Deputy Inspector of Police for Operations Charity Katanga has assured the nation of peaceful August 12th General elections.

Ms.Katanga says as the country was approaching the general elections, Police are geared to implement effective policing system for manning the crucial polls.

“Police would not condone any political violence before, during and after elections added that anyone who will be found wanting will face the full wrath of the law regardless of his or her political inclination,” she said.

Ms.Katanga said this when she paid a courtesy call on Western Province Permanent Secretary Danny Bukali.

And Western Province Permanent Secretary Danny Bukali affirmed that his office was ready to work with law enforcement agencies to curb electoral violence in the Province.

After paying her courtesy call on Western Province Permanent Secretary, the Inspector of Police proceeded to Limulunga to equally pay ca similar call on his Majesty the Litunga.

The Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) Ngambela, Mukela Manyando said on behalf of the Litunga urged Police Officers to remain vigilante during campaigns to avoid political violence.

He said that the political violence that characterized the Sesheke by elections was uncalled for and should be condemned by all well-meaning Zambians.

The Ngambela also bemoaned the increased stock theft in the Province and called on Police to escalate their patrols to ensure criminals are brought to book.

President Edgar Lungu is saddened by the sudden death of prominent freedom fighter , Mutembo Mpundu. President Lungu said he learnt of the death of Mr. Mutembo whom he described as a national symbol with a deep sense of grief and sorrow.

“ The country has lost a gallant freedom fighter who contributed immensely to the liberation struggle and subsequently became the national symbol as a chain breaker, “ he said.

The Head of State said this in a message of condolences delivered by Northern Province Permanent Secretary Royd Chakaba during Mr. Mutembo’s funeral service in Mbala District.

President Lungu said he was really touched when he learnt of the death of Mr. Mutembo and send his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the people Mbala.

The late freedom fighter is the one whose statue is erected at the freedom statue showing breaking of a chain to indicate Zambia’s freedom from colonialism.

And Mr. Chakaba says government will continue to recognize the significant role played by freedom fighters in the attainment of Zambia’s independence.

He added that the PF government attaches great to freedom fighters and senior citizens at large and will strive to honor them.

“This freedom we have today wouldn’t have been possible without the fearless men and women like Mr. Mutembo who fought for independence” said Mr. Chakaba.

Meanwhile, a representative of the Northern Province Freedom Fighters Association Joel Siame, commended government for making efforts to improve the welfare of those who contributed to the liberation struggle.

Mr. Siame has since thanked government for supporting the late Mr. Mutembo during his illness and subsequent death as well as giving him a befitting burial.

“As freedom fighters we want to appreciate the gesture by government because it shows that our contribution to the country’s independence is being recognized, ” he said.

Earlier, Winston Sikazwe, who spoke on behalf of the family, described Mr. Mutembo as a pillar and unifier.

Mr. Mutembo who has been put to rest at the Polish graveyard in Mbala District, died of Prostate cancer at Mbala general hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, 18th May, 2021.

Mr. Mutembo is survived by a wife, nine children and 47 grandchildren and 49 great grandchildren.

The Non-Governmental Gender Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has vowed to give equal support to women contesting the 2021 general elections, as Presidential candidates and running mates.

NGOCC Chairperson Mary Mulenga told ZANIS in an interview that her organization will work with all the female candidates that have filled in nominations, regardless of the political parties they represent.

“It is all about women, we will give them equal support, this is what we have been doing, fighting for, we want to ensure they get the best chance in the elections” said Mrs Mulenga.

She explained that the NGOCC has no preferred candidate but the cause of promoting the agenda of enhancing women participation in politics and governance as it seeks a 50 – 50 percent representation.

Mrs Mulenga said her organization is not partisan as is being portrayed in the media and the general public.

She said the NGOCC has made it a must to visit the country’s only female presidential candidate and all the female presidential running mates to offer support.

Mrs Mulenga said the visit to Professor Nkandu Luo was taken out of context and blown out of proportion by the media.

She explained that Professor Luo is a model of empowerment in the country and it was only proper that the women movement went to appreciate and acknowledge her achievement and political appointment.

“Our visit to Professor Nkandu Luo was blown out of proportion, we were showing our solidarity for women empowerment because she has been a model for us” said Mrs Mulenga.

The NGOCC Chairperson challenged the media in the country to desist from being biased and provide equal and fair coverage to all women contesting the August 12 general elections.

“Can the media, please, afford all these female candidates contesting the general elections equal coverage” said Mrs Mulenga.

