Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS) Commissioner-General, Fredrick Chilukutu, has revealed that the correctional institution has suspended 12 officers for corrupt-related offences.

Mr Chilukutu said the institution, instituted an inquiry, especially in the recruitment process, which has been concluded and has revealed some elements that the officers misconducted themselves.

He said the correctional organisation has taken drastic measures and that so far 12 officers have been suspended for corrupt practices.

“It is interesting to learn that members of the public can go and expose themselves through paying officers to have their people recruited.

That is being an accomplice in a corrupt matter or practice. It calls for those members of the public to be found and arrested because that is aiding corruption,” Mr Chilukutu said.

The Commissioner-General noted that the institution is currently reviewing the cases and has warned that if the evidence will be overwhelming, the affected officers will be dismissed from the service.

He disclosed that the institution has interacted with relevant authorities, including the police and is presently looking for those members of the public so that such behaviours are discontinued.

“We have instituted an inquiry which has come to conclusion and have found elements from among us that misconducted themselves and collaborated with the members of the public. We are taking very drastic measures and so far we have suspended 12 officers.

We are reviewing their cases and when we have concluded and found that evidence is overwhelming, they will definitely be dismissed,” he said.

And Mr Chilukutu has described the Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility murders that shocked the nation last year, as the lowest point in the history of the reformatory institution.

Mr Chilukutu said the institution did what was supposed to be done under the circumstances and as far as the system was concerned, one of the suspect inmates portrayed all the good traits of a well-behaved and well-reformed inmate.

“We did not know his heart was something else. I think we say we mourn with our citizens over what transpired. It is still a very sad occurrence and very disturbing even to talk about it,” Mr Chilukutu said.

He, however, said that measures have been instituted to discipline erring officers who were at the formation where the inmate was domiciled at the time of the crime.

Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility came into the public eye last year following a series of murders that were committed by allegedly serving inmates and is currently the case in the courts of law for trial.

Meanwhile, ZCS Commission Chairperson, Evaristo Kalonga, notes that the law will take its course against officers associated with the Mukobeko Maximum facility murder saga.

Mr Kalonga said what happened at the country’s biggest correctional facility is crime and officers involved must be disciplined.

“Officers involved in the Mukobeko Maximum Correctional facility murder saga, the law will take its course. What happened at the highest security facility was criminal and such officers need to be disciplined,” Mr Kalonga said.

The ZCS Commission Chairperson, who was responding to the media, explained that discipline has many facets that include dismissal from service and demotion in rank among others, depending on the gravity of the case.

Mr Kalonga has also said the institution will not entertain corrupt acts and engage in partisan politics among the correctional officers.

He has since announced that an audit will be carried out to ascertain the allegations that some officers who could have graduated from Nyango Training School did not have the requisite qualifications or maybe corruption was involved.

President Hakainde Hichilema has directed the Copperbelt provincial administration to ensure desks are bought in all schools in the province.

President Hichilema says children cannot continue sitting on the floor while learning. He says money has already been released for the purchase of the desks.

The President says the introduction of the free education policy has led to an increase in the number of pupils in schools, hence the need for the pupils to be taken care of.

He was speaking on arrival at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola today.
The President told the crowd that welcomed him that he is on the Copperbelt to thank the people for the massive support in last year’s general election.

And, Copperbelt UPND Provincial Chairperson Elisha Matambo said the people in the region are delighted that the President has fulfilled his promise of thanking them for voting the UPND.
Mr. Matambo also said people on the Copperbelt are highly expectant and happy of the planned setting up of the electric batteries plant in the region.

President Hichilema is on the Copperbelt, for a 3-day working visit.

The plane carrying President Hichilema arrived at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport at about 10.54 hours this morning.

The President is expected to hold several engagements with different stakeholders on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema is expected to visit Ndola, Kitwe, Chingola, Chililabombwe and Mufulira.
He will return to Lusaka on Sunday, June 12, 2022, after concluding his programmes.

The Ministry of Agriculture has trained over 120 women in Kanyama township of Lusaka in sack gardening of various nutritious vegetables as part of its interventions to fight malnutrition in the area.

Lusaka District Agriculture Coordinator, Aswell Chewe says the beneficiaries are being empowered with knowledge, skills and inputs to produce vegetables in their back gardens.

Mr Chewe said the fight against malnutrition is targeting the most vulnerable households to promote the growth of vegetables such as pumpkin leaves, spinach, mustard, beetroots and carrots.

He said backyard gardens have played an important role for many years in contributing to food and nutrition security.

“Food production even on small plots or even in sacks adjacent to houses is the oldest and most enduring form of cultivation,” he said.

Mr Chewe said the department is reaching out to over 1,000 vulnerable homes out of the 30,000 targeted households this quarter.

