The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has submitted its proposed budget for the 2016 tripartite elections to the Treasury.

ECZ Spokesperson Cris Akufuna has confirmed the development, but withheld details on how much the commission intends to spend to conduct the 2016 elections.

Akufuna says the budget for the 2016 general election will only be made public once the Treasury has approved the proposals the commission has submitted.

He says the process of liaising with the Treasury on the proposed elections budget is a long.

Akufuna says once the Commission submits its proposed budget, the Treasury may have to do a back and forth liaising with the commission in terms of possibilities and availability of resources before approving the budget.

He says not until this process is complete can information on how much the commission intends to spend on the elections be made public.

Akufuna however states that preparations for next year’s general election which begun by the submission of the budget proposals are ongoing.

He states that this is line with the commission’s established practice of starting preparations of any general election not less than 2 years before the actual poll.

The post ECZ Submits 2016 Election Budget appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has waived duty and fees for solar products to encourage more investors to enter the energy sector and help reduce the power deficit.

ERB Northern Region Manager Allen Polito says the move is aimed at increasing the capacity of private companies to contribute to the production and supply of energy in the country.

Polito says the fees and duty on these products were a hindrance to investors.

And Energy Permanent Secretary Reuben Zulu has directed all government departments and the newly created districts to install energy serving bulbs in all their buildings.

Zulu says installing energy saving lights will help reduce pressure on the national grid.

Meanwhile, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions -ZCTU- has proposed to government to prioritize funding to the energy sector in the 2016 national budget.

ZCTU Secretary General Cosmos Mukuka says government should focus on investing in alternative sources of energy like solar and wind energy in next year’s budget .

Mukuka says government should go further to zero rate duty on any imported energy generating and supplying equipment.

He has also urged government to consider buying fuel straight from the producers rather than buying through middle men a situation which the labor movement feels has led to the high fuel prices.

And in the mining sector Mukuka has also urged government to introduce legislative measures to ensure transparency.

Mukuka also proposed that the government should put in place comprehensive growth strategy that is anchored on internal resource mobilization, diversification of the economy and encouraging local entrepreneurship.

He also proposed that government should through ZRA put in place measures that will progressively help regularize the informal economy and widen the tax base.

The post ERB Waives Duty on Solar Products appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Police in Lusaka have charged a pupil of Twin Palm Secondary School for defilement.

This was after questioning the suspect and four others of Kabulonga Boys Secondary School, who were arrested on Monday, on alleged gang-raping of a 14-year-old pupil of Kabulonga Girls Secondary School.

However, police spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda yesterday said the 14-year-old was occasionally already having sex with her 18-year-old boyfriend of Twin Palm Secondary School who has since been charged with defilement while four of his colleagues have been released.

“After interviewing the girl, we discovered that she was not gang-raped but instead had sex with one of the boys who is her boyfriend. After attending a party around 17:30 hours, the girl went to a named social place, met her boyfriend and then later had sex with him,” she said.

Munganga-Chanda also said the statement police got earlier was not accurate.

“The statement we earlier got from the mother was not accurate, the girl was not gang-raped and the other boys have since been released. The two have been having sex occassionally and the girl is only 14. The boy has since been charged with defilement and will appear in court soon,” said Munganga-Chanda.

The post Police Arrest 14-Year-Old Student for Defilement appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The former Minister of Tourism Sylvia Masebo has been summoned for questioning by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), sources inform Zambia Reports.

Masebo, who will likely report for questioning today, has in the past been accused of abuse of office related to her oversight of the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), where she was previously accused of privately benefiting from the award and revocation of game hunting licenses.

Sources at the ACC confirm that Masebo has been served with a letter announcing the questioning.

It has not yet been revealed what issues the ACC is seeking information on.

Masebo is well known as a member of the once powerful cartel of Post editor Fred M’membe, Wynter Kabimba, Mutembo Nchito, and Rajan Mahtani, which formerly enjoyed control over the past administration under President Michael Sata. In recent months, two cartel members – Rajan Mahtani and Fred M’membe – have both been arrested, while Mutembo Nchito is the subject of anti-corruption tribunal for his alleged abuses of office.

