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The State House should say here is a list of President Hakainde Hichilema’s assets.

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The State House should say here is a list of President Hakainde Hichilema’s assets.

By Venus N Msyani

Enough of defending the president on everything. The State House should say here is a copy of President Hakainde Hichilema’s assets and liabilities.

On Tuesday 23rd, on ZNBC, Presidential Spokesperson Antony Bwalya was quoted saying individuals or organizations are free to request relevant record-keeping institutions for them to go through the president’s assets and liabilities declarations.
President Hichilema had given the same statement on Friday 19, during a live interaction with the public on Hot FM radio at State House as he was trying to answer why he was hesitating to declare his assets and liabilities.

The statement made some people, including the author, conclude President Hichilema is not ready to declare his assets and liabilities.

To prove us wrong, Anthony Bwalya is the one who needed to go to relevant record-keeping institutions to get a list of Hichilema assets and liabilities. Today, Mr. Bwalya should say here is a list of HH assets or businesses.

By defending the president and emphasizing that he has fulfilled the legal requirement of declaring assets and liabilities, the State House is making the issue worse.

President Hichilema maintains interests in his businesses but refuses to declare his assets and liabilities publicly. Is he trying to hide something?

Very sure is not only Zambians who are asking this question. No doubt the international community is asking the same question.

To be specific, donors may have started thinking twice about Zambia. They look for transparency and accountability. Hakainde’s issue of assets and liabilities deflations doesn’t point to that.

President Hichilema must clear himself. He told the presenter during a radio appearance that he finds it odd to hear people asking him to declare his assets and liabilities when he has been doing so every time he was required to.

It is also odd that he finds it difficult to listen to people. Several times President Hichilema has said he is a servant of the people. He must listen and publicly declare his assets and liabilities to prove that. That is what his master (the people) wants. Servants don’t argue with their masters.

If he has already declared like it is being claimed, the State House should say here is a list of President Hichilema’s assets. Not asking people to go and look for it.

Will not rest until HH publicly declare his assets and liabilities. He has revealed that he maintains interests in his businesses. Zambians deserve to know these businesses in clear and simple language.

Zambia finally gets $1.3 billion IMF Bailout

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Zambia finally gets $1.3 billion IMF Bailout

Zambia has won International Monetary Fund board approval for a $1.3 billion support package, a important step toward the nation restructuring its debt and a boost for the global effort to help indebted developing nations.

The IMF said in a statement that the 38-month extended credit facility is based on Zambia’s “homegrown economic reform plan that aims to restore macroeconomic stability and foster higher, more resilient, and more inclusive growth.

The program will also “catalyze much needed financial support from development partners,” enabling an immediate disbursement equivalent to about $185 million, the fund said.

The Executive Board’s decision will enable an immediate disbursement equivalent of about US$185 million.

Following the Executive Board discussion on Zambia, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, issued the following statement:

“Zambia continues to face profound challenges reflected in high poverty levels and low growth. The ECF-supported program aims to restore macroeconomic stability and foster higher, more resilient, and more inclusive growth.

“Restoring fiscal sustainability will require a sustained fiscal adjustment. The authorities’ adjustment plans appropriately focus on eliminating regressive fuel subsidies, enhancing the efficiency of the agricultural subsidy program, and reducing inefficient public investment. Domestic revenue mobilization also needs to support the medium-term adjustment. The adjustment creates fiscal space for increased social spending to cushion the burden on the most vulnerable, help reduce poverty, and to invest in Zambia’s people. The ongoing expansion of the authorities’ Social Cash Transfer program and their plans to increase public spending on health and education are particularly welcome. Together with the fiscal adjustment, Zambia needs a deep and comprehensive debt treatment under the G20 Common Framework to restore debt sustainability.

“A substantial strengthening of fiscal controls is needed to support the fiscal adjustment, as well as address governance and corruption vulnerabilities. Public investment management and procurement practices need to be strengthened to ensure transparency and the efficient use of scarce resources. It will also be important to bolster the framework for monitoring fiscal risks, particularly those related to large state-owned enterprises.

