The Police Service Commission (PSC) says days are numbered on any erring and criminally minded officers in the Zambia Police Service and the Immigration Department.

Police Service Commission Chairperson Peter Machungwa says as his Commission is working tirelessly in rebuilding and restoring the image of institutions under the Ministry of Home Affairs, his Board will not hesitate to take stern measures on any erring officers.

Dr. Machungwa sounded the warning when he led a powerful delegation of commissioners who called on Chirundu District Commissioner Patrick Kasambila at his office in Chirundu District on Thursday.

And Chirundu District Commissioner Patrick Kasambila bemoaned the emergence of juvenile delinquents commonly known as “Junkies” and other criminals that have invaded the border town.

Mr. Kasambila further bemoaned the lack of adequate transport by the Zambia Police Service to tackle the high crime rate in the district and appealed the Police Command in Lusaka to help the district.

The Police Service Commission is in Chirundu District to resolve outstanding staff welfare issues such as promotions, transfers, confirmations and disciplinary issues in a bid to motivate staff in both the Zambia Police Service and Immigration Department.

The new Head of Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Botswana and SADC Ambassador, Petra Pereyra, says Africa remains a priority for the EU.

Speaking when she paid a courtesy call on Zambia’s Acting High Commissioner to Botswana, Brighton Litula, Ambassador Pereyra said Africa had a huge potential of economic growth.

“Thank you for recognizing the EU as an important strategic partner to Zambia and of course this is something that we hope to be to the countries here in the Southern region. It is a priority for the EU that we work in close relation with our African partners across this continent,” she said.

Ms. Pereyra noted that Africa remains a priority for the European Union adding that Africa also has a huge potential both on the international fora and economic growth as well as potential to fight the global challenges being faced.

“Africa is a really important partner, we really hope to work with all of our African countries in partnership in a way that we are there to support and empower our partners on their ambitions towards achieving prosperity and economic growth,” Ambassador Pereyra said.

And Zambia’s Acting High Commissioner to Botswana, Brighton Litula, said the EU was one of the long and important strategic development partners for Zambia.

He said the EU has been supporting Zambia in various sectors such as energy, agriculture, public finance, good governance and private sector development, environment and climate change, among others.

“You are very much aware that our development partnership was revolving around the European Development Fund (EDF) framework of which during the 11th EDF, which ran from 2014 to 2022, Zambia was able to benefit EUR 460 million in the form of grants in various sectors of the economy,” he said.

He indicated that the funding for the year 2021 to 2024 is EUR 299 million to Zambia which will go towards green partnership for sustainable recovery, growth and decent jobs.

Mr. Litula appealed to the EU Head of Delegation to consider the possibility of engaging the SADC Secretariat to initiate a project which would resolve the traffic congestion at the Kasumbalesa Border as it is a bottleneck to trade among SADC countries along the North, South transport Corridor.

This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by First Secretary for Press at Zambia High Commission in Gaborone, Botswana, Julia Malunga.

48 Cooperatives in Kabwata Constituency have received grants totalling 1,920,000 Kwacha under the women and youth community empowerment.

Kabwata Member of Parliament Andrew Teyengwa has advised the beneficiaries of the grant to use it for its intended purpose, adding that anyone with intentions of diverting the grant will be followed by the relevant officers and will not be a considered beneficiary in the next phase of receiving grants.

“We want you to start improving your lives because the investment that you are going to make will enable you to change the destiny of your lives, for this is a seed that you are planting today and when you plant a seed today, don’t expect a harvest the following day as the harvest will only come even after three years but what’s important is to plant the seed, have the farmers mentality if you want to succeed in whatever you are doing,” Mr Teyengwa explained

Mr Teyengwa has since urged the beneficiaries to utilize the skills and knowledge acquired when they were being taught on how to manage the funds, from the training that they had, stating that he hopes all the beneficiaries of the grant have undergone the required training on how to manage the funds as it is not wise to give out empowerment funds without prior training on how people should manage the funds.

“These are funds that should move you from one level to the other, only if you apply the principle of planting the seed and waiting for the right time to harvest,” he stated

Mr Teyengwa has advised the beneficiaries to consider working in unity because where there’s unity, there’s progress, because working in division will lead to the failure of the Cooperative.