The post Masebo Summoned on Corruption Probe appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Football Association of Zambia president Kalusha Bwalya is a man living on borrowed time. Bwalya announced that he will contest the FAZ presidency for the third time. Ironically, his demands come at a time when even more corruptly run organizations like FIFA are preaching significant reforms including limiting the terms one may be able to serve.

So often we have been reminded of how lucky we are as a country to have Kalusha as our ‘beloved’ FAZ President? How his hat trick 27 years ago helped demolish Italy 4-0 at the Seoul Olympics? How, of course, he remains the only footballer to have been named African Footballer of the Year in Southern Africa? Of course, how him and Dr Kenneth Kaunda remain the two most recognizable personalities outside the borders of this country!

We must really owe him so much this greater son of our soil. So why not just hand him a life term since we owe him so much? Others even point to how his influence may have helped Zambia win the Africa Cup in 2012. This man must really be the messiah of our game. But of course we live in the 21st century where a little more scrutiny is demanded of any worthy undertaking like managing an association.

For years, the football brethren have been demanding very basic answers to why the contents of deals that FAZ signs remain a heavily guarded secret? No one has bothered provide the answers as to how much the Super Sport deal is worth? Given the pomp with which each renewal of the MTN sponsorship deal is flaunted, has anyone bothered to get out what the deal is made of?

Ever wondered a more corporate oriented club like Zanaco Football Club reluctantly display MTN banners at their home games? They had the good sense to do some research and learnt the hard way how they were being short-changed. Some may still point to the bonus circus that characterized the aftermath of the Brazil v Zambia international friendly match where players were paid peanuts from the publicly acknowledged US$1 million appearance fee. The players received K6.5 for that match.

And of course there are still lingering issues over the world famous bribe of US$80, 000 that earned our beloved nation dishonourable mention in the FIFA probe. At least the Anti Corruption Commission made pretence of following up the matter which means a lot on these ends where the citizenry rarely bother about their money being plundered. So they go round banding around 27 year old glory maybe a little more answers will help and just halt that nonsense of scandalizing suspected prospective candidates at next year’s elections.

After all elections should never be a matter of life or death but then some brothers have made a habit of inkongole of anything they can lay their hands on. Maybe taking lessons from Sepp Blatter’s fall from grace could offer insight to the football family. Yet after three terms at the pinnacle of our game, its time for Kalusha to leave the stage when there are still some die-hards still clapping for him as Great Kalu!!! Wait not for the time when every will call you Great ‘Galu’ as we’ve learnt some are already doing so. Good day brethren.

The post IT’S Time For Kalusha To Leave The FAZ Stage appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Three people have died in Mbala after a vehicle veered off the road to plough into pedestrians leaving four injured. The Toyota Vista vehicle registration ACP 18809 lost control causing the catastrophe. Police have arrested the owner of the vehicle … Continued

The post 3 Dead in Mbala Road Accident appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The search for a solution surrounding the closure of the Copperbelt University has continued with multiple meetings taking place.

Education Minister Michael Kaingu had another round of meetings with the lecturers and researchers union with a solution yet to be found.

Kaingu has pleaded with the academic staff to report to work as a first step toward returning to normalcy; however, indications are that nothing in that regard has yet to be reached.

He said they will continue meeting to hammer out an agreement.

On July, 31st the academic council is due to meet over the crisis at the country’s second highest learning institution.

Students have continued crying out for a solution with Copperbelt University Students Union president Humphrey Mwenya putting up a strong case for the students who have been caught in the standoff between the union and management.

Among the chief grievances is the dismissal of Vice Chancellor Professor Naison Ngoma and some of the top managers.

The post Kaingu Continues to Seek End to CBU Impasse appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The self-styled “corruption free angel” Edith Nawakwi has been challenged to explain her involvement with the Canadian businessman Ari Ben-Menashe who swindled Zambia in a bogus maize deal and was also involved in the failed privatization of some mining assets.

Nawakwi, the outspoken FDD president, who is posturing as Zambia’s angel has gone flat out attacking President Edgar Lungu’s administration seeing no good in what the current Head of State.

