Thursday, 29^th March, 2018

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_________

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Members of the public are just wondering why we are not beginning our business.

 

Mr Chabi: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The reason is that we do not have a quorum and I am looking at the time. If after thirty minutes we still do not have a quorum, I will adjourn the House.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, this is a dignified House and the public out there, the citizens of Zambia, who pay for us to come to sit here and deliberate, I am sure are not impressed with this kind of conduct. The Business of the House is to commence at 1430 hours. I want to express my disappointment at the conduct of the Government side, especially that Her Honour the Vice-President was here on time.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Equally for hon. Members on the left side of the House, you too have a responsibility.

 

With that said, I would like to meet the Chief Whip and the Whip of the Opposition at tea break in my office.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

____________

 

MOTION

 

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that Standing Orders 21 and 22, if necessary, and Standing Order 100 be suspended to enable the House to complete all Business on the Order Paper and all matters arising there from, and that on such completion, the House do adjourn sine die.

 

Madam Speaker, as Members may already be aware, Standing Orders 21 and 22 provide for the procedures for automatic adjournment while Standing Order 100 prohibits consideration of more than one stage of a Bill in one sitting of the House. It is in this regard that I move this non-contentious Motion to suspend the aforementioned Standing Orders.

 

Madam Speaker, the current meeting of the House commenced on Tuesday, 20^th February, 2018 and as of today, Thursday, 29^th March, 2018, the House has been sitting for a total of twenty-one days. Despite being a relatively short meeting, the House has managed to transact a considerable amount of business. This is attributed to the seriousness that hon. Members attached to the transaction of the Business of the House.

 

Madam Speaker, during the meeting, a total of 150 Questions for Oral Answer were considered on the Floor of the House. The House also debated a Private Member’s Motion and a Motion to adopt the report of the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to scruitinise the Presidential and ministerial appointments. Further, the House debated three motions to adopt Committee reports. 

 

Madam Speaker, twenty-two ministerial statements were presented to the House to explain the Government’s position on various matters of national interest. In addition, fourteen annual reports from the Government and the quasi Government institutions were laid on the Table of the House. The House also considered and passed five Bills.

 

Madam Speaker, in line with Article 86 (1) of the Constitution of Zambia, as read with Article 9 as well as Standing Order No. 11, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, addressed Parliament on Friday, 16^th March, 2018, on the progress made in the application of national values and principles. In this regard, the House has been debating the Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President’s Address since Tuesday, 20^th March, 2018.

 

Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to convey my sincere gratitude to all hon. Members, individually and collectively, for a job well done in transacting such a considerable amount of business in a relatively short period. Having worked so hard, it is important that the House takes a break to enable hon. Members to attend to other equally important duties in their respective constituencies.

 

Madam Speaker, let me reiterate His Excellency the President’s Address to this august House that the application of national values and principles is not a matter for the Government alone, but the responsibility of every citizen, family, community, institutions and Zambian society at large. In this regard, I implore all hon. Members to take the recess as an opportunity to create awareness in the application of these national values and principles in their constituencies.

 

Madam, further, hon. Members should use the recess to supplement Government efforts to assess the effects of the partial drought and floods in their constituencies so that they may advise the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in my office of any areas where relief provisions as well as emergency rehabilitation of infrastructure may be needed.

 

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, let me commend you, the Hon. Mr Speaker and the Hon. Second Deputy Speaker most sincerely for the efficient manner in which you presided over the Business of the House. I wish to also place on record my sincere gratitude to the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for the services they continue to render to this House. May I also take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to the staff in my office and other Government ministries for their unwavering support and assistance they provided throughout the meeting.

 

Madam, let me end by wishing you and all hon. Members a Happy Easter and, indeed, a refreshing recess.

 

Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Madam Speaker, I thank you for according me this opportunity to rise on the Floor of this House and oppose this particular Motion.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, as Members on your left, after scrutinising the Order Paper of today, we are convinced that there is no need to suspend the Standing Orders. You may be aware that we, on your left, have been very expectant and would have been supportive of this Motion, had a particular Motion been on the Order Paper.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, now that the Impeachment Motion is not on the Order Paper, we do not see the need to suspend the Standing Orders. We strongly oppose this particular Motion.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Samakayi (Mwinilunga): Madam Speaker, looking at the Order Paper, we do not have much business to warrant the Suspension of Standing Orders. We would have supported the Motion had we debated the Impeachment …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Samakayi: … Motion because there is still space for its inclusion. However, since it has not been included, we do not support the Motion on the Floor.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Madam Speaker, I wish to place it on record that, indeed, most hon. Members came late. Since I come from a ministry responsible for managing traffic on the roads, I appeal to you to be lenient with the hon. Members who came late because there is heavy traffic around this area.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, without a doubt, you know how much we are committed to serving the people and most of us are always here on time.

 

Madam Speaker, the Motion on the Floor ably moved by Her Honour the Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia, Madam Inonge Wina, to suspend Standing Orders 21 and 22, is, indeed, non-controversial and has never been controversial at all.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to join Her Honour the Vice-President in commending you for the way you managed the Business of the House during this current sitting. I want to tell the people of Zambia that this institution called the Legislature has its own way of managing affairs. No one, either from outside or within, has the right to dictate how this august House must be run.

 

Madam Speaker, the people in the constituencies expect us to serve them. We must not forget the people who brought us to this august House. We have business on the Order Paper …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Which one?

 

Mr Kampyongo: … which we need to conclude and after that, …

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Kampyongo: … indeed, we need to adjourn sine die so that the people in the constituencies who look forward to our services can also have time to present their issues and interact with us.

 

Madam Speaker, my honourable colleague spoke about a particular Motion. I want to remind him to acquaint himself with the rules of this House. I know some people have never been to this institution, but their leaders went to the public media …

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, we have a Motion before us …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Yes!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … and that is the Suspension of Standing Orders.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, on my left!

 

 You stated that it is procedural. Let us get on with it and move on to other business.

 

You may continue.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, indeed, we need to go to our constituencies after we adjourn. However, I want to place it on record that we have the responsibility to protect this institution. Those people who want to mislead the public …

 

Hon. UPND Members: Aah!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … must know that they cannot dictate …

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, take your seat.

 

Hon. Leader of the Opposition, that kind of conduct is not acceptable. You can say ‘hear hear’ or question, but not engage in that kind of conduct.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: From me?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: No, from hon. Members on the left.

 

Hon. Government Members: You are their leader.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister of Home Affairs may continue.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, we have been listening to the media and some people think they can dictate how this institution should be run.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

 

Mr Kampyongo: My message to them is that they could have missed the chance to be part of this institution, but their ignorance must not be used to mislead the people.

 

Madam Speaker, …

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, take your seat.

 

Her Honour the Vice-President, wind up debate.

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Members who have contributed to the debate on this Motion. The hon. Member of Parliament for Monze Central is opposing the Motion. This Motion is very clear and I indicated that it is non-controversial and very straight forward. However, the hon. Member is not only challenging it, but also the ruling of the Presiding Officer.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: On a point of order, Madam.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You cannot rise on a point of order when Her Honour the Vice-President is on her feet.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order in the House! Order, hon. Members!

 

Ms Siliya interjected.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting!

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order in the House!

 

Hon. Leader of the Opposition, leave the Chamber now.

 

Interruptions

 

Hon. Opposition Members left the Assembly Chamber.

 

Hon. Government Members: Shame!

 

Ms Siliya interjected.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting!

 

Interruptions

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order in the House! Order on my right!

 

Her Honour the Vice-President, wind up debate.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I was just about to inform the House that according to Standing Order 62(1) “Challenging the decision of the Chair”:

 

“Subject to Standing Order sixty-four, a member who wishes to challenge the decision of the presiding officer shall do so by moving a substantive Motion.”

 

However, Madam Speaker, this has not been done. It was merely a verbal suggestion or protest. Once a judgment has been made by the presiding officer, who happens to be the Speaker of the House, an hon. Member who wants to challenge this decision has to do so in a different manner by bringing to the House another Motion. This is according to the Standing Orders.

 

Madam Speaker, finally, I merely want to thank the hon. Members, who have considered that this Motion is non-controversial, for contributing to the debate.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_________

 

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

 

THE UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW AND ZAMBIA’S STRIDES TO IMPROVE AND UPHOLD HUMAN RIGHTS

 

The Minister of Justice (Mr Lubinda): Madam Speaker, I am grateful to you for giving me this opportunity to address this august House on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and Zambia’s strides to improve and uphold human rights.

 

The Universal Periodic Review is a process adopted by the Human Rights Council of the United Nations to provide an opportunity for all member states to declare the actions they have taken to improve the human rights situation in their respective countries and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights.

 

Madam, Zambia submitted her First Cycle Universal Periodic Review Report in 2008. The report provided the benchmark on which subsequent reports would be anchored. In 2012, the Second Cycle Universal Periodic Review Report was submitted. The second report focused on the recommendations that were made to the 2008 report.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to inform you, this House and the nation at large that in November, 2017, I led a delegation to the 28^th Session of the Universal Period Review Working Group, which was held in Geneva, Switzerland from 6^th to 17^th November, 2017, where I presented the Third Cycle UPR Report which centred on recommendations made in the 2012 report.

 

Madam Speaker, after the presentation and adoption of the National Report of Zambia, member states made 203 recommendations to Zambia. Accordingly, examined the recommendations and supported a total of ninety. It deferred two and referred a total of 111 for further consultation with stakeholders at national level.

 

Madam, being a Government that upholds democratic principles, on the 7^th of March, 2018, the Ministry of Justice organised a consultative workshop with national stakeholders to give feedback on the proceedings of Zambia’s review and to discuss the deferred recommendations. The stakeholders included Government institutions, the permanent Human Rights Commission and various civil society organisations.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish at this point to commend the commitment demonstrated by the Human Rights Commission and civil society organisations during the consultation process. They came in large numbers and contributed positively on how we can, together, uphold human rights in Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, following the consultative meeting between the Government and stakeholders, Zambia presented a progress report to the 37^th Ordinary Session of the Human Rights Council of 19^th March, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House from a total of 203 recommendations received, Zambia has now supported a total 183 and have noted a total of nineteen recommendations. Additionally, the recommendation relating to the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, which had been noted, has now been fully supported. Similarly, the three optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child were totally supported. The recommendation relating to the ratification of the second optional protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, was noted.

 

Madam Speaker, in light of the aforementioned changes, as I said earlier, 183 recommendations now enjoy the support of Zambia. One recommendation was partly supported and nineteen are now noted.

 

Madam Speaker, the recommendations which were noted and could not be supported by Zambia were those that relate to issues, such as lesbianism, gayism, bisexualism, transgender and intersex rights, as well as the issue on the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. This was so because all of these require further consideration by various citizens of Zambia, and particularly through their Constitution.

 

Madam, the supported recommendations will form the basis for the preparation of an action plan which will be used to guide the implementation process, prior to the Fourth Cycle UPR. The preparation of the action plan will also be an interactive process among the Government, the Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and political parties. The action plan will clearly stipulate the targets and the mechanisms to achieve the effective protection and promotion of human rights in Zambia. This mechanism will be responsible for monitoring all recommendations during the third cycle.

 

Madam Speaker, the action plan, once completed, will complement and resonate with the implementation of the Seventh National Development Plan period (2017-2021). Further, it will also contribute to the monitoring of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal No. 16, which emphasises the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all and building effective and accountable institutions at all levels.

 

 

Madam, I now wish to call upon all institutions to examine all the recommendations, which are listed in the report, that I shall lay on the Table of the House and work towards being fully implemented prior to Zambia’s fourth cycle review.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to appeal to all hon. Members of Parliament gathered here, including those who have chosen to walk out, to appeal to all political parties, the Human Rights Commission, faith-based and civil society organisations, traditional leaders and literally every citizen to complement efforts of the Government in ensuring the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by all people.

 

Madam Speaker, we should be motivate, by the unwavering political will, which His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia, has demonstrated since he assumed office in 2015.

 

Madam, you may recall that after signing the Constitution on 5^th January, 2016, His Excellency the President was extremely determined to include the enhanced Bill of Rights in the Constitution (Amendment) No. 2, of 2016. Unfortunately, the Bill of Rights could not be adopted as it did not meet the required threshold. Nonetheless, His Excellency the  President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, remains resolute on enhancing human rights for the well-being of all persons without distinction of their race, colour, sex language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin birth or whatever other status.

 

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to take this opportunity to thank the United Nations systems, which have been unrelentingly providing support within the areas of mandate. I also wish to thank the Human Rights Commission for its checks and the civil society organisations for their dedication in sensitising members of the general public on human rights issues. In view of Zambia’s determination to continue addressing the outstanding challenges that may inhibit the fulfillment of human rights, I wish to reiterate my appeal for the involvement of all hon. Members of Parliament in the promotion and protection of the rights of all citizens. For those who have taken to the habit of criticising Zambia’s human rights record, I invite them to look at the report and see the recommendations that Zambia has gladly accepted.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon, Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement given by the hon. Minister.

 

Mr Mweetwa (Choma Central): Madam, Speaker, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to indulge the hon. Minister of Justice on the statement he has just rendered to this House and, through it, the nation at large. 

 

Madam, at the end of his statement, he has indicated that those who doubt Zambia’s human rights credentials, if I may replace his vocabulary, but with the same intent in meaning, should read the report. That is a good statement. However, what about those of us who do not need to read the report and …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mweetwa: … are seeing the glaring and grave abhorrent human rights abuses in this country, such as having an hon. Member of Parliament like Hon. Dr Kambwili in custody and refuse to give him bond on bondable offences. As the hon. Minister has visited many prisons, I know that he has also visited Choma Prison, he might have found many people there who are in custody on charges that should have already been concluded, but have not because these people are not accessing justice. What message does the hon. Minister have for those of us who do not need to read a report, but are seeing abuses of human rights such as the case of Hon. Kambwili, who is now suffering? What does he have to say?

 

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, my message to those who are given to trading rumours and also do not believe in reading is to, please, open their eyes wide enough to see what is happening. Secondly, please, they should not develop a dangerous habit of misleading people. Since a name has been mentioned, with your permission, let me refer to that particular matter so that it is clear to the people out there.

 

Madam, as I was coming to Parliament, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and I were on that particular matter. For the sake of Hon. Mweetwa, who seems to be extremely averse to the idea of reading and, maybe, that of telling the truth, …

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, …

 

Mr Lubinda: … Hon. Kambwili was granyed bail yesterday. Unfortunately, at a time of his being granted bail by a competent court, one of the conditions of the bail could not be met. Therefore, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and hon. Minister of Justice were working frantically this morning to ensure that the condition is met so that Hon. Dr Kambwili enjoys the bail, which was granted by the court of law. So, it is not correct at all to insinuate that Hon. Dr Kambwili was denied bail.

 

Madam Speaker, Secondly, indeed, I visited the Choma Correctional Facility and yes, I have no qualms to state that the condition under which many of our inmates are living is not acceptable to the people on your right. However, this is the reason His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, will be on record being the only Republican President who has directed the Treasury to build new correctional facilities after so many years of Independence.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Madam, after I visited Choma Correctional Facility, my colleague, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs, and I went to inspect a brand new correctional facility in Monze. Again, those who are averse to reading and seeing the truth may not have noticed that just a few kilometers from their constituency, there is a brand new correctional facility. A few weeks after that, I went to commission that facility because we, on this side of the House, will not base our Government on rhetoric, but back it with action.  As I speak now, there are two new correctional facilities being built in Mwembezhi and because of that, His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Lungu, has also decided to commit more resources to building a new subordinate court in Mwembezhi to ensure that the Zambian people have access to justice and that their rights are protected.

 

Madam Speaker, let me conclude by saying that His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Lungu, shall not be swayed at all by any kind of manoeuvers from fulfilling his manifesto to the Zambian people. His number one agenda during his tenure is to ensure that he enhances the quality of life of all citizens, including those who are ever criticising him unnecessarily.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kakubo (Kapiri Mposhi): Madam Speaker, thank you for the chance to get further clarification from the hon. Minister of Justice. Yesterday, I had an opportunity to see Hon. Dr Kambwili while he was in a holding cell at the Magistrate Court. My question borders on the issues to do with what the hon. Minister was referring to. I offered to be one of the people to sign for his granted bail, as the hon. Minister has said.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The statement has to do with human rights. I have allowed the mention of that name, but only as it relates to human rights. Therefore, continue bearing that in mind.

 

Mr Kakubo: Madam Speaker, thank you for the guidance. I will go straight into the question in that regard. When I offered to sign for his bail, I got feedback that rules had suddenly changed and that, as a Member of Parliament, I am not allowed to sign bail for anybody. However, I had a letter from here advising the court that my surety was available and bonafide. Therefore, I would like the hon. Minister to clarify to me if hon. Members of Parliament are allowed to sign for each other’s bail or any other citizen in this country or not.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, I will allow that question because we have started dealing with that matter. Are hon. Members of Parliament able to sign bail for someone?

 

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, let me clarify that the courts in Zambia adjudicate without looking across their shoulders to see who is watching. The decision on the conditions to attach to any bail is entirely up to the presiding judge. If the judge decides that the sureties should be people employed on pensionable employment, nobody can question it. Therefore, if the magistrate in this case did not accept an hon. Member of Parliament as sufficient surety, we cannot question it. It is entirely up to the presiding judge on every matter.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

___________

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

TAZARA EMPLOYEES’ UNPAID SALARIES

 

253. Mr Kakubo (Kapiri Mposhi) asked the Minister of Transport and Communication:

 

1. why the Tanzania-Zambia Railways Authority (TAZARA) employees had not been paid their salaries for January and February, 2018;

 

1. when the salaries would be paid;

 

1. what measures had been taken to resolve the financial challenges at the institution; and

 

1. when the retirees, who had not been paid for a long time, would be paid their dues.

 

The Minister of Transport and Communication (Mr Mushimba): Madam Speaker, employees have not been paid their salaries for January and February, 2018 because the company has been unable to generate enough revenue to cover employee salaries. This situation has been on-going for over ten years now and in the last five years alone, the two shareholding governments have pumped in over US$75 million into the operations of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) that has largely gone to cover salaries. In December, 2017, the Zambian Government released the latest in this support mechanism of K12 million to cover salaries up to then.

 

Madam Speaker, the main reason for the failure to pay the salaries stems from the fact that the institution has not been able to generate and sustain enough business due to deteriorated infrastructure and a business model that has not supported the required revenue growth. The rolling stock and locomotives have been inadequate. The institution needs to ferry about 600,000 metric tonnes per year of cargo to break-even, but at its lowest in 2011 when the Patriotic Front (PF) came into power, it was only ferrying about 55,000 metric tonnes per year. The institution had essentially collapsed and was dying.

 

Madam, over the last five years that the PF Government has been in power, with focused interventions, the volumes of cargo have been going up each year and now stand at about 200,000 metric tonnes per year, a 73 per cent improvement over the last five years. As you can see, the institution is still very far away from the break-even point, but has made strong strides and the long-term view looks promising.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government will release salaries for January, 2018, in the early part of April, 2018, and the balance for February and March, 2018, will be paid in the later part of April, 2018. Essentially, the Government is committing to pay the salaries for January, February and March, 2018, before the end of April, 2018. The Government and TAZARA management have continued to dialogue with the employees and their union representatives and is gratified to say that the employees have been very understanding and are still working to-date. They see the challenges their institution has been going through and the dedication from the Government through the regular financial support and are paying back by showing remarkable understanding and we are very thankful for that.

