President Edgar Lungu has dared stakeholders planning to take him to court over his recent pronouncement on mandatory HIV testing to go ahead.

President Lungu says his duty and responsibility is to protect the lives of Zambians and to see to it that they are healthy.

The Head of State said this at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport shortly before departure for Rwanda to attend the inauguration ceremony of that country’s President-elect Paul Kagame.

President Lungu says government means well; therefore Zambians should not panic or be scared following the pronouncement on mandatory HIV testing.

He says it is unfair that some people are even labeling him a dictator simply because the landmark pronouncement he made.

President says he cannot be a dictator when he is showing commitment in promoting good health practices.

The President left KK International Airport aboard the presidential jet at 15:10hours and was seen off by now acting President Inonge Wins, PF Secretary General Davies Mwila, some cabinet ministers, defence chiefs, senior government and PF officials.

The post Pres. Lungu Dares Those Opposing Mandatory HIV Testing appeared first on Zambia Reports.

South Africa soccer team assistant coach Thabo Senong says he is happy to be back in Ndola for Saturday’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) final round second leg qualifier against Zambia.

Senong said he was happy to experience the familiar warm reception he felt in Zambia as his team had during the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

South Africa was based in Ndola for the 2017 U-20 Africa Cup and enjoyed home like support at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium where they came out second in a group that had Senegal, Cameroun and South Sudan.

The U-20 head coach, who is senior national team second assistant to Stuart Baxter, returned to Ndola leading the CHAN team and expressed delight at the warm reception at the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport.

“Zambia is always home, I am happy to be back in Ndola where we were during the U-20 Africa Cup. The reception here is always great,” Senong said.

“Ndola is home to us, there is nothing like we are playing away.”

Zambia and South Africa meet in the Kenya 2018 African Nations Championship final round, return leg qualifier at Levy Stadium tomorrow.

The two teams settled for a 2-all draw in the first leg last week with Zambia now needing a scoreless or 1-all draw to qualify to the tournament.

Source: bolazambia

The post South African Delegation Happy With Zambia Reception Ahead Of Chan Fixture appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Former Copperbelt University president Kelvin Chaamba says the planned restructuring of UNZA is counter-productive and will only lower the education standards.

Chaambwa says the restructuring will also comprise the quality of acquired qualifications from UNZA.

“It is literally like downgrading an established institution to mini colleges. I wish that the government had consulted more on this matter.

“Most people that have passed through UNZA / CBU understand the real issues at the two major universities in this country.

“And I am speaking as a former student leader and so have background information and a deeper understanding of how UNZA / CBU are run.

“It is basically just poor funding and management issues. Dismantling a university that has built institutional capacity and leverage as well as reputation since 1966 for whatever reason is not the way to go,” he said.

Chaambwa says the decision was as retrogressive as the move to ban student unionism at public universities.

The post Ex-COBUSU Leader Says Restructuring UNZA Will Be Counter Productive appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has entered a nolle prosequi in a case in which the Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja sued Chilufya Tayali for libel.

There seems to be a wave of political awakening on the part of the PF leadership with citizens suspected to have been slapped with trumped up charges getting reprieve.

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema was released on Wednesday after the DPP dropped treason charges against him and five others.

UPP president Saviour Chishimba was also let scot free without charge after spending seven days behind bars for defamation of the president.

Now it’s EPP leader Chilufya Tayali surviving the rigorous process.

When the case came up for continuation of trial, the defence was ready with cross examination of Kanganja but magistrate Felix Kaoma said the DPP had filed to drop the case through nolle.

The post Tayali Gets Nolle ‘Awakening’ In Defamation Of IG appeared first on Zambia Reports.

A few minutes ago we published an article and an image suggesting opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has travelled to South Africa for a thorough medical check up less than 48 hours after he was released from prison.

Further verification of the information obtained has established Mr Hichilema has not travelled to South Africa, but is still in the country. He is, however, due to undertake a trip for medical check up to a destination to be announced soon.

We sincerely apologize to both Mr Hichilema, his family and our readers for the misrepresentation.

EDITOR

The post APOLOGY: Hichilema Has Not Travelled to South Africa appeared first on Zambia Reports.

BBC correspondent Kennedy Gondwe interviews opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema at his residence this morning August 18, 2017.

Hichilema was released from jail on Wednesday after spending a little over four months behind bars.

