Thursday, 20^th June, 2019

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

REFUGEE OPERATIONS IN ZAMBIA

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Madam Speaker, I would like to start by thanking you and the Leader of Government Business in the House, Her Honour the Vice-President, for affording me this opportunity to render a ministerial statement to update the House and, through this House, the nation at large, on the status and situation regarding the refugees we host in this country. I am grateful because today, the rest of the world is commemorating the World Refugee Day.

Madam Speaker, Zambia continues to maintain an open door asylum policy in line with its international obligations while ensuring that internal security is maintained. The country is currently hosting a total number of 80,700 refugees, former refugees and asylum seekers from a neighbouring country and beyond, half of whom are from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The number of refugees from the DRC has continued to increase despite the successful holding of general elections and the peaceful transfer of power in the DRC. The refugees, most of whom arrive through Luapula and the Northern Province, are claiming violence due to tribal and militia conflicts in the Kivu, upper Katanga and Tanganyika regions.

Madam, following the enactment of the Refugees Act No. 1 of 2017 by this august House, the ministry has embarked on programmes that are centered on taking care of the needs of refugees and former refugees as well as host communities in order for them not to only survive but also thrive. This is exemplified by the establishment of Mantapala Refugee Settlement where more than 15,000 Congolese refugees are settled among the population of over 5,000 inhabitants sharing the social amenities and other facilities put in place in the area from the beginning of the influx in August 2017.

Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to, once again, extend the Government’s profound gratitude to the people of Luapula Province, the North-Western Province and the Northern Province, especially those in the border areas who have been at the frontline of receiving asylum seekers and assisting them. Traditional leaders, local authorities and host communities in areas where refugee settlements are located also need to be commended for their resilience in continuing to receive refugees and sharing their land and resources.

The development of Mantapala Refugee Settlement was also made possible with the support of the gallant men and women of the Zambia National Service (ZNS) who have been on the ground to open up the area by constructing roads and bridges. In addition, the Government has been assisted in this endeavour by the United Nations (UN) agencies led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), faith-based organisations and local organisations. Further, the work would not have been possible without the efforts of partner ministries including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare, Ministry of General Education and the Provincial Administration. However, a lot remains to be done to consolidate the response and provide adequate services to the refugees and their host communities.

Madam, there is, for instance, an urgent need to complete the works that have been started on the promotion of livelihoods among refugees, the construction of schools, health centres and police posts including the supply of safe water and sanitation. The humanitarian and development needs of the two populations need a wholesome approach to us to leverage on the establishment of the settlement in order to bring development to the people of Nchelenge and Kawambwa in line with the Government’s intention for the refugee programmes to also benefit the host communities.

Madam Speaker, it will be recalled that in September 2016, His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu was one of the world leaders invited by the then President of the United States of America (USA), Mr Barack Obama, to the Leader’s Summit on Refugees in New York, which was held concurrently with the UN General Assembly where the New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants was adopted. Annex 1 of the Declaration sets out a Comprehensive Refugees Response Framework for responding to large movements of refugees, including emergencies and protracted refugee situations, a framework which Zambia is now using to implement each programme.

Madam, on 18^th December, 2018, the UN General Assembly affirmed the global compact on refugees and the global compact on safe, orderly and regular migration. These international guidelines on refugee programming are intended to ensure that not only humanitarian actors respond to refugee situations but also that developmental partners, including the UN agencies, international financial institutions such as the World Bank, NGOs, the Church and business houses become part of the responses.

Madam Speaker, the new approaches also encourage social and economic inclusion of refugees in national programmes. This is important if we are to ensure that refugees do not constitute a burden on the State, but become a shared responsibility, and that they are able to develop themselves into assets not only for the host country, but their countries of origin as well. In the event that they are unable to repatriate them, the refugees should be able to contribute to the development of our country as is the case with the 20,000 Angolans and 4,000 Rwandese who have chosen to remain in Zambia despite that the situation in their countries having returned to normal.

Madam Speaker, protracted cases of former Angolan and Rwandese refugees have been offered local integration as a durable solution. In accordance with the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010, the former refugees are being given residence and temporary permits to ensure that they are properly documented and we do not have a population that is unaccounted for. This is part of the desire of the Government to find a durable solution for former refugees who are unable to return to their countries of origin. The former refugees are settled in Meheba and Mayukwayukwa resettlement schemes that are now managed by the Department of Resettlement in the Vice-President’s Office. These refugees have been given land alongside Zambians in these settlements. Some former refugees are professionals who have been deployed in various Government ministries and private institutions providing various services.

Madam Speaker, following our participation at the Leaders Summit and the UN General Assembly in 2016, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, also took part in the mobilisation of support from the international community during the Uganda Solidarity Summit on Refugees in 2017. This was intended to show solidarity to the Republic of Uganda which is hosting close to 1.2 million refugees from South Sudan. At the summit, Zambia was commended for showing a good example of implementing local integration as a durable solution for former refugees. In view of the leadership shown by His Excellency the President, in this area, the ministry has been working to consolidate Zambia’s positive reputation in refugee protection. In this regard, Zambia has been taking part in various meetings to ensure that we advance and seek support for our refugee programmes. In October 2018, I was privileged to represent the country at the UNHCR Executive Committee where I interacted with the Commissioner for Refugees, who pledged international commitment for refugee programmes and local integration of former refugees in Zambia.

Madam Speaker, recently, I was in Uganda at a meeting of Ministers in charge of refugees in the Great Lakes Region, where member States shared their knowledge, understanding and experiences in refugee protection and the search for solutions to the increasing global challenge of people forced to flee their homes. With an estimated 4.4 million refugees and asylum seekers forcibly displaced, the meeting expressed concern over the scale and scope of the refugee crisis in the Great Lakes Region. The meeting recognised the disproportionate impact of displacement on women, children and reiterated the centrality of protection with special attention to these vulnerable groups.

Madam Speaker, a peaceful transfer of power in the DRC, the revitalised agreement for the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan, and the political agreement for peace and reconciliation in the Central African Republic (CAR), which provide new prospects for peace and stability in the region, were equally recognised. Finally, members appealed to national, regional and international partners to ensure adequate financing, including appropriate amounts and quick disbursement mechanisms to address the unmet humanitarian and development requirements to support the implementation of durable solutions.

Madam Speaker, it is important to note that Zambia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda were commended for having adopted the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), and their forward-looking policies and programmes on refugee inclusion and integration. All member States agreed on the urgency to address the drivers and root causes of forced displacement in the region, including violence, armed conflict, human rights violations, natural disasters and environmental degradation, among others.

Madam Speaker, lessons about the high price that many of our neighbours have had to pay to restore peace once it is lost due to conflict and violence can be learnt from such events. In conclusion, the ministry will continue to collaborate with partner ministries, UN agencies, international and local NGOs and faith-based organisations to ensure that we maintain a positive approach to refugee problems. In October 2019, UN member States will gather in Geneva to deliberate on the phenomenon of statelessness which, to date, affects more than 10 million people worldwide. On 17^th and 18^th December, 2019, the UN member states will, once again, meet in Geneva to discuss the provisions of the global compact on refugees.

Madam Speaker, the African Union (AU) has this year, 2019, adopted the theme, “Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa”, bringing into focus, the need for member states to deal decisively with this problem.

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Home Affairs remains committed to ensuring that only genuine refugees are granted refugee status. It is also committed to fulfilling its international mandate of providing protection and assistance to all asylum seekers and refugees in order to contribute to their general welfare and the maintenance of our country’s internal security.

Madam Speaker, I will end by commending the Commissioner for Refugees and his officers who often have to be away from home in their quest to serve their fellow human beings and offer services to those who have no place to call home.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

DELEGATION FROM THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to acquaint the House with the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Director of Operations, Mr Jarvis Matiya and the Senior Legal/Legislative Counsel from the Parliament of Uganda, Ms Esther Apolat. The two officials were part of the facilitators of the two-day training Workshop on the Role of Parliaments in Ratifying International Agreements held here at Parliament Buildings for all hon. Members of Parliament.

I would like, on behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, to receive our distinguished guests and warmly welcome them into our midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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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 of Home Affairs.

Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Madam Speaker, the Zambian Government has been praised at many fora for its policy on local integration of refugees. I would like to know, on behalf of the people of Kaputa, how many refugees have benefitted from this policy which has earned this country a lot of accolades.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Kaputa for being among the leaders in Kaputa who have been quite helpful in settling refugees. Kaputa is a border area which most refugees from the DRC use.

Madam, there are approximately 4,000 Rwandese and about 12,000 Angolan former refugees in the local integration programme which was a durable option for those who had opted to remain here after their colleagues had gone back during the voluntary repatriation exercise. These are the people who are benefitting from this programme. We are working with their Governments to ensure that documentation is processed, especially for the former Angolan refugees, which can then make them qualify for residency under our Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that the number of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has continued to grow and that we have accommodated them. The reason the number is growing, according to the hon. Minister, is that they are claiming that there is violence in the DRC. This is despite that country having had a peaceful handover of power.

Madam, sometime back, the Government arrested Tendai Biti, a Zimbabwean who had fled his country claiming that his life was in danger. Why was he arrested and handed back to Zimbabwe where he fled from political persecution?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister of Home Affairs will answer that question merely by stating the policy, but I will not allow the mention of that name.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I hope you will permit me to set the record straight on this matter. I am surprised that the hon. Member of Parliament for Dundumwezi seems to have forgotten how we dealt with this matter because I made clarifications when it came before this House.

Madam, to set the record straight, we have a way of assessing asylum seekers to determine whether they, indeed, deserve to be given the status of asylum seekers. This is because even those that are fighting can come in with arms and pretend to be asylum seekers. Therefore, there is an assessment that is carried out to determine who should qualify for asylum.

Madam Speaker, this matter was even clarified at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly which I attended. As Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states, we have bilateral relationships. Zambia and Zimbabwe have a Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) in which we set the rules of engagement. Security is the same, and we meet every year to agree on how we are to interact.

Therefore, if someone commits a crime here in Zambia, we have a standard arrangement on how this person should be treated if they opt to run into Zimbabwe. This person would not have a safe haven in Zimbabwe because we interact through our security agencies. Through the same arrangements, we can tell the difference between an asylum seeker and someone who is running from facing justice.

Madam Speaker, the individual who was mentioned by my dear hon. Colleague came from a country which had peaceful elections but, apparently, after the elections, there were people who still had issues. We had a direct role to play in monitoring the elections in that particular country as we were still chairing the Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security. Therefore, we knew everything that was happening and we were going to be the first ones to determine whether the individual in question deserved to be treated as an asylum seeker or not.

However, we discovered that this individual was part of the confusion that caused some issues and needed to appear before the courts of law. At the moment, this person has been afforded that chance to appear before the courts of law. In fact, I remember he was mentioned as having come to Zambia. At no point was he arrested. He was just denied entry, which is provided for in our laws, and was requested to go back and face justice.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kamondo (Mufumbwe): Madam Speaker, you may be aware that of late, there have been tribal conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), especially in the Ituri Province. Have we received refugees from the DRC recently? If so, what measures have been put in place to ensure that they do not come into the country with the Ebola virus?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, like I mentioned in my statement, there are all sorts of ethnic conflicts in North Kivu Province and its surrounding areas. As you may be aware, the DRC is a vast country. I actually forgot to mention, when responding to the hon. Member of Parliament for Dundumwezi, that much as the new DRC Government is settling down, the country has its own complexities apart from being a vast nation. The area where ethnic conflicts are being perpetrated is far away from the capital Kinshasa, where the Government is just settling down.

Madam Speaker, the figures which I indicated in my statement relate to those that come from ethnic conflict-infested areas. These numbers of people come into our country through the Northern and Luapula provinces. However, we have our security teams on the ground, as always, carrying out surveillance in our border areas. We have joint security operation teams drawn from our security wings which sit to assess and screen those that wish to come into the country. They ensure that only those that deserve to be admitted as asylum seekers are admitted. Those who are perceived to be part of the conflict are separated and treated as such, and for the sake of security, they are either sent back or held on to until they are sent back.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr A. Malama (Nchelenge): Mr Speaker, I seek clarification from the hon. Minister. He has highlighted the fact that the Zambia National Service (ZNS) had worked on some bridges and roads for the refugees and the host community in Mantampala Refugee Camp in Nchelenge. When will the works on the access road from Mantampala to Mulwe be completed?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, did you get the question?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, yes, I did. Let me appreciate the hon. Member for Nchelenge because he was always available each time there was a need and when Nchelenge was under stress. We had a transit centre called Kenani, right within the Boma in Nchelenge, where the refugees were received. The hon. Member, together with the hon. Minister of Health, was, indeed, of help, in ensuring that the people were kept in humane conditions.

Madam Speaker, the access road to Mantampala Refugee Settlement is work in progress. I remember we were with the hon. Member when we went to see a crossing point which is in a bad state. That crossing point is on the shortest route to Mantampala. The ministry is discussing with the Ministry of Finance on how quickly it can release the remaining funds for the construction of that route to be completed and ensure easy access to the various stakeholders who take various services to the refugee camp.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr S. Banda (Kasenengwa): Madam Speaker, it is gratifying to note that the hon. Minister’s statement indicated that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had successful elections and that there has, however, been an influx of refugees through Luapula Province and the Northern Province. This is worrisome in the sense that it will continue having a strain on the Government’s expenditure and it is also a source of civil and criminal ills and devices. What measures has the Government, in collaboration with the DRC Government, put in place to ensure that this phenomenon is brought to an end?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, indeed, we are equally concerned, but we are hopeful that with the DRC Government settling down, and President Tshisekedi’s intended visit to Zambia, a solution will be found. We need to activate our bilateral engagements because the JPC meetings I talked about provide a platform to find solutions to some of these issues. We have not had these meetings because of the instability and uncertainty that gripped the DRC prior to elections. Now that the country is settling down, we will reactivate our bilateral engagements through the JPC, so that we can iron out some of the challenges for our people to live in peace.

I thank you, Madam.

