The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested five (5) people through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU) for various money laundering activities contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

DEC Public Relations Officer Mathias Kamanga said the Commission has jointly charged and arrested Mpundu Chanda, a male business man aged 37 years of Ibex Meanwood, Wesley Moonde Liyungu, an unemployed male aged 36 years of Kamwala South, Jimmy Mwemba Mwelwa, a male Business man aged 27 years of Chilenje South and Charles Mutoshi Kahokola, a male Banker aged 34 years of Kamwala South for forgery and uttering, unauthorized access to data, theft and money laundering contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

Mr. Kamanga said Chanda Mpundu jointly and whilst acting together with Wesley Moonde Liyungu, Jimmy Mwemba Mwelwa, Charles Mutoshi Kahokola and other persons unknown on dates unknown but between 1st January 2021 and 19th May 2021 did forge letters of instructions to a named Bank which enabled them withdraw K750, 000.00, USD 5,000 and K 6, 681, 568. 00 from a company account

“The details of the matter are that Chanda Mpundu jointly and whilst acting together with Wesley Moonde Liyungu, Jimmy Mwemba Mwelwa, Charles Mutoshi Kahokola and other persons unknown on dates unknown but between 1st January 2021 and 19th May 2021 did Forge letters of instructions to a named Bank which enabled them withdraw ZMW 750, 000.00, USD 5,000 and ZMW 6, 681, 568. 00 from a company account,” Mr. Kamanga said.

He further revealed that DEC in a separate incident has arrested Shaka Zolani Khoza, also known as Thola Khoza Samukonga, of Plot No. 7109/M Lusaka West for Obtaining Money By False Pretenses Contrary to Section 309 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Mr. Kamanga revealed Thola Samukonga in his capacity as a Director in Khoza Africa Exports Ltd jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown on dates unknown but between 1st February 2020 and 1st February 2022, allegedly did obtain money amounting to K369, 945.00 from various farmers across the country in the pretext that he was going to provide them with incentives to grow Moringa when in fact not.

“In a separate incident, the Commission has arrested Shaka Zolani Khoza, also known as Thola Khoza Samukonga, of Plot No. 7109/M Lusaka West for Obtaining Money By False Pretenses Contrary to Section 309 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, for being in possession of more than one National Registration Card (NRC) Contrary to Section 13 (1)(i)(2) of the National Registration Act Chapter 126 of the Laws of Zambia and Money Laundering Contrary to Section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001 as amended by Act 44 of 2010,” Mr. Kamanga said.

“Details of the matter are that Thola Samukonga in his capacity as a Director in Khoza Africa Exports Ltd jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown on dates unknown but between 1st February 2020 and 1st February 2022, did obtain money amounting to k369, 945.00 from various farmers across the country in the pretext that he was going to provide them with incentives to grow Moringa when in fact not.The suspect was also found with two National Registration Cards (NRCs) bearing two different registration numbers and details. The suspects are currently on police bond and will appear in court soon,” Mr. Kamanga concluded.

Former High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand, Frank Bwalya, has accused President Hakainde Hichilema of serving interests of capitalist movements such as the Brenthurst Foundation at the expense of Zambians.

Mr. Bwalya who was recently recalled from the foreign mission where he served under the Patriotic Front government says the Brenthurst foundation is a capitalist movement that has allegedly developed a system to put puppet leadership in countries including Zambia.

Speaking on Friday’s edition of let the people talk programme, Mr. Bwalya has also taken a swipe at the new dawn administration for allowing the setting up of a United States Africa Command-USAFRICOM– office saying this move is a preliminary to setting up of a base and Zambia inheriting the American foreign policy.

He is urging government to remain none aligned by working with the united states government, china and other nations as opposed to inheriting America’s policies which he argues, may not be in the best interest of Zambians.

But Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Bwalya says President Hichilema is not answerable to anyone else part from the Zambian people who voted him into power hence the ongoing developments such as the enhanced constituency development fund, massive recruitment of teachers, health workers and payments to retirees among other issues of interest to citizens.

First Lady Mutinta Hichilema has thanked the Global Citizen for supplementing government’s effort in empowering women in the Agriculture Sector in rural areas.

Speaking today at State House when the Global Citizen delegation paid a courtesy on her, Mrs Hichilema noted that her office’s main focus is on women and girls empowerment especially in rural areas.

Mrs Hichilema said this is in order to uplift their living standards through various initiatives such as Agriculture.

She assured that the office of the first lady and it’s technical team will partner with Global Citizen in ensuring that the lives of Zambian women and girls is improved through various projects.

