MUST READ:
Rwandese catholic priest deported from Zambia for criticizing President Sata
25 years down the Road : Is Zambia a true christian nation???
https://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2016/09/25-years-down-road-is-zambia-true.html
Pentecostal churches also refuse to resume public worshiping
https://www.zambiawatchdog.com/pentecostal-churches-also-refuse-to-resume-public-worshiping/
25 April 2020 19:32Bread of Life and Northmead Assembly led by Bishop Joe Imakando and Bishop Joshua Banda respectively have also refused to play Russian roulette on Covid -19 by resuming face to face worship as directed by government.
Russian Roulette is a lethal game of chance in which a player places a single round in a revolver, spins the cylinder, places the muzzle against their head, and pulls the trigger, in the hope that the round does not reach the barrel of the gun and therefore fire.
This is exactly what the PF is doing by opening churches. Thank God the Holly Spirit has intervened and Churches have refused to be purveyors of this deadly disease. Maybe someone wants donor funding by creating a huge crisis.
Related posts:
- Salvation Army, UCZ also refuse to resume public worshiping
- Catholics, SDAs refuse to resume public worship amid Covid-19
- Lungu says churches can resume operating
Salvation Army, UCZ also refuse to resume public worshiping
https://www.zambiawatchdog.com/salvation-army-ucz-also-refuse-to-resume-public-worshiping/
Good evening brethren. Today we received advise from His Excellency the President, Mr EC. Lungu that restrictions have been relaxed, including church services and gathering can commence. A reminder was that all infection prevention measures should be taken into consideration including social distancing. As we wait further guidance from the THQ, we wish to advise that there will be NO face to face church service this sunday, 26th April 2020.
The online church service will continue as usual. We are also looking into logistics on how we can manage the infection prevention measures and social distance in order to minimize the risk of infection. We urge everyone to tune in online service for bith main service at 0945 and sunday school at 1100. The COs will continue with reaching us through morning devotion.
Salvation Army
UCZ SAYS ‘NO’. STAY HOME
NOTICE TO ST.ANDREWS UCZ MEMBERS FROM THE MINISTER’S OFFICE
TAKE DUE NOTICE that the UCZ Synod had issued a Pastoral letter in which they suspended full-scale worship services in UCZ congregations before Government and the mother bodies made the pronouncements.
In view of the standing Synod directive, all our gatherings and sacraments at St.Andrews UCZ Lusaka remain temporarily suspended until further notice.
In this regard, all gatherings at St.Andrews shall be for not more than an hour and for a maximum number of 50 people.
The congregants are encouraged to continue to follow online streaming services as well as attend to the various offering options that have been shared by the Treasury.
Shalom.
Catholics, SDAs refuse to resume public worship amid Covid-19
24 April 2020 19:41
The Catholic Church, through its Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda has directed members not to resume worshipping.
President Edgar Lungu earlier announced that places of Worship can now resume operating.
In the past one week, Zambia has recorded the biggest number of confirmed cases of Covid-19. Just yesterday, two more cases of Covid-19 were recorded as announced by health minister Chitalu Chilufya.
Muslims have donated the biggest chunk of money to government and Ramadan, the biggest event in the Muslim calendar started today.
When Zambia recorded 2 cases of Covid-19, government banned public worshipping. Now that the country has recorded 82 cases and 3 deaths, government has allowed public worshipping.
See statement from SDA below :
TO ALL LUSAKA CENTRAL SDA CHURCH MEMBERS
“Kindly note that *there will be no worship services at the Lusaka Central Church tomorrow Sabbath 25 April, 2020*.
Digital worship services will continue on Hope Channel and our Facebook and YouTube platforms until further notice.
Members are encouraged to continue taking all reasonable measures to avoid contracting COVID19.
Happy Sabbath
NGOs strongly condemn minister Lusambo for beating up people
https://www.zambiawatchdog.com/ngos-strongly-condemn-minister-lusambo-for-beating-up-people/
23 April 2020 18:05The Civil Society Constitution Agenda (CiSCA) strongly condemns the ongoing violations of the rights of citizens by Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo who has given himself a new job of chief enforcer of measures to address COVID 19.
Minister Lusambo’s beating of people is symptomatic of the absence of a human rights culture, bad governance and poor leadership in Zambia. Our human rights are a birth right and no one has the right to take them away from us even for our so called own good or benefit. Our human rights are God given and not bestowed on us by law or even by any political leader no matter how powerful. The law only recognizes rights but it does not confer rights. Therefore, what Minister Lusambo has been doing leading the police in beating up people in public places in order to safeguard our lives is not only a blatant violation of human rights but a ridiculous and dangerous contradiction. Human rights are indivisible, interrelated and interdependent so you can not violate one right in the guise of protecting another right!
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been around since 10th December 1948 and we have a dangerously ignorant minister publicly declaring that he will beat human rights and its defenders using his own law 71 years later! Using one’s law is pure anarchy and delinquent behavior. President Lungu should be ashamed of his appointee Minister Lusambo. This man has a penchant for violence. He beat up Mr. Kambwili on the grounds of the law making house itself instead of debating Mr. Kambwili on the floor of the house as MPs are supposed to do. Now he is going around shamelessly violating article 15 of our Constitution which protects everyone from being subjected to torture, or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other treatment. This right is in our Bill of Rights. It is not only justiciable but also non derogable therefore this right cannot be suspended even in a state of emergency or a war situation. Article 25 of our Constitution lists rights that can be derogated from and article 15 is not one of them! Lusambo’s beating of people is ‘inhuman’ and ‘degrading.’ It is corporal punishment and Judge Chulu in his High Court ruling in the John Banda v the People case of 1999 affirmed that corporal punishment, beating people is a violation of article 15 of our Constitution.
Once again by the action of his Minister Lusambo’s violation of human rights, President Lungu’s reputation and standing at national and international level is brought into disrepute like his pardon of General Kanene, a child sexual molester. Last year, 2019, in its Fourth Periodic Report on the Implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to the UN Human Rights Committee, Zambia reported that the state has no laws that would give an opportunity for destruction of fundamental rights and freedoms recognised in the Covenant and while derogations are recognised by the Zambian Constitution under a state of emergency, such derogations do not affect the right to life, protection from slavery and forced labour, protection from inhuman treatment, contrary to what Minister Lusambo is doing. It would be interesting to note what the Committee’s response to the Minister’s shenanigans in relation to this part of the State party report would be. We ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1984.
