“PEOPLE FORCED TO DRINK JUST TO CHARGE PHONES” – NJOBVU
Democratic Union (DU) President Ackim Antony Njobvu has launched a scathing attack on the UPND government over Zambia’s worsening electricity crisis, describing the daily power outages as a total failure that is pushing citizens into bizarre coping methods.
Njobvu painted a grim picture of life under the UPND’s electricity management. “Friends, you cannot continue charging phones and other devices from bars and nightclubs because power is off for over 19 hours a day. Maintenance works my foot this is total failure and nothing more,” he said.
He mocked the government’s previous claims of learning from Dubai’s power management model. “What happened to their Dubai example of a desert country with no load shedding? That was all talk!” Njobvu said.
Highlighting the social fallout, Njobvu warned, “People are now flocking to beer halls just to use gensets to charge their gadgets. The government is literally forcing people to become drunkards!”
The DU president also seized the moment to push for political change. “We need to kick them out next year because they clearly have no idea how to manage this electricity crisis,” he stated.
Painting an optimistic future under new leadership, Njobvu said, “The sky is blue, and so is the future of this country. Vote Democratic Union and thank me later.”
The comments come as citizens endure blackouts lasting from 23:00 to 04:00 in most areas, with some regions experiencing over 19 hours without power daily. Businesses, households, and essential services have all been disrupted.
Energy analysts blame the crisis on poor planning, delayed maintenance, and overreliance on hydroelectric power amid fluctuating water levels. Calls for immediate relief and a sustainable power plan have grown louder as frustration mounts.
With the 2026 elections approaching, the electricity crisis has become a key political weapon, with opposition parties exploiting the government’s failure to deliver reliable power.
OPPOSITION SEES DELAYED ECL BURIAL AS CHANCE FOR NATIONAL RECONCILIATION.
By: Sun FM TV Reporter
The opposition Democratic Union has interpreted the delayed burial of former President Edgar Lungu as a divine opportunity for reconciliation between the government and the late leader’s family.
Party leader, Ackim Antony Njobvu, speaking at the Chipata North Seventh Day Adventist Church, emphasized that unity and forgiveness among political leaders are essential before the former head of state can be laid to rest.
His remarks come amid a legal standoff between the Zambian government and the Lungu family over burial rights.
The late president’s widow, Esther Lungu, revealed that her husband wished to be buried in South Africa and explicitly requested that President Hakainde Hichilema not attend his funeral.
A South African court halted the burial mid-service, postponing the decision to August 4.
Mr. Njobvu urged leaders to use this moment to heal political divisions and called for a leadership change, asserting that the Democratic Union is ready to offer alternative governance.
#IncaseYouMissedIt: Don’t panic, 5 hour power availability due to routine maintenance works at Maamba – Ncube
News Diggers reports that ZESCO Board Chairperson Vickson Ncube says citizens should not panic over Maamba Energy carrying out a bi-annual maintenance on its 300MW coal-fired power plant.
Recently, Maamba Energy announced that it would carry out maintenance works in two two phases, an exercise which would affect power supply.
According to a statement issued by its Corporate Affairs Department, the 30-days-long maintenance outage will result in reduced electricity available to ZESCO to supply its customers, triggering stage 10 of load management.
In an interview, Monday, Ncube assured citizens that Maamba Energy always conducted routine maintenance every year around the same period, saying there was no need to panic as that would only go on for a month
Editor’s Notes | When Facts Wear the Mask of Propaganda: The Mwamba Paradox
Serving truths so rich and undeniable that half-baked minds choke on their own confusion!
…When he speaks, he does not offer idle chatter; he lays forth evidence with such clarity and weight that the unprepared mind may flounder, bewildered by the force of logic….
In observing the continuing drumbeat against Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba, one cannot help but notice how easily repetition masquerades as truth. Having known him personally, it becomes clear that he is no mere spinner of words, but a craftsman of thought – a political surgeon whose scalpel of reason slices through ignorance with measured precision.
When he speaks, he does not offer idle chatter; he lays forth evidence with such clarity and weight that the unprepared mind may flounder, bewildered by the force of logic. And yet, there remains a gallery of half-baked intellectuals, squinting as though the very sun were being put on trial, their discomfort revealing more about themselves than the subject of their scrutiny.
Psychologists have named this phenomenon the “illusion of truth”: repeat a falsehood often enough, and it takes on the patina of fact. In the absence of capable minds to challenge him, certain quarters of the UPND media have fallen back on this very tactic, seeking to reshape his character not through reason, but through relentless repetition.
And still, wisdom persists: a prophet is never without honour, save in the company of the blind who refuse to see. Perhaps it is time we turn our gaze from the messenger to the message, lest we allow ourselves to be ensnared by the comforting, yet corrosive, fallacy of ad hominem attacks. In truth, the mind that wrestles with fact – even uncomfortably – is far richer than one that feasts on repeated fiction.
Follow WD® | Following Woodpecker’s Digest nurtures an open mind, enabling a deeper and broader understanding of national issues and the courage to embrace new truths.
ZCLU DEMANDS ARRESTS OVER T0RTURE, MURD£R OF ENOCK SIMFUKWE
The Zambian Civil Liberties Union (ZCLU) has condemned the brutal torture and murd£r of Enock Simfukwe.
His body was discovered at a farm in Chisamba allegedly owned by Maria Zaloumis and Nathaniel Chinyeremi Barthram.
The Zambian Civil Liberties Union Acting Deputy Executive Director Mr Derrick Chekwe criticized the Zambia Police Service for its response.
He said the police’s public statement appeared to blame the deceased victim instead of pursuing justice.
Mr Derrick Chekwe said this was unacceptable and that law enforcement exists to protect life and uphold justice—not to excuse, sanitize, or shield those implicated in heinous crimes.
He warned that Zambians must not be made to believe that certain individuals, because of their social or economic status, are above the law.
Mr Derrick Chekwe said it was unacceptable for ordinary citizens accused of minor offences to languish in detention while those with influence escape accountability.
He said the t0rture and k|lling of Enock Simfukwe using ropes and other barbaric methods cannot be justified by mere suspicion.
Mr Derrick Chekwe emphasized that Simfukwe did not commit the alleged offence and that vigilante-style killings are illegal, unconstitutional, and immoral.
He said no person, regardless of their station in life, has the authority to mete out instant justice.
ZCLU demanded immediate arrests of all individuals directly involved in the torture and killing of Enock Simfukwe.
They also called for accountability for accomplices, enablers, and all those who aided or abetted the crime, including the farm owners.
Mr Derrick Chekwe said a transparent and credible investigation must be undertaken to ensure the case is not treated as a special matter because of the suspects’ profiles.
He warned that failure by the police to act decisively would embolden a dangerous culture of mob violence.
Mr Derrick Chekwe said this would set Zambia on a perilous path where the rule of law is replaced by instant justice.
He said the Zambian people deserve a fair, impartial, and consistent justice system that values the life of every citizen equally.
Mr Derrick Chekwe said anything less is a betrayal of constitutional values and a direct assault on democracy.