And Provincial Nutrition Support Coordinator, Fanwell Kabila said the Scaling Up Nutrition Project, has brought various stakeholders and line ministries together to get involved in the fight against malnutrition.

Mr Kabbila disclosed that the district is targeting 314,914 beneficiaries who are intended to be reached with several interventions to fight, prevent, and reduce malnutrition.

He said the over 120 empowered women in vegetable gardening in Kanyama are part of the most vulnerable households who are being targeted with interventions to do with agriculture, fisheries, and livestock.

And Lusaka District Commissioner (DC), Rosa Zulu said the government remains committed to fighting malnutrition in the area.

Mrs Zulu said this is why various cooperating partners and government line ministries are working tirelessly to implement various interventions and initiatives such as backyard gardening and others.

She implored beneficiaries to take the opportunity availed to them seriously in order to support the efforts government and partners are making to reduce malnutrition in the district.

Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE) Permanent Secretary Mr. John Msimuko has assured JICA of Government support in the implementation of the Banana Paper Project, where banana stems are turned into paper.

According to a statement released to the media by Mr Chibaula Silwamba, Communications Officer at the Ministry Of Green Economy And Environment, One Planet Café, which has its headquarters in Japan, is implementing the Banana Paper Project in Mfuwe in Mambwe District, and expanding to Nyimba District, both in Eastern Province.

The Banana Paper Project purchases banana stems from small scale farmers and produce pulp that is exported to Japan and Europe to manufacture high grade paper.

Mr. Msimuko was speaking when One Planet Café Chief Executive Officer Ms. Satoko Ekberg, Director/Sustainability Producer Mr. Peo Ekberg, JICA Project Formulation Adviser Mr. Ishida Masa and JICA Programme Officer for Education and Private Development Sector Mr. Nyambe Nambayo recently paid a courtesy call on him and presented a brief about the Banana Paper Project.

Mr. Msimuko noted that the environmentally and socially friendly Project will be helpful in poverty reduction and economic empowerment while preserving the environment.

Mr. Msimuko noted that the Project fits well with the Government commitment to green the economy and positively transform the wellbeing of the people.

The Permanent Secretary said the Ministry of Green Economy will galvanise the support of other ministries and entities to support the Banana Paper Project.
And Ms. Ekberg said the Project is expected to have positive impact on the lives of the people in Mfuwe. She said the Banana Paper Project will help increase income levels, skills and knowledge of agriculture, and decrease poverty among participating small scale farmers.

Ms. Ekberg said the Project will further contribute to increase in production of eco-friendly organic bananas in Mfuwe and Nyimba Districts. She said the Project might be expanded to other parts of Zambia in future.

Meanwhile, Mr Masa said JICA was pleased with MGEE support towards the Banana Paper Project.

President Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia is committed to maintaining its reputation as an advocate for a peaceful resolution of disputes, in various affected countries worldwide.

Speaking at State House this afternoon when Russian envoy, Azim Yarakhmedov called on him, President Hichilema said the country has since independence used dialogue to resolve differences with other countries worldwide, adding that his government will always advocate for peace, in line with the United Nations.

ZANIS reports that the President explained that countries should always use peace and dialogue in resolving disputes, adding that doing so fosters peace, development and job creation for the country.

“Zambia wishes to cooperate with all nations in the world, in keeping our world peaceful and stable, focusing on development.

As mentioned earlier, investment, trade and fighting poverty, creating jobs for our people, and looking after the disadvantaged communities, is a very important aspect for us as a nation,” he said.

Mr Hichilema also thanked Russia for hosting Zambian citizens and students alike in their country.

“We also wish to express our appreciation to the Russian Federation basically for taking care of Zambians living there, including students who are studying in Russia,” he added.

And President Hichilema reiterated his government’s economic diplomacy agenda.

“We reiterate our new government’s position that a lot of our relationships and foreign policy will be anchored on economic diplomacy, trade, investment and economy,” the President stressed.

And Russian Ambassador to Zambia Azim Yarakhmedov said the two countries have enjoyed good bilateral relations for a long time.

Mr. Yarakhmedov who spoke through an interpreter, said his country is committed to enhancing cooperation in tourism, mining and agriculture sectors.

The duo thereafter held a closed-door meeting to discuss mutual issues.

The government says it is providing support to farmers with seeds to grow their own pasture as a way to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Mpika District Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator Simon Phiri says the Enhanced Small Holder Livestock (E-SLIP) program is aimed at improving smallholder livestock production and productivity in most parts of the country.

Mr. Phiri says the availability of natural pasture in Mpika Town is dependent on the time of year adding that the program pioneered the livestock pasture development program where farmers are supported with seed.

