Thursday, 11th December, 2025

Thursday, 11^th December, 2025

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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RULING BY MADAM SPEAKER

POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY MR MWIIMBU, SC., HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, ON WHETHER THE PETITIONERS IN THE CASE OF CELESTINE MUKANDILA AND MUNIR ZULU VERSUS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WERE IN ORDER TO COMMENCE CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE HOUSE

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members will recall that on Tuesday, 9^th December, 2025, when the House was considering the Ministerial Statement by the Hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment on the 30^th Session of the Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP30) and Mr M. Katambo, hon. Member of Parliament for Masaiti Constituency, was asking a question on a point of clarification on the Ministerial Statement, Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, SC., MP, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, raised a point of order. In that point of order, Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, SC., MP, enquired whether the petitioners in the case of Celestine Mukandila and Munir Zulu versus the Attorney General – 2025/CCZ/009 were in order to commence contempt proceedings against the House for its continued consideration of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025. In my immediate response, I reserved my ruling to enable me to study the matter. I have since studied the matter and will now render my ruling.

Hon. Members, the point of order by Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, SC., MP, raises the issue of exclusive cognisance of the National Assembly of Zambia in the conduct of its internal affairs. In this regard, Article 76 of the Constitution of Zambia, Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia, provides as follows:

“A Member of Parliament has freedom of speech and debate in the National Assembly and that freedom shall not be ousted or questioned in a court or tribunal.

A Member of Parliament shall have the powers, privileges and immunities, as prescribed.”

Further, Article 77(1) of the Constitution provides that:

“Subject to this Article and Article 78, the National Assembly shall regulate its own procedure and make Standing Orders for the conduct of its business.”

Furthermore, Section 34 of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Chapter 12 of the Laws of Zambia, provides as follows:

“34. Neither the Assembly, the Speaker nor any officer shall be subject to the jurisdiction of any court in respect of the exercise of any power conferred on or vested in the Assembly, the Speaker or such officer by or under the Constitution, the Standing Orders and this Act.”

Hon. Members, it is clear from the foregoing authorities that hon. Members of Parliament enjoy immunity from external forces while exercising any power conferred on or vested in the Assembly. Therefore, no court of law is permitted to interfere with the internal processes of the National Assembly, as it enjoys exclusive cognisance.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: The doctrine of exclusive cognisance is a core parliamentary privilege, meaning each legislative House has the inherent, exclusive right to be the sole judge of its own internal affairs, procedures and the conduct of its hon. Members, free from outside interference, especially from courts. It ensures legislative independence by preventing courts from questioning internal decisions like the legislative process, voting, procedures of the House or upholding internal rules. It also ensures the separation of powers between the Judiciary and the Legislature. It is for this reason that when a matter is in the courts of law, the House does not debate such a matter or interfere in any way until it is disposed of. Similarly, the courts are not allowed to interfere with any process that is already underway in the National Assembly. The jurisdiction the courts have is to determine a decision of the House where an aggrieved party challenges such a decision.

As the House is aware, on Tuesday, 9^th December, 2025, the Constitutional Court determined the matter which was the subject of this point of order and found that it was misconceived and lacked merit. Accordingly, the petitioners were brought to their knees, not in prayer, but in shame.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: As such, the point of order raised by Hon. J. J. Mwiimbu, SC., MP, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, has since been overtaken by events.

Hon. Members, let me take this opportunity to state that as the custodian of the privileges and immunities of all hon. Members of this august House, I shall stand firm to protect your rights, immunities and privileges so that you work in a free environment as you discharge your constitutional duties.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: In this regard, I will not allow any external interference. Let me also guide the House that hon. Members of this august House should be careful with some of these petitions, which are meant to instil fear in them and are also meant to pit one arm of the Government against another arm. Although we subscribe to the doctrine of separation of powers, we are one Government. Instead of standing against one another, the three arms of the Government complement each other.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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URGENT MATTER WITHOUT NOTICE

MR C. CHIBUYE, HON. MEMBER FOR MKUSHI NORTH, ON THE LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE, DR NALUMANGO, ON THE BROKEN DOWN ULTRASOUND MACHINE AT MKUSHI DISTRICT HOSPITAL

Mr C. Chibuye (Mkushi North): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr C. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for granting me the opportunity to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice directed at the hon. Minister of Health, although I cannot see him in the House. In that regard, I direct it at the Leader of Government Business in the House.

Madam Speaker, Mkushi District Hospital has, of late, been running without an ultrasound machine, commonly known as a scanner. The machine broke down two weeks ago and this has raised concerns among the community. The machine is an important equipment in every health facility, especially hospitals because it detects many issues among women who are in the motherly way as well as accident casualties. Our district hospital in Mkushi has been running without the ultra sound machine. My appeal to the hon. Minister is that as the Government looks into the issue of purchasing another one, maybe, it can source this particular machine for Mkushi District Hospital as a temporary measure because at the moment, there is nowhere near where our expectant mothers can be taken for a scan.

Madam Speaker, my matter is, indeed, urgent. Therefore, the Government needs to ensure that our people are given the much-needed good services. This can only be attained if the Government ensures the provision of the necessary equipment.

Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence in this matter.

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

I suggest you file in a question. I do not know if the hon. Minister of Health is here. I cannot see him. However, it will also help to engage. Let us see how we can engage the hon. Minister to address that issue, but you can file in an urgent question.

We make progress.

Before I proceed, the hon. Member for Chipili, again, has come out …

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Show us how you look.

Hon. Members: Stand up!

Madam Speaker: You can stand up.

Mr Chala rose.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear! Bozi Boziyana!

Madam Speaker: Turn around.

Mr Chala turned around.

Laughter

Mr Munsanje: He has done it again.

Madam Speaker: Yes.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: So, he has done it again. When I came in, I looked at him, and I knew that he wanted us to recognise him. So, I did the needful. Thank you very much, hon. Member.

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

Madam Speaker: Sorry, is there a point of order?

Ms Mulenga: No, I am just joking.

Madam Speaker: Oh, okay. Leave him alone.

Can we make progress.

Order, hon. Members!

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

MEASURES PUT IN PLACE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES IN THE COUNTRY THAT ARE BEGINNING TO UNFOLD AS DISASTERS DUE TO THE ONSET OF THE RAINY SEASON

The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango): Madam Speaker, allow me, from the outset, to thank you for the opportunity you have given me to update this august House on the measures that the Government has put in place to address the challenges the country is likely to face during the rainy season.

Madam Speaker, the House will recall that on 19^th November, 2025, an Urgent Matter without Notice was raised by Mr Christopher Kang’ombe, hon. Member of Parliament for Kamfinsa, regarding the collapse of some houses in his constituency and the surrounding areas.

Madam Speaker then directed that I should come to this august House to give an update on the measures the Government is taking to address the challenges caused due to the onset of the rainfall.

Madam Speaker, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), under my office, is responsible for co-ordinating disasters, preparedness and response in the country. Our work spans from preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response and building back better in recovery. I must hasten to mention that the country has a robust framework for disaster preparedness and response in line with international standards and norms in disaster risk management.

Madam Speaker, the House may also wish to note that the paradigm shift in disaster risk management, which emphasises focus on disaster risk reduction, is espoused in the 2015-2030 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which the country is a part of. Moving forward in the face of increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to climate change, we are intentional in ensuring that we are proactive in addressing disaster risks. Our recently approved

2024 Disaster Risk Management Policy attests to our unwavering commitment to ensuring that the disaster risk reduction agenda is entrenched across all sectors for resilience building.

Madam Speaker, allow me to remind this House what constitutes a national disaster.

Madam Speaker, according to the Disaster Management Act No. 13, Part 1 and Part 2 of 2010, a disaster is an event that is associated with the impact of a human-induced or natural hazard, which causes a serious disruption in the functioning of a community or society, causing widespread human, material, or environmental losses which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope with the hazard using its own resources.

Madam, it is very important that hon. Members of this august House fully understands this. This definition brings out the element of response capacity at local, district, provincial and national levels, depending on the magnitude and scale of an emergency. Each level of Government is expected to institute a minimum response and only appeal to the next level or the DMMU when the incident is of a large scale and beyond its capacity to cope. The Government has, for example, provided a 5 per cent for disaster response under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). I am reliably informed that the guidelines are now flexible to allow District Disaster Management Committees to guide and superintend over the usage of the 5 per cent.

Madam Speaker, allow me to take this opportunity to inform this august House and the nation at large that investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience building yields significant dividends. As you may be aware, the country is still recovering from the adverse impacts of the severe drought experienced in recent years, which necessitated His Excellency the President to declare a State of National Disaster and Emergency. Our President guided that our response was not to focus on conventional provision of immediate humanitarian assistance, but also to enhance early recovery of vulnerable communities.

