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Catholic Bishop calls on members to take the COVID 19 vaccinations seriously.

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Catholic Bishop calls on members to take the COVID 19 vaccinations seriously.

Kabwe Catholic Diocese Bishop, Clement Mulenga, has urged church members and priests to reflect and take the COVID 19 vaccinations seriously.

Bishop Mulenga says the viral disease has emerged as a global threat to humanity adding that church members and the priests should seriously consider taking the COVID 19 vaccines ahead of the anticipated fourth wave of the deadly viral disease.

Speaking after Sunday church service at Sacred Heart Parish in Kabwe, Bishop Mulenga said the COVID 19 pandemic has adversely impacted communities globally including the Catholic Church.

He revealed that the Zambia Council of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) held a meeting with President Hakainde Hichilema last week in Lusaka and one issue which came out strongly among the several issues discussed was the COVID 19 challenge.

He said the head of state during the meeting with the bishops disclosed that so far a paltry seven per cent of the country’s population have been fully vaccinated.

“We held a meeting with the head of state where we discussed diverse issues for three hours last week. But one issue that came out, out of the many, is the issue the father and the parish chairperson talked about, the reeling effects of the COVID 19 pandemic,” Bishop Mulenga said.

He said President Hichilema’s dream is to have 70 per cent of the country’s population being vaccinated to achieve immunity before the anticipated fourth wave.

“We told him (the president) that all of us bishops are vaccinated. As I stand here, I took both jabs. I took the last one in July. I got my first jab in May. It’s not that I don’t love my life, I love my life so much. Yes! Because I love it, that’s why I received the jabs. I wasn’t for the jabs but since it touches on life, that’s why I went to Lusaka to get the first jab. I got the second jab here at Mahatma Gandhi,” he said.

He has encouraged members of the Catholic Church and priests who are still in doubt and unvaccinated to take the jab stressing that there is every chance to survive for the vaccinated than the unvaccinated.

The Patriarch said he is not imposing but just impressing among his flock for their own good, the good of the family and the community at large.

“You have every chance to survive if you are vaccinated rather than taking the vaccine when you are already sick. Time is now, that’s why they say, “Make hay while the sun shine”. Waiting for tomorrow will be too late,” he stressed.

“We hear so many rumours surrounding the vaccine. Yes! So many rumours. But if these rumours were genuine the entire global family could not agree to commune of the vaccines,” Bishop Mulenga added.

Speaking earlier, Sacred Heart Parish Administrator, Edwin Mwale, urged the congregants to take stock of their sitting partners.

Fr Mwale observed that some members of the church were no more because they succumbed to the deadly viral disease.

He said the COVID 19 challenge is real and members of the Catholic Church faith should adopt precautionary measures in the wake of the anticipated fourth wave.

Sacred Heart Parish Chairperson, Judith Lungu, earlier announced that the church administration had invited the Ministry of Health staff to come and administer vaccines to willing congregants.

Dr Lungu, however, said people should do so out of their own volition.

During the service 22 members received the sacrament of confirmation into the Catholic Church while four were received back after a period of separation.

Erratic water supply hit CB health centres

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Erratic water supply hit CB health centres

The Copperbelt Provincial Health Office has expressed concern at the continued erratic water supply in many health centres across the province.

Provincial Chief Environmental Officer, Christine Mulesu said during the Epidemic Preparedness committee meeting in Ndola that water supply in most health centres is intermittent.

Ms. Mulesu said it is of great concern that most of the health facilities on the Copperbelt are lacking basic water services, a situation she said should be addressed immediately.

Ms. Mulesu also expressed concern at the high turbidity of water in some districts, especially in Kalulushi.

“It’s noted with great concern the intermittent supply of water in our health centres across the province. We did engage the water utility companies namely; Kafubu,Mulonga and Nkana on the matter, but they have not responded yet,” Ms. Mulesu said.

She explained that research has indicated that there is a high number of particles in the water supplied.

Ms. Mulesu further explained that water utilities have been engaged on the matter but no positive feedback has been given yet.

