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Kabuswe urges mining companies to partner with small-scale miners

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Kabuswe urges mining companies to partner with small-scale miners

Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe, has called on big mining companies in the country to partner with licensed small-scale miners and engage them to source minerals on their behalf.

Mr Kabuswe said this would not only benefit both parties but would also ease the process of formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining for the government.

He explained that through partnerships with established companies, small scale miners will have access to capital and resources such as equipment.

The minister was speaking during the Inaugural Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Conference held in Lusaka under the theme “Unlocking AS Potential for Inclusive and Sustainable Development.”

Mr Kabuswe stated that the artisanal and small-scale mining sector has great potential to provide thousands of jobs, adding that the government therefore is focused on ensuring that this is actualised.

He also clarified that the government’s efforts to formalise the sector are not meant to stop small scale mining but rather protect those involved from exploitation, accidents as well as ensure economic benefits at both individual and national level are derived.

“We are not stopping you from mining. All we want is for you to mine safely, legally, formally and with security. We want to make sure that when you mine, you sell at the right price, ” Mr Kabuswe explained.

The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has, to date, issued a total of 1,488 licenses to artisanal and small-scale miners in the country.

And Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary, Hapenga Kabeta, said his ministry has put in place various interventions to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining, among them, facilitating the formation of cooperatives as well as issuance of licenses.

Dr Kabeta has however bemoaned the low productivity in the sector, attributing it to widespread informality.

“The subsector has the potential to contribute more than 10 percent of the mining GDP if properly harnessed. The taxation regime for artisanal and small-scale mining has been simplified but the contribution to tax revenue remains negligible,” he said.

Speaking at the same meeting, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, James Wakiaga, acknowledged the government’s efforts to empower artisanal and small-scale miners through the formalisation agenda.

Dr Wakiaga indicated that Zambia is leading the way on the African continent in developing the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.

Meanwhile, Association of Women in Mining president, Namakau Kaingu, said the association is aware of the benefits of formalising the sector, further pledging support to the process.

Ms Kaingu explained that the association has so far created over 50 cooperatives through outreach activities in rural communities.

IMF notes Zambia’s economic recovery strides

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IMF notes Zambia’s economic recovery strides

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the Zambian government has made significant strides in the country’s economic growth agenda through a number of policy reforms.

IMF Resident Representative for Zambia, Eric Lautier, says over the past three years, the government has achieved the restoration of fiscal and debt sustainability.

Speaking during the ZNBC Sunday Interview night, Mr Lautier referred to the deficit before 2021, which was averaged in double digit as some of the reasons for borrowing heavily during that period.

Mr Lautier explained that with a 12 percent of overall fiscal deficit every year from 2018 to 2021, the country was always accumulating debt piles, a situation he said was unsustainable.

He however commended the government that it has, since 2021, introduced progressive reforms resulting in disciplined and better targeted spending, while social spending has remained protected.

He added that there is remarkable reallocation from ineffective spending to more targeted and effective spending, citing the health and education sectors where the country has witnessed massive recruitment that is helping to build the human capital.

In terms of debt restructuring, Mr Lautier commended Zambia for attaining about 94 percent debt under restructuring parameters that has been restructured.

“Since the programme began, the overall fiscal balance improved sharply, we had a 5.4 deficit in 2022, 4.5 percent in 2023 which was further narrowed to below two percent in 2024,” he said.

He further highlighted the positive reforms in the agriculture sector that are ensuring high productivity as farmers are getting access to finance to invest in their farms.

Mr Lautier cited the e-voucher as a game changer in the distribution of inputs and also the participation of the private sector in agribusiness.

And Mr Lautier said social spending should be coupled with reforms that focus on sectors that create jobs through tackling the structural barriers that keep small firms in the informal sector and give them incentives to formalise.

He however bemoaned the low rate of access to financing for SMEs, noting the need to improve the financial market infrastructure by modernising the credit information system.

He added that there is need to make formalisation of small businesses attractive by providing favourable incentives for SMEs such as simplifying tax policies, and licensing, which are adequate for development to SMEs.

And a Lusaka –based economist, Kelvin Chisanga, has supported the views of the IMF, stating that Zambia’s economy is on the recovery track due to pursuit in macroeconomic environment, with 2025 growth expected to be between 5.8 and 6.2 percent.

