FINALLY he picked up. It was probably my 15th attempt, but it felt like I had tried over a hundred times without success because his line was continuously engaged. In frustration, I decided to drive to his office in Kabangwe area. My own phone was very busy. A strange number had been trying to call...

President Edgar Lungu says Zambia now has 12 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus disease, and has since directed the shut down of all bars, night clubs and restaurants. Speaking when he addressed the nation via ZNBC and Diamond TV, President Lungu announced that 11 of the confirmed cases resulted from people, who had travelled abroad...

African countries such as Zambia are failing to grow their economies to fulfil their potential because governments are poorly targeting the available resources to key growth sectors, says economist Professor Oliver Saasa. Last week, African Development Bank (AfDB) president Dr Akinwumi Adesina said that Africa’s economies were growing strongly, but that growth alone could not...

The Lusaka High Court has refused to stay criminal proceedings in which New Labour Party leader Fresher Siwale is accused of defaming the President, pending review of magistrate Alice Walusiku’s refusal to refer the case to the High Court for Constitutional reference. Lusaka High Court judge Sharon Newa has further set aside Siwale’s application to...

President Edgar Lungu has revoked the appointment of George Chilengwe Siame as chairperson of the Financial Intelligence Centre governing board, State House press aide Isaac Chipampe has announced. "In his his letter to Siame, President Lungu stated: 'I am hereby revoking this appointment with immediate effect. I thank you and wish God's blessings in your...

Allegations of drug trafficking involving President Edgar Lungu’s close ally Valden Findlay have shaken State House, forcing the release of a coded press statement stating that investigative wings would probe the matter. The American government, through its Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), extradited renowned African “drug lord” of Indian origin Vijaygiri Vicky Goswami along with the...

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has expressed hope that President Edgar Lungu will address a number of national issues to cushion the plight of poor Zambians as he opens the 4th Session of the 12th National Assembly this week. In a statement to News Diggers, CSPR board chairperson Isaac Ngoma hoped that the...

African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) Zambia Chapter chairman Cornelius Mweetwa says it is too early for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to ask for credit because the institution should do more to successfully prosecute serious corruption cases and win the public’s confidence. Last week, ACC public relations manager Timothy Moono said it was not right...

Lusaka farmer Jonathan Van Blerk and Denny Nyoni, an administrator of the estate of Violet Nyoni, have lost their appeal over the Baobab land in the Court of Appeal. This was after the Court of Appeal threw out the matter in which the two had appealed against Lusaka High Court’s decision to dismiss the case...

Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo says government doesn't need any help from UPND president Hakainde Hichilema to fight the hunger situation, bragging that even him can buy 25,000 bags of mealie meal in one minute and feed the poor. And Lusambo says Hichilema has been pushing his luck too far by going to Chongwe, insisting...

The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has denied ZCCM Investment Holdings leave to appeal against its judgement where it ordered the said company to withdraw the winding-up proceedings against Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) in the Lusaka High Court, pending final determination of the arbitration. On July 23, the South Gauteng High Court granted Vedanta...

Renowned Lusaka lawyer and opposition NAREP president Elias Chipimo has advised the PF government to engage with Vedanta and negotiate a less chaotic exit for the Konkola Copper Mine investor before the international arbitration court takes off. In a statement of analysis for the South African court ruling which directed ZCCM-IH to withdraw the winding...

President Edgar Lungu has reshuffled Cabinet, moving Professor Nkandu Luo to the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, while Ronald Chitotela has been moved to the Ministry of Tourism. And the President has fired Sports Minister Moses Mawere. Announcing the changes at State House today, President Lungu’s spokespersons Isaac Chipampe said Sylvia Chalikosa has been transferred...

NAREP president Elias Chipimo has warned that the chaotic takeover of Konkola Copper Mines and the planned sale of the mine will have serious legal implications on Zambia because Vedanta will have a strong case against government after the case has settled. Responding to a press query, Chipimo who is a respected Lusaka-based lawyer, noted...

Konkola Copper Mines Provisional Liquidator Milingo Lungu says he is operating without a remuneration agreement with the mining company or its shareholder ZCCM-IH, and as such it is not true that the money which the Zambia Revenue Authority is paying KCM in tax refunds can be used to settle his legal fees. And Lungu says...

Mines minister Richard Musukwa says there is no connection between the liquidation of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and the Chinese government’s decision to write off Zambia’s US$22 million debt. And Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini yesterday chastised Musukwa for losing his temper while responding to questions from members of parliament. After giving...

Mutembo Nchito has told the Lusaka High Court that the Konkola Copper Mines-appointed provisional liquidator, Milingo Lungu has conflicts of interest and cannot act objectively in the matter because he was appointed by ZCCM-IH, a shareholder who happens to be his client in another active court case. And Nchito has brought it to the attention...

The Mansa High Court has sentenced a 26-year-old man of Kawambwa district to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour for setting two houses on fire. In this matter, Jonathan Kalobwe was charged with two counts of Arson contrary to Section 328 clause-A of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia; as Amended...

Delegates at the ongoing National Dialogue Forum (NDF) have unanimously agreed to extend the sittings by another three days after failing to finish the Constitutional amendment process within the 10-day prescribed period. The forum which began sitting on Wednesday 8th May, 2019 asked for a three-day extension from the Ministry of Justice which was expected...

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo has insisted that the soon to be enforced statutory media regulation will be mandatory and will leave none out. And Kasolo says self-media regulation must be supported by statutory legislation to ensure journalists’ interests are protected, whilst guaranteeing that the growth of the media in...

UPND deputy spokesperson and Katuba Member of Parliament Patricia Mwashingwele has died. Confirming Mwashingwele’s death, party president Hakainde Hichilema said he received the news with shock. “It is with shock that we received the death of Honourable Patricia Mwashingwele who, until her demise, was our Member of Parliament for Katuba Constituency. Indeed Patricia was a...

The State has closed its case in a matter where former UPND vice-president Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba is alleged to have issued a statement threatening to go for President Edgar Lungu’s throat. And Lusaka magistrate Nthandose Chabala has reserved ruling on a case to answer to May 28, this year. Meanwhile, an arresting officer has narrated...

Kennedy Kamba says once Secretary General Davies Mwila is notified about GBM’s intentions to rejoin the PF, the party hierarchy will decide to advise the former UPND vice-president to follow laid down procedure of applying for admission back into the ruling party. And Kamba who is acting PF Lusaka Province secretary says Mwila, his deputy...