President Hakainde Hichilema says his administration is not in competition with the traditional leadership in the running of the country’s affairs but is rather in partnership with them.

President Hichilema says perceptions that the Government and the traditional leadership are in conflict are not true.

The President was speaking in Lusaka today at the King of Kings Summit organised by Overland Missions, a faith based organisation that has brought together 55 traditional leaders from 35 African countries in addition to chiefs from around Zambia.

Mr Hichilema said the government cannot implement development alone without the help of traditional leaders.

“Government cannot do it alone. They need to work with you, our kings and queens, to deliver development,” Mr Hichilema said.

The President said lack of unity and misuse of natural resources has led to the lagging behind of the continent.

The Head of State implored the traditional leadership on the continent to make a difference.

“Why Africa has been on the edge is because of lack of unity and we have not managed our resources properly. We have traded in resources for too long but now is the time to trade smartly with value,” Mr Hichilema said.

And the President said Zambia is determined to use the peace it has enjoyed since independence as a springboard to help troubled parts of the continent improve their stability.

“We shall use this country’s peace, security and stability for the restoration of peace in the African continent,” he said.

And Queen Mabhena of South Africa asked the Zambian people to support President Hichilema as he is determined to bring development to Zambia.

The Anti- Corruption Commission has arrested former Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, together with Former Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Caroline Kakulubelwa Mulalelo -and three Honeybee Directors for corruption involving US$17,958,150.00.

Dr Chitalu Chilufya, aged 50, of house no. 43010- Lilayi, Ms Mulalelo aged 47, of Plot no. 337 Meanwood- Ibexhill, Zakir Hussein Motala aged 42, of Ambassador Apartments- Makishi road, Imran Lunat, aged 40, of Plot no. 420 Obote road and Abdurrauf Motala aged 41, of Plot no. 107 Umodzi Highway, Chipata have been jointly charged with one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the State, contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code, Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Details are that on dates unknown but between 1st January 2019 and 31st January 2021, Dr. Chilufya, jointly and whilst acting together with Ms. Mulalelo, Abdurrauf Motala, Zakir Motala, Imran Lunat and other persons unknown did conspire to defraud the Government of the Republic of Zambia, in the manner in which Honeybee Pharmacy, participated in the tender to supply and deliver 50,000 Health Centre Kits and was consequently awarded a contract for supply and delivery of 22, 500 Health Centre Kits valued at US$17,958,150.00.

Dr. Chilufya and his co-accused have been released on Bond and are scheduled to appear before court soon.

Some Zambian Police officers and protesting truck drivers have been stoned by Congolese traders at Kasumbalesa Border near Chililabombwe in the Wednesday morning commotion.

Zambian truck drivers have been staging a protest for four days at Kasumbalesa Border over harassment and intimidation when in neighbouring DR. Congo.

The situation got worse on Wednesday morning as the parked trucks and their trailers blocked the walk paths Congolese use when coming to trade on the Zambian side.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Sharon Zulu has confirmed that the situation at Kasumbalesa Border is hostile.

Ms Zulu has told journalists that the drivers have continued with their sit-in protest preventing Congolese traders on foot and bicycles from crossing into Zambia with their merchandise.

The Commissioner has assured the public that police are on the ground to monitor the situation and ensure that truck driver and their goods are safe.

Ms Zulu said Zambia police has dispatched more manpower to help curb the situation at Kasumbalesa Border.

“Security status in Kasumbalesa as at now is quite a bit hostile. In the sense that the drivers have continued their sit in protest whereby us as security we are just coming in to monitor what is happening and also making sure that their trucks are safe. There have been some challenges because trucks have gone as far as Riverside Checkpoint, going into Chingola.This situation is not safe in terms of security because any criminal will take advantage of the situation at night or during day time to steal goods that are in the trucks. We have been patrolling the area but again you are looking at a long stretch that requires to be patrolled 24/7 with the little resources we have, we are trying every means to make sure that those trucks parked by the road side are not tempered with,” Ms. Zulu said.

The Commissioner expressed shock that Congolese traders threw stones at Zambian Police officers.

