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11/12/2023

New 'Umodzi Kumawa' unpacked
It is a significant development that there has emerged a group of politicians, prominent or not, who have revived and grouped themselves under the banner 'Umodzi Kumawa'.
We say revived because it has a historical parallel with that which shook First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda's government when the slogan was employed effectively to defeat Simon Kapwepwe and hand the Vice Presidency of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) to Reuben Kamanga.
The key questions today are, what really is this group about? Why has this slogan 'Umodzi Kumawa' arisen once more? Can this group be as effective in achieving its goals, as the parent movement was in installing Kamanga as Vice President, a position that many at that time believed was a shoo in for Simon Kapwepwe?
Though not cogently expressed in the social media post on which the newspaper story has been based, there is a clear thread suggesting some discontent among people in Eastern Province regarding the paltry rewards shared by the United Party for National Development (UPND) government, for what the Easterners perceive as having delivered the vote that helped put Hakainde Hichilema in office.
According to the thinking of this group, in the two years the UPND government has been in office, the sharing of development spoils, government policies and programmes, has leaned heavily in favour of Southern, Western, and North- Western provinces, and they have risen as a group to help address the development deficit in Eastern, built up by the neglect of successive governments
The group can, thus find easy justification for its emergence. Even in terms of infrastructure, Great East Road up to Luangwa, and Chipata - Lundazi roads have remained a symbol this apparent disfavour. It will not have been forgotten that Infrastructure and Housing Minister Charles Milupi had actually let out that Great East Road was, in relative terms, not an economically viable road.
Add to this what seems to be the dismissive handling of complaints by hundreds of rural communities whose livelihoods have been disrupted for four consecutive years, first by the COVID 19 pandemic, and later by what members of parliament Davison Mung'andu and Munir Zulu termed scandalous management of the safari hunting sector by the Ministry of Tourism and Arts. Although this mismanagement has impacted other provinces where safari hunting takes place, Eastern Province hosts the majority of Community Resource Boards (CRBs) who have cried out for government attention over the past two years.
In short, it appears many people in Eastern Province feel the prospects for economic development in their area have grown increasingly bleak owing to neglect by successive governments. They had finally put their hopes in the new government in August 2021, but now perceive that the province is suffering marginalisation.
Feelings and perceptions of marginalisation should not be dismissed in an offhand manner. There are lessons about consequences of cursory attitude by authorities which we can learn from biblical times. The Kingdom of popular King David split into two parts, Israel and Judah because the former felt marginalised (Read IISamuel 19: 41 - 43, and IISamuel 20: 1).
Well, that may be their case. But does this banner of 'Umodzi Kumawa' still have potency? Although one member of the group, who volunteered a comment, has denied that this is a political formation, the prominence of politicians among the names circulated suggests it could easily be converted into one. If that is so, there is no shame in admitting this fact at the very outset.
Which leaves only the question of how effective the 'New Umodzi Kumawa' movement and slogan will be in achieving the group's goals, which we hope they will come out and articulate. Only then will we be able to say whether it is a credible movement or not.
On the side of the government, however, if we see Graphel Musamba's police blocking the group from holding their first meeting, it will be clear 'Umodzi Kumawa' has been designated a political formation, will be viewed as a political threat, and dealt with as such.
ends

11/12/2023
Uganda's and Tanzania's US$6 billion oil production and 1,443-kilometre pipeline scheme is in danger of becoming a symbo...
11/12/2023

Uganda's and Tanzania's US$6 billion oil production and 1,443-kilometre pipeline scheme is in danger of becoming a symbol of the fossil fuel industry's last gasp in Africa.

Delayed for over a decade due to President Yoweri Museveni's fruitless search for investors to put up a refinery, the project is now meeting with the full force of its environmentalist opponents.

The World Bank says it breaks its guidelines and commercial banks, such as Standard in South Africa, are chary about a substantial financing role.

China is more willing but it too is conscious of the politics around big oil deals – despite the UN Climate summit being hosted by an expansionist oil power in Dubai.

Museveni's political tactics – forceful repression of environmentalist dissidents – are adding to the plan's reputational problems.