And in response to the concern, over of water supply Kafubu Water and Sanitation Director of Engineering, Bernard Phiri said the quality of water being supplied by the utility company is safe for consumption.

Mr. Phiri said the water utility company has put parameters in place such as chlorine residue and bacteria adaptability to ensure safety of water.

Mr. Phiri said the situation regarding intermittent water supply will soon improve as soon as the US $450 million Kafulafuta Water Supply System in Masaiti is done.

“We may not be able to supply the commodity on a 24 hour basis in some areas, but I can assure you that on average we are supplying most of the areas on a 24 hour basis,” Mr.. Phiri said.

He said currently, the water utility company is supplying water on an average of 22 hours per day though some areas are yet to.

The public order Act is very bad law which must be done away, repealed and NOT amended

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The public order Act is very bad law which must be done away, repealed and NOT amended

By Fred M’membe

There is a role for the government in keeping people safe from actual criminals. But some of our laws, like the public order Act, don’t keep people safe. The public order Act punishes peaceful meetings, protests, demonstrations or rallies and other activities unlikely to be performed with criminal intent.

The absence of criminal intent should be taken more seriously by our politicians, legislators and other leaders. With a law like the public order Act which punishes you without you having intent to commit a crime on our statute books, the old adage that “ignorance of the law is no excuse” no longer makes sense. Therefore, government should regularly repeal laws, like the public order Act, we no longer need. Although there are some exceptions, criminal intent or mens rea is an essential element of most crimes. Under the common law, all crimes consisted of an act carried out with a guilty mind. In modern society, criminal intent can be the basis for fault, and punishment according to intent is a core premise of criminal justice.

Crimes that have an “evil” intent are malum in se and subject the defendant to the most severe punishment. Crimes that lack the intent element are less common and are usually graded lower, as either misdemeanors or infractions. Malice aforethought is a special common-law intent designated for only one crime: murder. The definition of malice aforethought is “intent to kill.” Society considers intent to kill the most evil of all intents, so malice aforethought crimes generally mandate the most severe of punishments, including the death penalty in jurisdictions that allow for it.

To be charged under the public order Act there has been no consideration for criminal intent.

Criminal intent is a necessary component of a “conventional” crime and involves a conscious decision on the part of one party to injure or deprive another. It is one of three categories of “mens rea,” the basis for the establishment of guilt in a criminal case. There are multiple shades of criminal intent that may be applied in situations ranging from outright premeditation to spontaneous action.

It is possible to establish criminal intent even when a crime is not premeditated. Individuals who commit a crime spontaneously may still understand that their actions will cause harm to another party and contravene existing criminal law. In other words, an individual that takes or withholds action with the knowledge that such behaviour will lead to the commission of a crime can be said to possess criminal intent.

Clearly, whichever angle one looks at, the public order Act is very bad law which must be done away, repealed and not amended.

189 unemployed doctors hold a peaceful protest demanding government employs them

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189 unemployed doctors hold a peaceful protest demanding government employs them

189 unemployed doctors in Kitwe yesterday held a peaceful protest demanding that government employs them and have issued a 1 week ultimatum to the ministry of health to employ them failure to which they will match to statehouse.

The few that were available to protest on behalf of the other unemployed doctors who are in other parts of the country as far as Livingstone, matched from Kitwe teaching hospital to ZNBC Kitwe studios to air their grievances.

And representative of the unemployed doctors Wallace Ndumba says the 189 feel neglected by the government which had assured them of employment through the 2021 national budget and that the group wrote to the minister of health Sylvia Masebo who has not responded to their plea.

The doctors, who graduated in 2019 and 2020 from numerous institutions and hail from various parts of Zambia, are hopeful that President Hakainde Hichilema can intervene in the matter for them to be employed as promised by the previous regime over a year ago.

And a check by phoenix news at ministry of health headquarters in Lusaka found a Dr Fines Kamanda staging a one-man protest demanding that government honors its promise of employing about 500 doctors before the end of 2021.

In the recently proposed 2022 national budget, finance minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane announced that government will employ in excess of 11,000 health workers.