“Coming to the happening at the border right now, we have a situation at hand whereby the Zambian side, no man’s land has also been blocked. Whereby trucks coming from DR Congo are not supposed to enter Zambia. As it is the case with trucks going into DR Congo. We also have an extra situation were now, the Zambian side truck drivers have gone to the extent of blocking foot paths that are being used those people who are trading through walking in using the footpaths.Drivers have decided to block those traders and at the end of the day the Congolese from the other side who are coming into our country (Zambia) to trade, those using wheelbarrows that you are seeing, are being blocked so even them they have retaliated by way of starting to throw stones to the drivers that have blocked the foot paths, a situation which is not supposed to be there but we are coming in as Police to make sure that the situation is controlled. Surprisingly, to the Congolese traders continued throwing stones even to the police,” she said.

Ms. Zulu revealed that Police Officers from Kamfinsa Unit in Kitwe have reinforced man power to preserve law and order at the border.

She said Police are in control of the situation at the Kasumbalesa Border.

“Like you are aware Kasumbalesa is a Police Post and the number of man power is that of a police post which cannot even quench 100 people if there are some protects. Chililabombwe is at hand to make sure that those traders stop throwing stones.As police we are not stopping those traders from crossing or walking into Zambia like they have been doing because there is no law that is guiding us to that effect but then the Zambian drivers are the ones saying they don’t want those traders to come into Zambia and start trading also. So this is the situation at hand we have a lot of man power that we have reinforced. We have Kamfinsa School of Public Administration and Maintenance, we have equally sent officers there to reinforce the man power at Kasumbalesa and also to make sure those that are throwing stones are stopped. At the end of the day all we need is peace and safety. As for the truck drivers continuation of sit in protest, the information is on the ground to everyone that drivers are on sit in protect. That is all I have for now but we are control of the situation. Our area of concern is security and making sure that no one is hurt especially after the issue of throwing stones started,” Ms. Zulu said.

Earlier this week, Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo appealed to the SADC truck drivers to resume operations following protests over alleged harassment in that DR Congo.

Mr. Matambo had met officials from DR. Congo to iron out challenges truck drivers encounter in Congo.

During the same meeting Haut-Katanga Deputy Governor Jean-Clause Kamfwa Kimimba assured Zambian Truck Drivers of their safety whenever in the DRC.

Many Zambian truck drivers have been killed in DR Congo. Other drivers complain of being fined unnecessarily and frequently by Police abs Soldiers in Congo.

The government says it will purchase all the maize grain available at all Food Reserve Agency (FRA) depots throughout the country.

Kabompo District Commissioner, Hubert Chinyanga discloses that as the government intends to clear out all grains at depots, farmers should not worry as to whether their grain would be bought. Mr Chinyama said this when he addressed farmers at Kamafwafwa FRA depots during his routine check.

“Government will purchase all your maize which has been brought to the depots so people should not panic. However, this is a free market economy whoever wants to sell to millers and other private entities may do so if they wish,” Mr. Chinyanga.

Mr Chinyanga urged depot clerks to ensure that they follow the proper procedure on a first come first serve basis to reduce confusion at the depots.

He urged the FRA officers to be professional and not collect any money from the poor farmers in exchange of the service government was paying for already as such would attract serious consequences.

Meanwhile, Kabompo FRA Manager, Gilbert Chikumba said the purchasing process is unfolding well and that all officers being owed are currently being paid to clear out outstanding wages.

“The process is going on well with minor challenges and all our officers are currently being paid to clear out outstanding wages,” Mr Chikumba said.

He said all depots in the district have continued with the purchasing process as all have been supplied with enough empty grain bags.

By Nelson Zulu

Former PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri on Tuesday appeared in the Mongu High Court for the offence of murder of a UPND cadre Lawrence Banda, who died in 2019 in Kaoma during a Council Chairperson by-election.

Together with Phiri, is former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s barber Shebby Chilekwa who is jointly charged together with her for the shooting down of Lawrence.

Three witnesses so far among them UPND cadre, Brian Mulenga have testified in the matter.

Opening the prosecution in the matter was a Lusaka businessman, Frank Mwamba 48, of Chelstone and owner of Master Source company who testified that last year, Police officers called him in connection with one of the vehicles registered in his name that it was involved in some crime.

