Copperbelt Minister, Elisha Matambo, has announced that President Hakainde Hichilema donated K20,000 to each of the five families affected by a recent accident at Macro Link Mine along the Ndola-Mufulira road.

Matambo disclosed this during a meeting with the families on Monday in Ndola.

Read more: Decomposed bodies of retrieved Macrolink miners given mass burial in Ndola

The five victims were retrieved and buried at Mitengo Cemetery in Ndola.

“What remained was the closure of the matter, hence the final meeting held today after reaching an agreement with all stakeholders,” Matambo said.

Additionally, Matambo revealed that Macro Link Mine management and the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board have compensated each family with an undisclosed amount.

He also noted that the mine management had pledged to employ one person from each affected family to provide ongoing support.

“I urge you to remain united and share the resources as guided by the law to avoid conflicts within families and adhere to the laws of the land,” Matambo advised.

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Police have detained Francis Chipyoka, a Financial Analyst at the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), in connection with the suspected murder of IBA Director-General, Guntila Muleya, who was shot dead.

Muleya was found dead with gunshot wounds in Lusaka’s Njolwe area.

Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, reported that Muleya’s body was discovered with two bullet wounds, one on the back and one on the head.

Read More: Three police officers, others arrested in connection with Muleya’s murder

A closer examination revealed a deep bullet wound on his forehead. Two bullet cartridges were recovered at the scene.

Chipyoka is now the fifth suspect in the ongoing murder investigation.

The arrest was briefly reported in Lusaka on Sunday by Hamoonga.

“He has already been apprehended…,” Hamoonga confirmed, adding that Chipyoka is currently in police custody in relation to the murder of Guntila Muleya.

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The Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) has initiated a sampling process for medicines stranded at the J & J depot in Makeni, Lusaka.

These medicines, which belong to the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), are being assessed for quality.

ZAMRA Director-General, Makomani Siyanga, announced that the sampling exercise would extend into the following week as more medicines are being unloaded into the ZAMMSA warehouse.

Read More: Leben Laboratories drags ZAMRA to court, challenges disposal of its consignment of drugs

This step followed concerns over the condition of the stranded medicines.

In a statement released in Lusaka on Saturday, Siyanga explained that samples were being sent to the National Drug Quality Control Laboratory for thorough quality analysis.

Preliminary results indicated that the tested medicines comply with established quality standards.

Once the quality analysis was fully completed, the medicines would be authorized for distribution.

Siyanga assured that ZAMRA was committed to providing prompt quality analysis to ensure the availability of safe and effective medicines in Zambia.

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Law enforcement agencies have launched a full-scale forensic investigation to determine why 61 containers of essential medical supplies were stored at a private depot.

Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Director-General, Nason Banda, reported that statements had been recorded from several key individuals in the Ministry of Health.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, Banda said the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), the depot management, the clearing agent and the shipping company have also provided statements.

“Preliminary investigations show that the Ministry of Health was allegedly unaware that the consignments from Egypt had not been delivered to ZAMMSA and were instead kept at a private depot in Lusaka,” Banda revealed.

It was found that ZAMMSA did not inform the Ministry of Health about any shipment challenges.

However, ZAMMSA was aware of the consignments and received alerts about the containers’ departure from Egypt and arrival in Zambia via Mozambique.

“We wish to establish why ZAMMSA management appeared unprepared to receive the goods despite knowing the shipment schedules,” Banda said.

Banda noted that both ZAMMSA and the Ministry of Health showed a lack of supervision, as neither made follow-ups on the consignment over the past seven months.

Read More: Govt suspends Director-general of medical supplies agency, Nyasulu, after scandal breaks out

Banda said that the investigation would be conducted with transparency and in accordance with the law.

“We believe it is in the interest of all well-meaning Zambians to see integrity and functionality at ZAMMSA restored,” he stated.

Banda urged the public to support the efforts towards a more accountable and efficient healthcare system and cautioned stakeholders against issuing statements or engaging the media, as it could jeopardise the investigation.

“The containers of medicines and medical supplies were procured under a US$24 million agreement between the governments of Zambia and Egypt,” he added.

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Government has handed over agricultural equipment and livestock valued at K2.7 million to beneficiaries of the Food Security Pack (FSP) Programme in Kalomo and Zimba districts of Southern Province.

The distribution, which totaled K1,650,000 for Kalomo and K1,131,000 for Zimba, was funded by proceeds from recoveries within the FSP Programme.

During the handover on Saturday, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary, Angela Kawandami, highlighted the initiative’s aim to uplift living standards and enhance household food security.

In Kalomo district, the beneficiaries received seven hammer mills, three dehullers, one maize sheller, one oil expeller, 640 goats, 21 cows and 119 bicycles.

In Zimba, the distribution included two dehullers, two oil expellers, 300 goats and building materials for three storage facilities.

Kawandami emphasized government’s commitment to improving community living conditions through impactful social protection programs.

She stressed the importance of these interventions in alleviating poverty, particularly during drought situations.

Read More: Social protection not just about cash transfers but sustainable development —Tembatemba

Kawandami urged the beneficiaries to utilise the equipment and livestock effectively to boost production and enhance their food, nutrition and income security.

“I also want to urge you to uphold your repayment commitments. These contributions facilitate ongoing and impactful interventions aimed at transforming livelihoods,” Kawandami advised.

District Commissioners, Robinson Mulamfu, of Zimba and Joshua Sikaduli of Kalomo expressed their profound gratitude for government’s proactive efforts in enhancing the welfare of the poor and vulnerable across the province and the country.

They acknowledged the significant impact of the equipment and livestock handover on reinforcing local food security and fostering sustainable development.