And President Hakainde Hichilema who joined the meeting expressed gratitude to the Global Citizen delegation for choosing to work with the office of the First Lady in improving the welfare of women and girls in Zambia.

President Hichilema encouraged the Global Citizen Initiative to take up many more projects of improving the lives of the people in various parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Global Citizen Board Member, Sabrina Elba assured the office of the First Lady in working with them in various Agriculture Projects, targeting women in rural areas in Zambia especially in Chibombo district of Central Province.

Mrs. Elba pledged to partner with the office of the First Lady in working to invest in Agriculture which is her passion and improve the lives of the women and girls in Zambia.

 Unicaf University in Zambia has announced its partnership agreement with Prudential Life Assurance Zambia to increase staff and client access to quality higher education.

With this partnership, Prudential clients and employees can earn up to a 75% Scholarship for Bachelor or Master’s degree programmes and take advantage of Unicaf’s Professional Development Short Courses. The partnership offers employees and clients an opportunity to earn internationally recognised degrees and enhance their professional expertise.

Eligible candidates will enjoy exclusive scholarships on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees as well as Professional Development short courses at Unicaf University and its partner universities Liverpool John Moores University (UK), the University of East London (UK), the University of Suffolk (UK), and University of California, Riverside Extension (USA).

Speaking about the partnership, Mr Kachiza Kwenda – Chief Executive Officer, Prudential Life Assurance Zambia said, “Prudential believes in partnerships for growth and we are delighted to have signed a memorandum of understanding with Unicaf University, who will provide quality international education in a progressive and diverse environment. Through this partnership and others like it, Prudential will strive to ensure that employees, our agents, and their families are appropriately skilled and well supported to meet business demands, help fulfil organisation and business objectives, and their personal goals”.

The Unicaf University in Zambia Vice-Chancellor, Dr Christine Phiri Mushibwe echoed Mr Kwenda’s sentiments saying, “Unicaf University prides itself on pursuing excellence in teaching through modern, quality higher education which provides opportunities for global exchange and interaction, and it is not confined within the borders of one country. This strategic advantage, combined with a cutting-edge technological infrastructure, facilitating easy access to online learning at any time and from any place, further increases Unicaf University’s importance. It feels great to be at the helm of such an innovative, pioneering institution.

Through this partnership, Prudential clients and staff members will be able to earn internationally recognised higher education qualifications in their own free time and at a fraction of the cost. Our degrees are accredited by the Higher Education Authority of Zambia (HEA) and our University is accredited internationally by the British Accreditation Council (BAC), based in the UK.”

For interested clients and employees of Prudential Life Assurance Zambia to undertake the process of applying for any of the Unicaf University programmes, they need to follow the simple process below:

• Access the exclusive Prudential & Unicaf University landing page here

• Complete and submit an online application form

• Receive an email and call from a dedicated student advisor to guide on all required documents

• Documents are reviewed and the client receives final approval to get started

The African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Simate Minata says the Executive Council of Ministers at the on-going 41st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council are studying the conclusions of the technical team to designate the country that will be honored to host the Africa Medicines Agency (AMA) Headquarters (HQ).

Commissioner Minata explained that in 2019, the AU Heads of States and government adopted a treaty establishing the African Medicines Agency (AMA).

The Commissioner disclosed that the treaty has been on course and currently housing 18 ratifications, 22 signatures with some member states depositing their interest to ratify the document.

Speaking during a press briefing, Commissioner Minata stated that AMA seeks to strengthen the capacity of member states of the regional economic communities which are the pillars of the AU to ensure they regularize a technology in the manufacturing of medicines.

She said that learning from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became imperative for Africa to establish an institution to focus on manufacturing medicines among other medical needs for Africa.

“After the entry into force of the treaty on AMA, there is a process in place which seeks to determine the country that will host the Headquarters of AMA,” Commissioner Minata indicated.

Ms. Minata noted that AU seeks to strengthen nutrition to speed up the development of human capital and society, and also to strengthen the health system which is interlinked to nutrition.

She added that the AUs priority is towards food security and advocacy for Africa to be a production hub for agriculture.

She called for shared responsibility and solidarity among AU members if the highlighted issues have to be achieved and address the continents challenges.

AMA first received 13 offers from interested countries but has scaled down to eight candidates seeking to host the HQ of AMA.

A lot of ground work has been done by a technical team to designate a country that will host the HQ.

