Thursday, 18th September, 2025

Thursday, 18^th September, 2025

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM NORTH VIEW ACADEMY SCHOOL

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of pupils and teachers from North View Academy School in Muchinga District.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome our visitors into our midst.

I thank you.

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM REAL VINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of pupils and teachers from Real Vine Christian School in Lusaka District.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome our visitors into our midst.

I thank you.

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RULING BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

POINT OF ORDER BY MR F. C. CHAATILA, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MOOMBA CONSTITUENCY, AGAINST MR M. KAFWAYA, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR LUNTE CONSTITUENCY, FOR EXHIBITING DISORDERLY CONDUCT ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE AND SHOWING DISRESPECT TO THE PRESIDING OFFICER ON WEDNESDAY, 16^TH JULY, 2025

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I have a ruling to render against Mr M. Kafwaya, hon. Member of Parliament for Lunte Constituency, on a point of order by Mr F. C. Chaatila, hon. Member of Parliament for Moomba Constituency.

The hon. Member for Lunte is not in the House. As per our practice and procedure, a Member who is found in breach of parliamentary privilege and contempt of the House is required to be present in the House when the ruling is delivered. In that regard, the hon. Member was contacted by the Office of the Clerk to remind him to be present in the House today, Thursday, 18^th September, 2025. However, the hon. Member has elected to absent himself from the House. I will nonetheless proceed to render the ruling.

Hon. Members, you will recall that on Wednesday, 16^th July, 2025, when the House was considering the Report of the Committee on Energy, Water Development and Tourism and Mr M. F. Fube, hon. Member of Parliament for Chilubi Constituency, was debating, Mr F. C. Chaatila, hon. Member of Parliament for Moomba Constituency, raised a point of order. In his point of order, Mr F.C. Chaatila, MP, inquired whether Mr M. Kafwaya, MP, was in order to conduct himself in the manner he did, while debating on the Floor of the House.

Hon Members, in his immediate response, the Hon. Second Deputy Speaker reserved his ruling in order to study the matter. I have since studied the matter and will now render my ruling.

Hon. Members, the point of order by Mr F.C. Chaatila, MP, raises the following issues:

a Member exhibiting disorderly conduct on the Floor of the House; and
a Member showing disrespect to the Presiding Officer.

Hon. Members, I will address the issues raised one after another.

A Member Exhibiting Disorderly Conduct on the Floor of the House

The National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Chapter 12 of the Laws of Zambia, is instructive on the issue of a Member exhibiting disorderly conduct on the Floor of the House. It provides, in Section 19 (d) and (e) as follows:

“19. Any person shall be guilty of an offence who –

(d) shows disrespect in speech or manner towards the Speaker; or

(e) commits any other act of intentional disrespect to or with reference to the proceedings of the Assembly or …

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

… of a committee of the Assembly or to any person presiding at such proceedings.”

Further, Orders No. 213 (1) and (2) and 215 (a) and (i) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, provide as follows:

“213. (1) A Member shall at all times conduct himself or herself in a manner that upholds the dignity, integrity and decorum of the House.

(2) A Member shall not act in a manner that brings the House or other members generally into disrepute.”

“215. A Member commits an act of gross disorderly conduct if the Member–

(a) defies a ruling or direction of a presiding officer;

(i) acts in any other way to the serious detriment of the dignity or orderly procedure of the House;”

A Member Showing Disrespect to a Presiding Officer

Hon. Members, the erstwhile Speaker had occasion to rule on a similar matter on the complaint by Hon. B. Mundubile, MP, the then Government Chief Whip against, Hon. G. G. Nkombo, MP, on the latter’s disrespectful conduct towards the Hon. Madam First Deputy Speaker, Catherine Namugala, MP, on Thursday, 19^th September, 2019 (National Assembly Daily Parliamentary Debates of Tuesday, 12^th November, 2019). In that case, Hon. G. G. Nkombo, MP, openly disregarded the Hon. Madam First Deputy Speaker’s guidance on his request to be reinstated on the list of Members to debate. Further, he directly engaged Hon. Madam First Deputy Speaker on the Floor of the House and also engaged Prof. Nkandu Luo, MP, in disregard of the authority of the Presiding Officer. Additionally, he showed disrespect to the Hon. Madam First Deputy Speaker, by his failure to withdraw from the Chamber through the nearest door when he was ordered to leave the Chamber. Instead, he elected to walk around the Chamber, whilst making utterances, and pointing fingers. Following a hearing conducted by the Committee on Privileges, Absences, and Support Services, Hon. G. G. Nkombo, MP, was suspended from the House for ten days for exhibiting disorderly conduct in the House and showing disrespect to the Presiding Officer.

Hon. Members, I have since reviewed the verbatim record and the relevant video footage of the proceedings for that day and established the following:

Mr M. Kafwaya, hon. Member of Parliament, while debating on the Motion, “That this House adopts the Report of the Committee on Energy, Water Development and Tourism,” moved by Mr R. Kangombe, hon. Member of Parliament for Sesheke Constituency, was directed by the Hon. Second Deputy Speaker to confine his debate to the contents of the report;
The Hon. Second Deputy Speaker guided Mr M. Kafwaya, MP, that if he continued debating in the manner he was debating, his debate would be curtailed;
Mr M. Kafwaya, MP, decided to engage the Hon. Second Deputy Speaker while making a disrespectful gesture at him; and
The Hon. Second Deputy Speaker ordered Mr M. Kafwaya, MP, to resume his seat, and he obeyed. However, Mr M. Kafwaya, MP, continued engaging the Hon. Second Deputy Speaker after resuming his seat.

Hon. Members, it is clear from his conduct that Mr M. Kafwaya, MP, misconducted himself in the House and, indeed, showed disrespect to the Presiding Officer.

Hon. Members, the rules of the House on etiquette and decorum, including the Standing Orders cited above, were formulated to maintain discipline, decorum and the dignity of the House. Therefore, hon. Members are called upon to, at all times, conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the dignity and the decorum of the House.

Hon. Members, the conduct of Mr M. Kafwaya, MP, amounted to an hon. Member exhibiting or showing disorderly conduct on the Floor of the House and showing disrespect to the Presiding Officer.

Section 28 of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Chapter 12 of the Laws of Zambia, provides for disciplinary powers of the Assembly as follows:

“28. (1) Where a member is found to have committed a contempt of the Assembly, whether specified in Section nineteen or otherwise, the Speaker, the Committee on Privileges or a select committee appointed under subsection (6) may impose any one or more of the following penalties:

a formal warning;
an admonition;
a reprimand; and
an order directing the member to apologise to the Assembly, in a manner determined by the Assembly.

(2) Where a member is found to have committed contempt of the Assembly of a serious nature and none of the other penalties are sufficient for the contempt committed by the member, the Speaker shall, on the resolution of the Assembly, suspend the member from the Assembly for a period not exceeding thirty days.”

Hon. Members, considering the seriousness of the offence committed by Mr M. Kafwaya, MP, and in view of the various authorities and precedent I have placed reliance on, I have, in exercise of my powers under Section 28(2) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, decided to suspend Mr M. Kafwaya, MP, from the service of the National Assembly for a period of thirty days.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Thus, in accordance with Section 28(2) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, which requires a resolution of the House to suspend a Member from the House, I now put the Question.

Question that the House accordingly suspends Mr M. Kafwaya, MP, for a period of thirty days, with effect from today, Thursday, 18^th September, 2025, put and the House voted.

Ayes – 54

Mr Amutike

Mr Anakoka

Dr Andeleki

Mr Chaatila

Mr Chinkuli

Ms Halwiindi

Mr Hamwaata

Mr Jamba

Mr Kambita

Mr Kapala

Mr Kapema

Ms Kasanda

Mr Kolala

Mr Lufuma

Mr Lumayi

Eng. Mabenga

Mr Malambo

Mr Mbangweta

Mr Miyutu

Mr Moyo

Mr Mposha

Mr C. Mpundu

Mr Mtolo

Mr Mufalali

Mr Mukumbi

Mr Mulaliki

Mr Mulenga

Mr Mulunda

Mr Mulusa

Mrs Mulyata

Ms Munashabantu

Mr Munsanje

Dr Musokotwane

Mr N. Musonda

Mr Musumali

Mr Mutelo

Mr Mweetwa

Mr Mwene

Mr Ngowani

Mr Nyambose

Mr Nzovu

Mr P. S. Phiri

Mrs Sabao

Mr Samakayi

Ms Sefulo

Mr Siachisumo

Mr Simbao

Mr Simunji

Mr Simushi

Mr Simuzingili

Mr Sing’ombe

Brig-Gen. Sitwala

Mr Syakalima

Mr Wamunyima

Noes – 18

Mr C. Chibuye

Dr Chilufya

Ms Chisenga

Mr Chisopa

Mr Chonde

Mr Kalobo

Mr Kampyongo

Mr Kasandwe

Mr Katambo

Ms Mulenga

Mr Mumba

Mr Mundubile

Mr Mushanga

Mr Elias Musonda

Dr Mwale

Mr Mwila

Mr Tembo

Mr Twasa

Abstentions – (0)

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Although Mr Kafwaya is not around, I am going to address him.

The House is extremely displeased with your conduct of engaging the Presiding Officer while making disrespectful gestures at him. As a long-serving hon. Member of the House, you are well aware that exhibiting disorderly conduct on the Floor of the House and showing disrespect to the Presiding Officer is not allowed as it degrades the decorum and dignity of the House and brings the House into public ridicule.

Your conduct on the Floor of the House did not only disrespect the Presiding Officer, but also undermined the integrity, dignity and decorum of this House. I, therefore, expect that in future, you will conduct yourself in a manner befitting a senior Member of this August House. Finally, I wish to reiterate that gross indiscipline and misconduct will not be tolerated from any Member.

As I conclude, I wish to inform you that in accordance with Section 28(3) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, during the period of your suspension, you shall not:

enter the precincts of the Assembly and this extends to the National Assembly Motel;
participate in any business or activity of the House or a Committee that you are assigned in, in your capacity as a Member of the National Assembly; and
be paid a salary or allowance that you are entitled to as a Member.

Mr M Kafwaya will go on suspension for thirty days as resolved by the House from today, Thursday, 18^th September, 2025 to Friday, 17^th October, 2025.

I thank you.

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: On whom?

Mr Amutike: On the hon. Member of Parliament for Mkushi South.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You can raise the matter at a later time because I have just finished reading the ruling.

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URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

MR CHEWE, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR LUBANSENSHI, ON HER HONOUR, THE VICE-PRESIDENT, DR NALUMANGO, ON THE ISSUANCE OF NATIONAL REGISTRATION CARDS

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): On an Urgent Matter Without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: An Urgent Matter Without Notice is raised.

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to raise a matter directed at the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, but I am told he is not around, I, therefore, direct the matter at the Leader of Government Business in the House.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You may continue.

Mr Chewe: Madam Speaker, as you may wish to note that just this morning, I received calls from Lubansenshi Constituency regarding the issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs), which exercise the Government started a few weeks ago across the country in readiness for the General Elections.

My people in areas such as in Bulambo, Mwenemenda, Jeketobela and some places within Lubansenshi Constituency were told to go to centres where officers under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security were issuing NRCs from. Unfortunately, those people did not go to the centres, and that has caused tension in Luwingu and other constituencies. I am told the exercise is being conducted countrywide. The voter registration exercise will commence next month following the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security’s launch of the online registration exercise last week. People are now asking whether the issuance of NRCs has come to an end or not. I seek your guidance on this matter so that the people across the country know what is happening, especially those who want to get NRCs.

I seek your indulgence, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The issuance of NRCs started some time back. This is not a new matter. If there are any new issues surrounding the issuance of NRCs, I would advise the hon. Member for Lubansenshi to file in an urgent question so that the matter can be resolved.

MR TWASA, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KASENENGWA, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF TOURISM, MR SIKUMBA, ON HUMAN/ANIMAL CONFLICT

Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa): On an Urgent Matter Without Notice.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: An Urgent Matter Without Notice is raised.

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to raise an Urgent Matter Without Notice. This matter will sound repetitive of what we have always said although today, it comes in a different form and that is the human/animal conflict. I direct this matter at the hon. Minister of Tourism.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You may continue.

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, of late, we have seen videos of people engaging or provoking wild animals, especially elephants. It appears there is a growing tendency of provoking wild animals. About two or three days ago, a child was killed by a wild beast out of provocation. It now appears that the people have found fun in provoking wild animals. Maybe, it is because of the lack of entertainment or recreation facilities that we have begun to engage the elephants by chasing them like we are running around with a puppy. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Tourism what kind of sensitisation his ministry is conducting for the people who live in the game management areas (GMAs) so that they can stop provoking or engaging wild animals.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you so much, hon. Member.

To me, this matter does not qualify as an Urgent Matter Without Notice. However, you can either file in a question addressed to the hon. Minister so that it can be attended to on the Floor of the House. Otherwise, the matter does not qualify.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

MURDER OF TWO ZAMBIA NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICERS

12. Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu) asked the Minister of Defence:

what led to the murder of two Zambia National Service (ZNS) officers, at a ZNS furniture factory in Lusaka West, Lusaka District, on 7^th September, 2025;
whether the Government is aware that the murder has led to citizens fearing for their safety; and
what urgent measures are being taken to ensure the safety of officers, countrywide.