“We want to pledge our full support to supplement government efforts in promoting domestic and national food security,” the District Commissioners stated.

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The Zambia Police Service has arrested four suspects in connection with the murder of Guntila Muleya, Director-General of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA).

Police Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga, stated that the suspects included two regular police officers, one reserve police officer, and a member of the public.

This diverse group of individuals are now in custody as the police continue to unravel the details surrounding Muleya’s death.

Read More: No truth in abduction claims at Kabulonga Girls Secondary School —Police

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, Hamoonga confirmed that the deceased’s official vehicle had been recovered.

This crucial piece of evidence may provide significant insights into the circumstances of the murder.

“Additionally, the police have seized two motor vehicles, three firearms, K129,300 in cash, assorted knives, and various electronic gadgets including phones, hard drives and flash disks from the suspects,” Hamoonga added.

The seizure of these items suggests a potentially complex and premeditated crime.

Hamoonga noted that the investigation was progressing well and assured the public that updates would be provided as new information comes to light.

“However, we are mindful that premature disclosure of certain details may jeopardise the ongoing investigation,” he said.

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The Zambia Police Service has denied rumors that six students from Kabulonga Girls Secondary School were abducted.

This response followed an incident on Tuesday when Gershom Mumba, the Deputy Head Teacher of the school, was approached by Nchikulo Mwansa, a parent, regarding his daughter’s absence from classes.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, Police Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga, said Mwansa reported that his daughter would not be able to attend classes due to an incident that occurred on Monday.

Read More: UNZA student arrested for staging own abduction, demanding K80,000 ransom from father

“According to the pupil’s account, on Monday, as they knocked off at around 15:20 hours, she and some other pupils willingly boarded a bus at the Kabulonga bus stop heading to Mtendere. The bus initially failed to start, but after being pushed, it began moving,” Hamoonga mentioned.

He added that the bus took an unexpected route, raising the pupils’ suspicions.

“When questioned about their destination, the driver provided unsatisfactory answers, prompting the pupils to jump out of the bus one by one as it slowed down. All the pupils managed to get off the bus,” he narrated.

He stated that the Headmistress and Deputy Head Teacher confirmed that none of the pupils were abducted, as they were consistently reporting to school since the incident.

“The registration number of the Hiace bus involved in the incident is ABL 1403. Investigations conducted at the Road Transport and Safety Agency have revealed that this motor vehicle has no valid road license or road fitness certificate,” Hamoonga stressed.

He said police could not rule out the possibility that the driver was attempting to evade police presence on the usual route to Mtendere.

“We have launched a search for the minibus to ensure that the driver or the owner faces the necessary fines for operating a motor vehicle without road tax and a road fitness certificate,” he said.

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A 26-year-old hairdresser from Mtendere township, Mary Phiri, has been accused of stealing a small handbag valued at K800.

The alleged theft occurred on May 26, 2024, with Phiri reportedly acting with others unknown.

The handbag belonged to Milika Njobvu, and Phiri is accused of using or threatening violence to obtain or retain the bag, resulting in a charge of aggravated robbery.

Read more: Police arrest 49 for vandalizing, stealing property belonging to ZESCO

Phiri appeared before Lusaka Magistrate Twiza Chiyumbe on Thursday and was committed to the High Court for trial.

If found guilty of aggravated robbery, Phiri faces a minimum sentence of 15 years.

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Musa Mwenye, the former chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) board, has been granted leave to commence contempt of court proceedings against Kankoyo UPND Member of Parliament, Heartson Mabeta, before the Lusaka High Court.

Mabeta alleged that Mwenye intimidated a judge to end an out-of-court settlement between Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and its creditors, aiming to benefit from a $3 million commission.

These allegations were reportedly made on social media shortly after President Hakainde Hichilema dissolved the ACC board.

Mwenye denied the allegations, stating they were malicious and unfounded.

Mabeta claimed that Mwenye wanted the High Court to order KCM to pay $33 million to Copperbelt Energy Corporation so he could receive a $3 million commission.

In a demand letter, Mwenye refuted these claims, asserting that he never demanded a commission from Copperbelt Energy Company Plc nor intimidated any judge or adjudicator.

Justice Kafunda granted Mwenye leave to apply for an order that Mabeta be committed to prison for issuing and publishing defamatory statements.

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Chief Chanje, a traditional leader in Eastern Province, has expressed concern over the increasing human-wildlife conflict in his chiefdom.

Chief Chanje, whose chiefdom is in Chipangali District and who is also the caretaker of the Chikuwe Chiefdom, called on relevant authorities to intervene swiftly.

In an interview with Zambia Monitor in Chipangali, Chief Chanje said the area had seen an increase in the invasion of elephants and other wild animals.

He stated that elephants, in particular, have been destroying crop fields and recently even broke into a family’s house searching for stored maize.

“This morning around 03:00 hours, a number of elephants invaded a farm in Kafansiyanji, broke into the house, and took bags of maize and mealie meal stored inside,” Chief Chanje said.

He noted that elephants from Kasungu National Park had been destroying his people’s fields, gardens, bananas, cassava, and other crops.

Read More: Ministry warns of increased human-wildlife conflicts arising from encroachments, climate change

Chief Chanje warned that this might lead to increased hunger before the next farming season as many people have had their fields invaded and destroyed.

He said there was need for a quick response from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) to prevent any loss of lives and further destruction of the fields.

“I am becoming worried about my people of Kamkomole farms, bordering Kasungu National Park in Chief Chanje’s area, as elephants from Kasungu National Park have been destroying my people’s fields, gardens, bananas, and cassava,” Chief Chanje said.

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