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Outbreak of unknown eye infection in Mpulungu

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Outbreak of unknown eye infection in Mpulungu

Mpulungu district in Northern Province has recorded an outbreak of an unknown eye infection.

Mpulungu District Commissioner Gehard Sikazwe said the unknown eye infection was first noticed last month but is slowly increasing.

Speaking in an interview  Mr. Sikazwe noted that the Ministry of Health in the area has so far recorded 220 cases of the infections in both children and adults.

Mr Sikazwe added that the infection is mostly present in urban townships, stating that Mpulungu urban clinic has recorded the majority of the cases, with 178 recorded.

He said Mpulungu District Hospital has recorded 21 cases, Kaizya Clinic has 21, and Kasakalawe Rural Health Center has recorded 6 cases.

Mr Sikazwe said the infection is presenting symptoms of itching, swelling, and redness of the eyes.

He said the Ministry of Health has since started conducting investigations to establish the disease and its causes.

Mr. Sikazwe said the department of health has sent samples for culturing in order for them to determine if the infection is both viral and bacterial.

And Mr. Sikazwe has urged the Ministry of Health to continue with investigations and sensitize the public in order to fight the spread of the infection.

He observed that the infection is spreading at a very fast rate.

He also encouraged people to seek medical attention as soon as they present with the symptoms in order to stop the spread.

President Hichilema Calls On Youth To Contribute To National Development

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President Hichilema Calls On Youth To Contribute To National Development

President Hichilema joined the Zambian youth in celebrating this Year’s National Youth Day at David Kaunda Stadium in Chipata, Eastern Province.

The President said youths are the greatest asset Zambia has and that is the reason the government is doing everything possible to make an enabling environment for all our youths across the country.

President Hichilema’s message to the youth was:

“Take advantage of your youthfulness to succeed in life. You all have the potential to make it in various areas of life. All you need is to work hard and embrace discipline. Your government will continue creating more jobs even this year alongside other interventions aimed at youth empowerment.
Ma Youth, balimi banzanga, don’t get discouraged with the drought. We appreciate the efforts you had put in this farming season. Do not give up; resilience is what we need.
We will use the drought to turn it into an opportunity that will change the course of our nation for the better. Irrigation is the way to go. We are realigning this year’s budget to ensure food security as well as growing our agriculture through irrigation”

The President further urged youths in the country to desist from engaging in vices that distract them from positively contributing to national affairs.

He also said there is need for Government to protect the farmers that lost their crops due to the drought.

Youth Minister Elvis Nkandu said it is time that youth actively participate in the affairs of the country so that they can bring about positive change.

Meanwhile, Eastern Province Minister Peter Phiri thanked President Hichilema for holding the event in the Eastern Province.

Youths Representative, Alifa Banda pledged the youths commitment to tackling some of the challenges that the country is facing among them is unemployment and environmental degradation.

 

 

 

Liquid Intelligent spearheads youth innovation by connecting Mukuba UniPod

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Liquid Intelligent spearheads youth innovation by connecting Mukuba UniPod

By Benedict Tembo

Liquid Intelligent Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to provide fibre internet connection to the Mukuba UniPod, an innovation lab located at the Copperbelt University in Kitwe.
The MoU was signed at the official launch of the UniPod, which also saw over 20 innovators showcasing their ideas on February 25th.

“This partnership reiterates Liquid Zambia’s commitment to advancing equitable, quality education in Zambia and promoting innovation among students in the country. This is in line with the Zambian government’s digital agenda, and our core vision of ensuring that no African is left behind in the digital age,” said Liquid Telecom Chief Executive Officer Mark Townsend.
“By joining forces with UNDP and Copperbelt University, who share our vision, we are empowering the country’s students with the skills and tools they need to succeed in the rapidly transforming job market,” Mr Townsend said.

“The Mukuba UniPod presents an opportunity to young Zambians looking to channel their curiosities, skills and ideas into innovative solutions that will contribute to sustainable development in the country. It was therefore essential to provide connectivity in the space, making the Mukuba UniPod a portal to the abundant resources, people and networks they would need to ideate, create and market their solutions ” UNDP Resident Representative James Wakiaga said.
“The partnership between UNDP and Liquid is a great step towards enhancing the connectivity of the hub and nurturing creativity and experimentation within its walls,” he said.

