The Chisamba Magistrate Court has set January 12, 2026 as judgment day in a case in which a 32-year-old man of Chisamba district is accused of breaking into a storeroom and stealing foodstuffs valued at K1, 370.

The charge falls under Section 303 of Zambia’s Penal Code.

Given Phiri, a security guard of Mupamapamo area, is also facing an additional charge of giving false information to a public officer, contrary to section 125 of the Penal Code.

The accused, identified by his employer as Given Phiri, was contracted by Sinohydro Corporation to enhance security at the company.

Phiri earlier entered a not guilty plea on both charges when he appeared before Magistrate Litungi Litungi.

Particulars of the offence are that on October 8, 2025, Phiri broke and entered a storeroom at Sinohydro Corporation, with the intent to commit a felony, and stole two and a half porches of potatoes, 20 kilogram bag of flour, 10 kilograms of rice, and three sachets of Chinese washing soap, all valued at K1,370.

In count two, the accused is alleged to have provided a false name to an officer, namely, Emmanuel Zulu, on October 9 this year, a name he knew to be false.

The state closed its case after five prosecution witnesses gave their testimonies during the trial.

When the matter came up for ruling, a prima facie case was established against Phiri, and he was placed on his defence.

In mitigation, Phiri told the court that on the material day, he saw dogs dragging porches of potatoes, a 20 kg bag of flour, and three sachets of Chinese soap at the storeroom.

He explained that after securing the dogs, he informed an electrician and a chef of what he had observed but he was subsequently taken to Chisamba Check Point Police Post upon discovering a pool stick improvised with a hook in his guard room.

“After securing the dogs, I called an electrician, Mukela Musaka, to show him the items. And I also called a chef, Dyna Tembo, to check if there was any burglary,” Phiri said.

Magistrate Litungi adjourned the matter to January 12, 2026, for judgment and the accused has remained in detention.

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Paul Thole, says government is committed to ensuring sustainable landscape management and equitable sharing of benefits from carbon markets under the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EPJSLP).

Mr Thole says the EPJSLP is strategically positioned to generate an estimated 28.9 million tonnes of carbon credits, which will be sold to the World Bank and other international buyers.

In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Permanent Secretary, Lewis Mwape, during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting on fuel wood consumption held in Chipata, Mr Thole said the  revenue generated from the sale of carbon credits will be shared in line with the approved benefit-sharing framework, with 15 percent allocated to government and programme operations.

He explained that 30 percent will go to the private carbon project developers while 55 percent will directly go to communities across the 56 chiefdoms in Eastern Province.

“The revenue from carbon credit sales will be distributed as follows: 15 percent to government and programme operations, 30 percent to private carbon project developers, and 55 percent to communities across the 56 chiefdoms in Eastern Province,” he said.

Mr Thole revealed that the engagement was aimed at strengthening dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders to promote sustainable fuel wood consumption and reduce emissions from agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU).

“This engagement is intended to enhance dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders in promoting sustainable fuel wood use while reducing AFOLU related emissions,” he said.

He further said all recommendations arising from the engagement must remain practical, realistic, and within the operational mandate of the EPJSLP to ensure effective and sustainable implementation.

The US$43 million World Bank funded project seeks to reduce deforestation, promote sustainable land use, and cut greenhouse gas emissions across the province.

And traditional leaders in Eastern Province have called on key stakeholders to collaborate closely with traditional authorities and the government to ensure the successful implementation of the EPJSLP.

EPJSLP Programme Coordinator, Noel Muchimba, said the programme aims to generate payments to the programme entity for measured, reported, and verified emission reductions with proceeds distributed in accordance with an agreed benefit sharing plan.

Mr Muchimba said the programme’s major components are expected outcomes, highlighting benefits such as environmental conservation, improved livelihoods, and sustainable natural resource management.

The traditional leadership has welcomed the initiative and expressed commitment to collaborative efforts aimed at reducing deforestation in the province.

And in a vote of thanks on behalf of the traditional leaders, Chieftainess Kawaza of Katete and Sinda districts commended the government for consistently chiefs in development programmes.

The traditional ruler noted that chiefs remain key stakeholders in both national and local development initiatives.

