Thursday, 2nd October, 2025

Thursday, 2^nd October, 2025

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

______

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

2025/2026 RAINY SEASON FORECAST

The Minister of Green Economy and Environment (Mr Mposha): Madam Speaker, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the honour and privilege you have accorded me to present the forecast for the 2025/2026 Rainy Season to this august House.

Madam Speaker, I seek to inform the nation of the projected rainfall patterns for the upcoming season. This forecast is fundamental to our national planning, economic stability and the livelihoods of our people. The information I present today is designed to support critical planning across our nation’s most vital sectors, including agriculture, water, energy, health and disaster risk management.

Madam Speaker, to appreciate the significance of this forecast, we must remember the challenges we recently endured. The 2023/2024 Rainy Season was marked by severe drought induced by the El Niño climate phenomenon. This was a national crisis we are yet to recover from. Our agricultural sector suffered deeply. Maize production declined by over 50 per cent, affecting the food security of over 6 million Zambians and contributing to a painful increase in food prices. The impact of the drought extended across the economy, reducing water availability, pastures for livestock and critically reducing our hydropower generation capacity. The nation can bear witness to the long hours of load management that have disrupted industries and homes. Furthermore, the 2024/2025 Season presented its own setbacks. A delayed onset and below-average rainfall during the critical October to December period severely affected the agricultural sector, forcing many of our hardworking farmers to replant their crops, leading to increased cost and uncertainty.

Madam Speaker, the recent seasons are a stark reminder of our nation’s vulnerability to climate change. They have taught us that accurate and timely meteorological information is not an academic exercise, but a vital instrument of national defence against extreme weather events and climate shocks.

Madam Speaker, for many years, Zambia’s meteorological services have faced challenges due to inadequate investment. Recognising this, the United Party for National Development (UPND) New Dawn Government under the able leadership of His Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has taken decisive action to build a climate-resilient nation.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to report that our Government has completed the installation of over 200 new automatic weather stations across the country and has established rainfall stations in over 300 agricultural camps. For the first time in our history, we have a modern weather observation station in every district of Zambia. This investment in infrastructure has been matched by a leap in our technological capabilities with new high-performance computing facilities and advanced satellite receiving systems.

Madam Speaker, we have also invested in our people. We are training staff in specialised fields and, most importantly, we are training over 600 agricultural camp extension officers nationwide, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. This creates a human network to ensure that our forecast reaches the last mile; smallholder farmers who need them the most. These investments are guided by a new robust policy framework, including the National Meteorological Policy of 2025 and the recently launched National Framework for Climate Services for Zambia. Together, these present a complete end-to-end system for national climate resilience.

Madam Speaker, let me now turn to the forecast for the 2025/2026 Rainy Season.

As the House may be are aware, Zambia’s weather patterns are closely influenced by oceanic conditions occurring thousands of kilometres away, particularly, in the Pacific and Indian oceans. The state of the sea surface temperatures in these regions serves as a key indicator of how our rainfall is likely to behave in the months ahead. Currently, sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean are cooling and are projected to continue on this downward trend. This relative cooling gives rise to a climate phenomenon known as La Niña.

Madam Speaker, although the upcoming La Niña event is expected to be weak, it typically enhances moisture transport into Southern Africa. As a result, our region is likely to receive increased rainfall, particularly during the critical months of December, January and February. Additionally, the Indian Ocean also plays a key role in our rainfall patterns. Current and projected conditions over the Indian Ocean are also expected to push more moisture towards us further enhancing rainfall during that same period of December, January and February.

Madam Speaker, the combination of a developing La Niña and favourable conditions in the Indian Ocean provides high confidence in the reality of this forecast. These projections are anchored in the regional outlook issued here in Lusaka on 11^th September, 2025, during our hosting of the 31^st Southern Africa Region Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-31). Following that regional consensus, the forecast has been localised and refined using advanced global climate models and contextualised with local expertise and observational data. It is this national forecast that I have the honour to present today.

Madam Speaker, the 2025/2026 Rainy Season is projected to unfold in two distinct phases, with overall expectations pointing to normal to above-normal rainfall across the country. It must be noted that the onset of the rainy season will not be uniform. An early onset, beginning in October, is likely for the North-Western Province, the Western Province, the Southern Province, parts of Lusaka Province, Luapula Province and the Northern Province. A delayed onset, likely in late November to early December, is expected for Muchinga Province, the Eastern Province, Copperbelt Province and the eastern parts of Central Province.

Madam Speaker, the second half of the rainy season will be the peak of rainfall from December 2025 to February 2026. That is when the influence of La Niña weather is expected to strengthen. During that period, the entire country is likely to experience normal to above-normal rainfall. The peak period carries a significant risk of flash floods and riverine flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. The rainy season is expected to end around mid-March in 2026 in the southern half of the country, and extend until mid-April 2026 in the northern half.

Madam Speaker, a normal to above normal rainy season offers an opportunity for our nation to continue recovering from the drought. We anticipate the replenishment of some of our dams, regeneration of pasture and recharge of our groundwater. However, a season of normal to above-normal rainfall also comes with significant hazards. We must prepare for flash floods, an increase in water-borne diseases like cholera, a surge in malaria cases and potential damage to public infrastructure.

Madam Speaker, in light of the 2025/2026 Rainfall Forecast, my ministry is issuing advisories to guide national preparedness and safeguard communities, lives, livelihoods and infrastructure across the country. To our farming community, we urge early land preparation in anticipation of rainfall. However, for those located in areas expected to experience a delayed onset, such as Muchinga, Copperbelt and parts of the Southern and Central provinces, we advise patience. The farmers in those regions should wait to plant until consistent rainfall has begun to reduce the risk of crop failure and ensure successful germination.

Madam Speaker, for the health sector, the forecast signals a high alert for the public health system. I call upon health authorities to intensify disease surveillance, ensure the prepositioning of essential medical supplies and strengthen public health campaigns focused on water purification, sanitation and the use of mosquito nets. The measures will be critical in preventing outbreaks of waterborne and vector-borne diseases during the peak rainfall period.

Madam Speaker, I urge disaster risk management and infrastructure sectors to immediately collaborate with the local authorities to inspect and reinforce critical infrastructure, including bridges, culverts and urban drainage systems. Contingency plans must be activated without delay and relief supplies should be strategically prepositioned in all districts known to be vulnerable to flooding.

Madam Speaker, preparedness is a shared national responsibility. I, therefore, urge our civic leaders, churches, traditional leaders and communities to take proactive steps in keeping local drainages clear of debris. That simple action can significantly reduce the risk of localised flooding and disease. The seasonal forecast is more than a weather update. It is a strategic tool for planning and preparedness across all sectors. We encourage all Zambians, especially our farmers, to stay informed and make decisions based on the most up-to-date weather and climate information. To support this, the Zambia Meteorological Department provides a full suite of products, including seasonal forecasts, ten-day agrometeorological bulletins, weekly updates, daily forecasts and extreme weather alerts. The products are disseminated through multiple platforms; the department’s official website, the Facebook page, community radio stations, the Zambian National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), the Zambian News and Information Services (ZANIS) and our official digital platforms, including mobile applications and Short Message Service (SMS) alert services. We urge all citizens and stakeholders to make full use of the resources to enhance resilience, protect livelihoods and strengthen national preparedness.

Madam Speaker, as I conclude –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Kasenengwa and the hon. Member for Mporokoso, please, if you want to discuss, you can step out, consult and then come back when you are done. Let us listen to the hon. Minister.

Hon. Minister, you may proceed.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, as I conclude, our message is one of preparedness. We have faced the challenge of drought, and we have learned from it. In response, your Government has invested strategically in our national capacity to monitor, predict and respond to the climate. We stand ready to manage the risks and harness the opportunities of the rainy season that lies before us. That is a testament to the United Party for National Development (UPND) New Dawn Government’s commitment to building a climate-resilient and prosperous Zambia.

Madam Speaker, I wish you and all hon. Members of this august House a safe and productive 2025/2026 Rainy Season.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the Ministerial Statement presented by the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Mkushi South, do you have any problem?

Mr Chisopa: No, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Please, restrain yourself.

Mr Chisopa laughed.

Madam Speaker: You are laughing.

Mr Mubanga: Nabapepe icamba.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Solwezi East, you may proceed.

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that Ministerial Statement. The hon. Minister has stated that all the districts have weather stations. I want to know how the co-ordination is done in terms of disseminating information to the people for preparedness, because I am have just come from my constituency, and there was rainfall. The maize for selling to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) was affected. An officer said that the agency cannot buy maize that is soaked. So, how prepared are we in terms of co-ordination, or, if at all, the districts have weather stations, how are they co-ordinated?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Solwezi East for that question.

Madam Speaker, like I said in my statement, the Zambia Meteorological Department gives advisories to different sectors, and information, such as the onset of the rainfall season, as indicated in the forecast. Now that we have announced the forecast, the information will be passed on to different sectors, including the Ministry of Agriculture.

Madam Speaker, in terms of co-ordination, we collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture and other ministries that require such information. It is very unfortunate that the maize was soaked in the North-Western Province. However, from now on, information on the 2025/2026 Rainy Season will continuously be given out to all the relevant sectors. It is very unfortunate that those who were planning to take the maize to the depot probably did not exercise caution. I am aware that a number of districts in the North-Western Province have received some rainfall. We have taken note of that. I also want to mention that some districts in Luapula Province have received some rainfall. I wish to indicate that the forecast for this week shows that for the next seven days, we should have some rainfall in parts of the district in Luapula Province. Therefore, it is important that we take precaution because we are now entering the rainy season. For those who have maize that is not secure, my advice is that they start securing it to prevent losses.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms S. Mwamba (Kasama Central): Madam Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister mentioned terms like “La Niña” and the “Indian Ocean Current.” Farmers in local communities, in rural areas, will not be able to understand that. Will the ministry consider translating the weather forecast into vernacular? Further, I missed the part about how much has been set aside, in the 2026 Budget, for disaster risk reduction.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Kasama Central for that good question.

Madam Speaker, one of the medium of communication to the various communities is the use of community radio stations, and through them, our desire is to see to it that the information is passed on in the local languages that will be best understood by the communities. So, we shall endeavour to do that. The Zambia Meteorological Department normally translates the advisories into local languages so that people can understand them better. However, just to emphasise that as we pass on this information, particularly to the local radio stations, our expectation is that this information will be passed on in the language that is locally understood. So, we cannot just stop at the scientific terms such as La Niña or El Niño. We have to break them down so that the targeted community can understand.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the Ministerial Statement.

Madam Speaker, every year, the hon. Minister comes to the Floor of the House to deliver a statement regarding the weather forecast to enable our farmers to plan adequately for the farming season. The challenge is the dissemination of information, especially in the countryside, for example, the remote areas of Chama and other districts. The hon. Minister talked about community radio stations. Does the ministry have adequate funds to ensure that the programmes are done in all the districts, covering all radio stations?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I thank the Hon. Mtayachalo, Member for Chama North, for that good question.

Madam Speaker, one of our expectations is that hon. Members of Parliament will disseminate this information to their constituents and will advise the stakeholders. That is why, before announcing the information anywhere, I had to issue a Ministerial Statement to the House so that hon. Members should have this information and assist in disseminating it to all the 156 constituencies. Secondly, we will pass on this information to critical media institutions such as the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) so that, through those platforms, we can also push this information to the local radio stations.

Madam Speaker, in terms of whether we have enough funds, we might not have enough, but we will make use of the presence of the hon. Members of Parliament here to deliver this information. We shall also take advantage of the presence of the District Commissioners (DCs) and agriculture extension officers in all the districts so that through them, this information can reach most of our farmers and the various sectors.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Members: How?

