Updates On The Constitution From Parliament

By Paul Shalala

Today's Vice President's Question Time was the last one in this sitting of parliament which is expected to adjourn sine die on Tuesday next week.

As part of their protest on the constitution, opposition members of parliament sat quietly and none of them asked a single question to Dr Guy Scott during the 30 minutes long Vice President's Question Time.

Ruling Patriotic Front backbenchers seized the opportunity and turned it into a field day in which they took turns asking questions to Dr Scott.

The opposition members of parliament including independent Lubanshenshi member of parliament Patrick Mucheleka, all sat and kept quiet during the 30 minutes for the Vice President's Question Time.

Dr Scott said holding a referendum in older to adopt the new constitution will be more difficulty and less manageable than holding a general election.

He said in a referendum, the country is supposed to ensure that atleast two thirds of the population vote in the referendum to make the document legitimate.

The Vice President says this is as opposed to a general election where only registered voters are allowed to cast their ballots in an election.

Dr Scott has also assured the nation that government will not allow any sectors of society to hijack the constitution making process.

He said the ruling Patriotic Front has enough numbers in parliament to ensure that the new constitution is enacted in an orderly manner.

The Vice President said this in response to several questions posed by Patriotic Front backbenchers who posed several questions on the constitution.

Meanwhile, Dr Scott has revealed that Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba has been cleared by the Judge Evans Hamaundu-led tribunal.

Dr Scott says as far as he is aware, Mr Kabimba was cleared of all allegations leveled against him.

The Vice President revealed this in Parliament this morning in response to Lupososhi member of parliament Bwalya Chungu who wanted to know the results of the Judge Hamaundu Tribunal.

Human rights activist Brebner Changala and former Solwezi central member of parliament Lucky Mulusa petitioned Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda to set up a tribunal to probe the Justice Minister.

The two alleged that Mr Kabimba abused his office when he allegedly used a government legal opinion offered to him in his capacity as Minister of Justice by the Solicitor General Musa Mwenye to allegedly pursue a private agenda of the ruling Patriotic Front and subsequently by a private litigant.

Mazabuka Central member of Parliament Garry Nkombo this morning moved a motion to urge government to provide a roadmap for the enactment of the new constitution.

In moving the motion, Mr Nkombo said his move was non confrontational as it was aimed at highlighting the commitment by the Patriotic Front to the constitution.

He said with the completion of the work by the Technical Committee on Drafting the Republican Constitution, there was need for government to guide the nation on the way forward.

The motion was seconded by Chembe member of parliament Mwansa Mbulakulima who said the new constitution must be able to improve governance in the country.

Meanwhile, opposition members of parliament who earlier this week avoided asking questions for oral answers, today resumed their normal duties.

UPND Mwinilunga member of parliament Stephen Katuka and his Solwezi West MMD counterpart Humphrey Mwanza today posed their questions.

UPND Katuba member of parliament Jonas Shakafuswa and his Kabompo West counterpart Ambrose Lufuma also asked follow up questions.

And contributing to the debate, Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba said government had a clear roadmap which will deliver a people driven constitution.

Mr Kabimba's sentiments were echoed by Lupososhi member of parliament Bwalya Chungu who said all lawmakers must partner with government to produce a people driven constitution.

However, Mr Chungu could not finish debating the motion as parliament was adjourned at 12:55.

The Lupososhi lawmaker is expected to wind up his debate on Tuesday before the house votes whether to adopt or reject the motion.

Shakafuswa Makes Triumphant Entry Into Parliament

By Paul Shalala in Katuba

After a three year absence from parliament, Jonas Shakafuswa is back at Manda Hill.

Following his loss to the late MMD area member of parliament Dr Patrick Chikusu in 2011, Mr Shakafuswa stayed out of parliament as a UPND member.

But at around 10:15hrs yesterday, Katuba parliamentary by-election Returning Officer Mutambi Mwanamwalye declared him duly elected Katuba member of parliament.

This followed Mr Shakafuswa's perfomance in Tuesday's Katuba by-election in which he beat 6 other candidates and emmerged victorious with 4, 787 votes.

After being declared victorious, Mr Shakafuswa said he was happy to have the privilege to represent Katuba in parliament again.


He said he was ready to work with 'useless MPs' and push development further.


