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Ecobank Zambia has received USD 15 million from its parent company Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI).
This is part of a syndicated loan facility of USD200 million arranged by the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) with other DFIs in support of Ecobank Group’s strategic development objectives for the pan-African Ecobank Group across its network of 36 African Countries.
The proceeds of the loan to be directed towards SME’s across various sectors of the economy.
Ecobank Zambia Managing Director Kola Adeleke said: “The USD15 Million investment by FMO into Ecobank demonstrates international investors’ approval and confidence in Ecobank’s strategy and prospects as a strong and sustainable pan-African financial services institution. It also demonstrates the ability of African corporates to access international capital markets.”
Ecobank Zambia will use this investment to give out loans to deserving small and medium entrepreneurs in Zambia to help boost their businesses and contribute towards the economic development of Zambia.
“Ecobank Zambia will continue to position itself as a key partner in SME development in Zambia. Although SMEs provide the majority of jobs, their access to finance remains limited. We believe that supporting SMEs will help stimulate economic growth due to the sector’s contribution towards the Gross Domestic Product and employment creation” Mr. Adeleke said.
Transparency International Zambia has called on President Edgar Lungu to cancel all the land offers on the controversial Forest 27 in Lusaka East.
In a statement, TIZ President Reuben Lifuka says his organization is demanding that appropriate answers be given over the issue.
Mr Lifuka also demanded that President Lungu ensures that there is a partial degazette of Forest No 27 is reversed and the forest reserve protected.
He also challenged the Anti Corruption Commission to investigate if there was any abuse of office particularly by policy makers and those involved in making decisions on this matter.
Below is the full statement
Transparency International Zambia’s statement on leaders’ acquisition of land on Forest 27
Transparency International Zambia has been following with keen interest the developments surrounding the partial degazettion of Forest No 27 and subsequent award of parcels of land mainly to Politically Exposed Persons in the same area.
We did wait for the authorities to give us satisfactory answers to all the questions surrounding this issue and we note that the Chief Government Spokesperson – Hon Dora Siliya, together with other officials from the Forestry Department and the Commissioner of Lands, did recently engage the media and the nation on this matter.
We found the answers and justification given by Government inadequate and very unsatisfactory.
As a preamble, we wish to state that we are alive to the fact that under section 17 (1) of The Forests Act No. 4 of 2015, the Republican President has authority by Statutory Instrument to gazette and degazette any local forest in Zambia. And in exercising this authority the president is not obliged by law to state the purpose of his action. However, the practice has been that whenever this action is taken, it is for developmental reasons.
We take note of the fact that Forest No. 27 has been the subject of degazettion on a number of occasions and at each instance, portions of Forest 27 have been hived off for different reasons. We are aware of three Statutory Instruments that have been passed in relation to Forest 27 and these are SI No. 62 of 2017, SI No. 59 of 2018 and SI No 13 of 2019. We have taken time to research for the reasons for degazetting of Forest No 27 and the reports of the Parliamentary Committee on Delegated Legislation are instructive.
In relation to SI Nos. 62 of 2017, the Permanent Secretary of the responsible ministry submitted to the Committee on Delegated Legislation that Statutory Instrument was issued in order to allow the partial de-gazettion (excision) of Lusaka East Local Forest No. 27, to enable Lusaka District to meet its growing development needs.
For SI No 59 of 2018, the Committee of Delegated Legislation was informed that the objective of the Statutory Instrument was to alter the existing boundary description of Local Forest No. F27 by deleting it and substituting it with the boundary description specified in the SI. It was thus submitted to the committee that the alteration was meant to facilitate the construction of office space and staff housing to allow Lusaka District meet its growing development needs.
The 2019 report of this Committee is not yet in public domain and the reasons therefore for the degazettion not yet known. However, it is evident from the foregoing that the reasons for degazetting part of the forest reserve have been stated as developmental and for specific infrastructure developments.
Against this background, Transparency International Zambia wishes to raise a number of issues which need further clarification from Government.
1. Objective for the 2019 partial de-gazetting of forest reserve No.27. Government has not clearly stated the reasons and objective for the issuance of SI No 13 of 2019, in which it seeks to further degazette Forest No. 27. We would like to know whether the main reason was to pave way for the parcels of land that have subsequently being offered to mostly Politically Exposed Persons?