THE GASSING FIASCO: CAN HICHILEMA TELL US THE TRUTH? The recent acquittal of former president Edgar Lungu’s political ad...
11/12/2023

THE GASSING FIASCO: CAN HICHILEMA TELL US THE TRUTH?
The recent acquittal of former president Edgar Lungu’s political adviser, Dr Chris Zumani Zimba, and three others by the Lusaka High Court confirms Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s dictatorship and abuse of the criminal justice system.
On April 29, 2023, Dr Zimba and his co- accused were taken into custody, and a few days later, harshest charges were prescribed against them. Their evil tormentors had no shame but to lamp them with terrorism charges.
They were kept in custody until December 1, 2023, when Lusaka High Court judge Koreen Mwenda rubbished the charges brought before the court at the insistence of Mr Hichilema’s little evil men.
The court’s verdict and the subsequent release of Dr Zimba and his co-accused exposed the lengths to which Mr Hichilema and his corrupt puppet regime will go to destroy their own citizens’ lives through the abuse of the criminal justice system. Is this part of the persecution of political opponents Mr Hichilema promised during the last official opening of the National Assembly?
Clearly, when it comes to exterminating critical voices and protecting their own political and business interests, Mr Hichilema and his corrupt evil league are people without conscience, empathy, and compassion. They’re cold-hearted people who don’t care about their fellow human beings.
We said it then, and we are saying it now: there was absolutely no need to torture innocent citizens of this country in this manner. This whole exercise was unnecessary, and it was not appropriate for the government to proceed against it’s own citizens in this manner.
Young families were totally grounded to a halt. Deprived of breadwinners and fathers for a period exceeding seven months as Mr Hichilema’s little evil men threw a party!
Right from the inception of this case, it was very clear that the decision to arrest Dr Zimba and the three others was carried out in bad faith with the intent to harm and destroy innocent people and families. A total abuse of the criminal justice system.
As expected, in the final analysis, it was the innocent prosecutors who bore the burden of proving frivolous and vexatious charges. And anyone who cares about truth knows that those young men had nothing to do with any charge brought against them. Their only offence was their allegiance to a group of politicians or individuals, Mr Hichilema and his corrupt puppet regime hate so much.
The gassing case fiasco, which was before the court, demonstrates Mr Hichilema’s appetite for tyranny and total abuse of the criminal justice system.
Sadly, cases such as this one are being used to put pressure on the judiciary to make decisions that are supportive of the regime’s evil decisions and actions, and this tendency, if not checked will have negative effects and erode public confidence in the criminal justice system.
Nonetheless, we applaud judicial officers who are committed to protecting and safeguarding their integrity and dignity as well as protecting public interest.
The evil and indignity that led to the persecution of Dr Zimba and his co-accused must not be allowed to flourish in this country because it will lead to a chaotic, unjust, immoral and inhumane society. This is how countries get destroyed, and we need to stop this cruelty and madness!
That said, we ask a question: with Dr Zimba and his co-accused acquitted in the gassing fiasco, who then was gassing people? Can Mr Hichilema and this regime tell the nation the truth?
Fred M’membe
President of the Socialist Party

Wishing you all Merry Xmas
09/12/2023

Wishing you all Merry Xmas

SPEAKER ALREADY RULED, SHE CAN'T INTERPRET ARTICLE 72(5) ON EXPULSION OF MPS, SAYS CHRISTOPHER KANG'OMBE "Clarification ...
09/12/2023

SPEAKER ALREADY RULED, SHE CAN'T INTERPRET ARTICLE 72(5) ON EXPULSION OF MPS, SAYS CHRISTOPHER KANG'OMBE
"Clarification : ignore purported expulsion of MPs.
Compliments of the season to everyone reading this. Hope this text finds you in good health.
May i use this opportunity to clarify that unlike in the past, be guided that now, the speaker of the national assembly cannot declare any parliamentary seat vacant.
In the speakers ruling of 01.11.2023, it was stated that interpretation of article 72( 5) of the Republican Constitution which deals with vacancy in the parliamentary seat, can only be done by the Courts of law( refer to the 2019 case of kambwili vs. Attorney General) .
In short this afternoon I return to parliament to continue discharging my duties as MP for kamfinsa Constituency with other lawmakers."
Christopher Kang'ombe
Kamfinsa MP

ZICTA cracks whip on Airtel Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has directed Airtel to co...
09/12/2023

ZICTA cracks whip on Airtel
Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has directed Airtel to compensate 'all its subscribers' following recent network outages.
"The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), is deeply concerned with the recent intermittent network and service outages on Airtel network," a statement released by the authority on Friday afternoon read.
"To this effect, the Authority has directed Airtel Networks Zambia Plc to compensate all subscribers in line with the approved compensation policy within five (5) days from today December 8, 2023."

