Thursday, 2^nd December, 2021

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_______

 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

 

HEAD MIX-UP ON THE ORDER PAPER AND E-CHAMBER

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, yesterday, on Wednesday, 1^st December, 2021, when the House was considering Question No. 99 under Standing Order No. 74, Mr Remember Mutale, hon. Member of Parliament for Chitambo, raised a point of order as to why Head 10 – Zambia Police Service Commission was reflected as Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development on the Order Paper posted on the e-Chamber platform. I reserved my ruling decision to allow me to study the matter.

 

Hon. Members, after an investigation into the matter, the following were established:

 

1. the Order Paper that was circulated to all hon. Members on both the e-Chamber platform and the WhatsApp group on Tuesday, 30^th November, 2021, properly reflected Head 10 as “Zambia Police Service Commission”;
2. the revised Order Paper that was circulated to all hon. Members on Wednesday, 1^st December, 2021, through the WhatsApp group also properly reflected Head 10 as “Zambia Police Service Commission”; and
3. the copy of the revised Order Paper that was posted to the e-Chamber platform on Wednesday, 1^st December, 2021, wrongly reflected Head 10 as “Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development”.

 

Hon. Members, the problem arose during the transmission of the revised Order Paper for posting on the e-Chamber platform. In view of the foregoing, I to apologise to the House for the inconvenience the mix-up caused. I further assure the House that in future, due diligence will be done to ensure that such an incidence does not recur.

 

I thank you.

 

_______

 

QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

NEAR COLLAPSE OF TEMPORARY BRIDGE ON CHAMA/MATUMBO ROAD

 

100. Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

 

1. whether the Government is aware that the temporary bridge on the Chama/Matumbo Road on the Luangwa River in Chama District is on the verge of collapse; and
2. if so, what measures are being taken to avert a loss of lives.

 

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, the Government is aware that the temporary bridge on the Chama/Matumbo Road on the Luangwa River in Chama District, as suffered extensive erosion on both approaches, and that the safety of users of the bridge has been compromised.

 

Madam speaker, the bridge has been assessed, and erosion repair works costed. The repair works will be undertaken once funds are made available.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Chitotela: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I rise on a serious point of order on the Government Chief Whip.

 

Madam Speaker, some of your hon. Members of Parliament on the left have built reputations over a long time. For example, I have been in this Chamber as a Member of Parliament for eleven years now, only to be demeaned by the Government Chief Whip in the public domain, according to the News Diggers newspaper Issue No. 1091, entitled “PF MPs COME TO PARLEY DRUNK; They want to make it difficult for the House to run – Chief Whip”.

 

Madam Speaker, Standing Order 203(2) addresses the conduct of hon. Members of Parliament and respect for the dignified House of hon. Members who have been sent here by the people of Zambia, and who do a great deal at the taxpayers’ expense.

 

Madam Speaker, is the Government Chief Whip and hon. Member of Parliament for Solwezi Central in order to demean your hon. Members, who have come here to exercise oversight on the Executive, by disparaging them publicly and describing them as people that come to the Chamber in a drunken state? Some of us have never done that in the three terms I have been here.

 

I seek your serious guidance and direction on this matter, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, I lay this newspaper on the Table.

 

Mr Chitotela laid the newspaper on the Table.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you so much for that point of order. However, before I say anything, I want to mention that you cited the Standing Orders, but according to our Standing Orders, a point of order is supposed to be on a procedural matter. So, I advise you, hon. Member, since you have evidence of what you are talking about, to use another avenue to bring up that matter in the House.

 

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Madam Speaker, we have heard the question asked by Hon. Mtayachalo. Is there an intention by the Government to immediately go around the country and carry out an inventory of all the bridges that are not strong enough to withstand the coming rainy season, rather than just taking things on a constituency-by-constituency basis? We know very well that the Patriotic Front (PF) regime failed to go around the country and establish the exact number of bridges that needed to be worked on and, throughout the country, people are looking forward to the same works.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, yes, we have undertaken an inspection of the crossing points that may suffer erosion and, therefore, be impassable during the rainy season. To give an assurance to the hon. Member for Namwala, and I think we have spoken to him, because one area where bridges and culverts are no longer operational and, therefore, pose the danger of completely cutting off the road is, indeed, the one the hon. Member has interest in, that is, from Niko to Monze, that we are taking some remedial measures. However, the question now is specifically on the bridge in Chama, and that is why our answer makes reference to only that bridge.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the responses. However, I am concerned because in the next few weeks, Chama will be completely cut off from its provincial headquarters, Chinsali, because there is no Kampemba Bridge, and the Luangwa Bridge is on the verge of collapse, which threatens the lives of all civil servants and the people who get their medicines from Chinsali. Further, going to Chipata, which is about 410 km from Chama, is practically impossible because the Chama/Lundazi Road is also not navigable during the rainy season, yet the response from the hon. Minister is, “once funds are made available”.

 

Madam Speaker, the bridge is a disaster in waiting. Is the hon. Minister going to prioritise working on the bridge, which is on the verge of collapse, so that it can serve the people of Chama in this rainy season? Is he going to put up remedial measures, just like what was done in the Southern Province, where the Government looked for money to take fertiliser, so that our people could access Chinsali and the rest of the country?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, we, on this side of the House, as the Government, look at this country as one, period! So, whenever, the lives of our people are threatened or areas are cut off, we take measures to remedy the situation regardless of where that happens. Therefore, I think it is not appropriate to ask a question that pinpoints a particular area.

 

Madam Speaker, in terms of the 2021 Budget cycle, in which we are, the funds are exhausted. However, that does not preclude an instance of this nature occurring and, therefore, requiring us to act. So, we have identified a number of crossing points, including the one in question, and engaged the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, to seek some limited resources for us to remedy the situation. Further, since the hon. Member for Chama South has made reference to the distance between Chama and Chipata, allow me to say that the bridges we are looking at include the one on the Chipata/Lundazi Road. If he cares to check, he will find that, already, the contractor is re-mobilising on site, and the same applies to the bridge in question. The idea is to be able to work on the bridge.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member may wish to note that the bridge has suffered extensive erosion, as I said, on both embankments, and that has affected its structural stability. Since the works on the Chama/Matumbo Road have stalled due to fiscal constraints, an assessment of works to prevent the bridge from collapsing was undertaken, and the cost of work was estimated at about K3.4 million. Further, rather than waiting for funds to be sourced through the regular means, we have decided that some of the work be undertaken under the Force Account. A request for the funds required has already been submitted through the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) for consideration, and I am aware that it is receiving top priority. That said, an alternative route, though cumbersome, is available in case of a complete closure of the bridge. That alternative route is via Vwaza National Park on the Isoka/Muyombe Road.

 

Madam Speaker, just to enhance safety on the stretch in question as repair works are awaited, the Road Development Agency (RDA) is in the process of installing safety advisory signs on the approach to the bridge.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to ask the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development a follow-up question. I also thank the hon. Minister for his response. However, I think the issue of the Luangwa Bridge on the Chama/Matumbo Road must be treated as an emergency. The temporary bridge was constructed in 2016, and it has since outlived its lifespan. So, I had to ask the provincial hon. Minister about it, and he travelled to Chama to see for himself that if we do not move quickly to sort out that problem, we are going to have a calamity or loss of life and property in Chama.

 

Madam Speaker, the bridge is a gateway to East Africa, as it is the one you can use to go from Dar-es-Salaam up to Chipata and Petauke.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, you have started debating the question. Can you, please, go straight to the question.

 

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, I am saying that I think we need to be told the time frame in which the Government is going to work on the crossing point. The hon. Minister says there is an alternative route through Vwaza. However, Chama is like an island. When it rains, one cannot go to Chinsali because the Chama/Matumbo Road is bad. Similarly, one cannot go to Lundazi because the Chama/Lundazi Road is bad. The road to Vwaza is the worst; even using a Land Cruiser cannot help. So, there is no alternative, and I appeal to the Government to treat this as an urgent matter in order to avert a loss of life and property.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, I do not know whether you want to respond to the appeal, but I am sure you have heard.

 

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Madam Speaker, I hope that today, my question to the hon. Minister will make sense.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member said that the bridge should be treated as an emergency, and I totally agree with him. Further, I know that in the Office of the Vice-President, there is the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). Is it possible for the hon. Minister to liaise with Her Honour the Vice-President on whether the bridge can be worked on under the DMMU, as it is an emergency?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, the hon. Member for Chitambo. I can confirm that he always asks sensible questions and that this one is one of them.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member asked whether we would treat the bridge as an emergency, and I explained that we undertook a quick survey, on an emergency basis, to identify crossing points that may cause large areas to be cut off, and we identified the point in question as one of them, in addition to the bridges leading to Lundazi from Chipata. As a result of that, we need money outside the 2021 Budget, which is exhausted. That is why we have engaged the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, and I know that some funds are in the process of being released very shortly so that we can undertake repair works to ensure that that bridge is not completely eroded.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Chama North said that this problem has been there since 2016. These are some of the issues that this Government has to deal with, and we do not mind dealing with them on the principle of perpetual succession.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Lusambo (Kabushi): Madam Speaker, I sympathise with Hon. Mtayachalo. One can even feel the pain of the people of Chama North from the way he has belaboured this issue. I just want a clarification from the hon. Minister. Since the Government has invested colossal sums of money in road infrastructure, does the ministry have a deliberate policy of inspecting and maintaining roads? If it does, why can the hon. Minister not use the funds meant for maintenance to work on the bridge in question?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the funds for 2021 are exhausted, be they for new projects or maintenance. To specifically answer the hon. Member’s question on whether we have any plans to place emphasis on maintenance, I think, tomorrow, it will be my turn to issue the policy statement for the ministry in support of the 2020 budget. So, I urge the hon. Member to wait patiently for the statement and listen to what I will say on placing emphasis on maintenance.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Sampa (Matero): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister, Eng. Milupi, who has many years of experience in managing public affairs; we are babies compared to him, and I know that he already knows what I want to say.

 

Madam Speaker, Chama North and Chama South are among the orphaned constituencies; they are in the middle of no-man’s-land from one province to another and are far away from both the Muchinga Provincial Headquarters, Chinsali, and the Eastern Province Provincial Capital, Chipata. The situation is the same with Itezhi-Tezhi, which is far away from the Southern Province Headquarters, Choma, and Kabwe. Similarly, Chirundu is far away from Choma and Lusaka. Is the hon. Minister considering looking at them differently and not giving the answer of there being no money? Regarding the bridge, he can approach the banks, get funds quickly and help our orphaned constituencies.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Matero always has suggestions. As to whether the suggestions are useful or not, I think that is another question. This one is useful, by the way.

 

Madam Speaker, what is the Government trying to manage? We are dealing with colossal sums in terms of the country’s debts. You may have noticed that this Government is trying its utmost best to not add to the national debt, and that is why, going forward, for example, in 2022, we will rehabilitate or construct a number of commercially viable stretches using public-private Partnerships (PPPs) to release pressure from the Treasury and avoid adding to the country’s debts.

 

Madam Speaker, one of the tasks of the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is to manage the debt that we have as a country, and that is why the Government will spend a lot of time on discussions towards restructuring part of the debt. When that is done, we would have created fiscal space so that we can undertake some of the requested works in the near future. Unfortunately, going to the bank, right now, to borrow money to work on that bridge will add to the national debt which, if done uncontrollably, will sink this country.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I will take the last question from the hon. Member for Bwacha.

 

Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Madam Speaker, is there any time frame for accessing resources through the Force Account? If so, what is it? I guess, that is an account from which money is drawn for emergencies in the different constituencies in this country.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, what I said about the Force Account is that since works on the Chama/Matumbo Road have stalled due to fiscal constraints, an assessment of works to prevent the bridge from collapsing was undertaken and the works were estimated to cost K3.4 million. Further, the works will be undertaken using the Force Account. I think the question is: What is a force account? A Force Account is essentially departmental resources. This indicates quite clearly that we are doing everything in our power to ensure that something is done on that bridge. I assure the hon. Member for Bwacha that I have engaged the hon. Member for Chama North, who asked this question, and his neighbour, the hon. Member for Chama South. So, we fully understand the need to undertake some emergency work, and that is why we have done the things that we have done.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

_______

 

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

 

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the

Chair]

 

(Consideration resumed)

 

Vote 01– (Office of the President – State House – K78,955,693)

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Mr Chairperson, thank you most sincerely for according me this opportunity to present the 2022 Estimates of Recurrent Expenditure for Vote 01/01 – Office of the President – State House.

 

Mr Chairperson, State House is a key Government institution that is also the seat of the Presidency of the Republic of Zambia. As the apex institution of the Government, it plays a critical over-arching and support role to the Presidency in the provision of national guidance and overall policy direction to the country. Given this mandate, the policy objective and role of State House has been developed in line with the mission statement below:

 

“To deliver inspirational and visionary leadership to the nation and to promote inclusive governance in order to achieve a better life for all Zambians”.

