Government says that Zambia’s participation in global aviation meetings at the forthcoming 41st Session of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will help accelerate the country’s aspiration of becoming a regional transport and logistics hub in the region.

Ministry of Transport and Logistics Permanent Secretary, Fredrick Mwalusaka said it is important that Zambia is represented during such high level meetings to keep abreast with global trends within the aviation industry, which is a highly regulated sector.

Mr MwaLusaka made the remarks when he paid a courtesy call on Zambia’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Inonge Mwenya at the Chancery in Pretoria.

Mr. Mwalusaka said Zambia’s participation in such meetings is crucial as the country works towards becoming a transport and logistics hub in the region.

This according to a statement released to the media by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria South Africa Tamara Nyirenda yesterday.

“We are scheduled to participate in the ICAO Assembly in Canada, with representation from various sections within the industry. As you know, ICAO is very much involved in the regulation of the aviation sector. It is important that we attend this meeting because aviation is one of the sectors which is highly regulated and ICAO plays a pivotal role in that regard and so, it is important that we go and represent Zambia”. He said.

And speaking earlier Ms. Mwenya reiterated the Mission’s commitment to continue playing its part in ensuring the enhancement of ties between Zambia and South Africa in various areas including aviation.

“The ICAO Assembly is the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s sovereign body. This year’s ICAO Assembly will be held from 27th September to 7th October 2022 in Montréal, Canada at which Zambia will be represented,” she said.

Ms Mwenya explained that the Assembly meets at least once every three years and is convened by ICAO’s governing body, the Council. ICAO’s 193 Member States and a large number of international organisations are invited to the Assembly, which establishes the worldwide policy of the Organisation for the upcoming triennium.

She added that during Assembly Sessions, ICAO’s complete work programme in the technical, economic, legal and technical cooperation fields is reviewed in detail.

Ms Mwenya said that the outcomes of the Assembly outcomes are provided to the other bodies of ICAO and to its Member States in order to guide their continuing and future work, as prescribed in Article 49 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

She noted that each Member State is entitled to one vote on matters before the Assembly, and decisions at these Sessions are taken by a majority of the votes cast, except where otherwise provided for in the Convention.

The Office of the Public Protector has advised the general public to utilize its services in ensuring that they receive deliverables from public institutions.

Chief Investigations Officer Bwalya Siulanda says her office is mandated to investigate individuals’ complaints against the public authority in an effort to deter misconduct in all public institutions.

The Office of the Public Protector has since intensified sensitization meetings for people in formal and informal sectors to be enlightened on where to report cases as well as the procedures to follow.

Speaking during a sensitization meeting for Heads of Government Departments in Kasama, Mrs Siulanda emphasised that her office plays a key role in protecting ordinary members of the Public from maladministration and promoting an efficient and quality public service delivery system.

“The office of the public protector was established to assist ordinary people to be able to articulate complaints of maladministration against the government,” said Mrs Siulanda.

Meanwhile, Northern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Lewis Mwape called on the Office of the Public Protector to hold more community outreach programmes to make up for the limited accessibility in the province.

Mr. Mwape noted that the institution should not only consider raising awareness among public service workers but ordinary citizens as well.

“The office of the public protector needs to do a lot of work because very few people are aware that there exists such an institution,” Mr Mwape noted.

And speaking on behalf of the participants, Kasama Municipal Council Director for Administration, Catherine Kavungu appealed to government to consider decentralizing the institution.

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Ms Kavungu said that this will enhance service delivery and promote adherence to prescribed standards and systems among public institutions.

President Hakainde Hichilema has encouraged Minister of Youth , Sport and Arts Elvis Nkandu and his family to take heart, remain strong and seek comfort from God as they mourn their departed daughter .

President Hichilema stressed that it is a difficult experience for the family but that they should find encouragement in God’s strength.

President Hichilema said this today, in a speech read for him by Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe who led 7 other cabinet Ministers during the burial of Mr Nkandu’s daughter at Ndola’s hillcrest Cemetery.

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President Hichilema emphasized on the family to remain steadfast and resolute as they grieve the departed loved one.

Copperbelt Minister, Elisha Matambo described the death of Precious Nkandu as a tragedy, saying she had passed on at a tender age.

United Party for National Development (UPND) Women National Chairperson Glady Tavaris also comforted the family of the sports Minister to remain strong.

Mr. Nkandu’s daughter, Precious Nkandu 28, died on Monday, August 15, 2022 at Ndola Teaching Hospital after a short illness.

President Hakainde Hichilema has thanked the Southern African Development Community(SADC) regional heads for the role they played in ensuring smooth transition of power in last year’s general elections that ushered him into office.

President Hichilema said the successful democratic elections held in Zambia is testimony that the SADC region and Africa as a whole is capable to upholding democratic tenets.

ZANIS reports that the President said this in his maiden speech during the 42nd Ordinary Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“Thank you very much for your support. Most appreciated. I want to indicate that this is not a Democratic measure of success to Zambia alone, but to all of you in the SADC region, to Africa.

“In this regard, I wish to commend particularly SADC for your support during our elections, I must say before, during and after our elections, we are most grateful for the support and indeed without your support, It could have been extremely difficult because the country was going through a challenging democratic situation at the time,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema expressed concern about the food insecurity that has affected most African countries arising from the Ukraine-Russia war.

He said the lesson learnt from the impact of the war is that Africa should look within itself for solutions by investing in its people for increased agricultural productivity.

“We must look into ourselves before anywhere else to ensure that our people are secure, secure in terms of food, secure in terms of other essentials. This is really our noble duty and together we are capable of achieving that level of security for people,” President Hichilema said.

Mr Hichilema further called for the prioritizing of investment in technology in the SADC region in order to bring an end to the exportation of minerals and other resources in their raw form.

“We must bring in technology that will allow us to add value to these raw materials and stop the raw exports that have been going on in our continent for centuries, and really bring the added value that we so desire,” he said.

The President added that there is need to invest in human development, as people are the greatest asset that can drive the SADC region’s aspirations of increased agricultural productivity, processing and industralisation.

The Head of State also called for the preservation of peace and security in the SADC region stating that instability in any of the member countries is a threat to the peace and security of the entire region.

He stated that the SADC region cannot afford to under-perform in the area of peace and security in its quest to uplift the living standards of the people in the region.

“Please, let’s continue pushing this issue of stability and security, which will allow us the opportunity to invest in our economies, to uplift the lives of our people and to give our people a chance for that kid to go to school, and after school get a job, or indeed, a business opportunity and I think we must really push this subject,” he said.

During the Summit Malawi’s President, Lazarous Chakwera handed over the SADC chair to host President, Felix Tshitsekedi.

In accepting the SADC chairmanship, President Tshitsekedi committed himself to ensuring the SADC attains the objectives of promoting industrialization through agro processing, mineral beneficiation and regional value chains.

He pledged that DRC Congo will work closely with all SADC member states in striving towards the achievement of the regional integration agenda.

President Tshitsekedi said industrialization and regional chains are pivotal in fostering integration in SADC member states.

He thanked SADC, particularly Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania for supporting DRC Congo in its conflict with Rwanda in the Eastern part of the country.

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.”