By: Anthony Bwalya – UPND Member

With the General Election in 2021 fast approaching, the PF have gone into hyperdrive and descended into what appears to be pure animal territory by engaging into acts of humanitarian sabotage by deploying unspoken, unwritten illegal standing orders across all government units, that under no circumstances is any form of humanitarian assistance proceeding from the UPND PRESIDENT – Hakainde Hichilema welcome, irrespective of the potential for human catastrophe at hand.

This amounts to a savage, barbaric, conceited, self-preserving attack on our collective spirit of UBUNTU, and places into such reckless and needless jeopardy, the lives of several thousands of underprivileged Zambians; who have been neglected and condemned to calculated social and economic destitution by a government that only exists for itself and those who espouse it’s poorly conceived elitist agenda, veiled into pro-poor rhetoric.

In January 2018, at the height of a devastating cholera epidemic that lasted several months, PRESIDENT HH and the UPND had committed to joint efforts, working with the PF government, for purposes of galvanizing the much-required support resources. The epidemic affected close to 7,000 people, with close to 200 lives lost. It was PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu himself whom it was reported has issued strict orders to the Ministry of Health officials against accepting any form of help or assistance from the UPND and HH.

Had it not been for quick interventions from the private sector and other bilateral partners, many more lives could have been lost at the hands of a very proud and self-absorbed government.

On August 22 2019, PRESIDENT HH had made intimations in respect of a donation in 25,000 bags of MEALIE MEAL to supplement both government and private sector efforts in alleviating a growing hunger crisis which could well have been avoided, except for the lack of sound leadership at the hands of the PF administration. This leadership ineptitude has left close to 7 million people living in extreme poverty, with another 500,000 now tittering on the verge of starvation, with no guaranteed food source on any given day.

The current hunger crisis requires an amount of money in the region of $500,000 in humanitarian support, from both local and external partners. Zambia does not have this kind of money, even if the PF really wanted to help – they could not. Such resources are simply not available.

Another few days after the rejection of help for MEALIE MEAL from HH, on August 27 2019, the PF government used police resources to harass HH while he had been out in Chongwe to make a personal assessment of the water situation in that part of the country, where a vital water source has practically dried out, and the integrity of this water source (Chongwe river) now being threatened by human interference activities arising from the unscrupulous sharing out and illegal occupation of Forest Reserve No. 27.

But most recently, the PF government have in the name of partisan politics and their unholy hatred for PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema, denied the people of Chawama critical support equipment in the form of electricity generating equipment by turning away a donation of such equipment by HH and the UPND. This act of political self-preservation by the PF has put the lives of around 200,000 people who depend on services from Chawama Level 1 hospital, with load-shedding of up to 12 hours not sparing the health facility.

Worryingly enough, it has been two former MMD individuals now firmly threaded in the fabric of the PF – Bowman Lusambo and Dora Siliya, the same individuals whose collective leadership under the MMD the Zambian people said NO to in 2011, who is now in the forefront of denying Zambians the help they require.

The PF must do well to recall, that it was people like Bowman Lusambo and Dora Siliya who were forerunners in insulting and scandalizing Michael Chilufya SATA in the name of partisan politics.

The PF administration is being urged, particularly the presidency, to summon the grace and learn to work with HH and the UPND on non-partisan issues that genuinely affect all our people, irrespective of which part of the country they reside.

The UPND has demonstrated this by the recent action of our MPs to reach out across the partisan divide and offer to meet PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu to find solutions to the devastating hunger crisis ravaging our people, a problem both Dora Siliya and Bowman Lusambo have denied existing.

Leader of the deregistered National Democratic Congress Chishimba Kambwili has urged Government not to increase electricity Tariffs following its decision to import power from South Africa.

Mr. Kambwili has described as unfortunate proposals by Government on the need to up power charges.

He said the majority of Zambians are economically disadvantaged and should not be subjected to explorative higher energy tariffs.

He adds that the increase in energy costs will also see water utility firms marginally adjust their tariffs.

Mr Kambwili notes that any adjustments in power tariffs will impact negatively on the country.

He was reacting to sentiments by Chief Government spokesperson Dora Siliya who is quoted as saying that energy tariffs are too low and need to be adjusted.

Mr. Kambwili said this in an interview with journalists in Lusaka today.

Meanwhile, Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa said the government is in the process of engaging Mozambique on the possibility of importing power from that country.

