Operation Young Vote says it is sad and appalling that leaders particularly those in government have opted to give Zambians incomplete information on the status of Zambia and Zambians regarding the deadly Covid 19 epidemic.

Organization Executive Director Guess Nyirenda says the fact that the Minister of Health and the government generally chooses to censor information given to the nation on a matter of life and death is vexing, as heard on the live streaming on Facebook where he confirmed that Permanent Secretaries and other high ranking officials are among the people in isolation.

Mr Nyirenda said this is not only a confirmation of leaders irresponsibility but also an indication that they are ready to keep everyone in the dark.

“Should we honestly continue believing the numbers government through the Minister of Health is giving us as updates – NO – unless we are fools. This behavior by our leaders is total politicization of the epidemic and should not be condoned. It should be stopped henceforth”, he said.

Mr Nyirenda said Zambia has a government that is not ready to be open and truthful to its citizens so as to make everyone appreciate the gravity of the challenge.

He has noted that true leaders in other parts of the world have voluntarily come out in the open declaring their positive status of Covid 19 to the public with one of the key messages that all need to preach about the Coronavirus epidemic is that everyone is a potential carrier and that each one of the citizens must be very alert as the country deal with one another in whatever form or business.

Mr Nyirenda said the Minister of Health and government have no right whatsoever of putting people’s lives at risk of the epidemic by telling them cooked information on the status.

He said this should have been a point of Zambians sympathizing with this government including on many other things it has failed but alas, due to always wanting to scheme against its own people – even on global epidemic the government sees an opportunity.

Mr Nyirenda said this is not only chaotic but also shameful.

He said this behavior of censoring information even in calamities such as Covid 19 is unchristian.

Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo has implored politicians, business entities and Zambians of goodwill to come together and supplement government efforts in curbing the further spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr. Lusambo said government alone cannot manage to contain the disease because of budgetary constraints and other equally competing needs.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Lusambo particularly called on opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) parliamentarians to show unity of purpose by closely working with the government in sensitizing the public on the dangers of the pandemic.

The Lusaka Provincial Minister was speaking on a Radio Phoenix’s special ‘Let the People Talk Programme’ yesterday on the COVID 19 pandemic and measures that government has put in place to halt the spread of the disease.

“This is not the time for us to start politicking, it is in this vein that I am calling on my colleagues, Choma Central Member of Parliament, Cornelius Mweetwa, Monze Central MP, Jack Mwiimbu, Kafue MP Miriam Chonya and Rufunsa MP, Sherry Mulyata to join forces with government in preventing the spread of the disease,” he appealed.

And Mr. Lusambo has justified the use of minimum force by the police on revelers who have defied government’s directive to shut night clubs and bars among other places.

He explained that some people will only adhere to the directive when they are beaten.

“…….even a child will only listen if you spank them a bit. We are dealing with a very difficult situation which needs bold leader to control. You bar owners that want to abrogate the presidential directive with impunity am warning that soon l will visit and you will be sorry,” he warned.

Mr. Lusambo reiterated that people can buy alcohol and go home to drink.

And most callers to the programme commended Mr. Lusambo for his actions.

The callers said it was surprising that Zambians, especially those that are enlightened, are in the habit of abrogating the law with impunity.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lusambo disclosed that he is in the process of engaging Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya and her Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga on how best the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) could be engaged in conducting mobile announcements on COVID 19.

He has however asked capable Zambians to come forward and supplement government efforts in conducting mobile announcements especially in Lusaka district which has recorded many cases.

“Those with private-public announcement equipment and a fleet of vehicles, please come forth so that we give you messages on this disease so that you sensitize Zambians. This pandemic has affected all of us hence the need for concerted efforts to curb the further spread of the disease especially here in Lusaka,” he said.

Zambia has seen an increase in the number of cases since it recorded its first two cases last week.

As of yesterday, the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases of coronavirus infected people in Zambia is 36.

Kalumbila Minerals Limited (KML), a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals, has pledged to donate in-kind over K600, 000 towards combating the coronavirus in Zambia.

KML Assistant General Manager, Junior Keyser has also pledged to provide the necessary health support that shall fall within the means of the mining firm.

“I wish to assure you that we are together in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and we shall provide the necessary health support that shall fall within our means as and when need arises. Our earnest hope is to see our country Zambia walk through these hard times with manageable social and economic impacts,” he said.

Mr. Keyser said this in a letter made available to the media yesterday by Kalumbila District Commissioner, Robinson Kalota following his recent request from the mining company for assistance in combating the coronavirus outbreak.

He stated that KML has pledged to donate in-kind 50 percent (K620, 201.25) of the total district epidemic preparedness and response budget pegged at slightly over K1.2 million.

“The decision to donate in-kind was motivated by our stringent internal corporate auditing procedures. The pledged donation shall be accessible through the Trident Foundation Limited (TFL) with immediate effect,” he said.

He said the donation will cover personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare service providers, consumables for epidemiological investigations and active surveillance, medical supplies and laboratory consumables, public health consumables, public road user screening requirements, fuel for distributing materials within the district as well as preparedness needs for potential worst-case situations.

Mr. Keyser said KML is currently providing support through sensitisation support in 12 communities in collaboration with the district health team.

This is done though distribution of awareness material, provision of fuel for contact tracing being coordinated through the provincial health team and transportation of samples to Lusaka for analysis.

And Kalumbila District Commissioner Robinson Kalota has appreciated the gesture by the mining company.

Mr. Kalota said the fight against COVID-19 is a responsibility for everyone even if government through Ministry of Health is leading.

“This fight can only be won if we all adhere to the guidelines set. I am very delighted by this gesture as it shows that we can achieve by working together,” he said.

Mr. Kalota has since called upon other stakeholders to emulate Kalumbila mine and Mei Mei Limited who also recently donated assorted hand washing basins, liquid soap and face masks.

A South African Politician from the opposition United Democratic Movement (UDM) had his wish to be buried in his Mercedes-Benz honoured.

According to reports from local newspapers, including news24.com, Tshekede Bufton Pitso, was over the weekend, while smartly dressed in a white shirt and suit, wheeled into his final resting place in Sterkspruit over the weekend, as mourners somberly looked on.

Photos of the ceremony showed the politician behind the wheel of his car as the vehicle was mechanically moved toward the hole in the ground, positioned in a way resembling him driving while wearing a seatbelt.

His Party president Bantu Holomisa tweeted that he had planned to attend the funeral of the politician, who some people described as flamboyant, but had abandoned his trip on account of COVID-19.