Intelligence Officer Arrested for Homosexuality

By Paul Shalala

An Intelligence Officer from the Office of the President (OP) in Luwingu District, Northern Province has appeared before the  Magistrate Court for unnatural offences contrary to section 155 (a) of chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Practicing homosexuality is illegal in Zambia and it carries a penalty of 15 years.

33 year old Moses Chanda of Lupili Township in Luwingu, appeared last week before Magistrate Davies Simfukwe for allegedly having canal knowledge of a 15-year-old boy of the same compound.

The Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) reports that on a dates unknown, but between 20th and 26th June 2018, Mr Chanda allegedly had canal knowledge of a named boy.

But during plea, the suspect denied the charge.

The matter has since been adjourned to 11th July, 2018 for commencement of the trial.

Mr Chanda is remanded at the Luwingu Correctional Facility.

This is the second case of homosexuality before the courts in Zambia at present.

In the central town of Kapiri Mposhi, two men are awaiting judgement after they were found with a case to answer in a matter where they are accused of practicing homosexuality.

On 7 May this year, Kapiri Mposhi Magistrtate Ackson Mumba found 30 year old Steven Sambo and 38 year old Japhet Chataba with a case to answer after both the prosecution and the defence finished presenting their witnesses.

The two are due for judgement on 20 July.

Zambia Suspends Export Of Electricity Amid Local Power Deficit

Zesco Logo

By Paul Shalala

Zambia's state power utility firm ZESCO) has suspended the export of electricity to neighboring countries due to the current power deficit the country is facing.

In the past two weeks, the country has experienced unprecedented power outages which has outraged citizens.

In some cases, residential areas have gone from an average of eight hours to one or two days without electricity.

The company has been forced to run adverts in daily newspapers to explain loadshedding schedules for various parts of the country on a daily basis.

According to Zesco's spokesperson Henry Kapata, the current power deficit is as a result of the reduction in the amount of water in reservoirs were the firm gets its hydro power.

Mr Kapata has told Zambia's state news agency ZANIS that the suspension of power exports will only resume when the firm has excess electricity.

"We cannot be irrational as to export power when are rationing electricity supply to the Zambian people because of the serious shortage," said Kapata.

Henry Kapata

And on its official Facebook page, Zesco has claimed that the increased loadshedding exercise is not as a result of exporting power to neighbouring countries.

"Contrary to comments from the general public, it should be made clear that the reason why we are unable to generate enough to meet the fast growing demand, is as a result of low water levels in our reservoirs.

The situation will ONLY improve when water levels rise, that is to say, in the next rainy season. For now, members of the general public are advised to SERIOUSLY conserve power. ZESCO sincerely regrets the inconvenience the current situation may cause," read the statement