As parliament resumed its usual sittings yesterday at 14:30hrs, Mr Shakfuswa majestically walked into parliament and took oath before the Speaker.


Mr Shakafuswa also took part in the protest by MPs inside parliament after Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba issued a ministerial statement on the constitution making process.

Earlier, there was confusion at the totalling center when a Zambia Airforce helicopter which went to the last remaining results from three remaining polling stations took long.

UPND members led by Kalomo Central member of parliament Request Muntanga, who was also UPND Katuba campaign manager, exchanged words with Electoral Commission of Zambia officers as to why the helicopter was delaying to bring the results.


At 06:00hrs on Wednesday, the helicopter took off from Moomba Catholic Parish Hall (which was the totalling center) and flew to Mboshya, Namayani and kananzhiba which are not accessible by road.

After a 2 hour long wait, the camouflaged military helicopter appeared from the sky and delivered the results at the totalling center much to the excitement of the jubilating UPND cadres.

Results for the losing candidates include PF candidate Moses Chilando who got 2, 747 votes followed by MMD's Cecil Holmes who got 734 votes.

NAREP candidate Joseph Mushalika polled 566 votes, Alliance for a Better Zambia candidate Patricia Mwashingwele polled 393 votes and UNIP candidate Friday Malawo got 124 votes.

National Revolution Party candidate Shakespeare Mwakamui trailed them all with a paltry 23 votes.

His party President Cozmo Mumba has since announced that he will petition the Katuba election results because his party sympathisers did not show up at polling stations due to intimidation.

Mr Mumba, who last month threatened to resign if his candidate loses in Katuba, says he will update the nation on his resignation on Saturday.

Violence Characterises Katuba By-Election

By Paul Shalala in Katuba

Voting in the Katuba parliamentary by-election in Chibombo District, Central Province this morning started with an impressive turn out of voters.

Long queues of voters were formed at various polling stations along the Lusaka-Kabwe road.

Voters started queuing up outside polling stations as early as 05:30hrs this morning.

Even old people could be seen walking slowly to their respective polling stations to cast their ballots.

But as the day progressed, the number of people on the queues kept reducing.

At Muwanjuni Polling Station, which is the largest Poling Station in Katuba, three long queues of voters were formed by 06:00hrs when Presiding Officer Edward Phiri declared voting open.

Muwanjuni has 2, 085 registered voters and it is one of the areas in Katuba where major political parties spent most of their time campaigning.

At Shifwankula Polling Station, over a hundred voters had already cast their ballots by 09:00hrs this morning as dozens more were still lining up outside the Polling Station to vote.

By 08:50hours this morning, 92 people had already voted at Kayosha Polling Station which has 900 registered voters.

Some of the seven candidates vying for the Katuba by-election this morning voted in their respective polling stations.

National Revolution Party candidate Shakespeare Mwakamui cast his ballot at Kayosha Polling Station in the company of his campaign manager.

Alliance for a Better Zambia candidate Patricia Mwashingwele also went to Kayosha Polling Station to vote but she was turned away as she did not carry her voters card.

After half an hour of waiting, journalists called Ms Mwashingwele to find out if she would come back and vote but she said she could not find the card.

MMD candidate Cecil Holmes was not eligible to vote in Katuba as he is a registered voter in the neighbouring Chisamba Constituency where he once served as area member of parliament.

UPND candidate Jonas Shakafuswa voted at Northpark Polling Station near Kabangwe Police Station.

After voting, Mr Shakafuswa was briefed that Northern Province Minister Freedom Sikazwe had harassed her daughter Louise.

According to Louise, the Minister accused her of dishing out money to voters and he immediately searched her and found no money on her. 

Mr Shakafuswa later drove to Kabangwe Police Post with her daughter where the issue was reported to the Police.

Both at the Polling Station and at the Police Post, Mr Shakafuswa showered insults on Mr Sikazwe.

But Patriotic Front Deputy Secretary General Bridget Atanga said UPND cadres are the ones who harassed Mr Sikazwe at Northpark Polling Station.

She alleged that UPND cadres had invaded Mungule road and harassed anyone who was seen to be sympathising with the Patriotic Front.

Meanwhile, two PF cadres who have been allegedly beaten by UPND supporters have surfaced.

