The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has embarked on a nationwide mobile sensitization programme targeting rural areas on the dangers and effects of drug abuse.

DEC’s Head of education and campaign, Daiman Zulu says his Commission is concerned at the high rate of substance abuse across the country.

Speaking when he led his team in paying a courtesy calls on Chief Bunda Bunda and Rufunsa District Commissioner, Richard Mabena respectively, Mr. Zulu said his commission is concerned at the high rate of substance abuse in communities.

He explained that it was for this reason the commission has embarked on mobile sensitization programmes in learning institutions and holding road shows.

Adding that the Commission does not want to leave anyone behind in information on the dangers and effects of drug abuse, Mr Zulu pointed out that rural communities have also been affected by drug abuse apart from cannabis .

Mr. Zulu also commended Government for introducing the free education policy as this has helped their Counselling Department to integrate most of the addicts into schools after counselling them.

“ The Drug Enforcement Commission needs concerted efforts from all stakeholders including Traditional leaders to help curb drug abuse in communities, “he said.

Rufunsa District Commissioner, Richard Mabena and chief Bunda Bunda have welcomed the programme and have pledged full support to fighting drug abuse in communities.

Chief Bunda Bunda said drug abuse has indeed become a source of concern in chiefdoms especially alcohol abuse.

The traditional ruler commended DEC for embarking on the initiative of going round schools and communities to sensitize and impart information on the dangers and effects of drugs.

Mr. Mabena on his part expressed concern at the substance abuse especially amongst the youth in communities and there is need for urgent interventions to curb the vice which has destroyed a lot of youths.

He said there is a need for every concerned citizen to stand up and help Government fight this vice which has a negative impact on development.

An overwhelming number of applicants have surrounded the Zambia Daily Mail Limited offices in Lusaka as printing of the newspapers is being finalized in readiness for distribution.

A check by ZANIS found a crowd of people waiting for the release of the newspapers.

Today’s Newspaper has names of the over 11,000 recruited health workers as announced by the Acting Minister of Health and Chief Government spokesperson Chushi Kasanda yesterday.

Natasha Chewe told ZANIS in an interview that she came to wait for the papers at the Zambia Daily Mail officers because she was anxiously waiting to see if her name was in the papers.

She narrated that she is optimistic that her name will be among the successful applicants but was, however, ready to accept the outcome of the result.

“It is a very tough situation having to wait here not knowing if your name is there or not but I just remain positive,” she said.

Another applicant, Gladwell Matakala said he was eagerly waiting for people to check for him.

Mr. Matakala said being unemployed is tough, but expressed gratitude to the government for undertaking the just ended health recruitment exercise.

He said the government should continue on this trajectory, adding that there are many youthful graduates who remain unemployed, with some having lost hope to get into formal employment.

Earlier this year the government embarked on a countrywide recruitment exercise of over 11, 000 health workers to improve delivery of health services in the country, and yesterday, 11, 276 health workers were recruited by the government.

The Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Health will today 29th July, 2022 publish the names of 11, 276 newly recruited health workers in the Zambia Daily Mail Newspaper and the list of general workers will be published on Sunday 31st July, 2022.

Civil Service Secretary Jean Chilengi announced that the health workers will collect their appointment letters from the Provincial Health Offices in respective Provinces starting 15th August, 2022 and start reporting for duty on 1st September, 2022.

“National Registration Card (NRC), medical certificate of fitness, and Police CID clearance report are the documents to be carried upon reporting for duty,” she said

“General workers include cleaners, drivers, darkroom attendants, kitchen handyman, laboratory attendants, mental attendants, office orderly and security guards just to mention a few,” she said

And Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission Peter Mumba noted that the overwhelming number of applicants undoubtedly had a huge bearing on the speed of processing which resulted in the national consolidation process to be faced with some challenges which contributed to the shifting of the timelines, leading to delays in announcing the successful candidates.

Mr Mumba added that the recruitment of health workers is very unique as it comes with so many variations of teams in each and every professional category and to unpack and disaggregate this was very involving.

“Some provinces were unable to fulfill quarters in certain categories such as dental assistant, radiography technologist, pharmacy technologist, clinical officer psychiatry, medical laboratory technologist, registered mental health nurse and nutrition technologist but this was however technically mitigated by considering the surplus applications from other provinces,” he noted

Despite all this, the recruitment exercise of the 11, 276 health workers were carried out in a transparent and professional manner and the process of meticulously and methodically selecting 11,276 health workers from the unprecedented 137, 129 applications countrywide was impartial, involving and provided a lot of lessons.

Mr Mumba highlighted that this initiative and process is premised on government’s aspirations to promote the delivery of quality health services to the people of Zambia.

“The recruitment exercise will be considered as a symbol of hope for the nation as it was a word by President Hichilema which has now been actualized and this process demonstrates the focus and sincerity of the New Dawn Government,” he said

He stated that the exercise was decentralised down to the Districts and was highly participatory as it was carried out according to the Service Commissions Act of 2016.

