Four senior Zambian ministers in President Hakainde Hichilema’s government have lost their parliamentary seats
Four senior Zambian ministers in President Hakainde Hichilema’s government have lost their parliamentary seats as results from Zambia’s elections continue to emerge, with three of the defeats coming on the politically and economically important Copperbelt Province.
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development lost his seat on the Copperbelt, while Minister of Transport and Logistics also lost on the Copperbelt. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry became another Cabinet casualty in the province.
Kabuswe represented Chililabombwe, Tayali represented Ndola Central and Mulenga represented Chingola in the outgoing Parliament.
In Lusaka Province, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources also lost her parliamentary seat, adding to the list of senior government figures rejected by voters.
The defeats, particularly those on the Copperbelt, represent a significant setback for Hichilema’s UPND government. The Copperbelt is the heart of Zambia’s mining industry and one of the country’s most politically significant regions.
Zambia is Africa’s second-largest copper producer, and the election campaign was fought partly against public frustration that increased mining investment and improving macroeconomic indicators had not translated into sufficient improvements in the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
The loss of three Cabinet ministers on the Copperbelt will therefore be closely watched as an indication of voter sentiment towards the government in a province central to Zambia’s economy.
The Zambia Electoral Commission has suspended election counting country wide!
By Hopewell Chin’ono