Lusaka Post

12/11/2023

MEDIA NOTICE
_12.11.23_

_Join UPND National Youth Chairman Gilbert Liswaniso on MUVI TV's "THE ASSIGNMENT" TONIGHT AT 20:00 HRS ._

_Date: 12th November, 2023_
_Time 20:00hrs._

Don't Miss.

(C) UPND MEDIA TEAM

28/09/2023

27/09/2023

Media Notice
_27.09.23_

_Join UPND National Youth Chairman Gilbert Liswaniso on One Love Radio's "The Neighborhood" tomorrow, Thursday, September 28th, 2023 at 09:00hrs as he discusses budget expectations._

_It's Thursday at 09:00hrs._

Make a Date!! Don't Miss.

(C) UPND MEDIA TEAM

22/09/2023

THE HEAD OF SADC ELECTORAL OBSERVATION MISSION TO ESWATINI ARRIVES IN THE KINGDOM.

His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, and Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation deployed a SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) and appointed H.E. Mr. Enock P. Kavindele, Former Vice President of the Republic of Zambia as the Head of SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM), to the 29th September 2023 General Elections of the Kingdom of Eswatini. The SADC Secretariat, led by His Excellency Mr. Elias Magosi, the SADC Executive Secretary will coordinate the SEOM and facilitate in-country deployment of observers.

The deployment of SEOM is in accordance with Article 3 of the revised Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021), which provides that SADC shall observe all general elections held in its Member States.

H.E. Kavindele arrived yesterday, 21st September 2023 in the Kingdom of Eswatini and undertook a courtesy call on Honourable Lady Howard Mabuza, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Eswatini. He also conducted a consultative engagement with Mr. Manoma Vusie Masango, Senior National Commissioner of the Royal Eswatini Police Service.

On 22nd September 2023, H.E. Kavindele will host an official launch of SEOM in efforts to raise awareness of the key activities for the SEOM which will be deployed to all four (4) Regions of the Kingdom of Eswatini to observe the pre, election, and post-election phases.

For full press release, visit the SADC website on: https://www.sadc.int/latest-news/sadc-electoral-observation-mission-2023-general-elections-kingdom-eswatini

🇿🇲

18/09/2023

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON, HON. CHUSHI KASANDA, MP ON THE GRAND SCHEME DOCUMENTARY

Charlatans like Fred M'membe, Emmanuel Mwamba, Chilufya Tayali and Raphael Nakachinda should not be allowed to disintegrate the cordial and good bilateral relations Zambia shares with Zimbabwe.

Their appearance and views in the recently foreign produced documentary titled "The Grand Scheme" gives credence to the glaring fact that these individuals would not mind seeing Zambia destabilised in order to achieve their selfish ambitions.

It is saddening to see them literally discredit their own country and leader for the sake of international acclaim when in actual fact they are causing permanent and irrevocable damage to the reputation of our peaceful country.

These are failed politicians who are trying to solicit foreign support with a sole aim of destabilising a constitutionally elected Government in Zambia.

They are clearly blinded by their hatred for President Hakainde Hichilema and
the UPND Government.

It is also of great concern to Government that this group has extended it's smear Campaign to Dr Nevers Mumba who was merely doing his Work on behalf SADC.

The Zambian and Zimbabwean Governments are currently enjoying an affable relationship.

For the record, the Zambian Government was invited for President Emmerson Mnangagwa's inauquration and we honoured the invitation
through our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Stanley Kakubo, who was in attendance.

We implore the Zambian people to see through these double - dealing opposition leaders who have no interest of the Zambian masses at heart.

This is utterly irresponsible and unacceptable. We must question their patriotism and morality levels.

18/09/2023

JULIUS MALEMA AND PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA SHAKE HANDS

President Cyril Ramaphosa greeting the EFF President Hon. Julius Malema and the EFF leadership at the State Funeral of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal.

How would you react to this gesture?

17/09/2023

Zambia's president Hakainde Hichilema was hosted by his Chinese counter part president Xi Jinping. According to a joint statement, the leaders "had in-depth exchange of views on China-Zambia relations, China-Africa relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest and reached extensive and important consensus." The two sides agreed to establish an investment cooperation working group mechanism to promote investment cooperation in areas including digital economy and green development. Have your say!

Courtesy of ©DW Africa

06/09/2023

A new mattress and beddings have been bought for the Former First Lady Esther Lungu who has been detained in police custody at Ibex Police Station in Lusaka.

04/09/2023

General Brice Oligui Ngue is set to be sworn in as Gabon's "transitional president" on Monday.

