Pirates are individuals who engage in robbery and violence at sea, targeting ships and their cargo for personal gain. They are essentially criminals who operate outside the law, attacking and stealing from other vessels.
The operations of pirates are discreet to the extent that some believe they are a myth or extinct but it is not so.
In a video which has since gone viral, a group of pirates recently launched an attack on an unknown container ship on the Red Sea but were unsuccessful in their attempt.
The attack on the container ship was made by Houthi Kamikaze. Luckily for the ship crew, the skilled armed men onboard were able to shoot and detonate the explosive-laden uncrewed surface vessel (USV) before it made impact with the ship.
According to The War Zone, the attack occurred approximately 64 nautical miles northwest of Al Mukha, Yemen. The container ship is believed to be the Liberian-flagged Pumba.
The incident is reportedly part of the Houthis’ assault on the Pumba, which began around 7 a.m. local time. An aerial drone exploded 5–10 meters off the ship’s starboard side but only caused a minor damage to deck containers.
Ninety minutes later, two crewed and one uncrewed vessels approached, with the USV being the one destroyed in the video.
As the Houthis’ USV, a speedboat packed with explosives approached from the starboard quarter, the guards fired approximately 24 rounds from Steyr rifles in 14 seconds, detonating the drone about 30 meters (99 feet) from the vessel’s port side, causing no damage.
A Houthi missile also exploded five meters off the starboard side, and two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were sighted nearby.
Three hours later, another missile hit the water 100 meters from the ship, leaving a six-meter hole above the waterline in the stern. A coalition warship assisted, and the Pumba safely reached its next port.
The Houthi group has been terrorizing and destroying ships in the Red Sea. According to reports, the Iran-backed group has targeted over 100 merchant vessels since November 2023, sinking two, seizing one, and killing four sailors.
Liverpool winger and captain of Egypt’s national team, Mohammed Salah, risks losing his career after posing a question to UEFA in a post on X.
In his reply to a post by the football body, Salah questioned UEFA, asking them to give more details instead of just a shallow post.
UEFA posted a photo to show their respect to Suleiman al-Obeid, popularly known as ‘Palestinian Pelé’ who played for Al-Shati’a Services Club in Gaza and the Palestinian national team.
The post wrote “Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pelé’. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.”
Salah, unsatisfied with the post, replied saying, “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” questioning why they failed the state the details of his demise.
Surprisingly, Salah received a lot of from social media users. Users like @westie1988ie praised Salah’s “bravery” for calling out UEFA’s “poor statement” and others, Others like @AGMcat, linked his statement to broader calls for Palestinian solidarity.
Suleiman al-Obeid was a 41-year-old former Palestinian national team striker. According to the Palestine Football Association (PFA), he was killed in southern Gaza when Israeli forces struck civilians waiting for humanitarian aid.
Al-Obeid was called the Palestinian Pele. He scored over 100 goals, including two in 24 international matches during his career.
DON’T CELEBRATE, IT’S SHAMEFUL FOR UPND TO GRAB LUNGU’S BODY FROM HIS FAMILY – MSONI
THERE is nothing to celebrate about the judgment ordering the repatriation of the remains of former president Edgar Lungu by government for burial in Zambia, Nason Msoni has said.
Commenting on the judgment delivered by the South African High Court in Pretoria yesterday, Msoni, the All People’s Congress President, said those celebrating the victory should take a back seat and introspect on the long-term implications of the State’s action.
He said what the United Party for National Development and President Hakainde Hichilema, in particular, had done was grab a dead body from a grieving family using force.
The judge ordered Lungu’s family to hand over his body to the Zambian government for repatriation and burial through a state funeral.
“This is unheard of. What has happened is grabbing a dead body from a grieving family, and this calls for serious introspection on those scheming all this. This conduct will leave more pain on the country,” Msoni said.
He urged the Church to take its healing role, warning more divisions would be experienced if nothing was done to undo the damage government had done to the nation.
“I have seen on various UPND blogs the celebrations, the continued insults, mockery and all of the former first family. You can tell deep-rooted hatred and bitterness against the Lungu family from UPND. These are the people who have been pushing for the return of the remains of Lungu. These are the people who persecuted Lungu when he was still alive, and now they are celebrating his persecution into the grave. They have managed to grab a dead body using the courts, and they want to preside over a man they hated the most. This is shameful, it is embarrassing,” he said.
https://youtu.be/f0boHUO0T5A?si=MyyXZmNacR7inMMU
He said Lungu would go into the history of the country as the most hated and abused former president till his death.
Msoni has since challenged Hichilema to respect the wishes of the family not to preside over the funeral of the former president.
“Today is a dark day for the Lungu family and the people of Zambia who believed in peace, unity and norms. I wish to remind those in leadership that the scar they have exhumed and left behind will be difficult to manage or cure. No matter what happens, this is bleeding; the funeral of the Lungus has just begun. Their pain is too deep to ignore. I hope those around the President are advising him properly. He needs reflection, self-introspection. The country is bleeding,” Msoni said.
The court also ordered the South African Funeral Home, Two Mountains Limited, to surrender Lungu’s mortal remains to the Zambian government for repatriation and burial relegating the family t mere spectators.
This comes after two months of court battles, public tension and a suspended state of mourning.
DEC TO RESUME COURT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST TASILA LUNGU AFTER MOURNING PERIOD
By Chamuka Shalubala
Drug Enforcement Commission-DEC Director General Nason Banda says court proceedings against Chawama Member of Parliament Tasila Lungu will resume once she completes her mourning period following the death of her father, former President Edgar Lungu.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Banda explained that all court-related processes concerning Ms. Lungu were temporarily suspended out of respect for the mourning period.
https://youtu.be/f0boHUO0T5A?si=SL9o8lt2NiB4rNpy
He clarified that although Ms. Lungu was previously arrested, charged, and later released on police bond, the prosecution will proceed once she returns to the country.
Mr. Banda also reiterated dec’s commitment to pursuing all financial crime cases with the utmost diligence, stressing that the commission will not be influenced by a suspect’s political or social status.
FORMER LUANSHYA MP URGES UPND SUPPORTERS TO SHOW RESPECT TO LATE PRESIDENT LUNGU’S FAMILY
FORMER Luanshya Member of Parliament and former Government Chief Whip, Steven Chungu, has called on United Party for National Development supporters to refrain from mocking the family of the late President Edgar Lungu during their time of mourning.
Mr. Chungu said that instead of making fun of the bereaved family, UPND supporters should show empathy and compassion.
He expressed concern that some members of the ruling party had been seen mocking the late president’s family even during the mourning period.
He questioned why President Lungu, whom he claimed was not valued by the UPND while alive, had suddenly become significant in his death.
Mr. Chungu urged the UPND leadership to control their supporters and stop them from insulting the late president even in death.
He further described mocking the Lungu family during this period as “very shameful” and called on Government leaders to condemn such conduct in the strongest terms.
With all due respect, your apology rings hollow when you fail to address the most important question: what was there to celebrate in the first place? The nation is in mourning.