Mr Chisanga added that the budget reform is showing high credibility which is essential to ensuring value for money in public investment.

“IMF iodised debts for Zambia. At the point when we were not credible to sit with creditors, IMF fostered that balance,” he said.

He indicated that social inclusion and transparency must guide Zambia’s next phase of reforms.

Mbala General Hospital removes 6.5kg tumor from woman

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Mbala General Hospital removes 6.5kg tumor from woman

A team of surgeons from the Mbala General Hospital has successfully removed a 6.5 kg tumor from a 27-year-old woman.

This is the second successful surgery the hospital has conducted in about three weeks after undertaking another operation on another woman last month.

Mbala General Hospital Medical Superintendent, Bornface Chisenga disclosed that the team managed to undertake a successful major surgery on the patient during which a mass weighing 6.5 kilograms was removed from her stomach.

Dr Chisenga, who is also an Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialist ,explained that the patient who was from Lusaka, went to Mbala to seek traditional treatment, and later decided to go to the hospital, to also seek cervical cancer services.

He further said after counselling, the patient did some check-ups and agreed to undergo treatment at the hospital, through which doctors managed to successfully conduct an operation on her.

Meanwhile, Dr Chisenga has appealed to traditional healers in the district, to encourage and refer their clients to health facilities whenever they encounter cases that are beyond their capability.

Dr Chisenga, who was the leading surgeon during the operation, made the call after successfully operating on the patient who had been battling with the condition for over a year while seeking help from traditional healers.

“This case is a clear example that help is available at our hospital if patients seek medical advice on time. I therefore urge traditional healers to play a critical role by directing their clients to the hospital when they feel the condition is beyond them,” Dr Chisenga said.

He has further appealed to the residents not to delay seeking medical services, stressing that timely intervention can save lives.

Zambia to host Industrial Skills Week Africa

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Zambia to host Industrial Skills Week Africa

Zambia is hosting the first ever Industrial Skills Week Africa (ISWA) which is anchored on aligning skills of Africa’s industrial transformation.

Over 500 delegates from 13 countries on the African continent are expected to attend the event, which will run from September 9-10, 2025 at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.

Speaking ahead of the event, Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, said Zambia will use the opportunity to learn best practices surrounding skills in industries.

Mr Mutati said ISWA reinforces the continent’s commitment to building a competitive, future-ready workforce in line with Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and Agenda 2063.

He however, called for a funding mechanism that will match with the desired skills for people working in industries.

And AUDA Director, Symerre Grey-Johnson, disclosed that the event will serve as a continental platform to accelerate dialogue, partnerships and action around the role of skills in powering Africa’s industrial transformation.

Mr Grey-Johnson said equipping Africa’s workforce with the skills is needed in order to drive sustainable industrial growth.

He called on countries on the African continent to prioritise skills development.

The event which will be held under the theme, “Powering Africa’s Industrial Future: Skills for Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability,” is organized by African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) in partnership with the Zambian Government.

The event seeks to mobilize stakeholders across sectors, to align Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with Africa’s evolving industrial needs.

The Ministry of Technology and Science, through its implementation agency, Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET), is playing a central role in convening stakeholders across the TVET ecosystem, such as industry leaders, government departments, youth networks, and training institutions to showcase their potential at the event.

The two-day event will showcase innovations linking TVET to employment and entrepreneurship, promote labour market intelligence and future skills forecasting, foster youth and women’s participation in industrial transformation as well as elevate Zambia’s leadership in demand-driven for youth-led -skills.

“Whose Body Is It?”: Clash Between State Power and Widow’s Rights

Lusaka Times Editor
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“Whose Body Is It?”: Clash Between State Power and Widow’s Rights

“Whose Body Is It?”: Clash Between State Power and Widow’s Rights
By Guest Contributor – Musadabwe Ngoma
Published: September 8, 2025
When former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu passed away, many hoped the country would unite in mourning. Instead, his death has triggered an unprecedented legal standoff, not in Zambia, but in South Africa, where his widow, Mrs. Esther Lungu, is fighting to keep his body from being repatriated against her will.

At the center of this deeply emotional and highly legal battle lies a question few expected to confront, Can the Zambian state demand the return of a body for a state funeral, even when the family refuses?

