Metro

Zambia: PF blames President Hichilema for divisive actions, descent into tribalism

Published

1 year ago

December 20, 2023

Zambia’s major opposition party, the Patriotic Front (PF), has blamed President Hakainde Hichilema of deploying divisive actions which have led to tribal and regional tensions emerging in the country.

The allegations were raised following accusations laid at UPND Member of Parliament for Mwinilunga, Newton Smakai, and Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Elijah Muchima, who have been accused of promulgating tribalism and regionalism.

PF Information and Publicity Chairperson, Emmanuel Mwamba, who raised the alarm in a statement, said the former ruling party had noted with deep concern recent statements issued by Samakai in which he was alleged to have called for the balkanisation of Zambia into provincial states.

In the PF statement, Mwamba warned that the comments “were extremely dangerous with the potential to threaten the peace, security and stability of the country.”

He reiterated that Samakai’s statement was clearly a crime against the constitution as the country was created and promoted as a unitary state.

“The police must arrest Hon. Newton Samakai, Hon Elijah Muchima, Hon. Douglas Siakalima and Ms. Buumba Malambo if President Hichilema has to restore faith in the fight against nepotism, tribalism, favouristim and regionalism,” PF spokesman said.

“We must state without equivocation that the current tribal and regional talk has been festered by President Hakainde Hichilema’s own divisive actions through his tribal and regional appointments and utterances,” Mwamba noted.

Mwamba added that it was imperative for President Hichilema to seriously take the “One-Zambia, One-Nation” project as the intention to pursue nation building and achieve national unity was a constitutional and mandatory requirement.

“The desire to create and promote a united Zambia despite its diversity could never be achieved through mere rhetoric but through genuine concerted actions,” he concluded.

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Metro

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

Published

2 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

7 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.