 

Madam Speaker, the institution has shared turn-around plans that have been deliberated upon and adopted by the two shareholding governments. The plans have included requirements for additional locomotives and rolling stock capacity to be able to ferry more cargo. An amount of US$9.8 million for new traction motors has partially been released with the balance scheduled to be released by June, 2018. This will increase the number of locomotives from the current capacity by ten. Additionally, ten more locomotives are required to support the break-even threshold.

 

Madam Speaker, TAZARA has recently entered into a partnership agreement with a South African railway company called Calabash, to start to close that gap for the additional ten locomotives. Open railway access between TAZARA and Zambia Railways Limited has also been entered into to increase the flow of traffic between the two railway companies.

 

Madam Speaker, a new Statutory Instrument No. 17 of 2018 (SI 7) was also recently signed to increase the cargo and frantically close the gap that exists to attain the break-even point. We have a new board of directors and new top management that was appointed last year to oversee the turn-around plans. These actions speak to the Government’s intentions to revamp the institution and make it self-sufficient to enable it to meet its obligations.

 

Madam Speaker, all terminal benefits for employees who separated from TAZARA as at 31^st December, 2017, were verified, calculated and paid off by the Government. The remaining retirees have not been paid as a result of failure to verify their information due to missing files and documentation. The institution is working actively to ensure that these retirees are paid as soon as possible. The reason TAZARA had fallen into this trap was that the previous management’s failed to remit pension contributions to pension houses. This is a sad development, but it is now being addressed. All pension contributions now are being remitted to pension houses. The new retirees will not face the issues that those who retired in the past faced.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Kakubo: Madam Speaker, in the last meeting, I addressed the issue of the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) employees in this House only after which they were paid. There are over a thousand TAZARA employees. Schools opened just after the cholera outbreak, but TAZARA employees have not been paid since last December. This means that they have not been able to pay school fees, and some of them have been evicted from their homes. We are dealing with human beings here. The Government today has committed to pay only the January salaries, but has not given a date when workers can expect the salaries for February and March to be paid. When will the salaries for these two months be paid?

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, let me provide additional information so that I can address some of the points that the hon. Member has raised and put everything in context. The Government understands the challenges that TAZARA has been going through. We have established channels that monitor the performance of this institution. The assertion that the Government made the decision to pay TAZARA workers last time because the hon. Member raised this matter is not 100 per cent accurate. There are laid-down procedures that are followed, and discussions that happen between the workers’ union, management, Government and the Ministry of Finance, before decisions concerning TAZARA are made. We know that we need to support this institution until it is able to get on its feet.

 

 

Madam Speaker, I have spoken to the employees at TAZARA, and they have been very patient. They have seen this institution from its glory days to the time it has now collapsed. This institution can now only move 55,000 metric tonnes of cargo. In the past, it used to move 600,000 metric tonnes. The trajectory looks okay, but we are not out of the woods yet.

 

Madam Speaker, in December, the Government paid K12 million to clear all the salary arrears up to December, 2017. It has continued looking for money so that it can release further funding. Discussions for additional funding have been on-going since December 2017 and they have culminated into the ministerial statement I have made today. Whether or not this question had come to the Floor today, the Government would have paid these monies because last week, the union representatives were in my office and I told them that the Government was looking into this issue. I have had meetings with the Ministry of Finance and we have agreed on the timelines on how to pay the money to TAZARA. In the early part of April, we will pay the January salaries and in the later part of April, we will clear the February and March salaries. Therefore, before the end of April, a total of K12 million will be released by the Ministry of Finance to cover the entire backlog for January, February and March salaries.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Simfukwe (Mbala): Madam Speaker, the Great North Road transports hundreds of trucks every day from Dar-es-Salaam. This road has created millionaires in Tanzania. There are millionaires in Mbeya. Tunduma used to be a village, it is now a modern town. The Tanzanians will continue resisting using the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) to transport their cargo because they do not want it to become a viable railway business. What measures has the ministry established to outsmart the Tanzanian transporters so that they can stop transporting their cargo using the Great North Road and start using TAZARA?

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, before I answer that question, let me congratulate the Member for Kapiri Mposhi, Hon. Stanley Kakubo, for not having walked out of the House and for debating this question. I thank him very much. That is what it means to be honourable.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, the assertion that Tanzanian transporters do not want to support the turnaround of TAZARA has been given as part of the reason TAZARA has not been performing well. I cannot ascertain the validity of that assumption. Transporters have a business model they are running. They understand that for their business to be viable, they need to transport their cargo within a certain period. I have spoken about the deterioration of the standards at TAZARA. When the standards deteriorated, the Tanzanian transporters started using the road to ferry their cargo. This also happened to the Zambia Railways Limited. I am on record praising the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, under His Excellency, late President Michael Chilufya Sata, and His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for the focus they have shown in turning around the operations of the railway sector in Zambia. Both Presidents have invested in TAZARA and Zambia Railways Limited and that is creating a positive picture for the future.

 

Madam Speaker, the statutory instrument (SI) that the Government signed, which requires at least 30 per cent of heavy and bulk cargo to be moved through the railways, is another initiative to ensure that we turn around the railway institutions after we had invested money to improve their operations. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Great Lakes region, have praised this SI we signed. We have also put new boards and management in these railway companies and rehabilitated the railway trucks. Before money was invested in TAZARA to improve its operations, the company used to take thirty-six days to move cargo from Mpika to Dar-es-Salaam. There is no business which can allow their cargo to be transported for thirty-six days. After the investment we made in TAZARA, the company can now transport cargo from Mpika to Dar-es-Salaam in five days. The investment has started bearing fruits and we hope that with continued interventions, we will get to the break-even point that will allow this institution to stand on its own.  When it becomes cheaper and safer to transport cargo by rail, I think the market will respond accordingly and some transporters will lose business to TAZARA.

 

I thank you, Madam. 

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out if, indeed, the ministry has been to visit our people ...

 

Mr Bwalya: On a point of order, Madam.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Bwalya, please, take your seat. I will not allow any points of order.

 

Dr Malama:  ... in Mpika, Kapiri, Serenje and all the other stations for Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) to allay their fears and anxieties, which have been evoked by the non-payment of salaries and retirement packages. When last was the Government to those places or if it has not been, when is it intending to visit our people?

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member has asked a very important question. I mentioned the many meetings that continue being held between the Government and TAZARA management and its union. These engagements happen at very different levels and go up to the ministerial level. Just last week when I was in Chinsali, I was liaising with the Permanent Secretary (PS) for Muchinga Province, who was going to address another session of meetings to discuss this issue. I mentioned the several meetings that have been held in the past weeks and added that union representatives have been to my office to discuss these matters. I have met with the hon. Minister of Finance and we have talked about this. I have also been talking to TAZARA management. Therefore, engagements regarding this issue are at different levels, including information getting to the employees to keep them informed of the challenges that the Government may face in releasing the money because of competing needs. The employees are also communicated to as regards the commitment by the Government to find the money and pay them as soon as possible. These assurances have been given to the employees of TAZARA. That is why I thank them for their patience and understanding. I, therefore, want to assure them that their February/March payments will be made before the end of April.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mrs Phiri (Kanyama): Madam Speaker, we are all aware that this company is owned by two countries. This hard-working Government of His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and that of his predecessors has always pumped money into the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) to pay workers’ salaries. In terms of clearing the worker’s salaries, how does the partner come in?

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, indeed, TAZARA is co-owned by the Zambian and Tanzanian governments. The relationship between the two governments and management of this institution has been very good. The responsibilities towards TAZARA are being fulfilled by both governments without any complaints.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Ngulube (Kabwe Central): Madam Speaker, I am aware that our colleagues in other countries like China and Tanzania have invested heavily in their railway infrastructure. As a result of such investments, the railway infrastructure is an income generation activity that pays workers’ salaries. I also know that without an investment into Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) that will enable it to make its own money to meet salary obligations for its employees, we will continue talking about why TAZARA workers were not paid for the last two months and why they will not be paid and why they will not be paid on time next month. I want to find out what measures the ministry is putting in place to ensure that TAZARA becomes self-reliant to be able to pay workers monthly salaries without getting assistance from the Government.

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Tutwa Ngulube for that very important question. I spoke to some of the immediate term interventions that both governments are making on TAZARA. For instance, I talked about the US$9.8 million that has partially been released for the traction motors which will increase locomotion capacity by ten. I also spoke about the partnerships that we have facilitated for the private sector to have additional capacity. I spoke about the new board and top management that has been put in place and how the picture has really started turning around on the back of this US$75 million which the two governments have injected into TAZARA over the last five years. That speaks to the immediate needs and plans to continue turning the corner and heading into the right direction.

 

Madam Speaker, to answer the hon. Member’s question, specifically on the long-term sustainability measure, this Government of His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has been thinking of how to make railway transportation viable again. We understand that we are coming from a history where investment in the railway sector was not as much. Instead, we prioritised roads and a lot of cargo moved from railway to road, an imbalance that we are now trying to address. The SI that requires heavy and bulk cargo to be transported through railway transport that I spoke about is one of the intervention measures.

 

Madam Speaker, above that, we have carried out detailed engineering studies for both Zambia Railways Limited and TAZARA to ascertain what to do in the long-term to totally revamp the two institutions and make a good business case for them to attract the type of business they need and be self-sufficient.

 

With regard to TAZARA, we finished a study with the Chinese who built this railway line. They have since submitted a report to us and the monies required to modernise the railway network are totalling almost US$1 billion. This modernisation will include adjusting the speed and the procurement of passenger coaches so as to attract more passengers. When that happens, TAZARA will be able to sustain itself. That study has been looked at. However, the two governments are looking to carry out another independent study just to ascertain the numbers. When that is done, we will obviously engage the next gears in terms of finding resources to revamp the institution totally. We have those intentions and we plan to undertake them as soon as we finish the background works and detailed engineering studies that need to be undertaken.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Kakubo (Kapiri Mposhi): Madam Speaker, it is gratifying to note that we finally have some end date as regards when our people will be paid. However, I do not think part (d) of my question has sufficiently been responded to by the hon. Minister. The question was when the retirees would be paid, and the hon. Minister explained the challenges the Government is facing, which we are already familiar with. Therefore, when will the retirees be paid their money?

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, what I said about retirees is that by 31^st December, 2017, all retirees whose records were verified, through the documentation that we have, were paid. By and large, that is over 90 per cent of the retirees. Those who were not paid are less than 10 per cent, and that is because there was missing information and documentation that needs to be looked for and verified before the people can be paid. That process is being undertaken as I am speaking. Since we do not know where those records are, I cannot put a timeframe within which the retirees will be paid because we have to pay against something. However, we will actively continue looking for that information. These retirees have not been paid in a long time. Offices have changed and in the past, the records were not digitised and so, it is possible that these files are sitting in someone’s office. Therefore, we really have to look everywhere for this information and when found, it has to be verified. Once we do that, we will continue paying because the money has been secured and the Government is committed to ensuring that it pays what it is supposed to pay.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Dr Chibanda (Mufulira): Madam Speaker, the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has been a thorn in the flesh of the Zambian Government financially for a long time. Is the Government considering privatising TAZARA to offload this financial burden on the Treasury?

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, I omitted to mention that as an option when I spoke about sustainability. In reference to the sustainability plans, once studies are concluded and authenticated, we will look for money to start the revamping of TAZARA in order to make it modern. As a part of those discussions, one option that is being discussed is that of not selling, but concessioning TAZARA.

 

Madam Speaker, the Chinese have expressed interest. They built the institution and understand its technology and operations. They would like to enter a concessional agreement with both governments in which they rent the asset for a period of time. That is one of the options that is being discussed in terms of sustainability and long-term viability of the institution.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mwila (Chimwemwe): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that the signing of Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 7 of 2018 is likely to boost business at Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), working in collaboration with Zambia Railways Limited. What measures have been put in place to ensure that mining companies in Zambia do not deliberately frustrate the smooth implementation of this progressive SI?

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, it is not only the mining houses that are impacted by the SI that we have signed. We have also asked that 30 per cent of all heavy and bulk cargo in the country be transported by rail. This includes copper concentrates, copper cathodes, fertiliser, cement, sugar and spare parts going to the mining houses and many other components that fall into the identifications that we came up with for this SI.

 

Madam Speaker, we undertook extensive stakeholder engagement with all the stakeholders that would be impacted by the SI before we signed it. It took us exactly twelve months to conclude the consultations, and everyone was consulted. We spoke about why this SI is necessary, how it will be done and the enforcement mechanisms once it was signed. A lot of feedback was received which made its way into revising and optimising the SI that we eventually signed.

 

Madam Speaker, when the SI was signed, the mining houses raised some concerns that some of their suggestions were not taken into account. I then took it upon myself to go to the Copperbelt and met some mining houses, such as Mopani Copper Mines. We went over some of the concerns they had and some of them were valid while some were not. We educated each other on various issues and they are very happy and are now on board.

 

Madam Speaker, I have a meeting with the Chamber of Mines which was scheduled for this week, but has been pushed to next week, to essentially conclude those conversations. What I am seeing from the mining houses is an openness to work with the Government and ensuring that this SI is successful. The Government has put various enforcement mechanisms in place. We are working the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), the Zambia Bureau of Standards, the Zambia Weights and Measures Agency and the Government Inspector of Railway. We are also stationing key account managers at all the houses where we need to make sure that the 30 per cent of heavy cargo is moving by rail. We have put in place all these measures as we roll-out the implementation plan. I can assure the hon. Member that we will be successful with the SI. Not only will we meet the 30 per cent threshold that we have set, but the market will respond by moving an even higher percentage of heavy and bulk cargo off our roads which will improve the safety of our roads in the country.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Dr Kopulande (Chembe): Madam Speaker, I am happy to note that concessioning is one of the long-term options that the Government is looking at to improve the efficiency of the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA). However, I am concerned that the hon. Minister’s reference to concessioning was an afterthought and not a primary part of the strategy, yet it is a well-known fact that the Government is not the best institution to run any business. For a long time, as the hon. Minister has shown in his answer, the Government has been bleeding its budgetary resources to pay salaries on behalf of an operating company.

 

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister sure that concessioning is one of the top priorities that he will employ in improving the efficiency of TAZARA and does he have other plans to improve the handling facilities at the Port of Dar Es Salaam, which is one of the major reasons potential users of TAZARA do not use it?

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, I did not list in order of priority all the options that we are considering in terms of turning around the operations of TAZARA. I talked about some of the immediate measures we were putting in place because they need to be done as soon as possible to ensure that TAZARA continues to operate.

 

Madam Speaker, this is an institution that was established for a reason which still exists. The Government will not walk away from its responsibilities. Both governments will ensure that they apply their minds to ensuring that they support TAZARA the best way they can. These are interventions both governments   have made to speak to that.

 

Madam Speaker, in terms of long-term plans, I have spoken about the studies that we are undertaking. One way to do this is for both governments to find money to inject and revamp the operations of TAZARA while the other is to consider the concession option. Both options are receiving an equal share of attention.

 

Madam Speaker, I travelled to China late last year to speak to the Chinese Government and other Government agencies on the concession option. I have engaged the other entities that have undertaken the studies on the other option as well. We are approaching this in a multi-pronged approach to ensure that all options are on the table. However, the option that will make the most sense at the time is the option we will go with.

 

Madam Speaker, the concession option is very interesting in that it has a lot of positives. We are just working to ensure that there is minimum exposure as we do it.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Ng’ambi (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for his statement. Failure to pay salaries is an indication of poor performance of a company. I am concerned, particularly that we are trying to move from a liberalised market environment to a command market where bulk carriers are being compelled to move their cargo on roads, yet its effects on the roads is the same as in the neighbouring countries. As you are aware, we are a landlocked country. The question for the hon. Minister is: How elastic is the demand for railway transport in Zambia.

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, I omitted to answer the last part of Hon. Kopulande’s question on what we are doing on the handling facilities, especially in Dar es Salaam to increase efficiency and attract more people to use TAZARA.

 

Madam Speaker, we have Zambia Cargo and Logistics Limited (ZAMCARGO) in Tanzania, which is another Government agency under my ministry. We do a lot of cargo handling in Dar es Salaam using ZAMCARGO. That institution has also undergone dramatic improvements and interventions from the Government, including facilitation and capacitation of the yard to ensure we can improve our cargo handling. The last time I was there, last year, I was inspecting some of the equipment that has been purchased to improve cargo handling and efficiency in loading onto TAZARA. So, that matter is being addressed.

 

Madam Speaker, as regards, the question on railway transportation that hon. Member from Chifubu asked, I think the challenge that we have had with railway transport is that previous Governments lagged behind in investing in road transportation. We opened up the country using roads and many transporters prefer to go by road because there have been new roads that were constructed. We took our eyes off the two railway companies, that is, TAZARA and Zambia Railways Limited and they suffered greatly.

 

When the PF Government came into power, it had a very good and broad vision of transport networks and it committed to opening up the country in all the four modes of transportation, namely road, railway, water, where there are water bodies, and aviation. We have seen investment across these sectors. The intention is to ensure that cargo is moved by railway. That is the proposition that we are making, as a Government. We have signed the SI to nudge the market towards that thinking. Once they come to the railway sector and see the investment that has taken place and the improved efficiency, I am seeing a situation where 50 to 100 per cent of avian bulk cargo will be transported by railway so that we can decongest our roads and make our road safety profile better. Essentially, the appropriateness of travel will be achieved in the country. Those things that must go by air will go by air. The fact that air transport is too expensive will be addressed. Those things that should go by rail will go by rail.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kunda (Muchinga): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the answers because this affects my constituency as well. The hon. Minister referred to the fact that there are some documents that got lost. Would he be kind enough to allow the retirees to re-submit the documents which he referred to.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, I would like the hon. Member to repeat the question. I am sorry I did not get him clearly.

 

Mr Kunda: Madam Speaker, I am referring to the retirees’ documents that have gone missing, thus, inhibiting the payment of their benefits. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if he could be kind enough to allow the retirees to re-submit the documents so that this issue of benefits can be expeditiously sorted out by the Government.

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, in fact, the process of verification and authentication of these documents involves a two way process. The Government has a set of documents and some retirees have their own. So, it is part of the process that there is submission, review, verification then payment. So, at some point when we cannot find each other because either the retiree does not have the information or we do not, then, the process gets longer. However, the commitment of the Government is to ensure that this information is verified within reasonable time. It is also in our intention that we pay the rest of these people because the bulk of them have been paid. We want to ensure that even the remainder of the retirees are paid. We will employ any means to find the information, verify it and pay them.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Sampa (Kasama Central): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether a study to restructure Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has been undertaken. Considering the Statutory Instrument (SI) that has been introduced to regulate heavy cargo transportation to be moved by rail, does that study include the introduction of a new railway gauge, which other countries are using today, especially looking at cargo vehicles that we have which are kind of restricted?

