Kenneth Lutena | Zambia Monitor

Illegal miner dies after jumping into Luanshya dam while fleeing police

Kenneth Lutena — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 19:03:49 +0000

An illegal miner has died in Luanshya after jumping into Luanshya Dam while attempting to evade mine police officers.

Copperbelt Province Police Commanding Officer, Mwala Yuyi, said in a statement on Sunday that the incident occurred on January 4, 2025, at around 10:00 hours.

“A combined team of Zambia Police and the Fire Brigade from Luanshya Municipal Council had conducted a search of the said illegal unknown miner at Luanshya Dam. Later, around 11:45 hours, the body of the illegal miner was retrieved and properly identified as Malenga Malenga, aged 22, as identified by his father, Kumoyo Malenga, aged 50,” Yuyi said.

Yuyi stated that the body was inspected and the only visible injuries were on the lips and eyelids, suspected to have been caused by water species.

“Meanwhile, no foul play is currently suspected. The body of the deceased has since been deposited at St Anne’s Tontozo Funeral Parlour in Luanshya, awaiting postmortem and burial.”

Police have opened an inquiry file, and investigations are ongoing.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

The post Illegal miner dies after jumping into Luanshya dam while fleeing police first appeared on Zambia Monitor.

26-year-old man found dead in apparent suicide in Mporokoso

Kenneth Lutena — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 11:16:20 +0000

The body of a 26-year-old man has been discovered hanging from a tree in a bush by five women who were collecting mushrooms in Mporokoso District, Northern Province.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Mporokoso Town Council Public Relations Unit, the women made the grim discovery between 06:00 and 07:00 hours on Saturday while collecting mushrooms in the bush at Buyantanshi Village in Muchinga Ward, about five kilometres off the Kasama Road.

One of the women, Purity Bwalya, a resident of Chandalala Village, together with her companions, immediately rushed to Mporokoso Police Station to report the matter.

“The Police later engaged Mporokoso Town Council through the Public Health Officer, Sandra C. Mushibwe, and the Division Fire Officer, Davis Sinyangwe, and later a joint team retrieved the body and deposited it at Mporokoso District Mortuary,” the statement said.

The deceased was later identified by his mother, Mary Mulungu, of Chanda Mali Village in Mikomba Ward, as her 26-year-old son, Steven Mtonga.

She told authorities that the deceased left home on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at around 18:30 hours, and that the family had been searching for him since.

A relative said the deceased appeared slightly intoxicated and had mentioned hearing voices before he ran away and never returned.

Meanwhile, the Chief’s representative, Enock Musawa, who accompanied the retrieval team, expressed condolences to the bereaved family and urged members of the public to seek help and report early whenever they notice unusual behaviour among loved ones, noting that timely intervention could help save lives.

The body is currently lying at Mporokoso District Mortuary, awaiting burial.

The post 26-year-old man found dead in apparent suicide in Mporokoso first appeared on Zambia Monitor.

Stakeholders slam Zambia, DRC over alleged inaction on attacks against Zambian truck drivers

Kenneth Lutena — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 10:56:46 +0000

Some stakeholders in the informal sector of the economy have criticised the governments of Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for what they described as inaction over deteriorating security conditions facing Zambian truck drivers operating in the DRC.

Aston Sakala, a player in the informal sector, said recent attacks that had resulted in the deaths of Zambian truck drivers required urgent intervention by the two governments and the international community.

“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the recent brutal attacks on our truck drivers in the DRC. These hardworking individuals, who are members of our consortium, have been subjected to violence, beaten, and even murdered by unscrupulous individuals,” Sakala said on Sunday.

“These heinous acts are a gross violation of human rights and a serious concern for us as a consortium.”

Sakala said stakeholders were particularly distressed by the apparent lack of attention and response from the Zambian government.

“We urge President Hakainde Hichilema to seek an urgent audience with his DRC counterpart Félix Tshisekedi to address this critical issue and ensure the safety of our citizens in the DRC,” he said.

