President Hakainde Hichilema today attended the burial of his uncle, Mr Maxwell Hichilema, in Mooya area of Himalambe Village in Monze District, Southern Province, and used the solemn occasion to call for enhanced road safety following a rise in fatal motorbike accidents in the area.

Mr Maxwell Hichilema, who died on April 12, 2026, was involved in a fatal motorbike accident along the Monze–Niko Road at Mooya Junction.

Speaking during the burial, President Hichilema consoled the bereaved family and urged them to accept the loss as part of God’s will.

“Losing a father, uncle or relative is a painful experience, but we must accept God’s will and mourn him in peace,” he said.

The Head of State described the late Mr Hichilema as a hardworking, courageous and disciplined leader who valued order in the community.

“His death is a great loss to the family, the community, the party and the nation at large. God gives life and God takes life,” President Hichilema said.

The late Mr Hichilema served as UPND Chairperson for Bweengwa Ward and was also Senior Headman Himalambe.

President Hichilema, who was accompanied by First Lady Mutinta Hichilema, expressed concern over the increasing number of road accidents, particularly those involving motorbikes in the area.

“This road was built to ease your travel and not to kill people,” he said.

He urged all road users, including motorists, cyclists, and motorbike riders, to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations.

“Ox carts, bicycles, motorbike riders and motorists, let us move properly on the road. Road users must be attentive to what is happening around them. Please stop over-speeding and observe traffic rules,” he said.

The President attributed the accident that claimed his uncle’s life to negligence.

“The accident which killed my uncle was purely due to negligence. How can you kill a person you can clearly see in front of you?” he questioned.

He has since directed the Ministry of Infrastructure to install a roundabout at Niko Junction and speed humps at various junctions to enhance road safety.

Meanwhile, Chief Hamusonde of Bweengwa Chiefdom described the late Mr Hichilema as a dependable traditional leader who dedicated his life to serving his people.

“We have lost one of our dependable headmen, a true son of the soil. He was born here in Bweengwa and has been laid to rest here.

 “He served as an adjudicator and headman with distinction,” the traditional leader said.

Area Member of Parliament Michelo Kasauta also called on residents to exercise caution on the roads, noting the alarming number of fatalities linked to motorbike accidents in the constituency.

“Too many lives are being lost due to motorbike accidents. I urge my people to be vigilant and prioritise safety on our roads,” he said.

The late Mr Maxwell Hichilema is survived by 43 children and 105 grandchildren.

Government has launched the National Action Plan for the Protection of persons living with albinism aimed at strengthening protection and promoting inclusion.

Minister of Community Development and Social Services Doreen Mwamba, in a speech read on her behalf by Chairperson- Parliamentary Calcus on Disability, Joseph Munsanje, said the action plan reflects government’s commitment to uphold the rights and dignity of persons living with albinism.

She noted that persons living with albinism continue to face stigma, discrimination and in some cases violence due to harmful myths and misconceptions.

Ms Mwamba added that women and children living with albinism remain particularly vulnerable, especially in rural and border areas.

She explained that the action plan provides a coordinated framework focusing on prevention, protection, access to justice and promotion of equality.

Meanwhile, Cheshire Homes Society of Zambia Board Chairperson Gaudenzio Rossi reaffirmed their commitment to working with government to ensure persons living with albinism are protected and included.

And a representative of persons living with albinism, Mr Mosed Luneta has thanked government for launching the action plan, describing it as a positive step towards addressing challenges affecting their community.

Traditional leaders in Southern Province and the nation as a whole are have consoled President Hakainde Hichilema and the first family on the passing of his uncle Maxwell Hichilema of Moya area in Himalambe village, in Monze district.

House of chiefs chairperson, Chief Choongo, who spoke on behalf of traditional leaders during an interaction with President Hakainde Hichilema before the burial service conveyed the message of condolences to the first family from traditional leaders across the country.

Chief Choongo said that traditional leaders across the nation were mourning with the first family.

He highlighted that Chiefs across the country had taken cognizance of the developmental projects achieved across the district and the country so far.

