Itezhi-Tezhi Times

27/04/2022

MINISTER NKOMBO APOLOGISES

LOCAL Government and Rural Development Minister Gary Nkombo has apologized to the family of Lusaka’s garden compound whom he yesterday made to taste the locally brewed liquor popularly known as Kachasu which they have been making.

https://www.facebook.com/203462316440538/posts/5344576282329090/

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today, Nkombo said he has reflected on his actions and was sorry to bot the family and the nation at large.

“My engagement with the press is to firstly tender an apology to the lady who we tried to contact this morning by way of bringing her to me to speak with her about the trauma that may have been caused by my emotional action of having them to taste the illegal kachasu which they have been brewing,” Nkombo said.

“And I would like to state that I am very sorry, and I seek their forgiveness. I have searched my soul and I have reflected deeply around my action of inducing the said brewer and her “children” who are not children by the way, to taste and drink the harmful traditional alcohol.”

He described his actions as disproportionate and emotional.

“I am convinced after reflection that it was a disproportionate action on my part and for that, my first call is to say I take full responsibility of that emotional action. And I want to extend my plea for forgiveness not only to the family but also to the nation. I think that there was an excess in my actions,” said Nkombo.

And asked if he would compensate the affected family for his actions, Nkombo said there was no need to compensate an illegality.

(Mwebantu, Wednesday, 27th April, 2022)

LOCAL Government and Rural Development Minister Gary Nkombo has apologized to the family of Lusaka’s garden compound whom he yesterday made to taste the locally brewed liquor popularly known as Kachasu which they have been making.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today, Nkombo said he ...

19/04/2022

ITEZHI TEZHI MAN ALLEGEDLY MURDERED BY FRIEND AFTER DISPUTE

A 49 year old man of Luubwe's Headman Muzovwu village in Chief Musungwa's area of itezhi-tezhi district has reportedly been murdered by his friend.

Mangilazi Mutimbwa who is a family member disclosed the development to itt radio news that Kisco Mutimbwa Muchele was allegedly killed by a named man using a knife on 19th April 2022 around 16:00hrs.

He says the incident comes after Mr Mutimbwa had a dispute at Mwinzo Night Club where the two went for a drink.

The named man is reportedly on the run while the body of the deceased has been taken to Namwala District Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.

Meanwhile Luubwe Ward Councillor Gideon Shilooyo has described the incident as sad further calling for Construction of a Police Post in order to reduce crime.

Police are yet to issue a statement on the matter.

Source: ITT Radio

17/04/2022

ITT DEBS IN S*X SCANDAL
A DISTRICT Education Board Secretary (DEBS) in Itezhi-Tezhi is at the centre of controversy after female teachers in the district accused him of asking to sleep with them in exchange for promotions.

However, DEBS Victor Longwani denied the allegations and said the accusations were meant to dent his image.

Central Province education officer Jennifer Banda confirmed having received the report but said she could not comment on the issue because she had already sent a report to relevant authorities.

Mr Longwani denied ever having sexually abused female teachers nor engaging in corrupt practices.

A teacher at a named primary school in the district said early this year she went to Mr Longwani’s office to seek help so that she could be transferred to the Copperbelt, where her family is.

“I was shocked when the DEBS responded saying it was a small issue and came close to where I sat and tried to start kissing me when I made it clear that I needed the transfer to re-unite with my husband and..."

Source: Zambia Daily Mail

12/04/2022

IMENDA CALLS FOR PEACE

Mongu, April 12, 2022

UPND Secretary General Batuke IMENDA has advised politicians to work at ensuring the sustainance of national peace by contributing towards economic and social growth.

Mr Imenda says the country has several challenges that deserve collaboration from all stakeholders including political players if they are to be overcome.

He advised political arm critics to concentrate on national economic and social building and criticise for the sake of remaining relevant politically.

He added that political players should depart from deliberately creating unnecessary anxiety in the country through careless and unsubstantiated statements with a view to creating uncertainty in the country.

The UPND Secretary General was speaking in Mongu ahead of the Mongu mayoral elections slated for 14 April 2022.

Source: Falcon News

11/04/2022

109,777 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED IN HEALTH WORKERS RECRUITMENT - CSC

109,777 applications have been received by the Civil Service Commission.

This is for the 11,276 positions for recently advertised by government in the health sector.

This has been reviewed in a statement availed to the public by the Ministry of health.

Some people on social media have said the number of applications should prompt government to be employing more health workers in a year.