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Before the hon. Minister responds to the question, there is an indication for a point of order.

Hon. Member for Mporokoso, you may proceed.

Mr Mundubile: Madam Speaker, apologies to the hon. Minister who was on the Floor.

Madam Speaker, my point of order is pursuant to Standing Order No. 48, which is on the duties of the Government Chief Whip, particularly (g), which states:

“The duties of the Government Chief include –

(g) assisting the presiding officers maintain discipline in the House.”

Madam Speaker, over the past four years, we have observed with dismay that hon. Members of the Opposition normally receive suspensions around this time. Consistently, the past four years. Therefore, is the hon. Member or, indeed, the Government Chief Whip, in order to continue occupying that lofty position, not assist the presiding officers but, instead, participate in carefully crafting lists of hon. Members who should be suspended around this time so that they do not debate on the Budget and the President’s Speech?

Madam Speaker, I submit.

Ms Mulenga: Is he in order?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

It is the duty of every hon. Member in the House to maintain the decorum of the House. There is no way the House will continue business as usual if some hon. Members bring disorderly conduct to the House. We follow the Standing Orders, which guide us. So, according to the Standing Orders, if any hon. Member is found wanting, the punishment will be meted out to that hon. Member. It does not state that there should be a balancing of hon. Members from the right and left.

Hon. Members, it is clear that whoever is found wanting in the House will be punished accordingly. So, I do not know how the Government Chief Whip comes in. It is actually our duty to ensure that our behaviour in the House is orderly. The point of order is not admissible.

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mongu Central, I do not want to disturb the hon. Minister when he starts responding to the question. What is your point of order?

Mr Amutike: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for allowing me this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Mongu Central, to raise a point of order.

Madam Speaker, the point of order is pursuant to Standing Order No. 215(c), which I will read shortly. I have observed, as you may have also observed, the deteriorating rate of orderliness and discipline in this House. This is a House of decorum, which we, as ordinary Members of Parliament, must maintain at all times. It is our responsibility to do that.

Madam Speaker, Standing Order 215(c) states:

“A Member commits an act of gross disorderly conduct if the Member–

Madam Speaker, while I was seated quietly, as I always do, without making any running commentaries, I observed that the Member of Parliament for Mkushi South, Hon. Chisopa, was busy disrupting the rendering of your ruling.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Amutike: Madam Speaker, he was disrupting the rendering of your ruling by making disruptive commentaries against you and questioning your ruling at the same time. According to the Order I have read, that is disorderliness of the highest order.

Madam Speaker, was the hon. Member for Mkushi South, who is a very good friend of mine by the way, in order to make such comments while you were rendering an important ruling so that we could maintain order, discipline and decorum in this House?

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

If such a situation occurred, then, the hon. Member was out of order.

We make progress.

Hon. Minister of Defence to respond to the question raised by the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

You can consult from outside.

The Minister of Defence (Mr Lufuma): Madam Speaker, allow me, in the first instance, to express the ministry’s sympathies and profound condolences to the families and friends of the two officers who were murdered in cold blood. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved families. May the souls of the deceased rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, the circumstances that led to the murder of the two Zambia National Service (ZNS) non-commissioned officers have not yet been established, and the matter is still under police investigation.

Madam Speaker, there is no need for citizens to fear. Investigations by the police are already underway to bring the perpetrators to book. The perpetrators will not go at large, they will be nabbed.

Madam Speaker, the ZNS command, through the established channels, is encouraging officers to remain vigilant while on duty and to work within the unit standing operational procedures. The operational procedures are specific and they protect the officers wherever they are in operations.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, before I ask a follow-up question, I would like to urge you to ensure that even those who sleep on duty in this august House are also punished because we are not here to sleep.

Madam Speaker, the two senior non-commissioned officers who were gruesomely murdered were on duty, and were armed, as it is supposed to be when they are performing sentry duties. However, the hon. Minister assured the people to not be worried. If two trained men can be killed in that gruesome manner, chopped, their uniforms stripped and burnt together with the firearms, who are we as civilians to not be concerned? Why have the police decided to lead the investigations, knowing the complex nature of our defence systems to the police, instead of opting for a joint investigation team, which could have drawn other specialised officers from the other defence wings?

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, thank you very much, and I thank Hon. Kampyongo for that question.

Madam Speaker, indeed, it is sad that it happened as it is. However, the investigating authority in this instance is the police, but that does not mean that other security wings will not be able to assist. Other security wings are in the wings to assist the police carry out the investigations.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I appreciate the response from the hon. Minister. I said that the complex nature of the defence systems is such that these people were operating from a cantonment, a place that, ordinarily, a civilian would not even dare to step into. That is why it is important that when we are dealing with classified places, access is prescribed. That is why I am saying the police officers might have limitations in terms of conducting a thorough investigation.

Madam Speaker, this matter poses a threat to national security. We must not underplay it in any way. I am sure that since the introduction of the Zambia National Service (ZNS), it is the first time we have witnessed such an incident. Does the hon. Minister not still think it will be desirable for him to constitute a joint investigation team so that he does not go back and forth? I am speaking like this because I am coming from the cluster where he is. Like I have said, I know the limitations the Zambia Police Service will have to investigate this matter diligently. Why does the hon. Minister not consider constituting from – In fact, by now, we could have gotten the preliminary investigation report because that is not a matter that should wait. It is sending a wrong signal.

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, I truly appreciate the fact that the hon. Member was in the previous Government, the defence and security cluster. Therefore, because of that, he should know that despite the fact that we are fronting the Zambia Police Service, in this instance, we as the defence and security cluster are very much on top of this. We, together with the police, will definitely investigate this matter. The only difference is that the police will be the leading investigator. The other security agencies are in the background and will provide the necessary professional assistance. So, we will take on board the views and suggestions of the hon. Member.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, ideally, matters of security are not issues that I am best acquainted with, but I have a keen interest in the Zambia National Service (ZNS). This is because the ZNS has been making headlines, for example, just last week, they killed two people, for smuggling. The other time it was in Kantanshi, in Kankoyo Constituency, where a child was killed with a stray bullet. There is something that is not right, going on in the ZNS.

Madam Speaker, the families of the two officers are in anguish. Surely, there must be a timeframe considering how modern the ZNS is or, indeed, the security defence team is. Why has the hon. Minister’s office not attached a timeframe so that those families, who have lost two loved ones, can know exactly what happened to them?

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is saying it is a complex issue. It is complex and, as such, investigations of this nature cannot be given a timeline. No matter how much we want to speed up the investigations, as complex as this incident is, it will be folly for me to attach a timeline. All I can assure the hon. Member is that the police will be working day and night to get to the bottom of this case.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, my question has been asked by the hon. Member of Parliament for Kantanshi. I also wanted to emphasise the timeframe, looking at the gravity of this case.

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, I think, this is not the first time. We saw this incident, again, happen in 2002, where Zambia National Service (ZNS) officers were killed while they were manning a security installation. Is it possible that the ministry can consider setting up Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to protect the lives of our men in uniform?

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, that will be taken into consideration.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr C. Mpundu (Chembe): Madam Speaker, there is a saying that the State has a duty to look after its soldiers or the army and vice-versa. Therefore, the army also has a duty to look after the State. On that score, I think that my question has been asked by my hon. Colleague. He asked a question concerning surveillance cameras for vital installation manned by officers.

Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu): Madam Speaker, I just want to re-emphasise the point that Hon. Kampyongo brought out concerning the preliminary report. As you may be aware, the Zambia National Service (ZNS) has its own military intelligence and military police. It has been two weeks since that event took place. When will the Government provide a preliminary report? Is there a preliminary report at all?

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, again, at the danger of repeating myself, I wish to state that the report will be tabled in due course. Let us allow the investigative agencies to do their job. It is important that they do their job. Let us not rush them. They will do their job, and after the job is done, hon. Members will be informed accordingly.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Madam Speaker, on the issue of fear among citizens, the hon. Minister said that there is no need for people to live in fear, considering that the issue is being handled by the police, which is an answer that I do not find comforting enough or adequate. What assurance is the hon. Minister giving the Zambian people as to how safe they are? Zambians have seen that the people whom they deem to be secure, the people whom they fear, are the ones being killed like they are just ordinary people, yet they are men in uniform.

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, we have a professional cadre of police. That is the agency in charge of protecting life and property. So, the police will do a good job in that regard.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, since the victims were sentries, apart from putting a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system in place, will there be humans placed as backup by the Government so that they can react in case of another occurrence?

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question.

Madam Speaker, the gates in question are manned by two sentries. The necessary backup is at another location called an operation room. When we install the surveillance system, the sentries or the people at the gate will be able to trigger the system in the control room, and then the control room will send physical reinforcement to whichever area or site was interfered with. That is the system we hope to put in place. So, it is the control room which gets a trigger from the sentries. Then, the control room deploys physical personnel when the need arises. Right now, what we want to do is to take up the suggestion of surveillance and incorporate it into the system so that the lives of our sentries at the sites are preserved.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

MEASURES TO INTEGRATE POPULATION GROWTH INTO THE 2026 NATIONAL BUDGET

13. Mr Munsanje (Mbabala) asked the Minister of Finance and National Planning:

what measures are being taken to integrate population growth data as promulgated by the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD) commitments into the 2026 National Budget;
whether the Government has any plans to include an allocation for reproductive health services in the 2026 National Budget; and
if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane): Madam Speaker, some measures have been taken to integrate population growth data into the 2026 National Budget. They include the following:

population issues are integrated into planning and budgeting through the National Planning and Budgeting Act of 2020, which, among other things, “sets up goals, policies and procedures for socio-economic development, including integration of population dynamics, project management and appraisal, budgeting and monitoring and evaluation”;
population growth data has also been mainstreamed into the Integrated Economic Development Plans (IDPs) at a sub-national level. This addresses urbanisation, rural development and financial and economic development plans; and
to further strengthen the integration of population issues into development planning, the Government is in the process of developing a population integration module (PIM) for use by planning personnel at both national and sub-national levels.

Madam Speaker, yes, the Government has plans to include allocations for maternal and reproductive health services in the 2026 National Budget, as has been the case with the previous Budgets. These allocations will primarily be channelled through the Ministry of Health.

Madam Speaker, as highlighted in part (b) of the question, the Government has made specific budgetary provisions for various reproductive health services in the 2026 National Budget.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that response.

Madam Speaker, with the continued levels of teenage pregnancies, which are around 13,000, according to the Education Statistical Bulletin –

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members on my left!

Can we have consultations in lower voices.

You may continue, hon. Member for Mbabala.

Mr Munsanje: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, with the continued high number of teenage pregnancies, is the Ministry of Finance and National Planning considering a budget line for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health specifically for sexual reproductive health products and services for this highly vulnerable age group? The record is 13,000 teenage pregnancies every year. That number of people can fill almost a whole stadium every year.

Dr Musokotwane: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the best way of dealing with detailed technical issues, such as the one that the hon. Member is raising, is to get it incorporated into the budget submissions by the relevant technical ministries. They are the ones who can make estimates of how much is required to deal with a problem like that. Then, that estimate can be considered by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning just like the case is, for example, when they are normally budgeting for drugs under the Ministry of Health. So, no one can just come to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to say provide money for this or that. The ministry provides a global budget which includes all the relevant statistics, and that is what it funds. So, the hon. Member can discuss that with the relevant technical ministry.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: There is an indication for a point of order.

Mr Chisopa: Madam Speaker, we know that this country is facing a lot of problems and the problems can only be solved by having the Executive around. As much as we appreciate that the Executive will be going in seven months, ...

Mr Samakayi: Question!

Mr Chisopa: … we cannot have the whole Cabinet absent and only three Cabinet hon. Ministers seated. The whole bench is empty. They are not here. Are they in order to not be in the House so that they can listen to our concerns?

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Mkushi South, kindly cite the Standing Order that has been breached.

Mr Chisopa: Madam Speaker, it is Standing Order No.312 on the conduct of hon. Members.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mkushi South, our Standing Orders only go up to 262.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: So, your point is not admissible.

Laughter

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

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, since the hon. Minister has said that because of the National Planning and Budgeting Act, 2020, which is about budgeting and planning, the reproductive health issues have been incorporated in our budgeting system. What is the average birth rate, based on the 2022 Census, and how has that been incorporated in making sure that planning is done and that the budget is responding to reproductive health issues?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

It sounds like a new question.

Dr Musokotwane: Indeed, Madam Speaker, that is a new question. I do not have the data that the hon. Member is asking for. I wish he had alerted me as he was putting up the question, then, we would have provided an answer for him.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

EMPOWERMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

14. Mr E. Banda (Muchinga) asked the Minister of Community Development and Social Services:

(a) whether the Government has any plans to empower the over 250 differently abled people in Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency, with the following:

(i) hand tractors;

(ii) livestock; and

(iii) sewing machines;

(b) if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

(c) if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Information and Media (Mr Mweetwa) (on behalf of the Minister Community Development and Social Services (Ms D. Mwamba)): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that currently, the ministry does not have specific plans to empower beneficiaries with livelihood empowerment tools directly, such as hand tractors, livestock or sewing machines. However, there are opportunities within existing programmes that may benefit persons with disabilities, including those in Muchinga Constituency.

