Zambezi Diamond Media House

20/12/2023

PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POLICE HIGH COMMAND RESPONDS TO ALLEGED GATHERING BEING ORGANIZED BY PATRICK BWALYA MUKUKA.

Lusaka, December 20, 2023 - The Zambia Police Service High Command wishes to address recent reports regarding an alleged statement issued by Mr. Patrick Bwalya Mukuka calling on proud descendants of Kola to a meeting scheduled for Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Broken Arrow Lodge in Lusaka.

The Police High Command takes these reports seriously and would like to emphasize that the maintenance of peace, unity, and security in our country is of paramount importance. While we respect the right of individuals to gather and express their views, it is imperative that such gatherings are conducted within the confines of the law and with intentions that are in line with the peace and unity of our nation.

The Police High Command would like to make it clear that any gathering or meeting with intentions that do not contribute positively to the peace and unity of the country will not be entertained. We are committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
We urge Mr. Patrick Bwalya Mukuka and any other individuals involved in organizing or participating in such gatherings to act responsibly and adhere to the laws of the land. The police will be vigilant in monitoring events and will take necessary measures to maintain public order and security.

We call on all citizens to remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement agencies to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for everyone.

The Police High Command will continue to provide updates on the situation as necessary.

Rae Hamoonga
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER.

20/12/2023

FRENCH COURT JAILS RWANDAN EX-DOCTOR 24 YEARS OVER GENOCIDE

A former Rwandan doctor has been jailed for 24 years by a French court for his involvement in the 1994 genocide.

Sosthene Munyemana was on Tuesday found guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity and participation in a conspiracy to prepare these crimes.

The 68-year-old former gynaecologist was accused of helping draft a letter for the interim government that supervised the killings of Tutsis.

He was also accused of participating in meetings that organised roundups of Tutsi civilians in the southern Rwandan prefecture of Butare, where he lived at the time.

Mr. Munyemana, who moved to France months after the genocide, denied any wrongdoing and his lawyers said they planned to appeal the verdict.

The public prosecutor had sought a sentence of 30 years during the six-week-long trial at the Assize Court in Paris.

Elsewhere, a court in Brussels on Tuesday also found two Rwandans guilty of genocide and war crimes committed in their native country.

Séraphin Twahirwa and Pierre Basabosé were found to have committed multiple murders and attempted murders of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Kigali between April and July 1994.

Their sentencing is set for Wednesday.

20/12/2023

DON'T ’t BLAME GOVT ON KWACHA FALL – MVUNGA

Former Bank of Zambia –BOZ- Governor CHRISTOPHER MVUNGA says the depreciation of the Kwacha should not be blamed on the government.

Mr. MVUNGA says Zambians should not look at the depreciation of the kwacha in isolation but take into account a number of global challenges affecting economies.

In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka, Mr MVUNGA said the past two years have taken a toll on economies across the globe including Zambia, which has affected the performance of the kwacha.

Mr. MVUNGA pointed out the effects of Covid-19, followed by the Russia- Ukraine war and Climate Change among other contributors.

-ZANIS

20/12/2023

PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA MAKES CHANGES AT THE ZAMBIA AIR FORCE

20/12/2023

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ZAMBEZI DIAMOND GROUP OF COMPANIES END OF YEAR PARTY

20/12/2023

SOUTH KOREA: STUDENTS SUE AFTER TEACHER ENDS EXAMS 90 SECONDS EARLY

A group of South Korean students are suing the government because their college admission examination ended 90 seconds earlier than scheduled.

They are asking for 20 million won ($15,400; £12,000) each – the cost of a year’s studying to retake the exam.

The error affected the rest of the students’ exams, their lawyer says.

The country’s infamous college admission test, known as Suneung, is an eight-hour marathon with back-to-back papers in multiple subjects.

The Suneung is one of the hardest exams in the world and stakes are very high.

It not only determines university placements and jobs but even future relationships. A number of measures to help students concentrate are taken during the annual event such as closing the country’s airspace and delaying the opening of the stock market.

The results of this year’s exam were released on 8 December.

The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday by at least 39 students, claims that the bell rang earlier at a test site in the capital Seoul during Korean – the first subject of the exam.

Some students protested immediately, but say the supervisors still took their papers away. The teachers recognised the mistake before the start of the next session, and gave the one and half minutes back during the lunch break but they could only mark blank columns left on their papers and were not allowed to change any existing answers.

The students said they were so upset that they could not focus on the rest of the exam, Yonhap news agency reports. Some reportedly gave up and returned home.

