The Ministry of Tourism has commenced stakeholder consultations on the review of three (3) bills under the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) in Muchinga Province.

NHCC Executive Director Kagosi Mwamulowe says the reviewing of the bills is aimed at strengthening the protection, preservation and management of the country’s unique cultural and natural legacy.

ZANIS reports that speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Muchinga Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Brian Sichande at his office Chinsali yesterday, Mr Mwamulowe stated that for the bills to be responsive to the needs of the Ministry, there is need for stakeholder consultations.

He mentioned that the 3 bills being reviewed are the Heritage Regulations Bill, National Museums Bill and the National Heritage Bill.

“The new Government approach is to make sure that we have institutions that are managing affairs whilst others are providing an oversight on the regulatory function, hence the involvement of various stakeholders,” he added.

Mr Mwamulowe further explained that the heritage resources are not only limited to public enjoyment but should also contribute towards economic development.

The Executive Director also expressed optimism that the contributions of stakeholders towards the review of the bills will add value in helping to enact the bill into law.

And Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Mathews Chilekwa who was represented by the Deputy Permanent Secretary Brian Sichande, said the stakeholder’s consultations of the 3 bills are timely.

Rev Chilekwa charged that the collaborative efforts of departments in the Ministry of Tourism towards the review of the bill is highly commendable.

He stated that for proper service delivery to be actualised, there is need to ensure that the latest programmes are infiltrated into the old ones to make them sustainable.

“This move will help maximise potential in this area and I think you have embarked on this programme at the right time,” he added.

Rev Chilekwa further assured of continued Government support towards programmes being implemented under the Ministry of Tourism in Muchinga Province.

Senga Hill Constituency Member of Parliament Henry Sikazwe has urged Agro Dealers in the district to be cautious of scammers attempting to redeem farming inputs meant for deserving farmers under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

Mr Sikazwe has emphasised the need for Agro Dealers to verify the identities of individuals redeeming farming inputs to prevent fraudulent activities.

The media reports that speaking during the breakfast show radio programme on Isunga Radio this morning, the Senga Hill Member of Parliament has since warned farmers against sharing their secret PIN codes.

He noted that doing so could expose them to scammers and result in the loss of their inputs.

“The secret pin is personal which should not be shared. Once you share your inputs at risk, we need to be alert as farmers so that what we have been given benefits us,” he said.

Mr Sikazwe explained that the government’s introduction of digital platforms for redeeming farming inputs was aimed at addressing past irregularities that hampered the smooth distribution and collection process.

” Before the introduction of online services in redeeming inputs we had a lot of irregularities, this system was introduced to address those irregularities and you can see the benefits now,” he observed.

The Member of Parliament has since appealed to law enforcement agencies in the district to ensure that anyone found engaging in scams related to agricultural inputs is brought to book.

“I want to warn scammers that if you are found wanting the law will take its course, i appeal to law enforcement agencies to ensure that such people face the law,” he appealed.

Farmers in Senga Hill District are redeeming farming inputs for the 2025/2026 farming season.

 Government has extended birthday wishes to Archbishop of the Lusaka Archdiocese, Alick Banda and praised his contribution to the nation’s spiritual and social development.

In a statement issued to the media by Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa, says the government joins the faithful of the Lusaka Archdiocese and citizens across the country in celebrating the Archbishop’s birthday.

Mr Mweetwa said the government prays for Archbishop Banda’s continued good health, longevity and wisdom as he carries out his pastoral duties.

“Your Grace, we honour your dedication and unwavering commitment to the spiritual and social well-being of our people, may God guide and strengthen you as you continue to serve the Archdiocese of Lusaka to the greater Glory of God” the statement read.

Archbishop Banda has been a prominent figure in Zambia’s religious community, often engaging on matters of national interest and public welfare.

A 25-year-old man of Mutinda Village in Chief Luchembe’s area of Kanchibiya District has committed suicide following a domestic dispute over caterpillars.

The media reports that Muchinga Province Police Commanding Officer Dennis Moola has identified the deceased as Haggai Chanda.

Mr Moola said the incident occurred between November 13, 2025, around 23:00 hours and November 14, 2025, around 05:00 hours.

He said on November 13, 2025, around 17:00 hours, Mr Chanda and his wife, Lucia Chanda, aged 22, went drinking within the village and returned home around 23:00 hours.

Mr Moola explained that upon reaching home, the now deceased demanded two gallons of caterpillars from his wife, intending to exchange them for beer.

He said Mrs Chanda informed her husband that she had taken the caterpillars to her mother-in-law for safekeeping, which angered him as he suspected she had sold them.

Mr Moola said Mr Chanda expressed his anger by damaging the door and the house before assaulting his wife, who fled and went into hiding.

He said the deceased was later seen leaving the house carrying a flashlight and a mosquito net, heading towards his mother’s house.

Mr Moola said on November 14, 2025, around 05:00 hours, the deceased’s nephew, Renard Chanda, aged 15, went to his uncle’s house to check on him.

He said Mrs Chanda told the nephew that her husband was at her mother-in-law’s place, prompting him to go there.

“On his way, the juvenile found his uncle hanging dead from a Musuku tree using a mosquito net rope and rushed back to inform his aunt,” Mr Moola said.

He said Mrs Chanda went to the scene and confirmed finding her husband hanging from the tree before reporting the matter to Mpika Police Station.

