President Hakainde Hichilema has arrived in Chinsali district in Muchinga province. President Hichilema’s plane touched down at Chinsali airstrip at exactly 10:57 hours.

While in Chinsali, the President is expected to hold meetings with traditional leaders and officials from the United Party for National Development (UPND).

The President is also expected to inspect the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) provincial studios, Chinsali water project as well as visit the General Hospital before holding a wreath laying ceremony at the burial site of the late freedom fighter Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe.

And a senior citizen in Chinsali district has commended Hakainde Hichilema for honouring gallant men and women who fought for the liberation of Zambia.

Hearings Sabi told the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in an interview that the gesture has shown that the President Hichilema cares for freedom fighters.

Mr. Sabi said there was need to appreciate freedom fighters for their sacrifice which resulted in the peace and unity Zambian citizens have enjoyed since independence.

“The freedom fighters had put their lives of a chopping board for them to earn and secure the political and freedom that we have enjoyed since 1964,” he said.

Mr. Sabi added that President Hichilema has demonstrated respect for honouring freedom fighters especially those in Chinsali district.

He explained that laying a wreath at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe’s grave in the district will be memorable and will add to the history of Chinsali which produced a number of freedom fighters.

Mr. Sabi has meanwhile appealed to the President to continue honouring the gallant men and women.

And a freedom fighter, Rodwell Mwansabamba, has appealed to government to consider assisting freedom fighters financially saying most of them are suffering and need urgent help from government.

Mr. Mwansabamba said by doing so, freedom fighters will live a better life.

He further thanked President Hichilema for honouring the late freedom fighters who are buried in various provinces.

“I wish our President long life for remembering and honouring freedom fighters in the nation including those in Chinsali, may he live long and remain blessed,” he said.

Three people have been arrested in Vubwi district in Eastern province for attempting to smuggle 50 illegal immigrants into Zambia.

The three, include two brothers Gift Sakala, 34 of Katete and Rodgers Sakala, 30 of Chadiza district and another person John Mumba, 41, of Kalingalinga compound in Lusaka.

Gift is said to be the ring leader of the group that attempted to transport the 50 illegal immigrants in Zambia.

Eastern Province Acting Commanding Officer of Police, Davis Simwanza, confirmed the development to ZANIS, stating that the three were jointly charged and will remain in police custody.

“The three Zambians were jointly charged with smuggling in human beings under section 9, sub section 1 of the anti-human trafficking act and are in police custody,” he said.

Mr. Simwanza added that 50 foreign nationals, who were being smuggled, are of Ethiopian origin and have since been surrendered to the Immigrations Department for further action.

He said of the total number, three were arrested in the morning yesterday while 43 others were intercepted in Vubwi district in the evening of the same day.

He added that the remaining four foreign national were intercepted from Chadiza district.

Mr. Simwanza explained that during the operation in Chadiza district two Toyota Corolla vehicles and one Mitsubishi Canter truck, which were being used in the human trafficking syndicate, were impounded.

“The canter is still in the bush because it broke down but the two Toyota Corollas are impounded at Chadiza police,” he said.

And according to eye witnesses, the foreign nationals were discovered by villagers in Nyamandevu mountains bordering Chadiza and Vubwi districts.

The eye witnesses narrated that the villagers tried to lead the illegal immigrants into the mountains to hide only to be intercepted by the police.

Meanwhile, information obtained by ZANIS indicates that the 50 Ethiopians are alleged to have left their country two weeks ago.

President Hakainde Hichilema has with immediate effect terminated the contracts of Zambia Security Intelligence Service (ZSIS) Director General, Hector Sikazwe and his deputy Edith Mwenya.

President Hichilema has relieved the two of their duties pursuant to Articles 92(1), 92(2) (f) and 270 of the Constitution of Zambia.

Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Anthony Bwalya, said in a statement to ZANIS that President Hichilema has since thanked Mr. Sikazwe and Mrs. Mwenya for their services to the government and wished them well in their future endeavors.

And President Hichilema has appointed Friday Nyambe as Director General of the Zambia Security Intelligence Service, replacing Mr. Sikazwe.

Mrs. Mwenya has been replaced by Francis Mwale as Deputy Director General of the Zambia Security Intelligence Service.

“Both appointments are in exercise the of powers vested in the President by Article 92(2)(f) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, as read with Section 4(1) and (2) of the Zambia Security Intelligence Service Act No. 14 of 1998 respectively,” Mr. Bwalya said.

The Head of State has since congratulated Mr. Nyambe and Mr. Mwale on their new appointments and wished them God’s blessings as they discharge their duties.

The government has disclosed that it owes China Jiangxi, a contractor engaged to construct lot one of the stalled Chama Matumbo road in Muchinga Province K40 million for the unpaid completed certified works.

Muchinga Province Minister Henry Sikazwe was informed of the unpaid funds when he inspected the stalled Chama Matumbo road over the weekend.

Mr Sikazwe has since called for a meeting with the contractor and the road Consultant so as to find means of dismantling the arrears.

ZANIS reports that the Provincial minister was accompanied by Provincial Permanent Secretary Davison Mulenga, Road Development Agency (RDA ) Regional Manager Pandeki Chabala and other Provincial heads of departments.

The team also inspect the bridge across Lungwa River which is on the verge of collapse.

“Government attaches great importance to the road network and will ensure that works on the stalled Chama Matumbo road and the Chama Lundazi road resume as soon as possible, ” said Mr. Sikazwe.

Meanwhile, Chief Lundu of the Senga people of Chama district in Muchinga Province has pledged to work with the new dawn government in order to foster development in his area.

Chief Lundu said he will give full support to President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration to continue with the developmental agenda of the country.

The traditional leader said when Mr. Sikazwe paid a courtesy call on him at his palace, chiefs have the duty to collaborate with the government to ensure that development continues.

He also appealed for the completion of the Chama-Matumbo road.

“We will appreciate it if the issue of this stretch is addressed because it has been long overdue,” he added.

He stated that the Chama-Matumbo road is an economical route that will benefit this chiefdom when completed.