZ that Hakainde is attacking today has conducted very successful elections through out our country’s history.”
“It was the same ECZ that managed a tense election in 1991 that saw MMD defeat a more robust UNIP. It was the same ECZ that managed the hotly contested 2011 election that saw the PF defeat a well oiled MMD machinery which was at its peak.”
He added, “The same ECZ that Hakainde chooses to vilify today has managed countless by-elections which has seen the UPND emerge victorious. Not too long ago, the same ECZ Hakainde is maligning today managed the Sesheke and Katuba by elections and the UPND won those elections and because his party won, Hakainde never accused the ECZ of working with the PF.”
Mr Lusambo said all right thinking Zambians should simply dismiss Hakainde’s rantings as mere lamentations of a privatization criminal who lacks the basic understanding of politics.
“Hakainde is that player who enters the pitch knowing that he has already lost the match. To save face, he starts blaming the Referee. Let it be known that the ECZ is an independent institution which is key for the growth of our young democracy.”
Mr Lusambo added ,”As a leader of a political party, Hakainde should be working towards making recommendations on how we can strengthen our democratic institutions and not assaulting their integrity and characters of the men and women who have agreed to serve the nation in these institutions.”
Mr Lusambo has since warned Mr Hichilema to stop promoting violence with his careless outbursts.
“let me warm Hakainde that the chaos that he is fanning will not be tolerated. Zambians are peace loving people who cherish the tranquility that the country has been renowned for.”
“Any attempts by Hakainde and his cult members to disrupt this peace will be dealt with severely. As Lusaka Province Minister, I send a strong warning to Hakainde to behave himself, grow up and allow democracy to speak. It’s Zambians who choose their leaders and not the ECZ and since 2015, Zambians have been choosing President Edgar Chagwa Lungu because they are not ready to vote for leaders who are childish, who can mortgage the country to the highest bidder and who will introduce same sex relationships and cult politics.”
The Road Transport and Safety Agency and bus operators today 30th December 2019 held a consultative meeting to determine the adjustment in bus fares following the increase in fuel pump price by the Energy Regulation Board last week.
According to a statement released to the media by RTSA’s Head of Public Relations Richard Mubanga, the bus operators through the Bus and Taxi Owners Association of Zambia (BTOAZ) have requested for authority from the RTSA to vary their current Road Service Licences (RSL) by making adjustment of bus fares as stipulated under the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002.
Subsection 12 (d) of Section 108 of the Road Traffic Act No. of 2002 stipulates that “a person applying for a Road Service Licence, and a holder of such a license applying for its variation, shall submit to the Director of the RTSA, the rate of fares of the proposed services”.
Thus, the desired increase in bus fares would be effected after approval by all concerned stakeholders including the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
All bus operators are, therefore, guided not to adjust the current fares until such a time when the new fares are approved.
Public Service Vehicle (PSV) passengers are urged to report any bus operator charging inflated fares without approval from the RTSA.
Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) President Nevers Mumba has called President Edgar Lungu to emulate the late President Levy Mwanawasa and call for an economic Indaba following recent events such as fuel and tariff increase that has cause many Zambians to lose hope in the country’s current economic trajectory.
In a statement released to the media, Dr. Mumba said that waiting for a regime change in 2021 is just too far for many Zambians to just sit back and watch the country be overtaken by economic and social problems, but suggested that President Lungu, being in charge today still has an opportunity to positively effect this change.
“My view is that #2021 is too far for us to just sit back and watch ourselves get overtaken by economic and social problems. I suggest that President Lungu is in charge today, and therefore, still has an opportunity to positively effect the change,” read the statement
Below is the full statement
Following last week’s fuel price increase and the announced power tarriff hike, I wish to make the following observations.
The price hike may have worked to further fuel the idea that most Zambians have lost hope in the country’s current ECONOMIC trajectory and unless the PF government does something DRASTIC and SOON, the OPPORTUNITY to overturn the problems that we face as a nation may LAPSE, and in that case, large sections of Society will feel that the only solution to this is a #regime #change in #2021.
