Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) says passive pollution is a serious source of concern and a challenge for the country.

ZEMA Cooperate Affairs Manager, Ireen Chipili, said there is need for the country to start addressing the problem of passive pollution by especially involving young people.

Speaking to ZANIS in an interview in Kabwe, Mrs Chipili said most of the drainage systems in the country’s townships are littered by waste in form of plastics.

And Mrs Chipili said the Agency wants to use a school quiz to help reach out to young people to inculcate a culture of improving the environment.

She said ZEMA would want to work closely with the youths to address environmental challenges in the country because the nation’s future lies in the hands of the young people.

WIFE of former Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa has asked the Lusaka High Court to dissolve her 11-year marriage because it has bro-ken down irretrievably.In her petition for dissolution of marriage filed in the Lusaka High Court registry, Mwika Mwenechanya Sampa, an economist, said the marriage has broken down as they have lived apart for a continuous period of two years.

She said in November 2015, the couple mutually agreed that Mr Sampa, who is former Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, moves out of the matrimonial home and have since lived apart.

Mwika asked the court to grant her sole custody of the child of the family with Sampa to be allowed reasonable access.

She also asked the court to order that she continues residing in the matrimonial house and a further order for property settlement.

Mwika proposed that each party bears their own legal costs for the proceedings and prayed that the marriage be dissolved as her husband had consented that a decree nisi be granted.

Minister of Works and Supply, Felix Mutati has described the Liuwa National Park in Kalabo as a goldmine of the Western Province.

Mr. Mutati said the place harbours a lot of potential for both job creation and wildlife conservation for the growth of tourism.

He stated the area has become the most sought for tourism purpose adding that there is no other place in the province that beats it.

Mr. Mutati said he is very impressed with the tourism aspect of Kalabo District whose significance has shown the elevation of tourism in Liuwa National Park and the facilities that have come up.

Mr. Mutati said the district is quiet ahead in tourism growth compared to any part of the province adding that it is a good project to have happened in the area.

On the airport improvement, he said once it is worked on, as well as the pontoon, the two projects will add more value to the development of the district and open it up to more economic growth.

Mr. Mutati was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Kalabo District Commissioner Fridah Luhila at her office.

Mr .Mutati who was in the district to familiarise himself with the state of affairs as well as inspect the manual driven pontoon on Luanginga River which services the Liuwa National Park, assured Mrs. Luhila that he will be sending engineers from Engineering Services Corporation (ESCO) to assess the required works next week.

And Mr. Mutati said President Edgar Lungu takes serious cognizance of the development of the Kalabo-Sikongo road which will promote significant economic growth between Zambia and Angola.

Meanwhile, Kalabo District Commissioner, Fridah Luhila expressed gratitude for the Minister’s visit to her area saying she feels energized with the encouraging remarks on the need to respond to the challenges the area is facing.

She further appreciated the Minister’s interest in the Kalabo-Sikongo road as well as the promise to dispatch a team of engineers from ESCO to assess on how best they can upgrade the pontoon so that it starts servicing the community and tourism enterprises in the area.

This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS yesterday by Ministry of Works and Supply Public Relations Officer, Ndubi Mvula.

Meanwhile, Vice President Inonge Wina is today expected in Western Province to commission the Disaster Early Warnings Systems in Sioma District.

According to a programme released by the Western Provincial Administration to ZANIS in Mongu yesterday, Mrs. Wina is expected to touch down at Mongu Airport at about 10:00 hours tomorrow.

The Vice President will also meet party officials and the electorates in Lealui Ward before paying a courtesy call on the Litunga of Western Province, Lubosi Imwiko the second.

Mrs. Wina will also pay a courtesy call on Litunga La Mboela Chieftainess Mbuyu Imwiko of Nalolo and Senanga Districts before proceeding to Senanga to check on some developmental projects.

The Vice President is expected to depart for Lusaka on Sunday afternoon, May 13, 2018 after attending a Church service at United Church of Zambia (UCZ) in Limulunga District.

Kabwe Central Member of Parliament Tutwa Ngulube was today released on a K10, 000 cash bail after spending a night in police cells.

Mr Ngulube was yesterday arrested by Police in Kabwe and charged with criminal trespass as he went to intervene in the matter of the closed down Sonnet Bus Station which was closed by the Kabwe Municipal Council for allegedly operating illegally.

The Kabwe Lawmaker confirmed that he is out on bail and the matter has since been adjourned to 18th May 2018.

