The Zambia Department of Immigration has secured eighty-nine (89) convictions, apprehended one hundred and eighty-one (181), and removed one hundred and thirty-one (131), both Zambians and Foreign Nationals for various offences committed in different parts of the country.

The Department of Immigration Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka highlighted that on 31st August, 2022, the Kapiri Mposhi Immigration Office, secured the conviction of two (2) Pakistan nationals namely Sher Falak (26) years, a plumber, and Ahmed Zaheer (26) years, a student, for the offence of failing to appear before an immigration officer contrary to section 12(2) as read with section 56(1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No.18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.

Mr Nshinka added that the Kapiri Mposhi Office intercepted the duo that was travelling on a Lusaka-bound Public Service Bus at Luanshimba Checkpoint on 28th August, 2022 when a routine examination of their passports revealed that they did not have entry endorsements.

“As a result, they were each sentenced to pay a fine of K 40,000 or, in default, nine (9) months simple imprisonment,” he said

Mr Nshinka noted that similarly, the Chadiza Immigration Office, on 29th August, 2022, secured the conviction of a 32-year-old Nigerian Businessman, Isaac Mukonge, for the offences of illegal entry, failure to appear before an immigration officer, two (2) counts of giving false information to an immigration officer, unlawful stay, and concealing of true identity.

“The Chadiza Magistrate Court sentenced Isaac Mukonge to pay a fine of K10,000 for all six (6) counts or, in default, twelve (12) months simple imprisonment,” he said

Mr Nshinka mentioned that the Kapiri Mposhi and Chadiza Court outcomes bring the number of convictions secured by the Department of Immigration through the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) between 26th August and 1st September, 2022 to eighty-nine (89).

And the Serenje Immigration Office has detained ten (10) female Ethiopians and seven (7) male Bangladesh nationals aged between 18 and 30 years for failing to appear before an Immigration Officer on entry, the Office also detained a 39-year-old Zambian driver Fabian Mutale of Ndola, for aiding and abetting the foreign nationals, the Police apprehended them on 29th August, 2022 aboard a Lusaka-bound white Toyota Quantum Vehicle Registration Number BAV 8469 after a car chase that ensued after the driver of the Toyota Quantum decided to drive past a Police Checkpoint at Pensulo.

Mr Nshinka cited that the foreigners and the Zambian were handed-over to the Immigration on 30th August, 2022, and preliminary investigation revealed that all the seventeen (17) foreign nationals had valid passports but did not have entry endorsements, indicating that they did not appear before an immigration officer on entry.

“They are all detained at Serenje Correctional Facility pending prosecution,” he said

He added that the Kasumbalesa Immigration Office has apprehended twenty-nine (29) suspected prohibited immigrants in a Department of Immigration-led clean-up operation conducted in the early hours of 29th August, 2022 in Kasumbalesa with the support of other security departments.

He further added that those apprehended were twenty-six (26) Congolese, two (2) Tanzanians, and one (1) Mozambican and none of them had any documentation at the time of the operation, and they were all detained at Kasumbalesa Police Station pending further formalities.

“The Serenje and Kasumbalesa incidents bring the number of persons apprehended for various offences between 26th August and 1st September, 2022 to one hundred and eighty-one (181),” he added

In another development, Mr Nshinka explained that the Department of Immigration in Lusaka, on 26th August, 2022, removed sixty-four (64) illegal immigrants from the country in a mass removal exercise and those removed were thirty-seven (37) Burundians, twenty-two (22) Tanzanians, three (3) Somalis, and two (2) Rwandese, as most of the persons removed had not yet appeared before the courts but were removed to decongest the Correctional Facilities.

“The mass removal exercise brings the number of removals between 26th August and 1st September 2022 to one hundred and thirty-one (131),” Mr Nshinka explained

Meanwhile, on 31st August, 2022 the Katima-Mulilo Immigration Office received eighteen (18) Zambians removed from Namibia for illegal entry and unlawful stay. This brings the number of Zambians received after being removed from a foreign country between 26th August and 1st September, 2022 to thirty-two (32), with eleven (11) received by the same Office on 30th and 31st August, 2022 after being removed by the Namibian authorities for illegal entry and unlawful stay.