A Legal Case Built on Symbolism, Not Law

Contrary to what many assume, there is no Zambian law that governs the burial of a late president. No clause in the Constitution. No statute in the books. What exists is simply a gentleman’s offer, a political courtesy extended by the state to the family of a deceased leader.

In other words, it is not mandatory for a former head of state to receive a state funeral. It is not enforceable. It can be offered, but also declined.

This detail changes everything. The Zambian government is not standing on the firm ground of law, but on the shifting sands of tradition, and trying to impose that tradition inside the courtroom of another sovereign nation.

A Dispute with International and Constitutional Consequences

In the Pretoria High Court, the Zambian state argues that it has a right to repatriate the late President’s body based on a signed agreement, referred to as FAA 7, between itself and some family members. The state says this agreement grants them authority to organise a state funeral.

But Mrs. Lungu, his widow, has pushed back, stating that the agreement is not binding, and more importantly, contradicts her rights under South African law and constitution, where she lives and where the deceased’s body lies.

Her legal team makes two key points:

  1. Under South African law, a corpse cannot be contracted over, human remains are not property, and are protected by dignity and family rights.

  2. The South African Constitution guarantees everyone on its soil, including foreigners, rights to dignity, family integrity, and privacy, rights which Mrs. Lungu asserts are being violated by the attempt to override her wishes.

The Zambian Government’s Argument, A Matter of Legacy

The state, however, frames the issue as one of national importance. They argue that President Lungu was not just a private citizen, but a national figure, and that it is in the public interest to honour him with a state funeral in Lusaka.

They lean heavily on the existence of FAA 7, and cite a South African court precedent (Sengadi v. Tsambo) which allowed the state to take over funeral arrangements for a public figure, even against parts of the family’s wishes.

But this is where things get murky. The South African case involved intra-family conflict, not a foreign state attempting to override a widow’s rights inside South Africa. And unlike Zambia, South Africa does have clear constitutional protections in place.

So… Who Decides?

The broader question is no longer just legal. It’s philosophical.

Who decides what happens to the body of a national leader?
Is it the family, who loved and lived with him?
Is it the state, which he once served?
Or is it something we must now define through international legal precedent?

What’s clear is that if Zambia has no law mandating state funerals, then the government’s demands are based not on legal rights, but on symbolic expectations. And when those expectations clash with a widow’s constitutional rights in another country, the law must favour the living over the ceremonial.

Final Thought, Justice Must Be Human, and Honest

As this case moves toward a likely hearing at the Supreme Court of Appeal, one thing must be made clear, Zambia has no binding law that mandates how a former president should be buried. There is no statute, no clause in the Constitution, no Act of Parliament that enforces a state funeral upon a family’s wishes. What exists, at best, is a gentleman’s understanding, a political offer, not a legal obligation. An offer that, like any offer, can be accepted or declined.

And yet, a widow now stands in a foreign court, fighting to decline what should never have been forced upon her in the first place.

This changes the dynamics of the entire dispute. The government is not invoking law, it’s invoking precedent dressed as entitlement. But tradition cannot override rights, and ceremony cannot outweigh the Constitution. Not in South Africa. Not anywhere.

This isn’t a legal standoff. It’s a human one. It’s about who we honour more, the legacy of a statesman, or the love of the one who knew him best.

May the courts remember, the dead do not belong to governments.
And dignity, in death, should not require litigation.

For publication inquiries, contact editor-at-lusakatimes.com or social-at-lusakatimes.com

Widow Challenges State Over Burial Rights in South African Court

Lusaka Times Editor
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Widow Challenges State Over Burial Rights in South African Court

Widow Challenges State Over Burial Rights in South African Court

By Court Reporter, Pretoria | 8 September 2025

In a case with far-reaching legal and political implications, the widow of Zambia’s former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu has mounted a constitutional challenge against the Zambian government’s attempt to repatriate his body for a state funeral. The matter is before the Pretoria High Court in South Africa, where the late president died on 5 June.

Though Ms. Esther Lungu, the widow of the late president, was absent from the courtroom, her presence was felt in every submission made by her legal counsel. Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC, representing the Lungu family, anchored his arguments on one principle: a corpse is not property, and cannot be subject to a contract.