Here is the verbatim

Witness Frank Mwamba: 48, I live in a Chelstone, Lusaka, I am a businessman
Prosecutor: Kindly tell the court about what you are here for :
Mwamba: I recall in 2010, I decided to form a company which I called Master Source, so I registered a company with PACRA and my line of operation was to offer external accounting services and supply. In the course of doing my business I heard about Star Shell Zambia limited, that company was located along Kafue Road in Lusaka and were selling both used and none used vehicles and I started working with them.
One day I received a phone call from Ephraim Simwanza that he was administrative assistant at Star Shell, he told me that Assan Muhammad on that day wanted to speak to me.
Prosecutor: When did you receive the call?
Mwamba: that was about 2015, I met Muhammad and we discussed business, he later on brought a matter of motor vehicles which were not registered and asked me if I would be interested to register one of his motor vehicles in my company name. He said that he would want to sell those vehicles in future, I got interested in the business and I requested him to register his Toyota Hilux in my company name.
I gave him the PACRA papers and after few months towards 2016, I went to him to find out if those vehicles were registered and where they were. He told me that the vehicles were taken by the PF, then he told me that after the 2016 elections he would take me to see someone if I could buy off the vehicles.
After the elections in 2016, when I made a follow up, he did not take me to the person he talked about and informed me that he would tell him later.
Few months later I received a phone call from Lusaka Centra Police asking about a Toyota Hilux in white in colour registration number BAD 5864, he told me that the people who had the vehicles around Kabangwe Ten Miles got drunk and started fighting ….
Defence lawyer, Jonas Zimba interrupts..
Zimba: My Lord, we have issues, in so far the relevance, this particular matter (issues raised by witness) not covering matters that are before court.
Prosecutor: We are raising the foundation
Judge Charles Zulu: Will allow the witness to proceed
Prosecutor: Proceed, what did you do?
Witness: I rushed to Star Shell to inquire who was with the vehicle, and Mr. Assan Muhammed gave me the number of Amos Chanda, an employee at State House. I called the officer and gave him the number for Amos and was told they will handle the issue administratively. I received another call from Police Headquarters and the same officer asked about the same vehicle.
This time he wanted to know who was driving the vehicle in Bauleni, he said people who had a vehicle started fighting after they got drunk and later started shooting and sped off.
Prosecution: What did you do?
Mwamba: When I heard that the vehicles where with PF, I went to see the PF secretariat, I met the SG Davis Mwila, I met him in the presence of madam Mumbi Phiri with Sunday Chanda. Then Mr. Davis Mwila advised me to put my concern in writing which I did.
Mr. Mwila then called a Mr. Soko on phone and asked him if he could facilitate change of ownership of vehicles from my name to someone, I was informed that it would be done. Since them I never received any notification and I assumed the change was done. Not until 2021, in November, I received a call from police Headquarters asking me about the same vehicle. It was at that point I realised they never changed ownership. The police interrogated me about how the vehicles were registered in my name, they visited a place where the vehicle came from. At no point did I ever see the vehicles or white books. I was later told by police that the vehicle was found in a crime.
Prosecutor: You said you were advised to put it in writing? (Prosecutor shows Mwamba the letter)
Mwamba: Yes, this is a letter I wrote, this is my signature and phone number.
Defence lawyer
Charles Changano: The law on production of evidence is based on two things, custody and authenticity, the witness has not told this court whether the letter was in his custody, he can write it…we have just seen it from the desk of the state now, he has not laid the foundation about who wrote it and who kept it, we don’t know whether the letter was in the custody of the police or him, it is in that line of custody my lord that we object to this evidence. Yes my lord I agree with the principle of Kajara and Nobbu….
Prosecution: The law of evidence in the production of evidence require that it should be produced by the author or (someone) in custody and the witness is the one who authored the letter. He is capable to producing the document, we pray that the document be presented by this court as it was done by the witness.
Changano: in this matter we are talking about the author did he had custody of the letter, the state has not state that?
Court rules
The discretion of admitting evidence is on the Court, there is substantial satisfaction, the witness is the one who authored. I allow it. P1.

