The Independent Observer, Puma Filling Station, Chingola (2025)

12/09/2025

Cash for work will continue-Bally

12/09/2025

We are not targeting anyone, if you didn't steal you should not be scared-President HH

12/09/2025

282 new health facilities have been constructed across the country- President HH

12/09/2025

We have recruited 42,000 teachers and this year we will recruit 2,000 more-President Hichilema

12/09/2025

FDI URGES FAMILIES TO SUPPORT MALARIA SPRAYING CAMPAIGN

Family Development Initiatives (FDI) has appealed to households across Zambia to support health authorities as the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) campaign commences on 15th September 2025.

FDI Team Leader, Sheikh Yusuf Ayami, said community cooperation is essential to the success of the exercise, which targets 30 districts identified as high-risk for malaria transmission.

Sheikh Ayami noted that families should welcome spraying teams into their homes and follow the guidance provided to ensure maximum protection.

He observed that the IRS campaign, led by the Ministry of Health, involves treating indoor surfaces with insecticides to kill mosquitoes that carry malaria.

Sheikh Ayami also commended the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) for its ongoing mosquito net distribution, which has already seen over 440,000 insecticide-treated nets delivered to the Eastern Province.

He is looking forward to seeing additional consignments delivered to other regions in the coming weeks.

Sheikh Ayami added that his organisation stands ready to work with the Government and other stakeholders to combine efforts to actualise Zambia’s commitment to eliminating malaria and improving public health, adding that their success depends on active participation from families and communities.

He said FDI continues to engage local leaders and volunteers to raise awareness and encourage household involvement throughout the campaign.

The Team Leader added that FDI is already working with the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) in addressing Malaria in 9 districts across Lusaka and Southern provinces.

12/09/2025

CHIEF CHITINA CALLS FOR EXPANSION OF AfAW MODEL PROJECTS TO MKUSHI

Chief Chitina of the Lala-Swaka people of Mkushi District, Central Province, has paid tribute to Africa Access Water (AfAW) for actualising the water-to-food nexus.

He has since invited AfAW to replicate their projects in Lusaka's Makeni and Kafue's Mphande areas.

The Chief thanked Mimosa Resources for the visit and urged them to support an AfAW model in his chiefdom.

The Traditional Leader was speaking in Kafue after a familiarisation tour of AfAW projects.

He expressed gratitude to AfAW and noted that the soil found in the area was not as rich as that of Mkushi.

Chief Chitina said that despite the poor soils in the mountainous regions, he observed that food production was still possible.

He commended AfAW for demonstrating how water can be sourced from mountains and was impressed by the agricultural output in stony terrain.

He noted that although people in Mpande live in scattered settlements, the organisation had made efforts to bring them together.

The Chief said similar developments could be achieved in his chiefdom if the right support was found.

He added that it would be inspiring to see an organisation like AfAW unite people in his Chiefdom through such initiatives.

Chief Chitina acknowledged the four-year presence of AfAW in Kafue's Mphande area and praised the infrastructure, including classrooms.

Meanwhile, Africa Access Water (AfAW) Chief Executive Officer Rodney Katongo thanked Chief Chitina and his entourage for visiting the project sites.

He said the visit highlighted the transformative power of solar-powered water systems in vulnerable communities.

Katongo emphasised that the systems enable year-round productivity, income generation, and food security.

He noted that such outcomes align with the organisation’s core values and mission.

Katongo also thanked Mimosa Resources for supporting the visit and encouraged them to become active members of the community.

He expressed hope that similar projects could be adopted in Mkushi to benefit the chiefdom.

Katongo said meaningful change in people’s lives depends on productivity and financial stability within the community.

Earlier, Mentor Me Zambia Counsel Mulenga Mpabalwani thanked AfAW for the tour and said the model could transform lives in the Chitina community.

Mpabalwani noted that it would provide alternative livelihoods and reduce charcoal burning, which would benefit the environment.

She added that the initiative could offer additional income and improve living standards.

Mpabalwani described the experience as humbling and heartwarming and said it showed that development can truly come from a chief who cares for his people.

This is contained in a statement issued by AfAW Communications Officer Temwa Gondwe.

12/09/2025

Historic First Brain Tumour Surgery at Ndola Teaching Hospital
BY; Cornelius Kabwe

Ndola Teaching Hospital (NTH) has made history with its first successful brain tumour surgery.

