Friday, 12^th December, 2025

 

The House met at 0900 hours

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

_______

 

ANNOUNCEMENTBY MADAM SPEAKER

 

GRADE 3 PUPIL AND SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER IN THE PUBLIC GALLERY

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of Master Kingsley Mwamba, a Grade 3 pupil and social media influencer from Kanchibiya District.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: I see that he has been escorted by so many people, whose names I do not have. On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I welcome the visitors into our midst.

 

I thank you.

 

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MOTION

 

SUSPEND STANDING ORDER NO. 24(1), 27(1), 34(1), 116(3) AND 123: THAT STANDING ORDER NO. 24(1), 27(1), 34(1), 116(3) AND 123 OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF ZAMBIA STANDING ORDERS, 2024, BE SUSPENDED TO ENABLE THE HOUSE TO SIT ON MONDAY, 15^TH DECEMBER AND TUESDAY, 16^THDECEMBER, 2025, FROM 0900 HOURS UNTIL BUSINESS IS CONCLUDED ON THE ORDER PAPER ON EACH DAY, ALLOW FOR SUBMISSION OF  PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO BILLS DURING THE SITTING OF THE HOUSE, AS WELL AS CONSIDER MORE THAN ONE STAGE OF A BILL AT A SINGLE SITTING, ANDTHEREAFTER, ADJOURN SINE DIE.

 

The Vice President (Dr Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that Order No. 24(1), 27(1), 34(1) 116(3) and 123 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, be suspended to enable the House to sit on Monday, 15^thDecember and Tuesday, 16^thDecember, 2025, from 0900 hours until business is concluded on the Order Paper on each day, allow for submission of proposed amendments to Bills during the sitting of the House, as well as consider more than one stage of a Bill at a single sitting, and thereafter,adjourn sine die.

 

Madam Speaker, Order No. 24(1) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, provides for the days and times of sitting of the Assembly. The Standing Order provides that the Assembly shall commence sitting at 1430 hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and at 0900 hours on Friday. In accordance with this provision, the House does not sit on Monday. In light of this, it is necessary to suspend the Standing Order in order to enable the House to sit on Monday, 15^thDecember and Tuesday, 16^thDecember, 2025, from 0900 hours until business is concluded on the Order Paper on each day.

 

Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 27(1) provides for an automatic adjournment of the House at 1900 hours on Tuesday, while Standing Order No. 34(1) provides that when Standing Order No. 27(1) is suspended, the House will not sit beyond 2300 hours on each day the suspension is in effect. In view of this provision, it is necessary to suspend Standing Order No. 27(1) so that the House can sit beyond 2300 hours, if need be.

 

Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 106(3) restricts hon. Members from submitting their proposed amendments to a Bill to the Clerk's Office at least twenty-four hours before the date on which the Bill is to appear on the Order Paper. Suspension of this provision will enable hon. Members to submit their amendments during the Sitting of the House, if necessary.

 

Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 123 prohibits the consideration of more than one stage of a Bill at a single Sitting. There is a need to suspend this Standing Order in order to enable the House to consider more than one stage of a Bill at a single Sitting, given that a short period is left before adjournment sine die.

 

Madam Speaker, the suspension of the aforementioned Standing Orders will enable the House to consider all outstanding business, which includes the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025.

 

Madam Speaker, by way of review, allow me to make some comments on this year's Budget Meeting. The Meeting commenced on Friday, 12^th September, 2025, and by the time of adjournment sine die, the House would have sat for a total of forty days, considered nine Private Members' Motions and four Motions to adopt Parliamentary Committee reports. Further, the House would have passed twenty Bills. Additionally, the House would have considered 116 Questions for Oral Answer and tabled seventeen annual reports from Government and quasi-government departments.

 

Madam Speaker, during the period under review, the Executive issued twenty-one Ministerial Statements in which Government policies on various issues were explained and clarified. More importantly, the House has spent a considerable amount of time scrutinising the 2026 National Budget.

 

Madam Speaker, it is clear from the foregoing that the House has considered a substantial amount of business during the current Meeting. This can only be attributed to the dedication and hard work of all hon. Members. In this regard, allow me to congratulate all hon. Members individually and collectively for the job well done.

 

As I conclude, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to you, Hon. Madam Speaker, the Hon. Madam First Deputy Speaker and the Hon. Mr Second Deputy Speaker for the efficient manner in which you presided over the Business of the House during this Meeting. I further wish to commend the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia for the services rendered to the House. In the same vein, let me acknowledge with gratitude the important role played by officers in the Office of the Vice-President, the Parliamentary Business Division,the Parliamentary Liaison Officers in various ministries, and the entire Public Service for effectively facilitating the work of the House.

 

Finally, Madam Speaker, as we head into the festive season, I would like to encourage all hon. Members and the public at large to conduct their festive celebration in a safe and responsible manner. I wish this august House and the nation at large a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026. Christ is the reason for the season.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much for those best wishes for the festive season.

 

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to make a few comments on a procedural Motion moved by Her Honour the Vice-President.

 

Madam Speaker, let me start by wishing Her Honour the Vice-President a pleasant festival period, full of grace. Indeed, even though the Motion she has moved is procedural, I would like to make a few comments.

 

Madam Speaker, I agree with her that a number of Ministerial Statements were delivered on the Floor of this august House by various hon. Ministers.  So, as she concludes this Motion, I would like her to assure our farmers who have been informed through Ministerial Statements more than three times that they will be paid money for the maize they supplied to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) so that they too, can celebrate Christmas like the hon. Minister of Agriculture will. 

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

 Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, people are now affected because they do not know how they will produce maize next year. This is due to late payment by the Government. Therefore, we cannot underplay their grievances.

 

Madam Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President has mentioned a very important task that this House will be undertaking, which is the consideration of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025. This will be considered on Monday,15^th December, 2025, a day the House does not usually sit, going into Tuesday,16^th December, 2025.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Colleagues who were privileged to be part of the Constitutional making process in 2016, which culminated into the current Constitution. I also want to mention that I played a very critical role as Deputy Chief Whip of the Government at that time and that I also participated in the failed Constitutional making process in 2021. I was here.

 

 Madam Speaker, what I am trying to say is that this is a mammoth national task that must be taken with people’s blessings.

 

Madam Speaker, I was also one of the hon. Ministers who collectively misinterpreted the Constitution by staying in office for three months and refunded –

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kampyongo: That is why I am cautioning hon. Members that it is possible that they can collectively misinterpret the Constitution and pay the price later.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Nkandu: Question!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I am speaking from facts and experience. We collectively misinterpreted the Constitution and stayed in office until the Constitutional Court, which is a creation of the Constitution interpreted that we were wrong. We humbly, with the incumbent authority that come with notorious tendencies of ignoring certain things, paid back the money much later than the time we collectively misinterpreted the Constitution.

 

Mr Nkandu: Now you know.

 

Mr Kampyongo: It is possible that we can misinterpret it even now and even pay back the money to the Government later. My caution to hon. Colleagues is that the devil lies in the detail. We must therefore, apply our minds to the detail of the work that will be before us so that posterity can judge us positively that we stood on the right-hand side.

 

 Madam Speaker, we are ending the year on a sad note that we have so much unfinished business. Even as we adjourn, we are yet to bury the Sixth President. As a nation, we must be concerned. We cannot pretend that all is well.

 

Mr Nkandu: Question!

 

Mr Kampyongo: That is why you cannot come back.

 

Mr Nkandu: Question!

 

Mr Kampyongo: This must be the last Christmas you are celebrating here.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, we have had at least, a chance of seeing people come in and out of this august House.

 

Mr Kasandwe: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo:  So, we may be celebrating this festival period with others for the very last time because the people who send us here are the ones who decide who goes and who comes back.

 

Madam Speaker, with regard to the Constitution, we must be united. I was part of the 2016 Constitution Making Process, where hon. Members were part of the decisions that kicked them out of this House.  We left this House blaming each other over decisions that had been made. Some people are still regretting to date. Our former hon. Colleagues were here. So, it is possible that it can happen again because I can see that we do not pay much attention to detail. Most of the time, we are influenced by people who do not even understand the work we do here.

 

Madam Speaker, as we end the year, it is time to go back to our electorates and account for what we have done for them. We will then realise how important they are to us. We know that the value of an elected member here is as limited as it lasts.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, we must remember that as we go back, we should give our people assurances that will enable them send us back here or retire us permanently, because they are the ones who decide. It is that time when we realise all these things. We can be pretending to not listen to them, but now it is time for them to demonstrate how much they can be our masters. When we tell them to give our people power, they do not listen. When we tell them to pay the people, they do not listen. They will be meeting the people very soon.

 

 Madam Speaker, with these few remarks, I urge Her Honour the Vice-President to graciously give us our assurances and probably consider the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No.7 so that we can deal with it with blessings of the people.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Order hon. Members!

 

This is a procedural Motion. So, I do not see the need for debate from many Members. With that, I will ask Her Honour the Vice-President to wind up debate.

 

The Vice-President:  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Members for really taking this Motion as a procedural issue.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member who has just finished his debate raised several issues, but this Motion was not for people to bring substantive issues that can easily be dealt with procedurally. 

 

Madam Speaker, I may not respond to each of the points that the hon. Member raised. He raised issues of the payments to farmers, and the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7, which should be debated at the right time here. The issue concerning the payment of farmers for the maize was responded to yesterday. He has also raised the issue of the burial of the late former President. I do not want to dwell on that matter because it will raise a lot of issues.

 

  I would like to thank him for the things he has raised. Yes, we are all listening, but we should remember that time and circumstances evolve, and we evolve with the times. The past is important for the future, but it is never exactly the same.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Members for supporting this Motion, especially those who strongly supported the Motion. That is what is important to me. We move on.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_______

 

URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

 

MR MUTALE, HON. MEMBER FOR CHITAMBO, ON DR NALUMANGO, HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT, ON ACCIDENTS ON THE STRETCH BETWEEN SERENJE AND LAVUSHIMANDA

 

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Madam Speaker, on an Urgent Matter without Notice.

 

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised

 

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, I am grateful for this chance you have given me to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice.

 

Madam Speaker, this matter I am raising today is directed at Her Honour the Vice-President. While I know that there is a pending question on this matter, the occurrences are too much. I think, we need to do something about the stretch between Serenje and Lavushimanda. Another accident occurred recently, and people in the area are troubled. The matter is about the fact that the road is narrow and the potholes on that stretch are too much. So, when trucks crisscross, accidents happen night and day. All the hon. Members of Parliament, including the general public, who use the stretch can attest to what I am saying. The question that I filed in has taken more than two months to be processed, and it has not been brought to the Floor of the House. The occurrences happen day in and day out.

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chitambo, as you may be aware, we are adjourning sine die next week. So, in terms of a Ministerial Statement, even if the matter qualified, I think, there would not be sufficient time. I suggest that you file in an urgent question, then, we can consider it if time allows.

 

MR MTAYACHALO, HON. MEMBER FOR CHAMA NORTH, ON MR MTOLO, HON. MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, ON THE CHALLENGES CONCERNING PAYMENTS UNDER THE FRA

 

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, on an Urgent Matter without Notice.

 

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

 

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to raise my matter, which is directed at the hon. Minister of Agriculture.