 

Mr Chairperson, in support of the mission statement, the institution’s core statement is as follows:

 

“To achieve effective and efficient advisory and support services for enhanced execution of Executive functions by His Excellency the President”.

 

Overview of 2021 Operations

 

Mr Chairperson, State House encountered various operational challenges during the year under review due to austerity measures and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which slowed down the implementation of a number of programmes and activities. However, it should be noted that during the year, the following programmes were implemented:

 

1. review of the placement of staff;
2. training of staff in long-term and short-term programmes; and
3. in line with the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) 2017-2021, entered into smart partnerships and alliances that provided synergies with other Government departments, firstly, as a prudent cost-saving measure and, secondly, as a means of ensuring the upgrading of the State House premises. The works covered include;

 

1. maintenance of the State House Building, including external and internal paintings;
2. identification and numbering of obsolete plants and equipment;
3. landscaping and gardening services and;
4. upgrading of water reticulation and sanitation systems.

 

Challenges

 

Mr Chairperson, the key challenges faced by the institution during the year included:

 

1. the outbreak of COVID-19, which adversely affected the implementation and monitoring of many programmes, including the following:

 

1. assessment of Presidential Lodges in readiness for repair; and
2. monitoring of major Government projects for possible intervention by the Presidency; and

 

       b. dilapidated infrastructure of State House Buildings, which needs constant maintenance and rehabilitation.

 

2022 Budget Estimates

 

Mr Chairperson, it is important to note that State House functions are performed through three key programmes, namely Presidential Advisory Services, Presidential Affairs and Initiatives, and Management and Support Services.

 

Mr Chairperson, Presidential Advisory Services comprise of various distinct areas of specialisation with the critical role of providing professional and technical backstopping to the President on various divergent matters. The programme summary estimate is K11,433,181.

 

Sir, the distinct areas of specialisation are as follows:

 

1. Press and Public Relations;
2. Legal Advisory Services;
3. Political Advisory Services;
4. Economic Advisory Services
5. Project Implementation and Monitoring; and
6. Public Health Advisory Services.

 

Mr Chairperson, the Presidential Affairs and Initiatives Programme’s mandate is to provide Presidential Services to the President and the First Family. The programme budget summary estimate is K13,647,454.

 

Sir, the two areas of specialisation are:

 

1. Diplomatic and Hospitality Services; and
2. Presidential Initiatives.

 

Sir, the Management and Support Services Programme is charged with the efficient and effective management of staff, and provision of logistical and material support services in order to facilitate the smooth operations of the institution. The programme budget summary estimate is K53,875,058. The seven areas of specialisation are:

 

1. executive office management;
2. human resource and administration;
3. financial management and accounting
4. procurement and supplies management;
5. landscaping and gardening services;
6. transport management; and
7. records management.

 

Sir, in summary, the 2022 estimated operational budget for State House is K78,955,693, compared with last year’s budget of K76,973,381.

 

Mr Chairperson, the budget estimates before this august House will enable State House to upgrade and facilitate efficient operations of its departments, attend to personal emoluments, dismantle arrears, and provide for maintenance of State House Grounds and infrastructure, transport management and general operations. In this regard, I appeal to hon. Members to support them as presented.

 

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mundubile (Mporokoso): Mr Chairperson, thank you very much for this opportunity you have given to me to add my voice to the debate on this very important Vote. From the outset, I want to state that I support the estimates for Vote 01 – Office of the President – State House. 

 

Mr Chairperson, the Office of the President is a very important office. Therefore, it requires a reasonable budget to enhance the execution of Executive functions, and this is the reason we, on your left, support these estimates of expenditure. As a matter fact, when we go to the details, in some areas, we want to propose some increments so that the Office of the President is able to function effectively.

 

Mr Chairperson, Presidential trips are very important because the President goes out to promote the interests of the country, attract investment and, indeed, ensure that we remain within the global village. The President also articulates the aspirations of the people of Zambia on the international scene.

 

Sir, in the past, there was talk about trimming the sizes of entourages for international trips. Yes, that is a very prudent measure, but it should not be done at the expense of the benefit that we derive from the trips. We have noticed that many a time, on the few trips that the President has made, he has gone with lean entourages, sometimes leaving out key personnel and support staff who would properly advise him and carry out or continue the programmes that they follow to those very important meetings. We, therefore, state that an increase in the budget for Presidential trips will be supported by us, and that even as we endeavour to cut costs, we have to look at opportunity costs because, sometimes, we want to go with a lean staff and leave out the key staff who would assist the President while he is out.

 

Mr Chairperson, we want to see the President’s Assistants and aids at State House assist the President in executing his Executive functions. We have listened with concern to some of the statements that have been made by the Head of State, meaning that those who are charged with the responsibility to advise him may not be discharging their functions with diligence. So, we urge all of the President’s Assistants to use their expert knowledge and advise their principal, the President, which is their job, so that we do not allow him to speak off the cuff. Sometimes, challenges arise when the President is not properly advised, especially when he is on media addressing the nation. So, we support increased budgetary allocations to State House so that he has proper support staff and systems around him so as to give a good image to the Presidency. In the same vein, we want the President to bring out a positive image of Zambia when he is out and about, whether locally or abroad. This is very important because he is Ambassador Number One. Even if he has certain concerns locally, he should only sell a good image of Zambia. Sometimes, the temptation is strong to comment on certain things, but it does not auger well for Citizen No. 1 to paint the country that he represents in bad colours.

 

Mr Chairperson, we are also concerned about the fact that the mainstream or public media does not accompany the President on most of his trips. Let us ensure that the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and other media houses are always with the President when on his trips because we will benefit more from the reports that will be filed by them. I would, therefore, support an increase in these estimates of expenditure if there was a need for one, to ensure that the President has the media with him whenever he travels. We are ready to support that.

 

Sir, I also want to mention that in the past Government, the Past President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, made a decision that each time he travelled, the Minister responsible for foreign affairs made a report to the House on the trip. That was beneficial to the nation, as we were informed on what the President’s trips were about and the benefits that were likely to accrue from those trips. So, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation should continue with that practice.

 

Mr Chairperson, lastly, let us make sufficient provisions in these estimates of expenditure for State House to be rehabilitated to the President’s comfort because we are if the President continues to commute between his residence and the official residence every day, it will be a very serious security risk, and we will be exposed, as a nation. So, it will be very helpful to rehabilitate State House speedily so that the President can occupy it and avoid the dangers that come with moving up and down.

 

Mr Chairperson, with those few remarks, I support the estimates of expenditure on Vote 01.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to debate on Head 01 – Office of the President – State House. I also thank Her Honour the Vice-President for the very clear statement she has issued.

 

Sir, when the Leader of the Opposition in the House was speaking, I wondered why we were thinking about the same things, then I quickly realised that we come from neighbouring villages.

 

Mr Chairperson, let me be very clear in saying that I support the estimates. In doing so, I want to be even clearer in indicating that I would rather this provision was doubled or trebled because not long ago, Her Honour the Vice-President was asked on the Floor of the House why the President was not moving from his private residence to State House, and she said that it was because State House was not of a standard that could accommodate the President. However, nothing has been allocated in this provision for rehabilitation of State House, which means that the President might spend the entire 2022 at a private residence.

 

Mr Mundubile: Mwaona manje!

 

Mr Kafwaya: That will be inconveniencing the people of Kabwata where, very soon, the United Party for National Development (UPND) will be going to ask for votes, and the anger the movements of the President are generating in the people of Kabwata may be unforgivable during the campaigns there. This is just a piece of advice I am offering.

 

Mr Chairperson, Her Honour the Vice-President’s Government has just been in office for three months, but the President has already been to the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), South Africa, Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); five foreign trips in three months, which is an average of two foreign trips per month. Using this average, in twelve months, from 1^st January to 31^st December, the President will go on twenty-four trips, and he has just been settling in. Where is the money in K78 million for those trips?

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kafwaya: By the way, I have just spoken about the foreign trips. Let us remember that this President campaigns at all levels; when there is a by-election for a Member of Parliament, he goes for campaigns; when there is a by-election for a Council Chairperson, he goes to campaign; and a by-election for a Councillor, he goes to campaign.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kafwaya: So, I have –

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order, hon. Member!

 

Debate the policy statement.

 

Hon. PF Members: Ah!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Chairperson, I am debating Head 01, which has to do with President Hakainde Hichilema.

 

Hon. PF Members: Yes!

 

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Chairperson, I was saying that our President campaigns everywhere, including for elections at the ward level. So, while we consider the importance of Presidential trips, as established by the Leader of the Opposition, we must also consider the President’s appetite for travelling and factor that in this budget because we want to make him as comfortable as possible.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kafwaya: As a Zambian, I want the President to be comfortable, and his interests must be catered for. So, what Hon. Dr Musokotwane has done is unfair to the President, and he should put more money into this budget so that the President can travel freely.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kafwaya: You see, from the time the President assumed office, there is only one province he has not been to, and that is the Western Province. He has been to the Northern, Muchinga, Eastern, –

 

Mr M. Phiri: On a point of order, Mr Chairperson.

 

Mr J. Chibuye: Pay the farmers!

 

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

 

Interruptions

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

Mr M. Phiri: Mr Chairperson, on page 31 of the Standing Orders, Order  65(1)(a) clearly indicates that an hon. Member debating shall confine his or her debate to the subject under discussion.

 

Mr Emmanuel M. Musonda: Are you the only one who knows the subject?

 

Mr M. Phiri: Mr Chairperson, the respectable hon. Member debating is debating an individual, the President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Mr Mtayachalo: Where is the fertiliser?

 

Mr M. Phiri: His debate should be confined to the statement made by Her Honour the Vice-President, which is about the Presidency. To indicate that one is talking about President Hakainde Hichilema is wrong. Is he in order to mention the name of an individual who is not here to defend himself? He is not in order.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr M. Phiri: Mr Chairperson, is that hon. Member in order?

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Member, avoid debating individuals. Let us stick to the policy statement. Let us debate the Presidency, not the President because the two are separate.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Deputy Chairperson: The President is an individual while the Presidency is an institution. So, the policy statement is about the Presidency.

 

Mr Emmanuel M. Musonda: Who occupies the office?

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Member, you can continue with your debate.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Chairperson, the bloated establishment at State House also demands that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning adds more money.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kafwaya: State House is the only place where you can be employed even if you have falsified your curriculum vitae (CV).

 

Mr Kampyongo: Yes!

 

Mr Kafwaya: Falsify your CV, and you will be employed as an advisor.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

 

Mr Kafwaya: Even when the information comes into the public domain, you will still not be fired. So, I encourage the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to put more money  –

 

Mr Haimbe: On a point of order, Mr Chairperson.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Haimbe: Mr Chairperson, I rise on a point of order pursuant to Standing Order No. 65, as read with Standing Order No. 131.

 

Sir, the rules of this House clearly indicate that debate must be based on facts, not speculation, but the hon. Member debating has made the very alarming statement that at State House, one can get employed on a falsified curriculum vitae (CV).

 

Hon. PF Members: Yes!

 

Mr Emmanuel M. Musonda: Jito!

 

Mr Haimbe: Mr Chairperson, the hon. Members on your left are quite happy to involve engage in speculation, but this House debates factual matters. If the hon. Member debating believes that this matter, which is supposedly in public domain, is factual, he must lay the evidence on the Table. The rules are very clear on that. Otherwise, he cannot continue debating in that manner.

 

I seek your ruling on this point, Mr Chairperson.

 

Interruptions

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

Hon. Member, let us avoid debating without facts.

 

You can continue with your debate.

 

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Chairperson, let me conclude my debate by going to the immediate outcome on page 1 of the Yellow Book, where it says we want to have high economic growth.

 

Mr Chairperson, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning came here and read his Budget Speech, which he was sent to deliver by the President, and said he wanted to grow this economy by 3.5 per cent in 2022. Is that the high economic growth that should be put in the Yellow Book? These contradictory statements should be considered very carefully because he also projected that this year’s economic growth will end at 3 per cent, meaning that the only growth that he is going to add to the 3 per cent is 0.5 per cent, and that is very low economic growth. I understand it low growth during the time of the Patriotic Front (PF) because we had to contend with the advent of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

 

Mr Chairperson, having said these very few remarks, and I hope they will be considered important, I wish to say that I support this Vote, and I hope the hon. Minister will double or triple it because the current trends already show clearly that he will come back with a Supplementary Budget if he does not.

 

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Mr Chairperson, in joining my hon. Colleagues on your left hand side in supporting the Vote, I just want to raise a few points under the Presidency.

