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Lusambo makes peace with Nevers Mumba

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Lusambo makes peace with Nevers Mumba

Kabushi Member of Parliament Bowman Lusambo has reconciled with MMD President Dr Nevers Mumba.

This followed a reconciliatory meeting held on Sunday evening at which the two agreed to forget the past misunderstandings and reconcile.

Mr. Lusambo was a close ally of Dr Mumba in the MMD but the two fell out and Mr. Lusambo ended up joining the PF.

The reconciliation was part of Mr. Lusambo’s move to make peace with those he may have injured.

The development was confirmed by Mr. Lusambo’s campaign manager Mathews Ngosa who attended the three hour meeting.

Mr. Ngosa explained that the two political leaders also pledged to maintain cordial relations in their approach to politics.

At the same meeting, Mr. Lusambo apologized for the political misunderstandings that may have occurred in his past dealings with Dr Mumba.

“The meeting was initiated by Mr. Lusambo, he felt the need to apologise to Dr. Mumba in a similar manner he has apologized to the Head of State President Hichilema and Dr Mumba gracefully accepted the apology,” Mr Ngosa said.

He said Dr Mumba agreed with Mr. Lusambo’s new approach to politics driven by love and national unity.

“Dr Mumba was happy with Mr. Lusambo’s new approach to politics, he said he has always believed in Mr. Lusambo’s political capabilities but that he has concerns over the brutal and militant approach he sometimes used in the past and that he is happy we was now new a new page.”

Mr. Ngosa said the MMD President emphasized the need for Zambians to adopt clean and value based politics.

“Dr Mumba spoke on the need to promote clean politics based on the need for national unity and promotion of peace, he believes there is no need yo insult one another even if we are seeking to serve the same people.”

People seem scared to criticize the president because of arrest and forced relocation

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People seem scared to criticize the president because of arrest and forced relocation

By Venus N Msyani

Today in Zambia people seem scared to criticize the president because of arrest and forced relocation

Under new dawn administration, only the rich can afford to criticize the president. The poor seem not only scared to criticize the president because of arrest but also possible forced relocation.

When one criticizes the president in the language that is not pleasing to the new dawn administration cadres, he or she is reported to police in the remotest part of the country for defamation.

It seems to be a scheme to make accused spent more hours in custody and possibly spend more money.

The Zambian law demands that a detainee appears before a court within 48 hours of arrest and be informed of charges against him or her. Transporting the accused, most of who reside in Lusaka, to far places make it possible to escape the 48 hours law.

On top of that, one has to spend more money on legal process as he or she need to arrange travel for his/her legal team from Lusaka.

For example, on Thursday May 19, Economic and Equity Party (EEP) leader Chilufya Tayali, who is currently a leading President Hakainde Hichilema critic was arrested in Lusaka. The following day Tayali was transported to Lukulu in Western Province where he has been charged for defamation of the president.

On Monday May 23, 2022, his legal team managed to secure him police bond, but after the EEP leader has spent more than 48 hours in custody.

Mr. Tayali will have to use his own transport to get back to Lusaka. He is about 600 km away from home, Lusaka. A poor person may end up opting to settle there in Lukulu; forced relocation.

Meanwhile, prior to last August election President Hakainde Hichilema was onboard hence knowing exactly what kind of freedom of expression Zambians are demanding.

The freedom of expression Zambians are demanding is not possible under the current form of defamation of the president law.

“We have restored freedom of speech, expression & association, allowing anyone to write or say what they want, where they want & when they want.” President Hakainde tweeted few weeks ago.

The president sounds like he is not aware of the ongoing defamation of the president arrests in the country. If he is not, maybe the emerged cadreism will do. Cadres are now openly threatening to deal with anyone criticizing the president. That is not freedom of expression Zambians want.

Today the poor are scared to criticize President Hakainde Hichilema because of possible forced relocation. That is not freedom of speech and expression Zambians want.

Having power or authority without love is catastrophic-Catholic Bishop

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Having power or authority without love is catastrophic-Catholic Bishop

Catholic Diocese of Chipata Bishop George Lungu has warned that having power or authority without love is catastrophic.

Bishop Lungu said this teaching applies in both religious and political circles.

He said people with power should possess love and self control.