Madam Speaker, allow me to highlight some of those opportunities.

Hand tractors

Madam Speaker, while the ministry does not provide hand tractors directly, the Food Security Pack (FSP) recovery initiative provides opportunities for the community to buy farming implements, which may include hand tractors. This is done through recoveries, which are based on the principle that beneficiaries contribute part of their harvest back into the programme. This revolving mechanism ensures sustainability, accountability and expanded access to farming implements by other vulnerable households, including persons with disabilities.

Livestock

Through the alternative livelihood intervention under the same programme, the ministry has the potential to empower households, including persons with disabilities, with livestock. This component specifically targets beneficiaries in drought-prone areas where livestock production has a comparative advantage over crop farming or where livestock is not traditionally reared.

Sewing machines

Madam Speaker, the ministry does not have a dedicated programme through which sewing machines are distributed. However, opportunities exist through collaboration with other Government agencies, co-operatives and community-based initiatives that complement the ministry's mandate of promoting inclusive livelihood interventions.

Madam Speaker, part (b) of the question falls off as the Government has no explicit plans at present to empower the over 250 persons with disabilities in Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency with the said items.

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that beyond the ministry's own programmes, the Government works in partnership with co-operating partners, civil society organisations and the private sector, who support complementary livelihood initiatives, such as skills training, provision of assistive devices and access to income-generating equipment like sewing machines. The Government, therefore, remains committed to strengthening these partnerships and mobilising additional resources to ensure that persons with disabilities, including those in Muchinga Constituency, are not left behind in accessing sustainable livelihood opportunities. The Government, through the ministry, remains steadfast in promoting inclusive empowerment through its mandate and in collaboration with key stakeholders.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Mr E. Banda: Madam Speaker, I think, the people of Muchinga have heard that the Government does not have explicit plans to empower the differently-abled with that type of empowerment. However, it is important for the Government to not say that there are no such plans because disability stages are different. Some people can be productive. Just giving them farming inputs is not enough. They can be productive to a point where they can help their big families, but if we just restrict them to three bags of fertiliser, they may not produce enough. If they are empowered with certain activity tools, like sewing machines, as they are in groups, that would help them. At the end of the day, it is not about waiting to receive from the Government. My question is: Is it only in Muchinga Constituency where there are no such plans, or is it countrywide?

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Before the hon. Minister comes in, hon. Member for Chinsali, do you still want to raise the point of order?

Mr Mukosa: Yes, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, my point of order is based on Standing Order No. 71. When the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning was responding to the question asked by the hon. Member for Mbabala, he referred to him as Hon. Dr Munsanje. When one earns an honorary doctorate, he or she is not supposed to be referred to as a doctor, as it potentially creates confusion between the people who have earned a doctorate, like Hon. Dr Musokotwane himself, who spent years earning his doctorate in monetary economics, and those who have earned it in an honorary way.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Mukosa: So, was the hon. Minister in order to refer to my friend and big brother, Hon. Munsanje, as a doctor when in fact he is not a doctor who has qualified by earning a doctorate, but he has been given an honorary doctorate? That is why even the National Assembly has not recognised that. They refer to him as “Mister”.

Interruptions

Hon. UPND Members: Dr Lungu!

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Chinsali, I will not admit that point of order because we have started discussing ourselves. I think there is a better platform where we can look at that issue. We are not allowed to debate ourselves in the House. So, that point of order is not admissible. Find another platform where you can raise that issue.

Acting hon. Minister of Community Development and Social Services, you may respond.

Do you want him to repeat the question?

Mr Mweetwa: I have the question, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I would like to appreciate the additional suggestive information that the hon. Member has given regarding what the Government can consider to make the social security support that is given to the differently-abled more impactful, such as empowering them with implements so that they can put to good use that which they receive from the Government. We thank him for that, and we will consider that.

Madam Speaker, on his substantive question relating to the Government not having plans to give implements, and whether it is just in Muchinga Constituency or the whole nation, my immediate answer is that the question was constituency-specific. It was on whether the Government has plans in Muchinga Constituency. He did not ask about the country. However, I can give him a bonus answer by saying that Government programmes are national in approach whether there are plans or not.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, given the context in Muchinga, I want to know whether the ministry has any plans to expand the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme to include persons with disabilities, who are interested in such services in Muchinga Province.

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, although it is a totally different question, I will say that those persons are already beneficiaries under the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme according to the list availed at the ministry.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr E. Banda: Madam Speaker, this one is not necessarily a question. I just want to tell the hon. Minister that Muchinga has two areas that are difficult to reach, that is, Chisomo and Kabansa wards. The time frame that was given to the social security officer in Serenje is not enough. So, I am sure by the close of that period, he would not have reached those areas to conduct registration of new beneficiaries. The request is that the ministry considers extending the time for our Serenje office so that Chisomo and Kabansa wards can be reached, and that manual payments should be allowed because there is no network in the areas.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I do not know whether the hon. Minister wants to respond. It was just a comment.

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, it was just additional information for the ministry’s consideration.

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Madam Speaker, when the hon. Minister was answering the question asked by Dr Munsanje, he indicated that the people are already receiving money. Are they the ones who receive K1,200, because the rest of the beneficiaries receive K800? Can he confirm that even in Muchinga, there are beneficiaries who receive K1,200, as it is in Shangombo and Mitete.

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, just as I had caveated that the question asked by Hon. Munsanje was new, I, therefore, proceed accordingly.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

DEPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL HIGH COURT JUDGES TO CENTRAL PROVINCE

15. Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central) asked the Minister of Justice:

whether the Government has any plans to deploy additional High Court Judges to Central Province, which had only one Judge as of March 2025;
if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima) (on behalf of the Minister of Justice (Ms Kasune)): Madam Speaker, yes, a Judge will be deployed to Kabwe, once new Judges have been recruited. As hon. Members may recall, in the last Session, this House passed the Superior Court’s Number of Judges Act 2025, which increased the number of High Court Judges from sixty to 100. This will enable the deployment of Judges across the country, including Kabwe, Central Province.

Madam Speaker, it is expected that following the enactment of the Superior Court’s Number of Judges Act 2025, the Judicial Service Commission will carry out the recruitment of Judges. It is anticipated that the process will be undertaken by the first quarter of 2026.

Madam Speaker, due to the responses indicated in parts (a) and (b) of the question, part (c) falls off.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Halwiindi: Madam Speaker, the current resident Judge, Judge Lembani, is really overwhelmed. He has been alone since the demise of Judge Kamwane in 2023. The cases have doubled. We all know that justice delayed is justice denied. Since Judge Lembani is overwhelmed, he has no time to sleep because at night he has to prepare judgements, and that is too much for him. Since the hon. Minister has said that there will be recruitments in 2026, is he able to send Judges to Kabwe to help the Judge there attend to the many cases piled on his desk?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, as I said, the process will be undertaken by the first quarter of 2026. Looking for Judges is a process. We sympathise that one Judge cannot handle such cases, but that is the situation we have found ourselves in. There are only sixty Judges in the whole country and, now, they will be increased to 100. I think, there will be relief at some point, and not too far from now.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chisanga (Lukashya): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to ask the hon. Minister a supplementary question.

Madam Speaker, the process of recruiting Judges will take quite some time but this matter hinges on access to justice. Would it not be prudent for the Government to consider interim measures of ensuring that a Judge goes to Kabwe Magistrates Court once or twice a month to relieve the colleague there? I ask this question because Kabwe Magistrates Court is one of the biggest courts in the country, and like the hon. Member said, the Judge there is overwhelmed with cases.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, we may consider that, but we also do not want to fall into prey where when we get a Judge from somewhere, then, the Judges or the Judge who remains is overwhelmed again. So, we may consider that but with a caveat that we do not overburden those who remain.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, indeed, it is desirable to have more Judges so that the people in Central Province can have access to justice. Is the Government doing something to ensure that as it increases the number of Judges, there is also enough infrastructure? In as much as Judges can share court rooms, the dignity of the Chambers is not shared.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I may not answer that question, and the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development is not here. However, just like we have been doing with teachers, once we increase the number of teachers, we also build teachers’ houses using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). However, I am quite sure that something has been allocated to the Judiciary, through the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, to build infrastructure for the Judges.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

_______

MOTION

MOTION OF THANKS

Mr Mwila (Mufulira): Madam Speaker, before the House adjourned yesterday, I was talking about the energy crisis that we have in the country. Zambians have been wondering what happened to the solutions that the President, when in the Opposition, had to end load-shedding. He is on record as having compared Zambia to Dubai. He mentioned that in Dubai, takuli mvula, there is no rain, but they have electricity twenty-four hours, seven days a week.

Madam Speaker, the most frustrating thing about load-shedding –

Mr Mubika: It is just two hours.

Mr Mwila: Yes, even if it is two hours or one hour. The distribution of the load-shedding period in the whole country is not even. Even here in Lusaka, there are places that receive electricity, residential places, for more hours than the others. Who is controlling ZESCO Limited? I know that at some point, the hon. Minister of Energy directed ZESCO Limited to follow the load-shedding period. In Mufulira, some places receive electricity more than the others, and when you consult, you will be told that it is the National Control Centre (NCC) that is in charge of the load-shedding schedule. Who at the NCC instructs that this part of Mufulira should have power for three hours and the other parts should have power for seven hours or six hours? That is what is happening in Mufulira, and this is frustrating the people.

Madam Speaker, let me give a solution because load-shedding has brought hunger in homes because most informal sector operators operate within residential areas. People have barber shops, some weld, and there are carpenters in residential areas. The Government can direct the local authorities to set up industrial yards for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and can put up dedicated lines, just like for hospitals. The load-shedding schedule in the main industries, here in Lusaka, is different from that in residential areas, and the people who run their businesses in their homes are affected.

Madam Speaker, we can have industrial yards in each district or town. All the carpenters and metal fabricators can operate in one area and they can be given a dedicated line so that the load-shedding schedule can be different from that in residential areas. Otherwise, there is hunger because the people who are doing business in residential areas are affected as a result of load-shedding. So, the long-term solution is to encourage people to move out of the compounds and set up industrial yards, specifically SMEs industrial yards. Local authorities have land across the country, and if this is done, in future, this will even lessen the impact of load-shedding in residential areas. Otherwise, it is very frustrating, and people have given up.

Madam Speaker, let me move on to water and sanitation. Let me quote what the President, in his speech, said about water and sanitation. On page 47, under paragraph 194, the President said the following:

“We are happy to report that the country has made progress in the provision of clean and safe water as well as adequate sanitation for our people.”

Madam Speaker, we do not agree with this statement, as far as we, the people of Mufulira, are concerned because, now, we are in a double tragedy. When you wake up, there is no water or electricity. We have a water crisis in Mufulira, provided by Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company. We need to deal with this water crisis. Otherwise, it is very misleading. Any person who reads this statement would think that all is well in the water sector. We are suffering.

Madam Speaker, first of all, Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company is operating without a board, which is supposed to direct the operations of management. How can a company dealing with a crisis operate without a board for this long? Secondly, we need to shift the funding of the investments in the World Bank from donor dependency to local resources. Otherwise, the people of Mufulira who were listening are wondering where they have sorted out the water crisis, because in Mufulira, we are suffering.

Madam Speaker, with these words, I submit.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Madam Speaker, when the President delivered his address to the House, I was away. When I came back, I read his statement. The preamble of the President’s Address caught my attention. Remember that a statement is defined by the preamble or introduction, if you like. I think that the President made a very beautiful statement in the preamble, which I will quote. I want to stick to the speech so that I am not caught offside. It states as follows:

“Before we commence, we would like to honour our late Sixth President … In this moment of mourning, we stand in solidarity with his family, and the country, offering them our deepest prayers and heartfelt condolences.

May his memory inspire us to uphold the unity and dignity of our great nation.”

Madam Speaker, let me start by asking the hon. Colleagues who may be close to the President to convey my message of gratitude, on behalf of the people of Nkana, for the works on Chibuluma Road. I also want you guys or hon. Colleagues to convey the message of gratitude –

Interruptions

Mr B. Mpundu: I have corrected that, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I want to convey my message of gratitude for the 14 km tarred roads. I think that is the purpose we are here; to engage one another on development. The essence of the Central Government is to deliver development to our people.

Madam Speaker, we need to have a very honest conversation as hon. Colleagues. We have pretended for too long. Unless the word solidarity has lost its true meaning, I have never thought in my life that one can claim to stand in solidarity with a grieving family that one dragged to court. Three months down the line, we get such a speech. Three months down the line, we have not buried –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Nkana!

Let me guide. The funeral for the Sixth President is not yet over. The family is still mourning. Let us not discuss it in a way that will be controversial. Let us have the family members at heart. That is my request and guidance. The family is still mourning.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, I hope that I will be allowed to debate the President’s Speech. Let me proceed.

Madam Speaker, when it comes to certain things, sometimes we want to hide under the guise of procedures. Procedurally, it might be correct to do something, but I have seen the worst form of hypocrisy in our friends on your right around procedures. Procedurally, the President of the Republic of Zambia, when sworn in, is supposed to go and occupy Nkwazi House. That is the procedure. One cannot continue to hide under the claim that “there is no law”, when procedurally it is correct that the President must live in Nkwazi House.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, we are discussing the President’s Speech. The matter you have brought in, is it in the President’s Speech? I do not think that the President mentioned where he is living or where he is supposed to live. He brought out many things. Hon. Member for Nkana, just pick one, two or three issues that were brought out. Let us try to not bring things that were not mentioned by the President in his address.

