(NEWZIMBAWE,REUTERS) Malawi president fires entire cabinet over graft
10/10/2013 00:00:00
by Reuters
MALAWI President Joyce Banda dissolved the cabinet on Thursday after police arrested several junior officials in her government in recent weeks on suspicion of stealing state funds.
A statement from her office said Banda, who came to office in April 2012, "will announce a new cabinet in due course." It did not elaborate.
The presidency had said on Wednesday that Banda would meet her cabinet the following day to discuss the financial scandal and who was responsible.
It did not disclose details of Thursday's meeting, but a senior government official, who asked not to be named, said Banda told the cabinet that she had "lost faith" in them.
The scandal, known locally as "cash-gate", forced the government to shut down its payment system last week so that it could investigate over $4 million that went missing, delaying the payment of salaries to teachers, nurses and doctors.
Banda, who faces an election next year, has won acclaim in the West for austerity measures and moves to bolster the economy of the aid-dependent, impoverished country.
But steps such as an IMF-backed devaluation of the kwacha currency have stoked inflation, raised the price of food for the rural poor and eroded Banda's domestic support.
The police said that about 10 junior government officials had been arrested so far for suspected graft, and that they had recovered tens of thousands of dollars in cash from their car boots and homes.
A small group of protesters marched in the capital Lilongwe on Thursday and delivered a petition calling for the sacking of top officials, including Finance Minister Ken Lipenga, over the scandal.
Lipenga has denied any wrongdoing. He was not immediately available for comment on Thursday.
Last week, envoys from eight Western donor nations, whose aid traditionally has accounted for about 40 percent of the state budget, asked Banda to deal with the alleged corruption at the treasury and investigate an attack on the budget director.
"These are worrying developments that potentially risk Malawi's stability, rule of law and reputation," the envoys said in a statement.
Budget director Paul Mphwiyo was shot last month, but survived the attack.
After the shooting, the government's Anti-Corruption Bureau and police launched an investigation into the budget director and unnamed ministers over suspected graft, indicating the scandal extended beyond just a few junior officials.
"People have lost confidence in (Banda's) leadership and the best thing she can do is to order the arrest of senior officials involved and ask her finance minister to resign," Lazarus Chakwera, leader of the opposition MCP, said at a public rally over the weekend.
Malawi's troubled economy has shown signs of improvement in the past few months with inflation that was once running over 30 percent easing slightly, while earnings from its main export tobacco are expected to double this year from 2012.
Labels: CABINET, JOYCE BANDA, MALAWI
Read more...
UPND says MPs appointed to Cabinet are 'unruly horses'
By Mwala Kalaluka
Sun 17 Feb. 2013, 10:50 CAT
THE UPND says opposition parliamentarians appointed to Cabinet have become 'unruly horses' whose loyalties seem to lie with the appointing authority's party and not the ones on whose ticket they entered parliament.
This is in a matter where the UPND's deputy secretary general Kuchunga Simusamba has petitioned President Michael Sata's appointment of members of parliament from the opposition MMD to ministerial positions in the Lusaka High Court.
Simusamba has in this matter sued Attorney General Mumba Malila.
He stated in his affidavit in reply to Malila's answer to the petition that the UPND was ready to prove how the opposition MMD members of parliament serving in the current government have become unruly and disloyal horses towards their party.
"The said opposition members of parliament accepting ministerial appointments from a President of a party with different programmes and agenda harms democracy and this is not what was intended by the framers of the subject articles 46 (2) and 47 (3)," Simusamba submitted.
"The Petitioner avers that Article 71 (2) indeed provides circumstances in which a member of parliament crosses the floor; Article 71 (2) (c) particularly posits that an elected member vacates his seat if he becomes a member of a political party other than the party of which he was an authorised candidate when he was elected to the National Assembly."
He argued that the electorate voted for a candidate based on their party manifestos and consequently the members of parliament are in the House based on the message they sold to the electorate and it is for this reason that prostituting themselves by 'crossing the floor' entails abandoning the electorate who put them in Parliament.
"It is your petitioner's argument that Article 71 (2) ( c) captures the scenario whereby by virtue of accepting ministerial appointments contrary to the wishes of their political parties, a member of parliament will have unwittingly crossed the floor of the house," Simusamba submitted further.
"Your petitioner asserts that it is factual that opposition members of parliament appointed to Cabinet positions have become unruly horses and have shown that their loyalties lie with the appointing authority's party and not the party on whose ticket they entered parliament and that evidence shall be led on this score to underline the dilution of democracy by the subject appointments."
Simusamba also stated that while the language employed in Article 46 2 and 47 3 may appear plain, it was to be understood in the context of the nation's political structure, which is that Zambia is a multi-party democracy where political parties compete for majority numbers in the National Assembly.
"Depletion of these numbers due to appointment of opposition members of parliament to ministerial positions was never the intention of the framers of Articles 46 (2) and 47 (3); therefore the purposive rule of interpretation has to be engaged to surmount the current absurdity of the President wantonly, and without consulting opposition parties, appoints their members to ministerial positions," he argued in part.
"Your petitioner denies that its interpretation of Articles 46 (2) and 47 (3) of the Constitution is misguided, opinionated and without foundation; your petitioner avers that this Honourable court should find that the reference to the expression 'from amongst members of the National Assembly' as used in Articles 46 (2) and 47 (3) of the Constitution in terms of appointments to ministerial positions is restricted to those members of parliament from the ruling party or its coalition partner, as the case may be and that opposition members of parliament can only take up ministerial appointments on the acquiescence of their political parties."
The UPND denied Malila's arguments that its petition was an attempt at amending the Constitution but that it was aimed at enabling the court to interpret the artificial depletion of the numbers of the opposition parties in Parliament.
Malila said the petition should be dismissed with costs because it is legally baseless.
"Paragraphs 13 and 14 of the petitioner's petition are opinionated and without legal foundation," submitted Malila.
Labels: CABINET, UPND
Read more...
Reshuffles and changes
By The Post
Thu 22 Nov. 2012, 13:10 CAT
There has been some criticism of the changes in government personnel Michael Sata has been making. There is a feeling that he is changing or reshuffling people too often. And that this is creating some instability in government that negatively impacts on the efficiency and effectiveness of public officers.
Dr Fred Mtesa, president of opposition Zambians for Empowerment and Development, says these constant changes of personnel in government are making it difficult for them to retain institutional memory which was vital for sustaining government programmes.
He says this high rate of turnover of staff is worrisome because it affects efficiency and effectiveness, more so in government whose success depends on officers building good inter-personal relationships. And that if officers are not allowed to settle down, the nation should be concerned because governance and development will be negatively affected.
Surely, a stable cadre of public officers is desirable. People need to stay a bit longer in their jobs to settle down. But it doesn't seem that Michael was given enough time to settle down in his job for him to perform it effectively and efficiently.
The same people who are today criticising him for continually changing or reshuffling personnel are the same ones who have been criticising him for not delivering certain things within 90 days. The truth is Michael is in a hurry to deliver. And no one is giving him time to settle down the same way they want other public officers to settle down.
