By Chilekwa M. Mumba
Time and time again, Zambia’s political scene displays a lack of direction in both our party in government, as well as our major opposition parties who are currently clamoring to ensure the MMD’s exit. This past week unfolded some more political drama that sparked off everything from exchanges of unpalatable words in our local politics to international diplomatic rows. Zambians and the international community observed this fuming spectacle, now thankfully in its simmering stage. The hot air surrounding it is slowly evaporating as is to be expected with steam- and I choose the term “hot air” very intentionally, albeit sarcastically as the conclusion of this polemic will demonstrate.

At a time when our country is heading for major elections, we are supposed to see a difference between the ruling MMD and the country’s opposition. Instead, as we observe the substance (or lack thereof) of political debate, due to the haplessness of the politicians marketing themselves to the Zambian electorate, I cannot help but draw a comical comparative between our political leaders [as salesmen] who all claim to have the “best fix” to our country’s woes, and an old Chinese fable. The tale I refer to tells of a slick talking entrepreneur-cum-salesman who arrives in a village claiming to sell a spear which will penetrate everything and a shield which will block anything. Buyers anyone? No I doubt you will find any takers! If anything, the salesman/politician ends up looking like the oaf. [pullquote]At the end of the day, what was supposed to be a debate on accountability turned into as productive a debate as you would expect between two blocks of wood-nothing.[/pullquote]

In the same vein, our ruling MMD and current opposition will sell nothing to our electorate by their empty and nonconstructive rumblings on donor money. Our ever opportunistic MMD took this serious issue to look large and in charge by claiming sacred sovereignty over our country and thus these monies; and our ever inopportune opposition took this serious issue to express their angelic humility by gaudily stressing our dependency on donors. At the end of the day, what was supposed to be a debate on accountability turned into as productive a debate as you would expect between two blocks of wood-nothing. Donor money will continue to flow in the same path, seeing that the people responsible preferred a shouting match over debating on how to best utilize and account for it.

What is most irking about this particular situation is the fact that we find the donors playing the sensible role of demanding accountability for our country’s financial resources- a role which Zambians have entrusted to the opposition and party in government. It is quite troubling to note that the opposition decided to play the “choir-boy” role, going out of their way to sing praises for donors instead of directing this energy to not only demand accountability, but start discussing ideas of alternative policy arrangements that will ensure that donor money goes to its intended recipients. Donor money is no trivial issue-this is money that mostly supports critical life and death efforts such as our country’s health sector as well as Zambia’s infrastructure development. These displays of tactlessness from the opposition will not separate them from the very party they wish to replace. I wish to remind the opposition that whilst their “dependency song” will certainly attract shady “donors” who want to control our country’s fate, it will not auger well with the genuine and well-meaning donor countries who wish to see Zambia stand on its own two. This approach by our opposition does about as much harm as the equally tactless pronouncements by the ruling MMD government.

In summary, I will echo the observation that our country’s problems persist, because of the fruitless and misdirected political debate our politicians are all guilty of engaging themselves in. This donor debacle has testified that little to no difference exists between the MMD and major opposition. A contrasting difference between our political parties in government and in opposition is key to our nation’s progress on the political-economy front. It is a proven fact that an environment thriving with different and solid ideas breeds the progress we seek. As Zambians we must encourage not just politicians, but ourselves as responsible citizens to engage in productive debate. The best solutions come out of sensible debate, and indeed the very differences are quantified to a total sum; alternately where difference of ideas lacks, the progress summation equals zero.

Dr Chiluba said through his spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba that some people have committed resources to trail and plant mobs to embarrass him.

“We are surprised by Press reports alleging that Dr Chiluba said in Chambishi “the late president Levy Patrick Mwanawasa turned courts into playgrounds like Nkana Stadium in the eight years of his (Mr Mwanawasa) presidency.

“We chose to ignore these false reports fearing that our rebuttal would dignify this lie. However, we are alarmed that this fabrication is now a basis for comments and reactions from politicians such as Mr Sata,” he said.

Mr Mwamba said it was surprising that reactions and opinions are now being formed on a statement that was never made.

“We, therefore, urge opportunistic commentators such as Patriotic Front leader Mr Michael Sata and the so-called Dr Cosmo Mumba to seek clarification and the truth before making wild statements and demands,” he said.
[pullquote]“We are surprised by Press reports alleging that Dr Chiluba said in Chambishi “the late president Levy Patrick Mwanawasa turned courts into playgrounds like Nkana Stadium in the eight years of his (Mr Mwanawasa) presidency.