“The Bank of Zambia should continue its efforts to reduce inflation and preserve financial stability. International reserves should be replenished as conditions allow and the exchange rate should continue to reflect market conditions. Addressing high NPL levels and ensuring adequate capital buffers will also be important.”

Zambia had been seeking endorsement from the Washington-based lender for over three years as the government tries to finalize negotiations to revamp external liabilities that grew to $17.3 billion by the end of last year.

Chinese lenders account for more than one-third of its official dollar debt.

The IMF had needed assurances from Zambia’s official bilateral creditors that they were willing to renegotiate.

Those came on July 30, opening the way for the board to consider the bailout request after reaching a staff-level deal in December.

Zambia applied to restructure its obligations under the Group of 20’s Common Framework guidelines, which brings together members of the Paris Club of mostly rich creditor nations, and China, which has become the world’s biggest official lender.

Beijing was reluctant to join at first, preferring to negotiate separately.

“Securing timely restructuring agreements with external creditors will be essential for the successful implementation of the new ECF arrangement,” the fund said.

iSanitize Encourages Schools to Form Menstrual Hygiene Clubs

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iSanitize Encourages Schools to Form Menstrual Hygiene Clubs

iSanitize is calling on schools across the country to invest in Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Clubs to equip learners with information on how to manage menstruation.

Menstrual Hygiene Management Clubs create safe zones where learners in various schools can freely discuss menstrual issues without being judged or feeling intimidated, the clubs also provide an opportunity for one to learn about their bodies, changes they undergo during puberty and healthy practices of hygiene.

iSanitize believes in the importance for schools to form Menstrual Hygiene Management Clubs because learners will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills on Menstrual Hygiene Management, thereby, improving learning outcomes.

Research has shown that women and girls face challenges in managing their menstruation hygienically, both at home and at school, and these challenges range from continued lack of knowledge, myths and beliefs about menstruation and lack of adequate Water and Sanitation Hygiene, (WASH) facilities.

iSanitize has so far facilitated the formation of five Menstrual Hygiene Management Clubs at Five (5) schools in Gwembe District of Southern Province where they have been conducting training on Menstrual Hygiene Management and age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education.

The Five (5) schools are Munyumbwe Secondary, Nyangwe Primary, Bbondo Primary, Nachilala Primary and Ntanga Primary.

The schools were also provided with Menstrual Hygiene Management National Guidelines and Tool Kits to aid teachers and pupils establish Menstrual Hygiene Management programs and facilities to keep them in school.

iSanitize has since encouraged other schools, especially in rural areas to form Menstrual Hygiene Management Clubs in order to heighten sensitization on the importance of practicing healthy and sustainable Menstrual Hygiene.

iSanitize believes that MHM Clubs in schools will help cure traditional norms and myths associated with menstruation, and help adolescents to engage in healthy conversations on MHM and WASH.

iSanitize Head of Programmes Brenda Musonda, stated that the iSanitize technical assistance and funding from ActionAid Zambia through its SID funded project is running a five months project on age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Gwembe District, Southern Province.

The project operates in Two (2) Wards of Gwembe Districts, namely Bbondo and Lukonde Wards.

She added that the Project is aimed at strengthening the capacity of citizens to demand improved policies and programs that promote inclusiveness and accessibility to age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Gwembe District by 30th September, 2022.

“While in the District, a total of 250 Hygiene Kits comprising of a bucket, disposal, and reusable sanitary pads, bath and laundry soap, underpants, body lotion, roll on, toothpaste and brushes, body hair shaving sticks and sanitizer were distributed to both female and male learners,” Ms Musonda stated

And iSanitize Founder Jacqueline Chishimba has called on both local and international NGOs operating in Zambia to engage iSanitize as an implementing partner in Menstrual Hygiene Management, WASH and Age-Appropriate CSE targeting the remotest parts of Zambia.

Ms Chishimba explained that iSanitize has a team of youths and currently the organization is looking to engage more youths to work with in rural Zambia as most Menstrual Hygiene Management, WASH, and CSE work is highly concentrated in the urban and peri-urban areas of Zambia, a situation which she termed to be sad because rural communities are being deprived of information and knowledge.

