The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Ndola district on the Copperbelt province has raided a house for a suspected drug dealer identified as Jonathan Mulinda aged 27.

During the search at the residence of the suspect at house number 32 Kopa Road in town center, officers discovered 45 rounds of ammunition suspected to be that for a pistol and whitish powdered substance.

Brief facts of the matter are that on February 28,2023 in the early hours, the DEC Officers based in Ndola acting on the information that a named suspect mentioned was dealing in drugs, they raided the above mentioned address.

The officers had earlier obtained a search warrant from the courts and on the material day they proceeded to conduct a search.

It was during the search that the officers found some whitish powder substance which was suspected to be cocaine and further found 45 rounds of ammunition in the bedroom of the suspect hidden in the drawers of the wardrobe.

However, when the whitish powered substance was subjected to analytical tests, the results came out negative, indicating that the substance was not a drug.

Copperbelt province police commanding officer Peacewell Mweemba says the suspect was yesterday March 6,2023 handed over to the police and investigations have since been instituted in the case of being in possession of prohibited articles.

Mr.Mweeemba disclosed that when the suspect was questioned regarding the ammunition, he indicated that the same belonged to one of his friends whom he briefly stayed with at some point and later left the house to an unknown place and had asked him to keep them for him.

The suspect is currently detained in police custody and will appear in court soon

The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) has commended the government’s decision to employ more teachers as it will improve the quality of education in the country.

NAQEZ Executive Director, Aaron Chansa said that the move will help address the over enrollment in class rooms of public schools due to the introduction of free education in 2022.

He urged the government to set aside money to employ at least 15,000 teachers in 2024 compared to the 4,500 employed in 2023.

He also added that there is a need for the government to build more infrastructure especially in rural areas to accommodate pupils and teachers.

Mr Chansa was speaking in a telephone interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

He explained that currently the country needs more than the stated deficit of 150,000 teachers.

“The deficit of teachers continues to increase, last year it was at 75,000, this year it is at 150,000. The truth of the matter is that we still need a lot of teachers, our survey indicates that we still have a lot of schools with one or two teachers, this is not good for quality education.” He said.

He further noted the need for the government to build proper accommodation for teachers in rural areas as the teachers will soon want to migrate to urban areas.

Meanwhile Secondary School Teachers Union SESTUZ General Secretary Sitibekiso Wamuyuwa said that any move to employ more teachers by the government should be appreciated as the country’s economy is not able to sustain the high number of employed teachers.

He said that the low number of enrolled students in the school of teaching is attributed to the low number of teacher employment in the past years.

Acting President, Mutale Nalumango, is tomorrow scheduled to officiate at the 2023 International Women’s day celebrations which will be hosted in Kabwe, Central Province.

Central Province Permanent Secretary, Milner Mwanakampwe, confirmed the development to ZANIS saying Mrs Nalumango is expected to arrive in Kabwe at 09:00 hours after which she will officiate at the Women’s Day celebrations at Kabwe Worriers stadium.

Mr Mwanakampwe stated that the national commemorations of this year’s Women’s Day will be held in Kabwe under the theme ‘Digital: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.’

And Mr Mwanakampwe has observed that women have been financially neglected, a situation which leaves them vulnerable to abuse.

He said the majority of women in the province remain economically vulnerable.

Mr Mwanakampwe has since advised women to take advantage of government empowerment programmes such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that can help improve their livelihoods.

“Our women should take advantage of such programmes and engage in income generating activities (IGA) to improve their economic standing,” he said.

Mr Mwanakampwe further said the increased CDF has a component of empowerment for women and youths.

He has therefore invited women in Kabwe district to join in the commemorations.

Meanwhile, Dade Moyo, a businessperson dealing in Longrich products in Kabwe, has urged women to use technology and the digital platforms positively to promote unity and development.

Ms Moyo, who is Longrich Brand Ambassador, said technology has eased the way of doing business stating that women should support one another and use technology to curb the negativity which they may be associated with.

On this year’s theme: ‘Digital: Innovation and technology for Gender Equality,’ she explained that women were fitting well in the digital platform but should completely stop attacking one other on social media.

“With technology, we have been able to organize ourselves and say, let us not look down on each other. Let us support a woman doing business and the men are out there supporting us,” she said.

