News Digest - Tuesday, July 29th, 2025

The day's main themes revolve around politics, economics, and social issues in Zambia. The news highlights ongoing debates and challenges within the country's political landscape, including allegations of partisan bias in loan allocations and the role of NGOs in opposition. Additionally, there are significant developments in the economic sector, with the Finance Minister attributing the country's economic upturn to government efforts and cautioning against attributing these positive effects to upcoming elections. Other notable stories include the suspension of an Olympian by the Zambia National Service, the Patriotic Front's internal dynamics, and the appointment of a new Human Rights Commission Board.

Here are the key stories from today's news:

1. Commodity prices will reduce, be patient – Musokotwane
   The Finance Minister's statement on the country's economic upturn and the expected reduction in commodity prices has significant implications for Zambia's economic stability and growth. This development suggests that the government's economic reforms are yielding results and may lead to improved living standards for citizens.

2. Recovering CDF loans easy, most beneficiaries are UPND cadres – Miles
   The allegation of partisan bias in loan allocations raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. This claim implies that the government's efforts to recover outstanding loans may be complicated by the perceived politicization of the loan distribution process.

3. HH appoints HRC Board
   The appointment of a new Human Rights Commission Board marks a significant development in Zambia's commitment to upholding human rights. This move underscores the President's efforts to strengthen institutions dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights, potentially enhancing the nation's democratic governance and accountability.

4. DEC notes rise in sophisticated crime
   The surge in sophisticated crimes involving high-profile individuals has significant implications for the country's crime landscape and governance. The DEC's efforts to hold elites accountable for their involvement in these crimes signal a crackdown on corruption and a commitment to transparency.

5. Some NGOs oppose everything to fill gap left by opposition – Milupi
   The claim that certain NGOs are opposing government initiatives to fill a power vacuum left by a weakened main opposition party highlights a shift in the country's political landscape. This development suggests that civil society organizations are taking on a more prominent role in holding the government accountable, potentially due to the perceived ineffectiveness of traditional opposition parties.

6. Only those who paid K200,000 application fee should contest PF presidency – Mung’andu
   The Patriotic Front's internal dynamics and the proposal to limit presidential candidates to those who paid the required fee have implications for Zambia's political landscape and the party's future direction.

7. Binwell’s seditious practices case fails to take off
   The delayed trial of MP Binwell Mpundu, charged with seditious practices, raises questions about the balance between maintaining public order and protecting individual rights. This case has significant implications for freedom of speech and the limits of political expression in Zambia.

8. ZNS suspends Rhoda
   The suspension of Olympian Sergeant Rhodah Njobvu by the Zambia National Service underscores the seriousness with which institutions are treating the unauthorized production and circulation of explicit content. This action implies that there are significant repercussions for individuals who engage in or are associated with the creation and dissemination of obscene material.

Other notable stories include:

• The Zambian national football team's prioritization of the CHAN tournament, with the goal of becoming the first Zambian team to claim the trophy.
• The Chief Government Spokesperson's emphasis that committing a crime is a personal matter, unrelated to the perpetrator's position or title.
• The challenges faced by President Hakainde Hichilema in maintaining a balance between being accommodating to political opponents and being subjected to abuse and criticism.

Key takeaways from today's news include the government's efforts to address economic and social issues, the ongoing debates and challenges within the country's political landscape, and the significance of institutions like the Human Rights Commission and the DEC in promoting accountability and transparency. Readers should watch for further developments in the CDF loan repayment process, the Patriotic Front's internal dynamics, and the upcoming elections, as well as the potential implications of the surge in sophisticated crimes on the country's governance and crime landscape.