Advertisement Banner
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Subscribe
Home Blog Page 1157

Lusambo cuts short his annual leave to lead fight against Covid-19 second wave

Chief Editor
-
29
Lusambo cuts short his annual leave to lead fight against Covid-19 second wave

Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo yesterday morning distributed masks and sensitizing motorists and some Lusaka residents on the importance of adhering to Covid-19 health guidelines.

Mr. Lusambo has since directed that he will tomorrow start taking stringent measures against those that will not comply with the Statutory Instruments (SIs) on Covid-19.

The Minister, who led members of the multi-sectoral Covid-19 taskforce on an inspection of compliance to health regulation among motorists and other road users at Arcades Flyover Bridge, Heroes stadium bus stop, and shop owners at Manda Hill shopping mall, observed that there is complacency among residents despite the increasing cases of the disease in the province.

He noted that Zambia is recording an increase in the number of new cases and deaths hence warned that the situation may get to unmanageable levels if people continue with the status quo.

“The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) is filled to capacity and the number of new cases is increasing, this poses a serious threat,” he said.

Mr. Lusambo told bus drivers not to carry passengers who are not masked up and warned that all travellers who do not wear masks on public buses will not be allowed in and out of Lusaka starting Wednesday this week as the taskforce starts to enforce the SI.

“Buses that carry passengers who do not wear masks will not be allowed to enter or leave bus stations. The drivers should ensure that all their passengers are masked up,” he said.

And Mr. Lusambo has warned bar owners who operate beyond prescribed operating hours that they will be dealt with.

“We will start inspecting all places especially the bars and nightclubs that are on record to be hotspots for transmission of the disease, the owners are not complying with the law with regard to the times of opening and closing, the masking of revellers and the observation of a one metre physical distance as provided by law,” he noted.

The Lusaka Province Minister however commended shops at Manda Hill shopping mall where shoppers are not allowed to enter shops if they are not complying with the health regulations.

He observed that only those with masks are allowed to enter the shops.

“People here are all masked up, they realise the seriousness of the disease and that the new variant is more deadly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lusaka deputy mayor Christopher Shakafuswa said Lusaka City Council (LCC) observed that people in the city have adequate information about Covid-19 but do not mask up.

“Many people put the masks in their handbags and pockets and only wear them when getting into shops. We need people to realise that masking up is intended to prevent the disease and not to show those enforcing the law,” he said.

Mr. Shakafuswa said the council will enhance inspection of public places to ensure adherence to public health regulations.

Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo handing out free face masks in Lusaka on Tuesday.
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo handing out free face masks in Lusaka on Tuesday.

Two Zambians arrested in India for drug trafficking over the festive season

Chief Editor
-
7
Two Zambians arrested in India for drug trafficking over the festive season

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.

Over 4,000 BIDs recorded at UTH between June and November

Chief Editor
-
19
Over 4,000 BIDs recorded at UTH between June and November

About 4,339 people died before reaching the University Teaching Hospital between June and November last year.

That figure represents a big rise from the 3,117 recorded over the same period in 2019.

Now Zambian health officials are grappling with a wave of dead-on-arrival cases at the country’s main referral hospital.

The spike in cases may be related to residents not following Covid-19 guidelines, as well as to widespread misconceptions about the virus.

“We have recorded an increase in the number of Brought-In-Dead (BID) cases,” says Professor Lloyd Mulenga, Director of infectious diseases at Zambia’s Health Ministry.

According to Professor Mulenga, UTH recorded 4,339 BID cases from early June to early November as compared to 3,711 in the same period in 2019.

The people arriving dead at the hospital died from a variety of causes, not only Covid-19.

But Professor Mulenga said the spike may be related to the pandemic, reflecting a failure of many residents to comply with Covid-19 prevention measures.

As of mid-December 2020, Zambia had a total of more than 18,400 Coronavirus cases, of which 367 ended in death, according to www.worldometers.info, an independent statistics portal.

Covid-19 infections continue to rise, with many patients suffering from other diseases alongside Coronavirus.

The increased number of dead-on-arrival cases may be related to a growing tendency to self-medicate against Covid-19, in addition to failing to follow recommended preventive measures.

