zambia - The African Mirror

Aug

2020

Zambia’s vice president tests positive for COVID-19

ZAMBIA’S vice president Inonge Mutukwa has tested positive for the coronavirus, the presidency said in a statement, which also said her condition was stable and she was in self-isolation at home. "The vice president has some mild symptoms that are being managed appropriately ... She is in high spirits and working virtually ..." the statement said. - Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

15 Zambian MPs, 11 parliamentary staff contract COVID-19

COVID-19

FIFTEEN members of the Zambian parliament and 11 members of staff have tested positive for COVID-19, the health minister has announced. The infection of the MPs and staff comes days after the assembly suspended sittings because a lawmaker had died of the respiratory disease. Zambia's coronavirus cases have surged to 3,856 from 1,632 at the beginning of July, with deaths rising to 136 from 30 over the same period, minister Chitalu Chilufya told reporters. The heavily indebted southern African country, the No. 2 copper producer on the continent, is bracing for an economic contraction of over 4% this year because…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

Zambia health minister denies corruption charges in court

NEWS

ZAMBIA'S Health Minister on Thursday appeared before a Lusaka magistrate and denied four counts of corruption involving the alleged purchase of business shares and property with suspected proceeds of crime. This was the first time Chitalu Chilufya, 47, was asked to enter a plea in court since his arrest by the anti-corruption agency last month. He faces up to five years in jail if convicted. Chilufya's arrest is a test of the Zambian government's willingness to keep a promise to tackle graft amidst increased scrutiny by foreign holders of the country's massive debt. The charges against Chilufya cover the period…