A- 21- year- old woman of Chalobantu Village in Chief Nkole Mfumu’s chiefdom in Kasama District who went missing on Friday May 1, 2026 after a misunderstanding at home has been found dead.
Northern Province Police Commanding Officer, Simunji Mulonda, says the incident was reported at Kasama Central Police Station on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at around 14:35 hours.
Mr Mulonda who identified the deceased as Patricia Mwansa, said the father, Augustine Katanda, aged 51, told police that Mwansa went missing on May 1 after a misunderstanding at home.
Mr Mulonda said the now deceased was last seen leaving the family residence around 14:00 hours, and her body was discovered the following day about 100 meters from the house.
He added that police inspected the body and found no evidence of foul play.
Mr Mulonda says the family has since been advised accordingly regarding burial arrangements, subject to completion of police formalities.
The commanding officer has expressed concern over the rising number of sudden death incidents in the province.
“It is worrying the increased numbers of suicide, this situation highlights the importance of strengthening community support systems and promoting general well-being among members of the public,” he said.
He urged community leaders, the clergy, and other stakeholders to continue engaging residents on positive social values, conflict resolution, and the importance of seeking guidance during difficult situations.
“Members of the public are encouraged to maintain strong family and community ties, as well as to look out for one another, in order to help prevent avoidable loss of life,” he added.
Mr Mulonda said police remain committed to working with all stakeholders to safeguard the lives and welfare of citizens in Northern Province.
When it comes to politics, voters are often manipulated into believing the impossible. One is left to wonder whether the ongoing divisions in the Patriotic Front are nothing more than a calculated deception—engineered by either Mundubile or Makebi—to ultimately endorse HH’s agenda.
The incumbent is at his weakest and has little to campaign on—save for “salt sana,” a slogan that rings hollow. A message like “Bally Has Failed to Fix It” would more effectively remind voters of the 2021 promise, “Bally Will Fix It.” After five years, has Bally fixed the economy, unemployment, poverty, roads, or healthcare? “Bally has failed to fix it” is far more compelling than “sugar sana!”
There is little doubt that many Zambians want Bally gone—yesterday. But only a united PF can bring him to his knees. Instead, the opposition appears to be deceiving voters into believing that fragmented camps can deliver victory. Voters are falling for it—and are likely heading toward the worst-case scenario: UPND winning nearly all parliamentary seats across Zambia, effectively turning the country into a de facto one-party state.
At the parliamentary level, there is no 50+1 requirement. This means UPND could still win constituencies even if it comes second in broader national support. Now, with PF fielding multiple candidates in the same races, the split vote will likely hand UPND first place in many constituencies—followed by candidates from Mundubile’s camp, Makebi’s camp, and smaller parties.
A similar pattern could emerge at the presidential level. However, because of the 50+1 threshold, a rerun would be likely. At that stage, the true allegiances may surface. Having lost the presidency, one camp could align with HH to secure the required majority, arguing that the opposing candidate lacks the credentials to lead. Even in the unlikely event that the opposition unites afterward, HH will have his new MPs to campaign for him. A defeated opposition is not likely to overcome the zeal of the truimphant ruling party! HH will easily win.
So unless these individuals have endorsed Hichilema, their actions amount to political self-sabotage.
Is it not time for Mundubile and Makebi to put Zambia first and sacrifice for the greater good? The reality is stark: regardless of how many parliamentary candidates they adopt, a divided front will lose decisively to UPND. The result would be the effective collapse of opposition politics in Zambia.
The opposition must also face another hard truth: a second Hichilema presidency could prove even more difficult for them. It could tighten political space, weaken dissent, and consolidate power further. Yet this outcome would not be inevitable—it would be the result of opposition fragmentation.
Supporters of both camps must also stop misleading their leaders. The path forward is clear: divided, they will lose. United, they at least stand a chance.
This applies to all opposition parties–claiming to be “the next president of Zambia” on social media does not make you one. Aside from PF, no opposition party has meaningful support to remove UPND from power. Social media noise does not translate into electoral strength. Unlike UPND in opposition, no current party commands a reliable ethnic or regional stronghold. Paying nomination fees and fielding candidates without a viable path to victory risks doing little more than endorsing HH’s second term.
