"The GOAT Media Centre"

Tanzanian and South African nabbed in a moratorium cross border drug raid By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24,  - (Oct. 4, 2025) – The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested a Tanzanian and a South African national in separate border operations for trafficking and unlawful possession of illegal drugs. DEC Deputy Public Relations Officer Theresa Mawere told journalists in a statement that the Commission has intensified security checks at border points, leading to the arrests. At the Chirundu One-Stop Border Post, officers intercepted Ally Yahya Ally, 33, a Tanzanian national, who was traveling on a bus from South Africa to Tanzania.  He was found with 111.9 grammes of dry loose cannabis and 100 millilitres of Hashish Oil concealed in ten syringes. In another operation, DEC officers apprehended Colete Emil, 39, a South African national, for unlawful possession of six sachets of candy gummies weighing 20 grammes.  Laboratory tests showed the gummies contai...

By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24 – (3-10-2025) - Kapembwa Simbao has been elected as the new President of The Zambia We Want (ZWW) after defeating his rival, Dr. Ernest Mwansa, in a rerun election, the party announced. ZWW Secretary General Muhabi Lungu confirmed in a statement that Simbao emerged victorious and has been declared the duly elected winner of the presidential race. “The Zambia We Want wishes to inform the nation that Mr. Kapembwa Simbao has been elected as the President of our party.  He is hereby declared the duly elected winner and the new presidential candidate after defeating Dr. Ernest Mwansa in the rerun,” Lungu stated. The closely contested race, which required a rerun after an earlier inconclusive vote, has now positioned Simbao as the official presidential candidate for ZWW going forward. Party officials say Simbao’s victory signals a new chapter for ZWW as it prepares to strengthen its role in the national political arena.  i

Noma says the Committee’s composition ensures ordinary Zambians and civil society have input in the Constitution By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24 - (3rd October 2025) - Civil society organisations have welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema’s move to form an independent committee tasked with consulting citizens and drafting constitutional amendments, describing it as a major step in restoring trust and legitimacy to the process. The Consortium for Good Governance praised the President for adhering to a Constitutional Court ruling and fulfilling his pledge that reforms would follow genuine public engagement. “Our Constitution belongs to the people. Its review must reflect citizens’ views rather than being confined to technical experts,” said Consortium Deputy Chairperson Solomon Ngoma. The committee brings together a diverse mix of voices, including advocates of reform, critics of earlier proposals, and neutral participants.  Among the members is consortium chairperson ...

AI-enabled ultrasound expands access to prenatal care in Zambia through early detection and timely interventions. By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24 – (2-10-2025) - The government has announced the rollout of the PIKABU project – Piloting Integration, Knowledge, and Acceptability of Baby Ultrasounds – which introduces portable, AI-assisted ultrasound technology to strengthen maternal healthcare across the country. Delivering a speech on behalf of Health Minister Elijah Muchima at a progress update meeting in Lusaka, Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi said the initiative is addressing shortages of equipment and trained staff that have long limited ultrasound services. "The PIKABU project enables accurate diagnoses, faster clinical decisions, and access even in remote areas," Dr. Lishimpi said.  "By expanding these services, we are laying the foundation for healthier pregnancies and safer deliveries." He noted that while government ...

Banda stresses collaboration and shared responsibility as crucial for national unit, progress and fair governance. By Francis Maingaila  ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24 - (October 1, 2025) – Opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) has called on political leaders to urgently address national divisions, engage in meaningful dialogue, and unite behind a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2026 elections.  The party warned that continued disunity threatens Zambia’s democracy, undermines accountability, and compromises the ability of political actors to act as an effective check on government power. Chifumo Banda, the party president, told journalists at a media briefing that Zambia faces a serious crisis of trust and cohesion. He said the country has lost the unity, mutual respect, and sense of shared responsibility necessary for effective governance.  Political leaders, he emphasized, must rise above partisan interests and work collaboratively to restore nation...

Key weaknesses include energy, MSME financing, and lack of financial inclusion measures By Francis Maingaila Lusaka,  Zambia24  - (Oct. 1, 2025) — The Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) has warned that while the 2026 National Budget is ambitious, it falls short in tackling critical structural weaknesses in energy, financial inclusion, and support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Speaking at a media briefing at the Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) in Lusaka, EAZ President Dr. Oswald Mungule said the association recommends integrating GDP and national income into budget planning, developing a national balance sheet, diversifying the energy mix, expanding mobile money infrastructure, and lowering transaction costs for low-income users. “The 2026 National Budget is a commendable effort, but it must evolve,” Dr. Mungule said.  “It must confront the energy crisis, empower underserved communities, and catalyze private sector growth.” Dr. Mungule...