2. Purpose for Degazzeting of part of Forest 27 from being a forest to an area for residential plots. We would like to know, a) at what point was this decision made to allocate this piece of land to individuals as opposed to it being used for ‘development purposes’ as stipulated in SI No 62 of 2017, and b) what prompted this decision to change the intended land use to private residential land use? The justification given by the Commissioner of Lands during the recent media engagements, was that there is need for more land for residential developments. While this is true, what the Commissioner of Lands failed to highlight was why this need for land seems to be confined to a small group of persons in high office and those who are politically connected or indeed a few ordinary citizens, some of them who have benefitted from other parcels of land around the country. If indeed there is a long list of applicants, how is it that politicians and government officials- including those working for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, were the ones given priority?
3. Environmental and Social Impact Assessments.
We found the answer given by the Director of the Forestry Department which suggested that there was no need for an EIA to be conducted in this instance of partial degazettion of Forest No 27, not only unfortunate but misleading. First and foremost, we wish to remind the Director and his colleagues of section 23 of the Environmental Management Act No 12 of 2011, which requires proponents of policy, programme or plan that could have an adverse effect on environmental management or the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, to mandatorily conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment.
This Assessment should be formally approved by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency. As far as we know, no such Strategic Environmental Assessment has been undertaken before reaching such decision to partial degazette Forest No 27.
A SEA would have inevitably given the environmental significance of Forest No 27 in terms of water resources management for the surrounding communities and those living downstream. We do recall that in November 2017, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources- Hon Jean Kapata, in the National Assembly, in responding to a question by Hon Mulenga – MP for Ndola Central, who wanted to know whether government was about to degazette the land belonging to ZAFFICO in Ndola to pave way for the construction of a Multi-facility Economic Zone; the Minister refuted this. She indicated among other reasons that the role of the Ministry is to ensure that forest reserves are conserved as part of environmental protection and sustained production and utilization of forest resources.
Clearly, the answer by the Director of the Forestry Department, did not reflect this policy of the Ministry.
4. Lack of Advertising of this land.
It is self defeating for a Government which professes to uphold the the tenets of
transparency and accountability to fail to advertise the plots created at the Forest No 27 and we find the reasons given for this that no law compels the Commissioner of Lands to do so, unfortunate. In a country where corruption has affected every sector including land administration, the most prudent thing to is to have an open process. It is wrong to have a process where those policy makers, technocrats and those with power to influence decisions, are the first ones to acquire enormous acreage of these contentious plots. This is not only conflict of interest, but amounts to insider dealing and definitely disadvantages the ordinary people.
What message are they sending to an ordinary Zambian out there? Under normal circumstances, it would be safe to assume that the minister of lands exerted undue influence over decisions around this land allocation or indeed abused her office despite ‘following procedure’ as we were informed.
The Commissioner of Lands claims there is no law that compels the commission to advertise land, the question we have is does the commissioner need a law for him to do what is morally right? Are our leaders going to be using the deficiencies in our statutes to do wrong things? Are we going to do wrong things provided these are not illegal? Good practice requires that land is advertised before allocation otherwise how is the general public will know that there is land available.
The Commissioner of Lands knows this and the fact that this was done silently, speaks volumes of the motives at play.
We demand that appropriate answers be given and we particularly demand that President Lungu cancels these offers of land and ensures that partial degazettion of Forest No 27 is reversed and the forest reserve protected.
We also challenge the ACC to investigate if there was any abuse of office particularly by policy makers and those involved in making decisions on this matter.
Finally, we want to urge that all future land schemes should be advertised and handled in a transparent manner.
Access to land should never be the preserve of only the rich and powerful or politically connected. Land is a national asset and we should guard it jealously
Yours Faithfully
Reuben. L. Lifuka Chapter President
A 41 year old Zambian national has died in Cape Town South Africa after sustaining neck injuries following a knife Stab during a domestic dispute.
The deceased identified as Peter Nyirenda died at the Retreat clinic in Cape Town after suffering from neck related complications which he sustained after he was allegedly stabbed by his spouse.
