Thursday, June 26, 2025
Subscribe
Home Blog Page 589

Itawa Flats Ndola Residents Protest over alleged Brutality by some Somali Nationals

Chief Editor
-
20
Itawa Flats Ndola Residents Protest over alleged Brutality by some Somali Nationals

Residents of Ndola’s Itawa Council Flats on the Copperbelt today staged a protest over alleged brutality by some Somali nationals in the neighbourhood.

The residents have complained some Somali nationals occupying the Itawa flats especially have been mistreating them for a long time.

This follows a matter in which a taxi driver identified, as Joseph Sauti got assaulted and had his car windscreen smashed by a woman of Somalian origin identified as Hodan Abdiwoxin.

Mr. Sauti is reported to have been beaten by some people hired by Honey’s husband after he asked for his payment from the said woman upon reaching her home.

According to the taxi driver ( Joseph Sauti), the couple booked him from Masala to the industrial area for hours. Surprisingly upon reaching at their flats, the couple gave him a K100 instead of the K250 they agreed upon.

He said after querying why he was not given the K250 as agreed, the woman threatened to kill him and after which her husband pulled out a extra K50 which he gave him.

Mr. Sauti adds that upon noticing that her husband had given him the extra amount, Ms. Abdiwoxid started chasing him so that she could get back the K50.

He said after running away, Mr Abdiwoxid resorted to getting stones which she used to smash Mr. Sauti’s car.

Meanwhile, Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer, Sharon Zulu said police have since arrested the suspect whose real name is Hodan Abdiwoxin and charged her with malicious damage to property.

“ Initially, Abdiwoxin had reported the matter to Masala police station that she was assaulted by a person she could easily identify if seen, “ said the Commanding Officer.

Ms. Zulu has disclosed that after seeing that she had committed an offence, the woman rushed to Masala police station to report that she had been assaulted.

Surprisingly her Station learnt that a similar report of a report of malicious damage was also reported at Ndola Central Police Station against the complainant in the Assault case.

Meanwhile, the residents have expressed disappointment in the manner police had initially handled the matter.

Miriam Masuwa said when the matter was reported to Masala police station about the taxi driver being beaten and have his windscreen broken, officers paid attention to the Somalian woman and chased the taxi driver.

Masebo calls for increased PPP in the country

Chief Editor
-
1
Masebo calls for increased PPP in the country

Health minister Sylvia Masebo has commended “When Female Lead” foundation, for constructing a one by three classroom block in Mwalukanga village in Chongwe Town.

Ms Masebo says the construction of the classroom block has come at a right time when government is implementing the free education policy.

She said the free education policy has seen an increase in the number of pupils in classrooms adding that the construction of block will help address the classroom space.

Ms Masebo , who is also Chongwe Constituency member of Parliament , added that President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration has always been promoting a private driven partnership since government alone cannot do manage to do everything.

And “When Female Lead” founder Mizinga Melu said the foundation, established last year, aims at changing Mwalukanga village to be a better place.

Ms Melu noted that last year, her foundation approached one of the headmen in Mwalukanga village to see what suitable projects can be implemented in the area.

In response the headman said the biggest challenge that the area is faced with is lack of a school adding that pupils are currently squatting at one of the churches and taught by volunteer teachers.

Ms Melu said thereafter her foundation commenced construction of the classroom block expected to be completed and handed over to government before the end of August next month.

She has since thanked some cooperating partners for coming on board and help in constructing the school.

23 year old mobile money agent nurses gunshot wounds in Nakonde

Support Editor
-
4
23 year old mobile money agent nurses gunshot wounds in Nakonde

A 23 -year-old mobile money agent of Nakonde in Muchinga Province, is nursing two  bullet wounds in the leg after a failed attempt to snatch K100,000 cash from him.

Muchinga Province Deputy Police Commanding Officer Lucky Munkondya confirms that that the armed bandits who attacked the mobile money agent however, managed to get away with  an A8 Samsung cell phone valued at K1,000.

The incident happened at 18:50 hours yesterday  at Katozi village.

