The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Mufulira district on the Copperbelt province has successfully rehabilitated 42 members of the “70 Babies” gang that terrorised residents of Kankoyo in 2017.

DEC Officer, Precious Sakala disclosed that the members of the gang have been undergoing counselling through the DEC office in Mufulira since 2017.

Ms. Sakala said the rehabilitation programme has led to the dissolution of the gang and successful reformation of its members to become responsible citizens in society.

In an interview with ZANIS, Ms. Sakala said five former gang stars were successfully enrolled at Kitwe Vocational Training College (KVTC) to pursue different trades, adding that three of them completed their studies in December 2020, while two will complete this year.

“We managed to secure 75 percent bursary for these youths we sent to KVTC and made an agreement with their families to meet the remaining 25 percent so that they could pursue different trades,” Ms. Sakala explained.

She said five other former gang members have been recommended for Zambia Air Force (ZAF) recruitment through the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Child Development, while one was successfully enrolled at Mufulira School of Nursing and is expected to complete in December 2021.

Ms. Sakala added that six of the former gang members have completed the General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations, while three have decided to pursue a career in soccer.

She added that the other 11 former gang members, despite not pursuing careers, have also been reintegrated into society.

“Although the group was called ’70 Babies’, it was a gang of 42 youths who terrorised residents of Kankoyo in 2017,” Ms. Sakala explained.

“We decided to meet them and began a series of counseling therapy because these youths were abusing drugs, alcohol, and sniffing, and we are happy to have seen such remarkable change, and two ladies who were members of this gang are even married now,” she said.

Ms. Sakala has since urged members of the public not to shy away from seeking counseling services from DEC.

She said the commission’s mandate is not only to apprehend culprits but to also provide counseling meant to rehabilitate substance abusers.

Government has described late former Cabinet Minister in the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) regime, Sarah Sayifwanda, 57, as a patriotic citizen who served the nation diligently.

Giving a key note speech on behalf of government at the official funeral service at United Church of Zambia Mushitala congregation in Solwezi today, North-western province Minister, Nathaniel Mubukwanu said the late Ms. Sayifwanda was instrumental in spearheading development when she served in various ministerial positions.

“On behalf of His Excellent, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the people of Zambia and indeed on my own behalf, allow me to convey my sincere condolences to the children and the entire family on the sad loss of Honourable Sarah Sayifwanda,” he said.

Mr. Mubukwanu said Ms. Sayifwanda was a vibrant citizen of Zambia as she gallantly dedicated her great life to the service of the nation.

“She will be remembered for spearheading policies that culminated into the implementation of gender programmes in rural areas focused on agriculture, education, health and social protection with particular bias towards women,” he said.

He said Ms. Sayifwanda has left behind indelible footmarks in the history of the country as a public servant when she had an illustrious career in the public service.

The minister said the late Ms. Sayifwanda exhibited unique leadership qualities and served as a cabinet minister at a time when the development of most government policies was undertaken in line with the liberalization of the economy.

Giving a tribute, the minister’s son Chishinga Sayifwanda described his late mother as a pillar and source of strength who will be greatly missed.

And a former cabinet minister, Lucky Mulusa said the late Ms. Sayifwanda will be remembered for her passion and interest in women and children’s affairs and gender matters in general.

“She was a principled leader who exhibited competence and good character as well as zero tolerance to corruption,” he said.

The late Ms. Sayifwanda, who is survived by two children and five grandchildren, died on 31st December, 2020 in Solwezi general hospital after a short illness and has been put to rest today, at Kimiteto cemetery in Solwezi district.

Her career in government started in the late 1980s as a teacher in special education. She taught for 20 years under the Ministry of Education before joining active politics under the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) in 2005.

She served as a Member of Parliament for Zambezi East constituency for 10 years from 2006 to 2016.

The late Ms. Sayifwanda also served as a cabinet minister in various ministries among them Gender and Development, Agriculture and Communication and Transport.

Senior government officials led by North-western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu, former cabinet ministers, senior political party officials from both ruling and the opposition, civil servants and members of the general public attended the funeral service.