Madam Speaker, I proudly stand to inform you that the 2025 In-Depth Vulnerability and Needs Assessment Report shows that this hybrid approach to drought response has significantly enhanced community recovery from the drought, as evidenced by a reduction in the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance from 6.6 million during the 2024/2025 consumption period to 1.7 million during the 2025/2026 consumption period.

Madam Speaker, every year, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), working in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) systems and other stakeholders, prepares a national multi-hazard contingency plan, which provides the framework for undertaking anticipatory actions and helps vulnerable communities better prepare for, cope with and adapt to climatic shocks. At present, the 2025/2026 National Multi-Hazard Contingency Plan has already been approved. This has outlined anticipatory actions to prepare for the anticipated hazards that would characterise this rainy season, such as floods, prolonged dry spells and epidemics. I must mention that the Government is already aware of the districts likely to be affected. These include thirty-seven districts for floods and forty-six districts for dry spells, with the total population at risk amounting to 617,515, translating into 128,649 households.

Madam Speaker, I will lay the document on the Table for those who may have interest in knowing where their constituencies or districts are and the dangers that they are likely to face. Further, to avert and minimise the impact of these hazards on people’s lives, property, livelihoods and environment, clusters have been activated to ensure commencement of the implementation of anticipatory activities. The activated clusters include agriculture, food security and livestock, education, energy, health, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme, infrastructure, shelter, that is, camp management and co-ordination, emergency logistics, nutrition, protection and risk communication, and community engagement. Inter-cluster meetings are held once a month to review the progress.

Madam Speaker, the Government has highlighted preparedness for anticipated floods and prolonged dry spells by implementing the following activities, among others:

pre-positioning food and non-food items in flood-prone and hard-to-reach areas across the country;
heightening surveillance of animal and human diseases, especially epidemics;
risking communication and community engagement;
communicating early warning information to communities at risk for them to take early action;
translating seasonal rainfall forecast into the seven major languages, and widely disseminated across the country;
identifying safe havens in provinces and hotspot districts in an event of mass displacement by floods;
working on major outflow drainages in Lusaka and surrounding districts to mitigate structural flooding;
training satellite disaster management committees on community-based disaster risk management; and
encouraging permanent relocation.

Madam Speaker, I know it raised eyebrows in this House, but we are also encouraging the relocation of communities in flood-prone areas as a permanent solution, because some places will be flooded through and through. Even when the rainfall will not be heavy, certain places will be flooded. So, we are encouraging people to move. For example, there was a debate that ensued in the House earlier concerning the Kafue Floods, within Namwala and Monze, in the Southern Province. With regard to the resettlement, some fishermen were moved to a higher place, and they were very happy about the movement. So, we are encouraging our hon. Members to see whether there is a possibility of relocating their people.

Madam Speaker, the House may further wish to note that the Government has put in place mechanisms to ensure that vulnerable communities continue receiving humanitarian assistance and also, in the long term, build their resilience. The important part is that people build resilience to the hazards that they may be exposed to. The mechanisms in place include the cash-for-work programme in all 116 districts now, as was decided. Where necessary, community sales will also be used alongside cash interventions such as cash transfers.

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, allow me to call upon everyone in the country, especially those who reside in flood-prone areas, to take heed of the warnings from the Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) and the DMMU on how the season is unfolding and evacuate where possible to avert and minimise loss of lives and property damage. All the measures outlined in our 2025 National Multi-Hazard Contingency Plan require a whole-of-Government and whole-of-society approach. So, no hon. Member in this House is free to point at another as the one to take responsibility. Issues of disaster are everybody’s responsibility.

Madam Speaker, let us ensure that we all embrace the culture of safety by avoiding the indiscriminate disposal of solid waste, which blocks the drainages. This is particularly for Lusaka, and the other cities and towns. It is my expectation that with these measures in place, the country will minimise the occurrence of disasters, and reduce their impact on our communities and the country at large.

Madam Speaker, I thank you, as I lay on the Table the information that hon. Members may need to see whether their constituencies are likely to be flooded or have a long dry spell or, indeed, both. There are some that fall under both, unfortunately.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the Ministerial Statement presented by Her Honour the Vice-President.

Mr Kangombe (Sesheke): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for according me this opportunity to interact with Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank Her Honour the Vice-President for the support that this Government rendered to the people of Sesheke and other areas that were hit by drought last season. As the situation has not improved, more so that people are still waiting to harvest, we hope and believe that the areas can still be considered by the Vice-President’s office and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Madam Speaker, can the hon. Minister of Agriculture consider extending community sales to areas that are still facing disaster-related challenges, like Imusho, Ngwezee, Mitete, and Dundumwezi, where I was last week. The community sales that were withdrawn by the hon. Minister of Agriculture were really helping. I believe the Cash-for-Work programme will commence next year after all those who are still being owed are paid. My question, therefore, is: Could Her Honour the Vice-President, on our behalf, ask our very able hon. Minister of Agriculture to consider extending the community sales?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for acknowledging the effort that the Government put in place to ensure that, despite that devastating drought, nobody died of hunger. We continue to pledge that this Government will stand with the vulnerable people, whatever the reason for their vulnerability.

Madam Speaker, in short, the hon. Member is asking when the Government will start community sales. Normally, these were done by request, but this year, I am informed that we are starting community sales countrywide. This is how caring this Government is. Community sales will start very soon. When I give a specific date, it brings problems. So, I will just say, very soon. In fact, when I am talking like this, the hon. Minister must know that this is literally an announcement and people must take it seriously. Community sales will start soon.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, I thank Her Honour the Vice-President for the Ministerial Statement.

Madam Speaker, disasters are not fully planned for. Even as we speak, in my constituency, we have those issues. We have had interactions with the National Co-ordinator at the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), and to date, the organisation seems not to have a risk management policy. So, how will it ensure that it plans and manages disasters moving forward?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Bwana Mkubwa for that question.

Madam Speaker, I do not think I should start arguing that point. I think, it is an oversight, and we cannot continue to operate without a policy for a department responsible for disaster risk management. I think, it is something we have overlooked for a long time, and we are working on that.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Charles Mulenga (Kwacha): Madam Speaker, let me thank Her Honour the Vice-President for the Ministerial Statement, which was triggered by the disasters that occurred in the neighbouring constituency, Kamfinsa.

Madam Speaker, Kamfinsa is next to my constituency, and we were not spared when our colleagues experienced the disaster. Areas in my constituency, particularly those close to Kamfinsa like Mwaiseni, which is in Nkana East, as well as Ipusukilo and other outlying areas within Kwacha Constituency, were not spared from the disaster. It was quite enormous, to the extent that most houses were destroyed. We now face the challenge of caring for those people who were affected. What measures will the Government put in place to assist the people who lost their homes? Her Honour the Vice-President indicated that her office extended assistance in terms of food rations and other support, but I have not heard her talk about those people whose houses were destroyed.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Kwacha for that question.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Kwacha is concerned about those people who lost their houses, much as we provided humanitarian assistance. I do not think that the DMMU has the capacity to rebuild houses. It can assist, but on a very small scale. So, to say that the DMMU will come in and start constructing houses for those people whose houses collapsed, I think, would be overpromising. However, I must say that Building Back Better (BBB) is one of the strategies that the DMMU is considering for disaster reduction. We need to ensure that we help the people. When we talk of building resilience, we are talking about people, including houses. When we are building, we should have it in mind that the world has changed. Drought and fires are very likely to occur. Fires occur because of the dryness of a place and it is important to consider this factor as we are building. Therefore, I think, we should get involved and help people build structures that are resilient to withstand the climate hazards that may befall them.

Madam Speaker, I was somewhere where there was a disaster, and there is an aspect of mitigation in disaster management. I think, as Zambians, it is time we started looking at what God has given us and what we need to do. If you have a house, insure it. Most of us here who have houses do not even care about insurance. The DMMU is not an insurance company, yet when some people lose things, they go and inform it. The DMMU cannot compensate for certain things. I hope I am answering the question. The DMMU will not build a house, but it will give you something that will mitigate the situation, to allow you to go on.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: So, it is important to insure houses. There are very few of us here who have insured our houses, yet when a calamity falls, then we all start crying, “Boma Iyanganepo!”, meaning let the Government look at the issue. The Government can only provide a mitigation measure. So, it is important that we build strong houses on rocks that withstand climate hazards, not on sand.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to ask a question. I would also like to thank Her Honour the Vice-President for the important statement she has presented.

Madam Speaker, more than two weeks ago, Her Honour the Vice-President assured the people of Chama on the Floor of the House that the distribution of relief food in Chama had commenced. However, to date, nothing has happened. People are still waiting for that food.

