Central Province Minister, Sydney Mushanga, says the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill of 2021 is not targeted at anyone or the opposition but is aimed at protecting the citizenry.

Speaking at the launch of Oracle One Marital Services (OOMS), a Faith Based Organisation (FBO), Mr. Mushanga said he was affected to hear that one of the causes of divorces in the country was the improper use of social media.

Mr. Mushanga said the launch of OOMS has come at the right time when government has been encouraging peace and unity as the country heads towards the August 12 presidential and general elections.

“As a national servant, I find myself at peace to partner and contribute to the growth of this FBO whose aim is to bring peace because I want to associate myself with peace, unity and national development,” he said.

He charged that social media is supposed to be used properly for the good of humanity and to better people’s lives and strengthen marriages.

“I have no doubt in my mind that His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, would want to associate himself with such community initiatives,” he added.

The minister however observed that social media in the country has been used to among other vices, propagate hate speech.

Mr. Mushanga said it is for this reason that government has taken to parliament the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill of 2021 to advance the proper use of social media.

He added that once passed into law, it will be difficult for people who are in the habit of misusing the social media space to continue doing so.

He meanwhile dispelled assertions by some sections of society that the impending law is targeted at the opposition.

“And I think that is good for the state and it is not targeted at anyone or the opposition. If the opposition is progressive, if the opposition has nothing to fear, then there is no need to worry,” he said.

And Oracle One Marital Services (OOMS) president, Samson Kalwazi, said the Faith Based Organisation (FBO), was established to enhance the promotion of healthy married couples in Zambia and beyond.

Bishop Kalwazi said the organisation hopes to achieve this feat through guidance, counseling and teaching about Christian values and principles.

“Our values include excellence, unity of purpose, love, transparency, accountability and integrity. It is our prayer and hope that as we launch this organisation with the unity of purpose exhibited today, the FBO will achieve its intended goals,” Bishop Kalwazi said.

Meanwhile, Oracle One Marital Services (OOMS) Deputy Director of Health, Oswald Chikwaba, said improper use of social media accounts for 15, 000 divorces in the country.

Heavy downpour experienced in the last few days in Chilanga district has caused a water spillage from nearby streams flooding roads and impairing accessibility of over four thousand people.

Vernon Sikanyika, a resident of new farms area told ZANIS in an interview that culverts on Chilongolo stream collapsed leading to an overflow of the water from the streams.

Mr Sikanyika appealed to government to build a bridge to enhance accessibility as a number of people have been affected by the overflow.

He called for government to intervene before lives are lost.

“This poses a danger especially to school going children who cross over culverts when going to school,” he said.

And Chilanga District Commissioner Richard Ndazye promised to engage the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) as the situation require urgent attention.

Mr. Ndazye added that a population of more than four thousand people have been affected by the overflowing stream.

He also noted the need to replace culverts to ease accessibility to new farms area.

Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) Executive Director, Manuel Mutale says they want to see production of local products compete on the international market.

Mr Mutale said for industrialization to thrive in the country, local products must compete favourably on the international market.

He said industrialization is an anchor of national development and for local products to meet both local and international standards, products must be tested and certified by the bureau.

He said this when he called on North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Willies Mangimela in Solwezi yesterday.

“We are here in the province to engage our stakeholders so that they can understand the different roles performed by the bureau of standards. Because we also regulate, industries are a bit scared to come to us,” Mr Mutale said.

He said with the operationalization of the African continental free trade area, there is need to explore the international market, especially that the local market has been satisfied.

“The goods that we produce should not only meet the local standards but also international. That is why we are going round the provinces to engage the business community, particularly the small and medium entrepreneurs because we have introduced the certification scheme suitable for small and medium enterprise,” Mr Mutale said.

And Provincial Permanent Secretary Willies Mangimela said the region is experiencing a lot of economic activities of which stakeholder engagement is required

“Engage these farmers in the province and give them tips on how to go about their products because right now Zambia is not only looking at satisfying the local market but international as well,” Mr Mangimela said.

He called on ZABS to take interest in the Industrial Development Cooperation fruit factory in Mwinilunga district which involves out grower farmers in pineapple and other fruits processing.

Mr Mangimela further urged the bureau to advise farmers on how to make their products competitive.

Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale has urged UPND Choma Member of Parliament Cornelius Mweetwa not to politize the arrest of a UNPD Cadre Tom Silwiindi.

Mr. Hamukale says Mr. Silwiindi of Choma was not abducted as alleged by Mr. Mweetwa but arrested by Zambia Police on operation for a suspected offence.

He says the arrest is legal and non-political.

Dr. Hamukale says leaders should not agitate the citizens-through stage managed revolt especially in an election year like 2021.

And Deputy Chief Whip Tutwa Ngulube said Police should not shy away from applying the law on members of the opposition for fear of been accused of victimization.

In an interview with ZNBC News, Mr. Ngulube said Police should not look at tribe or political affiliation when dealing with suspects in criminal matters.

He is disappointed that the opposition UPND is allegedly blaming the police for picking up a suspects Mr. Silwindi.