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, that is a very interesting question that the hon. Member has asked. Indeed, in being futuristic and understanding future demands of the market, we have looked at transitioning our railway system from the one we are currently using, which is a cape gauge, to a standard gauge, which has higher speeds. For example, when we carried out a study with Zambia Railways Limited which we concluded with the two Chinese companies, we broke up Zambia Railways Limited between Livingstone and Kafue, and Kafue to Chililabombwe. The technical proposes were looking at actually revamping the Zambia Railways Limited to attain speeds of up to 120 km per hour. Those are modern speeds and the market will appreciate them. So, the intentions of the Government, through my ministry, are to ensure that it adopts newer technologies and improve speeds to what the market requires.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

ZAWA OFFICERS’ CONDUCT IN CHASEFU CONSTITUENCY

 

254. Mr Zimba (Chasefu) asked the Minister of Tourism and Arts:

 

(a)        whether the Government was aware that Zambia Wildlife officers had been harassing and brutalising villagers under the pretext of arresting suspected poachers in Chasefu Parliamentary Constituency;

 

(b)        whether the Government was aware that the officers shot dead an eleven year old child and wounded its mother in Khupe Village on 26th March, 2018;

 

(c)        if so, whether the officers operated within the law;

 

(d)        if not, what deterrent measures were being taken against the erring officers; and

 

(e)        what measures were being taken to ensure that the officers operate within the law and also to promote harmony in the constituency and elsewhere in the country.

 

The Minister of Tourism and Arts (Mr Mawere): Madam Speaker, the Government is not aware of wildlife police officers harassing and brutalising villagers under the pretext of arresting suspected poachers in Chasefu Parliamentary Constituency. The ministry is only aware that wildlife police officers in Chasefu have been working with the Zambia Police Service from the Community Crime Prevention Unit in the area to enforce law.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government is aware that an eleven year old girl was accidentally shot and killed while the mother was wounded in the same incident in the same area.

 

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, 27^th March, 2018, police officers from the Community Crime Prevention Unit in the area requested for a pair of handcuffs from a wildlife officer, known as Clint Muzamba, which they later used to restrain a suspect who was detained in their custody at a community police post. The suspect was, however, forcefully recued out of cells by his relatives and managed to escape with the handcuffs.

 

Madam Speaker, this prompted wildlife officers from Chasato Wildlife Camp, together with the Community Crime Prevention Unit, to make a follow up in the village with a view to re-apprehend the suspect who was on the run. It was during this time that the villagers organised themselves and attacked the wildlife officers and the Community Crime Prevention Unit officers. In the process, a wildlife officer, Mr Clint Muzamba, was hit with a stick and fainted. He was then rushed to Nkhulinkhuli Health Centre and later taken to Kanyanga Zonal Health Centre for treatment.

 

Madam Speaker, two community scouts, known as Aaron Zimba and Leonard Ng’uni, and two Community Crime Prevention Unit officers known as Richard Banda and Kanaise Ng’uni, then, gave a chase to the person who assaulted Clint Muzamba. During the pursuit, the suspect fled into Kautuka Village. During that time, members of the community continued to attack the officers. The commotion resulted in an accidental shooting and killing of an innocent eleven year old girl known as Lucy Mumba and the wounding of her mother, Anne Makumo, aged fifty. was The victims were both from Kautuka Village in Senior Chief Magodi, in Lundazi District. The matter was officially reported to Emusa Police Post and later, to Lundazi Police Station. The two community scouts are currently detained at Lundazi Police Station to assist with the investigations of what really transpired.

 

Madam Speaker, the officers were operating within the law when they pursued a suspect who had run away from police custody with handcuffs, but not killing an innocent child.

 

Madam Speaker, investigations are still going on and the law will take its course if officers are found guilty. Wildlife officers have been instructed to seek authorisation of any planned action from supervisors to ensure that they operated within the law. It is also important that communities in constituencies are sensitised on the need to ensure that they do not obstruct operations of law enforcement officers. This will bring about peace and harmony among them.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.   

 

Mr Zimba: Madam Speaker, is the Community Crime Prevention Unit under the Zambia Police Service or not? The hon. Minister said that the suspect was detained at some police post. Therefore, why did wildlife officers not go with the police officers to pursue this suspect instead of going with the Community Crime Prevention Unit officers?

 

Mr Mawere: Madam Speaker, the Community Crime Prevention Unit officers are part of the Zambia Police Service and they work in conjunction with wildlife officers. This was a joint operation. In the first place, the suspect was handed over to the police by the wildlife officers after being apprehended.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, I would like to state that similar incidents have also happened in other areas and not only in Chasefu. In this particular incident, most of the officers who were apprehended were from Chama South Constituency. The place where the shooting happened is at the boundary of Chief Chikwa and Chief Magodi.

 

Madam Speaker, sometime back, there was an issue in an area called Chibele where, again, more than fifteen of our relatives were arrested and some, seriously injured, including a woman aged between sixty-seven and seventy. Do we have proper training for these wildlife personnel who, I believe, accidentally discharged that firearm on innocent citizens did it accidentally due to a lack of proper knowledge?

 

Mr Mawere: Madam Speaker, indeed, these officers are properly trained. It is just unfortunate that, sometimes, human beings get over zealous with machines that are in their possession. In my last response, I said that these officers are now under instruction to seek authorisation of any planned action from their supervisors or superiors to ensure that they operate within the law. Definitely going forward, you will see the ministry and the officers entrusted with this responsibility reorient these officers to refrain from using force when dealing with the community, but to dialogue and live in harmony.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mrs Jere (Lumezi): Madam Speaker, I am equally concerned about this issue because I also have a game management area (GMA) in my constituency. The scenario that happened in Chasefu and Chama South is the same as what happens in my constituency. In view of that, I am sure the hon. Minister has heard our lamentations on the Floor of this House. What plans should we expect the ministry to put in place to ensure that the wildlife officials do not harass and beat up people to the extent of killing them?

 

Mr Mawere: Madam Speaker, in appreciation of the question, the ministry has directed the Director of Wildlife Authority to ensure that the officers who are designated in various habitats of wildlife are adequately oriented on how best they should handle matters of that nature in the respective communities. They should not be confrontational in their operations because wrong-doers are part of the communities, which they should dialogue with and which, from time to time, should provide supportive measures in the quest to arrest suspects.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Dr Malama: Madam Speaker, a similar incident was reported in Chundaponde and the people are worried and up in arms against the wildlife officers. My question is a rider on the one about training. Is the Government making a deliberate effort to ensure that the department is well-resourced and that the officers are taught in community policing and is provided with proper armor to protect them from more vicious poachers? Is it making a deliberate effort so that the officers are also well-looked after because some of them are getting shot on certain occasions?

 

Mr Mawere: Madam Speaker, the answer lies in the directive that we have given the Director of Wildlife Authority. Actually, he is listening. He should be around here. We want him to ensure that all the concerns raised by the hon. Members of Parliament are considered because they will be part and parcel of the solution going forward. In terms of resources, definitely, this Government is committed to providing adequate resources and training to the officers who handle the machinery.

 

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Has the hon. Member for Mulobezi changed his mind?

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Mulobezi still has a chance if he wishes to ask a question.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chabi: Ema independent aya!

 

Mr Mandumbwa (Mulobezi): Madam Speaker, I have changed my mind.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Laughter

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Very well.

 

_________

 

MOTION

 

MOTION OF THANKS

 

(Debate resumed)

 

The Minister for Eastern Province (Mr M. Zulu): Madam Speaker, at the time we adjourned yesterday, I was discussing democracy and constitutionalism, as was put across by His Excellency the President. To recast my debate, allow me to quote once more what His Excellency the President said. In paragraph 41, His Excellency the President said:

 

“To enhance our country’s democratic principles, the Government developed a Political Parties Bill in 2017 in response to Article 60 of the Constitution. This Bill, once enacted, will provide for the registration and regulation of political parties and require them to uphold the tenets of democracy. The Bill is currently undergoing stakeholder consultation after which it will be brought before this House for enactment.”

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to emphasise the part where His Excellency the President said that the intention of the Bill is to require political parties to uphold tenets of democracy. It is very clear to note that a chicken will obviously have a chicken for its offspring, a donkey will have a donkey for its offspring …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: … and a democratic party will form a democratic Government.

 

Ms Siliya: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: It is far-fetched to expect an undemocratic party to form a democratic Government.

 

Ms Siliya: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: Madam Speaker, yesterday, I stated that a known party, in the name of the United Party for National Democracy (UPND), last held elections in 2006 and it expects to form a democratic Government when it has not renewed its mandate by way of elections in line with its constitution.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: That is undemocratic and you do not expect an undemocratic party to form a democratic government.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: Madam Speaker, we know that in this country, we get power not by osmosis or diffusion and neither is power sexually transmitted. However, it is by an election where a mandate is given …

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Honorable …

 

Mr M. Zulu: Madam Speaker, I certainly withdraw the part which may seem offensive and will say it is not by way of affiliation in any manner.

 

Mr Ngulube: Power is not a venereal disease.

 

Mr M. Zulu: Madam Speaker, in this particular case, I am saying that it is by way of an election and a party that does not uphold democratic tenets, such as regular elections to review or renew its mandate, cannot be expected to form a democratic government. I had a eureka moment yesterday when the hon. Member of Parliament for Chisamba quoted a Bemba saying which says, “umwana ushenda atasha nyina ukunaya,” which means that a child who does not visit or go to any other place apart from home always thinks his/her mother is the best cook. In this particular case, it is clear that a party that does not hold elections to renew its mandate expects to get into power not by an election, but by Motions such as an Impeachment Motion …

 

Ms Siliya: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: … or going to court because it is not used to elections within the party. So, it is clear that it has to renew its mandate by way of an election. In fact, I would say it is corruption of the highest sense to continue in a party without holding elections.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: Madam Speaker, before I am misunderstood, allow me to quote what corruption is. In my consultation with the dictionary, it says corruption is a form of dishonesty undertaken by a person entrusted with a position of authority often to acquire personal benefit. I will look at yet another definition, but with this definition, we could extrapolate and say any person within a party who knows that he/she ought to hold elections on a regular basis and chooses not to is corrupt.

 

Ms Kapata: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: In fact, it is corruption of the highest sense not to respect their own document which says they should have elections.

 

Madam Speaker, before I am misunderstood, perhaps, I should get another interpretation or another meaning of corruption. Wikipedia defines corruption as impairment of integrity, virtue or moral principle. It is impairment of integrity if you come into a political party through an election and decide to stay by way of an order or it becoming normal not to have an election. You renew your mandate only through an election, but it becomes an impairment of integrity and impairment of morals and, thus, qualifies to be called immoral if you do not respect the principles or the basis on which you came into power.

 

Madam Speaker, let me yet look at another definition of corruption. Corruption means a departure from the original, pure and correct. It is clear that our colleagues have departed from what is moral. They have departed from what is pure and correct by continuously going without elections for twelve years. It is for the people of Zambia to see through this on their own. Corruption begets corruption. If we are going to entrust any other person with power who is corrupt, you expect corruption of the highest sense. It is, thus, hypocrisy of the highest order to come to this House to debate and impute corruption on the part of the people on your right.

 

Madam Speaker, the very fact that, as a Government, we have been hesitant to respond to certain allegations does not necessarily mean that we are clueless to the fact that there is so much corruption in the Government. It is virtuous to be able to sit back and listen to criticism as you work behind the scene to clear the perceptions that have been created. However, for a corrupt person to impute corruption on yet on another is a higher degree of corruption in itself.

 

Madam Speaker, for example, this particular Motion is on morality and ethics, as discussed by His Excellency the President. When we talk of ethics, what are they? I did bother to consult the dictionary on the definition of ethics and it says moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conducting of activity.

 

Madam Speaker, I was taken aback not so long ago by a reaction from your left to Her Honour the Vice-President’s presentation, which reflected the highest levels of immorality.

 

Ms Siliya: Bad manners!

 

Mr M. Zulu: In fact, I dare say, it is bad manners and a higher degree of dishonesty to want to call on others to be honest when we are not honest in our behaviour and conduct. The followers who followed blindly without appreciating the circumstances of the case exhibited an even a higher degree of immorality or bad manners. For a common English adage does say that, “Manners maketh man.” It is not a suit that makes a man.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: It is not the speaking of English or any language or coming from a particular area that makes one a man, but it is the manners that make a man.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: In this particular case, it has been proved to the people of Zambia beyond reasonable doubt that we have people who are less of men, who are less of substance to be able to stand and withstand criticism as they expect others to withstand criticism in the same manner that they put across their points.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr M. Zulu: In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I dare say, in the light of good governance and integrity that His Excellency the President expects all of us to espouse, we call on the Zambians to continue urging all political players in this country to express higher levels of integrity and patriotism and to embrace good governance with all its tenets.

 

With these very few remarks, I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Well done!

 

The Minister in the Office of the Vice-President (Ms Chalikosa): Thank you Madam Speaker, …

 

Mr Ngulube: Wind up debate!

 

Laughter

 

Ms Chalikosa: … I wish to thank you for this opportunity to add my sentiments to the debate on Motion of Thanks to His Excellency, the President’s Address to this august House and to the nation on the progress made in the application of values and principles, enshrined under Article 9(2) of the Zambian Constitution.

 

On behalf of the people of Mpika and, indeed, the Zambian people, I wish to congratulate His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, …

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: … on a well-articulated speech.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: Madam Speaker, this address is very important as it provides an opportunity for the country to reflect on various issues affecting it and provide an avenue for national unity, dialogue and reconciliation.

 

Madam Speaker, in order not to be monotonous, the flow of my discussion will be in general terms, briefly touching on patriotism, national unity and values, democracy, Public Service ethics and morality.

 

Madam Speaker, some hon. Members on your left have constantly alleged that there has been no progress made in the application of values and principles under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

 

Madam, I wish to categorically state that it is barely two years since the country enshrined and begun implementing the constitutional provision on national values and principles. It is also clear from the speech on page 1, that His Excellency the President came to report mainly the measures the Government has taken to build a strong foundation for the application of national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, when we talk about values and principles at individual level, we are dealing with highly subjective standards of behaviour or judgments of what is important in life and what is held as basic truths. For this reason, the issue on national values and principles is influenced by people or society’s perceptions of what is readily acceptable as the right standard of behaviour. In Zambia today, we are experiencing a wave of global freedom of expression anytime and anywhere through the use of technology, in the name of smart phones, so much that we are struggling to differentiate between what is real and what is fictitious, what is photo-shopped and what is original. For those with a wicked mindset, social media is a perfect tool to promote negative propaganda.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: Think about the damage this can do to an innocent mind and, indeed, a whole nation. As such, progress in the application of values and principles cannot be attained overnight by a society as its standard of behaviour. Behavioural change is necessary and we must be willing to change.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: We must be willing to appreciate and conform to the standardised fundamental national values and principles that give us our national identity. We must be willing to identify as one people, as one Zambia and as one nation.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: This is why His Excellency the President, on page 3 of his address, recognises the fact that:

 

“The application of national values and principles is not a matter for Government alone, but the responsibility of every citizen, family, community, institution whether private or public and the Zambian Society at large.”

 

Madam Speaker, I listened to the ever contemptuous debate from the hon. Member of Parliament for Mbabala Constituency, as far as promotion of national unity is concerned. The hon. Member alleged that Zambia was facing serious human rights challenges and there was no freedom in the country under the PF Government.

 

To my dismay, the United Party for National Development (UPND) Members of Parliament, who, in the General Election of 2016, actively de-campaigned the Referendum on the Bill of Rights, are today perpetually singing the song ‘Love unknown’, playing holier than thou, …

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: … a double standard when it comes to dealing with many issues of national importance.

 

Madam Speaker, it is illogical that politicians who had asked people to vote ‘No’ in the 2016 Referendum are now cherry-picking which human rights they lack when they denied Zambians that opportunity to improve on the same human rights and guarantee them through the Constitution.

 

The PF Government led by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, …

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: … is committed to upholding all human rights instruments. The PF Government has nothing to hide …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: … and where cases of abuse of any human rights are reported, appropriate action is taken and reports documented.

 

Mrs Fundanga: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member went on to say that there was a breakdown in the rule of law and no freedom in Zambia under the PF Government, displaying a clear demonstration of perpetually playing victim to attract sympathy from the gallery of the international communities and tarnishing Zambia’s image for cheap political mileage.

 

Madam Speaker, when all is said and done, those platforms do not offer any votes back home. At most, if they get any financial and material support, it is likely to benefit those who seek it for very self-obsessed reasons. We are all aware of some opposition political leaders who have been on international media platforms speaking ill …

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Ms Chalikosa: Madam, before business was suspended, I was making a point on how the members of the UPND are perpetually playing victim to attract sympathy from the gallery of the international community and tarnishing Zambia’s image for cheap political mileage.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: Madam, when all is said and done, those platforms do not offer any votes back home.

 

Ho. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: If they get any financial and material support, it us most likely to benefit those who seek it for very obsessed reasons.

 

Ho. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: We are all aware of some opposition political leaders who have been on international media platforms speaking ill about the Zambian Government and passing disparaging remarks on the Judiciary and Legislature, this very dignified House, thereby, undermining the very country they dream to lead one day. 

 

Madam Speaker, what freedom is the Opposition crying for? Is it more freedom to disparage the Executive? There are over eighty-five radio stations, fifteen television stations, including more than ten newspaper firms operating freely and independently in Zambia, including this august House, …

 

Ho. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: … which the UPND is mishandling to perpetrate falsehoods. I hope the Zambian people can see the evil the UPND is doing to divide this country.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: Ubufi ubwafita fititi …

 

Ho. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: … meaning a black lie or complete untruths.  

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, the word ‘lie’ is unparliamentary.’ Please, pay attention to that.

 

Ms Chalikosa: May I emphasise that freedom goes with responsibility. Ultimately, the way someone treats people has a reciprocal effect.

 

Madam, there were further lamentations and accusations from the hon. Members on your left and in particular, hon. UPND Members, that there is a lot of political violence under the PF Administration. Again, I leave this for the Zambian people to judge because the ‘Mapatizya Formula’ remains the worst political violence ever recorded in Zambia’s post-Independence political history, …

 

Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: … yet there has never been any word of condemnation from the UPND leadership. If anything, it is glorified to intimidate the electorate.

 

Madam Speaker, the type of politics we choose determines the political atmosphere. Allow me to quote, in part, His Excellency the President’s Address regarding this issue on page 12:

 

  “If we approach politics as a dirty game, we are very much on the wrong course because politics is supposed to be an instrument of justice, fair play and good behaviour towards fellow human beings.”

 

Madam, the politics practiced by the people on your left, particularly, hon UPND Members, is that of being bitter critics of Government who are bent on regime change at all costs. One only needs to look at their facial expressions when they debate and wonder whether the Zambians would truly be protected if the current Opposition was ever to govern.

 

Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: Madam Speaker, the desperate action to move a Motion to impeach a legitimately elected President undermines the democratic institutions and poisons the atmosphere for political dialogue. When the PF was in the Opposition, it did not only criticise the Government of the day, but it also provided genuine alternative policy options and this helped us win the hearts of many Zambians, who eventually gave it the mandate to govern through the ballot.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: The PF Manifesto is there for all to see the wonderful plans the PF Government has for a better Zambia and it is fully committed to deliver.

 

Madam, His Excellency the President’s Address on page 13 recognises that:

 

“Zambia’s Multi-party democratic system of Government is enshrined in our Constitution, which stipulates a range of political mechanisms, including regular elections and competition among political parties and candidates.”

 

Madam Speaker, it is here that I would like to draw the hon. Members on the left to a common metaphor that when you point one accusing finger at another, at least, three fingers are pointing towards you. Can our friends inform the nation and this august House how many intra-party elections they have had since 2006.

