Friday, 27^th February, 2027

The House met at 0900 hours

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_______

ANNOUCEMENTS BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION REPRESENTATIVE FROM KENYA

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of Mr Alex Ogutu, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) representative from Kenya, who is visiting Zambia on official duties.

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I wish to receive our guest and warmly welcome him into midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM GREAT NORTH ROAD ACADEMY

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

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

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

SITTING OF THE HOUSE FROM 10^TH TO 13^TH MARCH, 2026

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that at its meeting held on Thursday, 26^th February, 2026, the House Business Committee resolved to defer the Sitting of the House from 10^th to 13^th March, 2026, to the following week, 17^th to 20^th March, 2026.

Hon. UPND Members:  Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: This resolution followed requests from hon. Members that they wanted to attend two important national events in their constituencies, namely, the International Women’s Day on 8^th March, 2026, and the Youth Day on 12^th March, 2026.

In this regard, the House Business Committee resolved to realign the Sitting of the House from 10^th to 13^th March, 2026, to the following week, 17^th to 20^th March, 2026.

I thank you.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

_______

BUSINESS STATEMENT

The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the House Business Committee met on Thursday, 26^th February, 2026, to determine and schedule Business of the House for the period 3^rd to 20^th March, 2026.

As indicated by the hon. Madam Speaker, the sitting of the House for the period stated above will be as follows:

1. 3^rd to 6^th March, 2026; and

1. 17^th to 20^th March, 2026.

In view of the foregoing, Madam Speaker, the House Business Committee determined and scheduled Business for consideration for the two weeks, as set out below.

Announcements

Hon. Madam Speaker may make announcements, if there will be any.

Rulings

The hon. Speaker may render Rulings, if there will be any.

Ministerial Statements

Hon. Ministers may render Ministerial Statements on topical issues, if there will be any.

Parliamentary Committee Reports

Committee Reports may be considered, if there will be any.

Reports on International Conferences

The House will consider the Report of the Zambian Delegation to the 58^th Plenary Assembly of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) Conference held in Durban, South Africa from 30^th November to 5^th December, 2025, on Thursday, 5^th March, 2026.

Bills

The following Bills will be considered:

1. The Banking and Financial Services Bill No. 36 of 2025. This will be at the Second Reading Stage and the date for consideration will be 4^th March, 2026;

1. The Tobacco Control Bill No. 40 of 2025. This will be at the Second Reading Stage and the date for consideration in due course;

1. The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill No. 1 of 2026. This will be at the Second Reading Stage and will be considered in due course; and

1. The Water Supply and Sanitation Bill No. 2 of 2026. This will be at Second Reading Stage and will be considered in due course.

Any other Bills that may be received will be scheduled accordingly.

Private Members’ Motions

The following Private Members’ Motions are proposed for consideration:

1. Mr C. Kang’ombe, MP, will move a Motion entitled, “Review and Strengthen Legal and Administrative Frameworks Governing the Acquisition of Land by Foreign Nationals in Zambia.” This will be moved on 3^rd March, 2026;

1. Mr M. Fube, MP, will move a Motion entitled, “Allocate 30 per cent of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to Sponsor Vulnerable Students Who Apply for Diploma and Degree Courses.” This will be moved on 4^th March, 2026;

1. Mr A. Katakwe, MP, will move a Motion entitled, “Establish a National Ethics Committee.” This will be moved on 5^th March, 2026;

1. Mr Mtayachalo, MP, will move a Motion entitled, “Regulate the Registration of Trade Unions to Minimise Multiplicity within Industries.” This will be moved on 17^th March, 2026; and

1. Mr S. Chanda, MP, will move a Motion entitled, “Establish a National Mineral Reserve.” This will be moved on 18^th March, 2026.

Questions

Hon. Ministers will respond to about fifty questions for Oral and Written Answer. The questions are contained in Appendix I of this statement, which will be circulated to all hon. Members. Further, the details of the questions are contained in the Notice of Questions for Friday, 12^th September, 2025, Friday, 28^th November, 2025, and Wednesday, 4^th February, 2026, which were circulated to all hon. Members.

The questions on standby to replace questions that may not be placed on the Order Paper on the designated day due to unforeseen circumstances are contained in Appendix II and will be circulated to all hon. Members as part of the Business Statement.

Motion of Thanks

As indicated in the previous Business Statement, the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address will continue next week. However, in view of the re-alignment of business alluded to earlier, the Motion of Thanks will conclude on Wednesday, 18^th March, 2026.

Adjournment Sine Die

Adjournment of the House sine die is envisaged to take place on Friday, 20^th March, 2026. In this regard, on Thursday, 19^th March, 2026, I will move a Motion to suspend relevant Standing Orders to enable the House complete all business that will be on the Order Paper on Friday, 20^th March, 2026, and, thereafter, adjourn sine die.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House Business Committee, and in accordance with Order No. 44 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, I have the pleasure to present the business for the last two weeks of this Meeting to this august House.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

_______

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM NJASE GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I have one more announcement to make before we move to the next issue.

Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of pupils and teachers from Njase Girls Secondary School in Choma District.

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

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Amutike and Mr Simbao were given the Floor, but were not in the House.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I take it that there are no urgent matters. We can now move on to the Vice-President's Question Time.

Interruptions

_______

THE VICE-PRESIDENT’S QUESTION TIME

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Good morning, Your Honour the Vice-President. I would like to thank you for the card I received in December, although I got it late.

Madam Speaker, some weeks ago, a polio virus was detected in some areas of Lusaka. I want to ask Her Honour the Vice-President whether the Ministry of Health can ascertain the hot spots of the polio virus through data mapping. I take cognisance of the fact that there has been an ongoing polio vaccination exercise in the country, as alluded to by the Acting hon. Minister of Health.  Can the ministry therefore, ascertain the extent of infections in other areas using data mapping to ensure that the vaccination exercise against the aforementioned virus is escalated so that our children can be protected, as it were.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A Ministerial Statement was presented on the same issue. We are not supposed to repeat. The Acting hon. Minister of Health presented a comprehensive report on the same.

Interruptions

The Vice-President interjected.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Pardon. Would you like to respond? It was already dealt with.

The Vice-President indicated ascent.

Hon. Member for Chama North, you may proceed.

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

Good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, following the passing of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025 in this august House, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has embarked on a delimitation exercise, and also consulting the public on the creation of new constituencies. Only seventy new constituencies are up for grabs, but the ECZ has embarked on this delimitation process in 116 districts. That means that forty-six districts will not benefit from this process. I believe that this process costs public funds. Why did the ECZ embark on this consultative process in all the 116 districts when it is aware that only seventy constituencies would be created? Does Her Honour the Vice-President not think that this will cause many problems after the commission announces the seventy newly-created constituencies?

The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Member of Parliament for Chama North, Hon. Mtayachalo, for that question.

Madam Speaker, he has given details about a process that has begun. This House was given an opportunity to sit with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), and the commission explained the process. Any concerns that hon. Members of this House have should have been raised in that meeting, because those are things that the commission consulted us on. We should have decided not to go that way.  Democracy is costly. Consultation is costly, and I see that this is the hon. Member’s final concern. Does he not know that a lot of money will be spent? However, Zambians had to be carried along.  Even when the commission was going–

Madam Speaker, of course, the commission had announced that there would only be seventy new constituencies, but it had to get to the ground to see where the real need for the seventy constituencies would arise. I think that is the way it should be. It is not like the commission should sit and make all the decisions on its own. If the commission announced the seventy new constituencies today, one would have to follow the rationale that it got from the ground. That is the purpose of consulting.  If forty-six or more districts may not benefit, that may still be part of the process.  We know that some districts may end up getting more constituencies. We need to remember that we were told that the delimitation exercise would not affect districts. For example, a district like Lusaka has seven constituencies, but we do not know whether all the seven constituencies are supposed to be delimitated or split. However, when people listen to the consultations, they are able to establish why, for example, Mandevu Constituency should be delimitated and not Chawama Constituency. So, that is the purpose of the consultations, hon. Colleagues.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Amutike (Mongu Central): Madam Speaker, in any healthy democracy worldwide, there is always an alternative government in the opposition. When the United Party for National Development (UPND) was in the Opposition, we were able to spell out our policies on agriculture, mining and many other sectors so that the Zambian people could see an alternative in choosing their course of life.

Madam Speaker, currently, we have an Opposition that is clueless and bankrupt of any idea of running this country. It is clueless on mining, agriculture and how to attract business in this country.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, what is your question?

Mr Amutike: Madam Speaker, my question is: What advice can Her Honour the Vice-President give the Opposition in this country so that it can be relevant, even a little bit, to the Zambian people?

Mr Kampyongo: Very irrelevant hon. Member of Parliament.

Interruptions

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

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member starts by talking about democracy, and I want to completely –

Mr Kampyongo interjected.

The Vice-President: No, hon. Member, you asked your question.

