Chief Justice Mumba Malila has urged newly appointed judges to refrain from engaging in partisan politics, stressing the importance of an independent Judiciary committed to upholding the rule of law.

Dr. Malila said judges are expected to remain steadfast in the discharge of their duties, noting that their role is not to make popular decisions, but to make decisions that are fair and consistent with the law.

He was speaking during an induction workshop for newly appointed judges in Lusaka today.

Dr. Malila said public confidence in the Judiciary depends on the integrity and ethical conduct of judges and urged them to safeguard the institution’s credibility at all times.

Meanwhile, Advisory Committee on Training and Continuing Education Chairperson Pixie Yangailo said the induction workshop has been organised to support newly appointed judges as they take up their responsibilities.

 50-year-old man of Choma has allegedly taken his own life after hanging himself using a nylon rope tied to a tree.

The incident was reported to Mbabala Police Post on June 5, 2026, at 10:00 hours by the brother to the deceased Vent Muleya who reported that his brother Empraim Muleya had committed suicide.

Southern Province Commanding officer Moono Namalongo said disclosed that the incident is reported to have occurred between September 1, 2025, at around 10:00 hours and June 5, 2026, at around 10:00 hours at Munyati Farm, Matambana Village in Chief Cooma Chiefdom as the deceased had been missing for a while.

“Brief facts of the matter are that on September 1, 2025, at around 10:00 hours, the deceased left home for an unknown destination and did not return. A search by family members within the village and surrounding areas proved unsuccessful, and the matter was reported to Mbabala Police Post on September 3, 2025, at around 09:00 hours,” Mr Namalongo said.

Mr Namalongo said on June 4, 2026, at around 15:00 hours, the brother went to collect firewood in the bush area of Munyati Farm where he discovered a suspected human skull and bones and further observed a nylon rope hanging from a tree and clothing on the ground within the vicinity, and immediately alerted police.

Mr Namalongo indicated that police officers visited the scene and found a nylon rope hanging from a tree together with suspected human bones scattered on the ground, black pair of trousers and a greenish shirt were also recovered and positively identified by the reporter as belonging to the deceased, who was last seen wearing the same clothing when he went missing.

He said the scene was found to be heavily contaminated likely due to wild animals and prolonged exposure to weather conditions.

He further explained that preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased had a history of mental illness and was known to live alone in the village and was also known to leave home early in the morning and return in the evening.

Mr Namalongo said the motive for the suspected suicide has not yet been established and an inquiry file has been opened and investigations into the matter were ongoing.

The United Party for National Development (UPND) in Central Province has condemned violence that characterised yesterday’s political campaigns where supporters of ruling party clashed with cadres from the opposition National Restoration Party for Unity and Progress (NRPUP) in Kabwe’s Katondo Township, and warned that it will not shield anyone perpetrating violence ahead of the August 13 general elections.

UPND Acting District Chairperson Ahmed Lubinga has distanced the UPND from the fracas saying the party does not support and condone violence.

Mr Lubinga says the leadership in Kabwe District will not entertain emphasizing that the ruling party remains committed to upholding the Electoral Code of Conduct to ensure the campaigns are peaceful.

He urged party members in the district to uphold peace before, during and after the elections.

And UPND Central Province Information and Publicity Secretary Fred Khunga has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to engaging in peaceful campaigns.

Mr Khunga said the provincial leadership is saddened by the political violence and lawlessness that characterised political campaigns in Kabwe over the weekend.

Some political party cadres clashed in Katondo Township during a political rally organized by the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance.

Acting Chilanga District Commissioner, Maureen Chilende has urged civil servants to maintain professionalism during the ongoing campaign period, warning that breaches may attract consequences under the conditions of service.

Speaking at a meeting of government heads of department held at the district administration, Ms Chilende said it is everyone’s democratic right to belong to the political party of their choice and to vote for leaders of their choice, but that should not interfere with work or lead to active participation in politics in the work space.

Ms Chilende reminded staff that unprofessional conduct during the campaign period can have consequences as set out in the conditions of service for civil servants.

“As civil servants deal with people from different walks of life it is only right that they maintain professionalism at all times,” she said.

She also encouraged departments to work collaboratively to foster development, saying no department should work in isolation because everyone is working for a common goal, to ensure the country develops through the implementation of the various programmes under the different ministries.

The Acting District Commissioner added that departments with transport should assist those without so that government programmes keep moving.

To ensure continued coordination, Ms Chilende said more meetings will be held to update one another on achievements and challenges and to identify the best ways to address them so there is no breakdown in implementing government programmes.

Government says all preparations are set for the burial of the late Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people tomorrow Tuesday, June 9^th, 2026.

The media reports that Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Nicholas Phiri has confirmed the development to the media in Chipata.

Mr Phiri said all requirements for the burial of the late Paramount Chief in accordance with the dictates of both the customary norms and state funeral declared by President Hakainde Hichilema have been done.

The Permanent Secretary added that the government worked closely with the family and the traditional leadership in all preparations for the burial of the late Ngoni King.

He further announced that President Hichilema will join the family and the Zambian people in bidding farewell to the late traditional ruler.

Paramount Chief Mpezeni the fourth, whose real name is David Njengembaso Jere, of the Ngoni people in Zambia’s Eastern Province and Malawi, passed away on May 30, 2026, at the age of 75.

