Sunday, June 29, 2025
Home Blog Page 514

21 Nsama accident victims buried

1

The 21 Nsama road traffic accident victims have been put to rest at Chakanga cemetery in Nsama district, Northern province.

Acting President Mutale Nalumango has called on the Road Transport and Safety agency (RTSA) and the traffic department under the Zambia police to ensure that motorists adhere to traffic laws, in order to avoid any further loss of lives caused by human error.

Mrs. Nalumango who was speaking during the funeral service of the 21 United Church of Zambia (UCZ) members who met their fate in Nsama district earlier this week, said the government is concerned with the increased spate of accidents in the country, which are mostly caused as a result of human error.

She explained that the poor state of some roads is not the only cause of accidents, adding that human factor remains the major cause of accidents.

The Acting President noted that this can be avoided if all road users prioritise road safety.

Mrs. Nalumango revealed that the government will continue to provide support to the bereaved families and the survivors who are in hospital, in order to lessen their burden.

“What the Nsumbu community experienced this week is a shock and disaster that has affected the entire nation, on behalf of the President and the entire nation, I bring our heartfelt condolences to all mourners and families.” she said.

Mrs. Nalumango encouraged all mourners and families to seek the strength and comfort of God, as they pass through this difficult and sad time.

 Northern Province Minister Leonard Mbao said the tragedy is a loss not just to the church but the nation at large.

Mr. Mbao said the provincial leadership and nation is aggrieved by the loss of the women and wished the survivors a quick recovery.

“The deaths came as a shock to the provincial leadership, however I would like to thank the government for the swift response to this disaster and also for providing specialised medical attention to the survivors,” he said.

Meanwhile UCZ, Northern Presbytery Bishop Maybin Mulenga said the loss of the members is one of the saddest in the history of the church.

Bishop Mulenga said the entire leadership of the UCZ was saddened over the loss of the members, but remains comforted that they died in service of the lord.

Thousands of mourners from all walks of life, including several senior government officials, church representatives and traditional leaders attended the funeral service and mass burial at Chakanga cemetery in Nsama district.

The women who died at chaushi hill in Nsama district were part of the 58 who had travelled to Munwa to attend an annual church conference.

27 survived the accident, with four evacuated to the University Teaching Hospital, in Lusaka, while eight have since been discharged.

Chipolopolo Try To Focus on Mali Amidst Aljosa’s Absence

6

Chipolopolo Zambia on Friday returns to action to play one of the few opponents they have never lost to.

Mali hosts Chipolopolo in Bamako on September 23 in the first of two friendly games against each other this weekend.

This is the Chipolopolo A team’s first match since beating Comoros 2-1 at home in Lusaka last June in a 2023 AFCON group stage qualifier.

But the buildup to the doubleheader has been a turbulent one after Chipolopolo coach Aljosa Asanovic boycotted his return to Zambia to prepare for the Mali trip.

Asanovic has stayed put at his home base in Croatia citing a dispute with FAZ.

However, FAZ said The Croat has been AWOL for the last month since failing to qualify Zambia for the 2023 CHAN tournament on July 30 when Mozambique beat Chipolopolo B 1-0 in Lusaka to knock them out by the same aggregate score line.

Chipolopolo assistant coach Moses Sichone will be in interim charge of the two friendlies on September 23 and 26.

Meanwhile, Chipolopolo head into Friday with a good record over Mali.

Zambia has two wins and as many draws against Mali.

But Zambia heads into the game with two major doubts.

Leicester City striker Patson Daka and Power Dynamos midfielder Joshua Mutale are feeling under the weather with fevers and are likely to sit out Friday’s game.

Zambia To Face Holland in Women’s International Friendly

2

Shepolopolo Zambia has secured a big women’s international friendly date against Holland.

FAZ confirmed that the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Cup champions will face The Dutch away early next month.

Holland is number four in the World while Zambia is 80.  

“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to announce that it has jointly organized an international friendly match with the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) between the Orange Lionesses and the Copper Queens on October 6 in Breda,”  FAZ  spokesperson Sydney Mungala said in a  statement.

This will be Shepolopolo’s first-ever international match in Europe but Zambia’s second against a European opponent.

Holland is Zambia’s only other European opponent at senior level after they met at the delayed 2020 Olympic games in Japan in July 2021.

The Dutch beat Zambia 10-3 in an opening Group F match.

Zambia and Holland are using the date to prepare for their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup outing that Australia and New Zealand will jointly host from July 20- August 20.