First Secretary Press and Public Relations at the Zambia High Commission in Pretoria, Naomi Nyawali disclosed this in a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Mrs Nyawali said according to information made available to the Zambian Mission in Pretoria, the deceased was stabbed and sustained the injuries following a domestic dispute.
The late Mr Nyirenda was first admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital where he was treated for neck complications, before being discharged.
She said the remains of the deceased have been deposited at a private mortuary in Westlake awaiting burial.
Meanwhile, a 25 year old Zambian National has been found dead in the Central Business district of Johannesburg.
Chishimba Pongolani was found dead along the Claim and Plein streets of Johannesburg after complaining of body pains.
It is alleged that the deceased was asked to leave his friend’s house after his condition deteriorated as he was of no fixed aboard.
Mrs Nyawali revealed that the remains of Pongolani have also been deposited at a government mortuary in Hillbrow awaiting burial.
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has told Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini that his argument in his response to the letter written to him by Simeza Sangwa and Associates on behalf of the Law Association of Zambia that the National Assembly enjoys exclusive and unfettered jurisdiction in the conduct of its internal proceedings is based on complete misunderstanding and is in disregard to the constitutional provisions and principles of the Constitution of Zambia.
In his letter to the Speaker dated 21st August 2019 and released to the media, Mr Hichilema stated that though the Letter from the Speaker was directed to Simeza Sangwa and Company and was in public domain, he was compelled to reply to it on account of his right and obligation as a citizen of Zambia to defend the constitution of Zambia and promote its ideals and objectives.
“The letter from the Clerk raises two main points on which you based your refusal to suspend your legislative process in the National Assembly pending the determination of the matter in the Constitutional Court.”
“The two grounds stated in the letter are the doctrine of exclusive cognizance and selective application of the ‘sub judice’ rule to the proceedings of the National Assembly. In the letter, you argued that ‘the House (National Assembly) enjoys exclusive and unfettered jurisdiction in the conduct of its internal proceedings’ “, states Mr Hichilema.
He cites the second reason for the Speaker’s refusal to suspend the legislative process as his determination that the application of the ‘sub judice’ rule to the business of the House is not absolute and that it has to be decided by the Speaker on the merits of each case.
“You did not cite any constitutional provisions to support the above claims, save for the narrative followed when enacting legislation. As you have not cited any constitutional provisions that support your arguments, I have taken the liberty to search the Constitution of Zambia to assess the validity of your propositions. Your interpretation and purported application of the above principles is flawed on two grounds”, argues Mr Hichilema.
Mr Hichilema explains that that the doctrine of exclusive cognizance is not constitutional but only affords Parliament privileges and immunity relating to its internal rules and operations provided they were exercised within the ambit of the constitution.
“It is the principle that applies to the United Kingdom, where because the country does not have a written constitution, Parliament is supreme. In Zambia however, the situation is completely different. All institutions including Parliament are creatures of the Constitution and amenable to it. The law making function of Parliament is a constitutional and public function which cannot possibly fall within your narrow construction of what you term ‘internal proceedings’ of the House”, says Mr Hichilema.
Mr Hichilema alerts the Speaker to dangers of usurping the constitutional power in his suggestion of the principle of sub judice not being absolute.
“Your claim that the sub judice rule is not absolute and depends on your discretion based on the merits of each case is grossly flawed as that would amount to your usurping a constitutional power, namely, judicial authority, which is lawfully allocated to the Judiciary in this case the Constitutional Court. Any other interpretation would be contrary to the Constitution and its values and principles expressed in the Constitution of Zambia”, stated Mr Hichilema.
Mr Hichilema also warned Dr Matibini that he runs the risk of being cited for contempt of court if he proceeds to table the Bill.
Chipolopolo Zambia will host Bafana-Bafana South Africa in an international friendly game next month.
The match will be played in Lusaka on September 7.
Chipolopolo and Bafana will meet during the September FIFA match weekend in which period they have no competitive engagement.
ELEVEN SUMMONED FOR U23 DUTY
Eleven overseas based players have been called-up for Zambia’s 2019 U23 AFCON final round qualifier against Congo Brazzaville next month.