Madam Speaker, I have seen that there has been a drastic reduction in the budgetary allocation for the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). The amount has reduced from K299 million in 2025 to K81.4 million in 2026, and only K42 million has been allocated for humanitarian and disaster responses. Her Honour the Vice-President has admitted that the DMMU has no capacity to deal with certain calamities, like Hon. Mulenga from Kwacha said. Is K81.4 million enough for the Government to deal with anticipated disasters?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I think that the hon. Member generally appreciates the interventions that have been put in place, except that he wants to spin the matter. I did not say that the DMMU has no capacity as a general statement. I said it has no capacity to construct houses for people whose houses collapsed.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: He is just being deliberate. He understood.

Madam Speaker, we have the capacity to perform the mandate that we have been given. The hon. Member referred to the issue in Chama over two weeks ago. I think, that is a sad situation. I will go back a sad person. We have to do the work. That is what I said. When I make a statement, I expect that movement will occur. So, it is sad that that situation is still the same. What are our people on the ground doing? The matter was raised here on the Floor of the House last time. I will continue to follow it up because the people of Chama need food. They are also going to benefit from the community sale of maize. The District Commissioner (DC) for Chama District is always reminding me about that matter. He asked about the community sales of maize, so I am sure he is happy today. We will do what is within our power and mandate.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member also asked about the allocation for the DMMU; whether it is enough. I think that was the last part of his question. I think, I have answered that question before on the Floor of the House. However, I will repeat my answer. Hon. Members will remember that when the hon. Member for Bwana Mkubwa stood up to speak, he said that disasters happen and it is difficult to plan for them. He talked about risk management and asked whether or not we have a policy on that. Generally, even the people who know the field of risk management speak to what may happen; it is not about what will happen. So, if a disaster happens, what do we do? We are going to put things in place.

Madam Speaker, I have said it here that the allocation for the DMMU, as seen in the Budget, is not the only amount we use for disaster management. We go to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to get funds under the contingency fund. Yes, of course, as an institution in charge of disaster mitigation and management, we can complain and say, “Why do we not receive a higher allocation in the Budget?” For now, we get additional funds from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. So, it is difficult to plan exactly how much we are going to spend. A lot of the money we as an institution spend comes from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. So, the hon. Member should not worry too much about the K90 million he has seen in the Budget. We use funds from the contingency funds that are left open for us.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, the statement that Her Honour the Vice-President has issued today was prompted by accidents, or should I say disasters, which were recorded in my constituency. When I raised the matter before this august House, I indicated that we have a challenge in my constituency, particularly in Ndeke, Ndeke Village –

Interruptions

Mr Kampyongo attended to Amb. Kalimi.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Do we have an emergency? What is happening? You can call doctors.

Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, are you okay there?

Mr Kampyongo: It is manageable, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Okay.

Hon. Member for Kamfinsa, you may continue.

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, I was trying to give the background to an Urgent Matter without Notice that I raised. You guided me to write a letter to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) and I complied with your directive. After I raised the matter, I personally delivered the letter. In that letter, I indicated the extent of the problem that had occurred in my constituency, and a copy of my letter was stamped. From 19^th November, 2025 to date, no steps have been taken to rectify the problem that occurred in my constituency. There has been no phone call to the Member of Parliament who raised the issue. I was in my constituency over the weekend and I can confirm that no action has been taken regarding that problem. A school called Mulenga Primary School has no wall fence today. Houses have been affected. I think that by now the office of Her Honour the Vice-President should know what should be done.

Madam Speaker, when will the DMMU respond to the issue that I raised on behalf of the residents of Kamfinsa Constituency?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Kamfinsa for following through on an issue earlier raised in this House. As I said to the hon. Member for Chama North, if nothing has been done, then I am equally disappointed. However, the hon. Member cannot give the Government the responsibility of erecting wall fences because that is not a life-saving matter. That is the way the matter came out that day, if the hon. Member remembers. He talked about wall fences, and from where I sat, I said, “Eh! What kind of help can we offer to mitigate the collapsing of fences?” Houses are a different matter. I said that we cannot build houses, but we can mitigate the problem. If nothing has been done, not in terms of constructing wall fences or houses, but in terms of providing short-term assistance to the people, then, we have failed on that score.

Madam Speaker, when roofs are blown off school classrooms, we assess whether to give pupils tents and other requirements. Talking of fences, I think, –

Mr Kang’ombe interjected.

The Vice-President: Yes, it does not matter. A fence does not save lives. So, that is not our real issue.

Madam Speaker, if we have not responded to the other issues, I think that we should pull up our socks, especially if life can be lost if we do not act. That is what we should be doing. If we have not done that, I will follow-up the matter, just like I will follow-up the matter that the hon. Member for Chama North raised.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much. Usually, a letter would suffice, but when an hon. Member visits the office, he should be offered some explanation. So, hon. Member, please, visit the offices of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). Her Honour the Vice-President has assured you that she is going to follow-up the matter.

Mr Kang’ombe: Natwala inkalata, futi mwaamba ukwipusha fimo fine?

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): Madam Speaker, good afternoon to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, the main disasters which are reported during this period of the year, especially in the Eastern Province, Lundazi in particular, are human-animal conflicts. I have been coming to the Floor of the House from the time I was elected to report on disasters. It has been reported that animals have been killing human beings, yet no protection has been provided for people, as our friends in Malawi have done for their people. Elephants trample on crops, such as maize, and cause disasters, especially in Lundazi. Sometimes, the response from the Office of the Vice-President is delayed. Two years ago, and even last year, I reported to Her Honour the Vice-President’s office that elephants were destroying crop fields in Mutuwanjovu in Lundazi and had killed some people there. However, nothing was done.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Lufeyo Ngoma, the Member of Parliament for Chasefu, Hon. Nyambose and I have been raising Urgent Matters without Notice on people getting killed, people’s fields being trampled on, but the response is somehow very slack. Taking advantage of what Her Honour the Vice-President has said, the only insurance that the people can have in the village is their vote. They know that when they vote for you, you will go back to them and assist them.

Mr Nkandu: Question!

Ms Nyirenda: What are you going to do concerning the challenges which our people are facing, especially in Lundazi?

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

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, my point of order is pursuant to Standing Order No. 71, which provides that the person on the Floor shall confine his or her debate to the subject under discussion.

Madam Speaker, before I actually point directly to why I have risen, may I remind the House that the hon. Member who was on the Floor, last week, told us that in Lundazi, people are not being paid. Immediately, I went out and called the bank, and the bank said there was no one on the line. I then started looking for her, but instead, I found Hon. Kampyongo, who spoke to the bank manager, who said the information was not correct.

Madam Speaker, instead of discussing what the Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia has brought to the House today, the hon. Member is again, talking about votes. What have votes got to do with disasters?

Madam Speaker, may the hon. Member be guided that she should confine herself to the debate on the Floor, and not talk about other things, just like she did last week.

Madam Speaker, is she in order?

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

The subject under discussion, which Her Honour the Vice-President presented is a Ministerial Statement on the measures the Government has put in place to address challenges in the country that are beginning to unfold as disasters due to the onset of the rainy season.

Then, I said hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the Ministerial Statement presented by Her Honour the Vice President. So, hon. Member for Lundazi, if you are talking about the human/wildlife conflict, or any other things like votes, that is not related to this subject matter under discussion. So, the hon. Member for Lundazi was out of order.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: So, let us go to the next person.

Mr Munsanje (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, I thank you so much for the opportunity, and I want to thank Her Honour the Vice-President for the good statement on disasters.

Madam Speaker, my constituency is one of those which are prone to disasters such as flooding which results in houses collapsing among other things. Already, we have lost some houses in Kabimba and the Chilalantambo areas.

Madam Speaker, of course, I have just learned that the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) does not have the policies in place. However, when we ask for help for one house or two that have collapsed in an area, we are told that the DMMU is not able to render help in such areas. However, without a policy document in place, I am wondering what criterion is used for the DMMU to respond to us in such instances. I would like to find out from Her Honour the Vice-President whether the DMMU is going to have a service charter to guide its delivery so that we can have clear metrics to measure its performance?

The Vice-President: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I thank the hon. Member for Mbabala.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member talked about one or two houses collapsing, and that the DMMU says it cannot help. He also asked whether we are going to have a service charter. Definitely, this is the way we are going to do it, to ensure that the sales charter is speaking to exactly what we can do and what the public should expect us to do. The hon. Member should go to the general service charter under the Office of the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, I started with defining a disaster. However, when one or two houses collapse – I think I was very clear in defining what a disaster is. I said that according to the Act, a disaster is something that overwhelms the community. So, if we are going to go to every house that collapses under this or that, then the nation will be overwhelmed. So, really, there is guidance as to what will be regarded as a disaster and when the Government should come in. If the only house in the premises collapses, then, it means that probably, there is a defect in the construction. However, I would not know what it could be.

