Luanshya Reports

HANZ Welcomes Free Education Law, Calls for Full Implementation

By Phyllis S. Banda

The Hope Affirmation Network Zambia (HANZ) has welcomed the signing into law of the Free Education Amendment Bill of 2026, describing it as a major milestone for children's education and future.

HANZ Executive Director Nakiwe Simpungwe says education plays a vital role in reducing teenage pregnancies, child marriages, and substance abuse among young people.

Ms. Simpungwe says no child should be left behind and has urged communities, traditional leaders, the church, and other stakeholders to ensure every child is in school.

She has also called on the government to provide adequate school infrastructure and enough teachers to support the successful implementation of the law.

President Hakainde Hichilema has today signed five bills into law, including the Education Amendment Bill of 2026, which guarantees every child's right to education.

FORMER COBRA SECURITY WORKERS DEMAND UNPAID DUES AS ASPIRING MP WARNS OF LABOUR ACTION

BY Phyllis S.Banda

Former workers of Cobra Security in Luanshya are demanding the immediate payment of outstanding salaries and gratuities, amid growing concerns over what has been described as unfair treatment by the company.

Roan Constituency aspiring Member of Parliament, Nathan Chanda has called on Cobra Security management to urgently settle all unpaid dues owed to former employees.

Mr. Chanda says information reaching him indicates that only a selected group of former workers, including es**rt drivers and employees retained after the company's relocation, have received their payments.

He says many other workers, particularly those who served for shorter periods, remain unpaid and have reportedly been informed that their monthly salaries will be added to their gratuity payments.

The aspiring lawmaker has described the situation as unfair and unacceptable, stating that workers who dedicated their time and effort to the company deserve to be paid what they are rightfully owed without further delay.

Mr. Chamda has urged Cobra Security to resolve the matter immediately, warning that failure to do so could result in the issue being escalated to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and other relevant authorities.

He has further emphasized the need for employers to treat workers with dignity and ensure better conditions of service.

500 MCK MINING WORKERS AT FQM RETURN AS OPERATIONS RESUME AFTER DISPUTE RESOLUTION

By Phyllis S. Banda

Unionized workers at MCK Mining Services who were placed on forced leave two months ago are expected to return to work following the resumption of operations at the company.

The development comes after the resolution of a commercial dispute between MCK Mining Services and First Quantum Minerals, which had disrupted operations and led to employees being sent on forced leave.

The Mineworkers' Union of Zambia says engagements involving First Quantum Minerals, MCK Mining management and the union have resulted in the resolution of key issues affecting workers, including salary payments and the status of employees who had been placed on forced leave.

MUZ says it has received assurances that salary-related concerns, including remuneration for May 2026 and future payment arrangements, have been addressed. The company is expected to issue a memorandum outlining the agreed payment framework to employees.

Speaking after a meeting at the union headquarters in Kitwe, MUZ President Joseph Chewe welcomed the development and praised workers for their patience, discipline and maturity during the period of uncertainty.

Mr. Chewe said the outcome protects jobs, restores industrial harmony and supports the continued growth of the mining sector.

He has also urged workers to remain calm and cooperative as the company gradually normalizes operations, assuring affected employees that all workers who were placed on forced leave will be reintegrated as operations resume.

Mr. Chewe noted that the return to operations is good news for workers, their families and the mining industry, especially as Zambia works towards its target of producing three million metric tons of copper annually.

Meanwhile, MCK Mining Services Acting Chief Executive Officer Samuel Opare says the company will adopt a phased approach in resuming operations to ensure a smooth transition for both employees and the business.

And the Mineworkers' Union of Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting workers' interests through constructive engagement with employers, government and other stakeholders while promoting decent work and national development.

NATHAN CHANDA UNVEILS BOLD PLAN TO REVIVE ROAN SPORTS, PLEDGES Premier League Stability for Roan United

By Phyllis S. Banda

Aspiring Roan Constituency Member of Parliament Nathan Chanda has unveiled an ambitious sports development agenda aimed at restoring Roan Township's sporting glory, with a strong focus on sustaining Roan United Football Club's presence in the Zambian Premier League.

Outlining his vision for sports development in the constituency, Mr. Chanda said sport has played a significant role in his life as a son of Roan Township and pledged to make it a key pillar of community development if elected in the August 13, 2026 general elections.

The aspiring MP committed to working with stakeholders to improve conditions of service for players and technical staff at Roan United FC, saying this would help retain and attract top talent to the club.

He further pledged to engage CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines to procure a new team bus for the club, while also supporting efforts to secure a supporters' bus.

On sports infrastructure, Chanda said he would lobby for the rehabilitation of Kafubu Stadium to meet the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.

He also pledged to utilize the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to establish community recreation and sports facilities in K***a Square and Mpatamatu, aimed at nurturing young talent and promoting community participation in sports.

The aspiring lawmaker emphasized the need to run football professionally and sustainably, describing the sport as a business that requires sound management and greater community involvement.

He further proposed the appointment of two sports coordinators in every ward under the MP's office to oversee various sporting disciplines, including football, netball, athletics, rugby, boxing, karate, chess and pool.