The list includes a shock call-up for forgotten fringe ex-Under 17 Noble Ramsey.
Enock Mwepu and Patson Daka of Austrian champions RB Salzburg headline the list to face Congo at home on September 4 and away at Pointe Noir on September 9 to decide who qualifies to the U23 AFCON this November in Egypt.
The top three finishers in Egypt will qualify to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Goalkeeper: Bradley Mweene (University of Pretoria FC, South Africa)
Sampa The Great released her latest single “Freedom“, taken from the album ‘The Return‘,to be released 13 September 2019
she had this to say on her social media platforms;
“The balancing act between expressing your art to the fullest and earning a living as an artist is real.
The song Freedom is about the compromises made while navigating this industry. It’s important to remember there are human beings behind the art and the music. It’s important for us to remember that ourselves, especially at times when purpose and wellness can take a back seat.
I was lucky enough to be joined by some amazing creatives on this song. Thank you to my friends and fellow musicians who took their talents and vocal abilities to amazing heights throughout this entire album.”
Artwork by the incredible Mason London.
Produced: S I L E N T J A Y.
Visuals: Mason London
I would love to complain about the water authorities in Kabwe, Central province, Lukanga Water and sewerage company.
The management of the named water authority has been manipulating water bills to over charge their customers. They claim to have introduced a digital system of billing but the truth is that the company has setup computers where they alter the meter readings.
Every month, they approximate the water bill for customers. They don’t go to customers to read the water meters. There are hardly any records of the meter readings and if the records are there, then only a few are correctly recorded. I wish the ministry that is in charge of water affairs in Zambia would intervene into the happenings in Kabwe.
File:Construction workers conducting maintenance works on the G4 unit, which failed to generate power after rehabilitation.
ZESCO Limited has announced that it will implement load shedding outside the official schedule following a breakdown at Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL) Power Station.
The power utility says this has been necessitated by the breakdown of Unit 1 at Maamba Collieries Limited Power Station after a daily on 19th August 2019 at 23:45 Hrs.
Below is the full Press Statement
Increased Load Management Hours Due to Equipment Maintenance
ZESCO Limited wished to inform its esteemed customers and general public that there will be increased load shedding countrywide from 20th August until further notice due to limitation of power generation.
This emeregency situation has been necessitated by the taking out-of -service of Unit 1 at Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL) Pwer Station which developed a fault on 19th August 2019 at 23.45 hours.
During the period of the shutdown,the purchase of power from MCL will reduce by 50% from 267MW to 133MW which will result in addtional deficit of power.To mitigate the shortfall during the shutdown period,extended load management will be implemented in order to prevent over generation beyond the recommended levels at Kafue Gorge and Kariba North Bank Power Stations.
ZESCO deeply regrets the inconvenience this will cause to our esteemed customers.
Football Association of Zambia vice president to Rix Mweemba says pointing fingers at them for Shepolopolo U20’s trip failed trip to the 2019 All-Africa Games are barking at the wrong tree.
Mweemba said FAZ was very familiar with the protocols involved in their representation at the All Africa Games after taking part in previous competitions for such an oversight to occur and that it was clear the issue was the baby of the Ministry of Sport.
FAZ has come under fire after Shepolopolo, who had just finished runner-up at the 2019 COSAFA U20 Women’s Cup in South Africa now a fortnight ago, failed to travel to Morocco last week.
This was due to a visa hitch that saw Shepolopolo marooned in Lusaka for a week after they were earlier scheduled to fly directly from South Africa to Rabat after winning silver at the tournament in Port Elizabeth on August 12.
“Our silence should not be taken for granted. We just don’t want to be seen fighting people but if we are pushed, we shall let the cat out of the bag,” Mweemba told The Times of Zambia.
“We are aware that they are schemes to discredit the FAZ executive committee.
“We had a meeting with the Minister (of Sport)and FAZ represented by our technical director and he was asked which team FAZ would field and he told the meeting that they will send the Under 20 or Under 23.”
Israeli Ambassodor to Zambia, His Excellency Mr. Gershon Kedar with Minister of Health Dr Chilufya
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya says the successes in the health sector scored by the Patriotic Front government are a milestone and legacy never seen under any other Presidency.