10/04/2022

President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA has been offered a 3 hectare piece of land at Sing’anda village in Mongu District of Western Province.
Sing’anda is a place where President HICHILEMA was said to have committed an offence of treason during the Patriotic Front -PF- reign on April 10, 2017.
Sing’anda Headman KALALUKA MUBIANA who is also INDUNA KAPUI says his people were amazed at the resilience exhibited by President HICHILEMA during the time of arrest up to the time of his release.https://www.znbc.co.zm/news/hh-offered-land/

By Lovering Sichizya/Ikacana Sindala: President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA has been offered a 3 hectare piece of land at Sing’anda village in Mongu District of Western Province. Sing’anda is a place where President HICHILEMA was said to have committed an offence of treason during the Patriotic Front -PF...

10/04/2022

GRZ TO FORMALISE MUKULA EXPORT - NZOVU
Green Economy and Environment Minister COLLIN NZOVU says the New Dawn Administration is making efforts to formalise the export of MUKULA logs and other indigenous timber products.
Mr. NZOVU says the country has for a long time been robbed of opportunities to earn revenue from the timber industry due to smuggling and other illegal activities.
He says the Government is tightening measures to halt the smuggling of MUKULA logs and other indigenous timber products.https://www.znbc.co.zm/.../govt-to-formalise-mukula-exports/

10/04/2022

TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES ARE A TOURIST ATTRACTION AND SOURCE OF FOREX- HH

President Hichilema writes...

Fellow citizens.

Yesterday, we joined thousands of people who travelled from all over the country and from abroad to converge here in Mongu Western Zambia, to celebrate the Kuomboka traditional ceremony of the Lozi people.

This great occasion brought all of us together in one accord in recognizing our cherished heritage and traditions of our country. It reminded us of the importance of holding culture and our endearing history as a collective value which we should jealously guard. It is in view of the above that we have heightened our engagements with all Traditional leaders in the country. Our government will however not interfere in matters related to succession of Traditional leaders of any particular chiefdom.

Other than that, as government, we have started escalating plans to ensure that these Traditional ceremonies don't just be ceremonial shows but a source of revenue through tourism.

Zambia is rich in minerals, its people and culture and therefore let's all unite as one people and drive our country into the developmental path.

Once more. Thank you to all those who joined us at this year's Kuomboka Traditional ceremony including foreign dignitaries.

Zambia is blessed! Zambia is getting better and indeed will be better.

Let us all get involved and get it solved. Let us make it happen.

May God bless you all.

Hakainde Hichilema,
President of the Republic of Zambia.

10/04/2022

10/04/2022

POLICE ALLEGEDLY BEAT MAN TO DEATH IN ITEZHI-TEZHI

A 37-year-old man of Itezhi Tezhi district has died after he was allegedly brutally assaulted during an arrest on a week ago.

Kayombo Chinyama of Masemu area was reportedly arrested during a night patrol exercise by police near Masemu Ground. He sustained severe injuries and was hospitalized in UTH since last Sunday.

According to Daniel Ngambi who spoke on Chinyama's behalf, he alleges that there was unprofessional conduct by some officers in the way they handled the matter.

He says officers should protect civilians and not use force when carrying out their duties as this is against human rights.

Itezhi Tezhi Member of Parliament Twaambo Mutinta has condemned the act and has advised Police officers to be professional in their ex*****on of duty.

Chinyama was in hospital since last Sunday and passed on yesterday (Saturday).

Official documentation obtained by ITT radio dated 27th March 2022 indicates that the victim sustained body injuries.
District Commissioner Tobius Namantemba says his office will give a comprehensive statement once it concludes its findings.

09/04/2022

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA URGES PARTY TO CAMPAIGN PEACEFULLY AND VIGOROUSLY AHEAD OF MAYORAL BY-ELECTION IN MONGU

President Hakainde Hichilema has called on all party members in Mongu district of Western province to campaign tirelessly in order to win big the forthcoming April 14, mayoral by election in both Nalikwanda and Mongu central constituencies.

ZANIS reports that the President said this when he addressed party members in a meeting held at Mongu Trades Training Institute last night.

President Hichilema said the party has massively scored a lot of achievements in the last seven months through the introduction of free education and the increased CDF in all the 156 constituencies in the country.

“The free education introduced by this government has seen children who dropped out of school getting back to various schools to access quality education,” said President Hichilema.

President Hichilema said government is committed to ensure that the lives of the people in the country is greatly improved.