Picture Credit: Kennedy Gondwe’s facebook page

The post Today’s Photo: Hichilema Talks Prison Life With BBC appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Hello Zambia Reports, thank you so much for being professional in your reporting. I applaud you for having no traces of bias and favoritism.

You are civil and neutral , and your reporting has nothing to do with your personal views and opinions. I salute you a thousand times for being independent , bold , and factual in your updates.

Kudos.

Watson Pachara Mapinda Jr

The post Letter: Thank You Zambia Reports; I Applaud You appeared first on Zambia Reports.

President Edgar Lungu has summoned two South African opposition leaders months after the duo attempted to meddle in domestic politics branding him a “dictator”.

Vibrant Julius Malema and Mmusi Maimane had joined the crusade to push for the release of UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.

Hichilema, released on Wednesday, was in jail for treason related charges that both local and domestic observers believed were politically non-bailable charges.

President Lungu who arrived in South Africa last night after attending the inauguration of Rwanda President Paul Kagame has intimated a meeting with both Malema and Maimane while in Pretoria.

BELOW IS THE STATEMENT

PRESIDENT EDGAR LUNGU SUMMONS OPPOSITION EFF& DA LEADERS

Pretoria-Friday 18th August 2017

Zambia’s President, Mr. Edgar Lungu has summoned for a meeting, opposition leaders in South Africa who have been making remarks against Zambia.

President Lungu said this when he was welcomed by a cheering crowd upon arrival at a named Hotel.

He said that he had instructed the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa to facilitate such a meeting with Economic Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema and his Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane during his stay in South Africa.

He expressed concern that the two opposition parties appeared to disrespect the sovereignty of Zambia and had interfered in the domestic affairs of countries like Zambia, Swaziland, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

He said he was keen to engage the two opposition leaders to understand their concerns about Zambia.

He said the two parties were creating a dangerous precedence that was likely to encourage political interference across borders.

And Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba said that his office had started the process of preparing for the proposed meetings.

The post Pres. Summons Sa Opposition Leaders Julius Malema & Maimane appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Zambia National Team is 90 minutes away from making it to the Kenya 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) with South Africa standing in their way.

Coach Wedson Nyirenda has half the job done after having posted a significant away draw in the first leg of the final qualifying round in South Africa.

Zambia and South Africa battled to a 2-all draw in East London last weekend but will have to settle this duel this afternoon at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

Coach Wedson Nyirenda will be banking on in-form striker Justin Shonga to lead the attack alongside Power Dynamos forward Alex Ng’onga.

Skipper Ziyo Tembo will marshal the backline with Adrian Chama, Fackson Kapumbu and Mwila Phiri likely to complete the backline.

In midfield the industry of Jack Chirwa will be called upon with the likes of John Ching’andu, Augustine Mulenga and Ernest Mbewe also expected to have a run in.

Zambia needs to avoid defeat or a high scoring draw that could cancel out the 2-2 draw recorded in the first leg.

Winner over two legs will earn qualification to the CHAN competition next year.

Zambia v South Africa
Date: 19/08/17
Venue: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
Kickoff: 15:00 hours
CHARGES
Lower, Upper East, North and South Decks: K15
Upper West: K40
Lower West: K80
VIP: K200
Tickets are available across all Shoprite outlets via Computicket.

Source: FAZ MEDIA

The post Zambia Chase CHAN Spot With Bafana Bafana Clash appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has paid tribute to Zambia’s third Republican president Levy Mwanawasa.

On the occasion of late Mwanawasa’s ninth memorial, Hichilema says Mwanawasa’s leadership belonged to the present and future.

HICHILEMA’S FULL STATEMENT

PRESS STATEMENT.
19th August 2017

WE CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF LATE PRESIDENT MWANAWASA WITH GRATITUDE AND RESPECT.

Fellow citizens and compatriots, today marks the 9th year since the passing on of our dear President Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa who died in France while on a tour of duty on behalf of our Nation.

The death of President Mwanawasa was without doubt the darkest day of the Nation’s history. On the day the tragic news was received, our Republic stood still and held vigil by our radios and televisions, trying to absorb what had befallen the nation.

Our Radios were jammed with callers of different ethnicities,religions, races, gender and national origins. Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Bahai and African traditional religions were bound together by the sadness of the grave loss, but most importantly, they were held together by our shared values, patriotism, solidarity and pride with which our founding fathers and mothers built this Nation upon.

