The governing United Party for National Development (UPND) Deputy National Youth Chairman Trevor Mwiinde says his youth wing suspects foul play in the fire incident at Kapalala Market in Ndola.

Over 1000 traders have been affected by the fire which hit the wholesale area for tomatoes, cassava, charcoal and some makeshift restaurants.

Police and Ndola City Council say the cause of the fire at Kapalala Market in Masala Township, Ndola is not yet known.

After visiting Kapalala Market, Mr. Mwiinde said law enforcement agencies should investigate the cause of fire at Kapalala and bring the culprits to book.

Mr. Sialunga said UPND youths are concerned over the fire incident at Kapalala and Kapiri Mposhi Markets this week.

The UPND youth leader has told Radio Icengelo News in Ndola that fire incidents are sending many traders into suffering.

“As UPND youths we are very disturbed by the suffering the people of Kabushi Constituency are going through. We thought Kabushi Constituency was the bedroom for our colleagues PF not too long ago but look at how people are suffering. We are here to look at challenges the people of Kabushi Constituency are going through including the burning of Kapalala Market here in Masala, Ndola. It is sad to see the market burnt. It is sad for our mothers and many youths affected by the fire here at Kapalala Market. I feel the best way as a Zambian who believes in making our country prosper after seeing that they have started burning markets again like they gassed us, I want the government to look into this fire issue here at Kapalala and another fire reported at Kapiri Mposhi Market. They started by burning a market in Kapiri and now they have extended to Kapalala. We are not happy as people who want progress in the lives of people,” Mr. Mwiinde said.

“We don’t like to see people complaining or suffering as a result of this sabotage as the New Dawn government. The New Dawn government has a vision of fostering justice among all people through poverty reduction and education. Our mothers were buying books and pencils for their children through those businesses destroyed by fire at Kapalala Market. We know that many of the retirees are also here at the market selling things like salaula in order to survive. It is very unfortunate that some people have gone back to the old tactics of the PF of burning markets and disturbing the people. We as UPND youths are sworn to make sure that we live among the Zambians and deliver to their expectations,” he said.

“Our campaign message and our leader President Hakainde Hichilema, who is the Republican President, has been very clear that he doesn’t condone barbaric acts. To those involved in the burning of markets this is a shame and disappointing act if at all they are found wanting by law enforcement agencies. I don’t care which political party they are coming from, I won’t feel pity for them. Whatever has come to your mind, how can you burn a market? As UPND youths we are not happy and we will work with the government to put politics aside from markets because trading is a source of living for many people,” Mr. Mwiinde added.

Kapalala Market was again gutted by fire in August, 2017.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mwiinde has saluted a team of ministers that has visited Kapalala Market to console the aggrieved traders.

The team included Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe, Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe, Green Economy Minister Collins Nzovu, Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo, Community Development Minister Dorin Mwamba, Small and Medium enterprises Minister Elias Mubanga and Lusaka Province Minister Shelly Mulyata.

“And we don’t want anyone to politicise this issue. We thank ministers for taking their time to console the traders at Kapalala Market. The ministers did well to check on how the people at Kapalala are suffering after the fire incident. This is very disheartening and counterproductive,” Mr. Mwiinde said.

Vice President, Mutale Nalumango will tomorrow be in Ndola where she is expected to meet marketeers at Kapalala market whose goads and property were gutted in an inferno.

Over 1,200 marketeers have lost their goods and merchandise in the fire that swept through the entire market yesterday.

ZANIS reports that Copperbelt Province Minister, Elisha Matambo told the marketeers today that the Vice President will interact and give guidelines on how government intends to handle their matter.

Mr. Matambo said Mrs. Nalumango will land at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola at 09 hours, before proceeding to Kapalala market in Masala Township.

Meanwhile, Mr Matambo said government has decided to reallocate the marketeers to the newly constructed Kapalala market on Saturday this week and preparation have since advanced.

He added that government is taking measures aimed at preventing the reoccurrence of the same problem adding that permanent structures will be constructed.

Earlier traders’ representative, Teddy Mulenga said the traders have resolved to remain at Kapalala and have no plans to be moved to the new market.

Mr. Mulenga appealed for improved permanent structures at the gutted market.

The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has commended the New Dawn Government for the landmark achievements it has scored in the education sector in just one year of being in office.

CCZ President Sauros Phaika cited the free education policy as one of the milestones that the New Dawn has scored.

Reverend Phaika said this policy has enabled the poorest of Zambians in a remote rural area to attend school, a situation that will see Zambia have an educated population.

“The free policy in terms of education, allowing even those who cannot afford to go to school is something that we should take note of and recommend,” he said.

He noted that free education is the first step of other things that Government will put in place to deliver sustainable development in the country.

“They cannot do a 100 per cent but what they have done is the first step in the vision that they have for this nation and they can do much more, but we want them to know that we as a church also appreciate,” he said.

