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Exposed: Why AFRICOM is in Lusaka as details of secret meeting emerge

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Investigations have revealed how President Hakainde Hichilema was forced to agree to set up the controversial AFRICOM office in Lusaka by the Brenthurst Foundation.

Highly placed diplomatic sources have revealed that President Hichilema had to agree to the AFRICOM proposal after persuasion from the Brenthurst Foundation.

The two-day meeting dubbed African Security Dialogue was attended by US Embassy Defence Attaché Tom Stibral and discussed ways to improve security and stability across Africa.

Others who attended the meeting were Ivor Ichikowitz, a well known arms dealer and head of the Paramount Group with strong links to African Presidents such as Ali Bongo, Denis Sassou-Nguesso and Cyril Ramaphosa.

The Brenthurst Foundation is based in Johannesburg, South Africa and was established in 2005 by the Oppenheimers, the wealth South African family with strong links to Anglo American Corporation.

The Oppenheimers through Brenthurst Fiundation has been financing the operations of the UPND since its formation in 1998 by late Anderson Mazoka, a former Anglo American senior Executive.

President Hichilema addressing secret meeting at Royal Zambezi Lodge which discussed AFRICOM organized by the Brenthurst Foundation
President Hichilema addressing secret meeting at Royal Zambezi Lodge which discussed AFRICOM organized by the Brenthurst Foundation

In late March, President Hichilema attended a secret meeting organized by the Brenthurst Foundation at Lower Zambezi Lodge at which it was agreed that the AFRICOM Cooperation desk be set up in Lusaka.

The high level meeting was not publicized and President Hichilema’s Media Team did not disclose the whereabouts of the Head of State March 27th and March 29th 2022, the period that the meeting took place.

The meeting agreed that Zambia should host AFRICOM and act as a strategic hub for US military operation in the region.

At the meeting, President Hichilema was only accompanied by his Senior Private Secretary Bradford Machila and State House intern Chipo Mwanawasa and addressed the gathering on the importance of investing in security.

Other key Zambian officials who attended the meeting were Chief of Intelligence Felix Nyambe, Zambia Army Chief of Staff Major General Geoffrey Zyeele and Zambia Army Director of Training Brigadier General Jethrow Chipili.

The meeting was convened by Brenthurst Foundation CEO Greg Mills and facilitated by Almquist Knopf who served as Director of the Africa Centre for Strategic Studiies, an academic institution with the US Department of Defence.

Ms. Knopf was until late last year heading the Department which was established by the US Congress for the study of security issues relating to Africa.

Dr Mills is Presidential Adviser to Rwanda President Paul Kagame who visited Zambia a few days before the secret security meeting.

Other key person who attended the meeting was Prof. Serge Tshibangu, a special envoy of President of the DRC Felix Tshisekedi.

Prof Tshibangu first met President Hichilema on August 23rd 2021 at Community House, a day before his inauguration and delivered a special message for President Hichilema.

Last week, President Tshisekedi was in Zambia for a two day special visit and signed a raft of agreements with Zambia including one of defence and security operation and the Zambia – DRC Cooperation Agreement on the Establishment of the Value Chain in the Electric Battery and Clean Energy.

Zambia and the DRC have the world’s mineral reserves for Cobalt, a key ingredient in the production of batteries for electric vehicles.

The meeting was hosted by Tristan Pascal, the new CEO for First Quantum Minerals, the owners of Lower Zambezi Lodge and a friend of Brenthurst Foundation with business interests in the DRC.

Others who attended the meeting were Retired General Vusi Masando from South Africa, Lieutenant General Jonah Mwandi from the Kenya Defence Force and John Githongo, a former anti corruption advocate from Kenya who now works with the Brenthurst Foundation.

President Hichilema surrounded by delegates to the African Security Dialogue held at Royal Zambezi Lodge which discussed AFRICOM
President Hichilema surrounded by delegates to the African Security Dialogue held at Royal Zambezi Lodge which discussed AFRICOM

 President Hichilema poses with staff at Royal Zambezi Lodge after he attended a meeting organized by the Brenthurst Foundation on AFRICOM.
President Hichilema poses with staff at Royal Zambezi Lodge after he attended a meeting organized by the Brenthurst Foundation on AFRICOM.

