The Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs in consultation with the Ministry of Health, has reviewed guidelines for the Churches and Religious Organisations, by increasing the duration for worship and allowing faith based groups to gather for conference.

The review of the guidelines is in view of the lifting of some of the restrictions which led to the opening of bars, among others.

Permanent Secretary Reverend Howard Sikwela announced in a statement made available to media in Lusaka that the Church and Religious Organisations have been allowed to increase duration for their worship services from 1 hour to 2 hours while church conferences and other gatherings outside the main services have been allowed on condition that they get clearance certificate from health authorities.

“However the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs would like to urge Children below the age of five years are not allowed to attend public gatherings but those above 6 years can attend Sabbath or Sunday school provided they wear masks properly and observe social distancing. Teachers conducting children’s ministry in churches are advised to ensure that they help children adhere to health guidelines at all times and avoid giving children activities that compel them to work or play in groups,” the statement read in part.

Reverend Sikwela said elderly people above 60 years can attend church and religious gatherings except for those with underlying conditions.

The Permanent Secretary said the use of classrooms for church services however remains suspended subject to review.

“The Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs would want to thank the Church and Religious Organisations for complying with health guidelines as prescribed by the Ministry of Health as the nation continues to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The Church and Religious Organisations are therefore reminded that all the above reviewed guidelines shall be observed,” he stated.

He advised the religious groupings to adhere to health guidelines as exhibited since the pandemic broke out in the country as they gather for their meetings and conferences.

Two trucks laden with maize which was about to be smuggled into Malawi have been abandoned at Mutenguleni graveyard in Kasenengwa District in Eastern Province.

The trucks have been abandoned in what appears to have been an attempt by the smugglers to dodge the security anti-smuggling drag net in the night.

ZANIS reports that the Zambia National Service officers in Chipata District found the two trucks that were laden with about 700 X 50 kilogram bags of maize in the graveyard following a chase of nine trucks that were carrying the grain.

Government has put a blanket ban on the movement of maize and all maize products during the night to curb smuggling that has become rampant in towns that share border lines with neighboring countries.

And on Monday night during routine anti-smuggling patrols, the ZNS officers pursued nine trucks that were using village roads leading into neighboring Malawi.

It seems the two truck drivers diverted their vehicles into the grave yard after being tipped by villagers that they were being trailed by ZNS officers.

ZNS Land Development Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Kahembi disclosed that the drivers swept off the trails left by tyres leading to the graveyard in an attempt to cover their tracks.

Lt Col Kahembi said the two truck drivers left the vehicles locked and ran away, forcing officers to guard the vehicles overnight.

He said the two trucks that have since been tolled to the ZNS warehouse in Chipata had about 700 by 50kg bags of maize, bringing the total number of bags impounded between the September 15 and September 21, 2020 to 1,700.

He said a total of nine trucks, two small cars, fourteen bicycles and three motorbikes were used in the failed smuggling attempts.

“We carried out operations around Mugubudu area, Mwami border and Chadiza road, and this is where we intercepted all these people,” he said.

He warned that government will not tolerate the continued activities of smuggling adding that some people have continued using vehicles that have been intercepted before.

“We have banned all the border areas, starting from Vubwi, and I would like to warn perpetrators of this illegal activity that they will not have it easy,” he warned.

The ZNS has continued to intercept vehicles attempting to smuggle maize into neighboring countries, especially Malawi.

And Lt Col Kahembi has warned that officers will target all smugglers regardless of what means they use to transport the commodity.

Meanwhile, a resident of Nchaba village which is the closest area to the said graveyard expressed displeasure at the use of the site by smugglers to hide the two trucks.

Abraham Luwo said the graveyard is sacred and should be respected by all citizens by not using it for illegal activities.

“No one is happy with what happened here. It is wrong that these men drove to the graveyard in the night and parked their trucks there in an effort to run away from law enforcers,” he said.

Meanwhile, the owner of the maize on the two trucks found in the graveyard Chisomo Jere has denied that the maize was not destined for smuggling.

Mr Chisomo said the maize was destined to Chipata where he alleged to have arranged to sell to a named private buyer.

“I told the drivers to park the vehicles at my sister’s place in the next village since it was late. So, they parked the trucks here and went to my sister’s house to bath. After they heard that ZNS officers were here, they decided to stay away. But I led them here in the morning,” he said.

