Metro

Opposition PNUP distances self from plot to impeach Zambia’s Speaker, Mutti

Published

1 year ago

November 6, 2023

One of Zambia’s main opposition parties, Party for National Unity and Progress (PNUP) has distanced itself from plots to impeach the Speaker of Parliament, Nelly Mutti, saying it will not support a motion filed by an Independent Member of Parliament, Binwell Mpundu.

Mpundu had last week sent a notification to the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly of a motion to impeach Mutti, citing a number of parliamentary standing order breaches.

And with the motion gaining the support of about 39 opposition MPs, a member of the PNUP in the House, Imanga Wamunyima has given a different position, saying his party will not be a part of the impeachment plot against Mutti.

Wamunyima, who disclosed this in a statement he issued in Lusaka on Sunday, said even though the move was in line with Article 83 of the Constitution and was in consonance with Section 82 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing orders 202, his party had not appended any signature to the impeachment document.

“We have received with concern, numerous queries on our position with regards to a document circulating on social media with content that proposes to move a motion to impeach the Speaker of the Nation Assembly, Nelly Mutti,” Wamunyima said in the statement.

“It must be clear from the onset that we are equally having first sight of this letter only from social media.

“In this regard, for the avoidance of doubt, I wish to clarify in no uncertain terms that we are not part to the process of moving a motion to impeach the Speaker of the National Assembly,” Wamunyima said.

He said the PNUP’s position could be interpreted only to the extent that its name appeared on the document without any endorsement or signature, and urged fellow MPs in the opposition not to include names of members who did not endorse such partisan processes.

Wamunyima said while the party was well aware that the impeachment process had been initiated, it should be noted that it did not undergo any consensus process.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

9 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

14 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.