PF deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri has also challenged FDD spokesman Antonio Mwanza to explain if he had asked Nawakwi about Ben-Menashe’s involvement in the botched mines privatization deals, “he should not just talk about things without investigating”.

Phiri revealed that Carrington Sales owned by an Israeli Ben-Menashe was ordered by a London court to refund Zambia US$10 million from the botched maize deal but that Nawakwi introduced the same man to the privatization team led by chairman Francis Kaunda.

Phiri said Nawakwi, who presents herself as an incorruptible and virtuous person, must explain what role Ari Ben-Menashe played in the failed delivery of maize to Zambia and also his involvement in the failed purchase of mining assets which had to be stopped by President Frederick Chiluba.

Phiri said the role of Nawakwi in the botched sales of the mines were very well documented in a book published in 2002 by former privatization negotiation chairman, Francis Kaunda, which book has never been challenged.

“That book gives details of the role Ms Nawakwi played and it cannot be said that she is blameless,” she said.

“In all fairness I would like her to explain to the Zambian people what role Ari Ben-Menashe played in the maize deal and in the sale of the mines, both of which were found to be irregular,” Phiri said.

“I would also like Ms Nawakwi to tell the country why she was dismissed as Minister of Finance so that the people of Zambia have an idea of the person who has now come out to criticize and cast aspersions on Edgar Lungu and other people in leadership.

“She must explain if, as the book says, it was not her who brought Carrington Sales Company of Canada with their key man Ari Ben-Menashe to negotiate the sale of the mines which Mr. Francis Kaunda later discovered to have been totally contrived, involving people of dubious character.

According to the book, Phiri said, Kaunda and his negotiating team travelled to Canada for a meeting with alleged mining houses organized by Carlington Sales. However, that is when the Zambians investigated the people they were meeting and discoverd that they were not mining houses, but actors who had been paid to do so.

“This book was published in 2002 and Ms Nawakwi has never challenged the facts presented by Mr. Francis Kaunda. Can she explain this to the people of Zambia. Can she explain why Mr. Kaunda refused to sign the mining deals in Canada?

“After that can she also explain how Zambia lost millions of dollars paid for maize which was never delivered in a deal brokered by Ben-Manashe of Carrington Sales,” said Phiri.

Daily Nation/Zambia Reports

The post Nawakwi: Who is Ben-Menashe? appeared first on Zambia Reports.

A Patriotic Front (PF) civic leader in Luanshya on the Copperbelt has suspended for flirting with the opposition UPND. Baluba ward councillor Gershom Mpundu has been suspended for gross misconduct and may be expelled from the ruling party.

PF Copperbelt provincial chairperson Amon Chisenga and Roan Constituency chairperson Albert Matatiwo confirmed the suspension of Mr Mpundu in separate interviews.

Chisenga said Mr Mpundu was seen associating with members of a named opposition party at a public gathering.

Chisenga said the party would not tolerate members or councillors to apply double standards as they were required to be committed to PF.

“If members in our party want to resign, let them do so, because if we find them associating with other political parties we will show them the way out. One cannot belong to two political parties,” he said.

Matatiwo accused Mr Mpundu of involving in activities that could destabilise the party if he was condoned.

He said Mr Mpundu had been suspended and his fate was yet to be decided by higher authorities of the party.

“Mr Gershom Mpundu has been suspended from the PF because he was involved in activities that could have destabilised the party had he continued. So he seizes to be PF party member until we receive further instructions from higher authorities in the party on what should be done,” he said.

Matatiwo said the party did not want double standard members, but expected its members to be committed to one party only.

He urged members in the ruling party especially those from Roan Constituency to ensure they remained loyal to the party.

Mpundu separately confirmed having received the suspension letter but was not aware of the reasons.

He said this was the third time that the party had suspended him but denied any wrong doing.

Mpundu said he was however not told the reason why he was suspended but was only blocked from attending the council chamber meeting by party members on Monday, this week.

“I just received a suspension letter without giving any reasons why I was being suspended but I am still a PF member despite the suspension. I cannot say much for now. I only saw cadres blocking me from attending the council meeting though I was suspended from the party and not from the council,” he said.

