CBC News 24 Zambia

18/04/2023

18/04/2023

We are Streaming Live from ZAAB Offices in Ibex Hill where Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity- ZAAB is responding to the National Biosafety Authority -NBA's Statement on the Importation of GMO's Mealie Meal from SA

18/04/2023

State requests for second opinion on abductor Bwalya’s mental state

THE State has disputed the findings of a psychiatrist at Chainama Hills Hospital that one of the men accused of abducting, ra**ng and assaulting 13 women in Lusaka, James Bwalya, is not fit to stand trial, due to a conduct disorder, yet he has no mental illness.

State advocate Bob Mwewa has since requested Lusaka High Court judge Charles Kafunda to order for a second opinion on Bwalya’s mental state.

In this matter, Bwalya and his co-accused, Matthews Sikaonga, are charged with 54 counts of aggravated robbery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, prohibition of trafficking in humans for purposes of sexual exploitation, r**e and abduction.

Dr Patrick Msoni, a consultant psychiatrist, told the court that Bwalya has an anti-social personality disorder and that he is not fit to stand trial.

He said based on the psychiatric evaluation, Bwalya’s developmental history revealed that the accused developed a conduct disorder whilst in secondary school, as he was aggressive towards other pupils and usually bullied them.

Dr Msoni explained that Bwalya would abuse alcohol and cannabis and the conduct disorder “graduated to having anti-social personality disorder and as of now, because of this disorder which is deeply ingrained, he’s not fit to stand trial.”

During cross examination by Mwewa, Dr Msoni said Bwalya denied having committed the offences during his mental examination and that people with such a disorder do not stick to their word and lie a lot.

When asked if lying is a mental illness, Dr Msoni denied.

He clarified that Bwalya is not mentally unsound but that during his mental assessment, he gave different statements, smiled uncontrollably, hence his conclusion that Bwalya does not understand nor appreciate the charges against him or consult a with reasonable degree of rational understanding.

The psychiatrist said Bwalya’s co-accused Sikaonga is fit to stand trial as he has no mental disorder or illness.

He said during secondary school, Sikaonga joined a peer group and that they bullied other pupils, abused cannabis and alcohol, and absented himself from school.

“He grew out of it and managed to get satisfactory Grade 12 results. He enrolled in colleges and fell out in second year upon meeting his school mate (Bwalya),” said Dr Msoni.

Earlier, Dr Brian Sokontwe, a consultant surgeon and spine specialist at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), said according to the physical examination that he conducted on Bwalya, he established that the accused's spine was dislocated due to a deformity at the junction of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Dr Sokontwe said Bwalya sustained a spinal cord injury when he fell from a five metre brick wall in an attempt to break free from Mwembeshi Correctional Facility.

He said according to Bwalya’s explanation, the latter could not walk after his “Humpty Dumpty" fall as he had bowel and bladder dysfunction for a week.

He said Bwalya staggered and was aided to walk by Sikaonga.

“I examined his back and I discovered he had a deformity at the junction of the thoracic spine (vertebrae area) and the lumbar spine (backbone). He was tender in the region of the deformity (Kyphotic deformity), the shape of the spine has changed instead of bending forward, it’s bending backwards,” Dr Solontwe said.

“I did a neurological exam and discovered he had reduced sensation on the left side in the region of the thigh. I tested the strength in the upper and lower limbs; he had weekness in the lower limb one grade lower than the normal.”

Dr Sokontwe further explained that the X-ray showed that Bwalya had a near dislocation at lumbar spine one and two and a fracture in the bone of lumber spine two and the stabiliser of the spine in the region of deformity were disrupted.

He proposed that Bwalaya’s anatomy in the the spinal region need to be restored in order to stabilise the spine, because leaving it untreated could cause instability, excessive pain and further damage to the spinal code and other neural elements.

“The patient has not been strictly under bed rest in this case we should proceed with the time remaining to complete the six weeks of the bed rest. He has to do two weeks of the bed rest, then we are going to do another physical exam and X-ray before we can start to walk him again,” suggested Dr Sokontwe.

Mwewa asked the court to direct that Bwalya answers to the charges pursuant to Section 17 and 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) since he has no mental illness as indicated in the medical report that all his mental faculties were functional.