New Heritage Party Leader Chishala Kateka is the only female candidate contesting in the 2021 Presidential race while the PF, UPND and DP have female presidential running mates.

Professor Luo is Patriotic Front (PF) President Edgar Lungu’s running mate, while United Party for National Development (UPND) Leader Hakainde Hichilema has former National Assembly Deputy Speaker and Party Vice President Mutale Nalumango as his running mate.

Democratic Party President Harry Kalaba has Judith Kabemba as his running mate.

Government has launched the disbursement of K9.3 million second phase COVID -19 Emergency Cash Transfer to target 3,910 beneficiaries in Nakonde District of Muchinga Province.

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Davison Mulenga launched the disbursement of the COVID-19 Emergency Cash Transfer funds at Mwenzo yesterday.

Capt. Mulenga said government with its cooperating partners devised a relief package to help the vulnerable households with K400 each for a period of 6 months as a cushion after a 10 -day lockdown that was necessitated to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Nakonde district last year in May.

A total of 5781 beneficiaries received their package in the first phase that was paid out in December 2020.

Capt. Mulenga disclosed that the disbursement of the second phase of COVID -19 Emergency Cash Transfer funds will be paid using Cash in Transit (CIT) that targets to benefit 3,910 households in Nakonde District.

“In May last year, Government implemented a 10 -day lockdown in Nakonde district of Muchinga Province to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the district,” said Capt. Mulenga.

He said that the first category was the already existing households on Social Cash Transfer scheme.

“The vertical category was paid in December 2020. A total of K5, 781 beneficiary household was covered during this phase and was paid the whole amount, K2 400, which was supposed to be given in 6 months,” he added.

Capt. Mulenga said other category identified are low income earners who do not exist on the social cash transfer data base while the department of Labour and Social Walfare also identified some beneficiaries.

“A total of 3,910 beneficiaries are scheduled to receive K2400 each in the district. The mode of payment is use of Cash in Transit (CIT) and the vehicle carrying the cash is right here and will be going round paying points to pay the beneficiaries,” said Capt. Mulenga.

Muwemba Sichone, one of the beneficiaries told ZANIS that he is grateful to government for the good gesture.

Mr. Sichone said Nakonde residents underwent trauma and suffering during a 10-day Nakonde border was on lockdown and their small businesses were affected.

“We suffered during the period Nakonde border was on lockdown and our small businesses closed after using capital to buy food for our families, “said Mr. Sichone.

And Nakonde District Social Welfare Officer Mwaka Mulenga said release of COVID -19 Emergency Cash Transfer funds will boost the local economy of the border town.

Mr. Mulenga said the COVID-19 Emergency Cash Transfer funds will have spiral positive effects on many people because money in circulation has increased.

“We want to thank government for the COVID-19 Emergency Cash Transfer funds released for beneficiaries in Nakonde. These funds will impact positively on the lives of the people including those not directly receiving the funds. Buying power in our communities will be enhanced because of this relief package, “said Mr. Mulenga.

The mission team included Ministry of health officials, Health Professionals Association of Zambia, World Health Organization (WHO) United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and other UN agencies.

Government says it is pleased that the Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has demonstrated its continued support and partnership to the cause of the learner even amidst the COVID -19 Pandemic.

Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary Jabbin Mulwanda says government is pleased that ZANEC has continued providing policy and advocacy based on evidence generated from actual research.

Dr Mulwanda explains that even as all the changes necessitated by Covid-19 were being implemented, the Coalition remained unwavering in the commitment to providing evidence-based alternatives to best address the situation.

The Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary administration said this when officiated at the 9th General Assembly for ZANEC in Lusaka today.

“Admittedly, we still have a long way to go in attaining the education we aspire to, especially when it comes to having well balanced alternative modes of education delivery.

“ With the continued support from our partners and stakeholders we have been able to achieve what has been accomplished so far as we ensure that no one is left behind in our education agenda,” he stressed.

The launch of the two (2) E – Learning Platforms, the National E – Learning Portal and the Smart Revision and the launch of the Education Television Channel (ZNBC TV4) on Top Star Platform as among the initiatives that were attained collaboratively, he cited.

And ZANEC Board Chairperson Henry Kabwe called for unity of purpose in order to spur the country’s education sector.

Mr Kabwe pointed out that to cushion the impact of Covid-19 on the education sector the coalition partnered with government and UNICEF in generating evidence which has played a major role in informing strategies for disaster preparedness and mitigation.