 

Sir, I think we have seen that the President is settling down in in terms of some of the policy decisions being made in the country. However, my observation, which I think will lead to challenges at State House is the increase in the number of advisors, and I think the roles are overlapping. I also think that not too long from now, we are going to see isolations amongst the advisory teams. If you look at the Press and Public Relations Department, you will see that there are about five advisors there and, mind you, the position of Special Advisor to the President is equivalent to that of Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet in terms of conditions of service; the conditions of service are better than those of Ministers. While we have seen that ministries have been compressed, when you look at the number of advisors and the cost implication, you will note that the expenditure at State House has increased in terms of emoluments. I think the Government needs to relook into that.

 

Mr Chairperson, most of the other important points have been debated already.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Mr Chairperson, thank you so much for allowing me to make a few comments on this very important Vote moved by Her Honour the Vice-President.

 

Sir, I want to start by commending Her Honour the Vice-President and the Executive for remedying the issue that we raised when this Vote came on the Floor of this House. That is how it should be. We are not here to be antagonistic, but to offer effective checks and balances so that as we collectively decide on these national matters, we are all at peace, especially insofar as defending the Constitution is concerned.

 

Sir, we agree with Her Honour the Vice-President that State House is the apex institution, which hosts Civil Servant No. 1, and it is important that we all support its activities.

 

Mr Chairperson, I also just want to add to what has been said by my hon. Colleagues.

 

Sir, I know that the expenditure for renovation of the facilities at State House lies in the Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure and Urban Development because very important institutions are catered for under that ministry. Our plea is that the hon. Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Urban Development ensures that the facilities are quickly made habitable for the Head of State. In the Commonwealth, it is practice, and I am sure you have seen that in other countries, that the Head of State moves from wherever he could have been living to the State house, and that signifies the assumption of power. For example, in the United Kingdom (UK), there is Number 10, Downing Street, while in the United States of America (USA), there is the White House, and moving into those buildings is part of assuming office. So, we would like to see those works expedited. I know the current situation is a big headache for my dear brother, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, whose responsibility is to ensure that State House and the Office of Her Honour the Vice-President are well secured.

 

Mr Chairperson, we should make sure the movements of the Head of State are minimal, especially inland, and I suggest to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security and the hon. Minister of Defence that they also moving the Head of State, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, by air from wherever he comes from to State House, where is a helipad and other facilities that make it much more convenient, especially in the rainy season, to fly him than to move him by road, with all the route lining that has to be done every day. The officers are not provided for to be on those stretches for long hours and awkward times. So, when it is not raining, he can consider flying because the Ministry of Defence has facilities for facilitating the movement of the Head of State, as we wait for the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development to make State House habitable.

 

Mr Chairperson, one other concern is how our hon. Colleagues, the advisors State House are managing the aspect of propaganda. I am sure all of us here have been reached by circulating news or propaganda to the effect that the Head of State would be in Parliament to address the House, and there were phone calls flying all over. These matters of propaganda and social media must be managed, and State House must depend on the available State apparatus in order to disseminate accurate information, deal with matters and allow the Head of State to make informed decisions.

 

Sir, State House is a place where all of us, as national leaders, should feel free to go to during national events and other activities. However, we want a conducive environment; we do not want to go there and not know what the Head of State is thinking, especially while hearing some veiled threats.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order, hon. Member!

 

Let us restrict ourselves to the policy statement.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Chairperson, I am well guided.

 

Sir, we are national leaders, and it is a national institution I am talking about, where we should be free, even as we appropriate funds, at events that will require our presence. That is what I am saying is. So, we must have an environment in which we can go and participate in national activities or events without fearing what is going to happen to us.

 

Sir, like my hon. Colleagues have said, we feel that we need to appropriate matching resources so that the Executive does not have to come back for supplementary budgets for the operations at that important institution, State House.

 

Sir, my hon. Colleagues talked about the trips. There is nothing wrong with the Head of State travelling, as long as we are able to generate economic benefits, as it should be. What is key is to keep the nation informed. Like the Leader of the Opposition stated, it should be a policy that after any international engagement, the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation comes here and shares with this august House and the nation what would have been achieved through that engagement.

 

Sir, we also want the apex office to be inclusive. We, as Zambians, are all look up to that office because whether we are with the Opposition or the Ruling Party; among those who voted or did not vote for the President, we are all citizens of this country who look up to the one and only Head of State. So, it is very important that we make that office functional and effective. Our plea to all those who surround the Presidency, and I mean the State apparatus, is that they give advice anchored on accurate information to enable the President to make informed decisions. The President is in a position from which everybody from the business sector and private individuals would want to seek favours and many other things. However, it is important that he is given the space in which to operate without any undue pressure even from outside the borders of this country.

 

Mr Chairperson, joining my dear Colleagues who have spoken before me, I support this Vote and commend the Government, once again, for listening to us when we raised a constitutional matter, which has been attended to.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Mr Mufalali, wind up debate. Conclude the debate.

 

Hon. PF Members: Aah! “Wind up”?

 

Mr Mufalali (Nominated): Mr Chairperson, thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to add a few words to the –

 

Interruptions

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

He will conclude debate and then Her Honour the Vice-President will wind up.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kapyanga: Ema Chair aba!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mufalali: Mr Chairperson, I thank Her Honour the Vice-President for making an elaborate statement on the Vote on the Table, which is for State House.

 

Sir, I we are grateful that the Government is focused and ensuring that Zambians get the benefits of being in the New Dawn Government. The benefits are showing just 100 days of our being in power and, today, as I stand here and I say the benefits are showing, we can tell that hon. Members are happy with Her Honour the Vice-President’s presentation. Maybe, there is a need to increase the allocation, but because this is a responsible Government, it is looking at measured spending in the Presidency.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mufalali: It is not just a question of spending, but also measuring, knowing that the Presidency is supposed to take care of its citizens, and that it should not be a case of everything going into the Presidency.

 

Mr Chairperson, we realise that we are coming from a situation in which the Presidency was somehow not ‘well-respected’. In a month like this one, December, it was time for partying, and there was a lot of partying at State House.

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

Mr Mufalali: Not only partying, but also dancing.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mufalali: Eventually, the citizens ended up saying that they had a ka dancer in State House, which was not –

 

Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Mr Chairperson.

 

Mr Mufalali: Mr Chairperson, let me come to the policy statement.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order, hon. Members!

 

Let us stick to the policy statement.

 

Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Mr Chairperson.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Chairperson, I stand on a point of order citing Standing Order No. 65(b), in which it is stated that information given to this august House must be factual and verifiable.

 

Sir, we, on this side of the House, have been very clear in our support to this Vote. Therefore, is the hon. Member on my immediate left in order to make insinuations here that there was dancing at State House, which he cannot prove?

 

Hon. Member: It was there!

 

Hon. PF Member: That voice must be fished out. Alitemwa ukulanda ifibi.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Chairperson, I think you have heard from my hon. Colleagues that there is a voice that is unruly and which misconducts itself every time by interjecting.

 

Mr Chairperson, we are discussing the apex institution, and you guided that we should not reduce that institution to pettiness. My dear hon. Colleague is a senior hon. Member. I know he was nominated, this time around, but he has been here before. Is he in order to reduce this very important institution and bring matters that do not connect to the Vote we are discussing now?

 

I seek your serious guidance, Mr Chairperson.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Member on the Floor, you should desist from making utterances that inflict pain on others, and make sure that you debate with facts.

 

You can continue.

 

Mr Mufalali: Mr Chairperson, I thank you, and I am guided accordingly.

 

Sir, it is December, and institutions like the Zambia Army and the Zambia National Service (ZNS) usually have end-of-year parties.

 

Mr Chairperson, I was talking about expenditure at State House, and Her Honour the Vice-President has put it categorically that the Government wants to spend in a measured way. I want to talk about the trips of the President, knowing that people are used to big entourages and want to spend big. However, this United Party for National Development (UPND) New Dawn Government is a responsible Government that believes that there is a child somewhere who sleeps or sits on the floor, or is without a classroom; there is also a child out there who has no desk. Therefore, when the Government comes to this House and tells us that it is going to spend in a measured way, we support it because it is being very responsible. The entourages have been reduced, and that is walking the talk, because Her Honour the Vice-President promised that they were going to be lean. That is what we are seeing today. Those who believe that there should be a big entourage with musicians and all manner of people are so ashamed because they did not believe that this Government could walk the talk.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mufalali: Mr Chairperson, unlike those who hired bloggers as their spokespersons at State House, this Government is doing the right thing.

 

Sir, may God bless this Government.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Mr Chairperson, I thank the hon. Members who have debated this Vote and supported the 2022 Estimates of Expenditure for State House. I will respond to only a few things.

 

Sir, I appreciate some corrections even going forward. I also appreciate the fact that we need a lot of money or a bigger budget, particularly –

 

Mr Kapyanga: And another church!

 

The Vice-President: We are not playing games here.

 

Interruptions

 

The Vice-President: Mr Chairperson, I appreciate the fact that we need a lot of money or a bigger budget, particularly for infrastructure. I stated in this House that even Nkwazi House is not in a good enough state for the President to move into it. That is work. Generally, I must state that the house is old, having been constructed in 1935. Therefore, it needs continuous maintenance that becomes ever more costly. We do appreciate that, but we also appreciate that the Budget we are dealing with has to deal with many other things, including the indebtedness that all of us here want to get rid of.

 

Mr Chairperson, another clarification I would like to make is that the infrastructure budget cannot be in this Vote. I have heard one hon. Member state that the budget for such works is put under the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, which is in charge of infrastructure. Therefore, when we talk about State House and infrastructure, we must know that that that budget line cannot fall under State House.

 

Mr Chairperson, another clarification is on trips. There was some political talk about trips from my younger brother, Hon. Kafwaya.

 

Mr Kafwaya rose.

 

The Vice-President: Yes, I know you have raised a point of order, but sit down now.

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: Sir, Mr Kafwaya engaged in a bit of politicking by saying that the President goes to every by-election. In fact, there has been only one round of by-elections in the country.

 

Mr Chairperson, let me clarify that trips generally, be they national or international, are facilitated from Cabinet Office, not directly by State House, and I think I stated what the functions for which we are allocating these resources. On the trips, particularly international ones, and even local ones, I appreciate the debates of our Colleagues who stated that the President is the Chief Ambassador. That being the case, the Chief Ambassador and marketer of a newly formed Government like this one must travel and touch base. Therefore, what the President has done should not be seen in a negative light.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Sir, indeed, there are benefits that accrue from every trip the President has gone on. We may not have laid the information here, but I think everybody has seen the benefits of those trips, and the benefits will start actually showing in the country. So, what more do the hon. Members on your left want? The President went to the 26^th United Nations climate change Conference of Parties (COP 26) and came back with £1 billion.

 

Mr Mabeta: Pounds

 

Interruptions

 

The Vice-President: “What else”? It is coming, and that is very important.

 

Mr Chairperson, some of us are asking where the money is coming from? We have programmes, and I just want to acknowledge that it is appreciated by all of us, hon. Members, including those on the other side, that there is a need for the President to travel. I think I have explained where the need is.

 

Mr Chairperson, as regards the required conducive environment, the President of the Republic of Zambia truly wants it. It will not be like yesterday. From today onwards, State House is a truly a State house. We do not want anybody to be fearful, and we are not those who put cadres to beat people and condemn them. Everybody is welcome there.

 

Interruptions

 

The Vice-President: That is why, on behalf of hon. Members of Parliament, the Hon. Madam Speaker went to State House and agreed with the President. That Swearing in and exchange you see is meant to open the way for Members of Parliament to be free to go to State House, particularly under the New Dawn.

 

Mr Chairperson, I assure the hon. Members that as long they mean well, they are free to go to State House.

 

Interruptions

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

The Vice-President: I see that Hon. Musonda over there is worried.

 

Mr Emmanuel Musonda: Tukeesa lisa?

 

The Vice-President: No! This is not the other Government that he knew.

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: This is the New Dawn Government, and the President is willing to have all of us. We are focused on bringing benefits to the people of Zambia.

 

Mr Chairperson, many good things have been said, some in contradiction, but that is how it is. For now, we toss the political utterances away, but receive the good things from what hon. Members have said.

 

Thank you so much, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

VOTE 01 – (Office of the President – State House –K78,955,693).

 

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane): Mr Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment on page 1, under “1.0: Mandate”, paragraph 1, by the deletion of the phrase “The mandate is derived from Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution of Zambia Act No. 18 of 1996” and the substitution therefor of the phrase “The mandate is derived from Article 91 of the Constitution of Zambia as amended by the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016.”

 

Amendment agreed to. Vote amended accordingly.

 

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Mr Chairperson, I have a question to Her Honour the Vice-President.

 

Sir, on page 7 of the Yellow Book, Table 4, Programme 01 – Transfers, there is an allocation of K312,800. What transfers are these?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Chairperson, sorry, my guide is already taken, but the hon. Member’s question is on transfers. Yes, this has been done throughout. When a new Government takes office, there is a lot of movement of people, and I think that is what the allocation is for.

