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.

The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested and charged Chasiya Kazembe a Coordinator at the National Authorising Offie to the European Development Fund, an entrepreneur Mwansa Chitoshi and a Lusaka Lawyer Bwalya Chiti for corruption involving US$800,000.00. Ms. Kazembe, 52, of plot 1576 Meanwood lbex, in Lusaka, has been charged with one count of Abuse of Authority of Office Contrary to Section 21(1) (b) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 and one count of Conspiracy to defraud the Government of the Republic of Zambia contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Details in the first count are that, between 30th December 2018 and 30th December 2020 in Lusaka, Kazembe did abuse the authority of her office in the manner she obtained an advantage for Fredson Yamba the former Secretary to the Treasury by allocating him an institutional vehicle for the National Authorising Office which he was not entitled to.
Details in count two is that, Kazembe jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, between 30 June 2018 and 31st December 2019 did conspire to defraud the Government of the Republic of Zambia of US$800,000.00 through the National Authorising Office for the European Development Fund by purchasing an Office building on Plot F/488a/37/0/1, Kabulonga Lusaka at US$5,000,000.00 instead of US$4,200,000.00 matters or transactions that concern the Ministry of Finance, a public body.

Mwansa Chitoshi, 34, an entrepreneur of Sunningdale Flat No. 4 off Chila Road in Lusaka and fomer Project Officer at the Ministry of Health, has been charged with one count of Abuse of Authority of Office contrary to Section 21(1) (b) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012, one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the Government of Zambia contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, and one count of Obtaining Money by False Pretences contrary to Section 309 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Details in the first count are that Mwansa Chitoshi being a project officer at the Ministry of Health under the Health Systems Strengthening Project (HSSP) funded by the European Union, between 30th June 2018 and 31st December 2019, in Lusaka, did abuse the authority of her office in the manner she obtained information in the course of performing her duties as a project officer and used it to obtain advantage or benefit for herself and others. The National Authorizing Officer was the fund managers for the HSSP Project and in the course of her duties, Chitoshi came across information that the National Authorizing Office was looking for a building to purchase for office space. Chitoshi found a building which was on sale and became an agent in the transaction between the National Authorizing Office and the vendor.

Details in the second count are that Mwansa Chitoshi, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons, between 30th June 2018 and 31st December 2019 in Lusaka, did conspire to defraud the Government of the Republic of Zambia of US$800,000.00 through the National Authorising Office for the European Development Fund by facilitating the sale of property on Plot F/488a/37/0/1, Kabulonga, Lusaka on behalf of the vendor at USS 5,000,000.00 instead of US$4,200,000.00 which was the vendor’s sale price. Matters or transactions that concern the Ministry of Finance, a public body.

Details in the third count are that Mwansa Chitoshi, between 30th June 2018 and 30th June 2020, in Lusaka, by false pretences and with intent to defraud, did obtain US$250,000.00 from the vendor of the property on Plot F/488a/37/0/1 bought by the National Authorizing Office, on pretences that the said amount was to be paid
as Property Transfer Tax when in fact not.

Mr. Bwalya Chiti, 68, a Lusaka Lawyer of SOB Sable Road Kabulonga, Lusaka, has been charged with one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the Government of Zambia contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia and one count of Impersonating an Advocate of the High Court contrary to Section 44 (b) of the Laws of Zambia.
Details in count one is that Bwalya Chiti jointly and whilst acting together with other persons, between 30th June 2018 and 31st December 2019, in Lusaka, did conspire to defraud the Govemment of the Republic of Zambia of US$800,000.00 through the National Authorizing Office for the European Development Fund by facilitating the sale of property on Plot F/488a/37/0/1, Kabulonga, Lusaka at US$5,000,000.00 instead of US$4,200,000.00. Chiti was contracted by Chitoshi for representation during the transaction of the sale of the said property.

Details in count two are that between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2019, in Lusaka, Bwalya Chiti, knowingly that he did not have a valid Practising Licence at the time, did pretend to be an advocate of the High Court when in fact not. Kazembe, Chitoshi and Chiti have been released on bond and will appear in court soon.

Lusaka District Commissioner Rosa Zulu has visited five victims of the fatal accident that claimed 12 lives at the junction of the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road Campus.

The District Commissioner called on Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital Senior Medical Superintendent John Musuku at his office and later met the survivors of the tragic accident.

Senior Medical Superintendent Professor John Musuku confirmed that five survivors are still admitted at the facility describing their condition as stable.

Pro. Musuku added that all the patients have had a touch of surgery with one still in ICU but stable.

He explained that all the patients are responding well to treatment adding that the hospital is in the process of buying some implants to help repair broken structures for the patients.

“When implants are used recovery is faster unlike the old way of putting POP,” he said.

The District Commissioner hailed the medical personnel their professional work and the manner the survivors were dealt with and urged the team to continue.

And Muslim Social and Welfare Trust Coordinator Mubasshir Mehta through the Muslim Comunity made a donation of assorted food items, blankets and walking sticks to supplement the government’s efforts and also give comfort to the accident victims.

