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The Ministry of Health is gratified that Zambia has, for the first time in three weeks, recorded more discharges of Covid-19 patients than admissions.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kennedy Malama said 135 patients from isolation facilities and 2,726 from home management have been discharged while 126 new admissions were made in the last 24 hours.
Dr. Malama disclosed that among those currently admitted, 726 are on oxygen therapy and 157 are in a critical condition.
He added that discharging more patients is a key milestone that has to be sustained.
“We currently have 12,692 active cases, with 11,634 under community management and 1,058 admitted to our Covid-19 isolation facilities. We had 126 new admissions in the last 24hours compared to 154 the previous day,” he said.
Dr. Malama noted that the government will therefore, continue investing in the health sector to ensure that the Covid-19 response and routine health service provision are continuously strengthened.
“In the past epidemiological week, we saw fewer cases compared to the last (11,447 versus 15,714) and fewer deaths (379 versus 421). Our overall positivity, however, remains unchanged at 23 percent and this is a cause for concern as it indicates that we continue to have high levels of community transmission,” he stated.
He has meanwhile expressed sadness over the increased number of Covid-19 related deaths saying 47 new Covid-19 related deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours.
Dr. Malama, in a press statement issued to the media yesterday noted that the government has continued placing much emphasis on risk communication and community engagement in order to prevent new infections.
He disclosed that health teams across the provinces have continued to carry out legal enforcement of the enhanced measures in schools, churches, malls, bars and nightclubs to curb further transmission.
“In the last 24 hours, a total of 1,778 premises were inspected, of which 283 (16%) were closed, 153 (9%) were served with notices of improvement. The overall compliance rate was 75%. Actions to be taken against those found not in compliance include court summons, revocation of licenses and penalties,” he said.
Dr. Malama has meanwhile called upon members of the public to frown upon those who continue flouting the directives with impunity.
And Dr. Malama has commended various stakeholders for their support in the Covid-19 response and in creating resilience in the health care system.
He revealed that the Ministry of Health recently received 50,000 Dirham, which is approximately US $13,600, from the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) to assist the fight against the pandemic while the USAID has approved support towards the recruitment of short term staff to support the response.
“The support includes extension of support for the current staff for another three months, contracts for the 60 nurses already recruited, and new three month contracts for 270 registered nurses, 60 doctors, 30 biomedical engineering technicians, 30 environmental health technologists, and 15 biomedical scientists. This will improve case management and diagnostics,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary has meanwhile called on citizens not to drop their guard but continue to play a role in ensuring that the chains of transmission are broken by adhering to the public health and social guidance provided.
In the last 24 hours, the country recorded 940 confirmed Covid-19 cases out of 5,166 tests conducted, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases recorded to date to 175,729 and administered 5,704 dose 1 and 4,349 dose 2 AstraZeneca vaccinations.
My mission here is to bring awareness, however horridly, to a citizenry whose population is fast being reduced by an out-of-control virus. We, the hewers of wood and drawers of water do not have our very own vaccine to help cope with the novel COVID-19 pandemic and future threats. Our homegrown microbiologists, cellular, and biochemists are by name only. Turning their scientific qualifications into a vaccine reality is beyond their creativity.
One would think microbiologist Professor Nkandu Luo and those like her would be in a government laboratory, working day and night to cultivate a COVID-19 vaccine for local use. Wherefore, we are left susceptible to unapproved and substandard vaccines some that could be behind the spike in recent untimely deaths of our beloved.
I am particularly concerned about the Chinese vaccines for one reason—trust. The world has a hard time trusting China COVID-19 science. I have a hard time acknowledging China’s infrastructure motive in Zambia, Africa even. Why? Recently, I came across a document titled “The Unnatural Origin of SARA and New Species of Man-Made Viruses as Genetic Bioweapons” authored by 18 Chinese scientists from a military university and civilian researchers (available online for $9.99 or watch at
Written five years before the outbreak of COVID-19, the document describes SARS coronaviruses as heralding a “new era of genetic weapons” that would cause the “enemy’s medical system to collapse.” It is on the basis of this document and other intelligence speculations that Donald Trump called COVID-19 the “China Virus.” It is also partly the reason in-coming Joe Biden has ordered a 90-day investigation into the origin of the COVID-19 virus.
