Three Tanzanian nationals have been arrested by the Zambia Police for allegedly producing counterfeit cane spirits in Nakonde, Muchinga Province.

Samuel Jumanne aged 25 years of Mbemba in Tunduma and two females Devota Nelson aged 29 years and Margret Mwanpaza, 25 years both of Mwakakati in Tunduma were apprehended for the offence of Counterfeiting Trade Marks Contrary to the laws of Zambia.

The trio was arrested after the Police received intelligence information at Nakonde Police Station on August 15, 2022 at 17:00 hours from a concerned member of the public.

Brief facts of the matter are that, following the tip-off, Police in Nakonde dispatched and conducted an intelligence-led operation targeting illegal counterfeit cane spirits manufacturers in Maloni Village of Chief Waitwika of which they managed to arrest the trio.

It is reported that the offence was committed on August 15, 2022, at around 16:30 hours.

And the Zambia Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga confirmed the incident and stated that they abrogated the Counterfeiting Trade Marks Section 377 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Mr Hamoonga further disclosed that the officers seized three empty buckets of counterfeit Bols and Konyagi spirits, and Seventeen empty sachets of the same spirits.

“Other items found with the Tanzanian trio include four Gas Cylinders, eight bottles of Universal Stainer, five plastic dishes, two 20 litres containers of ethanol and two 210 litres drums filled with unknown substance,” Mr Hamoonga stated

Mr Hamoonga cited that the three suspects have since been detained in Police custody and will appear in court soon.

The Zambia Police have released Mwila Bwipwa, the boyfriend to the 22-year-old woman of Lusaka’s Kamwala South Area who murdered her two years old son Sangwani Chabinga on Saturday by pressing a pillow on him.

According to Police sources, Mwila who was believed to be with Masowe Maeke at the time of the son’s death was released yesterday from Police custody because there’s no sufficient evidence connecting him to the murder of Sangwani Chabinga who was put to rest in Lusaka yesterday.

Reports of Maeka pressing a pillow on the face of her son and sat on him until he became unconscious shocked the nation.

On 14th August, 2022 Kabwata Police Station received a report of murder by Mokwane Maeke aged 27 of unmarked house in Kamwala South area who stated that her young Sister Mosowe Maeke aged 22 of the same address murdered her child Sangwani Chabinga by pressing a pillow.

The incident happened at 13th August,2022 between 17:00 and 19:00 hours at Shamukani Lodge in Kamwala South.

Confirming the development, Zambia Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga noted that the accused who was staying with her elder sister, the reporter in this matter was chased from home which led to her booking a room at a named Lodge in Kamwala South where she killed her own son.

Mr Hamoonga added that the suspect came from Kitwe in April 2022 where she was staying with her biological mother to join her elder sister but on 11th August, 2022, she was chased for not sleeping at home the previous night and was given K400 as transport fare to go back to Kitwe.

Mr Hamoonga stated that instead of going back to Kitwe, the suspect used the money to book a room and stayed at a named Lodge for three days and after realizing that she had nothing to feed her child and herself, she decided to kill the child by pressing a pillow on the head and sat on it until the baby became unconscious and thereafter she decided to check out of the Lodge and took the child to her elder sister’s place who she informed that she had killed the child because she had nothing to feed him.

He added that the sister to the accused Mokwane Maeke and other relatives took the child to Chilenje Level One Hospital after noticing that the child still had a pulse and thinking he was still alive but regrettably upon arrival at the Hospital the child was pronounced dead by medical personnel upon arrival and later the deceased body was deposited at University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Mortuary.

Luapula Province Minister Derrick Chilundika says his political enemies who are after his life are behind the attack at his home in Chingola in the Copperbelt Province.

Mr. Chilundika, the Chingola’s Nchanga Member of Parliament, was at home with his family when unknown criminals armed with a machete and stones besieged the premises after jumping the perimeter fence on Monday night.

One of the attackers was shot dead when he attempted to confront an armed police officer who was guarding the premises at the time.

In an interview with Kokoliko Radio in Chingola, Mr. Chilundika vowed that his enemies who want to grab the Nchanga Seat from him won’t succeed.

He alleged that his rivals have resorted to the plan of wanting to kill him after observing that he is delivering development in Nchanga Constituency.

“The police officer on duty tried to challenge the team of attackers. I was inside the house for about 23:00 hours. The whole family was inside the house and the office was outside guarding as usual then we heard gunshots. I woke up after hearing the first gunshot then there were several gunshots that we heard anyway. After the first gunshot the officer banged on the door and shouted that Honourable don’t come out. That is why we stayed until after some time that is when he said now you can come out. Then we called the officer incharge to reinforce the team. That is how they came (more police officers). We came out we saw there was one person shot in the leg if I am not mistaken then the police picked him,” Mr. Chilundika said.

The Luapula Province Minister added that his family was left traumatized by the incident.