Miss Earth in Vietnam: K***a Mwamulima to represent Zambia at world pageantMiss Earth Zambia K***a Mwamulima is in Vietn...
09/12/2023

Miss Earth in Vietnam: K***a Mwamulima to represent Zambia at world pageant
Miss Earth Zambia K***a Mwamulima is in Vietnam to represent the country at the Miss Earth Zambia pageant, which is expected to conclude on December 22 in Ho Chi Minh City.
K***a, who is also Top Model Of The World Zambia 2023 and former Miss University Africa 2021 and Miss Culture Zambia 2020, is fresh from writing her final examination.
She was a student at Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, where she was pursuing a diploma in registered nursing. K***a, who advocates eco-farming, which is an agricultural system that uses organic fertiliser, and places emphasis on techniques such as crop rotation, will be hoping to replace Miss Earth 2022 Mina Sue Choi, of South Korea, at the end of the pageant in Vietnam.

Lungu’s return has worsened things in PF – ChamaSuspended Patriotic Front (PF) national chairperson Davies Chama says th...
09/12/2023

Lungu’s return has worsened things in PF – Chama
Suspended Patriotic Front (PF) national chairperson Davies Chama says the return of former President Edgar Lungu to active politics has worsened the leadership crisis in the former ruling party.
Mr Chama said this is because PF members who hate him with a passion have also hardened their positions not to dialogue.
“Yes, the former President came [back] on the 28th October and it’s more than a month now, is he resolving the issues in PF? Is it within his powers? The answer is no,” the former PF secretary-general said.
“So, has it helped for him to come back? From where I stand, it has not helped and if anything, it has worsened the situation because people now have even hardened their positions because of his comeback. Because now, those people who don’t like him with a passion, they hardened their positions because they don’t want him.”
Mr Chama said PF leaders are stubborn and only Gods knows the future of the former ruling party because it will be stuck waiting for the outcomes of the so many court cases.

Fake lawyer in courtAn estate agent has been taken to court for allegedly masquerading as a lawyer and using the fake id...
09/12/2023

Fake lawyer in court
An estate agent has been taken to court for allegedly masquerading as a lawyer and using the fake identity to acquire a certificate of title, which he used to fraudulently obtain US$55,000 from a land buyer.
Penias Sakala, who worked alongside two others to commit the alleged crime, is charged with personation, forgery, uttering a false document and obtaining money by false pretences.
The other accused are Frederick Chanda, 38, and Emmanuel Phiri, 40, a business executive and accountant, respectively.
It is alleged that between August 10, 2021 and August 18 this year, Sakala falsely presented himself as a legal practitioner to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, where he applied for a duplicate certificate of title number 252189 sub-division number 26 of farm 4300, purporting to act on behalf of Saima Saleem.
Secondly, it is alleged Sakala, Kangwa and Phiri jointly forged certificate of title 252189 sub division number 26 of farm 4300.
The trio purported to show that the certificate was genuinely issued by the Ministry of Lands, when in fact not.
In is further alleged in the third count that Sakala uttered the alleged forged certificate of title to a Ministry of Lands official.
Lastly, it is alleged that the trio jointly obtained US$55,000 from Borus Manda by falsely pretending that they had a plot for sale.