Madam Speaker, I know that you have ruled the issue I want to refer to out of order. I have seen that the hon. Member who raised this question is not in the Assembly Chamber. I would like to say that when we start equating human life to a vote, then, the people who are listening must know that you cannot trust a group of people that compares human life to a vote. Here, we are concerned about human life and the livelihoods, not the vote.

Madam Speaker, this Government serves the people not because of the vote. Otherwise, we would not have been in Lundazi if it were about the votes because the people voted for the hon. Member. Answers are coming from this Government. So, even when we want to do politics, we have to be wise in the manner we woo voters to our side. We are serving everybody even in places where we got very few votes.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: So, the vote is not the driving force or motivation. The motivation is the Zambian people, whom I think, will vote better.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you, very much

For some reason, after being ruled out of order, in breach of our rules, the hon. Member for Lundazi decided to walk out. Anyway, it is Christmas time, and it is a time for goodwill. So, we will leave it at that.

Mr Mutinta (Itezhi-Tezhi): Madam Speaker, I thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to interact with Her Honour the Vice-President on behalf of the people of Itezhi-Tezhi.

Madam Speaker, the people of Itezhi-Tezhi thank the Government, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) for responding to them during the time they did not do very well in terms of harvesting. There was ‘Blue Lugwasho’ operation from which our people benefited, and are still benefiting through another programme under the World Food Programme (WFP). Under this programme, the WFP is collaborating with the Government in supporting the communities.

Madam Speaker, I am aware that the Satellite Committees are at the village level and that they are the starting point for community response and co-ordination. They are very key in strengthening response and co-ordination. My observation, however, is that the Satellite Committees have not been capacitated. They lack information, which leads to a lot of misinformation. For that reason, some of them think that when there is a disaster, they have to be compensated immediately. They report cases which do not even qualify to be disasters simply because they are not capacitated with the right information. What is the DMMU doing to ensure that the Satellite Committees at the lowest level are trained so as to strengthen this co-ordination? I think that that is where we have not done very well.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Itezhi-Tezhi for taking note of the kind of efforts that have been put in place, including the Blue Lugwasho. Itezhi-Tezhi was one of the places where pre-position was done under that project.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member’s concern is on the capacity of our community satellites. Let me look for the statement on the interventions that I read out. I thought I was clear. I want to check because, I think, his proposal is right in the statement. We realise that there is not much capacity. In my statement, measure number eight states that there is training of satellite disaster management committees on community-based disaster risk management. This is an ongoing action to capacitate the community satellites so that they can work on that. That is what I read in the statement, and that is his concern. We are working on that. The hon. Member should remember that they may change. We will continue until people understand what this is, and that it is not an issue for the Government alone, but the whole society. I hope that is clear.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: It is very clear!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Grateful to you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, Bulozi is lyondo lya ńuwa lya silila ńeke lya meyi bebi. That is Bulozi. That means that the Western Province is water. How does the Government handle us? For long, when the Western Province is flooded, we shift from the lower places to the upper areas. That is a known situation. How does the Government handle us? The wetlands have been flooded by flash floods in Mitete and, as Her Honour the Vice-President has stated, there are indications of drought. How does the Government handle us who are ba meyi bebi, those who live in the water, Mitete, in particular, where the maize in the wetlands has been destroyed, and there are indications of drought? We are grateful that the Government will start community sales soon. We are also grateful to the co-operating partners for their initiatives in collaborating with the Government, like the World Food Programme (WFP), which distributes food baskets in Lukulu and Mitete. How does the Government handle us who are ba meyi bebi, people of the water?

Madam Speaker: I thought the hon. Member for Mitete was presenting a Ministerial Statement as a Backbencher.

Laughter

Ms Kasune: Those are Westerners!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has asked, “How do you handle us?” I think that is the question. How do you handle us who are the water people?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Who move!

The Vice-President: Who move from the flooded areas to the dry land. Sometimes, flash floods sweep away the maize. “How do you handle us?” Madam Speaker, I think, the hon. Member should have helped by talking about how we should handle them, because he is aware of how we handle them. Firstly, we appreciate them. We, honestly, appreciate them because generally, they do not come to this House to cry because of the flash floods. They know when to cultivate. That is very important. They use traditional practices, which you call indigenous knowledge. By looking at insects, they know that the floods will soon occur. We need to share that kind of knowledge. There is also the fact that they want to remain in the plains. Mwendi babata litapi mwa plain.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, they do not want to move, but they also know when it is time to move. I think that is something people can adopt. Instead of crying, they should know when to cultivate in a certain place and, …

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: When to move!

The Vice-President: … when to move so that it becomes their way of life.

Madam Speaker, when a disaster of this nature occurs, because the river overflows and the people cultivate on the riverbanks, it creates riverine floods, and, suddenly, the crop is lost. We treat the affected like any other. We provide. As the hon. Member has mentioned, the World Food Programme (WFP) does not work in isolation. We know where the WFP, the Catholic Church and the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, for example, help us. Different entities help us. So, the Government, directly or through partners it collaborates with, will continue to ensure that food is given. What we do not want is for the people to be in permanent situations year in and year out crying to be given food. They should find a coping mechanism. The people in the Western Province have done well. They are the only ones who celebrate floods. While other people call floods a disaster, for the people of Western Province, it is a wonderful time for them, and they even invite international visitors. They make the best of the bad.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

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

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

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

Mr Chala: Madam Speaker, my point of order is on the hon. Member for Mitete.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member was lamenting as if we do not have land in Chipili or Kasama. He should have asked that we move some of those people who are under pressure with water, and why did Her Honour the Vice-President not say that to him?

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Mitete, you have been invited to shift to Chipili.

Hon. Member for Chipili, when there is flooding in the Western Province, it culminates in a ceremony. So, if the hon. Member for Mitete moves to Chipili, there will be no ceremony. That means the culture will die. However, thank you for the offer on behalf of the hon. Member for Mitete.

Let us make progress.

_______

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM SPEAKER

SUBMISSIONS TO THE SELECT COMMITTEE

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, you may recall that on Friday, 5^th December, 2025, I informed the House that the Select Committee appointed to scrutinise the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, No. 7 of 2025, had started receiving submissions from stakeholders.

Therefore, I urge all hon. Members who wish to make submissions to the Committee to do so on Friday, 12^th December, 2025, in line with the Committee’s programme of work. In this regard, tomorrow being Friday, 12^th December, 2025, I would like to remind hon. Members interested in making submissions to do so. Hon. Members who would like to get more information are urged to get in touch with the Director (Legal Services).

I have seen some hon. Members making submissions online. They will not land with the Select Committee. So, let us go to the Select Committee and make those submissions so that we enrich the Bill.

I thank you.

_______

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

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kasandwe: Madam Speaker, my point of order concerns the Select Committee.

Madam Speaker, there is a growing tendency among hon. Cabinet Ministers, to comment on the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, No. 7 of 2025. I am citing hon. Ministers who have been publicly commenting on the Bill.

Madam Speaker, my point of order is pursuant to Standing Order No.129, which forbids an hon. Minister to consult, advise and sensitise on the constitutional Bill. So, I am raising this point of order on the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning and the hon. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry. For other hon. Ministers who are first-termers, they probably do not know that rule so I will exclude them. I will read the Standing Order I am referring to.

Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 129 refers to the constitutional Bill, and it states as follows:

“129. When a Bill has been introduced in the House, a Minister or public officer shall not consult, brief, or sensitise the public on the Bill, except before the Committee to which the Bill is referred for scrutiny, until the report of the Committee on the Bill is tabled.”

Madam Speaker, are the hon. Ministers whom I have cited, in order to comment, sensitise, and advise on a constitutional Bill that is under discussion?

Mr B. Mpundu: Iyi ikali!

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

There is nothing difficult, hon. Member for Nkana. Everything appears to be a test to you. What do you mean by saying “ikali”?

Mr B. Mpundu: I mean, it is nice.

Madam Speaker: Yes, but how is it difficult? Ikali to whom?

Mr B. Mpundu: I mean, it is nice.

Madam Speaker: Anyway, we are not supposed to engage.

Please, desist from commenting while you are seated. I can hear everything that everybody says from here. I do not know whether it is the way the House is structured, but watch what you say, because I can hear every word.

Hon. Member for Bangweulu, thank you very much for raising that point of order. As I announced, any hon. Member, be it an hon. Minister or a Backbencher, who wants to make comments on a matter that is before the Select Committee should go and make that representation before the Select Committee. That applies to hon. Members, our Backbenchers, who are making submissions online and sharing them with the people instead of going to the Select Committee to make those submissions.

