FINANCE MINISTER WARNS DOMESTIC DEBT RESTRUCTURING COULD CAUSE CRISIS IN BANKING SECTOR
By Chamuka Shalubala
Finance and National Planning Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane has cautioned that restructuring the country’s domestic debt at this time could lead to a crisis in the banking sector.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Dr. Musokotwane explained that applying the same conditions to domestic debt as those used for external debt would cause significant disruption for citizens.
https://youtu.be/HSypMFEyPZA?si=SFZjc1IJxDjzwt6M
He said most lending to the government, through treasury bills and bonds, comes from banks and that if the domestic debt were restructured, banks’ asset values would decline sharply, triggering potential collapses and leaving depositors unable to access their funds.
Dr. Musokotwane has stressed that this risk is the key reason the government has decided against restructuring domestic debt at least for now.
Minister Gayton McKenzie apologizes for resurfaced racist tweets
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has issued an apology for a series of old social media posts containing racial slurs, including repeated use of the K-word, amid mounting calls for his resignation from South Africans and political opponents.
The controversy erupted after tweets from 2011 to 2017 resurfaced, showing McKenzie using the derogatory term multiple times, along with other comments criticizing black South Africans and expressing preferences in racially charged scenarios.
McKenzie, leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and a former convict turned politician, addressed the backlash, stating, “I did tweet some insensitive, stupid and hurtful things a decade or two ago, I was a troll & stupid. I cringe when seeing them and I am truly sorry for that.”
He denied being racist, emphasizing his fight for equality between black and coloured communities, and agreed to cooperate with any investigation.
The minister claimed the uproar was politically motivated, particularly following his recent criticism of the Open Chats Podcast hosts for anti-coloured remarks.
Public and political reactions have been swift and severe. ActionSA filed a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), with leader Herman Mashaba declaring, “Apology is not good enough,” and highlighting centuries of dehumanization faced by black people.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) called for McKenzie’s dismissal, drawing parallels to their own MP Renaldo Gouws, who was removed for similar offenses.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and African Transformation Movement (ATM) also demanded his immediate removal, arguing that such language undermines South Africa’s democratic principles.
Despite the outcry, analysts suggest McKenzie’s position within the PA remains secure due to the party’s structure and his strong support base, though pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa to act could intensify.
The SAHRC is set to review the complaints, potentially escalating the matter to the Equality Court.
McKenzie’s apology has done little to quell online debates, with many South Africans rejecting it as insufficient in a nation still grappling with its apartheid legacy.
Chipolopolo Coach AVRAM GRANT says the team should not be ruled out of the CHAN tournament.
This follows Zambia’s 2-1 defeat to Angola in their second Group A match, a result that leaves the Chipolopolo without a point.
GRANT, however, says he believes the team is making steady progress and remains capable of collecting maximum points in their remaining group fixtures against Kenya and Morocco.
Speaking after the match against Angola, GRANT noted significant improvement compared to their opening game against the Democratic Republic of Congo -DRC.
He said that unlike in the first match, the Chipolopolo created several chances, seven in total and managed to convert one.
The Chipolopolo will return to action this Thursday, 14 August, when they face Morocco in a must-win encounter.
Meanwhile, football fans in Lusaka have expressed disappointment with the team’s performance.
WILBROAD KALYONDO criticised the squad for a lack of concentration, which he believes has contributed to their two losses.
GILLIAT KAFULA said the team lacked patience in possession and appeared short on match fitness in Sunday’s match.
JOHN KATWISHI described the results as disappointing, stressing that the game against Angola was one Zambia should have won convincingly.
ZAMBIA ASSOCIATION OF MUSICIANS INTRODUCES ONLINE PAYMENTS AND INCLUDES DJs, MUSIC PROMOTERS AND OTHERS INTO IT’S MEMBERSHIP POOL
In its efforts to reach most of its potential members, the Zambia Association of Musicians is pulling some strides as it introduces online payments and membership registration.
Zambia Association of Musicians revealed that artists who intend to register with the association can now make their annual membership subscription from anywhere through MTN, Airtel, and Zanaco online payment systems.
The association also revealed the annual subscription fees for different members. The annual membership fees are as follows;
1. Solo artists such as Chile One will pay 300 Zambian Kwacha. 2. A duo such as Chanda na Kay will pay 500 Zambian Kwacha. 3. Groups and bands such as Peace Preachers will bay 750 Zambian Kwacha. 4. Studios or labels such as Olijaba will pay 1000 Zambia Kwacha. 5. Cooperates such as Trade Kings will pay 3000 Zambian Kwacha.
The association also added that after making online payments, the registering party will be required to send proof of payment to the association and fill out an online form, cutting office walk-ins. (FULL PROCESS ON ZAM’S SOCIALS).
In a separate post, the association’s president, Brian Bwembya alias B Flow, announced that the association was broadening its membership pool as it will include more than musicians.
“The members of the Zambia Association of Musicians – ZAM are artists, producers, studios, labels, bands, artist managers, DJs, music promoters, and some companies,” said ZAM president B Flow.
With this digital leap, ZAM is breaking barriers and making membership just a click away — opening doors for every artist, band, and stakeholder to be part of Zambia’s growing music movement.
🔴RUTO VOWS $20,000 BONUS FOR KENYAN FOOTBALL PLAYERS IF THEY DEFEAT ZAMBIA IN CHAN
President William Ruto has promised each Kenyan player about $20,000 if they win Sunday’s CHAN match against Zambia.
They have already made $20,000 each in the competition so far, and they deserve every cent.
He shared this on his official Facebook page.
Unity has always propelled us forward. We must never allow negativity, failure, or doubt to prevent us from reaching our full potential. If we believe in ourselves and refuse to let division or hate enter the equation, Kenya can become the great nation we all dream of.
The Harambee Stars are proof of what unity can achieve. They have brought the country together and we are all witnessing the success it is bringing to the nation. We stand behind you, praying that this time we win will CHAN because it’s within close reach.
Met the team to congratulate them on their victory over Morocco and their historic qualification for the CHAN knockout stages.
We’ve also agreed on rewards: A win against Zambia next Sunday will earn each player KSh2.5 million. If they triumph in the quarter-finals, each will be gifted KSh1 million and a two-bedroom affordable housing unit in a location of their choice.
Chipolopolo Pray for a CHAN Resurrection After Double Defeat
After a second straight baptism of fire at the CHAN tournament this time a 2-1 “laying on of hands” courtesy of Angola Chipolopolo Coach Avram Grant has urged the nation not to lose faith. “Do not rule us out,” he proclaimed, sounding less like a football coach and more like a visiting evangelist at a revival meeting.
The loss leaves Zambia bottom of Group A with zero points, a spot in the table that biblical scholars might liken to “the valley of dry bones.” But Grant insists a resurrection is still possible in the remaining must-win fixtures against Morocco and Kenya, a feat that would require nothing short of the parting of the Red Sea or at least the Angolan defense.
Grant found reasons to be cheerful, noting “significant improvement” from the opening game against the DRC. He praised the squad for creating seven goal-scoring chances against Angola, even if only one found the net. “We multiplied our shots like loaves and fishes,” he said, “though unfortunately, most of them turned into crumbs.”
NDOLA MAN RUNS AWAY WITH COPPER WORTH K6.6 MILLION
DAVY Mafenyeho 39 driver from Ndola on the copperbelt, is on the run after allegedly stealing 30 tons of copper cathodes valued at K6,624,493.2.
The copper cathodes were laden on a Howo truck and trailer, registration number CAF 7019 ZM and CAF 7110 ZM, property of SINOMA Transport.
According to Muchinga Province Police Commissioner Dennis Moola who has confirmed the News to Chete FM News, the incident occurred between August 4 and August 9, 2025 between Nakonde and Tunduma, when Mafenyeho, whilst in Nakonde told his colleagues he was going to refuel at Mount Meru filling station but never returned.
The truck’s GPS showed it moved from where it was parked to Malawi junction, near the Power Tools bus station, before being turned off.
The truck was later found abandoned in Mujimwema village, Tanzania, about four kilometers from the Zambian border post, with six rear wheels missing from the trailer and no copper cathodes on board.
Chanda Kaiza, a 34-year-old escort security officer from Assert Trucking Security Company, reported the theft on behalf of Poseidon company, based in South Africa.
A joint team of police officers from Nakonde mad Tunduma have since lauched a man hunt for the suspected thief.
MAKEBI ZULU OUTLINES APPEAL DETAILS AND GROUNDS ON NEWZROOM AFRIKA PROGRAMME
……Lungu Family Appeals Pretoria High Court Order Over State Funeral Repatriation….
PRETORIA, 11 August, 2025
The family of late former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has filed papers seeking to overturn a Pretoria High Court ruling ordering that his remains be handed over to the Zambian government for a state funeral.