“You don’t contract over human remains,” Ngcukaitobi told the bench. “A corpse is dead, it’s not a property. It cannot be contracted over.” This principle, he explained, is not just rooted in moral sentiment, but firmly established in Roman Dutch law, South Africa’s legal foundation, which classifies a corpse as res extra commercium — a thing outside commercial transaction.

The dispute arises from a full bench ruling by the Gauteng High Court, which found in favour of the Zambian government, affirming its right to repatriate Lungu’s remains for a state funeral. The court also found that a binding agreement existed between the Lungu family and the government, outlining the late president’s final resting place.

But counsel for the family has now filed for Leave to Appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal, challenging the High Court’s findings. Their argument is straightforward: burial decisions are governed not by contract, but by succession law, which places authority in the hands of the widow.

“Basically, the law is this. You don’t contract over human remains,” Ngcukaitobi reiterated in court. “A corpse is dead. It’s not property. It cannot be contracted over. What you do is follow the law of succession. If there’s a will, you follow the will. If there’s no will, the law of intestate succession applies. So, if you are dead and you are a husband, your remaining wife takes the decision. If the wife is also deceased or incapable of taking the decision, the children take the decision. If the children are incapable, the parents take the decision. If the parents are incapable, your siblings take the decision.”

This legal reasoning formed the crux of the family’s case. Under South African law, the right to determine burial lies with the closest surviving relatives in a defined hierarchy, beginning with the spouse.

Acting Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba asked what should happen in a case where the wife and children do not agree, and the deceased died intestate. Ngcukaitobi replied, “Yes, the wife then takes the decision because it’s the first thing. It’s the heir. So the executor will generally follow the will, but the heir will then make a decision because that’s the surviving spouse.”

Judge Ledwaba challenged this interpretation further, questioning how the law would apply in cases involving multiple spouses or children from different relationships. “But in the case of intestate succession,” he said, “the wife is an intestate heir and the children also, depending on the value of the estate. And now, the wife  you may find that it’s a case where the husband may be married to another person and has children with the other spouses. Is it also your submission that they cannot negotiate about the burial if they don’t agree?”

Ngcukaitobi responded, “No, they obviously can negotiate and reach a consensus. But that means they have reached a consensus on what should happen. What is prohibited is contracting over a corpse.”

This exchange underscored the family’s broader argument  that South African constitutional and succession law overrides any extra-legal or political agreement, especially one signed under foreign pressure or outside proper legal channels. He also reminded the court that the South African Constitution applies to all persons within the republic, regardless of nationality, citing precedents like Mohammed v Minister of Defence.

The Zambian government continues to argue that it had reached a valid agreement with the family, and that state protocol entitles the late president to be buried in Zambia. But the family has countered that Zambia has no binding law governing the burial of former heads of state, and that any such arrangements are traditional — not legal — and must be accepted, not enforced.

Ngcukaitobi addressed this directly: “Zambia has no binding statute requiring state funerals for former presidents. At best, it’s a gentleman’s agreement — one which can be accepted or declined. And Ms. Lungu has declined.”

Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for how similar cross-border disputes are resolved when state demands clash with personal and family rights. The principle of lex loci, or “law of the place,” is central here , meaning the law governing the dispute is that of the country where the death occurred. Since Lungu died in South Africa, it is that country’s legal framework that applies.

For now, judgment has been reserved. President Lungu’s body remains in Johannesburg caught between the ceremonial machinery of Lusaka and the personal, constitutional claim of his widow. What the court decides may shape how nations, families, and laws approach one of the most human of questions: who has the final say in death  the state, or the spouse?

This is a developing story.

Chongwe MP warns fake farmers

Chief Editor
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Chongwe MP warns fake farmers

Chongwe Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo has warned residents in the area who are in a habit of falsely declaring that they are farmers to benefit from the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) that they risk being arrested.

Ms Masebo notes that some individuals in the area have been pretending to be farmers to access inputs under FISP which they sell to members of the public.

She states that the government has strengthened mechanisms to monitor people who are benefiting from the programme in the district to ensure that only registered farmers benefit.

ZANIS reports that Ms Masebo was speaking when she officially opened the Manyika Baptist Churches Association Conference in Manyika Ward of Chongwe District.

The law maker indicated that the government has formulated stringent measures to ensure that all illegalities related to the implementation of FISP in the district are curbed.

