In a bid to safeguard school furniture and ensure a conducive learning environment, the Northern Province Permanent Secretary, Bernard Mpundu, has issued a ban on the use of school desks for any public meetings within the province. Mpundu emphasized that these desks, procured by the government at considerable expense, are exclusively for the use of school children.

Addressing the community at Chinika Mpundu Primary School in Chilubi District, where he inaugurated a 1 by 2 classroom block constructed using the 2022 Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Mpundu expressed concerns about the misuse of school desks in outdoor public gatherings. He highlighted that the desks, which cost the government between K1000 and K1500 each, were at risk of damage when left unattended after such events.

“I have seen that we have gotten desks from classrooms, but if the rains were to come, no one would be bothered to take the desks back, thus exposing them to risks,” he remarked.

Mpundu urged education authorities to prevent the use of school desks at public gatherings, emphasizing the government’s commitment to providing a conducive learning environment for pupils. He also called on local authorities to ensure an adequate supply of desks to schools, especially those newly constructed.

The Permanent Secretary’s directive received support from Chilubi District Commissioner Risto Mushembe, who pledged to ensure its strict adherence across all schools in the district. Mushembe emphasized the government’s intention to provide desks for pupils, aiming not only to offer comfort but also to enhance their handwriting.

Chilubi Town Council Chairperson Rosemary Chimbini echoed the importance of supporting education and urged the public to rally behind the government’s efforts. She emphasized the role of the new classroom block in creating a conducive learning space for children and called for continued community support to facilitate further development initiatives.

The ban on using school desks in public gatherings aligns with the broader goal of preserving educational resources and ensuring that pupils have the necessary infrastructure for effective learning.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has called for a mandatory asset declaration for senior government officials as a crucial step in addressing the concerning trend of unjustified wealth. ACC Chairperson Musa Mwenye emphasized that it is imperative to compel Permanent Secretaries and other controlling officers to declare their assets, noting that the current lack of obligation raises concerns about accountability.

Speaking at the Law Development Commission’s Legal Seminar on the effectiveness of the Order on unjustified Wealth in Zambia held in Lusaka on Wednesday, Mwenye underscored the need for heightened efforts in the fight against corruption, aligning with the objectives outlined in the Eighth National Development Plan.

Mwenye also emphasized the urgency of recovering stolen government assets and national resources, highlighting the importance of robust measures to combat corruption effectively.

At the same seminar, Zambia Law Development Commission Chairperson Ruth Chibbabuka echoed the call for concerted efforts in the fight against corruption and money laundering. The joint emphasis from both ACC and the Law Development Commission reflects the shared commitment to strengthening legal frameworks and implementing measures to curb unjustified wealth and corruption in Zambia.

As discussions unfold around the effectiveness of the Order on unjustified Wealth, stakeholders are urged to actively engage in the collective efforts to address corruption and promote transparency within the government. The call for mandatory asset declaration serves as a significant step towards fostering accountability and integrity among senior government officials.

The state has urged the Lusaka High Court to conduct an in-camera trial in the case involving Lusaka businessman Shadrick Kasanda and four others. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in a Gold Scam, with a staggering sum of USD 5.7 million at the center of the controversy.

Chief State Advocate Nkumbiza Mumba has formally requested that the proceedings be held behind closed doors, asserting that the case contains sensitive information that justifies a non-public trial. Mumba argued that the revelation of such information could not only jeopardize the state’s interests but also pose a risk to certain members of the public.

This plea was made before a distinguished panel of three High Court Judges: Situmbeko Chocho, Charles Zulu, and Ruth Chibbabuka.

However, the defense team, led by former Solicitor General Abraham Mwansa and Makebi Zulu, contested the Chief State Advocate’s request. They contended that, contrary to Mumba’s assertions, it is the accused who would suffer prejudice if the trial is conducted in camera.

In a further development, Chief State Advocate Nkumbiza Mumba has sought the Lusaka High Court’s approval to amend the charges against Shadrick Kasanda. The proposed amendment includes adding a case of fraudulent dealing in minerals to the businessman’s legal woes.

Meanwhile, Shadrick Kasanda and his co-accused, namely Lusaka businessman Jim Belemu, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Police Commanding Officer Robson Moonga, State Security Officer Francis Mateyo, and Commercial Pilot Patrick Kawanu, entered pleas of not guilty to the espionage charges related to the alleged Gold Scam.

The trial commenced today following the consent by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Gilbert Phiri, to prosecute the case.

Minister of Information and Media, Cornelius Mweetwa, says government is ready to meet and dialogue with the Catholic bishops over the concerns they raised in the pastoral letter which has been circulating on different social media platforms.

Mr. Mweetwa noted that government values and respects all churches in the country and beyond but that it is prudent to dialogue than issuing statements through the media.

He says the government will continue maintaining an open door policy at the same time dialogue with different stakeholders including catholic bishops who talked about the economic state of the country.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Mweetwa has observed that the media is a good platform to communicate with people but if not properly used, it has potential to cause misunderstanding.

The Minister said this in Lusaka today at a press briefing held at his office.

Mr. Mweetwa indicated that the issues raised by the Catholic bishops are of serious concern but advised that the bishops could have found a better way of channeling out the matters to government.

He said dialogue is the best way to engage with one another as it will provide accountability and transparency for all parties involved.

Mr. Mweetwa,however, added that as much as government appreciates the concerns raised by the bishops, they could have also proposed best solutions to help the government govern the people effectively.

He stated that in their statement to government, the bishops just talked about the state of the economy without providing solutions.

“We have seen and heard the statement that was issued by some catholic bishops through different social media platforms. We respect and acknowledge their concerns. But we are wondering why they chose to use the media instead of coming to us and dialogue. As a government, we are ready to meet them so that we talk face to face and not through the media,” Mr. Mweetwa stated.

The Minister stated that President Hakainde Hichilema is a strong believer of sober dialogue in view of achieving a win- win situation that will propel economic development.

He explained that president Hichilema is also a strong defender of the rule of law and that he will defend the supremacy of the law to its latter.

On the 10th of November 2023, Catholic bishops through a press briefing, issued a statement to the government which circulated on different social media platforms highlighting the alleged economic state of the country.