The New Dawn Government says it remains resolute to ensuring a safer Kabwe District, free from lead poisoning.

Kabwe District Commissioner Lennox Shimwamba says Government recently closed mines in Mkushi and Serenje that flouted environmental issues, which is testimony of the New Dawn Government’s political will towards environmental protection.

Mr. Shimwamba says Government was aware that Kabwe Town had been labelled by the United Nations (UN) as one of the most polluted cities on earth due to lead contamination, exposure and poisoning.

He said Kabwe was home to a lead mine from 1904-1994, a period in which smelter fumes covered much of the surrounding soil with lead dust.

Mr. Shimwamba said twenty-five years after the mine closed, high lead levels, exceeding international standards, remained in the soil.

He named areas affected by dust from lead around the former mine as Kasanda, Makandanyama, Chowa, Mutwe-wansofu, and Makululu.

He said the former mine area itself still hosted tailings and other waste from the mine and smelter, including a large waste dump known locally as “black mountain,” and has become a site for artisanal and small-scale mining.

Mr. Shimwamba said the New Dawn Government would therefore, continue to play a significant role in supporting the work of civil society organizations in the actualization of national environmental protection aspirations.

He said the New Dawn Government would promote inclusive green economic growth and development, as well as building an enabling environment for all citizens to participate freely in all national environmental deliberations and natural resource governance.

The District Commissioner was speaking in a speech read on his behalf by Kabwe District Administrative Officer Kennedy Pezo during the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue in Kabwe drawing participation of Ward Councilors, CSO Coalition on Lead Pollution, among others.

Meanwhile, Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) Acting Executive Director Freeman Mubanga revealed that CEJ had launched the truth be told campaign to reveal critical issues surrounding the lead poison in the Kabwe District.

Mr. Mubanga said the Campaign aimed at facilitating the identification of lasting solutions to help curb the environmental crisis.

He said the Campaign would focus on the history disclosure of the mine operations, public health for Kabwe communities, compliance and enforcement, rehabilitation and remediation achievements and compensations.

Second gentleman Max Nalumango has advised the church to reclaim its prophetic voice in offering good counsel to the nation.

Bishop Nalumango observes that the Church has lost its respect because it had mishandled and forgone its prophetic role in the recent past.

Stressing that church needs to reclaim its role in society by separating itself from the world, the Clergyman noted that it is saddening that while hatred and division thrived in the country, the Church is currently taking political sides thereby failing its role to counsel politicians and the citizenry at large.

He said this at Oasis of Love Church in Kitwe when he addressed Christians and the clergy from Kitwe Pastor’s Fellowship.

“The state of every nation reflects the spiritual condition of the church, if the Church takes its rightful place some of the things
happening in our nation would not happen,” he said.

He reasoned that for the church to reclaim its position, it needs to separate itself from the world just like God separated light from
darkness.

On the increasing incidences of suicide in the country, the second man advised the church to play its indelible role and mandate of giving hope to the hopeless, if suicide cases may be avoided.

“We are living in a country where the divorce rate is so high, including among the clergy, there are so many economic issues and one
wonders where the voice of the church is when all this is happening,” Bishop Nalumango said.

He said the church leaders should always bear in mind that the pastors’ mandate is heavenly while the politicians’ mandate is for
five years hence the need for the clergy not to reduce themselves to the politicians’ level.

Bishop Nalumango urged the church should go back to its mandate of praying and providing counsel to the nation.

The country has in recent times undergone sporadic incidences of suicide with Lusaka, Kitwe, Kalulushi, and Kabwe recording the highest in the first quarter of 2022.

Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo attributed the spate of suicide cases recorded in the country recently to mental ill-health.

Earlier, Kitwe Pastors Fellowship Chairman Bishop Raddy Lewila said the Kitwe clergy will support the revival of the prayer networks
to ensure that the church reclaims its rightful position and help to re-unite the country.

Bishop Lewila said the Kitwe fellowship will soon announce the commencement of various activities to ensure that the revival prayers
Networks are successful.

The Basic Education Teachers Union (BETUZ) in Muchinga Province has commended government for the massive teacher recruitment saying the act is historic.

