call for pitches

 **Call for Pitches: Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N) Stories**

Are you a passionate journalist interested in shedding light on crucial issues related to Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N)? We invite you to submit your story pitches for a chance to make a meaningful impact and contribute to raising awareness about these vital topics.

**About the Opportunity:**

The RMNCAH-N is an area that demands our attention, as it directly impacts the well-being and future of our communities. We are seeking thought-provoking, investigative, or analytical stories that can bring about positive change and inspire action.

**Support for Journalists:**

We understand the importance of your work, and we are committed to supporting you in your efforts. Travel and other logistics support will be provided to selected journalists to help you conduct in-depth research and interviews, ensuring your stories are well-rounded and compelling.

**Journalist's Budget Outline:**

To facilitate your investigative work, please include a budget outline as part of your pitch. This should cover the estimated expenses related to your story, such as:

1. **Travel Expenses:** Detail your anticipated costs for transportation, accommodation, and meals during your reporting trips. Be specific about locations and durations.

2. **Research and Data Analysis:** If your story requires access to data sets, surveys, or expert consultations, outline the associated costs.

3. **Equipment and Supplies:** Specify any equipment or supplies needed for interviews, photography, or video production.

4. **Translation and Interpretation:** If your story involves non-English speaking regions, include costs for translation and interpretation services.

5. **Miscellaneous Expenses:** Account for any unforeseen costs that may arise during your reporting.

**Publication Commitment:**

We take our mission seriously and want to ensure that your stories reach the widest possible audience. Therefore, we require a commitment from you that your stories will be published and republished, both in traditional media outlets and on your social media handles.

**Submission Details:**

Please send your story pitches, including the budget outline, to **healthbeatadvocate@gmail.com** no later than the end of this month.

In your pitch, include the following:

1. A brief summary of your story idea.
2. Why you believe this story is essential and how it relates to RMNCAH-N.
3. Your plan for investigative research or data analysis.
4. Your journalist's budget outline.
5. Any previous experience or expertise you have in this area.
6. Your commitment to publishing and promoting the story.

We are excited to receive your pitches and work together to bring these crucial issues to light. Let's make a difference in the realm of Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child Adolescent Health and Nutrition. Together, we can inspire change and improve lives.

For inquiries or more information, please contact us at **healthbeatadvocate@gmail.com**. Thank you for your dedication to quality journalism and making a positive impact on our communities.

Land Dispute Unraveled in Livingstone Magistrate's Court

A 55-year-old man informed the Livingstone Magistrate's Court that a plot number, which was canceled in the system, he does not expect to be offered or given to anyone.

This case involves Israel Mushoke, Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, and Lata Jehendra Shah, who face a series of charges related to alleged fraudulent activities and trespass incidents.

Israel Mushoke, aged 54, and Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, aged 65, both businessmen, stand accused of procuring the execution of documents by false pretenses.

The alleged offense occurred between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022. The accused, along with unknown accomplices, are alleged to have used false pretenses and fraudulent representations to induce George Susiku Sindila, the Acting Lands Officer, to sign a document known as lease number Lt-37146 concerning Stand No. 3099 in Livingstone.

In addition to the fraud charge, Mushoke and Chihanganlal also face charges of criminal trespass. They are accused of unlawfully entering the property of Vasanti Yogesh Chikhalya at Stand No. 2056 and the property of Patel Mohabhai Umashabhai at Stand No. 4416 in Livingstone between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022, with the intent to commit an offense.

Lata Jehendra Shah, a 60-year-old businesswoman of Indian origin, is another individual involved in these alleged activities.

The trio is represented by Swizt Mweemba and associates, who are their legal representatives.

Testifying before Chief Resident Magistrate Julius Malata was Harry Shamende, the Chief Lands Officer for the Southern Region of the Ministry of Lands. He informed the court that there are three ways to acquire land in the country.

He explained that the first method requires a person to approach the council.

The second method involves a direct application to the Ministry of Lands.

In the third method, a person must apply through the Office of the Vice President.

He mentioned that police officers from Livingstone visited his office to investigate a matter.

They were investigating three pieces of land, and their referral came from the Commissioner of Lands.

The officers were looking into plots 2056, 3099, and 4416, and they initiated a search for the relevant files.

Shamende clarified that plot 2056 was a commercial property, like all the plots in question, and it had been under title ownership since 1961.

Over the years, the ownership of the plot had changed hands, as evident from the deeds of assignments.

In summary, the property had remained titled.

Plot number 3099 was created in October 1989 as a commercial plot by the council, and the site plans and numbering were handled by the Ministry of Lands that year.

Initially allocated to George Sikumba by the Livingstone City Council, it was discovered that this plot encroached on plot 2056.

