A 49 year old man of Ny’atu village under Chief Mphamba of Lundazi district has been found dead in an apparent suicide case.

Zambia Police Service Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba has confirmed the matter, saying the incident was reported to Lundazi Police Station at around 14:30 hours by Boyd Mwalimo Zimba, 50, on behalf of the deceased’s family.

Mr Mweemba has told the media that the deceased has been identified as Balewa Zimba, aged 49.

He said Mr Zimba’s wife, Wazi Phiri, told police officers  that her husband appeared healthy and in good spirits when she left home around 05:00 hours to harvest maize at a field located about 200 metres from their village.

Mr Mweemba said before leaving, she spoke to her husband, who informed her that he would later leave for his usual work of cutting timber.

He explained that tragedy struck around 13:00 hours when the couple’s 18 year old son, James Zimba, discovered his father hanging from the roof inside the bedroom while collecting his shoes.

“The young man immediately informed his mother, who rushed back home and confirmed the incident before alerting neighbours and other family members,” he said.

Mr Mweemba said the matter was subsequently reported to the police, who visited the scene and conducted an inspection.

He said preliminary investigations have revealed that the deceased had used a piece of chitenge cloth to hang himself from the roof structure of the house.

“The neck was found stretched and the eyes protruding. No visible physical injuries were observed on the body and no foul play is suspected,” he said.

The Eastern Province Police Chief said the deceased’s father, Benson Zimba, 68, requested that the body be buried without a post-mortem examination, stating that his son appeared to have taken his own life for reasons that remain unknown.

“We have nevertheless advised family members to properly mark the grave to facilitate any future investigations, including possible exhumation and a post-mortem examination should the need arise,” he said.

Mr Mweemba said the body has since been released to the family for burial as investigations continue.

“I urged members of the public to seek support from family, community leaders, or health professionals whenever they experience emotional distress or mental health challenges,” he said.

The Ngoni Royal Establishment has announced that next year’s Ncwala Traditional Ceremony will not take place if a new Paramount Chief Mpezeni is not installed by the end of February.

Speaking on behalf of the establishment, Gogo Madzimawe said all royal ceremonies previously presided over by the late Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV have been suspended following his death.

He explained that the Ncwala Ceremony, a central cultural event for the Ngoni people, can only be conducted under the authority of the Inkosi ya Makhosi, a position that is currently vacant.

“There will be no Ncwala next year if by the end of February there is no new Ngwenyama. The ceremony stands down because the lion is no more,” Madzimawe said.

He added that if succession is not concluded within the stipulated period, the traditional gathering will remain suspended.

“All activities that were under his custodianship, including Ncwala, cannot proceed. The salutation ‘Bayethe’ has also been put on hold until a new king is unveiled,” he said.

The late Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV, born David Njengembazo Jere, ruled the Ngoni people for 44 years after ascending the throne in 1982. He died at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) on May 30 and was buried on June 9.

His leadership is widely credited with strengthening the Ncwala Traditional Ceremony, which is held annually in February and attracts thousands of participants from across Zambia and beyond.

Preparations for the upcoming Mambwe District Agriculture Show have reached an advanced stage, with organisers intensifying activities to ensure a successful event.

Mambwe District Agricultural Coordinator Henry Mukulumoya says the district has already conducted two block shows as part of the build-up to the main district show.

This year’s Mambwe District Agriculture Show will be held under the theme, “Fostering Trade and Investment,” aimed at promoting agricultural development, market access, and economic growth.

The media reports that Mr Mukulumoya disclosed that the final block show is scheduled for June 13, 2026 and is expected to provide farmers and exhibitors with an opportunity to showcase their agricultural products and innovations ahead of the district event.

He said the district has also held several planning meetings to coordinate preparations for both the District and Provincial Agriculture Shows.

Mr Mukulumoya further revealed that works to fence the show arena are currently underway as part of efforts to improve the venue and ensure it is ready for exhibitors and visitors.

He noted that publicity campaigns have been intensified through local radio stations and outreach programmes in various agricultural blocks and camps to attract more participants and spectators.

Mr Mukulumoya expressed optimism that the show will draw significant participation from farmers, businesses and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector.

The Civil Service Commission has launched an impromptu inspection tour of the Copperbelt Province to verify whether newly recruited health workers under the 2025 national recruitment exercise have reported for duty.