 

Madam Speaker, with your indulgence, yesterday, I raised an issue concerning payments of those who supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), and you made a ruling. However, I realised that, maybe, there was a component that you did not get correctly because you advised that I engage the hon. Minister of Technology and Science and also the hon. Minister of Agriculture. The money was sent to the district, but the challenge is that there are farmers from far-flung wards, a 150 km distance, who are supposed to collect money from the bank in Chama. There is only one bank in Chama, that is, the National Savings and Credit Bank (NATSAVE). If a person supplies ten or five bags of maize to the FRA, which are worth about K3,000, that person has to travel to the Boma, and stay for two weeks. So, that person has to pay for accommodation. Last year, I engaged the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Agriculture so that we could find a way, as the ministry discusses with the bank, of taking the money to far-flung areas, and State security can escort that money, or use mobile phone options. However, to date, that has not been made available. We even lost the life of a person from Kanyalele, and the body is in the mortuary, which could have been avoided.

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious indulgence because hundreds of farmers are still marooned at the Boma. When will they start farming? Farmers from each ward are being given two days because NATSAVE has network challenges.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Member’s time expired.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, please, wind up.

 

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, I seek your serious indulgence on how our people will be assisted than being marooned at the Boma without finding a solution. I believe that the hon. Minister can engage NATSAVE so that it can do the needful by taking the money to the farmers in far-flung areas.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chama South, I know that you raised that issue yesterday, and I gave guidance. Now, you are indicating that your consultation did not yield anything. So, I will use my discretion to allow the hon. Minister of Agriculture to say something, but there will be no follow-up questions.

 

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo): Madam Speaker, I would like to assure the House, and through it, the nation, that, currently, officers are verifying mobile phone numbers so that most of the farmers can be paid through their mobile phones. The ministry is also looking at the option that the hon. Member has raised, that of physical cash movement to far-flung areas. As a ministry, we have been sitting with our colleagues from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to talk about using that ministry’s applications so that the farmers can be paid. We have taken that issue seriously. This is an assurance I am giving to the hon. Members in this House and the nation. We are looking at that issue seriously.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you. 

 

Madam Speaker: I am sure the hon. Member for Chama North has taken note.

 

Hon. Minister, as cash is moved around, also take note of the risk of robberies. That is a caution that should be taken into account.

 

_______

 

THE VICE-PRESIDENT'S QUESTION TIME

 

Mr Kamondo (Mufumbwe): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this time to speak for the people of Mufumbwe.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Government for the good things it has done for the people of Mufumbwe by ensuring that those people who could have been mining illegally at Mufumbwe Gold Mine are trained and given artisanal licences. That is a great thing the Government has done. The number, of the people who have been trained, is 400.

 

Madam Speaker, the challenge is that the people who are already at the mine, the illegal miners, have not left. Now, the people are asking what they should do, because they have the licences but have not been given the tenements to start mining. I would like Her Honour the Vice-President to give an assurance to the people of Mufumbwe and those who have been given artisanal licences that, indeed, her Government is very responsible and, sooner or later, the people will be given the tenements so that they can start mining safely with the artisanal licences.

 

The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango): Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I would like to thank the hon. Member for Mufumbwe for the question on illegal mining.

 

Madam Speaker, firstly, I wish to acknowledge that he appreciates the work that the Government has been doing. He mentioned two very important issues. The Government’s position is that Zambians must participate in mining, but their participation must be legal and safe. Those are two important issues. Therefore, if Zambians are to participate, they need to have licences. I thank the hon. Member for taking note of that. If I heard him correctly, he mentioned that 400 artisanal licences have been issued. The miners have not just been issued licences, but also trained. That is the information the Government has, which should make all of us very happy.

 

Madam Speaker, the gloomy part is that the hon. Member mentioned that the illegal miners are still there in Mufumbwe. They are refusing to move out. ‘Illegal’ is a word that I would ask these two hon. Ministers to define (referring to Mr Mwimbu, SC. and Mr Haimbe, SC.). The House must understand what illegality means. It means acting against the law. If one is acting against the law, then one is an enemy of the law. Therefore, what remains for the Government is to enforce the existing laws. That is why the Government has taken a stance to forcibly remove illegal miners from that area. Having done everything else, that is what is left. I hope I am not creating a new law here. The Government is ready to remove them forcibly because they are illegally mining. As a country, we need to all agree. This is an issue that nobody should debate. The illegal miners must be removed. In certain areas, we even have aliens who are bringing in arms. A Zambian cannot allow that.

 

Madam Speaker, the law enforcement wing of the Government will step in, in Mfumbwe, and allow me to say, in other places as well, to ensure that illegal miners are forcibly removed because they have been allowed to move out, but they are refusing. So, what is left for us to do? We have to force them out by enforcing the law. The Government is ready to move in through law enforcers and ensure that whoever is breaching the law, or is found on the wrong side of it, is dealt with properly. We are strong together, hon. Members in this House. These are things we should stand together and ensure that the law takes its course. Whether it is in Shiwan’gandu, illegal miners must go!

 

Mr Kampyongo rose.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Illegal miners must go. Whether it is in Kasempa, illegal miners must go! The Government wants law-abiding Zambians to acquire licences and benefit from our minerals. After all, the ones they are selling the minerals to are only cashing in on them. What are we saying to the people of Zambia? Let us stand together. The Government is ready to fight illegality so that legal owners can continue mining properly.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Simushi (Sikongo): Thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, the spirit of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025 is very progressive. It puts the interests of citizens and those of the nation first. However, some individuals out there and in this House are trying to mislead the nation by claiming that the Bill includes clauses that seek to increase the term limit for the President from five years to seven years. Others are saying that the Bill also seeks to remove the 50 per cent plus one provision. How transparent has the New Dawn Administration been insofar as the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025 is concerned?

 

Madam Speaker: I have a bit of a problem with that question because it touches on the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025, which will be discussed by the House soon. If there is a way, we can avoid discussing work that is pending before this House. We can debate it when it is before the House.

 

So that question is not admitted.

 

Mr Charles Mulenga (Kwacha): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity given to ask Her Honour the Vice-President a question, and good morning to her.

 

Madam Speaker, let me quickly take advantage of this opportunity to congratulate the hon. Member for Chipili for being the best dressed in the House today.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Charles Mulenga: Madam Speaker, as I sit here, I am a very sad Member of Parliament looking at the number of defilement cases in the country. It is so disheartening to see a sharp increase in defilement cases, which is quite embarrassing to us upright men. It is more embarrassing when one is seated in the living room with the family watching television, and sees a case of defilement. Children as young as five years, six years and ten years are being defiled on a daily basis. Such cases are on the rise in the Eastern Province.

 

Madam Speaker, in other countries, if someone steals, they would be asked, “Which arm or leg did you use?” If the suspect points at the left leg or left arm, it would be cut off. If one admires someone’s wife, they would be asked, “Which eye did you use to admire and sleep with her?” After that, an eye would be removed. If someone defiles a child, they would be asked, “What Mighty Mufulira Wanderers’ instrument did you use?” That person would be castrated so that such a case would never happen again.

 

Madam Speaker, when are we coming up with a law in Zambia to ensure that the country completely moves away from the scourge of defilement  of our young ones, who are losing their lives at a tender age?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, thank you very much and, indeed, good morning to the hon. Member for Kwacha.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member started by saying that he is a very sad hon. Member of Parliament where he is. I believe that all of us should be sad hon. Members over the subject that he has raised. Zambia should not become so unsafe. This is also an issue that is not debatable. What the hon. Member has said is so important. I think it was yesterday that the House considered the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill and there is a proposal in the Bill that such issues, among others, should become non-bailable offences.

 

   I think, the hon. Member has gone further than asking for the offence to be unbailable. He is helping us to decide what kind of sentence should be given to offenders of this nature. He has talked about defilement of babies this size (Dr Nalumango raised her palm). I do not want to even imagine that. You cannot even imagine. Defilers cannot be defined, because some fathers are defiling their children. What has happened in the land of the living? What has happened to humanity? A father can defile his own child. I remember a case I read, of a father who even told his wife, “This is mai nini.” He was talking about a six-year-old.

 

Ms Kasune: Shame.

 

The Vice-President: Yes. I think, we should all know that something is wrong in the land if things like that happen. I am sorry, it is terrible.

 

Madam Speaker, a child cannot be safe anywhere. A child is not safe with her father, cousin, uncle, or neighbour. What will mothers do? The hon. Member has made several proposals. The one that sounded very good is castration. Making the offence non-bailable is not an issue, because at the end of the day, a person can be sentenced to fifteen years. That is nothing compared to the life that the offender has destroyed. The hon. Member talked of castration. One time, I talked to a medical doctor, who said: Do you understand what castration means? I think, the hon. Member said, “What part of your body did you use?” I do not think that part should remain intact.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: The situation is drastic, hon. Colleagues. It is calling for drastic measures. That is the only one.

 

 Madam Speaker, this issue is something that leaves one wondering what is going on. I think, we need drastic measures to resolve this matter. If we have to juba, if we have to cut, let us go for it, because people can become perpetual offenders. The case we dealt with, which I talked about with the hon. Member for Chisamba, I do remember making a little contribution, involved not one but three children. So, if someone goes to jail, he can repeat the offence after fifteen years when he is released from jail. So, vitendeni is a very good law. Maybe, we need that. 

 

Madam Speaker, this is not an issue for anybody to joke about. A person who defiles children is sick. Unless he is detained for eternity until he goes home to his maker. Otherwise, he can go back home after a number of years and repeat the crime. We do not even know what he would have been doing to fellow inmates. His behavior is sickness, whose medicine nobody knows, other than vitendeni. We are all very unhappy to think of that. I do not think anybody in this House can say they are happy about this. So, let us look for drastic measures to curb the issue of defilement of babies.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika): Madam Speaker, I am grateful for this opportunity to interact with Her Honour the Vice-President. Your Honour the Vice-President, good morning.

 

The Vice-President: Good morning.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, where I come from, we say, “icikutilwe tacumfwa ndibu,” which means, “He who does not heed advice receives backlash.”

 

Madam Speaker, in our history, the Church has stood on the side of the people all the time. This is rooted in its teachings. The Catholic Church, the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) in particular, opposed the Third Term bid by President Chiluba. Equally, it participated in the introduction of multi-partism. As it were, the four pillars of good governance are accountability, transparency, rule of law and participation.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member from Mpika, please, ask your question. Do not debate.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, in the recent past we have seen members of the Ruling Party, including the Presidential Photographer, attacking the bishops of the Catholic Church and the Church at large, based on the fact that they oppose the enactment of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7. This church stood with the United Party for National Development (UPND) in opposition, and it was very okay at that particular time. Why has the church become a problem now that the UPND is in power? Why is the party in power scared of being criticised?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Mpika for the question.

 

Madam Speaker, he said many things. He said that the Catholics are opposing the Constitution (Amendment) Bill No. 7. He has talked about an attack on bishops. He also asked, “Why is it a problem now that Catholics are not supporting the Government or the Constitution (Amendment) Bill No. 7.” Why are we scared of being criticised? I do not think that the Government is scared of being criticised. I will say something here. Please, understand. This is the thinking. I am standing here as a human being. Of course, I am the Vice-President. Advice can be given, but, remember, at the end of the day, one can take it or not, and you cannot hold them to ransom. When you criticise something, or when you do not want something, or when you want something, remember that there will be somebody who wants it or does not want it. There are two sides of an issue. So, in the country today, there are two sides of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill No. 7. When you start behaving like your side is the only right one, that is wrong. The Constitution (Amendment) Bill No. 7 is a debate. I think, we have to understand it like that. The fact that I am supporting it, for example –

 

Mr Kampyongo: You are not allowed.

 

The Vice-President: Allow me to speak. If you speak, allow me to criticise, just like you criticised me. That is not an attack, please. I am speaking to all of us.

