Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe says there will be screening of freedom fighters’ true credentials because it does not make sense to have people claiming to be freedom fighters at 50 years of age.

Speaking during a courtesy call paid on him by the Zambia United National Freedom Fighters’ Association, Nundwe expressed concern that there were too many people masquerading as freedom fighters.

“We are going to do screening of freedom fighters. Imagine; I am 50 and want to claim to be a freedom fighter? Again, we have a lot of associations of freedom fighters! I hope I’m talking to the Association that belongs to Sikota Wina because that is the Association that government knows. Not today, there is this association, again, another one. We need to have one Association,” Nundwe insisted.

“We are enjoying this peace because of your efforts. Blood was shed for us to enjoy today. But I’m concerned that we have two associations of freedom fighters. Come up with one group to make the work of government easy. That way, it will be easy for us as government to help.”

And he announced that the provincial administration would give freedom fighters a stand at the 2019 Copperbelt Investment Expo, noting that the platform was aimed at exposing the potential the province had.

This was in response to the Association’s Copperbelt Chairperson John Waluka who asked Nundwe to facilitate for freedom fighters be part of the Expo.

“Copperbelt needs to change from the current dependence on mining. So, our focus is tourism, agriculture and other sectors that we have on the province,” said Nundwe.