A family is grieving the loss of a husband, father, and leader. Yet, in the middle of this sorrow, you and your “team” saw fit to turn it into a party because the court ruled in favour of the government. Do you not realise how deeply insensitive and heartless that is?
This was not just a private mistake; it was a public display of callousness, streamed for all to see. You were not simply “caught up in the excitement.”
Excitement about what? The removal of a widow’s rights? The pain of a family already carrying the unbearable weight of loss? The forced interference in the funeral arrangements of a man who once served this nation as Head of State? If that is what excites you, then the problem runs far deeper than you admit
You claim the moment was unplanned, but that does not excuse it. It only reveals a lack of moral instinct and an inability to recognise that some moments demand solemnity, respect, and restraint. A court ruling in favour of the government against a grieving family is not, and will never be, a reason for singing, dancing, and recording yourself for the world.
You ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness requires honesty, self-reflection, and a full acknowledgment of the harm done — not vague excuses wrapped in rehearsed humility.
Until you address the true nature of your actions, your words will remain nothing more than damage control aimed at salvaging your image, not repairing the wound you deepened.
A simple truth stands: no reasonable person with an intact conscience would celebrate during a period of national mourning unless their intentions were malicious or their moral compass was badly broken.
So I ask again, and I expect you to answer, not dodge: what exactly were you celebrating? Because until you can face that question with sincerity, your apology carries no weight and brings no closure.
HH HAS DONE THINGS FOR ZAMBIA WHAT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE SAYS MP
NOMINATED MP Likando Mufalali says he is confident President Hakainde Hichilema will retain his seat in 2026 as what he has done for Zambia has never been done before.
And Mufalali says the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) is within its right to conceal names of UPND Ministers being investigated for corruption.
Speaking when he featured on Millennium TV, Thursday, Mufalali said what President Hichilema had achieved in four years could only be achieved by others in 15 years.
The performance of the UPND and its leader President Hichilema under four years in power has been excellent in ensuring that they deliver to the Zambian people, If you look at where we are coming from.
The family of the late Edgar Lungu has shown a staggering display of selfishness and shortsightedness by challenging a court ruling that honors not only their loved one but the entire Zambian nation.
Their urgent application to the South African Supreme Court of Appeal is nothing less than a blatant attempt to distort justice and disrespect the wishes of a man who was more than just a family member — Edgar Lungu was a public figure, a former president, and a symbol of Zambia’s identity.
The hard truth is that Edgar Lungu’s family is casting a dark shadow over his legacy by insisting on a personal agenda that flies in the face of reason and national interest.
Their claim that the Pretoria High Court wrongly applied Zambian law is an empty argument, designed to distract from their true intention: to exclude the current Zambian leadership from funeral proceedings.
The hard truth is that the family’s refusal to acknowledge the role of the sitting president in such a national event is a gross insult to the office and the country Edgar Lungu served for years.
The hard truth is that Edgar Lungu was not a private citizen; he was the president of Zambia, entrusted with the responsibility of serving a nation far greater than any individual or family.
The family’s attempt to restrict participation in his funeral to exclude the current president is not only futile but deeply disrespectful to the office that represents the people of Zambia.
The hard truth is that in death, as in life, the legacy of a public figure belongs to the nation, not to a handful of relatives clinging to personal grievances.
The hard truth is that the family’s claim there was no binding agreement with the Zambian government, only a tentative proposal, reeks of desperation.
They want to dictate terms in an arena where their influence should be secondary to the collective will of the country Edgar Lungu led.
The hard truth is that their legal challenge does not just question a court ruling; it undermines the dignity of a former president and the unity of a nation mourning its loss.
The hard truth is that the family’s narrow focus on cultural freedom and self-determination is a weak shield against the broader constitutional and national considerations involved.
They argue that South African law should govern because Edgar Lungu died on South African soil, yet they ignore the fact that his burial is a matter of Zambian national heritage and dignity.
The hard truth is that cross-border legal disputes of this nature require sensitivity to both jurisdictions, and the family’s one-sided approach only serves to inflame tensions and cause unnecessary drama.
The hard truth is that the family accuses the respondent of misrepresenting facts, yet their own position is riddled with emotional appeals and personal bias.
Instead of honoring Edgar Lungu’s documented wishes in a way that respects both family and nation, they have chosen a path that appears to prioritize control and exclusion over reconciliation and respect.
The hard truth is that this kind of obstructionism is both petty and unbecoming of those who should be custodians of a former president’s dignity.
The hard truth is that Edgar Lungu’s status as a public figure means his funeral arrangements cannot be treated as private family matters.
The family’s stubborn insistence on keeping the current president out of the proceedings is not only futile but also deeply offensive.
The hard truth is that the office of the president transcends individuals, and the nation has a right to participate fully in honoring its former leader.
The hard truth is that this appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal is a wasteful exercise that sows division rather than unity.
Instead of allowing the country to grieve and celebrate Edgar Lungu’s life with dignity, the family’s actions have turned a solemn moment into a bitter legal battle.
The hard truth is that their behavior is a disservice to the man they claim to love and an insult to the people who respected him as their leader.
The hard truth is that by taking such a confrontational stance, the Lungu family risks alienating the very nation that once supported Edgar Lungu’s presidency.
https://youtu.be/f0boHUO0T5A?si=nufo1kL4enQAYPO_
Their legal maneuvering is not just a personal grievance; it is a public betrayal that diminishes the collective memory of a man who shaped Zambia’s recent history.
The hard truth is that legacy is built on unity and respect, not on contentious appeals and divisive tactics.
The hard truth is that the family’s stance reflects a profound misunderstanding of the responsibilities that come with being related to a public figure.
Edgar Lungu’s life was intertwined with the fate of Zambia, and his death should be a moment of national solidarity, not familial conflict.
The hard truth is that their appeal is a selfish act that threatens to overshadow the achievements and contributions of a former president.
The hard truth is that Edgar Lungu’s family has failed to rise above petty disputes and instead chosen a path of obstruction that dishonors his memory.
The hard truth is that true respect for a leader’s legacy requires humility, cooperation, and a recognition that some matters transcend personal interests.
The hard truth is that in this battle over burial rights, the family has lost sight of what truly matters.
The hard truth is that the Lungu family’s appeal is a shameful chapter in the story of a beloved former president.
Their refusal to accept a court ruling that balances legal, cultural, and constitutional considerations reveals a disturbing level of selfishness and disrespect.
The hard truth is that Edgar Lungu’s legacy deserves better — far better — than the divisive and futile fight his family has chosen to wage.
SLAY QUEEN GRABS GUN AND SHOOTS FORMER ARMY GENERAL TWICE
Police in Lusaka have formally charged and arrested Abigail Kalyabanyama, aged 26, of Nyumba Yanga, in connection with an attempted murder case reported to Woodlands Police Station on July 27, 2025, around 01:00 hours.
The report was made by Brigadier General David Kauseni (Retired) of Makeni area, on behalf of his brother, Brigadier General John Banda (Retired), aged 53, a resident of Chalala.