 

Madam Speaker, when people say, “What you are doing is wrong,” or “We do not agree with you,” do not take it as an attack. Nobody is attacking Catholics; they are speaking to what Catholics are speaking about. Some people are very senior, serious members of the Catholic Church. So, they respect the clergy, but they may not agree with the position that some members of the church may take.

 

 Let us not take that as an attack on individuals. This is what is confusing our democracy. Let us remember to have independent ideas or positions and debate the issue.  Let us not debate the individuals. So, if your idea is criticised, do not say they do not like it. Yes, the Catholics supported or rejected the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill 10 of 2019, and now they are rejecting the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill 7 of 2025.

 

 Madam Speaker, in a democracy, we must remember that an issue will always be debated. The minority will be heard, but the majority will carry the day.  This is what we are looking forward to, come Monday, come Tuesday.

 

Madam Speaker, hon. Members make a national House. Hon. Members will finally make a decision. Hon. Members have been given the mandate to do so. People have spoken and they have heard. Come Monday or Tuesday, the buck stops with us. We have the mandate and when we go out, we will move as one, and as a nation. We will do the best of what is going to come out of this House as a nation.

 

Madam Speaker, we are, “One Zambia, One Nation” even though we do not agree on everything. So, we appreciate the Catholics who do not agree with the Bill. Even previously, there were those who were with us and those who were not.  Within the Catholic Church, some criticised those who refused to accept the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019. So, that is normal debate. Let their mind be democratic and know there is a debate. Now, have they garnered enough support? That is all they need. We respect the Catholics, but if we do not support their idea, it has nothing to do with knowing who did what. We will still go and receive–What do they call it? Eucharist? We will still go and receive it from them.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, but on this matter, my son (pointed at Mr Kampyongo), there is a division and we will move forward.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Since the hon. Member for Sikongo was disallowed, I will allow him to ask another question. Please, be brief and to the point.

 

Mr Simushi: Madam Speaker, thank you for being so gracious. When the Patriotic Front (PF) took over office from the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), the gross domestic product (GDP) was around 6 per cent, and the exchange rate was about 5 per cent.  Political violence cases were rare in the country.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Simushi: Madam Speaker, the import cover was about five months. During its Administration, those parameters dropped to minus 2.8 per cent of the GDP and 22 per cent in terms of the exchange rate.  The political violence rate was the highest this country had ever experienced. The import cover dropped to around a month. The United Party for National Development (UPND) Government, under very difficult circumstances, has improved these parameters. The GDP now is averaging 5 per cent and the exchange rate has come to 21 per cent. The political violence is almost non-existent. The import cover is now at 5 per cent.

 

Madam Speaker, Your Honour the Vice-President, due to the fact that the same political party that brought this country down to its knees is planning to come back to power, what is your word of caution to the people of Zambia?

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Sikongo for that question. Unfortunately, I cannot repeat his question because of the many figures that he referred to. He also referred to terms such as the parameters and the gross domestic product (GDP).

 

Madam Speaker, generally, all of us know and can say that the economy was run down. We are not ashamed to say that because we are all Zambians here. I will use the word, “economy” because I do not have the figures which the hon. Member mentioned. The economy was run down and there is no argument about it. That is why we went into default when it came to debt.  

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, you cannot say things are well when you have nkongole and the people you owe come to knock at your door. When you owe, you even literally hide your children because they can also be taken. That is true. Indeed, it is very important for all of us to agree that the economy has performed tremendously well compared to the past. That is the way I would put it. The Zambians are listening to us. These facts are not for debate. The economy has picked. They can start naming things one by one, but the fact is that the economy has tremendously picked. If our GDP can grow from negative to 5 per cent, or 5 per cent plus to 6 per cent.  We can even reach 7 per cent. The hon. Member wants to know what advice we can give to the Patriotic Front (PF) that wants to come back to power.  Did he say advice to the Zambians or to the PF?

 

Mr Munsanje: The Zambians.

 

The Vice-President: He said to the PF. I will firstly advise the ones who were there before the UPND came into power. What is it that they want to bring to the table now?

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: That is the question. What new thing do they think they will convince the Zambians with? I like democracy. That is a fact. I like checks and balances, but I think it is important for those people–

 

Mr Nkandu: Hammer!

 

The Vice President: I am advising the PF. If it comes as it were, what is it bringing? Does it want us to start waiting for the economy to be run down? Does it want us to wait for violence? It should start with a word of apology to the people of Zambia.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President:  Madam Speaker, in an apology, it would be–

 

Mr Kampyongo: Are you perfect?

 

The Vice-President: I am not saying we are a perfect lot. I am bringing out real facts. The PF has to tell the people of Zambia what it has learnt for it to do the opposite of what it was.

 

Mr Nkandu: They cannot change.

`

The Vice-President: It has to convince the people of Zambia that it has changed; it has new ideas; it is going to do better in the economy; there will be no violence, and that corruption will be reduced.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I am saying this to the Zambians. Can Zambians honestly trust the team that they threw out? What new thing are Zambians expecting from it? I can feel sorry for those who may have lost the capacity to burn money. I feel sorry for those who were rolling on money in bed. Those can still remain there because to go to any Government, they must repent. Do the Zambians really have a choice between this Government and the Government of yesterday? Do they have a choice? We urge them to trust the New Dawn Government, under the Leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema. If they want their economy to move, they need this man as the true driver of the economy.

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, they cannot argue about that. Please, they can go and say other things elsewhere. The fact is that the economy has grown.  No matter what, some countries would borrow our President if there were a way.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr B. Mpundu interjected.

 

The Vice-President: Do not worry, my son, about things we imagine politically.

 

Madam Speaker, the fact is that the economy has totally changed. We have challenges, and challenges, not born by this Government, but that have existed. Challenges that this Government is trying to resolve for the better.

 

That is the advice, Zambians. The choice is the United Party for National Development (UPND), not the patriotic dununa.

 

I am sorry.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity you have given me to ask a question.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government has introduced a new school curriculum, which has seen the abolishment of basic schools, meaning that primary schools can no longer offer Grade 8 and Grade 9. Instead, the Government has introduced Form I to Form IV, which is a good thing. However, that has come with huge challenges, especially for rural areas. The situation now is that accessing secondary schools in rural areas has become a huge challenge. For example, out of more than 300 learners at Sitwe Primary School, which used to service three wards; Mbazi, Ndunda and Chisunga, only ten have managed to find secondary school places. More than 200 learners are still at home. It is like we have gone back to the colonial days, during which it was very difficult to find a secondary school, and one had to enrol at Munali Secondary School or Chizongwe Secondary School. What is the Government doing to not disadvantage the learners in rural areas so that they can move at the same wavelength as those in privileged areas? The situation is very bad, and the parents are very upset about this.

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Chama North for that important question.

 

Madam Speaker, I think, the question needs clear answers rather than me just going around, because what I know is that we should not have any dropout. That is not the intention. On phasing out basic schools, I think, it is an issue of access to secondary schools and the distances. Even if there may not be the Vice-President’s Question Time segment, I think, we can fit in so that I can explain this matter, because I do not want to just say things. We have no intention of having children remain because there is no place for them to go. You have seen that we say there is free education, and we are helping. We even have a bursary provision under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to ensure that all children enrol into secondary schools. So, for me to give answers here, – The hon. Minister is not here to help me. Allow me to give clarification on Tuesday.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Syakalima entered the Assembly Chamber.

 

Hon. Members: He has come!

 

Interruptions

 

The Vice-President: He has come.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: Overtaken by events. So, Her Honour the Vice-President will come on –­ I do not know. We will see.

 

Mr Hamwaata (Pemba): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government has conducted quite a number of by-elections; parliamentary and local Government. The by-elections have been very peaceful, and there has not been any bloodshed, unlike during the previous Government in which by-elections were quite dangerous for anyone to participate in. The people of Chawama will have a by-election to elect their leader, a Member of Parliament, on 15^th January, 2026. What message does Her Honour the Vice-President have for them?

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Pemba for that very important question on by-elections.

 

Madam Speaker, indeed, we all appreciate that many by-elections have been held in the country since the UPND, New Dawn, took over Government, and we have seen peaceful by-elections. Chawama should not be any different. There should be no difference at all. We should maintain peace. Peace is the most important ingredient for any development that you would want to carry out. So, my advice to the people of Chawama is that they should not start fighting. I will say this to the youths who fight. Here, as leaders of this House, they hear us debate. They should come here, at Parliament, at break time, and they will find hon. Members from the right and left having tea together, and even their children marry. Did they know that? I hope, I am saying something.

 

Madam Speaker, it is very important for politics to be a fight over ideas, not physical. If there is a youth anywhere, that youth should refuse to fight. Youths should refuse to be used. Let us be honest, I leave my children at home, and then I take my neighbour's children to fight. Do you understand? The people on your left and on my right are listening. Violence shows a failure of ideas. When you have ideas, sell them. Stand on the podium and tell the Zambian people. You do not have to beat anybody. You do not have to. Where is President Katuta? She should stand with me, so we can debate. She should show her manifesto, and I will show mine. That is the way we should do it. Zambia is one. Even in families, we are divided in our political opinions. I know that in my family there are hon. Members there (Pointed at the Opposition).

 

Mr B. Mpundu interjected.

 

The Vice-President: I know you want to ask, but I also want time to respond.

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I know there are people there who have relatives or in-laws here (Pointed to the right). Show it. We have a very good manifesto. This is my weapon (Lifted the UPND manifesto).

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I do not need a stone. I just need this. This manifesto is for 2021 to 2024, the implementation status of the UPND, New Dawn, Government’s key policy reforms.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Nyirenda interjected.

 

The Vice-President: Madam Lundazi, bring yours.

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, that is where the competition is. Our friends came in 2016 with a slogan.

 

What was it? They would say something like “Show them!”

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kabuswe: Sonta epowabomba!

 

The Vice-President: Sontapo, aha! They did not show enough, and the people said, “We cannot see.” So, they listened to our manifesto. Today, for us, it is a proper show. Here it is (showing a copy of the UPND Manifesto). I can lay this document on the Table so that hon. Members on your left can understand the amount of work that has been done. Can I lay it on the Table, Madam Speaker?

 

Interruptions

 

Mr B. Mpundu interjected.

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, this (showing a copy of the UPND Manifesto) is what I will beat the president for Ichabaiche with, not a stone. He is my son. I will not use a stone, but this document will beat him right to the ground. This is who we are as Zambians and what we should be. We, on this side, have our weapon. There is no need to use a stone from this side. This document is the real stone. Our party will produce a document, which will include 2025, in which we will show what we have done.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Madam Speaker, among the challenges the people of Kalabo are facing is the non-payment of the Cash-for-Work to the beneficiaries. So, even now, I have received two calls regarding this issue. This morning, my early call with a member from Lyumba Ward was about the Cash-for-Work Programme. In Kalabo District, the beneficiaries are crying. They are owed payments for over a period of four to five months. So, they raise questions to me, who does not have the right answers. So, I would like a comment from Her Honour the Vice-President so that the affected people can hear from her. What has caused the situation of the beneficiaries who worked for a period of four to five months not to be paid up to date? That is my question.

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that good question. Indeed, all of us, as hon. Members of Parliament, are concerned when things do not seem to work according to the promises. However, the affected beneficiaries will definitely be paid. I think there was some adjustment being done at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. The adjustment has now been done. That information is for all of us, hon. Members. It is not only for the hon. Member for Kalabo Central. As far as I know, the Cash-for-Work Programme will now be extended to every district. So, it is coming. The background work has been done after the adjustment, which has included other districts that were not part of the programme before.