As the 11th UniPod in Africa, the Mukuba UniPod forms part of UNDP’s Timbuktoo innovation network, providing opportunities for collaboration across African countries, and building an innovation ecosystem on the continent.
The importance of such innovation hubs in driving economic growth and creating a dynamic ecosystem that attracts investment and talent, is evidenced by Zambia’s creation of a dedicated National Technology Business Centre, a statutory body under the Ministry of Technology and Science, to support the country’s entrepreneurs and innovators.

The Mukuba UniPod, funded by UNDP, serves as a dedicated space for students from the Copperbelt University and all surrounding colleges in the region to foster innovation, scientific inquiry, and collaboration.
Students are exposed to design thinking, software and equipment for prototyping, and enhanced skills in digital fabrication, while faculty members work closely with students on design projects that could be developed into commercially viable products.

By supplying connectivity for the Mukuba UniPod, Liquid Zambia is demonstrating the power of public-private partnerships in driving positive change, supporting innovation in education, accelerating Zambia’s digital transformation, and ensuring that students have the tools necessary to thrive in the digital age.
Liquid Zambia is a business of Cassava Technologies, a pan African technology group.

Zambia’s Success at 2024 ITB Berlin Could Boost Tourism Inflows from Germany

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Zambia’s Success at 2024 ITB Berlin Could Boost Tourism Inflows from Germany

Zambia’s participation at the 2024 ITB Berlin trade show will significantly enhance the country’s efforts to increase the number of tourism inflows from Germany.

Speaking at the just ended 2024 ITB Berlin trade show in Berlin,Zambia’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany H.E Winnie Natala Chibesakunda expressed optimism that efforts to attract Germany tourism inflows to Zambia will produce favourable results.

She said engagements with various stakeholders from the tourism sector have helped private exhibitors from Zambia with opportunities to showcase their products and services and to better understand the Germany market so that they tailor their various packages to meet the expectations of different potential travellers from the Germany market.

Ambassador Chibesakunda noted that the many engagements and networking during the three day trade show will also help in enhancing better collaboration between countries in selling unique tourism attractions and products that are linked.

“Some attractions are closely linked between countries and you have animals that migrate between countries at certain periods of the year but with better collaboration between countries, these products can be marketed the whole year and not only at selected periods of the year.” She noted.

The ITB Berlin trade show is held every year in March in Berlin, Germany and is the world’s largest tourism trade show which attracts thousands of tourism industry key players from over 180 countries.

Zambia was represented at the ITB Berlin trade show by the Ministry of Tourism led by Tourism Minister Hon Rodney Sikumba who was delegation leader, the Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) and private sector players.

Private sector participants from Zambia included Voyagers Zambia DMC, konkamoya Lodge, Lilayi Lodge,Memorable Journeys, Wild Dog Lodge,Chkunto Safaris, North Kafue Safaris, Tryyambia Tourism & Lifestyle, African Vacations ,Corporate Air and Livingstones Adventures. Others are Classic Zambia Safaris, Lion Camp, BlueBerry Travels, Mukalya Game Resort,Bundu Safari, Mwamfushi Safari Lodge, Zikomo Safari, Radisson Blu Mosi -Oa- Tunya Resort and African Escapades.

Issued By Lubinda Kashewe

First Secretary-Press

Berlin, Germany

Zambia’s Economic Development being retarded by Illicit Financial flows

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Zambia’s Economic Development being retarded by Illicit Financial flows

By Mwansa Chalwe Snr

The new Dawn government has finally managed to convince all the members of the Official Creditors Committee (OCC) to sign the G20 Debt Restructuring Memorandum of Understanding, with India and China. putting pen to paper at the end of February,2014. The Ministry of Finance and National Planning should now show the same dogged determination, by focusing on sealing the massive forex revenue leakages resulting from Illicit Financial Flows (IFF).

There are three broad channels that billions of dollars are lost to Zambia every year. And these are:through multinational enterprises (MNEs)especially mining houses’ sophisticated transactions,smuggling of natural resources such as gemstones, timber, and wildlife and finally, through corruption
and money laundering activities.

Illicit Financial flows fuels excessive borrowing

Zambians need to be made aware that the debt that the country has accumulated, is in part , due to the fact that billions of US dollars disappear each year, without a trace and end up in tax havens and/or absorbed into Western economies, and now China, thus forcing the various governments to accumulate excessive debt to fill up the gap created in order to carry out development projects.Capital flight is one of the causes of countries like Zambia resorting to borrowing to finance
development programs and projects.