Mundubile and Makebi must stop deceiving voters into believing that a divided front can win. They should either set aside their differences and unite—or be honest with the electorate about the dire consequences of their deadly division.
Ever since former President Edgar Lungu transitioned to the land of the dead, backward and cheap talk has taken centre stage in the PF camps accusing the UPND administration of attempting to access his remains for purposes of voodoo practices for whatever reasons!
What sort of warped reasoning is this? This is the lowest one would sink into the gutter! Surely, with the likes of David Livingstone traveling many miles to rescue our ancestors from primitivity, do we still hold the view witchcraft can perform wonders? If indeed it can, how come we still remain the most backward and impoverished race on earth? What earth shattering breakthroughs have we contributed to mankind to sort out conundrums as deadly diseases ((HIV/AIDS)) or even absolute poverty?
The other day, an entire former PF member of parliament, Jay Jay Banda was preaching to the whole world from his hiding abroad how UPND has been using witchcraft and satanism to improve its political fortunes. How did such a fellow even end up in Parliament……a thug who violently urinated into the mouth of a hapless journalist – Peter Sukwa?
From the look of things, it’s not a mere coincidence that PF members are so frenzied about witchcraft; they may be too deep into it. Isn’t Professor Nkandu Luo who was pursuing the agenda of introducing the school of witchcraft at UNZA?
During the days of PF in power, rumours were rife about wizards being brought in from Malawi to provide ‘chingilizani’ to heads of State House. And we believe we don’t have chicken memories to forget an incident whereby an SUV belonging to a cabinet minister in the previous administration was involved in an accident on its way to Congo to seek answers from witch doctors over colossal amounts of money that went missing from safe at his residence? We play too much in this country.
And to think that some of the people peddling such falsehoods and innuendos are the priests and the so-called most educated, is mind boggling. Tu PF, get real for once and for all…… voodoo won’t take you anywhere! During the time of UPND in opposition, you burnt calories referring to HH in the most deregatory terms – Satanist, Freemason and Witch, did the Zambians fall for it? When the day if reckoning came, they went ahead and ushered him in power overwhelmingly!
UPND is now cruising nice and smoothly on the political trajectory not because of anything else, but a President who is smart and educated little wonder why he has introduced free education from primary school upto the University level. Please let’s take advantage of this policy and encourage our children and relatives to go to school so as to liberate them from the witchcraft mentality.
Prince Bill M. Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst
Zambezi
The newly launched Africa’s Children 2026: Statistical Compendium by UNICEF, the African Union, UNECA and STATAFRIC is more than a statistical publication. It is a wake-up call to governments across Africa — including Zambia — that the future of development will be determined by how nations invest in children today.
The report reveals that Africa is now home to nearly 691 million children under the age of 18, representing around 46 per cent of the continent’s total population. More than one in four of the world’s children now live in Africa. This means Africa’s child population is no longer simply a social matter — it is now a strategic global issue.
For Zambia, the message is especially relevant.
Like many African countries, Zambia has a youthful and growing population. A large child population can become a national dividend if matched with quality education, good health systems, nutrition, clean water, and future job creation. But if these investments are delayed, the same demographic reality can deepen poverty, unemployment, inequality, and social strain.
The report points to a central challenge facing many African states: population growth is moving faster than systems growth.
In practical terms, this means:
• More children needing classrooms than schools being built
• More mothers needing maternity care than clinics being expanded
• More youth entering adulthood than jobs being created
• More urban growth than housing and sanitation systems can absorb
This is where Zambia must think strategically.
The report’s 2026 thematic focus on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is particularly timely. Across Africa, only 45 per cent of the population has access to at least basic sanitation, while only 38 per cent have basic hygiene facilities.
For Zambia, this should renew urgency around:
• Urban sanitation in growing townships
• Rural water access
• School toilets and handwashing facilities
• Health facility cleanliness and infection prevention
• Child nutrition linked to clean water
These are not secondary matters. They directly affect learning outcomes, disease burden, maternal health, and productivity.
The report also raises a harder policy question: Can African governments meet child needs without stronger economic reform?
Across the continent, average public spending remains constrained, while many countries continue to face debt pressures, narrow tax bases, and dependence on external finance.