He said ZCLU will not stand by and watch as the crime is trivialized, distorted, or swept under the carpet.
Mr Derrick Chekwe said justice must be served swiftly, fully, and without fear or favour.
PRESIDENT HICHILEMA COMMISSIONS FQM’S $1.25 BILLION S3 EXPANSION PROJECT
By Wagon Media | Solwezi | August 19, 2025
President Hakainde Hichilema has officially commissioned First Quantum Minerals’ (FQM) Kansanshi S3 Expansion Project, describing it as a landmark investment that reaffirms private sector confidence in Zambia’s economy.
The $1.25 billion project, one of the largest private investments in the country’s history, is expected to extend the life of the Kansanshi Mine by over 20 years while boosting annual copper production to nearly 300,000 tonnes.
Speaking during the launch in Solwezi today, President Hichilema said the expansion would deliver far-reaching benefits for Zambia, including higher export earnings, stronger balance of payments, job creation, opportunities for local suppliers, and increased support for community development initiatives.
“This project is not just about mining; it is about transforming lives, strengthening our economy, and building a sustainable future for generations to come,” the President said.
He further announced that government will soon convene an Artisanal Mining Conference aimed at formalizing small-scale mining operations across the country. The initiative, he said, will ensure safe practices, unlock opportunities for citizens, and complement large-scale projects such as Kansanshi’s S3.
“There shall be no illegal mining. Our focus is on legal, safe, and productive mining that benefits all Zambians,” President Hichilema stressed.
The Head of State also thanked traditional leaders for their continued guidance and support in fostering development partnerships between investors, communities, and government.
The commissioning of the S3 Expansion Project marks a new chapter in Zambia’s mining sector, positioning the country as a key global player in copper production while reinforcing partnerships with private investors.
A top Russian commander has been seriously injured on the battleground in Ukraine, according to new information from Russian officials.
Lt.-Gen. Esedulla Abachev, a leading commander in the Leningrad Military District, has been at the front since the beginning of the war, said Sergei Melikov, the head of the Russian republic of Dagestan.
“He has held several important commanding positions, but has always been at the very front, at the most responsible and therefore most dangerous sections of the front,” Melikov wrote on Telegram.
He did not provide further details on Abachev’s condition but confirmed that the 57-year-old was receiving treatment in “one of the best military hospitals in the country.”
According to Ukraine’s military intelligence service (HUR), several of the general’s limbs had to be amputated following injuries sustained in a HUR strike on a military column in the western Russian region of Kursk.
So far, at least 12 Russian generals have been killed since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Leningrad Military District was re-established in 2024 on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin and encompasses all regions of north-western Russia up to the Ural Mountains. Its name refers to the Soviet-era name for St. Petersburg.
Former CIA Director John Brennan suggested in an interview that Russian President Vladimir Putin could have planted a microchip in the presidential limousine when he joined Donald Trump for a ride to their summit.
Speaking on MSNBC’s The Briefing with Jen Psaki, Brennan criticized Trump’s handling of the meeting with Putin and said he hoped the Secret Service carried out a thorough sweep after the two rode together.
“The fact that he was given a ride then in the presidential limousine, the Beast — I certainly hope the Secret Service has swept that vehicle very well, in terms of any type of small microchip that might have been put in the vehicle,” Brennan said.
He pointed to Putin’s KGB background and described him as a skilled manipulator. On the optics of the summit, Brennan said it was clear Putin felt confident from the moment he arrived.
“Again, an international pariah, a war criminal, who was basically embraced by the president of the United States on a red carpet in the United States,” Brennan said. “So I think you could see on Putin’s face, he felt very, very comfortable.”
Trump welcomed Putin at a U.S. air base with a red-carpet greeting, clapped as the Russian leader approached, and then rode with him in the presidential limo before the summit, which focused on ending the war in Ukraine.
Brennan described the display as “shameful” and argued Trump realized during the day that he was being played by Putin.
“But also, I think Donald Trump just put himself in this position. He was the one who offered this meeting. He was the one who invited Putin to U.S. territory. He was the one that put together the summit that clearly there was very little preparation for, and they came out empty-handed,” Brennan said.
He added that the outcome was “embarrassing, shameful, and very worrisome” for the U.S., stressing that Trump effectively normalized Putin despite the suffering and devastation in Ukraine.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has won a record third PFA Men’s Player of the Year award.
Salah scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists as Arne Slot’s Reds stormed to last season’s Premier League title.
The 33-year-old Egypt international’s stunning form in 2024/25 saw him dominate the voting by the PFA’s membership and enter the history books as the first three-time Player of the Year winner.
The PFA crown complements his record-equalling third Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award picked up earlier in the year.
Asked if he had ambitions to win awards while growing up in Egypt, he said: “Of course I wanted to be a football player and I wanted to be famous and provide for my family, but you don’t think about the big stuff when you are still in Egypt.
“When you grow, you start to see things differently and you start to have ambition and you start to the see the bigger picture.”
The Egypt international was the Premier League’s top scorer in 2024-25 – registering 29 times and providing 18 assists.
Salah is joined in the 2024/25 PFA Premier League Team of the Year by Liverpool team-mates Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.
Milos Kerkez, who moved to Anfield from Bournemouth in the summer, is also selected, as are the Arsenal trio of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Declan Rice.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes missed out on the XI despite being shortlisted for the Player of the Year award.
Zimbabwean Striker Tendai Ndoro Had Reportedly Been Dead for Three Days Before Being Found
Former Warriors striker Tendai Ndoro had reportedly been dead for about three days before his body was discovered at his South African apartment on Monday, 18 August.
Edelbert Dinha Reveals Heartbreaking Details Former Zimbabwe international midfielder Edelbert Dinha, who played alongside Ndoro in South Africa, disclosed that the striker may have been dead for about three days before his body was found.
Speaking to Soccer Laduma, Dinha expressed his shock and sadness at the discovery.
“Eish, my brother, it’s very sad and I’m not feeling good at all right now. I am actually at the scene as we speak. We are still waiting to hear the full story of what happened, but what I can confirm is that we heard about his passing this afternoon and rushed here to check. Apparently, he had already been gone for about three days.”
Edelbert Dinha shared that Tendai Ndoro spent his final moments alone, a fact that has shocked and saddened those who knew him. He noted that the complete details surrounding the striker’s passing are still unknown, with investigations ongoing to clarify the circumstances.
“Sadly, Tendai was alone at the time of his passing, but as I said, we are still waiting for the full details of what really happened.”
Football Community in Mourning Tendai Ndoro’s death has plunged the football fraternity into mourning, with former teammates and fans paying tribute to the forward who made his mark at clubs including Orlando Pirates, Mpumalanga Black Aces, and Chicken Inn.
A South African woman, Ma Zondo, has narrated how her friend’s boyfriend got another lady pregnant, spoilt her throughout the pregnancy and spent lots of money on the baby’s needs only to find out he is not the biological father of the child.
She shared the story on X on Monday, August 18.