China the most Secretive Dodgy Nation
Many doubt U.S. investigators will come up with tangible results because the Chinese are quick at denying the very thing they are doing in the eyes of the world. As the Wikileaks documents of 2010 and several academic papers reveal, China is the world’s most secretive, dodgy, and insulated nation, anxious to keep under wraps its ulterior motive.
China’s intelligence culture is to ensure secrets remain buried. When caught in the act, the Chinese thwart the truth and attack truth-tellers labeling them liars, criminals, terrorists, and persons of “bad morality.” When Trump pointed a finger at China as the source of the virus, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lijian Zhao was quick to accuse the U.S. soldiers of “bringing COVID-19 to China.”
Zhao and other Chinese officials have convinced WHO that the virus was transmitted from animal to human. However, Dr. Francis Boyle, who drafted the Biological Weapons Act, is certain the Coronavirus is a biological warfare weapon. Archival research shows that the Chinese have been finding a way to manipulate natural diseases since World War II when they fell victim to biological attacks by Japan. It is with this in mind, China founded the Wuhan Institute of Virology in 1956.
Let me be clear here, there is no evidence that China maintains a biological weapons program. The question is; what if? This is the question Zambians must keep in the back of their mind. According to the authors of the above-mentioned document, “the creation of genetic weapons would be achieved by developing a family of coronaviruses that would be “artificially manipulated into an emerging human disease virus, then weaponized and [quietly] unleashed in a way never seen before.”
Bioweapon Unleashed on Who?
That’s the question. Unleashed who? The United States? Most likely. Who else, Africans, Zambians? Possible. Bob Anderson who led the FBI’s counterintelligence division until 2015 said this: “The Chinese are as vicious or more vicious than the Russians…they will kill people at the drop of a hat. They kill families at the drop of the hat. They will do it more quietly inside China or in one of their territories, but they absolutely will, if they have to.” What if Anderson is right?
Remember, China’s interest in Zambia is not you and I, the too good, warm, overly generous, naïve, and ever embracing people. It is our natural and mineral resources. Back in 2007, Guy Scott was quoted as saying: “We’ve had bad people. The whites were bad, the Indians were worse but the Chinese are worst of all.” Since the Chinese began to settle in Zambia, they have been linked to cruelty, slave wages, and disregard for human rights. They are the same Chinese who treat Blacks back in China like exotic animals.
No doubt China has changed the face of Zambia. The new infrastructure is the state of the art. The question is, are there hidden fault lines or cracks in the Sino-Zambian relations? Have we closed our eyes and ears, we are misreading the Chinese gesture? Are we so myopic we can’t see China has tactfully dragged Zambia into an irreversible debt of $3 billion? By Zambian standards $3 billion is an insurmountable debt to redeem more so that China wittily controls the bulk of the Zambian industry—the mines, ZESCO and ZNBC among them, a move the Chinese refer to as “winning without fighting.”
Beware of the Five Chinese Vaccines
Let me get back to the word “unleashed.” Imagine if the Corona outbreak is an intentionally engineered pathogen from the Wuhan laboratory. Worse still, imagine the virus was made with us in mind. Entertain the illusion for just this moment when the virus is daily claiming Zambian lives vaccinated or not.
