CTPD CONCERNED ABOUT PROLONGED DEBT RESTRUCTURING PROCESS DESPITE PROGRESS
By Lukundo Nankamba
The Centre for Trade Policy and Development-CTPD has raised concerns over the prolonged timeline of Zambia’s debt restructuring process, despite the government’s ongoing efforts to address the nation’s public debt crisis.
CTPD Executive Director Isaac Mwaipopo has acknowledged that the past four years have seen significant strides by the government in tackling Zambia’s unsustainable public debt but notes that the pace of the restructuring has been slower than expected, undermining some of the economic gains that had been made in recent years.
Mr. Mwaipopo has further stressed that the government needs to intensify collaboration with international partners to expedite the restructuring process.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mwaipopo has highlighted the growing threat of Zambia’s energy deficit, which he described as a significant obstacle to future economic development.
He says it is essential that the government prioritizes a sustainable domestic mix of energy solutions to support the economy’s broader needs.
The Government of the Republic of Zambia today marks four years since President Hakainde Hichilema was elected into office.
Over this period, the country has witnessed transformative progress across the economy, education, governance, and national unity. Zambia is firmly on the path towards long-term prosperity and tackling the challenges that stand in its way.
Delivering Economic Renewal Zambia has restored credibility on the world stage and emerged as the fastest-growing economies in Africa.
• Debt Restructuring & Stability: A historic restructuring of Zambia’s debt has unlocked resources for growth, jobs, and essential services.
• Investment: $86 billion in investment has been pledged, with over $12 billion already actualised, driving opportunities across agriculture, mining, energy and other sectors.
• Fastest Growth in Africa: Zambia is projected to record the fastest economic growth on the continent this year, at more than 6%.
Education • Free Education Restored: Every child now has the opportunity to attend school without fees, from primary to secondary level. • 41,000 Teachers Recruited: The largest recruitment drive in Zambia’s history has strengthened schools and created new jobs.
Agriculture
• Record Maize Harvest: Zambia has achieved its largest maize harvest in history, strengthening food security and ensuring stable supply. • Support for Farmers: Expanded input support and reforms to boost productivity are helping farmers increase yields and incomes.
Constituency Development Fund
• CDF Increased 20-Fold: The Constituency Development Fund has expanded from K1.6 million to K36.1 million, empowering communities to drive their own development.
Restoring Unity and Democracy • Peace in Politics: A culture of tolerance and respect has been restored, allowing Zambians to debate and participate without fear.
• Freedoms Protected: The rights of citizens, civil society, and the media are respected and upheld, strengthening democracy.
While challenges remain, the Government is determined to deliver more progress in the years ahead, with a continued focus on delivery for the Zambian people.
President Hichilema reaffirmed his commitment:
“In four years we have laid the foundation for growth and opportunity — but this is only the beginning. We must now build further, so that every citizen feels the benefits of this progress in their daily lives. Together, let’s deliver Zambia’s harvest.”
ISSUED;
Clayson Hamasaka Chief Communication Specialist UPND Zambia State House – Zambia
PRESIDENT HICHILEMA REAFFIRMS GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO CULTURAL PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT DURING LIKUMBI LYA MIZE CEREMONY
PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 23rd August, 2025
Republican President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to preserving Zambia’s rich cultural heritage while advancing sustainable development across all communities.
The President’s speech, delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Gift Sialubalo, MP, was made during the 2025 Likumbi Lya Mize Traditional Ceremony of His Royal Highness Senior Chief Ndungu of the Luvale people in Zambezi District, North-Western Province.
President Hichilema noted that this year’s theme, “Celebrating Chinyama Sakavungu Legacy with Pride and Honour,” underscores the importance of cultural identity, unity, resilience, and passing down traditions to future generations.
He urged young people to take pride in their heritage despite the pressures of globalisation, stressing that culture remains a source of strength and continuity:
“Our tradition is the foundation upon which we build progress, ensuring that our children never forget who they are,” the President stated.
The Head of State highlighted the significance of the Makishi masquerades, describing them as living history that embodies ancestral wisdom, bravery, and community values. He called for documentation and safeguarding of such practices to ensure they endure for centuries.
Amid challenges posed by climate change and economic pressures, President Hichilema appealed to citizens to use traditional ceremonies as platforms to promote sustainable development, education, and cultural tourism.
He further assured that the New Dawn Government remains steadfast in delivering development across all parts of the country through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). In Zambezi West, the CDF has financed key projects, including:
Construction of Kakoto, Kaula, Chiseji/Linganda Health Posts; Construction of classroom blocks at Kaluvinge, Muyembe, Milomboyi, Anyawanda, Kambizana, Matondo, Livanga, Kalumbinge, and Kashona Primary Schools; and Rehabilitation of Lweji Health Post.
“These developments reflect Government’s unwavering commitment to delivering quality infrastructure that meets the needs of our communities,” President Hichilema affirmed.
He concluded by paying tribute to Zambia’s ancestors for preserving traditions and commended the people of Zambezi District for their warm hospitality, as well as the organising committee for successfully hosting the 2025 Likumbi Lya Mize Traditional Ceremony.
Issued by: Liseli Kanyanga (Ms.) Principal Public Relations Officer Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
TWO separate incidents of fatal domestic violence have left communities in Lusaka and Chongwe reeling, as police confirm the deaths of a young woman and a man at the hands of their intimate partners and family members, respectively.
In the first case, 23-year-old Gertrude Banda was allegedly murdered by her long-time boyfriend, Shadreck Lungu, in a vicious knife attack after she reportedly refused to give him K200.
Lungu allegedly stabbed Banda more than seven times using a knife on her throat, buttocks and heart after she refused to give him the money he asked for.
The incident occurred around 21:00 hours on August 20 at Makeni Villa Park in Lusaka, where Lungu had visited Banda at her parents’ home.
According to Zambia Police Service spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, the suspect and victim had been in a relationship for several years and shared two children, though they were not living together at the time of the attack.
Police have since arrested Lungu, who is expected to appear in court soon.
The murder has sparked outrage and sorrow among residents, with calls for stronger measures to protect women from intimate partner violence.
I WOULD TELL BOOMPLAY TO REMOVE ARTISTS WHO INSULTED ME FROM MY PORTAL AS I HAD 75 ARTISTS GETTING PAID THROUGH ME – YO MAPS
While some Zambian artists are crying over Boomplay’s failure to pay them their royalties, TOP Zambian singer YO MAPS shared a shocking revelation when he featured on MIJEDO CONNER hosted by Felistus Ngwira.
In the exclusive interview, Yo Maps revealed that he introduced Boomplay to Zambia after they bought the masters to his KOMANDO album in a 50-50 deal.
He added that from this deal, he became the first artist to have a portal on the digital streaming platform Boomplay, and through this portal, about 75 fellow Zambian artists we’re added and received their royalty payments.
What the singer revealed next shocked the Zambian social space as he told Felistus Ngwira that when one of these artists insulted him, he woud ask Boomplay to remove that artist from his portal and they would seize to receive payments.
Yo Maps said, “Yeah, so I’m the one who introduced Boomplay to Zambia, and I was the only artist who had the portal. So all the artists were in my portal. Yeah, so now you find that this artist is getting paid because of me because I’m the one having that portal.”
He continued, “They can’t get paid without that portal. And then you see the same artist insulting you on social media. So, like, remove that guy from the portal(laughs). I’m the one giving you money then you’re busy insulting me.”
The singer revealed that the 75 artists were oblivious to the fact that they were under his portal, and so when they went online and insulted him, he would tell Boomplay, “Okay, remove that one.” “You know? Sometimes, I want to be petty as well,” the singer added.
This revelation that has been proudly backed by email receipts from his manager has been received with mixed feelings from social users.
For Yo Maps, his actions were just as he said he is not Jesus, and if someone gave him bad energy, he would pay them back with bad energy.
One question that is puzzling social users is if the singer is responsible for the artists not being paid their royalties owed by Boomplay for about two years.
A final effort to save a Russian woman trapped 22,965 feet up a mountain with a broken leg has been called off, according to reports.
Experienced mountaineer Natalia Nagovitsina, 47, has been stuck on Victory Peak in Kyrgyzstan for at least 10 days, as temperatures have sunk to lows of -23C.
Victory Peak, also known as Jengish Chokusu or Pik Pobedy, is Kyrgyzstan’s highest mountain at 24,406 ft, and is located in the Tian Shan range, on the Kyrgyzstan–China border near Lake Issyk-Kul.
Drone footage from three days ago show Nagovitsina moving about on the rock, as a sleeping bag was delivered to her by Italian climber Luca Sinigaglia.
To help her ride out the weather, the 49-year-old brought her a tent, as well as food supplies, water and a gas cooker.
After bringing her the supplies, sadly Sinigaglia passed away from prolonged exposure to low oxygen and hypothermia.
“He carried out an act of great courage. He would never have left anyone behind, and especially not Natalia, with whom he had survived an experience that made them very close,” said Sinigaglia’s sister Patrizia, according to The Times.
His body was recovered from an ice cave where he was said to have collapsed from exhaustion.
“It was an action to be proud of that unfortunately did not allow him to return to us. But that was Luca,” Sinigaglia added.
Other attempts to rescue Nagovitsina, both via climbing and helicopter pursuit, have failed after defence ministry helicopter Mi-8 crashed, while another chopper was forced to fly back down due to the bad weather.
It comes after the latest search for the woman was called off, according to Dmitry Grekov, rescue leader and head of base camp.
Grekov said that mountaineer Vitaly Akimov – who was in charge of a team seeking to rescue Nagovitsina – had to abandon the mission because he was suffering from back pain after the helicopter crash.
