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Thursday, August 21, 2025
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Former PF Mayor Praise HH for record recruitment of Workers within a year

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Former Muchinga Province Mayor and Provincial Patriotic Front(PF) Treasurer Thomas Mutale has hailed the United Party for National Development (UPND’) s good governance record within one year in power .

Mr Mutale has also praised President Hakainde Hichilema for the various socio-economic developments that he has initiated just within one year as head of state.

Mr Mutale told ZANIS in Chinsali yesterday, that the UPND government under the leadership of President Hichilema has recorded a good number of developments in almost all the sectors of the economy.

He mentioned the provision of bursaries and scholarships through Constituency Development Fund (CDF) which he said has enabled many young people in the country and the province to access tertiary education.

Mr Mutale added that the free education and the employment of over 40 thousand Zambian citizens in both education and the health sectors is a milestone which the Zambian citizens should be proud of as it will remain a history in the country.

“For the first time in the country we have seen a huge recruitment of civil servants which has never happened with these other past governments since Zambia got independence,” Mr Mutale said.

The former Mayor added that in just one year, people’s lives have been changed in many ways.

He further challenged other political parties to emulate what the UPND has done saying politics of just talking should not be entertained instead politicians should focus on what the people want and implement various projects if they want to win the people’s hearts.

And a senior citizen has described the UPND as a party for the people.

Agness Mwansa said the UPND has already fulfilled most of its campaign promises to the Zambian people.

“On 24th August this year, the UPND will be turning one year in office with the massive development done so far,” she said.

She said the recent involvement of the young people in the National Census of Population and Housing is a plus as most young people are not employed.

“The act will help young people raise some money once they are paid and I’m sure most of them will invest the money in various businesses which will help them be busy instead of indulging themselves in bad habits,” Ms. Mwansa said.

Ms Mwansa added that given more time the UPND will develop the country as this is evident from what the party has implemented so far since August 2021 when they were voted in.

She further called on residents to support the UPND government as it continues to implement its party manifesto.

President Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in as Zambia’s seventh President on 24 August 2021, after winning a landslide victory.

The imbalanced trade partnership between Zambia and India in favor of the Asian nation.

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By Edward Chisanga

As our new government reanimates trade partnership with longstanding friends like India, under vigorous and undeniably fitting slogan, “Value addition,” it would be rewarding to look at statistics that drive such relationship in comparison with public statements made. I use UNCTADstat data to analyze the pattern of exports of primary commodities on the one hand, and manufactured goods on the other, between the two over the period of close to three decades, 1995-2021.

First, I show that according to Unctadstat, India’s world exports of manufactured goods totaling $242 billion in 2021 is quite high and not far from Africa’s world total exports of all products amounting to $380 billion shown in Table 1 below. In other words, India’s journey towards export value addition in comparison with Africa is exceedingly successful. Africa’s exports of manufactured goods of only $31 billion is a speckle.

Table 1: India, Africa world exports of manufactured goods in US$ Billions

   

2021

India Manufactured goods

242

hAfrica Primary commodities

380

Source: Unctadstat

Second and more importantly, and close to home, while Indian and Zambian leaders trumpet strong and symbiotic political relationship, that, unfortunately tends to be blighted by perpetuated gross asymmetries in trade. India will correctly boast about its trade preferences offered to Zambia under the least developed country arrangement, which grants almost free market access for exports from our country. But like other available trade preferences in the world, in the USA, EU, China, etc, none has really helped Zambia to export value added products in a robust and qualitative manner.
As Figure 1 below shows, India’s exports of manufactured goods to Zambia overshadow by far those of primary commodities. Although in the World Trade Organization (WTO), where India and Zambia sit together as developing countries and in a combined way complain against uneven trade with the USA or developed countries, that configuration is abundantly present at South-South trade level. And, it is growing, not declining. India like China are strong supporters of least developed countries in WTO, arguing that the West should accompany their generous free market access with support for value addition for Zambia but at their end do little to translate words into action.