Family spokesperson and lawyer Makebi Zulu told Newzroom Afrika on Sunday that the decision to appeal was made because “the court did not address the gravamen of the matter” and had “focused narrowly on a purported agreement” between the family and the Zambian government.
“In its ruling, the court talked about pacta sunt servanda that agreements must be respected but then went further to change the concessions that were reached by the family,” Mr. Zulu said
“We had agreed that the body would be repatriated privately by the family into Zambia, where he could be accorded a state funeral. The court instead ordered that the sheriff collect the body from the undertaker and hand it over to the Zambian government, excluding the family from the process. That is one ground of appeal.”
Mr. Zulu stated that the court of failed to address key constitutional and human rights questions.
“The court did not address the right to dignity. It did not address who, as next of kin, is entitled to the body. That is a very important question,” he said.
“We felt the court erred when it said public interest overrides that of the family. And whose public interest? Which public was the court dealing with?”
He questioned the South African court’s jurisdiction in matters involving Zambia’s internal arrangements.
“If they were dealing with Zambian public interest, what clothes them with the authority to deal with the Zambian system?” Mr. Zulu asked.
https://youtu.be/HSypMFEyPZA?si=6G7LsR4qLVKz9Klt
The family maintains that President Lungu died as a private citizen after the Zambian state stripped him of his benefits, alleging he had reentered active politics.
“You cannot vilify someone in life, deny them access to medical care, and then thrust honours upon them in death,” Mr. Zulu said.
“That is a mockery to the family.”
Mr. Zulu insisted that the family’s priority was not speed but dignity.
“The point for the family is just one to give the former president a dignified send off,” he said.
“What is perceived as dignified by the family is not the government being in charge of the burial. That is the decision of the family, not the state.”
“If invitations are to be extended, they will be extended to necessary people. We respect the South African government and would not want to antagonise relations between South Africa and Zambia. But the remains belong to the family and we would like that to be respected.”
Nor sooner had the Pretoria High Court ruled in favour of the Zambian government than the Lungu family and many Zambians became the subject of ridicule. A cabinet minister of Muchinga Province went viral celebrating that “akatumbi kaleisa ” a derogatory term meaning a small or not important or useless person’s corpse was coming, and the United Party for National Development (UPND) joined in the celebrations. Many patriotic Zambians condemned this behaviour as deeply insensitive, pointing out the pain it caused the grieving family of the late president.
Many Zambians have since been voicing their outrage, arguing that such conduct only confirmed the family’s sentiments, that President Lungu could not receive a genuine dignified send off from the current government. Some contend that the state’s push for control over the burial is less about honouring the late president and more about political gain a calculated attempt to cleanse its image on the international stage, even at the expense of human decency.
ATTORNEY General Mulilo Kabesha says the Government attempted to retrieve the body of former President Edgar Lungu after Friday’s judgment, but the move was halted upon learning that the Lungu family intended to appeal.
Mr Kabesha explained that, after being informed by the deceased’s family lawyers, the Government initially believed an actual appeal had been lodged.
“It later emerged that what had been filed was not an appeal itself, but an application for leave (or permission) to appeal before the Gauteng Division of the High Court in South Africa,” he said.
“If the appeal is granted, we will oppose it if we see no reasonableness in it,” Mr Kabesha added.
He noted that under South African law, once an application for leave to appeal is filed, the earlier court order,allowing the movement of the body,is automatically suspended.
On Friday, the South African High Court directed the funeral parlour holding Mr Lungu’s body to hand it over to Zambian Government representatives in South Africa.
However, Mr Kabesha said the late former President’s body remains in the custody of his family, who placed it in a funeral parlour following his death on June 5, 2025.
Speaking on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview programme, Mr Kabesha said the Zambian Government is now awaiting the next step from the Pretoria High Court.
https://youtu.be/HSypMFEyPZA?si=6G7LsR4qLVKz9Klt
“The court can either grant the Lungu family permission to file their appeal challenging its earlier judgment or dismiss the application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court,” he explained.
This matter arises from a public interest lawsuit in which the Zambian Government sued the Lungu family, seeking to repatriate Mr Lungu’s body for burial at Embassy Park, against the family’s wishes.
On August 8, 2025, the court unanimously ruled in favour of the Government, allowing the body to be brought back to Zambia.
However, the Lungu family seeks to challenge that decision, citing mistrust and claiming it was Mr Lungu’s wish that, in the event of his death, his successor should not attend his funeral.
I’LL USE MINERALS TO SETTLE EXTERNAL DEBT WHEN ELECTED IN 2026 – KALABA
CITIZENS First leader Harry Kabala says once elected into office next year, he will use Zambia’s minerals to settle the country’s external debt, rather than wasting time getting IMF loans.
And Kalaba says people should not compare him to President Hakainde Hichilema who lied his way to presidency.
https://youtu.be/HSypMFEyPZA?si=6G7LsR4qLVKz9Klt
Speaking when he featured on Radio Mano, Saturday, Kalaba, who spoke in Bemba, said Zambia had enough minerals to settle its external debt.
“What problem do we have as a country that we even went to borrow [$]1.4 billion approved by the IMF, which is even being given to us in instalments? When I come into office in 2026, I won’t even waste my time on the IMF because we have gold”.
LUNGU FAMILY MAY OPT FOR PRIVATE BURIAL TO ENSURE DIGNITY …..Family says they will not trade respect for politics
The family of the late former Zambian president Edgar Chagwa Lungu is prepared to hold a private burial if that is the only way to guarantee him a dignified send-off, says the family’s legal counsel and spokesperson, Hon. Makebi Zulu.
Speaking on South Africa’s Newzroom Africa, Zulu criticised the Pretoria High Court’s ruling that ordered Lungu’s remains be handed over to the Zambian government for repatriation and a state funeral, saying it disregards the family’s rights and agreed concessions
“The family’s goal is simple a dignified send-off. That cannot be guaranteed if the very people accused of violating his rights in life are put in charge of his burial in death,” Zulu said.
Zulu accused the court of narrowing its focus to a “purported agreement” while ignoring broader constitutional principles, including the authority of the next of kin and the fact that Lungu died a private citizen after being stripped of his former head-of-state benefits by the Hichilema administration.
“You cannot strip him of medical care, security, and all benefits, then suddenly claim public interest in his death. The family, not the state, must decide how he is laid to rest,” Zulu argued.
While the Zambian government has maintained it has an obligation to conduct the funeral as a state event, Zulu countered that international precedents including Nelson Mandela’s funeral show that family wishes can take precedence over political considerations.
He said if the courts ultimately side with the state, the family is ready to bury Lungu privately in South Africa, limiting attendance to selected individuals and ensuring the process reflects the late president’s and his family’s wishes.
Zulu stressed that the family is willing to wait for the legal process to conclude, even if it delays the burial. “If it takes longer, so be it. What matters most is dignity, both for the family and for President Lungu. That dignity will not be traded for expedience or political theatre,” he said.
The case now heads to the South African Supreme Court of Appeal, which will determine whether a family’s right to a dignified funeral can outweigh a state’s claim to control the burial of a former head of state.
Two Faces of a Nation on Display in Pretoria High Court
By Farai Ruvanyathi, 11th August 2025
The judgment handed down by the Pretoria High Court, over the burial impasse of the late former President Edgar Lungu, and the reactions that followed, exposed two contrasting characters of our nation’s spirit and soul.
On one hand, we saw calm, dignity, respect, humility, and gratitude. This was personified by Zambia’s Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, who conducted a television interview with composure and thoughtfulness, reflecting on a legal victory for the Zambian government. On the other hand, we witnessed a stark contrast, haughtiness, entitlement, anger, and unrestrained hostility.
In a different corner of the same court auditorium, former President Edgar Lungu’s sister unleashed a torrent of insults and derogatory remarks, while howling and bawling, directed not only at the Attorney General, who was, in that moment, the face of the Zambian people, but also at his 104-year-old mother, Dyna. This outburst, filled with bitterness and unfiltered rage, played out live on international television.
For many viewers unfamiliar with the case, the spectacle could easily have been mistaken for a fictional soap opera. Unfortunately, it was all too real. The dignity of the nation’s institutions was being undermined, not in a courtroom drama series, but in a real-life international stage, under the global spotlight.
https://youtu.be/HSypMFEyPZA?si=6G7LsR4qLVKz9Klt
A Deeper Historical Context
South Africa is a large, economically significant country, but in the history of African liberation, Zambia remains its elder brother. Many senior South African leaders were raised, educated, or politically nurtured in Zambia under the protection and guidance of founding President, Kenneth Kaunda. The ANC was headquartered in Lusaka, and Nelson Mandela’s first international trip after his release from prison was to Zambia. These are not small facts; they are foundational to the bond between our nations.