In response to the incidents, Sakala called for the establishment and maximum utilisation of dry ports in Zambia to reduce the number of Zambian drivers entering the DRC.

He said DRC-based drivers should instead collect goods and merchandise from these dry ports, thereby minimising the risks faced by Zambian truckers.

“We cannot stand idly by while our brothers are brutally murdered in broad daylight. This is unacceptable and demands immediate attention.”

The post Stakeholders slam Zambia, DRC over alleged inaction on attacks against Zambian truck drivers first appeared on Zambia Monitor.

82-year-old Kasama man dies after reportedly consuming illicit beer

Kenneth Lutena — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 06:17:37 +0000

An 82-year-old man of Kasama District in Northern Province has reportedly died after allegedly consuming excessive amounts of illicit beer, locally known as kachasu.

Confirming the incident, Northern Province Police Commanding Officer Lucky Munkhondya said in a statement issued on Friday that the deceased left his home on New Year’s Day and went to a nearby township where he purchased the illicit liquor.

“After drinking, he went to a friend’s house within the same compound to rest, as he was in a drunken state. He had a bicycle and 20 litres of kachasu with him,” Munkhondya said.

He explained that the deceased slept at the house and that on Friday, around 05:00 hours, the owner of the house checked on him and found him weak and unable to speak.

She immediately alerted family members, who later transported him to Chisanga Clinic at around 09:00 hours, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Munkhondya said the body has been deposited at Kasama General Hospital mortuary, awaiting a postmortem examination.

An inquiry file has been opened as police continue investigations.

The post 82-year-old Kasama man dies after reportedly consuming illicit beer first appeared on Zambia Monitor.

Chingola ‘Jerabos’ receive $4 million compensation from Zambian govt after Sensele mine eviction, demand more

Kenneth Lutena — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 05:56:55 +0000

The Zambian government, through the office of Mines and Minerals Development Minister, Paul Kabuswe, has reportedly handed over US$4 million in compensation to illegal miners, commonly known as Jerabos, who were removed from the Sensele copper pit in Chingola following a fatal mining incident.

The compensation, provided by a yet-to-be-named investor, was officially handed over on Friday at the Chingola Civic Centre and is expected to benefit more than 4,000 Jerabos who had been operating at the copper dump.

About two years ago, government resolved to remove illegal miners from the Sensele site following a mine collapse that claimed at least 36 lives, with some bodies yet to be retrieved.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Kabuswe said government had insisted that the affected miners received compensation before the investor took over the site.

“We had to put our foot down to ensure that you walk away with something before the owner of the mine decided to remove you,” Kabuswe said.

He noted that the US$4 million compensation package would have a positive economic impact on Chingola and acknowledged calls from the miners for an alternative place where they could continue mining legally and safely.

Kabuswe emphasized that government was committed to ensuring mining activities were conducted in a safe environment to prevent the loss of lives, as witnessed at Sensele.

He also urged the beneficiaries to support the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema as the country approached the next general elections.

Earlier, Jerabos steering committee chairperson, Joseph Kazhila, thanked government and the investor for fulfilling the commitment to provide an exit package, but said the amount would not be sufficient in the long term.

“This money will be a drop in the ocean. We appeal to government to identify an alternative place where Jerabos can mine safely,” Kazhila said.

He praised President Hichilema, Minister Kabuswe and Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo for considering the plight of the Jerabos.

Jerabos leader, Douglas Chilembe, also thanked government for the compensation and reiterated the need for authorities to allocate a designated mining area, noting that the list of beneficiaries exceeds 4,000 miners.

The post Chingola ‘Jerabos’ receive $4 million compensation from Zambian govt after Sensele mine eviction, demand more first appeared on Zambia Monitor.

Petroleum transporters urge full implementation of local content law amid toll fee hikes

Kenneth Lutena — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:32:51 +0000

The Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia (PTAZ) has called for the full implementation of the local content statutory instrument to cushion the impact of increased toll fees announced by the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA).