According to Copperbelt Province Principal Public Relations Officer Marilyn Rose, the Commission is engaging district authorities and health sector stakeholders to assess compliance with deployment directives and identify any challenges affecting the reporting process.

Civil Service Commission Chairperson Choolwe Beyani said the exercise forms part of government’s monitoring efforts to ensure that all 2,000 health workers recruited nationwide are successfully integrated into the public health system.

The Copperbelt Province received 246 of the newly recruited health personnel.

During the tour, the Commission is meeting District Commissioners, Town Clerks, Town Secretaries and District Health Directors to confirm attendance records and address any administrative or logistical issues that may have affected deployment.

Dr. Beyani noted that the recruitment exercise highlights progress made under the government’s decentralisation programme, which has delegated greater authority and responsibility to provincial and district structures.

He said the recruitment process demonstrates that decision-making powers are increasingly being exercised closer to local communities, in line with the decentralisation agenda.

The Commission also commended local authorities and district structures for successfully implementing the recruitment process and pledged continued oversight and technical support to strengthen service delivery.

Meanwhile, Dr. Beyani urged Human Resource Management Committees (HRMCs) to take an active role in resolving concerns raised by newly appointed health workers and ensuring a smooth transition into their new positions.

The inspection exercise is expected to help government assess the effectiveness of the recruitment programme while ensuring that health facilities receive the personnel needed to improve healthcare delivery across the province.

President Hakainde Hichilema has expressed gratitude to Zambians for the trust they placed in him during the 2021 general elections, stating that he does not take their support for granted.

Speaking at the launch of the UPND 2026–2031 Manifesto at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, President Hichilema reflected on the challenges his administration inherited and outlined an ambitious plan aimed at accelerating economic growth, creating jobs, and improving living standards.

The President said Zambia was facing severe economic difficulties when the UPND assumed office in 2021, including debt distress, before later confronting challenges such as cholera outbreaks, drought and power shortages.

He said the country had since made significant progress, including restructuring 94 percent of its debt, restoring investor confidence, expanding free education and creating more than one million jobs.

According to President Hichilema, the new manifesto represents a shared vision between the UPND, its alliance partners and the Zambian people, building on promises made in 2021 and achievements recorded over the past five years.

Among the key targets outlined in the manifesto are increasing annual copper production to three million tonnes, raising maize production to 10 million tonnes, producing three million tonnes of soybeans, one million tonnes of wheat, expanding electricity generation to 10,000 megawatts, attracting five million tourists annually and achieving US$1 billion in beef exports.

The President said the economic programme is expected to generate approximately US$65 billion in annual economic value and create more than two million jobs.

He added that increased agricultural production would help lower the cost of living, particularly the price of mealie meal, while continued investment in energy infrastructure would help permanently end load shedding.

President Hichilema also announced plans to establish a public university in every province, expand transport infrastructure, modernise rail networks and operationalise a 24-hour economy through greater public-private sector collaboration.

He further revealed that government intends to ensure every province has an international airport as part of broader efforts to improve connectivity and stimulate economic activity.

The President urged UPND members not to become complacent ahead of the August elections, calling on supporters to actively campaign and mobilise votes.

He concluded by encouraging citizens to embrace peace, unity, hard work and progress, saying Zambia’s future depends on collective effort and national cohesion.

The launch was attended by Vice President Mutale Nalumango and representatives of UPND alliance partners.

The Ministry of Agriculture in Nakonde District, Muchinga Province has urged farmers to take advantage of post-harvest training programmes being conducted in various agricultural camps across the district

Nakonde Agricultural Officer Purity Wasamumu said climate change affects all agricultural production and requires farmers to adapt.

Ms Wasamumu said officers are training farmers in modern technologies and producers should adopt the practices without delay as it will improve their yields going forward.

“With the modern technologies that the officers are training, farmers should adopt them and not leave them behind because this is what will help us have a better harvest from now on,” she said.

The agricultural officer was speaking in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) at her office today.

And Senior Agricultural Officer Jesse Chama explained that camp extension officers were currently conducting trainings in post-harvest technologies at camp level.

Mr Chama stated that the training covers harvesting techniques, winnowing, cleaning and storage.

He said proper storage facilities were critical to reducing post-harvest losses among small-scale farmers.

He noted that the polythene-lined bags were suitable for storing most grains and offer better protection compared to chemical pesticides.