Cross Examination
Changano: Frank Mwamba, have you have come to this court merely to talk about the vehicle registered in your name?
Mwamba: yes my Lord
Changano: and you told this court that the vehicle was involved in a crime, I heard you say that
Mwamba; a Police officers told me that.
Changano: did police tell you the crime
Mwamba: no
Changano: will agree with me that in this matter before this court you know nothing
Mwamba: yes, I know my Lord.
Changano: Do you know that the matter before court is murder?
Mwamba: I know nothing about the murder in Kaoma.
Second Defence lawyer cross examining Mwamba.
Jonas Zimba: Witness you have talked about registering the company.
Mwamba : Yes my Lord
Zimba: You have not submitted before this court documents in support of your claims that you are the one that registered the company and you are among the directors’ shareholders
Mwamba: No my Lord
Zimba: In the absence of those documents, it will be difficult for this Court to believe that you are shareholder:
Mwamba: Maybe
Zimba: The narration you have given here today, it doesn’t form part of the statement you gave to the police?
Mwamba: I don’t think so.
Zimba: have you been to the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to answer on vehicles registered …
MWAMBA: Yes
Zimba: You told the police that you don’t know anything about the vehicles
Mwamba: No
Zimba: You told this court that you allowed him to register your vehicles in your company name
Mwamba: Yes my Lord.
Zimba: let’s move on
In your narration in this court, you have talked about phone calls to police
Mwamba: Yes my Lord
Zimba: You have not mentioned any name of police who called you
Mwamba: No, just kept number and not name:
Zimba: Witness do you know a company called bellam trading
Mwamba : Yes
Zimba: Witness do you remember you are the one who started taking police showing them about vehicles, who was running Bellam?
Mwamba : No
Zimba: Did you do any works of Bellam
Mwamba : Yes
Zimba: Was he your friend?
Mwamba: Yes
Zimba: You betrayed your friend
Mwamba: No
Zimba: Are you saying that because betraying a friend is a bad this
Mwamba: Yes
Zimba: And you don’t want to be associated with it
Mwamba: No
Makebi Zulu ; You mentioned that you spoke to police twice
Mwamba : Yes
Makebi: You have not brought those numbers before Court
Mwamba: No
Makebi: You cannot confirm what they told you whether it is true or not, what you were told about the kabangwe?
Mwamba: Yes
Makebi: You can’t confirm the phone number
Mwamba: No
Makebi: Are you able to confirm that the Bauleni incident was true
Mwamba: I was not there.
Makebi: You mentioned that you agreed that 2 vehicles registered in your company name, what is the registration of the second vehicle?
Mwamba: I don’t know. I was just told the registration number but I didn’t see it.
Makebi: Did you bother to go to RTSA
Mwamba: Yes I did
Makebi: You have not brought the print out
Mwamba: No
Makebi: Have you brought any evidence about the fines
Mwamba:No
Makebi: It is also true you don’t know who had the vehicles (in question)
Mwamba: No
Makebi: You said you were given the number for Amos Chanda
Mwamba: Yes
Makebi: Have you come with that number?
Mwamba: No, I had it on the phone.
Makebi: Where is the original of the ID 2, (Certificate of Incorporation of the Company)
Mwamba: I left it at the office
Makebi: Is it available?
Mwamba: Yes
Makebi: In conclusion, is that the substance of the matter is what was told to you…
Mwamba: Not told but also what I saw.
Makebi: What did you see?
Mwamba: I saw the photo copy of the vehicle.
Makebi: The only thing you saw was the registration of the vehicle. You have not brought it
Mwamba: No.