Therefore, when Zambians behave with integrity and leadership, they reinforce their standing as moral leaders on the continent. But when their representatives, be they political or familial, engage in public displays of arrogance, entitlement, and slander, they diminish that respect. The conduct of the Lungu family and their legal representative, Makebi Zulu and the likes of Given Lubinda and Raphael Nakachinda, over the past two months in South Africa, has eroded some of the goodwill and historical admiration that Zambia has long enjoyed in the region.
The Morality Behind the Drama
It raises important moral questions for all Zambians:
What does it say about Zambian citizens when they allow grief to manifest as hatred and national embarrassment?
At what point does personal loss justify the public humiliation of national institutions?
Should political vengeance override dignity, especially in a foreign land where Zambians are meant to uphold their national pride?
Is there any justification for hurling insults at an elderly mother who has no place in legal proceedings?
Whatever personal pain or political motivations may be at play, there is no honour in tarnishing Zambia’s image for the sake of scoring temporary emotional victories. The late President Edgar Lungu may be mourned by his family and followers and indeed many ordinary Zambians, but let that mourning not be turned into a spectacle of shame.
Leadership is tested not only in life, but in death, especially by how those left behind choose to honour the legacy of the deceased. If the Lungu family truly wishes to preserve dignity, they must rise above anger and reflect the values they claim to defend.
Let all citizens remember: Zambia’s name is bigger than any one individual or political party. And when Zambians step onto foreign soil, they carry the pride of an entire nation, their behaviour should reflect that responsibility.
Kabesha : There is No Appeal Yet But a “Leave to Appeal”
Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha says the family of late President Edgar Lungu has not yet filed an official appeal in the South African courts over the repatriation of his remains.
Mr. Kabesha has clarified that the former President’s family has only submitted an online application for “Leave to Appeal”.
He says the documents were filed electronically on Friday, August 8th, around 16:00 hours.
This follows the ruling by the Pretoria High Court, which ordered the repatriation of President Lungu’s remains to Zambia for burial at Embassy Park.
Delivering the judgment on behalf of a three-judge panel, Acting Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba further directed that the former President be accorded a State Funeral in accordance with Zambian law.
Mr. KABESHA, who was speaking during ZNBC’s TV1 Sunday Interview, said the court is expected to make a decision on Monday August 11, 2025 on whether the family will be granted permission to appeal. #EdgarLungu
MWAMBA ACCUSES HH OF TOXIC LEADERSHIP IN LUNGU BURIAL DISPUTE, CALLS FOR OPPOSITION UNITY
_*By Brian Matambo, Sandton, South Africa*_ Patriotic Front Information and Publicity Chairperson Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba has accused President Hakainde Hichilema of fostering a toxic political climate that has blocked the dignified burial of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, deepening a 65-day standoff between the Lungu family and the Zambian government.
Speaking on Millennium TV, Mwamba said the South African court’s ruling that Lungu be buried in Zambia was flawed, arguing it ventured into matters outside its jurisdiction and ignored South African law, which he claims gives burial rights to the family. “The judge was in error,” Mwamba insisted, citing precedents and a South African cabinet position communicated to Zambia by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, affirming that burial decisions rest with the family.
Mwamba outlined the family’s position: they have always been willing to repatriate the body but demand that President Hichilema stay away from the funeral and that the remains lie in state at Lungu’s Chifwema residence until burial. He accused State House of breaking earlier agreements by inserting Hichilema into the reception and viewing programs, prompting the family to halt the process.
“This is not about refusing to bring the body home,” Mwamba said. “It is about honoring the wishes of the late president and the family. The current environment in Zambia is hostile and toxic, with UPND officials, cadres, and even the Vice President making demeaning remarks. The President has done nothing to stop it.”
He likened the proposed temporary burial in South Africa to “graves of amnesty” used historically for exiled leaders and freedom fighters, citing Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah, who was buried in Guinea for two decades before being returned to his homeland.
*PF LEADERSHIP CRISIS BLAMED ON STATE INTERFERENCE* Mwamba also accused Hichilema of engineering a leadership crisis in the Patriotic Front by supporting expelled MP Robert Chabinga as PF president. He said the government is using state institutions to withhold legal recognition from the party’s agreed leadership, a move he described as part of a wider plan to “shrink the democratic space” and weaken the opposition.
“The PF remains united in spirit despite arrests, prosecutions, and attempts to buy off MPs,” he said. “The heart of the party is still beating strongly because it is rooted in the people, not in individuals.”
*CALL FOR OPPOSITION UNITY* Mwamba reiterated Lungu’s vision of a united opposition, noting that the late president sought to bridge alliances such as Tonse and UKA and engage leaders outside formal coalitions. He said the 2026 elections must be treated as a national rescue mission, not just a bid to unseat Hichilema.
“This is like Independence 2.0,” Mwamba said. “We need the opposition, trade unions, churches, and civil society to unite against dictatorship, economic mismanagement, and foreign-dominated policies. Without unity, we squander the opportunity before us.”
He criticized the UPND’s economic approach, accusing it of prioritizing foreign investors with tax rebates and export privileges at the expense of Zambian citizens. He also attacked governance under Hichilema, citing corruption, weakened democratic institutions, and policies that undermine Zambia’s Christian identity.
“The problem is not just the President as a person, but his leadership style,” Mwamba concluded. “If we want a Zambia of democracy, rule of law, and economic independence, we must stand together – now.”
GOVT CHALLENGES LUNGU FAMILY OVER HH CASKET RESTRICTION
Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha has urged former President Edgar Lungu’s family to publicly explain why they do not want President Hakainde Hichilema near Mr. Lungu’s casket if he is given a state funeral in Zambia.
Speaking on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview program, Mr. Kabesha questioned what would happen if President Hichilema approached the casket, and who informed the family that the President intends to do so.
He further wondered why the family insists on this restriction and who told them that President Hichilema wishes to view Mr. Lungu’s body.
The Lungu family has maintained that they do not want President Hichilema to preside over the funeral should Mr. Lungu be buried in Zambia after repatriation.
On August 8, 2025, the Zambian government won a legal battle to repatriate Mr. Lungu’s body for a state funeral, but the family has applied for leave to appeal the decision.
Mr. Lungu died on June 5, 2025, in Pretoria, South Africa.
Two months after his death, the dispute over his final resting place remains unresolved.
GOVT TO LUNGU FAMILY: STOP GUARDING THE CASKET LIKE IT’S CLASSIFIED
Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha has politely (well, almost) asked the Lungu family to explain to the nation why they are acting as if President Hakainde Hichilema plans to wrestle his way to Mr. Lungu’s casket.
Speaking on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview, Kabesha asked the million-kwacha question: What exactly do you think will happen if the President walks near the casket? He also wondered who whispered this grand conspiracy into the family’s ear in the first place.
Apparently, the family has decided the President must be kept at a safe distance, like a toddler near a hot stove. Why? Nobody knows—except maybe the family’s imagination.
Let’s not forget: on August 8, 2025, the government won the court case to bring Mr. Lungu home for a state funeral. But instead of closing this chapter, the family has applied for yet another legal round.
Mr. Lungu passed away on June 5, 2025, in Pretoria. Two months later, instead of focusing on honouring him, we’re stuck in this soap opera about who stands where at the funeral. ________ Zambian Angle
Reality Check – Sparks on a UPND WhatsApp blog, where members from North Western are complaining about lack of development in the Province……..
” We expected 4yrs + into our term that we could be talking of something tangible in terms of Infrastructure in NW. The road up from Mutanda to Chavuma should have been our top most priority. This is the heart of the province. Most of the proposed major infrastructure development is either on paper or still in the early phase of being developed. The University teaching hospital is still on foundation stone despite this having been done in 2022.
We can’t blame the MPs nor the chiefs for these projects having not taken off. The idea that development has to be PPP is what is delaying projects. Even the dual carriage way from Chingola to Mutanda is still a pipe dream despite someone having been identified as concessionaire.
Govt has to seriously look for money to bring to fruition the numerous developmental projects that were promised to the region even if it means that our economic fundamentals might be affected if we borrowed. How else will people be encouraged to turn out enmasse to give the 97% of 2021 if they cannot see a reason to go and vote due to unfilled expectations?”
” Development is not a one budget cycle thing it takes time I acknowledge. In 2026 we need something that we can point at to say ABC has been done and commissioned not that it’s will be completed in 2027.
What major projects will we be able to complete before 2026 so that we can face the electorate in the province with confidence not giving excuses to say due to limited fiscal space we couldn’t finish projects ABC.”
“North Westerners you need to put your house in order. Development doesn’t not come from politicians but local residents!! Most of North Western business men and women and exporting money into Lusaka instead of building the province. Try to work on your mindsets first, that when you have money in western or north Western, it must be invested right in your province.”