“My friend’s boyfriend got another woman pregnant, he had been spoiling her throughout the pregnancy. Went all out with the baby’s luxurious needs and organised damage payments, on that week he blocked my friend. He had done all this behind her back. All to find out he’s not the father,” she wrote.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has won a record third PFA Men’s Player of the Year award.
Salah scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists as Arne Slot’s Reds stormed to last season’s Premier League title.
The 33-year-old Egypt international’s stunning form in 2024/25 saw him dominate the voting by the PFA’s membership and enter the history books as the first three-time Player of the Year winner.
The PFA crown complements his record-equalling third Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award picked up earlier in the year.
Asked if he had ambitions to win awards while growing up in Egypt, he said: “Of course I wanted to be a football player and I wanted to be famous and provide for my family, but you don’t think about the big stuff when you are still in Egypt.
“When you grow, you start to see things differently and you start to have ambition and you start to the see the bigger picture.”
The Egypt international was the Premier League’s top scorer in 2024-25 – registering 29 times and providing 18 assists.
Salah is joined in the 2024/25 PFA Premier League Team of the Year by Liverpool team-mates Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.
Milos Kerkez, who moved to Anfield from Bournemouth in the summer, is also selected, as are the Arsenal trio of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Declan Rice.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes missed out on the XI despite being shortlisted for the Player of the Year award.
An Indiana woman allegedly on a mission to “sacrificially k!ll” US President Donald Trump has been arrested.
Nathalie Rose Jones, 50, was arrested Saturday, August 16, after posting threats against Trump on Facebook. Authorities say she then traveled from New York to Washington, D.C., with the goal of having him “eliminated.”
Jones tagged the FBI in her post.
She wrote: “I am willing to sacrificially kll this POTUS by disemboweling him and cutting out his trachea with Liz Cheney and all The Affirmation present.”
According to federal investigators, Jones’ social media history showed more than just that one post. She called Trump a terrorist, labeled his administration a dictatorship, and accused him of causing “extreme and unnecessary loss of life” during the coronavirus pandemic.
Jones is now facing serious charges. A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District
Court accuses her of threatening to take the life of, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm on the President of the United States. She was also charged with transmitting threats across state lines.
This isn’t the first time someone has threatened to harm a sitting or former president. But this latest case is different because Jones allegedly made her intentions loud and clear before going on the road to carry them out.
DC U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro didn’t hold back in her response. She released a statement saying: “Threatening the life of the President is one of the most serious crimes and one that will be met with swift and unwavering prosecution. Make no mistake—justice will be served. We extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated law enforcement partners, especially the Secret Service Special Agents from New York and Washington, D.C., for their tireless commitment to protecting our leaders and our nation.”
Jones’ case is currently being handled by the U.S. Secret Service. The prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Satter.
China is on the verge of unveiling a groundbreaking humanoid robot designed to achieve pregnancy by hosting a fully functioning artificial womb.
This pioneering work by Kaiwa Technology in Guangzhou is slated for a 2026 debut.
Dr. Zhang Qifeng, the project lead, announced at the World Robot Conference in Beijing that the scientific foundation is already robust, with the next phase focusing on integrating the technology into a robot for interactive pregnancy.
This project builds upon existing advancements in ex-utero gestation.
The concept of an artificial womb itself is not entirely novel; it is a sophisticated machine that replicates the uterus’s environment, complete with artificial amniotic fluid and a tube serving as an umbilical cord for nutrient and oxygen delivery. For example, in 2017, US scientists successfully sustained premature lambs for weeks in similar “biobags,” demonstrating the feasibility of such systems.
What distinguishes Kaiwa Technology’s endeavor is that it is developing the robot to manage the entire gestation process, from fertilization to full-term birth.
Furthermore, this solution is projected to cost around 100,000 yuan (£11,000), significantly less than conventional human surrogacy options.
The reason behind this development stems from a surging infertility crisis, particularly in China.
Chelsea are preparing for a late-window clearout, with Raheem Sterling among nine players the club is looking to move on before the summer transfer deadline.]
Sterling, 30, endured a disappointing loan spell at Arsenal last season and still has two years left on his £325,000-a-week contract. Both the player and Chelsea are said to prefer finding a permanent solution to his future, though another loan deal remains possible.
The winger is one of several players earmarked for exits in what has been described as an end-of-window “fire sale.” Chelsea are also working on sales or loans for Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell, and potentially Tyrique George. Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino has also attracted interest from European clubs.
The Blues believe they could raise close to £300 million in player sales by the close of the window, significantly reducing their net spend.
Sterling has drawn interest from Fulham, who are keen on keeping him in London, where his family are settled. West Ham and Crystal Palace have also been linked, while other Premier League and foreign clubs are monitoring his situation.
Sterling has reportedly been informed by manager Enzo Maresca that he will not feature for Chelsea this season. His absence from the club’s official website’s first-team section further underlines his status.
The former Manchester City forward joined Chelsea in the summer of 2022 for £47.5 million but has struggled to recapture his best form in recent years.
More details have surfaced about Vladimir Putin’s recent proposal for a peace summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow, raised during a phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The conversation came at a sensitive moment, as Trump hosted high-level talks in Washington with Zelensky and several European leaders, including those from Germany, France, Finland, Italy, and the UK, all of whom have strongly backed Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.
According to sources familiar with the exchange, “Putin mentioned Moscow” as a possible venue for peace talks. Zelensky quickly rejected the suggestion, reportedly telling Trump he would not attend negotiations held on Russian soil.
European leaders present also advised Trump that Putin’s proposal “did not seem like a good idea,” given ongoing hostilities and Moscow’s continued military offensives.
After the White House summit, Trump emphasized that a face-to-face meeting between Putin and Zelensky could be a next step toward ending the war, now entering its fourth year with no decisive breakthrough. He has publicly pressed for new diplomatic efforts, despite widespread skepticism among U.S. allies about Putin’s intentions.
Zelensky has repeatedly said in recent weeks that he remains open to direct talks with Russia’s leader, but only under conditions that guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. Tens of thousands of people have been killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, and millions more have been displaced, deepening the urgency for a resolution.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed to Russian state media that Putin told Trump he was open to the “idea” of direct talks, though no concrete framework was put forward.
A sh0cking moment was captured on camera when a car crashed into a Houston restaurant where two YouTubers were in the middle of filming a food review.
Influencers Nina Santiago, known online as NinaUnrated, and Patrick Blackwood were dining at Cuvee Culinary Creations while recording content for their YouTube food series when disaster struck.
The now-viral video shows the duo enjoying several plates of food when an SUV suddenly crashed through the restaurant’s front window. Glass sprayed across the dining area, and tables were nearly tossed aside by the impact.
In the footage, Blackwood instinctively pushed Santiago out of harm’s way while stunned restaurant staff watched in disbelief.
“Tomorrow Is Not Promised @cuveesculinarycreations Glass Shatters Everywhere! SUV Crashes Through Window While We Eat Near Death Experience,” Santiago captioned the video when she posted it online.
Watch the video below..
