Yash Foundation has handed over a one-by-three classroom block, one by two science laboratory and an ablution block valued at about K5 million to Lukamantano school in Chilanga district.

Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, commended said good facilities and infrastructure are important for producing good school results

Mrs Nalumango said education is very important for social cohesion and rule of law, adding that it also creates economic opportunities leading to a decent and dignified life.

She said the decision by Yash Foundation to upgrade the face of the school with modern infrastructure will improve learning at the institution.

She said this in a speech read for her by the Minister of Education, Douglas Siakalima at the official handover of the infrastructure at Lukumantano school in Chilanga district today.

The Vice President has since assured that government is committed to building a Zambia where education thrives and where seeking knowledge becomes a priority.

Mrs Nalumango further said government has taken steps to improve the provision of education to ensure that knowledge is open to all without discrimination.

She also said government continues to implement successful interventions to address challenges faced by children in accessing primary, secondary and tertiary education

“I have no doubt that additional new classroom blocks and the ablution block will encourage better school attendance. After all, the children are the community’s and country’s leaders of tomorrow,” Mrs Nalumamgo stated.

The Vice President expressed confidence that the learners, especially the girls, will utilise new facilities to improve their education and contribute to the country’s progress.

She further commended the school management and Yash Foundation for their enhanced cooperation in delivering quality education, an investment she said is support government.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Douglas Siakalima, made a pledge to the school to contribute 50 desks, which will be delivered before the end of February this year.

And Yash Foundation Director, Aditi Patel, said the non-profit making organisation was inspired to give something of great value to the vulnerable community.

Mrs Patel said education exists to facilitate, encourage and inspire even the underprivileged people as it enhances the intellectual and emotional development of youths.

She said there is no limit to learning, thus describing education as a transformative factor for individuals and the nation at large.

Mrs Patel stated that through education, the new generation will be given a vision and hope that great things are yet to come.

Meanwhile, the school management made a number of requests to the government.

Sister Getrude Daka disclosed that the school, which started running in 2002, has 850 pupils but still operates under challenges.

Sr. Daka said the school has only 12 rooms for all learners from grade one to 12, thus limiting further enrolment.

She added that the school needs more teachers especially in critical subjects so that learners are not left behind.

And Chilanga Member of Parliamemt, Sipho Hlazo, appreciated the gesture by Yash Foundation of fulfilling its promise to build additional infrastructure at the school.

Mr Hlazo said the newly constructed laboratory, which is accompanied by the necessary laboratory equipment, will instil the art of inquisition for science and technology among pupils.

He said the additional one by three classroom block will lead to increased enrolment at the school.

Mr Hlazo said the value addition will not only improve the quality of education among learners but also benefit the community to attain increased literacy levels.

Chipata Mayor, George Mwanza is admitted to Kalindawalo hospital in Petauke following a fatal road accident that claimed one life last night.

The driver of the vehicle, Isaac Mbewe, aged 40, and another passenger, Paul Malichi, aged 38, both employees of Chipata City Council, also suffered injuries in the accident and are admitted to the same hospital.

The accident happened around 21:00hours on the Great East Road in Muthilizi area between Sinda and Petauke districts, when a Toyota Hilux registration number FJ1, the official vehicle of the Mayor, careened off the road and overturned.

Eastern Province Police Deputy Commanding Officer, Lucky Munkondya has confirmed the accident in a statement availed to ZANIS in Chipata.

Ms Munkondya said the Mayor suffered a cut in the head and chest injuries while one other passenger, identified as Lyson Mwale aged 37, died of serious injuries around 23:00 hours at Kalindawalo hospital where he was rushed for treatment.

“The Mayor sustained chest pains and a cut on the head, while the deceased sustained suspected internal injuries, bleeding from the mouth and nose. Another passenger, Male, Paul Malichi aged 38 of Chipata Council sustained a painful head and left shoulder,” she said.

She said the body of the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary of the same hospital awaiting post-mortem.

Meanwhile, two other Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) were recorded along Great East Road yesterday.

