Dear Mr Kampyongo,

I am writing this letter to you on behalf of my Father, a Zambian citizen residing in Nairobi, Kenya. My father applied to have his passport renewed from the Zambian High Commission in Nairobi on 02 November 2018, his current passport at the time was set to expire in December 2018. The high commission took his application and issued a receipt for the same, by January 2019 he had still not received his new passport and I was forced to travel to Zambia from South Africa to follow up on the same passport.

I went to the Passport head office in Lusaka town and was attended to by a gentleman in room 7 who assured me that the passport had been processed and would arrive via diplomatic bag in Nairobi in 2-3 weeks. I relayed the message to Nairobi and left. Fast forward to the end of February 2019, the passport had still not arrived, my mother also travelled from Nairobi to Lusaka in March, to follow up on this now elusive passport, however this time the story changed “The pictures accompanying his application were not clear enough, therefore the passport had not been processed and he would need to resubmit new pictures.”

How possible is that after the embassy had received, reviewed and approved the same application? Are they not conversant with the requirements? Did the requirements change when the passport was in transit? Oh well let us not argue, he went on to submit new photos and a new application on 17th April accompanied with an Embassy letter referring to the receipt issued on November 2018.

We are now heading into July and my father, a senior Zambian citizen of 70 years still has no passport and is basically stranded without papers in a foreign country. He required surgery last month which he could not get because he had no legal form of identification acceptable in a Kenyan hospital. This month his brother died and he could not travel to Zambia to bury him because the Ministry of home affairs and Zambian high commission have rendered him an undocumented migrant.

The high commission in Kenya currently sits without a high commissioner or a deputy and as a result the majority of staff at this foreign representation office with the mandate to serve Zambians living in Kenya are unable to help him or provide adequate answers. This old man goes to the High Commissio everyday in search of his passport. As if he is begging for something he is not entitled to.

Is it not every Zambian citizen’s right to have a passport? Or is it now a privilege for Zambians living in diaspora to be documented or to have access to a Zambian passport? Should a 70 year old man have to beg for a passport in addition to paying the prescribed fees?

I am writing to you because we have reached our wits end with this matter and clearly your Ministry of Home Affairs, specifically the department of immigration is failing and they have failed my father. Perhaps it would have been easier for him to walk from Kenya, through Tanzania to Zambia to apply for this privileged document that affords him the dignity of being a human being in a foreign country.

Mpangi Kwenge

A concerned daughter/dejected citizen

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi is today Thursday expected in the country for an official visit.

The DRC leader will spend two days in Zambia in which he will officiate at this year’s Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola this Friday.

According to an official programme released to ZNBC news by cabinet office, The DRC President will arrive in the country with his wife in the morning and will later lay wreaths at the Presidential burial site in the afternoon.

President Tshisekedi will then hold talks at State House with President Edgar Lungu and later pay courtesy call on First President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.

In the evening, President Lungu will host a state banquet for the visiting head of state.

President Tshisekedi will on Friday leave for the Copperbelt to officially open the Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola.

NAQEZ Executive Director, Aaron Chansa, has noted that while his organisation has been against violent protests by students, the expulsion of the CBU students is not right, untimely and will send the victims into abject poverty and destitution.

Mr Chansa advised that the University management should have addressed matters that provoked the disturbances as opposed to inflicting the untold punishment on the student leaders, some of whom could be victims of circumstances.

He has since appealed to the Minister of Higher Education, Nkandu Luo, to help reverse the expulsion and allow the 10 students to complete their studies.

Mr Chansa noted in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday that rescinding the expulsions will also give the higher learning institution a fresh and promising start.

He added that the closure of CBU itself has given students enough time to reflect and reform.

The NAQEZ Executive Director indicated that the country is expects to hear when the University will open unlike expulsions and threats.

He said the expulsions are not a remedy to the ills that are currently affecting the university and his organisation is now looking up to Professor Luo to prevail over the matter.

President Edgar Lungu has cautioned investors in the country on the need to respect the needs of communities in the areas they are operating.

Speaking when he met 10 Lamba Chiefs prior to the tour of the stands and the ongoing Copperbelt and Investment Exposition, President Lungu indicated that it has come to his attention that some investors are not respecting traditional leaders and communities.

ZANIS reports that Mr Lungu said it is incumbent upon the investors to respect the needs of the local community and traditional leaders in their areas of operation, in order for them not to come in breach of the laws of the land.

He emphasized that since time immemorial, the province has depended on minerals and time has come to have the Copperbelt economy diversified, adding that, that can only be achieved if investors and traditional leaders work in harmony for the betterment of the country’s economic progress.

And speaking earlier, Lamba-Lima Royal Council Chairperson Senior Chief Chiwala expressed hope that the Copperbelt exposition will record plenty of success stories.

Chief Chiwala said it is the desire of the local people to see investment trickle down to their communities, adding that it is the desire of the traditional leaders to see to it that they province that they hold so dear is development in all sectors.

He added that this exposition is an opportunity for the rural part of the region is also developed with the help of investors tapping into the region’s available natural resources.

He also added that the chiefs in the province are in full support of government’s shift from dependency on mineral resources to agriculture.