Mr Moola said police have opened an inquiry file and advised relatives to bury the deceased and mark the grave for possible exhumation.

He said no foul play is suspected in the incident.

The Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments has thanked Zambians for the overwhelming response it received during the countrywide public sittings.

Technical Committee Chairperson retired Judge Justice Christopher Mushabati says the Committee is pleased with the response it received from members of the public and those in the diaspora.

Justice Mushabati pointed out that the high level of participation of the general public demonstrates people’s patriotism, commitment to democracy and constitutionalism, which are prerequisites for national unity and development.

The media reports that speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka, Justice Mushabati said the Committee is impressed with the large numbers of people who came forward to make their submissions during the countrywide national exercise.

“This high level of participation demonstrates the people’s patriotism, commitment to democracy and constitutionalism, which are prerequisites for national unity and development,” he said.

Justice Mushabati said it was encouraging to see people from all walks of life who included, traditional leaders, youth, women, persons with disabilities and freedom fighters, participate in the national exercise.

“It was encouraging to see Zambians from all walks of life, among them, traditional leaders, youth, women, persons with disabilities and freedom fighters,” he said.

The Committee Chairperson also cited civic leaders, Civil Society Organisations, the labour movement, business community, the church, farmers, marketeers, students, and student unions as among members of the general public who participated in voicing their submissions.

“Others who came forward to have their voices heard in this important national process included civic leaders, civil society organisations, the labour movement, business community, the church, farmers, marketeers, students, student unions and the general public,” he said.

Justice Mushabati singled out traditional leaders as participants who turned out in high numbers in all the provincial centres.

He said their wisdom, clarity and insight were invaluable to the national exercise.

“Of particular note was the high turnout of traditional leaders in all provincial centres. Their wisdom, clarity and insight were invaluable.”

The Committee has since extended its gratitude to all traditional leaders who took part in the nationwide public sitting, by making submissions.

“In this regard, the committee wishes to extend its gratitude to their royal highnesses countrywide for coming forward to make their submissions,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson for the Technical Committee says the just-ended nationwide sittings were held simultaneously to widen public consultation and ensure that no one was left behind in the constitution amendment process.

He explained that the Committee also received and continues to receive submissions through its website and email.

Justice Mushabati further disclosed that submission boxes were placed in Council chambers in all the districts across the country to provide citizens with an opportunity to deposit their written submissions.

“With technical facilitation by Smart Zambia Institute and Zambia Information Communication and Technology Authority (ZICTA), all the districts in the ten provinces were connected virtually, through which Zambians made submissions to the Committee. This ensured that no one was left behind in this exercise,” he said.

He further stated that the national consultations, which were conducted both physically and virtually, commenced on 27th October, 2025 and concluded on 13th November, 2025.

And Justice Mushabati also announced that the Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments has concluded its countrywide public sittings.

“I am pleased to inform the nation that the Technical Committee on the Constitutional Amendments has concluded its countrywide public sittings,” he noted.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango says the Government will continue to improve the livelihood of people in Western Province through massive infrastructure development.

Mrs Nalumango has since called on Zambians to take the Constitution Amendment submissions seriously and shape the country in the right direction.

The media reports that the Vice President said this while addressing a public meeting at Munkuye Primary School this afternoon.

Mrs Nalumango explained that the Government is eager to improve the social and economic livelihood of the community in the province with the increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF) .

She noted that the free education policy has seen many children being reintegrated back in schools making sure that an educated nation breeds a solid economic foundation of a country.

Mrs Nalumango further advised that the Constitution Amendment submission process is law and must be treated with almost importance.

She said it is the duty of every Zambian to see to it that a better constitution is made for a focused nation through a good constitution.

Mrs Nalumango also called on Zambians to register as voters and exercise their constitutional rights in the forthcoming general election next year.

She further thanked the people of Western Province for supporting the Government in its developmental agenda.

Speaking at the same event, Western Province Minister Kapelwa Mbangweta said the construction of Tate-yoyo- Katunda Road is a clear sign that the Government will not relent in bringing development to the people in the Province through road transport connectivity.

The Provincial Minister pointed out that road projects such as the construction of Mongu –Katunda- Lusaka road, and the Lukulu- Watopa Road as some of the major roads being constructed to open up and reinforce trade in the province.

Mr Mbangweta said the Government’s development agenda to the province has continued to uplift the education and health sectors through CDF across the province.

Police in Southern Province have confirmed the death of an American tourist who drowned during a rafting expedition on the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls.

Southern Province Commanding Officer Moono Namalongo said the victim, identified as Patrick Lawrence, 68, died after the raft he was navigating capsized at Rapid Number 7 last evening.

Mr Namalongo confirmed the death of 68-year-old Patrick Lawrence in a statement to the media in Livingstone this morning.

“We can confirm that Mr Lawrence, an American national, tragically drowned during a rafting activity on the Zambezi River.

Mr Namalongo said the American tourist died when the raft he was steering struck a strong wave and flipped over.

He said the accident happened around 22:30 hours and was reported by Mr Obey Hamuchemba, 47, Director at Nyami Nyami Rafting Company, who was overseeing the activity.

Investigations indicate that Mr Lawrence was leading a team of ten paddlers when the raft overturned.

Mr Namalongo however confirmed the safety of the other paddlers who were in the company of the now deceased.

The South Police Chief says the body of Mr Lawrence was later retrieved and rushed to Mukuni Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.