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Military Police in Lusaka have apprehended the murder suspect of late medical Doctor Tasila Tembo.
ZANIS reports that Zambia Army Brigadier General Genoh Muke confirmed that the suspect whom he identified as Lieutenant Nigel Musonda Mwaba aged 33, of Plot number 3827 Balastone, Lusaka West was apprehended around 16 hours at Memorial Park in Lusaka.
Brigadier General Muke said this was after a tip off from members of the public who contacted the army of his presence at the private cemetery.
The senior army officer said it was at this point the Army commander issued a directive to the military police to find the suspect and have captured.
Brigadier General Muke pointed out that the suspect is currently detained in police custody awaiting court proceedings.
The late medical doctor went missing on October 24, 2020 around 16 hours and her body was discovered on October 27, 2020 at 13 hours by police.
Since then, a manhunt was launched to find the suspected killer.
Happier Times: Dr Tasila Tembo-Peters with Lieutenant Nigel Mwaba
Green Eagles got a critical away draw in Burundi today against Musongati following a 2-2 away draw in their CAF Confederation Cup first round, first leg match in Bujumbura.
Aggrey Chiyangi’s side now need a scoreless home draw in Lusaka on December 6 to advance to the second round.
But Eagles fought from one down after Eddy Nibibona put Musongati one – up in the 24th minute.
Lineker Mwiikisa levelled in the 32nd minute and Hosea Silwimba ensured they went into the beat in the lead in the 42nd minute.
But Emery Nimubona restored parity in the 65th minute for Musongati.
Meanwhile, at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Forest Rangers and AS Bouengunidi of Gabon played out to a 0-0 result in their all debutants CAF Champions League fixture.
Winner in Libreville next Saturday has a huge date against five-time champions TP Mazembe.
On Sunday in Lesotho , Nkana visit Bantu FC in Maseru in their CAF Champions League opener.
Napsa are also in action on the same date away in Comoros against Ngazi in their CAF Confederation Cup fixture.
The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) need the vote from Luapula and Northern Province to neutralize the UPND vote in Southern Province. For many years, Luapula and Northern Province have been the main determinant of presidential elections in Zambia. Will it be the same with the 2021 general election?
If the opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema continues educating the voters like the way he is doing now, Southern Province may determine the next president in 2021.
Hakainde Hichilema draws very large crowds in Southern Province whenever he conducts rallies, but it has never helped him win an election.
The record shows that the province is one of the provinces with the lowest rate of voter turnout in the country.
In 2016 general elections, Hakainde Hichilema lost by about 13, 000 votes to President Edgar Lungu. Had every eligible voter vote in Southern Province in that election, that would have been cut into half.
This time around Hichilema has a different approach. He has realized that it is not the number of people who attend rallies that matters but the number of people who turnout on the election day.
He spends more time educating people on the importance of their vote. He encourages supporters to register to vote. People seem to resonate well with his message.
For example, in Monze, Southern province, it is reported that people are registering to vote in numbers and the process is going very well.
Quoted from Lusaka Times, “Speaking when he featured on a Live call-in Radio Program on Chikuni Community Radio, Mr. Samakong’a who is the District Registration Officer said the district (Monze) was doing exceptionally well with the registration process since it commenced.”
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) may not reach the 9 million voter registration target.
The general public is calling for the extension of the voter registration period but ECZ keeps ignoring it. If bothered with being accused of favoritism, it would be wise for ECZ to listen to people now than later when the Patriotic Front (PF) gets involved.
The PF may start calling for registration period extension soon due to the reported slow voter registration process in Luapula and Northern province. It will be very difficult for ECZ to ignore the call if it will come from the President.
PF need a lot of votes from both provinces to neutralize the UPND vote in Southern Province.
Although the UPND has lost several bye elections in both provinces previously, it has managed to improve popularity in both regions. It can now manage to win wards in these provinces. For example, Ilambo Ward in Lupososhi Constituency in Luwingu District in Northern Province is under UPND.
That is enough to eat away the remaining half of 13,000 votes UPND lost in the 2016 general election. A reason the PF must do something. It is a matter of time. They will start demanding to extend the period. They will and it will leave the ECZ in a dilemma. Listen to the PF call or ignore like the general public is being ignored.
Renowned lawyer Mulambo Haimbe has demystyfied the public perception perpetrated by PF that UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema is a closed person who is not welcoming to people.
