Police in Northern Province say they recorded a total of 117 sexual offence cases between March 2025 and March 2026.

Northern Province Deputy Commanding Officer, Charles Mbita, has disclosed in an interview with the media in Kasama that the cases include both defilement and rape.

Dr Mbita said the command in the province is saddened by the persistence of such offences, despite existing laws carrying severe punishment for perpetrators of vices.

“The penalty is very stiff, but people still continue to involve themselves in defilement cases. The maximum sentence ranges between 35 and 40 years imprisonment with hard labour, but still people go ahead to defile young girls,” he said.

He attributed the rising number of defilement cases in the province to among others harmful cultural practices and increasing levels of drug abuse among perpetrators.

Dr Mbita has since emphasized the need for parents to take responsibility for their children, stating that negligence has also contributed to the problem.

He explained that many recent cases involve children being abused by close relatives after being left in the care of other individuals.

“In some of the recent cases we have recorded, children are being defiled by their close relatives after being left in their care by their parents,” he said.

He further revealed that Kasama District is leading in the number of reported defilement cases, citing areas such as Chiba, Chisanga, Musenga, and Mukonge as some of the areas where such cases are prevalent.

Dr Mbita has disclosed that police has since intensified community sensitisation programmes aimed at educating the public on the dangers and consequences of defilement.

He noted that initiatives such as drama performances are being used to raise awareness and discourage would-be offenders.

He added that the police are also strengthening the Victim Support Unit to improve outreach and assistance to affected individuals.

He added that sensitisation has also contributed to a rise in the number of reported cases as more victims are now coming forward.

Meanwhile, Dr Mbita has warned against the tendency by some family members, particularly women, to shield perpetrators within their households.

“Women who defend their husbands when they are found defiling their own children should stop. Let the law take its course. Girl children must be protected at all costs,” he stressed.

He reiterated that the police will not withdraw any reported defilement or sexual offence cases, emphasising that all such matters will be pursued in accordance with the law.

And Abakashana Basambilile, a Non-Governmental Organization in Kasama that cares for women and girls, has reiterated its commitment to working with stakeholders to bring perpetrators to justice.

Organisation Programme Coordinator Cecilia Lesho has revealed that the organisation is working with the Department of Social Welfare, One-Stop Centres, the police, the Human Rights Commission, and the church, to also provide support to survivors of sexual abuse.

Ms Lesho he added that the organization conducts sensitisation programmes, including focus group discussions, targeting communities identified as hotspots for such cases.

Ms Lesho further disclosed that the organization is working with traditional leaders and training in collaboration with the police to strengthen community-level responses.

“We are working with different government departments in dealing these cases, we are there throughout the court process and we facilitate access to medical care through collaboration with the Ministry of Health,” she revealed.

She said the organization is also supporting educational opportunities for both girls and boys progressing to secondary school as part of efforts to address underlying vulnerabilities.

Ms Lesho noted that ongoing sensitisation efforts have led to an increase in the reporting of sexual offences as more community members are becoming aware of their rights and the importance of seeking justice.

Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, says procurement delays have become one of the most significant constraints to performance.

Mr Kangwa observed that most projects which have been approved have stalled due to delays in the procurement processes.

He pointed out that despite budgets being allocated to projects they are not converted into impact due to delays in procurement.

“Across government institutions, state enterprises, local authorities, private companies, and development partners, lined programmes, procurement delays have become one of the most significant constraints to performance,“ he said.

Mr Kangwa said this in a speech read for him by Cabinet Office Special Duties Permanent Secretary, Wisdom Bwalya during the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply 2nd annual procurement committee training workshop.

Mr Kangwa empathized on the need to execute projects timely stating that delays in procurement processes have become bottlenecks in the implementation of projects.

He pointed out that rigidities such as capacity constraints have also contributed in delaying project implementation.

Mr Kangwa however, stressed that transparency and accountability are pillars of good governance, but should not contribute to delays in undertaking projects.

He stated that procurement must move from being viewed as a compliance gatekeeper to being recognized as a strategic enabler of development.

Mr Kangwa said procurement and efficiency directly affects the pace at which communities receive essential services especially from the local authorities.

He indicated that the effectiveness of decentralization largely depends on how quickly and responsibly procurement decisions are made.

And speaking earlier, Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) president, Daniel Kabamba urged procurement officers to follow the law and respect procedures but also ensure that procurement processes move with agency.

Minister of Information and Media, Cornelius Mweetwa has reaffirmed government’s continued support towards the growth of the Public Relations and Communication industry in the country and Africa at large.