He added that traditional leaders were happy with the construction of the Monze Niko road in Monze describing it as a dream come true.

“Let me use this platform to let you know that we are happy with the construction of the Monze/Niko Road in Monze, it is a dream come true,” Chief Choongo said.

He added that the traditional leaders were happy with the outcome of the delimitation process and has hailed the government for the good leadership.

And President Hakainde Hichilema thanked the traditional leaders for the unity shown in coming together to support the first family.

Mr Hichilema urged the mourners and the traditional leaders to mourn and celebrate the life of his late uncle in peace.

The President added that losing a father, uncle and any loved one was a painful experience hence there was need to mourn in peace.

“You left the chiefdoms and palaces, we are very grateful, I would like you to mourn and celebrate his life in peace,” Mr Hichilema said.

Police in Mambwe District, Eastern Province has launched a manhunt for a 22-year-old man accused of defiling a 13-year-old girl in her mother’s house.

The incident is reported to have occurred on Wednesday night, April 15, 2026.

Eastern Province Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident to the media.

Mr Mweemba said the incident occurred around 22:00 hours while the girl’s mother was away attending a funeral.

Brief information on the matter is that the juvenile had been left in the care of her uncle and his wife, who live near the family home.

On the material day, at night, the juvenile survivor returned home to bathe and sleep after spending time at her uncle’s house.

“While she was bathing it is believed that the said perpetrator entered her room,” he said.

Aliyewo Phiri, 22, went direct to the bedroom of the survivor where he threatened before having canal knowledge of her.

Just after the act, the mother arrived home unexpectedly and knocked on the door leading to her daughter opening the door for her.

Since the mother was not expected and upon seeing her daughter’s reaction, she went on to check in the bedroom and found the suspect.

This led to her calling for help, while the suspect managed to run as she could not manage to apprehend him,

“The mother decided to report the matter to the police, and a police medical report has since been issued to her,” he said.

Mr Mweemba says a manhunt for the accused has been Launched.

Government has revised the 2026 phase two cash-for-work programme guidelines.

This is in an effort to ensure beneficiaries are screened using a new system developed by Smart Zambia Institute.

Cash for Work Focal Point Person for Lavushimanda District in Muchinga Province, Felix Mwale, said the Smart Zambia Cash for Work application will also ensure that people who are on other government programmes such as Social Cash Transfer are not included.

Mr Mwale was speaking in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) after a stakeholder meeting held at Mununga United Church of Zambia (UCZ).

Mr Mwale explained that the system will be able to detect beneficiaries who were already benefiting from other government programmes.

“We will be using a system developed by Smart Zambia to screen eligible beneficiaries,” he said.

He added that the revised programme aims to ensure inclusivity of women, youths and persons living with disabilities.

Mr Mwale has since urged Ward Development Committees (WDCs), Community Welfare Assistance Committees (CWACs), and Satellite Disaster Management Committees (SDMCs) to adhere to programme guidelines when identifying potential beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Lavushimanda Town Council Secretary Jonas Mwendakawa said the programme was more than just a short-term intervention.

He explained that the programme served as a bridge connecting vulnerable households to income while contributing to community development projects.

“By bringing together government representatives, development partners, civil society and community leaders, we ensure that the programme is not only effective but also inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people it serves,” he said.

Mr Mwendakawa further revealed that 12 data clerks had been trained and deployed to ensure the smooth implementation of the programme.

And Lavushimanda District Commissioner Terries Kunda said that the programme had been expanded to cover all districts in the country.

Mr Kunda explained that Government revised and expanded the programme to enhance coverage and sustainability in the country.

“The programme has been expanded to all 116 districts, ensuring that no community is left behind,” he said.

He added that over 1.5 million vulnerable citizens countrywide were expected to directly benefit from the 2026 R-RCW programme.

President Hakainde Hichilema, has departed for Lusaka after putting to rest his uncle, Mr Maxwell Hichilema who died in a road accident on Sunday.

The Presidential Chopper took off at exactly 16:40 hours for Lusaka from Mooya Primary Secondary in Bweengwa, Monze District.