Speaking on the Hot Seat Program on Hot FM yesterday morning, Counsel Haimbe stated that President Hichilema was a humble and ordinary person who has a lot of passion for Zambia and its people.
He recalled an encounter with Mr Hichilema at his Kasama Residence in Lusaka when Mr Hichilema personally served him a cup of tea out of humility.
He stated that the few times that he has conversed with President Hichilema has helped him clear the wrong perception that Mr Hichilema was a selfish person who doesn’t share what he has with people, adding that Zambians risked ruining the country if they do not vote for Hichilema in August next year.
“I have had the benefit of knowing the President (HH) personally. This is an individual when you sit down with him, you strip away these political nuisances, you realise that he has a passion for this country and that he’s an ordinary person just like you and me. He is a very nice guy who actually served me with a cup of tea at his home on several occasions,” he said.
He stressed that the propaganda that he was a violent person who uses vulgar language was a deliberate ploy by PF propagandists who have always wanted to smear and paint him black.
Mr Haimbe also cautioned those who are in the habit of misrepresenting facts by taking the interpretation of one particular language into another.
“Basically, the whole propaganda; the whole narrative that he used vulgar language is a deliberate ploy to try and paint him black. But the issue is: you cannot interpret expressions from one particular language to another based on your understanding in your mother tongue. The most important thing that people must do is to take an objective view of the context in which a particular word was said,” he said.
Republican President Edgar Lungu has directed the police to investigate and arrest those involved in the beating up of Bahati Member of Parliament, Charles Chalwe.
President Lungu who described the incident as an embarrassment says the police should get to the root of the matter and ensure that the perpetrators are arrested.
“The incidence that happens here in Mansa where an MP was beaten is an embarrassment, it is shameful that that can come from the Patriotic Front, we are in power we have to lead by example if we are to win elections,” the President said.
Speaking on arrival at Mansa Airport this morning, the Republican President warned that there is a need to deal with perpetrators of violence saying that is the only way to curb the vice.
“Today is Chalwe, and tomorrow will be another, we need to deal with violence and as the people in power we need to show leadership.
The Republican President has since directed Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa who is also Luapula Patriotic Front Chairperson to take charge of discipline in the party.
Bahati Member of Parliament Charles Chalwe is alleged to have been beaten by Patriotic Front cadres in his constituency recently.
Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary Ed Chomba says country systems need to be strengthened such that they should equally be used by cooperating partners.
Bishop Chomba says President Edgar Lungu has since emphasized that government sectors should work in clusters where councils should be vibrant and entry points for all sectors to ride on in their quest for service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary said this when he addressed Heads of Government departments in Sukongo District in Western Province in the accompaniment of Western Province Permanent Secretary Danny Bukali and some senior government officials.
Bishop Chomba said Zambia still has a small population of about eighteen million compared to other countries that have cities with bigger populations hence cannot fail in terms of development if properly driven by the local authorities.
Bishop Chomba said this can only be done and achieved through decentralization where councils need to govern themselves properly.
He also disclosed that all local authorities in the country are current with equalization funds from January to date as well as current with Constituency Development Funds (CDF) of which each constituency has received one point six million kwacha (K1.6M).
Bishop Chomba added that local authorities should think big of food banks other than anchoring on the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) sighting FRA started from the bible.
Bishop Chomba said the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) should not be used for clonal all the time but local authority need to plan and quantify for disasters as it was embarrassing to ask for aid from cooperating partners all the time through supporting the country systems.
Earlier. Sikongo District Administrative Officer Munalula Mufaya requested for specialized mathematics teachers, up-grading of the internet and relief food saying some people were surviving on roots of trees and fruits in Sikongo District.
Later, Local Government Permanent Secretary Dr. Bishop Ed Chomba and Western Province Permanent Secretary Danny Bukali inspected the 5 out 8 kilometres done gravel feeder road by China Zong contractor from Sikongo Boma to the Cashew Infrastructure Development Project (CIDP) plant.
Trial in a case in which United Party for National Development (UPND) Sesheke Member of Parliament, Romeo Kang’ombe is charged with four counts of abduction and assault of police officers has again failed to take off.
Trial was initially scheduled to commence on November 25, 2020 but Mr. Kang’ombe could not show up in court.
And yesterday when he showed up, Deputy Chief State Advocate Patrick Mutale told Senior Resident Magistrate Julius Malata that he was making an application for the trial in the matter to commence on December 14 through to December 16, 2020.
