In a significant cabinet reshuffle, President Hakainde Hichilema yesterday announced the transfer of Honorable Sylvia Masebo to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Honorable Elijah Muchima MP to the Ministry of Health. The changes were effective immediately.

The reshuffle has drawn reactions from various political figures, including former President Edgar Lungu, who took the opportunity to criticize President Hichilema’s actions. Lungu referenced a past statement made by Hichilema on January 10, 2021, when Hichilema, then opposition leader, criticized Lungu for his handling of corruption allegations against Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, the then Minister of Health.

In his Facebook post, the opposition leader Hichilema had stated, “The sacking of Dr. Chitalu Chilufya does not go far enough and comes too little, too late. Mr. Edgar Lungu knew all along about Dr. Chilufya’s corrupt activities at the Ministry of Health but didn’t relieve him of his duties because it benefited him and the entire Patriotic Front. He didn’t have to wait for the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee to unearth something that was so obvious. We therefore demand that the ACC immediately move in on Dr. Chitalu Chilufya. Mr. Lungu should go further and fire Stephen Kampyongo and Kakoma Kanganja, who are equally culpable, like Dr. Chilufya, in the deaths of innocent citizens. We demand justice for the Zambian people now!”

Drawing a parallel to the current situation, Lungu remarked, “Fellow Citizens, this is July 2024. We have heard and seen reports of massive corruption, as evidenced in the Financial Intelligence Centre report, Whistleblowers, the Parliamentary Accounts Committee Report, involving his own ministers and other appointees, and we are anxiously waiting for the President to walk his own talk following these revelations. What was not good in his eyes then should not be good in the same eyes now.”

Lungu concluded his statement with a call for the restoration of the rule of law.

The political landscape in Zambia continues to evolve as citizens and political leaders alike await further developments and actions from the Hichilema administration regarding corruption and governance.

In a sigificant turn of events, U.S. President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection just four months before the election. The decision follows a contentious debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump, which raised significant doubts about Biden’s fitness for office.

During the June 27 debate, the 81-year-old president often trailed off and failed to address the former president’s numerous falsehoods. This performance led to escalating pressure from Biden’s Democratic allies to step aside.

President Biden stated that his decision “is in the best interest of my party and the country.” Despite withdrawing from the race, he plans to serve out the remainder of his term, which concludes at noon ET on January 20, 2025.

President Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee. The move comes as Americans prepare to head to the polls on November 5, 2024.

Biden’s withdrawal marks a significant moment in the 2024 election cycle, as the Democratic Party looks to regroup and rally behind a new candidate in the face of a challenging campaign season.

Below is the Full Statement released on X

JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JR. July 21, 2024

My Fellow Americans, Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.

Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.

I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.

It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.

I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.

For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.

I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.

Lusaka, Zambia – Former Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Musa Mwenye, has expressed his gratitude to the people of Zambia and the President of the Republic for the opportunity to serve in his role. During his departure speech, Mwenye, who held the position for two years, emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in public office.

“I am grateful to the people and the President of the Republic of Zambia for the opportunity to have served as Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC),” Mwenye stated.

Upon taking office, Mwenye adhered to the legal requirement to declare his assets. Today, despite the absence of a legal obligation to do so upon leaving office, he voluntarily declared his assets to the Learned Chief Justice. This move, he believes, sets a standard for transparency that all public officials should follow.

“All of us who serve in public office must be transparent in our financial dealings and willing to declare our assets and explain how we acquired what we have,” Mwenye urged. “I encourage all those in public office today, who have not done so, to do that in the interest of transparency, integrity, and accountability.”

Mwenye reflected on his tenure, highlighting the challenges faced by the ACC board, which he described as composed of individuals with integrity. Despite being sidelined and denied access to information on ongoing investigations and prosecutions for a full year, the board maintained internal pressure for accountability.

“Legally, the board of the ACC has no powers to arrest anyone; that power lies with the Director General. Equally, the board has no legal powers to hire and fire the Director General – that power lies elsewhere,” he explained.

Mwenye stressed the necessity of addressing corruption in all forms, regardless of when it occurred. He called for investigating and prosecuting corrupt activities both from past regimes and within the current government.

“We cannot fight corruption unless we fight all corruption – past, present, and future. Almost three years down the line, we should have seen some government officials arrested and dismissed,” Mwenye said, noting that selective enforcement of anti-corruption measures had been a point of contention.

He also criticized successive governments for manipulating the ACC’s operations by appointing a strong board for appearances while ensuring the management was compliant.

“I am proud that the board I served refused to be intimidated, remained in position, and demanded internally and publicly that the right thing be done,” Mwenye declared. “Nobody can claim ignorance over these matters I have highlighted.”

Mwenye extended his gratitude to the ACC’s rank and file for their dedication under difficult conditions, and to his fellow board members, including former Vice Chairperson Mrs. Irene Chongo-Lamba and former Commissioners Dr. O’brien Kaaba and Dr. Tommy Namitondo, for their unity, integrity, and courage. He also acknowledged newly appointed board member Mr. Jack Kalala, with whom he had limited interaction due to the board’s dissolution.

“I thank you all. It was an honor,” Mwenye concluded, confident that history would judge their efforts favorably.

The First lady’s Office has donated a wheelchair to a 15 year old girl, Grace Kaluwani, a grade 6 pupil at Bundabunda Primary School in Musebo village of Chongwe District who has been struggling to get to school using a wooden tricycle.
This follows an appeal made by a concerned citizen residing in the same area, Emmanuel Mubita to the First lady Mutinta Hichilema to assist Ms Kaluwaniwith a wheelchair as she has been struggling to get to school.

The First Lady’s office in partnership with Merck Foundation also donated assorted items such as 6000 exercise books, stationary, 1, 700 school bags and 3,334 story books to the school.Technical Advisor to the First Lady,Shelly Tayali who represented the Mrs Mutinta Hichilema stated that the donation is expected to assist pupils at the school who do not have access to the necessary school materials.

Ms Tayali said it is important for every child to access education as it is among the best ways to better their lives and secure their future.She implored parents in the area to take advantage of the free education policy implemented by the government and enrol their children in school.

“We believe education is a great equaliser and no one must be left behind,” MsTayali said.Ms Tayali also called on members of the community in the area to work with the office of the First Lady to curb child marriages.She encouraged members of staff at Bundabunda Primary School to select a day in each term of the school calendar which will be dedicated towards advocacy on ending child marriages.

Ms Tayali further thanked Mr Mubita for appealing to the first lady to assist Grace Kaluwani adding that the act is a demonstration of his compassion for the child.

Meanwhile, Chongwe District Education Board Secretary, Joseph Chanda thanked the Office of the First Lady for the donation.
Mr Chanda stated that the materials donated to the pupils will go a long way in improving learner performance at the school .
He assured officers from the Office of the First lady that the donated items will be used for their intended purpose.

And Grace Kaluwani who received a new wheelchair thanked Mrs Hichilema for coming to her aid through the gesture.
Ms Kaluwani indicated that she has been struggling to get to school using a wooden tricycle for some time.

“I would like to thank the First Lady,Mutinta Hichilema for helping me with a wheelchair which I really needed because it was very difficult for me to move to school using my old tricycle”, Ms Kaluwani said.