The government has urged the Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja to arrest United Party for National Development (UPND) presidential spokesperson Mubita Nawa and a UPND cadre for defamation of the President.

A video has since gone viral, where Mr. Nawa acting together with another man a “Mulenga” was allegedly insulting and defaming the Republican President contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Police are currently investigating the matter.

Transport and Communications Minister Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya said that demeaning the Head of State in such a manner should not be condoned.

Hon Kafwaya said that Mr Kanganja must ensure that these two individuals are brought to book immediately, adding that with the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, the law has sufficient provisions to deal with such crimes.

The Hon Minister says the law further provides for admission of electronic evidence into the courts of law making it sufficient to deal with such issues through out the entire process.

“Let me also appeal to HH (Hakainde Hichilema) to stop teaching his cadres insults. The insulting lectures that he gave in Lukanshya is now bearing very bad fruits,” he said.

“I think that HH must now own up and indicate to the nation that he is tutorials in Lukanshya were terrible resulting in what we are seeing.”

Government says it cherishes the political and military interactions that exist between Zambia and Bangladesh.

Ministry of Defense Deputy Permanent Secretary, Wesy Likeli noted that Zambia being the first country in Africa to recognize the sovereignty of Bangladesh, remains resolute to further cement the bilateral ties.

He pointed out that government will explore other areas of mutual interest in the Agriculture and health sectors in which Bangladesh is thriving.

ZANIS Reports that Mr Likeli made the remarks when visiting Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff, General Aziz Ahmed paid a courtesy call on him in Lusaka today.

“Zambia cherishes that interaction that exists between our two people both at political and military levels. You would recall that we were the first country in Africa, to recognize your independence and we remain firm to working closely with you,” he said.

And Visiting Bangladeshi Chief of Army Staff, Aziz Ahmed has called on the Zambian government to explore other areas of mutual interest with his country.

General Aziz cited the health sector among the sectors that Zambia can benefit from stating that his country exports medicines to 150 countries globally.

“Our relations date back to 1983 when President Dr Kenneth Kaunda paid a state visit to our country and we saw the bilateral ties rejuvenated last year by the visit of Zambia Army Commander to our country, a thing that has gone down in the history of the two countries. We are thriving in the health and Agriculture sectors and Zambia can benefit immensely,” he emphasized.

And General Azizi later paid a courtesy call on Zambia Army Commander, Lt General William Sikazwe, where he reiterated that his country remains resolute to furthering the bilateral ties with the Zambian Army.

He stated that so far, at least 30 officers from Zambia Army have attended military courses from his country, which he said are still on-going.

Meanwhile, Lt General Sikazwe hailed Bangladesh for having played a significant role in the training of the defense force personnel.

He said his visit to Bangladesh and General Aziz’s visit to Zambia is a clear testimony of the growing bilateral ties between the two countries.

General Aziz who arrived in the country last week, will return to his country this week.

Chairperson of the Private sector Development Association Yussuf Dodia has urged both the Public and Private sectors to aggressively embrace technology to help mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 on the economy.

Mr. Dodia said this in an interview with ZANIS in Serenje adding that the two sectors need to be strategic in controlling the Covid-19 Pandemic to avoid an economic disaster in the country.

Mr. Dodia said since the Covid-19 is still with us the two sectors need to aggressively embrace technology to cushion its impact on the country’s economy.

“Covid -19 is something we have been struggling with hence the public and private sectors need to rethink new mechanisms to achieve the same results of how they will, for example keep employees employed even though they will not turn up to the office,” he said.

Mr. Dodia said the sectors may discover that the new mechanisms may be more profitable than the old ones.

He said players in the private and public sectors need to be mindful that when a lot of people get infected with the virus and become sick, a lot of national resources that were supposed to go to economic development will go towards health care.

Chief Justice, Irene Mambilima has commended the United Nations Environmental Protection (UNEP) for the continued fostering of programmes aimed at enhancing environmental justice in Zambia.

