Zambia Weekly Report

DESPERATE KEITH MWEEMBA SLANDERING ANDREW KAMANGA WHILE PRETENDING TO DEFEND FAZ CONSTITUTION

PRESS RELEASE

We have taken note of the press release of 24th April 2024 by Mr Keith Mwemba, FAZ presidential candidate wherein he cited purported/ alleged breaches of the FAZ constitution.

From the outset, we welcome Mr Mweemba’s concerns, and would be happy if he could also share with the FAZ councilors and the public his position regarding the following;

1. Whether the FAZ executive committee following the conclusion of the 10 (ten) provincial elections has the mandate to preside over FAZ matter without the conclusion of the remaining 3 (three) elective positions namely president, vice president and women’s representative.

2. Where was Mr Mweemba to defend the FAZ constitution when the National Sports Council through its CEO, Mr Mususa directed FAZ General Secretary Mr Reuben Kamanga not to call the FAZ executive meeting as advised in his letter of 14th March 2025, to approve the FAZ counts which he is demanding today. For avoidance of doubt the National Sports Council CEO’s directive reminded the General Secretary that the accounts should not be tabled since the exco’s mandated expired on 28th February 2025.

3. Where was Mr Mweemba to defend the FAZ executive commitee following the directive by FIFA on 13th March that all 10 (ten) provincial AGM’s would be chaired by the outgoing provincial chairmen, and the final AGM of 29th March by the FAZ president who would remain in office until elections were concluded and a new executive elected.
Interestingly Mr Mweemba saw it fit to attend 7 (seven) of the provincial AGM’s and did not question the legitimacy of the FIFA directive. Surprisingly Mr Mweemba chose to remain silent when the National Sports Council directed the FAZ General Secretary on 25th March 2025 that the FAZ President should NOT chair the AGM on 29th March 2025 in Livingstone.

4. Where was Mr Mweemba to defend the FAZ constitution when the FAZ AGM was stopped by an Injunction?

5. Presentation of the financial statements for year ended December 2024, and the budget for 2025 are agenda items for the AGM and the FAZ president is expected to preside over the entire AGM.

We note that Mr Mweemba in his press release demands the “full discussion of the financial report, statutory reports and all items constitutionally provided for, move a motion to dismiss, impeach and or/ disqualify those who will be found wanting or perpetuating breaches or violation of the constitution, and demand for criminal investigation for embezzlement of funds”

Mr Mweemba conveniently and deliberates ignores to state that the FAZ president must chair the meeting as provided for who is supposed to chair the same AGM. It is very clear from the foregoing that Mr Mweemba with the help of the National Sports Council is NOT ready to participate in any election where Mr Kamanga is a participant. It is surprising that Mr Mweemba is advocating for disqualification of candidates before elections are held. If Mr Mweemba has any evidence of any wrong doing by any FAZ member including Mr Kamanga, he has every right to report to law enforcement agencies as has been the case in the past instead of refusing to proceed to elections in the absence of an AGM presided by the FAZ president with all agenda items tabled.

6. The proposal to ask members to defer all agenda items and proceed to elections is intended to ensure completion of the electoral process which was delayed by the injunction halting the AGM in Livingstone, is NOT in anyway an attempt by Mr Kamanga to avoid presentation of the accounts.

Suffice to state for Mr Mweemba’s benefit in case he is not aware , Mr Kamanga is a Chartered Accountant, FCMA, FZICA and holds a practicing licence from ZICA. Further, Mr Kamanga has served as CAF Finance Commitee as vice president since 2021, and presented the CAF financial statements and budget at the last CAF congress on 22nd October 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mr Kamanga has served on the FIFA Governance, Audit and Compliance Commitee since 2017, and would have NO challenge to present the FAZ 2024 accounts at the reconvened AGM on 9th March, as long as he is allowed by the National Sports Council to chair the meeting. This we implore Mr Mweemba to attend to as a condition precedent to his demands.