“ Ms. Munkondya explained that  Isaac Halaba, a mobile money agent who operates within Nakonde Central Business District (CBD) was attacked by four unknown male attackers armed with two pistols.
She said that brief facts are that after knocking off at 17:00 hours, Halaba decided to go home in the company of his friend of the same village driving a silver Toyota IST vehicle.

The Deputy Police Commanding Officer said Halaba was carrying K100,000 cash in his laptop bag.

Ms. Munkondya said when they reached near the residence of his friend in Katozi village, they heard gun shots but decided to proceed without checking who was firing shots.

“Halaba and his friend while driving home, heard gun shots but ignored them and decided to proceed, ” said Ms. Munkondya.

Ms. Munkondya said Halaba and his friend were ,however, surprised to discover that the front windscreen was shattered after being hit by a bullet and and out of panic, stopped the vehicle.
After stopping the car, four armed men emerged from the darkness and one of them switched off the car engine, grabbed the Samsung cell phone and a laptop containing the money amounting to K100,000 cash and started running.

However, he pursued the attacker  running away with his cell phone and cash and managed to grab back the laptop bag containing cash from the suspect and started running.

Ms. Munkondya said the attacker gave a chase and fired two shots at Halaba which caught him in the left leg.

Halaba was saved by residents who upon hearing gun shots came out to see what was happening forcing the attackers to give up and disappeared in the darkness.

Police rushed the victim to Nakonde district hospital where he is admitted.
Ms. Munkondya described the condition of Halaba as stable.

“Police managed to rush to the scene, combed it  but unfortunately could not find the attackers as they were believed to have sneaked into the neighbouring border town,” said Ms. Munkondya.

She said that a docket of case has been opened and a search for the attackers has been launched.

Part 1: Initiating a national colloquy on Zambia’s pursuit of export value addition.

Chief Editor
-
3
Part 1: Initiating a national colloquy on Zambia’s pursuit of export value addition.

By Edward Chisanga

Introduction

The buzz about export value addition is not new in Zambia. Since independence in 1964, President Kaunda tried to push for export value addition and diversification. Noting that the country was single commodity-driven, in particular in international trade, and very aware that Zambians’ lives were literally dependent on it for national income, job creation and poverty reduction, he developed national plans none of which missed this problematique.

President Kaunda went on to try to introduce manufacturing in the economy by establishing parastatal organizations that began to produce manufactured goods, even if their quality were still on the low end. The important thing is that he began the export value addition drive and it was only in his Presidential rule that the share of manufacturing value added in the economy reached its highest peak of about 32%. It has since fallen to now 8%.

In monetary terms, as Figure 1 below shows, annual amounts of money injected in the manufacturing sector were not much to write home about. Today, for example, the monetary value of Zambia’s manufacturing value added in the economy is only $1.5 billion, in comparison for example with Viet Nam’s $45.2 billion or almost forty-fivefold that of our country. In dollar value terms, the image below shows a steady rise in Zambia’s manufacturing value added in the economy in the last ten years but amounts are too low. This is clear testimony of Zambia’s underfunding of the sector since independence.

On the other hand, use of the share of the sector in GDP as an economic indicator in Figure 2 shows significant rise of manufacturing which shot from 15.0% in 1970 to a record 35% in 1994, a reflection of one of President Kaunda’s flourishing economic policies towards value addition in proportional terms. If President Kaunda was able to score this

achievement, experts say that it is possible for other Zambian leaders do the same even if operating under different global, regional and national conditions such as the forbidden rules in the World Trade Organization (WTO). For example, there’re restrictions on parastatal organizations as well as on use of local content. Needless to say, there’s always room for maneuver and put excuses on the shelf.

In conclusion, since independence, save, President Kaunda’s efforts, Zambia has done very poorly in its pursuit of manufacturing or value addition. The so-called non-traditional sector, exporting non-copper products has continued to founder, meaning public policy statements have largely not matched action on the ground.