“It will be very difficult to attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, if we ignore the rural communities, therefore, Partner with iSanitize, our team is ready to go anywhere in Zambia,” Ms Chishimba noted

iSanitize is a developmental Non-Governmental Organization working in the hygiene and sanitation sector, to facilitate, promote, advocate and build capacities of young people, schools and communities in rural and peri-urban areas of Zambia.

UPND has restored peace, order and unity, and has been appointing people on merit-Mwansabombwe DC

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UPND has restored peace, order and unity, and has been appointing people on merit-Mwansabombwe DC

Mwansabombwe District Commissioner Morton Sikazwe says the new dawn government has scored a number of achievements for the past one year it has been in office.

Mr. Sikazwe was speaking during the delayed commemoration of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Alliance government first anniversary held at Kabumbu grounds.

He said the new dawn administration has restored peace, order and unity in the country and has been appointing people on merit in various positions which has brought about transparency and professionalism.

The District Commissioner said government has also depoliticized markets and bus stations allowing people to move and trade freely in the markets.

Mr. Sikazwe cited other achievements as good governance and media freedoms which he said has allowed the media in both public and private to work without any political interference.

He added that government has also attracted investment in the mining sector to the tune of 1.3 billion US dollars for the development of Nickel Mine by First Quantum Minerals in Kalumbila.

Mr. Sikazwe further said government has empowered various vulnerable groups with 30 percent from the proceeds of the mineral rich Black Mountain in Kitwe among others.

And speaking at the same event, District Agriculture Coordinator Reuben Chandwa said since the new dawn government took office, there has been consistent monthly Recurrent Departmental Charges (RDC) funding to his office.

Mr. Chandwa said this has resulted in regular extension service delivery to the small holder farmers, increased farm visits by extension officers and monitoring of timely distribution of Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) inputs to farmers.

Meanwhile, District Community Development officer Elizabeth Musesa highlighted that there was a tremendous increase for beneficiaries on the Food Security Pack (FSP) from 450 to 2, 200 resulting in improved productivity, nutrition and food security in the district.

She added that 178 vulnerable households received goats and 37 households received chickens under the Alternative Livelihood programme while 20 women and gender groups were funded K12, 000 each grant amounting to K240, 000.

Ms. Musesa further said under Supporting Women Livelihood programme, there was an increase in the grant from 2,700 to 3,790 and that the department has paid the first instalments of 1,895 kwacha to 352 beneficiaries.

Traditional mushroom farming is the best-Nutritionist

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Traditional mushroom farming is the best-Nutritionist

Zambezi District scaling up nutrition (SUN) center of excellence agriculture officer, Esther Phiri has recommended the traditional way of farming mushrooms as the best and easiest for farmers to venture into.

Speaking when a team of provincial nutrition coordinating committee went to check on what the center is doing in Zambezi yesterday, Ms. Phiri said the team has easily maintained the mushrooms planted in a grass thatched house than those in the modern building.

“It is easy to maintain the cool temperature that the mushrooms need in order for them to grow in the traditional house than the modern house,” she said.

Ms. Phiri further stated that they have been able to produce 5 kilograms since they started farming two months ago and have sold it at K400.

And North Western Province SUN Coordinator, Rodgen Loongo commended the center for venturing into mushroom farming as it will go a long way in fighting malnutrition.

Mr. Loongo said such ventures are what the project is promoting so as to ensure households have enough food that will promote good nutrition at household level.

He however, urged the farmers at the center to ensure that beneficiaries are quickly trained in mushroom farming so that they start producing their own mushrooms for consumption and sale the extra.

“It is important that they are particularly trained in the traditional way of mushroom farming because they can easily relate to it,” Mr. Loongo said.

He said he was happy that Zambezi was the first district to start mushroom production in the province under the project.

Meanwhile, Farmers in Petauke District have been advised to adapt to farming techniques that respond to the current unfavourable trends in weather patterns resulting from climate change.