The beauty about making submissions at the Select Committee is that you are enriching the process, and we are part of the process, according to our procedures, of enacting a law. So those hon. Members who feel that they have something to add to the process, please, appear before the Committee and make your submissions. Then, when you come to debate on second reading stage, you will be able to enhance those submissions. Let us be familiar with our Standing Orders. When a matter is before a Select Committee, it cannot be discussed in the House until the report is submitted by the Committee to the House, tabled, and then we can discuss it.

So, hon. Members and hon. Ministers who have been commenting, desist from doing that. It is definitely out of order.

Let us make progress.

_______

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE ONLINE PASSPORT APPLICATION SYSTEM

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Madam Speaker, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for according me this opportunity to update the nation on the status of the online passport application system.

Madam Speaker, the House may recall that on Thursday, 2^nd October, 2025, I informed this august House that within weeks, citizens would be able to apply and pay for passports and other travel documents online. I indicated that this system will enable applicants to complete the entire process from the comforts of their homes, including tracking the status of their applications in real time and choosing their preferred mode of passport collection, either physical pickup or courier delivery. I also clarified that passport production will remain centralised at existing centres in Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone.

Madam Speaker, this innovation is fully aligned with the Government of the Republic of Zambia's broader digital transformation agenda, implemented through the SMART Zambia Institute and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning under the Government Service Bus (GSB). The GSB provides efficient, secure and user-friendly electronic Government services.

Madam Speaker, as the House is aware, the current passport application process has been predominantly manual and labour-intensive. Applicants have been required to complete multiple forms, undergo authentication steps and make several visits to passport offices for validation, payment and collection. This has resulted in long queues, high transport costs, particularly for applicants from remote areas, and loss of productive time. Additionally, the manual system has presented operational challenges, including high administrative costs, inefficient record management and gaps in revenue accountability.

Madam Speaker, to address these challenges, the Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, commissioned a project in 2022 to digitise passport services. In 2023, the ministry, in collaboration with the SMART Zambia Institute, commenced the onboarding of these services onto the GSB.

Madam Speaker, I am now pleased to inform the nation, through this august House, that the online passport application and payment system has been fully developed and is now operational on the GSB through the ZamPortal (https://zamportal.gov.zm).

Madam Speaker, the following five services are now available online, were tested and are now functional:

application for a Zambian passport;
application for a diplomatic passport;
application for a refugee travel document;
application for the COMESA Laissez-Passer; and
application for a travel document of identity.

Madam Speaker, the introduction of these digital services will enable applicants to complete applications on their phones or computers, receive feedback electronically and track the progress of their application in real time. Applications may also be completed on behalf of minors or individuals who may not be able to do so themselves. Secure payment options, including mobile money, online banking and Visa card payments are now available. The public is further assured of the following benefits resulting from this development:

improved delivery service, reduced waiting times and 24/7 access to services;
cost efficiency and low operational and infrastructure costs;
enhanced data security and encrypted and auditable digital records that minimise risks of tampering or data loss;
greater transparency, real-time application tracking and full visibility of processing stages;
inclusivity, access to services for citizens in remote areas without the need to travel long distances;
alignment with the national e-Government agenda, strengthening the digital service delivery ecosystem;
reduced transport costs for applicants; and
simplified application status tracking.

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to encourage members of the public to utilise the new online passport application services available through the ZamPortal. Applicants will be required to first create a ZamPass account to access these services. I also wish to assure the nation that in line with the Passport Act, passport processing will be completed within fourteen days for applicants in Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone, and within twenty-one days for all other provincial capitals. Manual applications will continue to run concurrently during the transition period, until such a time that they are fully phased out. I appeal for the public’s co-operation as we implement this important reform.

Madam Speaker, with this statement, I officially launch the Online Passport Application System for public use.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the Ministerial Statement rendered by the hon. Minister.

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security for the Ministerial Statement.

Madam Speaker, allow me, from the outset, to congratulate him and his ministry for the proper utilisation of the Government Service Bus (GSB) during the previous year. His ministry collected about US$5.8 million through various services as well as K7.8 million. We are progressing because the 2026 Budget is based on domestic resource mobilisation, and the GBS can contribute to that. However, I think that the police service should pull up its socks and use the GBS.

Madam Speaker, is the Online Passport Application System being implemented in collaboration with the Integrated National Registration Information System (INRIS) and the issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs)?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, I have taken note of the compliments that have been made by my hon. Colleague, the Member for Bwana Mkubwa, and I wish to appreciate the same.

Madam Speaker, I just want to confirm that as we progress, all services under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security will be integrated under the Integrated National Registration Information System (INRIS). I have also noted the issue he raised pertaining to the operations of the police. We are also digitising.

Madam Speaker, I thank you so much.

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, what challenges does the Government anticipate for applicants using the online passport system, considering scammers and other issues?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, I do not anticipate any challenges, taking into account that we have tested the system and it is working very well. If there will be any challenges, we will be able to address them through the SMART Zambia Institute and other stakeholders working with us.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Madam Speaker, let me join my hon. Colleague, the Member for Bwana Mkubwa, in congratulating the Government for the momentous achievement of digitalising Government services, such as passport acquisition.

Madam Speaker, once an application has been launched successfully, and the passport has been granted, will the applicant be required to travel to collect it, or will it be dispatched by mail?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, as I indicated, there will be two options that applicants will choose from. They will choose to collect passports themselves or indicate to use a courier system. Those services are available.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, as a former immigration officer, I would like to know something. A passport is a security document. How is the Government going to ensure that foreigners do not have access to this very important document? Currently, an individual is interviewed to ascertain his or her nationality. With the use of the digital system, where there is no interview, how is the Government going to ensure that foreigners do not apply for this important document?

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Madam Speaker, interviews will still take place. It is the application process that will be online. Once applicants finalise filling the application forms, they will be invited for interviews.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

REHABILITATION OF KAGORO/MTANDAZA ROAD IN MILANZI

122. Ms Phiri (Milanzi) asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate the Kagoro/Mtandaza Road in Milanzi Parliamentary Constituency;
if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu) (on behalf of the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Sialubalo)): Madam Speaker, in response to the questions raised by Hon. Melesiana Phiri, I wish to inform this august House that, indeed, the Government has plans to rehabilitate the Kagoro/Mutandaza Road in Milanzi Parliamentary Constituency. The plans will be implemented once funds are made available.

Madam Speaker, the Government is working on the rehabilitation and upgrading of township and feeder roads in general in a phased manner. For township roads, priority is mainly in provincial centres. The ministry has directed local authorities to utilise available resources such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and motor vehicle licensing grants to carry out immediate interventions such as spot improvement works on sections of the roads for both township and feeder roads that are in a deplorable state.

Madam Speaker, the plans for the implementation are there as indicated in (a) above.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Phiri: Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Minister for the response.

Madam Speaker, the Kagoro/Mutandaza Road is in a deplorable state, yet it is an important and economic road that links three chiefdoms. Currently, farmers are inconvenienced when it comes to transporting inputs and their farm produce to markets. The hon. Minister stated that the roads will be worked on once funds are made available. Does the ministry have any immediate plans to work on the roads to ensure that they become passable?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that very important question.

Madam Speaker, indeed, the ministry is aware that this road is in a deplorable state. Further, we are also aware that this road links three chiefdoms. Obviously, farmers are currently being inconvenienced as they receive their inputs and when taking the produce to the market.

Madam Speaker, we have been encouraging hon. Members of Parliament to utilise the CDF funds. I am also aware that the hon. Member of Parliament has done very well in procuring the necessary equipment. So, I would like to encourage her to utilise the CDF as well as the motor vehicle licensing grants to carry out the immediate interventions and spot improvement works on sections of the road so that our people can receive the inputs properly, and also to enable them to sell their produce. So, I believe that the immediate solution is to carry out the spot improvements as we await for funds to undertake the necessary capital projects.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Phiri: Madam Speaker, we are not satisfied with the response to this question. As I earlier indicated, the road is in a very deplorable state. The hon. Minister knows that the CDF is not enough. There are so many competing needs in the constituencies. What is the Government doing to ensure that the road is in a passable state, as it awaits for funds?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, as I have said already, the immediate plans are to utilise the equipment which has already been procured using the CDF. I am glad to remind the hon. Member that the Government has since provided a sum of K3 million for fuel for the machines. Further, I want to remind her that there are funds allocated under the Motor Vehicle Licensing Grants. As for the blacktop, since I am very sure and confident that we are coming back to form Government again, not far from now, 2026/2027, …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Eng. Nzovu: … the people of Milanzi must be assured that the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government, …

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Eng. Nzovu: … this caring Government under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in the country will construct this road to the standard you are asking for. The people of Milanzi must trust us that we will do the right thing.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Thank you. There are more loaded comments.