You may continue, hon. Member.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, thank you for your guidance. In the third paragraph of the speech, the President spoke about upholding unity. If we want to attain development, it is imperative that we unite as a country. The call to uphold unity is a beautiful one. If it was not made for the cameras, if it was followed by procedure, it would go a long way in helping this country to attain development. I have never thought that one can be rightfully placed to call for unity when one has created two sets of laws; the Animal Farm situation, where some people are more equal than others. For the same acts, some people are being dragged to court while others are going scot-free and I can give examples on unity.

Madam Speaker, for the first time in history, an hon. Member of Parliament was sent to jail for statements that were made within the precincts of Parliament. This is the case of Hon. Munir Zulu. One cannot ask for unity if one allows the law or the courts to be weaponised, to usurp the provision of the law and send people to court or to jail because one does not like them. One cannot preach unity when there are two sets of people; one who insinuates that the people of one district are more intelligent than the people of another district is sent to court and jail and the one who says that the people of one district suffer from mental poverty is free.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

I think that I have guided. Hon. Member, you are going astray. I guided that you should follow the content of the speech. Do not bring in words or information that was not mentioned by the President.

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

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

Mr Mweetwa: Madam Speaker, I draw your attention to Standing Order No. 71(b) with respect to hon. Members ensuring that the information they provide in their debate on the Floor of the House is factual and verifiable.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member on the Floor has raised two issues. One is that the President cannot talk about unity when there are two sets of laws in this country. The hon. Member has not brought to the attention of this House such laws. Laws are made by this House. This House has never made two sets of laws to apply to different citizens.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has also gone ahead to indicate that you send hon. Members of Parliament to jail because you do not like them. Again, he has not given any evidence whatsoever to that effect. To the contrary, and absurdly so, he has, by misadventure, gone ahead to attempt to mislead himself, this House and ordinary citizens that when you speak …

Hon. PF Members: What is the point of order?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Mr Mweetwa: … within the precincts of Parliament, you are at liberty to say or do anything, including violating the law.

Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 71(b) states that the information we give on the Floor of this House should be verifiable and factual. Is the hon. Member, therefore, in order to make unsubstantiated and false claims before the Floor of this House?

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister of Information and Media, when raising a point of order, you are supposed to be brief and specific. However, I guided the hon. Member to stick to the content of the report. Do not bring in information that is not true. Please, do not mislead the people of Zambia. We only have one set of laws; the Constitution. There are no two sets of laws.

So, hon. Member for Nkana, please, follow my guidance. Otherwise, you will not go very far with your debate. I am sure the people of Nkana would like to listen to your debate. Just stick to the content of the speech, and people will be interested to follow your debate.

You may continue.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, thank you for your guidance.

Madam Speaker, the challenge with the truth is that it hits right where one would not like to see it.

Madam Speaker, let me go to page 23 of the speech, where His Excellency the President discussed the energy situation.

Madam Speaker, we have endured a tricky energy situation in the country for over two years. A meaningful Government would not have allowed this situation to have gone unattended for over two years.

The House will be interested to know that at this stage, the people of Zambia are not prepared to continue listening to promises. After four years of the United Party for National Development (UPND) being in Government, His Excellency the President must have been speaking to achievables or deliverables. The people in the communities have had their lives disrupted. In some places, even three hours of power is simply a wish. It is a rumour in some places. Not long ago, the hon. Minister of Energy requested us, as citizens to tighten our belts because the Government wanted to raise money under what was called “emergency tariffs.” People were made to pay through their noses for power that has not been seen because the pretext was for people to pay more in order to raise money to import power to increase the hours of power supply from three to six hours.

Madam Speaker, the people in the communities who manage small businesses such as saloons, barbershops, welding shops and butcheries have folded. Families have been thrown into disarray. When one speaks to such an issue, people expect to hear what is being done and what will be done in long-term. People are not interested in bed-time stories. They are interested in tangible solutions to this problem.

How do people afford to sleep knowing that their own people are faced with a challenge that has thrown their lives into disarray while the Government is busy empowering other countries through exports? In legal terms, there is a force majeure - a legal concept that allows parties in a contract to terminate due to unforeseen circumstances. What could have stopped the Government from invoking this provision of the law to stop all manner of exploitation so that it can attend to its people? How does the UPND feel when countries it sold power to are celebrating to keep their industries and people satisfied when its people here are wallowing in desperation?

Madam Speaker, when I listen to speeches, I feel very sad because for once, we want a leadership that cares for the people. They cannot create middlemen in the line of supply of power. A private company called Kanona Power Company Limited was created so that Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) should supply power to it using our State infrastructure and then, allow ZESCO Limited to buy power from it.

I brought this issue to this august House and challenged the hon. Minister of Energy, but he failed and skated around the issue. These are facts on the ground. How can we be reckless and subject our people to untold miseries when we are doing the opposite and fattening our pockets, yet someone has the guts to come to this august House, deliver a speech …

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hello, hon. Member!

Interruptions

Mr B. Mpundu: … and suggest they are the best in history.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Mr B. Mpundu: How do they manage to sleep?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Resume your seat.

Mr B. Mpundu: I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

There is no need to be annoyed. We are talking to the Zambians. Let us mind our tones.

Before I can call upon the hon. Member for Mporokoso, I am going to balance the list.

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Ms Mulenga interjected.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kalulushi, I am using my powers.

Laughter

Mr Kasandwe: Ema powers aya!

Ms Sefulo (Mwandi): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for allowing me to debate on the President's Speech.

Madam Speaker, in my preamble, I want to recognise what His Excellency the President said on page 2 of his speech. He said:

“Today, we reflect on the progress we have made and the challenges that remain.”

Madam Speaker, I want to commend His Excellency the President for recognising the gains that we have made and the challenges that still exist.

Hon. Government Members: Hear. hear!

Ms Sefulo: Madam Speaker, I will start by highlighting the many scores discussed in the President's Speech. Today, I stand here as a very proud Member of Parliament for Mwandi Constituency because I know that my children are in school. One of the issues that has been raised on the Floor of the House is the high volumes of children who have been enrolled in school. When we go to these school, we will find that there are 70 to 85 children in a classroom regardless of the classroom blocks we have built.

Madam Speaker, as I debate the President’s Speech today, I want to pose a question to the hon. Minister of Education. Since we came into power, how many classroom blocks have been demolished? I ask this question so that we understand where the children were sitting before. I want to understand because when we talk about the provision of free education, others say that there are too many children in the classrooms. Where were those children before? More than 2 million children have been enrolled and are in school today. What would have become of them had the Free Education Policy not been introduced? Through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), many of us have built classroom blocks, and the number of children who have enrolled is unprecedented. That is why I have challenged the hon. Minister to tell us how many classroom blocks have been demolished to not accommodate the high number of children? A good number of the children in these school were on the streets. They were not going to school. It is sad that someone cannot recognise the progress of a child growing up in a rural constituency. Some of us are able to take our children to private schools, but there is also that child who is dependent on the Government, and he/she understands exactly what the Government has been able to do for them.

Madam Speaker, I also want to speak to the teacher recruitment exercise. When I became Member of Parliament for Mwandi, some schools had only one teacher teaching everyone up to Grade 7. Under this Government, more than 40,000 teachers have been recruited. This is the progress that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government has made. Only a person who does not love children can come on the Floor of the House and say that no progress has been made.

Madam Speaker, the progress for children growing up in rural constituencies is visible. For example, in Mwandi, there were classrooms that had no desks. Through the increased CDF, I am proud to say that no child sits on the floor. That is progress.

Madam Speaker, I did not know the word “bursary” when I was growing up until I decided to apply for bursary after I finished Grade 12. Today, that word has been introduced in our villages by the New Dawn Government. Even a child in Grade 7 looks forward to receiving a bursary to attend secondary school. That is what this Government has done. That has been introduced. Who knew about loans without collateral in our rural constituencies? Loans were a privilege for only those who had payslips. Today, even people in the village can access loans, make progress, and employ others because of this Government. That is how much this Government has done.

Madam Speaker, I would be failing if I did not talk about the Chibuluma Road, which we have heard so much about on the Floor of this House. This Government is not segregatory. We have seen what it has done. It has taken infrastructure everywhere. I wonder, as we have discussed the unprecedented development in this country on the floor of this House, where the roads, classroom blocks and maternity annexes are being built if they existed before.

Ms Mulenga: Wikalakwi?

Ms Sefulo: Madam Speaker, through the progress made, this Government has treated women with dignity. Today, women deliver in dignified places. We had many maternal deaths; women were dying while giving life. Through this Government, we have taken health workers to all the areas. A mother can now give birth in a dignified place. Previously, we saw mothers giving birth on the floor. That was the reality. However, today, there is a maternity annexe even in the remotest part of Mwandi. That is how much progress we have made. We did not even know what skills development was. Now, it is on the lips of every child in every corner of this country. Mwandi had no ambulance but, just two days ago, ambulances were delivered to Mwandi and other parts of the country.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Sefulo: Madam Speaker, that is progress.

Interruptions

Ms Sefulo: We did not have an ambulance.

Madam Speaker, for some time, the only hospital in Mwandi did not have an x-ray machine. For a patient to get an x-ray, one had to travel for more than six hours. It is through this Government that I can stand on this Floor of the House to say that we have an ambulance, access to water and a maternity annexe. That is the progress that we have made.

Madam Speaker, as we discuss this Government, I want the people of Zambia to look at the positive strides we have made. Of course, challenges are there, that is the truth, like in the energy sector. It takes time to resolve those challenges. You have seen this Government’s commitment to resolving those issues. My people are also waiting for me to speak about the Nakatindi Road. That is still a challenge. The President recognises that those are some of the challenges that should wait to be resolved. We also have to weigh things. Let us compare what we have achieved with what has not been achieved yet. A child who gets 80 per cent passes. One cannot whip his or her child for not scoring 100 per cent. This Government has scored a distinction, and you cannot take that away from it.

As I conclude, Madam Speaker, I would like to say that we understand that our people are going through pains because of the challenges that remain in the energy sector but this Government is very dedicated to resolving the issue.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mundubile (Mporokoso): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I had a lot of time to go through the speech. It resonates with a statement President Hakainde Hichilema once made whilst in the Opposition. He said that when a Government fails to improve the livelihood of its citizens, the citizens should remove the Government from power.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Mundubile: Madam Speaker, at the time, the President referred to failures in the health, mining, agricultural and, indeed, energy sectors. So today, I will delve into the energy sector. Before I do that, I just want to compliment my sister on her debate where she gave the Government a distinction, particularly on Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects. To put everything into perspective, numbers do not lie. The Budgets under the United Party for National Development (UPND) put together in the past four years amount to about K870 billion. For the information of the nation, only K19 billion is the CDF. So, even as one gives an A plus or a distinction, it is K19 billion against K870 billion. The Zambians have been concerned about what has happened to the K850 billion. So, I just thought I should put that into perspective. It does not matter how well they perform on 2.3 per cent of their budget, the people are concerned about the 97 per cent and, I think, that is where the challenge has been.

Madam Speaker, I am moving on. There has been failure on the part of the Government, especially in the energy sector. The President, on Page No. 23 of the Speech, acknowledged that the people of Zambia are going through hardships.

Ms Sefulo: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

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

Ms Sefulo: Madam Speaker, this is in reference to the content of the speech under Standing Order No. 71.

Madam Speaker, is the senior Member of Parliament, Hon. Mundubile, in order to misquote me on the Floor of this House? I am happy that he has also acknowledged that the Government has scored a distinction. That is from him. However, he has misquoted me in saying that I have given a distinction to the Government on the CDF. I said that this Government has scored in totality, not just with regard to the CDF. I am sure the recruitment of teachers and health workers does not come from the CDF. The road works that I spoke about, like Chibuluma Road, do not come from the CDF. There are many other things that the Government has done that do not come from the CDF. So, when I was debating, I was talking about it in totality. Is the hon. Member in order to misquote me, an innocent person, a junior Member, who is coming back in 2026?

Madam Speaker, I seek your protection and ruling.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, when we are debating, let us not involve other hon. Members of Parliament. The hon. Member for Mwandi debated using her views; the way she sees things, which might be different from the hon. Member for Mporokoso. He has his own view and she has her view. The beauty of it is that, at the end of the backbenchers’ debate, hon. Ministers will respond to the major issues that will be raised. So, please, let us respect one another's views as long as we do not move out of the President’s Address.

Hon. Member for Mporokoso, stick to your views.

Mr Mundubile: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, just to ensure that Zambians do not forget, the CDF is only 2.3 per cent of the Budget, so they should keep that in context.

Madam Speaker, under paragraph 91, the speech read as follows:

“In the 57 years prior to 2021, growth in demand for power consumption significantly outstripped investment in power generation, transformation and distribution. For too long, this issue did not receive the needed attention.”

Madam Speaker, I wish to disagree. If you go around, you will realise that it remains a fact that between 2011 and 2021, power generation was improved from 1,600 MW to 3,400 MW. So, there was more than double in terms of improvement. So, the statement here is inaccurate, and I hope that the records can be rectified along the way.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mundubile: So, there was something done. There was a lot of investment that went into this particular sector.

