News Digest - Monday, August 25th, 2025

13 articles from 2 sources

Zambia's news landscape today features significant legal rulings, governance reforms, and public health discussions. Key developments include the conviction of a former provincial minister, arrests in high-profile criminal cases, regulatory actions against broadcasters, and presidential engagements.

Main Stories

  1. Lusambo Convicted in Property Case
    The Lusaka Magistrate's Court convicted former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo on two counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime. Chief Resident Magistrate Davies Chibwili stated the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt under the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act.
  2. Katete DC Arrested for Incest
    Police apprehended Katete District Commissioner Raphael Phiri, 65, for allegedly defiling his juvenile granddaughter. He is detained at Chipata Central Police Station pending formal charges of incest.
  3. Suspects Held in Simfukwe Murder Case
    Police arrested Maria Zaloumis, her Nigerian husband Nathaniel Barthram, and three others regarding the murder of Enock Simfukwe Kasengele in Kabwe. A postmortem confirmed death from blunt force head injury and brain trauma.
  4. IBA Sanctions Four Broadcast Stations
    The Independent Broadcasting Authority penalized four stations for airing misleading religious and traditional healer programs promoting magic money, miraculous healing, and guaranteed jobs, violating regulations against exploiting public vulnerability.
  5. President Donates K1.3 Million to UCZ
    President Hakainde Hichilema donated K1.3 million to the United Church of Zambia's Kwacha congregation during a Copperbelt visit, allocating K1.2 million for church activities and infrastructure and K100,000 to the choir.
  6. President's Son Joins ZNS for Discipline
    President Hichilema stated his son, Habwela, joined the Zambia National Service after graduating in the US to learn discipline and survival skills, not to receive a salary, which he is barred from accepting.
  7. Muyunda Joins MultiChoice Talent Factory
    Lusaka-born Lilato Martina Muyunda, 22, was selected for the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy, aiming to enhance her scriptwriting and filmmaking skills alongside pursuing an online psychology degree.

Other Notable Stories

  • Governance & Policy: Part Two of an analysis on Zambia’s Constituency Development Fund identifies legal flaws giving MPs excessive project selection influence and proposes reforms to strengthen community-led decisions and independent grievance mechanisms.
  • Health: Cervical cancer causes nearly 2,000 annual deaths in Zambia, linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) transmitted through sexual contact, where asymptomatic men often unknowingly spread the virus.

Key Takeaways & Watchpoints

  • Sentencing proceedings for convicted former minister Bowman Lusambo.
  • Proposed legal amendments to restructure Constituency Development Fund Management.
  • Planned full operationalization of the Minerals Regulation Commission by end-August.
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Generated on August 25, 2025 at 3:04 PM UTC