Therefore, the Surveyor General canceled plot 3099 and recommended it to another person, Patel, after adjusting its size and renumbering it to 4416.

This is how plot number 4416 came into existence, with plot 3099 being canceled.

Shamende added that the Ministry later learned that Israel Mushoke applied for plot number 3099 in 2022 and obtained approval for the plot, but it appears that Mushoke subsequently transferred it to another individual.

He received this information from the Ministry of Lands' system, but there is no supporting documentation specifying the transfer.

He noted that the registrar at the Ministry would provide more details about the matter in court regarding the new owner.

Shamende mentioned that plot number 3099, having been adjusted and renumbered, should not be available for acquisition to anyone.

The title for it is still held at the Choma Ministry of Lands office.

The trial continues.

 

Livingstone Trio Faces Multiple Charges Including Fraud and Trespass

 

A 65-year-old man has told the Livingstone Magistrate's Court that he was shocked when the casual workers he had engaged to clear his plot informed him that the plot belonged to stranger.

This is a case where Israel Mushoke, Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, and Lata Jehendra Shah are facing a series of charges related to alleged fraudulent activities and trespass incidents.

Israel Mushoke, aged 54, and Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, aged 65, both businessmen, have been accused of procuring the execution of documents by false pretenses.

The alleged offense took place between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022. The accused, along with unknown accomplices, are alleged to have used false pretenses and fraudulent representations to induce George Susiku Sindila, the Acting Lands Officer, to sign a document known as lease number Lt-37146 concerning Stand No. 3099 in Livingstone.

In addition to the fraud charge, Mushoke and Chihanganlal are also facing charges of criminal trespass. They are accused of unlawfully entering the property of Vasanti Yogesh Chikhalya at Stand No. 2056 and the property of Patel Mohabhai Umashabhai at Stand No. 4416 in Livingstone between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022, with the intent to commit an offense.

Lata Jehendra Shah, a 60-year-old businesswoman of Indian origin, is another person involved in these alleged activities.

The trio are represented by Swizt Mweemba and associates.

Testifying before Chief Resident Magistrate Julius Malata was Livingstone businessman Yogeshi Chikhalya of 27 Airport Road in Livingstone. He told the court that he was born in Zambia, got married to his wife, Vasanti, in 1998, and they are still married.

He said that in 1998, the Livingstone City Council was offering plots, so he, his wife, and Patel attended the interviews. He said he escorted his wife when the interviews were being conducted for the same plot at the Livingstone City Council, and explained that his wife was the one who had applied it.

"So, we know each other. I attended interviews at the Livingstone City Council in 1998. I did not apply; this was done by my wife. I accompanied my wife when she applied for the plot. The application was approved by the council. My wife was offered a plot by the council, who were acting on behalf of the Ministry of Lands," he said.

He said it is unfortunate that his wife is currently out of the country. The couple was offered the plot, and they started the process of getting the title deed. They managed to get the title to the plot in question in 1998.

"After the interview, we were allocated a plot along Senanga Lodge near Maramba Cultural Centre in Livingstone. We were required to pay the necessary fees and paid for the title. The process was initiated when we presented our plans to the council for the development of the allocated plots. We even went to the Environmental Council of Zambia for them to approve our plan. While it was being approved, the council gave us permission to commence with the ablution block on the site slab," he said.

He mentioned that he was taken ill, and everything came to a standstill at the plot. Later, the title deeds were issued by the Ministry of Lands after a year, the title deed was in his wife's name, specifically, plot number 2056. He identified the title deed in court.

 

In late 2022, while they were trying to clean the plot, Mushoke approached his workers and told them to stop working as the land did not belong to Chikhalya despite having attended the interviews at the Livingstone City Council, he was shocked and reported the matter to the police later on.

"I then went to the Livingstone Central Police Station to report the matter," he said.

He said at the police all parties concerned were supposed to visit the site to confirm to ascertain, if the piece of land was indeed the same in question.

The police confirmed that Mushoke and Shah stated that it was the same piece of land.

"We were not supposed to proceed with any development at the plot until confirmation was made. I have known Mushoke for about two years, and he is before the court," he said.

He also stated that he has known Shah for about ten years as a businessman, and himself and Shal are both of Indian origin.

"I am not sure if the Ministry of Lands gives offers. I do not have any offer letter," he said.

He also mentioned that he was not aware that his wife had received an offer from the Ministry of Lands.

"My wife is out of the country. The plot number 2056 has only a slab which was put there," he said.

The trial continues.

Zambia Strengthens Environmental Management Framework with Key Amendments

A 65-year-old man has told the Livingstone Magistrate's Court that he was shocked when the casual workers he had engaged to clear his plot informed him that the plot belonged to stranger.

This is a case where Israel Mushoke, Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, and Lata Jehendra Shah are facing a series of charges related to alleged fraudulent activities and trespass incidents.

