Zamtel has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Zambia Correctional Service for the provision of digital services to the Service.

Under the agreement, Zamtel will provide a fleet Management System for the purpose of monitoring and managing the fleet, an Inventory Management System and an E-Learning Platform for inmates to access learning materials and services.

Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Sydney Mupeta said the company will in addition deploy an inmate booking and tracking system, and Closed User Group for Correctional Staff.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Kabwe yesterday, Mr Mupeta explained that other services to be provided under the MoU include internet connectivity at all correctional facilities.

He said the MoU demonstrates Zamtel`s capability to deliver digital solutions in line with its vision of becoming a dominant digital solutions provider.

“We know that access to E-learning services for inmates will contribute to the rehabilitation and reintegration process in the Correctional Service so as to reduce reoffending. This will assist the Correctional Service to enhance its contribution to national development,” Mr Mupeta said.

He added, “These initiatives by the Zambia Correctional Service will undoubtedly go a long way in helping decongest our correctional facilities. We stand here with a great sense of pride to announce this milestone agreement which demonstrates the beginning of a long-term partnership between Zamtel and ZCS.”
Mr Mupeta said the signing of this MoU between Zamtel and ZCS also demonstrates Zamtel`s capability to deliver digital solutions in line with our vision of becoming a dominant digital solutions provider that will power the 4th Industrial revolution in Zambia and beyond.

“As the World prepares for the 4th Industrial Revolution, it has become imperative that organizations across the globe, including here in Zambia, take deliberate steps towards digitization. We firmly believe that only organisations that will prepare for a digital future will survive the storm that is fast approaching.”
He added, “I am therefore calling upon other institutions to tap into Zamtel’s ability to provide digital solutions for their different areas of need. We are confident that this partnership will demonstrate how digital transformation can improve efficiencies and deliver desired results.”

And Zambia Correctional Service Commissioner General Dr Chisela Chileshe said the digital services will help the Commission to achieve the objectives outlined in its strategic plan.

Dr Chileshe said the digital services will further enable the Commission to track inmates to avoid them escaping from correctional facilities and reoffending.
“We are gratified that partners like Zamtel are coming on board to offer digital solutions to improve our operations. The days of counting inmates on their backs one by one should come to an end. We need these digital solutions to effectively monitor the movements of inmates and fleet,” Dr Chileshe said.

Dr Chileshe warned that officers from the Correctional Service who would like to lag behind and fail to embrace digitalization would have themselves to blame.

By Kapya Kaoma

O Come! O Come August 12, the long-awaited Zambia’s savior will at last take the throne, and Zambia will finally be free! And why not? Aside from #HH, #TimeforChange, and #Bally, trending on social media, “we want change, ” and, “forward, ” are not only chanted daily but “The Incoming President, ” is the official title for HH. Come August 12, his Excellency, Hakainde Hichilema is the Seventh President of Zambia.

As for PF cadres and politicians, they are spending sleepless nights wondering if they will wake up on August 13 headed to Prison. This would be a self-imposed imprisonment. The PF. Administration is corrupt to the core, the truth even President Lungu himself is ashamed of. It’s cipante pante economic policies have only benefited a “few of us;” the majority only smells bread, fried chicken and admires Shopping Malls, SUVs, Hotels and Restaurants from a distance. New Malls open, but most of us only watch “the owners” spend our monies. Reminiscent of Lazarus in the Bible, we sit by the gates of wealth, and long “to eat what fall from the rich people’s tables.” Like dogs, we roam the streets begging for our rightful share from the national cake–alas, only well connected cadres to get a slice!

Who thought our ancestors would be so generous? The COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the global economy just before casting our vote. With no reserves, and unable to access foreign aid, the economy is at its weakest. With prices doubling everyday, HH has a case to make; the Lungu administration has failed us. Of course, HH won’t magically transform the economy or provide free education. Yes. He is the richest man in Zambia, but running a country is different from running a personal company. Ask Donald Trump. But why should anyone vote for Lungu amidst doubling prices?

