Zambia Monitor
Business, governance and policy reporting.
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Crime & Courts
Jay Banda apprehended, court moves against Mpundu, as Zambia secures UNHRC seat. See our top 10 stories of the week.
In case you missed them, here are the top 10 stories of the week. 1. Principal Resident Magistrate, Mambwe Mukonde, has referred the two-count sedition case involving former 2026 NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, to the High Court after…
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Crime & Courts
Three convicted for stealing K3.7 million, jailed five years
Three men have been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour after admitting to breaking into a Chinese businessman’s home in Lusaka and stealing valuables worth more than K3.7 million, including a firearm, ammunition and jewellery. Fanwell Chatugwa, 45, a driver; Most Siachilende, 36…
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Business
Catholic priest Tyola, UPND’s Bwalya, reportedly reconcile
Catholic priest Father (Fr) Henry Tyola and United Party for National Development (UPND) official Frank Bwalya have reportedly reconciled following a dispute over alleged defamation and cyber-related abuse. Last week, Zambia Monitor reported that Bwalya, had threatened legal action against Fr Tyola over the alleged…
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Crime & Courts
Police arrest 13 suspects in Western Province over stolen cattle
Police in Western Province have arrested 13 suspects and recovered 32 head of cattle suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained, with investigations ongoing to establish their origin and ownership. Western Province Commissioner of Police, Godfrey Mwanza, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued…
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Politics
Deputy Permanent Secretary of Southern Province, Malunga, sacked
President Hakainde Hichilema has terminated the service contract of Southern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Yolanta Mutyambe Malunga, with effect from October 13, 2026. Malunga, who was appointed in September 2021, no longer represents the Government of the Republic of Zambia or Southern Province in her…
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Business
Zambia claims unemployment rate falls to 9.9%, as Western Province worst hit at 20.6%
Zambia’s unemployment rate fell to 9.9 percent in 2025 from 12.9 percent in 2024, while the employment-to-population ratio increased to 37.1 percent, according to the latest labour market survey. The findings were released during the official dissemination of the 2025 Labour Force Survey and Employment…
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Business
Zambia joins World Bank minerals compact to target 250,000 jobs by 2031
Zambia is seeking to attract private investment into mining and supporting infrastructure under a new World Bank Group minerals partnership, with a target of creating 250,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2031 while increasing copper production. Zambia participated in the launch of the World Bank…
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Lifestyle
Govt reminds Zambians of travel restrictions into U.S. by Trump administration
The United States has imposed restrictions on the entry of Zambian nationals into the country under a presidential proclamation that affects immigrant visas and several categories of non-immigrant visas. The restrictions, which took effect since January 1, 2026 affect Zambian nationals seeking to enter the…
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Zambia
Morocco : King Mohammed VI appoints a new government
King Mohammed VI of Morocco presided on Friday 16 October 2026, at the Royal Palace of Rabat, the ceremony of appointment of the 32 members of the new government, on the proposal of the head of government, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, in accordance with Article…
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Crime & Courts
Anti-graft agency arrests two for allegedly demanding bribe from farmer
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested and jointly charged two Food Reserve Agency (FRA) officers for allegedly soliciting and receiving a K2,500 bribe from a farmer in Chibombo District. The officers are Hapenga Beene, 27, of Keembe, Chibombo District, and Inonge Mwaiba, 26, of Kawama…
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Politics
Audit uncovers K1.4 billion procurement irregularities at corruption-infested ZAMMSA
A forensic audit of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) has uncovered procurement irregularities involving contracts worth K1.4 billion, missing stock records and weaknesses in internal controls, Parliament heard on Friday. Minister of Health Professor, Roma Chilengi, said the audit found that contracts…
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Crime & Courts
Police arrest Lima MP, Kelvin Kaunda for assault
The Zambia Police Service has confirmed the arrest and charging of Lima Constituency Member of Parliament, Kelvin Kaunda, with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Kaunda, 44, of House No. 06, Muzime Close in Lusaka’s Roma Township, has been charged under Section 248 of the Penal…
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Sport