However, my view is that #2021 is too far for us to just sit back and watch ourselves get overtaken by economic and social problems. I suggest that President Lungu is in charge TODAY, and therefore, still has an OPPORTUNITY positively EFFECT change. However, I also believe that this is NOT a task for the President ALONE. Rather , it requires a CONCERTED EFFORT, not just among political players but ALL STAKEHOLDERS across industry, business, The Financial Services the civil service and the general citizenry working together.
We MUST, open up our minds to the idea that #together , we can come around the table of dialogue and create a national solution that ensures a win for the people of Zambia.
I wish to challenge His Excellency, President Edgar Lungu to emulate Late President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa and consider calling for an #ECONOMIC #INDABA drawn for all major economic players to sit and resolve the factors that are eroding our Fiscal and monetary performance indicators. In order to do this, we need to start from a point of to genuine dialogue and trust, calling on participants from across this political, and regional divide to consider the following key points:
Key Economic Points to Consider
The #Fuel #Price #Hike and the #ZESCO power tariffs hike which are upon us were #Expected . There is no hiding away from the fact that a weak kwacha will ultimately lead to higher prices of major imports.
As a nation, we need to strive hard to bring down the #Exchange #Rate if we are to have any chance of arresting these price increases. In fact, we expect that following this fuel hike, all other goods and services will go up because transport costs are an input cost in across all sectors of the economy. This, unless addressed, and soon, may lead to #hyperinflation .
It is time to #dialogue as a nation. Time to sit around the table with all key stakeholders from across the industry. This economic Indaba should include the major players such as the #Mines and #Road #Contractors .
We must find a way to arrest capital flight arising from the rampant externalisation of #FOREX .
Somebody, somewhere must provide temporal relief by keeping Those dollars within the local banks. The PF government must pro-actively NEGOTIATE this and put this on the table and make sure it works.
It is my humble submission that these suggestions are looked into away from the lense of partisan allegiance and supported by ALL WHO LOVE ZAMBIA.
We have no other choice.!!!!
We remain focused on the idea that even though times are hard and the future seems bleak, we have Hope, Hope that together we can find solutions where previously we only had fights.
The government has stressed that all the country’s fundamentals of governance such as the rule of law, transparency, accountability, economic, political and social stability are intact and functional.
Acting Chief Government Spokesperson, Stephen Kampyongo says this is contrary to opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema that the country’s economic and governance systems have broken down.
Mr. Kampyongo says it is NOT unusual for Mr. Hichilema to paint the country black because he is a sadist, who sees nothing good about his own country.
He says Mr. Hichilema is under a misguided view that he alone has a monopoly of wisdom when he is not.
Mr. Kampyongo, who is also Home Affairs Minister told ZNBC News, that listening to Mr. Hichilema’s Press briefing there is nothing that Mr Hichilema has to offer as the government is on course in implementing various measures to turn the country’s economy around.
He said it is also wishful thinking for Mr. Hichilema to assert that an early election is necessary to get the country out of the current economic challenges.
Mr. Kampyongo said Mr. Hichilema’s allegations of Zambia being a police State is baseless and targeted at the Perceived international sympathizers.
He said that the fact that Mr. Hichilema and his party functionaries are able to hold press conferences and go around the country to address public meetings and rallies is proof that Zambia’s political environment is democratic in which all stakeholders are free to participate.
Mr. Kampyongo, however, said this does not mean people should act outside the law in their political discourse.
He said that Mr. Hichilema is an unpatriotic Zambian and should desist from making wild allegations against government officials.
Mr. Kampyongo said that Mr. Hichilema should report any such allegations to the law enforcement agencies if he has evidence instead of playing to the gallery.
He said that Government under President Edgar Lungu reaffirms it’s committed to working tirelessly improving the welfare of the Zambians people.
Mr. Kampyongo said this is being done through honest acknowledgment and assessment of the challenges at hand and will NOT fantasize over the lives of Zambians.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Communications Manager Mwazipeza Chanda has quit her position.
FAZ Secretary General Adrian Kashala has confirmed the development in a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Kashala said that FAZ and Chanda have agreed to part ways on mutual consent effective January 31, 2020.