He served a historic 44-year reign, acting as a crucial traditional custodian, peace ambassador, and leader of the annual Nc’wala ceremony.

Government through Road Development Agency (RDA) says significant progress has been recorded on major roads and bridges being implemented across the country through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.

Speaking in an interview with the media, RDA Chief and Communications Affairs Manager, Anthony Mulowa, says the Agency remains committed to improving the country’s road network in order to enhance connectivity, promote economic growth and facilitate trade.

Mr Mulowa disclosed that one of the flagship projects, the Lusaka – Ndola Dual Carriageway has reached 76 percent completion under the PPP financing model.

He added that the Ndola – Sakania – Mufulira Road project in Copperbelt Province has also made substantial progress and currently stands at 55 percent completion.

Mr Mulowa highlighted that the government is implementing a number of strategic road and bridge projects across the country and is encouraged by the progress being made on key projects, particularly those being undertaken through the Public-Private Partnership financing model.

He further noted that works on the Kasomeno-Mwenda Road and Bridge Project are advancing well, with bridge construction currently underway on the Luongo and Luapula rivers.

He explained that other PPP projects progressing steadily include the Mufulira-Mokambo Border Road, Solwezi-Kipushi Road, Lumwana-Kambimba Road, Mutanda-Kaoma Road via Kasempa and the Katete-Chanida Road.

Furthermore, Mr Mulowa highlighted that government funded projects are equally registering notable progress across various provinces.

He cited that the Monze-Niko Road project in Southern Province has been substantially completed, with only minor works remaining on the Bwengwa Bridge.

Mr Mulowa also disclosed that the Maamba-Batoka Road project has attained 46 percent completion, while rehabilitation works on the Lusaka-Mongu Road section from Tateyoyo to the Katunda/Lukulu Junction have reached over 36 percent completion.

“Our objective is to ensure that road infrastructure development continues to support economic activities, improve accessibility and enhance the movement of people and goods throughout the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Mulowa stressed that the Chipata-Chadiza Road project in Eastern Province has surpassed the 50 percent completion mark, with paving works nearing completion.

He adds that construction and rehabilitation works are also ongoing on Blue Lagoon Road in Central Province, Chikankata Road in Southern Province, the Nchelenge-Chienge Road in Luapula Province and the Samfya-Kasaba Road via Lubwe.

Mr Mulowa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering quality road infrastructure and assured the public that the Agency will continue monitoring projects to ensure they are completed within the stipulated timeframes and according to the required standards.

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has targeted to purchase 13, 000 metric tons of white Maize during the 2026 crop marketing season in Chinsali District in Muchinga Province.

Acting Chinsali District Commissioner Brenda Silwembe says FRA will be buying non-genetically modified grade A white maize and Paddy Rice through satellite depots that will be set up.

Ms Silwembe made these remarks in a phone interview with the media today.

“As a district we have a purchase target of 13, 000 metric tons of maize and 47.62 metric tones of paddy rice,” she stated

Ms Silwembe indicated that the crop purchase exercise is an important national exercise that will ensure continuation of both household and national food security.

She added that the national strategic food reserves play a critical role in ensuring national food security especially now in the wake of climate change.

“This exercise acts as a buffer during critical times of national food emergencies such as drought,” she added.

Ms Silwembe further explained the prime function of a national strategic reserve is to provide a first line buffer and defense in the event of a food emergency such as drought or floods.

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Tuesday Bwalya has commended local contractors for delivering quality works on Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects in Lavushimanda District.

Dr Bwalya encouraged contractors to maintain the standard of works across Muchinga Province and in Lavushimanda District.

The Permanent Secretary said this when he toured CDF projects in Lavushimanda district.

Among the projects inspected were a 1 by 2 Early Childhood Education facility, a community radio station, a maternity annex and a mortuary at Mpumba Mini Hospital.

Dr Bwalya stated that the infrastructure projects are of good quality.

“So, we just want to encourage the contractors to continue putting up quality works in Muchinga Province, also in our district here,” he said.

Dr Bwalya directed the Department of Engineering under Lavushimanda Town Council to continue supervising works on CDF projects to ensure contractors sustain quality works.

Dr Bwalya stressed the need to follow proper procurement procedures, adding that projects should be procured at the right price and delivered on time.

And Lavushimanda District Director Health Services Rodrigue Kamunga highlights that using CDF, the health sector has been impacted positively through construction of a number of Health facilities and maternity annexes.

Dr Kamunga said the district has recorded an increase in the number of mother’s delivering from health facilities unlike in the past where mothers opted to deliver from their homes due to lack of maternity annexes.

Lavushimanda resident Loster Mwinkwa and Mpumba Mini Hospital Mortuary Attendant Alexander Mupeta said residents previously faced hardships due to the lack of a mortuary at the facility.

Ms Mwinkwa said before the mortuary was built, some families with financial challenges were forced to keep bodies of their deceased loved ones at home.

“With the mortuary now in place, once someone dies the body is taken to the mortuary within our proximity, which lessens the burden of bereaved families,” she said.

She thanked Government for constructing the facility using CDF, noting that it has enhanced the dignity of the deceased through proper storage.

Mr Mupeta, who expressed gratitude for his employment at the facility, said bodies were previously taken to either Mpika or Chilonga, which proved costly for bereaved families.