It’s not right for anyone to suggest that Mumbi Phiri is being held in detention in an improper fashion, Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe has said in an interview in Livingstone.

Mr Haimbe has explained that for anyone who is facing a non bailable offence to appear before the High Court, there is a process that is followed called “Cause Listing.”’

He said that in cause listing, it is always about first in first out, that in the case of Ms Phiri, there are many other people facing similar offences.

Mr Haimbe said it is a misconception for people to think that Ms Phiri must be given special treatment.

“There is also misconception about one particular individual which I need to address, a political party leader in the name of Mumbi Phiri. I know that there has been a lot of talk that she is being held without trial but the truth of the matter is that she is facing a non bailable offence and so many people are facing non bailable offences that are pending trial,” he said.

“So it is not correct to say that she is being held in an improper fashion but it is simply because of the nature of the offence she is facing,” he said.

Mr Haimbe also disclosed that progress has been made towards the amendment of the Public Order Act (POA).

He said that cabinet gave an approval in principle for the amendment of the POA and it is being run by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security being the line ministry that is in charge of matters related to the Public Order Act.

Mr Haimbe said progress has been made and he is hopeful that it’ll be before Parliament during the September session.

President Hakainde Hichilema has described the late Senior Chief Musele of north western province as one who had a developmental mind and courageous.

President Hichilema says the traditional leader left at a time when the government was seeking to resolve a lot of developmental issues in Kalumbila district and North-western province in general because he understood that good political leadership is essential for the realization of development.

Mr Hichilema was speaking at the burial ceremony of the late Senior Chief Musele of the Lunda people of Kalumbila district, held at Musele grounds in Kalumbila today.

“The chief had a developmental mind, he was courageous when confronted with issues that affected his people. I remember the times when we visited the palace and he was threatened for hosting us,” President Hichilema said.

The President also shared his concerns on succession wrangles in chiefdoms.

“Succession wrangles are a concern to this government, therefore we ask the Musele royal family not to add to the squabbles of succession but follow the clans and family tree,” he said.

Mr Hichilema assured the gathering that the government will not interfere with the selection process of the successor.

“Do not allow people who are not part of the process to be part of the process,” he said.

The President also said the successor must take the responsibility of taking care of the family, community and issues of development which the late chief was interested in.

On the economic front the President stressed that the government will ensure that local people are taken care of as regards investment and mining in Kalumbila district and North-western province in particular.

“We are aware of the issues around here…now that we are in this position, we will tackle these issues squarely. Next week I will be here and I will commence tackling the issues around here,” he said

And speaking at the same event, North-western province Minister, Robert Lihefu said the late traditional leader served with passion.

“During his reign, he served with passion, upholding peace, unity and harmony not only among his subjects but within and outside the province,” Mr Lihefu said.

He appreciated the President for choosing to mourn with the people of North-western province and further stated that his office will continue to seek the President’s guidance and counsel on affairs of leadership in the province.

Meanwhile, Local Government and Housing Minister, Garry Nkombo advised the royal family to find a successor in peace.

“Find a successor in peace and not at the courts…our desire as government is that this is a clan matter, so settle it at home and not court,” Mr Nkombo said.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango, says Indian Investors have shown interest to invest in Zambia in many sectors of the economy.

Ms Nalumango says this follows a series of meetings she had with Indian business entities during her visit to that country.

Speaking on arrival at the Kenneth Kaunda international Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka from India today, Ms Nalumango said she engaged various businesses that are willing to establish Pharmaceuticals, cooperatives and centers of excellence in the country among other areas.

Ms Nalumango said Zambia is yet to benefit from India in many areas of interest.

“Indeed my visit was wonderful and successful as many Investors have shown interest to come and set up companies in Zambia in many sectors of the economy to promote economic development,” she said.

She explained that during her visit to India, she and the Minister of Small Medium Enterprise development, Elias Mubanga learnt how cooperatives are handled under one roof, saying that the concept will be replicated in Zambia.

Ms Nalumango noted that the system of having more than a thousand cooperatives under one huge company is the best way to enhance the sector to create jobs for the people.

“To me and my entourage it was a wonderful and successful trip as already some of the business communities I toured have started preparing letters of intent and drafting memorandum of understanding between them and the Zambian Government,” Ms Nalumango said.

Ms Nalumango has since expressed hope that the bilateral relations between Zambia and India will continue to grow from strength to strength through such visits.