 

Ms Siliya: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: How many intra-party elections have we heard of taking place within the UPND that they should shout the loudest “no freedom!”? I can safely confirm that the PF will hold intra-party elections at the lower levels effective July, 2018, and culminate in the general conference where the national leaders will equally by elected, as per PF Constitution.

 

Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: Madam Speaker, after every five years, the people of Zambia are given the opportunity to choose their leaders irrespective of cast, creed, tribe and gender, such that humble people like our very own beloved His Excellency President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, became the President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: In a democracy, if an elected person fails to deliver, he or she can be replaced in the next elections and, if so desired by the electorate, can equally be given multiple chances restricted only by the Constitution.

 

Madam Speaker, I, therefore, urge the people on the left, in particular hon. UPND Members, to recognise the fact that, at least, in Zambia, for now, one can only get into State House via the ballot and not through the back door or using other underhand methods.

 

Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa: The Impeachment Motion is a desperate sign that the UPND is not ready to face the PF in 2021 and that it has no manifesto to sell to the Zambian people.

Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Chalikosa:  In performing its watchdog function, the UPND pounces with greatest vigour on any temporary setback the PF Government experiences instead of providing positive criticism.

 

Madam Speaker, page 13 of His Excellency the President’s Address has further recognised that:

 

“Dialogue among political players is one of the key elements in the promotion of democracy and accommodation of divergent views and a way of resolving differences through non-violent means.”

 

Madam, in his address, His Excellency the President also recognises that:

 

         “There cannot be unity without dialogue.”

 

Madam, this is a basic principle that is practiced at family level, between a husband and wife, a brother and sister, a mother and daughter or a father and son to mention just a few examples.

 

Madam Speaker, for this reason, any crafty method employed by the Opposition to usurp legitimate power is not only disrespectful to His Excellency the President, but also against the spirit in which this address was delivered by him. The UPND must accept that the people voted in 2016 and they will vote again in 2021 for the leadership they desire. At the rate the UPND is going, I agree with the words of Stanley King, the eleventh President of Amherst College in the United States of America (USA), who said:

 

“Democracy is threatened by the inertia of good people, the selfishness of most people and by the evil designs of a few people.”

 

Madam Speaker, many of the debaters both on your left and on your right have talked about the issue of corruption. Instead of politicking, let us be patriotic Zambians and do our part to join the fight against corruption.

 

Madam, the PF Government is committed to the fight against corruption and His Excellency the President in this speech, on page 22, highlights what the Government is doing to fight the scourge. This is evident by the on-going establishment of integrity committees in the ministries, provinces and other spending agencies in line with the provision of the new Anti-Corruption Act.

 

Further, Madam Speaker, once the Public Financial Management Bill is legislated, it will strengthen the financial regulatory framework to effectively deal with financial mismanagement. This will take care of issues to do with value for money on procurement of goods and services as well as improve accountability in the management of revenue collected through taxes and other sources.

 

Madam Speaker, hon. Members on your left also raised issues pertaining to public officers who have either been retired in national interest or dismissed from the Civil Service for various offences. I question the genuineness of this concern and can only imagine what influence could have been there to perpetrate the behaviour of some public servants which may have backfired.

 

I wish to put it on record, however, that the civil servants behaviour and conduct is regulated by a code of ethics, disciplinary code and terms and conditions of service for Public Service workers. The code of ethics outlines broad principles of basic values and behavioural standards that call for a high level of efficiency, loyalty and hard work of public officers. It is also designed to enhance public confidence in the Public Service. Therefore, any extreme departure from the provisions of these regulations naturally attracts disciplinary measures.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Katuba passionately talked about respecting people for who they are, regardless of their status in society, and specifically discussed the displacement of the local people from their land by foreigners in the name of investors. I wish to assure hon. Members in this House that the PF Government is concerned with issues of displacement of the local people from their native land. The PF Government is addressing the topic of land management through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. This House will agree that there is an urgent need to conclude the Land Policy, which addresses some of the contentious issues.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President highlighted the need to address human dignity, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination. As can be observed, the newly-created Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance is a vehicle through which this Government can entrench strong national values and principles. We recall the rejection of Zodwa wa bantu coming to perform acts perceived to be morally corrupting against our values as a Christian nation. Zodwa’s coming no doubt would have seen a high level of gender-based violence (GBV) against men, not forgetting the negative moral impact on both the girl and boy child, whom the PF Government is working to protect.

 

Madam Speaker, all in all, the progress made in the application of national values and principles, as presented by His Excellency the sitting President of the Republic of Zambia up to 2021, is truly inspiring and full of hope. The PF Government in whom the Zambian people have placed their trust, and working with patriotic Zambians who sincerely treasure national values and principles, will deliver to guarantee yet another mandate to govern this great nation come 2021.

 

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, when all is said and done, we all have an opportunity to make a positive difference in our lives. That difference starts with all of us. I fully support the Motion.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Central Province (Mr Mushanga): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for according me an opportunity to speak on behalf of the good people of Bwacha Parliamentary Constituency in particular and Central Province in general. I am greatly delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to the debate on this Motion of Thanks to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on his address to this august House on the progress made in the application of national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, the President’s Address was very insightful and provides hon. Members of Parliament and leaders with much more to think about even as we serve the people of this great country. His Excellency the President ably highlighted that the application of national values and principles is not a matter for the Government or President alone, but is the responsibility of every citizen, family and community, including institutions whether private or public.

 

It is gratifying that His Excellency the President reminded us, as a nation, to revisit and assess our role and take up our responsibility in the promotion of national values and principles. We need to encourage our constituents and engage at different levels as we support His Excellency the President’s vision of promoting national values and principles. This will ensure that our development is anchored on strong moral fiber and national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President of this great nation informed this august House that the inculcating of morals and ethical behaviour in our citizens and ensuring that they live a positive value-centred life remains a priority of his Government. In Central Province, for example, the Government has embarked on a programme to engage stakeholders at the district level in order to promote the inculcating of these national values and principles in our people. These efforts include soliciting support from traditional leaders and other key stakeholders so that we build strong morals and values in our children and general citizenry for better communities and Zambia at large.

 

Madam Speaker, the Head of State noted that the Government has observed, with concern, the deterioration of morals. This is being evidenced by high prevalence of teen pregnancies, early marriages, increase in the misapplication of public funds, poor work culture and alcohol and substance abuse among our people, especially youths.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President further informed this august House of the various interventions that the Government has undertaken to address these challenges. These include development of codes of ethics to regulate the conduct and behaviour of Public Service officers. A code of ethics, particularly for teachers, is now in place and will help build morally upright and ethical teachers who will be role models and will help build learners who are disciplined and of high moral standards and ethics.

 

Madam Speaker, these efforts that the Government is undertaking should be commended and supported by all well-meaning Zambians, including non-Zambians, and those in the Opposition. In line with the President’s Address, my team in the Central Province has been engaging and collaborating with the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs and ministries responsible for education and youths to ensure that these national values and principles, which are our pillars, are supported and inculcated in the lives of young people.

 

Madam Speaker, the challenges of teenage pregnancies, early marriages, alcohol and substance abuse, examination malpractices and general bad behaviour among our citizenry, especially young people, need concerted efforts to be addressed, as mentioned by His Excellency the President. Therefore, as a province, we have started engaging traditional leaders to help them appreciate the importance of national values and principles and solicit for their support in promoting good morals and ethics among our citizens.

 

Madam Speaker, this august House was informed by His Excellency the President that in order to address alcohol and substance abuse among our young people, the Government has undertaken various programmes in the Central Province aimed at addressing this challenge by equipping them with skills, equipment and start-up capital. In 2017, His Excellency’s Government supported 2,667 youth street vendors with loans, empowered 1,000 youth with motorised cargo tricycles and secured information and communication technology (ICT) equipment for establishing business centres for 600 youths across the country.

 

In the Central Province, sixty youths benefitted from the ICT equipment, 110 youths benefited from the motorised cargo tricycles and 200 young people were empowered with loans. This is not a mean achievement and its impact will go a long way in improving the lives of our young people and their families in the province. Only when young people are fully involved will our development interventions, as a country, be sustainable. We need to encourage and give reason to our young people to have a sense of pride for being Zambian. To ensure that young people adequately participate in development programmes, we, in the Central Province, have been holding orientations in districts, targeting young people, on the empowerment and development programmes the Government is undertaking. This has provided a platform for us to listen to the young people and let them know what the Government is doing to help them develop their ideas and succeed in their various aspirations.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President highlighted that patriotism and national unity are the corner stone for socio-economic development passed on to us by our founding fathers and mothers. Many people came together to fight the cholera outbreak in our towns. This is commendable and is a clear demonstration that what binds us together, as Zambians, is greater than what seeks to divide us. We are, indeed, one Zambia, one nation, and not one Zambia, one side, as others say.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushanga: In the Central Province, we have continued the fight against cholera by giving information to our people and providing clean drinking water through sinking of boreholes, with support from co-operating partners. I heard the hon. Member of Parliament for Chisamba, which is in the Central Province, mention that no boreholes have been sunk in the Central Province. However, boreholes have been sunk in the province. When you are an hon. Member of Parliament who does not visit your constituency, that is what happens. You tend to have incorrect information about what is happening in your area. The commissioning of boreholes in the Central Province was done some time back with our cooperating partners, including the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government is undertaking various programmes and interventions in the Central Province aimed at promoting and sustaining national unity and patriotism among our citizens. Some of the programmes include sensitisation of our citizens on ensuring that they appreciate and respect national symbols and emblems, such as our national flag, national anthem, coat of arms, the public seal and the national motto. I have observed that when we are singing the national anthem in this House, the people on the left do not participate. I wonder if these people are from Zambia.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushanga: Madam Speaker, in the Central Province, we are working to ensure that these national symbols and emblems are given the respect they deserve. We are working with Government offices and departments to ensure that the national flag in public places is in a good and acceptable condition. When our national flag is torn, it does not reflect well on our pride of our motherland. Therefore, the guidance that these national symbols and emblems be respected, should be supported.

 

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues, including those on the left, to take interest in the status of the national flag in their constituencies as its status sends a message on how we view and appreciate our country. Leaders from all walks of life should be happy to be Zambians and they should be patriotic. Leaders should not speak ill of their country whether in or outside the country. Doing so amounts to practising witchcraft and shows that they lack morals.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, withdraw the word “Witchcraft.”

 

Mr Mushanga: Madam Speaker, leaders who speak ill of their country have no morals.

 

Madam Speaker, the Central Province is planning to host an investment forum from 16^th to 20^th October, 2018. Through this conference, we intend to showcase the beauty of our province and encourage businesses, both local and foreign, to invest, produce and export goods instead of always depending on imports. We have resources that we want to harness and exploit in a sustainable manner for the benefit of our people in the province. We want to produce quality products that will compete favourably with foreign products so that as we urge our people to buy Zambian products, we will do so knowing very well that we are giving them products of equal or superior quality. We need to support Zambian products and grow our economy.

 

Madam Speaker, respecting and upholding human dignity, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination are key to the development of any nation. His Excellency highlighted several steps that his Government is taking to ensure that we uphold these national values. The provision of decent housing and other infrastructure and implementation of multi-sectoral programmes on gender-based violence (GBV), in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), are some of the programmes the Government, under the able and practical leadership of His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia, is implementing.

 

Madam Speaker, it is in the public domain that, so far, 8,669 girls who had dropped out of school for various reasons, such as a lack of financial support, GBV and teenage pregnancies, are being supported with school fees in sixteen districts across our country. This is, indeed, commendable work and all should applaud it. As though that is not enough, 1,055,760 learners were supported under the School Feeding Programme in 2,700 communities in thirty-eight districts. This is another milestone that this Government has scored that deserves recognition and appreciation. All these programmes are being implemented by the practical and humble leadership of His Excellency the President of this great nation, who was given the mandate to govern this nation by the people on 11^th August, 2016.

 

 

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to note, and I am sure that my fellow Members of Parliament, especially those on your left will agree with me, that unless our efforts of steering this great country towards the desired development pathways are anchored on a strong moral ethical fibre, they will not yield the desired results. Therefore, the President’s Address to this House should serve as a reminder and challenge us all to conduct our business in an exemplary manner and aid our various constituencies in developing strong morals and ethics needed to steer this country to the desired development.

 

Madam Speaker, as leaders, we should take a lead in demonstrating high standards of moral and ethical conduct that inspire our people, especially our children. We, the hon. Members of this august House, should take a lead in the much-talked about fight against corruption. We should show selflessness and diligence in our execution of duty. We need to demonstrate unity and patriotism beyond our various political divides.

 

Madam Speaker, I am confident that our Government, under the good leadership of His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, will continue to change and transform the lives of our people. I have no doubt that together we can, and together we will change this country and the lives of its people.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for Western Province (Mr Mubukwanu): Madam Speaker, let me register my deep appreciation for this opportunity you have given me to render some few remarks on His Excellency the President’s Address to this House on the progress made on the application of national values and principles delivered on 16^th March, 2018.

 

Madam Speaker, the President’s Address was not without some sense of humour as His Excellency appropriately complimented our colleagues on your left, who chose to adorn themselves in Valentine’s colours in March.

 

Madam Speaker, listening to most of the debates made thus far on this Motion, one gets an impression that this was an evaluation of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government and party. In some instances, we saw an over concentration of debates on politics and projects as opposed to the application of national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, I know that His Excellency spoke quite in detail about all the values and principles, as they are contained in the Republican Constitution. However, allow me to concentrate on a few of them, some which include democracy and good governance. Whereas we, in the PF, have made significant strides in the implementation of national values and principles, every citizen, including corporate entities, is expected to do the same. We cannot grow our democracy if key players choose to ignore the tenets of democracy as they go about the respective missions that they exist for. We can build democracy only if we are willing to invest substantially in democratic processes.

 

Madam Speaker, as a party in Government, we have firmly embraced these principles. Since our party’s formation, our leaders, both past and present, have gone to seek or renew their mandate from those they lead, which is their general membership, as prescribed in our party constitution. On the contrary, some political organisations, such as the United Party for National Development (UPND) which, unless proven otherwise, is a much older political institution than the PF, have no record of holding periodic conventions since 2006. The current leaders of the UPND have turned themselves into patriarchs and crown princes or people who do not wish to be subjected to the electoral process. This is contrary to democratic principles.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia’s Address to this House did encourage the people of Zambia not only to embrace patriotism, but promote unity as well. The unity which we continue to enjoy is a deliberate collective effort by our founding fathers and mothers.

 

Madam Speaker, this, therefore, places a huge moral obligation on the current generation not to lose the momentum, but to build on it because it is a firm foundation. The diversity of our country, as a mosaic, is the envy of the world at large.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubukwanu: Madam Speaker, his Excellency the President of this country fully recognises the importance of this unity and continues to walk the talk. In this respect, he has pledged never to leave anyone behind, including regions of this country. Through the grid extension, the North-Western Province is now connected to endless opportunities. This is something that has never happened from the time this country got its Independence.

 

Madam Speaker, instead of the UPND demonstrating to this House its commitment to national values and principles, its behaviour has been divisive. Its effort, to the contrary, is to strengthen regional unity. We know that during the 2016 General Elections, for example, the North-Western Province rendered 100 per cent support to the UPND by giving it all the seats in the province. However, all that support was in vain, as demonstrated by the sharing of positions of leadership, particularly in this House.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubukwanu: Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition and Opposition Whip are key positions, which have been given to people from the same region, which region their party leader hails from.

 

Hon. Government Members: Shame!

 

Mr Mubukwanu: Madam Speaker, what message does this send to the people of Zambia on the importance of national unity and inclusive participation, especially those who follow these ideals blindly?

 

Madam Speaker, a realisation of these values is a collective effort and remains a challenge for the people of Zambia. I wish to urge us, in Government, to remain focused and keep our eyes on the ball and never be distracted by those who never mean well for this country, as the people of Zambia have placed this noble duty on the shoulders of the PF, under the leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mubukwanu: Madam Speaker, with these very few remarks, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for Southern Province (Dr Hamukale): Madam Speaker, I am delighted to have this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on the well-articulated speech regarding the progress made in the application of national values and principles, which was delivered on Friday, 16^th March, 2018. I would like to join my many colleagues in affirming that, indeed, under the governance of His Excellency, Zambia has made tremendous strides in implementing the national values and principles, as enshrined in the Constitution. With his great leadership and support, this country stands a chance to attain the Vision 2030 becoming a prosperous middle income nation by 2030.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to boast today that the Southern Province is a clean province free of street vendors. We took the initiative, but we owe it all to the support of His Excellency the President who made it a nationwide campaign. This is an achievement that no other leader has attained. We thank His Excellency for that leadership.

 

Madam Speaker, we also have many of young districts in the South Province such, as Chikankata, Pempa and Kazungula

 

Mr K. Tembo: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: I urge my fellow hon. Members of Parliament to come to buy plots on the frontage of Lake Kariba which will soon be a wonderful town. I invite them to invest their gratuity there. For those who are still single, we have raised beautiful and cultured young ladies who can make very good wives to executives like the hon. Members in this House.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sikazwe: Question!

 

Mr Sichone: Tonga bull!

 

Dr Hamukale: This is what we have achieved under His Excellency, President Lungu.

 

Laughter

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister of Southern Province, I am not so sure that you should advertise the beautiful girls of the Southern Province in that fashion. They will choose their own partners when the time is right.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister of Southern Province has got a lot of attractions in South Province that he can advertise and not the young ladies. Please, continue.

 

Mr Sichone: Tonga bull!

 

Dr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, thank you for your guidance. All I am saying is that our ladies are now more cultured than they were in the past ...

 

Mr Chabi: Compared to where?

 

Laughter

 

Dr Hamukale: ... making them real candidates for executives.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, I hope you are getting my guidance. Women are not objects to be advertised in that fashion. Please, refrain from that. You are doing so well so far.

 

Dr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, thank you for your guidance.

 

Madam Speaker, in the Southern Province, we have been grappling with the challenge of political choices. Our people in the Southern Province are unable to freely make their political decisions because of intimidation, cases of arson and all manner of mockery for simply belonging to a party that is not dominant in the area.

 

Mr Mushanga: Which one?

 

Dr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, the United Party for National Development (UPND) has been threatening any citizen of the Southern Province who wants to make a political choice. All of us should work hard to ensure that we become politically liberal and allow our people to make their own political choices, including the PF.

 

Madam Speaker, we live in a province where there is no tolerance of divergent ideas. In the past, we had political heroes like Mr Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, Mr Elijah Mudenda, Mr Kebby Musokotwane and Mr Mainza Chona. When Mr Elijah Mudenda ascended to the position of Vice-President, it did not bother Mr Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula. If anything, he went to congratulate him. However, when Hon. Greyford Monde was appointed Minister of Livestock, it became an issue because he belonged to a certain political party. When, Mr Kebby Musokotwane in his thirties, became Prime Minister of this land, all the other elders of that wonderful province congratulated him. However, when Mr Richwell Siamunene became Minister of Defence, he was treated as if he had broken the Ten Commandments. Under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, we feel such behaviours are in the sunset of their lives.

 

Madam Speaker, we also need to think outside the box in that we are a member state of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and the larger community of the United Nations (UN). A person of the stature and integrity of His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and the likes of my mother, Her Honour the Vice-President, are seen as future reservoirs of wisdom in southern Africa to be consulted when mediation is required between countries.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: I see a Nelson Mandela in President Lungu because they have a lot of similarities. Both are lawyers and very tall.

