Kopabelt Media

BREAKING NEWS: Former Napoli Fc player and Croatian national team assistant coach Aljoša Asanović has been appointed as new Chipolopolo head coach.

IMF IMPOSES AUSTERITY MEASURES ON ZAMBIA AS GOVT IS URGED TO CUT SUBSIDIES

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Economic Outlook (WEO) has stated that Zambia has to drastically cut expenditures.

The IMF has directed the Zambian government to enforce very strict austerity measures, cut all subsidies, and plug wastage.

This according to the IMF World Economic Outlook, a staff survey produced twice a year.

BREAKING NEWS: PRESIDENT HH TERMINATES CONTRACTS FOR DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS

THE Deployed teachers protest at the Ministry of Education offices demanding to be addressed by the Minister. The protesting teachers are demanding to be put on government payroll.

(Picture Courtesy of Mwape Mwenya/Zambia Daily Mail)

£1 BILLION WORTH OF UK INVESTMENT
By Alexander Nkosi

According to to the UK government website, UK and Zambia sign landmark Green Growth Compact to drive billions in sustainable investment, create jobs and strengthen economic partnership.

The UK Minister for Africa, Vicky Ford, said:

"The UK and Zambia are partners in growing greener, more stable economies that create jobs in both countries and new business opportunities.

The Green Growth Compact is a landmark agreement that will benefit the UK and Zambia by boosting UK investment in Zambia by up to £1 billion, creating thousands of jobs and supporting green energy production."

Thank you.

GOVT CONSIDERS RECAPITALIZATION OF KCM

By Chileshe Mwango

Finance Minister Situmbeko has disclosed that discussions with stakeholders have commenced to see how Konkola Copper Mines -KCM- can be recapitalized.

Speaking at the 2022 National Budget Symposium in Lusaka this morning, Dr. Musokotwane has described the current status of the mining company and mopani copper mine as a mess which require huge capital for it to get back to it's former status.

Dr. Musokotwane says it is not true that solutions to KCM's challenges had been found as was earlier stated by the previous government.

Meanwhile, Dr. Musokotwane says it will not be possible to reintroduce meal allowances for university and college students in next year's financial year.

He says a lot of resources have gone to financing both primary and secondary school education following the scraping off PTA and examination fees at the two levels of the education system.

And Dr. Musokotwane says government is aware that the pay as you earn tax threshold of k4500 is inadequate but adds that the 2022 budget is faced with a lot of challenges as much of it is going towards debt repayment.

At the same event, Bank of Zambia -BOZ- Governor Denny Kalyalya says once Zambia gets an International Monetary Fund -IMF- bailout, the country will get budget support which it has not have in recent years.

Earlier Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa disclosed that government will in two days time be engaging with the IMF with a view to conclude talks for a possible bailout package at the start of 2022

Bally ku Chalo

Former State House press aide Amos Chanda has decided to take the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to court for “violently invading his home in the night” last week.

Mr Chanda has charged that the law enforcement agency acted outside the law by searching some of his property in his absence.

“As early as 09:00 hours on Monday (today), I will approach the High Court with [a] view [to] taking the director general for the Anti-Corruption Commission before the bench,” he said.

“They pointed a gun at me and threatened to shoot me,” he said. “I am a law-abiding citizen"

Hon BINWELL MPUNDU, NKANA MP writes.

CREATING WEALTH - CDF UNBUNDLED

Today everyone is building and so the most booming business is the block making business but the quality of the blocks has been compromised. Govt had come up with a statutory instrument that kicked out foreigners from the block making machines and gave the monopoly to locals but guess what, we failed and the excuse was that we did not have the money to invest in serious block making machines . Can you imagine that we go back to that SI because my men and youths in nkana needs that SI.

Here is how we will create wealth for the Nkana men and youths From blocks:

1.We will push our youths and "men" to form cooperatives and push them into a serious block making venture then buy them Hydrolic block making machines which will cost us about K200 000(not too sure of the price though) which machines am told can produce upto 10, 000 blocks per day.

We will create 1 cooperative for this in a each of the 8 wards in Nkana and then bundle these cooperatives together and buy them 4 block making machines or bigger machines but whose cost should not be more than 4 of those 4 hydraulic ones.

We will then give them some start up to buy the first truck loads of cement, quarry dust and anything they need to start preparing the first blocks. Then will will call ZABS to test the strength of the blocks jst to make sure they meet the standards needed.