Madam Speaker: I could not help but hear hon. Members say, “How?” How will they deliver this information? Maybe, you can just clarify how this will be done, especially given that the hon. Members do not have transport. So, how, hon. Minister?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, what I am saying that we are giving this information to the hon. Members of Parliament as they normally have community engagements in their constituencies. Even when hon. Members of Parliament are here, they communicate with their constituents. So, I expect that –

Mr Mubika: Buy us mangoes!

Laughter

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, they are asking for mangoes from the ministry.

Laughter

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I just want to assure the hon. Members that we shall avail this information right through to the districts, and from the districts, to the constituencies through the relevant Government officials, and we expect that it will reach most of the stakeholders.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members have seen that the rainy season is here, so, mangoes are just around the corner.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to ask a question.

Madam Speaker, part of my question has been asked by the hon. Member for Solwezi East but allow me to buttress the same question. The hon. Minister gave the timeline in terms of preparedness for the farmers, and what and when they should plant. I am a worried Member of Parliament as I stand. Is the hon. Minister working in silos or in a multi-sectoral approach with other ministries in terms of the 2024/2025 harvest?

Madam Speaker, Roan Constituency is not a farming block, but there is a lot of maize lying around in satellite depots. As a matter of urgency, how much collaboration is there among the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Defence to ensure that the 2024/2025 Farming Season’s harvest does not go to waste, looking at the timeline that the hon. Minister has given for when the rainfall will start? Are we going to see the harvest go to waste? Is the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment working in collaboration with other ministries to help the Ministry of Agriculture to mop up all the maize from satellite depots?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Roan for that question.

Madam Speaker, I think that the question about mopping up maize can be best answered by the Ministry of Agriculture. As to sharing information about the rainfall pattern, yes, we are collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and other ministries that require information about weather forecasts. Although I have said that the question about mopping up maize can be best answered by the Ministry of Agriculture, obviously, the desire of the Government is to ensure that all the maize around the country is mopped up and secured so that it does not go to waste. However, for further details, the hon. Member of Parliament should be at liberty to ask the hon. Minister of Agriculture about the measures that are being put in place to ensure that maize is secured.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Katambo (Masaiti): Madam Speaker, how secure are modern weather observation stations? Wildlife poses a threat to observation stations. Animals damage equipment, especially sensors, which leads to data loss and meteorological officers giving inaccurate information.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, our weather stations are secured. Wherever we have installed weather stations, we have made sure that they are properly fenced and secured. So, I can assure the hon. Member that the weather stations are secure, unless it is a case of people intending to vandalise or break in to steal. Otherwise, they are properly secured against trespassers. It must be noted that the gadgets are very expensive, so they cannot just be installed without ensuring adequate security.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to ask a question.

Mr Mubika: Bumper harvest!

Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his statement.

Madam Speaker, through our Lwiindi Gonde Ceremony in Monze, Hon. Mwiimbu, hosts thousands of people. Every year, one man at that traditional ceremony predicts the expected rainfall pattern.

Interruptions

Mr Sing’ombe: He is very accurate.

Madam Speaker, the House will agree with me that many people who attend that traditional ceremony have no opportunity to listen to either the radio or Parliament TV. So, to what extent is the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment –

Interruptions

Mr Sing’ombe: Allow me to ask a question, hon. Colleagues.

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

I know it is interesting, but let us allow the hon. Member to finish.

Laughter

Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, has the ministry studied that man’s predictions of the rainfall pattern? Could the ministry visit him and find out how he does it, because what he says is what happens annually?

Laughter

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

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

There is an indication for a point of order.

Mr Kambita: Madam Speaker, I was attentively following the hon. Minister’s speech, which was well disseminated with vital information about the weather forecast …

Hon. Government Member: Based on science!

Mr Kambita: … based on science to guide farmers, who have provided such a wonderful bumper harvest for the nation.

Madam Speaker, following that splendid speech, is the hon. Member for Dundumwezi in order to come and confuse us about a man whom I suspect could be practising voodoo in the Southern Province? The people of Zambezi are just wondering whether our cousins are in order to continue on that trajectory and confuse the whole nation with such weather forecasts using concoctions.

Madam Speaker, I need your serious ruling.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Zambezi East has not cited any Standing Order that has been breached.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: However, on a serious note, hon. Members, let us not speculate. I know we are Africans; we believe in predicting rainfall patterns using our traditional methods, but when we bring them before the House, people will start wondering whether we are now going into areas that are not factual and cannot be verified. I think that it will be very difficult even for the hon. Minister to respond to such a question. Hon. Members who would like to know more about those capacities can get in touch with the hon. Member for Dundumwezi outside the House.

Laughter

Mr Munsanje (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, I guess intangible science needs to be revised at the University of Zambia (UNZA) so that people like the one Hon. Sing’ombe is talking about can bring their science to the forefront in this nation.

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that very precise statement. He has talked about the rainfall pattern for various ecological zones. Mbabala Constituency in Choma is one of the areas frequently affected by flooding and storm water. What mitigation measures has the ministry put in place to ensure that our ecological zones in that area are provided with the necessary resources to manage the expected floods or storm water? Are there plans to rehabilitate some of our dams that are in a poor state, in order to control the water so that it flows in the right direction into streams?

Madam Speaker: What is the question, hon. Member?

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, what mitigation measures have been put in place for ecological zones that are prone to flooding?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Mbabala for that question.

Madam Speaker, in my statement, I urged various stakeholders, including our city planners and city fathers under the local government, to be alert as we expect to have normal to above normal rainfall, which might lead to flash floods. So, part of the mitigation measures put in place is being alert and ensuring that everyone is prepared, starting with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and Ministry of Education. We must all be alert in the areas where we expect to have floods.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his statement.

Madam Speaker, I want to know how the Meteorological Department under his ministry collaborates with regional and international meteorological organisations.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Bweengwa for the question.

Madam Speaker, first of all, I just want to emphasise that the Meteorological Department under my ministry is in touch with various countries and regional bodies, particularly in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region. So, from time to time, we collaborate. In fact, before the 2025/2026 Rainy Season forecast, we had an opportunity to host a regional conference where all experts in the SADC region came to Zambia to put their expertise together and produced the 2025/2026 Rainfall Forecast for the region.

After that, we went back to our various countries and reduced that from the regional forecast to the national forecast. So, from that example, the hon. Member can see that we collaborate from time to time with our colleagues in the region as well as the World Meteorological Organisation at the global level. So, I just want to emphasise that this collaboration is very important because we need to know what is happening at the global, continental and regional levels in terms of rainfall.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Bweengwa might be aware that even the water that we receive in some of our major rivers is not just from the rainfall that we receive within the country, but that it comes from across the borders.

Eng. Nzovu: Quality!

Mr Mposha: So, it is important that we also check what is happening in Angola and other countries because some of the water that goes into the Zambezi River comes from there. Furthermore, our plains in the Western Province also receive water from countries like Angola and others across the borders.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity given to me to direct a question to the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment.

Madam Speaker, it is on record that two or three years ago, I asked the hon. Minister of Agriculture a question relating to the output of maize. Obviously, the Ministry of Agriculture is one of his ministry’s clients. The data that his ministry has is supposed to be utilised by literally all the ministries.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment has delivered a statement today on what he is calling “Rainy Season Forecast”, which means he is predicting and estimating. Considering that the Ministry of Agriculture intends to export some of our maize that was produced by our farmers, what information is his ministry providing to the Ministry of Agriculture in relation to the amount of rainfall that we expect? Clearly, the amount of rainfall that we are expecting will determine the output of maize next year. What information is his ministry giving to the ministry responsible for agricultural so that in the event that we do not get the correct amount of rainfall, the Ministry of Agriculture will be guided either to export or not to export the maize? This statement is very important for purposes of our food security. I hope my question is clear.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Kamfinsa for the question.

Madam Speaker, the information I am passing to the nation is not only for the benefit of the hon. Minister of Agriculture, but for also for the nation. During the 2025/2026 Rainy Season, we expect to have normal to above normal rainfall particularly, at the peak of the rainy season, and that is from December, January to February, 2026.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kang’ombe: No, you have not answered the question.

Madam Speaker: If the question is about exports, then the hon. Minister will be going into another ministry. Following the weather forecast, the question can be asked at an appropriate time to the hon. Minister of Agriculture..

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, I can ask again.

Madam Speaker: Okay, but we must give others an opportunity too.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving the people of Chilubi an opportunity to ask a question, through me.

Madam Speaker, in the first place, I would like to appreciate that you allowed this statement to be issued to this House because it is part of the early warning package, especially as we go into the rainy season.

Madam Speaker, Zambia is influenced by the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and this influence plays a part in the three parts of the ecological zones. This means that the rainfall patterns in the three zones are different. I note that the hon. Minister has given more of a generic message. As I speak, there are twenty-four wards in Chilubi, and in about seven wards, it has already started raining and people are panicking because they do not know whether to plant or not.

Madam Speaker, given that background, the influence of the ITCZ, whether it is El Niño involved or other things, will affect the three zones in different ways. Is the ministry going to develop generic messages because the flash floods that are expected are likely to affect settlements, agriculture, water bodies and many other factors differently? Are we going to get generic messages or we will have particular packages for different areas, as they will be affected differently?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Chilubi for the question.

Madam Speaker, in my statement, I indicated that the Meteorological Department will continue providing seasonal forecasts; ten-day agrometeorological bulletins and early warning information. So, we will continue providing relevant bulletins to various provinces. For now, we are giving a general forecast for the 2025/2026 Rainy Season, but beyond this Ministerial Statement and the media engagements we are going to have, we will be issuing bulletins from time to time so that the people are well-informed.

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

Mr Mposha: As for the provinces and the districts that have started receiving rainfall, I indicated that the North-Western Province and Luapula Province and some parts of the Copperbelt Province, and Kitwe in particular, received a bit of rainfall. So, we are gathering all the information. It is normal that at this time of the year, we start receiving some rainfall or drizzles. However, we must be careful to only start planting when we have sustained and consistent rainfall. If we rush to plant in September, early October or before the actual onset of the rainfall, we may have a dry spell, and that might damage the maize. Let us ensure that we wait for the actual onset of the 2025/2026 Rainy Season.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chipili, you may proceed.

Hon. Members: Bozi! Bozi!

Laughter

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, although part of the question has already been answered by the hon. Minister, I have a concern about the data that has been shared with us, as it might have been collected one month or three months ago. I would like the hon. Minister to assure the people of Zambia that he will be sharing information concerning the weather patterns every month in this House, because there might be some changes in the weather patterns. So, if he can do that every month before we adjourn, we will appreciate it.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, whilst on the Floor, let me congratulate the hon. Member for Chipili for the unique dressing.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I indicated that beyond the Ministerial Statement, my ministry, through the meteorological department, will continue issuing advisories and bulletins to different sectors. For the benefit of the hon. Member, the meteorological department issues weather forecasts every evening on ZNBC and other platforms. So, we encourage the people of Chipili and the people of Zambia, generally, to pay attention and follow the weather advisories on the different platforms; text messages, the national broadcaster and various community radio stations. Should there be a need for our ministry to issue an additional Ministerial Statement, with your permission, we will be more than happy to do so.

Madam Speaker: Since there are just a few more indications from hon. Members, we can deal with all of them. The last hon. Member will be –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: The latecomers. Okay. We will end with the hon. Member for Zambezi East.