When asked she is likely to be alive, Grekov replied: “I think not, because she has been there since 12 August – count how much time has passed.
“It is unrealistic. It is unrealistic to survive at such an altitude.”
It comes after the Russian Mountaineering Federation said a rescue mission would be a ‘miracle’.
Alexander Pyatnitsyn, the federation’s vice president, said: “It will be almost impossible to save her.
“There’s a three-kilometre-long ridge, and it takes at least 30 people in such a situation to rescue a person from there.”
*CEC Partners with LuSE as Gold Sponsor for Inaugural Zambia Capital Markets Conference and Awards 2025*
The Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) has partnered with the Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) as a gold sponsor of the inaugural Zambia Capital Markets Conference and Awards 2025, scheduled for October.
As part of the partnership, the company has contributed K250,000 to support the event, which will bring together policymakers, investors, and corporate leaders to discuss opportunities and challenges in Zambia’s financial ecosystem.
CEC’s Head of Corporate Communication and Investor Relations Ms. Verona Mwila expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming conference, emphasizing the company’s unique position as a product of Zambia’s evolving capital market reforms.
She highlighted CEC’s pioneering issuance of Zambia’s first-ever Green Bond as a milestone that reflects both innovation and investor confidence in the local exchange.
“CEC is a beneficiary of the reforms in Zambia’s capital markets, evidenced by the successful listing of Zambia’s first-ever Green Bond. Through partnering with the LuSE on this inaugural event, we look forward to the benefits the conference and awards will bring for present and future investors, showcasing the immense potential of Zambia’s capital market,” Ms. Mwila said while handing over the cheque.
The conference and awards, set to take place in the first week of October, 2025, will recognize excellence in capital market participation and innovation.
Since CEC’s listing on the Lusaka Securities Exchange, the LuSE has remained a key partner in supporting the company’s growth journey on the exchange.
Lusaka Securities Exchange Plc Chief Executive Officer Mr Nicholas Kabaso said the conference will be more than an event.
“It’s a movement to elevate our capital markets to attract investments and to inspire confidence in the promise of Zambia,” he said.
“Together let’s harness the power of capital markets to fuel Zambia’s economic transformation.”
Some of the personalities to be awarded will be company CEOs, secretaries, stock brokers and the media.
VINCHENZO THREATENS YO MAPS WITH A LAWSUIT, DEMANDS HIS 361,000 KWACHA BOOMPLAY EARNINGS
Earlier this afternoon, in a now deleted post, TOP Zambian artist Vinchenzo subliminally sent a message asking a “party” to start looking for lawyers.
This evening, the singer’s thread continues as he says he wants the money Boomplay owes him which amounts to 15,650 USD (equivalent to 361,774.90 Zambian Kwacha) for the 23.5 million streams he has on the digital streaming platform.
The singer also acknowledged the fact that he and others have been fighting the wrong people, and now they know who to go to if they want to claim their funds.
He wrote, “I have about 23.5 million streams on Boomplay and all this while we have been fighting the wrong person. At least now we know where to start from.”
He continued, “Ine, I have worked hard for my craft, and I want my $15,650. K359950 is a lot of money. When I am back, nifunako ndalama zanga, nilinankongole zobweza kubantu naine.”
This statement comes after the singer Yo Maps appeared on MIJEDO CONNER in an exclusive interview with Malawian TV host Felistus Ngwira, revealing his role in Boomplay paying Zambian artists.
He told Felistus Ngwira that he had a portal on Boomplay where he had about 75 other Zambian artists receiving their royalties owed by Boomplay without their knowledge.
Yo Maps added that if one of those artists insulted him on social media, he would tell Boomplay to remove that artist from his portal. That artist would seize receiving their payments from Boomplay as they could only do so through Yo Maps’ “portal.”
Several artists have reacted to the interview. Some have found the superstar’s remarks appalling. Some laughed it off, but for Vinchenzo M’bale, he wants his money, and he seems determined.
Vinchenzo M’bale says he will attend to the issue when he gets back from South Africa. Are the Olios Kingdom in trouble? Are law suits headed their way?
Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed with Shona hymn in Japan for trade investment forum South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was welcomed to Japan by a group of locals who sang a Shona hymn fluently. Ramaphosa, attending a trade and investment forum, met with Toyota Tsusho President and CEO Toshimitsu Imai on the sidelines of the 9th TICAD Summit in Yokohama. The welcoming group sang the hymn Wahambanathi, also beautifully rendered in Shona.
A surprise welcome in Yokohama Videos posted online on 24 August 2025 showed Ramaphosa smiling as the Japanese singers performed the Shona hymn. Journalist Robert Mukondiwa shared the footage on X, writing:
“Meanwhile in Japan @CyrilRamaphosa was welcomed by a Shona song to a trade and investment forum. I don’t think Gayton McKenzie or Dudula or God forbid Phophi Ramathuba would like this one bit! @Am_Blujay doesn’t mind though coz you get nostalgic!”
His post quickly went viral, sparking thousands of reactions across Zimbabwe, South Africa, and beyond.
One user, @malaikadiva, commented:
“This is beautiful! I love that their pronunciations and tone are all on point. I know it’s been said that there are some similarities between Japanese and Shona – any language experts who’ve studied this? I think this kinda makes the case stronger.”
Social media reactions The moment stirred a wave of comments online, with many praising the performance.
@SikhululeNDGN wrote:
“They sang so beautifully and they’re in sync.”
SA President Cyril Ramaphosa met with Toyota Tsusho President and CEO Toshimitsu Imai on the sidelines of the 9th TICAD Summit in Yokohama, Japan. He was warmly welcomed with the hymn Wahambanathi, also rendered in Shona. pic.twitter.com/oDAO1IyAbo
Others joked about the cultural symbolism. @proudlyZimba said:
“😂😂 As Zimbabweans we must colonise the planet now.”
Some highlighted the pride in hearing Shona in such an international setting. @dominictb1983 commented:
“Wow it’s the Shona for me.”
Toyota ties and cultural exchange Beyond the song, the meeting underscored Japan’s ongoing trade links with Africa. Commenting on the corporate side, @SimonMafohla wrote:
“Toyota Motor Corp has made buckets of money in Zimbabwe and South Africa… This is a fact…”
A man has died in the US after contracting a brain-eating amoeba while waterskiing at a popular tourist destination.
Earlier this month (13 August), officials from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services confirmed that a man had been diagnosed with an extremely rare condition known as amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which he is believed to have contracted while engaging in the recreational activity at the Lake of the Ozarks.
The press release added that the man had contracted the Naegleria fowleri, a microscopic amoeba which is present in freshwater throughout the US.
A week later the DHSS confirmed the unidentified man had died after being treated in an intensive care unit.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the patient,” the agency said in a statement.
What is Naegleria fowleri? The man is believed to have contracted the infection while visiting the Lake of the Ozarks (Getty Stock Images)The man is believed to have contracted the infection while visiting the Lake of the Ozarks (Getty Stock Images) The man is believed to have contracted the infection while visiting the Lake of the Ozarks (Getty Stock Images) Often referred to as a brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri enters the body through the nose and causing infection in the brain.
According to WebMD, the amoeba is found in places such as lakes, ponds, mud puddles and untreated water.
“The Naegleria fowleri ameba then travels up the nose to the brain where it damages the brain tissue. This infection cannot be spread from one person to another, and it cannot be contracted by swallowing contaminated water,” the DHSS added.
Symptoms of infection (PAM) include:
a stiff neck
confusion
headache
fever
vomiting
hallucinations
Symptoms can develop anywhere between one and 12 days after exposure. As this disease develops, patients will typically fall into a coma.
How common are Naegleria fowleri infections? Despite the amoeba being present in freshwater across America, reports of infections are very rare.
According to the CDC, around 10 people get PAM every year in America. Between the years of 1962 and 2024, there had been 167 reported cases of infection.
However, the disease is nearly always fatal when contracted, with the survival rate being less than three percent. Of the 167 reported cases, only four people have made a recovery.
Once inside the brain, the disease eats away at the tissue and causes the brain to swell.
How can you prevent Naegleria fowleri infections? When it comes to preventing Naegleria fowleri infections, the DHSS recommends a number of measure to minimising the amount of water which can enter through the nose.
This includes:
avoiding putting your head under water when swimming in untreated freshwater.
wearing a nose-clip or holding your nose shut when jumping or diving in freshwater
avoid stirring up sediment at the bottom of lakes or riverbeds.
In a chilling case that shocked Matero Local Court, a 36-year-old woman from Chisamba has been granted divorce from her husband, whom she accused of attempting to sacrifice their two daughters in a ritual to gain wealth.
Bertha Mumbi told the court that her husband, Abel Ngoma, 46, of Chibombo, allegedly plotted to kill their two daughters—aged 11 and 7—as part of ritual instructions he received from a witchdoctor in 2021.
Testifying before Magistrate Lewis Mumba, Mumbi said Ngoma even made a small coffin in preparation for the supposed death of their firstborn and kept it in their matrimonial bedroom for four consecutive nights after she refused to participate in the scheme.
“By then, he had already made a small coffin in readiness for the death of my firstborn. He never told me about the coffin he made. We slept for four days with it under our bed,” she said.
Mumbi said the plan was brought to light by the witchdoctor’s informant, who approached her to demand compensation for cancelling the agreement, since she had refused to consent to the sacrifice.
The family of a Texan woman who fled to the Scottish woodlands to join a tribe has spoken out about the ordeal.
Asnat, Lady Safi, real name Kaura Taylor, was reported missing by her family back in the US several months ago, before her recent discovery. It turns out that she has now joined a lost ‘African’ tribe, who live in a forest by the town of Jedburgh, Scotland.