Their lawyer Kim Woo-suk told local media that education authorities had not apologised.

Public broadcaster KBS quoted officials who said the supervisor in charge of the specific test centre had misread the time.

This is not the first time students have sued over a bell rung too early. In April, a court in Seoul awarded 7 million won ($5,250; £4,200) to students who claimed they were disadvantaged at the 2021 Suneung exam because their bell rang about two minutes earlier.

And the price can be even higher in other countries. In 2012, a man in China was given a one-year suspended sentence for ringing the bell four minutes and 48 seconds early during the national college entrance exam at a school in Hunan province.

20/12/2023

20/12/2023

A 22-year-old Cavendish University student, Habiba Tembo, is accused of stealing a six-year-old boy from Kabwata, Lusaka, and exchanging him for drugs in Chibolya Compound.

- Kalemba

20/12/2023

ZAMBIA SUPER LEAGUE TO GO ON RECESS DURING AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced that the Zambia Super League will be on recess during the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, set to commence next month.

In a statement released by FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga, it was revealed that the decision was made in collaboration with the Zambian Premier League. This decision takes into account various factors, including the absence of players participating in the tournament due to national team commitments. Additionally, it aims to ensure that football fans can fully focus on supporting their national teams during the continental competition.

The mid-season recess is scheduled to begin on January 15 and will conclude on February 12, 2024. Kamanga emphasized that the league's continuation will not impact the Week 17 mid-season cap for qualified teams aiming to participate in the 2024 ABSA Cup.

The Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to kick off on January 13, 2024. This information was communicated in a statement issued by FAZ Communications Manager Sydney Mungala.

20/12/2023

MAMPI QUEEN DIVA 📸

20/12/2023

Lusangazi gets relief maize after flash floods

Government has delivered over 4,500 50 kilogramme bags of white maize to Lusangazi as relief aid to hunger-stricken families.

Lusangazi District Commissioner Mike Tembo told ZANIS in an interview that 4,640 50kg bags of white maize were delivered to Lusangazi from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU).

“Government has come to the aid of our people who have been hit by hunger as a result of flash floods, which washed away their crops during last rainy season,” he said.

Mr Tembo said Petauke Nutrition Group (PNG), a private organisation, has been engaged to spearhead the distribution of the relief maize.

He urged all the councillors in the area to cooperate and work with the satellite committee members in ensuring people receive the relief.

The hunger situation is said to be acute in the Lusangazi valley where about 175 families are reportedly eating wild roots locally known as Mpama. Headman Kamlawilo (David Phiri) said people are going to the bush as early as 04.00 hours to dig the wild roots.

“People are now eating wild roots because we completely have no food,” he said. Nelson Phiri, who is Lusangazi Ward Development Committee member for Sengevwa satellite, said some roots could be poisonous.

“Yes, people are depending on these wild fruits but the other type is poisonous,” he said.

-Zambia Daily Mail

20/12/2023

A 22-year-old student has been found with a case to answer for allegedly stealing a six-year-old boy she allegedly wanted to sell and use the money to buy some drugs.

Lusaka magistrate Constance Kasankala found Habiba Tembo with a case to answer and placed her on her defence, which the accused is scheduled to open January 3, next year.

This is in a case Tembo, of Kabwata, Lusaka, is charged with child stealing.

It is alleged that on November 28 last year in Lusaka, Tembo, with intent to deprive a named mother who had lawful care of a child named NB, the accused fraudulently took away the child in question.

The accused denied the charge, and the court called five witnesses to testify against the accused person.

When the case came up yesterday for continued trial, the child victim testified in the matter but the hearing was held in camera.

The prosecution team, led by National Prosecutions Authority prosecutor Mwansa Makasa, later closed the case after the child testified.

Magistrate Kansankala later ruled that from the evidence adduced by the State, a prema facie case had been made out against Tembo to warrant her being placed on her defence.

“I place the accused on her defence,” the magistrate said.

Tembo informed the court that she will testify on oath but that she would not call any witnesses.

It was reported at the time of her arrest that the accused picked the boy from his home and took him to Chibolya Township, where the victim was kept at some place with other children.

It is alleged that Tembo handed over the child to some man who was in custody of other children.

-Mwebantu

20/12/2023

20/12/2023

📌

20/12/2023

Rise and Shine 🙌

19/12/2023

Empowering Blood Safety Programme: A Major Milestone!