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that statement. I would like the hon. Minister to clarify the multisectoral approach. As the weather forecast is given, it is important that our people are also advised on the type of seed to plant in different ecological zones. You may agree with me that we have many seed companies. I have been a victim of some of the seed companies. I even talked to the hon. Minister of Agriculture about it. You buy seed, which you are told is a medium variety, but within a month, you discover that it is flowering and –

Mr Chikote laughed.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, why is the hon. Minister of Energy very happy?

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in a position to assure this House, and through this House, our hardworking farmers who have responded to the call by His Excellency the President to produce food, that, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, information will also be provided on the type of seeds available and the regions they can be planted?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, my assurance is that we shall, from time to time, issue weather or rainfall bulletins to the Ministry of Agriculture and other sectors. As to the variety of seed that must be planted, I think, there are experts under the Ministry of Agriculture. I am consoled by the fact that the hon. Member has already started engaging the hon. Minister of Agriculture. I can only encourage him to pursue that so that he can get the correct information in terms of the variety of seeds.

I thank you, Madam Speaker

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me a chance, on behalf of the people of Lundazi, to ask a question on a point of clarification.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the New Dawn Government has been appropriate in responding to the drought challenges, which the country has been facing. Some boreholes were sunk in Kanolo and Kabindula under the Office of the Vice-President. However, to date, they have not been fitted with equipment. Our animals are dying because there is still a serious water challenge.

Mr Nkandu: Ask your question!

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, the information that hon. Ministers give on the Floor of this House are marching orders. In this case, the people of the Eastern Province, in particular, have been given guidance to the effect that the rainfall will start in November. Regarding the multisectoral approach that has been talked about, the Ministry of Agriculture has not paid our farmers to date, meaning that they cannot prepare adequately for the farming season. The question is: What is the ministry going to do, …

Mr Nkandu: Question!

Ms Nyirenda: … because our farmers are in panic concerning the information on rainfall starting in the next twenty-eight days, and the Ministry of Agriculture is not releasing the money for our farmers?

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I think that the question is out of the bounds of the statement I have presented.

Hon. UPND Members: Correct!

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, talking about the farmers and their payment has nothing to do with the statement.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mposha: Suffice to say, Madam Speaker, preparation for the farmers does not just start with inputs and other things, it is also the digging and ensuring that the fields are well-prepared. I think that is as far as I can go in responding to that question.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Mr Shakafuswa (Mandevu): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to ask the hon. Minister a question on a point of clarification.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the resourceful statement on the rainfall forecast for the 2025/2026 Rainy Season.

Madam Speaker, as a farmer, I am excited and grateful for that information. As a Member of Parliament for a peri-urban area, which is an unplanned settlement, the information brings with it a nightmare. I think, the hon. Minister knows because we are in the same district. He has indicated some of the negative effects that will arise as a result of the rainy season, such as mosquitoes and flash floods. As you may be aware, 87 per cent of Lusaka District uses on-site sanitation, meaning that people use pit latrines. So, with the rainy season starting, it means that those who use shallow wells will not be able to fetch their drinking water from those wells. I pray that Her Honour the Vice-President complements this Ministerial Statement so that we can ask further questions. What comforting message does the hon. Minister have for the people of Mandevu, Lusaka District, in general, and other areas who use on-site sanitation, in terms of the Government’s response towards the negative effects that come with the rainy season?

Mr Mposha: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I also thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Mandevu, who happens to be my neighbour in terms of our constituencies, for that question.

Madam Speaker, like I said in my statement, while it is comforting to note that we will have normal to above normal rainfall, this also comes with various challenges. My message to the peri-urban communities in areas that are prone to flooding is that they should begin to prepare so that they are not caught unaware. This information will also be passed on to the local authorities so that they can begin to clear any debris in the drainages that usually become blocked and cause localised flooding. So, this statement, like I said, is a call to action in terms of preparedness, and all of us must take part, especially the local authorities who should ensure that drainages are cleared and should address the issue raised concerning poor sanitation in the communities. We also need to ensure that local authorities, Ward Development Committees (WDCs), and the Councillors, have this information, that there is likely to be floods in some communities, and it is important that we prepare adequately to ensure that our people are not inconvenienced.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Lubansenshi, I am happy to ask a supplementary question.

Madam Speaker, on the issue of preparedness, the hon. Minister said that it is the responsibility of every citizen to safeguard the resources of this country. I would like to draw the hon. Minister’s attention to the 2024/2025 Rainy Season. The past situation really disadvantaged the people of Lubansenshi as they were supposed to benefit from network towers, but some changes were made. Up until now, the people of Lubansenshi are crying because the money was channelled to the issue of preparedness.

Madam Speaker, has the ministry, together with other line ministries and the Office of the Vice-President, identified areas where it is sure that when the rainy season starts, definitely, it will spend resources to address the problem of floods? I will give an example of Kanyama, which gets flooded almost every year. We also have wetlands in the Bangweulu area. As we approach the rainy season, we expect interventions to be made beforehand so that we do not spend on unnecessary procurement processes and other things. So, my question to the hon. Minister is: Are there places or areas where the Government has not paid attention, but will definitely be affected when the rainy season begins, and what action has it taken to avoid having floods in those areas?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, unfortunately, the question was asked in a meandering way. It is really difficult to understand. However, I have indicated what is expected in the 2025/2026 rainfall pattern. What remains now is for the different players to pick this information and run with it to prepare for what is coming. What is coming is that we are going to have normal to above normal rainfall and we are likely to have flash floods. So, we need to prepare.

Madam Speaker, in terms of identifying places that are prone to floods, we have different wings of the Government responsible for such undertakings, and one such wing is the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). I believe that the unit has already identified those places. In terms of the action to take, the DMMU would be better placed to respond to that. So, it is the issue of all of us being prepared.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to ask a question.

Madam Speaker, I am glad that the hon. Minister stated that he will give the hon. Minister of Agriculture information concerning the weather pattern or the weather forecast. What I did not get from him in terms of assurance is whether there will be collaboration to ensure that our farmers are well-informed as to when to actually plant. Will the information from the hon. Minister trigger the hon. Minister of Agriculture to disseminate that information to our farmers so that they can decide when to plant and observe what disturbs the plants, such as the influx of pests and the short spells of drought? Is the hon. Minister of Agriculture going to, in like manner, update this House and, through us, inform the farmers out there that there will not be anything to disturb this nice trajectory of a bumper harvest?

Madam Speaker: Since the hon. Minister of Agriculture is in the House, you could have just dropped him a note. That is on a lighter note, because I do not believe that the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment will be able to answer on behalf of the hon. Minister of Agriculture. Maybe, he can attempt. It looks like they are co-ordinating very well.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Zambezi East for that question.

Madam Speaker, I want the hon. Member of Parliament to be assured that we collaborate very well with the Ministry of Agriculture and other ministries that require this information, and this collaboration will continue. As to whether the hon. Minister of Agriculture will come and issue a Ministerial Statement, it is really entirely up to him. I think, this will not come from our end, but in terms of collaboration, we are giving out information and bulletins to the officers in the ministry who are supposed to inform the farmers as to when they should start planting. This information is packaged for various use. For example, agriculture officers go to various provinces and fields, as per the advisories that we give, and the relevant information. So, I just want to emphasise that the collaboration has been there, and will be strengthened to ensure that we do not deviate from what has been achieved so far.

Madam Speaker, we want the bumper harvest that we have witnessed to be strengthened so that there is food security not only in the country but in the region. So, the Zambia Meteorological Department will ensure that the correct information is given timely, so that our farmers continue producing enough food for our consumption and also for export.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mubanga: Quality!

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

We make progress.

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

INTRODUCTION OF A NEW CURRICULUM IN SCHOOLS

26. Dr Andeleki (Katombola) asked the Minister of Education:

when the newly-introduced secondary school curriculum for Forms 1 to 4 will be circulated to all the schools countrywide;

how many secondary schools in Kazungula District are ready to implement the new curriculum by January, 2026;

what the names of the schools at (b) are;

whether there are any challenges envisaged to affect the implementation of the new curriculum;

if so, what the challenges are; and

what the proposed solutions to the challenges are.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the newly-introduced 2023 Zambia Education Curriculum for Forms 1 to 4 is not merely being circulated, but also being rolled out in phases to all schools countrywide, including those in Kazungula District. Phase 1, which commenced in 2025, covered Form 1. Phase II, beginning in 2026, will extend the rollout to Form 2. Thereafter, the curriculum will be implemented in Form 3 in 2027 and finally in Form 4 in 2028.

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that there are twenty secondary schools in Kazungula District that are already implementing and will continue to implement the new curriculum by January, 2026.

Madam Speaker, the names of the schools referred to in the question above are as follows:

Kauwe;

Nyawa;

Nguba;

Mukuni;

Nsongwe;

Kazungula;

Lumbo;

Kaunga;

Riverview;

Katapazi;

Kasensa;

Musokotwane;

Simango;

Kabuyu;

Mandia;

Katombora;

Kawewa;

Mabwa;

Makunka; and

Moomba.

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that, as with any other major policy reform, the implementation of the new curriculum is not without challenges. Some of the key challenges envisaged include inadequate supply of teaching and learning materials aligned with the new curriculum, limited capacity among some teachers to effectively deliver competence-based education, infrastructure constraints, including overcrowded classrooms, inadequate specialised facilities for practical subjects, insufficient staff accommodation and budgetary limitations, which may affect the timely provision of resources across our schools.

Madam Speaker, to address these challenges, the Government has put in place the following measures:

construction of fully-fledged boarding schools alongside weekly boarding facilities to cater for learners who cover long distances;

scaling up the provision of curriculum-aligned teaching and learning materials countrywide;

enhancing continuous professional development and in-service training programmes to strengthen teacher capacity for effective curriculum delivery;

expanding school infrastructure with particular focus on classrooms, laboratories, workshops and staff houses to support practical learning; and

progressively increasing budgetary allocations towards curriculum implementation, complemented by collaboration with co-operating partners to bridge resource gaps.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Dr Andeleki: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the robust response.

Madam Speaker, from the twenty schools, how many are in Phase 1? How many schools have been allowed currently to provide Forms 1 to 4 classes?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I am not quite sure about that question because the original question was –

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, repeat the question. Hon. Member for Katombola, be clear on the specific question that you are asking.

Dr Andeleki: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that Forms 1 to 4 classes are being rolled out in a phased manner. So, based on that answer, I asked a follow-up question. In Katombola Constituency, how many schools has the ministry allowed to offer Forms 1 to 4 classes? I want to have an idea whether it is just one secondary school in the whole constituency or it is all the twenty schools that are offering Forms 1 to 4 classes.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I said that the House may wish to note that there are twenty secondary schools in Kazungula District that are already implementing and will continue to implement the new curriculum even in 2026 as Phase II comes to the fore.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): Madam Speaker, it is quite worrying that the new curriculum has not yet been completed in full. I thought that before the implementation of the change from grades to forms, the first thing that was supposed to be worked on was the curriculum and the textbooks. As we speak, the Form 1 learners do not have textbooks. Even those in primary schools do not have textbooks because there has been a change in the curriculum. Therefore, I want to know why the Government started implementing the new curriculum without working on things like textbooks first. Most classrooms are full now because of free education, but schools do not have a proper curriculum yet. I want to know why the Government started with the implementation of the changes without the curriculum.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I am not quite sure what the hon. Member really wanted to ask. She asked how we started implementing without a curriculum, but it is the curriculum that is being implemented.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: I think, the hon. Member wanted to know why the implementation started without the curriculum being in place. I think that is what she wanted to know.

Hon. Member for Chienge, is that what you wanted to know?