Shepolopolo will be making their FIFA Women’s World Cup debut together with three other 2022 Women’s AFCON semifinals.

Nigeria, runners-up and hosts Morocco and WAFCON champions South Africa are Africa’s other   FIFA Women’s World Cup representatives.

Stakeholders call for the discarding of negative cultural norms such as subservice

2

ANTI Gender Based Violence (GBV) stakeholders in Kalomo have called for doing away with some negative cultural norms which they say contribute to the inter-generational cycle of abuse in communities.

Southern province Anti GBV coordinator, Derrick Sialondwe says there is an immediate need to do away with cultural trends, such as subservience, which increases inter-generational abuse at the community level.

Mr Sialondwe observes that the issue of teenage pregnancies and child marriages are rife in the province, as a result of the negative cultural norms.

Speaking during the on-going multi-disciplinary GBV week long training workshop at Kalomo’s Pazuri lodge, Monday, Mr Sialondwe urged anti GBV activists in the country to ensure that tenets of the GBV Act No. 1 of 2011 are enforced.

He further states that violence against children result in severe often lifelong negative outcomes.

“Cultural and gender norms critically influence society and there is need to do away with harmful ones,” prodded Southern province Anti GBV coordinator, Derrick Sialondwe.

He observes that the issue of teenage pregnancies and child marriages are rife in the province and urged anti GBV activists to ensure that tenets of the GBV Act No. 1 of 2011 are enforced. He further states that violence against children result in severe often lifelong negative outcomes.

The province has only five, One GBV stop centers but currently do not have a safe house to keep survivors before there are integrated back to their communities.

Gender based violence involves on physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, social, economic and spiritually abuses.

And the meeting welcomed the introduction of the new Police medical examination report forms which now allows other medical personnel to sign other than a medical doctor.

The new police medical examination report form 32B , now permits even nurses, clinical officers, medical licentiate to write down their findings on survivors, a duty previously reserved to doctors only.

The training workshop was called to enhance the understanding and intricacies of GBV issues with participants drawn from Kabwe, Mongu and Kalomo.

It is organized by the Zambia Centre for Communications Programme (ZCCP).

Procurement officers urged to uphold best practices

3

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Paul Thole, has implored public procurement officers to uphold best practices and stop inflating prices when procuring goods and services.

Mr. Thole notes that procurement officers must exercise patriotism in their work as it is the fundamental principle to curb the pilfering of public resources in the procurement system.

He has advised that procurement and supply professionals are required to desist from inflating prices so that public resources benefit a greater population of the country.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Thole said this yesterday in Lumezi District, after touring the World Bank financed projects implemented through the Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape Project (ZIFLP).

“Over procurement is a fact. My appeal to the procurement profession is to love their country and be reasonable in procuring goods and services so that we develop a larger portion of our country,” he said.

The inspected projects include three medium cost staff houses under construction and one communication room at Roan Camp estimated at a cost of K5.2 million as well as another three medium cost staff houses and one communication room at Kalindi Camp, costing about K5.9 million.

The named projects are being implemented under ZIFLP to enhance the capacity in the operations of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

Mr. Thole also inspected the Chipuka main gate ZIFLP project at Luambe National Park costing over K1 million.

He emphasised that the call by President Hakainde Hichilema is for citizens to protect public resources and exhibit firm ownership of projects.

“The truth of the matter is that the President says these projects are for Zambians, regardless of the sponsor people must own these projects,” he stated.

And Eastern Province Infrastructure Officer, Wilson Chifwima, indicated that the construction works for the projects which are at 97 percent are satisfactory, with minor works remaining before they are handed over to government.

He commended the local contractors for discharging the obligations according to what the contracts stated.

Meanwhile, Lumezi District Commissioner, Jimmy Phiri, is pleased that the completion of the projects will address housing accommodation challenges for officers, preserve wildlife and improve revenue collection for the department of national parks.

Government pledges investigations into Kapapula’s gruesome murder

8

The government has said that it will do everything possible to find those responsible for the death of Mwense Council Chairperson Humphrey Kapapula. Luapula Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Royd Mwansa says the government is saddened by the untimely death of the Mwense Council Chairperson adding that it will do its level best to bring those culprits to book.

Speaking when he visited the funeral house for the late Council Chairperson, Mr. Mwansa said death of such nature will not be condoned in the country.