Investigations indicate that the victim, Brigadier General Banda (Retired), was shot twice in the back of the head, sustaining serious gunshot wounds in an incident that occurred on July 26, 2025, around 23:40 hours behind Crossroads Mall in Kabulonga, Lusaka.
On July 26, 2025, around 17:00 hours, Brigadier General Banda (Retired) drove a vehicle, registration number AB 1158, to pick up Abigail Kalyabanyama, described as his female companion, from Nyumba Yanga. They then proceeded to Palabana.
Around 23:30 hours, while en route to drop her home, the pair reportedly had a disagreement. Upon reaching Crossroads Mall, Brigadier General Banda (Retired) parked the vehicle and refused to proceed until the matter was resolved.
Following a brief altercation outside the vehicle, he retrieved his firearm from the car and fired at Ms. Kalyabanyama, who was leaning on the bonnet, missing her and hitting the vehicle instead.
She then grabbed the firearm and allegedly shot the victim twice at the back of the head, causing him to collapse.
Police officers who responded to the report found both the suspect and the victim at the scene. The victim was lying in a pool of blood beside a loaded pistol, with some empty cartridges also found. He was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for medical attention.
Brigadier General Banda (Retired) remains admitted to UTH, where his condition is reported to be stable.
Meanwhile, the suspect, Abigail Kalyabanyama, remains in custody and will appear in court soon for the offence of attempt to murder, contrary to Section 215(b), Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Godfrey Chilabi Assistant Public Relations Officer.
The following is a compilation of statements after President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ambassador Uebert Angel held a major rally in Zambia for the first time yesterday, while saying he was once deported from the country by the former president’s wife. “Maybe you might think, Oh, maybe this is from this political party… I also want to thank the president HH for allowing me to come here,” he said.
He continued: “Listen, listen. I was prevented from coming into this country for years. We could have done Kitwe way back. …There are people you put in power in positions that can just have a grudge. that people will begin to hate the man instead of knowing that there is a system. And because of that, I just want to thank President HH for allowing us to be here, for cancelling the ban…”
Yesterday was the first time Mnangagwa’s ambassador has held an exclusive rally in the country for the first time in history, and he announces in a previous sermon saying,
“They tried to kill me. I went to Zambia in the days of Lungu, and I found him and his wife waiting at the airport. His wife was waiting there, trying to kick me back. They said, we don’t want you…” video below-
Court orders Chabinga to pay $10,000 to businessman
THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has entered a judgment in default against Mafinga member of parliament Robert Chabinga in a civil matter, ordering him to pay back US$10,000 of Abdulaziz Ahmed Muhammed.
According to court documents the plaintiff
filed a Praecipe for entry of judgment in default of service, requesting the court to grant judgment against the defendant due to his failure to respond to the summons served.
The plaintiff claims K280,000 which is equivalent to around US$10,000 stated in the summons.
And the court on July 25, 2025 entered judgment in favour of the plaintiff and ordered Chabinga to pay back the money, plus interest costs.
“Take notice that on July 25, 2025, Judgment was given. The said action in the sum of K280,00 (equivalent to $10,000) plus interest costs, in favour of the Plaintiff,” court rules .
MATERO MP URGES “WIN–WIN” APPROACH IN PRETORIA ECL RULING DISPUTE
Lusaka… Saturday August 9, 2025
MATERO Member of Parliament, Hon. Miles Bwalya Sampa, has called for a compromise between the government and the family of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, following the recent Pretoria court ruling over the burial location of the late leader.
In a statement, Mr. Sampa said that the outcome so far had been a “lose-lose” for the nation, echoing sentiments expressed by SC Sakwiba Sikota.
He claimed that his inbox had been flooded with messages from international contacts and fellow parliamentarians, some of whom had mocked Zambia over what they described as a national embarrassment.
According to the MP, the dispute was less about the burial location itself and more about who should or should not attend the funeral.
He stated that the family’s reluctance to bury the former president in Zambia stemmed from their inability to secure assurances that certain individuals, specifically President Hakainde Hichilema would not view the body.
Mr. Sampa said such conditions were not unusual in African funeral traditions, citing the example of Zimbabwe’s Grace Mugabe, who had insisted that her late husband be buried at their farm instead of Heroes Park.
He recommended that President Hichilema agree not to attend the funeral or view the body, suggesting that the Vice President or other senior ministers could represent him.
In his view, this would allow the burial to take place in Zambia’s Embassy Park, as desired by the government, while also respecting the family’s wishes a “win-win” outcome.
Mr. Sampa warned that without such a compromise, the matter could drag on for months or even over a year through appeals, keeping the country “idling” and attracting ridicule across Africa.
He argued that the current impasse reflected poorly on the President, the government, and the nation as a whole.
“The back stops with the President of the day,” he said, adding that both ordinary citizens and leaders in the Southern African Development Community were laughing at Zambia’s inability to resolve the issue.
GODAZA warns Kitwe residents to avoid tap water after Sino metals mine spill
GOVERNANCE and Development Advocates Zambia (GODAZA) has sounded the alarm over a recent toxic spill from the Sino Metals mine tailings dam, warning that the incident poses a serious threat to both public health and the environment in Kitwe and surrounding areas.
GODAZA executive director Elias Mulenga urged residents to take immediate precautions to avoid exposure to hazardous substances that may have contaminated water sources, soil and aquatic life in the region.
Mulenga advised members of the public to stop drinking municipal water, cooking with it, or using it for hygiene purposes until the government declares it safe for human consumption.
“People must avoid consuming foods cooked with contaminated water or eating fish from the Kafue River until the relevant authorities confirm it is safe,” Mulenga said.
He called on the government, ZEMA and local authorities to consistently monitor metal concentrations and toxicity levels in the Kafue River and its tributaries to protect communities who depend on the river for their daily needs and livelihoods.
GODAZA further urged local councils to educate communities on health risks associated with the spillage and provide practical safety guidelines to minimise exposure.
Mulenga also appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to ensure that the companies responsible for the disaster are held accountable and that affected communities are given necessary support.
“This is a serious environmental and health crisis that requires urgent action,” said Mulenga.
“We urge all stakeholders to work together to mitigate the damage and restore the safety of the environment and people’s lives.”
Recently, the United States government withdrew all its personnel from Chambishi and surrounding areas following a toxic chemical spill at Sino Metals Mine, warning of serious health risks from hazardous substances released into the environment.
The embassy also banned US staff from traveling to Kitwe if they would rely on municipal water for drinking or cooking, citing the high risk of exposure to toxins.
UPND LEADERS SHOULD LEARN LESSONS FROM DAVIS CHAMA JAILING
It will be folly for leaders in the United Party for National Development (UPND) to believe that Davis Chama being jailed for eight years provides lessons only about the past. It is actually more of a cautionary tale for individuals serving in the current government.
Cast in the context of the immediate past Patriotic Front (PF) regime, the conduct ascribed to Davis Chama, former Minister of Defence, gives Zambians a peek into the extent of lawlessness that pervaded the government.