Israel Mushoke, aged 54, and Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, aged 65, both businessmen, have been accused of procuring the execution of documents by false pretenses.

The alleged offense took place between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022. The accused, along with unknown accomplices, are alleged to have used false pretenses and fraudulent representations to induce George Susiku Sindila, the Acting Lands Officer, to sign a document known as lease number Lt-37146 concerning Stand No. 3099 in Livingstone.

In addition to the fraud charge, Mushoke and Chihanganlal are also facing charges of criminal trespass. They are accused of unlawfully entering the property of Vasanti Yogesh Chikhalya at Stand No. 2056 and the property of Patel Mohabhai Umashabhai at Stand No. 4416 in Livingstone between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022, with the intent to commit an offense.

Lata Jehendra Shah, a 60-year-old businesswoman of Indian origin, is another person involved in these alleged activities.

The trio are represented by Swizt Mweemba and associates.

Testifying before Chief Resident Magistrate Julius Malata was Livingstone businessman Yogeshi Chikhalya of 27 Airport Road in Livingstone. He told the court that he was born in Zambia, got married to his wife, Vasanti, in 1998, and they are still married.

He said that in 1998, the Livingstone City Council was offering plots, so he, his wife, and Patel attended the interviews. He said he escorted his wife when the interviews were being conducted for the same plot at the Livingstone City Council, and explained that his wife was the one who had applied it.

"So, we know each other. I attended interviews at the Livingstone City Council in 1998. I did not apply; this was done by my wife. I accompanied my wife when she applied for the plot. The application was approved by the council. My wife was offered a plot by the council, who were acting on behalf of the Ministry of Lands," he said.

He said it is unfortunate that his wife is currently out of the country. The couple was offered the plot, and they started the process of getting the title deed. They managed to get the title to the plot in question in 1998.

"After the interview, we were allocated a plot along Senanga Lodge near Maramba Cultural Centre in Livingstone. We were required to pay the necessary fees and paid for the title. The process was initiated when we presented our plans to the council for the development of the allocated plots. We even went to the Environmental Council of Zambia for them to approve our plan. While it was being approved, the council gave us permission to commence with the ablution block on the site slab," he said.

He mentioned that he was taken ill, and everything came to a standstill at the plot. Later, the title deeds were issued by the Ministry of Lands after a year, the title deed was in his wife's name, specifically, plot number 2056. He identified the title deed in court.

 

In late 2022, while they were trying to clean the plot, Mushoke approached his workers and told them to stop working as the land did not belong to Chikhalya despite having attended the interviews at the Livingstone City Council, he was shocked and reported the matter to the police later on.

"I then went to the Livingstone Central Police Station to report the matter," he said.

He said at the police all parties concerned were supposed to visit the site to confirm to ascertain, if the piece of land was indeed the same in question.

The police confirmed that Mushoke and Shah stated that it was the same piece of land.

"We were not supposed to proceed with any development at the plot until confirmation was made. I have known Mushoke for about two years, and he is before the court," he said.

He also stated that he has known Shah for about ten years as a businessman, and himself and Shal are both of Indian origin.

"I am not sure if the Ministry of Lands gives offers. I do not have any offer letter," he said.

He also mentioned that he was not aware that his wife had received an offer from the Ministry of Lands.

"My wife is out of the country. The plot number 2056 has only a slab which was put there," he said.

The trial continues.

 

Zambia Strengthens Environmental Management Framework with Key Amendments

THE Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has issued a directive mandating that environmental experts participating in any environmental assessment process must register with the agency.

ZEMA board member Rasford Kalamatila stated that registration will further strengthen the expertise of dealers in providing training and awareness materials, thereby reducing the incidences of chemical poisoning.

Mr Kalamatila said that this will result in a significant improvement in environmental assessment reports.

He also added that it would enhance the quality and eliminate the exploitation of investors by unscrupulous consultants, leading to a reduction in the turnaround time for reviewing and approving environmental assessment reports.

Mr Kalamatila explained this at a ZEMA conducted a consultative meeting to discuss the recent amendments to the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011, in Livingstone yesterday.

“The Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011 has been amended by the Environmental Management (Amendment) Act No. 8 of 2023. The amendment of the EMA has provided a stronger legal and institutional framework for environmental management in the country,” he said.

Mr Kalamatila also highlighted that the key amendments to the Act would contribute to reducing the turnaround time for reviewing and approving environmental assessment reports.

“The Act now mandates that pesticides be registered with the agency as a prerequisite for licensing. This registration requirement is an internationally accepted standard and will ensure the availability of quality agrochemicals on the market,” he said.

Mr Kalamatila said that the agency is developing regulations to establish detailed processes for the aforementioned registration requirements.