“Unite and ensure that the plans that were put in place when forming the cooperatives should be accomplished,” Mr Teyengwa mentioned

And Lusaka District Commissioner Rosa Zulu who graced the handover ceremony as the guest of honor stated that the beneficiaries of the CDF empowerment grants should utilize the funds prudently as they are pioneers of this noble cause.

“Your prudent utilization of these funds shall be a yardstick to determine the viability and sustainability of this empowerment programme, the same way you cooperated when applying for these funds, is the same way you are expected to coordinate as you utilize the funds,” she said

Ms Zulu has since advised people especially the youths to take advantage of this rare opportunity that the New Dawn Government has created, stating that the youths should turn from spectators to participants as it is time to form cooperatives, register businesses and apply for skills development bursaries.

Ms Zulu mentioned that the handover of the grants is a fulfilment of a historical milestone which seemed only like a dream especially to the naysayers who thought it was impossible to empower the Zambian people and improve their lives.

“Most people thought we would not deliver, but on secondary schools, we have bursaries and skills development bursaries, children are enjoying the free education and those interested in skills development are in schools,” she noted

“I want to assure the people of Kabwata Constituency that you are in safe hands with Mr Teyengwa as he is a full-time community worker who deliver according to his promises,” she said

Ms Zulu has since commended the New Dawn Administration for broadening the scope of the Constituency Development Fund – CDF from partly 1.6 million kwacha to an represented 25.7 million kwacha to include individual beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Kabwata Constituency Development Fund – CDF Committee Chairman Chilekwa Mukonge noted that the CDF guidelines that were put in place were followed accordingly during the selection process of the beneficiary Cooperatives.

“The CDF committee has no favourites because it represents the interests of all the people of Kabwata Constituency, as the MP would want to see his people benefit from all the CDF packages,” he noted

He said that a total of 145 Cooperatives applied for the CDF empowerment grants and 48 were successful.

Mr Mukonge mentioned that the Cooperatives that were not successful under CDF empowerment grants still have an opportunity to apply for CDF empowerment loans whose guideline was given on 25th October,2022.

He noted that after compiling the reasons as to why some Cooperatives were not successful, his committee called for a meeting with all Ward Development Committee – WDC Chairpersons with their Committees to explain to them the reasons, from this Mr Mukonge expressed confidence that they will do better with the selection of the loans as the WDCs will be more cautious.

And Mudenda Mudenda one of the beneficiaries from Kuhiba Multipurpose Cooperative expressed gratitude for the success of the handover of the grants, stating that this has been made possible because of the consented effort of President Hakainde Hichilema and Kabwata MP Andrew Teyengwa for initiating this idea and ensuring that everything was done according to plan and agreed target.

“These grants are not for consumption but rather an investment that the cooperatives have been empowered with and should therefore be used for its intended purpose,” Ms Mudenda said

Lusaka Mayor Chilando Chitangala has expressed worry over the growing number of mosquitoes in the city, stating the need for a quick intervention as a way of preventing a malaria outbreak.

The Mayor noted this during a meeting with officials from the National Malaria Elimination Centre.

Ms Chitangala said that there are requirements for urgent intervention to the increasing population of mosquitoes in communities as a way of curbing malaria.

“The rain season is the time when mosquitoes breed a lot and there is need for concerted efforts to deal with this matter before the rains start,” Ms Chitangala said

She explained that the garden ponds, water bodies and drainages that are contaminated with litter are regarded as the main breeding sites for mosquitoes and the Local Authority in partnership with other stakeholders will ensure that all those areas are sprayed to eliminate mosquitoes before the rains begin, adding that a clean and a disease-free City can help in improving the wellbeing of everyone.

Meanwhile, National Malaria Elimination Centre Acting Director Dr. Busiku Hamainza said that a multi-sectoral approach to reduce the population of mosquitoes in the City is required because the issue calls for quick intervention.