Beston Chambeshi Plots For Tunisia’s Scalp

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Chipolopolo coach Beston Chambeshi says he has a plan for hosts Tunisia in Tuesdays final 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup Group B qualifier away in Rades.

Zambia head into the match on a high following a 4-0 home win over bottom of the table Mauritania on November 13 at home in Lusaka.

Chipolopolo stayed third on 7 points but are now three points behind leaders Tunisia who are tied on 10 points with second positioned Equatorial Guinea who beat them 1-0 away in Malabo on November 13.

“So far so good and we have no injuries which is good for the team,” Chambeshi said.

“One good thing is that it will be an open game so we have nothing to fear.

“All that we need is to handle them well and make sure we attack because this game is not about a draw but we also have to be cautious in defence but the only way to defend again is to attack.”

Chambeshi added that Zambia are recharged after taking a grueling flight from Lusaka immediately after beating Mauritania on Saturday to Tunisia via Dubai and arriving in Tunis at lunchtime on Sunday.

UPND Government will not dish out money to political party cadres – Vice President

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UPND Government will not dish out money to political party cadres – Vice President

Vice President W.K.Mutale Nalumango says Government will not dish out money to political party cadres but instead encourage skills development among youths.

Mrs Nalumango says the UPND government will not follow the path of stealing to appease a clique of people but encourage work for the good of all.

Speaking to UPND cadres after she inspected the drainages under construction in Kanyama constituency in Lusaka this afternoon, Mrs Nalumango said the youths should invest in skills development and take advantage of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) which will be increased and decentralized in the 2022 budget.

“You should acquire skills so that you can take advantage of the projects that will come under CDF. As you are aware, the new dawn administration is focusing on job creation, with the necessary support, you can become employers,” She said.

And Mrs Nalumango cautioned the cadres to avoid demanding for public service workers to be fired to create jobs for them but that they should look for proper avenues to get jobs.

“You should not demand that they should be chased but develop yourselves. Though I must state, that some of them will go,” She noted.

The Vice President observed that a number of people who have been caught up in the web of corruption and stealing of public resources are accusing the government of staging a witch hunt based on tribe.

“They should not accuse the government of being tribal in the fight against abuse of public resources just because they have been caught wanting,” She stated.

Meanwhile, Water Development and Sanitation Minister, Mike Mposha has sounded a warning to custodians of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) against inflating figures during any procurement process.

Speaking during the handover of a rehabilitated one by three classroom block at Kalingalinga Primary school, Mr Mposha who is also Munali Member of Parliament says he will not condone such vices.

The Minister said he noted a trend where procurement figures were previously being inflated.

He said the cost of a number of projects does not tally with real figures.

“When we advertise a tender, we expect those who are tendering not to connive with our officials and begin to inflate the cost of the project but to tender at a right price and deliver at the right price,” he said.

And the Minister reiterated the New Dawn’s administration’s resolve to improve the learning conditions in schools.

Mr Mposha encouraged the school to guard the facility jealousy.

And Kalingalinga Primary School Head teacher Habuya Mwambela expressed excitement for the gesture.

Mrs Mwambela also called on government to consider building a hall for the institution.

FAZ WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP WRAP: Holders Buffaloes Home in on League Crown

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Green Buffaloes have marched towards defending their FAZ Women’s Super League title after opening an eight-point lead with four matches left this season.

Buffaloes just need a win in their last three matches to scoop the league title.

The Zambia Army side moved closer to defending the league after thumping ZISD 3-1 in their Week 23 match at the weekend.

Theresa Chewe, Natasha Nanyangwe and Joana Benai were the scorers for Buffaloes with Lydia Shamalima netting ZISD’s consolation goal.

Buffaloes have 56 points, eight above second placed Red Arrows, as at Week 23.

Second placed Arrows remained in the title race following a 2-1 win over former [pullquote[/pullquote]pacesetters Zesco Ndola Girls in Lusaka.

Third placed Zesco and Arrows are tied on 48 points each.