 

Madam Speaker, we apologise for that situation. However, the beneficiaries will be smiling very soon. The hon. Member can assure his people that they will receive payments for the Cash-for-Work Programme.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Was that the last question, Madam Speaker?

 

Madam Speaker: Anyway, we still have twenty-seven seconds remaining.

 

Laughter

 

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Madam Speaker, for almost two years, the country endured a challenge of overpricing of fuel, owing to the monopoly of one company that used to supply the commodity. As a result, there were outcries from the public. It took over two years for the Government to respond to that outcry. The people of Zambia have further endured over two years of load-shedding. Miraculously, today, power is being supplied in most places …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr B. Mpundu: …when there has not been a major project recorded. There are only two scenarios. Either it has rained a lot and the country has too much water or the Government has stopped Kanona Power Company from handling exports. Is it the policy of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government to, first of all, let people suffer for a very long time, then remedy the situation?

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

Let us follow the proceedings.

 

The Vice President: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and I would like to thank the hon. Member for Nkana for bringing out such issues because they give us an opportunity to speak to the people of Zambia. No question is bad for the Government.

 

Madam Speaker, the challenge of fuel faced by the people for two years is a legacy issue. Hon. Members should remember where the country is coming from and how fuel was being procured. How fake – I do not know whether the word ‘fake’ is appropriate or not. I am looking for a word that will respond to what he has raised. The word ‘fake’ is okay. The country was accumulating debt. That was deception to the people of Zambia. It is the same as providing cheap fuel when, in fact, the debt is heaping up. Does the hon. Member understand that? The previous Government left debt with the Zambian people. I think the former hon. Minister of Finance, and the current one, can tell me the amount of debt that was left.

 

Mr Kapala: 850!

 

The Vice-President: It was US$850 million. The previous Government was giving out fuel that it did not pay for. It kept a fake price for the Zambian people, deceiving them. Come on!

 

Hon. Government Members: Mwaona manje!

 

The Vice-President: We came in to show the people the truth. That this is where we are and that is where we were. Fuel was expensive. So, the Government had to be realistic and say, “This is the truth” so that when a person uses fuel, he or she knows how costly it is. However, the previous Government was hiding the truth. Come on! We can debate this before the public, but I thank God.

 

Madam Speaker, there is no way – The current Government introduced the use of the Tanzania-Zambia Mafuta Pipeline (TAZAMA). I think that is where the hon. Member took up the issue of the monopoly he raised. Before that, I think it was free for all. However, this Government introduced the use of the TAZAMA pipeline. That is why the hon. Member mentioned a monopoly. However, when something is started, it should be observed to see how workable it is. So, today, we have implemented the Open Access Policy and Zambians are participating in the energy sector. All that the Government wants are people with the capacity to transport fuel and diesel at an affordable …

 

Hon. Government Members: Price!

 

The Vice-President: ... price.

 

Interruptions

 

The Vice-President: This is something we have not been discussing. The hon. Member is just saying things. Colleagues, let us make comparisons. We can look at the cost of fuel in the region.

 

Hon. Government Members: Correct!

 

The Vice-President: Do my hon. Colleagues know that the price of fuel in Zambia is the cheapest?

 

Mr Chikote: In the region!

 

The Vice-President: At the click of a button, we can get the prices and comparisons can be drawn. Please, the Zambian people can also follow up on that issue. So, yes, I agree, Madam Speaker, that the previous Government showed that fuel was cheap, but never paid for it. It is easy to give away what you have not worked for.

 

Madam Speaker, I know a story of somebody who was told, “I will give you something to give to someone”. The man said, “No, I cannot give that important person something that costs me nothing”.

 

Madam Speaker, our colleagues on your left were giving away fuel because it did not cost them anything. They did not care how much debt they were accumulating.

 

   It is like they knew that they would go out of office and leave the burden to other people. That is the situation on fuel.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Monopoly.

 

The Vice-President: No monopoly, mwana.

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: It is open access.

 

Madam Speaker, I like the way the hon. Member put it. He said, “miraculously.” He will be surprised; more miracles are coming …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: … to those without full understanding.

 

Madam Speaker, Zambians expect things to happen under this Government. One reason load-shedding is reducing is natural. There is increased water in Kafue River.

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

The Vice-President: Not in Kariba Dam.

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Simumba: What type of Nalumangonomics is that? Oh no.

 

The Vice-President: I like that. I see, my young son, Simumba from Nakonde, is totally shocked. Miracles shock people.

 

Madam Speaker, we are able to play the game correctly. There is more water today in the Kafue River. Please, check. That is the truth. Personally, I went to see that part of the country. You should be following the news. You have to see which part of the country has enough or little rainfall. My concern when I saw the water in the Kafue River was whether we were going to be battling floods, just a month ago. This is a fact. I am not making it up. Kafue River, right now, has a little more water. I have not been told anything about Kariba Dam, and I have not even been there. This is about Kafue River.

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

The Vice-President: Do you understand? It is about where water comes from. It is not the rain water falling in the Kariba Dam that will fill the dam, no. Water comes from up there and moves down to the dam.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Those are the miracles.

 

Madam Speaker, to make it clear, I am talking about the Kafue River. The water in the river has increased, okay, and that has increased generation of power. It is our hope that the Kariba Dam will also increase power generation as the water level rises. Hon. Colleagues, we have also been importing power, and hard negotiations have been going on. This is what this Government can do. This young man you see (Pointed at Mr Chikote) is a hard negotiator. I am not saying this for fun. Do not look at him and think that he is oyo, oyo; he is a hard negotiator. With the support of the President, we are importing more power in the country.

 

Mr Chala: Question!

 

The Vice-President: Yes, there are more power imports. I am giving you information. I started with the small reason and then the bigger one. Where is the one who questioned, Hon. Bozi?

 

Hon. Members: Bozi Boziana!

 

Laughter

 

The Vice-President: You are aware that in Mansa, Luapula, we will soon produce 50 MW. I am just using this as an example. Do you expect to have the same level of load-shedding when that power is fed into the grid?

 

Hon. UPND Members: No.

 

The Vice-President: On this score, I am a very happy person.

 

Madam Speaker, I really appreciate the hon. Member for asking this question. Zambians, these things are legacy issues. The issue of load-shedding and the deficit are legacy issues, but this Government is working to resolve them, not temporarily but permanently. We are looking for a more permanent solution. We are putting all sorts of things in place. We have explained here that we are looking at thermal power. What do you expect? I am so surprised yet happy. I should say I am amazed when I hear the hon. Member, with all his knowledge and certificates, say that this is a miracle.

 

Hon. PF Members: Question!

 

The Vice-President: Yes, it is God's help and man’s help.

 

Madam Speaker, this has been a wonderful year. Allow me to say, what a last Friday in 2025!

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Thank you, hon. Colleagues, for your support during the forty-five minutes. You have been asking good questions that make us respond. You can go and check the answers.

 

Thank you very much. Once again, Merry Christmas.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Let us get back to work, hon. Members.

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised. Hon. Member for Mitete, what is a point of order?

 

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, I am totally grateful to you. I am very shocked.

 

Madam Speaker, I raise this point of order in reference to Standing Order No. 71 – Content of Speech.

 

 Is the only hon. Member of Parliament for Nkana in order to say that the country has been struggling for two years with load shedding? Now, that the listening and hardworking Government under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has found a solution he refers to as a miracle, forgetting that it is a methodical Government, ...

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, Hear!

 

Hammer!

 

Mr Mutelo: …is he in order not to only thank the Government rather than saying that it is a miracle?  Yes, God in his own wisdom, works miraculously.  The hon. Member was celebrating but he did not want to come out in the open to celebrate the achievements of the UPND.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mutelo: Madam Speaker, was the hon. Member in order not to just appreciate or support the hard working UPND’s New Dawn Government under President Hakainde Hichilema?

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

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

 

Hon. Member, I do not know whether that is a point of order or you are responding to the hon. Member for Nkana. However, I think you have sufficiently debated your point of order. So, the point of order is not admitted.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Send him out!

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, we do not send people out for raising a point of order. I am sure, having experienced being sent out, you know the reasons or what amounts to a breach that sends somebody out. So, hon. Member for Mitete, your point of order is not admitted.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Just send him out.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, that is not a breach that will justify me to send him out of the House. He is not in any breach. So, it cannot be sent out. Let us proceed. Where were we?

 

Hon. Members: The hon. Minister is supposed to respond.

 

Madam Speaker: Yes!

 

Hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, you may proceed.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank you, and I thank the hon. Member for Bangweulu, Mr Kasandwe, for the follow up question. 

 

Madam Speaker, he premised his question with, “I am shocked.” May be, he ought to have been shocked because this project started during the Patriotic Front (PF) time. We took it over from the PF.  The rehabilitation works on the Mpanta/Kantansha/Kapata Road are being undertaken by the Road Development Agency (RDA) under the Force Account. So, in spite of the figures of K11 million that he has given and so on, the funds received for the project for the period 2020 amounts to K13,816,986.44, and we know who was there in 2020.

 

Madam Speaker, heavy grading was done on the entire 66 km stretch while re-gravelling was done on the cumulative stretch of 35 km. In addition, eight concrete pipe culverts were also installed. The remaining works are expected to resume as soon as additional funds are released subject to favourable weather conditions that allow for the effective execution of activities. Currently, it is raining heavily especially in that area, and therefore, work cannot proceed until the rainfall reduces.

 

Madam Speaker, for his own information, the estimated costs required to complete the outstanding works is K22 million. The Budget is being revised to include additional road sections that have been identified as requiring urgent attention. Maintenance will continue to be performed to ensure that the road remains in a motorable condition at all times.

 

Madam Speaker, rather than the hon. Member being shocked, this Government is undertaking these works, and we are releasing extra money to ensure that this project is completed for our people in Bangweulu Constituency to have access to this particular road.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, I remember posing a supplementary question when this question was tabled last year. 

 

Madam Speaker, we do not have to remind the hon. Minister that the Government is a going concern. Some projects were started and have been completed, while others are yet to be completed, just like they will leave some projects incomplete at the time of their exit, which could be next year.

 

Mr Nkandu: Question!

 

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

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, when the question was raised on the Floor of the House, I advised the hon. Minister whether they could consider outsourcing and engaging a contractor to expedite the works. However, his response was that the Road Development Agency (RDA) had the capacity to undertake the works within the amount that had been released. I would like to find out what could have happened to the money which was released.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Sorry, hon. Member for Shiwang’andu. There is an indication for a point of order. Hon. Member for Kalabo Central, what is your point of order?

 

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, I refer to Standing Order No. 71 – Content of Speech.

 

Madam Speaker, I know Hon. Kampyongo is my very close friend but in his statement, he mentioned that the United Party for National Development (UPND) would be leaving office.

 

Madam Speaker, is he, in order not to state whom we are going to hand over power to?

 

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

 

Mr Miyutu: Further, what is it that will make the UPND leave office? Is it because of its positive achievements or the negatives achievements which made them leave? Are people interested in negatives or positives? So, if it is positives, are we going to leave because of the positive achievements the people have received?

 

I need your serious ruling.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker:  Thank you very much.

 

The hon. Member for Shiwang’andu said, “It could be next year.” So, he was not even sure whether anybody would be leaving.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: So, he is in order to continue on that line of thought.

 

May the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu continue. 

 

Mr Kampyongo: Most appreciated, Madam Speaker. Indeed, you read my mind.

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1040 hours until 1100 hours.   

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was interrupted by my dear hon. Colleague, who has been with me since 2011 and saw the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) leave –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, just proceed with the question.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I was just reminding the hon. Minister, who was responding to the question, that government is a going concern. Projects commenced by governments can be executed, but if they are not, those who take over complete them.