Minister of Defence is a very senior position in government and, being the supervisor of the country’s armed forces, one would have expected the office holder to be someone who understood the exercise of the utmost restraint in use of power and firearms. According to this court outcome, Davis Chama apparently did not. It is now clear why he may have broken rank to sound like the voice of reason when Edgar Lungu came back to active politics.
If leaders at the level of Defence Minister would engage in that kind of behaviour, it is hardly surprising that PF cadres on the streets, in markets and bus stations unleashed the wanton violence Zambians witnessed.
But that is now largely in the past, though not entirely banished. Some UPND leaders and cadres have sporadically shown signs of resorting to use of violence, during some of the by-elections conducted in the last four years.
There are a few names of UPND leaders being mentioned in this regard.
But this is not the whole story. There are also some government ministers and senior civil servants who seem to be abusing their powers in order to advance the interests of the current ruling party.
The is now a long tally of abuses against, say, parliamentary presiding officers, some judges and magistrates, and offices such as the Registrar of Societies.
Special mention should also be made of such officers as Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Oliver Kalabo, who appended his signature to the denial of permission for late Sixth Presisent Edgar Lungu to travel for medical treatment. He should be subject of an inquiry at the appropriate time. This is not in a vindictive sense. But Zambian society will not get any better if senior civil servants can go scotfree after making decision that potentially lead to loss of life.
The lesson from the imprisonment of Davis Chama, for such people like Oliver Kalabo, is that there will be a reckoning, even after 10 years.
As for you UPND cadres, there is an obvious warning. Violence against others will be punished, no matter how long it takes. There is already a record of some of you from the violent confrontations in past by-elections.
I MAKE NO APOLOGY, GOLD MINING SHOULD BE FOR ZAMBIANS – CHRISTOPHER KANG’OMBE
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.
DON’T BE MISLED, THAT APPEAL IS NOTHING, LET THEM JUST SURRENDER THE BODY, THEY WILL FIND US IN LUSAKA
=============== According to the Section 18 of the South African Superior Courts Act, No 10 of 2013, an appeal (let alone a notice of appeal) doesn’t automatically stay the execution of the orders.
Therefore, the orders of the court for the Lungu family to release the body and repatriate it to Zambia still stand.
Govt has a responsibility to get hold of the body and bring it to Lusaka, then we can continue engaging the family.
I strongly insist that the Lungu family should take a humble posture and let Govt look at their issues, so that they are part of the proceedings, otherwise the State funeral must take place accordingly.
TAYALI THE PUBLIC LAWYER OF THE PUBLIC COURT OF OPINIONS!!!
UPND PARLIAMENTARY HOPEFUL AND HEALTH MINISTER PAY COURTESY CALL ON CHIEF MUKUNI
By Wagon Media
Livingstone,Zambia 9,August, 2025.
Chawama UPND aspiring Member of Parliament, Mr. Kantenga, together with Minister of Health Hon. Elijah Muchima, Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, and National Security Adviser to the President Dr. Lawrence Mwananyande—accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Health and the National Heart Hospital—paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness Chief Mukuni of the Leya people in Livingstone.
Minister Muchima, who is in Livingstone representing President Hakainde Hichilema as Guest of Honour at this year’s Zambia Medical Association (ZMA) Annual General Meeting, stated that it was essential, as the President’s envoy, to visit and brief the Chief on key health initiatives currently being implemented by the government in Livingstone through the Ministry of Health.
Earlier, Hon. Kantenga, alongside the Minister and delegation, toured the exhibition stands at the ZMA AGM, engaging with various stakeholders in the health sector.
Kantenga, who also serves as Executive Chairman of Medicare International, emphasized the critical role ZMA plays in advancing stratified medical services, professional training, and support programs. He noted that these initiatives benefit not only doctors but also the broader government health strategy and national development.
He expressed encouragement at the presence of young and passionate professionals entering the health sector and echoed the ZMA President Dr. Kaumba Tolopu’s call for the establishment of the Office of the Physician General.
Kantenga also praised President Hichilema’s commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery in Zambia, commending Hon. Elijah Muchima’s dedication and effective implementation of the President’s health agenda, as also acknowledged by ZMA President Dr. Tolopu.
RELIGIOUS GROUP STRANDED IN NDOLA AFTER 25-YEAR JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
More than fifty members of a religious group have been detained by police in Ndola and are currently being held at Kansenshi Police Station for their own protection.
The group, which began its journey in Mazabuka in 1999 with the aim of reaching Jerusalem on foot, has now found itself stranded in Ndola.
Ndola District Commissioner Precious Njekwa stated that the group has no permanent place of residence and continues to move from one location to another. She also noted that the group is running out of food and is in need of humanitarian assistance.
The group claims to follow a deity known as Sunni, who, according to them, has given them a unique language called Kafo, understood only by its members.
Their leader, Ronny Mweemba, says it was their god who instructed them to begin a spiritual journey to Mount Zion in Israel—on foot—from Zambia.
Authorities are currently assessing the situation to determine the appropriate course of action, including potential support or intervention.
MORGAN MUUNDA HAILS GOVERNMENT’S BROAD-BASED DEVELOPMENT TRANSFORMING ZAMBIA’S FUTURE
By Wagon Media | Lusaka, August 9, 2025
Zambia is experiencing a new era of growth and transformation, powered by the strategic leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema. Morgan Muunda, aspiring Member of Parliament for Chawama, recently praised the government’s wide-ranging reforms that are reshaping the country’s social and economic landscape.
Muunda commended the unprecedented recruitment of over 21,000 health workers—comprising more than 6,000 medical officers, 12,000 nurses and midwives, 3,000 environmental health specialists, and 300 dentists. This milestone reflects the administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the healthcare sector and resolving long-standing service gaps.
The government’s proactive handling of health emergencies, such as cholera outbreaks, saw thousands of volunteers deployed on the ground—many of whom have since been integrated into formal roles. This initiative not only protected communities but also provided long-term employment, particularly for youth and women.
In mining, Muunda highlighted the revival of previously defunct mines such as Shaft 28 and Kalengwa, and the revitalization of major operations at Mopani and Konkola. These efforts have reinvigorated the sector, safeguarded thousands of jobs, and increased national revenue. He further noted the government’s support for cooperative gold mining, which is empowering communities and ensuring inclusive participation in resource development.
The effective use of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has fueled community-level infrastructure projects, improving public services and quality of life across constituencies.
Agriculture has also seen major advancements. The construction of the Kafulafuta Dam marks a major step forward in irrigation and water resource management, with additional dam projects in the pipeline. The distribution of essential farming inputs—such as seeds, fertilizer, and machinery—has boosted productivity and strengthened food security.
Education and infrastructure are equally on the rise, with new schools being built, more teachers hired, and ongoing investments in roads, bridges, and public facilities that improve connectivity and commerce.
Social empowerment initiatives are creating new opportunities for vulnerable populations, including youth, women, and orphans, integrating them into development programs that improve livelihoods and uplift communities.
Muunda also applauded efforts to enhance governance, transparency, and security through strengthened institutional partnerships and increased accountability, particularly in tackling violence and drug abuse.