Meanwhile, Indeni Roses thrashed Mufulira Wanderers 6-0 at home in Ndola.

Natasha Kapombo scored a hat-trick with veteran striker Noria Sosala registering a brace and Shepolopolo forward Esther Mukwasa contributed a goal.


FAZ Women’s Super League – Week 23 Results

BUSA Queens 0-1 National Assembly

Lusaka Dynamos Ladies 1-1 YASA Queens

Police Dove Queens 1-0 Nkana Queens

Queens Academy 0-0 Nkwazi Queens

Red Arrows 2-1 ZESCO Ndola Girls

ZISD 1-3 Green Buffaloes

Indeni Roses 6-0 Mufulira Wanderers


Table (Top 8)

1. Green Buffaloes 56 Points

2. Red Arrows 48 P

3. Zesco Utd 48 P

4. Lusaka Dynamos 45 P

5. Indeni Roses 43 P

6. YSA 34 P

7. Bauleni United 31 P

8. Nkwazi 29 P

DIV 1 WRAP: Napsa Stars Open 3 Point Lead

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DIV 1 WRAP: Napsa Stars Open 3 Point Lead

Napsa Stars have opened a three point lead at the top of the FAZ National Division 1 table after edging Jumulo 2-1 away in Kitwe on Sunday.

Napsa came from behind to overcome the ambitious Jumulo side at Garden Park Stadium.

Jumulo took a 57th minute lead when Muleta Mubiana converted from the spot.

Austin Banda equalised six minutes later with Luka Banda scoring the winner five minutes away from time as Napsa posted their second straight win.

Napsa have 23 points after playing 11 matches.

Second placed Trident moved to 20 points following a 1-1 home draw against Young Green Buffaloes in Kalumbila.

Lumwana Radiants are third on 19 points after beating Young Green Eagles 2-1 at home in the North Western Province.

Kitwe United returned to winning ways after three consecutive when beating Livingstone Pirates 2-1 in the Tourist Capital.

Chinkalika, who have a game in hand, are fourth on the table with 18 points after playing 10 matches.

At Shinde Stadium, Mighty Mufulira Wanderers ended a three match win-less run to thump Police College 2-0.

Maxwell Mabenga and Joseph Mumbi were the scorers in this Week 11 encounter.

Thirteen placed Mighty have 12 points from 11 matches played.

FAZ National Division 1 – Week 11 Results

Lumwana Radiants 2-1 Young Green Eagles

Jumulo 1-2 Napsa Stars

MUZA 2-0 Luapula Green Eagles

KYSA 0-0 ZESCO Malaiti Rangers

Mufulira Wanderers 2-0 Police College

Livingstone Pirates 1-2 Kitwe United

Quattro Kalumbila 1-1 Gomes

Nchanga Rangers 0-0 City of Lusaka

Trident 1-1 Young Green Buffaloes


Table (Top 8)

1. Napsa 23 Points

2. Trident 20 P

3. Lumwana 19 P

4. Kitwe 18 P

5. City 18 P

6. MUZA 17 P

7. Nchanga 15 P

8. Young Buffaloes 15 P

UPND cadres protest against the appointment of the New Kapiri Mposhi DC

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UPND cadres protest against the appointment of the New Kapiri Mposhi DC

The appointment of Francis Hasalama as incoming Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner has hit a snag after United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres protested against the appointment.

Led by Kapiri Constituency Information and Publicity Secretary, Chisanga Kalonde, the cadres have rejected the appointment of Mr. Hasalama on the basis that he is not a resident of Kapiri Mposhi.

The youths who thronged the District Commissioner’s office mid-morning today to air their grievance demanded that there is need to appoint a local person who they said would better understand challenges in the districts.

Ms Chisanga who spoke for the youths demanded that President Hakainde Hichilema reconsiders the appointment of Mr. Hasalama and replace him with a local person as DC for Kapiri Mposhi.

She says youths in the party have since prepared a petition to party structures at District, Provincial, National and to President Hichilema asking for the appointment of a local person as DC.