Chanda joined FAZ in April, 2019 and became the first ever woman Communications Manager in the history of the local soccer governing body.
Kashala thanked Chanda for the service rendered to the Association and wished her well in her future endeavors.
The FAZ Secretary General said all communications will be handled under the office of the Deputy General Secretary Mr Joseph Chimpampwe once Chanda leaves at the end of January 2020.
The European Investment Bank has disbursed 21.9 million Euro to clear contractor arrears for works done on the Great East Road between Luangwa Bridge and Mwami Border Post in Eastern Province.
This brings to 61.9 million Euro, the total disbursements made to date on the 80 million euro project.
The outstanding balance of EURO 18.1 million will be accessed from the EIB once the on-going tender processes for construction of the Chipata Dry Port and weigh bridges for the Great East Road are concluded.
Meanwhile, the African Development Bank has written to the Ministry of Finance to confirm it’s lifting of the temporal disbursement sanctions that were imposed on Zambia.
This follows the clearance of a delayed obligation of US$1.4 million to the Bank.
Commenting on these developments, Minister of Finance Dr. Bwalya Ng’andu has thanked the EIB for disbursing the funds that were committed for the Great East Road Rehabilitation Project.
“The Zambian Government remains committed to implementation of the medium term debt management strategy and will apply it’s best efforts to ensure that foreign debt obligations are cleared as they fall due,” added the Minister.
Dr Ng’andu has thanked all cooperating partners for their support during the year and for their commitment to the high-level policy dialogue process in the quest to strengthen their development cooperation with Zambia.
This is according to a statement issued to the Media by Ministry of Finance spokesperson Chileshe Kandeta
Spokesperson.
The African Development Bank has written to the Ministry of Finance to confirm it’s lifting of the temporal disbursement sanctions that were imposed on Zambia.
This follows the clearance of a delayed obligation of US1.4 million to the Bank.
And the European Investment Bank has disbursed EURO 21.9 million to clear contractor arrears for works done on the Great East Road between Luangwa Bridge and Mwami Border Post in Eastern Province.
This brings to EURO 61.9 million, the total disbursements made to date on the EURO 80 million project.
The outstanding balance of EURO 18.1 million will be accessed from the EIB once the on-going tender processes for construction of the Chipata Dry Port and weigh bridges for the Great East Road are concluded.
the African Development Bank has written to the Ministry of Finance to confirm it’s lifting of the temporal disbursement sanctions that were imposed on Zambia.
This follows the clearance of a delayed obligation of US1.4 million to the Bank.
Commenting on these developments, Minister of Finance Dr. Bwalya Ng’andu has thanked the EIB for disbursing the funds that were committed for the Great East Road Rehabilitation Project.
“The Zambian Government remains committed to implementation of the medium term debt management strategy and will apply it’s best efforts to ensure that foreign debt obligations are cleared as they fall due,” added the Minister.
Dr Ng’andu has thanked all cooperating partners for their support during the year and for their commitment to the high-level policy dialogue process in the quest to strengthen their development cooperation with Zambia.
George Lwandamina insists winless Zesco United can clinch a top two 2019/2020 CAF Champions League quarterfinal qualification spot from Group A .
Zesco on Saturday fought back at home in Ndola to hold five-time African champions Zamalek of Egypt 1-1 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
That result left Zesco third with 2 points from three games, five points behind leaders and DR Congo giants TP Mazembe and another two points adrift of second placed Zamalek.
Zesco are tied on 2 points with Premiero de Agosto of Angola who are last in Group A on goal difference.
Zesco now have a big test on January 10 when they visit Zamalek in a match they must not lose or could see their Group A hopes dash with two games left thereafter.
“The league is still open. We may have two away games from home but I am sure we can pull a surprise. I am sure Zesco is a team that can do well even away from home, so we are still there,” Lwandamina said.
“I am not a good mathematician to say we have 70 percent or 88 percent chances, but chances are still overwhelming. This is football.”