“ It is unacceptable for the country to continue losing lives of its citizens in unclear circumstances, “ he said.

And Mwense District Commissioner Happyton Mwape says it is shocking that the people of Mwense have lent of the death of the council chairperson.

Mr Mwape explained that he received a call around 04 hours today informing him about the death of the Council Chairperson and that upon arrival at scene, he found the body of the late Council Chairperson lying in pool of blood eight bruises on the body.

Meanwhile, Mrs Susan Kaula , mother of the deceased, says the family is in deep shock after learning of the untimely death of the deceased whom she described as being in good health prior to his death.

Mrs. Kalula explains that as a family they are looking up to government to help them find justice for their late son who has died in unclear circumstances.

The body of the late Council Chairperson for Mwense Mr. Humphrey Kapapula was found in a pool of blood in the early hours of today in an unexplained circumstances.

Police in the area have since commenced investigations.

And Zambia Police has issued the following statement concerning the murder

Mwense Police Station today the September 22, 2022 at 06:10 hours received a report from M/Chabala Win Chongo aged 49 of Shichama village of Kashiba Chiefdom in Mwense district who reported through a phone call that he had found a dead body of a male person lying near a Mazda BT 50 Twin Cab Registration number BAA 5474, metallic grey in colour.

It was found along the gravel road heading to Nyembe Kaoma Farm about 300 meters off Mwense/Mansa road and about 150 meters from the farm.

Police rushed to the scene and confirmed the incident. The deceased has been identified as M/Humphrey Kapapula aged 48 of Mwense who was the Council Chairperson for Mwense Town Council. He was found lying on the ground near the rear right door which was open.

He was lying half naked with the trousers and pant on knee level. On physical examination, the body was found with a small cut on the left eye, bleeding from the penis and bruises on the forehead.

The Body has been deposited in Mwense District Hospital Mortuary awaiting post-mortem to ascertain the actual cause of death.
Police have instituted investigations into the matter.

Rae Hamoonga
ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE
SPOKESPERSON

Vedanta and ZCCM-IH out of court to pave way for dialogue-Mines Minister

8

Mines and Minerals Development Minister, Paul Kabuswe says court cases between Vedanta Resources Holdings Limited and ZCCM – Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) have finally been suspended to pave way for dialogue.

Vedanta Resources, which has an 80 percent stake in Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), has been embroiled in a long legal battle with ZCCM – IH, the minority shareholder, over the appointment of a provisional liquidator to run the operations of the mine.

In 2019, the Zambian Government, through ZCCM-IH placed KCM under the provisional liquidator, citing poor management of the mine by Vedanta, charges which management at Vedanta disagreed with.

Recently, Mr. Kabuswe had asked the two parties to settle their disputes outside court so as to quickly find an amicable solution to the challenges facing the mine.
The economy on the Copperbelt is anchored on mining, and the continued operational challenges facing KCM have adversely affected mine suppliers and contractors who solely depend on the mine for survival.

Mr. Kabuswe is confident the issues surrounding KCM will be resolved now that the court cases have been suspended.

Copper production in the first half of 2022 dropped by seven percent to hit 364,937.58 metric tonnes, from 394,183.92 metric tonnes recorded in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, The government has said that it is in the process of formalizing all illegal mines countrywide in order to address the problem of illegal mining.

Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe has noted with concern the increasing cases of illegal mining involving mostly small-scale and artisanal miners.

Mr. Kabuswe has advised the youth engaged in illegal mining activities to register their businesses and benefit from the many empowerment programmes being implemented by the new dawn administration.

The Minister was speaking in Kabwe during the commissioning of the rehabilitation of the Kabwe main canal aimed at addressing the health challenges caused by lead poisoning.
And Central Province Minister Credo Nanjuwa has warned individuals and some young people engaging in illegal mining activities in the name of the UPND and President Hakainde Hichilema to desist or risk facing the wrath of the law.

ZRA prosecutes 5 companies on the Copperbelt Province on fraud charges relating to VAT

2

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has revealed that it has now prosecuted five (5) companies on the Copperbelt Province in court on fraud charges relating to Value Added Tax (VAT).

Mr. Oliver Nzala, the ZRA Acting Corporate Communications Manager, said Government of the Republic of Zambia has lost in taxes amount of K2,513,234,47 in the case of Changesheng Mining Equipment Company Limited.

In the case of Changesheng Mining Equipment Company Limited and its Director Wang Qi aged 33 appeared before the Kitwe Subordinate Court on 20th September 2022 for plea.