The Chief Prosecutor said they have agreed with the defence lawyer Cornelius Mweetwa that trial in the case start on December 14th and be given three days to run through December 16, 2020.
Mr. Mutale said the defence lawyer will be available during the next court sitting.
And in his ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate Malata adjourned the matter to December 14 for the commencement of trial.
Magistrate Malata also questioned the accused why he was not in court on November 25 when trial in the matter was expected to start.
Magistrate Malata said trial in the matter will commence on December 14 and asked the state to be ready and hopefully they can continue with trial for the next three days after the 14th of December.
Mr. Kangombe is accused of abducting and assaulting police officers, charges he has denied.
The state has charged Mr. Kangombe with four counts of abduction and assault contrary to the laws of Zambia.
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 14th, 2020 contrary to section 256 of the penal code Cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
The lawmaker is in the second charge faces two counts of assault of the two police officers contrary to section 250(b) of the penal code.
Mr Kang’ombe has pleaded not guilty two counts of abduction and two counts of assault on a police officer.
He is on a K200, 000 bail granted to him in his own recognizance with two sureties who are residents of Chinsali.
President Edgar Lungu has apologised to traditional leaders for not meeting them individually at their respective palaces. The Head of State disclosed that he received a complaint sent through the Minister for Religious Affairs and National Guidance Godfridah Sumaili when she visited the province.
According to the President, some traditional leaders complained to the Minister why the President was meeting them in a group and not individually.
However, President Lungu explained that time was not adequate for him to meet them individually hence meeting them as a group whenever he visits a place.
“Time is not enough for me to meet all of you individually that’s why I opt meeting you as a group. He asked forgiveness from traditional leaders for not meeting them from their respective palaces.”
President Lungu explained that meeting them as a group is not an indication that he disrespects or belittles them.
“When I meet you as a group it does not mean that I have overlooked or belittled you as chiefs. Am your son and you are the one who has given me the mandate to rule this country,” explained the President.
He urged chiefs not to be annoyed with him for not meeting them from their respective palaces. President Lungu requested the traditional leaders to bear with him for not visiting them individually.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu meets their Royal Highnesses, Senior Chief Mwewa, Chiefs Kasoma Bangweulu, Mibenge, Chitembo and Mulakwa of Samfya District in Luapula Province
President Lungu also called on traditional leaders in Luapula to continue working with government in fostering development in the province.
President Lungu noted that Luapula is endowed with abundant natural resources required to develop the province hence the call for chiefs to work closely with government.
The Head of State expressed happiness with the role traditional leaders have continued playing in promoting harmony and peace in the country.
President Lungu said this when He met five traditional leaders in Samfya district namely Senior Chief Mwewa, Chief Mibenge, Chief Chitembo, Chief Mulakwa and Chief Kasoma Bangweulu.
“May appeal to you is that let’s continue working together here in Luapula. The province is endowed with abundant natural resources required to develop this area so let’s continue working together. If we continue working together the way we are doing as you have shown by giving us land the welfare of our people will be improved.
“Thank you for the warm reception you have accorded me with my entourage. Am also so grateful for the role you continue to play in fostering peace and ensuring that people leave in harmony,” President Lungu said.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu meets their Royal Highnesses, Senior Chief Mwewa, Chiefs Kasoma Bangweulu, Mibenge, Chitembo and Mulakwa of Samfya District in Luapula Province
In response to the concern raised by President Lungu, Chief Mibenge said traditional leaders love him no wonder they want him to visit them individually.
Chief Mibenge said it was okay to bring chiefs together and meet them as a group as they are of one family.
The traditional leader told President Lungu not to worry as chiefs in the province are behind him.
He explained the province is receiving development because of the love President Lungu has for the people of Luapula.
“Most of the development we are seeing here we used to see it outside the province but today that development is here. Don’t worry as chiefs we love you that’s why we want to be meeting with you.”
He appealed to President Lungu not to reliant but to continue bringing development to the province.
And Traditional leaders in Luapula have pledged to work with government in developing the province.
Chief Kasoma Bangweulu told President Lungu that as Chiefs they are ready to involve themselves in spearheading national development in Luapula for the betterment of the people.
He implored the Head of State not to hesitate to engage them whenever need arises.
Chief Bangweulu emphasised that as traditional leaders they are willing to avail land for development purposes when called upon.