31/08/2023

Muzungu paka bwali🤣

30/08/2023

SELF TAUGHT MECHANIC ELIAS MOTLOMELO MAKES HIS OWN CAR

When he told his close friend that he was making his own car, the friend thought he was going crazy. That was, until Mr Motlomelo made the beast!

The designer and manufacturer Elias, is a primary school graduate.

He dropped out of school in grade 9 and started a life of a hustler. “One of the things I had to work hard to teach myself was to, at least, speak English. I knew I would need such skills to be able to read.”

He still recalls being hired to deliver furniture at a particular house and being paid with a car that had a faulty engine. He used some of his money to get the engine fixed. As he joined the team of mechanics on working on the car, his interest in cars was sparked.

“I found myself continually fixing my car and learning more and more about it,” he said.

Before he knew it, he was no longer fixing his own car, “other cars were popping up in my backyard for fixing.”

With time, he moved to a rented space where he could do the fixing of cars better.

He later found himself owning a 490 square metre well equipped workshop (Tlome Auto Style) where he does all kinds of things under the roof, with a workforce of nearly 20 people, some of whom are well educated.

He went on a one and half month journey to make this car.

28/08/2023

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA'S GOVERNMENT SETS NEW STANDARD : FIRST SIGNIFICANT YOUTH EMPLOYMENT DRIVE SINCE 1964, SAYS UPND NATIONAL YOUTH CHAIRMAN.......

In an era where youth unemployment continues to be a pressing issue, the efforts of President Hakainde Hichilema and his government in curbing this problem have been widely appreciated. Gilbert Liswaniso, the National Youth Chairman of the United Party for National Development (UPND), has voiced his praise for the President's dedication to addressing youth unemployment in Zambia.

Liswaniso commended President Hichilema for keeping his word on the employment policy, which has resulted in significant job opportunities for the nation's youth. The UPND government's recent initiative has led to the employment of thousands of individuals across various sectors. Among the notable achievements, the government has successfully employed 34,000 teachers, 11,000 healthcare personnel, and 5,000 defense force personnel.

For years, Zambia has struggled with youth unemployment, often leaving many promising individuals with limited opportunities. However, the recent employment experience under President Hichilema's leadership has been regarded as a landmark occasion, given that it is the first of its kind since the nation gained independence in 1964. This development signifies a new level of commitment from the government towards addressing the needs of the country's youth.

In addition to the already employed individuals, the government has also taken another positive step by advertising an additional 3,000 jobs for healthcare personnel. This move further showcases the administration's focus on bolstering the healthcare sector, not only by providing quality services but also by creating sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.

President Hichilema's approach to tackling youth unemployment is a significant stride forward in ensuring a brighter future for the nation's young population. By fulfilling his promises and actively working towards job creation, Hichilema's administration has shown its commitment to improving the livelihoods of Zambian youth.

Liswaniso's commendation highlights the positive impact that the UPND government's employment policy has had on the lives of many unemployed and underemployed individuals. It is a testament to the President's dedication to addressing one of the most pressing issues faced by the country's youth.

As Zambia moves forward under the leadership of President Hichilema, the nation can look forward to further advancements in the fight against youth unemployment. The government's focus on job creation and its commitment to delivering on its promises offer hope for a more prosperous and inclusive society in the years to come.

24/08/2023

His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa and His Excellency President Xi Jinping Co-Chair the China - Africa Leaders Round Table at the conclusion of the 15th BRICS SUMMIT in Johannesburg. The theme for the Roundtable is “Promoting African Integration and Jointly Building a High-Level Africa-China Community with a Shared Future”.

The current Chairs of the eight Regional Economic Communities (RECs) of Africa are participating, including the Chair of the African Union; the Chair of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation; and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

The expected outcomes of China -Africa Leaders Roundtable dialogue will be to further heighten and reiterate Chinese political commitment to regional and continental integration, with a focus on supporting Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

22/08/2023

arrived in on a three-day official visit during which he will attend the 15th summit and hold bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders.

17/08/2023

𝐺𝑂𝐿𝐷 𝑆𝐴𝐺𝐴 𝐴 𝑃𝑂𝐿𝐼𝑇𝐼𝐶𝐴𝐿 𝑆𝐶𝑂𝑅𝐸-𝐵𝑜𝑛𝑢𝑠 𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖

16th August,2023.

𝗟𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗮 (𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲)

UPND Lusaka District Youth Deputy spokesperson Bonus Shendi says it is a score by President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration as well as the 𝚄𝙿𝙽𝙳 party for unearthing criminal activities at the airport.