UNZA Vice Chancellor Prof Mumba and Deputy fired

The University of Zambia Caretaker Committee has terminated the contracts of Vice Chancellor Prof Luke Mumba and his Deputy Dr. Tamala Kambikambi.

In a news statement, UNZA Registar Theresa Chalwe said the termination of contracts is with effect from today, May 6th 2022.

“The termination are in line with the relevant clauses of their respective contacts of employment. The Caretaker Committee has thanked the Vice Chancellor and the Deputy Vice Chancellor for their immeasurable services to the University of Zambia and wish them the best in their future endeavors.”

FAZ AGM Set For Saturday

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All is set for Saturday’s Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) annual general meeting to be held in Lusaka.

FAZ spokesperson Sydney Mungala has confirmed that the 2022 FAZ AGM will take place at the Government Complex in Lusaka.

Mungala said FAZ has already circulated the agenda and financial reports to councilors ahead of the meeting.

“Notices for the annual general meeting were duly sent as per constitutional requirement with the membership fully aware of the finer details at this stage. Notably all the relevant documents including the touchy financials are sitting with the membership for easy deliberation at the AGM set for Govt Complex,” he said.

This is the first FAZ AGM since president Andrew Kamanga was re-elected on a new five year mandate last year.

Judges found to be corrupt will be dealt with-President Hichilema

The Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC) has called for reforms in the way Judges are appointed to the bench in the country.

JCC Chairperson, Vincent Malambo said there is a need for a transparent and merit-based system to appoint Judges in the country through broader participation to ensure equity in the delivery of justice that will give the public confidence in the system.

The JCC Chairperson said the general public has a critical role to play in the fight against corruption by ensuring that they resist and report it.

Mr Malambo said one of the cases it handled indicates a clear failure of the judicial appointment system where a complaint was already known before the ratification of a named judge.

Mr Malambo thanked the complainant for taking the matter to the JCC and appearing before the commission.

He said the hearing was held in camera as provided for by the constitution.

Mr Malambo said there is need to send a clear message that there is no place for corrupt judges in Zambia.

He said the general public can help by providing information during the verification stage in the appointment of judges so that people of integrity and credibility are appointed to the bench.

And receiving the reports at State House in Lusaka today, President Hakainde Hichilema said appropriate action will be taken in line with the provisions of the law.

The Head of State said no person in the country is above the law and that judges found to be corrupt will be dealt with in line with the constitutional provisions.

President Hichilema assured the JCC that his administration will not interfere with the operations of the Judiciary but will ensure that erring and compromised judges are appropriately dealt with by law.

“The Executive will continue to support your work. We will not interfere with your operations,” said President Hichilema.

The President noted that Judges are held in high esteem by society and viewed as infallible to corruption.

Mr Hichilema hoped that the work of the JCC would be able to foster public confidence in the judiciary with regards to appointment of judges and delivery of justice.

President Hichilema commended the JCC for the work done so far despite being new and urged the commission to expeditiously hear all reports and cases brought before it.

“We need to encourage ordinary citizens to come out and report” said President Hichilema.

Mr Hichilema urged the Judiciary through the JCC to exercise patience and allow the Executive leverage to act on the reports in the same way that government has not interfered in the operations of the commission.

He said his administration will consult the JCC as it looks to act on the reports stating that Zambians are expecting to see the next step over the reports.

Luapula Provincial Health Office sets a 70% Covid-19 vaccination target

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Luapula Province Permanent Secretary, Mighty Mumba has echoed the need to collectively reinvigorate efforts in the fight against COVID 19 if the province is to attain meaningful development within its communities.

And The Luapula Provincial Health office has set out to enhance COVID 19 vaccinations with a 70 percent target to capture the province’s population under its current COVID Vaccination campaign.