“We were traumatized as a family so we didn’t even get closer to see or identify the suspect because security advised us to get inside the house. They just beefed up more security to guard us. We were not given that privilege to identify the suspect. I simply want to thank the people of Chingola, Nchanga and Zambia at large that their prayers for me and my family are very important. That is why Jehovah had to save us; it is because of their prayers. I also wish to thank the people for their quick response, professionalism and expertise. If the police were not there, probably the enemies would have succeeded,” he said.

Mr. Chilundika challenged his enemies to look up to God in their mission to take over the Nchanga Parliamentary Seat in Chingola.

“Then I want to encourage those who may be perceived enemies to look up to God. You don’t fight things with force, planning to take life; you don’t fight it that way. Look up to God then God will give you what you want. That is what I know, so I would want to encourage if at all there are those enemies who are suspected to have sent these attackers. I would advise them to depend on God. It’s only God who can put them where they want to be. But from my understanding sorry to say this, this must be mentioned. We hear from quarters that there are people who have indicated interest to aspire for Nchanga; you know they are the main suspects. The evidence of the work that we are doing is telling them that there is no way they would wait and remove me (from the Parliamentary Seat) because by the time I get to there (2026 election time) I will have done a lot and it will become very difficult for them to dislodge me. Maybe that is why they are targeting life but any way God is faithful they will not succeed,” Mr. Chilundika concluded.

The government has pledged its commitment to forge a strong partnership with Malawi and Mozambique aimed at improving the provision of cross-border sexual reproductive health services for migrants, young vulnerable people and other interest groups.

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Paul Thole made the pledge when he opened a three-day tripartite meeting on Sexual-Reproductive Health Rights-HIV Knows No Borders in Chipata.

The meeting that has brought together representatives from Mozambique, Malawi and the host Zambia seeks to review identified key challenges in addressing health, migration and other non-health issues affecting the three border Countries.

Speaking in a speech read for him by Eastern Province Assistant Secretary, Clement Chilembo, Mr Thole said access to health by cross-border migrants is currently a challenge due to a lack of consistent and strong coordination mechanisms.

“This challenge is exacerbated for irregular migrants due to fear of detention and deportation. Similarly, provision of other services to enhance the protection and well-being of migrants such as safe and age-appropriate detention, representation and access to appropriate and effective case management remains a challenge,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary said that the meeting will foster the improvement of access to Sexual Reproductive Health services for the people in the three Countries when they cross borders.

“This tripartite cross-border meeting will build on our existing capacity to combat barriers to quality services to migrants as they are most at risk,” he said.

Traditional leaders from Zambia, including Chief Pembamoyo, Chieftainess Mkanda, Chieftainess Kawaza and a representative of Chief Madzimawe, Induna Lukezo, are also attending the meeting.

The Sexual-Reproductive Health Rights-HIV Knows no Borders is a regional initiative implemented by the International Organisation for Migration in partnership with Save the Children.

The initiative is aimed at improving the quality of life and HIV/Sexual Reproductive Health Outcomes among vulnerable youths, migrants and sex workers in Southern Africa, covering six countries that include Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia.

Luapula Province Minister Derrick Chilundika has been attacked at his home in Chingola in the Copperbelt Province by unknown criminals armed with a machete and stones.

Mr. Chilundika, the Nchanga Member of Parliament, was at home with his family when the criminals besieged the premises after jumping the perimeter fence.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Sharon Zulu has confirmed that the attack occurred on Monday night.

Ms. Zulu said the incident occurred on August 15, 2022 at about 21:00 hours at House No. 27 Buyantanshi Lane, in Nchanga North.

Ms. Zulu said one of the attackers was shot dead when he attempted to confront an armed police officer who was guarding the premises.

She revealed that Constable Mulapwa reported that on August 15, 2022 at about 21:00hours whilst performing guard duties at the Minister’s residence, he saw one unknown person armed with a machete jumping over the wall fence from outside into the yard.

Ms Zulu said the officer challenged the fugitive and asked what he wanted inside the yard but the intruder could not answer but charged towards the officer.

She said after a while another man jumped over the wall fence into the yard while others from outside started throwing stones into the yard.

“A shooting incident was reported at Nchanga Police Station in Chingola which occurred on 15/08/2022 at about 20:00 hrs at House No. 27 Buyantanshi Lane, in Nchanga North, Chingola at Honorable Chilundika’s home in which, Constable Mulapwa reported that on 15/08/2022 at about 21:00hrs whilst performing guard duties at the Minister’s residence, he saw one unknown male Person armed with a machete jumping over the wall fence from outside into the yard. The officer challenged the fugitive and asked what he wanted inside the yard. The intruder could not answer but charged towards the officer. Again in a short time another man jumped over the wall fence into the yard while others from outside started throwing stones into the yard,” she said.

Ms. Zulu said the officer called in re-enforcement and shortly, officers arrived and found the body of the criminal lying face down with both legs fractured.

She said the scene was thoroughly inspected and stones were seen scattered in the yard, with a machete lying a meter away from the dead body.