Madam Speaker, further, the President said that “Our Government is actively addressing this challenge.” Again, I disagree. You cannot address the challenge of power shortage by exporting power. Today, the problem that we have is because the Government is exporting power. So, when the President says “our Government is actively addressing this challenge”, I disagree with this statement because we have been exporting power. The challenge that we have today is that this Government has disregarded the hardships of the Zambian people and instead prioritised business. You cannot abandon the challenges of your citizens in preference for business.

Madam Speaker, on the Floor of this House, we had reintroduced a broadened definition of corruption to mean all actions that involve the Government taking interest in private capital at the expense of public interest, and this will come in form of administration, policy and legislation. So, today, the many decisions that are made by this Government as regards export of power, can be defined as corruption under that broadened definition.

Madam Speaker, we have a situation today, whereby private companies are making billions of dollars out of this same sector and ZESCO Limited is in perpetual deficit. What my young brother talked about – Previously, we would import power from Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM). Today, the Government cannot import power directly from there. It has to do that through a private company called Kanona Power Company Limited. That is where the problem is. The middlemen who have been introduced along the way, is what is causing the problem.

Previously, Madam Speaker, we were told that it was because of the drought that we have the energy crisis and everybody believed the story. People came on the Floor of this House to get approvals and ratifications for new rates, but there is no drought now. What is the problem? The problem is that the Government has preferred private interests. Zambians must interrogate. Why has it been difficult, even for the President, to talk about the energy sector. The energy sector was the elephant in the room. Every Zambian out there was waiting to hear the solutions that the President would advance on the Floor of the House. Clearly, there is no solution to that particular problem. That takes us back to his statement, in which he said that, “if the Government fails to resolve the challenges the Zambians are facing, the Zambians must remove the Government.” Indeed, I am happy that the Zambian people have decided, they have made up their minds, …

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Mundubile: … that come next year, the United Party for National Development (UPND) will leave Government because it has failed to resolve the challenges of the Zambian people.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Mundubile: Madam Speaker, there are a number of things the Government could have done. For example, we have the Pensulo line from Kabwe to Kasama. All the Government needed to do was to construct a line from Kasama to Tunduma. There is overcapacity on the Tanzanian side and the line is up to Tunduma. Had that line been constructed, we would have been receiving cheap electricity from Tanzania. That was not done because it was going to temper with private business.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Mundubile: The reason that particular decision has not been made is that it was going to temper with private business, the private business of importing and exporting power through middlemen. So, we have leaders in the Government today, who are protecting private business at the expense of the many suffering Zambians. We all must rise and advise the Government.

Your Honour the Vice-President, it is time your Government started addressing people’s problems. It is very clear that for as long as you fail to address the people’s problems, people will rise and remove you from the Government.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Mporokoso!

Please, avoid addressing Her Honour the Vice-President. Debate through the Presiding Officer.

Mr Mundubile: Madam Speaker, through you to the Executive, even if it is too late now to make any changes, because the Zambian people have decided, it will be good for them to do something good for Zambia so that Zambians in future can remember them. You cannot prefer private business and leave the many small businesses. Mothers are dying every day in hospitals due to load-shedding because some people in the Government have preferred business to public interest.

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

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, it is quite saddening. Sometimes, you hear about an organisation or a party that is disorganised. I was just reading somewhere that this party that is disorganised intends not to be on the ballot paper next year. I do not know that party. I think, the disorganisation I see here –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Solwezi East, stick to the content of the President’s Speech.

Laughter

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, it is part of the speech. It is very difficult to organise a disorganised party. Anyway, let me come to my debate.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Solwezi East, I am so happy to contribute to the debate on the Motion on the Floor of the House. From the outset, I need to state this.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

The one standing there.

Mr Chonde: (While helping Hon. Kalimi with his arm sling) I am assisting the patient.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Do it silently.

You may continue hon. Member for Solwezi East.

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, for once in a decade, Zambia has a leader who is able to read, plan, negotiate smartly, and who has rescued Zambia from the shackles of economic collapse. Under President Hakainde Hichilema, Zambia has become a respected nation in global boardrooms. Debt restructuring is finally giving Zambia breathing space and investors are once again looking the Zambia way.

Madam Speaker, I will give an example. Just a day ago, the President handed over ambulances. One unit of an ambulance, previously, used to cost US$250,000, but because of the smart negotiations of a visionary leader, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, it cost US$89,000 and is well equipped, and this is a leader who came to this august House and addressed the nation.

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

Hon. UPND Members: Ah!

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, I want to continue my debate on that trajectory.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Shiwang’andu!

It is almost time for break. You can raise that point of order after break, because it will not be attended to.

Hon. Member for Solwezi East, may you continue.

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, as the time is –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: No, continue, we still have a minute or so.

Mr Katakwe: Thank you, Madam Speaker. As I continue –

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Continue hon. Member.

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, when you –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Laughter

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Katakwe: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was just stating that under President Hakainde Hichilema, Zambia has become a respected nation in global boardrooms. The debt restructuring is finally giving Zambia breathing space and investors are once again looking to Zambia.

Mr Speaker, when the President came to this august House, he stated that we are coming from a difficult situation; we had a drought and a huge national debt. Indeed, 90 per cent of that debt has been restructured, leading to economic growth, especially in the agricultural sector.

Mr Speaker, the President also talked about the mines. He stressed that all the ten provinces of Zambia must contribute significantly to the growth of our gross domestic product (GDP). What do we hope for the North-Western Province? Let us look at the mining sector in the North-Western Province. The North-Western Province is contributing significantly to the growth of our GDP. The economy grew at 5.2 per cent in the period from 2021 to 2024, which was higher than the economic growth for the period from 2017 to 2020, before the great leader of this nation and his party took office.

Mr Speaker, in the North-Western Province, we expect the university that has been talked about to be constructed. We also expect the North-Western Teaching Hospital to be constructed. Those are some of the things we expect to see in the North-Western Province as the economy grows.

Mr Speaker, the President also talked about climate change. He said that we need to have about 500,000 ha under irrigation by 2027. If you look at the North-Western Province, particularly my constituency in Mushindamo, you will see that it has the source of the Kafue River, which is a lifeline for this country. The source of that river has been encroached upon. You will find that vegetation has been cut down. To this effect, I call upon the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment to protect that area so that the effects of climate change can be mitigated.

Mr Speaker, the President highlighted the production of fertiliser by Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ). We have seen that Zambia is becoming self-sufficient when it comes to the production of fertiliser. This is because of the good policies that the Government has put in place. That has also led to a bumper harvest this year. Even for the next farming season, we expect farming inputs, such as fertiliser and seed, to be delivered in good time so that we can have a bumper harvest even next year. For the excess harvest that needs to be exported, on behalf of the people of Mushindamo, I am saying that we need to have structured exportation mechanisms so that our colleagues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) can buy Zambian maize or mealie meal. Those exporting maize should not be considered as smugglers, but as partners in business. That way, we can gain the necessary revenue that we need as a country.

Mr Speaker, the President also talked about increasing the production of blended fertiliser from 140,000 metric tonnes to 288,000 metric tonnes. All that shows that the President is really interested in seeing Zambia become food-secure.

Mr Speaker, as a nation, it is important that we continue investing in the agricultural sector. We, as the people of the North-Western Province, particularly in Mushindamo, are so grateful that the President has a vision. The President is a big thinker. The President is there to lead this nation to prosperity, as he said. That is the Zambia we need. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all hon. Members of Parliament to support the President, who is leading an organised party and an organised Government, as opposed to a disorganised party.

Mr Speaker, I support the Motion because the President of the Republic of Zambia has a heart for the Zambian people. He has a heart to grow this country’s economy. He has a heart to make sure that Zambia is on a prosperous trajectory, which will earn the country respect globally.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

_______

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER

PARTICIPANTS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY STRATEGIC PLANNING HIGH-LEVEL WORKSHOP

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of the following participants of the just-ended Parliamentary Strategic Planning High-Level Workshop:

Mr Jonathan Murphy – Inter Pares, Head of Programme

Mr Ingvar Mattson – Secretary General, Parliament of Sweden

Dr Gabriel Malebang – Clerk, Parliament of Botswana

Mr Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror – Clerk, Parliament of Ghana

Mr Torben Skovgaard – Deputy Secretary-General, Parliament of

Denmark

Ms Annette Connolly – Assistant Secretary-General, National

Parliament of Ireland

Ms Jennifer Ruff – Chief Audit Executive and Senior Director

of Planning, the House of Commons of

Canada

Mr Mohamed Jalloh – Director, Centre of Strategy and

Parliamentary Services, the Parliament of

Sierra Leone

Mr Herbus Burger – Strategic Planning Manager, the Parliament

of South Africa

Ms Lucy Muthoni Waithima – Deputy Director, Parliamentary Budget Office, the Parliament of Kenya Ms Emilia Alweendo – National Assembly of Namibia

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I wish to receive the distinguished guests and warmly welcome them into our midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

_______

MOTION

MOTION OF THANKS

(Debate resumed)

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity, on behalf of the good people of Kabwata, to add my voice to the debate on the speech that was delivered by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Hakainde Hichilema.

Mr Speaker, allow me to talk about some of the achievements that have been made by this Government, especially in the area of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Actually, when His Excellency the President came here, he talked about the growth of the mobile transaction business. Let me say from 2020, we saw the figures that were flying around in terms of growth, which were close to about K175 million. However, between 2022 and 2025, we have seen how the figures have actually grown. As I am speaking today, mobile transactions stand at K400 million.

Mr Speaker, the financial transaction industry is one that we need to nurture and see that it grows because most of the businesses that we have around have moved in this direction of financial transaction, and that is the reason we are seeing the mobile transaction businesses growing. However, the growth has been hampered by poor network connectivity in rural areas. If we want to grow the mobile transactions business in areas like Lusanganzi or Shangombo, we need to ensure that our people are provided with the best mobile connectivity services. Again, we have to look at what has been happening with the data centres. If I am not mistaken, we only have about two data centres that are able to handle some of these transactions in this country. So, we need to start growing the data centres because the financial and technology (fintech) business is actually growing at a rapid pace.

Mr Speaker, there is a need for us to grow and improve the ICT infrastructure. If that is done, even the youths who are being employed will be willing to go and work in the rural areas. However, if we do not to provide such infrastructure, it will have an adverse effect on the youths we are trying to give jobs, especially in the rural areas.

Mr Speaker, I also believe that when it comes to ICT, there is also a need to build capacity, especially when we look at what has been happening in terms of people being scammed. Yes, we are growing the business, but at the same time, we are also seeing how scammers are g evading secret passwords. We have also seen how millions of Kwacha have been lost. Just last year alone, over K120 million was lost through scammers. So, cybersecurity is one of the issues that we really need to address. We should also enact laws that are not going to remain constant, but rather, laws that are going to speak to the challenges affecting cybersecurity and cybercrime.

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President came here and emphasised on how we have managed to grow the mining sector. The New Dawn Government is busy opening up big mines, as we speak. It is busy investing and expanding the already existing mines that are there. For example, First Quantum Minerals Limited and Kalumbila Copper Mine are expanding their investments. Other mines that were closed for close to forty-seven years, like Kalengwa Copper Mine, are now open, and we can celebrate and say that something is happening at Kalengwa Copper Mine.

His Excellency the President also talked about artisanal mining licenses. Yes, we need to do more in the area of artisanal mining. I believe that over 1,400 people, including the youth and different co-operatives have received the artisanal mining licenses. For that, I am grateful. However, we need to follow up and check what they are doing. We should have an audit to see if the artisanal mining licenses are actually adding value to this nation because this is what we want to see. We want to see the artisanal mining co-operatives contribute to the national revenue. This is what we want to see.

Mr Speaker, let me now comment on the issue of land. His Excellency the President emphasised on land corruption in the administration or allocation of land. Seven or eight years ago, we saw how cadres were busy invading people's land. He also emphasised the need for land surveying. However, I believe that before we carry out the mapping, we should carry out a land audit because that audit will tell us what type of land is available, whether it is for commercial, residential, agricultural and small-holding purposes. So, we really need to push for land audits. We can always ask our co-operating partners for some funds. We have countries like Rwanda that have managed to carry out land audits. Today, Rwanda knows how much land is available for agricultural purposes. If I am not mistaken, we have close to 75 million ha of land in Zambia available for agricultural purposes, but only 7.5 million ha is what is being used for agricultural purposes. So, we really need to carry out land audits so that we can identify and see where we are failing to do well.

Mr Speaker, let me now come to social protection. His Excellency the President emphasised that the Cash for Work programme is here to stay. Currently, we are able to see how the roads and drainages in most of our communities are being cleaned up because of the same Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) that we are talking about. The Cash for Work programme is transforming our community. Elderly women and men in our communities are receiving funds through the ECT.

Mr Speaker, I believe that on social protection, His Excellency the President has actually scored. The United Party for National Development (UPND) Government has actually scored because the Cash for Work programme is definitely changing and transforming our communities.

Mr Speaker, no one in this House can challenge the President by saying that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) sisebenza, the CDF is not working. The President challenged each one of us to indicate if we have not received the allocation or utilised it. We are able to see that schools, health posts and maternity annexes are being expanded to provide the best health services to our mothers. These facilities are being constructed using the CDF.