Mr. Mehta also mentioned that his organization will also look into donating some wheel chairs to the hospital in the near future to aid those that may need them.

Meanwhile, the DC and her entourage have also visited a survivor of the Nsama-Nsumbu road accident Maggie Chansa who is admitted at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital.

Ms. Chansa confirmed to ZANIS that she was recovering well and thanked the hospital for the medical care they are giving her.

She also thanked the District Commissioner and her entourage for the donation and showing care to the victims of the road accidents.

Last month two devastating road accidents occurred along Great East Road Lusaka near the University of Zambia claiming 12 lives, while the other other one happened in Northern Province, where 21 United Church of Zambia (UCZ) members died.

Zambians from all walks of life are reacting to the rescuing of 13 young women who were abducted and held in captivity at a house in Lusaka’s Chalala area for months.

13 young women ranging in age from 17 to 28 years, were rescued on Monday after months of being held in captivity in Lusaka’s Chalala area.

Among them was Pamela Chisumpa the 22-year-old Mobile Money Booth operator who had been kidnapped about 6-months ago on Cairo Road.

One of the young women, Agnes Kapwaya a first-year nursing student who had been kidnapped 3 weeks ago risked her life by scaling the wall fence and running to the neighbours house for help.

Scores of Zambians have taken to social media to express their relief over the rescuing of the 13 women by a young man of Chalala and other community members.

Other people have been expressing concern over the operation of the Police in fighting abduction and similar criminal activities.

Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) Executive Director Anne Mbewe Anamela has saluted the alert neighbours who helped the young women escape from the captors.

Ms Anamela said NGOCC was pleased to learn that Pamela Chisumpa and twelve (12) others that had been abducted have finally been rescued from the captors who have been holding them hostage for months.

“The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) is pleased to learn that Pamela Chisumpa and twelve (12) others that had been abducted have finally been rescued from the captors who have been holding them hostage. As a women’s movement, we would like to commend and thank the alert neighbours who acted swiftly to help the young women escape from the captors. We are however concerned with the physiological and emotional stress that the young women are going through. We can only imagine the trauma that these young women suffered at the hands of their abductors as evidenced by reports of mistreatment and starvation they were subjected to,” Ms Anamela said.

She called for justice to prevail in the matter.

‘It is clear from the circumstances that the young women suffered various forms of abuse by those criminals that held them hostage. We therefore also demand that the young women undergo a thorough medical examination. While we rejoice at this heartwarming development of their rescue, we are cognizant of the immediate care that the young women will require which should be a combination of medical, psychosocial support and nutritional care. The young women will also require support towards legal representation to ensure that justice is meted on their abductors,” she said.

“NGOCC will therefore actively coordinate a holistic response towards care for the young women to assist their physical, psychological and social recovery from the traumatic experience. We call upon the nation to support the healing of young women. At this point what these young women require is love and emotional support. This episode has just exposed the security situation in our country. The Zambia Police and other security agencies have the responsibility to secure all Zambians. Never again should any Zambian be subjected to such a traumatic experience. We also appeal to the security wings to ensure that they investigate this matter and bring to book all those involved,” Ms Anamela said.

Meanwhile, health expert Dr Aaron Mujajati says the 13 victims urgently need mental health evaluation and therapy.

“The girls that have been rescued from abduction will need mental health evaluation and therapy. The ordeal was mentally traumatic. We suggest that mental health experts be involved as early as possible,” Dr Mujajati said.

Socialist Party President Dr Fred M’membe said Pamela and the other young ladies need a lot of help to stabilize themselves psychologically and socially.

“There’s the relief that Pamela Chisumpa who was abducted in April this year has finally been rescued together with thirteen others. But this relief is accompanied by very sad feelings about and reflections on the pain and humiliation they had to endure. These violent acts have a long-lasting impact. For the families and those abducted, captivity always causes trauma as they often witness or experience humiliation, threats and, in some cases, violence. With growing inequality, unemployment and general economic difficulties, we should brace ourselves for more and more criminal activities of this nature. Pamela and the other young ladies need a lot of help to stabilize themselves psychologically, socially and otherwise,” Dr M’membe said.

Party of National Unity and Progress leader Highview Hamududu said the abduction of people in Zambia must come to an end.

“The rescue of Pamela Chisumpa and others from the captivity of senseless abductors and abusers deserves commendation. Bravo to Agness (the girl who jumped over the fence to call for help) and Robby Chitambo for their heroic roles in the rescue operation and swift response by the Zambia Police at its highest command of Inspector General; that is how it should be. What happened to Pamela and other girls should never be allowed to happen anywhere in our country. We wish the victims quick recovery and full recuperation from the heinous ordeal,” Mr Hamududu stated.

And Public Relations practitioner Topsy Sikalinda has defended the manner in which Police informed the public about the rescuing of the 13 women.