In addition, the Sakania Immigration Office on 26th August, 2022 received three (3) other Zambians after Congolese Authorities removed them from that country for various offences.

The Department of Immigration has since encouraged members of the public with information about any individual, business, or employer who may be aiding and abetting illegal immigrants or contravening any of the provisions of the Immigration and Deportation Act to report to them.

The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) has hailed the continued partnership between Ndola’s Northern Technical College (NORTEC) and Spruceland Technologies Group Limited in training professionals in weighbridge operation, certification and accreditation.

NORTEC and Spruceland earlier this year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Ndola to conduct the first formal training in weighbridge operation, certification and accreditation.

Majority of weighbridge operators in Zambia acquired the skill via informal training famously known as job on training.

ZMA, which formerly operated as the Zambia Weights and Measures Agency (ZWMA), provides for the designation, keeping and maintenance of national measurement standards, the use of measurement units of the International System of Units and other units.

Speaking on the sidelines of the latest training, ZMA acting Director Eng. Darlington Chibwe said the agency was pleased that NORTEC and Spruceland are providing formal training to weighbridge operators.

Eng. Chibwe said professionally trained operators are adding value to the Weights and Measures sector in Zambia.

He pledged that ZMA will continue monitoring the training to ensure that ethics in weights and measures are followed.

“As a regulator of measurements ourselves the Zambia Metrology Agency, I think we see it very important that operators of weighbridges are trained on how to deal with issues surrounding measurements that are undertaken at weigh bridges. In the past weighbridges or other players in the sector were just employing people without formal training. They were just being taught how to read measurements without understanding principles surrounding the operation of weigh bridges so that in a way used to create problems where someone would be operating a weighbridge without even realizing that the weighbridge is out of specs or it has stopped working properly,” Eng. Chibwe said.

“By giving operators technical information they will be able to identify when a weighbridge is not working correctly. They will also be able to know what to do in terms of how to clean the weighbridges, how to maintain the weighbridge and how to prevent the weighbridge from developing unnecessary faults. These professionals will also be able to understand conditions under which they should use the weighbridge and when to use the weighbridge. How to allow the vehicles coming on the weighbridge in terms of speed and other requirements,” he said.

Spruceland Technologies Group Limited chief executive officer and founder Dingiswayo Phiri said plans are underway to roll out the training across the SADC region.

Mr. Phiri disclosed that so far 65 professionals have been trained locally and 12 others in DR Congo.

He said 12 technicians were trained at the Kibali gold mine located in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“We are happy to report that the number of students keeps on increasing and we are happy to report that companies are coming to the table and sending their teams to come and learn. Most importantly on this programme we have been able to see some people come through CDF bursaries that the government is promoting. That is a plus and we will take that avenue to see if we can have as many people come through CDF bursaries,” he said.

Mr. Phiri added:”So far we have trained about 65 people on three separate programmes and we trained one cohort in the DR Congo at Kibali Gold Mine. We hope that we can increase training in the SADC region. We are aware that other countries have been asking how we are running this programme. So we hope that this programme can roll out to the SADC region fully. We trained about twelve (12) technicians who were instantly promoted immediately we certified them. We are happy that really the partnership with NORTEC is increasing the value for this training.”

The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has condemned in the strongest terms the sexist and demeaning language used by opposition Patriots for Economic Progress president, Sean Tembo.

In a recent Facebook post, Mr Tembo equated the monthly fuel revision to women’s menstrual cycles.

NGOCC Chairperson Mary Mulenga said that efforts to engage the opposition leader by some concerned women and stakeholders have been downplayed, undermining the critical role that women play in the development process of the country.