Justice Mambilima notes that such programmes are inevitable and an important aspect to the environment, as they are designed to ensure that persons responsible for polluting the environment are taken to task.

The Chief Justice also stated that it is for this reason that UNEP working in collaboration with the Zambia Environmental Protection Authority (ZEMA) and the Justice System in Zambia, are working together in coming up with laws that best address pressing environmental concerns, in order to protect Zambia’s natural resources.

The Chief Justice said this in a speech read on her behalf by Justice Anne Sitali during the official opening of the Training of Trainers workshop for Judges, on the proposed guidelines on sentencing in Environmental, Crimes and award of Environmental damages and compensation.

And Justice Mambilima further said there is need to ensure that the environment is restored to its pristine state, in as much as offenders were taken to task for going against laws that bind environmental protection.

She reminded the judges to ensure that they remain proactive and use the guidelines to be formulated to aid them during their course of duty, when determining environmental disputes and crimes.

“Your invaluable contributions will go a long way in promoting environmental justice and sustainable development,” Justice Mambilima said.

The two day training workshop sponsored by UNEP is being done virtually with officials from the United Nations in collaboration with High Court Judges from across the country.

And UNEP Regional Coordinator, Robert Wabunoha has expressed optimism that the partnership between the environmental management authorities and the Zambian Justice system will enhance the execution of environmental justice in Zambia.

Mr Wabunoha appreciated the efforts from all the players, adding that there was need to strengthen capacities in Zambia, which he believed would be achieved once the proposed guidelines in environmental protection were officially formulated.

Meanwhile, ZEMA representative, Karen Banda also echoed the need for all stakeholders to ensure that laws binding the environment are tightened and persons responsible for going against the laws are taken to task.

The Human Rights Commission ( HRC) has called for the protection and safety of journalists ahead of the forthcoming August 12, 2021 general elections.

HRC Spokesperson, Mweelwa Muleya said members of the public especially political party cadres should accord the media the due respect as the fourth estate of government after the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.

Mr Muleya has since called for enhanced protection of all Journalists ahead of the August general elections.

“In a democracy such as Zambia, the government has a primary responsibility to promote and protect the right to freedom of expression without any form of interference or hindrance. The media also has a noble duty of promoting free expression of divergent and pluralistic ideas and views without any form of discrimination,” Mr. Muleya said.

He noted that government has an obligation to protect the safety of journalists to ensure an enabling environment for them to perform their duty.

“Where the lives and rights of journalists are threatened or violated, the state must take practical steps towards seeking redress for the victims while subjecting perpetrators to the due process of the law in order to end impunity,” he said.

He also called on the media to be inclusive in their programming, reporting and coverage so as to mirror Zambia as a Multi-ethnic, racial, religious, cultural and multi-party democratic state.

Mr. Muleya further said as Zambia commemorates Press Freedom Day, Journalists should continue being the frontline human rights defenders for the common good. This year’s Press Freedom Day commemoration was graced by President Edgar Lungu.

Meanwhile, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) in Muchinga Province has saluted journalists in the region for highlighting various developmental programmes and other activities.

Speaking in an interview on the occasion to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day, ZCTU Muchinga Regional Coordinator, Nondo Kasanda has commended the media for playing a pivotal role in keeping the region informed on various matters of public interest.

Mr. Kasanda who wished all journalists in the province a successful World Press Freedom Day, encouraged them to be factual, free and fair when covering events.

Mr. Kasanda said journalists should strive to be professional in the execution of their duties in line with this year’s World Press Freedom Day which is being commemorated under the theme ”Information as a Public Good”.

He said journalism has contributed to the development and civilization of the nation.

Mr. Kasanda added that ignorance is easily defeated by having a well-informed citizenry and that freedom of speech promotes peace and good governance.

“We only have one Zambia and it is important that we protect our mother Zambia through responsible reporting by caring and paying attention to the information we are giving the public through the media, “said Mr. Kasanda.

Mr. Kasanda says commitment from the Government to protect journalists from harassment especially during the run up to the August 12 general election, is highly commendable.