Government through the Ministry of Health today handed over utility motor vehicles to the Zambia National Blood Transfusion Service. This initiative is a pivotal step towards advancing the universal health coverage agenda and ensuring timely collection and access to safe blood for all patients in need.

Here are the highlights from the speech delivered by the Minister of Health Hon Sylvia Masebo, MP during the ceremony:

✅ Government is confident that the vehicles will be utilised as intended, benefiting citizens, particularly the children and mothers.

✅ Government is refining policies related to blood transfusion, improving infrastructure and equipment to save more lives and enhance health outcomes for the people.

✅ Government is dedicated to implementing policies aimed at improving the mobilisation, utilisation, and accountability of health financial resources, significantly enhancing the quality of healthcare services provided.

✅ Government recognises the need to invest in critical essential blood transfusion equipment, blood safety commodities, consumables and more outreach vehicles.

✅ The Minister emphasised that blood services do not and should not incur any charges to patients.

✅ Government aknowledged the crucial role played by blood donors in sustaining patients with medical conditions. The Hon. Minister encouraged blood donors to continue sharing their positive experiences and promoting a culture of blood donation.

✅ Government expressed gratitude for the World Bank's support under the Zambia COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project.

✅ The six (6) donated motor vehicles have been handed over to the Western, Southern, North Western, Eastern, Central, and Muchinga Provincial Blood Centers. Four (4) more similar vehicles will be received in the coming months for the remaining four provinces.🇿🇲🩸

19/12/2023

K***ananji becomes First-Ever African to win GOAL50 Award

Zambia Women’s National Team forward Racheal K***ananji has become the first African player ever to top the GOAL50 list, men's or women's in the history of the list.

The Zambia star had an electric 2022-23 season, scoring 25 times in just 29 league games for Madrid CFF before adding a first ever FIFA Women's World Cup goal to her CV in July 2023.

Those exploits were enough to see her accrue enough votes from the GOAL readers, to top the list ahead of Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala, who finished second, and Colombia star Linda Caicedo, who rounded out the top three to make it an all-Liga F podium, with Oshoala plying her trade with Barcelona and Caicedo representing Real Madrid.

K***ananji secured a dream move to Madrid CFF in August 2022, and repaid the club's faith with a stunning debut campaign.

Madrid could only finish fifth in Liga F, but K***ananji scored 25 goals in 29 appearances to finish as runner up in the Golden Boot race. Two of those efforts came in a upset victory over eventual champions Barcelona, which solidified her status as one of the best young players in the game.

K***ananji's impressive performances earned her a spot in Zambia's FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, and she managed to open her scoring account at the tournament in 3-1 group stage win over Costa Rica.

Zambia didn't make it through to the knockout stage, but the 23-year-old went on to notch her first hat-trick at international level in a friendly win over Morocco in September, before repeating the trick in Madrid's 5-1 victory over Sevilla.

K***ananji has added four more goals to her 2023-24 club total since then, and if she continues on her current trajectory, her GOAL50 nod could be be the first of many.

GOAL50 is an annual award ranking the 50 best footballers in the world over the previous 12 months. Up until 2021, the final winners were decided by a panel of experts across GOAL's 42 editions.

However, a format change in 2022 gave fans the power to decide who finishes top of the pile as randomly selected head-to-heads were presented to the general voter. Two shortlists of the 50 best male and female players in the world were compiled based on their performance at both club and international level, which readers were able to access via the GOAL website and apps to place their votes.

-FAZ

19/12/2023

 US SENATOR BEN CARDIN ‘ANGRY’ OVER SENATE S*X TAPE LINKED TO AIDE

A US senator has said he is angry after an aide reportedly appeared in a s*x tape recorded in a Senate hearing room.
Ben Cardin said the staff member who has been linked to the clip was “no longer a Senate employee”.
The Maryland Democrat told reporters: “I was angry, disappointed. It’s a breach of trust. All of the above.”
No charges have been filed, according to US media. The BBC has contacted US Capitol Police for comment.
The police department tasked with protecting Congress has told US media it was looking into the matter.
The Daily Caller reported on Friday that the video showed a congressional aide having “s*x with an unknown man in the Senate hearing room” and that it was posted in a private group for gay men in politics. It is unclear when it took place.
The tape appeared to have been filmed in a deserted Hart Senate Office Building room 216, according to Politico. The room has hosted blockbuster hearings, including the 9/11 Commission and Supreme Court nominations.
Senator Ben CardinIMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES
Image caption,
Senator Ben Cardin said he was “disappointed”
The BBC has not independently verified the video or confirmed the identity of anyone involved.
On Monday, Mr Cardin was asked by reporters how an aide would have been able to access the Senate hearing room.
“These are personnel issues,” said the senator, who is set to retire at the end of his term.
“Over the weekend when I learned about it, I made sure that… the appropriate steps were taken,” he added.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, told reporters that the aide in question had been fired.