In the WTO and other international meetings, India and least developed countries will often speak with one voice to ask the West to provide technology transfer to help poor countries enter value addition and networks. Response by rich countries is often, “Governments have no control over private technology which belongs to private companies. The same language is spilling into South-South partnerships between poor and more advanced. In Zambia, any amount of manufacturing, small as it is seems to be more in the hands of our Indian-Zambian colleagues than ourselves. Obviously, they must be getting support from India. The same support can be rendered to us.
In Figure 2 below, I show the opposite picture of Zambia’s trade partnership with India. I show that Zambia’s exports are dominated by primary commodities leaving manufactured goods with only dots over the years. Of course, I largely blame the Zambian private sector which is often affluent in words and not so in action, for, like elsewhere not taking advantage of free market access. It is incomprehensive why for almost 60 years since Indian manufacturing business through our colleagues was introduced in Zambia, Zambians like me have not copied like Indians and Chinese do. In one of my previous articles, I expressed worry that once the Chinese and their shopping malls leave Zambia, I wonder if we’ll see similar products like rakes, hoes, etc produced by our brothers and sisters with same quality.

Let me conclude by reminding myself that the buck stops at Zambia and Zambians. But, let me suggest that India spends more time on these bilateral meetings with counterparts in Zambia to colloquy concrete steps that it can take to contribute to Zambia’s pursuit of value addition because it is correctly positioned to do so? Mauritius today is one of Africa’s champions of value addition. It’s progressing slowly but surely. The content of its world exports of manufactured goods in total in proportional terms is much higher than that for Zambia.
It would be difficult to argue that India is not involved. What lessons can Zambian private sector draw from Mauritius? I don’t hear stories about Mauritius from Zambian private sector. I don’t hear about visits to that country to learn how private sector is breaking through in value addition. Yet, collaboration between Zambia’s private sector, its Mauritian and Indian counterparts is what may provide a break through for us.
I would ensure establishment of memorandum of understanding in value addition with Mauritius and India. One of India’s reasons for success in value addition is its history of Indians working in the US Silicon Valley, learning and exporting manufacturing knowledge back to India. Can India replicate this in our favor by inviting Zambian students and workers into its “Indian Silicon Valley” as opposed to acquiring generalized or non-mathematics and science courses?

ZNS introduces life skills training in fish farming to its officers who are about to retire

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The Zambia National Service (ZNS) Command has introduced life skills training in fish farming to its officers who are about to retire.

ZNS Lieutenant General Maliti Solochi says the Command has already dug six big fish ponds where fish rearing is done to promote fish farming in the country.

General Solochi says this is in line with the government’s policy of promoting fish farming to create jobs to fight poverty in the country.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony of 30 ZNS Officers at breathing farm in Chilanga district, General Solochi said government has taken fish farming as a serious business to foster development.

General Solochi said this in a speech read for him by Colonel Killian Mukonka at a ceremony where 30 ZNS Officers are about to retire.

He explained that ZNS has so far constructed six fish ponds in the Chanyanya area in Kafue district to reduce the fish deficit in the country.

General Solochi added that the Command believes the initiative will boost food security in the country and that small and Medium Enterprises especially youths will benefit from the scheme.

“As ZNS Command we want to prepare men and women in Uniform who are about to retire with life skills in fish farming to sustain their livelihoods,” he said.

General Solochi further explained that the Command wants to ensure that the lives of its officers are taken care of even after retirement.

He noted that his Command engaged Collins Kachaka who is an expert and consultant in aqua culture to teach Officers on how to start fish farming.

And Breathing fish farming proprietor Collins Kachaka praised ZNS for engaging in aqua culture as it is a flexible and profitable venture that anyone can do even from the back yard of a home.

Dr Kachaka indicated that government can create jobs for its people through fish farming adding that his fish farming is a centre of excellence as it hosts a cross section of society in the country and beyond.

He encouraged cooperatives to access Constituency Development funds (CDF) to venture into fish farming for their financial independence and foster economic development.

Dr Kachaka also called on youths to consider venturing into fish farming for their sustenance.

“You know that fish farming is not labour intensive hence the need for ZNS officers who are about to retire to grab the opportunity by buying land and start farming immediately,” he said.

Meanwhile, ZNS Colonel Oscar Nobu, 53, praised the programme as it will secure Officers’ lives after retirement.

“This is a preparatory step of my retirement as this knowledge I have acquired in fish farming will help me cope with life after retirement,” he said.

He explained that the four-days training was educational and praised the ZNS Command for the initiative to prepare its officers in life skills especially after retirement.

Chembe district in need of a school for children with disabilities

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Chembe Member of Parliament Cliff Mpundu is saddened by the lack of adequate infrastructure for special education in the district.