In his sermon when ordaining 29 Catholic Deacons at St. Dominic’s Major Seminary in Lusaka at the weekend, Bishop Lungu said loving without self control could be compared to a tornado.

“St. Paul says ’laying on of my hands, God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, and love and self control’. Three things, power, love and self control. Keep that sequence, power, love and self control. You people who will be ordained today will be given the power to preach the Word. Don’t apologise to anyone. Preach the Word. There is power to celebrate marriages; there is power to serve at the Lord’s altar,” Bishop Lungu preached.

“There is power but remember, power without love is catastrophic. Whether in religious circles or political circles power without love is catastrophic. I won’t go into details, reflect. And love without self control my goodness some people compare it with a tornado. Loving without self control, self control anyamata. Without self control ni tornado. What does a tornado do? It leaves a trail of debris and destruction. Power, but power with love is life giving. It is a service in humility. And so you save yourself from having power without love and self control. Remember it will be this constant awareness that it is because the Lord loves you that He set his love upon you and chose you,” Bishop Lungu said.

He told the new Deacons to be humble and loving while exercising self control.

Bishop Lungu said the 29 were ordained not because they are worthy but because of God’s love.

“Only God’s love will justify your ordination today and so my dear candidate it is not because you were always above average in academic performance, scoring distinctions that the Lord today sets you apart and appoints you to be his minister. No. It is not about distinctions here my dear brothers. It is because the Lord loves you. That He has set his love upon you and he has chosen you, consecrated for mission today. Only love justifies. What a humbling and an exciting experience to all of you who are going to be ordained today as deacon and to all of us who have already been ordained. How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? How will I raise the cup of salvation and I will call on the Lord’s name at this altar. My joy will be at the altar raising the voice in praise of God,” he said.

Bishop Lungu continued:”And therefore, your entire life becomes a thanksgiving hymn, thanking God for his goodness. It is with this treasure buried deep in your heart, humility becomes simply a natural instinct. You don’t have to be forced to be humble. Humility becomes a natural instinct you don’t have to fight because you will realise that you don’t deserve anything except God’s love.”

He hailed the ordination of 29 Deacons as relief owing to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic that killed many people including priests.

“29 young men are soon going to be ordained deacons for the Catholic Church in Zambia. What a wonderful gift from the Lord to our local Church for the services of our brothers and sisters in Zambia and beyond. We have every reason to celebrate this day, offering hymns and prayers in thanksgiving for such a great and wonderful gift from the Lord. Let us therefore rejoice and be glad in him. Tears of joy wiping away sorrow we experienced due to COVID-19 pandemic that brought about so much suffering and death in our midst and so we celebrate this event with a sense of gratitude, deep gratitude to God for his steadfast love for us His people. In other words at the heart of this celebration is God’s love for us,” the Bishop of Chipata said.

Tourism has potential to grow economy -Muhanga

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Tourism has potential to grow economy -Muhanga

The Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary, Evans Muhanga says there is a need for the tourism sector to grow so that it supports the country’s economic trajectory.

Mr. Muhanga said this can be done through the formation of strong partnerships with other ministries such as the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development which provides the utilities and infrastructure in communities on which the tourism industry benefits from.

The Permanent Secretary stressed the critical role of the Local Government in tourism, hence the need to open up new possibilities and ways of doing business so that the sector continues to thrive.

Speaking at the official opening of the Local Authorities workshop in Lusaka, Mr. Muhanga stated the outcome of the training will have a significant impact on the development of the tourism sector and country at large.

He expressed confidence that the training was an opportunity to explore ways of both harnessing the potential of tourism to transform lives and seek effective ways of achieving positive transformation in the sector itself. He said that it is evidence of the determination to accelerate the pace of transformation in every sector of the country’s economy and making the national aspiration a reality.

Mr. Muhanga explained the economic activity across the tourism value chain that contributes significantly to the GDP, adding that it already provides substantial resources to advance transformation.

“This training workshop would not have come at a better time than this, when the country is on the path of economic transformation and growth and stakeholder engagement will form part of the strategies in which tourism will be enhanced and value created,” Mr. Muhanga stated.

The Permanent Secretary also noted the implementation of the e-licensing and grading system by the Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) as one way of ensuring that it offers quality assured tourism destinations for both the domestic and international market.

He therefore appealed to the tourism enterprise to remain compliant with all the requirements needed to run a business.