 

Madam Speaker, I remember posing a follow-up question to the hon. Minister on this matter at some point, and he indicated that money had been released and that the RDA would execute the works within one month from the time he had responded to the question. I am still getting back to the same matter I raised because if the Government contracted or outsourced, the contractor would have probably quickly executed the work. What could have happened to the money that was released; the K11 million that the hon. Minister spoke about at that point?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu for the supplementary question.

 

Madam Speaker, I do not need any reminding from the hon. Member about the fact that government is a continuous process and that what is left behind is carried forward by a succeeding government. That is why this Government made a pronouncement on the Floor of this House regarding all the projects that were initiated, and those that were suspended on account of a lack of funds. I have said that not a single project that was initiated anywhere in this country using Government money will not be continued. These projects were put in place to serve the Zambian people.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member who has asked the question stated that he was shocked. The point I was making is that this started when he was holding the levers of power. So, he should have been shocked at that time.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member keeps talking about K11 million. I have not talked about K11 million. I talked about the K13 million that was disbursed. The hon. Member has asked what happened to that money. I have talked about the number of kilometres that were worked on, what is still outstanding and the fact that extra works were identified. What I said is that the budget is being revised to include additional road sections that were identified as requiring urgent attention. The K13 million was disbursed, but it was not adequate, even under the force account, to undertake all the works. As a ministry, we think that an extra K22 million is needed to complete these works. Notwithstanding, the ministry has also made a commitment, even to the hon. Member, for the Road Development Agency (RDA) to continue spot works to ensure that no section on that road is cut off whilst we are waiting for two things; extra resources and favourable weather, to continue the works.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Kasandwe: Madam Speaker, between a place called Bulongwa and Twingi, there is a bad stretch that will soon cut off an area that has about 100,000 inhabitants, and is a major road that connects Lunga and Samfya. Therefore, would there be any immediate intervention to ensure that the stretch that is completely bad is worked on? Waiting until the rainy season ends may result in our people being cut off from accessing the Boma. So, is there any immediate intervention that can be put in place to ensure that the bad stretch is worked on, as soon as possible, so that we can allow free movement of people, goods and ideas?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I would like to tell Hon. Anthony Kasandwe that the offices we, as Ministers, hold are public offices. The buildings we sit in are not ours, they belong to the Zambian people. All the hon. Ministers you see here, in this House, welcome all hon. Members to engage and to be told what is happening. I have never turned down an hon. Member who would like to see me.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

 

Eng. Milupi: Question, Kwisa, iwe. I have worked on Chibuluma Road, and you are happy.

 

Laughter

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, Hon. Kasandwe should make it a habit to liaise with us, and it is perfectly within his rights to raise a question here, in this House.

 

Madam Speaker, I think, the main thing that I would like to say regarding the follow-up question is that I have heard what the hon. Member has said about connecting Bulongwa and Twingi. As soon as I am able to, I will speak to the officials at the RDA, especially the regional engineer, to make them aware of the need to pay particular attention to that particular section so that people are not cut off.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

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

 

Madam Speaker, stalled works are costly and a challenge because the Government has to spend more money to complete them. Whilst there is joy in Katunda/Watopa, as you can see even how the hon. Member is sitting, as his road is being worked on, and in Chikankata and Chadiza, there is no joy concerning the Chipata/Lundazi/Chama/Matumbo Road because of stalled works. This remains a pain in our lives, even as we go back to the constituencies. It is actually affecting our movements. If the Government is failing to complete a 6 km road stretch, because this hon. Member is only requesting a 6 km –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lundazi, go straight into your question.

 

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, this is the last day, as Her Honour the Vice-President has said. So, we have to ensure that our pain is offloaded on the hon. Ministers so that they can have homework as they go back to their constituencies.

 

 Madam Speaker, would it be so difficult for the Government to complete a 6 km gravel road during this time so that the people of Bangweulu can also have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year?

 

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

 

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

 

Hon. Member for Mongu Central, you may proceed.

 

Mr Amutike: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, I am seated here quietly listening to the hon. Member of Parliament for Lundazi, who is supposed to be the Secretary-General of the former Ruling Party, which was in charge of this country for ten years. She is lamenting about a 6 km gravel road where works have not been completed. When her own party was in charge of the Government for ten years, it failed to work on the same 6 km road. Is she in order to lament like that when she is the Secretary-General of the former Ruling Party?

 

Madam Speaker, my point of order is in accordance with Standing Order No. 71.

 

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

As far as I am concerned, there is a question before us, which needs a response from the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. Hon. Members, if you wish to bring in other issues, please, refrain from doing so. Go straight to the question because the hon. Member for Bangweulu needs answers before he goes back to his constituency. That is exactly what we are doing.

 

So, let us proceed and have the answer. Although the question was so broad, I know the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development understood part of it.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, if the hon. Member for Lundazi is not aware, I actually admire her. I think, she debates very well. The way she debated on albinism yesterday touched my heart. She did exceptionally well.

 

Laughter

 

Eng. Milupi: That is the admiration I am talking about.

 

Madam Speaker, however, I think, the way she started the question was divisive. She mentioned that the Katunda/Watopa Road and the Chikankata Road were worked on. She then checked herself and added the Chipata/Chadiza Road.

 

Ms Nyirenda interjected.

 

Eng. Milupi: Yeah, that was an afterthought.

 

Interruptions

 

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

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, no Government has put the Chipata/Chadiza Road at a higher priority than the current Government. Had what the Government planned to do not been interrupted by the changes made by the Government of the United States of America (USA), that road would have been constructed halfway. However, the Government has not given up. It is still pushing. There is a chance that even the lost funding might come back. The Government appreciates that. The hon. Member knows that that particular place was one of the first places I visited as Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. We look at every corner of the country as requiring development. I have mentioned here that there is no way one can be like President Hakainde Hichilema of wanting to grow the country’s economy to US$80 billion in his second term. So, how can we leave some parts of the country behind? It cannot work. So, we shall develop the whole country.

 

Madam Speaker, with respect to the 6 km road mentioned by the hon. Member, who said that the Government is failing to work on it, yes, I do understand that works that are postponed ultimately are very costly. However, she must accept that a number of such works were postponed in the last Administration. What we have said here is that we will allocate money to undertake and complete all the works. In my last answer, I was clear. I have listened to what Hon. Kasandwe said that there is a particular section between Bulongwa and Twingi that requires extra attention. The way I work is that as soon as I am able, I will make calls to alert the people in charge of that issue. We do not want anybody, if possible, to be cut off.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, we have spent enough time on Question No. 124. Before we move to the next question, I will allow the hon. Member for Mfuwe to deliver his maiden speech.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

 

Mr Mufunelo (Mfuwe): Madam Speaker, I rise today deeply humbled and honoured –

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

You may continue hon. Member for Mfuwe.

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Alikwi?

 

Ms Nyirenda: Lelo sure? Walikwisa?

 

Mr Mufunelo: Madam Speaker, I rise today deeply humbled and honoured to stand in this august House as the duly elected representative of the good people of Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mufunelo: Madam Speaker, I pledge before you and before the people who entrusted me with this sacred responsibility that I will serve as a Member of Parliament with diligence, integrity, resilience and passion.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to particularly express my profound gratitude to the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for his visionary leadership. I further extend my appreciation to the National Chairperson for the United Party for National Development (UPND), Mr Collins Maoma. I also wish to thank the following Cabinet Ministers: Hon. Elvis Nkandu, MP; Hon. Felix Mutati, MP; Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, MP; Hon. Elias Mubanga, MP; and the UPND Chairperson for Election, Hon. Garry Nkombo, MP. In addition, I wish to express my gratitude to the National Youth Chairperson, Mr Gilbert Liswaniso, the office of the hon. Minister for Muchinga Province, the UPND Eastern Province Executive Committee, the former Lavushimanda District Chairperson, Madam Mavis Nalwimba, and the UPND Mfuwe Constituency Chairperson, Mr Douglas Shebele. All these people and others worked tirelessly in support of my election bid.

 

Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank the District Commissioner (DC) for Lavushimanda for exhibiting non-partisanship in ensuring a fair and free election. In the same vein, I would like to salute their royal highnesses, Chief Chiundaponde and Chief Mpumba, for preaching peace and unity during the campaign period.

 

Madam Speaker, may I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to my family, especially my beloved wife, Angela Nayame Mufunelo, whose steadfast support, encouragement and sacrifices made it possible for me to be elected Member of Parliament. She stood by me throughout the campaign journey and I am forever grateful. Above all, I would like to acknowledge the resilient people of Mfuwe Constituency and assure them that the mandate entrusted in me to represent their voices in this House is a responsibility I do not take for granted, but rather carry it with deep humility and commitment.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to now highlight some achievements the country has recorded under the leadership of Mr Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, as follows:

 

Economic Growth

 

Madam Speaker, the diversification of the economy and the promotion of investment has created an opportunity for economic growth for the people of Zambia. For example, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has directly benefited Mfuwe, delivering vital projects in infrastructure, health and education. Similarly, grants amounting to K2,484,000 have been disbursed to women, youths and vulnerable groups in Mfuwe, fostering entrepreneurship and community resilience.

 

Communication

 

Madam Speaker, investments in this sector have improved connectivity and made life easier for our people in Mfuwe. In particular, the recent commissioning of communication towers in Muwele and Mwelushi by the hon. Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Mutati, has improved digital access, bridging the communication divide.

 

Education

 

Madam Speaker, I cannot over-emphasise the importance of the Free Education Policy of the UPND Government. To this end, the introduction of free education is transforming lives in Mfuwe by ensuring more children have access to learning opportunities, thereby opening doors to a brighter future. For this, we are grateful. Despite this milestone, Mfuwe still faces pressing challenges, including poor road infrastructure, particularly in areas like Mutumba and Kamwendo, where access is limited to walking, cycles or detours. This means that people take a long time to reach their destination. A major concern is also the Chiundaponde/Muwele Road, which remains in a deplorable state. This road is a lifeline for the people of Chundaponde Chiefdom, as it connects farming areas, schools and health facilities. Therefore, without its rehabilitation, economic activities, service delivery and access to markets remain heavily constrained. In addition, the lack of adequate health facilities has forced people to walk long distances to the nearest health facilities, putting the lives of our citizens at great risk.

 

Madam Speaker, other pressing issues include:

 

1. limited access to clean water and sanitation, forcing families to travel long distances to access water sources;

 

1. erratic communication networks in some areas, hindering effective participation in national development;

 

1. lack of electricity, leaving Mfuwe underdeveloped in key sectors since; and

 

1. untapped tourism and cultural potential constrained by poor infrastructure.

 

Madam Speaker, in view of the aforementioned, I humbly call upon the Government to prioritise Mfuwe in the capital projects that can unlock its potential and uplift the livelihoods of its people.

 

Madam Speaker, as a servant of the people of Mfuwe, I affirm my resolve to uplift the lives of the people of Mfuwe by addressing the following priority areas, among others:

 

1. road infrastructure to improve connectivity and unlock economic potential;

 

1. education and health to ensure every child and every citizen has access to quality education and health services, and

 

1. economic empowerment to champion job creation, enterprise development and skills training for youth, women and vulnerable groups.

