Rehabilitation works of the Katunda- Tateyoyo 87km stretch on the Mongu- Lusaka Road have progressed with 50 percent of the works done.

The media reports that Western Province Permanent Secretary, Simomo Akapelwa, in the company of Kaoma District Commissioner, Kashina Sheba, and Road Development Agency (RDA) engineers inspected the project.

Mr Akapelwa disclosed that 40km of the 87 km, will be tarred between October and December this year and once complete, it will be opened to the public.

“This is the Katunta- Tatayoyo 87km section project on the Mongu-Lusaka Road. What is being done here is that they are now laying the stone base by stabilising it, as you can see the machinery is very heavy and after what is being done here on Monday next week they’ll start doing the trial assfort surfacing.

“And if it’s satisfactory, then between next week and December, 40km or 50% of the contract will be surfaced, it’ll be opened to the public and then we can concentrate on the next road,” explained Mr Akapelwa.

He also disclosed that the contractor for the upgrading of the Katunda- Lukulu -Watopa- Mumbezhi Road project will soon be on site to commence the works.

Project Resident Engineer, Abdus Sattar is confident of completing and delivering the project within the time frame.

Earlier, Mr Akapelwa called on Chief Mutondo, Webby Mulubisha at his Lukena Palace in Mangango to discuss various developmental issues specifically the two road projects that include the upgrading of the Katunda- Lukulu -Watopa- Mumbezhi and the Katunda- Tatayoyo stretch project respectively.

Mr Akapelwa also inspected the construction of Chief Mutondo’s palace and appreciated the works.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Gilbert Phiri, has been conferred with the prestigious Public Service Leadership Award for exceptional service and dedication through transformative justice reforms.

The award was presented during the 7^th Annual African Corporate and Government Counsel (ACGC) Forum in Livingstone, which brought together legal professionals and delegates from over 20 African countries.

The award marks the launch of a special category designed to honour a senior public sector legal leader in the host country.

In a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, National Prosecution Authority (NPA) Public Relations Officer, Chali Hambayi, indicated that the Authority sees the award as a strong validation of its strategic direction, confirming that Zambia’s progress in building a strong and professional justice system is gaining attention on the continent.

He noted that the award highlights continental recognition of the NPA’s reform efforts such as the Director of Public Prosecution’s contributions in advancing prosecution independence, integrity and transparency under his leadership.

Principal State advocate, Frank Sikazwe, received the award on behalf of Mr Phiri at the ACGC Forum Awards Gala, which was held on October 3rd, 2025.

The five days Southern Province Investment and Trade Exposition, which opened on Sunday, October 5, 2025 has come to an end.

The media reports that speaking at the closing ceremony held this afternoon, Southern Province Minister, Credo Nanjuwa, described the event as fruitful.

Mr Nanjuwa said he was happy that for the past few days, the province had witnessed innovation, rich history and culture, business and vision for greater opportunities ahead.

“As we come to the end of this south expo 2025, our hearts are filled with gratitude, pride and renewed purpose. This has not just been an event but a movement, a celebration of Southern resilience, creativity and the unstoppable series of progress,” Mr Nanjuwa said.

The Minister thanked the sponsors of the event for the confidence they had shown and for providing support to ensure a successful event.

He commended Kanona Power Company Limited, Maamba Energy and other partners who made their finances available to make the event a success.

Mr Nanjuwa was pleased to mention that the sponsors of the South Expo invested in an idea that the province can be a hub of excellence, adding that today that idea has come alive for the whole world to see.

“To our exhibitors, you brought this expo to light. Your innovation, your products and your stories have inspired countless conversations and sparked new opportunities and you have also shown that the south is always ready for such undertakings,” he added.

Mr Nanjuwa assured the people in the province, the business partners, sponsors and everyone that participated during the Expo that as the event has come to a close, it does not mean that it has died completely, but that it will be held on an annual basis.

Earlier, Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Namani Monze, thanked the Provincial Minister for providing great leadership by ensuring that the event was a success.

Gender and Child Development Permanent Secretary Mainga Kabika has called on the mining companies in North Western Province to compliment the government’s effort in strengthening child protection rights.

Ms Kabika says the government remains committed to ensuring all Provinces across the country have fully functional one stop centers and habitable safe houses to host gender-based violence victims and sexually abused children.

Ms Kabika said this when she paid a courtesy call on Barrick Lumwana Mine in Kalumbila District yesterday

The Permanent Secretary said the Department of Gender is working tirelessly to safeguard the wellbeing of the affected victims by placing them in safe homes equipped with essential amenities.

She said the government highly recognises public private partnerships as they play a significant role in sustainable economic growth as well as enhancing socio economic development in the local communities.

She added that the country has continued to record an increase in gender-based violence and child defilement cases across the country, hence the need for collaboration to curb the vice through increased sensitisation programs in work places, schools and communities.

Lumwana Mine Community Welfare Coordinator Belinda Lubasi said the Mine has a safe house within its premises where GBV victims are housed.

She added that the Mine works in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Justice and the Zambia Police.

And the Mines Community relations manager Bernadette Shonga expressed gratitude for the gesture.

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.