Mr Nkhuwa said the government is considering importing up to 400 Mega Watts of power to cushion the power deficit caused by low water levels at lake Kariba.

Chief government spokesperson Dora Siliya yesterday announced the government will be importing 300 Mega Watts from South Africa.

The third annual Beerville Oktoberfest will be held on Saturday, 7^th September at the Chita Lodge Gardens in Lusaka from 12pm until late. The event that is dubbed as a “city Oktoberfest” has become a favorite among beer festival enthusiasts  with this year’s event being graced by the Mayor of Lusaka, Miles Sampa who will be in attendance to make the official toast. Following the Oktoberfest Munich tradition of having a mayoral toast since the 1950s, the Mayor of Lusaka will officially open up the bars at the event.

The organisers of the event, PR Girl Media have confirmed that the beer festival is supported by Zambian Breweries with four of their brands Budweiser, Flying Fish, Mosi and Castle Lite as sponsors. “We are excited to be hosting the Beerville Oktoberfest for the third time this year, an event that is proudly Zambian with an all Zambian entertainment lineup of DJs. We are also working with Zambian restaurants and bars mainly run by startups in the hospitality and service industry.” Stated Monde and Chishimba Nyambe, Managing Partners of PR Girl Media.

Beerville 2019 promises to be a unique experience showcasing a diversity of beers and food in a scenic garden with Zambia’s top DJs such as El Mukuka, V Jeezy, Kreative Natives, Ms Selfie and many others. K100 will be charged on entry and further details of the event can be found on PR Girl Media social media platforms.

Zimbabwe’s founding President Robert Mugabe has died at the age of 95, president Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

In a statement early on Friday, Mnangagwa called Mugabe “an icon of liberation, a pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people. His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

“It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe,” he wrote on Twitter on Friday,

Monica Mutsvangwa, the Minister of information, confirmed the death, saying: “Yes it is really saddening. Some of us were like his children to him. We can never write our history without mentioning him.”

Mugabe is believed to have died in Singapore, where he made frequent visits to receive medical care in recent months as his health deteriorated. As far back as November 2018, Mnangagwa, who took over from him as president, told members of the ruling Zanu-PF party that Mugabe could no longer walk.

Mr. Mnangagwa had said that Mr. Mugabe had spent several months in Singapore getting treatment for an undisclosed illness.

Mr. Mugabe, the world’s oldest head of state before his ouster in 2017, was the only leader Zimbabweans had known since independence, in 1980.

Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s first prime minister and then as president from 1987, was once touted for investing heavily in health and education in the early years of his rule, leaving Zimbabwe with one of the highest literacy rates in Africa.

He however became increasingly unpopular as the economy began to wane, later facing charges of cracking down on his political opponents and rigging elections to stay in power.

His government’s controversial programme of seizing white-owned commercial farms for redistribution among blacks he said had been dispossessed of the land during colonialism triggered a sharp economic meltdown in 2000, from which Zimbabwe has never recovered.

He stepped down under military pressure in November 2017 amid infighting within his ruling Zanu-PF party which saw his deputy Mnangagwa, who was in a rival faction, take over as president.

The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Lusaka Provincial Chairperson Paul Moonga urged the opposition political parties to respect the instructions given by Police during situations when tensions in the city are high.

Commenting on the decision by Zambia Police not to grant the part permit to stage a protest at the residence of former Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili, Mr. Moonga said the decision by the police to cancel the protest is an indication that the police treat every political party equally.

Yesterday PF Lusaka Provincial Committee has canceled its protest to the residence of former Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili.

PF Lusaka Provincial Secretary Kennedy Kamba says the decision was arrived at after Police directed the PF to cancel the protest due to the tension in the city.

Mr. Kamba said that the police advised the party to hold on until calm completely returns in the city because the environment is not conducive to the xenophobia protests that were staged by students.

Speaking to Journalists in a media briefing, Mr. Kamba said the party remains peaceful and will follow every directive given by authorities because it is a peace-loving party.

GOVERNMENT through the Ministry of Home Affairs has said that all the Political Parties in the country are bound to the same law under the registrar of societies Act.

Speaking during a joint Press Briefing with Minister of Information and Broadcasting this morning, Home Affairs Minister Hon. Stephen Kampyongo said it’s unfortunate that members of some political parties are on rampage politicizing everything without reading what is provided for in the political parties’ act of the registrar of Society.