It is a fact that Michael does not personally know every person who has been appointed to an important or senior government position. Some people were recommended to him by others within the ruling party, government and civil society. There are some people who were even recommended to him by some of our chiefs. It may seem like Michael made all these appointment single-handedly.
We don't think so; there are many other people who have participated in these appointments. Some of them have not worked well; those appointed have not matched up well to their responsibilities and changes had to be quickly made without disappointing anyone, carrying everyone with him.
If things don't turn out well, it will be Michael to take the responsibility and not those who advise him to appoint certain people.
Therefore, if changes are necessary, they should be made. And Michael shouldn't be worried about how many times they are made. What is important is the effect of those changes on the general performance of government. If the changes lead to poor performance of government then there is a problem. But if they lead to better performance, there is no need to worry about how many and how often changes are made.
There are areas where the appointments have been very effective and Michael has not made any changes in those areas so far. We still have the same Vice-President, Minister of Finance, Minister of Health, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, and so on and so forth. If something is working well, Michael has kept it that way. That which is not working well, Michael has changed it. What is wrong with that?
There is no need to wait until there is a crisis in an area for reshuffles to be made. And moreover, all these changes have taken place in the first twelve months of government. We all know that things don't always work to plan, people don't always perform to expected levels. And this makes change necessary. There is no need to be saddled with a deficiency forever simply because one made a mistake.
Of course there are lessons to be learnt from all this. One is that those in high leadership positions should know how to judge cadres available for appointments. And they must not confine their judgement to a short period or a single incident in a cadre's life, but should consider his life and work as a whole. This, in our view, should be the principal method of judging cadres. They must know how to use cadres well.
In the final analysis, leadership involves two main responsibilities: to work out ideas and to use cadres well. Such things as drawing up plans, making decisions and giving orders and directives are all in the category of working out ideas. To put the ideas into practice, we must weld the cadres together and encourage them to go into action; this comes into the category of using cadres well.
It is not hard for one to do a bit of good and be given a high public office appointment. What is hard is to do good at all times, all one's life and never to do anything bad, to act consistently in the interests of the broad masses and to engage in arduous work for decades on end. That is the hardest thing of all. And this is what often leads to or necessitates reshuffles.
Sometimes people seek jobs they are not competent to perform; sometimes those who seek high public offices the most are inclined the least.
But the appointing authorities may not be able to know this or notice it until they have given them the jobs. This, again, leads to or necessitates reshuffles.
If someone is going down the wrong road, he doesn't need to be given more time to keep on going the wrong way. Change or reshuffle may be necessary. If you don't like where you are, change it! You are not a mountain that is fixed to one place - even mountains can be moved sometimes, so they say.
The future belongs to the competent. It belongs to those who are very, very good at what they do. It doesn't belong to the well meaning. Change is part of the learning process. And people create their own success by changing things around that don't work until they get it right. Great achievements are not possible without the necessary changes.
Let us not be afraid of changing that which needs to be changed. And as Dr Kenneth Kaunda once observed, "Let us be bold and not be afraid of creating precedents, for more often than not, today's precedent may well show itself as tomorrow's stroke of genius." In saying all this, we are not in any way implying that the institutional stability created by people staying in their positions a little longer is not necessary.
We do realise that that type of stability is important and must be encouraged as far as possible but not at the expense of progress. There is a danger if we put too great an emphasis on that type of stability at the expense of the need for change. Let us profit from stability without becoming prisoners of that type of stability.
Of course, changes in personnel can be reduced if more attention is paid to the appointments that are being made. Those who recommend people for appointments should do a good and honest job. There is need to protect the appointing authorities from unnecessary pressure caused by ill-suited job seekers.
Yes, everyone needs a job but not every job is for everyone. And those who make appointments should do more work before making such appointments.
Labels: CABINET, FRED MTESA, MICHAEL SATA, PF
Read more...
Sata appoints Kabimba justice minister
Mon 03 Sep. 2012, 10:20 CAT
President Michael Sata has with immediate effect nominated and appointed Lusaka lawyer and PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba as member of parliament and Minister of Justice respectively. Kabimba replaces Sebastian Zulu.
Labels: CABINET, PF, WYNTER KABIMBA
Read more...
President Sata fires Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu
TIME PUBLISHED - Friday, August 31, 2012, 12:29 pm
President Michael Sata has revoked the appointment of Mr. Sebastian Zulu, SC as Minister of Justice. The Head of State confirmed the revocation of the appointment in his letter to Mr. Zulu dated August, 2012. This is according to a press statement issued by George Chellah, special assistant to the President,press and public relations.
“I wish you God’s blessings in your future endeavours,” read the President’s letter to Mr. Zulu in part. And President Sata has appointed University of Zambia (UNZA) academician Dr Chileshe Leonard Mulenga as the new Southern Province permanent secretary.
Dr Mulenga replaces Mr. Edwin Zumbunu whom the Head of State has retired in national interest.
The President expressed gratitude to Mr. Zulu and Mr. Zumbunu for the services rendered to the country during their tenure of office.
The changes are with immediate effect.
Labels: CABINET, MICHAEL SATA
Read more...
Sebastian Zulu absent at State House event, Sata refuses to receive NAPSA inquiry report
TIME PUBLISHED - Thursday, April 12, 2012, 1:19 pm
President Michael Sata this morning refused to receive the report of the Commission of Inquiry constituted to investigate the purchase of a farm in Lusaka and the financing of the Zambia National Building Society Central Arcades project by the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA).
This was after the commission chairperson Sebastian Zulu who is also Justice Minister failed to show up and instead delegated his vice Ngosa Simbyakula to present the report.
President Sata during the less than five minute event noted that he had appointed Mr.Zulu as the chairperson of the commission of inquiry and therefore would not receive the report from any other person.
President Sata who quickly stopped the permanent secretary for administration at Cabinet office Anne Sinyangwe from introducing the commission members said he was disappointed that the commission chairperson failed to show up.
He said a lot of dust had been swept under the carpet on the NAPSA investigations by the commission.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for administration at Cabinet office Anne Sinyangwe this morning shocked journalists when she informed them that her office will begin to regulate the attendance of the media at State house functions.
In an apparent vent of anger at the innocent journalists after President Sata lashed out at her office for failing to bring the chairperson of the NAPSA commission of inquiry to present the report, Mrs. Sinyangwe claimed that the room that was being used to host functions has become too small to accommodate all the journalists that attend statehouse assignments.
However, the room has from time immemorial been used for state house functions and has always accommodated journalists who are accredited by the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS).
Mrs. Sinyangwe is of the view that ZANIS will be used to cover state house who will in turn distribute stories to all the media houses.
The Journalists especially from the private media complained at this turn of events noting that most of these government officials were not there when the media covered President Sata during the time he was in opposition for them to stop them from covering state house functions.
QFM
Labels: CABINET, CORRUPTION, MICHAEL SATA, NAPSA, STATE HOUSE
Read more...