Mr Mumba explained that a multi-stakeholder technical working committee comprising officers from the Civil Service Commission, Ministry of Health, Public Service Management Division, Ministry of Finance and National Planning, and Management Development Division, was established to manage the strategic planning and communication of the recruitment exercise.

He added that the data collection and analysis undertaken by the Ministry of Health revealed the staffing needs at each health facility and was used as the basis for vacancy creation.

Mr Mumba highlighted that the swearing in and orientation of District and Provincial Human Resource Management Committees with the involvement of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Office of the President-Special Division and District Commissioners prepared the Committee for the selection and validation of health workers and ensured an efficient and professional health worker recruitment process.

“Officers from the security wings were part of the selection committees at District and Provincial levels which enhanced transparency and credibility of the process and obligated committee members to uphold confidentiality,” he said

He cited that the recruitment commenced with receipt of applications at District Health Offices and copies were also submitted to District Commissioners, a process that allowed for transparency and impartiality.

Mr Mumba alluded that in the spirit of promoting inclusiveness in the recruitment process, a total number of sixteen (16) persons with disabilities were selected.

“It must be noted by all that this recruitment process is not the last one but just a beginning, it follows therefore that those that have not made it this time, should not despair but remain hopeful and try again next time,” he stated

And Acting Minister of Health Chushi Kasanda said that in line with the Presidential pronouncement and the Parliamentary appropriation of k930, 154, 500.00 towards the recruitment of the health workers in the 2022 National Budget, the Ministry of Health working closely with the Management Development Division at Cabinet Office, the Public Service Management Division, and Ministry of Finance and National Planning developed a distribution structure for the 11,276 positions based on the Ministry of Health approved structure.

Ms Kasanda thanked all stakeholders that ensured the successful implementation of this mammoth exercise.

“Special thanks go to Cabinet Office, The Civil Service Commission, Public Service Management Division, The Anti-Corruption Commission, The Office of the President – Special Division and the Examinations Council of Zambia,” she said

She added that with regard to the persons living with disabilities who applied and met the minimum qualifications have all been selected.

Ms Kasanda stated that the Human Resource Management Sub-Committees carried out their mandate successfully and professionally by selecting suitable candidates in accordance with the set guidelines by validating and consolidating the Human Resource Management Sub-Committees’ submissions in accordance with the set terms of reference.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the health sector have expressed anxiety on the recruitment of successful candidates to fill health workers positions after the announcement by the Civil Service Commission that names will be published today.

Biomedical Union of Zambia President Daniel Mwimbe stated that the list of the successful candidates should be published today without any further delay.

And the Unemployed Doctor Association Chairperson Wallace Ndumba says the publication of recruited health workers names will improve quality health care in Zambia especially that the country is short of health personnel which currently stands at 1 Doctor per 12,000 patients.

MultiChoice Zambia has donated soccer boots and DStv Decoders to all Copper Queens players and members of the Technical Bench following the team’s bronze medal finish at the just-ended Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Multichoice Zambia Managing Director, Leah Kooma said the gift was one special way in which the company wanted to appreciate the team for what they have done for the Country.

“As MultiChoice, we are very excited to hand over Zapper Full Combo, DStv decoders which come with a dish kit, a months’ Subscription and women’s football boots to the Copper Queens and coaching staff because we are so proud of what they have achieved,” Kooma said.

“I would like to congratulate the Copper Queens for putting up an incredible performance at the WAFCON 2022. The team has put Zambia on the world map in the football circles and this indeed is Chintu Chabwino Maningi.”

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga said his executive was happy that MultiChoice has continued its partnership with the Copper Queens, having previously come on board with $20,000 to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games preparations.

“Today, they are back to also gift the girls with yet another package to appreciate them for their achievement. We salute MultiChoice for their longstanding support of our game,” Kamanga said.

“We would like to appeal to other corporate bodies to come on board and support women’s football. We have FIFA World Cup preparations coming up ahead and we will be looking to more possible partnership and sponsorship opportunities.”

Copper Queens striker Barbara Banda thanked Multichoice for the gesture.

“This will go a long way in motivating us and we urge other companies to come on board and support us. We are determined to continue making you Multichoice and the country proud,” Banda said.

Two Journalists were harassed and intimidated yesterday outside the High Court grounds while on duty covering a case in which a police officer is accused of shooting at a fellow cop in Lusaka’s Northmead area.

Chomba Musika of Zambia Daily Mail and Luyando Hamwala of ZNBC were threatened by both relatives of the accused and victim when covering a case in which Police Officer Pumulo Mulife, 27, is charged with acts intended to cause grievous harm.

After the adjournment of the case, the two journalists were taking pictures and video footage of the accused and some of those that turned up for the case when both relatives of the accused and victim ordered them to stop while showering them with insults and threatened to break their equipment comprising of cameras, and phones while one threatened to break Ms Musika’s spectacles.