Speaking at the same event, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Permanent Secretary for Administration Mambo Hamaundu explained that the councils are a multipurpose unit responsible for delivering a broad range of services in relation to various infrastructure in communities.

Mr. Hamaundu said the local authority is therefore ready to work with ZTA in uplifting the tourism standards, hence underscored both ministries’ ambition of providing a service that fulfills the needs of the stakeholders through the workshop.

Mr. Hamaundu was hopeful that the training will be a continuous interaction to form the basis for a more sustainable tourism sector that responds to the obligations and mandate of the ministries. “I am hopeful that training will address all the challenges and opportunities to foster tourism development in our country,” Mr. Hamaundu noted.

And ZTA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Chavunga Lungu reported the high expectations from the stakeholders hence, the Agency is working around the clock to ensure the industry gets the system that brings value and quality to destinations.

Mr. Lungu said that in an effort to improve the standards, the Agency has embarked on the grading of accommodation among tourism businesses and setting of minimum standards. He disclosed that ZTA has so far graded about 33 accommodation facilities and licensed about 2000 tourism enterprises in the country, adding that both processes are ongoing.

Central province to beef up vehicles for police in the region

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Central province to beef up vehicles for police in the region

The government is committed to ensuring efficiency in the police service hence will ensure the provision of transport it adds is critical in curbing crime.

Central Province Minister Credo Nanjuwa says his office will for this reason use part of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to procure vehicles for the police to enhance policing in the region.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Kabwe District Commissioner (DC) Lennox Shimwambwa, Mr. Nanjuwa disclosed that cabinet has directed that police should be assisted transport through the CDF.

“I’ve received an application from Division Headquarters in Kabwe but I advised them that all applications should pass through the CDF committee and that they should follow all the CDF guidelines,” Mr. Nanjuwa disclosed.

Mr. Nanjuwa said the country is having a big challenge where issues of crime are reported but the police are not able to move because they do not have transport.

The Provincial Minister added that the government is also aware about the transport challenges in the other sectors like agriculture, education and health among others.

Mr. Nanjuwa said the government was equally looking into the issue of transport for other sector departments for enhanced service delivery.

“We cannot talk of enhancing the education sector when the inspectorate cannot even move. If you go to schools in rural areas most teachers have resorted to doing their personal errands at the expense of the pupils because the inspectorate have no transport to visit schools,” he observed.

He said in order to enhance the education sector in the country, the government should strive to ensure that the inspectorate becomes functional.

And speaking earlier Kabwe District Commissioner (DC) Lennox Shimwambwa said effective implementation of government programmes in the District has become a challenge due to lack of transport in government institutions.

“Issues of transport are the prominent challenges that most government departments are facing in the district. Most of these officers are using their personal vehicles and in some instances even using their own fuel to implement government programmes,” Mr. Shimwambwa said.

It’s hypocritical and fraud to disqualify citizens above the age of 45 from the ongoing teacher recruitment

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It’s hypocritical and fraud to disqualify citizens above the age of 45 from the ongoing teacher recruitment

The opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has charged that it is hypocritical and fraud to disqualify citizens above the age of 45 from the ongoing teacher recruitment programme by the Government.

The Government through the Ministry of Education is in the process of employing 30,000 teachers, with about 100,000 practitioners having applied for the jobs.

According to the Zambia Daily mail report, Teaching Service Commission (TSC) chairperson Daphne Chimuka said applicants aged above 45 and foreign nationals were eliminated from the recruitment.

The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has already finished scrutinising applications in the teacher recruitment process at district level.

But EFF Secretary General Changala Siame said his party was disappointed by the decision of the government through the Ministry of Education, to disqualify teachers aged above 45 from the enrolment.

Mr. Siame observed that some of the unemployed teachers aged above 45 have been denied an opportunity to be employed in the previous governments for many years.

He said leaving out qualified teachers that completed earlier and prioritizing those that completed recently is a signal of corruption and demanded ACC to take interest in this process.

“The disqualification of citizens above 45 to be enrolled as teachers is hypocritical. As Economic Freedom Fighters EFF, we are disappointed by the decision of the government through the Ministry of Education, to disqualify any person who is a qualified Teacher but has attained the age of 45 years or above. This is a very unfair approach to enrollment of citizens who for a long time have been denied an opportunity to be employed in the previous governments. Actually as Economic Freedom Fighters EFF, our expectations in terms of criteria for employment were supposed to be; first completed first to be considered for employment,” Mr. Siame said.