They claim that they’re there to reclaim land which was stolen from their ancestors around 400 years ago, as they explained that Queen Elizabeth I deported native black Jacobites from the UK.
The Kingdom of Kubala consists of just three members: group leader King Atehene, 36, his wife, Queen Nandi, 43, and Taylor.
Atehene, once named Kofi Offeh, was previously an opera singer but has now claimed he is ‘following the ancestral call and the call of the gods’.
Despite the 21-year-old sending a message to British authorities, Taylor’s family has commented on the situation and her character.
Taylor, a mother to a one-year-old whom she took to Scotland, wrote online: “I’m very happy with my King and Queen, I was never missing, I fled a very abusive, toxic family.”
She further said in a video message: “To the UK authorities, obviously, I am not missing. Leave me alone. I’m an adult, not a helpless child.”
The small community have continued to defy local laws, having been given eviction notices and claiming they are following laws set by their God, Yahowah.
Speaking to The Independent, Taylor’s aunt Teri Allen said: “It is very stressful, and difficult. It breaks our heart,
“We’re overly concerned about Kaura, but she doesn’t think anyone is concerned about her.”
Following Taylor’s claims that she was in an abusive family, the aunt said her younger years were ‘very sheltered and protected’, pointing out she was ‘brought up in church, but not their religion’, calling the tribe ‘hogwash’.
Taylor kept the move hidden from her family, as Allen claims that she discovered the tribe online through a high school classmate, quickly cutting herself off from the family.
The tribe aims to increase its population before bringing other lost tribes back to their ‘ancestral homeland’.
When she went missing, Taylor was living with her Allen’s sister and her aunt, Vandora Skinner.
Speaking to the publication, Skinner noted: “She went missing in May. But she wasn’t missing at all, she left to go live with these people.”
Describing her as a teen who could be ‘very disrespectful’, she even rued: “[Taylor] lived in a four-bedroom house, with her own room, and maybe I shouldn’t have been as light on her as I was.
“I allowed her boyfriends to come over, but maybe I shouldn’t have. But I did get her to graduate high school.”
According to the aunt, Taylor even tried to get her boyfriend to move to Scotland with her, but he was put off by the ‘rituals’ practised by the tribe.
The young adult then broke the relationship off and left the country with her then-eight-month-old daughter, with the father no longer in the picture.
“We had to get out and explore a little bit,” was the message Skinner got from her niece two days after her disappearance.
Skinner claimed she was promised a call when she got wifi, but that was the last time the aunt would hear from Taylor.
The 21-year-old’s best friend spoke to Skinner, though, and she claimed that she didn’t know anything about ‘these people’ her friend was going to live with.
A quick Facebook search told the aunt that Taylor was going to the UK to join the ‘Kingdom of Kubala’ and she noted that the King and Queen of the tribe had previously welcomed a different young American woman.
Skinner was more upset when she found out that Taylor considered herself King Atehene’s second wife, despite not being married.
The aunt pointed out: “Now she’s talking about, she’s married to this man and he can have as many wives as he wants?”
At the advice of a local resident, she reached out to Scottish police, and while her niece is no closer to coming home, the belief that Taylor is on a six-month tourist visa means that she may be forced to return home at the end of November.
Former UFC fighter Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson has spoken out after his son received fierce backlash for his behaviour at an independent wrestling event broadcast online.
Footage emerged last night showing MMA fighter Raja Jackson appearing to pummel a professional wrestler into the mat during a fight at a Los Angeles Knokx Pro Wrestling event.
The horrifying moment, which had been live-streamed on Kick, showed 25-year-old Jackson hoist his opponent Stuart Smith, known as Syko Stu, over his head before slamming him into the mat.
Jackson then begins punching his opponent repeatedly as he lies seemingly unconscious on the mat until numerous other wrestlers jump into the ring to intervene in the horrifying event.
The uncomfortable moment has since gone viral after being shared on social media, which you can see below:
Fightful reporter Sean Ross Sapp later provided some extra context to the shocking clip, explaining that a confrontation between Jackson and Smith had been planned, however, it wasn’t meant to be anywhere near as brutal as what played out.
“Based on what I’ve heard, the spot with Raja Jackson at Knokx Pro Wrestling was planned,” he wrote on X.
“However, Raja Jackson knocked the person out – ring name Syko Stu – and followed up with a lot of heavy punches to Syko Stu, which were not planned to do that kind of damage.
“Stu was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. We are working to find out more and have Stu in our thoughts.”
The exchange has been met with a huge amount of backlash online, with Dave Meltzer – founder of the Wrestler Observer Newsletter – said that Jackson’s actions “may be the worst thing I’ve ever seen in a ring.”
An update on Smith’s condition has not been publicly released, though Jackson’s father Rampage claimed he was ‘awake and stable’.
The 47-year-old went on to write say the interaction was planned as ‘payback’ for an earlier altercation between the two fighters, which ultimately ‘went wrong’.
“I want to clear up the misinformation about my son Raja,” he wrote on X.
“I’ve been confirmed that the wrestler (Stewart Smith aka Syko Stu) is awake and stable. Raja was unexpectedly hit in the side of the head by him moments before Smith’s match, Raja was told that he could get his “payback” in the ring, I thought it was apart of the show. It was bad judgement, and a work that went wrong.”
Raja Jackson was NOT meant to slam or punch that man 22 times
Going on to condemn his son’s behaviour, Rampage continued: “Raja is a MMA fighter not a pro wrestler and had no business involved in an event like this. I don’t condone my son’s actions AT ALL! He suffered a concussion from sparring only days ago and had no business doing anything remotely close to physical contact. As a father, I’m deeply concerned with his health AND the well being of Mr. Smith. That being said I’m very upset that any of this happened, but my main concern now is that Mr. Smith will make a speedy recovery.”
He concluded the statement by apologising on behalf of his son and to the streaming platform, adding: “I apologise on his behalf and to KICK for the situation.”
This is the second time which Kick has faced backlash in the past week, after French streamer Raphaël Graven, aka Jean Pormanove, reportedly died while livestreaming on the site.
Footage shared online shows what happened moments before the son of MMA legend Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson sent a professional wrestler to the hospital ‘with serious injuries’.
Raja Jackson, 25, has received backlash on social media after footage from a Knokx Pro Wrestling event live-streamed on Kick showed him punch Syko Stu, real name Stuart Smith, in the head multiple times.
Fightful reporter Sean Ross Sapp said he heard that the pro wrestling match, which centres around predetermined outcomes, was indeed ‘planned’.
“However, Raja Jackson knocked the person out – ring name Syko Stu – and followed up with a lot of heavy punches to Syko Stu, which were not planned to do that kind of damage,” he said on X.
“Stu was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. We are working to find out more and have Stu in our thoughts.”
Jackson, 47, said he condemns his son’s actions, suggesting that it all started with a prior altercation when Smith ‘hit in the side of the head’.
“Raja was told that he could get his ‘payback’ in the ring, I thought it was a part of the show. It was bad judgement, and a work that went wrong,” he explained.
Take a look at the prior exchange below:
Syko Stu thought Raja Jackson was a wrestler, and was setting up a story line. He apologised and they talked it out.
Raja Jackson proceeded to hit this man with 22 unanswered shots until blood came from his ears. Lock him up
After the aftermath was shared online, Rampage said his son ‘suffered a concussion from sparring only days ago and had no business doing anything remotely close to physical contact’.
“As a father, I’m deeply concerned with his health and the well being of Mr. Smith,” he wrote.
“That being said I’m very upset that any of this happened, but my main concern now is that Mr. Smith will make a speedy recovery.
“I apologise on his behalf and to Kick for the situation.”
The former MMA star went on to say that Smith is ‘awake and stable’ following the incident.
Now, footage allegedly taken after the incident shows Jackson making a phone call to a man named ‘Andre’.
Andre was telling Jackson that he was supposed to perform a double-leg takedown, as he responded by saying the wrestler ‘p**sed him off’.
The caller then points to the fact that Jackson was knocked out in the ring, using the word ‘flat-lined’ as he condemned Jackson’s actions.
Satellite Tracking For Buses In Zimbabwe To Curb Rising Road Accidents Zimbabwe is preparing to deploy satellite tracking technology in all buses and public transport vehicles as part of sweeping measures to reduce accidents on the country’s roads.
Real-time tracking to monitor speed and routes According to The Sunday Mail, the Government will require buses and commuter omnibuses to be fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. These will allow transport regulators to monitor speed, driver behaviour and routes in real time.
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) managing director, Mr Munesu Munodawafa, explained the significance of the move. He said:
“The same applies to the issue of speed traps and state-of-the-art speed cameras. By year-end, we expect the electronic traffic management system to move beyond proof of concept to full rollout. The same applies to the satellite tracking of buses, which will soon be fully functional.”
Officials believe the technology will allow swift intervention whenever public transport operators break traffic rules or deviate from approved routes.
A response to rising accidents The introduction of satellite tracking comes after a sharp rise in accidents recorded across Zimbabwe. Police statistics released during the Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day holidays showed a troubling increase. The number of road traffic accidents rose from 149 to 196 compared to the same period in 2024. Fatal accidents climbed from eight to 13, while deaths went up from 16 to 24.
Mr Munodawafa emphasised that the numbers highlight the need for urgent action. He told The Sunday Mail:
“When you look at some of the recklessness on the roads, you wonder whether it is just alcohol. So, this takes us to the point where we believe we need to go all out, and random tests be done on public service vehicle drivers. This will ensure that anybody who drives a public service vehicle is not intoxicated neither by alcohol nor by anything else.”
He said the broader safety package included roadside drug testing and the reintroduction of breathalysers for drivers.