Mr. Mpundu observed that with the government’s policy on inclusive education through the integration of children whose learning disabilities are mild and moderate into ordinary schools, it will be difficult to be inclusive if infrastructure is inadequate.

“These children have different needs and each need should have its own class so that the children can learn well and receive the much needed attention but with inadequate infrastructure it will be difficult,” he explained.

Speaking at Chembe Primary School Special Unit where he visited and interacted with children with special needs, Mr. Mpundu also bemoaned the inadequate number of special education teachers in the district.

Mr Mpundu disclosed that the district only has eight special education teachers against 190 pupils who need special care and that of the eight four teachers hold administrative positions.

“There is a need to recruit more teachers in this sector so that children receive quality education just like the other ordinary pupils,” he recommended.

And Acting Chembe District Education Standard Officer Joshua Manda explained that the entire district only has one established special education unit at Chembe Primary School with 15 out of 190 pupils while the rest of the children are in various schools dotted around the district.

“This special education unit here at Chembe Primary School has a number of needs such as mattresses, and toys for the children because they cannot learn for long hours and some of them who have cerebral palsy need to lie down most of the time,” Mr. Manda explained.

He further explained that there is a need for the establishment of special education units in other schools where there are children with special needs.

Mr Mpundu also donated some exercise books, sporting equipment to selected schools and a wheelchair to 20-year-old Juliet Chama, a physically challenged girl of Kasoma Lwela.

Review of the national policy on environment very important

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The Muchinga Province administration says the region is experiencing an increase in environmental challenges which are imposing a complexity of impacts due to inter-linkages with social and economic factors.

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule says among the notable environmental challenges include deforestation and forest degradation, climate change, wetlands destruction among other.

Mr Mukungule said this in a speech read on his behalf yesterday by the Provincial Deputy Permanent Secretary Mathews Chilekwa during the provincial stakeholders consultation on the revision of 2007 National Policy on Environment held at JESIMS Lodge in Chinsali.

The environmental challenges faced in the province has made it difficult for government to address developmental issues such as poverty alleviation, human health improvement and access to energy for sustainable social economic development.

Since the development of the National Policy on Environment in 2007, there has been unprecedented level of development in various sectors of the economy which has impacted heavily on the environment.

“Government under the able leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema is also aware of these challenges and is committed to address the various environmental challenges the country is faced with,” he said.

Mr Mukungule added that government has embarked on the review of the National Policy on environment to align it with the overall vision of the new Dawn government and to address the recent developments at global level.

“Am confident that these measures taken by government will contribute significantly to address the various environmental challenges, promote effective sustainable use of the environment and facilitating economic growth in a clean, green and sustainable way,” he added.

And Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Principal Environmental Management Officer Absalom Sakala appealed to various stakeholders to attach great importance to the consultations on the review of the national policy on environment.

Mr. Sakala said there is need for stakeholders to be involved so that their views can be included in the policy as the policy is focusing on the environment.

“All the ten (10) provinces are covered because we want each and every province to be part of this process so that the input that the provinces submit are a true reflection of the people from various provinces,” he said.

Mr Sakala further added that so far the teams in all the provinces have received overwhelming response adding that once compiled the policy will be a true reflection of what the people want to be in the document.

The stakeholders consultation on the revision of 2007 national policy on environment is also taking place in other provinces throughout the country.

Sinkamba calls for auditing of the Black Mountain mining operations

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Opposition Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has called for the auditing of the Black Mountain mining operations. Mr. Sinkamba says auditing the operations will make it easy to tell the impact of the empowerment programme.

The opposition leader said in an interview that black mountain was a public resource and was hopeful that the office of the Auditor General will take keen interest by initiating an audit on the resource.

“The Auditor General’s office should not ignore the auditing of the ongoing mining operations at Kitwe’s Black Mountain in the forthcoming
auditing of the mining sector so that stakeholders can appreciate how proceeds from the resource are being used,” He said.

Currently it was difficult to tell the impact of the 30 per cent black mountain empowerment on the communities because there
is no evaluation system put in place.

The Black Mountain Empowerment initiative was just like other empowerment initiatives such as the Citizens Empowerment funds.

“So in terms of the black mountain you are talking about government having handed over a public resource to a group of youths to exploit
it and empower themselves, what has been given is not different from what government gives through the Citizens Economic Empowerment funds, except that through the citizen economic empowerment funds it is hard cash that is given to the youths,” He said.