“The officer was able to see them because the fence has iron bars between blocks. The officer immediately fired a warning shot in the air to try and scare away the one who was advancing towards him, but continued advancing. It was at this moment that the officer lowered the barrel and shot him on both legs with a view of maiming him. The intruder fell to the ground, while the colleague jumped over the fence and ran away. The officer called in re-for cement and shortly, officers arrived and found the body of the criminal lying face down. The same was inspected and found that both legs were fractured,” Ms. Zulu said.

She concluded:”The scene was thoroughly inspected and stones were seen scattered in the yard, with a machete lying a meter away from the dead body. The Body was picked and rushed to Nchanga North General Hospital where it was pronounced dead, and later deposited to Nchanga north general hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem and identification. Inquiry file has been opened and investigations have been instituted in the matter.”

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) is calling on all business entities in the city to acquire Health Permits for 2023 during this year’s licensing period which is from August to December, 2022.

In a statement issued, Lusaka City Council Public Relations Manager Chola Mwamba explained that the acquiring of the health permits will be conducted in compliance with various public health statutes such as the Public Health Act Chapter 295 of the Laws of Zambia, the Food Safety Act No. 7 of 2019, and the Solid Waste Regulation and Management Act No. 20 of 2018 respectively.

Ms Mwamba added that the pre-conditions for the business entities to acquire a Health Permit for the year 2023 includes conditions such as ensuring that the building structures are decorated and painted to an attractive finish, the business premises to be subscribed to the legal solid waste management system, meeting satisfactory drainage system to manage grey (waste) water and avoid discharging in the storm water drainage.

Ms Mwamba further added that adequate lighting both artificial and natural within the business premises for the purpose of workers’ (employees’) health and safety should be put in place, assessment of other possible hazards ranging from biological, chemical and physical, including other hazards are to be noted, keeping quality of commodities being displayed for sell and availability, adequacy and cleanliness of sanitary accommodation (toilets) and finally any other conditions that are incidental thereto.

“The Lusaka City Council therefore, is hereby encouraging business entities to follow the above outlined procedures without fail,” Ms Mwamba noted

She noted that no business premises will be issued with a Health Permit without meeting the minimum Public Health Standards.

The Local Authority has since urged the business entities to comply with the guidance and contribute positively to achieving a Green, Clean and Healthy Lusaka City.

Caritas Solwezi Director, Fr. Noel Haaninga says the current Public Order Act (PAO) is not an entirely bad document.

Speaking in an exclusive interview in Solwezi yesterday, Fr. Haaninga said the biggest problem has been the implementation of the Public Order Act by the police.

Fr. Haaninga said from his observations the people that are tasked to safe guard and implement the Public Order Act are the ones that create problems.

“The problem I think for me from my little analysis is not so much about the Public Order Act…as it is now is not an entirely bad document…as it is now there are a lot of good things that are there. The biggest problem has been the implementation of the Public Order Act,” he said.

Fr. Haaninga said even if changes are made to the current Public Order Act as long as the police remain with little knowledge on how to implement it there will always be problems.

He said the problem is that the people that are tasked to safeguard and implement the Public Order Act for the benefit of the Zambian People have little understanding of the spirit behind the Public Order Act or deliberately decide ignore to appropriately implement it.

Fr. Haaninga said previously the police abused the Public Order Act to the extent of injuring the same people they were supposed to protect.

“In the previous regime the police were too heavy handed…were too strong in the implementation of the Public Order Act so much so that what they were supposed to protect actually was injured and affected,” he said.

Fr. Haaninga said for him what is supposed to be looked at in the Public Order Act reform is its implementation by the police.

He therefore, appealed to Zambians to take part in the reform by making submissions and not to leave the reform process to the politicians.

Minister of Information and Media Chushi Kasanda has advised members of the public to be cautious when purchasing used motor vehicles from online dealers purporting to be operating in Japan.

Chushi Kasanda who is also Chief Government Spokesperson stated that the Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has received information regarding mounting complaints from Zambian citizens who have been swindled or shortchanged by unscrupulous individuals running websites purporting to sell used motor vehicles when in fact not.

Ms Kasanda added that the Government has been notified of cases involving Zambians who have not had their vehicles delivered, despite having made the payment, while some have only received their motor vehicles after intervention by our mission in Tokyo, Japan.

She noted that in view of the foregoing, the Government wishes to advise all individuals wishing to purchase used motor vehicles from Japan to contact the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Tokyo, Japan.

“For guidance on the legitimate sources to avoid loss of funds and personal inconvenience, members of the public are advised to contact the Zambian embassy in Tokyo, Japan on [email protected],” Ms Kasanda said

Ms Kasanda cited that alternatively, Zambians are advised to use the Zambia Postal Services Corporation (ZAMPOST), which has a signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with various car dealers in Japan, or to purchase their vehicles from companies with a physical presence in Zambia.

She has encouraged individuals to read online reviews of companies before engaging in business, as this will enable them to appreciate the experiences of other customers.

Ms Kasanda has since directed individuals who may prefer online purchases to deal with companies belonging to the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association (JUMVEA), an association approved by the Government of Japan.