But UPND District Publicity Secretary, Samson Simenda has urged the cadres not to undermine the appointing authority of President Hakainde Hichilema.

Mr Simenda says contrary to the position taken by the UPND youths in the district the Party supports the appointment of Mr Hasalama as Kapiri Mposhi DC and does not support the protest by the youths.

He urged the youths to embrace the incoming DC adding that the party in power should support all appointees being made by the President.

He warned of disciplinary action against youths involved in the protest. Recently President Hichilema terminated contracts for all district Commissioners to pave way for new appointments.

A witness testifies how Lusambo hacked him on the head three times using a machete

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A witness testifies how Lusambo hacked him on the head three times using a machete

A witness has testified in the Luanshya Magistrate court on how Kabushi Member of Parliament Bowman Lusambo allegedly hacked him on the forehead and on his head, three times using a machete.

Stanley Musukwa, 58, of 3947/27 Mpatamato Township told the court that as a result of the injury he has since lost sight in the left eye.

This is in the case in which Lusambo is charged with two counts of unlawful wounding and assault occasioning bodily harm contrary to Section 248 Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Lusambo is alleged to have assaulted two members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party Stanley Musukwa and Mary Musonda respectively on April 11, 2019.

Musukwa informed the court that, at the time he was NDC Vice Chairperson of administration and was in the company of six others, returning from delivering food to his party agents in Roan constituency on April 11, 2019 by-election when he met his fate around 04:00 hours in Section 27.

He explained that his team was aboard a Toyota Hilux when they found a Toyota Corolla, a blue big car and a canter blocking the road.

Musukwa said the driver of his car started hooting for the cars to clear the way when six people including the accused person approached the car he was in.

He told the court that Lusambo got into an argument with one of the occupants of the car Obedi Chompo when he jumped out of the van to see what was going on.

The witnesses allegedly stated that it was then that two people held him and started beating him using fists and kicks when Lusambo approached with a machete and struck him on the head twice and once on the forehead affecting his left eye.

Musukwa told the court that he sustained two deep cuts on the head on deep cut on the forehead and a dislocated pupil which were recorded in the medical report form which he submitted as evidence in courts.

He further indicated that as a result of the beating he was admitted to the hospital twice and underwent surgery on the head

The matter has come up for a trial and seven witnesses are scheduled to testify as at 12:20 hours only one witness had taken the stand.

Eastern Province minister calls for establishment recognizable business entities

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Eastern Province minister calls for establishment recognizable business entities

The government has advised youth entrepreneurs to establish recognizable business entities if they are

Increase chances of accessing funds under the newly created Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises.

Eastern Province minister Peter Phiri, says youth entrepreneurs also need to come up with saleable business proposals if the are to access the K 25.7 Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Mr Phiri explains that the new dawn government has increased funding towards empowerment programs to respond to the pressing needs of the youths and less privileged.

In a speech read on his on his behalf by Acting Permanent Secretary Royd Tembo during the second graduation of the Eastern province community skills training program, the minister urged graduants to fully apply themselves and take advantage of the new dawn government’s empowerment opportunities.

“ There are a lot of opportunities for you, as highlighted in the recently presented 2022 national budget. So I advise that you form companies or cooperatives that will allow you apply your skills, and benefit from the national cake,” he advised.

The graduation ceremony saw a cohort of 90 beneficiaries successfully acquire skills in agriculture, bricklaying and tailoring among others, after the first set of 93 graduated last year.

Speaking at the same function, Provincial Principal Community Development Officer Gift Makungu said the skills training program is among the many social protection programs government is implementing to target the less privileged citizens.

“The people trained under this program are only charged a minimal amount as a stimulation of self-responsibility and ownership,” he noted.

He however bemoaned the inadequate infrastructure at the training center.

Abolished school fees, to result in increased enrollment – Fr Kapande

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Abolished school fees, to result in increased enrollment – Fr Kapande

Community Campaign to end Early Marriages(CCEM) Coordinator Amos Kapande has called for maximization of the available social protection programs to curb early marriages.