“No my brother do the local businessmen build infrastructure like road networks and hospitals. Not at all. This is the work of Boma and why taxes are paid. Why do you think the chiefs in the province at one time asked for royalties to be given to their areas. It’s because of the pressure from their subjects who are crying for development. I think the biggest problem we have is that its taken for granted that this is our stronghold we don’t need to do much we will get our votes come rain or sunshine. They call it the shiny new thing syndrome you pursue a new catch and neglect the one at home”
“The little money you make in solwezi, you rush into Lusaka clubbing! It doesn’t work like that. Southern Province has civilized infrastructure because it’s netizens plough back wealth… No one is building empires in Lusaka…”
“You are missing the point I am driving. Development of infrastructure is the sole preserve of the Boma they are the ones that collect taxes.”
” My brother, Boma should not be left to develop provinces. Let us wean from this thinking. The money which is disbursed from Lusaka comes from our provinces. Why can’t north Western hold an indaba and come up with investment road map, such as having local investment policies.”
” Development in Zambia is government driven. That’s how it goes. People can only talk and vote, unfortunately That’s how far citizens can go. In case you didn’t know, the mines suggested that they should be allowed through their social corporate responsibility to put up structures ( roads, schools, clinics, hospitals, etc) in the communities they operate from.
Government rejected the idea and told them it’s only government that should do that, so they were told to remit monies via central government. PF government was even worse, I don’t want to talk about it. That’s the more reason why Northwestern has always fighting with UPND to form government. Their hope is in new dawn government!!!”
” You are giving land to Tongas and they are harvesting 800 tones of maize, once they sale they buy farms here and animals… Tell those Tongas to build schools as cooperate responsibility.”
“Southern Province has 2% of schools which are grass thatched! Why it’s because locals are leading in setting development agenda. If you seat down crying for government, mukalila mukanaka.”
CHIEF government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa says UPND welcomes former PF Mwandi parliamentary candidate Iris Kaingu to the party with no reservations, because it is her democratic right as a citizen.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15qv5azxAt/
Mweetwa said her joining the ruling party is an indicator that the policies of President Hakainde Hichilema are working.
He told Kalemba in an interview that Kaingu is just like any other citizen who enjoys a constitutional right of association, and it is her constitutional right to associate with a grouping of her choice.
Mweetwa said it is a constitutional right to associate with a grouping of one’s choice, which deems fit to serve.
“And so, all those who mean well are coming on board to express their solidarity to work together towards a better Zambia. We welcome her 100 percent, just like any other citizen with a constitutional right of association,” he said.
Earlier, Kaingu visited the party’s Mwandi District office to submit her membership application of joining the ruling party.
In 2021, Kaingu was adopted by the then ruling Patriotic Front to stand as MP in Mwandi district, Western Province.
Kaingu is the daughter of former Mwandi member of parliament and Education Minister, Michael Kaingu.
Unacceptable Loss: ZAMMSA Disposes of K129 Million in Expired Medical Supplies
The Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) is set to dispose of expired medicines and medical supplies with a staggering value of K129 million. This action, scheduled for August 15, 2025, while presented as a success story of improved inventory management, cannot be downplayed as a minor issue. The sheer value of the discarded stock represents a significant and unacceptable loss of public resources, especially considering the critical health needs of the Zambian population.
While ZAMMSA’s Senior Manager for Corporate Affairs, Bradley Chingobe, stated that the expired stock constitutes only 1.2 percent of the total medicines procured between January 2023 and December 2024, and is within the 2 percent acceptable threshold of the National Health Sector Supply Chain Strategy (2022–2026), this statistic must be viewed with a critical eye. A loss of K129 million, regardless of its percentage of the total procurement, is a substantial amount of money that could have been used to save lives. The fact that the disposal rate is lower than the previous period’s 3 percent is an improvement, but it does not justify the current financial waste.
The list of items to be disposed of is particularly alarming. It includes antiretrovirals (ARVs), cancer treatment commodities, renal supplies for dialysis, and HIV test kits. These are not merely “expired stock”; they are essential, often life-saving, supplies for some of the most vulnerable individuals in Zambia’s healthcare system. Disposing of such critical items due to expiration raises serious questions about the efficiency and foresight of the supply chain management.
Mr. Chingobe attributed the expiration to factors such as regimen changes, transit or storage damage, and low demand in certain health facilities. While these may be contributing factors, they do not fully account for the scale of the problem. A robust and efficient supply chain should be able to anticipate and adapt to these issues to minimize waste. The loss of such a significant quantity of critical medicines points to systemic flaws that must be addressed beyond simply meeting a statistical threshold.
The public has a right to demand accountability for this substantial loss. While ZAMMSA may be operating within a set “acceptable” rate, this should not be a justification for complacency. A K129 million loss is a failure of the system, and every effort must be made to eliminate it entirely.
The Struggle Continues
Sensio Banda Former Member of Parliament Kasenengwa Constituency Eastern Province
Lunte Member of Parliament Hon. Mutotwe L. Kafwaya writes::::
WHO IS EXPORTING COPPER CONCENTRATES? Where will jobs come from?
We attended a court judgement in Pretoria and returned home safely by the grace of God Almighty.
The judgement of course shocked many of us. And it did excite some; as social media can testify. But it also introduced and or clarified some speculations. Whether this is about perceived or actual need for some rituals or about Judge Kulya. Public conversations may follow.
I will leave this for the future.
We came back home to our country where government had suspended export duty for copper concentrates.
What a poor and unpatriotic decision – this is!
I am reminded that the same government has introduced new taxes to micro businesses in the middle of the year. This has included the increasing of withholding tax on government securities.
Government has made these tax increases on small businesses in order to fund an expansion of reckless consumptive spending.
The aspect of recklessness is also one to detail at a later stage.
My concern for now is about the suspension of export duties on copper concentrates. And I have a few desperate questions as follows:
Is government really serious with promoting value addition and thereby increase jobs? If government is serious about value addition, how on earth are they able to embark on promoting the exportation of mined earth without doing any value addition to it?
This is more like exporting lithium through silica (sand).
Haven’t most Zambians condemned our perpetual export of copper cathodes? Don’t our people say add more value to it in order to increase export value and create more jobs and business opportunities in the process?
How does government find it attractive to promote the downgrading of export to copper ore from copper cathodes and anodes?
Is this forward thinking or backward thinking? Who is promoting this kind of thinking? How can cabinet appreciate and approve this sort of decision?
Of course some cabinet throughout are gravely concerning to some of us. If I consider Bill 7, Bill 13, Cyber Security Act, Cyber Crimes Act and Closed Circuit Act – I deeply wonder what cabinet scrutiny there is in its value system.
But see, exporting earth needed in another country for value addition is really poor for Zambia. More so for which content goes without any analysis whatsoever.
Do you know how much gold and other byproducts will leave the country in those concentrates being exported?
Do you really care about knowing what is going out? Do you care about what you are losing? Do you care about what the Zambian people are losing?
This is truly Stone Age thinking for a government whose national budget is significantly funded by debt. The borrowing to be settled by the same Zambians who resources are being indiscriminately exploited and carelessly exported.
At the very top of all the actual and opportunity losses being incurred, government says no thanks to export taxes; huh!
This is a No No please!
Let government start being patriotic for once. We complained about electricity exports. We complained about maize exports. See now how far this syndrome has led us to.
A complete mindset transformation is needed. Otherwise – generations to come will suffer lifelong joblessness and poverty.
Hon. Kang’ombe has publicly invited anyone who can counter his arguments and propose alternative models to join the discourse he initiated with George Mtonga. I have prepared my counterarguments and alternative models, which I have detailed below.” Emmanuel Mwamba
Balancing National Interest with Economic Realities: A Pragmatic Approach to Zambia’s Gold Sector. Christopher Kang’ombe’s arguments present a strong case for prioritizing Zambian ownership and benefit in the gold mining sector. His position is rooted in the idea of national self-determination and building a stronger economy through local control of valuable resources. However, while the sentiment is understandable and popular, a counter-argument would highlight potential economic pitfalls and offer alternative models that could achieve similar goals without the potential negative consequences. Find below my counter arguments to what Hon Christopher Kang’ombe is proposing.
Counter-Argument: A Global Perspective and Economic Realities Exclusion of Foreign Investment: Kang’ombe’s position that “Gold Mining should be for Zambians only” is a powerful statement, but it risks isolating Zambia from the global capital and expertise needed to develop its mining sector. Gold mining, especially on a large scale, requires massive upfront capital, advanced technology, and specialized technical knowledge. While Kang’ombe correctly notes that large-scale mining companies have borrowed millions, this is a testament to the immense cost and risk involved. Excluding foreign companies could severely limit the ability to explore and develop new deposits, leaving valuable resources in the ground. This would be a missed opportunity for job creation, tax revenue, and economic growth.
The Role of the Zambia Gold Company (ZGC): Kang’ombe’s proposal for the ZGC to be the sole buyer and to hold all gold at the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has some merits but also significant flaws.
