Three police officers from Mpongwe police station are in critical condition at Mpongwe Mission Hospital after being severely beaten and left for dead during a riot that erupted  in Kalukwiso area, Mpongwe district.

Also badly injured was a farm manager, Mr. Kabisa, who was rushed to Nampamba Clinic for medical attention.

The Radio Mpongwe team that arrived at the scene found a vehicle belonging to farm owner Clayton Jones burned to the ground, while squatters waited for Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Lawrence Mwanza to address them.

The unrest began when Mpongwe police set up a camp to enforce a court order evicting squatters from the farm. However, the squatters, who felt harassed by Jones, believed that the government was not doing enough to protect them and decided to take matters into their own hands.

Some squatters argued that the land had been legally obtained through traditional leadership, questioning why the government was not offering them protection. Many expressed feelings of fear and insecurity, comparing their situation to being under colonization.

In response, Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Lawrence Mwanza acknowledged the issue, assuring that the government was working to resolve it in accordance with the law. He urged the squatters to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and warned that those responsible for the violence, including the burning of property and assaulting officers, would face legal consequences.

Nakonde District Commissioner Marvelous Sikapizye has warned residents of Nakonde and the surrounding areas not to engage themselves in illegal mining activities.

This follows the recent discovery of gold in Movu village of Nakonde district in Muchinga Province which saw 16 people being apprehended.

Mr Sikapizye told the the media in an interview in Nakonde district this morning that those who will be found wanting will face the law.

He said residents should not engage in the gold mining activities that has been recently discovered in Nakonde district if they do not have proper documentation.

“I want to take this opportunity to warn those who want to engage in illegal mining activities that the government will not tolerate such, let them do a better thing by following the right procedure,” he said.

The DC further encouraged cooperatives and those willing to take part in mining activities to follow procedures through acquiring the necessary mining documents that will allow them to carry out mining activities in a legal manner.

He further stated that recently police apprehended a total of 16 Nakonde residents for undertaking illegal mining at the newly discovered site.

Meanwhile, Muchinga Province United Party for National Development (UPND) Coordinator Frederick Chimeya has appealed to residents in the area to adhere to President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive on mining activities.

Mr Chimeya explained that following the directive will bring sanity in mining areas.

The recently discovered gold site in Nakonde district marks the number of gold mines in Muchinga rising to three with two mines located in Mpika and Shiwang’andu districts.

Trial in a matter in which Lusaka media socialite Mutale Mwanza is accused of cyber-harassing media personality, Daisy Lusumpa, popularly known as Chichi Daisy, has commenced in the Lusaka Magistrate’s court.

The first witness, a Copperbelt University student, Mwiya Nyambe 27, narrated before Magistrate Mbuywana Sinvula, how he came across a posting on Facebook purported to have been posted by Ms Mwanza concerning Ms Lusumpa.

Mr Nyambe told the court during cross-examination that while scrolling on facebook, a post popped up where Ms Mwanze is alleged to have posted a message demeaning Ms Lusumpa.

He told the court that he saw the post on facebook on November 9^th, 2024, when he was scrolling between 14:00 hours and 22:00 hours.

The media reports that Mr Nyambe however did not state specifically the time the post popped up on facebook when quizzed by the defense lawyers.

“I was on facebook scrolling like any other day and I came across a post made by Mutale Mwanza concerning Chichi,” he told the court.

Mr Nyambe further testified that upon reading the alleged post, he made a phone call to alert Ms Lusumpa of the post allegedly made by Ms Mwanza.

He informed the court during cross-examination that Ms Lusumpa sounded disturbed when he informed her of the post.

He further said the facebook post which was allegedly made by Ms Mwanza on November 7^th 2024, was circulating on her facebook page called M-Nation.

The witness stated during trial that he was not imagining things, as he had seen the post which obviously referred to Ms Lusumpa.

He explained that after having a pre-conversation with Ms Lusumpa, he was then instructed to go and report the matter to the Zambia Police headquarters.

Mr Nyambe added that the complainant, Ms Lusumpa, gave him the name of the Police Officer to see at the Zambia Police headquarters.

When further quizzed by the defense lawyers, Mr Nyambe revealed that the person Ms Lusumpa instructed him to see was a female Police Officer.

During his testimony to the court, Mr Nyambe said he had known the complainant since childhood, adding that he considers Ms Lusumpa as an elder sister.

The court also heard that the witness was using an iPhone XR when he came across the post on facebook allegedly shared by Ms Mwanza.

And when asked by the defense lawyers representing Ms Mwanza whether he was in possession of the iPhone, Mr Nyambe said he did not have the said iPhone XR.