“This comprehensive development strategy clearly reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable progress,” said Muunda. “We are seeing real, impactful change in the daily lives of our people.”
As Zambia moves forward, its people’s unity, resilience, and visionary leadership remain the pillars of a brighter, more inclusive future.
GOVERNMENT REASSURES COPPERBELT RESIDENTS OF SAFE DRINKING WATER
Kitwe, August 9, 2025 – The Government has reassured residents across the Copperbelt Province that their water supply remains safe for consumption, following recent concerns over possible contamination.
During a fact-finding mission to the province, Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana assured communities in Kitwe and surrounding areas that there is no threat to public health.
He was accompanied by Nkana Water and Sewerage Company Managing Director Dr. Steven Mwale, Copperbelt Provincial Health Specialist Dr. Christopher Dube, officials from Kitwe City Council, and other key stakeholders.
In a symbolic gesture to demonstrate confidence in the water quality, the delegation publicly drank tap water during the visit.
Mr. Kawana stressed that the Government “does not take lightly any threat to public health” and remains committed to strict oversight of the water supply system.
The team toured several water treatment facilities across the province to assess operations. Mr. Kawana commended the ongoing efforts to maintain high safety standards.
Dr. Mwale confirmed that all water supplied by Nkana Water meets regulatory safety standards, with pH levels regularly monitored and corrective measures taken when necessary.
He noted that portable laboratories are deployed for on-site testing to allow for rapid response, and rigorous treatment processes are in place to ensure water quality.
Dr. Mwale also clarified that areas such as Kalulushi and Chambeshi have not been affected by recent contamination concerns and have remained reliable sources of water.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dube highlighted the strong collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Nkana Water, and private sector partners in continuously improving water quality monitoring.
26 YEAR OLD NYUMBA YANGA FEMALE RESIDENT ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTING TO MURDER RETIRED BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN BANDA IN A SUSPECTED LOVE DISPUTE
ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE
PRESS STATEMENT
August 10, 2025 – Police in Lusaka have formally charged and arrested Abigail Kalyabanyama, aged 26, of Nyumba Yanga, in connection with an attempted murder case reported to Woodlands Police Station on July 27, 2025, around 01:00 hours.
The report was made by Brigadier General David Kauseni (Retired) of Makeni area, on behalf of his brother, Brigadier General John Banda (Retired), aged 53, a resident of Chalala.
Investigations indicate that the victim, Brigadier General Banda (Retired), was shot twice in the back of the head, sustaining serious gunshot wounds in an incident that occurred on July 26, 2025, around 23:40 hours behind Crossroads Mall in Kabulonga, Lusaka.
On July 26, 2025, around 17:00 hours, Brigadier General Banda (Retired) drove a vehicle, registration number AB 1158, to pick up Abigail Kalyabanyama, described as his female companion, from Nyumba Yanga. They then proceeded to Palabana.
Around 23:30 hours, while en route to drop her home, the pair reportedly had a disagreement. Upon reaching Crossroads Mall, Brigadier General Banda (Retired) parked the vehicle and refused to proceed until the matter was resolved.
Following a brief altercation outside the vehicle, he retrieved his firearm from the car and fired at Ms. Kalyabanyama, who was leaning on the bonnet, missing her and hitting the vehicle instead.
She then grabbed the firearm and allegedly shot the victim twice at the back of the head, causing him to collapse.
Police officers who responded to the report found both the suspect and the victim at the scene. The victim was lying in a pool of blood beside a loaded pistol, with some empty cartridges also found. He was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for medical attention.
Brigadier General Banda (Retired) remains admitted to UTH, where his condition is reported to be stable.
Meanwhile, the suspect, Abigail Kalyabanyama, remains in custody and will appear in court soon for the offence of attempt to murder, contrary to Section 215(b), Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Godfrey Chilabi Assistant Public Relations Officer.
GOVERNMENT DEVOLVES 30+ FUNCTIONS TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Local Government and Rural Development Minister Gift Sialubalo says the government has devolved over thirty functions from eight line ministries to local authorities.
He explained that the move is aimed at enhancing decision-making and improving service delivery.
Mr. Sialubalo revealed that over forty thousand civil servants have been attached to local authorities to carry out the devolved functions.
He emphasized that the devolution of government functions is designed to bring development closer to the people and eliminate lengthy decision-making procedures.
Speaking during a media briefing in Solwezi, Mr. Sialubalo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the principles of decentralization.
However, the Minister urged officers working under the devolution process to ensure the prudent use of resources, warning that mismanagement could derail the country’s development agenda.
MAZABUKA MAN CONVICTED FOR USING ANOTHER PERSON’S NRC TO APPLY FOR JOB
A 26-year-old man of Mazabuka’s Airstrip area has been convicted for using a National Registration Card (NRC) belonging to another person to apply for a job.
Byta FM Court Journalist reports that appearing in the Mazabuka Magistrate Court was William Manya, who pleaded guilty to two counts of forgery and uttering a false document contrary to the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
In count one, particulars are that on 18th July, 2025, Manya, with intent to defraud, created an NRC named William Kamale, purporting it was genuinely issued by the National Registration Office.
In the second count, Manya, on the earlier said date, knowingly presented a false NRC to Walesi Maliba, a Human Resource Manager at Agric Drainage Kaleya Sugar Company Limited, while applying for a job, purporting it to be genuinely issued when it was not.
The court heard that on 19th July, 2025, at 11:00 hours, Cornwell Kamale received a phone call from Maliba, inquiring about a job applicant named William Siachitola Kamale.
Kamale denied having a son with the same name, stating that his child with a similar name was at the Copperbelt University.
On 21st July, 2025, at around 11:00 hours, Maliba called Kamale again, informing him that the impersonator was at TAZ offices.
When Kamale confronted Manya about the documents bearing his son’s name, Manya claimed he had found them along the road in Ndeke, leading to the accused being arrested.
Resident Magistrate Changa Chitabo convicted Manya and he is awaiting sentencing on 18th August, 2025.
CHITIMUKULU CALLS FOR CLARITY ON LAND TITLE CANCELLATIONS.
By: Sun FM TV Reporter
The Bemba Royal Establishment has urged Government to provide a clear framework outlining what happens to land when a title deed is cancelled.
Speaking on behalf of Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga II, Chief Mwamba stressed the need for inclusion of traditional authorities in shaping land policies, and called on Members of Parliament to prioritize consultations with chiefs during any land reforms.
FOUR ARMED MEN ROB CHINESE NATIONAL OF OVER K231,000 IN MAZABUKA
Police in Southern Province have launched a manhunt for four unidentified suspects who staged a violent robbery at Golden Leopard Farm in Mazabuka District, making off with over K231,000 in cash and an air gun.
The incident occurred on August 8, 2025, at approximately 19:00 hours when the suspects, one of whom was armed with a pistol, attacked a Chinese national identified only as Mr. Lee at his residence on the farm.
According to a police statement issued by Southern Province Commanding Officer Auxensio Daka, the suspects entered Mr. Lee’s room while he was asleep and proceeded to rob him at gunpoint.