Joint enforcement and nationwide rollout The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, alongside the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, is spearheading the strategy. Authorities plan joint operations involving the TSCZ, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department.
Satellite tracking will work alongside other digital enforcement methods, including electronic traffic cameras in urban centres.
Mr Munodawafa said the new approach would transform how public transport is managed:
“Authorities are also considering the deployment of patrol vehicles equipped with advanced monitoring technology to detect traffic offences. This is part of ensuring road safety is taken to another level.”
Officials say the deployment of satellite tracking, coupled with drug and alcohol testing, is designed to stem the rising tide of accidents.
A US woman who was held captive in a soundproof bunker by her stalker has spoken out about her experience in a new documentary series.
In 2011 Samantha Stites, then a student at Grand Valley State University in Michigan met Christopher Thomas at a Christian student group.
Thomas then began bombarding Stites with numerous requests for a date, with the 33-year-old ultimately blocking his number after he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Over the years the stalking escalated, with Thomas placing a tracker in Stites’ car, showing up in the same public places as her and even delivering flowers to her work.
After graduation in 2014, Stites was granted a six-year personal protection order (PPO) after a friend spotted Thomas leaving her apartment block.
However, Thomas was back the moment the PPO expired in 2020, showing up in bars and supermarkets at the same time as Stites.
He would even join the same gym and soccer league as her.
The renewed harassment prompted Stites to apply for a second PPO against Thomas, who was secretly building a soundproof bunker at the time, after being inspired by the Netflix series You.
Thomas would then break into Stites’ home, abduct and hold her hostage in the makeshift torture chamber for 13 hours in 2022.
“This is like a horror film,” she recalled thinking in an interview with The Telegraph.
“Is he going to rape me and kill me in this room?” Stites recalled asking herself, adding: “I can’t fight my way out.”
Faced with an impossible situation, Stites utilised the skills learnt from her job as a social worker to engage Thomas in conversation.
Thomas would ultimately agree to release Stites in exchange for sexually assaulting her and agreeing not to contact the authorities.
After arriving home, Stites made her way to a hospital and took a rape kit, before working with police to locate the soundproof bunker.
Thomas was later arrested and sentenced to 40 to 60 years in prison for his crimes after pleading guilty to kidnapping, torture and aggravated stalking in December 2023.
Stites has now decided to tell her story in new Hulu and Disney+ documentary Stalking Samantha: 13 Years of Terror, which lays bare the ordeal she suffered for over a decade.
“Justice is a funny thing. It doesn’t necessarily come in the form of prison years,” she explained in an interview with ABC. “I can’t ever go back to before I was kidnapped.
“And that’s something I had to grieve. But knowing that I’m finally turning the page on this and that I should feel safe with him off the street and that I am protected meant a lot. I felt free.”
Stalking Samantha: 13 Years Of Terror is available to stream on Disney+
MOZAMBIQUE-BOUND FUEL TRAIN DERAILS IN MALAWI’S MACHINGA DISTRICT
A cargo train transporting fuel from Nayuchi Border in Mozambique to the Moatize Coal Mine has derailed at Loop 8 of Kamwendo Railway Station in Malawi’s Machinga District.
According to Liwonde Police spokesperson Ngwashape Msume, nine tanker wagons overturned during the accident, with four leaking diesel into the surrounding area. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
Police said the derailment occurred after the train’s operator, 33-year-old Innocent Halala, received an incorrect signal from a switch point operator in Nacala, Mozambique. This error forced the locomotive onto the wrong track, causing it to overturn.
At the time of the accident, the operator was accompanied by his assistant and security officers from G4S, who were escorting the cargo.
A mountaineer has died after trying to rescue his friend who was stuck 22,965 feet up a mountain and had suffered a broken leg.
Russian Natalia Nagovitsina has been trapped near to the top of 24,406 ft tall Victory Peak in Kyrgyzstan.
With extreme weather conditions as low as -23C, the 47-year-old has been unable to make it back down for at least 10 days.
Reports suggest that she was last seen via drone footage days ago, moving about on the rock, as her Italian colleague Luca Sinigaglia risked his life delivering her supplies.
Doing his best to keep her alive, the 49-year-old brought her water and food, as well as a tent and gas cooker.
Sadly, Sinigaglia was said to have collapsed from exhaustion after his body was found and recovered in an ice cave.
His sister Patrizia told The Times that ‘he carried out an act of great courage’.
“He would never have left anyone behind, and especially not Natalia, with whom he had survived an experience that made them very close,” she said.
The pair met under tragic circumstances in 2021 on Khan Tengri on the Kazakstan-Kyrgyzstan-China border.
Nagovitsina and her husband, Sergei, were struggling to get down the mountain when he suffered a stroke. Sinigaglia still helped her get off the mountain.
Following her brother’s death, Patrizia added that it ‘was an action to be proud of that unfortunately did not allow him to return to us’.
“After that they spoke often, agreeing every so often to meet up on some mountain around the world,” she said.
So far, two helicopter rescue missions have failed to get Nagovitsina down, as a decision was made to call off the most recent search.
Dmitry Grekov, rescue leader and head of base camp, said a rescue mission involving a defence ministry helicopter resulted in a crash.
He said that mountaineer and team leader Vitaly Akimov was forced to abandon the mission because he was suffering from back pain after the helicopter incident.
Grekov said ‘it is unrealistic’ to think that Nagovitsina is still alive, given ‘how much time has passed’ since 12 August.
The Russian Mountaineering Federation also said that it would be a ‘miracle’ if the climber was still alive.
“It will be almost impossible to save her,” Alexander Pyatnitsyn, the federation’s vice president, admitted.
“There’s a three-kilometre-long ridge, and it takes at least 30 people in such a situation to rescue a person from there.”
New footage has provided us with an inside-look at Jeffrey Epstein’s private island where he was said to have sex trafficked underage girls.
The disgraced financier died by apparent suicide in a New York prison cell six years ago, but is still being talked about for a number of reasons.
Suggestions that he did not kill himself are still doing the rounds, while Donald Trump’s previous association with him in the 90s early 2000s remains a problem.
The US president has claimed that he fell out with Epstein prior to his first conviction in 2008, and in a bid to prove that he had nothing to do with the sex offender, transcripts released by the US Justice Department earlier this week show what Epstein’s imprisoned former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell had to say about his innocence.
“I actually never saw the President in any type of massage setting,” Maxwell said, according to the transcript.
“I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way. The President was never inappropriate with anybody.
“In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects.”
As the US government continues to face questions about Epstein, footage of the island of Little Saint James, including shots of his bedroom, have been shared by Inside Edition.
The outlet interviewed Guy Dohm, his personal boat captain, who claims to have ferried Epstein to and from the island.
At the time, Dohm said he thought the passengers ‘aged between 15 and 16’ were Epstein’s wife and kids, then found out later that he did not have a family.
A video taken by Dohm inside the property shows Epstein had a spacious bedroom with an office area and a side room, which appears to contain equipment commonly used by eye doctors.
“The longer I think about it, the more I realise I probably helped him commit a crime,” Dohm said.
Stephen Deckoff, the founder of Black Diamond Capital Management, purchased the island after Epstein’s death for $60 million.
Inside Edition’s video showed a lot of construction going on, with Deckoff previously revealing that he had plans to build a luxury resort.
“I’ve been proud to call the US Virgin Islands home for more than a decade and am tremendously pleased to be able to bring the area a world-class destination befitting its natural grace and beauty,” Deckoff said in a press release.
He added that the transformation ‘will provide economic benefits to the region while respecting its culture, history and natural beauty’.
Renowned South African actress Nandi Nyembe has passed away at the age of 75.
The award-winning actress was best known for her roles in Zone 14, Isibaya, Ashes to Ashes, and Soul City, among others.
Also Read: South African Veteran Actress Nandi Nyembe Appeals for Donations During Health Crisis
Nandi Nyembe’s Death Confirmed Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, confirmed her death in a post on X, stating:
‘It is with profound sorrow that the Nyembe Family, together with the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, announce the passing of one of South Africa’s most treasured icons of the arts, Mam’ Nandi Nyembe.”
Nandi Nyembe’s cause of death has not yet been revealed. However, she had not been well for quite some time. The award-winning actress had been wheelchair-bound due to her deteriorating health.
Condolence Messages Trickle In Throughout her remarkable 53-year career, Nyembe brought to life some of the most iconic characters in television.
The sudden and untimely death of Nandi Nyembe has left Mzansi heartbroken. Condolence messages have already started pouring in on social media as netizens mourn the death of the veteran thespian.
Here are some of the condolence messages;
@lindiweN67;
Rest well Skhandisa…Ncamane, Mkhonto oduma njengeZulu💔💔🙏
@umysaviour;
A true legend. May the good Lord receive her spirit to eternal rest. Heartfelt condolences to her family and the industry at large.
@soso_spayi;
I first saw her on Soul City. She was true Legend. Rest in Peace Mama.💔🕊️
@PhathekaPat;
May her soul rest in eternal peace. She raised us, every TV drama, her acting was authentic and beautiful. Condolences to her loved ones 💐
@Kay AngelfaceMo;
Mama Nandi Bows Down🕊️🕊️🕊️ she died Fighting for the actors rights… We Will Forver Say her Name!!!! NANDI NYEMBE… Rest in Peace Mama❤️❤️
@mdlalose_81;
May her beautiful soul RIP, Heartfelt condolences to her family 💔💔. The big tree has fallen 😭. Rest well Legend.
@Sue_Mvelase;
She was great I loved seeing her on my screen. RIP mama
Steve Jobs may well be one of the most recognisable and influential names within the tech industry but it seems as if he didn’t always leave the best impression.
The former Apple CEO, who passed away in 2011 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, established one of the world’s biggest tech companies back in 1976.