Bwalya’s lawyer Osborne Ngoma opposed the application, saying the psychiatric evaluation was clear that his client is not fit to undergo trial and the same may not be just, for failure to follow the proceedings as well as understanding and appreciating the charges.

“It is not incumbent upon us the legal gurus to trail in the mental field and offer our opinion but it is incumbent upon the medical gurus such as Dr Msoni to provide an opinion which is an expert opinion. And we have revarrage to analysis and follow that medical expert opinion,” said Ngoma.

In response, Mwewa proposed that the court orders for a second opinion on Bwalya’s mental examination by another psychiatrist.

“The State is asking the court to make a determination of the reports submitted and not only focus on the conclusion as submitted by the defence. The court should request for a second opinion,” said Mwewa.

Judge Kafunda adjourned the matter to tomorrow for a determination on the medical report and a directive on the request for a second opinion.
https://kalemba.news/court/2023/04/18/state-requests-f
By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba April 18, 2023.

18/04/2023

Government has reaffirmed to continue supporting the growth and development of Small and Medium Enterprise- SMEs and cooperatives in the country.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the partnership between EcoBank Zambia, Millennium TV Small and Medium Enterprises Challenge, and the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, the Director of Business Development and Grants Kennedy Mumba who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Engineer Elias Mubanga says the government will do everything possible to address challenges regarding policies and ensuring that opportunities are created for SMEs to thrive in the country.
Malangi Nzombola now Reports

18/04/2023

Transparency International Zambia has expressed shock over the revelation by the Anti-corruption Commission on the continued obtaining of illegal allowances by 10 employees at the Ministry of Finance despite the arrest of senior officials from the ministry merely 3 months ago.
TI-Z Executive Director Maurice Nyambe said this following reports in today's edition of the news diggers.

18/04/2023

The Hemophilia Foundation of Zambia, HFZ has called on the government to consider allocating funds specifically for procurement of medicine for people with hemophilia.
"Hemophilia" is a disorder in which blood doesn't clot normally.
HFZ Chairperson, Charity Pikiti, says allocating money for hemophilia medicine in the national Budget will help those who can't afford to buy as the drugs are expensive.

18/04/2023

Mongu member of Parliament Oliver Amutike has handed over a one by two class room built using constituency development funds to Nakaywe primary school in Mongu district of Western province.

Speaking earlier Nakaywe primary school headteacher Mulala Likezo appreciated the gesture and has called on government to upgrade the school as most pupils travel long distances for them to access further education.
Here is a report.

18/04/2023

Mourners gathered at Lusaka’s memorial park on Monday to bid farewell to Captain Phiri who passed on, on Wednesday 12th April, 2023 at Chilenje Police station.
The untimely demise of Mr. Phiri is a shock to the entire family and the friends.

Details in the following report.

16/04/2023

THUSO Foundation Executive Officer says the team is ready for the Under 17 and Under 19 Soccer Talent Scouting Tournament slated for 25th April to 1st May 2023 in Malawi.

In a Telephone interview with Revelation Sports News, THUSO Foundation Executive Officer Ekelesi Ziwa states that the organisation has received supports from some Private stakeholders and the government and further called upon other stakeholders to come on board and support the teams in order to make the trip succeed.

Ziwa notes that this tournament will also allow young players from Zambia under her Organisation to showcase their talents and put the flag of Zambia on top of Africa and on the Continent at large.

She further states that 12 Teams will participate in the Tournament, of which 9 are from Malawi while 3 from Zambia, adding that once the players are scout from these teams it will give them possibilities of been signed up to World Class Sports Academies in Europe and Brazil.

Malangi Nzombola now Reports

16/04/2023

The Alpha Cricket Academy has continued giving young talented cricketers a chance to play International Cricket in the absence of Zambia from the ICC stage.

Zambia currently has administration issues with its mother body International Cricket Council however this has not affected the Alpha Cricket Academy as the team has continued hosting successful internationals with the hope that Zambia one day will get back its International Cricket status.

Speaking in an interview, Alpha Cricket Academy Director Ishmael Mbatata has encouraged all people involved in cricket to put differences aside and focus on getting ICC back.