19/12/2023

Did you know that 75 years ago, on December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was ratified, articulating for the first time the rights and freedoms to which every person is entitled?

During the inaugural United Nations General Assembly session in 1946, the organization proposed creating a document to promote universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The first article of the UDHR states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act toward one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

Influenced by the core values of the U.S. Constitution, the UDHR affirmed that “the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family are the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.”

- US Embassy Zambia

19/12/2023

MUNALI SUNS EYE BASKETBALL AFRICA LEAGUE PLAYOFF BERTH

The Munali Suns basketball team has set its sights on achieving a double victory this season, aiming to secure both the National Championship title and a spot in the Basketball Africa League playoffs.
According to Team Manager Conrad Musonda, the team is striving to defend its National Championship title consecutively, following their recent victory in the Midlands Basketball League. Musonda expressed confidence in the team's performance, noting their successful advancement to the semifinals of the National Championships after defeating the Copperbelt University.
Looking ahead, Musonda emphasized the team's eagerness to compete against arch rivals Matero Magic in the upcoming weekend's semifinal match, with the goal of securing a place in the final.

19/12/2023

What has been your biggest lesson for the year 2023?

19/12/2023

FIVE ARRESTED FOR STAGING THEFT AT PATSON DAKA’S FLATS

Five individuals have been apprehended in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province, on suspicion of orchestrating a theft at the under-construction flats of Chipolopolo and Leicester City player PATSON DAKA. Among the suspects is a caretaker who is believed to have masterminded the operation and absconded with various items of undetermined value.

The incident is reported to have taken place last month in November, between 01:30 and 06:00 hours. According to Copperbelt Commanding Officer PEACEWELL MWEEMBA, the incident was reported to the authorities by KAMOTO MANYANYANGO, a Director of Vanguard Security.

MWEEMBA stated that the theft involved the disappearance of seven wooden doors, 300 boxes of tiles, a water pump, a microwave, and other unspecified items. The security guard on duty, DURANI DAKA, was reportedly attacked and restrained by the perpetrators during the incident.

The five suspects arrested are identified as follows:
1. MUNALULA MOOLA, 22 years old, employed as a garden boy.
2. GIFT NGWENYA , 25 years old, unemployed.
3. AUGUSTINE LIVINGI , 26 years old, unemployed.
4. SAMUEL NCHINYAMA , 45 years old, unemployed.
5. PRINCE PHIRI , 28 years old, employed as a security guard.

Additionally, the alleged mastermind, KAPALU VICTOR, who is a caretaker, has also been taken into custody, with investigations ongoing.

19/12/2023

Another jobs galore for health workers

As the New Dawn administration continues to recruit health personnel to reach the approved establishment, Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo says those who are yet to be employed should not despair.

There are currently about 75,038 health workers in the country against the approved establishment of 139,590.

Last year, 11,200 workers were recruited while 3,000 are being employed before the end of this year. Next year, 4,000 will be employed.

On a special interview programme on ZNBC television on Sunday night, Ms Masebo said Civil Service Commission (CSC) will today publish 2,792 names of successful applicants for this year’s recruitment of health workers.

“It’s not 3,000 because the other balance of 208 is for general workers like drivers, guards,” she explained.

“Those are being filled up by the respective districts and provinces; we didn’t have to mix them up with the specialised health workers. We felt that with the decentralisation policy, there was no need for Lusaka to employ a driver and send them to Chilubi.

“We [Ministry of Health headquarters] are just dealing with specialised staff like doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and others.”

Ms Masebo said the recruitment has been done with participation from concerned stakeholders.

“Whatever we have agreed is what is going to come out. I’m satisfied with the process,” she said. “If you applied whether to be a nurse, a doctor or a public health officer and you find that you have not been picked this time, don’t despair.

Remember this 3,000 is for 2023 and we still have 2024 where we will employ 4,000. Don’t be discouraged if your name was not picked but you qualify. We have you in our hearts.”

-Zambia Daily Mail

18/12/2023

SDA Youths from the Northern Zambia Union Conference of the Church are participating in a Youth Congress which is taking place in Samfya.