Our profound grief at the loss of a visionary, nationalist and distinguished lawyer, quickly gave way to the hope for a better future, based on the firm social, economic and political foundation he had built for us, within such a short period of time. And so the Nation began to celebrate the rewards of his selfless and visionary leadership based on sound and prudent economic management anchored on zero tolerance to corruption, respect for basic freedoms, civil liberties and the rule of law.

Under Dr Mwanawasa, free press flourished and blossomed, the freedoms of expression, assembly and association thrived while differences of political opinions and divergent views strengthened our common values, as a society who saw things in different perspectives, but all bound and in one accord over one common destiny, as one Nation under One God.

Though President Mwanawasa lived in his era gone by as a result of his sad and untimely demise, his leadership belonged to the present and future expectations of what new African gorvernance ought to be, accountable, transparent and honest.

Dr Mwanawasa unlocked the potential of future generations, inspired confidence in budding youth business leaders, gave hope to women entreupreunship, and created an enabling environment for our marketeers and farmers.

The President set pace on the uncompromised fight against corruption, cronyism and political violence and defined a sound and sober ideology that, a fellow politician with a divergent view is not a sworn enemy, but a political opponent and a fellow citizen.

He answered a call beyond duty, ran his race and accomplished so much so few have achieved in so short a period of time.

On this day on the celebration of the brave, corrupt free and visionary leadership of President Mwanawasa, we pay our heartfelt tribute to the widow, Dr Maureen Mwanawasa and family who gave more than what was expected of them by sharing President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa to Zambia. May God bless them always.

In the words of an anonymous poet, we conclude with these profound words,

“He shall not grow old as we who are left grow old.

Age shall not weary him nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember him”.

May the soul of Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa rest in peace.

Hakainde Hichilema
President
UPND

The post Hichilema: Zambia Blossomed Under Levy Mwanawasa appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Justin Shonga struck twice in a space of five minutes to book Zambia a ticket to the Kenya 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) at the expense of South Africa.

The tie was even at 79 minutes before Shonga was set up by second half substitute Godfrey Ngwenya to drive home a powerful shot that left Bruce Bvuma helpless between the sticks.
Shonga was not done as he struck in the 82nd minute to dump Bafana Bafana out of the CHAN race after having drawn 2-all in the first leg.

The on-song striker has netted six goals in 11 matches for the Chipolopolo.
Zambia beat Swaziland 4-0 away before completing the rout with a 3-0 home win to consign the Swazis out of Africa’s second tier competition for players plying their trade in the domestic league.

The crowd rallied behind the team pushing them to search for the winner and when it eventually came it was gleefully welcomed in the terraces.

Zambia shifts attention to the September 2 World Cup qualifier against Algeria at Heroes Stadium.

(SOURCE; FAZ Media)

The post Zambia Qualify To 2018 Chan After Defeating South Africa appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Zambia coach Wedson Nyirenda was yesterday reportedly upset with FAZ president Andrew Kamanga’s comments suggesting the trainer’s job was on the line hours before a crucial match that determined Chipolopolo’s passage to the 2018 Kenya African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament.

The unease situation prompted by an article published in the Times of Zambia quoting Kamanga issuing a warning that should Zambia have failed to qualify, Nyirenda and his staff were to be fired.

Speculations filtered through after the match that Nyirenda had quit his job on account of lack of support from the FAZ executive committee.

Nyirenda’s lads, who were only a goalless or 1-all draw away from qualification after forcing a vital 2-all draw in South Africa last week, went on to qualify to next year’s competition with a 4-2 aggregate scoreline.

Nkwazi forward Justin Shonga delivered two goals to give Zambia and Nyirenda’s side a 2-0 home win.

But it was the forces against Nyirenda within football circles that dominated Zambia’s build-up to yesterday’s victory.

Sources have briefed Zambia Reports that Nyirenda felt let down by Kamanga’s comments as they dealt a huge blow in his morale.

According to the sources, Kamanga’s was the last straw to Nyirenda’s level of confidence and his comments suggested he had no backing from his employers.

“The coach does not mind criticism because he has been in this business for a long time so he understands what the expectations are. What was upsetting is that some FAZ executive committee members have been working against him.

“And on the day of the match, the coach reads comments quoting the FAZ president that he will be fired after the game. Wedson felt that was very unfair of the president,” the source said.

