THE Chinsali Magistrate Court in Muchinga Province has convicted and fined a Zambian woman K7000 in default nine months simple nine months Simple Imprisonment for importing medicines and allied substances from Dar es salaam, Tanzania into Zambia without an import permit.

This is in a matter where the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) intercepted  Shillan Chirwa, female aged 44, of Lusaka Arrakan Barracks and took her to court for importing medicines and allied substances without an import permit from the Authority.

Chirwa was found with 200 bottles of 100ml of Cephalexin oral suspension and 130 x 100 boxes of Pregnancy test strips.

This was during a route check conducted on a Tanzanian Bus called “Classic Coach” at Chansali Check point of Chinsali District.

When the matter was brought before magistrate George Banda on August 4, this year at Chansali Magistrate’s  Court , Chirwa pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined upon being convicted.

The medicines and allied substances were seized and forfeited to the state for disposal.

And ZMRA public relations officer Ludovic Mwape has warned would be offenders to desist from committing illegalities.

“We wish to issue a stern warning to all those who commit similar offences that we are equal to the task of ensuring that only medicines and allied substances that are legally imported in the country are allowed on the Zambian market.

This is to ensure safety, quality and efficacy of medicinal products and allied substances being imported in the country,” he said.

Mr Mwape said failure to adhere to the set standards as regards to the importation of medicines and allied substances will result in offenders being prosecuted.

(Mwebantu, Saturday, August 13th, 2022)

FOR an ordinary person the word ‘choir’ has nothing to do with sitting a General Certificate of Education (GCE) which is ongoing country wide, choir is related to singing for the Lord Almighty.

But if you just jumped off the bus, you need to be told that the word ‘choir’ was being used by some GCE external students in a clandestine WhatsApp group which is a conduit of  examinations malpractices in Lufwanyama.

But their day was not rosy as when they sat their science paper two, they could not get away with it.

The two pupils who are both external candidates for the 2022 Examination Council of Zambia General Certificate of Education were found with questions and answers for the 2022 Science paper two Examination on their mobile phones which they entered with in the examination centre.

The allegedly created a WhatsApp group they named ‘choir’ where unknown persons were sending the exact questions with answers to the papers they were writing.

Copperbelt province Commanding officer Sharon Zulu confirmed the arrest other two pupils.

She said this was after  District Education Standards Officer, General Inspection and Teacher, Astridah Ntambo aged 51 reported Daniel Machisa aged 19 and John Mushitu aged both from Chingola were found with questions and answers for the 2022 Science paper two Examination on their mobile phones which they entered with in the examination centre.

She said the incident happened on Tuesday at Milopa Secondary School of Lufwanyama.

“Brief facts are that all candidates are cautioned beforehand not to enter with their mobile phones in the examination room but the two did enter with their phones and created a WhatsApp group where unknown persons were sending the exact questions with answers to the paper they were sitting for to their phones on the WhatsApp group they named ‘Choir’,” she said.

Mrs Zulu said the two had their phones confiscated while the exam was in progress.

“All phones were confiscated and kept as exhibit and the two students have been arrested,” she said.

(Mwebantu, Thursday, August 11th, 2022)

WORKER’S Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) has fired three more senior managers.

Early this month, the Board announced the dismissal of Chief Executive Officer Priscilla Bwembya following the investigations into the procurement of 39 motor vehicles during the 2021 campaigns.

In a memorandum addressed to the workers, the Board of Directors said the termination of employment for Mrs Bwembya comes after disciplinary hearing on charges levelled against her.

“Please be informed that following disciplinary hearing by Workers Compensation Board of Directors on charges leveled against Mrs Bwembya, the Board has terminated her services with effect from July 21st, this year,” reads the memo in parts.

And in another memorandum addressed to the workers yesterday, WCFCB Acting  Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Patrick Siampwili said after disciplinary hearings, management decided to separate the officers.

The officers fired include director investment Frank Chanda, manager for human resource and administration Chipoya Chiponda and manager procurement and supplies James Kapila.

“Kindly be informed that following the disciplinary hearings held on July 22 this year, the staff committee resolved to separate the senior management officials from the Board’s services with the effect from August, 2022,” Mr Siampwili said.

In June this year, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) released 30 vehicles belonging to WCFCB which were deemed to be proceeds of crime.

In a media statement issued, DEC public relations officer, Mathias Kamanga said it was alleged that a fleet of motor vehicles had been procured fraudulently and that the motor vehicles were being used for campaigns by a named political party during the run-up to the August 12, 2021 general elections.

(Mwebantu, Thursday, August 11th, 2022)