Rev. Katuta: Precisely, Madam Speaker.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, the curriculum is in place. The ministry first wrote the curriculum and presented it before the Cabinet for approval. Upon approval, we started rolling it out. So, the curriculum was first written, developed in 2023 and we started implementing it in 2025. So, the two years were about working on the curriculum.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, I thank the Government for giving us the enhanced Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which to some extent, is addressing infrastructure development in our constituencies.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister is aware that Katombola is one of the largest constituencies in the Southern Province. Is there any money that the ministry has put aside for 2026 infrastructure development to reduce the challenges that people or pupils are facing in Katombola Constituency?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, the 2026 Budget is currently being looked at. I had a check on it, and all I know is that K300 million has been allocated has been put aside, not necessarily for infrastructure, but for materials of projects that will be rolled out next year.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwan’gandu): Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.

Madam Speaker, the issue raised in the question posed by the hon. Member for Katombola affects most of our schools in rural areas. You will recall that earlier this year, you facilitated a workshop for us, Members of Parliament, to engage technocrats from the Ministry of Education to make us understand how the new curriculum was being implemented. What clearly came out of the meeting was that there were really serious challenges. Firstly, it was the issue of Internet connectivity because we were told by the technocrats that they had started distributing learning materials online. Hon. Members shared with them that Internet connectivity in most rural areas was a challenge. While it was easier for urban schools to use initiatives to print out materials, it was not the same in rural areas. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether there is money appropriated for the provision of materials for the new curriculum.

Madam Speaker: Is it the 2025 Budget or the 2026 Budget?

Mr Kampyongo: The 2026 Budget, Madam Speaker, because we did not see anything in 2025.

Mr Syakalima: Yes, Madam Speaker, I think, I answered when I said that K300 million has been set aside for materials. So, 2026 is covered, and K300 million is quite enough for us to cover the programme. However, some of the textbooks are being distributed even as I speak. As for 2026, the money is there. It is just a matter of this House approving the Budget.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

CASES OF RAPE AND DEFILEMENT RECORDED COUNTRYWIDE

27. Mr J. Chibuye (Roan) asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security:

how many cases of rape and defilement were recorded by the Zambia Police Service, countrywide, from January 2021, to July 2025, year by year;

of the cases above, how many convictions were secured;

what the most affected age group of victims was; and

what measures are being taken to address the prevalence of sexual offences in the country.

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Zambia Police Service recorded a total of 1,002 cases of rape and a total of 4,978 cases of defilement shown year by year, hereunder:

Year No. of Rape Cases Convictions

2021 194 57

2022 246 94

2023 232 108

2024 200 77

2025 130 10

Year No. of Defilement Cases Convictions

2021 998 436

2022 1177 525

2023 1172 480

2024 1070 476

2025 561 61

Madam Speaker, from the reported cases, 346 convictions were secured for rape and 1,978 convictions were secured for defilement cases tabulated year by year.

Madam Speaker, for rape cases, the most affected are females aged between seventeen years and twenty-five years. While in cases of defilement, the most affected are girls aged five years to thirteen years. The Zambia Police Service has put in place, among others, the following measures to address sexual offenses:

conducting sensitisations in community schools, marketplaces, and churches on sexual related offenses;

training community leaders on gender-based violence (GBV) sexual offenses; and

building the capacity of police officers on how to handle victims of sexual offenses.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the response from the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security. I want to welcome him back. I have not seen my elder brother for some time. Welcome back!

Madam Speaker, what has emanated from the hon. Minister’s statement regarding rape and defilement cases is quite worrying. When we look at the statistics he has given year by year on rape versus defilement in each particular year, we see that there has not been enough decrease in numbers even when convictions were attained.

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the Republican President came to address this House on the Progress Made in the Application of National Values and Principles, and during the subsequent debate on his speech, our able hon. Minister of Justice stood here and complained about older men going after younger girls aged five years to thirteen years and defiling them while leaving people like her.

Laughter

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Justice who complained about this vice is the holder of the justice system in the country.

Madam Speaker, even when men and women in uniform are trying by all means to secure convictions, it appears there is no reduction in the cases. Is the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, working together with the Ministry of Justice, not thinking of coming up with punitive measures to deter would-be offenders such as castration or, indeed, making the offences non-bailable, especially in cases of defilement of girls as young as five years? Just last week, sorry to say this, an officer in the Southern Province defiled a six-year-old girl. Is the ministry not considering some laws for this House to pass so that such incidents can be ended?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. J. Chibuye for that important question.

Madam Speaker, I am aware that my colleague’s ministry, the hon. Minister of Justice, is preparing legislation pertaining to sentences that will be meted out on those who defile or rape our women. Soon, her ministry will come up with that legislation. I would like to state that stiffer punishment, per se, does not deter those who tend to commit offences. The House may be aware that murder and aggravated robbery are not bailable, but the numbers are increasing. It is not a deterrent per se. We have to find other ways and means to address the issues.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the question on the Floor is good, and I would like to congratulate my colleague, the hon. Member for Roan, for raising it.

Madam Speaker, from the report that the hon. Minister has given, I have noted that the number of convictions is lower compared to the number of cases filed. There is a conviction rate of around 40 per cent to 50 per cent, meaning that many of the cases probably end up in acquittal or die off like that. What could be the reason for that? Is it poor investigative capacity or some other reason?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, many reasons are attributed to the low conviction rate. Previously, one of the major reasons was a lack of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) laboratories. Fortunately, we now have a laboratory that can analyse the specimens we use in the cases. I am confident that going forward, a number of perpetrators will be convicted. The other reason is the families. Usually, when such cases happen, most family members are not willing to expose their children to court processes. There are also out-of-court settlements that families undertake. We have given guidance to the effect that, as the service, we will not allow anyone to withdraw cases pertaining to rape or defilement so that there is deterrence.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr A. Banda (Chimwemwe): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, when we talk about rape victims, we usually relate them to females. Two or three weeks ago, a male was raped in Mufumbwe. I wonder whether the data that the hon. Minister has given us also incorporates male victims, because we have them, for example, the special case that happened two weeks ago.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, the question on the Floor was specific. The hon. Member raised an issue pertaining to the defilement of ladies and young girls. If it were general, I would have brought out that issue. We are aware that several men have been raped and several small boys have been defiled by women.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: When I read the question, it is more general. It states:

“How many cases of rape and defilement were recorded by the Zambia Police Service countrywide from January 2021 …?”

It is not referring to girls or boys. It is just a general question.

Maybe, you can say something, hon. Minister.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Thank you, Madam Speaker, for that correction. At an appropriate time, we will bring that information. As you may have noted, the period in question is up to July 2025. The case in Mufumbwe happened two weeks ago, and that is why we were not able to capture it.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the insightful responses.

Madam Speaker, five to thirteen-year-olds are, indeed, innocent souls, and it pains me. From the convictions that the ministry has secured, what has happened to the affected children, those who were raped, aged five to thirteen years? What measures is your ministry taking, and if there are any other ministries as well, to rebuild the souls who have been broken by such activities?

Madam Speaker: Madam Speaker, we collaborate with the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services and the Ministry of Health to ensure that the children are counselled and supported. It is traumatic for our children to go through such torment. We provide services.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, the question asked by the hon. Member for Roan and the responses given by the hon. Minister are all very important.

Madam Speaker, representing the rural people of Kanchibiya, and I think I speak for several hon. Colleagues, from rural and urban areas, we have a situation where most rape and defilement victims, especially the girl-child, end up pregnant. When that happens, it appears that society has no other way to help them out. The only thing that the legal framework provides is for them to give birth. Some of the pregnancies from rape and defilement cases arise from incest. It would be an uncle or a parent. Would there be a thought for this House, I know I am asking the hon. Minister, to reform and look at ways of preventing, protecting and helping the girl-child, especially those who find themselves pregnant as a result of rape or defilement?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, as I indicated earlier, we have a dedicated department under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services that looks after girls or boys who find themselves in such situations. Some homes have been reserved to accommodate victims of rape and defilement. We also have a programme that looks after girls who become pregnant as a result of the unfortunate situation.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, we need to make progress. I am looking at the time.

DECENTRALISATION OF ISSUANCE OF PASSPORTS TO THE DISTRICT LEVEL

28. Mr E. Tembo (Feira) asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security when the Government will decentralise the issuance of passports to the district level.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, the Government does not have immediate plans to decentralise the issuance of passports to the district level. Passport printing will remain partially centralised due to operational and security considerations.

Madam Speaker, currently, Zambia has the following three passport printing centres:

Lusaka serving Lusaka Province, the Eastern Province, Central Province and Muchinga Province;

Ndola, covering the Copperbelt, Luapula Province, the Northern Province and the North-Western Province; and;

Livingstone, serving the Southern Province and the Western Province.

Accordingly, while passport applications can be submitted in all ten provinces, only three have printing facilities. The remaining seven provinces function as receiving and issuance centres only. This centralised model aligns with the guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which favours a centralised passport printing to ensure high levels of security, consistent production quality and efficient use of infrastructure. Additionally, ICAO recommends that passport printing centres be established only where there is a minimal annual application volume of approximately 15,000 applications. When combined with the high cost of specialised equipment, infrastructure demands, and the need for a cost-benefit and risk analysis, establishing printing centres at the district level is presently not feasible.

Madam Speaker, the current arrangement of three printing centres is adequate and continues to serve the nation effectively and efficiently.

Madam Speaker, to further enhance accessibility, the Government is onboarding passport services into the Government Service Bus and payment gateway. This initiative will allow citizens to:

apply for passports online from the comfort of their homes;

track the progress of their applications in real-time; and

receive their passports via a courier delivery directly to their residences.

Madam Speaker, I am aware that in the last few days, social media has been awash with reports of queues at the passport centre. There were allegations that the situation is embarrassing for the Zambian Government and that it has not done anything to digitise passport issuance in the country.

Through this medium, Madam Speaker, I want to announce to the nation that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government is methodical.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: We have been working through SMART Zambia Institute, the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) and other authorities to ensure that we digitise, and we have digitised. In the next few weeks, before the end of the month, we will allow citizens to start applying for passports online.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: We were not in a hurry. As hon. Members may be aware, a passport is a security document. Recently, we arrested a number of foreigners who were accessing passports. We could not be reckless just to introduce a system that can be abused by individuals. We are now confident that we can issue passports through the digitisation system. I would like to assure members of the public that we will do what they have been requesting. We accept constructive criticism, but we will not encourage emotional outbursts over a matter that can be resolved if one requests for information. I am now informing the nation that we have gone digital. Before the end of the month, members of the public will be allowed to access these facilities online. However, we also have to take into account that there is a challenge in the rural areas. Therefore, we will continue allowing manual applications because of the way the digital space is in the country. So, it is an assurance I am making to the nation.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr E. Tembo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the response. Apparently, this question was filed in before the incident he referred to on social media.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the digitalisation of the processes, which I think is a step forward. I also note that the hon. Minister has raised the issue of rural areas, and that is my concern. It has been very expensive for people in rural areas to travel to Lusaka and many other centres to access passports. By the time they get the passport, they would have spent quite a lot.

Madam Speaker, my question relates to the opening of a passport office. Would the hon. Minister consider opening one within the national registration office where applications from local people can be received, whilst the passports are printed and checked elsewhere? That is our concern. We want to cut costs as people seek passports.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, it is a noble request. We will consider it.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Sefulo (Mwandi): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the answer and for highlighting the strides that have been made to ensure that we move into the digital space.