Opening the Luapula Adhoc Provincial Epidemic preparedness virtual meeting, Mr. Mumba said Government’s desire is to attain 70 to 80 percent of the eligible population vaccinated against COVID 19 in order to reduce the risk of severe disease, complications, hospital admissions as well as deaths.

Mr. Mumba said health is a resource and wealth which President Hakainde Hichilema has committed to ensuring is protected from Public Health threats such as COVID 19.

The Luapula PS said there is a need to collaborate among stakeholders in scaling up the vaccination campaign and meet the set provincial target because of the pandemic’s potential to negatively affect the social, emotional, psychological and health needs of society.

Mr. Mumba implored all stakeholders to ensure the message emphasising the safety and efficacy of vaccines as protection against the severe impact of COVID 19 is disseminated to all target communities.

Provincial Health Office Principal Planner, Alex Mbulo who is also acting Provincial Health Director, said Luapula Province is re-energising its vaccination campaign in order to build on the 30 percent COVID-19 vaccinations previously attained.

Speaking during the multi-stakeholder virtual meeting, Mr. Mbulo says in spite of a recently successful anti-Polio vaccination drive which recorded a 123 percent vaccination of under five years children in the province and ranked Luapula third in the provincial coverage statistics, more needs to be done to reach the target in the upcoming COVID 19 vaccinations.

“We still need to do more in order to achieve the 70 percent coverage, hence enhancing the planned upcoming COVID 19 vaccination campaigns,” he said.

The Ministry of Health has slated the commencement of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaigns from the 14th to the 24th of May, 2022, which respective provinces are to undertake.

And during a presentation, Acting Public Health Specialist, Mateyo Moyo says Luapula Province has sufficient stock of vaccines which must be utilised during the vaccination campaigns and avoid making them go to waste under storage.

Government urges CSOs to supplement it in alleviating poverty – Nanjuwa

Central Province Minister, Credo Nanjuwa, says it is important that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) join the government in quest of improving the livelihoods of the people.

Speaking when the Kwesu Kwilala Na Ba Swaka Trust Limited paid a courtesy call on him at his office this morning, Mr Nanjuwa said he was grateful with the organization’s objectives of engaging people in remote areas of the province with a view of improving their welfare.

The Minister said it is important that other organisations such as the ‘Kwesu Kwilala Na Ba Swaka Trust Limited’ join efforts with the government to serve the citizenry.

He said the government is there to serve the people and see to it that the citizenry receive the services that they require and improve their livelihood.

Mr Nanjuwa said the government deliberately increased the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as a way of empowering the constituents.

He explained that the CDF has been categories in bursaries, projects, youths and women empowerment to allow the marginalized groups to benefit.

Meanwhile, Kwesu Kwilala Na Ba Swaka Trust Limited National Information and Publicity Secretary, Ivy Ndhlovu, said her organisation is looking for ways of empowering the poor of the poorest in remote areas in order to achieve sustainable development.

Mrs Ndhlovu said the organisation intends to reach out to the poorest by identifying the remotest areas of central Province.

She said the identification process started with Serenje district and soon will be in Chisomo area of Kapiri Mposhi District where people reportedly are lagging behind in almost everything.

And Kwesu Kwilala Na Ba Swaka Trust Limited Chairperson, Lewis Chisenga, said the organisation was registered into a company last year in order to support the government’s efforts of improving the welfare of the people.

Mr Chisenga said his organisation is supplementing the government’s efforts especially in far-flung areas where government presence may not be felt.

NRFA to fund road rehabilitation works in Ndola

The National Road Fund Agency- NRFA says it will soon be funding the construction and rehabilitation of trunk roads on the Copperbelt.

NRFA Chief Executive Officer, Wallece Mumba confirmed receiving numerous complaints from members of the public on the bad state of roads on the Copperbelt and assured that roads will be worked on.

Mr. Mumba said people will soon start seeing tangible results on the ground and able to realise the benefits of the money they spend on toll fees.

Mr. Mumba said in Ndola today during a stakeholder meeting called by the Committee on Transport, Works and Supply at Ndola City Council chambers.