The Economic, Social and cultural Council (ECOSOCC) has called on the countries in the African Union to devise strategies aimed at enhancing the social protection rights in social and cultural spheres.

ECOSOCC Civil Society Group Expert Tando Sonwevu says this is because despite social protection being a human right, issues of social and cultural rights have not been given adequate attention compared to human rights.

Speaking to ZANIS in Lusaka today on the sidelines of the ongoing-meeting of the 41st ordinary session of the Executive Council of the African Union, Ms. Sonwevu said there is need for proactive efforts to put in place a continent framework that will uphold the rights of social protection.

She explained that as the region is working towards achieving the vision of the AU agenda 2063, countries should consider revising various instruments that hinder the effective implementation of most social and cultural documents.

She noted that matters of social protection should not be the preserve of the formal sector, but that it should be compressive to include the people in the informal industry.

Ms. Sonwevu noted that this is why regional groupings like the AU should encourage public and private partnership in the promotion of human rights like rights on social protection.

She further noted that the implementation of social protection should not be done in sailos in order to allow active stakeholder participation.

And Africa Platform on Social Protection Executive Director Nhongo Tavengwa said social protection is a human right that should be respected and maintained all the time.

Dr. Tavengwa expressed delight that most African countries have recorded progress in upholding the right to social protection among citizens.

He explained that a number of countries in the African region have enshrined social protection in their national constitution.

He said this is a progressive step towards universal coverage of social protection programmes and projects.

Dr. Tavengwa has since advised countries to develop home grown social protection programmes that will ensure sustainability and ownership.

He said doing so will help governments to fund their own programmes that can benefit all the vulnerable groups in society.

Meanwhile, African Union Commission (AUC) Senior Protection Officer Lefhoko Kesamang disclosed that the Commission has recorded progress in ensuring that access to social protection is increased and made comprehensive.

Mr. Kesamang said to this effect various protocols have been devised to support access to social protection programmes among women and children on the continent.

Minister of Community Development and Social Services Minister Doreen Mwamba express contentment at the success of the Girls Education, Women Empowerment and Livelihood (GEWEL) Project for its tremendous progress in alleviating poverty levels in Zambia since its inception in 2017.

The key results for the project included the Supporting of Women’s Livelihood (SWL) component which has reached approximately 96, 368 women and the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) component with over 70, 514 beneficiary girls.

Speaking when she accompanied World Bank Regional Vice President Dr. Victoria Kwakwa to meet some of the project’s beneficiaries at Nampundwe Secondary School in Shibuyunji District, Ms Mwamba said that the Social Cash Transfer (SCT), is another key result area for the project with over 973, 323 beneficiaries.

“As of 30th June 2022, which is the middle of the project, the budget burn down stood at 49.85%, despite the setbacks during the Covid 19 outbreak,” Ms. Mwamba said.

World Bank Regional Vice President Dr. Victoria Kwakwa has assured the New Dawn Government of support from the World Bank in projects that aim at alleviating poverty and improving the livelihoods of Zambians.

“We recognize the efforts by the New Dawn Government in alleviating poverty and promoting gender equality, as World Bank we support such efforts,” Dr. Kwakwa said.

Dr. Kwakwa has commended Government for meeting majority of the targets of the GEWEL project

A parent Margaret Tembo testified how the GEWEL project has changed the lives of women and girls in Shibuyunji District.

“Through the project, women are able to do business and feed their families, and girls are being supported and encouraged to be in school,” she said.

And Minister of Education Douglas Siakalima thanked World Bank for partnering with Government in financing the project which has improved the livelihoods for many Zambians, especially women and girls.

The GEWEL project is a Cash Plus Social Protection programme that support the poorest families in Zambia with cash transfers which empowers them to reduce their poverty levels over the longer term through complementary interventions of Supporting Women’s Livelihoods (SWL) and Keeping Girls in School (KGS) layered over the same households.

African Union Goodwill Ambassador for the Campaign to End Child Marriage, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda has called for the abolishment of a law that allows for 16-year-old to be married subject to a written consent by a parent.

In Zambia, the Marriage Act sets the legal minimum age of marriage at 21 years but a child can marry from the age of 16 with written consent from their legal guardian.

But Ms Gumbonzvanda says there is a need to have a law that protects the girl children.

The AU Goodwill Ambassador for Campaign to End Child Marriage says if the law is amended, it will protect children from the vice.

Speaking in Lusaka today during a stakeholder meeting organized by the Sexual Reproductive Health Rights Africa Trust (SAT), Ms Gumbonzvanda said the law needs to change to harmonize with African Union commitment which has set the legal age for marriage at 18.