Father Kapande says there is need for residents to utilise programs such as Social Cash Transfer (SCT), and Food Security Pack (FSP) to address poverty related early marriages.

In an interview with ZANIS, Fr Kapande said that despite household poverty being one of the most widespread factor linked to early marriages, there are various social protection measures such as SCT and FSP aimed at addressing this issue.

He further reasoned that there is need to appreciate that the new dawn government has abolished school fees for primary and secondary levels, which he said households should utilise and ensure that girls access full school education.

“The excuse of not having monies to maintain girl child in school can no longer apply here as Government has abolished school fees, so we can expect more girls to stay in school and not to be married off early “, he commented.

The clergyman also cited the need for heightened sensitization in communities, charging that ignorance and defiance of the law needs to be tackled.

He observed that the situation of rampant early marriages is more chronic in Mkushi Chiefdoms such as Mulungwe, adding that it is even worse in all the six chiefdoms of neighbouring Luano District.

He stressed that there is need for concerted sensitisation from both Governmental as well as Non-Governmental Organisations(NGO).

Real Life Scare

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Real Life Scare

My family and I in 1959 lived at Chasela Primary School in the Luangwa Valley among the Bisa people in the Eastern Province of Zambia in Southern Africa. I was five years old. My father was a teacher during British colonialism in the then Northern Rhodesia. We lived in a small 3 room redbrick house with grass roofing. At the time the Luangwa Valley had numerous wild animals roaming night and day like Africa had been probably for thousands of years. Lions, zebras, large herds of buffaloes, impalas, hyenas, monkeys, leopards, birds, and elephants were everywhere night and day and around our house. Humans and deadly encounters with wild animals were as common as traffic accidents are today in our time.

One day, my dad went on a business trip to Fort Jameson (Chipata) riding his bike through sixty miles or ninety-six kms. of dangerous desolate wilderness in the Luangwa Valley. At that time there were few people and villages. My mother asked me to leave my bedroom and instead to sleep in my dad’s bed next to my mother’s since we were by ourselves that night. It was 1900 hrs. 7:00 pm and the yellow paraffin lamp was dimly burning and flickering on mom’s small bedside table. My mom had just finished giving a bath to my seven-month-old baby sister, Ester. Ester was whining and fussing with mom bugging her.

“Mama nipeni baseline!!” She whined.

My baby sister wanted the “baseline” bottle to apply the Vaseline on herself again. My mom was saying “No! will you please go to sleep!” When all of a sudden:

“Graaaaaaaaargh!!!!!!” One lion roared with the deepest bellow literally five feet or two meters outside our rickety wooden bedroom door and window.

“Graaaaaaaaaaargh!!!!” The second lion roared in response. Our whole small three room red brick house shook and vibrated.

My mother hastily blew out the kerosene lamp. My little sister tried to dive under mom to hide. I froze. Deep fear hit the pit of my little stomach. I was so scared I could not move to hide under the covers. My little heart may have stopped and I could not breath. The plates, dishes, pots, and pans rattled on the kitchen shelves as some loudly crashed to the bare cement floor in the kitchen. Some rats fell with a thud from the grass roof. The two lions continued to roar in tandem.

There was loud commotion in the nearby Chibande large village of five hundred as playing children screamed and fled in terror. Mothers desperately yelled calling their children by name to “please run home!!!.” Most kids ran into the nearest house for cover for that night as there was no time to run to their parents’ house.

When I opened my eyes in the morning, it was very quiet and it was almost 9:00 hours. This was very unusual as we always woke up early in the morning at 6:00 hours.

First, my mother said a brief prayer thanking God for having saved our lives that night. She then gingerly opened our small wooden bedroom window and carefully peeked outside to make sure the lions were not waiting anywhere outside. That’s when we came out of the house.