PTAZ General Secretary, Benson Tembo, said the effective enforcement of local content laws would help transporters manage the higher costs following government’s decision, in line with the 2026 National Budget, to hike toll fees for medium and heavy-duty vehicles at toll gates across the country.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Tembo said government should fully implement Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 68 of 2025 to give comfort to local transporters.

“This statutory instrument has guaranteed 100 percent transport business for local Zambian transporters from the mines and it has taken effect today, January 1, 2026,” he stated.

Tembo further urged government to enforce SI No. 35 of 2021, which provides a 50 percent quota of transport business for Zambian citizen-owned companies on imported and exported commodities, and 100 percent for all local transport business.

He commended government for reviewing the proposed toll fees at the Michael Chilufya Sata Toll Plaza and other toll gates countrywide.

“We are grateful to government for listening to our stakeholders over the recently proposed toll fees at Michael Chilufya Sata Toll Plaza and all the toll gates around the country,” he said.

Tembo noted that the prompt review had given transporters relief.

“On December 30, 2025, we expressed our concerns over the proposed increase of toll fees and it is gratifying to hear that the proposed fees at Michael Chilufya Sata have been reviewed downwards from the initial fee of K1,200 to now K600.”

He said the move confirmed that government listens to citizens when concerns are raised genuinely.

Tembo described the transport sector as one of the largest employers in the region, adding that reducing the cost of doing business would spur growth and create more jobs, especially for young people.

However, he observed that statutory instruments to effect the new toll fees had already been issued, with what he termed a minimal adjustment from K250 to K300 across all toll gates, which he said was manageable.

Tembo also expressed gratitude to government for approving the bulk procurement of petroleum products, describing the move as long overdue.

He said bulk procurement would guarantee security of supply, reduce fuel costs, and correct distortions caused by private sector-led procurement.

“The government bulk procurement will make all the strategic TAZAMA storage depots active once again unlike now when they are almost white elephants,” he said.

He cited depots in Chipata, Mpika, Mansa, Mongu, Solwezi, and the recently constructed Lusaka depot as facilities that needed full utilisation to sustain jobs and surrounding businesses.

Tembo said full utilisation of the depots could allow Zambia to move from monthly to quarterly fuel price reviews, enhancing economic predictability.

“The bulk procurement of petrol approved by the Cabinet will guarantee business for the local fuel transporters which is not the case today.”

He accused some oil marketing companies of giving themselves undue advantage by allocating transport contracts to their own fleets or foreign transporters.

“They have been giving transport contracts to foreign transporters and some selected few transport companies while leaving a lot of local transporters to merely operate on spot hire and as subcontractors,”Tembo claimed.

The post Petroleum transporters urge full implementation of local content law amid toll fee hikes first appeared on Zambia Monitor.

Breaking! January petrol price maintained at K29.92, as Energy Regulation Board cuts diesel, kerosene, jet A-1 prices

Kenneth Lutena — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 16:41:19 +0000

The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has maintained the pump price of petrol while reducing the prices of diesel, kerosene and Jet A-1 for January 2026.

This means petrol will remain at K29.92 per litre, while the price of diesel has been reduced from K26.98 to K25.11 per litre.

Kerosene has been adjusted downward from K26.51 to K23.88 per litre, while Jet A-1 has also been reduced to K25.03 per litre.

ERB Board Chairperson, James Banda, said in a statement issued on Wednesday that the price adjustments were influenced by favourable macroeconomic developments recorded in December 2025.

He said the local currency appreciated by 3.13 percent against the United States dollar, moving from an average exchange rate of K23.24/US$ to a closing rate of K22.52/US$.

“Further, international oil prices generally decreased since the last fuel price review on November 30, 2025. Following this movement, the ERB has revised downwards the pump prices for diesel, kerosene and Jet A-1, while petrol will be maintained at K29.92 per litre,” Banda stated.

He said the new fuel price structure will take effect at midnight on December 31, 2025, and will remain in force until the next fuel price review by the ERB.

