PRISCILLA MWILA Lusaka AS PART of efforts to curb illegal gold mining, Government is in the process of engaging an institution to help develop a clear traceability system that will enable it to establish which areas of the country have gold deposits. Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary Hapenga Kabeta said some individuals have been coming into the country with equipment to identify areas where gold is found, a situation he said has encouraged illegal mining. Dr Kabeta said that for more than 100 years, Zambia has been a large-scale mining country, but gold was not part of the sector. He said this when World Gold Council chief executive officer David Tait and council partners called on him at his office yesterday. “Because of this, there has been a lot of gold rush in the country; there have been a lot of illegalities regarding gold. “This is why...

FRA hits 3.1 million tonnes in reserve for first time CHISHALA MUSONDA Kazungula AN UNPRECEDENTED 3.1 million tonnes of maize is now held in national strategic reserves, putting the country in a position of full food security, according to Food Reserve Agency (FRA) executive director Justin Chuunka. Speaking during an inspection of FRA’s Kabuyu satellite depot in Kazungula, Mr Chuunka described the milestone as historic, noting that the country has never previously achieved such massive reserve levels. He assured citizens that the agency has sufficient stocks to safeguard the nation, emphasising that current reserves place Zambia well beyond basic food security thresholds. Mr Chuunka explained that the reserves combine harvests from past and ongoing marketing seasons. He highlighted that the agency is concurrently purchasing grain from local farmers and securely stocking it to protect against adverse weather. To ensure high standards, FRA has deployed its property director to optimise storage...

MARY LEMBA Lusaka PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema will on October 9 this year officially open the First Session of the 14th National Assembly, where he is expected to outline Government’s policy direction and priorities for the 2026 2027 period. Clerk of the National Assembly Loveness Mayaka said the ceremonial opening will take place at Parliament Buildings in Lusaka. Ms Mayaka said during the ceremonial opening, President Hichilema will deliver an address outlining Government’s policy direction and priorities, after which Members of Parliament (MPs) will debate the pronouncements contained in the address. She said the election of presiding officers for the 14th National Assembly will be held on October 2. And Ms Mayaka said newly-elected MPs under the mixed-member proportional representation system will register at Parliament tomorrow ahead of their swearing-in on Monday, September 21. She said the members are required to present the relevant documents, including Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA)-verified qualifications,...

ZAMBIA has already welcomed 1.5 million international tourists this year. This is against an annual target of 2.5 million visitors. This is encouraging progress. The 2.5 million target for this year, though lofty, is already in sight. Meeting it will place the country firmly on track towards the broader Grow Zambia Agenda goal of five million tourist arrivals by 2031. Reaching these ambitious milestones will require steady effort, fresh ideas, and commitment from each and every one of us. The Government has already laid important groundwork. Visa waivers have made it easier for visitors to enter the country. International marketing campaigns are showcasing Zambia’s natural wonders and cultural heritage to the world. Infrastructure projects are improving roads, airports and facilities, ensuring tourists can travel safely and comfortably. The Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA)’s reminder that this is not a journey Government can walk alone is timely. Aggressive marketing and promotion are...

CATHERINE BWALYA Choma AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy has lost his right hand after a hand grenade he allegedly picked and pulled the pin exploded in his hands in Mazabuka District. The incident happened on Monday in Simwaba village in Chief Mwanachingwala’s area. Southern Province police commanding officer Moono Namalongo said the matter was reported to Mazabuka Police Station by the boy’s 33-year-old stepfather, Harrison Mankoli. Preliminary investigations show that the boy and his mother travelled to Tandabale market in Magoye Township to buy groceries. While returning to their residence, the boy, who was walking behind his mother, picked up a hand grenade and pulled the pin, causing it to explode. “The victim sustained multiple cuts to his right hand, a cut below his left eye and cuts to the abdomen,” Mr Namalongo said. The victim was rushed to Mazabuka General Hospital, where he was admitted. Mr Namalongo said police officers who...

TRYNESS TEMBO Lusaka ZANACO has posted a profit after tax of K868 million for the period ended June 30, 2026, slightly down by one percent compared to the previous financial year. The marginal dip in profit has been attributed to a 20 percent increase in operating expenses, which rose by K295 million and offset the positive growth recorded in operating income. According to the unaudited results for the period ended June 30, 2026 issued by company secretary Kaluba Kaulung’ombe-Inampasa, total operating income went up by 13 percent, equivalent to K367 million, driven by solid performance across key revenue streams. Non-funded income saw a sharp rise of 55 percent (K232 million), boosted by a 43 percent growth in treasury income and K55 million recovered from other operations. “Net fees and commissions increased by 24 percent, underpinned by higher transactional volumes across digital channels, while net interest income grew by three percent,...

CHOMBA MUSIKA Lusaka HARD work and a collective national effort are needed to turn the Government’s Grow Zambia Agenda into reality, Cabinet has said. And Cabinet has approved the Budget Policy Concept Paper outlining broad policy priorities for the 2027–2029 Medium Term Budget Plan and the 2027 Annual Budget, less than 24 hours after being constituted. Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa said the medium-term agenda will focus on promoting national development, improving the welfare of Zambians and accelerating economic growth under the Grow Zambia Agenda. Mr Kangwa said this in a statement issued yesterday following Cabinet’s inaugural meeting, which was convened by President Hakainde Hichilema to consider measures aimed at fostering socio economic development and expanding the economy. He said Zambia will now transition from the stabilisation agenda that dominated the past five years to an economic growth phase anchored on the 10-10-5-3-3-1-1-1 production targets. The targets include producing...

MATHEWS MALAZIKA Lusaka NEW Nation Party (NNP) leader Nevers Mumba has resigned from his position and active partisan politics, saying he is redefining his service to Zambia at a time when the country needs greater healing, reconciliation and national unity. Dr Mumba announced the decision at a media briefing in Lusaka, saying NNP vice president for administration Reuben Sambo will take over the leadership of the party. He has also resigned from the United Party for National Development (UPND) Alliance Council of Presidents, with Mr Sambo expected to replace him. Dr Mumba said his decision does not amount to retirement from public service, but what he described as a “redefinition of service”. He said President Hakainde Hichilema now faces a responsibility similar to that which confronted former President Kenneth Kaunda, who, like the current Head of State, had no living former president from whom to seek counsel. Dr Mumba said...

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Musokotwane bounces back to steer growth agenda after stabilising economy ZIPPORAH MUSHALA Lusaka IN a clear demonstration of confidence, President Hakainde Hichilema has reappointed Situmbeko Musokotwane as Minister of Finance and National Planning. The appointment underscores the President’s trust in Dr Musokotwane to drive the country’s Grow Zambia Agenda in his second term of office. Dr Musokotwane took oath of office on Monday, September 14, 2026, alongside three other Cabinet ministers so far appointed. The 70-year-old economist also returns to the 14th National Assembly as member of Parliament for Liuwa, a seat he has held since 2011. He initially won the Liuwa seat under the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), before retaining it under the UPND banner in 2016. He previously served as minister of Finance from 2008 to 2011 under President Rupiah Banda, before returning to head the ministry in 2021. The seasoned minister of Finance took office on...