CHOMBA MUSIKA Lusaka ZAMBIA’S first indigenous Zambia Air Force (ZAF) commander, Lieutenant General Peter Dingiswayo Zuze, has died at the age of 83 after an illness. Lt Gen Zuze died on Monday, with his death announced by the Zambia Air Force and confirmed by his family. In a statement, ZAF described the retired pilot as an accomplished aviator, distinguished general and pioneering military leader who served the Republic of Zambia with honour, dedication and distinction. The Air Force said Lt Gen Zuze played a significant role in the early transformation and development of the service, helping to lay the foundation upon which the modern Zambia Air Force has been built. “Through his leadership and contribution, he helped lay the foundation upon which the modern Air Force has been built,” the statement said. ZAF described his death as a profound loss to the Air Force, the defence force and the nation,...

THERE is a difficult conversation Zambia needs to have about public service, and it is one that should not be reduced to the familiar complaint about salaries, staffing levels or conditions of service. At the heart of the problem is something more fundamental: our attitude towards work and the responsibility that comes with being employed to serve the public. Public and Allied Workers Union of Zambia president Inambao Sitwala is right to call for a mind-set change among public service workers, particularly in the health sector, where the consequences of poor work culture can be immediate and distressing. His concerns about prolonged use of mobile phones and social media during working hours may appear to be about technology, but the bigger issue is what this behaviour reveals about our attitude towards duty. Facebook, WhatsApp and other online platforms are not inherently bad. They are useful tools for communication, education and...

GRACE CHAILE Lusaka LUSAKA Principal Resident Magistrate Idah Phiri has cautioned Zambians against making unsubstantiated claims that could bring the office of the President into disrepute or cause embarrassment. Ms Phiri said this when she sentenced blogger Joseph Chishimba to nine months’ imprisonment with hard labour for circulating a screenshot alleging that Special Assistant to the President for Public Policy Chipokota Mwanawasa was pregnant by a “guy at State House”. Chishimba, 47, of Jack Township, was facing one count of publication of information contrary to Section 54 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021. The trial court said there was a need to incarcerate Chishimba to send a strong message to would-be offenders, considering the potential impact of disseminating unverified information concerning the highest office in the land. “Disseminating unverified information concerning the highest office of the President has the potential to destabilise public confidence...

CHOMBA MUSIKA Lusaka FIVE nominated members of Parliament (MPs) have pledged to use their legislative authority to complement President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia Agenda, a blueprint for the country’s socio-economic development. The law-makers, who include re-appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co operation Mulambo Haimbe, made the pledge yesterday after taking oath before Speaker of National Assembly Nelly Mutti. Others are former Zambia National Public Health Institute director-general Roma Chilengi, who is the new Minister of Health, economist Noel Nkoma, University of Zambia academician Gilbert Siame, who is Minister of Green Economy and Environment, and former Luena law-maker Mubita Anakoka. Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Haimbe thanked President Hichilema, God and the people of Zambia for the nomination to serve in the 14th National Assembly. “The representation that should be expected [from me] is towards the growth agenda. “The idea is that all of us as members of Parliament,...

AMOS KAWISHA Solwezi SOLWEZI Municipal Council chief human resource officer Golden Matimba has been arrested and charged with alleged false accounting involving over K100,000 meant for the council’s 2023 Labour Day celebrations. In a statement issued by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) head of corporate communications Joseph Mwenya, Mr Matimba, 43, was arrested and charged with false accounting by a public officer, contrary to Section 327 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia. Mr Mwenya said Mr Matimba is charged in connection with money he received from the council to facilitate payments for the 2023 Labour Day celebrations. He said the alleged offence happened between April 27 and June 2023 in Solwezi District, North-Western Province, when Mr Matimba allegedly submitted a false statement regarding the retirement of K103,600 meant for the celebrations. Mr Mwenya said Mr Matimba has since been released on bond pending his appearance in court....