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  By Christopher Chisi   The Participatory Ecological Land-Use Management–PELUM Zambia says there is a need to protect the informal seed sector which mainly comprises the local traditional seed system, in order to preserve the country’s crop diversity.   PELUM Zambia Programs Officer, Wilfred Miga has cautioned that killing the informal seed sector is tantamount to destroying all the crop diversity it promotes.   Mr. Miga emphasized the need to ensure that the informal seed sector which does not only thrive within the communities but also has some cultural attachments is well preserved.   Speaking in his presentation dubbed  the seed sector  during the just ended three days-Ecological Organic Agriculture Media training held in Lusaka, Mr. Miga expressed concern that at present, the country’s seed industry has been infiltrated by some multinational companies while the informal seed system is being weakened.   He regretted that at the same time, far...

Council of Churches in Zambia [CCZ] General Secretary Father Emmanuel Chikoya has called on the Zambia Police to stop operating in the context of bitterness, but ensure they are professional and above board as they conduct arrests. Fr. Chikoya notes with concern that the Police are slowly returning to how they operated under the PF regime. He says the Police are expected to be professional and ensure that people are not unnecessarily detained. Fr. Chikoya says those that facing bond-able cases should granted police bond as it is their constitutional right. He states that it is high time people start suing Police officers in their individual capacities for refusing to grant police bond on the pretext that they are working under instruction. Fr. Chikoya says this tactic of arresting people is not helpful and reflects badly on the country's democracy.

Retired veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga has cautioned politicians and Zambians against abusing their freedom of speech. Dr Mwaanga says some comments coming some individuals targeted at the Head of State are disturbing. He says Zambians are breathing fresh air due to the freedom of expression that has been restored to them, which however, must not be abused. Dr Mwaanga says the Head of State is a respected figure in any country and that no one should use unpalatable language against him. He has advised politicians to respect President Hakainde Hichilema, adding that those who disagree with his style of leadership must do so respectfully. Dr Mwaanga states that those abusing their freedom of expression are jeopardizing the freedom of others who have more sensible things to say regarding the direction in which the country should go

Government has been urged to develop a system of providing quarterly funding to grant aided Schools so that the quality of education is not compromised with the coming of free education. Christian Coalition Zambia President Professor Charles Mwape says the quarterly release of funds to schools will ensure smooth operations as well as the implementation of the free education policy. And Prof. Mwape says with the earmarked recruitment of 30, 000 teachers, the pupil teacher ratio will be addressed. Professor Mwape is however, regret that those that will be required to pay K1, 000 boarding fee will not see the benefits of the free education policy. He says if the free education policy is going to be appreciated by every child, government should increase funding to boarding schools and ensure that boarding fee is completely removed.

Ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) Namwala Member of Parliament Moono Mapani has observed that the new dawn administration has been lenient with a number of former ministers and PF sympathizers. Mr Mapani says most of the former Ministers are supposed to be in prison because of the wrong things they committed. He says it is therefore wrong for former Justice Minister Given Lubinda to insinuate that the UPND is after ex-Ministers and opposition Patriotic Front members and sympathizers. He has reminded Mr. Lubinda that former PF Secretary General Davies Mwila had told PF members to go flat out and campaign ahead of the 2021 elections, because he knew that if they lost they were going to be arrested for their wrong doings. Mr Mapani says Mr Mwila’s statement was a clear indication that a lot of atrocities were committed during the PF regime. He has advised the PF to count what they did as opposed to accusing the ruling party of witch-hunting.

Civil Rights Activist Brebner Changala has described as careless President Hakainde Hichilema's statement that the corrupt clique which stole from the Zambian people is now teaching his ministers and permanent secretaries how to siphon money from government. Mr Changala says the President should desist from issuing alarming statement, but act against those involved in corrupt activities. He says the head of state has every right to fire those engaging in corruption and replace them with people who share his vision with regards the fight against corruption. Mr Changala has also advised the President to stop talking about the PF which he has referred to a dead organization which may never come again. He is concerned that the fight against corruption under the new dawn administration might not be won if the President continues talking and blaming the former regime. Mr Changala says Zambians voted for the UPND so that they can address the things which were wrong under the PF ...

Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe has advised those being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Drug Enforcement Commission to take advantage of the fast track court on economic and financial crimes that is being established to clear themselves. Mr. Haimbe says it is up to the court to determine whether or not the allegations that have been leveled against an individual can result in a conviction. He says it is wrong and unfair for the ex-Ministers in the PF administration who are being investigated to suggest that the UPND administration has embarked on a witch-hunt of former government officials in the previous regime. Mr. Haimbe says the new dawn administration is not persecuting anyone as perceived by some Patriotic Front members and other stakeholders. The Justice Minister has reiterated government’s commitment to upholding the principles of separation of powers and allowing the judiciary to dispense the highest form of justice based on integrity and indepen...