Mbatata has pledged to work with any Executive that will be put in place to ensure that Zambia benefits from all the exciting cricket events that ICC has been running from junior policy to senior National team.

Malangi Nzombola now Reports

16/04/2023

The Mufumbwe Area Member of Parliament Eliot Kamondo has disclosed that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Committee has set aside 4.8Million Kwacha to procure desks for all schools in his constituency.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of CDF projects in Mfumbwe District, the area Member of Parliament says the previous projects had taken long due to insufficient funds

Here is a report

16/04/2023

Over 700 farmers in Monze have accessed new online brand mark identification for cattle issued by the ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Monze District Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator Tabitha Deka says the ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has migrated from Paper based to online brand mark identification.

Mrs. Deka observed that the system has since been decentralised at district level in order to ensure cattle traceability during thefts as every individual have their own brand mark.

Mrs. Deka explains that the online system takes a short time to upload in the system in which a farmer is issued with a brand mark speedily.

16/04/2023

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has facilitated the formation of over 2,300 Savings Groups across the 16 districts in the country resulting in cumulative value of K1,130,000 in Savings.

The Savings Groups are also supported by the Strengthening Climate Resilience of Agricultural Livelihoods in Agro-Ecological Regions I and II in Zambia (SCRALA) Project funded by the Green Climate Fund.

Southern Province Principal Agricultural Officer Paul Nyambe says the Savings Groups have an estimated value of 1,100,000 in loans that have since been loaned to members of the Savings Groups.

More in the following report.

16/04/2023

A joint operation by Lusaka City Council Police, State Police, Public Health and Legal Departments and Ministry of Health have embarked on a five-day legal enforcement exercise which will be conducted in all the seven constituencies in the city.

The aim of this enforcement is to assess levels of compliance to public health guidelines and ensure that people are trading within the laws and regulations.

Here is a report

16/04/2023

Opposition New Generation Party has advised Zambians to stop blaming President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration for the skyrocketing prices of mealie meal prices in the country but venture into farming and start producing their own maize for consumption.

Speaking during a press briefing on Sunday in Lusaka, New Generation Party President Humphrey Suilapwa states that if many Zambians start producing maize for their consumption, the prices of mealie meal can be stabilised and the country can became food secure and one of the richest countries in Africa.

Mr. Siulapwa further disclosed that Zambia is able to feed itself because it has enough resources such as land, water, labour among others that can be used to produce enough maize that will reduce the price of mealie meal in the country.

He further urged the UPND Administration to provide guidance, logistics and a good environment for Zambians to thrive in agriculture.

16/04/2023

Community Action Against Corruption CAAC has commended the immediate past Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba for presiding over a Police Service which showed a lot of improvement in so many areas of operations and service to the people, adding that the only area where CAAC feel Mr Kajoba failed was in controlling Political violence.

In an Interview with Revelation News, the CAAC Chief Executive Officer Brightone Tembo says like his predecessor Mr. Kakoma Kanganja, Mr Kajoba slowly started tolerating Political Violence from ruling party Cadres.

16/04/2023

The newly sworn in Deputy inspector general of police Administration Alita Mbahwe has encouraged women to continue working hard if they are to be recognized in higher positions.

Speaking in an interview Ms Mbahwe disclosed that her hard work during the time she was drug enforcement Commissioner has paid off.

She states that women should not relent in putting their efforts in the development of the country.

On Friday President Hakainde Hichilema Swore in 5 women in different Ministries as Permanent Secretaries and assured that they will be gender equity in the employment of civil servants.

16/04/2023

Meet Cameroonian game changer, Ngassa D. Fotso, a young African mover and shaker.
The CEO of Livestock and Africa's number one livestock trading app, GAJO LIVESTOCK APP.

Ngassa D. Fotso has recently revolutionised trading in organic and quality livestock products in Cameroon and his innovation is already bring embraced by major African markets.

Despite several challenges, one being a major land dispute in 2018, which led to loss of a major business premises, human capital, and other business assets, Ngassa D. Fotso could not be stopped.