Madam Speaker, the Government wants to digitalise the issuance of passports whilst the issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs) remains analogue. Will the issuance of passports through the digitalisation system be in tandem with the issuance of the digital identification (ID) card?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, you may recall that I came to this House and issued a statement pertaining to the digitalisation of the National Registration Cards (NRCs). What we have done, as a responsible Government, is to defer the issuance of digital identification (ID) cards as we progress towards elections. We do not want members of the public and the Opposition to complain pertaining to this issue. Hence, we have decided to defer the issuance of digital ID cards until after the elections. Immediately after the elections, we will give out digital ID cards.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

CONFIRMATION OF TEACHERS IN KANCHIBIYA DISTRICT

29. Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister of Education:

when the teachers, who have been in acting positions for over a year in Kanchibiya District, will be confirmed;

what the cause of the delay in confirming the teachers is;

what measures are being taken to ensure that teachers, who are in acting positions, are given letters of appointment on time; and

when teachers in the district will start receiving their rural and remote hardship allowances.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Madam Speaker, I wish to clarify and inform the House that the Government has been confirming teachers who have served in acting positions beyond the prescribed period in Kanchibiya District. The House may wish to note that the confirmation of teachers is an on-going process undertaken whenever positions fall vacant or are created. Accordingly, the Government will continue to confirm teachers who have acted beyond the prescribed period as and when funded positions become available.

Madam Speaker, the delays in confirming eligible teachers in acting positions are primarily due to the dependence of the process on the availability of funded vacancies. This situation has, at times, resulted in teachers serving in acting capacities for longer than anticipated.

Madam Speaker, the House may further wish to note that following the operationalisation of the Service Commission Act No. 10 of 2016, through the Teaching Service Commission Regulations of 2020, measures have been instituted to ensure the timely issuance of appointment letters. Specifically, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has decentralised the confirmation process to the human resource management committees at the district level. This measure has significantly reduced delays by eliminating the requirement to forward cases to the ministry’s headquarters or to the TSC, as was previously the case. As a result, confirmations are now processed expeditiously at the district level, thereby ensuring that deserving teachers are duly recognised and formally appointed without undue delay.

Madam Speaker, with regard to rural and remote hardship allowances, the House may wish to note that the award of such allowances is an on-going exercise and is effected once the requisite conditions are met. The conditions include the classification of a school as rural or remote and the establishment of an appropriate pay point.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, I wish to just place on record that the ministry should probably look at Kanchibiya as a special case in this regard because the majority of those acting in positions have been doing it for a very long period, but have not been confirmed. I thought of bringing this matter to the attention of the ministry because it is affecting the morale of staff.

Madam Speaker, before I ask my question, I would be failing in my duty if I do not commend the hon. Minister and the ministry for helping us to push things on the infrastructure side of the education sector. School projects that had stalled for over ten years are now construction sites. The concern now is how to motivate the human resource working in Kanchibiya. So, my question is whether the ministry will take any steps or request for a report from the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) with regard to the status of confirmations for the teachers in acting positions in Kanchibiya.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, since the request is coming from the hon. Member for Kanchibiya, I think that I can sit down with him. I will ask my office to talk to the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS). I know where the problem is coming from; I think that the issue should be about gazetting some schools.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kanchibiya, you want to ask another question?

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, I could just add to the request that I have made about the hardship allowances for teachers to also be looked into as the ministry gets a report from Kanchibiya. The people are ready, and I think that Kanchibiya meets the prerequisites. I think that our teachers qualify to benefit from the hardship allowance, or are entitled to that particular allowance.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Minister, do you want to comment?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, yes.

Madam Speaker, Kanchibiya is a new district, not so? I think that maybe that is where the problem could lie. I think, we will check on that as well.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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MOTION

REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SELECT COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO SCRUTINISE THE PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT OF DR PAMELA SAMBO, DR FELICITY KALUNGA, BISHOP EMMANUEL YONA CHIKOYA, MS PANIC MALAWO CHILUFYA, MS LAURA MARY MITI, AND FATHER JOSEPH KOMAKOMA TO SERVE AS CHAIRPERSON, VICE-CHAIRPERSON AND COMMISSIONERS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Ms S. Mwamba (Kasama Central): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that this House do adopt the Report of the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to scrutinise the Presidential appointment of Dr Pamela Sambo, Dr Felicity Kalunga, Bishop Emmanuel Yona Chikoya, Ms Panic Malawo Chilufya, Ms Laura Mary Miti, and Father Joseph Komakoma to serve as Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Commissioners of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Board, respectively.

Madam Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr Anakoka (Luena): Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Ms S. Mwamba: Madam Speaker, the appointment of Dr Pamela Sambo, Dr Felicity Kalunga, Bishop Emmanuel Yona Chikoya, Ms Panic Malawo Chilufya, Ms Laura Mary Miti, and Father Joseph Komakoma to serve as Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Commissioners of the HRC Board is made pursuant to Section 7 of the Human Rights Commission Act No. 4 of 2024.

Madam Speaker, Article 231 of the Constitution, Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia, establishes the HRC, which is an integral part of Zambia’s democratic dispensation. Its primary mandate is to safeguard and promote human rights in Zambia, in accordance with the Constitution, the Human Rights Commission Act No. 4 of 2024 and the regional and international human rights conventions and protocols to which Zambia is a party.

Madam Speaker, in this regard, the Committee resolved that only persons with proven integrity, competence and, above all, who had demonstrated knowledge and experience in the protection and promotion of human rights be appointed as members of the Commission. Additionally, they should be able to add value to the operations of the HRC and spearhead the effective and efficient execution of its mandate.

Madam Speaker, the Committee observed that all the State security agents did not find any adverse records against the nominees. Additionally, all the witnesses who appeared before the Committee submitted that the nominees possessed the requisite qualifications and experience and were, therefore, qualified to serve in their respective positions. The Committee noted that the appointments were meritorious, as the nominees are qualified to hold their designated positions. In this regard, the Committee is confident that the nominees will discharge their duties professionally and impartially.

The Committee noted that the constitutional requirement on gender equality, in Article 259(1)(b) of the Constitution, has been adhered to. In this regard, the Committee commends the appointing authority for taking gender balance into consideration when making appointments.

Madam Speaker, with your indulgence, I will proceed to briefly outline the findings of the Committee on each of the nominees.

Dr Pamela Sambo

Madam Speaker, the nominee is qualified to hold a high judicial office, having been a legal practitioner for over twenty years. Additionally, she has vast experience in academia and legal research. The nominee has a stellar record in terms of her academics in the legal profession. In addition, she has exceptional legal skills in human rights and environmental law, and with her prior service on the Commission, her appointment will add value to it.

Dr Felicity Kalunga

Madam Speaker, the Committee noted that the nominee is qualified to hold high judicial office, having practised law for seventeen years and gained extensive experience in constitutional reforms and academic research. Her leadership and board service, including as Vice-Chairperson of the HRC Board and as board member of the Disability Rights Watch and the Media Network on Child Rights and Development (MNCRD), reflect her strong commitment to advancing human rights, particularly for children and persons with disabilities.

Madam Speaker, in view of her academic background, legal expertise and leadership experience, she suitably qualifies for the appointment as Vice-Chairperson of the HRC Board.

Bishop Emmanuel Yona Chikoya

Madam Speaker, your Committee noted that the nominee holds theological qualifications and has thirty-two years of pastoral and leadership experience in the Anglican Church.

He has also served as General-Secretary of the Council of Churches in Zambia. Your Committee further noted that the nominee has experience in human rights and corporate governance, through the various boards he serves on. Given his academic qualifications, pastoral leadership and service in the Church and ecumenical institutions, the nominee is suitably qualified for appointment as a member of the HRC Board.

Ms Laura Mary Miti

Madam Speaker, your Committee observed that the nominee is a well-known human rights advocate with extensive experience in civil society activism. Many accolades and awards have been bestowed upon the nominee for her activism and passion for human rights and good governance. These include Southern African Human Rights Defender of the Year, Southern Scottish Human Rights Defender Fellow, Activist of the Year 2017, and Most Influential Social Media Activist of 2016. Your Committee is satisfied that the nominee is highly qualified and has the necessary skills and expertise to serve as Commissioner of the HRC Board.

Ms Panic Malawo Chilufya

Madam Speaker, your Committee observed that the nominee holds qualifications in Journalism, Sociology, and Peace Studies with forty-one years of professional experience. She has served in media, public relations, academia, as President of the University of Zambia Development Studies Association, and the Students Living with Disabilities representative, and as a board member of the HRC. Your Committee is satisfied that she is suitably qualified to serve as Commissioner of the HRC Board.

Bishop Joseph Komakoma

Madam Speaker, your Committee observed that the nominee holds advanced theological and social science qualifications and has forty-three years of service in the Church leadership and civil society. He has held senior positions at Caritas Zambia, the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Symposium for Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar. In this regard, the nominee is suitably qualified to serve as a Commissioner of the HRC Board.

Madam Speaker, your Committee, after due and thorough consideration, analysis, and evaluation of the written and oral submissions presented to it by the witnesses and the interviews with the nominees, is of the considered view that all the nominees are of proven integrity, competence and have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the protection and promotion of human rights.

Madam Speaker, your Committee, therefore, recommends that the House ratifies the presidential appointment of Dr Pamela Towela Sambo, Dr Felicity Kalunga, Bishop Emmanuel Yona Chikoya, Father Joseph Komakoma, Ms Laura Mary Miti, and Ms Panic Malawo to serve as Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Commissioners of the HRC Board, respectively.

In conclusion, your Committee wishes to express its gratitude to all the stakeholders who appeared before it and tendered both oral and written submissions. Your Committee also appreciates your guidance, Madam Speaker, and the service rendered by the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly during its deliberations.

Madam Speaker, it is now my pleasure to call upon the House to ratify the appointment before it.

Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

Mr J. Chibuye: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

Mr Anakoka: Now, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Anakoka: Madam Speaker, I wish to thank you most sincerely for the opportunity accorded to me to second this Motion. I would like to thank the mover for ably moving the Motion.

Madam Speaker, the mover has already adequately emphasised the salient points upon which your Committee supports the appointment of these nominees, namely Dr Pamela Sambo, Dr Felicity Kalunga, Bishop Emmanuel Yona Chikoya, Ms Panic Malawo Chilufya, Ms Laura Mary Miti and Father Joseph Komakoma to serve as Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Commissioners on the HRC Board, respectively.

Madam Speaker, in seconding this Motion, I wish to restate your Committee's observation that these individuals have proven integrity and competencies and they have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the promotion of human rights. Therefore, your Committee wishes to applaud the appointing authority for ensuring that only people with these appropriate competencies were appointed as Commissioners of the HRC Board.

Madam Speaker, the mover has already expressed the Committee's satisfaction with the appointing authority for how gender balance was well-incorporated in the composition of this board. However, your Committee noted that youths and people with disabilities were not represented on the appointments to the Commission.

Your Committee, therefore, takes note that the nominees presented before the House, this afternoon, are six in number when the provisions in the Human Rights Commission Act require the Commission's board to have seven members. We, therefore, wish to urge the appointing authority to ensure that when an opportunity arises to fill the remaining vacant position, the person nominated should either be a youth or a person with disability, …

Mr Mpundu icabaice

Mr Anakoka: … or better still, we can kill two birds with one stone by appointing a youth with disabilities.

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to express my gratitude to the Chairperson of the Committee for the professional, fair and impartial manner in which he presided over the proceedings of the Committee.

I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to my fellow Committee Members for their objectivity, professionalism and shared commitment to the deliberations of your Committee.

Madam Speaker, with these few remarks, I beg to second the Motion.

I thank you.

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Madam Speaker, the President has appointed six citizens to sit on the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Board, as Commissioners, as established by the Zambian Constitution under Article 230, as amended in the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) of 2016.

