A Witness from the Zambia Police Forensic ballistic expert, Isaac Kalimanshila, has witnessed in a matter involving former Home Affairs Minister, Lieutenant General, Ronnie Shikapwasha’s widow, Jane Lusengo 73, has told the Lusaka High Court that the items obtained from the crime scene and submitted for chemistry laboratory forensic analysis had evidential ballistic traces on them.

Mr Kalimanshila, who appeared before Judge Zulu, cited a pair of black shoes, dark blue trousers, Chitenge jacket, white blouse, a white vest and a dark blue skirt, as among the items that had evidential ballistic traces.

A white T-shirt torn in two even pieces with a gun short damage on the abdominal medial part, was also presented as evidence during the continuation of trial.

Mr Kalimanshila identified the white T-shirt in question which was presented to him by the State advocates as being the T-shirt he was presented by the officer handling the case at the crime scene.

He further informed the court that the left side of the white T-shirt had a gun short damage on the abdominal medial part.

“The T-shirt was torn into two even pieces, and one piece of the two had a gun short damage on the abdominal medial part, it was white in colour.

“It was observed that the left side of the T-shirt had a gun short damage on the abdominal media part,” Mr Kalimanshila stated.

Meanwhile, a report containing pictures showing the primary crime scene and how furniture and personal belongings were found, was also presented as evidence.

According to Mr Kalimanshila, the photo in the report was captured in the eastern north of the master self-contained bedroom.

Among the pictures in the report, one shows the alleged laying position of the victim’s body, while the other picture shows the position where suspected blood sustains were observed.

The pictures were captured from the crime scene at Plot 477 of ibex hills.

Earlier, State Advocates made an application before Judge Zulu requesting the court to be moved to the crime scene.

The application was meant to allow the court to appreciate the evidence presented by the witness during cross examination.

Judge Zulu granted the application which was supported by the defence lawyers.

The Court later moved to Ibex Hill for a scene visit in a case Lusengo 73 is accused of shooting Lt. Gen. Ronnie Shikapwasha, who was also former Zambia Air Force Commander.

In the house, Mr Kalimanshila showed the court where the body was found in the master bedroom.

He earlier testified that the deceased was shot at close range and that he had no exit bullet wound.

Mr Kalimanshila also described how the scene was found during investigations into the case.

Ms Lusengo, 73, is charged with murder in connection with the death of retired Lt. Gen Shikapwasha, 76, who died on January 15, 2024.

She is accused of allegedly shooting him using a double barrel at the couple’s Ibex Hill house in Lusaka, a day before he died at the hospital.

However, Ms Lusengo pleaded not guilty to murder before Judge Conceptor Zulu and the state called witnesses to testify against her, with the latest being a police forensic ballistic expert, Isaac Kalimanshila, on stand.

After visiting the crime scene, Judge Zulu said she will give a date after independence for the next hearing.

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering innovation and building a resilient pharmaceutical sector that promotes self-reliance and access to essential medicines across Africa.

Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, said the commitment aligns with the government’s agenda to enhance local production, strengthen supply chains, and promote technology transfer in the health sector.

In a speech read on his behalf by his Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Brilliant Habeenzu during the official opening of the Pharma-Connect Africa Conference 2025 in Lusaka, Mr Mutati said technology has the power to transform health systems and improve access to affordable healthcare when effectively harnessed.

He said the government is implementing the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), which places science, technology, and innovation at the centre of Zambia’s industrialisation and economic transformation agenda.

Zambia is also part of key regional frameworks, including the African Union’s Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa, the SADC Industrialisation Strategy, and the COMESA Regional Pharmaceutical Plan.

Mr Mutati said innovation in the pharmaceutical sector requires policy coherence, human capital development, and market access to attract private investment and boost local value addition.

“With this approach, Zambia’s pharmaceutical sector has the potential to contribute millions of dollars to the national manufacturing GDP and create more than 5,000 skilled jobs by 2030,” he said.

The minister further disclosed that Zambia is finalising processes to ratify the African Medicines Agency (AMA) treaty, which seeks to harmonise regulatory standards and improve access to quality-assured medicines across the continent.

He added that the future of healthcare in Africa lies in investing in people, particularly in equipping young scientists and engineers with skills in biotechnology, regulatory science, and pharmaceutical engineering.

The Government, through the Ministry of Health and higher learning institutions, has introduced the Doctor of Pharmacy programme to meet the growing demand for expertise in biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Mr Mutati also said medicine security has been recognised as part of digital security, with the digital transformation strategy prioritising e-logistics, data interoperability, and smart traceability systems to eliminate counterfeit medicines.

“As we look to the future, our actions must be guided by science, collaboration, and accountability,” he said, reaffirming Zambia’s commitment to promoting innovation and industrial capacity development in line with Africa’s pharmaceutical self-reliance agenda.

And SADC Senior Programmes Officer, Lanboly Kumboneki, says SADC is pleased to be part of an initiative where they can discuss the future of pharmaceutical industry and supply.

Mr Kumboneki noted that it is important to examine the role of innovation and system modernisation in order to address the ongoing challenges to medicines access.

“It is important to identify what is required in order to foster a culture of innovation that explores the causes of intractable medicine access issues,” he said.

Mr Kumboneki has reaffirmed SADC’s continued partnership with the government in order to improve the application of accessing medicines.