He said there was need for the New Dawn government to ensure accountability on the mining activities at the black mountain if
people are to trust the regime.

But spokesperson for the Black Mountain mining Consortium Kangwa Kamando has welcomed the audit saying the consortium
has nothing to hide as it has managed the empowerment initiative as planned.

Mr. Kamando however said the audit should be extended to the other two times the black mountain empowerment initiative was carried out under the previous regime.

GBFC Coach Haalubono Toasts CAF Womens Champions League Qualification

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Green Buffaloes Women Team coach Charles Haalubono has saluted his team’s qualification to the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League to be hosted by Morocco.

Buffaloes’ place at the CAF Women’s Champions League was guaranteed on Thursday after Mamelodi Sundowns finished top of Group A at the ongoing COSAFA Women’s Champions League in South Africa.

Haalubono said Buffaloes were excited to qualify for the CAF Champions League.

“We are excited as a team. We knew that it was not going to be easy to qualify for the club championship but we thank God it has happened. We are really very happy,” he said.

He also declared his team ready to Sundowns in the COSAFA Women’s Champions League on Saturday.

Buffaloes and Sundowns have reached the COSAFA Champions League final and will face off on Saturday at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban.

“This is the right moment to beat those (Sundowns). We came here to come and win. That was our main objective. Last year, we reached the semifinals, this year we said we should reach the final and be able to win it,” Haalubono said.

Findings show that there is increased women perpetrators of child sexual abuse

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Ndola District Child Protection Unit‘s Chairperson Charles Mwambo says his unit is concerned there is an increase in the number of women perpetrators of child sexual abuse.

Speaking in an interview Pastor. Mambo says according to statistics gathered, reports of male children being violated by an adult female are being recorded every three months.

The clergyman also lamented that defilement cases are on the increase in the district of which reports are being recorded on a daily basis.

He has described the prevalence of sexual abuse involving children as alarming.

“Child sexual abuse includes sexual activities like inappropriately touching of private parts of children, molestation, sodomy, pornography, and cyber acts.

“ It also traumatizes the victims and survivors are at greater risk of developing psychiatric disorders, such as personality disorders,” he explained.

Pastor Mwambo has emphasized on the need by stakeholders and government to attach urgency to the prevalence of incident rates.

Meanwhile, pastor. Mwambo has proposed to constituencies in the district to consider allocating part of the funds disbursed by government under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

He has observed that the country does not have infrastructure to house children who are victims of sexual abuse and undergo rehabilitation.

He said the world is becoming dynamic and communities need to be ahead of current trends

Choma NGO requests govt to invite Patricia Scotland

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A civil society organization in Choma has asked government to facilitate the invitation of Commonwealth secretary general Patricia Scotland to Zambia following the decision by senior Chief Hamusonde of Bweengwa in Monze to confer her with status of headwoman.

Youth Development Organisation Executive Director Partner Siabutuba says the symbolic gesture by senior Chief Hamusonde to recognize the Commonwealth secretary general for her critical role in facilitating a peaceful and smooth environment leading to the 2021 general elections remains incomplete until she is personally conferred with headwoman status by the traditional leader.

Mr Siabutuba has told ZANIS in Choma today that senior Chief Hamusonde should be praised for taking an initiative to publicly acknowledge Ms Scotland’s role in Zambia’s peaceful and smooth transition before, during and after the 2021 general elections adding that peace should never be taken for granted.

ZANIS reports that senior Chief Hamusonde conferred the status of headwoman on Ms Scotland during last Sunday’s Lwiindi Lwanza traditional ceremony held at Bweengwa in Monze.

Mr Siabutuba suggests that the action should be followed by the visit of Ms Scotland to Bweengwa so that the necessary traditional formalities of installation of head woman can be done.

He said it would also be interesting to see the traditional leader be assigned subjects and a village as per local custom.

Justice must prevail in the matter in which Diamond TV reporter was injured by protesting bus drivers

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Anglican Priest Fr. John Emmanuel Kapambwe has demanded that justice prevails in the matter in which Diamond TV reporter Ms. Charlotte Sichuunda was injured as she covered protesting bus drivers and their conductors over reduced bus fares in Ndola this week.

Ms. Sichuunda was hit with a stone on the nose as she was filming the protest on Tuesday morning just before Transport Minister Frank Tayali addressed the aggrieved bus drivers and conductors.

