News Digest - Friday, December 26th, 2025

Our nation navigates critical challenges and regional cooperation today, with heightened focus on road safety after tragic Christmas fatalities, a significant step towards lowering fuel costs through bulk importation, and a gesture of solidarity through medicine donation to Botswana. We also see justice pursued in a harrowing court case and a lighthearted appeal for population growth from Livingstone.

Main Stories

1. Cabinet Approves Bulk Fuel Importation to Lower Prices
   Cabinet has greenlit a four-month pilot programme for bulk petrol importation, aiming to reduce pump prices and enhance supply security by leveraging economies of scale. This initiative could ease living costs for all Zambians by enabling better financing terms and streamlined logistics through aggregated demand from Oil Marketing Companies.
2. Tragic Christmas Road Accidents Claim 28 Lives Nationwide
   Twenty-eight Zambians died in 224 road accidents between December 24-26, with Lusaka (80 accidents) and Copperbelt (46 accidents) provinces hardest hit. Police attribute most crashes to speeding and poor driving, prompting intensified patrols and enforcement ahead of New Year celebrations to protect citizens during the festive season.
3. Zambia Airlifts 20 Tonnes of Medicines to Aid Botswana’s Health Crisis
   We've delivered 20 tonnes of essential medicines to Botswana via a Botswana Defence Force aircraft, responding to their declared public health emergency involving shortages of HIV, cancer, and tuberculosis treatments. This demonstrates our commitment to regional solidarity and the stability of Southern Africa’s health infrastructure.

Other Notable Stories

• Governance & Justice:
  • A 47-year-old Lusaka man pleaded not guilty to three counts of incest for allegedly defiling his daughters (aged 10, 12, and 14 in 2024). Two victims testified via video link, detailing assaults occurring when their mother was away, while the accused disclosed being HIV-positive for 11 years during cross-examination.
• Health & Society:
  • Livingstone recorded only four Christmas Day births (three girls, one boy) – its lowest ever. Mayor Constance Muleabai humorously urged Zambian men to "get serious" and "be intentional" about growing the city's and nation's population, while praising health workers for the mothers' complication-free deliveries.

Key Takeaways & Watchpoints

• Heightened police traffic patrols and speed enforcement are imminent nationwide during New Year celebrations following the alarming spike in fatal accidents.
• Monitor potential reductions in fuel pump prices over the next four months as the government’s bulk importation pilot programme commences.
• Note ongoing national discourse around population growth strategies following Livingstone’s unprecedented low birth rate.