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ZCSA Destroys Unsafe Goods Worth K163,984 to Protect Consumers By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia - January 17, 2025 – The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has destroyed electrical appliances and fruit-flavored drinks valued at K163,984 in Lusaka for failing to meet mandatory safety standards. The goods included adaptor extension cables and water heating elements worth K152,464, confiscated on November 7, 2024, from Express Mart on Nangwenya Road.  Additionally, fruit-flavored drinks valued at K11,520 were seized on May 11, 2024, from Kamwala outlets. ZCSA Manager for Communications and Public Relations, Brian Hatyoka, stated that these products violated compulsory standards ZS 558 and ZS 106, as well as the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017. “The confiscated electrical items had non-compatible plugs, inadequate insulation, and incorrect amperage ratings, which posed serious risks such as electric shocks, fires, and property damage,” he said. The fruit-flavored drinks, ...

... Mutati Announces Policy Shift in the Administration of Bursaries Aimed to Expand Access to Vocational Training By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia - (17-01-2025) - The Ministry of Technology and Science has introduced significant reforms to the Technical Education, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) bursary system, including a new online application platform for the 2025 intake. Speaking at a media briefing, Minister Felix Mutati said that the new reforms are designed to address gaps in access to technical education, particularly those caused by inefficiencies in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) bursary system. “This change ensures that no student is left behind in accessing technical education,” said Mutati. “Our focus is to equip Zambians with the necessary skills to support key sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, as laid out in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP)," he added. He explained that the new onlin...

ZCSA Dismantles and Destroy Unsafe Goods to Consumer Safety Worth K163,984 in Lusa ka By Francis Maingaila ♥️  LUSAKA, January 17, 2025 – The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has destroyed electrical appliances and fruit-flavored drinks valued at K163,984 in Lusaka for failing to meet mandatory safety standards. The goods included adaptor extension cables and water heating elements worth K152,464, confiscated on November 7, 2024, from Express Mart on Nangwenya Road. ZCSA Acting Manager for Communications and Public Relations, Brian Hatyoka, stated that these products violated compulsory standards ZS 558 and ZS 106, as well as the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017. “The confiscated electrical items had non-compatible plugs, inadequate insulation, and incorrect amperage ratings, which posed serious risks such as electric shocks, fires, and property damage,” he said. Fruit-flavored drinks worth K11,520 were also seized on May 11, 2024, from Kamwala outlets. Branded as...

ZRA Recovers $72,420 in Taxes from Smuggled Snails, Call for Stronger Measures to Combat Tax Evasion By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia  –  ( January 16, 2025) - The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has recovered US$72,420 in taxes and duty from 3,621 kilograms of smuggled Abalone, following the conviction of Ronata Logistics Limited and Sawa Trading and General Dealers for violating the Customs and Excise Act. The parties were found guilty of smuggling the snails into Zambia between October 11, 2023, and February 3, 2024. ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Oliver Nzala confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday that the convicts had opted for plea negotiations. “They have paid K2,257,574.57 in evaded taxes and duties, along with K100,000 in prosecution costs,” Nzala said.  “They also pledged to register on the Smart-Invoice platform.” The court, presided over by Honourable Anna Holland, fined the convicts K10,000 for the offense. Nzala warned that ZRA had heightened its surveillanc...

... The New Partnership Seeks Not Only to Empower Zambia's Marginalized Youth Through Higher Education but Also to Support Access to Education By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia – January 2025 Supershine University and the Winnie Musonda Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday to provide scholarships and support to marginalized youth in Zambia, offering them access to higher education that might otherwise be unavailable due to financial and societal barriers. The MOU, which spans a period of five years with the possibility of renewal, outlines that Supershine University will offer 100% scholarships to staff and members of the Winnie Musonda Foundation.  Students enrolled under this partnership will pay an administration fee of K2,500 per term for undergraduate courses. Rodyers Kayai, Executive Secretary of the Winnie Musonda Foundation, highlighted the foundation's role in the partnership.  "Beyond financial support, we will provide mentorship ...

  ... TI-Z Pushes for Urgent Legislative Action to Regulate Campaign Financing in Zambia By Francis Maingaila  Lusaka, Zambia –  (14-01-2025) - Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has called for urgent electoral reforms following a series of observations made during the Kawambwa parliamentary by-election, emphasizing the need for enhanced electoral integrity to prevent malpractice in future elections. Maurice K. Nyambe, the Executive Director of TI-Z, voiced these concerns during a press conference, highlighting critical issues such as campaign financing, the independence of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), and the need for policies that support the inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the electoral process. Nyambe stressed the importance of ensuring that future elections adhere strictly to the law, underscoring the lessons that must be drawn from the controversial Kawambwa by-election.  "We hope that the lessons learned from Kawambwa will ...

Zambia’s Plan New Implementation Strategies to Combat Cholera Risks By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia – January 14, 2025 The Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation has introduced measures to combat cholera, focusing on clean water provision, waste management, and hygiene promotion, including drilling boreholes, deploying water bowsers, intensifying water quality monitoring, and launching public sensitization campaigns to ensure public health safety during the rainy season During a press briefing in Lusaka, Minister Collins Nzovu emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing cholera risks despite challenges like drought and load-shedding. To mitigate the spread of cholera, the Ministry has drilled 20 boreholes in Kanyama and George compounds and deployed water bowsers to Nakonde and other affected areas. Collaborative efforts with municipal councils and commercial utilities have improved solid waste management in high-risk areas such as Kanyama and Chibolya. Measures ...