Someone crashed their SUV through the window while Man & Woman were eating doing a food review in the restaurant. Near D*ath Experience caught on camera; Tomorrow Is Never Promised. pic.twitter.com/leBNCNDIYz
Elon Musk’s ex and mother of his youngest child, Ashley St. Clair, claims she is broke and facing eviction as she launches her new podcast, Bad Advice with Ashley St. Clair.
The 26-year-old influencer, currently locked in a custody battle with the Tesla billionaire over their nearly one-year-old son Romulus, opened the debut episode by saying she had “no choice” but to monetize her personal chaos.
“After a year of unplanned career suicide, questionable life choices, and a LinkedIn gap that can’t be legally explained, I’ve decided to start a podcast,” St. Clair quipped. “Not because anyone asked, but because statistically speaking, it was either this or join a pyramid scheme. Also, I’m getting evicted — and Polymarket offered me $10,000 for an ad read, so the roof over my head is now sponsored.”
The launch comes amid a bitter legal fight with Musk.
Court filings allege the billionaire initially offered St. Clair $15 million and $100,000 a month in hush money during her pregnancy, but she rejected the deal. After going public on Valentine’s Day with news of their son, St. Clair said Musk slashed her support payments. Musk insists he has already provided millions, while St. Clair accuses him of acting like a “petulant man-child.”
Romulus, born in September 2024, is Musk’s 13th child. In her custody petition, St. Clair claimed the SpaceX founder has only met their son a handful of times and skipped the birth.
St. Clair also used her podcast debut to take aim at Musk’s protégé Edward “Big Balls” Coristine, 19, who was recently attacked while trying to stop a carjacking in Washington, D.C.
“Everyone’s talking about Elon Musk’s Big Balls,” she joked. “His DOGE crony Edward Coristine got roughed up by two teenagers — Fox News called it a gang, but really it was just a bloody nose. The damage was about what I sustained after telling my toddler he couldn’t watch Paw Patrol.
Coristine, who previously worked under Musk at the Department of Government Efficiency, was the only one injured in the attempted car theft. Two teens have been arrested, while police continue searching for a third suspect.
The incident has since been politicized, with President Donald Trump citing it as justification for deploying the National Guard in D.C., claiming Coristine was “very badly hurt” and “lucky to be alive.”
The Gambia Police Force has launched a manhunt for a married man identified as Mamadou Salieu Dambale, for allegedly r3ping a 12-year-old girl in his neighborhood.
According to local media, the suspect, who lives in Sare Gillah village, Toumana District, with his wife and children, often jokingly called the victim “wife”.
It was gathered that the girl was returning from her mother’s groundnut farm last week when she came across Mamadou, a farmer in his 30s.
At first, he joked with her as usual, but then he dragged her into the bush, where he allegedly r3ped her.
The girl’s grandmother, who was working on her own farm heard the sound of her granddaughter crying and went to look for her.
To her shock, she found the girl bleeding from her pr!vate parts.
When the grandmother asked what happened, the girl said Mamadou r3ped her.
The grandmother pressed her again, and the girl repeated the same thing.
The girl was rushed to the Basse Health Centre, where she is still receiving treatment.
Mamadou, however, had already disappeared.
On Monday, August 18, the Gambia Police Force announced that they are searching for him.
“Police in Fatoto are investigating an alleged r3pe that occurred on August 14, 2025, involving a 12-year-old girl from Sare Gillah village, Toumana District. The victim is currently admitted at Basse Health Centre,” the statement read.
“The suspect, identified as Mamadou Salieu Dambale, a farmer in his 30s from Sare Gillah village, is currently at large. Efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend him.
“A case file has been opened and investigations are ongoing. The Police strongly urge the public to provide any information that may assist in the arrest of the suspect.
“The Gambia Police Force reaffirms its commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring justice is served.”
Meanwhile, some Gambian Facebook users have advised parents to never allow grown men, even family members, to call their young daughter ‘wife’.
A Kentucky, USA woman accused of destroying her ex-boyfriend’s car smiled broadly in her mugshot after being arrested for the alleged vandalism.
Stephanie Carlquist, 31, is accused of slashing the car’s tires, smashing its windshield and mirrors, bashing the radio, pouring salt into the engine, and even dumping glitter into the air-conditioning vents. The destruction, which occurred in July on two separate occasions, caused more than $12,460 in damage, according to a criminal complaint.
The vehicle was eventually towed to a Goodyear shop in Richmond, where it was declared totaled. A tow truck driver claimed Carlquist admitted to the rampage and even called the victim’s mother to recount what she said.
Carlquist later sent an Instagram message to her ex-boyfriend apologizing for the incident. She reportedly told police her behavior was fueled by stress related to her pregnancy, though she denied responsibility for all of the damage.
She was arrested on August 14 and charged with first-degree criminal mischief, a felony, before being booked into Madison County Detention Center. Instead of appearing remorseful, she smiled brightly in front of the detention center’s logo during her mugshot
Her demeanor quickly went viral online, with many mocking her reaction. “Her smile says it was worth getting a felony,” one person commented, while another added, “Smiling for a mugshot says, ‘I’m not one bit sorry!’”
Carlquist has since been released on a $12,000 bond.
Her case follows another bizarre breakup-related incident earlier this year in Florida, where 34-year-old Sabrina Deanna Coyne was arrested after allegedly throwing a brick engraved with “first date” through her ex-boyfriend’s window.
A California man has reportedly been arrested after cops discovered he had used stolen credit cards to purchase over $31,000 worth of meat from a wholesale supplier.
Juan Yepez-Garcia, 51, of Paradise, was caught after police began investigating several purchases made at Sierra Meat and Seafood in Reno using stolen credit cards, KRCR reported, citing the Paradise Police Department.
Detectives later traced the stolen goods to a specific address and discovered Yepez-Garcia had allegedly arranged several fraudulent deliveries of the meat with an estimated value of $31,883.79, cops said.
The beef fiend allegedly admitted to officers that he suspected the items he was receiving were stolen, the outlet reported.
The delivery driver who had dropped off the hordes of meat to the location had no idea the transactions were made using stolen credit cards, and was released without charges, authorities said.
Pictures obtained by the outlet captured massive freezers chock-full of frozen cuts of meat and boxes still bearing wholesale labels.
It is not yet clear what he intended to use the meat for.
Yepez-Garcia was arrested for possession of stolen property charges. His bail has been set to $15,000, court records indicate.
The meat supply business has since been contacted by authorities to retrieve the stolen goods, the outlet said.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President, Vladimir Putin are expected to hold a bilateral meeting within the next two weeks, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Monday.
Merz said the agreement followed a phone call between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, who confirmed that both leaders had agreed to meet. A trilateral summit involving Trump could follow.
“The American president spoke with the Russian president on the phone and agreed that there would be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president within the next two weeks,” Merz told reporters at the White House. He added that doubts remain over whether Putin will “have the courage” to attend.
Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, confirmed that senior negotiators would continue discussions but stopped short of saying if Putin himself would participate.