In conclusion, it is clear that there is a deliberate and calculated attempt to discredit Mr Kamanga that he is refusing to have the accounts tabled because of suspected wrong doing. To the contrary we wish to impress upon Mr Mweemba to call upon the National Sports Council to allow Mr Kamanga as FAZ president to chair the AGM and present the accounts as demanded. Otherwise, proceeding to elections allows FAZ to have an elected fully functioning executive, and avoids any new injunction directed at Mr Kamanga since the meeting will be under the charge of the FAZ Eelectoral commitee. In any case, Mr Mweemba will still retain his right to hold any FAZ member accountable regardless of who wins the elections on 9th May.

ISSSUED BY ANDREW N KAMANGA, CAMPAIGN TEAM

MANIPULATING STUDENTS FOR POLITICAL GAIN CONDEMNED

…by pulling students out of their classes, the UPND is disregarding the sacrifices made by parents to support their children's education says Lusambo

Lusaka… Wednesday April 2, 2025

Concerns have been raised over the political exploitation of university students by the ruling UPND.

In a statement, Socialist Party Deputy Youth Spokesperson Sconel Lusambo accused the UPND of using students to create a false impression of widespread youth support.

According to Lusambo, UPND Secretary General Batuka Imenda met with university students earlier in the day and provided them with placards to stage an artificial show of endorsement for the party.

He described this as a "blatant manipulation of young minds" and called it an unacceptable practice.

Mr Lusambo emphasized that universities should remain centers of academic excellence and intellectual development rather than being turned into political battlegrounds.

He expressed concern that students, who are supposed to be focused on their education, were being drawn into partisan activities.

"It is troubling that a party which claims to respect and empower the youth is instead disrupting their academic schedules for political meetings," he stated.

Mr Lusambo further argued that by pulling students out of their classes, the UPND was disregarding the sacrifices made by parents and guardians to support their children's education.

He urged students across the country to remain focused on their studies and resist being used for political purposes.

According to him, real student concerns—such as inadequate learning resources, poor infrastructure, and the rising cost of tertiary education—were being overshadowed by such political maneuvers.

While acknowledging the right of young people to engage in politics, Lusambo advised that such participation should be voluntary and based on informed decisions rather than political coercion.

He warned that allowing themselves to be used as “political praise singers” would only divert them from their primary goal of securing a better future through education.

“The future of the nation depends on an educated and independent-minded youth,” he concluded, urging students to prioritize their academic and personal development over partisan engagements.

NEW HERITAGE PARTY DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY OVER WHITE RHINO KILLING

The New Heritage Party has raised concerns regarding what it describes as continued silence from the Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, following the recent killing of a rare white rhino in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Livingstone.

Chief Party Spokesperson Aggephrey Brill said locals in Livingstone were questioning how rhinos, constantly guarded by armed game rangers, could still fall victim to poaching.

He added that the public was now speculating whether the killing was an inside job, suggesting that those responsible for protecting the animals might have become complicit in their poaching.

Brill noted that the situation was further aggravated by reports of a rhino horn, previously stored in the offices of the National Wildlife Authority in Livingstone, disappearing and reappearing under unclear circumstances, thereby heightening public suspicion.

He demanded accountability from authorities, calling for an explanation as to how such a heavily guarded animal could be killed.

Brill stressed that rare white rhinos in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park are a key tourist attraction and their protection is of paramount importance.

For more details, tune in to Byta FM 90.3/100.3/101.9 or http://radio.garden/listen/byta-fm-zambia/YsDAFNNN

WHY IS STATE HOUSE NOT TELLING ZAMBIANS THE TRUTH ABOUT AGRO FUEL?

Lying President Hakainde Hichilema and Peter Kapala should come out with the truth about Agro Fuel before the matter gets out of hand.

It is unimaginable that this private company, operated by a Zambia citizen can be free to engage in the heinous practices that are being peddled by people being sponsored by senior staff at State House.

There are some things that we know about this campaign against Agro Fuel and its owner Shashi Patel.

One of the things we know is the little man and his friends who are behind the circulation of reports which are only telling half the truth.

We have direct evidence of the people behind this campaign and, at an appropriate time, after these charlatans have exhausted themselves.

Be warned.

Clayson Hamasaka’s Statement on Former President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu: A Masterclass in Arrogance and Deflection

By Thandiwe Ketis Ngoma

Clayson Hamasaka, the Chief Communications Specialist at State House, has once again proven why he is unfit to serve in such a crucial role. His recent statement responding to concerns over constitutional amendments was not only recklessly arrogant but also embarrassingly devoid of objectivity and professionalism. Instead of providing clarity on an issue of national interest, he dodged accountability, engaged in baseless personal attacks, and insulted the intelligence of the Zambian people.

