Zambia Railways Limited says it has in the last 24 hours, suspended train operations between Livingstone and Victoria Falls Town on the Zimbabwean side following a theft of 647 Pandrol Clips by unknown people.

Zambia Railways Manager Southern Region Joel Chilufya who confirmed the incidence says the running of trains between Zambia and Zimbabwe was temporarily suspended as the track had been rendered risky for train operations.

Mr Chilufya said the theft was discovered around 10 hours on Thursday by one of the Zambia Railways workers on patrol and immediately reported to both Zambia Railways and State Police

Among the goods affected by the temporal closure of the line were 35 wagons of copper concentrates destined for South Africa as well as 26 wagons of wheat destined for Lusaka.

“I must mention that this is the first time we have experienced theft of such magnitude on this particular line. It has largely been quite and secure compared to other sections of the main line. We treat theft of vital rail components as sabotage and culprits have to face the full force of the law” said Mr Chilufya.

Statistics from the ZRL Police Unit indicate that the company records cases of theft or vandalism of key railway components on a weekly basis, thereby hampering the smooth operations of the company.

Zambia Railways infrastructure is treated as a national asset and is protected by the Amended Railway Act of 1984. Those convicted of rail crimes such as theft of Pandrol clips and fish plates are considered saboteurs and face up to 21 years in prison, under the law.

Meanwhile Zambia Railways has assured its customers as well as members of the general public that its Emergency Response Team is already on the ground and normal operations were expected to be restored within 24 hours.

Zambia Railways wishes to make a strong and passionate appeal to members of the public to help protect vital railway infrastructure by reporting suspects to the nearest Zambia Railways offices or any security enforcement wings.

In the meantime, ZRL will continue to engage members of the community spread along the length and breadth of its railway network (that stretches from Mulobezi in Western Province to Chililabombwe on the Copperbelt) through meetings, Public Address announcements, radio programmes and other information dissemination platforms, in order to find a common and lasting solution to rail crimes.

This is according to a statement issued by Caristo Chitamfya, the Zambia Railways Limited Public Relations Manager.

Opposition New Hope Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Deputy National Secretary Mr. Gregory Mofu has called upon the Speaker of the National Assembly to close Parliament in light of the reported COVID 19 cases.

The Clerk of the National Assembly, Ms. Cecilia Mbewe on Wednesday the 15th of July, 2020 announced that three (3) Members of Parliament and ten (10) National Assembly staff had tested positive for COVID 19.

In a statement circulated to the media this morning, New Hope Youthful MMD Deputy National Secretary said that the COVID 19 threat had become real in Zambia.

“The New Hope MMD has noted with sadness on how the general public have neglected in keeping themselves protected from the COVID 19. The COVID 19 threat is very much alive and the general public should continue protecting themselves as per Ministry of Health guidelines”, Mr. Mofu said.

Mr. Mofu then urged the Speaker to close down the National Assembly in a bid to prevent the further spread of the COVID 19.

“Lastly but not the least, we have noted with sadness the news that is coming in from Parliament that 3 Member of Parliament and 10 National Assembly Staff have tested Positive for the COVID 19. We wish them a quick recovery and the best of Health”, Mr. Mofu said.

“As a Party with our Members in Parliament, We would also like to call upon the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Patrick Matibini to immediately suspend the current sitting of Parliament before more MPs and Staff contract the virus”, Mr. Mofu further said.

State House has expressed concern that despite stating its position on allegations purported to have come out of a court trial in Rwanda, some citizens have continued to issue wild speculations and accusations on the matter.

The State house has maintained that the allegations are purported to have been submitted to a Rwandan are false.

Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Isaac Chipampe says the Zambian government is dealing with the matter through the diplomatic channels with Rwanda.

Mr Chipampe has since advised Citizens including the media to allow the due process of diplomacy to take its course without any speculation and further unwanted speculation.

On Tuesday, State House is concerned with reports in the media of alleged submission made to Rwanda’s High Court for International and Cross Boarder crimes that President Lungu allegedly provided financial resources to a named Rwandan Organisation to launch attacks in that country.