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

The Vice-President:  Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I want to agree with the hon. Member’s first statement that in any democracy, there must be an opposition. However, what is the opposition supposed to be? It is supposed to be a government-in-waiting. If it is a government-in-waiting, it should also indicate the policies it would want to implement during its time in office.

Madam Speaker, in our case, hon. Members of the Opposition choose to spend time on funny politics, such as finding out who is dead and who is alive. Those things are not relevant to the Zambian people.  My advice to my hon. Colleagues on what is relevant is that they have to articulate that which they want to come and do better. It is not just about what to come and do, but what to come and do better. In doing that, they have to show what we are not doing well as the Government, not to talk about an economy that is already thriving and say, “We will do better”.  People will question you. It is very important, hon. Colleagues.

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

The Vice-President: What is it that you want? What is it, Hon. Member for Lundazi? Is that the hon. Member for Lundazi?

Mr Nkandu: No, it is Hon. Kampyongo.

Laughter

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, what have I done?

The Vice-President: Hon. Nyirenda, I will ask the hon. Member for Mkushi South to raise a point of order.

Laughter

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, what have I done?

Laughter

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

You have not been given the Floor.

The Vice-President: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I just like to say the truth. Our hon. Colleagues will have to come up with something better to improve the agriculture sector. What do they think they can come and do better in mining? What will they do better to improve the economy? Do they want to come and increase the debt, as they imagine? Will they take this nation back into a debt trap? Will they come and sink the mining industry? Will they come and stop free education? What are they coming to do?

Madam Speaker, hon. Members of the Opposition should offer alternatives, so that when they stand here to speak, we listen. How you do stand on the Floor to just politick and keep saying, “You are going very soon. You are going”? Is that something we should debate about in this House? We will see. Come September, we will still be seated here as the Ruling Party.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice President: Madam Speaker, I urge hon. Members of the Opposition to go and draw up their policies clearly. For those who were in the previous Government, they have to convince the Zambian people that they will not go back to reckless borrowing. They should not bring up issues of their borrowing. Which country does not borrow? Do we not know that even superpowers have debt?  What matters is the kind of borrowing. So, will our hon. Colleagues tell the Zambian people that they will go back to reckless borrowing? Will they tell the Zambian people that they will grab the mines from the private sector? Draw up your policies, honourable chairperson. You are also a president (pointed at Ms Nyirenda). Draw up your policies.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Laughter

Mr Simushi (Sikongo): Madam Speaker, the people of Sikongo, and the Western Province in general, are so proud of the works of President Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND) Administration, to the extent that they have nicknamed President Hakainde Hichilema as the ‘Miracle President’. He is a President who has introduced free education and enhanced the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). In Sikongo, classroom blocks have now been built in schools, there is water supply everywhere, canals are being dredged and police stations are being built.

Madam Speaker, given what the ‘Miracle President’ has done in the Western Province and the support the people have given him and promise to give him in the 2026 General Elections, what kind of support does he command in the rest of the provinces of this country?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Sikongo for that question, which he premises on the promises of the President and the United Party for National Development (UPND). I love the name of our party. He says the President has now been nicknamed the “Miracle President”.

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Laughter

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the “Miracle President”. I like that. Something is not a miracle if it is expected. A miracle is that which is unexpected when it happens.

Madam Speaker, when the President took over the Government, we were facing terrible economic problems, including debt default. That is where we were. We literally had no one to lend us money. No jobs were being created. Let us not pretend. Who heard of employment then? Somebody said employment is non-existent. How can you say employment is non-existent? What kind of jobs are you talking about?  When we talk about jobs, the figures that we give here on employment by the Government are not the only jobs created. Jobs are being created out there. That is what we promised to do. After the implementation of the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), which was developed with the help of those who have gone, jobs are being created under whom? There are plenty of jobs out there being created by the private sector.

Madam Speaker, I will give one little example. Fertiliser was a cash cow for many business people. They imported at a high cost. Today, we are exporters. Is that not a miracle?

Mr Kampyongo: Exporters of what?

Laughter

The Vice-President: Hon. Member, that is happening in a country where people dropped out of school because there were no resources.

Madam Speaker, I will remind the House that before 2011, an Opposition party promised free education. Maybe, we forget. It promised free education. I think, it borrowed the idea from a party it partnered with, which was the United Party for National Development (UPND). The UPND partnered with that party for a while. When that party, which was the Patriotic Front (PF), won in 2011 –

Interruptions

The Vice-President: I do not know whether that party still exists.

Mr Nkandu: Yalipwa.

The Vice-President: When it won, one hon. Minister responded by saying: “Who can give free education?”

Mr Kampyongo: Who was that?

The Vice-President: You know, that is why you are asking.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: You will tell me because he is not here to defend himself. So, I leave it there. It is important that you own it because honesty does not destroy anything.

Madam Speaker, I listened to that and I asked myself why they promised to give free education when they could not do it. As the UPND, when we came to power, on the first Friday that I stood here, one of the first questions I was asked was: “Where is free education? I am still paying school fees for my children.” I still remember my response. I said: “This is your Budget, just wait.” That was in September. I think, hon. Members can remember that. I try to remember. This is the truth.

Mr Syakalima: Yes.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, today we have free education. Is that not a miracle?

Hon. Government Members: Miracle!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, meal allowances were gone.

Rev. Katuta: Question!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, there were no meal allowances. Today, there is meal allowance. Is that not a miracle?

Hon. Government Members: Miracle!

The Vice-President: The hon. Member shouting has or must have some pupils in her constituency who could not go to school in the past. Today, she can send people from Chienge to boarding schools, even using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Is that not a miracle?

Madam Speaker, we need to say thank you. You know, when we speak like this, it is empowering to the Opposition. We are empowering hon. Members in the Opposition to go and think a little more. This Government has worked under President Mr Miracle. He has worked. So, what will our hon. Colleagues talk about? Miracles are happening. Let them think a little harder and see if they can find anything to convince the Zambian people to vote for them.

Rev. Katuta: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

The Vice-President laughed.

Laughter

The Vice-President: I am sorry, Madam Speaker.

Rev. Katuta: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Chienge, there are no points of order during The Vice-President’s Question Time.

Mr Hamwaata (Pemba): Madam Speaker, this weekend, people from the Southern Province, the Northern Province, including the Western Province, will be in the Eastern Province to celebrate the N’cwala Ceremony. In short, people from all corners of this country will be in the Eastern Province to celebrate the N’cwala Ceremony.

Madam Speaker, I have seen the trend where the majority of the chiefs from all the corners of this nation go to celebrate traditional ceremonies with their colleagues. Therefore, I want to hear from Her Honour the Vice-President what this means in terms of unity. For the first time, in the New Dawn Government, we can see that chiefs are able to meet when there are traditional ceremonies, and we the subjects are following suit. Whenever there is a traditional ceremony in the north, the east or the south of the country, we go and converge together. I would like the Vice-President to comment on this issue.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, in fact, the hon. Member has reminded me of a very important event. Is it N’cwala or Nkwala? Whatever it is. I want to actually congratulate Paramount Chief Mpenzeni for holding yet another ceremony.

Mr E. Tembo: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, what is important about the ceremonies of today is unity, under the leadership of the President. Remember that unity is a deliberate thing. It does not just happen; you have to work on it. This is one area where the President has worked. He has fostered unity in the country by allowing chiefs to move all over the country. So, N’cwala is no longer a Ngoni issue; it is a national issue. So is Kuomboka, Ukusefya Pa Ng’wena and Umutomboko. Which one else?

Mr Amutike: Likumbi lya Mize.

The Vice-President: Likumbi lya Mize. These are national events. They draw people together.

Madam Speaker, I want to use a Bemba saying – allow me, I will interpret. Utushalayene, twalubile imbukilo. If people do not meet and discuss, they will be separated.

Mr Nkandu: Ifishikala sanka fipokwanama.

The Vice-President: Eya! Very good. Ifishikala sanka, fipokwanama. This means that if you cannot sit and plan, the carcass will be taken away from you.

Madam Speaker, even if you have negative feelings, when you meet with other people, you will know appreciate a little better. That is why, being here, I believe that we understand each other better than those outside, just by this interaction. So, this interaction enhances unity. There are parts of the country where if people do not meet with others, they imagine things about others. However, when people meet, they say, “Oh, this is what it is.” So, yes, what is happening now is a matter of unifying the Zambians. We appreciate one another as Zambians. We are different, but this is the diversity that we must embrace as Zambians.

Today, there can be only one dance, and we will say that they have only one dance.  We need a variety of dances so that we appreciate the dance of another brother or sister. We are different and yet we are Zambians. We must remember that unity is number one. Unity is what will sustain development. I am deliberately using these words. It is unity that brings sustenance. Therefore, we must work on unity. Unity starts with one’s heart. It is in the heart of man. You have to love your brother next to you.

Mr Nkandu: Quality.

The Vice-President: It does not matter what language he speaks. It does not matter where he comes from. He is a Zambian …

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Rev. Katuta: Preach!