Goliath Tigerfish - The Most Dᴀɴɢᴇʀᴏᴜs Fish Of Freshwater, With 32 Dagger-Like Teeth
09/12/2023

Goliath Tigerfish - The Most Dᴀɴɢᴇʀᴏᴜs Fish Of Freshwater, With 32 Dagger-Like Teeth

09/12/2023

The foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger proposed the formation of a confederation during a meeting in Bamako, Mali. This initiative, discussed after the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States in September, signifies a step towards breaking colonial boundaries and fostering regional cooperation. This move is essential for Africa's development and could be seen as progress towards the realization of the United States of Africa.
You can support the United States of Africa movement through subscription on Patreon:

09/12/2023

Pele retired at 37
Maradona retired at 37
Ronaldo Nazario retired at 35
Zidane retired at 34
Messi has 1 goal in MLS at 36
38 year old Cristiano Ronaldo is only 1 goal away from 50 Goals in 2023 🤯

Zimbabwe and Botswana are collaborating on a bilateral agreement to eliminate visa requirements for their respective cit...
09/12/2023

Zimbabwe and Botswana are collaborating on a bilateral agreement to eliminate visa requirements for their respective citizens. This move aligns with the increasing trend among African nations to relax entry restrictions for visitors from within the continent.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso plan to set up a confederation. They are considering creating a stabilisation fund, a bank ...
09/12/2023

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso plan to set up a confederation. They are considering creating a stabilisation fund, a bank and a committee to study the economic and monetary union.
It would be the only confederation in the world.

Three bodies spotted, 1 retrievedOne more body has been retrieved in the ongoing operation to rescue miners that were tr...
09/12/2023

Three bodies spotted, 1 retrieved
One more body has been retrieved in the ongoing operation to rescue miners that were trapped in tunnels at Senseli mine in Chingola.
Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo announced during a briefing in Chingola last evening that the body was retrieved around 18:00 hours.
He said rescuers saw three exposed bodies in the tunnel in question but only managed to pull out one.
“The official update for the nation is that about they [rescuers] pulled out one body from the same site that the President visited,” Mr Matambo said.
“The same tunnel had three bodies that were exposed but only one was pulled out...the other two will be pulled out [in due course].”
Mr Matambo said rescuers were struggling to remove the two other bodies seen in the tunnel because the ground is soft. “They are trying to prevent damage to the bodies,” he said.
Mr Matambo said the site where the latest body was pulled out from is the same one where two other bodies and a survivor were found.
This means that the total number of those pulled out stands at four, three of them dead bodies. Mr Matambo said the survivor, Mwasha Kakoma, 49, who was rescued on Tuesday, is out of danger.

09/12/2023

Let's defend Our Constitution
Zambia is Bigger Than Mr Hakainde Hichilema.
Let us not deceive ourselves that what is happening in the PF is about the PF, it's not about Miles Sampa - It's about Hakainde Hichilema. And he shouldn't be allowed to do as he wish, he will destroy this country.
Fred M’membe
President of Socialist Party

IMIGALATO WILL TAKE THEM NOWHERE Mr Hakainde Hichilema  wants to reduce the numbers of PF MP´s so that he can achieve a ...
09/12/2023

IMIGALATO WILL TAKE THEM NOWHERE
Mr Hakainde Hichilema wants to reduce the numbers of PF MP´s so that he can achieve a two thirds majority in parliament, which he failed to get during a normal election in august 2021.
Mr Miles Sampa has no capacity to cause the confusion in the PF, expelling members and causing all sorts of mayhem without the support of Hichilema.
If he is allowed to reduce the number of MP´s from the opposition, Mr Hichilema will then scrap the 50+ 1 in favour of a simple majority to avoid an election rerun. He will also scrap the running mate so that he can have his own vice President but most of all he wants to extend his office life as President from the current five years to 7 years while turning Zambia into a single party state.
Even if we differed in the past, or we had accused each other of witchcraft lets put all that behind and fight to safeguard our democracy and our constitution. Zambia is much bigger than Mr Hichilema lets fight for whats right.
Dr Fred M'membe
President of Socialist Party

US$100, 000 deposited in my account not a proceed of crime, Lubinda tells courtPATRIOTIC front (PF) acting vice presiden...
09/12/2023

US$100, 000 deposited in my account not a proceed of crime, Lubinda tells court
PATRIOTIC front (PF) acting vice president, Given Lubinda has told the Economic and financial crimes court that the US$100, 000 which was deposited into his bank account from Qingdao Ruichang Cotton Industrial Company was not a proceed of crime.