Acting Petauke Senior Agriculture Officer Ernest Mwale also says soils in the district have depleted, as such farmers need to embrace smart agricultural practices.

He says increasing the production of legumes being incorporated in the production of cereals helps rejuvenate soil fertility.

Mr Mwale was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of a climate smart maize variety, locally termed as “Paya Njala” by Zamseed in Chieftainess Mwanjabantu’s areas in Petauke district.

He said crop diversification is another way of improving soil nutrients, other than using legumes to rejuvenate the quality of the soil.

“The district has been experiencing poor distribution of rainfall, late onset of rainfall, and less rainfall. It is moving from agro-ecological region two in Zambia but slowly moving to region one,” he said.

Mr Mwale observed that this calls for adaptation, to move with the latest trends.

He further commended Zamseed for the introduction of ultra-early maturing variety on the market, especially that it comes with a pack of beans seed.

“Most soils in Petauke are depleted in terms of nutrients, the rains are not coming as they used to, so this seed responds to the needs of the farmers in the wake of climate change,” he added.

Meanwhile, Zamseed Business Development Manager, Nokuthula Ndhlovu emphasised the need for farmers to embrace technologies in the agriculture sector.

She said that it is only through such adaptation that challenges that are climate induced will be addressed.

Ms Ndhlovu said Zamseed will continue working with farmers to ensure hunger is eradicated, hence the introduction of the ZMS301 ultra early maturing variety that also promotes crop diversification.

“The ZMS301 bag contains a pack of beans seed. As you plant maize, plant the beans too. That way we will address the issue of hunger in communities. I also urge you to ensure that you plant the ZMS301 early for you to reap the full benefits,” Ms Ndhlovu advised.

And farmers in the area have welcomed the introduction of the ZMS301 variety by Zamseed

Florence Sakala said she is optimistic that yields will improve because the seed matures early, countering effects of climate change like lessened rainfall.

She said her yields had reduced over the years from the over 200 bags she used to harvest.

“I used to harvest about 200 50kg bags of maize but that is not the case anymore, I harvest much less. But I’m hoping this variety gets me to where I was and ends hunger in my household,” she hoped.

Government is committed to fast-tracking developmental agendas in rural areas, says State House PS for Special duties

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Government is committed to fast-tracking developmental agendas in rural areas, says State House PS for Special duties

State house Permanent Secretary for Special duties, Patrick Mucheleke says Government is committed to fast-tracking developmental agendas in rural areas.

Mr Mucheleka said this is being done through proper planning, resource allocation and provision of human resource service.

He said this can be evidenced by the increased amount of Constituency Development Fund, CDF to 25.6 million Kwacha to 1.6 million Kwacha and the deployment of over 40 thousand Government workers among other programs.

Mr Mucheleka urgent civil servants to be instrumental in disseminating information about the various Government programs to the general public in their respective areas of work and to also work and support the policies of the New Dawn Government.

Mr Mucheleka was speaking yesterday in Lusangazi districts of Eastern Province where he interacted with Government workers during his familiarisation tour to the area.

He adds that Government is making strides to develop the nation through proper planning without leaving anyone behind.

” We are working hard to bring development to areas like this one because we understand the challenged being faced by people around the communities but I can rest assure you that you are not alone, the new dawn Government is here to deliver to your expectations,” he said.

Mr Mucheleka said Government workers at both central and local Government must coordinate as they work and support the Government of the day and also when implementing CDF projects.

He urged those involved in planning for the development of the district to see to it that part of the CDF is used to attend to most critical areas of development in infrastructure such as the road Network.

The PS stressed the need for Government to work on the over 70 Kilometer stretch of the Chilongozi road from Petauke to Lusangazi, which is in a deplorable state and also construct a Bridge on Lusangazi River, situated of the same main road, which becomes flooded in the rain season resulting in residents being cut off from the rest.

He adds that the provision of safe water and construction of Secondary and Boarding schools with teachers accommodation is also key in Lusangazi.

” This place needs good roads, bridges, clean water, secondary and boarding schools and also other infrastructure developments among other developmental projects so it is your duty as government workers to put politics aside and help this government in planning well for development to be attained,” he said.