The Vice-President: … entitled to what we are all entitled to. We should give space for all of us to grow. The N’cwala Ceremony is therefore, a unifying factor. Soon, we will go to the Kuomboka Ceremony.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

Let me just remind the hon. Member for Chienge that we are not in church. Her Honour the Vice-President is not supposed to preach but talk or answer questions.

The hon. Member for Kantanshi may ask his question.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, the Government, through the Energy Regulation Board (ERB), recently, created an energy fund. The purpose of that energy fund is to respond to the supply, security, availability of the petroleum products and also, manage the volatility of oil prices on the market. So, the purpose of this fund basically, is to respond to the Government moving away from subsidising the sector.  Therefore, there will be no monthly review prices. However, I will focus on the impact of this fund and what it will have on the mining sector. This is because the K3, which is being proposed –

Mr Kapyanga: Ba Anthony, ipusheni question, naifwe twipusheko.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, summarise your question.

Mr Mumba: Yes, Madam Speaker. This is very important.

Madam Speaker, I was saying that the K3, which the Government proposes to be surcharged by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to every company in the mining sector that consumes petroleum products, will have a devastating effect on the cost of doing business in the sector. Now, I will not go into the figures because of what is being said in the background. However, the mining companies and the OMCs usually have a hedge fund-type agreement to protect themselves from price volatility in the oil market. Now, if this K3 is implemented, it will mean the cost of business will go up in terms of operations in the mining sector. Is the Government going to quickly sit down with the mining sector to try to address this before this good policy is jeopardised? It is good that we are moving away from subsidies in the sector.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: That was a long question.

The Vice-President: Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, I think my technical knowledge of this subject is highly limited. I will not even dare to respond, unless I get a brief of what is going on. I do not like pretending. I will respond to the last part of the question, where he wants to know if the Government is ready to sit down.  This Government is consultative in nature. If they are genuine concerns – So, I am not responding to the issues that the hon. Member has raised. Standing here, I do not have the capacity to respond to issues such as the hedge fund and other contributions. However, with regard to the issue of the Government sitting down with the mining sector, all I can say is that, that is why we have the partnership dialogue. The President has created dialogue with our partners. So, it is important that whatever we are working on the economy, the stakeholders are consulted, and they are also allowed to raise issues. So, I would expect the stakeholders in the mining and fuel businesses to call for a meeting. They are free to do so. This is where they can sit with the Government and raise their concerns. Otherwise, if I respond the hon. Member’s question, I will just mislead him. 

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

The Vice-President: So yes, it is important for the Government to sit and listen to the issues of concern. This would enable us move our economy forward.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: No points of order during The Vice-President's Question Time.

Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Her Honour the Vice-President, good morning.

Madam Speaker, it is good that I have been given a chance this morning to ask Her Honour the Vice-President some of the pertinent matters that affect our nation. I have been yearning for this all this time.

Madam Speaker, if one wants to see what a failed state looks like, there are things that one has to concentrate on. Firstly, if the courts of law are busy dealing with matters, there will be very few people going to the banks to deposit money. Then, one should know that this economy is failing.

Her Honour the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, there are so many Opposition …

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lundazi.

Ms Nyirenda: …hon. Members of Parliament, Opposition leaders who have been arrested.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lundazi, please, summarise your question.

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, I have the chance and the Floor which you have given me. There is no limit –

Madam First Deputy Speaker:  Hon. Member for Lundazi, please do not remind me that I gave you a chance. Let us just follow the rules in the Standing Orders. In my directive, …

Ms Nyirenda: Anthony asked his question in five minutes.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: …I was trying to tell you to summarise your question.

You can go ahead.

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government has arrested Chitotela, Chilangwa, Bowman, Munia Zulu, ...

Interruptions!

Ms Nyirenda: … and Nakacinda. The UPND Government has been –

Madam Firs Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, can you bring forth your question.

Mrs Mulyata: You were thieves.

Interruptions

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

Hon. Mulyata interjected.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Minister for Lusaka Province.

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, the only way one will be able to tell that the nation is stable is by seeing how the Opposition Leaders are being treated.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What is your question?

Ms Nyirenda: We do not have – J. J. Banda is out of this country.

Madam Firs Deputy Speaker: What is your question?

Ms Nyirenda: He has run for his life.

Madam Speaker, Emmanuel Mwamba is not in this country.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What is your question?

Ms Nyirenda: They all belong to the Patriotic Front (PF).

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Ms Nyirenda: The question that I have for you, Her Honour the Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia is: 

Interruptions

Ms Nyirenda: You have failed to pay farmers on time, and now you are here.

Hon. Government Members: On a point of order, Madam Speaker

Ms Mulyata: What about the gassing?

Ms Masebo: What about the gassing and the gassers?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members.

We cannot proceed like this. I will allow the hon. Member for Chitambo to ask a question.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutale: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for giving me a chance to ask Her Honour the Vice-President a question.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker:  Her Honour the Vice-President is alive to the fact that most constituencies in Zambia right now, as we speak,…

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Mutale: …, or should I say districts, are flooded. That is a challenge. One of the areas I am referring to is Chitambo, where the area is flooded and our people are affected.   I want Her Honour the Vice-President, to tell the nation what the Government is doing to ensure that the people are saved from the floods in areas like Shang’ombo and Chitambo.

The Vice-President: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, for some reason, I did not get everything the hon. Member said. So, it is difficult for me answer the question.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: We can ask him to repeat.  Hon. Member for Chitambo, in summary, can you please be specific in your question?

Mr Mutale:  Madam Speaker, my question is: Madam Speaker, districts like Lundazi, Chitambo, and Shang’ombo are now flooded and some people in those area are getting displaced.  In Chitambo, houses are falling down.  What I want is for Her Honour the Vice-President to give an assurance or comment on what the Government is doing to help those troubled people.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Chitambo for asking a question of serious concern about the people who are found in certain areas, …

Mr Nkandu: Ema questions aya, not about defending criminals!

The Vice-President: …, particularly this year, when floods have devastated many areas in low-lying places like Shangombo, the hon. Member’s area and Chilubi. The hon. Member for Chilubi is not here, in this House, but he can bear witness.

Madam Speaker, there are short-term and long-term measures being put in place. On the question of what the Government can say to assure the people, I can say that the Government normally responds. Even now, it is responding to those who have lost the food they are supposed to survive on. We work through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). In certain areas, we give what we call emergency disaster money, but many times, even the markets collapse in affected areas and people have nowhere to buy food. So, we come in to provide the food that is needed for a while. That is a short-term measure because it cannot last for ever.

Madam Speaker, I have stood here, in this House, to talk about the long-term measures we can implement, working together as leaders in the nation who have been identified by the people. This House is very special. Every part of this country is represented by somebody. Therefore, together, we can find a semi-permanent solution. I am using the word ‘semi’ because there are things beyond human capacity to change. We can agree on whether we want the displaced people to go back and be displaced again, and go back, and then have food provided for them. In the long-term, it is important to understand the fact that climate change is not a one-season issue. It has come to stay for a long time. Therefore, together, we need to start thinking about how we will handle the people who are displaced because of floods, sometimes even droughts. In certain areas, the situation is perennial; it happens every year. Let us start identifying where people can be resettled. That is very important. That is in the long-term, because the Government does not have the capacity to continuously feed people.

Madam Speaker, as we are seated in this House, many places are flooded. So, on the question of what the Government is doing, when such a situation arises, we are written to, and we provide food for the people in one way or another. However, as a permanent measure, people might need to move. We should not worry about our ancestors’ graves. We have a lot of honour and respect for graves, but if I live near my father’s grave and the area is flooded, I do not know how my father can help me in such a situation. The grave for my father will remain. Let us go beyond graves and look at the living because the dead are gone. Will we let people starve and houses collapse, as the hon. Member has said? We need to find a permanent solution together. Together, we are leaders. The entire country has a problem with flooding. Shangombo, Chavuma, Zambezi and Chilubi have flooded areas. I can tell you about many other places that have flooded areas.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mkushi South, you may proceed.

Interruptions

Hon. UPND Members: Nomalcity!

Mr Chisopa (Mkushi South): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Mkushi South, to ask a question.

Mr Nkandu: Who are you asking?

Mr Chisopa: Her Honour the Vice-President.

Your Honour the Vice-President, my question will be anchored on the rule of law. I know that a few months are remaining for you, as you prepare to go, …

Hon. UPND Members: That is your chorus!

Mr Chisopa: … because the people of Zambia will vote you out of office this year.

Madam Speaker, since 2021, the Government has only issued two permits to opposition political parties and I can mention­ –

Mr Mapani: Who issued them?

Mr Chisopa: Madam Speaker, the police have only issued two permits, one in Samfya and one on the Copperbelt Province, since 2021, to one political party; Citizens First.

Mr Nkandu: Efyo caba!

Mr Chisopa: Madam Speaker, all the other political parties that have applied to hold public rallies have had their permits rejected. Last week, the Tonse Alliance members held a meeting in an enclosed room.