Dr. Chilufya says the PF government has built close to 5-hundred primary healthcare infrastructure and is in the process of building six tertiary hospitals while in excess of 45 new district hospitals are at different levels of completion.
He said this when he delivered a statement on Universal Health Coverage; lessons from countries at the ongoing 69th session of the World Health Organisation –WHO- regional committee for Africa meeting in Congo – Brazzaville.
Dr. Chilufya said countries would be safer places to live in when they invest in health systems that assure health for all, reduce inequalities and also protect citizens from public health emergencies and diseases.
He told delegates at the meeting that in Zambia, President EDGAR LUNGU is providing transformational leadership by rebuilding health systems in pursuit of Universal Health Coverage anchored on primary health care which is community integrated.
Dr. Chilufya further said in order for Africa to drive its development agenda, it is important to shield itself from shocks of epidemics and health emergencies.
He also informed health ministers from across Africa attending the meeting that President Lungu is addressing the new epidemic of Non communicable Diseases by steering a social movement for physical activity while urging the public to ensure critical focus on nutrition.
UPND Parliamentary whip and Liuwa Member of Parliament Situmbeko Musokotwane
UPND Parliamentary whip and Liuwa Member of Parliament Situmbeko Musokotwane has entered into a covenant with the people of Zambia assuring them of his opposition to the infamous constitutional bill number 10 of 2019.
And Dr Musokotwane says the high tax regime in the country was scaring away potential Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
speaking at a media briefing this week, Dr.Musokotwane said he stands with the Zambian people that have decided to oppose the bill which if enacted would throw the country into total disarray.
He said his commitment to oppose the bill is not borne out of malice or hatred against any group of people but is as a result of self conviction that the document is not good for the country.
“Today,I Situmbeko Musokotwane do make a covenant with the people of Zambia through you members of the press that I shall not support constitutional bill number 10 once brought into the house next month.This is my commitment to the people of Zambia and the people of Liuwa in particular,” he said.
He said the people have placed their last hope in members of Parliament to save them from bill number 10 and hence his resolve to not wanting to be a part of those that shall go against the will of the majority citizens.
“Am here to say yes to all the demands put across by a majority citizens with regards to the Bill.You have said No to the reintroduction of deputy ministers,I agree with you.You have said No to draconian coalition government system,I agree with you.You have said No to reducing powers of the Bank of Zambia in terms of monetary policy,I agree in totality and am here to reaffirm that position,” he added.
Six UPND members of Parliament which include Gary Nkombo of Mazabuka Central,Cornelius Mweetwa of Choma Central and Stanley Kakubo of Kapiri Mposhi yesterday also reaffirmed their position to oppose the constitutional bill once taken to Parliament next month.
And Dr Musokotwane who is former Finance Minister and Deputy Bank of Zambia Governor for operations says poor and inconsistencies in monetary policies was scaring away FDIs in the country and cited the Multi facility economic zones (MFEZ) as one such areas which are becoming white elephants due to government’s insincerity on terms and conditions.
He said the several and high taxes being introduced by the PF were a source of concern for any investor hence the noted reduction in foreign investment in the country.
“The high unemployment rate in the country cannot be absorbed by the scanty FDIs we are seeing.This needs huge investment which unfortunately is being threatened by the high taxes being introduced as a way of trying to service the debt and in the process affecting FDIs.The ZDA is right on its assessment of the situation,” he revealed.
President Edgar Lungu has said that government will help the 40 students that are stranded in India for failure to pay school fees.
The affected students are unable to leave India for failure to settle their fees.
Speaking when he addressed the Zambian students in India, President Lungu urged the Zambian Embassy in that country to ensure that the students are helped.
President Lungu said this is not the time to blame the students but help them to move out of trouble.
President Lungu however warned that government will not allow parents to take their students to India when they have no capacity to pay.
He said it is sad to have children stranded in a foreign country because their parents have failed to honour their obligations.
President Lungu also urged the Zambian embassy in India to scrutinize the Universities that are advertising in Zambia.
He said it is unfortunate that some universities are giving false information to prospecting students only to change when they are enrolled.