Mr Mucheleka mentioned other programs achieved by the Government as the continuation of the Social Cash Transfer fund with an increased transfer value of K800 for the disabled and K400 for able bodied and also the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP).

He adds that farmers will now receive their subsidized farming inputs on time in order to prepare well for the 2022/2023 farming season.

Earlier, Lusangazi District Commissioner Mike Tembo mentioned some challenges being faced by people in the area being among the new districts in the country.

He mentioned the deplorable state of the Petauke _ Chilongozi road and other feeder roads in the area, shortage of water points, establishment and confirmation of Government workers as most the workers in Lusangazi are still acting on their positions without being confirmed since the district was declared in 2018.

” We are happy that you have visited as here in Lusangazi as you can see it’s a new district and the road in itself is not in good shape, we need a Bridge on Lusangazi River situated on the main road from Petauke to this place because it gets flooded when it rains, water is also a problem and most of our officers are for a long time still acting on these positions without being confirmed so we need establishment ,” he said.

And in response, Mr Mucheleka said he took note of the issue of confirmation and establishment of Government workers in Lusangazi district.

Ndola Mayor condemns Mongu Mayor Nyambe Muyumbana for returning back half of the two-night allowance

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Ndola Mayor condemns Mongu Mayor Nyambe Muyumbana for returning back half of the two-night allowance

Ndola Mayor Jones Kalyati has condemned Mongu Mayor Nyambe Muyumbana for returning back half of the two-night allowance from the recent Lusaka special meeting on local authorities chaired by President Hakainde Hichilema.

Mr. Muyumbana on 17th August, 2022 retired K1, 500 which was part of the daily subsistence allowance after his two-day meeting in Lusaka was cut short.

Some people saluted the Mongu Mayor for the gesture but his Ndola counterpart Mr. Kalyati has questioned whom Mr. Muyumbana wanted to impress by retiring the K1, 500.

The Ndola Mayor said he actually spends more than the council provides as he utilises his trips to Lusaka to lobby development for his city from various ministries.

“I want to mention that actually that the money I was given to go to Lusaka was not even enough. When I am in Lusaka I have got important things to do. He (Muyumbana) does not have anything to do and he must be ashamed of himself. When I finish my meetings in Lusaka I spend more days because I have so much to do with Ministries. The people of Ndola sent me to Lusaka to find out what is going to be done to Ndola roads. You know Ndola roads are so bad, they are pathetic, they are impassable. So I go to Ministries. I go to the Ministry of Local Government, I go to the Ministry of Health, and I go to all ministries,” Mr. Kalyati said.

“I take time to visit these ministries so when they give me three days sometimes I spend five days and I keep funding myself. What is supposed to be done is talk to these ministries so that development can come. An honourable that goes like him he even goes boasting that I have returned a K1, 500, what is a K1, 500 going to do? When I am in Lusaka I go to look for much more money to bring into Ndola. So taking back a K1, 500 is mediocre. It is a lack of thinking. Who do I want to impress by returning a K1, 500? By the way we were given money for three days then someone returned a K1, 500, our meeting ended at 20:00 hours that man left before the meeting was actually concluded. It means he is an absent mayor. It should never happen,” Mr. Kalyati continued.

“People of Ndola I want to assure you that whenever I go to Lusaka. I present all the questions you ask me. I know you ask me questions on the roads, I know you ask me questions on schools, and you ask me questions on every development in the city. I have no time to waste. Those people have every time to waste and that is why he can return the money. I cannot return the money. That is why I need much more money if the council cannot sponsor me. I am coming to reach out to well wishers in the city so that they sponsor my being in Lusaka, so that I can look for what they want. I need to bring food and put it on the table. I am their city father,” he said.

Mongu Mayor Nyambe Muyumbana
Mongu Mayor Nyambe Muyumbana

Mr. Kalyati concluded:”I have no time to waste, let them waste time, I will spend time talking to ministries and by the way we were talking to the President (Hakainde Hichilema) when he (Muyumbana) actually ran away. I don’t know what he took back to the people of Mongu. I have got so much coming through to my office and the President gave a very good address. I picked a lot of things I am running with like a baton. “

Meanwhile, concerned citizen Mupishi Jones has asked President Hakainde Hichilema to consider honoring Mr. Muyumbana for being honest.