He recalled that the initiative has resulted in the implementation of various innovations by policy makers, policy implementers, schools, teachers and learners aimed at mitigating the impact of the pandemic.

“Alternative modes of education provision in the form of radio, television, mobile or online platforms have taken center stage to cope with these new innovations, our teachers have had to adapt their teaching methodologies.

“ These services were brought to the attention of ZANEC and the ministry to ensure that even a child in the most remote parts of Zambia gets access to learning through the expansion of the education broadcasting services (EBS) radio and TV,” he said.

And in her vote of thanks, Florence Mwansa hailed the government for having collaborated with the coalition very well.

Mrs Mwansa said the theme of the General Assembly “keeping the wheels of education running amidst the covid 19 pandemic” was in line with the country’s aspirations of expanding the education sector.

Vice President, Inonge Wina has launched the 9.3 Million Euros voices for climate change action programme in Zambia. The programme is expected to improve resilience and adaptation in some parts of Lusaka and Southern Provinces.

Mrs Wina observed that the five year project will build resilience and adaptions towards climate change in the Kafue flats.

The Vice President said this in Kafue’s Chanyanya area this afternoon, adding that there’s need to strengthen efforts to help sustain the livelihoods of people in disaster prone areas by building resilience and adaption to climate change.

And Mrs Wina has since directed Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Vice President to initiate a programme on disaster reduction with specific subsystem interventions linked to food systems.

“I therefore seek support from cooperating partners working with WWF and the consortium including the Dutch Government.” She said.

The Vice President underscored the importance of the programme, which she said will bring together stakeholders’ expertise and resources to solve common problems while bringing prosperity to the people.

She noted that government with its partners, is determined to shape a future for Chanyanya, Chikupi and Demu communities through grant contribution and investments from the Dutch Government and technical assistance by a British firm, Infraco.

She further stressed government’s commitment to addressing the plight of people who are affected by climate change effects such as floods and droughts that lead to food insecurity.

She said that efforts should be made to bring people together for a common goal by providing solutions that uplift the living standards of the people.

Mrs Wina observed that the Zambezi River basin is one of the most valuable natural resources in Africa, which she said accounts for half of installed hydro power capacity and also supports a diverse array of game, birdlife and fish species in game reserves.

She stated that the river system whose tributaries such as Kafue, are home to socio-economic livelihoods of many, adding that it is a basis for industrialisation through mining on the Copperbelt.

Mrs Wina noted that any disruption of the Zambezi River is a source of concern, as this can be seen from the huge cost of relief distributed due to crop failure as well as displacement due to floods.

“We have taken keen interest in the Zambezi and Luapula river basins because any disturbance in these two ecosystems calls for disaster risk reduction measures, ‘ she said.

The Vice President said the project embraces a brighter future, inspired by inclusiveness, resilience, prosperity and sustainability.

She stressed the importance of implementing the Chiansi concept as it will address all the five pillars of the Seventh National Development Plan.

Dutch Honorary Consul, Sander Donker stressed his government’s commitment to helping Zambia address the challenges of climate change.

Mr Donker said the Dutch government will continue to provide both financial and technical assistance to the country in order to address issues of climate change.

And WWF Country Director, Nachilala Nkombo said the five year project is intended to address some of the biggest challenge of climate change and build adaptation and resilience strategies.

“The focus of this project is the local community,” she stated.

The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) has commended the Political Parties that have publicly committed themselves to abide by the laid COVID-19 guidelines.

ZCID Executive director Doreen Kabwe says her organisation is gratified by the political parties participating in the 12th August elections that they will not hold campaign rallies in an effort to minimize the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

Ms Kabwe explains that the move taken by Political Parties clearly demonstrates that the lives of many Zambians are being prioritised.

” The Centre is encouraged to see that a number of Political Parties are complying and have acquainted themselves with the Standard Operating Procedures which were developed by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Covid-19 Technical Committee,” she said.

In a statement made available to the media yesterday, the ZCID Executive director says her Centre is pleased to note that during the pre-processing of presidential supporters, there was strict adherence to the Covid-19 golden rules by all parties .

Ms Kabwe stated that the centre also observed that during the processing of Presidential nominations which is currently underway the Covid-19 are being followed.

“As the Centre, we urge all political players to continue adhering to the laid down Covid-19 guidelines as they participate in other electoral activities which have been lined up,” she said.

Recently, the ECZ disclosed that in view of COVID- 19 prevalence it has banned political rallies to prevent the spread of the global pandemic that has not spared Zambia.