“In hopes of fighting the virus, many Zambians are using drugs that were developed to combat other diseases, or are taking “various herbal concoctions,” Professor Mulenga says.

“This undermines medical efforts to control the virus and prevent new infections.”

Dr. Nyambe Mukubesa, a resident doctor at the Ministry of Health, confirms that assessment

“Many citizens are abusing malaria drugs and other medicines to treat Covid-19, without seeking medical advice,” he says.

“So a surge in new cases is likely to remain a worry.”

Those views are confirmed by a survey of 1,035 Zambians carried out in March and April 2020 by Ipsos, the Paris-based market research and consulting firm.

The survey shows widespread misconceptions about the virus.

“Approximately half believe that Covid-19 can be prevented by drinking lemon juice and Vitamin C (54 %), or that a hot climate prevents the spread of the virus (49?%),” Ipsos says in a report titled “Responding to Covid-19: Highlights of a Survey in Zambia”.

In addition, the Ipsos report states: “One in four think Covid-19 can be cured with garlic (25?%), and sizeable minorities believe that Africans can’t get it (15%), or that drinking bleach cures it (9?%).

Some misconceptions cause needless anxiety.

“I used to think that the virus only affects the elderly or those with underlying health ailments,” says Mercy Chilongo, 33, who had Covid-19 and recovered from it. “When I got Covid-19, I believed it was the end of me.”

In some cases, people have correct information about preventing infection, but cannot comply. According to Ipsos, social distancing may prove very difficult in a country where many people do not have separate rooms to isolate infected family members.

But many prevention measures are within the control of residents, who nonetheless are not using them. “The improper wearing of face masks, with citizens dropping the masks when talking or wearing their masks on their chins, or not observing physical distancing, is a battle we continue facing,” says Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya.

Green Eagles Ejected From CAF Confederation Cup

sports
-
2

Zambia’s 2020/2021 continental group stage ambitious has dwindled to two after Green Eagles were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup today.

Eagles lost 1-0 away to Cameroonian representatives Cotonsport to exit 3-0 on aggregate.

Gueme Areina struck in the 4th minute to give Cotonsport the final leg win.

But the match was not without any controversy after the Cameroon club conducted second tests on Eagles despite the Zambian club travelling to Cameroon with valid medical certificates that were within World Health Organization guidelines.

Eagles’ exit leaves Nkana and Napsa Stars as Zambia’s last hopes for group stage continental qualification.

Nkana head into their CAF Champions League pre-group stage final leg match against Petro Atletico in Luanda, Angola on Wednesday tied at 1-1 from the first leg.

Napsa Stars drew 0-0 at home against UD Songo of Mozambique whom they visit in Beira this Wednesday in a CAF Confederation Cup second round tie.

Expedite works on township roads – Nundwe

Chief Editor
-
11
Expedite works on township roads – Nundwe

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 police urged to enforce Covid-19 health regulations

Chief Editor
-
11
Lusaka police urged to enforce Covid-19 health regulations

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.

Kabwe Shoprite, Zambeef temporarily closed for violating Covid-19 guidelines

Chief Editor
-
8
Kabwe Shoprite, Zambeef temporarily closed for violating Covid-19 guidelines

The Kabwe Municipal Council (KMC) has closed some business houses, including the Shoprite chain store for violating the Covid-19 health guidelines.

KMC Assistant Public Relations Manager, Nancy Chenga, has confirmed that Shoprite, Kabwe Pharmacy, Termites Butchery, and Zambeef were temporally closed yesterday for not complying with Covid-19 health guidelines.

Ms. Chenga said the affected stores were found violating social distancing, lacked handwashing facilities at their entrances, and entertained improperly masked customers.

She said the closure was effected under the statutory instrument 21 and 22 of 2020 that provides for Covid-19 preventive measures.

“The municipality working hand-in-hand with Kabwe District Health Office (KDHO) will continue to conduct random spot checks for compliance purposes. Those who will be found abrogating the laws under Statutory Instrument (SI) 21 and 22 of 2020 on Covid-19 will be penalized accordingly,” she said.

She has warned that stern action will be taken against shop owners failing to strictly adhere to Covid-19 guidelines including the closure of their businesses.

