Cabinet has approved Zambia’s accession to the amended International Sugar Agreement (ISA 1992) to foster efficient global sugar trade. The country has been a signatory since December 1992 and a ratified member since June 21, 2000.

This is according to a press statement released to the media by Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa.

Mr Mweetwa stated that the 19th Cabinet Meeting was held at State House on Monday, October 6, 2025, chaired by President Hakainde Hichilema where they focused on policy and legislative matters aimed at enhancing national development.

He added that cabinet approved the ratification of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Employment and Labour to promote inclusive employment, labour standards, and sustainable enterprises.

Mr Mweetwa further said that cabinet approved the introduction of Local Content Regulations in the mining sector to increase participation of Zambians in the mining value chain, accelerate job creation, and poverty reduction.

“Cabinet has also approved the issuance of the Animal Identification and Traceability (Cattle) Regulations, 2025, to establish a comprehensive framework for livestock management and trade,” he said.

Mr Mweetwa added that cabinet approved amendments to the Civil Aviation Authority Act and Civil Aviation Act to align with international best practices and standards and approved statutory instruments to operationalise the Social Workers Association of Zambia (SWAZ) Act of 2022.

“Zambia will host the Poultry Futures Forum 2025 on November 25-26, 2025, to accelerate inclusive and sustainable growth in the poultry sector,” Mr Mweetwa added

Mr Mweetwa stated that Zambia will host the 18th Africa Leather Value Chain Forum from November 24-28, 2025, to reaffirm its strong partnership with the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute and will also host the 26th WaterNet/Water Research Fund for Southern Africa/Global Water Partnership Southern Africa Symposium from October 29-31, 2025.

“Cabinet reflected on the importance of the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development between Zambia and China, signed on June 12, 2025, which aims to deepen commercial relations and strengthen economic cooperation,” he added.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, says the 24th Heads of State and Government Common Market for Southern and Eastern Africa (COMESA) slated for Thursday, October 9, 2025, is an important undertaking as it will highlight aspects of sustainable development in the region, among other things.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Nairobi, Mr Haimbe, who will represent Present Hakainde Hichilema at the Summit, notes that with the ever changing environment, African countries must concentrate more on where to add value in terms of trade and investment.

He stressed that African countries must ensure that interactions during such events has a direct benefit for the people in the COMESA region.

The Minister noted that the theme for the summit dubbed ‘Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth’ speaks to key issues such as digitisation and its impact on the development agenda and sustainable growth building value chains amongst African countries.

“So this is why we are here, for us as Zambia to participate in this very important meeting and to bring out those aspects,” he stated.

Mr Haimbe further noted that through such interactions, Africa is able to bring out value and the vast potential within COMESA for countries to become self-sustaining.

“It is so diverse, as COMESA, we are talking of countries that are more industrialised, we can talk about Egypt, we can bring value through our interactions with them.

“And on the other hand, we have ourselves to offer, we have other countries of course our host, Kenya, Burundi, Somalia, Sudan, you name them. There is vast potential within COMESA for us to now start being self-sustaining as countries and for Zambia that is a keen interest because we also want to look at how we can get to leverage on what we all bring to the table to ensure that we address the key concerns that we as Zambia has expressed at many platforms including the AU and here as well,” explained the Minister.

And, Mr Haimbe hinted that Zambia will express matters relating to global financial architecture as well as the country’s capital needs to be able to raise financing for the various projects that need to be undertaken.

“We all know that infrastructural projects are amongst the key drivers for development.

So this is all encompassing but also of key importance.

“We need to ask questions like what does digitalisation bring to the table? What does it offer for us as countries? Where do we leverage this modern phenomenon to ensure that our interactions are productive for the good of achieving sustainable development goals. I’m sure there will be eye opening positions here,” he said.

Mr Haimbe, who arrived in Nairobi, Kenya today, is tomorrow expected to attend the COMESA 20th Meeting for Ministers of Foreign Affairs at the Jomo Kenyatta Conference Centre.

The Lusaka High Court has today heard that fingerprints lifted from the vehicle of murdered Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Director General Guntila Muleya matched those of one of the suspects, Samuel Dokowe.

This is according to scenes from Crime Officer Victor Shamapango, who testified before Judge Vincent Siloka that the vehicle in question, which was abandoned, is a brown Toyota Prado, registration number BAL 5763.