Talks at the White House, which included European leaders, centered on the next phase of negotiations. Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron insisted that a ceasefire must precede any peace deal, a demand Putin has rejected, instead pushing for an immediate agreement.
Sharp divisions remain, particularly over Russia’s demand that Ukraine surrender large parts of its territory — a condition Kyiv refuses to accept.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the summit as “good and constructive,” pointing to two outcomes: strengthened U.S.-European cooperation on security guarantees for Ukraine and an agreement in principle for the Zelensky-Putin meeting, to be followed by trilateral talks with Trump.
Macron emphasized that any deal must ensure Ukraine retains “a robust army that can resist any attempted attack,” without restrictions on size or capacity. He warned that further sanctions would follow if Moscow blocked progress. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte echoed the warning, saying the U.S. and Europe would escalate tariffs and sanctions if Russia stalled.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Trump had pledged to help secure the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. “Every single Ukrainian child must be returned to their families,” she wrote, thanking Trump for his commitment. Trump later described the issue as a global priority and one “very important” to his wife, Melania.
Mariah Carey is not holding back when it comes to the Grammys.
The 56-year-old superstar — who has sold millions of records worldwide — has only five Grammy wins out of 34 nominations, and her last nod came way back in 2009.
According to Daily Mail, during her appearance on Pitchfork’s Over/Under YouTube series, Mariah was asked about the award show and didn’t mince words. “Ha, I think the Grammys are overrated,” she said. She then doubled down, clarifying that both the ceremony and the award itself were “overrated.”
Still, the singer softened the blow slightly by adding, “But we love everybody.”
This isn’t the first time she’s expressed frustration over the lack of recognition. On the Las Culturistas podcast last October, Carey addressed her Grammy history when hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers said she doesn’t “have enough” wins. Mariah laughed and responded, “They scammed me. They toy with me.”
Her history with the Grammys stretches back to 1991 when she won Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Vision of Love. In 2006, she scored three major wins for her album The Emancipation of Mimi and the chart-topping single We Belong Together.
But since her 2009 nomination for I Understand alongside Kim Burrell, Rance Allen, and Bebe Winans, the Recording Academy hasn’t recognized her music.
Even when she was honored in February 2024 with the Recording Academy’s Global Impact Award at the Black Music Collective event, Carey used the moment to poke fun at the situation. Holding the plaque on stage, she quipped, “Is this a real Grammy? I haven’t seen one in soooooo long. It’s weird. I don’t know. We’ll figure out what this is later.”
A man who s£xually abused and r@ped a woman shamelessly claimed she had “dreamt” the attack, a court heard.
Justin Saliba, 50, was described by a judge as behaving in a “grotesque” manner and causing “irreparable damage” to his victim, Wales Online reports.
Cardiff Crown Court heard the r@pe happened in 2021 at Saliba’s flat in Cardiff.
The victim, who had consumed alcohol, cannabis and prescription medication, fell asleep and later woke to find Saliba s£xually assaulting her and then r@ping her.
The s£xual attack came to an end when the victim’s phone rang and she managed to escape the room. She immediately reported the attack to family members, who called the police.
When Saliba was arrested, he denied the attack, claiming it had never happened and arguing the victim was confusing a dream with reality.
Saliba, of Cheam Place, Llanishen, Cardiff, was previously convicted of s£xual assault and r@pe. He has eight prior convictions for 25 offences, none of which are of a s£xual nature.
In a statement read by prosecutor Nik Strobl, the victim said she would never get over the attack, adding it would haunt her for the rest of her life.
Kathryn Lane, Saliba’s defence lawyer, said references showed there was another side to him as a “compassionate” family man.
But Judge Eugene Egan said he had targeted his victim, aware of her vulnerable state.
Saliba was sentenced to 11 years in prison and will serve two-thirds in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. He will remain a registered s£x offender for life.
LLawyers for Lassana Diarra have revealed that the former France international is seeking 65 million euros ($76 million) from FIFA and the Belgian football federation after a landmark legal victory over transfer rules.
Diarra’s decade-long challenge to FIFA after a breakdown in relations with his former club Lokomotiv Moscow led to a ruling at the European Court of Justice last October that some aspects of football’s transfer rules do not comply with the 27-nation European Union’s labor and competition laws.
Lawyers for the 40-year-old former Chelsea, Arsenal, and Real Madrid midfielder cited “unsuccessful settlement negotiations with FIFA” for the financial claim for damages throughout his career.
“Lassana Diarra is claiming €65m gross (€35m net) in compensation from FIFA and the Belgian Football Association,” his legal firm Dupont Hissel said in a statement.
FIFA said it would not comment about “on-going legal matters” — the latest high-stakes legal challenge to its authority.
Football’s governing body said in a statement it “has been working with its stakeholders to amend its regulations following the guidance offered by the ECJ.”
Diarra’s case, which is back in court in Belgium, is supported by the global players’ union FIFPRO, its European division, and their national member union in France.
The legal case started in the home country of Charleroi, the Belgian club that wanted to sign Diarra after his contract in Moscow was terminated.
FIFA transfer rules at the time made the player and the potential signing club liable for paying the former club when a contract was ruled to have been broken without “just cause.”
The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld FIFA’s ruling in favor of Lokomotiv.
The case was sent to the European court in Luxembourg which said some aspects of the FIFA rules “hinder the free movement of players and competition between clubs.”
Diarra’s dispute with Lokomotiv and FIFA forced him to miss the 2014-15 season. He then signed for Marseille and ended his career at Paris Saint-Germain six years ago.
“I am doing this for myself,” Diarra said in a statement Monday published by his lawyers. “And if I have been able to hold out against the FIFA steamroller, it is because I had a good career.”
“But I have also done it for all the up-and-coming, lesser known players who do not have the financial and psychological means to challenge FIFA before real judges,” he said.
Diarra’s lawyers are also working on a class action suit filed this month against FIFA and some national soccer federations in Europe which claims could benefit 100,000 players over more than two decades.
🇺🇦🇺🇸🇪🇺 EU Leaders Warn Trump: “Losing Donetsk Would Be a Disaster for the West” — WSJ
During today’s high-level talks in Washington, European leaders delivered a blunt message to U.S. President Donald Trump — surrendering more Ukrainian territory to Russia would have catastrophic consequences for Europe and NATO, The Wall Street Journal reports.
🔥 Key Quotes That Landed:
— 🇫🇮 Finnish President Alexander Stubb reportedly described Kramatorsk and Sloviansk as a “bulwark against the Huns” — a historical analogy which, according to witnesses, left a strong impression on Trump.
— 🇩🇪 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that Russia’s demand for Ukraine to give up the rest of the Donetsk region would be akin to “asking the United States to give up Florida.”
The Europeans emphasized that abandoning these frontline strongholds could expose NATO’s eastern flank, embolden Moscow, and invite further aggression across the continent.
📍 Kramatorsk and Sloviansk remain Ukraine’s major bastions in the Donbas and a key shield protecting the rest of the country from a Russian thrust westward.