The bedroom door that led to the outside just left of where the lions had roared was a small thin wooden door. The lion could have effortlessly just put its paw on the small door, and it would have been inside our bedroom. Later that day, my mom told me that a few seconds prior to the lion’s first roar a few feet from our bedroom door, she had heard strange sounds. “Pomp!!” “Pomp!!!” Pomp!!!” We found out later on that those were sounds of the lions wagging their tails hitting both sides of their stomachs as they quietly approached our house under the mango trees. When we looked at the footmarks, the pride had been about ten to fifteen lions. I often wonder what scares children today compared to those older times.

By Mwizenge S. Tembo, Ph. D.

Emeritus Professor of Sociology

President Hichilema in South Africa for the Intra-Africa Trade Fair

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President Hichilema in South Africa for the Intra-Africa Trade Fair

President Hakainde Hichilema landed safely this morning at King Shaka International Airport in Durban, South Africa for the 2021 Intra-African Trade Fair as part of economic diplomacy agenda.

President Hichilema is among 8 other Heads of State and Government participating at this year’s Intra-African Trade Fair. President Hakainde Hichilema , is accompanied by Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga and Community Development and social Services Minister Doreen Mwamba. Intra Africa Trade Fair is platform for business to business and business to Government discussions.

President Hichilema said his government places high value on economic diplomacy because it appreciates the importance of international linkages.

This year’s theme is focused on the newly-launched African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – a single market for goods and services across 55 countries, aimed at boosting trade and investment.

President Hichilema said whilst at this trade and investment indaba, he will join other Head of States in addressing pertinent issues that border on easing business on the continent and beyond.
“Our mission is to make a case of Zambia as an investment destination in our role as Chief Marketing Officer. The investment we are looking for will be that which is willing to partner with Zambians on a joint venture basis,” he said.

Earlier, the President was received by Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Major General Jackson Miti and other Embassy staff.

A number of Zambian businesses are participating at the continental trade fair, which is Africa’s largest trade show providing a platform for sharing trade, investment and market opportunities.

The event is held every two years to provide trade and market information and to connect buyers and sellers from across the continent.

Government concerned with increased number of mine accidents

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Government concerned with increased number of mine accidents

Government has expressed concern over the increasing number of fatal accidents and prevalence of illegal mining activities among artisanal and small scale miners in the country.

Ministry of Mines acting Permanent Secretary Martin Nyirenda said artisanal and small scale mining have been associated with accidents and poor mining practices due to their lack of capacity to conduct mining that ensures environmental sustainability.

Speaking in Kitwe today during an Environmental Project Briefs workshop for artisanal and Small Scale miners, he said there is need to minimize the environmental harm caused by the extraction, processing and benefaction of minerals and materials.

” It is therefore important to build capacity of the artisanal and small scale miners with skills to better manage the environmental,” Mr. Nyirenda stated.

He expressed hope that the workshop will contribute towards attaining the aspirations of the new dawn government which seeks to increase production to three million tonnes in the next ten years.

He said this workshop will also inculcate artisan and small scale miners with relevant information essential to enable them conduct responsible mining and in turn lead to increased production.

He however stated that the Ministry of Mines as a mining regulating authority is assisting the artisanal and small scale miners to put in place environmental safeguards during mining operations.

Ministry in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme has also developed a compatible environmental protection toolkit anchored on existing environmental laws to further address non-compliance in environmental management through strengthening the artisanal and small scale miners capacity to manage the environment.

Earlier, Environmental Projects Briefs (EPB) Coordinator Liapa Mwanza said it had been difficult for artisan and Small scale miners to get Environmental Projects Briefs for their activities from the Zambia Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA) due to their inadequate financial capacity and inability to employment qualified technicians or experts to undertake their mining projects.

And St. Monica’s Alumni Mining cooperative complained that small scale mines fail to employ safe mining practices because they lack proper guidance from ZEMA.

Cooperative president Monica Mkandawire appealed to ZEMA to move around the country and conduct sensitisation programmes on mine safety to reduce accidents in mining activities being undertaken by artisanal and small scale miners.

“We also fail to apply safe mining practices due to lack of enough capital to invest in the safety of our activities,” Ms. Mkandawire said.

The workshop has attracted small scale miners from across the country, the academia and Non-Governmental organisations among other participants.

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