One of accidents involved a Mozambican male identified as Euflone Andre Bene aged 32 who died on the spot after sustaining head injuries.

The accident occurred at around 14:00hrs in Malilangwe area of Nyimba district when the driver failed to negotiate a curve and lost control of the motor before it overturned.

“Involved was Male Euflone Andre Bene of Beira Mozambique who sustained fatal head injuries and died on the spot. He was driving a motor vehicle, Sino truck and trailer registration number AKP 449MC, AH606MC and was driving from East to West direction,” she said.

And in the other accident, Ms Munkondya said it involved a driver identified as Nelson Ahvano Antonio Cassimo aged 40, equally of Beira Mozambique, who sustained a painful left shoulder and a suspected fractured left leg.

“The victim was driving a Howo truck and trailer registration number AAL 902SF/ AD 121 SF loaded with sulfur and driving from East to West direction. The RTA happened when the driver failed to negotiate a curve due to excessive speed,” she confirmed.

Ms Mukondya said the injured driver is admitted to Nyimba District Hospital.

The Department of Fisheries in Luapula Province has confiscated over 1000 Kilograms of fresh fish and over two tonnes of dry fish in the on-going enforcement of the fishing ban in the area.

Provincial Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator, Joseph Chiti says 46 people have also been arrested for fishing and trading in fish during the fishing ban period.

Mr Chiti said out of the total number of those who have been arrested 13 males and five females have been convicted, while eight have been fined who include three males and five females.

He disclosed in an interview with ZANIS that 21 boats and 238 fishing nets have also been confiscated from those who were found illegally fishing in Lake Bangweulu and Mweru respectively.

Mr Chitii further said two vehicles and five bicycles which were used to carry fish have also been impounded by a team of officers who were conducting patrols in check points and other entry and exit points in the province.

He expressed concern with the low compliance levels by fishermen and women during this year’s fish ban as they have continued fishing and transporting it to different parts of the province.

Mr Chiti added that the Department of Fisheries will continue to enforce the law as it is the only way to give chance to fish in the natural water bodies to breed.

He has urged fishermen to use the fishing ban to venture in agriculture activities as opposed to engaging in illegal fishing.

Meanwhile, A 32 year old man of Samfya has been fined K6, 000 in default 12 months imprisonment with hard labor for unlawful possession of fish during the fishing ban period contrary to section 60 (a) and (b) of the fisheries act.

Before Magistrate Mapoma Mtonga were Beston Mulapwa 32 and Kelvin Chupa 34 both of Mansa in Chief Matanda’s area in Luapula Province.

ZANIS reports that facts before the court were that on December 23, 2022, Mulapwa and Chupa jointly and whilst acting together did possess 368 kilograms of dry fish which was obtained in contravention of the fisheries act during the prohibited period of fishing.

The court heard that on December 23, 2022 around 07:00 hours Police officers in Samfya conducted a routine traffic patrol along Musaila-Serenje road.

They came across a Toyota Spacio registration number AUB 2077 which had only two people a driver and passenger on board and discovered that it was loaded with dry fish.

The duo were apprehended and later taken to Samfya Police Station and thereafter Police officers seized the fish while the vehicle was impounded.

When the matter came up for trial before Magistrate Mtonga, Mulapwa pleaded guilty of the offense while Chupa pleaded not guilty saying the fish did not belong to him as he was just hired by Mulapwa to transport the fish.

In mitigation, Mulapwa pleaded for lenience saying he is married with children.

In passing judgement, Magistrate Mtonga said he is being lenient on the accused by fining him K6, 000 in default to 12 months imprisonment with hard labor.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Mtonga has since adjourned the matter to January15, 2023 for Chupa’s continuation of trial while Mulapwa is still in custody.

The government has embarked on a prison audit aimed at finding lasting solutions to overcrowding in correctional facilities.

The exercise is being undertaken by a combined team of researchers comprising of officers from the Ministry of Justice and National Prosecution Authority.

The researchers are divided into two groups with one group handling the northern part of the country while the other is targeting the southern part.

Team leader, Vanny Hampondela says the audit being undertaken by a team of researchers, is intended to promote and protect the human rights of the inmates in correctional facilities.