“This was the most suitable and equitable approach as the selection will only be based on papers submitted without personal interviews. If anything, any selection that will leave out qualified Teachers that completed earlier and prioritize those that completed recently, is a signal for corruption and we demand ACC to take interest in this process,” he continued.

Mr. Siame questioned why the same government that has sent senior citizens in foreign missions is denying teachers aged above 45 a chance to be employed.

“Besides, this government has double standards that render it to be hypocritical. How than did Mr. Steven Katuta, Mr. Panji Kaunda and many other senior citizens qualify for jobs and yet deny people that were youths then who became adults with no job opportunities in the past? Therefore, as Economic Freedom Fighters EFF are demanding that the Minister of Education Mr. Douglas Siakalima to reverse this clause and treat all citizens fairly, equitably with a lot of consideration for their misfortune in life,” Mr. Siame said.

The Teaching Service Commission is expected to start announcing names of successful candidates on June 1.

The commission has indicated that the verification process ended on Wednesday last week and that names of people who qualified have been submitted to provinces.

EFF Secretary General Changala Siame
EFF Secretary General Changala Siame

Police Service Commission promotes 150 Officers in Southern Province

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Police Service Commission promotes 150 Officers in Southern Province

The Zambia Police Service Commission has promoted 150 police officers in Southern Province to various ranks.

Commission Chairperson, Peter Machungwa said the promotion is as a result of exceptional performance and prolonged stay in one rank.

Dr. Machungwa was speaking in Choma after the Commission concluded a tour of Southern Province to interact with officers on a number of issues pertaining to their welfare.

He said the tour was aimed at putting into operation the provisions of the decentralization policy as provided for by the constitution Act number two of 2016 and act number 10 of the Service Commission Act.

Dr. Machungwa has further disclosed that following the tour of the province, the Commission has established five human resource management committees in the Police Service and one in the Immigration Department to look into the welfare of officers.

Zambia monkey pox free

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Zambia monkey pox free

Following reports of another pandemic called monkeypox, Acting Minister of Health Charles Milupi says the country as not yet recorded any case of the skin disease.

Mr. Milupi says the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) has heightened surveillance adding that it has put in place surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, prevention and response strategies against the disease.

Giving a weekly update on COVID-19 at his office , the Acting Minister of Health advised that personal hygiene is the first step and key to prevention of any disease.

He said Community engagement and sensitisation will be adapted to keep the country updated.

Mr. Milupi noted that fever and rash are common symptoms of the disease, which is also transmittable through unprotected sex.

The Minister further stated that the World Health Organisation (WHO) and partners through many scientists are working to better understand the extent and cause of current outbreak of monkeypox.

He said it is worth noting that vaccines used during the smallpox eradication programme also provided protection against monkeypox adding that newer vaccines are being developed among which one has been approved for prevention of monkeypox.

The Minister said the disease is usually a self-limited disease with the symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks stating that in recent times, the case fatality ratio has been around three to six percent.

And Mr. Milipu disclosed that since the relaunch of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign on 14th May, 2022, about 845,808 COVID-19 doses have been administered across the country in the last 8 days.

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He announced that 519 new cases were recorded last week, compared to 501 the previous week, representing a four percent.

Mr. Milupi added that two deaths were recorded and both individuals were unvaccinated at the time of their death.

And in the last 24 hours 49 new cases of COVID -19 were recorded out of 997 tests conducted countrywide.

110 patients were discharged from both home and facility management, with only two new admissions both from North-western province.

The Minister said currently there are 582 active cases, while 14 are currently admitted to healthcare facilities across the country with four patients on oxygen therapy and one is in critical condition.

No new deaths were recorded.

Lusambo hailed for an apology

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Lusambo hailed for an apology

A Kasama based clergyman has commended former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo for apologizing to the Head of State.

Pastor Chileshe Musonda of Mountain of Faith Ministries says the move made by Mr. Lusambo to apologize and seek forgiveness from the Republican President is a mark of true Christianity.

“Zambia is a Christian nation and the direction that Mr. Lusambo has taken is symbolic of a Christian.” He said.

