The Itezhi Tezhi Magistrate Court has convicted and fined two fishermen a K240, 000 each for illegal entry into the Kafue National Park and for unlawful possession of weapons.

Joseph Chinyama,24 and Bernard Kaumba ,17 of Chambondole compound in Itezhi Tezhi were charged in the first count with illegal entry into the national park, in violation of sections 18(1) and 136(a) of Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015.

Particulars in this count alleged that on August 3rd , 2022, they jointly and whilst acting together entered Kafue National Park in Itezhi Tezhi district, Southern Province, without a park entry permit issued by the Director General of the Department of National Parks.

In count two, they were charged with unlawful possession of weapons in a National park, in violation of sections 20 (1) (b) and 136 (a) of the Zambia Wildlife Act no. 14 of 2015 of Zambian laws.

The particulars of the second offence were that on August 3rd , 2022, in Itezhi Tezhi district, the duo jointly , had in their possession weapons namely dugout canoe, 2 fishing nets, and two paddling sticks.

When the case came up for a plea before magistrates Mugala Chalwe, they all readily admitted the charge and guilty pleas were recorded.

The facts presented in court were that on August 3, 2022, at approximately 15:00 hours, Gorge Sakala, an officer with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, was at Ngoma Camp when he received a report from management that there were activities going on in the Kafue National Park at Mwamalilenje.

The officer went inside the park to investigate with other officers from the anti-poaching team and confronted two guys in a dugout canoe, whom they identified as Joseph Chinyama and Bernard Kaumba.

The suspects were then transferred to Ngoma, where they were charged and arrested for the alleged crime.

They were searched and remanded in lawful custody pending a court appearance, and a seizure from which one dugout canoe, one fishing net, and two paddling poles were found and preserved as exhibits.

The accused had no reason to be in the park with the firearms.

In mitigation, all of them pleaded for leniency saying they were first offenders.

In passing judgment, magistrates Mugala Chalwe said the cases of illegal entry in the national park were too prevalent in Itezhi Tezhi

“In order to deter would be offenders, I impose K120, 000 fine for each count to be paid by each offender forthwith, in default 4 months community service, with the sentences to run concurrently” she ordered.

The Zambia National Marketeers Association (ZANAMACA) has hailed government for the 21.9 million Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission’s (CEEC’s) marketeers loan scheme.

In a statement released to the media yesterday, ZANAMACA President, Mupila Kameya said it was historical that the government under CEEC has recognized the informal sector through the provision of loans.

Mr. Kameya disclosed that the K21.9 million loan to marketers will respond to the call by ZANAMACA members for the recapitalization of their business following the impact of COVID-19 which resulted in low demand for their goods.

He recognized the willingness by government to work and consult with the private sector and also appreciates the consultative relationship that the Association currently enjoys with the Ministry of Small and Medium Entrprise Development.

Mr. Kameya reiterated the importance of marketeers, traders and small scale farmers in the informal economy whose demography is heterogeneous.

“The 21.9 million initial seed capital support to the 3,800,000 marketeers across the country by CEEC will help the marketeers business recover and grow,” Mr Kameya stated.

He noted that ZANAMACA was confident the loan scheme will go a long way to reduce income inequality and alleviate poverty in the country.

He also thanked the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development for the timely initiative.

Mr. Kameya said that ZANAMACA wants to partner with the ministry and CEEC on other programmes that respond to other plights of the informal economy.

The Itezhi Tezhi Magistrates Court has convicted and sentenced three Itezhi Tezhi residents to five years in jail and fined two others K120, 000 for unlawful possession of 810 kilograms of game meat worth K42, 448.

Adam Namilonga (57), Evans Chikubulu(22), both of Mashiya Village, Scever Chibomvu(39), of Munjita Village, Lovenes Musakabatu(46), and Kasautu Shamaundu(37), all of Mashiya Village in Chief Chilyabufu’s chiefdom, were charged with two counts.

In count one, Namilonga, Chikubulu and Chimbomvu stood charged with unlawful possession of a protected government trophy in violation of Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015.

