Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili has expressed disappointment with the unpalatable language being peddled in the country to advance political mileage.

Reverend Sumaili has expressed concern over a video circulating on social media where a woman alleged to be at a political party meeting in Petauke district in Eastern province took to the floor to insult Petauke Member of Parliament Dora Siliya, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services.

She has since appealed to all aspiring candidates in the opposition and the ruling party to be civil as they carry out their political campaigns.

She said in a statement to the media that mudslinging, name-calling, and character assassination should not be used as a basis of convincing voters to vote for a particular candidate.

Rev. Sumaili said it was unacceptable and uncultured for any person to insult a leader because of their political interest.

“Zambians are looking forward to issue-based campaign messages and strategies that give them confidence in their leaders and a better Zambia,” she said.

She explained that the Zambian people aspire to see a nation full of love and respect for one another as well as leaders that are advancing development-oriented politics and not parading people to insult national leaders.

Home Affairs Minister Hon. Stephen Kampyongo says detaining of persons with immigration offences in correctional facilities will soon be a thing of a past once the National Migration Policy is finalized and approved by the cabinet.

Speaking when he officiated at the opening of the Senior and Regional Immigration Officers’ annual conference at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lusaka today, Hon Kampyongo said the detention of persons with immigration offenses in correctional facilities goes against international best practices.

“I am aware that the development of the National Migration Policy has advanced. I look forward to supporting the adoption of the policy once the documents have been submitted to cabinet for approval,” Hon. Kampyongo said.

Hon. Kampyongo said the National Migration Policy will provide a well-coordinated framework that will enhance the positive contributions of migrants to national development.

“It will also provide for better integration of migration in development plans, improve data collection on migration and remittance flows, improve recruitment mechanisms, and facilitate international Labour mobility through safe and legal channels,” he said.

And Hon.Kampyongo reiterated Government’s commitment to ensuring the continued modernization of operations in the Immigration Department and commended Immigration officers for embracing new digital platforms being implemented.

“The ministry will prioritize recruitment, the procurement of water transport and will continue with the planned construction of decent housing units,” He said.

Meanwhile, Department of Immigration Director General, Dr Denny Lungu thanked the Government for the support rendered.
“For the very first time in the history of the department, all the 98 stations have motor vehicles. This gesture has boosted morale among officers,” he said.

And Dr Lungu disclosed that the draft migration policy has been finalized and will soon be presented to cabinet for approval.
“The policy once finalized will contribute to a well-managed migration which contributes to improved national security and socio-economic development,” Dr. Lungu said.

Government Chief Whip Tutwa Ngulube says Zambians should ignore UPND aligned lawyer John Sangwa because he does not understand the law.

And Mr Ngulube who is a renowned lawyer has clarified on the grade 12 clause.

He told the Smart Eagles in an interview in Lusaka today, that Mr. Sangwa should know that President Edgar Lungu was legally sworn in, in 2016 after the presidential petition was thrown out.

Mr. Ngulube who is also Kabwe Central Constituency lawmaker says when a petition is thrown out, the President elect is automatically sworn in.
Mr. Ngulube says it is important that Zambians ignore Mr. Sangwa because he is hallucinating over the issue of the Presidency.

The aligned UPND lawyer is quoted in some section of the media saying that President Lungu was illegally sworn in 2016 because the High Court did not declare him as Republican President after the 2016 presidential petition was thrown out.

But Mr Ngulube says Mr Sangwa does not understand the law that is why he has been losing all court cases for his clients.

Mr Ngulube says Mr Sangwa has been misleading Zambians for sometime now, and should never be taken serious.

Meanwhile Mr Ngulube clarified on the Grade 12 clause that those who intend to contest political positions need to present before Electoral Commisaion of Zambia the grade twelve certificate or a GCE certificate with five O’levels which is equivalent to the grade twelve.
He says the Commission will not accept any tertiary qualifications when filing in for nominations.

Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) seeks to warn its commercial partners and members of the public over a document circulated by unscrupulous people purporting that the Company has issued a tender for some mining equipment.

At no time has KCM issued any tenders for procurement of the listed heavy-duty pumps and underground rock drill. The document being circulated through social media is the work of criminally-minded characters who are hell-bent on causing panic in the market, financial harm to KCM partners and bring our Company’s name into disrepute and public ridicule, and hence should be dismissed with the contempt its deserves.

Konkola Copper Mines and its subsidiaries, the KCM SmelterCo Limited and Konkola Mineral Resources Limited, have established and systematic ways of procuring goods and services from old or new business partners through recognized channels and not via social media.

The Company encourages those seeking to do business with KCM to contact our Commercial department and not engage unauthorized third parties as doing so would be to the detriment of their business interests and KCM will not held liable for any losses that may be incurred in such “dubious transactions.”

KCM’s Security Department has launched investigations in the matter to ascertain the origins of the fake document. KCM will also engage the Zambia Police in trying to track down the originators of the dubious document for the law to take its course. Needless to state that KCM reserves its rights under the circumstances and wishes to state that it will protect and enforce its rights to their fullest extent.

The European Union (EU) has appointed renowned trade specialist and advisor, Trevor Simumba as Senior Expert on Trade attached to the African Union (AU) Headquarters based in Addis Ababa.

Mr Simumba who was until now Chairperson for Finance and Economics in the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Former Finance Minister Felix Mutati will now be based in Addis Ababa.

In his new role, Mr Simumba will interact with various Governments across the African Continent on issues surrounding commerce, trade and industry.

He joins other Zambians in Addis Ababa flying the Zambian flag high at the Continental body such as Amb. Albert Muchanga who was recently elected Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining at the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU.

Mr Simumba has since tendered in his resignation and best wishes to the MDC leader Felix Mutati and the entire MDC membership as he takes up his new role in Addis Ababa.

This is according to a statement released by the MDC Media Team

Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo has expressed happiness that the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill will soon be enacted into Law. Hon Kampyongo said during a briefing in Lusaka today that only wrong doers should be scared of the Bill.

He stressed that that the Bill “purely” intends to protect citizens and not supress their liberties. The minister noted that some people are being swindled by criminals online.

“That is why it is pleasing now that the long awaited for Cyber Security Bill which went through Parliament will become piece of Law. And like I have said before, the only ones who should be scared and concerned about that piece of the legislature are wrong doers, Law Breakers, criminals because cyber space has become such a complicated,” he said.

“I went in Japan a few days ago where I found complaints of some of our citizens who have been duped by scammers who have opened websites as car dealers. And they receive money from people and when it comes to receiving the motor vehicles some people have had to lose their money, hard earned money after serving. So we are trying to collaborate as a global village, to ensure that no wrong doer using cyber space has got sanctuary anywhere. What we are doing here is exactly what is obtaining in any other progressing country. You need to have cyber space that is safe for all the citizens.”

He said those in the habit of transmitting hate speech and stripping other people’s liberties will be caught in the law. The minister however urged the media to understand the Bill so that they disseminate accurate information about it.

Hon Kampyongo said government has a duty to protect its citizens from those abusing the cyber space.

“While other people are working hard to succeed in their businesses other are working hard to steal from them. Now we have so many electronic transactions. People can transact on their phones and people can be swindles on their phones,” he said.

“And if we don’t provide the legal framework that will make those that are swindling others punishable and get the electronic evidence submitted in the courts of Law, it means we are not responsible and caring for the people. So every government must care for its people and protect them. That is what we are trying to do with that piece of the legislation. Purely to protect the citizens and their liberties.”