He praised government for the developmental projects being implemented adding that in the past Luapula lagged behind in development.
Chief Bangweulu vowed on behalf of other traditional leaders to continue supporting government’s development agenda.
“Whatever that government wants feel free to work with us, Luapula was lagging behind in terms of development but now we are seeing development taking place. As chiefs we want to involve ourselves in developing our province.”
“If there is any other place or land that you would require for development purposes please engage us.”
And Senior Chief Mwewa says it’s disappointing that some people have continued to question where government has taken the money when development is visible for all to see.
Senior Chief Mwewa stressed that people questioning how government used the money are just politicking as development is everywhere to see across the country.
He cited Lusaka as one place that has been fully developed to international stands noting that previously Lusaka was underdeveloped.
“The people who are asking where government has taken the money are even seeing the development government is putting up across the country. The Lusaka you see today is different from the old Lusaka. A lot of development has taken place in Lusaka even international visitors are appreciating the massive development taking place in the capital city.”
He pointed that those complaining are forgetting that development has also reached their respective areas.
“Roads that were in a deplorable state have been repaired and also new roads have constructed. Who knew that the Kalabo/Mongu road would be completed?
Mr President we are happy with the development that we continue to see, please continue don’t stop.”
Meanwhile Senior Chief Mwewe has appealed to President Lungu to come up with a way to regulate social media in the country.
Senior Chief Mwewe expressed concern over increased abuse of social media by disgruntled individuals.
He bemoaned that some people are using social media to insult the elderly in society.
“Before social media came, I never heard of a Chief or President being insulted as we are seeing today.”
He urged government to find a lasting solution to end the abuse of social media.
The traditional leader complained that the freedom of expression in the country is being misused and abused.
President Lungu arrived today in Luapula province for three days working visit, while in the province President Lungu is expected to visit development projects in the province.
Nkana headline the start of Zambia’s 2020/2021 continental campaigns this weekend when they play Bantu FC away in Lesotho.
CAF Champions League representatives Nkana and Forest Rangers are in action Sunday and Saturday respectively.
Green Eagles and Napsa Stars are representing Zambia in the CAF Confederation Cup.
On Sunday in Maseru, Nkana return to continental action for the first time since reaching the 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals for the first time ever.
However, Nkana return a shadow of that that team two seasons ago following a raft of departures that include the Kenya duo of midfielder Duncan Otieno and defender Musa Mohammed.
Midfielder Kelvin Mubanga too has left the defending FAZ Super Division champions to join their predecessors Zesco United.
But strikers Idris Mbombo and Ronald Kampamba will lead the team out in Maseru together with midfielder Misheck Chaila who recently moved to Nkana on a free transfer from Zesco United.
Meanwhile, Forest will be home at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola where they will host Bouenguidi Sport of Gabon.
Forest, who are the only Zambian club at home this weekend, will be making their continental debut.
“The team is ready; we do not know much about the team we will be playing from Gabon. Looking at the way we have prepared, we are very focused, we want to finish the business here in Ndola,” Forest coach Tennant Chilumba said.
Meanwhile, in the CAF Confederation Cup, Green Eagles are in Burundi to face Musongati Bujumbura on Saturday.
On Sunday, Napsa Stars will kick off their debut CAF Confederation Cup campaign away in Comoros against Ngazi FC.
This will also be a first continental meeting between Zambia and Comoros clubs.
However, Napsa return with a familiar face in Moroni in the shape of veteran 2012 AFCON winning striker Emmanuel Mayuka.
Mayuka scored the winning goal there in Zambia’s 2-1 away victory over Comoros in September, 2011 during a 2012 AFCON qualifier.
“I have been here before, I came here with the national team nine years ago, so I know this place a little bit more than the guys,” Mayuka said.
“We will take it as it comes really and try our best to win it.”
The first round, last legs games will be played during the weekend of December 4-6.
Winners over both legs will advance to the second round where the first legs are set for December 22-23 and the return legs scheduled for January 5-6.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it has recorded 1, 598,426 voters in the just ended phase two of the ongoing voter registration exercise bringing the total number of registered voters to 2, 704,426.
ECZ Chief Electoral Officer, Kryticous Nshindano said the increase represents a 44 percent rise due to the measures the electoral body has put in place.
Mr. Nshindano said the Commission expects to see an exponential increase in the number of registered voters that will be captured in the remaining two phases.
