Government says it remains committed to upholding Zambia’s enduring reputation as a beacon of peace, unity and coexistence among all races and nationalities.

Speaking during the Lusaka International School’s 61^st Pre-Independence celebration today, Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, said true freedom goes beyond the absence of colonial rule  to the presence of opportunities, education and harmony among citizens.

Mr Kangwa noted that for more than six decades now, Zambians have chosen dialogue over division, cooperation over conflict and friendship over fear.

He said these values have preserved the nation’s stability and peace.

“The spirit of peace and unity is not just Zambia’s legacy, but our greatest gift to the world,” he said.

He added that celebrating cultural heritage reflects the country’s rich diversity and shared humanity.

“When you dance, wear cultural dress, share food from your home country or sing in your language, you are not just performing but you are preserving a piece of history and sharing it with others,” he said.

Mr Kangwa has since commended the Zambian people for their resilience in the face of economic hardships and global challenges such as climate change, emphasising that through unity and cooperation, the nation continues to rebuild and progress.

He has meanwhile urged citizens never to take peace for granted but to uphold mutual respect and solidarity that have made Zambia a haven of peace in the region.

Meanwhile, Lusaka International School Board Chairperson, Aakash Gumbeers, said the celebration’s theme; “61 Years of Peace and Unity: Building a Resilient and Prosperous Zambia”, reflects the nation’s remarkable journey of hope, progress and community spirit.

“Our school’s values align with Zambia’s enduring spirit of resilience and progress. In many ways, our institution mirrors the same intrinsic values that our country celebrates today,” he said.

And Head of School, Thomas Gass, who was represented by Philip Milner, encouraged pupils to embrace diversity and self-belief as foundations for success.

“Children are the future. Invest in yourselves by embracing diversity and culture. These are essential for your growth and success,” he said.

Mr Gass has meanwhile urged the government to continue upholding the values laid down by the nation’s founding fathers as Zambia prepares to commemorate its 61^st Independence Anniversary on October 24, 2025.

Minister of Justice, Princess  Kasune, has  officially unveiled the newly appointed and returning commissioners of the Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC) for another three-year term, while commending the commission’s achievements in over 20 law reform projects during its previous mandate.

Speaking during the unveiling of the Zambia Law Development Commissioners and handover of the commission’s end-of-term report for the period 1^st July 2022 to 30^th June 2025, Ms Kasune commended the outgoing commissioners for their role in delivering what she termed ‘remarkable body of work’, aimed at modernising Zambia’s legal system.

Among the highlighted reforms were the review of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, the Public Order Act, which led to the 2024 Public Gatherings Bill, the drafting of regulations under the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, and substantial progress on laws addressing arbitration, gender-based violence, and alternative dispute resolution

“These are not merely documents, they are building blocks for a fairer, more modern, and more accessible body of Zambian law,” she said.

She said law reform is a collaborative endeavour and called on other government agencies, Parliament, civil society, development partners, and citizens to participate in shaping the nation’s legal landscape.

Ms Kasune also noted that the commission’s public outreach efforts, including seminars, media engagement, and educational initiatives such as the inaugural Zambia Parliamentary Model United Nations for secondary schools, have  brought marginalised voices, particularly women, youth, and civil society, into the national conversation on legal reform.

“You inherit a commission with a proud record and an ambitious agenda, continuing the emphasis on inclusive, evidence-based law reform that is responsive to the needs of our people and aligned with Vision 2030 and the Eighth National Development Plan,” she said.

And Zambia Law Development Commission Chairperson, Ruth Chibbabbuka, outlined the commission’s key achievements during the term, emphasising its commitment to reviewing, developing, and reforming laws aimed at promoting social justice, equity, good governance, and democracy in Zambia. Impressive

Ms Chibbabbuka said among notable legislative milestones the commission completed are the review of the Security and Excise Crimes Act and the Public Order Act, which led to the drafting of the Public Gatherings Bill 2024.

She noted the progress on regulations under the Anti-Human Trafficking Act and initiatives tackling arbitration and gender-based violence, in collaboration with key ministries.

She said public awareness campaigns on constitutionalism, justice reform, and socio-economic rights reached wide audiences via digital and traditional media, including students through a parliamentary model United Nations programme.

She however acknowledged persistent challenges such as limited funding, staff shortages in research, unreliable utilities, outdated equipment, and an aging vehicle fleet, which hindered timely execution of activities.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Justice Permanent Secretary for Legal, Mwenya Bwalya, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to legal review, reform, and development.

Ms Bwalya emphasised the commission’s evidence-based and inclusive approach aligned with the Eighth National Development Plan.

The commissioners include Justice Ruth Chibbabbuka (Chairperson), Munukayumbwa Munyima (Vice Chairperson).

Members of the commission include  Emmanuel  Sibonga, Eva Jhala , O’brien  Kaaba, Herrick  Mpuku , Bibian Kalinde, Chipo Nkhata , Bubala Chibbonta, Mwaka  Chizinga, Dominic  Kangongo , Kawama Simumba, and Yvonne  Wilombe-Nakachinda

A 46-year-old driver of Chisamba District has been fined by the Chisamba Magistrate Court, a sum of K3, 000 for committing various traffic offences.

Magistrate Litungi Litungi convicted and fined Stanford Nalishebo of Zimbabwe Compound after he found him guilty upon his own plea of guilty to five counts of traffic offenses contrary to the laws of Zambia.