President Lungu is also in violation of the Constitution by allowing Minister Lusambo to run wild violating our human rights. Article 91(2) gives the President the executive authority to exercise either directly or by public officers he appoints. He appointed Minister Lusambo so how Lusambo exercises his authority is a reflection of the President himself. In fact, Lusambo has stated that he reports to the President and not to anybody else. Further, under the same article paragraph 3 sub section (e) puts an obligation on the President to promote and protect the rights and freedoms of a person and to uphold the rule of law. So what is the President doing letting Lusambo run wild violating the Constitution on his behalf without consequences?
The claim that police are using minimum force does not hold any water. Minimum force is applied to persons resisting lawful arrest. The intention of Lusambo was not to lawfully arrest the revelers but to beat them from the public places. Were the people being beaten resisting arrest or being brow beaten out of public places like cattle? How is that the same as resisting arrest?
Minister Lusambo even had the audacity of going on television to defend his unlawful acts. What an embarrassment to the Presidency whether the President acknowledges or wants to be ‘absent’ about the issue as he does on most issues that really matter to us. We are not President Lungus’s subjects. We are citizens whose only mistake was to entrust him with power to facilitate a democratic environment for all of us where the rule of law is respected and our voices are heard. The person who saw value in appointing Minister Lusambo is the President therefore the value of Minister Lusambo as a Minister is in the eyes of President Lungu and perhaps the electorate of Kabushi not the rest of us. So please President Lungu relieve this man of the position of Minister, a position which his actions has denigrated it. If a die-hard brutish man like Mr. Lusambo can be a Minister what’s honourable about such positions? A short while ago he said things that displeased Zambians in the diaspora and they unleashed insults on him a situation reflecting to the appointing authority. Is Minister Lusambo President Lungu’s best choice for a ministerial position? If so, we Zambians should restructure President Lungu’s function.
Issued by:
Judith Mulenga
CiSCA Vice Chairperson
Lungu says churches can resume operating
https://www.zambiawatchdog.com/lungu-says-churches-can-resume-operating/
24 April 2020 14:57President Edgar Lungu says churches, barbershops and salons can now resume operating normally provided that people wear masks.
Mr Lungu said people can also resume conducting sporting activities like golf and tennis but that bars in such places should remain closed.
THIRD NATIONAL ADDRESS ON COVID-19
BY HIS EXCELLENCY, DR. EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
FRIDAY, 24TH APRIL, 2020 STATE HOUSE
COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN,
A MONTH AGO, I ADDRESSED THE NATION AND ANNOUNCED THAT THE COUNTRY WAS AT WAR, A PUBLIC HEALTH WAR.
WHO IS THE ENEMY?
THIS ENEMY IS THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS ALSO KNOWN AS COVID-19, WHICH IS ENGULFING THE WHOLE WORLD AT A RATE NEVER SEEN BEFORE IN HISTORY.
COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN,
ZAMBIA FIRST RECORDED CASES OF COVID-19 ON 18TH MARCH 2020, INVOLVING A ZAMBIAN COUPLE WHO HAD RETURNED FROM HOLIDAY IN FRANCE. SHORTLY, THEREAFTER, CASES WERE DETECTED AMONG A GROUP WHO HAD RETURNED FROM A RELIGIOUS MEETING IN PAKISTAN. OVER THE LAST FIVE WEEKS, CASES HAVE BEEN INCREASING STEADILY, AND LOCAL TRANSMISSION OF THE DISEASE HAS SET IN. QUICK AND DECISIVE MEASURES INSTITUTED BY MY GOVERNMENT HAVE ENSURED THAT POTENTIAL RAPID SPREAD OF THE OUTBREAK IS AVERTED AND MITIGATED.
2FOLLOWING EXPIRY OF THE 14-DAY EXTENSION PERIOD OF RESTRICTIONS AND OTHER CONTROL MEASURES I ANNOUNCED IN MY LAST ADDRESS TO THE NATION, I NOW UPDATE THE NATION ON THE CURRENT POSITION.
AS OF TODAY, 24TH APRIL 2020, EIGHT (8) ADDITIONAL CASES OF COVID-19 HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN ZAMBIA;
FOUR OF THE CASES ARE FROM THE COMMUNITY WHILE THE OTHER FOUR ARE HOSPITAL PERSONNEL. THE CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF CASES IN ZAMBIA IS NOW, 84, INCLUDING THREE DEATHS.
THIRTY-SEVEN PATIENTS HAVE RECOVERED FROM THE INFECTION AND 44 PATIENTS REMAIN UNDER ISOLATION BUT ALL ARE IN STABLE CONDITION, EXCEPT FOR ONE PATIENT BEING TREATED FOR SEVERE MALARIA.
FIFTEEN HEALTHCARE WORKERS HAVE SO FAR BEEN INFECTED WITH COVID-19 WHILE IN THEIR LINE OF DUTY. TWO HAVE RECOVERED WHILE THIRTEEN ARE STABLE AND REMAIN IN HIGH SPIRITS.
3COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN,
LIKE, I SAID IN MY SECOND ADDRESS TO THE NATION ON THURSDAY, 9TH APRIL, 2020, THE FRONTLINE WORKERS ARE THE REAL HEROES OF OUR TIMES AND THEY NEED MASSIVE SUPPORT FROM US. THEY ARE LEAVING THEIR FAMILIES FOR DAYS TO CONTAIN THE ENEMY ON OUR BEHALF. THEY ARE DOING THIS AT GREAT RISK TO THEIR OWN LIVES AND THOSE OF THEIR FAMILIES. THEY ARE PROTECTING OUR LIVES DAY AND NIGHT AND THEY ARE SAVING LIVES OF THE SICK. I PAY TRIBUTE TO THEM AND WISH THOSE WHO ARE SICK QUICK RECOVERY SO THAT THEY CONTINUE TO DO WHAT THEY DO BEST – SAVING OUR LIVES.
COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN,
THIS IS WHY MY DIRECTIVE IN MY LAST ADDRESS TO THE MULTI-SECTROL RESPONSE LED BY THE MINISTER OF HEALTH, TO ENSURE THESE MEN AND WOMEN ARE PROTECTED AT ALL TIMES CANNOT BE OVEREMPHASISED. FOR THE WORK THEY DO, LET US PAY BACK TO THEM BY ENSURING THEY ARE PROTECTED AT ALL TIMES. I, THEREFORE, DIRECT THAT THE MULTI-SECTROL TEAM TO ENSURE THAT ALL THE RESOURCES THAT HAVE BEEN SOURCED SO FAR, ESPECIALLY THE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPES) ARE QUICKLY AVAILED TO THESE FRONTLINE WORKERS.
COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN,
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I MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE COUNTRY HAS RECEIVED HUGE DONATIONS FROM LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL DONORS FOLLOWING THE OUTBREAK OF COVID-19. THEREFORE, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL COOPERATING PARTNERS AND ASSURE THEM OF PRUDENT USE OF THESE DONATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2018.
COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN,
AS YOU MAYBE AWARE, TODAY IS EXACTLY ONE MONTH SINCE I ANNOUNCED THE INITIAL MEASURES AND IT IS NOW TIME TO TAKE STOCK AND REVIEW WHAT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN OUR COUNTRY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID- 19.
AS WE STRIVE TO PRESERVE THE COUNTRY’S HEALTH SECURITY BY SCALING UP COVID-19 CONTROL INTERVENTIONS, WE REMAIN ALIVE TO THE IMPACT THESE INTERVENTIONS HAVE ON THE ECONOMY OF THE COUNTRY.
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COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN,
WE HAVE TO CHOOSE LIFE OR LIVELIHOOD OR BOTH.
OUR EXPENDITURE ON COVID-19 HAS BEEN UNPLANNED; OUR EXPORTS ARE CONSTRICTED. COPPER PRICES ARE ALL TIME LOW. TOURISM HAS BEEN RUN AGROUND DUE TO COVID-19. THE EXCHANGE RATE IS NOT AS IT SHOULD BE; AND BUSINESSES OUT THERE ARE HURTING. I FEEL YOUR PAIN. I DO NOT NEED TO MENTION YOU INDIVIDUALLY BUT I KNOW THAT LITTLE OUTLET THAT HAS BEEN CLOSED BRINGS NSHIMA TO YOUR TABLE. THAT LITTLE OUTLET THAT HAS BEEN CLOSED PAYS YOUR RENT. THAT LITTLE OUTLET PAYS SCHOOL FEES. BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE HAD WE LOCKED OURSELVES COMPLETELY TO AVOID COVID-19 FROM COMING TO ZAMBIA.
THERE ARE OTHER QUESTIONS THAT REQUIRE ANSWERS, WHICH HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE SOCIAL-ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OF OUR COUNTRY BEARING IN MIND THAT CURRENTLY OUR NATIONAL BUDGET HAS BEEN THROWN INTO DISARRAY AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19. IF WE MAINTAINED THE STATUS QUO OF THE CONTROLLED MOVEMENT OF OUR PEOPLE AND RESTRICTION OF SOME BUSINESSS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, WHERE WILL THE MONEY COME FROM FOR THE MANY OTHER IMPORTANT PROGRAMMES?
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A. WHERE WILL WE FIND MONEY TO PAY SALARIES FOR OUR PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES?
B. WHERE WILL WE FIND MONEY TO PAY RETIREES?
C. WHAT ABOUT FISP?
D. WHAT ABOUT THE MONEY FOR SOCIAL CASH
TRANSFER?
E. WHERE WILL WE FIND MONEY TO BUY THE MUCH
NEEDED DRUGS FOR OUR HOSPITALS?
F. WHAT ABOUT DEBT REPAYMENT OBLIGATIONS?
G. WHATABOUTFUELIMPORTATIONS?
H. WHEN AND HOW WILL THE CHILDREN GET BACK TO
SCHOOL? IT IS NOW OVER A MONTH SINCE SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED AND THE CHILDREN ARE LOCKED-UP IN HOMES. SOME OF THEM LITERALLY WITH NO MODERN FACILITIES SUCH AS INTERNET?
I. WHO WILL HARVEST THE CROPS FOR OUR NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY?
J. WHO WILL DELIVER FARMING INPUTS?
K. HOW WILL WE DISTRIBUTE FOOD RELIEF?
THE JURY IS OUT ON THESE QUESTIONS!
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COUNTRY MEN AND WOMEN
BASED ON THE LESSONS AND EXPERIENCES LEARNT FROM THE LAST ONE MONTH WHERE WE HAVE GENERALLY DONE WELL WITH CONTAINING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE NOW KNOW THAT WE NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS IN REOPENING THE KEY AREAS OF OUR ECONOMY SUBJECT TO PUBLIC HEALTH REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES AND CERTIFICATION.
WE ARE STILL DETERMINING THE EXTENT OF THE DISEASE THROUGH ESCALATED TESTING AND SCREENING TO ASSESS WHEN WE SHALL REOPEN OUR ECONOMY FULLY.
HOWEVER, I HAVE DECIDED THAT SOME ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING MAY CONTINUE BEING UNDERTAKEN NORMALLY SUBJECT TO ADHERING TO PUBLIC HEALTH REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
1. PLACES OF WORSHIP MAY CONGREGATE WHILE OBSERVING SOCIAL DISTANCING, MANDATORY FACE MASKS AND SANITISING AND HAND WASHING GUIDELINES.
2. SPORTING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS GOLF AND TENNIS, WHICH DO NOT INVOLVE PHYSICAL CONTACT BETWEEN PLAYERS WHERE THE SPORT IS PLAYED IN NON-CROWDED SPACE, CAN BEGIN TO BE PLAYED BUT BARS IN THOSE PREMISES WILL REMAIN CLOSED.
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3. BARBERSHOPS AND SALONS MAY CONTINUE TO OPERATE WITH STRICT ADHERANCE AND OBSERVING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND REGULAR SANITISING AND HAND WASHING.
FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES AND CERTIFICATION, WILL ATTRACT PENALTIES INCLUDING REVOKING OF LICENCES AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I AM THEREFORE DIRECTING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO PURSUE ANY OFFENDERS. THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE EQUALLY ENCOURAGED REPORTING ANY CASES OF NON-ADHERENCE TO THESE MEASURES TO RELEVANT AUTHORITES. LET US BE EACH OTHER’S GATE KEEPERS.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE MODIFICATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COVID-19 INTERVENTIONS TO FACILITATE CONTINUED ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND A GRADUAL RETURN OF DAILY LIFE TO NORMALCY.
