Metro

Zambia: Hichilema’s govt more corrupt than previous govt, opposition CF claims

Published

1 year ago

December 5, 2023

The leader of Zambia’s Citizens First (CF) Party, Harry Kalaba, has slammed President Hakainde Hichilema’s government of corruption. He also accused the government of dwelling on “false promises” and failing to implement enduring policies that would help to change the economic woes of the country.

Kalaba, who made the allegations during a press briefing in Lusaka on Monday, further accused Hichilema of making empty promises in terms of economic policies, which he had failed to fulfil in three years of his administration.

Highlighting some of the failings of Hichilema, the CF president said many citizens of the country, and international observers were aware of what the country was facing which was “much worse than what caused Zambians to vote out the previous government of Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front (PF).”

“Three years down the line, the President had shown his true colours by presiding over the most corrupt and tribally-polarized government,” Kalaba said.

“The CF is therefore dismayed that while in opposition, the President promised sweeping changes that would help enhance the governance of the nation as well as help win international confidence in the way he would govern the nation,” he noted.

He, however, predicted that Hichilema would also go down as the president with the highest number of unfulfilled campaign promises.

“It is even more worrying that the pain and anguish we are going through as a nation is happening barely three years into the Presidency,” Kalaba said.

Kalaba also accused the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) of evolving into a “more corrupt institution than what was obtaining under the PF government.”

“The UPND was voted on their promised commitment to address corruption but they have failed to fulfil their promises,” Kalaba concluded.

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Metro

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

Published

5 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

10 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.