Ms Phiri left the Assembly Chamber.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Milanzi, you have just asked a question, and you are leaving. At least, sit in and listen to the other questions.

Hon. UPND Members: They are caucusing.

Madam Speaker: It is okay. Let them caucus. It is within their rights to caucus.

Let us make progress.

UPGRADING THE LUFWANYAMA-KALENGWA ROAD

123. Mr Siachisumo (Lufwanyama) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

whether the Government has any plans to upgrade the Lufwanyama/Kalengwa Road, connecting Lufwanyama and Kasempa Districts, to bituminous standard;
if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government has plans to upgrade the Lufwanyama/Kalengwa Road to bituminous standards, connecting Lufwanyama and Kasempa districts. The plans will be implemented once funds have been secured from the Treasury.

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Eng. Milupi: Uletekenya iwe.

Laughter

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, as indicated above, the Government has plans to upgrade the Lufwanyama/Kalengwa Road to bituminous standards.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Siachisumo: Madam Speaker, the Kalengwa Road is a very important road because it services many mines and the farmers who are along that road. So, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for assuring us that the road will be worked on.

Madam Speaker, the people of Lufwanyama have waited for a long time for this road to be worked. We are grateful to the Government for it has done quite a lot in Lufwanyama by giving us the CDF, and also employing of nurses and teachers. However, Lufwanyama is one of the districts that were neglected by the previous Government. In addition, Lufwanyama has only 5 km to 10 km of bituminous standard roads.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister knows the road very well because he has travelled on it, and very soon, that road will be closed because it is not in a good state. What measures will the Road Development Agency (RDA) take to maintain this particular road because as it is now, it is difficult to go to Kasempa or Mushindamo. Lufwanyama, Mushindamo and Kasempa are interconnected. What measures will be taken on this road before it is upgraded to bituminous standard so that it can bring joy to the people of Lufwanyama?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I would like to assure the hon. Member for Lufwanyama that we are aware of the importance of that road to the national economy. As he may be aware, I was a resident of Kalulushi District for many years.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, when I was younger and did not have many resources, I used to drive a small car, and I would drive all the way to Kaoma in the Western Province on that road.

Madam Speaker, because of the importance of this road, I will give him further information. The road from Lufwanyama to Kalengwa is part of the 254 km of the M018 Road, connecting Kalulushi to Kankolonkolo. It is the shortest route between Copperbelt Province and certain parts of the North-Western Province, such as Kasempa, facilitating mineral transportation and commercial agriculture in both regions. The Road Development Agency (RDA) has been patching potholes in Copperbelt Province to improve the riding quality of the 60 km paved section between Kalulushi and Lufwanyama. That is the existing tarred road. The ministry will carry out some work on that road. The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, through the Lufwanyama Town Council, has undertaken spot improvement works on the unpaved section from Lufwanyama to Kasempa. Although designs for the road exist, the 194 km Lufwanyama/Kankolonkolo section needs upgrades to meet current engineering standards and to handle future traffic. The traffic on that road will increase with more development at Kalengwa Mine.

Madam Speaker, the Kankolonkolo/Mufumbwe section of the M8 Road is paved, that is, from Mufumbwe through Kankolonkolo to Kasempa, while the 46 km Mufumbwe/Kalengwa section also requires improvement to bituminous standard. The estimated cost to upgrade the 194 km of Lufwanyama/Kankolonkolo Road to bituminous standard is approximately K2.45 billion, while that of the 46 km Mufumbwe/Kalengwa Road is K581,900. The scope of works to upgrade the section includes clearing and grubbing, roadbed preparation, construction of pavement layers, drainage works, surfacing and auxiliary works. The hon. Member will do well to remember that we have placed this particular road as a priority. He and I have discussed not only that road, but also the Kalulushi turn off to Mukutuma/Lumpuma Road, which is within his constituency, with a 4 km section up to Chieftainess Shimukunami’s area. So, he is fully aware of what we are doing on that road.

Madam Speaker, we will rise after we have done what is necessary on Monday. So, as hon. Members will be going back to their constituencies, they would want their constituents to know that they raised their matters in Parliament. That is important. So, I would like to thank him for raising this matter. It is being attended to.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: I saw the hon. Member for Nkana’s indication, but for some reason, he has run away. So, we move on to the next one.

Hon. Member for Solwezi East, you may proceed.

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

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has talked about the economic importance of the road, and I know that it connects Kitwe, Kalulushi, Lufwanyama and the southern part of Mushindamo, all the way to Kasempa. It connects Copperbelt Province to Kasempa, Kabompo, Manyinga, Mufumbwe, Zambezi and Chavuma. It is the shortest route to use, instead of driving through Solwezi Central. I would like to know whether there has been any engagement to consider the Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) model for works on that road, since the hon. Minister has talked about the transportation of minerals and also agriculture. I do not know if there has been engagement with partners who can consider it under the PPP.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is quite right. Parts of Solwezi East Constituency touch that road, specifically the area under Senior Chief Mujimanzovu of the Kaonde people. With reference to Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), when this Government was ushered into office in August 2021, a PPP had been signed by the previous Administration that covered, among many roads, the Lufwanyama/ Kankolonkolo Road and the road from Mutanda all the way to Kaoma. We pursued the PPP agreement to reach financial closure. We extended the agreement a number of times but, ultimately, it failed to go through. The payback mechanism under the PPP proposal was not necessarily through toll gates, it was based on agricultural trade arising from other elements of the concession, which were related to improvements of agricultural activities in resettlement schemes and so on. It was quite extensive. We were happy to proceed with that, but it fell by the wayside. Therefore, that did not proceed.

Madam Speaker, as to whether that particular road on its own can attract attention from potential investors by way of a PPP, it is dependent on the volume of traffic. At the moment, the volume is relatively low, but I have said that with what is happening in that area, we expect the volume of traffic to increase. That will only increase in future when, for example, the Mutanda/Kasempa/Kaoma Road is upgraded to bituminous standard. We have since done the ground breaking for the concession in that area. Further, when production at Kalengwa Mine starts, which, after over forty years, this Administration under President Hakainde Hichilema has managed to unlock so that it also becomes functional, there will be a lot of traffic. At that stage, in my view, people will be attracted to invest, because investment on a PPP-basis depends on the ability to recoup the investment. However, we will not wait for that. We have started works. I have said that we are focusing on the Kalulushi turn-off to Mukutuma and Lumpuma. As far as works in that area are concerned, the Lufwanyama/Kankolonkolo Road will be the next one that we will focus on. This has to be done in stages because of a lack of resources, considering where we have come from, but we are improving. The road will eventually be done.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Siachisumo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for answering the question very well. He is revamping our hope in the New Dawn Government. I also thank him for visiting Lufwanyama, together with the hon. Minister of Transport and Logistics and the hon. Minister for Copperbelt Province.

Madam Speaker, we are so grateful to the hon. Minister for assuring us that the Mukutuma/Lumpuma/Sakala Road will be worked on. However, I would like to find out if the road will be included in the 2026 Budget or the 2027 Budget? Our hope, as the people of Lufwanyama, is in the New Dawn Government. We will make sure that we support President Hakainde Hichilema and the New Dawn Government.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member should continue to engage. We will not leave the people of Lufwanyama behind. We, as the Government and on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema, are always thankful for the support that we have gotten from that area, that we got in the past and that we continue to get. We will not forget that support.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

_______

BILLS

SECOND READING

THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE (Amendment) BILL, 2025

The Minister of Justice (Ms Kasune): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasune: Madam Speaker, the object of the Bill is to amend the Criminal Procedure Code so as to:

provide for forensic criminal procedures;
make defilement, rape, incest, stock theft, stealing medicine, medical supplies, coltan, copper, diamond, gold, railway, aircraft, vertical signalisation installation with associated facilities and installations, distribution system, transmission system, vessels, traffic sign and navigation mark non-bailable;
make the destroying or damaging of, an aircraft, distribution system, transmission system, road, airport, infrastructure, aerodrome, vessel and navigation mark non-bailable; and
provide for matters connected with, or incidental, to the foregoing.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Madam Speaker, pursuant to Orders No. 206(f) and 207(j) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, the Committee on Legal Affairs, Human Rights and Governance was tasked to consider the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill No. 29 of 2025. In order to acquaint itself with the ramifications of the Bill, the Committee sought both written and oral submissions from key stakeholders.

Madam Speaker, the Criminal Procedure Code Amendment Bill No. 29 of 2025 seeks to extend the scope of admissibility of forensic evidence to include other disciplines, such as analysts trained in various disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, physics and astronomy.

Madam Speaker, in addition to the above, there has been an increase in the commission of offences, which include, among others, defilement, rape, incest, stock theft, stealing of, among others, medicine, medical supplies, coltan, copper, diamond and gold, and the destruction or damage of aircrafts, distribution systems, transmission systems, road, airport infrastructure, aerodromes, vessels, and navigation marks.