And Pastor Musonda has since advised other politicians in the country to learn from the Kabushi law maker, and endeavor taking the route of peace for the sake enhancing development in the country.

The clergyman further urged the politicians to refrain from practicing politics of hate, but instead thrive on working together for the good of the country.

Pastor Musonda said this in an interview with ZANIS in Kasama today.

Recently, Kabushi law marker Bowman Lusambo apologized and sought forgiveness from President Hakainde Hichilema over the unjustified attacks that he had been making.

KCM insolvency mars salary negotiations

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KCM insolvency mars salary negotiations

Due to its insolvent position, Konkola Copper Mines ( KCM ) management and the labour movement have suspended negotiations increased salaries.

Mineworkers Unions of Zambia (MUZ) president Joseph Chewe says KCM management and the unions have agreed to suspend the collective bargaining process for 90 days hoping that a new investor may take up the mine after which negotiations would resume.

Speaking in an interview , Mr. Chewe, who is spokesperson for National Union of Miners and Allied Workers, said the KCM management has admitted that under current social-economic condition, it cannot sustain increased salaries and other conditions of service for workers.

“KCM management is saying they cannot increase salaries because they are not able to sustain increased salaries because of the happenings in KCM so we have agreed that we review this position after three months maybe by then there will be a new investor, when that happens we expect some developments around KCM and that is when we expect to review the position,” He said.

He explained that the union has also observed that increased conditions of service cannot be tenable because the mine’s production has drastically gone down.

The MUZ president said the workers had rejected the zero increase position because they have had no salary increment in the past four years.

He however urged the workers at the mining company to remain calm as they wait on how things will unfold in terms of the mine ownership in the next three months hoping that a positive balance will be struck with a new investor soon.

Most Mining companies have concluded the 2022 collective bargaining process with most of them awarding their workers salary increments in the range of 7 to 10 percent.

EPP leader Chilufya Tayali released on bond

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EPP leader Chilufya Tayali released on bond

Outspoken opposition Economic and Equity Party ( EPP ) leader Chilufya Tayali has been released today, on police bond.

Zambia Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga has confirmed the development in Lukulu adding that the nature of the case requires consent from the Director of Public Prosecution’s office.

Mr. Hamoonga said Mr. Tayali will appear in court once the DPP gives a go ahead.

Mr. Tayali was arrested last week for the offence of defamation of the President Contrary to Section 69 of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

His arrest comes after Lukulu East constituency UPND Chairperson Jameson Mpidi and Mwika Paul Chisala popularly known as ‘Papie’ lodged a complaint at Lukulu Police station on Sunday 15th May, 2022.

ZANIS/ENDS/RK/MM…………. DRY

Mwepu Headlines June AFCON Qualifiers Call-ups

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Captain Enock Mwepu of English side Brighton has headlined the 25-member Chipolopolo squad coach Aljosa Asanovic has named for the June back-to-back 2023 Africa Cup qualifiers.

Zambia will face Ivory Coast on June 3 in their opening qualifier away in West Africa before hosting Comoros on 7 June at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Mwepu has just recoveredfrom injury.

Asanovic has named a mixture of local and foreign players in the squad that will camp in Ghana this week ahead of the trip to Ivory Coast.

Leicester City forward Patson Daka and Scotland based Fashion Sakala and Frankie Musonda have also made the squad.

Meanwhile, the Chipolopolo will also face Lesotho later in Group H.

GOALKEEPERS:Toaster Nsabata (Sekhukhune-RSA), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows), Cyril Chibwe (Unattached)

DEFENDER:Frankie Musonda (Raith Rovers-Scotland), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe-DRC), Miguel Chaiwa (Athletico), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Shemmy Mayembe (Zesco United)

MIDFIELDERS:Roderick Kabwe (Sekhukhune-RSA), Enock Mwepu (Brighton-England), Emmanuel Banda (Djurgardens-Sweden), Kings Kangwa (Arsenal Tula-Russia), Rally Bwalya (Simba SC-Tanzania), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Lubambo Musonda (AC Horsens-Denmark), Kelvin Kampamba, Spencer Sautu, (both Zesco United), Lameck Banda (Maccabi Petah Tikva-Israel), Edward Chilufya (Midtjylland-Denmark)

STRIKERS:Fashion Sakala (Rangers-Scotland), Evans Kangwa (Arsenal Tula-Russia), Ricky Banda (Red Arrows), Gamphani Lungu (SuperSport United-RSA Patson Daka (Leicester City-England)

High cooking oil price needs local solution-Mulenga

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High cooking oil price needs local solution-Mulenga

Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga  says the escalating prices of cooking oil can only be halted when the country becomes self sufficient in production of crops used in manufacturing the product.