Mrs Mulenga has since demanded that Mr Tembo retracts his offensive and insulting post and apologizes to the women and citizens of this country, adding that Mr Tembo’s illustration is not only disrespectful and demeaning but an outright insult to women. Mr Tembo was apprehended by police on Thursday this week for allegedly defaming the President.

Below is the full statement

NGOCC EXPRESSES HAPPINESS ABOUT SEAN TEMBO’S INCARCERATION

The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) condemns in the strongest terms the sexist and demeaning language used by opposition Patriots for Economic Progress (PEP) president, Mr. Sean Tembo.

In a recent Facebook post, Mr Tembo shockingly equated the monthly fuel revision to women’s menstrual cycles.

Efforts to engage the opposition leader by some concerned women and stakeholders have been downplayed, undermining the critical role that women play in the development process of the country.

Mr Tembo’s illustration is not only disrespectful and demeaning but an outright insult to women. We expect our politicians to be gender sensitive even as they conduct their politics.

The comparison of monthly menstrual cycles to fuel revisions is an insult and a mockery of the women’s physical make-up for which they have no choice.

As a women’s movement, we demand that Mr Tembo retract his offensive and insulting post and apologizes to the women and citizens of this country. We would like to reiterate our appeal to politicians to practice issue-based politics devoid of insulting, sexist and demeaning language on any gender.

As a national leader and one aspiring to the highest office of the nation, it is our considered view that Mr Tembo would conduct himself as a role model for women, men, girls and boys alike.

ISSUED;
for/NGOCC
Mary S. Mulenga
CHAIRPERSON

A Joint Action Plan (JAP) has been launched by the Lusaka City Council (LCC) in partnership with the Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC).

The Joint Action Plan consultative process identified five (5) joint action thematic areas which include, the streamlining processes for data and information sharing, building bridges of trust and confidence in key institutions, defining forms of data and information, increasing financial capacity to deliver on WASHE mandate and the establishment of an accountability mechanism.

With these identified measures put in place and a signed letter of agreement, will enable to formalize the collaboration, coordination, accountability and transparency between the Lusaka City Council and the Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company in the Joint Action Plan.

The Lusaka City Council has commended the GIZ reform of the Water Sector Program Phase II for supporting the development of the Joint Action Plan between the Lusaka City Council and Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company.

The launch of the Joint Action Plan was held at Lusaka Civic Centre Nakatindi Hall Grounds.

The Lusaka City Council Director Planning Chibesa Namwinga noted that the two (2) institutions have been collaborating on a number of joint activities aimed at improving land use and development, control of ground water and infrastructure protection and public health management.

Ms Namwinga said that it is worth noting that the support rendered through GIZ, and RWS2 has assisted in further strengthening, collaboration and planning for provision of water supply, sanitation and hygiene services predominately in the peri-urban areas and ultimately in the greater city of Lusaka.

“This can only be done through joint planning, enhancing accountability mechanisms as well as improving data and information exchange between the two (2) institutions,” Ms Namwinga said

“The development of the Joint Action Plan builds on trust successful experiences such as Covid-19 response activities and cholera among other efforts,” Ms Namwinga added

She explained that the process of developing the Joint Action Plan included majors such as the identifying the major policy and institutional coordination challenges experienced by the Utility and the Local Authority in enhancing the performance of the water and sanitation sector in Lusaka, identifying and prioritizing joint activities for data exchange and implementation of WASHE Projects activities, and developing a framework for joint implementation of activities between the two institutions as well as the establishment of the joint action team that comprised of key technical staff from both institutions.

Ms Namwinga highlighted this in a speech read on behalf of the Lusaka City Town Clerk Brighton Mbaimbai.

And Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company Acting Managing Director Jilly Chiyombwe expressed delight and confidence for the launch of the Joint Action Plan between their Institution and the Local Authority, stating that the launch will strengthen the coordination and collaborations meant to improve data and information sharing, capacity development, building trust and confidence between the two institutions thus improving financial capacity to deliver the WASHE mandate in Lusaka city.

