Inspector-General of Police, Kakoma Kanganja has directed that, where possible, all prisoners charged with misdemeanors and contravention offences should be released on police bond without undue delay.

Announcing the constitution of a committee to help fight coronavirus, to be spearheaded by the Director of Zambia Police Medical Directorate to provide support for a coordinated response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Police Chief said that the development is part of the Zambia Police contribution to the global response to the Coronavirus outbreak and is part of the Zambia Police contribution to the global response to the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Police Chief has stated that all Provincial Police Commissioners are expected to ensure that all police stations under their jurisdiction put in place precautionary measures which include restricting numbers of people visiting those in police detention.

He added that all Officers-in-Charge of Stations should see to it that detention facilities are not overcrowded with suspects.

He has since appealed to members of the public and various groupings to adhere to the provisions of the piece of legislation, following the enactment of the Statutory Instrument No. 22 restricting public mass gatherings to prevent infections.

And the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has commended the government for taking timely measures aimed at containing the COVID-19 pandemic to safeguard the lives of workers and the general public.
ZCTU has further extended solidarity and sympathy to the workers around the country who are facing health risks because of the COVID-19 outbreak which has recorded a large number of cases and deaths around the world.

ZCTU Secretary General, Cosmas Mukuka, observes that as government, workers and communities respond to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Union will together with its affiliates and workers endavours to play their role in promoting information, responsible public health practices and provision of community support to the most vulnerable in communities.

In a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Chewe proposed among others that all workers, whatever their formality, contract or status should be guaranteed that they will perform their duties in a safe working environment.

He indicated that public health measures and health care services for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 should be available for all workers and their families, regardless of their residential status.

The ZCTU has further called on the government to encourage the formation of a network within the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) member countries to monitor the spread and development of measures aimed at combating COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Stakeholders and traditional leaders in Manyinga district convened a meeting today to discuss the coronavirus and other diseases affecting their communities.

In addressing traditional leaders, Manyinga stakeholders chairperson, Patrick Kamboyi said the fight against corona virus should not be left to government officials alone but all community members should be involved.

Mr Kamboyi said the disease prevention and national development need concerted efforts by all stakeholders including traditional leaders.

Speaking at the same event, district public health officer, Ben Mukumbi implored all village traditional leaders to encourage their subjects in keeping themselves healthy and protected from diseases such as the coronavirus.

Mr Mukumbi said avoiding handshakes, in the meantime, is not a violation of traditional norms, but one of the recommended measures in preventing the spread of coronavirus.

He further implored traditional leaders to sensitive their subjects on utilizing handwashing facilities and also to seek early medical attention, whenever any member of their community falls sick.

And Headman, Samufunda of Samufunda village in senior chief Sikufele’s chiefdom has commended government and stakeholders for educating traditional leaders on health matters on time, especially with the coronavirus.

The traditional leader has since implored stakeholders to continue engaging traditional leaders on health issues and national matters so that local people are enlightened and remain heathy.

The Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company has encouraged its customers and the general public to use electronic payment (e-payment) platforms to pay for their water bills in a bid to complement government efforts of mitigating the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Company has further advised customers to minimize walking into customer service centers dotted around the City.

Nshamba Muzungu, the Company Public Relations Officer said customers are instead advised to call the customer service centers for any queries or complaints and utilize e-payment.

Mr Muzungu said the company recognizes that basic water and sanitation services are important to overall health.

He said Zambians must, therefore, ensure that they follow the advice of health experts and keep their family members healthy with sanitation behaviors, like washing hands, which is key to stopping the spread of the virus.

He assured customers that the company will take all measures possible to protect the public and its staff members from any exposure to the virus that would arise from interaction with our services.

A Sino Hydro Construction Company worker has died after earth curved in and buried him as they were installing drainage pipes at Chingwere Junction in Lusaka.

Nkole Wamezi, age, and house number unknown, was buried together with three colleagues, but Wamezi died upon arrival at Matero level one hospital, while, his colleagues are receiving treatment and in stable condition.

Police Spokesperson, Esther Katongo confirmed the sad development to the media in Lusaka yesterday.

Ms Katongo said the police has since opened an inquiry in the matter.

In another development, Four people have died while, four others sustained serious injuries in a road traffic accident that occurred yesterday, around 06:40 hours along Solwezi-Chingola road.