This begs the question: What did President Hichilema see in Hamasaka to entrust him with such a key position? Does he even understand his role, or does he believe his job is to spew propaganda, attack critics, and suppress legitimate concerns?

Dodging the Real Issue: What Is the Government Hiding?

The core issue raised by former President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s social media post was simple: Is the UPND government planning to amend the Constitution to benefit President Hichilema?

Rather than offering a straightforward, transparent response, Hamasaka sidestepped the issue entirely, claiming no amendment process has begun. This is nothing but a calculated deception. We all know constitutional amendments are discussed behind closed doors long before they are formally introduced. The Zambian people deserve direct answers.

Is the government planning any constitutional changes?

If so, what amendments are being considered?

Will these changes benefit the incumbent President?

Will the Zambian people be consulted, or will this be another backroom political maneuver?

Hamasaka deliberately ignored these questions because he knows the truth would expose the UPND’s real intentions. Instead, he resorted to cheap political tactics, attacking Dr. Lungu’s social media team rather than addressing the concerns they raised. This is the behavior of a coward, not a professional communicator.

Shameless Exploitation of Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s Health

Hamasaka then took his deception to another level by trying to shift public focus away from the constitutional concerns and onto Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s health. This is a classic tactic of dishonest politicians. When they can’t defend their actions, they change the subject.

By suggesting that Dr. Lungu might be too ill to express political opinions, Hamasaka’s statement was not only insensitive but insulting. Since when does being unwell disqualify someone from speaking out on political matters?

If Hamasaka had genuine concerns about the authenticity of Dr. Lungu’s post, he should have sought clarification directly from the former President himself instead of issuing a childish and condescending statement.

Even more absurd is Hamasaka’s ridiculous assertion that Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s official page should only be used for health updates. Who gave him the authority to dictate how former Presidents should communicate with the nation? When did he become the gatekeeper of political discourse in Zambia?

Arrogance, Insecurity, and Unprofessionalism

A Chief Communications Specialist is supposed to be the government’s bridge to the people, engaging citizens with respect, clarity, and professionalism. Instead, Hamasaka operates like a social media troll, spewing arrogance and insults rather than facts.

By mocking and questioning Dr. Lungu’s social media handlers, he has demonstrated a complete lack of decorum and statesmanship. Instead of promoting national unity, he is fanning the flames of division with his reckless statements.

If anything, Hamasaka’s response exposes the UPND government’s fear of accountability. Instead of answering legitimate national concerns, their strategy is to attack, dismiss, and ridicule those who dare to question them. This is not democracy. This is dictatorship in disguise.

A Government That Does Not Listen

Hamasaka’s disgraceful statement reflects a broader issue within the UPND government, a refusal to listen to the people. They claim to be a government of transparency and accountability, but every time they are confronted with hard questions, they react with arrogance, anger, and propaganda.

Instead of engaging in honest dialogue, they choose to attack critics rather than answer questions, suppress opposing voices rather than encourage debate, and use state resources to spread propaganda rather than provide solutions.

Meanwhile, Zambia is in Crisis

While Hamasaka and his fellow UPND spin doctors waste time attacking Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the Zambian people are suffering.

The cost of living is skyrocketing.

Fuel prices are at record highs.

The Kwacha is in freefall.

Unemployment is worsening.

Power outages are crippling businesses and homes.

Yet, instead of focusing on real governance, Hamasaka chooses to play petty political games and insult the former Head of State.

Conclusion: A Government of Arrogance, Not Leadership

Hamasaka’s statement is a disgraceful example of failed leadership. Instead of offering clear answers, he resorted to arrogance, deflection, and personal attacks. Instead of fostering unity, he fueled unnecessary divisions. Instead of showing professionalism, he demonstrated immaturity and insecurity.

If President Hichilema is serious about maintaining credibility, he must rethink whether Hamasaka is the right person to handle government communications. Zambia needs serious leadership, not childish propaganda and arrogance.

The Zambian People Demand Answers, Not Arrogance!