“The victim was tied up with a T-shirt, and the assailants made away with K231,252.00 in cash as well as an air gun with pellets,” Daka said in the statement.
The matter was reported to Chikankata Police Station at 21:50 hours by Mr. Given Mungangu, a 30-year-old fellow resident of the farm.
Mungangu was alerted by Mr. Lee after the robbers fled the scene. He assisted in untying the victim and promptly contacted the authorities.
Police responded quickly but arrived after the suspects had already escaped. No arrests have been made, and none of the stolen property has been recovered.
A full investigation is currently underway.
Members of the public with any information that could assist in apprehending the suspects are urged to come forward.
Court forfeits properties linked to Laurence Paul Investment to state!
The Economic and Financial Crimes Court has ordered the forfeiture of several properties and funds to the state, suspected to be proceeds of crime linked to Laurence Paul Investment Service Limited and other interested parties.
Among the forfeited assets are a four-bedroom incomplete house located in Chilanga District and a two-storey building. The court also forfeited 9.5 hectares of land in Chirundu District, which was deemed to be acquired through illicit means.
Additionally, motor vehicles belonging to various interested parties were forfeited to the state, having been identified as proceeds of crime.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of over 24,000 Kwacha held by Laurence Paul Investment Service Limited in a named bank. The funds were determined to belong to clients who had invested in the company.
This ruling follows a non-conviction-based forfeiture process, in which the court determined that the properties were tainted and linked to criminal activity.
The application for forfeiture was filed by Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri, pursuant to Sections 29 and 31 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010. Mr. Phiri also relied on Order Three, Rules 15 and 17 of the High Court Rules.
Seven interested parties, including Laurence Paul Investment Service Limited, opposed the application but were unsuccessful in their challenge.
Just days after President Donald Trump’s first election victory in 2016, he reportedly called his longtime friend, convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and offered him a job in his administration.
That’s according to Epstein’s former butler, Valdson Vieira Cotrin, who gave a wide-ranging interview to the UK-based Telegraph about his 18 years working for Epstein. Cotrin — who managed Epstein’s Paris estate — recalled a conversation the two had while he was picking up Epstein at the airport upon his arrival in France.
“A few days after Trump’s election, Mr. Epstein arrived in Paris on Monday or Tuesday, and I went to pick him up at the airport,” Cotrin told the paper. “He said, ‘Valdson, you saw that Trump is the new U.S. president?’ ‘Yes,’ I replied, ‘I saw it on the news in Paris.”
‘Well, Trump asked me to work for him in the new government,’” Epstein said, according to Cotrin. “I said, ‘Congratulations. I’m happy for you,’ in my bad English. He said, ‘No, I didn’t accept.’”
Cotrin went on to say that he didn’t believe the official explanation that his former boss died by suicide in a prison cell in 2019, saying he “loved life too much.” And he told the Telegraph he was in fear for his life due not only to Epstein’s death, but also because of the 2022 death of Jean-Luc Brunel — who medical examiners say also died by suicide in his prison cell — and because of the April 2025 death of Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide at the age of 41.
Giuffre’s name resurfaced in recent weeks following Trump’s comment during a press gaggle that Epstein “stole” her from Mar-a-Lago when she was a 17 year-old spa attendant. While Trump said that Epstein’s poaching of Mar-a-Lago employees led to their falling out, author and journalist Barry Levine said Epstein was still a paying member of Mar-a-Lago in 2007 — seven years after Giuffre was recruited by Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell and a year after Epstein had been charged with child trafficking.
Maxwell was transferred last week from FCI Gainesville in Florida to FCI Bryan in Texas, which is considered a relatively cushy federal prison that houses nonviolent white-collar criminals. A rule prohibiting violent offenders like Maxwell from serving their sentences in facilities like Bryan was reportedly waived in order to allow her transfer to go through.
A Republican governor thumbed her nose at President Donald Trump on Friday as she poured cold water on any notions her state would join a handful of other GOP-led states to attempt mid-decade redistricting to boost the number of Republican seats in Congress ahead of a tough mid-term election next year.
Republican-led states are redistricting this year primarily to gain a political advantage before the 2026 midterm elections. In the most prominent example, Texas Republicans are pushing for a mid-decade redraw to add more congressional seats favorable to the GOP, which could increase their House majority. Democratic lawmakers fled the state to thwart the plan, leading to an escalating standoff with Gov. Gregg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Missouri and Florida have expressed interest in similar plans. But New Hampshire doesn’t seem interested in joining them.
Gov. Kelly Ayotte, who backed Trump in 2016, then withdrew her endorsement after the release of the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape, only to give him her endorsement in his 2024 presidential bid, rebuffed the Trump-backed plan for her state.
“The timing is off for this, because we are literally in the middle of the census period,” she told WMUR. “And when I talk to people in New Hampshire, this isn’t just — it’s not on the top of their priority list.”
Constituents, she said, want lawmakers to continue to work in the legislature on housing, child care, safety and education.
“I don’t believe the timing is correct for this,” she said.
SAPS offers R150,000 reward for Zimbabwean fugitive in killing of two officers in Roodepoort, Johannesburg
SAPS has offered a R150,000 reward for Zimbabwean fugitive Jabulani Thabang Moyo, accused of killing two Florida SAPS detectives in Roodepoort on 8 August.
Moyo allegedly overpowered and shot the officers while being transported from court, fleeing in an unmarked police vehicle later found abandoned.
A Hawks-led manhunt is underway, with police warning he is armed and very dangerous.
Tip-offs can be sent to 072 844 4442, 08600 10111, or the MySAPSApp.
Pressure mounts on Ramaphosa as SAHRC urged to investigate Minister McKenzie’s racist tweets
President Cyril Ramaphosa is under increasing pressure following calls for the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate Minister Gayton McKenzie over racist tweets from years ago.
The posts include offensive racial slurs, sparking outrage across South Africanns and political parties.
ActionSA has formally lodged a complaint with the SAHRC, demanding accountability, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called for McKenzie’s immediate removal as Minister. McKenzie denies being racist and claims his comments were taken out of context.
The SAHRC has not yet confirmed whether it will launch an investigation. Ramaphosa’s response is now seen as crucial in addressing the growing public demand for justice and setting a tone on intolerance in government.
After almost forty years of a bitter and bloody conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan have signed a landmark peace agreement in Washington, D.C., with U.S. President Donald Trump presiding over the ceremony.
The signing marks the official end of hostilities and a dramatic geopolitical shift in the South Caucasus—one in which Russia, long a dominant power broker in the region, is conspicuously absent.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan inked the accord on Friday, August 8, 2025, declaring the formal cessation of all fighting between their nations.
“We are today establishing peace in the South Caucasus,” Aliyev said. “Today we are writing a great new history.”
Azerbaijan and Armenia sign historic peace deal mediated by Trump, ending nearly four decades of conflict
Pashinyan described the deal as “opening a chapter of peace,” adding, “We are laying the foundations for a better story than the one we had in the past.”
Trump, who called the agreement a “historic success,” emphasized that previous mediators—including the EU and Russia—had failed to resolve the decades-long dispute. “They suffered greatly for so many years… but with this accord, we finally succeeded in making peace,” he said.