 

Mr Sampa indicated to ask a question

 

Hon. Opposition Member: Balekeni bamayo imwe.

 

Mr Sampa (Matero): Mr Chairperson, I am being stopped here.

 

Mr Chairperson, I have a simple question on page 7, Table 5, Programme –7006 – Presidential Initiatives, which has remained constant at K2,107,725. What are the Presidential Initiatives?

 

The Deputy Chairperson: You were not very loud. Please, repeat your question.

 

Mr Sampa: Mr Chairperson, on page 7, Table 5, Programme – 7006 – Presidential Initiatives – K2,107,725, the figure has remained the same. What does this figure entail?

 

The Vice-President: Mr Chairperson, I do not know what the hon. Member means. There is no increase and no decrease because that is the money available. I do not see what the concern is.  The function has remained the same, and there has been no increase or decrease.

 

Mr Sampa: Mr Chairperson, I just want to know what it is because I am a layman. What are the K2,107,725 Presidential Initiatives?

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Mr Sampa, for further clarity, you can engage the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning at an appropriate time.

 

Interruptions

 

Vote 01, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

 

VOTE 15 – (Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security – K269,561,508)

 

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu): Mr Chairperson, it is my honour and privilege to present the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security for the period 1^st January to 31^st December, 2022.

 

Sir, before I proceed with my debate, let me commend Hon. Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance and National Planning, for a well-thought-out 2022 National Budget, which lays the foundation for the economic recovery of the country amid the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and addresses a number of socio-economic issues, including matters relating to the maintenance of law and order.

 

Mr Chairperson, the ministry is charged with the responsibility of providing and maintaining internal security and order, and sustainable socio-economic development in the country. The ministry carries out its mandate through the following institutions:

 

1. the Zambia Police Service;
2. the Zambia Correctional Service;
3. the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC);
4. the Department of Immigration;
5. the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship (DNRPC);
6. the Registrar of Societies;
7. the National Archives of Zambia;
8. the National Forensic Authority;
9. the Anti-Terrorism Centre (ATC);
10. the Department of Finance, Human Resource and Administration; and
11. the Home Affairs Research, Panning and Information Department.

 

Mr Chairperson, further, the ministry has the following grant-aided institutions:

 

1. the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees;
2. the Police Public Complaints Commission (PPCC); and
3. the Parole Board.

 

Sir, to effectively execute the portfolio functions, the ministry has four expenditure Heads, namely:

 

Head 11- Zambia Police Service;

 

Head 15 – Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security;

 

Head 16 – Drug Enforcement Commission; and

 

Head 30 – Zambia Correctional Service.

 

Mr Chairperson, to enable hon. Members of this august House effectively consider the Heads of expenditure under the ministry, I will present the policy statements for each Head separately. Allow me, therefore, to present my policy statement for Head 15 – Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

2021 Performance

 

Sir, the overall performance of the ministry for 2021 was generally satisfactory.

 

Migration Services

 

Mr Chairperson, to efficiently deliver immigration services and enhance revenue collection, the ministry rolled out the Zambia Immigration Management System (ZIMS) to thirty-seven of the ninety-eight stations in the country. Since the introduction of this electronic payment system for visas, there has been an increase in revenue collection, which is attributed to applicants paying for their visas upfront regardless of the outcome.

 

National Identity Documents

 

Sir, in preparation for the 12^th August, 2021, General Elections, the ministry undertook mobile issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs) to 1,592,974 eligible persons, against the target of 1,500,000. Further, 862,254 more eligible persons were issued with NRCs under routine registration. However, despite this performance in the mobile issuance of NRCs, the exercise faced a number of challenges, including the programme not being strictly followed, leading to a lack of effective co-ordination.

 

Sir, to provide for dual citizenship in line with the provisions of the Constitution (Amendment) Act No.2 of 2016, the ministry finalised the review of the Citizenship Act No. 33 of 2016. During the period under review, 278 applications for dual citizenship were received, out of which 117 were granted.

 

Mr Chairperson, to enhance the security of the current paper-based NRCs, the ministry is implementing the Integrated National Registration Information System (INRIS) to enable the issuance of biometric NRCs, and birth and death certificates, and integration of other identity information systems.

 

Sir, during the period under review, the ministry finalised the installation of hardware and software infrastructure and procured 150 enrolment kits. It should be noted that the issuance of biometric NRCs will, for some time, run side by side with the issuance of paper-based NRCs for a smooth transition.

 

Mr Chairperson, during the period under review, the construction of 2,350 housing units for the security wings under the ministry was completed. Further, various construction projects, such as the ministry headquarters, the Commission for Refugees office block, the DNRPC office block in Mkushi, Mokambo Immigration Border Control and Mokambo Police Station, were completed.

 

Challenges faced in 2021

 

Sir, the ministry faced a number of challenges. These, inter alia, are:

 

1. inadequate transport for operational and administrative purposes;
2. dilapidated and inadequate housing and office accommodation;
3. the COVID-19 pandemic;
4. inadequate modern equipment; and
5. non-restructuring of the ministry.

 

Focus for 2022 Budget

 

Mr Chairperson, the ministry’s budget for the year beginning 1^st January to 31^st December, 2022, is K269,561,508, representing an increase of 17 per cent on the budget for 2021. Of this amount, K119,984,020 will go to personal emoluments while K149,577,488 will be spent on recurrent departmental charges and K25 million will be spent on infrastructure development.

 

Sir, the summary of the proposed allocations for programmes in the 2022 Budget is broken down as follows:

 

Programme                                                                                            Allocation (K)

 

Migration Services                                                                                 90,553,660

 

Legal Identity, Civil Registration and Citizenship Services                  71,504,665

 

National Archives Services                                                                     6,106,722

 

Societies Regulations and Standards                                                      3,448,218

 

Internal Security Support Services                                                        21,521,355

 

Management and Support Services                                                       76,426,888

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

The hon. Minister’s time expired.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Chairperson, thank you so much for allowing me to make some comments on this very important Vote.

 

Mr Chairperson, I want to start by acknowledging the slight increment in the Head total for the ministry. However, I want to express my concern about legal identity, civil registration and citizenship services.

 

Mr Chairperson, I do not know if things have changed, but the hon. Minister who took over from me is supposed to be the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration and vital statistics, and will be required to go and share achievements in terms of civil registration processes. In that regard, a lot of work has been done, and I know that the hon. Minister is working with various stakeholders who have suffered the negative consequences of identity fraud as a result of the manual systems that we have had over the years.

 

Mr Chairperson, the ministry should have shown a bit of commitment to supporting quasi-governmental institutions that the hon. Minister is working with on this very important aspect. As we know, the conferring of citizenship on our people is a very fundamental requirement, and the cases we hear of people not being prosecuted properly in courts as a result of the ages of their victims not being ascertained can only be dealt with through a robust system. I know that by now, the registration of births has already been decentralised to all the provincial centres, and we want to see that decentralised to the districts.

 

Mr Chairperson, the ministry should show commitment to the partners it is working with on the aspect of civil registration so that when the hon. Minister goes to hand over the chairpersonship, he will be able show how much progress the Government has made. That is the only way we are going to cut out all these issues we have been hearing about underaged persons being registered from some places. Once we have a robust system that will take stock of our citizens from birth, all these issues will be a thing of the past. So, I encourage the hon. Minister to lobby for more resources for this very important portfolio function.

 

Mr Chairperson, I am happy that the hon. Minister referred to the Zambia Immigration Management System (ZIMS), which has automated the operations of the Immigration Department, leading to an increase in non-tax revenue collected by this very important department, and improved efficiency in the department’s work. All the hon. Minister needs to do is make sure that the system is well maintained; he should work with his counterpart, the hon. Minister of Technology and Science, who is responsible for the Smart Zambia Institute, to make sure that the system is upgraded, and it would have prudent to allocate funds for the maintenance of the system.

 

Mr Chairperson, I have seen a slight increase in the budget for migration services, especially since we have been known to be a beacon of peace and a sanctuary to many people who have been uprooted from countries that have been eluded by peace. So, the hon. Minister needs to pay attention to a programme under the Commissioner for Refugees on new ways of managing people of concern. He should also find partners to help him find the resources for dealing with outstanding cases of people who are struggling.

 

Sir, I am sure the hon. Minister interacts with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the matter of Rwandese and Angolan refugees, which he needs to deal with before those people drift into statelessness.

 

Mr Chairperson, the other department that is very key is the Registrar of Societies. I have seen that the allocation to that institution has been doubled because it needs to automate the process of registering non-governmental institutions and political parties in order for it to have accurate data all the time.

 

Mr Chairperson, I have seen a reduction in the allocation to the National Archives, but the hon. Minister has to understand that this very important department is the reservoir of national information dating back to Independence. So, the hon. Minister must address whatever reason that has necessitated the reduction. If we harness the potential of that very important department, it can equally generate non-tax revenue, which will be very important to the Treasury.

 

Mr Chairperson, some people said that some allocations in this ministry used to be for teargas canisters. I am sure the hon. Minister now understands that this nation needs to be preserved and that doing so is not for the faint-hearted. I encourage him to ensure that none of the departments in the ministry lags behind because they are all very important to internal security.

 

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Mr Shakafuswa (Mandevu): Mr Chairperson, thank you so much for giving the people of Mandevu an opportunity to support this Vote. I also thank the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security for his policy statement. I must put it on record that I am particularly happy that my uncle avoided politicking in his statement today.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Shakafuswa: Further, he acknowledged some of the successes of the previous regime, the Patriotic Front (PF), which include the building of more than 2,000 housing units for the ministry. I have also noted that the ministry has now relocated to a new building, and that was achieved through the vision of the PF.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Shakafuswa: Another success is the building of Mokambo Border Post offices and a police post.

 

Mr Chairperson, I support this budget but, in 2022, I would like the ministry to work on the challenges that have been highlighted, including a lack of transport, housing units and office accommodation for the officers. Working on the challenges will motivate the hardworking officers.

 

Mr Chairperson, a lot has been said by the previous speaker, our seasoned hon. Member for Shiwang’andu. So, suffice it for me to say that I support this budget.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Deputy Chairperson: I appreciate Hon. Shakafuswa for being brief. I think he realised that we do not have time.

 

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to add two or three sentences to the submissions made by the hon. Minister.

 

To start with, Mr Chairperson, Sir, I thank the hon. Minister for exhibiting the kind of leadership that the people of Zambia have always longed to have. I thank him for clearly indicating that the construction of houses for the men and women in uniform will continue. That is a plus, as it gives courage to our men and women in uniform because they will feel loved by the people in charge of the ministry.

 

Further, Mr Chairperson, Sir, allow me to thank the hon. Minister for clearly indicating that the issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs) will continue. There are clear provisions in our Constitution on the normal age for a citizen to have an NRC. Previously, we saw that the issuance of NRCs done selectively, which is unacceptable. In view of the pronouncements made by the hon. Minister, I thank the New Dawn Government for continuing to respect citizens regardless of their ethnicity and political affiliation, and this is what people have, for a long time, been crying for.

 

Mr Chairperson, Sir, the hon. Minister submitted that the issue of immigration, which has always been a concern, will be taken care of. Some people who were allowed to come into the country usually had questionable standing. Now that we have an able hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security in the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government, we hope that all the irregularities that were witnessed, particularly in the previous Government, will not be entertained.

 

Mr Chairperson, Sir, let me talk about the operations of the police, though the hon. Minister did not say much on it.

 

Sir, we want the Zambia Police Service to be for everyone, meaning that all citizens should have access to the police so that their rights and liberties are upheld at an even level, unlike what happened in the past, when  we saw the police used to derogate citizens’ rights in an uneven manner. In some instances, we saw the rights of citizens in this country derogated or infringed upon without the due process of the law being followed, which was wrong. The best example I can give was before the elections, when the UPND President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s rights were derogated unilaterally or on the wish of an individual, which was purely wrong. The police were used to help some people gain political stamina, and that will not be entertained this time around, following the pronouncement of the hon. Minister.

 

Mr Chairperson, Sir, I encourage the hon. Minister to remain resolute in ensuring that the wishes of the people of Zambia are met, particularly through his ministry. We want to see a situation in which whenever citizens see the police, they become happy because they believe that their lives and liberties will be protected in an even manner regardless of their political affiliation.

 

Mr Chairperson, with those few words, I thank you.

 

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to debate the Vote for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

Mr Chairperson, tedious repetitions are not allowed by our Standing Orders. For example, you are not ‘Mr Chairperson, Sir’; you are ‘Mr Chairperson’, and those who violate our procedures must be reminded because what we say will be in the Hansard and our grandchildren will read it and refer to it.

 

Mr Chairperson, I thank the hon. Minister for recognising the works of the Patriotic Front (PF). When the hon. Minister was on the left side, there are certain things that we conferred and agreed on. So, we are very happy that a legal mind was appointed to head the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security. One important thing is that lawyers are known as defenders of human rights. It does not matter whether one is black, red, orange or green, one’s rights must be defended.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Chitotela: Greenhorns, shut up! Greenhorns, keep quiet!