Mrs Katongo indicated that Paul Mundumbu aged 29, a Catholic Priest based at Solwezi Diocese, whilst driving a Toyota land cruiser registration number ABZ 5470 in the direction of west to east, hit two pedestrians namely Suzan Kalale aged 19, a grade 11 pupil of Kasapa Secondary School and male juvenile Obed Mumpumpe aged 13 of Kasapa area, a grade seven pupil of Kasapa Primary School in Mushindamo District.

She explained that the dual was in the process of crossing the road in the direction of north to south as they were going to school and were hit by the motor vehicle after which the driver lost control of the motor vehicle and went off the road to the left side where it overturned twice.

She stated that the male juvenile Obed Mumpumpe and Yolanda Del Bocanegra aged 65, a Catholic Nun who was a passenger on the Landcruiser sustained severe head injuries, died on the spot while Suzan Kalale died on the way to Solwezi General Hospital.

Another victim was identified as Immaculee Maloba Lusa aged 38 also a Catholic Nun who died upon arrival at Solwezi General Hospital.

Mrs. Katongo noted that all the surviving victims are admitted to Solwezi General Hospital while the driver sustained general body pains.

She said the bodies of the deceased persons are deposited in Solwezi General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.

The Police Spokesperson said the accident happened as a result of excessive speed and the driver involved is yet to be charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Lusaka has arrested and detained a security guard from the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for corrupt practices.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Corporate Affairs Officer Collins Chilambwe has named the suspect as John Mwanza aged 26, of Zingalume Compound in Lusaka, a security guard at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

Mr. Chilambwe said the suspect has been arrested and charged with one count of corrupt practices by public officer, contrary to section 19 (1) as read with section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 of the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that, on dates unknown but between March 1, 2020 and March 17, 2020, in Lusaka, the suspect corruptly solicited for K800 from a named patient of Kabwe District in Central Province.

Mr Chilambwe stated that the detainee corruptly solicited for K800 as gratification for himself in order to facilitate the undertaking of a Computerized Tomography Scan (CT scan) by the named patient, to be conducted at the UTH Cancer Disease Hospital.

He said the patient then gave Mwanza K400 with the remaining balance of K400 to be paid later.

Mr Chilambwe added that the named patient eventually did the CT scan with the help of Mr Mwanza who later informed the patient to collect the results after paying the balance of K400.

He added that after receiving the bribe, Mr Mwanza released the medical results to the patient and was arrested by officers.

The Corporate Affairs Officer has since expressed sadness that some health personnel charged with the responsibility to serve members of the public, are in the habit of extorting bribes from patients without moral regard.

Mr Chilambwe has further warned public officers to desist from engaging in corrupt practices, and uphold high professional standards which he said failure to do so will result in officers being punished.

This is contained in a statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka today by ACC Corporate Affairs Officer Collins Chilambwe.

Four media stakeholders have agreed on a coordinated approach towards information dissemination, concerning the fight against Covid-19 in Zambia.

The four entities who include the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia, Media Owner Association of Zambia (MOAZ) and the BBC Media Action, have all noted that a coordinated approach to information dissemination, is key towards the fight against Covid-19.

Speaking on behalf of the four entities, MOAZ President Kenny Tonga revealed at a media briefing in Lusaka this morning, that the media stakeholders have acknowledged the impact that the coronavirus has had on human life, economies, communities and households, hence the need to join hands and help fight the pandemic.

Mr Tonga stated that the impact of the virus is already being felt by Zambia and the world at large, adding that it has slowed down commercial activities, social life and other economic activities due to travel restrictions in nations across the globe.

“And now that the two cases of Covid19 have been recorded in Zambia, its impact is likely to increase, causing a drain on national resources and further impact on the economy and social life,” Mr. Tonga explained.

He conveyed the appeal of the IBA for the media to consider prioritizing dissemination of accurate information on Covid-19.

MISA has since pledged to channel information through its partner stations countrywide, stating that it will work through the radio listening clubs to share information on Covid-19.

And BBC Media Action pledged to produce adverts that will be circulated to all partner radio stations and institutions that are willing to share the informative and educative content on Covid-19.

Meanwhile Ministry of Health Director for Health Promotion, Environment and Social Determinant who is also Ministry’s Spokesperson, Abel Kabalo applauded the media stakeholders for coming on board to sensitive the public on Covid-19.

He added that government has through the partnership with the media owners developed messages on Covid-19, which have been translated in local languages for the public to understand.

Dr Kabalo said government looks forward to further strengthened partnerships between his Ministry and the media stakeholders, not only be on Covid-19 also on other diseases that affect the public.