GOVERNMENT EMPOWERS CHIEF RETAINERS WITH 39 MOTORBIKES ACROSS LUAPULA PROVINCE THROUGH CDF
August 20, 2025
Mansa – The government has empowered chief retainers in Luapula Province with 39 motorbikes through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), a move aimed at strengthening the role of traditional leadership in community development and improving service delivery at the grassroots.
The handover took place in Mansa after the Provincial Council of Chiefs Consultative Meeting, where Provincial Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Prudence Chinama Kangwa, reaffirmed the New Dawn administration’s commitment to working closely with traditional authorities.
Mrs. Kangwa said government recognizes chiefs and their retainers as critical partners in preserving cultural heritage, fostering unity, and linking communities to modern systems of governance.
“Your leadership continues to provide the vital connection between traditional structures and contemporary governance, which is essential for sustainable national development,” Mrs. Kangwa said.
She explained that the 39 motorbikes will ease the mobility of chief retainers, allowing them to effectively carry out duties within their chiefdoms. In cases where there is no sitting chief, the motorbikes will remain under the custody of the provincial administration until successors are installed.
Highlighting other development financing, Mrs. Kangwa revealed that Luapula’s 12 constituencies have received K432 million under the 2025 Constituency Development Fund (CDF), with K67 million already disbursed for various projects.
On succession disputes, Mrs. Kangwa urged traditional leaders to prioritize cultural methods of conflict resolution over litigation. She reminded them of President Hichilema’s consistent guidance that traditional matters are best settled through traditional means.
Meanwhile, Luapula Province Council of Chiefs Vice Chairperson, His royal highness Chief Nsamba, who represented the other chiefs, thanked the government for easing their mobility through the provision of motorbikes.
Chief Nsamba further expressed gratitude for the irrigation equipment recently provided, saying it would enable chiefs to promote year-round food production.
McCarthy leads Kenya to historic CHAN quarter-finals
South African coach Benni McCarthy has led Kenya’s Harambee Stars to the quarter-finals of the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, marking the country’s first appearance at this stage.
Kenya topped Group A unbeaten, recording 1-0 wins over DR Congo, Morocco, and Zambia, and a 1-1 draw with Angola.
A key moment came against Zambia at Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre, where Tusker FC striker Ryan Ogam scored the decisive goal in the 75th minute.
McCarthy, appointed head coach in March 2025, has applied his experience from his time under José Mourinho at Porto, prioritising defensive discipline and tactical organisation.
Kenya demonstrated resilience even when reduced to 10 players in matches against Angola and Morocco.
The Harambee Stars will face Madagascar in the quarter-finals on home soil. McCarthy emphasised focus ahead of the clash, saying: “We must remain sharp. This is just the beginning.”
PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA TO LAUNCH MUTANDA-KASEMPA-KAOMA ROAD.
President of the Republic of Zambia Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, will next month be in North Western Province to launch the Mutanda-Kasempa-Kaoma Road.
The road project aims to improve connectivity enhancing transportation of goods and services and contributing to economic productivity in the province.
The project will also connect North-Western and Western Provinces, facilitating trade and regional integration.
The President has underscored his commitment to the construction of quality roads to improve connectivity and foster economic development within the province.
President Hichilema said this when he launched the S3 Expansion Project at Kansashi Mine Plc today.
ZAMBIA, QATAR SEAL $19 BILLION PARTNERSHIP ACROSS 11 KEY SECTORS
August 18, 2025
Zambia and Qatar have signed a $19 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation across 11 strategic sectors, marking a major milestone in bilateral relations.
The agreement was signed between the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) on behalf of Zambia and Al Mansour Holdings representing the State of Qatar.
It spans a wide range of sectors, including energy and oil, banking and finance, housing and urban development, agriculture and food security, mining and minerals, logistics and infrastructure, telecommunications, health and education, environment, tourism, and industrial development.
President Hakainde Hichilema, who witnessed the signing, welcomed the agreement, describing it as a step toward unlocking new opportunities for Zambia’s economy.
He called for the development of an implementation plan and urged Qatar to prioritize investment in Zambia’s energy sector.
The Chairman of Al Mansour Holdings reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to investing in Africa, saying Zambia stood to benefit from the company’s technical expertise in driving sustainable development.
The signing ceremony was attended by President Hichilema and Al Mansour Group Chairman, Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani. Officials noted that the partnership builds on President Hichilema’s 2023 state visit to Qatar, which paved the way for closer collaboration between the two nations.
Acting Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Rodney Sikumba said the MoU lays the foundation for stronger bilateral ties between Lusaka and Doha.
GOVERNMENT RELEASES K56 MILLION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF LUAPULA CHIEFS’ PALACES TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL GOVERNANCE
AUGUST 19, 2026
…AS 807 KILOMETRES OF FEEDER ROADS SET FOR REHABILITATION
LUSAKA – The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, has released K56 million for the construction of chiefs’ palaces in Luapula Province as part of its strategy to support traditional leadership and enhance local governance.
Provincial Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Prudence Chinama Kangwa, disclosed this during the Provincial Council of Chiefs Consultative Meeting in Mansa today, noting that the projects reflect the New Dawn administration’s recognition of chiefs’ critical role in development.
“In Luapula, we have 17 palaces underway. Fourteen new ones are between 45 and 50 percent complete, while three legacy projects are now over 75 percent complete,” she said.
Each palace will include a chief’s office and two retainers’ houses.
On Constituency Development Fund (CDF) disbursement, Mrs. Kangwa reported that constituencies in Luapula received a combined K432 million in 2025, with more than K67 million already spent on community projects.
She further announced that 807 kilometres of feeder roads are scheduled for rehabilitation this year to boost connectivity across the province.
The Permanent Secretary also appealed to traditional leaders to help resolve succession disputes that have stalled development in some areas.
Mrs. Kangwa called on the royal highnesses to collectively strive to resolve the two longstanding disputes in the province in order to preserve peace, respect custom, and promote stability.
She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusive governance, emphasising that chiefs remain a vital partner in uplifting communities.
“Your leadership continues to provide the critical link between traditional structures and modern governance,” she said.
ZAMBIA LAUNCHES FIRST-EVER NATIONAL FOOD BALANCE SHEETS REPORT
Lusaka — The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock, in partnership with the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB), have unveiled Zambia’s first comprehensive Food Balance Sheets Report, covering the years 2019–2023.
Speaking during the launch, Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo Phiri hailed the report as a milestone in Zambia’s food security efforts.
“A good environment feeds the people better,” he said, stressing the connection between nutrition and quality of life. “People have to be well-fed with nutritious food.”
Mr. Phiri said the government, under President Hakainde Hichilema, is giving farmers the freedom to decide what crops to grow, reducing reliance on mealie meal.
He added that the Sustainable Agriculture Fund (SAF) is providing support to farmers through irrigation systems, aquaculture, and livestock production.
Mr. Phiri reaffirmed government’s goal of achieving 10 million metric tons of maize production by 2031, noting that research partnerships, such as with Golden Value Agriculture Research, are crucial to reaching the target.
