Posts in category: Uncategorized

The hospital where I practice recently admitted a 14-year-old girl with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, to our outpatient program. She was referred to us six months earlier, in October 2022, but at the time we were at capacity. Although we tried to refer her to several other hospitals, they too were full. During that six-month wait, she attempted suicide.

By NATIONAL REPORTER 

 A SECRET, covert and nocturnal recruitment of the UPND cadres into the Office of the President Special Division has been exposed.

Mutotwe Kafwaya, the Patriotic Front (PF) Lunte Member of Parliament has revealed that the UPND government has been undertaking the recruit of its cadres into the country’s intelligence system at the expense of many graduate youths.

Mr Kafwaya said the new dawn had undertaken to nepotically recruit about 150 of its cadres into Zambia’s intelligence system without advertising either internally or externally.

And sources within the Office of the President Special Division have confirmed the secret recruitment and that much of the system was not aware about the exercise.

The sources said it was true the government had clandestinely recruited about 150 youths believed to be either cadres of the governing party relatives of senior government and party officials.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Chipoka Mulenga called in and said that the Lunte lawmaker was not being factual about the recruitment and needed to be factual.

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For the first time, researchers have found a potential drug candidate that improved outcomes for patients with a type of childhood brain tumor for which there are no effective treatments. The compound, called ONC201, nearly doubled survival for patients with diffuse midline glioma (DMG) or diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), compared to previous patients.

By GIDEON NYENDWA in Chifunabuli 

PUMA Energy Zambia Plc, one of the leading oil marketing companies in Zambia has launched its first customised service station to cater for rural communities, in Chifunabuli, Luapula Province.

President Hakainde Hichilema in a speech by the Minister of Energy, Mr Peter Kapala when he officially launched the Puma Service Station said Government will develop a framework which would provide incentives for private sector to develop service station in rural areas.

Mr Hichilema said Government would continue to leverage private sector financing in the energy sector to improve access to energy services in the rural areas.

He said one of the major drives as of the administration was to transform the country by improving the lives of the citizens nationwide and that development must be shared equitably amongst all.

Mr Hichilema said people living in rural areas must not be denied the fruits of development merely on account that they live far away from the city.

“I am also glad to note that in addition to access to petroleum products, the modular service station will also house a bank and a pharmacy. I wish to convey appreciation to Zanaco for partnering with Puma Energy  in providing financial services for the people of Chifunabuli,” President Hichilema said. 

He said the investment that had been made by Puma Energy was in line with the government’s aspirations to foster inclusive economic growth in rural areas.

And Puma Energy Zambia Managing Director, Patricio Chababo said Puma Energy believe in more than just providing petroleum products but also in energizing the communities they have the privilege of serving. 

“And our presence here today, is a reflection of this belief and our dedication in supporting government’s efforts to encourage private sector participation in the development agenda of the country and to improving energy access across Zambia,”  Mr Chababo said.

Mr Chaboba said their commitment to renewable energy was resolute, they were embarking on a journey to roll out LPG across Zambia, an initiative set to benefit over 85,000 households.

He said they were also solarising their operations across their facilities in line with the commitment to deliver lower carbon and clean energy solutions.

Mr Chababo also said in line with their shared commitment, the Chifunabuli service Station was the first of many because over the next few years, they would be opening an additional 24 stations in rural areas across Zambia. 

He said their commitment to invest approximately K150 million in the rollout of rural services stations over the next threee years was a testimony to their shared goal of development and progress.

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By NATION REPORTER 

THE Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Zambia is deeply concerned about the current state of food security in Zambia and has demanded for urgent action from Government.

Kasonde Mwenda, the EFF President says the party has observed two primary variables that were contributing to the alarming climate change situation, which include poor policy direction of the UPND government and the adverse impacts of climate change.

Mr Mwenda said the EFF had noticed with grave concern that several decisions made by the UPND government had contributed to the decline in food security. 

“One such decision is the export of maize to neighbouring countries. While we acknowledge the importance of regional cooperation and trade, it is essential to prioritise our own citizens’ food security before fulfilling external demands. By exporting maize when we are already facing a shortage, UPND’s policy direction raises serious concerns about the well-being of Zambians,” Mr Mwenda said.

He said the party had observed the phasing out of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) subsidy, which had traditionally played a critical role in supporting small-scale farmers and ensuring their ability to produce enough food for their families and the nation was a threat to food security.

Mr Mwenda said the selling of maize and mealie meal had undermined the country’s food security and placed the livelihoods of countless farmers at risk.

He said Zambia, like many other countries, was facing the adverse impacts of climate change, erratic weather patterns, prolonged droughts, and other climatic disturbances, which had already begun affecting agricultural production. 

He feared that the climatic changes would undoubtedly result in lower yields of maize, as well as other cash crops, posing a significant threat to our food security.

“The combination of poor government policies in the agricultural sector and the impacts of climate change is a recipe for disaster. The EFF Zambia fears that if urgent action is not taken to address these issues, the consequences for our food security will be severe, potentially leading to increased hunger, malnutrition, and poverty across the nation,” Mr Mwenda said.

Mr Mwenda is now urging the UPND government to reconsider its policies in the agricultural sector and prioritize the food security of Zambian citizens. 

“Our government must take decisive actions to support local farmers, ensure adequate subsidies are in place, and develop sustainable strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on agricultural production,” he said.

He said according to the crop forecasting survey results, the food security status for the 2022/2023 marketing season showed that the production of maize was expected to decrease by 25.24 per cent, from 3,620,244 metric tons in the recorded 2020/2021 season to 2,706,243 metric tons.

“Food security is not only crucial for the well-being of our people but also a matter of national security. We cannot afford to neglect the interests of our citizens, especially when it comes to one of the most basic human rights – access to sufficient and nutritious food. Failure to address the current state of food security in Zambia could have dire consequences, jeopardizing the stability and security of the nation as a whole,” Mr Mwenda said.

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A pioneering scientific study has shown that the effects of multiple concussions in rugby players continue to have an impact on their brain even in retirement. Led by a team of researchers at the Neurovascular Research Laboratory, University of South Wales, the study examined the impact of recurrent concussions sustained over two decades of playing rugby union.

…people should prepare for hard times ahead under the UPND administration, says Hon Kampyongo

FORMER Home Affairs Minister Hon Stephen Kampyongo says serious hunger is looming in the country and people should prepare for hard times.

Mr Kampyongo, who is also Shiwang’andu Member of Parliament said this at Kabungo Primary School in Chinsali District where he had accompanied his Chinsali Central counterpart Kalalwe Mukosa for a meeting with the residents of Kabungo village.

Mr Kampyongo said it was not a secret that the prices of mealie meal had skyrocketed making it unaffordable for most citizens.

He accused the UPND government of mismanaging the agriculture sector, saying the new dawn had failed to support local farmers who greatly contribute to food security of the country.

And Mr Mukosa encouraged the residents to use available initiatives such as CDF to access funds that may help improve the living standards.

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By LUCY PHIRI 

A CASE in which Economic and Equity (EEP)  leader, Chilufya Tayali is charged  with harassing Chief Mukuni  using internet yesterday failed to take off because the trial court was not present.

Lusaka Magistrate Constance Kasankala mentioned the matter on behalf of Lusaka principal magistrate Sylvia Munyinya and adjourned it to August 16 2023 for continued trial.

Tayali is charged with one count of harassment utilising means of electronic communication.

Tayali  is alleged to have  on  November 10, 2022 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, with intent to harass and cause emotional distress by use of computer system went live on his Facebook page dubbed EEP President Chilufya Tayali an online social media platform and did issue a statement against  Chief Munokaliya Siloka Mukuni in which he stated, “Chief Mukuni is behind the gassing crimes that characterized the country between 2019 and 2020 for purpose of getting Hakainde Hichilema out of prison.

On July 24, 2023, Ms Munyinya summoned Chief Mukuni to appear before her yesterday and re-testify in the matter following evidence from Assistant Director in charge of Chiefs Affairs at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development that Chief Munokaliya Siloka Mukuni of the Toka Leya speaking people of Kazungula district in Southern province is not a Senior Chief as mentioned in the charge sheet because there is no such a position.

Mr. James Chileshe said according to his records, there was no senior chief Mukuni position existing but there was only the position of chief Mukuni and not Senior Chief Mukuni because the title doesn’t exist on the records.

After Mr Chileshe’s testimony, the prosecution amended the charge sheet to that of Chief Mukuni and not senior chief.

Ms Munyinya later summoned the chief to reappear before her to testify in his capacity as chief Mukuni and not what he had testified as senior Chief Mukuni.

When the matter was called out yesterday before Lusaka resident magistrate Kasankala, State prosecutor, Fredrick Nsama informed the court that the accused persons was before court  and the matter was scheduled for mentioning because Ms Munyinya who was handling the case was not present.

Ms Kasankala adjourned the case to August 16 for continued trial and warned the witness who were before court to make sure they appear on August 16, 2023.

However, Chief Mukuni did not appear before court. 

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BUSINESSMAN Francis Muchemwa, popularly, Commander II is on the verge of being single as his wife, who is tired of his alleged violent behavior, has asked the court to end their 10-year marriage. Totiwe Tembo had told the Lusaka High Court that she cannot stand Mr Muchemwa’s unreasonable behaviour which includes threats to kill her […]

A 26-YEAR-OLD youth who chose to have a glass of water from the Court of Appeal but by allegedly breaking into the building, has been arrested and taken to court. Charles Chinete, 26, a Zimbabwean, has been charged with breaking into a building and committing a felony and is currently appearing before the Lusaka Magistrate’s […]