Former Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary – Technical Services, Jobbicks Kalumba, has officially joined the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).

Dr. Kalumba said he was drawn to the party by the policies of President Hakainde Hichilema, which he described as sound and impactful across various sectors.

Speaking in Chiengi District, Dr. Kalumba praised the government’s free education policy and the introduction of a new school curriculum, noting that the reforms will benefit future generations.

He added that his experience in the civil service has given him insight into government operations, and commended the recruitment of thousands of teachers under the UPND, saying it demonstrates President Hichilema’s commitment to empowering citizens and improving livelihoods.

Dr. Kalumba further expressed his readiness to contribute to national development through the party, stating that he believes in the vision and direction of the current administration.

Meanwhile, Vice President Mutale Nalumango welcomed Dr. Kalumba to the party, emphasizing that the UPND remains open to all Zambians willing to join in the pursuit of unity and development.

Mrs. Nalumango said the party continues to attract individuals from diverse backgrounds who are committed to national progress, adding that inclusiveness is key to building a stronger and more united Zambia.

President Hakainde Hichilema has arrived in Livingstone, Southern Province to grace the 17th session of the Association for Non-Aligned Teacher Unions of Southern Africa (ANTUSA) Games.

 The Presidential Challenger Jet touched down at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport at 10:35 hours, where the Head of State was met with a thunderous welcome from party members and the general public.

President Hichilema was received by some Cabinet Ministers among them, Minister of Education Douglas Syakalima, Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba, and Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati.

Also present were Southern Province Minister Credo Nanjuwa and other senior government and party officials.

The ANTUSA Games, which are being hosted by the Basic Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ), are running alongside a teachers’ marathon and an education expo.

The event has attracted over 10,000 teachers from Zambia and seven other Southern African countries, including Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

Former employees of Munali Nickel Mine have intensified their appeal for intervention over unpaid salaries, pension contributions and other outstanding obligations, with a named worker detailing how the situation unfolded on the ground.

The workers say the mine, currently under care and maintenance, still owes them several entitlements despite the appointment of a liquidator and repeated attempts to resolve the matter through official channels. They maintain that deductions were made from their earnings but were not remitted to the relevant institutions.

In a formal appeal, the former employees listed outstanding obligations that include three months’ unpaid salaries, pension contributions under Saturnia, unpaid National Health Insurance Management Authority contributions and gratuities. They state that these obligations remain unsettled.

The case is now reinforced by testimony from one of the affected workers, Moses Musonda, who identified himself as a former employee at Munali Nickel Mine in Mazabuka, Kafue. His account provides a sequence of events that aligns with the broader complaint raised by the workers.

“I’m Moses Musonda, I’m one of Mazabuka employees at Munali Nickel Mine in Mazabuka, Kafue. What is happening at the ground, they haven’t paid us our terminal benefits,” he said.

Musonda said the situation dates back to June last year, when workers were informed of financial difficulties at the mine. He stated that the company indicated it did not have the capacity to continue operations under the prevailing conditions.

“It started last year in June. They were saying they don’t have the money to run the company,” he said.

He explained that the company was later placed under liquidation, with assurances that employees would be paid their terminal benefits. According to his account, those assurances have not been fulfilled.

“Then later on, they put the company on liquidation and they choose a liquidator. After choosing the liquidator, they told us that we are going to be paid our terminal benefits. Up to now, they haven’t paid our terminal benefits.”

Musonda said the company attributed its financial position to market conditions linked to commodity pricing and operational costs. He added that workers were informed of plans to secure new investment.

“They were saying the nickel price on London Metal Exchange was down according to the operation cost challenges they are having at the mine. They will find a new partner to pump in the capital to run the mine. Up to now, they haven’t given us a concrete position.”

He further stated that prior to the liquidation process, workers were placed on administrative leave with assurances that salaries would continue to be paid. According to his account, that arrangement did not materialise in practice.

“Before it started, they forced us on administration leave, they told us, go home, we’ll be paying you monthly when you are at home,” he said.

Musonda stated that although payslips continued to be issued, the corresponding payments were not made. He added that statutory deductions were still reflected despite not being remitted.