Then we will sign a deal with all the contractors who will be given projects in Nkana from the CDF to exclusively buy blocks from these Cooperatives.

Then we will create a revolving fund where K1 of each block made and sold will be kept for onward empowerement to other people in Nkana.

It means we may be making 10,000 X 4 blocks per day which will translate to (40000xK5 =K200 000) for the 8 copperative per day and this will mean we will be making K20,000 per day towards the revolving fund.

How about this small example which may not be very accurate with figure but my calculations tells me am close.
The innitiative Will create 800 employment opportunities for the youths/men in Nkana because each copperative will have 100 youths/men.

Help me polish this idea but this is me thinking of creating wealth for the people of Nkana from the CDF funds.

ONE-HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT (128) SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS APPREHENDED IN NDOLA CLEAN-UP OPERATION

The Department of Immigration in Ndola has detained one hundred and twenty-eight suspected illegal immigrants.

This is after an operation which started in the late hours of Thursday, 28th October, 2021 into Friday, 29th October, 2021.

The operation’s target areas were Casinos, Lodges, Masala Residential Area, Pamodzi Residential Area, and Urungu Ndeke turn-off resulting in the apprehending of Three Hundred and Fifty-Eight (358).

Those apprehended were Two Hundred and Seventy-Eight (278) Somalis, Eighteen (18) Tanzanians, Fourteen (14) Indians, Nine (09) persons claiming Zambian citizenship, and Eight (08) Kenyans, Five (05) Congolese, Five (05) Chinese, Four (04) Americans, Four (04) Cambodians, and Four (04) Ethiopians. Others were Three (03) Dutch, Two (02) British, One (01) Canadian, One (01) Malawian, and One (01) Turkish.
Of the Three Hundred and Fifty-Eight (358) apprehended Two Hundred and Thirty (230) were released unconditionally after screening while thirty-seven were mandated to report to the Ndola Regional Immigration Office for further formalities.

Meanwhile, One-Hundred and Twenty-Eight (128) are detained at Kansenshi Correctional Facility, pending further formalities and possible prosecution. These are One-Hundred (100) Somalis, Seventeen (17)congolese, Six (06) Tanzanians, Four (04) Cambodians, and One (01) Canadian.

Immigration public relations manager Namati Nshinka states that the department is no way forcing any person to carry their Identity Documents with them, they are merely advising people to do so in order to avoid the inconvenience associated with clean-up operations.

Screening was done at Musa Kasonka Stadium.

ACC SEARCHES BUSINESSMAN VALDEN FINDLAY’S HOME

By Diamond Staff

The Anti-Corruption Commission-ACC-has conducted a searched at the home of Lusaka Businessman, Valden Findlay in state lodge area.
The team of officers this morning spent close to two hours at the businessman’s house.

Diamond TV understands the search is in connection with ongoing investigations into a number of deals under the previous regime.

The investigative wing is allegedly looking for information in relation to the purchase of military planes and the Gulf Stream.

Other areas of interest includes alleged possible stashes of cash, 2021 campaign vehicles, documents related to NAPSA deals and Eswatini projects.

ACC Public Relations Office, Jonathan Siame was not available for a comment as his phone went unanswered.

PATSON DAKA IS UEFA PLAYER OF THE WEEK.

CONGRATULATIONS PATSON.

"MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, GO UP IN SMOKE"

THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC)
Lundazi District destroyed over 6.7 tonnes of Cannabis and other drugs forfeited to the State from various cases over the past months. The destruction was witnessed by members of the District Joint Operations Committee, the Clerk of the Subordinate Court and Council Officials.

(Picture by Ba DEC)

HH APPOINTS CHIPOKOTA MWANAWASA AS HIS SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR PUBLIC POLICY

Chipokota Mayamba Cindy Mwanawasa has been appointed as the Special Assistant to the President for Public Policy, a new position in the reorganisation of State House.

Chipokota Mwanawasa is the daughter of 3rd Zambian Republican president Levy Mwanawasa and politician and lawyer Maureen Mwanawasa.