Dr Chanda (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, presently, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), apart from the political instability, also has an Ebola outbreak. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned about the mass movement of people and there were cases of Ebola recently in Uganda. I want to know how the Ministry of Home Affairs is collaborating with the Ministry of Health to ensure that as these huge numbers of people move, our country is protected from risks such as Ebola infections.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, if the hon. Member followed me when I made the statement, he will recall that I mentioned some of the ministries that we are working with closely. The Ministry of Health is one such ministry, and it has been with us throughout because people move with different ailments. I recall when we visited the refugees with His Excellency the President that we found a lady who had delivered fatherless triplets. So, the –

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, would you like to clarify that?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I said that in jest, but it was a serious situation. We had a single mother who had just given birth at one of our mobile clinics set up by the Ministry of Health.

Madam Speaker, when setting up screening teams, we always include health experts to screen those coming in as security checks are carried out and isolate those that may have health complications who are then given attention by our medical experts. It is basically a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Health.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Lufuma (Kabompo): Madam Speaker, as the hon. Minister of Home Affairs has adequately mentioned, conflicts and violence are ingredients in the disturbance of peace in any country. The hon. Minister has given an example of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which contributes half of the 80,700 refugees we have in Zambia, due to conflict and violence in that country. As the hon. Minister in charge of home affairs, what is he doing to ensure that political and electoral violence does not lead to refugees leaving this country into other countries? What is he doing to ensure that peace is maintained and political and electoral violence is brought to a halt?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, at the end of my statement, I mentioned the price that countries that have no peace have had to pay. Before the hon. Minister of Home Affairs states what he is doing to maintain peace, the hon. Member should also understand that he has a role to play in maintaining peace. That is why he is an elected representative of the people. He forms part of the Government in this case. It is not just the hon. Minister of Home Affairs, but a collective effort –

Mr Lufuma interjected.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Mr Kampyongo: So, the hon. Member of Parliament contributes to the effort the Government is making by ensuring that in his constituency, people co-exist and, that way, people in the nation will live in peace. We also need to understand that politics is about competing to serve. So, if the people of Zambia do not give you an opportunity to serve, you must not spill blood in order for you to become a leader. Where people have tried to use such methods, there have been challenges. Here in Zambia, we have prescribed how we should govern this country democratically for ourselves. We should stick to the processes that we have prescribed for ourselves, and all strive to understand that in competition, we are bound to win or lose, but life goes on. We have a collective responsibility to make sure that our people understand that peace must be preserved at all times.

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Home Affairs makes sure that the agencies that are responsible for maintaining peace are functional and supported at all times. We all know that as Zambians, we have lived in peace and harmony. I think that is the reason Zambia has been a sanctuary for so many people who have been uprooted from places they called home at one point. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that this country continues to live in peace.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, if I understood the question, I think the hon. Member wanted to know what you are doing, as hon. Minister of Home Affairs and as part of the regional grouping, to avoid the influx of refugees into the country.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I thank you for that reminder. First of all, we are privileged to be the Chair of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. So far, we have played our role of, first of all, ensuring that we provided leadership to the member states of SADC that were having elections. All the warring parties came to the roundtable to ensure that the democracy that we have all chosen collectively as the SADC region was adhered to.

Madam Speaker, since the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, the hon. Minister of Defence and I, who form part of the organ, are here, I must say that we have done exceptionally well. I think everybody was worried, especially when we were dealing with the DRC because the worst was expected. Under our leadership, we tried our best to ensure that the country held elections peacefully. Of course, in an election, there are winners and losers, and you cannot rule out the possibility of people airing grievances. What is key is that people have accepted that there is a Government in place now. What we are seeing in the region is giving us hope. Beyond the region, the AU is also very firm in ensuring that in countries where there are disturbances, interventions are made to ensure that people are not uprooted from their countries.

Madam Speaker, I know that we have challenges in one of the countries north of the continent, and the AU, working together with its member states is doing everything possible to ensure that the situation there is normalised. Here, our role is to enforce the law. Zambia is a country that should be governed by the rule of law. That is why we have law enforcement agencies. Perpetrators of violence will be dealt with by the law, and the law will have no colour to choose who is who in terms of whom it visits. Here, we shall continue to ensure that we serve the nation, and during our tour of duty, the nation will continue to be at peace.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Madam Speaker, three weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Maheba Refugee Camp with the Committee on Cabinet Affairs. We saw firsthand, the concept of reintegration, which is a very good programme. One of the complaints or concerns which came through from our partners was the high residence permit fees which are being charged. It is a requirement, for anyone applying for a residence permit to pay, but considering that these people are refugees, normally, these fees are paid for them by the partners. There are thousands of refugees and, therefore, these fees translate into quite a lot of money. So, the progress is quite slow because the partners can only pay for a certain number of refugees for a particular year. Is the ministry not considering waiving this residence permit fee for refugees or putting it on a gratis basis as it is for diplomats so as to ensure that we leverage a lot of money from the partners and channel it towards providing services in these refugee camps?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I want to thank Hon. Dr Kalila for that follow-up question and, indeed, for being a witness to what the Government is doing to assist the people concerned.

Madam Speaker, in looking after the people concerned, we have permanent partners whom we cannot leave out. These have a specific role as prescribed by international conventions. So, there are partners that we cannot leave out. I want to assure the hon. Member and the people who are concerned that the co-operating partners we have had, in this case, the UNHCR, are playing their role quite effectively. Yes, indeed, there has been a slow pace in terms of the way funds are flowing, but our partners are still committed to ensuring that they take that cost component for the processing of the necessary documents into account. They are committed to this issue. It could be slow, but I think, eventually, we shall get there. It is a process that we cannot avoid, and we have permanent agreements to that effect.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Can you give them gratis?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, like I said, these are things that are provided for in the law. So, we cannot break the law in order to suit a single class of people. We have laws that were made by this august House which must be read together with international conventions. Therefore, it is not possible to give them gratis. For us to reach where we are, it means that we have been discussing. That matter was amicably discussed with our co-operating partners who, like I said, are a must-have, on board.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, many of you are indicating to ask questions. If you ask short, business-like questions, everyone will be able to ask a question. However, if you continue the way you are asking questions, unfortunately, I will have to cut the list short. Therefore, try to be brief.

Mr Nyirenda (Lundazi): Madam Speaker, what measures has the ministry put in place to deal with refugees who are not honest, that is, those who enter this country as refugees and become richer than the locals after a period of three to five years?

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I am not sure whether the hon. Member wants the hon. Minister to stop them from getting rich. Would you, perhaps, like to ask the question, again?

Interruptions

Mr Nyirenda: Madam Speaker, we have a procedure in place for people who want to come to this country and do business. They need to apply for business permits. However, due to the fact that our borders are porous, some businessmen come in as refugees and, in due course, engage in economic activities and become richer than we, the owners of the country.

Laughter

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I would like to assure the hon. Member of Parliament that people who have suffered before know what it takes to rebuild their lives. Refugees have had a share of human suffering. So, when they start something, they do it with commitment and passion in order to sustain their lives and the lives of those who depend on them. Therefore, we should not, at any point, discourage them from involving themselves in economic activities.

Madam Speaker, the question raises the issue of screening because I think that the hon. Member was talking about money laundering. For those who would want to come and launder money here, it is a different scenario altogether. Our institutions are very alert that if someone wants to seek asylum as a way to establish their business, they are screened through proper mechanisms. As you know, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and when people apply for permits, they are scrutinised. This is done in order to establish where a particular person is coming from and what investments he/she wants to make. That is a different scenario altogether. However, we, as leaders, must encourage refugees who engage in an economic activity. We must not allow people with a laissez-faire attitude to disturb them. Sometimes, the people who complain about the economic progress of the refugees are those who are lazy and when they see someone succeeding, they begin to make so many insinuations and innuendos instead of learning about what makes them prosper. So, let us encourage these people.

Madam Speaker, like I said, he who suffers knows how to deal with the suffering better. We can only encourage them to do their businesses within the confines of the law, but if they break it, it will certainly visit them.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Jere (Livingstone): Madam Speaker, as the hon. Minister stated, the hosting of refugees has serious implications on the host nation and, among them, is the financial burden. I would like to find out if at all the Government is receiving any support from our neighbour, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), now that it has had a peaceful transfer of power.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I want to agree with the hon. Member for Livingstone that the hosting of refugees comes across as a burden. However, we have an obligation to do it in the same way that my dear colleague would not want to let me fall as he would, obviously, come to my aid because he is my neighbour. So, it does not work that way. It is not like we can go back and tell them that they owe us for looking after their people. In humanitarian service, it does not work that way.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member may also wish to know that although the DRC had conflicts, it also hosts a large number of refugees from other countries. Surprisingly, you will find people from Southern Sudan, Burundi and Rwanda in that country. So, much as we are hosting their people, they are equally affected by the same humanitarian crisis.

Madam Speaker, of the estimated 4.4 million displaced people in the Great Lakes Region that you heard me talk about, the DRC accounts for a larger share. It would not be a solution to go and tell the country to pay us back because we looked after its people. It does not work like that in humanitarian service.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mecha (Chifunabuli): Madam Speaker, allow me to commend the hon. Minister for indicating before this House that Zambia prioritises the protection of refugees. I know that with the huge influx of refugees in the country, we expect a very high risk of violation of the human rights of the refugees.

Madam Speaker, I must declare interest at this juncture, that I am actually a human rights activist and a champion against child marriages and child pregnancies. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what measures the ministry has put in place to ensure that refugees, particularly the girl child, are protected against human rights violations.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I appreciate the concern raised by the hon. Member for Chifunabuli through his follow-up question. The Ministry of Home Affairs ensures that all services are provided in places where we are keeping these people of concern. We ensure that the Zambia Police Service is closer to them to ensure that people live in peace. Mind you, these people come from different regions and countries and are put in one place. They have different emotions and cultures among others. So, if just left them without being managed, there would be chaos. Therefore, we ensure that the law enforcement agencies are also present. In addition, there are other non-governmental stakeholders that play different roles.

Madam Speaker, today, I spent the whole day at Cosmopolitan Mall where stakeholders came to showcase what they are doing in supporting refugees. You should have seen the number of stakeholders. Stakeholders from health and education sectors have come on board to play their role. Equally, the human rights non-governmental groupings are on board. We have an open door policy for those that we collaborate with in ensuring that the rights of children and mothers are protected whilst they are under our care in our camps. So, we have all these measures in place to ensure that there are no human rights violations in our camps.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kabanda (Serenje): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the elaborate statement on the influx of refugees in this country. Noting that there is political stability in this country, I foresee a situation where these refugees may not go back to their countries of origin. Instead, more are expected. As a long-term measure, what is your hardworking Government doing to mitigate the social and economic impact of hosting refugees?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I mentioned that as Zambians, we have not started hosting people now. We have been doing this for some time. Take Mandevu Constituency, for example. You will recall that after the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI), which made Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland an independent State, as we were moving towards independence, people were still moving across borders. We had people from Southern Rhodesia, for example, who came to settle in some areas in Lusaka, and because of the beards they had, that area started being called Mandevu. This is so because people would say: “Tiyenda kuja kunkala bama ndevu,” meaning, “ We are going to that place where people with beards live.”

Madam Speaker, the comprehensive response which we are dealing with seems like a new concept, but it started a long time ago. This is because we had to live with these people who could not go back after their countries attained their Independence. If you go to Mumbwa, for instance, you will see that there are many of them there. We have one of the Presidents within the region who always wants to go to a place he refers to as his home whenever he visits Zambia.

Madam Speaker, it is in our nature to live with people who come from other countries. Similarly, we shall continue to ensure that when providing social amenities such as clinics in areas with refugees, we also factor in the number of people in their surrounding communities. That way, if the people decided to go back to their countries, the facilities left behind can be utilised by the local communities and that also lessens tensions between the host communities and the refugees.

There are times when the host communities see that the Government and its co-operating partners are focusing on service delivery only for the refugees. When that happens, it is obvious that they get concerned and that can be a recipe for disharmony. So, we shall continue to focus on service delivery for the local communities and refugee camps and that is a route we have taken together with our co-operating partners. We are also factoring in the refugees under our pillars of development because we do not consider them to be a burden. It is time we started looking at them as people who can also contribute positively and productively to the economy of the country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lihefu (Manyinga): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if he is aware of the happenings in the North-Western Province. Refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are entering through Kolwezi, which is near Mwinilunga. Others enter through Kipushi. Further, some refugees do not stay in the refugee camps, but in their places of choice. What security measures has the hon. Minister put in place to ensure that these refugees comply with our national laws?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I am aware that there are people that come from the other side of the DRC into the North-Western Province. It is also a fact that in some cases, the hon. Member of Parliament might even have relatives on the other side of the DRC. It is the same case when you go to Luapula and Chienge. We have people that live on the other side, but are related and their chiefdoms are arranged in a manner that allows people to move from one place to another. Again, managing this situation requires collaborated efforts. If an area hon. Member of Parliament sees a challenge, it is important to work with authorities in the area to make sure people are guided regularly in order to legalise their stay in the North-Western Province.

Madam Speaker, this phenomenon is common and we are aware that people move in between borders. The border between the North-Western Province and the other side of the DRC is quite porous. People walk back and forth. They have relations there and people inter-marry across the borders, which are not properly drawn. So, it might be very difficult to start chasing everyone who has probably come to see their lover on one side. We need to collaborate with the hon. Member of Parliament in this regard. We always encourage people to come through the formal channels.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I will take questions from the following Members: the hon. Member for Kanchibiya, the hon. Member for Luangeni, the hon. Member for Chadiza and end with the hon. Member for Nalikwanda.

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, the issue of refugees is of security concern and requires local, regional and global attention. We have performed very well at local and regional levels, but not at the global level. What efforts are we making to ensure that Africa has a seat on the United Nations (UN) Security Council so that we can attend to this matter at a global level?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, the last part of the question from the hon. Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya is a major one. I may be constrained to comment on it because securing a permanent seat on the United Nations(UN) Security Council is at the apex of the African Union (AU) discussions. The engagements we have had both at regional and continental level are a show of concern. Two months ago, I was in Marrakesh representing His Excellency the President, to reaffirm the global compact on safe migration and refugees. This shows how concerned we are. As Africa, we are especially concerned when we see our youths risk their lives to cross oceans and other water bodies in search of better livelihoods in other continents. It is something that is really taking centre stage in our discourse on the continent. These happenings do not please us.