 

Laughter

 

Dr Hamukale: Why not allow some of our citizens to grow so that they become useful at a higher level as opposed to confining them to inward looking ideologies which will not take us anywhere?

 

Hon. Government Members: Hammer, hammer!

 

Dr Hamukale: We need Kenneth Kaundas and Nelson Mandelas of tomorrow.

 

Mr Kampyongo interjected.

 

Dr Hamukale: We need to progress. Most former parliamentarians who have been ministers should begin to occupy positions in the UN. Why not? We are members.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: Why should we waste time fighting each other as if we are not from one country? There are much bigger challenges to conquer out there than fighting each other.

 

Madam Speaker, I love my country dearly and I am a patriot. It is morally wrong for someone who has never even been a councillor, Member of Parliament or worked for the Government, not even at a parastatal, to aspire to become the President of this land.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Subulwa: Hammer!

 

Dr Hamukale: President Kaunda started as a councillor and rose all the way up to the level of Prime Minister until he became President. He was ready for the position. President Mwanawasa, SC., was a councillor in Chipulukusu in Ndola. He rose to Vice-President and when the time came to lead this nation, he was ready for the position.

 

Hon. Government Members: He was also a Member of Parliament.

 

Dr Hamukale: Why should we risk our future and that of our children by handing this wonderful land into the hands of inexperienced people who think being a President is a business transaction?

 

Hon. Government Members: It is dangerous.

 

Dr Hamukale: There is no shortage of leadership in Zambia. We only have suppressed people who have no opportunity to rise. Zambia is more important than all of us.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, economic diversification falls under Pillar I. Thus far, the Southern Province, under the Irrigation Development Support Programme, has managed to conclude the rehabilitation works of many dams which will ensure that agricultural growth is achieved.

 

Madam Speaker, under the programme for the establishment of livestock artificial insemination centres, construction works for the Kalomo centre are complete while those for the Namwala centre are at foundation level.

 

Madam Speaker, the programme on the construction of ninety dip tanks in the Southern Province is still ongoing although works have stalled in some areas owing to funding challenges. Chikankata District has recorded the completion of construction of three dip tanks and the rehabilitation of three dip tanks.

 

Madam Speaker, other notable projects in this area include the construction of the Kanchindu Breading Centre in Sinazongwe around Sinazeze, construction of an aqua park in Gwembe and the construction of a regional diagnostic laboratory in Choma.

 

Madam Speaker, under Pillar II, poverty and vulnerability, the programme worth noting is the Social Cash Transfer Programme, which currently has a total of 66,600 target beneficiaries per annum. This implies annual expenditure of around K60 million for the Southern Province only each financial year.

 

Madam Speaker, other notable programmes in the category are child economic empowerment programmes, the food security packs and supporting women livelihood programmes which are among the on-going programmes that have made an impact in the improvement of livelihoods within the region.

 

Madam Speaker, under Pillar IV, which is enhanced human development, it is an honour to mention that works on the Munyumbwe District Hospital Phase I Project were concluded at a cost of K10 million. As you will recall, the hospital was commissioned by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, in 2017. Phase II of this project, which includes works on the maternity and theatre, are still on-going and we are hopeful that they shall be concluded as per the contractors’ work plan.

 

Madam Speaker, Namwala District Hospital phases I and II were completed and are currently in use while III, which comprises children’s wards and other additional works is currently on-going. In Gwembe District, we also recorded a completion of construction works for Ntanga Clinic and some staff houses in Bondo area. Works under this pillar include ninety-nine health posts earmarked for the Southern Province. Of these, thirty-one health posts have been handed over to the Ministry of Health to finalise with works while four of the thirty-one health posts have since been commissioned.

 

In addition, Madam Speaker, construction of the Shungu Namutitima Day Secondary School in Livingstone, Ndondi High School, and Sinazongwe Day Secondary School are currently at various levels of completion. The programme on the gazetting of schools exceeded planned progress and the province currently stands at seventy gazzetted secondary schools and 127 gazzetted primary schools, as opposed to the planned seventy-three schools combined.

 

Madam Speaker, to increase accessibility to adequate, safe and clean drinking water, we are currently implementing a programme to drill a total of 500 boreholes in partnership with co-operating partners. So far, thirty-two boreholes have been drilled and equipped in Kalomo, Gwembe and Mazabuka districts at an estimated cost of K1.3 million collectively.

 

Madam Speaker, we also handed over about seven tricycles under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development in the Southern Province which have empowered quite a number of youths and this is commendable of the Government.

 

Madam Speaker, under Pillar V, which is good governance, a programme to enhance the decentralisation process as well as promote inclusiveness in the governance process, has received prominence in the form of creating ward development committees. So far, the province has recorded the establishment of seventy-two functional ward development committees.

 

Madam Speaker, under Presidential pronouncements, sixteen solar milling plants have since been installed. The benefiting co-operatives are currently waiting for plant operations as well as modalities of market linkages to ensure off-take of their produce. I also wish to let the nation know, through this august House, that now Dundumwezi is connected to telecommunication.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, the Zambia Telecommunication Company Limited (ZAMTEL) installed four towers and now the whole Zambia can talk to our citizens in Dundumwezi.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: This is a job well done to His Excellency the President, Her Honour the Vice-President and, indeed, to the hon. Minister of Transport and Communication. These are initiatives that really create an impact in the lives of the people.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you and fellow hon. Members of this august House for giving heed to development issues arising from the Southern Province, as presented. This is the land that I invite everyone to visit for plots, investing of their gratuity and all other issues that are not mentioned here under.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for Muchinga Province (Mr Sichone): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on this particular Motion.

 

Madam Speaker, may I also register, on behalf of the people of Muchinga and Isoka, the gratitude to His Excellency the President on his delivery of a very touching report on the Floor of this House to the nation.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: We actually thank him for, again, re-energising the spirit of focusing on national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, I will just pick a particular focus which is basically on moral values. In this country, we almost lost it. It was somewhere in the late eighties to the nineties that we started to see a serious degradation of values in people of this country.

 

Madam Speaker, you may recall that in the past, when one was travelling, probably on a bus or was in a public place and happened to chance a seat before an elderly person did, all young people were taught from their homes to give up that seat for an elderly person unless he/she refused to take it. We recall very well that in those days, it was uncalled for and unheard of for anybody to insult the Head of State.

 

Ms Kapata: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: President Kaunda served his tenure without people insulting him openly like they insult the Head of Sate now. This shows a serious degradation of morals we have experienced leading to moral bankruptcy.

 

Madam Speaker, in the history of this House, in particular, we have never seen individuals openly protest against the Chair and choose to walk out and abandon business. That is all being caused by moral bankruptcy.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwamba: Ni corruption!

 

Mr Sichone: The country has literally lost morals.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Apopene apo!

 

Mrs Mwanakatwe: Kokolapo!

 

Mr Sichone: The United Party for National Development (UPND) has brought in a new era, which, from my understanding, is emanating from the loss of values, that is, the said moral bankruptcy.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwamba: You are right.

 

Mr Sichone: Madam Speaker, it quite surprising that a morally upright person, like His Excellency the President is putting it in his report, can cling to a position after losing several times.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: A morally upright person cannot appear on a ballot paper for the same position for over five times.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kafwaya: Chakana!

 

Mr Sichone: Our colleagues, particularly those from the UPND, need to realise that internal moral bankruptcy in a political party closes opportunities to probably taste the whims of authority. It is this kind of moral bankruptcy that has led to us having the same image as a presidential candidate which keeps losing all the time. I think for HH and the UPND, it is high time …

 

Madam Fist Deputy Speaker: No, you may not mention that name here.

 

Laughter

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I am allowing you to debate generally.

 

Mr Sichone: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The rule, hon. Member, is that you should not mention individuals who are not able to come to defend themselves. For that reason, you will withdraw that reference.

 

Mr Sichone: I take note, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to also probably talk about corruption. First of all, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has demonstrated to this country that he believes that corruption is a cancer and it has to be rooted out.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sichone: He has demonstrated, Madam Speaker, by even disappointing some of his ministers. It is through this route that others are even appearing before the investigative wings.

 

Madam Speaker, due to the degradation of morals, we have seen even those who have been reported to be corrupt running ahead of everyone in an attempt to tell the nation that they are coming from an institution which is corrupt. I think it is high time people realised that someone cannot take Zambians for a ride. Someone cannot be a comedian and pursue an agenda by bringing into disrepute an institution which they had worked for, for example.

 

Madam Speaker, recently, we saw a situation whereby someone wanted to take on His Excellency the President for a “punch for punch” just because he was trying to fight corruption. As the President was just wearing his gloves, this person fainted.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Sichone: Madam Speaker, let us get our values right. Let us get back to a society that believes in uprightness.

 

Mr Mwamba: Punch for punch!

 

Mr Sichone: Madam Speaker, someone fainted before His Excellency the President could wear his gloves. That is as a result of moral degradation.  Such people are being driven by greed and other bad elements that are not good for this country.

 

Madam Speaker, as I get to conclude, allow me to mention that tribalism and nepotism, which are other forms of corruption, have actually taken a centre stage in this country. We are seeing a situation where even after undertaking an employment exercise in the country, people are still crying for employment. This could probably be due to one tribe or those paying the highest bribe being given jobs. I think this is what His Excellency the President is saying must be stopped.  

 

Madam Speaker, the address by the President also highlighted the cases of gender-based violence (GBV). In the past, we never used to hear about such issues. I do not think people were not reporting such matters. We never used to hear of men and women exchange blows in homes and even killing each other. It is so sad to note from the President’s Address that GBV cases have increased from 18,540 to about 21,504. This is a very huge increase in a year. I must say that all of us, as leaders, need to rise to the task and ensure that this issue gets addressed.

 

Madam Speaker, having said so, the people of Muchinga and Isoka, in particular, are so proud of His Excellency the President. They wish to register that they will continue loving him.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for Copperbelt Province (Mr Mwakalombe): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me an opportunity to support the address of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, to this august House on the progress made in the application of national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, I stand on the Floor of this House to represent the people of Chongwe Constituency and the mighty Copperbelt Province. First and foremost, I want to mention here that the rate at which culture is being imported into this nation is scary. People have lost identity to a point where they would want to imitate the voice projection of other people. Some people want to come to demonstrate in this august House what they watch on television.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mwakalombe: Madam Speaker, it is very worrying to see leaders of political parties, who are also vying for Presidency, parading themselves outside this continent and speaking negatively about our beautiful country. These are the same people who are saying that they will fix it when they come back to Zambia. How will they do that when they are actually scaring away investors who are supposed to come to this country? This is worrying. It is no wonder that when one seeks employment, the potential employer requests for his/her work experience because it can tell him/her how this person has performed in the past. Appraisals are part of employment. If a person has never been appraised, it means that his/her performance is unknown and this can pose a threat to an organisation he/she wants to serve.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwakalombe: Madam Speaker, I am speaking like this because I have seen that some people are not serving Zambians. They instead, are serving their businesses which are outside this country. When these people lose elections for about four to five times, they start questioning themselves when they will reap what they have sown. This has made them panic to a point where they are now thinking of using the shortest route to State House, which is to paint others black.

 

Madam Speaker, in this country, it has become the norm for people to paint those in the Ruling Party black so that the citizens of this country can turn against them, yet they are not offering solutions. We have heard them promise the people of Zambia to do this and that when they come into power, but the question is: How will they to do it? They have actually not said how they will to do it.

 

Madam Speaker, I, therefore, wish to align that statement to the question of morals. If people are morally upright, they will speak the truth. When there is a challenge in the country, they will be able to inform the nation that there is a challenge. Those who are not morally up right will always promise the people manna even where there is no manna. 

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mwakalombe: Madam Speaker, I also want to mention that the Zambian people must be very careful with leaders who talk about fixing things when they have no alternative ideas. We want to see people who are upright.

 

Madam Speaker, corruption does not only involve monetary terms, but also in what people say. If somebody has to lie in order to corrupt other people’s minds, that is corruption.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, withdraw the word, “lie.”

 

Mr Mwakalombe: Madam Speaker, if someone cannot not tell the truth about something, that is corruption. 

 

Madam Speaker, indeed, a nation without values …

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1810 hours until 1803 hours.

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

 

MATCH BETWEEN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOOTBALL CLUB AND NKANA FOOTBALL CLUB

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, before we proceed with our business, I have an announcement to make.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I wish to inform the House that the National Assembly Football Club …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … will play Nkana Football Club …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … at Woodlands Stadium tomorrow Friday, 30^th March, 2018, at 1500 hours. To avoid overcrowding at the stadium, interested hon. Members are encouraged to purchase the tickets for the match in advance. The tickets are being sold at the reception desk and the prices are

 

Ticket Type                                                                                           Amount (K)

 

Very Important Person (VIP)                                                                   100

 

 Grand Stand                                                                                              50

 

 Open Wing                                                                                               20

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kampyongo: We shall support them.

 

As the House is adjourning today, I urge all hon. Members to purchase the tickets …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … in order to support our very vibrant National Assembly Football Club.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Musukwa: Ema ticket aya!

 

__________

 

Mr Mwakalombe: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was saying that, indeed, a nation without values and principles stands out as one without direction and one that can easily be swayed to adopt ways that are detrimental to its existence. In addressing this House, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, spoke on a number of issues, some of which the province has made progress on.

 

Morality and Ethics

 

Madam Speaker, on alcohol and substance abuse that has increased due to our youth sitting idly, the Department of Youth has embarked on empowering the youth in the province through the offering of land for farming in Mpongwe District. This is in an attempt to make the youths productive persons of society. Furthermore, the construction and equipping of youth skills development infrastructure is underway in Masaiti, Luanshya. This Chililabombwe and this will ensure that adequate facilities are available for our youths to access various skills training.

 

Patriotism and National Unity

 

Madam Speaker, for each person to call himself or herself a proud citizen of a country, they should be able to undertake selfless acts of love for their country. In this, we have perfect examples from our founding fathers who sacrificed their lives for us to have a nation we call our own. We saw a glimpse of this in how various citizens pulled their strengths together to fight the outbreak of cholera.

 

Madam Speaker, furthermore, in effort to remind our people the importance of our national emblems and symbols, the provincial administration recently replaced the old flag with a new one. Additionally, an inventory of all public institutions needing new flags is underway, with a view to replace them.

 

Madam Speaker, I must also report to this House that it is now mandatory that all the three stanzas of the national anthem are sung at all State functions, developmental meetings and public gatherings in the province. The display of indigenous artifacts is an excellent way of showing the world who we are and a constant reminder for our people of where they come from. As the provincial administration, we shall endeavour to adhere to this directive by ensuring that the identified institutions and departments in the province adhere to this directive.

 

Human Dignity, Social Justice, Equality and Non-discrimination

 

Madam Speaker, one of the major issues of concern under this issue is the matter of gender based violence (GBV). Despite numbers being high, it is gratifying to note that more and more people are reporting these incidents which, through the various strategies employed by the Government, will soon reduce. To respond to this, the provincial administration constituted a committee of various institutions which sensitised and advocated on GBV during the Sixteen Days of Gender Activism in 2017.

 

Madam Speaker, in an effort to reduce developmental inequalities in the country, the Government has been constructing a lot of infrastructure in various parts of the country. The province can attest to this by the number of projects currently going on, especially in three rural districts. Some of which include the construction of a police station, district administration infrastructure, post office and staff houses in Lufwanyama, Mpongwe and Masaiti. Furthermore, the two central hospitals of Ndola and Kitwe have been upgraded to teaching hospitals. This is despite the on-going construction of district hospitals and health centres. In the aviation industry, a state-of-the-art international airport is being constructed in Ndola. Additionally, a number of township roads are being rehabilitated in the province. This, therefore, reinforces the sentiments of His Excellency the President.

 

Good Governance and Integrity

 

Madam Speaker, as the House was informed by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the Government has been building necessary capacity in governance structures that will ensure that the principles of governance and integrity are upheld in our operations, as Government. 

 

 

Madam Speaker, one of these structures are the integrity committees which are being established in all ministries, provinces and spending agencies. In line with this, I wish to inform the House that the Copperbelt Provincial Integrity Committee has been established, headed by the Permanent Secretary (PS). The same has been replicated in all the districts where these committees are chaired by the District Commissioners (DCs). The integrity committees, among other things, will play a key role in accountability of public finances and assets, disciplinary cases, employment and discharge.

 

Madam Speaker, in my conclusion, I wish to state that these are some, but a few of the areas that positive results have been recorded in ensuring the inculcation of values and principles in the province. I wish to reiterate that the Provincial Administration shall ensure that the national values and principles are disseminated, and progress is tracked through various instruments that have been developed to track the progress made in the application of our values by various Government departments and non-governmental organisation (NGOs) at the provincial level.

 

Madam Speaker, the Provincial Administration will ensure that every civil servant in the province is made aware of the relevance of the national values and principles attributes that they should mainstream in their day to day activities.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear! Copperbelt!

 

The Minister for Chiefs and Traditional Affairs (Mr Sichalwe): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for granting me this opportunity to declare my unreserved support in respect of the President’s Speech on the progress made in the application of our national values and principles, which was delivered to this august House on 16^th March, 2018, to the Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Twelfth National Assembly by His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the President of the Republic of Zambia.

 

Madam, in his address to Parliament, His Excellency the President presented national values and principles, as are outlined in Article 8 of the Constitution as follows:

 

         “(a)      morality and ethics;

 

         (b)        patriotism and national unity;

 

         (c)        democracy and constitutionalism;

 

         (d)        human dignity, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination;

 

         (e)        good governance and integrity; and

 

         (f)        sustainable development.”

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to share with this august House on the two national values on morality and ethics and patriotism and unity. It is important to note that my ministry, highlighted, in the President’s Speech has, and continued to conduct various training programmes for traditional leaders in the fight against vices such as child marriage, teenage pregnancies and child defilement. These initiatives are intended to uphold and reinforce upright moral and ethical values of our people in the chiefdoms in particular and the country in general. As custodians of customs and tradition, my ministry remains resolute in the promotion of morality and ethics in all our chiefdoms.

 

In regard to patriotism and national unity, His Excellency the President gave the following directives:

 

“To promote Zambia’s identity, I urge all institutions to display indigenous artifacts both at home and abroad. I, therefore, direct the ministries of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Affairs to take this role.”

 

Madam Speaker, following this directive, my ministry notes its importance and is in the process of arranging for a meeting with the Tourism and Foreign Affairs ministries to discuss how best the directive will be implemented.

 

The meeting will, among other things, deliberate and recommend how institutions will:

 

1. source and acquire artifacts;

 

1. forms or types of artifacts to be sourced;

 

1. appropriateness of artifacts to be sourced and displayed; and

 

1. financing of acquisition of artifacts.

 

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichalwe: Madam Speaker, once we have agreed on the way forward, institutions will then commence the process of implementation, which will be expected to cover the entire Government spectrum, as given in the President’s Address.

 

Madam, in view of this implementation scope, my ministry will endeavour to collaborate with other ministries and institutions in the implementation of this programme to ensure our cultural and national visibility in all the public institutions.

 

Madam Speaker, as I conclude my debate on this Motion in support of the President’s Address on the progress made in the application of our national values and principles, I wish to commend His Excellency the President for calling on traditional leaders and other key stakeholders to take a lead in championing the application of our national values and principles. Further, commendation is given to His Excellency the President for calling all Zambians to build upon our motto of “One Zambia, one nation” to foster national unity.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Summarise!