Mr. Mulenga  says Zambia should grow a lot of cotton seed, soya beans and sunflower which are some of the raw materials used in manufacturing cooking oil.

He notes that Zambia has vast land which should be exploited to grow the crops.

He says currently, Russia and Ukraine, the major producers of crops used in the manufacturing of edible oils are at war thereby affecting global supply resulting in escalating prices.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mulenga  said the several court cases that ZCCM Investment Holdings is pursuing against major mining companies has stifled investments into the sector.

He said this is why the government wants the matters resolved outside court to unlock investments which will lead to reinvestments and job creation for citizens.

Malanji, Yamba plead not guilty

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Malanji, Yamba plead not guilty

Former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson  and former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji have pleaded not guilty to ten counts of Willful failure to comply with procedure and being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Mr. Yamba and Mr. Malanji  took plea before Lusaka Magistrate Jennifer Bwalya.

This was after the State submitted an amended indictment.

In this matter, Mr Yamba is accused of having failed to follow procedure in relation to the buying of an estate in Turkey.

Mr. Malanji  is accused of being in possession of houses, a hotel and Helicopter, property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Earlier the Economic and Financial Crimes court dismissed an application by the defence for Constitutional reference on account that it was frivolous.

Magistrate Bwalya said she cannot refer the matter to the Constitution Court on account that the indictment has insufficient details.

She said this is because the missing details in the indictment are the ones that the state will be called upon to provide evidence.

Magistrate Bwalya further warned the defence against delaying the Court process by making applications.

She said the accused deserve a speedy trial in the matter.
And, Former ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Pamu said he authorised payment for the purchase of the estate in Turkey based on the information which he had at the time.

Dr. Pamu said through his interaction with the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and others, he came to learn that there was something wrong with the transaction.

This is in a matter where Mr. Malanji  and Mr. Yamba are charged with ten counts of being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime and Willful failure to comply with procedure regarding the buying of property in Turkey.

During cross examination, Dr. Pamu said the officers who signed for the authorization of payment did not commit any offence at the time.

He further agreed that the Auditor General did not find anything wrong with the transaction.

Mulyata warns parents against marrying off girls

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Mulyata warns parents against marrying off girls

Lusaka Province Minister Sheal Mulyata has warned parents in Rufunsa district against marrying off their underage daughters.

Mrs Mulyata noted that girls in the rural areas are vulnerable to early marriages and defilement when they reach puberty.

Speaking during the official opening of a science and computer laboratory in Rufunsa district, Mrs Mulyata says the introduction of free education calls for enhanced educational services and easy accessibility for all children.

She said government introduced free education for all and will not tolerate girls dropping out of school with a view of getting married.

Mrs Mulyata said that government is also addressing challenges faced by the girl-child in the rural areas to ensure they attain quality and equal education.

She said Rufunsa district has set up a local court which will deal with parents who marry off their girls.

The Provincial Minister added that government has massively invested in the education sector hence the need to prioritize education in the district.

Rufunsa District Commissioners Richard Mabena said the district has recorded bumper harvest.

Mr. Mabena has also called for the Agricultural farming scheme located in Shikabeta to be handed over to Zambia National Service (ZNS) for crop efficiency.

He said that the farming scheme has been idle with no farming activities taking place.

He noted that the scheme has gone to sleep and Agricultural machinery is going to waste when it can be put to good use.

Mr. Mabena said that the scheme has the necessary machinery and it was unfortunate that it was now a white elephant.
“It will be better if the farming scheme is taken to Zambia correctional services or Zambia National Service than being with Ministry of Agriculture” he said

Mr Mabena said the Ministry if Agriculture was not putting the farming scheme to good use despite having heavy machinery on the site.

He further called on the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to aid Shikabeta and Chipeketi chiefdoms whose crops were washed away.

Speaking at the same function Mr. Mabena disclosed that the district has vaccinated over 9,000 people since the Covid-19 vaccination campaign was relaunched.

 

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