The breakthrough follows Azerbaijan’s lightning military campaign in September 2023, which reestablished Baku’s control over Karabakh. Over the past year, the two countries engaged in direct talks—without third-party mediation—that steadily paved the way to Friday’s signing.
Azerbaijan and Armenia sign historic peace deal mediated by Trump, ending nearly four decades of conflict
A key element of the accord is the creation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, a major transit corridor linking mainland Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. The route, operating under Armenian law, is expected to boost trade, attract investment, and strengthen regional connectivity while respecting Armenia’s sovereignty.
The agreement effectively sidelines Moscow from the South Caucasus peace process. Both nations also agreed to dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group, a body established in 1992 to mediate the Karabakh conflict. By signing in Washington alongside the U.S. president, Armenia and Azerbaijan are signaling a pivot toward the West and a reduced reliance on Russian mediation.
Russia has reacted with hostility, launching disinformation campaigns targeting Pashinyan, accusing him of “selling out” Armenian sovereignty, and reviving unfounded allegations of U.S.-run bioweapons labs in the region—similar to narratives Moscow has used against Ukraine and Georgia.
Tensions between Baku and Moscow have also worsened after an investigation revealed that an Azerbaijani passenger jet crash in Kazakhstan last December was caused by Russian air defense fire over Grozny. Aliyev has vowed to take the case to international courts, even if it takes “10 years” to achieve justice.
The European Union welcomed the peace deal, calling it “a path to lasting, sustainable peace” and urging both nations to implement the agreed steps to ensure smooth normalization of relations.
The signing marks not only the end of a decades-long war but also a recalibration of power in the South Caucasus—one where the U.S., not Russia, now plays the central role in securing peace.
Zungula demands action against Minister Gayton McKenzie over racist posts
African Transformation Movement (ATM) Member of Parliament Vuyo Zungula has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to take urgent action against Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie after controversial old social media posts resurfaced.
The posts feature McKenzie using the highly offensive K-word to describe Black South Africans, sparking widespread outrage.
Zungula condemned the language and questioned whether McKenzie’s remarks align with the Government of National Unity’s commitment to inclusivity. “Mr President, you appointed a Minister who has publicly uttered deeply offensive and despicable words against Black people. Is this really the vision of unity?” Zungula wrote, demanding swift accountability.
The issue has ignited a firestorm online, with related hashtags trending across social media platforms.
Opposition party ActionSA, led by Herman Mashaba, has also filed a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission, accusing McKenzie of using “hateful Apartheid-era slurs” aimed at degrading Black South Africans.
The ATM, known for its focus on governance and accountability, has previously pushed for investigations into high-profile controversies such as the Phala Phala scandal.
With no official response yet from McKenzie or the presidency, the nation awaits clarity on how this sensitive matter will be addressed.
ActionSA reports Gayton McKenzie to SAHRC over alleged racist social media posts
ActionSA has lodged a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) against Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.
The party accuses McKenzie of using racist language in social media posts, including derogatory slurs from the Apartheid era that demean black South Africans.
The complaint comes as old tweets by Minister McKenzie have been resurfacing since last night, in which he referred to black South Africans using the highly offensive term “k**fir.” These posts have intensified calls for accountability and sparked widespread outrage on social media.
This move follows heightened scrutiny of McKenzie’s public statements, especially after his legal threats against the Open Chats Podcast, which faced backlash for offensive comments about the Coloured community.
ActionSA MP Alan Beesley condemned McKenzie’s remarks as “indefensible” and contrary to South Africa’s constitutional commitment to non-racialism.
McKenzie’s complaint against the podcast came after an episode aired controversial claims about Coloured families, prompting widespread outrage. Though the podcast apologized and removed the episode, McKenzie insisted on legal action citing hate speech and crimen injuria.
McKenzie, leader of the Patriotic Alliance, initially blamed the SABC for the podcast but later apologized after confirming no connection. He dismissed the allegations against his social media history as a “hilarious” smear campaign, reiterating his commitment to unity between Coloured and black communities.
The SAHRC is expected to review the complaints amid ongoing debates about race, free speech, and accountability in South African politics.
Mandela challenges Gayton McKenzie to public debate on racism in South Africa
Activist Melisizwe Mandela has issued a public challenge to Minister Gayton McKenzie, calling for an open debate on the meaning of racism in South Africa.
Mandela’s challenge comes after the Minister made bold public statements on the issue that Mandela describes as “wrong and dangerous.”
In a statement, Mandela accused Minister McKenzie of misdefining racism as mere personal hatred, arguing instead that racism in South Africa is a systemic issue rooted in white supremacy.
Mandela emphasized that racism has shaped the country’s economy, land ownership, and political institutions to exclude and dominate Black South Africans including African, Coloured, and Indian communities.
Mandela also criticized the Minister for labeling recent podcast comments by youth as racism, clarifying that while the remarks were wrong, they represent ethnic prejudice or tribalism rather than racism.
He insisted that Coloured people are part of the broader Black community oppressed under apartheid’s white supremacist system, warning that denying this fuels division and revives harmful apartheid-era thinking.
The activist framed the proposed debate as a non-political, educational effort to dismantle lies and unite South Africans against structural inequality. “If Minister McKenzie believes in his words, he will not shy away from this challenge,” Mandela said, calling on the Minister to prove his statements can withstand open scrutiny.
The challenge is now public, and South Africans await Minister McKenzie’s response.
EFF demands immediate removal of Gayton McKenzie over racist remarks
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called for the immediate dismissal of Sports, Arts & Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, citing a long history of hateful and racist remarks against Black people.
The party accuses McKenzie of using derogatory language, including the apartheid-era slur “k*ffir,” to describe Black people, and attributing anti-Black sentiments to historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi.
The controversy erupted after resurfaced old tweets from McKenzie’s social media, containing offensive language including the racial slur known as the “K-word,” sparked public outrage.
The party asserts that McKenzie’s position in a ministry tasked with promoting unity and inclusion sends a message that the government condones racism from politically connected individuals.
McKenzie has yet to respond to the EFF’s latest accusations, but his office previously defended his actions during the Olympics expenditure controversy.
The call for his removal adds pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa, who must now address the escalating political and ethical scrutiny surrounding the minister.
Zimbabwe’s ZANUPF has elevated sanctioned Zimbabwean businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei to its Central Committee, positioning him as a frontrunner to succeed President Emmerson Mnangagwa. This move sidelines Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who faces a critical juncture in his political career.
Since the removal of the running mate clause, which allowed Mnangagwa to avoid designating a successor, Chiwenga’s path to power has been fraught. Mnangagwa’s strategic maneuvering has politically encircled Chiwenga, but the general is not out of the race unless he chooses not to fight. His fate hinges on military support. Allegations swirl that key military figures, including the wife of the 2017 coup’s Presidential Guard commander, back Tagwirei, whose vast wealth is reportedly smoothing his ascent.
Why Tagwirei?