It is an open secret that there is illicit exploitation of Zambia natural resources such as copper, gold,cobalt, uranium, timber, emeralds, diamonds, manganese and other precious metals and wildlife which are being exported abroad illegally from the country.The losses of capital through IFFs runs in billions, as recent Financial Intelligence report has disclosed.

And more recently, Mines and Minerals Development Minister, Paul Kabuswe bemoaned the fact that Zambia’s current 850,000 tonnes annual copper production was way too low and incorrect because of leakages in the mining sector.

According to Zambia’s latest Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) report for the fourth quarter of the year 2023, over US$2.8 billion was transferred from Zambia to Asia in just three months.

“Some newly incorporated companies used Zambians as front shareholders and directors, while foreign nationals maintained control of the bank accounts. Funds were introduced into the financial system mainly through large cash deposits made in US Dollars. These funds were then transferred out of the country on the pretext of paying for imports with no evidence of corresponding goods received by the importer”, the FIC report said.

Zambia is in the unenviable position of being one of the top countries with the highest illicit financial flows in Africa. And this issue is not a new one. In December 2012, Sarah Freitas, a Global Financial Integrity (GFI) Economist co-authored a report where she said Illicit financial flows due to crime,corruption, and tax evasion cost Zambia $8.8 billion from 2001-2010.

“Our research finds that $8.8 billion left Zambia in illicit financial flows between 2001 and 2010. Of that, $4.9 billion can be attributed to trade mis invoicing, which is a type of trade fraud used by commercial importers and exporters around the world.

“This is a very serious problem. Zambia’s GDP was $19.2 billion in 2011. Its per-capita GDP was $1,413. Its government collected a total of $4.3 billion in revenue. It can’t afford to be haemorrhaging illicit capital in such staggering amounts”, she wrote.

Zambia is a Net Creditor

In its 2020 report entitled: Tackling Illicit Financial Flows for Sustainable Development in Africa, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said that an estimated US$ 88.6 billion left Africa as illicit capital flight.

Furthermore, according to the Report of the High-Level Panel on IFFs from Africa, copper accounted for 80 percent of IFFs in Zambia, while the nation accounted for about 65 percent of IFFs in the African continent. This issue is so serious that the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres is on record as having expressed his concern as far back as 2017.

“I am convinced that today there is more money leaving a continent like Africa due to money laundering and tax evasion and illicit financial flows than the money that goes in through official development aid, and this is a common responsibility of the international community”, He said.

And according to research by renowned economist Professor Dikumana of Massachusetts University, Zambia and other African countries are net creditors, which means far more money flowed out of Zambia than into them, thus exposing the hypocrisy of the benefits of foreign direct investment and donor funding. Recent research shows that the total sum that leaves developing
countries each year as unreported financial outflows, referred to as illicit capital flight, amounts to as much as ten times the annual global aid flows, and twice the amount of debt developing countries repay each year.

“What we have been highlighting is the paradox with African countries. We see a continent that has the largest shortage of finance but also at the same time we are seeing a massive amount of money fleeing the continent. We’re talking about money that’s being stolen or embezzled out of the continent. So the paradox is you have a continent that needs money but it’s a continent that is also financing the rest of the world, in countries that don’t need the money. Money is being lost which
could have been used to finance investments”, wrote Professor Léonce Ndikumana from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in his research paper.

Zambia and Nigeria worst affected

And in his research on IFF, Stephen Yeboah, a Research Consultant at the African Natural Resources Centre of the African Development Bank (AfDB), found that Nigeria and Zambia are among the worst affected in terms of not benefiting from their resources in Africa. “The practices of misinvoicing in Nigeria’s oil and Zambia’s copper exports and imports reflect the
challenges that illicit financial flows present to Africa’s extractive sector. Between 1996 and 2014,under invoicing of oil exports from Nigeria to the United States was worth $69.7 billion. In Zambia,over the same period, a record of $28.9 billion of copper exports to Switzerland, which is more than half of all its copper exports, did not reflect in Switzerland’s import statistics,” he wrote in his research paper.

It is very clear from empirical evidence that the major culprits of illicit financial flows are Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) through the manipulation of trade transactions. Trade misinvoicing (under valuing exports and overvaluing imports), transfer pricing, payments between parent companies and their subsidiaries, and profit-shifting mechanisms designed to conceal revenues are all common practices by companies seeking to maximise profits in the process undermining or negating
the expected positive effect of foreign direct investment and aid.