Next witness Brian Mulenga
On oath…
Brian Mulenga, 44 years old. I am a businessman. I live in Garden Compound in Lusaka.
Prosecution: Tell court what happened
Brian: I was called by the UPND party to tell us that there was a by-election in Kaoma. We were nine in a group my lord. We came from Lusaka, Kalufyanya, Lawrence Banda,Chiwenga, myself, Chitangala, those are the ones I can remember, others where coming from other constituencies.
Then we were given a branded GX and Chitangala was the driver of that vehicle. It was branded in HH and party colours.
Prosecution: What happened?
Brain: We started coming to Kaoma, we arrived at Kaoma at General Sitwalas (place).
Prosecution: What did you go to do in Kaoma?
Brain: We went to Kaoma for campaigns my lord. We were assigned, me and my friends arrived at Sitwalas place and we were given an assignment to announce about the candidate in different wards. So, we were informed that we shall go to Mangango to announce in the same regard. We moved out and were informed to go somewhere in a certain compound. We went in the compound around 08 hours. I was with Lawrence Banda, Chiwenga, Fanwell, Kalufyanya and those are the names I can remember. The person who was driving was Chitangala my lord. We arrived at the campaign centre and we found food prepared already for us. After finishing eating, we just saw a white vehicle, and we heard two-gun shoots in the air. And we asked what was happening, we saw the vehicle and started questioning ourselves and we took the number plate of the vehicle in question, which was BAD 5864. A Toyota hilux white in colour.
Prosecution: What time was it?
Brian: It was between 08 to 09 hours. That vehicle went away, after less than 10 minutes the same vehicle came back, and we stopped them, and we saw a pistol at the dashboard. It’s me who saw the gun because I was in the front.
(Defence lawyers raised concern on the manner he is using the word we)
Brain: Okay, I saw the pistol on the dashboard. Just after some time police officers came through, and we went to police, we reported to them after the earlier shooting, we asked the police to apprehend the same person. After a short-time a vehicle returned and police followed. We returned to the UPND Secretariate and proceeded to announce in Mangango about our candidate.
When we reached the UPND secretariat, that was around 10 to 11 my lord, as we were talking to people, I received a phone call from the care taker from the camp. I formed my group that the camp has been attacked, looting happened and mealie meal taken away with other things.
I informed Chitangala to remain and went with Chris whom I told to drive the car in my company. I was with Lawrence Banda, Chiwenga, and others from Mongu and Kaoma.
Prosecution: What did you do after that?
Brain: We went back to our camp my lord, and we found that everything at the camp was destroyed, thrown away. I asked someone where they had gone and he told me that they had driven to another direction and I told my friends to follow them. We followed them and they were not far, we found the vehicle and we found the same vehicle and the same driver, the vehicle had other people behind, we started arguing. I was 20 m away from where they were. The argument was between UPND and PF.
….
Brian: identifies Mumbi Phiri and Shebby Chilekwa, the gun was short, it was a pistol my lord and was on a dashboard my lord.
Cross Examination
Changano: How are you Brian Mulenga.
Brian: fine
Changano: You told this court that you were called by UPND to come to Kaoma
Brain: Yes
Changano: Who exactly called you?
Brain: Anderson Banda Provincial Youth Chairman for Lusaka.
Changano: You said you came from Garden and other places and together you were nine?
Brian: Yes
Changano: How many had guns?
Brian: Nobody
Changano: Did you search them?
Brain: I did not search them
Changano: You said that you went for a briefing before coming and that you were told that when you find Mumbi Phiri …
Brian: Yes
Changnao: If you find Mumbi Phiri shoot?
Brain: We did not
Changano: Lawrence Banda where was he staying?
Brian: Kanyama
Changano: Lawrence was Gaddafi in UPND,
Brian: I don’t know about that Gaddafi
Changano: You have not told the Court the truth, you went to Mangano…
Brian: yes
Changano: The incidence happened on, what day was Lawrence Banda shot at?
Brian: I can’t remember, Sunday