Chipokota, or Chipo as she is often referred to as, is a lawyer, farmer and entrepreneur. She holds a joint Honours degree in English and French Law from the University of Kent in UK and Université de Bordeaux IV in France, a Masters in Commercial Law from the University of Cape Town and a Masters in Public Policy Degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Just before the 2016 Zambian presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections, Chipo, alongside directing her commercial farming and agribusiness ventures in Chibombo, dedicated a full year to work as a political strategist for the Mr Hichilema.

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA TERMINATES APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY TO THE CABINET

Bowman Lusambo writes:

SLAPDEE SHOULD WITHDRAW HIS APOLOGY, IT’S A BETRAYAL OF ARTISTIC CONSCIOUSNESS

One of the most prized possessions of an artist in whatever form or shade is the ability to express oneself artistically without undue internal or external pressures. When you have a horde of people descend on an artist to an extent of forcing him or her to denounce their own artistic creations, then such action cannot pass without a comment.

The events of the past two days following Slapdee’s AFRIMMA nomination and the cyber bullying that he has been subjected to leading to him apologizing for having provided artistic services to the PF during the elections campaign have left me saddened.

As someone who has supported Slapdee’s career from the early days, I was proud to see his nomination for the prestigious award and I quickly voted for him and mobilized several friends to equally do the same as an act of patriotism and as a contribution towards the growth of the creative and arts sector.

It is therefore despicable that some Zambians can find joy and ecstasy in decampaigning Slapdee, voting for a rival artist from a foreign country and forcing him to apologise for using his art in a way he saw it fit, both commercially and artistically.

When an artist is stripped off his artistic consciousness, his entire body of work becomes redundant and orphaned. Our artists should be allowed to enjoy absolute artistic freedom as long as it sits within the framework of what is legally permissible in the land.

Furthermore, those that have the mandate to provide leadership in this country should quickly implement measures that will reunite this country. The unnecessary debates from the so called 2.8 and the 1.8 is unfortunate, irritating and should not to tolerated. Zambia is bigger than these two groups of people put together.

Over 14 million Zambians did not want to have anything to do with the past elections and reducing every national debate to how the 2.8 and the 1.8 million people would feel is shallow mindedness of the worst form. To be fair to Slapdee, he owed no one an apology.

As an artist, he should be at liberty to exercise his freedom of free thought and be allowed to express it in the best way he knows-through art. I therefore wish to advise him to retract his apology and maintain his nomination for the award and remain an influential and incredible artist that he is.

Bowman Lusambo Arrested & Released On Bond.

Lusambo writes....

I wish to inform the nation that I have today formally been arrested and charged with one count of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm and another count of Assault.

This is in relation to incidents that allegedly happen in 2019.

I will appear in the Luanshya Magistrate Court on the 18th of October 2021 for plea. I have since been released on Bond.

I wish to thank all our supporters for the support and prayers.

KITWE COUNCIL MOUNTS CAMERAS TO MONITOR RESIDENTS BUYING ON STREETS

Kitwe ~ Tue, 5 Oct 2021

By Brightwell Chabusha

The Kitwe City Council has mounted surveillance cameras to monitor members of the public buying goods in the streets.

Kitwe Town Clerk Mbulo Seke said the move is in an effort to stop the public from buying goods from undesignated places.

He said the council will from next week start to arrest and prosecute people buying from the streets.

“Kitwe City Council would like to caution members of the public who have developed the habit of buying goods and merchandise from the undesignated places or streets that the local authority has mounted surveillance on the streets and will, by Monday next week, start to arrest and prosecute people buying goods or merchandise from the undesignated places or streets in contravention of Regulation 46 of the Local Government (Street Vending and Nuisances) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 2018 as read together with the Local Government (Street Vending and Nuisances) (No. 2) Regulations, 1992 and the Markets and Bus Stations Act No. 7 of 2007 which prohibits buying goods or merchandise from the undesignated places or streets,” he said.

Mr Seke said there is a lot of unhealthy customer behavior in the district.

He explained that by Law, any person found buying goods or merchandise from the undesignated places or streets shall be liable on conviction.

“This comes in the wake of observed unhealthy customer behaviour preferring to buy from the streets instead of designated trading places which is encouraging traders to abandon their market stands in preference for the street thereby contributing to the increase in street vending, street congestion and street litering as well as loss of revenue in the markets. Under the law, any person found buying goods or merchandise from the undesignated places or streets shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine of 666.67 penalty units or K200.00,” Mr Seke said.

https://zambiareports.com/2021/10/05/kitwe-council-mounts-cameras-monitor-residents-buying-streets/

JUST IN: COPS ARREST CHITAMBALA MWEWA.