The two, Paul Mwamba and Joseph Chama where allegedly beaten in Muchenje ward of Katuba constituency.

Paul has suffered deep cuts on his face, lips and eyes while Joseph has loose teeth and internal injuries.

The cadres told me that they were blocked by UPND cadres on a gravel road and dragged from their vehicle and beaten with stones, sticks and iron bars.

 Meanwhile, Police at Kabangwe Police Post have arrested a man for allegedly assaulting the two Patriotic Front cadres.

Central Province Police Commissioner Standwell Lungu, who is coordinating the security operation in Katuba, says the Police are holding the man to help with investigations into the case.

Mr Lungu says a docket has been opened and the suspect will be charged with unlawful wounding.

The Police Commissioner has also disclosed that a second docket has been opened in the case involving UPND Katuba parliamentary candidate Jonas Shakafuswa's daughter Louise who was allegedly harrased by Northern Province Minister Freedom Sikazwe this morning.

Meanwhile, voting has closed in Katuba constituency at exactly 18:00hrs.

Counting has commenced in all the 32 Polling Stations across Katuba.

Votes from each Polling Station will be sent to the totalling centrer at Moomba Catholic Parish Hall.

Official results and the declaration of the winner is expected tomorrow as some polling stations are not likely to send their results in the night.

This is because some polling stations are not accessible by road as they are only served by helicopters from the Zambia Airforce (ZAF).

ZAF helicopters are expected to bring results from those inaccessible areas tomorrow morning.

Zambian Invented Cooker Interests AU Chief

By Paul Shalala in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

A recent invention of a Zambian energy efficient cooker has attracted the attention of African Union Commission Deputy Chairman Erastus Mwencha who has praised it for its potential to help the poor.

A Lusaka based company Viatalite Zambia has invented a cooker which can boil beans and other food stuffs without necessarily being placed on fire or on a stove.

The cooker which is called ECOSAC, is made of Chitenge materials made in Zambia which are sown together and can boil beans until its ride.

Mr Mwencha was introduced to the product this morning when he toured exhibition stands where energy efficient products made by African and European companies are being showcased.

The AU chief said he was impressed by the invention saying such efforts should be able to help Africans move out of poverty.

This was on the sidelines of the Second High Level Summit of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership which is taking place at the AfricanUnion Headquarters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

And the inventor of the product John Fay says he hopes to make more of the product and help rural Zambians who have no access to electricity so that they can use the ECOSAC to cook food.

He says the first consignment of the products will hit the Zambian market at the cost of 80 kwacha in a month's time.

Mr FAY says the product has also been piloted in Senegal where it has been heavily embressed.

Vitalite Zambia is registered with the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) whose energy efficient products have since been approved by the Ministry of Lands, Environment and Natural Resources.

African Union Prioritises Zambia's Energy Projects

By Paul Shalala in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The African Union has prioritised the Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya interconnector power project and the Batoka Gorge Power Project in Southern Province as way of reducing poverty in the three respective countries.

The continental body, says it has prioritised this interconnector because it has potential to lift millions of citizens from abject poverty and contribute to economic development.

According to the Africa-European Union Energy Partnership Status Report, the Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya interconnector is among the six international power projects in Africa which the Africa Union wants to fund with the help of external partners to increase energy access in Africa.

The report was released this morning by Cross Border Information Chairman Jon Marks who compiled the report over a two year period on behalf of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership Secretariat based in Germany.

This was during the official opening of the Second High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy partnership at the African Union Headquarters.

The Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya interconnector project is under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa -PIDA which is being spearheaded by the African Union, the New Partnership for Africa's Development -NEPAD and the African Development Bank -ADB.

Meanwhile, the report has also revealed that the Batoka Gorge Power project in Southern Province has been put on priority together with the 120 megawatts Itezhi-Tezhi Power project in Central Province which was last year funded by the European Investment Bank to the tune of 50 million Euros through the ADB.

And Director of Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union Commission Aboubakari Moussa says the continental body wants to ensure that the six priority prioritised projects under the PIDA project increase access to energy among African countries.

Speaking at a press briefing on the sidelines of the on-going Second High Level Meeting of the Africa EU Energy partnership in Ethiopia, Mr Moussa said Africa has huge energy potential which needs to be efficiently tapped.

