Charles Mafa

Author Bio

About Charles Mafa

Charles Mafa is an Award winning investigative journalist, columnist and blogger.

Email: charles [at] diggers [dot] news

Charles Mafa is an Award winning investigative journalist, columnist and blogger.

Email: charles [at] diggers [dot] news

National Malaria Elimination Centre admits failure in DawaPlus nets
By Charles Mafa on November 9, 2019
Almost 2.7 million DawaPlus low quality Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) were distributed to beneficiaries in Northern, Muchinga and Copperbelt provinces of Zambia in 2017 and....
Are sub-standard mosquito nets threatening malaria fight in Zambia?
By Charles Mafa on August 28, 2019
A top health ministry official has confirmed that Zambia was a recipient of alleged low quality Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN). He said the approximately 2.7....
Chinese rhino smugglers named
By Charles Mafa on August 15, 2017
The three Chinese nationals who were last month arrested illegally for possessing 25 pieces of rhino horns weighing 32.2 kilogrammes at Chanida Border in Eastern....
Govt confirms arrest of Chinese smugglers
By Charles Mafa on July 31, 2017
Ministry of Tourism and Arts Public Relations Officer Sakabilo Kalembwe has confirmed the arrest of three Chinese nationals and two Zambians who were found in....
Zambia arrests 3 Chinese, 2 locals for possessing 25 rhino horns
By Charles Mafa on July 29, 2017
A joint team of government investigators has arrested three Chinese nationals and two Zambians for being found in possession of 25 pieces of rhino horns....
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Kwacha down to 8.8 per dollar
By Charles Mafa on July 13, 2017
The kwacha has continued with its positive performance against the US dollar and other major convertible currencies, breaking the 8 kwacha psychological barrier to an....
Increased Zesco tariffs have caused rise in inflation – CSO
By Charles Mafa on July 1, 2017
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has announced that the annual rate of inflation for the month of June has increased to 6.8 per cent from....
Zambia’s economy benefiting the rich – World Bank
By Charles Mafa on June 30, 2017
World Bank Country Manager Ina-Marlene Ruthenberg says Zambia’s past decade of economic growth was not sufficiently pro-poor and the benefits have mainly benefited the richer....
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Mutati outlines Zambia’s remaining path to IMF package
By Charles Mafa on June 21, 2017
Finance Minister Felix Mutati says government will have to address the higher than projected budget deficits, accumulation of arrears, and increased debt levels before the....
Zambia to lead UNESCO agenda for Sub-Sahara Africa on illicit culture
By Charles Mafa on June 15, 2017
Zambia has been elected to the position of vice president of the UNESCO Subsidiary Committee to lead the Sub-Sahara Africa agenda on the Means of....
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Mwila hails Chinese support to PF
By Charles Mafa on June 13, 2017
PF Secretary General Davies Mwila has thanked the Communist Party of China (CPC) for providing training opportunities to his party youths in areas such as....
Zambia’s 2017 budget objectives at risk – IMF
By Charles Mafa on June 11, 2017
Weaknesses in the management of Zambia’s public finances and investment pose significant risks to the 2017 budget objectives, says the International Monitory Fund (IMF). The....
German parliamentary committee condemns HH incarceration
By Charles Mafa on June 2, 2017
Chairperson of the German parliamentary committee for Southern African Development Community (SADC), Martin Rabanus says Europe will continue to speak out when opposition leaders in....
Treason case might delay IMF negotiations – Saasa
By Charles Mafa on May 26, 2017
Economist Professor Oliver Saasa says the continuous dragging of UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema’s treason case might delay negotiations for the country’s IMF bailout package. Magistrate....
ZEMA steps up protection measures against mercury emissions
By Charles Mafa on May 26, 2017
The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) says Zambia remains committed to ensuring that viable solutions are found to addressing mercury use and emissions in key....
Inflation drops to 6.5%
By Charles Mafa on May 24, 2017
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has announced that inflation has dropped from 6.7 per cent in April to 6.5 per cent in May. And the....
ACC says its not under instructions to fix Kambwili
By Charles Mafa on May 23, 2017
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) public relations manager Timothy Moono says the Commission has not been tasked by anyone to fix former Information and Broadcasting minister Chishimba....
Zambia focusing on agriculture diversification – Mvunga
By Charles Mafa on May 22, 2017
Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Christopher Mvunga says Zambia is committed to enhancing its path to further diversify the economy to agriculture. Mvunga was speaking....
Army officer, 38 others arrested for wildlife offences
By Charles Mafa on May 19, 2017
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) has arrested a Zambia Army officer named Sevelino Zulu and 38 other suspects in Livingstone for various....
National budgets should address youth problems – Actionaid
By Charles Mafa on May 19, 2017
Action Aid Zambia acting country director Kajila Shako says young people’s needs cannot be addressed if national budgets lack critical components that address unemployment and....
Bumper harvest must translate into reduced mealie meal prices – JCTR
By Charles Mafa on May 18, 2017
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says the bumper harvest, estimated at over 3.6 metric tonnes, which Zambia has recorded should lead to a....
Zim minister loses bid to lead UNWTO
By Charles Mafa on May 15, 2017
Zambia’s Tourism and Arts Minister Charles Banda has congratulated Zurab Pololikashvili of Georgia for being elected nominee for the post of United Nations World Tourism....
Agriculture has failed to end poverty in rural Zambia – UN envoy
By Charles Mafa on May 15, 2017
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Hilal Elver has warned that many Zambian peasants are at risk of becoming squatters on....

