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FILE: President Edgar Lungu(c) with President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and first republican President Kenneth Kaunda at State House
President Edgar Lungu is today expected in Harare, Zimbabwe, to attend former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s State funeral.
Zambian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Emmanuel Chenda told ZANIS in an interview in Harare yesterday afternoon that President Lungu will be among other Heads of State and Government attending Late Mugabe’s funeral, in the company of first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda, Fourth Republican President Rupiah Banda and Former Vice President Guy Scott.
Ambassador Chenda said the President will join other Heads of State from 11 countries from Africa and beyond, coming to attend the State funeral, tomorrow.
The Ambassador further reminded that the late African leader and founding Father for Zimbabwe shared good bilateral ties with Zambia, and its past and present leadership, hence befitting for the four Zambian leaders to represent the country during the State funeral.
Ambassador Chenda described the late Mr Mugabe as a gallant leader who contributed greatly to strengthening the cordial relationship shared between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Mr Mugabe died on September 6th, 2019 in Singapore where he had gone for treatment.
His body was brought to Zimbabwe on Wednesday this week and has been Iying in state at Rufaro stadium where members of the public have been paying their last respects.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has since accorded the late President a state funeral, with all flags in the country flying at half-mast, with radio and television stations playing solemn music as eulogies are being passed.
The body is expected to be moved today to the National Heroes Stadium where the state funeral will take place.
THIS NATURAL PHENOMENON IS, A FORCE MAJEURE IN THE NAME OF CLIMATE CHANGE,
President Edgar Lungu has directed the Ministry of Energy to priorities supplying electricity to Health institutions with effect from midnight today.
President Lungu said hospitals and clinics should be given first priority by ZESCO, as the country grapples with load shedding.
He made the directive during the official opening of the 4th Session of the 12th National Assembly in Lusaka today.
The Head of State wondered how health workers have been attending to patients amidst power outages.
President Lungu urged the Minister of Energy Matthew Nkhuwa to ensure that hospitals and clinics are exempted from load shedding.
The President said he was saddened to see people moving at night in the dark without power as it possess security risk to the citizenry.
“When I drive at night, I feel very sad to see people moving at night without power. This possess a security risk to the people.” He said.
President Lungu noted most household have their food gone to waste due to load shading.
The Head of State attributed the load shedding to the poor rainfall recorded in the previous rainy season 2017/2018.
President Lungu told parliament that successive government did not put in place early warning systems to mitigate the effects of climate change.
He called for concerted efforts in mitigating the effects of climate change that has negatively affected the national economy.
President Lungu advised the nation to refrain from pointing fingers at each other but rather work together in addressing the challenges of climate change.
President Edgar Lungu has directed new Secretary to the Cabinet Simon Miti to ensure that the public service works more prudently.
The Head of State has directed Mr Miti to meet all Permanent Secretaries and senior government officials on a monthly basis and also inform all civil servants that in view of the current economic situation, government needs to work more prudently.
He said working prudently and managing results by doing more with less resources is the new mantra that government is working with, at all levels.
Speaking during the official opening of the fourth session of the Twelfth National Assembly, President Edgar Lungu emphasized on the need to dismantle arrears, while curbing further accumulation.
“My government has taken this very seriously and I have directed those tasked with the responsibility of managing the debt stock to ensure that stringent measures are actively implemented”, he said.
He stated that the non-discretionary debt expenditure which comprises personnel emoluments and debt stands at 50.1 percent and 40 percent respectively, giving a total of 90.1 percent of the annual budget.
President Lungu said this leaves the discretionary expenditure amount at about 9.9 percent of the annual budget, which is alarming.
He further said it is cardinal that personnel emoluments must be reflective of service delivery to the Zambian people.
The Head of State has since directed Secretary to the Cabinet to immediately clean up the public service payroll, in order to stop hemorrhage.
He explained that at the heart of austerity measures going forward, government will implement actions to manage the debt stock and curb any further accumulation, in order to save money and get rid of arrears owed to suppliers.
President Lungu further said that positive results must be achieved at all costs as well as ensure that the need for ministries and public institutions to collaborate on cross-cutting issues is addressed.