WE NOTE THAT DRASTIC CHANGE TO CURRENT PREVENTIVE AND CONTROL MEASURES COULD ERODE THE GAINS ATTAINED AND THE SITUATION COULD GET OUT OF CONTROL. THEREFORE, MODIFICATION OF CONTROL MEASURES WILL BE INFORMED BY THE EVOLUTION OF THE OUTBREAK.
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THE MAIN COVID-19 CONTROL STRATEGY GOING FORWARD SHALL CONTINUE TO CENTRE ON PREVENTION OF INFECTION, CASE FINDING THROUGH INCREASED TESTING, ISOLATION OF CASES, SWIFT AND THOROUGH TRACING OF CONTACTS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND CASE MANAGEMENT.
THE WAR WE FACE TODAY CAN ONLY BE WON AND CONQUERED IF, APART FROM YOU AND I ADHERING TO THE NEW NORMAL, YOU ALSO ALLOW HEALTH WORKERS TO CONDUCT MASSIVE TESTING AND CONTACT TRACING IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
THESE FORM THE CORNERSTONE TO OVERCOMING COVID-19 AND SHALL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH INTENSIFIED SURVEILLANCE AT POINTS OF ENTRY; TARGETED COMMUNITY SCREENING AND TESTING; AND ROUTINE SCREENING AND ACTIVE CASE SEARCH IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES, PARTICULARLY PATIENTS WITH RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS.
ALSO CRITICAL IS MANDATORY USE OF MASKS IN PUBLIC; PHYSICAL DISTANCING; AND OBSERVANCE OF PERSONAL HYGIENE MEASURES, INCLUDING HAND WASHING AND RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE.
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COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN,
EVERY DARK CLOUD HAS A SILVERLINING. THE CURRENT SITUATION WE FIND OURSELVES IN OPENS A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ZAMBIAN FARMERS TO PRODUCE AND SELL THEIR PRODUCTS TO CHAIN STORES THAT FOR A LONG TIME HAVE DENIED THEM BUSINESS AND OPTED FOR FOREIGN PRODUCTS.
I AM, THEREFORE, DIRECTING THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY TO ENSURE THAT CHAIN STORES PRIORITISE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN THEIR LOCALITIES. IF A CHAIN STORE IS IN CHIPATA LET THEM BUY AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS FROM OUR FARMERS IN EASTERN PROVINCE. UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE ARE IN, ONLY PRODUCTS THAT CANNOT BE SOURCED FROM LOCALS SHOULD BE IMPORTED.
I HOPE THAT ONCE THIS IS ACTUALISED, EVEN AFTER COVID-19, OUR FARMERS WILL CONTINUE TRADING WITH THESE CHAIN STORES. I ENCOURAGE CITIZENS TO FORM COOPERATIVES TO ENSURE THEY MEET QUALITY AND SAFETY DEMAND.
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COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN,
WE NEED COLLABORATIVE ACTION IN THE COMING MONTHS. ONLY BY WORKING TOGETHER CAN WE MAKE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON OUR SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS PROVED TO US TODAY THAT WE ARE FACING CHALLENGES THAT ARE GLOBAL AND INTERCONNECTED. HOWEVER, WE ARE A DEVELOPING COUNTRY AND WE WILL FEEL IT MORE THAN MANY OTHERS IN TERMS OF SOCIAL ECONOMIC IMPACT.
FOR THIS REASON, I AM INSTRUCTING THE MINISTER OF FINANCE TO PURSUE OTHER OPTIONS SUCH AS CONSOLIDATING AVAILABLE RESOURCES IN VARIOUS EMPOWERMENT FUNDS SO THAT THESE MAY BE DISBURSED TO SMALL BUSINESSES, WOMEN GROUPS, YOUTHS AND THE MOST VULNERABLE THAT HAVE BEEN HIT THE HARDEST.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE TO CREATING A COVID-19 ECONOMIC RECOVERY FUND THAT WILL HELP EXISTING BUSINESSES, ESPECIALLY AFFECTED SMES TO REMAIN STABLE DURING THIS PERIOD AND BEYOND.
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THE K10 BILLION LOAN FACILITY I ANNOUNCED IN MY SECOND ADDRESS WHICH IS UNDER THE BANK OF ZAMBIA COULD BE PART OF THE RESOURCES IDENTIFIED TO THIS FUND. I AM ALSO DIRECTING THE MINISTER OF FINANCE TO IDENTIFY OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING TO HELP BEEF UP THIS FUND SO THAT AS MANY BUSINESSES AS POSSIBLE MAY BENEFIT.
COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN,
IN ORDER TO CREATE NEW BUSINESSES AIMED AT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE VOID THAT HAS BEEN CREATED BY REDUCED EXPORTS TO ZAMBIA BECAUSE OF COVID-19 LOCKDOWNS, THE CITIZEN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT COMMISSION (CEEC) SHOULD LOOK AT PROPOSALS FOR NEW BANKABLE BUSINESSES THAT CAN BE FUNDED. MY PRIORITY IS WEALTH CREATION BY CREATING NEW ZAMBIAN BUSINESSES. I WILL NEED REGULAR UPDATES FROM CEEC ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THEIR PROPOSALS.
I HAVE ALSO INSTRUCTED THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPORT AND SMART ZAMBIA TO SUPPORT BETTER DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SKILLS, AND TO FORMULATE DIGITAL TRADE AND E-SERVICES. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION WHICH IS WORKING HARD TO DRIVE E-LEARNING AND TELEVISION EDUCATION IN THE COUNTRY.
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BEYOND COVID-19, OUR FUTURE ECONOMIC GROWTH WILL NEED TO TAP INTO EMERGING DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES. E-SERVICES IN THE HEALTH SECTOR WILL ALSO BE ENCOURAGED, INCLUDING MOBILE PHONE- BASED DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS TO ENSURE THAT THOSE IN NEED OBTAIN THE REQUIRED INFORMATION THROUGH OUT THE CRISIS.
THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE IS INSTRUCTED TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT FARMERS TO GROW WINTER MAIZE AND ENGAGE IN OTHER AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE THAT WE CREATE NEW BUSINESSES DURING THIS PERIOD.
COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN,
FOOD SECURITY WILL BE THE BIGGEST PROBLEM POST COVID-19. I AM DIRECTING THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING TO COLLABORATE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS TO GROW FOOD FOR BOTH DOMESTIC AND EXPORT MARKETS. MY GOVERNMENT WILL HELP PROVIDE BOTH FINANCIAL AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT TOWARDS THE PROGRAMME. THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING IS DIRECTED TO DRAFT A NEW CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN TO SECURE FOOD PRODUCTION IN ZAMBIA IN LIGHT OF RECENT NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
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COUNTRY MEN AND WOMEN
MY GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL MEASURES TO THOSE ANNOUNCED TWO WEEKS AGO TO CUSHION THE IMPACT ON BUSINESSES DUE TO COVID-19. THESE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
WAIVER OF TAX PENALTIES AND INTEREST – MY GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO WAIVE TAX PENALTIES AND INTEREST ON OUTSTANDING TAX LIABILITIES RESULTING FROM THE IMPACT OF COVID-19. THIS WILL ASSIST COMPANIES AND BUSINESSES MANAGE THEIR CASH FLOWS DURING THIS PERIOD WHEN THEY ARE FACED WITH REDUCED REVENUES.
SUSPENSION OF CUSTOMS DUTIES AND VAT ON ADDITIONAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES USED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID 19 – GOVERNMENT WILL EXTEND THE LIST OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES THAT ARE NOT SUBJECT TO IMPORT DUTY AND VALUE ADDED TAX FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS. THIS IS MEANT TO EXPEDITE THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL RELATED DEVICES NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19.
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IN ADDITION TO THAT, GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY RELEASED THE FOLLOWING MONIES:
•
•
•
K500 MILLION TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE PENSIONS FUND TO PAY OVER 1,500 RETIREES OR THEIR BENEFICIARIES;
K170 MILLION TO BANKS TO CLEAR THIRD PARTY ARREARS, AND;
K140 MILLION TO VARIOUS ROAD CONTRACTORS.
THESE RELEASES ARE PART OF THE K2.5 BILLION I ANNOUNCED IN MY ADDRESS TO THE NATION TWO WEEKS AGO.
I DIRECT THE MINISTER OF FINANCE TO EXPEDITE THE PENDING PAYMENT OF K1 BILLION TO VARIOUS SUPPLIERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES TO GOVERNMENT.
AS I STATED IN MY LAST ADDRESS, I EXPECT COMMERCIAL BANKS TO PRIORITISE LENDING, ON FAVOURABLE TERMS, MONEY TO SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES AND HOUSEHOLDS HARDEST HIT BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THIS MONEY WILL COME FROM THE K10 BILLION MEDIUM- TERM REFINANCING FACILITY WHICH ELIGIBLE COMMERCIAL BANKS, AND NON-BANK FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS CAN ACCESS FROM THE BANK OF ZAMBIA.
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COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN,
LET ME END BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE MULTI-SECTORAL RESPONSE TEAM FOR THE WORK THEY ARE DOING IN TRYING TO CONTAIN THE INFECTION RATE, MAKING FINANCES AVAILABLE FOR THE FIGHT, AND SENSITISING THE NATION ON PREVENTIVE MEASURES. LET ME THANK ALL THE COUNTRIES, ORGANISATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS FOR MASSIVELY ANSWERING THE CALL AND DONATING TO THIS NOBLE AND LIFE-SAVING CAUSE.
INDEED, WE SHOULD THANK THE ALMIGHTY GOD BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. BUT GOD CAN ONLY HELP US IF WE HELP OURSELVES. GOD CAN ONLY HELP US IF WE STAYED AT HOME AND AVOIDED UNNECESSARY MOVEMENTS. GOD CAN HELP US IF WE AVOIDED CROWDED PLACES AND KEPT SOCIAL DISTANCING. GOD CAN HELP US IF WE STOPPED HAND SHAKES AND WASHED OUR HANDS OR CLEANED THEM WITH HAND SANITISERS FREQUENTLY. GOD CAN HELP US IF WE WORE FACE MASKS.
LET ME THANK YOU THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING, COOPERATION AND UNITY. YOU HAVE MADE MY ADMINISTRATION’S WORK EASIER WITH YOUR ALL-ROUND SUPPORT.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL, I THANK YOU.
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LUNGU A MECENARY – KAMBWILI…reopening churches is leading God’s people to slaughterhouse – Nevers
https://www.themastonline.com/2020/04/26/lungu-a-mecenary-kambwili-reopening-churches-is-leading-gods-people-to-slaughterhouse-nevers/
LUNGU is a mercenary who wants Zambians to die for his own political benefit, says National Democratic Congress leader Chishimba Kambwili.
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And Mumba, the MMD leader says to ask the church to go back to normal services at the height of the pandemic is as good as leading God’s people to the slaughter house.
In a statement issued by NDC spokesperson Saboi Imboela, Kambwili accused President Edgar Lungu of making decisions based on what benefited him politically, and not what was good for the country.
In his address to the nation on Friday, President Lungu allowed barbershops, saloons, golf and tennis, and for churches to meet normally but observing social distancing, wearing of masks and washing hands with soap and water, and, among activities.
The decision has attracted public condemnation, especially on social media.
Kambwili wondered why the Head of State opened up churches when the coronavirus cases were rising every day.
“Government closed the churches when the coronavirus cases were only 2, and now the cases have escalated to 84; that is when he makes a decision to open up the churches claiming that it has a negative impact on the economy,” Kambwili said.
“If President Lungu was genuine, he could have opened up commercial places like restaurants, bars and nightclubs. What he has done does not make any economic sense.”
Kambwili said the two cases recorded in Chingola showed that the pandemic has started moving from Lusaka to other provinces.
He challenged President to explain what necessitated him to open churches.
“He should not hide under the guise of negative economic impact and the livelihood of the poor people. What has the church got to do with the economic impact than the opening up of restaurants, nightclubs and bars?” he asked.
“The two victims in Chingola did not even know that they were exposed to COVID-19 after traveling to and from Tanzania. This is a clear case of the effects of not closing down the boarders as recommended by most stakeholders. One thing that must be noted is that KCM has issued a statement that the Chingola couple is a supplier to the mines who had travelled to Tanzania to collect goods to supply to KCM.”
Kambwili further wondered how many people the Chingola couple had come into contact with.