Madam Speaker, we are doing everything possible to domesticate some of the salient features of the compact. We are frankly discussing with other member states that are especially affected by the movements of our youths in huge numbers who risk their lives daily, but are not able to see the heaven they want to enjoy after crossing the oceans. So, the aspect of that seat is beyond me, and I may not comment further than this.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr C. M. Zulu (Luangeni): Madam Speaker, are refugees allowed to marry Zambians, and are Zambians allowed to marry them?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, it is a very interesting question from my hon. Colleague. For all we know, love knows no colour, nationality or tribe. Therefore, it would be treading on dangerous waters to try to prevent people from exercising the right to love whoever they choose. I can confirm to the hon. Member that there are a large number of people who have found permanent life partners in former refugees. They are living normal lives and are having children. In the spirit of ubuntu and, as Africans, we cannot restrict people as regards who they should choose to love. So, marriage between Zambians and refugees is possible, and it is happening. As Zambians, we should feel proud that we do not have fellow citizens living elsewhere as refugees. That we must be proud of as well as keep and maintain otherwise, people can lose their dignity. Dignity is lost when people start dictating who one should love simply because one is not in one’s country of origin, and has lost one’s identity and status. In short, it is possible for people to fall in love and get married to refugees.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr S. Tembo (Chadiza): Madam Speaker, there is a concern that our law enforcement agencies are facing a lot of operational challenges such as a lack of transport. As a result, it is challenging for them to maintain peace in the refugee camps. What is the ministry doing to alleviate the transport challenges that these law enforcement agencies or uniformed staff face?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, if the hon. Member was in the House just the other day, he would have heard my pronouncements regarding the issue of logistical challenges that affects not only the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees but also other law enforcement agencies like the Zambia Police Service, Immigration Department of Zambia and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC). This is historical.

Madam Speaker, what I am saying is that, as a ministry, we have embarked on the procurement of motor vehicles for different operations. Once the vehicles are procured, we shall make sure that those who oversee and police the refugee resettlement areas are equally availed with transport to help them to carry out their work effectively.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Madam Speaker, the African Union (AU) has declared 2019 as the year of refugees on the continent. Could the hon. Minister remind the House, again, of the various activities that have been planned in the country to commemorate this recognition by the AU.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I will allow the hon. Minister to answer that question as a way of informing the House, if he is ready.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I attempted to connect the theme for this year’s World Refugee Day commemoration which was, “Take A Step for Refugees” in line with the proclamation by the Africa Union (AU). His Excellency the President was actually the first one to show that, as a country, we must start looking at issues of refugees differently. We saw him running for 10 km with the refugees to just heighten the awareness. So, some of the programmes that we are implementing such as the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework are in line with that theme adopted by the AU.

We are hoping, like I said, that as we are sitting on the roundtable, as AU member states, we engage in genuine and serious discourse because whilst we have our own people from the continent making a positive impact, Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa must have seen one country whose team comprised many migrants winning the Football World Cup. We must be holistic in the way we discuss these matters of migrants because when it comes to refugees, the picture that is portrayed is that these people tend to be a burden when they migrate to other continents in search of fortunes, yet we have also had a positive impact on a number of nations.

I was just giving a classic example of the football team that won the World Cup. It is the same with women’s soccer. Those who are watching the Women’s Football World Cup will see our own young ladies from our continent, or connected to the continent, showcasing their talents. However, when they win, they do not say Africans have won. What we hear is that country so and so are the world champions. So, we are saying let us have a holistic approach as we deal with issues of migration. We are going to be part of the countries that will implement the compact, like I said, by adopting some of its salient components.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

KATETE CORRECTIONAL CENTRE

393. Mr Phiri (Mkaika) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate the Katete Correctional Centre;

if so, when the plans will be implemented;

when the construction of a new kitchen at the centre will commence; and

what the time frame for the completion of the project at (c) is.

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Madam Speaker, the Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS), through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has embarked on the rehabilitation and construction of infrastructure for ZCS. The ministry intends to rehabilitate the Katete Correctional Centre in 2020. The Government is determined to ensure humane custody of inmates by rehabilitating all the correctional facilities.

Madam, the rehabilitation works will commence upon the release of funds through the 2020 National Budget.

Madam Speaker, the construction of a kitchen at the centre would be part of the rehabilitation works earmarked for 2020. In this regard, as soon as rehabilitation works start at the correctional centre, the construction of the kitchen will also commence.

Madam Speaker, the time frame for the completion of the new kitchen at the centre will depend on the scope of works and the contract that will be drawn between the one that will construct the kitchen and the correctional service.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kamondo (Mufumbwe): Madam Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister indicated that his ministry is going to construct or rehabilitate correctional centres. I would like to find out whether he is able to come to this House with a comprehensive report to show which correctional centres are going to be rehabilitated.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, yes, at an appropriate time, I can do that once the plan is consolidated. So, I can come and update the House.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

MONEY OWED TO TRANSPORTERS

394. Mr Lufuma (Kabompo) asked the Minister of Agriculture:

how much money is owed to transporters of farming inputs for the 2017/2018 Farming Season countrywide;

how much is owed to the transporters in Kabompo District; and

when the outstanding amounts will be paid to the transporters in the district.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Katambo): Madam Speaker, in the 2017/2018 Agriculture Season, the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) was implemented using the Electronic-Voucher (e-Voucher) System countrywide. Thus, the Government does not owe transporters for transportation of farming inputs for the 2017/2018 Agriculture Season.

Madam Speaker, the ministry does not owe transporters in Kabompo District for the 2017/2018 Agriculture Season. However, for the 2016/2017 Farming Season, a total of K395,252.52 is owed to the transporters.

Madam Speaker, the ministry is working to pay out the outstanding amounts as soon as funds are made available. The Ministry of Agriculture is continuously making payments towards the settlement of the debt owed to transporters.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister of Agriculture for giving us the correct figures, but I think there was a mistake in terms of the season. However, the hon. Minister has given the House the necessary information. Is there any indication at all from the hon. Minister of Finance as to when the Ministry of Agriculture will release the money to liquidate the outstanding payments for Kabompo?

Mr Katambo: Madam Speaker, yes, we are engaging the Treasury, and the hon. Minister of Finance has promised to settle the debt. The debt is huge, but we are dismantling it. We are committed to settling the obligation that we owe the transporters in Kabompo District.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lihefu (Manyinga): Madam Speaker, from 2016 to date, some transporters have not been paid, as a result, they are not able to send their children to school. What has caused the delay in paying the transporters in Kabompo, and in many other neighbouring constituencies in the North-Western Province?

Mr Katambo: Madam Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, we are engaging the Treasury, through the Ministry of Finance, to settle the debt. As the Ministry of Agriculture, we are committed to settling the debt we owe transporters in Kabompo District. As you are aware, the amount is huge, but we are dismantling it as funds are made available.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Nanjuwa (Mumbwa): Madam Speaker, when last did the hon. Minister make a payment to the transporters in Kabompo?

Mr Katambo: Madam Speaker, as of March this year, K497, 000 was paid, and the balance is K395,252,52 as I mentioned earlier.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lufuma: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the debt amount was huge, but the balance was K395,252,52. Does he have a list of transporters who were paid in Kabompo since we last had a discussion on this issue on the Floor of this House?

Mr Katambo: Madam Speaker, in Kabompo, the Ministry of Agriculture contracted eight transporters. Of the eight, Chidikumbidi Lodge and Hardware was paid in full, an amount of K29,053,60. Mutondo Wakwenda Enterprises was paid K9,120, Kabompo District Corporative Union was paid K40,298,20, Den Kakemu Enterprise Warehouse was paid K26,275 in full and Muvumbo Wakajika General Dealers was paid K46,441,72 in full. In the district, these are the companies that were paid. We are only remaining with three companies that we owe K395, 252,52.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Madam Speaker, the issue of delayed payments to transporters of farming imputs is almost everywhere apart from Kabompo. What solution do you have to avert such a situation in future? This issue has become chronic. Could this be a sign of your Government’s failure?

Mr Katambo: Madam Speaker, the Government of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is committed to settle all the obligations that we owe various transporters, suppliers or any companies that the ministry contracted. As soon as the Ministry of Finance releases funds, we shall pay all those we owe.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mutaba (Mwandi): Madam Speaker, considering the time that has passed from 2016 to 2019, is the ministry considering paying these transporters interest on top of their money?

Mr Katambo: Madam Speaker, the contracts we have with the companies have no time frame for payment of the dues owed to them. Further, there is no clause for payment of interest to these transporters. They willingly entered into these contracts with the ministry, and it should be noted that the Government subsidises the transporters’ costs. As I said earlier, as soon as the Ministry of Finance gives us funding, we will pay the transporters without interest because they willingly engaged with the Ministry of Agriculture.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

CHILANGA OFFICE BLOCK

395. Mrs L. Phiri (Chilanga) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

whether the Government has any plans to construct an office block for the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship in Chilanga District; and

if so, when the plans will be implemented.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, the Ministry has no immediate plans to construct a new office block for the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship in Chilanga District. The plans to construct an office in Chilanga may be considered after the completion of the on-going infrastructure projects. However, the ministry is in discussion with the district administration to consider finding office space which can be rented in the newly created district so that the services of the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship can be extended as close to the people of Chilanga as possible.

Madam Speaker, as indicated, there are no immediate plans for the construction of an office block for the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship in Chilanga District. However, I am aware that the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development has planned for infrastructure development in Chilanga, and I am working closely with the hon. Minister responsible to see how we can quickly plan for this office in Chilanga.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs L. Phiri: Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the hon. Minister that …

Laughter

Mrs L. Phiri: … Chilanga is a new district, and it has a growing population of over 200,000 people. It has been a great challenge for the people of Chilanga to obtain National registration cards (nrcs) and passports because they have to travel long distances to Kafue or Lusaka districts in order to obtain these important documents. The hon. Minister has indicated that his ministry is talking with the district officials for the people to begin to use offices at the district to get these documents. I would like to find out from him when the talks will be concluded, and when the ministry will be able to establish such an office in our district.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, certainly, I appreciate her concerns. We are aware that as a new district, Chilanga requires some urgent attention. It is for this reason that I mentioned that my ministry is also working with the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development to see to it that it quickly incorporates the office block for the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship.

Madam, at the moment, I am aware that our officers from the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship are having discussions with the District Commissioner (DC) to find a suitable place which can be rented for the department. Rest assured that before the end of this year, we could get our officers in the district to start serving the people of Chilanga who are very committed to the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the good answers he is providing. Having heard the hon. Member of Parliament for Chilanga lament over the growing population there, is the ministry in a position to provide mobile services to Chilanga District?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Chitambo for the important follow-up question. The issue of mobile registration he has referred to is part of the mandate of the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship. However, this is carried out periodically. I am aware that the department has already planned for Lusaka Province. Therefore, when the exercise commences in Lusaka Province, we shall ensure that priority is given to districts that have no permanent offices for the department. We shall extend the mobile registration exercise under the Lusaka Province to Chilanga when the exercise commences. Like I said, we shall ensure that places like Chilanga, where there are no permanent offices, are prioritised in terms of being serviced through this exercise.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Phiri: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister stated that his ministry is considering the on-going projects. Since Katete is one of those places where an on-going construction project of an office where people can obtain NRCs, I would like to find out when the project in Katete will be completed because there is nothing happening, and works have stalled for a long time.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The question on the Order Paper relates to Chilanga. I encourage the hon. Member for Mkaika to also file a question so that the people of his constituency can benefit.

Hon. Member for Milanzi, is your question about Chilanga?

Mr W. Banda (Milanzi): It is about Chilanga, Madam.

Mr W. Banda: Madam Speaker, I would like to know the assurance the hon. Minister is giving the people of Chilanga that the office block will be constructed. I ask this because I am aware that in Katete, there is an office block which was started three years ago, but it is not complete. So, what assurance is his ministry giving the people of Chilanga that they will not experience what the people of Katete are experiencing?

Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I know the hon. Member has just smartly got around the question from his counterpart, the hon. Member for Mkaika. Nonetheless, I am obliged to give the question a bonus response.

Madam, the bonus response to my dear colleague’s question is that the Katete project is a sad story. I am sure the hon. Member is aware of how much we have been trying to resolve the matter. The project was contracted and procured by the Provincial Administration. So, it would appear that it ignored a number of issues which were required to be taken into account in terms of contractual obligations between the Government and the contractor. We are trying to deal with these matters at the headquarters and ensure that the people Katete get the office which they deserve. The assurance to the people of Chilanga is that when the project commences, it will not stall as the case is in Katete where, regrettably, we have ended up with a project which has stalled as a result of the oversight made by the then Provincial Administration. However, we are determined to rectify that challenge and complete the project.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

CHAMA SOUTH HEALTH POSTS

396. Mr Mung’andu (Chama South) asked the Minister of Health:

when the construction of health posts under the 650 Health Posts Project in the following areas in Chama South Parliamentary Constituency will commence:

Ng’anjo Bazimu in Chief Tembwe’s Chiefdom

Pondo in Chief Chikwa’s Chiefdom; and

Zebe in Chief Chifunda’s Chiefdom;

what has caused the delay in commencing the project; and

when staff will be deployed to the following health posts in the constituency:

Kalasa in Mapamba area; and

Chimphamba in Chief Chikwa’s Chiefdom.

The Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Madam Speaker, the construction of health posts under the 650 Health Post Project in Chama South Parliamentary Constituency will begin in the fourth week of August 2019.

Madam, the delay in commencing the project was due to financial constraints arising from the tardy release of the counterpart funding by the Zambian Government to cover the balance of works. However, the House may wish to note that the Government has secured additional financing to cover the balance of funds required to complete the health post under the 650 health post project countrywide.