There is enough reason in this article to approach Chinese vaccines with caution. According to Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry official Wu Peng, China is already providing its vaccines to nearly 40 African countries, a move described as “vaccine diplomacy.” There are five Chinese vaccines to be aware of: Sinovac (approved by WHO, not accepted in the US and major parts of Europe); ZIFIVAX a.k.a ZF2001 or Zhifei Longcom (authorized in China and Uzbekistan, not approved by WHO); IMBCAMS (authorized in China, not approved by WHO), CanSinoBio (used in China, additional information requested by WHO); and BIBP a.k.a Sinopharm (interim recommendation by WHO).
In May 2021, China delivered 100,000 doses of Sinopharm to Zambia. Experts say the two Chinese vaccines approved by WHO (Sinovac and Sinopharm) may not be as effective as rated by their manufacturers. AFP and Aljazeera report that nearly 1,000 Indonesian health workers, including 401 doctors have died from COVID-19. The dead include those who were vaccinated with the China-produced Sinovac Biotech vaccine. And according to the New York Times, the vaccination status of another 31 doctors who died between February 1 and June 24 in Indonesia is under investigation.
For too long we have borne the burden of being used as Guinea Pigs and our continent as a dumping ground of rejected and substandard vaccines. Currently, we are faced with a pandemic that has the potential to destroy lives above nuclear, chemical, or conventional weapons. We should not ignore the fact that China is capable of conducting modern warfare in the shadows of cordiality. If China’s intention is evil, we will be dropping dead like flies until the last man.
In closing, let me emphasized that I am not advocating Chinese hostility or violence against the Chinese settlers, or inciting destruction of Chinese property. The information in this article is built on a foundation of documented facts. It calls for the Zambian government to put Chinese, and might add, Russian vaccines under scrutiny. All Zambians must exercise caution and entertain the possibility that there could be a secret plan hidden in the recess of the Chinese expansion program. China’s reputation described here calls for the rejection of the Chinese vaccines until the entire world embraces them.
The author is fully vaccinated and so should all Zambians.
FAZ National Division One promotion play-offs will kick-off on Monday afternoon with Copperbelt champions Jumulo facing Young Raiders in a Group A match at Margaret Mwanakatwe Stadium in Bauleni, Lusaka.
Ten provincial champions have been drawn into two groups of five and the playoffs will be decided on a round robin format.
Top two teams in each group will qualify for the National Division One championship.
Jumulo are in Group A together with Real Nakonde, Quattro Kalumbila, Sinazongwe and Young Raiders.
Group B contains Lusaka champions Young Green Buffaloes, Malalo Police, Luena Buffaloes, ZNS Luamfumu and Sinda United.
On day one, Real Nakonde will tackle Quattro Kalumbila in the Group A opener at 13h00 with Jumulo and Raiders facing off two hours later at Margaret Mwanakatwe Stadium.
Sinazongwe will be on bye on the first day of the competition.
The Group B opener is between Malalo Police and Luena at 13h00 at Crested Crane Academy Grounds before Luamfumu faces Young Buffaloes two hours later and Sinda are on bye on Monday.
Patriotic Front presidential running-mate deputy campaign manager, Jean Kapata says the ruling party has developed a robust land policy to empower Zambians, including churches to easily acquire land and obtain title deeds for their property.
Ms. Kapata says through the PF initiated land policy, churches will be able to obtain title deeds which they can use as collateral to access finance to venture into various income generating activities.
She said this will help churches to improve the lives of congregants and the needy people in society.
She was speaking when she met members of the clergy in Kapiri Mposhi today.
Ms. Kapata said the national land titling programme will empower churches to obtain loan facilities from financial institutions against their church buildings because the PF government and President Edgar Lungu regard land as a prerequisite to national economic development and wealth creation for citizens.
The former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources said from 1964, Zambia has never had a land policy to alienate land and systematically empower citizens with title deeds.
“When I was Minister of Lands, President Lungu tasked me to develop a National Land Policy and to commence the systematic National Land Titling Programme through which over 53,000 title deeds were issued by the end of 2020,” Ms. Kapata said.
Ms Kapata explained that in its 2021-2026 manifesto, the PF intends to produce and issue over four million certificates of title to public and private land owners.