The renowned Pan Africanist, the former South Africa President Thabo Mbeki once headed the AU High level Panel on IFFS as Chairman . He pointed out the challenges that issue posed. “Our heads of State and government are aware that the problem of illicit financial flows is exacerbated by corrupt tendencies, lack of or weak African institutions both at national and
continental levels in all sectors, governance challenges, weak tax administration, and lack of capacity to monitor and curb such criminal activities,” He stated in one of his reports.

Measures to minimize Illicit financial flows.

There is no argument whatsoever that Zambia is losing billions through sophisticated multinational machinations, smuggling, corruption, and money laundering. The African Union, the Africa Development Bank, the G20, the World Bank and the United Nations have all agreed and confirmed this. The evidence from international studies have also shown that countries like Botswana have the lowest illicit financial outflows in Africa, whereas Zambia and Nigeria have the highest. There is,
therefore, something that Zambia can do to remove this infamous label.

The first and simplest action that could be taken is to embark on a fact-finding mission to neighboring Botswana – where this Author spent decades, and got exposed to how they safeguard their natural resources – in order to learn from them. Botswana has almost zero illicit financial flows due to the smart control measures, and punitive legislation they have passed which have acted as a deterrent. The Botswana approach prevent people from committing these economic crimes before they happen. In our case, we have been closing the stable after the horse has bolted!

Secondly, in order to limit the smuggling of Zambia’s resources, implementation of simple security measures can be a major deterrent. There is need to put in measures of monitoring small aerodromes in rural Zambia especially in the North Western Province and inspections of light aircraft and drones bound for foreign countries. The army and Air force could be useful in the enforcement of Zambia’s economic security by limiting smuggling.

Thirdly, the Zambian government should seriously look at building and strengthening the capacity of Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) as it is currently not well resourced with technology and specialized staff with sufficient qualifications and experience to handle the sophisticated machinations of Mining houses and other MNEs.

Fourthly, in the medium term, consideration ought to be made to set up a separate and an independent Unit from ZRA .This institution should be filled in with head hunted Zambian professionals from the diaspora and foreign experts who are not infected with the corruption bug which is the greatest enabler of illicit financial flows in Zambia.The fifth thing that could be done is for Zambia to cooperate with international organizations such as the OECD, IMF, and World Bank for help to develop best practices and exchange information to combat tax evasion and illicit financial flows.

Conclusion

There is no argument whatsoever that Zambia is losing billions through sophisticated multinational schemes, smuggling, corruption, and money laundering. The Zambian government should seriously and aggressively address this issue because it is low hanging fruit for domestic capital mobilization. It is just as important, if not more important in the long term to debt restructuring. It should be next priority.There is no excuse whatsoever why drastic measures cannot immediately be introduced to minimize this scourge, which is affecting the exchange rate and by extension the cost of living and cost of doing business and generally the economic performance of the country.

The Zambian economic environment is just too liberal and open compared to other countries in Africa and the Southern Africa region, may be even Europe. There are no basic common sense controls on foreign exchange externalization and trafficking of resources, such that citizens from other countries come here to get foreign currency, especially the United States Dollars. The country is a paradise for economic criminals, especially foreigners, in collusion with their Zambian enablers. And that is why
we at the top of the Champions league of illicit financial flows traffickers in Africa. This must be put to a stop by the New Dawn government.

The writer is a Chartered Accountant and Author. He is the Founder of Prosper Knowledge Solutions Ltd, a virtual Knowledge and Strategy firm. Contact: [email protected]

Kagame Agrees To Meet Tshisekedi Over Eastern DR Congo Crisis

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Kagame Agrees To Meet Tshisekedi Over Eastern DR Congo Crisis

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has agreed to meet with his Democratic Republic of the Congo counterpart Felix Tshisekedi to discuss the ongoing crisis in eastern Congo, the Angolan government has said.

The agreement followed a meeting on Monday in Angola’s capital Luanda between Mr Kagame and Angolan President João Lourenço, the African Union’s (AU) mediator in the DR Congo crisis.

“It was decided that President Kagame would agree to meet President Tshisekedi on a date to be indicated by the mediator,” Angola’s Foreign Minister Tete Antonio told the press after the meeting.

Mr Antonio said that both Rwanda and the DR Congo had agreed to hold the meeting, with ministerial delegations from both sides working toward the plan.

Rwanda’s presidency said on X that the two leaders “agreed on key steps towards addressing the root causes of the conflict”.