POLITICAL SCIENTIST PETITIONS SPEAKER NELLY MUTTI TO REJECT SUSPENSION OF PF MPs BY MILES SAMPAUNZA Political Science Le...
09/12/2023

POLITICAL SCIENTIST PETITIONS SPEAKER NELLY MUTTI TO REJECT SUSPENSION OF PF MPs BY MILES SAMPA

UNZA Political Science Lecturer Alex Ng'oma has petitioned Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti not to accept Patriotic Front-PF faction leader Miles Sampa's expulsion of nine Patriotic Front-PF members of parliament.
The PF faction led by Miles Sampa, ousted nine members of parliament on Wednesday for what it called serious misconduct after they allegedly attended an unauthorized meeting unknown to the party leadership.
Dr. Ng'oma has however branded Mr. Sampa's decision to eject the nine members of parliament as an extension of the country's lawlessness, which he argues should not be condoned.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Dr. Ng'oma stated that parliament should defer any rulings involving the former ruling party until the courts of law have concluded all of its cases especially since the country is watching this matter with keen interest.

ZAMBIA GOING BACK TO STANDARD SIX AND FORM 1● Zambia adjusts education system● Early Childhood  hood Education reduced f...
09/12/2023

ZAMBIA GOING BACK TO STANDARD SIX AND FORM 1
● Zambia adjusts education system
● Early Childhood hood Education reduced from 4 to 3 years.
● Schools grading system to run from Grade 1-6(Primary Education).
● FORM to 1 to Form 3 ( Secondary Education).
● Form 4 to 6 (A Levels).
The Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary , Education Services, Mr Joe Kamoko writes in his preamble:
"Above all, the 2023 Education Curriculum has adjusted the structure of the education system from 4-7-2-3 to 3-6-4-2.
EARLY AND PRIMARY EDUCATION
Early Childhood Education (ECE) has been reduced from 4 to 3 years , while primary education level has also been reduced from 7 to 6 years, with eligible age entry also being reduced from 7 to 6 years.
SECONDARY EDUCATION-FORM 1-FORM 3
The secondary education level has been restructured and increased from 5 to 6 years.
A-LEVELS
This is to accommodate 2 years of A- levels. Thus, learners will be provided with 4 years of ordinary secondary education and 2 years of advanced Secondary ("A" level).
Notably, Forms have replaced Grades at Secondary school level.

Secrets Women Don't Want Men To Know:1.Most women subconsciously seek validation from men to feel good about themselves....
09/12/2023

Secrets Women Don't Want Men To Know:
1.Most women subconsciously seek validation from men to feel good about themselves.
Every girl had a first love whom she gave her entire soul.
2.They know if you're confident or lack confidence through body language.
No matter how mature a girl behaves, she will always try to find a guy who can handle the little kid in her.
3.Women get mad at men for not sharing their feeling but most women won't say what they are truly feeling.
Your natural smell. Women find distinctive smells attractive. The next time she hugs you, she'll smell you too.
4.When a man sweats after some form of sport/exercise.
The sweat on the face is a turn-on for some women. If they like you secretly, they enjoy eye contact. A lot of it.
They lie about their body count. They stalk your social media.
5.Every woman is bisexual. Possible mentallyWomen's public bathrooms are lush havens beyond men's wildest dreams.
6.Women like it when you tease. If we get upset, we love it when we make up for it with kisses rather than an apology. Girls will never admit that they like you.
They just start talking to you every day and start asking if you have eaten.
7.Nothing makes a girl laugh harder than when you copy something they said weirdly.
They just find that thing too funny.
They don't need any solution to their problem when they are sad. They just need a warm console.
8.Just tell them that you are expecting to sleep with them from the beginning itself.
Don't beat around the bush. When they are in love, they smell your clothes.