And European Union Deputy Director for Development and Corporation Klaus Rudischhauser has revealed that the EU will this week announce an increase to its money allocated towards increasing access to energy in Africa.

Mr Rudischhauser says since the Africa-EU Energy partnership was formed seven years ago, the European Union has been keen to help Africa increase its distribution of energy to its citizens and contribute to poverty reduction.

Zambia Police Service Warns, Cautions Opposition Leader Over Militia Remark

By Paul Shalala

There was confusion at Woodlands Police station in Lusaka this morning when opposition UPND president Hakainde Hichilema appeared for interviews.

Mr Hichilema who arrived at 09:53hrs together with his lawyers and senior party officials, failed to enter the Police station.

As the opposition leader made his way inside the Police station, hundreds of UPND cadres broke the Police cordon and tried to go in with their leader.

Police in riot gear dispersed the cadres forcing Mr Hichilema's security team to whisk him away as Police officers beat whoever was near the Police station.

Prime TV reporter Kalan Muchima sustained a cut on his fingers while UPND Chikankata member of parliament Munji Haabenzu was picked up and roughed up by police but was later released.

Mr Habeenzu described his harassment as barbaric and unprofessional.

About two hours after he was whisked away, Mr Hichilema reappeared at Woodlands Police Station at around 11:13hrs and went to the enquiries office.

Initially, Mr Hichilema refused to be ushered into the interviewing room citing security reasons.

After 20 minutes of heated negotiations, Mr Hichilema was ushered into the interviewing room were a warn and caution statement was recorded.

Zambia Police Spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda said Police officers had recorded a warn and caution statement from the opposition following his recent statement that the ruling Patriotic Front had sent militias to Kasama to harass opposition ABZ President Fr Frank Bwalya.

Close to an hour after he entered the interview room, Mr Hichilema emerged with his lawyer Sakwiba Sikota who described the whole episode as politically motivated.

Mr Hichillema was hesitant to comment as he issued brief remarks agreeing with his lawyer's sentiments.

Police have released Mr Hichilema without charge as investigations into his matter continue.

40% Of Itezhi-Tezhi Power Station Completed

By Paul Shalala in Itezhi-Tezhi

Construction of the Itezhi-Tezhi Power Station is said to be moving at an impressive pace.

The US$250 million project is being implemented by the Chinese firm Sino hydro.

The project involves the construction of two generators which are worth 120 mega watts of electricity that will be added to the national grid.

350 Zambians have been employed alongside 100 Chinese who are working at the construction site.

Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda was on 18 December, 2013 was in Itezhi-Tezhi District to inspect the works.

Mr Chikwanda was told that 40 percent of the works were already done.

However, Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation Technical Manager Kelvin Kamwale expressed concern at the way funding is being disbursed by the four banks funding the project.

But Mr Chikwanda assured Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation that all financers have assured him that funding is safe and will be disbursed smoothly.

All equipment for the project are on site and parts of the components for the two generators have already already arrived in the country.

Sino hydro is expected to complete the construction and installation of the two generators by mid 2015.

The hand over of the project is expected to take place in October 2015 when the one hundred and twenty mega watts will be added to the national grid.


Currently, Zambia faces an energy deficit and huge parts of the country face loadshedding.


The addition of the 120 mega watts of electricity once the Itezhi-Tezhi Power project is completed, is expected to ease the country's energy crisis.

Zambia Gets US$38M Climate Change Loan From ADB

By Paul Shalala in Choma

Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda was ton Wednesday in Itezhi-Tezhi and Choma Districts to sign a gloan agreement with the African Development Bank on Climate Change.

Mr Chikwanda, who landed in Itezhi-Tezhi on Wednesday morning, held a meeting with stakeholders at the Itezhi Tezhi District Council Chamber.

He was briefed by the stakeholders that phase two of the Zambia Strengthening Climate Change Resilience Project will greatly benefit the people in the three provinces where it will be implemented.

Some of the stakeholders who welcomed the climate change project were the Zambia Worldlife Authority, the Road Development Agency and the District Administration.

Mr Chikwanda told the meeting that the Project is part of government's resolve to better people's lives.

Later, the Minister flew to Choma for the actual signing ceremony.

Mr Chikwanda and African Development Bank Resident Representative Dr Freddie Kwesiga signed the US$38 million loan.