Catholics distance themselves from Monday prayers

By Charles Mafa on 13 May 2017

Conference of Catholic Bishops in Zambia (ZCCBZ) Communications Director Fr Winfield Kunda says it is “fake news” that the Catholic church is organising prayers for....

ZRA boss says as a taxman, he does not expect people to like him

By Charles Mafa on 8 May 2017

Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda says as a taxman, he does not expect people to like him even though he is collecting revenue....

JCTR rubbishes govt’s excuse for delaying ATI Bill

By Charles Mafa on 5 May 2017

The Zambia Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says government’s explanation that the Access to Information Bill has taken long to go to Parliament because the....

Police officers during HH court hearing at Lusaka Magistrates Court-picture by Tenson Mkhala

Police demand HH’s recording from Radio Liseli

By Charles Mafa on 4 May 2017

Two officers from Mongu Central Police Station on Tuesday stormed Catholic-owned oblate Radio Liseli, demanding for a recording which featured opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema....

ZNFU happy with Agritech expo exhibits

By Charles Mafa on 30 Apr 2017

Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Jarvis Zimba says diversifying the economy into an agricultural-based one cannot be achieved without putting in place proper incentives.....

Zambia records 2.6% increase in tourist arrivals

By Charles Mafa on 27 Apr 2017

Ministry of Tourism and Arts Public Relations Officer Sikabilo Kalembwe says Zambia recorded a total of 956,332 international tourist arrivals in 2016 compared to 931,782....

Commerce minister Margaret Mwanakatwe during the Zambia public and private dialogue in Lusaka-picture by Tenson Mkhala

Mining dependence has affected agric, tourism – Mwanakatwe

By Charles Mafa on 27 Apr 2017

The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Margaret Mwanakatwe says continued dependency on the mining industry as a major driver of the economy has left....

French Embassy unveils Pavilion at 2017 AgriTech expo

By Charles Mafa on 26 Apr 2017

The French Embassy in Lusaka says the 2017 AGRITECH Expo to be held in Chisamba this weekend will for the first time feature the French....

Police or not, shooter of bus driver must be found, demands HRC

By Charles Mafa on 26 Apr 2017

The Human Rights Commission says the shooting of a bus driver and a passenger by a police officer in Lusaka’s Kamwala area is extremely worrying....

Minister admits: Zesco power increase was determined by politics

By Charles Mafa on 24 Apr 2017

Energy Minister David Mabumba has admitted that the increment in electricity tariffs was to a larger extent determined by politics and emotions. And Mabumba says....

Women participation in manufacturing excites UN country rep

By Charles Mafa on 22 Apr 2017

United Nations resident coordinator Janet Rogan says she is encouraged to see many talented women venturing into the manufacturing sector in Zambia. Rogan was speaking....

Intermarket probe exposes BoZ negligence

By Charles Mafa on 20 Apr 2017

Ministry of Finance Director of Economic Management Ireen Musonda Habasimbi says the ministry has not yet received an update from the Bank of Zambia on....

Slow manufacturing sector growth worries Mwanakatwe

By Charles Mafa on 19 Apr 2017

Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe has expressed concern over the poor performance of the country’s manufacturing sector. Mwanakatwe said statistics from the Central....

L-r: IMF advisor Paul Mathieu, IMF leader of delegation Tsidi Tsikata and secretary to Treasury Fedson Yamba shortly after press briefing in Lusaka-picture by Tenson Mkhala

JCTR welcomes IMF aid, but wary of conditions

By Charles Mafa on 18 Apr 2017

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections Executive Director Fr. Leonard Chiti says his organisation will support the planned IMF aid package to Zambia if no....

Global market reacting to political developments in Zambia – Saasa

By Charles Mafa on 14 Apr 2017

Professor Oliver Saasa says the manner in which the arrest of opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema was done created some anxiety on the global money....

Chibiya takes up regional Barclays position

By Charles Mafa on 12 Apr 2017

Former Barclays Bank Zambia Plc Managing Director Saviour Chibiya has been appointed as Regional Managing Director responsible for among other functions, the Corporate and Investment....

ZEMA approves projects worth $440 thousand

By Charles Mafa on 10 Apr 2017

The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has approved 67 Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for the month of March 2017 worth over $440 thousand. The approved....

KCM embarks on ambitious bio-diesel project

By Charles Mafa on 7 Apr 2017

Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), the country’s largest integrated copper producer has launched the first bio-diesel production project in Zambia. The project aims to cultivate elite....

Zesco tariff hike a must – Energy minister

By Charles Mafa on 4 Apr 2017

Energy Minister David Mabumba says citizens and businesses must accept the upward adjustment of Zesco tariffs because that is the only way the institution can....

Lusaka South MFEZ gobbles $50m

By Charles Mafa on 4 Apr 2017

The Lusaka South Multi Facility Economic Zone (Lusaka South MFEZ) Managing Director Mukela Lubasi says government has so far spent over US$ 50 million in....