By Merlyn Mwanza
Angela Cifire and Noel Nkhoma’s views should help Hakainde Hichilema remake his appointments to reflect national character, says All Peoples Congress (APC) leader Nason Msoni.
Reacting to Ben Phiri’s assertions that Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) chairperson Nkhoma that he should be thankful for his appointment after the latter supported former Health minister Cifire’s remarks on the tribal appointments skewed towards Southern, Western, North Western and parts of Central Province despite his promises to unite the country and despite Zambians having rejected tribalism by voting for him to the extent of winning in some places and receiving significant votes in areas other than those he is appointing heavily from, Msoni stated that the question of some regions being excluded is real and go beyond playing to the gallery.
“Dea Editor, I have keenly followed the debate on the statements attributed to Ms Angela Chifire , Mr. Noel Nkhoma and Mr Ben Phiri. I must add that the question of regions being excluded is real and go beyond playing to the gallery,” Msoni stated. “To deny the obvious in order to be noticed by the appointing authority on an important issue like this one is most unfortunate under the circumstances.”
He stated that Cifire and Nkhoma’s statements are progressive and should help the President to remake some of the appointments to reflect the national character of our country.
“The unity we talk about revolves around the collective sharing of responsibilities. Unilateralism and the general exclusion of other regions is clearly a recipe for social and political instability,” Msoni stated. “I encourage leaders to be more objective in their personal and political pursuit. It is ok for individuals to aspire for an appointment to government but it should not be at the expense of everyone else.”
He stated that “it’s playing dirty to downplay and ridicule others in order to champion and gain political mileage. It makes sad reading when individuals decide to deny the truth.”
“Additionally, I think that there is no evidence to suggest that getting noticed by appointing authorities comes by rubishing objectivity…such is the frightening level of desperation for appointment…no progress can be expected with such sellouts,” stated Msoni.
Socialist Party Leader Dr Fred M’membe challenged President Hichilema to explain why Zambia Police key command positions at all levels and in all departments or units are predominantly occupied by people from one ethnicity and related ethnicities almost to the exclusion of all others.
“Is it by pure merit or coincidence that: 1. Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba is KAONDE? 2. Deputy Inspector General of Police (State House) Fanwell Siandenge is TONGA? 3. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Milner Libusa Muyambango is LOZI? 4. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Administration) Doris Nayame is MAMBWE?” Dr M’membe asked and further stating:
5. Director Administration Byemba Musole is LOZI?
6. Director CID Yuyi Mwala is LOZI?
7. Deputy Director CID Maxwell Timba is TONGA?
8. SPIO (Intelligence) Mweemba Robertson is TONGA?
9. PRO Rae Hamoonga is TONGA?
10. Commissioner Administration Auxensio Daka (who is said to have been recommended by the late president Lupiya Banda) is NSENGA?
11. Quarter Master Mubita Munenbo is LOZI?
STATE HOUSE POLICE:
1. DIG Fanwell Siandenge is TONGA?
2. Aide de Camp Shapa Wakung’uma is LOZI?
3. Commissioner of Police Justin Moolo is TONGA?
4. In Charge Administration Malambo is TONGA?
5. In Charge Intelligence Chiwala is TONGA?
6. In Charge Operations Lumanyendo (a relative of Siandenge and coming from the same village) is TONGA?
7. Senior Driver Mubiana is LOZI (but they often opt to use his junior Mbaimba who is TONGA)?
8. In Charge Bodyguard Siandiza is TONGA?
9. Callabashi-Mrs Serah Mwenya (BEMBA)?
10. Armoury in Charge Mumeka is KAONDE?
11. Food Analyst Mazaza is LUNDA?
12. In Charge Garage Kakeja is KAONDE?
13. Quarter Master Mukolo is LOZI?
COMMISSIONERS OF POLICE:
Lusaka Province – Kreto Nkaanza is TONGA?