He said the initiative would help create structured sporting programs and opportunities for young people across the constituency.

Additionally, he pledged to align constituency sporting activities with the FAZ calendar, organize regular ward tournaments and leverage his networks to create local and international exposure opportunities for talented athletes.

FAZ FOUR NATIONS TOURNAMENT DIARY: Zambia to Face Kenya in 4-Nations Clash

FORMER MP PROPOSES CITIZEN-OWNED INVESTMENT FUND TO BOOST MINING OWNERSHIP AND REDUCE DEBT

By Phyllis S.Banda

Former Kamfinsa Member of Parliament Christopher Kang’ombe has proposed the creation of a Zambian-owned pooled investment vehicle to enable citizens to invest in mining and other strategic projects.

The proposal comes as government seeks 600 million US dollars from the African Development Bank to help buy back part of Zambia’s Eurobond debt and avoid higher interest payments that could rise from about 7 million to 100 million US dollars annually from 2035.

Mr. Kang’ombe says Zambia should use strong copper prices and ongoing mineral discoveries to secure greater ownership in mining ventures.

He has suggested that government invest between 10 and 12 million US dollars in mineral exploration and retain ownership of exploration data, with the investment later converted into equity.

He believes a pooled investment fund could raise more than 500 million US dollars for mine development and other national projects, reducing reliance on foreign borrowing while increasing citizen participation in Zambia’s economic growth.

GOVERNANCE EXPERT WARNS AGAINST RISING POLITICAL VIOLENCE AHEAD OF AUGUST ELECTIONS.

By Phyllis S.Banda

Governance expert and human rights advocate Wesley Miyanda has raised concern over increasing political violence ahead of Zambia’s August General Elections, citing reports of cadres carrying machetes, fi****ms, and catapults during nomination filings.

Mr. Miyanda warned that the incidents threaten Zambia’s reputation as a peaceful democracy and could escalate as campaigns intensify.

The Governance Expert urged political parties and supporters to uphold peace, respect the law, and focus on issue-based campaigns instead of hate speech and divisive rhetoric.

He also called on law enforcement agencies to act decisively against perpetrators of violence and ensure offenders are brought to justice without fear or favour.

Mr. Miyanda appealed to all stakeholders to work together to safeguard peace before, during, and after the elections.

ACC Arrests Mulobezi WDC Member Over K200,000 Loan

By Arnold Tutu

The Anti-Corruption Commission –ACC- has arrested a Ward Development Committee –WDC- member in Mulobezi District, Western Province, for alleged corrupt practices involving a K200,000 Constituency Development Fund –CDF- empowerment loan.

ACC Acting Head of Corporate Communications CHILUFYA CHISANGA says HAMANYANGA HAMANYANGA, 32, of Kish*tu Compound in Mulobezi, has been charged with one count of Failure to Disclose Interest contrary to Paragraph 5 of the Schedule to the Constituency Development Fund Act No. 11 of 2018.

Ms. CHISANGA says investigations have revealed that in January 2024, Mr. HAMANYANGA, while serving as a member of the Constituency Development Fund Committee at Mulobezi Town Council, failed to disclose his interest in a loan application involving his brother's company, Hantulu Hamanyanga Transport and General Dealers.

She said the suspect subsequently took part in the consideration, discussion and recommendation of the company's application for a K200,000 empowerment loan.

In a statement to ZNBC news, Ms. CHISANGA said the Commission views such conduct seriously and has warned individuals entrusted with the management of public resources against abusing funds intended for the benefit of citizens.

She said the ACC will continue taking action against anyone found engaging in corrupt practices in accordance with the law.

The suspect has since been released on bond and is expected to appear in court soon.

ZMA ADVISES OIL MARKETING COMPANIES AHEAD OF PETROLEUM VERIFICATION EXERCISE

By Phyllis S. Banda

The Zambia Metrology Agency ZMA has advised Oil Marketing Companies and Technician Companies that certificates for measuring instruments used in the petroleum sector will expire on 30th June 2026 ahead of a nationwide verification exercise for the second half of the year.

According to a statement issued by Acting Executive Director Dr. Michael Nsefu, the nationwide verification exercise is aimed at ensuring that all measuring instruments remain compliant with the requirements of the Metrology Act Number 6 of 2017 and related regulations.

Dr. Nsefu has since urged all stakeholders to prepare for the exercise by obtaining quotations for verification services, processing payments for the applicable fees, and servicing and calibrating their measuring instruments to ensure readiness for inspection and certification.

He further disclosed that this will be the first petroleum sector verification exercise to be conducted following the integration of Legal Metrology Services onto the Government Service Bus platform.

Dr. Nsefu explained that all clients will now be required to process quotation applications and payments through the GSB platform and are therefore encouraged to familiarize themselves with the system.

Meanwhile, the Zambia Metrology Agency says its technical team remains available to provide guidance and support to ensure a smooth verification process.

The Agency has advised all affected companies to make the necessary arrangements in good time to avoid disruptions to operations.