Zambian lawyers charge govt to match UN Council seat with domestic human rights record
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has called on the Government to match Zambia’s election to the United Nations Human Rights Council with a firm commitment to respecting, protecting and promoting human rights and freedoms at home. The association said Zambia’s membership of the Council…
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Technology
Techbytes: African e-logistics firm Bisedge secures €10m from Finnfund to expand electric forklifts (Tech in Africa)
African electric logistics company, Bisedge, has secured €10 million ($11.2 million) in debt financing from Finnfund, Finland’s development finance institution, to expand its electric industrial equipment operations across Africa. The investment marks Finnfund’s first electric vehicle financing deal on the continent and establishes a strategic…
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Politics
Former Petauke MP, ‘Jay Jay’ Banda bundled back to Zambia from hideout abroad
The Zambia Police Service has confirmed the apprehension of former Petauke Central Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Jay Banda. Police Spokesperson, Chipo Kaitisha, said Banda was currently in the country awaiting formal charges adding that further details would be provided in due course. Kaitisha confirmed the…
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Business
Ecobank, CIPS partner to strengthen China-Africa payment systems
Ecobank Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) to strengthen Chinese yuan payment connectivity between China and Africa. According to a statement issued on Friday, the partnership is expected to simplify yuan payments, reduce settlement complexities and improve…
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Business
Govt begins allocation of 89 mining tenements at Kikonge Gold Mine
The Zambian government has begun allocating 89 mining tenements at Kikonge Gold Mine in Mufumbwe District as part of efforts to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining and promote legal and orderly operations. The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development said the exercise was intended to…
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Health
Nursing council outlines disciplinary process for nurses in maternal cases, discipline 40
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Zambia says it has investigated about 40 maternal cases involving nurses and midwives in the last year and this year where negligence was suspected. Council Registrar Beauty Zimba said the cases were subjected to internal prescriptions to establish whether…
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Lifestyle
Three paramount chiefs join petition over Chief Mukuni’s status
The Constitutional Court has allowed the Chitimukulu, Litunga and Kalonga Gawa Undi to join proceedings seeking the declaration and elevation of Chief Mukuni to the status of paramount chief. A three-judge bench overturned a ruling by single judge Pixie Yangailo, who had dismissed the traditional…
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Business
Three men admit stealing K3.7 million from Lusaka businessman
Three men have admitted breaking into a Lusaka businessman’s house and stealing property valued at more than K3.7 million, while a fourth accused person has denied the charge. Fanwell Chatugwa, 45, a driver, Most Siachilende, 36, a taxi driver of Livingstone, and Benard Ochieng Oganga…
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Politics
Civil society calls for radical reforms, overhaul of Electoral Commission after disputed Zambia vote
Civil society organisations have called for an inclusive constitutional and electoral reform process, including the reconstitution of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), to address political tensions following the disputed August 13 general elections. The recommendations were made at a post-election round-table organised by the…
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Crime & Courts
Katele Kalumba granted K100,000 bail over sedition charge
Former Finance Minister, Katele Kalumba, has been granted K100,000 bail in his own recognisance by the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court after his lawyers cited his health condition and the need for medical attention outside prison. Kalumba, 74, was granted bail after the State raised no objection…
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Business
World Bank calls for faster implementation of Muchinga emissions reduction programme
The World Bank has called for accelerated implementation of the Muchinga Emissions Reduction Programme (ERP) to ensure communities benefit from landscape restoration and related development activities. Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD II) Task Team Leader, Ambroise Brenier, said the programme recognised the importance…
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Business
Govt courts investors in Zambia’s beef value chain at FAO forum
Government has called for increased private-sector investment in Zambia’s livestock sector as it targets US$1 billion in annual beef exports and a cattle population of 11 million by 2031. Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary, Dr Max Choombe, made the call during a high-level…