Interruptions

Mr Chisopa: Madam Speaker, I need your protection.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hello, hon. Member for Mkushi South. I am listening attentively.

Mr Chisopa: They are disturbing me.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I have not missed a word from you. That is why you have to ask questions through me to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Please, continue and summarise.

Mr Chisopa: Madam Speaker, last week, members of the Tonse Alliance had a closed-door meeting.

Mr Syakalima: What is Tonse?

Mr Chisopa: You mean, you, as a lecturer, do not know what the Tonse Alliance is? You, a graduate?

Laughter

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

Mr Chisopa: The hon. Minister of Education?

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

I will just give you thirty seconds. Ask your question. You are engaging other hon. Members.

Mr Chisopa: Madam Speaker, those Tonse Alliance members were arrested. Members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) held a public meeting for an endorsement, …

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Chisopa: … but they were not arrested. Does the Government have separate laws for the Opposition and the UPND?

Mr Amutike: What is Tonse?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that question, except he always premises his question with, …

Mr Nkandu: A chorus!

The Vice-President: … “You have two months”. I think it will be very interesting to meet this hon. Member somewhere in September. I think, he will be in Mkushi South; he will not be here.

Laughter

Mr Nkandu: He will not come back!

The Vice-President: No, he will be in Mkushi South. So, we will probably make a trip to talk.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the question is: Do you have two sets of laws?

Interruptions

Mr Chisopa: At least, I have been here, in this House, for two terms, not iwe!

The Vice-President: Hon. Member, I am responding to your question. So, ignore everything else. Please, listen.

Mr Chisopa: Bale landa landa!

The Vice-President: Do not worry.

Madam Speaker, he asked whether there are two sets of laws in our country. There is only one set of laws, which applies to everybody. Now, if the hon. Member is talking about permits not being given, even though people have requested, I have no answers on that because I am not aware of the law he is referring to, to start with. I am not aware of the law that requires political parties to ask for permits. So, if you ask for permits, maybe, even the people you ask are not aware of that law.

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

The Vice-President: So, the response will also be as vague as the question you are asking.

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

The Vice-President: Otherwise, everybody has their rights.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has talked about a meeting that was held last week by the Tonse Alliance, and that members were arrested. Can he bring evidence that the Tonse Alliance filed a notification with the police?

Mr Nkandu: Does Tonse exist anyway?

The Vice-President: Did they? Who is Tonse Alliance?

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Is it a registered entity? All those are questions our hon. Colleagues should respond to, Madam Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

The Vice-President: Let us be real, Madam Speaker. We cannot just come together, and call ourselves bonse, then, go against Tonse, and that we should be attended to as a recognised entity. No, people should do the right thing. They should register their Tonse Alliance, if they can, and simply file notifications. On the issue of permits, I am not aware it. Those are the things we used to get, ‘permit, no permit’, when we were in the Opposition. Just like that. We still do not have permits. Their police officers thought it was a permit. There is no permit, it is called a notification, and it has to be filed within – How many days does the new one state?

Madam Speaker, we need to follow the law. Everybody here has the right to belong to any recognised entity or grouping. If aggrieved, one can go to court, instead of just complaining that the Government has arrested people. Even if we arrest or the Executive arrests, it does not imprison anybody. That is why there are courts. The courts are the ones that convict offenders. The courts do not go around arresting people. Evidence is adduced in court. In each matter, there must be evidence to prove whether one is telling the truth or not. One should prove that he or she did not commit an unlawful act and then the prosecution will also present its case in court. The court will then make a decision.

Madam Speaker, we should not talk about people who have been convicted. Colleagues, colleagues! I am speaking to my hon. Colleagues. Hon. Members should not come in front here and do things, and then tomorrow they call people as bad because of their own behaviour. If you think being in Government is about amassing wealth that you have not worked for, you may have to explain one day. There is always a day and I am speaking to my people. There is always a day, hon. Members. Just get what is due to you. As for me, I ensure that I get what is due to me. Beyond that, do not abuse your office because sometimes, we say, “I was doing business”, yet you were using the office to ‘throw’ other people away. Please, when something happens, just reflect, introspect and say, “I made a mistake there”. Start by saying, “Lord, forgive me”, and then the world can also forgive you. In his own way, God knows how he forgives. However, when you continuously say, “I did nothing wrong”, then, I do not know, the courts cannot convict your face; they convict based on evidence.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Wamunyima (Nalolo): Madam Speaker, thank you very and good morning to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, I just want to find out whether there was closure to the issue of pollution that went into the Kafue River in Chambeshi. I want to know whether the clean-up was concluded.

The Vice-President: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I also thank the hon. Member for Nalolo for his clear and brief question.

Madam Speaker, I thought the hon. Minister had issued a statement on Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited in Chambishi. There is no full closure, from my understanding. I believe that there are certain regulatory actions under the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) that Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited was supposed to have done. Therefore, we cannot say that everything was done at the same time. For example, there is what is called the restoration order.  This implies the restoration of the tailings dams and the construction of new ones. Thereafter, inspection has to be done to ensure that any further operations will not result in another breach or spillage into the environment. That has been done. Therefore, Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited today is operating. However, it does not mean that it has restored everything because there is also the cleaning up of the river that has to be done.

Madam Speaker, I hope I am saying something accurate here because I am speaking without notes. As I said, it does not mean that everything has been fully restored, unless otherwise. Such things taken a bit of time, but I will ask for a briefing on the matter. There were areas where we needed to do cleaning in the rivers, but the hon. Member can be rest assured that contamination of water by Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited is no longer an issue.

Madam Speaker, the land where people lived was also affected by the spillage. I must state here that most of that land was illegally occupied before Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited was given that piece of land for mining. Some people stayed there and others even went there even after the land was contaminated. I do not know what lawyers call that, probably acquiescence, in basic law. People were allowed to stay for fear of – Then they were taken as people who had settled there. So, there is a programme of resettling those people from the dangerous area and the Resettlement Division under the Office of the Vice-President is working on it. However, we should always remember that the polluters pay. It is not the Government that will resettle people. The Government just provides land and gives plans and that process is still going on.

Madam Speaker, there is also a process of restoring the land. We will not say that because people will leave the area, we will not to do anything about it. The report from the consultant has given some recommendations on what should be done. The replanting process is ongoing, until we are satisfied that the contamination no longer has an effect on people. The hon. Member may recall that we had to consider the rainy season. We feared that during the rainy season, the contamination would be thrown back into the river. As a result, a buffer zone had to be built so that if anything contamination came, it would not reach the river. So, there are processes still going on, but if we hear that Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited is operating, then permission has been given by ZEMA that the company is free and is probably managing its tailings dams.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

­­_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

COLLAPSE OF LUNDAZI AND MUKOMBA DAMS

229. Ms Nyirenda (Lundazi) asked the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation:

(a)         whether the Government is aware that the collapse of the Lundazi and Mukomba Dams in Munyamazi and Mukomba wards, due to heavy rains, has resulted in the failure to harvest and retain water, which may lead to a shortage of water supply later in the year in Lundazi Parliamentary Constituency; and

(b)         if so, what urgent measures are being taken to repair the dams and ensure water availability throughout the year.

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

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

Mr Kapyanga: Thank you so much, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to raise a point of order.

Madam Speaker, during the Vice-President’s Question Time, the hon. Member of Parliament for Mkushi South posed a question regarding the Tonse Alliance members who were arrested. In response, Her Honour the Vice-President wondered if the Tonse Alliance was a registered entity. According to her insinuation, only members of a registered entity could gather.

Madam Speaker, the Constitution of Zambia guarantees every citizen the freedom to assemble and associate freely with others. According to the Public Order Act, any person, individual or group planning a public meeting, procession or demonstration must notify the police in advance. The notice requirement is aimed at allowing the police to help keep public order. It does not mean that only registered organisations or entities need to notify the police.

Madam Speaker, the question that the hon. Member asked sought a clarification from Her Honour the Vice-President, following numerous arrests aimed at Tonse Alliance members under the able leadership of Hon. Brian Mundubile, the incoming President of the Republic of Zambia.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, with due respect, was Her Honour the Vice-President in order to insinuate that only a registered entity, a political entity for that matter, is supposed to gather, when the law is very clear that every Zambian has the right to assemble or to associate with others?

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mpika, you have debated your point of order.

From what I heard, Her Honour the Vice-President said, “If there was evidence of any permit submitted to the police.” Since I ruled that you have debated your point of order, that point of order is not admissible.

The hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation will attend to Question No. 229.  Her Honour the Vice-President will act on behalf of the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation.

Your Honour, you can proceed.

Mr Kapala rose.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Her Honour the Vice-President has already risen. Let us give her time.

The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I am Minister of the last resort, and he has a lot on his plate today.

Laughter

Ms Nyirenda: Sebele ikaleni panshi. Let him answer.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

The Vice-President: There is no sebele in the House, Madam. She is – 

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Exactly. Hon. Members, there is only Her Honour the Vice- President.

Do you want to proceed, Her Honour the Vice-President?