Madam Speaker, the role of the HRC, among many others, is to ensure that it promotes and protects the rights and freedoms of citizens. It will be important that, as we go into this conversation, before we can even go into the qualifications of the people who have been appointed, that we, perhaps, acquaint ourselves with the expectations of these individuals who have been appointed to sit on this Commission.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr B. Mpundu: Mr Speaker, when business was suspended, I was trying to establish my conversation on the HRC. The President has appointed six nationals to a commission that was established by the Constitution under Article 230. It must be put on record that the assignment of the HRC, among many others, is to promote and protect citizens' rights as well as freedoms. The request has come at an important time when there has been a huge debate around human rights abuses in the country, to the point that the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sent a rapporteur to investigate the reported human rights abuses.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr B. Mpundu: Mr Speaker, we are having this conversation at a time when the report that was tendered to the UNHRC on the human rights situation in this country had nothing good to write home about. It is important, at this stage, to perhaps acquaint ourselves with the role of the HRC, which is to promote and protect human rights.

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

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: A Point of Order is raised.

Ms Kasune: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu: She will respond, Mr Speaker.

Ms Kasune: Have I been granted the Floor to raise a Point of Order?

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I have granted her the opportunity to raise the Point of Order.

Hon. Minister, you may proceed.

Ms Kasune: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, my hon. Colleague is saying that I will be given an opportunity to respond. Indeed, I will respond to the debate. However, I am raising the Point of Order, in accordance with Standing Order No. 71, on hon. Members being factual. The hon. Member is alleging that nothing good was said about Zambia, as it relates to human rights. That is not correct. Much of it was propaganda by the Opposition, which this Government countered. Secondly, the rapporteur’s visit was by invitation and was allowed by the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, on that note, the hon. Member is misleading the House.

I need your serious ruling, Mr Speaker.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Nkana, ensure that you are factual as you debate. Avoid misleading the public and yourself. Ensure that your debate is centred on facts.

The hon. Member for Nkana is completely out of order for misleading himself, the House and the public.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr B. Mpundu: Mr Speaker, before we can even look at the question of whether the named appointees are qualified for the appointments, it is important, as the Bemba say, “Umwana bamufunda pakuya”, that a person is taught when they are being given an assignment. It is important that we all agree on the assignments that are before the HRC. Article 230 establishes that the HRC is mandated to promote and protect human rights as well as the freedoms of citizens. There are four distinct ingredients for human rights. Firstly, human rights are universal. It simply means that one enjoys human rights today or at any other time. Secondly, human rights are inherent. It means that when one is born, one begins to enjoy them. Thirdly, human rights are inalienable, meaning that they cannot be taken away, bought or sold. Fourthly, human rights are interdependent, meaning that if you abrogate one’s human rights, you stop that person from enjoying other rights. It is extremely important that we understand that and, perhaps, give them as lessons to the nominees, as we ratify their appointments or otherwise.

Mr Speaker, what then are we expecting from the HRC? The duties of the HRC are explicit, and I would like to, perhaps, –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

We are not –

Mr B. Mpundu remained upstanding.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Resume your seat.

We are not here to ratify the commission or its establishment. We are ratifying the appointment of the office bearers; the Vice-chairperson, the Chairperson and the Commissioners. So, debating on the establishment is non-contest.

Proceed in that order.

Mr B. Mpundu interjected.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I have given you guidance.

Mr B. Mpundu: Mr Speaker, the little I have learned about debate is that one has to establish a case. We are ratifying the appointment of HRC Commissioners. How do you ratify the appointment of Commissioners of a body whose function you do not understand? I am basically trying to establish the duties of the Commission, under which the officers whose appointment we are about to ratify fall. Otherwise, for what purpose are we ratifying the appointment of the nominees? This House is supposed to lay down its expectations and those of the citizens of this country of the people who have been appointed and state what they must look into. That is exactly what I am trying to establish, and those are the rules of debate.

Mr Speaker, you cannot run away from the fact that it is the duty of the Commission to, firstly, investigate human rights abuses. Currently, there are many reports of human rights abuses. Today, when we go to any media, be it private or public, there are so many reports of people being abducted either by State agents or private citizens.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr B. Mpundu: Those are matters we expect the HRC to begin investigating because it is its primary responsibility to …

Mr Kambita: On a Point of Order, Mr Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu: … ensure that it investigates those abuses.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Nkana!

A Point of Order is raised.

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, I would not ordinarily rise on a Point of Order when business is normally being transacted on the Floor of this House. However, I am compelled to rise on this Point of Order because of the trajectory that the hon. Member for Nkana has taken, which is seriously misleading. This is against our Standing Order No.71, which requires any hon. Member who rises to debate on the Floor of this House to be factual and to the point. Is the hon. Member of Parliament for Nkana Constituency in order to insinuate that there are State agents that abduct citizens without providing facts on the Floor of this House and get away with it on that note?

Mr Speaker, I need your serious ruling because this is a serious matter. It is a serious allegation, and it actually abrogates the rules, which we have set for ourselves.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Thank you, hon. Member.

Hon. Member for Nkana, as I guided earlier, ensure that your debate is factual. Other than that, making baseless insinuations is not allowed on the Floor of the House. Ensure that you debate as guided. You have been ruled completely out of order.

Laughter

Mr B. Mpundu: Mr Speaker, the role or the duties of the HRC or individuals whose names have been brought before this august House to either be ratified or not will, among many others, include subjecting some existing laws to scrutiny to test whether they conform to international agreements. Today, we have archaic laws that are overly outdated in modern society, such as those related to hate speech and seditious practices. These laws, by any standard in any modern society, have proven to be overly outdated and so ambiguous that they are subject to abuse by those in authority. These laws have been subject of serious contention such that even the rapporteur was here to investigate the many other complaints in relation to the abuses by State authorities around them.

Mr Speaker, do I agree with the appointment of these individuals? For many years, the HRC has been there to ensure that people's rights and freedoms are protected. How do we, then, continue to finance an institution that has become toothless to a point where, today, prisoners are being searched and stripped naked, and it is there clapping?

Hon. Government Member: Question!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Nkana!

May you resume your seat.

Hon. Member for Nkana, I already guided you. The Commission that you are talking about is not here to defend itself. That is why there is a distinction between the office bearers and the Commission itself in totality. I have guided you, but you seem not to adhere to my guidance.

Proceed with the guidance that I have given.

Mr B. Mpundu: Mr Speaker, the challenge with the truth is that it hurts, but you cannot repress it.

Mr Kambita: Question!

Mr B. Mpundu: Prisoners are being stripped naked while we have a Commission with commissioners whose names are being brought here to be ratified. I cannot support the ratification of individuals who are just going to be chewing public resources when they are serving under an institution that is defunct and are toothless to protect and defend people's freedoms and rights. It is no wonder …

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Mr B. Mpundu: … that we are having foreign entities coming here to investigate cases of abuse because our institution works in vain.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Your time is up. May you resume your seat.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I want to advise the House to adhere to the guidance that I give. Hon. Member for Nkana, you have been in this House for four years now, but you seem to not learn. We operate using rules in this House. You are the same people who judge Presiding Officers on social media by saying that they are harsh on you. However, you do not want to stick to the laid-down rules. So, let us ensure that, as we debate, we observe rules because the next thing will be walking out through the door or being sent away from the House for a number of days.

May the hon. Member for Chilubi debate.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, allow me to put context to the debate so that I run away from debating individuals. I do realise that the nominees will be office bearers of a Commission, which is established under Article 230 of our Constitution. Apart from that, I also realise that the establishment of all commissions is embedded in Article 216 of the Constitution. Further, I do note that the Human Rights Commission (HRC), under which the Commissioners will serve, is anchored on the Human Rights Commission Act, of 2024, which was birthed after the repeal of the 1996 Act.

Mr Speaker, firstly, I want to point out that when we are talking about human rights, we are talking about Zambia having a Bill of Rights. Therefore, the Commissioners whose names we are trying to ratify today, as per the duty bestowed upon us by Article 62, are supposed to serve a commission. To me, that is the starting point.

Mr Speaker, this is a Commission that will be a referee between the duty bearer and the rightful holder. This being the case, let me first declare interest on individuals –

Mr Nkandu: Ukupunda!

Mr Fube: It is my voice.

Mr Speaker, let me first declare that I know all the appointees. Out of all of them, I am comfortable with five. I will give the reasons.

Mr Speaker, Article 216 outlines general principles of how to go about appointing people to sit on the commission, noting that it cannot operate without people. These principles include non-partisanship and professionalism. Since we are debating the names of people, I am very uncomfortable with one nominee whose name has been proposed for ratification before this very important House, and this is Ms Laura Miti. I am uncomfortable because whereas we are supposed to respect the Bill of Rights, those who read her postings on social media can see that she is a champion of cyberbullying.

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

Mr Fube: Mr Speaker, she is a champion of cyberbullying, I repeat. No one has been spared from her cyberbullying. The people on your right and left have been bullied. We are talking about the nation being at stake. That is my reservation on this particular nominee.

Mr Speaker, Zambia’s Bill of Rights comprises civil and political rights. This means that these nominees are supposed to be champions of civil and political rights. They have very attractive curricular vitae (CVs). Not to take away anything from Madam Laura Miti, she has been a champion in her own way of civil and political rights, except for that particular component of cyberbullying. As I said, I have worked with her. So, when we look at these factors, we see that this Commission is supposed to promote and advocate for civil and political rights. Every Zambian, including those in prison, is entitled to enjoy certain rights. The labourers enjoy certain rights, prisoners enjoy certain rights and we also enjoy certain rights.

Currently, Mr Speaker, the HRC, in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), falls under the pillar of Good Governance Environment. If the Commission falls under this pillar, it is supposed to be the champion of an environment of good governance. We will be going into elections in a few months from now.

Mr Nkandu: Question!

Mr Fube: Our environment is highly toxic.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Fube: If that is the case, it means that this player, which is an institutional watchdog –

By the way, to those who are saying “question”, at international level, this commission is called a national human rights institution. It operates on certain principles.

Mr Chabinga: On a Point of Order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: The Leader of the Opposition has risen on a Point of Order.

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chabinga: Mr Speaker, I rarely raise Points of Order. I am seated here listening quietly. You have given us these gadgets (microphone), but the hon. Member is too loud, such that …

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Ms Mulenga: Member uobe, ba Leader of Opposition.

Mr Chabinga: … my eardrum has been disturbed.

I need your serious ruling, Sir.

Mr Speaker, can he reduce his volume.

Ms Mulenga: Point of Order on your own Member, naimwe ba Chabinga?

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

If he were from the east, I would have said that they are tribal cousins. For now, let us avoid polluting the Chamber by speaking on top of our voices.

Laughter

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

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

Ms Mulenga: That is the way God made him.

Mr B. Mpundu: Ati pollution?

Mr Fube: Am I polluting the Chamber? I did not know that.

Interruptions

Mr Fube: That is not good. Anyway.

When we look at these factors, we see that there are certain ways and measures that are followed at international level. At international level, any institution that serves to uphold national human rights is supposed to abide by what are called the Paris Principles. Our Commission, currently, falls short of abiding by those principles to which we, as a country, are an affiliate. I hope I am not digressing from the debate, as we are debating the HRC.

Mr Speaker, before I was disturbed by the gentleman, who claims to be my President, ...

