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By GRACE CHAILE

SENIOR Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of the Soli people of Chongwe district has sued the State demanding that the soldiers unconditionally surrender back possession of the forcefully encroached land to her chiefdom.

Senior Chief Nkomesha is further demanding that the State compensates the affected families whose houses and property were damaged by military personel a sum of K20 million.

She is also claiming K5 million as damages for stress, mental anguish and inconvenience her subjects suffered.

Chieftainess Nkomeshya explained in a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court that sometime in June, 2023, her headman Mwalukanga within the Busoli Chiefdom was visited by two motor vehicles full of soldiers.

“They asked to be given some land where they could train in preparation for their peace keeping outreach program and the said training program was scheduled to last for two weeks and were given permission accordingly,” she said. 

The plaintiff was, however, shocked when the soldiers refused to leave continued training and consequently started placing beacons and demarcating the land for construction of housing units and other projects.

She stated that the said soldiers went further to displace and demolish the resident’s houses without any Court Order whatsoever.

Chieftainess Nkomeshya claimed soldiers with guns have been deployed in an attempt to scare the local people and grab the land by force through illegal means.

She stated that over 15 houses have been demolished, an act which she termed as being illegal and an affront to the principals of natural justice in that they do not have the right to summarily enter the said lands and forcibly grab land under the guise of military training.

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…as he, three others finally appear in court charged with the offence of terrorism  

BY GRACE CHAILE

FORMER President Edgar Lungu’s political advisor, Chris Zumani Zimba and three others have denied committing terrorism acts.

Zimba, 44, of Chongwe is jointly charged for terrorism with Given Phiri, 36, a businessman, Marlone Banda, 34, also a businessman of Ten Miles and Portipher Gwai, 44, a nurse of Lusaka’s Mtendere Township.

Zimba is charged with one count of Aiding of terrorism acts Contrary to Section 28 of the Anti-Terrorism and Non- Proliferation Act, 2018 as read with Act No 6 of 2023 of the Laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that Zimba on unknown dates but between February 1 and 22, 2020 in Lusaka, did aid Phiri and Banda to conduct terrorist act or proliferation in Petauke district of the Eastern Province.

Phiri and Banda are facing possession of terrorism articles Contrary to Section 25 of the Anti-Terrorism and Non- Proliferation Act, 2018 as read with Act No 6 of 2023 of the Laws of Zambia while Gwai is facing one count of procuring of terrorism articles contrary to Section 28 of the Anti-Terrorism and Non- Proliferation Act, 2018 as read with Act No 6 of 2023 of the Laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that Phiri and Banda on dates unknown but between February 22 and 23, 2020 in Petauke jointly and whilst acting together did possess 1 bottle of 250ML Halothane, 1 bottle of 350ML deep 600 and 1 Bottle of 250ML forane isoflurand BP articles for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism or proliferation. 

Gwai on unknown dates but between February 1 and  22, 2020 in Lusaka, is alleged to have  procured  1 bottle of 250ML Halothane, 1bottle of 350ML deep 600 and 1 Bottle of 250ML forane isoflurand articles used for the commission of a terrorist act or proliferation. Appearing before Lusaka High Court Judge Koreen Etambuyu Mwenda-Zimba on Monday, the four pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Defense lawyer, Benjamin Mwelwa made an oral application for constitutional bail but was advised by Judge Mwenda to make a formal application.

The matter has been adjourned to September 7, 2023, for commencement of trial.

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Using a standardized assessment, researchers in the UK compared the performance of a commercially available artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm with human readers of screening mammograms. Results of their findings were published in Radiology.

THE Seventh-Day Adventist Master Guide who was recently arrested and charged for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old has appeared in court. Collins Chinkwangala, 40, who worships from Guide of Cornerstone Congregation in Chawama Township, is charged with defilement of a child. When the case was called today before the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court, a state prosecutor informed […]

IN a studio bustling with excitement, a comedic legend celebrates his tenth anniversary in comedy. Hubert Mumba, better known by his stage name, Chingliz, shares his journey from an engineering student to the beacon of laughter he has become today. He is not only one of the masterminds behind the phenomenal Night of Laughter on […]

A 38-year-old University of Zambia (UNZA) student of Lusaka’s Makeni area behind a shooting incident at the school’s girls hostel has been arrested . George Banda is alleged to have gone to the girls hostel looking for his girlfriend only known as Elizabeth and decided to shoot into the door of her room. The suspects […]

…millers question formation of Task Force on high cost of mealie meal, say reasons for the rising cost of the staple food are known and solutions are available

By NATION REPORTERS

THE Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) has questioned the rationale behind the setting up of a task force on mealie meal, saying there are economic dynamics, which are neither social nor political, driving mealie meal prices.

Responding to a query on the formation of a task force on mealie meal by government, MAZ president Andrew Chintala said: “We do not require a task force because what is happening is an economic activity and not a social or political activity. Hence this makes it unnecessary to have a task force (on mealie meal).”