The post PF Purge Civic Leader for ‘Flirting’ with UPND appeared first on Zambia Reports.

THE Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has warned bus operators that they risk suspension or revocation of their licences if they increase bus fares without following the laid down procedure.

RTSA public relations manager Mercy Mwila said in Lusaka yesterday that the terms on the licence are clear and that anyone who wants to increase fares has to consult with RTSA.

She, however, said RTSA does not want to be “pushed” to revoke or suspend licences for transport operators, hence the need for them to follow procedure.

“Public transport operators know how to negotiate for the variation of bus fares. They should not increase bus fares because that will be an abrogation of the Traffic Act, which is illegal,’’ Mrs Mwila said.

She advised the operators to indicate to RTSA their intention to increase bus fares. She also noted that a number of proposals have been forwarded to RTSA by transport operators.

Mwila said a meeting would be scheduled where RTSA, public bus operators and officials at the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications will meet to discuss the proposed increment.

She said operators should consider the burden of people in Zambia before coming up with new bus fares because the increment would affect commuters.

She appealed to all bus operators who are considering increasing bus fares to wait until the negotiations are concluded.

“The terms are very clear that if you have to change anything on the licence, they should discus using the laid down procedure rather than working outside what is stipulated in the RTSA act of 2011,’’ she said.

But in Ndola bus operators have adjusted fares for all local routes by 50 Ngwee and K1 for inter-town routes.

And the Bus Drivers Association in Ndola has also attributed the increase in bus fares to the revised RTSA vehicles fees.

Association committee member Gilbert Musonda said in an interview yesterday that the increase was prompted by the newly-introduced RTSA and Zambia Revenue Authority fees.

He added that the pump prices of fuel has equally contributed to the situation. Musonda implored passengers to understand the plight of bus drivers as the increment is only a 50 Ngwee for local routes and K1 for out-of-town routes.

Source: Daily Mail

The post Increase Bus Fares at Your Own Risk, Bus Operators Warned appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Kasama Central Member of Parliament Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba will confirm the worst guarded secret in Zambian politics when he joins the opposition United Party for National Development this morning.

The Kasama lawmaker has been flirting with the UPND since his expulsion from the ruling Patriotic Front in the heat of the run up to the January 20 presidential elections when he had offered himself for the party presidency, but was as expected beaten hands down.

Mwamba popularly known as GBM will jointly address a press conference with UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.

The resignation of GBM will pave the way for a parliamentary by-election where the long standing shadow boxing between Zambian High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba and activist Kelvin Sampa will come to the fore on the ruling party ticket.

The post GBM Defection Underway appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Information Minister Chishimba Kambwili says government will find money for the proposed increase of emoluments for Members of Parliament.

Parliament last week increased salaries for MPs without any dissension with the masses left shocked although little noise has been made over the move.

The unanimity was such that there was a universal support for the motion moved by Lubansenshi Independent Member of Parliament Patrick Mucheleka.

Kambwili said some of the opponents to the increase were the ones that had stood in support of increasing the number of seats for constituencies.

“Some of the people who are talking about the increase are the same people pushing us to enact a constitution that has proposed to increase the number of constituencies. Where is the money going to come from? So they are playing double standards,” he said.

“Government has the capacity to pay that money because it is part of the agreed conditions of service

The post Kambwili Defends MPs Pay Rise appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The much publicised Press Conference dubbed “Zambia United” turned out to be an anti climax and had only one winner – Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba commonly known as GBM – leaving opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema shell-shocked.

GBM walked away with a grand prize of the position of UPND Vice-President, but gave up nothing and remained Kasama MP on the ruling Patriotic Front ticket. He fears a by-election, as it is more than likely he may face heavy defeat in a region where UPND is non-existent, observers say.

“I humbly accept the appointment as UPND Vice President, but I remain PF Kasama Central Member of Parliament. We are returning the gesture by the PF Administration that has appointed opposition MPs to Cabinet and are performing the functions of PF campaign managers despite being MPs,” he said.