Cabinet to give position on Rupiah's entitlements
By Moses Kuwema
Sun 04 Mar. 2012, 12:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata says Cabinet will soon give a position regarding former president Rupiah Banda's entitlements and benefits.
According to a statement from his special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah, President Sata said the law relating to the pension and other benefits conferred on a former Head of State by the benefits of former presidents Act Cap. 15 of the Laws of Zambia as amended by Act No. 21 of 1998 and the circumstances under which the said entitlements and benefits can be withdrawn was irrefutably clear.
"Therefore, in view of the fact that Mr Banda has continued to play an active role in politics under the party which he leads, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), the matter of his continued entitlement to draw benefits from the State will be tabled before Cabinet for a decision shortly," President Sata said.
Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini on Thursday ruled that Banda had been abrogating the benefits for presidents Act by continuing to engage in active politics and told Parliament that the onus of forfeiting his emoluments and other benefits he was entitled to, was on the Executive.
The Speaker's ruling followed a point of order raised by Chongwe member of parliament Sylvia Masebo on the government's failure to implement the law in relation to Banda over his continued involvement in active party politics.
Dr Matibini ruled that the legislation on benefits and conditions which apply for one to benefit as a former president was very clear.
And information minister Fackson Shamenda, who is also chief government spokesperson, said the government will begin working out modalities to stop supporting Banda.
Shamenda said the government would soon start working-out mechanisms to remove Banda even from the payroll.
Meanwhile, President Sata has terminated the contract of Samuel Chibuye, the director general of the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA).
"I have found it expedient in terms of public interest to terminate your contract of employment with immediate effect. I wish to thank you most sincerely for the services you have rendered during your tenure from 19th April, 2009," read President Sata's letter to Mr Chibuye in part.
The President wished Chibuye success in his future endeavours.
Labels: CABINET, PATRICK MATIBINI, RUPIAH BANDA
Read more...
Cabinet Office corruptly re-engaged Chipoya - Sata
By Staff Reporter
Thu 02 Feb. 2012, 14:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata says Alfred Chipoya was corruptly and irregularly re-engaged by Cabinet Office as his Senior Private Secretary in the transition when he was preparing to take office after the September general elections.
In a statement by his special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah yesterday, State House learnt that then president Rupiah Banda terminated Chipoya's contract as Principal Private Secretary in 2008.
"The Presidency wishes to clarify that Mr Alfred Chipoya is no longer a member of the Presidential staff at State House. State House separated with Mr Chipoya on 24th January 2012 upon discovery that he was corruptly and irregularly re-engaged by Cabinet Office as Senior Private Secretary during the transition when President Michael Sata was preparing to take office after the September 20, 2011 general elections," reads the statement.
"President Sata did not re-engage Mr Chipoya and was surprised to learn that he now had a new contract as Senior Private Secretary. The President has since revoked this purported appointment and asked Mr. Chipoya to immediately vacate office."
Chellah informed the civil service and the general public that Chipoya could no longer represent the presidency.
"Those who may deal with him must understand that they are engaging him in his personal capacity and State House will not take responsibility of any such dealings. State House has opted to confine itself to this specific subject matter; leaving the rest of the issues that are being raised in the media to Mr Chipoya to make clear to the general public," according to the statement.
According to sources, former secretary to the Cabinet Dr Joshua Kanganja facilitated Chipoya's appointment as Senior Private Secretary at State House.
As per procedure, the matter was referred to the Public Service Commission who engaged Chipoya on contract.
Sources last week revealed that President Sata relieved Chipoya of his duties for alleged corruption after he tried to facilitate a meeting between the President and former operators of the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) border scanners.
Last week the government terminated the contracts given to Bradwell International and Cargo Scan to manage border scanners.
This was after the ZRA Commission of Inquiry recommended that appropriate action be taken against former president Rupiah Banda and 13 former government officials for the fraudulent procurements regarding the border scanners and concession related contracts.
Sources said officials from the companies tried to arrange for a meeting with President Sata last week, through Chipoya, so that they could explain their position and possibly seek a reversal.
But Chipoya said some people do not want him to serve President Sata.
He said he had not received any warning or reprimand and did not know the companies involved in the ZRA scanners.
And Wynter Kabimba said Chipoya's sacking was a warning to those in government that PF would not tolerate corruption.
Kabimba said: "It is true that Mr Chipoya was getting money from a named company under the pretext that he was going to get those people to come and see the President and tried to give an impression that the President or Presidency could be compromised through his contacts with those people."
Labels: CABINET, JOSHUA KANGANJA, MICHAEL SATA, STATE HOUSE
Read more...
Sata castigates cabinet office for leaking state information to the media
TIME PUBLISHED - Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 1:20 pm
President Michael Sata has castigated cabinet office for leaking state information and breaching security. Mr Sata said that he was disappointed that there is no confidentiality at Cabinet office and security information is being leaked to the media.
President Sata was speaking during the swearing in ceremony for three permanent secretaries for Northern, Central and Western Province. Mr Sata has also warned the new permanent secretaries against peddling rumours at the expense of work as they risk being removed.
He directed the permanent secretaries to tour all the districts in their provinces to understand the needs and suffering of the people.
President Sata says the new officers should not reveal any information they receive because they are under oath.
President Sata has appointed Edwin Zumbunu as Central Province Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Mwamba for Northern Province and Augustine Seyuba as Western Province Permanent secretary.
ZNBC
Labels: CABINET, MICHAEL SATA
Read more...
President Michael Sata's full Cabinet and Provincial minister
By Joseph Mwenda
Thu 29 Sep. 2011, 13:00 CAT
OFFICE ALLOCATION
1. Office of the President Michael Sata
2. Office of the Vice President Guy L. Scott, MP
Deputy Minister Edgar C. Lungu
3. Ministry of Justice
a) Cabinet Minister Sebastian S. Zulu
b) Deputy Minister Ngosa Simbyakula
4. Ministry of Defence
a) Cabinet Minister Geofrey B. Mwamba
b) Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda
5. Ministry of Finance
a) Cabinet Minister Alexander B. Chikwanda
b) Deputy Minister Alfreda Kansembe,
6. Ministry of Home Affairs
a) Cabinet Minister Kennedy Sakeni
b) Deputy Minister Obvious Mwaliteta
7. Ministry of Health
a) Cabinet Minister Dr. Joseph Kasonde
b) Deputy Minister Patrick Chikusu
8. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
a) Cabinet Minister Chisimba Kambwili
b) Deputy Minister Dr. Effron Lungu
9. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
a) Cabinet Minister Emmanuel Chenda
b) Deputy minister Nicholas Banda
10. Ministry of Labour, Sports, Youth and Gender
a) Cabinet Minister Fackson Shamenda
b) Deputy Minister Rayford Mbulu
11. Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry
a) Cabinet Minister Robert Sichinga
b) Deputy Minister Keith Mukata
12. Ministry of Mines
a) Cabinet Minister Wylbur Simuusa
b) Deputy Minister Richard Musukwa
13. Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism
a) Cabinet Minister Given Lubinda
b) Deputy Minister Forrie Tembo
14. Ministry of Education, Science and Vocational Training
a) Cabinet Minister Dr. John N. Phiri
b) Deputy Minister Prof. Nevelyn Willombe
15. Ministry of Lands, Energy and Water Development
a) Cabinet Minister Chistopher Yaluma
b) Deputy Minister Charles Zulu
16. Ministry of Local Government, Housing, Early Education and Environmental Protection
a) Cabinet Minister Prof. Nkandu Luo
b) Deputy Minister Esther Banda
17. Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health
a) Cabinet Minister Dr. Joseph. Katema
b) Deputy Minister Jean Kapata
18. Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs
a) Cabinet Minister Inonge Wina
b) Deputy Minister Belinda Kawandami
19. Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications
a) Cabinet Minister to be announced
b) Deputy Minister to be announced
Provincial Ministers:
1. Central - Phillip Kosamu
2 Copperbelt - Yamfwa Mukanga
3. Luapula - Davies Mwila
4. Eastern - Solomon Mbuzi
5. Lusaka - Miles Sampa
6. Northern - Freedom Sikazwe
7. North Western - J. Limata Limata
8. Western - N. Mubukwanu
9. Southern - Katombola Lukulo
Labels: CABINET, MICHAEL SATA, PF
Read more...