Mr Speaker, with those few words, on behalf of the good people of Kabwata, I support the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Speech.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me this chance to make a few comments on the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Speech, which was delivered last Friday.

Mr Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to page No. 41 of the Speech, on water and sanitation. The President acknowledged the following:

“We have expanded water supply and sanitation facilities across the country. Major projects completed include the Kafulafuta Water Supply System, the Kazungula Water Supply and Sanitation, the Kafue Bulk Water Supply, and the Kaputa Water Supply and Sanitation projects.”

Mr Speaker, the President was acknowledging that the Government is a going concern. The House may recall that up to 2016, the water sector portfolio was under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing then, I had the privilege to serve the nation in that ministry. The Kafue Bulk Water Supply, and the Kafulafuta Water Supply System projects were contracted in 2014. I took two Cabinet memoranda to have them contracted under debt. The Kafulafuta Water Supply System project was estimated at US$430 million, and the Kafue Bulk Water Supply project was estimated at US$320 million.

An hon. Government Member: All of that?

Mr Kampyongo: You look at the scope of works.

Mr Speaker, all I am trying to say is that even as people talk about debt, they should know that some of the debt that was contracted was life-saving. It is well-known that water is life. I saw how proud the President was when he went to launch the Kafulafuta Water Supply System project, which will cater to Ndola, Luanshya, Masaiti and a few surrounding areas. If the previous Government had not done that at that stage, Kafulafuta would be struggling to provide water to the people. Cholera outbreaks would have continued in Kanyama and all the surrounding areas in Lusaka. So, even when others condemn debt, they should know that some of the debt that the previous Government contracted was life-saving.

Mr Speaker, the other two projects were contracted when the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, where my hon. Colleague is (he pointed at Eng. Nzovu), was created to ensure that our people had a guaranteed water sector to deal with communicable diseases. I was happy to see my mother, Her Honour the Vice-President, commission the Kaputa Water Supply and Sanitation project. That is the only project in Kaputa, and I pray that my mother ensures that the road whose contract was cancelled is constructed. The project will be a big challenge for the Government because it is monumental. That is what Governments do, they leave something behind. Even the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) we talk about was constitutionalised in 2016. Every successive Government is bound to ensure that the CDF is appropriated. It is in the Constitution.

Hon. Government Member: 30 million!

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, the Government should ensure that capital projects are prioritised. While debt has been restructured, it should also be known that it was properly contracted, as in the example the President gave.

Mr Speaker, I was happy to hear the President say that we, as a country, should settle certain matters out of court. I agree with him a 100 per cent. Criminal matters and other clear cases can be taken to the courts. All the President was saying, I hope the Attorney-General was listening, is that apart from business transactions that can be sorted out of court, certain matters require collective wisdom. Why should we be making headlines about wizards being jailed for two years and so on in this era?

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, the President publicly informed the nation that he does not recognise witchcraft. We all listened to the Speech, but here we are, people are calling to ask if we have witch doctors serving as magistrates because to determine witchcraft, a witch doctor is needed. So, were the people who determined that the two men were wizards also witch doctors working in the subordinate court? So, those are the issues that are there. We have hit international headlines for the wrong reasons in an era where we are supposed to be talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Wisdom should have prevailed and, collectively, we should have resolved the issue concerning the late Former Head of State. The Attorney-General did not need to drag the poor widow to a foreign court. Those are matters that the President asked us, whilst seated there, to settle.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, that issue is quite sensitive. As human beings, let us avoid making political capital out of it. Let us ensure that we are as humane as possible. I know that since Tuesday, when we started the debate on the Motion on the President’s Speech, one or two people have tried to make political capital out of that issue. We are all Zambians and human beings. So, avoid it. You can talk about other things. Even hon. Madam Speaker gave guidance earlier. You have many things to talk about, like your constituency; what is happening in Shiwang’andu, and the economy.

You may proceed.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, thank you. I am well guided.

Mr Speaker, we have, at least, 1 MW of power in Shiwang’andu. The people are not as stressed as those in urban areas. My hon. Colleagues have lamented about power shortages. The hon. Minister of Energy announced the implementation of emergency tariffs. He said that the people needed to pay more so that the Government could import power to increase the hours of power supply. Alas, people are paying high tariffs for power that only visits them at night from 0300 hours to 0500 hours just to check how they are sleeping. Then, it is cut off.

Laughter

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, how productive are our people going to be? I appreciate that the President wants us to work with him. So, we are waiting to hear from the hon. Minister on how we can ensure that load shedding ends. My hon. Colleague talked about the Dubai formula.

Mr Speaker, let me quickly move on to the fuel subsector. Hon. Members lamented the challenge that the closure of the Indeni Energy Company would be a challenge to the nation, but people did not listen. Today, we are paying a lot for fuel that is not even available. When the hon. Madam Speaker visited us in Muchinga, it was a struggle for her entourage to travel back because of the fuel shortage, which we are facing despite the high prices. So, those whose job is to help the President must start working. Otherwise, the people will send a message. They are already sending a message. We have seen what is happening across the border in Malawi. People are being voted out because of fuel and power shortages.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Your time is up.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I also want to tell those who prepare this speech to do the right job because if you see this verbatim –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Your time is up.

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, but you gave others extra time.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Let us also avoid giving Malawi as an example. Zambia is a different country altogether. Malawi is Malawi. Zambia is Zambia. Yes, yes, yes. What happens in Malawi is in Malawi. Us we are here. We are in Zambia.

Mr Samakayi (Mwinilunga): Mr Speaker, shukrun.

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Mr Samakayi: Thank you very much.

Mr Speaker, the previous speaker chased away the visitors whom we had when he started talking about witchcraft.

Laughter

Mr Samakayi: Mr Speaker, I am very grateful for this opportunity. I want to start my debate by looking at the theme of the President’s Speech, which was well-crafted, and is: ‘Consolidating the Economic and Social Gains That Have Been Achieved in Relation to Prosperous, Resilient, and Equitable Zambia’.

Mr Speaker, I want to talk about equity a little bit. When I look back in 2024, when the President came here to address us on national values and principles, he said that we have achieved equality, but we are yet to achieve equity. I believe it is in this breath that the President and the nation at large are calling for amendments of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, and woven in those amendments is the issue of delimitation.

Mr Speaker, delimitation is very important because some constituencies are so vast and the resources that they are getting are not enough to go around. We have usually said that there is an imbalance in the distribution of the resources because of the vastness of some constituencies. A very good example is perhaps the ambulances that were being given yesterday. Some provinces got twenty-two units, some got twenty, some nineteen and some fifteen. Some of the provinces that got these numbers are actually smaller in size than the North-Western Province. As a province, we got the least; we got twelve ambulances. So, there is inequity here that should be cured through amending the Constitution. So, we are calling for the Constitutional Amendment No. Bill 7 to come back so that we can reverse this trend of imbalance.

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Mr Samakayi: Mr Speaker, I move on to my next line of thought. I am usually not a praise singer; that is not how I am made, but when I say something, I say something of substance. President HH (Hakainde Hichilema) has been a champion – and I will give reasons – among the Presidents who have ruled this country from 2009, perhaps to 2021.

Mr Speaker, in 1986, we had the National Housing Policy. I want to tell you that this National Housing Policy was an award-winning policy on the continent, but it was not implemented. Some countries came to learn from us, and when they went back, they implemented the policy, but Zambia has still not implemented it. We went crawling back to them to find out how they implemented the National Housing Policy. This is the same with the National Decentralisation Policy, and my debate is in my line of competence.

Mr Speaker, we had been talking about the National Decentralisation Policy from 2009, when President RB (Rupiah Banda) took over, to 2021. All the Presidents in between, may their souls rest in peace, failed us in terms of implementing the National Decentralisation Policy. President HH is a champion because when he took over, the allocation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) went from K1.6 million to K25.7 million. Again, it moved, and we are now at K36.3 million. You cannot implement the National Decentralisation Policy or any policy of substance without a champion at the presidential level. You need to have a champion in the name of the President, so that you are able to allocate resources for implementation. We have been failing to implement most of the policies due to the inertia in the Office of the President. Now that we have President HH, things are moving. That is why I am saying we have a champion in that office, and everyone can see the benefits of the CDF or decentralisation. I mean, I am taken aback when someone says the CDF is just 2.3 per cent. Compare what 2.3 per cent of the Budget is doing to 10 per cent of the Budget during the Patriotic Front (PF) period. Today, the impact of the 2.3 per cent is felt by every Zambian in every corner of our country.

Mr Speaker, the President that we have is a champion in terms of the implementation of the National Decentralisation Policy and, I think, in terms of development and service delivery because you can see what has happened. Today, my council has full-fledged equipment from graders, tippers, rollers, compactors, water bowsers, an excavator and a lowbed. We never dreamed that there would be a council that was going to have this equipment. However, look at the benefits this championship in the name of President HH has brought to our country. Many services are now being delivered because we have built the infrastructure that we can use to provide services to our people. Of course, the people from Mwinilunga, who are watching me, are saying how about our road; the Mwinilunga/Solwezi Road. What has happened? I want to assure them that I am in touch with the President, and the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. That road is going to be worked on very shortly.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central): Thank you so much, Mr Speaker, for allowing me, on behalf of the people of Kabwe, to add a voice on the debate on the President’s Speech. I must say from the outset that I am in full support of the speech. It was inspiring, and whatever the President said in his speech, is what is happening in our constituencies, to be specific in Kabwe Central Constituency.

Mr Speaker, I will start by talking about the Free Education Policy. When the New Dawn Government came into power, it actualised the Free Education Policy. Since then, we have seen an increase in classroom space of about twelve classroom blocks in Kabwe Central Constituency. The enrolment rate among our learners has increased. Further, the twelve 1 x 3 classroom blocks are fully furnished with desks. This is due to the fact that not only was the pronouncement on free education made, but support was also given through the resources that are allocated even through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Mr Speaker, there is also the School Feeding Programme. The programme is meant for learners to not be in school with empty stomachs. They are fed so that they can concentrate on learning. I also want to say that there was support for the Free Education Policy through the recruitment of teachers, which we all saw. I must say that before the New Dawn Government came into power, we saw many children just staying home. Some of them were in the streets, and even earned the name junkies. That name came about because the education sector was neglected. When the New Dawn came into Government, it made sure that children went back to school. It also provided skills training for those who dropped out of school. In Kabwe Central Constituency, so far, 1,500 children who dropped out of school and were just in the streets have been trained. These are the milestones that the New Dawn Government has achieved in the education sector.

Mr Speaker, there are also bursaries for children in secondary schools. We are sending many children to secondary schools in my constituency. So far, we are sponsoring about 300 children in secondary schools. We know that meal allowances were never there in tertiary institutions. Now, students are getting meal allowances and student loans. That is a milestone. It is due to the fact that the Government is doing a lot under the education sector.

Mr Speaker, allow me to talk about health. Indeed, the New Dawn Government has made an effort to ensure that comprehensive healthcare coverage is attained. I must testify that in Kabwe Central Constituency, so far, we have built maternity wings. About four of them are fully equipped, stocked and staffed, meaning that medicines are there, equipment is there and staff are there. I must also say thank you so much to the Government not only for the CDF, but for the district hospital that we have been allocated. It will be fully equipped and constructed at a total cost of US$30 million. The contractor is already on site. So, thank you so much to the New Dawn Government; it is really doing a great job. I also want to say that recruitment of health workers is underway. The Government has been recruiting health workers. Even the people of Kabwe have benefited from that recruitment. Nurses and doctors in our area are being employed.

Mr Speaker, as regards small and medium enterprises (SMEs), I want to say that the Government has been doing a lot. Under the CDF loans and grants, so far, we have given out about K21 million to people in my constituency. The President said that the repayment rate is bad. I must say that yes, it is bad, but the fact is that we have started following the people who borrowed. The repayment rate was at 9 per cent, but it has now gone up to 26 per cent. So, the programme is very good. Imagine the amount of money that is in my constituency. If people start paying back to the revolving fund, the capital base can go up to even K100 million. The New Dawn Government wants to empower everyone in business so that no one sits back without doing anything, or goes hungry because they do nothing. I must say that the Government is doing well in improving or helping SMEs.

Mr Speaker, on infrastructure, I have heard of so many roads that have been attended to. I have heard about the Chibuluma Road. I want to say that Kabwe Central Constituency has not been left out. The President said, “Ba MP, muleishiba utuntu”. That has worked for us in Kabwe Central Constituency.

Hon. UPND Members: Meaning?

Ms Halwiindi: It means we should know things that are happening.

Mr Speaker, we know that there is a dual carriageway that passes through Kabwe Central Constituency. When we were told that the fiscal space could not allow us to work on township roads in the constituency, we had to write to ask the Government to create a variation order. The listening Government heard us and responded. We have been allocated works for 40 km of township roads, which is a milestone for Kabwe Central Constituency because we do not have decent roads. Once the roads are worked on, the town will be a marvel. It will be a nice town to live in and travel to. I would like to say thank you so much to the Government for the 40 km of township roads that will be rehabilitated in Kabwe Central Constituency.