Changano: On this particular day, are you not aware that on this day the PF vehicles were distributing chitenge materials?
Brain: I don’t know
Changano: UPND cadre
Brain: I am UPND youth coordinator
Changano: As UPND youth, you can protect the party in anyway
Brian: I cannot protect in bad way.
Changano: On this day you mentioned, the incident happened at what time?
Brian: 10 to 11
Changano: Are you aware that Mumbi Phiri was at a church in Kaoma?
Brian: I don’t know, all I know she was there when the incident of shooting happened.
Changano: I am specific with time? Are you aware that 09 to 11 Apostolic Church are in service where she was?
Brian: I don’t know about the church; I don’t know that she was in church.
Changano. Are you aware that on that day your vehicle was on the same road?
Brian: I am not aware
(Changano presents documents showing picture)
Changano: Chinyama is showing the position, look at that picture? Are you seeing that gravel Road.
Brian: Yes
Changano: Do you see the tree there
Brian : Yes
Changano: where is your vehicle?
Brian: No vehicles, can only see a person pointing on something.
Changano: Do you know Ndopu Ndopu?
Brian: I don’t know him?
Changano: Can you confirm that this is the gravel road where the shooting took place?
Brian: No my lord.
Changano: How many people where in front [of the vehicle]?
Brian: Madam Mumbi Phiri and driver, behind where people I don’t know.
Changano: Are you aware that it was not Mumbi Phiri but Browner
Brian: It was Mumbi Phiri in front.
Changano: You told your friend to follow the PF vehicle
Brian: We followed them, they looted our camp
Changano: You blocked the PF vehicle.
Brian: No, we did not.
Changano: You stopped their vehicle.
Brian: We stopped the vehicle so that we asked them.
Changano: Lawrence Banda was on the bonnet as you were driving?
Brian: No was not.
Changano: You and Lawrence Banda followed the PF
Brian: Yes we did
Changano: You and Lawrence Banda went to the PF vehicle; you went to the driver’s seat and Lawrence Banda to the passengers’ seat were Browner.
Brian: No my lord
Changano: Are you not aware that this vehicle we are talking about was smashed and my client was hit with a screw driver or knife?
Brian: No
Changano: Is it not true that the PF ran away because of you?
Brian: Maybe they ran away because of the gun, I don’t know because I ran away
Changano: So you don’t know that the PF vehicle was left behind?
Brian: Upon seeing my friend go down I ran away too.
Changnao: Is it possible for two people to shoot?
Brian : I did not say that, only one person had…
Changana: Do you know Alex Chola a former soldier Zambia Army officer?
Brian: I was not in the place where he was, I was not with him, I was not working with him.
Changano: Do you know Alex Chola?
Brian: Yes I know him.
Changano: Are you aware that Alex (Chola) was apprehended and taken to police and cartridges were found?
Brian: I can’t say what I did not see.
Changano: Did you see the cartridges?
Brian: No
Changano: Did you see the Zambia Police blue, and another ZP vehicle, which was behind the PF vehicle?
Brian: I didn’t see them.
Changano: The other vehicle where Chipashya was did you see it?
Brian: No
Changano: Are you aware that madam Katongo (a police officer) was in a white car?
Brian: I did not see them.
Changano: Are you are aware that there was gunshot to dispense you?
Brian: No there were no police officer.
Changano: I put it to you that you didn’t see who fired the gun?
Brian: I have already pointed at the person who had the gun.
Changano: Where is the pistol? (Used in the shooting)
Brian: Ask the one who had the pistol.
Changano: Did the police show you that this is the pistol the shooter had?
Brian: No, nobody sat with the police.
Changano: Did the police show you that the pistol you were talking about here it is?
Brian: I can’t bring the pistol which I don’t have it…
Jonas Zimba cross examines Brian Mulenga
Zimba: You had gone to Kaoma to campaign is it?
Brian: Yes
Zimba: Where was this election?
Brian: Kaoma, Mangango.
Zimba: Is it Kaoma or Mangango?
Brian: Mangango-Kaoma.
Zimba: You want the Court to write Mangango-Kaoma as part of your submission?
Brian: Counsel Chaiperson Mangango-Kaoma.
Zimba: You told this court that you are a businessman. What business do you do?
Brian: I trade in beans and have stands for salaula (second hand clothes).
Zimba: In fact, you have complained that the President is not taking care of you.
Brian: Yes that is personal.
To be continued