Malawi cabinet dissolved
By Nyasa Times
August 19, 2011
By Wanga Gwede, Nyasa Times
Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has dissolved his bloated cabinet.
State broadcaster MBC reported on Friday evening that Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has directed that all former minsters must return government assets entrusted to them due to the portfolio.
“His Excellency the President Ngwazi Professor Bingu wa Mutharika has dissolved the cabinet with effect from today,” the radio reported quoting OPC statement. “All ministerial duties revert to the Office of the President and Cabinet.”
Reasons for dissolving the cabinet have not been disclosed.
Mutharika: Dissolved cabinet
The positions not dissolved are that of the President and Vice President held by Vice President held by Joyce Banda. They are constitutional and elected posts.
Economic experts have been urging Mutharika to trim his bloated cabinet to meet government’s fiscal deficit target.
The dissolved cabinet had 41 ministers including their deputies, and was costing the tax payer a monthly wage bill of over K15 million.
Economic watchdog, Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN), says it is prudent for Wa Mutharika to have a lean cabinet in the wake of 2011/2012 zero-deficit budget.
Labels: BINGU WA MUTHARIKA, CABINET, STATE OF EMERGENCY
Read more...
Rupiah drops VJ
By Chibaula Silwamba
Wed 27 Apr. 2011, 04:02 CAT
President Rupiah Banda has dropped Vernon Mwaanga as his campaign manager in this year’s elections and replaced him with Dr Boniface Kawimbe following disagreements on preferred candidates at the MMD convention in Kabwe recently.
A senior State House member of staff disclosed yesterday that President Banda had earlier appointed Parliamentary Chief Whip Mwaanga as his national campaign chairman for 2011 but wrote to him after the convention, informing him that he had decided to reconstitute the campaign team, from which he would be excluded.
“In his April 15, 2011 letter to VJ, the President didn’t state that he had appointed Dr Kawimbe as his replacement,” the source said. “But we are aware that last week the President phoned Dr Kawimbe (who is deputy education minister) to inform him about the appointment. This VJ’s fallout follows disagreements between him and the President over the candidates of MMD national secretary Major Richard Kachingwe and women’s chairperson Sylvia Masebo,” the source said. “VJ is reported to have supported Major Kachingwe and Masebo for the two positions while President Banda preferred Bernard Mpundu and Anne Chungu for the same positions. Major Kachingwe and Masebo emerged victorious at the convention, after both of them decisively defeated their opponents.”
The source said that President Banda was so bitter with these results to the extent that he felt betrayed by Mwaanga, who has been a longtime friend.
“The President has been telling his close aides and family members that he felt betrayed and let down by Mwaanga’s inability to support two crucial candidates of his choice at the convention,” the source said. “President Banda doesn’t want to work with Masebo or just to see her anywhere near him because he complains that she preferred to support Mr Magande for the presidency after the death of our late president Mwanawasa, and not him. As for Major Kachingwe, it appears that initially Dr Chiluba was influencing the President against him. But it seems that the President has now reluctantly accepted to work with Major Kachingwe although he feels that VJ could have helped in stopping his victory.”
When reached for comment yesterday, Mwaanga was reluctant to comment. But after being pressed further, he said: “I have had many years of friendship and brotherhood with President Banda and my loyalty to him cannot and should not be doubted by anyone. I have supported him and defended him to the hilt, even in my sleep, and I will continue to do so. If what you are telling me is true, it is my duty to support whoever the President chooses as MMD campaign chairman because that is his prerogative as party president.”
Mwaanga continued: “Let me hasten to add that provided the decision has been taken for the right reasons, I have absolutely no quarrel with it whatsoever. My conscience is clear and God will judge whether I have indeed betrayed my friend or not. I have no record of betrayal in my personal and political history. Maybe that is the reason why I have consistently stayed in the MMD since 1990 while others have left and come back.
“The victory of the MMD is not and cannot be dependent on one person, be it me or someone else. It is dependent on our collective strengths, resolve and proud record of achievements in so many areas of our national life. I am Government Chief Whip at present and I will continue playing a constructive and positive role in the affairs of the MMD to ensure that my party wins a decisive victory in the forthcoming tripartite elections.”
Asked if he was bitter about being removed as head of the MMD campaign team, Mwaanga retorted: “How can I be bitter? It has been an honour and privilege to serve as head of the MMD campaign team. It is not a right, but a privilege. I leave bitterness to lesser persons.”
Asked whether or not he had received President Banda’s April 15, 2011 letter to him, Mwaanga answered in the affirmative.
“I can confirm that I received the letter several days ago, as it now appears that so many other people seem to know about it,” Mwaanga said. “I can also say that I am at peace with myself and can live with its contents.”
The State House source said President Banda’s letter was harshly written and embarrassing to Mwaanga considering where the two are coming from together.
“But for us as senior staff at State House, we don’t mind what has happened to VJ because it is a relief among us. VJ’s close relationship with the President was beginning to undermine our jobs as the President was listening more to what VJ was telling him,” the source said. “This development now means that we will no longer have to compete for loyalty with VJ.”
However, some senior MMD members spoken to expressed surprise and disappointment that President Banda could have taken such a risky and suicidal gamble to sideline Mwaanga in this year’s elections.
The members said Mwaanga was a veteran of MMD victorious election campaigns since 1991.
“Some of us know that although VJ may have supported Major Kachingwe and Masebo at the convention, he never campaigned for them out of respect and loyalty to the President,” the senior member said. “Although we didn’t know about VJ’s firing as campaign manager, some of us saw this rift between the President and VJ and the President dropped VJ from his delegation to Mazabuka last week where he launched mobile hospitals and addressed traditional leaders in the province. ”
The source said most chiefs in Southern Province expressed surprise at Mwaanga’s absence in Mazabuka.