And Ndola City Council has called for the introduction of a system that will allow allocation of a certain percentage of toll fees to local authorities to sustain their road maintenance programmes.

NCC Director of Engineering Services, Elias Mwalaba said the local authority has realised it is not meeting the much desired results for road maintenance from funds generated locally.

He said the introduction of the specific revolving fund will enhance the council’s road maintenance programmes.

“From the locally generated funds, we are not meeting the demands for road maintenance. We have the toll gate, but we need a certain percentage to be allocated to road maintenance at the local level,” he said.

And Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia- PTAZ Secretary General, Benson Tembo called on government to consider suspending toll fees collection on the Copperbelt until such a time when roads are worked on.

” the state of the roads on the Copperbelt poses a danger to tankers besides compromising transportation of goods, so why collect fees when roads continue to be bad. Mr Tembo asked.

Provincial Minister, Elisha Matambo has told the Parliamentary Committee on transport, Works and Supply that called on him today in Ndola that the roads in the province need urgent attention.

Mr. Matambo said despite the province having five toll gates, nothing tangible is coming out to improve the road Infrastructure.

“We have about six toll gates, but several roads are in bad state. Copperbelt was given a raw deal when it comes to roads. Roads are terribly bad in Ndola and the Copperbelt at large,” Mr. Matambo said.

And Committee Chairperson, Mubika Mubika assured stakeholders that the concerns will be submitted to relevant offices for consideration.

Mr. Mubika said the committee is on the Copperbelt to check on the toll gates to see how they are operating and assured that the concerns will be attend to soon.

Meanwhile, Ndola Chamber of Commerce and Industry representative, Vernon Shone said the new dawn administration has inherited a mess in the road sector but should quickly rehabilitate them.

Mr. Shone has attributed the deteriorating of roads to overloading by many truckers and urging the road development agency to up its game where inspection is concerned.

President Hichilema appoints, swears in UPND Chairman Steven Katuka as High Commissioner to Namibia

President Hakainde Hichilema has appointed and sworn in five envoys into the foreign service among them UPND National Chairman Steven Katuka as High Commissioner to Namibia.

Also sworn in is late First President Kenneth Kaunda’s son, Panji Kaunda as High Commissioner to Malawi.

Others are Eunice Luambia as Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Duncan Mulima as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Paulo Posita as Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Speaking after the swearing in ceremony, President Hichilema told the Diplomats to put the interests of the country first and ahead of their personal interests.

President Hichilema said acceptance to serve in government entails that a person must surrender their personal interests and prioritise national interests.

“Your personal interests are subservient to national interests. Our goal is to serve the people of Zambia,” said President Hichilema.

The Head of State said the Envoys deployed to the five jurisdictions comprise freedom fighters and career civil servants, carefully selected in order to serve the country through its diversity.

President Hichilema pointed out that most government officials have forgotten about serving the country and warned that he is monitoring and watching them.

Mr Hichilema said that as leaders, he expects High Commissioners and Ambassadors to unite their staff in the missions and not divide them as they serve the country.

President Hichilema implored the diplomats to familiarise themselves with the UPND manifesto and government’s development agenda in order to push the agenda of economic diplomacy.

The President directed the envoys to accelerate economic and social cooperation between the countries they have been accredited to and Zambia at large.

President Hichilema further challenged the diplomats to ensure that they market Zambia by promoting the country as a safe and best investment destination and creating opportunities for trade.

The Head of State said the Diplomats must ask themselves when they are in their missions as to how many investment opportunities they are creating for Zambia in their jurisdictions.

President Hichilema said he expects Zambia’s new envoys to actualize the many memoranda of understanding Zambia has signed with other countries.

The Head of State directed Mr Katuka to ensure that a memorandum of understanding is signed by June 2022 between Zambia and Namibia for Oil and Gas to lower the cost of energy in the country.

President Hichilema said the Kazungula Bridge must be utilised effectively to harness trade between Zambia and Namibia.