A fine of 300,000 penalty units (K90, 000.00) may be imposed on conviction by the courts of law on any person who willfully evades tax, or assists another person to evade tax.

In addition to this fine, a jail sentence of three years may be imposed by the courts of law for tax evasion offences.

The accused pleaded not guilty to all 24 counts of false returns and statement contrary to section 43 and tax evasion contrary to sections 44 of the Value Added Tax Act, Chapter 331 of the Laws of Zambia.

The case has been adjourned to 17th and 19th October 2022 for commencement of trial.

“The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) says it has now prosecuted Five (5) companies on the Copperbelt on Value Added Tax (VAT) fraud charges. Currently, the Authority is prosecuting Changesheng Mining Equipment Company Limited and its Director Wang Qi aged 33 who appeared before the Kitwe Subordinate Court on 20th September 2022 for plea,” Mr. Nzala stated.

‘The accused pleaded not guilty to all 24 counts of false returns and statement contrary to section 43 and tax evasion contrary to sections 44 of the Value Added Tax Act, Chapter 331 of the Laws of Zambia. It is alleged that Changesheng Mining Equipment Company Limited and Wang Qi its Director, on dates unknown but between the 1st day of May 2021 and the 31st day of August 2022 at Kitwe in the Kitwe District of the Copperbelt Province of the Republic of Zambia, jointly and whilst acting together, in purported compliance with the law provided Tax Invoices to Zambia Revenue Authority purporting to show that Changesheng Mining Equipment Company Limited had purchased taxable goods from other companies on the Copperbelt which was false, thereby defrauding the Government of the Republic of Zambia of revenue.”

“Further, in the same period and jurisdiction Changesheng Mining Equipment Company Limited and Wang Qi its Director evaded paying Value Added Tax and interest by providing false returns that taxable purchases were made from local Copperbelt Companies when infact not.The actions of Changesheng Mining Equipment Company Limited and Wang Qi its Director caused loss of revenue to the Government of the Republic of Zambia in taxes amount of K2,513,234,47. This is the fifth (5th) company that is being prosecuted on the Copperbelt on VAT fraud charges,” Mr. Nzala said.

Taxpayers have a responsibility to comply with tax laws failure to which penalties may be imposed.

The offences that taxpayers may be convicted of include;failure to furnish a full and true return;failure to keep records, books, accounts or documents and failure to produce any document for examination or inspection by the Commissioner-General.

Zambia is said to have been losing huge revenue from the mining sector due to tax avoidance among mines.

In February 2021, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)estimates that Africa loses USD 50 billion annually to tax evasion.

According to a news report by News Diggers, in some place the figure is much higher; for example, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa places the figure at USD 100 billion annually.

Tax evasion and avoidance pose a huge threat to development by widening the financing gap.

Tax evasion involves taking illegal steps to avoid paying taxes, such as not declaring income. Tax avoidance on the other hand is defined as the legal measures employed to use a tax regime to pay the least possible tax such as setting up corporate residence in tax havens and claiming on deductions.

The financing gap refers to the difference between the amount needed to achieve Sustainable Development Growth and actual government revenue.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that there is a financing gap of USD210 billion for crucial government initiatives, such as infrastructure development, food security, healthcare and education.

Critical to implementing an effective development agenda is an efficient tax policy and administration, but more importantly tax enforcement.

Farmers’ Union Cites Delayed FISP Distribution as a Setback

1

The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) President Jervis Zimba Mr Zimba calls on the government said to set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee to handle the issue of the 2022 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) fertilizer and Seed availability, as this will harness united efforts and coordinate timely delivery of inputs to the farmers.

Mr Zimba noted this after the reported delays in finalizing the procurement processes for the 2022 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) fertilizers.

Mr Zimba noted that most small-scale farmers depend on FISP for farming inputs hence this development is a blow and could spell doom on a sector that is still grappling with the climate change after-effects following the prolonged dry spells experienced last season.

He mentioned that the fact is, rains are just around the corner in some parts of the country and any further delay and lack of clear direction on fertilizer availability will adversely impact production and productivity for the 2022/2023 farming season.

“This will lead to diminishing income opportunities, food insecurity and stagnation in the poverty trap for most farmers,” Mr Zimba said

Mr Zimba explained that what is even more worrying is that even for locally produced seed, the uncertainty is the same as on Fertilizer which is imported.

