Tuesday, 4th November, 2025

Tuesday, 4^th November, 2025

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM SPEAKER

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM MARIGOLD TRUST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

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

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome our visitors into our midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

VISITING SCHOOLS FROM SENGA HILL PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of pupils and teachers from the following schools in Senga Hill Parliamentary Constituency:

Menje Secondary;

Kalili Secondary;

Senga Hill Secondary;

Mpande Day Secondary;

Nondo Day Secondary;

Kalila Primary;

Senga Hill Primary; and

Chimula Primary.

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome our visitors into our midst. They are most welcome, and they can resume their seats.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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RULINGS BY MADAM SPEAKER

COMPLAINT BY MR OLIVER AMUTIKE, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MONGU CENTRAL CONSTITUENCY, AGAINST MR BINWELL MPUNDU, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NKANA CONSTITUENCY AND MR FRANCIS R. KAPYANGA, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MPIKA CONSTITUENCY, FOR ALLEGEDLY USING INFORMAL LANGUAGE IN THE HOUSE AND UNPARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE TOWARDS HIM

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, as per our practice and procedure, a Member who is found in breach of parliamentary privilege and contempt of the House is required to be present in the House when the ruling is delivered. In that regard, the hon. Members were contacted by the Office of the Clerk to remind them to be present in the House today, Tuesday, 4^th November, 2025. However, Mr Binwell Mpundu, MP, has elected to absent himself from the House. I will nonetheless proceed to render the ruling.

Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that on Thursday, 3^rd July, 2025, my office received a letter of complaint from Mr O. Amutike, hon. Member of Parliament for Mongu Central Constituency, against Mr B. Mpundu, MP, and Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP. In the complaint, Mr O. Amutike, MP, alleged that on Wednesday, 2^nd July, 2025, when the House resolved into Committee of Supply to consider Supplementary Estimates No.1 of 2025, Mr B. Mpundu, MP, conducted himself in a manner that disregarded the rules that govern the House by using informal and unparliamentary language against him in the House. He further alleged that Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, in his debate, referred to him as a freemason.

Hon. Members, in line with parliamentary practice and procedure, and in accordance with the rules of natural justice, on Thursday, 17^th July, 2025, the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia wrote to Mr B. Mpundu, MP, and Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, requesting them to state their side of the story on the complaint.

Hon. Members, Mr B. Mpundu, MP, did not respond to the letter requesting him to state his side of the story. Further, all efforts to get a response from the hon. Member by the Office of the Clerk proved futile. Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, on the other hand, responded to the letter from the Office of the Clerk. I will deal with the response by Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, as I deal with the complaint against him.

Hon. Members, before delving into the issues raised by the complaint, I wish to address the repeated failure by hon. Members to respond to correspondence from the Office of the Clerk, particularly where serious allegations relating to breach of privileges are involved. It is important to emphasise that failure to respond to correspondence from the Office of the Clerk undermines the authority of the House and shows disrespect for its processes. It is, therefore, regrettable that despite repeated efforts, Mr B. Mpundu, MP, did not respond to the letter requesting him to state his side of the story.

I wish to urge you all, hon. Members, to endeavour to respond promptly to communication from the Office of the Clerk, as this reflects accountability and upholds the dignity of the House.

Hon. Members, the complaint by Mr O. Amutike, MP, raises the following issues:

a Member using unparliamentary language against another Member; and

a Member using informal language during the proceedings and debates of the Assembly.

A Member Using Unparliamentary Language Against Another Member

Hon. Members, the conduct of hon. Members of Parliament is regulated by various laws and rules that seek to uphold the dignity of the House and also ensure the smooth transaction of the business of the House. In this regard, Order No. 213 (1) and (2) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, enjoins all hon. Members to conduct themselves in a manner that maintains the dignity and decorum of the House. It provides as follows:

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

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

Further, Standing Order No. 72(1) defines unparliamentary language as follows:

“(1) Unparliamentary language refers to the use of offensive, provocative, insulting, threatening or obscene language in the House.”

Additionally, Standing Order No. 72(2) prohibits an hon. Member from using unparliamentary language in the House.

Hon. Members, eminent writers on parliamentary practice and procedure, Audrey O’Brien and Marc Bosc, in their book entitled House of Commons Procedure and Practice (Second Edition, Ottawa, House of Commons, 2009), state at page 618 as follows:

“The proceedings of the House are based on a long-standing tradition of respect for the integrity of all Members. Thus, the use of offensive, provocative or threatening language in the House is strictly forbidden. Personal attacks, insults and obscenities are not in order.”

A Member Using Informal Language during Proceedings and Debates of the Assembly

Order No. 235 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, provides that the proceedings and debates of the Assembly shall be in the English language.

Hon. Members, in considering this matter, I had recourse to the relevant verbatim record and video footage of what transpired on the material day. I will address the complaint against Mr B. Mpundu, MP, before proceeding to address the complaint against Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP.

The video footage shows Mr B. Mpundu, MP, uttering unpalatable words using informal language while on the Floor:

“Walifulungana, ah! Kwati chalipena zoona … Iwe yatekepanshi, naiwe, teyambi molu, leka tukonkanyepo naiwe.”

Hon. Members, pardon my bemba, but I am trying.

The words mean: “You are mad.” “You are mad.” “You are really mad” and “Put them down, you, nothing else but the legs. Allow me to continue.”

However, it is difficult to ascertain from the footage alone to whom the words were directed. That notwithstanding, the verbatim record of the material day clearly shows that Mr B. Mpundu, MP, uttered the said words in question after Mr O. Amutike, MP, indicated to raise a Point of Order. It is, therefore, apparent that the words were directed at Mr O. Amutike, MP. In view of the foregoing, I find that Mr B. Mpundu, MP, was out of order. I will come back to this matter later.

Allow me now to deal with the complaint against Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP.

Hon. Members, in his response to the complaint against him dated Friday, 18^th July, 2025, Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, raised two issues. Firstly, he stated that at no point did he refer to Mr O. Amutike, MP, as a freemason, and expressed dismay as to why his remarks were interpreted in that manner, especially that he had not mentioned Mr O. Amutike, MP, by name. Secondly, he argued that the letter of complaint did not specify the Standing Order that was allegedly breached and, on that basis, considered the complaint to be without merit, and believed it should be treated as such.

Hon. Members, from the video footage of the material day, it is evident that Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, uttered the following unparliamentary words alleged in the complaint:

“Iwe freemason, naiwe, ikala panshi ah”, meaning: “You, freemason, sit down.”

However, the footage does not clearly show to whom the words were directed. That said, the verbatim record of the proceedings of the material day confirms that while Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, was on the Floor, Mr O. Amutike, MP, indicated his intention to raise a Point of Order. At that moment, Mr F. R. Kapyanga uttered the words as alleged. Based on the sequence of events in the verbatim record, it is evident that the remarks in question were directed at Mr O. Amutike, MP, as they were made immediately after he sought to raise a Point of Order.

Hon. Members, in his defence, Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, stated that the complaint did not refer to any Standing Order. I have had sight of Mr O. Amutike, MP’s complaint, which was duly availed to Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP. In his letter of complaint, Mr O. Amutike, MP, alleged that Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, breached Orders No. 72 and 235 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024. In that regard, Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP’s assertion that the complaint against him did not refer to any Standing Order is unfounded.

Hon. Members, considering the nature of the words used by Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, against Mr O. Amutike, MP, I have, in exercise of my powers under Section 28(1)(b) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, decided to admonish Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP.

Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, I now turn to admonish you. The House is disappointed with your conduct. It is unfortunate that you chose to utter inappropriate words against a fellow hon. Member on the Floor of the House. Such language is not only disrespectful to your hon. Colleague, but also detracts from the dignity and decorum that this House strives to uphold. This is an august House, and hon. Members are expected to conduct themselves with civility, mutual respect and the highest standard of integrity. Your behaviour falls short of these expectations.

As the custodian of the rules and procedures of this House, I must remind you that it is my duty to safeguard its integrity. I urge you, therefore, to reflect on your conduct and ensure that your future debates are guided by respect for others and adherence to the rules that govern us all.

I now order you, Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, to read your apology and, thereafter, resume your seat.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

APOLOGY BY THE MEMBER FOR MPIKA, HON. F. R. KAPYANGA

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I, Francis Robert Kapyanga, in my personal capacity and in my capacity as Member of Parliament for Mpika Constituency, do unreservedly apologise to you, this august House, and to the nation for using informal and unparliamentary language on the Floor of the House against Mr O. Amutike, MP.

Madam Speaker, having reflected on my conduct, which amounts to a breach of parliamentary decorum and etiquette, I wish to assure you and this august House that from now on, I shall endeavour to ensure that the honour and the decorum, and dignity of the House is protected and preserved at all times.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Mpika.

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REPRIMAND OF AN HON. MEMBER

REPRIMAND OF MR B. MPUNDU, MP

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, now I address Mr B. Mpundu, MP.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, although Mr B. Mpundu, MP, is not present in the House, I will proceed to address him in absentia.

Hon. Members, having considered the gravity and offensive nature of the words uttered by Mr B. Mpundu, MP, on the Floor of the House, I find it necessary to mete out a stiffer punishment in order to uphold the dignity and the decorum of the House.

Therefore, in exercising my powers under Section 28(2) of the National Assembly Powers and Privileges Act, I am of the view that Mr B. Mpundu, MP, should be suspended from the service of the National Assembly for a period of fourteen days. Thus, in accordance with Section 28(2) of the National Assembly Powers and Privilege Act, which requires –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Let us listen.

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

Question that the House suspends Mr B. Mpundu, MP, for a period of fourteen days with effect from today, Tuesday, 4^th November, 2025, put and agreed to.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Mr B. Mpundu, MP, your suspension, as resolved by the House, is for fourteen days from today, Tuesday, 4^th November, to Monday, 17^th November, 2025.