“We have noted as government that there are some individuals who have been masquerading as farmers when they are not and these people have been collecting inputs under FISP which they are selling to the public. Such behavior is unacceptable and illegal. This year, we will monitor beneficiaries of the programme to ensure that they are indeed farmers”, Ms Masebo said.

Ms Masebo called on residents in the area to be vigilant and report any illegalities which they may come across during the implementation of this year’s FISP season.

She stated that the government will continue engaging and empowering farmers with knowledge, skills and resources through various initiatives to enable them to thrive in the face of climate change.

Ms Masebo cited the implementation of the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF) as being among the initiatives that the government has successfully implemented in the area to sustain farmers during drought.

She also commended farmers in the ward for producing high yields of white maize and selling the crop to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

“I would like to thank you for selling your maize to FRA. The maize you are selling to the agency will go a long way in enhancing the country’s food security”, Ms Masebo said.

Gutted Kapalala market saddens Government- Matambo

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Gutted Kapalala market saddens Government- Matambo
Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo comforts woman who lost all her merchandise in the fire

Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo said government is saddened that marketeers at Kapalala Market in Ndola have lost their merchandise in an inferno that swept through their stands in the early hours of Sunday,07 September,2025.
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‎And Mr Matambo says investigations are under way to ascertain the cause of the fire, warning that those responsible for the incident will face severe consequences.
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‎Mr Matambo said when he visited the site that the conduct should be condemned as it is retrogressive.
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‎He has assured the marketeers that the government is actively working on the matter and is committed to finding a tangible solution to address the incident.
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‎Mr Matambo said that Kapalala Market has been ravaged by fires multiple times, including in 2017 and 2022, with the latest incident resulting in significant losses for over 1,200 marketeers who lost their goods and merchandise.
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‎Mr Matambo has also expressed condolences for the loss of one life, urging the bereaved family to seek solace from God.
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‎He said the office of the Vice President has already been engaged through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit DMMU to see what sort of support can be extended to the affected traders.
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‎Francis Kafula, a trader from Kasama District in Northern Province, has lost goods worth K100,000 in the fire and has appealed to the government to investigate the matter urgently to bring the culprits to book.
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‎Mr Kafula said he has been preparing for the new school term, planning to buy school requisites for his children, including new uniforms, bags, and shoes, however, the fire has dashed his plans, leaving him in a difficult situation.
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‎He is concerned that such incidents frequently occur during specific periods, particularly in August and September, and wonders if there’s a pattern or connection that needs to be addressed.
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‎Another trader, Anna Bwalya, also from Kasama’s Chiba area, lost eight by 90kg bags of beans in the fire, adding that the money she had earned from selling seven bags had also been swallowed in the inferno.
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‎Ms Bwalya is appealing to the government to provide timely assistance to the affected marketeers, and that he is hopeful for a swift response.
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‎Meanwhile, Christine Lusambo, another trader, dealing in groundnuts and beans, has expressed concern that many traders, including herself, had purchased merchandise on credit, with the intention of paying back the suppliers after selling their goods.
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‎But with the loss of stock in the fire, Ms Lusambo and other traders have struggled to come up with modalities that will help them swiftly raise money to pay their suppliers.
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Traders scavenge what is left of their merchandise at Kapalala Market in Ndola after fire swept the market.
Traders scavenge what is left of their merchandise at Kapalala Market in Ndola after fire swept the market.
Traders scavenge what is left of their merchandise at Kapalala Market in Ndola after fire swept the market.

Zambia, Ethiopia Celebrate Ties as Minister Haimbe Joins Ethiopian New Year Festivities

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Zambia, Ethiopia Celebrate Ties as Minister Haimbe Joins Ethiopian New Year Festivities

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, S.C., M.Pjoined th e Ethiopian community in Zambia in commemorating the Ethiopian New Year (2018) at a colourful ceremony in Lusaka. The event was hosted by His Excellency Mr. Rashid Mohammed, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Zambia.

Representing President Hakainde Hichilema, Hon. Haimbe conveyed Zambia’s warmest wishes for peace, prosperity, and renewed strength to the Government and people of Ethiopia.

In his address, the Minister praised the warm and enduring bonds of friendship between Zambia and Ethiopia, rooted in a shared history and strengthened by cultural ties. He commended Ethiopia’s remarkable achievements in sectors such as agriculture and mining, noting the country’s growing role in Africa’s transformation and its pursuit of middle-income status.