 

As I conclude, Madam Speaker, I pledge to uphold the trust placed in me by the people of Mfuwe, and work tirelessly in collaboration with your office, the Executive and my fellow hon. Members of Parliament to ensure that no citizen of Mfuwe is left behind in Zambia’s development journey.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

_______

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

CONSTRUCTION OF KASENENGWA BRIDGE ACROSS KASENENGWA RIVER

 

125. Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct Kasenengwa Bridge across Kasenengwa River on Msoro Road in Kasenengwa District;

 

1. if so, when the plans will be implemented;

 

1. who the contractor for the project is;

 

1. what the estimated cost of the project is; and

 

1. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to construct Kasenengwa Bridge across Kasenengwa River on Msoro Road in Kasenengwa District.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

Consultations are becoming louder. Can we give room to  the hon. Minister to respond.

 

Hon. Minister, you may continue.

  

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, plans will be implemented once an assessment is undertaken. No contractor has been appointed, as the Government is considering undertaking the civil works under a Force Account through the Road Development Agency (RDA), Eastern Province Regional Office.

 

Madam Speaker, the cost of the project will be known once the assessment has been done.

 

Madam Speaker, as indicated above, the Government has plans to construct a bridge across Kasenengwa River on Msoro Road in Kasenengwa District.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, I have heard the response from the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. He has said that an assessment has not yet been done, and yes, Kasenengwa Bridge will be worked on. However, the critical question coming from the people of Kasenengwa is: When is the assessment going to be done? Or how soon will the Government construct the bridge? After a heavy downpour, people get stranded. No one can cross that river right now. Vehicles, motorbikes, oxcarts and pedestrians are stranded right now. People are waiting for water to subside before they can cross. When is the Government going to construct the bridge?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, we feel for the people of Kasenengwa regarding this crossing point; the hon. Member has told us the difficulties that the people are going through. The desire of the Government is to ease the lives of the people. The local authority in that area carried out an assessment of the bridge. However, due to the passage of time, the conditions on the site, in our view, may have changed. In fact, what we are going to do is a reassessment, since the assessment was already done. The reassessment will be undertaken in the first quarter of 2026. The RDA and the local authority will jointly assess the crossing point. The hon. Member can also lean on the local authority to ensure that the reassessment is done quickly. What the Government is considering is undertaking civil works under the Force Account through the RDA regional office. The hon. Member and I can jointly call the regional engineer, Eng. Sikombe, just to make sure that the reassessment is done as quickly as possible.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, I hope the people of Kasenengwa have heard the response from the hon. Minister. He has told them that assessments will be done in the first quarter of 2026, and he has helped me to lead that initiative. I want to assure the hon. Minister that by the second week of January 2026, which is also in the first quarter, I will be in his office. In addition, I will also prevail over the people at the local authority and the Road Development Agency (RDA) Regional Office.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Minister that when I went to his office to talk about Musolo Road, he did not waste time but responded right there and then. So, this time around, I am hoping that we will approach the problems of the Musolo River with the same zeal that he had on the Musolo Road. So, he should expect me in the second week of January.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you. That was a comment. We will to the next question.

 

HEALTH FACILITIES EARMARKED FOR CONSTRUCTION UNDER THE BUILD TO CARE PROGRAMME, COUNTRYWIDE

 

126. Mr Hlazo (Chilanga) asked the Minister of Health:

 

1. how many of the following health facilities are earmarked for construction under the Build to Care Programme, countrywide:

 

(i)      district hospitals; and

 

(ii)     health centres;

 

1. how many districts have been selected to benefit from the Programme;

 

1. what the names of the districts are;

 

1. what criteria was used in selecting the districts above; and

 

1. if Chilanga District is not among the selected districts, why.

 

The Minister of Health (Mr Muchima): Madam Speaker, allow me to provide a brief statement on the meaning of the phrase; “Build to Care Programme” as used by the hon.  Member of Parliament for Chilanga.

 

Madam Speaker, NMS Infrastructure Limited, Build to Care, refers to a major youth care infrastructure project by NMS Infrastructure Limited and African Governments such as Zambia and Zimbabwe to design, build and equip modern district and mini-hospitals, especially in rural areas to improving health care access, patient outcomes and achieving universal health coverage goals. The initiative provides comprehensive facilities, such as maternity wings and laboratories.  It focuses on sustainability to take quality health care closer to the underserved communities.

 

Madam Speaker, having explained the programme, allow me to give responses to the various sections of the question asked by the hon. Member of Parliament. The following health facilities are earmarked for construction under the “Build to Care Programme,” countrywide.

 

 District Hospitals

 

Madam Speaker, under this programme, a total of ten district hospitals are earmarked for construction, with five already completed under Phase I, and five district hospitals are earmarked for construction under Phase II.

 

Health Centres

 

 Madam Speaker, under this programme, a total of 235 health centres are earmarked for construction with 111 already completed under Phase 1. The remaining four and 120 health centres will be constructed under Phase 2.  

 

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to know that the Government has since signed for programmes under Phase II. Sixty-nine districts were selected under Phase 1 and ninety districts have been selected under Phase II. Therefore, given that the list is long, we have submitted attachments that capture the districts under each phase.

 

Madam Speaker, the criteria included among others, catchment population, district from the nearest existing facility, proximity, matters of emergencies, follow-up visits, major causes of morbidity and mortality.

 

 Madam Speaker, Chilanga District is part of the districts selected under the programme for the construction of a health centre.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.

 

 Madam Speaker, may I know from the hon. Minister whether it is possible to come up with a schedule or a list of hospitals and health posts which the ministry intends to construct in the near future in each constituency, instead of us asking for the status of the same.

 

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I thought I made it very clear that there are two phases thus; Phase I and II. Although the list is too long, I will make it available. It is attached to my written response right now. In fact, I will lay it on the Table. 

 

Madam Speaker, I do not know what the hon. Member means by referring to the future. Are the facilities he is talking about different from the ones I have mentioned or those that will be constructed after 2026? I need clarification on that one.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Namwala, are you talking about the present facilities or the future? Please, clarify so the hon. Minister can conclude his response.

 

Mr Mapani: Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Madam Speaker, it is the future, not the list he says he has now.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

 

Hon. Minister, you will respond to the hon. Member for Namwala as you respond to the last question from the hon. Member for Chilanga.

 

Mr Hlazo: Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Madam Speaker, firstly, I did not get the hon. Minister, clearly whether Chilanga has been considered. However, I just wanted to make it known to the hon. Minister that Chilanga District is the only district without a Level 1 hospital in Lusaka Province and yet, it has a bigger population than districts like Chongwe, Rufunsa, Luangwa, and Kafue. So, I just wanted to find out when the Government will consider constructing a Level 1 hospital in Chilanga.

 

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I made it very clear that out of the health facilities that are being constructed in Phase I and Phase II, Chilanga is a beneficiary to be spefic.

 

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Muchima: In fact, these health facilities are earmarked for Kanziva, Mount Makulu, and Balmoral. Now, when it comes to Level 1, this depends on the fiscal space.

 

Madam Speaker, when we look at Chilanga for instance, it is near Kanyama and Chawama. So, it could not be given a priority at the moment. There are areas that completely do not have Level I hospitals.  It will be attended to when money or the Treasury has enough capacity. It will not be ignored. This Government is considering every place, but at the moment, Chilanga is not disadvantaged.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mulaliki (Senanga Central): Madam Speaker, what is the total cost of the facilities that will be constructed in Chilanga.

 

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, may the hon. Member, repeat the question.

 

Mr Mulaliki: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that they have what has been allocated to Chilanga Constituency for the construction of the health facilities. How much has the ministry allocated for the construction of the health facilities? How much has the Government allocated for the projects in Chilanga?

 

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, the question did not hint at the costs that are involved. However, what I know is that a Level I or district hospital costs around K111 million. The cost of mini-hospitals is much lower than that.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

_______

 

MOTION

 

REVISION OF THE ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL EDUCATION EXAMINATION  RULES

 

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that this House urges the Government to facilitate the revision of the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education Examination (ZIALE) rules.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

Mr Mwila (Mufulira): Madam Speaker, I beg to second.

 

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank your office for giving me this opportunity to present this Private Member's Motion urging the Government to revise the examination rules for ZIALE.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to state from the outset that, currently, the rules that govern examinations for those who would like to acquire licences to be advocates of the High Court of Zambia are guided by a law, which is an Act of Parliament. That Act empowers the hon. Minister of Justice to issue Statutory Instruments (SIs). So, the rules sit in an SI. That is why today, I decided to bring the conversation to Parliament. If it were up to me, I would have proposed amendments to the existing law. Unfortunately, I have no powers to issue an S because it is a document that can only be issued by the current hon. Minister of Justice.

 

Madam Speaker, in 2021, SI No. 49 was issued to provide examination rules and it was amended in 2025. So, SI No. 49 of 2025 provides for how someone who has acquired a degree can then apply to an institution called ZIALE to sit for examinations. My proposal is that we revise the rules that govern examinations at the institute.

 

Madam Speaker, I am focusing on two specific issues for the attention of the Government, through the hon. Minister of Justice. I would like to be clear. Currently, students who apply to acquire the licence are supposed to write eleven subjects, better still, they are called eleven heads. The institution has its own way of calling them, but they are basically eleven subjects. The requirement under the current law is that within the three attempts, when one writes his or her first attempt, one must pass a minimum of four examinations, and he or she has to finish the remaining seven in the remaining two attempts. Now, it is not the choice of the students that they sometimes face challenges and fail to complete the eleven examinations in the three attempts that are provided for in the law.

 

 Madam Speaker, the SI is clear. A student should finish his or her examinations within three attempts. So, you pass your first four examinations, and on your second attempt, again, you pass another three, and you remain with four. The law prescribes that the remaining four have to be completed in the remaining opportunity one has been given. However, for whatever reason, you do not manage to pass the remaining four examinations in the remaining slot, it means that you are banned for three years under the current law. Someone who passes ten out of eleven is required to wait for three years for ZIALE to allow them to write the same examinations all over again.

 

Madam Speaker, my first submission is that we cannot have a provision in the law, which is the SI, that provides a ban. Why are we providing for a ban on someone who has sat for examinations? They paid, and passed close to ten subjects, only to remain with one, and they are told to wait for three years before they are allowed to pay another amount of money to sit for examinations. The Government, through the hon. Minister of Justice, through another SI, should bring an amendment to remove the ban. If someone has not been able to complete their examinations, and have not passed the eleven subjects within the three attempts that are provided for in the law, the hon. Minister has the power, under the law, to revise that regulation to remove the three-year ban.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to put it on record that there are people in countries like South Africa and Kenya who would like to be lawyers, and those countries have no provisions for a ban. What is the difference between Zambia and other countries where there is legal practice? Why should there be a discriminatory provision in our laws? What is the purpose of that ban on someone who has not been able to pass the examinations in the three attempts and is told to go back after three years? Who is it serving? What is the intention in denying people the opportunity to sit for those examinations when, for whatever reason, they do not make it?

 

Madam Speaker, my second submission is a recommendation to the hon. Minister, and I believe the hon. Minister is familiar with these procedures. If someone has not managed to pass the examinations on the three attempts, currently, the SI provides for an appeal option. That means that a person who has not been able to finish his or her examinations in the three attempts can write to ZIALE to be given the opportunity to re-sit for the exam that he or she did not pass. On record, statistics show that the majority of the appeals are not considered. So, to avoid this discriminatory option through which the council decides, as it is in its wisdom to decide who is given the appeal option, my submission is that the law provides for a fourth attempt. When someone writes the examinations on first attempt, and passes in some of the courses, and then writes on second and third attempts, but remains with one or two courses, that person should be given a fourth attempt. We need to give Zambians who aspire to be lawyers a fourth attempt, and this attempt should have conditions. The ZIALE Council should decide who qualifies for the fourth attempt. That is in the powers of the hon. Minister of Justice, and that is why I thought that I should lay the ground for providing clarity on what we need to do.