The Vice-President: Yes, yes, Madam Speaker.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, the Government is aware of the collapse of the Lundazi and Mukomba dams in Munyamazi and Mukomba wards respectively, due to floods.

Madam Speaker, as an urgent measure to harvest water and ensure availability throughout the year, the ministry has commenced the procurement of a contractor to rehabilitate the dam as well as construct a cofferdam at Lundazi Dam site as a temporary measure to retain water. In addition, K6 million has been disbursed to the Eastern Water and Sanitation Company Limited (EWSC) for the rehabilitation of the existing water treatment plant. Further, the Government has equipped and operationalised two emergency boreholes located within the water treatment plant to supplement the water supply. The Government is also facilitating the equipping of two additional commercial boreholes that have been drilled to supplement the existing two boreholes. These boreholes will be directly connected to the water distribution network in Lundazi.

Madam Speaker, as for Mukomba Dam in Mukomba Ward, the ministry has earmarked the dam for a full feasibility study and detailed engineering designs in the second quarter of 2026 to facilitate the rehabilitation works.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

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

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

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, the standing procedure in this august House is such that the Leader of Government Business in the House, in this case, Her Honour the Vice-President, fills in the gap as the Minister of last resort when hon. Ministers are incapable of handling the business assigned to them.

Madam Speaker, we witnessed some drama here when there was no communication as to who was going to be the Acting hon. Minister in charge of the water sector. We saw the hon. Minister responsible for animals stand up, and that looked like a rebellious act, …

Laughter

Mr Chisopa: Wild animals.

Interruptions

Mr Kampyongo: … because an hon. Minister cannot superintend the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, are those from Cabinet Office in order to embarrass Her Honour the Vice-President in this manner by not co-ordinating business according to the procedures? This is a very serious omission which must be dealt with.

Madam Speaker, I seek your very serious guidance because this House is a House of order and procedure. We know that they are tired and they are going very soon, but they should observe the procedure.

I seek your serious guidance, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kapyanga: Time is ticking!

Mr Nkandu: Going where? Going to Shiwang’andu?

Mr Kampyongo: Going to the village of Kaputa.

Mr Kapyanga: Yes. Namufilwa.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, I did not see any embarrassment when Her Honour the Vice-Presiden stood up to answer the question. Your point of order is not admissible because you have not cited the Standing Order that has been breached.

We make progress.

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, the people of Lundazi are really concerned. Her Honour the Vice-President has indicated that monies have been released to address  this problem. We could have seen maybe, even sand or blocks taken to the Eastern Water and Sanitation Company Limited (EWSC) site. Unfortunately, right now, nothing is happening. If we do not harvest water, considering that rainfall is about to end, we are going to have a serious challenge in Lundazi.

Madam Speaker, this morning, the people of Lundazi would like to know when contractors are going to go on site, especially that the supply of water cannot wait for whatever procedures are taking place.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: We are very orderly people.

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I missed part of the question, but I think that the hon. Member finally said that people should have seen the money and the work should have started. This is still rainy season. We are talking of construction. Yes, construction should happen in order to save the water for the future. This Government is aware of that.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member should sometimes give appreciation where it is due. The people of Lundazi have never been left alone since that calamity befell them. So, why should we leave them alone? The money is being facilitated. As we have said over Makomba, it will be done later because the full feasibility study has to be undertaken. We have already created something for the storage of water, which has to go through processes. For now, we have –

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, people should enjoy today. They should not overthink because we have plans for tomorrow. If there were no plans, we would be worried. We will surely ensure that water is provided. So, if there is a place that has a problem with water, she should come and tell us. Otherwise, we drilled boreholes and provided what we could. We want to do a better job when the rainfall reduces.  Lundazi is part of Zambia.  As the Government, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), and the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, we are seriously looking into the issue of water. We will go there.

Madam Speaker, I hope she has told the people of Lundazi that we even provided them with the seed for them to replant. That is what we did because some crops were washed away. We did that because there was that opportunity. Hopefully, the crops are growing well. I also hope there will be some harvest so that we do not have to feed people throughout. This is how caring this Government is. So, she should not be worried because we are here for them.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President wants me to appreciate her. We travelled together to Lundazi, and we visited the people. She promised the people that she would go back there, and this is February –

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

Interruptions 

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, let me just acknowledge that indeed, Her Honour the Vice-President did not just sit, but went to Lundazi. For that, the people of Lundazi are grateful. The hon. Minister has visited, and we are grateful. The only sad part is that we cannot hold back the rain. If it were something that we could do, we would have told her to hold on until further notice.

Madam Speaker, the second question that the people of Lundazi have –

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, what is your question?

Ms Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, during this period that the structures at Eastern Water and Sewerage Company (EWSC) are destroyed, the people of Mpamba area do not have any water. Despite the two boreholes that have been sunk in that area, they are not receiving any water at the moment. It has been two months since Her Honour the Vice-President and I visited the area.

Madam Speaker, as follow-up, would it be evil or possible for Her Honour the Vice-President to be able to sink at least two boreholes if the EWSC cannot provide water for those people who are in that area before the cofferdam in Lundazi is completed?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thought what I read was really enough. It is not just about the two boreholes. If the commercial ones are not yet installed, she should come.  I know that sometimes she wants to pose her questions here. So, why should we not respond to issues outside until the hon. Member of Parliament speaks in Parliament?

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member knows that we can chat. The hon. Member should remember that I also referred to two commercial boreholes. If that is not done, she should just tell us so that we can make a follow up through our people. When something happens, it is not good for the hon Member to wait until she comes to report the matter on the Floor of the House. That is not the way we should work because I have referred to things that are happening. I am trying to see if I can find the two emergency – (Her Honour the Vice-President perused through her notes)

Ms Nyirenda sat next to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Hon. Government Members: You are disturbing Her Honour the Vice-President.

Ms Nyirenda: She wanted me to visit her.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Her Honour the Vice-President, you are being visited.

The Vice-President: Is this my office, you?

Laughter

Ms Nyirenda: I am here.

Laughter

The Vice-President: I was saying that the Government, …

Interruptions

The Vice-President: Now, she is here. Madam, send her back.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, kindly go back. You are disturbing her. Let her finish responding to your question. Then you can come back.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, has told you to go.

Laughter

Ms Nyirenda: Nakana.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, she is disobeying your command.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lundazi, you are distracting Her Honour the Vice-President. She wants to finish responding to your question.

Ms Nyirenda resumed her seat.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, she hopes to be here one day. She can join us.

Madam Speaker, I talked of two emergency boreholes. I also said that the Government is facilitating the equipping of two additional commercial boreholes that have been drilled to supplement the two existing ones.  These boreholes will be directly distributed.  So, if the hon. Member thinks that this is not happening, she should come and see us so that we hear where they are stuck. I cannot talk about what is happening.   

Madam Speaker, I also said that the ministry has commenced the procurement of a contractor to rehabilitate the dam as well as to construct a cofferdam at the Lundazi Dam site as a temporary measure to retain the water. So, it is just to retain the water. This water may not be distributed because there is a need for treatment.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa): Madam Speaker, mine is a point of order.

Madam Speaker, during the Vice-President’s Question Time, the hon. Member for Pemba asked spoke about chiefs who will be travelling from different parts of the country to attend the Nc’wala Ceremony.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Kasenengwa, just to save time. We have passed that segment. If there was a question during the Vice-President’s Question Time that you did not agree with, you should have brought it up when we were on that segment or when we started the first question just after the Vice-President’s Question Time.

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, I was not connected. So, I had to physically communicate with the Information Technology (ICT) officers.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Pemba issued a very wrong statement. I am here in Eastern Province, where I am seated with the people –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon.  Member, we are looking at the Standing Orders. Can you find another way of presenting that matter? At this point, your mater does not qualify be raised as a point of order.

Mr Simumba: Hear, hear!

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, well noted.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

PLANS TO REHABILITATE NON-FUNCTIONAL BOREHOLES

230 Mr Mukosa (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation:

1. how many community boreholes were non-functional in Chinsali District, as of September, 2025;

1. whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate the non-functional boreholes; 

1. if so, when the rehabilitation exercise will commence;

1. whether the Government has any plans to drill new boreholes in the District in 2026; and

1. if there are no such plans, why.

The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango) (on behalf of the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu)): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that as of September 2025, Chinsali District had 334 boreholes, out of which 270 are functional and sixty-four are non-functional.

Madam Speaker, the Government does not have plans to rehabilitate the dysfunctional boreholes through the Nexus Energy and Water (NEWZA) Programme.

Madam Speaker, rehabilitation of the dysfunctional boreholes will commence in 2026 –

Madam Speaker, the other answer is that the Government does have plans. I am sorry about that.

Madam Speaker, rehabilitation of the dysfunctional boreholes will commence in 2026 under the NEWZA Programme.

Madam Speaker, in the year 2026, the Government plans to drill nine new boreholes in Chinsali District to improve water supply.

