Chunza Testifies against MP Katuta

TIMES of Zambia photojournalist has told the Lusaka magistrates Court that he was left traumatized when spitting Chiengi member of parliament Given Katuta and her abettors ganged up on him and harassed him demanding that he deletes her pictures.

Henry Chunza said Katuta referred to him as a son of a dog and spat saliva on him for taking pictures of her at parliament after she was ejected from the chamber by the speaker for her incivility.

Katuta is charged with threatening violence and common assault for harassing Chunza and spitting on him

Testifying before magistrate Idah Phiri, Chunza narrated that On July 21, 2023, he and his colleague Chusa Sichone were assigned by their editor Andrew Sakala to cover parliamentary proceedings.

He said on the date in question, Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti suspended Katuta from the house for seven days due to dishonourable conduct and asked her to take a walk of shame.

Chunza said he positioned himself at the door immediately when it was opened by the sergeant at arms to capture the moment.

Chunza narrated that immediately Katuta saw him and she charged at him asking who had sent him to work against her.

He said Kututa ordered him to get rid of her images as she shouted “wemwana wambwa iwe”(you son of a dog).

“When she saw me getting pictures of her she pointed a finger at me whilst shouting" who are you? Why are you getting pictures of me ? Who has sent you to come and get pictures of me ?

She shouted at me and said, "You son of a dog can you delete pictures of me from that camera,”Chunza recounted.

He said due to fear he decided to escape from the lawmaker and they engaged in a cat and mouse race.

Chunza said in hot pursuit the enraged Katuta gleeked at him like a spitting cobra.

“She continued pointing at me because of fear I started running down stairs as I was going downstairs. She was on top. She continued with abusive language toward me, she was chasing me and spat saliva on me whilst saying "you son of a dog in bemba, delete those pictures of me,” he narrated.

He said immediately Katuta who is also a clergywoman spat on him he reduced his speed to clean himself of the stinky saliva and Katuta got hold of him with the help of Chawama member of parliament Tasila Lungu whom he came to recognise after the women managed to have the pictures deleted.

Chunza said Katuta and her friends ganged up on him and harassed him.

“She (Katuta) harassed me and wanted to get the camera from me so that she could delete the pictures. It was at this point that other people joined her trying to get the camera from me. I couldn't remember anyone because I was traumatized,” Chunza said.

He told the Court that a police officer came to his rescue as the women’s clamour caught the attention of onlookers.

“A police officer came to my rescue, grabbed the camera from me and kept it safe. She tried to get the camera from a police officer, said Chunza.

“The group that came to me where the security officer who pounced on me and demanded to delete photos from the camera among them was Chawama MP (Tasila Lungu) . I saw her when they were leaving. They deleted the photos and Chusa reported the matter to the police.”

In his testimony Sichone who is the acting chief reporter at Times of Zambia confirmed witnessing Katuta harass and spit on Chunza.

“After honorable Katuta was told to take a walk of shame by the speaker, I asked Henry to take pictures of honorable Katuta immediately. The sergeant at arms opens the door to the chamber around 09: 15 hours. Upon hon Katuta seeing Henry taking pictures of her, she did not take kindly what Henry had done,”

“She started shouting at him. She demanded that Henry delete the pictures he had captured of her. In a feat of rage Katuta continued charging at Henry sensing danger I instructed Henry to run downstairs. As he was running downstairs to the ground floor Hon Katuta could not get hold of him because he was very quick. She spat on him as he was running downstairs.”

Sichone said he reported the matter to the police after Chunza was harassed and had his pictures deleted.

 PHARMANOVA DONATES CHLORINE WORTH K3 MILLION TO FIGHT AGAINST CHOLERA

By Daily News Reporter

PHARMANOVA Zambia Limited has commitmented to give aid to the Government of Zambia, through the Ministry of Health, in their relentless efforts to combat the cholera outbreak in Zambia.

And Pharmanova Zambia Limited has given a donation of K3,000,000 worth of Chlorine to the Ministry of Health. This substantial contribution underscores the company's dedication to promoting public health and emphasizes the importance of prevention as a key strategy in combating cholera outbreaks.

In partnership with New Horizon Printing Press, Pharmanova Zambia Limited will also distribute 1000 educational posters to clinics across Zambia. These informative materials seek to raise awareness about the effective utilization of Chlorine in households, intending to empower communities with knowledge that can save lives.

During the handover, CEO Mohammed Umar emphasized that the company's objective is to save lives of the community.

"As a proudly Zambian company, we hold a profound responsibility to swiftly and meaningfully support our community. Recognizing our role as conscientious corporate citizens, we stand united with the people of Zambia, addressing our nation's challenges as a singular, unwavering force.'" said Umar.

And the Minister of Health, Hon. Sylvia Masebo, has appreciated Pharmanova for its invaluable support through this challenging time of cholera outbreak, and urged all stakeholders to unite as one community of Zambians to bolster mutual support, in the fight against cholera.

"These resources aim to enhance public understanding of the proper use of chlorine, specifically for the prevention of Cholera. This collaborative initiative underscores the importance of collective action and public awareness in effectively addressing health challenges," she said.

This initiative stands as a testament to Pharmanova Zambia Limited's unwavering dedication to the well-being of the Zambian populace and its pledge to stand in solidarity with the government and the Ministry of Health during this challenging period.

 ZMA LAUNCHES 2024 MEASURING INSTRUMENT VERIFICATION EXERCISE FOR PETROLEUM SUB-SECTOR

By Daily News Reporter

The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) has launched the 2024 verification exercise of all measuring instruments used in the petroleum sub-sector in a bid to enhance fair trade, consumer protection and promote compliance.

As part of the verification exercise, ZMA metrologists will inspect and verify measuring instruments used in all private and public fuel depots and filling stations across the country.

The launch, which was held virtually on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, through a meeting Chaired by ZMA Director Legal Metrology Dr.Eng. Michael Kalumbu Nsefu and attended by key stakeholders in the petroleum sub-sector who included Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Service Technician Companies.

In his remarks during the meeting, Dr Eng. Nsefu said the Agency plays a crucial role in supporting the entire distribution chain of petroleum products through the statutory verification of petroleum pumps and bulk flow meters every six months.

He urged all players in retail and commercial petroleum sites to ensure they present their measuring instruments for verification to ZMA this month to avoid regulatory enforcement.

Dr Eng. Nsefu further urged the public to check for validity of ZMA verification stickers on fuel pumps at filling stations across the country as part of ensuring that they are getting value for money.

In another development, ZMA has cautioned players in the petroleum sub-sector against the use of unapproved methods of measurement during the offloading of petroleum products from Tanker trucks, such as use of weighbridges and dip charts in Storage Tanks. The Agency is emphasizing the use of only approved methods which include Bulk Flow meters, Ullage marks, and Dip charts on Tanker trucks.

 KUMA INVESTMENTS DONATES BENCHES WORTH K30 THOUSAND .

Lusaka Mayor, Her Worship Ms. Chilando Chitangala received a donation of benches worth Thirty Thousand Kwacha (30, 000) from KUMA INVESTMENTS LIMITED ZAMBIA.

The donation from KUMA is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility - CSR.

Kuma Investments Limited Business Development Manager, Mwiza Bvumburai presented the donation to the local authority and expressed her company's desire for more partnerships with the local authority.

And in receiving the donation, the Mayor thanks Kuma for the gesture describing it as a timely undertaking.

 LCC CHLORINATES, AND DISINFECTS WATER POINTS IN KANYAMA AMIDST INCREASING CHOLERA CASES

The Lusaka City Council (LCC), through its Public Health Department, has intensified the chlorination of water points and disinfection of pit latrines, hospitals and public places.

The Local Authority has also enhanced sensitisation programmes on the prevention measures of the cholera disease.

These activities are being rolled out in all seven constituencies of the District, with priority given to the hot spot areas such as Matero, Kanyama, Munali and Mandevu Constituencies.

Members of the public have been advised to boil or chlorinate their water before drinking, as it has been noted that in some places, most water points are near pit latrines, hence becoming a contamination point.

The residents have also been urged to practice good hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and clean water.

 The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has recorded 2,088 infringements across the country

By Daily News Reporter

During the 2023 festive Season RTSA conducted a night operation in different provinces and following the operations the agency recorded the highest province which is Lusaka followed by copperbelt.