The perception of UPND as a Tonga Party and PF as a Bemba Party is the unsaid factor. Many UPND cadres would never vote for PF even if Jesus was its Presidential candidate. Likewise many PF cadres would never vote for UPND even if John the Baptist was its presidential candidate. The reason, the tribe! Economic stress can easily be overshadowed by tribal loyalty. Like race and gender, tribal bias is a subconscious reality that exists in most of us and can be a key driver of decision making. So PF has locked in some tribal votes and so has UPND.

Moreover, smaller parties may tip the election. Unlike previous elections, this election circle has seen great ground game by smaller parties. Their door to door campaign strategies would claim some votes that may make it impossible for UPND to get 50+1. Besides, the caliber of small party candidates is much higher than before. If UPND ignores smaller parties in this election, it would be making a major mistake. It may have gained ground in some areas, but the goal is 50 + 1. Assuming that smaller parties get 10% percent of the total vote, UPND must pray that and PF gets less than 40% to win the election. Should there be a rerun, it would be based on prior working relationships. Currently, the UPND alliance is very weak and made up of PF vomits; the same thing that happened when GBM joined UPND. UPND strategists may have internal data which suggests it would get 50+1 on August 12, 2021, but that is a dangerous strategy when you are running against the incumbent. Besides, other articulate candidates have just begun introducing themselves to Zambians. Since public rallies are outlawed due to COVID-19, these candidates are creating a cognitive dissonance in the electorate as to who to vote for. In the end, some people will vote for them over Lungu and HH.

HH must realize that politics is about common interests; today’s enemies can be tomorrow’s friends. Poor economic conditions usually work to the advantage of the opposition, but UPND is not the only opposition party in this election. Neither is PF the only opponent UPND has to fight–HH is being attacked by other players too.

I know that UPND cadres are worried about the PF rigging the elections. But the easiest way to cheat is to steal votes from smaller parties, who won’t have the interests to contest the results. So to think that UPND would automatically get to Plot 1 because of the poor economy is a big mistake.

Anyway, 2026 is not too far after all.

By Antonio M. Mwanza PF Media Director

Yesterday, His Excellency, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu directed the Zambia Police Service and Health Authorities to ENFORCE the statutory ban on all public rallies in line with the Covid-19 health guidelines as guided by the Public Health Act Cap 295 of the Laws of Zambia.

It is important to note that restrictions on huge gatherings have been in place since last year when Government signed Statutory Instruments Numbers 21 and 22 to curb the spread of COVID-19 by banning huge gatherings which have scientifically proven to be super-spreader causes of COVID-19.

With the new Covid-19 variant and the third wave, which is deadlier and more contagious, it is only right that the Police and Health Authorities get to the ground and ensure STRICT ADHERENCE to the Covid-19 health guidelines as outlined in the aforementioned SI No. 21 and 22 to curb the spread of the disease and protect the health and lives of our people.

It is highly IRRESPONSIBLE for anyone to endanger the health and lives of the citizens all in the name of politics. Campaigns and elections must be conducted within the health framework that guarantees safety of individuals and the general public.

To claim that the President’s directive is meant to stop the opposition from campaigning is mischievous and gross misinformation as the ban on huge gatherings has been in place since last year and it affects all political parties, PF, included. No one is at an advantage. In fact, the PF has already taken the lead in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 by banning all its public campaign rallies.

There are so many ways in which political parties can effectively engage voters; they can use radio, television, social media, small gatherings and door to door events among many others to campaign. Rallies are not the only mode of campaigns. Moreover, life and public health is more important than public rallies.

We must learn from others, such as EUROPEAN countries who have banned all forms of huge gatherings such as public protests and rallies to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to promote public health and protect their citizens.

We have lost a lot of people to COVID-19 and we have many others who are currently in hospitals, battling for their lives.

We should not take the issue of health and life, lightly. Elections will come and go but a life once lost can not be replaced hence we must all be responsible enough and strictly adhere to the health guidelines as stipulated in our statutes.