Mr Shendi added that the president who aims at developing the country always serve the people genuinely. It’s a thumb up to me to see mafias [gold dealers] of that kind being caught,he said.

Mr Shendi commended the new dawn government by stating that the country's investigative agencies and its intelligence are effectively working fairly and unfavorably.

It indicates the seriousness that he doesn’t favor anyone as he always sing along that “ you are on your own” and “there is no sacred cow”. It’s a “hart-trick” kind of score.

"This is the president [HH] and the party [UPND] we wanted to be in government. It is my daily prayer that our president continues to be a president of integrity for the betterment of our mother zambia," Mr.Shendi noted.

He has observed that in previous governments, there was nothing like this.The criminals always could steal freely and without being investigated because the president (ECL) was weak and tolerant to every ridiculous conduct.

We are human beings and it is our nature to be not easily contented and by being so, it doesn’t mean to hurt those who lead us whenever we feel unsatisfied.

"This syndrome has very deep roots in our nature. The earliest recorded example can be found in the Old Testa-ment, in the story of the exodus from Egypt. Chosen by God to bring the Hebrews to the Promised Land, Moses led them into the wilderness, where they would wander for forty years. In Egypt the Hebrews had served as slaves and their lives had been difficult. Once they suffered hardships in the desert, however, they suddenly grew nostalgic for their previous life."

"Facing starvation, God provided them with manna from heaven, but they could only compare it unfavorably to the delicious melons and cucumbers and meats they had known in Egypt."

" Not sufficiently excited by God's other miracles (the parting of the Red Sea, for example), they decided to forge.”

"There is a lot that 𝚄𝙿𝙽𝙳 government has done so far, yet the oppositions don’t talk about it and for their bitterness ,they are in negative zero in terms of political scoring in vying for power and i am proud to state that 𝚄𝙿𝙽𝙳 will be in power for more than 20 years."

𝐂𝐈𝐂 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌

15/08/2023

🖼️

Sampa the Great

15/08/2023

NEVERS MUMBA ASSIGNED HEAD OF SADC ELECTION OBSERVE IN ZIMBABWE

Former Vice President Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba has been nominated by His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema as the Head of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to Zimbabwe.

President Hakainde Hichilema is the Chairman of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security.

10/08/2023

MEDIA NOTICE

_Join the UPND National Youth Chairman Mr. Gilbert Liswaniso as he features on People's Debate Program on Pan African Radio 96.1 FM tomorrow morning._

_Date: 11th August, 2023_
_Time: 10:15 HRS_
_Host: Caesar Sindele_

_Studio Lines:_
_0974760894_
_0951026622_

_Tune in and be part of the discussion_

© UPND National Youth Media

07/08/2023

Join UPND National Youth Chairman Mr. Gilbert Liswaniso tomorrow morning as he features on two Radio Programs:

1. Kwitu FM Radio 93.3 NKANI YATU

Date:- 08 August, 2023
Time:- 09:00 HRS
Host:- Gasper & Kankos

2. 5FM Radio 89.9 BURNING ISSUES

Date:- 08 August, 2023
Time:- 10:05 HRS
Host:- Zachariah Banda

Please tune in as we discuss matters of national importance.

National Youth Media

01/07/2023

MEDIA NOTICE 🚨

_Sat, 1St July 2023 - Livingstone, Southern Province._

_Fellow Citizens! We would like to inform you that the UPND National Youth Chairman Mr. Gilbert Liswaniso will be on Zambezi FM Radio in Livingston, Zambia._

Time: 20:00 PM/Hrs.
Frequency 94.1 FM

_The program will be streamed live on Gilbert Liswaniso, UPND Youths Zambia, UPND Zambia pages._

_To listen in, tune in to Zambezi FM Radio frequency 94.1 FM_

© UPND MEDIA DESK

06/05/2023

"GIVE US BACK OUR DIAMOND"

Some South Africans are calling for Britain to return the world's largest diamond, known as the Star of Africa, which is set in the royal sceptre that King Charles III will hold at his coronation on Today.

Over 8,000 people have signed an online petition urging King Charles III to return the diamond. "The diamond needs to come to South Africa.

It needs to be a sign of our pride, our heritage, and our culture," Mothusi Kamanga, a lawyer and activist in Johannesburg behind the petition, told Reuters news agency.

Have your say on this controversial matter!