For Zambia, this means child welfare cannot be separated from:
• Debt sustainability
• Domestic revenue mobilisation
• Efficient public spending
• Anti-corruption efforts
• Growth in agriculture, mining value-addition, and industry
In short, macroeconomics and child welfare are linked.
There is also a moral dimension. A country’s seriousness about the future is measured not by speeches, but by how it treats children — especially the poor, rural, vulnerable, and excluded.
Zambia has real opportunities:
• Expand early childhood education
• Strengthen free education with quality improvements
• Reduce stunting and malnutrition
• Invest in adolescent skills and jobs pathways
• Build stronger local health systems
• Protect children through social cash transfer programmes
If pursued well, Zambia’s youthful population can become one of its greatest assets.
If neglected, it can become a source of future instability.
The Africa’s Children Report is therefore not merely data.
It is a mirror.
And for Zambia, it asks one urgent question: Are we preparing today for the nation our children will inherit tomorrow?
If you grew up like I did 70 years ago at Chipewa Village in the Eastern province rural Zambia in Southern Africa, you have certain deep life experiences. These experiences exist buried deep in my soul for the rest of my life. This has been both a great blessing but also a burden. If you live more than 30 years in the Western world, you gradually lose your soul. Your body and mind yearn to reclaim or re-experience the connection to the soil and the soul to the African natural wilderness. This part of your soul might be less understood today by some of the 19 million young Zambians who live in the modern world. These young Zambians may have now joined their counterpart Western young people who live on the cell phone. Why am I saying all of these strange things?
I was flying home from the United States recently when these yearnings of the soul overwhelmed me. Massive engines of the Airbus 380 hauling more than 500 passengers toward home to Africa fiercely roared all night under my feet like a dozen hungry lions. I was served a snack, ate dinner, slept, woke up, slept again, when I woke up it was dawn. Each hour crawled slowly. I ate breakfast and my feet were about to step on my Africa old sweet home soil at sunrise after 17 grueling hours.
The excitement and rush of adrenaline doesn’t get old when the plane kisses the ground and you land at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka in Zambia. You walk out of the terminal exhaling and knowing you are home free to roam the streets and the land of perpetual sunshine and blue skies. People build and love to own mansions and villas with swimming pools. My soul is different.
This is why my farm caretaker Mr. Phiri thought I was crazy. I arrived at my personal model village with real traditional village grass thatched huts in Chongwe in rural Lusaka. As soon as I stepped out of the taxi, I decided to walk on my 2 bare feet on bare earth for the whole period of days when I was walking on the village paths. A Nya Banda, the wife of Mr. Phiri, just shook her head when she saw my pale bare feet step on the bare brown rough ground. I walked first very gingerly. I do not advise any readers in 2026 to try walking barefoot while in any part of the rural bush in the African village.
Visit to Wildlife Camp
This was pure happenstance or serendipity. I was on my laptop in my RB&B in the capital city of Lusaka when I impulsively casually typed the search for something like: “South Luangwa Safari lodges”. I found out within minutes that April was before the peak dry season of tourism that starts from May to November when prices skyrocket and are prohibitively high. The flights and lodges were rock bottom cheap now in April. I am not rich. What I always do is that if rich and well-off people throw scraps of food to the ground from their table, I pick up the scraps and create a good, delicious meal for myself. I have stayed cheaply in so many expensive luxurious places when it is off season for tourism that I have had great experiences. My heart was already pumping with excitement as I thought and fantasized about staying at the Wildlife Camp in the South Luangwa Game Park again after 14 years when I was last there. I love the beautiful Puku
History
If you have great memories and a deep love for a place, be it your home neighborhood, your former school or college, beach vacation resort, there is always a history of how you fell in love with the place. Twenty-six years ago in June 2000, I took my two American young sons, 11 and 15, to visit their village in Lundazi in the Eastern Province. My late uncle had given us his old pickup truck to use. Predictably it developed some mechanical problems. After visiting their grandparents (my parents) and dozens of relatives, we were to visit the Luangwa Game Park.
We arrived in Chipata with no reservation for any of the safari lodges or camps. It was late in the day and I had topped up the gas tank at the petrol or gas station near the Chipata-Lundazi road junction. I was pacing frustrated and not knowing what to do. I saw a white man walking by.
“Sir!” I stopped him. “My 2 boys and I would like to go to a safari lodge in the Luangwa Game Park. I never made any reservations. Do you know any safari lodge I would go to right now.”