Hon. Haimbe also highlighted the strategic partnership between Zambia Airways and Ethiopian Airlines as a shining example of bilateral cooperation, calling it “a bridge reaffirming the shared commitment to economic development.” He further welcomed the appointment of Ms. Getenesh Addis Awoke as Ethiopia’s Honorary Consul to Zambia and thanked the Ethiopian community in Zambia for contributing positively to the nation’s social and economic development.

Ambassador Mohammed, in his remarks, reaffirmed Ethiopia’s strong bilateral ties with Zambia, which span over 60 years. He underscored the importance of continued cooperation for shared prosperity, describing the aviation partnership between the two nations as a milestone in strengthening economic growth and connectivity.

The commemoration served not only as a cultural celebration but also as a reaffirmation of the longstanding friendship and collaboration between Zambia and Ethiopia.

Public Order Act Dominates Headlines as It Survives Hichilema’s First Term

Chief Editor
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Public Order Act Dominates Headlines as It Survives Hichilema’s First Term

By Venus N Msyani

Public Order Act continues to dominate headlines in Zambia today, and not for the right reasons. Once intended to preserve peace and order, the law has become a symbol of suppression, casting a long shadow over President Hakainde Hichilema’s first term.

One opposition official recently revealed that his party has been denied permission to hold rallies 29 times since the United Party for National Development (UPND) came to power. While the number may sound exaggerated, it’s likely accurate.

The existing version of the Act requires organizers to notify authorities in advance of any public gathering, a rule that opposition parties consistently follow. Yet, despite their compliance, rallies and protests remain rare. Police routinely refuse to issue permits. The streets of Zambia have grown quiet, not from contentment, but from constraint.

This silence is dangerous. The denial of permits undermines the freedoms of assembly, association, and expression. Worse still, it threatens press freedom; those who proceed with rallies after being denied permission risk arrest. Journalists are not exempt. If found covering a gathering deemed illegal, they too face detention.

Rodgers Mwiimba of Millennium TV and Innocent Phiri of KBN TV were arrested last year while reporting on an unauthorized opposition rally. Their crime? Filming a confrontation between police and opposition leaders who had planned to defy a permit denial.

On April 13, 2024, the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) applied for a permit to hold a rally in Kafue, Lusaka Province. The police denied the request, forcing UKA to hold the rally virtually from an undisclosed location and broadcast it live. The move was creative, but it also served as a stark reminder of how far Zambia has strayed from democratic norms.

According to the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, Zambia ranks 109th out of 180 countries, down from 105th the previous year. This decline reflects growing concerns over media suppression and shrinking civic space.

“Public Order Act has become a blunt instrument for silencing dissent,” said a spokesperson from the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ).

Parliament is reportedly working to amend the Act, but how long will that take? Other legislative changes, like Bill 7, are being rushed through despite widespread public disapproval. Most Zambians oppose Bill 7, which seeks to amend the Constitution, yet efforts are underway to pass it before the upcoming general election.

Not long ago, Bill 7 was deferred. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Nelly Mutti, SC, FAPRA, MP, has disclosed that she has noted that chiefs in Muchinga Province want it reinstated. That kind of urgency is missing when it comes to reforming the Public Order Act. The process is dragging on, and few seem to care.

Zambia’s democracy cannot afford to wait. The absence of protests over the past four years does not signal public satisfaction with the UPND government; it reflects how the Act continues to suppress the right to assemble, associate, and express dissent.

Moreover, these restrictions are a form of self-sabotage. They send the wrong message to the world, portraying Zambians as incapable of holding peaceful protests and gatherings. This perception not only damages the country’s international reputation but also discourages foreign investment and civic engagement.

Zambia was notably absent from Business Insider Africa’s list of the top 10 most well-governed countries on the continent. It’s not unreasonable to argue that oppressive laws like the Public Order Act, especially when misapplied, contribute to this omission. Once a tool for peacekeeping, the Act has become a mechanism for silencing opposition.

The longer this law remains untouched, the more it erodes public trust in democratic institutions. Reforming the Public Order Act is not just a legal necessity; it’s a moral imperative. It’s a chance for Zambia to reaffirm its commitment to democratic values and restore its standing on the global stage.