 

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development (Mr Mawere): Madam Speaker, I thank you for according me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the President’s Address on the progress made in the applications of national values and principles delivered to this august House on 16^th March, 2018.

 

His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, delivered a well-articulated and inspiriting speech to this august House. This speech was timely and appropriate as it ably highlighted the progress made so far and measures taken by Government in the past one year, in order to build a solid foundation on the application of national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, in line with the President’s Speech delivered to this House, my ministry has made a number of strides in empowering youth and creating an enabling environment for youth, children and sports persons to thrive.

 

Madam, under morality and ethics, His Excellency the President mentioned that the Government has started laying the ground for promoting good morals and ethics among citizens by developing the code of ethics to regulate the conduct and behaviour of Public Service officers.

 

With regard to youth empowerment, my ministry will continue to impart life skills trainings through the nineteen resource centres across the country.

 

It is our aim to reach all school dropout youths and empower them with skills to enable them to earn a living either through empowerment or creating their own employment. My ministry is also promoting the involvement of children and youth in various sport disciplines to ensure that they are not only physically and mentally fit, but that they are also engaged in development and entertainment so that they do not remain idle. Like the saying goes, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” Therefore, the engagement of youth and children in sports averts this situation.

 

Madam, just recently, the Zambian Swimming Team won eighty-two medals at the African Swimming Conference (CANA) Zone IV Junior Championships, which took place in Malawi. I am, therefore, happy to report that two of the swimmers, who performed very well during the tournament are Her Honour the Vice-President’s grandchildren.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mawere: This shows how serious this Government is in the facilitation of sports development in this country.

 

Madam Speaker, in order to ensure a morally upright and ethical workforce, my ministry has put in place a programme to orient all new members of staff as well as the existing members of staff in the Civil Service on the code of conduct. I am confident that these measures will enhance Public Service delivery. Therefore, we should all rally behind the call by His Excellency the President for an upright Civil Service.

 

Madam, His Excellency the President also ably highlighted the various interventions that are being implemented to address issues of inactivity among the youths and morality among sports persons. To this end, I wish to inform this august House that my ministry will continue to implement youth empowerment programmes and anti-doping programmes among sports persons in order for them to contribute to a productive and active citizenry.

 

Madam Speaker, under patriotism and national unity, His Excellency the President encouraged all Zambians to buy Zambian products in order to encourage the growth of our local industries, thereby fostering the creation of jobs for our people and ultimately for social economic development.

 

As a ministry, Madam, we are promoting youth empowerment and encouraging entrepreneurship so that our youths can produce more local products. We need to support our youths to produce quality products, which all Zambians will be proud of. We believe that by producing quality products, the ‘Buy Zambia Campaign’ will truly become a reality.

 

Madam Speaker, under human dignity, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination, his Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, mentioned the fact that the Government is committed to reducing development inequalities by implementing programmes in a manner that recognises the needs of all citizens.

 

Madam, I am glad to mention that my ministry has attained 50 per cent gender equality in enrolments in various youth resource centres across the country.

 

Mrs Simukoko: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mawere: In addition, there is an increase in the number of women and girls engaging in sport at all levels, as opposed to previous trends. We have seen more women excelling in sports such as boxing, football and athletics.

 

Madam Speaker, under non-discrimination, His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, mentioned that the Government is building a Zambia, under which everyone has equal access to opportunities and services without leaving anyone behind.

 

Madam, in this regard, my ministry will continue working with various youth, sport and child development stakeholders in establishing facilities and programmes for the youth and children that are all inclusive, such as community sport, youth resource centres and reading and recreation centres. The Government will continue to provide support to community sports in all parts of the country without discriminating those in rural areas. Equally, the implementation of the Youth Empowerment Programmes shall be spread to all parts of the country to ensure that we reach everyone who needs a service.

 

Madam Speaker, as I conclude my contribution to the debate, I would like to mention that my ministry remains committed to promoting adherence to our national values and principles based on our conviction that doing so will positively contribute towards the attainment of the Vision 2030 by making Zambia a prosperous middle income country. It is my humble appeal, therefore, that all well-meaning Zambians uphold and adhere to our National Values and Principles for our collective benefit.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Transport and Communications (Mr Mushimba): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for giving me the Floor to contribute on this debate.

 

Madam, first and foremost, please, allow me to add my voice in support of the address by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on the progress made in the application of national values and principles delivered on 16^th March, 2018, to this august House.

 

Madam Speaker, indeed, the speech was illuminating and it is true that building a strong foundation for the application of our national values and principles is a responsibility of each Zambian and as leaders, we will continue to do our part in achieving a morally upright nation.

 

Madam, the Government, through my ministry, is dedicated to ensuring that the national values and principles outlined in Article 8 of the Constitution of Zambia are attained. Specifically, the attainment of morality and ethics principle, good governance, principle, sustainable development and the human dignity, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination principles.

 

Madam Speaker, I will firstly address the morality and ethics principle, particularly, focusing on the abuse of the social media, as highlighted by His Excellency the President in his address. It is, indeed, a fact that the social media is beneficial when it is used in the right way. However, it has become a source of cyber-bullying, sexual predatory, particularly among the young and vulnerable in the country, and there is continued loss of privacy. Unfortunately, internet giants, such as Face book and Twitter, have limited legal obligations over some of this content. As such, it has become apparent for the Government to put in measures to address the social media abuse in Zambia.

 

Madam, I am glad to inform this august House that my ministry is in the process of introducing Bills which will curb the abuse of social media. The Bills are the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill, 2018 and the Data Protection Bill, 2018.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mushimba: Madam Speaker, the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill, 2018, will augment, expand and authorise the taking of measures by law enforcement agencies to ensure cyber security in Zambia and criminalise computer-based offenses and network related crimes in the country. The enactment of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act will ensure that cyber security and cyber matters from the civilian and military point of view are accorded the appropriate individual legislative procedure at national as well as international levels. Specifically, the enactment of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act will have the following profound impact:

 

1. the creation of a Zambia Cyber Security Agency, which will ensure and guarantee safety and defence from cyber-attacks and minimise vulnerabilities;

 

1. the protection of Zambia’s critical infrastructure from a myriad of threats, which will ensure continuous economic development of the country;

 

1.  there will also be a marked reduction in the distribution of malicious communications, which are grossly offensive indecent, obscene and, many times, false; and

 

1. there will be promotion of the responsible use of available social media platforms by the general citizenry.

 

Madam Speaker, the Data Protection Bill, 2018, on the other hand, proposes to stipulate principles for protection of personal information and communications. The Data Protection Bill, 2018, will provide legitimate grounds for collecting, processing and use of personal data and further define how the citizens’ personal data would be reasonably handled. The Data Protection Bill, 2018, provides the legal basis of individuals to determine for themselves when, how and to what extent information about them is committed to other entities. The Data Protection Bill, 2018, will:

 

1. compel service providers to seek appropriate permission to process personal data about individuals and make a commercial benefit out of such manipulation of the data;

 

1. stipulate principles for protection of personal information and communications;

 

1. promote the responsible use of available communications and media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, individual blogs and websites from being used by the citizens to create and spread falsehoods that threaten national security; and

 

1. reduction in leakages and unlawful access to sensitive information and communication.

 

Madam Speaker, I further wish to address the good governance and integrity principle that if good governance and integrity principles are not adhered to, it gives birth to corruption. This is a major concern of the Government, hence the frantic efforts to adopt initiatives that speak to addressing the corruption scourge. Election (e) governance and other e-platforms this Government is adopting foster and enhance good governance by cutting down on bureaucracy, human-to-human interactions and create more efficiency in Government service provision.

 

In addition to the application of e-platforms in management of the payroll, administration of taxes, use of the e-Cabinet system and provision of various services, I am pleased to inform this august House that my ministry will introduce the Electronic Transactions and Electronic Commerce Bill, 2018. This Bill will further stimulate growth in utilisation of e-transactions and e-payment platforms that promote transactional efficiencies in service delivery and contribute significantly to socio-economic growth and development of our country. The elrctronic-transactions and electronic-commerce Bill will:

 

1. facilitate the creation of a conducive environment that will ensure and guarantee confidence and trust to facilitate online transactions and promotion of e-commerce;

 

1. facilitate a conducive environment for availability of localised e-commerce ecosystem, such as the national cyber city;

 

1. reduce transactional costs and enhance transactional efficiency;

 

1. increase the gross domestic product (GDP) contribution from the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector; and

 

1. promote employment creation and create new types of economies that have real value to the country.

 

Madam Speaker, lastly, allow me to address the sustainable development and human dignity, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination principles. As His Excellency the President stated, the Government is focused on inclusive development and does not wish to leave anyone behind. In relation to that, my ministry is in the process of revising the National Transport Policy and the development of the National Transport Master Plan and ICT Master Plan. These will respond to the diverse transport and ICT needs of the people of Zambia in an equitable and non-discriminatory manner by looking ahead and seeing what type of transport networks we will need and ICT backbones we will need and doing what we must do today to speak to the future we desire tomorrow.

 

Madam Speaker, with those few remarks, I thank you.

 

The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Chitotela): Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to comment on the debate on the speech delivered on 16^th March, 2018, by His Excellency the President of the sovereign Republic of Zambia and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. His Excellency the President addressed the nation through this august on the progress made in the application of national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, I further wish to pay gratitude to His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Lungu, for providing a timely and inspiring speech to the nation. This is in line with his duty and responsibilities, as enshrined in our Republican Constitution under Article 8, which mandates our republican President to update the nation on the application of national values and principles as, highlighted below:

 

1. morality and ethics;

 

1. patriotism and national unity;

 

1. democracy and constitutionalism;

 

1. human dignity, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination;

 

1. good governance and integrity; and

 

1. sustainable development.

 

Madam Speaker, national values define the Zambian State and governance system. As such, the significance of the decision, through the leadership of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, to integrate national values and principles in the supreme law of our land is highly appreciated and commendable by all well-meaning Zambians.

 

Madam Speaker, before I make my substantive contribution, I would like to join my fellow hon. Members of Parliament who have debated before by saying that the address by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, signals to our sense of national identity, pride, diversity, freedom, integrity and justice. It is for this reason that our Republican Constitution defines national values and principles as foundations of the nation. Therefore, as responsible and royal citizens, we need to constantly affirm them. This is fundamental because national values and principles establish the structure for the application of authority and the context within which we need to relate with each other as Zambians.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me now to talk about morality and ethics. As you may be aware, morality is described as a set of norms through which society historically defined behaviour that is viewed as good or bad and as acceptable or not acceptable by the community. We must be people that stand by what we believe in and principles define who human beings are. A wrong will never be right. Even after 100 years, two plus two will never be six. It will be four. Even after 1,000 years, the letter A will never change. It will continue to be A. I remember my late father saying that if it changes, then, there must be something wrong. So, principles define who we are and morality identifies us with that which we believe in.

 

Madam Speaker, when we talk about principles, we must be able to stand firm on that which we believe in. As leaders, we must be able to explain the mandate that people have deposited in us. We must bear in mind that we carry a depositary authority. The Zambian people have deposited their authority in us to manage their affairs and defend them. It is the duty of every government and responsible leader, whether customary or elected constitutionally, to protect and defend the values that make a society.

 

Madam Speaker, when we speak about ethics, we must be able to lead by that which has been implanted in us, as good leaders. As I said earlier, the letter A will never change even after 100 years. As a ministry, we have constituted an integrity committee so that we stand by that which we believe in. Under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Lungu, if doing right by protecting national resources for the good of the Zambia people from a few selfish individuals who would like to pilfer public resources will cost us our soul, it is a price we are prepared to pay.

 

Madam Speaker, some colleagues have stood on anthills and spoken about corruption. They have done so because they are not happy that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has closed all the valves to stop them from engaging corrupt activities in the Government. They are now accusing those who are protecting the resources of this nation of being corrupt because they have been blocked from doing wrong things.            We have come to serve the Zambian people. Shakespeare said that this world is like a stage and we all get to play our parts and then leave. After we have served this nation, we want the generations to come to say that this country had men and women of integrity and valour who served this country.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chitotela: We should put service above self. Some people want to remove the people who are blocking them from doing wrong things so that they can have access to the national coffers. I remember that Dr Levy Mwanawasa, SC said that if protecting national resources would cost him his life, that was the price he was willing to pay.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chitotela: We will stand firm on the principles that the Zambian people cherish. The Zambian people are looking for leaders who can stand tall and make their minds confident.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I have listened to a number of people who have said that the cost of constructing roads and other infrastructure is very expensive in Zambia. I wonder which roads they compared our roads to. I do not want to bring the names of other nations into disrepute, however, for comparison’s sake, Zambia and Botswana are implementing the construction of the Kazungula border post and the bridge. It has cost Zambia US$24 million to put up the border facility on the Zambian side. The same facility has cost Botswana US$46 million. Which one is more expensive? Zambians have no access to the cost of these things in other countries for them to compare accurately and that is why some people are misleading them by saying that this Government is corrupt and inflating the cost of infrastructure so that they can benefit.

 

Madam Speaker, when we took over the Government, we found that some people who were providing auditing services were insulting the Government. We had to put things in order by removing them. We knew that the battle we had started would make many people call us names. However, we were not scared. We are ready to protect the resources and integrity of this nation. We must stand for what we believe. We must realise that our responsibility today is to protect and serve the poor majority. We must provide comfort to those children who are sleeping in the streets. If something is good for me, it must be good for everybody. We are not scared. We will stand firm. A house built on sand will not stand. My father said that liars must have a good memory. Lies have short legs. They run fast but, soon, the truth catches up with them.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development, withdraw the words “Lies” and “Liars.”

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I withdraw them. Untruthfulness has very short legs. The truth will always triumph. We will defend what we believe in.

 

Madam Speaker, there has been talk about the dual carriageway way from Lusaka to Ndola. Some people were even politicking by saying that it is the most expensive road project in Zambia. We did a cost analysis and comparison of the cost of a similar road in two nations. A similar road in Tanzania is costing almost US$2.8 million per km. Our road is costing US$1.2 million per km. Which road project is expensive between the two? Others even misled the nation by comparing our road project to the road which is going to be built in Zimbabwe from Beitbridge to Chirundu. That road project will cost not less than US$2.8 million per km. Zambia is a shining example in the region in terms of the cost of its infrastructure projects. However, because Zambians have no access to information of the cost of projects in other countries, some people want to mislead them. That is why I am asking: Where is our morality and ethical conduct? Where is the patriotism that binds us together? It was taboo in the past for a child to point a finger at an elderly person. Someone stood and insulted our President, who was elected by the Zambian people. Where is our culture? Some people said there is corruption in this Government and then left the party. When I looked at some of those people who have left the Government, and remembered what they used to do when they were in the Government, I almost shed tears. I said, “Cry my beloved country, Zambia.” Look at the behaviour of the people who have left the Government because they think there is a lot of corruption. Time will come for the Zambian people to know the truth. If you have acquired enough wealth and want to go and stand on your own, just say that you have amassed enough wealth and want to go and stand on your own. Do not accuse innocent people of things they have not done. It is unethical to do that.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chitotela: You cannot stand here during the day and insult me, but call me in the evening. I say no to that. If you do not want to associate with me during the day, even at night, do not call me. Someone wants to act like a saint during the day and then associate with me in the evening because “It is politics.” I am not ready to belong to a political realm that does not have morality. We must have morals. We must bring new life to politics. We must stand by what we believe in. If we say one plus one equals two today, the answer to this question must remain two even after a hundred years.

 

Madam Speaker, many people in this House have said that this Government has not distributed development equitably. When the PF Government came into power, it created nine districts in the Western Province and is putting up infrastructure in those districts. It also created five districts in the Southern Province and is putting up infrastructure in those districts. However, we created only one district in Muchinga Province and one in the Northern Province ...

 

Mr C. R. Banda: Where is discrimination there?

 

Mr Chitotela: ... and one district in the Eastern Province. Where is discrimination?

 

What should we do for people to appreciate that we intend to take development everywhere in the country? I appeal to the people in the northern part of Zambia to start demanding for development in their region ...

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chitotela: ... because it looks like those who speak the loudest are the ones who are given funds to develop their areas.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I want others to speak. Let me place on record that I believe in what I say. If you do not believe in something, do not say it. Once you say a word, you cannot take it back. If you promise something, you should deliver. Each time I am with His Excellency, President Lungu, he tells me that he cannot give each Zambian a single ngwee. The only way he can appreciate them is by taking development around Zambia. Zambia is his constituency. In 2064, people should say that they had once elected leaders who came to work for this nation.

 

With these words, I thank you, Madam.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Local Government (Mr Mwale): Madam Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity to contribute to the debate on this Motion and support His Excellency the President, Mr Lungu, on his address to the nation on the progress made on the application of national values and principles delivered to this House on Friday, 16^th March, 2018.

 

Madam Speaker, I am a bearer of a message of gratitude from the people of Chipangali Parliamentary Constituency to His Excellency on his assuring and satisfying message on the values and principles of our nation. The people of Chipangali wish to thank His Excellency for his continued commitment to the development agenda of Zambia. Allow me to address the role of the Ministry of Local Government with regard to matters raised in the President’s Speech to this House.

 

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government stands steadfast in playing its role of driving the developmental agenda for the Government whose leader is His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia. I wish to thank His Excellency the President for championing the national agenda on propagating gender equality. I also wish to join him congratulating Hon. Mumbi Phiri on her nomination as Member of Parliament. I also wish to echo the President’s congratulatory message to Mrs Cecilia Mbewe on her appointment as Clerk of the National Assembly. These are definitely well-deserved appointments.

 

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government will continue to support the Government’s efforts on gender equality and will play its role in striving to attain this goal, especially at local government level.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring that our country and its people are morally and ethically upright and prevent the deterioration of morals in our country. This includes addressing high prevalence of teen pregnancies and early marriages, misapplication of public funds, abuse of social media and alcohol and substance abuse.

 

Madam Speaker, my ministry stands ready to support the Government’s efforts in curbing some of these vices. Of particular and immediate concern as well as of direct link to the Ministry of Local Government is the problem of alcohol and substance abuse, especially among the youth. As the House is aware, it is the mandate of the Ministry of Local Government to regulate liquor sales, including operation times of bars and night clubs. My ministry is working with other ministries and State agents in ensuring that it plays a role in helping citizens address the issue of alcohol and substance abuse. The Ministry of Local Government will work at reviewing and stiffening all legislation and policies within its jurisdiction that are aimed at contributing towards the control of excess alcohol consumption and abuse, especially among the youth, who are the major culprits in this vice. The Government will also increase its efforts or enforcement of existing regulations governing liquor sells.

 

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government has positioned itself to contribute towards the provision of decent housing to the citizenry. In supporting the passion of His Excellency of providing adequate housing to all citizens, my ministry, through local authorities nationwide, is striving to secure land for the development of housing infrastructure both by the State and the private sector. The Government will, through the preparation of Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) for each local authority, ensure that all councils identify land for new housing development in those areas with land availability challenges. The focus should be on urban renewal strategies that will help redeem space from already built up areas through encouraging vertical construction as opposed to horizontal development, which consumes a lot of space

 

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government has also embarked on upgrading shanty compounds so as to give them a facelift as a way of ensuring the provision of basic socio-economic infrastructure and services to our people. The Government, through councils, will double its efforts of upgrading shanty compounds in towns, especially after the cholera epidemic we just experienced as a country.