Mr. Chintala said there was need to appreciate the dynamics of the industry that were affecting mealie meal pricing; ranging from the cost of inputs, to the cost at which the maize was being procured, and also the cost of processing and value addition. 

“Solutions to address the pricing of mealie meal are there already, if there is a need for any interventions,” Mr. Chintala said.

He stated that the process of stabilizing the cost of mealie meal would have to scrutinize the entire maize production and processing value chain and pinpoint the price triggers, which should be addressed. 

President Hakainde Hichilema has assured Zambians that he is cognizant of the spike in mealie meal prices and is working at finding a solution that would keep the cost of the commodity, which is staple food for most Zambians, in check.

Prices for mealie meal have in recent times ranged between K180 and K200 for a 25 kilogram bag of roller meal, while that of breakfast meal has been fetching around K260 and K280 for a 25 kilogram bag, a development that has stirred concern within government ranks, resulting into the formation of the task force.

The task force comprises of the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane,   Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo- Phiri and Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga.

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SENIOR Chieftainess Nkomesha Mukamabo II of the Soli people in Chongwe has sued the State demanding that soldiers who forcefully encroached on her land to surrender it back to her chiefdom. The traditional leader further seeks an order that the affected families who were on the land be compensated for loss of their Houses and […]

By Nation Reporter 

THE invitation of former President Edgar Lungu to the inauguration of Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa is a mark of confidence and the friendship which the two sister nations have cultured over time in the region, Davis Chama has observed.

Mr Chama the Patriotic Front (PF) national chairman says the invitation to former President Lungu by President Mnangagwa is also a symbol of the respect Zambia is accorded within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) regions.

Mr Chama said in an interview yesterday that while he could not speak on behalf of former President Lungu, the PF was pleased with the invitation of Zambia’s Sixth President by the Zimbabwean Government.

“The stance which Zambia’s late founding President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda took during Zimbambwe’s independence struggle is being recognized. The role Zambia played in the liberation of Zimbabwe is firm in the region and in Africa. By inviting our Sixth President (former President Lungu), Zimbabwe has merely acknowledged Zambia’s role in its liberation from colonial rule,” Mr Chama said. 

Mr Chama stated that as a party, PF felt honored and appreciated by the gesture extended to Mr Lungu to attend the inauguration of President Mnangagwa.

He stated that just as ZANU-PF stood for the emancipation of Africa, so did the PF, adding that the party which stood for Africans would not support the oppressors. 

“The PF stands for non-alignment because the former ruling party and Zambia as a country has friends in the West, East, South and all parts of the world. The PF believes in the non-alignment of any block of the geo-politics and will not align itself to any power blocks in the world,” Mr Chama who is also former Minister of Defense said.  He explained that the ZANU-PF was of the like-mind with Zambians who did not want neo-colonialism.

“No one can break the friendship between the people of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Anyone who undermines the principle of friendship between the two countries has basically declared war on what the liberators of Zambia had stood for,” Mr Chama warned.

He said the PF was happy with the confidence that had been shown in former President Edgar Lungu, explaining that his party was of the belief that Zambia could be strengthened by such alliances that had been built over the years.

He observed that the relationship between Zambia and Zimbabwe was based on strong grounds and the personal invitation to the former head of State was of interest to Zimbabweans. 

“The PF supported the victory of the ZANU-PF in Zimbabwe. I convey the party’s solidarity message to the Zimbabwean Government,” Mr Chama said.

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By NATION REPORTER 

GOVERNANCE activist Isaac Mwanza has bemoaned the continued detention of Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) President Sean Tembo, who has already been charged with hate speech, saying he should either be released on bail or tried in the courts of law.

Mr. Mwanza said Mr. Tembo’s detention raises concerns about the respect for the rule of law and individual rights and has urged the Zambia Police Service to uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and respect for human rights as has always been espoused by President Hakainde Hichilema.

“It is essential to remember that in a democracy that values the rule of law, individuals accused of non-violent misdemeanors, like hate speech, should be granted the opportunity for bail. Denying Mr. Tembo access to police bond or court-ordered bail, especially when the offense is bailable, not only raises questions about due process but also goes against the principles of justice and fairness,” Mr. Mwanza said.

He said President Hichilema’s commitment to upholding the rule of law should extend to all citizens, regardless of their political beliefs or affiliation. 

“We recently saw Egyptians who were appearing in court at night in a fast-tracked court system but the same is not extended to citizens like Mr. Tembo,” he said.

Mr. Mwanza said respect for the rights and freedoms of individuals, including the right to a fair trial and bail for bailable offenses, was fundamental in maintaining a just and democratic society.

“I urge the Police to consider President Hichilema’s guidance on granting bail for bailable offenses, as this promotes a fair and inclusive society where all citizens are treated equitably under the law,” he said.

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