Several traders at New Soweto Market suffered losses in the early hours of today after a fire destroyed a number of businesses near Namununga School opposite the market.

The fire reportedly broke out around 03:00 hours and destroyed three makeshift restaurants and an electronics shop.

According to Police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi, security guards on duty at the market first noticed smoke and flames coming from one of the restaurants before alerting the police.

Police officers, together with the Lusaka City Council Fire Brigade, responded to the scene in an effort to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures.

The fire was eventually brought under control around 04:30 hours, but several traders had already lost their businesses.

Mr. Chilabi said preliminary investigations show that the fire destroyed three makeshift restaurants and one electronics shop.

No injuries or fatalities were recorded during the incident.

Police have not yet established the cause of the fire, and the value of the damaged property is still being assessed.

Investigations into the incident are currently underway.

The Government of Zambia has received 25 metric tonnes of palm dates worth approximately K700,000 from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to assist households affected by flooding across the country.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Permanent Secretary for Resettlement Mavis Nkomeshya said the donation demonstrates international solidarity during times of disaster and will support ongoing relief efforts in affected communities.

Ms. Nkomeshya stated that the 25 tonnes of dates are expected to benefit vulnerable groups through continued social support programmes.

She added that the Government, under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, remains committed to responding quickly to natural disasters and ensuring that affected communities receive timely assistance.

Meanwhile, Head of Media at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Zambia, Ahmed Abdou, said the donation reflects the long-standing relationship between Saudi Arabia and Zambia, which continues to strengthen through cooperation and mutual respect in various sector

Acting Isoka District Administrative Officer, Sara Sooli, says government remains committed to eliminating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through strengthened community interventions and stakeholder collaborations.
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‎Ms Sooli said this during a meeting to formulate the Isoka District Gender Division Sub-Committee Constitution held at the Fisheries and Livestock Boardroom in Isoka District.
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‎She said government has continued to put in place social support systems aimed at assisting survivors of GBV with counseling services and legal support.
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‎The acting DAO emphasised the need for increased awareness and education in communities, stating that collective efforts are key in curbing GBV.
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‎And Isoka District Gender Division Sub-Committee Chairperson, Muchana Muchana, said the committee has intensified efforts to fight GBV in the district through improved coordination among stakeholders.
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‎Mr Muchana said the newly constituted sub-committee will strengthen response mechanisms and ensure GBV cases are effectively handled within communities.
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‎He further urged stakeholders to take an active role in reporting cases of abuse and supporting victims, adding that ending GBV requires collective responsibility.
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‎Mr Muchana also called on traditional leaders, civic leaders and community members to continue working together in promoting a safe and violence-free society.
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Two minors have been defiled in separate incidences in Northern Province.

In a press release made available to the media in Kasama, Northern Province Police Deputy Commanding Officer Charles Mbita, said the first incidence involves a 15-year-old girl in Lunte District while the other involves a 12-year-old mentally challenged girl in Mporokoso District.

Dr Mbita, says the first case was reported on May 12, 2026, around 15:50 hours, and is believed to have occurred between January and March this year.

Dr Mbita explained that the victim was allegedly defiled by two individuals, a juvenile aged 15 and a male adult aged 20, both from the same village.

He said the matter came to light when the girl’s parents noticed signs of pregnancy in March.

The Northern Province Police Deputy Commanding Officer revealed that medical tests conducted on girl in April confirmed she was three months pregnant.

He said upon questioning, the victim disclosed that she had been sexually abused on separate occasions by the two suspects.

Dr Mbita said both suspects admitted to the offence when confronted by the family and were later handed over to police.

The two were currently in custody awaiting formal charges.

He added that medical examinations have been conducted and statements recorded from the victim, guardians, and witnesses.

In the second case, Dr, Mbita said police in Mporokoso district received a report on May 12, 2026, around 16:30 hours, concerning the defilement of a 12-year-old girl described as mentally challenged.

He explained that the offence was believed to have occurred between May 3 and May 6, 2026, when the victim and her sibling were left in the care of a male neighbour, who was a close family friend, while their parents visited relatives.

Dr Mbita said the victim later disclosed that she had been sexually abused by the caretaker.

He said the suspect fled after the matter was reported, and police have since launched a manhunt.

He added that the victim has undergone medical examination and statements have been collected from witnesses.

Dr Mbita has sternly warned perpetrators of sexual offences against children and vulnerable persons that such conduct will not be tolerated.

“Defilement is a serious criminal offence punishable by law, and offenders will be pursued, arrested, and prosecuted without compromise,” he said.

He reaffirmed the Zambia Police Service’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable groups, stressing that such acts will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu has announced amendments to the Public Gatherings Bill after concerns were raised by members of the public over the proposed definition of a public gathering.

Speaking before Parliament adjourned sine die, Mr. Mwiimbu said the government had listened to public submissions and revised the number of people required to constitute a public gathering from three to seven under the newly passed Public Gatherings Bill of 2026.

The National Assembly has approved the Bill, which seeks to repeal and replace the Public Order Act of 1955.

Mr. Mwiimbu dismissed claims that the government was introducing a new requirement by classifying meetings of three people as public gatherings, stating that the provision already existed under the current Public Order Act.

He said the amendment followed concerns expressed by citizens and stakeholders.

“Our definition of public gathering means an assembly, meeting, procession, demonstration or event of seven or more persons convened for a political, social, religious, civic or other public purpose,” he explained.

