Metro

Zambian opposition party, PF serves Speaker Mutti notice to reverse leadership appointments

Published

1 year ago

November 14, 2023

The crisis currently rocking the Zambian National Assembly has taken a new dimension following a court order from the main opposition party, Patriotic Front (PF) led by former President Edgar Lungu, mandating the immediate reversal of changes to the leadership of the Parliament by Speaker Nelly Mutti.

The order, which was served on Mutti on Tuesday, branded the action of the Speaker as “extremely malicious as no changes had reportedly been effected to the list of office bearers at the Registrar of Societies.”

The order obtained by Makebi Zulu Advocates, which represents the PF, from a Lusaka High Court, states that the Zambian Registrar of Societies had released the current status of Office Bearers of the PF and the purported changes were not effected.

Part of the order which accused Mutti of executive recklessness reads:

“Had you been diligent and truthful in the discharge of your duties, you would not have disregarded the communication to you by the PF party, who stated in no uncertain terms that there had been no change of office bearers and that Morgan Ngona was not the Secretary General of the party.”

The lawyers noted that by their diligent inquiry which was granted by an order of the Court, they had reviewed that as of Tuesday, November 13, the office bearers had not changed.

They further confirmed that in view of the information gathered, Mutti’s actions in acknowledging the letter from Ngona were a nullity and should be abandoned forthwith.

The order stressed that during the sitting of parliament and subsequent communication, Mutti had claimed that she conducted a search at the Registrar of Societies which formed the basis for her changes at parliament.

“In light of the official information at the Registrar of Socities, Mutti had been advised to abandon the changes she made and reverse them immediately as they were illegal and malicious,” the lawyers said, while giving Mutti a 24-hour ultimatum to reverse the changes she made.

On November 1, Mutti had replaced the leader of opposition in parliament, Brian Mundubile with Robert Chabinga, an MP representing Mafinga Province, after she purportedly received a letter of instructions from Ngona.

In another shakeup, Mutti had also replaced Stephen Kampyongo, the Shiwangandu Member of Parliament, as Opposition Whip with Anthony Mumba, the MP for Kantanshi Province, which the PF believes were done to whittle down opposition in the Assembly.

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Metro

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

Published

2 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

7 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.