But Zesco have just one home game left after collecting just one point in Ndola following 2-1 loss to five-time African champions Mazembe there on December 7 after kicking off their Group A campaign witha 1-1 away draw against Agosto in Luanda on November 30
Zesco host Agosto in their penultimate group fixture on January 25 before closing their Group A campaign with a short drive to Lubumbashi on February 1 to face Mazembe.
Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba is not happy with Sundays’ 0-0 away draw in Benin against ESAE at Porto Novo.
The result left Zanaco still winless in the group stages of the 2019/20 CAF Confederation Cup but are also unbeaten from the knockout rounds where they won all four home and away fixtures.
Sunday’s draw also handed hosts ESAE their first 1 point at the league stage after losing their first two Group B matches.
“This is a game we would have won easily had we been responsible at goal. This is a game we dominated almost the entire 90 minutes but unfortunately we were not responsible enough to convert the chances we had especially in the first half. Otherwise on our part, it is not a good result,” Numba said.
“Football is about scoring and if you don’t score, then you don’t get a result. We came here for an outright win that would have put us in a better position to reach the quarterfinals.”
With three games left to play, Zanaco stay third in Group B on 3 points, one less than DC Motema Pembe of DR Congo and four points adrift of leaders RSB Berkane who beat the former 3-0 on Sunday in Morocco.
Zanaco must now beat ESAE on January 12 in Lusaka to enhance their chances, but most critically, before they host DCMP in their penultimate Group B match on January 26.
The top two finishers qualify to the quarterfinals.
WEEKEND SCORECARD
2019/2020 CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
GROUP A
27/12/2019
-Estádio 11 de Novembro, Luanda
Premiero de Agosto 1(Mabululo 12′)-TP Mazembe 1(Rainford Kalaba 8′)
28/12/2019
-Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola
Zesco United 1(Quadri Kola 81′)-Zamalek 1(Mostafa Abdalla 71′)
2019/2020 CAF CONFEDERATION CUP
GROUP B
29/12/2019
-Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto-Novo
ESAE 0-Zanaco 0
-Stade Municipal de Berkane, Berkane
RSB Berkane 3(Alain Traore 29′, Zaid Krouch 41′, Hamdi Laachir 67′)-DC MOtema Pembe 0
2019/2020 FAZ SUPER DIVISION
WEEK 15
28/12/2019
Power Dynamos 1(Fredrick Mulambia 23′)-Napsa Stars 0
FILE: President Edgar Lungu Shake hands with then PS Chanda Kasolo at the fundraising dinner Protea Hotel in Chipata
Former Information and Broadcasting Minister Chanda Kasolo was fired this morning by President Edgar Lungu for what the president termed as giving contrary focus to a statement by State House on the proposed reduction of salaries of high income earners in the public service.
President Lungu through his Spokesperson, Isaac Chipampe directed that top bracket earners in the public service should suffer a reduction in their salaries to cushion the impact of the vulnerable during this economic crisis.
But Kasolo said the directive was voluntary as contractual and legal obligations would restrict the directive.
Mr. Kasolo who confirmed his dismissal in an interview Monday morning said he received a letter from the head of state last night.
“Hello everyone, I have had my contract terminated following my radio and tv showing last night regarding the Directive to cut salaries.” “I really enjoyed working with you. God bless and please give your support to the incoming PS. Love you all,” Mr. Kasolo.
He has since thanked President Edgar Lungu for allowing him serve under his reign.
UPND Parliamentary whip and Liuwa Member of Parliament Situmbeko Musokotwane
By: Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane – Economics and Finance Chairman – UPND
28th December 2019
Two days after the 2019 Christmas, President Lungu announced that he is voluntarily cutting his salary. Along side this, he has directed the Secretary to Cabinet to cut salaries of non-unionized civil servants as well as some parastatal heads. The President’s intention is to use the money so saved to assist Zambians who are stressed by the prevailing harsh economic environment.
The response from the United Party for National Development (UPND) follows below.
As a preliminary point, the President cannot unilaterally cut salaries for individuals. The law does not permit him to do so. However, some money for the same purpose may be gathered by compelling those ministers who remained in office illegally after the dissolution of Parliament in 2016 to pay back the benefits that they derived over the period. The legal judgements for these payments to be made have been in place for years and it just requires political will to be implemented.