“The battle between the rich few and the majority poor has been drawn. I am now out of Police cells where I enjoyed my hotel experience. The court has graciously granted me K 10,000 bail with two sureties. I have raised Constitution issues for determination to the High Court and the Court has adjourned the matter for trial to the 18th May 2018,” Mr Ngulube said.

“The police yesterday gave me proper escort of 31 vehicles including Anti robbery pickups and 81 AK 47 Rifles. I had a beautiful night and am now going to the hospital for medical checkups,” he said.
And the Kabwe Municipal Council says it has with immediate effect closed down Sonnet Bus Station for operating illegally.

Council Assistant Public Relations Manager Mumba Mafwenko said the station which services long distance buses has been closed down because it was operating contrary to the provisions of Section 6 (1) (a) of the Markets and Bus Stations Act Number No. 7 of 2007.

Speaking when he handed over nine vehicles procured by the Centre for Disease Control to support provincial and district health offices, Mr Lusambo said Zambia and the US have enjoyed warm and cordial bilateral relations.
He said the Provincial Administration is happy that the donation of motor vehicles will go a long in alleviating transport challenges in the province.

Mr Lusambo said the hand over shows how serious the government and its partners are in ensuring provision of quality health care services.

Mr Lusambo who is also Kabushi Member of Parliament said President Edgar Lungu’s administration attaches great importance to provision of quality health services to its people.

“The Zambian Government enjoys a strong partnership with the United States government in HIV response through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and USAID. We are honoured that through this partnership with the US Government, CDC have provided approximately US$19 million since 2008 to Lusaka Provincial Health Office as support towards the HIV/AIDS programmes such as capacity building in relation to the provision of comprehensive high quality and sustainable HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care support services,” Mr Lusambo said.

He said the support equally demonstrates the US government’s commitment to Zambia’s National HIV Response and its confidence in our ability to deliver results.

“I would like thank the US Government trough CDC for this gesture and remind my officers and District Health Management Teams that these vehicles have been procured at huge sums of money which could have gone to other developmental projects. Therefore, there is need for districts to take extra are of these vehicles by using tem for the intended purpose. Furthermore, these vehicles should be accordingly be maintained, serviced and insured.”

The Human Rights Commission condemns the alleged subjecting of a 16 year old boy in Kitwe to torture and other forms of cruel, dehumanising and degrading treatment or punishment and commends the Zambia Police Service for their rapid response towards investigating and arresting the suspects.

The emerging frightening trend of youth gangsters particularly in some parts of Copperbelt and Lusaka Provinces who are victimising individuals is deeply worrying and must decisively be stopped before becoming out of control.

Gangsterism infringes on a wide range of human rights and freedoms. Victims are physically, psychologically, sexually and verbally abused while others are deprived of their property and the right to freedom of movement, security of a person and the right to life are under constant threat and attack.

The reported forcing of the 16 year old boy in Kitwe to eat his own fecal matter and subjecting him to other forms of cruel, dehumanising and degrading treatment or punishment must attract the appropriate punishment of the perpetrators as may be meted out by the courts of law. The Commission therefore looks forward to the due process of the law taking its course, which includes taking the supsects to the courts of law within the legally stipulated timeframe and according them their right to the protection and benefit of the law as enshrined under Articles 13 and 18 of the Bill of Rights.

The Commission also wishes to encourage the police to thoroughly investigate the undercurrents relating to the formation of such criminal gangs of youths and come up with effective measures towards stamping out gansterism. In most cases dehumanising effects of poverty, negative peer pressure and drug abuse are catalysts for such juvenile delinquency manifesting itself in organised criminal gangs. This requires the involvement of everyone in supporting law enforcement officers in preventing and combating organised crime.

In particular, the parents and guadians of such youths have a critical role in providing counselling and guidance and must co-operate with law enforcement officers in the process of reforming the youths through the established criminal justice system.

The Commission also commends members of the public for their continued support to the Zambia Police Service in maintaining security by identifying and reporting the perpetrators in order to create a conducive environment for all law-abiding individuals to freely operate and live.

The Commission is concerned about such acts of lawlessness because breakdown of law and order grossly undermines the enjoyment of human rights and freedoms. Maintainace of law and oder and respect for human rights and freedoms are two sides of the same coin and must always be maintained and respected for the betterment of everyone in society.

[The Human Rights Commission is a National Human Rights Institution established under Article 230 of the Zambian Constitution (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 with an overall mandate of ensuring that the Bill of Rights is upheld and promoted]

Mweelwa Muleya
Spokesperson
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION