Network for Young People against Violence has condemned the beating up of the two journalists by opposition United Party for National Development-UPND cadres yesterday.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with ZANIS today, Network for Young People against Violence, Moses Kalonde said attacks on journalists must not be entertained and must come to an end.

Mr. Kalonde said when journalists are inflicted with fear of being beaten they will be unable to perform their duties properly.

He pointed out that what is at stake when Journalist work in such fear is the dissemination of the much needed information to the public.

Mr Kalonde stated that like any other professions, journalism also must be respected and journalists must be allowed to operate in a very free environment in order to carry out their duties without any interference.

He further said that condemning the act is not enough but the law enforcement agencies must move in and take action against such activities.

He challenged the UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to show leadership and take the responsibility to see to it that the criminals who hide in the name of political cadres are identified and handed over to the police.

He appealed to the people who engage in such activities to understand that when the law catches up with them it is them and their families who would suffer.

He called on the political cadres to be vision carriers of their political parties and not engage in violet activities so that the people of Zambia could buy in their vision.

The British High Commission has refuted reports circulating on social media of an impending closure of its operations in Zambia.

British High Commissioner to Zambia, Fergus Cochrane-Dyet said the strange social media rumours are totally untrue because Zambia and the United Kingdom (UK) enjoy strong historical ties.

Mr. Cochrane-Dyet said there has been no major change to the British High Commission’s operations since the processing of visas was moved to the regional processing centre in Pretoria in 2010.

He stated that his country is committed to further strengthen its relationship with Zambia through boosting economic development, driving investment, creating jobs and poverty eradication.

“Alongside development work, where our department for International Development is providing over $40 million a year, we are also expanding our prosperity and trade relations, which includes the opening of a Department for International Trade Office at our High Commission Office in Lusaka,” he said.

This was contained in statement availed to ZANIS today.

Visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn says Africa should learn from Zambia’s democracy.

Mr Desalegn says the smooth transfer of power by the five presidents Zambia has had is evidence that Zambia’s democracy has grown.

He has also noted the respect that Zambians have for their elected leaders.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister who is in the country on a three day state visit was speaking to journalists after laying wreaths at the presidential burial site in Lusaka.

Meanwhile Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Workineh Gebeyehu says there is need for Zambia and Ethiopia to work together in coming out of their economic challenges.

Dr. Gebeyehu has noted that the economies of the two countries are both under immense pressure due to some external factors.

He points out that the growing trade imbalances, fluctuating currencies, shrinking GDP growth and natural disasters such as climate change have also contributed to the current economic challenges facing the two countries.

The Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister said this during the Zambia/Ethiopia Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) meeting in Lusaka today.

Speaking at the same meeting, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba says a number of memorandums of understanding in various sectors will be signed during the during the stay of the Ethiopian delegation in Zambia.

Mr. Kalaba has also stressed the need for the two governments to remain committed to the JPC decisions and ensure that they are implemented as agreed in the signed agreement.

He says now that the submissions have been received, the ministry of justice will prepare an amendment bill for consideration by the public as well as members of parliament.

Mr Lubinda has since expressed confidence that the publication of the constitution of Zambia amendment bill 2017 will be ready by the end of August this year.

He has told parliament that a technical legal working group comprising staff in his ministry will soon be constituted to analyze the submissions from the various stakeholders.

Mr. Lubinda has however, stated that his ministry has indentified some inconsistencies from the submissions that have been received.

Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo says he supports the decision by the police not to grant the UPND a permit to hold a rally and the procession of UNZA students to Parliament.

Mr. Kampyongo has since urged the UPND and UNZA students to adhere to the advise by the police or risk breaching the public order act.

The Minister also said he is concerned with the UPND’s continuous public pronouncements.

He said it is important for the UPND to accept that they lost the general elections last year and desist from undermining government which was elected by the majority of Zambians.

And Mr. Kampyongo says the police has the responsibility of not allowing the breeding of anarchy in the country.

The Minister says it is surprising that the UPND is seeking permission to hold a rally yet they do not want to respect the Head of State who is the commander in Chief.

The minister was speaking with the media in Chinsali district.

And traditional leaders in Muchinga Province have called on the UPND to accept the decision made by Zambians on August 11th 2016 when they voted for President Edgar Lungu.

Chief Luchembe said it is important for every Zambian to accept that in any election there is only one winner and last year’s winner was President Edgar Lungu.

Chief Luchembe who spoke on behalf of 23 Traditional leaders from 7 districts in the Province says there is need for everyone to work at building the nation in solidarity.

He said it is important that every Zambian citizen cherishes the peace that God has allowed to prevail in the country.

Chief Luchembe also said what happened recently when the UPND boycotted the Presidential address to Parliament is an issue of concern.

The Chiefs were meeting President Lungu at Tazama Guest House in Chinsali.