Water Crisis Grips Livingstone Central Hospital: Staff Forced to Use Methylated Spirit for Handwashing as Surgeries Are Adjourned

Health workers at Livingstone Central Hospital, now elevated to University Teaching Hospital status, are resorting to methylated spirit to wash their hands amid a crippling water shortage that has forced the postponement of life-saving surgeries and left pregnant women delivering in dire conditions.

The revelation came from Patriotic Front (PF) Livingstone Media Director Mr Chilufya Mwewa, who painted a grim picture of the crisis gripping Southern Province’s flagship health facility and the broader Livingstone community.

“It’s very bad,” Mr Mwewa told journalists. “In these times, a woman who is pregnant goes to the hospital and during delivery there’s no water. In some cases the hospital is even adjourning some surgeries. The situation is worse.”

He added that the water shortage has reached such desperate levels that medical staff are now using methylated spirit – a harsh industrial alcohol normally reserved for disinfection – as a substitute for basic handwashing.

Mr Mwewa said the crisis is not confined to the hospital but affects homes across Livingstone, where residents receive erratic or no piped water supply. Yet it is the hospital’s plight that has sparked widespread outrage.

“All Zambians are cross,” he declared. “This facility does not only benefit politicians. That facility is meant to look after our welfare.”

The hospital, once the pride of the Southern Province, now operates as a University Teaching Hospital, making the water failure even more scandalous, Mr Mwewa stressed.

“We cannot have a university teaching hospital that doesn’t have the continuous supply of water,” he said. “This is our pride. We need to come on board as Livingstone community – not politicians – and sort out the water problem at Central Hospital.”

Mr Mwewa appealed directly to ordinary residents, bypassing political channels, urging the community to unite and resolve the crisis.

“This is my appeal, not just to politicians. This is an appeal to the Livingstone community. Let us come together as one and resolve the water crisis at our biggest hospital in Southern Province.”

The PF media director’s remarks come as residents report worsening conditions, with taps running dry for days on end and health services stretched to breaking point. No immediate comment was available from water utility authorities or the Ministry of Health on when the situation would be resolved.

Mr Mwewa’s comments were made while addressing recent PF internal party matters, but he returned repeatedly to the water emergency, insisting it demanded urgent collective action from all Livingstone residents.

The hospital serves thousands daily, including referrals from across the province. With no reliable water, basic hygiene protocols have collapsed, raising fears of infection outbreaks and further deterioration of maternal and surgical care.

End

Livingstone PF Youth Boss Slams Miles Sampa as Serial Rebel and “Paper President”

Patriotic Front Livingstone Constituency Youth Chairman Harrison Simakumba has launched a blistering attack on Deputy Secretary-General for Politics Miles Sampa, accusing him of being a habitual opportunist who has repeatedly betrayed the party, begged for forgiveness, and is now illegally claiming the PF presidency.

Mr Simakumba, who described himself as the constituency’s youth chairman, said he was compelled to speak out after Sampa held a press briefing a few days ago in which he once again declared himself president of the PF.

“To me, I want to call him the president because he is currently our Deputy Secretary-General for Politics,” Mr Simakumba told journalists here.

 “He presided over the conference we had. It was a conference of non-empathy. He was one of the organisers and took it to its conclusion.”

The chairman said it was “surprising” to hear Sampa later claim in Livingstone that the PF never held any conference.

 Yet, Mr Simakumba insisted, structures that broke away from the main PF participated in that same conference and elected Makebi Zulu as president of the breakaway faction.

“All the PF structures in Zambia that left PF and joined that group voted, and Mr Makebi Zulu was elected president,” he said. 

“Now, a few days ago, here is Miles Sampa declaring himself PF president again. Let’s not forget where we are coming from.”

Mr Simakumba then gave a detailed history of what he called Sampa’s pattern of disloyalty.

After the death of PF founder Michael Sata, Mr Simakumba said, Sampa wanted to become president but was overlooked.

 He turned rebel, formed his own party — the Orange Party — then joined the UPND campaign team. When that failed, he returned to the PF, apologised, and was forgiven by then-president Edgar Lungu, who even appointed him mayor of Lusaka.