Interruptions

COMPLAINT BY ENG. R. MABENGA, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MULOBEZI PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY, AGAINST MR B. MPUNDU, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NKANA CONSTITUENCY, FOR STATEMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO MR B. MPUNDU IN AN ARTICLE ENTITLED, “BINWELL SLAMS CURRENT PARLIAMENT AS USELESS”, PUBLISHED IN THE MAST NEWSPAPER

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, As per our practice and procedure, an hon. Member who is found in breach of Parliamentary Privilege and contempt of the House is required to be present in the House when the ruling is delivered. In that regard, the hon. Member for Nkana Constituency was contacted by the Office of the Clerk to remind him to be present in the House, today, Tuesday, 4^th November, 2025. However, the hon. Member has elected to absent himself from the House. I will, nonetheless, proceed to render the ruling.

Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that on Wednesday, 9^th July, 2025, my office received a letter of complaint from Eng. R. Mabenga, hon. Member of Parliament for Mulobezi Constituency, against Mr B. Mpundu, hon. Member of Parliament for Nkana Constituency, for statements attributed to Mr B. Mpundu, MP, in an article entitled, “Binwell Slams Current Parliament as Useless” published in The Mast newspaper produced in Edition No. 4655 SM454, dated Saturday, 5^th July, 2025. In the said article, Mr B. Mpundu, MP, alleged that the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia had allowed the hon. Members of Parliament from the United Party for National Development (UPND) to insult Opposition and Independent hon. Members of Parliament. Mr B. Mpundu, MP, further stated in the said article that the National Assembly is useless today and that he would not want to be re-elected as an hon. Member of Parliament, unless there was a change in terms of the composition of the Presiding Officers of the National Assembly. Eng. R. Mabenga, MP, contended that Mr B. Mpundu, MP’s comments contravened Order No. 215(i) and 220(2)(b) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024.

Hon. Members, in line with Parliamentary Practice and Procedure, and in accordance with the rules of natural justice, on 23^rd July, 2025, the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly officially wrote to Mr B. Mpundu, MP, requesting him to confirm whether or not the statements in the said article were correctly attributed to him. However, there was no response received from him. Similarly, on 23^rd July, 2025, aforementioned, the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly wrote to the Editor-in-Chief of The Mast newspaper requesting confirmation whether or not the statements alleged to have been made by Mr B. Mpundu, MP, in the article had been correctly attributed to him. The Editor-in-Chief of The Mast newspaper stated that the story in the article was sourced from an interview by Mr B. Mpundu, MP, when he featured on the DJ Showstar Podcast on 3^rd July, 2025, and, therefore, the story was as monitored on the podcast.

Hon. Members, the complaint by Eng. R. Mabenga, MP, raises the issue of an hon. Member committing contempt of the House by publishing or making a statement reflecting on the character or impartiality of the Speaker or the proceedings of the Assembly. In this regard, Section 19(d) and (e) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Chapter 12 of the Laws of Zambia, provides that:

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

…

shows disrespect in speech or manner towards the –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Somebody is on the ninth cloud.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: From here, I can hear some soft snoring.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: I understand it is hot. So, I will continue with the ruling.

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

…

shows disrespect in speech or manner towards the Speaker; or

commits any other act of intentional disrespect to or with reference to the proceedings of the Assembly or of a Committee of the Assembly or to any person presiding at such proceedings.”

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Otherwise, I will start all over again and read from page 1.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Order No. 220(2)(a) and (b) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, provides that:

“(2) In addition to instances under Section nineteen of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, the following, may constitute contempt of the House:

a speech or writing reflecting negatively on the House or Members;

a reflection on the character or impartiality of the Speaker in the discharge of the Speaker’s duties;”

Further, eminent writers on Parliamentary Practice and Procedure, S. L. Shakdher and M. N. Kaul in their book entitled: Practice and Procedure of Parliament, Seventh Edition, New Delhi, Lok Sabha, 2016, state as follows at pages 304 and 306:

“It is a breach of privilege and contempt of the House to make speeches, or to print or publish any libels, reflecting on the character or proceedings of the House or its Committees, or any member of the House for or relating to his character or conduct, as a member of Parliament.

“Speeches and writings reflecting on the House or its Committees or members are punished by the House as contempt on the principle that such acts ‘tend to obstruct the Houses in the performance of their functions by diminishing the respect due to them’.

“Impartiality is, therefore, an integral attribute vis-à-vis the Office of the Speaker. Hence, reflections on the character or impartiality of the Speaker in discharge of his duties as the Speaker of the House had been held to constitute a breach of privilege and contempt of the House.”

Additionally, I recently had occasion to rule on a similar matter on a complaint by Dr C. Andeleki, hon. Member of Parliament for Katombola Constituency, against Mr F. R. Kapyanga, hon. Member of Parliament for Mpika Constituency, (Parliamentary Debates of the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly, Wednesday, 17^th September, 2025).

In rendering my ruling, I stated that:

“Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, the statements you made in an article entitled “‘Stand as MP to debate freely’, Kapyanga tells Speaker Mutti”, published in the News Diggers Newspaper, issue No. 2031 dated Friday, 4^th July, 2025, were disrespectful and impugned the character and impartiality of my Office in the discharge of my duties. The statements did not only bring the dignity of my Office into disrepute, but that of the entire House. Therefore, the statements constitute a breach of parliamentary privilege and contempt of the House. The House is, in this regard, displeased with your conduct. It is my sincere hope that you will refrain from such conduct in future.”

From the authorities cited above, it is clear that it is a breach of parliamentary privilege and contempt of the House for a Member to make statements that are demeaning and reflect negatively on the character and impartiality of the Speaker.

Hon. Members, I referred the matter to the Committee on Privileges and Absences for consideration. The Committee met on Thursday, 18^th September, 2025, to consider the matter. In this regard, three witnesses, namely Eng. R. Mabenga, MP, Mr B. Mpundu, MP, as well as Mr J. Munthali, the Editor-in-Chief of the Mast Newspaper, appeared before the Committee. The submissions of the witnesses are set out below:

Eng. R. Mabenga, MP

Eng. R. Mabenga, MP, confirmed that he was the author of the complaint against Mr B. Mpundu, MP, filed in the Office of the Hon. Madam Speaker on Wednesday, 9^th July, 2025. He, therefore, placed reliance on his written complaint.

Mr Jeremy Munthali, Editor-in-Chief, the Mast Newspaper

On behalf –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kasenengwa, please. You know the rules.

Mr Jeremy Munthali, Editor-in-Chief, the Mast Newspaper

On behalf of the Mast Newspaper, Mr J Munthali confirmed that the article published in Edition No. 4655, SM454, dated Saturday, 5^th July, 2025, was correctly attributed to Mr B. Mpundu, MP. He added that the publication was sourced from an interview of Mr B. Mpundu, MP, when he featured on the Deejay Showstar Podcast on 3^rd July, 2025. Further, Mr J. Munthali submitted that it is a well-established practice in professional journalism, both in Zambia and internationally, for media houses to monitor and report on statements made by public figures on platforms such as podcasts, livestreams, television and other public forums. This practice is in addition to solicited or unsolicited interviews conducted directly with public figures. Mr J. Munthali informed the Committee that the remarks made by Mr B. Mpundu, MP, when he appeared on the Deejay Showstar Podcast were reported in national interest. This was because, as a Member of Parliament, Mr B. Mpundu, MP’s statements regarding the functioning of the National Assembly were matters of public concern. Finally, Mr J. Munthali submitted that the remarks attributed to Mr B. Mpundu, MP, in the article were a verbatim record of statements made during his interview on the Deejay Showstar Podcast. He stated that in publishing the story, the Mast Newspaper acted within the bounds of responsible journalism while upholding the public’s right to information.

Mr B. Mpundu, MP

Mr B. Mpundu, MP, submitted that he was not aware of the complaint against him, as he had not been served any letter requesting him to respond to the allegations in the complaint. He stated that if he had been served with the letter by the Office of the Clerk, he would have responded to the allegations in writing. However, Mr B. Mpundu, MP, confirmed that the statements published in the Mast Newspaper article produced in Edition No. 4655, SM454, dated Saturday, 5^th July, 2025, were correctly attributed to him, but reported out of context. He stated that on the Deejay Showstar Podcast, he complained about how he was treated in the House following his suspension for seven days for misconduct on the Floor of the House. Finally, Mr B. Mpundu, MP, stated that he was sorry and withdrew the words used during the podcast when expressing his frustrations for being suspended from the National Assembly.

Hon. Members, upon evaluating the matter, the Committee made the following observations:

Mr B. Mpundu, MP, accused the Office of the Clerk of not serving him with a letter requesting him to respond to the allegations contained in the letter of complaint by Eng. R. Mabenga, MP. In this regard, Mr B. Mpundu, MP, claimed that the Committee did not comply with the rules of natural justice;

the Office of the Clerk provided proof of service of the letter, which was sent to Mr B. Mpundu, MP’s official Parliament email address and his mobile phone number on WhatsApp, and Mr B. Mpundu, MP, did not provide any rebuttal to the evidence;

Mr B. Mpundu, MP, submitted that although the statements published in the article were correctly attributed to him, they were reported out of context. However, the Committee had the opportunity to listen to the audio recording of the Deejay Showstar Podcast, which confirmed that the words attributed to Mr B. Mpundu, MP, in the Mast Newspaper article were a verbatim record of what he said during the podcast;

although Mr B. Mpundu, MP, apologised for the statements made on the Deejay Showstar Podcast, he was not remorseful;

the statements were disrespectful and impugned the character and impartiality of my Office in the discharge of my duties. Therefore, they constituted a breach of privilege and contempt of the House; and

the remarks by Mr B. Mpundu, MP, brought not only my Office but the entire House into disrepute.

In determining the appropriate punishment to be meted out to Mr B. Mpundu, MP, the Committee considered that Mr B. Mpundu, MP:

did not readily admit the charge;

did not express remorse;

wasted the Committee’s time by accusing the Office of the Clerk of not serving him with a letter requesting him to respond to the allegations contained in the letter of complaint by Eng. R. Mabenga, MP; and

Mr B. Mpundu, MP’s accusation against the Office of the Clerk was later proved to be false.