1. Market Inefficiency: A single-buyer model can lead to a monopoly where the ZGC could dictate prices to artisanal miners, potentially offering them less than the market value. This would discourage artisanal mining and could lead to an unregulated black market for gold, where miners seek better prices from illicit buyers. 1. Limited Gold Reserve Impact: While increasing gold reserves at the BoZ is a noble goal, the impact of 2.8 tonnes (or even more) on a national economy is often overstated. The value of a reserve is not just its size but its liquidity. A large gold reserve is an asset, but its true value is realized when it can be used to stabilize the currency, back international trade, or be sold in times of crisis. Simply holding it in a vault does not, by itself, generate economic activity. A more effective strategy might be to use a portion of the revenue from gold sales to invest in productive sectors of the economy, such as infrastructure, education, or healthcare, which have a more direct and tangible impact on the lives of Zambians.
The “Key Partners and Decision Makers” Argument: Kang’ombe’s call for Zambians to be “key partners and decision makers” in new mining licenses is a solid principle, but the implementation is the key. Simply having a percentage of ownership does not guarantee effective control or benefit. Without the necessary technical and financial skills, local partners can be sidelined or outmaneuvered by foreign investors. The focus should be not just on ownership stakes but on building local capacity and ensuring technology transfer.
Alternative Options to Benefit Local Investors and Poor Zambians Instead of an exclusionary model, a more inclusive and economically sustainable approach could combine foreign investment with policies designed to maximize local benefit. Here are some options: 1. Enforced Local Content Policies: Instead of outright ownership, the government can mandate that mining companies meet specific local content targets. This means they must:
* Procure a certain percentage of goods and services from Zambian-owned businesses (e.g., catering, transportation, security, engineering services). * Employ a certain percentage of local staff at all levels, from entry-level to senior management. * Invest in local skills development and training through scholarships, apprenticeships, and technical colleges. This ensures that the benefits of mining are distributed throughout the economy and that Zambians are equipped with the skills to be “key partners and decision makers” in the future.
2. Creating a State-Owned Mining Investment Fund: Instead of the BoZ holding all the gold, a portion of the revenue generated by the ZGC could be used to seed a state-owned fund. This fund could:
* Provide low-interest loans or grants to Zambian artisanal and small-scale miners to formalize their operations, purchase modern equipment, and improve safety standards.
* Take equity stakes in new mining projects alongside foreign partners, acting as a passive investor that shares in the profits but leaves the operational management to experienced professionals.
* Invest in geological exploration to de-risk new areas, making them more attractive to both local and foreign investors.
3. Encouraging Joint Ventures and Public-Private Partnerships: The government can actively facilitate joint ventures between Zambian investors and foreign companies. This could be done by: * Creating a database of qualified Zambian investors and their areas of interest.
* Offering tax incentives or other benefits to foreign companies that partner with local firms.
* Establishing a regulatory framework that protects the interests of both parties and ensures transparency. This model allows Zambians to
benefit from the capital and expertise of foreign partners while still having a seat at the table.
4. Strengthening the Regulatory and Tax Framework: The most direct way for a country to benefit from mining is through a fair and transparent tax system. The government should focus on:
* Implementing a robust royalty and tax regime that ensures a fair share of the profits from mining flows back to the public treasury. * Using this tax revenue to fund social programs that directly benefit poor Zambians, such as healthcare, education, and social safety nets. This ensures that the wealth from mining is not just concentrated in the hands of a few but is used to improve the lives of all citizens.
In conclusion, while Christopher Kang’ombe’s arguments are well-intentioned, an exclusionary approach could be detrimental to Zambia’s economic potential. A more balanced strategy that leverages foreign capital and expertise while simultaneously building local capacity, enforcing local content, and ensuring a fair share of the profits are reinvested in the economy is a more viable and sustainable path to a prosperous future for all Zambians.
The Struggle Continues Sensio Banda Former Member of Parliament Kasenengwa Constituency Eastern Province
Christopher Kang’ombe wrote:
I MAKE NO APOLOGY – GOLD MINING SHOULD BE FOR ZAMBIANS
George N Mtonga, a Zambian based in the United States of America does not agree with me on the role of government in the gold industry.
My view is that Gold Mining should be for Zambians only and I will not change that position.
The aggregator called the Zambia Gold Company ( ZGC ) is owned by the Zambian government and my submission is that it should continue buying Gold from all artisanal mining companies.
ZGC should not resale the gold to anyone else but take it to the central bank ( Bank of Zambia ) to ensure we have more reserves than the current 2.8 tonnes of gold currently only worth $300 million dollars.
Am i suggesting nationalisation of the mining sector ? Certainly not.
The current large scale mining companies have borrowed millions of dollars from where they are coming from and i would not propose we got the ownership of the mines where they have already invested.
I however hold the firm position that once the geological mapping is done by government, the ownership of Zambians in the companies that will get the new mining licenses must be at a level where they are key partners and decision makers.
So I repeat- let those in the financial space like george propose models that can be utilized to raise money for local investment in new mining companies before we start thinking of foreign companies running all new mines.
IBN KAFWANKA APPOINTED SECRETARY GENERAL FOR ICHABAICE
MOVEMENT for Good Governance (#ICHABAICHE) has appointed Kafwanka as Secretary General with immediate effect.
Kafwanka, is also an aspiring Member of Parliament for Chienge Constituency. The youth movement says he brings to the Movement a wealth of experience from both the corporate world and the field of politics. His leadership, vision, and dedication will be instrumental as we build strong systems and structures across the country.
We call upon all members of the Movement to fully cooperate with Mr. Kafwanka in his new role. We also extend an open invitation to all well-meaning Zambians to join us in shaping our developmental agenda — an agenda that will harness the many great minds this nation has produced.
We believe the time has come for a new generation of Zambians to take the lead in providing visionary leadership and securing a brighter future for our country.
The public outcry against Muchinga Province Minister Njavwa Simutowe continues to grow following a controversial viral video.
The footage, which shows the minister celebrating a court ruling with what has been widely condemned as disrespectful and undignified remarks, has sparked widespread anger.
In the video, demeaning references are made to the mortal remains of the late former Head of State, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, while Simutowe is seen alongside two UPND supporters.
For me, this incident is not just a lapse in judgment but a fundamental failure of leadership. I believe a minister’s role is to lead by example, fostering a spirit of empathy and unity regardless of political affiliation.
In this regard, Minister Simutowe has failed the most basic test of a leader—to demonstrate compassion and respect, especially during a time of national mourning or political sensitivity
Such behavior undermines the peace and unity that Zambia is known for and that a leader should embody. This displayed conduct is a betrayal of public trust and sets a dangerous precedent for political discourse in our country.
The incident has intensified the debate on the standards of conduct expected from public servants, and I question whether political loyalty should ever come at the expense of human decency and respect for the dead.
The Struggle Continues
Sensio Banda Former Member of Parliament Kasenengwa Constituency Eastern Province
SP WARNS IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST UPND VIOLENCE IN BY-ELECTIONS
Mfuwe… Sunday August 10, 2025 – The opposition Socialist Party (SP) says they are tired of being beaten by UPND thugs during by-elections, saying they will now start defending themselves.
SP Chief Presidential Advisor Brian Hapunda has told journalists in Mfuwe that this time around when provoked by their aggressors who are the UPND, they will defend themselves.
He complains that even when they officially complain to law enforcers, they are reluctant to apprehend the UPND cadres who engage in political vi0lence.
“As Socialist Party, we are tired of being beaten, we are tired of loosing properties, vehicles, houses we rent during by-elections. Just yesterday in Kapiri Mposhi, the UPND cadres went and stormed our camp destroying it… We just rent these houses from innocent citizens. Going forward as SP, we shall be defending ourselves when provoked by UPND thugs, because we are capable of defending ourselves. We have been complaining to law enforcers but they have failed to protect us,” he said.
Mr Hapunda has also disclosed that the UPND government is increasingly abusing state resources during by-elections such as vehicles.
He claimed that over 50 government vehicles were being used by the UPND in the just ended Mfuwe Constituency Parliamentary by-election and they stripped number plates from them.
“We have also seen the increase in the abuse of state resources during by-elections. And this Mfuwe Constituency by-election alone, we saw over 50 vehicles belonging to the government of which they stripped number plates,” he added.
“Going forward as SP, we shall be conducting citizen’s arrest in by-elections and confiscating such vehicles and handing them back to government. We shall not allow civil servants participating in by-elections, if they want to be active in politics, let them resign.”
He further accused the UPND cadres of storming polling stations and start marking ballot papers in full view of electoral staff.
“They remained alone marking ballot papers, it’s there on the record. UPND cadres literally went and took over two polling stations Nkapila and Chiundaponde and started to get ballot papers belonging t our candidate and putting them in their tray. We want to challenge ECZ that they should conduct a postmortem of these by-elections,” he stated.
