Tuesday, 29th March, 2022

Tuesday, 29^th March, 2022

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

MS NYIRENDA, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR LUNDAZI, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HEALTH, MRS MASEBO, ON THE NON-FUNCTIONING MORTUARY IN LUNDAZI

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A matter of urgent public importance is raised.

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, the matter of urgent public importance I want to raise is directed at the hon. Minister of Health. For the past three months now, our mortuary in Lundazi has been not working. We are ferrying bodies to Lumezi mortuary every day. This issue requires attention, especially that the community where we are coming from does not have people who have enough resources.

I need your urgent intervention, Madam Speaker.

MR SAMPA, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MATERO, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, MR NKOMBO, ON SPRAYING LUSAKA CITY AGAINST MOSQUITOES

Mr Sampa (Matero): On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A matter of urgent public importance is raised.

Mr Sampa: Madam Speaker, it is a very important matter of urgent public importance and it has nothing to do with people coming in the House with bags full of weapons of mass destruction. This issue is directed at the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development. This is about the city of Lusaka and this comes from complaints from residents to me directly and from my experience at home.

Madam, this time of the year, the city has been infested with a lot of mosquitoes. There are many complaints that people can hardly sleep. These are the residents of Chawama, Matero, Kanyama, Lusaka Central, Munali, Kabwata and Mandevu. In the night, for some reason, they are entertained by music from a swarm of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes cause a dangerous disease called malaria, which can easily turn into cerebral malaria. So, their lives are at risk.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in order to keep quiet because he is in charge of the outside environmental health? Is he in order to quiet and not tell this House when and if he will spray the city to rid it of mosquitoes that have attacked the city? I need your ruling, Madam Speaker.

AMB. KALIMI., MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MALOLE, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HEALTH, MRS MASEBO, ON THE STATE OF AFFAIRS AT THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Amb. Kalimi (Malole): On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A matter of urgent public importance is raised.

Amb. Kalimi: Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent public importance under Standing Order 134 and this is directed at the hon. Minister of Health. We know that for the past months, the health sector has collapsed. There is no medicine in almost all the rural areas and most of the clinics are just giving out prescriptions.

Madam, we are on record that when we did not have fertiliser in this country, we did single source with Alpha Commodities Limited because it was an emergency and fertiliser was procured. It is in public domain that a known auditing and accounting firm has been awarded a contract worth millions to audit a known mine. It is also on record that we are very fast to compensate some of our traditional leaders who are connected to some of our friends in the Government, despite the fact that their cases were not even completed.

Madam Speaker, I do not know what to do because when we talk about this, we are told that we are arrogant. We are told that we are after our friends’ jobs. We are not after their jobs. What we are doing is providing checks and balances. That is why we were voted for and we are not going to stop doing that. In fact, we are not even after their jobs because even the appointing authority cannot appoint us. We have a lot of people who sacrificed who are on this side who qualify for those jobs. We do not qualify. Even if I was appointed, I will say, “Sorry, Sir, I do not qualify because there are other people who qualify this side.”

Interruptions

Amb. Kalimi: We have many engineers and doctors who can take over these jobs. We do not qualify. When we ask questions, we are told and schooled as children to say stop this and our hon. Colleagues become arrogant. They must realise that they are not the first hon. Ministers and they will not be the last. We are here to provide checks and balances and we are not going to stop doing that.

Interruptions

Amb. Kalimi: Madam Speaker, I do not know why there is this contradiction when the Government spokesperson stood in this House to say that the Government has released a lot of money to make sure that the hospitals procure medicine. When did the procurement Act change whereby hospitals started procuring their own medicine? In here, the hon. Minister of Health also said the Government is going to release the money. Is the hon. Minister of Health in order to sit in the House without informing the nation the state of affairs in the Ministry of Health? I need your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

MR B. MPUNDU, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NKANA, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY AND HON. MINISTER OF INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ON THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES ON CHIBULUMA ROAD

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A matter of urgent public importance is raised.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent public importance as provided for in our Standing Orders 134. Late last year in December, I brought a matter to your attention and you ruled on it. From where I stand, when a matter is ascertained by you to qualify under a matter of urgent public importance, it requires urgent attention.

Madam, if it was permissible for me to lay my phone on the Table, I was going to do so. Today, there are a number of reports I have received from my constituency on the criminal activities happening in my constituency on a stretch called Chibuluma Road. During the day, people are being attacked by criminals. Even moving trucks are being attacked by criminals.

Madam Speaker, I do not understand whether we are going to be very active when we lose life or whether we should be active when we see criminal activities happening during the day. I direct this matter of urgent –

Amb. Kalimi crossed the Floor.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Malole, I do not know what you are trying to do. Can you go back the same way that you came.

Amb. Kalimi crossed the Floor back to his seat.

Hon. Members: Order!

Madam Speaker: So, was that a correct manner in which to go?

Amb. Kalimi: My apologies, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Now you can exit using the correct method.

Hon. Member for Nkana, proceed.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, I direct this matter of urgent public importance at the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security and hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. The people in Kitwe are living in constant fear of these criminal activities that are happening during the day, as opposed to during the night.

Madam, when are we going to see the Government attaching the importance so deserving to protect the lives of the people who use Chibuluma Road and to protect the goods and properties that are transported on that stretch? Due to the activities happening at the Black Mountain, the road has deteriorated to the worst you can ever think of and criminals are celebrating today. There is a police post in the community where these criminal activities are happening because that police post has never seen the presence of the police.

Therefore, I seek your indulgence and ruling on the matter as to whether we should keep quiet and continue giving the excuse that we are going to find resources when the matter requires that we must act now to protect the lives of people and people’s goods.

Madam Speaker: Just for clarity, you have raised that issue against which hon. Minister?

Mr B. Mpundu: I have raised it against the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security and hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development.

Madam Speaker: Did you not raise that matter earlier on in this sitting?

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, when I raised this matter, you gave a directive, but there has not been action taken from December last year and now the activities have tripled, if not quadrupled. Today, the lives of people are at risk. As we speak, there is a report right now of people being attacked on that stretch.

Madam Speaker, my thinking is when you direct that this matter qualifies to be an urgent matter, it requires that the responsible officers must move right away because it borders on life. I am bringing it back because we cannot sit and watch the lives of people being threatened.

Madam Speaker: Sorry, was the ministerial statement made? Just remind me.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, the ministerial statement was made, but alas, I was turned into a laughing stock by the answers that were provided in this House.

MR E. J. BANDA, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR PETAUKE CENTRAL, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, MR NKOMBO, ON COUNCILLORS NOT GETTING A SALARY

Mr E. J. Banda (Petauke Central): On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A matter of urgent public importance is raised.

Mr E. J. Banda: Madam Speaker, thank you for giving the good people of Petauke an opportunity to raise a matter of public importance. Before I go on, let me first pass my condolences to the family of Prof. Munkonge and the whole Bemba clan.

Mr Sampa: Question!

Mr E. J. Banda: Madam Speaker, the councillors in Petauke Central Constituency and Zambia at large are in serious problems. Last year, they went to campaign in the general elections using their resources, but after winning, they are not on a salary. They are just on allowances. Every day at their homes, they are being troubled by the community to attend to the problems in the community in a particular ward. They have tried to get loans, but the Constitution of our country does not allow them to get a loan because they are not on a salary but on an allowance. As a result of that, councillors have a lot of debt with many banks and people.

Madam Speaker, we are asking the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to consider putting councillors on a salary so that they can be helped with the problem they are going through. We have seen that this problem can even cause some suicides and other things. I seek your ruling, Madam Speaker.

MR MUNG’ANDU, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR CHAMA SOUTH, ON THE VICE-PRESIDENT, MRS NALUMANGO, ON VICTIMISATION IN THE CIVIL SERVICE

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A matter of urgent public importance is raised.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I am raising my matter of public importance on Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, the Civil Service is extremely important if this country is to progress. All the policies that the New Dawn Government wants to implement are dependent on a well motivated, skilled and more efficient Civil Service. However, what we are seeing at the moment is that if action is not taken, we will have doctors who are demoralised and teachers who are completely not in class, mentally. We will see that if many civil servants are not looked after well, they will not deliver to the expectations of both the Government and the people of Zambia. This can lead to untold misery and suffering, including death. Therefore, in my opinion, I hope you will favourably consider it as a matter of public importance.

Madam Speaker, the gist of this matter is that many civil servants as we speak right now are being victimised. When these civil servants are victimised, they are supposed to report to the commissions which are established under our Acts of Parliament. There are the Civil Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission and many other commissions where these civil servants are supposed to go and report.

Madam Speaker, the people of Zambia voted for change. I repeat this because probably they did like how the former Government, my party which was the Ruling Party then, was behaving. The United Party for National Development (UPND) Government to simply continue on the same path is something that we are concerned about.

Madam, most civil servants are crying that the selection the people to sit on the Civil Service Commission and many commissions which are established to oversee the operations of some ministries and the civil servants is so biased. I do not want to mention a certain term because I do not believe in that term. Civil servants are crying and those who are victimised have nowhere to go because these service commissions where they are supposed to go are actually occupied by people who seem to be politically inclined and regionally inclined. Let me just hit the nail on its head.

Interruptions

Mr Mung’andu: This is a problem that many Zambians did not want to see in the past and the UPND Government has actually fallen into the same trap. Is Her Honour the Vice-President in order to keep quiet there, before I go to Kaputa and consult why she is quiet?

Laughter

Mr Mung’andu: She should be addressing this very important issue, which if it is not handled properly, our people in hospitals will be dying and service delivery will be a problem. I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Are we going to make progress today at the rate we are going?

MR CHINKULI, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KANYAMA, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF ENERGY, MR KAPALA, ON LOADSHEDDING

Mr Chinkuli (Kanyama): Madam Speaker, thank you for this opportunity that you have given me. My issue is directed at the hon. Minister of Energy in relation to load shedding. Two or three weeks ago, this House was informed that loadshedding was a thing of the past, but what is surprising is that the conditions through which people went through during loadshedding are the same conditions that they are subjected to as we are speaking now.

Madam Speaker, in Kanyama, power outage is random. Power can go for thirty minutes or one hour and at times even for a day or two. Looking at the issue of loadshedding and as we have been told that it is a thing of the past, what is the utility company doing that it does not want to inform people before cutting power so that people are at least aware and given guidelines? If at all they are working on upgrading the system or if there are some transformers that have blown-off, why can they not tell the people why there are those power outages? I seek your ruling, Madam Speaker.

MR P. PHIRI, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MKAIKA, ON THE VICE-PRESIDENT, MRS NALUMANGO, ON BLOWN-OFF ROOFS IN MKAIKA

Mr P. Phiri (Mkaika): Madam Speaker, my matter of urgent public importance is on the Vice-President. Three months ago, three schools had their roofs blown-off due to heavy winds and these schools are Kafunka, Walila and Mtambo. The situation is really bad because like at Walila – (inaudible) – there is a 1 x 3 classroom block. The same is the one that got affected – (inaudible).

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Mkaika, you are not clear.

Mr P. Phiri: Up to now, there has not been an intervention at all from the Government. I – (inaudible).

Madam Speaker: You are breaking. Can you be clearer.

Mr P. Phiri: Thank you, Madam – (inaudible).

Madam Speaker: It appears there are problems of connectivity with the hon. Member for Mkaika. Maybe just as a matter of clarification hon. Member for Mkaika, have you brought this concern to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) for immediate attention?

Mr P. Phiri was inaudible.

Madam Speaker: I think we will leave it at that.

So, I will start with the hon. Member for Mkaika. That matter is, of course, urgent and important, but I will advise the hon. Member for Mkaika to get in touch urgently with the DMMU to address that concern. Just raising the matter here in the House and waiting for a ministerial statement to be made or for Her Honour the Vice-President to come back and give a statement, a lot of time would have been lost.

As I have earlier guided, I encourage hon. Members of Parliament to immediately engage the respective hon. Ministers or departments when a matter of this nature arises, so that solutions can be worked out there and then, than to wait until when we are sitting for a matter is raised. So, for that issue, hon. Member for Mkaika, please, do engage the Vice-President’s office through the DMMU.

The hon. Member for Kanyama has a raised a matter against the hon. Minister of Energy. Hon. Member for Kanyama, whereas the issue that you have raised concerns a lot of people because nobody wants to be in the dark due to loadshedding and since assurances were made that loadshedding will be a thing of the past, I will advise that you put in a question to the hon. Minister of Energy. This is because the matter that you have raised does not qualify to be raised under Standing Order 134.

Hon. Member for Chama South, maybe what I can say is let us not raise issues under Standing Order 134, which is for matters of urgent public importance, and turn it into Her Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time done on Friday. Such issues can always be attended to during that time. However, on the issue of victimisation, again, what the hon. Member for Chama South can do is maybe put in a question, which can be sufficiently answered by Her Honour the Vice-President. So, that matter from the hon. Member for Chama South does not qualify to be raised under Standing Order 134.