The source said if Kamanga wanted to make such comments, he should have done so on a day when the team was not engaged in a crucial match such the one played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium yesterday.

What compounded Nyirenda’s frustration were alleged attempts by some FAZ executive committee members led by Mining Rangers owner Elijah Chileshe commonly known as Shenko to incite the players to boycott the crucial match about 72 hours before kick-off.

“Can you image, ba Shenko was telling players and coaches ati imwe ninshi muchili mule teyela ifya lutu. Tabamifolesha nokumi folesha [why are you playing for charity when they don’t even pay you]. Teku chita fye boycott [Can’t you boycott?],” the source said.

The source added that when the news about Shenko inciting the players filtered to Nyirenda, the coach worked so hard to calm the situation and encouraged the boys to focus on national pride rather than the monetary benefit.

“CHAN is developmental, so the boys were told to consider the future and the coach really worked hard to lift their spirits. But when he read the comments attributed to the FAZ president, he was deflated,” the source added.

Nyirenda has been subjected to very harsh working conditions that include members of the secretariat sabotaging his schedule and preparatory programmen.

“Against Swaziland, the match Zambia was hosting was nearly put off because logistics were not in place. In fact the match commissioner was so upset that he even cancelled a pre-match meeting between the two teams,” the source explained. “They had to arrange another pre-match meeting.”

“Wedson is being frustrated by so many people including officials at the FAZ secretariat. It’s really sad. How he has even managed to get good results so far is a mystery because those are not conducive working conditions.”

When journalist quizzed Zambia assistant coach Aggrey Chiyangi about speculations Nyirenda had quit after guiding the team to CHAN, the trainer dismissed the reports but gave an answer that confirmed things were not all that rosy in the build up to the win.

“I think that [Nyirenda’s resignation] is not true but one thing you should understand is that even coaches are human beings,” Chiyangi said.

“When you had a game that is crucial and that game is a do or die game and you are focusing and someone else comes says somethings that don’t make you happy, you are disturbed a bit. But for now this issue of resigning is not there. Whoever said that is just lying.”

Nyirenda took over the Chipolopolo job in September last year and has within few months guided a modest Zambian side of little-known starts to the CHAN after finishing second at the COSAFA Senior Castle Cup.

The post Kamanga’s Comments Upset Wedson Nyirenda As Shenko’s Alleged Attempt To Incite Player Boycott Over Allowances Flops appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Good morning Zambia Reports, first and foremost, let me compliment and congratulate you with your online news media publication. No doubt, we lend you our eyes for good purpose.

You further deserve our much anticipated attention.

Never-the-less, through your platform, I would like to urge my fellow youths out their to mind the language they express in their comments. It seems each and everytime a political issue is posted on your timeline.

There is always a few youths out there, who are overcome by the bigotry of tribalism, unnecessary political dogma and hatred, they always vomit ill comments that likely injure fellow citizens. I would like to politely urge fellow youths to bear in mind that where their freedoms of expression and rights end, marks the beginning of another’s. It is us that can fight this cancer out of society.

Otherwise, blaming society, yet forgetting that we are the society that is only aiding us in digging our own mass grave.

Let Us Change Our Mentality And Kick Tribalism Out Of Zambia.

Mike Chimansa

The post Letter: Take Caution When Commenting appeared first on Zambia Reports.

University of Zambia academic affairs secretary Cornelius Daka has disclosed that all registered students will be allowed to sit for exams provided their sponsors or guardians sign commitment forms to clear the debt.

This follows President Edgar Lungu’s intervation in the standoff between students and the institution.

UNZA management had issued a circular barring students with uncleared tuition fee from sitting for examination.

“UNZASU would like to inform the student populace that senate held an emergency meeting yesterday concerning examination and fees and a concordance has been reached, all registered students will be allowed to sit for exams this academic year 2016/2017 provided their sponsor or guardian sign a commitment to complete payment of fees for the affected student, this came as a directive from H.E President Edgar Lungu through the minister of higher education, ladies and gentlemen we have won the battle,” Daka stated.
He said results of owing students would be withheld.

“We urge students to continue making further payments as results will not be published for students who will still be owing the university at the time of publication, and all graduating students still owing will not be allowed to graduate. We further urge all registered students to collect new identity cards and latest exam slips as they will be used to gain access to exam rooms,” stated Daka.