Despite being discharged from hospital on the same day, Ms. Sichunda is complaining of headaches and has a swollen face.

Commenting on the development, Fr. Kapambwe of Mkushi in Central Province said the assaulting of Ms. Sichuunda is an infringement on media freedom.

He said the assault and harassment of the media practitioner is a clear indication that the rights of Journalists in Zambia are not protected.

Fr. Kapambwe said it is unfair to stone a journalist who went as a neutral person on a scene to perform her professional duties.

He has since appealed to the Police to bring the culprit to book and ensure that justice prevails.

Fr. Kapambwe said ignoring the injuring of Ms. Sichuunda will instill fear in the journalists and it will make them ineffective.

“The incident that happened on 9th August 2022 at Mulungushi Bus station in Ndola involving the Diamond TV Reporter Ms. Charlotte Sichunda who was injured by the protesting bus operators is saddening. It is a clear indication that the Rights of Journalists are not protected. It is unfair to stone a journalist who came as a neutral person on a scene to perform her professional duty. The bus operators must protest in a professional way. There is an appropriate manner that can be used to express grievances,” Fr. Kapambwe said.

“It is unfortunate that we have not heard any report from the Police. I call upon the relevant authorities to make sure that the culprits are brought to book so that justice prevails. If this is ignored it means we are instilling fear in the journalists and it will make them ineffective. I further call upon the leaders of the bus operators to regulate the unruly behavior of the bus operators. I appeal to all the citizens to support and protect the journalists. They are key stakeholders doing a great job that must be appreciated by a well meaningful Zambian,” he said.

The stoning of Ms. Sichunda was earlier condemned by Ndola Press Association (NPA) President Frank Ching’ambu.

“The Ndola Press Association -NPA is appalled with the behaviour of protesting bus drivers and their conductors at Ndola’s Mulungushi bus station which has resulted in the injury of one of our Members Ms. Charlotte Sichuunda. It is unfortunate that Sichunda has been injured while performing her noble duty of informing the nation on an important matter. It is unfortunate that the drivers and their conductors resorted to throwing stones and among other objects while Minister of Transport and Logistics Frank Tayali was addressing their leadership. We want to remind our sources and the general public that Journalists are not harmful but neutral players who will ever be present on such gatherings for theirs is to inform, educate and entertain,” Mr. Ching’ambu said.

“It is actually the duty of everyone to protect Journalists as they execute their duties. Further, we want to call on media houses to invest in the safety of Journalists even as they are deployed to perform their role of informing, educating and entertaining the masses. We call upon the bus Operators association to term their members and dialogue with relevant stakeholders on the matter rather than resorting to throwing stones on innocent citizens. In the same vein, we call upon the police to move in and bring the culprits to book as letting them go Scot free is a threat to the free and independent media landscape. An attack on one journalist is an attack on all journalists, “he said.

MISA Zambia condemns the threats issued against CITY TV reporter by Kasama DC

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MISA Zambia has condemned the threats issued against CITY TV reporter Wellington Chanda by the Kasama District Commissioner Elizabeth Goma and some Provincial Youth leaders from the United Party for National Development (UPND).

Mr. Chanda, a CITY TV reporter based in Kasama wrote a story on some youths in Kasama District expressing dissatisfaction over the outcome of the selection process to recruit supervisors and enumerators in the 2022 Census.

This development has prompted the DC and the Provincial Youth Chairperson, Mr. Paul Mulenga to threaten the reporter.

Other party officials involved are Moses Kanyanta, Deputy Provincial Youth Chairperson and Doreen Namuchenje, Provincial Chairperson for Women.

MISA Zambia Chairperson Fr. Barnabas Simatende, OMI said threats against reporters are disturbing and retrogressive to the development of the media sector.

Fr. Simatende said acts against reporters from the DC and UPND officials are also an attack on President Hakainde Hichilema who has been expressing his commitment towards the enjoyment of freedom of expression and freedom of the media.

“Such acts are disturbing and retrogressive to the development of the media sector and an infringement to freedom of expression. The acts are also an attack to the Head of State following his commitment towards the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms of expression and the media. We wish to remind the DC that media freedom and freedom of expression is a constitutional right that should be enjoyed by every Zambian. Madam Elizabeth Goma overstepped her boundaries and her actions should not be tolerated in any functioning democracy. Her actions are not only an infringement to media freedoms but also a thorn to democracy. Further, we wish to express disappointment with the UPND Kasama District Provincial Youth Leadership for threatening Mr Chanda’s life. What the UPND in Kasama needs to understand is that Mr Chanda was only doing his job of informing the public,” Fr. Simatende said.

