The fourth session of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Zambia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security has opened in Arusha, Tanzania, today.

Speaking during the official opening, Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security Permanent Secretary, Dickson Matembo, said the fourth session of the JPC between Tanzania and Zambia, which will run from 23^rd to 27^th February 2026, presents a good opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their relations.

Mr Matembo explained that the two countries are working on joint ventures, such as the Tanzania-Zambia Railways Authority (TAZARA), the Tanzania-Zambia Mafuta (TAZAMA) Pipelines Limited among other projects, which have enhanced relations between them.

He stated that these collaborations, which support cross-border trade and regional integration, symbolise the strong ties that exist between Tanzania and Zambia.

Meanwhile, Mr Matembo’s counterpart, Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ally Gugu, said Tanzania is ready to work with Zambia in all areas of cooperation.

Mr Gugu stated that the fourth session of the JPC on Defence and Security is a good opportunity that will allow the two countries to collaborate constructively on many issues that affect them.

The Ministers of Defence and Home Affairs from the two countries are expected to join the fourth session of the JPC on Defence and Security in Arusha, when it culminates into the ministerial session.

The Zambian delegation attending the fourth session of the JPC on Defence and Security comprises the Zambia Air Force Commander, Oscar Nyoni, Zambia Police Inspector General, Graphel Musamba, Zambia Correctional Service Commissioner General, Frederick Chilukutu, and Drug Enforcement Commission Director General, Nason Banda, among other government officials.

This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS today by the Ministry of Defence Principal Public Relations Officer, Paul Shalala.

The Department of Anti-Human trafficking under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security has emphasised on the need for prioritised collaborative efforts among stakeholders in combating human trafficking.

Chief Anti-human Trafficking Officer Agness Muluchi, says combating the vice requires a multi-sectoral and collaborative approach that draws upon the strengths of various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Faith Based Organisations (FBOs).

Speaking when she opened a 5-day training with CSOs and FBOs on human trafficking held at Mabo Greens Lodge in Chinsali, Ms Muluchi stated that human trafficking remained one of the most serious violations of human rights and dignity, stressing that the involvement of every stakeholder in the fight was  of high significance.

“It is for this reason that our department has collaborated with Save the Children with the aim of strengthening partnerships and enhancing the technical capacity of participating organisations to effectively respond to human trafficking,” she said.

Ms Muluchi added that the engagement will equip participants with practical knowledge on human trafficking, identifying victims, understanding legal frameworks, cases and shelter management.

And Chief Immigration Officer under the Muchinga Regional Office Chansa Lungu, noted that the levels of human trafficking in the region have recently been on the rise.

Ms Lungu stated that with the province bordering Tanzania and Malawi, the department has been recording worrying statistics of human trafficking using the Great North Road as a transit route.

She however, charged that efforts to intercept such vices within the region have been strengthened under the Immigration department.

Ms Lungu added that the partnerships with CSOs and FBOs will help in reducing the vice after the capacity building and sensitisation programmes.

“This training is important because you are going to know the types of human trafficking that are there from within our communities,” she said.

The Chief Immigration Officer further urged the participants to come up with workable strategies that will enhance the fight against human trafficking as supplementary efforts to Government.

Central Province Permanent Secretary, Milner Mwanakampwe, has underscored government’s commitment to supporting lawful, organised and sustainable mining activities.

Dr Mwanakampwe said the Provincial administration will continue to work with district authorities, traditional leadership, and security institutions to ensure that Artisanal Small Miners (ASM) operations operate within the confines of the law and serve the broader public interest.

He was speaking when the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Assistant Director for Policy and Planning, Mercy Zulu, paid a courtesy call on him.

Dr Mwanakampwe stressed that ASM activities must contribute positively to community development, environmental protection, social stability and national economic growth

He has commended the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development for taking deliberate steps to strengthen   its capacity framework.

The Permanent Secretary acknowledged the collaboration with the land facility programme supported by the United Kingdom foreign commonwealth and development office.

He said such partnerships reinforced government’s commitment to structured formalisation and sustainable mineral development

And Ms Zulu announced that the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development was reviewing its artisan training manual as part of a broader strategy to formalise the sector, enhance safety standards, and boost productivity.

 Ms Zulu said the initiative aimed to curb illegal, unsafe mining practices and ensure that more cooperatives are trained and licensed.

She emphasized that the updated framework focuses on sustainable, responsible, and legal mining operations.

Ms Zulu added that the initiative aims to review and train artisanal miners, guiding their transition into formal, tax-compliant, and safe operations.