2. Copperbelt Province – Peacewell Mweemba is TONGA?
3. Central Province – Mukuka Davies Chileshe (who is a close associate of Deputy Inspector General Muyambango) is BEMBA?
4. Eastern Province – Limpo Liwali is LOZI?
5. Northern Province – Gloria Mulele (a very close associate of DIG operations Milner Muyambango) is TONGA?
6. Muchinga Province – Mubaanga Kaunda is LUNDA?
7. Luapula – Fwambo Siame is MAMBWE?
8. Southern – Paul Achiume is TUMBUKA?
9. North Western Province – Dennis Moola is TONGA?
10. Western Province – Roy Kashimba is LUNDA?
UNIT COMMANDERS:
1. Paramilitary – Yobe Luhana (who is step brother to Deputy Inspector General Siandenge) is TUMBUKA?
2. Protective Unit – Fred Hamamba is TONGA?
3. Airport – Robison Moonga is TONGA?
4. Lilayi College – Desmond Mwaanza is TONGA?
5. TAZARA – Simon Mbaulu is LUVALE?
6. Mobile Unit – Pethias Siandenge (who is younger brother of Deputy Inspector Siandenge) is TONGA?
PROVINCIAL POLICE
INTELLINGENCE:
1. Lusaka Province – Malambo Muchinda is TONGA?
2. Northern Province – James Chiti is BEMBA?
3. Luapula Province – Chimuli Kapenda is LUVALE?
4. Muchinga Province – Munankopa Nesbert is TONGA?
5. North Western Province – Abel Chifumpa is LENJE?
6. Southern Province – Clement Matomola is LOZI?
7. Central Province – Limwanya Kapupa is LOZI?
8. Copperbelt Province – Chris Chipepo Chiyabi is TONGA?
9. Eastern Province – Edify Milambo is TONGA?
10. Western Province – Joe Malumo is LOZI?
UNIT INTEL OFFICERS:
1. College – Mponyela Ireen is LOZI?
2. Mobile Unit – Kanondo Royd is LUNDA?
3. TAZARA – Fwankila is TONGA?
4. Airport – Mbwainga Harry is TONGA?
5. Protective Unit – Kaumbi Lilian is LOZI?
6. Paramilitary – Neverson Mpundu is BEMBA?
These are the key positions in Zambia Police.
Like Deputy Inspector General Siandenge, some of these officers were part of the UPND security team. Two of Deputy Inspector General Siandenge’s brothers are in charge of the two striking police units – paramilitary and mobile units.
Where does this staffing of the police leave the opposition when it comes to policing politics and elections? Would Mr Hichilema keep quiet and accept this if he was in opposition?
These are honest questions seeking honest answers.
Dr M’membe also recently said that critics are asking if what they are seeing is equal to what they were promised, mentioning the various positions including that of President (Tonga), Vice-President (Bemba married to a Lozi), Speaker (Lozi), Chief Justice (Lenje), Acting President of the Constitutional Court (Lozi), Attorney General (Lenje), Solicitor General (Tonga), Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (Lozi), Chairman of the Judicial Complaints Commission (Tonga), Commissioner of Lands (Tonga), Chief Legal Advisor to the President (Lozi). Dr M’membe further stated that appointments to key ministries that can’t easily be done away with flowed in the same direction including Home Affairs (Tonga), Local Government (Tonga), Education (Tonga), Tourism (Tonga), Justice (Tonga), Foreign Affairs (Lenje), Health (Soli), Defence (Luvale), Infrastructure (Lozi), Finance (Lozi), Lands (Lunda), Governor of the Bank of Zambia (Tonga).
In the Defence Forces, Zambia Army Commander (Lozi), Zambia Air Force (Kaonde), ZNS Commandant (Luvale), Inspector General of Police (Kaonde), Director General of Intelligence (Lozi), Commissioner of Correctional Services (Tonga), Chief Immigration Officer (Lozi), FRA Board Chairman (Tonga).
At the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), chairperson (Lozi), vice-chairperson (Mambwe), and that the three other commissioners are Tonga, Lozi and Lunda.
A blogger in one of the whatsapp groups mentioned how President Hichilema has sealed the judiciary appointments via his nepotistic and tribal appointments.
“1. Minister of Justice – Mulambe Haimbe SC- Tonga, 2. Attorney general- Mulilo Kabesha-Lenje, 3. Solicitor general- Marshal Muchende nephew to President Hakainde Hichilema –Tonga, 4. Chief Justice- Mumba Mailila- Lenje, 5. Constitutional court President- Prof Margaret Munalula-Lozi, 6. Constitutional Court Deputy President- Arnold Mweetwa Shilimi-Tonga, 7. Court of Appeal President – Mwiinde Siavwapa-Tonga, 8. Judicial Service Commission Chairperson- Mwikisa Mukande- Lozi, 9. Judicial Complaints Commission -Vincent Blackskin Malambo –Tonga. President Hichilema has also appointed his niece, Judge Maria Mapani Kawimbe as Constitutional Court Justice,” the blogger submitted. “Mrs. Maria Mapani Kawimbe enjoys (joins) her sibling that have benefited from the Uncle’s nepotistic appointments; Victor Ben Mapani, ZESCO Managing Director and new IDC CEO Perry Mapani.”