“The actions by Mr Paul Mulenga, Mr Moses Kanyanta and Madama Doreen Namuchenje are undemocratic and an attack on the office of the President. The Head of State has on a number of times stressed the need to enjoy fundamental freedoms of the media and freedom of expression which we strongly believe are key tenets of democracy. The Provincial Youth Chairperson and his compatriots have no right to demand that Mr Chanda should always consult them each time he wants to issue a statement concerning the youths in the district. The youths have a constitutional right to enjoy these fundamental rights such as the access to information that allows making informed decisions.”

Fr. Simatende added:”We note with sadness that the three-party leaders mentioned have threatened to deal with Mr Chanda by applying politics against him and further stating that caderism has not ended.Mr Chanda has on a number of times received threats of all forms from the provincial youth leadership. We have been informed that some youths have been mobilized and ordered to beat Mr Chanda for giving youths a platform to voice out. We would further like to bring this matter to the attention of the President and the UPND leadership to discipline the leaders in question as their actions do not reflect the true reason why Zambians voted for them.”

ECZ Sets 15th September as dates for Kabushi Constituency and Kwacha Constituency by-elections

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The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set Thursday 15th September 2022 as the date on which to hold the Kabushi Constituency and Kwacha Constituency by-elections on the Copperbelt Province in Ndola and Kitwe respectively.

The recently nullified Parliamentary Seats in Kabushi and Kwacha were held by former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo and former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji respectively.

PF lost the seats after the Constitutional Court upheld the High Court’s decision to nullify the election of Mr. Lusambo and Mr. Malanji last year.

ECZ Corporate Affairs Manager Patricia Luhanga said nominations for the two by-elections will be conducted on Thursday, 25th August, 2022.

“Notice is hereby given to the general public that the Electoral Commission of Zambia has prescribed Thursday 15th September 2022 as the date on which to hold the Kabushi Constituency and Kwacha Constituency by-elections in Ndola, and Kitwe City Councils respectively of the Copperbelt Province. The polls will take place from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours. Nominations for the said by-elections will be conducted on Thursday, 25th August 2022. The vacancies in Kabushi and Kwacha Constituencies have arisen after the nullification of the elections for the respective Constituencies,” Ms. Luhanga said.

She also announced that ECZ has suspended the continuous registration of voters in Kitwe and Ndola with immediate effect due to the scheduled by-elections.

“The Electoral Commission of Zambia would like to further announce the suspension of continuous registration of voters in Kitwe and Ndola with immediate effect due to the scheduled by-elections in line with Section 12 of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016. The voter registration exercise will resume on 16th September 2022 after the polls,” she said.

Ms. Luhanga highlighted requirements for the candidates ahead of the nomination day.

“Aspiring candidates in the by-elections should lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed before a Magistrate, Local Court Magistrate, Head of a Government Primary or Secondary School, Principal of a College, Commissioner for Oaths, Election Officer or returning officer on Thursday, 25th August, 2022 between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours. 2 Male aspiring candidates for the Parliamentary by-election will be required to pay Fifteen Thousand Kwacha (K15,000), while Female and Youth aspiring candidates are expected to pay Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred Kwacha (K13,500) non-refundable nomination fee,”

“All Candidates in the by-elections must also present certified copies of their Grade 12 Certificates, as a minimum academic qualification or equivalent. In view of this, the Commission wishes to advise aspiring candidates who may wish to contest in these by-elections that failure to comply with these requirements shall render the nomination papers null and void. Media personnel and Registered Non-Governmental Organisations wishing to monitor/observe the elections are advised to apply for accreditation in the respective districts which will take place from Monday 22nd August to Wednesday 24th August 2022, for Nominations and Monday 12th to Wednesday 14th September 2022 for the Polls,” Ms. Luhanga said.

She reminded all political parties and candidates to adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct.