The hon. Member for Petauke Central has raised a matter of urgent public importance relating to conditions of service for councillors. Definitely, that again does not arise under Standing Order 134. Hon. Member for Petauke Central, you are advised and guided to put in a question to the responsible hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development so that that issue can be addressed.

The hon. Member for Nkana has raised the issue of the criminality that is ongoing in his constituency. He had earlier raised this issue and a ministerial statement was rendered, but the problem has continued. In view of the opening of the Black Mountain, the activities have even increased. So, in this regard, I will direct that hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, in consultation with the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, renders a ministerial statement. Now, the problem is we are adjourning this Friday. I do not know but Friday will be too soon. However, this Friday they can render a ministerial statement on that issue.

In terms of the point that has been raised by the hon. Member for Malole relating to medicines, which was raised against the hon. Minister of Health, I believe the issue of procuring medicines has been sufficiently debated in this House. The hon. Minister has been here before and in the papers it is has been reported that measures are being taken to ensure that medicines are procured. Of course, there are challenges here and there.

Maybe I will ask the hon. Member for Malole to give the hon. Minister of Health some time in order to address this issue. From what I have observed, the hon. Minister of Health is seriously considering this matter and there are challenges that she has encountered in the ministry. Sorting out challenges will not happen within a few hours. It needs time. So, she is working on it and I am sure sooner or later there will be medicines in the hospitals.

On the issue of spraying mosquitoes, this was raised by the hon. Member for Matero. Mosquitoes are found everywhere, in Makeni where I live and even in Mongu where I come from, there are mosquitoes.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: This issue affects the nation as a whole. If we have to do spraying, it has to be national wide spraying. So, again, because of the impact of mosquitoes on the nation, this matter cannot be raised under Standing Order No.134. I believe the hon. Member for Matero, who is a veteran in this House because he has been a Member before, can find means and ways of raising this issue with the hon. Minister of Health. Of course, all of us do not want to be attacked by mosquitoes.

The point that has been raised by the hon. Member for Lundazi relating to a mortuary not working in her constituency, again, there have been several questions that have been asked before this hon. House about infrastructure in hospitals and mortuaries. Whether or not there is a mortuary there or whether it is not operating or there is no mortuary whatsoever, I am not sure. However, hon. Member for Lundazi, have you tried to engage the hon. Minister of Health on this matter?

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, you have always guided that hon. Ministers should be available. I am one of the hon. Members who do not rest from visiting hon. Ministers and all of them can agree.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Interruptions

Ms Nyirenda: I have been –

Hon. Government Members: Which one did you visit?

Ms Nyirenda: No, let me answer. Hon. Madam Speaker, I need your protection.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Let us give her time.

Ms Nyirenda: Give me time to explain. I have been to the Minister of Community Development and Social Services, I been to –

Madam Speaker: Let us talk about the mortuary that you have raised.

Ms Nyirenda: Hon. Ministers, Madam Speaker –

Madam Speaker: Sorry, let me just give guidance a bit …

Eng. Milupi: Sit down!

Madam Speaker: … maybe you can take your seat.

I just want to find out whether there is a mortuary, the one that you are talking about, is there a mortuary?

Ms Nyirenda stood to speak.

Madam Speaker: I have not finished.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Is the mortuary there but is it just not working or what are the issues about the mortuary? Is it not working and people are not being given time to bury their loved ones.

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, the mortuary is not working. I have repaired it using my own resources sometimes.

Interruptions

Mr Chikote: It is your duty.

Ms Nyirenda: However, at the moment, it has just died.

Mr Sing’ombe: The mortuary itself is dead.

Interruptions

Ms Nyirenda::It cannot be repaired anymore.

Interruptions

Eng. Nzovu: Continue repairing it.

Ms Nyirenda: I have been to the Ministry of Health where I sought indulgence with the hon. Minister of Health. I do not want to say the answers that she has given me.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Okay, in that case, if there have been an effort to have the mortuary equipment repaired, I believe you have access to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), I suggest that may be you employ those funds instead of using your personal funds to have the matter attended to if the Ministry of Health is saying that they do not have resources. I know that the issue of mortuaries and mini hospitals has been debated in this House, and you know what the answer has been, which is that there has been no funding or there is no funding. However, since you have access to CDF, use itvto repair the mortuary. I am sure that is acceptable under the CDF Guidelines.

I thank you.

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM SPEAKER

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, the House will recall that on Wednesday, 23^rd March, 2022, I rendered a ruling by which the House suspended five (5) Members of Parliament from the Patriotic Front (PF) Party, who participated in the protest on Tuesday, 30^th November, 2021.

It has come to my attention, after a thorough review of the proceedings of the House of Tuesday, 30^th November, 2021, that Mr J. Malanji, Member of Parliament for Kwacha Parliamentary Constituency, did not participate in the protest.

I remind the House that, all the Patriotic Front Members of Parliament who were identified to have participated in the protest were written to individually to exculpate themselves. This included Mr J. Malanji, MP. The Leader of the Opposition responded to the charge letters through a single letter on behalf of all the PF Members.

However, two Patriotic Front Members, namely Ms J. Nyemba, MP, and Dr C. Chilufya, MP, responded individually to indicate that they did not participate in the protest. Upon a review of the video footage, it was proved that indeed these two Patriotic Front Members did not participate in the protest, and were accordingly removed from the matter.

Therefore, the onus was upon Mr J. Malanji, MP, to respond to the charge letter so as to indicate his non-participation in the protest, as was the case with Ms J. Nyemba, MP, and Dr C. Chilufya, MP. Mr Malanji, MP’s failure to respond to the charge letter, therefore, led to the inevitable conclusion that he had participated in the protest.

This notwithstanding, the inclusion of Mr J. Malanji, MP's name to the list of the suspended Members of Parliament is deeply regretted, and I apologise for that anomaly.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members may further note that where a Ruling contains an accidental slip or omission, the Ruling can be corrected. In view of this, I hereby amend my Ruling of 23^rd March, 2022, to reflect the fact that the hon. Member for Kwacha Parliamentary Constituency did not participate in the protest by PF hon. Members on Tuesday, 30^th November, 2021. I further direct that the Clerk ensures that the various records of the House are amended accordingly.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

ON THE PLUNGING OF A TRUCK CARRYING CHEMICALS INTO THE KAMFISA STREAM IN KITWE, COPPERBELT PROVINCE.

The Minister of Green Economy and Environment (Eng. Nzovu): Madam Speaker, I sincerely thank you for according me this opportunity to deliver a Ministerial Statement to the nation through this august House regarding the potential pollution of the environment and water in Kitwe’s Kamfinsa Stream.

Madam Speaker, I state from the outset that in Zambia, environmental issues are regulated through the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011 under which the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) was established. As an agency under the direct supervision of our ministry, ZEMA is charged with various responsibilities among them, ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources, protection of the environment and the prevention and control of pollution.

Madam Speaker, the Act mandates ZEMA to execute functions that include but not limited to:

making recommendations for the sustainable management of the environment;
developing and enforcing measures aimed at preventing and controlling pollution;
developing in liaison with the relevant appropriate authorities, standards and guidelines relating to the protection of water, air, land and other natural resources, the prevention and control of pollution, discharge of waste and the control of toxic substances; and
collaborating with Government agencies, appropriate authorities and other bodies and institutions to control pollution and protect the environment.

Madam Speaker, it is against this background that my ministry, through ZEMA, continues its stewardship of the Zambian environment to control and protect it from pollution and degradation.

Madam Speaker, in question is the recent unfortunate accident that occurred on the Copperbelt Province along the Kitwe/Ndola Dual Carriageway around Kamfinsa area in Kitwe District involving a truck that plunged into the Kamfinsa Stream. The accident happened when the truck laden with toxic chemicals plunged into the Kamfinsa Stream thus posing a threat to the environment and the water. ZEMA immediately undertook an investigation to ascertain the possible risk of water pollution, damage to the environment and if so, remedial measures to be undertaken to prevent the negative outcomes.

Madam Speaker, facts on the ground are that on Thursday, 17th February, 2022, around 0900 hours, a truck laden with a toxic chemical plunged into the Kamfinsa Stream as earlier stated. I put it on the record of this honourable House, that following a detailed investigation by ZEMA, the findings revealed the following:

the accident involved a truck with two trailers and a horse which belongs to Miles Trucking of Lilayi area in Lusaka;
the truck carried thirty-six bags of 1 tonne each of sodium sulphide destined for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC);
the truck plunged into Kamfinsa Stream which is a tributary of the Kafue River;
during the time the truck was in water, the sodium sulphide bags were still strapped on the submerged trailers:
downstream of the point where the truck plunged into the stream are Nde’s Farm, JVC Farm, Reylands Timber and various small-scale farmers that access water from the stream; and
the submersion of the sodium sulphide bags resulted in the elevation of the potential of hydrogen (pH) in the stream although the readings remained within the statutory range of six to nine.

Madam Speaker, you may wish to note that sodium sulphide is a strong chemical and when exposed to it may cause irritation, itchiness and a skin rash. Repeated exposure may cause coughing and shortness of breath in some cases.

Madam Speaker, arising from the foregoing, the following measures have been instituted to restore the environment:

by Saturday, 19^th February, 2022, the Government in collaboration with stakeholders, Mopani Copper Mines PLC and Belgas Limited, facilitated the retrieval of the truck and all the thirty-six bags of 1 tonne each of sodium sulphide;
ZEMA took samples and conducted onsite monitoring at the accident scene and downstream of the stream on Sunday, 20^th February, 2022. Except for turbidity, all the physical and chemical parameters were within the limits of ambient water quality standards;
physical inspections from the accident scene to points downs stream of the Kamfinsa Stream did not reveal any adverse effects to marine life nor the adjacent environment; and
arising from the principle of ‘polluter pays’, Miles Trucking is under obligation to clean up the Kamfinsa Stream bridge area including paying for incidentals costs incurred during the entire exercise.

Madam Speaker, I further state that at the time of retrieval, all the bags containing sodium sulphide were intact expect the chemical had absorbed water due to its hygroscopic nature. Further, ZEMA, through the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) provincial office in Ndola, made public awareness announcements warning people around the area to suspend using the water from Kamfinsa Stream for any activity until the ongoing water quality monitoring and advisory ascertains and indicates improved water quality standards.

Madam Speaker, in addition, the investigations revealed that Miles Trucking did not have any emergency response team and plan. The emergency response team and plan is a critical requirement for holding a licence to transport chemical products. As a consequence, ZEMA has instituted the procedure to suspend the Pesticides and Toxic Substances (PTS) licence until the company develops and submits the emergency response plan for approval.

Madam Speaker, allow me to pay gratitude to the whole the Government machinery and many stakeholders, but in particular Mopani Copper Mines PLC and Belgas Limited for swiftly responding to the emergency. The effort is commendable and I encourage others to respond in similar manner in any future emergencies.

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, I want to assure the nation through this august House that the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment will continue to monitor environmental activities to ensure that they are operated and managed within the confines of the law.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement given by the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, I have heard that the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has suspended the licence for Miles Trucking. However, I just wanted to find out as per practice, does ZEMA audit these companies on a regular basis considering that an accident may occur at any time?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Mumba for that very important question. I can confirm, indeed, that the ZEMA of yester years is no long the ZEMA of today. The ZEMA of today is very actively involved in ensuring that environmental sustainability, as espoused by the New Dawn Government, is followed. So, indeed, I can confirm that several audits are done on all transport companies carrying toxic chemicals as per requirement of the law.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, thank you very much and the people of Roan Constituency welcome you back to Zambia. In the hon. Minister’s statement, he stated to the negative effects this dangerous chemical might have on both human and aquaculture life. The hon. Minister indicated that some of the negative effects could be having an itching skin and of course, coughing. Could hon. Minister state to whether the people who were exposed to this chemical for the four or three days that this truck was submerged in the water and who had no protective wear whatsoever, will not have the negative effects of this chemical in the near future.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, as I indicated in my statement, ZEMA carried out thorough investigations following the plunging of the truck in the stream. The findings were that the pH was within six to nine as per requirement under the law, as well as per requirements for the safety of human beings. So this is within the acceptable limits. So, therefore, there was almost no danger to the lives of our people.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, since the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment mentioned that the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) did actually suspend the insurance of the same licences and that the issue of pollution in Kafue River had a certain high content and its percentage was very dangerous to the environment, at what extent or did he actually get the extent of the damage caused to the marine environment especially that the stream we are talking about takes water into the Kafue River.