Allegations were that on 27 February 2022 in Itezhi Tezhi, the trio jointly did possess 150 Kgs of dry Hippo meat, 53kgs of Antelope, and 113kgs of sable meat without a certificate of ownership.

In the other count, they were charged with unlawful possession of a government trophy in violation of Section 97(1) as read in conjunction with Section 136 of the Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015.

The allegations are that on the same day, Loveness Musakabantu and Kasautu Shamaundu possessed 181kgs of Hart Beast meat without a certificate of ownership.

According to the indictment meats were valued at K42, 448.

When the case was heard by Itezhi Tezhi magistrates Mugala Chalwe, first witness Nyambe Maswabi, a Senior Investigation Officer at the Department of National Parks, stated that on February 21, 2022, he received a phone call from their informant stating that a truck carrying illicit game meat was on the Itezhi Tezhi Namwala route heading to Pontoon.

He stated that he instantly summoned additional officers and proceeded to Namwala Road, where they quickly located and intercepted the truck.

He stated that they searched the vehicle and discovered lots of meat, and that the suspects were transported to Itezhi Tezhi police station.

Shebby Namukolo, the other witness, testified about the technique he used to identify various meats.

Namilonga testified in his defense that on the material day, his bull was not feeling well and was unable to walk, so he chose to kill it so he could sell the meat in Namwala, but when they arrived at Bauunza, their vehicle was intercepted and searched.

He said that he told the officers that it was cow beef and that their Veterinary Department Permission was at the police station but officers did not believe them.

Musakabantu and his companion offered a similar explanation, claiming that the meat they were transporting was from their cattle.

In mitigation, Namilonga said he was old and would not be able to handle the harsh prison life. Chikubulu said he was married with children and was caring for an elderly mother who would suffer if he was imprisoned and Chimbomvu said he was married with dependants.

Musakabantu said she was married with children while Shamaundu said he was looking after orphans.

In sentencing them, the magistrates Chalwe stated, “I have taken into consideration all that you have said in mitigation but the offences of unlawful possession of protected trophy require a mandatory sentence of five years, whereas the offence of unlawful possession government trophy requires an invariable fine of K120, 000 cash.” She stated.

She then sentenced Namilonga, Chikubulu, and Chimbomvu to five years.

As regard to Musakabantu and Shamaundu she imposed a fine of K120, 000 cash in default three years simple imprisonment

Police in Kasenengwa Town says they have detained one person for external examinations malpractice.

Zambia Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga says Faith aged 21 of Chikando Health Centre, was found in possession of a National Registration Card (NRC) of another person as she was about to write Mathematics Paper One.

The incident happened on August 10, 2022, at Chiparamba Day Secondary School when, during the routine checking of the NRCs before writing the examinations, the supervisor Leonard Banda discovered that Faith Banda’s NRC was tampered with.

Mr Hamoonga in a statement said it was also established that Faith had placed in the NRC her photo on top of another photo that belonged to Misozi Banda, her step-sister, who was the rightful candidate that was supposed to be writing the external examination.

“The supervisor Lenard Banda noticed something on the NRC for one candidate Faith Banda and when he checked he discovered that her photo was placed on top of another photo. It was further established that the owner of the NRC Banda Misozi is her step sister and she was writing for her,” he said.

The Police Spokesperson further said it was later discovered that the suspect had already written Zambian language and Biology and only remained with Mathematics papers one and two.

Mr Hamoonga said Faith has since been detained in police custody waiting to be charged and arrested accordingly.

A two years seven months old boy has died of suffocation after his 22 years old mother with the help of her lover pressed a pillow on him.

The 22 year old woman was identified as Mosowe Maeke of unmarked house in Kamwala South while the child was identified as Sangwani Chabinga.

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.

Mr Hamoonga stated that the deceased’s body was deposited in University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary awaiting post-mortem.

“A docket of the case has since been opened and the suspect together with her lover are detained in police custody,” he said