He told Mr Miti that all sectors of the economy must be streamlined, to ensure normality in all sub-sectors.
The Head of State noted that such measures will begin to increase liquidity in the economy and place the economy on an accelerated growth trajectory.
Minister of General Education David Mabumba says the government is implementing measures aimed at enhancing access to education for all children in the country.
Mr. Mabumba said the school feeding programme is one effective way that has been done to ensure an increased enrolment number for children in schools, especially those coming from vulnerable families.
He told ZANIS in an interview today that despite being a home grown solution, the school feeding programme is costly to manage.
The General Education Minister underscored that his ministry is advocating for production unit in all the schools that will see the growing of beans, sweat potatoes and vegetables by the schools.
He cited the “Keeping Girls in School programme” as one of the strategies being used to improve access to education by all.
Mr Mabumba underscored that 16,000 girls are currently being supported in different districts under the Keep Girls in School Programme.
And Kanjara Ward Councilor William Phiri has called on parents in his ward to refrain from marrying off girls early, at the expense of sending them to school.
Mr Phiri said he has joined other stakeholders in sensitizing the community on the dangers of early marriages and pregnancies.
He disclosed that he is personally supporting 45 pupils in his ward, in order to supplement government’s efforts towards enhancing access to education.
During the official opening of the Twelfth National Assembly today President Edgar Lungu said government is implementing several equity programmes that strive to include vulnerable learners.
President Lungu cited the home grown school feeding programme being implemented in 2,618 schools in 39 districts across the country as one of the programmes that increased attendance and retention of learners.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu at the the official opening of Parliament on Friday, September 13, 2019-Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Govt. reaffirms fight against corruption
President Edgar Lungu says his government will not relent in the fight against corruption.
President Lungu called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders, in stamping out corruption for the benefit of the Zambian people and the future generation.
He said it is disheartening that some people are bent on destroying the nation through corrupt means.
He encouraged all Zambians to work together towards building an economically equipped Zambia, and ensure that everyone benefits from the country’s resources.
President Lungu also said that his government will continue to focus on political and economic diplomacy as well as strengthening Zambia’s interaction with the international community for sustainable development.
Mr Lungu said Zambia has reinforced her bilateral relations with other countries around the globe.
He noted that the world is increasingly becoming a global village and Zambia is not an island, hence the need to strengthen ties not only in Africa but across the globe.
Meanwhile, the President has said that the government is determined to provide a conducive environment for the private sector to thrive and to implement market-driven policies.
The Head of State says his government remains committed to assuring the safety of private investments.
He notes that favorable measures are essential in attracting both domestic and foreign direct investment in the quest to achieve sustainable development.
“The private sector can attest that generally, they are operating their businesses in a conducive environment”, the President said.
President Lungu added that this is evidenced by Zambia having actualized investment in 2018 of USD 700 million with the 31,086 jobs created.
“As at June 2019 the actualized investment stood at USD415 million and am confident that at this rate, the returns on investment will surpass that of last year”, he said.
He explained that the Zambia Revenue Authority devised new and progressive methods of tax collection, which is business friendly as opposed to policing out local and foreign investors.
He further noted that electronic platforms for the business community have been put in place to help them operate from the comfort of their homes and offices ultimately helping them cut down on transaction cost while enhancing tax compliance.
He said dialogue platforms have been established to set a friendly atmosphere of dealing with tax matters with various taxpayers all being done to promote a business friendly environment in the country.
President Lungu noted that with austerity measures being put in place by government, next year’s budget will be seriously affected as the country expects to meet the debt obligations, pay outstanding local debts and meet the pressing needs of the country such as food security, water reticulation and energy generation.
Aggrey Chiyangi says Green Eagles have put behind them the euphoria of eliminating Orlando Pirates from the 2019/2020 CAF Champions League preliminarystage and have reloaded for the next challenge against Premiero de Agosto of Angola.
Eagles hosts Agosto in a pre-group stage first leg match this Saturday at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
However, Eagles come into the match a week after sustaining their first league defeat of the season following a 2-0 away loss to 2016 league champions Zanaco on September 8 in Lusaka.