Presidential spokesperson Isaac Chipampe refuted the claims saying the allegations are false and must be treated with the contempt they deserve.

Mr Chipampe said in a statement that the Governments and the people of the two countries continue to enjoy strong and fraternal relations founded on mutual respect and a common purpose based on shared values and principles.

Germany has contributed US$10 million to support smallholder farmers affected by climate change in Zambia

And the United Nations World Food Programme says it welcomes a donation from Germany to assist over 104,000 smallholder farmers impacted by drought.

Mr Achim Burkart, Germany’s Ambassador to Zambia says addressing multiple vulnerabilities driven by conflict, climate change and the current COVID-19 health crisis requires joined efforts.

Mr Burkat expressed hope that this funding can support WFP, the Government and its partners in building more resilient communities.

He said the funding, from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German Development Bank KfW, will allow WFP to help smallholder farmers to recover from drought and enhance their ability to withstand future climate shocks.

And WFP Country Representative Jennifer Bitonde said this generous contribution comes at a time of increasing needs.

She said last year alone, 2.3 million people were affected by drought, and they are now trying to rebuild their livelihoods amidst the COVID-19 crisis.

Ms Bitonde said the funding will be used to promote the use of conservation agriculture practices that increase yields, enhance access to post-harvest management technologies to reduce food losses and scale up the use of drought-tolerant crops such as cowpeas and groundnuts.

She said the contribution will also support the nutrition of 33,000 school children’s through the provision of locally produced fresh food from smallholder farmers.

Germany is an important donor to WFP in Zambia. Following a US$320,000 contribution to WFP’s drought response in 2019, the German Federal Foreign Office contributed US$2.1 million in support of refugees residing in the country earlier this year.

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies, building prosperity and supporting a sustainable future for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

Health Minister Hon. Dr. Chitalu Chilufya has pleaded not guilty to four counts of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime involving US$252,000 and K3,270,000 which he allegedly used to purchase shares and properties in Zambia and Dubai.

Dr. Chilufya appeared before Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate, Lameck Mwale this morning where he is charged with four counts of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime was called.

In count one, it is alleged that Dr Chilufya on a date unknown but between December 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017 at Lusaka, possessed US$200,000 which was used to purchase 6,000 shares in Samfya Marines and Tourism Service Limited from Den Daas Investment Zambia Limited, property suspected yo be proceeds of crime.

Count two alleges that Dr Chilufya on a date unknown but between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 at Lusaka possessed K270,000 cash which was used to purchase 2,000 shares in Samfya Marines and and Tourism Services Limited from Leo Jonas Ngosa Investment Limited, property suspected of being proceeds of crime.

It is alleged in count three that Dr Chilufya on an unknown date but between January 1, 2018 and December 30, 2019 possessed K3,000,000 which was used to purchase Lot No. 365/366 also known as Spark Guest House situate in the Mansa district of Luapula Property, property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

In the fourth and last count, allegations are that Dr Chilufya on a date unknown but between January 1, 2017 and December 32, 2017 at Lusaka possessed US$52,000 which was used to purchase a passenger boat also known as Transport 32 from Smart Own FZE of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

After Dr Chilufya pleaded not guilty, magistrate Mwale further told the minister to tell his sympathisers to stay home because of COVID-19. Commencement of trial has been set for August 4, 2020.

Earlier Dr Chilufya’s sympathisers, among them Luapula Province minister Nickson Chilangwa, his Muchinga Province counterpart Malozo Sichone and Lusaka Province PF secretary Kennedy Kamba today were forced to leave court after Chief resident magistrate Lameck Mwale ejected those who had no business at court.

Before he could begin to deliberate on the case, magistrate Mwale wondered what was happening because of the courtroom was packed with sympathisers for the minister, saying the Chief Justice and Ministry of Health have guided on who is allowed to be in court in view of the COVID-19 guidelines.

He then ordered those who were not supposed to be in the courtroom to leave before he starts pointing at them to go out.

It was at this point that a few of the sympathisers, among them Mr Sichone, Mr Chilangwa and Mr Kamba left the courtroom.

The 48-year-old Dr Chilufya was accompanied by his wife Mutinta.