“What an honest leader! I’m sure even where our Almighty God is sitting on his Holy Throne is happy to have such individuals still surviving especially in Africa and Zambia in particular. This act from the Mayor may appear to be very strange in Zambia because of the past PF regime environment where we’re coming from,” Mr. Mupishi stated.

Top Spot Beckons for Red Arrows on Thursday

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Red Arrows will go top of the log on Thursday should they beat Kabwe Warriors on Thursday at Railway Grounds in Kabwe.

Arrows head into the match two points behind leaders Power Dynamos and second placed who are tied on 6 points after two rounds of game splayed.

Warriors on the other hand are yet to win a league game after two games this season under veteran coach George Lwandamina but have a point collected in a scoreless away draw at Nkana in Week 1.

But the pressure is still on Warriors who come into the match after losing 1-0 at home last Saturday to Forest Rangers.

Arrows won by the same margin at last season’s runners-up Zesco United to make an early statement with regards to their league defence.

Meanwhile, the match is one of two Arrows are playing before kicking off their CAF Champions League campaign next weekend against CD Primeiro de Agosto of Angola in Lusaka.

Arrows last game before their continental engagement will be at home on September 4 against Kansanshi Dynamos.

The government releases K6 million for Ndola Teaching Hospital

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The government releases K6 million for Ndola Teaching Hospital

The government has released six million Kwacha to Ndola Teaching Hospital on the Copperbelt for infrastructure rehabilitation.

Copperbelt province Minister Elisha Matambo disclosed to ZANIS that the funds will go towards the rehabilitation of critical areas at Ndola Teaching Hospital- NTH

Mr Matambo said it is the desire of government to improve the provision of quality health care services hence the release of funds.

Mr. Matamba also assured Copperbelt province residents that even other health facilities will be worked on immediately the funds are ready.

“The government is in the process of fixing what was wrong and we are asking the people to be a little bit patient with us because we are a listening government,” he said.

He added that other projects that have been lined up to be done as soon as the funds are made available include roads such as the Ndola-Lusaka, Ndola-Mufulira, Chililabombwe- Kasumbalesa among others.

Provincial Permanent Secretary Augustine Kasongo explained that the funds were received last week and that the provincial administration is waiting for tender procedures to complete.

Mr. Kasongo said the funds have been released according to the bill of quantities that was done when accessing the works to be done at the hospital.

Barbara Excited to Be Back for Shepolopolo Action

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Barbara Excited to Be Back for Shepolopolo Action

Shepolopolo Zambia captain and striker Barbara Banda has expressed her excitement to be part of the squad for the COSAFA Women’s Championship that runs from August 31-11 September in South Africa.

Banda controversially missed the Africa Cup in Morocco over the alleged failure to meet CAF guidelines.

She is part of the Zambia team that begins the COSAFA Cup campaign on Thursday at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Speaking to FAZ Media in Pretoria, Banda said playing at the regional competition will be a great comeback for her.

“I am very happy to be with the team and I am so excited because the morale is very high in camp and everyone is ready for the tournament,” Banda said.

“My morale is always high because I always want to be on top of the game. I just have to push hard because I have been out for a long time. This is a very good return for me,” she said.

Zambia is aiming to win the first COSAFA Women Cup.

“The main target for the team is to win the COSAFA Cup because in the past tournament the team has been doing great. We are all in shape, so it is time to carry the COSAFA Cup,” Banda said.

The match against Lesotho is on 4 September and Zambia will tackle Eswatini two days later.

Fatal road accidents, defilements worry police

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Fatal road accidents, defilements worry police

The Zambia Police Service in Muchinga Province has raised concerns over the increasing number of fatal road accidents  and defilement cases being recorded in the region.

Muchinga Province Deputy Police Commanding Officer, Lucky Munkhondya says Nakonde, Chinsali and Isoka districts have recently been recording a higher number of fatal road accidents especially those involving motorcycle riders.