Eagles kicked off their league campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Kabwe Warriors on August 31 that came in the wake of their 1-1 away draw and 1-0 home win over Pirates.
“We have done everything possible to make sure that that game is out of their minds,” Chiyangi said.
“The advantage is that the loss we had in the second league game against Zanaco, shows that if we don’t work hard then we cannot win.
“We have spoken to them and we have seen the positive attitude in training.”
But Chiyangi has warned his charges to expect a tough match against the 2018 CAF ChampionsLeague semifinalists who held Zesco 0-0 at home and beat them 2-1 in the group stage of that edition of the competition en route to the last four.
“But again for us this is a competition, our preparations have gone very well and we have had a chance of watching their last game and at least the players have an insight into that team,” Chiyangi said.
“We have seen how strong they are and where we feel they have go some weaknesses.”
Chipolopolo enter camp in Lusaka this Sunday as the final countdown starts ahead of next week’s 2020 CHAN last round, first leg qualifier against eSwatini.
A provisional list of 27 players head into pre-match camp ahead of the first leg fixture to be played on September 21 in Manzini.
Chipolopolo team manager Desmond M’ngawa said Aggrey Chiyangi’s team will be trimmed to 20 for the visit to eSwatini.
The final leg is set for October 19 that will see the winner over both legs qualify for the 2020 CHAN tournament in Cameroon.
CHAN is a second tier AFCON exclusively for home-based players.
Team:
GOALKEEPERS: Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dyanamos), Sebastian Mwange (Green Eagles), Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco)
DEFENDERS:Gift Zulu Laison Thole (both Nkana), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Simon Silwimba, Mwila Phiri, Adrian Chama, Clement Mwape (all Zesco United), Larence Chungu (Zanaco), Isaac Shamujompa (Buildcon), Henry Besa (Forest Rangers)
MIDFIELDERS:Benson Sakala, Rally Bwalya (both Power Dynamos), Kelvin Kapumbu (Zanaco), Webster Muzaza (Forest Rangers), Youremember Banda (Green Buffaloes), Kelvin Mubanga (Nkana), Bruce Musakanya, Paul Katema (both Red Arrows), Amity Shamende (Green Eagles)
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu at the the official opening of Parliament on Friday, September 13, 2019-Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
President Edgar Lungu has directed the Ministry of Energy to prioritise power supply to hospitals and health centres starting midnight today.
The President has further directed the Ministry to prioritise power supply to water supply operations in the country to avert shortages in water supply.
President Lungu said this is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly saying the inability to have adequate water, generate adequate power, grow enough food have all been greatly caused by the effects of climate change.
In his state of the nation address under the theme, “accelerating sustainable development for a better Zambia amidst the impact of climate change”, the Head of state said as he sometimes drives around the city, he has seen more areas of darkness due to load shedding because dams that generate power have no water.
He acknowledged that small businesses are dying and food going to waste and some hospitals being load shedded due to low supply of power to the people.
Meanwhile, the president has further directed the ministry of lands and natural resources and the ministry of water development, sanitation and environmental protection to take lead in ensuring that water sources and the land adjacent to these areas are not adulterated by corporate entities or individuals in the name of development.
He urged the two Ministers and their Permanent Secretaries to ensure that the Zambia Environmental management Agency, and the water resources
management authority re-aligns themselves to effectively carry out their mandate and produce the required results immediately.
President Lungu said from today henceforth, he should not see a house or a factory being built adjacent to a water resource, depriving the majority of other Zambians of usage of this resource.
Young Africans assistant coach Noel Mwandila says it is strictly business this Saturday when his compatriots Zesco United play his Tanzanian club in a 2019/20 CAF Champions League pre-group stage ,first leg match in Dar-es-Salaam.
Mwandila has been at Yanga for the last three season since accompanying his ex-Green Buffaloes boss and now Zesco coach George Lwandamina when the Tanzanian champions hired him at the end of 2016.
Lwandamina later returned to Zesco in April, 2018 but Mwandila has stayed on in Dar es-salaam.