 

 Madam Speaker, I would like to end by submitting the fact that people want to live their dreams. If one’s dream is to become a lawyer, let the law not deny one that opportunity. If one’s dream was to one day be an advocate of the High Court of Zambia, we cannot deny that person that opportunity. In the jurisdictions that I have cited; Kenya and South Africa, provisions do not limit the number of times one sits for examinations. What is special about our legal practice in Zambia? There are young men and women, even elderly people, who want to be called to the Bar at the High Court of Zambia one day. An opportunity today has presented itself for all of us, as hon. Members of Parliament, to remove the three-year ban and also provide an extra opportunity, which is the fourth attempt, for people who would like to be lawyers to be able to acquire licences.

 

Madam Speaker, due to the limitation of time, I would like to thank your office, once again. I hope that this House will support the proposal.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

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

 

Mr Mwila: Now, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, this Motion does not seek to lower the standards of legal training and admission to the bar. Rather, it seeks to provide an equitable chance for everyone who wishes to practice in the legal profession of this country. You will agree with me that the country requires more legal services across its length and breadth. Currently, the country has a concentration of legal practitioners on the Copperbelt Province and in Lusaka, but in the outskirts, where people need legal representation, it is very hard to find lawyers.

 

Madam Speaker, the current examination rules, as highlighted by the mover of the Motion, bring out three main challenges. The first challenge is that one must pass eleven heads at ZIALE in order to be admitted to the bar. If one fails to clear all eleven heads in three attempts, then he/she faces an automatic ban for three years before restarting. That is the first problem, which the mover of the Motion has ably debated and provided solutions to.

 

Madam Speaker, the second issue is that if one, at first attempt, fails to clear more than four heads, then he/she is asked to re-sit for all eleven heads. This practice is not only retrogressive, but also delays progression in the legal field. Those who underwent accountancy training, especially in the old days, would recall a similar system. For example, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) followed the same practice. If a candidate failed to reach a certain mark, whatever credits they may have obtained were withdrawn and the candidate was asked to re-sit, even for papers that had been passed. However, that system is since long gone. Even if a candidate writes one paper and passes, it is given to his/her credit to progress. There is no ban or requirement to sit for three or four attempts before being certified. That is what the Motion is calling for. ZIALE can take the same route. If someone has the time and opportunity to clear on the first attempt, that head should be given to his/her credit. The next time the candidate sits for another one, two or three heads, as long as he/she has passed, those marks must be added to their credit until they finish all eleven heads, as it were. That is why even the mover of the Motion said that the term limit which a candidate must clear the papers must be lifted.

 

Madam Speaker, another problem is that if a candidate fails to clear on the first sitting, he/she is subjected to repeater examinations. A candidate can only sit for a repeater examination, which is also a problem. As long as there is an opportunity to sit for examinations, whether in the same session, first sitting or a repeater examination, candidates must be given the opportunity to sit for the examination as long as they are ready. Subjecting those who fail to clear on the first attempt to repeater examinations, again, delays the progression in terms of qualifying and admission to the bar.

 

Madam Speaker, as the mover of the Motion mentioned, what is needed is a revision of the statutory instrument (SI) that stipulates the examination rules so that an opportunity is given to those who have the passion and want to enter the legal profession. The call is not to lower standards, but to align the system to international best practice. The country needs more legal services offered to people, but currently, that is being hindered by the examination rules administered at ZIALE. That is why the Motion is calling on the Government to re-examine the rules, expand them and offer an opportunity to more who would like to practice law.

 

Madam Speaker, with those points, I second the Motion and urge this House to support it.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Dr Andeleki (Katombola): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Katombola Constituency, I would like to thank you for allowing me to add my voice and speak to the Motion that has been moved by the hon. Member for Kamfinsa.

 

Madam Speaker, speaking as a member of the bar, where I am privileged to be, I wish to indicate that I do not support any amendment or proposals moved by the hon. Member for Kamfinsa for one simple reason. The Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) started in 1968. It has not been formulated today and its rules are for quality assurance.

 

Madam Speaker, a lawyer is a refined practitioner who handles people’s affairs, clients’ money and many other issues. A lawyer is trained at a high standard. Therefore, the people of Katombola Constituency wish to place it on record that they do not support the proposed changes because they are unjustified.

 

Madam Speaker, the examination rules that we, as legal practitioners, follow have been developed over a long period. That precedent has existed since time immemorial. Therefore, we cannot cut corners for the simple reason that the hon. Member for Kamfinsa has been failing to pass at ZIALE. So, because he has an opportunity to be in this Parliament, the rules must change to accord him a chance to pass? There is no shortcut to maturity.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Katombola, let us not debate ourselves. Stick to the content of the Motion.

 

Mr Kang’ombe: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Ikala boi naiwe. Naipita!

 

Dr Andeleki: I am guided, Madam Speaker, and I withdraw the proposition that my dear hon. Colleague from Kamfinsa failed the ZIALE examination. The point I am making is that the legal fraternity is a unique, esoteric profession for distinguished men and women who aspire to the rank and file in the legal profession through training. For the sake of quality assurance, the examination rules cannot be changed to allow those who have failed three or four times to continue writing and rewriting. The proposal cannot be accepted. All lawyers went through the same training. Therefore, I wish to state very clearly that I do not support the proposal. I want to encourage those aspiring to be lawyers to work very hard when they are at ZIALE and not count on failing three, four, five or ten times. There is nothing like that in the legal fraternity.

 

Madam Speaker, in the legal fraternity, we say, “The law degree is yours, but the licence is ours”. This means the licence is for the institution called the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ). With that said, I do not support the Motion.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, firstly, I would like to state that a statutory instrument (SI) is part of the Laws of Zambia according to Article 7(c) of the Constitution. When we consider that fact, the Motion is simple. It is not talking about people failing and then being accommodated to receive a practicing certificate. It is talking about people trying their best until they pass so that they are qualified. Therefore, the question of quality assurance does not arise because the institution that provides the examination can only admit someone to the bar after passing. So, the Motion is not about failing and passing. It is about giving a chance.

 

Madam Speaker, what does the Constitution say about giving a chance? There is a clause on discrimination in Article 23 of the Constitution. It highlights that people should not be discriminated against. Any law has to be under the supremacy of the Constitution, according to Article 1. So, the SI under discussion, SI No. 49, has elements of discrimination. Therefore, if we apply the weight of Article 23, especially Clause 2 and 3, it may not pass the test.

 

Madam Speaker, there is a law of supply and demand. According to this law, the client-lawyer ratio in Zambia has quite a big gap. In Zambia, lawyers are concentrated in Lusaka and the Copperbelt Province. The Constitution has an Article that discusses the concept of a fair trial.

 

Madam Speaker, this Motion does not seek to lower the standards of legal training and admission to the bar. Rather, it seeks to provide an equitable chance for everyone who wishes to practice in the legal profession of this country. You will agree with me that the country requires more legal services across its length and breadth. Currently, the country has a concentration of legal practitioners on the Copperbelt Province and in Lusaka, but in the outskirts, where people need legal representation, it is very hard to find lawyers.

 

Madam Speaker, the current examination rules, as highlighted by the mover of the Motion, bring out three main challenges. The first challenge is that one must pass eleven heads at ZIALE in order to be admitted to the bar. If one fails to clear all eleven heads in three attempts, then he/she faces an automatic ban for three years before restarting. That is the first problem, which the mover of the Motion has ably debated and provided solutions to.

 

Madam Speaker, the second issue is that if one, at first attempt, fails to clear more than four heads, then he/she is asked to re-sit for all eleven heads. This practice is not only retrogressive, but also delays progression in the legal field. Those who underwent accountancy training, especially in the old days, would recall a similar system. For example, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) followed the same practice. If a candidate failed to reach a certain mark, whatever credits they may have obtained were withdrawn and the candidate was asked to re-sit, even for papers that had been passed. However, that system is since long gone. Even if a candidate writes one paper and passes, it is given to his/her credit to progress. There is no ban or requirement to sit for three or four attempts before being certified. That is what the Motion is calling for. ZIALE can take the same route. If someone has the time and opportunity to clear on the first attempt, that head should be given to his/her credit. The next time the candidate sits for another one, two or three heads, as long as he/she has passed, those marks must be added to their credit until they finish all eleven heads, as it were. That is why even the mover of the Motion said that the term limit which a candidate must clear the papers must be lifted.

 

Madam Speaker, another problem is that if a candidate fails to clear on the first sitting, he/she is subjected to repeater examinations. A candidate can only sit for a repeater examination, which is also a problem. As long as there is an opportunity to sit for examinations, whether in the same session, first sitting or a repeater examination, candidates must be given the opportunity to sit for the examination as long as they are ready. Subjecting those who fail to clear on the first attempt to repeater examinations, again, delays the progression in terms of qualifying and admission to the bar.

 

Madam Speaker, as the mover of the Motion mentioned, what is needed is a revision of the statutory instrument (SI) that stipulates the examination rules so that an opportunity is given to those who have the passion and want to enter the legal profession. The call is not to lower standards, but to align the system to international best practice. The country needs more legal services offered to people, but currently, that is being hindered by the examination rules administered at ZIALE. That is why the Motion is calling on the Government to re-examine the rules, expand them and offer an opportunity to more who would like to practice law.

 

Madam Speaker, with those points, I second the Motion and urge this House to support it.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Dr Andeleki (Katombola): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Katombola Constituency, I would like to thank you for allowing me to add my voice and speak to the Motion that has been moved by the hon. Member for Kamfinsa.

 

Madam Speaker, speaking as a member of the bar, where I am privileged to be, I wish to indicate that I do not support any amendment or proposals moved by the hon. Member for Kamfinsa for one simple reason. The Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) started in 1968. It has not been formulated today and its rules are for quality assurance.

 

Madam Speaker, a lawyer is a refined practitioner who handles people’s affairs, clients’ money and many other issues. A lawyer is trained at a high standard. Therefore, the people of Katombola Constituency wish to place it on record that they do not support the proposed changes because they are unjustified.

 

Madam Speaker, the examination rules that we, as legal practitioners, follow have been developed over a long period. That precedent has existed since time immemorial. Therefore, we cannot cut corners for the simple reason that the hon. Member for Kamfinsa has been failing to pass at ZIALE. So, because he has an opportunity to be in this Parliament, the rules must change to accord him a chance to pass? There is no shortcut to maturity.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Katombola, let us not debate ourselves. Stick to the content of the Motion.

 

Mr Kang’ombe: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Ikala boi naiwe. Naipita!

 

Dr Andeleki: I am guided, Madam Speaker, and I withdraw the proposition that my dear hon. Colleague from Kamfinsa failed the ZIALE examination. The point I am making is that the legal fraternity is a unique, esoteric profession for distinguished men and women who aspire to the rank and file in the legal profession through training. For the sake of quality assurance, the examination rules cannot be changed to allow those who have failed three or four times to continue writing and rewriting. The proposal cannot be accepted. All lawyers went through the same training. Therefore, I wish to state very clearly that I do not support the proposal. I want to encourage those aspiring to be lawyers to work very hard when they are at ZIALE and not count on failing three, four, five or ten times. There is nothing like that in the legal fraternity.