Madam Speaker, the Bill seeks to classify the above-mentioned offences as non-bailable in order to strengthen the capacity of the justice system to effectively respond to the increasing prevalence.

Madam Speaker, the Bill is well-intentioned and was supported by the majority of the stakeholders who appeared before the Committee. However, certain areas that require clarity and adjustment to ensure that amendments achieve their intended goal were raised. It is my hope that hon. Members have had an occasion to study the report. I will, therefore, highlight the key concerns raised by stakeholders and the recommendations of the Committee.

Madam Speaker, in supporting the Bill, stakeholders observed that bail restrictions alone are not enough to prevent crime. These should be matched with speedy trials, specialised courts and strong investigative capacity.

Madam Speaker, stakeholders further noted with concern that the list of proposed non-bailable offences had the potential of abrogating human rights. This was because the pre-trial process in the nation was not as effective as intended. In order for the amendments to be effective, the Executive should ensure that all proposals strictly comply with the provisions of the Constitution, ensuring that any legislative changes uphold fundamental rights, adhere to due process guarantees, and remain consistent with established constitutional standards.

Madam Speaker, allow me to now briefly highlight some of the Committee's observations and recommendations for the benefit of the House.

Madam Speaker, the Committee observes that there is an increase in the theft of medicines and medical supplies, which has the potential to put lives at risk. The Committee recommends that the Executive should prioritise reforms that strengthen systems responsible for the management and traceability of medicines. This should include improving human resources, upgrading information and management systems, investing in appropriate infrastructure and enhancing technology programmes. This will ensure that perpetrators are easily traced and arrested, and medicines and medical supplies for the nation are safeguarded.

Madam Speaker, the Committee observed that this amendment has the potential to substantially increase the number of incarcerated persons. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Executive prioritises dealing with overcrowding in correctional facilities and focusing on rehabilitation outcomes by expanding alternatives to incarceration, investing in mental health and re-integration programmes and ensuring that all correctional facilities meet minimum humane standards. Further, the Committee recommends increasing the sentencing jurisdiction of magistrates to allow them to impose appropriate penalties without routinely committing matters to the High Court. This will ensure timely delivery of justice, especially for non-bailable offences, and ease the pressure on our correctional facilities.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill No. 29 of 2025 is a positive step, as it represents an important opportunity to strengthen Zambia’s criminal justice system through enhanced protection of vulnerable populations, vital infrastructure and improved use of forensic science.

Madam Speaker, I wish to thank all the stakeholders who interacted with the Committee for the constructive input they offered. Expression of gratitude also goes to you and the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia for the guidance and support rendered to your Committee throughout its deliberations.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Any further debate?

Silence

Madam Speaker: That is very unusual. The hon. Minister of Justice may wind up debate.

Ms Kasune: Madam Speaker, as already seen, there is overwhelming support in the House for the Bill.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasune: Madam Speaker, I just want to acknowledge the Committee chairperson’s comments on how the witnesses who appeared before your Committee supported this progressive Bill. Let me add that the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill of 2025 seeks to amend the Criminal Procedure Code Act, Chapter 88 of the Laws of Zambia, in order to, among others, expand the scope of forensic criminal procedures and broaden the admissibility of forensic evidence to include analysts trained in various disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, physics and astronomy. The Bill also seeks to, among others, make offences such as defilement, rape, which has been a problem in our communities, incest and stock theft, which is the stealing of, among others, medicine, medical supplies, coltan, copper, diamond and gold, as well as the destroying of, or damaging of, an aircraft, distribution system, transmission system, road, airport infrastructure, aerodrome, vessel and navigation marks as non-bailable offences.

Madam Speaker, currently, the Criminal Procedure Code Act, Chapter 88, as alluded to by the chairperson of your Committee, restricts the admissibility of forensic evidence to analysts trained in only chemical and bacterial disciplines. This restriction has posed a huge challenge in the face of rapid advancement in forensic science. Furthermore, there has been prevalence of commission of offences, which include, among others, defilement, rape, incest, stock theft, stealing of, among others, medicine, medical supplies, coltan, copper, diamond and gold and the destroying of, or damaging of, aircraft, distribution system, transmission system, road, airport infrastructure, aerodrome, vessel and navigation marks. These offences are not classified as non-bailable offences for first-time offenders. Hence, this Bill.

Madam Speaker, therefore, there is a need to amend the Criminal Procedure Code Act, Chapter 88, so as to broaden the admissibility of forensic evidence in criminal matters to include analysts in various disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, physics and astronomy. Additionally, there is a need to amend the Criminal Procedure Code Act, Chapter 88, so as to broaden the scope of forensic criminal procedures in the handling of criminal matters, and to alleviate the commission of the above-mentioned offences, which will result in the protection of, among others, citizens, critical infrastructure, medicines and livestock.

Madam Speaker, concerns have already been raised by the chairperson of your Committee, although they are minimal. I also want to say that we have heard some of the concerns from the stakeholders regarding the constitutionality of classifying the above-mentioned offences as non-bailable because the assumption is that we would contravene the provisions of the Constitution on presumption of innocence and the right to liberty. However, it is important to note that the Constitution, under Article 13, permits the deprivation of a person’s rights to liberty if it is authorised by law. Furthermore, the above-mentioned offences will not be the first offences to be classified as non-bailable offences because the Criminal Procedure Act, Chapter 88, already classified them as –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kantanshi, I thought you are a Whip. Where are the hon. Members?

Mr Mumba indicated assent.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Can we have the hon. Members, hon. Member for Kantanshi.

Mr Mumba left the Assembly Chamber.

Madam Speaker: Order!

When Business was suspended, the House was considering the second reading stage of the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the hon. Minister of Justice was winding up debate.

May the hon. Minister continue.

Ms Kasune: Madam Speaker, I need your protection. They are telling me to hasten my debate, but these are non-bailable offences, hence, the emphasis.

Hon. Members: Yes.

Ms Kasune: Exactly!

Madam Speaker, let me pick it up a little bit from where I ended.

Madam Speaker, furthermore, the above-mentioned offences will not be the first to be classified as non-bailable offences. This is because the Criminal Procedure Code Act, Chapter 88 has already classified such offences as murder, treason, aggravated robbery, theft of motor vehicle for a second offender and stock theft for a second offender as non-bailable, which means they existed in the second offender.

Madam Speaker, the classification of the above-mentioned offences as non-bailable is intended to address the prevalence of the offences. I wish to say to my hon. colleagues and, indeed, to the nation that the main reason for enacting this Bill is so that it is a deterrent to would-be offenders.

In order to address concerns on the need for speedy trials, as stated by the chairperson and specialised court, it is with a lot of comfort that I remind the House that we already went through the Superior Courts (Number of Judges) Act, 2025 in this House and it was enacted. This will result, again, under the New Dawn Government, in the increase in the number of Judges in Superior Courts, which will aid in dealing the criminal matters in an expedient manner. So, this is going to be taken care of.

Furthermore, as I begin to wind down, I wish to state that the broadening of the admissibility of forensic evidence will strengthen the investigation capacity and also assist law enforcement agencies to ensure certainty in the arrest of accused persons.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, this Bill is very progressive. Once enacted, the Bill will, firstly broaden the admissibility of forensic evidence in criminal matters. Secondly, it will strengthen the legal framework governing bail by classifying the above-mentioned offences as non-bailable. Thirdly, as already said, it will deter potential offenders and enhance public acceptance.

I, therefore, urge the hon. Members of Parliament in this House to wholeheartedly, as I have already shown without debating this Bill, support the Bill. I will be remiss if I do not thank your office and, indeed, your Committee for the job well done.

Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

I thank you, Madam.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Question put and agreed to and the Bill read the second time.

Committed to a committee of the whole House.

Committee to be taken in due course.

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

[ THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEES in the

Chair]

THE CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION PUBLIC PROTECTION BILL, 2025

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 2– (Interpretation)

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi) (on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu SC.)): Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 2:

on Page 6, after line 14 by the insertion of the following new definition:

"certificate of registration" means a certificate of registration issued by the

Executive Director under section 22;; and

(b) on page 7:

after line 18 by the insertion of the following new definition:

"public premises" means an area building, tent or structure, together with the land on which it stands and any adjoining land used in connection with it that is owned or controlled by the Government and is freely accessible to the public, and includes any vehicle, conveyance or vessel;;

(ii) in lines 21 to 22 by the deletion of the definition of "premises"; and

(iii) in line 23 by the deletion of the words "section 22" and the substitution therefor of the

words "section 23".