“To begin my article and thoughts, allow me to mention that I support the notion that weapons of mass destruction must not be allowed to be wrong hands. Social media is a weapon of mass destruction if not managed well. The Police yesterday issued a statement and I quote “we have managed to safely rescue Pamela Chisumpa together with thirteen other ladies that were held captive in a house in Chalala area of Lusaka.”The police acted very professionally in line with their mandate to protect the informers, the young man who is being celebrated and all others. The police know that revealing these people is a risk on its own, especially since investigations are ongoing.
Allow me to please all colleagues, friends and all to always ensure that we allow the police to work professionally. We are not crime experts, we want to be seen to be heroes in praising these people who helped but we have now exposed them,” Mr Sikalinda wrote.

“Social media brings about some key fundamentals in individuals such as social affirmation, power of salience, competition of who posts first (sad that even deaths, we want to post first that chitechi has died), Reciprocity and unpredictable rewards. Before we post, always evaluated the outcome, how will all the stakeholders react? In this case, how will the general public react? How will the kidnappers react? How will the police react? Let’s always ensure we think twice before we post some of these issues. The police are smarter than we all think. They are professionals trained to handle crimes. Sad we all become crime experts. Let’s stick to our own lanes. Lastly, the statement by Zambia Police was an excellent Public relations written statement that was 100 ethical and professional,” he stated.

One suspect, in this case, was picked up by Police in Lusaka on Monday.

Two more suspects have been reportedly intercepted by Police in the Sesheke District of the Western Province.

Kamwala Ward 5 Councillor Mainda Simataa has expressed shock over the ordeals that happened to the 13 girls who were kidnapped, describing it as sad and unfortunate.

Mr Simataa noted that the kidnapping of the girls is something that has been going on for quite some time with the oldest victim being Pamela Chisumpe and Faith Miluti as their cases were the first to be reported to the Police and it struck the nation.

“Faith Miluti is the mother to the child who was hit on the head and left for dead in the street,” he said

Mr Simataa said that according to information availed by the victims, two people were killed, a young man and another young lady and it is believed that the two were buried at the same site where the 13 girls were found.

“The work for the Zambia Police is not yet done as we would want to know as to whether the bodies were buried at the same house or somewhere else,” he noted

Mr Simataa noted with sadness how the girls where repeatedly raped by the alleged kidnappers, in one of the houses in the yard which had all the windows sealed.

“Upon entering in the house, the first thing I saw where blood stains but not the kind of stains that indicate that someone was being hit and tortured but it was the kind of blood stains that portray sexual abuse,” he said

He added that a coffin with a red box inside and something that looked like a shrine and a laptop were found in the house, an indication that the kidnapped girls were being used for rituals by their alleged abductors.

Mr Simataa explained that the one of the victims managed to break free and escaped from the house where there were being held captive, after three of the alleged kidnappers left the house leaving one on guard, and she seeked help from the neighbours, hence being helped by a young man named Roby Chitambo with his friends.

Mr Simataa mentioned that the young man named Roby who helped with rescuing the girls from the house of their alleged abductors should be recognized and honor for his bravery because if it wasn’t for him, the girls wouldn’t have been rescued and it wasn’t going to be known that Pamela Chisupe and 12 other girls exists.

He added that the fortitude and strength which Roby exhibited warrants him to be awarded the next time President Hakainde Hichilema will be awarding heroes especially during the upcoming Independence Day.

“I think Roby above all others deserves this award,” he said

Mr Simataa mentioned that honoring Roby is not to say that the Zambia Police didn’t conduct their duty because for a very long the Police have been working undercover as they didn’t not share much on what they were doing for good reasons.

Mr Simataa stated that according to Roby, the alleged kidnappers on several occasions would go to the nearby shop to buy condoms and sanitary pads and it was surprising as to why men were the ones buying these things all the time which are used by women.

He explained that the Zambia Police also conducted a search in the same area and street where the kidnapped girls were found and there were very close to the house where the girls were being held captive but they missed the house by two to three from the place they were conducting the search from, some of the residents in the area where even questioned but after not getting the information they wanted they left.

Mr Simataa said that the Zambia Police working under very difficult circumstances have done their level best to keep on searching for the missing girls as reports kept on reaching them.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the suspected abductors who were on the run, Matthews Sikaonga and James Bwalya have been arrested in Kaoma Western Province as they wanted to cross into Angola, according to a video that has gone viral on various social media platforms.

One of the suspected abductors after being caught apologized to the family of the kidnapped girls for abducting and killing their relatives stating that the only thing that they wanted was money, as the money which they were supposed to get was a lot of money and they planned on leaving the country using the same money.

“With all due respect to the Inspector General of Police, but the Police didn’t do anything, it’s not an insult but they failed to catch us, the only way they have managed to catch us is because we left home and the girls screamed and the neighbours found out, we are kindly asking if you can sentence us to many years as you can and when we come out, please find something for us to do,” he said

“The only reason the Police have managed to catch us is because our faces have gone viral,” he said

“We were just the two of us in this act and the person arrested in Lusaka is innocent as he was just the landlord,” he added