Earlier, a representative from RESOLVE, an American institution specialises in mediating disputes and fostering collaboration to solve critical environmental, social, and health challenges, spearheading the training, Steven Bockane, commended the government for regulating the artisanal miners in the country.

 Mr Bockane said while ASM contributed to income generation and local economic activities, it must be conducted in a manner that is lawful, organized, safe and environmentally responsible.

Eastern Province Minister, Peter Phiri, has reiterated government’s commitment to collaborate with state and non-state actors to develop a resilient and dedicated human resource in the civil service.

Mr Phiri says the move is crucial for sustainable national development.

The media reports that the Minister was speaking when a Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZSIC) delegation, led by the institution’s Chief Executive Officer, Collins Hamusonde, called on him.

He stated that the government’s development agenda can only be achieved when the civil service workforce is self-motivated, through the creation of a favourable work environment and availability of social security services.

Mr Phiri assured the institution of government support, stressing the need to provide quality services and products.

“As a government, we would like to guarantee you our support because we understand that your success is our success in uplifting the living standards of our civil servants, who are the machinery in the successful implementation of government policies and programmes.

“We further understand that national growth cannot be driven by the government alone but depends on other agencies to supplement its efforts. Therefore, you should expand your services to regions, irrespective of geographic location,” he added.

And ZSIC Chief Executive Officer highlighted that the institution’s critical services to employees are aimed at lessening their burden in times of trouble, such as bereavement, sickness, and other emergencies.

 Mr Hamusonde further gave insight into the institution’s commitment to providing services and products that can compete internationally.

“As an Agency, we want to offer services and products that meet and satisfy our clients, particularly the civil servants. We also have an objective to offer services internationally to expand our scope,” he noted.

The ZSIC team is currently in Eastern Province, raising awareness and educating the public about its services ahead of the 2026 N’cwala traditional ceremony of the Ngoni people, scheduled for Saturday, 28th February.

President Hakainde Hichilema says the government is shifting education from a social to an economic sector in order to grow and sustain the country’s treasury income.

President Hichilema explained that this is being achieved through the promotion of inclusive education through strategies such as free education, construction of classrooms, and the school feeding programme, which is now benefitting about four million learners countrywide.

He noted that the programme is also providing a market for small scale farmers’ farm produce.

The President was speaking during the implementation of the School Feeding Programme at Kabulonga Boys Secondary school in Lusaka today.

“We have to grow the economy, so we can then extract resources to support these programmes. And no one should be left behind. Inequity is not acceptable,” the President stressed.

President Hichilema has since directed the Ministry of Education to coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture in providing structured information on food consumed under the school feeding programme, in order to link farmer production with demand.

Earlier, President Hichilema, who also participated in serving lunch to learners at Kabulonga Boys Secondary school, observed that some pupils do not have proper plates.

He has, in his individual capacity, pledged to provide feeding utensils for learners at Kabulonga Boys Secondary school, to ensure equality among them.

The Head of State also reiterated his administration’s resolve to prioritise education, further revealing that the number of teachers recruited in the last four and half-years will be nearing 48,000 by the end of this year.

And speaking on behalf of cooperating partners, World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director, Cissy Kabasuuga commended President Hichilema for his visionary leadership and commitment to investing in the welfare of children.

Ms Kabasuuga also praised the Zambian government, describing the country as a shining example in Africa for placing school feeding and free education at the heart of its national development agenda.

She noted the remarkable achievement of 2.6 million children returning to school following the introduction of the free education policy, stressing that education and nutrition are inseparable pillars of national progress.

She further extolled the government’s growing budget allocation towards the programme, saying it is a sign of strong national ownership and sustainability.

Ms Kabasuuga has since reaffirmed WFP’s commitment to supporting the government as it scales up the School Feeding Programme, to ensure the initiative remains sustainable in the drive toward achieving zero hunger among learners.

“I end by reiterating WFP’s commitment to supporting your government as it continues to scale up the Home-Grown School Meals Programme and working toward achieving Zero Hunger. We will continue to work with the Ministry of Education, all partners, and stakeholders to ensure this programme remains strong, resilient, and sustainable,” Ms Kabasuuga assured.

And in a vote of thanks, Elijah Jere, a grade 12 learner at Kabulonga Boys Secondary school, thanked the government for the school feeding programme and other initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive education.

“Because of the School Feeding Programme, we no longer have to worry about missing classes in an event where there’s no food at home,” he stated.