“Yes we worked together with the coach, I have respect for him, he is a very good coach but now he is at Zesco and I am still here at Yanga,” Mwandila said.
“So we need to do our job as Yanga and he also needs to do his part for Zesco so there is nothing much to stay about that because it is football.
“What is important is the football tomorrow and I am sure the 90 minutes will be an interesting encounter.”
Meanwhile, Zesco will host Young Africans in the final leg on September 24 in Ndola to decide who goes through to next month’s CAF Champions League group stage.
The World Bank has debarred a giant Chinese state owned contractor for 20 months for making false claims when bidding for a project in Zambia.
China Energy Engineering Group Hunan Electric Power Design Institute (CEEC-HEPDI) will be ineligible to participate in World Bank-financed projects during the debarment period.
The World Bank accused the company of falsifying documents describing its past contract experience, litigation history and business credentials.
It was bidding – successfully – for a $210m scheme to improve the transmission of electricity in the Lusaka area of Zambia.
CEEC-HEPDI is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange and employs more than 160,000 people.
Also listed in the debarment for the same period are a number of subsidiary companies: Hunan Kechuang Power Engineering Technology, Hunan Kexin Electric Power Design and Hunan Zhongtian Engineering Supervision.
As a condition of the settlement, CEEC-HEPDI committed itself to developing an integrity compliance programme consistent with the principles set out in the World Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines.
The company is automatically prevented from bidding for work funded by bank’s sister organisations: the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank and the African Development Bank.
This is according to a statement issued by the World Bank in Washington D.C.
File 2016: President Edgar Lungu puts a Rolex wrist watch on Valden Findlay’s wrist after he pledged to buy it at K50 000 during a fundraising dinners for the ruling Patriotic Front held at Protea Hotel
Businessman Valden Findlay has instructed his lawyers to take necessary legal action against National Democratic Congress President Chishimba Kambwili for accusing him of dealing in drugs.
Mr Findlay who has rejected accusations of State Capture and drug dealing as false said he has never engaged in drug trafficking activities nor has he ever been arrested, prosecuted or convicted of any drug related offense.
Speaking at a media briefing through his spokesperson Daniel Phiri, Mr Findlay said at no time has he ever engaged in any form of state capture.
He said he is a law abiding citizen who has conducted legitimate business in and outside of the country in accordance with the law.
On 9th September 2019, NDC Leader Chishimba Kambwili accused Mr Findlay of being a drug dealer who has been arrested before and is on the wanted list in the United States of America.
Mr Kambwili further alleged that Mr Findlay had captured the Presidency of the Republic of Zambia.
File:NCHANGA Mine rescure Team B Captain Jonathan Kolala inspects air underground during the Zambia Mine Rescure Association competetion at Namundwe Mine
South America’s mineral-rich country, Suriname, is looking for opportunities to attract Zambia’s mining experts who can develop its mines.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Brazil with extra-accreditation to Suriname, Dr. Alfreda Kansembe said in Brasilia that Suriname’s request has been tabled awaiting a proactive response from Zambia.
The President of Suriname Delano Desire Bouterse made the request to Zambia during bilateral talks with Ambassador Kansembe after she presented her credentials in that country.
Dr. Kansembe explained that Suriname has already presented Memoranda of Understanding to Zambia and was eager to seal bilateral agreements in mining, tourism and cultural cooperation once the relevant authorities responds positively.
She said the Suriname President is optimistic that Zambian mining engineers, with their vast experience, will help the vital industry in his country.
Ambassador Kansembe expressed happiness at the prospect of employment creation for mining experts whose remittances can boost the Zambian economy.
Suriname is rich in natural resources but they are largely untapped. It has copper, gold, platinum, nickel, kaolin and bauxite.
This is according to a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at Zambian Embassy in Brazil Grace Makowane.
Apollo Hospital in India says it is highly motivated to work closely with Zambia in strengthening health systems after meeting President Edgar Lungu during his State Visit to India from August 20th to 22nd 2019.
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya says Apollo hospital is a ‘household name’ in Zambia’s health system and should therefore invest in a multispecialty hospital that would provide health services to Zambia, SADC and beyond.