“We also want to put it on record that the police who are supposed to protect us did not protect us and they were there protecting the aggressors who are the UPND. When we complained of harassment by the UPND, the police simply said they are afraid of loosing jobs.”
ZAMBIAN YOUTH PRESENT BOLD CLIMATE ACTION DEMANDS TO GOVERNMENT AT PAN-AFRICAN ADAPTATION FORUM
August 10,2025
In a powerful show of unity, Zambian youths have presented a hard-hitting Youth Communiqué to Minister of Green Economy and Environment Hon. Mike Mposha at the Pan-African Youth Adaptation Forum held at the University of Zambia’s Confucius Hall.
Speaking on behalf of the youth delegation, representatives emphasized that young people, who constitute over 65 percent of Zambia’s population, are not merely the leaders of tomorrow but of today.
The communiqué outlined urgent priorities such as increased climate adaptation financing for youth-led initiatives, integrating climate education into the school curriculum, creating green jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities, strengthening early warning systems, and ensuring inclusion of marginalized groups in climate decision-making.
Hon. Mposha commended the youths for their dedication and assured them that government will act on their proposals.
He revealed that Zambia’s USD 34.7 billion National Adaptation Plan is already under implementation across multiple sectors and pledged to table the youths’ concerns at the 2025 National Adaptation Plan Expo.
The Minister urged young people to continue mobilizing communities, conducting climate research, and leveraging government funding through the Constituency Development Fund and SME empowerment programs.
The forum, which drew participation from youth across all 10 provinces alongside regional climate leaders and development partners, marked a historic prelude to Zambia hosting the 2025 Global National Adaptation Plan Expo.
Finance Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane says the Treasury’s release of K18.4 billion in July 2025 reflects the Government’s strong commitment to implementing the national budget and achieving its development targets.
The funds were allocated toward developmental programs, debt servicing, and operational costs across Government ministries. Dr. Musokotwane emphasized President Hakainde Hichilema’s optimism for a better Zambia, citing notable progress in stabilizing the economy and tackling unsustainable external debt.
Over the past three years, Zambia has recorded consistent GDP growth, with stronger performance expected as reforms in mining, agriculture, and other sectors begin to yield results. However, the Minister acknowledged that the benefits of this growth have not yet reached all citizens.
To promote inclusive development, the Government is investing in social protection and public services, including free education, social cash transfers, and expanded health infrastructure through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Dr. Musokotwane also highlighted implementation challenges, noting that in the early stages of the CDF rollout, less than half of the allocated funds were utilized—delaying critical infrastructure and service delivery.
This statement was issued to ZNBC News by the Office of the Secretary to the Treasury at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. #budget
NO SAFE HAVENS FOR CORRUPT INDIVIDUALS, ANYONE FOUND WANTING WILL FACE THE SWORD – KANGWA
By Grant Choonya
Kafue – 12th August 2025
In a blistering keynote that left no room for ambiguity, Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa has delivered a scathing takedown of corruption and theft, directing his warning shots at those who undermine service delivery and betray public trust.
Standing before district officials and a packed civic audience, Kangwa warned that government is not decentralizing theft or shielding wrongdoers, calling for immediate, decisive action against anyone found wanting.
“Government is not decentralizing theft and corruption. On behalf of the President, I am willing to overhaul the entire council and employ fresh people who are honest and ready to serve the public with dignity, Kangwa asserted with force. He did not mince words when addressing the district Commissioner and the council secretary, declaring that corruption will not be tolerated and that any wrongdoer must be dealt with without delay. “Nobody must be found protecting corrupt individuals,” he warned, insistently echoing that all those who break the law, especially where service delivery is concerned, will be held to account. “We will not hesitate to crack a whip on whomsoever is found on the wrong side of the law.”
But the tone was not solely punitive, as Mr Kangwa paid tribute to the district’s progress, commending Kafue for the robust implementation of decentralized Constituency Development Fund, cash-for-work, and food-for-work programs designed to empower and cushion the vulnerable. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving decentralization policies and systems that strengthen service delivery and transparency. Capacity building, he stressed, must accompany devolution—mentorship, training, and institutional support are essential to making decentralization work.
“Decentralization is not a destination but a continuous journey,” he noted, aimed at strengthening institutional frameworks that ensure transparency, accountability, and inclusive development so that no community is left behind and every Zambian has access to community development.
In a parallel message focused on accountability, Hon. Miriam Chonya, addressing Africa Decentralization Day at the civic centre, drew on recent Pan-African Parliament deliberations themed “Justice for Africans and people of African Descent through reparations.” She underscored that while reparations remain an ongoing pursuit against colonial injustices, Zambia bears a duty to confront modern injustices—abuse of office, corruption, and dishonesty. “As we seek reparations, those privileged to serve the public must act with the utmost accountability and responsibility,” Chonya asserted, warning that failure to do so would render us complicit in the very vices we condemn.
Meanwhile, Kafue Council Chairperson Buumba Malambo expressed gratitude for the government’s new dawn initiatives and highlighted cash-for-work’s tangible impact. She disclosed that slightly over three million kwacha sits in the fund, awaiting disbursement to the current beneficiaries at the end of the ten-day cycle. Malambo praised the Council’s record, saying that implementation and disbursement of cash-for-work funds have faced very few challenges, a testament to effective administration at the local level.
The event underscored a clear, dual-track message: a zero-tolerance stance against corruption and a steadfast commitment to delivering tangible benefits through decentralization.
As Secretary to Cabinet Mr Patrick Kangwa framed it, the reform agenda is not merely about policy shifts; it is about rebuilding trust, strengthening institutions, and ensuring that every Zambian can access the services and development they deserve. The administration’s posture—firm on accountability, ambitious on delivery—signals that the fight against corruption will be relentless, while the march toward devolved development remains urgent and ongoing.
CHIEF NDUNGU’S PRIME MINISTER MIRACULOUSLY SURVIVES AK-47 BULLETS UNHURT BY UNKNOWN PEOPLE IN ZAMBEZI TODAY.
So one of the Prime Ministers of Chief Ndungu in Zambezi District was today shot with an AK-47 in Zambezi in the ongoing conflict between Luvales and Lundas that always hibernates and resurfaces whenever the two long rival tribes gets close to the ceremonies. But worry not he is very fine “it was just a toy” he says am above that. It’s that time of the year when we try to tell you what’s happening and you insult us for fueling tension.
Zambezi conflict is one monster problem slowly degenerating dangerous with potential to escalate beyond politics and engulf the nation as CIC we have tried to alert the authorities but little or no actions have been taken.
As a media house our duty is not just to post breaking news of development for CDF or Press briefings no. Investigations of uncomfortable realities happening behind the scenes with public interests are also part of our duty and we don’t expect everyone to be happy but that’s our work.
The trigger is us knowing and pretending it’s not an issue as you would expect us to behave but in reality we owe the public that publicity. Make sure we don’t know or come across anything unusual regardless of who it involves we will post and we are not answerable to anyone for this.
Zambian Breweries Denies Brewing Beer with “Ethanol Surprise” After ZRA Truck Seizure
Zambian Breweries has poured cold beer ‘sorry, water’ on claims by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) that it was the intended recipient of two intercepted trucks carrying 66,000 litres of ethanol.
The brewing giant insists it doesn’t use ethanol in its beer-making process, preferring old-fashioned ingredients like malted barley, sorghum, cassava, maize, hops, and water, you know, the kind your granddad drank without worrying about smuggling scandals.
“Our beers are brewed from natural ingredients… in line with strict quality and safety standards,” the company said, perhaps wondering how it got dragged into an ethanol drama when it’s busy turning grains into happy hours.
Still, Zambian Breweries says it’s cooperating with ZRA to “establish the full facts,” which is corporate-speak for we also want to know who decided to borrow our name for this party.
ZRA had earlier claimed the trucks, which sneaked in through Nakonde One Stop Border Post disguised as carrying 132 packages of calcium hypochlorite each (because nothing says “totally normal cargo” like industrial chlorine), were linked to Zambia Breweries Plc on import documents. The declarant? Transtra International (Z) Ltd.
As if that wasn’t enough, ZRA says it found an alcohol permit and delivery papers boldly listing Zambian Breweries Limited as the buyer. Revenue loss to government: a cool K3 million.
Zambian Breweries, one of the country’s top taxpayers, says it follows the law to the letter and keeps meticulous records of all transactions. Translation: If we wanted ethanol, we’d buy it the proper way… and probably not in a truck pretending to be a bleach delivery.
The company says it’s committed to “full transparency” and will work with authorities to get to the bottom of this because after decades of building a squeaky-clean brand, no one wants to be remembered for the Great Ethanol Heist of 2025.