Both Mwaanga and President Banda have in the past publicly boasted about their 50 years of friendship stretching back from their years as freedom fighters. After the 2008 Presidential by-election, which saw President Banda narrowly beat PF leader Michael Sata by 35,000 votes, Mwaanga was accused by the PF and other opposition leaders of having rigged the elections in favour of his old friend Rupiah Banda, a charge Mwaanga has continued to vehemently deny. Mwaanga has since earned himself the tag of “MMD chief rigger” and is hated and feared by opposition parties during elections.
However, Mwaanga says he is not an election rigger but an “election strategist” and that people making those allegations are merely playing cheap politics.
Some opposition members spoken to yesterday said they were happy that Mwaanga would not be involved in MMD campaigns this year and that they were happy dealing with a relatively inexperienced MMD campaign manager in Dr Kawimbe, who is also eyeing a parliamentary seat in Kasama.
Labels: BONIFACE KAWIMBE, CABINET, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA, VERNON MWAANGA
Read more...
Cabinet should dissolve before campaigns hot up - Masebo
By By Florence Bupe
Fri 28 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT
SYLVIA Masebo says Cabinet should be dissolved before election campaigns intensify to curb the abuse of state resources by the ruling party.
And the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has said the date or period of elections should be included in the national Constitution as opposed to the current scenario where the power to set and announce the date of elections lies in the Republican President.
Masebo, who is Chongwe MMD member of parliament, made the suggestion during a sitting of the parliamentary committee for legal affairs, human rights and gender matters.
This was after concerns were raised by the witness, the CCZ, over the non-adherence to the electoral code of conduct regulation which prohibits the use of state resources by the party in power during the election period.
“When you complain on the ineffectiveness of the code of conduct and give your recommendations as witnesses, you should come up with specific recommendations. I feel the dissolution of Cabinet and Parliament would make it easier to curb the misuse of resources by the party in power,” Masebo said.
During the same sitting, Kabwata PF parliamentarian Given Lubinda proposed that the dissolution of Cabinet should be inclusive of the Vice-President since he is also a member of parliament.
“The Vice-President, being a member of parliament, should also be ‘dissolved’ and should no longer serve as the Republican vice-president,” he said.
Lubinda said the current provision in the electoral code of conduct which allowed the President and his Vice-President to utilise state resources, including vehicles, during campaigns should be amended to exclude the privilege given to the Vice-President.
Lubinda said the code should qualify the extent to which the President could use state resources.
In response, the Non-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) echoed the parliamentarians’ suggestions, saying there was need to make the code more effective by implementing the prohibitions stated.
Zambia National Women’s Lobby national publicity secretary Christine Sikombe said the code should be backed by legislation and strengthened punitive measures should be implemented against culprits.
And CCZ head of programmes Abraham Chikasa submitted that calls for the inclusion of the election date in the national Constitution should be taken seriously.
He said the current system where the President holds the power to set and announce the election date was detrimental to the development of democracy.
Chikasa also reiterated the need for various stakeholders to work towards the realisation of free, fair and credible elections by flushing out components of violence.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, CABINET, CCZ, SYLVIA MASEBO
Read more...
Dissolve Cabinet early, TIZ urges Rupiah
By George Chellah
Wed 29 Dec. 2010, 04:01 CAT
REUBEN Lifuka says President Rupiah Banda must dissolve cabinet at the earliest opportunity next year to compel ministers to use their own resources in the 2011 campaigns.
Giving his reflections on 2010, Lifuka, who is also Transparency International Zambia president urged the ruling party not to use public resources for their political party campaigns.
He said TIZ was aware that in the 2008 elections, there were schemes where vehicles with private registration, from government agencies and parastatals, were mobilised and used in political campaigns.
“This should not be condoned, and we ask public servants working in these government agencies to make use of the Public Interest Disclosure (protection of whistleblowers) Act and make sure that such schemes are not perpetrated at all. Already we have noticed that deputy ministers have been roped into entourages of the Vice-President who recently was on the Copperbelt for purely party campaigns,” Lifuka said. “These ministers and senior government officials are drawing public resources in the form of fuel and per diems for political party activities – this is abuse of office, which should not be allowed in 2011. President Banda should act prudently and dissolve his Cabinet at the earliest opportunity and thus freeing the ministers to engage in political campaigns using their own or the party resources.”
He said too much effort was invested in trying to prove that the government was doing something about corruption - statistics including the TI Corruption Perception Index – which the government had previously condemned, were manipulated just to convince those that were gullible about the purported progress that is being made in this fight.
“All manner of propagandists and pseudo spin-doctors - some of them, well known opportunists - were hired for this exercise. Government leaders should be reminded that good actions, in the fight against corruption, should speak for themselves and the people will judge this government on that basis,” he said.
He urged the government and all political players to prioritise the need to eliminate electoral corruption so that the electorate was allowed the opportunity to choose their preferred candidate without any undue influence through vote buying.
Lifuka challenged political parties to commit themselves to corruption-free elections and that all players should refrain from bribing people for their vote.
He said corruption still remained rife and systemic in a number of ministries and government agencies.
“Some ministries continue to grapple with the problem of corruption and abuse of office. Ministry of Health and Roads Development Agency had to contend with audit reports which highlighted several areas of weaknesses. Similarly, the year has ended with the regulations for the Zambia Public Procurement Act still not in place, and yet the weaknesses and the corruption allegations associated with public procurement of goods and services are well documented,” Lifuka said.
“Some cooperating partners have gone as far as withdrawing budget support to emphasise their discontentment with the manner that Government is managing public resources. Others like the Global Fund for TB and HIV/AIDS, have issued damning audit reports - which initially was denied by government and all these point to the fact that corruption and all its offshoots remain a challenge for Zambia.”
He said the political handling of high profile corruption cases in the courts of law was poor and gave credence to growing citizens’ concerns about the selective application of the law in the country.
“Specifically, the High Court’s decision not to register the London High Court judgment against former President Frederick Chiluba and the stance taken by Government and the Attorney General, sent mixed and unhelpful signals on the seriousness attached to the fight against corruption. The Attorney General, despite acknowledging the validity of the London High Court judgment, still found it prudent not to appeal against the High Court ruling,” he said.
Lifuka said another highlight of the year was the debate and subsequent enactment of the Anti-Corruption Bill amidst public outcry on the removal of section 37 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, which dealt with illicit enrichment of public officials.
He said the MMD government’s action raises speculation as to the real intentions for watering down the Anti-Corruption law.
He said it was unfortunate that the provision in the law which deals with potential mischief of illicit enrichment has been removed and government leaders keep vacillating in their arguments on how they would deal with illicit enrichment.