“The question is how many people were exposed to these goods at KCM receiving bay. Secondly, it is clear that the couple was quarantined at their home for 7 days. How many people were exposed to them during those seven days? And what happens if all these people go to church this Sunday?” Kambwili asked.
“President Lungu only looks at elections. That is why he has been in the electioneering mood, because the man just wants to stay in power than anything else. Further, most of these independent churches have always been compromised by President Lungu and his government. That is why you can have an organisation called Christians for Lungu. There can never be Christians for an individual; Christians have to be for Christ. This man is a mercenary and Zambians should see him for who he is.”
And Kambwili asked why President Lungu was ignoring the behaviour of Lusaka Province minister Bowman Lusambo.
He said Lusambo had become an embarrassment to the government leadership.
Meanwhile, Kambwili paid tribute to the Catholic Church leadership for advising its members against congregating after President Lungu opened up churches.
“I can assure you that this pandemic will spread all over Zambia because of the carelessness of President Edgar Lungu. So, the Catholic Church has done the right thing. For the country to record 84 cases, it simply meant that the situation was not under control,” said Kambwili.
“As a consequence, we should have been locking down more congested places and encouraging social distancing as a way of fighting the pandemic as opposed to opening up churches. You are risking your lives. Pray in your own homes. Follow church proceedings as it has been on social media and let the churches continue live streaming. It is an open secret that the Minister of Health is under investigations for corruption hence it was wrong to entrust these donations in the hands of such a man. This is why the Minister of Finance has now issued guidelines because there is no transparency in the handling of donations.”
And Mumba, a former Republican vice-president, yesterday said nobody knows the direction, speed and momentum the deadly coronavirus pandemic was going to take.
He said it was more expedient even for the body of believers (the church) to treat the coronavirus as a plague.
“I know that some sections of the society and especially the liberal church might disagree with this and cite various reasons why we must be celebrating as the church. Our position is that, we should not risk
our people’s lives,” Mumba said.
He said his party’s position on coronavirus has always been and continues to be very consistent that, “Mr President, please lock down the most affected cities like Lusaka.”
Mumba, himself pastor and evangelist, recalled that even in the Bible, God told the children of Israel to go on lock down and to place blood on the door lintels and side posts in order to preserve the life of their first borns when the death angel would pass.
He said even though God had promised them deliverance, he still required obedience and submission to His will at household level for them to survive.
Mumba further noted that Zambia had no capacity to deal with coronavirus in large numbers.
“Therefore, we must claim the blood of Jesus on the door posts of our hearts, and stay in doors on lock down, until the death angel passes. Every life in the homes that were on LOCKDOWN was preserved. It is no different today. We call ourselves a Christian Nation and we have prayed and stopped COVID-19 from having the devastating effects on the lives of our people as we have no capacity to deal with it in large numbers. We believe that this is true, but we must claim the blood of Jesus on the door posts of our hearts, and stay IN DOORS on lock down, until the death angel passes. Only in this way shall Zambia be saved from the extreme spread of the virus,” Mumba said.
“We insist that the government should follow through with the declaration that we are at war as the President said exactly four weeks ago. But we must follow through and do what a nation at war does.
Spare no means, shut down, preserve lives, at whatever cost. To ask the church to go back to normal services at the height of the pandemic is as good as leading God’s people to the slaughter house. This is not time to backslide. To the contrary, it is time to step up by declaring a total lockdown.”
Mumba said he recognises that the President had the power to take the country in whatever direction he deemed fit.
Nonetheless, Mumba said opposition leaders too could provide leadership by giving timely leadership advise in matters that affect the going concern, status of the nation like the one under discussion.
Mumba recalled that in his speech, President Lungu made it very clear that his basic strategy was to try and preserve life, while also putting in place an economic rescue package of sorts to save the business houses and the economy in general.
He said while he commended the effort to save the selected areas of business, his party pointed out that the PF government has so far made key pronouncements including the K10 billion rescue package from the Bank of Zambia, and the other economic rescue interventions announced by honourable Bwalya Ngandu, Minister of Finance.
“We notice that all these interventions are aimed at saving the “big businesses” with little or nothing to be felt by the poorest or smallest businesses and at household level. We know that some of these stimulus packages such as the K10 billion comes with an inherent moratorium, which allows some period of time to pass before the banks have to pay back, to effectively cushion the negative impact of COVID-19,” Mumba said.
However, Mumba said he did not see how any of the benefits of these rescue packages are going to benefit the majority Zambians who include the self-employed, young people and the poor in the compounds.
He suggested that the President Lungu must follow up on the interventions and make a pronouncement that would either curtail or reduce rent, water, electricity and fuel.
Mumba said the logic behind aforementioned was that the four expenses were what gives most Zambians headaches in their quest to provide for their families.
“While we expect an outcry from landlords regarding this, it must always be made clear that everyone in the economy has suffered the same fate and have had their income somewhat cut or totally lost, landlords cannot be the only ones going about with business as usual. In fact, under the stimulus package offered to the banks, most banks are under obligation to also pass on the benefit of the soft loans to their Loan debtors, among which most of the landlords fall. We demand a reduction to at least one-third of whatever everyone pays as at present,” said Mumba.
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And Mumba, the MMD leader says to ask the church to go back to normal services at the height of the pandemic is as good as leading God’s people to the slaughter house.
In a statement issued by NDC spokesperson Saboi Imboela, Kambwili accused President Edgar Lungu of making decisions based on what benefited him politically, and not what was good for the country.
In his address to the nation on Friday, President Lungu allowed barbershops, saloons, golf and tennis, and for churches to meet normally but observing social distancing, wearing of masks and washing hands with soap and water, and, among activities.
The decision has attracted public condemnation, especially on social media.
Kambwili wondered why the Head of State opened up churches when the coronavirus cases were rising every day.
“Government closed the churches when the coronavirus cases were only 2, and now the cases have escalated to 84; that is when he makes a decision to open up the churches claiming that it has a negative impact on the economy,” Kambwili said.
“If President Lungu was genuine, he could have opened up commercial places like restaurants, bars and nightclubs. What he has done does not make any economic sense.”
Kambwili said the two cases recorded in Chingola showed that the pandemic has started moving from Lusaka to other provinces.
He challenged President to explain what necessitated him to open churches.
“He should not hide under the guise of negative economic impact and the livelihood of the poor people. What has the church got to do with the economic impact than the opening up of restaurants, nightclubs and bars?” he asked.