“ He came back as a lost son. We welcomed him,” Mr Simakumba said.

When Lungu retired and the party prepared for a general conference to choose a new leader, Sampa applied but again went rogue. 

He organised what Simakumba described as an “illegal conference” guarded by police, attended by no official party structures.

 “He just picked people up and gave them money. Some of these people confessed,” he claimed.

That conference, Mr Simakumba said, was later declared illegal even by Sampa himself.

 The parties signed a consent judgment admitting the gathering was unlawful.

 “Everything that followed after that conference was illegal,” Mr Simakumba argued.

Yet, to the shock of many, the courts set aside the consent judgment and effectively legitimised Sampa’s conference. 

Mr Simakumba said the party expected Sampa to stand by his earlier admission and appeal the ruling.

“Instead, because he was excited to be called Mr President, he is now claiming he is the PF president,” he said. 

“Some people never change, no matter how many times you forgive them.”

Mr Simakumba disclosed that before Sampa’s latest press briefing, all 20 wards in Livingstone held meetings and unanimously rejected him.

“The PF that he claims to have is just on paper,” he declared. 

“The real PF is with the people. Our hearts are with Edgar Lungu. Our hearts are with Michael Sata.

 The real PF in our hearts is the PF of Sata, Edgar Lungu, Given Lubinda and Makebi Zulu.”

He warned that no amount of court rulings or police protection would bring PF structures anywhere near Sampa.

“Miles Sampa just enjoys being called Mr President by name,” Mr Simakumba said.

 “But the PF is with the structures. The PF is in the hearts of the people.”

End

fenete lauds imisepela app

By CHALI MULENGA

Livingstone

The student loan application window has opened, and a prominent entrepreneur and businessman in Livingstone is urging young people to take full advantage of it, alongside other government-backed empowerment programmes.

Evans Fenete said many youths across the country are missing out on life-changing opportunities due to lack of information or failure to act.

“The student loan is an important opportunity for young people who want to pursue higher education but lack financial support. I urge all eligible youths to apply and invest in their future,” Mr. Fenete said.

Mr. Fenete, who has built a successful career in business and entrepreneurship, highlighted the IMISEPELA initiative as a platform offering a wide range of opportunities, including jobs, funding, grants, investment prospects, and skills development programmes targeted at youths across the country.

He praised President Hakainde Hichilema, saying the head of state “means well” and has put in place several measures to empower young people, including financing, business support, and digital skills development.

“IMISEPELA is a key tool for addressing unemployment and equipping young people to actively participate in Zambia’s economic growth,” Mr. Fenete said.

He further encouraged youths to explore opportunities under Smart Zambia, which facilitates access to education financing, entrepreneurship support, and other digital platforms aimed at empowering young people.

Mr. Fenete emphasized that accessing these programmes is not automatic. Young people must take initiative, stay informed, and act decisively to benefit from them.

“Opportunities are available, but they will only help you if you step forward and make use of them,” he said.

He also urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to support youths in applying for the student loan and other empowerment schemes, stressing that such programmes are critical for Zambia’s long-term development.

PF DEFENDS ZULU’S ELECTION, ADMITS STRUCTURAL GAPS AFTER LIVINGSTONE LOSS

CHALI MULENGA

Livingstone 

The Patriotic Front (PF) has defended the election of its new president, Makebi Zulu, despite his failure to secure a single vote in Livingstone, with the party admitting the outcome exposes deeper structural and organisational challenges.

PF media director Chilufya Mwewa said in Lusaka yesterday that while the party respects the outcome of the just-ended convention, the results did not fully reflect the party’s expectations across all districts.

Mr Mwewa acknowledged that Mr Zulu polled zero votes in Livingstone, a result he described as being “in the public domain”, and urged the newly elected leader to treat it as a signal of the work ahead in rebuilding the party’s grassroots support.

“I will be very honest, the results have not come out the way we wanted in certain areas. The president got zero in Livingstone, and this is public information. It shows there is a lot of work to be done,” he said.

He, however, stressed that PF remains united and that the leadership contest should not divide members, describing the intra-party election as part of a broader political struggle.

“This is not a personal battle for any individual. It is a fight for the country, and every member has a role to play,” Mr Mwewa said.

