A 58-year-old man of Kalale area in Nkeyema District of Western Province has died while another one sustained serious injuries after being stamped on by 15 stray elephants  from Kafue National Park that have invaded the area.

The incident occurred yesterday July 2, 2023 around 12:10 hours.

Kahilu Mungomba 50, brother to the deceased, confirmed the development and named the deceased as Godwin Mungomba.

Mr Mungomba disclosed that the brother met his fate after villagers decided to pose for photos near the stray elephants amidst chaos which agitated the beasts.

The deceased is said to have sustained a smashed head, broken legs and arms and the body has since been deposited in Nkeyema zonal mortuary awaiting postmortem.

“There were  15 stray elephants coming from the eastern direction of Kafue National park, upon reaching Kalale area, people gathered around the elephants whilst taking photos and making noise which made the elephants charge and kill the deceased,” he explained.

And Wildlife and National Parks Public Relations Officer, Zacks Sakabilo, who also confirmed the incident, said the department is on the ground to ensure the animals are taken back into the park.

Mr Sakabilo has called on the farmers in the area to ensure that they harvest the maize from their fields as it is attracting the animals.

He said the Ministry regrets the development especially that there is loss of life.

“I can confirm that 15 elephants are in Kalale area, one person has died and another one injured.

“People have delayed removing their maize from the field and that is attracting the animals. Officers are on the ground and the Ministry regrets the loss of life,” he said.

Chinsali District malaria committee has expressed concern at the continuous misuse of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) with a new twist from being used as fishing nets to maize shelling sieves.

This was revealed during a quarterly meeting on Friday at the health offices.

Members in the meeting learnt that the increasing demand for Insecticide Treated Nets is not about the actual use of sleeping under them but to use as grain sieves.

According to the report presented by Malaria Committee Secretary Ryan Muyumbe, Chinsali District has recorded an increase in malaria cases this year compared to 2022 data.

District Disease Surveillance Officer, Kayombo Sakutaha attributed the increase in malaria to people who are not using mosquito nets for the intended purpose.

Mr Sakutaha said mosquitos are now used for farming activities where farmers do not want to spend more on equipment but maximise their profits through the use of ITNS as alternative ways to prepare their grain.

He stressed that public health community sensitisation has been done and proposed for the formulation of by laws regarding the misuse of ITNs through the local authority.

During the discussion, some members proposed the need to enforce laws on misuse of nets and make those found wanting answerable.

In response, District Health Director Technical, Kennedy Kabuswe, explained that there is no such a law under public Health Act but proposed to the District Agriculture Coordinator to sensitise farmers on the dangers of chemicals used to treat the nets.

Dr Kabuswe lamented that the insecticide chemicals are not consumable as they are poisonous in nature meant to kill mosquitoes.

“The chemicals used to treat the mosquito nets by manufacturers are poisonous and not fit for food mixing because some net misusers do not even follow the guidelines which may end up contaminating food stuff,” he said.

He explained that the chemicals remain active on the nets for three to four years adding that the recommended times of washing an ITN is 21 times for a period of 3 years before stopping using it for the intended purpose.

The team also took a quick trip to do a spot check about the misuse of ITNs in nearby villages in Chandamali and Mutale found traditional shelling racks covered with mosquito nets.

One of the farmers, Kelvin Bwembya, interviewed by the team, named the materials as mosquito nets which he said are affordable than hiring a maize sheller.

The committee also learnt that apart from shelling, some residents use the ITNs as roofing fibre, skirting charcoal bags.

“Some people like roofing their houses using the nets because ants repel from roofing poles and grass that are tied using mosquito nets,” Mr Bwembya said.

The Malaria Committee resolved to urgently engage chiefs on the matter for quick interventions as they lobby civic leaders to come up with by-laws that will restrict and refrain community members from misusing ITNs.

Members further recommended massive sensitisation on the correct ways of using mosquito nets.

Independent Churches of Zambia (ICOZ) president David Masupa has urged religious leaders to avoid dragging the Church into politics.

Bishop Masupa says the church is filled with members who have different political affiliations and interests and that must be respected.

He said the church should not be used to persuade members into following one political ideology against the other.

Bishop Masupa was speaking during a special ordination service for Alfred Ching’ambu as Bishop and national Overseer of the Pentecostal Showers Bible Church in Lusaka’s Kamwala South.

“As we ordain you, take note that your congregation has members who belong to various political parties. This I say to you and those who lead congregations, do not invite speakers that will want to make members to follow a political party,” Bishop Masupa said.

The Bishop urged the clergy to instead pray for those tasked with the responsibility to manage the Affairs of the country.

He said the pulpit should be used to pray for government leaders and to support the development agenda and not to divide the flock.

“It is our duty to pray for those in leadership and their success,” he said.

The ICOZ president further appealed to church members to support the newly installed Bishop of the Pentecostal Showers Bible Church which was established in 2001 and registered as a church with the Registrar of Societies in 2021.

And Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Bishop Chingambu said his vision for the church is to bring good news to the lost souls.

Ching’ambu also pledged to rally behind the government of the day by always praying for leadership.

“Our vision is to bring good news to lost souls. And to the government, we are behind you and we will continue praying for you,” Bishop Ching’ambu said.

The ordination was being held alongside the commissioning of the Pentecostal Showers Bible Church in Kamwala South in Lusaka.