Home Affairs Minister, Davis Mwila says this bring the number of suspects arrested in connection to the ritual murders to 12.

Mr. Mwila however says investigations into the ritual killings are still underway and have advanced.

He added that police have continued to patrol the compounds to ensure that peace is maintained.

The Acting President has further assured foreign nationals that their lives are secure and should not be afraid.

Mr. Mwila also disclosed that 556 Congolese have been taken to the refugee camps.

He said this when the Congolese Ambassador to Zambia Mayele Bernardin called on him on Monday.

He further said the country will remain peaceful before and after the general elections.

And Ambassador Bernardin commended government for maintaining peace after the recent incidences in Lusaka.

He urged the government to uphold peace even before and after elections.

The Ambassador said Zambia and the DRC will continue to enjoy and strengthen relations.

Lusaka City Council (LCC) Public Relations Manager has urged parents and guardians to play a critical role in curbing underage drinking.

In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Habeenzu Mulunda disclosed that parents and guardians have the responsibility of ensuring that their children do not abuse alcohol.

He said parents and guardians are the custodians of their children hence they should take keen interest in what activities their children involve themselves.

Mr. Mulunda stated that the council currently has no law which gives penalties to parents or guardians who allow their underage children to engage in drinking alcohol but should ensure that they take responsibility of their children.

He has since warned parents or guardians to refrain from sending their underage children to buy alcohol on their behalf because such acts are wrong and punishable.

Mr. Mulunda also urged bar owners to desist from selling alcohol to minors saying those found wanting will be taken to court and prosecuted.

He also disclosed that the Lusaka City Council is currently sponsoring programs that aim at sensitizing the members of the public on the dangers of underage drinking and its consequences.

Government says it is saddened by the inability of Zambians to access legal representation in their pursuit of justice.

Copperbelt Province Minister Mwenya Musenge said it is depressing that accessing legal services has become a challenge for the majority poor Zambians and a preserve for the rich.

The Minister was speaking when the Fredrick Choma led Legal and Justice Sector Reforms Commission paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Ndola today.

Mr Mwenya bemoaned that the country’s legally aid system is failing to provide the necessary legal representation to ordinary Zambians as they seek recourse from the courts of law.

“Our legal aid seems not to be meeting the core responsibility for which it was created. Legal representation has become extremely expensive and only well to do people can manage,” he said.

Mr Mwenya added that failure by stakeholders to create a platform for people to get fair representation will continue disadvantaging poor Zambians.

The Minister also challenged the legal and justice sector reforms commission to address delays in the provision of fair justice to ordinary Zambians by the courts of law in the country.

Mr Musenge said there is need for the commission to seek ways of resolving delays in dispensation of justice and improve delivery of legal services.

The minister wondered why the Zambia Police Service has become debt collectors when it’s contrary to the provisions of the law.

Mr Musenge said there is need for massive sensitization on the provisions of the law so that institutions such as the police do not overstep their boundaries.

The minister called for concerted efforts to clean up the legal system of corruption and ensure that recommendations of the public on legal and justice reforms are implemented.

And speaking earlier, Commission Chairperson Justice Frederick Chomba said the commission has been conducting public hearings with the view to collect submissions on how best to change and improve the legal sector.

Justice Chomba said the commission has resumed public sittings on the Copperbelt province and will collect submissions from people to help modernize the legal and justice sector in order to respond to the economic and social needs of Zambians.

The team is expected to collect submissions in Ndola, Kitwe, Mufurila, and Masaiti districts.

Mr. Chiwala said the establishment of PRECASTI would over-see the promotion of local innovation in the country thereby industrialising the nation.

Mr. Chiwala said PRECASTI would be a rightful body to advise President Lungu on industrialising Zambia as opposed to the Head of State receiving proposals from individuals and organisations.

Mr. Chiwala said PRECASTI could be used as a right channel to recommend most effective proposals to government.

The out-going EIZ boss said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Works and Supply Minister Yamfwa Mukanga who over the weekend installed the new EIZ executive led by George Sitali challenged the institute to position itself as government national advisor on technology and national development.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chiwala has disclosed that the construction for the new building for the Engineering Council of Zambia has reached 50 percent.

He said the building is expected to be completed in April next year.

Mr. Chiwala, an Engineer himself, dismissed claims by some sections of society that Zambian engineers have less ability in undertaking developmental projects.

He cited the Mongu/Kalabo road where a named Zambian contractor was engaged as one of the major capital project that was executed in collaboration with a Chinese contractor.

He has since urged the Zambian people to support local engineers as they have the capacity and ability to execute huge projects when called upon in any part of the country instead of giving first preference to foreigners.

President Lungu noted that Malawi and Zambia should seek common solutions to the address the challenges the two countries are facing because they share common interests.

The Zambian Head of State was speaking upon arrival at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi, today.

The President is in Malawi to discuss issues surrounding climatic change with his Malawian counterpart.

President Lungu who is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba and Eastern Province Minister Malozo Sichone was received at Kamuzu International Airport by Malawian Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Francis Kasaila and Minister of Energy, Mining and Water Bright Msaka.

Zambia’s High Commissioner to Malawi Salome Mwananshiku was also at hand to receive President Lungu.

The Malawi Defence Force staged a guard of honour for the Zambian President while the Democratic Progressive Party Choir and traditional dance troops added to the entertainment at the airport.

President Lungu is expected to attend a closed door meeting at Kamuzu palace with Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi and the host President Peter Mthalika.

The President is expected to return to Lusaka immediately after the meetings today.

Ms. Mwale says it is not true that she is a beneficiary of some monies that have been allegedly given to public media heads to give biased coverage to the ruling PF and government.

She states that there has not been also a meeting between her and President Lungu which is being alleged to have taken place.

Ms. Mwale says any suggestion that President Lungu has paid her money are thus totally false.
She has since called on journalists in the Country to report accurately, fairly and objectively adding the profession of journalism requires that one keeps an eye open in discharging their duties.

Ms. Mwale is urging journalists to be wary that integrity always last longer than sensationalism.

She says journalists in the Country should therefore avoid publishing lies and speculations.