Eng Nzovu: Madam Speaker, for the record, Kamfinsa Stream, indeed, pours its water into the Kafue River. I must also mention that ZEMA was very quick in ensuring that they got samples at the point where the truck plunged into the stream and conducted tests on those samples. Further, the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA), which is under my good friend, the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, indeed, as well joined us in investigations by carrying out various investigations to see to it that various parameters in the water, be it temperature, turbidity as well as pollution in the stream, were within acceptable range. I want to confirm with the hon. Member that all parameters were within the expected range. The only parameter which was elevated was the pH, but was within the acceptable range. So, there was absolutely no danger to our people at the point where the truck plunged into the stream as well as all points downstream.

Madam, the hon. Member may wish to note as well that, following this unfortunate incident, my ministry also actively engaged the people around that area. The hon. Member of Parliament for Kamfinsa was also at hand to educate our people to not access water from that stream within the few hours of the truck plugging into that stream, until we gave a go ahead.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Menyani Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has just suspended the license for Miles Trucking and I am talking to somebody who is a transporter. He understands that it is easy for a Zambian local transporter to climb the Kilimanjaro Mountain, than it is to get the certificate from ZEMA. Is the hon. Minister coming up with new programmes or a new procedure that can quicken getting the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) certificate by transporters other than through the corruption which is happening now?

Eng Nzovu: Madam Speaker, this gives me an opportunity to update my fellow hon. Members of Parliament on the various activities my ministry is carrying out to ensure that ZEMA delivers. However, there is a misconception here that ZEMA delays these processes. What I have found out is that developers and transporters do not follow laid down procedures. As you can imagine, carrying hazardous chemicals is dangerous in itself. If there is an accident involving a truck carrying acidic chemicals for purification of minerals and it plunges into a river and if the unfortunate incident happens that all the chemicals spill into the stream, the danger to our people can be very high and that is why there are strict conditions under which we give those certificates.

Madam, my hon. Member of Parliament maybe talking about giving Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) or Environmental Project Brief (EPBs), which may delay, but again, we will be going round to educate hon. Ministers and hon. Members of Parliament to educate them on the requirements so that when developers go to them, they are able to educate them. However, very soon, in this Parliament, we will be bringing an amendment to the Environmental Management Act, to ensure that the requirements on the timings are reduced. We will also be coming to Parliament to ensure that the fees charged by ZEMA are reduced. So, the hon. Member of Parliament should be comforted that the ZEMA of the New Dawn Government is the ZEMA which will deliver on its mandate.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Madam Speaker, may I know how much was incurred on performing the exercise and how much is the transporter supposed to pay?

Eng Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I did not get the question correctly. I ask the hon. Member to repeat.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, you can repeat the question.

Mr Mapani: Madam Speaker, from the hon. Minister’s submission, he indicated that the transporter would pay all the costs that were incurred to perform the action or the job that was met by Government institutions. How much is the transporter supposed to pay? Does the hon. Minister have the figure with him?

Eng Nzovu: Madam Speaker, the costs are still being worked out. Suffice to say, they are minimal because we got a lot of help from the mining companies, Mopani Copper Mines PLC, in particular.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Madam Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister indicated that members of the community who get water from Kamfinsa Stream were requested to suspend the use of water, until they were given a go ahead. So, how long did it take from the time they were requested to stop using water from the stream to the time they were told to start using the water? Further, during the time when they were requested to suspend the use of water from Kamfinsa Stream, were they given an alternative source of water?

Eng Nzovu: Madam Speaker, what we must know is that ZEMA is not only in Lusaka, maybe for the information of the hon. Members of Parliament, it is also in Kitwe. The response time for considering emergencies is very little. Within a period of four to five hours, we were able to clear our people to continue using the water because the ZEMA of today is very well equipped with necessary measuring instruments to ensure that we see to it that various parameters of the water are within ranges acceptable for use by human beings.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mutinta (Itezhi-Tezhi): Madam Speaker, for the sake of reputation and beneficial ownership, the hon. Minister referred to the company that was involved in this accident as Miles Trucking. Could it be by coincidence that someone around this space owns the company? Can the hon. Minister confirm who owns that company?

Madam Speaker: Order! We do not debate people who are not here neither do we debate ourselves. I can see the hon. Member for Matero has gone to attend to his hair.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: So, we can let him rest.

WELFARE OF ZAMBIAN STUDENTS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation (Mr Kakubo): Madam Speaker, may I take this opportunity to thank you so much for allowing my ministry to clarify a few issues, especially after the point of order that was raised by my colleague, the hon. Member of Parliament for Roan, on Thursday, 24^th March, 2022.

Madam, following that point of order, you directed that I update the House on what the Government has done or intends to do regarding the matter of Zambian students who have been affected by the sanctions that have been imposed on the Russian Federation.

Madam Speaker, from the outset, allow me to state that we have 555 Government sponsored students in Russia and 156 known Zambian students who are on self sponsorship, bringing the total to 711 Zambian students known to our mission in Moscow.

Madam Speaker, the sanctions that have been imposed on Russia by some members of the international community include, among others, a ban on seven major Russian banks from using the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) banking system. As expected, these sanctions have adversely and directly impacted the welfare of some of our students due to the fact that they are unable to access their finances from the major Russian banks.

Madam Speaker, the Russian authorities have acknowledged this challenge to us as the Zambia Government and are putting measures in place to ensure that some of the effects are minimised. It is not only the Zambian students that are affected but other members of society living in Russia are affected too, including the diplomatic community, as well the Zambian Mission in Moscow. The Russian authorities, as I have stated, are working out modalities to immediately find a solution to this challenge.

Madam, to ease the consequences of this challenge, the Russian Government has advised that those experiencing challenges in accessing their funds must consider opening bank accounts with alternative Russian commercial banks that have not been secluded from using the SWIFT system. Some of these banks include the following:

Ros Bank;
Credit Europe Bank;
Ural Bank of Construction and Development;
Expo Bank;
Raiffeisen Bank;
Citi Bank;
Post Bank;
Tinkoff Bank;
Alpha Bank;
MTS Bank; and
NBN Bank.

Madam, they further recommended that the international transactions be made using the Russian Ruble or the Chinese Yuan because the blockade on foreign currencies only applies to the US Dollar and the Euro.

Madam Speaker, the House may also wish to note that most Zambian students in Russia use three types of visa cards that are issued by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Zambia to draw their cash from various points within Russia. Some of the students are at the moment managing to access their money while many others are failing to do so. On our part as the Government, we have engaged the management of UBA Bank and are, therefore, advising parents and guardians of the students who are affected to use an alternative to Visa and MasterCard. The option we are recommending is Union Pay. Union Pay is a Chinese financial service utilised for secure transactions. It is available in over 180 countries and is currently working throughout the Russian Federation.

Madam, may I also report to the House that the current situation in Russia is generally calm and the people, to a larger extent, are going about their business normally. At the moment, there is no apparent need to evacuate any of our citizens from Russia. The House may also wish to note that mediation efforts in this conflict between Russia and Ukraine are ongoing. As I speak, there are meetings going on in Turkey discussing the Russian situation.

Madam Speaker, as I draw to a conclusion, allow me to reiterate to the House, and the country at large, that the Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, will continue to monitor, very closely, the situation in Russia. Also, the Government will remain committed and work continuously and tirelessly to ensure that the wellbeing of our nationals is always the first priority wherever they are.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement given by the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that cool and elaborate response.

Madam, indeed, his ministry is doing everything possible to ensure that no Zambian children become destitute in Russia or any other country. Listening to his statement, is he putting up any emergency measures in an event that all these avenues that he has elaborated, like opening up new accounts with various banks, take long whilst those children in Russia run out of resources? We are talking about resources that are being sent from their parents here. I am specifically talking about the two parents, who accosted me in Roan, who have no means of running up and down to open these accounts. Is the ministry considering coming to the aid of the known students who are not sponsored by the Government in an event that they run out of resources?

Mr Kakubo: Madam Speaker, firstly, our Mission in Moscow is not in touch with Government-sponsored students but with all Zambian students known to us. In fact, we have intensified efforts to ensure that Zambian students are registered with our Mission. In terms of issues to do with financing, I think the statement has been clear. What we would encourage parents to do is ensure that children obtain the Union Pay Card which is currently operating in all parts of Russia.

Madam, further, I add that the Bank of China in Zambia is transacting directly into Russia and we would encourage parents to open accounts there specifically for this purpose. Should anything else arise or other avenues open up to help students and Zambian parents, we will be able to advise further.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Munir Zulu (Lumezi): Madam Speaker, our concerns in Lumezi are about those students who have completed their studies ...

Mr P. Phiri: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Mr Munir Zulu: ... and are waiting for graduation that is due to take place this June, but their parents are unable to send them resources based on the reasons that the hon. Minister has told this august House. Does he have any plans of allowing those students –

Mr Mung’andu interjected.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chama South.

Mr Munir Zulu: Does he have any plans to evacuate those students who are merely in Russia waiting to graduate before coming back home because there is no need for them to wait for a graduation that is not guaranteed as they have completed their studies?

Mr Kakubo: Madam Speaker, it is important to note that evacuation is not dependent on one’s occupation in a war-torn country but on the risk analysis that we do of whether life is in danger or not. Like I have stated in my statement, life in Russia at the moment is relatively normal and different nationalities, including Russians themselves, are able to get along in life fairly normally. So, evacuation is not dependent on whether one is waiting to graduate or not. It is not based on preoccupation but on security issues.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr P. Phiri: On a point of order, Madam.

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr P. Phiri: Madam Speaker, it is most especially on your earlier ruling this afternoon. You ruled on the hon. Member of Parliament for Lundazi that she can use her Constituency Development Fund (CDF). I am concerned because –

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Mkaika, you know that I made a ruling. If you are not happy, there are ways and means to address that. There is a procedure. You can resume your seat.

Mr P. Phiri: It is on the CDF, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Yes, please resume your seat and then I will explain.

Hon. Member for Mkaika, if you not happy with the ruling, there are procedures that you can follow to challenge the ruling. You cannot challenge the ruling of the Chair through a point of order. If there is any concern that you have, you can come to my chambers and we can discuss.

I will just allow one more question, since the hon. Minister has assured us that the situation is calm and there is no need for concern. I do not think there is any need to ask more questions. I will ask the last hon. Member to ask a question.

Mr Menyani Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister’s answer is very clear but my worry is basically about the parents from areas especially like, Luwingu, Mporokoso and Chinsali. These are the kind of people who do not have the modern way of communicating or listening to what is happening globally.

Madam Speaker, has the hon. Minister taken a deliberate policy to educate people from places like Kaputa that there is a way to send money because before this question went to the hon. Minister, I had explained what he has just explained. Now, it has been very difficult to understand by my colleges from this side. Do you have a way of communicating to these parents coming from that part of Zambia?

Madam Speaker: Since the question is based on cousinship, I think we can leave it as such.

Laughter

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

FLEEING OF SOME ZAMBEZI WEST RESIDENTS FOLLOWING THE SPATE OF KILLINGS BY SUSPECTED KARAVINAS

310. Mr Musumali (Zambezi West) asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security:

whether the Government is aware that some residents of Zambezi West Parliamentary Constituency have fled their homes following a spate of killings by unknown people suspected to be Karavinas; and
if so, what measures the Government is taking to restore law and order and avert further loss of life in the area.

Madam Speaker: Can we consult quietly, for those who are consulting.

The Hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu): Madam Speaker, the Government is aware about unknown persons who have been killed in Zambezi West Parliamentary Constituency, in Zambezi District.

Madam Speaker, on 16^th January, 2022, at 0835 hours, the Zambia Police Services received a report that Mr Kenward Kasoka aged 42 years of Kamboyi Village was killed by unknown people about 6 km from his home. The victim’s body was found lying down in a pool of blood. Sticks, two spears and two axe handles were used in killing him. The reason behind the killing is not yet known. The deceased body was later deposited in Zambezi District Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem. A docket of case of murder was opened and no arrest so far has been made. Investigations in this matter have since been instituted.

Madam Speaker, in another incident, on the 24^th, March 2022, at around 1900 hours the Zambia Police Services, received a report that Mr Martin Chinyama Livingi aged 39 of Zambezi West Bank was shot dead by unknown persons. The case occurred at Mishivi village in Kucheka area. The reason behind the killing is not yet established. Investigations have since been instituted into the matter.

Madam Speaker, the Zambia Police Service is implementing the following measures to prevent further loss of lives in Zambezi Parliamentary Constituency:

heightened intelligence information gathering;
enhanced foot and motorised patrols in Zambezi District to curb the criminal activities in the area;
engaging traditional and civil leaders to sensitise citizens on dangers and consequences of illegal possession of firearms and shooting innocent citizens; and
enhanced capacity of the Reserve Police to improve security provision in the area.

