Hichilema lambasts ministers for sleeping during cabinet meetings, indulging in late-night socializing

President Hakainde Hichilema has reprimanded some Cabinet Ministers for dozing off during meetings as early as 10:00 hours, attributing their lack of attentiveness to excessive drinking and late-night socializing.

Speaking at State House on Monday during the swearing-in of newly appointed Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gift Sialubalo, President Hichilema warned that such behavior delays service delivery and reflects a lack of commitment to public office.

“I have advised, and the Vice President knows this, that we must have self-control in public office. Not overindulging, not staying out late. In Cabinet meetings, someone is already sleeping at 10:00 hours—where were they if they are dozing off so early?” Hichilema questioned.

The President described the act of sleeping during crucial meetings as a “serious crime” and a sign that some Ministers are not interested in serving the people who elected them under the UPND government.

Quoting the Bible, he warned that overindulgence leads to self-destruction and said he had chosen to publicly address the issue because it had become a recurring problem.

“So how do you participate in a meeting when you are sleeping? KISS KA MAN, what’s the issue? Self-control. Overindulgence. The message is very clear: you are not interested in Cabinet deliberations on behalf of Zambians. So why are you sitting there?” he asked.

Read More: SADC urged to adopt labour-intensive policies to tackle unemployment

Turning to Sialubalo, President Hichilema directed him to prioritize grading feeder roads now that the rainy season has ended, warning against delays and unnecessary excuses.

“I want to see grading of feeder roads in all constituencies. We bought graders, and there is money for fuel—no excuses,” he instructed.

He also emphasized the need for fair pricing on road projects, cautioning against inflated costs, which he described as corruption and abuse of public resources.

Sialubalo replaces Mazabuka lawmaker Gary Nkombo, who was recently dismissed from his ministerial post without the President stating the reasons for his removal.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.