Zambia Roundup: Parliamentary suspensions, travel for state funeral, Police Service revamp

Logistics for Police Service

The Zambian government is planning to procure aircraft for the country’s Police Service to support their work in crime prevention. This was revealed by Acting Home Affairs and International Security Minister Frank Tayali in Parliament on February 22. According to him, the procurement will begin with one helicopter. Given this, two officers have been trained as pilots and attached to the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), and four more are going to be trained, according to the Times of Zambia.

MP suspended over traditional attire

An Independent Member of Parliament (MP) for Lumezi in Zambia has been suspended from Parliament for 7 days. Munir Zulu was suspended for wearing traditional attire to Parliament against the rules of the House. “Suspended from parliament for wearing the traditional attire of the people of Luapula. Lol, we are in trouble,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

Contempt of court

Former Chief Executive Officer of the Road Transport and Safety Agency Zindaba Soko has been detained for contempt of court after missing a scheduled court session for a Dubai trip. Soko was supposed to appear in court in a matter involving the forging of a passport and National Registration Card bearing a dead person’s name. Before this, Soko asked for permission to travel but was advised to attend court before leaving. Following his disobedience of the court order, Lusaka Magistrate Irene Wishimanga issued a bench warrant against Soko, according to Mwebantu.

Economic explorations

President Hakainde Hichilema has pledged the government’s commitment to exploring critical economic sectors including mining and agriculture to enhance production efficiency in these sectors. This is geared towards unlocking Zambia’s economic potential and creating jobs and business opportunities for all citizens. The president said this during an Economic Growth Forum which was held on February 22 with partners from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Growth Center (IGC). “We are resolute in our efforts to optimize the utilization of Zambia’s abundant natural resources for the betterment of our nation,” President Hichilema was quoted by the Lusaka Times.

Zambia President mourns Namibia President

President Hakainde Hichilema is expected to travel on February 24 to Windhoek, Namibia for the State funeral of the late President of Namibia, Dr. Hage G Geingob. A statement cited by Mwebantu news platform indicated that the memorial service will happen at the Independence Stadium with attendance anticipated from foreign Heads of State and Government alongside other invited dignitaries. President Geingob passed away on February 4 in Namibia.