Madam Speaker, allow me to warn those in the habit of perpetrating such heinous crimes that the law enforcement officers will not relent to bring criminals to book.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr C. Mpundu (Chembe): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has three major units under his charge under the Zambia Police Service. They are the Protective Unit, the Paramilitary Unit and the Regular and General Duties Unit, among others.

Madam Speaker, these units have their speciality to some degree. What unit has he sent to Zambezi West to curb these criminal activities so that the people in Zambezi District are protected?

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I inform you and the nation that the Regular Police Service in Zambezi is patrolling the area to ensure that sanity is returned in the area.

Secondly, we have dispatched a team of detectives from Lusaka, who are not only in Zambezi but also in Chavuma, in the North Western Province. The intention is to investigate the killings thoroughly and ensure that the culprits are brought to book.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr B. Mpundu: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Mr Musumali: Madam Speaker, this issue of killings in Zambezi West is not new.

Madam Speaker, according to the hon. Ministers response, he cited a number of measures which he claims the Government has taken in form of high tech intelligence systems, foot and motorised patrols, engagement of traditional leaders and enhancement of the Reserve Police.

Madam Speaker, let me tell the House that of these measures which the hon. Minister has taken, none of them are bearing any fruit in as far as murdering of innocent people is concerned in Zambezi West Constituency. The residents have reported these murder cases and some of them are very gruesome as the bodies of these victims have been mutilated. However, the police have taken no action. They are further demanding for evidence in spite of them being informed about these murder cases.

Madam Speaker, it is very appalling that when there is a case of murder, our police ask for evidence instead of them carrying out investigations. The list is just too long to be read –

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Zambezi West, you are now debating your question. You are supposed to ask supplementary questions. Where you are not clear, I always guide that you engage the hon. Minister. Are you having challenges engaging the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security?

Mr Musumali: Madam Speaker, I have engaged the hon. Minister and I have even written to him but action has not been taken. At the stage at which this issue has reached, the people of Zambezi West are lamenting. You may be interested to know that Zambezi West Constituency is the only constituency in the country which has no police presence, not even a single police post. In this regard, the criminals are left at will to do what –

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, ask a specific question. Do not debate. Ask a question.

Mr Musumali: Madam Speaker, has the hon. Minister got any plans to put police presence in all the areas where the murders in Zambezi West are occurring?

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I confirm that I have had an interaction with the hon. Member of Parliament, and he has brought this issue of killings to my attention. We have taken measures to curb the killings in the area under discussion.

Madam Speaker, for his benefit, I inform him that two days ago, we sent a team of ten detectives to Zambezi to investigate the killings and not only Zambezi but also Chavuma because we are also having problems in Chavuma Constituency and district similar to what is happening in Zambezi. That is why I raised the issue of engaging the traditional leaders.

Madam Speaker, you may note that there is a code of silence in all these areas where Karavinas are operating. The members of the public are not cooperating with the police and other law enforcement agencies. In most of the instances where such killings are concerned, members of the families of the persons who have been killed are usually involved. They hire killers to eliminate those who are being accused of witchcraft. When investigative agencies visit those areas, the members of the families of those who have been killed are not cooperating.

However, we have not abandoned the investigations as a result of non-cooperation by members of the public in those areas, hence our decision to send ten investigators from police headquarters so that this issue is resolved. We are concerned that this issue of killings such as ritual murders and killings arising from witchcraft are now a common occurrence in almost every constituency in Zambia. We are taking measures to address these issues.

Madam Speaker, on the issue which he has raised pertaining to the establishment of police stations in Zambezi West, I urge my hon. Colleague to identify the areas where police posts can be constructed. We encourage him to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to construct a police post and then the Zambia Police Service will be in a position to provide manpower.

I thank you Madam Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order directed towards two hon. Members of Parliament; the hon. Member for Petauke and the hon. Member for Lumezi, as provided for in the Standing Orders, regarding the conduct of hon. Members. The two, including most of the hon. Members of Parliament from the East, are moving around with powder. As we speak, they are all over like Karavinas going around hunting for Bemba-speaking hon. Members of Parliament to smear them with powder.

Madam Speaker, are hon. Members in this honourable House – You can see the hon. Member chasing Hon. Anthony Mumba. Are hon. Members in this honourable House in order to be moving around with powder to smear on hon. Members of Parliament in this honourable House?

Madam Speaker: This cousinship also – I do not know what we can do. However, please, do not extend cousinship into the House. I have seen there is so much movement, I do not know if we are concentrating? Have you killed an elephant or what?

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Please, let us behave. We can do that outside. This is a House of dignity and decorum. We do not want to see people growing grey within one hour or a few seconds like the Hon. Member for Matero. I do not know whether that is face powder that he has on his face. So, please, let us try to concentrate on the proceedings of the House. The hon. Member for Lumezi, you have been walking all over. Please, let us concentrate. Thank you for that point of order.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, the issue of Karavinas terrorising villagers in Zambezi has been a perennial problem. Karavinas have continued to commit the serious cases of murder. Is the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security planning to engage his counterpart, the hon. Minister of Defence, in an event that the situation continues to escalate, to engage our elite ‘Commando’ Unit so that it can deal with this matter?

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, it is not necessary to engage the hon. Minister of Defence to handle a matter of a civil nature. This is a police matter, and that is why I have informed the nation through this House that we have dispatched a cantonment and members of the Zambia Police Force to go and investigate these cases in Zambezi West. More than ten detectives are on the ground right now, and I have no doubt that something tangible will come out of the investigations they are conducting.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Lubozha: Madam Speaker, the issue of mass killing in Zambezi, part of Mwinilunga and Kabompo has been going on for so many years. This has been as a result of the influx of guns from across in Angola, a war torn country. As I talk right now, most of the villages harbour these guns and are using them to escalate these murder cases. Is the ministry considering, as one way of disarming theses villagers, extending a gun amnesty to the villagers in Zambezi district?

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, you may be aware that in December last year, we did issue an amnesty to all illegal arm owners to surrender the guns with the view that those who are holding on to the illegal fire arms will not be prosecuted. The amnesty was extended to everyone in the country. The amnesty was extended to everyone in the country, but the response has not been very good.

Mr Mwiimbu: We shall proceed and find other means to trace illegal gun owners.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Masebo: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, you know that I have never stood up on a point of order. It is my first time, but I have to raise this point of order. This afternoon, my sister the hon. Member of Parliament for Lundazi really complained. I was in my car coming here and was following the debate. When you asked her if she had spoken to me, she said she could not say what she was answered. I was very worried because I could see that you were trying to ask her to speak to me. I thought that the record should be corrected because out there people think that we refuse to see the hon. Members of Parliament who try to see us maybe because they are in the Opposition, which is not the case.

Madam Speaker, that is the point of order I wanted to raise so that this matter is corrected. Is she in order to mislead the House?

Madam Speaker: I can see you are already making peace. So, I will encourage that you continue discussing and resolve that matter amicably.

Mr Anakoka (Luena): Madam Speaker, the issues of insecurity which include the activities of the alleged Karavinas, is something that is common in many rural constituencies where police presence is either not there or they are located at one corner of the constituency and it is difficult for them to get to other parts of these districts.

Madam Speaker, in places where Karavinas do not exist, is the ministry willing to consider enhancing the capacity or creating some form of village or community policing forums that can at least provide intelligence and in some cases be able to act in a minimal manner on behalf of the police before the police actually arrive to take charge of the situation.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, if my hon. Colleague had listened attentively, he would have noted that I did indicate under question No. 4, that my ministry and the Zambia Police Force are enhancing the capacity of the police reserve to improve security provisions in the areas. I want to inform this House and the nation that apart from the police reserve, we have also embarked on a programme of ensuring and establishing community police. This is a programme which we have started with the traditional leadership and some hon. Members of Parliament in certain areas to ensure that there is peace and tranquillity in the areas of the jurisdiction of the traditional leadership and the constituencies. We are doing that. I assure the hon. Member that we are going to undertake this exercise in the Western Province to ensure that there are no Karavinas because they are the originators of Karavinas ...

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: ... and we will do something about this.

Madam Speaker: On the last point the hon. Minister is out of order.

Laughter

IMMINENT BREAK DOWN OF PONTOON ON THE EASTERN AND THE WESTERN BANKS OF THE ZAMBEZI RIVER DUE TO SINGLE ENGINE USE

311. Mr Musumali (Zambezi West) asked the Minister of Transport and Logistics:

whether the Government is aware that the only pontoon which operates between the east and the west banks in Zambezi River is in imminent danger of breaking down as it is running on a single engine;
if so, what measures are being taken to avert loss of connectivity between the two sides of the Zambezi District; and
whether the Government has any plans to procure a new pontoon for the District.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi) (on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Logistics (Tayali)): Madam Speaker, Government is aware that the pontoon operating between east and west banks in Zambezi district mostly runs on one engine. This does not mean that the pontoon is in imminent danger of breaking down as the pontoon in question is powered by two 85 horsepower (HP) Valmet engines and both are in working order. This means that the total available power from the two engines is 170 horsepower. The two engines are more than enough to ferry across a 30 tonne truck. Therefore, using all that power to cross a Toyota Land cruiser that weighs about 3.3 tonnes it is being wasteful in terms of operational costs.

Madam Speaker, it is for this reason that the pontoon is normally operated with one engine. However, depending on the load that is to be ferried across the river, the operators determine how many engines are to be used. When the load is minimal, only one engine is used and if the load is more, both engines are used. While there is no imminent danger of breakdown of the pontoon or loss of connectivity, the Government ensures timely servicing of engines.

Madam Speaker, the Government has no plans to procure a new pontoon to operate between the east and the west banks in Zambezi District as the one on site is in good condition and is able to handle ten times the current traffic levels at the crossing point in question. The fact that most of the time only one engine is used is an indication that the pontoon is being underutilised.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Musumali: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the elaborate answers. However, there is still an imminent danger at the crossing ferry as the usage of the one engine requires that motorists sometimes board the pontoon or disembark the pontoon in reverse because the two engines are propelled only on one side of the river. Is the hon. Minister going to assure the people of Zambezi that even the embankment that has been eroded will be worked on?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I have experience in using pontoons on the Zambezi River and sometimes those that cross are asked to reverse because sometimes reversing gives the vehicle more power. So, there is nothing strange in crossing and then, asking the driver of the vehicle to reverse rather than driving forward. The main point is that the vehicle has crossed. However, the hon. Member raises a different question which about the embankment and it is not part of the question, but what we can do is to find out what the issues on this embankment are. If it is eroded, then, we need to repair it and so on and so forth. For that, we will do that.

I thank you, Madam Speaker

Mr Mpundu (Chembe): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister will agree with me, especially him being an engineer, that when it comes to pontoon issues, people are graduating from using pontoons and moreover something that is mechanical cannot be trusted because it can breakdown at any time. In addition, manufacturers have stopped manufacturing some of the parts for the pontoons. In this vein, does the ministry have any plans to construct a permanent bridge as a permanent solution for the people in Zambezi District like it has been done in Chembe? He was part of the architects of the Chembe Bridge.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank the Member for Chembe for his concern for the people Zambezi East and West. My earlier answer clearly indicated that both engines are available. It is just that the operators know that it is quite adequate to use one engine rather than two. So, in terms of one breaking down and so on and so forth, the other one would be utilised in addition to repairing whatever has broken down. The issue of a bridge between Zambezi East and Zambezi West is a matter that the hon. Member Zambezi West can attest that him and I discuss and when the time is ripe for that to be effected, I am sure it will be done. These are matter that we have discussed not as Acting Minister of Transport and Logistics, but as Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. However, I cannot divulge more matters that are still very preliminary in terms of their discussions.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, I think my question has been already asked by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chembe, but I appeal to the Government that a lasting solution be found such as building a bridge because Zambezi West hosts a very important traditional Ceremony called Likumbi Lya Mize. It would be important

I thank you, Madam.

_______

MOTION

MOTION OF THANKS ON THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS ON THE APPLICATION OF NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

(Debate resumed)

Mr Chaatila (Moomba): Madam Speaker, to thank you for this opportunity. First and foremost, let me welcome back to the House Hon. Malanji.

Madam, before the House adjourned last Friday, I was talking about the issue of inequalities in Zambia. We all know that Zambia is among the countries with the highest levels of poverty and inequality. To address this through the President’s Speech, he indicated that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was going to be increased. We have seen for ourselves that this is something which the Patriotic Front (PF) Government was refusing. What this does is to reduce poverty especially in rural areas.

Madam Speaker, this time around and for this first time, we have seen a situation whereby in the rural areas, our classrooms are full. Indeed, our pupils are sitting on the floor due to the lack of desks. This is as a result of those who could not manage to be in school at that time to access education having come back. This is something which is very commendable. Going forward through the CDF, we will see to it that desks are procured for our pupils.