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 2, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 3 – (Administration of Act)

Eng. Milupi (on behalf of Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 3, on page 8:

in lines 9 to 10 by the deletion of the marginal note and the substitution therefor of the following:

Establishment of Public Security Command Centre;

in lines 9 to 13 by the deletion of subclause (1) and the substitution therefor of the following:
There is established in the Ministry responsible for home affairs and internal security, the Public Security Command Centre which is responsible for the administration of this Act under the general direction of the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry responsible for home affairs and internal security.; and

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 3, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 4 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 5 – (Functions of Committee)

Eng. Milupi (on behalf of Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 5, on page 10, in lines 1 to 14 by the deletion of Clause 5 and the substitution therefor of the following:

Text Box: Functions of Committee

The functions of the Committee are to—

give general or specific policy directives to the Centre on the prevention and detection of crime, and preservation of public security relating to the use of closed-circuit television and mobile closed-circuit television;

suspend or revoke a licence or authorisation issued under this Act; and

approve the standards for the installation of a closed-circuit television in accordance with section 3(3)(h)..

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 5, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 13 – (Prohibition of operating closed-circuit television or mobile closed-circuit

Television without licence or authorisation)

Eng. Milupi (on behalf of Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 13, on page 14, in line 5 by the deletion of the words “or private”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 13, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 14 – (Application to operate or use closed-circuit television on public or private

Premises)

Eng. Milupi (on behalf of Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 14, on page 14, in lines 14 to 38, and on page 15, in lines 1 to 7, by the deletion of Clause 14 and the substitution therefor of the following:

Text Box: Application to operate or use closed-circuit television on public premises

14. (1) A person who intends to operate or use a closed-circuit television on public premises shall apply to the Executive Director for a licence in the prescribed manner and form on payment of a prescribed fee.

(2) The Executive Director shall, where the Executive Director considers that an application submitted under subsection (1) is incomplete, within ten days of receipt of an application, request the applicant, in writing, to submit any other information that the Executive Director may require.

(3) The Executive Director may, within thirty days of receipt of an application under subsection (1), approve or reject the application.

(4) The Executive Director shall approve an application under subsection (3) if an applicant-

(a) specifies the premises at which a closed-circuit television shall be installed and operated; and

(b) complies with any other conditions as may be prescribed.

(5) The Executive Director shall, where an applicant satisfies the conditions specified under subsection (4), issue to the applicant a licence in the prescribed manner and form.

(6) The Executive Director shall, where the Executive Director rejects an application, inform the applicant, in writing, stating the reasons for the rejection.

(7) A licence issued under subsection (5), shall-

be valid for a period of three years; and

only be valid for the premises to which the licence relates..

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 14, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 15 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 16 – (Renewal of licence)

Eng. Milupi (on behalf of Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 16, on page 15, in lines 10 to 27 by the deletion of Clause 16 and the substitution therefor of the following:

Text Box: Renewal of licence
 16. (1) A licensee who intends to renew a licence shall apply to the Executive Director for renewal of the licence in the prescribed manner and form on payment of a prescribed fee.

(2) The Executive Director shall, where the Executive Director considers that an application submitted under subsection (1) is incomplete, within ten days of receipt of the application, request the applicant, in writing, to submit any other information that the Executive Director may require.

(3) The Executive Director may, within thirty days of receipt of an application under subsection (1), approve or reject the application.

(4) The Executive Director shall, where the Executive Director approves the application, renew the licence in a prescribed manner and form.

(5) The Executive Director shall, where the Executive Director rejects the application, inform the applicant, in writing, stating the reasons for the rejection..

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 16, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 17 – (Application for authorisation)

Eng. Milupi (on behalf of Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 17, on page 15, in lines 28 to 36, and on page 16, in lines 1 to 17, by the deletion of Clause 17 and the substitution therefor of the following:

Text Box: Application for authorisation

17. (1) A person who intends to operate or use a mobile closed-circuit television on a non-permanent assignment shall apply for authorisation to the Executive Director in a prescribed manner and form on payment of a prescribed fee.

(3) The Executive Director may, within thirty days of receipt of an application under subsection (1), approve or reject the application.

(4) The Executive Director shall, where the Executive Director approves an application in accordance with subsection (3), issue an authorisation in a prescribed manner and form.

(5) The Executive Director may, where the Executive Director rejects an application, inform the applicant, in writing, stating the reasons for the rejection.

(6) Despite subsection (1), a law enforcement officer may use a mobile closed-circuit television on a non-permanent assignment without applying for authorisation from the Centre..

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 17, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 18 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 19 – (Surrender of licence or authorisation)

Eng. Milupi (on behalf of Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 19, on page 17, in lines 20 to 22 by the deletion of subclause (2) and the substitution therefor of the following:

(2) The Executive Director shall revoke a licence or authorisation that is surrendered in accordance with subsection (1)..

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 19, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 20 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 21 – (Prohibition of transfer of licence or authorisation)

Eng. Milupi (on behalf of Mr Mwiimbu, SC.): Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment after Clause 21, on page 17, after line 31 by the insertion of the following new clause immediately after Clause 21:

Text Box: Registration to operate or use a closed-circuit television on private premises

22. (1) A person who operates or uses a closed-circuit television on private premises shall apply for registration of the closed-circuit television to the Executive Director in the prescribed manner and form.

(2) The Executive Director shall, within thirty days of receipt of the application under subsection (1), issue the applicant with a certificate of registration in the prescribed manner and form.

(3) A certificate of registration shall have unlimited period of validity..

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 21, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 22 – (Register)

Eng. Milupi: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 22, on page 17:

after line 33 by the insertion of the following new paragraph immediately after paragraph (a):

registered private premises operating or using a closed-circuit television;; and

in lines 34 to 35 by the renumbering of paragraphs (b) and (c) as paragraphs (c) and (d), respectively.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 22, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 23 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 24 – (Prohibition of Use of Closed-Circuit Television or Mobile Closed-Circuit Television)

Eng. Milupi: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 24, on page 18, in lines 25 to 30 by the deletion of subclause (1) and the substitution therefor of the following:

A person shall not use a closed-circuit television or mobile closed-circuit television in a change room or public rest room.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 24, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 25 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 26 – (Viewing Images and Footage on Closed-Circuit Television or Mobile Closed-Circuit Television)

Eng. Milupi: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 26, on page 19:

(a) in lines 17 to 19 by the deletion of subclause (1) and the substitution therefor of the following:

Act No. 3 of 2021 (1) Subject to the Data Protection Act, 2021, a command centre officer or authorised officer may view an image or footage on a closed-circuit television or mobile closed-circuit television.; and

(b) in lines 30 to 31by the deletion of the words “one month” and the substitution therefor of the words “three months”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 26, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 27 and 28 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 29 – (Powers of Command Center Officer)

Eng. Milupi: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in clause 29:

on page 20:
in line 18 by the deletion of the words “without prior notice” and the substitution therefor of the words “with a warrant”; and
after line 40 by the insertion of the following new subclause (2):

(2) Despite subsection (1), a command centre officer may conduct

a search without a warrant as prescribed.; and

(b) on page 21:

(i) in line 27 by the deletion of the words "subsection (5)" and the substitution therefor of the words "subsection (6)"; and

(ii) in lines 1 to 30 by the renumbering of subclauses (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) as subclauses (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7), respectively.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 29, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

CLAUSE 42 – (Regulations)

Eng. Milupi: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 42, on page 25:

in line 33 by the deletion of the word "and"; and

after line 35 by the insertion of the following new paragraphs:

(h) data audits; and

(i) any other matter necessary for the efficient and effective implementation of this Act.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

Clause 42, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 43 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

GENERAL AMENDMENT

Eng. Milupi: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move a General Amendment, in Clauses 22 to 43, on pages 17 to 26 by the renumbering of Clauses 22 to 43 as Clauses 23 to 44, respectively.

Amendment agreed to. Bill amended accordingly.

LONG TITLE

Eng. Milupi: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in the long title, on page 5 by the deletion of the words "provide the functions of the National Public Security Command Centre" and the substitution therefor of the words:

"establish the National Public Security Command Centre and provide its functions".

Amendment agreed to. Long Title amended accordingly.

Long Title, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

HOUSE RESUMED

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

The following Bill was reported to the House as having passed through Committee with amendments:

The Closed-Circuit Television Public Protection Bill, 2025

Report Stage on Friday, 12^th December, 2025.

REPORT STAGE

The Customs and Excise (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2025

The Mobile Money Transaction Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025

The Registration of Business Names (Amendment) Bill, 2025

The Betting Levy Bill, 2025.

Report adopted.

Third Readings on Friday, 12^th December, 2025.

THIRD READING

The following Bills were read the third time and passed:

The Income Tax (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2025

The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025

The Zambia Revenue Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025

The Property Transfer Tax (Amendment) 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 1738 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 12^th December, 2025.

____________

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