The Zimbabwean government has made notable progress in repaying its external debt, with a total of US$176.28 million paid during the first six months of 2025, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
The payments reflect a continued commitment by the Treasury to manage the country’s sizeable external debt burden, despite prevailing economic challenges. The repayments were allocated across several categories, including US$93.72 million towards the active debt portfolio, US$79.75 million for legacy debt, and US$2.81 million in token payments made to International Financial Institutions and 16 Paris Club bilateral creditors.
These disbursements are part of Zimbabwe’s broader external debt service obligations for 2025, which are projected to reach US$416.2 million. This figure includes approximately US$374.58 million in principal repayments and US$41.62 million in interest.
Zimbabwe’s external debt stock, estimated at US$12.3 billion as of late 2024, is largely owed to bilateral and multilateral creditors. Debt servicing remains a central pillar of the government’s fiscal strategy, aimed at restoring credibility with international lenders and positioning the country for future access to external finance.
Economists and policy analysts view the payments as a cautiously optimistic sign. Despite enduring currency instability, limited access to foreign exchange, and an uncertain global economic climate, Zimbabwe’s adherence to debt service commitments demonstrates a willingness to re-engage with the international financial system.
However, experts also warn that the repayments, while symbolically important, are not sufficient on their own to resolve the country’s long-standing debt crisis. Calls are growing for the government to step up negotiations with creditors for debt restructuring, relief, or concessional financing, especially as fiscal space remains constrained by sluggish revenue growth and pressing domestic needs.
The debt payments come at a time when the government is also seeking to accelerate economic reforms aimed at stabilising the macroeconomic environment. Sustained engagement with lenders and reforms to improve transparency and fiscal management are expected to be crucial in determining Zimbabwe’s financial trajectory in the coming years.
As the second half of 2025 unfolds, authorities will face the dual challenge of meeting international obligations while investing in sectors critical to long-term recovery and growth, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Arsenal wrapped up their pre-season schedule in style with a commanding 3-0 victory over Athletic Club, a performance that underlined Mikel Arteta’s side’s attacking fluency and squad depth ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
New signing Viktor Gyokeres was the headline act, netting a powerful first-half header from a precise Martin Zubimendi cross.
The Swedish striker’s movement and hold up play repeatedly unsettled the visitors’ back line, while Zubimendi’s influence in midfield both as a deep lying playmaker and an aggressive ball-winner gave Arsenal full control of proceedings.
Bukayo Saka doubled the lead within minutes, finishing clinically after a slick central move involving Martin Odegaard.
Athletic struggled to cope with Arsenal’s right sided combinations, with Saka, Odegaard, and Jurrien Timber linking up effectively to stretch the Basque side.
The second half saw Arsenal rotate heavily, but their dominance never faded. Substitute Kai Havertz put the result beyond doubt with a brilliant solo run and finish, a moment that seemed to signal healthy competition for attacking roles.
While the scoreline reflected Arsenal’s superiority, individual performances provided further encouragement. William Saliba was unshakable at the back, Gabriel Magalhães’ long passes sparked quick transitions, and goalkeeper David Raya’s direct distribution frequently launched dangerous counterattacks.
Therefore a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in their Premier League opener next, Arsenal fans will be buoyed by a balanced display combining defensive solidity, midfield creativity, and ruthless finishing.
The pre-season may be over, but if this performance is a sign of things to come, the Gunners appear ready for the challenge ahead.
Crystal Palace claimed the Community Shield for the first time in their history after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Liverpool before winning 3-2 on penalties at Wembley on Sunday, August 10.
Liverpool’s big-money summer signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong were on target for the Premier League champions, but Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr struck for Palace to force a shootout. An inspired Dean Henderson denied Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, while Mohamed Salah fired over as Palace celebrated another milestone just months after lifting their first major trophy in May’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.
The season curtain-raiser carried extra emotional weight for Liverpool following the death of forward Diogo Jota in a car accident in July, alongside his brother Andre Silva. Reds legend Ian Rush and Palace chairman Steve Parish laid wreaths before kick-off, and Liverpool fans filled their end with banners and flags in tribute. A planned minute’s silence, however, was cut short due to disturbances in the crowd.
Liverpool began brightly, with Ekitike, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for £69 million, opening the scoring in the fourth minute from Florian Wirtz’s pass. Palace, making their first-ever appearance in the fixture, hit back when Sarr was brought down by Virgil van Dijk and Mateta converted the penalty.
Frimpong restored Liverpool’s lead with a chipped cross that deceived Henderson, but Palace’s persistence paid off when Sarr latched onto Adam Wharton’s through ball to equalise 13 minutes from time.
The match went straight to penalties, where Henderson’s saves and Justin Devenny’s decisive strike sealed a historic win for Palace, underlining their growing stature in English football.
A University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturer has taken urgent legal action to block the institution’s August 15 graduation ceremony, accusing the administration of rushing to award degrees despite serious flaws in exam results caused by a lecturers’ strike.
Dr Phillemon M. Chamburuka, representing the Association of University Teachers, is asking the High Court to issue an order stopping the Vice Chancellor, UZ Council, and other officials from going ahead with graduation. He wants the event delayed until an independent forensic audit of the 2024–2025 second semester is completed.
‘Degrees Could Be Worthless if Issued Now’ Dr Chamburuka argues that moving forward under the current circumstances would harm both students and the university’s reputation. He says some qualifications could later be invalidated if it is found they were based on faulty processes.
He paints a picture of a chaotic semester, where industrial action meant some courses were barely taught — or not taught at all. He says exams were set, moderated, and marked without the normal academic safeguards required by the university’s own rules.
Court papers include a confidential Senate report accusing the university of major lapses in teaching, supervision, and examinations. This includes inconsistent project marking, ignored invigilation standards, and skipped or improperly done grade moderation.
Administration Admitted to Gaps but Pushed Ahead A memo from the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, dated May 27, admitted there were “serious gaps in the teaching and assessment cycle.” However, it suggested going ahead with exams anyway to protect the academic calendar.
Further correspondence on results points to discrepancies in grading, including cases where final marks differed significantly from moderated scores without any clear explanation.
The University of Zimbabwe Students Union also weighed in, warning that holding graduation while results are in doubt would tarnish the university’s name and undermine the value of its degrees.
Professional Body Raises Red Flag The Council of Social Work has cautioned that graduates from flawed programmes could end up being registered as professionals despite lacking the necessary training and skills.
Dr Chamburuka says repeated attempts to engage the UZ Council were ignored. He filed the court application after the graduation date was posted on the university’s website.
The draft order asks the court to halt all preparations, force the university to commission an independent audit, and release its findings before awarding any qualifications.
University officials have not yet commented on the case, which is still awaiting a hearing date.
Analysts and advocates for people who are homeless were outraged on Sunday after President Donald Trump issued a warning to the unhoused in Washington, D.C.
Trump posted on Truth Social that people experiencing unsheltered homelessness must “move out immediately.” It was issued at a time when federal data shows homelessness increased by 18% between 2023 and 2024, with more than 771,000 people who are homeless counted during the last survey.
“We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital (sic). The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong,” Trump’s post reads in part.
Analysts and advocates for people who are homeless responded on social media.
“The billionaires at the Cicero Institute have their hands all over these shameful steps,” Jesse Rabinowitz, an activist and spokesperson for the National Homelessness Law Center, wrote on Bluesky.
“Again, Republicans are using DC as a sandbox for their failed, racist, and backwards policies. Pay attention to what happens here, because it will soon happen everywhere,” Rabinowitz added.
“I hardly see anybody on the streets in DC these days. If there are encampments, they’re hiding,” Steve Berg, chief policy officer at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, wrote on LinkedIn. “Could it be somebody thinks he can prove how tough he is by threatening … people who are homeless??”
“Trump is going to traffic homeless people,” Melanie D’Arrigo, executive director for the Campaign for New York Health, wrote on X. “Many won’t have ID, and will likely end up incarcerated with immigrants who are being arrested, trafficked, and detained, without due process.”
“People are not criminals or dangerous, by virtue of their unhoused status,” the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless wrote on X. People are struggling to afford rent and food in an expensive city. We should not have homelessness in our nation’s capital. But the path to ending homelessness is housing, not displacement.
President Donald Trump has ordered the official White House portrait of former President Barack Obama to be relocated once again — this time to a “hidden” staircase out of view of visitors.
CNN reported on Sunday that Obama’s portrait was moved to the Grand Staircase, along with the portraits of former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.
“Multiple sources have said that the president is directly involved with nearly everything that is done to the aesthetic of the White House, big or small,” CNN noted. “That area is heavily restricted to members of the first family, US Secret Service agents, and a limited number of White House and executive residence staff. It is firmly out of view for any visitor hoping to see the photorealistic Robert McCurdy painting of the former president, a source familiar with the matter confirmed.”
The moves were made despite White House protocol, which calls for the portraits of recent presidents to be prominently displayed.
Earlier this year, White House staffers replaced Obama’s official portrait with a painting of Trump in the aftermath of an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. At the time, the painting of Obama was relocated to the Grand Foyer, according to reports.