For these reasons, the Committee unanimously resolved to recommend that Mr B. Mpundu, MP, be suspended from the service of the House for a period of thirty days, in accordance with Section 28(2) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act.

Hon. Members, let me take this opportunity to express my displeasure and dismay at Mr B. Mpundu, MP’s behaviour when he alleged that the Office of the Clerk did not serve him with a letter requesting him to respond to the complaint against him. In view of the foregoing, I am compelled to address Mr B. Mpundu, MP, on this particular matter.

Mr B. Mpundu, MP, you made a false assertion regarding a communication from the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly. Specifically, you claimed that you were not served with a letter requesting your response to a complaint lodged against you. However, the evidence on record indicates clearly that the letter was duly delivered to you in accordance with established procedures. This conduct is not only misleading but also undermines the integrity of the Office of the Clerk and the processes of this august House. As a Member of Parliament, you are expected to uphold the highest standards of honesty, accountability, and respect for parliamentary institutions. Making false statements, particularly in relation to official parliamentary processes, is a serious breach of the privileges and decorum expected of a Member of this House. I must, therefore, admonish you in the strongest terms. Let this serve as a clear reminder that such conduct will not be tolerated. You are urged to conduct yourself with the dignity and integrity befitting your office, and to treat communications from the Office of the Clerk and other parliamentary authorities with the seriousness they deserve.

Hon. Members, considering the seriousness of the offence committed by Mr B. Mpundu, MP, and in view of the various authorities and precedent I have placed reliance on, and his conduct when he appeared before the Committee, I fully endorse the Committee’s recommendation that Mr B. Mpundu, MP, be suspended from the service of the National Assembly for a period of thirty days. Thus, in accordance with section 28 (2) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, which requires a resolution of the House to suspend a Member from the House, I now put the Question.

Hon. Opposition Members called for a division.

Question that the House accordingly suspends Mr B. Mpundu, MP, for a period of thirty (30) days, with effect from today, Tuesday, 4^th November 2025, put and the House voted.

Ayes – (67)

Mr Anakoka

Dr Andeleki

Mr Emmanuel Banda

Mr Chaatila

Mr J. Chibuye

Mr Chikote

Mr Chinkuli

Ms Chisangano

Ms Halwiindi

Mr Hamwaata

Mr Hlazo

Mr Jamba

Mr Kakubo

Mr Kambita

Mr Kangombe

Mr Kapala

Mr Kapema

Ms Kasanda

Mr Katakwe

Mr Kolala

Mr Lihefu

Mr Lubozha

Mr Mabenga

Mr Malambo

Mr Mapani

Ms Mazoka

Mr Milupi

Mr Miyutu

Mr Moyo

Mr Mtolo

Muchima Mr

Mr Mufumelo

Mr Mukumbi

Mr Mulaliki

Mr Charles Mulenga

Mr Mulunda

Mr Mulusa

Mrs Mulyata

Munsanje Mr

Dr Musokotwane

Mr Musumali

Mr Mutinta

Mr Mwene

Dr Nalumango

Mr Nanjuwa

Mr Ngoma

Mr Ngowani

Mr Nkandu

Mr Nkombo

Mr Nkulukusa

Mr Nyambose

Mr Nzovu

Ms Sabao

Mr Samakayi

Mr Siachisumo

Mr Sialubalo

Mr Sikazwe

Mr Sikumba

Mr Simbao

Mr Simunji

Mr Simushi

Mr Simutowe

Mr Simuzingili

Brig Gen (Rtd) Sitwala

Mr Syakalima

Ms Tambatamba

Mr Tayengwa

Noes – (25)

Mr Allen Banda

Mr Simon Banda

Mr Chibombwe

Mr Chisopa

Mr Kabaso

Mr Kafwaya

Mr Kalimi

Mr Kalobo

Mr Kampyongo

Mr Kang’ombe

Mr Kapyanga

Ms Mulenga

Mr Mundubile

Mr Mushanga

Mr Elias Musonda

Mr Emmanuel Musonda

Dr Mwanza

Mr Mwila

Ms Nyirenda

Ms Phiri

Mr Peter Phiri

Mr Shakafuswa

Mr Simumba

Mr Emmanuel Tembo

Mr Twasa

Abstention – (03)

Question accordingly agreed to.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

I now turn to Mr B. Mpundu in absentia.

Mr B. Mpundu, MP, the statements you made in the article entitled “Binwell Slams Current Parliament as Useless,” published in The Mast newspaper, Edition No. 4655 SM454, dated 5^th July, 2025, are utterly unacceptable. Your remarks are not only profoundly disrespectful, but also maliciously impugn on the integrity, impartiality and dignity of my office in the execution of its constitutional duties. Such statements do a grave disservice by not only damaging the reputation of my office, but also casting a shadow over the entire National Assembly. Your conduct amounts to a serious breach of parliamentary privilege and constitutes contempt of this House. The House registers its unequivocal and profound displeasure with your reprehensible behaviour.

I solemnly warn you to desist from engaging in such conduct in the future. It is imperative that you understand, as must all hon. Members, that the right to freedom of speech is neither absolute nor unconditional; it does not shield unlawful utterances made outside the House, nor does it protect libellous statements disseminated through the media. I call upon you to uphold the dignity and decorum befitting an hon. Member of this honourable House when exercising your right to free speech.

Let me also make this crystal clear: gross indiscipline and misconduct by any hon. Member will be met with the fullest measure of accountability. The House will not tolerate any behaviour that undermines its authority or tarnishes its honour.

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

enter the precincts of the Assembly, and this extends to the National Assembly Motel;

participate in any business or activity of the House or a Committee that you are assigned to in your capacity as a Member of the National Assembly; and

be paid a salary or allowance that you are entitled to as a Member.

I wish to state that I have taken into consideration the earlier resolution of the House to suspend you from the service of the Assembly for fourteen days in the ruling I rendered before this one. I wish to inform you that the two suspensions will run concurrently.

I thank you.

______

URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

MR KAFWAYA, HON. MEMBER FOR LUNTE, ON HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT, DR NALUMANGO, ON THE PRESIDENT’S ATTENDANCE AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, thank you so much for according me this opportunity to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice directed at Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, the President of the Republic of Zambia is the chief servant of the Zambian people. Therefore, the Zambian people should be happy with his engagements. Yesterday, the President attended the inauguration of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Interruptions

Mr Kafwaya: The President’s attendance at the inauguration attracted widespread condemnation …

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Kafwaya: … from many Zambians. The condemnation is evident on social media as well as print media.

Madam Speaker, is it not reasonable for the United Party for National Development (UPND), through Her Honour the Vice-President, who is the Leader of Government Business in the House, to consider establishing the reasons that the President decided to attend that widely condemned …

Interruptions

Mr Kafwaya: … inauguration, and why he offered support to the newly-elected President of Tanzania when there are so many reports that people died in that country? What is the balance of their imagination in terms of the new President coming back to office and the deaths that have been reported in the international media?

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Kafwaya: Is it not reasonable for Her Honour the Vice-President to consider explaining to the Zambian people about the matter, in order to settle the minds of all those who are not happy about it?

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Hon. Member for Lunte, clearly, you know that that matter does not qualify to be raised as an Urgent Matter without Notice. Further, anything stated on the Floor of this House should be factual and verifiable. You have not produced any evidence before this honourable House, which talks about the state of Tanzania, how many people died, and whether they actually died or did not die. We have no official statement from Tanzania stating what happened. As I always guide in this House, we should not rely on social media. Sometimes, even the press publishes unverifiable stories. Most of the time, sensational news is meant to sell newspapers. So, coming to this House and basing our submissions or debates on what we have read in the newspapers is not acceptable. An hon. Member of the House should not come here and raise such issues that are not based on or backed by evidence.

Hon. Member for Lunte, let me give an analogy. This is just an analogy, and as a parent, I am sure you will understand. If you live in a village and your neighbour’s house is on fire, where your children have gone to visit, what are you going to do about that situation? Are you going to put petrol on the fire or you will go there to quench the fire? I will leave that to you to answer for yourself. In your own conscience, you will be able to answer that question.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: However, the matter that you have raised is not admitted.

Hon. Member for Nakonde, you may proceed.

MR SIMUMBA, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NAKONDE, ON HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT, DR NALUMANGO, ON THE WITHDRAW OF BILL NO. 7 OF 2025

Mr Simumba (Nakonde): Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, on a lighter note, since I came to this House in 2021, I have never seen or witnessed any hon. Member from your right being suspended. That is just on a lighter note.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Nakonde, you are treading on dangerous waters ...

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: … because just by that statement, you are already impugning the impartiality of Presiding Officers. Let us be serious. As I always say, hon. Members, both the young and old, members of the public and people we represent are watching us and following what we are doing. Whatever we say, they take it as gospel truth. So, let us take responsibility. When we stand to debate any issue, let us be factual.

Hon. Member for Nakonde, I am sure you know the reason none of the hon. Members on my right have been suspended.

Mr Simumba: I do not know.

Madam Speaker: When they are told to stop, they do that.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nakonde, you may proceed after that noise.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, I rise on an Urgent Matter without Notice.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, the matter I wish to raise is meant for the hon. Minister of Justice, but since she is not around, I will direct it to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, upholding and respecting the Constitution is a shared responsibility among all citizens. We have sworn to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution. The Constitution Court ruled that Bill No. 7 of 2025 is unconstitutional. Therefore, I want to find out why the hon. Minister of Justice has not completely withdrawn that Bill, which is unconstitutional and dead. That Bill is yet to be brought to the Floor of this House. Why has the hon. Minister of Justice not withdrawn a dead Bill, in accordance with the Constitutional Court’s ruling that the Bill is an unconstitutional?

Madam Speaker, as hon. Members of Parliament, we should not allow anything unconstitutional because we have sworn to defend and protect the Constitution. Why is it that this Bill is still on the Floor of this House even when –

Madam Speaker, I have the court’s ruling with me. The judgment was that Bill No. 7 of 2025 is unconstitutional. What is the hon. Minister of Justice still doing instead of completely withdrawing that Bill?

