President Hakainde Hichilema has commended the church for the support it has continued to render to the government.

President Hichilema says government has managed to record positive economic strides owing to the support it has been receiving from the church.

He pointed out that the economic transformation taking place in the country is as a result of the support the church is rendering to the government.

President Hichilema indicated that government remains ready to work with any structured group or organisation.

He said despite being elected into office the government wants to work with all stakeholders in the quest to deliver meaningful development.

Mr. Hichilema emphasized that he will run a government that is based on diversity and inclusivity.

He acknowledged that his administration cannot develop the country alone hence its desire to work with other groupings in fostering national development.

The Head of State said this when the Independent Churches of Zambia paid a courtesy call on him at State House today.

President Hichilema informed the church mother body that the primary focus of the government is to unite the Zambian people.

He stressed that without national unity development will be difficult to attain.

Mr Hichilema said the development taking place in the country is on account of the support it is receiving from the Zambian people.

The Head State implored the church to join hands with government in encouraging the citizenry to work hard saying there is need to rekindle the spirit of hard work.

He lamented that the spirit of hard work was lost along the way hence the call to rekindle the virtue of hardworking

Meanwhile, President Hichilema has thanked the church mother body for the solidarity message it delivered to him today.

He expressed gratitude following the acknowledgement by the church of the efforts government is making in uplifting the lives of the ordinary Zambians.

The President encouraged the church to continue working hand in hand with the government.

Mr Hichilema implored the church not to shy away from engaging government were it falls short and should feel free to engage government on issues that may arise.

Commenting on the fight against corruption, President Hichilema reiterated that it was not discriminatory stressing that it is neither ethically driven as suggested by some members of society.

He explained that the fight against corruption is aimed at ensuring that office bearers respect public resources.

The President urged the church to join in the fight against corruption and not to leave it to government alone.

And commenting on the debt restructuring deal, President Hichilema said it was necessary for the government to dedicate time towards clinching the debt relief deal.

He said following the debt restructuring deal government has now space to focus on other key areas that need attention.

And speaking earlier Independent Churches of Zambia (ICOZ) President David Masupa said the church is pleased with the tremendous success that government has attained on the economic front since assuming office.

Bishop Masupa cited stability of the exchange rate, drop in the inflation rate to single digit and the debt restructuring deal as some of the achievements that has delighted the church.

He said the church appreciates the work President Hichilema and the government are doing in a bid to better the living standards of the people.

Bishop Masupa said the decision by the church mother body to deliver a solidarity message to President Hichilema has not been influenced by any person but is as a result of the achievements that government continues to score as evidenced from the performance of the economy.

Meanwhile the church mother body has commended President Hichilema for the international trips he has been undertaking as they are yielding results.

He pointed out that without him undertaking the international trips it would have been difficult for the country to clinch the debt restructuring deal.

He thanked President Hichilema for granting the church audience.

A 31 year old man in Lundazi District in Eastern Province has died after drowning in Lundazi River.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, Limpo Liywalii, has confirmed in an interview in Lundazi.

Mr Liywalii identified the deceased as Kenao Manzi of Sacha Village in Chief Mphamba’s area.

The Eastern Police Chief said the incident happened on July 12^th  around 19:00 hours at Mphamba Bridge along Lundazi Chitungulu road on his way home from a drinking spree at Lundazi business Centre.

He said the incident happened when the victim was obstructed by the flush lights of the oncoming vehicle and in the process, he lost vision and fell into the river.

Mr. Liywalii said police with help of officers from the fire brigade rushed to the scene after receiving a report from Lackson Manzi, the father of the deceased.

The Police Commanding Officer disclosed that the body of the deceased had since been retrieved and deposited in Lundazi District Hospital mortuary awaiting burial.

Mr Liywalii said postmortem was not done following a request from the deceased family members who were convinced that no foul play was involved after conducting an inspection on the body.

Solwezi Mayor Remmy Kalepa has refuted allegations labeled against the municipality that it has misappropriated funds amounting to 31 million kwacha.

Mr. Kalepa told a media briefing in Solwezi that the local authority is up to date in running all its projects and has been able to pay the contractors without problems.

He said if what has been reported in social media is true the council would not have been able to give Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to cooperatives, and paying contractors.

Mr. Kalepa said more than 100 cooperatives have received grants from the council and is supporting college students by the same CDF adding that he does not understand where the issue of misappropriation of the K31 kwacha is coming from.

He challenged journalists to do their own investigations and find out the truth.