Mr Speaker, on social protection, I want to say that the Government has done a lot. So far, about 68,880 people are benefitting from the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme in Kabwe Central Constituency. The beneficiaries are getting K600 each per month. You can imagine that that that money is also in our constituency and people are benefiting from it. What more do people want in terms of supporting our people? The Government is even increasing the number of beneficiaries. So, our people are being taken care of. No one is crying that the Government is not taking care of them. The SCT is also a milestone.

Mr Speaker, under industrialisation, you heard the President say that he is coming to commission the Zambia China Mulungushi Textiles. If you go to the factory, you will find new machinery. The company is going to be printing chitenge materials, and that will have a ripple effect. Even farmers are going to benefit. Thousands of farmers who grow cotton will benefit from the Zambia China Mulungushi Textiles becoming operational. Right now, seeds and chemicals are available for any farmer who wants to grow cotton in the country. So, Kabwe Central Constituency is really benefiting from the policies of the New Dawn Government.

Mr Speaker, let me now talk about agriculture. The Government has done a lot in that area. I am happy to say that we no longer hear words like, “Ba Minister aba nsala” because there is a bumper harvest in the country.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Halwiindi: Farmers are receiving inputs on time. They have already started receiving inputs for the next farming season.

Mr Speaker, this Government is doing a lot for our people. The prices for crops have been increased for our farmers. So, farmers are very happy with the Government’s policies and the help that it is giving our people. So, no one has been left behind. The Government is doing a tremendous job. I want to say that I am so happy and delighted that the Government is doing a lot. The President said that the Government is alive to the fact that there are challenges here and there. As we know, running the country can never be a smooth exercise. Wherever there are issues that need to be attended to, the Government is alive to the fact that those issues will be attended to. Even the issue of power that we are crying about will be attended to. The Government is alive to the fact that there is a power problem. In fact, right now, the Government is not sleeping. The President is not sleeping. Cabinet is working around the clock to find solutions to load-shedding.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kampyongo: Time up.

Ms Halwiindi: Mr Speaker, with those few words, I thank you so much. I am in full support of the President’s Speech.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Hamwaata (Pemba): Mr Speaker, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to debate the Motion on the Floor.

Mr Speaker, when the righteous lead, the inhabitants of a nation rejoice.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamwaata: Mr Speaker, in 2022, your Government, my Government and our Government procured 156 vehicles for monitoring projects, and they were distributed across the country. When the righteous lead, the inhabitants of a nation rejoice.

Mr Speaker, in 2023, your Government, my Government and our Government procured vehicles for the police to fight crime in the nation, and Pemba was among the beneficiaries. All the 156 constituencies benefited. When the righteous lead, the inhabitants of a nation rejoice.

Mr Kasandwe: Question!

Mr Hamwaata: Mr Speaker, the 2024 Budget allocated an amount under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for procuring ambulances. This year, 2025, we witnessed the distribution of those ambulances across the nation. All 156 constituencies are going to benefit. When the righteous lead, the inhabitants of a nation rejoice.

Mr Speaker, one thing I like about our President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, is that he is very methodical and works with targets. Under agriculture, the President and the New Dawn Government is targeting to earn US$1 billion through beef exports. That is being methodical.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamwaata: Mr Speaker, as a constituency, we are also walking the talk to support this idea. We are in the second year of supporting our small-scale farmers with dipping chemicals. What I mean is that every year, we support the farmers, in line with the goals of our President.

Mr Speaker, as I indicated, our President is target-oriented. He informed this august House that currently, we are irrigating about 200,000 ha of land, and we are moving to 500,000 ha. As a constituency, we are also supporting this idea. In 2025, K1,140,000 was allocated for irrigation.

Mr Speaker, our Government is walking the talk in developing this nation. This Government is growing the agricultural sector. During the 2023/2024 Farming Season, we experienced a drought, and our target was 1.5 million metric tonnes of maize. Now, we have moved to 3.7 million metric tonnes. Like I indicated, our President is methodical and works towards reaching the targets.

Mr Speaker, our target is to produce 10 million metric tonnes. The idea is to earn foreign exchange through exporting the excess. Further, the President encouraged hon. Members of Parliament and the nation to go into farming so that we can use the ‘p-c=s’ formula where “p” means production, “c” means consumption and “s” means surplus, which can be sold to earn resources for the family.

Mr Speaker, the good people of Pemba Constituency are very happy with the Government, especially in regard to the agricultural sector whereby 9,400 farmers received their packs for the 2024/2025 Farming Season.

Mr Speaker, His Excellency, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, the Republican President, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is very methodical. Through his initiative, we now have what we call the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF). This SAFF is also targeted to increase agriculture production.

Mr Speaker, he has brought on board civil servants through SAFF. We are happy to announce to this August House that 135 farmers in Pemba benefited from the SAFF, and we are talking about not less than K4,478,000.

Mr Speaker, when the righteous lead, the nation rejoices.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamwaata: Mr Speaker, we are in support of the mechanisation programme in this country, as a constituency. We are beneficiaries of mechanised equipment. We received four tractors, two 4X4 vehicles.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Hamwaata: Mr Speaker, when the righteous lead, the nation rejoices.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr E. Tembo (Feira): Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity. The issue of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), under centralisation, is simply getting money from the central authority to the lower class. It is not an increment from K1.6 to K36 million, as it has been reported.

Mr Speaker, further, an impression has been created that with the increased CDF, all problems have ended. However, people are still talking about the problems they are facing. So, I want to make those things clear.

Ms Mulenga: Quality!

Mr E. Tembo: Mr Speaker, one of my hon. Colleagues was talking about the Constitution amendment. There is a Constitutional Court judgment, and this House should be the first to respect it. It will be illegal …

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, proceed.

Mr E. Tembo: Mr Speaker, I now come to my points, having listened for three and half hours on Friday. This was a speech by the President, and we do not know, it might be the last one.

Mr Speaker, when we talk about projects, we talk about money. I expected the President to talk about how we will generate money. Now, this country, and all of us have been told that we are poor. That is a lie that we have lived with. We need to know that we are actually very rich. Our riches are in minerals. The President was talking about increasing production when all these factors of production; the mines, all the conglomerates and multinationals, are owned by foreigners. So, we are basically increasing income for foreigners. The President should have talked about how much we would tax the mines.

Mr Speaker, are 2,000 or 1,500 jobs enough against the 8 million youths we call junkies? This is very unfortunate. So, my point is that when we talk about mining, we should talk about it in the sense of taxing and making income from the mining sector. Other countries are already doing it. Why are we so scared of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has given us the conditions?

Mr Speaker, I think that it is important for this country to start discussing how we get 60 per cent and above of the mineral value in this country, and not the leftovers. The 2,500 jobs are nothing but leftovers.

Mr Speaker, indeed, we also have the mine suppliers. I have taken note fact that recently, there are more of the same companies creating their own companies to supply the mines instead of the Zambians. Not all of us can be farmers. A number of our people, including some in this House, are mine suppliers. However, because of the policies of this Government, we find that these are not working.

Mr Speaker, obviously, there is corporate tax, but that is nothing because corporate tax is based on profits. However, the companies are reducing or manipulating their proceeds to smaller amounts so that the percentage, which finally is calculated, amounts to nothing in our coffers.

Mr Speaker, indeed, as I have mentioned, we are not a poor country, but very rich. I think that it is important, even as we list our mines in these foreign entities that we tax them. I disagree with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning when he says that we should save the mines and, therefore, we should not tax them. No, that is an old story which we cannot buy anymore.

Mr Speaker, coming to the issue that the President keeps talking about, and he has talked about it before, he said that all the cases that were in court concerning mining companies were withdrawn. Going to court has never been the problem. When there is a dispute, the problem must be resolved in court, and we cannot take that away. It is on record that we, as the Patriotic Front (PF), condemned Vedanta Resources. The United Party for National Development (UPND) also condemned the company even after taking over the Government. However, we do not know how the story changed overnight to the effect that something good had been seen, and no explanation has been given. That leaves me with only one conclusion: How did they move from the point of rejecting Vedanta Resources to accepting it? We need to fight as hard, even in the courts, to get what the people of Zambia deserve from the minerals. We know that Vedanta Resources was not paying suppliers and taxes, and it was always declaring losses, which was one of the reasons it was kicked out. I think that there is a huge contradiction.

Mr Speaker, talking about 3 million metric tonnes, we had a mine in my constituency that was supposed to be operating, employing, and so on. This Government decided to take that mine away. It must come back. We need our people to, at least, get what they can get from it.

Mr Speaker, before I resume my seat, let me talk about the agricultural sector. We are talking about a bumper harvest. In reality, that is not all the capacity we have to produce. We can produce more. We need to look at other ventures like mechanisation as well as irrigation. More importantly, I heard the President say that we will export. We cannot determine what will come in the future. It is not the time for us to think about exports. That is why we have the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). Let us store up for the next two or three years, then, later on, we can start selling. That is what should happen. The climatic conditions in my constituency do not allow us to produce more. Secondly, we have the human-animal conflict. Even the little that is produced is eaten by elephants and other animals. So, we need that food. There are gaps within the country. Therefore, I am against the idea of exporting maize. If we are in dire need of money, I have already talked about the minerals. I will list them if you accord me a few minutes. We have copper, gold, diamonds, uranium, and emeralds in the Copperbelt Province. Honestly, are those not resources we can use?

Mr Speaker, the last aspect is rural road connectivity. Works on rural roads are only undertaken in some areas. I have raised that issue before, and I was hoping that the President would refer to it. Next year, the hon. Minister of Defence will travel to Kavalamanja in Feira for an international event commemorating freedom fighters from Zimbabwe. The hon. Minister knows the road that we use. It is in a terrible state. We want the road to be worked on, but there are no signs of that being done. It has been five years since the issue was raised in 2022, and we are basically in 2026. We hear about roads that are being worked on in other places, but that is not being done in my area.

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

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Mr Speaker, in Luangeni as well as Feira constituencies, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is working. Page No. 34 of the Speech states:

“To this end, the Chingola/Kasumbalesa Road –”

Mr Mwila: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, I would like to apologise to the hon. Member for disturbing his line of thought.

Mr Speaker, when the President was addressing this House last Friday, the hon. Member –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: You should state what breach has occurred.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, I am coming to that.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: No, you start with that.

Laughter

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member on the Floor spent the whole time sleeping when the President was speaking, and he missed the entire speech.

Laughter

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, resume your seat.

Mr Mwila: Mr Speaker, is he in order to rise and contribute to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the Speech delivered by the President when he spent the whole time sleeping?

I seek your serious ruling, Mr Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, turn off your microphone.

I think, you saw that the hon. Member for Matero was dozing. So, you decided to –

You saw that your young brother was dozing. The hon. Member was debating the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and I think all hon. Members were very interested.

You may proceed, hon. Member.

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, the Chingola/Kasumbalesa Road is done. The Luanshya/Fisenge/Masangano Road is done.

Hon. UPND Member: Kwenyu!

Mr Mutelo: The Kitwe/Chibuluma Road is done. In addition, Mr Speaker, works in progress on the Ndola/Sakanya Road, the Ndola/Mufulira/Mokambo Road, the Lusaka /Ndola Dual Carriageway and the Monze/Namwala Road. When all those roads were being mentioned, some of which are in Kaoma, Mangango, Luampa, Lukulu, Mitete and Kabompo, I was tearing. I had tears of joy in my eyes.

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, why the tears of joy? We have had twelve National Assemblies in Zambia since 1964, with three regimes and six Presidents. One regime ruled for twenty-seven years, the next ruled for twenty years, and the one after that ruled for ten years. The current one has only ruled for four years, which is the Thirteenth National Assembly, with the seventh Republican President. On 19^th August, 2025, the contract was signed for works on the Katunda/ Lukulu/Watopa/Mumbezhi Road, and on 11^th September, 2025, a ceremony was held to give AVIC International Zambia Limited the go-ahead. I even have witnesses. Anything can be talked about, but on this road, having been around here in this Parliament for a while, I would say that President Hakainde Hichilema is not only Bally, as known, but he is Kwenyu, his new name, which means “It is done”.

Mr Speaker, I heard others saying, maybe, the one who will be in office next year – There is no maybe. The change of Government was known during the colonial time between Dr Kaunda and the United National Independence Party (UNIP), and Wilensky. It was also known between the UNIP and the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD). It was known between the MMD and Patriotic Front (PF). It was known between the PF and the United Party for National Development (UPND) in 2021. However, who will stand against the UPND in Mitete in 2026? Who will stand against President Hakainde Hichilema in 2026?

Hon. Opposition Members: Tell us!

Mr Mutelo: They are even asking me to tell them. Even those who should tell themselves do not know.

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, it is done.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I have seen Hon. Mundubile indicating dissent. He also does not know.

Laughter

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I did not know that you also do not know.

May you proceed.

Laughter

Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, you can see the acknowledgement. There is no competition. So, it is known. Even on load-shedding, a responsible leader admits, and the President admitted and acknowledged the pain. That is what it means. He mentioned that the Government is sharing the pain, and how the matter will be handled. That is how things are supposed to be done.

Mr Speaker, the Katunda/Lukulu/Watopa/Mumbezhi Road will be worked on, and there will be a bridge at Watopa. For the first time, there will be a bridge connecting Lukula and Mitete. Allow me to say, in 2026, it is kwenyu!