This upcoming African Business Mogul has said he is driven by the passion to change Africa's narratives, especially Cameroon. This is evident in his approach in simplifying the Livestock trade.

We admire his bouncebackability, tenacity, shrewdness, and perfectionism.

Shakira once sang it was time for Africa and I can definitely assure you that time is here. Watch this space with .

Download Gajo Livestock App from:
Apple Store 👉🏾 https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/gajo-livestock/id6444003520

Play Store 👉🏾 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gajolivestock.com

15/04/2023

We are Streaming Live at Tayali's Office, where EEP Party President Chilufya Tayali is addressing the Media .

15/04/2023

We are Streaming Live at Leadership Movement Secretariat where the Party President Dr.Richard Silumbe is addressing the Media on various National Issues .

14/04/2023

The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe says government has embarked on a programmme of building future sports teams to ensure continuity.
Speaking on Friday morning at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre when he provided an update on the forth coming under 18 and 20 Confederation of African Athletics (CCA) Championships to be hosted by Zambia, Mr. Chileshe said that government wants to develop different sports disciplines from the grass root.

Here is a report

14/04/2023

Mongu is one of the districts in Zambia with high levels of malnutrition among children and the government under the scaling up nutrition has taken some interventions to combat stunting among children.
Here is a report

14/04/2023

The Push Women Network is geared to sponsor over 50 women led business during the Lusaka business expo 2023 expected to place from 4th May to 6th May 2023.

Speaking at the Partnership announcement between the Development Bank of Zambia and the Push Women Network to prepare for Lusaka business expo, Push Women Network Executive Director Colonel Mwizukanji Namwawa states that the majority of Small and Medium Enterprises SMEs are female led businesses in the country which marks 80 percent.

Colonel Namwawa further disclosed that the Lusaka expo will expose the participants to skills development, access to financial literacy, affordable financing among others.

She has thanked the sponsors that have come on board such as the Development Bank of Zambia for making the expo possible.

Speaking at the same event, Development Bank of Zambia Acting Managing Director Maybin Muyawala disclosed that the bank is in the process of developing the female entreprenurship facility framework, which is a strategy to promote women in entrepreneurship.

14/04/2023

Caritas Solwezi Project Coordinator, Lewis Miyanda has reminded the government to tell the nation when Kasenseli Gold Mine is expected to be re-opened stating that the president assured the people in the country that they had meeting with Chief Chibwika and that the mining will be reopened.

Speaking In an interview, Mr. Miyanda says caritas will continue reminding government over the pending reopening of the Gold Mine

He says government should also evaluate the life span of the Gold Mine before it is reopened.

14/04/2023

The Zambia Police Service recorded a total of 7,639 road traffic accidents countrywide during the first quarter of 2023, covering the period from January 1 to March 31, 2023. Lusaka Province had the highest number of accidents with 4,186, representing 54.8% of the total accidents.
Chilabi Godfrey the Assistant Public Relations Officer gives us the details

14/04/2023

In a continued effort to ensure that the situation of mealie meal smuggling is kept under control, the Defence and Security Chief's have visited Kasumbalesa border post and surrounding areas to ensure that security is intact.
Security wings have been deployed to places with rampant mealie meal smuggling to ensure that the vice is controlled.

Here is a report.

14/04/2023

President Hakainde Hichilema has made changes in a number of Ministries at Permanent Secretary level and the Zambia Police service with Graphel Musamba appointed as Inspector General of Police replacing Lemmy Kajoba.

Mr. Kajoba who was appointed on 29th August 2021 as Inspector General of Police, has being fired while on duty on the Copperbelt Province.

President Hichilema has also relieved the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Charge of Administration Doris Nayame of her duties, awaiting re-deployment and has since appointed Former Drug Enforcement Commission, Commissioner Alita Mbahwe as Deputy Inspector General of Police.

The President has further transferred Yvonne Mpundu, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development to the Ministry of Agriculture as Permanent Secretary in charge of Administration.

President Hakainde Hichilema has also terminated the contracts of four permanent secretaries, Danny Mfune, John Msimuko, Wisdom Bwalya and Perpetual Mphande and has also appointed eight new Permanent Secretaries

Meanwhile, the President has thanked all former senior government officials who have been relieved of their duties for their individual contribution to the country and wished them well in their future endeavors.