Chitambala Mwewa of Simon Mwewa Lane TV has been arrested on warrant for the case of Defamation against opposition PF Chawama Member of Parliament, Mrs Tasila Lungu-Mwansa.

He was picked up by officers from his office at Simoson Building on Simon Mwewa Lane at 10:15 am this morning.

FAZ OPENS GATES FOR FANS

Press Statement
(For Immediate Release)
Football Association of Zambia
Football House, Lusaka
2ND OCTOBER 2021

FAZ OPENS GATES FOR FANS

Following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions by the Ministry of Health, arising from reduced Covid-19 incidences, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to inform its members and all stakeholders that spectators will be allowed to return to stadia albeit in observance of the five golden rules.

FAZ has sought guidance from the Ministry of Health and the superintending ministry of sports to ensure that the return of spectators is within the specified Covid-19 guidelines.

“We have taken note of the pronouncements by the Ministry of Health over the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions in the country and are pleased to announce that fans will be allowed to return to stadia for league matches,” says FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala.

“We, however, advise clubs to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines which include regular disinfection of their premises, masking up, sanitizing and social distancing. We also urge clubs to encourage their players, officials and fans to take up the option of vaccination as part of helping reduce the risk of infection.”

Kashala says FAZ will continue to liaise with the Ministry of Health through the Zambia National Public Health Institute and the Zambia Medical Association (ZMA) in ensuring that football is above board in adhering to the guidelines.

“We also wish to advise our members that should they fail to adhere to the guidelines, they may run the risk of having their match venues barred from admitting fans. The longevity of fans staying at stadia is subject to us remaining vigilante at all times of the threat posed by the Covid-19 infection,” he says.

FAZ has clarified that the number of fans for the October 10, 2021, Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier remains 20, 000 as guided by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo announced the lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions on Friday and indicated that Zambia has been removed from the red list and upgraded to green arising from the reduction in the numbers of infection.

For and on behalf of:
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
Sydney Mungala
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

NKANA MP WEEKEND DIARY

Good evening dear residents of Nkana, as per the tradition I have arrived back into the constituency for my weekend tour of duty.

Saturday 02/10/2021

1.08:30hrs A brief tour of st anthony Market.

2.09:30hrs I will be attending the burial for my sister Rashida Mulenga's late mother in law.

3.14:00hrs we will conduct an on the spot check on the works being done by the local authority on central Street.

4.I will visit two funeral homes of our two departed foot soldiers in nkana west and Chakulya.

SUNDAY 03/10/2021

08:30hrs I will attend mass at sacred heart Catholic Church.

10:30hrs I will attend church at Kings garden church.

15:00hrs I will be meeting the leadership of Luyando community

BINWELL MPUNDU
NKANA MP

SPAX WRITES TO IG SEEKING GASSING CLEARANCE

A Chingola based Businessman Kabaso Mulenga popularly known as Spax has distanced himself from cases of gassing which rocked the country from October 2019 to March 2020.

Mr. Mulenga has since written a complaint letter to the Inspector General of Police challenging the service to expedite investigations into the matter and inform the nation who was behind the gassing cases.

He says he has been compelled to write the letter because some social media posts and comments have been linking him to being behind the acts.

Mr. Mulenga now wants the police to cause a public announcement clearing him from any involvement in the gassing incidents.

Police are yet to give a comment on the matter.

LATEST: Minister of Education Mr Douglas Siakalima has directed PEOs, DEBS and Headteachers to ensure no school or college sends away a pupil or student who has not paid term 3 fees.

CHIPOLOPOLO OFF TO DOULA FOR INTERNATIONAL CAMP

The Chipolopolo boys have left for Douala, Cameroon for an international camp ahead of the back-to-back clashes with Equatorial Guinea in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Fourteen local players and the technical bench have headed to Cameroon aboard Ethiopian Airlines with foreign based players expected to join camp in Doula.

The weeklong international camp has been organized to ensure that the team acclimatizes with the weather that is similar to the conditions in Equatorial Guinea.

Zambia will be away to Equatorial Guinea on October 7 before hosting the Nzalang Nacional three days later at National Heroes Stadium.