Madam Speaker, the Government has already recruited an enrolled midwife, enrolled nurse and a watchman to be sent to Kalasa in Mapamba area of Chama District. The members of staff have already reported to the ministry and will commence duties immediately after the facility has been completed.

Madam, a nurse and a community health assistant have been identified for the health post in Chimphamba in Chief Chikwa’s Chiefdom. They will be deployed once the handover and commissioning of the facility is complete.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, would the hon. Minister be in a position to specifically state when these members of staff, who have been identified and employed by the ministry, will be sent, particularly to Kalasa and Chimphamba? The facilities have been completed and people are eagerly waiting for our working Government through his ministry to send these members of staff on time.

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, we expect the official handover from the contractor to take place before the month end of June, this year and we will move the staff there.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, questions on the 650 health posts have been coming over and over on the Floor of the House. The situation in Chama is similar to the one in Chitambo. Is the hon. Minister of Health able to give the hon. Members of Parliament a detailed schedule of when these projects will be completed so that have this information for the projects in each and every constituency. This will prevent hon. Members from asking the same questions over and over again.

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, the revised schedule for the completion of the 650 health posts is ready, and we are circulating it through Parliament, like I indicated yesterday.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Dr Lihefu: Madam Speaker, Chama South is like many other constituencies in this country. What assurance can the hon. Minister give to the people of Chama South and many other constituencies countrywide that these health posts will be constructed?

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, the challenge we had regarding the construction of health posts countrywide was a lack of funds as well as our relationship with one contractor. Therefore, having resolved the issue of funding and having engaged a new contractor, we do not have any reason to drag the project any further. I would like to assure the nation and all the hon. Members of Parliament that this project is now on course. The contractor has mobilised to all the four provinces, and we have people carrying out civil works in a number of districts. Like I Indicated, the schedule will be released very soon.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Chibanda (Mufulira): Madam Speaker, for the avoidance of the hon. Minister repeating himself and for the sake of the people of Chama and Mufulira Central, I seek further clarification. The hon. Minister mentioned that the projects for Chama will commence in August 2019. Therefore, is he in a position to confirm that even in the other four provinces, these projects will commence in August 2019 or there is a different schedule for those projects?

Dr Chilufya: Madam Speaker, the schedule will be availed, and all the hon. Members of Parliament will have it before the end of next week. The fact that Chama will have contractors on site in August 2019 does not mean that the contractors will be on all the sites at the same time. The completion period for this project is eighteen months from the date of commencement. Therefore, the schedule will dictate when the contractor will be where.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

_______

BILL

FIRST READING

THE FOOD SAFETY BILL, 2019

The Minister of Health (Dr Chilufya): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill entitled the Food Safety Bill, 2019. The objects of the Bill are to:

provide for the protection of the public against health hazards and fraud in the manufacture, sale and use of food;

provide for a streamlined process for regulatory clearances for regulatory health requirements for food premises;

establish the Food Safety Coordinating Committee and provide for its functions and powers;

provide for health inspection reports and report notices;

establish the National Food Laboratory;

repeal the Food and Drugs Act, 1972 and sections 79 and 83 of the Public Health Act, 1972; and

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

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Services. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Wednesday 17^th July, 2019. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

Thank You.

_______

MOTIONS

DEATH OF MS PATRICA CHILESHE MWASHINGWELE, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KATUBA

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that this House do place on record its deepest regret at the untimely death of Ms Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele, hon. Member of Parliament for Katuba Parliamentary Constituency together with its appreciation of her distinguished and patriotic service to this country and to the people of Zambia and that the deepest sympathies and condolences of the National Assembly be conveyed to her family.

Madam Speaker, in moving this Motion, I wish to place on record our regret, sorrow and anguish over the death of Ms Mwashingwele, MP, who passed away at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka on Thursday, 2^nd May, 2019.

Madam Speaker, allow me to use this very sad moment to say a few things about the late Ms Mwashingwele, MP, whose demise is not only a great loss to her family, the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the people of Katuba but also to the whole nation of the Republic of Zambia. The late Ms Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele, MP, was born on 30^th September, 1968, in Mansa, Luapula Province. She did her primary education at the Dominican Convert, Holy Cross and Broadway primary schools in Kabwe from 1974 to 1980 before proceeding to Kabwe Secondary School for her secondary school education from 1981 to 1985. Upon completion of her secondary school education, Ms Mwashingwele proceeded to the then Kwame Nkrumah Teachers’ College from 1987 to 1988, where she obtained a diploma in education.

The late hon. Member then pursued further studies at the University of Zambia (UNZA) from 1996 to 2000 and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Her desire for academic excellence made her go back to study at UNZA from 2012 to 2015 and obtained a Master’s Degree in Education.

Madam Speaker, with regard to her work career, the late Ms Patricia Mwashingwele had an industrious teaching career. She started her career as a teacher at Caritas Convent School in Kabwe where she worked from 1989 to 1990. She then moved to Mazabuka Girls Secondary School where she worked from 1991 to 1995 before moving to Charles Lwanga Teachers Training College where she worked as a lecturer from 1995 to 2000.

The late Ms Mwashingwele was transferred to the then Kwame Nkrumah Teachers College where she continued as a lecturer before she relocated to Botswana where she worked as a teacher from 2002 to 2009. She came back to Zambia and joined UNZA as a tutor from 2010 to 2013. In 2014, the late Ms Mwashingwele registered her own company called P and N Sports Limited where she was a director until the time of her death.

Madam Speaker, the late Ms Mwashingwele’s political career started with the Heritage Party in 2001 where she was a member before she joined the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) in 2009 and held the position of district vice-treasurer. The late Hon. Mwashingwele had a short stint with the Alliance for Better Zambia in 2013, and was appointed vice-president before she joined the United Party for National Development (UPND) in 2014. She was elected Member of Parliament for Katuba Parliamentary Constituency in 2016 during the tripartite elections on the UPND ticket and served in that position until her untimely death. Ms Mwashingwele was a symbol of a determined female political leader who, against all odds, managed to excel to become an hon. Member of Parliament to represent her people.

Madam, as a Parliamentarian, Hon. Mwashingwele, MP, served on the Committee on Education, Science and Technology and the Committee on Parastatal Bodies. She was the vice-chairperson in both Committees, and whenever she was privileged to chair the Committee meetings, the late Hon. Mwashingwele exhibited strong leadership qualities. She exhibited impartiality and professionalism in the manner in which she chaired the meetings.

Hon. Mwashingwele was a very humble, sober-minded and objective debater. She was very knowledgeable and articulate on matters regarding the education sector. She was very passionate about the improvement of the education sector. Through her immense knowledge of the sector, she made sure that she contributed positively to the growth of the education sector.

Madam Speaker, as hon. Members are aware, the body of the late Hon. Mwashingwele was put to rest on Monday, 6^th May, 2019 at Katuba Cemetery in Katuba Parliamentary Constituency. As per established Parliamentary Practice, the House was represented at her burial by Madam First Deputy Speaker, ten hon. Members of Parliament and five members of staff.

However, may I take this solemn moment to condemn the growing trend of violence at funerals. This is in view of what transpired during the burial of the late hon. Member, Patricia Mwashingwele, where the Speaker of the National Assembly was harassed by suspected cadres of some political party.

Hon. Government Members: Shame!

The Vice-President: This should be stopped. I appeal to the leaders of all political parties to bring to an end this very unbecoming behaviour.

Madam Speaker, mourning the dead, in our Zambian culture is a dignified event and as such, our departed beloved ones should be mourned with dignity. Let us not demean the dead by allowing political cadres to involve themselves in violence, regardless of who we are mourning. Therefore, I appeal to all Zambians from all walks of life that their conscious should be touched, so that they may help bring this vice to an end. I appeal to all Zambians to live in harmony and in accordance with our motto of ‘One Zambia, One Nation’. May the soul of our dear departed, Hon. Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele, rest in eternal peace.

Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Madam Speaker, it is also with deepest condolences to the family of the late hon. Member of Parliament for Katuba that I rise to give a short eulogy about how I knew her. I also want to add a word or two in agreeing with Her Honour the Vice-President about how less dignified the burial of the late hon. Member of Parliament turned out.

Madam, Hon. Mwashingwele was a gem. The beauty that you saw on the outside was double what was inside. She was not only a person of high integrity, but of a very high calibre and capacity as evidenced in the execution of her duty. She was polite, yet very firm. She was a trendsetter, politician, traditionalist and teacher, which attributes I also fortunately possess. I am a teacher by profession, a politician and a traditional leader. So, therein lays the similarities with the late hon. Member. I must quickly say that she was also ecclesiastical. I saw her lying in her coffin draped in Catholic Church attire, a white shirt, a headscarf that she wore at all times, and a blue skirt. That is why I say she was ecclesiastical. I would like to include that she also exercised fairness in everything she did. She commingled easily with everyone, even with those she did not necessarily agree with. Her interpersonal relationships were unmatched and godly.

Madam Speaker, she wore a very warm smile every time. You would not know when Nduna, which means headwoman, Hon. Patricia Mwashingwele, was unsettled or angry because she always welcomed everyone warmly. She was affectionate and had affinity for everything she did. I would like to take the words of Her Honour the Vice-President that she had a special emotion for education. That is what we all knew her for. She even ran a school, and that is where her funeral was held. Hon. Mwashingwele was passionate about education. The glowing tribute about her involvement in the education sector earned her a place in the Committee here at Parliament which, at one point, undertook a benchmarking tour to Rwanda. In my earlier comments, I said that she was very frank and brutal. I recall that when she came back from Rwanda, she told me that she had a complaint from one hon. Minister about what she had written in the visitor’s book on behalf of the Committee while visiting the Rwandan genocide memorial site. I would like to quote what she wrote on behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia Committee. It reads:

“On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia Parliamentary Committee, I wish to thank you very much for the opportunity to re-live the genocide. Let it not happen again anywhere.”

Madam Speaker, she was even quoted by the national television in Rwanda. A complaint, I believe, came through whatever channel about her comment on how she felt about the Rwandan genocide. The idea behind the complaint was for her to be presented before the Committee on Privileges, Absences, and Support Services so that she could be censured. I admire that kind of forthrightness. She was able to say things in a country where atrocities happened without fear or favour.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Mwashingwele was a God-fearing person, and she was angelic and charming. She used to refer to me as Ba Mulamu, which means brother in-law, and I must declare interest at this point. Two of her children were born from this loin through my brother Fidelis Hambote, who was her first husband and so, I declare interest. She was my sister in-law, and because of this, I got to know her full potential when she became an hon. Member of Parliament, having given her an assignment to be the deputy spokesperson for our party, the UPND. In that area, she discharged her duty without fear or favour. She championed many causes here, organised walk-outs here ...

Laughter

Mr Nkombo: ... and many wondered how she managed to separate her relationship from her duties which she carried out whether it was her own blood brother, the Hon. Mr Speaker in the Chair, or Madam First Deputy Speaker or even the Chairperson of Committees in the Chair. She managed to put all that in silos. When she was in Parliament, she was able to put her relationships aside and walk out on her own brother if his decision as Chair was unpleasant. What an attribute!

Madam Speaker, I do agree with Her Honour the Vice- President that Hon. Mwashingwele’s funeral was a very sad occasion. I want to put it to you that the moment you walk into public life, as we all of us here have done, you cease to be a member of your nuclear family. As a politician, my family is a large constituency, that is to say, I represent people I do not even know because I represent people throughout the country.

Madam Speaker, it must be put on record that we abhor what happened in Katuba on that particular afternoon. We have a duty to put things in perspective because what happened could have been avoided as clearly, it was as a result of communication breakdown. So, I put it to you that one hon. Minister came to me at church and said that they had a challenge with the programme. The hon. Minister indicated that the Government wanted the Government Spokesperson to speak last, and not the UPND President. I told the hon. Minister, who is here right now, that I was not the author of the programme. Instead, I offered to usher him to the people who had authored the programme. In short, the programme stated that after the church service, the body was to be taken to the funeral house in thirteen miles where Hon. Mwashingwele used to reside. That was because elderly people, including Chieftainess Mungule were told not to go to church because the body would be taken to the funeral house before proceeding to the burial site. That was the communication breakdown that was there.

Madam Speaker, the country should know that the breakdown in communication was between the Government and the owners of the funeral, in this case, the Mwashingwele family, and not with a political party. I beg that Her Honour the Vice-President be allowed to know what happened on the other side. In our case, because we were there throughout the mourning period, we were privy to the funeral programme. We were told that the body was going to be taken to the school where the Chieftainess was waiting to pay her last respects. I did not feel happy when, the next day, I read that the Government had stolen the body of the late hon. Member of Parliament. That was not true. I must be fair with you because one good turn deserves another. We were not part and parcel of whatever may have happened to the brother of the departed. It is regrettable, and we should join hands to denounce that kind of behaviour which was as a result of communication breakdown. On one hand, the Chieftainess was waiting and, on the other hand, the brother was waiting. There was no time to synthesise what could have happened, and that led to that ugly scene. I agree that it could have been avoided, but let us not place blame at each other and think that somebody derived fun or pleasure out of burying a very dignified individual in the manner that she was buried.

Madam Speaker, of course, emotions were high, and I could feel it in my bones. That incident was a typical case of miscommunication. We are all politicians here. Let us write wills to determine how we want our funerals to be so that people bury us the way we want. You must state, in no uncertain terms, that you do not want a certain person to attend your funeral, and that should be respected. If you appoint a person to run the funeral programme, he must be allowed to run it so that we circumvent all these things.