Madam Speaker, I seriously seek your guidance.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Simumba rose.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, before you do anything, wait. Just to help you, can you quote the same ruling, which says Bill No. 7 of 2025 is unconstitutional or, indeed, even refers to that Bill.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, allow me to read the whole judgment ...

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Order!

Mr Simumba: … so that I can start –

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nakonde, you have raised an issue. You said that the court’s ruling clearly says that Bill No. 7 of 2025 is unconstitutional. Please, can you read the sentence from that ruling that says Bill No. 7 is unconstitutional.

Mr Simumba: Madam Speaker, I thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, I will start from page 1 because the judgment has forty-four pages.

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Nakonde!

Do you know that amounts to a breach of your privilege?

Mr Simumba: How? That was the court’s ruling.

Madam Speaker: That is because you are not being factual. First of all, you are misleading the House. Secondly, you are misleading the members of the public, and even yourself. Further, that matter is before the courts. So, how can you bring a matter to this House that is in court? As an hon. Member of Parliament, yourself –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

As a Member of the House, hon. Member for Nakonde, you know clearly that a matter that is in court cannot be brought before this House. So, on that ground, your Urgent Matter without Notice is not admitted. If you want to go and inquire on the constitutionality or non-constitutionality of Bill No. 7 of 2025, please, you have a right to go to the courts of law and do that.

Hon. Members, in future, do not make allegations that are not substantiated, especially when you are referring to a judgment of the court. Do not insert words in a judgement. Court rulings are very clear. When making a judgment, the court gives specific orders. Specific findings are made. So, do not usurp the work of the court by inserting words which are not in a judgment. That is my guidance.

Hon. Member for Kamfinsa, you may proceed.

MR KANG’OMBE, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KAMFINSA, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF ENERGY, MR CHIKOTE, REGARDING THE SETTING UP OF A NEW OIL REFINERY

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, on an Urgent Matter without Notice.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, my Urgent Matter without Notice is directed at the hon. Minister of Energy.

Madam Speaker, I am on record of having asked the Government to recapitalise a company in Ndola called Indeni Petroleum Refinery. Based on my requests through questions that I had raised, I was guided that there were no plans by the Government to recapitalise the Indeni Refinery so that it could continue processing crude oil.

Madam Speaker, what has happened since then is that there was an announcement from the Government that it intends to set up a new refinery with a foreign entity, whose details have not been furnished to the nation up to now.

Madam Speaker, the House is aware that there is only one pipeline that is supposed to bring in crude oil from Dar-es-Salaam to Ndola for refining. The pipeline was converted and, currently, it is processing a finished product.

Madam Speaker, a big decision to set up a new refinery has been made without providing the nation with the details or the terms of the agreement with the investor that is going to set up the refinery. What will happen to the existing infrastructure that is currently bringing in finished products? Those details have not been made available to the nation.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Energy in order to not furnish this House with the terms and conditions of the agreement to set up a new refinery when the Government is on record of having stated that it will only bring in finished products? Is the hon. Minister in order to not enlighten the members of the public as well as your hon. Members of Parliament about such an issue?

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious indulgence.

Madam Speaker: Clearly, the matter does not qualify to be raised as an Urgent Matter without Notice. The hon. Member is advised to find other means to bring those concerns to the attention of the hon. Minister of Energy, then, they can be addressed in this House.

Thank you.

Let us make progress. We have a lot of work.

_______

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

THE STATUS OF PAYMENTS TO FARMERS WHO SUPPLIED MAIZE TO THE FOOD RESERVE AGENCY (FRA) DURING THE 2025 CROP MARKETING SEASON AND THE STORAGE OF MAIZE GRAIN COLLECTED FROM FARMERS

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo): Madam Speaker, I wish to thank you for this opportunity you have given me to provide an update to this House and, indeed, the nation on the status of payments to farmers who supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) during the 2025 Crop Marketing Season.

Madam Speaker, as guided by you, I would like to inform the House about the underlying causes of payment delays and the concrete steps the Government is taking to resolve the matter. Further, I will inform the House on the storage of maize grain collected from farmers by the FRA.

Madam Speaker, the FRA commenced the 2025 Crop Marketing Season on 30^th June, 2025. The programme has recorded an overwhelming response from the small-scale farmers across the country. The FRA had projected to purchase 543,000 metric tonnes of maize at K6,800 per metric tonne, or K340 per 50 kg bag in the current crop marketing season. The total cost of purchasing the 543,000 metric tonnes was estimated at K3,692,400,000; K3.7 billion, in short. Due to the bumper harvest that was recorded in the 2024/2025 Farming Season and the limited participation of the private sector in maize marketing, the Government decided to increase its share of maize purchases. I will repeat this: Due to the bumper harvest that was recorded in the 2024/2025 Farming Season and the limited participation of the private sector in maize marketing, the Government decided to increase its share of maize purchases. As of 31^st October, 2025, the FRA had purchased 1,663,934 metric tonnes of white maize, valued at K11,314,750,520. This maize was supplied by a total of 846,655 farmers from across the country. This implies a 306 per cent increase over and above the initial intended target. The extra cost and, therefore, the additional cash requirement, was K7,622,350,520.

Madam Speaker, the Government attaches great importance to the timely payment of our hardworking farmers and is doing its level best to ensure that the debt owed to them is paid within a reasonable time. We will not relent in finding solutions to ensure that our farmers are paid their dues in good time to allow them to prepare for the next farming season. I wish to report that the Government has, thus far, paid K2,088,550,000 to the farmers.

Madam Speaker, the remaining balance is being addressed through structured financial interventions to ensure that all the farmers are paid as quickly as possible. To accelerate the payments, the Government, through the FRA, has successfully concluded engagements with commercial banks for a structured loan facility amounting to K5 billion. This facility will bridge the financing gap and enable the FRA to clear much of the remaining dues to the farmers. Further, the agency has initiated maize sales to enhance its liquidity. These efforts will enable the Government to resolve the outstanding payments to the farmers.

Madam Speaker, allow me to assure the nation that there is sufficient storage space for all the maize collected by the FRA. The FRA has 1,105,510 metric tonnes of its own storage space. The agency has 1,663,934 metric tonnes of maize from the 2025 Crop Marketing Season and an extra 167,356 metric tonnes of carryover maize stock. This brings the total maize stock in the hands of the agency to 1,831,290 metric tonnes. So, currently, your agency has 1.8 million metric tonnes of maize. The 727,027 metric tonne storage space, which is required aside from the FRA storage space, has already been arranged through the private sector. The Government remains committed to ensuring that all the maize purchased by the FRA is properly stored, particularly since the rainy season has commenced in our country. Allow me also to take this opportunity to thank all our farmers for their continued patience and contributions to the national food security. The Government remains steadfast in ensuring that the agriculture sector continues to thrive as a pillar of Zambia’s economic transformation and rural development agenda.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Minister, for that statement.

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

Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Madam Speaker, every weekend, from Friday to Sunday, I am in the constituency. The statement from the hon. Minister of Agriculture is timely. Many farmers in Bwacha Parliamentary Constituency who sold maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) have not been paid. May the hon. Minister indicate how many farmers are still awaiting payment for the maize supplied to the FRA, the total outstanding amount, and when they will be paid?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I may not be able to give the exact number of farmers, but I can give the balance that is to be paid. I think that is what is most cardinal. If you recall, I said the total quantity that has been supplied in terms of value is K11.3 billion. Out of that, the agency has paid K2.1 billion. I think K11.3 billion minus K2.1 billion gives us K9.2 billion. So, that is the amount that has not yet been paid.

Interruptions

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I am very happy to inform the hon. Member for Bwacha, that today, before I came to this august House, the Government had arranged something. As of today, K2 billion is being released by the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO). The hon. Member is free to verify that information because I am giving it to the nation. K2 billion is being disbursed today. It should be reaching the farmers very soon, and that will continue. In my statement, I indicated that we have made necessary arrangements with the banks of up to K5 billion. We hope to get the rest of the money when the maize is sold. If that arrangement is delayed, we will continue arranging with the banks until all the farmers are paid on time.

Madam Speaker, when will this be done? I have said that K2 billion has just been released by one bank. Another bank is giving us about K1 billion, and another about K100 million. If that is put together, we should –

Hon. Opposition Members: When?

Mr Mtolo: Yes, I can talk confidently about the bank, which is the source of the K2 billion. I know that one bank is releasing K100 million, and another bank is releasing K1 billion. So, if hon. Members say, “When?” We will start this week and decompose further.

Madam Speaker, the agency has never stopped paying farmers. It has continued paying farmers. Yes, it has not had sufficient funds, but it has never stopped paying. I think that it is important that the country knows this. I wish not to rile farmers or make them angry. I accept that we have delayed, but we have made very good arrangements to continue paying farmers.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to ask the hon. Minister of Agriculture a question on behalf of the people I represent, who are mainly farmers.

Madam Speaker, for four years now, the hon. Minister has struggled to pay small-scale farmers whenever they have supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). Many of the affected farmers are not registered with the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), and they need to plan for the next farming season. When the FRA gets maize from farmers on credit, as it has done now, it puts pressure on the farmers because farmers will not find money to use to prepare for the next farming season. Where is the planning department at the Ministry of Agriculture? The ministry needed to have planned in advance and sourced the money from the banks before the FRA could even start buying maize.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister cited that they needed to buy more than what was planned. Where did he think the rest of the farmers would take their crops to? It is the ministry’s responsibility to provide the market. Why has the ministry failed to adequately plan for the marketing season?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the question that has been asked by the hon. Member is very fundamental because it does not only affect the current Government, or the hon. Minister who is standing here today but the previous Governments. If we are not careful, it will even affect future Governments. Why do I say that? Firstly, let me give the House empirical evidence. When I took over as the hon. Minister, I found that the previous Government was owing K2.1 billion to farmers. So, it is not right for hon. Members of the House to talk as if this is a new phenomenon. I sold the maize in the stocks to pay the farmers, and I was condemned. What we should do when we are in this House is to use our combined intelligence to solve problems. Pointing fingers at each other will not help.