Roger Stone, a longtime adviser to Donald Trump, revealed that he had to sell many of his belongings, including an electric guitar, after a 2018 arrest in connection with former special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian election interference.
While speaking to Real America’s Voice host Shemane Nugent in a Sunday interview, Stone praised Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Attorney General Pam Bondi for pursuing charges against members of former President Barack Obama’s administration over Mueller’s probe.
“Whether Barack Obama, who clearly has now been proven to be the centerpiece of this seditious conspiracy, can be prosecuted is a debatable question,” Stone acknowledged. “The Supreme Court decision regarding presidential immunity may shield him.”
Stone, however, predicted that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former CIA Director John Brennan could be indicted.
“[Robert Mueller’s team] arrested me in January of 2017, pardon me, 2018 at 6 o’clock in the morning when my home was swarmed by 29 heavily armed FBI agents wearing full SWAT gear, night goggles, brandishing M4 assault weapons,” he recalled. “And it was a very difficult time for me and my family. As you know, we lost everything. My home, my savings, my insurance, my car.”
“Even to sell my electric guitar, that was really painful,” he added. “But as in the Bible, where Job lost everything because he refused to turn on the Lord, everything was returned to him sevenfold.”
“And I’m working very hard, but the Lord has blessed me and my family. And we are on the comeback.”
Stone was sentenced to serve over three years in prison, but he was pardoned in the final days of Trump’s first term.
President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week could have major geopolitical implications, according to one analyst.
Trump and Putin plan to meet in Alaska to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Ahead of the meeting, Putin announced he wanted control over a wide swath of eastern Ukraine, including land his forces do not control, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected this offer, even though Trump has said Zelenskyy will need to give up some land to end the war.
This situation reminded one analyst of how former Soviet strongman Joseph Stalin viewed the world.
“Putin would like to divide the world into spheres of influence with Trump and Xi,” Andrey Kolesnikov, a Russia-based political analyst, told the Financial Times. “A new Yalta and a cold war — that’s just what he wants. He is eager to claim [Joseph] Stalin’s laurels.”
Ahead of the meeting with Trump, Putin invited to the Kremlin the heads of state from nine countries that Russia considers friendly. Those include China’s Xi Jinping and India’s national security advisor Ajit Doval.
Putin’s actions ahead of the meeting also show that he is not interested in ending the conflict, according to the report.
“There is no real alternative but to freeze the conflict along the current frontline. The post-Korean war stand-off is way more likely than a lasting peace,” Kolesnikov said.
In a dramatic escalation of the nearly two-year war on Gaza, Israel’s security cabinet has approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to “defeat Hamas.”
The plan, which authorizes the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to take military control of Gaza City, has sparked controversy and concern over its potential humanitarian consequences.
According to Netanyahu, the plan is not an occupation but a “takeover” aimed at dismantling Hamas, securing the release of hostages, and eventually handing governance to a third-party Arab force.
The cabinet endorsed five key principles: disarming Hamas, returning all hostages, demilitarizing Gaza, establishing Israeli security control, and creating a civilian administration not led by Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
However, critics warn that this dual approach, combining military expansion with humanitarian aid, risks deepening the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
The enclave is already on the brink of famine, with over 11,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition.
Aid groups fear that the new offensive will further restrict food access and displace tens of thousands more civilians.
The plan has also sparked protests across Israel, with hostage families accusing the government of sacrificing their loved ones for political gain.
Hamas has condemned the plan as a “blatant coup” against negotiations, warning that any expansion will come at a heavy cost.
As the situation in Gaza hangs in the balance, the international community is left wondering whether this plan will lead to Hamas’s collapse or irreversible devastation and regional instability.
Netanyahu’s government insists that the goal is to dismantle Hamas, but critics argue that the plan is a form of domination, erasing the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.
In a recent statement, Netanyahu emphasized that there will be no vote on a Gaza ceasefire deal until Hamas accepts Israel’s terms.
This stance has raised concerns about the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, and the new offensive is likely to exacerbate the crisis.
As the conflict escalates, it’s essential to consider the human cost and the long-term implications for the region.
Will this plan lead to a lasting solution, or will it perpetuate the cycle of violence and suffering? Only time will tell.
Manchester United were made to work hard for victory as they battled back from an early setback to defeat ACF Fiorentina 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a thrilling friendly encounter.
The Italians stunned United just eight minutes in when Simon Sohm escaped his marker to head home from a corner, exposing lapses in the Red Devils’ defensive organisation.
Fiorentina’s aggressive start unsettled Erik ten Hag’s side, who struggled to string passes together in the opening stages.
United gradually settled, and their breakthrough came in the 25th minute in unusual fashion a misplaced clearance from Robin Gosens flew into his own net under pressure from Casemiro.
From there, the match opened up, with both teams trading chances and displaying pre season sharpness despite the summer heat.
The second half was marked by tactical adjustments, with Ten Hag introducing fresh legs like Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo to increase tempo, while Fiorentina looked to exploit space on the counter.
Despite late pressure from United, Fiorentina’s backline held firm, forcing a penalty shootout.
Bruno Fernandes led by example from the spot, and goalkeeper André Onana’s crucial save on Fiorentina’s final attempt sealed the win.
While the scoreline will not go into the history books, the match provided Ten Hag with valuable insights into squad depth, defensive weaknesses, and the team’s mental resilience.
British institutions have approved Zimbabwe’s request to reclaim the First Chimurenga heroes’ remains taken to Europe as colonial war trophies. This development represents a crucial achievement in the nation’s mission to honour its early freedom fighters.
Government Launches Comprehensive Repatriation Plan A specialised inter-ministerial team has been formed to manage this sensitive operation, combining expertise from multiple government departments, including Cultural Heritage, Finance, and Local Government. This task force is responsible for organising the return process, securing necessary funding, and ensuring proper cultural protocols are followed.
Recent consultations with traditional leaders and descendants of the fallen heroes have focused on developing appropriate ceremonial procedures while initiating fundraising efforts for this historic undertaking.
Authorities are currently designing a specialised storage centre that will provide optimal conservation conditions for the returning remains. This facility will ensure the proper preservation of these historically significant artefacts with the dignity they deserve.
Confirmed Locations of Chimurenga Heroes’ Remains Investigations have identified eleven sets of remains at London’s Natural History Museum, with two additional remains held at Cambridge University’s Duckworth Laboratory and an undisclosed Swiss institution. The British Museum has formally agreed to release all remains in its collection.
Official Statements on Repatriation Progress Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Raphael Faranisi confirmed the process has entered its initial phase:
“We’re moving forward with resource mobilization and facility construction while ensuring cultural sensitivities guide every step. Consultations with traditional leaders and descendants remain central to our approach.”
A National Museums and Monuments representative (requesting anonymity) stated:
“With UK museums’ approval secured, we’re now finalizing logistical plans and budgets for the physical return of these sacred remains.”
Continental Repatriation Precedents This initiative follows similar successful efforts across Africa, including Namibia’s 2018 recovery of Herero and Nama genocide victims’ remains from Germany, and Ghana’s recent receipt of looted Asante treasures from British museums.
US President, Donald Trump on Sunday, August 10 vowed to crack down on Washington, DC’s challenges, promising to remove homeless people from the capital and swiftly jail criminals.
“I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before,” Trump said on Truth Social. “We want our Capital BACK.”
“The homeless have to move out, immediately. We will give you places to stay, but far from the Capital,” he continued. “The criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong. It’s all going to happen very fast, just like the Border. This will be easier — be prepared! There will be no ‘Mr. Nice Guy.’”
Trump indicated more details will follow in a news conference Monday.
Trump vows to push homeless people out of US capital
His comments came after the recent assault of former Department of Government Efficiency staffer Edward Coristine, also known as “Big Balls.” Coristine, 19, now working at the Social Security Administration, was attacked by about 10 juveniles near DuPont Circle while trying to stop an apparent carjacking. Two suspects have been arrested, and a $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the others.
Last week, Trump announced plans to deploy federal law enforcement across DC to address crime.
Like other major US cities, DC faces widespread homeless encampments. Governed by the 1973 Home Rule Act, the city has a unique relationship with the federal government, and some Republicans have suggested a federal takeover to address crime.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said the city will work with federal law enforcement, noting, “He’s interested in being in neighborhoods, fighting crime in neighborhoods. We are not experiencing a crime spike.”
Despite disagreements, Bowser has sought to maintain ties with Trump, meeting with him last year and privately expressing shared goals of making DC safer and cleaner.
According to the DC Metropolitan Police Department, violent crime is down 26% from last year, homicides are down 12%, and overall crime is down 7%. However, DC still ranks among the highest in homicide rates nationwide, placing fourth in 2023.
White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller described DC as “more violent than Baghdad” and parts of other dangerous regions, though comparative data remains unclear.
