Kanchibiya district has been plunged into mourning following the death of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Aspiring Candidate for Lubaleshi Ward, Evans Chileshe, who died in a road traffic accident.

Mr Chileshe is reported to have died after the motorbike he was riding was involved in a collision with a vehicle near the Danger Hill area in Mpika district.

And UPND Aspiring Member of Parliament for Lwitikila Constituency, Joan Kambe, in expressing her condolences, has described the death as a devastating blow to the party and the local community.

Speaking in a telephone interview with the media, Ms Kambe noted that the tragedy is particularly painful as it comes shortly after the successful filing of nominations.

“We have just concluded the nomination process and we never expected such a tragic turn of events. Mr Chileshe was a man with a heart for the people and had a deep-seated desire to serve his ward,” Ms Kambe said.

Meanwhile, Aspiring UPND Council Chairperson Candidate, Brian Bwalya, described the late Mr Chileshe as a leader of great humility and dedication.

Mr Bwalya observed that the deceased’s contributions to community unity and the development of Lubaleshi Ward will remain an enduring legacy.

“I will forever cherish the warmth, wisdom and guidance he shared during our interactions. His leadership and commitment to his community will continue to be a source of inspiration to us all,” Mr Bwalya stated.

He added that Lubaleshi Ward has lost a distinguished leader and further extended his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family and the UPND fraternity.

And a resident of Ntamanga, Katongo Chileshe, said the news has sent shockwaves through the village, as residents were looking forward to the late aspirant’s leadership.

“The community is deeply saddened. We have lost a leader who showed great commitment to the development of our ward even before the election,” Mr Chileshe said.

The district continues to mourn the untimely passing of Mr Evans Chileshe as funeral arrangements are being made by the family.

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Tuesday Bwalya, has issued a stern warning to civil servants in the province against engaging in partisan politics, declaring that those found wanting risk losing their jobs immediately.

The Permanent Secretary was speaking on the sidelines of a service charter handover ceremony to various government departments in Chinsali district.

Dr Bwalya emphasised that the administration will take strict disciplinary action against politically active public workers.

 Permanent Secretary stressed that the primary allegiance of public workers is to support the government of the day and deliver essential development to the masses through their daily operational duties.

He reminded the officers that, under the Civil Service Commission mandate, their role is strictly to implement government policies and programmes.

Dr Bwalya made it clear that active political involvement, particularly during the campaign period, will not be tolerated.

He warned that any officer caught campaigning directly or indirectly on any platform, including social media networks like Facebook, will face termination.

“Any officer who will be found campaigning directly or indirectly on any platform will be fired so that he or she can go and campaign freely”.

“You cannot support the opposition while serving. Even posting partisan content on social media platforms such as Facebook is unacceptable”. Dr Bwalya warned.

He further directed management to discipline any civil servants who are actively involved in politics, warning supervisors that failure to enforce these directives would result in disciplinary action against them as well.

Dr Bwalya charged that politics should be put aside, adding that any civil servant doing otherwise will be dealt with.

The Permanent Secretary urged public service workers to maintain professionalism, discipline and loyalty to the government of the day.

He reiterated that a non-partisan civil service is vital to driving national development, preserving public trust in government institutions and serving all citizens equally.

The PS noted that campaigns will come and go, but civil service workers will remain, hence urging all government workers to focus entirely on effective service delivery.

 Police in Chipata District of Eastern Province have launched a manhunt for a 40-year-old man accused of having carnal knowledge of his 12-year-old stepdaughter.

Eastern Province Police Commissioner, Robertson Mweemba, has confirmed the incident to the media.

Mr Mweemba says the incident was reported to Kapata Police Post on May 31, 2026, by the child’s mother following an alleged incident that occurred in D.K. Compound the previous night.

He said the child was left at home while her mother visited a relative nearby.

Mr Mweemba explained that upon returning, the mother was informed of the alleged abuse and immediately alerted family members before reporting the matter to police.

“The child was taken to hospital for medical attention and further assessment,” he said.

Mr Mweemba stated that sadly the suspect fled the area after the incident and remains at large.

He indicated that investigations have been instituted, and officers are pursuing leads to bring the suspect to justice.

“I want to urge members of the public with information on the suspect’s whereabouts to assist the police with the ongoing investigations,” he said.

The Luapula Province Chiefs Council has expressed deep sorrow following the death of Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people.
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‎In a message of condolences issued on behalf of the council, Chairperson Chief Chisunka has described the late traditional leader as a courageous and dedicated custodian of culture who served his people with distinction.
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‎Chief Chisunka said the death of Paramount Chief Mpezeni is a great loss not only to the Ngoni Royal Establishment but also to the entire nation.
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‎Chief Chisunka noted that Paramount Chief Mpezeni will be remembered for his firm commitment to preserving culture, defending the dignity of traditional institutions and championing the welfare of his people.
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‎He added that traditional leaders across the country have lost a respected colleague and mentor whose dedication to the institution of chieftaincy inspired many.
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‎Chief Chisunka further said the late Paramount Chief’s legacy will continue to guide future generations of traditional leaders in Zambia and beyond.
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‎He called on the nation to celebrate the life of a remarkable leader who served with courage, commitment and honour.

Chie Chisunka has since conveyed heartfelt condolences to the Ngoni people and the bereaved royal family.
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Special Assistant to the President for Finance and Investment, Jito Kayumba, says the government is aware of the deplorable state of the Kisasa – Mwinilunga Road in North-Western Province and is putting up measures to address the situation.