“One day you hear a government leader referring to section 99 of the Penal Code which unfortunately describes ‘abuse of office’ as a misdemeanor and the next day, another refers to the use of Forfeiture laws,” said Lifuka.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, CABINET, REUBEN LIFUKA, RUPIAH BANDA, TIZ
Read more...
Zuma fires seven ministers
by AFP
31/10/2010 00:00:00
SOUTH African President Jacob Zuma on Sunday fired seven ministers in what he said was a bid to better meet the needs of the country's poor. "We are guided by the mission of our government, which is to improve the quality of life of all South Africans especially the poor, working with all our people," Zuma told reporters in Pretoria.
Among those axed was controversial communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda, a senior official in the ruling African National Congress (ANC), who previously served as the head of the South African National Defence Force.
Also sacked was Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, the minister for women, children and people with disabilities, who had faced criticism for failing to get the newly established ministry off the ground.
There were no changes however at key ministries such as finance, foreign affairs and home affairs. The country's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, welcomed the reshuffle. Explaining the changes, Zuma said: "Access to basic services is still as important as it was when we attained our freedom in 1994.
"Given the fact that we still face serious challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality in the country, government has to work at a faster pace to change the lives of the poor.
"Our people need to see a visible improvement in the delivery of water, electricity, health care, education, social security, civic services, safety and security and a host of other basic needs.
"We have the resources, including skilled and experienced senior staff, who have to ensure that these services reach our people, under the leadership of their ministers and deputy ministers."
The Democratic Alliance's parliamentary leader Athol Trollip welcomed the reshuffle. It showed, "a positive indication of renewed focus on accountability," he said in a statement.
Zuma had made the right choice to remove ministers such as Nyanda, and Mayende-Sibiya, he said.
"These ministers did not perform, and President Zuma made the right decision to remove them from their positions," said Trollip.
Among those promoted was former youth firebrand Fikile Mbalula, credited with leading the campaign that saw Zuma elected ANC president in 2007. Formerly deputy police minister he now becomes minister of sport and recreation.
Another former ANC youth wing leader, Malusi Gigaba, moved from deputy minister of home affairs to minister of public enterprise.
Perhaps the most high-profile departure of the reshuffle was that of Nyanda, who was replaced by his deputy minister Roy Padayachie.
But Nyanda's sacking came after a string of incidents that had attracted the wrong kind of publicity.
Most recently, he had come under fire for preferring a five-star Cape Town hotel to his official ministerial accommodation.
During his time as head of the nation's armed forces, he was in the spotlight when a company he partially owned received tenders worth millions of dollars from the army.
And he had been criticised for owning shares in one of the country's mobile telecommunications operators while he was communications minister, which critics said constituted a conflict of interest.
Nyanda also made headlines in July when he fired the director-general at his department after she questioned tender irregularities in the ministry.
One senior figure who escaped the axe despite coming under fire in recent months was Richard Baloyi, who heads the public service and administration ministry.
He was criticised for his handling of the recent three-week civil servants' strike which crippled public schools and hospitals.
But Zuma kept him in his post, choosing instead to give him a deputy minister, Ayanda Dlodlo, one of a number appointments at that level which the president said were designed to strengthen the ministries.
Labels: ATHOL TROLLIP, CABINET, JACOB ZUMA, SIPHIWE NYANDA
Read more...
Rupiah makes changes to his govt
By Post Online
Fri 03 Sep. 2010, 07:50 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has made changes to his government at deputy minister and permanent secretary level.
In a statement from State House special assistant for press and public relations, Dickson Jere, President Banda has moved Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe to the Office of the Vice-President as Deputy Minister who will take over from Guston Sichilima.
Sichilima has been transferred to the Ministry of Home Affairs in the same capacity.
At the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, deputy minister Elijah Muchima has been moved to take over Munkombwe’s position as provincial minister in Southern Province(provincial minister position is at deputy minister level).
At permanent secretary level, President Banda has appointed Dr Samson Phiri as new permanent secretary at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services while Ngosa Chisupa, who held the position till yesterday will be redeployed later.
President Banda has also appointed Anthony Undi as permanent secretary Financial Management and Administration at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to India, Keli Walubita, has been recalled to come and head the Police and Prisons Service Commission while Percy Kangwa Chato has been appointed Commissioner of Prisons.
Jere said the appointments and transfers were with immediate effect.
Labels: CABINET, MINISTERS, RUPIAH BANDA
Read more...
COMMENT - Right on, Nancy. Zimbabweans should be extremely wary of any neoliberals. All they are in politics for, is to enrich themselves and sell out the nation's resources.
MDC-T ministers, the brady bunch of Cabinet
By: By Nancy Lovedale
Posted: Saturday, July 24, 2010 5:16 am
SO much has been happening in the inclusive Government, so many debates and power positioning by the various actors. A close look at some of the MDC-T ministers in Cabinet reveals some very interesting aspects.
It is interesting to see just how the likes of Finance Minister Tendai Biti, MDC-T Spokesman Nelson Chamisa, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jameson Timba and his predecessor Gorden Moyo, and various other MDC-T ministers have been battling to become relevant and efficient ministers.
These four are not the only ones, but they are the most interesting.
Their fight for relevance sometimes outdoes their intelligence. A few examples would suffice.
Minister Biti, since we saw him spring onto the political scene, has been an animated individual. Having gone through various political parties including Edgar Tekere's Zimbabwe Unity Movement and Enoch Dumbutshena's Forum Party, he finally settled for the Movement of Democratic Change party. These three parties provided the young Tendai Laxton Biti an outlet for his energy that many who went to Goromonzi High School with him would attest to. He is rumored to have been as "energetic", for lack of a better word.
Nelson Chamisa, according to sources from Harare Polytechnic, where he allegedly started his "career", is rumored to have been a silent and undeclared student or admirer or Learnmore Jongwe, another animated young man whose energy was often mistaken for intelligence. Jongwe's story is tragic and is a topic for a later discussion.
Mr Timba and Mr Moyo sprung onto the political scene via the "MDC-T backdoor".
These four men have one thing in common. Besides being just interesting characters, they often engage in intellectual battles they never follow-up afterwards.
Mr Biti for instance, always has something that he is angry about. First it was his desire to see Reserve Bank Governor Dr Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana fired from their positions, besides the fact that they were appointed when the MDC-T was dillydallying about "entering Government". I have never known a country that spent a day without an AG or a central bank chief. Mr Biti then tried to have Zimbabwe declared a Highly Indebted Poor Country, besides having 25-infinity percent of the world's rough diamond share, an array of other precious gems, the highest literacy rate in Africa and the best touristic resource. Now he is proposing to have a "Diamond Act" so that he can divert all proceeds from diamond sales to his preferred sectors and "ministries".
The finance minister is also very self-contradictory. On his website, he has a link for the public to give their input into the budgetary process, but fails to consult the same people through their representatives, the Members of Parliament. Biti's excuse is that the MPs were busy with the constitutional outreach programme! Last year, when he presented his budget, this was also an issue. He promised to consult MPs and stakeholders in 2010, but failed on that promise, yet again. One wonders what exactly he means when he argues that he is in government to bring some "sanity" to the running of the country when he fails on such a simple task.
