The Lusaka Magistrate Court has sentenced former Kasama Member of Parliament, Kelvin Sampa, to three years’ imprisonment with hard labour after he was found guilty of theft by servant involving US$80,000 and being in possession of forged bank notes.

Lusaka Acting Chief Resident Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga found Sampa guilty, convicted him and sentenced him accordingly for the second, third and fourth counts.

Magistrate Wishimanga however, acquitted Sampa in the first count where he was accused of stealing US$70,000 because the prosecution failed to provide evidence.

The magistrate said the three-year sentence is effective today.

Sampa, 52, a politician and business executive of Ibex Hill in Lusaka was charged with theft and forgery.

Facts are that between July, 27, 2024 and September 30, 2024, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, Sampa was entrusted with US$150,000 cash to purchase gold but he allegedly stole the money.

Between August, 26 and 30 September, 2024 in Lusaka, he jointly and whilst acting with other persons unknown, was entrusted with US$80,000 cash by one, Satoshi Sakamoto, to buy gold but stole the said money.

In the third count, Sampa, on October 9, 2024 had in his possession 110 pieces of forged US$100 bank notes, knowing the same to be forged.

In the fourth count, Sampa is said to on October 9, 2024 knowingly, have had in his custody 100 by 7,622 pieces of light green paper intended to resemble and pass as special paper size.

In mitigation, Sampa’s lawyer, Bornface Ngalashi said the accused was the first offender who is a parent, looking after elderly people and a civil leader.

Mr Ngalashi pleaded with the court to exercise leniency on Sampa who also exhibited remorsefulness.

The lawyer, however, regretted the sentencing of his client, saying it was beyond his control.

Following the mob killing of 46-year-old Eneless Hellen Kamutumbe in Kisasa area of Kalumbila District in North-Western Province, 12 suspects have since been charged with murder.

Police Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi, confirmed the development in a statement made available to the media in Kalumbila today.

Mr Chilabi said that 22 other suspects have been charged with riotous conduct, as investigations into the incident continue.

He explained that the screening and identification process remains ongoing, with police working to determine the involvement of each suspect.

“A total of 257 suspects are currently in custody, with the possibility of more arrests as investigations intensify,” he said.

Mr Chilabi added that investigations into related offences, including malicious damage to public property and assault on police officers, are also underway.

Police have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that all those involved are brought to justice and have urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with authorities.

An 80-year-old woman of Sichembe village in Mwawe Ward, Kaputa district has allegedly been axed to death by her grandson.

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when the suspect allegedly attacked the elderly woman with an axe at her home on suspicion of witchcraft.

Sichembe Village Headman Abiston Musali has confirmed the incident to the media in Kaputa, stating that the suspect was apprehended by the police yesterday.

“I met the suspect when I was on my way to the crime scene and he told me that he had axed his grandmother, ” said Musali.

Mr Musali said he notified the police after confirming the incident upon reaching the scene of the incident.

He said that the suspect accused the deceased of practicing witchcraft even though no such accusation has been heard before.

”He said the grandmother would finish all the family members, so he had to kill her before that happens,” Mr Musali said.

The traditional leader said the suspect, only identified as Kaputo, aged 17 was staying with his recently deceased mother and the grandmother he allegedly killed.

Mr Musali said such acts have no place in his village or anywhere else in Zambia, saying this is lawlessness.

He condemned the killing and called for increased awareness to address harmful beliefs surrounding witchcraft accusations, particularly those targeting elderly people.

The body has since been taken to Kaputa District Hospital mortuary.

Government has reiterated its commitment towards implementing diverse measures aimed at enhancing energy efficiency across critical sectors, in order to lower the cost of products and services for consumers.

Speaking during a Continental Training on Determination of Distribution Grid Losses and Development of Reduction Action Plans in Africa, Minister of Energy, Makozo Chikote, who was represented by the ministry’s Director Planning, Sineva Kambenja, says that energy transmission and distribution losses translate to revenue loss and affects provision of power to underserved communities.

“In Zambia, distribution losses stand at approximately 12.75 percent, above the global average of 7 to 10 percent,” said Mr Chikote

Mr Chikote added that the training will equip participants with practical insights and solutions to address the said challenges as African countries prioritise efforts to reduce grid losses and strengthen energy efficiency.

He emphasised that the government recognises the importance of strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks such as the Electricity Act and the Energy Regulation Act, in order to fully harness the potential of energy efficiency.

Africa Energy Commission (AFREC) Executive Director, Rashid Ali Abdallah who was represented by Head of Policy planning & strategy Yagouba Traoré, added that addressing the said energy challenge is the fastest way to boost utility finances, improve reliability, lower costs for consumers, and stop premature investment in new power generation.

Mr Abdalah added that the African Union through the Continental Power System Master plan (CMP) projects that electricity demand will more than double by 2040, which calls for the need to improve quality and quantity of electricity.

He said AFREC is committed to working with African Union Member States to maintain accurate energy data and drive energy transition, build Africa’s human capacity, and promote expansion of domestic oil and gas markets.

A 40-year-old woman and her 7-year-old daughter have drowned in a water filled ditch while fetching water in Chanda Mwamba Village in Luwingu District in northern province.

Confirming the incident in a statement made to the media in Kasama, Northern Province Police Commanding Officer Simunji Mulonda said the two died around 12:30 hours on Saturday after the daughter slipped into the ditch.

 Mr Mulonda has identified the victims, as Annie Chibusha and her daughter Esther Chibusha.

The Northern Province Commanding Officer disclosed that the mother in an attempt to rescue her child also fell in the ditch and both drowned.

The Police Commanding Officer said the ditch was located in an area where gravel was being mined.

He revealed that a witness who was also fetching water nearby raised the alarm, but villagers who rushed to the scene found the two already dead.

Mr Mulonda said the bodies of the deceased were later retrieved and kept at the family home for burial.

He described the incident as a preventable tragedy.

“This heartbreaking loss highlights the dangers of drawing water from unsafe places. We advise members of the public to use designated wells to avoid such fatalities,” he said.

Mr Mulonda said police visited the scene and confirmed no foul play was suspected adding that an inquiry file had been opened.

In a related development, two people have died after a house collapsed following heavy rains in Kaliminwa village, in Mporokoso District.

Northern Province Police Commanding Officer Simunji Mulonda  confirmed this in a statement and identified the victims, as Saviour Bwalya, 21, and Lillian Kabwe, 14.

Mr Mulonda said the incident occurred between the evening of March 28 and the morning of March 29, 2026, when the house they were sleeping in gave in after being weakened by a heavy downpour.

“The tragedy was discovered early on March 29 when a passerby noticed the collapsed structure and raised alarm. Officers led by Officer-in-Charge Stephen Mulenga rushed to the scene and retrieved the two bodies. Preliminary findings indicated that the victims suffocated after the house caved in on them,” the Commanding Officer disclosed.

He expressed sorrow over the incident and urged communities to build stronger homes.

“This painful loss of young lives is a reminder of the dangers posed by weak housing structures. We urge members of the public to construct houses that can withstand harsh weather conditions to avoid such calamities,” Mr Mulonda said.

He disclosed that the bodies have since been deposited at Mporokoso District Hospital mortuary, awaiting burial arrangements.

Police have opened an inquiry file into the matter.