Mr Chiyombwe added that the Joint Action Plan has been aligned to the National Development Plan and the Vision 2030 to provide a platform and mechanism for communication and information sharing.

“This will further enable the parties to utilize this action plan to build robust water supply and sanitation system that will guarantee quality service provision for residents in the city of Lusaka,” Mr Chiyombwe said

Meanwhile, Kabwata Ward 6 Councilor Chishala Bwalya said that it is the government’s aspiration to see to it that all the corners of Lusaka city are equitably serviced and safely managed with water supply and sanitation as it is the Constitutional duty of the Lusaka City Council through Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company to ensure that every resident is serviced.

Mr Bwalya stated that the development of the Joint Action Plan by the Lusaka City Council and Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company is timely, all parties should see to it that they facilitate a shared platform for transparent planning and implementation of activities that will ultimately lead to an adequately serviced Lusaka city.

He mentioned that the shared vision of Lusaka city can only be achieved with consented effort such as the Joint Action Plan that is being launched, for this is an important undertaking that will improve accessibility of quality water supply and sanitation in the city.

“It is my vision to see that the marginalized people in the city are given a priority and accorded the service they deserve as regards to the supply of clean water and improved sanitation,” he said

Mr Bwalya has since called on Directors from the two (2) institutions to ensure that their teams do not use the Joint Action Plan as a planning and implementation tool but also as a means by which the two (2) institutions shall hold each other accountable.

Mr Bwalya cited this in a speech read on behalf of the Lusaka Mayor Chilando Chitangala.

Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthen laws aimed at protecting the country’s environment and natural resources.

Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Collins Nzovu said this is why government is currently working on various legal and policy reforms on the environment aimed at combating the adverse effects of climate change.

Mr. Nzovu cited the revision of the Environmental Management Act, Forestry Act and the coming up of the climate change bill as some of the reforms that government is undertaking in order ensure that there is proper coordination, management and conservation of the environment.

He added that government has also included climate change intervention measures in the Eight National Development Plan (8NDP) which will by 2026 be used to measure how the new administration would have protected the environment in its first term of office.

Speaking during the launch of the African Climate week in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Nzovu stressed that good environmental policies are meant to enhance national economic development for the benefit of the country.

He further pledged to partner with various stakeholders such as the media to intensify information dissemination on the importance of environmental protection.

Mr. Nzovu explained that the media have a vital role to play in ensuring that communities are informed and educated on the benefits of protecting their environment from harmful activities that can cause climate change.

And Mr. Nzovu said the ministry will soon take to cabinet, the issue on construction of residential properties in forestry 27 that has resulted in the contamination of the Chalimbana River, the source of water for Chongwe residents.

He noted that he is also engaging the Ministries of Lands and Natural Resources and local Government and Rural Development on how best to deal with the issue.

The Minister said the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) is also currently conducting a detailed study to come up with measures of addressing the problem.

Meanwhile, Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) Acting Chief Conservation Officer, Beauty Mbale has praised the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment for strides made in pushing for the green growth and climate action agenda for Zambia.

Ms. Mbale said the Ministry’s dedication to combat climate change has put Zambia on the map of leading Africa’s negotiations as the country moves towards the 27th Session on the Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP27).

She explained that Zambia has an opportunity to re-assess and re-design its systems and put itself on the strict path towards sustainability by embracing and recognizing coordinated effects in dealing with the climate change crisis.

She also assured her organization’s continued support to impact youths with skills in innovation and technology to provide solutions to effects of climate change.

And Just Climate Action Country Director, William Chilufya has called for strengthened collaboration between government and other stakeholders in addressing the increasing negative effects of climate change.

Mr. Chilufya also appealed for increased local funding through the Constituency Development Fund(CDF) to climate adaptation and mitigation programmes.

Police in Lusaka have confirmed apprehending and detaining Patriots for Economic Progress President Sean Tembo. According to Zambia Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, Zambia Police will issue a comprehensive statement as soon as they finish with formalities.