Madam Speaker, as earlier stated, the Government has plans to rehabilitate the dysfunctional boreholes as well as drill new ones in Chinsali District.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Her Honour the Vice-President for the response she has given to this question. I am grateful that the Government has intentions to rehabilitate the sixty-four boreholes that are non-functional in Chinsali District.

Madam Speaker, Her Honour the Vice-President has indicated that the boreholes will be rehabilitated in 2026. So, I would like to know when exactly, in 2026, they will be rehabilitated. Is it in the first, second or third quarter?

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

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

Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, what is your point of order?

Mr Kampyongo: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I assure you that this is my last point of order this time around. I rise on a point of order, citing the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Chapter 12 of the Laws of Zambia. As Members of Parliament, we are covered with immunity under this piece of legislation to ensure that the business we conduct here, in this House, and our freedoms are protected. However, there are concerns that the United Party for National Development (UPND) has started punishing and harassing some hon. Members of Parliament who are suspected of having voted against the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025.

Mr Kapyanga: An evil Bill!

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, up to now, this House, …

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Kampyongo … has not been availed the votes and proceedings records pertaining to the business that was transacted when the Bill passed through second and third readings in this august House, which is against the procedure because those records are supposed to be availed to all of us within twenty-four hours after a Sitting. Is the UPND in order to continue harassing and punishing innocent members of their political party who are protected by this law?

Mr Nkandu: When did you become a spokesperson?

Mr Kampyongo: I am a Member of Parliament. Just keep quiet.

Madam Speaker, he is the one who –

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

Are you done with your point of order?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, we, as Members of Parliament, are worried that we may be subjected –

Hon. UPND Members: Just sit down!

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, our hon. Colleagues are being punished for voting against the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, are we, as a House, in order to allow our hon. Colleagues to be punished for performing their parliamentary duties diligently, yet they are protected by the law?

I seek your serious guidance, Madam Speaker.

Hon. PF Member: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, when raising a point of order, you are supposed to be specific. You mentioned two or three issues; not releasing the voter register or whatever the case is, and the harassment of hon. Members. That point of order is not admissible because we are not allowed to debate ourselves in this House. So, if you have an issue, please, find another platform to air it. Your point of order is not admissible.

We make progress. Her Honour the Vice-President, please, respond to the question that was asked earlier.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, you can even lose track. I think, the hon. Member for Chinsali wanted to know when the rehabilitation of the boreholes will be done in 2026. The answer is that they will be done in the second quarter.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I will gladly wait for those boreholes to be rehabilitated in the second quarter.

Madam Speaker, will the nine new boreholes that the Government will drill in Chinsali in the year 2026 be commercial or ordinary? I would also like Her Honour the Vice-President to enlighten us on whether the Government has identified the areas where the boreholes will be drilled and, if possible, the cost. If that information is not available, we understand.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I think, the end of the matter is very important. On the type, I can tell you that they will be domestic, equipped with hand pumps. I hope the hon. Member will not ask when that will be done.

Madam Speaker, I am a little disappointed in us here, in this House, looking back at the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). When I see communities that still do not have water, I say that we missed a point. The guidance on the CDF was that we should start with water provision. I am speaking to all of us. There should be no question of communities not having water. That was a priority under the CDF, as were desks. Guidance was given on the way we should proceed. So, when you hear about certain communities not having water, and that they share with animals, it is very painful because I thought that phase had passed. So, indeed, the boreholes will be domestic with hand pumps, but the hon. Member can also do something about the same.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1040 hours until 1100 hours.

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

CONSTRUCTION OF A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN MILENGE DISTRICT

231. Mr Chonde (Milenge) asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security:

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct a correctional facility in Milenge District;

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

1. if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Ms Tambatamba) (on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu, SC.)): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to construct a modern correctional facility in Milenge District with a total holding capacity of 450 inmates. The proposed facility will be designed to accommodate 400 male inmates and fifty female inmates, with separate and secure accommodation in line with the international correctional standards and gender sensitive requirements.

Madam Speaker, the facility will be equipped with essential infrastructure, including inmate accommodation blocks, administrative offices, staff housing, health facilities, workshops, kitchens, ablution facilities and security installations. The development is intended to enhance the administration of justice in Milenge District by reducing inmate congestion in the neighbouring districts, improving inmate welfare and strengthening rehabilitation and correctional programmes.

Once completed, Madam Speaker, the correctional facility is expected to improve access to correctional services in Milenge District, promote human custody conditions and contribute to improved security and service delivery within the criminal justice system.

Madam Speaker, before I respond to the question about when the plans will be implemented, information has come through that while the Government is planning on making a bigger facility as described here, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) committee has approved the construction of a few facilities, such as a cell, staff accommodation as well as facilities for –

Mr Nkandu: The ladies!

Ms Tambatamba: No, it is a restaurant or dining facility where they cook and where the inmates will eat. So, those are already approved by the CDF committee. That is a commendable intervention that has come through. We encourage all hon. Members to look at all the available resources that have been decentralised, and those which are earmarked for capital projects. So, that gesture demonstrated by the Milenge CDF committee will provide a basis to build on to extend and make a bigger facility that will cater for our people in Milenge and assist in decongesting correctional facilities in the nearby districts that are now catering for them, namely Mansa and Samfya.

Madam Speaker, plans will be implemented when funds are available. At least, we are consoled by the fact that the Constituency Development Fund Committee (CDFC), which the hon. Member is part of, is already taking action. This is commendable, especially that he is a member of the committee. So, the Government has plans to construct correctional facilities in Milenge and, indeed, beyond Milenge as well.

Madam Speaker, I would like to assure the hon. Member and the people of Milenge that action is being taken regarding this issue. At the same time, the Government is cognisant of the fact that so far in the whole country, we have about only forty-six correctional facilities in forty-six districts. Seventy districts across the country do not have correctional facilities. So, this is an urgent matter that our Government is taking as a priority, because as a country, we have to meet the international standards. We need to ensure that our people have correctional facilities. Justice is served by having appropriate correctional facilities that meet the standards of not only our own laws, but also international standards. The hon. Member and the people of Milenge should be consoled because we have prioritised the construction of correctional facilities, even though I will not say the number. Milenge is one of the districts being taken into account while the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is in action.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chonde: Madam Speaker, I am glad to hear that we have been prioritised. What is complicating the situation in Milenge is that we have already started receiving inmates, but the holding facilities are not yet ready. This is dangerous for society because the people set for reformation by the correctional service are now mingling freely with the community. We have had a few incidents that obviously endangered our society. Is the ministry ready to implement some immediate measures, considering the fact that we have started receiving inmates without the correctional facilities to house them?

Ms Tambatamba. Madam Speaker, as I indicated, the ministry is relying on, and will continue relying on, the nearby districts to take in the inmates. They cannot be taken to Milenge because there is no facility. When the facilities funded by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) are approved and constructed, Milenge can start receiving inmates. As at now, Milenge has to rely on Mansa, Samfya and other nearby districts to house its inmates.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, the Acting hon. Minister has indicated that the holding facility that the Government is going to construct will have a capacity of 400 male inmates and fifty female inmates. Further, I am going to commend the Constituency Development Fund Committee (CDFC) for Milenge for starting some auxiliary works. Is the ministry not considering building a holding facility for circumstantial children? What is the ministry doing on that very important aspect?

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Roan for that question. Basically, I alluded to the fact that all facilities that will be built across the country, including in Milenge, will have to meet the international standards. Therefore, facilities for children are part of the humane conditions that are supposed to be adhered to, which are the United Nations (UN) standards and other international standards. Even the site plans for such facilities are modelled to meet international standards.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

MOTORBIKES FOR THE FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK EXTENSION OFFICE IN CHINSALI

232. Mr Mukosa asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

(a)     how many motorbikes there were for the Fisheries and Livestock Extension Office in Chinsali District as of September 2025; and

(b)     when additional motorbikes will be procured to meet the required number to ensure optimum operation of the office. 

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Kapala): Madam Speaker, my ministry continues to prioritise strengthening support to Extension Officers by enhancing provision of transport to improve service delivery. As of September 2025, the Fisheries and Livestock Extension Office in Chinsali District had a total of seven motorbikes. Of those, three were operational and supporting field activities, while the remaining four were non-operational and await repair in order to be brought back into service.

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that during the current planning period, my ministry has prioritised the procurement of seventy additional motorbikes for nationwide distribution, subject to availability of funds and the completion of the necessary procurement processes. Under the proposed allocation, Muchinga Province is earmarked to receive six motorbikes, once procured. The Provincial Fisheries and Livestock Co-ordinating Office, in collaboration with the local authority, will determine the final district-level allocation based on the operational requirements and workload of each district.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the response. He has indicated that we have a total of seven motorbikes in Chinsali District, of which four are non-operational. Only three are working. Why do we have a challenge repairing those motorbikes? I know that repairing motorbikes is not expensive. If the people at the Fisheries and Livestock Office in Chinsali came to us for help, we could even use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), because it is not expensive to repair the motorbikes. Where does the ministry have a challenge repairing the motorbikes? Mobility is very, very important for the Livestock Service Officers.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Chinsali for that question. I am delighted to note that he is aware of this problem, and that he is ready to assist with the repair of the motorbikes using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). That is something I can urge him to do immediately so that services can be delivered. However, we still need to look at the future procurement so that we can optimise the operations of the ministry.