In count one and two, Nalishebo was charged with the offense of dangerous driving and driving unlicensed motor vehicle respectively, while in count three, driving a motor vehicle without a driver’s license.

In count four and five, the accused stood charged with the offense of driving a motor vehicle without changing ownership and without a valid test certificate respectively.

Particulars of the offense under count one is that on 23^rd September 2025, Nalishebo did drive a Toyota Corona bearing registration number ACK 5669 on a public road, namely Chisamba -Boma road dangerously and hit into a herd of cattle that were crossing the road without due care to other road users.

In count two to five, Nalishebo drove the said unlicensed motor vehicle without a driver’s license, changing its ownership and that it had no valid test certificate respectively.

Facts are that on the material day, Nalishebo was nabbed by the traffic patrol team following an accident in which he hit two oxen belonging to Fringilla Farm due to dangerous driving.

“On 23^rd September 2025 around 8:00 hours traffic police officers were conducting motorised patrol when they received a report of an accident involving a Toyota Corona Registration Number ACK 5669 which was driven by the accused, and hit into two oxen along Chisamba- Boma road,” facts read in part.

The court heard that the two animals could not walk because they had their front limbs broken and later died as a result of the impact of the accident.

Upon his own plea of guilty and admission to facts as true and correct, Magistrate Litungi found the accused guilty in all the five counts as charged and convicted him accordingly.

In mitigation, Nalishebo pleaded for leniency saying his wife is battling with cancer adding that he supports his family from what is realized from the same vehicle.

“I have taken cognizant of the fact that the convict is a first offender who readily admitted the charge. I have also considered what you said in mitigation,” Magistrate Litungi said.

“I sentence the convict as follows; in count one a fine of K3, 000, in default one-year simple imprisonment. In count two to pay a fine of K1, 000, in default nine months simple imprisonment, in count three a fine of K400, in default two months simple imprisonment.

“In count four, a fine of K500, in default two months simple imprisonment and count five, a fine of K150, in default you shall serve one-month simple imprisonment. The fines will be paid immediately,” Magistrate Litungi said.

Magistrate Litungi said all the fines in five counts shall be non-cumulative, meaning that Nalishebo will pay a fine of K3, 000 with immediate effect, in default to serve a one-year simple imprisonment.

The Mwense District Administration office has assured teachers that it is working closely with the Department of Education to ensure that promotions and transfers of the teaching staff are done on merit.

District Administrative Officer Phillip Muonga says a transparent system of promotions and transfers would motivate the teachers to work hard in the district.

The media reports that addressing teachers at Mwense Secondary School, Mr Muonga said the government remains committed to ensuring that teachers are motivated through performance and competent-based promotions to various positions in the teaching fraternity.

“As a government, we want to see teachers being promoted and transferred on merit so that everyone can be motivated to work hard,” Mr Muonga said.

He also urged teachers to engage the District Administrative Office whenever need arises, saying the New Dawn government embraces an open door policy.

Mr Muonga also said the government is aware of the strides made by teachers in improving the performance of learners as indicated by the impressive results that were recorded by examination classes last year in the district.

He said he was optimistic that the over 90 percent pass rate target that the district has set for 2025 can be attained through dedication and hard work from both teachers and pupils.

“Let us continue working towards improving learner performance through provision of quality education,” Mr Muonga said

Eastern Water and Sanitation Company (EWSC) is currently owed more than K 13 million in water bills by its client in Chipata district.

EWSC Chipata District Manager, Collins Kayeye says the water utility company is owed about K13,627,688.58 in bills by its clients.

Speaking when giving a report during the Senior District Management Meeting in Chipata chaired by District Commissioner Elidah Banda, Mr Kayeye said EWSC is owed Four Million, One Hundred and twelve thousand, three Hundred and fifty-two Kwacha, Fifty-Nine Ngwee (K4,112,352.59) in domestic water bills.

He said in non-domesticated water bills, Eastern Water is owed a total of One Million, two Hundred and Ninety-two thousand, two hundred and forty-four Kwacha, forty-four Ngwee(K1,292,244.44) while more than K800,000 is captured as kiosk bills.

Mr Kayeye said the water utility company which currently has a production capacity of 10,506 cubic milliliters per day is having a demand capacity of 21,224 cubic milliliters of water per day thereby making a commodity deficit of 10,719 cubic milliliters per day.

“The water demand in the city is higher than the production capacity. We plan to increase the production capacity and we also plan to rehabilitate the water network under the KfW project, “he said.

Mr Kayeye disclosed that the water utility company has achieved 54 percent of sanitation out of the targeted 85 percent due to various challenges.

He said the main reason for the outcome is that the larger population in the district is using unlined pit latrines that contaminate the groundwater leading to poor sanitation levels.

Mr Kayeye said EWSC has managed to repair 378 leakages in Chipata district out of the targeted 402.

He said the high number of leakages experienced in the district were as a result of the dilapidated infrastructure.

Mr Kayeye said the Government through Eastern Water plans to drill 36 commercial boreholes in Eastern Province at the total cost of Sixteen Million, two hundred thousand Kwacha (K 16,200,000).

He said the Government has also funded the rehabilitation of the dilapidated sewer network in Kapata township at the cost of K250,000.

Mr Kayeye said the Government also plans to fund water network improvement in Magazine, Chimwemwe and Mchini townships using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) at the cost of Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand Kwacha (K8,500,000).