And another woman, Maina Kabanda, urged women to celebrate their day peacefully.

Mrs Kabanda said men and women should support each other for the development of their families without overburdening one another.

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Jack Mwiimbu says government will support the successful implementation of the ninth United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) country programme with a proposed assistance to Zambia worth over 32 million United States dollars.

Speaking during the presentation of credentials by UNFPA Country Director, Seth Broekman, Mr Mwiimbu thanked UNFPA for the invaluable support it has rendered to Zambia in achieving its ambitions of improving the quality of life of vulnerable groups.

Mr Mwimbu who is also Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security said government remains committed to continued collaboration with agencies of the United Nations system and development partners in implementing national programmes.

Mr Mwiimbu further reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that the national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are achieved.

He stated that government through the Eighth National Development Plan has integrated population issues to ensure that no one is left behind in the country’s development agenda.

Mr Mwiimbu disclosed that for the period of 2023 to 2027 under the ninth country programme, government and UNFPA have partnered on enhancing integration of population factors and support in generation of population data.

He explained that the two parties have focused on harnessing demographic dividend by promoting girl’s education, enhancing family planning provision and scaling up skills development for quality jobs.

Mr Mwiimbu added that prevention of child marriages and reduction of teenage pregnancies as well as gender based violence are among other areas of focus for the period.

“I want to assure you that this partnership of so many years has led to great aspirations, achievements by this country in improving the quality of life for our women, young people and the communities in Zambia,” he said.

Meanwhile, UNFPA Country Director, Seth Broekman reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to Zambia in an effort to improve the quality of life for the people.

Mr Broekman assured that UNFPA’s will support the achievement of Zambia’s development aspirations.

By Benedict Tembo

Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu says the Magoye ecosystem is under threat as a result of various socio-economic factors.

During the launch of the Magoye Restoration and Protection Plan in Monze District on Monday, Mr Nzovu said that the environmental risks have resulted in disturbance of the normal functioning of the ecosystem, thereby undermining its ability to provide critical services and the related benefits.
He cited the recent floods that affected the people of Central and Southern provinces, particularly those along the banks of the Kafue plains.

The Magoye River Catchment Restoration and Protection Plan is the first of its kind to pursue declaration of a river catchment as a water resource protection area.

Mr Nzovu noted that if no measures are put in place to restore the Magoye River catchment area, alot of people will suffer.

He said this was because the river supports a population of more than 200,000 people and over 400,000 livestock.

Magoye contributes significant flows into the Kafue River.

“Therefore, measures should be taken to preserve the river as it is the source of the water for the people of Pemba, Gwembe, Magoye and Mazabuka districts,” he said.

Mr Nzovu said Government has prioritised the restoration and protection of the Magoye ecosystem with a view to recreate, initiate or accelerate its recovery from disturbance.

He said some of the measures to be undertaken include: revegetation – establishment of vegetation on sites where it has been previously lost; habitat enhancement – increasing stability of a site as habitat for some desired species and remediation – improving an existing ecosystem with the aim of replacing another that has been destroyed.

Mr Nzovu assured traditional leaders and the people of Southern Province that the ministry will enhance the planting of trees along the Magoye River to reduce its further degradation.

Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Mike Mposha said his Ministry will strive to provide quality water to the people of Zambia through the restoration of degraded rivers.

And WWF Zambia Country Director Nachilala Nkombo noted that climate change negatively impacts the ecosystem, economic activities and livelihoods.

She called on local communities to support the restoration plan as it will bring back valuable environmental, social and economic values.

Ms Nkombo said WWF will continue to support desilting efforts of Magoye and transformation of agriculture to sustainable practices.

Kitwe District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Christopher Nyungila has called for the intervention of the District Commissioner’s office to remove retired teachers that have been paid repatriation funds from government houses.

Speaking in Kitwe today during a special Heads of Government departments meeting in Kitwe today, Mr. Nyungila reported that teachers that have been paid repatriation funds are resisting to move out of government houses.

He explained that teachers are given 30 days to leave government houses once they are paid repatriation funds.

“About 98 percent of teachers’ houses in Kitwe are occupied by retired teachers and families of deceased teachers, and all houses at Kitwe Boys and Helen Kaunda Secondary schools are occupied by retired teachers and families of deceased teachers that have been paid repatriation but they are resisting to leave government houses,” He said.

