President Edgar Lungu has congratulated Ambassador Albert Muchanga on his re-election as African Union (AU) Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining at the just ended two day 34th ordinary session of the African Union Heads of State and Government virtual summit.

In a press statement issued to the media in Lusaka by Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Isaac Chipampe, President Lungu said Ambassador Muchanga’s re-election should inspire Zambians to get international jobs and soar the country’s flag high.

“Ambassador Muchanga’s re-election is not just a victory for himself, but for Zambia. I therefore wish to encourage Zambians to vie for international jobs” said President Lungu.

The Head of State has also congratulated Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad for his endorsement as AU Chairperson following his resounding two thirds majority vote endorsement during the just ended African Union Heads of State and Government virtual summit.

President Lungu also applauded Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa of Rwanda on her election as Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission.

President Lungu expressed confidence that the new office bearers will steer the African Union agenda to greater heights amidst the ravaging Covid 19 pandemic that continues to adversely affect the African continent.

“There is an urgent need for the African Continent to drive its own agenda, and particularly the African Union Institutional Reform process. I am therefore confident that Mr Mahamat, his deputy and other office bearers of the AU Commission will make significant contributions to the AU Commission, in particular, and the African Union in general” said President Lungu.

President Lungu also congratulated Angolan Ambassador Josefa Sacko who was re-elected as Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment.

Dr Amani Zeid from Egypt was also re-elected as Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy while Ambassador Bankole Adeoye was elected Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

Mr Chipampe said elections for the position of Commissioner Education, Science, Technology as well as Social Affairs and Health will be held at later AU meetings.

Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ) has expressed concern at the increased number of teenage pregnancies thereby calling for heightened interventions to curb the situation.

PPAZ Acting Executive Director, Beatrice Mbumwae disclosed that according to the Zambia Demographic health survey of 2018 estimates about 29 percent of young people have fallen pregnant.

Ms. Mbumwae added that teenage pregnancies are quite high as evidenced by the number of pupils dropping out of school in the recent past.

She urged that the issue cannot be solved by an individual organisation but through concerted efforts by various parties.

“When you look at the periodic statistical bulletin of the Ministry of General Education, the numbers of children dropping out of school as a result of teenage pregnancy,” Ms. Mbumwae stated.

ZANIS reports that Speaking at an advocacy training for Journalists and media houses, Ms. Mbumwae stressed that the issue should be of concern not only to PPAZ but also other stakeholders hence the need to train media personnel on the importance of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for adolescents.

She observed that the topic has received various views from society, not only due to societal norms but because people are not well informed.

Ms. Mbumwae said that partnership with the media will help build a strong detailed system that will enhance information dissemination especially among young people.

She noted that Zambia is signatory to various regional instruments and has implemented policies that support the implementation of Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE) in the country but that guardians as well as government and private institutions are not doing more to this effect.

She indicated that accurate information on comprehensive sexual education will help children make informed decisions that will reduce teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

The Department of Immigration in Lusaka’s Zanimuone has intercepted one hundred and fourteen (114) Ethiopians in a suspected human smuggling case. The Officers raided a three (3) bedroomed house on Saturday, 6th February, 2021 following a tip-off received from the public.

The Ethiopians, some of whom visibly appeared to have been physically abused, starved and deprived of freedom of movement were found sleeping on the floor of the house whose windows were completely covered by very heavy dark curtains. Preliminary investigations suggest that the Ethiopians have been held in the house for at least six (06) months.

The vulnerable and helpless state in which the captives were found crowded in such a small space has demonstrated just how evil and merciless human traffickers and smugglers can be. This is why the Department is doing everything possible to apprehend anyone connected to these criminal activities. To this effect, we wish to encourage anyone with information on the people behind this criminality to come forward. All the 114 are being held pending conclusion of investigations.

Meanwhile, the Lusaka Regional Immigration Office has jointly charged two (02) Congolese and one (01) Rwandese for being found in possession of a forged immigration stamp contrary to section 52(4) (e) as read with 56(1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars are that male Banza Kalumba Ngoie (53) a Congolese national, jointly and while acting together with male Fabrice Tshimba Doko (31) a Congolese national and female Ndayashimiye Regina (33) a Rwandese national on dates unknown but between 1st and 3rd February, 2021 in Lusaka did forge an entry stamp for Nakonde Border Control which was endorsed in a Burundian Passport number OB0221555 belonging to female Niyonkuru Mediatrice, without lawful authority.

This was after the trio were implicated in an incident in which Niyonkuru Mediatrice, a Rwandese national who was leaving Zambia was intercepted by alert Immigration Officers at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport for being in possession of a forged entry endorsement stamp for Nakonde Border Control as well as a forged visa receipt. The forged stamp was later traced to Banza Kalumba Ngoie. A search on Mr. Ngoie resulted in the discovery of one (01) fake stamp for Nakonde Border Control, and one (01) Congolese passport bearing a forged Kipushi stamp.

This is a good break for the Department as we have observed of late an increase in cases of forged stamps. We know that there are more such criminals carrying-out such activities. Our promise to them is that we are closer to catching them than they think.

Lastly, Immigration Officers in Nyimba, Eastern Province have apprehended thirty-six (36) male Ethiopian nationals for failing to appear before an Immigration Officer on entry. The group was nabbed on 6th February, 2021 in the mountains near Kacholola and Luangwa Bridge in Nyimba District following reports of their presence by alert members of the community. They all failed to produce documentation legalizing their entry and stay in Zambia and are currently detained at Nyimba Correctional Facility pending Court appearance.

This brings the total number of Ethiopians detained by the Nyimba Immigration Officer for failing to appear before an Immigration Officer on entry to sixty-nine (69) in just over a week. The same Office, with the help of the local community on 30th January, 2021 apprehended thirty-three (33) Ethiopians in the mountains near Unyanya Village a few kilometres from the Luangwa Bridge. They too are currently detained at Nyimba Correctional facility pending prosecution.

We wish to encourage anyone aware of an individual, business, or employer who may be aiding and abetting illegal immigrants to contact the Department of Immigration.

A 43 year old woman of Kaongo Village in Chief Liteta’s Chiefdom in Chibombo District has been murdered by her former boyfriend.

District Commissioner, Catherine Chilonda has confirmed to ZANIS today, the incident that happened over the weekend at the victim’s residence.

Ms Chilonda named the deceased as Cecilia Weupe and the suspect as Clement Binot.

She explained that the deceased sustained multiple head injuries and police suspect that a pan brick was used in the act.

Ms Chilonda said Police are yet to establish the motive behind the gruesome murder.

She further said the suspect is currently on the run while the body of the deceased has been deposited at Liteta Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem.

The DC has since appealed to the members of the public who may have information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect to notify the Police.

Meanwhile, Ms Chilonda has advised parents in the district to caution their children against swimming in the abandoned quarries which are now flooded with water following heavy rains experienced in the area.

She last week two male juveniles of Chitanda village in Chief Chitanda’s Chiefdom drowned in the stagnant water in an abandoned quarry where they were swimming.

“Last week, two minors namely Charles Shanyinde and Ospeck Chalwe, aged eight and nine respectively, had left home in the morning to go and play but did not return. And after a long search, their clothes were discovered near an abandoned quarry which was full of water,” she said.

Ms Chilonda stated that community members managed to retrieve the bodies of the juveniles and have since been buried.

She added that government through the District Disaster Management and Mitigation Committee, provided mealie-meal as well as coffins.