The University of Zambia (UNZA), the Ministry of Energy, Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO), and several private sector organisations made presentations during the meeting.

The meeting was also attended by several traditional leaders namely chieftainess Kawaza, chief Sandwe, chief Chikomeni, chief Zumwanda, chief Kazembe, chief Jumbe, and chief Nyalungwe, and representatives from various government departments.

The EPJSLP is being implemented by the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, with support from the World Bank, to address key drivers of deforestation such as the use of fuel wood and agricultural expansion.

The programme aims to generate carbon payments for approximately 28.9 million tonnes of verified emission reductions by 2030, contributing to environmental protection while improving community livelihoods.

Central Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Godfrey Chitambala, has advised married couples not to neglect their parents in old age if they are to enjoy God’s blessings.

Mr Chitambala said it is the responsibility of married couples to support parents from both families in times of need.

He was speaking during the wedding ceremony of Kaoma Kamfwa and Dongo Mbeba in Kabwe yesterday.

Mr Chitambala said parents play a vital role in the lives of their children and should be adequately supported as they grow older.

“As you continue to grow in your marriage, you need to realise that you both have parents who, at some point, will grow old and will need support from both of you,” he said.

Mr Chitambala emphasised that parents should not be left to suffer in old age, especially by children who have the capacity to help them.

“It is important to remember that you are here today because someone took care of you,” he added.

He also advised the couple to build their marriage according to God’s guidance on the roles of a husband and wife.

“Any marriage that does not communicate does not flourish. I urge you to remain true to your promise of mutual care, respect, and protection, and to raise a family together,” Mr Chitambala said.

He further urged the families of the newly wedded couple to support their union by providing the necessary guidance and support.

Mr Chitambala noted that marriage comes with many challenges, adding that it is the responsibility of both families to help the couple grow in holy matrimony.

He has since cautioned the couple against relying on outsiders to resolve their differences, encouraging them to instead embrace communication, tolerance, and mutual respect.

Family representative for the Mbeba family, Fletcher Mbeba, advised the couple to remain prayerful and to love each other in both good and difficult times.

Meanwhile, family representative for the Kaoma family, Freddie Kabole, emphasised the importance of effective communication in marriage.

Police in Eastern province are looking for a woman of Chadiza district who has been abducted by two people, one of whom is said to be owed money by the victim’s husband.

The incident is reported to have occurred after Elias Sakala, 38, failed to pay back a K700 he owes the lender and one of the suspects, Clement Soko, of Kapinde village.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, Robertson Mweemba said the abduction occurred yesterday, December 28, at around 10:00 hours at Sanzu Water Affairs area in Chadiza and was reported by the victim’s husband.

“It was reported that Edina Phiri, 37, was abducted by two people. But the reporter only managed to identify one, as Clement Soko of Kapinde village, Chipata district,” he said.

The abductors were using a motor bike whose registration number is not yet known.

“Brief facts of the matter are that in October, 2025, on an unknown date, the reporter borrowed K700 from Clement Soko. The money was meant to boost his sugar business as he buys sugar from Malawi for resale here in Zambia. The money was to be paid back in a week’s time, but due to some challenges, he was unable to pay back the money,” Mr Mweemba explained.

He added that on December 28, he left home around 05:00 hrs and went to the field, leaving his wife and children at home.

However, around 10:00hrs whilst he was at the field, he received a phone call from one of the suspects, Clement Soko, asking him where he was.

The victim responded that he was at the field.

“The caller then said he had followed him at his house and that he was waiting for him. That’s how the reporter left what he was doing and started going back home and on his way back he met his son, crying that his mother had been taken away by people he does not know,” he stated.

Mr Mweemba explained that upon hearing that, the reporter got confused and tried to call Clement Soko who at first did not pick the phone but later answered and demanded for K1,000 in order for him to release the woman.

“He tried to reason and pleaded with him but to no avail,” Mr Mweemba said.

The suspect switched off the phone after the above conversation.

After confirming the information, the victim’s husband waited at home for a while, hoping the wife would return, but she did not.

“He then decided to report the matter to Chadiza Police Station around 18:00hrs,” he said.

The reporter further indicated that his wife’s phone was equally off.

A manhunt has since been instituted to bring to book the abductors.