Mnangagwa seeks to secure his and his family’s protection from prosecution, fearing Chiwenga’s potential retribution. Tagwirei is seen as a shield, safeguarding Mnangagwa’s allies—such as George Guvamatanga, Ziyambi Ziyambi, Virginia Mabhiza, and Vimbai Nyemba—and their criminal networks.
Chiwenga’s Challenges
Chiwenga’s team remains elusive, possibly by design or due to disorganization, leaving diplomats unclear on his stance. Meanwhile, Mnangagwa has fortified regional alliances through envoys like Wicknell Chivayo, leveraging business deals to cement support. This makes a coup unlikely, as Mnangagwa has learned from Mugabe’s vulnerabilities during the 2017 ouster.
A Narrow Path Forward
Chiwenga enjoys public support, not for his leadership, but due to widespread disdain for Mnangagwa amid Zimbabwe’s economic woes. Without mobilizing ZANUPF’s grassroots to counter Mnangagwa’s machine, Chiwenga’s only viable option may be a military coup, potentially emulating Sahel-style takeovers that prioritize domestic control over international approval. If he hesitates, Mnangagwa’s camp may move to eliminate him entirely, which could finally provoke a decisive response.
From the look of things, if nothing happens from Chiwenga’s camp, Tagwirei might just be the next President of Zimbabwe.
Federal law enforcement is set to flood Washington, D.C. streets for the next week in an intensified crime crackdown ordered by President Donald Trump. The move reignites his long-standing suggestion that the federal government should take back control of the capital.
Announcing the plan late Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the nation’s capital “an amazing city” but one that “has been plagued by violent crime for far too long.” She said Trump has “directed an increased presence of federal law enforcement to protect innocent citizens” and warned that “there will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in D.C.”
The heightened deployment begins at midnight, with U.S. Park Police leading the first wave after an 11 p.m. roll call at a command center. The seven-day operation, which can be extended “as needed,” falls under Trump’s earlier executive order creating the Making DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force.
According to the White House, personnel from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Capitol Police, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Protective Service, the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C., will be on the streets in marked units and clearly identifiable. Police forces for Amtrak and the city’s Metro rail system are also taking part.
Despite the announcement, a two-hour survey of the city between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. Friday revealed nothing like the multi-agency surge the administration described. Aside from a visible but routine Metropolitan Police Department presence in nightlife hubs such as 14th Street and Florida Avenue, there were no obvious signs of the coordinated federal force.
Trump, who has frequently claimed the city is unsafe, has also taken to criticizing trash, graffiti, and urban decay in recent weeks. His latest order followed a high-profile attempted carjacking last weekend targeting Edward Coristine, better known as “Big Balls”, a key figure in the Department of Government Efficiency, which was created to slash jobs and reduce the federal workforce. Two 15-year-olds have been arrested, and authorities are searching for more suspects.
“If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that they’re not going to get away with it anymore,” Trump warned on Truth Social earlier in the week.
He has also floated repealing the Home Rule Act of 1973, the law that grants the District limited self-governance, or even deploying the National Guard “maybe very quickly.” Such steps would face major political pushback. “We have a capital that’s very unsafe,” Trump told reporters. “We have to run D.C.”
US suspends routine visas from Zimbabwe amid overstay concerns
The US has paused all routine visa applications from Zimbabwe starting August 7, 2025, citing a 10.57% overstay rate among Zimbabwean tourists.
The suspension affects tourist, student, and exchange visas but excludes most diplomatic visas.
This move is part of broader US immigration enforcement targeting several African countries.
No end date has been given, and applicants should monitor embassy updates. The decision disrupts travel, study, and business plans for many Zimbabweans.
A former Biden Pentagon official told CNN viewers Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin just proved who holds “all the cards” after news dropped he would meet with President Donald Trump in Alaska.
Sabrina Singh joined “The Lead” with fill-in host Phil Mattingly and Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt to discuss Trump’s announcement on Truth Social.
“The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska. Further details to follow,” wrote Trump.
Mattingly turned to his guests for their reactions.
“I’m not surprised by an awful lot these days, but the speed with which this happened — and also the location in Alaska — what’s your big-picture sense of things right now?” Mattingly asked Kimmitt.
Kimmitt shrugged off the news but noted it opens the door to discussing a potential ceasefire in Ukraine.
“Well, first of all, I think Alaska is halfway between Moscow… it’s really just that simple,” he said, noting Putin can’t go to Europe.
“It’s fast, but it is not, in my mind, unusual. We’ve been negotiating with Putin for months and months,” he added.
Even so, Kimmit warned he’s pessimistic that Trump will succeed.
“I’m not the slightest bit optimistic about what we’re going to see, but it’s good that they’re talking,” he concluded.
Singh, however, called the announcement shocking.
“I mean, I’m shocked that this meeting is actually being held in the United States. I think that’s giving incredible deference to someone that invaded a sovereign country. This is a war of choice that Putin started back in 2022,” she began.
Singh felt the meeting ought to have been held in the Middle East or outside the United States. She warned that Putin has proved he can “move the chess pieces on the board in his favor,” and that he’s gotten the Trump administration to “cater to a lot of his demands.”
“In fact, holding it in Alaska is just even more proof that Putin really is holding the cards here,” she said.
PsyPost reports a new psychological study has found that people who claim favorable views of President Donald Trump also tend to score higher on measures of callousness, manipulation, and other malevolent traits—and lower on empathy and compassion.
“Our findings suggest a link between malevolent personality and conservative political ideology, which in our study included positive view of Trump, and that persons with malevolent personality dispositions view political figures with malevolent traits favorably,” said study author Craig Neumann, a Regents Professor of Psychology at the University of North Texas. “Further, people who view malevolent political figures favorably also report less empathy for others and enjoy the suffering of others.”
The paper, which was several years in the making, “was designed to address why some people might view favorably a political figure with a history of business failures, bankruptcies, misogynistic statements caught on video, use of charity money for a self-portrait, etc,” said Neuman.
PsyPost said researchers conducted two large surveys with a total of more than 9,000 U.S. participants. The first sample consisted of 1,000 men recruited online, about one-third of whom were racial or ethnic minorities. The second sample included 8,047 men and women who completed personality questionnaires on a public psychology website. Participants in both samples completed a range of validated questionnaires measuring political attitudes, personality traits, and empathy, researchers say.
In “Sample 1”, researchers measured social dominance orientation (the belief that some groups should dominate others), right-wing authoritarianism (support for conformity, obedience, and traditional norms), and psychopathic traits. In “Sample 2,” researchers say they added measures of broader malevolent traits (psychopathy, Machiavellianism, narcissism) and benevolent traits (humanism, faith in humanity and respect for others).
The findings “consistently showed people who identified as politically conservative—and especially those who rated Trump’s presidency highly—were more likely to score higher on measures of authoritarianism, social dominance, and malevolent personality traits,” reports PsyPost.
In the first sample of men, all three predictors — social dominance, authoritarianism, and psychopathic tendencies — predicted conservative ideology and favorable views of Trump, but only for white participants.
The report also revealed that while both men and women showed similar patterns, the associations were stronger for men