RTSA recorded the highest offence which was expired road tax with 398 offenders,followed by expired fitness certificates with 198 and 137 motorists which were impounded for drunk driving.

The majority of offences included 150 motorists impounded for expired road tax ,85 motorists booked for driving under the influence of alcohol,40 unlicensed drivers, 34 violations for expired motor vehicles insurance and 26 motorists for expired driving licences.

Speaking to the media in lusaka RTSA Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eng Amon mweemba stated that the agency will make sure that all road users comply to the regulations of the institution and the zambia police

"Through collaboration with Zambia Police it will enforce the law for motorists to comply without fail,"Mweemba said.

He further said that the agency will expedite the process of enacting the law on point demerit system,

"This system will deduct points from drivers committing traffic violations and will lead to suspension of their licenses,"Mweemba said.

And Public Protector Mrs. Caroline Sokoni has also noted with concern reports of the increase in unlawful impounding of motor vehicles by some traffic police Officers.

The Public Protector noted that the impounding of motor vehicles by Zambia Police has increased even in circumstances where the offense committed is not impoundable under the law.

Mrs. Sokoni has observed that in most cases members of the public are law-abiding and are willing to pay fines that go into government coffers. However, some traffic police officers prefer impounding vehicles as a scheme to solicit bribes from inconvenienced motorists.

The Public Protector stated that the act by traffic police officers is obstructing the government’s fight against maladministration and corruption when law enforcement officers must not be the ones who cause these vices to flourish.

Mrs. Sokoni says as an institution mandated by the law to ensure adherence to processes and procedures in public institutions, the Office of the Public Protector will not allow a few officers under the Traffic Department dent the image of the Zambia Police Service due to their failure to follow the laid down procedures when carrying out their duties.

"I call on the Zambia Police Service Traffic Officers to be professional and avoid procedural improprieties as they execute their duties that lead to the impounding of motor vehicles without proper justification and victimization of members of the public," Mrs.Sokoni Said.

She has further urged the general public who have been victims of police impounding their vehicles for questionable reasons to obtain the name and service number of police officers and the police station manning the roadblock and report to the Office of the Public Protector or the Police Public Complaints Commission.

 BURY ALL SHALLOW WELLS AS CHOLERA CASES RISE-Chitangala

By Daily News Reporter

The Lusaka City Council has resolved to bury all shallow wells across the city as an emergency Cholera response.

This follows a surge in the daily cholera cases being recorded in the country with Lusaka being the most affected district.

Speaking during the 4th Ordinary Full Council meeting held on Wednesday, 3rd January 2024, Lusaka Mayor Ms. Chilando Chitangala explained that shallow wells are a major source of contamination and pose a serious health risk to the residents.

She has since directed all councillors to work with the Council, community leaders and health workers in the identification of active shallow wells in their respective wards to ensure they are buried as soon as possible.

She said that the cholera outbreak should be handled with utmost attention if the city was to win the fight against cholera.

“The numbers being recorded are alarming and as such we need to do everything possible to curb its further spread,” she said.

Ms. Chilando further underscored the need for water bowsers in areas such as Matero, Kanyama, Munali and Mandevu Constituencies which are currently experiencing erratic water supply.

She said that the lack of clean and safe water was a contributing factor to the cholera outbreak and that the council was working with various stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health and the Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC) to address the issue.

The Lusaka Mayor appealed to the residents to boil their water before drinking and to practice good hygiene and sanitation.

She also advised them to avoid eating street food and to wash their hands frequently with soap and water.

Meanwhile, Acting Lusaka City Council Town Clerk, Engineer Liftery Ndaba, informed the council that Heroes Stadium has been declared a Cholera Centre, adding that it is ready to cater to the patients.

The Acting Town Clerk also revealed that the Council has released Constituency Development Fund (CDF) vehicles to be used in the epicentres to respond to cholera cases.

He has since called on all cooperating partners to come on board and donate items such as chlorine, disinfectants, gloves, soap and other essentials to help in the fight against cholera.

He thanked the government and other stakeholders for remaining resilient and supportive in combating the cholera outbreak.