“You are talking to the right person,” he replied. “I am Herman Miles, the owner of Wildlife Camp. If you leave now, which is about 4 pm, you would arrive there at 6:00pm. I can call my wife and the camp chef to tell them you are coming and to have food ready for you when you get there. Tomorrow you can go and see all the animals you want.”
I jumped into the pickup truck.
“Boys!!!” I yelled. “We are on our way to the Wildlife Safari Camp!!”
The road from the Chipata Provincial town to Mfuwe in the Luangwa Game Park was still unpaved at the time. The pickup truck bounced around, vibrated, and shook as if it was going to disintegrate. At one point we hit a huge bump that bounced the boys so high that their heads almost hit the ceiling of the cabin of the truck.
“Hang on boys!!!” I yelled above the loud noise. “We will get there!!!” I glanced at them and I could see they were smiling and probably telling themselves; “This is too thrilling to be happening, Adventure!!!!”
After 2 hours we arrived at the Wildlife Camp. It was dark. We ate dinner. Everything I experienced, and the vibe of the place was magical that one day and two nights. At about 2am at night we heard lions roaring in the distance as we were sleeping in our chalet. The baby elephant was mimicking its mother.
April 2026
I boarded the 30 passenger two propeller Hawker Siddeley that was to fly an hour to Mfuwe. There were only 7 passengers on board, and the flight only took 45 short minutes. We landed at sunset. I was so excited I rushed through the small arrival gate and immediately saw one of the arrival hosts holding a sign “Wildlife Camp”.
“Wildlife Camp!!” I yelled. “So glad to see you!” I shook the guy’s hand and hoisted my carryon backpack onto my back. We arrived at the parking lot, and he pointed to his 4-wheel drive SUV vehicle which was to take us to the camp.
“Do you have any other bags?” my host asked.
“Ohhh!” I shouted, slapping my forehead, “I have a bag. I am so excited I forgot about picking up my bag first.”
We returned to the tiny arrival lounge and picked up my bag which had large lenses, cameras, and other photographic equipment.
When I see anything, meet anyone significant, an event, or see wild animals on a safari, I believe I have to use all of my God given senses being present in the moment; smell (nose), seeing (eyes), hearing (ears), touch, (skin) and taste (tongue). This sounds easy until you realize today that we live in a world where most people are glued to the cell phone. How can anyone truly experience anything if the first thing you do is to stick your cell phone in front of your face practically always when you are trying to experience something special and exciting? This is why I judiciously use only my still camera.
During that one day, everything I saw and heard was magical and great for my soul. We saw and heard numerous animals and birds in their natural habitat. This is why I never really enjoy going to the zoo because once you see animals up close in nature, you feel sorry for zoo animals.
Highlights
I saw numerous animals. I have chosen only the top 2 highlights during our safari. We were sitting under a large tree taking a tea break during the morning safari drive when the Njiba bird landed in the tree above us and began crooning and singing. The Njiba bird sound in my view is the signature bird song of the Savannah Africa wilderness. I have even tried to convince my fellow church congregation members at Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalist church (HUU) in Harrisonburg in Virginia. I was audio recording the bird, when all the 50 impalas who were grazing near us raised their heads, froze and intensely stared toward one far direction. At the same time, the baboons and monkeys nearby made squealing alarm sounds. Something was up; it was happening, those were the signals of danger and urgency in the natural world around us.
“I can see maybe 2 or 3 lions!!” Joyi, our safari guide, yelled pointing to the far side of the meadow where the impalas were all nervously looking toward with their ears perked and tails swiftly wagging side to side. At a distance of one mile or 1.6kms. One lion just emerged from the underbrush and joined others under the shade of the tree.
“We have not seen any lions here in the Park for 3 weeks. We are lucky,” Joyi said. The chase was on. The safari guide could not drive his tough Land Cruiser across the meadow as it had just rained heavily 2 days before. There was a foot deep of swamp water in which the jeep was going to sink and be stuck. Joyi had to drive around the far drier side to get to the tree. He reached for his cell phone and immediately began to excitedly alert other safari parties that lions had been spotted.
We finally drove right next to about 20 feet or 6meters of the 3 lions who completely ignored us. One of them was fully carefree asleep. The lions were not afraid of us.