“We chose to ignore these false reports fearing that our rebuttal would dignify this lie. However, we are alarmed that this fabrication is now a basis for comments and reactions from politicians such as Mr Sata,” he said.[/pullquote]
The ploy by some people to block him from moving freely was a hindrance on his fundamental human rights.

“This is now interfering with his fundamental freedom of movement, of expression and other rights. We wish to advise that the planned activities against Dr Chiluba are becoming criminal and the police should not hesitate to pursue the perpetrators,” Mr Mwamba said.

Meanwhile, Dr Chiluba has described as strange the desperate panic by Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata and some sections of the media over his activities.

Mr Mwamba said while the former president was in retirement, it did not exclude him from attending to petitions from members of the communities who seek his intervention.
[ Times of Zambia ]

The Zambian Government has repaid the K13 billion donor funds that were allegedly misappropriated last year by some Ministry of Health officials.

Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao said the Zambian Government was committed to paying back the donor funds, and assured that the balance of K16 billion from the K29 billion would also be paid back.

Speaking in Lusaka yesterday during a media breakfast on the update of the recent Zambian delegation’s visit to Geneva Switzerland, Mr Simbao said the alleged misappropriation of funds at the ministry last year was embarrassing for the Zambian Government.

Mr Simbao pledged Government’s commitment to the proper utilisation of donor funds in the country’s health sector.

“We are fully committed to utilising donor funds for their intended purposes, I must admit that what happened at the Ministry of Health last year was an embarrassment for all off us.

“What our people did, and I insist on our people, because its not the Government who stole the money, is very embarrassing,” he said.

Mr Simbao said the ministry would not spend any funds on workshops and seminars in 2011.
[pullquote]“We are fully committed to utilising donor funds for their intended purposes, I must admit that what happened at the Ministry of Health last year was an embarrassment for all off us.

“What our people did, and I insist on our people, because its not the Government who stole the money, is very embarrassing,” he said. [/pullquote]

All workshops and seminars would instead be funded by donors and other partners.

“We have realised that there are some people who have been travelling all year round, leaving work piling in their offices because of seminars,” he said.

While in Geneva, Mr Simbao held discussions with officials from the United Nations HIV/Aids agency (UNAIDS) who assured him that the UN was interested in seeing Zambia’s image restored, and being able to access funding normally.

He reassured the donors that all money spent by his ministry would from now on be with the approval of only the permanent secretary.

The funds would now be subjected to both internal and external audits.

The Swedish government had insisted on all its funds to the government, being approved only by the permanent secretary (PS), and that no one acting in that position should approve spending of these funds.

Because of the stringent demands by the donors, the Health permanent secretary had been unable to travel outside the country.

As a result, the PS was not even able to attend the recently held World health Assembly meeting.

This measure had been taken to ensure the PS was always available to approve spending of donor funds.

Mr Simbao said all wrong doers in the Ministry of Health would be subjected to the due process of the law.

The ministry was anxious about the outcome of the courts ruling on the alleged misappropriation of donor funds by the Ministry of Health last year.

The ministry had also suffered the loss of manpower through the suspension of 35 officers, allegedly connected to the scam.

“Whatever the courts decide will be good for us, we will be able to know whether to restore our suspended officers, or make replacements, so we are waiting for the courts to decide, as the absence of 35 members of staff has stressed our operations,” he said.

World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative Olusegun Babaniyi said the UN had appreciated that the Zambian Government had shown it was not supporting the misuse of donor funds.

Dr Babaniyi pledged the continued support by the UN to help Zambia get back to its previous position with regard to donor funding.

And Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) for Global Fund chairperson Mwingache Siamwiza said the CCM had decided to appoint the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the principle recipient of global funds meant for the health sector.

The CCM had suspended the Ministry of Health from being the principle recipient of the funds and the UNDP would now receive and disburse all global funds to the ministry.

“Global Fund had made the decision not to disburse the funds for round four, because the Ministry of Health had not met the required conditionality at the time, but following the minister’s visit to Geneva, the ministry would have access to US$8 million,” he said.
Times of Zambia ]

Forum for Leadership Search Zambia says the constitution making process should be without foreign influence to allow Zambians to decide how the process should proceed.

Exuctiive Director Edwin Lifwekelo said it is wrong for foreigners to instigate Zambians to boycott the constitution making process.

Mr. Lifwekelo claimed in a statement to ZANIS today that some of the leaders representing civil society organizations are foreigners and have no interest in the welfare of the Zambian people.

“They have a foreign agenda. They have always danced to the tune of foreigners that’s why they are even supporting homosexuality in our country and want Zambia to be a secular state,”Mr. Lifwekelo said.

He notes that the constitution making process must not be a reflection of the 2011 presidential elections.