Laughter

Mr Fube: … I was saying that we will be going into elections. Currently, we have the HRC, as a watchdog institution. Our Bill of Rights is full of civil and political rights. The political rights of those who do not speak for the Government are stifled. The right of assembly is stifled. Freedom of speech is stifled and freedom of association is stifled. The hon. Member who just rose on a Point of Order is a good example of the provisions of Chapter 119 of the Laws of Zambia, the freedom of association, which is stifled. That is why, today, he can even have the courage to say that I am shouting because he is a good example of a product of stifled rights.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Fube: Now, when we look at such, we are talking about the abuse of human rights in the presence of a commission. As I conclude, I want to quote, as I heard, that, “umwana bamufunda pa kuya,” meaning this dignified House is sending off these people so that they may work for every Zambian. We want these nominees to go and be ambassadors of the Bill of Rights. We want them to speak for the prisoners who are being stripped naked. They must speak for those who are being tortured through the use of plastics and to safeguard the freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

Interruptions

Mr Fube: Mr Speaker, anything away from this will be a mismatch of what we expect. Zambians expect sanity, which can only be achieved when the HRC is effective, given that one of the Paris Principles is effectiveness.

I rest my case, Mr Speaker.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to debate the Motion on the Floor of the House, which seeks Parliament’s ratification of the presidential appointments of members to serve on the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Board.

Mr Seeaker, allow me to start my debate by citing provisions of the law and how we have evolved to ensure that human rights are observed in this country and also state where we are.

Historically, human rights were first pronounced to be part of international law in the United Nations Convention on Human Rights in 1948, following the Second World War. Since then, all countries that are civil have tapped from those international norms that were suggested, to which Zambia is a signatory.

Mr Speaker, following that, we have made efforts to ratify and domesticate those treaties which are agreed upon internationally, through our laws. To begin with, our own Constitution, in Part III, provides for human rights, which are part of the basic rights that humans enjoy for being human beings. It does not end there. We have even formed the HRC in Zambia, which was established by Chapter 48 of the Laws of Zambia, which also provides for the ratification of the Commissioners who will sit on the board.

Mr Speaker, one can measure how much human rights have evolved, especially in the New Dawn Administration. Whilst other regimes found it difficult to enact legislation that enhances human rights, in 2023, this very House enacted the Access to Information Act No. 24 of 2023. This Act was presented in this House by the hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting, which Act elaborates the functions of the Commission. It clearly outlines what the Commission is supposed to do and how it is supposed to access information. The Act gives the Commission extra powers to access the information it needs in order to enforce these human rights.

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

Mr Kambita: This plethora of legislation puts Zambia at a high level in observing human rights. The names that have been suggested for ratification are those of notable figures who have been actively involved in advocating for human rights. A good example is that of Ms Laura Miti, who, sometimes, ended up being incarcerated in the previous regime due to her advocacy of human rights.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Zambezi East, there is an indication for a Point of Order.

Mr B. Mpundu: Mr Speaker, my Point of Order is on relevance of speech. Not long ago, you guided on the content of speech, particularly that we are ratifying Commissioners.

Is the hon. Member, who earlier on rose on a Point of Order challenging the relevance of the then debate, in order to be debating in the manner he is? From the time he started debating, he has been meandering from God knows where without making any reference to the nominees whose appointments we are here to ratify. Is he in order to go all about hunting for …

Mr Kambita: He is not following my debate.

Mr B. Mpundu: … anything that can be killed when you guided that when we are ratifying appointees, we cannot go around discussing a commission when we are supposed to go specifically to the commissioners who are being ratified? Is he in order to go around wasting this Parliament’s time?

I seek your indulgence, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, you did not follow the debate by the hon. Member for Zambezi East very well. If you attentively followed, as I did, you could have understood. Therefore, the hon. Member for Zambezi East is not out of order.

He may proceed.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, thank you very much for your guidance.

Sometimes, it is very important to have this knowledge because you can connect the dots. What we are ratifying has a trail and history of where it comes from. I was building my debate on that premise, and I had reached at the nexus of debate where I was recounting Ms Laura Miti’s involvement in human rights advocacy, which makes her qualify and befitting of this appointment.

However, Mr Speaker, how was Ms Laura Miti able to advocate for human rights? She was enabled by the ratification of treaties that are applicable to this nation and also their domestication through Part III of the Constitution of Zambia, the Human Rights Commission Act, which I cited, and the Access to Information Act, which we ratified and enacted in 2023, under the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government. That is how connected these things are.

Mr Speaker, therefore, I can stand here with my head high to support the appointment of these honourable people in our society based on their work. Who can doubt Ms Laura Miti’s involvement in ensuring that human rights were enforced in this country? She had to go to prison for advocating for human rights. If we rewound the clock and looked at what happened each time we had a by-election, we would remember a militia which was domiciled at the Intercity Bus Terminus, the Kamugodi story, and many other violations of human rights, which the Patriotic Front (PF) Government orchestrated. That cannot be erased from our memories.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, it is at such opportunities as this one that we need to remind the nation and the very people who I am facing and are in front of me that that kind of archaic behaviour will not be tolerated.

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

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, that is the reason we are ratifying the names of the people of honour …

Mr Fube: On a Point of Order, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hammer!

Mr Kambita: … to be commissioners of the HRC Board.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Mr Speaker, I am very grateful for this opportunity to add the voice of the people whom I represent to the discussion on this very important subject.

Mr Speaker, we are here to approve the ratification of commissioners to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Board. As we send them there, we have expectations of them and the institution at large. Therefore, I am going to talk about the expectations.

Mr Speaker, first and foremost, let me point out that, indeed, I support the appointment of Bishop Emmanuel Yona Chikoya as commissioner of the HRC Board. He has been a very objective citizen of our motherland, and his appointment must be supported.

Mr Speaker, the HRC is a very important institution by design. Therefore, it should not slumber, not even a second, because it is there to protect the human rights of the people of Zambia, be it civil or political.

Mr Speaker, I stand here as a politician and my rights have to be protected by the HRC. Not too long ago, a foreign institution investigated cases of human rights abuses by those in the Government.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, at that time, where was the HRC? My expectation of the nominees whose names we are ratifying –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, the issue you are raising was spoken about before. The hon. Minister of Justice guided that it is the Government that invited the rapporteur, as opposed to your insinuation that she came on her own accord. So, from the outset, there should be that clarity. She did not come on her own accord. The Government invited her. So, that statement should be made clear as you project your debate.

You can proceed.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, thank you.

I wonder where the HRC is whenever human rights are being abused by those in power.

Mr Speaker, I was saying that my expectation and that of the people of Zambia is that when the people whose names are being ratified today report for work at the HRC will change the course of the operations of the Commission.

Mr Speaker, where was the HRC when Ms Mumbi Phiri …

Mr Mposha: Question!

Mr Kapyanga: … was detained for more than one month in Kawambwa for a crime she did not commit?

Mr B. Mpundu: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, where was the HRC?

Mr B. Mpundu: Where was it?

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, where was it?

Mr Speaker, that is the reason the people whose names we are ratifying must ensure that the HRC works to the expectation of the people of Zambia.

Mr B. Mpundu: Hammer!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, Article 259 of the Constitution of Zambia empowers the one making appointments to ensure that appointments are balanced in terms of gender, age and region.

Mr Speaker, here, I note that we do not have the representation of the youths among those who have been appointed. Oh, I wish the youths could be considered as well.

Mr B. Mpundu: Icabaice!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, I wish the youths would not have to wait for the Constitutional Amendment for them to be considered for appointments. They must be appointed now.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, let me also state that it is my desire and that of those I represent that the autonomy of the HRC be fully attained. That can only be achieved when the appointments to this Commission are not made by the Executive, but an independent body.

Mr Speaker, I also want this institution to be fully accountable to the people of Zambia through Parliament. Its reports must be submitted to Parliament for scrutiny, as is the case for report of Office of the Auditor-General, on which we play an oversight role.

Mr Speaker, the importance of the HRC in the governance of our country cannot be overemphasised. Like I stated, this institution has always been in existence. It was there even on 23^rd October, 2023, when the State staged a Patriotic Front (PF) Convention at Mulungushi International Conference Centre at which it installed its stooge against the wishes of the PF.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, our political rights were taken away by the State.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

B. Mpundu: Hear, hear! Cakilpa!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order! Hon. Member, what we are ratifying are the names of commissioners, the Chairperson, and the Vice-chairperson to serve on the HRC.

Mr Mubanga: Not the institution.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

You will not be allowed to bring into your debate any issues outside that. Four years have passed now, and you should know that we operate through regulations that we laid for ourselves in this House. So, let us ensure that we do not conflict with the regulations we have laid down by debating what is not before the House.

You may proceed, as guided.

He may proceed.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, thank you very much for your guidance.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

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

Mr Kambita: Mr Speaker, that is the reason we are ratifying the names of the people of honour …

Mr Fube: On a Point of Order, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hammer!

Mr Kambita: … to be commissioners of the HRC Board.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Mr Speaker, I am very grateful for this opportunity to add the voice of the people whom I represent to the discussion on this very important subject.

Mr Speaker, I stand here as a politician and my rights have to be protected by the HRC. Not too long ago, a foreign institution investigated cases of human rights abuses by those in the Government.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, at that time, where was the HRC? My expectation of the nominees whose names we are ratifying –

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

You can proceed.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, thank you.

I wonder where the HRC is whenever human rights are being abused by those in power.

Mr Speaker, where was the HRC when Ms Mumbi Phiri …

Mr Mposha: Question!

Mr Kapyanga: … was detained for more than one month in Kawambwa for a crime she did not commit?

Mr B. Mpundu: Hear, hear!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, where was the HRC?

Mr B. Mpundu: Where was it?

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, where was it?

Mr Speaker, that is the reason the people whose names we are ratifying must ensure that the HRC works to the expectation of the people of Zambia.

Mr B. Mpundu: Hammer!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, Article 259 of the Constitution of Zambia empowers the one making appointments to ensure that appointments are balanced in terms of gender, age and region.

Mr Speaker, here, I note that we do not have the representation of the youths among those who have been appointed. Oh, I wish the youths could be considered as well.

Mr B. Mpundu: Icabaice!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, I wish the youths would not have to wait for the Constitutional Amendment for them to be considered for appointments. They must be appointed now.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, our political rights were taken away by the State.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

B. Mpundu: Hear, hear! Cakilpa!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order! Hon. Member, what we are ratifying are the names of commissioners, the Chairperson, and the Vice-chairperson to serve on the HRC.

Mr Mubanga: Not the institution.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

You may proceed, as guided.

Mr Kapyanga: Thank you, Mr Speaker, though I wish the hon. Member of Parliament for Zambezi East could also benefit from your wisdom. He veered off from the conversation.

Mr B. Mpundu: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, what I am saying is that the HRC, as it were, is a very important institution and, as such, it must have the powers to protect every right. In my case, my political rights of association have been taken away because my party has been taken away by those who are wielding power today.

Interruptions

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, the HRC must be there to protect all of us.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Restrict yourself, as guided. You are talking about someone taking away your party. Is your party not headed by someone from your party? Who has taken it away?

Laughter

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Your party is headed by one of you. So, who has taken it away? Ensure that you debate as guided.

You may proceed.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, my word to the people whose appointment we are ratifying today is that they should represent the interests of the Zambian people. At a time, such as this one, when there is no respect for human rights in our country, their work will highly be needed to ensure that the rights of the Zambian people are protected.

Mr Speaker, the day before yesterday, a group of people masquerading or rather calling themselves political cadres, abducted a citizen whom they tortured, thereby, abusing the rights of that citizen. Today, we know nothing about what happened to those who carried out that act.

Mr Speaker, the HRC has been sleeping. It has not been protecting the interests of the Zambian people. At a time such as this one, it cannot point at those in the Executive and say that they are abusing human rights. The Commission has been waiting for international institutions to write reports about our country’s human rights abuses when it, that we stay with here, does nothing and has never done anything. As we ratify the presidential appointment of the nominees, we expect a paradigm shift in the manner the HRC has been conducting itself.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I agree with my brother, the hon. Member of Parliament for Zambezi East, that, indeed, human rights must be protected. Even today, when his party is in power, human rights must be respected. His party must stop perpetrating human rights abuses. It must stop transporting people. Someone will be arrested in Lusaka, but will be transported to Shiwang’andu. Someone will be arrested in Shiwang’andu, but will be transported to the North-Western Province. Another will be arrested in Mpika, but will be transported to Livingstone. That is a human rights abuse and that must come to a stop when we take such matters to the HRC.

