Outright opposition to one candidate rather than genuine support for the candidate voted for is becoming the norm across democracies in the world. Many of those who voted for Joe Biden in the last US election were motivated by the desire to stop Trump rather than their support for Biden or the Democratic Party. This is also true for Zambia’s last election. I hope Hichilema understands that he was largely the conduit of the revulsion against the PF and former President Edgar Lungu and that his support is tenuous. The 1.8m voters who supported Lungu, despite the damage he and the PF inflicted on Zambia, are hardcore supporters who are unlikely to leave PF. In contrast, many of those who voted for Hichilema are not his supporters but people who were disillusioned with the status quo. These are the ones who decisively swung the vote in his favour. Their support in future elections is not guaranteed; it is subject to good performance.
In my view, the heroes of the last election were Bemba speakers in Northern and Muchinga provinces, voters in the Eastern Province and those in Lusaka and the Copperbelt who rose above ethnic prejudices and rode on economic grievances to rally behind Hichilema. If Hichilema does not take the time to understand why these people voted for him, he risks losing their support.
The Lozis, Tongas and North-Westerners were not the heroes of the last election, for these groups have historically voted for him but their support was not enough. It was only after the Bembas, Easterners and urbanites came to the party that he finally crossed the line. It saddens me greatly that these groups are the ones suffering marginalisation today especially in the civil service. It does not help that Hichilema’s supporters, mainly from the Zambezi provinces, are so excited that they keep talking to each other rather than respectfully persuading those with contrary views to see their point.
- Socialist Party Leader Dr Fred M’membe recently 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 Haimbo 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.”
Presidential spokesperson Clayson Hamasaka (Tonga) having taken over from Anthony Bwalya who was demoted into the diplomatic service in Tanzania. Human Rights Commission (HRC) chairperson (Tonga), Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chairperson Tom Shamakamba (Tonga), Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) director General Nason Banda (Easterner), Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri (Easterner), Energy Regulation Board (ERB) chairperson Bowa (Northerner).