And speaking at the same event, House of Chiefs Chairperson, Chief Chikwanda said there is a need to bring an end to traditional practices that promote children to be victim to vices such as early child marriage and teenage pregnancies.

Chief Chikwanda said cultural practices have greatly contributed towards societal vices that violate the rights of children.

The traditional leader also urged stakeholders to sensitize parents on the need to always get birth registration documentation for their children, saying the lack of this poses a challenge when prosecuting cases of child abuse.

“There is need to sensitize the parents on the importance of birth registration. We have had challenges normally when it comes to establishing the age of the child if there is a problem. When you take to court, the parents fail to produce birth certification certificates,” the traditional leader observed

And Sexual Reproductive Health Rights Africa Trust (SAT) Country Director Lenganji Nanyangwe said children need to have conversations with their parent about reproductive health.

Independent Churches of Zambia (ICOZ) President David Masupa said the church needs to strongly support the fight against child marriage and teenage pregnancy.

The Zambia National Students Union (ZANASU) and its affiliate members commend the new dawn Government for the successful recruitment of teachers across the country accounting for 30, 496 from the initial 30, 000 that was promised.

Firstly, it is important to understand that the pupil to teacher ratio was worrying before this exercise as most teachers had a load of work to meet everyday which compromised the quality-of-service delivery.

ZANASU recognizes the efforts the government has put in so far in the education sector, from the free Education Policy to the recruitment exercise, which makes our call for the Government to invest in education is yielding results, for ZANASU believes that investing in education is the best investment for any developing nation.

In a statement issued on behalf of ZANASU and its affiliate Unions, ZANASU Secretary General Mambwe Isaiah Bwalya noted that ZANASU recognizes that this recruitment and employment created will take over 30, 496 youths off the streets into the productive industry and contribute to this country’s GDP every year.

“We wish to unreservedly applaud Government for creating this huge opportunity for young people,” he said

Mr Bwalya recommends that the recruitment process should not be a once off event, but should be done every year because the population is increasing and there are new graduates every year on the professional market and the government should look beyond the civil service as it is not sustainable in job creation.

Meanwhile, Mr Bwalya has also highlighted that tertiary Education needs attention as it is still in a Limbo because of exorbitant fees, poor infrastructure, poor Education curriculum, poor accommodation and many other challenges requiring Governments urgent attention.

“We will be failing in our duty if we do not take cognizance and urge Government to further pay attention to tertiary Education,” he said

He added that ZANASU has engaged the Government in providing solutions through progressive dialogue to ensure that these challenges are addressed as soon as possible.

Mr Bwalya cited that ZANASU and its partners remain vigilant in defending students’ rights and indeed protecting the plight of young people in the country as per founding principles.

Meanwhile, Distribution of the newspapers containing names of recruited teachers has started. Jubilation among successful candidates who have been recruited in the 2022 teacher recruitment exercise remains an historical moment.

Hundreds of prospective teachers had earlier gathered outside Zambia Daily Mail and Times of Zambia Offices where they were waiting for the release of names of successful candidates following an announcement by the Teaching service commission yesterday that it has concluded the recruitment process of 30,496 teachers.

Various education stakeholders have commended the government for the recruitment of over 30,000teachers.

National Action for Quality Education Zambia Executive Director Aaron Chansa said that the recruitment exercise responds to the challenges of teacher pupil ratio in schools.
And Zambia National Union of Teachers Assistant General Secretary Catherine Chilunda has urged the newly recruited teachers to stand up to the challenge that they will be undertaking in various Schools.
She has commended the government for fulfilling the recruitment process of over 30,000teachers as this will improve quality education especially in rural areas were most schools had less teachers with a high number of pupils.

Meanwhile National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia general secretary Nelson mwale urged the teachers to be ready to go wherever they are posted. Adding that a child in the rural area is as important as the one in the urban.

Hon. Minister of Education Douglas Siakalim noted that out of the 30,496 teachers recruited, 2,056 are for early childhood education,25,736 have been assigned to primary education and 2,694will be posted to secondary schools across the country, and less than 1% will be over 45 years old in September 2022, this means overall the teachers recruited are youths and 196 are teachers living with disability.
Mr Siakalima explained that the recruitment of teachers is a fulfilment to the commitment made by the new dawn government to improving access to quality education and ensuring acceptable teacher pupil ratio that is Internationally acceptable.
The teacher recruitment which started over six months was undertaken in a transparent manner and in accordance with the service commission act 10 of 2016, he said.