The second highlight is when we spotted 5 elephants. They hid behind the tall bushes and Joyi, our safari guide, knew exactly what to do. He maneuvered the jeep safely up to as close as 100ft or 30meters. That’s when I noticed that the elephants were caked in fresh black wet mud. There was a strong stench and a swarm of insects buzzing and circling around the elephant including tsetse flies, one which bit me. The baby elephant raised its small trunk as it was mimicking its mother who was raising her trunk immediately producing that shrill loud piercing sound. I just sat there in awe of that moment. In between my gazing, I hit my photographic camera shutter making those rapid sweet licking sounds of urgency while trying to catch and freeze some actions.
At the Wildlife Camp you have to be escorted to and from your Chalet to the dining room although the distance between your chalet and the dining room is perhaps 50meters or 164ft to 80 meters or 262ft. This is because there are bushes and wild animals are always wandering around because the camp is their natural domain.
An hour before being driven to the airport after breakfast in the morning, I sat in front of the dining room which faces the majestic meandering mighty Luangwa River. It was sunny with a blue sky. I saw and heard the hippos. The Njiba, Munthyengu and other birds sung above me in the trees. The monkeys were making faces at me. I got very emotional that I was leaving this majestic, soulful, beautiful and wonderful place that is the unique Wildlife Camp. Zambia, my Zambia is truly a country of honey and milk. Why do good moments end?
Not everything legal is moral; however, the Zambian government’s short possession of, and the alleged illegal postmortem on, President Lungu’s body is neither. Furthermore, AG Mulilo Kabesha’s legal thinking begs ubuntu—indeed, repeatedly lacking decency in carrying out his legal responsibilities is not just shameful but simply inhumane.
As a nation, it is time for soul-searching. After all, Mr. Lungu was not just an ordinary person—he was the Head of State. If his body can be desecrated like this, it says a lot about how our justice system views all of us. President Hichilema went to court to stop his family from burying Lungu on the premise of Lungu’s status; thus, why should his body be handled as if he were a street dog? Moreover, from the vehicle that carried his body to the very facility that conducted the postmortem, one wonders why every standard was so compromised. In a normal world, President Hichilema would be at the forefront of launching an investigation into this unheard-of international scandal—but instead, under his regime, it is normal.
Worse still, the fact that his body was taken without the consent or presence of the family leads one to ask—is this how low our nation has sunk? Admittedly, I know some UPND cadres are cheering such actions, but we must all ask: what if it happened to my wife, husband, mother, father, or child? Would I want the body of my deceased relative privately taken from the morgue, let alone opened without my consent by my avowed enemies? We are Africans, for God’s sake. Moreover, the body is still a subject of litigation and ritual suspicions—we all know it. Indeed, President Hichilema and his courts believe in witchcraft—that is why we have witches in jail under AG Kabesha. And who doesn’t know about the ritual of licking blood or Seer 1’s relationship with Chief Monze and our President? Meanwhile, people have been wondering why President Hichilema has been so obsessed with Lungu’s body for over 10 months—and, ironically, the regime has just given them a traditional answer: the opening of Lungu’s body in private and without his family’s consent. As a result, the belief stands that only witches would do that.
At this point, this situation is no longer about power—it is about African beliefs. Consequently, Hichilema is now condemned to cultural judgment, and his image as a ritualist is now established. Should he win the next term, people will claim he used Lungu’s blood; conversely, should he lose, people will claim the blood of Lungu haunted him. Altogether, what a difficult situation he now finds himself in—a ritualist president.
Ultimately, this is not about facts but beliefs. Whether true or not, President Hichilema’s lack of moral judgment in handling Lungu’s body reinforces the African traditional belief in the use of human parts in power rituals. Furthermore, with countless Nigerian movies and our own ritual murders, President Hichilema’s image as a ritualist is now solidified among the masses. In time, Lungu will surely be buried; however, people have now concluded that Hichilema has taken certain parts from Lungu. This rumor will be hard to erase from public discourse. Nevertheless, it was avoidable. Ideally, Hichilema should have alerted the family before getting closer to Lungu’s body—it is simply a moral thing to do. Instead, his lack of ubuntu or hatred for Lungu has earned him the title of a ritualist among many in Zambia—a title rooted in perception rather than facts, since only his people know the real truth as to what transpired behind closed doors. In the end, the family and Zambians will believe what they want to believe—this, too, speaks to morality.