The defense lawyers told the court that they wanted the iPhone XR in question, which was used by the witness to verify the post.

The state prosecutors then made an application to the court that the trial be adjourned as they were unable to proceed because the phone which was supposed to be used during trial was off.

And the prosecutor informed the court that the adjournment is to enable the prosecution team to prepare.

However, the defense lawyers objected to the application for adjournment, saying that the state lawyers earlier informed the court that they were ready for trial.

The defense lawyers wondered why the state lawyers wanted the trial to be adjourned after indicating that they were ready.

In response, the state lawyers argued that they will not be hurried or directed by the defense as they are the owners of the case.

The matter has since been adjourned to March 6^th 2026 for mention and March 13^th 2026 for continuation of trial.

This is in a case where Ms Mwanza is charged with harassment, utilising means of electronic communication, Contrary to Section 69 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act.

Under this provision, a person who intentionally uses a computer system to initiate electronic communication with intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause emotional distress towards another person, commits an offence.

It is alleged that on November 7, 2024, Ms Mwanza used her facebook page called M-Nation with intent to intimidate, harass or cause emotional distress to Ms Lusumpa.

Upon conviction, such a person is liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand penalty units, imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years, or both.

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has called for enhanced collaboration with the media in exposing corruption, warning that the vice undermines the institution’s capacity to generate revenue for national development.

Speaking during a media workshop held in Petauke District, ZRA Assistant Director for Internal Affairs, Shifayaki Kabamba urged journalists to play an active watchdog role by raising alarm over any fraudulent and unethical conduct involving ZRA and other Public Service officers.

ZRA has set a revenue collection target of 185 billion kwacha this year, up from 160 billion kwacha collected last year.

However, the tax authority said achieving the target will not be possible without intensified efforts to combat corruption.

Mr Kabamba emphasised that the authority maintained a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, adding that ZRA does not hesitate to take disciplinary action against officers found wanting.

“These measures include dismissal from service and, where necessary, recommendation for prosecution in line with the law,” he explained.

Last year ZRA dismissed   14 officers for fraud and other unethical practices while in the year 2024 the commission fired 22 officers for the same offences.

Mr Kabamba further noted that transparency and accountability within the revenue collection system were critical to strengthening public trust and ensuring sustainable financing for the country’s development agenda.

“ZRA is like a clay pot, essential, delicate, and fundamental in national government. Let us show the whole world corruption by exposing corruption. Just as the forces of darkness are connected, let us unite to fight corruption,” he said.

He said the media remained a key partner in promoting integrity and safeguarding public resources.

Kafue District Education Board Secretary, Levy Matongo says over 2,000 girls are currently benefiting from the Keep Girls in School (KGS) initiative in the district.

In an interview with the media Mr Matongo stated that his office has received about 4,700 requests from parents seeking their daughters included on the programme.

He said so far, 2,011 girls out of the 4,700 applications have been placed on the programme.

Mr Matongo mentioned that the verification of the other applications was still ongoing to ensure that the programme benefits appropriate candidates.

“We received a total of 4,700 applications, and out of these, 2,011 girls have been placed under the programme.  We are still verifying the remaining requests to ensure that the right candidates are picked,” he said.

Mr Matongo noted overwhelming response from parents across the district who were eager to enroll their children in the programme.

“The programme is doing extremely well. We have received overwhelming requests from parents wanting their children to be included,” he said.

However, Mr Matongo emphasized that despite the programme’s popularity, not all applicants qualify for placement.

He explained that specific criteria must be met for girls to be eligible.

“We prioritise placing vulnerable girls, particularly those whose families are beneficiaries of programmes such as the Social Cash Transfer under Community Development and Social Services,” he explained.

Muchinga Province Assistant Secretary (AS) Evans Hichilema has warned Health workers in Mpika district of Muchinga Province to avoid the temptation of pilfering medicines meant for government health facilities.

Speaking in Mpika  when he paid a courtesy call on Mpika District Commissioner’s office, Mr Hichilema said government remained committed to ensuring that all Health facilities in Mpika and Muchinga province at large were well stocked with essential drugs.

Mr Hichilema stated that he visited Mpika to inspect various pharmacies and drug stores, aiming to determine whether they were illegally purchasing and reselling medicines intended for government health facilities.

He warned that government will not condone any practice of drug pilfering as any case found will not be treated lightly by law enforcement officers.

Mr Hichilema pointed out that access to essential medicines and other health services was fundamental for a strong and heath nation which will in turn spur developmental activities and prosperity of the country.

He was however happy that after intensive inspections on various pharmacies and drug stores in the district, none of the pharmacies and drug stores were found wanting of pilfering medicines meant for government Health facilities.