If Zambia is to move forward, it must ensure that the right to protest, to assemble, and to speak freely is not just protected on paper but respected in practice. Otherwise, the headlines will keep coming, and they won’t be the kind that build a nation’s pride.

Who runs the mines, commerce & industry in Zambia?

Chief Editor
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Who runs the mines, commerce & industry in Zambia?

The other day, a concerned member of the public lamented that the young men and women working for foreign owned shops in the shopping malls are more often times subjected to slave conditions! They’re made to work long hours on end for a pittance without being given much time for breaks.

Minister of Labour & Social Security, Brenda Tambatamba this is a sufficient wake up call; may you take keen interest and pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.

Anyway, if we may digress, who runs the mines, commerce and industry in this country? You must be day-dreaming to assume foreigners will develop this country for us!

If we may begin with the backbone of our economy, the mines….it’s definitely dominated by the foreigners. In every direction you look – Copperbelt or North Western provinces, it’s either the Asians, Arabs, Chinese or Westerners running the show!

Gemstone or gold mining may not be as capital intensive as compared to Copper mining. But who is running all the way to the Bank? It’s the West Africans or Tanzanians!

Let’s come to Commerce and Industry…….who owns our local leading companies such as Protea Hotels, G & G bakery, Trade Kings, Zambeef, Antheneon Engineering, Antelope milling, Macoppolo tiles? It’s Zambians of foreign extraction…. Greeks, Indians, Lebanese and Muzungus!

Isn’t a shame that indigenous citizens are comfortable running bars, night clubs and brothels…..lodges if we may put it more euphemistically! And we want to think we can develop our country like this?

Shame on you fellow citizens! You spend years memorising theories at universities but you can’t apply the knowledge outside the classroom set up to create wealth for yourself and our people. The only job you are good at doing is politics so you can draw massive allowances and salaries if not stealing from the people as we learnt from the Malanji case.

In our next offering, we look at why it might take us several donkey years to develop.

Salute!

Prince Bill M. Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst
Zambezi

Government, Lungu Family Enter Mediation to Break Funeral Deadlock

Chief Editor
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Government, Lungu Family Enter Mediation to Break Funeral Deadlock

In a significant turn of events, the Government of Zambia and the family of the late Sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, have formally sat down for mediated talks in a bid to break the deadlock over his funeral arrangements.

The discussions, announced jointly, mark the first concrete step toward resolving tensions that have lingered since the former Head of State’s passing in June 2025.

“We have agreed to employ a mediated process that will uphold the dignity of the late President while addressing the concerns of his family,” the statement declared, signaling a pathway out of weeks of uncertainty.

The dispute, which has drawn intense public attention and speculation, revolves around how best to balance national protocols with the family’s wishes. The mediation process is expected to provide a dignified resolution that reflects both state traditions and personal sensitivities.

The Government and the Lungu family further appealed to the public and all stakeholders to respect the privacy of the mediation process and refrain from speculation as discussions progress.

The late President Lungu’s passing has drawn significant national and regional attention, with arrangements for his burial being closely followed by the public.

Officials say the mediation process is expected to pave the way for a resolution that balances state protocols with the wishes of the family.

President Hichilema encourages parents to raise children with love

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President Hichilema encourages parents to raise children with love

President Hakainde Hichilema has called on parents to raise their children with love and teach them how to live with other people in order to have a country which is accommodative and inclusive. He said that when children have good morals and principles, the country will advance the welfare of families in communities.

President Hichilema said this when he and the First Lady Mrs Mutinta Hichilema, worshipped with congregants at Libala Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Lusaka.

President Hichilema praised the Libala SDA congregation for its continued evangelism.

“Our church Libala SDA here, other SDA churches and the rest of other churches across the country, are the bodies of Christ because the body of Christ is one, they need to do good things in society because God is happy when we are happy,” he said.


President Hichilema observed that children are the future leaders of the country and nurturing them at a tender age with the gospel is critical to achieve a prosperous nation anchored on God’s grace.

He explained that in his own design, God created people with love of different diversity, reaffirming his fairness and goodness to humanity all the time.

“I am delighted to be here and to congregate with fellow worshipers at Libala SDA church, this is the church where I used to come during my University days and it is good that it has continued to evangelise the word of God, ” he said.