The Zambia Police Service has dismissed claims that President Hakainde Hichilema’s convoy got lost during Labour Day celebrations in Chinsali, stating that the incident captured on video was a planned security manoeuvre.
The clarification follows assertions by Kasonde Mweenda, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who claimed on social media that the presidential motorcade had lost direction while heading to the event venue.
According to Police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi, the footage circulating online only showed a routine repositioning exercise carried out by the motorcade.
“The President disembarked and proceeded to a designated holding room for a briefing. The convoy then moved ahead and executed a planned U-turn to reposition in readiness for his transfer to the main arena. This was a standard operational manoeuvre and does not indicate any loss of direction,” Chilabi said.
He added that the manoeuvre forms part of standard VVIP security procedures and was conducted with full coordination and discipline.
Police further stressed that all movements during the Labour Day event were executed professionally, dismissing the claims as false and misleading.
Chilabi also warned members of the public against spreading misinformation, noting that circulating false claims is an offence under Zambian law.
The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has condemned the practice of politicians offering food, money and other incentives to voters, describing it as illegal and a form of electoral corruption.
In a statement, NGOCC board chairperson Beauty Katebe urged citizens to reject such inducements and report offenders to law enforcement agencies, including the Anti-Corruption Commission.
“Zambians are reminded that voting is a secret process. No individual or political entity can determine how one has voted. Citizens must not feel coerced or obligated to vote for any candidate based on inducements or intimidation,” she said.
Katebe further called on political parties and aspiring candidates to uphold the rule of law and maintain integrity throughout the electoral process, stressing that leadership should be built on transparency, accountability and respect for democratic principles.
She warned that NGOCC would not hesitate to report individuals or parties found engaging in corrupt practices, adding that safeguarding the credibility of elections is a shared responsibility.
Meanwhile, the council also expressed concern over reports that some political parties are demanding original documents from aspiring candidates, particularly those seeking adoption for parliamentary and local government positions.
Katebe described the practice as illegal, noting that documents such as National Registration Cards (NRCs) and Grade 12 certificates remain the personal property of individuals.
“Political parties are only permitted to request certified copies of such documents,” she said, advising candidates who may have surrendered originals to retrieve them immediately.
NGOCC reiterated its commitment to promoting good governance and urged all stakeholders to act responsibly in protecting the integrity of Zambia’s electoral process.
Government has commenced the distribution of relief food to flood victims on Kilwa Island in Nchelenge district.
Luapula province Permanent Secretary Prudence Chinama who flagged off the distribution of the relief food on the island assured the people that no one will die of hunger.
The Permanent Secretary indicated that the Republican President is concerned with the flood situation which has affected a lot of families not only in Luapula but also other parts of the country.
The Permanent Secretary said the government is working at ensuring that support is given to all those who have been affected by floods.
“These items are for those whose houses collapsed but we are aware that your crop fields have also been affected and support will come your way,” she stated.
Ms Chinama disclosed that most districts in Luapula province have been affected by the heavy rains but that the government is doing everything possible to see to it that no one dies of hunger.
She stated that the distribution of relief food will be an ongoing activity until all flood victims in Luapula are assisted.
Luapula Regional Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) Coordinator, Able Mwape revealed that over 900 families on Kilwa Island have been affected after their houses collapsed.
He pointed out that last week his office received a report that 129 houses had collapsed on the island due to heavy rains.
Mr Mwape said DMMU rushed in the area to assist the affected families even as the government is preparing for more support.
“These items which include mealie meal, cooking oil, soap and blankets are meant to help offer immediate support to the victims,” he said.
He stated that the government through DMMU is working on modalities of ensuring that everyone is given the support that is needed.
Meanwhile, Chief Nshimba who spoke through his representative Gospel Nshimba has commended the government for his people.
The Chief pointed out that the support will go a long way in helping his subjects as some of them lost everything after their houses collapsed.
He disclosed that apart from collapsed houses, some of his subjects have lost their crop fields hence they will also need help.
“This support should continue here in my chiefdom so that my people do not die of hunger as most of them have been greatly affected by these floods,” he said.
