News Digest - Wednesday, October 29th, 2025

Our nation today focuses on safeguarding our most vulnerable, enhancing public safety, and upholding accountability in governance, as key developments impact the well-being and future prosperity of all Zambians.

Main Stories

1. NPA Alarms Over Sharp Rise in Child Sexual Abuse & Incest Cases
   The National Prosecutions Authority expressed deep concern about the significant increase in child sexual abuse, particularly incest, noting perpetrators are often known to the child, involving grooming and manipulation, driven by harmful patriarchal norms and power imbalances within our communities.
2. Government Launches Vision Zero Campaign to Eliminate Transport Fatalities
   Minister Brenda Tambatamba officially launched the Vision Zero campaign for Zambia's transport sector, committing to entirely eliminate road deaths and serious injuries through evidence-based interventions like improved road design, enforced speed limits, and promoting a universal safety culture for all road users.
3. Four Former Ministers Owe K230,000+ Each After Failing to Refund Unlawful Salaries
   Vice-President Mutale Nalumango confirmed that four former ministers – Chishimba Kambwili, Fackson Shamenda, Panji Kaunda, and Dawson Kafwaya – have each failed to refund over K230,000 in salaries unlawfully earned after overstaying post the 2016 Parliament dissolution, despite a Constitutional Court order, with the matter now referred to the Attorney General for action.

Other Notable Stories

• Governance & Justice:
  • The Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments reported an overwhelming public turnout in North-Western Province, with support noted for proposals promoting participation of women, youths, and people with disabilities in governance.
• Environment & Tourism:
  • Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba raised an alarm over escalating poaching, uncontrolled fires, and overfishing threatening the vital Kafue Flats ecosystem, urging traditional leaders, communities, and government workers to help protect this key water resource and ecological site.
• Politics:
  • Kanchibiya MP Sunday Chanda asserted that opposition presidential hopefuls lack viable, costed economic alternatives to rival the governing party's agenda, observing fragmented messages and limited policy detail despite growing recognition of the need for substantive plans.

Key Takeaways & Watchpoints

• Implementation progress of the Vision Zero transport safety campaign across Zambia's road network.
• Actions taken by the Attorney General regarding the recovery of funds owed by the four former ministers.
• Continued public engagement and specific recommendations emerging from the Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments.