President Edgar Lungu has challenged investigative wings that probe corruption cases to be serious and conclusive in their operations.
President Lungu said those tasked with investigating such matters should inform him when they face challenges so that they can be provided with the help needed to execute their duties.
The Head of State made these remarks at State House in Lusaka today during a swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries.
“Right now there is talk of government being corrupt, no we are not corrupt but what is becoming obvious is that those who make noise about corruption fail to prove their actions and those who are charged with the responsibility of investigating corruption are not going out to investigate and bring this war to court,” the President explained.
Zambian President Edgar Lungu has sacked six permanent secretaries in the country.
In a statement issued by State House on Tuesday, the President sacked the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, Ms. Mulalelo Kakulubelwa, and her Local Government counterpart, Edward Chomba.
Others are – Auxilia Ponga (Tourism), Stardy Mwale, (Cabinet Office), Joe Kapembwa (Youth, Sports and Child Development), and Charles Sipanje (Northern Province).
Lungu also promoted directors from different ministries to fill the gaps created by the sack of the officials.
Those promoted are Lennox Kalonde, who was Director in the Ministry of Local Government and becomes Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Supply.
Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Elias Kamanga is concerned that churches and funerals have continued to be super-spreaders of covid-19 and has called for restricting to such public gatherings.
Mr. Kamanga notes that the death of a number of the clergy is evidence that the disease is being spread in places of worship saying more needs to be done to ensure adherence to health guidelines.
Speaking during a virtual covid-19 multi-sectoral committee meeting yesterday, Mr. Kamanga noted that people have continued to gather in large numbers in churches and funerals.
“This is the case even when the deceased is reported to have died from covid 19, people will be at funerals in large numbers disregarding the health guidelines,” he said.
By Dr Parkie Mbozi
IN LAST week’s article I elaborated the traditional functions of the mass media from normative and functionalist perspectives and how the media’s effective execution of these two functions will be crucial as Zambia goes to the polls this year. I further elaborated that an ‘ideal media’ will be crucial to ensuring that the 2021 elections are transparent, free and fair. The question is, how do we get the ‘ideal media’, that is judged as free, independent and, above all, ethical or professional during the elections and, more importantly, beyond August 2021?
The answer to this question, in my strongest of views, is going back to the drawing board, to the basics. That means another round of comprehensive media reforms, akin to the post-1991 reforms that the nation embarked on at the dawn of multiparty democracy under the Third Republic. The reforms culminated in very progressive pieces of legislation relating to freedom, independence and professionalism of
A 31 -year -old man of Muchinka, Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) in Mpika District of Muchinga Province has accidentally shot himself and is admitted at Chilonga Mission Hospital where he is receiving treatment.
Muchinga Province Police Commissioner Lizzie Machina has confirmed the incident to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Mpika today.
According to the Police Commissioner, the incident happened on Monday, 11th January at Muchinka Camp.
Ms. Machina disclosed that, Enock Nshimbi 31, of Muchinka ZAWA Camp who is also a Community Game Scout under ZAWA accidentally shot himself with an AK47 rifle.
She explained that the officer did not observe the normal safety precautions and did not realise that one bullet was still in the chamber when he pulled the trigger.