Mr Zimba has since appealed to the government to step up and realize that the consequences will be catastrophic for farmers, for it is imperative to ensure that farmers have access to seed and fertilizer timely because what is unfolding will result in these inputs being distributed during the rainy season.

“Of what use will that be?” Mr Zimba questioned

He added that this state of affairs could have been avoided if the roadmap agreed in April was adhered to because back then, the recommendation by the private sector was that the processes be concluded by June 2022.

“We cannot understand the ongoing inertia and farmers are asking! What is the alternative? We urge the Minister of Agriculture to address the farmers on the Fertilizer Procurement developments,” Mr Zimba said

Mr Zimba stated that what is happening right now is watching a crisis unfolding but behaving as if there is no crisis, this is unfortunate as farmers’ livelihoods are at stake.

“In our view, the current FISP mess will require the intervention of the Head of State Hakainde Hichilema, to instil hope and certainty in the minds of farmers as the twists and turns to play out in the public domain makes it difficult to discern the facts, we say so because every day that passes is edging us closer to the farming season, and there is no more time to waste,” Mr Zimba mentioned

Last week, the Zambia Public Procurement of Authority (ZPPA) announced the cancellation of the fertilizer supply tender for the 2022/2023 farming season which was recently awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture stating that the process was flawed.

The best-evaluated bidders included Samar Agro Investments Limited, Sloutone Investments Limited, Agrtzam Investments Limited, Conchak Investments Limited, Alpha Commodities and Evergreen Fertilizer Limited.

Confirming the cancellation of the tender, ZPPA Director General Idah Chella noted that the action by her Office was in line with regulation 249, following a realization that the procuring entity, the Ministry of Agriculture, decided to include local bidders or suppliers on a bid that was restricted to citizen bidders with seeking a deviation from ZPPA.

“According to regulation 249 under the public procurement regulations, we received two appeals from the public and after we received the appeal, we reviewed the tender and found that there were irregularities in the sense that the tender was under Open National Bidding, and Open National Bidding is restricted to citizens only. So, if under section 39(2), it says participation in Open National Building shall be limited to citizens bidders and in the absence of successive citizen bidder, to local bidders,” Ms Chella explained

“Under 39(3), a local bidder awarded a procurement contract in accordance with subsection (2) shall partner with a citizen supplier that is if there is no citizen bidder. So, in this case, the ministry floated a tender under Open National Bidding and going by our Act under Section 39(1) this was only limited to citizen bidders but in their case, they included local bidders,” Ms Chella added

She said following publication of successful bidders and complaint window, ZPPA reviewed the process.

Ms Chella disclosed that the Institution received two bids, after being reviewed their complaints and concluded it was found that there was an irregularity in the sense that the tender allowed both the citizen bidders and local bidders without seeking a deviation from the ZPPA in accordance with section 79, and that procedure was not done.

She cited that the regulations in procurement requires the procuring entity to seek deviation in a case of alteration in the process, which the ministry failed to comply with.

“It was up to the procuring entity to decide whether to do fresh bidding or not since the fertilizer was still required,” Ms Chella mentioned

Government has NOT abolished the commemoration of the National Day of Prayer-Information Minister

16

The Minister of Information and Media Chushi Kasanda has refuted claims made by Patriotic Front Media Director Antonio Mwanza citing that the government has abolished the commemoration of the National Day of Prayer when it came in power.

Ms Kasanda who is also the Chief Government Spokesperson noted that Mr Mwanza should be reminded that the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation was commemorated last year, on the 18th of October 2021 as provided for on the national calendar.

Ms Kasanda expressed dismay over the allegations made by the Patriotic Front Media Director, stating that the government only realigned the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs as a department, placed under the Office of the Vice President.

“This event is a major national occasion to be commemorated under the New Dawn Administration following its victory in the August 12th 2021, General Election,” Ms Kasanda mentioned

The Minister explained that last year, the National Day of Prayer and Reconciliation commemoration was held at the Lusaka Show Grounds, and was officiated by the Vice President Mutale Nalumango.

On Tuesday this week, the 20th of September, 2022, Patriotic Front Media Director Antonio Mwanza while making an appearance on HOT FM Hot Seat Programme highlighted that from the word go, the people under the United Party for National Development (UPND) don’t know God, because when National Day of Prayer, Reconciliation and Forgiveness was established, they always used to boycott.