He said that environmental management is a highly consultative process, and therefore, the responsibility for developing these regulations lies with agrochemical environmental development.

And ZEMA's director of legal services, Karen Etondo, disclosed that 19 chemicals have been identified for complete ban in the country.

Ms Etondo further noted that the country benefits whenever such bans occur at the international level.

She also highlighted the necessity for registering all chemicals introduced to the country for the first time.

ZEMA's acting director of operations, Christopher Kanema, stated that pollutants such as DDT are prohibited and are solely used for mosquito control.

 He said that manuals have been developed and that they are collaborating with farmers and agro dealers so that they can know the regulations.

End.

 

Acting Minister Urges Local Authorities to Innovate and Boost Efficiency

In a compelling address at the Joint 67th Annual Conference of the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) and the 20th General Assembly of the Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders Initiative for Community Action on AIDS at the Local Level (AMICAALL), Acting Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mike Mposha, called on local authorities to seize opportunities, drive efficiency, and foster innovation in revenue generation.

Mposha emphasized that the government has substantially increased resources allocated to local authorities as part of its commitment to fiscal decentralization. He assured attendees that the government would continue to provide policy and legislative support to enable local authorities to deliver quality services effectively.

Addressing the theme of the conference, "Unlocking the Potential of Local Government for Transformative Socio-Economic Development," Mposha highlighted the growing expectations of local government leadership, stressing the importance of visionary leadership, accountability, and prudent resource management.

He encouraged strategic partnerships with stakeholders at all levels to enhance service delivery and reiterated the government's dedication to decentralization through devolution, a strategy aimed at fostering socio-economic transformation and community-led development.

Mposha underscored the pivotal role of local authorities in achieving inclusive and community-led development, emphasizing the government's commitment to strengthening local capacities, including human resources, integrated development planning, budgeting, and financial management. He also urged the use of information communication technology to enhance operations and service delivery.

Furthermore, Mposha urged local authorities to develop strategies for managing existing debt and ensuring responsible future borrowing. He commended the Local Government Association of Zambia for its proactive role in fulfilling the mandate of local authorities.

LGAZ President Vincent Lilanda called on the government to assist local authorities in liquidating their debt, which stands at K4.3 billion. He emphasized the need to resolve challenges in project implementation, align Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects, and ensure districts retain five percent of generated funds. Additionally, Lilanda expressed concern about the high number of audit queries faced by councils and the need for increased women's representation in local governments.

In his closing remarks, Mposha stressed the importance of translating agreements into action, aligning with the expectations of the Zambian people.

The conference provides a platform for dialogue and collaboration to enhance the role of local government in driving socio-economic development in Zambia.

ZCTU President Demands Immediate Action on Skyrocketing Living Costs at SESTUZ Congress

In a fiery speech at the 6th Elective Congress of the Secondary School Teachers' Union of Zambia (SESTUZ), ZCTU President Blake Mulala delivered an impassioned call to the government, demanding swift measures to combat the nation's crippling cost of living.

With fervor, Mulala acknowledged the alarming surge in living expenses, stressing that countless citizens are grappling with economic hardships and struggling to make ends meet.

"We demand that the government, through your guest of honor, takes immediate steps to tackle the pressing economic challenges faced by our citizens," declared Mulala. He underscored the stark contrast between surging prices of essential goods and stagnant worker wages, insisting on a rapid and effective response.

While acknowledging President Hakainde Hichilema's long-term strategies outlined in a recent parliamentary address, Mulala emphasized the urgency of short-term solutions, particularly addressing the skyrocketing costs of mealie meal and fuel.

"We recognize the New Dawn Government's efforts to rectify past administration's blunders," noted Mulala, "but the cost of living demands immediate, clear, and sustainable solutions."

Shifting focus to the SESTUZ Congress, Mulala expressed gratitude for the union's support during ZCTU's recent congress and applauded SESTUZ for its maturity and unity during and after the event. He stressed the significance of SESTUZ's theme, "Promoting love and unity through social dialogue with integrity," and urged members to embrace it as a guiding principle.

"SESTUZ, an established workers' organization, is a source of pride for Congress," proclaimed Mulala, pledging ZCTU's unwavering support to ensure SESTUZ remains a united and effective representative of secondary school teachers.

Mulala concluded by urging unity among SESTUZ members and emphasizing the need for a well-structured leadership to ensure the union's stability and sustainable growth.

"In closing, we hope this 6th SESTUZ elective congress serves as a cornerstone for a strong and united trade union movement," Mulala declared, concluding with a prayer for mutual support and resolute solidarity among SESTUZ members.

ZCTU President Blake Mulala's impassioned address resonated with attendees, echoing the concerns of countless Zambians struggling with the mounting cost of living. The nation now awaits the government's response to these urgent calls for action.