He was speaking when he toured Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, India, accompanied by Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga, as a follow up on pledges in the area of health regarding the State Visit to India by President Edgar Lungu.
And Dr. Chilufya says Apollo Hospital is in a better position to actualise President Lungu’s vision of making Zambia a regional hub for medical tourism.
Meanwhile, Apollo Hospital Chief Executive Officer Pattabhiraman Shivakumar agrees that the hospital has resources and is well positioned because of a widely experienced team which uses latest technology.
This is contained in a statement released by First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in India Bangwe Naviley.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Emmanuel Mwamba has described the late Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, as one of the champions of Africa’s liberation struggle against colonial rule.
Speaking after signing the book of condolence in honor of President Mugabe at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mr. Mwamba said the late President was a true Pan-Africanist who put the interest of Africa first.
He said as Africa remembers Mr. Mugabe, he was optimistic that a new crop of young African leaders would emerge and carry the mantle left by the fallen heroes.
Mr. Mwamba said Africa should now fight for economic emancipation because leaders like President Mugabe already fought for political Independence.
He sympathized with the people of Zimbabwe and encouraged them to stay strong during the trying period.
The Former Zimbabwean President who ruled Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2017 died in Singapore where he was seeking medical treatment and will be put to rest in Zimbabwe.
This is according to First Secretary for Press and Tourism at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia Inutu Mwanza.
President Lungu assents to the Constitutional Amendment Bill during the signing ceremony at Heroes Stadium on Tuesday, January 5,2016 -Pictures by THOMAS NSAMA
Dear Mr.President,
The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment ) Bill No.10 of 2019
I write to you as part of my efforts to defend the Constitution and safeguard your legacy. Mr.President, most emerging democracies in Africa are in regression. I beg you to uphold the Constitution by withdrawing the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No.10 of 2019 and accepting that having been elected twice to the office of President of Zambia, you are not eligible for a third term.
I have been a keen follower of constitutional developments in this country for the last thirty years and I can attest to the fact that you have done more for Zambia in this area than all your predecessors combined. This is a legacy worth defending. I will highlight the significance of what you did on 5th January 2016, when you signed the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No.2 of 2016, into law. Through the amendment, you introduced a transformational constitutional order, which all your predecessors failed to achieve.
President Kaunda.
The constitutional changes that occurred between 1964 and 1972, culminating in the Constitution of 1973,were all about undermining the will of the people and the rest of the institutions of government while vesting more power in the office of the President. President Kaunda rejected most of the progressive recommendations of the Chona Constitution Commission designed to limit the powers of the President. Today,we remember only the last few years of President Kaunda’s reign characterized by mismanagement and wastage and his spectacular defeat in the elections of 1991.
President Chiluba.
President Chiluba ignored the advice of the Mwanakatwe Constitution Commission to have the new Constitution approved by the people through a referendum and rejected all the recommendations intended to reduce the powers of the President and correspondingly increase the powers and stature of the Judiciary and the National Assembly. In the end, we had an amendment to the Constitution, which disadvantaged Dr.Kaunda, as a presidential candidate and increased President Chiluba’s chances of re-election in 1996. We remember President Chiluba for his quest for a third term and his questionable prosecution, all of which have overshadowed everything he did for this country including the tough decisions he made in liberalizing the economy.
President Mwanawasa.
President Mwanawasa delayed the implementation of the recommendations of the Mung’omba Constitution, which would have seen the powers of the President considerably reduced and other institutions of government strengthened.
President Banda.
Unlike you Mr.President, President Banda failed to complete the exercise that President Mwanawasa started. He failed to implement the recommendations of the Constitutional Conference,which would have addressed the concerns over the powers of the President in the country’s constitutional order and maintained the status quo.
President Sata.
You, on the other hand Mr.President, finished what President Sata started and in the process gave the people of Zambia what your predecessors had denied them. On 5th January 2016 when you signed the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill into law at the Heroes Stadium, you did something that perhaps no sitting African President had ever done out of his own free will. The ideal would have been to have a totally new constitution making. Be that as it may, you did what all your predecessors failed to do. You signed a law that reduced the powers of the President. I take the liberty to highlight some of the progressive changes that have come about, which can only be attributed to you.