Madam Speaker, if you heard me, I said that the increased production and the minimal participation of the private sector are creating this problem. That should not be underrated. Let us go into the future.

Mr Kapyanga looked elsewhere.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, Hon. Kapyanga asked a question, but he is giving me his cheek. I want him to look at me so we can converse, please.

Mr Chonde interjected.

Mr Mtolo: Let me discuss serious issues, Hon. Saka. Joke with me outside at tea break when eating bananas.

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I have been in the industry for a long time. Where did the big companies that were assisting in crop procurement go? Where is the Glencore Agriculture Limited of this world? Where is the Louis Dreyfus Company of this world? Where is ETG Agri Input Zambia? How much did we, as local entrepreneurs, put in? How much did we, sitting in this House, put in? We have capable people like my brother, Hon. Mumba. How can we participate in finding solutions? Five years from now, this country will produce 10 million metric tonnes of maize.

The FRA is still going to buy about 3 million tonnes of maize. What is going to happen to the remaining 7 million tonnes of maize? We need private sector participation in the maize market. If we expect the Government to be buying all the maize, we will be delaying the disposal of maize, like we are doing now. If we force the Government to be buying all the maize, the FRA will go down, the way the National Agriculture Marketing Board (NAMBOARD) went down. This is how NAMBOARD went down. As citizens of Zambia, it is important that we encourage the private sector to participate in buying maize. Through good policies, we can allow exports and free trade so that the country can get an income through the private sector. I said here that the FRA was supposed to buy only 543,000 metric tonnes of maize. So, how can an hon. Member ask why the Government is not buying all the maize? That suggests that our thinking is not right regarding the development of agriculture in the country. Who buys soya beans? Who buys sunflower? Who buys wheat? We need to encourage the private sector to buy maize. We need to encourage people like Hon. Kapyanga, Member of Parliament for Mpika, to buy maize and sell it in Tanzania, especially since he lives near the Tanzanian border. We need to sell maize to Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Why are you allowing the Government to have contracts to sell maize to Malawi? Where are you?

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Mr Mtolo: Why are you allowing the Government to have contracts with the DRC? Where are you? Let us participate and get this thing into private hands. The Government's role is to keep strategic maize reserves and supply the market if there is a shortage. That is why I liked the question. The answer is in allowing private sector participation and exports, not what our friends on the left did in the past. They cut exports and, therefore, companies went away. The companies I mentioned are no longer here. Where is Louis Dreyfus Company? Where is Glencore? Where are all those big companies? That is the answer. It might not be very palatable, but that is the answer.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr P. Phiri (Mkaika): Madam Speaker, this morning, some people in my constituency were calling me to find out about the sale of maize. I told them to hold on until evening so that I could give them a good answer from the hon. Minister. However, what the hon. Minister has stated does not give hope to the people. Those people sold everything to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and are waiting for the money so that they can do other things, like buy fertiliser and seeds to prepare for the farming season. The hon. Minister did not even state the timeframe for paying farmers their money. We hear that there were exports. This time, the hon. Minister is talking about commercial banks lending money to the Government. If they do not do that, what is next for our farmers? Please, we need a concrete answer for our farmers out there because they are expectant. They want to hear when they will be paid. There was some issue, –

Mr P. Phiri’s microphone stopped working.

Hon. Members: Stop holding the microphone.

Mr P. Phiri: Madam Speaker, farmers expected to receive their money by 31^st October. We are in November. What answer will the hon. Minister give the farmers in Katete? They want their maize and –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Mkaika, you can hear the murmurs. There are so many hon. Members who want to ask questions. So, be precise and to the point. If you start debating, we will not go very far. Ask your question and, please, be careful with my microphones. They have not harmed anyone.

Mr P. Phiri: Madam Speaker, what timeframe is the hon. Minister giving the farmers countrywide?

Madam Speaker: That is better.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I just indicated that K2 billion has been released today.

Mr Chala: On a Point of Order, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtolo: We will – Ah, Bozi Boziana.

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I will react to that man.

Bozi, keep quiet.

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member asked about the timeframe. I am telling him that money has been released today and farmers should start getting a good part of it. This week, K2 billion will go into their pockets. The hon. Member murmured when I said that there is another bank that will release K1 billion. Another bank will give us K100 million. So, the payment of a significant amount has begun. We did not have the K5 billion facility, but it has been put in place with the support of other Government institutions to whom I am extremely indebted, like the Ministry of Labour and Social Security headed by my sister here, Hon. Tambatamba, and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. These institutions put together resources to pay the farmers. So, payments will start tomorrow or after tomorrow. When the banks release the money, we are going to continue paying a significant amount to farmers. All of us want farmers to be paid. If there is one who is very sad about the late payment of farmers, it is me, because I have to answer phones calls every day.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, I will just build on what Hon. Kapyanga asked the hon. Minister.

Madam Speaker, the ministry always prepares for the farming season. It starts by giving us a rain outlook so that farmers can prepare for fish farming and crop farming. Why is it so difficult for the ministry to prepare, whether it wants to borrow money from banks or from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, instead of lamenting? What is so difficult about doing that? Our target is to produce 10 million metric tonnes of maize. Farmers produced 4 million metric tonnes, but we do not know how to pay them. What is the planning department at the ministry doing?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, as the Government, our job is to buy strategic reserves through the FRA. We planned to buy 543,000 metric tonnes of maize and we have paid the farmers for that. What we are struggling to pay is the amount for the maize bought after the planned maize was purchased. If we did not receive the extra maize, that maize was going to be in the hands of farmers because of the low participation of the private sector. I am pleading with the hon. Member to get involved in buying maize and selling it to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and make money, the way he is involved in mining. The price difference is huge. I have sold maize to Malawi before at US$385. That amount in Zambia Kwacha is way above K340. Why do you not do those things?

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: There is a Point of Order. Stop the clock. What is the Point of Order?

Mr Chala: Madam Speaker, my Point of Order is based on Standing Order No. 71. The hon. Minister stated very clearly that everyone can buy and export maize, and that everyone can be given a permit to export maize. That is not true. I went to the Ministry of Agriculture thinking that I could be given a permit. Instead, I was given some names of organisations which I have to work with in order for me to be given the permit. That is what is on the ground. I was with the Permanent Secretary (PS) there. Is the hon. Minister in order to insinuate that everyone can just go and get a permit and start exporting maize?

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Chipili.

The only problem is that you have brought yourself into the subject of your point of order. However, what I heard the hon. Minister say was to encourage hon. Members to go and apply. When you are applying for any permit, for export or whatever permit, there are conditionalities that you have to meet. Maybe, it is better to go out there and try to meet some of those conditionalities, then, you can be given that permit. So, the point of order is not sustained.

Who was on the Floor? Now, I do not even know the hon. Member. Was the hon. Member for Roan next to debate?

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Yes, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I want to appreciate the responses by the hon. Minister. I realise that my fellow hon. Members have concentrated their questions on the payments to farmers. However, when I raised an Urgent Matter without Notice, my concern was the maize that is lying out there un-mopped. I am excited that the hon. Minister has indicated that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) had actually envisaged to buy 543,000 metric tonnes, but the agency has gone further to buy close to 1.7 million metric tonnes. That is a great move, but it has outstripped the FRA’s storage capacity of 1.1 million metric tonnes.

Madam Speaker, I have just come from my constituency. I was in the field yesterday and I saw that maize is still lying in the open out there. That is coupled with a lot of challenges that the FRA is facing to mop up the maize out there. The hon. Minister may wish to know that there is a lack of payment to loaders of maize onto trucks, for instance.

Madam Speaker, 1.6 million metric tonnes of maize is in the safe hands of the FRA, while 1.1 million metric tonnes is in storage. Is the hon. Minister able to tell the House and the nation at large how much of the 1.6 million metric tonnes of maize that the FRA has mopped up is safely in sheds? Can he also indicate the amount of maize that has not been mopped up, as he is concentrating his efforts on ensuring that all the maize is collected.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Roan for being a patriot and showing concern that maize should not go to waste.

Madam Speaker, the FRA has storage facilities for 1.1 million metric tonnes of maize. In order to make sure that grain does not go to waste, the agency has hired 727,000 extra metric tonnes of space from the private sector. Now, I would like hon. Members to be open and tell me if what I will say is wrong so that I can learn and remedy that.

Madam Speaker, all the maize that is out there is under tarpaulin protection. We have tarpaulins everywhere across the country to cover maize. If there is an area in any constituency where maize is not covered by tarpaulins, may I be informed because the agency has sufficient tarpaulins to take anywhere. Tarpaulin cover is good protection for maize, but of course, we prefer to take it into closed sheds. So, that is my appeal.

Madam Speaker, I have tried, within my limitations, to visit and see what is prevailing. All the maize, where I have been, is covered under tarpaulins.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Madam Speaker: There is a point of order.

Hon. Member for Mpika, what is the point of order?

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to raise a point of order.

Madam Speaker, my point of order is premised on Standing Order No. 71. The hon. Minister, in his statement, stated that the Government decided to buy the remainder of the maize because farmers had nowhere to take it. I asked why the ministry could not provide market linkages for farmers to sell their maize, instead of them just depending on the FRA. In his response to my question, the hon. Minister insinuated that I meant that the FRA should always be the one to buy the maize. My question was about the hon. Minister and his ministry providing linkages for farmers to have alternative buyers for their maize.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to not have answered my question on the market linkage part and give farmers in Mpika an opportunity to listen to his response? What is his ministry doing to ensure that come the next marketing season, farmers do not only depend on the FRA, which gets maize on credit every marketing season? The agency gets maize on credit and goes to sell what belongs to farmers. Afterwards, farmers are paid in bits and pieces. That is what we want to avoid, for the hon. Minister’s information. We want farmers to have an alternative market provided by the Government in a structured manner.

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

Madam Speaker: Now, that point of order is in a way trying to raise another question and also challenge the hon. Minister in terms of the answers that he has given. I do not have the answer myself. Maybe, the hon. Minister can answer that question.