She added that the affected business houses were re-opened after a meeting with the council officials and representatives from affected business houses.

She has since reminded shop owners and members of the general public to ensure compliance to the Covid-19 guidelines to prevent the further spread of the viral disease.

ZAMBEEF Head Office
ZAMBEEF Head Office

Meanwhile, the Zambia Private Sector Alliance (ZPSA) has advised all business traders and local authorities to effectively enforce Covid-19 pandemic prevention health care guidelines with immediate effect.

Zambia Private Sector Alliance President Chabuka Kawesha has strongly appealed to business houses, manufacturers, industries, and other factory operational plants to comply with the Covid-19 health guidelines.

Mr. Kawesha said all employers and businesses countrywide should ensure that their respective workforce mask-up, sanitize, and have the necessary cleaning products at their premises at all times.

“The new Covid-19 strain is 50 to 70 percent more transmissible and it is not something that should be open to question,” he said.

Mr. Kawesha has also called on councils to join forces with local traders in ensuring compliance with Covid-19 health care and prevention guidelines by utilizing all available materials and human capital at their disposal.

“The breeding grounds of Covid-19 are bars, markets, roadside trading, and bus stations which are always crowded with unmasked patrons,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kawesha has commended healthcare workers and many others for the relentless effort in saving lives during this Covid-19 pandemic.

Nkana Make Late Trip to Angola

sports
-
3

Nkana travelled to Angola for Wednesday’s crucial CAF Champions League match against Petro Atletico after being bailed out by President Edgar Lungu.

President Lungu on Monday donated $100,000 to Nkana, who are reportedly struggling financially ahead of the Luanda trip.

Club vice President Patrick Njovu said the money would help Nkana to fulfill the CAF assignment.

“We were given $100,000 which is K2.1million. The money has really helped and we will manage to go to Angola,” Njovu said.

Kalampa left for Angola on Tuesday morning on a chartered flight.

The two teams drew 1-1 in the first leg match of the first round played in Kitwe two weeks ago.

The return leg is scheduled to kick off at 18h00.

Government distributes 7,000 litres of chemicals to fight Army Worms in Southern province

Chief Editor
-
14
Government distributes 7,000 litres of chemicals to fight Army Worms in Southern province

The ministry of Agriculture has dispatched seven thousand litres of Fall Army Worm chemicals to fight against the deadly pest from ravaging field crops in Southern Province.

Southern Province Agricultural Coordinator Max Choombe says the chemicals are being distributed to all the 13 districts and affected farmers in the province to combat the pest.

Dr. Choombe said quantities of chemicals being distributed per district are dependent on reports received from District Agricultural Coordinators in terms of areas affected and also the areas at risk.

He further explained that chemical distribution is also dependent on the number of farmers in a given district because the more the number of farmers the more the infestation.

The chemicals distributed from the Provincial Office to District Agricultural Coordinators in the province and subsequently to farmers should be strictly for free and not for sale.

Dr. Choombe also observed that farmers should realise that the chemicals are an emergency measure and they are also expected to buy their own chemicals to assist in controlling and containing the pest.

He disclosed that his office has received reports of Fall Army Worm attaches on field crops from most districts in Southern Province adding that infestation is at the small level.

The PACO further pointed out that so far the crop stand in the province is very good for the 2020/2021 season noting that if there will be no floods the province anticipates a bumper harvest.

Dr. Choombe said most of the maize in the field is green and not yellow as it has received fertilizer.

The recipient districts of the Fall Army Worm chemicals as Kazungula, Livingstone, Zimba, Kalomo, Choma, and Sinazongwe.

Others are Pemba, Namwala, Gwembe, Monze, Chikankata, Mazabuka, and Siavonga.

Robin Siame:GBFC Thursty To End Winless Drought

sports
-
0

Green Buffaloes winger Robin Siame wants to see his team bounce back to winning ways when the FAZ Super Division resume this weekend.

Buffaloes have not won in their last six matches prior to the New Year break.

The Army side is placed 14 in the league with 10 points from 11 matches played.

“As we start in January we need to improve,” Siame said.

“We need to perform well like we did at the start of the season,” he said.

Buffaloes will face Lumwana Radiants away in the North Western Province on January 9.

