Metro

Zambian Archbishop blasts ex-President Lungu, President Hichilema for public spat

Published

2 years ago

April 14, 2023

The Catholic Archbishop of Zambia, Emeritus Telesphore Mpundu, has condemned ex-President Edgar Lungu and his successor, Hakainde Hichilema, for abusing and insulting each other in public

“It is shameful that past and present Presidents have resorted to insulting themselves in public, setting a very bad example to the young people”, he said.

The Bishop, in an interview on Friday, said the two leaders should bury their heads in shame for displaying what he termed as childish behaviours by exchanging insults in public and using derogatory words on each other.

Zambia Monitor reports that Bishop Mpundu, who was reacting to a recent altercation between Lungu and Hichilema where they threw insults at each other, said he was appalled that the two respected leaders could go as low as using “shameful” words such as “kutumpa” against each other which “children in the communities had picked and were telling each other.”

“This is a historical problem that they inherited because this country branded political opponents as enemies but certain sentiments that are made should be adhered to and not making reckless statements in public,” he said.

He noted that Zambians had taken politics as war and that Hichilema and Lungu had taken each other as enemies which was not supposed to be the case.

Mpundu also condemned the political violence that was being perpetrated by cadres and suggested that Zambia needed a law that would completely ban caderism and criminalise it.

Related Topics:Archbishop of Zambia Edgar Lungu Featured Insults President Hichilema Zambia

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

9 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

14 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.