Patriotic Front (PF) Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Sunday Chanda and Mafinga lawmaker Robert Chabinga have defected to the United Party for National Development (UPND).

Chanda, a former PF media director, was previously known for his strong criticism of the ruling party prior to President Hakainde Hichilema’s election victory. However, in 2022, he shifted from being a critic to supporting government policies.

Chabinga has been aligned with the ruling party since 2023, when he was appointed Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.

Speaking during a public engagement in Nakonde where President Hichilema met UPND members, Chanda announced his decision to join the ruling party, citing the President’s leadership style.

“If there was a person President Hichilema was supposed to beat when he became president, it’s me because I used to criticise him harshly. But he told me that I didn’t know what I was doing and told me to work with him,” Chanda said.

He added that his decision to work with the President had contributed to development in his constituency.

Chanda also announced that eight councillors from Kanchibiya Constituency had defected with him to the UPND.

“I have eight councillors as MP here, these eight councillors are all coming with me to UPND. No one is remaining behind. What Kanchibiya is today is not what it was five years ago,” he said.

He attributed development in the area to his collaboration with the Head of State.

Meanwhile, Isoka Member of Parliament Majorie Nakaponda also defected to the ruling party along with 57 councillors, mayors, and council chairpersons.

President Hichilema welcomed the defectors, stating that he held no resentment despite past criticism.

“Sunday Chanda, my young brother used to talk a lot back then but I told him let’s work together. I like your talent and we are working well,” he said.

The President added that he remains committed to serving all citizens and delivering development across the country.

 Mourners have gathered at the Assemblies of God Church Chawama for the funeral service of two National Women Ministry members who died in a road accident in the Tara area Choma District.

The two were among nine people who lost their lives in the crash.

The victims were travelling from Livingstone on the day of the  when their Toyota Hiace minibus, carrying church members, was involved in a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle along the Choma–Livingstone road.

Witnesses said the impact was severe, leaving 9 passengers with fatal injuries at the scene, while others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby health facilities.

The accident occurred in the Tara area of Choma District. Authorities later confirmed that nine people died as a result of the collision.

 President Hakainde Hichilema is expected to attend this year’s Kuomboka Ceremony scheduled for next Saturday, Western Province Permanent Secretary Simomo Akapelwa has announced.

Mr Akapelwa emphasised the importance of unity, cooperation and adherence to guidance from authorities before, during and after the ceremony. He described the Kuomboka Ceremony as a significant cultural event that brings people together.

He said government, in collaboration with various stakeholders, had put in place all necessary measures to ensure the event is held in a safe, orderly and successful manner.

“Government, working in collaboration with various stakeholders, is fully prepared to support the successful hosting of this important traditional event,” Mr Akapelwa said during a joint press briefing.

Meanwhile, Western Province Police Commanding Officer Rae Hamoonga confirmed that adequate security arrangements have been made to guarantee the safety of participants and visitors. He urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security personnel throughout the ceremony period.

Mongu Town Clerk Oliver Muuka said the local authority is prepared to ensure proper sanitation, waste management and public order in Mongu and surrounding areas. He called on residents and business operators to maintain cleanliness and comply with local regulations.

Earlier, Mongu District Health Director Silwendo Lioma assured the public of the health sector’s readiness to respond to any emergencies.

“We encourage adherence to public health guidelines, including maintaining hygiene standards, to safeguard the wellbeing of attendees,” Dr Lioma said.

President Hakainde Hichilema has commissioned Phase One of the upgraded Nakonde One Stop Border Post (OSBP) in Nakonde District of Muchinga Province.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony today Thursday, President Hichilema described the facility as a major milestone for trade, revenue generation and regional integration. He said the modernised border post would improve the movement of goods and people between Zambia and Tanzania.

“The modernised border post will enhance efficiency in the movement of goods and people between Zambia and Tanzania. There is a need to move towards a single digital identity system to further ease cross-border movement,” President Hichilema said.

He noted that Zambia had not fully utilised the potential of the Nakonde Border Post in the past, resulting in slow clearance processes and limited earnings for clearing agents.

President Hichilema said the upgraded infrastructure would increase government revenue, which would support social programmes such as free education, teacher recruitment, provision of desks, improved water and sanitation, and the school feeding programme.

He also commended traditional leaders in the area for providing land for the project and acknowledged the support of cooperating partners, including the British High Commission, contractors and the local community.

The President said the Nakonde One Stop Border Post aligns with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area by facilitating trade and improving regional connectivity. He added that Phase Two of the project is expected to commence soon.

President Hichilema further announced that government was accelerating other strategic projects, including the Zambia-Tanzania power interconnector, the revitalisation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority and the expansion of the pipeline to improve transportation of petroleum products.

He also revealed that construction of an international airport in Nakonde’s Mwenzo area had begun, saying the facility would transform the district into a key economic hub.

“We do not want Nakonde to be just a transit point, but an interconnector to different markets. Zambia is not landlocked but land-linked,” he said.

Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi said Phase One of the project, funded by the British Government, included the procurement and installation of a modern drive-through cargo scanner capable of scanning more than 100 trucks per hour.

He said the phase also covered the construction of a truck parking yard, warehouses, offices, a verification shed, customs enforcement buildings, and other supporting infrastructure, including electrical installations and drainage systems.

Mr Milupi added that the World Bank had provided a grant of US$19.6 million to support Phase Two of the project.

He noted that Nakonde Border, together with its twin border of Tunduma in Tanzania, is one of the busiest entry and exit points for cargo in the region.

The Nakonde OSBP is strategically located along the North-South and Dar es Salaam Corridors, serving as a key gateway to the port of Dar es Salaam and facilitating imports and exports.

The project has been implemented by the Government of Zambia with support from TradeMark Africa.

The One Stop Border Post concept allows for joint processing by Zambia and Tanzania, reducing crossing times, improving efficiency and strengthening regional trade integration.

 President Hakainde Hichilema has cautioned the public against falling victim to fraudsters who are exploiting his name to promote fake Ponzi schemes.

Speaking at the Information and Communication Technology Association of Zambia (ICTAZ) annual conference in Livingstone , President Hichilema said he has personally been targeted by cybercriminals using his identity to lure unsuspecting citizens into fraudulent online deals.

The President described the growing misuse of technology as a serious concern, noting that while technological advancements are crucial for development, they are increasingly being abused to steal money, harass citizens, and spread scams.

“I am even a subject of this. People are using my name to promote Ponzi schemes. HH is not sponsoring those things,” President Hichilema said.

He warned that such scams mislead citizens into believing they can earn substantial returns through false digital platforms. “Can you contribute so much so that you can be paid so much? Let’s fight this together,” he added.

President Hichilema also urged ICT professionals to take responsibility in curbing cybercrime, emphasizing that their skills should be used to protect people rather than exploit them.

“The same skill that you hold can be used dangerously. Let us be proper professionals by using our skills to solve problems, not to steal money or entice people into Ponzi schemes,” he said.

The Head of State called on ICT experts to act responsibly and uphold professionalism, stressing that technology should be applied to address real problems and improve lives rather than defraud citizens.

“Help us to fight cybercrimes; we love technology, but it is also becoming a menace, used to harass women, steal money, spread Ponzi schemes and even pull down systems,” President Hichilema added.