Rev Phaika also cited the recruitment of health workers and teachers as something unprecedented and commendable.

And, the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) Synod Moderator Ackson Banda reiterated the church’s commitment to supplementing the Government’s efforts in bettering the lives of communities where they operate in.

“Our operations and working with the Government are interlocked, we cannot work separately,” he said.

Rev Banda seeks to work with the government of the day in a bid to offer a well-rounded holistic approach toward bettering the lives of the people.

The two clergymen said this during the 32nd RCZ Synod Conference held under the Theme, ‘striving for wholeness.

The conference attracted participants from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa.

Meanwhile, A governance expert, Wesley Miyanda, has commended the United Party for National Development (UPND) led government for fulfilling most of the campaign promises.

Mr. Miyanda says by fulfilling most of its campaign promises the new dawn government has managed to rewrite the economic history of the country.

He observed that within a space of one year in power, the government has recruited more than 40, 000 civil servants through open and competitive processes in the education and health sectors.

The expert said the government also increased the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from K1.6-Million to K25.7-Million.

“We can’t leave out the increment of the constituency Development Fund (CDF) that has been increased from K1.6-Million to K25.7-Million which effectively actualized the decentralization,” Mr. Miyanda said.

Mr. Miyanda cited the free education from primary to secondary school, youth and women empowerment at all levels of society and concerted efforts in the fight against corruption among the fulfilled promises of the New Dawn Administration.

He noted that the presidential interactions with other international communities both within and outside the African continent are good and have helped to attract foreign investment for the country.

The activist added that in the long run these will translate into job creation and business opportunities for the people that are key ingredients for any growing economy.

He also commended the new dawn government for its commitment to dismantle unpaid benefits to retirees inherited from the previous regime.

“It should be noted here that the issue of retirees is quite critical because there are some who were retrenched in 1991. Particularly those that worked for state owned organizations such as Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZIS) and Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) that were overlooked by all these previous administrations. Unfortunately, a good number of these people have since died. So the UPND government has a very huge task to make sure all these retirees are paid their money without any further delay,” he said.

Mr. Miyanda, however, said while the UPND government has scored tremendous achievements in the few months of being in office, there was still need for the new dawn administration to quickly work on securing more drugs in health facilities and also to employ enough health personnel to attend to patients.

Vice President, Mutale Nalumango has conceded that Government needs to do more to improve on its responsiveness on matters pertaining to the girl child.

The Africa Report on Child Wellbeing 2020 ranks Zambia 37 out 52 on the continent and 14 out of 16 SADC member states relating to how friendly countries are towards girls rights. Ms Nalumango says Zambia needs to step up interventions in order to improve on its standing.

Speaking at the National Summit on Girls, The Vice President said the occasion provided an opportunity for the country to reflect on the development of wellbeing of girl children.

Mrs Nalumango said besides having good policies on the livelihood of girl children, implementation needs to take centre stage. She said as a signatory to various instruments on children, Zambia is working tirelessly to meet the commitments.

The Vice President said Government is working on improving the access to quality health care to girls especially in the rural areas. She said it is unacceptable for girls to die from preventable causes adding that it is cardinal to invest in protection of the girl child.

“If we do not invest in the children, we have no future. All of us must be sensitive to the needs and protection of all children,” she said.

Speaking at the same event Acting Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Collins Nzovu said the recent enactment of the Child Code Bill demonstrates Government’s commitment towards the livelihood of children. Mr Nzovu said Government is putting in place policies that are more children friendly.

He said despite girl children being vulnerable to vices such as child marriage, Government are taking close accountability as it addresses the numerous challenges.

Mr Nzovu added that Government also wants to create opportunities where children will participate in matters that directly involve them.

He said his ministry will not relent in its efforts to improve the welfare of the girl child.

“My Ministry will continue to work tirelessly to improve children’s welfare in general and that of girls in particular. The social cash transfer is one of the vital policy instruments that the New Dawn Administration has scaled up as part of its effort to benefit vulnerable groups,” he said.

And Africa Child Policy Forum, Executive Director, Joan Nyanyuki commended Government for efforts made in adopting legislation supporting girls rights.

“The Government of Zambia has made progress in adopting legislative and policy measures that are sensitive to advancing the rights of girls, within the broader child rights space,” Dr Nyanyuki said.

And representing the girl child, Beenzu Muzyamba said Government should contribute towards end teenage pregnancies by raising awareness of sexual reproductive health among girls.

Court bailiffs have pounced on Kapiri Mposhi Town Council seizing a motor vehicle, office furniture and computers, among others.

ZANIS reports that the bailiffs swung into action at the Civic Center around 09:00 hours , thereby grabbed a motor vehicle, Foton Light Truck registration number, BBA 3006.

Other items seized include nine computers from various offices , tables and chairs from the Council Secretary’s Office.