The Head of State said this after one of the students complained that most of her lecturers do not use English when teaching and does not have facilities for practical’s.
And, Foreign Affairs Minister, Joseph Malanji said government wants Zambians in foreign countries to contribute to National Development.
He urged the students to acquire skills that will help to develop the country.
And Zambia High Commissioner to Zambia, Judith Kapinjimpanga thanked the President for visiting India.
She said this will help in strengthening relations between Zambia and India.
President Edgar Lungu with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi
President Edgar Lungu has thanked the Indian government for enhanced cooperation between Zambia and that country.
The President was speaking when he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the signing of six Memorandum of Understanding between Zambia and India.
Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji signed the MoU of Cooperation on Defence and Security, Art and Culture, Diplomacy and Health.
Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairman Justice Esau Chulu signed on Elections and Mines Minister Richard Musukwa signed on mining and Geology.
Mr. Modi said the MoU will further increase cooperation in mining, defence, cooperation in Airforce, Tele-education, Tele-medicine, and elections.
Mr. Modi further said India wants to invest in Healthcare, Agriculture, Food Processing and Mining among others.
Earlier, President Lungu said the Zambia-India Parliamentary Friendship Group bears further testimony of the excellent relations between the two countries.
The President was speaking in Hyderabad House Conference Hall during the bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart.
The President called for the revival of the meetings of the Zambia-India Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation to ensure implementation of agreed areas of cooperation between the two countries.
On the standoff between Vedanta and Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings, President Lungu said he met the Vedanta Chairman and that since the matter is in court, it would be best to let the rule of law to take its course.
The President was responding to Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Modi who hoped that the matter be resolved amicably.
The President expressed gratitude to India on hosting patients from Zambia who require specialized treatment and for training extended to Zambia in health.
The President thanked the Indian government for the generosity displayed in the financing and implementation of the Lusaka City Road Decongestion Project.
President Lungu yesterday morning visited the Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and was welcomed at the military parade of the Army, the Navy and Airforce by the President and Prime Minister Modi.
The President also visited the Raghad memorial site and laid a wreath on the grave of Mahatma Gandhi, India’s epitome of freedom.
And the President later in the afternoon addressed the Zambia-India Investment Business Forum attended by some of India’s business personalities.
The President assured the packed audience of the business community from both Zambia and India, of Zambia’s excellent business environment.
Meanwhile India has donated 1,000 tonnes of rice and 100 tonnes of milk to areas in Zambia where there is food deficit.
This is contained in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka by the President’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Isaac Chipampe.
PF Deputy Secretary General Hon Mumbi Phiri welcoming former NAREP Spokesperson to PF
National Restoration Party (NAREP) Spokesperson Bwalya Nondo has ditched the opposition political party to join the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) citing good leadership under President Edgar Lungu.
And in receiving Mr. Nondo at the PF secretariat in Lusaka on Wednesday, PF Deputy Secretary General Hon Mumbi Phiri said the ruling party is not segregative as it treats all members equally.
Hon Phiri said she is confident that the former NAREP Spokesperson will add value to the ruling party as he will find a team that is focused on delivering the much needed development in the country.
The PF Deputy Secretary General urged all party members to accommodate the new members who are joining the party.
And Mr. Nondo said he decided to ditch the opposition and join the ruling party because the opposition in Zambia has betrayed the people of Zambia by failing to provide effective checks and balances.
“I have decided to join a progressive political party in Zambia, I am saying it’s progressive because of its developmental agenda for the country. The PF Government is taking development to all corners of this country and that is why I want to be part of this team that is delivering development to Zambians,” he said.
“The opposition in Zambia has betrayed the people. They have failed to provide quality and effective checks and balances. This makes the opposition in the country weak and lacks direction.”
He said the opposition in Zambia has no direction and cannot form government anytime soon.
Mr. Nondo, who is also former NAREP Chairperson for Information, said there is too much bitterness and negativity amongst the opposition political parties saying this is not healthy for a country like Zambia.
Speaking earlier, PF Member of the Central Committee Kebby Mbewe said these are signs that the PF will have no difficulties in remaining in office beyond 2021.
Mr. Mbewe said the party has continued to receive new members who have seen the developmental works under President Lungu.