“Furthermore deffered exams will be given to all students that are registered and missed mid-year exams, a deffered exam timetable will be published immediately after the final exams. Lastly we urge all registered students still owing the institution to get in touch with their sponsors and guardians to travel to the University of Zambia and sign commitment forms on their behalf before exams begin in a fortnight to avoid being inconvenienced.”

Last month, UNZA management announced that over 8,000 students who were owing the institution about K58 million will not be allowed to sit for exams or access university services.

The post UNZA Allowances About 8, 000 Tuition Defaulters To Write Exams appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Finance minister Felix Mutati has advised commercial banks to respond aggressively towards the reduction of the reserve ratio.

Mutati says the reduction in policy rates has already started bearing fruits, but the struggle remains on how banks will respond towards it.

He says banks should now be able to bring down the cost of money because they have enough liquidity with the reduced policy rates.

Mutati says the reduction, coupled with the tax amnesty is slowly creating the revival of activities in the private sector.

He has since described the country’s economy as cheerful as such measures will create jobs and business opportunities.

Source: Qfm

The post Mutati Tells Commercial Banks To Take Advantage Of Reserve Ratio appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) says it is set to engage in a meaningful dialogue with all political players.

UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma says there are a lot of things that need to be ironed out.

Kakoma points out the Public Order Act, the need to have a new and independent Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) board, and other challenges in the electoral process.

Kakoma says following the release of UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema, the party is set to engage in a meaningful dialogue in order to promote democracy and the rule of law in Zambia.

The post UPND Ready To Dialogue With Anyone appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Yesterday [Friday], Zambia’s Ambassador to South Africa announced that President Lungu had summoned SA opposition leaders, Mmusi Maimane and Julius Malema, to meet him while he was at the SADC summit in Johannesburg. It was something about the President wanting to speak to them about their interference in our sovereign matters when they called for HH’s release. Like most people, I was shocked at that report. Why would anyone go looking for trouble for the President like that? Well, predictably, the two SA politicians rejected the invitation to meet the President. And again, predictably, the two jumped at the opportunity provided them by the President’s own diplomatic team to insult him for imagining he could summon them. Maimane and Malema of course did not fail to also say what they thought about the President generally.

As if that debacle was not enough, by end of day, videos of PF cadres in full party regalia clashing with protestors from other countries, were doing the rounds. The protestors who had listed President Lungu among the presidents whose “dictatorial tendencies” they were calling for an end to also took their chance to hurl insults at the president as they demanded that the PF cadres leave.

In short, Emmanuel Mwamba managed to turn the SADC Summit into a veritable dog’s dinner as a diplomatic context. He seems to have totally lost the plot and is repeatedly calling unflattering attention to the President whose image it is his job to build. As for the President himself, surely he knows that Emmanuel is no diplomat. Emmanuel’s real interest seems to be in hard knuckle party politics. So why keep him in the diplomatic service? I honestly think Emmanuel should lose his job for the disaster he created yesterday but then I know that this President does not fire people who beg to be fired. In fact he promotes them. But that is his presidential mandate. What the President can do with Emmanuel if he can’t bear to be without his ability to rubble rouse for him, is move him back home into a position in which he can engage in that acrimonious politics he seems to enjoy.

Then there is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Harry Kalaba. I have to ask, how did he allow all that yesterday to be even thought of, forget implemented? How did having cadres protesting their support for the President at an International summit in a foreign country seem even mildly rational? How could Emmanuel be allowed to provoke someone with as little restraint as Julius Malema? Simply, is the Minister of Foreign Affairs even in control of what is happening in the SA mission? Did Emmanuel run his little plan by Harry and he said yes, that is clever?

Let me just end by advising President Lungu – you need to take a step back and critically look at your presidency. You are President of Zambia and not a candidate in an unending contestation for power. Your obsession with 2021, is allowing you to be led by people like Emmanuel who themselves are thinking of nothing but how they can get themselves into the political positions they really want. My sense is you need to completely change your inner team. They are driving you so off track we can all see you heading into a mighty crash over the abyss.

Look at it this way, everything awkward that is happening around your presidency is well predicted by all neutral observers well before it does. It seems everybody knows which puddle you are about to step into except your advisors. In short, they are not earning their cushy salaries. Worse than that, they are turning you into a laughing stock. Change them – for your own good.