Madam Speaker, I would like to continue giving my eulogy on the late Hon. Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele. On 3^rd December, 2018, Hon. Mwashingwele was arrested by the Zambia Police Service and charged with malicious damage –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I forgot to lay out one quick attribute about Hon. Mwashingwele, and I would like to do so before I come to the heart of the matter, which is her arrest on 3^rd December, 2018.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Mwashingwele had a negative passion about people who wasted national resources. She had negative passion against people who did things haphazardly. I do recall when she was debating the issue of the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) here as well as her ministerial engagement with the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources regarding the listing of ZAFFICO on the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE). She was very clear in her thought.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Mwashingwele indicated that the mineral resource that is underneath those trees must be left to the generations that are going to follow us after we are gone. She abhorred the idea of the Patriotic Front (PF) engaging the Chinese people to go and put beacons in that forest. She is on record as having put it clearly to the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in this House that doing that was wrong.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Mwashingwele, was, on 3^rd December, 2018, arrested by the Zambia Police Service and charged with malicious damage to property. This was after the Mayor of Lusaka erroneously placed his billboard in Chibombo District, away from his jurisdiction. In protecting her territory, Hon. Mwashingwele went and supervised the removal of that billboard because it was not making sense. For instance, it does not make sense for me to go and put a billboard in Mwinilunga. So, she was firm and polite but, as a result, she was put in police cells at Kabangwe Police Post. When you are in confinement, the people outside do not know what happens to you. They just hear stories. So, we do not know what could have happened whilst she was there, because she never recovered from there on.

Madam Speaker, I do recall that on the day the UPND members gallantly stood together to oppose the National Dialogue (Constitution, Electoral Process, Public Order and Political Parties) Bill, 2019, Hon. Mwashingwele called me and said, “Ba mulamu, escort me to the clinic. I am not feeling alright.” When we went to the clinic, she told the clinic staff, “Can you, please, admit me. Give me a bed. I want to rest here until it is time to vote because I want to vote against this Bill.” What a person! She was feeling unwell and she went and admitted herself in the clinic so that she could rise and stand for the people whose interests and aspirations she stood for, later. Later, she stood to vote “no” to the sham of the National Dialogue (Constitution, Electoral Process, Public Order and Political Parties) Bill, 2019. I call it a sham, like she did until she went to her grave. She refused to be part and parcel of the National Dialogue Forum (NDF).

Madam Speaker, as always, we caucused to look at the provisions of the National Dialogue (Constitution, Electoral Process, Public Order and Political Parties) Bill, 2019. It provided for the criminalisation of anyone who decided to influence another from attending the meeting. Again, Hon. Mwashingwele came and told me, “Ba mulamu, I came with the driver. I want you to help me get this letter typed and taken to the Chairman of the NDF to tell him to count me out. I am not going to be part and parcel of that.” Now, some people will claim that they loved her, we all did. I know very well that during her time here, she complained about how the Government had failed to construct roads in Katuba. I want this House to know that the day after she was buried, and whilst her body was still warm, graders moved into Katuba to go and fix roads the way they did in Mangango.

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: You can ask the hon. Member of Parliament for Mangango. I think he is among us here today. There are no more graders there. The Government used that same tactic in order to win an election. If the people on the right truly loved Hon. Patricia Mwashingwele, they would have done their duty, as a Government, to improve the roads in Katuba and not work on them posthumously. Are they going to wait for all of us to die for them to go and start scrapping roads in order to canvas for a vote? Let us not honour people posthumously. It is a sin to do that. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government did that in Sesheke as well, fortunately, my young man, the hon. Member of that area, won. There was grader after grader in Sesheke after Hon. Kufakwandi died. This is a timely warning for those who are listening in Katuba, that as we go into the election, …

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Mazabuka Central, I have allowed you to state the issue of graders going in the constituency, but I will not allow you to use this solemn moment to campaign.

Mr Nkombo: I shall not.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, there are certain occasions when we must show our people that we are together. I want to believe that all of us here are grieving the passing on of the hon. Member for Katuba. For that reason, let us avoid using her death to politick. It is not the time to do that. I am sure that Katuba will be open for all of you to go and campaign, but this is not the time. This is the time to honour the memory of our dear departed. Let us uphold that.

Hon. Member for Mazabuka Central, please, continue.

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I always treasure your guidance. I want us to honour the memory of the departed, knowing very well that tomorrow, it may be any other hon. Member here or I that could die. Let us not honour each other posthumously by going into a constituency that I represented when I was among the living to canvass favours from the electorate. The Government has a solemn duty to distribute development evenly at any given time. We should not use a void that is created as a result of someone’s demise to gain political mileage. It is as simple as that.

Madam Speaker, history cannot be erased. It happened in Mangango and Sesheke where, unfortunately, the vacancies were occasioned by untimely deaths. It has happened in Katuba again, and this may not be the end. The whole point is that we are all going to meet our death one day sooner or later. I am simply agreeing with you when you counsel that we should not use these solemn moments in order to get at each other.

Madam Speaker, I have demonstrated, today, that it is easy to see things differently depending on where you are standing. From where the mover of the Motion stood, there was violence which was occasioned by those of us who were there. I also have a duty to correct the impression of those who stand where they do and compare and contrast it with ours where we stand.

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I would like to make an earnest plea to all of us. Let us honour Hon. Patricia Mwashingwele, MP, not to entertain violence in Katuba. We have heard of how people from the other divide, which people I am not allowed to mention, lest I am cited for being provocative, say that there will be bloodshed in Katuba. It is there. It is written. I want to appeal to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs, who is also the Chairman for the PF Youth Wing to ensure that we work together like we have attempted to do before to make sure that this election is void of any violence so that the best team can win.

Madam Speaker, as Hon. Patricia Mwashingwele was dying, she told me one thing. She said: “Gary, I may not be here for a long time. Please, protect the Constitution of this country from mutilation. Please, also protect Hakainde Hichilema so that he does not end up in cells as he did before.”

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mwamba (Lubansenshi): Madam Speaker, I thank you, and I will take your counsel that this is not a time to be political.

Madam Speaker, I knew Hon. Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele in 2016 when she came in as a Member of Parliament for the Opposition. She and I were put in the same Committee on Education, Science and Technology. When we met in 2016 to look for a Chairperson of the Committee, we settled for her. Yes, we realised that she was the only female hon. Member in a Committee of ten. Immediately she took up the Chairmanship, we realised that we had not made a mistake. She was able to lead the team to high heights.

Madam Speaker, she was intelligent and when she stood to debate, one would not notice that she was coming from the Opposition camp. She debated matters squarely, as she saw them and as they came. I wish she was here. She behaved and debated impartially. When she debated, it was with passion.

Madam Speaker, I remember we took a trip to Chipata to look at “Education for Circumstantial Children in Correctional Centres”, and upon return, she was given the opportunity to second the Motion. Yes, you could see that she was debating as someone who had a heart for the vulnerable.

Madam Speaker, in 2017, I was elected Chairperson for the Committee on Education, Science and Technology, and she was my vice-chairperson. I looked to her in all the works that we were doing. She never took offence that she was once the Chairperson and I was now the Chairperson. She obeyed instructions to the letter. That is the person she was. I saw leadership in her. She was a person who exhibited leadership through and through.

Madam Speaker, she was our chairperson in a peer group which comprised four hon. Members of Parliament from Zambia and four from Austria. She remained the chairperson until her death. We travelled to Austria with her, and you could see something in her. Whenever it was time to eat, she ate last. First of all, she would ask about all of us. She would look for all of us and say, “Where is this and that hon. Member?” She would only settle down and start eating when she knew that we were all there. This is the kind of person I saw in her. This is the leadership I saw in her.

Madam Speaker, when I became the Chairperson, I did not make a mistake. She was actually my learning step. I had learnt a lot from her, and the leadership I saw in her helped me to also work with the team that I am with now.

Madam Speaker, because of this, the Committee has lost a gallant soldier. She gave advice which was to the point and precise. Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele was a friend of all in our team. She worked with everyone. Actually, all of us should take after this type of leadership.

Madam Speaker, I am sure that for the period that we stayed with her, no one would say that he/she did not see anything in her. All of us that associated with her did. I am here asking my hon. Colleagues to take after that her although it is rare and difficult such a heart. However, it is better that we try.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele was a darling of all. She had no boundaries even as she shared her jokes. I am sure the family is still grieving because she was a leader, not only in this House, but at home too. She was simple, friendly and exhibited strong leadership qualities. May her soul rest in peace.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Madam Speaker, as we express our eulogy for our departed hon. Colleague, one can only say that there is no better encomium than what Her Honour the Vice-President has presented. We can only highlight certain specific areas of our remembrance of our dear departed colleague. I first came to know Hon. Patricia Mwashingwele in 1996 when she came to the University of Zambia (UNZA) as a student in the School of Education where I was as an academic member of staff. I vividly remember her as a young, very dynamic and very serious and hardworking student. In 1996, she was 28 years. She stayed with us for four years in the School of Education, and I had the privilege of interacting with her in some of the courses that I taught at UNZA.

Madam Speaker, being with her in this august House was, indeed, pleasurable. This is because she exemplified and demonstrated her professionalism very strongly. The passion she had for education when she debated in Committees, in this august House and at other fora was a clear demonstration that she truly was an educationist who had education at heart. She wanted to see the best for the children of this country as far as educating them was concerned. What she exhibited in this House was a clear testimony that this Chamber is a melting pot for our nation’s best talents. We are all here to offer the best that we can in the development of our nation, and she truly lived up to that expectation.

Madam Speaker, as human beings, we interacted with her in different areas. Hon. Mwashingwele demonstrated, clearly, the attributes of a good leader. A good leader should demonstrate the highest virtues of humanity, namely humility and being humane. These are the attributes of good leadership which enables a leader to be approachable by any human being in different categories of life. Hon. Mwashingwele exhibited those rare qualities of good leadership which made her approachable, interact with people in different circumstances as well as admirable as a human being. This is a legacy of a person who is humane and holds other people dear in her heart. Hon. Mwashingwele was truly such a person.

Madam Speaker, those of us who interacted with Hon. Mwashingwele in the National Assembly of Zambia branch of the International Parliamentarians for World Peace saw that she exhibited another attribute of a good leader who demonstrates the five Ps of leadership. As political leaders, our responsibility should be to remove our people from poverty into prosperity in peace. Hon. Mwashingwele was an active participant in the International Parliamentarians for World Peace.

Madam Speaker, there came an opportunity to select somebody from among ourselves to go to South Korea and learn about the Saemaul Undong, also known as the New Village Movement. This was a village transformation project which saw South Korea transform the rural country side and improve the quality of life for the villagers. As Chairperson of the International Parliamentarians for World Peace branch here in our National Assembly, I thought of no better person to go and learn about the Saemaul Undong than Hon. Mwashingwele. She was selected to go and study the project in South Korea so that after her return, she could establish a pilot project for village transformation in Katuba Parliamentary Constituency for all of us to learn how we can transform our rural countryside and improve the quality of life of our people.

Madam Speaker, when Hon. Mwashingwele came back from South Korea, she started working very closely with one of the professors who is spearheading that project in South Korea. She was working very closely with him so that we can see the transformation of villages, improve the quality of life of the people in various areas like infrastructure development, water and sanitation and farming among others. Unfortunately, our colleague has left this project, but we look forward to the completion of this project. I think the enthusiasm, the commitment and the interest that she cultivated to see the Saemaul Udong project established will live on so that eventually, what Hon. Mwashingwele wanted to see happen can happen. This project will become a model for village transformation throughout the country. We shall tirelessly work hard to ensure that becomes a reality

Madam Speaker, we have lost a colleague who truly lived up to the notion that women are the bridges for the next generation. She demonstrated that. The statement given by her son the day we put her to rest is a clear testimony that truly, she was a bridge to the next generation for her family and the nation as a whole through the teaching that she did and the leadership role that she took up in the political area. The nation has truly lost a vibrant and committed daughter of the soil. May her soul rest in peace.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Kasanda (Chisamba): Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I put on record my heartfelt condolences to the family members of our late Hon. Mwashingwele, in particular, her father, Mr Mwashingwele, her son, Mutembo, her daughter who is a doctor and her last born son whom she called ‘my baby the footballer’. It is, indeed, a very sad moment for me, especially that she sat right in front of me in the House and every time I walked in, she would extend her hand backwards and I would shake it. Whenever I did that she would always say, ‘I love you, my younger sister’.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Mwashingwele was one person I personally confided in. She was one person who was always there for me in both the good and bad times. It is hard to accept the death of a loved one, especially when they go without saying goodbye. This is the first step that I will take to honour Hon. Mwashingwele.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Mwashingwele was admirable as a female parliamentarian. She brought out the best in all the people she came across and interacted with. She is one person who held on to her beliefs. She was a very strong-willed person with a very strong character. Whatever she believed in, she made sure it came to pass without fear or favour.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Mwashingwele had very unique qualities. Like I earlier said, one of her strong qualities was her strong will and strong ability to fight for what she felt was right. She was a very intelligent and knowledgeable person. She gave a potent voice to the voiceless. She made immeasurable contributions to this august House, the community, her family and close associates. She had the ability to put away all her differences just to make peace with people and to reach decisions that were best for the party, the community and the nation at large.

Madam Speaker, I know that the good people of Katuba are still mourning, just as we are. I know that the people of Katuba have not just lost an hon. Member of Parliament, but a mother who was there to shield them. They have lost a mother who was there to stand up for them, and whom they believed would bring hope.

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I am kindly appealing to you and this august House that at an unfortunate time that we lose one of our hon. Members of Parliament who contribute a lot to this nation, we should bring their remains into this House where they deliberated from, where they worked from so that we can give them a dignified send off.

Madam Speaker, with these few words, I would like to remind the people of Katuba that the struggle of Hon. Mwashingwele is still their struggle. I would like to wish comfort to the family. As the people of Katuba mourn Hon. Mwashingwele, we, as hon. Members of Parliament, will also continue to mourn with them. May Hon. Mwashingwele’s soul rest in peace.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Daka (Msanzala): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on this very important Motion, which is quite touching to all of us. First and foremost, this is a solemn Motion. That being the case, we must all understand that at one time or the other, we will also die just like our hon. Colleague who has passed on. Hon. Mwashingwele was a railway girl. She grew up in the Zambia Railways Compound in Kabwe on Zambezi Road, where I used to stay. The father to Hon. Mwashingwele used to work for Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) together with my uncle. At that time, I used to live in Kabwe on Bisset Street.

