Metro

Zambia: ‘Account for monies received from donors to fight drought,’ EFF leader challenges Hichilema

Published

2 days ago

June 30, 2024

The President of Zambian opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Kasonde Mwenda, has challenged President Hakainde Hichilema to account for the monies raised by the government from international donors since declaring the drought being experienced a national disaster.

Mwenda, who threw the challenge in an interview with Zambia Monitor, also criticized the President’s recent press briefings, denouncing them as mere “talk shows that failed to address Zambia’s pressing economic issues.”

Mwenda lamented that Hichilema missed a crucial opportunity to outline concrete solutions his administration was implementing to tackle the economic crisis.

He expressed his disbelief at Hichilema’s suggestion that individual Zambians should generate and sell electricity to ZESCO amidst the country’s economic challenges.

“He spoke about realigning the budget without even confirming its approval, showing a lack of information. It felt more like a talk show than a serious briefing,” Mwenda said.

The EFF leader further accused Hichilema of pursuing populist policies that have minimal economic impact, such as reversing directives like the one on civil servants driving at night.

He also criticised government’s expenditure on tax holidays for mines and simultaneous electricity imports from neighboring countries.

“He wasted our time. This government needs to take its responsibilities seriously,” Mwenda asserted.

He also drew a comparison to previous administrations accused of misusing COVID-19 relief funds without consequences.

Mwenda went on to challenge Hichilema to disclose the contributions pledged by international partners like King Charles to the drought response programme, emphasizing the demand for transparency and accountability.

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Metro

Nigeria to strengthen defence partnership with South Africa

Published

5 hours ago

July 2, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian government has set plans in motion to strengthen defence partnership with South Africa in a bid to address the multifaceted security challenges bedevilling the African continent.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence
Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, who made this known during an official visit to the Chief of South Africa National Defence Force, Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya, in Pretoria, called for reinforcement of ties between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the South African National Defence Force

In a statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Tuesday in Abuja, the CDS described the meeting as a “panacea to addressing the multifaceted challenges bedevilling the continent”, adding that the “need for cooperation and reinforcement of bilateral ties were also paramount.”

Musa stated that the meeting with his South African counterpart was focused on various measures to address regional security challenges.

According to the Nigerian Army chief, the exchange of expertise and forging stronger ties between the two countries is for the betterment of the continent were considered.

“During the meeting, the Chief of SANDF highlighted the significance of the meeting between the two largest economies and military powers on the African continent,” the statement noted.

“Present at the meeting were the SANDF Chiefs of Intelligence, Policy and Plans, International Affairs and Joint Operations amongst other departmental chiefs of the SANDF,” he added.

Metro

Three Zambians, Tanzanian national arrested for smuggling illegal immigrants

Published

21 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Zambian police in the Kapiri-Mposhi District have arrested three Zambians and a Tanzanian national for conveying and smuggling illegal immigrants into the country.

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Danny Mwale, who confirmed the arrests in a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, said the suspects were arrested at the Nkumbi Checkpoint in Kapiri-Mposhi on Sunday, June 30.

Mwale said the arrests were made possible after officers, acting on a tip-off from concerned members of the public, intercepted a Scania tanker truck with registration numbers T711 DMV and T214.

The police spokesman said the intercepted truck was driven by the Tanzanian, Ramadan Ayoub, 32, from Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, and belongs to World Oil Limited Company based in Tanzania.

“Upon searching the tanker truck, officers discovered four males, believed to be Ethiopians, concealed on a bed inside the vehicle,” Mwale stated.

He added that the truck driver, upon interrogation, disclosed that an accomplice was waiting for the illegal immigrants in Kapiri-Mposhi town.

Following this lead, officers arrested Moses Mfula, 42, from Soweto compound in Kapiri-Mposhi District, the police spokesman said.

He stated further that Mfula cooperated with the police and directed them to two other individuals en route from Lusaka to collect the illegal immigrants.

“Subsequently, a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number ALG 9063 arrived near the tanker truck.

“The two occupants, identified as Charles Mwanza, 43, and Taonga Mukwakwa, 32, from Lusaka’s Chawama compound and Matero township respectively, were arrested after engaging with the truck driver.

“All suspects are currently detained in police custody in Kapiri-Mposhi, while the four illegal immigrants are held in Mkushi District,” the statement said.

Mwale added that investigations are ongoing, with police coordinating with the Department of Immigration.