Vice President Inonge Wina has called for enhanced storage and preservation of public archives and records for the benefit of the future generation.

Mrs Wina also challenged people and all those who saved the country in various positions to take advantage of the existence of the national archives department and ensure that the country’s memories are properly stored.

The Vice President was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when she launched the gallery exhibition of the office of the Vice President.

Mrs Wina explained that the objective of the gallery exhibition is to highlight the work of the office of the Vice President and its contribution towards the nation’s development agenda.

She added that the exhibition will also show the role of the office as a coordinating ministerial cluster meetings aimed at improving the planning of national development.

She added that the gallery exhibition is a collective effort, with a view of increasing utilization of the country’s national archive services.

Mrs Wina also paid tribute to former Vice Presidents for their different roles that they played in the country’s development process.

The Vice President further called on the Ministry of Home Affairs to help the general public be aware of the relevance of the department so that they can appreciate the country’s history and the need to co-exist.

Mrs Wina also appealed to scholars, academicians, researchers and students to make use of the archives department for authentic information.

And Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo disclosed that government remains committed to improving the services and operations of the national archives department such as ensuring that record keeping is digitalized.

Mr Kampyongo noted that this is because government is aware of the important role that the department plays in storing the country’s history.

He stated that in view of increased government activities, records in various sectors of the economy are generated and created, hence the need to have proper and effective storage systems for the future generation to access.

Meanwhile, National Achieves Director Chileshe Musukuma has challenged the media to make use of the archives for authentic information.

Mrs Musukuma stressed that there is no need for the media to disseminate unverified information, when they can access verified information from the national archives.

President Lungu says the investment climate is backed by laws and policies which help companies make profits and grow their businesses.

Speaking when he opened the Copperbelt Investment Expo in Ndola, President Lungu however warned that investors must act responsibly once they invest in Zambia.

The Head of State said if investors do not follow the law and act responsibly, he would act within the law to protect the country’s interests.

Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe announced that several foreign companies are ready to invest millions of dollars in various sectors on the Copperbelt.

Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has challenged the Nathan Chanda-led Patriotic Front Provincial Executive on the Copperbelt to embrace all those who lost elections during intra-party elections.

President Lungu says he has been receiving reports that party members who lost elections are being sidelined.

The head of state says some of the people who lost elections are very useful and can help grow the party on the Copperbelt.

Speaking upon arrival at the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola yesterday morning, President Lungu challenged Mr. Chanda and his executive to be inclusive and bring everyone on board.

He said late President Michael Sata taught him to embrace everyone in the party and he wants the same to happen on the Copperbelt.

Earlier, Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe said the Patriotic Front’s policies are working well as can be seen by the many investors who have showed up at the Copperbelt Investment Expo.

Mr. Mwakalombe said he is hopeful the expo will create jobs for people on the Copperbelt.
Meanwhile, PF Copperbelt Chairperson Nathan Chanda thanked President Lungu for accepting the invitation to grace the official opening of the Copperbelt Investment Expo.

Government says families need to play an active role in curbing the increased cases of drug abuse among young people in the country.

Minister of Home Affairs Steven Kampyongo said parents and guardians need to take up responsibility and find time to monitor, discuss and counsel children on the dangers of drug related matters.

Mr Kampyongo said this when he officiated at the commemoration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Lusaka today.

The commemoration which drew participation of hundreds of school children from across Lusaka district was held under the theme “Health for Justice, Justice for Health”.

Mr Kampyongo urged children not to relent but ensure that they seek audience and engage their parents on drug related activities.

The minister counselled the children against indulging in drugs as it will destroy their lives and future.

Mr Kampyongo said government will work towards giving children a voice in the fight against illicit drug abuse and trafficking and ensure that policy makers and people in leadership listen to their concerns.

The minister paid glowing tribute to teachers whom she described as second parents, and urged them to continue providing parental guidance to pupils at school in addition to providing education.

He said government remains committed to strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse such as drugs and alcohol which the United Nations has classified as a sustainable development goal target.

And Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Commissioner Alita Mbahwe bemoaned the increasing numbers of children involved in drug abuse and rehabilitation in the country.

Ms Mbahwe stated that last year, 395 youths aged between seven and seventeen years were arrested for drug abuse, and had to go through drug counselling.

She disclosed that the most of the drugs abused by young people are cannabis and heroin due to their availability and low price on the market.

Ms Mbahwe appealed to stakeholders to work with the commission towards addressing the spiralling drug abuse problem among the youths, adding that the fight against drug abuse cannot be left to government alone.

The DEC Commissioner further noted that there is also need for government to build a rehabilitation centre to be accessed by victims who cannot afford private drug rehabilitation services.

Ms Mbahwe said DEC will continue with its raids of townships, in the quest to bust up drug rings and rid the country of drug abusers.

And United Nations Resident Coordinator Coumba Mar Gardio said the international community remains determined to address and counter the drug problem which has become an increasingly bigger global problem.

Dr Gardio commended the commission for its innovative strategies in addressing and enforcing the law on drug abuse, trafficking and money laundering crimes.

She said the UN Office on Drugs and Crimes will continue to support Zambia’s agenda against drug abuse, in order to make the country a safe heritage and promote balanced health and rights for everyone, especially the young people.