Mulonga Water and Sanitation Company (MWSC) project to construct 167 VIP pit latrines in Mufulira District on the Copperbelt Province has commenced.

Acting Public Relations Manager, Bright Mtonga said the construction of the VIP pit latrines being done under the Zambia Water and Sanitation Project (ZWSP) in Mufulira District has commenced in some parts of the district.

Mr. Mtonga said the 156 million pounds water and sanitation project has been funded by the European Investment Bank, European Union, French Development Agency, and Zambian Government.

He said under the project, 20 VIP pit latrines will be built in Makambo, 30 in Murundu, 15 in Minambe, 25 in Zimba, 30 in Kawama, and 15 in Old Kansuswa.

“We are undertaking the project in these areas because we want urban people to also access improved water and sanitation facilities,” he explained.

Mr. Mtonga said the duration of the project is 12 months.

He stated that under the same project, the company is also rehabilitating, constructing, and extending water and sanitation services in peri-urban areas.

“Besides the VIP pit latrines the company is also rehabilitating water kiosks and selected water networks.Boreholes are also being constructed in some areas which have not had water service previously,” he explained.

Christopher Chanda, a Murudu resident said he was happy that the project has commenced, and that the community will be able to have clean and conducive toilets.

“Having clean water and sanitation means being able to avoid exposure to countless diseases,” he explained.

Another resident Grace Chilufya who also resides in Murudu said the project is very essential as it will help maintain good health and reduce diarrheal diseases, especially in children.

President Edgar Lungu has congratulated John Magufuli, the President-elect of the Republic of Tanzania after winning the presidential elections conducted last week Wednesday in that country.

President Lungu said Magufuli’s re-election represents the satisfaction that the people of Tanzania have derived from his successes during his first term of office.

“On this occasion marking your re-election victory, allow me on behalf of the government of the Republic of Zambia, the people and indeed on my own behalf, to convey our heartfelt congratulations on this great achievement,” he said.

President Lungu commended Dr Magufuli for transforming Tanzania’s social, political and economic landscape resulting in the country being classified as a lower middle-income economy.

He assured Dr Magufuli of the Zambian government’s commitment to further enhance the excellent fraternal relations.

This is according to a statement issued by State House Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Isaac Chipampe.

Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja says the Zambia Police Service shall not seat and watch people ferment violence while hiding under the veil of politics.

Mr Kanganja says the Police has noted with dismay a video making rounds on social media platforms alleging and purporting that there is a scheme by the Patriotic Front Government to plunge the country into chaos.

In a statement to the media in Lusaka today, Mr Kanganja said the video is bent on inciting violence among the general citizenry and also provoke people to raise against government.

He stated that the video is marred with images of dead bodies all over the streets and people hacking each other.

“I call upon members of the public not to panic but to treat the same video with utmost contempt it deserves because this type of propaganda is dangerous for our peaceful country and must not be entertained. These are indicators of genocide, “he stated.

Mr Kanganja has since implored the officers to get down to the bottom of the same documentary and bring perpetrators to book to face the wrath of the law.

This is contained in a statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia has called for an end to media harassment and intimidation to allow journalists freely and professionally carry out their duties.

MISA Zambia Chapter Chairperson, Hellen Mwale recounts that the institute has in the recent past recorded a number of incidences which undermine journalists’ safety.

Ms. Mwale said such does not just threaten journalists’ safety but has a negative impact on their ability to report the truth on matters going in the country.

Ms. Mwale said MISA Zambia has also learnt with great concern the increasing statistics on occurrences of censorship against the media that provides platforms for persons with opposing views.

“The acts of intimidation and harassment which take on physical abuse, verbal abuse, legal means, veiled threats and a non-constitutional directive that requires radio stations to notify the Zambia Police before featuring an opposition party on radio, especially in rural area, are a source of concern,” Ms. Mwale said.

“We would therefore, like to remind the state that such acts have a negative impact on society including journalists themselves, especially when perpetrators remain unpunished,” she said.

Ms. Mwale has in a statement issued to mark the global commemorations of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists called on government and the police to step up efforts to address the impunity against journalists.

“While we are cognisant of the efforts and commitment by the state and the Zambia Police, we believe the necessary change has not been attained and we need more efforts and concrete steps against those who perpetuate impunity against the media,” she said.

Every year, the United Nations marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2, and this year, the day is being celebrated under the theme: “Protect Journalists, Protect the Truth.

A 42 year old Milenge woman has filed for divorce on account of her husband’s extreme sexual demand.

Minute Chola, of Talayi village in Chief Sokontwe’s Chiefdom of Milenge district, Luapula province, has told the Milenge Magistrate, Heaven Chimpandu that she has failed to sustain her husband’s bizarre sexual appetite.

“We have been having irreconcilable differences with my Husband Maybin Chisala, 45, because of his unusual sexual demands, she Complained in court.

Mrs Chola testified that she was diagnosed with an illness at the hospital and was advised to reduce on too much sex and heavy duties, as the illness resurfaces every time she engages in abnormal sex, but that her husband has totally refused to adhere to the doctor’s guidance.

“We have been married for seven years and my husband demands for sex from me even when I, m menstruating, but he also cheats on me because he engages in extramarital affairs with other women,” she stated.

She added that worse more, her husband is a drunkard who does not even financially support their two children aged three and five and the other nine children he has from his previous marriage.

In his defense, Mr Chisala, a Head Cook at Milenge Secondary School, said his wife is talkative and has tarnished his image in the village, at his work place and to both of their families by sharing their sexual affairs publicly.

“She left the matrimonial bedroom a while ago, but I still love and consider her as my wife and I want her back,” Mr Chisala resisted a divorce.

In his ruling, Magistrate Chipandu granted the couple a divorce but that Chola would not get any compensation considering that this was her second marriage and she does not know how to handle bedroom matters other than washing dirty linen in public.

“To you Mr Chisala, put your life in order and plan a proper future for these eleven children other than always thinking about sex and beer,” Magistrate Chipandu advised.

Magistrate Chipandu gave Ms Chola full custody of their two children and ordered Mr Chisala to be giving his ex-wife K300 as child support on a monthly basis.

The property the couple owned among them a refrigerator, kitchen unit, a kiln and maize were shared between them.