The minister also urged producers to focus on nutrient-rich crops, emphasizing that food security must go beyond quantity to deliver better nutrition. While commending the team behind the report, he acknowledged concern over the weak figures it revealed.
Highlighting data from the Growth Focus Survey, Mr. Phiri said it guided Zambia’s decision to export more than 500,000 metric tons of maize, and he encouraged young scientists to pursue innovative methods that improve both production and nutrition.
Meanwhile, Acting Statistician at ZamStats Sheila Mudenda, described the Food Balance Sheet as an essential planning tool that provides a clear picture of Zambia’s food security.
She explained that the report supplies critical data on food availability, supply, and utilization, insights that can inform national policy and development strategies.
“As the central authority on official statistics, ZamStats plays a critical role in ensuring that decisions are grounded in accurate, data-driven insights,” Ms. Mudenda said.
ZamStats operates under the Statistics Act No. 13 of 2018, with a mandate to publish official statistics and provide reliable data to drive national development.
10,000 MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS RECORDED IN FIRST HALF OF 2025 – MINISTER ELVIS NKANDU
Lusaka — The Ministry of Sports, Youth and Arts has revealed that Chainama Health Clinic recorded 10,000 mental health patients between January and June 2025, highlighting a sharp rise in mental health challenges across the country.
Speaking at a Creative Arts Mental Health Workshop in Lusaka, Minister of Sports, Youth and Arts Elvis Nkandu said the clinic attends to over 300 patients daily, underscoring that mental health issues are real and require urgent attention.
“The number of cases is evidence that mental health problems are increasing at an alarming rate. The UPND government remains committed to addressing this challenge,” Mr. Nkandu said.
The Minister also addressed the stigma surrounding mental health, stressing that these illnesses should not be treated in secrecy.
“Mental health problems are real and dangerous. A problem shared is a problem solved,” he said, encouraging artists and the public to openly discuss their struggles rather than hide behind fame or fear.
Mr. Nkandu, who is also the Kaputa Member of Parliament and UPND Deputy Spokesperson warned that everyone is potentially at risk of mental illness, emphasizing that human beings naturally face mental challenges that need proper attention.
The workshop, aimed at promoting mental wellness in the creative arts sector, was held at the Mulungushi Conference Centre, where the Minister officially opened the event and urged participants to actively engage in discussions about mental health.
Government Signs K1.4 Billion Road Upgrade Deal for Western Province
By Ruth Chayinda
The Road Development Agency (RDA) and Avic International Engineering Company have signed a landmark K1.4 billion contract to upgrade 80 kilometers of the Katunda–Lukulu–Watopa–Mumbezhi road.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Infrastructure and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi, who witnessed the event, announced that the project will be financed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and supported by the national treasury. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sourcing funds for the construction and rehabilitation of public roads across Zambia
RDA Board Chairperson Eugene Haazele pledged the agency’s dedication to ensuring the road is delivered on time, at the right price, and with high-quality standards.
Western Province Minister Kapelwa Mbangweta hailed the project as a testament to President Hakainde Hichilema’s commitment to the people of Western Province.
He noted that the road has long been in a deplorable state, severely hindering the movement of goods and services.
Four Members of Parliament whose constituencies will benefit from the upgrade expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government for responding to the long-standing cries of their communities.
Among them were Christopher Kalila, MP for Lukulu East , Luhamba Mwene, MP for Mangango, General Sitwala Sitwala, MP for Kaoma, Misheck Mutelo, MP for Mitete.
*Unbridled and Unrealistic Presidential Ambitions – An Achilles Hill for Political Cohesion Amongst the Opposition*
By Muhabi Lungu
Opposition Political Parties Must be Serious and Mature for the sake of our Country. If we do not take steps towards this much needed maturity, the opposition will be doomed to irrelevance. Today I want to share my private thoughts about a trend in our country, regarding individuals who have either made a little name, for themselves, or have managed to acquire a little more extra money or have been praised by about 50 people or so (usually after speaking well on Radio or Television), who all of a sudden, develop self imposed delusions of grandeur and decide that they should become the President of Zambia. PLEASE TAKE NOTE, that it’s really, REALLY hard for someone to become President of Zambia.
Here are some useful statistics for your consideration. Of the 46 candidates who have contested for Presidential Elections, in the last 35 years since the 1991 Elections, 29 of them have failed to even obtain a meagre 1% of the National Vote. Among these are notable names such as Ng’andu Magande with 0.23%, Charles Milupi with 0.96% and Dan Pule at 0.20%; those that try to contest a second or third time around usually fare worse in the subsequent attempts. If you take Nevers Mumba as an example, in 2001 when he first stood, he managed a 2.24%, in 2015, he dropped to 0.88% and by the time he stood on his third attempt in 2021, he had further dropped to 0.10%. In most mature counties, any candidate who scores bellow 5% of the national vote is never taken seriously by the public. The Newspapers, the Radio and TV stations would not give you the time of day to appear on theirs platforms.
Above this really, REALLY low mark, only 6 candidates have managed to obtain between 1 – 8% of the people’s choice. These have included Humphrey Mulemba with 6.6%, Benjamin Mwila with 4.92% and General Miyanda with 8%. This means that 35 candidates out of the 46 candidates have failed to get even 10% of the National Vote. Even very prominent and relatively wealthy ones, such as those I have just mentioned above. Only 3 candidates have managed to get between 10 – 20% of the National Vote. These being Dean Mung’omba with 12.75 % in 1996, Tyilenji Kaunda with 10.12% in 2001, and General Christon Tembo with 13.17% in 2001. Hence 38 candidates out of the 46 have failed to cross above 15% of the Votes in the last 35 years; including prominent people who were once powerful and influential figures who were Vice Presidents, Ministers of Defence and Award winning Ministers of Finance. No matter, This represents 83% of all candidates failing to breach a 15 percent low water mark.
Please, pause and take just a minute and think about this. This is a very bad indictment on either the quality of our candidates, in general, and/or the organizational capacity of our Political Parties to reach a significant portion of the population; particularly of political parties viewed, by the Public, as personal to holder and established with the sole purpose of one person’s private agenda. Our public is quite observant and very perceptive. Clearly and If we are sane enough, we need to have a serious rethink on the way we chose our Presidential Candidates; Obviously, our voters think very little of them.
Let me flip it, in order to get context and have it looked at from another angle. Out of the 46 candidates that have stood as Presidential candidates since 1991, only eight (8) of them have managed to get above 20% of the National Vote. To make it more relevant to the current 50 Plus 1 vote threshold, for candidate to become President, only 3 out of 46 candidates have managed to get above this most necessary and absolutely important and extremely difficult threshold. Only FTJ Chiluba in 1991 with 75.77% (can’t count 1996 because he barred his main opponent), Edgar C Lungu in 2016 (with the power of incumbency) with 50.35% and Hakainde Hichilema with 59.02 % in 2021.