28/04/2023

HH nabatalali

28/04/2023

NORTHERN CHIEFS SAY THUMBS HH

President Hakainde Hichilema writes below...

Just paid a courtesy call on their Royal Highnesses; Chief Katuta, Chief Chabula, and representative of Chieftaincy Chungu here in Lupososhi, Northern Province

Fantastic conversations around the need to work together for the greater good of all.

It is uplifting to hear their Royal Highnesses express gratitude for the efforts we are making in ensuring the prosperity of Zambia. Among them mentioned during our courtesy call at Kalaba Primary School was the NAPSA partial withdrawal.

CDF rigidities were also mentioned, and their Royal Highnesses remain optimistic that this is a game changer and taking resources to the people is confirmation of decentralisation.

Our word is simply: Thank you, Your Royal Highnesses. We are one Zambia, one Nation and one people and we are delivering on our campaign promises. We are determined to unite this country as evidenced by our cabinet, and this is in line with what our First President, President Kenneth Kaunda envisioned.

Zambia is destined for greatness, and we don't take for granted the opportunity bestowed unto us to deliver change.

This is why we say that whoever stands in the way of development and our vision will surely be asked to step aside.

We are in a hurry to deliver development and any stumbling issue will be dealt with decisively.

Once more, thank you to their Royal Highnesses from Lupososhi District for receiving us wholeheartedly.

May God bless the people of Lupososhi, and May God bless Zambia.

Hakainde Hichilema
President of the Republic of Zambia.

01/04/2023

US VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS ANNOUNCES INITIATIVES TO ADVANCE US-ZAM PARTNERSHIP

(31.03.2023 Vist to Zambia)

1. Over $505 Million in 2024 bilateral assistance.

TRADE & ECONOMICS SUPPORT

1. Zambian to join 5 nations in having trade MOU with USA to improve business climate and increase US- Zambia trade.

2. $1.5 Million to launch of fertilizer fund.

3. $1 Million grant for renewable energy battery system feasibility study.

GOVERNANCE SUPPORT

1. $10 Million- Decentralization

2. $3.5 - Million- Women in Mining

3. $3.0- GRZ financial Management system.

HEALTH SUPPORT- $417- $798 Million

1. $ 372- $571 Million to HIV, 2023-4

2. $28- Million Malaria,2023

3.$ 17- Million in Public Health Support

09/02/2023

UPND YOUTHS BREATH FIRE ON RDA AND ZRA

Ruling UPND youths have accused the Roads Development Agency (RDA) of unbridled bias in the manner they are awarding tenders to bidders.

Verified information indicate that the RDA is planning to award a road construction tender to Claycrete Zambia Limited, a company belonging to former Lusaka Province PF youth chairman.

But special advisor to the UPND National Youth Chairman, Fanwell Hasulwe, explained that when RDA opened the tender, they deliberately did not include financials for two months to disadvantage other bidders.

Mr. Hasulwe described the act by the agency as illegal and called for the immediate cancellation of the contract.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hasulwe has called on RDA Acting CEO Engineer Grace Mutembo, Director Construction Engineer Joseph Mwiinga, and Director Procurement Mr. Mwenya CHILUFYA to own up and do the right thing.

Mr. Hasulwe added that according to intelligence reports, it’s believed that most of the Senior Directors at RDA were bought off by Claycrete Zambia Limited with a lot of money to ensure the evaluation process was in their favor.

And Mr. Hasulwe says they have names of individuals in the ZRA revenue authority who are frustrating government's efforts to deliver to the expectations of the Zambian people.

Speaking at the same function, UPND National Youth Coordinator Brian Mulenga called on the young people in the country to rise to the occasion and demand answers from those in positions of authority.

Mr. Mulenga who likened the UPND to an 'orphan' charged that most of the officials the president has appointed to serve in various positions, are doing the head of state and the country a disservice.

The outspoken UPND youth leader is of the view that the governing party has been infiltrated by opportunists who do not subscribe to the vision of the President and ideals of the party.

18/01/2023

LUSAKA-NDOLA DUAL-CARRIAGEWAY PPP PROJECT TO COMMENCE THREE MONTHS FROM NOW

We as New Dawn Government are excited that in the past year, we have, on behalf of Zambians, successfully concluded negotiations on two critical Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects in the road sector - the Chingola-Kasumbalesa Road Project and the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway Project.

Your government has identified a private partner (concessionaire) under the PPP arrangement, to reconstruct and upgrade the Lusaka-Ndola Road into a dual carriageway.

In the next three months, your government and the identified PPP concessionaire on the Lusaka-Ndola Road Project, will formally sign the contract for the works to start on this major undertaking.