The Minister was responding to a question from a journalist who asked on the de-registration of the National Democratic Congress Party and what action has been taken by the party.

In his response Hon. Kampyongo said unlike what is being peddled in some section of the media claiming Minister of Home Affairs controls decisions of the Registrars office all political parties are governed by the Registrars Act.

“It’s laughable when people say I am controlling that office. Today, we have close to 50 political parties that are all bound to the same rule of law under the registrar of Societies act CAP 119 of the laws of Zambia which regulates their existence, de-Registrations, registrations, Suspensions are all done in accordance with CAP 119”

When asked if the NDC has started its re-registration based on what the Secretary-General Mwenya Musenge said, Hon. Kampyongo said only the registrar of Societies office can ascertain as the only role the Minister plays in such scenarios is dealing with appeals such matters get to his office as the last office of appeal and even then he follows the law in exercising his authority on such matters.

In view of the Court’s ruling, The Office Of The Registrar Of Societies Invoked Section 13 (2) (A) Of The Societies Act Cap 119 Of The Laws Of Zambia And Cancelled The Registration Certificate Of The National Democratic Congress; This Was done in accordance With Cap 119 Section 13 (2)(A) Of The Societies Act, Which Provides That:

“The Registrar May, In His or her Discretion Cancel At Any Time The Registration Of Any Society Affected Under Section Seven If He Is Satisfied That It Is Expedient To Do So On The Ground That-
A) The Terms Of The Constitution Or Rules Of Such Society Are, In His Opinion, In Any Respect Repugnant To Or Inconsistent With The Provisions Of Any Law For The Time Being In Force In Zambia.”

And asked whether or not the NDC Member of Parliament will become independent or it’s a call for another by-election.

Hon. Kampyongo said “this is another issue that calls on us to acquaint ourselves with the constitution of this land. In short, the constitution provides for such scenarios in Article 72(9) under the constitution of Zambia which is effected when a party is de-registered and they have a member of parliament and the option is provided for”

Article 72 (9) states: If a political party is dissolved, a Member of Parliament shall retain the member’s seat as an independent member.

The government says Zambia has no intentions of recalling its Ambassador to South Africa amidst the xenophobic attacks in that country.

On Wednesday, Nigeria recalled its Ambassador to South Africa Jabiru Bala and pulled out of the World Economic Summit and is demanding full compensation for the loss of life and property of Nigerians affected by the attacks.

But speaking at a joint media briefing with Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya in Lusaka, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo says despite Zambia’s displeasure over the violence against its citizens in South Africa, recalling its Ambassador will be the last resort.

Mr. Kampyongo says government has continued engaging the South African government to put an end to the on-going violence in order to avoid any drastic action that will jeopardize the bilateral relations the two countries have enjoyed over the years.

He said Zambia stands with the rest of Africa in condemning the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

And Ms. Siliya who is also the Minister of Information and Broadcasting said no death of a Zambian has so far been recorded but that does not mean Zambia will not condemn their actions towards foreigners.

“As a country, as Nation and as a people we are extremely concerned and disappointed that xenophobia has continued to happen in South Africa we are aware that they have been two Zambians injured and grateful to God we have not lost a life as Zambia but we stand with the rest of Africa on this matter that xenophobia in South Africa is becoming a great concern. Zambians yesterday become angry and took to the streets lead by students to register their disappointment at what is happening in South Africa this matter concerns us in Africa and beyond.”

Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya has advised opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to channel his donations of any kind to rural areas where citizens are faced with challenges.

Commenting on the recent development where the opposition leader’s donation of a generator to Chawama Level One Hospital was rejected, Ms Siliya says Mr. Hichilima should consider donating the generator to an area like Bweengwa in Southern province.

She states that such gestures by the opposition leader are purely political and are unacceptable.

Ms. Siliya was speaking during a weekly media briefing at her office on Thursday.

Ms Siliya notes that an area like Chawama is already developed and has a competent Member of Parliament who is able to attend to challenges such as the provision of power to a Clinic or Hospital.

And Ms Siliya has encouraged those invited to make a submission before the parliamentary select committee on the constitution amendment bill to do so.

She has further encouraged citizens to make their way to parliament on 26th September when it will be opened for ordinary citizens to make submissions.

Meanwhile, Ms Siliya has acknowledged the long hours of load shedding are affecting small businesses in the country.