Madam Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the response. Yes, I am willing to work with his office to repair those motorbikes, as long as there are no incumbrances. If his people have express authority that we can do that, there is no problem. We just need to tell them to write to us so that we can work on it. Now, I know that we can repair the four motorbikes, but I think that we still need more. Muchinga Province will be given six motorbikes from the seventy that the ministry is going to buy. The hon. Minister indicated that the ministry will buy the motorbikes subject to availability of funds. Has there been any discussion with the hon. Ministry of Finance and National Planning to just get an indication of when funds are likely to be made available to the ministry? Does the hon. Minister think that is something that can happen this year, or is it a future project?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, it is my wish that we buy the seventy motorbikes for Muchinga and Chinsali. Each will have its allocation.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

_______

BILLS

THIRD READING

The following Bills were read a third time and passed:

 

The Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025

 

The Food Reserve Bill, 2025

_______

QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

(Debate resumed)

The First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members will recall that on Thursday, 26^th February, 2026, when the House was considering Question No. 221 on the Order Paper, I deferred the consideration of the question in order to allow the Acting hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development ample time to gather necessary information in response to the question raised by the hon. Member for Chinsali.

I wish to inform the House that the Acting hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development is now ready to provide a response to the question.

I thank you.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE PAUL MUSHINDO UNIVERSITY

221 Mr Mukosa (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

1. when the construction of the Paul Mushindo University in Chinsali District will be completed;

1. at what percentage of completion, the project was, as of September, 2025;

1. what the estimated cost of the outstanding works was, as of the date at (b); and

1. who the contractor for the project, is.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima) (on behalf of the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi)):  Madam Speaker, I will restate what I said yesterday because this is exactly what the question asked. I will respond to other issues that were raised later. Hon. Members must always remain resolute when asking questions so that we are not caught napping.

 

Madam Speaker, the subsequent questions that were posed did not relate to the substantive question. So, I will first of all answer the way the question was asked, and thereafter, tell the hon. Member where the problem was. So, I wanted to avoid this because these are the same hon. Colleagues who usually tell us not to remind them of the past sins. Now, I will remind them about the past sins.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, the construction of Paul Mushindo University is scheduled to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2027. As of September 2025, the project was estimated at 55 per cent completion. The estimated cost of outstanding works as of September 2025 is K140,616,220.25. The contractor undertaking the construction is Hua Jiang Investment. This is where I ended yesterday.

Madam Speaker, because of the subsequent questions which arose, which were not part of the question, I will add the following information:

Madam Speaker, the contractor who is undertaking the construction is Hua Jiang Investment Limited. The construction of Paul Mushindo University recommenced on 1^st June 2025, at a total contract sum of K312,450,459.44. The contractor was paid an advance payment of K78,120,122.36.

Madam Speaker, the contract period is twenty-four months. Therefore, the project is scheduled for completion by 31^st June, 2027. However, due to fiscal challenges, progress has slowed and the contract is likely to be extended to the fourth quarter of 2027. As of February, 2026, this year, progress is currently at 65 per cent. In my previous answer, I stated that it was at 55 per cent when the question was asked then.

Madam, the contractor has so far submitted two Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) totalling K24,863,806.03, which the Government is trying to settle. The works at Paul Mushindo University are part of infrastructure development works that the Government is implementing in public universities across the country. In the approved 2026 National Budget, the Government has provided a total allocation of K930 million for infrastructure development in public universities, including Paul Mushindo University.

Additionally, this contract started on 1^st August, 2013, and was stalled in 2018. The contractor then, was Covec Construction Limited. The initial contract was for K7,734,773 and was adjusted to K93 million in 2016. The amount certified and paid to the previous contractor was K53,614,387.26. At that time, the outstanding uncertified amount from the adjusted contract was K40 million.

Madam Speaker, I wanted to avoid talking about when this contract was signed in 2013, and stalled in 2018. I did not want to start referring to people because we had already studied it last year. Now, because they forced me to talk, I will go back to them.

Madam Speaker, they stalled the contract themselves. From 2013, the contract stalled in 2018. It only resumed in 2025. I do not even know how the hullabaloo actually started for them to start questioning me when they stalled the contract themselves. Sometimes it is unacceptable. I am sorry for being what I am.  This is what I wanted to avoid because we have always been told to forget about our past sins. Now, it was due to another person's making.

Madam Speaker, because we believe in completing the constructions that were started a long time ago, we are putting in a lot of money. If the contract sum at that time was just K57 million, today, it can be K313 million. Can they imagine how much money we would have saved if it was actually completed at that time? We would not be wasting too much resources just because somebody went to sleep.  We are more interested in the Government institutions because many of our children from that end will be there. It is only that we do not have fiscal space. Otherwise, the intention of the Government was actually to have at least a public university in every province. However, we are still looking into that in the next fiscal years.

Madam Speaker, this is where we are coming from. Otherwise, I answered the question in the way it was actually put yesterday.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you. I will allow the hon. Member for Chinsali to ask one follow-up question.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I will allow the hon. Member for Chinsali to ask one follow-up question.

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, when we came to Parliament, we were properly oriented. When we ask questions, you assess, and when we are wrong, you normally stop us, and we follow. So, the hon. Minister cannot stand on the Floor, and lecture us on how to answer questions.

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

This is the time for supplementary questions. If there are any other issues, I think, you can find room somewhere else. Let us go straight into supplementary questions so that we –

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, whatever the hon. Minister said, he said it on the Floor of this House. You know, sometimes, people want to grow wings when they are given ministerial positions. They do not know that those positions come and go.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Chinsali, it is not good to use that language on the Floor of the House. Can you, please, withdraw the phrase “grow wings”, which you used on the Floor of the House, and go straight into the question.

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I withdraw the phrase “grow wings”. I am just trying to tell him that he cannot start lecturing us. We ask questions because we want to get answers.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, what is your question?

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that the contractor submitted an interim payment certificate (IPC) totalling K24 million. So, can he give an indication of when the contractor is likely to be paid? We want the project to make progress regardless of when it was started and how its works stalled in the past. We are interested in the completion.

Madam Speaker, I hope that in the same way I have been guided to not digress, the hon. Minister will also be guided to not digress, as he provides a response.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I do not think I have the authority to direct you. I do not have that authority. So, the hon. Member also has no authority to direct you.

Madam Speaker, I said, the answers that I gave yesterday were adequate for the question that was asked on the Floor of the House. I am now providing extra information, which they wanted yesterday, because you directed me to do so. So, to talk about growing wings – Of course, he has withdrawn that, and I have ignored it, but he should not say that to people who come from humble backgrounds. I know where I came from.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, respond to the question. 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, on the question the hon. Member has asked, I read out the answer, and I even read it out politely.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I said that the contractor has, so far, submitted two IPCs totalling K24,863,806.03, which the Government is making efforts to settle. As to when that will be done, it is done when we are paid every month. We settle IPCs that we are given. So, on the question of giving the timeline, the contractor will tell him. Maybe, the hon. Member is in touch with the contractor. He will be told that every month we settle something across all the public universities towards the construction works that were stalled. If he checks the University of Zambia (UNZA), he will note that the same contractor has many contracts, even in Zambezi, I think. What I remember is that under the Ministry of Education, this same contractor was paid yesterday. I am not quite sure whether this issue is part of that, but he was paid for Liyovu in Zambezi. So, we settle that every month to not accumulate a lot of money, like the way it had accumulated when the project was started in 2013.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

_______

MOTION

MOTION OF THANKS TO THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE APPLICATION OF NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

(Debate resumed)

Mr Mulebwa (Kafulafuta): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving the people of Kafulafuta a chance to contribute to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.

Madam Speaker, I read through the speech not less than two times. I think, I found certain portions very difficult to appreciate. Let me start by thanking the New Dawn Government for the marvellous works that it has done so far. I am particularly referring to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation. The CDF has done wonders. The face of Kafulafuta has completely changed because of the CDF. We are committed to ensuring that we do what we have to do to deliver for the people of Kafulafuta.

Madam Speaker, in beginning my debate, I would like to address something that was stated on page No. 4 of the speech. The President talked about Zambia being a Christian nation. I would like to declare the fact that I am a Christian, and not just a Christian, but a clergyman. I am also a Christian author. This is one of my products (held a paper up). So, when we talk about Christianity, I take that matter seriously because we cannot afford to play with it.

