Copperbelt Province Minister, Japhen Mwakalombe has taken a swipe at some milling companies for creating an artificial shortage of mealie meal in some parts of the province.

Mr. Mwakalombe who made an impromptu visit at milling companies in Ndola expressed displeasure that despite government supplying maize through the Food Reserve Agency, some millers have taken advantage of the situation by creating an artificial shortage.

He warned that the Government will not allow the trend which he said has disadvantaged many consumers who are now panicking where and when to purchase the commodity.

Mr. Mwakalombe who was in the company of Provincial permanent secretary and Deputy, Manyando Liwalii said all FRA fed millers should immediately flood the market with mealie meal.

The Minister also directed the company to ensure its agents are closely monitored to prevent them from selling the commodity at skyrocketing prices.

And Mr. Mwakalombe has urged the milling company to stop involving in retail selling of the staple food adding this compromises competition.

Meanwhile, Jambo Milling director- Operations, Idris Mohamed appealed to the minister to intervene in the matter by making sure that the supply of maize from FRA is consistent.

Anti-apartheid hero and former judge on the Constitutional Court of South Africa Albie Sachs has said an enormous price was paid by other Africans for the freedom of South Africa. And a Zambian doctoral researcher, Chanda Mfula, has said the University of Sussex is intimately connected to the liberation and political history of Southern Africa through prominent alumni that included presidents, activists and leaders in various spheres. Meanwhile Dr Sachs has urged the United Kingdom and other western countries to embrace ubuntu.

Speaking at the launch of a society for Southern, East and Central Africans studying at the University of Sussex, Dr Sachs, who lost one of his arms and part of his sight in Mozambique in a car bomb attack by agents of the South African apartheid regime over his role to end apartheid, paid tribute to southern African countries, including Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania for contributing towards ending apartheid and for their sacrifices that involved a tremendous loss of life in many of these countries. He praised the initiative to form the students’ society at Sussex, which he suggested would be an effective platform for debates and interactions among students from Southern, East and Central Africa.

Meanwhile, co-founder of the society, Chanda Mfula, said the grouping will draw inspiration from the fact that the University acted as an effective bootcamp responsible for intellectually arming and rearming leaders including former South African President Thabo Mbeki, former President of Botswana Festus Mogae and Zambia’s former Acting and Vice President Guy Scott, all of whom studied at the University of Sussex. He noted that many of the alumni from the university, such as Dr Sachs, who completed his PhD there in 1972, went on to contribute greatly to the various struggles, activisms and projects in a wide range of fields on the continent, including politics, governance, economics and civil society.

Another co-founder of the society, Thabani Mutambasere, a doctoral researcher in the School of Global Studies from Zimbabwe, outlined the vision of the society, pointing out that students from all countries in southern, east and central Africa needed a home away from home by coming together to share their aspirations, fears, cultures and foods, among others and that they would benefit from a platform that enabled them to offer one another solidarity in a variety of situations.

And speaking during the 11th Annual Draper Lecture hosted by the University of Sussex’s Law School, Dr Sachs said that it was not just Africa that needed the ‘broad spirit of ubuntu’, which he describes as the ‘quest for something better’ and the ‘willingness to work with others’, saying the United Kingdom, United States and other countries needed ubuntu. Dr Albie Sachs spent a week at the University of Sussex, reliving his student days by living on campus, and giving a series of talks that included a presentation at Sussex University’s Institute of Development Students (IDS), which for the fourth year running has been ranked number one in the world for development studies by QS Rankings. He also gave the 11th annual Draper Lecture and was guest at a fundraiser in London for the Nelson Mandela Scholarship Fund which is aimed for scholars from Southern Africa.

The Ndola High Court has halted the holding of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Annual General Meeting (AGM), Electoral Process and Elections.

This followed a court action were Damiano Mutale, Patson Lusaka against FAZ Secretary General Adrian Kashala.

The Court issued an Exparte Order staying the FAZ electoral Process and Elections pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

The Court has directed that the process which started on 7th March 2020 and was expected to end on 28th March 2020 has been halted until the matter is heard and determined.

The United Church of Zambia (UCZ) in Northern Province has partnered with the Zambia Police to sensitise members of the church on the dangers of taking the law into their own hands.

UCZ Northern Presbytery Bishop, Maybin Mulenga said this is in view of the mob killings experienced across the country were people suspected to be behind the reported gassing have been brutally murdered.

Speaking to ZANIS in an interview in Kasama, Bishop Mulenga said the church is concerned with mob justice that people are perpetrating, which is also alien to the country’s culture and beliefs.

The clergy has also expressed fear that the gruesome murders of people could have a negative impact on the 2021 general election campaigns.

Bishop Mulenga has since directed all Reverends under his jurisdiction in Northern Province to welcome the police officers sent to sensitize church members on the matter.

And Northern Province Police Commissioner, Richard Mweene has confirmed the development, saying this is aimed at intensifying security, and bring to book all those suspected to be behind the reported gassing in communities.

Commissioner Mweene has since implored other churches to come on board and partner with the police in order to fight the scourge.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife has arrested a 39 year old Kapiri Mposhi man for being in possession of 12 pieces of elephant Ivory tusks worth over K100, 000.

Department of National Parks and Wildlife Central Region Warden Patrick Sakanga has confirmed the arrest to ZANIS yesterday.

Mr Sakanga has identified the suspect as David Munkhondya of Riverside compound who was found in possession of cut pieces of prescribed trophy namely elephant Ivory with a total weight of 18 kilogram.

This is contrary to Section 130 of the Zambia Wildlife Act Number 14 of 2015 of the Laws of Zambia.

Mr Sakanga described the trophies as being that of Loxodonta Africana elephant species.

The suspect was arrested along the Great North road by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife formerly ZAWA officers during an operation in Kapiri Mposhi on 6th March around 12:00 hours.

He had concealed the pieces of the contraband in a sack abode hid bicycle.

Mr Sakanga said the suspect has since been charged with one count of unlawful possession of prescribed trophy and detained in police custody.

He will appear in court soon.

Government through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit has embarked on a program to relocate 573 households in Kapoto, Mulenga, Musonda and Bulangililo townships of Kitwe district, whose houses collapsed due to floods.

Speaking during a visit of the affected families at Buchi hotel, DMMU National Coordinator Chanda Kabwe said government through the local authorities in Kitwe are already looking for land where people will be permanently moved to.

Mr. Kabwe said President Edgar Lungu is saddened by the constant flooding in areas near the Kafue River which affects people every year. The Head of State has therefore directed DMMU and Copperbelt Provincial Administration to quickly secure land for the affected people so that normalcy is restored.

He said the land that will be given to each household will be titled and government will assist with some building materials to help them get back on their feet.

Mr Kabwe added that the land will be given to every affected household with no bias whatsoever and warned that government will not take kindly to anyone who will be found giving land based on partisan lines.

The National Coordinator further warned the affected families against selling their land as they risk having it repossessed.

Mr Kabwe said government, in line with the build back better project, wants to put to rest the issue of displacements due to climate related shocks by ensuring households construct more resilient housing units.

He also also handed over assorted food items, blankets, and 10 thousand water tanks to be used by affected families.

And Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe said as an immediate measure, government has secured enough land behind Hellen Kaunda Secondary School where some families will be accommodated temporarily.

He thanked government for the quick response to the plight of the people and people and urged the people to continue supporting government and President LUNGU as he continues to deliver on his promises to the people of Zambia.

The Permanent Secretary also called on the corporate world to come on board and supplement Government in its efforts to better the lives of people.