 

Mr Chairperson, the hon. Minister is in charge of internal security for every citizen regardless of where they are. So, we support this budget and wish it could be increased because if internal security is not assured, there will not be meaningful investment. No investor would come –

 

Ms Kasune: On a point of order, Mr Chairperson.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

 

Ms Kasune: Mr Chairperson, I rise on a point of order according to Standing Order No. 66(5), which does not allow hon. Members of Parliament to use unparliamentary language. Is the hon. Member debating in order to use unparliamentary language towards his fellow hon. Members of Parliament by telling them to “shut up”?

 

I need your serious ruling, Mr Chairperson.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Chitotela, which word did you use?

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Chairperson, the word ‘greenhorn’ is parliamentary, but I also said, “Shut up!”, and I withdraw that without problems. I have no intention of demeaning hon. Members of Parliament. If ‘shut up’ is unparliamentary, I gladly withdraw it.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Yes, it is unparliamentary. You have to withdraw it and apologise.

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Chairperson, I withdraw it without difficulties.

 

Mr Chairperson, as we head towards the end of the year and begin implementing the new Budget, I appeal to the hon. Minister to continue with the continuous issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs) for identification of citizens because this is a right for every Zambian born in Zambia or those who choose to acquire our citizenship. So, all should be given identity cards so that they are identified. Civil registration is key to the identification of citizens and foreign elements who may want to enter our territories.

 

Sir, the hon. Minister has a duty to make sure that there is security. As I said, the security of the nation is key, as it is a catalyst for domestic or foreign direct investment (FDI). For investors to invest in a nation, they look at how stable that nation is, and the hon. Minister is in charge of internal security for the Republic of Zambia.

 

Sir, the sooner we realised that the honeymoon is over, the better. The United Party for National Development (UPND) now has the mantle to govern this country, especially for my elder brother with whom we have been in this House, and he is the longest-serving and much seasoned hon. Member of Parliament. Being responsible for internal security, given his qualifications, suits him well. However, I want to appeal to all of us to avoid politics as we deal with matters of internal security because issues of security do not choose based on who is on the left or the right; we are all ‘One Zambia, One Nation’. In our language, and I hope Her Honour the Vice-President will interpret this, we say, liliba lyalunsambunsambu naushalimo akabamo. So, one might think it is beginning with this and it will end here, but it might end up compromising all of us, and once the internal security of the nation is compromised, all of us gathered here as leaders will be blamed.

 

Mr Chairperson, I want to see Hon. Jack Mwiimbu standing there, the defender of human rights, the one who spoke very strongly and appealed to our conscience; that is the Jack Mwiimbu and the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security we are looking for. There is no other way; a wrongdoer is a wrongdoer, whether green, red or black. On the other hand, if it is found out that somebody is wrongly identified, internal security and human rights must protect such an individual.

 

Mr Chairperson, I emphasise to the hon. Minister that there are police posts that were constructed across the country under his ministry that were not operationalised. So, as he implements the budget for the ministry and other institutions under his charge, we appeal to him to look at those areas that were identified by the Commissioners across Zambia. The police posts were built using taxpayer’s money, in some cases, using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), or by communities. We appeal that they be operationalised soon so that citizens of this country, whose internal security is the Government’s mandate, can be protected and feel secured in their country.

 

Mr Chairperson, speaking as an Adventist, I have no doubt that we are defenders of human rights, and we speak for the underprivileged. We defend those the down-trodden in society, and I hope that as the hon. Minister discharges his functions, he will be pure, kind and truthful.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, thank you for according me this opportunity to wind up debate on the Vote for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security. In doing so, I would like to sincerely thank Hon. Kampyongo, Hon. Shakafuswa, Hon. Mapani and Hon. Chitotela for the kind words and encouragement pertaining to our aspirations as the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

Mr Chairperson, I note that there were no controversial issues that my hon. Colleagues raised; they just encouraged us to ensure that the commitments we have made to the nation are actualised so that this country is able to forge ahead in terms of economic development. As it has been stated, without security, we cannot attract foreign or local investment in the country.

 

Mr Chairperson, the New Dawn Government will endeavour to not discriminate against any citizen of this country. We shall ensure that all the rights due to citizens are respected. Obviously, where the rights end, obligations begin. So, we hope and trust that all of us here, as leaders in this House, will rise above board and ensure that we live as ‘One Zambia, One Nation’, and are not seen to be encouraging divisions in the country.

 

Mr Chairperson, I assure my hon. Colleagues and the nation that as long as I am Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, I will respect and defend the rights of individuals irrespective of the political divide.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, the ministry has already embarked on civil registration. We have noted the difficulties that have been arising as a result of the failure to register our children at the point of birth. This has contributed to people who are not supposed to access citizenship accessing it. With our co-operating partners and the United Nations (UN), we have endeavoured to commence this exercise. In this regard, I am happy to report that last month, we commenced civil registration in a number of districts, and are going to extend the exercise to all the districts of Zambia to ensure that the citizens of this country enjoy their citizenship rights.

 

Sir, some of the issues that have been debated relate to the Zambia Police Service. I will only be able to debate and respond to those issues when I present the Vote for that institution.

 

Mr Chairperson, I heard that the issuance of NRCs in the country was discriminatory. As I indicated, we will make amends to all those who were denied the right to register as citizens in the country and provide mobile services in areas that are not accessible because a national identity is a right for every Zambian. So, Zambians should not be denied the right to register as Zambians, and I give the assurance that in the budget we are debating, we will access all the areas that were not accessed during the last mobile registration exercise.

 

Mr Chairperson, with those few remarks, I thank the House for supporting the Vote for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Dr Musokotwane: Mr Chairperson, I beg to move the following amendment on Page 167, Table 3: Budget Allocation by Programme and Sub-Programme:

 

1. under Programme 4125: Migration Services, Sub-Programme 5001: Immigration Service Provision, by the deletion of “K68,162,224” and the substitution therefor of ‘K67,269,022’;
2. under Programme 4127: National Archives Services, Sub-Programme 7002: Provincial Archives Administration, by the deletion of “K1,735,691” and the substitution therefor of ‘K3,139,119’; and
3. under Programme 4128: Society Regulations and Standards, Sub-Programme 8001: Societies Regulations and Standards, by the deletion of “K3,448,218” and substitution therefor of “K2,937,992”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Vote amended accordingly.

 

Vote 15, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

 

Mr Chisopa (Mkushi South): Mr Chairperson, I want to find out –

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

It is better you indicate on the tablet; it is difficult to call upon you because we do not know each other yet. I do not know whom you are.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Member: He is a Councillor!

 

The Deputy Chairperson: You should be able to indicate. That is why Parliament bought for us these devices. So, before you rise, indicate so that I am able to read here. If you do not indicate, I cannot guess who you are.

 

Hon. Member: He is Mr Mwiimbu!

 

Mr Chisopa: I am Hon. Chisopa.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Who are you?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chisopa: Mr Chairperson, I am logged in. Sorry, I did not indicate, but I had to –

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1641 hours until 1700 hours.

 

_______

 

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the

Chair]

 

VOTE 15/4127 – (National Archives Services – K6,106,722)

 

Mr Chisopa: Mr Chairperson, I seek clarification on Programme 4127 – National Archives Services – K6,106,722. Why has the figure dropped from K7,322,341 to K6,106,722?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, you may have noticed that there was an amendment to this Vote that raised the figure to K7,510,150.

 

I thank you, Sir

 

Vote 15/4127 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

 

VOTE 11– (Zambia Police Service – K1,591,247,741)

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, I am grateful for this opportunity to present the 2022 policy statement for Vote 11 – Zambia Police Service.

 

Mr Chairperson, the Zambia Police Service is responsible for the provision and maintenance of internal security. The core functions of the Service are outlined in Article 193(2) of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016, and include the following:

 

1. to protect life and property;
2. to preserve peace and maintain law and order;
3. to ensure the security of the people;
4. to detect and prevent crime;
5. to uphold the Bill of Rights;
6. to foster and promote a good relationship with the Defence Force, other national security services and members of society; and
7. perform other functions as prescribed.

 

Mr Chairperson, the mission statement of the Zambia Police Service is:

 

“To prevent and detect crime, and enforce the law firmly and fairly in order to create a safe, secure and peaceful environment for social and economic development for all”.

 

Sir, during the year, the situation in the country was generally calm. To prevent crime, the Zambia Police Service has been sensitising the general public on the importance of upholding law and order through various platforms, such as radio programmes and match-pasts. Further, the Service continued the application of the law firmly without fear or favour. Further, during the 2021 General Election campaigns, the Zambia Police Service engaged all stakeholders on the importance of unity across political, religious and ethnic groupings to avoid loss of life and damage to property. The elections were generally peaceful, apart from a few isolated incidences of violence.

 

Challenges Faced

 

Sir, during the period under review, the Zambia Police Service experienced a number of challenges that adversely affected its service delivery to the people. These included:

 

1. Low Staffing levels, which is currently at 22,492, translating into one police officer to 800 people, compared with the United Nations (UN) Standard Policing Ratio of one police officer to 450 people;
2. non-payment of Other Personal Emoluments, with outstanding arrears, as at 30^th September, 2021, standing at K144,255,871. This has adversely affected the morale of officers; and
3. outstanding debt on goods and services received which, as at 30^th September, 2021, was K173,886,065.

 

Focus for 2022 Budget

 

Mr Chairperson, the proposed 2022 budget for the Zambia Police Service is K1,591,247,741, representing a 9.3 per cent increase on the 2021 budget. The proposed budget for personal emoluments has increased by 8.0 per cent, from K1.3 billion in 2021 to K1.4 billion in 2022.

 

Sir, the Zambia Police Service is among the institutions that contribute to the country’s non-tax revenue, and is projected to contribute over K70 million to the National Treasury in 2022.

 

Mr Chairperson, the focus of the Zambia Police Service will be to maintain law and order through crime prevention and policing services, and crime detection and investigations service. The New Dawn Administration is anchored on the rule of law. It is in this regard that the Zambia Police Service will enhance enforcement of law and order through:

 

1. scaling up of crime prevention programmes;
2. completion of ongoing infrastructure projects;
3. dismantling of outstanding arrears;
4. restructuring of the Zambia Police Service establishment;
5. capacity building programmes; and
6. rehabilitation of dilapidated infrastructure.

                                                                                   

Sir, further, the New Dawn Government will endeavour to improve the staffing levels in the Zambia Police Service in line with the UN Standard Policing Ratio, subject to the availability of resources. This will entail the recruitment of 3,000 police officers per year.

 

Mr Chairperson, the summary of the proposed 2022 allocations in the Zambia Police Service is as follows:

 

Programme                                                                  Amount (K)

 

            Crime Prevention and Policing Services                     988,100,143

 

            Crime Detection and Investigation Services              266,628,742

 

            Police Technical and Specialised Services                  173,202,997

 

            Management and Support Services                            163,315,859

 

Mr Chairperson, I assure this august House that the 2022 proposed allocations will enable the Service to maintain peace and security in the country. I, therefore, seek favourable consideration of the 2022 budget for Head 11 – Zambia Police Service.

 

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Members, I have made the serious observation that you keep tapping the microphones to get the attention of the Chairperson. I think we should desist from doing that because, eventually, the microphones will become faulty. Those of you on the left I am not giving the Floor to debate know that the Leader of the Opposition in the House has been circulating the list that I have been following. That is the reason I may not give the Floor to some of you.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Chairperson, thank you for allowing me to make a few comments on this very important Vote. From the outset, I must state that I am in support of the Vote proposed by the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

Sir, I acknowledge the issue of the low staffing levels raised by the hon. Minister. We have had a historical challenge normalising the police to population ratio, obviously, due to limited resources. I am happy that the hon. Minister has indicated that there is a desire to recruit, at least, 3,000 officers annually. I think, this must be commended. I am just concerned that I have not seen an allocation in the Yellow Book that matches this desire of the hon. Minister. Indeed, we support this desire, but if we do not provide matching resources, it will be very difficult to achieve this very important desire. The crime trends are changing. So, if we cannot put an adequate number of men and women in uniform on the ground, it will certainly be difficult to contain the rising incidence of crime.

 

Mr Chairperson, I would also have loved to see a substantial allocation to the capacity building the hon. Minister talked about because without the capacity building, it is difficult to have men and women in uniform who can respond to new trends of crime. The capacity building would include in-service training programmes, which must be encouraged all the time, as it informs, partly, how officers across the rank and file get opportunities to progress in the service. Without properly structured capacity building programmes, it is difficult to allow deserving and eligible officers to progress to higher ranks in the Service. So, attention must be paid to this requirement.

