Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development Hon. Emmanuel Mulenga says the government is creating an environment where all children can enjoy their rights, are safe from all forms of violence, empowered with knowledge and skills in order for them to become responsible citizens.

And the Minister says the government has developed the Children’s Code Bill to protect children from abuse and exploitation.

Speaking during the launch of the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting which falls tomorrow, 1 March 2020 in Lusaka today under the theme, “Free, Safe, Empowered and Responsible,” Hon. Mulenga said the day provides the platform on which various stakeholders involved in child development can hear opinions, perspectives and stories affecting the rights of children.

“This is the day when broadcasters all over the world dedicate airtime and programs to children. The children take over the airwaves to highlight their aspirations, dreams and fears on issues that concern them,” he said.

“The day is significant in that children and young people can share with the rest of the world the things that they want to achieve in life for them to grow into responsible citizens capable of contributing to national development,” Hon. Mulenga said.

He said government remains committed towards uplifting the lives of children in the country and emphasized how violence perpetrated on children and young people has long lasting effects as those affected find it difficult to cope with the life and often end up as perpetrators themselves.

Hon Mulenga said this is why violence against any person, more so children should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

He cautioned youths and children against being used as tools of political violence especially that the country is now approaching the 2021 general elections.

He appealed to all citizens to spare time and listen to the various programmes that will be presented by children on Television and Radio during the international Children’s day of Broadcasting which will be commemorated country wide.

Kapiri Mposhi Magistrate, Edward Banda has ordered for the deportation of a 17-year-old boy to Mozambique, his country of origin, for unlawfully entering and staying in Zambia.

ZANIS reports that the juvenile was in court charged with one count of unlawful presence in Zambia contrary to sections 11 (2) (3) and 56 (1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act number 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offense are that the juvenile being a Mozambican national unlawfully entered in Zambia without a valid boarder pass and resident permit allowing him to stay or enter Zambia.

The minor who resides in Zumbo district, Mozambique, was arrested on February 14, 2020 in Kapiri Mposhi at Luanshimba check point by immigration officers who were checking immigration compliance aboard a bus from Lusaka to Kasumbalesa.

And the juvenile admitted the charge.

When the matter came up for ruling today, Assistant Social Welfare Officer, Kelvin Munyama, who is the probation officer, applied for absolute discharge of the juvenile and subsequent handover to the Zambian immigration for his safe repatriation to his country of origin, Mozambique.

In a social welfare report on the minor, Mr Munyama told the court that the juvenile though born to a Zambian father, who is since late, and a Mozambican mother had no right to enter or stay in Zambia without a valid boarder pass and resident permit respectively.

Mr Munyama identified the minor’s late father as Pakanati Tembo who stayed in Feira district and his mother as Agnes Jam Jialous who is currently staying in Timani-Moto area in Zumbo district of Mozambique.

He told the court that the juvenile was born in Mozambique and stays with his mother stating that he frequently crosses into Zambia to sell dried fish in Lusaka and Kasumbalesa.

Mr Munyama cited the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UN CRC) Part 1, Article 3 principle on the “Best interest of child” and recommended for the repatriation of the juvenile offender to his country of origin without any punishment.

Magistrate Banda granted the application ordering that the juvenile be handed over to the Mozambique Immigration for onward conveyance to his family.

The government has rescinded a decision to evict the community of Nadongo forest reserve in Moomba ward of Monze district in Southern Province.

Last year, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources issued an eviction order for people who encroached in the local forests, a decision which agitated communities as well as some traditional leaders.

During a community engagement meeting held at Nakalwindi community yesterday, Senior Headman Hakalembe said government’s decision to allow people to live in the forests and call for a collaborative forest management plan was commendable.

He said people who settled in Lusengezi, Nadongo and Nakabwe feel safe now that government has decided to allow them to remain in the forest and help in the preservation of the natural resources where they have lived for many years.

Senior Headman Hakalembe said the local community was ready to work with government in all efforts aimed at protecting and preserving the three forests, adding that the community was fully aware that this would help in countering effects of climate change.

“We are thrilled by government’s decision to allow us to live in the forests and help in the management of the natural resources so that it benefits us and the future generation.

“ We, therefore stand ready to work with government to ensure that the forests are protected to counter effects of climate change whose effects were inevitably visible during drought last farming season,” said Headman Hakalembe.

And Monze District Commissioner Cyprian Hamanyanga, expressed happiness that the local community was ready to work with government in its efforts to protect and preserve the natural resources not only in the district, but the country at large.

He said the positive response from the community to work with government was encouraging as this would help to ensure sustainable use of forests and prevent indiscriminate cutting or unauthorised use of the natural resources in the District.

“ As government am happy that you have shown willingness to support governments ‘efforts in ensuring that local forests are protected through this collaborative forests management plan which has been hatched by government.

“ I would like to encourage other communities to emulate this gesture so that together we can have a Green, and Healthy environment for now and generations to come, ’said Mr. Hamanyanga.

District Forestry Officer Andrew Kamwi noted that apart from forging a joint forests management plan with the community, government also intends to put up boundaries using the original old maps of 1967 and 1968.

He pointed out that the last time all the three forest boundaries were maintained was on August 16th, 1979.

He also explained that an agreement would soon be signed between the local community and government to legalise the joint forests management plan.