Madam, another thing which is there in trying to reduce poverty levels is that there are programmes such as the Youth Empowerment Programme. Once these take off, we expect the levels of poverty to go down. The United Party for National Development (UPND) Government must be commended for this. When we come to the issue of good governance and integrity, the President stated that as leaders, we need to be accountable and transparent. I am not saying that because our hon. colleagues on the left have been complaining that we are always talking about what the PF did and what they did not do.

Madam Speaker, how can one explain when it comes to issues of integrity, transparency and accountability for one to go out there and buy a fire truck for K1 million? Today, the same people are the ones who are complaining that there are no medicines in hospitals. Remember that the procurement was done between 2015 and 2016, there about. In fact, the fire trucks by then could have cost K250,000. Even now, if you check on the market – This is some assignment I want to give to the hon. colleagues in PF, let them go on the market and check if at all, today, they will find a fire truck which is costing K1 million in 2022.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, is it K1million or?

Mr Chaatila: Madam Speaker, it is US$1 million. This is a challenge I am giving PF today, to go and check on the market whether they will find a fire truck costing that much. That is why we are saying there was no integrity in PF in the way they were managing the resources.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chaatila: If these things were not happening that time, today, our hospitals were going to have medicines.

Mr Mabeta: Yes!

Mr Chaatila: Due to their doings, today they are crying foul. They are giving us a red card for the medicines they misused.

Mr Mabeta: Yes!

Mr Chaatila: So, where was the issue of good governance then when they are complaining about issues of good governance?

Madam Speaker, today, I promised myself I was not going to take long in my debate. The last one is the issue of democracy and constitutionalism. Allow me to read what the President said on the issue of democracy and the issue of the Constitution on page 21 and I quote:

“In this regard, Government shall undertake all necessary measures to gather and build consensus with all stakeholders on how best we can give ourselves a Constitution that reflects our shared and cherished aspirations as a people.”

Madam Speaker, I hope what happened during the time of Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 under PF can be put in the mirror so that our hon. Colleagues can see. Madam Speaker, I heard someone on your left saying they are hoping that the UPND will be very transparent in the Constitution making process over and above the PF were transparent. My true comment on this issue is the PF lost Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 because firstly, they did not mean well.

Mr Mabeta: Yes!

Mr Chaatila: I think the most important thing was that they were very arrogant.

Mr Mabeta: Too much!

Mr Chaatila: When they were standing here on the right hand side of the House, I wish I could mention their names, they used to say they had the numbers. Whether we liked it or not, the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 was going to pass. That was the arrogance of the highest order. They failed to engage us. That is why the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 failed. Today, they want to challenge us. In fact when the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 was flawed –

Madam, I am serving my second term and I know that the issue of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 under PF was an issue whereby it was like they were like selling it like tomatoes on the market to the hon. Members who were on the left then. Madam Speaker, a day before voting for the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019, we ran running battles at the National Assembly Motel from 0300 hours to 0600 hours.

Mr Sing’ombe: With trucks of money!

Mr Chaatila: For the first time, we were being shown about three or four land cruisers with trunks of money. How do they say we need to be transparent? If their Constitution was well articulated, was there any reason for them to go to the extent of offering money for someone to vote for the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019, something which someone believes in?

Madam Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Chaatila: Madam Speaker, we are saying we are not going to do that and thank you for your time.

Madam Speaker: Your time is up hon. Member.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me and the people of Dundumwezi an opportunity to debate on the progress made in the application of national values and principles as presented to the House by the Head of State on 11^th March, this year.

Madam Speaker, I want to state that for the first time one old man from my constituency who is in his early seventies asked me a question whether it was possible to change the Independence Day from 1964 to 2021.

Mr Mabeta: Yes!

Mr Sing’ombe: The reason that he based this question on was very simple. This man told me that he was very much alive in 1964 and he is still alive. He told me that from 2011 we seemed to have lost our independence ...

Mr Mabeta: Yes!

Mr Sing’ombe: ... and that there was no need to continue celebrating until 2021 because everything went upside down.

Madam Speaker, the President outlined few issues like morality and ethics, patriotism and national unity, democracy and constitutionalism, human dignity, good governance and sustainable development. Madam Speaker, I want to state that the President actually did indicate and agreed that indeed, we still have challenges. Here is a man or a Government that acknowledges the challenges that the country is facing and goes ahead in giving solutions. He talked about alcohol abuse. To that effect, the New Dawn Government, through the President, has brought about free education as a solution.

Madam Speaker, when the United Party for National Development (UPND) was campaigning we said there would be free education but some of our colleagues thought the free education would not happen.

Mr Mabeta: Yes!

Mr Sing’ombe: Here we are. Even when we came here, they were asking where we were going to find the money. However, look at the President, the Vice President and the Cabinet, they have found the money.

Mr Mabeta: Yes!

Mr Sing’ombe: Due to the intelligence that our Cabinet has …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sing’ombe: … they have found the money. The challenges on democracy – We have a Government that comes here and says let there be no cadreism, and cadreism seizes. So, our hon. Colleagues in the previous regime just needed to stand up and say we do not want this from our cadres. So hon. colleagues, if you have a negative mind, you will never see positive things. I want to tell them that forming a Government is not an event. It is a process. It is not like saying you will have a wedding tomorrow, then it happens and then you forget, no. It is a process. If you see from the time the President was inaugurated, the things that he outlined will be taken step by step. It is like when you are playing football.

Mr Mabeta: Chipantepante!

Mr Sing’ombe: Before the end of time comes, you do not score one goal and then say, you should have scored two. You kick once and score once. So, I expected our hon. colleagues to know these things because they have been in Government before, ...

Mr Mabeta: Yes!

Mr Sing’ombe: … but you seem not to have learnt.

Madam Speaker, we have a President who comes here and says that during the campaigns, he said we were going to ensure that the resources of this nation are spread and he brings about K25.7 million. The Cabinet says a certain percentage goes to youth empowerment. That youth empowerment is going to help in reducing the alcohol abuse. That is a solution. It is going to reduce many negative things because the youth will use their time to go to school. It will reduce teenage pregnancies and early marriages. So, please, I am asking or requesting that we give space to the UPND. You will see how they are going to rule this country.

Mr E. J. Banda: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, a lady from my constituency asked me a question that we seem to have a Vice-President now, but where was she before? I said actually, are you aware that she was the Deputy Speaker in the past then, she said ah! It is like those who were there before underutilised her and I agreed with her.

Madam Speaker, when the Vice-President stands up to answer questions, she does not only satisfy us, but also have answers even for those who are outside. So, please if we allow this Government to settle down, we will see good things coming out. So please, there are so many good things that we are about to see. With the CDF that we have seen, surely, what other things would we have loved to see apart from the President and the Cabinet coming up with such wonderful policies. They cannot be perfect, but at least we should ensure that, for the first time, this money be shared among our electorates in the constituencies. I think the people of Dundumwezi are very excited.

Madam Speaker, I want to state that the UPND means well.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, here is a man who says we are going to give you fertiliser. Whether you are in Shangombo, we will give you six bags of fertiliser, which never used to happen before.

Mr Mabeta: In the (PF).

Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, like my hon. Colleague has indicated, we heard two to three ministers coming with 50 kg of K100 notes on the Floor of this House. Surely, and they want us to say that they had integrity.

Mr Mabeta: No!

Mr Sing’ombe: When Her Honour was saying they brought air, even the air was insufficient to supply –

Madam Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr E. J. Banda: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr E. J. Banda: Madam Speaker, was the hon. Member of Parliament for Luena in order to cut in-between the Speaker and the hon. Member on the Floor?

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Luena is reminded. He was actually out of order. By the time I realised, he was already outside. My idea was to call him, so that I do what I did to the hon. Member for Malole to him as well. However, please hon. Members, we are reminded that when an hon. Member is on the Floor, you are not supposed to pass in front of that hon. Member.

Mr Musanje (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, thank you so much for this opportunity given to the good and loving people of Mbabala Constituency to comment on the speech of His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema, on the national values of this country.

Madam Speaker, we heard from this House that the President’s Speech lacked baseline data, statistics and the like. I would like to respond because I heard some of our hon. colleagues who needed the baseline data and statistics to understand that His Excellency is speaking from the date he was sworn in to the time he came to report on these national values. As such, he is basically showing progress that has been achieved on these national values for the seven months period or so he has been in office. The statistics are very clear, if our hon. colleagues read the various statistics such as the Zambia Demographics Health Survey, they will find the rates on child and forced marriages, teenage pregnancy and many other related subjects which I am also willing to share if they cannot manage to consult or do their research.

Madam Speaker, we were told in the past that for one to be a friend they needed to be drinking mates to somebody who was in office. His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema, has put it very clear that you do not need to be drinking mates for you to achieve something in the country. Instead, he has put his message against alcoholism clearly as one of the things which he condemned and he has set the tone which is going to allow young people, young Zambians not to be junkies like we ended up in the last regime where alcohol and substance abuse became the order of the day.

Mr Mubika: Like Munir Zulu.

Mr Musanje: Madam Speaker, we saw child marriages and teenage pregnancy rising. All these are vices that came as a result of the poor direction that was there. However, His Excellency has set the tone very clearly from the day he as sworn that we are going to prosecute against such and that he is going to act on such kind of things. As such, it is an opportunity for every child in the country to go back to school and be in school because the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government has brought free education and has allowed every citizen to participate in the national development.

Madam Speaker, corruption is being fought as we have seen and people are being arrested. Instead of parading themselves to prove their innocence on camera, they need to wait for the courts because those are the areas where one has to clear themselves. As such, His Excellency is on course in terms of delivering on these national values.

Madam Speaker, on patriotism and national unity, we saw in the past how this country lacked patriotism and national unity. People were being killed. People supplied fake things, even air. Even here we heard the hon. Minister talking about agriculture, the fertiliser that did not have the substance. This is lack of patriotism for one to supply goods that are not going to work, for example, fertiliser. How can we have no nitrogen, potassium and the like? That is lacking patriotism to the country because we are killing our fellow citizens.

Madam Speaker, the Social Cash Transfer was lost during the Patriotic Front (PF) regime. Killing of innocent people, old villagers in Mbabala Constituency, my constituency and Mampanza, who are basically depending on this money for their livelihood, but these people could not get their money because somebody decided to put their money away. This is the regime where we are coming from and since the New Dawn Government came on board we have not only increased the numbers, but also paid everybody on time.

Madam Speaker, that is integrity and it shows that we care for our people. The New Dawn Government cares for the people and the like. There are issues of human rights. We saw how innocent reasoned young girl, Vesper Shimuzhila, was tear gassed in her room. That was the lack of respect for human dignity. We saw how many of us were tear gassed and gassed. All those showed that the country did not uphold human rights.

Madam Speaker, just now, His Excellency has appointed a commissioner with a disability to be part of the commission on human rights. We do not need the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, No. 10 of 2019 to appoint people to the Human Rights Commission.

Hon. Government members: Hear, hear!

Mr Musanje: Madam Speaker, people were made to go and demonstrate at the President’s house for the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, No. 10 of 2019, that they would not be appointed to these positions because of their disabilities. We do not need Bill 10. We have shown that what are required are the heart, integrity and professionalism and that is what the President is demonstrating.

Madam Speaker, so –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was about to say that in Tonga we say katanga kalula kaluzya matanganyina.

Hon. Government Member: Meaning?

Mr Munsanje: Meaning, there can never be a good seed out of a bad seed and–

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

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, the Patriotic Front (PF) recently regrouped in Ndola and insulted Zambians that muli fipuba. Meaning they are fools for removing them out of the Government. The people of Zambia removed these bad seeds from the Government because of not maintaining national values and lacking integrity.

Madam, so, as we move on, as the New Dawn Government, we want to commend His Excellency’s speech on sustainable national development. We have seen a balanced Cabinet which sustains our future on national unity as a country. We have seen the creation of wonderful ministries and the appointment of Permanent Secretaries (PSs) from everywhere around the country, all that demonstrates national values of national unity and sustainability for the future of this country.

Madam Speaker, with the decentralisation that has happened with the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), we, as the people of Mbabala Constituency from Mang’unza to Nchembe and Simaubi, Ngo’nga, Kabimba, Macha and everywhere, are going to take these values as our way of life to ensure that we live and enjoy them and support His Excellency’s call for duty.

Madam Speaker: Order!.

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Madam Speaker: What is happening with the issue of powder? Hon. Member for Petauke, Central, why are you putting powder on people?

Mr E. J. Banda: Madam Speaker, they have a funeral, so they are in mourning mood.

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

Laughter

Mr E. J. Banda: They are mourning and for them to mourn well, they need to have powder. Even financial support has been rendered to them.