The Zambia National Students Union (ZANASU) has commended the government for the reinstatement of student’s meal allowances which were scrapped off by the previous regime.

The government on 2nd October, 2022 through the Minister of Finance and National Planning Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane presented the 2023 national budget. And in this budget, it was cited about the budgetary allocation for education and the reinstatement of meal allowances.

Speaking during a press briefing held in Lusaka, ZANASU President Steven Kanyakula stated that the magnanimously have welcomed the move by the government to increase the allocation for education from 10% in 2022 to about 13% of the total national budget in 2023, this move really points to the government’s commitment to support the education sector going forward.

“As ZANASU, we believe spending on education must be perceived as investment and not an expense,” he said

“As ZANASU we unreservedly commend the Government of His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the republic of Zambia for the decision taken to improve the education sector- budget allocation, free education policy, reinstatement of meal allowance and recruitment of human resource amongst others,” he added

He noted that ZANASU’s position on the student’s meal allowance has been consistent over the years and they still reiterate that the support by the government to students should be on need basis so as to accommodate more beneficiaries on the scheme.

Mr Kanyakula mentioned that students across the nation are delighted by the changes made so far in the education sector and they remain optimistic for more as challenges are many on campuses, accommodation, poor infrastructure especially in public institutions, poor education curriculum amongst other challenges.

Meanwhile, ZANASU Secretary General Isaiah Mambwe explained that the republic of Zambia is aware, that on the 28th September, 2022, on the floor of the house of National Assembly of Zambia, the Kamfinsa Member of Parliament Christopher Kang’ombe brought a motion to request if the government could consider the extension of access to students’ loans to all Zambians regardless of institution to which one belongs.

Mr Mambwe noted that ZANASU is on record of having championed discussions with the governments and other stakeholders such as Loans and Scholarship Board (HELBS) around issues of access to education and funding for education in Zambia.

“Our position has always been and will be that we cannot afford to privatize our education sector because education is indeed our only hope for a better future and a better economy. Therefore, we have been categorical, that it is the government’s responsibility to educate its citizenry and ensure equity amongst all Zambians through education and sustainable development,” he said

Mr Mambwe explained that not all young people in private institutions of higher learning come from well to do families, statistics indicate, 70% of young people in private institutions of higher learning originate from rural areas in search of affordable education and greener pastures for their families of which many are young girls seeking education to uplift their lives from poverty and also avoid early marriages and teenage pregnancies.

“As the student’s Umbrella Body, we wish to register our displeasure in the manner in which some ruling members of parliament debated this (non-controversial) motion which was basically to promote access to education for Zambians regardless of institution of enrollment,” he said

“We hold the view that some UPND members of parliament should stop using PF as reference for decision making but rather prioritize the interest of Zambians as the government of the day, PF cannot be used has a basis for good governance as can be proved by the outcome of the 2021 General elections,” he added

Mr Mambwe has since called on all members of parliament both from the ruling and opposition to debate objectively without politicizing matters of national interest and also issues affecting young people such as the education sector.

He cited that what transpired on the 28th of September, 2022, on the floor of the house must not repeat itself in future as it demeans the integrity of parliament and its current composition, the debates should and must always be based on the desire to uplift the livelihood of the people of Zambia and not to protect the interest of a political party.

The Zambia Army has pledged to improve its interaction with the general public in order to change people’s perceptions of the army being secluded from the community.

Army Commander, Sitali Alibuzwi says the army exists for the people and should therefore serve the interests of the nation and that of its citizens.

Lieutenant General Alibuzwi was speaking in a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Army Commander and Chief of Staff Geoffrey Zyeele during a media interaction at the Army Headquarters in Lusaka yesterday.

Lt. Gen. Alibuzwi explained a number of operations, exercises and activities undertaken by the Army in maintaining the country’s peace and stability, as well as contributing to national development.

Lt. Gen. Alibuzwi however noted that the activities do not get to be known and appreciated by the general public, thereby creating misconceptions, myths and misunderstandings about the Army.

The Army Commander said the interaction has provided an ideal platform for the Army to enhance its relations with the media and ultimately with the public.

“Lately, we have started embedding the media in our entourage to visit troubled areas where our peacekeepers serving under the auspices of the United Nations are deployed, so that our citizens can appreciate what their troops are doing to contribute to global peace and stability,” Lt. Gen. Alibuzwi stated.

He said the media being a fourth estate provided a forum for public transparency, which is necessary for legitimacy, accountability and trust maintenance with the public.

The Army Commander thus expressed confidence that going forward, the interaction will create a conducive environment to remove any mistrust between the Army, media and the general public.

Army Director General for Civil Military Affairs Genoa Muke observed that the media may not understand some of the protocols and procedures in the Army, hence the interaction.

Brigadier General Muke reiterated the good relationship with the media which should continue in order to increase Army visibility.

And a media expert Chibamba Kanyama stressed the importance of building trust with the stakeholders who are the community but can only be done through a vehicle, the media.

Mr. Kanyama urged the Army to teach the media on the acceptable ways and language of reporting so that the media is aware of the code of interaction with the Army.

He noted that security of the nation is everyone’s responsibility hence the media ought to be conscious of their reporting.

Meanwhile, Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) National Director, Austin Kayanda expects the gap between the media and the Army to be bridged.

Mr. Kayanda explained that people need to know certain elements of the Army, including the successes which ought to be celebrated by the general public.