Zambia lies second in Group B with three points while Tunisia tops the pool with six points.
Equatorial is third and sits on the same points with Zambia with an inferior goal difference with Mauritania at the bottom with zero points.

FAZ vice president Justin Mumba is leading the delegation to Cameroon.

Departure is at 15:15 hours aboard Ethiopian Airlines.

FULL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS)

Gregory Sanjase (Zesco United), Lameck Siame (Zanaco), Mwenya Chibwe (Baroka FC-RSA),

(DEFENDERS)
Benedict Chepeshi, Proper Chiluya (both Red Arrwos), Solomon Sakala, Simon Silwimba (both Zesco United), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Tandi Mwape (TP Mazembe-DRC), Isaac Shamujompa-Zanaco)

(MIDFEIEDERS)
Dickson Chapa, Kelvin Kampamba (both Zesco United), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Enock Mwepu (Brighton-England), Edward Chilufya, Emmanuel Banda (both Djurgardens), Lubambo Musonda (Horsens-Denmark), Clatous Chama (RS Berkane-Morocco), Rally Bwalya (Simba-Tanzania)

STRIKERS
(Brian Mwila (Buildcon), Moses Phiri (Zanaco), Fashion Sakala (Glasgow Rangers-Scotland), Patson Daka-Leicester-England), Evans Kangwa-Arsenal Tula-Russia, Jimmy Mukeya (Napsa Stars).

Credit : FAZ.

JUST IN: President Hakainde Hichilema will tomorrow, 30th September, 2021 hold a press conference at State House at 14:00 hours.

LUNGU NABBED BY DEC

drug enforcement commission _DEC has concluded investigation in some matter pertaining the case at konkola copper mines (KCM)and has charged and arrested Mr Milingo Lungu, male aged 43 of plot 22763 lusaka for obtaining money by false pretence amouting to US$2,200,000,00

Mr LUNGU was also charged with money laundering and theft amounting to k110.4m and US$250,000,00

Mr LUNGU has been released on police bond

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA APPOINTS BANK OF ZAMBIA GOVERNOR

Hakainde Hichilema arrives in Lusaka Zambia
more details later

Finally

Renowned Kenyan lawyer and scholar Patrick Lumumba says Zambia needs to change the names of Livingstone town and Victoria Falls to their original local identities. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

Renowned African academician PLO Lumumba arrives at KKIA this afternoon. Picture By DOROTHY CHISI

FAZ CLEARS AIR ON U-17 GIRLS FLASH BUS INCIDENT

Press Statement
(For Immediate Release)
Football Association of Zambia
Football House, Lusaka
25TH SEPTEMBER 2021

FAZ CLEARS AIR ON U17-GIRLS

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has been made aware of a video circulating online showing six under-17 women national team players boarding public transport. We wish to state that currently there are three women national teams in camp namely the senior Women National Team, the under-20 and under-17.

“FAZ has instituted investigations into the circumstances and have suspended the team manager with immediate effect,” said FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala.

FAZ under Mr Andrew Kamanga has set a very high bar for itself in terms of providing and camping women’s national teams and regrets that an act of negligence on the team management of the under-17 girls has drawn widespread condemnation.

The video footage comprises some under-17 girls that had gone to the passport office for interviews in preparations for the Region V Games to be staged in December. FAZ had facilitated their transport through an assigned vehicle but have learnt that the personnel handling the team sought an unsanctioned mode of transport after they finished their task ahead of the scheduled time.

“FAZ remains committed to maintaining the very high bar set for the teams especially women teams that have continued to do the nation proud,” Kashala said.
“The under-20 girls did the nation proud on Friday by beating Malawi 6-0 at Nkoloma Stadium. The girls will remain in camp until the time they fly to Malawi for the return leg of the Costa Rica 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier on October 9.”

He added: “The senior Women’s National Team are expected to fly to South Africa on Monday for the 2021 Cosafa Women’s Championship.”

For and on behalf of:
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
Sydney Mungala
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

The Dream May Tarry But Shall Be Achieved

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Since September 2020, I had agonized to make a final decision.

Everyday I was troubled, slept over it, consulted and mostly prayed about it.

I made this known to my family and close friends.

I was going to resign from my job to pursue other interests.

So when it was time, I made a step.

I resigned as Zambia's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to both the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa....

Others were alarmed!