President Kagame’s trip to Angola follows a similar visit by Mr Tshisekedi to Luanda last month, during which it was announced that the DR Congo leader had agreed to meet with his Rwandan counterpart.

But Mr Tshisekedi demanded the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the Congolese territory before meeting President Kagame, the DR Congo presidency said.

Fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese forces has flared in the DR Congo’s east, displacing more than 100,000 people in recent weeks, according to the UN.

DR Congo has accused Rwanda of backing M23 rebels, an accusation that Kigali denies.

What’s happening in Eastern Congo

Aid organizations fear a new humanitarian crisis in the restive eastern Congo region, where the renowned armed rebel group M23 is in the midst of a new advance that threatens to cut off a major city and leave millions of people struggling for food and medical help.

Eastern Congo has been beset by conflict for years, with M23 among more than 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in the mineral-rich area near the border with Rwanda. Some have been accused of carrying out mass killings.

There’s been an upsurge in fighting in recent weeks between M23 rebels and Congo army forces, and it comes as the United Nations plans to withdraw peacekeepers from the region by the end of the year.

Tensions are also rising between Congo and Rwanda, with them blaming each other for supporting various armed groups. Congo accuses Rwanda of backing M23.

WHO ARE M23?
The March 23 Movement, or M23, is a rebel military group mainly made up of ethnic Tutsis that broke away from the Congolese army just over a decade ago. They staged a large offensive in 2012 and took over the provincial capital of Goma near the border with Rwanda, the same city they are threatening again.

The conflict has regional complications, with neighboring Rwanda also accused by the U.S. and U.N. experts of giving military aid to M23. Rwanda denies that but effectively admitted on Monday that it has troops and missile systems in eastern Congo. Rwanda said that is to safeguard its own security because of what it claims is a buildup of Congo army forces near the border. Rwanda has rejected calls from the U.S. to withdraw.

There are also ties to the Rwandan genocide of 30 years ago, with M23 and Rwanda saying separately that they are fighting a threat from a Congolese rebel group that is connected to the Congo army and partly made up of ethnic Hutus who were perpetrators of the 1994 genocide.

CONGO-RWANDA TENSIONS

Relations between Congo and its eastern neighbor have been fraught for decades. Hundreds of thousands of Rwandan Hutu refugees had fled to Congo, then Zaire, in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Among them were soldiers and militiamen responsible for the slaughter of 800,000 minority Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

Two years after the genocide, Rwanda and Uganda invaded eastern Congo to try and root out what remained of those genocide perpetrators, which led to the toppling of then Congo President Mobutu Sese Seko.

Tensions between Congo and Rwanda escalated in 2021 with the resurgence of M23 attacks on Congolese soldiers after nearly a decade of relative inactivity due to a 2013 peace deal. The presence of so many armed groups is believed to be connected to illegal mining, with eastern Congo rich in gold and other minerals.

WHAT’S HAPPENED IN RECENT WEEKS?
M23 launched new attacks late last year and has ramped them up in recent weeks. The group is now threatening to take the key town of Sake, about 27 kilometers (16 miles) west of Goma. That could cause food and aid supplies to be cut off from Goma, which had a population of around 600,000 a few years ago, but now holds more than 2 million people, according to aid agencies, as people flee violence in surrounding towns and villages.
The advance of rebels on Sake “poses an imminent threat to the entire aid system” in eastern Congo, the Norwegian Refugee Council said. It said 135,000 people were displaced in just five days in early February.

The violence has also sparked protests from the capital, Kinshasa, to Goma, with angry demonstrators saying the international community is not doing enough to push back against M23 and not taking a hard enough stance against Rwanda.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The new fighting could lead to an escalation of regional tensions and involve more countries. As the U.N. winds down its 25-year peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo, a multi-national force under the southern African regional bloc is set to step in. That force will include soldiers from regional power South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania. They will help the Congo army forces, but it might put them in direct conflict with Rwanda.

Source: BBC,AP News

President Hichilema Leads Youth Day Celebrations with Vibrant Chipata Visit

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President Hichilema Leads Youth Day Celebrations with Vibrant Chipata Visit

President Hakainde Hichilema made a notable appearance in Chipata today, marking the commemoration of Youth Day. Arriving in style aboard a chopper, President Hichilema touched down at the Chipata Golf Course around 09:53 hours, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of residents and supporters.