Mr Biti is also interesting, just to watch. One would be excused to think that he always knows what he is saying, given the exuberance of his persona. This is a man who, in one interview, described President Mugabe as "very Victorian" because he happens to drink tea at four o'clock and because his manner is akin to that of an English gentleman. Biti oftentimes shifts from praising to condemning President Mugabe, depending on his mood swing -- and it is quite apparent. One wonders whethersuch mood swings sometimes affect the way he runs the finance ministry.
Mr Nelson Chamisa is another interesting character who has a tendency to leave fights in mid air. He never followed up his fight with Media, Information and Publicity Minister, Webster Shamu or Minister Nicholas Goche. Chamisa is on record saying that the MDC-T is in the inclusive Government to "take power from Zanu-PF", yet at every media opportunity he threatens that the MDC-T will soon leave government because of "Zanu-PF's intransigency", whatever that means. He also claimed that he will teach Minister Shamu about information and IT, despite the fact that Minister Shamu has had wide experience as a broadcaster and as minister.
Mr Chamisa is also a victim of his own craftsmanship. If you follow closely the way he uses words, you are sure to get confused. His ideology is mixed up and he never seems to know what exactly he (or the MDC-T) represents. He prefers to answer questions that are simple, for instance, why Roy Bennett is not Deputy Minister of Agriculture. But he dodges issues like the MDC-T's proposal to include homosexual rights in the new constitution. Sometimes, he is completely silent on crucial issues, like the parallel government or the "reshuffling" of MDC-T ministers, or the allegations of violence in the MDC-T. Infact, he once blamed factional fighting in the MDC-T on Zanu-PF until violence broke out at Harvet House, their headquarters. This time he could only keep quiet.
Mr Chamisa is also on record claiming that the "party of excellence" will ask all their Cabinet members to compile a list of their assets in the name of good governance. That also was never followed up, just like his claims that the MDC-T was investigating corruption and would fire all culprits. A report of that investigation, if it ever happened, was never produced.
Turning to two interesting characters, Mr Timba and Mr Moyo. Minister Timba claimed, in the Prime Minister's Newsletter that the PM had read the riot act to Secretary for Media, Information and Publicity, Mr George Charamba. Mr Charamba's crime was that he had clarified a position that the media never bothered to investigate -- that PM Tsvangirai was going to reassign (or fire) some of the staff working in his office and/or hire new ones.
Mr Charamba merely clarified that the staff in the PM's office were appointed through the Public Service Commission and could only be reassigned or fired through that department. The PSC vets and hires all civil servants and no other civil servant has any power to hire, fire or reassign those positions. In any case, the PSC has to match the skills of these people with the available jobs. Timba said Mr Charamba has no mandate to speak on behalf of government, yet he is the Secretary for Media, Information and Publicity and has to clarify such issues. ironically, Mr Timba worked in the same ministry with Mr Charamba when he was Deputy Minister of Media, Information and Publicity. How he fails to understand Mr Charamba's role beggars belief.
Mr Moyo, who also worked as Minister of State in the PM's Office, also clashed with Mr Charamba over a bilateral investment protection agreement (BIPPA) that was "signed" by PM Tsvangirai and South Korea. Again, Mr Charamba said that such agreements are signed by the president. Any announcement of such agreements is made via the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, not through the PM's (or MDC-T's) office.
This is the calibre of the ministers from the MDC-T, who fail to grasp issues that are important in running the business of government. Other MDC-T ministers and MPs, e.g. Thamsanqa Mahlangu, Theresa Makone, Fidelis Mhashu, Pishau Muchauraya, Obert Gutu, etc are just as interesting.
Given the apparent battle for power between PM Tsvangirai and Mr Biti, one watches from the sidelines for another "bomb" to explode in the MDC-T. Mr Biti's announcement of a wage freeze in his Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review Statement, was a slap in the face of PM Tsvangirai who categorically claimed, earlier this year, that there would be no wage freeze, and that all civil servants would be paid a "living wage".
In hindsight, we can only conclude that the inclusive Government was a blessing in disguise. One wonders what would have become of Zimbabwe if the MDC-T had gone into power on its own. Zimbabweans, like Zambians, would have lost everything to big businesses and the IMF/WB would be running Zimbabwe right now.
Labels: CABINET, MDC, NANCY LOVEDALE, NEOLIBERALISM, PRIVATISATION, TENDAI BITI, ZAMBIA
Read more...
Axe hangs over 7 ministers
Herald Reporters
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is reportedly set to drop and seek the reassignment of several Cabinet ministers from MDC-T in what has been interpreted to be another manifestation of divisions within the party.
At least seven ministers and deputy ministers are likely to be affected by the changes, which sources said the PM could announce today.
Insiders yesterday said those who could be changed are Engineer Elias Mudzuri (Energy and Power Development), Giles Mutsekwa (co-Home Affairs), Theresa Makone (Public Works), Nelson Chamisa (ICT), Jameson Timba (deputy Media, Information and Publicity), Thamsanqa Mahlangu (deputy Youth) and Evelyn Masaiti (deputy Gender).
Minister Makone is likely to get the energy portfolio while Deputy Minister Timba could move to the Prime Minister’s Office.
On the other hand, Minister Mutsekwa could be dropped altogether.
Deputy Minister Mahlangu could see his job being taken over by MDC-T’s Masvingo provincial chair Tongai Matutu.
It was not clear at the time of writing what would become of Ministers Mudzuri and Chamisa and deputy ministers Masaiti and Mahlangu.
However, the PM cannot appoint ministers or their deputies and can only submit a list of his preferences for the President’s consideration.
It is understood that he last week communicated to President Mugabe that he wanted to recall some MDC-T Government staff, but was advised against doing so.
A senior aide of his said: "He told us he talked to President Mugabe about it and he was advised to slow down. However, he is determined to see through the changes.
"He has not, as far as I am aware, formally written to the President to ask him to effect any changes."
Another source said: "The changes have been discussed at the highest levels in the party for about four months now. An announcement was supposed to be made on Monday but it seems it will be made tomorrow (today).
"Any changes will require President Mugabe’s approval."
On Monday an official in the PM’s Office called The Herald to a Press conference at Harvest House — MDC-T’s headquarters — but it was subsequently cancelled.
Yesterday, another official told The Herald to be on standby for the Press conference, which again did not materialise.
The changes, insiders said, are meant to neutralise a faction said to be insisting on holding a scheduled congress next year during which a new leader should be elected to replace PM Tsvangirai, whose constitutional mandate will be up.
It is understood that the changes were initially targeted at Finance Minister Tendai Biti, but donors had impressed on PM Tsvangirai that they would not countenance his removal from his current office.
Party spokesperson Mr Chamisa declined to comment on the matter.
However, another official said: "Heads are set to roll. Big names are going to fall in this reshuffle. A number of new guys will come in.