 

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government will continue playing its role in the provision of infrastructure, such as feeder roads, especially in the most rural, but economically viable areas in the country in order to promote equity and socio-economic development as expressed by His Excellency the President in his address to this House.

 

Madam Speaker, other infrastructure being provided by the ministry includes markets and bus stations. This will ensure that all those who are engaged in street vending are provided with adequate trading spaces in markets. The Ministry has already put in place different interventions to this effect. The introduction of the Market Fund is one such intervention. It is expected that this fund will be used to continuously address the challenges faced by marketers throughout the nation.

 

Madam Speaker, as I wind up, allow me to join all well-meaning Zambians and hon. Members of Parliament who have supported the President’s Speech to this House. From start to end, the speech reviewed the progress that the Patriotic Front (PF) led Government has scored in the application of national values and principles in this country. What remains is for each of us to play our role in ensuring that we build on the progress made so far, as reported by His Excellency the President.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (Ms Kapata): Madam Speaker, I am grateful to you for according me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Floor of this august House with respect to the Address by His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on the progress made in the application of national values and principles delivered on 16^th March, 2018.

 

Madam Speaker, the speech by His Excellency the President to this House on the application of national values and principles was timely as it was delivered at a time the country is witnessing a growing decay in morals and patriotism.

 

Madam Speaker, Zambia’s leadership has a history. In 1964, Dr Kenneth Kaunda was voted in as Republican President. In 1991, we had President Chiluba voted into office. In 2001, Dr Mwanawasa, SC. became President of this country. In 2008, President Banda was voted into office, and in 2011, President Sata was voted into office. In 2015, President Lungu was voted into office. In 2016, President Lungu was elected President for the second time.

 

Madam Speaker, when you look at all these elections, you will see that all the people were elected through the ballot box. President Lungu won both the 2015 and 2016 elections. Zambia is a sovereign nation. Therefore, for the United Party for National Development (UPND) to think that it can come to this House to move a Motion to impeach the President kutali ne mpanga.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, meaning that it is far from the bush.

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, what has happened in the southern region will not happen in Zambia. This is because Zambians are not interested in such things. Zambia is neither  Zimbabwe, nor is it South Africa. Zimbabwean problems are not Zambia’s problems. Similarly, the problems faced in South Africa are not Zambia’s problems.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, it is undiplomatic for you to make reference to other sovereign states in that manner. Please, avoid mentioning other countries.

 

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, I withdraw that. What may have happened in other countries will never happen here because we only elect our leaders through the ballot.

Madam Speaker, our President won the majority vote by 50 per cent plus 1 for the first time.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kapata: I was an election chairperson and I used to have sleepless nights stressing about whether we had lost the election, but alas! We had worked so hard and won. The first time that 50 per cent plus 1 was used, the PF, through its President, managed to score 50 per cent plus 1.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! 

 

Ms Kapata: Therefore, I want to tell the UPND that come 2021, they will lose again. The Opposition is scared of the President’s popularity, hence the schemes it is coming up with to discredit him.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, the UPND should concentrate on giving us checks and balances because that is why they are here. It must give us an alternative. It is  an alternative Government in waiting.

 

Hon. Government Members: It will wait forever!

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kapata: If it is pregnant with going to State House, it will never deliver. It should stop antagonising the PF Government because as far as we are concerned, the Government has delivered.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to give a brief history of the UPND with its leader who has never called for a convention from the time of its inception.

 

Hon. Government Members: Shame!

 

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, the leader of the UPND lost elections in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2016 and I know that in 2021, he will also lose the elections because he has nothing to offer the people of Zambia. His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, will carry the day because he has delivered.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, when the UPND leader was discharged from where he was, ...

 

Laughter

 

Ms Kapata: ... a place where peoples’ blood pressure shoots up ...

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mushanga: He was in Bwacha Constituency!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, you are actually doing very well so far, except you are now beginning to personalise the debate. Use your time properly and debate the speech by His Excellency the President.

 

Ms Kapata: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am being told that he was in Bwacha Constituency somewhere where Mukobeko is located.

 

Madam Speaker, when the leader of the UPND came out of prison, he kissed the ground, which is something Zambia had never seen. Zambia is a Christian nation. We do not know whether kissing the ground was a ritual  ...

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I have just guided.

 

Laughter

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Please, proceed with your debate of the Motion.

 

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, an important issue which His Excellency the President brought out in the speech is that of how we use our natural resources. Indeed, patriotism demands that we pay particular attention to how we use our natural resources for current and future generations. My ministry takes cognisance of this and commits to serve the Zambian people diligently and efficiently in administering the natural resources which are under its jurisdiction.

 

Madam Speaker, it is important to note that a study which was conducted in 2011 on the economic impact of climate change estimated a gross domestic product (GDP) loss of US$5 billion over a ten to twenty year period. The estimated loss was as a result of loss of agricultural productivity and its associated poverty, energy crisis related to lower power generation capacity and the higher costs of treating climate related diseases, such as malaria and malnutrition. This study also revealed that there has been an increase in the frequency of the extreme events, such as floods and drought over the past four decades.

 

Madam Speaker, rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are responsible for the expansion of disease vector habitats. Conscious of the serious risks posed by climate changes to attainment of national development goals, the Government embarked on a process to formulate the National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) to provide the country with a comprehensive and strategic approach to address the challenges of climate change, including aspects of adaptation, mitigation, technology, financing as well as public education and awareness.

 

Madam Speaker, in contributing to the national values and principles, as outlined in Article 8 of the amended Constitution, my ministry will endeavour to ensure the sustainable use of resources to combat adverse effects of climate change that come about as a result of over exploitation of natural resources.

 

Madam Speaker, I implore all Zambians to be patriotic and guard our natural resources for now and for the future.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

The Minister of Justice (Mr Lubinda): Madam Speaker, I thank you most sincerely for allowing me to speak on behalf of the noble people of Kabwata Constituency who always stand up in support of those who are morally upright and always side with those who are up for justice, such as President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, I also thank you for allowing me to speak on behalf of the Ministry of Justice on the application of national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, Article 8 of the Constitution of Zambia outlines our values as follows:

1. morality and ethics;

 

1. patriotism and national unity;

 

1. democracy and constitutionalism;

 

1. human dignity, equity, social justice;

 

1. equality and non-discrimination;

 

1. good governance and integrity and;

 

1. sustainable development.

 

Madam Speaker, as Her Honour the Vice-President said earlier today, the responsibility for the application of these national values is not only the duty of the Government alone, but is a responsibility shared by every citizen, family, community, private or public institution and, more so, those of us who, at the behest of the Zambian people, are allowed to gather in this august House.

 

Madam Speaker, we are leaders with a very important calling. Our job is to provide ethical leadership and everything ought to start there. As a result of that, let me focus my debate on the values of morality and ethics. These two words are about principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong, a distinction between good and bad behaviour. That is what morality and ethics are all about.

Madam Speaker, over the recent past, we have seen a frightening and growing trend by one particular political party to degrade morality and ethics in politics in this country. This country’s memory is still very alive to the immoral conduct of a presidential candidature who threatened that this country would replace Armagedon in the event that he lost elections. As we all know, Armageddon is associated with unquenchable fire. Was it any surprise that after the vote was counted, and one President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, was declared President …

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: ... and Madam Inonge Mutukwa Wina was declared Vice-President …

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: … we saw a symptom of Armageddon? We saw fire. Was it a surprise?

 

Madam Speaker, was it is not true to their threats that soon after they lost the elections, we saw an unprecedented number of arsonic attacks on public facilities.

 

Mr Mwamba: Aah!

 

Mr Lubinda: Unprecedented in the history of Zambia.

 

Hon. PF Members: Shame!

 

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker is it questionable that it is a manner of serious lack of ethics and an engrailment of grieve immorality …

 

Mr Mwamba: Aah!

 

Mr Lubinda: … that while many Zambians were mourning losses emanating from these fires, some members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) were celebrating on social media …

 

Hon. PF Members: Shame!

 

Mr Lubinda: … and warming us that, as a country, we had not seen it all.

 

Hon. PF Members: Oh!

 

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, we are witnessing the continuous abuse of democracy and institutions of governance such as the courts of law, and even this National Assembly. We have heard how President Edgar Lungu has been called names. How his personal has been abused. We have watched in shock how some people have wished the President ill health and even death. Is it any wonder that some people have vowed not to recognise President Lungu as a legitimate President, ...

 

Mr Kampyongo: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: ... yet they have failed to walk away from Her Honour the Vice-President every Friday when she has presented herself here to answer questions on behalf of the Government? Is that not a hallmark of immoral behaviour? His Excellency is bound by the Constitution to present to this House a progress report on Zambia’s observance of national values and principles, which include morality. Since he presents that speech here, we, who are in this House, are duty- bound to be exemplary in our conduct both inside and outside.

 

Madam Speaker, have you not witnessed how some people without shame whatsoever, with a straight face …

 

Mr Mwamba: Tell them!

 

Mr Lubinda: … have used international fora to allege that His Excellency the President has intentions to kill.

 

Madam Speaker, one who goes to arbitration must expect one of three outcomes.

 

Mr Mwamba: Aah!

 

Mr Lubinda: One could be a ruling in their favour. A second could be a ruling against them …

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: … and a third could be a ruling of compromise.

 

Mr Mwamba: Aah!

 

Mr Lubinda: While it is understandable that one would be disappointed with the ruling of the judge, especially if it is against him, it is only expected of an extremely egocentric person …

 

Hon. PF Members: Hmm!

 

Mr Lubinda: … to insult the persona of a judge simply because he/she passed a judgment against him/her.

 

Hon. PF Members: Shame!

 

Mr Lubinda: You cannot only accept things to be in your favour all the time.

 

Mr Mwamba: Ba UPND tabafifyaya!

 

Mr Lubinda: That is not what life is about.

 

Madam Speaker, life is about gains and losses.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Life is all about compromises.

 

Hon. PF Members: Tell them!

 

Mr Lubinda: Have we not heard those who belong to this club of politicians, club of leaders who are expected to lead this country with high moral standards, …

 

Hon. PF Members: Aah!

 

Mr Lubinda: ... those who are expected to be examples of ethical lives? Have we not heard some of them after having handed down a judgment against them, calling judges thieves in wigs?

 

Mr Mwamba: Sad!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Withdraw that, hon. Minister.

 

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, I wish I could paraphrase the quotation.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Just withdraw the word, thieves.

 

Mr Lubinda: I asked if we have not heard some people after they have been handed a judgment against them casting aspersions against judges and calling them names by referring to them as people who are dishonest.

 

Madam Speaker, this House has not been spared. We all remember how the Hon. Speaker had to refer a matter of affront against this House to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). We all remember how one person who is desirous of ruling this country one day was casting unwarranted and unprovoked aspersions against the Hon. Mr Speaker. We have also witnessed how the decorum of this House has been impeached by those who have such insatiable appetite for power, those who have been afflicted by the incurable disease of anger of loss.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: We have been treated to unrestrained low and string of accusations of corruption, moral decay and bad governance among others. We have been called all sorts of names and have been booed and jeered at in this House. Today was a classical example.

 

Madam Speaker, we have suffered a pain of such criticism. However, because we, on your right respect your authority which you have always exercised with highest integrity when guiding us to listen attentively  when hon. Members on your left are debating, we have done so.

 

Ms Subulwa: Saying you are failures.

 

Mr Lubinda: We have respected your authority and listened attentively. Unfortunately, has that been the case for our colleagues on your left? When it is our time to respond, where are they? Every so often when they debate and cast aspersions against us, when the hon. Ministers decide they must now clarify matters and explain, they choose to walk away.

 

Madam Speaker, Rule No.38 in the National Assembly Members Handbook, 2006, is very instructive concerning the breach of etiquette. For the sake of the people who are listening to us who may, unfortunately, be misguided by some conduct, I want to quote Rule No.38:

 

“When any member offers a criticism of another Member or Minister, the latter is entitled to expect that the critic should be present in the House to hear her/his reply. To be absent when the latter is replying is a breach of etiquette.”

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: So, when I say that there is moral decadence on the part of the people who walk away from us when we are about to respond, it is not I who is coining it, it is provided for in the National Assembly Members Handbook.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mrs Mwanakatwe: They do not read!

 

Mr Lubinda: It is a mark of moral bankruptcy to accuse a person and not give him/her an opportunity to defend himself/herself.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, if that is not enough, Standing Order No.62 is also extremely important. This is an Order that Her Honour the Vice-President referred to earlier this afternoon.

 

Madam Speaker, only yesterday, the House was subjected to a point of order on which you eloquently ruled, yet today, what did we witness? In opposing a very innocent Motion moved by Her Honour the Vice-President.

Mr Sichone: Arrogance!

 

Mr Lubinda: … with we saw your decision, as chair, being challenged with impunity and arrogance, ...

 

Mr Mwamba: Shame!

 

 

Madam Speaker, Standing Orders 62 says:

 

“(1) Subject to Standing order sixty-four, a member who wishes to challenge the decision of the presiding officer shall do so by moving a substantive Motion.”

 

Madam Speaker, they are not supposed to use an innocent Motion to cast aspersions on the ruling of the Hon. Mr Speaker. It is not permitted, in accordance with our Standing Orders. We are talking about morality, ethics and principles.

 

Hon. Government Members: Ema lawyers aya!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Ebu State Counsel!

 

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, lest people again are misled because of the abuse of social media, ...

 

Mr Kampyongo: Ba Mwiimbu ni x-layer!

 

Mr Lubinda: … let me state that while walking out of Parliament is a democratic right of any Member of Parliament, Clause 19 of the National Assembly Powers and Privileges Act is very instructive and it states:

 

“Any person shall be guilty of an offense, who;

 

(d) shows disrespect in speech or manner towards the Speaker; or

 

(e) commits any other Act of intentional disrespect to, or with reference to the proceedings of the Assembly, or of the Committee of the Assembly, or to any person residing at such proceedings.”

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, Standing Orders give the Speaker the power to discharge any Member, who, in the view of the presiding officer, is misconducting himself/herself. That will be done without question put. We saw how this afternoon you exercised that authority, again, with a lot of elegance, but we also saw how people who were totally unrelated to the matter also decided to show disrespect to the Chair by immediately following. 

 

Mr Musukwa: Shame, Leader of Opposition!

 

Mr Lubinda:  This is in opposition to the rule that I referred to in the handbook.

 

Madam Speaker, having said this and for the purpose of the people out there, let me say one thing. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government, under President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, will not in any way be moved by prophets of doom.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, they may continue to cast aspersions, climb the highest mountains and anthills to preach hate and try and bring President Edgar Lungu’s name into disrepute, but for him, he has indicated to all of us his colleagues, the Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and his party at large that he has a mission to accomplish. This is illustrated by the numerous interventions he has undertaken in the short time that he has been President. He is determined. With the support of the men and women on the right, the Zambian people can rest assured that their lives are in safe hands.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Madam Speaker, to temper with the authority of this Government is an exercise purely out of immorality and hate ...

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: ...  and must not be tolerated by anyone.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to end on a note that many of my colleagues have spoken about which is democracy in political parties. I am delighted, as Minister of Justice, to report to you, that in the process of coming up with a Political Parties Bill, we consulted widely. Everybody has agreed that if there will be democracy at the national level, there must be democracy in the organisations that sponsor national leaders.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: There must be democracy in political parties. We cannot have political parties that are not democratic. For the sake of the record, I happen to be the last legitimately elected Chairperson for Information and Publicity in the party called the United Party for National Development (UPND).

 

Hon. Government Members: When was that!

 

Mr Lubinda: Since 2005 to date, I have not been replaced.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Lubinda: Therefore, the record of the elections will show that one Given Lubinda sometimes called Zayellow is still Chairperson for Information and Publicity for UPND.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubinda: Surely, how can that be? 

 

Madam, we will come next meeting with a Political Parties Bill to ensure that we entrench democracy in our political parties. On this note, let me appeal to my friends in the UPND that as we go out on recess, they should spend time to reflect upon what it is they intend to do for this country and concentrate on that. They should keep away from calling everybody corrupt except themselves. They must realise that he who goes to equity, goes with clean hands. Time shall come when these men and women who have been so quiet for too long will have to speak out to defend themselves for the sake of this country.

 

Madam Speaker, as we end, I want to take advantage of this time to wish the noble people of Kabwata Parliamentary Constituency a very Happy Easter. May they, please, use this time to pray to God that this country continues to develop from strength to strength.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

The Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Ms Siliya): Madam Speaker, let me assure my colleagues that I will not take a lot of time. I just wish to make a few points very quickly.

 

Madam Speaker, I do want to add my voice to the debate on the speech presented by His Excellency the President in this House on the matter of national values. Indeed, these are very important because that is why they are even captured in the Constitution.

 

Madam Speaker, as a first point, I really want to put on record that, we, the women of Zambia, and in particular, the women in this House, will not tolerate bullying. We have seen that the bullying of women, particularly in leadership, is becoming the order of the day. How many times do we hear, especially from Opposition Members, the bullying of women? I want to put it on record that we will not be cowed by being told off, we heard yesterday, when one hon. Member said that he would tell us something that we would not forget for a month.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to believe that those men out there and in this House with good manners are on our side. We will not see such degradation of values that even Her Honour the Vice-President is disrespected like we saw this afternoon. I believe that one of our values is that a woman at her age would be most respected.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Siliya: Madam Speaker, I wonder if we would have seen that kind of behavior this afternoon had it been a man sitting here. I really wonder, Madam Speaker, without bringing you into the debate, that if a man had been sitting there, we would see such challenge of decisions made by a Presiding Officer. I personally take great exception to bullying, purely on the basis of being female.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
 

Ms Siliya: Madam Speaker, my second point is about what Hon. Mwanakatwe referred to during the week as singing the same song about corruption. We run the risk that even where there have been genuine mistakes in Government, we tend to refer to them as corruption. Even when there have been decisions taken, but because those out there in the Opposition, especially those who have never been in the Government or even in this House, do not have enough information on something, they refer to it as corruption.

Madam Speaker, we run the risk of every time people do not understand how costs of goods and services were arrived at, it being referred to as corruption. This will create paralysis in the nation. The people who will suffer will be Zambians because even the civil servants will fear to execute their duties diligently and make decisions for fear of being called corrupt even when they would be doing their job. This is why we have heard people refer to His Excellency the President going for a visit out of the country as corruption or being wasteful. For me, this is like saying the hon. Member of Parliament from Monze is corrupt because he has to come to Lusaka to attend Parliament sittings. In view of this, the people of Monze who elected him will say he is corrupt, yet he is going to do his job in Lusaka, and to me it is the same thinking. How can somebody be called corrupt for doing what he is supposed to do, as part of his job?

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Siliya: Madam Speaker, we will also lose the opportunity to correct genuine mistakes and give proper training so that the Civil Service can operate and deliver the services to every part of this country. The fact that we are even talking about transparency means that the Government is being transparent. Transparency is critical, but it must not be equated to a smear campaign to want to damage the reputation of those in office, particularly, the President and Her Honour the Vice-President.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Siliya: Madam Speaker, my last point is that the people of Zambia spoke loud and clear and we heard them. They want democracy and as part of it, they want the Budget to be executed very diligently and there must be no wastage of resources. Part of that process included the Zambians refusing many wasteful by-elections. This is why they provided, in the Constitution, the need to have a running mate as a Vice-President so that in any eventuality, we avoid by-elections …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Siliya: … because they do not want resources to be wasted. In ten years, we have had five elections in this country meaning that many other sectors of the Government have suffered because of elections. In exercising one of their democratic values the Zambians do not want resources to be wasted on by-elections. Some people are saying that we are panicking because of the Impeachment Motion. We are not panicking. We are angry that this House can be abused to go against what the people of Zambia have said loud and clear. They do not want elections except after five years.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Siliya: So, how is it possible that right thinking people, for whatever agenda, can believe that they can have an Impeachment Motion that can be admissible to this House as right thinking people just sit and watch?