WARNING ! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

The post Breaking! January petrol price maintained at K29.92, as Energy Regulation Board cuts diesel, kerosene, jet A-1 prices first appeared on Zambia Monitor.

94 ‘longstanding members’ of UPND receive K10,000 each in Copperbelt Province

Kenneth Lutena — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 09:53:36 +0000

President Hakainde Hichilema has thanked longstanding United Party for National Development (UPND) members for aligning with the party through “thick and thin” during its years in opposition.

President Hichilema said the ruling party remained indebted to members who contributed to its growth before assuming power.

Speaking during a phone call at the award ceremony for longstanding members from across the Copperbelt, held at Mist Garden in Kitwe on Sunday, the President commended party leadership in the province.

“I am very grateful, and thank Copperbelt leadership through Mr Matambo (Copperbelt Province chairperson) for the job well done,” President Hichilema said.

Speaking at the same event, Copperbelt Province UPND chairperson Matambo said 94 outstanding members were recognised and awarded certificates.

He said each recipient walked away with K10,000 cash, two litres of cooking oil, a 25-kilogramme bag of mealie-meal and packets of salt.

Matambo further disclosed that six of the 94 members received special presidential recognition from President Hichilema.

He also noted that last year, more than 65 members—both deceased and living—were honoured for their contribution to the party.

“It has been a long journey, rough trip, some of them died along the way,” Mr Matambo said.

Matambo has since urged party officials across the Copperbelt to begin mobilising members in readiness for campaigns ahead of the general elections slated for August 13, 2026.

The post 94 ‘longstanding members’ of UPND receive K10,000 each in Copperbelt Province first appeared on Zambia Monitor.

Fire guts three business premises at Chililabombwe’s Lubengele market

Kenneth Lutena — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 09:43:58 +0000

A fire has reportedly gutted three business premises at Lubengele Market in Chililabombwe, destroying merchandise worth thousands of kwacha.

Eyewitnesses said the fire broke out on Sunday evening and engulfed a liquor and wholesale shop along with two neighbouring stores.

In a statement issued on Monday, Copperbelt Police Commissioner Mwala Yuyi said the owner of Ons Liquor and Wholesale, Patrick Sinjela, aged 40, had secured his shop around 19:00 hours but was later alerted by neighbours at about 23:50 hours that the building was on fire.

“Officers from Chililabombwe Central Police Station responded to the scene alongside the Fire Brigade,” Yuyi said.

He said the joint team managed to extinguish the fire before it spread to other sections of the market, adding that the cause of the fire had not yet been established.

Commissioner Yuyi disclosed that an inquiry file had since been opened and investigations to determine the origin of the fire intensified.

The post Fire guts three business premises at Chililabombwe’s Lubengele market first appeared on Zambia Monitor.

Bill 7 passage victory for citizens —Chisebe argues

Kenneth Lutena — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 14:58:28 +0000

Political commentator, Dr Noel Chisebe, has described the enactment of Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 as a landmark moment in Zambia’s democratic development.

President Hakainde Hichilema last week assented to Bill 7 after it was overwhelmingly passed by Parliament earlier on Monday.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Chisebe said the passage of the law was a victory for citizens rather than any political party, noting that it promoted proportional representation for marginalised groups, including women, youth and persons with disabilities.

“By embracing this reform, Zambia is sending a strong message that it values diversity and is committed to creating opportunities for all citizens to participate in the country’s decision-making processes,” Chisebe said.

He said the new law was a step towards a more inclusive and representative democracy and reflected the ability of national institutions to work together in strengthening democratic governance.

“This is a testament to the power of collective efforts to push for a more just and equitable society. It shows that when lawmakers prioritise national interest over partisan politics, progress is possible,” he said.

Chisebe added that the enactment of Bill 7 represented a broader commitment to good governance, which he said should focus on expanding opportunities rather than serving a few individuals.

“This is not only a victory for the people but also a victory for democracy itself. We must continue working towards building a society where everyone has a voice and is treated with dignity,” he said.

The post Bill 7 passage victory for citizens —Chisebe argues first appeared on Zambia Monitor.