Two boys from the same family have died after drowning in a quarry in Chisamba District in Central Province.

Fred Lumbama, 8, and Titus Lumbama, 10, both from Lumbama Farm in Chapu area, drowned yesterday, December 22, around 10:00 hours at Mwamba’s farm, which is in the same area.

Titus Lumbama met his fate while attempting to rescue his young brother, who had sought help upon realising that he had ventured into the deep water.

Central Province Police Commissioner Yobe Luhana confirmed the incident in separate interviews with the media in Chisamba this morning.

According to Mr Luhana the deceased boys, who were siblings, had gone swimming at a nearby man-made dam in the company of three other juveniles.

“Brief facts of the matter are that, at around 09:00 hours, the deceased Juveniles, along with their two siblings Nickson Kabelenga, 10, and Den Lumbama,12, as well as Kelvin Kabamba,12, a friend, had gone for swimming at a nearby man-made dam,” Mr Luhana stated.

Mr Luhana disclosed that his elder brother, Titus, was also swept away by the current while attempting to rescue his younger brother.

He disclosed that the other three juveniles attempted to help using a makeshift rope but failed.

“The other juveniles tried to assist by throwing a makeshift rope (tied clothes) into the dam, but unfortunately, both Titus and Fred were swept away by the water,” he said

Mr Luhana said a community member bravely retrieved the two bodies, despite the prompt response of police and fire brigade personnel.

He said the boys were then rushed to Chisamba Rural Health Centre, where they were pronounced dead upon arrival.

The Central Province Police Chief said the corpses are currently lying at Chisamba Rural Health Centre mortuary awaiting post-mortem and burial.

Northwestern Province Minister Robert Lihefu has cautioned the District Commissioners in the province against misusing government vehicles under their care.

The Minister said this in Solwezi when he handed over 11 motor vehicles to 11 districts in the province.

He urged the DCs to put the vehicles received to good use and ensure that they are used for the intended purpose and serve the communities diligently.

The media reports that Mr Lihefu commended the government for considering the province with vehicles aimed at easing the mobility of DCs as well as improving service delivery.

He said adequate transportation fosters economic development and as such, the vehicles being handed over today will significantly enhance economic activities in the districts.

Kalumbila District Commissioner Brenda Sangisa expressed gratitude to the government for the gesture adding that the development will enhance her productivity in the district.

A 75 Year old woman of Kapimpa village in Senior Chief Nkula’s area in Chinsali district of Muchinga Province has died after being hit by a Scania truck laden with solar panels.

Muchinga Province Police Commanding Officer Denis Moola has confirmed the accident in an interview with the media in Chinsali today.

Mr Moola identified the deceased as Agnes Mukuka.

He disclosed that the accident occurred in the early hours of today around 06:40 hours at Kapimpa village about 25 kilometers North of Chinsali turn off along the Great North road.

He said involved in the accident was a Scania truck and trailer with horse registration T920CHE and trailer registration number T618DTQ which was being driven by a Tanzanian National Hassan Salamba 50 from the North to the Southern direction.

The Commanding Officer alleged that the accident occurred when Agnes Mukuka the now deceased was crossing the road from the west to the east side and got hit by the Scania truck laden with solar panels property of Debronze Company Limited which was enroute to the DRC Congo.

Mr Moola further said the motor vehicle careered off the road to the right and the trailer (container) overturned leaving the horse standing in its normal position.

“The deceased sustained severe head injuries, broken both lower limbs as well as arms, and died on the spot while the driver of the Scania truck escaped unhurt,” he said.

Mr Moola pointed out that the Scania truck incurred a depressed right side of the container, damaged fuel tank, broken turning table and a depressed front bumper.

He further said that the body of the deceased has since been deposited into Chinsali General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem examination while the driver has been apprehended and he is currently in police custody for causing death by dangerous driving while the motor vehicle is still at the scene of the accident.

About 200 by 50 kilogram bags of cement have gone to waste at Nakanya Secondary school in Mongu district of Western Province.

Speaking after inspecting the school in question, Mongu District Commissioner Morgan Akabeswa has expressed disappointment with a contractor tasked to renovate Nakanya Secondary school, for poor storage of bags of cement at the school.

The media reports that Mr Akabeswa said the government is losing colossal sums of money buying bags of cement meant for improving the learning environment for pupils at Nakanya Secondary school.

He has sternly advised the contractor to be wary of the atmospheric weather conditions before purchasing construction materials such as cement, which can easily go to waste under wet conditions.

Meanwhile, the District Commissioner also took time to inspect construction works at Nakanya boarding school, being constructed by the Zambia Education Enhancement Project (ZEEP) funded by the World Bank.

He was impressed with the pace at which the construction works were moving.

The World Bank is constructing about 22 schools in Western Province in order to enhance quality education in the region.

Chief Chamuka of the Lenje people of Chisamba District in Central Province has called on Zambians to embrace constitutional changes saying they are intended to enhance development.

Chief Chamuka told the media that the enactment of the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 into law will accelerate development at constituency level.

speaking through  an interview he said that the delimitation of constituencies will enhance service delivery through provision of essential social services to the people.

“I wish to commend President Hakainde Hichilema for the role he has played in the amendment of the Constitution which has provided for the delimitation of constituencies. I am urging Zambians to embrace the constitutional amendments,” he said.

Chief Chamuka commended President Hichilema for being instrumental in the strengthening of the country’s legal framework for the effective implementation of the decentralization policy.

He said the delimitation of constituencies will form an important part in the actualisation of the decentralization policy.

He said the traditional leadership will always support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of citizens.

Chief Chamuka said some constituencies have remained undeveloped because of their vastness.

He said the situation will now change for the better following the amendment of the Constitution that has provided for the delimitation of vast constituencies.

Chief Chamuka said the new constituencies will equally benefit from the expanded Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

He further said the traditional leadership in Chisamba District will continue working closely with government to foster development to the area.