Both UPND members and prospective defectors walked away dissappointed. Most disappointed was the group from Kasama that felt cheated:

“Atu leta kuno ati tuchite defect lelo ena aleeba ati Ni PF? Alitumpa uyu umufyashi. He brings us here to defect, but he has remained PF. This father figure is very stupid,” a cadre from Kasama fumed.

During a joint press briefing at Golf View Hotel in Lusaka, GBM was supported by Lubansenshi Independent lawmaker Patrick Mucheleka, Sinda MMD MP Levy Ngoma, former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa, and former Secretary to the Cabinet Sketchley Sacika, former MMD Secretary General Richard Kachingwe and Chongwe lawmaker Sylvia Masebo among others.

GBM, known for beating his wife, workers and threatening cadres with a gun, claimed he could not be pushed over by violent people as he had the capacity to defend himself.

He said PF in its current state could not identify with President Michael Sata’s original vision.

GBM said that President Edgar Lungu had brought back people that had insulted the late President Sata like Dora Siliya and Kapembwa Simbao who had been rewarded with jobs.

“President Sata must be tossing in his grave…just imagine if he were to wake up and find that people who insulted him like Dora Siliya, Kapembwa Simbao and Honourable Kaingu who even tore the speech in our faces in parliament,” he said.

“Now all these people have been rewarded with jobs after insulting the founding President of the Patriotic Front.”

Mwamba said that in the short time President Lungu had been in power prices had shot up like mealie meal, fuel and fertilizer with the kwacha doing badly against other currencies.

He said that as a businessman he had been forced to increase prices for mealie meal in tune with everything else around.

“I sell mealie and fertilizer and we have increased prices because under President Lungu who has no vision everything has been going up. I have increased because that is what Lungu is telling everyone,” he said.

“They are busy borrowing money so that they pay contractors to ensure that they have money for next year’s elections.”

Mwamba has been roped in to add up to cosmetic changes that are part of a strategy to wash away the lingering tribal tag.

He takes over from Richard Kapita who crossed over to the ruling Patriotic Front. Mwamba says he will head to Kasama Central to inform the public about his decision.

The post GBM Dupes Hichilema, Sticks to PF Seat After Defection appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The battle lines have been drawn in parliament on cross-overs with the ruling Patriotic Front and opposition United Party for National Development strong balling each other on the floor of the house.

Point of orders and counter point of orders flew across the floor with Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila questioning why Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba was in the house after having been appointed Vice President of the opposition UPND this afternoon.

Mwila said that having crossed over to the UPND Mwamba should no longer hold his seat in parliament.

Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini reserved ruling on the matter.

But the matter resurfaced with Monze Central Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu rose on a point of order wondering why some UPND MPs who were serving in the PF government against their party’s wishes had not lost their seats.

Mwiimbu singled out Richwell Siamunene (Sinazaongwe), Greyford Monde (Itezhi Tezhi), Dawson Kafwaya (Solwezi Central) and Puniso Njeulu (Sinjembela) as members who should lose their seats.

He said that a previous ruling by the former Speaker of the National Assembly Amusa Mwanamwambwa had seen late Ben Tentamashimba and others lose their seats after campaigning for a political party which they were not members.

Matibini reserved ruling on the matter moving to thwart further attempts by other parliamentarians to keep popping up the subject.

The post Speaker Matibini to Rule on GBM’s Seat appeared first on Zambia Reports.

“I won’t resign as MP says GBM” Speaking at press briefing ‘rally’ when he was officially announced as the new Vice president for Administration.

The case law here is that GBM has resigned from PF to join UPND which automatically triggers in a bye-election according to the Zambian electoral law. He has resigned from his sponsoring political party to join UPND and taken a political party based appointment in this crossed-over. He will certainly lose this case in the courts of law. For the ECZ and the Speaker of National Assembly, the case of GBM is fait accompli. Start preparations for a bye-election now.

This said, by making his 3rd time cross-over from MMD to PF and now UPND, GBM has merely exercised his democratic and constitutional right. The question is if he has a significant national political constituency to shift other than this being another inconsequential political symbolism. Surely time will tell.

What we know is that GBM is very emotional and believes money can buy him the Presidency and Zambians. Does he have a connecting message to captivate the Zambian base and bag up a national vote beyond a constituency?

Didn’t he suffer a humiliating defeat to Hon. Lubinda in Kabwata, and Kasama he won it because he was on PF ticket? Has he got what it takes to rationally think, harmonize political divergence and drive détente in political turmoil or to win new territories beyond his questionable base? I choose to learn with time. Blessing!

SC

The post Opinion: What is GBM’s National Character? appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Airtel Zambia Plc has failed to appear for conditional appearance at the Lusaka High Court in a matter in which two Lusaka based journalists have petitioned the High Court on charges of spying.

In response to a petition filed by Lusaka freelance journalists Thomas Zgambo and Clayson Hamasaka in which Airtel has been accused of spying on the petitioners telephone communication, the duo filed a conditional memorandum of appearance pending an application to set aside the company termed a ” Writ of Summons” for irregularity.

High Court Deputy Registrar gave Airtel Zambia 14 days to make an appearance effective July 1, 2015 but by press time, Airtel Zambia had not made an appearance 21 days later.

This means that the Airtel application for memorandum of appearance has lapsed. The matter has since been referred back to the Lusaka High Court Judge Annie Sitali who is hearing the matter at trial.

The two Lusaka based journalists allege that Airtel diverted several text messages to and from their numbers which was allegedly operated by former press aide to President Michael Sata, George Chellah. Chellah was the cartel operative at State House.

Zgambo, who is the First Petitioner and Hamasaka the Second petitioner, say in their petition that Airtel Zambia breached Article 11 of the Constitution of Zambia Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambiaan Article 17 Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia, Article 20 of the Constitution of Zambia Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia, the Electronic and Communication Transactions ACT No21 of 2009 of the Laws of Zambia and the Protection of Fundamental Rights Rules 1969 Statutory Instrument no WDF of 1969 of the Laws of Zambia.

The so-called “cartel” is a group of powerful special interests including the suspended DPP Nchito, the owner and editor of the Post Newspaper Fred M’membe, the recently arrested banker Rajan Mahtani, and the former Minister of Justice Wynter Kabimba. Under the administration of the late President Micheal Sata, the cartel was known to control the state instruments from behind the scenes, however, since the election of President Edgar Lungu they have been under increased pressure. In recent weeks, there have been signs of a developing alliance between the cartel and the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).

The two journalists in this case are being represented by Messers AKM Legal Practitioners of Lusaka.

The post Airtel Snub High Court in Journalists’ Wiretapping Case appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The motion to ban the indiscriminate use of firearms during elections fell through in parliament after a vote was called by Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini.

Chongwe Patriotic Front Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo had moved the motion that was seconded by Lukulu legislator Dr Christopher Kalila but hit a brick wall after the government side opposed it.

Masebo had moved the motion on account of recent incidences of gun violence that has crept into the political scene with incessant by-elections.

It had seemed a smooth ride when Mazabuka Central lawmaker Garry Nkombo, his Kalomo Central counterpart Request Muntanga, Chipata Central legislator Mtolo Phiri, Elijah Muchima (Ikelenge), Victoria Phiri (Kasenengwa) and Ephraim Bbelemu all spoke in favour of the motion.

Nkombo had tabulated incidences of violence including the infamous Livingstone incident where he was entangled as part of his party’s campaign team that saw some UPND MPs and their leader Hakainde Hichilema incarcerated.

He said that violence had become pseudo employment where some youth enlisted themselves for hire in exchange for payment to sustain their livelihood.

Nkombo said that the ruling party could not be trusted to oversee the process as they were allegedly the purveyors of violence.

“This motion has come at a delicate time. There is no way you can put Dracula in charge of the blood bank he will finish it off,” he said.

And Phiri said that disqualifying candidates that were involved in gun related violence would curb the vice.

However Justice Deputy Minister Keith Mukata tore apart the motion saying it was ill conceived.

He argued that there were already adequate laws in the country that dealt with gun related violence.

His position was backed up by Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila who said that the fire arms act, the State Securities and the Penal Code adequately covered the areas that were being advocated.

He said there was no need to ban something that was already illegal under the law.