While in India, Ms Nalumango attended the 17th Confederation of Indian Industries CII EXIM Bank India Africa Growth Partnership Conclave in New Delhi.

The conference drew participation of over 600 African government and business representatives and about 500 local firms.

The Conclave provided an opportunity for African countries to dialogue with India on strengthening fair and competitive business and emerging economic opportunities.

Ms Nalumango told the local and international delegates that Zambia is open for business and wooed over $5 billion worth of investment.

The Vice President inked a deal with Apollo Hospital of India to set up centers of excellence and private medical facilities as a way to assist Zambians access specialised medical treatment locally.

Ms Nalumango further sought the assistance of Asia’s largest Cooperative movement to help the government build the capacity of Zambian cooperatives.

The Vice President also engaged Torrent Pharmaceuticals to supply quality drugs directly to the government in order to promote the effectiveness of Zambia’s health delivery system.

Ms Nalumango invited the Gujarat Business Community to explore Zambia’s business and economic opportunities and engage in partnerships with Zambian firms in various sectors of the economy.

The Vice President paid homage to India’s political icon Mahatma Gandhi when she visited his mausoleum.

Mrs. Nalumango urged Zambians to emulate Mahatma Gandhi’s political leadership style of non-violence and service to the people.

Emmanuel Lubasi, a Senanga based youth is concerned that only youths intending to go for skills training are considered for sponsorship using Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as opposed to those intending to study academic courses such as medicine among others.

Lubasi further asks whether it only meant that youths should be compelled to do courses that are not of their own interest and choice in order to benefit from CDF.

He expressed the concern during the Provincial Consultations on the National Youth Development Strategy meeting that was held at Senanga School of Nursing in Senanga District.

Another Senanga youth, Likezo Phiri says government should consider providing funds to youth that have business plans which can contribute to communities than only considering those having clubs and should also construct recreation centers for skills development in districts.

Meanwhile, Pastor Mike Simono wanted to know whether clubs that applied for empowerment and benefited in the previous regime but their projects had challenges and are still having club certificates can also still apply for a different project fund empowerment.

In response to CDF sponsorship, Acting Chief Youth Development Officer, Pity Halwindi highlights that currently it was only specifically for skills training but may engage superiors to consider sponsoring youths in academic professions as well.

And in response to clubs with certificates that benefited from youth empowerment but had challenges whether they can again be considered Provincial Youth Development Technical Team member Simon Kamanga says it was tricky for them to benefit unless maybe if their reasons were genuine.

Government is reviewing the 2015 National Youth Policy so as to come up with a new one and currently carrying out provincial youth consultations in order to come up with a new youth policy and a National Youth Development Strategy.

Meanwhile, Milenge Town Council Chairperson Clement Mwila says empowering youths with life -skills will is a necessity as it ensure the uplifting of livelihoods and national development.

Mr Mwila says by providing support such as the skills development bursaries under the Constituent Development Fund ( CDF ),a number of vulnerable youths will improve their living standards by engaging in various entrepreneurship activities.

He says the CDF bursary scheme is in line with government policy of making education accessible to everyone including those who are financially incapacitated.

The Milenge Town Council Chairperson disclosed that over 400 youths in Milenge district in Luapula Province have benefited from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) bursary scheme.

Mr Mwila said 278 secondary school applicants were successful while 191 recipients are under the skills training component adding that over K 1,400,000 has been allocated to school bursaries in the first quarter of the 2022 CDF.

Milenge Town Council has made a payment of K834,000 to various secondary schools were the recipients are enrolled.

The local authority is also in the process of making a payment of K585,780 to skills training centers were the beneficiaries are. However, they have already commenced their studies.

Meanwhile, some beneficiaries of the secondary school CDF bursary scheme have applauded government for coming to their aid.

Clifford Chanda, a Grade 11 pupil at Milenge Secondary School said his parents are peasant farmers who could not meet all his educational costs previously.

And Royda Kunda, a Grade 11 pupil at the same school thanked government for creating an opportunity for girl children like her to access free education.

Ms Kunda said her parents do not have a sustainable source of income hence they used to face challenges with paying her school fees.

“I was a day scholar before I got the bursary, but now that government is paying for everything, I have moved into boarding school. This has enabled me concentrate on my studies more as there are less distractions in school,” she said.