Hon. Minister, is the Government in a position to provide market linkages for farmers? Are you in a position to provide that information?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member used the term ‘structured’. If he is asking whether we have a structured system in place, the answer is yes. What do I mean? There is the Grain Traders Association of Zambia, the Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ), Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and a fourth entity. I sat down with these organisations and opened up to them. I offered those colleagues a market at a particular price. That is facilitating market linkages.

Madam Speaker, it is difficult for the ministry to deal with many farmers individually, but if the hon. Member for Mpika can garner farmer membership and create a structured entity in Mpika, we will be very happy to deal with it. At the ministry, we have a department called Agribusiness Marketing Department. It supports marketing activities in the agricultural sector. So, the answer is that once there is a structured system in place, yes, we will come on board. We are not talking about dealing with 5 or 6 tonnes. We are talking about having significant tonnages involved.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: With that answer from the hon. Minister, let us make progress.

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for this discourse.

Madam Speaker, the Zambian farmers have really struggled during the last marketing season. Farmers were staying for two to three months at the depot to try and sell their maize. After the maize has been taken, it is now taking a long time for the Government to pay them. That is really excruciating on the part of farmers. However, we are already sitting with the problem and we need to solve it. That is where our focus must be. To do that, we may be tempted to look at our planning.

Madam Speaker, in the 2025 Budget, there was K2 billion allocated for the payment for the maize. The hon. Minister has told us that K3 billion was paid to farmers. That is way above the planned allocation. In the Budget that we are considering now for next year, K2.1 billion has been planned for the same purpose, yet the hon. Minister is telling us that K9 billion is owed for the maize that was supplied in the last marketing season. I am sure more will be owed in the next season. So, what is the hon. Minister telling farmers? Is he saying that the money will continue accumulating and farmers will not be paid or that the arrears are going to expand?

Madam Speaker, as I see it, the message that is being sent to farmers out there is like telling them to stop farming because the Government will not be able to pay them for their crops. That is a true definition of paya farmer, but that should not be the case. May I get a response from the hon. Minister on that issue.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I will try to be very calm and slow in responding so that we correct the impression. The current Government is so caring that to say that it is killing the farmer is absolutely wrong, totally misdirected, misplaced and not correct.

Mr Tayali: Hear, hear!

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, as Members of Parliament in this august House, we should be encouraging the farmers to produce. When we have a problem like the one we have now, we should sit together and ask questions about how we will pay the farmers. In the process, you would note that I would be saying that we have made arrangements for K5 billion, as funds that were not available to pay the farmers, and if asked what we would do about the K4 billion balance, I would say that we are selling the maize so that we can pay off the farmers, which is actually market access. Let us not come here, to this House, and be emotional, and say that farmers should not produce because, indeed, they will listen. They will say that Members of Parliament are encouraging them to not sell because that hon. Minister is not able to pay for the maize.

Madam Speaker, this is a very caring Government. When my ministry bought the 543,000 metric tonnes, I reported to the Cabinet that my ministry had reached its ceiling, and that it would have no money beyond that. The Cabinet ordered my ministry to receive whatever grain the farmers brought, and I am happy that it did. The reasoning was that we told the farmers to grow maize, and so we would not allow them to suffer with that maize. We would find the money. We opened up depots as close to the farmers as possible to receive the maize. Which Government can be more caring than that? I want to repeat. Let us not talk in isolation in a crucible. The person who asked the previous question was a Minister. Can he explain why I found that K2.1 billion was owed to farmers when I became Minister? If we take that route, we will be pointing fingers at each other. I do not want to go that route. I come to listen and for knowledge so that we can solve this problem in Zambia. We want to produce 10 million metric tonnes, and we only consume 3 million metric tonnes. Is this the way we will handle the 7 million metric tonnes? No. What should we do? Let us have direct financing from the private sector to buy that maize. That is what I am saying this afternoon. That is what I am bringing.

Madam Speaker, the Government will pay every farmer for the current stock. We have organised K5 billion from the banks and we will receive 4 billion from sales, and we will pay all the farmers. I would like to assure the farmers that being productive is good in Zambia. Let us produce and get paid.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

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

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, that is exactly the point. I rise on Standing Order No. 71. We know that when the Government receives revenue by way of Government operations, disposals, or sales, the money is deposited into the Control 99 Account, which is a sovereign ledger. The money cannot go into anyone’s pockets. My point in my question earlier was that this money that the hon. Minister is talking about is not in any budget. It is not in the 2025 National Budget, nor is it in the 2026 National Budget. How can the hon. Minister start accusing me when he has not provided any Government ledger showing where this money is going? Is it in order to start talking about Government money that is not sitting on any budget in this country?

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: These Points of Order are now turning into debates. Unfortunately, even I do not have an answer.

Hon. Minister of Agriculture, where is the money from the banks that you are talking about; the K2 billion or K1 million, which is not provided for in the budget, according to the hon. Member for Lunte, coming from? Maybe, you can just explain.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, a larger component is that the FRA is borrowing from the banks. The balance, by policy, will be generated from the sale of the maize. These two components will support what I have been discussing this afternoon.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: I hope that the hon. Member for Lunte is clear now. The money from the banks is being borrowed directly by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), not the Government. So, that is why it is not in the budget.

Hon. Members, let us make progress.

Hon. Member for Lundazi, you may proceed.

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to ask a question on a point of clarification.

Madam Speaker, just last year, the hon. Minister was named abene bansala.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Ms Nyirenda: Now, there is pride because the Government has a lot of maize, which we are happy about. I would not have liked that name to persist. Madam Speaker, I would like to read just a short message that has come from your people, which is my question. In Tumbuka, they are saying, “Awe a dada batibilawaka katundu yithu, batilipilenge yayi?”, meaning that his ministry has obtained goods by false pretence, and he will not pay. The people in Lundazi, Chipangali and Chipata have not only suffered because of the failure to get money for the maize that they sold. You may be aware that our farmers also have tobacco, which they have not even sold yet. That is a very sad situation in the Eastern Province, and our farmers are desperate. This piecemeal release of funds that the Government is doing is being politicised when it comes to payment. The question is: What guidance is the Government giving to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), because some officials also sold maize to the FRA? When money is deposited, they would prefer to pay off their receipts first before looking at that farmer who is suffering in the village.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, I am being very honest, and God is watching me as I am saying this. The truth of the matter is that if the Government does not give any guidance on the money that it is releasing, the hon. Minister will end up being condemned, and people will be thinking that the Government has obtained goods by false pretence. What guidance is the Government giving over the little money that it is releasing to the poor farmers, especially the ones in Lundazi?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I am grateful that the hon. Member for Lundazi has brought these issues up. She touched on tobacco. So, I am compelled to respond. If the hon. Member checks her constituency, she may note that we have sent other parties to buy that tobacco. We should not have that problem. I am aware that the buyers started in Lundazi. So, I am a bit disturbed when the hon. Member says that the farmers have not been paid yet. We made good on that. We pushed the private sector to buy the tobacco that was not being purchased.

Madam Speaker, secondly, I take note of what the hon. Member has said. I do not think she was asking me to answer. She was guiding me to ensure that we do not have prioritised clients, but treat everyone equally. Therefore, I take note. There is no response to that. I just thank her for the guidance that she has given.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, unfortunately, we are running out of time. There are many questions. I know this has been a very interesting topic. Hon. Members have been wanting to ask questions. I think the appeal from all the hon. Members of Parliament, is to have all the farmers paid on time so that they can go back to their fields and start growing. Unfortunately, hon. Members, we have to make progress. We are well behind our time in terms of our work schedule, so I cannot extend the time.

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BILLS

FIRST READING

THE INCOME TAX (Amendment) (No. 2) BILL, 2025

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Income Tax (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, No. 19 of 2025.

The objects of this Bill are to:

introduce income tax concessions for public-private partnership projects in the railway sector;

remove carry-forward time limitation of disallowed interest;

increase the amount allowed as a deduction for a business that employs a person with disability to K2,500 per annum from K2,000 per annum;

extend the requirements to keep books of account in United States Dollars to a person carrying out mineral processing;

allow a business that qualifies for voluntary registration under the Value Added Tax Act, Chapter 331 to register for turnover tax;

increase the turnover tax threshold for artisanal and small-scale mining from K800,000 to K5 million to align with the standard turnover tax threshold;

align the legal framework with international standards governing disclosure of information received under an international agreement in respect of the exchange of information;

reduce the penalty for an overdue payment of turnover tax from 5 per cent per month or part of the month to 0.5 per cent per month or part of the month;

introduce an anti-fragmentation rule that treats related business activities carried out by an enterprise at one or more fixed locations in the republic as a single permanent establishment where the combined business activities are not of a preparatory or auxiliary nature;

extend the charging of advance income tax on foreign remittances above US$2,000 to financial institutions and other platforms;

remove penalties chargeable on the taxpayer who has made a voluntary disclosure to the authority;

increase the turnover tax and rental income tax exempt thresholds to K35,000 per annum from K12,000 per annum; and

provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Planning and Budgeting Committee. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Tuesday, 25^th November, 2025. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE (Amendment) (No. 2) BILL, 2025

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Customs and Excise (Amendment) No. 2, (No. 20) Bill of 2025.

The objects of the Bill are to:

revise the rates of customs and excise duty payable on certain goods;

introduce specific duty rates on the used hybrid vehicles;

introduce excise duty on firearms and bullets;

revise the list of goods subject to surtax at importation; and

provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

THE VALUE ADDED TAX (Amendment) BILL, 2025

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, No. 21 of 2025.

The object of this Bill is to amend the Value Added Tax Act so as to provide for remission of unrecovered tax, fine or interest due.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Planning and Budgeting Committee. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by 25^th November, 2025. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

THE ZAMBIA REVENUE AUTHORITY (Amendment) BILL, 2025

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Zambia Revenue Authority (Amendment) Bill, No. 22 of 2025.

