A Non – Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Northern Province has commended President Edgar Lungu for terminating the appointment of Chitalu Chilufya as Health Minister.

Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) Provincial Coordinator, Amos Muselema says his organization has welcomed the move taken by the Head of State.

Mr Muselema states that the termination of the contract of Dr. Chilufya will restore confidence among stakeholders in the health sector.

He noted that what has been happening in the ministry of health in the recent past leaves much to be desired.

Mr. Muselema explained that the procurement of substandard drugs and other medical supplies by the ministry had put the lives of many Zambians at risk.

“We commend President Lungu for the gesture because it has been long overdue,” he says.

The AVAP Regional Coordinator adds that the decision by President Lungu is timely ,saying that revelations in the auditors general’s report over substandard drugs and medical supplies being procured by the Ministry of Health have been going on for some time now

Mr Muselema has since called for the prosecution of all those involved in the scandal.

Police in Lusaka have arrested five male suspects aged between 21 and 25 for terrorizing residents of George compound.

The suspects are alleged to have damaged window panes for some houses in George Compound.

Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo confirmed in a press statement to the media yesterday that suspects identified as Kennedy Mbao, John Phiri, Cosmas Bwanda, Joseph Phiri, and Mwila Banda all of George Compound have been charged with malicious damage of property.

Ms Katongo said they have all been detained in police custody awaiting court appearance.

She disclosed that one of the accused persons was found with a sharp knife and it has been kept as an exhibit.

The Police Spokesperson revealed that there has been an increased number of complaints from members of the public in George compound concerning the unruly youths terrorizing members of the public for unknown reasons.

She said Police have embarked on an operation aimed at getting rid of such criminal acts and all members of the public with information that could be helpful in this operation are advised to report to the police.

The Lusaka City Council(LCC) has called on members of the public to cooperate with the people managing burial sites whenever they are allocated places to bury their loved ones.

Mr Sichimba says the local authority is doing everything possible to help bereaved families bury their loved ones according to the burial spaces that can be found at the two operational graveyards which are also full.

He told ZANIS in an exclusive interview that the Chunga graveyard has been completely closed while Chingwere and Leopards Hill cemeteries which are being used only has infuse spaces between old graves.

“The Local Authority’s jurisdiction in looking for land ends at district level and currently a ministerial committee involving the ministries of Land, Home affairs and Local government has been formed to look into the matter,“ said Mr Sichimba.

He has however, expressed optimism that the committee would help Lusaka City Council to find land from nearby districts that would be used for members of the public to bury their loved ones.

“You know our powers in looking for land ends within the district, but we are hoping that the formation of this ministerial group will help us find land as soon as possible, “Mr Sichimba explained.

There has been concerns from members of the public over the shortage of burial spaces in Lusaka where bereaved families are using small spaces between old graves to bury their loved ones while others are allegedly burying on top of old graves.

Young Women Christian Association YWCA in the northern region has revealed that 1,128 cases of gender based violence (GBV) in the northern region were recorded in the year 2020.

YMCA Northern Region Coordinator, Sharon Chisanga in an interview said the highest cases of GBV recorded in 2020 were as a result of marital disputes which was followed by child neglect.

Mrs. Chisanga said that it was unfortunate that the northern region has continued to record high number of GBV and YWCA also recorded high numbers of women reporting that their children are being neglected by their fathers who are failing to support them.

“It is sad to note that whenever couples separate or have a dispute, children are the ones who are suffering by being neglected,” she said.

She said there is need to intensify more laws to protect the welfare of the children.

“let us work together to ensure that we safeguard the lives of children,” she said

The northern region coordinator has called for more sensitization amongst key stakeholders in a bid to reduce GBV cases being recorded in the region.

She said that cases of GBV will not be put to halt if key stakeholders do not work together in reducing the vice.

“We need concerted efforts from various stakeholders to ensure GBV cases are reduced by encouraging victims to be reporting the perpetrators,” she said.

Ms Chisanga has indicated that for national development to be achieved, women and children must be appreciated as a weaker partners that needs to be protected.

Kitwe High Court Judge Abba Patel, State Counsel(SC), says the judiciary must be distanced from political activities as the country heads towards the 2021 general elections.

Speaking after the ceremonial opening of the criminal sessions at the Kitwe High Court today, Justice Patel said the Judiciary is a non-partisan institution and should be distanced from political activities.

“The judiciary is a non-partisan institution which is independent of government and is only subject to the Constitution of the country,” she said.

Justice Patel said that as the country heads towards campaigns, there is need to promote a culture of respect for each other’s opinions in line with good governance tenets.

And Justice Patel is concerned with the apparent increase in domestic cases including Gender Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls.

She said while there is a general reduction in the number of both civil and criminal cases before the courts, domestic disputes and GBV cases such as defilement and rape seem to be on the upswing.

“The rising cases of crime against women and young girls is a source of concern in a Christian nation. We need to protect the girl child from her brother, father, uncle and even grandfather,” Justice Patel said.

She said community leaders, church elders and local leaders must all join hands in helping to overcome the rising cases of crimes against women.

She said fighting crime should not be left to the judiciary and the police alone.

And Justice Patel said there is a need for timely law reforms that will give judges and magistrates discretionary sentencing powers other than depending on mandatory minimum sentences only.

She said in view of the current COVID-19 situation, appropriate reforms are needed in the law so that judges can mete out appropriate sentences for particular cases to avoid overcrowding correctional facilities.

And Kitwe High Court judge-in-charge Charles Chanda said judiciary workers are frontliners in the COVID-19 pandemic because justice has to be served regardless of the circumstances.

He said well-wishers and local leaders in Kitwe should therefore consider the judiciary whenever they are giving out chemicals and protective equipment necessary for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

He also said the high court in Kitwe faces challenges in its supervisory role of courts in far flung areas such as North Western Province because of perennial transport challenges.

Meanwhile, Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) representative Elijah Banda S.C has called for the increased use of technology in the administration of justice.

Mr Banda said platforms such as zoom and Skype should be used especially in the disposal of interlocutory applications.

He also urged lawyers to embrace the use of alternative dispute resolutions to avoid crowding courts and also help in clearing backlogs.

Kitwe Mayor Christopher Kang’ombe who graced the event promised to pass on the concerns and observations raised by the judges to the necessary offices.