A male patient from the Copperbelt Province recently underwent a historic 10-hour brain tumour operation at Ndola Teaching Hospital.

For six months, he endured severe headaches. Three months ago, the pain became unmanageable, and his health rapidly declined. By the time of surgery, he had already spent over three weeks unable to walk on his own, a situation that left his family desperate and anxious.

When he finally sought help at Ndola Teaching Hospital, doctors observed alarming symptoms, including vision problems, persistent headaches, and episodes of confused speech. A CT scan revealed a rapidly progressing brain tumour located in the right temporal lobe of the brain a condition that, until now, would have forced him to travel to Lusaka or even outside Zambia for treatment.

The situation required urgent surgical intervention. The patient was taken to the operating theatre, and after a 10-hour surgery, the tumour was successfully removed. He is now stable and recovering well under careful medical supervision.

This historic procedure not only brings hope to the patient and his family but also marks a turning point for healthcare in the Copperbelt.

Until now, patients requiring such complex brain surgeries had to be referred to Lusaka or travel abroad, often at significant financial and emotional cost.
With the establishment of the Neurosurgery Unit under the hospital’s Surgery Department, Zambians can now access life-saving treatments closer to home.

The successful surgery highlights the commitment to enhancing specialized healthcare services and reducing referral both within and outside the country.

This milestone also serves as a beacon of hope for patients across the region, showing that even the most complex medical procedures are now possible in the Copperbelt, as Ndola Teaching Hospital continues to expand its capabilities to provide specialised medical procedures.

The skilled surgical and theatre team included: Surgeons: Dr Gerald Musa (Neurosurgeon), Dr. Royd Ngoma, Dr. Songwe Mushikita Dr. Chifundo Daka
Anaesthetists: Dr. kabamba Dr. Katulondi Scrub Nurses: : Mr. Goliath yowano, Mr. Ndanji kaonga Runner Nurse:Kaira nankonde, Kaira Nankonde ,Porter:
Ms.memory mugala, Radiographer: Mr. Mwamba Simwanza

:Ndola Teaching Hospital Public Relations Department

11/09/2025

Police Officer shots himself

Matero Police Station recorded a case of su***de that occurred at Farm No. 4673/M, Barlastone area, Lusaka West, between September 10, 2025, around 23:00 hours and September 11, 2025, around 01:00 hours.

Police received a report that a police officer, Constable Friday Botha, aged 44, of the Protective Unit (PU), deployed for guard duties at the said farm, allegedly shot himself dead while on duty.

Brief facts are that Constable Botha was deployed to provide static guard duties at the farm on September 7, 2025. Workers at the farm reported hearing gunshots during the night of September 10, 2025, and the early hours of September 11, 2025. Upon checking later, they found the officer lying in a pool of blood with a firearm beside him. The matter was then reported to police.

Officers rushed to the scene and found the deceased lying in a pool of blood inside the house he occupied. An AK-47 rifle was discovered lying next to him. Physical inspection of the body revealed a gunshot wound at the back of the head, believed to be the bullet’s exit point.

The motive behind the incident has not yet been established. However, preliminary investigations suggest that it was a case of su***de.

The body of the deceased has since been deposited in the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary awaiting a postmortem examination.

The Zambia Police Service deeply regrets the loss of life and conveys heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased officer during this difficult time.

Godfrey Chilabi
Assistant Public Relations Officer.

11/09/2025

METROGOLD, ZESCO SIGN LUANSHYA 200MW SOLAR PV PROJECT WORTH US$240 MILLION

METROGOLD Limited and ZESCO Limited have entered into an agreement for the sale and purchase of electrical energy generated from a 200 megawatt Solar PV Plant.

The total project cost is estimated at US$240 million.

METROGOLD Director Elias Mulenga said the plant will be constructed in Luanshya District, Copperbelt Province.

Mulenga explained that METROGOLD, registered under the Companies Act of Zambia, will supply all generated electrical energy to ZESCO, which is also a Zambian-registered entity.

He also extended gratitude to President Hakainde Hichilema, for fostering a favourable business environment that enables renewable energy investments to flourish.

Mulenga said METROGOLD has secured the necessary licences, demonstrated financial capacity, and is finalising the Connection and Wheeling Agreements.

He said all the necessary statutory obligations have been achieved.