The city of Chipata buzzed with excitement as scores of locals eagerly gathered to welcome President Hichilema. Along the streets, bikers revved their engines, and residents lined up, eager for a glimpse of the esteemed leader.

Youth Day holds special significance in Zambia, celebrating the energy, aspirations, and contributions of the nation’s young people. President Hichilema’s presence in Chipata underscores the government’s commitment to engaging with and empowering Zambia’s youth.

As the day’s events unfold, President Hichilema is expected to address the gathered crowd, offering words of encouragement and outlining initiatives aimed at supporting the nation’s youth. With his visit to Chipata, President Hichilema reaffirms his dedication to fostering a brighter future for Zambia’s next generation.

Zambian youth urged to steer clear of political violence and embracing economic opportunities

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Zambian youth urged to steer clear of political violence and embracing economic opportunities

Zambia United Local Authority Workers Union (ZULAWU) Luanshya branch chairman, Roy Sikazwe, has urged Zambian youth across the country not to allow themselves to be used as tools of political violence amidst the harsh economy that has hit Zambia.

Speaking in an interview in Luanshya, Mr. Sikazwe said youths should instead remain focused and productive and fight poverty in the country.

“Youths should not allow themselves to be used as tools of political violence amidst the prevailing harsh economy. Youths should work hard to better their lives and meaningfully contribute towards the fight against poverty in the country,” Mr. Sikazwe noted.

He observed that it is unfortunate that some youths were using the excuse of the high unemployment levels in the country to engage in illicit activities such as excessive beer drinking.

The trade unionist further admonished youths to abstain from such activities, saying that they would just make them unhealthy and unproductive.

Meanwhile, a youth activist, Allan Zulu, called on the government to support youths in the country to be productive.

“Although the government has introduced education bursaries through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), some youths in the compounds don’t know how to apply for such bursaries. There is a need to intensify the flow of information so that more youths can access the funds,” he said.

He further urged his fellow youths to take advantage of the skills training centers that the government has set up in various parts of the country to acquire skills in order for them to remain relevant to the development of the country.

“As youths, we must not just be complaining about the biting economy but let us stand up and do something towards the economic development of the country,” he said.

Paramount Chief Mpezeni Commends President Hichilema’s Leadership Amidst Calls for Focus

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Paramount Chief Mpezeni Commends President Hichilema’s Leadership Amidst Calls for Focus

Paramount Chief Mpezeni of Eastern Province has voiced his support for President Hakainde Hichilema, urging him to remain focused despite distractions from those failing to provide proper checks and balances.

Chief Mpezeni emphasized that President Hichilema should continue prioritizing actions that benefit the general citizenry, affirming his approval of the President’s declaration of the prolonged drought as a disaster, which he deemed timely.

The Paramount Chief made these remarks during a courtesy call by Presidential advisor for politics, Levy Ngoma, and Eastern Province Minister, Peter Phiri, at the Ephendukeni palace. The purpose of the visit was to inform Chief Mpezeni of President Hichilema’s upcoming visit to Chipata.

In response, Levy Ngoma expressed the President’s satisfaction with the warm reception received from the people of the region and traditional leaders during the Nc’wala ceremony held last month.

Peter Phiri, on the other hand, assured that Eastern Province is prepared to host the National Youth Day event scheduled for tomorrow.

The endorsement from Paramount Chief Mpezeni underscores the importance of unity and support for President Hichilema’s leadership initiatives, particularly in addressing pressing issues such as the drought, and signals a good relationship between the government and traditional leadership in Eastern Province.

Unveiling the Truth: Police still working on Shikapwasha murder case

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Unveiling the Truth: Police still working on Shikapwasha murder case

Police Deputy Spokesperson, Danny Mwale, has revealed that the police are diligently working on the docket of the case involving the murder of former Information Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha before the suspect can be brought to court.

Mwale stated that the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had made observations on the docket previously submitted.

The suspect in the matter, Jane Lusengo, who is General Shikapwasha’s widow, was arrested and charged with murder just two days after the death of her husband on January 15, 2024.

Mrs. Shikapwasha has been remanded in custody on allegations of causing the death of her husband by shooting him with a double-barrel shotgun at their home in Lusaka’s Ibex Hill area.