Madam Speaker, in addressing Zambia being as a Christian nation, I personally think that we have flawed in many ways. We have used the term Christianity when it best suits us. That is something that I know the people of Kafulafuta cannot accept, because Christianity is tangible. It is real. It must be seen. It is not what we call ourselves. It is what we give out to our neighbours and society, which should reflect our stance or policy as Christians. I looked at a number of things that have been happening in this nation, and I found that nothing reflects what we call ourselves. Absolutely nothing. Perhaps we can call ourselves a mingalato nation, because that might apply. However, when we talk about Christianity, that is a very serious matter that we will give account for one day.

So, I thought we could do better, and probably start with repentance, because in a Christian nation, we are supposed to be seen to love, care and forgive one another, which is not seen in this nation. Petty issues escalate to heights that are untold of in what is a Christian nation. Let us look at some nations that do not propagate Christianity, such as Muslim nations, where the Sharia law prevails in whatever happens to settle a matter. When we look at what we do ourselves as a –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

For the sake of the record, you mentioned a word that you did not interpret. What is the “mingalato nation”?

Mr Mulebwa: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mingalato means dribbling.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A dribbling nation?

Mr Mulebwa: Yes, a dribbling nation. That is my own language, Madam Speaker. All that I am trying to say is that that is not a term that we should use only when it suits us. I have to declare that I am someone who believes in Christianity and someone who knows that one day I will be held accountable for what I do or say.

Madam Speaker, something was said about Zambia being a peaceful nation. That is our history. However, when I look at some of the decisions that are about to be made, I shudder to think what will happen. For example, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) declared on television that the commission wants to remove its official stamp from ballot papers for elections. We have come a long way in conducting elections in Zambia, from the colonial days to date. Nothing has ever gone wrong by doing what we have been doing. Therefore, I find what the ECZ wants to do to be very unpalatable when we call ourselves a democratic nation. I thought that I could just mention that and say that it is something that might disturb the peace of this nation. Please, note that I am using the word ‘might’.

Madam Speaker, there are other issues that the ECZ is bringing up, which are completely unfavourable for this nation. The Zambian people do not like –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, as you are debating, please, refer to the issues contained in the President’s Speech. There is a speech before us, and it has its own content. As you are giving examples, just relate them to the speech before us.

You may proceed.

Mr Mulebwa: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I will leave that point at that and make a comment on what was said on the Cash-for-Work Programme. The programme was said to be something that would continue. It is a well-known fact to those of us on the ground that the administration of the Cash-for-Work Programme has not been done properly because money has been going into the hands of those who are administering it, their family members and friends. The programme has not benefited the Zambian people at large. If our nation has such kind of money, why can it not be channeled towards subsidising farming inputs? That way, every farmer can access cheap inputs without having a situation in which people will be looking at the face of others and saying things like, “Iwe, uli wakwa Mulebwa. So, you are not going to get Cash-for-Work”.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Meaning?

Mr Mulebwa: That means telling people that because they voted or support Mulebwa, they are not entitled to benefit from the Cash-for-Work Programme. Those are things that have been happening. I have been wondering why we cannot have that kind of cash transferred to subsidising farming inputs –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Anakoka (Luena): Madam Speaker, the people of Luena are grateful for giving them the opportunity to debate the Motion of Thanks to the speech that the President delivered to the nation through this House. It is in accordance with Article 8 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia that the Head of State is required to, once a year, come to this House and report on the progress made in the application of the national values and principles that are enshrined in the Constitution. Among the national values and principles is morality, democracy, patriotism and sustainable development. I will pick on just a few as part of our contribution as the people of Luena.

Madam Speaker, let me start with democracy. As the people of Luena, we appreciate that the President, through his Government under the United Party for National Development (UPND), has raised the bar for democracy in this country. We have heard people claim that the democratic space is shrinking in this country, and we understand that they are seeking political relevance, but they are unable to point to anything that suggests that the democratic space is shrinking. To the contrary, the democratic space has expanded. What evidence would one be looking for if not for the fact that, for the first time in the history of this country, we have more presidential candidates on the Opposition benches than their followers? What kind of democracy would one be asking for?

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

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

Mr Anakoka: It has been ‘raining’ candidates at the presidential level, Madam Speaker. Anyone can announce today to contest for the Presidency. The following day, another one will do the same. It is because the democratic space in the country is big. It has been expanding.

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

That should be the last point of order.

Mr Munsanje: He is not a presidential candidate that one. Are you a presidential candidate?

Laughter

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I thank you, and I also thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Luena, who is debating. He is a very good debater, for that matter. However, he is veering off the topic at hand, which is the President’s Speech. He is talking about the Opposition and presidential candidates, even though he knows, for a fact, that we have only one presidential candidate, who is Hon. Brian Mundubile, the incoming President of the Republic of Zambia.

Madam Speaker, talking about democracy, I will give an example. In Kasama –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is that a point of order?

Mr Kapyanga: Yes, Madam Speaker. I want to submit some facts first.

Madam Speaker, there was a by-election in Kasama very recently. Suspected United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres went to the totaling centre and fired live bullets. The police run away and that matter was reported at the police station.

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

Mr Kapyanga: No one has been arrested. 

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to insinuate that now there is democracy, yet the Opposition cannot even gather publicly? No one can allow us to gather. At the moment, there is a command to the police across the country to never allow the Tonse Alliance to gather anywhere. That command is there.

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

I cannot understand your point of order, because you brought in so many issues. So, hon. Member, your point of order is not admissible. It is too general.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Luena, you may continue.

Mr Anakoka: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that the democratic space in this country has grown in leaps and bounds. The evidence is what my hon. Colleague referred to, that is, elections.

Hon. PF Member: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Mr Anakoka: In the past, whenever an election was held, there would be a bloodbath. Elections created an environment where anyone who cherished peace and harmony would not want to go. The recent by-election in Kasama, which was part of expanding democracy, was comfortably won by the UPND. The Opposition were allowed to campaign freely. After all, they thought it was their stronghold. However, their seat was peacefully grabbed from them. During the by-election in Chawama, we were mixing and mingling with the Opposition.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Quality!

Mr Anakoka: The members of the Opposition were campaigning freely. That is indicative –

Mr Nkandu: Even in Kasama, they were campaigning freely!

Mr Anakoka: Including Kasama, once again.

Madam Speaker, that is indicative that the elections on 13^th August, 2026, will be held under a peaceful environment as well. The people of Zambia are looking forward to giving President Hakainde and the UPND an even bigger victory than they did in 2021.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Anakoka: Consequently, the Opposition will suffer an even bigger defeat than they suffered in 2021.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Anakoka: So, we wish them all the best as they form various factions or whatever alliances, with quite a long list of presidential candidates.

Madam Speaker, that is on democracy. The President, indeed, delivered the progress that has been made on that score. Let me mention the increase in representation not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively.

Mr Nkandu: Eh!

Mr Anakoka: People will now have better and increased access to their representatives in the people’s House, as more hon. Members of Parliament will be in this House in September 2026. This is all because of the decision by His Excellency and his Government to support the proposed Constitution amendments through the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No.7 of 2025. So, democracy is on the rise in this country.

Mr Mwila: Question!

Mr Anakoka: Madam Speaker, let me also touch on the issue of sustainable development. In the past, we had Governments that subsidised consumption. Such policies are completely not sustainable. This Government broke away from such unsustainable policies and decided to replace them with subsidising investments, …

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Mr Anakoka: … so that future generations can find a country that is counted as an equal among nations in the world.

Mr Mwila: Question!

Mr Anakoka: Madam Speaker, previously, we had become a laughing stock as a nation, when we failed to settle obligations to creditors. We were a laughing stock when we were a country that was known for the lack of direction. Statutory instrument after statutory instrument was issued because the Government of that time did not have clarity in economic direction.

Mr Nkandu: PF!

Mr Anakoka: Now, we have strategic direction, and we are moving systematically and methodically in the direction of progress, and everybody is happy. No wonder we are able to witness the massive increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which is going directly to communities. The increase in the CDF speaks directly to the issue of human dignity, because all the programmes being undertaken under the CDF are improving the lives of our people right where they are; in communities. Children used to walk three and half hours to school and another three and half hours back from school every day for five days in a week. That was not an acceptable standard of human dignity for our people. Today, because we are building schools in every corner of this country, building clinics in every corner of this country, and providing desks and other school infrastructure in every corner of this country, the lives of our people have improved.

Interruptions

Mr Anakoka: Including in Mufulira. We are providing K40 million in one district, …

Mr Mwila: Question!

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Anakoka: … because of the three constituencies that are there.

Mr Mwila: Question!

Mr Anakoka: All that is contributing to the dignity of our people.

Interruptions

Mr Anakoka: Just in case the people of Mufulira did not know, all three constituencies combined will receive K120 million this year.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwila: Question!

Mr Anakoka: The lives of our people will never be the same.

It is no wonder, Madam Speaker, the people of Zambia are making it clear that on 13^th August, 2026, they will be just be saying, salt sana, salt sana.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. UPND Member: Meaning?

Mr Anakoka: Meaning more of the same.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Anakoka: I thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to debate.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

(Debate Adjourned)

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 1156 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday 3^rd March, 2026.

____________