Madam Speaker, I want to emphasise that in politics, there are no permanent enemies. I met Hon. Mwashingwele at a conference in Kabwe when we were both members of the Heritage Party. The current Minister of Defence was in attendance at that conference. He was the treasurer for the province then.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Daka: Madam Speaker, Hon. Mwashingwele was an athlete, a leader and a mother. She was a member of the Committee I also belong to. Therefore, I was not interacting with her for the first time in this House. She was my deputy chairperson in the Committee on Parastatal Bodies. When we had meetings, she always showed exemplary leadership by uniting everyone. There was nothing to show that we belonged to separate political parties. She showed us how to be a mother and how to be a good hon. Member of Parliament. We reached consensus on most of the issues that besieged us in the Committee.

Madam Speaker, I remember that one time when we went to South Africa, Hon. Mwashingwele told me that her mentor was Winnie Mandela, and may her soul rest in peace too. This was when we had gone to visit Winnie Mandela’s grave. Even the type of her headgear was like that of her mentor, Winnie Mandela. We had several women in that Committee. At one point, I heard Hon. Mwashingwele telling Hon. Mumbi Phiri that if we had a by-election, she could wear her party regalia and go to address the party Hon. Mumbi Phiri belongs to and then Hon. Mumbi Phiri could go and address her party to show people who believe in violence that unity was possible. That is how Hon. Mwashingwele understood politics.

Madam Speaker, in my Committee, we had a situation where certain people could not accept to jump in the same car with certain members of the Committee. However, nobody resented Hon. Mwashingwele, as everyone wanted to get on the same car as she did because she was a mother, a good leader and an hon. Member of Parliament. When we are in this House, let us live like we are members of one family because we are a mirror to society. Hon. Mwashingwele showed that she was a good leader. When I went to my constituency at one time, I told the people that the Government would bring health care closer to them because health care is more important than buying the best coffin for somebody who has died. We seem to appreciate people when they are no more, yet we forsake them when they are alive.

Madam Speaker, in view of what happened at Hon. Mwashingwele’s funeral, I think hon. Members of Parliament should have a good send-off. We have failed to do that for ourselves. Other professions have done that. For example, when a judge dies, his body is taken to the court house for a valedictory service. However, for hon. Members of Parliament and hon. Ministers, there is only a funeral programme with no formality. We must create a way of sending-off our fallen hon. Members in dignity. Thousands of people can go to a funeral, but very few people can visit somebody who is not feeling well.

Madam Speaker, I would like to urge my good hon. Minister of Health to continue looking at health insurance. Having health insurance will help us access medical services before our health deteriorates. Sometimes, we discover our illness too late because we feel lazy to go to the hospital or because we have no resources required to access health care.

Madam Speaker, I will keep repeating the need for this House to be united and resolute in what it says and does. We should show a good example. We create laws that are administered by others. We are not showing a good example by allowing violence amongst ourselves. When we go to have tea downstairs, we seem to be a good family, but when we go to elections, we forget that. We become different animals from what we are here. We must carry out an introspection. Are we living in a way that our children can emulate when we die?

Madam Speaker, when we reached a point of disagreement in our Committee, Hon. Mwashingwele would not solve the problem by looking at where she came from or who was fighting who. Instead, she looked at the issue as a leader and a mother. Solemn moments like this one must be appreciated by everybody because we do not know when we will leave this earth. It is important for us to do the right things while we are still alive. Doing that will help us to be good to other people, and we will be emulated in future. My appeal to this House is that there should be a programme where this House arranges a funeral for its hon. Members. When you are sick as an hon. Member, you can complain day in and day out, but those who live with you at the Members’ Motel will not know that you are sick. They will discover this very late. There is no point in showing remorse or mourning so much when we did not care when a person was alive.

Madam Speaker, I do not want to belabour this point. I want to believe that this is a good lesson for all of us to be good to each other when we are still alive. We must not rejoice in taking coffins to funerals. You will find five coffins at a funeral for one person because people are competing to buy them, when they could have bought medicine for the person not to die quickly. We all know that we are going to die, but we can help ourselves or other people live a little longer.

Madam Speaker, I have spoken enough. I wish the family of Hon. Mwashingwele comfort, including her aunt, who I met when we went to Kasama as a Committee. During that trip to Kasama, Hon. Mwashingwele told me that her mother was from that side. Her aunt came to where we were staying as a Committee. We must cut across the divide of tribe, borders and provinces. You saw how Hon. Mwashingwele mixed with everybody. Her mother came from the Northern Province while her father came from Chibombo. She was an enigma, but she was accepted by everybody.

May her soul rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, with these few words, I thank you.

Dr Kopulande (Chembe): Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to pay tribute to a lady of substance, a leader of exemplary quality who left us not long ago when we needed her most.

Madam, I met Hon. Mwashingwele shortly after I was elected Member of Parliament in 2016. Not too long afterwards, despite the fact that she was on the other side and I was on your right hand side of the House, she became a friend and mother of the people of Chembe. She took interest in knowing what was going on in Chembe or what we were doing there. Knowing that it was a new district, we talked and communicated several times about the challenges we both faced in our rural constituencies. Suffice to say all this was happening despite her being on your left and I on your hand right.

Madam Speaker, I will not hesitate to recognise Hon. Mwashingwele as a leader of exemplary character, whose presence could neither be mistaken nor missed. She was a leader of exemplary credentials and of a respectable disposition. Be it in the House or not, she always carried a smile. Sunlight or no sunlight, she carried a smile. I recall, how, just before we adjourned the last meeting of Parliament, I was standing with a certain hon. Member of Parliament when Hon. Mwashingwele walked by, and when she saw us, she waved at us and she had a big smile on her face. That was characteristic of her.

Madam, allow me to pay a special tribute to an educationist committed to the imparting of knowledge to a society that sometimes can act impervious to knowledge and refuse to acknowledge its value, but she stood there. On several occasions, I heard her make appeals as to how we can improve our education system and create a future for our prosterity. She was committed to her profession of education. She was committed to building the building blocks for the development of our future by imparting the skills necessary our future generation to be able to look after itself and to have a better land than we have today. Hon. Mwashingwele was what I can comfortably describe as a multi-partisanist. She understood the value of our multi-party politics and she believed that stronger we were when we were united as a nation rather than cannibalise in small little political parties that do not even have ideological differences, but simply difference of who wants to be in power and when.

Madam, Hon. Mwashingwele leaves us a lesson that there is more to public service than being in power and that one can still contribute to the development of the country without necessary being in State House. Several times, I saw her stand on the other of the House and advise the Government what it needed to do to improve our education system. She was not in Government and she did not hide her knowledge, but she willingly passed her knowledge to the right. Recognising that it is the Government that was in the position to make a difference, she gave and contributed freely. She did that so that the Government could do the right thing for the nation and our people. Indeed, she did that without being selfish and she was always giving. That is what she was.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Mwashingwele believed that Zambia belonged to all of us in equal measure. She believed that it is not the political party one belonged to or which tribe one came from that mattered. She was a nationalist by excellence. The lady we are paying tribute to today was the physical personification of national unity that we all cry for. Sadly, the farmer always takes the most beautiful crop first. In the rose garden, one picks the budding new flower, but leaves the grown and mature ones. Had Hon. Mwashingwele lived, she was going to have a greater impact on the future of this country. However, who are we to question the wisdom of the almighty creator.

Madam, it is my prayer that our dear hon. Colleague today sits in eternity with her father in heaven, who she served through and up to her last breath. May her life be a lesson to all of us politicians sitting in this House, and those outside, watching or listening to us. A united nation is a strong nation. Further, when we are united as a people, we are going to find solutions to the problems that challenge our country much easier and faster. In addition, we are going to implement the solutions we come across more effectively because we shall have a bind. It is sad that the people of Chembe must mourn their friend and mother rather early, but to God be all the glory.

Madam Speaker, may the soul of our dear departed hon. Colleague, Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele, rest in eternal peace.

I thank you, Madam.

Dr Imakando (Mongu Central): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United Party for National Development (UPND) family and the people of Mongu Central, please, allow me to express our deepest condolences to the Mwashingwele family, especially the children on the passing on of Hon. Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele.

Madam, Hon. Patricia Mwashingwele was an accomplished leader, wife, mother, hon. Member of Parliament, village headwoman, teacher and lecturer. Memories of her distinguished and patriotic service to the nation will always live on.

Yes, memories will live on, especially among the pupils that attend the school she founded. Memories will live on among the people of Katuba Constituency.

Madam Speaker, memories will live on through her debates which are recorded in this Parliament. Hon. Mwashingwele was soft spoken and very passionate about education. She believed that an educated nation is an efficient, strong and healthy nation, and one which will always be secure. She believed in education so much that she did not just talk about it, but built a school. She always weighed in on debates on education. She stood strong to debate, especially for the girl child. Hon. Mwashingwele was, indeed, a true educationist. She was a very determined and strong person such that even when she was not well, she came to Parliament. Sometimes she said: “I am not feeling very well, but I have looked at the Order Paper, and I feel must participate.” She was a determined person.

Madam Speaker, I must also add that Hon. Mwashingwele was a very likeable person. She always smiled and was always positive. She believed in a better future and that together we can make a difference.

Madam Speaker, as we remember her, I cannot help but agree with Hon. Nkombo. Let us not take the so-called development to places shortly after an hon. Member of Parliament passes on. It is, to some extent, disrespectful. To move to a place with graders when tears are not dry or to move to a place with the so-called promises of development, and yet when that particular hon. Member of Parliament cried for development, there was no listening ear.

Madam Speaker, I would like to urge those privileged with making decisions of development to think again. Let me ask the Mwashingwele family once again, to accept our heartfelt condolences as we remember this great female leader that spoke out. May the people of Katuba accept our deepest heartfelt condolences and may Hon. Mwashingwele’s soul rest in eternal peace.

I thank you, Madam.

Ms Kasune (Keembe): Madam Speaker, I would like to add my word about Hon. Patricia Mwashingwele, whom I fondly called Banane, meaning elder sister. I would not be standing here were it not for Hon. Mwashingwele. We shared Chibombo District and we also shared a relationship that was more than politics. She was my sister.

Madam Speaker, I remember the time when I made a decision to come back to Zambia and people in the United States (US) thought I was crazy because I wanted to come and give back to the country. It was Hon. Mwashingwele who was the lonely voice that encouraged me by telling that was the right thing to do. As we went on trying to know what politics was all about, especially that I was coming from a humanitarian background and that of philanthropy, it was Hon. Mwashingwele who took me by the hand and showed me the ins and outs of politics.

Madam, it was Hon. Mwashingwele who had the courage to speak to the values of women and the power that women possess, not just because of their gender, but also their knowledge and capacity. It was Hon. Mwashingwele who had the capacity or the strength to stand up to my husband when he opposed the idea of my joining politics. Hon. Mwashingwele said to me: “Princess, go and wait for the results.” Many people were scared of standing up to him, especially that he is American. Hon. Mwashingwele feared nobody. If there is a strength that we should all take away from Hon Mwashingwele’s life, it is the capacity to be strong even in the midst of opposition or when no one would listen to her.

Madam Speaker, it was Hon. Mwashingwele who made us proud as sisters from the Central Province, as we called ourselves the three musketeers, knowing too well that we had a big sister who was looking out for us. The analogy that comes from Hon. Mwashingwele is like that of an eagle that soars on its wings in the midst of a storm, challenges and obstacles, yet rises above all these impediments.

Madam, Hon. Mwashingwele is not only being mourned by the people of Chibombo District. What a loss for the people of Chibombo District! What a loss for the people of the Mwashingwele village! What a loss for the United Party for National Development (UPND)! What a loss for the nation of Zambia! This was a vibrant woman with a calibre, but non-partisan. This was a woman full of integrity and ethics, something that we see is eroding day by day in our nation. If there is something that we can do to remember Hon. Mwashingwele, it is to go back to our inner beings and remind ourselves that these leadership roles that we have been given are a result of the fact that we are only stewards and owners of this country, Zambia.

Madam Speaker, Hon. Mwashingwele stood up for the less privileged in society. She spoke for the most vulnerable people in society. That is why she chaired an organisation called the Prisoner Reintegration and Empowerment Organisation (PREO), which integrates former prisoners into society to ensure a better life and also that they are not written off. It is Hon. Mwashingwele who had the capacity to interact with former sex workers, who many of us would shun, if we were given an opportunity to save this country, Zambia. It was Hon. Mwashingwele whose vehicle was smashed when she attended a funeral, yet –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1810 hours until 1830 hours.

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Ms Kasune: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was talking about the kind of woman and leader Hon. Mwashingwele was. There was a time when she was attending a funeral at Leopards Hill Memorial Park, and her car was broken into and damaged by some unknown cadres, causing her to replace some parts. However, she did not use that situation to antagonise anybody. In the midst of all that happened to her, she came here and looked at every individual in their own special and unique way and preached peace for this nation. If there is anything we should take away from her death, it is that legacy to put Zambia before any self interest that is eroding this nation and taking us backwards. Hon. Mwashingwele has left us with a responsibility to ensure that our children, their children and great grandchildren find Zambia a better place.

Madam, Hon. Mwashingwele was a great leader. I remember the time when there was an opportunity for her to be the leader of a delegation to Amsterdam. She had the capacity to allow people like me who were not leading the delegation to thrive and shine because she knew where our different strengthens lay. That is the capacity that Hon. Mwashingwele had. After that meeting, she came back with her co-chair, Hon. Dr Kalila, to ensure that this Parliament would have a united forum for parliamentarians against HIV, which was in formation at the time. I hope that this will come to fruition. It was Hon. Mwashingwele’s leadership style that impressed me the most. When I was a leader of the delegation to Washington, she did not undermine me because I was younger than her, but gave me maximum support and ensured that we flew the Zambian flag high.

Madam Speaker, I do not want to be repetitive, but I think it is important that as Parliament and as hon. Members of Parliament, we ensure that when hon. Members die, their remains are brought to come and rest in this House, no matter how long or short. This is because they are not just hon. Members of Parliament for Katuba or Chibombo District, as was the case in her situation, but hon. Members of Parliament for Zambia. If we can take a leaf out of Hon. Mwashingwele, it is to do just that.