He fostered a culture of success as Apple grew into the trillion dollar company that it is today, and that was through a number of unconventional methods that included a ‘beer test’ for any potential employees.
Jobs also used to ask his senior employees one specific question every single day, which would probably get on your nerves, but it seems as if he knew exactly what he was doing.
However, you can also see how that might grind some employees down, with Shark Tank businessman and multi-millionaire Kevin O’Leary opening up about his experience working with the tech whiz back in the 90s.
Speaking on the Diary of the CEO podcast, he said: “I used to work for Steve Jobs in the early 90s making all of his educational software. By the way, not a nice guy, not a nice guy.
“He would say to a room full of people, ‘Kevin, I don’t give a s**t what the students want or the parents think or anybody thinks. It’s what I want. They don’t know what they want till I tell them what they want.’
“And I said, ‘Steve, you sound like such an a**ehole. You have no idea what that sounds like.
“He says, ‘no, no, that’s how it is Kevin. Now, are you making money with me? Am I your fastest growing OEM [original equipment manufacturer]? Have we not been wildly successful and continue to be?’
“I said: ‘Yes, Steve, that’s true.’ He said: ‘Then f**king shut up and do what I say.'”
However, he did have some praise for the former Apple CEO’s incredible work ethic, which included regular emails at 2am, which may well have included a particularly brutal one which was sent to Adobe when he discovered they were recruiting his employees.
O’Leary then went on to explain the concept of signal to noise ratio – signal being what you want to get done, and noise being what gets in the way of you doing it.
He said: “What was so brilliant about Jobs, his vision of signal was the top three to five things you have to get done in the next 18 hours you’re awake.
“You’re going to get those three things or those five things done that you have deemed critical for your mission. They must get done today.
“Anything that stops you from doing that is the noise. So this signal to noise ratio to be successful for Steve Jobs, was 80/20. 80 signal, 20 noise.
“I knew that to be true for him because he would email me at 2.30 in the morning, expect me to get back to him because back then we didn’t have texts. It was all email.
“He was right. And the only person that i’ve seen that has a higher ratio than that is Elon Musk. He has no noise.”
A US woman was fired not long after donating a kidney to help save her boss’ life.
It’s rare to see an employee and a boss get along so well, but Debbie Stevens said it was just part of who she was, when she stepped up to help save her manager Jacqueline Brucia back in 2010.
Much like running a Burger King solo for 12 hours, you would hope that such a generous act would be remembered, but it turned into a nightmare for Debbie when she later lost her job.
“I decided to become a kidney donor to my boss, and she took my heart,” Debbie told The Post aback in 2012.
“I feel very betrayed. This has been a very hurtful and horrible experience for me. She just took this gift and put it on the ground and kicked it.”
Stevens, who was 47 at the time of the interview, first met Brucia when she started working at Atlantic Automotive Group in Long Island back in 2009, and after a brief hiatus, she returned to the office a year later.
She discovered that Brucia needed a kidney transplant and mentioned that she would be willing to donate. Shortly afterwards, Stevens contacted Brucia about the possibility of being re-hired, and she was assigned to help Brucia with clerical tasks.
According to Stevens, Brucia said in January 2011: “My donor was denied. Were you serious when you said that?’ I said, ‘Sure, yeah.’ She was my boss, I respected her. It’s just who I am. I didn’t want her to die.”
Although Stevens wasn’t a direct match for Brucia, she was able to participate in a swap programme, where she donated her kidney to someone who needed it Missouri, while Brucia’s replacement kidney arrived from San Francisco.
“I felt I was giving her life back,” Stevens said.
However, after the surgery, Stevens had health complications and says she was pressured into returning to work. On one occasion where she left work early due to feeling unwell, she received a call from her boss.
“She said, ‘What are you doing? Why aren’t you at work?’ I told her I didn’t feel good.
“She said, ‘You can’t come and go as you please. People are going to think you’re getting special treatment.’”
That was just the start for Stevens as she allegedly went on to lose her overtime opportunities along with some of her work responsibilities, and was eventually demoted to a dealership 50 miles away.
“She just started treating me horribly, viciously, inhumanly after the surgery,” Stevens told ABC News.
“It was almost like she hired me just to get my kidney.”
Stevens was eventually fired in 2012, with the company citing ‘performance deficiencies’. She claims she was given no written warning and was not placed on a performance improvement plan.
The same year, Brucia’s husband told the New York Post Stevens’ claims were ‘far from the truth’ and added: “She didn’t fire anyone.”
Stevens’ legal team filed a lawsuit against Atlantic Automotive Group in 2013, with the case being settled confidentially the following year.
The company never admitted to Stevens’ claims that she was fired due to illness following the kidney donation.
LADbible has contacted Atlantic Automotive Group for a comment.
State Department Blocks Work Visas For Commercial Truck Drivers The US State Department has announced an immediate freeze on the issuance of work visas for commercial truck drivers. The move was confirmed on Thursday, 21 August 2025, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying the measure was designed to address safety concerns and protect American truckers’ livelihoods.
In a post on X, Secretary Rubio declared:
“Effective immediately we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers. The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers.”
The announcement affects applicants for H-2B, E-2 and EB-3 visa categories, a State Department spokesperson confirmed.
Triggered by Florida crash The visa freeze comes in the wake of a high-profile fatal crash in Florida earlier this month. Reports suggested the driver involved was not a US citizen and did not speak English, raising questions over state compliance with federal rules on commercial driver’s licences (CDLs).
A spokesperson for the State Department told reporters:
“Ensuring that every driver on our roads meets the highest standards is important to protecting the livelihoods of American truckers and maintaining a secure, resilient supply chain.”
Earlier this week, the Department of Transportation launched an investigation into states accused of violating federal rules when issuing CDLs. The Trump administration has been focusing on enforcing English-language proficiency in trucking. In May 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration introduced new roadside inspection requirements, compelling drivers to respond in English.
Industry groups react The decision has drawn support from major trucking associations. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) said in a statement:
“There is unlikely to be any negative effect on the supply chain, as the trucking industry continues to face overcapacity.”
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) also welcomed the pause. Chris Spear, ATA President and CEO, stated:
“The issuance of non-domiciled CDLs needs serious scrutiny, including the enforcement of entry-level driver training standards.”
Cross-border freight operations between the US, Mexico, and Canada remain unaffected. Matt Silver, co-founder and CEO of logistics platform Cargado, explained in a LinkedIn post:
“These drivers aren’t on worker visas. They’re admitted under a B1 business visitor visa, which specifically allows them to haul freight across the border. What they cannot do is cabotage — picking up and delivering freight strictly within the U.S.”
Silver added that Canadian truck drivers operate under reciprocal agreements that ensure trade between the two countries without dependence on the worker visa system.
The State Department has not indicated how long the visa freeze will last.
DRAMA AT UCZ: KWACHA EAST MEMBERS DENY KNOWING THEIR MP BEFORE PRESIDENT HICHILEMA
There was Biblical drama at UCZ Kwacha East Congregation in Kitwe when congregants openly denied knowing their area Member of Parliament, Charles Mulenga, right in front of President Hakainde Hichilema, who had graced the church service.
Like a modern-day Peter at the high priest’s courtyard, members insisted not once, not twice, but repeatedly that they had never seen or heard of their MP. “Mulenga who? We don’t know him!” some muttered, as if waiting for a rooster to crow.
Observers in the congregation could not help but chuckle, likening the scene to the three denials of Apostle Peter, except this time it wasn’t fear of Roman soldiers but disappointment in parliamentary performance.
One church elder was even overheard whispering, “Unless he performs a miracle of multiplying jobs and reducing mealie-meal prices, then maybe we shall recognize him.”
President Hichilema, sitting through the awkward denials, maintained a calm expression though some claim they saw him suppressing a smile.
In the end, the Kwacha East MP found himself scripturally ‘disowned,’ proving once again that politics and pulpit encounters can bring out the most unexpected gospels of the day.
Watch out for ethnic-regional imbalances in Hichilema’s judicial appointments
By Sishuwa Sishuwa
On 8 August 2025 President Hakainde Hichilema signed into law the Superior Courts Act, which provides for the number of judges of the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, Court of Appeal, and the High Court. The new statute repeals and replaces the Superior Courts (Number of Judges) Act of 2016. It provides for thirteen judges of the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice; thirteen judges of the Constitutional Court, including its President and Deputy President; not more than thirty-one judges of the Court of Appeal (this is up from 19 in 2016), including the Judge President and the Deputy; and not more than one hundred judges of the High Court (up from 60 judges in 2016).
There are three broad points I wish to make on this important development.
The first is that I commend President Hichilema for increasing the number of judges at the two busiest levels of our justice system: the High Court and Court of Appeal. A key reason why it takes a long time for cases to be disposed of is because judges are simply overwhelmed. On average, a High Court judge in Lusaka handles about 300 cases a year. This is simply unmanageable and prevents the timely delivery of justice. When one adds the low salaries that judges receive, it is hard to understand why any self-respecting individual would aspire to be a judge under the circumstances.
According to the latest Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Regulations published in May 2025, the current annual basic salary of a judge on the High Court bench is K370, 473.73. Their counterpart on the Court of Appeal receives a basic salary of K388, 997.38 per annum. This means a High Court judge gets about K30, 000 monthly before tax while one on the Court of Appeal receives about K32, 000. This is far less than what politicians in the two other branches of government – parliament and the executive – get.
It is largely because of Zambia’s high rate of unemployment that many people are prepared to take up such low-paying jobs on the thinking that although ‘the salary is low, it is better than nothing’ especially when other conditions of service such as housing allowances are added. And precisely because such individuals join the judiciary for the paycheck, not any commitment to justice, many of them, eager to beef up their income, become susceptible to corruption from a highly corrupt executive that often wants to use judges for its partisan goals.