He called on losing candidates and their supporters to rally behind Mr Zulu, noting that the party had emerged from a turbulent period marked by internal divisions and external pressure from the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).

Mr Mwewa also cited unresolved internal challenges, including the party’s administrative and legal difficulties, as factors contributing to the current state of the former ruling party.

He further referenced the death of former president Edgar Lungu, saying the party was still grappling with the aftermath and urging members to focus on unity and rebuilding.

“We are coming from a difficult background. We have lost our leader, and as a party, we must now look beyond ourselves and focus on the suffering Zambian,” he said.

Mr Mwewa appealed to former members who had defected to return to the PF, adding that the party was opening its structures to new recruits, particularly in the youth wing.

He warned that politics in PF should not be viewed as a source of personal gain but as a platform for service and sacrifice.

“Politics is not a job opportunity. It is about volunteering and sacrifice. Those who want to join us must come with that mindset,” he said.

Mr Mwewa also invoked the legacy of PF founder Michael Sata, saying the party remained anchored on its founding principles despite current challenges.

He expressed confidence that under Mr Zulu’s leadership, PF would reorganise and position itself as a viable political force ahead of future elections.

And PF Livingstone Constituency Youth Chairperson Harrison Simakumba has called for unity among party members and urged youths across Southern Province to rally behind newly elected PF president Makebi Zulu following the party’s recent convention.

Mr Simakumba said party members in the constituency have resolved to support Mr Zulu, describing his election as a unifying moment for the former ruling party.

He said despite the contest that characterised the convention, the outcome had produced one winner who deserves the backing of all members.

“We want to show solidarity to the one who came out as winner at the convention. I also want to thank all those who participated,” Mr Simakumba said.

He urged losing candidates and their supporters not to withdraw from party activities but instead remain active and work towards strengthening the PF.

“My message to all candidates is that don’t back out. Continue to support Mr Zulu because he is the one who has emerged as winner. There can only be one winner,” he said.

Mr Simakumba said representatives from the constituency and other districts were in agreement on the need to unite and rebuild the party ahead of future political activities.

He appealed to district youth chairpersons across Southern Province to mobilise young people and consolidate support for Mr Zulu’s leadership.

“This is the time to work together. I am appealing to all district youth chairpersons to unite the youths and rally behind Mr Zulu, who is now the president of the Patriotic Front,” he said.

Mr Simakumba further called for intensified grassroots mobilisation, urging party structures to actively campaign and market Mr Zulu, particularly among young voters.

He said the PF needed to leverage its youthful membership base to regain political strength, noting that Mr Zulu represents the aspirations of young people within the party.

“We need to go on the ground, mobilise and market Mr Zulu. He is a youth just like us, and we need the youthful vote from all districts in Southern Province,” he said.

The PF recently held its convention at which Mr Zulu was elected president, setting the stage for renewed mobilisation efforts within party structures across the country.

Government commissions 976 solar-powered streetlights in Livingstone

CHALI MULENGA

Livingstone 

GOVERNMENT has commissioned 976 solar-powered streetlights in Livingstone to enhance security, boost tourism and support the implementation of a 24-hour economy.

Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba said the project strengthens the city’s status as Zambia’s tourism capital.

Mr Sikumba, who is also Livingstone Member of Parliament, said the streetlights, particularly along the Mosi-oa-Tunya strip, feature designs depicting the Big Five—elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo—reflecting the country’s tourism identity.

“The installation of these streetlights is not only about lighting up the city but also about adding value and identity to our tourism sector,” he said.

He has since handed over the infrastructure to the Livingstone City Council and urged the local authority to ensure proper maintenance, warning that Government will not tolerate negligence.

Mr Sikumba said the project is part of efforts to actualise a 24-hour economy, enabling businesses to operate beyond traditional hours.

He noted that Livingstone stands to benefit from increased regional trade and tourism, with the Victoria Falls border already operating 24 hours and the Kazungula Border Post expected to follow suit from April 1, 2026.

He said this will increase traffic from Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia, boosting economic activity in the city.

Mr Sikumba added that more street lighting projects are being rolled out across various wards to improve service delivery and support growth.

