In a commendable gesture of recognition for their dedication and commitment during the cholera outbreak, President Hakainde Hichilema has extended permanent employment offers to two female volunteer nurses serving at the National Cholera Centre at Lusaka’s Heroes Stadium.

During his visit to the Cholera Centre, President Hichilema expressed appreciation for the selfless service of Mary Mwanza, 54, and Christine Tembo, 29. Despite the option to stay at home and lament unemployment, the two nurses chose to respond to the disaster by volunteering at the frontline of the cholera response.

President Hichilema acknowledged their commitment to duty and, as a testament to their exemplary service, offered both Mary Mwanza and Christine Tembo permanent employment in the civil service. The President’s decision underscores the value placed on the dedication of individuals contributing to the nation’s well-being during challenging times.

Mary Mwanza, a former marketeer, expressed her gratitude to President Hichilema for the unexpected job offer. She took the opportunity to encourage young people to stay focused in life, emphasizing the importance of responding positively to crises.

In a similar sentiment, Christine Tembo echoed the appreciation for the President’s gesture, emphasizing the need for citizens to remain focused and dedicated in their endeavors.

During the visit to Heroes Stadium, President Hichilema urged fellow Zambians to take decisive action in the collective effort to eradicate cholera. Acknowledging that some government measures might be challenging, he stressed their necessity for disease eradication.

President Hichilema conveyed sincere condolences to families who have lost loved ones to the cholera pandemic and extended goodwill wishes for a quick recovery to patients admitted across the country. He paid tribute to frontline health personnel for their tireless and courageous efforts in saving lives.

Expressing gratitude, the President also acknowledged the support of various local and international partners joining forces to combat cholera. He emphasized the importance of maintaining good hygiene practices at the personal and household levels and called for collective cooperation in the ongoing fight against cholera.

President Hakainde Hichilema urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate in the battle against cholera, emphasizing the severity and lethality of the disease.

Zambia Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach Avram Grant has expressed happiness with the performance of the Chipolopolo boys in a friendly match played on Tuesday against the indomitable lions of Cameroon.

In a post-match interview, Grant said the game was very tough but the boys showed resilience and fighting spirit, which gave Cameroon a tough run.
Grant stated that with only less than a week before Zambia plays their opening game against Congo DR, the team has intensified training and hopes to play more friendlies.
He commended physical trainer Jamie Lawrence for the effort put in to ensure the team is physically strong and fit as witnessed from Tuesday’s encounter against Cameroon.
Grant disclosed that the team has a pool of good players who have displayed commitment and discipline and are ready to give everything for their country.

The Chipolopolo boss admitted that Zambia is in a tough group but the aim is to progress from group stage because football is played on the pitch.

Meanwhile, Chipolopolo forward Patson Daka said the friendly match against Cameroon was an important game for the Chipolopolo in order for them to assess the level at which they are at.
Daka who is also England based Leicester City striker said the game played yesterday has given direction in which areas need improvement as a team.
He noted that he does not expect the tournament to be a walk in the park as every team who has qualified to the tournament is good but the Chipolopolo will assure to give fans a spirited performance.

Four suspected criminals from Lusaka have been arrested in Luwingu District in the Northern Province for swindling booth operators.

The four were found with 10 sim cards and K13,000 cash in their pockets after they swindled two booth operators in Luwingu District in  Northern Province and Chipili District in  Luapula Province.

Northern Province Police Commanding Officer, Lucky Munkondya, confirmed the development in Luwingu.

Mrs Munkondya said the suspects are alleged to have swindled a lady of Chiponde village in Chief Chipalo’s area who was at the time working as a booth operator.

She adds that another man of Chipili District in Luapula Province was swindled in a similar circumstance.

The suspects who are believed to have come from different locations in Lusaka district, swindled booth operators pretending to be sending money to their relatives when in fact not.

Mrs Munkondya has since withheld the names as investigations have continued to link the suspects to other crimes.

Facts of the matter are that, the suspects approached a booth operator situated at Chiponde village in Chief Chipalo with intent to send K6,200 but only managed to send K2,200 and later disappeared before she could confront them.

Munkondya further said police in Luwingu also received another report from Chipili Police station in Luapula province on the 4^th January 2024 alleging that suspects driving a Toyota VITZ registration CAA 8914 stole K2,800 from a booth operator in the area adding that the suspects were heading to Northern.

The four suspects were later intercepted at the Luwingu-Kasama check point where they were apprehended.

Mrs. Munkondya said the four suspects have been charged with the offence of theft contrary to section 272 of chapter 87 and identity theft contrary to section 53 of cyber security and cybercrime ACT number 2 of 2021 chapter 39 of the laws of Zambia.

The suspects were targeting mobile money agents operating along Mansa-Luwingu- Kasama road.

After interrogation, the suspects admitted having stolen money in Chipili and Luwingu district respectively.

The suspects will soon appear before Luwingu Magistrate Court

Amid concerns raised by some individuals regarding their inability to visit relatives admitted to the Cholera Centre at the National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka Provincial Health Director, Dr. Simulyamana Choonga, has clarified that family members are not permitted to take care of cholera patients at the treatment facility due to its highly infectious nature.
In response to queries, Dr. Choonga explained that the stringent restriction on family visits is a precautionary measure to prevent the potential spread of the cholera infection. The National Heroes Stadium Cholera Centre has been designed to adhere to high levels of infection control protocols to ensure the safety of both patients and the broader public.

Speaking to ZNBC news, Dr. Choonga underscored the importance of maintaining a controlled and secure environment within the treatment center. He emphasized that the Ministry of Health has implemented specific measures to facilitate communication between concerned family members and the Cholera Centre.

To address the concerns of those with relatives admitted to the center, Dr. Choonga stated that the Ministry has provided dedicated phone numbers. These contact numbers can be utilized by the public to inquire about the health status of their relatives and receive necessary updates. By establishing this communication channel, the Ministry aims to keep family members informed and engaged in the well-being of their loved ones while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

Dr. Choonga acknowledged the challenges faced by families separated from their relatives during the cholera outbreak but reiterated the necessity of prioritizing infection control measures. He urged the public to utilize the provided phone numbers responsibly and assured that the Ministry is committed to transparent communication regarding the health status of patients at the Cholera Centre.

As the efforts to contain the cholera outbreak intensify, clear communication channels become crucial in keeping the public informed and addressing concerns in a timely and effective manner. The Ministry continues to work diligently to manage the situation and provide the necessary support to those affected by the outbreak.

In an effort to combat the spread of cholera, the government has disbursed 36 million Kwacha to improve water supply in peri-urban regions. The allocated funds are designated for the completion and installation of water tanks and projects in Kanyama, Garden House, and Chawama Compounds.

Water Development Minister Mike Mposha confirmed that the 12 water kiosks in Kanyama Compound, established under the 2017 emergency water project, are now operational. Additionally, Mr. Mposha assured that the ongoing water project in Garden House would be finalized.

The provision of free water aligns with the Presidential directive to discourage the use of shallow wells, promoting safer water sources. Jilly Chiyombwe, Managing Director of Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company, stated that water tanks are being refilled multiple times daily to meet the demand.