News Digest - Friday, September 12th, 2025

Zambia grapples with critical national challenges today, balancing public health concerns like cholera outbreaks and river pollution against persistent energy shortages, while leaders engage in robust debate on governance and corruption. On the sporting front, our junior footballers carry the nation's hopes in a regional tournament.

Main Stories

1. Cholera Outbreak Persists in Northern Province
   The Ministry of Health confirmed 13 new cholera cases in Northern Province as of September 9th, with 12 cases in Mpulungu and one in Mbala, stemming from an outbreak first detected on August 5th, necessitating continued vigilance and public health measures to safeguard our communities.
2. Parliamentary Caucus Demands Action on Kafue River Pollution
   The Zambian Parliamentary Caucus on Environment and Climate Change is calling for legal action against corporate and government officials responsible for the Sino Metals acid leak polluting the Kafue River, demanding the company's license remain suspended until independent verification of full environmental compliance, as this pollution threatens water sources for numerous districts.
3. National Power Deficit Impacts Livelihoods
   Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary Eng. Arnold Simwaba confirmed Zambia is currently generating only 1,752MW of electricity against a national demand of 2,400MW, with Kariba generating 793MW, highlighting an ongoing energy crisis affecting small businesses and household incomes across our nation.
4. President Hichilema Addresses Corruption and Power Crisis
   President Hakainde Hichilema asserted that arrests for theft, particularly referencing the health sector forensic audits, are not a loss of democratic space but necessary to protect public resources and patient rights, while also acknowledging the severe pain caused by power outages and outlining government efforts to reform the energy sector and diversify generation away from hydro-dependence.
5. Attorney General Links Cybercrime to "Get Rich Quick" Mentality
   Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha attributed significant financial sector cybercrime losses, exceeding K150 million in 2021, partly to a culture of laziness where Zambians prefer risky pyramid schemes promising quick returns over hard work, speaking during a lecture on cybercrimes at the University of Lusaka.

Other Notable Stories

• Governance & Justice:
  • High Court Judge K Chenda dismissed a $500,000 lawsuit by Nachilala Nkombo against StanChart Bank regarding a defaulted offshore bond, ruling she failed to prove the bank breached its duty as a non-advisory distributor.
  • Socialist Party National Youth Chairperson Kelvin Kaunda stated his party is delaying joining the Tonse Alliance due to disagreements over Robert Chabinga's position as alliance president, based on Registrar of Societies records.
  • PF acting president Given Lubinda claimed rampant corruption and poor governance will lead topple the UPND government.
• Health:
  • The Ministry of Health clarified that reports of 3,500 job cuts were a distortion, stating reminders sent to workers on one-year MOH/CDC Cooperative Agreement contracts about their September 30th end date reflect standard practice.
• Sports:
  • The Zambia U17 national team begins its COSAFA U17 Championship title defence today against South Africa in Harare, aiming to qualify for the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.
• Economy & Development:
  • Zambia signed an inter-governmental MoU on energy cooperation with Botswana and two MoUs with Zimbabwe covering a bi-national commission and facilitating the Zimbabwe-Zambia Oil Products and Natural Gas Pipelines Project (ZIZOP).
  • President Hichilema urged African nations, including Zambia, to implement Pan-African payment systems to reduce the $5 billion annual cost of currency convertibility and ease trade.
• Environment:
  • Vice-President Mutale-Nalumango directed Kalulushi health authorities to conduct medical examinations on five Kalusale residents who reported health issues after allegedly consuming water contaminated by Sino Metals effluent.

Key Takeaways & Watchpoints

1. Continued vigilance and adherence to public health guidelines are essential in Northern Province to contain the cholera outbreak.
2. Implementation of the demanded actions regarding Sino Metals' environmental compliance and legal accountability will be crucial for restoring the Kafue River's safety.
3. Progress on the government's outlined energy sector reforms and new generation projects is vital to alleviate the national power deficit impacting citizens and businesses.