Mulenga noted that both parties have agreed on procedures for ground breaking, commissioning and assessing the capacity of the Solar PV Plant.

He emphasised that the agreement represents a pivotal moment in Zambia’s efforts to expand renewable energy and diversify its power supply.

Mulenga highlighted that the project is anticipated to generate approximately 500 jobs during construction and 200 permanent jobs during operations, thereby boosting local economic development in Luanshya and beyond.

He remarked that by increasing the availability of clean energy, the Solar PV Plant will contribute to reducing the effects of loadshedding and support Zambia’s shift towards a low-carbon economy.

Mulenga affirmed that the initiative is aligned with sustainability objectives and incorporates Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles to ensure inclusive benefits for surrounding communities.

11/09/2025

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS MUST OFFER REALISTIC SOLUTIONS TO NATIONAL CHALLENGES - NKHOMA

Local Government Association Eastern Province Vice President Maxson Kamungu Nkhoma has emphasised that Zambians expect the Presidential address to deliver solutions on energy, agriculture, and local governance.

Nkhoma noted that as the President prepares to officially open Parliament tomorrow, the people of Zambia are hopeful the address will focus on issues that directly affect their daily lives.

He stressed that citizens are looking for solutions, not rhetoric, and therefore the address must inspire hope and outline concrete measures.

Nkhoma, who also serves as Chipangali Council Chairperson, pointed out that the ongoing electricity crisis has negatively impacted economic growth, resulting in both domestic and industrial setbacks.

He observed that many businesses—small and large alike—have closed due to prolonged power outages.

Nkhoma believes Zambians expect the President to provide realistic, measurable, and time-bound solutions that his government is implementing to resolve the energy crisis.

He argued that after four years of persistent load-shedding, mere political statements will not suffice.

Turning to agriculture, Nkhoma highlighted that the sector, particularly the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), needs urgent reforms.

He explained that despite a significant increase in the number of farming cooperatives since 2016, budgetary allocations for input support have remained stagnant.

Nkhoma revealed that this has forced farmers to share fertiliser packs in small, inadequate quantities.

He further remarked that the Ministry of Agriculture’s requirement for each FISP beneficiary to sell a minimum of 10 bags of maize to the Food Reserve Agency is unrealistic and unsustainable.

Nkhoma pointed out that not every farmer can meet this demand, especially when inputs are shared.

The civic leader urged the President to address these gaps to safeguard household and national food security.

And Nkhoma underscored that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development plays a critical role in wealth distribution through councils, supervised by mayors, council chairpersons, and councillors.

He lamented that despite councils being entrusted with huge responsibilities such as managing Constituency Development Funds, the conditions of service for elected local officials remain extremely poor.

Nkhoma recalled that President Hakainde Hichilema missed the opportunity to address this matter during the Local Government Association of Zambia Annual General Conference held in Lusaka in August.

He expressed hope that tomorrow’s address will redeem that missed opportunity by making key pronouncements on improving conditions of service for local government elected leaders.

08/09/2025

The Pretoria High Court has reserved judgment in a case in which former President Edgar Lungu’s family is seeking permission to appeal an earlier ruling that ordered his repatriation for a state funeral in Zambia following his death on June 5, 2025.
Mr. Lungu died in South Africa, and three months later, he has not yet been laid to rest due to a standoff between his family and the Zambian government over his burial site.
-Diamond TV

08/09/2025

7 PEOPLE DEAD AFTER CONSUMING METHYLATED SPIRIT MIXTURE
SEVEN people are reported to have died after consuming a concoction of methylated spirit, water and sweet aid taken to get high, in the last two days in Kasosolo and Kabanga areas between Kapri Mposhi and Chisamba Districts of Central Province.

Central Province Police Commissioner Charity Munganga says the seven from different villages in Chief Mukonchi’s area were reported as Brought in Dead (BID) at Choowa and Kabwe Central Police in Kabwe.

Ms Munganga who led a team of officers to investigate the matter also engaged officers from the Provincial Health Office to caution the residents against taking the mixture which is popularly known as ‘D1 Kasosolo.

She said that the concoction is dangerous as it might have caused the death of the people within two days.

Ms Munganga advised them to report anyone selling the concoction or the ingredients which she stated are dangerous.

And Central Province Chief Environmental Health Officer Teddy Wakung’uma said the mixture has a potential to cause seizures, blindness and paralysis.

The Independent Observer

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