“The two victims in Chingola did not even know that they were exposed to COVID-19 after traveling to and from Tanzania. This is a clear case of the effects of not closing down the boarders as recommended by most stakeholders. One thing that must be noted is that KCM has issued a statement that the Chingola couple is a supplier to the mines who had travelled to Tanzania to collect goods to supply to KCM.”
Kambwili further wondered how many people the Chingola couple had come into contact with.
“The question is how many people were exposed to these goods at KCM receiving bay. Secondly, it is clear that the couple was quarantined at their home for 7 days. How many people were exposed to them during those seven days? And what happens if all these people go to church this Sunday?” Kambwili asked.
“President Lungu only looks at elections. That is why he has been in the electioneering mood, because the man just wants to stay in power than anything else. Further, most of these independent churches have always been compromised by President Lungu and his government. That is why you can have an organisation called Christians for Lungu. There can never be Christians for an individual; Christians have to be for Christ. This man is a mercenary and Zambians should see him for who he is.”
And Kambwili asked why President Lungu was ignoring the behaviour of Lusaka Province minister Bowman Lusambo.
He said Lusambo had become an embarrassment to the government leadership.
Meanwhile, Kambwili paid tribute to the Catholic Church leadership for advising its members against congregating after President Lungu opened up churches.
“I can assure you that this pandemic will spread all over Zambia because of the carelessness of President Edgar Lungu. So, the Catholic Church has done the right thing. For the country to record 84 cases, it simply meant that the situation was not under control,” said Kambwili.
“As a consequence, we should have been locking down more congested places and encouraging social distancing as a way of fighting the pandemic as opposed to opening up churches. You are risking your lives. Pray in your own homes. Follow church proceedings as it has been on social media and let the churches continue live streaming. It is an open secret that the Minister of Health is under investigations for corruption hence it was wrong to entrust these donations in the hands of such a man. This is why the Minister of Finance has now issued guidelines because there is no transparency in the handling of donations.”
And Mumba, a former Republican vice-president, yesterday said nobody knows the direction, speed and momentum the deadly coronavirus pandemic was going to take.
He said it was more expedient even for the body of believers (the church) to treat the coronavirus as a plague.
“I know that some sections of the society and especially the liberal church might disagree with this and cite various reasons why we must be celebrating as the church. Our position is that, we should not risk
our people’s lives,” Mumba said.
He said his party’s position on coronavirus has always been and continues to be very consistent that, “Mr President, please lock down the most affected cities like Lusaka.”
Mumba, himself pastor and evangelist, recalled that even in the Bible, God told the children of Israel to go on lock down and to place blood on the door lintels and side posts in order to preserve the life of their first borns when the death angel would pass.
He said even though God had promised them deliverance, he still required obedience and submission to His will at household level for them to survive.
Mumba further noted that Zambia had no capacity to deal with coronavirus in large numbers.
“Therefore, we must claim the blood of Jesus on the door posts of our hearts, and stay in doors on lock down, until the death angel passes. Every life in the homes that were on LOCKDOWN was preserved. It is no different today. We call ourselves a Christian Nation and we have prayed and stopped COVID-19 from having the devastating effects on the lives of our people as we have no capacity to deal with it in large numbers. We believe that this is true, but we must claim the blood of Jesus on the door posts of our hearts, and stay IN DOORS on lock down, until the death angel passes. Only in this way shall Zambia be saved from the extreme spread of the virus,” Mumba said.
“We insist that the government should follow through with the declaration that we are at war as the President said exactly four weeks ago. But we must follow through and do what a nation at war does.
Spare no means, shut down, preserve lives, at whatever cost. To ask the church to go back to normal services at the height of the pandemic is as good as leading God’s people to the slaughter house. This is not time to backslide. To the contrary, it is time to step up by declaring a total lockdown.”
Mumba said he recognises that the President had the power to take the country in whatever direction he deemed fit.
Nonetheless, Mumba said opposition leaders too could provide leadership by giving timely leadership advise in matters that affect the going concern, status of the nation like the one under discussion.
Mumba recalled that in his speech, President Lungu made it very clear that his basic strategy was to try and preserve life, while also putting in place an economic rescue package of sorts to save the business houses and the economy in general.
He said while he commended the effort to save the selected areas of business, his party pointed out that the PF government has so far made key pronouncements including the K10 billion rescue package from the Bank of Zambia, and the other economic rescue interventions announced by honourable Bwalya Ngandu, Minister of Finance.
“We notice that all these interventions are aimed at saving the “big businesses” with little or nothing to be felt by the poorest or smallest businesses and at household level. We know that some of these stimulus packages such as the K10 billion comes with an inherent moratorium, which allows some period of time to pass before the banks have to pay back, to effectively cushion the negative impact of COVID-19,” Mumba said.
However, Mumba said he did not see how any of the benefits of these rescue packages are going to benefit the majority Zambians who include the self-employed, young people and the poor in the compounds.
He suggested that the President Lungu must follow up on the interventions and make a pronouncement that would either curtail or reduce rent, water, electricity and fuel.
Mumba said the logic behind aforementioned was that the four expenses were what gives most Zambians headaches in their quest to provide for their families.
“While we expect an outcry from landlords regarding this, it must always be made clear that everyone in the economy has suffered the same fate and have had their income somewhat cut or totally lost, landlords cannot be the only ones going about with business as usual. In fact, under the stimulus package offered to the banks, most banks are under obligation to also pass on the benefit of the soft loans to their Loan debtors, among which most of the landlords fall. We demand a reduction to at least one-third of whatever everyone pays as at present,” said Mumba.
Zambia being led by the worst dictators, says Mambo
https://www.themastonline.com/2020/04/22/zambia-being-led-by-the-worst-dictators-says-mambo/
ZAMBIA is being led by the worst dictators, Chikondi Foundation president Bishop John Mambo has charged.
And Bishop Mambo says Michael Sata has been betrayed by chancers who took over from him.
In an interview with The Mast, Bishop Mambo, who is also chairperson of Civil Society for Constitutional Agenda (CiSCA) wondered what vision PF government had for Zambia.
He said the closure of private media institutions by PF government was embarrassing to the freedom fighter who sacrificed for the Zambia’s freedom.
