SATA

By KAIKO NAMUSA-

PRESIDENT Michael Sata has dropped Home Affairs Deputy Minister Alfredah Kansembe and partially reshuffled his Cabinet.

Mr Sata thanked Ms Kansembe for the services she had rendered to Zambia during her tenure of office.

Ms Kansembe was spotted at former Defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba’s residence in Kasama when he announced his resignation in December last year and was subsequently ‘slammed’ by President Sata during a State House function.

The President questioned her when she was going to resign.

When contacted for a comment, Ms Kansembe said: “For now I want to be quiet and reflect on what has happened. I will give a reaction at an appropriate time.”

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Mwansa Kapeya has moved to the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

The President has transferred Foreign Affairs Minister Wylbur Simuusa to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and replaced him with Harry Kalaba.

The changes were announced in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah.

Mr Kapeya was replaced by Joseph Katema from Community Development, Mother and Child Health.

Local Government and Housing Minister Emerine Kabanshi has replaced Dr Katema, while in her place, President Sata has moved Emmanuel Chenda from Agriculture and Livestock.

Robert Sichinga, who was until the reshuffle Minister of Agriculture, has moved to the Ministry of Commerce, where he once served.

Mr Sata said the reshuffles were with immediate effect.

The Head of State said he was confident the ministers would discharge the functions of their respective offices both to his satisfaction and that of the Zambian people.