BETUZ Director Maclan Sichone says that the recruitment of new teachers is a remarkable one and will boost the teaching fraternity in the Province and the country at large.

Mr Sichone in an interview said the massive employment of 30, 000 teachers at a go is a mammoth task he said will help reduce the poverty levels

“This recruitment has created employment and it will reduce poverty levels in the communities in the Province and the country as a whole as many teachers have been recruited,” he said.

And Chinsali District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Pardon Tesho said the move by government to recruit many teachers is a relief to the education sector.

Mr Tesho said it is a well-known fact that urban areas have a lot of teachers than those in rural saying his office will ensure they will be equal distribution of teachers in all the schools in the district.

The DEBS stated that Chinsali District has received a good number of teachers saying that government has started fulfilling its promises to its citizens by creating job opportunities.

Government had in the 2022 national budget planned to recruit 30,000 teachers.

Meanwhile , BETUZ Director Maclan Sichone has appealed to the Ministry of Education to reject transfers among the newly recruited teachers.

Mr Sichone says there is need for the recruited teachers to go to their respective schools they will be sent to for duty.

The BETUZ Director in an interview also advised the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) office to also consider sending more teachers in rural areas.

“The urban areas are populated ( with teachers ) while rural areas are still struggling with teachers, you will find that in rural areas one teacher is managing grades one to seven while in urban it is not the case,” he said.

He added that those that will seek transfers to urban areas should not be considered.

Following an audit that was conducted by the commission earlier this year, 731 employees at the Lusaka City Council have been found wanting by the Local Government Service Commission.

Commission Chairperson Ackson Sejani said that the Lusaka City Council has 1 224 divisions, and 1 to 3 staff in the register and that 41 extra staff are on the payroll but do not appear in the register.

Mr. Sejani disclosed that the audit revealed that 1 171 employees have requisite qualifications, while 53 do not have the qualifications as required by law.

Speaking during a media briefing, he said 46 out of the 53 members of staff are holding senior management positions.

Mr. Sejani said the audit also showed that 7 members of staff do not have Grade 12 certificates and further said the council employed 331 officers in division 3 as cashiers and revenue collectors illegally without approval by the Commission.

Mr. Sejani said the Commission also found that over 100 employees have not been confirmed for as long as 17 years but are fully qualified.

He said 18 officers are currently on suspension, while 40 went on study leave without authority and will be charged.

Mr. Sejani said the Commission has since recommended that the audit will be conducted in all 116 councils across the country.

The Local Government Service Commission Chairperson said the Commission will also advocate for the digitization of revenue collection to address theft among workers.

Mr. Sejani said the Commission will also engage the Examinations Council of Zambia -ECZ- and the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZQA) to ascertain the authenticity of the qualifications.

It’s not right for anyone to suggest that Mumbi Phiri is being held in detention in an improper fashion, Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe has said in an interview in Livingstone.

Mr Haimbe has explained that for anyone who is facing a non bailable offence to appear before the High Court, there is a process that is followed called “Cause Listing.”’

He said that in cause listing, it is always about first in first out, that in the case of Ms Phiri, there are many other people facing similar offences.

Mr Haimbe said it is a misconception for people to think that Ms Phiri must be given special treatment.

“There is also misconception about one particular individual which I need to address, a political party leader in the name of Mumbi Phiri. I know that there has been a lot of talk that she is being held without trial but the truth of the matter is that she is facing a non bailable offence and so many people are facing non bailable offences that are pending trial,” he said.

“So it is not correct to say that she is being held in an improper fashion but it is simply because of the nature of the offence she is facing,” he said.

Mr Haimbe also disclosed that progress has been made towards the amendment of the Public Order Act (POA).

He said that cabinet gave an approval in principle for the amendment of the POA and it is being run by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security being the line ministry that is in charge of matters related to the Public Order Act.

Mr Haimbe said progress has been made and he is hopeful that it’ll be before Parliament during the September session.

President Hakainde Hichilema has described the late Senior Chief Musele of north western province as one who had a developmental mind and courageous.

President Hichilema says the traditional leader left at a time when the government was seeking to resolve a lot of developmental issues in Kalumbila district and North-western province in general because he understood that good political leadership is essential for the realization of development.