Sovereign Authority.
There is clarity on the exercise of the sovereign authority of the Republic, which is derived from the people. This has been distributed among the various institutions of government and for the avoidance of doubt; the residue remains with the people who will exercise it though a referendum.
National Values and Principles.
The exercise of the sovereign authority of the people is no longer subject to the will of those in whom it is vested. We have national values of morality and ethics, patriotism and national unity, human dignity, equity, social justice and non-discrimination and sustainable development, which must be applied in the interpretation of the Constitution, enactment and interpretation of the law, and in the development and implementation of policies.
Political Parties.
The Courts have always treated political parties as private clubs with the consequence that they had little or no say on their internal affairs. This has changed: political parties are now subject to the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court. Whilst the country can be described as an emerging democracy, the Constitution as amended has brought about stability in political parties by addressing problems, which have plagued them over the years.
National Assembly.
Since Independence the National Assembly has been a rubber stamp, which endorsed the decisions of the President without question. You changed that. You strengthened the National Assembly by giving it oversight on the operations of the executive branch of government. The National Assembly now oversees your office in the discharge of the executive functions by ensuring equity in the distribution of national resources amongst the people of Zambia; appropriating funds for expenditure by State organs, State institutions, provincial administration, local authorities and other bodies; scrutinizing public expenditure, including defence, constitutional and special expenditure; approving public debt before it is contracted and approving international agreements and treaties before these are acceded to or ratified. You have turned the National Assembly into the people’s institution by empowering the citizens to petition the National Assembly to initiate the enactment, amendment or repeal of legislation; to comment on deliberations, statements or decisions of the National Assembly. The National Assembly is now mandated to facilitate public involvement in the legislative process.
Popular President.
President Mwanawasa was elected with less than 30% of the votes. You have changed that. Never again will anyone ascend to the office of the President after such a dismal performance at the polls. During your presidency the electoral system has changed. Effective 5th January 2016, elections to the office of President are conducted directly, under a majoritarian electoral system, where the winning candidate must receive more than fifty per cent of the valid votes cast. The presidential by-elections have been abolished. The people directly vote for the President and the Vice President. The Vice President will now be sworn into the office of President in the event of a vacancy, instead of performing the functions of that office until a new President is elected.
Judiciary.
You have transformed the Judiciary with the creation of the Constitutional Court with original and final jurisdiction to hear any matter relating to: the interpretation of the Constitution; violation or contravention of the Constitution; the President or the Vice President; election of the President; appeals relating to election of Members of Parliament and Councillors; and whether or not a matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court. Its overriding responsibility is to protect and enforce the Constitution.
You have guaranteed the Judges both functional and financial independence. You have strengthened the security of tenure of Judges by requiring Judges to serve until attaining the age of seventy and retire early with full benefits upon attaining the age of sixty-five. You abolished the previous suspicious and non-transparent system, which enabled the President to strike deals with certain Judges who had reached retirement age to continue in office for a maximum period of seven years.
Devolved Government.
Since the reign of Dr.Kaunda there had been talk about decentralization of power in the country but there was no political will to do so. You have implemented that by introducing devolved government through the creation of provincial, district and ward administrations.
Values and Principles of Public Service.
You have strengthened the public service by prescribing the values and principles of public service, which include: maintenance and promotion of the highest standards of professional ethics and integrity; promotion of efficient, effective and economic use of national resources; effective, impartial, fair and equitable provision of public services; encouragement of people to participate in the process of policy making; prompt, efficient and timely response to people’s needs; commitment to the implementation of public policy and programmes; accountability for administrative acts; proactively providing the public with timely , accessible and accurate information; merit as the basis of appointment and promotion; adequate and equal opportunities for appointments, training and advancement of members of both gender and members of all ethnic groups; and representation of persons with disabilities in composition of the public service at all levels. These values and principles are to be applied in provision of services at national, provincial and local government levels; and by all State organs and State institutions.
Pension Benefits.