“Immediately we finish conducting these inspections of pharmacies and drug stores here in Mpika, we shall proceed to Chinsali district and do the same inspections,” he said.

Meanwhile Mpika District Commissioner David Siame commended Muchinga Province Assistant Secretary (AS) and his team for conducting inspections to find out if medicine meant for government health facilities were pilfered to private pharmacies and Drug stores in the district.

Mr Siame said such inspections must be conducted regularly so as to help completely eliminate pilfering of government drugs by self-individuals.

“There is need to put more resources to help curb pilfering of medicines meant for government Health facilities,” he said.

And Kauche Phiri, a Pharmacist at Chinsali General Hospital, who was also part of the team conducting inspections of pharmacies and drug stores in Mpika, expressed happiness at the manner the pharmacies owners were conducting their business in Mpika.

Mrs Phiri was elated that pharmacists in Mpika were strictly following all the required procedures needed for them to sell medicines to the general public.

“Observing required standards of stocking, buying and selling of drugs to the general public is important to promoting public health,” she said.

Meanwhile Muchinga Province Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Assistant Investigation Officer Sydney Ngulube, urged pharmacies and drug store owners not to engage any deals to pilfer government drugs.

Mr Ngulube added that pilfering government medicines had serious consequences which can lead to instant dismissal for public workers.

“Am happy that in Mpika no pharmacy has been found selling medicine meant for government Health facilities,” he said.

Ghana and Zambia have agreed to introduce visa-free travel for all categories of passport holders, marking a major step in strengthening bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and African integration.

The announcement was made during an address to the Parliament of Zambia by the President of Ghana, who is on an official visit to Lusaka. The agreement is among ten Memorandums of Understanding signed between the two countries, covering cooperation in trade, investment, energy, mining, agriculture, tourism, education, youth development, science and technology, and defence.

Under the new arrangement, citizens of both countries will be able to travel between Ghana and Zambia without visas, a move described as an important step toward the free movement of people on the African continent and a practical expression of Pan-African cooperation.

In his address, the Ghanaian leader traced the long-standing historical ties between the two nations, recalling their shared role in Africa’s liberation struggle under the leadership of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Dr Kenneth Kaunda. He said the responsibility of the present generation was to convert political solidarity into tangible economic and social benefits for citizens.

The President outlined Ghana’s economic reform programme, describing a reset agenda focused on macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline, job creation, productive investment, and good governance. He reported that inflation in Ghana had declined sharply from over 23.4 percent at the end of 2024 to 3.8 percent in January 2026, while the national currency had appreciated by 32 percent and ranked among the top five performing currencies in 2025. He added that Ghana had successfully renegotiated its debt obligations and was steadily exiting the International Monetary Fund’s extended credit facility on sustainable terms.

On natural resources, the President said Africa must exercise greater sovereignty over its mineral wealth and move away from exporting raw materials without value addition. He cited Ghana’s establishment of a Gold Board to regulate exports, reporting that gold exports from the artisanal and small-scale mining sector had increased from 63 tonnes to 104 tonnes within ten months, generating more than 10 billion United States dollars in foreign exchange inflows. He said Ghana was also moving to refine gold locally and process manganese and bauxite domestically, while introducing a sliding-scale mineral royalty system linked to international prices.

The address also focused on regional and continental cooperation. The President said Zambia was a natural partner for Ghana, citing complementarities in mining, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. He called for shared manufacturing zones, integrated energy grids, coordinated mineral negotiations, and unified African positions on trade and climate finance.

Governance and democratic leadership were highlighted as central to Africa’s progress. The Ghanaian leader stressed the need for strong institutions, independent parliaments and judiciaries, and accountability in the use of public resources. He said Ghana was committed to demonstrating that democracy could deliver prosperity, even as parts of West Africa experienced democratic reversals.

He commended Zambia’s recent macroeconomic reforms, noting improved currency performance and policy signals that had strengthened investor confidence. He expressed confidence in Zambia’s democratic institutions ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for August.

The President further announced Ghana’s advocacy roles within the African Union, including efforts on reparations for historical injustices, gender and development, and financial reform. He said Ghana would sponsor a United Nations resolution seeking to recognise slavery as the greatest crime against humanity and expressed hope that Zambia would co-sponsor the initiative.

On gender inclusion, he said Ghana had elected its first female Vice President, implemented an affirmative action law requiring at least 30 percent female representation in public appointments, and was planning the establishment of a women’s development bank to support female-led enterprises.

Concluding his address, the Ghanaian leader reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Zambia, guided by mutual respect, shared democratic values, and a common African destiny.