HICHILEMA SAYS FORMER MINISTERS INSULTED HIM OVER PARLIAMENTARY ADVICE

HICHILEMA SAYS FORMER MINISTERS INSULTED HIM OVER PARLIAMENTARY ADVICE President Hakainde Hichilema says some former Cabinet ministers insulted him after he advised them not to contest parliamentary seats, accusing him of attempting to end their political careers. Mr Hichilema said he had warned his ministers that only about 30 per cent of the Cabinet would […]

HICHILEMA SAYS FORMER MINISTERS INSULTED HIM OVER PARLIAMENTARY ADVICE

President Hakainde Hichilema says some former Cabinet ministers insulted him after he advised them not to contest parliamentary seats, accusing him of attempting to end their political careers.

Mr Hichilema said he had warned his ministers that only about 30 per cent of the Cabinet would return to Parliament for his second term, but some ignored his advice and subsequently lost their seats.

He was speaking at State House after the swearing-in of five nominated Members of Parliament, including Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe, who returned to Parliament after accepting the President’s advice not to contest a constituency.

The other MPs sworn in by National Assembly Speaker Nelly Mutti were Mubita Anokoka, Professor Roma Chilengi, Dr Gilbert Siame and Noel Nkhoma.

Later, President Hichilema announced changes to Cabinet, reappointing Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane as Minister of Finance and National Planning and retaining Mr Haimbe as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Professor Chilengi was appointed Minister of Health, while Dr Siame was appointed Minister of Green Economy.

President Hichilema said he advised Mr Haimbe against contesting a constituency because the demands of constituency representation could interfere with his responsibilities as Foreign Affairs Minister.

“Foreign Affairs is a travel ministry, and you can’t maintain a constituency at the same time you are Minister of Foreign Affairs, because something will suffer,” he said.

The President said some ministers reacted angrily when given similar advice.

He recalled telling them that only a fraction of his Cabinet would return to the next Parliament.

“I reminded them that only 30 per cent of Cabinet Ministers will return to the following Parliament and everybody said, ‘Not me’, so I left them alone. They are gone, and he is back because he took advice,” Mr Hichilema said.

He urged Mr Haimbe to protect Zambia’s reputation abroad and strengthen economic diplomacy by using Zambian missions to attract investment.

The President also warned diplomats against treating foreign postings as retirement opportunities, saying underperforming officials should be recalled.

He further directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to safeguard Zambia’s territorial integrity, alleging that some neighbouring countries were encroaching on Zambian territory.

HICHILEMA DEMANDS FISCAL DISCIPLINE

Turning to the economy, President Hichilema directed Dr Musokotwane to maintain fiscal discipline and safeguard public resources as the administration begins its second term.

He urged Cabinet ministers to spend more time implementing projects rather than preparing documents for meetings.

“Sixty per cent of our time in Cabinet meetings must be spent on making sure that we are executing projects,” he said.

The President also urged citizens to consider the impact of their social media activity on Zambia’s investment climate.

He warned that messages calling for the destabilisation of the country because a preferred political candidate had lost an election could damage the economy.

“What country are you going to rule if you burn the country?” he asked.

### HEALTH AND GREEN ECONOMY PRIORITIES

President Hichilema also directed Professor Chilengi to raise standards in the health sector, particularly in the provision of medicines and medical equipment.

He called for stronger action against the theft and diversion of medicines, warning that such practices could cost lives.

“Any person who takes medicines meant for patients is on their own … because you are killing somebody who should have survived,” he said.

He directed the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency and the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority to strengthen systems aimed at preventing the loss and diversion of medicines.

On the green economy, President Hichilema challenged Dr Siame to make green growth a key component of the Government’s economic programme.

He called for increased efforts to attract climate finance and develop Zambia’s carbon-credit sector in a manner that benefits local communities while generating revenue for the national treasury.

PRESIDENT REINFORCES COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

Throughout the ceremony, President Hichilema stressed the need for members of the Executive and senior public officials to place national interests above personal considerations.

He warned Cabinet ministers against breaching collective responsibility by publicly taking positions that contradict decisions reached by Government.

“You cannot be part of a Cabinet decision and after being part of that collective decision you choose to walk in a different direction,” he said.

The President also renewed his warning against corruption and the misuse of public resources, stressing that Government funds ultimately belong to the Zambian people.

He directed officials to ensure that public procurement meets three basic requirements—**the right price, quality goods and timely delivery**.

“No cousin, no brother, no associate will be allowed to break these rules,” he said.

President Hichilema said his administration would remain focused on the **Grow Zambia Agenda**, urging ministers and civil servants to prioritise measurable results and service delivery rather than simply reporting for work and waiting for payday.