President Hichilema also directed Zambia’s new High Commissioner to Malawi, Panji Kaunda to ensure that the Mwami Border post is commissioned and operationalised to promote trade between the two countries.

The Head of State also directed Zambia’s new Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr Mulima to follow up on the fuel and fertilizer deal.

The President told Mr Mulima to ensure that he makes calls to Saudi Arabia immediately after the swearing in ceremony and facilitate for a Zambian delegation to go to that country and begin to actualize the fuel and fertilizer deal.

Mr Hichilema advised Ambassador Mulima to follow up the investment and business opportunities discussed and identified on his recent trip to the Middle East.

President Hichilema told Ambassador Mulima that Zambia has to start export agro produce to Saudi Arabia as it is a viable market that has not been tapped into by the country.

The Head of State also directed Ambassador Posita to ensure that the MoUs Zambia recently signed with DRC are actualised for the benefit of Zambians.

President Hichilema urged Ambassador Luambia to ensure that she creates linkages with the UN agencies in Geneva such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Trade Organisation (WTO) to support Zambia in their respective mandates for the benefit of Zambians.

And Mr Kaunda said he will ensure that the Mwami Border post is operationalized to facilitate trade and access to Nacala Port.

High Commissioner Katuka said his appointment is a call to service and will ensure that linkages are established to enhance economic cooperation between Zambia and Namibia and that benefits trickle down to ordinary Zambians.

Ambassador Luambia said she will ensure that Zambia maximises benefits from Geneva-based UN agencies in supporting the country’s development agenda.

And Ambassador Mulima said he will ensure that Zambia maximises investment and trade opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

The swearing cin eremony was attended by Vice President Mutale Nalumango, Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Kakubo, Acting Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa and other senior government officials.

Zesco United Striker Winston Kalengo Set To Retire

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Zesco United coach Mumamba Numba has disclosed that Winston Kalengo is retiring and has also given the strongest indication that Kenyan forward Vincent Oburu’s stay at the Ndol club would be extended.

Kalengo is hanging up his boots after a 19-year career that started at Zanaco.

“Winston Kalengo will be retiring, and his focus will primarily be on getting his coaching badges,” Numba said.

Kalengo joined Zesco in 2010 from Zanaco and has gone on to win four league titles with the Ndola club.

Meanwhile, 23-year Oburu who joined in January on a half-a-season deal from AFC Leopards is likely to see his contract extended.

Oburu’s season was cut short weeks after joining Zesco when he sustained an injury in February.

“Oburu is in our plans especially because he did very well in the few games he featured before getting an injury,” Numba said.

And Numba also revealed that Zesco are targeting two areas in the off-season market.

“We will be in the market largely with high hopes of reinforcing the striking department and potentially our defence. The striking force is something we are very much concerned about,” Numba said.

Zesco finished second with a game in hand after losing their FAZ Super League title to Red Arrows.

They close their season this Sunday at home against fifth placed Zanaco who are making a final day push to finish at number four.

Govt cautions against corruption during recruitment of health workers

Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Robert Kamalata has cautioned against engaging in corrupt activities during the recruitment of health workers.

Stressing that those found wanting will be dealt with severely, Mr. Kamalata says that the recruitment exercise should be free and fair regardless of race, religion, political affiliation among others.

ZANIS reports that the Permanent Secretary was speaking during the induction of the Human Resources management subcommittee in Lusaka.

Mr. Kamalata noted that the response from the applicants was overwhelming and the exercise should be treated with seriousness.

The team undertaking the selection of the successful applicants should avoid corruption practices adding that government will not protect offenders.

Mr Kamalata urged the team to be professional and treat every applicant equal regardless of where they belong in society:

And Lusaka Province Health Director Consity Mwale said that the recruitment exercise will address the low staffing levels in province.

Dr. Mwale said that rural health posts in the province have a minimum of one qualified health worker.

He said that the recruitment of the health workers will help cushion the low staff levels in the health facilities:

Mongu Mayor Nyambe Muyumbana calls for prudent utilisation and management of CDF

Newly installed Mongu Mayor Nyambe Muyumbana has called for prudent utilisation and management of the increased Constituency Development Fund for the benefit of the general public.

