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President Edgar Lungu sad at the demise of two traditional leaders

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1 month ago

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PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has expressed regret at the demise of two traditional leaders.

And the President says the loss of renowned Zambian Jesuit priest of Irish origin Professor Father Michael Kelly is a great loss to the nation.

Meanwhile, the Head of State has sympathised with the bereaved family of the late former Deputy Gender Minister and past Patriotic Front Member of Parliament for Chililabombwe Constituency Esther Banda.

In a media statement issued by special assistant to the President for press and public relations, Isaac Chimpampe, President Lungu said he regrets the demise of His Royal Highness Chief Mukwikile of the Bemba speaking people of Shiwang’andu District in Muchinga Province who died on Sunday, January 17 this year.

“On behalf of the Government, the people of Zambia and indeed on my own behalf, l wish to convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved Royal family, relatives and the people of Shiwang’andu District. May the Almighty God grant them peace as they go through this difficult situation. May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace,” he said.

The President also expressed saddened at the death of His Royal Highness Chief Kucheka of the Luvale speaking people of Zambezi District in North Western Province who passed away on January 8, this year.

“On behalf of the Government, the people of Zambia and indeed on my on behalf, l wish to convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved Royal family and the people of Zambezi District. It is my sincere prayer that the family and the entire district will find solace and fortitude in the Almighty God. May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace,” reads part of the President’s message of condolences.

Meanwhile, President Lungu said the death of renowned Zambian Jesuit priest of Irish origin Professor Kelly who passed away at the age of 92 is a great loss to the nation.

He commended the significant contribution and distinguished service that Professor Kelly made to Zambia’s the education sector and as a campaigner in the fight against HIV/AIDS and overall development.

“On behalf of the Zambian Government, the people and indeed on my own behalf, we share in your grief and pray the Almighty God may grant you fortitude and solace during this difficult time. May the soul of Professor Kelly rest in eternal peace,” the President said.

And the Head of State
has sympathised with the bereaved family of the late Mrs Banda who died on January 17, this year.

The President regrets the demise of Mrs Banda who served as Deputy Gender Minister between 2011 and 2016.

“Mrs Banda was an asset not only to the Patriotic Front but the entire nation. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia, the people and indeed on my own behalf, l wish to convey sincere condolences to the bereaved family. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.

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We ask for your prayers for peace and unity, President Edgar Lungu asks the church

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6 hours ago

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March 6, 2021

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PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has urged the church to continue praying for peace and unity to prevail as the country head towards the General Elections on  August 12 this year.
Speaking today at the 20th Anniversary of Bible Gospel Church in Africa at Holy Ghost Centre, Matero, President Lungu said the country needs peace and unity before, during and after the elections.
He also reiterated that Zambia is a christian nation hence it is expected that the church will live up to that declaration.
“We should all work together as a nation to ensure that we practice and live the marks of true christianity which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control,” President Lungu said.
He said government will continue to look up to the church for spiritual and moral guidance, including engaging the church in the fight against Gender Based Violence, child marriages and corruption which greatly affect people and retard development.
He also urged the clergy, women and the youth in churches to form cooperatives for them to benefit from the government empowerment fund initiatives.
“As christians we cannot continue to sit back hence the need for us to get involved in initiatives that are aimed at improving our lives.
Brothers and sisters in christ, I believe that the church has not been spared from the devastating impact of the covid-19 pandemic. it is, therefore, imperative that empowerment initiatives are put in place to cushion the impact caused by the pandemic,” he said.
President further said Government will continue to work with the church in efforts aimed at improving communities.
“In this vein, I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to bigoca for sinking 87 boreholes in the last eight years in various parts of our country. this has enabled people in those communities to access clean drinking water,” the President said.
(Picture by Diamond TV)

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Nelson Phiri, gave orders to police officers to fire at the people that had gathered, HRC says

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2 days ago

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March 4, 2021

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FINDINGS into the shooting of State prosecutor Nsama Nsama and United Party for National Development (UPND) supporter Joseph Kaunda have revealed  former Lusaka Province Commissioner of Police, Nelson Phiri, gave orders to police officers to fire at the people that had gathered.
The Commission has since recommended that he must be jointly charged with the case of murder together with the subordinate police officer or police officers who took his orders to shoot  Mr Nsama and Mr Kaunda.
Speaking this morning in Lusaka, Human Rights Commission chairperson Muford Mwandenga said the police command were directly linked to the indiscriminate use of live ammunition which killed the duo.
He said the Commission’s investigations further revealed that police fired teargas canisters and live ammunition to disperse an unarmed crowd that had gathered at the Police Headquarters to offer solidarity Mr Hichilema.
And Mr Mwandenga said comments by some members of the Executive may have contributed to police violence on unarmed citizens
“A few days before the fatal shootings, the Minister of Home Affairs, Stephen Kampyongo, issued a statement warning that no person or groups of persons would be allowed at or near the premises of the Zambia Police Service Headquarters where the opposition leader would appear for interviews. He warned that those who would defy the order would be met with police force.
Lusaka Province Minister Hon. Bowman Lusambo specifically directed the Lusaka Commissioner of Police, Mr Phiri to deal with anyone who would offer solidarity to Mr. Hichilema,” he said.
Mr Mwandenga said the Commission strongly believes that such statements from some members of the executive could have contributed to arbitrary action by the police which resulted into the shoot to death of the duo.
He further said the estates of the deceased should be adequately compensated by the State.
“The Zambia Police Service should also desist from taking actions which are likely to result in the gross violation of human rights such as extra-judicial killing, arbitrary arrests and detentions and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of participants in assemblies whether lawful or not,” he said.
Mr Nsama and Kaunda were shot dead near police headquarters when police summoned UPND president Hakainde Hichilema.

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Public confidence in the Zambia Police Service is low, President Edgar Lungu says

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4 days ago

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March 3, 2021

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PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has expressed concern that the public confidence in the police service is low.

Speaking when he swore in Patrick Mutale as chairperson of the Police Public Complaints Commission and Brigadier General Dr Frida Kazembe (RTD) as chairperson of the Zambia Correctional Service Commission, President Lungu said it is up to the police, to regain confidence through their actions.

He urged Mr Mutale to prepare adequately to receive and resolve complaints from the public fairly but firmly as the country heads towards the 2021 general elections.

“There is urgent need for the police service to address these public concerns if the people of Zambia are to regain confidence in them. I, therefore, expect you to use the 34 years of experience you have gained as a lawyer in both the government, where you rose to the position of deputy chief state advocate and the private practice, to turn around the negative public perceptions of the police service,” he said.

And the Head of State has called on Dr Kazembe to immediately start addressing staff welfare issues such as timely appointments, promotions transfers and retirements in the correctional service.

He also urged her to work on the harmonization of conditions of service for correctional facility officers.

“I am aware that prior to your retirement in 2011, you served the public service for 41 years having joined the Zambia army in 1980 as an officer cadet and later rose to serve in various senior positions. Your loyalty to the command and commitment to duty earned you the appointment of the first female general in the Zambia army in 2009. This is an enviable and admirable achievement.

I am, therefore, confident that given your rich professional experience in the defense force, you will, without doubt, diligently apply yourself to ensure that the Zambia correctional service commission is efficiently and effectively operationalized,” President Lungu said.

(Picture by State House)

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Foxdale Forest – Phase 2 Selling

ZAMBIA: COVID-19 STATS

06 Mar 2021, 9:56 AM (GMT)

Zambia Stats

82,011 Total Cases
1,116 Deaths
77,609 Recovered

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