Judges of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court handle very few cases a year, averaging 20 at most, so I am not concerned about them. Much of the workload that is before the superior courts is handled by the low-staffed High Court and Court of Appeal benches. That is why I am praising Hichilema for increasing the numbers of judges to the two courts by 40 and 12 respectively. In fact, even these additional numbers are not enough, given the volume of work that is before the High Court and Court of Appeal, but the increase marks a good starting point. Instead of fighting to increase the number of members of parliament, Hichilema is better advised to increase the number of judges because they provide a clear and more important service to the people.
The second point is that there is an urgent need to enact a law that provides for a transparent system that would result in merit-based identification, interviews, and appointment of potential judges. The increase in the numbers alone is not enough. It needs to be supported by other measures. In addition to an unmanageable caseload and poor conditions of service, another factor that contributes to poor and late delivery of justice is the sheer incompetence of some of our judges. However, we will not solve the problem of corruption and incompetence in the judiciary if people who end up as judges are not appointed on merit. Even before Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and President Hichilema move to fill up the created vacancies in the judiciary, it is important to enact an Act of Parliament that would provide for a competitive, merit-based, and transparent system of appointing judges. This should involve advertising vacancies, publishing the names of both unsuccessful and shortlisted candidates, and conducting interviews before a properly reconstituted JSC which should include the Chief Justice.
Presently, everything is done in secrecy and in a manner that overly concentrates power in the presidency. Judges are currently appointed by the President on the recommendation of the JSC, but members of this body are themselves appointed by the President subject to ratification by a generally pliant parliament through a simple majority. No one knows the criteria that the JSC uses to identify judges. People just wake up to news that so and so has been appointed to this or that court without any knowledge of how the affected individuals were identified. Right now, the appointment of judges operates like an admission to a secret society. What is needed is to create legislation that will provide for a very clear process of appointing judges in a transparent, competitive, and open manner.
As earlier stated, let there be adverts calling for interested candidates to apply for positions in the judiciary so that anyone interested and meeting the outlined requisite qualifications is free to apply and become a judge. The JSC, whose members should not be appointed by the president, will then hold open and even televised interviews with the shortlisted candidates. Members of the public should be free to give evidence-driven testimony against any shortlisted person whom they think lacks the integrity to serve as a judge. This manner of proceeding would ensure that those who end up as judges in our superior courts do so not because they know someone in the corridors of power but are qualified, competent, and impartial individuals with demonstrable experience, intimate knowledge and understanding of the law and who possess proven levels of integrity.
The incompetence that we see in our judiciary today is not accidental; it is the result of the lack of a transparent and open mechanism of appointing judges. A key reason why I voted for Hichilema in the 2021 election was that I had hoped that he would change this undesirable status quo where judges are appointed in a secretive way that does not foster transparency. After all, he had promised to create such a mechanism when he was in opposition. But after winning power, the President has reneged on his campaign promise, as he has done on so many others, and has used the same rotten system that his predecessors relied upon to appoint judges.
The problem, in my view, is not just the lack of capacity in the individuals appointed to these roles; it is the inadequacies of a system that allows such individuals to end up as judges in the first place. Unless the current system is changed, the next crop of appointments to superior courts risks including several dishonourable magistrates, mainly those in Lusaka, who have been making a truckload of such questionable judgements in favour of the executive that one would be forgiven for thinking that they have been promised appointments to the High Court if they secure the interests of those in power.
The third and final point is the need to ensure regional, gender, youth, and equitable representation of persons with disabilities in the appointment of judges. This would promote inclusion and national unity and prevent accusations and perceptions that the President is packing the courts with individuals who predominantly come from one region. The good thing is that there already exists a law in place for this measure. All that is required is for the President to comply with it.
Article 259 of Zambia’s Constitution provides that “Where a person is empowered to make a nomination or an appointment to a public office, that person shall ensure — (a) that the person being nominated or appointed has the requisite qualification to discharge the functions of the office, as prescribed or specified in public office circulars or establishment registers; (b) that fifty percent of each gender is nominated or appointed from the total available positions, unless it is not practicable to do so; and (c) equitable representation of the youth and persons with disabilities, where these qualify for nomination or appointment.”
The same Article also states that “A person empowered to make a nomination or appointment to a public office shall, where possible, ensure that the nomination or appointment reflects the regional diversity of the people of Zambia.” This means the Constitution itself requires the President to be sensitive to regional representation when making appointments to any public office. Unfortunately, Hichilema has so far not shown much respect for the law.
For instance, in February 2023, the President appointed a total number of 20 judges to various positions in the superior courts. These included Margaret Munalula, Arnold Shilimi, Mudford Mwandenga, Maria Mapani, Kenneth Mulife, Mwiinde Siavwapa, Laston Mwanabo, Mwaka Ngoma Samundengu, Mbile Muwindwa Wina, Vincent S. Siloka, Greenwell Malumani, Mabolobolo Mwananjiti, and Situmbeko Chocho. The rest were Abha Nayah Patel, Yvonne Chembe, Enias Chulu, Obister Musukwa, Anne Malata – Ononuju, Geoffrey Chilufya Mulenga, and Malaro Nyirenda.
Of these 20 appointments, the first thirteen came from only three provinces or one region: Southern, Western, and Northwestern. Such regional imbalances are unlawful and must be avoided in the next set of appointments. If there are 50 vacancies in the judiciary, Hichilema must make sure that those appointed reflect regional, gender, youth, and equitable representation of persons with disabilities in Zambia today. If there is to be any departure from this constitutional principle, there must be compelling grounds.
As the Judicial Service Commission and Hichilema move to fill the numerous vacancies created in the superior courts, I make an earnest appeal to members of the public to remain vigilant and specifically watch out for ethnic-regional imbalances in the distribution of the soon-to-be announced appointments of judges. We owe it to ourselves to build a better, equal, united, just, and fair Zambia in which no citizen feels shut out or excluded from any public opportunities on account of their ethnic identity, region of origin, gender, disability, and where presidents respect the laws that we have set for ourselves. It is possible.
Presidential Re-Run In Sight, An Analysis Of a Divided Opposition After ECL’s Demise
A KBN TV EDITORIAL This editorial will not necessarily discuss individual political parties, but will focus on groupings such as Tonse Alliance, United Opposition Front and the United Kwacha Alliance.
However, we will briefly touch on parties which presently don’t belong to any of the above named groupings, but have expressed interest to contest the presidential and general elections next year.
First and foremost, we pay tribute to the late sixth Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who was the Chairperson and candidate for the Tonse Alliance. It’s difficult to discuss Tonse Alliance without making reference to ECL.
When he was taken ill, ECL had an opportunity to name his preferred successor. It is not clear if this was done. Todate, there is no known public record of a written will to indicate who might succeed him.
One school of thought claims that ECL may have been an interested party who hoped to recover from his illness and have a shot at contesting next year’s elections.
To demonstrate this intent, his eligibility case was taken back to the ConCourt to challenge its earlier decision to bar his candidature. Unfortunately, he died on June 5th, 2025.
Following his untimely demise, and in discussing the future of Tonse Alliance, it’s worth noting that “PF” as the anchor party of the Alliance, has a constitution that addresses the succession process in an event its leader dies or resigns.
We must also be alive to the fact that while there is a consent judgment in the fight for PF, which is currently pending court endorsement to revert the party to its original state, technically, however, PF belongs to Robert Chabinga aided by Government conspiracy. It’s in the interest of the ruling party to ensure that the opposition, and PF in particular, remains in disarray.
Therefore, realistically speaking, PF is not the anchor party for Tonse Alliance as doing so brings Chabinga into the picture. Rather, the anchor in Tonse is the Edgar Chagwa Lungu Political Movement, a composition of parties that supported ECL. Even though the movement represents everything PF, the registered entity unfortunately remains outside its span of control.
In discussing the Tonse Alliance further, it’s important to point out that all parties agreed to subordinate themselves to the Alliance and its constitution.
However, crafters of the Tonse Alliance constitution had only ECL in mind. He was the anchor figure that brought them together and they didn’t bargain for how leadership would look like in an event of his unfortunate departure without naming a successor.
ECL was the natural choice to maintain a singular centre of power. This was one of the main reasons parties agreed to have him as both Chairperson and presidential candidate.
With ECL gone, political parties in Tonse Alliance have woken up to the reality that such a clause could have been very short sighted without projecting the future beyond ECL.
Now that ECL is not in the picture, Lubinda, being the PF Vice President, has to tread a delicate balance knowing that Tonse Alliance has a vice Chairperson, Professor Daniel Pule. He can only act as PF President but may not ignore the role of Dr. Pule in the Alliance’s hyrachy.
The question as to whether who leads Tonse extends to the succession process, has also been raised by Miles Sampa, who claims he only endorsed ECL and nobody else.
In this respect, Tonse Alliance partners may seek to establish whether only their constitutions were subordinated to the Alliance’s constitution, while the anchor party can go and choose its succesor who can in turn, come and lead the Alliance into an election next year.
Others within the Alliance argue that the agreement to have a Tonse Alliance Chairperson who is also a presidential candidate was exclusive to ECL alone and the agreement doesn’t extend to the succession process.
It appears that with hindsight, the rest of the Tonse Alliance partners, tied themselves down to what now seems like a raw deal as they seemingly, can’t participate in the selection of the next Alliance leader; they will haver to accept what’s handed down to them by the anchor party. Whether that’s a process they will accept, is a real test case for unity in Tonse Alliance.