Malangi Nzombola now Reports.

14/04/2023

Fellow citizens.

This afternoon, we held a meeting with the Millers Association of Zambia leadership at State House.

A wide range of issues relating to maize and mealie meal were discussed including how we can sustain production and support the farmers.

As a government, we are extremely concerned with the situation before us, but we are determined to ensure that it is resolved.

This is the reason we are taking sweeping reforms in agriculture including the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP). We asked the millers to play their crucial role in ensuring that the domestic market is satisfied before we service external markets while we understand that some have long terms agreements with those markets.

We will remain seized of this matter.

May God bless you all.

Hakainde Hichilema
President of the Republic of Zambia

14/04/2023

Fellow citizens.

Today at State House, we swore in public servants into various positions.

Among them are 8 permanent secretaries of various ministries and also Mr Graphel Musamba as the new Inspector General of Police and Ms Alita Mbahwe as Deputy Inspector General of Police (Administration).

Our newly appointed officials are here to serve the people of Zambia and uphold the rule of law without discrimination while embracing gender equality and our God-given diversity.

We implore the officials to work as a team to unlock internal rigidities and put an end to violence and corruption. We will not stand by and watch our nation return to lawlessness and violence.

We wish the officials the very best as they restore professionalism to public office and find mechanisms for inclusivity in access to opportunities.

As we always say, it is time for work, work, and more work.

Tiyeni tubombele abena Zambia.

May God bless our country.

Hakainde Hichilema
President of the Republic of Zambia.

14/04/2023

LATEST: The new IG is Graphel Musamba.
On PS reshuffles, Naomi Tetamashimba becomes PS Special Duties Cabinet Office, elevated from the position of Deputy PS North Western.

14/04/2023

JUST IN: PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA FIRES INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE AND FOUR PERMANENT SECRETARIES

14/04/2023

JUST IN: HOT OFF THE PRESS !!!

13/04/2023

ROAD TRANSPORT AND SAFETY AGENCY

PRESS STATEMENT

BUS FARES REDUCTION

LUSAKA, 13th April, 2023 – The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has approved the downward adjustment of bus fares, pursuant to Section 107 (11) of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2022 as amended by Act No.8 of 2022.
The approved downward variation in bus fares are as follows:
S/n
Route
Approved Average Bus Fare Reduction (ZMW/%)
1.
Intercity – Long Distance
3.5%
2.
Copperbelt Local and other towns
K1.00
3.
Lusaka Local and other towns
K1.00
4.
Inter-Mine-Copperbelt
K2.00
5.
Lusaka Peri-Urban
K2.00
The changes in bus fares are effective 13th April, 2023. Further, bus operators are guided to revise the bus fare charts and display in all the buses accordingly.

The adjustment in bus fares comes in the wake of the decrease in the fuel pump prices announced by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).

Issued by:

MUKELA MANGOLWA ACTING HEAD- PUBLIC RELATIONS

13/04/2023

Today in Livingstone, we were delighted to join the members of the legal fraternity at the Law Association of Zambia's (LAZ) 10th Annual Conference, coinciding with its Golden Jubilee, a remarkable achievement indeed.

On this occasion, we extended our sincere congratulations to the past and present lawyers who have served our country with distinction and honor. We also urged the future generation of lawyers to be torchbearers of this noble profession and uphold integrity and a sense of duty as law practice entails great responsibility.

Furthermore, we implored the Law Association of Zambia to collaborate with the government in delivering fair justice to all our citizens both at home and abroad. We must work together to deliver critical services to the people. Effective institutional reforms require good and honest leadership.

The Law Association of Zambia must adapt to the global order and address new challenges such as migration, global warming, and terrorism, among others. LAZ should explore ways to mitigate these challenges and remain relevant.

Above all, LAZ must protect our people's civil liberties, even in a hostile environments. We urged the association to also address cross cutting issues such as injustices associated with gender and ethnicity, among others, and use them as an opportunity to find answers. We promised to increase the financial support to the Judiciary especially in the area of infrastructure development.

Hakainde Hichilema,
President of the Republic of Zambia.