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Kasenengwa, to add my voice to the President’s Speech. I also appreciate my brother, the hon. Member for Mitete, for saying that the United Party for National Development (UPND) has no competition. It is interesting that the UPND has no competition, but it is struggling even without competition. So, be careful on that one, ...

Laughter

Mr Twasa: ... and this is a fact. Take note of that. This is a timely and friendly warning.

Mr Speaker, on behalf of the people of Kasenengwa, I would like to draw your attention to page 12 of the President's Speech to this House, where the President said the following:

“More than enough maize was produced for local consumption taking into account national food security. This success has brought some challenges in the crop marketing process. To address this, the surplus crop has been allocated for export, in some cases, as mealie meal. This value-added export will help generate the much-needed resources to continue purchasing maize from our farmers. Other challenges are being addressed to improve efficiency over time.”

Mr Speaker, the President talked about the country having a bumper harvest, but I want to address the real situation on the ground; what is happening to our farmers. Our farmers did not produce enough maize to sell, especially those on the Fertiliser Input Support Programme (FISP). The Government has recorded a bumper harvest because it forced people. People have not sold the maize willingly to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). They were threatened to sell the maize to the FRA or risk not benefiting from FISP in the next season. As a result, the farmers are selling the little they have, leaving nothing for their households. They are selling the maize to the Government, which is celebrating a bumper harvest to benefit foreign nationals, leaving its own citizens hungry.

Mr Speaker, the work done in this case is equal to zero. What the President said to this House is what is happening on the side of the Government, but the ordinary farmers in Kasenengwa literally have nothing for their consumption because a Minister of Agriculture stood there and said, “Sell your maize.”

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, I want to ask you a question.

Hon. Opposition Members: Ah!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

There are certain issues that as a Presiding Officer, I should intervene for the sake of the country. The crop review is not based on maize that has been sold to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). It is based on field appraisals by agriculture extension officers. So, do not mislead the public. Debate the content of the speech. Do not be subjective but objective. The crop review is based on what has been harvested, not on what has been sold to the FRA. So, ensure that the content of the speech aligns with what is obtaining on the ground.

You may proceed.

Mr Twasa: Mr Speaker, in all honesty, I expected the hon. Minister of Agriculture to respond to my debate. What I am stating here is in this document (Holding the President’s Speech).

Hon. Government Members: No!

Eng. Nzovu: It is not there!

Mr Twasa: This document talks about this country producing 3.7 metric tonnes of maize. The Government has already purchased 3.7 million metric tonnes and is almost reaching 4 million metric tonnes of maize. So, I am speaking to facts. I am speaking about what is written. So, when I talk about people being forced to sell their maize, I am referring to the 3.7 million metric tonnes in this document. The people in my constituency called me informing me that they have been asked to sell more maize for the Government to record exceeding 4 million metric tonnes of maize. The people are being forced, not that they are selling the maize willingly. This is what is happening on the ground. When I stand here, I speak on behalf of the people of Kasenengwa. I speak about the challenges that an ordinary peasant farmer faces in my constituency and across the country.

Mr Speaker, when we talk about bumper harvests, we should talk about the maize, which a peasant farmer willingly goes to sell to the FRA because he or she produced excess. When a farmer has fewer than ten bags, he or she should not be asked to sell them. What happens at the end of the day? Some farmers in Kasenengwa did not have good harvests because of the rainfall pattern. At a certain point, the rainfall was not good, or the farming inputs they received were insufficient.

Mr Mweetwa: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mweetwa: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to rise on this point of order, pursuant to Standing Order No. 71(b).

Mr Speaker, is my brother on the Floor of this House in order, firstly, to tell this House and the nation that the hon. Minister of Agriculture threatened farmers on the selling of maize? There is an obligation called bonding farmers, which is meant to protect farmers from being exploited by briefcase traders, who would have inadvertently purchased the maize and sold it. Bonding farmers is a way of ensuring that the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) remains impactful to the local situation, given the challenges of climate change. Secondly, –

Hon. PF Members: What is the point of order?

Mr Mweetwa: It is the same point of order.

Additionally, Mr Speaker, –

Hon. PF Members: You are debating.

Mr Mweetwa: I am not debating.

Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to continue debating on that matter? Only yesterday, you ruled that the hon. Minister of Agriculture will come and issue a Ministerial Statement next week on Tuesday on this particular matter of bonding farmers. Is he in order to continue debating a matter on which you have already given guidance through your ruling yesterday?

Mr Twasa: Which Standing Order did you rise on?

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister has adequately debated his point of order, so I cannot make a ruling.

May the hon. Member for Kasenengwa proceed.

Mr Twasa: Mr Speaker, thank you very much. I think that the people of Kasenengwa have made their point very clear that they were told to either sell their maize to the Government or be expelled from the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) list of beneficiaries. So, that amounts to a threat.

Mr Speaker, let me continue. One of the hon. Members who debated here was very concerned about the documents that are prepared for the President to come and present in this House. Even last time, if you remember, before last year, I was worried about the content of the President’s Address. Do the people who write the speeches – I am sorry, I am losing my thought, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, people are supposed to go on the ground and get the facts before they present them to the President. The President said that 99 per cent of farmers receive their inputs before the rainy season. The people of Kasenengwa were wondering because they received urea in March. How could they have used the urea when the time to use it had expired? Maybe, the people of Kasenengwa are the 1 per cent who received their farming inputs late.

Mr Speaker, I also want to talk about the water harvesting that the President mentioned. That is a very good initiative. I agree with him on that one. He also talked about improving crop harvests through irrigation. Now –

Mr Munsanje: Are you arguing?

Mr Twasa: I am not arguing. I agree with the President. Be careful with me because I can flip and disagree with him.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Twasa: Mr Speaker, I want to agree with the President on that issue. I want to state that most of our land has a very low water table. We should concentrate on water harvesting and even look at our rivers. On the way to Chipata, Mr Speaker, where you and I often go to, as you cross the Luangwa River, you will notice that three-quarters of the year, the river is dry. I was going to suggest that the Government comes up with a policy of damming the river every 10 km as a way of harvesting water.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Sampa (Matero): Thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing me to debate. To borrow J. J. Banda’s words, thank you for allowing the humble people of Matero to debate.

Ms Mulenga: Quality!

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, I would, firstly, like to thank the President for having come to this House to present the last speech of his five-year term. In effect, that was his last speech to officially open Parliament. In fact, it was his last ever speech, since he is a one-term President.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Sampa: He will never officially open this Parliament again. He is a ‘view once’ President.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, allow me, also, to congratulate in advance, the Opposition in Malawi, which is going to win the election. The alebwelelapo –

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Mulenga: Quality!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, withdraw that statement.

Mr Sampa: Which one, Mr Speaker?

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Malawi is a sovereign state. An official result has not yet been declared. So, for you to say that on the Floor of the House is contemptuous. So, withdraw it before – yes, yes, yes. Withdraw the statement.

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, I withdraw the statement. I will bring it back in future.

Laughter

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Which statement are you withdrawing?

Mr Sampa: I am withdrawing the statement congratulating the Opposition in Malawi because the results are not official.

I withdraw it, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: You may proceed.

Mr Sampa: In the interest of time, Mr Speaker, I will go straight to page 23 of the President’s Speech that was delivered on Friday, which states as follows:

“Madam Speaker,

Energy

89. Our fellow citizens. Energy is critical to industrialisation and national development. The current hardships in the power sector have severely affected the livelihoods of our citizens. Small businesses are suffering and incomes are being eroded.”

Mr Speaker, further, the President said:

“90. We feel the pain and frustration of power outages faced by our citizens which include our families, friends and loved ones. No one has been spared.”

Mr Speaker, I would like to talk about the sentence, “We feel the pain and frustration ...”. I would like to disagree with the President. The President and the Government of the United Party for National Development (UPND) do not feel the pain of load-shedding. We are experiencing the worst load-shedding that this country has ever had since the times of Sir Evelyn Hone and Sir Roy Welensky. Our hon. Colleagues in the Government are heartless. They blame the situation on the rainfall. Under President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (ECL), may his soul rest in peace …

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sampa: … the highest number of hours of load-shedding we had was six hours a day. Under the current Government, we have twenty-three hours of load-shedding. As others have said, power comes for one hour in twenty-four hours. Power comes when people are sleeping. We just use it to look at children and see if they are dozing or not.

Mr Katakwe: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Katakwe: Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order pursuant to Standing Order No. 71.

Mr Speaker, the hon. Member debating said that he cited page 23 of the President’s Speech, yet paragraph 91 of the President’s Speech says:

Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to mislead himself by reading just the first part? He was not even in this House when the speech was being delivered.

Mr Speaker, I seek your ruling.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Matero, ensure that you are truthful and your debate reflects what the Head of State presented on the Floor of the House. So, the hon. Member for Matero is completely out of order.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: You may proceed with your debate.

Mr Sampa: Although I disagree, I respect the Chair’s ruling.

Interruptions

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, I was in the House. Check the records. It is just that I went to save Hon. Jean Chisenga when she was being beaten outside. That is why you did not see me.

Mr Speaker, in the 2024/2025 Rainy Season, the hon. Minister of Agriculture and everyone were saying, kwenyu, ‘we have had too much rainfall and we have a bumper harvest.’ In the same year, this Government is saying we have no electricity, yet we use the same rain water to produce electricity at the Kariba Dam. We saw His Excellency the President going to Kanyama, taking pictures with a Kodak camera in Matero and Mandevu when the areas were flooded. This is just a reminder that the rainfall is coming and so, we should not see floods in Lusaka because the President promised that he will deal with it. So, it only means that there was water, but where did the water that produces electricity go?

Mr Speaker, that is why I disagree with the statement by the President, on page 23, because there was enough water to produce excess electricity for this country, but what did this Government of President HH (Hakainde Hichilema) and the UPND do? Instead of generating a lot of electricity in Kariba and giving it to the people of Luangeni, Lumezi, Matero, Kanyama and everywhere in the country, what did the Government do? It prioritised giving electricity to business people for sale. It produces power, but instead of supplying it to Zambians, awe, tulefwaya ukugoleka. It wants to make money. It sells to the mining companies such as First Quantum Minerals (FQM), and export to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Botswana to make money while we only have power supply for one hour at 0200 hours. When power comes, we are all sleeping. When power comes, we just have to look.

Mr Speaker, the elephant in the House, other than this House, Parliament, the elephant in the House called Zambia, is electricity, amalaiti, ZESCO, load-shedding or magesi. There is nothing in the country. This is unprecedented. We have seen Presidents come and go. However, under President HH, who delivered this speech, there is no power. I know why there is no power. I am going to tell you that power was there. Even before I got there, when the Patriotic Front (PF) was in power, K500 would give you about twenty-five to thirty units of power. At the moment, the same K500 will give you twelve, nine or four units.

Mr Kasandwe: Kwenyu!

Mr Sampa: The tariffs on power have been increased. So, people are paying more, but there is no power. I know where the power produced in Zambia is being taken, plenty of it. I know where it is being taken. Here is the problem.

Mr Speaker, there is a company called Kanona Power Company Limited. Kanona Power Company Limited was never known. It was formed after the UPND won elections in 2022. It is a briefcase company. You cannot go anywhere and find an office for an entity called Kanona Power Company Limited. Suddenly, Kanona Power Company Limited has the rights to our electricity.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

The Kanona that you are talking about is not here to defend itself. Let us ensure we debate the President’s Speech because you will end up injuring innocent people. You will dent their corporate image knowing very well that they will not come here to defend themselves. So, let us ensure we just debate the President's Speech. You know, there are some Zambians out there who presume that whatever is said in Parliament is true, although you are just making assertions which you may not be able to substantiate. So, it is not necessary for you to continue on that path. Let us ensure that we concentrate on the President’s Speech. Do not go out of context. By including people who cannot defend themselves, you may injure their corporate imagine, which might be quite expensive to repair. So, ensure that you stick to debating the President’s Speech.

You can proceed with your debate.

Mr Sampa: Mr Speaker, we debate the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but it is not in this House. I respect your ruling, in accordance with our Standing Orders. I will not mention the word Kanona Power company Limited although it is mentioned in the speech. Kanona Power Company Limited is not an individual. It is an entity, a company dealing with a public entity called ZESCO Limited. Since you have guided me, I do not want you to chase me out of the House and give me a thirty-day suspension.

Laughter

Mr Sampa: So, I will obey and continue.

Mr Speaker, the power we produce is given to intermediaries who then, get it and instead of giving it to Zambians, sell it to the mines and export it to the DRC and Botswana. They even have the right to this power. You know, in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, member countries signed an agreement to set up the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), which agreement states that whichever country has excess power will put it in a bank. Whichever country has a power shortage will get from the bank. So, they do kaloba for electricity in that power pool. In the case of Zambia, when it gets that allocation of power, it is given to this company. Instead of selling that power to the Zambians, it takes it away. This company is committing a crime. It is stealing power from Zambians, selling it and making money.

Interruptions

Mr Sampa: Emobalelya. Balelyamo. One day, it will catch up with them.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Mr Sampa: Emobalelyamo. They should stop. This Kanona Power Company Limited should stop doing that and give power to Zambians.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Your time is up.

Mr Sampa: We know the owners of Kanona Power Company Limited, but because you have guided, I will not mention their names.

I thank you, Mr Speaker, for the time.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1838 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 19^th September, 2025.

____________

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