Already, Lubinda is facing two challenges. Internally, there’s a major push for a convention to be held as soon as possible. Some members of the PF Central Committee thinks Lubinda wants to install himself as the next candidate by insinuations of planning to delay the convention to next year.
In Tonse, Lubinda is facing a revolt from the likes of Sean Tembo, who contends that the demise of ECL, changes the spirit of the agreement.
On the other hand, KBF from the Zambia Must Prosper, an alliance member, has indirectly claimed to be the anointed successor, and is likely to put up a spirited fight.
However, the perceived Alliance’s constitutional clause that one should belong to the PF to lead Tonse, may halt his ambitions to lead the Alliance. Whether he will choose to stay or not under such circumstances, only time will tell.
Within the PF, interest to lead has been expressed by Brian Mundubile and others. It’s Mundubile, who seems to be emerging as the preferred candidate among his peers to succeed ECL and lead Tonse Alliance. Should he get nominated, he is likely to face competition from Lubinda, among others.
Meanwhile, the United Opposition Front comprising The Zambia We Want, Socialist Party and the remnant of UKA, recently planned a retreat where they envisaged to choose a flag bearer.
However, they could not agree on the timeframe and as such, one of the key figures in the group, has threatened to pull out if they don’t elect a candidate sooner than later.
We understand that some members of the the United Opposition Front are also hoping to throw their weight behind Brian Mundubile once the PF has concluded its internal electoral process, much to the displeasure of other members who were hoping to get elected at the retreat.
Elsewhere, you have the Citizens First that has said it’s open to working with likedminded partners but for now, has chosen to focus on grassroots mobilisation as a form of an alliance with real people, the voters.
It’s leader, Harry Kalaba, seems to have struck a cord with traditional churches such as the Catholics, United Church of Zambia and the Reformed Church, who have consistently been inviting him to their various events across the country. These invitations can be viewed both as a subtle campaign strategy to give him enhanced national visibility, but also as a form of endorsement and wider acceptance.
All factors considered, we are likely to see other opposition leaders going it solo into the 2026 general election such as Leadership Movement’s Richard Silumbe, EFF’s Kasonde Mwenda and Binwell Mpundu. All fairly young, the trior are undeniably positioning themselves as critical voices and the future of opposition in Zambia.
Given the permutations above, we predict that the opposition may go into next year’s elections with atleast 3 strong contenders, but they risk splitting the vote that might force a rerun against UPND Alliance candidate, President Hichilema, who may struggle to secure an outright 50 + 1 threshold.
To minimise chances of further splits in the opposition, we recommend a transparent and public driven process of choosing a widely accepted candidate as suggested in our earlier editorial published through the link below:
LUNGU FAMILY READY TO TALK WITH GOVERNMENT DEPENDING ON GENUINENESS – MAKEBI
RESPECTED lawyer Makebi Zulu says president Edgar Lungu’s family will not participate in anything that does not constitute a dignified send off for the former head of state.
And Zulu says the Lungu family was holding up amidst the difficult circumstances, stating that they are devoted to prayer and spiritual counselling.
Recently, government appointed Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Kangwa as the only person authorised to speak on Lungu’s burial disputes.
In an interview, Zulu, who is the Lungu family spokesperson, said they were hoping that there would be some engagements with government depending on the genuineness of their statements.
He however said the family was ready to dialogue with government, although the issue was what would constitute a dignified send off.
KABWE —Ms. Maria Zaloumis popularly known across Zambia’s social media landscape as the “ZEDFARMER,” is facing intense public scrutiny following her arrest in connection with the death of a man who allegedly entered her farm premises in Munyama, Central Province, last week without permission.
The 40-year-old agricultural entrepreneur, celebrated for revolutionizing farming among young female Zambians, remains in police custody as investigations continue in Kabwe.
The deceased, whose identity has been released by police reportedly sustained fatal injuries to the head and body after allegedly attempting to attack Zaloumis with acid.
The incident that occurred last week, and has since sparked a flurry of speculation online, prompting the Zaloumis family to issue a public appeal for “restraint and due process.”
Speaking on behalf of the family, Zaloumis older sister, In’utu Zaloumis—a prominent Lusaka-based entrepreneur—called for Zambians to allow the law to take its course before passing judgment.
“On behalf of the family, my sister Maria and our mother SC Mwangala Zaloumis I am calling onto fellow Zambians to allow the police to fully investigate this matter before judgment is passed onto her,” Inutu said in a statement. “The country needs to hear my sister’s side of the story regarding this unfortunate incident… In Zambia, we work on the presumption of innocence till proven guilty—not the other way round.”
In’utu expressed concern over the treatment of her sister, who she says is being portrayed unfairly in the media and online discourse regarding this matter.
“Maria has three children—aged 15, five, and the youngest just one year old—currently alone at home, away from their mother who remains in custody until she appears in court,” she said. “She is being treated like a house child when she is an adult turning 41 this year, with her own house, her own farming business, and her own children.” The media attacks, innuendos and insults ought to slow down according to In’utu .
The Zaloumis family also appealed to the public to separate Maria’s personal circumstances from those of their mother, SC Mwangala Zaloumi’s, a respected public servant at the helm of the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
“My baby sister is not my mother and my mother is she employed by an independent electoral commission far removed from the private life of Maria,” In’utu emphasized. “She does not live with our mother—just like I don’t. We are all adults. So I think it’s malicious and unethical to link Maria to mothers work . It is not fair, even during an emotionally charged time like now when someone has been reported dead.”
The family acknowledged the grief of the deceased’s relatives and urged the public to allow both sides space to process the tragedy including the due court process.
“The grieving family of the named person who walked onto Maria’s farm premises allegedly with plans of attacking her must also be allowed space to mourn respectfully while the police conduct a thorough probe,” In’utu said.
Maria Zaloumi’s, known as ZEDFARMER, rose to national prominence in her early thirties (34) by transforming tomato farming into a vibrant, youth-driven enterprise.
She got to be known as the DIVA of the Zambia soil, a celebrated young woman who grew things, booming her to more than 400,000 instant followers in Facebook, bigger than some newspapers in Zambia due to the ‘romantic’ approach she used.
Her viral posts showing glamorous yet gritty scenes of farm life made agriculture “sexy” in Zambia, inspiring thousands of young people to consider farming as a viable career path. She later expanded into maize production, supplying tonnes to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) annually.
“Maria does not fear getting her hands dirty,” Ingutu said. “Let’s remember that before we crucify her ahead of even a trial via malicious speculation—some of the more harmful ones currently being looked at by the family lawyers.”
By 5 p.m. on the day of her arrest, Maria was still being questioned by police in , Kabwe having been taken without resistance from her farm located approximately 27 kilometres south of Kabwe en route to Lusaka. The family confirmed she is cooperating fully with authorities, though formal charges have yet to be announced.
Ingutu concluded her statement by celebrating her sister’s legacy and urging Zambians to uphold fairness and compassion.
“Maria revolutionized agriculture and made it romantic to till the land rather than seek a clerking job when land abounds in Zambia,” she said. “Let us give the police time to investigate, charge, and take the matter to court. Let us not confuse the difference between Maria and her mother—she is an adult and a mother. Her actions do not get blessed by her mother.”
As the investigation unfolds, the Zaloumi’s family remains hopeful that truth and justice will prevail, and that the legacy of ZEDFARMER will not be overshadowed by speculation but remembered for the seeds of change she planted across Zambia’s agricultural landscape.
“Let’s remember that this matter is not concluded it is under probe, we should consider this seriously,” said Ingutu. —– Source: Ingutu Zaloumi’s, family spokesperson in Kabwe.
There’s a strength you only meet on the floor. It’s quiet there, for a second. The world stops spinning, and you have a choice.
You can stay there and count your bruises, or you can plant your hands on the ground and push.
I choose to push. Again and again and again. Nafuti Nafuti..
Getting back up isn’t just an action.. it’s a declaration. It’s telling the universe, “I am not finished yet.” Nalipona saana but my stumbles are not my story.. my resilience is. That’s why NANGU BANCHINGE is a song I really sang from my heart. I WILL NOT FAIL NOMATTER WHAT.
Remember that your lowest point can become the solid ground you use to launch yourself even higher.
If you’re reading this and you’re down, just know: the most beautiful views often come after the hardest climbs. You’ve got this.
MY POSITION ON THE RECENT ZED FARMER ISSUE HAS NEVER CHANGED.
From the beginning, I’ve made it clear that ALL the people seen and heard in the video depicting a male intruder, bound, while seated on the ground and appears to be physically injured, MUST be arrested and the matter taken to court for trial.
I’ve always maintained my view that, Maria did NOT beat the intruder. If there is evidence to suggest otherwise, that evidence will be presented in court.
My view is that Maria was a witness to a beaten which resulted in the death of an intruder.
ALL the evidence will be presented and the courts will decide.
Fire Katete DC, and Zambia Police Must Effect Appropriate Charges
First there was great effort to prevent his arrest and provide a cover-up until public pressure swelled.
Katete District Commissioner, Raphael Matawa Phiri has been nabbed for defiling his own grand daughter.
Yet he remains District Commissioner of Katete District.
Is President Hakainde Hichilema still waiting for public pressure to fire the randy sex pest?
We must also ensure that the crime is properly defined.
Incest carries a maximum sentence of 20 years while the charge of defilement if convicted carries a sentence of upto life.
The Zambia Police statement shows that Phiri has been charged with the offence of Incest.. what about the case of defilement since the victim is an under age?
Incest is defined and punished under the Penal Code, Chapter 87. Recent changes and judicial precedents have significantly increased the minimum sentence for convicted offenders.
Penalties for incest
Mandatory minimum sentence: The current mandatory minimum sentence for incest is 20 years of imprisonment.