Now, the new dawn government of President Hichilema or the new kid on the block is rekindling the value addition drive, hopefully more vigorously in action than before. As a retired international civil servant specializing in international and regional trade and partially economic dynamics, I have a huge interest in issues of export value addition. At the time, I contributed to supporting developing countries, in particular those in Africa, including Zambia to integrate in the global economy focusing on export value added products. The new government’s efforts need complementing by ordinary Zambians, not the least through various suggestions, no matter how small.

Proposed colloquy

I’m proposing a national colloquy on export value addition which I personally will begin by this introduction to be followed by more details in writing on non-exhaustive topics. My thoughts are:

  1. We should explain or define what we mean by export value addition.
  2. We will then explain why export value addition?
  3. We will explain why successful value addition is one driven by the Head of State.
  4. We will show countries that are leading Africa’s export value addition and why Zambia should initiate a Memorandum of Understandings with them.
  5. We will explain some factors that transmit value addition.

Hence, the publisher allowing, in the next article, our next step is to explain one or two of the listed topics above. We encourage other authors to do the same as well as put this colloquy on the national TV.

ERB asks all its licensed enterprises to submit returns on or before the 10th day of every month

Chief Editor
-
3
ERB asks all its licensed enterprises to submit returns on or before the 10th day of every month

The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has implored all licensed enterprises to submit returns on or before the 10th day of every month as provided for under the Energy Regulation Act No.12 of 2019.

ERB Public Relations Manager Namukolo Kasumpa in a statement says it is a statutory obligation for all licensed enterprises to submit returns.

“The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has reminded all licensed enterprises of the statutory obligation to submit Returns on or before the 10th of every month as

provided for under the Energy Regulation Act No.12 of 2019.”

Section 50 (1) of the Energy Regulation Act No. 12 of 2019, for example, requires the Licensee to provide ERB with information or reports concerning the licensed activity of the licensee, on date set by ERB.

“Specifically, Section 50 (1) of the Energy Regulation Act No. 12 of 2019 states that, the Licensee shall be required to provide to the ERB, information or reports concerning the licensed activity of the licensee, financial, technical or any other information in a manner prescribed and by a reasonable date set by the ERB, ” she said

She warns that failure by the Licensee to adhere to the provisions of the Act may result to a fine or suspension of the license.

“This reminder is issued to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Energy Regulation Act as late or non-submission of returns and attendant payments is liable to a fine or suspension of a licence, ” she maintained.

The ERB board has since urged all regulated enterprises to comply with the Act make the submission of returns and payment of dues.

Tasila Lungu questions the credibility of the much-touted free education, the quality is poor

Chief Editor
-
42
Tasila Lungu questions the credibility of the much-touted free education, the quality is poor

Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament (MP) for Chawama Tasila Lungu questioned the credibility of the much-touted free education.

Speaking at a press briefing by the party, Ms Lungu said that although the motive had been good as a way of encouraging more children to attain free education it is now devoid of basic tenets of hygiene because of various shortcomings, with congested classrooms, in some instances about 200 children crowded in one classroom, some squatting on the floor, with unhygienic environment has characterized the learners, raising questions on the quality of education being imparted.

Ms Lungu further said that some schools lack various basic hygienic requirements, fueling concerns of the safety of the learners against hazards including the COVID-19 pandemic which is being fought against, noting that it would be important for the Government to revisit the free education that is reigning at the moment and ensure all learners at various institutions but called for an urgent review of the situation.

Ms Lungu contend that the situation has left many children likely to fail to comprehend because of the high ratio of pupil against the teacher while ensuring that adequate furniture and sanitary requirements were redressed.

“We have noted that the free education that is in place is not quality at all because in most schools there are about 200 pupils crowded in one classroom, with some sitting or squatting on the floor and may lack hygienic conditions and we cannot call that quality education,” she said.

“I call upon the Government to ensure that while education is free education, there be quality as well for all the learners,”

World Bank has re-classified Zambia to low income status from lower middle income

Chief Editor
-
9
World Bank has re-classified Zambia to low income status from lower middle income

The World Bank has re-classified Zambia to low-income status from lower middle income, for the 2023 financial year because of the deterioration of Gross National Income per capita estimates recorded in 2021.

However, Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has said that the Government is working to reverse the situation.
Dr Musokotwane said that Government has embarked on an economic repair, stabilisation and transformation path that will ensure the country swiftly regains lower-middle-income status at the next assessment or in the medium term.

Dr. Musokotwane said that the New Dawn Government upon assuming office in August 2021, committed to actualising the Vision of the Zambian people and has focused on stabilizing the economy.

Dr. Musokotwane said so far, the Government has managed to bring down the inflation rate, stabilised the exchange rate and controlled its domestic borrowing.
This is contained in a statement issued to the media by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

In 2011, the World Bank reclassified Zambia as a middle-income country,along with Ghana saying that the upward adjustment in Zambia’s income growth was a result of foreign aid-driven interventions and surging prices of copper in the last few decades.

Low-income countries are those with the average gross national income (GNIs) of less than US$1, 005 per person annually. Lower-middle-income countries have per capita GNIs of between US$1,006 per year and upper-middle-income countries have per capita GNIs between US$3, 976 and US$12, 275.

At the time, in 2011, the World Bank stated that that the price of copper (Zambia’s major export) was depressed in the 80s and saw its price rise in the middle of the last decade as China and India’s economies grew and demand for copper soared.

The middle-income countries now account for most of the world’s population living in absolute poverty and they need aid allocation models which will take account of poor people and deprivation beyond income.

IN 2011, there were only 35 low-income countries remaining out of the countries being assessed by the world.

Food Reserve Agency Increases Maize purchasing Price by K20

Chief Editor
-
7
Food Reserve Agency Increases Maize purchasing Price by K20

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has increased the buying price for white maize by K20 for a 50-kilogram bag. The revision brings the prices to K180 from K160 which was announced on June 16, 2022.

FRA Board Chairperson, Kelvin Hambwezya says the revision has been done in view of the current market dynamics.

Mr Hambwezya said that the revision is premised on ensuring that farmers recover their production costs especially in striking a balance with those that did not benefit from the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

He told ZNBC News today that the agency expects the revised price to boost Maize production and improved productivity amongst Small Scale Farmers for the upcoming and future agriculture seasons.

Mr Hambwezya said this will also guarantee increased income and diversified opportunities in Agricultural Trade and value chains both locally and regionally.

He has also assured farmers that the Agency will operate at least 1 257 satellite depots across the country, as was the case last year.

Mr. Hambwezya revealed that the recruitment and training of buyers have started with satellite depots expected to be opened by next week Wednesday during which purchase of the three designated crops namely White Maize, Soya Beans and Paddy Rice will commence.

Tony Blair Institute to put up a team in Zambia to build capacity

Chief Editor
-
30
Tony Blair Institute to put up a team in Zambia to build capacity

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has expressed confidence in Zambia’s future considering the current progress.

Mr. Blair, who is in the country in his capacity as Executive Director of the Tony Blair Institute, said that Zambia’s future prospects have increased his organisation’s appetite and ambition to work with the government, adding that his institute wants to put up a team in Zambia and build capacity in anyway which can help the country’s priorities.

Speaking when he met President Hakainde Hichilema at State House yesterday, Mr. Blair said he will give the President a proposal in the next month on how a delivery unit will be established which will be run by locals.

He said his team has been closely working with Smart Zambia on how they may employ satellite technology in mapping mineral capacity and how roll-out of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) can work.

And President Hichilema told Mr. Blair that efforts of restructuring the economy from the last time they met are already bearing fruit.

The President noted that Zambia needs to engage him more on his institute’s tool kit so that it can close revenue leakage at central government, local government and the revenue body.

President Hichilema noted that while the Tony Blair Institute is working with Smart Zambia on digitization, the government wants that to be expanded to a broad digitization working relationship.

The Head of State also appealed to Mr. Blair to engage American Tech Billionaire Elon Musk to include Zambia on his pilot project of satellite technology that can bring internet across Zambia.