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

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Sampa: Madam Speaker, you ruled earlier on that this is a House of rules and a respectable and honourable House. You also said that these traditional activities should not target innocent people and should be conducted outside the Chamber. People like me are very innocent about these things.

Madam Speaker, they have gone further to target Her Honour the Vice-President. Are they in order to make Her Honour the Vice-President stay inside the Chamber at tea break, even when her surname is Nalumango?

Laughter

Madam Speaker: I do not even know what to say. I remember that when a matter like this happened, it was reported to the police but the police were also putting powder on each other. So, it looks like this tradition cannot be done away with. However, I have already guided, please hon. Members, let us do it outside the House because we are now losing concentration. People are watching us. You have even put powder on the hon. Minister. You cannot even respect ladies, surely?

Laughter

Madam Speaker: I cannot even recognise the hon. Members anymore. Hon. Member for Matero, do you not have powder to put on the hon. Member for Petauke Central?

Mr Sampa: Madam Speaker, I even feel sad for the Minister of Community Development and Social Services for what they have done to her. They need to respect ladies. Let me check in my boot. I have a sack.

Madam Speaker: Okay, let us make progress.

Mr Munir Zulu: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Alright, I think we have debated this issue. Now, we are turning this House into a playground. I think that is not supposed to happen. I guided earlier on and it is sad that people are coming back looking like ghosts.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Let us make some progress.

Mr Munir Zulu: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Hon. Member for Lumezi, I understand you are one of those working together with the hon. Member for Petauke Central.

Mr Munir Zulu: Madam Speaker, we followed your guidance very well that this thing should not be done in the House that belongs to the people. Unfortunately, it is people like Hon. Mumba that did not listen to your instruction and decided to sit in this august House. Is he is order to have failed to go and have his tea break outside? I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: From where I am seating, I can see that the hon. Member for Kantanshi has no powder on him at all. Maybe he did well not to go for the tea break. So, let us make progress.

Mr J. Chibuye: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Roan, do you still want to debate or raise a point of order?

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, it is a point of order.

Madam Speaker: On the same issue of what you are wearing?

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, I am a very innocent soul, but I have been subjected to this traditional issue. I am Joel Chibuye from the Central Province. I do not know why the hon. Member for Petauke Central should ruin my suit like this. I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: I am sure he will help with the laundry cost. Let us make progress.

Mr Mabumba (Mwense): The host is not allowing me to unmute my microphone for some reason.

Madam Speaker: Madam Speaker, hon. Member for Mwense we can hear you.

Mr Mabumba: Madam Speaker, sorry, I think there were some connectivity issue.

Madam Speaker: And sorry for the comments, we heard them.

Mr Mabumba: Yes, I was trying to speak.

Madam Speaker, I have a few things to contribute on the report on the progress made on the application of our national values and principles that was brought by the President. First of all, we all cherish the democracy and constitutionalism that Zambia has gone through over the years. It is because of this democracy that the people of Zambia make decisions after every five years to change the Government and we should respect it.

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

Mr Mabumba: However, in our quest to respect this democracy, it is important that –

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Mwense.

A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwene: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order on the hon. Minister of Health. The hon. Minister announced to the whole country that the ministry is employing medical staff. However, there is an advert that I have seen which has not been announced to the whole nation about employment in the same ministry of non-medical staff. Now, is she in order not to alert the entire nation that even non-medical staff are also called upon to apply for various jobs like cleaners, drivers, general workers and so on and so forth?

Madam Speaker: I believe that issue is being advertised and is being attended to. So, we leave it in the capable hands of the hon. Minister of Health.

Mr Mabumba: Madam Speaker, what I was trying to say is that the democracy that we cherish in this country where the people of Zambia are able to make the constitutional mandate to vote every five years for whichever party they want is something we should continue to cherish. We should not lose this democracy that our forefathers, Kenneth Kaunda and his team, and all the subsequent Governments have contributed to strengthening. We should continue to live under the umbrella of one Zambia one nation because this is what is going to bring the over seventy-two tribes that we have in this country to live as one people.

Madam, I just want to quote what the President said in his speech. He said Zambia is our country, Zambia is our heritage and Zambia belongs to all of us. So, we need to ensure, especially our colleagues in the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government, that we continue to strengthen the fundamental principles of our democracy so that we, as Zambians, continue to live together and cherish our country because we only have one country we can live in.

Madam Speaker, therefore, I request that even as political leaders, we should be at the forefront in uniting our people to ensure that they are patriotic to our country. The solutions to the challenges Zambia may have today rest with the people of Zambia and nobody else. People from elsewhere will come and tell us what to do while we do not engage our people. So, the UPND Government and the President must engage the people of Zambia because they have talents and can contribute to ideas that are meant to transform this country, ensure that the poverty levels in this country reduce and ensure that every Zambian has beneficiation out of our democracy.

Madam, many of the decisions that many Governments have made, including the United Independence Party (UNIP), the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) and the Patriotic Front (PF), were to contribute to enhancing these values and principles which, at the end of the day, are supposed to become our national culture. If they become our national culture, we hope to see that the other principles of human dignity, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination will prevail.

Madam Speaker, many Governments have contributed to these values and the PF is no exception. The construction of the Kalabo/Mongu Road was to bring social justice to the people of Mongu and Kalabo. The construction of the Chingola/Solwezi Road, where it was taking four hours for somebody to reach Chingola, was aimed at binging social justice to the people of the North-Western Province. The thousands of towers that were installed in this country were meant to ensure that a rural child, including in Kaputa where Her Honour the Vice-President comes from, is able to have a phone and communicate.

Madam, decisions have been made in this country to continue enhancing fundamental principles. Therefore, we appeal to the New Dawn Government to bring fundamental reforms around the Constitution. The President lamented about the by-elections we have been having. The UNIP, MMD and PF Governments tried to bring constitutional reforms, but all of them failed. President Hakainde Hichilema has an opportunity to brand himself if he can give the people of Zambia a Constitution that stands the test of time. We in the Opposition stand ready to support if the Constitution that is going to be brought before Zambians as part of the reforms speaks to the people of Zambia, unlike our colleagues who never wanted to support anything.

Madam, democracy and constitutional reforms are necessary to ensure that the separation of powers in the Judiciary, Parliament or National Assembly and the Executive work as independent institutions and bring checks and balances to each layer of Government. I heard the hon. Minister of Health lamenting over the statistical failures, but if we use the Office of the Auditor-General, which has been established by the Constitution, it is going to ensure that those statistical failures are not there.

Madam Speaker, for us in the Opposition ranks, we look forward to seeing fundamental reforms around our continuous journey in our democracy and constitutional reforms which embrace good governance. We look forward to the New Dawn Government unearthing the talents that exist in this country so that we, as Zambians, can become patriotic to our country and embrace national unity because without it, there is no development can come.

Madam, it does not matter how intelligent a particular President or Cabinet is, when people are divided they can never contribute to development. I want to see a situation where people from Mwense can go to Shangombo and seize the opportunities that the Livongo/Shangombo Canal brings. I would want my hon. Colleague from Shangombo and his people to come to Mwense and seize the opportunities that the Mununshi Banana Scheme brings to them. If we live together, as a people, the challenges that Zambia has in terms of its economic performance will be a thing of the past.

Madam I, therefore, appeal to the President. God has given him that opportunity to bring the Zambian people together so that these fundamental values and principles continue to be a part of our national culture. If they continue to be a part of our national culture, they will help us to transform our economy using the talent that exists in the Republic of Zambia.

Madam Speaker, with that said I want to thank you for the opportunity given to me.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Sialubalo (Sinazongwe): Madam Speaker, thank you so much for the opportunity given to me to add a few words on the President’s Speech which was ably and eloquently delivered by the President.

In the interest of time, Madam Speaker, allow me to adopt the debate of the hon. Member of Parliament for Kantanshi as my own ...

Mr Mumba: Hear, hear!

Mr Sialubalo: ... especially where he appreciated the Government for holding the indaba that went on so well and also the peace that he has seen regarding the demise of cadres.

Madam Speaker, in debating the President’s speech, allow me to get just two words from the entire speech. The first is national unity.

Madam, we are coming from a situation where unity had evaporated in the country. Before the United Party for National Development (UPND) came into power, some of us were already Members of Parliament but our treatment was not good. The treatment of the Republican President when he was still in the Opposition was not good, it was inhuman. Now, here comes a person, a President, who says we need to unite.

Madam Speaker, the country was bleeding economically but after a few months in power, the President with his Minister of Finance and National Development met the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The past regime failed to get anywhere close to an agreement with the programme they initiated because of bad governance, but within a short period, the President and the hon. Minister of Finance and National Development have reached what is called a staff-level agreement with the IMF, giving hope that, indeed, the IMF have confidence in the New Dawn Government.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sialubalo: The President is saying that those from the left who failed – not everyone from the left is bad but some were the worst – regardless of what they did to Zambians, they should come closer and unite because Zambians want a prosperous nation. He wants them to come closer so that where they failed to reach a staff-level agreement, maybe they can learn something so that in future, maybe after seventy years, those who want to become Presidents ...

Hon. Government Member: Are they going to be alive?

Mr Sialubalo: … if they will be alive, that is, will have an opportunity to see where they went wrong.

Madam Speaker, the IMF deal was not only a success in terms of acquiring it, but the interest levels were reduced compared to what our hon. Colleagues were fighting for.

Madam Speaker, apart from that, the President is a nationalist and he made sure that he discussed with the IMF to provide a leeway for employment.

Madam, when it comes to the application of national value and principles, the New Dawn Government has done so well.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, it is not easy to have a window of employment when you are under the IMF. However, the President that we have in State House is committed to national duties.

Madam Speaker, apart from that, my people and the youth in Sinazongwe, have been given an opportunity to acquire, under the Constitution Development Fund (CDF), money that they will be using. This is the first time as that has never happened. That has given a relief and a cushion to the already suffering majority because the money that they were supposed to use to pay for school frees will be used for some other issues. That is what we call application of national values and principles.

Madam Speaker, the President is determined to see to it that even those who made him suffer are forgiven. He has said let us forget about that and look at what unites us first, which is Zambia. There is no tribe which is more superior to the other. All tribes are the same. No one chose to be born either as a Lozi, Tonga or Bemba. However, the division that we saw in the past should be not be allowed in Zambia to happen again. We need unity that has been preached by the President. He really emphasised on unity. As Zambians, we have to get a leaf. Let us take a leaf from the President. Let us work together. We should not – Even when you were given an opportunity to rule, you failed on your own, but you want to blame other people, which is not good.

Madam Speaker, Zambians have never forgotten what they underwent through in the past ten years. They know. Give the New Dawn Government chance. Let us work together, we are leaders and the President has embraced everyone by saying, together, we can have a better Zambia. A good leader leaves a good legacy. A good leader preaches love and that is what the President is saying. Let us look at the majority out there who are looking up to us to give them hope.

Madam Speaker, where we are now, we admit the Patriotic Front (PF) mismanaged the economy. That is true and it is real, but together we can make a better Zambia. Let them accept that they did something bad but they have to learn. We need them. We need them so that they can learn something. There is this openness from the President to welcome everything. Let us work together as, ‘One Zambia One Nation’.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear. Hear!

Mr P. Phiri (Mkaika): Madam Speaker, I thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to add on the President’s address on the progress made on the application of principles and national values.

Madam Speaker, in my debate, I will concentrate on the Constitution, which the President alluded to. Indeed, the President on page 21of his speech said the following:

Madam Speaker, those were his words. I want to appreciate that indeed, the constitution has many lacunas, which we, in this House need to address.

Madam Speaker, you will bear with me that even our national resources, our tax payers money at times has not been used in the rightful way because the clauses in the Constitution do not mean well. Therefore, in agreeing with what the President said, indeed, this House has a mandate to make sure that it amends this very important document, so that we do away with these lacunas.

Madam Speaker, I have been in this House and I have seen that on many occasions, we fail to do the right things in this House; the things that the Zambians out there want us to do. We have had some opportunities to amend this Constitution under the previous Government. However, we missed an opportunity and it has come again. We are going to wait and see how we are going to fare in this House.

Madam Speaker, unity is very important. We have been selected from the eighteen million Zambians to represent everyone else in this country. However, at times we, in this House choose to put politics ahead of Zambians’ interests out there.

Madam Speaker, people are suffering. I come from a rural Constituency in Mkaika. There is poverty in Mkaika. Sometimes, seeing what happens most of the times here, I tend to wonder if we are doing the right thing. Alas, I wait for that time that will come when we are all going do the right thing, it is democracy yes, but sometimes we have to agree on a common goal just for the benefit of a Zambian out there.