And when asked why investigative wings of the government closed some offices at the finance department at the council, the Mayor said only auditors from Lusaka visited the local authority to do scheduled auditing and they are waiting for a report.

A Pathologist from Kitwe Central Hospital Olga Sadkovska has told the Mufulira Magistrate’s Court that her findings reveal that Nason Simbeye,a 22 year old police officer who was found dead in his house at Sikalangwe Police Camp on 23^rd October,2020 did not commit suicide but was murdered.

Dr. Sadkovska told the court that a post mortem she conducted on Mr. Simbeye’s body revealed that the police officer was shot from the back, while in a kneeling position.

This is in an inquest before the Mufulira Magistrate’s Court to determine whether the police officer’s death was through suicide or murder.

The Pathologist said the findings of the manner of death of the deceased police officer were not consistent with the state in which his body was found, thereby showing that the crime scene was stage managed.

“The bullet entered from the back of his neck and exited from the front,” Dr. Sadkovska explained.

Meanwhile, the investigating Officer, Chief Inspector, Kennedy Siazyombo told the court that police found Mr. Simbeye dead in his bedroom, leaning against his bed with an AK47 rifle in his hand and an empty cartridge beside him.

Mr. Siazyombo said when an officer reached for the firearm, it fired three shots, showing that the gun was set on rapid firing.

“Information from ZICTA showed that his last communication on his phone was the previous day at 18:11,”he said.

And an officer from the Zambia Police Amory department demonstrated to the court that it was impossible for a gun set on rapid firing to only fire a single shot when it has more bullets loaded.

Minister of Education Douglas Syakalima has warned of stern action against school administrators that are allegedly abusing grants that government is giving to schools.

 Mr Syakalima said government is committed to improving the education sector and will not tolerate and spare school administrators who are misusing funds meant for school operations.

The Minister was speaking when he officiated at the education for all policy stakeholders meeting at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.

“I have learnt with sadness that grants which government is giving to schools are being abused by some school administrators, let me warn you that soon you will be shown the exit door,” he warned.

Mr Syakalima has since directed his Permanent Secretaries to investigate the alleged abuse of resources especially grants by the people entrusted with the responsibility.

He explained that the trend of abusing public funds can tarnish the image of government to the outside world and partners if left unchecked.

The education Minister reiterated government’s commitment to invest in the education sector in the quest to ensure children from diverse backgrounds access quality education.

He commended the United Kingdom through the British High Commission in Zambia for the long standing partnership with Zambia in improving the education sector.

And team leader governance and political human development at British High Commission in Zambia, Ben Powis said the United Kingdom will continue to partner with the Zambian government to improve access to quality education.

Dr Powis said the UK will continue to collaborate with the Zambian government in its endeavour to ensure that every child accesses quality education.

Meanwhile, Chairperson Parliamentary Committee on education and science, Twambo Mutinta said education is a key to unlocking the economy of the country.

Mr Mutinta observed that the country can only develop with a qualified cadre of people, adding that there is need for concerted efforts from every stakeholder.

The education for all stakeholders meeting aims at aligning Zambia’s education to an all policy and social justice model.

Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe has directed law enforcement officers in Mkushi to ensure that all trucks purported to be carrying farm produce to be thoroughly searched to curb smuggling of maize.

Mr Mwanakampwe observed that smuggling of maize has continued stating that there is need to enhance policing to ensure food security in the province.

He said that the people behind illegal export of maize are hiding the grain in bags where they load other farm produce.

And Mkushi District Commissioner Jonathan Kapungwe complained that the price of mealie meal in the district has continued to be high, at K230.

Mr Kapungwe said this is despite farmers harvesting this maize marketing season.

The District Commissioner noted that some maize smugglers have been loading maize in bags carrying soya beans.

He explained that most farmers have found an attractive market for soya beans across borders.

Mr Kapungwe stated that the smugglers have taken advantage of the situation and are hiding maize in the soya bean bags.

The District Commissioner also bemoaned a critical water shortage which has affected the district for more than five years.

He observed that most residential areas and the district administration do not have running water.

Mr Kapungwe however noted that with help from an investor, the district administration has managed to drill a borehole, procure a water tank and a tank stand.

In response, the Provincial Permanent Secretary said the USD 72,000 that the government has secured to enhance the operations of Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company will improve water reticulation in Central Province.

Mr Mwanakampwe said the water supply is a result of old pipes some of which have clogged due to cracks.

He assured that the water situation will improve as Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company will replace the old pipes with new plastic pipes.