The bailiffs seized the property in execution of a High Court Writ of Fieri Facias ordering the local authority to pay over K 200,000 to a Naomi Nkhoma and Mercy Mwiya of Ndola as compensation for damage and injury caused involving a Council vehicle in 2017.

On 9th October 2020 the Ndola High Court ordered Kapiri Mposhi Town Council to pay the duo K 200,766 plus other costs but the local authority has to date delayed to heed to the court’s judgement.

And council workers had a tough time to conceal other council valuables from being seized.

Meanwhile, the seizure of computers has partially paralysed operations at the institution.

According to reliable sources at the Council some computers have vital information which is needed for daily operations of the local authority.

ZANIS’ efforts to get a comment from both Council Chairperson, Brilliant Munyeke and Council Secretary, Yobwe Chisamu, failed by broadcast time as they were reportedly out of town.

President Hakainde Hichilema has led tributes to the late veteran journalist and media consultant Edem Djokotoe.

The local media fraternity is mourning Mr. Djokotoe, who died late on Wednesday night at Fairview Hospital in Lusaka.

The Ghanaian born media guru had been battling colorectal cancer.

Mr. Djokotoe aged 62 was a renowned writer, educator and poet.

In his facebook post, President Hichilema praised the former journalism lecturer as a scribe who sought the truth.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of veteran journalist Edem KG Djokotoe, who passed away in Lusaka yesterday. Edem was not only a man of nobility and learning in his field, but was also an unrepentant advocate of social justice, and a defender of human rights who abhorred injustices against the people. He belonged to a generation of scribes who sought for the truth on both sides of the story and wrote the truth on both sides of the coin. There’s a lot to learn from the integrity of Edem Djokotoe. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family. May His Soul Rest in Peace,” President Hichilema wrote.

MISA Zambia Chairperson Fr. Barnabas Simatende, OMI has expressed grief over the demise of the veteran journalist and media trainer.

Fr. Simatende said MISA will remember Mr. Djokotoe for his profound contribution to MISA Zambia and the development of the media industry at large.

“We will remember him for his passion for quality journalism and leaving a footprint in the profession that is unmatched spanning from his flagship column, ‘Mind Over Matter’ and ‘Soul to Soul’ in The Post Newspaper and authoring various media literature including a handbook titled ‘An issue-based journalism’. As a Journalist, Mr. Djokotoe worked as Information Officer at the UN Information Centre, correspondent at Gemini News Service and as a newspaper and magazine feature writer. He was also the founder member of the Southern African Media Trainers Network and undertook in-service media training in the SADC region for the Nordic-SADC Journalism Trust,” Fr. Simatende stated.

Experienced journalist Henry Ngilazi said it is hard to believe that the media titan is no more.

“Edem K G Djokotoe waking up to the sad news that you have passed on. Words fail me, my lecturer, mentor and friend. It is hard to believe that the media titan is no more. I vividly remember how you vehemently refused to appear on ZNBC television for any interview back then until I had to involve your dear wife. We went on to dissect the newspapers on the Good Morning Zambia the front pages programme. You spoke your mind about pertinent national issues on this platform. Passionate as you were about the media profession, you chided journalists for focusing too much on covering politics at the expense of real social issues affecting the people. This stance made the politicians, then, uncomfortable and regrettably, our 10-minute television programme was cancelled. For years, you referred to this television segment with nostalgia and how it was pulled down by the powers that be,” Fast forward to your time as trainer in Malawi at The Nation newspaper. Hosting you in Lilongwe during your stay there and the stories we shared will forever remain etched in my memory,” Mr. Ngilazi mourned.

“Just last year ahead of the country’s General Elections, we were billed to work together on a journalism training programme under the auspices of the BBC Media Action but the project did not take off. The history of journalism in Zambia will never be told without a mention of your name. Your contribution to this sector is immeasurable. While on this earth, you blazed the trail. You trained, mentored and inspired many. For that, l salutes you. Go well Edem. Go well Mr. Djokotoe.”

Journalist Kennedy Gondwe recalled the time he spent with Djokotoe.

“Words are not enough to describe how I feel to lose a brother, a friend. I was privileged and blessed to share my life with one of the most astute journalism minds that has graced this country. The funeral is at House No. 121 Foxdale Residential Estate, Zambezi Road, in Roma, Lusaka. Burial arrangements will be advised in due course,”Mr. Gondwe said.

Kitwe’s Radio Icengelo Chief Executive Officer Fr. Lewis Mutachila hailed Djokotoe as a media guru, great trainer and educator.

“On behalf of Radio Icengelo, and indeed on my own behalf, we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to family, friends and Media fraternity for the loss of Mr. Edem Djokotoe. We are saddened that we have lost a guru, great trainer, educator, a person of immerse experience and astute person in journalism,” Fr. Mutachila said.