Mr Mwanza added that, it is for this reason that when the UPND came into government the first thing, they did was to abolish the Day of Prayer AND Reconciliation, and the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, which was a very important Ministry which had a firm stance on national values.

“But unfortunately, the UPND abolished the Ministry, because it seems these people and God can’t have an eye contact,” Mr Mwanza mentioned

There will be serious scrutiny of beneficiaries of FISP in the 2022/2023 farming season-Agric Minister

4

Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo has said that serious scrutiny of beneficiaries of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in the 2022/2023 farming season will be conducted.

Speaking when he flagged off the national input distribution for this year’s farming season in Lusaka today, Mr. Mtolo said government wants to ensure only 1,024,434 vulnerable but viable farmers get the inputs.

Mr. Mtolo has challenged United Capital Fertilizer, the company that has been contracted to supply inputs to 4 provinces to make their prices affordable for the farmer.

He says he does not expect the company to sale their fertilizer at as high as the imported commodity but that it should be a price leader for the country and result in high productivity.

United Capital Fertilizer Board Chairperson Chance Kabaghe says Zambia will not need to import fertilizer once construction of phase 3 of the company is completed

Meanwhile, Chinsali District Marketing and Development officer under the Ministry of Agriculture has said that cooperatives should not mix the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) guidelines with Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP).

Chewe Chama said it has come to her attention that cooperatives are mixing the guidelines for CDF with those of FSP saying those who want to benefit from the programme should go through the agricultural camp officers to be registered.

Ms. Chewe said thatthat what has changed is the inclusion of beneficiaries that are above 65 years of age because not all the aged are on FSP in the department of Community Development.

“Government has included those who are 65 years and above as long as they qualify and meet the criteria, “he said.

Ms. Chewe further guided that the Ministry of Agriculture deals with cooperatives that have activities in line with agriculture.

She has since appealed to all peasant farmers to take advantage of the remaining few days to register saying after 3rd October, farmers need to start depositing money for inputs.

Ms. Chewe added that government will use direct input supply system to provide inputs to farmers adding that once suppliers are approved by the Ministry, the farming inputs will be distributed before the onset of rains.

She further warned farmers to stop conniving with camp agriculture committee (CAC) to use dubious means of acquiring the inputs.

A check by ZANIS at the department of National Registration offices found a of crowds of people getting their NRCs so that they can be registered for farming inputs in the 2022 / 2023 farming season.

One of the beneficiaries, Bernard Bwalya of Malata Chembe village, 68, thanked government for considering the aged on FSP saying as long as one can afford to pay membership they have the right to belong to a cooperative.

“We are happy that government has considered everyone as long as one can manage to pay the required money,” he said.

The Ministry of Agriculture is in the process of registering both old and new cooperatives that will benefit from 2022-2023 FSP.

STIs on the increase in Chinsali District

2

A medical practitioner in Muchinga Province has raised concerns over the increasing levels of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Chinsali district.

Muchinga Provincial Health Director, David Silweya says the district hospital has recently recorded an increase in STIs with Syphilis being the most prominent infection.

Speaking to ZANIS in an interview in Chinsali today, Dr. Silweya stated that the increase in the infections can be attributed to unprotected sexual intercourse as well as having multiple sexual partners.

He explained that the infections have been established to be prominent among adolescents ranging from 15 to 30 years old.

Dr. Silweya added that the rate at which infections are moving will also increase on the HIV prevalence rate.

He stressed the need for behavioral change among adolescents who shy away from seeking medical care promptly.

“There is a problem with many youths feeling shy to seek medical services involving STIs and there is need to intensify sensitization in this area,” he said.

He further mentioned that the increase in STIs, the Ministry of Health has embarked on the renovation of a youth friendly space at the district hospital in a bid to improve reproductive health services to the community.

The Provincial Health Director said the structure which is undergoing renovations is nearing completion adding that other services have been incorporated.

He named some of the services as Gender Based Violence (GBV) counselling as well as family planning besides STI screening and treatment.

“This structure will offer comprehensive services with peer educators and health staff”, he stated.

Dr. Silweya further reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment towards improving access to reproductive health care services across Muchinga Province.

Meanwhile, Bowa Mulenga, a Chinsali youth has called on her fellow youths to desist from engaging in unprotected sexual activities.

Mulenga said the rampant sexual activities in the district portray a bad representation of youths who are future leaders of the country.

She added that many diseases related to sexual activities, are spread due to substance abuse especially among youths.