Referee Mweemba Tells Fans Stay Abreast with Football Laws

sports
-
0
Referee Mweemba Tells Fans Stay Abreast with Football Laws

FAZ Super League top referee Milton Mweemba has asked soccer fans to regularly update themselves with latest football laws.

Mweemba, a top referee, said on many occasions fans dispute referee’s decisions because they do not understand laws governing the game.

The Kamfinsa based referee said fans should know that laws of the game are regularly updated.

“It is important for soccer fans to update themselves with the laws of the game. Some soccer fans really do not understand what it is really to be a referee and to make a decision in a split of a second. You are a police officer, a prosecutor and judge at the same time,” Mweemba said.

“Laws of the game keep on changing, there are many changes regarding offside and other game situation. Just last week FIFA approved that there will be new technology of penalizing offside at the World Cup so that tells you something,” he said.

Mweemba, however, admitted that some times referees make mistakes that shouldn’t be seen as biasness.

“Mistakes are there as a referee but it’s not what fans think like favouring. A referee just make technical mistake.”

“When a referee makes a mistake it is not deliberate it is just a technical mistake as a human being. We are human,” Mweemba said.

Italian President Sergio Mattarellahonoured as Victoria Falls marketing Ambassador Status

Chief Editor
-
7
Italian President Sergio Mattarellahonoured as Victoria Falls marketing Ambassador Status

Italian President Sergio Mattarella has been honoured with a title of Victoria Falls Marketing Ambassador by the Southern Province Administration.

Bestowing him with the status, Southern Province Minister Cornelius Mweetwa asked President Mattarella to vigorously market the Victoria Falls as one of the seven wonders of the world and other tourism sites found in the tourist capital.

Mr. Mweetwa reiterated that President Hakainde Hichilema’s agenda to rebuild the economy can only come to fruition if intensive marketing of tourism sites is exposed to the international audience.

He said this at the Mosi-o-Tunya National Park where President Mattarella and his delegation went for game viewing after touring the Victoria Falls.

The Minister recognised the importance of having such a high profile delegate visit the province as a once in a lifetime experience.

“ On behalf of the people of Zambia we thank you for taking time to visit the Mosi-O-Tunya Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders and the province at large,” Mr. Mweetwa told President Mattarella.

Mr. Mweetwa noted that the Italian President’s visit in the area was testament towards Zambians journey to economic emancipation and transformation adding that this can only be completed with the participation of Italy.

President Mattarella said it was a privilege for him to be in the Tourist capital saying the Victoria Falls locally known as the Mosi-oa-Tunya ( the smoke that thunders ) is the tourist attraction of its kind.

Having a memorable experience at the Victoria Falls and Mosi-o-Tunya National Park, the visiting President pledged to consistently convey positive messages to the international community on the beauty and serenity found in Livingstone City.

He acknowledged the preservation of such a wonder was a contribution that goes to humanity and congratulated the country for all the hard work.

“I also understand the role played by those who worked hard to preserve the heritage in the most authentic conditions possible,” President Mattarella stated.

And Minister of Tourism and Arts Rodney Sikumba disclosed it was very deliberate for the President of Italy to visit the tourist capital.

Mr. Sikumba said Zambia is cognizant of the fact that Italy forms part of the source market with regards to tourism, hence the need to bring President Mattarella to Livingstone to appreciate the beautiful nature of the country.

Government is taking serious considerations of preserving culture for tourist attraction and the VISA reciprocity that will allow a huge number of international tourists easy access to tourist sites in the country, he said .

TIZ happy that the newly established Economic and Financial Crimes division has started delivering

Chief Editor
-
6
TIZ happy that the newly established Economic and Financial Crimes division has started delivering

Transparency International Zambia(TIZ) is elated that the newly established Economic and Financial Crimes division is already bearing fruits after convicting 3 people for corrupt practices in Ndola yesterday.