Speaking to ZANIS in an interview in Chinsali today, Ms. Munkhondya charged that many of the accidents have been caused by over-speeding, adding that poor adherence to road traffic rules is another main cause.

She stated that the introduction of unregistered motorcycles in Chinsali district has also contributed to the increasing number of accidents involving riders not wearing helmets as well as riding under the influence of alcohol.

“In most cases, our pedestrians and cyclists are also to blame because they normally sit and cycle along the road, thereby causing a danger to themselves,” she said.

Ms. Munkhondya further cautioned both motorists and pedestrians to follow road traffic rules in order to avoid any loss of lives.

The Deputy Commanding Officer also called on motorcycle riders to register their motorcycles through the right channels of the law.

She also mentioned that the Zambia Police Traffic Department is working in collaboration with the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), to sensitize the general public on Road safety through the involvement of traditional leaders.

In the past two weeks Chinsali, Isoka and Nakonde has recorded several fatal road traffic accidents that have resulted in the loss of lives.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Police in Muchinga province have recorded alarming cases of defilement involving girl children.

Muchinga Province Deputy Police Commanding Officer, Lucky Munkhondya says cases involving girl children have drastically increased especially in the rural parts of Chinsali district.

Ms. Munkhondya said the past two weeks, Chinsali Police received reports of defilement cases of girls aged between 2 and 14 years old and that perpetrators of these offences have been neighbours of victims including their family members.

Ms. Munkhondya observed that many of the defilement cases are due to lack of proper care of girl children by parents in the hotspot areas and that the Police are working with various stakeholders to sensitize parents on safeguarding their children.

“This development has been worrying the Police Service because of the rate at which such cases are reported,” she stated.

She tipped off parents to always be alert of such offenders as well as protect their girl children at all times and also assured that the Service will not relent in bringing offenders of such vices to face the law.

 

Mother stabs 22 year old son to death

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Mother stabs 22 year old son to death

A 22-year-old man of Chambishi in the Copperbelt Province has stabbed her mother to death for unknown reasons. 48-year-old Elizabeth Tiyango, a peasant farmer, was murdered by her son identified as Marvelous Tiyango in the Mwambashi area of Chambishi.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Sharon Zulu said the incident occurred on 30th August 2022 in the presence of the deceased’s 12-year-old daughter.

Ms. Zulu narrated that the victim was cooking under a tree at the farm when her son suddenly appeared and started sharpening the knife.

He stoned her down and stabbed her with the knife all over her body and as she sustained a cut on the back, forehead and bleeding from the nose and he further dragged her from the field to the unfinished kiosk.

Ms. Zulu said Police have since arrested the suspect and he will appear in the courts of law soon.

“Murder, occurred on 30th August 2022 in Twikatane branch Mwambashi Chambishi, in which male Noah Tiyango of Mwambashi reported that his wife female Elizabeth Tiyango aged 48 a peasant farmer was murdered by his son by the name of Marvelous Tiyango aged 22 un employee of the same farm,” Ms. Zulu stated.

“Brief facts that the mother was cooking dry fish under the tree at the farm when her son suddenly appeared and started sharpening the knife, from there he started chasing her mother by stoning her on her back in the process she fell down and the son started stabbing her with the knife all over her body, the mother sustained a cut on the back, right arm, forehead and bleeding from the nose and he further dragged her from the field to the unfinished kiosk,” she said.

“All this happened in the presence of her daughter, a female juvenile aged 12, a school girl. Police visited the crime scene and deposited the body of the deceased in Chambishi Government Clinic Mortuary awaiting postmortem and burial arrest has been effected on the suspect and will appear in the courts of law soon,” Ms. Zulu said.

BETUZ commends Government for speedy placement of teachers on payroll

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BETUZ commends Government for speedy placement of teachers on payroll

The Basic Education Teachers Union (BETUZ) in Muchinga Province has commended the government for placing over 17,000 newly recruited teachers on payroll before they could even report to their workstations.