UPND retains Ward In Livimngstone, but loses in North Western Province

Chief Editor
-
45
UPND retains Ward In Livimngstone, but loses in North Western Province

The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND), in Livingstone has retained the Maramba Ward seat after its candidate emerged victorious in yesterday’s by election.

UPND candidate Evans Sakala got 578 votes, while his closest rival Florence Samasumo of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), got 465 votes and National Restoration Party ( NRP ) representative Brian Siamuluwa got 19 votes.

Returning Officer Peter Madubeko announced the results at Maramba Community Hall on Monday, adding that a total of 1070 votes were cast, of which four (4), were rejected. During the campaign period, Mr Sakala pledged to address sanitation challenges within the ward.

The by – election was preceded by peaceful campaigns from all the political parties contesting for the seat. The Maramba Ward seat fell vacant after UPND Councillor Moses Simbaya resigned in September 2020. Mr. Simbaya said he had been offered a scholarship to further his education abroad.

And the Ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has scooped the Kaimbwe ward seat in the just ended local government by-election in Kasempa district of North-western province.

PF’s Keagan Shimikila polled 356 against his closest rival Innocent Kakona of UPND who got 228 out of 602 total vote cast with nine rejected votes.

Mr Shimikila said the people of Kaimbwe and the province at large have realised that they made a mistake in 2016 by voting for the opposition UPND.

“People have realized that in 2016 they made a mistake by voting for the opposition and now they have made the right decision by voting for the ruling party,” Mr Shimikila added.

Stating that the ward had been lagging behind in terms of development under the councilor from the opposition UPND party, Mr Shimikila urged the residents of Kamibwe ward to work with him for development to come to the ward.

Meanwhile , Patriotic Front campaign Manager Davies Kanyakula disclosed that the ruling party will rescue the people of Kaimbwe from under development. Mr Kanyakula further disclosed that winning the first election of 2021 is a sign of confidence that people still have in the ruling party.

” We have won the first election in 2021,come the general elections we are actually going to carry the day,” he added.

Mr Kanyakula assured the party that in the forthcoming general elections the party will scoop more seats at all levels.

The Kaimbwe seat fell vacant after the area councilor of UPND Thompson Changamuka resigned and was being contested for by PF candidate Keagan Shimikila and UPND candidate Innocent Kakona.

Kaimbwe has 1,550 total number of registered voters.

 

And in in Lumezi District, the  ruling Patriotic Front has scooped the Kamimba ward Local Government by-election.  PF candidate Blaston Ngoma polled 1,691 votes while his closest counterpart, Mvula Timeyo of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) , polled 559 votes.  National Restoration Party’s (NAREP) Phiri Davies got a paltry 194 votes. Returning officer for Kamimba ward Micheal Ngulube declared Mr Ngoma as the duly elected councillor for the ward at about 23:15 hours yesterday.

“I therefore declare that I have, in accordance with the law, ascertained the results of the poll in the said ward and have been given to Ngoma Blaston of Patriotic Front 1, 691, Mvula Timeyo of the United Party for National Development 599 votes,” he said.

And speaking after the declaration, Lumezi District’s Patriotic Front Chairperson Clement Mwale said  people of Kamimba ward have elected a candidate who will continue to spearhead development in the area.

“I am happy that we put up a good fight and most importantly that people have voted for us because it is the development that is fighting for us, we are not fighting using our hands but people can see the development which PF has done over the past nine years, so it’s the development which is speaking for us,” he said.

Mr Mwale, who is also Lumezi District Council Chairperson, assured members of the public that the Local authority will cooperate with the duly elected councillor so that the area receives its fair allocation of development from constituency development funds.

A total number of 2,484 votes were cast out of the 3,524 registered voters while 40 ballots were rejected and declared invalid.

The Kamimba ward seat was declared vacant by the Electoral commission of Zambia (ECZ) on 10th December 2020 after the death councillor Nasauka Banda who died in a road traffic accident in October last year.

Government reaffirms commitment to rehabilitate damaged Infrastructure

Chief Editor
-
8
Government reaffirms commitment to rehabilitate damaged Infrastructure

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to find modalities to rehabilitate infrastructure that have been destroyed by heavy rains especially in Northern province.