Getting back to the main issue driving the President’s desire to cut salaries, its good to know that he is aware that people are undergoing unprecedented suffering under his leadership. In looking for solutions to the sufferings however, we must understand the nature of the suffering and what has caused it. Unless you have answers to these two questions you are at risk of prescribing wrong solutions to the wrong problems, as the President has done.
Mr. President people are indeed suffering. The most critical type the suffering is that the cost of living has escalated beyond anyone’s imagination. Let’s give examples from the bare basics. Maize meal, our staple food is above K170 per 25kg bag in many places of the country. PF found the price of the commodity at less than K40 in 2011.
Petroleum fuel which has major influence on the transportation costs of goods was around K5.50 per liter in 2011. Now it is above K16 depending on the exact type. The US dollar Kwacha exchange rate, another key determinant of virtual all imported goods and services was around K5. Last week it escalated to nearly K16 before it gained back; even though the fundamentals still suggest more depreciation.
We can go on and on itemizing goods and services that have escalated in prices but that is not necessary. Just know that the cost of living has escalated. Over this same period, employees have had minimal increases in salaries and wages. For civil servants this ending year they have had less than 10 percent of salary increments. In 2020, they will not have any increments at all because there is no such provision in the tight budget.
Employees in the private sector are also suffering from stagnant salaries and wages amidst the ever-rising cost of living. Most of their employers are struggling to keep afloat. When they try to increase the cost of the goods and services that they sell to reflect increased costs like electricity tariffs, weak Kwacha exchange rates etc. they find themselves failing to sell because their customers don’t have the money to pay higher prices. So, employee salaries remain stagnant because the employers are unable to increase them. In many cases, employees are even losing jobs because employers are forced to lay them off just to survive.
The suffering of the people is country wide. Rural and urban provinces are equally affected. This suffering is in great contrast to what the Zambians expected to live under PF because your party promised them more money in their pockets. In contrast, never before have Zambians experienced so much money escaping from their pockets.
Given this situation, Mr. President, how does your solution improve the lives of the people of Zambia? When you cut your salary and those of your senior managers, how will such an act lower the price of mealie meal country wide? Or, are you convinced that the relatively little money thus saved can be distributed to the millions who are starving so that they are enabled to afford maize meal?
Will it be enough to feed the millions that are near starvation in the Western, Southern, Central, Lusaka and parts of Eastern Provinces where there is unprecedented drought induced famine this past season? Will your solution stabilize the exchange rate or lower the electricity tariffs or make electricity available? The answer is no.
We know the government uses the excuse of drought all the time to explain the current suffering. But this is not the first time Zambia is experiencing drought and it will certainly not be the last. Nor is Zambia the only southern African country that suffered drought. The problems manifesting now stem from poor governance in our country, especially in the economic arena.
The biggest cause of the suffering is the debt crisis that has befallen our country. Nearly all of the government budget is just for paying salaries and debt service. Here are a few illustrative points on debt service and the suffering.
When there was drought and poor harvest in past years the government used to import maize to augment the local stocks. This kept the price of food within affordable range. This time government can’t import maize because there is no money. It has gone to debt service.
In the past government used to import electricity and pay for it through ZESCO. This time round both government and ZESCO have huge debts to pay so they can’t import even if it was available.
Debt service has caused the exchange rate of the Kwacha to depreciate and will continue to do so. This is causing misery and it will continue to do so
Debt service has drained away money from the economy, making it hard for business to survive
Clearly the cuts in salaries of government officials will not address these debt servicing induced problems.
Finally, there are a few things the government can do to moderate the suffering of the people even as the debt servicing problems remain. Once again here are a few examples:
The government should immediately stop enticing councilors from opposition strong holders to resign from their positions thereby causing bye elections. Since 2016, on average there have been bye elections after every two months. A few have been caused by deaths. The majority however have been caused by opposition councilors resigning after being induced to do so by the government. Elections are very expensive. They take away resources from more deserving areas like feeding the hungry, providing money for Constituency Development Fund and many other causes.