Madam Speaker, we had an opportunity here when the Patriotic Front (PF) Government brought the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019. It had some good Articles and one of them being delimitation of constituencies. On many occasions, we see many of our hon. Colleagues here cry of their constituencies being vast. There came an opportunity to do justice but what did we see in this House? I am referring to the people who were there at that time. The people who were on your left, where I was also, are on your right, but they will come to your left again.

Laughter

Mr P. Phiri: This is a circle. Despite that they are on the right, they should bear in mind that time will come to be on your left again. So when they are on your right side, they have to do the right thing. This is the time now, when they should look forward to make sure that the PF or the Opposition supports them in this noble cause. However, when they were on your left, they refused and went hiding. They were nowhere to be seen.

Hon. UPND Member: Where?

Mr Phiri: They were dancing somewhere where they had gone.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, order!

Can you concentrate on your debate. Please, no interjections. Allow him to debate freely without interjections.

Mr P. Phiri: Madam Speaker, thank you so much. My point is that we need to unite and do the right thing for the purpose of a poor Zambian out there. We have many challenges which we need to solve together so that we change our country.

Madam Speaker, let me talk about the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as I do away with the Constitution. What I am saying on the Constitution is that, please, let us unite for the purpose. This Constitution is getting a lot of taxpayers’ money because of some lacunas. Look at the by-elections and things like that. The Government is spending a lot of money on these aspects. What are we doing here? So, we need to unite so that we do justice to the people of Zambia.

Madam Speaker, coming to the CDF, I want to say that there has been a lot of publicity on the issue of the CDF. Many people have heard about the CDF. We want to thank the Government because so far, K630,000 has been disbursed to all the constituencies. I think so because for me in Mkaika I only received K630,000 and nothing more, and this is just for the bursaries. I think the guidelines for the CDF need to be revised in some ways because in Mkaika, Katete, we have one agriculture college, which is Katete College of Agricultural Marketing, but our children cannot access bursaries for that college because it is not under the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA). What a disadvantage. So, I feel we need to include all these other colleges so that our children can have a variety of schools to choose from.

Madam Speaker, in Katete we only have one college and we needed to put it on that programme of CDF so that our children access education at that level more especially that the school is nearer to their homes. My appeal to the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development is that we should relook at the CDF guidelines. I have engaged with the people on the ground and only a few people have applied for those bursaries under the CDF because they do not want to go to Maybe to Ukwimi Trades Training Institute or Chipata Trades Training Institute. So I feel we need to revise –

Madam Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to debate the President’s Speech.

Madam Speaker, one of the issues that the President touched on was the issue of corruption under good governance. The President reiterated his Government’s commitment to ensuring that there is prudence in the utilisation of public resources, and he further stated that we must wage war against corruption. Being a finance professional myself, I will always support any attempt and effort that is made in ensuring that there is prudence in the utilisation of public resources. I do not think there is any well-meaning Zambian who cannot support the call to fight corruption.

Madam Speaker, having said that, I would like to put on record that we shall support the President’s call to fight corruption as long as there is genuineness and no bias. For example, there is the recent fertiliser scandal where US$15 million is alleged to have been made as a super profit as a result of overpricing. Therefore, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) should investigate this matter and ensure that it reaches a logical conclusion.

Madam Speaker, the President has been very categorical that under his leadership, there will be no overpricing of commodities and items that are supplied to the Government. What happened in this fertiliser scandal contradicts what the President aspires to do. Therefore, the ACC should help the President in achieving what he is aspiring to achieve by investigating this matter. If the ACC takes keen interest in investigating cases like this one and others, it may help in clearing the current perception that people have, that the current corruption fight is being used as a tool to fight political opponents, especially those from the Patriotic Front (PF).

Madam Speaker, the fight against corruption should also be extended to the civil service, parastatals and other spending agencies where corruption is rampant, because there has been this notion that corruption is practiced by politicians alone. However, if you are to do a survey, you are going to find that there are many civil servants who are heading finance departments and procurement departments and they are currently in possession of wealth that they cannot explain. However, when you look at the corruption fight, it has been targeted mostly at politicians, yet the real culprits or the real perpetrators of corruption are going scot-free. For example, if you look at the Government set-up, you will realise that even the principal officers, the custodians of public resources, are the civil servants, Permanent Secretaries (PSs), council secretaries and heads of other of spending agencies. So, the ACC should take keen interest in investigating such officials when they are in possession of properties and wealth, and when you look at that wealth, you are able to see that a person who has been working for a particular time cannot manage to acquire such kind of wealth.

Madam Speaker, even in the current recruitment, for example, the one for the Ministry of Health where it is employing health workers, the ACC should take keen interest and assist us in ensuring that there is no favouritism, unlike what obtains where those in charge of recruitment give preference to their relatives and preferred candidates at the expense of other people who do not have people to speak on their behalf.

Madam Speaker, let me illustrate what has been happening in some cases. If, for example, a person from Lusaka goes to work for a Government department in Muchinga Province in Chinsali, and there is recruitment in Chinsali and of course in other places of the country, what that Government official will do in Chinsali, when there is recruitment, he will start inviting people, the relatives and friends from Lusaka and other places, at the expense of employing people who are residents of Chinsali or those who are domiciled in Chinsali.

Madam Speaker, we want to see our children in Chinsali also get employed. We want to see people from Bwinambo, people from Kapimpa, people from Lubwa, people from Nashinga, people from Ilondola, people from Nambuluma, people from Chambeshi Ward employed. We want to see all those people employed. It does not really matter the tribe of that person; the person may be Tonga, he may be Lozi, he may be Luvale, he may be Ngoni, he may be Tumbuka, as long as he is in Chinsali, he should be given an opportunity to be employed during this recruitment exercise.

Madam Speaker, we do not want to see a situation where those who have been given the power and mandate to conduct this recruitment process start inviting candidates from elsewhere because they believe that because they are there, they will help certain people or give them preferential treatment. They are also afraid that if their friends or relatives apply where they are, for example, in Chipata, Mongu or Choma, there will be stiff competition. So, because the relative works in Chinsali or Chipata or Mongu, that is where the person should invite the relative to go and apply so that they give them preferential treatment.

Madam Speaker, with these few remarks, I will end here and I thank you.

Mr Kangombe (Sesheke): Madam Speaker, we are happy to have you back.

Madam Speaker, the President’s Address touched on quite a number of areas that, unfortunately, some of us, during a certain regime suffered a lot. I will speak on four or so things, which include national unity, democracy, and the rule of law and total separation of power.

Madam Speaker, it is in public domain that under the Patriotic Front (PF) regime, national unity was just a mere rhetoric. I am saying so because we have seen cases where certain tribes were considered to be minority. We used to hear certain sentiments openly aired by those who were holding higher offices. For example, that for you to produce a Tonga president you need to marry many wives and produce a lot of children. They would actually openly say, “umu Tonga takatekepo”, meaning a Tonga shall never rule. However, today, the President is saying we want to unite this country, we want a united one Zambia, one nation.

Madam Speaker, when we talk about democracy, today we have people from different political parties doing their political agendas without any interference from the ruling party. In the past we used to see people peg certain regions of this country as no go zone areas for the opposition. They would even say they were not going to allow cockroaches and rats to go to that part of the country.

Madam Speaker, today we are free. Each political party is free to canvas for the vote. It is in public domain. Unfortunately, one of us in here said we do not want cockroaches and rats to come to this part of the country. In the past –

Mr Mung’andu: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

First of all, before Hon. Mung’andu comes in, the hon. Member for Serenje has indicated that he wants to raise a point of order. What is the point of order?

Mr Kandafula: Madam Speaker, it is not actually a point of order because I indicated to speak on the debate.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chama South, what is the point of order?

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order pursuant to Standing Order 65, which is on content of speech and it reads as follows:

“A member who is debating shall –

confine his or her debate to the subject under discussion;’’

Madam Speaker, I believe this country depends on us for its unity. Hon. Colleagues, let us bury the hatchet.

Interruptions

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, the past –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Chama South, what is your point of order? Do not debate.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I am trying to qualify it. Indeed, if bad things were said in the past, bad things are bad things and that is a fact. We now have the responsibility, as leaders of this august House, to unite this country. We cannot unite this country by recalling –

Interruptions

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, my hon. Colleagues should take this seriously. You have a choice of whether to get it or ignore it. Is my hon. Colleague there, whom I know very well, Hon. Romeo Kangombe, hon. Member of Parliament for Sesheke, in order to keep referring to sentiments which are dividing this country instead of debating His Excellency the President’s Speech? The President never mentioned him being told that a Tonga will never rule. God is fair and just. We now have President Hakainde Hichilema in State House. In his debate, is he in order to be dividing this country on tribal lines? I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Chama South, you are now responding to the debate by the hon. Member for Sesheke. That is his position and opinion. When you debate, you will also lay down your opinion. However, of course, it is not good to divide the country. Let us learn to heal.

Mr Kangombe: Madam Speaker, I am trying to expand the subject in question, which is national unity. It does not really matter where you come from, provided you are a Zambian citizen like Hon. Mung’andu, you qualify to be who you want to be. It is true that it was very difficult under the previous regime to even canvas for votes in the same city or town; we were being bundled out and kicked out. The recent one was when we were mourning the late, the former Head of State Kenneth Kaunda (KK), President Hakainde Hichilema had to attend the funeral on television (TV) but today...

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Can we have some order in the House.

Mr Kangombe: ... because this country is united, we have seen proper genuine love and reconciliation. A proper example that all of us could see, not just by word of mouth, is the one where the former Head of State was attending the funeral of the late President Rupiah Banda together with all of us. This is the unity that we want. Today, we are happy that we are able to see the former President and the current seated on the same bench. That is what we wanted even in the past. However, some people–

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member of Parliament for Sesheke, give me a moment. Hon. Member for Malole you were going in and out. You were not following the proceedings and please do not debate while you are seated by interjecting, wait for your time. I am sure you have not spoken. You will also have an opportunity to debate.

Hon. Member for Sesheke, continue with your debate.

Mr Kangombe: Madam Speaker, this is the freedom that we are talking about, where people are free to express their views and opinions.

Madam Speaker, it was very difficult to interact with civil servants because whoever you interacted with and the PF regime got to know about it, they got retired in national interest, but today, people are happy, they are free and they engage with everyone. Today, we have seen that even the national broadcasting company, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) is covering all hon. Members of Parliament in here …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kangombe: … but then, it was very difficult because if one did that, they would be retired in national interest. This is the national unity that the President was talking about. So, we are happy that today, we can experience this.

Madam Speaker, the issue of employment is a matter that we have to talk about if we truly mean reconciliation. Employment was all about names. Who are you and where are you coming from?

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

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Matero, just resume your seat please. You may proceed, hon. Member for Sesheke.

Mr Kangombe: Madam Speaker, today, we are happy that because we experienced this, the New Dawn Administration has made it simple to be employed through decentralisation. Everyone should be employed where he/she comes from. We saw it in the past that only those who had special names were getting employed and only those that had special were receiving bursaries.

Madam Speaker, I can tell you that one of my colleagues in this House whom I will never mention had his son’s name removed from those who were awarded bursaries for bearing a different name, but today, we are free. As hon. Colleagues, we are free to ensure that we harness this decentralisation.

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

Hon. UPND Members: Just sit down!

Mr Kangombe: Madam Speaker, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) ...

Mr Sampa: Let us not promote tribalism.

Interruptions

Mr Kangombe: Madam Speaker, you need to protect me from my brother-in-law, Hon. Miles.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Sesheke, just give me a moment.

Hon. Member for Matero, you have just come in. There was a point of order that was raised earlier by the hon. Member for Chama South and I guided that the debate is in accordance with the opinion with the hon. Member for Sesheke. So, when the time comes, you are also free to debate if you have not debated because there are very few people who have indicated. Of course, as responsible hon. Members of Parliament, we should not promote tribalism. Let us debate on issues.

Can he hon. Member for Sesheke proceed, please.

Mr Kangombe: Hear, hear!

Mr Kangombe: Madam Speaker, I was talking about decentralisation which has not just come under the CDF, but even through employment. I can tell you that in our constituencies, we have qualified people who unfortunately, were not getting employed starting from a tea boy or gardener, but today, …

Madam Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Kangombe: Madam Speaker, I thank you and we are happy.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulunda (Siavonga): Madam Speaker, today, Zambia is free indeed. There is a sign of relief everywhere and there is fresh air.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulunda: I can imagine the tension that we endured under the Patriotic Front (PF) Regime. The country was divided on tribal lines and regions, but today, –

Interruptions

Mr Mulunda: You see, if people are talking when they are not supposed to talk, it is moral bankruptcy.

Laughter

Mr Mulunda: Madam Speaker, this country was full of people with no morals.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, maybe, the hon. Member for Siavonga can take a seat and then, the hon. Member for Matero, you can debate? It is your time.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: Madam, Speaker, on a point of procedure.