“The National Land Titling Programme is empowerment for all of us … for those who want to do business, churches inclusive, they can borrow using their property,” Ms. Kapata said.
And Ms. Kapata has challenged the church to educate their congregants on the importance of voting in order to reduce voter apathy in the August 12, 2021 general elections.
Ms. Kapata also urged the clergy to guide their congregants on how to vote and ticking on the ballot for their votes to count.
“The problem that we have in this country is that people don’t come out to vote so you as the clergy you have the power to stand on the pulpit and tell people to go and vote on the 12th of August,” Ms. Kapata said.
She further urged the church to continue praying for the country and providing guidance for Zambia to hold peaceful elections.
“President Lungu is building a house according to the Bible. He went further to building a national place of worship and as the clergy, we need to pray and provide guidance for the country and its leadership as we head for elections,” she said.
And PF presidential running-mate campaign team member, Sensio Banda has implored the church to guard against the removal of the clause on the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation.
Mr. Banda charged that some leaders of certain political parties contesting the August polls were planning to remove the Christian Nation declaration from the constitution and declare Zambia as a secular state if elected to form government.
The former Kasenengwa Member of Parliament urged the church to support President Lungu as he had vowed to maintain the declaration.
“President Lungu reaffirmed the Christian nation values and principles by enshrining them in the constitution cognisant of the fact that nothing happens unless God says so, meaning that God should be at the centre of our lives,” Mr. Banda said.
And Kapiri Mposhi District Ministers’ Fellowship Chairman Japheth Msoni has re-affirmed the church’s commitment to preach peace, unity and love ahead of the 2021 general elections.
“The Church in Kapiri Mposhi condemns violence, hate speech and tribal remarks that may plunge the country into chaos. Political parties should conduct peaceful campaigns,” Bishop Msoni said.
He has since called on the government to provide a peaceful platform during campaigns and elections for the August 12 polls.
Patriotic Front (PF) Northern Province campaign manager Geoffrey Mwamba has appealed to traditional leaders to help explain to their subjects the developmental projects that the ruling party has delivered in their localities.
Mr. Mwamba said traditional leaders are good partners in development and can therefore help to enlighten their subjects on a number of things that the government has delivered.
He explained that this can also help their subjects to make the right decisions when voting.
Mr. Mwamba, who is also a PF member of the central committee, said this when he introduced various PF candidates in the general election to traditional leaders in the Lukashya constituency in Kasama district.
He explained that the PF has chosen the best candidates in the province who will deliver to the expectation of the people.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mwamba noted that this year’s campaigns are different from previous ones because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He has since appealed to his campaign team to follow the Covid-19 guidelines given by the Ministry of Health and the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
And traditional leaders in the Lukashya constituency have pledged to support the PF government as it has delivered a lot of development.
Chieftainess Chanda Mukulu said her chiefdom has benefited a lot from the developmental projects the PF has delivered in the country.
She said no past governments can ever match the developments the PF has delivered in the area.
The traditional leader further called on everyone to promote peace and unity during and after the elections.
THE UPND in Chilanga has urged people to cast their vote in favor of the UPND president, Hakainde Hichilema, and face the future with hope because Hakainde Hichilema represents the aspirations of every Zambian.
Speaking yesterday when he addressed the people in Chilanga ward of Chilanga constituency, the UPND Chilanga district deputy chairperson in charge of administration, Champion Tembo, said that voting for Hakainde Hichilema means economic liberation, national unity and a civilised way of conducting politics.
“HH represents the aspirations of every Zambian. He is going to begin by uniting this country and stop the carderism which has taken a toll on people’s rights and eaten into the professionalism in the civil service, and bring about economic liberation by staging national wide economic activities through the prudent and effective management of our God given resources such as water bodies, sunlight for solar energy, arable land, minerals, forests and human resources,” said Tembo. “The wealthy which is going to be created from these economic activities will be used to buy medicines, support free education and construct more healthy centres, schools and roads.”