Madam Speaker, in closing, not many people will have the chance to speak today. However, there are many stories that can be told about Hon. Mwashingwele, and there are many people who would have loved to speak in this House so that their voices could be heard. Hon. Mwashingwele did not only have a passion for education. Her passions and mine crossed many times. She was passionate about key population groups, issues of health care and the development of Zambia as a country. As we remember Hon. Mwashingwele, my hope is that she will remind each of us of what legacy we will leave behind because at the end of the day, naked we came to this earth, and naked, we shall leave. Let us utilise the positions we have been entrusted with wisely because we are only stewards of the economy and the resources of this nation. Above all, may we speak for the voiceless, the women and children out there who may not have this privilege.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Subulwa (Sioma): Madam Speaker, I would like to pass my condolences to the family, the House and the nation at large, on behalf of the people of Sioma and the 2001-2002 Kwame Nkrumah Teachers’ College Students.

Madam Speaker, I first met Hon. Patricia Mwashingwele in 2001 when I was a student at Kwame Nkrumah Teachers’ College. She was the youngest lecturer there at that time. She was very interactive, approachable and accommodating. Hon. Mwashingwele was not only our lecturer, but she was a friend as well. She was not only friendly to those she lectured but also to all the students. Her home was open not only to the lecturers but also all the students. As students of Kwame Nkrumah Teachers’ College, we used to be at ease when seeking help from her even when she was not part of the administrators.

Madam Speaker, as a lecturer, Hon. Mwashingwele’s specialty was physical education. At the time, I used to play the number six position in football. That is before I gained weight.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chabi: Unga chaye bola, iwe?

Ms Subulwa: The late Hon. Mwashingwele would always encourage us, as a team, and we would always emerge victorious as Kwame Nkrumah Teachers’ College students. So, I will remember her for that.

Madam Speaker, from 2002, the next time I met Hon. Mwashingwele was in 2016 here at Parliament, and I recognised her as my former lecturer because of her smile, although this time the relationship was at a different level, as she was now my fellow Parliamentarian. At every point, and even during the times I would debate, she would always give me counsel on many things. So, I will remember Hon. Mwashingwele not only as my lecturer or fellow parliamentarian but also as a mother and mentor. Hon. Mwashingwele’s name is written on most people’s hearts, people whom she came across. It is the little things that we do for others that remain as our legacy, while we go to the grave with the things that we do for ourselves.

Madam, I will miss Hon. Mwashingwele’s mature debates as she was very objective. It is so sad to even hear somebody politicise this. As Africans, and Zambians in particular, politicising a funeral is not in us and so, we should stop it. The late Hon. Patricia Mwashingwele fought a good fight. As a young female parliamentarian, she inspired me and I know that there are many women out there who were inspired by her.

Madam Speaker, having said that, I would like to wish the family comfort from above. May her soul rest in peace.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mutelo (Mitete): Madam Speaker, we can talk endlessly about Hon. Mwashingwele, Ba Nduna, which means “headwoman”, who was my neighbour in this House. This is too hard for me. On behalf of the family, the United Party for National Development (UPND) and President Hakainde, and, indeed, on my own behalf, allow me to take a one minute of silence alone.

Interruptions

Mr Mutelo: Within this minute of silence, I would have said a lot. It is given to men to prevent them from breaking down. My one minute of silence starts now.

Laughter

Mr Mutelo observed a minute of silence alone.

Mr Mutelo: May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Laughter

Mr Sampa (Kasama Central): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for according me an opportunity to add my voice to the eulogy, on behalf of the wonderful people of Kasama Central. The hon. Members of Parliament who spoke earlier said quite a lot. I do not believe I will say equally as much.

Madam Speaker, I will just say a few things I remember about my mother and sister, Hon. Mwashingwele, whom I worked with closely in the Committee of Education, Science and Technology. I think every person who worked with her had a special connection with her. I remember that when we travelled to Rwanda, she was leader of that particular delegation. I joked with her and said: “There you are my sister, your party will always discipline those who believe in the ideals of the Patriotic Front (PF)” and she said: “My young brother, we are leaders of the nation, and when we are in the National Assembly, we are above political lines.” In response, I jokingly said to her: “My sister, if you truly believe in that, what is it that you can show to the rest of the world that you are above partisan politics?” With a bright smile, she said, “My young brother, talking to you means a lot”.

Madam Speaker, we took so many pictures together on that trip. She was so full of life, and she gave me precious advice. As a young parliamentarian, I learnt a lot from her. The ideals and values of our President, when it comes to morals and obligations for us leaders, was something she truly emphasised. Those of us who have remained behind ought to practice what we have learned of her nature from people. She was truly a woman of substance, a woman who believed in selflessness, a woman who believed in standing for what is right and representing the underprivileged, and she did that in so many ways and proved herself worthy. As for me, I will truly cherish those moments of her life whilst she lived in this world.

So many things have been said about the late hon. Member. I know that it is only at moments like this one when many people want to say a lot of precious things about the departed. I think everything about her has been said. All I can safely say is that we shall truly miss her, and may her soul rest in peace.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I will allow one more hon. Member from my left to debate and then I will move to the right. I see two hon. Ministers wishing to speak.

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for according me the opportunity to say a few words in honour of the late hon. Member of Parliament for Katuba, Hon. Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele. I came to know Hon. Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele in the run-up to the 2016 General Elections when she was first adopted by my party, the United Party for National Development (UPND), to run for the Katuba Seat. During the campaigns, I noticed how strong and organised Patricia was. No wonder she won that seat and become the hon. Member of Parliament for Katuba.

Madam Speaker, my interaction did not end there. It extended to this Parliament where we served on the same Committee. Patricia served as the vice-chairperson of the Committee on Parastatal Bodies, which I belong to. My interactions with Patricia revealed how God can give talent to people. I am sure many hon. Members seated in this august House will agree with me that Patricia’s debates were very organised. That was seen every time she stood to debate. She did not need to write down her points in order for her to organise her thoughts in a fashion that is admirable, that one could easily follow. Somebody did not need to be an intellectual to notice how gifted Patricia was.

Madam Speaker, arguably, she was one of the best speakers I have ever met. Patricia was very organised in the way she spoke. She was fluent in expressing herself in the English language. Not only was she fluent, but her debates were well organised and made easy for anyone to follow. That is a rare attribute. No wonder my party leadership recognised that talent in her and even awarded her the position of deputy spokesperson for the party, a role which she performed diligently. She was equal to the task as she spoke very well on behalf of our party and the people she represented.

Madam Speaker, she also had a passion for the education sector in this country. Being an educationist, just like Prof. Geoffrey Lungwangwa said in this House, Patricia had a special passion for the education sector. Each time we debated the budget for the ministries responsible for education, she knew exactly what needed to be done. She never minced her words in speaking for the children of Zambia who needed education so greatly. Patricia spoke about education with passion. If we should remember her and if we really loved her, then we should carry on and endeavour to listen to her debates, especially when she spoke for the underprivileged children who need education in this country. We all know that education is the best equaliser in anyone’s life.

Madam Speaker, Patricia and I served as hon. Members of the Committee on Parastatal Bodies. We took pictures together and discussed many issues that affected the nation. Patricia spoke for the people of Zambia. I remember the time we visited Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) where we spoke passionately about the portion of the Eurobond that was allocated to ZRL. Patricia had a heart for that institution whose headquarters is in Kabwe, a town where the late hon. Member grew up. I do not want to waste much of the hon. Members’ time by extending my debate. However, I just wanted to add a few words to add and echo the voices that have spoken before me in remembering the passion that Patricia had and the kind of gift that she possessed. I also just wanted to mention the way Patricia expressed herself in the English language, and how she debated in representing the people of Katuba here in Parliament. It is evident that what the late hon. Member had was a God-given talent.

Madam Speaker, I want to wish those she has left with us here on earth a better life, even under very challenging circumstances. I wish the family God’s grace. May the soul of Patricia rest in peace. On a lighter note, Patricia called me her young husband.

Laughter

Mr Kambita: This emanated from our traditional relationship.

Laughter

Mr Kambita: This, indeed, is the level at which I was able to relate with Patricia. May her soul rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order in the House!

The Minister in the Office of the Vice-President (Ms Chalikosa): Madam Speaker, I would like to join my colleagues in expressing my sincere commiserations to the family and, indeed, the people of Katuba, on the loss of the late Hon. Patricia Chileshe Mwashingwele of Katuba Constituency. In the short time that I came to know her, I believe that she was of a gentle, but very strong character as many people have said.

Madam Speaker, I would like to quote three statements by very strong women. The first quote is: “I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.” The second quote is: “Life has knocked me down a few times. It showed me things I never wanted to see.” The last quote is: “I am tough, ambitious and I know exactly what I want.” These three quotes are an epitome of Patricia as a character or as a person with inherent characteristics of strong women. It shows the type of women who bring dignity to the field of politics. Much as we are giving all these attributes to her when she has gone, I think that we are all in agreement that she brought quality to this House in the way that she debated and in how she was passionate about education, especially for the girl child.

Madam Speaker, we were members of the Catholic Association for Parliamentarians, the idea which is supposed to help us not lose sight of our spiritual faith, as we embark on discharging our public functions. It also helps us to keep sight of the fact that we would like to do good to others that should be reciprocated.

Madam Speaker, on the social side, we tried to play golf together as female parliamentarians. However, due to competing needs and the lack of enough time to continue with our social activities, we did not manage to make the team for the female parliamentarians. This is not to say that we did not interact. As the Zambia Women Parliamentarian Caucus (ZWPC), we discussed issues that affected women and the girl child and Hon. Mwashingwele was just as passionate as all the current female hon. Members in this House are about these issues.

Madam Speaker, being an hon. Member of the Opposition did not stop her from offering constructive criticism, however thought provoking it may have been. We managed to strike a balance and to get on as women. She may have come out with certain strong sentiments, but they did not divide the comradeship among the women Parliamentarians in the House.

Madam Speaker, as I said, I knew her at the beginning of the this Session of the National Assembly and the little interaction that I had with her was enough to show that she was a person of a sober character and high dignity. She was an inspiration to women who want to join politics.

With those few words, may her soul rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to join my hon. Colleagues who have spoken before me and Her Honour the Vice-President who moved this very important Motion.

Madam Speaker, having been here long, I must say that I was taken aback when I saw this debate taking a political dimension as it commenced. This has never been the case in this House.

Madam Speaker, I want to speak on behalf of my dear colleagues in the Committee for Parliamentarians who are Catholics. This is a Committee that we came up with in the previous Parliament. At inception, the Committee was chaired by Hon. Felix Mutati. It is now headed by Hon. Prof. Luo and our secretary is Hon. Mushanga. It was created to ensure that Catholic hon. Members of Parliament interact and see how best to serve the Catholic community as legislators. So, we interacted with the late hon. Member extensively as she was a member.

Madam Speaker, being a Christian, I would like to set the record straight on a matter that was raised by the hon. Member for Mazabuka Central. Yes, our dear sister, in the company of other parliamentarians, was in the Republic of Rwanda and, whilst there, a statement that was attributed to her generated a lot of emotions among Rwandese that live here and they petitioned our ministry over it. When our sister came back, we engaged and discussed the matter with her. She said that she was probably misquoted. Those people who were agitated were informed accordingly, and this is how that matter was dealt with. To try to insinuate that it was a complaint against her work is far from being truthful.

Madam Speaker, the late hon. Member was quite close to the hon. Minister of Defence. The hon. Member for Msanzala indicated this earlier as he elaborated their political history. So, when she had an issue with the police, she came and we joked about it and dealt with it. So, I think that when we have a moment like this, those who are senior are supposed to set an example for those who are relatively new. We must always ensure that we stick to the ethics and decorum befitting this House.

Madam Speaker, the last time I had close interactions with her was when we received an icon blessed by the Pope that was meant to circulate globally to Parliamentarians who are Catholics. So, when Zambia had the opportunity to host the icon from the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Mwashingwele was next to me in our chain to rotate the icon. The day I was to hand over the icon to her, I was with Hon. Tambatamba and Hon. Chalikosa at a radio station in Bauleni. We had a wonderful programme where we engaged the community of Catholics and other denominations of the Christian faith for more than two hours. People phoned in and we interacted with them. They were shocked that we could sit together in that manner. My dear sister, Hon. Tambatamba, could speak in her Language and we could also speak in Bemba, and it was wonderful.

Hon. Mwashingwele was supposed to pick up the icon from me at the radio station, but she phoned to say that she was unable to do so, but would make her way to do that after 1900 hours. Indeed, when we finished the radio programme with my sisters, she called at about 1900 hours. I found my way to go and hand over the Christian icon to her.

Madam Speaker, all I am trying to say is that beyond politics, we must interact as comrades and colleagues. I want to put it on record that we, as the Government, having been represented at the funeral by our dear brother, Hon. Mushanga, were quite saddened by what transpired.

Madam Speaker, I recall that as your Deputy Chief Whip in the last term of office, I led a delegation to Solwezi where we went to put to rest the late Hon. Humphrey Mwanza of Solwezi West Parliamentary Constituency. I remember the hon. Member for Mufumbwe coming with people and the mourners were diverse. All political parties were there. I was proud to represent you, Madam Speaker, at that funeral because what I saw was amazing.

We expected hostilities because of the way the late Hon. Mwanza used to debate. He was quite aggressive in nature. I was worried when I was assigned the role of delegation leader to Solwezi. I was really worried about what I thought would be on the ground. However, I must say my experience there was different, and I was very proud about it. I can stand here and say we can do better as political parties. When we came back from Solwezi, we debated how we should send off hon. Members of this august House, that is, in a dignified manner, and that our presiding officers must find a way of attending our funerals. That was our cry.