“There is need for both indoor and outdoor spraying to deal with all breeding sources of mosquitoes and that includes dredging in some parts of the city so that mosquitoes that usually hide in overgrown vegetation can find no place for living and reproducing,” Dr Hamainza said

Dr Hamainza stated that the National Malaria Elimination Centre is ready to partner with the Local Authority together with other stakeholders to reduce the growing number of mosquitoes in the City which pose a risk of causing malaria to the residents.

And National Malaria Elimination Centre Principal Malaria Control Officer Mr Willy Ngulube cited that there is need to also sensitize the public before the commencement of spraying exercise to eliminate mosquitoes so that residents may appreciate the importance of the exercise.

The newly elected Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Ntsokoane Matekane, has been sworn at a colourful ceremony held in Maseru today.

President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia was among other Presidents that included Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Hage Geingob of Namibian among others that attended the swearing ceremony characterized with pomp and splendour.

Mr. Matekane took oath of office before that country’s Chief Justice, Sakoane Sakoane at a 20,000 capacity Setsoto stadium which was filled up.

The swearing in ceremony was also witnessed by the King of the Kingdom of Lesotho Letsie III.

Outgoing Prime Minister, Moeketsi Majoro, said he was handing over power peacefully as a way of promoting democracy and peace in Lesotho.

Dr. Majoro thanked King Letsie III for having bestowed power on him to lead the people of Lesotho.

He congratulated Mr. Matekane as a leader of the Revolution For Prosperity (PFP) along with the coalition partners, the Movement for Economic Change (MEC) led by Selibe Mochoboroane and Alliance of Democrats (AD) led by Dr. Monyane Moleleki.

He said leading people is very challenging and requires determination and commitment.

He has since advised the new Prime Minister to seek guidance from God especially around this time when the Kingdom of Lesotho is facing financial difficulties.

“With God, things are possible and I am asking you, the new Prime Minister, to always seek the guidance of God especially this time around when our country is facing some financial difficulties,” said Dr. Majoro.

He also thanked the international community for the support given to him during the time he was Prime Minister of Lesotho.

SADC Facilitator to Lesotho, Cyril Ramaphosa, who is President of South Africa, congratulated the Basutho people for their commitment to peace and unity and for taking part in peaceful elections that were won by Mr. Matekane.

Mr. Ramaphosa, who was mediator and facilitator during Lesotho’s political turmoil, commended the new Prime Minister and the Basutho people for exercising their right during the October 7, 2022 elections.

He has since urged the Basutho people to continue maintaining peace and stability especially at this crucial time when the country is undergoing reforms under the theme “The Lesotho We Want “.

President Ramaphosa further appealed to the new Prime Minister to continue with the implementation of reforms so as to achieve internal peace in Lesotho.

“With what we are witnessing today, I am sure that Lesotho will never be on the agenda of SADC due to instabilities and other security concerns,” said Mr. Ramaphosa.

And President of Namibia Hage Geingob said he is equally happy that general elections were held under a peaceful environment.

Mr. Geingob congratulated the Busotho people for what he described as a milestone achievement towards the restoration of peace in Lesotho.

He also commended the Electoral Commission of Lesotho for delivering credible elections as highlighted by the SADC report on elections.

“Am very happy that the general elections in Lesotho were conducted peacefully,” said Mr. Geingob.

Meanwhile, the newly sworn in Prime Minister promised to make the Kingdom of Lesotho great again.

Mr. Matekane, who now becomes the tenth Prime Minister since independence, said he wants to change things in that country.

He said he believes that he has the ability and capacity to change the image of Lesotho.

He has since called on the Busotho people living in other countries to consider returning home, promising that things will be fine, much to the jubilation of the Busotho people.

Mr. Matekane, whose speech was punctuated by songs of joy from the jubilant crowds, vowed to implement reforms.

He has meanwhile thanked SADC through President Ramaphosa for rendering support.

“We are grateful to the President of South Africa, Mr. Ramaphosa for his commitment to ensure there is peace and stability in Lesotho,” said Mr. Matekane.

President Hichilema was in Lesotho to attend the inauguration ceremony of Mr. Matekane.

As incoming, Deputy Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, President Hichilema joined other regional Heads of State in showing solidarity and collective commitment to the consolidation of democracy through the holding of peaceful elections.