The objects of this Bill are to:

revise the functions of the governing board of the Authority;

provides for the exchange of information; and

provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Tuesday, 25^th November 2025. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

THE PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX (Amendment) BILL, 2025

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

THE PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX (Amendment) BILL, 2025

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was about to start presenting the Property Transfer Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Property Transfer Tax (Amendment) Bill No. 23 of 2025. The objects of the Bill are to:

extend the tax relief applicable to a company transferring the shares and a company receiving the shares that have been part of a group of companies which is subject to group reorganisation;

limit the forms of surrender or forfeiture of shares for no consideration that are exempt from property transfer tax; and

provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Planning and Budgeting Committee. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Tuesday, 25^th November, 2025. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

I thank you.

THE MOBILE MONEY TRANSACTIONS LEVY (Amendment) BILL, 2025

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Mobile Money Transactions Levy (Amendment) Bill No. 24 of 2025. The objects of the Bill are to:

revise the levy payable on a person-to-person transfer; and

provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

I thank you.

THE REGISTRATION OF BUSINESS NAMES (Amendment) BILL, 2025

The Minister of Tourism (Mr Sikumba) (on behalf of the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Chipoka Mulenga)): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Registration of Business Names (Amendment) Bill No. 26 of 2025. The object of the Bill is to amend the Registration of Business Names Act so as to provide the following:

the disclosure of beneficial ownership information by a firm that is a corporation;

the retention by the registrar of the records of a business name whose certificate has been cancelled for a specified period; and

provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Tuesday, 25^th November, 2025. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

I thank you.

THE BETTING LEVY BILL, 2025

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Betting Levy Bill No. 31 of 2025. The objects of the Bill are to:

provide for the imposition, payment and collection of a betting levy; and

provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

I thank you.

_______

Mr S. Banda (Petauke Central): Madam Speaker, how are you?

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I am very fine, hon. Member.

You may continue.

Mr S. Banda: Thank you. Question No. 46.

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

PLANS TO REHABILITATE THE NATIONAL PENSION SCHEME AUTHORITY BUILDING IN PETAUKE DISTRICT

46. Mr S. Banda (Petauke Central) asked the Minister of Labour and Social Security:

whether the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has any plans to rehabilitate the NAPSA building in Petauke District;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Ms Tambatamba): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Board of Trustees of the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has approved the disposal of several old commercial properties owned by the authority.

Madam Speaker, following the approval by the board, the NAPSA property in Petauke District was advertised for sale in May, 2024. So, that property has been advertised. However, the authority is considering redeveloping it into a new office block with a design similar to what the authority has built in Chinsali District and Mpika District. The project is planned to be implemented in 2026, after the New Dawn Administration bounces back to power.

Madam Speaker. I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr S. Banda: Madam Speaker, the people of Petauke have heard that the building is now on sale. I have no further questions since there are no plans to rehabilitate it.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Was that a question or comment?

Mr S. Banda: It was a comment, Madam Speaker.

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member for understanding and appreciating what the New Dawn Administration is doing through all arms of Government, including agencies and commissions. He can be rest assured that we are confident about what we are doing. The hon. Member knows the trail of development activities that are being undertaken by the authority in terms of securing the pensioners’ money and ensuring sustainability of the NAPSA funds. I am sure he has seen the progress that NAPSA has made in paying off retirees. In a very short time, NAPSA has automated its services under the iCARE platform. So, we, again, assure the people of Petauke that come next year, that project will commence, as per approval of the authority’s board of trustees.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Daka (Msanzala): Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister whether another plot has been secured for the construction of a new office block for the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) in Petauke.

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, that will be looked into. As at now, that has not yet happened, but it is work in progress.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker, the department in question abandoned its offices and moved into a rented building, which was a bit expensive. I do not know the plan behind that move. On the other hand, the plot for the construction of a new building has not been secured, but the hon. Minister is talking about the project starting in a few months, after our hon. Colleagues bounce back to power, and we know the hon. Minister will come back.

Madam Speaker, looking at the procurement process in this country, is the hon. Minister assuring the people of Petauke that when the Ruling Party bounces back to power in August, 2026, that building will be constructed by December next year, or are we going to have the same story of promises being made, but not being fulfilled?

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Nyimba for the question.

Madam Speaker, any project has a cycle. Therefore, construction is a full cycle starting from various stages, such as approval and design of the project. After that, the project moves to the next stages until implementation. So, I want to assure the hon. Member and the people of Petauke, once again, that the process of construction starts from the point of approval and then design and so on and so forth. The process itself is what we are talking about up to delivery.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Dr Mwanza (Kaumbwe): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, if I heard the hon. Minister correctly, the existing National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) building in Petauke has been advertised for sale since 2024. Further, the Government has plans to build a new building in 2026, although the ministry has not yet concluded on securing a piece of land. I just want to understand the logic of selling an existing building and putting up a totally new building in an unknown place. There will be a gap in the absence of a designated NAPSA building. How does the authority intend to accommodate its workers without offices because the existing one is on sale while a new office building will be constructed next year? What are the interim measures while those two procurement activities are going on?

Mr Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member.

Madam Speaker, as I indicated, the authority is supervised and governed by a board of trustees. The authority also has a particular unit that focuses on projects. When the board of trustees makes a decision, such as the one to sell the old building or commit to looking into replacing the existing building, a full analysis would have been done, including the risks involved and provision of transitional offices. So, I can only assure the hon. Member that the board of trustees and respective committees are configuring how that should be done in a responsible manner, taking into account the interests of NAPSA workers as well as the people renting in the old building. All that is supposed to have been taken into consideration. So, the House can be assured that NAPSA will do a responsible thing in ensuring that we leave no risk unattended to.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

REPLACEMENT OF CORRODED SEWER PIPES IN SHAMABANSE TOWNSHIP

47. Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central) asked the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation:

whether the Government has any plans to replace the extensively corroded sewer pipes leading to the discharge ponds in Shamabanse Township in Kabwe District;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to replace the extensively corroded sewer pipes leading to the discharge ponds in Shamabanse Township in Kabwe District. The challenge has been compounded by people deliberately blocking sewer pipe lines to use the wastewater for irrigation.

Madam Speaker, to address this challenge, a design for the replacement of the dilapidated portion of the 375 mm pipeline has already been developed, and will cost about K16 million, and is earmarked for implementation in the 2026 fiscal year. I am glad to inform the hon. Member that the ministry will disburse K3 million to Lukanga Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSSC) in December to commence the works.

Madam Speaker, as stated above, the Government has plans to replace the sewer pipeline.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Halwindi: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister, as there are plans to replace the pipeline.

Madam Speaker, despite the fact that the hon. Minister’s answer was that the pipeline has been corroded because people use it for irrigation or construction of houses, that might not be the exact reason. The pipeline was laid in the 1930s, I think, which is a long time ago. So, it is only good that we replace it now, because it is corroded and is causing a health hazard, as faecal matter flows around people’s houses. We will appreciate the works, and we will follow up to ensure that the works start come December.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I am sure that was just a comment.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I would just like to quickly explain that she is right. The pipeline is old. When I said that the challenge has been compounded by people deliberately blocking the sewer pipeline, I was just explaining the challenge of the discharge in the surrounding areas.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to inform Hon. Halwindi and, through her, the people of Kabwe that several short-term interventions have been put in place by Lukanga Water and Sanitation Company to mitigate the situation. These include:

continuous unblocking of the pipeline where sandbags are deliberately placed inside the pipeline by communities, which have caused obstructions;

continuous repair of the worn-out portions of the pipeline;

ongoing community sensitisation through traditional and community leadership against vandalism and the health risk associated with the use of untreated sewerage effluent; and

vegetation control by clearing and removing overgrowth along the pipeline route from the stream to the Natuseko Stabilisation ponds.

Madam Speaker, I would like to assure the hon. Member that, as Government, we are doing everything possible to ensure that we attend to the challenge, and we will be working closely with her.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, the challenges that the people of Kabwe Central are facing are similar to those that the people of Kabwata and other places are facing. Most sewer lines, especially in Kabwata, were constructed way back; they are over fifty years old. My question is: Does the ministry have any plans to ensure that even places like Kabwata are considered for upgrading the sewer lines that are old?

Interruptions

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, maybe, the hon. Member can repeat his question.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kabwata, please, repeat the question.

Mr Tayengwa: Madam Speaker, I was saying that most of the challenges that the people of Kabwe Central are facing are similar to what other constituencies, like Kabwata, are facing. If you look at the sewer lines in Kabwata, you will see that most of them were constructed way back, like fifty years and even sixty years ago. They are very old. I want to know if the ministry has any plans to upgrade some of the sewer lines in the other constituencies so that we can also appreciate what the Government is doing.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, apologies, I thought that the question asked by the hon. Member for Kabwe Central was the last one. So, I had settled into my chair.

Madam Speaker, I am sure that hon. Members have heard me submit, several times, what the ministry is doing, particularly on the Copperbelt Province. The mining towns were built many years ago. The water infrastructure, which was built then, obviously, was inadequate and has become very old. It is dilapidated. So, we are not only replacing the sewer lines but also the water pipelines in most of the townships. This is a project which is ongoing. In terms of Lusaka, again, most of the network is old. The pipelines in Kabwata are not only old but are not sufficient because of the increase in the number of our people. There is actually a project currently going on in Chipata, similar to what the hon. Member has asked about. The ministry started a programme in Chipata to replace the water pipelines, including the sewer lines. I can confirm that the Government is preparing to not only replace the pipelines but also upgrade them and construct new lines in new areas, as our people are occupying other areas due to population increase. I can confirm that the Government will be replacing water infrastructure in various parts of the country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

SECTOR BUDGET ANALYSIS REPORT

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, before we proceed to the next item on the Order Paper, I wish to remind the House that on Friday, 26^th September, 2025, when the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning presented the 2026 National Budget, the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure were referred to Committees for sector budget analysis for a period of ten days. Thereafter, the Committees submitted their reports to the Expanded Planning and Budgeting Committee. That Committee consolidated the reports from the other Committees, and produced one report, which has since been tabled. In this regard, the House is now ready to proceed with the rest of the budget approval process. The budgetary process will resume in the House with the presentation of the Motion of Supply by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, which will be followed by general policy debate on the Budget for ten Sitting days. Thereafter, the House, sitting as a Committee of the Whole House, will commence consideration of individual Heads of Expenditure.

