No Cousin, No Brother, Says Hichilema As He Swears In First Four Ministers

President Hakainde Hichilema has sworn in the first four members of his new Cabinet, cautioning that non-performing public officers who violate what he called the “rules of engagement” will not be tolerated. Hichilema administered the oath of office to Situmbeko Musokotwane as…

President Hakainde Hichilema has sworn in the first four members of his new Cabinet, cautioning that non-performing public officers who violate what he called the “rules of engagement” will not be tolerated.

Hichilema administered the oath of office to Situmbeko Musokotwane as Minister of Finance and National Planning, Mulambo Haimbe as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Roma Chilengi as Minister of Health, and Gilbert Siame as Minister of Green Economy and Environment, in a ceremony at State House.

The Head of State said he was concerned that some public officers had veered off the rules of engagement by putting personal interests first at the expense of the nation, and warned he would not condone the practice going forward.

“May we respect that rule of engagement. Let us uphold confidentiality and collective responsibility,” Hichilema said. “You cannot be part of the Cabinet decision, and after being part of that collective decision, you choose to walk in a different direction. That is the point of exit.”

He stressed that the confidentiality requirement extended beyond the Executive to all civil servants, and told the new ministers that public office demanded smart work, humility, integrity and hard work in equal measure.

“Yes, hard, but yet smart work, because we now have the tools we never had before,” he said. “We have the technology that allows us to work smart. All of this should benefit the people of Zambia.”

Hichilema also used the occasion to renew his warning against corruption, telling those holding public office to draw a clear line between public and private money. He set out three non-negotiable rules for procurement: right price, quality and timely delivery.

“No cousin, no brother, no friend or associate will be allowed to break these three rules. No one, and I mean no one,” he said. “Let us focus on results for the people as opposed to appearing at the office at 08:00 hours and knocking off at 17:00 hours.”

The President tied the new appointments to the Grow Zambia Agenda, describing it as the New Dawn administration’s central mantra and the route to job creation, business opportunities and treasury income for social sectors including free education. He said the agenda would also allow government to support citizens affected by climate shocks.

“Let me clarify that the 10-10-5-3-3-1-1-1 agenda does not mean that we exclude other sectors. Other sectors, even in health,” he said, adding that Zambia would not import maize this year, despite an anticipated drought, because the country had sufficient stocks of its own.

Turning to Musokotwane, the President said the economic heavy-lifting had been done in the first term and the priority now was delivery. “Maintain fiscal discipline, economic discipline and protect every Kwacha. Let’s drive investments, growth and projects,” he said.

Hichilema also cautioned members of the public against posting falsehoods on social media that could scare away investors, saying such conduct amounted to sabotage of the national economy regardless of political disappointment.

“The kind of posting that I see, the insults I see, suggest that because your chosen candidate didn’t win, then you must burn the country,” he said. “But what country are you going to rule if you burn the country? How are you going to take care of citizens?”

For Haimbe, the President set out a mandate to deliver the New Dawn’s economic diplomacy policy and drive investment through Zambia’s embassies, warning that missions were not “retirement places” for underperforming diplomats. “Anyone who is not performing, bring them back home and let’s send people willing to work,” he said, adding that the minister also carried responsibility for protecting Zambia’s sovereignty against encroachment by neighbouring states.

Siame was directed to place the Green Growth Agenda at the centre of the wider growth strategy, with the President pointing to green climate financing and carbon credits as potential sources of economic value that should benefit local communities. He also called for tighter controls on the disposal of hazardous materials such as mercury into rivers, and said regulatory bodies including the Zambia Environmental Management Agency should not delay project approvals that support economic growth.

Chilengi, meanwhile, was tasked with ending drug pilferage in the health sector and prioritising patients, with the President noting that the law had already been amended to deny bail to those convicted of stealing medicines. He said the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency needed to improve its performance, recalling previous changes of minister in the health portfolio.

“I have changed ministers there several times. You and I were frustrated in this ministry, so I said we will do it through you, Prof,” he said. “You guys grew up in the sector. We want delivery there.”

The swearing-in came on the same day that five nominated members of parliament took their oaths before Speaker Nelly Mutti, with further Cabinet and parliamentary appointments expected to follow as the new administration completes its team.