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A member of the Law Association of Zambia says the association’s presid ent acted improperly by engaging with the OASIS forum and making public statements on Bill 7 without first securing direction from the membership. Clement Andeleki said President Lungisani Zulu  had no mandate to represent the association in that way  and has call ed  the conduct unethical and professionally improper. Dr. Andeleki who is also UPND Katombola Member of Parliament has described the Law Association as a body of distinguished legal practitioners, including judges and lawyers, and said the president’s pronouncements urging people to take to the streets in pursuit of regime change were unacceptable. He said the correct procedure was for the president to seek a formal mandate from the general membership before taking such positions or pursuing costly litigation. Dr. Andeleki has noted that doing otherwise risks condemnation in court and endangers the association’s financial resources, wh...

Illustration of some counterfeit products - picture by ZCSA Facebook page Jason   Mwanza, a 34 ‑ year ‑ old trader who sells disposable drinks and other food items in Lusaka ’ s John Howard area, has been hearing stories of how the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has been clamping down on traders selling counterfeit products on the market. Jason revealed that he became interested and eager to know more about the agency and later decided to check on the internet what the agency does; this is how he came to know about ZCSA. He acknowledged that some of the products which are usually seized and destroyed by the agency were items he previously traded in, a development which made him very careful and vigilant when ordering his goods. It is undisputed that counterfeit products, ranging from clothing and electronics to food and beverages, have penetrated nearly every sector of the country’s economy. Their rise on the local market is fast becoming a serious source of concern. ...

Ministry of Agriculture Chief Engineer -Agricultural Mechanization Joseph Phakati says the government has introduced the Hello Tractor  digital application to enhance monitoring, coordination, and delivery of mechanization  services across the country. Mr. Phakati said the application provides real-time information on tractor location, activity, speed, and fuel consumption, enabling improved efficiency and accountability in the use of public agricultural equipment. “This application gives us real-time reports on where the tractor is, what it is doing, the speed it is moving at, the fuel consumption, and most importantly, the work it has completed in a day,” he said. S peaking during a presentation to civil society organizations  on the Comprehensive Agricultural Transformation Support Programme , a government framework aimed at increasing agricultural productivity , Mr. Phakati noted that the mechanization  agenda is embedded within the programme. Mr. Phakati explai...

Patriotic Front (PF) Chilubi Member of Parliament Mulenga Fube has criticized  a section of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), accusing them of aligning themselves with State House for personal gain and describing them as bamushanina ubwali. Mr. Fube said he is disappointed with what he called the current crop of CSOs, arguing that many outspoken activists went silent or shifted positions after the UPND formed government. “I know that after the UPND took over, a lot of CSOs changed. Those who were once vocal have been appointed to various positions   some into commissions and others into different roles,” he said. He cited activist Laura Miti as an example, claiming she now maintains what he described as a “faint voice” after accepting an appointment as commissioner, adding that he believes this has placed her in a conflicting position. “I was shocked that organisations that previously stood firm are now supporting what the state puts forward. Many NGOs that were loud before ...

Picture by Radio Christian Voice Patriotic Front ( PF ) Chilubi Member of Parliament Mulenga Fube has cautioned students against what he termed the abuse of their space . Mr. Fube said this is because the nation depends on their independent thinking and intellectual diversity. Mr. Fube said students play a critical role in shaping national discourse and the country’s economic future, stressing that it is unrealistic and unhealthy for the student population to hold a single, uniform position on complex national matters such as the Constitution or the cost of living. “It is impossible for all students to speak with one voice on any question. Students are expected to be informed in a manner that enables them to interpret situations objectively,” he said. He questioned the state of student unionism , saying past generations of students were known for their vibrancy and engagement on issues affecting the general public. “Where has unionism gone? In the past, students would differ on issu...

Climate Change Expert Abel Musumali has called on the government to establish a carbon pricing mechanism to help Zambia meet its climate finance goals and international commitments. Dr. Musumali said the country needs to introduce a standard price for carbon , arguing that the current unregulated approach leaves Zambia vulnerable to exploitation. “There must be a standard in terms of how much a ton of carbon is sold for. If Zambia sells a ton of carbon at 20 to 30 dollars, we set a benchmark,” he said. “If we leave it open, someone may buy a ton at five dollars and resell it on the international market at 80 to 100 dollars.” He further proposed that government introduce taxes on plastics and other environmentally harmful products as part of resource mobilization for climate financing . Dr. Musumali said such taxes would compel larger companies and industries to contribute meaningfully to national climate financing efforts. He also stressed the need for greater private sector involve...