He attributed the expected high numbers to the increased staffing levels and registration kits at the various registration centers across the country.
Addressing journalists at a media briefing at ECZ in Lusaka today, Mr. Nshindano cautioned the general public not to pay attention to figures being circulated on social media as they are misleading.
He pointed out that currently, it is not possible to accurately give voter registration figures according to regions because people are registering from anywhere in the country but with their preferred voting localities.
Mr. Nshindano maintained that ECZ is the only recognized authority to give credible statistics and data relating to voter registration and other electoral activities.
He apologized to the general public for the registration kits that had shut down all over the country affecting the ongoing voter registration process as some ECZ registration officers failed to log in.
“Allow me to also apologise for the inconvenience experienced yesterday in selected centers across the country due to the automatic log out feature on the kits. Some of our officers were unable to log into the system hence delaying the commencement time,” explained Mr Nshindano.
He said the registration kits logged out on November 26 as they were preset to do that on that date as the end date of the voter registration before the postponement and could not be overridden until the expiry.
Mr Nshindano stressed that the shutdown of the registration kits is a security measure to stop anyone from manipulating the kits once the registration of voters ends.
He stated that the registration kits will shut down on December 12, 2020 to signal the end of the voter registration exercise and that no one will be able to log in and temper with the kits in as far as trying to register more voters after the stipulated end date of December 12.
Mr Nshindano stated that the electoral body has no plans to extend the ongoing voter registration exercise and remained hopeful that the projected voters will be captured.
“We have no intentions on our part as the Commission to extend the period for registration of voters. That decision will be reviewed when the voter registration is done,” said Mr Nshindano.
He said extending the registration period may affect other electoral processes such as publication, verification, certification of the voters register which needs to be used during the nominations for the various elective positions set for the 2021 general elections.
Mr Nshindano admitted that the turnout for voter registration has been overwhelming and commended the general public for their patience and cooperation.
He urged people to continue going to various voter registration centers across the country and get registered in order to participate in the 2021 general elections.
Mr Nshindano cautioned the general public against double registration stating that the electoral body has put in place mechanisms that detect multiple registration.
He disclosed that all civic centers across the country have been designated as 24 hour voter registration centers, with Lusaka having nine of such centers.
Mr Nshindano assured the general public of adequate security at voter registration centers and that the police were on standby to quell any violent occurrences.
Mr Nshindano said ECZ is aware of various political parties especially the ruling PF and opposition UPND ferrying cadres and people to register as voters.
He said the electoral body has engaged both parties to ensure that the transporting cadres and other people to register does not affect people who are already queued up at the various registration centers.
Mr Nshindano disclosed that government has to date released about K470 million towards the Commission’s budget of K672 million for the ongoing voter registration exercise.
He assured the general public and stakeholders that the voter registration card being issued has higher security features compared to the 2016 voter’s card.
Mr Nshindano announced that voter registration for inmates across the country will be conducted in the fourth phase during the week ending December 12, 2020.
He urged the general public to ensure that they observe Ministry of Health guidelines on the COVID-19 pandemic so as not to spread the pandemic.
Nkana striker Ronald Kampamba is upbeat ahead of Sunday’s CAF Champions League preliminary match against Lesotho’s Bantu FC to be played in Maseru.
Kalampa are already in Maseru settling down after arriving there on Thursday evening.
In a phone interview from Lesotho on Friday, “Sate Sate” said Nkana are seeking a positive result against Bantu in the first leg encounter.
Kampamba emphasised that Nkana’s unconvincing form in the domestic league will not have any bearing on the Champions League match.
“We moved well by God’s grace. Coming to the game, we are just looking at getting a positive result,” said Kampamba.
“They don’t know us and we don’t know them. Each game is different from the other. So league and CAF games are totally different. Every player in Africa including myself looks forward to playing CAF games,” he said.
The overall winner between Nkana and Bantu FC, who were placed among the least ranked teams, will face either Akonangui of Equatorial Guinea or Angola’s Athletico Petroleos in the next round.
Kampamba added:” To the supporters, be positive and pray for us and everyone playing CAF games like Green Eagles, Forest Rangers and Napsa Stars. This is not only about Nkana but the entire nation.”
Government has pledged to continue making commitments to reducing poverty and vulnerabilities among its citizens.
Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Kampamba Mulenga outlined some of the commitments as ensuring equal rights to economic resources, access to basic social services, ownership and control of land as enshrined in the Seventh National Development Plan.