And Chinsali District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Pardon Tesho says a total of 177 newly recruited teachers have already been placed on the payroll in Chinsali District.

Mr. Tesho added that out of a total number of 350 recruited teachers in Chinsali District 339 have since reported and received their appointment letters.

The DEBS further thanked government for quickening the process of putting the recruited teachers on payroll in good time saying it has been one of the challenges the teaching sector has been facing for many years.

He says the act will help teachers report to their various schools in good time adding that this will also improve on the teacher pupil ratio in schools in the district.

And BETUZ Director Maclan Sichone said the move has elated not just the recruited teachers but also their family members and the Zambian citizens at large.

Mr. Sichone told the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in an interview today that the act shown by government has never happened in the history of Zambia.

He stated that President Hakainde Hichilema needs to be saluted and given another term for the good works he is doing.

Mr. Sichone added that in the past government teachers including other civil servants would stay for more than three to four months without being placed on payroll which was a big challenge.

“This is the sign that the new dawn government under President Hichilema is working with planned programmes because it is not easy to put over 17 thousand newly recruited workers on payroll at once,” he said.

And Mr. Sichone has appealed to the Ministry of Education in the area not to tolerate transfers saying they are a number of schools in the province that are in need of teachers.

He further called on those that have not yet been placed on the payroll not to lose hope but ensure they report to their respective schools and work diligently as governments has done its part and will ensure that they will be put on payroll soon.

“I want to urge those that have not received their salaries to go and report as government will place them on the payroll this coming month and congratulations to those that have received their salaries,” Mr. Sichone said.

Meanwhile, two newly recruited teachers Davies Chibwe and Angela Kantukulya who have received their August salaries thanked government for ensuring that some of those recruited are placed on payroll before they could even report to their various schools.

They further appealed to government to also consider placing those not yet on payroll next month.

“We are happy that we got our first salary even before we report for work at our respective schools. We are also appealing to government to ensure those not in payroll are included soon,” said Mr. Chibwe.

Recently Minister of Education Douglas Siakalima announced that out of the 30,496 newly recruited teachers, 17,400 have already been placed on the payroll.

MID-WEEK PRO’S HIT LIST

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Here are some selected briefs from early mid-week action involving over overseas Chipolopolo stars.

=DENMARK
On Monday evening, midfielder Edward Chilufya came on in the 77th minute for mid-table side Midtjlland’s 2-0 away win over Brondby.

=SCOTLAND
Striker Fashion Sakala started his first competitive game of the season on Tuesday in a 3-1 League victory over Queen of the South before being substituted in the 88th minute.

=ENGLAND
Chipolopolo captain Enock Mwepu started for Brighton in Tuesdays 2-1 away loss at Fulham before being substituted in the 63rd minute.

Chinese firm abandons borehole drilling project in Zambezi district

Chief Editor
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Chinese firm abandons borehole drilling project in Zambezi district

Zambezi District Commissioner Simeon Machayi has expressed concern with the delayed completion of a borehole drilling exercise in the district.

Mr. Machayi says he is saddened with the departure of the contractor, China Gansu from the site after drilling only 17 out of the 40 boreholes.

“To the best of my knowledge what I know is they only drilled 17 boreholes out of the 40 that they were supposed to drill, at some point the contractor had some issues with the consultant,” he said.

Mr. Machayi expressed worry as to when the contractor will be back on site to complete the rest of the remaining boreholes as the Zambezi West bank will soon be flooded making it impossible for the contractor to do anything.

“So up to now I don’t know the reasons the contractor had left because he was supposed to rehabilitate 80 boreholes, I don’t think they managed to rehabilitate even 20. He didn’t say bye and we had no time to ask why he had left the district,” Mr. Machayi said.

He said this when Provincial Nutrition Coordinating Committee members paid a courtesy call on him today.

In response to the concern Scaling Up Nutrition Provincial Coordinator, Rodgen Loongo said the Department of Water is already in talks with the provincial Permanent Secretary to ensure those issues were settled as quickly as possible.

Mr. Loongo said government has already terminated the contract of the consultant and has since granted the department of water to do the consultancy

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