On the Chingola-Kasumbalesa Road Project, we formally signed with the PPP concessionaire last year.We are, at this stage, all looking forward to the concessionaires on the two projects to conclude their mobilisation and start the works as has been agreed.

17/01/2023

LOADSHEDDING TO REDUCE TOMORROW AS MAAMBA MACHINE KICKS BACK TO LIFE

January 17th,2023

MAAMBA - Maamba Collieries Limited will be back online tomorrow and it will start feeding into the national grid.

This is after the new dawn government intervened to have the scheduled maintenance period reduced in order to help reduce load-shedding.

As of today, stabilization tests are ongoing though the generator is now ready to be put into servicing the national grid.

We expect Maamba to be back on the grid tomorrow. ZESCO will confirm the timings tomorrow.

The 150MW generator at Maamba Collieries Limited was removed from feeding into the national grid due to scheduled annual maintenance and was to be serviced from 4th January 2023 to about 20th January 2023.

Yours in national service,

Hon. Eng. Peter Chibwe Kapala
Minister of Energy
17.01.2023

(C) THE FALCON

24/12/2022

INSULT, DEFAMATION SHOULD NEVER BE CRIMINALISED

The abolition of defamation of the President laws and criminal defamation in general has been long over due.
We therefore highly welcome the abolition of defamation of the President laws.
It was an offence for any person who, with intent to bring the President into hatred, ridicule or contempt, published any defamatory or insulting statements.
The last three decades have seen a growing global movement towards decriminalising defamation. Numerous calls have been made at various levels for states to repeal all criminal defamation and ‘insult’ laws. But it has taken time to repeal these laws.
These laws were clearly unconstitutional and fell foul of international standards on freedom of expression.
To be more meaningful, the repeal of defamation laws need to be immediately accompanied by the removal of the public order Act.

Fred M'membe
President of the Socialist Party

24/12/2022

MPOSHA Inspects Resumed Projects Abandoned By PF

By Oscar Hamuyala

Hon. Mike Mposha, Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, is inspecting projects under his ministry that were abandoned by , the previous regime, PF government due to lack of funds.

The minister inspected a water intake plant been constructed in Chingola by Mulonga Water and Sanitation Company. He also inspected a newly launched project in Kamenza residential area in Chililabombwe.

Hon. Mposha is expected to further inspect projects in Ndola and Luanshya.

The minister is happy that projects that were abandoned by the PF on the Copperbelt are progressing well due to the immense efforts and political will from the New Dawn Administration under the leadership of President Hichilema.

24/12/2022

130 CO-OPERATIVES BENEFIT FROM THE 2022 CDF GRANT EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME IN MWENSE DISTRICT

23rd December 2022.

A total of 130 Co-Operatives in Mwense District have benefited from the Women, Youth and Community Empowerment grant exercise under the 2022 Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Over K 7 million has been disbursed to co-operatives who are engaged in various activities with 67 in Mwense Central Constituency and 63 in Mambilima Constituency.

Mwense Council Chairperson Stephen Chikota, Mwense DC Mr. Happystone Mwape, Mambilima MP Jean Chisenga, and Mwense District Council Secretary Musonda Mumpa joined Luapula Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Roy Mwansa in giving out the grants at two colourful ceremonies at Lukwesa and Mulundu.

24/12/2022

ABOLISHING OF IMPOSITION OF DEATH PENALTY AND CRIMINAL DEFAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT.

Fellow citizens,

Please be informed that this afternoon, we assented to the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill number 25 of 2022, abolishing the imposition of the death penalty, and the offence of Criminal Defamation of the President, in the Republic of Zambia.

The Penal Code Act Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia by the President's assent have been ammended to repeal all provisions of the Penal Code Act which provided for the imposition of mandatory death sentence in the absence of extenuating circumstances.

Similarly, by the President's assent, the provisions of Section 69 of Penal Code Act Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia which provide for the offence of Criminal Defamation of the President have since been repealed.

Fellow Zambians, during our campaigns for the Presidency, we promised to amend all laws that inhibit the growth of democracy and good governance, impede human rights and basic freedoms. Today we have delivered.

Hakainde Hichilema,
President of the Republic of Zambia.

21/11/2022

HOW PF BIGWIGS LOOTED THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OUT OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS

".... The secrecy and murky environment that covers defence procurement deals presented the PF government with a clear and open opportunity to loot as much as they wanted...."