Northern Province Minister Chungu Bwalya says government is concerned that a number of infrastructure in the province have been destroyed by heavy rains.

“ Government is however working hard to ensure that the damaged infrastructure is repaired in the quickest possible time, “ he said.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Bwalya said this after visiting Milima Correctional Facility where some of the structures at the facility were recently damaged by heavy rains.

He expressed happiness that officers at the correctional facility have continued to conduct their duties diligently despite the place experiencing a disaster.

“It is encouraging that despite the challenges you are going through you have continued to excel in your duties.” he said

The Provincial Minister also inspected Milima Bridge where the temporal bridge was recently cut off by the rains.

He expressed happiness with the workmanship being exhibited at the site where officials from the Road Development Agency (RDA) are working on the permanent bridge.

He has since called on the agency to speed up works to help smoothen the flow of traffic.

Earlier, Zambian Correctional Service Northern Province Regional Commander Aspinah Choba revealed that more infrastructure has been damaged by rains in Mbala district.

Ms. Choba described the situation as unfortunate saying her prayer is that the rains will not destroy more property.

“The rains have really affected us this year and we pray that there will not destroy more property,” she noted

Meanwhile, Road Development Agency Regional Manager Simon Chwando said the main bridge in Milima was opened before works were completed to allow traffic to flow after the temporal bridge they were using was washed away by heavy rains.

Mr Chwando has since assured motorists that the bridge will be completed soon to help address the challenges motorists are currently facing.

HH’s Full Letter to Human Rights Commission to Investigate Extra-judicial Killings

Chief Editor
-
68
HH’s Full Letter to Human Rights Commission to Investigate Extra-judicial Killings

4th January, 2021
The Chairperson,
The Human Rights Commission
Human Rights House
Independence Avenue,
Lusaka.

Dear Sir,
Re: Request to Investigate Extra-judicial Killings and Gross Human Rights Violations by the Zambia Police

1. We write to ask your important institution, the Human Rights Commission (HRC), to investigate the extra-judicial killings and gross human rights violations by the Zambia Police, which occurred on 23rd December 2020. Our request is premised on Article 230 (2) of the Constitution of Zambia, which mandates the HRC to ensure the upholding of the Bill of Rights as well as Article 230(3)(a), which empowers the Commission explicitly to “investigate and report on the observance of rights and freedoms.”

2. As the HRC might be aware, I have been summoned over 17 times by the Zambia Police to answer baseless and politically motivated charges in the last five years. Out of these occasions, only one matter proceeded to Court. However, even this one case was discontinued by the State. This scenario clearly indicates that these interrogations are baseless, vindictive, and intended to persecute and limit the political space for the United Party for National Development (UPND). It is in this context, that the extra-judicial killings, gross human rights violations, and police brutality of 23rd December 2020 should be understood.

3. On 23rd December 2020, I was summoned for interrogation at Zambia Police headquarters concerning the purchase of a farm in Kalomo in 2004. At hand was a private purchase agreement concluded in Kalomo in 2005. The complainant of the alleged crime is a private individual with no ownership claim to the property. Although the allegation has no merit, as a law-abiding citizen, I heeded the Police summons. I proceeded to the Police headquarters as demanded. On the way, heavily armed with military style equipment Police officers blocked our way to the Police headquarters several times, but we kept negotiating our way as we had information that they were hoping I did not submit myself to the Police so that they could forcefully arrest me at night. Further, as we were almost reaching the Police headquarters, the Lusaka Police Commissioner, Mr. Nelson Phiri ‘s official vehicle blocked our way. His aides came out brandishing and pointing AK 47 machine guns, threatening to kill one of my lawyers, Mr. Frank Tayali (see video evidence).

4. On this same day, a crowd composed mainly of UPND members peacefully gathered outside Police headquarters in solidarity with my continued harassment. During the interrogation, scores of heavily armed police officers arrived outside the police headquarters and other nearby government buildings. They descended from police vans in combat readiness formations, and without any warning whatsoever, began shooting at an undisputedly unarmed and peaceful crowd. Their bullets struck and killed Mr. Joseph Kaunda (a UPND member) and Mr. Nsama Nsama Chipyoka (a public prosecutor) and injuring scores of our supporters (see video evidence). A number of our supporters remain in Police custody. It should be emphasized that the Zambian Constitution and international human rights law entitle every person to freedom of assembly and association. It is, therefore, beyond reproach that the people who came to offer solidarity violated no law. The Police had a duty to protect them and not to kill or victimize them, as they did.