The Anti- Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) in Northern Province has welcomed the move taken by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to commence the online voter pre- registration exercise ahead of the Mobile voter registration exercise set for October 28,2020.

AVAP Regional Coordinator,Amos Muselema says the pre-registration exercise is progressive as it will allow more people to register as voters.

Mr Muselema said the process of registering online is quicker and convenient especially for busy individuals.

He explained that once the initiative is embraced, it will give an opportunity for ECZ to register more voters for the forthcoming general elections.

“We have new voters that can utilize this platform to register as voters before the mobile registration exercise commences, “he said.

Mr Muselema is also confident that the initiative if well utilized will reduce cases of voter apathy in the 2021 general elections.

He said this in a statement issued to ZANIS in Kasama today.

Meanwhile, Steven Bwalya a youth of Lukashya constituency has called on fellow youths to utilize the online registration exercise so as to register as voters for them to participate in the country’s democracy.

Mr Bwalya also dispelled rumours by youths in his area that ECZ will not conduct the mobile voter registration exercise.

He observed that the online pre-registration exercise is only meant to quicken the voter registration exercise which has been delayed to start.

Mr Bwalya also cautioned his fellow youths against panicking if they do not have access to the platform but wait for the voter registration period which starts on October 28.

The online voter pre-registration exercise is set to run from September 21st, to November 6th, 2020.

Malawi’s First Lady Monica Chakwera says she will launch her Foundation Trust next month having drawn lessons from Esther Lungu Foundation Trust in Zambia.

The visiting First Lady of Malawi explained that the zeal to launch an organization has been concretized by the lessons learned from the Esther Lungu Foundation, the charitable organization for the First Lady of Zambia.

Mrs Chakwera said this when she toured Esther Lungu Foundation Trust Secretariat in Chongwe District in Lusaka Province.

“Malawi faces similar challenges in rural areas and I will also focus on uplifting the lives of the vulnerably people in the rural area by replicating what the Esther Lungu foundation trust is doing,” said Mrs Chakwera with a fixed smile.

Mrs Chakwera who was in the country with her husband President Lazarus Chakwera for a one-day working visit, said the foundation that she will launch in October this year will focus our uplifting people’s livelihoods.

And Zambia’s First Lady Esther Lungu reiterated that her foundation will continue focusing on women empowerment and reducing vulnerability among women and the girl child.

Mrs Lungu who was indebted for the visit by Malawi’s First Lady to the foundation, said her firm remains open to exchange visits and sharing of ideas.

“The foundation will continue to expand in various human endeavors with a focus to reducing vulnerability among women in rural areas and to uplift lives of girl’s society. Your coming to Zambia to visit the foundation and exchange ideas shows that we have the same goal of alleviating poverty and empowering women and girls,” the First Lady stressed.

The first lady further pointed out that it was encouraging to see high dignitaries appreciating the work of the foundation adding that it is a trigger for the foundation to do more for the people.

Malawi’s First Lady Monica and her husband Lazarus Chakwera have since returned to their country having successfully concluded the one-day state visit.

The Department of Immigration has refuted reports by some members of the general public that the government has changed the guidelines on travel restrictions and requirements to Zambia.

Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka indicated that there have been alarming reports making rounds on social media that the Zambian Government has suspended visa issuance on travellers coming into the country.

In a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr Nshinka clarified that nothing has been changed to the Zambia’s Visa regime as all types of travellers are free to visit the country, but with adherence to the Coronavirus regulations.

“The Department of Immigration wishes to set the record straight on travel restrictions and requirements for persons wishing to come to Zambia for various purposes. Contrary to alarming reports trending on some social media platforms, the Government has not halted the issuance of all tourist visas,” he stated.

“There has been no changes to Zambia’s current visa regime and all types of travellers are free to visit Zambia,” Mr Shinka added.

He further clarified that depending on the traveller’s nationality, anyone may enter Zambia without a visa and obtain a visa on arrival or from a Zambian Mission abroad or apply for an e-Visa,” Mr Nshinka indicated.

He pointed out that the COVID-19 safety and prevention measures as outlined by the Ministry of Health should be observed by all those travelling into and outside the country regardless of their nationality.

The Public Relations Officer stressed the need for travellers to always verify any COVID-19 related travel information with the relevant authorities and on the Immigration’s Department website so that they are not misled.