 

Sir, I am also happy that the ministry has commitment itself to completing unfinished projects. Indeed, it is very difficult to source for resources, but the hon. Minister really needs to knock on the door of the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, obviously due to the competing demands. He should not relent in pushing for resources for completing infrastructure that has not been completed, including modern police posts and stations in various areas where our men and women in uniform can discharge their functions from.

 

Mr Chairperson, the hon. Minister alluded to the success achieved in terms of building housing units, but there is a lot of work that still needs to be done because those men and women, who work day and night, also deserve decent living conditions. I do recall that when I toured Monze and Mazabuka a long time ago, I found that the status of infrastructure our officers were living in was pathetic, and it is the same situation in other areas even as I speak. So, the rationale behind our building of the infrastructure that you saw us build is the bad situation we found. I encourage the hon. Minister to do much more in providing decent accommodation to our officers.

 

Mr Chairperson, the Government has facilities like the surveillance systems that have been implemented, and the hon. Minister needs to operationalise them because they will assist the ministry in two ways; firstly, the ministry will be able to monitor the work of its officers, those on the road to check on motorists, for example, and secondly, the ministry will be able to deal with the rising levels of crime and using new trends in policing. This is the only way the hon. Minister can mitigate the effects of the shortfall he has in staffing levels.

 

Mr Chairperson, I know that those who do not know how many portfolio functions the hon. Minister has on his hands will easily ask him to get involved in the day-to-day operations of the police. However, he should encourage our men and women in uniform to perform their duties professionally to avoid generating negative perceptions in members of the public. This service must outlive all of us who are on political tours of duty. So, we must have in it men and women who can outlive the lifespan of each Government because in the democracy that we are, there will be a constant change in political office bearers. We must build a cadre of police men and women, senior and junior, who are professional, and can outlive us, the figures in political offices.

 

Mr Chairperson, lastly, but not the least, the hon. Minister should encourage police officers to have no limitations in ensuring that the law visits any citizen who commits a wrong regardless of their status, including those who are serving in the Government. We must avoid the perception that the police can only deal with citizens when they are not in certain offices.

 

Sir, with those few remarks, I support the Vote and I encourage the hon. Minister to lobby for more resources to implement the programmes that he has shared with this august House.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Mr Chairperson, thank you so much. I also thank the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security. I appreciate the fact that he has talked about quite a number of issues in his policy statement among which one of the most eye-catching is the ratio of officers to the citizens.

 

Indeed, Sir, we have seen that our officers are outnumbered by the citizens, and I encourage the hon. Minister to recruit the 3,000 police officers he has mentioned because that is, indeed, good news. However, as the hon. Minister embarks on this annual exercise, I urge him to ensure that there is transparency, this time around. We want to see everyone who is competent and qualified considered. It has been a trend in the past for recruitments to be done when they are already done, meaning that advertisements are placed and people are called for interviews only to be used as rubber stamps because other people would already have been recruited. We want to see that come to an end.

 

Ms Sefulo: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chibuye: We want the hon. Minister to give chance to every eligible Zambian citizen. The New Dawn Government is talking about equity, and we want to see that equity in the recruitments. I will be the happiest person the day I see some citizens in my constituency with good qualifications recruited.

 

Mr Chairperson, furthermore, in supporting the Vote, I appreciate the fact that the Zambia Police Service, just like the hon. Minister has stated, is there to save life and the property of citizens regardless of their religion, colour, creed and many other affiliations. I also put it to the hon. Minister that it is high time he started looking at infrastructure. We need to motivate our men and women in uniform, especially in the Zambia Police Service, who do not sleep to ensure that we, the citizens, have peaceful nights.

 

Mr Chairperson, I appreciate that the past Administration did quite a job in terms infrastructure, but I still call upon the hon. Minister to look at some of the police stations. In my constituency, Mpatamatu and Roan police stations are in a dilapidated state. I will be the happiest person if as the hon. Minister implements the new budget, he looks at some of the infrastructure because that will be a motivation to the officers.

 

Mr Chairperson, it is not only infrastructure that looks to be looked at, but the furniture, too. You will be surprised to find out that some Officers-in-Charge sit on chairs with grass-filled sacks for cushions. So, I urge the hon. Minister to start looking into these small issues to motivate the officers. I am not ashamed to say this because it is what is obtaining in most police stations. We need to motivate police officers by giving them the necessary tools, starting from small things like furniture.

 

Mr Chairperson, many times, when we go to report cases, the officers, not out of wanting to, ask us to provide transport to the scenes of crimes. The reason is that there is no transport. So, the hon. Minister should ensure that every police station has, at least, a mobile vehicle. We have quite a number of police posts today, but we need to equip police stations with motor vehicles and provide them with fuel. It surprises me that fuel is drawn from the provincial administration in Ndola in drums, which poses some security risks. It is also surprising that most of the time, when one goes to report a case, police officers ask one to provide stationery and make copies of various documents. I think this is painting a very negative picture of the Zambia Police Service, which is a service today, as it is called, not a force. So, we want the hon. Minister to look into such small issues because that will paint a good image of the Zambia Police Service.

 

Sir, as the hon. Minster embarks on the implementation of this budget, and as I support this Vote, I urge him to ensure that facilities like cells are also made habitable even though they are there to hold people temporarily. I can only hope that the hon. Minister, knowing him as an energetic man, will tour the facilities, starting with those in my constituency. He should go and see the cells so that he can have a clue of what is obtaining on the ground.

 

Mr Chairperson, apart from that, the promotions, and I know they are made by the Zambia Police Service Commission, should be based on merit; let officers be given what they deserve. It is very discouraging for an officer who has worked for twenty or twenty-five years to retire as a sergeant when others who join the service later are promoted to Superintendent or Assistant Superintendents and head people they found just because they have connections to certain names. That is why there are always conflicts in the Zambia Police Service. We need to start promoting them on merit.

 

Sir, lastly, I also urge the hon. Minister to make a deliberate decision to start encouraging our officers to upgrade their curriculum vitae (CVs) or professional qualifications so that when chances arise, the qualifications are a tapping point. The Government should be able to even tap Permanent Secretaries (PSs) from the Service.

 

Mr Chairperson, with those very few words, I thank you for giving me and the people of Roan Constituency an opportunity to add our voice to the debate on this Vote, which I support.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Ms Lungu (Chawama): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to the debate on this allocation of the Budget which, just like the previous speakers, I support.

 

Mr Chairperson, the one point that I want to stress is housing for police officers. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government built 1,300 housing units, but I think we need more. As the hon. Minister stated, the police is understaffed and, for the overstretched officers to do a good job, we really have to motivate them in different ways. For example, we have to make sure that they look good and live well, and all the relevant standards must be uplifted.

 

Mr Chairperson, most police officers live in the compounds where they are expected work and, maybe, make arrests. So, their lives are in danger. If we make sure that they have proper housing and in the proper police camps away from the people they are supposed to protect, we can expect their jobs to be done efficiently.

 

Mr Chairperson, I do not want to be repetitive because a lot has already been said. However, I take the House to page 121 of the Yellow Book, where there is “Crime Prevention and Policing Services”, and I see that there is an increment of about K85.5 million. I would love to see a more substantial allocation to the programme because if we stress prevention measures, as opposed to waiting for crimes to be committed and then going into the communities, our understaffed police system will be more effective.

 

Mr Chairperson, with those few remarks, I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for allowing me to contribute on this Head.

 

Sir, I assure the hon. Minister that we support the Vote for the Zambia Police Service. However, as I contribute to debate on this Vote, I want to say to the Inspector-General (IG) of Police that I have heard people appeal to the hon. Minister to ensure certain things as he recruits. The hon. Minister does not recruit; it is the IG of Police who recruits, and the allocation is quite a challenge because all of us would not want to come and tell Hon. Mwiimbu that he has not done this. The demand is very high but the requirement is limited.

 

Mr Chairperson, I tell the hon. Minister, Mr Jack Mwiimbu, and the IG of Police that what was condemned a long time ago, if it was wrong then, must also be wrong now. If the transfer of officers from one station to another in the Zambia Police Service was wrong when we conferred with my brother, Hon. Mwiimbu, it must be wrong even now. However, we have seen people move from one station to another. In some cases in which married civil servants work in the same district, the husband has been transferred to a far-flung district, and that is encouraging promiscuity among the workers and the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). I look forward to the day when despite the political leadership changing, the institutions of governance remain the same and serve the people of Zambia.

 

Mr Chairperson, I know that the hon. Minister is a lawyer. So, when we say that professional police officers who stand by the truth must be rewarded, he should understand. I also know that the hon. Minister cannot be everywhere, and that is why I appeal to the IG of Police to make sure that the men and women under his charge adhere to the directive of the hon. Minister that officers who choose to be professional must be rewarded. If a crime was committed by Chitotela before he was in the Government, now that he is in the Government, he should not become a clean person. Equally, a person who was clean while in the Government should not become a criminal just because he is now in the Opposition. Things cannot be handled like that.

 

Interruptions

 

Hon. Government Members: What are you saying?

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Chairperson, I am elaborating the point of professionalism in the system. Political parties come and go, but the men and women in the system must remain to serve every Zambian. That is why we swear to be loyal to the system of the day.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Chairperson, I know that our colleagues are in the Government today, and they can celebrate. However, it is important to know that change is constant, and I hope the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security knows what I am talking about. So, I appeal to the men and women in uniform to be professional because unprofessional conduct cost the Government a lot of money then and will cost the Government a lot of money even now. So, I hope that Hon. Mwiimbu will be able to revisit the law. I remember that we amended the law so that unprofessional officers who go outside the provisions of the law in discharging their functions can be held accountable in their personal capacity. The idea is to inculcate professionalism in the men and women in uniform, who must be there to protect everybody regardless of political and other affiliations, and we must stand by that. If some of us condemned it then, we must condemn it now and tomorrow.

 

Mr Chairperson, there is a matter that I do not like to talk about because it affects me personally, as I have children who are not of my tribe, and that is the matter of tribalism. People must not be victimised based on their tribal affiliation.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order, hon. Member!

 

Let us keep debating the policy statement.

 

You can continue.

 

Mr Chitotela: Mr Chairperson, I thank you for your guidance.

 

Sir, I detest tribalism because if one is  professional and competent, regardless of where one comes from, one must be rewarded based on one’s professionalism and competence, not on one’s tribal inclination, so that people are able to see that people get promotions based on their professional conduct.

 

Mr Chairperson, the Zambia Police is a service for every Zambian, and it must serve people above board. Above all, it must be an institution that is loyal to the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces because the power of the Executive function lies in the security institutions of governance, and the Police Service is key in that regard because it is in charge of internal security. So, it is supposed to protect all the citizens of this country regardless of where they come from and where they belong, and to deal with law-breakers.

 

Sir, the two important functions of the police are to preserve life and protect property. So, a police officer must avert crime from happening or take corrective measures where crimes have already happened. The IG of Police and his staff must know that we all know and understand the thirteen laws of the police. So, they must implement them to the letter without fear, discrimination or any interference because the people of Zambia deserve the protection of the police. I know they have a competent hon. Minister who is also a lawyer, and a very good IG, who is listening. Therefore, they should implement the law according to the mandate they are given by the Constitution.

 

Sir, in conclusion, I assure the hon. Minister that we will support him in his endeavour to reform and professionalise the Police Service becomes so that it can serve people regardless of where they come from.

 

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, I assure the House and the nation that the New Dawn Administration will ensure that the Zambia Police Service remains professional. I do recall that when I was in the Opposition, we used to emphasise the need to have a professional Police Service. If we do not encourage professionalism in the Police Service, we will live to regret it later and be haunted for the rest of our lives.

 

Mr Chairperson, on behalf of the New Dawn Government, I also give an assurance to this House and the nation that as we recruit officers in the Police Service, we shall ensure that we reflect the face of Zambia by recruiting from the four corners of the country without segregation because having a security service that is tribally inclined is courting trouble. So, it is not in the interest of anyone to do that, and we have raised those issues on the Floor of this House and stated that we should never do such things when trying to serve the nation.

 

Interruptions

 

Hon. Member: That is what you were doing.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, the Zambia Police Service currently has a challenge in terms of the transportation needed to police the country, maybe, as a result of an omission on the part of our colleagues in the past. The vehicles we bought cannot be used in policing because they are armoured military vehicles that cannot be used to police the townships and commercial areas without creating a problem.

 

Hon. Member: PF!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: So, we are urge the House to support us when we request hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to provide transportation for the police. Currently, most constituencies do not have transport for police officers and, as a result, the officers are falling to serve the people. So, we urgently need the support of the Government in buying motor vehicles and other forms of transport for the Zambia Police Service to enable it to execute its due assignments.

 

Mr Chairperson, I have also heard the issue of operationalising the infrastructure we have put up for the police service in many areas of our constituencies. I agree with that, and I know that a number of police officers will graduate in December. So, we will ensure that the officers are given accommodation where we have built police stations. That is an assurance I give to all my hon. Colleagues.