It is alleged that Jane Lusengo on January 14,2024 between 17:00 and 18:00 hours at plot number 477 in Ibex Hill in Lusaka district of the Lusaka Province of the Republic of Zambia whilst acting alone, caused the death of Lieutenant General Ronald Shikapwasha Retired using a double barrel short gun, serial number 168462 by shooting the deceased in the abdomen causing him to sustain a gunshot wound on the left side of the abdomen resulting to his death on January 15, 2024 at 21:40 hours at Maina Soko Military Hospital.

Abusive Step-Mother Jailed for Assaulting 4-Year-Old Step-Son

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Abusive Step-Mother Jailed for Assaulting 4-Year-Old Step-Son

A 29-year-old stepmother from Apollo Military Camp in Lusaka West has been sentenced to seven years of simple imprisonment for assaulting her 4-year-old stepson.

Longwe Ngosa, the now-convict, had pleaded not guilty to one count of assault on a child, contrary to Zambian law.

According to the charge sheet, Ngosa assaulted the minor between April 1 and July 31, 2023.

The abuse came to light after a video interview with the child’s teacher was widely circulated on social media. In the video, the teacher showed the boy’s body covered with numerous whip marks, allegedly inflicted by his step mother.

During the sentencing , Lusaka Magistrate Mutinta Mwenya stated that the prosecution had proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt. She emphasized that the video evidence, recorded by the victim’s teacher, was compelling proof of the assault.

Magistrate Mwenya expressed her shock at the severity of the injuries inflicted on the child and noted that it was clear the victim recognized his assailant.

During the proceedings, the state prosecutor, Joe Phiri, requested an opportunity to present a victim impact statement, which was supported by Maxwell Mambwe, the boy’s grandfather. Mambwe expressed his distress over the condition in which he found his grandson and stated that the scars would forever serve as a reminder of the ordeal.

In concluding the statement, the state highlighted the significant impact of the injuries on the child’s body and urged the court not to consider a minimum sentence for the convict.

During the mitigation phase, Ngosa chose to remain silent.

“I sentence you to seven years of simple imprisonment, effective from the day of arrest,” ruled Magistrate Mwenya.

President Hichilema Advocates Partnership between Zambia and Finland to Map Underground Water for Agriculture

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President Hichilema Advocates Partnership between Zambia and Finland to Map Underground Water for Agriculture

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema said there is a need to map underground water resources to support irrigation programmes to respond to the drought that has affected crop yields.

President Hichilema said the country needs to know which areas have ground water that can be used for irrigation.

Speaking when he met a delegation of Finnish Members of Parliament who paid a courtesy call on him at the State House , President Hichilema said Zambia will engage the expertise of Finland in geological mapping of groundwater.

During the discussions, both parties emphasized the critical importance of mapping underground water resources to support irrigation programs in Zambia, particularly in response to the drought affecting crop yields. President Hichilema stressed the urgent need to identify areas with groundwater suitable for irrigation, recognizing it as a vital solution to combatting the agricultural challenges posed by water scarcity.

In response to Zambia’s pressing need, President Hichilema expressed Zambia’s intention to engage Finland’s expertise in geological mapping of groundwater. This collaborative effort aims to address the country’s agricultural challenges by harnessing the potential of underground water resources for sustainable irrigation practices.

President Hakainde Hichilema urged for strengthened development cooperation between Zambia and Finland to drive economic growth and development in the country.

“In the global community of democrats, it is important that we retain this position. To us, it is a better system than any alternatives. This partnership will help us drive development and enforce opportunities and freedoms,” remarked President Hichilema, emphasizing the significance of cooperation in driving development and fostering economic opportunities.

President Hichilema acknowledged Finland’s expertise in various sectors of the Zambian economy, including mining, agriculture, water, and forestry. He stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation not only between governments but also between businesses, as investments and trade play a crucial role in driving economies forward.

Furthermore, President Hichilema called for expedited action on developing a common checklist for agreed-upon areas between Zambia and Finland, emphasizing the importance of efficient cooperation.

In response, Krista Mikkonen, the leader of the Finnish delegation, expressed the growing interest of the Finnish private sector in various fields in Zambia, particularly in sustainable and environmentally friendly mining, forestry, meteorology, and education sectors. She also acknowledged Zambia’s economic challenges, particularly the unresolved debt situation, expressing optimism that positive movement on debt restructuring would unlock Zambia’s economic potential.

Grant Names Strong Squad for 4 Nations Outing

sports
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11
Grant Names Strong Squad for 4 Nations Outing

Chipolopolo have named a strong 24-man squad for this weekend’s Four Nations tournament in Malawi.