Mr Mweetwa says this is evidenced by government’s move to appoint Principal Public Relations Officers in all ministries to enhance communication with citizens.

He added that the government also legislated the Zambia Institute of Public Relations and Communications (ZIPRC) to give the body the legal identity and ability to expand its mandate.

The media reports that the Minister said this when the President of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), Arik Karani paid a courtesy call on him, at his office, in Lusaka.

The Association extended an invitation to President Hakainde Hichilema to address the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), which will be held in Abuja Nigeria, in November, this year.

Mr Mweetwa has told the APRA President and his delegation that President Hichilema has since accepted the invitation.

And Nigerian Institute of Public Relations President, Ike Neliaku said President Hichilema was identified to deliver an address as an authentic voice of Africa to tell the story of the continent to the international community.

Earlier, APRA President, Arik Karani explained that this year’s WPRF theme is “Responsible Communication.

He highlighted the importance of responsible communication in telling African stories.

A 63-year-old motorbike rider in Mungwi has died in a road traffic accident.

Northern Province Police Commanding Officer Simunji Mulonda has confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Peter Bwalya of Mulilo Kafyama Village in Chitimukulu’s Chiefdom.

Mr Mulonda said the accident occurred on Wednesday, around 16:30 hours, when the unregistered Kinglion motorbike which Mr Bwalya was riding went off the road and crashed into a road pillar.

“The rider sustained fatal head injuries and died on the spot. His body has been taken to Kasama General Hospital Mortuary, awaiting postmortem examination, while the motorbike has been impounded as investigations continue,” Mr Mulonda said.

Mr Mulonda attributed the accident to excessive speeding adding that some motorbike riders are disregarding safety measures.

“Some of these deaths could be avoided if riders wore helmets. Despite our sensitisation programmes, many continue to ignore safety precautions, and unfortunately, lives are being lost,” Mr Mulonda lamented.

In a related development, an 83-year-old pedestrian and a 23-year-old motorcyclist have sustained serious injuries in a road traffic accident near Kasama Girls Secondary School along the Kasama–Mungwi Road.

Mr Mulonda said the incident occurred on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at around 18:40 hours.

He identified the pedestrian as William Sichula Kapola of Mulenga Hills Township, who suffered head injuries, cuts on the right leg, a bruised left hand, and general body pains.

The rider, Fred Silwimba of Location Compound, sustained head injuries, a bruised left foot, and general body pains.

Mr Mulonda said the accident involved an unregistered Sinoray motorbike, which was left with deformed handlebars.

“The rider, due to inexperience, lost control of the motorbike and hit the pedestrian, who was walking on the left-hand side off the road,” Mr Mulonda explained.

He added that both casualties are admitted to Kasama General Hospital, while the motorbike has been impounded as investigations continue.

Mr Mulonda expressed concern over the growing danger posed by unregistered motorbikes.

“Motorbike riders are increasingly becoming a danger to the public. Traffic Officers are reminded to impound motorbikes that are flouting traffic regulations,” he said.

Mr Mulonda has since reiterated his call on road users to adhere to traffic regulations and prioritise safety to prevent further tragedies.

A 12 – year- old girl of Chipata Motel area in Chipata District of Eastern Province has been defiled by an unknown person in a maize field.

The girl is reported to have been defiled on 24th March, 2026 around 14: 00 hours.

The incident happened around Katopola Agriculture Farm Institute when the said girl was on her way home.

The perpetrator is unknown and no arrest has been made despite investigations being instituted by the police.

Eastern Province Commanding Officer, Robertson Mweemba, has confirmed the incident to ZANIS.

Mr Mweemba said the girl, however, is able to identify the perpetrator if seen.

Brief facts are that the Juvenile was with her cousin aged 16 at around 14:00 hours on 24th March, 2026, who were coming from school passing through a path in between the maize fields.

Mr Mweemba said whilst on their way, the two met the accused person who started beating up the 16 year old and sent him to go and call his parents and lied that he was taking the girl to the police.

“It was at this point that the 16 year old ran to call his guardians while the perpetrator took the survivor in the maize field and molested her sexually,” he narrated.

Mr Mweemba explained that after having carnal knowledge of the girl, the accused let go of her and gave her the cousin’s school bag to give to him.

He stated that as the victim reached home, she found her mother was not at home and decided to tell the aunt about the incident the same night, who then informed the mother.

Mr Mweemba added that the mother immediately after hearing decided to report the matter to the police the following day.

“On 25th March, 2026, the matter was reported to Chipata Central Police and a police medical report form was issued,” he said.