SOURCE: LAURA MITI FACEBOOK PAGE

The post OPINION: Laura Miti Weighs In On Pres. Lungu’s Diplomatic Lapse In Malema, Maimane Summons appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Opposition leader Chilufya Tayali has rendered political counsel to President Edgar Lungu on events Zambians would want to immediately forget.

Political events in Zambia hit one of the lowest moments with the climax being a diplomatic lapse in which presidential handlers exposed him to the disrespect of junior South African politicians in Julius Malema and Mmusi Maimane.

HERE IS HOW TAYALI SUMMARIZED THE WEEK

HIGHLIGHTS OF LAST WEEKEND FOR PRESIDENT LUNGU

Your Excellence, while you were being captured dozing at the SADC meeting, together with your counterpart, Robert Mugabe, the following happened:

Kaizer Zulu and Emmanuel Mwamba were quarreling with some protestors in a foreign land, through the some PF cadres.

The protestors were against your dictatorial tendencies because of the obituary arrests for which I am calling for your IG, Kakoma Kanganja because it is due to his incompetence and inefficiency that you were even exposed to danger in Mongu.

Anyway, Ba President I love both Kaizer and Emmanuel but what they did to organize those cadres did not help our reputation, if anything, it confirmed your bad governance, especially if you monitored international media.

The other thing which happened is that your Information Minister showed a bit of her old self in the manner she quarrelled with Costa Mwansa, over what she really didn’t understand.

Ba President, Kampamba Mulenga let you down, since you are such a calm and collected man, which makes some people think you are humble, though I don’t agree with them.

Whilst Kampamba was arguing with Costa over manadotory HIV testing Dr. Chitalu Mulenga your Health Minister was backtracking on your policy pronouncement, that it is not mandatory, full consent must be sort from patients.

I think I agree with Dr. Chilufya but I blame him for misleading you, I don’t think he explained these technical issues properly to you otherwise you would not have exposed yourself in that manner in public.

You may have to check Kalaluka also, the Attorney General, because he ought to have know that that was a breach of human Right which we have signed to as a Country.

Attached is a video of Kampamba quarreling with Costa instead of having a good interview explaining your policies with acceptable decorum.

I hope you will act on these issues otherwise don’t blame me when I call your governance mediocre and chipatepate.

TAYALI – NI TOUCH AND GO!

EEP – A NATION IS PEOPLE!

2021 IS OUR TIME – WAPYA BAISA!

The post Tayali Renders Political Counsel In Weekly Update To Pres. Lungu appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Student leaders from across the country today visited opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema to offer their solidarity after he was released from prsion.

Hichilema expressed gratitude with the visit saying it was an encouraging gesture.

“Ours is a bigger picture of embracing everyone regardless of their political affiliations, as we want to run a country where citizens respect each,” he said.

READ HICHILEMA’S COMMENTS

Good afternoon friends.

We were humbled to receive a delegation representing students from various learning institutions in the country who came to offer solidarity messages and encouragement at our residence.

In our interactions, we reiterated our desire to run affairs of our country differently and efficiently while fully respecting the people’s fundamental freedoms and rights based on respect for the rule of law.

We thanked them for their solidarity messages and informed them that we habour no grudges and hatred against anyone despite the dehumanising ordeal we went through in the 127 days behind Lilayi, Chimbokaila and Mukobeko prisons.

In sharing our prison experience, we told them that we would never want even whoever is considered our worst opponents to endure such dehumanising treatment as even those considered hard-core criminals must have some basic human rights and freedoms to enjoy.

Ours is a bigger picture of embracing everyone regardless of their political affiliations, as we want to run a country where citizens respect each.

We once more thank you for your prayers and encouraging messages you keep sending us.

Have a great day and God bless you all.

HH

The post Student Leaders Visit Hichilema appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Day 1. President Edgar Lungu says cabinet deliberated for more than 8 hours and resolved it’s mandatory tests.

Day 2. As President Lungu was leaving for Rwanda, he tells the nation that those opposing the policy must go to court and challenge the decision as it was none debatable.

Day 3. Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya announces on ZNBC TV that it’s not mandatory test.

Day 3. On the same day Information and Broadcasting Minister Kampamba Mulenga is on Diamond TV insisting it’s mandatory test.

Day 4……..still loading and waiting.

The post Antonio Mwanza’s Diary: Chipante Pante? appeared first on Zambia Reports.