President Hichilema has also praised the Libala SDA church for the project of constructing a bigger church at the same premise, and promised to work with the church leadership to complete the project which is expected to be accommodating more congregants once completed.

He has since invited the Libala SDA church leadership to Community House for them to see how best they can expedite the construction works.

And SDA Church Woodlands Conference President of Daniel Chuunga, thanked the President for finding time off his busy schedule to worship with the Libala church congregation.

Dr Chuunga further commended President Hichilema for promoting inclusivity in the country by bringing all the tribes together.

He also commended President Hichilema for his inclusivity in choosing his Cabinet which has a representation of almost all the tribes from across the country, thereby reinforcing the One Zambia One Nation Motto.

Meanwhile, in his sermon, Dr Chuunga reminded congregants to depend on God in everything they want to achieve in their life as he is the God of every season.

Dr Chuunga, who themed his sermon, “broken crayons can still colour” emphasised that God is interested in broken hearted people to rise up again in their lives.

“Mr President, we are glad to have you here at Libala SDA Church, as the church we acknowledge your inclusivity in your leadership where you are embracing all the people of every tribe,” he said.

He encouraged congregants to take their burdens and situations to God to bear, as he is able to heal and change any situation.

7 people dead after consuming methylated spirit mixture

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7 people dead after consuming methylated spirit mixture

Seven people are reported to have died after consuming a concoction of methylated spirit, water and sweet aid taken to get high, in the last two days in Kasosolo and Kabanga areas between Kapri Mposhi and Chisamba Districts of Central Province.

Central Province Police Commissioner Charity Munganga said the seven from different villages in Chief Mukonchi’s area were reported as Brought in Dead (BID) at Choowa and Kabwe Central Police in Kabwe.

Ms Munganga who led a team of officers to investigate the matter also engaged officers from the Provincial Health Office to caution the residents against taking the mixture which is popularly known as ‘D1 Kasosolo.

She said that the concoction is dangerous as it might have caused the death of the people within two days.

“The methylated spirit is not meant to be taken orally,” she said.

Ms Munganga advised them to report anyone selling the concoction or the ingredients which she stated are dangerous.

And Central Province Chief Environmental Health Officer Teddy Wakung’uma said the mixture has a potential to cause seizures, blindness and paralysis.

Mr Wakung’uma stated that health authorities have been receiving increased cases of such health complications resulting from consumption of the dangerous mixture.

“It can lead to death as you have already witnessed,” said Mr Wakunguma.

And Lupiya Headman Obsorne Mazuba has banned the sale of methylated spirit in his area.

Headman Mazuba told the team from the police and the Ministry of Health that the local people were mixing the ingredients in a 2-liter container.

“They mix a small bottle of methylated spirit with a 2-liter container of water and two sachets of the sweetener, locally known as sweet aid,” said Headman Mazuba.

He explained that the locals have been making the concoctions by themselves after buying the ingredients from local stores.

Luapula to be a new hub for mineral development

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Luapula to be a new hub for mineral development

Luapula Province Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary Evans Sikabubba says the province stands on the verge of becoming a new hub for mineral development.

Mr Sikabubba says the development will be actualised soon as geological experts embark on surveys to establish the full extent of the region’s mineral endowments.

Mr Sikabbubba said this when a delegation from the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development’s Geology Department paid a courtesy call on him.

Mr Sikabubba noted that much of the mining activities in the province remains informal and unregulated.

He added that limited industrial power capacity has also forced the transportation of raw manganese to other provinces such as Central Province for processing.

“We are aware as a Provincial Administration that Luapula Province is very rich in minerals, some places are very rich in manganese and while a lot is being mined, not all of it is legal,” he noted.

Mr Sikabubba added that the Provincial Administration is confident the exercise will position Luapula for growth in the mining sector, similar to how Northwestern Province emerged as a copper-rich region.

Chief Geologist Evaristo Masumba stated that his team is conducting a tour of the Northern Circuit in collaboration with the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC).

Mr Masumba disclosed that initial studies have shown how Luapula shares promising geophysical signatures with the Copper belt and Northwestern Provinces.

He added that the similarities in mineral signatures give them confidence that this region holds significant potential in mineral resources.

“Our mission is to collect samples and conduct detailed analysis, the similarities in mineral signatures give us confidence that this region holds significant potential,” Mr Masumba said.

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