 

Madam Speaker, in the legal fraternity, we say, “The law degree is yours, but the licence is ours”. This means the licence is for the institution called the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ). With that said, I do not support the Motion.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, firstly, I would like to state that a statutory instrument (SI) is part of the Laws of Zambia according to Article 7(c) of the Constitution. When we consider that fact, the Motion is simple. It is not talking about people failing and then being accommodated to receive a practicing certificate. It is talking about people trying their best until they pass so that they are qualified. Therefore, the question of quality assurance does not arise because the institution that provides the examination can only admit someone to the bar after passing. So, the Motion is not about failing and passing. It is about giving a chance.

 

Madam Speaker, what does the Constitution say about giving a chance? There is a clause on discrimination in Article 23 of the Constitution. It highlights that people should not be discriminated against. Any law has to be under the supremacy of the Constitution, according to Article 1. So, the SI under discussion, SI No. 49, has elements of discrimination. Therefore, if we apply the weight of Article 23, especially Clause 2 and 3, it may not pass the test.

 

Madam Speaker, there is a law of supply and demand. According to this law, the client-lawyer ratio in Zambia has quite a big gap. In Zambia, lawyers are concentrated in Lusaka and the Copperbelt Province. The Constitution has an Article that discusses the concept of a fair trial.

 

Access to justice also means that those with money can afford to hire lawyers. Some lawyers find themselves in institutions like the Legal Aid Board, which enable members of the public who cannot afford lawyers to access legal services. Article 18 talks about fair trial –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Chilubi, the Motion on the Floor of the House is very straightforward. The Motion is :

 

“That this House urges the Government to Facilitate the Revision of the Zambia Institute

of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) Examination Rules.”

 

It is very simple.

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Stick to the Motion that the mover described. Be guided by what he was explaining or debating on the Floor of the House.

 

Mr Fube:Madam Speaker, I do not think that I am speaking about things that are not in line with  the Motion. What I am trying to say is that some lawyers who are trained at the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) end up being Judges while others practice law. I also brought in the element of supply and demand. I want to talk aboutthe people who have a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or an undergraduate degree. They can be hindered from becoming lawyers because of the acrimonious Statutory Instrument (SI). That is what I wanted to clarify, and in clarifying, I quoted Article 18, which talks about fair trial. A fair trial automatically entails representation in court, and representation is through lawyers. The lawyers who represent people in court should be trained. That is what I am trying to say. 

 

Madam Speaker, the other Article that –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Chilubi, we are not talking about why we should have lawyers. That is not what the Motion is about. We are talking about revising the rules that govern the examinations that students who want to become lawyers sit for. We need lawyers, but they have to take examinations. The mover of the Motion talked about all the hindrances that students encounter when they take the examinations. So, you are supposed to debate in that line. We need lawyers, but the rules that govern the examinations need attention.

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, I am really at pains to understand how I have run away from the Motion. My reasoning is that for someone to become a lawyer or practise law, one has to go to ZIALE to sit for examinations. One is admitted to the Bar after passing the examinations at ZIALE. I talked about the client to lawyer ratio. Lawyers are prodiced by ZIALE.  If the production of lawyers from ZIALE is hindered by an examination, we are going to have an imbalance in representation and fair trials. That is exactly what I am trying to underscore. What I am trying to say, which I was supposed to bring in the conclusion, is that examinations at ZIALE are a precursor to becoming or not becoming a lawyer.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Fube: If that is the case –

 

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

 

Mr Fube: The period and the ban in Statutory Instrument (SI) No.49 hinders people from becoming lawyers. There are roadblocks or bottlenecks that make people unable to complete studies at ZIALE. Taking and passing the examination enables people to become lawyers and represent people, and also work as Judges in future. It is as simple as that. Someone said, “If you donot know anything, sit down.” I know what I am saying. I talked about Article 23 because from the standpoint of the Article, SI No.49 has some elements of discrimination. Firstly, it does not allow personal and professional development of someone who desires to be a lawyer. It is within those parameters that I said that SI No.49 should be reviewed in view of Article 1 of the Constitution, because it may be found repugnant to Article 1 of the Constitution.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to support the Motion. The Motion will provide an opportunity for those who desire to be lawyers through that particular examination offered by ZIALE to become lawyers, and others  Judges,  meaning that they would have been given life opportunities.

 

Madam Speaker, with those few words, I support the Motion. I think that the Motion is looking at issues of quality assurance. Quality assurance is the output. The input is the examination, and the product should be a lawyer who sat for an examination at ZIALE. That is quality assurance. Quality assurance is the result that you get from an examination. It is not the process that defines quality assurance completely. It is getting a person who passed the examination at ZIALE to be admitted to the Bar.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Ms Kasune: Madam Speaker, let me first of all, thank the hon. Members who debated and brought out different views on the Motion. As we are all aware, this Private Member's Motion under consideration is asking us to revise the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education exams (ZIALE's) rules so that the three-year ban is lifted.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to make sure that the House and the public know that the ban was five years before it was revised to three years. It is because of this listening Government that the ban is now only three years. I think, we need to appreciate where the Government is coming from. The ban has been there for ages, but because we are a listening Government, we were able to look into it, and we will continue to look into the issues that have been raised.

 

Madam Speaker, from the outset, I would love to state that the law that governs the manner in which examinations are conducted at ZIALE is the Higher Education Act, as we all know. The Higher Education Act No.4, the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education Act Chapter 49 of the Laws of Zambia and the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (Student) Rules, 2021, Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 49 of 2021, which both of my hon. Colleagues alluded to, has clearly provided a progressive way to administer examinations.

 

Madam Speaker, when theZambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (Student) Rules, 2021, were promulgated, Rule No. 2024 provided that a student who failed the Legal Practitioners Qualification Examination (LPQE) in five attempts was permanently excluded and, indeed, banned from rewriting the same examination. Some students complained, as I have already said, because of the harshness of the rule. So, because we are a listening Government, we have, this year,  revised that rule through SI No. 49. Hence, the prevailing situation. It is because this Government believes in giving equal opportunities to all Zambians, as Hon. Fube reminded us of Article 1 of the Constitution.

 

Madam Speaker, I did not hear any of my hon. Colleagues who debated mention the three-year ban which requires students to re-enrol. Those are progressive ways that your listening Government has been working on up to this day. This issue is still being discussed at the Ministry of Justice, and we are yet to determine how best we can improve it for our students, and indeed, all the Zambians.

 

 Madam Speaker, this entails that students at the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) now, have a second chance. My hon. Colleagues who have brought this Motion know that this was not there for so many years.  However, under the able Leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema and my office, that listen, students can now enrol and rewrite the Legal Practitioners Qualifying Examination (LPQE). Yes, reducing the five-year ban is progress. 

 

Madam Speaker, prior to the amendment of the student rules, a comprehensive analysis was done in the region and beyond.  My colleagues have cited South Africa and Kenya, but we went beyond. The position was adopted as one of the best practices. However, we continue to ensure that we keep hearing from both sides during the debate in the House. Therefore, it is important that a bar examination must be conducted to ensure that every person who obtains a degree in law is adequately trained in the legal practice before they are admitted to the bar. So, how we hold that in tension and balance is what this Government is all about.

 

 Madam Speaker, it is important to put it on record that in addition to the comprehensive analysis that was conducted, critical stakeholders such as the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), the Judiciary, the public and private universities, among others, were consulted. We therefore, continue to look at this issue. The amendment to the student rules was validated by key stakeholders.

 

Madam Speaker, we would like to state that it is the wish and spirit of the New Dawn Government’s policy that every citizen must be given a fair opportunity to reach their maximum potential that God put in them. That is why we continue not only to show this in the economy, but indeed, to ensure that justice actually prevails regardless of one’s status in society.

 

Madam Speaker, as I have already stated, the student rules as they are amended this year, were last amended in 1964 and yet, we have only been in power for four years. We are listening and we will continue to listen in order to remove the permanent ban and give the students a chance to try again.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Members who are in the Opposition can praise this Government for being a listening Government because it has removed a permanent ban that was there. So, that is progress and it will continue. Therefore, we are grateful to the hon. Member who moved this Motion.  He knows that my office is open. We need to continue to ensure that we reach what we feel is even better. So, he should not be hesitant to come to the office.

 

However, this Government has already considered, in the history of this nation, the revision of the ZIALE Examination rules. This was done even before this Motion came to the House.

 

So, it is for this reason that my fellow hon. Colleagues, the mover and the seconder of the Motion, should be alert to the table because this Government is already ahead.

 

Madam Speaker, I would love to put it on record that since we are already ahead of the Motion, we are not supporting it. We therefore, would like to ask the mover and, the seconder of the Motion, hon. Members and the public to continue writing to the Ministry of Justice when this issue is still alive, and we will continue to interrogate it and see how we can work together.

 

Madam Speaker, this is the Government that people chose. It is a listening Government. It is also a Government for the people.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, I want to start by thanking the seconder of the Motion, Hon. Gordon Mwila for supporting the Motion. I want to thank my hon. Colleague from Chilubi, Mr Fube for his contribution. I also want to put on record the submission from the hon. Member of Parliament for Katombola. Of course, he guided my hon. Colleague.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to indicate that the discussion today is on revising the Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 49 of 2025. Since we are discussing the Statutory Instrument No. 49 of 2025, all the changes that were made from 2021 up to 2025 still fall short of the demands of today. I want to put it on record that the changes that were made may not deal with the issue that we are discussing today.

 

Madam Speaker, what we are discussing today is basically two issues. There is still an existing ban of three years. That existing ban still prevents people from accessing the licence for them to be able to practise law in Zambia. The submission is still valid. So, I am happy with what the hon. Minister is saying although I know she did not just want to agree that the suggestions are very progressive.  I know for a fact that the suggestions we are making are very clear.

 

The first one suggests the removal of a three-year ban. If someone fails the eleven subjects, they should be allowed to quickly sit for the examinations. The second proposal is that when someone fails the examinations after three attempts, the new submission is not in the SI –The hon. Minister has the SI with her which is still falling short of two things. I know that she has heard the submission that beyond the existing SI, we can move another amendment.  Can we clean up the SI so that the law can provide in black and white for the students who want to sit for the examination at a fourth attempt.  

 

Madam Speaker, according to the laws of Zambia, who else can do that other than the hon. Minister of Justice? If I had the authority, I would simply say, let us move an amendment. Unfortunately, I cannot move an amendment to an SI. The SI is still within the authority of our hon. Minister of Justice. I, therefore, want to appeal to everyone who is gathered here this afternoon to support the proposal to revise the regulations, further.

 

Madam Speaker, if the regulations have not been revised for many years, it is not the fault of the Member of Parliament for Kamfinsa. I want to be put on record that I am not a practising student and I am not studying law. I am an engineer by profession, and I have studied other programmes unrelated to this very important topic. I hope that hon. Colleagues will support the proposal.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

 Question that this House urges the Government to facilitate the revision of the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education ZIALE Examination rules put and negatived.

 

_______

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

 

Report adopted.

 

Madam Speaker appointed the Minister of Finance and National Planning to be a committee of one to bring in the necessary Bill to give effect to the resolution of the Committee of Supply.

 

______

 

BILLS

 

FIRST READING

 

The following Bill was read the first time:

 

The Appropriation Bill, 2025

 

Second Reading on Monday, 15^th December, 2025

 

REPORT STAGE

 

The Closed-Circuit Television Public Protection Bill, 2025

 

Report adopted.

 

Third Reading on Monday, 15^th December, 2025

 

THIRD READING

 

The following Bills were read a third time and passed:

 

 The Customs and Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025

 

The Mobile Money Transaction Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025

 

The Registration of Business Names (Amendment) Bill, 2025

 

The Betting Levy Bill, 2025

 

_______

 

MOTION

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_______

 

The House adjourned at 1226 hours until 0900 hours on Monday, 15^th December, 2025.

 

____________