"The idea is to allow other people to try their hand and maybe they will run the portfolios in a better way for the good of the nation."
Apart from recalling the seven ministers, the party has asked all party employees based at Harvest House to re-apply for their jobs.
"Interviews will be held next week on Monday. Deputy party president (Thokozani) Khupe and deputy secretary-general (Tapiwa) Mashakada have been assigned to carry out the interviews," an official said.
The power struggles in MDC-T saw party director-general Mr Toendepi Shonhe being assaulted by youths in April for allegedly undermining PM Tsvangirai’s authority.
The youths were later fired from the party while senior officials in five provinces have been suspended.
Labels: CABINET, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT
Read more...
Rupiah Banda could save money by trimming Ministerial Positions
Monday, November 30, 2009, 11:40
By Henry Kyambalesa:
The recent massive reshuffles of Permanent Secretaries and government Ministers are a clear indication of President Rupiah Banda’s utmost insensitivity to the expectations of the Zambian people. Instead of trimming his government to make it smaller and more efficient, he seems to be more obsessed with lining up the pockets of his friends, political supporters and sympathizers.
It is both irresponsible and inexcusable for Banda to continue to maintain sinecures at public expense while the country drifts further into socio-economic decay and backwardness. In fact, his failure to abolish the positions of Deputy Minister and District Commissioner, and to reduce the size of his Cabinet, defies his own sentiments and the sentiments of the late President Levy Mwanawasa.
In his speech in June 2009, for example, he decried the fact 50% of government’s domestic revenues are spent on 1% of the population, including Ministers, and wondered how provision for roads, hospitals, schools, energy, and defence and security could be met. The late Mwanawasa, too, expressed his misgivings about the bloated government when he revealed that 65% of the national budget was devoted to the sustenance of a bloated state apparatus, and that only a paltry 35% was left for education, agriculture, healthcare, roads and bridges, and so forth.
There is a need to reduce the size of the government to a smaller number of Cabinet portfolios, such as the following: (a) Education, Training and Sport; (b) Public Health and Sanitation; (c) Agriculture and Food Security; (d) Finance and Revenue; (e) Commerce and Industry; (f) Defence and Security; (g) Works, Supply and Transport; (h) Culture and Community Services; (i) Justice, Prisons and Immigration; and (j) Foreign Affairs.
Government functions which cannot be accommodated by these ministries can be delegated to executive government agencies. The savings to be made per year in this regard are enormous, as calculated below using data mainly from the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Emoluments) (Amendment) Act No. 18 of 2008.
1) Permanent Secretary: K102,866,638 Salary
2) Cabinet Minister:
K75,117,124 Salary
K26,382,673 Special allowance
K26,680,000 Utility allowance
——————-
K128,179,797
3) Deputy Minister:
K70,953,196 Salary
K24,107,904 Special allowance
K 26,680,000 Utility allowance
——————-
K121,741,090
By reducing the number of Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Permanent Secretaries for the current 23 government Ministries to 10 Ministries, Zambia would make the following savings:
13 Ministers x K128,179,797 = K1,666,337,361
43 Deputy Ministers x K121,741,090 = K5,194,866,870
13 Permanent Secretaries x K102,866,638 = K1,337,266,294
Total Savings: K8,198,470,525
These savings plus savings from the abolition of the positions of 72 District Commissioners and savings from allocations of automobiles and other assets for affected government officials are enormous.
A radical and fundamental reduction in the size of the national government is the only viable means by which Zambia can ultimately pay off the national debt, reduce taxes and interest rates to stimulate the economy and job creation, and provide adequately for the needs of education, public health, agriculture, public infrastructure, civil servants, civil service retirees, and so forth.
Labels: CABINET, GOVERNANCE, RUPIAH BANDA
Read more...
Rupiah reshuffles govt
By Staff Reporter
Thu 26 Nov. 2009, 09:30 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has reshuffled his Cabinet with defence deputy minister Eustarkio Kazonga being appointed as new local government and housing minister. Announcing the changes in a statement yesterday, special assistant to the President for Press and public relations Dickson Jere, said the changes had been prompted to improve service delivery to the people in the country.
Under the changes, the President Banda has promoted Kazongo to a full Cabinet minister at the local government and housing ministry to replace Benny Tetamashimba who died in September.
With a call to help stabilize the erratic flow of fuel in the country, President Banda has transferred Hastings Imasiku from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training to the Ministry of Energy and Water Development in the same deputy minister capacity while Gladys Lundwe who served as energy ministry deputy minister has been taken to the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Child Development.
Chitambo member of parliament Solomon Musonda has been appointed deputy minister of health, taking over from Mwendoi Akakandelwa who has been moved to the Ministry of Energy and Water Development in the same capacity.
Kalabo member of parliament Sikwibele Mwapela has been appointed deputy minister of Western Province, replacing Adons Mufalalai who has moved to the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.
North-Western Province deputy minister, Joseph Mulyata has been moved to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives taking over from Daniel Kalenga now becomes deputy in North-Western Province.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting deputy minister Elijah Muchima has been moved to Local Government and Housing, while sports, youth and child development deputy minister Angela Cifire has moved to the information ministry in the same capacity.
At the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, deputy minister Moses Muteteka has been moved to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing in the same capacity.
Deputy minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development Christopher Kalila has been moved to the Ministry of Works and Supply in the same capacity, while deputy minister at Local Government and Housing Lwipa Puma, has been moved to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry.
President Banda has transferred Chrispin Musosha, deputy minister of Local Government and Housing to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training, while deputy minister of Works and Supply Mundia Ndalamei has been moved to Sport, Youth and Child Development in the same capacity.
Others changes involve deputy minister of commerce, trade and industry Richard Taima, who has been moved to the Ministry of Education in the same capacity, while deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development Allan Mbewe has been moved to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
At permanent secretary level, President Banda has appointed former Football Association of Zambia president Teddy Mulonga as the new permanent secretary at the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development. Mulonga was among the MMD party candidates that had applied to stand for the Solwezi parliamentary seat which was won by the UPND-PF pact.
Lusaka City Council town clerk Timothy Hakayu has been appointed permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Housing while former banker Sherry Thole has been appointed permanent secretary in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training.
Other new appointed permanent secretaries include Medson Lisati at the Management Development Division at Cabinet Office and Gabriel Kaunda who would be permanent secretary at the Ministry of Gender.
Gender permanent secretary Matondo Monde Yeta has been moved to the Ministry of Lands, while Ngosa Chisupa has been moved from the Management Division to the information ministry.
Tourism and natural resources permanent secretary Teddy Kasonso has been transferred to the Ministry of Energy and Water Development, while community development and social services permanent secretary Gladys Kristafor has been moved to the Ministry of Tourism.
The president has also appointed Menda Menda to take over as community development and social services permanent secretary while former State House senior private secretary, Alfred Sakala has been appointed deputy permanent secretary in Luapula Province.
Labels: CABINET, EUSTARKIO KAZONGA, RUPIAH BANDA
Read more...
