The Department of Immigration in Ndolahas detained 12 foreign players and the coach of Buildcon football club for various immigration offences.

This was in a routine operation conducted on Thursday, 5th March, 2020 at Levy Mwanawasa stadium aimed at screening all foreign staff employed by the football club.

The Serbian coach, Ivan Coric was taken into custody after it was discovered that he was holding an expired temporary employment permit while the 12 players detained include 3 Ghanaians, 3 Rwandese, 2 Congolese, 1 Cameroonian, 1 Burundian, 1 South African and 1 Ivorian.

According to Immigration Department Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, most of the players in detention were holding expired temporary employment permits, while some had either overstayed their business visits or were in contravention of terms and conditions of their employment permits.

Mr. Nshinka said all 13 remain in custody, pending further immigration formalities.

Buildcon’s game against Nakambala Leopards which was scheduled to take place on Saturday has since been postponed to a later date.

President Edgar Lungu says it is unfortunate that 26 people have died in one day, who could have contributed national development.

President Lungu said he is disturbed that a second tragic accident has happened on Kitwe-Kalulushi Road, claiming 14 lives, few hours after the first mishap occurred on Ndola-Kapiri Road leaving 12 people dead.

“It is with deep regret that l have learnt of the second accident which has claimed 14 people bringing the number of those who have died in two separate accidents in one day to 26. I sympathise with the families who have lost their loved ones in this latest disaster,” he said.

And the Head of State has urged the Road Traffic and Safety Agency (RTSA) and Zambia Police Service to ensure that they work closely to bring sanity on the roads across the country.

This is according to a statement released to ZANIS by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Isaac Chipampe.

And the Road Transport and Safety Agency is deeply saddened at the tragic loss of lives following two separate road traffic accidents that have claimed 26 lives today.

12 people died in a road traffic accident when a Rosa Bus collided head-on with a Volvo truck along the Ndola-Kapiri Mposhi road in the early hours of today.

Another fatal road traffic accident was recorded this afternoon around 13:00 hours when a Toyota Hiace minibus collided head-on with a foreign truck along the Kitwe-Kalulushi road leaving fourteen people dead.

RTSA Director and Chief Executive Officer Gladwell Banda has described the two accidents which have claimed a total number of 26 lives as a disaster.

Mr Banda has called for support from all stakeholders to put an end to the spiraling numbers of road traffic accidents which have now become a public health concern.

This is contained in a statement issued to the Media by RTSA Head of Public Relations Fredrick Mubanga.

The Barotse Royal Establishment -BRE- has set April 4, 2020 as date for this year’s Kuomboka Ceremony.

Barotse Royal Establishment Ngambela Mukela Manyando made the announcement today in Limulunga Royal district.

Ngambela Mukela also disclosed that this year’s ceremony will be extraordinary as the Litunga, King Lubosi Imwiko the second will also be clocking 20 years on the throne.

The Ngambela further disclosed that King Lubosi will also be celebrating 20 years as traditional ruler bringing the years of celebrations to 40 because he also served as senior Chief for Lukulu from 1980 to 2000.

He has since invited all well – wishers to join in the preparation of the 2020 Kuomboka Ceremony and also attend the prestigious ceremony that will be held in Limulunga Royal Village of Western Province.

PRESIDENT Edgar Chagwa Lungu has reiterated government’s commitment to fighting Corruption across the Board.

Speaking during his address to Parliament today, President Edgar Lungu said that his government under the corruption prevention interventions has introduced Anti-Corruption content in the school curriculum at primary and secondary meant to instill high integrity values in young people.

President Lungu noted the significant progress made to further institutionalize prevention of corruption adding that in 2019, 30 more integrity Committees were established in both public and private sectors bringing the total number to 94.

He said that the efforts being put in place are practical steps in closing all leaking taps in the management of public funds.

“With Regard to prosecutions, the anti-corruption commission secured 17 convictions and recorded seven acquittal during the period under review” President Lungu said.

The head of state urged individuals, the public sector as well as non state actors to continue partnering with Government in the fight against corruption.

“We must all hate Corruption in order to fight and eradicate it because corruption is the number one enemy of sustainable development and good governance,” He said .

President Edgar Lungu says the increasing number of child defilement cases, remains a great concern for the government.

Addressing Parliament, Friday morning, on the Progress made in the Application of National Values and Principles, President Lungu said there is need to stiffen laws on the protection of the rights of children against social vices such as defilement, child marriages and teen pregnancies.

President Lungu however noted that sensitisation programmes against these vices have resulted in an increase in the number of cases being reported and dealt with.

“A total of 2,653 cases of defilement comprising 2,637 girls and 16 boys were reported throughout the country in 2019, while 2,578 were reported in 2018 of which 2,574 were girls and 4 were boys,” President Lungu said.

The Head of State stressed that more still needs to be done in addressing this challenge and has therefore implored traditional leaders, families, the church, civil society and law enforcement agencies to redouble their efforts in protecting innocent children.

“Families must desist from the temptation of protecting perpetrators from facing the law,” President Lungu added.

Meanwhile, President Lungu also expressed sadness that Gender based violence cases have continued to increase despite various measures put in place.

He said GBV continues to erode the moral fibre of society, hence the need to inculcate good morals in children at a tender age so that they grow into respectable citizens.

President Lungu said it is saddening to note that the number of GBV cases reported countrywide increased from 22,073 in 2018 to 25,121 in 2019 and that majority of victims were women and girls, accounting for 19,720 cases.

He said while he appreciates the efforts being made to report the cases, collective effort should be on reducing the incidences of Gender Based Violence in communities.

And President Lungu disclosed that to facilitate the protection, rehabilitation and legal support to GBV victims, 32 one-stop centres have been established in selected hospitals in all the ten provinces.

“We have also continued to establish fast track courts across the country. We now have 7 fast track courts, with one additional fast track court having been established in Kitwe in 2019,” he added

President Lungu said the courts are facilitating the speedy disposal of Gender Based Violence cases.