Thank you.

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MOTION

MOTION OF SUPPLY

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane): Madam Speaker, I wish to thank you for according me this opportunity to open up debates on the Motion of Supply on the 2026 Budget, which I presented to this august House on Friday, 26^th September, 2025.

Madam Speaker, let me also thank all the hon. Members for their progressive debate –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

There is a part that you have left out. Before that, there is a written statement, which you must read out to move the Motion.

May the hon. Minister, be assisted with one.

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, my apologies.

Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now resolve into Committee of Supply on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Year 1^st January, 2026 to 31^st December, 2026 presented to the National Assembly on Friday, 26^th September, 2025.

Madam Speaker, I am a bearer of a message from the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, recommending a favourable consideration of the Motion that I now lay on the Table.

Dr Musokotwane laid the paper on the Table.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you, hon. Minister.

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I wish to thank you for according me this opportunity to open debate on the Motion of Supply on the 2026 Budget, which I presented to this august House on Friday, 26^th September, 2025.

Madam Speaker, let me also thank all the hon. Members for their progressive debate on this Motion in their various Committees. Their contributions have made immense and invaluable impact and will definitely help to pursue our set objectives.

Madam Speaker, I also wish to thank the Expanded Planning and Budgeting Committee for once again doing a commendable job of giving stakeholders an opportunity to understand and share their views on the policy direction that the New Dawn Administration is undertaking.

Madam Speaker, the New Dawn Government stands by its commitment to actualising its national priorities for the benefit of its people. Diverse views were considered when formulating the 2026 Budget from various stakeholders, including the hon. Members of this august House. We believe that the 2026 Budget will steer our economy into a positive growth trajectory, prosperity, and efficient delivery of public services.

Madam Speaker, the New Dawn Government remains steadfast in its ambition to address concerns and challenges that our people are facing. Personally, I would have wanted a budget that would have entirely delivered on all promises that were assured to the people of this nation. However, rest assured that our Government remains duty-bound in its goal to create the fiscal space needed for our nation to achieve its development aspirations.

Madam Speaker, let me just remind the House on what I said in September when I delivered the Budget.

Madam Speaker, in 2026, the Government proposes to raise K253.1 billion or 27.4 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). Out of this amount, K206.5 billion, or 81.6 per cent of the Budget will be financed by domestic revenues, while K12.1 billion, or 4.8 per cent, will be grants from our co-operating partners. The balance of K34.5 billion, or 3.5 per cent, will be financed through borrowing. Domestic borrowing will be K21.6 billion, or 2.3 per cent of GDP, while K12.9 billion, or 1.4 per cent of GDP, will come from external resources. It is also worth noting that the Government will make tax adjustments in line with the Money Bills that I have just presented.

Madam Speaker, on the expenditure side, the Government proposes to spend a total of K253.1 billion. Of this amount, K64.9 billion, or 7 per cent of the GDP, will go towards personal emoluments for public service workers, while K25 billion is for the use of goods and services. An amount of K58.6 billion, or 6.3 per cent of the GDP, has been allocated to cater for interest payments for both domestic and external debts. An amount of K36.6 billion will go towards transfers, which includes K9.2 billion for the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), and K6.2 billion for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Madam Speaker, social benefits have been allocated a total of K15.7 billion, which includes K4.9 billion for pension benefits and K7.6 billion for the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme. SCT has been enhanced so that the recipients get a transfer value of K800 per beneficiary every two months. Assets have been allocated K34.1 billion, which also includes an allocation of K14.5 billion towards the roads.

Madam Speaker, health has been allocated K26.2 billion or 10.3 per cent of the Budget. Of this amount, K6.4 billion is for the procurement of medicines and medical supplies, which has been reasonably enhanced to cover the gap left by the withdrawal of some donor support. I will further allocate K1.7 billion towards various health infrastructure, and K953.5 million is for the procurement of medical equipment.

Madam Speaker, education has been allocated a total of K33 billion or 13 per cent of the Budget. Of this amount, K2.4 billion is for school operations to support the current free education policy, whereas K2.3 billion is for erecting various education infrastructure. The Government will also recruit 3,500 teachers in 2026.

Madam Speaker, in 2026, the Social Cash Transfer and the Cash-for-Work programmes will continue because we are not yet out of the woods with regard to the effects of last year's drought. Therefore, I am confident that under this Government, the livelihoods of our people, which were so seriously threatened by the unprecedented drought, will be protected and secured.

Madam Speaker, these are but just a few highlights of the 2026 Budget, which I presented in September this year. It is now my pleasure, once again, to commit this Budget and seek the support of this august House.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chaatila (Moomba): Madam Speaker, in accordance with Orders No. 168 and 169 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, the Expanded Planning and Budgeting Committee considered reports submitted by various Committees, which examined specific years of expenditure. In this regard, the Committee held ten meetings and received both oral and written submissions.

Madam Speaker, the 2026 National Budget proposes a total expenditure of K253.1 billion, which is equivalent to 27.4 per cent of our gross domestic product (GDP). This amount is to be financed through domestic revenue of K206.5 billion, grants of K12.1 billion and borrowing amounting to K34.5 billion.

Madam Speaker, the Committee commends the Government for its commitment to maintaining macroeconomic stability. However, despite the optimistic outlook, the Committee is concerned that structural challenges in key productive sectors persist. In particular, continued load-shedding is threatening the attainment of the projected 6.4 per cent economic growth in 2026. The Committee, therefore, urges the Government to prioritise stabilising and expanding energy generation and distribution to sustain our growth.

Madam Speaker, the Committee welcomes measures being undertaken to diversify the energy mix and promote renewable energy generation. However, it is concerned that the implementation of the Electricity (Open Access) Regulations, which allows private power producers to use ZESCO Limited's transmission infrastructure, has faced significant delays. The Committee is of the view that expediting open access will enhance competition, increase generation capacity and attract investment in alternative energy sources. The Committee, therefore, urges the hon. Minister of Energy to finalise the Electricity (Open Access) Regulations framework and ensure that unbundling ZESCO Limited supports private sector participation.

Madam Speaker, the Committee appreciates that the Government continues to prioritise food security and diversification. However, the Committee observed that the continued dominance of maize in the allocation of public resources, particularly under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), undermines the policy objectives of crop diversification. During its interaction with stakeholders, the Committee learned that over 70 per cent of the agriculture budget continues to be absorbed by FISP and the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), leaving limited fiscal space for research, extension and mechanisation. To enhance efficiency and accountability, the Committee recommends that the Executive considers repositioning FISP as a standalone intervention under the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

Madam Speaker, the Committee further observed that the Budget for 2026 provides for the rehabilitation of 430 km of roads and 200 km of power lines in the Kalumwange, Kalungwishi and Shikabeta farm blocks. While this demonstrates the Government’s commitment to farm block development, the Committee is concerned that the allocated resources are inadequate, given the strategic role of farm blocks in driving agricultural diversification. It, therefore, recommends that the Government increases budgetary support towards farm block infrastructure, including irrigation, feeder roads, power supply and storage facilities.

Madam Speaker, the Committee welcomed the continued implementation of the Free Education Policy and recruitment of additional teachers to reduce the pupil-to-teacher ratio. However, the Committee observed that school infrastructure in rural areas remains inadequate. The Committee, therefore, recommends that future budget allocations prioritises the upgrading of rural schools' infrastructure.

Madam Speaker, the Committee is concerned that the allocation of K2.74 million to the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) remains insufficient to sustain its operations and expand coverage toward universal health coverage. It, therefore, urges the Executive to supplement NHIMA's budget to ensure sustainability and efficiency in health service delivery.

Madam Speaker, the Committee commends the increased allocation to the Social Cash Transfer Scheme. However, it is concerned about delayed disbursements, which undermine the programme's effectiveness in cushioning vulnerable households. Therefore, it recommends that the Government ensures timely disbursement of funds.

Madam Speaker, the Committee observed that the slow pace regarding the establishment of the Lands Commission has limited the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources' ability to efficiently collect revenue and manage titling. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Government urgently establishes the Lands Commission under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to enhance land governance, promote transparency and improve revenue mobilisation.

Madam Speaker, regarding public debt, the Committee observed that debt servicing continues to consume a substantial portion of our National Budget, thereby, constraining resources available for development programmes. In light of this, the Committee urges the Government to enhance domestic resource mobilisation through comprehensive tax reforms and strengthened mining revenue collection. It further urges the Government to exercise prudence to avoid the accumulation of new non-concessional loans.

Madam Speaker, in line with the Standing Orders, the Expanded Planning and Budgeting Committee has proposed variations between different Heads of Expenditure. These proposed variations, which are contained in the report, were undertaken in consultation with the relevant ministries. The Committee would like to emphasise the need for transparency in budget implementation to ensure that the funds are utilised efficiently.

Madam Speaker, the Committee also appreciates the increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to K6.2 billion, which translates to K40 million per constituency. However, the Committee is concerned about persistent delays in the disbursement of funds and the low absorption capacity by local authorities. The Committee, therefore, urges the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to enhance monitoring, strengthen local planning and project management capacity and ensure timely release of funds for effective implementation of the CDF programmes.

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, the Committee acknowledges the Government's efforts to stabilise the economy and promote inclusive development. However, the Committee would like to urge the Executive to enhance fiscal discipline, re-align resources towards productive sectors and strengthen institutional frameworks for accountability.

Madam Speaker, finally, on behalf of the Expanded Planning and Budgeting Committee, I wish to extend my profound gratitude to you, the Clerk of the National Assembly and all the parliamentary Committees that made submissions before the Committee during the meeting to consider the 2026 National Budget.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Any further debate? I would like to remind hon. Members that we are supposed to debate the report for ten days. Let us not wait until the last day. We have started counting. Any further debate?

Hon. Members did not indicate to debate.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

ADJOURNMENT

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

Question put and agreed to.

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The House adjourned at 1850 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 5^th November, 2025.

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