Until 2016, both public and private sector employees retired, in certain instances, without immediate payment of their benefits. You changed that. All employees, including public officers and constitutional office holders have the right to a pension benefit, which cannot be withheld or altered to the employee’s disadvantage. Pension benefits are now required to be reviewed periodically to take into account actuarial assessments and are exempt from tax. Furthermore, they have to be paid promptly and regularly. Where the pension benefits are not paid on a person’s last working day that person has to stop work but remain on the payroll, until payment of pension benefits based on the last salary is received.
Independent Service Commissions.
You have created independent commissions that are only subject to the Constitution and law: Judicial Service Commission, Civil Service Commission, Teaching Service Commission, Zambia Correctional Service Commission, Zambia Police Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission, Electoral Commission of Zambia, Human Rights Commission, Gender Equity and Equality Commission, Emoluments Commission, Police Public Complaints Commission and the Public Protector. They are independent because they are not subject to the control of any person or authority in the performance of their functions. They are required to act with dignity, professionalism, propriety and integrity; and be non-partisan and impartial in the exercise of their authority.
These are all developments that can be attributed to you. You iniated them and you received the support of all political parties in the National Assembly because they were progressive and for the benefit of the Republic. They would not have passed if they were not. Unfortunately, because the country is polarized these achievements are buried in partisan noises.
That the people have not yet felt or seen the benefits of the new constitution order and revamped institutions is not the failure of the institutions but the people appointed to these institutions. This is the best constitutional order we have ever had since 1899.It is a legacy to be proud of and worth protecting.
Unfortunately Mr. President, the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment ) Bill No.10 of 2019 seeks to either undermine or destroy these achievements. I have examined it and I can state without hesitation that there is no single provision that is progressive; of benefit to the people; or which improves Zambia’s democratic credentials or gains we have made so far. The opposite is the case.
Areas of Focus.
Mr. President the focus of your government should be to familiarize the people on the content of the Constitution as amended, which amendments were made in their name and for their benefit. The second area of focus should be on planning for another referendum to complete the constitutional process by enacting into law a new Bill of Rights and Article 79 of the Constitution, which are in line with the rest of the Constitution.
Mr. President, a Constitution is not a Cabinet Memorandum, which canbe changed at any time for any reason or for none. Four years is too short a period in which to revisit the Constitution as amended in 2016. The only way the Constitution(Amendment) Bill No.10 of 2019 .is likely to be explained, if not withdrawn, by followers of constitutional developments, is that you never believed in the Bill amending the Constitution you signed into law on 5th January 2016.That you signed it to boost your chances of re-election in 2016 and you want to change it again to further your pursuit for a third term in office in 2021.
Mr. President you have a good legacy worth protecting rather than destroy by the quest for third term in office.
Mr.President, having said that and whatever you decide, I place my faith in the Zambian people ,whom you should not ignore or underestimate. They are smart. If they were not, I have no doubt President Kaunda would have won the 1991 elections and probably ruled until 2001;President Chiluba would have stood for election for the third term in 2001.President Banda would have won the 2011 election; and Mr.Sata would not have been President and you would never have ascended to the highest and most powerful political office in the land.
Mr. President, the measure of a true leader that loves his country is determined by the choice he makes when his interests are in conflict with those of the people he swore to serve. Your predecessors may not have delivered on the Constitution but when their interests and those of the people were not aligned, they respected the will of the people and settled for what was in the best interest of the Republic. President Kaunda became the first incumbent President of an African English speaking country to gracefully hand over power to another President through the ballot; President Chiluba respected the people’s position on his bid for a third term and ultimately the Constitution; and President Banda, the second incumbent President to lose power in an election organized on his watch, followed the example set by President Kaunda in 1991,and gracefully handed over the reigns of power to President Sata.
Many analysts say that what we have is not the best Constitution given the manner it came about. Be that as it may, one thing is certain, Zambia is constitutionally better today than it has ever been.
Mr. President, I beseech you ,do not take Zambia backwards.
Respectfully
John Sangwa
Cc: The Speaker of the National Assembly
President – Movement for Multi-Party Democracy
President- United Party for National Development
President – Forum for Democratic Development
Independent Members of Parliament