Tembo, who is also the Chilanga district aspiring council chairperson, pledged to run a reliable, effective and visible council when elected.
He said that he is going to widen a revenue base and establish sound links with the donor community and the cooperate sector in order to generate revenue for water and sanitation projects, regular maintenance of roads, installations of street lights and other projects.
He also urged the people to ensure that they give Hakainde Hichilema a team he has chosen by voting for Misheck Mweemba as councillor and Sipho Hlazo as a member of parliament.
President Edgar Lungu is expected in Northwestern Province tomorrow for a two-day working visit.
Northwestern Province Permanent Secretary Willies Mangimela said the plane carrying the Head of State will land at Kalumbila airport tomorrow, 12 July, 2021 in the morning.
Mr. Mangimela told ZANIS in Solwezi today that President Lungu will then proceed to inspect government programmes and projects before returning to Lusaka on Tuesday, 13 July, 2021.
He said more details of the programme will be availed in due course.
Vice President Inonge Wina speaking to Senanga residents on her arrival at Senanga School grounds yesterday. July 10, 2021. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
Meanwhile, Vice President Inonge Wina has said government was aware that some civil servants in rural areas were lIving in ramshackle structures.
Mrs. Wina however said this situation will change in the next five years as the government will construct decent accommodation for teachers.
She further revealed that the government will recruit more teachers that will be posted to schools, especially those in rural areas.
She said this when she addressed civil servants under the auspices of the Zambia Civil Servants Initiative Association (ZACSIA) in Mwandi district.
Meanwhile, Mwandi ZACSIA district chairperson, Wakung’uma Museta said the association was on course encouraging and convincing civil servants to support government programmes.
Mr. Museta said the Patriotic Front government has provided a conducive atmosphere for all workers in the country.
He said the government has initiated numerous programmes such as the construction of the Lutaba mini hospital and the opening of a water scheme in Lipumpu in Mwandi district.
He said people will now have access to clean and safe drinking water and to quality medical services in the district.
Mr. Museta further said the government has equipped all secondary schools with laboratory equipment that will enhance the teaching and learning of sciences in schools from vague experiences to tangible applications.
The ZACSIA Mwandi district chairperson said the beneficiary schools of the science laboratory equipment include Lipumpu, Ilute Yeta and UCZ Mwandi secondary schools respectively.
And UCZ Mwandi secondary school head teacher, Crispin Sitali has appealed to the Ministry of Education to ensure that the school’s management is provided with PMEC identity numbers as the school has been in existence for ten years.
Mr. Sitali also said that the school, which offers co-education from grade 8 to 12, has scored several successes such as over 80 percent pass rate at both Grade 9 and 12 levels since its inception in 2010.
And the Mwandi district Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) representative, Induna Imonga of Magumwi has lauded the government for the massive developmental projects in the district.
Induna Imonga said more developmental projects should be initiated for the Mwandi chiefdom.
The traditional leader has however, appealed to the government to ensure that the road from Sesheke to Kazungula, which is in a bad state, is worked on.
Vice President Inonge Wina is in the province to interact with various traditional leaders and civil servants to learn the challenges being faced by the people in the region
Central Province Patriotic Front (PF) campaign manager, Jayson Mulando has directed the party’s rank and file in Kapiri Mposhi district to support and campaign for all candidates that have been adopted on the party ticket.
Mr. Mulando revealed that the PF central committee has received information that some PF members in the district were de-campaigning adopted candidates because their preferred applicants were not picked to contest on the party ticket.
Mr. Mulando, who is also PF member of the central committee (MCC) has since threatened to take action against PF members that will be found de-campaigning adopted candidates as they were undermining the decision of the central committee and hindering efforts to the chances of the party emerging victorious in the August 12 general elections.