Mr Chama added that chemical pesticides require a waiting period before produce can be utilized, whereas the recommended storage bags allow immediate use.

“Farmers are being advised to use bags with polythene inside for storage instead of ordinary bags, which are not expensive and can be managed by small-scale farmers,” Mr Chama said.

He further stated that adoption of the recommended practices will strengthen food security and increase household income.

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) has commended the Zambian Government for securing an impressive 97.85 percent participation rate in its recent Eurobond buyback initiative, describing the outcome as a significant step towards improving the country’s debt management strategy.

The Ministry of Finance and National Planning launched a tender offer to repurchase a portion of Zambia’s US$1.36 billion Eurobond due in 2053.

The transaction is being financed through a US$600 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB), coupled with a US$65 million incentive aimed at encouraging bondholder participation.

In a statement issued today, CTPD Researcher for Public Finance Robinson Nakambo said the strong response from bondholders demonstrates confidence in the transaction structure and reflects growing trust in Zambia’s debt management efforts.

Mr Nakambo said the organisation welcomes the government’s move to replace expensive external commercial debt with lower-cost financing, especially where the financing is tied to investments that can strengthen the country’s electricity infrastructure.

“The high level of participation indicates strong acceptance of the offer by bondholders and reflects confidence in the transaction structure,” he said.

He noted that while the initiative appears promising, a comprehensive Net Present Value (NPV) analysis is necessary to establish whether the buyback will generate financial savings for the country in the long term.

Mr Nakambo said such an assessment would help determine whether the combined cost of the buyback and the new financing is lower than the future payments Zambia would have made under the existing Eurobond obligations

He further observed that although the AfDB financing appears to have been offered on favourable terms, important information regarding the loan remains undisclosed.

Mr Nakambo said details such as the interest rate, repayment schedule, grace period and maturity profile are crucial in assessing the full impact of the transaction on Zambia’s debt sustainability.

He said that the initiative has the potential to strengthen Zambia’s debt position if the total cost of the buyback and the AfDB loan, measured in present value terms, is lower than the cost of servicing the Eurobond over time.

Mr Nakambo also stressed that the success of the programme will depend on whether investments in electricity infrastructure generate sufficient economic benefits to justify the new financing.

“If these expected benefits materialise, the transaction could contribute to a stronger debt position and improved economic performance.

“However, if they do not, the buyback may alleviate one financial pressure while creating another, particularly as Zambia continues to face domestic debt-related pressures, “he said.

The Eurobond buyback forms part of the government’s broader efforts to reduce debt-servicing costs, improve fiscal sustainability and support critical investments in the energy sector.

Ministry of Tourism Director of Culture and Traditional Affairs Bessie Chelemu says Zambia has made significant progress in implementing UNESCO’s Culture 2030 Indicators framework aimed at measuring culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

Mrs Chelemu says culture is globally recognised as both an enabler and driver of sustainable development prompting UNESCO to develop a framework of 22 indicators that measure the role of culture across key development areas.

Speaking during a workshop in Kabwe, Mrs Chelemu explained that the indicators are grouped under four dimensions namely Environment and Resilience, Prosperity and Livelihoods, Knowledge and Skills, and Inclusion and Participation.

“Zambia is among 16 countries worldwide implementing the framework with support from UNESCO and the European Union. The framework links culture directly to Sustainable Development Goals such as heritage preservation, education, employment creation and social inclusion,” Mrs Chelemu said.

Mrs Chelemu explained that the Ministry of Tourism through the Department of Culture and Traditional Affairs is spearheading the implementation process in collaboration with various government ministries and institutions including the Zambia Statistics Agency, National Arts Council and National Heritage Conservation Commission.

She stated that the initiative will help Zambia generate credible cultural data to inform policy formulation and strengthen evidence-based decision making.

She added that existing data on tourism, employment and cultural activities will contribute to measuring culture’s impact on national development.

She said Zambia has already laid a strong foundation through legal frameworks, cultural centres, intangible cultural heritage registers and existing Sustainable Development Goal data systems.

She emphasized that the success of the programme will depend on effective coordination among government institutions, local authorities and communities.

Meanwhile, UNESCO Culture 2030 Indicators Consultant Gankhanani Moyo explained that the project seeks to measure culture’s impact across various sectors.

And National Arts Council Director Maanka Chipindi said the workshop will help to collect data that will provide evidence on how cultural activities contribute to economic growth