Reduce government travel especially the Presidential trips which are very expensive
Re-consider the need of existing facilities such as the Presidential jet which demands expensive debt service arrangements
Put on hold some planned loans for unjustifiably expensive projects such as the Lusaka Ndola dual highway.
In conclusion, UPND takes the position that the salary cuts from senior public employees do not address the real source of the economic misery that Zambians are going through. The real source of the problems are the debt crisis and very bad utilization of the little resources that remain after debt servicing.
UPND will elaborate on these more fundamental solutions very soon. As of now, it is pointless to inflict pain on a few people for no real gain at all. At the individual levels, the senior public employees may have running financial commitments based on what they believed were their income streams for the next few years. They may have loans to service or school fees to pay. Why punish them for no social gains?
The Movement for Multi-Party Democracy has no president and its time we went for a Convention to elect one, says Raphael Nakacinda.
And Mr. Nakacinda says he is still MMD National Secretary according to the party Constitution or stands as MMD Spokesperson if one is to follow the 5th November 2019 Court Judgement.
Speaking during a live Radio program on Pan African Radio last night, Mr. Nakacinda said as it stands after the November judgement passed by High Court through Judge Newa, the party has no president because the term for Nevers Mumba who was restored as President came to an end.
“All of us should be given an opportunity to go and seek our mandates at the Convention… There’s no President in MMD today,” he said.
He said since the Court considered or declared the 2016 convention that elected Felix Mutati as MMD President, him as National Secretary among others to office as null and void, it left the party with no President as Dr. Mumba does not qualify to be reinstated as party President because his term ended.
“If we are to follow the November judgement, I am Spokesperson of my party the MMD. But since we have appealed and the matter has gone back to court, I still retain my Position of National Secretary that I held when I was elected by Members of the MMD in Kabwe,” he said.
He wondered why people should not refer to him as MMD National Secretary when he appealed the decision of the High Court to the Court of Appeal when Nevers Mumba and his faction had continued calling themselves MMD President among other Portifolios when the matter was still in Court.
Mr. Nakacinda mentains that it is his legal right to appeal what he considers as an unfair or erroneous judgement and will wait for the Court to render a judgement in the matter.
Asked of who would be President of the Party should the judgement go his way now that Felix Mutati pulled out of the fight for Party Presidency, Mr. Nakacinda said the party has capable office bearers that would lead it for a Convention to elect new leadership.
“Never been time that the MMD lacked leadership and members. 2016 saw the election of a President, two Vice Presidents and National Secretary among others. So we cannot run without leadership as we have those positions intact, except for the Presidency,” said Mr. Nakacinda.
Mr. Nakacinda further revealed that he has had a conversation with with Mr. Felix Mutati who told him that he was not ready and willing to continue fighting for MMD despite him too not accepting the November Court Judgment.
And when asked where his allegiance was to, the MMD Member and nominated Member of Parliament said his allegiance was to the President of Zambia and the people.
He however said he fully supports policies of MMD, his party, and of Patriotic Front, the governing party, which he and the MMD as a party worked with and supported in the 2015 and 2016 elections.
“My allegiance is to the President of the Republic of Zambia. I swore to protect and defend the Constitution of Zambia and pay full allegiance to the President of Zambia,” he affirmed.
On speculations that his continued fight for the MMD was funded by the governing Party, the PF, the Lawmaker said it was funded by well wishers as the tradition has been from inception.
He is hopeful that the MMD once restored to his side by the Courts and well managed by a National Executive Committee which could be elected should elections be held in 2020, the party would get back to power.
The Member of Parliament who is the Chairperson of the Select Committee appointed to scrutinize the Constitution Amendment Bil number 10 of 2019, further asked Members of Parliament to support Bill 10 as it gets back to Parliament early 2020 for further debate.
He hoped Bill 10 will be supported by Members of Parliament as it has encompassed all views from the public made at different foras including the Siavonga Political Party’s Secretary Generals meeting, ZCID National Democracy Stakeholders Summit (NDSS).
Margaret Chimanse, the Manager Public Relations at Electoral Commission of Zambia
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.