5. You may wish to know that the events of 23rd December, 2020 appear to have been pre-meditated and not an occasional lapse. A few days before that date, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo gave chilling warnings to UPND supporters who expressed their intention to accompany me to the Police for interrogation by stating that the Police would enforce the law “by any means necessary.” Similarly, Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo compared UPND supporters who expressed their intentions to exercise their right to assembly to dogs that would be taken down by officials.

6. On his part, the Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja issued out a Standard Operation Order. He instructed all Provincial Police Commissioners to ensure “they deal with UPND supporters.” These threats leave no doubt that these events were carefully planned and rehearsed by the State.

7. You may wish to know that many key stakeholders have already condemned these extra-judicial killings and police brutality. For Example, the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) stated:
“The LAZ condemns in the strongest terms possible, the killing of two citizens by Police officers who used live ammunition to disperse crowds gathered to express support for the leader of the opposition UPND who was summoned by Police on 23rd December 2020.” The Zambia Public Protector on 24th December 2020 described the use of firearms as a violation of human rights: “The use of firearms on unarmed civilians constitutes a serious violation of human rights.”

8. These extra-judicial killings and brutality were equally condemned by Zambia’s multilateral and bilateral cooperating partners. On 24th December 2020, the European Union (EU) called for a thorough investigation under the law. The EU stated that “the Inspector General of Police has committed to investigate the circumstances of these events. The investigation, conducted according to the laws of Zambia, should be comprehensive and open to scrutiny. This is especially important as Zambia approaches an election year where respect for the rule of law and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms will be critical for an inclusive, transparent and credible process”.
The British High Commissioner expressed shock at the incident in the following terms: “Shocked by today’s shootings in Lusaka. Vital that Police investigation establishes why at least two citizens lost their lives.” The US Embassy reacted as follows: “We urge de-escalation of violence and tensions to allow all citizens to peacefully exercise their citizenship rights.”

9. Finally, we would like to indicate that these extra-judicial killings and police brutality are not isolated but form a pattern that has characterized the presidency of Mr. Lungu. Lest it be forgotten, here are some other killings which have not been thoroughly investigated and perpetrators not brought to justice:

a) Mapenzi Chibulo, a 23-year-old unarmed female UPND supporter, was shot in the head on 8th July 2016 by the Police. The Lusaka Police Station Officer in charge, Mr. Mwale, confirmed under oath on 23rd December 2016 during the inquest that she was shot by a Police officer who he could not identify because several were deployed. Mr. Mwale testified that he did not know why live ammunition was used because officers were not allowed to use live ammunition to control protesters.
b) On 4th October 2018, a fourth-year University of Zambia student Vespers Shimuzhila died when Police officers repeatedly discharged teargas in the students’ rooms, causing a fire from which she suffocated. Concerning this death, the Human Rights Commission in January 2019 stated: “It is clear that from the totality of the evidence obtained that the Police acted in an extremely brutal manner depicting a combative warfare situation against unarmed students who at that time no longer posed any real danger or violence to the Police officers or to any other member of the public or property.”
c) A 14-year-old boy, Frank Mugala, was shot dead in school uniform on 13th February 2020 near his school gate in Chazanga township, Lusaka. The HRC commented on his death and concluded: “The Commission has observed with a deep sense of regret a growing, systemic or pattern of cases of extra-judicial killings of individuals by the Zambia Police.”
d) In May 2019, Obed Kasongo, a National Democratic Congress (NDC) youth chairperson, was murdered by known Patriotic Front (PF) members who are yet to face justice. The HRC made the following observation about this murder: “The HRC is deeply saddened at the death of NDC youth chairman, Mr. Obed Kasongo who was hacked by political opponents during the Roan Parliamentary by-election on 11th April 2019 and calls for the immediate arrest of the suspected perpetrators. The death of the NDC youth leader is a clear case of the deprivation of his right to life through organized violence by well-known suspects who were reported to Mpatamatu Police Station on 11th April 2019.”
e) On 6th October 2019, Lawrence Banda, a UPND youth member, was shot twice in the head by a known PF cadre during local by-elections in Kaoma, Zambia’s Western Province. Of this, Amnesty International noted: “To ensure impunity does not become entrenched, the Zambian Police must investigate the murder of Lawrence Banda and bring to justice to those suspected to be responsible for the unlawful killing.”
f) Grazia Matapa, another UPND youth, was stabbed and bludgeoned to death with knives and screwdrivers in Lusaka’s Mtendere Township in February 2015 by known PF cadres.