ZANIS reports that Mr Hampondela said this when he and his team paid a courtesy call on Muchinga Province Minister, Henry Sikazwe yesterday.

Mr Hampondela who is also Ministry of Justice Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist said the audit will involve short, medium and long term recommendations with a view of implementing the short term recommendations by 2026 from the challenges that will be found.

“We do understand that there is overcrowding in most correction facilities that is why we want to find out the causes as well as understand the situation on the ground. We want to see when the medium term recommendations can be implemented and how much time can be allocated for the implementation of the long term measures through the guidance of the researchers,” he said.

Mr Hampondela stated that the exercise is in line with one of the pillars of good governance which incapacitates human rights programmes with one centering on reforms of correctional facilities.

He has praised President Hakainde Hichilema for attaching importance to good governance saying the exercise will archive its mandate with support from government.

And Muchinga Province Minister, Henry Sikazwe said the move will help provide lasting solutions to address overcrowding in correction facilities not only in Muchinga but the country at large.

Mr Sikazwe noted that good governance is also measured on how well a nation looks after its inmates.

“This audit is of great use to government, make sure that a good research is done on the subject matter especially on decongesting these facilities,” he said.

The Anti-Corruption Commission Director General Tom Trevor Shamakamba has said behavioral change is key to the success of fighting corruption in the country.

Mr. Shamakamba said the fight against corruption would be null and void without behavioral change among citizens.

The Anti-Corruption Commission Director General was speaking to journalists in Ndola on the Copperbelt when he officially opened a training workshop for media personnel.

Mr. Shamakamba challenged the media to engage in investigative journalism and sensitizing members of the public on the importance of respecting the public good and, to also bring to light the adverse effects of corruption.

“It is with great delight that I welcome you all to this important training workshop which is aimed at building the capacity of the media personnel in anti-corruption issues. The main objective of the workshop is to encourage you to begin to engage in investigative journalism and sensitizing members of the public on the importance of respecting the public good and, to also bring to light the adverse effects of corruption on the social and economic development of the country. This workshop is therefore meant to help you fully understand the different dimensions of corruption. This is because of the key role that you play in passing on the information to the general public. In other words, this initiative cannot yield the expected results without your full and effective contribution. As the fourth estate, you the media are a great partner in this fight and national development,” Mr. Shamakamba stated.

He said there was a need to be consistent in developing and disseminating anti- corruption messages in order to bring about permanent transformation in individuals in Zambia.

“It is undeniable that the media plays a critical role in disseminating information or raising awareness on what the public can do to prevent corruption and in facilitating behavioral change. As you may be well aware, behavioral change is key to the success of fighting corruption in the country without which, the fight would be null and void. It is also important to note that change of mindset does not occur overnight; instead it calls for resilience and perseverance by those of us including you colleagues, entrusted with the responsibility to create public awareness on corruption. In this regard, we need to be consistent in developing and disseminating anti- corruption messages in order to bring about permanent transformation in individuals. It is this transformation that will bring about behavioral change in the citizens and residents so that they begin to hate, detest and abhor corruption in totality,” Mr. Shamakamba said.

He added that the media fraternity is strategically positioned to unearth corrupt activities that are taking place in the country.

“The media fraternity world over is expected to be more proactive in educating the masses on what constitutes corruption, its dangers and the negative effect it has on individuals, society and the nation at large. Further, the media fraternity is strategically positioned to be able to unearth corrupt activities that are taking place in the country. For this reason, the commission regards the media fraternity as an indispensable partner in the fight against corruption,” Mr. Shamakamba said.

“In conclusion, allow me to re- emphasise the critical role that you play in the fight against corruption. The success of the country in terms of its socio-economic development largely depends on the successful fight against corruption. This will be scored if the media positions itself in playing its critical role of raising awareness as well as unearthing all unethical conduct in the country, so that the culprits can be made to account for their deeds. I therefore implore you to take advantage of this training to learn more about corruption so that you can effectively participate in the fight against the vice,” he concluded.