“We received payslips, but they were not depositing our salaries or remitting them, even our NHIMA, NAPSA and our pension schemes, they were not remitting, but they were deducting us through the payslip.”

He said the situation persisted until November 2025, when termination letters were issued to the workers. That marked the end of employment without settlement of the outstanding obligations.

“Until last November, last year in November 2025, they sent us our termination letters.”

The broader group of former employees states that despite the appointment of a liquidator, there has been limited progress in resolving the matter. They say engagement efforts have not yielded satisfactory outcomes.

Attempts to seek intervention from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through the Labour Commissioner’s office, have also not resulted in a resolution. The workers indicate that the matter remains unresolved despite these approaches.

They describe the impact as significant, stating that the situation has placed financial and emotional strain on affected individuals and their families. The outstanding obligations, they maintain, involve earnings already deducted or owed under contractual arrangements.

The workers are now calling for urgent attention to ensure that the obligations are settled. They are also seeking wider visibility for the matter, expressing hope that this will prompt action from relevant authorities and stakeholders.

Mine Contractors, Factories and Allied Workers Union President, Nkweto Kasonka, has disclosed that 15 manganese processing factories in Central Province have resumed operations after they were forced to shut down due to prolonged load shedding.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka today, Mr Kasonka said the shutdown of the 15 factories in 2025, led to significant job losses, with over 2,000 workers affected in areas such as Kabwe, Serenje and surrounding districts.

He confirmed that all the affected factories have since resumed operations, with a substantial number of workers reinstated.

The Union President pointed out that most of the factories are currently operating at only 50 percent capacity due to limited power supply.

Mr Kasonka has since appealed to the government to further engage ZESCO Limited to increase electricity allocation to the affected industries.

“We are happy that the factories have resumed operations and workers are back, but we appeal to the government to ensure full power supply so that companies can operate at 100 percent capacity,” he said.

He emphasised that full power supply would enable the factories to operate at maximum capacity and create more employment opportunities.

Mr Kasonka also raised concern over the high cost of copper for local industries, noting that companies are forced to buy the commodity at international prices despite it being produced locally.

He urged the government to consider policy interventions that would allow local firms to access copper at more competitive rates, stating that such measures would strengthen domestic production and industrial growth.

The Zambia Army in North-Western Province has called for enhanced collaboration with First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Trident to strengthen security and disaster preparedness in Kalumbila District.

 North-Western Province Formation Commander Brigadier General Barry Mutale made the call during a tour of FQM Trident operations, stating that the visit was aimed at consolidating the existing partnership and identifying new areas of cooperation, particularly in disaster management.

Brigadier General Mutale said changing global weather patterns have increased the risk of disasters, making preparedness a priority for the province.

He noted that closer collaboration between the Zambia Army and FQM will improve response capacity, especially by leveraging the mining firm’s equipment and expertise.

Brigadier General Mutale added that the Army remains ready to provide security support and consultations, as it is mandated to ensure safety across the Province.

He also commended FQM Trident for its environmental sustainability efforts, expressing optimism that the Army could learn from the company’s initiatives.

And First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Trident General Manager Scott Whitehead, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to continued collaboration with the Zambia Army.

Mr Whitehead said the mining firm values the role played by the Army in maintaining national security and emphasised the importance of partnerships in emergency preparedness, response and security coordination.

He added that FQM remains committed to safe operations, sustainability and contributing to Zambia’s economy through employment creation, infrastructure development and local procurement.

Meanwhile, First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Trident Senior Public Relations Specialist Mirriam Harmon described the company’s US$2.5 billion investment as a national asset with significant economic benefits.

Ms Harmon said collaboration with security institutions is key to safeguarding infrastructure, protecting communities and securing equipment.

She noted that the partnership extends beyond the mine to supporting surrounding communities, particularly in times of emergencies such as displacement.

Ms Harmon further highlighted that rapid population growth in Kalumbila, driven by increased investment, presents both opportunities and security challenges.

She however, expressed confidence in security agencies including the Zambia Police to maintain law and order and sustain a conducive environment for investment.

Ms Harmon emphasised the need for continued collaboration among stakeholders to promote stability and protect investments in the region.