According to Mr. Mwiimbu, the Bill was developed with input from more than 100 stakeholder organisations and aims to align public order laws with constitutional rights by replacing the permission-based system with a notification system.

He added that once assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema, the Public Gatherings Act will regulate public meetings, protests, political rallies and demonstrations.

The Public Order Act of 1955 has for many years faced criticism from opposition political parties, civil society organisations and human rights groups, who argued that it restricted freedom of assembly.

Mr. Mwiimbu said the new law would promote constitutional freedoms while also strengthening public order and accountability among law enforcement officers.

The legislation also introduces accountability measures for police officers accused of abusing their authority.

Under the proposed law, all citizens, including government officials, will be required to notify police before holding public gatherings during election periods.

However, the restrictions will not apply to meetings involving the President, Vice President, Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the National Assembly, ministers, Members of Parliament, mayors and councillors carrying out official duties within their constituencies or wards.

Exemptions will also apply to public officers performing government functions, religious services held at registered places of worship, funerals, traditional ceremonies and weddings.

Indoor meetings organised by registered companies, NGOs, trade unions and political parties to discuss internal affairs are also excluded from the provisions of the law.

The legislation further excludes meetings convened for lawful State institution purposes.

However, immunity granted to presiding officers, ministers and local representatives will not apply during election campaigns, the voting period or after the dissolution of Parliament.

The Bank of Zambia (BOZ)’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), has reduced the monetary policy rate by 25 basis points, from 13.5 percent to 13.25 percent following a meeting held from 11 to 12 May 2026.

Bank of Zambia Governor Denny Kalyalya explained that the committee considered several factors in making this decision, including the stability of the kwacha against the U.S. dollar, the expected maize harvest for the current crop marketing season, and the uncertainties stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Dr Kalyalya made these remarks today during a press briefing, citing that these considerations led to a careful approach in adjusting the policy rate.

He highlighted the favourable prospects for the current crop season, citing expectations of a bumper maize harvest that is likely to foster food security and curb inflation pressures in the country.

Dr Kalyalya also expressed that the committee also noted the relative stability of the Kwacha against the US dollar, which he said had contributed to a more predictable inflation outlook.

He highlighted that the country’s Inflation has shown remarkable improvement, from 11.2 percent in December 2025 to 7.1 percent by March 2026, which reduced furthermore to 6.8 percent in April within the central bank’s targeted range of 6-8 percent.

ZANIS reports that the MPC projects inflation to remain within the target band, with an average of 6.8 percent for 2026 slightly below the previous forecast of 6.9 percent.

“For 2027, inflation is expected to further decline to around 6.1 percent before edging up to approximately 6.6 percent in early 2028. These projections are supported by anticipated continued exchange rate stability and lower maize prices due to the favourable harvest,”

“While the positive outlook for maize and exchange rates supports a lower inflation trajectory, the geopolitical uncertainties and climate risks necessitate a cautious approach,” he emphasised.

The Committee further reaffirmed that future monetary policy decisions will continue to be data-driven, closely monitored against inflation outcomes, forecasts, and risks.

The next MPC meeting is scheduled to take place on September 28 and 29, 2026.

Restoration for Community Justice (RCJ) has identified the advancement of agroforestry “know-how” as a critical strategy for enhancing climate adaptation and ensuring long-term food security in Kanchibiya District.

RCJ Chief Executive Officer, Mathews Mulenga, says while traditional agroforestry remains a staple of current farming systems, there is an urgent need to transition toward modern practices to maintain productivity amidst a rapidly changing climate.

Mr Mulenga explained that modern agroforestry goes beyond simple tree planting, as it actively sequesters carbon, protects fragile soils, and maintains the biodiversity necessary for a healthy ecosystem.

“Modern agroforestry is the anchor for food security in our changing communities. It allows for productive agricultural systems that can withstand the global landscape of climate change through better crop protection and more resilient food systems,” Mr Mulenga said.

He emphasized that for agroforestry to be successful in Kanchibiya, it must be “farmer-friendly,” necessitating policies that address land ownership, intergenerational equity, and access to digital technology.

 He noted that translating scientific research into practical, on-farm know-how is the only way to reconcile agriculture with nature.

“We need to focus on ecosystem services such as water harvesting and soil restoration. Whether it is lowland or mountain agroforestry, the goal is to create business models that improve the quality of life for our local farmers while mitigating climate impacts,” he added.

Meanwhile, Kanchibiya District Forestry Officer, Samson Zimba, noted that the district’s diverse landscape, spanning from floodplains to mountainous regions, is ideal for intensive ecosystem management through agroforestry.

Mr Zimba observed that there was a significant opportunity to manage traditional systems more effectively, particularly in the mountainous areas of Kanchibiya, to ensure they remained productive for future generations.

“Agroforestry is a natural solution to many of the environmental challenges we face. By integrating trees into our farmlands, we are effectively cooling the landscape and creating a more stable environment for our crops and livestock to thrive,” Mr Zimba stated.

He further noted that the Forestry Department was eager to work with stakeholders to boost the technical capacity of farmers, ensuring they understood how to design agroforestry systems such as fodder hedges and soil-amending tree rows that provide immediate benefits to their yields.

RCJ and the Forestry Department are advocating for a landscape-wide adoption of these practices to safeguard Kanchibiya’s agricultural future and contribute to the national green economy agenda.