Two Zambians have been arrested in India for trafficking “fine quality” heroin.

The value of seized drug is estimated to be around ?22 crore in the international market.

In the first case, Zambian national Mulapi Joshua was nabbed by officers of the federal anti-narcotics agency from the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in New Delhi on December 25 with 4.6 kg of heroin.

His compatriot, Mambwe William, was similarly apprehended from the IGI airport on December 31 with 700 grams of heroin.

The two had landed in New Delhi from Dubai, official sources said.

“The arrest of two Zambian nationals with fine quality heroin revealed a reverse route of heroin trafficking into India,” Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Deputy Director (operations) K P S Malhotra said, adding that the value of the seized drug is around ?22 crore in the international market.

The normal route for heroin smuggling into the country is through the Pakistan border and in some cases, through the eastern frontiers.

The reverse route refers to heroin being trafficked into India from “two different routes” after sourcing it from Afghanistan, the “main cultivator” of opium and “producer” of heroin, Mr. Malhotra said.

Copperbelt province Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe has appealed to the Road Development Agency (RDA) to expedite the works on the 80 kilometers township roads in four districts in the province.

Mr. Nundwe lamented the delayed funding for township roads works saying the funds should be released soon as the rainy season come to an end.

Mr Nundwe said this when RDA Human Resource Committee led by Acting Chairperson for RDA board Likando Kalaluka call on him at his office in Ndola today.

Mr. Nundwe further said there is need to speed up works on the Sabina toll plaza which are at 5 percent as all the other toll plazas in the province are functional except for one.

“ The stretch on the Ndola – Kapiri road near Kafulafuta toll plaza is slippery and in a bad state which equally needs urgent attention, “ he said.

Chililabombwe, Ndola, Luanshya and Mufulira districts, are the districts to benefit from the upgrading of township roads in the province.

And RDA director George Manyele has disclosed that works on the 79.8 km Ndola – Mufulira -Mukombo road have commenced.

Government recently paid 20 million Kwacha to Swift Company in partnership with Nyatsi contractor to resume works on the road.

The works are phases and currently the contractor is working on the Mufulira Mukombo stretch where the road works are on- surfacing level.

Meanwhile, RDA acting board chairperson Likando Kalaluka explained that the committee is on the Copperbelt to check on RDA operations and the state of infrastructure in the region.

Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Elias Kamanga has called on the police to heighten surveillance activities to ensure compliance to Covid-19 health regulations in the capital city following a spike in new cases of the disease.

Mr. Kamanga said health security is critical as there is a complacency to adhere to public health regulations.

He said the police should enforce the law to prevent the spread of the disease.

He said this when new Lusaka Province Police Commissioner Lackson Sakala paid a courtesy call on him this morning.

He also advised the police to curb the smuggling of maize and maize products to neighbouring countries which he said is threatening food security in Zambia.

“I am confident that you are capable and competent enough to manage the security of Lusaka province especially health and national security,” he added.

He said that the Police Commissioner should not drop the guard in ensuring that the public is adhering to the Covid-19 health guidelines as provided by the Ministry of Health.

Mr. Kamanga said Mr. Sakala should join hands with the Provincial Administration in ensuring that there is compliance during the management of the second wave of Covid-19.

“The new Covid-19 strain is posing much more severe danger to our people and may I remind you that your office will be critical in ensuring that the Covid-19 compliance measures are taken seriously,” he said.

He reaffirmed that Lusaka Province is a critical region because it houses the capital city of the country.

“I implore you to take charge of Lusaka province in terms of policing. We may have the Inspector General of Police in our province but that does not mean our responsibilities should be absorbed.

Mr. Kamanga said 2021 is an election year coupled with the new strain of Covid-19 hence the need to be proactive.

And Lusaka Province Police Commissioner, Lackson Sakala thanked Mr. Kamanga for the guidance and pledged to execute his duties diligently.

Mr. Sakala was transferred from Eastern Province to Lusaka as Provincial Commissioner of Police taking over from Nelson Phiri whose contract was not renewed.