After his installation at the Mongu Council Offices this week, Mr. Muyumbana, a journalist by profession, said he expects the majority of people to benefit from the up-scaling of CDF from K1.6 Million to K25.7 Million per constituency.

He emphasised that each and every ngwee of the CDF resources will have to be accounted for and there will be strict monitoring on the usage of these development funds.

Mr. Muyumbana further pledged to provide servant-leadership which is people-centred following his recent election on the ruling UPND ticket in a by-election.

“Kaniti lubata kufa likute ku kaufela mina babakopani fa kacenu mane nibabaluteleza mwa maneku kaufela mwa sikiliti sa Mungu. Kibakeng’isa mina, kikabaka la mina, katakazo yakuli lushenye niti amoho, kuli kacenu le lwa shumwenena mushukwe wa ku ba mueteleli wa mulonganyana wa mungu. I would like to repeat, that indeed, the shoes that I am getting into are too big for me. We will need the support and solidarity of each and every citizen of Mongu for us to achieve the goals that saw us cast a vote on the UPND ticket last month. your vote, brothers and sisters, shall not be in vain but a gain for all of us. Thus, we wish to thank ourselves, as the people of Mongu, for electing me as mayor in the recently held by-election,” Mr. Muyumbana said in Lozi and English.

“We wish to state here that we will work at providing servant-leadership; one that is context-specific and people-centred. Our great leader, who is my personal inspiration, His Excellency the president of the republic of Zambia Mr. Hakainde Hichilema has told us that we seek public office: To serve not to be served .To work hard, not to be lazy around. To give, not take to include, not exclude and to unite not divide our leadership shall be an open cheque, with our primary aim being that of ensuring that the living standards of all of us the people of Mongu are enhanced,” Mr. Muyumbana added.

“I further pledge to work closely with the people in order to achieve set goals and bring about the much needed development in Mongu, in line with the UPND manifesto and the well-defined new dawn government policies. I am coming into this office, your office, at a time when the new dawn administration has scored several milestones in terms of moving our people from a state of abject poverty to social economic growth. Yet, we are alive to the fact that our communities still have a wide range of basic needs which require the intervention of the council.”

Mongu Mayor Nyambe Muyumbana
Mongu Mayor Nyambe Muyumbana

Mr. Muyumbana said his office would prioritise the prudent management of CDF monies.

“The provision of quality social services requires a multi-sectoral approach so as to attain the goals and objectives that we have set for ourselves. To this end, councils countrywide, Mongu council inclusive, are orienting key stakeholders on the 2022 CDF guidelines. These stakeholders include ward development committees (WDCs), CDF committee members, zonal representatives and civil society organisations. We expect the majority of our people to benefit from the up-scaling of CDF which was k1.6million previously and now raised to k25.7million per constituency, in line with the decentralization agenda,” he said.

Mr. Muyumbana concluded:”In this vein, the prudent management of these CDF monies will be top priority on our agenda in that mayoral office. It will no longer be business as usual. Each and every ngwee of the CDF resources will have to be accounted for and there will be strict monitoring on the usage of these development funds. Join us in the fight against corruption by reporting any unusual utilisation of CDF, because public funds belong to all of us, not to a few individuals.”

Detentions without bond

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By Isaac Mwanza

Police bond is, among other reasons, usually denied to people who are flight risks but the courts would not deny bail for bailable offences unless a compelling reason has been provided to show the person will jump bail.

When His Excellency, President Hichilema announced, during his first press briefing, that denying people bond or bail will be a thing of the past in this regime, the public felt he made a serious policy pronouncement and the country was going to see some significant change with the manner suspects are handled.

But does the President really know that the opposite of what he wanted to see for Zambia is happening? From the look of things, the ACC is now competing with and trying to outdo the ZP in making it difficult for people, especially for those who are politically aligned, to get bonded. They are all in that period of impress the new administration or prove a point that we are the good guys to the new dawn?