 

Mr Chairperson, I assure the hon. Members that we have been urging the Zambia Police Service to be professional in the way it handles transfers. Further, the President has directed that couples must not be separated, and I am aware that the officers in the Zambia Police Service are aware of the Presidential directive. If an officer has to be transferred, consultations should be made on whether there is a vacancy where that officer is going for the officer’s spouse so that families are not separated.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: That is the position of the Government, and that is an assurance we give on the Floor of this House. Even outside the Police Service, we will not allow officers to be separated from their families.

 

Mr Chairperson, with those few remarks, I thank my colleagues for their support.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

I know the right is complaining that I am not allowing many people to debate, but this is their Budget.

 

Let us proceed.

 

VOTE10 ordered to stand part of the Estimates

 

VOTE 30 – (Zambia Correctional Service – K628,924,130)

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, thank you for according me an opportunity to present to this august House the policy statement in support of the 2022 Estimates of Expenditure for Head 30  – Zambia Correctional Service.

 

Mr Chairperson, the Zambia Correctional Service is established under Article 193 of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 and is governed by the Correctional Service Act No. 37 of 2021. The Service is mandated to manage, regulate and ensure security of all prisons and correctional centres across the country. Further, it offers correctional and rehabilitation programmes to inmates.

 

Sir, the Service’s mission statement is:

 

“To provide humane custody and quality correctional services for maintaining community safety and reformation of inmates.”

 

Past Performance

 

Mr Chairperson, the performance of the Service in the first half of 2021 was generally satisfactory. During the period under review, the average inmate population in the country was 22,500, against a holding capacity of 9,150. That situation exerted pressure on correctional facilities. Despite the overcrowding in correctional facilities, however, inmates were provided with, at least, three meals per day. To improve the health of inmates, the Service also ensured timely treatment of ailing inmates to reduce morbidity in correctional centres. Further, all Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive inmates are on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

 

Mr Chairperson, under the rehabilitation services, the Service continued facilitating the enrolment of inmates for trade skills under the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA). So far, 20 per cent of the 5,000 inmates enrolled have received training in various trades skills, and were conferred with certificates by TEVETA and the Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ). Further, one industrial workshop was recapitalised.

 

Mr Chairperson, to monitor and track how discharged inmates are integrating into communities, the Service effectively facilitated community re-entry and reintegration programmes.

 

Challenges Faced

 

Mr Chairperson, during the implementation of the 2021 Budget, the Service experienced a number of challenges, including the following:

 

1. congestion in correctional facilities due to the ever-increasing inmate population;
2. low staffing levels, thus compromising security in correctional facilities;
3. inadequate starter packs for discharged inmates with relevant skills;
4. inadequate office equipment and furniture;
5. accumulation of arrears on Other Personal Emoluments; and
6. inadequate modern industrial equipment.

 

2022 Budget

 

Mr Chairperson, the proposed budget for 2022 is K628,924,130, compared with the 2021 budget of K380,365,665, representing a 65.3 per cent increase. The increase is a clear demonstration of the New Dawn Administration’s determination to accord inmates humane treatment.

 

Mr Chairperson, the summary of the 2022 proposed allocation for the Zambia Correctional Service is as follows:

 

Programme                                                                                       Allocation (K)

 

Custodial Services                                                                                391,346,076

 

Rehabilitation Services                                                                          88,224,000

 

Social Reintegration                                                                               23,836,701

 

Correctional Services Training                                                               40,044,599

 

Management and Support Services                                                       85,496,730

 

Mr Chairperson, in conclusion, the Zambia Correctional Service will execute its mandate and contribute to internal security through the provision of astute correctional services. The service will also provide decent custodial services, and facilitate the social rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates through specific skills programmes. Further, the Service will focus on the facilitation of the delivery of efficient and effective correctional services. To enhance accountability and prudent utilisation of resources, the Service will enhance human resource development and management as well as strengthen planning, budgeting and financial management services. I, therefore, urge the hon. Members of this august House to favourably consider the proposed allocation to this Vote.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Thank you, Mr Chairperson, for giving me this opportunity to debate the budget estimates for the Zambia Correctional Service.

 

Mr Chairperson, I support Vote 30, and it is good that the Government has increased the budget for the Zambia Correctional Service to K628,924,130 in the 2022 National Budget.

 

Mr Chairperson, I feel that the Zambia Correctional Service, if well funded and managed, can contribute to the economic development of this country, especially in the area of agriculture. The Service has been doing quite a lot in that area. So, it is important that every year, we continue to increase the budgetary allocation to this very important department. We also need to ensure that there is an adequate number of staff in correctional facilities, and build adequate and habitable infrastructure throughout the country.

 

Mr Chairperson, I have noticed that most prisons are very congested, and I appeal to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security to decongest them by lobbying for the pardoning of people who commit petty offences, but are sentenced to languish in prisons for five years with hard labour, for example, those convicted of man-animal conflict. Some people are sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour just because they are found with the head of an ostrich.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mtayachalo: I think that it is important that all the people who are currently behind bars for small offences are pardoned as quickly as possible so that they can integrate into our communities and contribute effectively to communal life.

 

Mr Chairperson, there are no correctional services in some old districts. For example, Chama was declared a district in 1973, but there is no correctional facility there, and inmates have to be transported to Lundazi, Mpika or Chinsali, which are quite far. So, I hope that in this current Budget, there is going to be an allocation for building prisons in all the districts of Zambia, including in Chama, because people in districts where there are no prison facilities cover long distances when visiting their loved ones incarcerated in other districts, and that is expensive.

 

With those few remarks, Mr Chairperson, I support these budget estimates.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Mr Sampa (Matero): Mr Chairperson, I thank the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Mr Jack Mwiimbu, for the policy statement on this budget line.

 

Mr Chairperson, I note that the 2022 budget for the ministry has been increased by 65 per cent, which is commendable. However, I went through the figures in the Yellow Book and I noticed that most of the money is for personal emoluments, employment, salaries and the like. One would have hoped that the good increment would go to infrastructure because the state of prisons in this country does not give chance to those found guilty to reform, yet they are meant to be reformed.

 

Sir, I think, as a Christian nation, it is sad that the status quo punishes those found guilty with no chance given to them to reform. Take the example of Kamwala Remand Prison. Anyone who has taken time to go there will see that the facility was built in the pre-colonial era, and I think it was meant to accommodate fifty people, but now accommodates over 500 people who sleep in a deplorable way. I hear that they give one another turns to sleep, and while sleeping, they only turn when someone shouts for them to do so. The case is the same with Chimbokaila. Those facilities make the perceived criminals, some of whom are not proven guilty, to become worse rather than be reformed. I think, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government tried to close the two facilities and open bigger ones, but that was politicised. The hon. Minister must revisit that idea. The Government should look for locations outside Lusaka and create bigger facilities so that even those found guilty can be treated humanely.

 

Mr Chairperson, the hon. Minister mentioned earlier how, as a Christian nation, we should treat married people as couples. Married people may be found guilty and live in a correctional facility as he or she is not married, and unChristian tendencies emanate from correctional facilities. Imagine what happens when people all turn right or left at the same time. We need to rehabilitate correctional facilities so that people can reform, yet the maximum prisons in Kabwe and Kasaranga are deplorable, and I have visited people there. People are caged like animals when they are being moved, yet some of them may not even be guilty. We have heard of cases in the United States of America (USA) in which people were jailed for forty years just for Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) evidence to later show that they were actually innocent. So, we need to give inmates a chance to prove themselves, and my message today is that the Government should build infrastructure and give those people room to reform. Further, as a nation, we can use some money to educate the masses that those who are pardoned are innocent and that they should not be stigmatised.

 

Mr Chairperson, I wish the hon. Minister well, but I also ask him to build recreational facilities for inmates. I am not saying that he might find himself in a correctional facility one day. God forbid that. All I am saying is that he should be remembered in history for building recreational facilities at Mwembeshi Correctional Facility, and closing the Kamwala Remand Prison and Chimbokaila because the two are too small and in the middle of nowhere. Our citizens, after being imprisoned, should become pastors and skilled in whatever field they may have been trained in, and come back as better citizens. So, the increment is good, but the hon. Minister should consider pushing it towards infrastructure development.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Ms Kasune (Keembe): Mr Chairperson, I would like to add the voice of the people of Keembe and my own to the debate on the Vote for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

Mr Chairperson, I thank the hon. Minister for increasing the budget and for being someone who speaks from experience, having seen the dilapidated and inhumane cells our current President was incarcerated in on false allegations, and having been trampled upon by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, which was unacceptable and wrong.

 

Mr Chairperson, the hon. Minister has assured this House and Zambians that he will allow the law to be applied fairly and that everyone will be presumed innocent until proven guilty. I cried the first time I saw the current President in cells, but he is a strong man, and that is why he is the Seventh Republican President of this country today.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kasune: Mr Chairperson, those of us who thought that they would always be on the right have learnt a lesson and, everyone is a potential prisoner, and some politicians may one day find themselves there, hence the need for them to be good places. However, no one should be found there on false allegations like it was in the case of our President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and Hon. Kang’ombe. That was very unfortunate in a democratic and Christian nation. Fortunately, that is in the past now.

 

Mr Chairperson, I want to talk about circumstantial children, an issue in which I took a lot of interest with my sister, the late Member of Parliament for Katuba, Hon. Mwashingwele, may her soul rest in peace. This was one of the issues we were passionate about in our first term as Parliamentarians. We visited mothers and children in prisons, and it was heart-breaking to see a child born in prison; one that knew only the prison as its home. There is a programme under the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) to find a better place for circumstantial children in Zambia. The ministry should treat this issue as a priority because there is a growing trend of leaving circumstantial children to be with their mothers when it is not their fault that their mothers are in jail.

 

Mr Chairperson, I also want to speak about the repatriation of those who either have served their sentences or are not found guilty. Most of them have been left stranded because we do not have a mechanism – Some of them have been ostracised from their families and there is a lack of integration. As we look forward to reforming our prisons, it is important that we also ensure that the people who have served their sentences are integrated into our society.

 

Mr Chairperson, the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has spoken on many occasions about the need to expedite cases, some of which are heart-breaking. for example, some people have been imprisoned either in Lusaka or in Kabwe for stealing a cob of maize while we know many people who committed more serious crimes, but were pardoned. While I do not encourage people stealing, even in the Bible, people who stole for the sake of eating were pardoned. So, if we are a Christian nation, how do we give those who commit white-collar crimes the leeway to go back and reform, yet punish the poor and unlearned people in the compounds or the marginalised people? I believe that this ministry will reform, especially given that the one at its helm has been in prison before, and it is not only him who has been incarcerated, but many other people. I know of Hon. Tayali, who is not here, and Hon. Elias Mubanga.

 

Mr Chairperson, we should not only support this Vote, but also add our voices to the calls to make the prisons better places. I only spoke about the hon. Members, but what about the ordinary Zambians or young people who spoke on behalf of the United Party for National Development (UPND) and thought they had the right to do that, but who were put in prison for it? My people in Keembe Constituency were detained not because they committed a crime, but on false allegations made by the then Ruling Party, the PF.

 

Mr Chairperson, we want a Zambia that is one, which applies its laws fairly and equitably, and respects everyone’s political affiliation because before we join any political party, we are born Zambians and we should preserve that for our children.

 

Sir, I support the Vote.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya): Mr Chairperson, thank you so much.

 

Sir I commend the hon. Minister and thank him for the presentation, as we have had it, and for this Vote, which is critical.

 

Mr Chairperson, I want to build on the submissions made by my hon. Colleagues in this House and commend the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning for increasing the allocation to this sector. It is true that we saw the previous regime do what it needed to do in terms of modernising prisons in this country. For example, we saw correctional services being turned into productive sectors, more housing units constructed and more agricultural production at facilities like Mukuyu Correctional Farm in Kabwe, the Mwembeshi Remand Prison, the correctional centre in Chilanga, et cetera. That was not just because it had to be done, but because it is important that the hon. Minister and the New Dawn Government build on the foundation laid by the previous regime. Governance ought to be successive.

 

Mr Chairperson, I want to place it on record that I fully support this Vote. Especially for those of us from rural constituencies, our interest is in the productivity that correctional services bring about. In areas like my constituency, Kanchibiya, which have so much arable land, we appeal to the Government, as it continues to modernise and build more prisons across the country, to consider rural areas like ours. Not only is the Government going to create employment for our people, but it will also create an opportunity for the correctional farms to emerge and, I think, that is going to be a plus for areas to start contributing effectively to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

 

Mr Chairperson, as alluded to by Hon. Miles Sampa, it will be very important, going forward, that the question of conjugal rights is considered seriously as part of correctional services in this country, not as matter of privilege, but as one of right. We do not just want to hear about some people sneaking out to enjoy this right; I think it has to be a universal right. So, as the Government continues to modernise correctional centres, it should consider making conjugal rights human rights. It is a very important point.