[pullquote]“They have a foreign agenda. They have always danced to the tune of foreigners that’s why they are even supporting homosexuality in our country and want Zambia to be a secular state,”Mr. Lifwekelo said.[/pullquote]

He states that it will be wrong to use the 2011 presidential elections as a basis for a new constitution because the country will not expire after 2011.

Mr.Lifwekelo explained that political parties and civil society that have refused to make submissions to the draft constitution lack moral values and are doing so at their own peril.

He has appealed to all Zambians to make submissions so as to add value to the people’s driven constitution.

Mr.Lifwekelo stated that Zambians should not allow foreigners to dictate how constitution making process should proceed as they are prophets of doom who aim to derail the process.

He also advised Zambians not to be hoodwinked by selected selfish individuals who don’t like President Rupiah Banda.

He commended the secretariat of the National Constitution Conference for finally coming up with the draft report.

ZANIS/

By Wesley Ngwenya

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) last week announced the commencement of voter registration on 21st June, 2010. This registration will be open to anyone who is eighteen years old or will turn eighteen before 31st July 2011. This registration will run for an initial period of ninety days.

Although the registration has come a little late ECZ should be commended especially for extending the registration to those who have not yet turned eighteen years old. Adverts are running in the media informing the public about this registration process. However, there are a few questions to consider as ECZ embarks on this task.

Firstly, how are voters in rural areas informed regarding this voter registration process considering that they have no access to newspapers, televisions and radios? Are there other medium that ECZ should consider so that they can reach this rural population?

[pullquote]What ECZ should have done is set up registration centers in all primary and secondary schools. They could also have used colleges, hospitals, rural health centers, post offices, markets and banks. This is where Zambians are found who are eighteen years and above. [/pullquote]

Why are they using mobile registration? The adverts are telling us to check the internet and see where their mobile vans will be at a particular time. Are you serious you expect us to get on a bus pay K7,000 round trip to town so we can go online to see where your van will be? Besides, what technology are you using to ensure that you can monitor the vans at all times?

Why did ECZ have to spend so much money using these ineffective vans? Was this the most efficient and effective method to reaching out to voters? Were the stakeholders consulted before it was decided on whether or not to use registration mobile vans? Could it be that this method was chosen because it was more porous and easier to get kickbacks?

What ECZ should have done is set up registration centers in all primary and secondary schools. They could also have used colleges, hospitals, rural health centers, post offices, markets and banks. This is where Zambians are found who are eighteen years and above. Setting up registration centers in these places would be much less expensive compared to the opted method. Besides, this would be more efficient and effective. I am willing to show and challenge ECZ that using mobile registration vans is more expensive than using permanent centers.

Mobile registration is certainly ideal for rural areas where schools and clinics are few and people are spread far apart. In addition, to permanent centers, mobile centers can be used too so as to better deliver the service to the Zambian public. But using mobile registration centers in Lusaka does not make sense at all when ECZ knows where people live, go to work, or go to school.

The Electoral Commission is asking for people who lost their voter’s card to provide a police report before registration. This is clearly a bad move on part of ECZ. How many Zambians will be able to afford to go through the tedious process of obtaining a police report, let alone pay K22,000 for it? Before writing this article, I sampled roughly about twenty people who lost their cards and none of them can afford to pay the required amount to obtain one. Maybe what they need to do is provide free police reports for all those who have lost their cards.

[pullquote]Zambians may not be interested in voting because they actually do not see the use. Yes, it is the constitutional right of every Zambian who is aged eighteen and above to vote. However, there are more pressing issues in the hearts and minds of many Zambians.[/pullquote]

The issue of registration hits home to me because in 2008 I was denied the opportunity to register as a voter simply because I was not in the country in 2006. Electoral Commission of Zambia failed to update voters’ registers so that people like me could equally have voted during the presidential elections. I have kept an eye in my neighborhood to see if I will ever see these vans but nothing yet.

It has been over a week since this registration supposedly started but I have not heard anyone who has registered yet. Will it be another week or another month before we see the registration vans? The chairperson for Electoral Commission of Zambia Florence Mumba, this weekend, blamed the politicians for the low turnout of prospective voters. Personally, I think what she should have said was ask the politicians to appeal to the Zambians to register to vote.

Zambians may not be interested in voting because they actually do not see the use. Yes, it is the constitutional right of every Zambian who is aged eighteen and above to vote. However, there are more pressing issues in the hearts and minds of many Zambians. There are poverty, diseases, and unemployment issues. Voting for people who look the same, speak the same language but are using different slogans is not one of them. As for me, I keep watching so that when that van passes my neighborhood I will register. I am eagerly waiting to cast my vote.