“Accreditation for participating political party officials or representatives of candidates wishing to monitor elections in the districts shall only be up to a maximum of 10 members per political party. Please note that only a maximum of 5 accredited members per political party or candidate and two accredited representatives of NGOs shall be authorised to represent their respective political parties or NGOs at the Collation Centre (Totaling Centre). Only five (5) senior officials of any participating political party or candidate with Electoral Commission of Zambia accreditation will be allowed to accompany aspiring candidates into the Nomination Centre during the filing of nominations. The rest of the supporters should remain outside the 400-meter parameter from the Nomination Centre in accordance with the law. Note that the campaign period for these elections commences on Thursday 25th August 2022 after 15:00 hours and will end at 18:00 hours on Wednesday, 14th September 2022. All political parties/candidates are expected to adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct that is contained in the schedule of the Electoral Process Act No.35 of 2016. In addition, not more than two (2) political party members/candidate representatives per participating political party/candidate shall be allowed to witness the counting of votes at the Polling Station,” she concluded.

Medical doctors angered by Sylvia Masebo’s accusations

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The Zambia Medical Association is dismayed with the choice made by Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo to address the medical profession in extremely unflattering terms, in full view of its members and through a live broadcast carried by the press and social media during its Annual General Meeting recently.

The Association says it has taken particular exception to unsubstantiated allegations, made by Ms. Masebo during the Minister’s remarks at the recently held 58th ZMA Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting in Livingstone.

It has cited insinuations that the chronic and critical shortages of drugs and medical supplies in public institutions is a result of pilfering by healthcare workers. The Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo accused doctors in senior management positions within the Ministry structures and allied statutory bodies of running down the health system. She also accused medical doctors of stealing government time by undertaking Private Practice during work hours.

ZMA Secretary General Dr. Roy Tolopu said ZMA’s first and overriding concern is the potential long-standing damage caused by erroneous statements made by high-level officials whose official capacity commands the public trust.

He said that to be accused of stealing from a system that doctors are breaking their backs to support is nothing short of a slap in the face saying doctors have done a great deal to improve functions and decrease mortality and morbidity in centers throughout the country, often finding creative ways to do so when Government Grants have been delayed or diminished.

GBFC Women’s Qualify For 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League

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Green Buffaloes have qualified for the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League to be hosted by Morocco.

Buffaloes’ place at the CAF Women’s Champions League was guaranteed on Thursday after Mamelodi Sundowns finished top of Group A at the ongoing COSAFA Women’s Champions League in South Africa.

Buffaloes and Sundowns have reached the COSAFA Champions League final and will face off on Saturday at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban.

The Zambian champions on Tuesday advanced to the COSAFA Women’s Champions League final after beating Olympique de Moroni of Comoros 0-4 in their last group match in South Africa.

The Zambia Army club finished top of Group B with six points while Sundowns won Group A with four points from two games, thanks to their superior goal difference over Double Action Ladies of Botswana.

Sundowns are the defending champions of both the CAF and COSAFA Champions League.

Repair works on the TAZARA railway line almost complete

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Repair works on the damaged Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) Railway line across Chambeshi river in Muchinga Province, are nearing completion.

Government has  engaged a Chinese company,  Jiangsu Gold Civil Construction to carry out the repair works at a cost of 1.6 million United States dollars.

 Muchinga Province Assistant Secretary Chiwele Kondomone who inspected the repair works today has confirmed  that government wants the repair works completed as soon as possible.

Mr. Kondomone said suspension of train movements has greatly affected the movement of goods and services to and from the port of Dar-salaam in Tanzania.

Accompanied by Kanchibiya district commissioner Chrispin Chilekwa , the Assistant Secretary said asked the contractor to ensure that works are completed within August  as scheduled.

“Government want to see this project completed as soon as possible so as to allow the resumption of both goods and passenger trains which were suspended last year,” said Mr. Kondomone.

TAZARA Clerk of Works Sternly Shimishi said progress has been  made on the project adding that  from the time steel members fabricated in South Africa arrived on site, much progress has been made on the project.

Project Consultant Caron Kasumba said repairs works are expected to be completed on August 30 this month.

 Kasumba said works are progressing well with all engineering details required being taken seriously stressing that the contractor is determined to deliver a quality product at the end of this month.

“Since the arrival of the steel members which were fabricated in South Africa, great progress has been made and the project is nearing completion, ” said Eng. Kasumba.

The TAZARA bridge across Chambeshi river in Kanchibiya was damaged in May last year after a goods train hit into the steel members.

The development resulted into the suspension of movements of both goods and passenger trains.

Repair works on the damaged TAZARA bridge commenced in May this year and were initially expected to be completed in July last month.