Government says it is committed to establishing modern tourism centers across the country as part of its strategy to enhance Zambia’s position as a preferred tourist destination in the region.

Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, says the initiative is aimed at promoting both domestic and international tourism by creating accessible information and cultural hubs that will showcase Zambia’s diverse attractions.

The media reports that Mr Sikumba, who is also Livingstone Central Member of Parliament, was speaking in Livingstone today when he commissioned a Tourism and Education Center, located within Dambwa North Township.

He explained that the proposed centers will serve as one-stop facilities where visitors can access information on tourism sites, accommodation, transport, and local heritage.

Mr Sikumba noted that such infrastructure will also help stimulate economic growth by linking communities to the tourism value chain.

“The government remains steadfast in its commitment to expanding the tourism industry by providing facilities that make it easier for visitors to explore and appreciate what Zambia has to offer.

 “These centers will not only improve visitor experience but also create employment opportunities for local people,” Mr. Sikumba said.

He emphasised that Livingstone, being the country’s premier tourist capital, will serve as a model for the rollout of similar centers in other provinces.

The Minister further explained that the government’s focus is to ensure that every major tourist circuit has a functional information hub to coordinate activities and support private sector participation.

And, Mr Sikumba noted that tourism remains a key driver of Zambia’s economic diversification agenda, adding that the government under President Hakainde Hichilema, is determined to transform the sector into a sustainable contributor to national development.

He further urged local authorities and stakeholders to support the initiative by promoting community-based tourism projects that will complement the national vision of attracting more visitors and increasing the country’s visibility on the global tourism map.

“The creation of these tourism centers will reaffirm our commitment to making Zambia a must-visit destination, not just for its natural beauty but for the quality of experiences we provide,” Mr Sikumba added.

The Ministry of Tourism is currently working with local councils, traditional leaders, and private investors to identify suitable locations for the first phase of the project which is expected to begin in 2026.

The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services has welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema’s announcement on the country’s ambitious beef export plans, urging social protection beneficiaries to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in the livestock sector.

Speaking in Livingstone at the South Expo 2025, held under the theme “Unlocking Investment Opportunities for Socio-Economic Transformation Through Strategic Partnerships and Innovation,” President Hichilema disclosed that Zambia aims to export one million tonnes of beef annually through the creation of Special Beef Economic Zones, the initiative that is expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth through value chain development.

Reacting to the announcement, the MCDSS Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Beatrice Chilomo, expressed optimism stating that the initiative would open up sustainable income-generating opportunities, especially for small and medium enterprises.

She said beneficiaries under government-supported programmes such as the Alternative Livelihood Initiative (ALI), Food Security Pack (FSP), and Supporting Women Livelihood (SWL) should consider venturing into cattle rearing and related agribusinesses.

Ms Chilomo added that SWL beneficiaries can form cooperatives and establish feedlots to supply cattle to commercial markets, while FSP recipients can pursue agriculture and livestock ventures either individually or in groups.

“We are excited about the potential for our social protection beneficiaries to engage in livestock production, particularly cattle farming, and benefit from the growing demand in the export market,” said Ms Chilomo.

The Permanent Secretary further noted that the Ministry’s Skills Training Colleges are actively involved in empowering Community-Based Volunteers (CBVs), who are providing technical training in livestock management and business skills to communities.

She called on all social protection beneficiaries to be proactive and embrace the government’s support in entering the beef value chain.

Ms Chilomo urged the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity and position themselves to contribute to the country’s beef export target describing it as a viable pathway to improved livelihoods and poverty reduction.

‘’The government has reiterated its commitment to supporting inclusive economic growth through strategic empowerment initiatives and targeted interventions aimed at transforming vulnerable households into productive participants in the national economy, ’she said.

Agriculture Economist Edify Hamukale has commended the government for initiating beef exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), describing the move as a major step toward diversifying Zambia’s export portfolio and boosting agricultural revenue.

In an interview with ZANIS, Dr. Hamukale emphasized the need for sustained investment in the beef production sector to maintain and expand the export market.

Dr. Hamukale highlighted the importance of improving veterinary services to enhance cattle health, noting that animal health management remains a key determinant of increased beef production.

“Reliable veterinary services are vital if Zambia is to maintain its export market and grow its beef industry,” Dr. Hamukale said.

He noted that Zambia’s cattle population of about three million head provides a solid foundation for developing a thriving beef industry.

However, he said the country’s vast grazing lands have the capacity to support up to nine million head of cattle, calling for more effective utilization of this potential.

Dr. Hamukale urged the government to prioritize pasture improvement, cattle health and breeding programmes to enhance cattle weight, productivity and overall beef quality.

He added that investing in these areas would not only increase production but also help Zambia compete with regional beef exporters.

He further underscored the need for consistent feeding strategies to ensure a steady supply of cattle throughout the year, enabling the industry to meet both local consumption and export demands.

“To maintain the export market, it is important that the government ensures reliable veterinary services and also implements measures to control cattle theft, which is a significant challenge facing the industry,” he noted.

Dr. Hamukale observed that although Zambia’s beef production potential is strong, the country still lags behind regional leaders such as Botswana and South Africa.

He said Zambia could reach similar production levels with the right combination of policy support, investment and management.

“While Zambia has potential to reach the production of cattle like that of Botswana and South Africa, there is still much work to be done to reach the standards of these countries,” he said.