Life imprisonment for child victims: If the incestuous act involves a child, the penalty can increase to imprisonment for life.
August 24, 2025 – The Zambia Police Service wishes to inform the public regarding the case of incest involving a 65-year-old male suspect, identified as Raphael Matawa Phiri, the District Commissioner for Katete, who was reported to have defiled his granddaughter, a juvenile female.
Be informed that the said suspect has been apprehended today, August 24, 2025, in Chipata. He is currently detained at Chipata Central Police Station. The suspect is yet to be formally charged for the offence of incest and will appear in court soon.
The Zambia Police Service reiterates its commitment to ensuring that justice is served in all matters, regardless of one’s status or position in society. We further urge members of the public to remain calm as the due process of the law takes its course.
Why Some Critics Must Either Be Blind, Jealous, or Just Plain Bitter
It has been a remarkable four-year journey for Zambia under President Hakainde Hichilema since that historic day on 24th August 2021, when he took the oath of office before a roaring crowd at Lusaka’s Heroes Stadium that nearly caused a sonic boom. His task was nothing less than herculean: to stop a runaway nation sliding into economic collapse, social chaos, and lawless disorder.
And stop it he did.
Policies That Speak for Themselves
What President Hichilema has achieved is nothing short of extraordinary, or, as some Zambians say with a smile, “something that makes his critics either blind, jealous, or strangely bitter.”
His policies have not only impressed Zambians but also inspired peers across Africa and beyond. The Constituency Development Fund has moved resources directly into communities, with locals building schools, clinics, and desks for learners who once sat on the floor. Rural maternity hospitals now have running water and solar power. Social cash transfers and cash-for-work programmes are transforming the lives of women, youth, and the most vulnerable.
Free Education: The Flagship
Over two million children who once roamed the streets are now in classrooms. Expanded school feeding programmes ensure they learn on full stomachs. University and college students once left in the cold now receive bursaries and meal allowances again, boldly reinstated after the previous regime “proudly” cut them.
Even serving civil servants can access part of their pensions to start small businesses, while retirees are finally being paid on time.
From Bankruptcy to Stability
When Hichilema took office, Zambia was bankrupt, the first African country to default on its debt in the pandemic era. Investors avoided the Southern African Nation like the plague. His first two years were spent painstakingly restoring credibility by restructuring debt and negotiating with diverse, sometimes uncooperative creditors.
At the same time, he dismantled violent party militias that had turned bus stations, radio stations, markets, even cemeteries into zones of terror. Zambia was on the brink of becoming another Haiti or Somalia. He pulled us back.
Defeating Drought, Delivering Harvests
When the worst drought in a century struck, Hichilema declared a state of emergency, took tough decisions, and rallied farmers to keep planting. No one died of starvation.The following year? A record 4 million tonnes of maize, the highest harvest in Zambia’s history.
The Economy Roars Again
Debt restructuring restored investor confidence. Mining companies that once threatened to leave stayed put. Last week Hichilema commissioned a mine whose expansion is bringing in a whooping $1.5 Billion! This year, Zambia is on track to produce nearly 1 million tonnes of copper, a milestone not seen since independence.
Tourism has surged, attracting 2 million visitors. The Kwacha has grown stubbornly boorish against major currencies. Inflation is heading toward single digits.
Law and order has been restored not by fear, but by justice.
A Freer Zambia
The political climate has transformed. Opposition leaders openly criticise the President without fear. Criminal defamation of the Head of State has been scrapped. The death penalty has been abolished. All in just four years.
So, About the Critics…
And yet, some still shout that Hichilema has “failed lamentably.” One wonders: are they blind to the facts, consumed by jealousy, or simply allergic to progress?
Because for the ordinary Zambian, the evidence is plain: hope is back, dignity restored, and progress undeniable.
Yo Maps’ Boomplay boast stirs backlash from fellow artistes
ZAMBIAN music sensation Elton ‘Yo Maps’ Mulenga has found himself at the centre of a storm after boasting in Malawi that he removed artistes who insulted him from his Boomplay portal.
The remarks, made during his media engagement, sparked strong reactions from fellow artists back home, who accused the Try Again hitmaker of disrespecting the very industry that built him.
Acclaimed singer Drimz was among those who came out strongly, warning against arrogance in the industry.
In a statement shared on his page, Drimz also known as ‘Bashi Lota’ said Zambian artists should focus on unity rather than tearing each other down for clout.
“We must never take pride in anyone of us who arrogantly disrespects almost an entire industry that has given birth to a lot of great personalities and stories all in the name of trying to gain credibility,” Drimz wrote.
As the debate raged on, Yo Maps yesterday went live to clarify his remarks, insisting his words had been misunderstood.
The artiste explained that his Boomplay portal was only a bridge for Zambian artists to access payments, stressing that he did not control their royalties.
“I only removed one artist from my portal for a known reason. I don’t touch people’s earnings, their money goes straight to their accounts,” Yo Maps said.
The artiste added that rapper Jemax was never on his portal and urged fans to ignore what he called false narratives circulating online.
While the clarification calmed some of his followers, critics maintain the comments made in Malawi painted a negative image of Zambian music outside the country.
PRESIDENT HICHILEMA DONATES K1.2 MILLION TO UCZ KWACHA EAST AND AN ADDITION OF K100,000 TO CHURCH CHOIR
Hon. Paul Kabuswe Shared….
Earlier today, I had the honour of joining His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema, for a blessed church service at the UCZ Kwacha East Congregation. The theme of the service, “Changing the Narrative,” delivered a powerful message that resonated deeply with attendees.
During the service, President Hichilema made a generous contribution of K1.2 million towards the work of God at the congregation, alongside an additional K100,000 to support the church choir. My fellow Cabinet Ministers and I also contributed to the purchase of music equipment to further enhance the congregation’s ministry.
These contributions underscore the administration’s commitment to supporting spiritual growth and community development, as the church continues to play a vital role in shaping positive narratives across Zambia.
Hon. Paul CC Kabuswe MP Chililabombwe Constituency, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development
In the words of the Presido and Point One Cpt. Ibrahim Traore
“The activities of the Target Malaria Foundation, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, appear to be a Trojan Horse. While presented as aid, they seem to conceal harmful motives for the people of Burkina Faso.
In their quest to subtly promote the hormonal IUD, I call for an immediate halt to any initiatives supported by Bill Gates in our country.
The population of Burkina Faso, though small, is vibrant and growing in both productivity and reproduction. Any attempt to hinder our reproductive freedom would be a grave injustice.”
-Burkina Faso Presido and Point One just announced a nationwide end to the activities of Target Malaria, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Open Philanthropy, a move against rejecting the Hormonal IUD proposal.
We must never take Pride in anyone of us who Arrogantly disrespects almost an entire Industry that has given birth to a lot of Great personalities and stories all in the name of trying to gain “Credibility”.
Nomatter how loud the few facebook claps and comments one gets on discrediting/ disrespecting his industry colleagues in a foreign country, it doesn’t make it right or entertaining and neither does it DEFINE who we are as a PEOPLE. Let us be big on building each other and winning together. Tamwaba loss mukubombela chapamo.
This isn’t about imaginary Camps or imaginary kingdoms, this is about RESPECT for the Industry that has given a lot of us a Livelihood.
Church urges government, Lungu family to immediately start talking
THE three church mother bodies have called on government and the family of the late former president Edgar Lungu to immediately begin talks aimed at ending the ongoing impasse surrounding Lungu’s burial.
In a joint statement issued by the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), the Church described government’s recent moratorium on public pronouncements regarding Lungu’s burial as a welcome step, though one that came later than expected.
According to the statement, the directive to silence public commentary on the matter by both the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) creates an opportunity for genuine dialogue with the former Head of State’s family.
“We therefore urge both Government and the family of Dr. Lungu to commence immediate and sincere discussions aimed at resolving the current impasse surrounding his burial, in a manner that respects the dignity of the high office he once held as well as the wishes of his family,” read the statement.
The church stressed that Lungu’s burial must be conducted in an atmosphere of peace, unity and respect, sentiments it said it had consistently expressed in earlier appeals dating back to June.
The three bodies further appealed to citizens across political and social divides to refrain from issuing inflammatory remarks on the matter, warning that such statements were contrary to cultural values and Christian beliefs.
“Let us continue to uphold our longstanding motto: One Zambia, One Nation, and remain united as children of God,” said the clergy.
The statement was signed by CCZ general secretary Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chikoya, EFZ executive director Bishop Andrew Mwenda and ZCCB secretary general Rev. Fr. Francis Mukosa.
To the Esteemed Family of His Excellency, Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu,
I write with a heavy heart and deep regret to sincerely apologize for my recent comments and posts made during your period of mourning. In particular, I wish to extend my heartfelt apology for referring to the Lungu family as a “bitter family.” This was a careless, insensitive, and hurtful remark made at a time when you deserved only compassion, dignity, and respect.
I further extend my deepest apology for all other posts I made during the bereavement period which may have caused pain, distress, or offense to you as a family. I recognize that such remarks were inappropriate, especially at a time of solemn reflection and grief.
Additionally, I wish to unreservedly apologize to the Secretary to the Cabinet. I acknowledge that communication on matters surrounding the funeral of the late President Edgar Lungu was reserved strictly for Cabinet, and it was wrong for me to make any commentary or remarks on the matter. I deeply regret overstepping boundaries and showing disregard for the guidance that only Cabinet should speak on such sensitive national issues.
I humbly and sincerely retract my words and recognize the hurt they may have caused. Please accept this as a genuine expression of remorse, humility, and respect for the memory of the late President and for the dignity of your family.
Once again, I offer my deepest and most heartfelt apology to the Lungu family and to the Secretary to the Cabinet.
