Chinsali Senior Resident Magistrate Julius Malata has set March 3, 2021 as judgment day for a case in which United Party for National Development (UPND ) Sesheke Member of Parliament (MP) Romeo Kang’ombe is charged with four counts of abduction and assault of two police officers contrary to the laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that the accused person whilst acting with others unknown in Lavushimanda district of Muchinga province did abduct and assault two police officers who were assigned to facilitate the smooth passage of the United Party for National Development President

Hakainde Hichilema and his entourage.

Mr Kang’ombe in the first charge faces two counts of abducting Sergeant Innocent Mwale and Constable Chinyama Chipango of Mununga police post on October 14, 2020 contrary to section 256 of the penal code Cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.

The lawmaker is in the second charge faced with two counts of assault of the two police officers contrary to section 250(b) of the penal code.

Magistrate Malata set the judgment day today scheduled for March 3, 2021 following the close of the case after Mr. Kangombe gave a sworn statement in his defense in which he called no witness.

Mr. Kangombe is on a K200, thousand bail in his own recognizance with two sureties who are residents of Chinsali district in the like sum.

Mr Kang’ombe is being represented by two lawyers Mulambo Haimbe and Kamuwanga Phiri of Malambo and Company of Lusaka.

The Zambia National Men’s Network (ZNMN) for Gender Based Violence has called on the menfolk in the country to go for circumcision in order to prevent new infections of HIV/AIDS.

ZNMN National Coordinator Nelson Banda said the number of new HIV infections recorded in the last 13 years could have been lower if most men were circumcised.

Mr. Banda said three million men, who were circumcised in the last 13 years, is negligible hence called on the men to voluntarily go for circumcision between now and 2025.

“We would like to encourage the government through the Ministry of Health to cooperate with the Zambia National Men’s Network so that we can sensitise more men on the benefits of circumcision vis-a-vie HIV infections,” he said.

He noted that the low turnout of men who went for circumcision during the last exercise could have been as a result of lack of enough centres where the service is offered especially in rural areas.

“Male circumcision is voluntary and there are few men who would walk long distances just to go for circumcision,” he said.

Mr. Banda has since appealed to cooperating partners such as the church to ensure men are sensitised on circumcision as one way of reducing the rate of new HIV infections.

Meanwhile, Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) Copperbelt Region Coordinator Sharon Chisenga said there is need to circulate information on preventive measures of new HIV infections.

Ms. Chisenga said the three million men that were captured in the last circumcision exercise was fair adding that the most effective way of preventing the spread of HIV is to observe moral uprightness and sticking to one sexual partner.

According to information emanating from the last circumcision exercise, about 26,000 new HIV infections were prevented through the Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) which started in 2007.

A community school in Kankoyo township in Mufulira has appealed to well-wishers to help its 300 children learning from a former tavern by partitioning the building into classrooms.

Nsunikoni community school Director, Paul Chipunka said the school, which runs from grade one to five in Chibusa ward, requires an improved learning environment.

Mr. Chipunka explained that some parents have opted to take their children to the community school hence the need to improve the building.

He said the building, which was used as a bar, was given to him by the Mufulira council and he turned it into a community school.

He said the current state of the building is not conducive for learners.

Mr. Chipunka stated that the school was previously housed at Chibusa building in Kankoyo township but was forced to move because the area was in the midst of bars, which affected learners.

“That is when I started sourcing for a place where I could relocate the learners and that is how I found the Mwayi Mwena bar abandoned,” he said.

He stated that once partitioned, the learning environment for the 300 pupils will be improved.

“I appeal to well-wishers to help the school improve the learning environment. Council has given land where to build the school but we do not have the money,” Mr. Chipunka lamented.

Contractors working on the Longacres Fly Over Bridge have brought down a Rhino sculpture which was one of the most significant contemporary environmental art pieces Lusaka had.

Alexis Phiri of Kachere Arts Studio, the artist behind the Rhino sculpture said he is hurt and disappointed.

Now Mr Phiri has revealed that he is to go into a hunger strike starting on Thursday until the Rhino issue is resolved.

He is also appealing to Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa for intervention and ensuring that the Rhino is restored to its original form and if need be, relocated to another site for it to continue sending its message.

He said the Rhino sends a message on the need to protect, preserve and appreciate the environment by not polluting it with plastic which is not biodegradable and also reminds the public of the need to protect wildlife.

Mr Phiri said the Rhino was adding beauty to the City of Lusaka.

And another artiste Boyd Chibale who visited the site where the Rhino was based said destroying the sculpture in that manner is the worst kind of irresponsibility, lack of respect for the arts, lack of appreciation of the symbolism in information dissemination.

Mr Chibale said the development also shows a lack appreciation of the need to protect and preserve wildlife and ultimately and show about regard and respect to those who appreciate art of this nature.

“Mr Miles Sampa should intervene. The Ministry of Tourism and Arts should come in so should The Ministry of Local Government and Housing, ZEMA, National Arts Council, artists and all citizens that appreciate nature and arts.”