10. This pattern of extra-judicial killings and gross violation of human rights by the Zambia Police is tarnishing the country’s image, which was once an oasis of peace in the African region, placing it on a path towards autocracy and lawlessness. This trend can only be arrested and stopped if institutions like the HRC play their Constitutional role effectively and stand up in favour of human rights, liberties and freedoms. We trust you will thoroughly investigate the extra-judicial killings and gross human rights violations that occurred on 23rd December 2020. The UPND and its leadership are available to provide evidence to the HRC to enable it to undertake this task smoothly.

11. Until the relevant authorities can guarantee our supporters’ safety while exercising their rights as enshrined in our Constitution, it is unreasonable for me or indeed anybody else who has been subjected to similar treatment I have received to respond to frivolous police callouts in future. This is necessary in order to avoid the needless loss of innocent live including the obvious attempts to assassinate me in the confusion that arise in such situations.
Sincerely Yours,
Hakainde Hichilema.

President, United Party for National Development.
…..
In his 4 paged letter to the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission in Zambia, Mr Hichilema cited several incidents where human life has been lost at the hands of the police but with no culprits being brought book.
His
CC. The Law Association of Zambia
The Public Protector
The Chief Justice of the Republic of Zambia
The Inspector-General of Police
The Minister of Home Affairs
The Minister of Justice
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Evangelical Faith in Zambia
The Council of Churches in Zambia
The Speaker of the National Assembly
Our Civic Duty Association ( OCIDA)
The Civil Society for Constitution Agenda (CiSCA)
Chapter One Foundation
Non-governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC)

PF to do more Door to Door campaigns this year-Lusambo

Chief Editor
-
36
PF to do more Door to Door campaigns this year-Lusambo

The Patriotic Front Copperbelt Mobilisation Committee says it will this year conduct more of door to door campaigns as opposed to holding huge rallies.

This is in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

PF Copperbelt Mobilisation Chairperson Bowman Lusambo says the committee will employ door to door tactics because they have more advantages to sell the ruling party’s manifesto.

Mr. Lusambo, who is also Kabushi Member of Parliament, told ZNBC News that the ruling party does not want to endanger the people of the Copperbelt at rallies but will engage voters one on one in their houses.

He adds that during the door to door campaigns, the PF Copperbelt Mobilisation Committee will explain all the developmental projects government is implementing in the region.

Mr. Lusambo said the people of the Copperbelt have witnessed the massive development in the region and they will rally behind President Edgar Lungu during the general election.

BoZ’s Purchase of Gold will help Zambia Further Build Gold Reserves

Chief Editor
-
55
BoZ’s Purchase of Gold will help Zambia Further Build Gold Reserves

The Bank of Zambia has purchased 47 kilograms of Gold from the Zambia Gold Company Limited, under ZCCM Investments Holdings.

Central Bank Governor Christopher Mvunga says the recently purchased gold is currently sitting in the central bank’s vault.

Mr. Mvunga who has confirmed in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka yesterday, but could not disclose the value of the gold.

He said the move will help to further build the country’s gold reserves.

Mr. Mvunga said the investment will also build and enhance the market’s confidence in the Bank’s ability to fulfill its mandate of price and financial system stability.

The Bank of Zambia recently signed a Gold Purchase Agreement with the Zambia Gold Company Limited, a subsidiary of ZCCM Investments Holdings

1...1,1561,1571,158...5,664Page 1,157 of 5,664

Company

Trending

Categories

© Lusaka Times