All the other Presidential victors, LM, RB, MS and ECL (in 2015) won with an average of about 42% of the Vote. The current President, HH, out of the six times he stood, on FIVE attempts failed to obtain the threshold of 50%. In fact, on three of those occasions, he obtained under 26% of the National Vote. People should not even dare to compare themselves to Michael Sata as this man was a Governor and Minister of State under the UNIP Administration and Minister of Local Government, Minister of Health, Minister without Portfolio and National Secretary of the MMD; yet it took him four attempts for him to make it to the Presidency; of course, too many forced errors by an aging MMD, which had over stayed 20 years in power, also helped him out. So, please remember that out of 46 candidates that have stood, a whopping 43 candidates have failed to get the required threshold; for most of them, by far, very far away.
So, what am I saying? I am saying that winning the Presidential elections, for the great majority of those who put themselves forward for voter consideration is extremely difficult; an almost impossible task really. An Englishman would even say “a pipe dream endeavor.” I am afraid that if I gave an interpretation of this saying in one of our local languages, it would sound rather rude. So, maybe you can try and give it a translation yourself.
WHY, there can be as many as sixteen candidates in a presidential contest, in our country, is totally beyond my understanding. However, I do know that there are a lot of Sooth Sayers, SANGOMAS and/or ‘Men of God” out there that are in the habit of convincing us politicians that we have been ordained or chosen and that they have seen it in dreams or that God spoke to them on our behalf; and we politicians are suckers of this type of “divine message.” Having been a recipient of some of these sooth sayers myself, over the years, I believe MOST of these massages to be quite fake. Although most of us politicians really eat these things up. Most of us politicians are unable to see through the deception (unable to see through these false prophets and Sangomas) of these diviners because of our “Very Healthy Egos.”…or Should I say Irritatingly Unhealthy EGOs; Puffed up with blinding arrogance.
Let me also point out, that since 1991, 13 of the 46 candidates have stood more than once, some six times (HH), others five times (GGM) some Four times (MS)(TJ), some three times (NM and EN) etc, the total number of actual attempts at the Presidency since multi-party politics is 73. Out of this, only 3 times have candidates obtained more than 50 plus one. Under the current threshold (which should never be changed), this would represent a success rate of 4% or putting it another way, a failure rate of 96%. No sane person would risk even a careless bet, even of small champ change, with such odds. These are very bad odds for dealing your cards.
Let me end by quoting Pontius Pilate as he admonished Judah Ben Hur to take caution and be reasonable with his decisions: “There are far too many small men of envyion ambition that think they can disrupt the government of Rome;” they can’t….. In my personal humble view, a 50+1 threshold is very obtainable by the opposition, in order to defeat “Caesor”, if common sense and self interest is submerged for the greater national interest. I am quite certain, in fact 80% sure, that HH and his UPND can be soundly defeated in 2026, if were to put forward ONE unified candidate, backed by a solid and honest policy framework.
I think that this unrealistic plethora of blind ambition by us politicians, distract us from undergoing proper processes of selecting credible presidential candidates that are worthy of consideration by our voters. We have made the Presidency a cheap joke and this takes away from our political system further maturing. Surely, at this level, we should be having at most, maybe one or two credible candidates, at best for people’s serious consideration.
I will await rebuttals to my arguments and then I will respond. I think that we truly need to have a healthy national debate on this matter. Thanking you all for taking your time to read my provocative private thoughts.
ZAMBIA NATIONAL SERVICE UPHOLDS MERIT-BASED SELECTION IN TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND COMMENCES VOLUNTARY TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR 1,092 RECRUITS
Today, Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Thabo Kawana, and Defence Permanent Secretary, Maambo Hamaundu, convened a joint press briefing to provide updates on the commissioning of Lieutenant Habwela Hichilema.
Here are the highlights:
DEFENCE PS MR. MAAMBO HAMAUNDU
✅️The ZNS Voluntary Training Program is set to commence on September 1, 2025, with 1,092 recruits (468 female and 624 male) slated to participate.
✅️Medical examinations for the identified candidates will be conducted on August 25, 2025, and successful candidates will proceed to training at one of three centers: Chiwoko in Katete, Chishimba camp in Kasama, and Kitwe.
✅️The program will include military training, agriculture, and instruction in national values and principles, aiming to foster discipline, commitment, and entrepreneurial skills in participants.
✅️The initiative aims to instill perseverance and transform participants into disciplined individuals, promoting national development and patriotism.
INFORMATION AND MEDIA PS MR. THABO KAWANA
✅️ Lieutenant Habwela Hichilema successfully passed the mandatory Officers Selection Board process: Lt. Hichilema demonstrated his capabilities and potential as a future officer by successfully completing the rigorous selection process, which included a range of assessments.
✅️To ensure a fair evaluation, Lt. Hichilema trained under a pseudonym, preventing instructors from extending special favours or bias towards him due to his family ties.
✅️Lt. Hichilema shared meals and accommodations with his fellow cadets and participated fully in all training activities, including bush exercises and disciplinary measures when necessary.
✅️Lt. Hichilema embodied the spirit of “To Train the willing and unwilling” by showing a strong commitment to the training process and a willingness to learn.
✅️Lt. Hichilema demonstrated his commitment and willingness to learn by participating in physically demanding tasks, such as digging his own trench during field training.
✅️Throughout his training, Lt. Hichilema consistently demonstrated humility, discipline, and a strong work ethic, participating in challenging exercises and living alongside his fellow cadets.
✅️Lt. Hichilema kept his identity confidential until after his commissioning, ensuring that his training and evaluation were based solely on his performance.
✅️And Brigadier General Mable Nyone expressed gratitude to the first family for choosing ZNS as an institution to train Lt. Hichilema, highlighting the importance of merit-based selection.
✅️General Nyone emphasized that Lt. Hichilema’s selection was based on his hard work, perseverance, and resilience, demonstrating the value of meritocracy.
✅️Captain Siva Asani described Lt. Habwela Hichilema as a disciplined individual who desires to do things according to the book, highlighting his commitment to following rules and procedures.
SHE DIDN’T TOUCH THE BOY…THE WORKERS ON THE FARM TOOK THE LAW INTO THEIR HANDS.
To suggest that Maria physically beat the boy to death is absolutely ridiculous.
The workers on the farm that beat the boy should be charged. If a guard at Simoson beats a bus driver to death…would the police arrest me or the guard?
The problem here is that you have politicised this case. You’ve labelled her UPND…She’s a farmer, not a politician.
Maria is not guilty of brutally beating someone to death…and the facts will come out clearly.
MY WIFE HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT I NOW LOVE HER DAUGHTER
Nakonde man has cried foul after his second wife caught him red handed with her daughter at a named lodge.
The man swore upon his dead parents that his second wife had left him and they were not together that is why he decided to date her daughter since they were no longer family and not related by blood or any known tie.
We love each other, your daughter is now an adult and she is able to make decisions on her own the man continued to shout in the video whilst covering the taboos he is blessed with.
The daughter, who is a known drunkard, was quiet and observed the drama unfold without saying a word.
People have confirmed that the man married for a second time last year but could not put up with his wife so they divorced and went separate ways.
This could be the reason love is considered madness.
