First Lady Mutinta Hichilema says she knows and understands the challenges that inmates in prisons go through.

The First Lady said Lusaka Central Correctional Facility holds fond memories as it is the place where the Husband President Hakainde Hichilema was incarcerated.

She said this yesterday when she visited and donated assorted items to Lusaka Central Female Correctional Centre.

Mrs Hichilema reminded the inmates that society still cares about them hence should not feel discouraged.

She encouraged them to be prayerful as God always answers prayers saying they should not relent as they will reunite with their families.

“Please do not stop praying. Pray every day just like I did. I used to pray every day for my husband to be released. God is going to answer your prayers and will not abandon you,” she said.

The First Lady assured the Correctional Service Management that she will soon visit the male inmates once funds are available.

And Zambia Correctional Service Leopards Ladies Club Chairlady Beenzu Chilukutu said most of the infrastructure for the detention of women and children are nonexistent and are improvised structure.

Mrs Chilukutu stated that most of the prisons were built in the colonial era and had no provision for the accommodation of female inmates and circumstantial children.

She further appealed to the First Lady that consider lobbying for donors to construct dedicated facilities for female and circumstantial children.

She assured the First Lady that the ZCS leopards ladies club will support her cause.

“It is indeed a great honour that you are with us today and that you have chosen to visit women who are incarcerated as one of the first women groups. As the Chairperson of the Correctional Service Leopards Ladies Club, I am so excited that you are here and hope that you will enjoy your time with us and I also hope that you will be able to see for yourself what the female inmates are lacking and the problems they are going through,” she said.

Mrs Chilukutu said she is humbled by the First Lady’s gesture of donating assorted materials to these less privileged people in society.

Meanwhile, Lusaka Central Female Correctional Centre Officer In-charge Kasapo Siame said the institution was designed with a holding capacity of 76 inmates however, it currently has a population of 105.

Mrs Siame said there are currently two pregnant women and seven circumstantial children.

She explained that there are five inmates who acquired certificates in food production and mechanics at Chreso University, one inmate sat for grade nine external examinations and results have not yet been collected and two are currently writing their grade seven (7) exams.

The Officer In Charge disclosed that the facility did not experience any covid-19 related death on both officers and inmates.

“Madam first lady, following the covid-19 pandemic 72 out of 105 inmates are vaccinated. 22 officers out of 58 are also vaccinated, giving a vaccination rate of 68.6%,” she said.

She highlighted the challenges that the facility faces such as lack of a utility vehicle, electric pots and refrigerators.

She further thanked the First Lady for the kind gesture of donating assorted items to the inmates.

Vice President W.K.Mutale Nalumango says Government will not dish out money to political party cadres but instead encourage skills development among youths.

Mrs Nalumango says the UPND government will not follow the path of stealing to appease a clique of people but encourage work for the good of all.

Speaking to UPND cadres after she inspected the drainages under construction in Kanyama constituency in Lusaka this afternoon, Mrs Nalumango said the youths should invest in skills development and take advantage of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) which will be increased and decentralized in the 2022 budget.

“You should acquire skills so that you can take advantage of the projects that will come under CDF. As you are aware, the new dawn administration is focusing on job creation, with the necessary support, you can become employers,” She said.

And Mrs Nalumango cautioned the cadres to avoid demanding for public service workers to be fired to create jobs for them but that they should look for proper avenues to get jobs.

“You should not demand that they should be chased but develop yourselves. Though I must state, that some of them will go,” She noted.

The Vice President observed that a number of people who have been caught up in the web of corruption and stealing of public resources are accusing the government of staging a witch hunt based on tribe.

“They should not accuse the government of being tribal in the fight against abuse of public resources just because they have been caught wanting,” She stated.

Meanwhile, Water Development and Sanitation Minister, Mike Mposha has sounded a warning to custodians of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) against inflating figures during any procurement process.

Speaking during the handover of a rehabilitated one by three classroom block at Kalingalinga Primary school, Mr Mposha who is also Munali Member of Parliament says he will not condone such vices.

The Minister said he noted a trend where procurement figures were previously being inflated.

He said the cost of a number of projects does not tally with real figures.

“When we advertise a tender, we expect those who are tendering not to connive with our officials and begin to inflate the cost of the project but to tender at a right price and deliver at the right price,” he said.

And the Minister reiterated the New Dawn’s administration’s resolve to improve the learning conditions in schools.

Mr Mposha encouraged the school to guard the facility jealousy.

And Kalingalinga Primary School Head teacher Habuya Mwambela expressed excitement for the gesture.

Mrs Mwambela also called on government to consider building a hall for the institution.

President Hakainde Hichilema landed safely this morning at King Shaka International Airport in Durban, South Africa for the 2021 Intra-African Trade Fair as part of economic diplomacy agenda.

President Hichilema is among 8 other Heads of State and Government participating at this year’s Intra-African Trade Fair. President Hakainde Hichilema , is accompanied by Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga and Community Development and social Services Minister Doreen Mwamba. Intra Africa Trade Fair is platform for business to business and business to Government discussions.

President Hichilema said his government places high value on economic diplomacy because it appreciates the importance of international linkages.

This year’s theme is focused on the newly-launched African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – a single market for goods and services across 55 countries, aimed at boosting trade and investment.

President Hichilema said whilst at this trade and investment indaba, he will join other Head of States in addressing pertinent issues that border on easing business on the continent and beyond.
“Our mission is to make a case of Zambia as an investment destination in our role as Chief Marketing Officer. The investment we are looking for will be that which is willing to partner with Zambians on a joint venture basis,” he said.

Earlier, the President was received by Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Major General Jackson Miti and other Embassy staff.

A number of Zambian businesses are participating at the continental trade fair, which is Africa’s largest trade show providing a platform for sharing trade, investment and market opportunities.

The event is held every two years to provide trade and market information and to connect buyers and sellers from across the continent.