Suddenly, Patriotic Front leaders acquire craving for matrydomFirst it was former President Edgar Lungu, who declared th...
09/12/2023

Suddenly, Patriotic Front leaders acquire craving for matrydom
First it was former President Edgar Lungu, who declared that he will risk everything, including his own life, to defend what he sees as an assault on Zambia's democracy, and to save the Patriotic Front (PF) from being destroyed.
Two more PF leaders have joined Lungu. One is Chilubi Member of Parliament Mulenga Fube who says he will fight plans by Miles Sampa and his sponsors to weaken the PF "to the last drop of his blood".
Not to be outdone, Stephen Kampyongo, Member of Parliament for Shiwang'andu, and original PF Chief Whip, has also announced that "enough is enough. We are staking our lives in defence of Zambia's hard fought democracy, and in fighting for justice you need to sacrifice everything, including our lives, and let the UPND regime know that their desire to convert Zambia into a one party state shall be resisted with our lives".
Just how staking their blood and lives will bring them victory is still unclear, since the faction of Miles Sampa has so far outfoxed the Edgar Lungu group at every turn.

Tutwa Ngulube's family puts off memorialFAMILY of the late Tutwa Ngulube have announced a last minute postponement of hi...
09/12/2023

Tutwa Ngulube's family puts off memorial
FAMILY of the late Tutwa Ngulube have announced a last minute postponement of his memorial service that was scheduled to take place in Kabwe tomorrow.

09/12/2023

The 28th UN Conference of the Parties Climate Summit – a users' guide 7TH DECEMBER 2023
How to navigate the facts, the figures and the declarations | By Tim Concannon and Jerry Sam in Accra and Caroline Chebet in Nairobi
The UN's COP summits are a marathon – even by the standards of other international summits organised by the UN, the IMF and sundry regional organisations.

This year's summit – COP28 in Dubai – is already an epic in terms of the over 90,000 people that have registered as delegates.

It opened on 30 November and is due to run until at least midnight on 16 December when the hosts, the United Arab Emirates, will release the final communiqué and roster of financial pledges and declarations of policy actions from the nearly 200 nations participating.

This dossier offers a point by point guide to the key issues under discussion – from the debate over the Loss and Damage Fund and the need for a global carbon tax to whether the final declaration will include an agreement to 'phase-down' (as the hydrocarbon economies want) or 'phase out' (as the climate activists want) of fossil fuel production.

Biggest coincidence in World Cup history:   🏆 1978 Mexico World Cup Mario Kempes missed a penalty in the 3rd match and A...
08/12/2023

Biggest coincidence in World Cup history:
🏆 1978 Mexico World Cup Mario Kempes missed a penalty in the 3rd match and Argentina won the World Cup!
🏆 1986 Argentina World Cup Diego Maradona missed a penalty in the 3rd match and Argentina won the World Cup.
🏆 2022 World Cup in Qatar Lionel Messi missed a penalty in the 3rd match and Argentina won the World Cup.

Survivor says he struggled for 5 days to find way outAfter nearly a week since dozens of miners were trapped, one miner ...
07/12/2023

Survivor says he struggled for 5 days to find way out
After nearly a week since dozens of miners were trapped, one miner was pulled alive out of the open-pit mine in Chingola while two dead bodies were retrieved from underneath debris.
The 49-year-old survivor, Mwanshya Kakoma, who was rescued on Tuesday night around 21:30 hours, told rescuers he had been struggling for five days to find a way out of one of the collapsed tunnels at the copper mine.
“I left my clothes, phone, a K200 and sacks [of copper] in the pit. I also left people,” he responded when asked by Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo at Konkola Copper Mines-run Nchanga South Hospital intensive care unit.
Nchanga South Hospital medical superintendent Jules Dikamba described his condition as stable. “He’s in ICU right now and his condition is stable,” Dr Dikamba said.

Dec 1 Statement fails to clarify Lungu's mission Having heard and read the statement by former President Edgar Lungu iss...
07/12/2023