Mr Speaker, the President told this nation that no one will be detained beyond twenty-four hours of being arrested, but we have seen people being detained for more than two months or five months without being charged.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, Mr Rizwan Patel was kept in Chipata …

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Your time is up.

Mr Kapyanga: … for a good one year by these people here. They must respect human rights.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Mr Kapyanga: Mr Speaker, I love you and, please, remind them to respect human rights.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Clerks-at-the-Table, you are not doing your work.

Hon. UPND Members: Yes. They are compromised. They are Patriotic Front (PF). They are not doing their work.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: You know someone’s time is up. Your role is to ensure that there is tranquility in the House. So, Clerks-at-the-Table –

The hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to respond to some of the issues that have been raised. The courtesy that we deserve in this House is that those who make allegations when debating must listen to the responses. Unfortunately, some of my hon. Colleagues have moved out.

Mr Nkandu: They have run away.

Mr B. Mpundu: We are here.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Mr Speaker, we are aware that Article 74 of the Constitution of Zambia provides for privilege of speech to hon. Members on the Floor of this House, and the same is provided for under Standing Order No. 212 of our Standing Orders. Unfortunately, some of our hon. Colleagues decided to abuse these two provisions to make spurious and mischievous statements against individuals who and institutions that cannot defend themselves.

Mr Speaker, there was an allegation that State agents have been abducting people in this country. State agents in this country do not abduct. They arrest criminals. They arrest those who have offended the law.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr B. Mpundu: Niba sakala nyongo.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: If any one of your friends has been abducted, as alleged, they have been arrested because they have committed an offence, and there is no one who has been arrested in this country who has not appeared in court, pursuant to the laws of this country.

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

Mr Mwiimbu: When you get arrested after breaking the law, that is not a violation. You must realise that where your rights end, the rights of others begin. There are no absolute rights in this country.

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

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: None, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, they have raised issues pertaining to what they are alleging to be a violation of human rights. I want to remind them that President Hakainde Hichilema was abused by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

Mr B. Mpundu: On a Point of Order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: I am responding to the issues you raised. President Hakainde Hichilema was detained by the PF Government for 127 days for an offence he never committed.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

Let me guide. The hon. Minister debating is part of the Government and he is responding to the issues that you raised. So, whatever he is responding to was raised on the Floor of the House. I think, you were given ample time to debate. Let the hon. Minister also debate.

Hon. Minister, you may proceed.

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

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, I have guided.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Mr Speaker, it is on record, and the whole nation knows, that President Hakainde was detained for 127 days for an offence he did not commit. It was a violation of human rights on their part.

Mr Speaker, prior to the 2021 Elections, the hon. Member of Parliament for Mpika called all of us cockroaches. That was a violation of our human rights. We are aware that prior to the elections in 2021, we were not allowed to campaign on the Copperbelt Province, Luapula Province, the Northern Province, Muchinga Province and the Eastern Province under their supervision.

Eng. Nzovu: They have even run away.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Mr Speaker, during that period, the people of Zambia were not able to trade freely in markets. Wearing anything red was a death sentence. The rights of the people of Zambia were violated during their reign.

Mr Mwene: Those criminals!

Eng. Nzovu: They have run away!

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Mr Speaker, making allegations when one has no evidence is not allowed on the Floor of this House. Have those who were making allegations laid any evidence to show that prisoners are being stripped naked when being searched?

Eng. Nzovu: Nothing at all!

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: They have not done that. If they have any evidence, they have the right to go to court or to complain to the HRC, but they have not done that. Instead, they have used the Floor of this House to make allegations because they know that they have absolute privilege. They know that they cannot be taken to court. However, there are consequences for making allegations on the Floor of this House that are not true. It is not correct to abuse others because someone is an hon. Member of Parliament and has the right to speak in Parliament.

Mr Speaker, some hon. Members have alleged that their rights are being violated and that the Government is not protecting them. Two days ago, the PF had a fracas in Ngwerere.

Mr Mwene: On their own!

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Members of the PF were fighting amongst themselves. The Government did not interfere. Somebody, from under his bed, had to ring the police to intervene in the situation. Those who were involved had to be protected because, as the Government, we have a duty to do so.

Mr Fube: Tatwalelwa!

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Mr Speaker, the PF has been fighting, but its members have never been stopped from exercising their political rights. They have been fighting amongst themselves. They have even gone to the extent of advertising that they need new blood in the PF because the current leadership has failed. Is it us who are involved? Have we stopped the PF from carrying out its activities? We have not. We are just enjoying what is happening because our friends are exercising their political rights.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: We are happy that they are exercising their political rights without interference from us.

Mr Fube started leaving the Assembly Chamber.

Eng. Nzovu: Iwe ka Chilubi, isa kuno.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Mr Speaker, currently, the PF can even hold political gatherings at courts and churches without anyone interfering. The Government has allowed opposition parties to enjoy their rights. We have allowed them to enjoy their rights to the extent of even destroying themselves. We shall watch as they destroy one another. We shall enjoy the destruction because that is what they want.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Why should the Opposition blame us for the things its members are doing to themselves? We will allow them to enjoy their rights. We will not stop them. What will not be allowed is criminality and fomenting disorder in the country. The Government will not allow that. The Government has a duty to protect the rights of every citizen and it shall do that. That is its duty. It has never failed to protect anyone in this country.

Mr Mwene: Even them when they are fighting!

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Mr Speaker, all of us are aware that since we assumed office in 2021, we have had more than eighty by-elections. Most of them have been relatively peaceful. In that regard, both the international and local communities have been praising the Government unlike what used to happen during the reign of the PF. In the past, there was bloodshed during every by-elections. We must be proud of the fact that we are respecting the rights of all political parties in the country. We are using the same Public Order Act that the PF Government was using prior to 2021, but we have used it prudently, diligently and in the interest of everyone. We protect the rights of everyone, unlike what used to happen in the past. Unlike what was happening in the past, whereby even judges were being threatened, the current Government has never threatened anybody.

Mr Speaker, the Government would like the political atmosphere to progress as it is. I would like the rights of individuals and politicians to be protected. I wish to assure the nation that the next general elections, in 2026, will be peaceful. We know that we are winning by a huge margin …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: ... because the people of Zambia appreciate what we have done.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mubika: Mukaikulila.

The Minister of Justice (Ms Kasune): Mr Speaker, I wish we had more people debate from our end, including the hon. Minister for the Copperbelt Province and others. It seems there were more debaters who spoke against the Government, who should, in fact, be grateful that we have done more for human rights than any other regime.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasune: I think, that is on record.

Mr Speaker, I will try to not personalise the debate, but just add that, to this day, I walk with a scar sustained from a panga injury I sustained during the Patriotic Front (PF) regime, yet its hon. Members have the audacity to speak the way they do when the country has seen more freedom as it relates to association and speech. The current Government will go down in history as having saved the nation from going under when it comes to the rule of law. The people of Zambia saw what was happening and they voted the PF Government out of office and for that, we are grateful to all the Zambian citizens.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, let me deal with the statement that I have been given, as the Minister of Justice. I wish to thank you and commend the work of the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to scrutinise the presidential appointments.

Mr Speaker, from the outset, I take cognisance of the fact that the chairperson and the seconder of the Motion mentioned that the witnesses who appeared before your Committee found the candidates worthy of the charge or the job that they have been called to. I think that was very comforting for us, as the Ministry of Justice, on behalf of the appointing authority, the President.

Mr Speaker, your Committee scrutinised the presidential appointments of Dr Pamela Sambo, Dr Felicity Kalunga, Bishop Emmanuel Yona Chikoya, Ms Panic Malawo Chilufya, Ms Laura Mary Miti and Father Joseph Komakoma to serve as the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Commissioners of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Board, respectively. I wish to appreciate your Committee for doing an excellent job, which speaks to your office.

Mr Speaker, the respective presidential appointees have been made by taking into account Article 259 of the Constitution of Zambia, Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia, which provides that nominations and appointments must take into account the prerequisite qualification to discharge the functions of the office, as prescribed. Even those who debated against the Motion said that was done.

Further, the Presidential appointments took into account the requirement of the 50 per cent appointment of each gender and the regional diversity of the people of the Republic of Zambia. I think, it is important to underscore that, for the first time in the history of Zambia after President Kaunda’s reign, the current Government is being deliberate not only about the 50 per cent representation of each gender, but also regional diversity by following the “One Zambia, One Nation and One People” motto, and that should be commended.

Mr Speaker, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Zambia, President Hakainde Hichilema, we have taken note of some of the observations that have been made on the Floor, particularly that the one who will be added to sit on the commission will be youthful and also possibly have a disability. We have taken note of this.

Mr Speaker, owing to the diligence with which your Committee handled the issue, we, as a ministry, on behalf of the President, did not see much that we could add. I just want to reaffirm the Government's commitment to ensuring that the rule of law is upheld in this country. Good governance is what we pride ourselves in upholding above everything else. However, as my hon. Colleague stated, where one's rights end, there begins another person’s rights. This view we must always uphold intentionally.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I want to say, thank you and,iIndeed, I express my profound gratitude to your office for doing a good job and for the diversity of the Select Committee. I also thank you for the work that the Select Committee itself has done. Indeed, it conducted a comprehensive appraisal and diligently scrutinised the President’s appointments. This is how it should be as we continue to pride ourselves in upholding the rule of law and safe guarding the human rights of every Zambian.

On that note, Mr Speaker, I thank you very much.

I thank you, Sir.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms S. Mwamba: Mr Speaker, in winding up the debate on the ratification of the appointment of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and Commissioners of the Human Rights Commission (HRC), allow me to thank all the hon. Members who have contributed to the debate on this important Motion.

Mr Speaker, the debate, today, has reminded us that the HRC is not just another institution of the Government. It is a body tasked with protecting the dignity, the freedoms and the rights of every Zambian, regardless of status, gender, age or belief. The calibre of leadership we place at the helm of the Commission, therefore, matters.

Mr Speaker, the nominees before us have been subjected to scrutiny through our Committee processes. Their qualifications, experience and personal integrity have been interrogated. While no individual is perfect, what is clear is that nominees collectively bring diversity and expertise from law to academia to community engagement, and that is essential for a balanced and effective commission. As we ratify their names today, let us remind them and, indeed, ourselves that this mandate is not ceremonial; it is a solemn responsibility. They must rise above partisan interests, above fear and above complacency. They must listen to the cries of the ordinary Zambians, those facing injustices in workplaces, those vulnerable in correctional facilities, those children denied education and those communities fighting for access to land and natural resources.

Mr Speaker, by supporting this Motion, we, as hon. Members, are not merely approving names, but also entrusting individuals with the duty to safeguard the rights enshrined in our Constitution. It is, therefore, our collective responsibility to hold them accountable and to support their work with adequate resources. I also wish to urge the House to increase the budgetary allocation to the HRC.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, let us ratify the names of these nominees with the clear expectation that they will serve with courage, integrity and unwavering commitment to the people of Zambia. The HRC must remain a beacon of justice and a shield for the vulnerable. This is the standard we must demand, and that is the spirit with which I recommend this Motion to the House.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Question put and agreed.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Defence and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Lufuma): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1807 hours until 0900 hours on Tuesday, 28^th October, 2025.

____________

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