Madam Speaker, we have been crying and asking you, the presiding officers, to attend funerals for hon. Members. You responded to that call only to go and be dehumanised. That is regrettable, and I expected the leadership to render an apology befitting the presiding officer. We have lamented before over presiding officers not attending funerals, and we are proud and glad that the presiding officers have heeded our call. I wish to advise the presiding officers not to feel discouraged because of what transpired. I am sure our colleagues have learnt lessons from that. When we are grieving, as Africans, we must hold hands and put everything aside. Our nature has been that when there is a funeral, everything is halted until the deceased is put to rest. So, we, as leaders, must ensure that we provide leadership at all times. We must not entertain violence, be it at a funeral of those of us who are Patriotic Front (PF) or, indeed, any other party, because we owe it to our people to provide leadership.

Madam Speaker, with these few remarks, I wish to convey my sincere condolences to the bereaved family and the people of Katuba Parliamentary Constituency. We wish them well and peace as they look forward to electing someone new to represent them. We cannot use this opportunity to politic and campaign.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, a Motion such as this one is not wound up. So, I shall not call on Her Honour the Vice-President to wind up the debate on this Motion. On such a Motion, a question is also not put. I shall, therefore, not put the question to the House.

Motion carried nemine contradicente.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS FOR THE THIRD SESSION OF THE TWELFTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that this House do adopt the Report of the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs on Parliamentary Delegations to International Organisations for the Third Session of the Twelfth National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House on Monday, 17^th June, 2019.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Ms Chisangano (Gwembe): Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Dr Malama: Madam Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order No. 157(2), the Committee considered submissions by various Parliamentary delegations to international organisations. Considering that hon. Members have read the Committee’s report, I will only highlight a few of the salient issues contained therein. The Committee received and considered reports from the following delegations:

Delegation to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA);

Delegation to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP);

Delegation to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF);

Delegation to the Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR);

Delegation to the African-Caribbean and Pacific-European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly (ACP-EU JPA); and

Delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Madam Speaker, let me now mention a few of the key highlights contained in the report. One of the key recommendations of the CPA Africa Regional Conference and Annual General Meeting on the Agenda for Combating Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery in Africa and the Promotion of Human Rights was that African governments should sign or accede to international conventions, treaties and protocols relating to combating human trafficking. Further, African Parliaments should ratify and domesticate treaties, protocols and international conventions such as the 1926 Slavery Convention, the International Labour Organisation Forced Labour Convention of 1957, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) of 1979, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989 and the Protocol to Protect, Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children of 2000.

Madam Speaker, on the nexus between climate change and incidents of farmers and herders conflicts in Africa, the CPA requested African parliaments to commit, at least, 10 per cent of their national budgets to funding the agriculture sector in line with the AU 2003 Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security. In this regard, the Committee urges the Zambian Government to take note and act expeditiously on these recommendations.

Madam Speaker, another matter of particular interest to the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, which is contained in the report, is the recommendation that urges AU member states to urgently sign, ratify and domesticate the AU Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, which was adopted in June 2014. The CPA also urged the AU member states to build an information society that respected values, rights and freedoms, and guaranteed equal access to information while encouraging the creation of authentic knowledge, which could build confidence and trust in the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Africa. This is a timely recommendation as the Government contemplates bringing the Access to Information Bill to Parliament, and the Committee urges the Executive to take appropriate action of the recommendation without undue delay.

Madam Speaker, the Zambian delegation to the Pan-African Parliament recommended that a platform be provided for parliamentary delegations to directly present their reports on the Floor of the House. This is in keeping with the recommendations of the Parliamentary Reforms and Modernisation Committee which, in its report to the House for the Second Session of the Twelfth National Assembly, recommended that reports of delegations to international meetings be tabled in the House. This will contribute to greater interrogation and debate on the work of the international organisations they represent. The Committee is in agreement with this recommendation and, therefore, awaits with keen interest, the actualisation of this aspiration by the Government. In the same vein, the Committee recommends that a mechanism be put in place to enable parliamentary delegations to gather views on matters of national interest from relevant sections of the Zambian community in order for it to effectively represent the Zambian voice at these regional and global platforms.

Madam Speaker, the Committee further recommends that in order to create synergy between parliamentary delegations to international organisations and Committee work, there should be representation of the Committees relative to the subject matter at hand. If the subject matter for discussion is agriculture, for instance, a member of the Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resources should be part of the delegation.

Madam Speaker, last, but not least, I would like to extend the thanks of the Committee to you, Madam Speaker, for your guidance, and to the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for the services rendered to the Committee throughout its deliberations.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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

Ms Chisangano: Now, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to second the Motion to adopt the Report of the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs on the Consideration of Reports of Parliamentary Delegations for the Third Session of the Twelfth National Assembly.

Madam Speaker, I am going to highlight some of the issues from the reports of different delegations. I will start with the report from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP). The members of PAP participated in a number of meetings, workshops, trainings and conferences. One of the major issues which kept coming out was the revised protocol to the Constitutive Act of the African Union relating to the Pan-African Parliament that was adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union on 27^th June, 2014. From this protocol, there were changes that were supposed to be seen, such as:

the evolution of PAP into a model law-making organ of the AU;

the inclusion of the African people in the Diaspora regardless of their citizenship or nationality in the determination of the affairs of the African continent;

the mode of election of Members of PAP; and

the conditions and qualifications of Members of PAP.

Madam Speaker, in Zambia, the approval of treaties and protocols is vested in the National Assembly. In October 2018, PAP wrote to the Zambian Parliament encouraging the Republic of Zambia to sign and ratify the protocol. This protocol was supposed to have been ratified by the end of December 2018, but this has not been done. A letter was written from the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly and sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting for the status of the ratification process. It is very disappointing to note that there has not been any feedback on this.

Madam Speaker, the Government should consider ratifying this protocol to turn PAP into a law-making body. Further, the Zambian delegation to PAP recommended that a platform should be given for people who come from meetings or training to share whatever deliberations were held in the meetings that they attended so that hon. Members of Parliament in this House could debate on the same.

Madam Speaker, I am now going to look at the report on the delegation of the Southern African Development Community-Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF). There were two plenary assemblies that were held. From these, the main issue was the update on the transformation of SADC-PF into a Regional Parliament through a phased approach. However, again, it is sad to note that the Zambian Government has not yet made its position known on this matter.

Madam Speaker, the report from the delegation to the 138^th International Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly recommended that the National Executive Committee and the Members who are selected to travel should be rotated so that other hon. Members of Parliament from this House could also participate instead of having the same people travelling all the time. If the hon. Members of this House are given an opportunity to participate, all of us are going to be knowledgeable about what this delegation is doing even in our absence. We hope that management will take up this request.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Prof. Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Madam Speaker, I would like to commend the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs for a very well-presented report summarising the salient issues that were highlighted by various delegations to various institutions that we relate with as the National Assembly of Zambia.

Madam Speaker, there is a need for space to be created so that your delegations to different institutions can present their reports in this Chamber. I think this is very important. If you look at the exposure that your delegations get when they interact at international level, you will see that there is a lot of valuable information to which they get exposed. For example, the Pan African Parliament (PAP) delegation participates in a number of activities. Some of the activities are directed at capacitating parliamentarians and other activities centre on enabling the parliamentarians to understand the challenges of governance and development on the African continent in different areas. If that information is shared here, it will enable our colleagues to get information on what is happening at international level.

For example, at PAP, we interrogated, seriously, the Thabo Mbeki Report on illicit Financial Flaws in Africa. That report highlighted colossal amounts of money that African countries are losing through illicit activities. If that information was to be shared here, we would all understand this challenge and how it is affecting our country in particular. There is a challenge of taxation weaknesses in the ministries in our Government, and I think it is important that information of that kind finds its way here in the Chamber.

Madam Speaker, for example, we look at very serious matters affecting peace and security on the African continent and how that impacts on other countries. That is the kind of information that we could share here from the experiences that we go through when interacting in these international institutions. For example, there is a whole challenge of cyber crime; how to prevent cyber crime on the African continent and how to report cyber criminality. This is a challenge of many African countries. As a continent, we are struggling with how to address cyber security problems in our countries. That is information which if brought here, we could share with colleagues.

Mr Speaker, for example, there is the whole issue, which we interrogated in May this year; of what to do with the elderly or the need for patient schemes for the elderly on the continent. We will need to address the specific health problems of the elderly. Again, the wealth of information generated there, if brought here, could be shared with our colleagues.

Madam Speaker, likewise, the whole critical issue of albinism on the continent and how the albino communities are threatened in terms of their lives is information which emanates from the other countries, but it could be shared here. So, the point I am trying to highlight is that we should let our National Assembly create space for this wealth of information, which is generated in these various institutions. We should find space here and let it filter through here. We produce reports on every activity that we undertake, but those reports just gather dust and do not find their place in our National Assembly.

This is unfortunate because in other assemblies or parliaments, when a delegation visits, its members has avenues of reporting back to their Parliament in the Chamber so that their hon. Colleagues can interrogate the issues and see their implications for their respective countries. This is a plea that we would like to make. This plea has also been underlined by the Report of the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs. I think it is a fundamental request which will enrich our deliberations and our understanding of various issues that affect our Parliament, continent and our space in the global community.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Madam Speaker, I want to start by commending your Committee and the Chairperson of the Committee for the report which has been brought to this House, and the manner in which it is structured. I also would like to thank the seconder of the Motion for seconding the report.

Madam Speaker, in its work, your Committee has pointed out a number of issues, some of which I think my colleague attempted to address. However, my brief comments will be on the issues raised on page 6(d), where our colleagues are requesting a legislative framework for the regulation of vigilante groups, private security and military companies in Africa. Yes, indeed, these are matters that are taking centre stage in our discussions as Ministers responsible for public security and defence. That is because we do realise that if we do not regulate these entities, our fight against the proliferation of small arms and trade in small arms will be an exercise in futility.

So, we are doing everything possible locally to also look into this area because even here, we have ignored this aspect. The manner in which our private security firms are managing their affairs is not properly regulated by the State. So, plans are underway to make sure that we come up with pieces of legislation to regulate the operations of the private security firms. That will be in addition to what we are doing in regulating the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) installation.

Madam Speaker, we take note of the many submissions made in this report. Regarding the debate by Hon. Prof. Lungwangwa, I think there is something we need to learn. I was chatting with the hon. Minister of Defence, who normally chairs or co-chairs our Joint Permanent Commissions (JPCs) on this matter. I think it is time we also started doing some reporting to the Legislature because some of the resolutions will require some legal framework in order to be operationalised. So, I think the recommendations are not asking for too much.

So, we will discuss with the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs to ensure that recommendations for every JPC meeting that is held are shared with this august House. That will ensure we move on the same page with everyone else and, this way, everyone will understand what the country is doing at any given point. I think the submission is valid and worth taking into consideration.

With these few remarks, I just want to, once again, thank the able Committee. As a ministry, we are interacting very well with them as we have embarked on the transformation of all the operations of our agencies by providing automated platforms such as Electronic-Governance (e-Governance) systems. So, they are with us, and we are running with them.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Malanji): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to debate the Motion. Equally, I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Committee for the job well done. However, I would like to bring to the attention of the House some of the notes which were raised in the report. Firstly, I will begin with diplomatic immunity.

Madam, much as diplomatic immunity is set in our diplomatic missions, I would like to mention that it is not cast in a metal jacket. There is a time when we find it important for any individual in a mission to have a facility in the host country. In most cases, the facility will even benefit the country of origin. Secondly, this is so because certain scrupulous members have abused the facilities.

Madam, the House may wish to know that there are members who have been in the Foreign Service, and have borrowed cars using diplomatic immunity. They come with the cars to Zambia denting the name of the country. Therefore, to avoid that, it was decided that a clause be put in place. However, it does not mean that it is cast in a metal jacket.

Further, it is the desire of your Committee that the Pan African Parliament (PAP) be given the leverage for ratification. I would like to bring it to the attention of the House that right now, the African Union (AU) is going through reforms where regional inputs are being put in by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries because the AU wants to have a legal framework that will be member-driven. So, you would find that there are certain decisions that a country cannot make on its own such as PAP carrying out ratification. Much as that would be good for the region, the region would still need to reach a consensus before an individual country decides. In any case, before we make a final decision, be it at the AU or SADC level, it has to come to this House.

Madam Speaker, all things being equal, each Committee is supposed to bring a report to this House because any movement that a Committee member makes out of this country is under the auspices of the Parliament of Zambia. So, it is only right that when hon. Members return from such trips, they give a report to this House for all hon. Members of this House to be made aware of what transpired because they are the sponsors of the trips.

Madam, human trafficking also falls under the same reform which is underway at the AU. The House must realise that, currently, there is a Motion dealing with the free movement of persons within the region. This is something being discussed under regional groupings. So, until SADC gets its resolutions, that issue will definitely be brought before this House for debate on how it will be put under the AU Charter.

Madam Speaker, with those few words, I would like to commend the Committee for the job well done.

Madam, I thank you.

Dr Malama: Madam Speaker, allow me to thank the House for their support. In particular, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Nalikwanda, Prof. Geoffrey Lungwangwa, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Stephen Kampyongo, and the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Joseph Malanji.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Question put and agreed to.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

ADJOURNMENT

The Chief Whip and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Chungu): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1946 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 21^st June, 2019.

____________

WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION

KANTOLOMBA CEMETERY

397. Dr Chanda (Bwana Mkubwa)asked the Minister of Local Government:

whether the Government has any plans to construct the following infrastructure at the Kantolomba Cemetery in Bwana Mkubwa Parliamentary Constituency:

a mourners’ shelter; and
a tarred road; and

if so, when the plans will be implemented.

The Minister of Local Government (Mr Mwale): Madam Speaker, the Government has no plans to construct a mourners’ shelter at Kantolomba Cemetery in Bwana Mkubwa in 2019 due to the constrained Budget. However, the council intends to include the construction of a mourners’ shelter in the 2020 Budget. The Government has no plans to construct a tarred road at Kantolomba Cemetery in 2019 because of the constrained Budget. However, the council intends to include the construction of a tarred road in Bwana Mkubwa in the National Road Programme under the Copperbelt 400 Km Road Project (C400).

In view of the responses above, the plans will only be considered for implementation in 2020 if funds are available.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thursday, 20th June, 2019

Order Paper

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Thursday, 20th June, 2019

Order Paper

parliament.gov.zm