 

Madam Speaker, those are the values the Zambians have called for. They do not want by-elections. They only want elections in 2021 when the Patriotic Front (PF) will be ready. We, the members of the PF, are the only ones who have been sent to this House at the expense of tax payers to work for the people. The others come here part-time and I hope that the people who voted for them …

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Siliya: … are listening so that they do not bring them back here next time.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Madam Speaker, thank you so much for equally affording me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on His Excellency the President’s address to this august House on the progress made in implementing our national principles and values.

 

Madam Speaker, before I progress with my discourse, I would like to place it on record that the man whose speech I will anchor my discourse on, His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, is firmly in control. I am saying this on behalf of the cluster on defence and security. Her Honour the Vice-President, who deputises him, is equally in charge of our assigned functions. To this call, I want to tell the members of the public that the messages circulating on social media, which is being abused, of congratulating Her Honour the Vice-President in a mischievous way must be disregarded with the contempt it deserves.

 

Ms Kapata: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Her Honour the Vice-President is still committed to serve the people with His Excellency the President she ran into an election with.

 

Madam Speaker, I will premise my discourse on pages 13 and 16 of the speech. On page 13, His Excellency the President was reminding us about Zambia’s multi-party democratic system and he stated that:

`

“Zambia’s multi-party democratic system of Government is enshrined in our Constitution, which stipulates a range of political mechanisms, including regular elections and competition among political parties and candidates.”

 

The hon. Minister of Justice has belaboured this aspect, but I will speak about it in the context of the security of the nation.

 

Madam Speaker, an election is one of the mechanisms that people use to choose their leadership at various levels of governance. Speakers before me referred to the historical background of how the nation has evolved since 1964. Indeed, among our past Presidents, history shows that probably there is only one out of the six who did not pass through this august House. This is very important because every leadership must be premised on something. The holding of elections also entails that those who are willing participant and avail themselves to the people must accept the outcomes of those elections at any given time.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: You cannot impose yourself on certain jobs. You may think you are rich, wax in fat …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: … or is the holiest, but if the people of Zambia say no, there is nothing you can do …

 

Mr Lubinda: No is no.

 

Mr Kampyongo: … be it at ward level, parliamentary level where we are, or, indeed, the apex of leadership, the Presidency. Therefore, we, from the cluster of defence and security who have the responsibility of ensuring that the Constitution is respected and the laws in the supreme document are observed at all times, wish to appeal to those who think there could be any other way other than that provided for in the Constitution to assume offices of leadership to reflect. His Royal Highness Mwine Lubemba has now allowed us to use idioms and proverbs and to interpret them. In view of observing this, we say, “ichipuba chitila umuto, impanda yatobela panshi.”

 

Mr Ngulube: Hear, hear! Impanda uyo!

 

Hon. Government Members: Meaning!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, this simply means that when the wise person is watching the fool wanting to spill the soup, he has the responsibility to protect the soup.

 

Mr Chama: How they react, yayaya on soup.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: This equally applies to our work.

Madam, so, we are alive to the fact that there are schemes being plotted by some people to try to undermine our democracy. It is allowed to learn from practices, but we can only learn good practices.

 

In the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region, Zambia stands firmly as a shining example of the liberation struggle and helped other nations around it to be liberated, and so, these nations are supposed to learn from us. However, in the region, we have seen the confusion that takes place in other jurisdictions and some people want to copy and bring such to this august House and turn it into a place of mayhem. People want to replicate this idea and bring it here. This is not acceptable.

 

Madam Speaker, some people are misinterpreting other jurisdictions from other countries, where presidents are drawing their mandates from the legislature and not from the people and how they are playing ping pong with such presidents …

 

Ms Siliya: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … because of where they draw their mandate from. This is for another jurisdiction and it cannot be brought here.

 

Madam Speaker, in Zambia, we have a voting system where people directly and freely vote for people of their choice to rule over them. So, when results come out, those defeated in this process end up accepting the election results. This reminds me of the 1991 Elections, on which we shall remain indebted to His Excellency the President and father of this Nation, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, …

 

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … who graciously conceded defeat and opted to curtail his term. In other words, when the people of Zambia said they had enough of him and they wanted to try something new, he accepted.

 

Hon. Member: He opened doors for HH!

 

Mr Kampyongo: So, President Chiluba came in. When he also tried to run for a third term, the people refused because they had agreed that the tenure of office for presidency is ten years. He also accepted and left. Then, President Mwanawasa, SC. came in, may his soul rest in peace, because he could not finish his term. Thereafter, President Rupiah Banda came in. Madam, all these people I am referring to have been through this institution.

 

Now, it may be interesting to know, Madam Speaker, that all these people who have been in this highest office have had challenges. At the time we introduced multi-party politics,  competition became stiff. You may recall that when President Sata lost to President Mwanawasa, SC. in 2006, it was interesting to see that out of all those who lost to President Mwanawasa, President Sata was the only one who at one point managed to reconcile and get together with the President elect. I remember at that time, Hon. Jean Kapata and others were refusing to meet the President elect, but ultimately …

 

Ms Kapata: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … President Sata prevailed and said that President Mwanawasa, SC. was an elected President and he ought to be respected. So, each time other Members of the party, such as Hon. Lubinda, tried to convince him to go to court, he refused.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Try not to bring your colleagues into your debate.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Thank you for your guidance, Madam Speaker.

 

The point I am trying to bring across is that we saw that President Sata shook hands with President Mwanawasa, SC. even if they differed. Such that even at the time he was dying, they were in good terms, as Opposition leader and the person in office.

 

Again, President Sata lost to President Rupiah Banda (RB). They shook hands at some point. However, there is only one common person who has lost to these people I am referring to starting from President Mwanawasa, …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … who has never been magnanimous to offer a hand shake.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Ms Mulenga: Hammer, hammer!

 

Mr Kampyongo: If he does not smile, we do not mind ourselves.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: Today, we see how President Edgar Lungu has embraced the former Heads of States. We saw how colourful it was for him to move with RB on one side and Dr Kaunda on the other side into Zimbabwe. The whole stadium burst into a proper standing ovation. Yet, for others, these are the people they insult. Where can one get wisdom from if they insult elders?

 

Mr Ng’onga: Shame!

 

Mr Kampyongo: So, Madam Speaker, I just want to appreciate the hon. Minister of Justice on my next point.

 

Mr Lubinda: Hichilema Hakainde!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: In paragraph 41, His Excellency the President was referring to Article 60 of the Constitution, which Hon. Lubinda referred to. It is under the Ministry of Home Affairs were political parties and non governmental organisations (NGOs) are registered. Therefore, when this law is enacted, we will enforce it to the letter.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: It will no longer be about nashala neka party or …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: … I cannot go for elections.

 

Mr Lubinda: Nababili!

 

Mr Kampyongo: … Only parties that have a national character will be allowed to exist. This is the law that we intend to pass in this House.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Indeed, we cannot wait …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: … for that law to be enacted.

 

Mr Lubinda: It is coming, hon. Minister.

 

Mr Chama: Soon and very soon!

 

Mr Kampyongo: In the meantime, the supreme law of the land is in place.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to say to the people of Zambia that ichi kwanka, bacimwena ku mampalanya.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Meaning that, you can tell if you will be received in safe hands by just looking at someone who is telling you to land.

 

Madam Speaker, on a word of caution, I watched some people on some television station discussing business of this institution before we could do that ourselves and I asked myself where this country was heading to. My word of advice to such people is that their wishful thinking will be allowed, but my appeal to them is that there is a thin line between breaking the law and observing it. In our ministry, we believe in warning people first before we arrest them, but we do not work with emotions when it comes to enforcing the law. Even when one is sick, we will wait for them to get well, …

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: … but he/she will still find the law waiting for him/her.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Kampyongo: That is how we operate. People might think that we are heartless, but that is not the case. It is just that we do not work with emotion.

 

Hon. Government Member: Even when they are in ICU, they pick them.

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I am urging all hon. Members to protect this democracy we have brought for ourselves.

 

Ms Mulenga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Therefore, if one wants to call others to equity, they must always come with clean hands. If they want to dialogue with others, they must come with open hearts. We, in the Patriotic Front Party (PF), have no issues with coexisting. That is the reason it pleases me to stand here on your right hand side, Madam Speaker, and realise that I am on the same side with the Hon. Minister of Works and Supply, who is also President of a very big Opposition Party, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD). On this same side, I can see other hon. Members belonging to this party as well as Independent hon. Members of Parliament.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: That is how we are promoting coexistence. This is how people govern. If one wants to govern from one cluster of a region and think that he/she is promoting democracy and attempts to bring this at national level, then he/she is wasting his/her time.

 

Hon. Government Member: Wasting their time!

 

Mr Kampyongo: I would like to appeal to these colleagues of ours to must play their politics in a civil way. They should never try to pollute the minds of civil servants. They must stay away from our civil servants and men and women in uniform.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Good point.

 

Mr Kampyongo: We are watching them. They should stay away from them because they have a duty to perform for this country.

 

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear! Bauze!

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I will speak briefly about the issues raised by His Excellency the President on page 16, where he was talking about our correctional facilities, formerly known as prisons. He stated that this Government is reviewing the policy and the legal framework on correctional services with renewed focus on correction and rehabilitation. The hon. Minister of Justice referred to the fact that it is the first time in the history of this country that, all we have seen are reports year in and year out talking about congestion, inhumane conditions in the facilities, yet there was no practical response report.

 

Madam, the Government of His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has put in place measures so that even those who offend society, deserve to be treated with dignity because they are human beings. We are now putting up new facilities where people are being transformed so that if they are given change to go back into society, they will come back as changed persons and law abiding citizens.

 

Madam Speaker, the issue of drug abuse has been already talked about, but I will briefly speak about human rights and law enforcement.

 

Madam, just yesterday, hon. Members could have seen the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, witnessing the passed out of our police officers, whom we have been retraining. We have commenced what we are calling ‘Mandatory In-service Training’ under which our officers are being retrained in order for them to appreciate how to treat their fellow citizens in dignity while observing their humans rights. We also want to ensure that we build capacity in them so that they police this nation differently and properly. At the same time, the Government wants to ensure that it also provides equipment for them to utilise so that they can carry out their work effectively. The Government also wants to provide conducive working environment for the law enforcement officers and the officers who work at the correctional facilities because they also deserve to live in dignity in their houses.

 

Madam Speaker, lastly, I would like to say that when His Excellency the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces decided to send men and women in uniform to clean up the streets when the country was ravaged by cholera, he acted as a man because normally, that is what men do. There are few presidents, who can be firm and make decision, such as the one he made. Today, people are able to move into Lusaka and even get surprised whether they are in Lusaka or somewhere else.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: The same situation is prevailing on the Copperbelt.  So, as we withdraw our soldiers from the streets to enable them go to carry out their regular duties as assigned, we are will replace them with the Zambia Police officers to ensure that we maintain what we have achieved so far. This does not mean that we do not respect the street vendors. For instance, my hon. Colleague, the hon. Minister of Local Government, has been working day and night in order to prepare alternative dignified places for our people to trade from.

 

Mr Ng’onga: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Kampyongo: So, the streets will remain as they currently are. We will also ensure that our people trade in places where they will be respected as human beings unlike the manner in which they were doing it whereby during the rain season, no one knew how they even used to survive. Therefore, an opportunity has now come for us to do what is right. This is a caring Government and it will ensure that it becomes economically sound. We will help the Ministry of Local Government by providing training for its staff so that they can effectively deal with issues of manning the markets as well as the streets without inconveniencing members of the public.

 

Madam Speaker, ‘One Zambia, One Nation.’ We have a country to protect and we shall do what is best for this nation.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!    

 

The Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance (Rev. Sumaili): Madam Speaker, I wish to thank you most sincerely for this opportunity to give the vote of thanks to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on his address to this House and to the nation on the progress made in the application of national values and principles. The overwhelming support to this Motion is a clear indication that the Zambia we want is one, which is anchored on values, principles and ethics.

 

Madam, the progress report was not only insightful, but passionate and visionary, demonstrating the seriousness of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to seeing to it that the values, principles and ethics become a reality and give Zambians an identity.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House and the citizenry in general that my ministry is undertaking a number of activities aimed at promoting and inculcating the national values and principles and ethics among citizens. Since the structures are now in place, the decentralisation in the provinces has been completed and the strategic plan, which should guide our engagement, is about to be launched in the ministry, the capacity of the ministry to promote the values, principles and ethics is increasing.

 

Madam, we have purposed a robust, impactful, integrative and interactive educative awareness campaign. In this regard, my ministry has embarked on a nationalwide sensitisation programme in which Government departments, civil society organisations, churches and other religious organisations, traditional leaders, the private sector and ordinary community members are being sensitised on national values and principles. This includes popularising our national symbols such as the National Anthem, the flag, the coat of arms and the heritage sites.

 

Madam Speaker, the national anthem is not only our shared conviction and aspiration as a people, but is also a sacred and solemn prayer to our God. We, therefore, should sing it at attention with chests out …

 

Laughter

 

Rev. Sumaili: … as proud and free people. In its sensitisation programme, my ministry has, so far, reached the Northern, Lusaka and Western provinces. We also have a programme for other provinces in the coming months. This will be a continuous process and as such, deliberate effort will be made to reach other institutions and the general public by using creative approaches.

 

Madam, my ministry is also running a weekly programme to further sensitise the general public on nation values and principles through our national broadcaster, television and radio. So far, the feedback indicates that the programme has been well-received. To sensitise the general public in the provinces, the ministry is using community radio stations situated in those provinces.

 

Madam Speaker, my ministry has also developed a number of informative educational communication material for use in order to educate various segments of society on the importance of our national values, principles and ethics, including their application. These are being distributed during the sensitisation meetings. Further, the process of translating this material into the seven local languages is advanced. My ministry is also working with the Church and other religious bodies not only to promote good morals and ethics, but also national unity.

 

Madam Speaker, let me hasten to make a profound statement that the actualisation of these values should start with us, as leaders and, of course, other leaders at all levels. Morality is about walking, speaking and defending the truth. Human dignity and integrity is about moral uprightness and truth. For us to know what kind of leader you are, we will look at your fruit. The Zambian people are looking for real good fruit in their leaders. National unity can only be realised if, among others, we are able to love one another and embrace and respect each other, starting from this House.

 

Madam Speaker, hate is a disease and it is contagious. Hate thrives on bitterness and greed and it is destructive. Therefore, as a Christian nation, let us embrace one another. Let us embrace love and unity. I wish to call upon the Church to pray for dialogue and unity in our nation.

 

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, kindly allow me to reiterate that my ministry is working with many stakeholders from various sections of society to inculcate national values and principles in our people. We are targeting to reach every man, woman and child with this message. I would like to invite all hon. Members of Parliament and civic leaders to come on board and actively participate in sensitising our people on the importance of national values, principles and ethics. Of course, we have to be the role models.

 

Madam Speaker, as I close, I wish to thank His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, for providing leadership and my fellow law-makers, the Church, media and general public for the support they continue to render to my ministry. Zambia is poised to rise to higher heights as an eagle and it is a beacon of light to the nations of the world.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

 

DINNER ARRANGEMENTS

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I wish to inform you that the following arrangements have been made regarding dinner this evening: Dinner will be provided as soon as the House adjourns sine die. Hon. Members will have their dinner in the restaurant here at Parliament Buildings. Members of staff and ministry officials who wish, will have their dinner at the Members’ Motel and transport to and from the Members’ Motel will be available at the foyer by the main entrance to Parliament Buildings as soon as the House adjourns sine die.

 

Mr A. B. Malama: What about whiskey?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Of course, there will be no whiskey.

 

Laughter

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Dinner for hon. Members, staff and ministry officials will be provided curtsey of Madam First Deputy Speaker.

 

I thank you, hon. Members.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

____________

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Madam Speaker, in adding my voice to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s speech on national values and principles, I wish to remind all hon. Members that Parliament is an honourable House. It is a citadel of our democracy and should not be turned into an unruly political playing field, like what we witnessed on the Floor of the House this afternoon.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! Shame!

 

The Vice-President: I, therefore, urge all hon. Members to observe the decorum and etiquette of this House.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to state that having national values and principles, particularly enshrined in the supreme law of the land, is cardinal. Stating who we are as a people, what we believe in and what we stand for is the whole basis of our existence. We must realise that setting standards which our future generations must continue to live by is what identifies any nation and its uniqueness. Let us be proud Zambians in both words and action. Let us defend, with vigour, our truly Zambian nature. Let us, indeed, uphold our identity with dignity and respect of each and every person we call Zambian.

 

Mr Mwamba: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President emphasised that the application of national values and principles is firmly anchored in our conviction, belief and acknowledgement of the supremacy of God in the affairs of our nation. He also guided that the application of national values and principles is not a matter for the Government alone, but for the Zambian society at large to take the responsibility of promoting good values, principles and ethics.

 

May I remind this august House that the highest honour in our democracy does not lie in offices or titles, but in being a citizen of Zambia, our motherland. Zambia asks each one of us in whatever role we play to do our duty with civility, integrity, commitment and unflinching loyalty to the values, principles and ethics enshrined in our Constitution. We live in a homogenous society, but anchored in our collective oneness of ubuntu as Zambians.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would say ubuntu refers to humanity. In order to promote morality, national unity and patriotism, the Government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance, has created dialogue platforms which are meant to promote mutual understanding and the spirit of working together in promoting good morals, ethics and patriotism.

Madam Speaker, all sections of our society have realised the importance of dialogue to enhance national unity, patriotism, equality, equity, non-discrimination, human rights and dignity, good governance, constitutionalism and democracy. We should learn from so many countries around the world that have tried to use antagonistic methods to solve national issues that they have always failed. We, in the Government, are very hopeful that the spirit of dialogue will continue to permeate our society.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, in an effort to promote effective co-ordination and leadership in the application of national values and principles, an inter-ministerial committee of Permanent Secretaries (PSs) has been set up to co-ordinate implementation and track progress on the application of national values and principles under respective line ministries, in accordance with their portfolio functions. The committee meets every quarter to review progress being made, identify challenges and propose solutions so that appropriate policies and programmes are delivered. The Government has also adopted a multi-sectoral approach to enhance continuous, structured and sustained civic education and inculcation of the national values and principles. Successful application of our national values and principles require that citizens are aware, involved, committed and take ownership of this transformation agenda, starting from their homes.

 

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, under the leadership of the humane President ...

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: ... of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the country’s national values and principles become fully enshrined in every part of Zambia ...

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: ... with continued improvement on their application.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, with these few remarks, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sampa: Madam Speaker, I thank all hon. Members who greatly contributed to this debate. I also thank those who paid attention. As I wind up this debate, let me take this opportunity to wish Her Honour the Vice-President and all hon. Members of Parliament a Happy Easter Holiday.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

 

ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn, sine die.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_______

 

The House adjourned accordingly at 2044 hours on Thursday, 29^th March, 2006, sine die.s

 

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