Dec 1 Statement fails to clarify Lungu's mission
Having heard and read the statement by former President Edgar Lungu issued on 1 December, 2023, it seems his major hurdle is still lack of clarity of his mission.
Is it to contest for the republican presidency? If not, what does he intend to achieve?
In his statement, Lungu has thrown around some very catchy phrases, chief of which is what he terms the United Party for National Development UPND) government's 'assault on democracy'.
It sounds very dubious for Lungu to claim that he has been roused from his pretended retirement, to end assault on Zambia's democracy, when his strongest claim to democratic practice was simply exiting office after the 2021 election loss!
It is not helpful that he has not brought any personal perspective to the debate on shrinking democratic space apart from quoting what the Catholic Bishops, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia, Council of Churches in Zambia, Law Association of Zambia, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have observed.
Lungu would therefore be better off sticking to his lane, defining the specific threat faced by his own party, which problems he is clearly the chief instigator.
As for his clarion call to all opposition leaders to join with the Patriotic Front to defend Zambia's democracy, it is both opportunistic on his part, and largely a concidence of want for the other political leaders.
The one thing about which Lungu is well informed is that the apparent destabilisation of the PF will not be an isolated incident, as it has been faced by the Democratic Party(DP) and the National Democratic Party (NDC) before. While in power, Lungu used the levers of state machinery to deny Nevers Mumba smooth takeover of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), and instead worked to prop up a hapless Felix Mutati.
Having intimate knowledge of how such shenanigans are orchestrated, Lungu is therefore well placed to mount a fight to preserve the PF. Leading a fight for preservation of Zambia's democracy, or in defence of the Constitution of Zambia, is too lofty an undertaking for him to claim, even without going into the specifics of his previous record.
Is Lungu believable when he says that this campaign is not about him, but in defence of democracy? Will people have forgotten that his proclaimed retirement from active politics was clouded by his apparent refusal to allow the PF to hold an elective convention to pick a new President?
Perhaps the wisest part of his statement was that "anyone among the opposition leaders can and will become President". But even in this the question is why is this couched in ambiguity?
There are two aspects of former President Lungu's statement which are of serious import, and this is, again, not his original thought or finding.
The first one relates to the apparent participation of State institutions in the Miles Sampa political project. Just as happened to the Nevers Mumba MMD, there appears to be defiance of court processes to favour the Miles Sampa faction of the PF; there have been strange happenings at the office of Registrar of Societies, which have resulted in removal of Chief Registrar Thandiwe Mhende, and the "belated" change of list of office bearers for the PF.
Parliament will answer for its conduct on changes made to House representation made on the strength of letter from one faction of the PF, after a dubious convention which was extraordinary only in the police guard it attracted and the State's swiftness of processing of its outcomes.
"The three arms of government are strangely enjoying a meeting of minds even in the face of mischief and illegalities. The breach of the constitution at parliament is blatant..."
Since most of these matters are already in court, Lungu is right when he says the judiciary is also on trial. And since former President Lungu has said he is ready for anything, and will risk everything, he might start by taking a back seat, and allowing apolitical players to lead the fight to preserve democracy and defend the constitution.
If he insists on imposing himself at the head of this campaign, the ugliness of his political record in office, and acrimonious relations with the ruling party, will cloud this noble drive dangerous partisanship. Lungu's correct place in engaging in the emerging dogfight with Mile Sampa and those supporting his PF coup.
ends

BREAKING NEWS!The Miles Sampa-led PF faction has written to Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti to notify her a...
07/12/2023

BREAKING NEWS!
The Miles Sampa-led PF faction has written to Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti to notify her about the expulsion of nine Members of Parliament for the former ruling part.
The affected lawmakers are Brian Mundubile (Mporokoso), Nickson Chilangwa (Kawambwa), Mutotwe Kafwaya (Lunte), Remember Mutale (Serenje), Ronald Chitotela (Pambashe), Christopher Kang'ombe (Kamfinsa), Stephen Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu), Musonda Mpankata (Lupososhi) and Mulenga Fube (Chilubi).

ZAMBIAN NEUROSURGEON SHINES IN AFRICAZambian medical practitioner Dr. Peter Mushenya  has emerged  as the best and overa...
07/12/2023

ZAMBIAN NEUROSURGEON SHINES IN AFRICA
Zambian medical practitioner Dr. Peter Mushenya has emerged as the best and overall candidate at the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) 2023 graduation in Ethiopia.
Dr. Mushenya is a Neurosurgeon.
He is cheered by the milestone.
"Thank you to all my Teachers and Mentors, Prof Laston Chikoya, Dr Kachinga Sichizya , Dr Humphrey K***a and many others, Thank you to my wife Josephina, my kids Nswana and Kisu, my Mum and Dad, Siblings ,family, friends and colleagues. This victory belongs to all of you," Dr. Mushenya wrote on his page.
"To God almighty be the Glory. College of surgeons for East, Central and Southern Africa," he stated.

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