The motion had been instigated by incidences of electoral violence that have been perpetrated by both the opposition and ruling party.

When the motion was put before the house there was no clear outcome in the acclamation forcing the Speaker to call for a vote.

After a division was called, the proponents of the motion managed 25 votes while those against marshalled 60 votes essentially shooting it down.

The post Masebo’s Fiream Motion Flops in Parliament appeared first on Zambia Reports.

MMD President Nevers Mumba says the tension that has been created between the people of Southern Province and the Patriotic Front (PF) Government could have been avoided had President Edgar Lungu demonstrated strong leadership and if all the leaders in the PF genuinely towed the much talked about “One Zambia, One Nation” ideology.

Speaking in Luangwa yesterday during meetings with the MMD party structures, Dr. Mumba said the unfortunate remarks attributed to PF Secretary General Davies Chama were shocking, reckless, provocative and totally misplaced and have absolutely no place in a peaceful and united country like Zambia.

Dr. Mumba said President Lungu failed to correctly address this matter by firmly condemning and disciplining Mr. Chama to give the people of Southern Province confidence that the “One Zambia, One Nation” is not just a cosmetic, convenient and empty slogan for political expediency.

He said the President missed a golden opportunity to show leadership and create confidence in the people of Southern Province and indeed the nation at large that he is sincere in all the pronouncements he has been making against tribalism since he came into power.

The MMD President further said the tension that has followed in Southern Province, culminating in the Tonga Traditional Establishment going to the extent of calling a “Chuundu Chaitwa” is a very dangerous precedent never experienced in the history of Zambia, not even during the tense Cha Cha Cha days at the height of the ANC and UNIP tensions in the early sixties.

Dr. Mumba is disappointment that President Lungu is now committing himself to unrealistic promises to chiefs which could have been avoided had he immediately and appropriately condemned Mr Chama in no uncertain terms, followed up by disciplinary action.

Source: Qfm

The post Avoid UPND, Tonga Debate, urges Nevers Mumba appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) President Edith Nawakwi says it is the PF Government which needs Alangizi and not her.

Nawakwi says she expects women in the PF government to voice out against the misplaced pardoning of convicted child defiler Clifford Dimba alias General Kanene instead of them concentrating on attacking her.

She says the women in government should be in the lead in providing guidance and proposing amendments to laws on Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Nawakwi says it is the PF government which needs Alangizi to teach them that they cannot abuse the prerogative of mercy on characters that are undesirable in society like General Kanene.

She has vowed to continue to providing unhindered checks and balances, stating that the issues she is raising are not insults but fundamental issues such the inability of government to plan, the continued lack of concentration by the head of state on important issues among others.

Nawakwi further states that she is aware that the women in who are attacking her in the PF are doing it because of their current occupation and would not say what they are saying about her ordinarily.

The post PF Needs Alangizi, says Nawakwi appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Kasama Central PF Member of Parliament Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba otherwise known as GBM has lived a political life of controversy. GBM’s obsession to become president of Zambia using his money is quite unimaginable. On several attempts, he has tried to use his wealth to win political patronage with the party structures, but his influence is always limited.

In many cases, his supporters are only interested in his money, and not himself as a political leader. GBM has never risen to the position of secretary general, vice-president and later on president in the two parties he has been a member, except acting as president when fifth president Michael Sata was out of the country. Perhaps, this explains the excitement of joining UPND and the subsequent appointment to the position of vice-president. His interest is the prestige that comes with the position, and not serving the Zambian people.

Interestingly, Fred M’membe has not give GBM any fanfare coverage in his news The Post. M’membe virtually ignored the GBM presser. Why? Is M’membe still bitter with GBM because of their disputes from two years ago and the lawsuit filed against him?

There’s no doubt, M’membe blames GBM for the cartel’s loss of power. Had GBM not taken on Wynter Kabimba in the aggressive manner he did when the cartel was taking advantage of an ailing Michael Sata, President Edgar Lungu would not be in that position today. In fact, Kabimba would be Zambia’s leader.

GBM did everything he could to ensure Kabimba was removed as from government and the party’s powerful position of Secretary General. M’membe knows these details too well. And he must still be nursing those wounds.