Mr Shamapango narrated that on July 26th, 2024, he was assigned by his supervisor to go to Chawama compound where there was an abandoned vehicle at G and SOS garage.

Mr Shamapango testified that he took photos of the vehicle and collected fingerprints from the door handles, windows and steering wheel using specialised equipment and powder, then saved the images on a memory card and sent the samples to a lab for analysis.

He stated that forensic analysis confirmed a match between the lifted fingerprints and those of accused Samuel Dokowe.

Mr Shamapango notified the Investigating Officer, who subsequently arrested four suspects, including Dokowe, in connection with the case.

This was during a continued trial today.

This is a case where four men are accused of killing Mr Muleya on July 23, 2024, a day before he was reported missing.

The suspects are police officers M’thusani Dokowe, Alex Zulu, Samuel Dokowe and IBA accountant Francis Chipyoka.

Mr Muleya was found dead in Njolwe area, Chongwe, on July 24, 2024 by a passer-by.

The Kabwe Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson Mangala Zaloumis’ daughter, Maria Zaloumis, her Nigerian boyfriend Nathaniel Barthram, and three other co-accused after their charge was reduced from murder to manslaughter. The matter has been committed to the High Court for trial.

State Advocate Joseph Zimba informed the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented to proceed with a reduced charge of manslaughter, contrary to Section 199 of the Penal Code. The original murder charge was linked to the killing of Enock Simfukwe Kasengele on August 17, 2025.

The accused, Maria Francis Zeleni Zaloumis, aged 40; Nathaniel Barthram, 34; Daniel Chiluwa, 40; Fortune Mwitangati, 23; and Gift Daka, 25, were alleged to have committed the offence at Onani Farm in Kabwe. Zaloumis, a well-known farmer, resides at Wonani Farm, while Barthram is a Nigerian national residing at Tuzini Farm.

Lawyers for the defence applied for bail following the reduction of charges. Keith Katazo argued that manslaughter is a bailable offence and that the accused were willing to comply with all bail conditions. He described Zaloumis as a prominent Zambian farmer of fixed abode and Barthram as a resident willing to surrender travel documents. Other defence lawyers, including Macqueen Zaza and Mapange Nsapato, assured the court that the accused would not interfere with witnesses and had credible sureties.

The State did not object to the bail application but requested that Barthram surrender his Nigerian passport. Magistrate Wamundila Liswaniso granted bail of K20,000 each in their own recognisance, with two traceable civil servant sureties per accused. The accused must report to the nearest police station every fortnight pending trial.

The case was committed to the Kabwe High Court for summary trial. All five accused remain in custody until bail conditions are satisfied. The legal team includes lawyers from Legal Aid, Dove Chambers, Nsapato Advocates, and Chiwala Boniface Legal Practitioners.

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has urged the business community to seek guidance before producing products, in order to be equipped with necessary knowledge on good manufacturing practices.

In a statement issued to media, ZCSA Director for Corporate Services, Maikisa Ilukena says that ZCSA is ready to support producers to comply with compulsory standards in order for them to access the local and international markets.

“This will result in improved product safety, increase the chances of success through compliance with regulatory requirements, as well as increase market access for manufacturers domestically and internationally.” Said Mr Ilukena

Mr Ilukena, also added that his institution has enhanced border monitoring, market surveillance inspections, routine factory inspections and other relevant practices, aimed at ensuring that only safe products are supplied on the market.

He was speaking at Ndola Tennis Club during the official closing and award ceremony of the 1st edition of the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency – National Tennis Championship hosted from October 2 – 5, 2025.

He said that ZCSA took advantage of the tournament to sensitise the public on its mandate and new compulsory standards as well as to urge consumers to only buy products from reputable and regulated outlets.

Zambia Tennis Association, (ZTA) commended the ZCSA for sponsoring the National Tennis tournament that brought together some of the best tennis players in Zambia and gave them a platform to showcase their skills and talent.

“ZCSA’s involvement in tennis will undoubtedly contribute to the growth of the sport and inspire young players to reach their full potential,” he said.

Meanwhile, Men’s Singles Winner, Edgar Kazembe, reiterated that tennis is key in keeping young people from substance and alcohol abuse.