Mr. Matekane’s political party, the Revolution For Prosperity (RFP) party, which was formed barely six months ago, won the October 7, 2022 elections.

Mr. Matekane was born on March 15, 1958 and is an accomplished businessman and politician.

He is the founder of Matekane Group of Companies which has a number of subsidiary companies dealing in construction and real estates among others.

He was awarded Forbes Africa Businessman of the year in 2021.

Lesotho, formerly known as Basutoland, has a population of 2.3 million people.

Young people in Zambia have been urged to participate in this year’s Africa Union (AU) youth day which will be held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on November 1, 2022.

One United Africa Congressman, Bimbo Daramola, says this year’s AU youth day is aimed at helping young people to unleash their potential in the agriculture sector.

Mr. Daramola said in an interview that the AU youth day will help young people revive their African identity and learn skills that can help them to address the challenges of food security through agriculture development.

He said the AU recognises young people’s energy, creativity and intellectual skills which if utilised, can enhance their capacity to shape the future through agriculture.

“This year’s AU youth day will focus on food security, value addition and market creation in the agriculture sector for the young people. We are going to address issues that affect young people such as hunger, and unemployment,” said Mr. Daramola.

And Farmers Association of Zambia President, Judy Ngumbi, said young people have the potential to invest in agriculture through partnerships with various investors in the African continent.

Ms. Ngumbi said the association is targeting to engage 500 youths per province who will be given empowerment packages and market linkages to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through the government.

“We have so much which is in store for our young people. However, we expect them to be very responsible and focused, because they will be engaged in high farm profiles from the Netherlands and Angola,” she said.

Meanwhile, National Youth Department Council Director of Programme, Omiya Hankanga, pledged to support young people’s partnership with youth organisations that help them to build their capacity in various areas.

Mr. Hankanga stated that the council is ready to support young people’s programmes which are meant to unlock their potential especially in the agriculture sector which will be the centre of this year’s AU youth day.

Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor in charge of Administration, Rheka Mhango has called on the University of Lusaka (UNILUS) graduates to help contribute to the development and economic growth of the country.

Ms. Mhango says professionals have a huge responsibility to turn the economy of the country around by having an entrepreneurial mind-set.

Speaking during the 12th graduation ceremony, which was held at Silverest Campus in Chongwe district today, Ms. Mhango said the new graduates should put the acquired knowledge to good use.

“The achievements you have made this far must not remain academic but you should go out there and positively transform the nation and the world at large,” she said.

She further urged the graduates to be determined to succeed and learn from opportunities that come their way, adding that it was important to keep sharpening skills and adopting positive life habits.

Ms. Mhango also called on the university to engage more with industry and find opportunities to enhance practical learning as the industry is becoming more dynamic and technologically oriented.

And University of Lusaka Chancellor, Caleb Fundanga, said the drop in the inflation rate to a single digit, the announcement of the IMF bailout package and the strengthening of the Kwacha will stimulate the higher education sector.

“All these factors provide for a good environment for the growth of the higher education subs-sector, including other sectors such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing among others which are key for job creation for graduates,” he said.

Dr. Fundanga added that the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) is one of the key pillars that will support the creation of skills that are necessary to impact all sectors of the economy to grow to about three to four percent of the gross domestic product.

He explained that the University of Lusaka has continually laid emphasis on training its students in a manner that is practical towards solving problems the country is facing.

Earlier, UNILUS Vice Chancellor, Pinalo Chifwanakeni, told the graduates to go out in the society and promote value addition to local products in order to boost social economic development in the country.

Professor Chifwanakeni said creating an employable graduate who can add value requires significant investment in the education sector.

He announced that the university’s 12th graduation ceremony has churned out a total of 1,091 who include undergraduates and post graduates.

Meanwhile, the graduates have pledged to apply their acquired knowledge by helping the less privileged in society, especially girls and boys who are victims of gender based violence.

Ntombizana Chuungu, who graduated from School of Law, said her passion is to offer legal services to the victims of gender based violence.

And Odette Siamutondo, who has graduated as a best student in the School of Economics and Finance, promised to venture into entrepreneurship to create jobs for other people.