The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) says the Lake Kariba water level is decreasing steadily and is at 481.07m (39.84% usable storage) as at 30th July 2020.

On the same date in 2019, the Lake level was at 478.87m (23.61% usable storage).

Usable storage, or live water, is the water available for electricity generation purposes. ZRA said in a statement:

The Kariba Lake is designed to operate between levels 475.50m and 488.50m (with 0.70m freeboard) for hydropower generation.

The Lake level has been decreasing steadily closing the period under review [17-30 July 2020] at 481.07m (39.84% usable storage) on 30th July 2020.

Last year on the same date, the Lake level was at 478.87m (23.61% usable storage).
Kariba Lake level is critical in the availability of electricity for Zimbabwe and Zambia since the two countries depend on Kariba Hydro Power plant for power.

ZRA allocates water equally to the two countries, which is reviewed from time to time, depending on the availability of water.

Speaking to The Herald in August last year, when Zimbabwe was experiencing debilitating power cuts due to dwindling water levels at Kariba, ZRA chief executive officer Engineer Munyaradzi Munodawafa said, “If we have good rains upstream of the Zambezi and its tributaries, then we start seeing the water rising from May. If we have sufficient water that leads to water filling in the lake, which means it will be enough for power generation at full capacity for the Kariba South and North power stations.”

However, if water levels are too high to threaten the integrity of the dam wall, then we release water through the floodgates to manage water levels.

Ten PF Members of Parliament have received Empowerment funds of 20 thousand Kwacha each to empower the vulnerable in their constituencies, regardless of political affiliation.

PF National Women Chairperson Jean Kapata says the party has used Two Hundred Thousand kwacha from what was raised during a fundraising event.

The Members of Parliament who have received the empowerment funds have pledged to support ongoing programs in sectors such as Agriculture.

Mpika Central Member of Parliament Sylvia Chalikosa says she has Agriculture projects run by Youths, women and other groups which need funding.

Kanyama Member of Parliament Elizabeth Phiri who is also the Gender Minister explained that she will put Marketers in groups to benefit from the funds because most of them have been affected by COVID 19.

And Kalulushi Member of Parliament Kampamba Mulenga who is also Community Development Minister says the funds will go towards various projects of empowerment that are been worked on in the constituency.

Meanwhile, Nyimba Member of Parliament Olipa Phiri says she is grateful that the people of Nyimba will be empowerment through the fund from the party.

Police in Lusaka has officially charged and arrested Howard Situmba of Lusaka for masquerading as a lawyer in the case bordering on contentions over the Ultimate Insurance ownership.

Mr. Situmba has been charged with the offence of pretending to be a Legal practitioner.

Mr. Situmba has been jointly charged with Charles Siamutwa, a lawyer of Messrs Charles Siamutwa Legal Practitioners for the offence of Giving False Information to a Public Officer.

Police spokesperson Esther Katongo has confirmed this to ZNBC News in Lusaka today.

It is alleged that in 2019, Mr. Howard Situmba and Mr. Charles Siamutwa willfully pretended to be qualified to act as an Advocate of Messrs Imasiku and Company during the execution of a “Consent Judgement on the contention over the ownership of Ultimate Insurance Company.

The said “Consent Judgement” was prepared by Charles Siamutwa and filed in the High Court.

This was done without the knowledge of Lusaka Businessman Chanda Katotobwe, a plaintiff who claims to be the rightful owner of Ultimate Insurance.

The suspects have since been released on police Bond awaiting to appear in court.

On the other hand three Marshlands Consortium Limited directors are already facing charges of forgery and uttering false documents over the ownership of Ultimate Insurance Company and appearing before the Magistrate Court.

The government has dispelled reports that Integrity Committees that have been formed in government departments and other line agencies are for witch-hunting.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga says Integrity Committees are government programs aimed at fostering a corrupt-free environment in the public service.

Mr Malupenga clarified that the committees are not extensions of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) but mechanisms to promote proactive, preventive and pre-emptive interventions that promote integrity for effective delivery of services to the people.

The Permanent Secretary was speaking today, when he officiated at an Integrity Committee Workshop for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Service attended by officers from the ACC in Lusaka.

Lusaka City Council (LCC) has bemoaned the high incidences of damage and theft to the newly installed solar traffic light poles and fittings by some motorists and individuals.

In a statement released to the media, LCC Public Relations Manager George Sichimba said in the month of July, 2020 the Council recorded 11 incidences of damage, out of which seven (7) were incidences of motorists hitting into traffic light poles and four were theft of fittings.

“This unfortunate scenario is leading to solar traffic lights not working at full capacity,” Mr Sichimba added.

“The damage and theft incidences are rampant along Lumumba and Mungwi Roads.”

Mr Sichimba disclosed that the hit and run of the 3.5 meter traffic light poles by some irresponsible motorists is giving rise to theft of components as thieves are taking advantage of the situation.

He said in other incidences, some unscrupulous people are simply stealing components for personal gains.

“These irresponsible acts are a drawback to the road infrastructure development in the city,” Mr Sichimba said.

He charged that Government is spending colossal sums of money in road infrastructure in the city but enemies of development are busy frustrating the efforts.

Meanwhile, the local authority is appealing to motorists to be taking responsibility when they hit into a traffic or street light pole by reporting to the police or Council.

Mr Sichimba said that prompt reporting of such incidences will help the Council to quickly move in and secure the damaged installations before thieves pounce on them.

He stated that individuals who are in a habit of stealing solar traffic light components should be warned that it will not be long before the law catches up with them as surveillance has been heightened.

And LCC is calling upon members of the public to be vigilant and report to Police or Council, all those found tempering with road furniture in particular and public installations in general.