For the police, the practice of denying people bond can be understood: since colonial times, police officers have worked under instructions from politicians and the training of junior officers who daily interface with the public is very short as compared to training ACC and DEC undergo.

An example of a politically motivated instruction and charging was the arrest of Mr Hichilema himself. We know from that leaked audio how the then Police IG was instructed to arrest and given some leads as to what the charge should be.

The Commissions are nevertheless involved in investigating white collar crimes among those who allegedly wear white collars. Usually, people they investigate, like Chitotela and Lusambo, are not flight risks. They have lots of investments made and appear determined to defend their investment or the country benefits if everything is seized and forfeited to the State.

There was thus no need for ACC to be dramatic by going to Kawambwa to ferry Chitotela or to deny both Chitotela and Bowman bond if they really have a good case to make in court. ACC simply used old terror-instilling methods which the President is against.

What ACC must be more concerned with is not a temporal appeasement of politicians and a section of the public but the end game of each case. My instincts tells me that the ACC feels that when they lock up people, deny them bond or make it hard for suspects who have been given bail to be released, they are seen to be working, regardless of how the cases will end up.

Already, we have been reading on how a good number of accused persons have shown a lack of confidence in the new administrative arrangement at Subcourt where few selected or preferred magistrates have lined up to try them. Then you have these manoeuvres by the Commission of making it hard for persons whom the Court has granted bail to go out. This is not good for the impartiality of the criminal justice system.

I think a distinction must be seen in the manner Commissions handle suspects and in the manner the police have been and continue to do so. For the police, it is really understandable, looking at their history and training.

Today, President Bally just need to undertake a random visit to any police holding cells and see how many people are incarcerated, denied bond and indefinitely languish in congested holding cells and prisons on minor offences without even smelling a court room.

It appears detentions without bond has become a uniform tool for LEAs to help politicians punish each other.

Copperbelt Province records 88 maternal deaths in 4 months

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The Copperbelt Province has recorded 88 maternal deaths in the last four months, Provincial Permanent Secretary, Augustine Kasongo, has disclosed.

Mr. Kasongo said this translates into a ratio of 128 per 100,000 live births hence the need to work extra hard to reduce this mortality ratio to less than 100 per 100,000 live births.

He said the government was working on interventions to ensure that the country trains, deploys and retains midwifery professionals to avert maternal deaths.

“The government believes that failure to invest in midwifery implies failure to address maternal and neonatal mortality,” he said.

Mr. Kasongo said the available global data indicates that a well-supported midwifery and family planning interventions can avert a total of 83 percent of all maternal deaths, stillbirths and neonatal deaths.

Mr. Kasongo said the government is committed to addressing the challenges in the health service delivery hence it is employing over 11,000 health workers in the country.

He added that the government is also committed to ensuring that human rights in childbirth are respected to enable women to have access to maternal health.

Mr. Kasongo said this when he officiated at the Copperbelt Province commemoration of the international midwifery day in Luanshya yesterday.

The day was celebrated under the theme “100 years of progress”.

And Midwifery Association of Zambia Copperbelt Acting Chairperson, Major Mweemba, challenged midwives to take a lead in reducing maternal and neonatal deaths.

Mr. Mweemba observed that the statistic of 88 maternal deaths recorded in the province in the last four months was unacceptably high.

“That is too many as birthing is not an illness, not one woman should die during childbirth hence the need for midwives to take centre stage in this fight,” he said.

He further implored the government to increase the number of midwives in the recruitment of health workers to address the current deficit and avert maternal deaths.

He added that the deficit has compromised the quality of care and service delivery in maternal health.

Meanwhile, -Government is working on interventions that will ensure that the country trains, deploys and retains midwifery professionals, Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary, Augustine Kasongo, has disclosed.

Mr. Kasongo said the government is alive to the ever increasing demand for midwifery services in the country hence the midwife/clients ratio should be improved.

He said not investing in midwifery implies failure to address maternal and neonatal mortality in the country.

Mr. Kasongo was speaking in Luanshya yesterday when he officiated at the commemoration of the international day of the midwife.

He disclosed that available data indicates that a well-supported midwifery can avert a total of 83 percent of maternal deaths, stillbirths and neonatal deaths.

“As a province, we recorded 88 maternal deaths in the first quarter this year, translating into a ratio of 128/100,000 live births.

He pointed out that the government is strengthening the health system in order to address the current and future challenges by employing over 11,000 health workers countrywide.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kasongo has commended the Midwives Association of Zambia (MAZ) for their strong partnerships and for mobilising resources to train midwives in essential competences.

He has however challenged the Ministry of Health to ensure that no woman loses a life while giving birth.

He said newly born babies should also be given a healthy start.

This year’s midwives day was being commemorated under the theme “100 years of progress”.

And Midwives Association of Zambia (MAZ) Copperbelt Province Acting Chairperson, Major Mweemba, has appealed to the government to deploy more midwives to rural health facilities if the country is to reduce maternal mortality rates.

Mr. Mweemba noted that many midwives that are deployed to rural areas are burning out because they are overwhelmed due to the high number of clients.

Improper nutrition cause of malnutrition in Lusaka-Civic leader

Mwembeshi Ward Councillor, Crispin Kabole, has said the continued problem of malnutrition among children in the area was due to lack of access to proper nutrition among households.

Speaking during a sensitisation meeting in Matero ahead of the Scaling Up Nutrition First 1,000 Most Critical Days II Programme Midline Survey slated for this month, Mr. Kabole said poor nutrition in communities is as a result of lack of income among many families.

He observed that this economic situation is contributing to stunting in Lusaka.

He however expressed confidence that the midline survey will assist the government and its partners on how best to improve nutrition status on individuals in the community, especially women and children.

And National Food and Nutrition Commission Provincial Nutrition Support Coordinator, Fanwel Kabbila, said government remains committed to fighting malnutrition in Lusaka.

Mr. Kabbila said this is why various interventions and initiatives such as the Midline Survey among others, has been put in place.

He stated that tackling the challenge of malnutrition requires coordinated and concerted efforts from different stakeholders.

The objectives of the midline survey is to assess progress of the SUN II programme addressing under nutrition which includes stunting, wasting and underweight among children under two years of age from the baseline conducted in 2019.

The study will be conducted from May to July 2022 targeting 250 households in 10 wards of Lusaka district.

The wards include Mwembeshi, Muchinga, Nkoloma, Kamwala ward 10, Roma, Justine Kabwe, Mtendere, Kanyama, Harry Mwaanga and Munkolo.

Ministry of Land issues over 26,000 certificates of title to land owners

The Ministry of Land and Natural Resources has disclosed that it has far issued over 26,000 certificates of title to land owners under national land titling programme.

Government in 2018 embarked on a national land titling programme aimed at improving land tenure security and increasing transparency in land allocation.

The national land titling programme involves a systematic registration of all property in the country in order to provide security of tenure to property owners.

Speaking during the certificate of title handover ceremony in Lusaka on Thursday, Ministry of Lands permanent secretary Daphne Chabu said the ministry has approved the electronic signature developed by Medici land governance for land owners to get certificate and title for their land.

Mrs Chabu said that the use of the electronic signature will expedite the issuance of offer letters and certificates of title that will enable them to reach their target of issuing 4 million titles deeds to land owners by 2027.

“There will be a quick turnaround in the titling Programme with the use of E-signature which is a great milestone in the production and storage of land records,” she said.

Mrs Chabu said the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources will continue to explore ways in which they can leverage technology to increase efficiency in the Titling process.

Speaking at the same event, Medici Land Governance CEO Ali El Husseini said a title deed is an investment in the future generation.

“It’s empowerment and unlocking capital from your property. Paying for the title will have long term effects on all of Zambia,” he said.

In the past some people have expressed their concerns over the pace at which the national land titling programme was moving.

Some stakeholders say this process needs to be expedited so that all those that own land can start enjoying the full benefits.