“I wonder why some people are opposing our free education saying it has brought congestions and lack of desks, that is what we want to see in the country and we are ready to make desks locally made here in Mongu district and the entire province.

“ We have plenty of timber in the province,” he said. President Hichilema also pointed out that the deficit of desks in schools in the country will be a thing of the past as CDF funds will be used to buy desks for pupils.

And President Hichilema said party members in the district should ensure that the seat for the mayor is scooped in order to reward what the party has done to the people of Western province.

And Provincial Minister, who is also the UPND Chairperson Kapelwa Mbangweta said the party will campaign hard to ensure the mayoral seat left by Matakala Nyambe is retained.

President Hakainde is in western province to grace this year’s Kuomboka ceremony which was last held in 2018 due to COVID-19 pandemic.

ZANIS/

09/04/2022

"OPEN DOORS TO OTHERS, PRESIDENT HICHILEMA TELLS APOINTED OFFICIALS"

By Kalani Muchima

President Hakainde Hichilema says he has done his part in as far as job appointments are concerned and that the rest, rests with Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, District Commissioners, Mayors and Council Chairpersons.

The Head of State wonders how and why people expect him to start meddling in the appointments of junior officers as he has eyes to handle such issues.

He says it is now the duty of those he has appointed to help others also get jobs including other opportunities from government.

President Hichilema says as Head of the Executive, he has given powers to these constitutional officer holders to to deal with those who were making other peoples lives difficult.

He says all those who were seen politically victimising others should be dealt with.

The President has meanwhile cautioned against victimising civil servants who discharged their duties diligently.

He has also ordered that moving forward, all security recruitments in the police, Zambia Air Force (ZAF), Zambia National Service (ZNS) and Zambia Army should be inclusive to all citizens not a particular grouping or children of ministers and senior security officials.

President Hichilema further says contracts such as those to clear roads under routine road maintenance should be an exclusive of the local people and not foreigners.

With regards to student scholarships, the Head of State cautioned those responsible for discharging such funds against awarding students who are from well to do families.

President Hichilema has also disclosed that his government has set aside some money specifically for women employment under the village banking system.

The Head of State has further assured the nation that his government is committed to ending poverty at all cost as this was the reason why his administration was elected into office.

Among the Ministers the President specifically directed to take charge of their ministries included, Infrastructure Minister, Charles Milupi, Local Government Minister Gary Nkombo, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Elias Mubanaga, Western Province Minister Kapelwa Mbangweta, Transport and Communications Minister Frank Tayali, Information and Media Minister Kasanda Chushi and Agriculture Minister Reben Mutolo Phiri.

The meeting was also attended by party Secretary General Batuke Imenda, His vice, Getrude Imenda, Party National Chairman Steven Katuka and the party's National Youth Chairman Gilbert Liswaniso.

The President is in Mongu to attend the 2022 Kuomboka Traditional Ceremony.

09/04/2022

HIPPO KILLS FISHERMAN IN ITEZHI TEZHI

An 18 year old fisherman of Chikaza Munyama chiefdom in Itezhi Tezhi district of Southern Province has been killed by a hippo on the Kafue River.

Itezhi Tezhi District Commissioner Tobias Namantemba, confirmed that Robert Kalenga was killed by a hippo around 11:00 yesterday while fishing.

Mr Namantemba said the incident happened a day after a 13 year old boy was attacked and seriously injured on Lake Itezhi Tezhi on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

According to an eye witness Vincent Kalenga, 38 who is also the brother to the deceased, narrated that on the fateful day, the two had gone fishing when they noticed a hippo a few meters from their boat.

"We were taking fishing nets out of the water when we noticed a hippo a few meters away from the boat," Kalenga said.

Kalenga said the hippo suddenly hit their boat and broke into pieces, causing the deceased to fall into the water while he clinged to the reeds.

He said he tried to save his brother by hitting the hippo with a paddling stick but to no avail as the paddling stick got broken.

"He sustained injuries after being bitten several times, and my efforts to hit the hippo with the paddling stick were futile," Kalenga said.

He said he rushed to the nearest fish camp to seek assistance, but by the time other fishermen arrived at the scene, the hippo had killed his brother and had left the scene.

And another Fisherman Justin Kalundu complained to ZANIS that a hippo had killed another person last year at the same place and further appealed to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife to crop the animal.

“The same hippo attacked people and grazed people's maize in Batunga area" Kalundu said.

The body of the deceased has since been deposited in the Itezhi Tezhi District Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.

Credit: ZANIS