The Head of State was seen off by Southern Province Minister, Credo Nanjuwa, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu, and mines minister Paul Kabuswe .

Others include Bweengwa Member of Parliament Michelob Kasauta, Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa, Southern Province Permanent Secretary Dr Namani Monze and other senior party officials, and government officials

Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Zambia, has invested over K285 million in community development programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of people in rural areas across the country.

The initiatives, which focus on agriculture, education and health have significantly contributed to enhancing living standards of vulnerable communities including rural areas.

Speaking during a media breakfast, and the launch of the 2026 DAPP Progress Report in Lusaka today, DAPP Zambia Managing Director, Elise Soerensen, said the organisation remains committed to supporting Zambia’s development through targeted interventions in key sectors.

Ms Soerensen noted that Zambia’s livelihoods are largely anchored in agriculture, education and health, noting that investing in these sectors is critical to transforming communities.

She explained that under the agriculture programme, farmers in rural areas are being guided and monitored to adopt climate smart agricultural practices in order to build resilience against climate related challenges.

Ms Soerensen further highlighted that education remains the foundation of sustainable development, stating that DAPP Mkushi College continues to produce teachers who are making a positive impact in classrooms and communities across the country.

She added that in the health sector, DAPP has strengthened its interventions in tuberculosis, malaria and child immunisation particularly targeting vulnerable children in Kalumbila and Solwezi Districts.

Ms Soerensen reaffirmed DAPP Zambia’s commitment to promoting the welfare of vulnerable communities, emphasising that the organisation will continue implementing sustainable programmes that uplift livelihoods and foster long term development.

The Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) says most parts of the country have a 60 percent chance of receiving above-normal rainfall from 14th to 20th April 2026.

This is according to the latest 14 days’ rainfall forecast issued by the ZMD.

The forecast for the 14th to 20th April, 2026, indicates a 60% or greater chance of above-normal rainfall across most parts of the country.

The rainfall forecast further showed that from the 21st to 27th April, much of the country may experience below-normal rainfall, with isolated cases of above-normal rainfall, especially over the western districts of Western Province and the extreme northern parts of Zambia.

During the period from the 21st to 27th April, much of the country may experience below-normal rainfall.

With isolated cases of above-normal rainfall, especially over the western districts of Western Province and the extreme northern parts of Zambia.

The Department further indicated that much of the country is likely to have below-normal rainfall, except for the western districts of Western Province and the extreme northern parts which are likely to experience above-normal rainfall, with a 50 percent chance in each case during the forecast period.

Government has commended African Parks on its consistent and transformative conservation and tourism development that has led to sustainable resource utilisation and reduced dependency on unsustainable practices.

Speaking during a stakeholder engagement in Lusaka, Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, said that African Parks continued investment in tourism, has strengthened the sector, while allowing the government to channel its resources to social protection services.

“African Parks committed to investing $20 million over a 20-year period. impressively, within just five years, over $34 million has already been invested – surpassing the initial commitment,” he said.

Mr Sikumba added that government is equally committed to addressing infrastructure gaps in road and air transport in order to unlock the full potential of the northern and southern tourism circuits.

He mentioned that the government has implemented a multi-sectoral policy framework aimed at enhancing community beneficiation so that local communities can share the wealth of natural resources through employment, business opportunities, and sustainable development initiatives.

African Parks Chief Operating Officer, Charles Wells recognised that Zambia has demonstrated prudent leadership by setting aside a substantial proportion of its land for conservation through national parks, game management areas, forest reserves and protected wetlands.

Mr Wells added that his institution is ready to continue working with the Government to apply proven approaches, scale what works, and ensure that conservation delivers lasting ecological, social, and economic value.

Meanwhile, Barotse Royal Establishment Representative, Induna Mundandwe, who is also one of the area chiefs in Liuwa, recognised that the coming of African Parks in the area has promoted community involvement in tourism through establishment of campsites for tourists who go to visit the Liuwa Park.

Induna Mundandwe also said that his area has been practicing traditional fishing methods, which is also unique and attracts tourists in the area.