He also addressed concerns about the 24-hour economy, saying Government will provide data on sector performance under ongoing reforms.

Mr Sikumba attributed the progress to improved fiscal space following Zambia’s debt restructuring, which has reduced debt servicing and enabled greater investment in development.

He has since urged residents to safeguard public infrastructure, citing vandalism as a major challenge.

“As Government, we have responded to the needs of the people. It is now important that residents protect and preserve this infrastructure for the benefit of all,” he said.

He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to delivering development across the country. 

And Livingstone Deputy Mayor Robert Wandila said the project marks a significant milestone in modernising infrastructure in the tourism capital and enhancing its attractiveness as a leading destination.

Mr Wandila said the street lighting initiative is a strategic investment designed to transform the city’s outlook, extend business hours and create a safer environment for residents, tourists and investors.

“Street lighting goes beyond physical infrastructure. It is about creating an enabling environment for tourism growth, stimulating economic opportunities and attracting business to our city,” he said.

He noted that improved lighting will support tourism operators by encouraging increased night-time activities, ultimately leading to longer visitor stays and higher revenue generation for local businesses.

Mr Wandila added that the project reflects strong collaboration between Government, cooperating partners and the local authority in repositioning Livingstone as a competitive and resilient urban centre.

He further revealed that the programme has been complemented with the provision of essential equipment to the local authority, including road maintenance machinery, to enhance service delivery and ensure sustainability.

“This equipment will significantly improve the council’s capacity to maintain infrastructure and meet its civic obligations effectively,” Mr Wandila said.

He has since appealed to residents to safeguard the newly installed infrastructure, stressing that its success depends on collective responsibility.

“I urge all residents to protect and responsibly utilise these investments so that they benefit both current and future generations,” he said.

Mr Wandila also challenged tourism operators to leverage the improved infrastructure by developing new products such as cultural experiences, leisure activities and eco-tourism initiatives.

He said the project demonstrates what can be achieved through coordinated planning and partnerships, adding that Livingstone is on course to becoming a modern, inclusive 

ZISM launches strategy tool as Livingstone mayor calls for stronger institutional performance

Livingstone Mayor Constance Nalishebo Muleabai has urged institutions across Zambia to strengthen strategic management and improve service delivery to accelerate national development.

She made the remarks during the official opening of the 2026 Zambia Institute for Strategic Management (ZISM) Strategy Conference, where she also launched the Organisational Strategy Diagnostic Assessment Tool (OSDAT).

“The theme of this conference, ‘Building resilience for inclusive growth and improved livelihoods,’ aligns with national development priorities and highlights the need for institutions to effectively plan, implement and adapt strategies in a dynamic environment,” Ms Muleabai said.

She noted that the Eighth National Development Plan prioritises socio-economic transformation through stronger institutions, improved service delivery and enhanced resilience across both public and private sectors. 

Government reforms in decentralisation, public service delivery and economic management, she added, require ministries, local authorities and cooperating partners to improve coordination and ensure policies translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

“Strategic management is a critical enabler as it ensures clarity of mandate, alignment of resources and accountability for results,” she said.

The mayor commended ZISM for introducing OSDAT, describing it as a timely, evidence-based tool to assess institutional performance, identify strategic gaps and strengthen implementation. 

She said the tool is applicable across government ministries, public agencies, local authorities and private sector organisations, supporting performance management, monitoring and evaluation systems.

“The adoption of such tools will improve planning and budgeting processes and strengthen accountability in resource utilisation,” she said.

 She reaffirmed Livingstone City Council’s commitment to effective service delivery and local development, stressing the importance of partnerships among government, the private sector, civil society and professional bodies. 

Ms Muleabai urged delegates to focus on practical strategies that deliver measurable results before officially declaring the conference open and launching OSDAT.

Meanwhile, ZISM president Tilson Musowaya said Zambia’s biggest challenge is not the lack of sound strategies but the failure to execute them.

“Zambia does not have a strategy formulation problem. Zambia has an execution problem,” he said, citing poor service delivery, misaligned budgeting and weak accountability systems as evidence. 

“These are not isolated failures of individual organisations. They are symptoms of a systemic gap — a missing architecture of execution discipline across our institutions.”