Parents in Chinsali oppose provision of condoms in schools

16

Some parents in Chinsali district in Muchinga Province have expressed worry that their children are accessing condoms in schools. Bowa Mulenga has told the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) that children must not access condoms until they are mature enough to learn about the use of condoms.

Ms. Mulenga observed that allowing children to have access to condoms in schools will force them to indulge in sexual activities at a tender age.

Another parent, Ostetia Musonda, a marketeer, stated that children will not concentrate on their education if they are allowed to freely access condoms in schools.

She said pupils should not access condoms but instead be encouraged to attend school regularly especially that there is now free education.

“Our children will not concentrate in school but focus on the use of condoms if they can easily access condoms at school and this will affect their performance,” she said.

And Fred Mutale, a marriage counselor, said his counselling services have been affected as a result of children learning about the use of condoms at a tender age.

“If children are taught how to use a condom whilst they are young, then what is our job as marriage counselors,” he said.

However, Dominic Musheshu, a parent, said the distribution of condoms in schools is a good thing.

Mr. Musheshu said pupils must know about positives and negatives of indulging in sexual activities at a young age.

“Many Zambian parents ignore the need to teach children about condoms and sex. This has led our children to explore things they do not know,” he said.

Meanwhile, Muchinga Province Health Director, David Silweya, said the Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Education to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies.

Dr. Silweya added that the Ministry of Health has trained peer educators to also train teachers on how to teach children about sex education.

“We have a programme to reach peer educators who in turn train teachers on how to teach young people about sex education,” said.

Man dies after his vehicle is hit by a Truck in Lusaka

10

A 32-year-old man of Lusaka has died on the spot after the Toyota Hilux he was in was hit by a truck that failed to negotiate a curve at the Airport roundabout along Great East road in Lusaka.

Zambia Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Police Station received a report of a Fatal Road Traffic Accident which occurred today at 07:20 hours at the Airport roundabout along Great East Road.

Paul Banda, 22 of Jack Township in Lusaka who was driving the Foden Truck registration AJC 6514 has since been detained in police custody, while the body of Luke Chipunde has been deposited in the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary.

A passenger Thomas Ngomba, 35, who was with the deceased has been admitted in the hospital nursing a painful neck and left shoulder

He said involved was Mr. Banda, the now suspect who was driving his truck from West to East which had its horse extensively damaged.

Mr. Hamoonga said also involved was the deceased Mr Chipunde aged 32 of farm number 2060 in Ngwerere who was the driver of a Toyota Hilux registration number ALH 9045 white in color from North to South that was extensively damaged.

ECZ happy with increased turn-out at registration centres

2

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has attributed the increase in people going to register in the continuous voter registration exercise in Chinsali and Muchinga Province as a whole to continuous sensitisation.

ECZ Corporate Affairs Manager, Patricia Luhanga, said voter education is at the centre of the commission’s operations.

Ms. Luhanga said the commission has therefore solely dedicated a voter education officer at every centre to help with sensitisation in a bid to capture as many people as possible.

She said the continuous voter registration exercise that the commission has embarked on in all the ten provincial centres is progressing on well.

Ms. Luhanga disclosed this in a telephone interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Chinsali today.

She said the voter registration centre in ChinsaIi, which was performing poorly initially, has seen a rise in the number of people going for various services.

She explained that from June 1 to 31st August, 2022, the cumulative total for Chinsali stands at 186 newly registered voters, saying 112 are males and 72 females.

“The reason for us as a commission to introduce the continuous voter registration is to provide and convince those that are turning 18 years and above and those that did not have an opportunity to register as a voter to do so now before the nation goes into an election period,” she said.

Ms. Luhanga said the registration of voters is a constitutional right for every individual, who is eligible to register.

She added that it is the hope of the commission that people will take advantage of and utilise the continuous voter registration programmes that have been taken closer to them.

The ECZ Corporate Affairs Manager has since called on the media to increase the levels of sensitisation on the ongoing voter registration exercise.

Ms. Luhanga said the media is key in this exercise that will see the commission register more people in all the provincial centres.

And some residents in Muchinga province are grateful to government for ensuring that the exercise is continuous.

Toana Munyenyembe of Choshi area, who recently got her voters card for the first time, has described the process as quick and comfortable.

Ms. Munyenyembe said there is less congestion at the centre and has since urged all eligible persons to ensure that they register as voters so that they can participate in any election.

“I am happy that I have registered as a voter and process is fast,” she said.