"How could you leave a job you are good at? How could you leave a job that people can only wish for? What if your intended pursuits fail?"

Other partners like my colleagues in the United States felt I could be betraying a cause for Africa, a cause they felt Zambia and myself were doing very well. "For times such as these, you are like an Esther!"

But I was convinced this was my new path.

After several drafts, I had my final letter. I travelled to Lusaka to tender in my resignation!

Phew. I was finally at peace!
"The Beginning of my new journey had started", I confidently told myself.

It was not to be!

Only to be called later that; "Your resignation has been refused!"

"Your national duties to the country are more valuable than your personal pursuits!"

I was puzzled and caught by surprise by the turn of this development.

"Where did you here that a resignation had been refused?" I asked myself!

So with forlorn mood but thanking God for this new development, I returned to Addis Ababa, to do what I know best...Do my work!

So when colleagues, friends and family recently learnt of my recall,they expressed worry and deep concern...

But I remind them; "But this is a job I resigned from. This is an opportunity I had settled to forego..."

Besides, diplomatic jobs are like a revolving door. Someone is always coming in and another is always leaving.

For me I look back to the great work we have done in foreign service since 2015 and I thank God for the rare opportunity given to me, recognizing that this chapter is now closed, and a new one shall be opened.

It is well.

The vision will be achieved. It may tarry but will surely be fulfilled.

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry" Habakkuk 2;3

LIMITATIONS OF USING PAYPAL IN ZAMBIA FOR BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS WORRIES YOUTHS

Dear admin,
......GOOD AFTERNOON, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS CONCERN OVER THE LIMITATIONS WITH PAYPAL IN ZAMBIA

PayPal is one of the most popular online payment systems for sending, receiving and withdrawing money from individuals, clients and websites. However, in Zambia PayPal is limited to sending funds, in other words only making payments. It is not possible for Zambian PayPal users to receive money and then withdraw to their Zambian bank account.

This service limitation is because of the laws and financial regulations of Zambia that PayPal must comply with. If our government can support the provision of all PayPal services, new business opportunities will be made available to individuals and small- or large-scale businesses.

Despite having alternative online payment methods (e.g. bank wire transfer, mobile money etc.), some clients and websites like eBay prefer to use PayPal exclusively. This makes it very difficult for Zambians to sell their products and skills online to an international market. Considering the lack of jobs, this is a missed opportunity for Zambian residents.

Please support and share this petition with everyone. We need to update our country policies so that Zambian residents can receive and withdraw money from PayPal. Let us help create jobs. Thank you!

MOTHER GETS 7 YEARS FOR DUMPING BABY IN PIT LATRINE

The Ndola High Court has sentenced a 32-year-old mother to seven years imprisonment for dumping her baby in a pit latrine.

This is in a matter where Lydia Mweshi is charged with infanticide contrary to Section 203 of the Penal Code.

Ndola High Court Judge Daniel Musonda convicted and sentenced Mweshi after she admitted the charge.

“I take note you are the first offender. You readily admitted the charge without wasting courts time. I also take note that you ended the life of an infant whose life was starting,” he said.

Earlier, State Advocate Innocent Kamunga said on December 9, 2020 police in Chipulukusu received information that an infant had been dumped in a toilet.

Mr Kamunga said the information was received from a concerned member of the Chipulukusu community after the infant was heard crying while in the pit latrine.

He said acting on the information, police instituted thorough investigations which led to the apprehension of Mweshi.

Mr Kamunga said Mweshi was then taken to Ndola Teaching Hospital where it was confirmed by medical personnel that she had recently given birth.

He said on the same day, the infant was retrieved with the help of the Fire Brigade and was taken to Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Mr Kamunga further informed the court that the postmortem conducted by Dr Volodymyr Petrenko revealed the cause of death of the child as asphyxia due to an undetermined cause.

“Subsequently, the accused was charged and arrested with the offence of infanticide. The accused person unlawfully did cause the death of the infant,” he said.

In her mitigations, Mweshi, through her lawyer Bwalya, said she regretted causing the death of her child.

Bwalya Mweshi had time to reflect on her mischief during the time spent in custody and is ashamed of herself.

She said her client has two toddlers whom she left with the mother and the same depend on her.

“My Lord, my client has promised not to engage in criminality. She prays to the court to be lenient with her as the death of her baby will forever haunt her,” Bwalya said.