He said this during a meeting with PF branch, constituency and district officials addressed by presidential running-mate campaign deputy manager, Jean Kapata in Kapiri Mposhi.
He implored PF officials in the district to make peace with each other and work together for the purpose of the party winning the 12 August elections.
“Adoptions are over, let’s forge ahead and concentrate on campaigning for those who were adopted…. for those members de-campaigning our candidates we will put you aside because you have become an hindrance to the prospect of us electing President Lungu and other adopted candidates,” Mr. Mulando said.
And presidential running-mate deputy campaign manager, Jean Kapata has advised PF members in the district to adhere to Covid-19 health guidelines as they conduct election campaigns.
Ms. Kapata also urged the party leadership in the district to adopt a door-to-door campaign strategy as opposed to mass gatherings in order to reach out to the electorates.
“Ensure adherence to Covid-19 campaign measures and create a system on how you are going to campaign because as PF, we don’t want to create situations where Covid-19 will spread,” Ms. Kapata said.
Meanwhile, Kapiri Mposhi constituency chairman Francis Katongo has assured President Lungu and the PF Central Committee that the party will reclaim the seat from the opposition UPND in the forthcoming general elections.
Vice President Inonge Wina has called for the immediate implementation of debt swap among civil servants in the country.
Speaking during a meeting with the Civil Servants Initiative Association (ZACIA) in Senanga District, Mrs. Wina said the government is committed to improving the economic livelihoods of civil servants in the country.
Mrs Wina said government is aware of the burden exerted on many civil servants through servicing of loans.
She also observed that government increased social protection measures as means to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 which has affected the global economy.
“We have noticed the burden that civil servants have with loans and it is our responsibility to take charge in order to cushion your burdens,” She stated.
“Government has realized that under Covid-19, the economy has been affected as others in the private sector have lost jobs, hence government has to respond,” She added.
The Vice President also called on Civil Servants not to participate in politics but ensure that they provide services to all Zambians regardless of different political parties.
Mrs Wina further called on Civil Servants to ensure they help in interpreting government policies especially in rural areas.
“Communities have to be informed that government is borrowing in order to help bring development and save the Zambian people effectively by providing services such as improved health care,” Mrs Wina said. Vice President Inonge Wina addressing Civil servants at Nangweshi Secondary School in Sioma District
And Mrs Wina has called on everyone to promote peace and desist from initiating acts that escalate into violence.
She cited damaging of political posters as acts that escalate violence as the country goes to the polls on August 12, 2021.
“There is need to continue promoting peace especially during this election period. I urge the police to ensure the act of destroying different posters of other political parties as a way of stopping violence from escalation,” She stated.
“We need to prevent acts that will lead to disruption of peace at all costs,” She added.
And Senanga District Commissioner Inonge Mubuyaeta disclosed that the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has managed to assist over 7,000 flood victims with food staff.
Ms Mubuyaeta said Senanga District is beneficiary to several empowerment and social protection programs being implemented by government.
And ZACIA District Chairperson Mr Mubita Mwanangono called on government to look into the plight of volunteer teachers and health workers.
Mr Mwanangono said civil servants in Senanga have witnessed the implementation of various developmental projects.
He cited the integrated small town water supply project being implemented as an initiative that will transform the district into a cohesive community.
“Projects like the integrated small towns water supply project being implemented will transform this place into a cohesive community where people will enjoy equitable access to clean water, improved sanitation and job creations,” Mr Mubita said.
Other projects cited include the provision of street lights in the district meant to enhance security in the township.
The Vice President is in Western province on a 10 days working visit to various districts.
Chipolopolo coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has apologised to fans following Zambia’s shocking loss to Eswatini at the ongoing COSAFA Cup in South Africa.
The five-time champions lost 1-0 to Eswatini to stay bottom of Group A and the only team on zero points after two games and another two left to play.
Saturday’s defeat comes two days after Micho boys squandered a one-nil halftime lead to lose 2-1 to Lesotho in their opening game on July 8.