The five year project is expected to implement community led initiatives that will benefit over 800 rural farmers in nine districts of Central, Southern and Lusaka Provinces.

The project will mainly focus on the Kafue Sub-Basin but it will be extended to as far places as Chibombo, Mumbwa and Choma.

Over 127 kilometers of roads are also expected to be constructed to help farmers transport their goods to nearby markets.

40% Works Done At Itezhi-Tezhi Power Station

By Paul Shalala in Itezhi-Tezhi

Construction of the Itezhi-Tezhi Power Station is moving at an impressive pace.

The US$ 250 million project is being implemented by the Chinese firm Sino hydro.

The project involves the construction of two generators which are worth 60 mega watts of electricity that will be added to the national grid.

350 Zambians have been employed alongside 100 Chinese who are working at the construction site.

Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda was on Wednesday in Itezhi-Tezhi District to inspect the works.

Mr Chikwanda was told that 40% of the works were already done.

However, Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation Technical Manager Kelvin Kamwale expressed concern at the way funding is being disbursed.

But Mr Chikwanda assured Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation that all financers have assured him that funding is safe.

All equipment for the project are on site and parts of the components for the two generators have already arrived on site.

Sinohydro is expected to complete the construction and installation of the two generators by mid 2015.

The hand over of the project is expected to take place in October 2015 when the 120 mega watts will be added to the national grid.

Zambia Moves Five Places On Global Corruption Index

 By Paul Shalala

For the fifth consecutive year, Zambia's international rankings on corruption have kept improving.

This status quo is being necessitated by various anti-corruption strategies and programs being implemented by various stakeholders.

The latest Corruption Perception Index has yet again revealed the progress Zambia is making in fighting graft.

The 2013 Index released on 3rd December, 2013 by Transparency International shows that Zambia has moved 5 places on global rankings from 88th in the world to 83.

This follows the gain by 1 point from 37 in 2012 to 38 points this year.

Transparency International Zambia Chapter President Lee Habasonda says the latest rankings are an indication that government has more work to do.

And Chief Government Spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya has described the results of the 2013 Corruption Perception Index as an indication that government's anti-corruption fight is succeeding.

177 countries worldwide were assessed for the CPI and more than two thirds of them failed to score above 50 on a scale of 100.

Overall, the index reveals that abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery continue to ravage societies around the world.

New Zealand and Denmark are this year ranked number one while Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia are the worst corrupt nations on number 175.

Botswana is Africa's best ranked nation on the Corruption Perception Index at number 30 while Zambia is ranked 13th in Africa.

Parliamentary Committee Grills Councils Over Financial Irregularities

By Paul Shalala

Fwanyanga Mulikita Committee room at Parliament buildings in Lusaka is a famous venue where controlling officers account for the misuse of public funds.

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) holds regular meetings in this room to question permanent secretaries, witnesses and other government officials on how they spend public funds.

This rooms is usually a quiet place but sometimes its full of humor and laughter.

MMD Chipangali MP Vincent Mwale is the committee’s chairman and he usually talks tough about financial irregularities.

On Wednesday, Blackberries were a big issue here.

Having spent K12, 500 000 on five undelivered black berries for senior council officers, the Serenje District Council was on the defence over the matter.

It was discovered that the council paid an individual and not a company to supply the phones and the purpoted supplier fail sick and never delivered the products.

Members of parliament who included UPND Choma Central MP Cornelius Mweetwa and his MMD Mafinga counterpart Catherine Namugala had too many concerns over the purchase of the Blackberries.

Later that day, it was the turn of Mwinilunga District Council to defend its payment of K746, 000 to a company which did not exist.

The company, Buildtech Contractors was paid in advance to do works at the Civic Center but it has been discovered that the company does not exist and its owners are on the run

The case has since been taken to court.

The matter got more interesting when Solwezi District Council Treasurer Anthony Sinkala revealed that awarding of the contract was influenced by politicians and all officials who handled the matter have since died.

He added that people in Mwinilunga are fearing to act on the matter because who ever tries to deal with it dies.

Since last week, various District Councils are appearing before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee.

Local Government Permanent Secretary Reverend Howard Sikwela is appearing before the committee the whole week.

The Committee is seeking clarification on irregularities raised in the 2010-2011 Auditor General's report on grants.