In an interview with the Daily Nation Ms Kapata said it was not true that the Forestry department had been issuing permits for the exportation of Mukula tree, but that some Chinese nationals had forged the documents.

Ms Kapata said the culprit had been arrested and the ministry had since written to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) to also charge the culprit for money laundering.

Ms Kapata said the Chinese national allegedly forged Forestry Department papers and signatures of officers to transport the logs.

She said it was sad that foreigners who came in the country disregarded the laws of the land and started illegal harvesting of the prohibited Mukula tree.

She said forging of the documents and signature was a serious offence in Zambia and the law would be followed in dealing with this issue.

She warned that anyone found defying the ban would not be spared as they would face the full wrath of the law and that no one would be shielded.

Ms Kapata further warned all transporters involved in illegal transportation of Mukula to desist because once their trucks were impounded they would be forfeited to the state.

“Chinese nationals forged the documents and signatures of officers so that they can transport the Mukula logs and as I am talking now they are in police custody and many cases will come out against them,” said Ms Kapata.

Ms Kapata said the situation is worrying because Zambia is losing precious species of its trees due to illegal felling which is on the increase around the country especially by the foreign nationals.

She said the Provincial forestry and Zambia police have intensified patrols in all the affected areas because the trend has reached alarming levels.

Ms Kapata said the security wings will not relent in impounding all trucks in order to bring the smuggling of the country’s natural resources to manageable levels.

“We are going to forfeit the vehicles of those Chinese national and will not shield anyone and be it South African, Mozambique or Zambian trucks as long as they are carrying Mukula they will be impounded and forfeited to Government,” she warned.

The Zambia Cyber City will be a business innovation hub, comprising workshops, light manufacturing facilities, Data center to catalyse education research and innovation for small and medium enterprises.

Minister of Transport and Communication Brian Mushimba said that his ministry has partnered with the Ministry of Higher Education and the Copperbelt University to construct and develop the Cyber City which will be situated in Lusaka.

In a speech read for him by Ministry of transport and communication Director in the department of communication Yese Bwalya, Mr. Mushimba said the development is in line with the seventh national development plan that seeks to promote investment in all sectors of the economy.

The Minister says the construction of the Cyber City, which is now at feasibility study level, will be in partnership with the private sector.

Mr. Mushimba said this during a dinner hosted by the Information and Communications Technology Society of Zambia.

Speaking at the same function, Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management President Mooka Silumbu pledged that his organisation is ready to work with other entities in fostering development of the ICT sector in Zambia.

Meanwhile, Information and Communications Technology Society of Zambia President Alick Siankumo called for strong linkages between government, his organisation and the private sector for the benefit of the country’s economic development.

The PF in Southern Province says it welcomes its Secretary General’s Davies Mwila’s pronouncement that the party will next year 2018 intensify its recruitment drive especially in opposition strongholds in the country.

Southern Province Patriotic Front (PF) Chairperson, Lawrence Evans, says the party in the region welcomes Mr. Mwila’s decree through the Central Committee to intensify party mobilization strategy across the country ahead of the 2021 general elections.

The PF Chairperson said this in an interview in Chikankata district in Southern province yesterday adding that the party in area has already started the massive recruitment drive before the official kick off by the party in January 2018.

Mr. Evans said that the ruling party in the area has infact penetrated opposition strongholds such as Namwala, Chikankata and Kafue respectively where he said hundreds of opposition members were defecting to the ruling party.

And Mr. Evans has called on all PF party members in Southern province and the nation at large to continue working in harmony in order to continue growing the party to higher heights.

Mr. Evans said all genuine PF party members should join President Edgar Lungu’s vision of taking development to all parts of the country.

He said the PF is in a hurry to deliver election promises the party made to the Zambians people during election campaigns and that, they do just that.

Meanwhile, Patriotic Front General Secretary Davies Mwila says government will install communications towers in strategic areas in North western province.

Mr Mwila says this aimed to address the communication challenges been faced in selected districts in the province.

Mr. Mwila revealed this in Chavuma district during his party mobilization tour yesterday.

Mr Mwila said government has already contracted Huwaei international to install the communication towels.

Chavuma district will benefit from this project as it is one of the places with communication Challenges, he said.

He further said as the party in power it will ensure that people in the district have access to safe drinking water.

Meanwhile Chavuma district Commissioner Benjamin Mufunga said lack of communication has for a number of years been a challenge in the district.

Mr. Mufunga said equipment for putting up the towel was brought but the contractor has never been on site.

He said residents of Chavuma are grateful to government for bringing a new contractor on board to ensure the towel is put up.

Today’s Scripture

“But some scoundrels said, ‘How can this fellow save us?’ They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.”
(1 Samuel 10:27, NIV)

Pay Them No Mind

In Scripture, King Saul had some people come against him. They were making fun of him. He could have easily become distracted and lost his focus. He could have defended himself saying, “I’m a good leader. I have what it takes.” But what did he do? He kept silent. One translation says, “He paid them no mind.”

Friend, sometimes that’s what you have to do when people are coming against you. You have to realize that some people are just jealous. Not everyone is going to have your best interest at heart. But don’t let them control your destiny. Don’t let them distract you from God’s best. Instead of playing up to people or trying to win over all your critics, keep your eyes focused on what God has for you. Spend time with people who see what God is doing in you. Focus on those who will celebrate you. Ignore the critics so you can be all that God has called you to be.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, today I keep my heart and mind focused on You. I choose to ignore the naysayers. I choose to turn away from critical voices. I declare by faith that I will accomplish the plan You have for me as I daily put You first in everything that I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.”