Fisheries and Livestock coordinator was speaking in an interview shortly after Mpika District Commissioner David Siame witnessed pasture growing in Chipundu area.

“The programme presents farmers with an opportunity to grow their own nutritious feed to feed their animals and this enhances the nutrition levels for the animals.

“ This seed is to help farmers grow their own pasture to supplement the nutrition of animals especially during the dry periods of the year,” said Mr. Phiri.

The Pasture Development programme is very important as it helps mitigate the effects of climate change which have impacted on the range under which natural pasture can occur.

“Better fed animals are better protected from diseases and any other optimistic helmets that may render them unhealthy,” he said.

And Mpika District Commissioner David Siame says he is happy that the farmers in Chipundu have been taking good care of their livestock.

Advising that farmers should continue to take care of the livestock so that the program is passed on to others, Mr Siame added that government is committed to ensuring that livestock farmers are well trained for the benefit of ensuring healthy animals for the market.

“Am happy to witness the training of pasture growing, let us take this seriously and ensure that we take good care of our animals so that they are healthy.

“ Farming is a business which will not only provide the farmers with an income but help improve nutrition levels in their homes, “ said Mr. Siame.

Meanwhile, Emilio Kafula, a Chipundu Farmer says the pass-on program has helped change his living standards as he now has Eight (8) cows.

Mr. Kafula says he received two cows through the program and now has eight.

“There are a lot of benefits in keeping cows that produce milk, these cows have helped change my living standards,” said Mr. Kafula.

He has since thanked government for the pass on program and the training being received in pasture growing which will help them with pasture during the dry season.

100 877 Teachers have applied to be recruited against the 30,000 teachers to be recruited in the ongoing teachers’ recruitment exercise.

Delivering a ministerial statement in parliament this afternoon Minister of Education Douglas Syakalima revealed that the central province received the highest number of applications with 17,513 followed by Copperbelt with 14,114.

Mr Syakalima said Muchinga and Lusaka received the lowest number of applications with 5,977 and 5,318 respectively.

And the minister has disclosed that the district human resource management committees mandated to recruit the teachers in the respective districts under the decentralized model screened, shortlisted and selected suitable candidates according to the needs of the district and submitted to the provincial human resource management committees for validation and consolidation.

He has further indicated that the provincial human resource management committees, in turn, submitted to the teaching service commission for the technical committee at national level to subsequently undertake the national consolidation and verification.

Mr Syakalima has disclosed that the government has allocated one billion nine hundred ninety-four million eight hundred seventeen thousand six hundred kwacha in the 2022 national budget in order to make the whole exercise of teacher recruitment possible.

He says the allocation has gone a long way in making it possible for the ministry to undertake the exercise which will improve the teacher-pupil ratio and enhance the quality of education.

He revealed that the average teacher-pupil ratio stands at 1to 58 for primary and 1to 38 for secondary schools against the required standard teacher-pupil ratio of 1 to 45 and 1 to 35 at primary and secondary school levels respectively.

An Alliance of Trade Unions and Civil Society Organizations (ATCS) in Central province has formed a joint action group to protect the democratic civic space, freedom of association and freedom of information in the country.

Speaking during a joint press briefing in Kabwe, ATCS Consultant Kalungu Sampa said the alliance has come up with such a strategy after realising that fighting for democratic space demands a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approach.

Mr Sampa observed that the alliance between Trade Unions and CSOs in Central province will provide a viable platform to improve collaborative actions towards enhancing democratic civic space and freedoms of citizens from all walks of life.

“As an alliance, we have pledged to work together to promote democratic civic space and human rights, enhance freedoms and justice, free from intimidation and suppression and violence by the powers that be,” Mr Sampa said.

He stated that the alliance has resolved to put premium priority towards civic education on key matters of concern such as Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Access to Information law (ATI), and corruption, in order to enhance active participation and involvement of citizens in civic matters.

Mr. Sampa added that the alliance will utilize digital technology, social media and creative arts among other available channels and tools, to carry out civic education for citizens.

Meanwhile, Alliance Chairperson Paul Mwansa explained that the organisation will also advocate for speedy legislative reforms especially on the Access to Information (ATI) law, media freedoms and the Public Order Act (POA) among others, in order to enhance freedom of information, speech and association.

Mr. Mwansa stated that mutual collaboration and respect between the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), CSOs and government will be promoted while monitoring the effectiveness of implementing the existing democratic laws will continue.

“As an alliance of Trade Unions and CSOs in the central province, we remain committed to promoting and supporting progressive policies, legislation and action taken by government and any other stakeholders while at the same time will stand firm and hard against that which will demean and reduce the tenets of democracy and freedoms of individuals and institutions,” Mr. Mwansa said.