Inonge Wina becomes the first female Vice president

File: Dr Scott being consulted by Lungu and Party Chairperson Inonge Wina

Inonge Wina

Ruling PF Chairperson and Former Minister of Gender Inonge Mutukwa Wina is the new Vice President of the Republic of Zambia.

President Lungu has appointed Inonge Wina who is the PF Member of Parliament in Nalolo to take over from Dr. Guy Scott.

Ms Wina becomes the country’s first ever female Vice President in Zambia.

The appointment was announced by President Lungu during his first news briefing at State House where he unveiled his initial cabinet.

Alexander Chikwanda bounces back as Finance Minister including Harry Kalaba and Joseph Kasonde at Foreign Affairs and Health Ministries respectively. Jean Kapata also retains her position as Tourism and Arts Minister with Davies Mwila getting the position of Home Affairs Minister.

President Lungu also swore-in Ngosa Simbyakula whom he appointed yesterday as Justice Minister.

At State House, President Lungu has appointed Amos Chanda as Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, Emmanuel Chilubanama as Permanent Secretary and Kaizer Zulu as Special Assistant for Political Affairs.

President Lungu also appointed opposition UPND Member of Parliament for Solwezi Central Dawson Kafwaya as the new provincial Minister for North Western Province. Mr Nathiel Mubukwanu is the new Southern Province Minister to replace Daniel Munkombwe who has been fired.

The new president said he was displeased with Munkombwe as a member of the Central Committee to endorse the candidature of opposition UPND president in the last election.

President Lungu announced that he will make further appointments when he returns from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the Africa Union Summit.

Speaking after the swearing-in, President Lungu advised the staff appointed at State House to be efficient and not to insulate him from the people. He said there has been a trend by State House staff to block people from meeting the President. He has urged those appointed to be effective warning that he will not hestate to fire those who be found wanting.

On Mrs. Wina, President Lungu explained that she had stood for the party during difficult times when the PF could have disintergrated. He said Ms. Wina was a  strong royal mother whom he expects the country to support.

President Lungu said he will not look at tribe or region but will be president of all provinces including those that did not vote for him. He said he was a student of late president Michael Sata whom he says embraced all regions.

He said he would have loved to have his tour of duty to Southern province which did not vote for him. He was responding to a question on what stratagy he has for Southern province.