Ms Mulenga said this today at a media engagement workshop held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre organized by her ministry with support from cooperating partners.
She noted that her ministry has put in place mechanisms that enhance coordination in the provision of social protection programmes such as the single window system of the service delivery where beneficiaries are able to access services without having to go through difficulties.
The Minister added that in an effort to accelerate the impact of social protection programmes on beneficiaries, the ministry, working with other line ministries and partners is pioneering the cash plus concept which is a method of giving additional support to beneficiaries spelt out in the integrated framework of basic social protection programmes.
Speaking Earlier, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Coumba Gadio who was represented by World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director, Jennifer Bitonde said the COVID -19 Emergency Cash Transfer sets out to ensure that the poor and vulnerable are not left behind as UN combat the pandemic.
Dr. Gadio made projections that COVID -19 pandemic is estimated to push an additional 88 million to 115 million people into extreme poverty this year, with the total rising to as 150 million by 2021.
He implored the media to ensure that the public are provided with accurate information and educate people the best practices of how to prevent the pandemic.
And UK-AID Donor Representative for Social Development Advisor, Leah Gaffney noted that the donor community believes strongly, and wants to see well-managed, transparent, and well-targeted, social protection mechanisms.
Ms. Gaffney indicated that social cash transfer funds have impacted positively on the lives of recipients citing beneficiaries who bought goats and seeds to send their children to school, finding access to healthcare, and helped them to build resilience to shocks.
She pledged that that the UK, and other donors, remain committed to supporting the Government to strengthen the overall, social cash transfer system and ensures that it delivers effectively and consistently for the very poorest in Zambia
Veteran coach Patrick Phiri has remained calm despite being suspended by FAZ Super Division side Lumwana Radiants.
Lumwana announced in a statement on Friday that it had suspended Phiri together with his entire coaching bench over poor results.
Lumwana have recorded four draws and one loss in the first five matches of the 2020/21 campaign.
The club has since appointed captain Christopher Munthali as interim coach ahead of Sunday’s match against Buildcon in Ndola.
“The decision has been necessitated by poor performance of the club since the opening of the season against the set target,” read part of the media statement.
Phiri joined Lumwana in October 2019.
Meanwhile, Phiri has revealed that Lumwana will review his suspension after 30 days and decide the way forward.
“I just want to thank Lumwana for giving me a chance to work with them from last year. We worked well with Lumwana,” said the former Chipolopolo coach.
“I have been given 30 days. After 30 days we will sit down and discuss.”
“We have just played five games and 29 games are remaining. The boys played well despite failing to score the needed goals. We allowed two goals and scored two goals. This is the early stage of the season so we had hope of winning the coming games,” said Phiri in a phone interview
Government has partnered with Worldwide Fund for Nature Zambia (WWF) to halt the extinction of plant and animal species in the country.
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Jean Kapata says her ministry will incorporate the campaign with existing policies to enhance protection of natural resources.
Ms Kapata was speaking during the launch of the New Deal for Nature and People campaign in Lusaka today.
Ms Kapata explains that she will soon seek cabinet approval of about 2.5 to three million hectares of land in the country to be put under restoration.
“It is sad that we are losing vital plants and animals. For example the country has 20,000 Kafue black Lechwe compared to 250,000 Lechwe the country had in the 1930s and we need to protect our nature together for posterity to benefit,” she stressed.
She stated that the country has lost plant and animal species that are key to the country’s social and economic growth.
Ms Kapata disclosed that her ministry will soon develop a policy that will swiftly bring the forest restoration activities to fruition.
And WWF Zambia Country Director, Nachilala Nkombo expressed satisfaction that the campaign will help address the rising levels of deforestation and land degradation in the country.
“We should all draw lessons from the drought that hit Southern Province the other year by stopping tree cutting and seriously embark on restoration activities countrywide that was real signal to climate change,” she stressed.
She reaffirmed her organization’s commitment to working with government in the preservation of plant and animal species.
Meanwhile, Chief Musungwa of Itezhi Tezhi district and Chieftainess Muwezwa of Namwala district pledged their commitment to the protection of nature in their respective chiefdoms.
The duo said they have initiated deliberate programmes to sensitize subjects about animal and plant preservation.
The New Deal for Nature and People campaign that is part of the global efforts to curtail deforestation and land degradation, will be rolled out countrywide to enhance protection of nature.