He explained that the aim of paying out retirees their benefits is to ensure that the government serves the money it is paying teachers on housing allowances.

He noted that with the current situation the government will not serve on housing allowances because retired teachers are not giving room to serving teachers to move in government houses.

Mr. Nyungila has since appealed to the district commissioner to help remove the retired teachers that have received their dues from government houses to allow serving teachers to move in.

Recently the government released K3.4 million for payment of personal emoluments to teachers in Kitwe district.

The funds were used to offset outstanding arrears in leave travel benefits, terminal benefits and repatriation for deceased and retired teachers.

The first memorial service for the late fourth president Rupiah Banda will be held on Saturday 11th march 2023.

In a press statement to the media, Secretary to the cabinet Patrick Kangwa has announced that President Hakainde Hichilema and the first lady Mutinta Hichilmena will lead the memorial church service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross at 10: 00hrs.

Mr Kangwa says the memorial church service will be followed by the blessing of the tomb stone and wreath laying ceremony at the presidential burial site, Embassy Park in Lusaka.

He however advised the public that attendance at the blessing of the tomb stone and wreath laying ceremony is strictly by invitation.

The secretary to the cabinet said the event has been restricted to only close family members of the late fourth president and a few invited guests.

He noted that members of the public are encouraged to follow live proceedings of the memorial on the national broadcaster and other media platforms.

Media Network on Child Rights and Development (MNCRD) Executive Director Henry Kabwe has said there is a need to ensure that society does not only focus on the protection of children but also on their development.

Commenting on International Children’s Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) celebrated on 5th March, 2023, under the theme:Invest in us; protect us: we are the future,” Mr. Kabwe said children’s lives should be enhanced in order for them to fulfill their potential.

Mr. Kabwe said investing in children is as good as investing in the future of the country.

He said with the introduction of free education in Zambia more children are getting access to education.
“Radio and television stations will host children to conduct media activities in the annual commemoration of the international children’s day of broadcasting – ICDB.The media network on child rights and development (mncrd) joins the rest of the world to appreciate various media outlets that will provide platforms for the children to do shows and present news to the general public.This year’s theme is timely as it presents a two tier approach to enhancing the lives of children in order for them to fulfill their potential – protection and investment.The theme – invest in us; protect us: we are the future – reminds us of the need to ensure that we not only focus on the protection of children but also on their development.Investing in children is as good as investing in the future of the country,” Mr. Kabwe said.

“With the introduction of free education in Zambia, we are seeing more children getting access to education. the demand and pressure on schools to have children and the increased teacher – pupil ratio, which in some cases is reaching 150 learners, shows the gaps that were there as poor and vulnerable families were discriminated against in the development cycle.The pressure created should drive government to engage partners to ascertain the needs and meet them through local and international budget support.Such support should extend to the review of the curriculum process and the need to reform our examinations system to make learners concentrate on getting knowledge, behaviors, values and skills from the education system other than merely passing examinations as the primary purpose.The expansion of early childhood education (ece), the school feeding programs and other interventions including quality health can help prepare our children to become competent, accountable, uncorrupt, responsible and skilled citizens able to take zambia to socio-economic development,” Mr. Kabwe stated.

He also spoke against rampant child abuse in the country.

Mr. Kabwe noted that child abuse continues being unreported in many communities that have accepted child labor, sexual abuse, corporal punishment and other demeaning forms of abuse.

“As chairperson of the Zambia national education coalition (Zanec), Mncrd will continue to engage government in the promotion of quality education in Zambia.This can be grossly affected when children are not protected from any form of abuse. Child abuse has been banned through the statutes but it continues being unreported in many communities that have accepted child labor, sexual abuse, corporal punishment and other demeaning forms of abuse.”

He said law enforcement agencies should work with communities to protect children from abuse.

“We call upon law enforcement agencies to work with communities to protect children from abuse and ensure that the compulsory access to education is effected. We need to protect children from pedophiles that have increasingly been abusing, especially girls, within the school, community and child right NGO settings.We implore the media to continue sensitizing the public on the children’s code act of 2022 and using children to promote child rights issues in Zambia.
The media can equally help address misconceptions about child rights and enable the public to appreciate the value of promoting and protecting children’s rights,” Mr. Kabwe said.