The Chief has further urged his subjects to put to good use the items they have received from the government.
Vice President Mutale Nalumango has announced that the Government will in the next two months start upgrading the 140 Kilometer Kabwe-Ngabwe road to bituminous level.
Mrs Nalumango observes that the road has been in bad condition for many years, a situation which made traveling on the road a hurdle for many travelers.
Speaking when she addressed scores of Ngabwe residents at Mumbachala, the vice president noted that the government wants easy transportation to and from the agriculture district.
“By 2031, you will have a tarmac road,” she assured the residents of Ngabwe
The Vice President also stated that the government is planning to rehabilitate the pontoon which was recently decommissioned before putting up a permanent bridge on the Kafubu River.
“We intend to put up a permanent bridge to improve access across the Lufubu River,” Mrs Nalumango said.
She also pointed out that the government is aware of some of the developmental needs of the people of Ngabwe.
“I have also been told that telecommunication is a challenge and that you need communication towers, I will engage the relevant Ministry to ensure that we ease communication,” said Mrs Nalumango.
The Vice President also highlighted the developments that the government has undertaken in the district especially through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
“We have built school infrastructure, maternity annexes and improved road infrastructure,” she said, “This is because the President is keen to improve the lives of the people in the country.
She explained that the increase in the CDF annual allocation to enhance decentralisation has taken development to many parts of the country including those that were initially underserved.
Mrs Nalumango urged the people of Ngabwe to vote for President Hichilema in the August 13 Presidential election for continuity.
“I’m urging you to vote for President Hichilema to enable him to continue with the developments that have been initiated,” said the Vice President.
Zambia and Angola have committed to curb transnational crimes along their shared border lines.
This was disclosed at the opening of the 34th Session of the Angola-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security being held in Luanda, Angola from 1st to 6th May 2026.
The Commission officially opened this morning at the Epic Sana Hotel in Luanda where the Zambian Ambassador to Angola, Elias Munshya led the Zambian delegation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Munshya highlighted the threat of terrorism in the region as a cause of concern, calling on delegates to the commission to come up with strategies of ending the scourge.
Dr Munshya warned that trafficking, illegal migration, poaching as well as drug trafficking must be fought at all costs.
He reiterated Zambia’s continued cooperation with Angola to promote peace, unity and enhanced relations with Angola.
Dr Munshya urged that through the 34th Session of the Angola-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security meeting, the two countries must come up with exchange visits, sign agreements and programmes which will enhance more cooperation by the Defence and Security institutions in the two countries.
Earlier in his remarks, Angola’s State Secretary for Defence Policy, Admiral Jose Maria De Lima (Rtd) said the security challenges which the two countries face must be tackled in a well-coordinated manner.
Admiral De Lima stated the need for intensified coordination in fighting transnational crimes on the common border.
He said the 34th Session of the Angola-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security offers an opportunity for the two countries to assess the status of commitments made during the previous session of the Commission in 2022.
Admiral De Lima said Angola is committed to work together with Zambia on Defence and Security matters at the highest level possible.
The Zambian delegation to the 34th Session of the Angola-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security includes Zambia Army Commander, Lt Gen Geoffrey Zyeele, Inspector General of Police, Graphel Musamba, Zambia Correctional Service Commissioner General, Mr Frederick Chilukutu.
Others are Drug Enforcement Commission Director General, Nason Banda, Immigration Department Director General, Japhet Lishomwa and other government officials.
This is according to a statement issued to to the media in Lusaka by the Ministry of Defence Principal Public Relations Officer, Paul Shalala.
Power Dynamos have won their ninth Super League title with four matches left in the 2025/26 campaign.
Power on Saturday afternoon secured their Super League title in Chililabombwe after beating Konkola Blades 2-1 at Konkola Stadium.
The Arthur Davies club took advantage of second placed Red Arrows’ 1-0 away loss at Mutondo Stars to open up a 15-point gap and an unassailable lead at the top.
Power, who have defended the league title, have 70 points after playing 30 matches.
Chifundo Mpasi and Samuel Ayodeiji scored for Power with Kelly Kayembe netting for Konkola in between those goals.
Power are four league titles behind their Kitwe archrivals Nkana, who are the record Super League champions.
Meanwhile, Arrows gave up the title chase when losing 1-0 to relegation threatened Mutondo Stars in Kitwe.