Questions abound, so M’membe’s sour grapes with GBM also indicate that he holds a sinister view of HH, who is trying desperately to put himself in the newspaper’s good graces? But, perhaps what HH fails to realize, is that absolutely anybody who receives praise from the Post eventually falls down hard. He can enjoy The Post kudos for now.

In 2006, GBM unsuccessfully contested the Kabwta parliamentary seat under MMD to unseat the incumbent, then Given Lubinda after spending huge sums of money in campaigns. Later, he contested the Kasama seat which won, riding on the popularity of the PF as a party until now that he has resigned.

GBM Political Timeline

• 2006; loses to PF’s Given Lubinda as Kabwata member of parliament under MMD after folking out about K1 million
• 2009; joins PF, contests Kasama seat and wins beating incumbent MMD’s Burton Mugala
• 2009; appointed chairman for elections as Member of Central Committee
• 2011; re-contests the seat and wins
• 2011; appointed defence minister
• 2014; resigns as defence minister over Chitimukulu wrangles
• 2015; supporters UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema during presidential by-elections
• 2015; July, defects from PF to UPND

Falling out of Favour

However, there was a twist that was created early this year after failing out with President Edgar Lungu over the party’s presidential nomination. Since joining PF, GBM always nursed undisclosed intention to become PF president. This led to public spats with then secretary general Wynter Kabimba, whom he regarded as the fiercest rival. These differences even spilt over to the streets and created rival gangs that were armed with dangerous weapons in the pretext of self defence. In fact it was during these factional fights that one of the party members in Lusaka’s Chainda compound was hacked to death with a machete. At that point, late president Michael Sata’s health was deteriorating.

Since Sata’s successor was not clear, GBM and Kabimba started grooming themselves into possible presidential nominees in anticipation of Sata’s death. However, the plan took a sudden turn when GBM differed with Sata over the Chitimukulu chieftaincy and even lost his Cabinet position as defence minister. Within the same period, president Sata also fired Kabimba from cabinet and also removed him as party secretary general. At that time, GBM remained in the party since he was an elected member of parliament and started planning for his comeback as party president. But it was worse for Kabimba who was merely nominated into government and he could not even find the last straw to clutch on.
Political Manouvers

When President Edgar Lungu emerged from obscurity as the party’s leading presidential candidate following the death of president Sata, GBM tried to frustrate the movement that was already spinning in motion but to no avail. At this point, he opted to support opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema instead of his party presidential candidate Lungu. He was hoping to use the differences that the PF had with paramount Chitimukulu of the Bemba people but his influence could not swing the votes in favour of Hichilema. When Hichilema lost the election, GBM went quiet and spent most of his time in South Africa and rarely visited his constituency.

Political Influence

GBM has been a member of parliament for Kasama central for the past six years. During that period, GBM has been known for dishing out money to tax drivers and voters whom he met along the way. Further, having connections with the Chitimukulu, he has family members who support his political career and form part of his political cadres. However, in terms of the general citizenry that reside within Kasama central constituency, his influence has been waning over the years. In the January 2015 elections, UPND was expected to perform better than PF following GBM’s decision. However, UPND was beaten by PF despite having GBM on their side who was then deemed popular than he is now. However, one thing for sure is that GBM has his own supporters. The question is how much impact has he got on the grassroot as an individual?

Money Power

Probably what the UPND has gained is the financial resources. GBM has accumulated personal wealth from his businesses which he has built over the years. That combined with Hakainde’s wealth gives them and extra edge over other political parties. However, money can be influential in an election campaign but it is not everything. PF had demonstrated that proposition when late President Sata contested with then incumbent Rupiah Banda. Banda staged a glamorous campaign which was well funded by friends of the party but Sata who had less resources beat him to the game. Similarly, in the January elections, Hakainde also teamed up with GBM against president Lungu who had an erratic flow of campaign funds after acting president Guy Scott pulled a plug on using government resources. In both instances, those who had more money or resources failed to tilt the balance of power. The question remains as to whether GBM remains a political heavy weight to tilt the balance of power?

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