The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has seized and quarantined non-compliant electrical products in Lusaka valued at more than K290, 000.
ZCSA seized electric cables, Adaptors and household electrical appliances such as kettles, plate cookers and toasters among others from Kamwala Trading area, Oasis, Westgate and Levy Malls in Lusaka for not complying with relevant compulsory standards.Of the seized items, non-compliant electrical products valued at K42,090 were withdrawn from the market and will be disposed of soon.

The products were withdrawn from the Market by the Agency during an enforcement exercise, as they posed a risk to public safety.The potential risks posed include personal injury, electric shock, fire and damage to property among others.

Further, items valued at K248, 499.00 were quarantined pending the implementation of corrective measures on affected products as provided for under the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.

56 plugs, sockets and adaptors did not comply with the required color coding while 121 electric cables were not registered with the Agency, with 1, 442 plugs, sockets and adaptors being non-compliant with the Zambian Standard 558: Plugs and Socket Outlets, Adaptors and Connection Units.

ZCSA warns of stern action against traders who are illegally supplying non-compliant products on the Zambian market. This is because such products pose a risk to public safety. ZCSA will continue conducting enforcement activities in a bid to ensure that only safe products are allowed on the market.

Consumers must buy products from reputable sources and report any suspicious products to the nearest ZCSA office.
ZCSA regulates the manufacture, importation and sale of electrical products covered by the following compulsory standards:

• ZS 106: Safety of Household and similar Electrical Appliances-Specification;
• ZS 558: Plugs and Socket Outlets, Adaptors and Connection Units
• ZS 688: Electric Cables with Extruded Solid Dielectric Insulation for Fixed Installations
  (300/500 Votts to 1900/3300 V) Specification.

The Zambian Standards cover specifications and testing methods of the respective products for household,
commercial and light industrial use.

ZCSA, a statutory body under Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, is mandated by the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017, to administer, maintain and enforce compulsory standards for the purpose of public safety, health, consumer and environmental protection.

Issued by:  Hatyoka- Acting Manager – Communicatoins And Public Relations
Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency`

One of the greatest US presidents, John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural address to the nation, inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service.

“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” those were his profound words that helped shape the thinking of most Americans.

It’s now 60 years after our independence; what do have to show for our freedom? Zero! We can’t produce our own toothpicks; we’ve to look to China for simple things as needles, razor blades or matches! We can’t even grow our own food – Ukraine to grow us wheat for our bread, we’ve to wait for fruits from South Africa and let our mothers constantly travel to Tanzania for our potatoes and onions. Our university graduates can’t even manufacture a scooter or bicycle and yet you think we can develop!

In this country, we tend to think it has to take singular efforts of one particular individual sitting in State House to develop this country. Resigned to such warped thinking we don’t bother to do anything for our country at all. Shall we ever develop like this? Maybe in another 100 years! We’ve no culture at all. What is culture? It’s simply a way of doing things, which we pass on to generations to come.

Take for instance the “Keep Zambia Clean Campaign…..;” there’s no doubt there’s only one person in Lusaka, Simon Mwewa passionately doing something about it. Each day, he assumes the role of Sheriff around Simoson building area ‘enforcing’ cleanliness as well as educating the masses on the dangers of littering. And in case you are thinking it’s only those from the shanties who have this terrible habit of indiscriminate disposal of waste, then you’ve your bearings wrong bwana! Wait until you’re on the Highway……. you’ll see all manner of rubbish flying from the windows of SUVs, Mercedes Benz and Ford Rangers! Can we develop our country with this sort of behaviour?

We once had a privilege to attend a meeting at the Civic Centre where a Parliamentary Committee was gathering views from the public. As the enthusiastic small crowd was making submissions, you could see some of our MPs were fast asleep, yawning or busy fidgeting with their handsets. The moment the Chairman announced the meeting was now adjourning, their faces lit up instantly! They swiftly jumped to their feet; it was time to claim their allowances for them to go and enjoy gourmet menus at the hotel and, of course help themselves to countless gallons of alcoholic beverages and empty in the toilet afterwards. What sort of good laws can such a bunch of characters help formulate?

When introducing one of his flagship projects – the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) President Hichilema saud he was taking the money away from the big thieves in Lusaka and taking it to the people in the districts, shanties and villages. But lo and behold, it seems we equally have small thieves away from Lusaka. Reports of abuse of CDF in Kalabo as revealed by Finance Minister, Bo Situmbeko Musokotwane are quite heartbreaking. However, we aren’t perplexed. This is the order of the day countywide! Members of Parliament and their Councilors, District Education Board Secretaries and their Heads of Schools and Council officials and the contractors are all suspects! Daily they’re conniving with each other to ‘chew’ this money by procuring goods and services at inflated rates! And you think we can get anywhere as a country?