-Emblem

18/12/2023

 AIRPORT SUBMERGED AND CROCODILES SEEN AFTER RECORD RAI

Record rainfall is causing widespread flooding in far north Queensland, in what authorities expect will be the Australian region’s worst-ever flood.
Thousands of people have been evacuated but others remain stranded.
Extreme weather driven by a tropical cyclone has dumped a year’s worth of rain on some areas.
Images from the region show planes submerged at Cairns airport, a crocodile seen in the middle of a town, and people fleeing homes in boats.
So far no deaths or missing people have been reported.
Intense rainfall is expected to continue for another 24 hours.
Hundreds of people have been rescued – with many homes inundated, power and roads cut off and safe drinking water dwindling.
The city of Cairns has received more than 2m of rainfall since the weather event began.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the natural disaster was “about the worst I can remember”.
“I have been talking to Cairns locals on the ground… and they say they have never seen anything like it,” he said.

18/12/2023

JUST IN: Rwandair experienced a tyre burst during takeoff at Robert G. Mugabe Airport in Harare.

As a result, there is a temporary disruption of service on the runway and most flights are being diverted from Harare to Lusaka. No injuries were recorded.

-Mwebantu

18/12/2023

 PATSON DAKA TAKES FLIGHT: ZAMBIAN STRIKER POISED FOR THIRD START AFTER IMPRESSING ENZO MARESCA

PATSON DAKA’s meteoric rise at Leicester City is set to continue, with the Zambian international poised for his third consecutive start in the Championship. His impressive outings in the past two games – scoring twice and setting up one goal – have won over manager ENZO MARESCA, who now faces a selection headache with DAKA staking his claim for a permanent starting role.
Just weeks ago, DAKA had seen only a single minute of action all season. But with both Jamie Vardy and KELECHI IHEANACHO unavailable due to injury and illness, respectively, DAKA seized his opportunity and hasn’t looked back. His impact was immediate, playing a key role in Leicester’s 4-0 win over Plymouth before 3-2 win over Millwall on Wednesday.
Maresca’s post-match comments left no doubt about DAKA’s newfound status: “I’ve been quite clear with them,” he said. “If you’re playing, you deserve it. If someone comes in and they’re doing well, you need to work. PATSON is scoring goals and working hard, after three or four months of having to wait. We’re going to trust him and give him more chances, no doubt."
DAKA’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time for Leicester, who occupy top spot in the Championship table. Their next challenge comes against Birmingham on Monday, where a win would see them extend their lead to three points over second-placed Ipswich. While IHEANACHO’s eventual return will present another dilemma for Maresca, DAKA’s performances have made one thing clear: he’s no longer just a backup option. He’s flown onto the scene and claimed his place in the spotlight, and it seems both he and Leicester are ready to soar.

-zed sports

18/12/2023

What's for lunch?

18/12/2023

$31m silk plant set in Mpika

Zambia is set to become one of Africa’s largest producers of silk following the establishment of the US$31 million Mupika Sericulture Plant in Muchinga Province.

The plant, located in Mpika district, is operating under Wonderful Group of Companies and is projected to employ over 5,000 people through its outgrower schemes.

Last week, a team of officers from Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) under the Licence Permits and Certificates Approvals (LPCA) Committee toured the plant and expressed happiness with the investments done so far.

Speaking during the tour of the plant, LPCA Committee chairperson Musokotwane Sichizuwe said Government is ready to support the investment to ensure that it operates efficiently.

-Zambia Daily Mail

18/12/2023

ILLEGAL FUEL VENDORS ARRESTED

The Task Force on Illegal Fuel Vending has arrested 22 people for illegal fuel dealings.
Over 10,000 litres of fuel worth about K300,000 and six pumps have also been seized.
The arrests and seizures were done during raids on suspected illegal fuel vending spots in Lusaka by the Task Force comprising law enforcement agencies and security wings.
The operation was facilitated by the Energy Regulation Board -ERB- and led by the Drug Enforcement Commission -DEC.

All apprehended suspects are currently detained in police custody, awaiting formal charges.
The Task Force has committed to eradicating illegal fuel vending in the country.
It has further warned those engaging in illegal fuel vending to desist from the vice or face the law.

The Task Force states that illegal fuel vending deprives the country of the much-needed revenue through tax evasion.
This is contained in a joint statement signed and issued by Acting ERB Manager -Public Relations LENGANJI SIKAPIZYE and DEC Public Relations Officer MWENGE MULENGA.

18/12/2023

Happy birthday to you Charity katangah🎂