Despite the alarming death toll, illegal mining continues because it benefits political elites

DURING the official opening of the 2024 Mining and Investment Insaka in Lusaka, Monday, President Hakainde Hichilema expressed sadness at the rising death toll in the mining sector. As the Mining Indaba was opening, a tragic accident had just happened at Lwiili Mine in Nangoma, where 10 people were confirmed dead, five critically injured, and…...
Illegal miner dies after being beaten by colleague

A 20-YEAR-OLD illegal miner has died after being beaten by his colleague while conducting mining activities at Luanshya Mine Pit 7. Luckson Sikaonga of Luanshya’s Mpatamato township is reported to have died after a fight with a 17-year-old suspect. Copperbelt Police Commissioner Peacewell Mweemba disclosed that the suspect has since been arrested after the matter…...
Let’s look at our own failures, weaknesses before blaming govt or relatives – Musokotwane

FINANCE and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane says sometimes people fail to accept their weaknesses, failures or shortcomings but instead blame government or their relatives for not helping them do certain things. And Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe says all things being equal, the country will be producing more than 1 million metric…...
4.5m Zambians are on NHIMA – Njapau

NHIMA Director General Michael Njapau has observed that the authority is sometimes blamed when NHIMA members cannot find drugs or do not receive certain services at hospitals or pharmacies. And Njapau says the authority has registered 4.5 million members, comprising 3 million principal members and 1.5 million beneficiaries. Speaking during a media briefing, Wednesday, Njapau…...
We’ve purchased K4bn worth of maize, paid over K3bn to farmers – FRA

THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) says it has purchased 588,354 metric tonnes of non-genetically modified Grade A white maize from the local market during this year’s crop marketing season, valued at K4,186,708,686. In a statement, FRA Public Relations Coordinator John Chipandwe said the purchased quantity was equivalent to 11,767,093 bags of 50 kg white maize…....
DEC apprehends Kasanda again

THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) says it has apprehended Lusaka businessman Sedrick Kasanda pending formal arrest procedures. On the other hand, Kasanda’s lawyer says the state entered a nolle prosequi in the espionage case, but only his client has been detained in relation to that. In an interview, Thursday, DEC Public Relations Officer Allan Tamba…...
HH not involved in PF conflicts, he finds Lungu’s dialogue conditions preposterous – Hamasaka

STATE House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka says President Hakainde Hichilema has always been open to dialogue with all citizens, including his dear brother former president Edgar Lungu. However, Hamasaka says President Hichilema has emphasised that he has no involvement in PF’s internal conflicts, adding that he finds the conditions set by Lungu for dialogue…...
TI-Z welcomes GBM’s conviction

TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of former defence minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba. The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday convicted and sentenced Mwamba to five years imprisonment with hard labour for conflict of interest and possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime. In a statement, Thursday, TI-Z Executive Director…...
Chinese firm still controlling Safe City Project despite training locals – AG

THE Auditor General has revealed that ZTE Zambia Services Limited is still controlling the technical administration of the Safe City Project, despite the training of local officers in how to do so. And the Auditor General says it is illegal for the Road Transport Safety Agency (RTSA) to identify speed violators using the intelligent camera…...
Nangoma residents were warned about Lwiili Mine – Nalumango

VICE-PRESIDENT Mutale Nalumango says the accident which claimed 10 lives at Lwiili Mine in Nangoma was unfortunate because residents were warned that it was dangerous. Speaking when she visited the mine accident scene, Wednesday, Vice-President Nalumango wondered why people did not heed to the warning. “When anything happens to our people, as government, we are…...