TIZ president Sampa Kalungu said that his organization welcomes the conviction and sentencing of former Postmaster General Macpherson Chanda and two others to 2 years imprisonment for 13 counts of theft by public servant involving over K300, 000, 000, by the Ndola subordinate court under the financial and economic crimes division.

Mr. Kalungu said that TIZ further applaudsed the collaborative joint efforts by the Anti-Corruption Commission-ACC and the Drug Enforcement Commission-DEC in successfully bringing this case to this conclusion and hopes for speedy trials of corruption and economic crimes going forward.

He is of the view that this conviction of the former Postmaster General and 2 others, should give great impetus to both the ACC and the DEC to work more effectively by bringing more corruption cases to successful conclusion while this begins to serve as a deterrence to those charged with public good not to abuse their authority and positions.

Mr. Kalungu has challenged the government to pick lessons from the origin of this case which came by way of whistle blowers, by strengthening whistle blowers act, enact the ATI law and other laws that promote citizens participation in the fight against corruption.

Zambia to endeavor to adopt a Social Solidarity Economy-Labour Minister

Chief Editor
-
2
Zambia to endeavor to adopt a Social Solidarity Economy-Labour Minister

Labour and Social Security Minister Brenda Tambatamba has said that Zambia will endeavor to adopt the social solidarity economy to help promote decent wages for the workers and job creation.

Social and solidarity economy is increasingly used as an umbrella concept, which refers to the production and exchange of goods and services by a broad range of organizations and enterprises that pursue explicit social and/or environmental objectives.

Ms. Tambatamba said the new dawn government has welcomed the proposed social solidarity economy for the purpose of fulfilling its obligations and will also adopt the document in its policies and the international labor standards that will benefit the workers.

Addressing Journalists at a media briefing today, Ms. Tambatamba said her Ministry will take into account the conclusion of the general conference when reviewing the policy that seeks to advance decent work.

Zambia recently attended the International Labour Conference held in Geneva Switzerland where resolutions to uphold workers’ rights and adopt the world’s best practices for the betterment of workers were passed.

And National Pension Scheme Authority Director-General Munyangwa Munyangwa said the authority is looking at options to address the issue of sustainability among the workers and how it will protect the members in their old

Don’t be daft; coffins can’t move on their own!

Chief Editor
-
11
Don’t be daft; coffins can’t move on their own!

By Prince Bill M. Kaping’a Political/Social Analyst

It’s quite disconcerting and outrageous that some of our citizens seem to be still stuck in the Dark Ages and refuse to embrace civilization which requires us to use basic knowledge to make sense of any situation. In this day and age, how can someone honestly buy the notion that wizards can simply strip naked and take to broomsticks to fly to another land to inflict pain on their enemies, easily turn into crocodiles to feast on fellow unsuspecting human beings, or indeed that coffins can move on their own to hunt down suspected killers of corpses contained therein?

The other day, a 75-year-old man of Milambo village, Milenge district in Luapula province mate his fate when a coffin supposedly ‘directed’ the pallbearers wherever he was to punish him for having bewitched a pregnant woman that died during labour! This isn’t a new phenomenon…..a number of our people have continued to die in a similar manner and yet many more continue to do so as society looks away. Those that continue unleashing such a trail of barbaric and heinous crimes in the countryside are uncivilized beings…..nay, savages who ought to be sent back to the Stone Age! This equally applies to those who believe in such utter nonsense!

Come on man……..let’s not be daft; there’s no way a coffin can move on it’s on! I will cite two practical examples to debunk such myths. I equally expect those harbouring contrary beliefs to do the same and adduce evidence. What happened to investigative journalism in this country? I would in fact challenge any journalist interested in this matter to invite me to come along to the countryside as they attempt to probe and dig deeper.

Two years ago, my brother in law and I were driving from Solwezi when we encountered the so-called Chikondo (moving coffin) near St. Dorothy. A partially damaged coffin was resting on the ground as the villagers engaged in a heated argument with the police. The pallbearers were refusing to put the coffin in the police vehicle as ordered by the police so that they could help them take it to the cemetery.