“It is not Gerald Shawa [owner of Prime TV] that will suffer but our young brothers and sisters, our children because they will not be able to go to school. What country do we want; where you want to fix every media?” Bishop Mambo wondered.
“The government on this one they have misdirected themselves. International community must help us to speak out and stop this dictatorship. This dictatorship is the worst in the world I have ever known and it is not right for a small country like Zambia, a principled nation and Christian nation for that matter.”
Bishop Mambo said PF, under President Edgar Lungu, has used a good name of Michael Chilufya Sata in vein.
He said Sata’s vision had been written off by chancers who had forgotten where they came from.
“Zambia is led by the dictators because collectively, the cabinet chaired by the President [Edgar Lungu] he has a right to say this is not the right way. What has been happening now has not happened in the last 27 years. We are seeing the worst now…this is why I have said that Sata has been betrayed, he has been totally write off because if you knew him, he had his own weakness but he was a people person. If you make a mistake, he would correct you and forgive you,” he said.
“Now in this case, the chancers, those who have come, because the ones that started PF are no longer in the PF, but those who joined on the way, some of them from the UPND, they are now the ministers, they are now in government. They have forgotten that they came from UPND and join PF. Sata gave them an opportunity to be leaders but they have proved to be dictators.”
Bishop Mambo added that Dora Siliya and Amos Malupenga should not be used by evil to close media institutions in Zambia.
He said Zambia’s politics were not adding value to anything because it was off democratic principles.
“Currently, I do not know which vision they are carrying. I do not know whether they have love for Sata! If they love Sata, they would have served the people of Zambia on principles that Sata stood for,” Bishop Mambo said.
Bishop Mambo said Zambia needs ideas to fix the economy, not citizens and their businesses.
He said the closure of Prime TV was similar to how those in power closed The Post.
“The shutting down of Prime TV, for those who are rejoicing, it is the beginning of the clampdown of the media institution before 2021 so that there will be no voice of Mambo, there is no voice of any person apart from them and ZNBC,” he said.
“Who is watching ZNBC now? We are paying a levy to ZNBC but they are not doing their obligation of equal coverage. It is a mouthpiece of those in government and their friends. I cannot be covered by ZNBC unless I am dancing to the tune of praising government for the things they have not done.”
Bishop Mambo said Zambians must graduate from Stone Age politics of fixing each to political of ideas.
He wondered what legacy those in office would leave for Zambia if their job was to fight every Zambia with divergent views.
“Let’s go to politics where we can differ but still we agree that we are a family. The way it is now, it is sending a very wrong signal. Everyone has spoken about the closure but the government is not listening. My appeal is that with such arrogance, if they have money to spend during 2021 election, let us eat their money. But let us go in massive numbers to go and vote for people that would see us to the promised land in 2021,” said Bishop Mambo.
“What legacy will my brother and sister leave to this nation once they are out of power? Because they must be remembered for something good but it appears that they are destroying everything. Anyone that was a friend of Michael Chilufya Sata is either his business has been closed or gone under. This is what we refused in 1991, we don’t want one party state.”
And Bishop Mambo says Michael Sata has been betrayed by chancers who took over from him.
In an interview with The Mast, Bishop Mambo, who is also chairperson of Civil Society for Constitutional Agenda (CiSCA) wondered what vision PF government had for Zambia.
He said the closure of private media institutions by PF government was embarrassing to the freedom fighter who sacrificed for the Zambia’s freedom.
“It is not Gerald Shawa [owner of Prime TV] that will suffer but our young brothers and sisters, our children because they will not be able to go to school. What country do we want; where you want to fix every media?” Bishop Mambo wondered.
“The government on this one they have misdirected themselves. International community must help us to speak out and stop this dictatorship. This dictatorship is the worst in the world I have ever known and it is not right for a small country like Zambia, a principled nation and Christian nation for that matter.”
Bishop Mambo said PF, under President Edgar Lungu, has used a good name of Michael Chilufya Sata in vein.
He said Sata’s vision had been written off by chancers who had forgotten where they came from.
“Zambia is led by the dictators because collectively, the cabinet chaired by the President [Edgar Lungu] he has a right to say this is not the right way. What has been happening now has not happened in the last 27 years. We are seeing the worst now…this is why I have said that Sata has been betrayed, he has been totally write off because if you knew him, he had his own weakness but he was a people person. If you make a mistake, he would correct you and forgive you,” he said.
“Now in this case, the chancers, those who have come, because the ones that started PF are no longer in the PF, but those who joined on the way, some of them from the UPND, they are now the ministers, they are now in government. They have forgotten that they came from UPND and join PF. Sata gave them an opportunity to be leaders but they have proved to be dictators.”
Bishop Mambo added that Dora Siliya and Amos Malupenga should not be used by evil to close media institutions in Zambia.
He said Zambia’s politics were not adding value to anything because it was off democratic principles.
“Currently, I do not know which vision they are carrying. I do not know whether they have love for Sata! If they love Sata, they would have served the people of Zambia on principles that Sata stood for,” Bishop Mambo said.
Bishop Mambo said Zambia needs ideas to fix the economy, not citizens and their businesses.
He said the closure of Prime TV was similar to how those in power closed The Post.
“The shutting down of Prime TV, for those who are rejoicing, it is the beginning of the clampdown of the media institution before 2021 so that there will be no voice of Mambo, there is no voice of any person apart from them and ZNBC,” he said.
“Who is watching ZNBC now? We are paying a levy to ZNBC but they are not doing their obligation of equal coverage. It is a mouthpiece of those in government and their friends. I cannot be covered by ZNBC unless I am dancing to the tune of praising government for the things they have not done.”
Bishop Mambo said Zambians must graduate from Stone Age politics of fixing each to political of ideas.
He wondered what legacy those in office would leave for Zambia if their job was to fight every Zambia with divergent views.
“Let’s go to politics where we can differ but still we agree that we are a family. The way it is now, it is sending a very wrong signal. Everyone has spoken about the closure but the government is not listening. My appeal is that with such arrogance, if they have money to spend during 2021 election, let us eat their money. But let us go in massive numbers to go and vote for people that would see us to the promised land in 2021,” said Bishop Mambo.
“What legacy will my brother and sister leave to this nation once they are out of power? Because they must be remembered for something good but it appears that they are destroying everything. Anyone that was a friend of Michael Chilufya Sata is either his business has been closed or gone under. This is what we refused in 1991, we don’t want one party state.”