 

Mr Chairperson, with those few words, I support this Vote.

 

I thank you, Sir. 

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, I thank my hon. Colleagues who have supported the budget for the Zambia Correctional Service. Specifically, I thank Hon. Mtayachalo, Hon. Sampa, Hon. Kasune and lastly, but not the least, Hon. Chanda.

 

Mr Chairperson, we are grateful that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning decided to increase the budget for the Zambia Correctional Service. All of us are aware that the conditions currently obtaining in our correctional facilities are not humane, hence the decision to increase the allocation so that we provide the basic services that can make the stay of our brothers and sisters in prison better than it is currently. We have resolved that, at least, all the existing correctional facilities will have the basic services that create humane conditions.

 

Sir, in response to the issue raised by Hon. Sampa, we have not abandoned the initiatives commenced by my predecessor pertaining to the closure of the Chimbokaila and Kamwala remand prisons, and Kamwala Remand Prison will be closed very soon, as we have already constructed a facility in Mwembeshi where we are going to move all the inmates from Kamwala and other correctional facilities. The new facility is just having the furnishings put up. The facility is reasonably modern, habitable and humane. I visited it two weeks ago and was impressed that it will be able to accommodate our brothers and sisters in a humane way. Chimbokaila will also be closed very soon, and I was assured by the Zambia Correctional Service, in consultation with the contractors, that Phase II of the construction would be completed by March, 2022. Once the facility is completed, we shall close Chimbokaila.

 

Mr Chairperson, the issue that has been raised by my sister, Hon. Kasune, that of circumstantial children, is very emotive. We need to do something about children who are in prison by virtue of their mothers being incarcerated. We have to find means of accommodating them in very family-like situations. It is not good to accommodate children in prisons as if they are also party to the criminality in which their parents engaged. So, I say to Hon. Kasune that we have taken note, and are working with our co-operating partners to ensure that the circumstantial children are provided with basic needs.

 

Mr Chairperson, with those few remarks, and having taken on board the good suggestions that have been made, I request all of us to support the Vote.

 

Sir, I thank you most sincerely.

 

Vote 30 ordered to stand as part of the Estimates.

 

VOTE 16 – (Drug Enforcement Commission – K118,271,672)

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Chairperson, I thank you for this opportunity to present the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Drug Enforcement Commission for the period 1^st January to 31^st December, 2022.

 

Mr Chairperson, the Drug Enforcement Commission draws its mandate from the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act No. 35 of 2021 and the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001, as amended by Act No.44 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia. The function of the commission is to prevent and control illegal cultivation, production, trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals, as well as investigate money laundering activities. The commission contributes to the creation of a good governance environment in the country.

 

Mr Chairperson, the overall performance of the commission during the last three quarters of 2021 has generally been satisfactory. During the period under review, the commission dealt with cases related to drugs and money laundering, and undertook awareness raising activities with intensified use of virtual media platforms in light of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Drug-dependent persons were also counselled, of whom most were young people.

 

Mr Chairperson, despite the successes recorded, the commission’s operations have continued to be hampered by inadequate financial and human resources coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in a reduction in physical awareness activities and delayed conclusion of cases. The programmes that were most affected are drug and psychotropic substance control as well as anti-money laundering programmes.

 

Mr Chairperson, to ensure efficient and effective service delivery in 2022, the commission will focus on quality operations in drug and psychotropic substances control, anti-money laundering investigations as well as management and support services programmes. Therefore, in the 2022 Budget, the proposed allocation to the commission to cater for operations and personal emoluments is K118,271,672. The proposed allocation is broken down as follows:

 

Programme                                                                                               Allocation (K)

 

Drug and Psychotropic Substance Control                                                  76,996,468

 

Anti-Money Laundering Investigations                                                      24,919,627

 

Management and Support Services                                                             26,355,577

 

Mr Chairperson, the New Dawn Administration is committed to promoting a drug-free nation. To this effect, drug and psychotropic substances control programmes will involve both drug supply and demand reduction. Under this programme, the commission will up-scale drug and substance abuse prevention programmes like rehabilitation of drug-dependent persons, detection of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and investigation of drug and psychotropic substances cases. The focus for anti-money laundering investigations will be the strengthening of mechanisms for combating money laundering activities and successful prosecution of, at least, 75 per cent of all reported cases.

 

Mr Chairperson, reducing drug and money laundering related cases requires the concerted effort of all citizens. It is, therefore, important that, as hon. Members of Parliament, we promote a drug-free nation in our respective constituencies. This will not only create a conducive governance environment, but also promote a diversified and inclusive economy. Further, it will attract both local investment and FDI, which will contribute to the much-needed job creation. 

 

Mr Chairperson, the 2022 proposed allocations will enable the commission to control drug and psychotropic substances, and effectively investigate money laundering cases. I, therefore, ask the hon. Members of this august House to support this Vote.

 

I submit, Mr Chairperson.

 

Mr Sampa (Matero): Mr Chairperson, I thank the hon. Minister for his policy statement. On a lighter note, I did not intend to debate until the hon. Member for Chawama asked me to debate on Congo dust.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Sampa: So, I will start on Congo dust.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: What is Congo dust?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Sampa: Mr Chairperson, it is some medicinal herbs that are beneficial to humans and should not be considered illegal drugs.

 

Mr Chairperson, I think I will start on that note.

 

The Deputy Chairperson: On that one, try to be precise.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Members: Hmm, Mr Chairperson!

 

Mr Sampa: The Chair should declare interest.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Sampa: Mr Chairperson, Congo dust comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). I do not know its use and I am still –

 

Laughter

 

Mr Sampa: Mr Chairperson, I think, in this country, drugs are synonymous with the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) itself; when people hear the name ‘DEC’, they thinks it is a crime. However, we should learn from other countries that there are bad drugs and herbal drugs that are medicinal and good for human use.

 

Mr Chairperson, only last week, we heard how our neighbour, Malawi, had appointed Mike Tyson as the ambassador for its marijuana exports, and the move was so well received that the foreign exchange (forex) for Malawi will go up as a result. Here, in Zambia, everything is taken to be a crime, even those that are not because of the way we have politicised DEC. For example, just after the elections and change of Government, DEC became political and its officers started arresting everybody on mere assumptions. I know many youths who are running around and hiding without even knowing why they are hiding because DEC is looking for them. So, the hon. Minister needs to move in on DEC and put it in order. The commission should know what its mandate is. When people in the Ruling Party or the Opposition commits a crime that falls under DEC’s mandate, they should be arrested immediately, as opposed to officers waiting for a political window to intimidate the culprits.

 

Mr Chairperson, we know whose vehicles DEC has grabbed, and we want to know how those people acquired the vehicles and why DEC grabbed the vehicles. Further, some accounts have been frozen. Why? We want to know, but DEC tends to play politics. So, the hon. Minister needs to cleanse the commission.

 

Sir, I speak from a sad experience. In 2006, I think, there was an incident without which I might not have been in this House or become a politician. I was a banker and the then opposition politician, Michael Sata, came in the bank and deposited US$50,000. As a young banker, I accepted the money into the bank. A few months later, after elections, DEC called me and asked why I had accepted the money. I asked why I should not have accepted it when it was my job to do so. I also asked Dec to go and ask the one who had deposited the money.

 

Sir, each time there is a change of Government or after a general election, DEC tends to behave like a political party. So, in this budget, I hope there is money for teaching the officers there what their role is. If there is anything wrong, they can arrest, but they should not become an extension of an opposition party, because what they are doing now, they will also do in 2026 even to the hon. Minister, unfortunately.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Sampa: As we were told earlier, change is constant. So, we want institutions like DEC to be professional and help to build the economy. We do not want them to drag the economy down and think that every Zambian who makes money is a criminal.

 

Mr Chairperson, it is only in this country where anyone who makes money, be it in the Opposition or Ruling Party, is considered a thief, which is most unfortunate. When cases go to court, half the time, DEC loses because officers there act on emotions. It is only when Zambians earn incomes and accumulate wealth that they can send money to rural areas like Kalabo for create a boom in the rural economies. It is only in Zambia where we think that only foreigners should be wealthy. If a black Zambian becomes wealthy, then DEC volunteers to harass him or her. So, this is one area the hon. Minister really needs to allocate funds so that officers are educated and disciplined.

 

Sir, before I get to the total allocation, allow me to ask how DEC also has a unit called Anti-Money Laundering Unit? There is a need to separate the two because drugs and money are different. We even have the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC). The Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit and DEC need to be separated because there is an assumption that when someone makes money, then it is coming from dealing in drugs. So, in the next year or two, the hon. Minister may want to separate the two. The Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit can police money transfers in order to know the people who are moving dollars and where they earned them and if there is a crime, prosecute the culprits.

 

Mr Chairperson, as I conclude, let me say that DEC should zero-in on herbal medicines and establish which are useful to humans, whether babies, older people or the hon. Minister, himself, who might be a beneficiary of Congo dust.

 

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

 

Laughter

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Sampa, we do not know why you are so insistent on your Congo dust.

 

Mr Andeleki (Katombola): Mr Chairperson, allow me to begin by thanking you for according the people of Katombola an opportunity to contribute to the debate on this very important Vote, which is very dear to my heart. I also thank the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security for the statement he has made to this august House. I also commend the officers in the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), who work tirelessly to seize property, especially that believed to have been acquired through illicit means. However, we do not encourage them to seize property that was genuinely acquired by the people of Zambia.

 

 Mr Chairperson, the first issue I want to address my mind to is the need to separate the Anti-Money Laundering Investigation Unit from DEC because the two are created by two different Acts, and that has brought about contradictions in the functions of the two. So, I propose to the hon. Minister that the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit be turned into a standalone institution specifically responsible for detecting and prosecuting those who acquire property or money through illicit means.

 

Mr Chairperson, the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit is very important, but it must up its game. Looking at it now, I doubt that it has proper capacity, owing to a lack of equipment and adequate training because of a high turnover of officers there, who are trained by the Government at a very high cost. The officers end up going to the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) and other banks to work as money laundering investigations officers. In this regard, I propose that the conditions of service for those officers be improved because the officers work under extremely difficult conditions, owing to their lack equipment. Further, the job they do is very important.

 

Sir, there is a need to domesticate international and regional instruments. I am aware of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group, which our unit is supposed to be working with to co-ordinate efforts to detect the movement of money in transnational organised crime.

 

Mr Chairperson, money laundering is a very complex vice because money moves very fast through electronic transfers and, looking at the capacity of the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit today, I am in doubt that the unit can detect very complex and swift transfers of funds through electronic means using a telephone. Therefore, the need to capacitate the unit cannot be overemphasised.

 

Mr Chairperson, I have already addressed the conditions of service, which are poor and cannot attract any qualified people into the unit. So, curtailing the high turnover and training are very important.

 

Mr Chairperson, I emphasise the need to domesticate international laws to curb transnational organised crime, which is the firewood that fuels the financing of terrorism and other criminal activities. I also reiterate that the unit is very important and that it must be made a fully-fledged institution because money laundering has very adverse effects on the economy; it causes many distortions in the economy and must, therefore, be curtailed. So, as the people of Katombola support the budget that has been presented by the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, they propose and insist that it is important that DEC and the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit be separated and that the conditions of service of the officers be improved.

 

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

 

Mr Chisanga (Lukashya): Mr Chairperson, I also state that on behalf of the people of Lukashya Constituency, I fully support this Vote, but I have very brief remarks to make.

 

Sir, in the main, what I have observed is that the biggest problem that the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has faced, as observed by the hon. Minister, is inadequate financial and human resource support. We are, therefore, grateful that in this Budget, there has been an increase in the allocation to the commission.

 

Mr Chairperson, I bring it to the attention of the House that drug abuse is on the rise countrywide as our street children grow on the streets and continue to engage in drug abuse. Drug abuse is a problem even in children from good homesteads. I, therefore, would like to hear from the hon. Minister what the ministry is going to do to redress drug abuse, which is a problem in both the urban and rural areas. I am a Member of Parliament for a rural constituency, but this is one of the major problems I am asked to address when in the constituency, even as I deal with issues of youth empowerment.

 

Mr Chairperson, I propose the construction of facilities in all provincial headquarters for rehabilitation of drug users because, mostly, it is our youths who are victims of this problem. They do not pedal drugs, but they are made to use drugs by people who pedal the drugs.

 

Mr Chairperson, I also suggest that in this Budget, there be a very adequate allocation to the training and re-training of DEC officials. One of the major problems that we keep facing in dealing with drug-related problems is a lack of training on the part of those who are given the responsibility of enforce drug laws. This training –

 

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

 

(Debate adjourned)

 

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HOUSE RESUMED

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

(Progress reported)

 

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The House adjourned at 1841 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 3^rd December, 2021.

 

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