Senior Chief Musele of Kalumbila District has given Kalumbila Town Council a 3.5 hectares piece of land for the installation of a Solar power plant.

Speaking to the media in an interview today, the traditional leader said that the gesture was made to supplement government effort and help relieve Kalumbila Town Council of the burden of sourcing for land.

He added that traditional leaders were committed to collaborating with the government in terms of development.

” as traditional leaders, i think we are on top of things to make sure we cooperate, coordinate and with mutual respect to our government especially when it comes to develop, so considering the fact that the country is going through a lot of power deficits and with the Presidential directive to the Ministry of Finance and all local authorities to secure funds for the  construction of mini solar plants in all constituencies to mitigate the power outages the country experienced for the past years, I gave out that land to the local authority in good faith, I know it will not only benefit my chiefdom but even other communities,” Senior Chief  Musele  said

The traditional leader noted that with today’s survival being dependent on energy, the Presidential constituency energy initiative was commendable as it would make productivity continue without being affected by power outages.

” The solar plant is going to be beneficial to everyone, I know you are aware Mr Hakainde Hichilema has talked so much about migrating from analog to digital, we are now moving not only Zambia but the whole World is planning to move away from hydro, thermal to green energy, so one of the mitigation that our own government has taken is by identifying and initiating the first project that people should know it is the starting point of what government wants to do and the land given to the local authority will benefit all communities because this is something that will be tapped on the national grid,” he added.

Meanwhile Kalumbila Town Council chairperson Shadrick Munjunga explained that the land acquired through support from Senior Chief Musele will house a 2 megawatts solar plant.

Mr Munjunga said the site has been surveyed and approved and a report has been made to the Ministry of Local Government and rural development.

“With the Presidential directive of coming up with 2 megawatts as a local authority, we have been supported with land and everything is done awaiting official communication for the commencement of the installation of the solar plant,” he said.

Additionally, the council chairperson said the district was progressing well in line with electricity connectivity stating that through the Rural Electrification authority (REA) 2,500 housing units will be connected to electricity with works ongoing.

“Kalumbila was not much connected to electricity but this time around through REA 2500 housing units are to be connected to electricity, the project has already started and the contractor is on site rolling up poles around Kisasa and surrounding areas,” he said.

 The Department of Fisheries and Livestock in Zambezi District in North-western Province has confiscated over 200 kilograms of fish from traders for violating the annual fish ban.

Zambezi Fisheries Officer Mathews Chali told the media in an interview today that the fish was discovered during a routine inspection to monitor compliance among local traders.

Mr Chali stated that the fish was seized at the Zambezi Old Market from two female traders.

He stated that upon inspection, it was discovered that the traders had hidden fresh fish by mixing it with dried fish to evade detection.

He noted that the seizure serves as a stern warning to would-be offenders and will help curb illegal trading during the ban period.

The Fisheries Officer warned fishermen and traders who are in the habit of defying regulations to desist immediately, adding that those found wanting will be prosecuted without fail.

He clarified that the restriction was not intended to disadvantage the community, but rather to allow fish populations to recover and breed for future sustainability.

Mr Chali further advised fishermen to adhere to the ban to ensure a healthy breeding season adding that sensitization programs and patrols will continue in order to curtail illegal fishing activities.

he Chisamba Magistrate Court has set January 19, 2026, for judgement in a case involving a 28-year-old man accused of stealing a centre pivot gearbox, and two tyre rings valued at K14, 400 from his employer.

Charles Kavwema of Chisamba’s Old Location Compound is charged with theft, a charge he denied when the matter came up for plea before Magistrate Litungi Litungi.

It is alleged that between December 9 and 13 last year, Kavwema, while employed as a security guard by Nyimba Estate Farm, stole one Zimmatic gearbox for a center pivot and two tyre rings all valued at K14,400.00.

Three prosecution witnesses have since testified in the matter tendering a centre pivot gearbox and two tyre rings into evidence before the state rested its case.

The witnesses told the court that the accused, who was on duty on the material day, was apprehended at a nearby bush where he had hidden the stolen items after his fellow security guard laid an ambush.

Kasiano Himoonga, 30, a Game Ranger at Nyimba Estate, earlier testified that after he discovered that one of the eight gear boxes was missing from the workshop, he trailed the shoe marks and found the gearbox with two tyre rings hidden at a nearby bush.

“When I reported for work on 10th December, 2025 at around 09:00 hours, I passed through the workshop where the eight gear boxes for the centre pivot were kept and found one was missing,” Mr Himoonga said.

Magistrate Litungi found the accused with a prima facie case, consistent with Section 207(1) of Zambia’s Criminal Procedure Code, and put him on his defence.

Kavwema did not call any witness and opted for silence after the court explained his defence rights.

It was after Magistrate Litungi set a date for judgment that Kavwema applied for bail to which the state did not raise any objection.

The court granted the accused bail of K20,000, which amount will be forfeited if he fails to appear in court.

Magistrate Litungi further told the accused to present two sureties that include one who must be of a fixed abode, and the other must be gainfully employed by a reputable company.

And Magistrate Litungi Litungi has granted Kavwema bail in the sum of K20,000 with two sureties, following a defence application.

Magistrate Litungi adjourned the matter to January 19, 2026, for judgment, while the accused remains detained until he meets his bail conditions.

Mambwe District in Eastern Province has started paying education grants to eligible girls under the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood (GEWEL) Phase Two Keeping Girls in School (KGS) project.

Mambwe District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Rodgers Champemba says a total of 1,536 vulnerable girls from Social Cash Transfer (SCT) households have been enlisted on the project.

Mr. Champemba said the girls will receive K800 each, culminating to a total of K1,228,800.

He added that the funds that the girls were receiving are from the phase three payments of education grants under 2025.

 He said the programme was being supported by the government, in conjunction with the World Bank.

Mr. Champemba said the benefitting girls have been categorised in 27 reachable zones across the District.

 Chavuma District Commissioner Geoffrey Kasonda has emphasized the need for professionalism, discipline, and hard work among heads of government departments as they perform their duties in the district in 2026.

In a statement made available to the media in Chavuma, Mr Kasonda stressed that public service demands seriousness, honesty and responsibility as it directly impacts the community’s wellbeing.

He acknowledged the efforts made but has since warned against poor attitude, lack of commitment, and complacency urging officers to adopt a results-driven and service-focused culture.

“We must renew our commitment to duty, maintaining professionalism and discipline. Our work affects the people of Chavuma and we must deliver quality services,” Mr Kasonda said.

He thanked the officers for their unity and cooperation over the past four years, commending them for their professionalism and teamwork for smooth operations.

Mr Kasonda called for continued mutual respect, discipline and open communication to drive development and improve livelihoods.

The District Commissioner further emphasized the importance of teamwork, supporting each other and keeping communication open to deliver results for