The two families were infuriated that reporters were filming and taking pictures of them without “asking for permission” and while pouring insults, two people from the group ordered the journalists to delete the footage and pictures.

“Useless journalists, I will break that phone and those glasses ‘spectacles’,” a male aggressor who was almost grabbing a reporter’s phone said.

And Defense Lawyer James Mataliro apologised to the two journalists for the behaviour of his client’s relatives.

Two months ago, the Police arrested Mulife of Waterfalls area for allegedly shooting and wounding Wamunyima Mubiana, a 24-year-old Police Constable under Paramilitary Battalion.

The incident occurred on February 27, 2022 around 01:00 hours in the Northmead Market area.

Police preliminary investigations indicated that Constable Mulife, while on his point of duty around the Northmead Market area, shot at Mr Mubiana who later sustained a gunshot wound on his right ear.

Meanwhile, Free Press Initiative founder Joan Chirwa noted with concern the barbaric behaviour behaviour exhibited by the families of both the accused and victim stating that it was totally uncalled for as it infringes not only on the two journalists Right to collect information that is of public interest but also their Human Rights in general.

“The court grounds are a public place where journalists carry out their duties unrestrained,” she noted

Ms Chirwa added that it is high time people began to respect the important role that journalists play in informing and educating the masses through the gathering and dissemination of information to the general public.

“We hope this incident will be the last of its kind and that due respect is henceforth given to all journalists as they carry out their duties,” she said

Republican President Hakainde Hichilema is today expected in Luapula Province for a two-day working visit.

Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Mighty Mumba says the Head of State will arrive in Mansa District on Friday, July 30 2022 for an official visit.

Mr. Mumba notes that while in the Province President Hichilema will grace the Mutomboko Traditional Ceremony for the Lunda people in Luapula Province on Saturday in Mwansabombwe District.

He says the Head of State will also attend the ‘Meet and Greet the Republican President Gala Dinner’ at Sali Riverside Resort in Mansa on Friday evening.

The gala dinner is a fundraising venture being organized by the United Party for National Development (UPND) in Luapula Province.

The Permanent Secretary is also happy with the preparations of this year’s Mutomboko Traditional Ceremony.

He says as the Provincial Administration they have done their best in assisting the Mwata Kazembe to host a successful traditional ceremony.

Mr. Mumba adds that the Mutomboko traditional ceremony is expected to draw a lot of people from across the country.

He says this will be of great economic benefit to the Province in respect to the hospitality industry and businesses trading in various commodities.

Meanwhile, the matter in which George Nsonga, 54, who is facing one count of defilement and was scheduled to commence his defence yesterday failed to take-off due to his illness.

The Defence counsel consequently applied for the adjournment of the matter to enable their client George Nsonga seek medical attention as he was unwell.

Defence Lawyer Agness Banda told the court that Nsonga was un-well to commence his defence which was scheduled to start yesterday.

Mansa Magistrate Moses Mulenga granted the application saying the accused has the right to seek medical attention when unwell.

The magistrate has since adjourned the matter to August 23, 2022 as the day on which Nsonga will start his defence.

This is in the case of the People vs George Nsonga, UPND Provincial Coordinator for Luapula who is facing one count of defilement.

Particulars of the offence are that on March 9, 2022, in Mansa District, George Nsonga willfully and unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a minor below the age of 16 contrary to Section 138 clause 1 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, as amended by Act No. 15 of 2005 and Act No. 2 of 2011.

The Government says it is concerned that from the time it embarked on the programme of clearing the streets of vulnerable children and integrate them with their respective families, a number of them have failed to integrate and have hence returned to the streets.

Ndola District Commissioner (DC) Joseph Phiri says there is need therefore for government and stakeholder’ involvement in ensuring more children are to be taken off the streets through skills training and other rehabilitation programmes.

Mr Phiri says it is saddening that street children are returning to the streets where they enjoy alms from the general public , a habit he said must be discouraged forthwith.

He has since advised the general public desiring to assist the street children to instead take their contributions to drop in centers with interest to look after vulnerable children.

Mr. Phiri said this when he flagged off the repatriation of street children back to their homes for this year in Ndola District.

“The plight of the street children cannot be ignored as the streets remain a risky thriving domain of the children at night.

“ It is our hope that the exercise to integrate them will help them to transform their lives and also to help them earn skills to enable them to lead normal lives.

“ But this can only be achieved through concerted efforts from all the stakeholders and we need the support of the public,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Child Development Officer, under the Ministry of Child Development and Social Services (MCDSS) , Vwambanji Nambeya says her office is coordinating with the social welfare department in districts to monitor activities of the repatriated children.

Ms. Nambeya explained that government has commenced documenting details of the street children and families also assisting them with foodstuff and household materials to create an enabling environment to live in.

Government recently embarked on a programme of clearing street kids off the streets and integrate them with their respective families mostly in Lusaka and the Copperbelt provinces.

A total of 130 children are so far being repatriated to Ndola and Kitwe districts respectively.