“From our side it is very hard to accept that we are losing matches. I believe we do not deserve to lose,” he said.
“I would like to use this opportunity to apologise to our supporters back home that we have lost the game,” Micho said during a live television post-match interview.
“I cannot blame anyone. I can only say players really tried their best. Unfortunately the best of our players was not enough to get us a better result today.”
Limping Zambia has fielded a strong squad which is being captained by 2012 AFCON champion Kennedy Mweene at the regional championship.
“It is not about how strong you are, it is about what you put on the field of play. And it is all about results,” Micho said.
The Serb has admitted being under pressure as Zambia coach.
“When we talk about pressure, pressure is always in this job,” he said.
Chipolopolo face Botswana on July 13 and South Africa on July 14 as they prepare for what is looking like a trophy handover ceremony in their remaining two Group A matches.
The Ministry of health has expressed confidence in its conviction to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Kennedy Malama says the Ministry has observed heightened enforcement and prosecution of those not complying with the directives.
Dr Malama said the remedy to bringing the pandemic under control lies in the collective efforts of ensuring adherence to the public health guidelines.
He echoed that the Ministry is convinced that it will bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control soon.
“Today we reiterate our conviction that we will bring COVID-19 under control sooner than later. The remedy to achieve this lies in our collective efforts to ensure that we adhere to the public health and social directives and measures which have been prescribed,’’ he said
He predicted change in the COVID-19 situation as the country has reached 48 days into the third wave adding that based on the graphical projection in weeks to come, a decent curve is expected.
“We are now 48 days into the third wave and see light in coming weeks, looking at the duration of the previous two waves 79 days for the first wave and 115 days for the second wave, we can predicate that we have few weeks to go before we start seeing plateauing and descent of the curve in the current COVID 19,’’ he said.
He has also disclosed that in the last 24 hours the country has recorded 2,384 new confirmed COVID-19 cases out of 10, 225 tests conducted, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases recorded to 174,789
Meanwhile the country yesterday started administering dose one and two of the AstraZeneca vaccines with, 2 259 of dose one while 3,716 of dose two were administered respectively.
This was contained in statement made available by Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Kennedy Malama
Printing of the four types of election materials in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), by the Al Ghurair Publishing and Printing Company has reached 45 percent.
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Director of Electoral Operations Royd Katongo says the initial printing of 116 Mayoral and Council Chairpersons’ ballot papers which were given to the printer was complete with only a few remaining.
Mr Katongo disclosed that only those with new nominations which include Luanshya and Lusaka which will hold nominations on Monday July 12, 2021 are remaining to be completed.
Briefing the media yesterday in Dubai, Mr Katongo said printing of the 156 constituencies ballot papers was at 57 percent with 96 having been printed.
Mr. Katongo further disclosed that the printing of presidential ballot papers was at 27 percent and works were progressing well.
He however indicated those whose fresh nominations will take place on Monday next week will not be printed until the process is done.
ZANIS reports that constituencies to hold fresh nominations include Lusaka central, Mandevu, Chawama, Kasenengwa, Mafinga and Mpulungu.
As for the 1,858 Councilors ballot papers, 760 are undergoing printing, putting the works at 18 percent.
And Mr Katongo stated that the printing of the braille jacket for the 12,152 polling stations have been completed which have 16 brackets for use by the visually impaired persons on the day of polls.
He stated that the commission has already embarked on the process of training communities on how to use the braille brackets.
He also added that voter education which started on June 4, 2021 will be will be extended to all poll staff so that they easily aid the visually impaired when voting.
Mr Katongo explained that the braille template is designed in such a way that brackets will be used for voting for presidential, mayoral, council chairpersons, parliamentary and local government candidates.
He disclosed that the commission expects the printer to complete their entire printing of the four election materials by the end of next week.