“The coffin is refusing to move,” they insisted. “We’ve to allow it to move and find the wizard!”

My foot! I stepped forward at that juncture and asked for any volunteers to help me load the coffin into the Landcruiser. Little did I realise I had just stirred a hornet’s nest.

“We’re going to skin you alive Mr. Stranger!” a guttural voice snarled behind me.

Like ones suddenly possessed by evil spirits, the villagers ruptured into hysterics. They were seething with deadly anger! In no time, the pall bearers lifted the coffin off the ground and started smashing it against the vehicle as others sought all manner of objects and started raining them on us.

“Ungasiye bana mwami….” One of the cops cried as he took to his heels as the others followed suit. We quickly sought our vehicle and zipped away before the enraged mob could turn their anger on us. No doubt their intention was to mete-out instant justice on us!

How come the pallbearers never allowed me to touch the coffin if indeed it was refusing to move, one would wonder?

Anyway, another example I would like to share was recounted to me by one Zandonda (not real name), a police officer from the Anti-Robbery Squad in Kitwe. He’s a clean-shaven and well-built towering individual who instils fear in the hearts of bandits. He brooks no nonsense; you cross paths with him at your own peril!

Not so long ago, he was instructed to lead a small team to gold-rich Mwinilunga to recover a stolen vehicle from Kitwe which was reportedly heading to one of the neighbouring countries. As per procedure in the police service, they reported to the police in the district to explain their mission. They found the Officer-in-charge crestfallen. His own charges seemed reluctant to disperse the crowd. He became elated upon seeing them and asked if they could help break up the gathering that had gathered to identify the witch who had killed a child at a nearby village.

“Who are the parents of this child?” Zandonda asked as he dramatically cocked his assault rifle.

The mourners and sorcerers were soon scampering in all directions! He suppressed laughter and beckoned them back. He explained to them they had been sent by the Inspector General of Police to stop the nonsense of moving coffins.

“We are ordering you to immediately go and give this child a dignified burial,” he pretended to be very angry. “From here, we are going to the border to sort out a similar problem. We should find this child buried on our way back otherwise we’ll deal with you ruthlessly.”

They managed to recover the stolen Nissan Patrol belonging to one renowned Kitwe-based pastor. Meanwhile, the usually boisterous village was quiet. Their colleagues informed them the villagers had managed to bury the child without any drama. They seemed to have rushed back to their homesteads afterwards and locked themselves in fearing the unknown.

Imagine the police didn’t intervene? One of the senior citizens in the village was definitely going to be targeted and possibly killed or made to part away with a cow or colossal sums of money.

Is this the way we should be treating our senior citizens?

Pallbearers claim they have failed to take coffin containing corpse to grave, after several attempts

Chief Editor
-
9
Pallbearers claim they have failed to take coffin containing corpse to grave, after several attempts

The coffin containing the corpse of 54 year old Maggie Haabwele of Mukankamano area of Chief Chikupili Chiefdom in Luano has once again allegedly refused to be buried.

Since July 5, 2022 pallbearers have failed to take the coffin to the grave after several attempts, claiming that the deceased has refused to be buried and instead is leading them to houses of her suspected killers, some of whom are currently in police custody as a place of safety.

Eye witnesses also claimed that all the vehicles that had been brought to ferry the corpse to the burial site developed mysterious mechanical problems one after another, but took off as soon as the coffin was offloaded from them.

Luano District Commissioner, Kells Meleki who visited one of the alleged killer’s houses where the coffin was said to be laying after forcefully going through the door, urged residents of the area to remain calm.

“I urge all of you to remain calm as we mourn our mother,” he said.

Mr Meleki later called police to the scene to ensure peace and order among the irate mourners.

The Luano DC has further called for meetings with Chief Chikupili of the Swaka speaking people of Luano, Luano Council Chairperson, Mboroma Police Officers and the family of the deceased to decide the way forward.

1...588589590...5,640Page 589 of 5,640

Company

Trending

Categories

© Lusaka Times