Madam Speaker, counter tribal talk should not be promoted here. What happened then must have been bad during the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), but now, people should not use counter psychology to promote tribalism.

Madam Speaker: Order!

I understand that you have already debated.

Mr Mulunda: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for your protection.

Madam, all we are talking about is what happened where we are coming from so that it helps us today and shape the future. What happened yesterday should teach us a lesson and this is a reason, when the President came to this House, he emphasised on the point that we must as one and as One Zambia, One Nation, but we cannot run away from the fact that you called it One Zambia, one side. That is the way it was. It was as simple as all that.

Madam Speaker, if I bring the cadreism that was reigning at that time –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order! Let us maintain some order from both sides.

Mr Mulunda: Unless you were morally bankrupt, we were able to see the cadreism that was reigning everywhere in markets and bus stations.

Laughter

Mr Mulunda: Otherwise, these are things that we saw. Putting on a red T-shirt at that time was a crime. People got injured for simply putting on a red T-shirt. This Presidential Speech –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

How many times –

Order!

Hon. Members for Matero and the hon. Member for Malole, please, I am telling you for the last time, do not interject. Do not debate while you are seated? Take that as final notification.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

You may proceed, hon. Member for Siavonga.

Mr Mulunda: Madam, Speaker, I thank you for your protection.

Madam, we cannot forget the evils that were committed by the past regime. There was a lady who was undressed by the PF in Kamwala. They cannot even listen when one is talking sense and things that are going to build them because they are morally bankrupt.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulunda: Madam Speaker, when the President was talking about free education during the campaigns, these people never believed it, but alas, it has come to pass and everybody is able to see. When the President said that we are going to increase CDF and it is going to touch every corner of this nation, they never believed, but today, every village that one would go to, people are busy forming clubs and cooperatives. That is what the President meant when he said he was going to take the money from the clique in Lusaka, that was abusing the public funds, to the ordinary Zambians and that is what he did in Mbala, Kashikishi, Vubwi and Malole.

Madam Speaker, today, everybody is very happy because women and youths have been empowered. Those that dropped out of school, because of financial challenges, are able to go back to class and they are able to attend the education they dreamed about in the past. What else are Zambians looking for? In the past, for one to hold a position of a director or chief executive officer (CEO) in the parastatals, they ought to have come from certain regions that I would not mention. However, equality has come back to Zambia through the President of this Republic who was abused.

Madam, Speaker, I wonder when some people say he chose to watch the funeral of the late President, Dr Kaunda on television. How can someone speak like that? If somebody has morals, how can somebody think like that? However, the President has allowed everyone to be equal and at the same level with everybody and this is what was lacking in this country. Zambia can only prosper if everybody is able to respect one another, every tribe and hold every tribe in high esteem, but that was not there in the past regime.

Madam Speaker, when we talk about the increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF), we know that other than the clubs and co-operatives being formed around, people have an opportunity to go into real business, maybe making desks and other things that they will be able to supply to schools and other places. That is what we are looking for as Zambians.

Madam Speaker, it is shameful and terrible when I think of the past.The other time, I am reminded of the Republican president when he was in Opposition and he wanted to go and mourn his supporter on the Copperbelt, the way he was treated and returned, never allowed to land there. How can a country – Thank God because he did not allow the PF to continue ruling this country because then, we would have had no country to talk about. This country was going to be nothing because people would have been followed just like they were following us during the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019.

You know, Madam Speaker, during the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019, there were pastors even men of God who were championing the adoption of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019. Today, they are still in churches. When you look at them, it is not good. However, we were given the responsibility to unite this nation. This nation is getting united. I know there are shocks here and there but certainly we will have a safe landing one day in terms of improving this economy. The Government found this economy on its knees and there was no hope for it anymore until the UPND Government took over and things started happening. I know those that are criticising us today, tomorrow they come back and sit and they will not be able to look at us into our eyes because they would have seen what this is aiming at doing and what this Government would have achieved.

With those few remarks, Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kandafula (Serenje): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving an opportunity to the people of Serenje Central to air their views on the President’s Speech on the progress made in the application of national values and principles.

Madam Speaker, what the people of Serenje are saying to the nation is that the six national values and principles as enshrined in Article of the Constitution, it is like the President has given us a mirror. You know what the mirror does. When you look into the mirror like –

Mr Mubika: Like the way you are looking!

Mr Kandafula: No problem

Laughter

Mr Kandafula: When you look in the mirror, like I am looking, yes, which is very true, when I am not powdered by whoever, I do not like mentioning people, I will know who I am. So, these national values and principles, we should take them seriously and introspect. Are we really like this or not? So that, at least, in the near future, if we are not like that, it will be time to reform or do a revival in ourselves so that we take this country to higher levels. However, if we are still in the same and stuck in that, it will be time to, maybe I could say, let God help us.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Quality, quality!

Mr Lubozha (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, I also want to say something to what the President said when he came on the Floor of the House to talk about national values and principles of governance.

Madam Speaker, national values are beliefs and norms that guide our actions and behaviour as the citizens of the country. Surely, these values have been there where we have come from but past administrations did not adhere to these norms, customs and values. That sent our country in disarray. So today, we have an administration that is God fearing and law abiding to the extent that we have started seeing these national values in practice and being appreciated and creating a foundation on which the development and life of our citizens is being anchored.

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President looked at patriotism which clearly indicates that we need to show love, loyalty and devotion to our country. This was not seen where we are coming from. This is the more reason we saw a divided nation that today we stand to reunite, as the New Dawn administration.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubozha: Surely, Madam Speaker, there was no loyalty. There was no love because we saw even in terms of the way the national cake was shared, that it was not shared evenly. We saw development going to certain regions because that was where certain people came from but today, the New Dawn administration is governing differently by showing fairness, equality and impartiality in the governance of this country. This has started rebuilding our country for the better in future.

Madam Speaker, national unity simply means the choice to work as a team in tracking the challenges that the country is facing and solving them together. This was not the case where we have come from. We saw the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 crafted without the participation of other people, doctored and played around with and brought on the Floor of the House. Thank God, men and women who were there rejected this archaic law and it died a natural death. The people of Zambia were liberated. Thank you to the men and women who were there.

Hon. UPND members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubozha: On the rule of law, we must observe law and order in our country. Madam Speaker, this was not the case. Even from 1991 when we subscribed that we needed multi-partism, still we did not subscribe to the requirement of the multi-partism in our country by creating a fair and just platform on which all political leaders could have traded. During elections, we saw shedding of blood and loss of lives, not only during elections but also even in between elections, loss of lives was recorded. This, in itself showed the lack of respect to the rule of law. Now, we are a Government that is anchored on constitutionalism as well as the rule of law. So, the New Dawn Administration has instilled law in our country. Fairness has been restored. Thank you to his Excellency, the President.

Madam Speaker, equality encompasses fairness, impartiality, justice and provision of equal access to national resources. Madam Speaker, where we have come from, equity was not there. We saw at times when there was registration of voters, other regions in this country never received an equal share of registration as most of the National Registration Officers concentrating in one region depriving others. Since God is a God of fairness and justice, he gave us the opportunity to make sure that that administration was kicked out dishonourably by the people of Zambia.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker, equity stands cardinal in everything that we do because there should be fairness. Human rights are inalienable liberties and entitlements which should be enjoyed by the people of a particular country and encompass right to life, freedom of expression, right to education and freedom from hunger. However, we saw most of our children fall out of school as a result of resources being channelled in private pockets. However, today, the New Dawn Administration has stood firm to bring free education and guard the resources in our national coffers and put them to good use to support education.

Madam Speaker, today, there has been restoration of the right to freedom of expression. We have seen that today, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), which was only for the Patriotic Front (PF), is for every political party adhering to the demands of a multi-party democracy.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lubozha: Madam Speaker, every person must have a human right which is part of freedom of expression.

Madam Speaker, today we stand free and proud under the leadership of the New Dawn Administration because we have been liberated from cadreism, a concept that was planted by the past regime that did not realise the significance of human rights. Once again, as the New Dawn Administration, we need to realise that yes, our colleagues made the mistakes and the time has gone let us work with them and incorporate them on board –

Madam Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Mubika (Shangombo): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to add the voice of the people of Shangombo to the debate which is currently on the Floor.

Madam Speaker, I adopt the debate of those who have debated before me, on your right side, which is the Government side, as mine. However, just to add a bit of advice to our Government hon. Ministers; the President has set the tone and it is up them to implement what has been advised.

Madam Speaker, the advice I want to give to my Government hon. Ministers is that they should stay away from the corrupt former Government officials of Patriotic Front (PF). They should not be seen wining and dining with them because the perception outside is that we are being corrupted so that we do not prosecute them.

Madam Speaker, why am I saying so? Last year and earlier this year, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development came to this House and told us that there was what he found in the ministry where party officials and former ministers got money as advance payments to work on roads. Those roads were not done. The former Government used that money for their personal gain but we are not seeing those people going to the Fast Track Court. So, we should not expect the President to come and lead. He has already set the tone. Can we take these people to court so that we recover because we have given them little room and that is way they are even challenging us now that come and arrest us.

Madam Speaker, we have given them enough time to hide the loot. So, can we please ensure that these corrupt individuals stop daring the Government. Take them to court so that whatever money is remaining is recovered.

Madam, the people of Shangombo want feeder roads, clinics and electricity. We also want to improve. The money that these people are hiding is enough to develop this country. So, please, the Government Ministers should start working.

Madam Speaker, as I am talking, I was saddened to see those who persecuted us being given a red carpet. Our officials were dancing and welcoming people who persecuted us in the Western Province. Speaking for Shangombo and Sioma, let me just say the entire Western Province, went through hell. If you saw me last year, I almost died because of the Patriotic Front (PF).

Mrs Chonya: Bad Government!

Mr Mubika: Bad Government!

Madam, we were blackmailed when the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No.10 of 2019 came to this House, but we stood firm. We were enticed with huge sacks of money, but we said no because we wanted change and we have delivered that change. So, to see those people being welcomed in the fashion like what happened in the Western Province is sad that should not continue in this country, anywhere, because some of us who were persecuted by the PF are very sad. If I was in Mongu, I am sure those people could not have gone on that stage.

Madam Speaker, so my appeal to hon. Government Ministers and senior party officials is that they stay away from the bad eggs of the PF.

Madam Speaker, I am burning here where I am.

Mr Sialubalo: Ema Karavina

Laughter

Mr Mubika: The PF should never be allowed to loom the streets. That is why they are busy daring us now.

Hon. Government Member: Osalila daddy.

Hon. Government Member: Fake defections.

Mr Mubika: Fake defections, what do we want from them? What we should concentrate on is to maintain our numbers and ensure that those who were denied National Registration Cards (NRCs) in the Western Province are given NRCs. We have enough numbers. We do not need the rotten PF eggs anywhere near our ranks.

Hon. Government Member: National values!

Mr Mubika: So, Madam Speaker, those are national values.

Laughter

Mr Mubika: When you put one rotten bean in your mouth, whatever is in the mouth will taste sour. So, please, senior Government officials and senior party officials should stay away for the PF because when some of us who were prosecuted by the PF, see them with the PF, we will start thinking otherwise that maybe they were working with them when we were in the Opposition because we suffered a lot whilst in the Opposition.

Hon. Members: Ema national values.

Mr Mubika: Those are the national values. They should stay away from the PF.

Laughter

Mr Mubika: We do not want that rotten money. They should get that money and give it to the people of Shangombo so that we build schools. Those are the values that we need. The President has raised the bar. Whoever is going to take over from him will have a big challenge because the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has been increased from K1.6 million to K25.7 million. That is a great achievement. All the schools in Shangombo are now flooded with pupils and we do not have enough classroom space. Now, with the President’s desire to introduce free education, we need more money to build more classrooms. So, please, hon. Government Ministers and senior Government party officials should stay away from the rotten PF because if they continue dining and wining with the PF, we will manhandle them.

Laughter

Mr Mubika: That is the advice I am giving to my hon. Colleagues. If I do not tell them myself, no one is going to them. It has to come from me.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Shangombo, the use of the word ‘manhandle’.

Mr Mubika: No, we will not manhandle them. I withdraw that word. We are advising that they stay away from the PF so that we do not embarrass the appointing authority.

Madam Speaker, there is big improvement with regard to the Social Cash Transfer (SCT)for the people of Shangombo. People are now scared of uubomba mwimbala alya mwibala, meaning, you can benefit from whatever comes your way when you are in Government offices.

Madam, we should support the President and we are ready to do that so that our people, who voted for us, can benefit.

Madam Speaker, with these few words, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

ADJOURNMENT

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1819 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 30^thMarch, 2022.

____________

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