Kenya and Zimbabwe are the other teams participating in the competition to be staged in Lilongwe from March 18-26.

Zambia is getting ready for the June round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Morocco.

Some notables in the team coach Avram Grant announced on Monday include England based striker Patson Daka, forward Lameck Banda, veteran defender Stopilla Sunzu, Frank Musonda and Miguel Chaiwa.

According to FAZ, Zambia won’t play any more friendly matches before June.

CHIPOLOPOLO 24 MEMBER TEAM FOR MALAWI INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

(GOALKEEPERS)

Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows), Toaster Nsabata (Zesco United)

(DEFENDERS)

Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Zepheniah Phiri (Prison Leopards), Stoppilla Sunzu (Cangzhou Mighty Lions-China), Frankie Musonda (AYR United[1]Scotland), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Gift Mphande (Hapoel Rishon Lezion FC-Israel), Kebson Kamanga (Red Arrows)

(MIDFIELDERS)

Benson Sakala (Mlada Boleslav-Czech Republic), Lubambo Musonda (Sikebord IF-Denmark), Miguel Chaiwa Club Schaffhausen-Switzerland), Emmanuel Banda (Club Rijeka-Croatia), Frederick Mulambia, Joshua Mutale (both Power Dynamos), Clatous Chama (Simba SC-Tanzania), Abraham Siankombo (Zesco United), Obinno Chisala (Costa Do Sol-Mozambique)

(STRIKERS) Patson Daka (Leicester City-England), Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans[1]Tanzania), Andrew Phiri (Muza FC), Golden Mashata (Green Buffaloes), Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy)

8 hour Load Shedding In Zambia Begins

Chief Editor
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23
8 hour Load Shedding In Zambia Begins

Load Shedding across Zambia begins today.

ZESCO has provided various channels customers and the public can get details on load management in their respective areas:
click here download schedule

Last month Zesco announced a substantial reduction in electricity generation at the Kariba North Bank Power Station for the year 2024. ZESCO Managing Director Victor Mapani revealed that the generation is expected to decrease to 214 Mega Watts, a significant drop from the 386 Mega Watts generated in 2023. This decline is attributed to the reduction in water levels at the Kariba Dam, which will adversely impact the power station’s ability to generate electricity.

Mr. Mapani explained that the country has been allocated only eight billion cubic meters of water for electricity generation this year, emphasizing the direct correlation between water levels and the power station’s output. The reduced water allocation poses a considerable challenge to sustaining higher levels of electricity generation.

Mr. Mapani assured the public that ZESCO would transparently communicate any decision to implement load shedding, providing timely information to the citizens. Then in a media briefing last week ZESCO Managing Director Victor Mapani announced that the company will commence 8-hour daily load shedding effective Monday, March 11, 2024. The decision followed a meticulous assessment of water levels in the Kafue and Zambezi basins.

Mr. Mapani explained that the implementation of load shedding become imperative due to the dwindling water levels, which directly affect power generation capacity. He noted that the anticipated loss for ZESCO due to load shedding would amount to approximately $35 million per month.

Load shedding will be scheduled throughout the day, affecting morning, afternoon, and evening periods.

The decision to initiate load shedding underscores the gravity of the situation regarding Zambia’s energy resources and highlights the need for sustainable energy management strategies.

Zambian Striker Fashion Sakala Donates 1,400 Bags of Mealie Meal to Flood Victims

Chief Editor
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13
Zambian Striker Fashion Sakala Donates 1,400 Bags of Mealie Meal to Flood Victims

Zambian striker Fashion Sakala has demonstrated his philanthropic spirit by donating 1,400 bags of mealie meal to the people of Mbenjere area in Eastern Province, Zambia.

The generous donation extends beyond Mbenjere, reaching surrounding villages and farms in Chief Mnukwa’s village, providing much-needed relief to families affected by floods in the region.

Fashion Sakala, currently playing for Al-Fayha in the Saudi Professional League, announced the charitable act on his Facebook page, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to lend a helping hand to those in need.

In his statement, Sakala emphasized the importance of giving back to the community, describing the act of assisting affected families as an immense blessing. He expressed humility in being able to make a positive difference in the lives of those facing hardship due to the floods.

The donation of mealie meal, is expected to provide essential sustenance to numerous households grappling with the aftermath of the floods.

Fashion Sakala’s gesture exemplifies the spirit of compassion and solidarity, inspiring others to contribute to the welfare of their communities during times of adversity.

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