Consider the embarrassing conduct of our traffic police officers….. When they report for work each morning, what seems to preoccupy their minds isn’t what they are going to do for our country to ensure safety on our roads, but rather how much they’ll pocket in terms of bribes! They’ve even become more sophisticated now; when they slap you with any traffic offence, they’ll take you to an office where a person in charge will ask you whether you want a receipt or not. No receipt means paying a lesser amount which doesn’t obviously go to the government coffers, but ends up in their pockets to buy sausage or hungry lion! Is there any patriotism in this? Can a nation surely develope in this way?

Perhaps Cabinet ministers, Permanent Secretaries and MPs can learn one or two lessons from global revolutionary icon, Che Guevara! When the Bolivian dropped-out of medical school to assist Fidel Castro in the Cuban Revolution, he wasn’t motivated by material things. Once the country was finally liberated, he continued living in a modest house, driving a small car and pitching up for work in his military fatigues. When heard about the troubles in Angola, he resigned from his positions as Minister of Industry and President of the Bank to go and help out in the liberation struggle. Don’t be motivated by huge salaries and allowances, let the money go to the people.

One day, we found ourselves in the bathroom at a newly commissioned, One-Border-Stop complex constructed at a huge cost to the tax payers. It doesn’t matter whether the money was from within or abroad; what’s important is that colossal sums of money were spent to come up with such a marvel to watch. It was rather disappointing to find graffiti strewn on the wall using feacal matter while fittings such as door handles, latches and switches had all been ripped off! Can we develop with such a mentality?

Perhaps, the President should consider introducing a Department of Culture in one of the ministries as this will go a long way in inculcating good cultural values in our people. We also require our Ministers to be radical in their approach.

During era of MMD for instance, we had our people spitting anyhow in public, relieving themselves on every tree or wall fence or smoking indiscriminately. Immediately Micheal Sata, as Local Government Minister then introduced by-laws stipulating stiffer penalties for the culprits, all the nuisance petered-out!

Please, share your views.

Until next time……

Prince Bill M. Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst

Southern Province Minister Credo Nanjuwa is concerned with the continued shortages of Zambia National Service [ZNS] branded mealie meal in Choma district which has resulted in persistent queues by the people seeking to purchase the commodity.

Mr Nanjuwa who visited Choma Milling plant, a company that had entered into a partnership with government to produce the ZNS branded maize wondered why the institution was failing to meet the demand despite government ensuring constant supply of maize from the Food Reserve Agency.

Mr Nanjuwa also raised concern with the milling company’s continued supply of mealie meal to individuals who had not received clearance from the district administration.

He has since assured the public of government intervention into the matter to ensure sustained supply of mealie meal to meet the growing demand.

Livingstone University Teaching Hospital’s Gender-Based Violence (GBV) One-Stop Centre has seen a significant increase in spouse battering during the first quarter of 2024.

The One-Stop Centre recorded 176 cases of spouse battering in the first quarter compared to 147 cases during the same period last year.

Anti-GBV Coordinator Derrick Sialondwe, noted that the surge primarily involves male victims who have experienced physical assault at the hands of their spouses, girlfriends, or wives stating that while men are increasingly coming forward to report such incidents, the majority of victims are still female.

Mr. Sialondwe expressed concern about the alarming rise in cases, where only six males reported GBV cases last year, while 110 male victims reported this year.

The males were seeking assistance, emphasizing that gender-based violence can have tragic outcomes, including murder.
Mr Sialondwe pointed out financial disagreements and infidelity which remain significant triggers for violence within households.

He noted that couples often struggle to find common ground on financial matters, leading to disputes and that suspicions of infidelity can escalate tensions, resulting in violent confrontations.

To combat GBV, the One-Stop Centre has implemented several initiatives, which include sensitizing of church congregants about the dangers of Gender-Based Violence and the importance of reporting such cases, Mr Sialondwe noted that survivors of GBV have access to free services at both police stations and health facilities.

Mr. Sialondwe stressed the importance of engaging chiefs and headmen, as gatekeepers in the fight against GBV, stating that the One-Stop Centre actively collaborates with these leaders by educating them on the dangers of GBV and providing guidance on referring survivors to the nearest health facility for assistance.

Livingstone University Teaching Hospital’s Gender-Based Violence One-Stop Centre remains committed to addressing the increase in gender-based violence cases while fostering awareness and support systems within local communities.