Wasanga Mhango scored the goal after 33 minutes which Mutondo defended to hand Arrows their fifth loss of the season.
Arrows remained on 55 points while Mutondo moved to 31 points as they brightened chances of survival.
Super League action continues on Sunday when Nkana will welcome Nchanga Rangers to Nkana Stadium.
MISA Zambia has described Zambia’s hosting of 2026 World Press Freedom Day Global Conference as a significant milestone, positioning the country as a regional hub for media advocacy and dialogue on issues such as digital rights, artificial intelligence and peace building.
MISA Zambia Chairperson Lorraine Chisanga said the global conference which will be preceded by World press Freedom day will provide an opportunity for journalists, policymakers and other stakeholders to engage on the future of journalism
In an exclusive interview with the media, Ms Chisanga said the two events will also be an opportunity to address misinformation and emerging technological challenges.
She also raised concern over certain provisions in cyber-related laws, which she says may limit freedom of expression and lead to self-censorship among journalists.
Ms Chisanga called for continued engagement with authorities to ensure that such laws do not undermine media freedom.
She reaffirmed MISA Zambia’s commitment to supporting journalists through capacity-building programmes, including nationwide training ahead of the elections.
Ms Chisanga said the organisation is equipping media practitioners with skills to report ethically and responsibly during the electoral period.
Government says it is committed to advancing the welfare of youths by supporting them through different economic activities.
Speaking during the Miss Youth Solwezi final pageant event, Northern-Western province deputy permanent secretary, Luckson Mulumbi says Government has put in place interventions aimed at empowering young people such as School bursaries, Constituency development Fund CDF loans and grants among others.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary adds that the Government commits to supporting Institutions and organisations that work towards empowering youths.
Mr Mulumbi further called on Government institutions and the private sector to take interest in the Miss Solwezi pageantry and use the models as ambassadors and service promoters, noting that it is one way of nurturing potential and inspiring positive change among young people.
Additionally, the Deputy Permanent Secretary encouraged the contestants of the Miss Solwezi to use Media platforms to spread positive messages and inspire others.
He called upon the winner of the pageant to be active in the community and help mentor young girls into positive behavior, self-belief and influencing communities for a better cause.
He added that the Miss Youth title should be used as a voice for young entrepreneurs and those that dream to contribute to national development.
Six young girls were the finalists with one expected to be crowned Miss Youth Solwezi.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has urged District Election Staff to exercise utmost care in scrutinising candidate qualifications and disqualifications during the nomination process.
ECZ Chief Electoral Officer, Brown Kasaro has stressed that the nominating stage is the foundation of electoral credibility and must be handled with precision.
He was speaking when he officially opened the fourth cohort of District Election staff training for Luapula and Western Provinces, at Mika Convention Centre in Chongwe.
Mr Kasaro has reminded participants that their professionalism and impartiality will be under close public and political scrutiny, further reiterating the need for fairness and transparency during the process.
He has warned that errors in documentation or misinterpretation of procedures could have far-reaching legal implications and erode public trust in the Commission.
“Pay particular attention to candidate qualifications and disqualifications. These areas are often challenged and can lead to disputes if not handled with utmost care and precision,” he stressed.
Speaking Earlier, ECZ Acting Director for Electoral Operations, Wina Mwanamonga noted that it is the first time district election staff were being trained in Lusaka, on the Nomination process.
He explained that previously, the commission would train provincial staff in Lusaka, who would then go back and pass on the training to the district staff in their provinces.
Mr Mwanamonga disclosed that a review conducted after the last election had revealed inadequate understanding among district staff on how to correctly fill in nomination forms, attributing the issue to possible information distortion, along the training process.
He noted that this shortcoming had resulted in the Commission recalling all district staff, who had initially been trained in their provinces, to rectify the forms, an exercise that proved costly for the Commission.
He expressed confidence that this new approach will ensure all staff receive standardised information.
“If Returning Officers have a challenge, you don’t need to call Lusaka because all of us now in the Districts, we know what is being done”, he stated.
The training programme was launched by ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis on April 25, 2026.
So far, the training has already covered Central, Northern, Copperbelt, North-Western, Lusaka, and Eastern Provinces, with others scheduled to follow.