Reports emerged yesterday that Mr Tembo had been arrested for defaming the president of the Republic of Zambia, a move that drew condemnation from stakeholders.

Leading the criticism was Socialist Party President Fred M’membe who described the arrest and detention of Mr Sean Tembo as clearly an abuse of the laws of defamation of the President to stifle legitimate criticism, adding that the UPND regime beats all previous governments in the abuse of this law and that have arrested and prosecuted more people in one year than any of our governments have done in five or ten years.

Meanwhile, Police at Kabwata Police Station has formally charged and arrested Lawrence Bwalya Muchinda aged 35 of unmarked residence in Barlestone in Lusaka west for the offence of Defamation of the President Contrary to Section 69 of the Penal Code Act Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Brief facts of the matter are that the accused on 21st August, 2022 at unknown time in Lusaka City of the Lusaka Province of the Republic of Zambia did by way of using Tik Tok a social media application in his names publish defamatory remarks against the President of the Republic of Zambia and Commander-In-of the Defence Force, Mr Hakainde Hichilema.

According to Zambia Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, the accused is currently detained in custody and will appear in court soon.

Mr Hamoonga said that the Zambia Police Service would like to warn persons who are in the habit of committing criminal offences on the cyber space that gone are the days that they can commit offences and expect not to be traced and arrested.

Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati has announced that the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act will be tabled in the next sitting of Parliament for Amendment.

Speaking at the Government Engagement Discussion on Cloud and Cyber Security today, the Minister said Cyber Security and Cybercrime are among the biggest threats to Zambia, hence the need to amend the laws.

He said that once amended the law will ensure that people who abuse cyberspace are dealt with and has called on stakeholders in the sector to submit their input before the Act is presented before parliament.

And Liquid Intelligent Technologies Chief Executive Officer Mark Townsend said the government needs to provide clear positions around data storage and Cyber Security Laws.
Mr. Townsend said there is also a need for the establishment of a data protection office that will provide the administrative framework of how organizations dealing with data and data storage should be compliant.

On Tuesday, 23rd March, 2021, former President Edgar Lungu assented into law the Cyber Security and Cyber Bill of 2021 and hoped the law will bring sanity to the way the internet is used in Zambia.

“This is purely to protect citizens from abuse by people who feel they can do or say whatever they want using the veil of cyberspace. This law is aimed at protecting all Zambians, including those who are against it,” President Lungu said.

The President said the Bill was brought to his office and he scrutinized it before he assented to it.

“l could not have signed it if I was not convinced it is for the good of all Zambians. I have read through and it is perfect, ” he noted at the time

The objects of the Bill were to ensure the provision of cybersecurity in the Republic, provide for the protection of persons against cybercrime, provide for child online protection and facilitate identification, declaration, and protection of critical information infrastructure.

Others are to provide for the collection of and preservation of evidence of computer and network related crime, revise the admission, in criminal matters, of electronic evidence, provide for the registration of cybersecurity services providers; and provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

Immediately after the bill was signed, UPND Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa announced that President Hakainde Hichilema had set the repealing of the infamous Cyber Security and Cyber Crime Bill NAB2 as his number one priority once he is ushered into office on August 12.

Mr Mweetwa at the time called on party members to be wary of sharing information that has the potential to land them in trouble with the authorities.

“We want to tell the nation that HH has committed to repealing the Cyber Security [and Cyber Crimes Bill]. That’s one of the things he will do ever. He has committed to that. Look! The freedoms of the people of this country have been invaded,” he said.

He also alleged at the time that the PF has turned the public media into its tool for propaganda, accusing the ruling party of feeding Zambians on a menu of lies.

“When you talk about the public broadcaster, it is not what people say that should be heard, it is what the State want people to hear. Feeding the nation on a menu of lies. The only platform that remained for people to communicate information was social media and now they have gone into that space to shrink it,” he charged Mweetwa.