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HPCZ exam leaks, nine members of staff suspended

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THE Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) had disclosed that an intensive preliminary investigation has revealed a breach of theory examination papers for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) and Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) in the ongoing Professional Licensure Examinations (LEX).

In a statement,  HPCZ Registrar and Chief executive officer Professor Fastone Goma said the Council has therefore, nullified the MBChB examination which was written on Monday 18th September 2023.

He said a different theory paper will be set for the 519 affected medical candidates to sit either in Lusaka or Copperbelt Province on Wednesday 27th September 2023.

“The practical examination (OSCE) will still be held on Thursday 28th September 2023 as previously advised.For the 203 Pharmacy candidates who were registered to sit LEX at 09:00hrs on Tuesday 19th September 2023, HPCZ cancelled the examination within minutes of commencement after discovering the paper had leaked. The affected candidates were sent away to pave way for printing of an alternative examination paper which was eventually administered on the same day in the afternoon,” Professor Goma said.

He said the decision and the process of changing the Pharmacists’ theory paper will be subjected to vetting at an extra-ordinary meeting of the Training and Examination Committee of the HPCZ Council on Thursday 21 September 2023.

He said the final decision whether to nullify or uphold the Pharmacists’ examination will be communicated shortly thereafter.

Professor Goma further disclosed that nine members of staff who played a technical role in the organisation of the examination have been suspended with immediate effect pursuant to the Health Professions Council of Zambia Disciplinary Code and Grievance Procedure to facilitate thorough investigations into the matter.

He said the members of staff found wanting will be dismissed while the candidates will be charged with unethical behavior and are liable to sanctions including exclusion from sitting LEX and a subsequent ban from registration to practice.

“We would like to assure all stakeholders that the Council holds itself to the highest standards and this matter is being given the utmost attention and seriousness needed to protect the integrity of the Licensure Examinations while demonstrating ethical practices of the professionals involved, for the sake of the noble profession,” he said.

(Mwebantu, Wednesday, 20th September, 2023)

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Ndola teacher dragged to court for alleged rape on pupil

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A Ndola teacher has been dragged to court for allegedly sexually abusing a grade 11 pupil at a school he teaches.

David Kunda aged 31 is alleged to have lured the victim to his office where he sexually abused her.

The incident is alleged to have occurred on September 28th, this year at around 21:00 hours at the school premises.

When the matter came up for before Ndola magistrate Brian Simachela, Kunda denied the accusations.

It is alleged that on the material date, the victim had gone to accused’s office to call her parents.

It was heard that after the call, when the pupil wanted to walk out from the office, Kunda allegedly locked the door and raped her.

The victim then reported the incident to other teachers the following day.

However, after denying the allegations, the matter was adjourned to December 14th for commencement of trial.

Before it’s adjournment, advocate representing the accused , Kenneth Tembo applied for bail pending trial.

Magistrate Simachela granted bail of K25,000 in accused’s own recognisance and ordered that he also bring two working surieties from well known institutions.

(Mwebantu, Thursday, 30th November, 2023)

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LAZ strongly condemns brutal attack on Its member at High Court

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THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has condemned the thuggery and barbaric behavior that unfolded at the High Court yesterday, where a lawyer, Linus Eyaa, was physically attacked by aggrieved members of the public.

In a statement LAZ president Lungisani Zulu said the Association has established that Mr Eyaa was merely discharging his role as a Legal Practitioner in line with the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act, Chapter 30 of the Laws of Zambia, when he met the unfortunate fate, from an opposing group in the case involving Money Grow Cooperative.

He reminded members of the public of the critical role lawyers play in the development of society, in line with every lawyer’s statutory mandate.

Mr Zulu said acts of physical violence against members of the legal profession are inimical to the advancement of the public interest, which lawyers advance.

He said lawyers have always stood and continue to stand on the side of society, even offering pro bono services to indigents.

“That the unfortunate incident happened in the precincts of the High Court, which are considered as a “holy ground of justice” makes the incident more distressing and any efforts by any citizens to take the law into their own hands deserves condemnation in the strongest terms, by all well-meaning citizens,” he said.

Mr Zulu has since commended police for its quick action in saving the lawyer.

“We are happy to also learn that six suspects of the violence have since been arrested by Kabwata. Police and now await subsequent court appearance to answer for their irresponsible actions,” he said.

(Mwebantu, Thursday, 30th November, 2023)

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Justice for girl killed by 10 dogs starts

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A FARM director whose 10 vicious dogs mauled a 13-year-old girl to death has been charged with manslaughter and appeared before the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court.

Last month, Shim Yaming’s dogs attacked and killed Sharon Banda, 13, who is the daughter of the accused’s person’s farm worker who lives within the ranch.

The incident happened around 05:00 hours when the victim went outside to use the toilet only to be attacked by the vicious beasts belonging to Shi of New Kasama.

Police visited the scene and discovered the dead body of the girl lying on the ground with multiple dog bites all over the body.
The victim’s father Allan Banda, 43, a poultry man at the farm, told police that his daughter was bitten and died on the spot as she sustained deep cuts all over her body.
Shi, 40, was later detained and slapped with the offence of reckless and negligent act and police later terminated some of the dogs which attacked the girl.

Yesterday, the accused appeared before the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court charged with manslaughter.

Allegations are that on November 8 this year, Shi did cause the death of Sharon.
The case was allocated to magistrate Mwandu Sakala.

The Director of Public Prosecutions is supposed to issue a committal later so that the accused in the matter is taken to the High Court for trial since the offence he is facing can only be tried in a higher court.

(Mwebantu, Thursday, 30th November, 2023)

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