And the Non-Government Organization Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has commended the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for coming up with the braille bracket as it shows that it recognizes the constitutional right for the blind.
NGOCC Executive Director Engwase Mwale said the inclusion of braille in the voting process depicts the commission’s commitment of not leaving anyone behind.
Ms Mwale called on the commission to intensify training of poll staff on mechanisms of how best they handle the braille material.
The printing of ballot papers by Al Ghurair Publishing Company, which commenced on Sunday July 4, 2021, is currently underway in Dubai, UAE and printing will continue throughout this month in readiness of the country presidential and general elections slated for August 12, 2021.
PF Vice National Chairperson Davis Chama(left) and ECZ Commissioner Ret.Major.Gen Vincent Mukanda check on printed ballot papersNGOCC Executive Director Engwase Mwale with braille bracket
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC)has arrested 10 people in various parts of the Country for trafficking in illicit drugs contrary to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 35 of 2021 of the Laws of Zambia.
DEC Public Relations officers Mathias Kamanga said the Commission arrested Rodney Maseka,23, of Zambia Compound in Choma District for trafficking in 4 sachets of heroin and 13.8 grams of loose cannabis in southern Province.
Mr Kamanga disclosed that the Commission also arrested three drug suppliers who were arrested in separate incidents for trafficking in 35 Kilograms, 3.2 Kilograms and 700 grams of loose cannabis respectively in Western Province.
He identified the suspects as Alex Chitoma, 39, Kabutu Mubita, 39 and Ndala Kapanga, 42, all from Limulunga Shanty Compound in Mongu.
Mr Kamanga said the Commission in Central Province arrested Nagai Kunda, 56, of Veso Farms for trafficking in 4.19 Kilograms of loose cannabis that was concealed in two green plastic bags adding that Daniel Siluvwe, 36, of Mumembe Farms was arrested in a separate incident for trafficking in 3.73 Kilograms of loose cannabis in Mkushi.
Meanwhile in Muchinga Province, the Commission arrested Freestone Chola, 22, of Supani Village in Lavushimanda District for trafficking in 5.6 Kilograms of cannabis that was wrapped in a cloth packed in a red and white sack.
Mr Kamanga said in a separate incident that the Commission arrested a suspect identified as Violet Ngoma, 32, of Kabanda Village of Chama District for trafficking in 1.2 Kilograms of loose cannabis that was wrapped in a transparent plastic bag in her bedroom.
And Commission in Eastern Province arrested and jointly charged Yona Mainza, 27 of East Rise in Chipata District and Edward Phiri, 30, of Chilindila Village in Chipangali District for trafficking in 2.8 Kilograms of loose cannabis.
Mr Kamanga noted that the two were arrested in East Rise after they were found with the cannabis and the suspects are currently in police custody and are yet to appear in court soon.
Police in Solwezi are investigating a case in which a 59 year old man was allegedly killed by unknown people.
North-western province Commissioner of Police, Joel Njase has confirmed the incident in Solwezi and identified the deceased as Moses Sebuloni of Muzabula compound in Solwezi.
Mr Njase said the incident is believed to have happened between July 8, at 18:00 hours and July 9 2021 at 06:00 hours.
Mr Njase said Sebuloni’s body was discovered near the road that goes to Mulenga compound by passersby.
“The body was discovered by members of the public near the road which goes to Mulenga area about 50 metres from his house,
Police visited the crime scene and processed the crime scene,” he said.
Mr Njase said police found the body facing upwards with a cut on the right side of the head, blood on the face and yellowish fluids coming out of the wound and mouth.
He said a blunt object is suspected to have been used to inflict injuries, but that the body has been deposited in Solwezi general hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.
“Preliminary investigation on scene of crime indicates the victim was dumped at this point after being killed somewhere else,” Mr Njase said.
He has warned suspects involved in the matter that police will ensure that they are brought to book.
The provincial police chief also advised members of the public to avoid moving alone at night in order to enhance their personal security.