By Catharine Mulaisho (BA, MBA) - Social & Political Commentator

BETWEEN 2012 and 2013, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) who was then the Defence Minister, failed to disclose his interest in writing on Three Zambia Army contracts and Five Zambia Air Force contracts that were awarded to Curzon Global Limited by the Ministry of Defence.

Curzon Global Limited was GBM’s proxy company that was registered under his daughter and wife and was involved in deals valued over six hundred thousand dollars. Consequently, GBM was arrested and charged with a case of money laundering contrary to section Seven of Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act number 14 of 2001 as read with Amendment Act number 44 of 2010 in June this year.

Between 2011 and 2021, food supply deals valued at over 300 million dollars where also given out to companies that are owned by PF bigwigs and their family members. The plunder at the Ministry of Defense during the PF rule was so overwhelming and highly contributed to bringing our economy down to its knees. We are yet to feel the extent of such a massive plunder of national resources.

In October 2018, corruption accused former Defence Ministry Permanent Secretary, Sturdy Mwale; confirmed media reports that the Zambian Government had signed a second $400million defence deal with Israeli military aerospace business, Elbit Systems. According Mwale the deal included a brand-new Gulstream G650 presidential jet, bespoke to President Lungu’s requirements.

A previous $400million deal previously signed with Elbit Systems covered an unspecified number of F-5 jet fighters, 18 Skylark unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ground vehicles and upgrades for Mi-17 Helicopters. The deals also include centres for training and command, control and communications, as well as maintenance.

And as if that was not enough, the Zambian government also ordered $50 million in weapons and ammunition from Israel Weapons Industries, while Israeli company Ashtrom has received a $200million contract to upgrade the Maina Soko military hospital in Lusaka and a $400m contract to build barracks in Kawambwa district. Despite the Minister of Defence strenuously denying the allegations made, Zambia’s new G650 presidential jet, which was integral to the overall deal, was seen landing in Basel, Switzerland in early November 2018 and finally in Zambia. The current president of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, has refused to use the presidential jet, as he has termed it as an unnecessary luxury.

Having realized as early as 2018 that their time in office was limited, the PF bigwigs went on a looting rampage, siphoning off money from the public purse at every opportunity.

The secrecy and murky environment that covers defence procurement deals presented the PF government with a clear and open opportunity to loot as much as they wanted as they were under the illusion that no one would audit them even after they left government.

Just recently, The Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Clever Mpoha, Director and Shareholder of Savenda Group of Companies for corrupt practices involving over US $900,000. His company was single-sourced to supply military uniforms for the Zambia National Service. Details are that Mr. Mpoha, being a shareholder and Director in African Security Academy, did receive a total of US $527,448, funds which were fraudulently paid by the Ministry of Finance as fees for the delivery of the subject contract payment of the arrangement.

At the center of all these lootings was Sturdy Mwale; he coordinated all the top deals, chose suppliers in coordination with interested top brass PF members and those in government. At one point he was more powerful than some ministers due to the amount of power he welded at the ministry of Defense.

All deals that were done at the ministry of Defense were overpriced and high end kick backs were paid by international suppliers.

At his peak and after a lot of questionable deals, Sturdy Mwale started signing off letters sending key staff from procurement and finance to rural areas. It is clear now that he wanted to destroy all the evidence of massive corruption that had taken place since he became Permanent Secretary.

Sturdy Mwale made so much money such that he paid US$200'000 cash to Mike Arnold, a White Australian farmer to buy part of his vast Simoonga Farm, about 10 KMs from the Mazabuka road to Chikankata mission. If Sturdy Mwale made so much cash, how much more did his bosses make? And where is the loot hiding?

Among those fingered in the alleged looting at the Ministry of Defense include but not limited to this list, Former Defense Minister - Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, former Defence Ministry Permanent Secretary - Sturdy Mwale, Davies Mwila ~Former PF Secretary General and former Deputy Minister of Defense, Davis Chama, former Minister of Defence, Amos Chanda former State House press aide, former Special Assistant to the President for Political Affairs, Kaizer Zulu, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs - Harry Kalaba, Brian Muntayalwa Mundubile former Minister for Northern Province, former Northern Province Permanent Secretary Charles Sipanje, Ndozo Lodge proprietor Chrint Sichamba, Clever Mpoha, Director and Shareholder of Savenda Group of Companies, former Special Assistant for Economics Hibeene Mwiinga, former Presidential Advisor to the President Chris Zumani Zimba, former Education Minister - Nkandu Luo, Former lands Minister - Jean Kapata and Former Zambia Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Eric Chimese.