Speaking during the Seventh Chibwika Chiefdom Agriculture and Commercial Show, Mr Kayumba revealed that resource mobilisation for the construction of the road has advanced.

He added that the process to procure a suitable contractor for the road is also underway with the contractor expected to mobilise and move to the site in a few weeks’ time.

“We are well aware that you need road access, to create access to Markets, access to other parts of our country and of course beyond, and we are not lost on the deplorable state of the road between Mwinilunga and Kalumbila,” he said.

Mr Kayumba emphasised that the government understands the critical role of the road in unlocking the economic potential of the district and the region at large, hence doing everything possible to work on the infrastructure.

He stated that following the successful restructuring of the national debt, the government is now in a better position to embark on infrastructure development in the North-western Province after many years of neglect by previous governments.

And Mr Kayumba has noted chief Chibwika’s strategic step in positioning the chiefdom to benefit from the Lobito corridor project which is expected to transform livelihoods of people and boost local economies.

He said hosting chiefdom agriculture and commercial shows by the Chibwika chiefdom forms a critical part of steps in tapping into opportunities the Lobito corridor will bring.

Mr Kayumba said the government will ensure that locals along the Lobito corridor project line are involved in the construction of the project so that they can be active participants and beneficiaries.

“We will make sure we keep you involved, keep you informed, so you can be participants not only in the project but the benefits that come out of the project,” Mr Kayumba stated.

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Paul Thole, has called for concerted efforts in the fight against tobacco and nicotine use.

Mr Thole says stakeholders need to work together to protect people, especially young ones against addiction and preventable illnesses.

He has noted that tobacco is becoming a major public health and socio-economic concern in the country.

 Mr Thole said this in a speech read on his behalf by Eastern Province Director of Procurement, Charles Lungu, at this year’s commemoration of World No Tobacco Day in Chipangali District, Eastern Province.

Mr Thole noted that tobacco related diseases including cancer, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory illnesses are contributing to premature deaths and increasing pressure on fragile health systems in low and middle income countries.

He said second hand smoke also poses risks particularly to women and children in rural areas such as Chipangali, adding that limited health services highlight the need for stronger community based awareness and prevention efforts.

“Globally, 15 million adolescents aged 13 to 15 currently use E-Ciggerates while 40 million young people use traditional tobacco products. In many countries adolescents are significantly more likely to VAPE than adults, underscoring the urgent need for stronger awareness, regulation, and youth protection measures,” Mr Thole said.

He noted that World No Tobbacco Day is more than just a date on the calendar, but a national and global call to action, a reminder of the human cost of tobacco and nicotine independence, as well as a challenge to governments, communities and each citizen to protect health.

He emphasised that the government under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema remains committed to strengthening tobacco control measures in line with the World Health Organisation Framework on tobacco control.

 “Through the Ministry of Health, the government continues to strengthen tobacco control by promoting evidence based cessation interventions, including the WHO- recommend SA’s model: ASK, ADVISE, ASSES, ASSIST and ARRANGE.

“The proposed tobacco control bill No 40 of 2025, further demonstrates government’s commitment to protecting children, youths, families and communities from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine addiction,” he said.

The Provincial Permanent Secretary further mentioned that the government is reinforcing regulations that restrict tobacco advertising and promotion, as well as reviewing measures to regulate emerging nicotine products such as E-Ciggerates and heated tobacco products.

Mr Thole also noted that the country is aware of the social economic dimensions of tobacco where tobacco farming is a livelihood.

“In view of this, the government is working with partners to promote alternative income generating crops and support sustainable livelihoods so that health and economic welfare go hand in hand,” he said.

He has therefore urged cooperating partners and the community to unite in the collective efforts towards building healthier families, stronger communities and a healthier tobacco free Zambia.

And Chipangali District Administrative Officer, Lawrence Nyirongo, noted that in 2025 alone about 117,535 cases of respiratory tract infections were recorded nationwide, adding that from January to date 34,976 cases have been recorded.

“If the fight against tobacco use is not taken seriously, our young generation risks becoming less productive due to preventable diseases such as chronic respiratory conditions and lung cancer,” Mr Nyirongo said.

He has therefore called on all leaders and community members to champion smoke free homes, schools, public spaces, and serve as role models for healthy choices.

Meanwhile, Chipangali Town Council Secretary, Faustina Manjombi, emphasised that tobacco control is not only a government responsibility, but a shared duty.

 “Families, schools, traditional leaders, and faith based organisations including communities, all have a role to play in protecting our children and future generations from nicotine addiction,” Ms Manjobi said.

Chief Chanje’s Representative, Njombwa Mbewe, noted that many people have lost their lives due to tobacco, and appealed to the government to intensify promotion of high value crops that will help tobacco farmers economically.

 Ministry of Local and Rural Development Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Nicholas Phiri, says he is hopeful that the succession process within the Ngoni Royal Establishment would provide a positive example of an orderly transition of traditional leadership.

Mr Phiri notes that there are currently more than 56 succession disputes involving traditional leadership before the courts of law across the country.

He has since appealed to traditional establishments countrywide to support peaceful and structured succession processes and avoid disputes that often emerge following the death of traditional leaders.

 The Permanent Secretary stated that the late Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV championed unity, love and strong traditional institutions throughout his reign.

He urged that the legacy of the late Paramount Chief should therefore be honoured through a dignified and peaceful transition.

“We are hopeful as a ministry that this will be completely different because the man whose life we are celebrating stood for stronger institutions of central and traditional governance,” he said.