Mr Hichilema was speaking at the burial ceremony of the late Senior Chief Musele of the Lunda people of Kalumbila district, held at Musele grounds in Kalumbila today.

“The chief had a developmental mind, he was courageous when confronted with issues that affected his people. I remember the times when we visited the palace and he was threatened for hosting us,” President Hichilema said.

The President also shared his concerns on succession wrangles in chiefdoms.

“Succession wrangles are a concern to this government, therefore we ask the Musele royal family not to add to the squabbles of succession but follow the clans and family tree,” he said.

Mr Hichilema assured the gathering that the government will not interfere with the selection process of the successor.

“Do not allow people who are not part of the process to be part of the process,” he said.

The President also said the successor must take the responsibility of taking care of the family, community and issues of development which the late chief was interested in.

On the economic front the President stressed that the government will ensure that local people are taken care of as regards investment and mining in Kalumbila district and North-western province in particular.

“We are aware of the issues around here…now that we are in this position, we will tackle these issues squarely. Next week I will be here and I will commence tackling the issues around here,” he said

And speaking at the same event, North-western province Minister, Robert Lihefu said the late traditional leader served with passion.

“During his reign, he served with passion, upholding peace, unity and harmony not only among his subjects but within and outside the province,” Mr Lihefu said.

He appreciated the President for choosing to mourn with the people of North-western province and further stated that his office will continue to seek the President’s guidance and counsel on affairs of leadership in the province.

Meanwhile, Local Government and Housing Minister, Garry Nkombo advised the royal family to find a successor in peace.

“Find a successor in peace and not at the courts…our desire as government is that this is a clan matter, so settle it at home and not court,” Mr Nkombo said.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango, says Indian Investors have shown interest to invest in Zambia in many sectors of the economy.

Ms Nalumango says this follows a series of meetings she had with Indian business entities during her visit to that country.

Speaking on arrival at the Kenneth Kaunda international Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka from India today, Ms Nalumango said she engaged various businesses that are willing to establish Pharmaceuticals, cooperatives and centers of excellence in the country among other areas.

Ms Nalumango said Zambia is yet to benefit from India in many areas of interest.

“Indeed my visit was wonderful and successful as many Investors have shown interest to come and set up companies in Zambia in many sectors of the economy to promote economic development,” she said.

She explained that during her visit to India, she and the Minister of Small Medium Enterprise development, Elias Mubanga learnt how cooperatives are handled under one roof, saying that the concept will be replicated in Zambia.

Ms Nalumango noted that the system of having more than a thousand cooperatives under one huge company is the best way to enhance the sector to create jobs for the people.

“To me and my entourage it was a wonderful and successful trip as already some of the business communities I toured have started preparing letters of intent and drafting memorandum of understanding between them and the Zambian Government,” Ms Nalumango said.

Ms Nalumango has since expressed hope that the bilateral relations between Zambia and India will continue to grow from strength to strength through such visits.

While in India, Ms Nalumango attended the 17th Confederation of Indian Industries CII EXIM Bank India Africa Growth Partnership Conclave in New Delhi.

The conference drew participation of over 600 African government and business representatives and about 500 local firms.

The Conclave provided an opportunity for African countries to dialogue with India on strengthening fair and competitive business and emerging economic opportunities.

Ms Nalumango told the local and international delegates that Zambia is open for business and wooed over $5 billion worth of investment.

The Vice President inked a deal with Apollo Hospital of India to set up centers of excellence and private medical facilities as a way to assist Zambians access specialised medical treatment locally.

Ms Nalumango further sought the assistance of Asia’s largest Cooperative movement to help the government build the capacity of Zambian cooperatives.

The Vice President also engaged Torrent Pharmaceuticals to supply quality drugs directly to the government in order to promote the effectiveness of Zambia’s health delivery system.

Ms Nalumango invited the Gujarat Business Community to explore Zambia’s business and economic opportunities and engage in partnerships with Zambian firms in various sectors of the economy.

The Vice President paid homage to India’s political icon Mahatma Gandhi when she visited his mausoleum.

Mrs. Nalumango urged Zambians to emulate Mahatma Gandhi’s political leadership style of non-violence and service to the people.