PRESIDENT BANDA UNVEILS NEW CABINET

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday unveiled his new cabinet in which Justice minister, George Kunda retained his position and was given additional responsibilities as Republican Vice-President.

The President reappointed the commanders of the Zambia Army, Isaac Chisuzi, Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Samuel Mapara and Zambia National Service (ZNS) Raphael Chisheta.

Police Inspector-General (IG) Ephraim Mateyo has been retired awaiting a diplomatic posting and Commissioner of police Francis Kabonde was appointed in acting capacity.

At his first press conference since his election as President, Mr Banda dropped Finance minister, Ng’andu Magande, Local Government and Housing minister, Sylvia Masebo, Presidential Affairs minister, Cecil Holmes, Agriculture minister, Ben Kapita.

Former economic advisor to the President, Situmbeko Musokotwane is new Finance minister and former National Airports Corporation Limited (NACL) managing director, Chileshe Kapwepwe is deputy minister and nominated member of parliament (MP).

“There is need to maintain the momentum of growth and I think Dr Musotwane has the experience as former advisor to the President, secretary to the treasury, IMF advisor and former Bank of Zambia deputy governor,” he said.

Former Local Government and Housing deputy minister, Bennie Tetamashimba has been elevated to cabinet in the same ministry and would be assisted by former Health deputy minister, Lwipa Puma and former Luapula province minister, Crispin Musosha.

Former Sports minister, Gabriel Namulambe is the new presidential affairs minister and former Information and Broadcasting Service minister, Vernon Mwaanga has been appointed the chief whip in parliament.

Mr Banda has moved former Health minister, Brian Chituwo to the ministry of Agriculture and retained Albert Mulonga and Daniel Kalenga as deputy ministers.

The other Former Agriculture minister, Sarah Sayifwanda has been moved to Gender Affairs and would be assisted by former Science, Technology and Vocational Training deputy minister, Lucy Changwe.

North-Western province minister, Kenneth Chipungu is the new Sports minister. Mr Banda reappointed Angela Cifire sports deputy minister together with Kitwe medical practitioner, Chris Kalila who has been nominated to parliament.

Former Tourism minister, Michael Kaingu has been moved to Community development and would be assisted deputy ministers, John Chinyanta and Friday Malwa.

Former Labour minister, Ronald Mukuma is the new Lands minister and the deputy Nasim Hamir retained the same position.

In the ministry of Mines, the President elevated deputy minister, Maxwell Mwale to full cabinet minister and retained Boniface Nkhata as deputy minister.

Ministers of Defence, Goerge Mpombo, Foreign Affairs, Kabinga Pande, Energy, Kenneth Konga, Commerce, Trade and Industry, Felix Mutati, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Peter Daka, Communications and Transport minister, Dora Siliya and Education, Geofrey Lungwangwa retained the posts.


Communications and Transport minister, Mubika Mubika, Foreign Affairs deputy minister, Fashion Phiri and Home Affairs deputy minister Misheck Bonshe were also reappointed in the same portfolios.

Former Information and Broadcasting Services deputy minister, David Phiri was transferred to Home Affairs and his former Local Government and Housing counterpart, Eustarkio Kazonga to Defence.

Mr Konga’s deputy, Gladys Lundwe was also retained in the same ministry and would work with former Northern province minister, Lameck Chibombamilimo who was also given the position of deputy minister there.

Former Finance deputy minister, Jonas Shakafuswa has been moved to Science and Education deputy minister, Clement Sinyinda shifted to Commerce, Trade and Industry in the same capacities.

Former Information and Broadcasting Services minister, Mike Mulongoti is new Works and Supply minister and would be assisted by Mundia Ndalamei who would continue as deputy minister.

Former Home Affairs minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha is new Information and Broadcasting Services minister and former Defence deputy minister, Elijah Muchima would be the deputy.

Former Mines minister, Kalombo Mwansa was appointed Home Affairs minister.

Kapembwa Simbao, the former Works and Supply minister is new Health minister and the deputy is Mwendoi Akakandelwa.

Former Community Development minister, Catherine Namugala has moved to Tourism with Vera Chiluba and Mubita Mwangala as deputy ministers.

At provincial minister level, the only changes involved the appointment of MMD founder member Boniface Kawimbe as Luapula minister, transfer of Charles Shawa from Eastern to Northern province and appointment of Joseph Mulyata as North-Western minister.