Mr Musowaya said OSDAT, developed locally to suit Zambia’s institutional environment, will help organisations close the gap between planning and delivery.

 “OSDAT is built by Zambians, for Zambian realities, to strengthen execution and improve performance,” he said, urging leaders to prioritise results over plans.

ZISM Vice President Crallybell Musonda called for bold and forward-looking decision-making to secure a prosperous and sustainable future for the country. She said the two-day conference, held under the theme “Shaping Zambia’s Future: Strategic Choices for Shared Prosperity,” provides a platform for dialogue on the nation’s development trajectory.

“We need to make the right decisions today so that Zambia’s future is prosperous, sustainable and beneficial for every citizen,” she said, stressing that economic progress must be inclusive and long-lasting.

The fifth edition of the conference has attracted delegates from government, the private sector and civil society, focusing on strategic leadership, digital transformation, inclusive growth and sustainability. 

Discussions will explore innovative financing models, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), and examine how technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data can support national development.

Ms Musonda also highlighted the importance of climate resilience and Zambia’s green transition for long-term economic stability. 

Day one focuses on strategic leadership, PPPs and the role of pension schemes, while day two addresses digital transformation, cybersecurity and inclusive growth targeting SMEs, youth and gender equity.

“No society can develop successfully without providing equal opportunities and empowering the youth,” she said, urging delegates to actively contribute ideas that can translate into actionable outcomes.

“I trust this conference will spark critical conversations and actionable insights to drive our nation’s progress,” she said.

Zambia Revenue Authority aims at 20 percent to contribution to GDP

CHALI MULENGA

Livingstone

THE Zambia Revenue Authority says it aims to contribute about 20 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but unforeseen events such as global economic shocks, pandemics and climate-related challenges continue to affect revenue collection.

ZRA acting Director for Executive Support Laban Simbeye said while the authority has made progress in domestic revenue mobilisation, external factors can disrupt even well-planned targets.

“Unforeseen circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, recurring droughts and global economic instability sometimes impact our projections. Yet we remain committed to optimising revenue collection and widening the tax net,” Mr Simbeye said.

He noted that Zambia’s tax-to-GDP ratio currently stands at about 20 percent, above the 15 percent benchmark recommended for sustainable development, but still below levels achieved by higher-performing economies.

Mr Simbeye said the authority has extended its Corporate Strategic Plan (CSP) to run from 2022 to 2026 to align with Government priorities. The plan focuses on four key areas: enhancing tax and customs compliance, improving taxpayer experience, strengthening business process efficiency and developing a competent workforce.

“Our core mandate is to increase revenue while ensuring all eligible taxpayers are included in the system. Tax and customs compliance is ZRA’s number one function,” he said.

He said ZRA has invested heavily in technology and internal capacity over the past five years, developing digital platforms such as Tax Online and Smart Invoicing. The authority has also customised the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) to meet Zambia’s specific needs, improving trade facilitation, data integrity and monitoring of exports, including mineral products.

The One Stop Border Post at Kazungula, Mr Simbeye said, demonstrates efforts to streamline cross-border trade and reduce operational delays, which is critical for a country heavily dependent on mining exports.

Mining remains a key driver of Zambia’s economy and a major source of ZRA revenue. Taxes from mining, including mining income tax, mineral royalties and export duties, contribute significantly to national coffers.

“Zambia’s economic development has historically been anchored on mining. The rail lines, roads and infrastructure that shaped our country were built around this sector more than 100 years ago, and it continues to drive growth today,” he said.

Mr Simbeye added that ZRA closely monitors mining-related tax contributions to ensure compliance and minimise revenue leakages.

He said ZRA’s contribution to Government expenditure has risen from about 55 percent in 2020 to over 71 percent last year, reducing reliance on domestic and foreign borrowing. The authority aims to finance up to 90 percent of Government spending in the medium term.

ZRA’s success has also attracted attention from other countries. Delegations from nations such as Liberia have visited Zambia to learn from the authority’s systems, particularly in tax compliance, digital innovation and trade facilitation.

“ZRA’s achievements are measured not only in revenue figures but also in building institutional capacity, improving taxpayer experience and contributing to national development,” Mr Simbeye said.