CHITSITSIMUTSO CIRCLES OF LIFE CCLO-ZAMBIA

20/04/2026

CCZ WARNS AGAINST ABUSE OF NEW BAIL LAW

The Council of Churches in Zambia-CCZ, has cautioned against the abuse of amendments contained in the recent Criminal Procedure Code No. 4 of 2026, which has rendered all sexual offences such as defilement, r**e, and in**st non-bailable.

CCZ General Secretary, Father James Phiri, notes that while the move is highly commendable, it places urgent responsibility on law enforcement agencies and the justice system to enhance capacity in investigating and prosecuting such cases.

Phiri says it is critical that cases are handled with professionalism by ensuring evidence is thoroughly gathered and presented so as to facilitate the course of justice beyond reasonable doubt.

He warns that failure to put in place robust investigative mechanisms risks undermining the very intent of the law, as it could lead to the incarceration of innocent individuals.

Phiri adds that equally important is the need to address and deter false accusations, remarking that individuals found to be making malicious or unfounded claims for personal motives must be held accountable in accordance with the law.

He says the new legislation must not be misused as a tool for personal battles or to settle disputes, rather, should serve its intended purpose of protecting victims and ensuring that perpetrators of sexual offences are held fully accountable.

Phiri adds that while the Church must faithfully preach forgiveness, that message does not cancel accountability, hence must never be distorted to excuse wrongdoing.

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20/04/2026

Catholic Priest Detained for Allegedly Stealing Church Vehicle

By Arnold Tutu

Police in Eastern Province have recovered a motor vehicle stolen from a Catholic parish in Lusangazi District nearly a year ago, with a suspect now in custody.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, ROBERTSON MWEEMBA, has confirmed the development, saying the breakthrough followed a routine traffic check.

Mr. MWEEMBA said the case dates back to April 30, 2025, when a white Toyota Hilux, registration number CAA 7255 and valued at K700,000, belonging to Ukwimi Catholic Parish, was stolen after being parked outside the church.

The theft was reported through Ukwimi Police Post to Petauke Police Station by Father DANIEL PHIRI.

He explained that the vehicle was recovered in the early hours of April 19, 2026, around 03:00 hours, when a traffic officer on duty at Mwami Road checkpoint intercepted another white Toyota Hilux bearing registration number BAK 4227.

“The vehicle was being driven by SIMON TEMBO, aged 31, a Catholic priest from the Chipata Diocese,” Mr. MWEEMBA said.

Police observed that the vehicle had a damaged left headlamp and fender.

When questioned, Father TEMBO allegedly told officers that he had struck a cow in Katete District and failed to report the accident for fear that Bishop GEORGE LUNGU would discover his whereabouts.

However, further inquiries with Bishop LUNGU revealed that the vehicle Father TEMBO claimed to have been using had reportedly been involved in a fatal road traffic accident the previous week, in which Father ASTON TEMBO died, and was considered beyond repair.

Mr. MWEEMBA said the suspect was taken to Chipata Central Police Station, where a detailed inspection of the impounded vehicle was carried out.

“It was established that the chassis and engine numbers correspond to the Toyota Hilux stolen from Ukwimi Catholic Church,” he said.

The priest has since been detained in police custody and is expected to appear in court soon.

Mr. MWEEMBA further said investigations are ongoing.

19/04/2026

16/04/2026

Katete man burn wife's private parts with hot porridge

IN WHAT appears to be a growing trend of extreme acts of Gender Based Violence in Eastern Province, barely a day after news of a husband allegedly burning his banker wife with boiling cooking oil, another man, 26-year-old John Phiri has allegedly burnt his wife's private parts with hot porridge following accusations of infidelity.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba shares with TV Yatu that the incident occurred yesterday April 15, around 18:00 hours in Katete District's Ibex Compound.

In sharing details of the incident in a statement Mweemba narrates that, 21-year-old Getrude Phiri reported the matter to Katete Police Station alleging that her husband had caused grievous bodily harm on her essential body part.

He narrates that, Getrude left her matrimonial home around 17:00 hours, to go and visit her aunt who lives in the same area.

"At around 17:00hrs, Getrude Phiri left home to visit her aunt who stays within the same area after her husband left home to go and watch football match," Mweemba shares.

He says at around 18:00 hours, Mweemba says, Getrude returned home and found her husband fiercely angry.

On noticing her return, Phiri leveled infidelity accusations on his wife and when she attempted to defend herself, he pushed her to the ground and rushed to pick a pot with hot boiling porridge from a nearby brazier.

He says on picking the hot porridge, Phiri poured it onto his wife's private parts. The suspect further picked a brazier and emptied burning charcoal on his wife's essential lady part causing severe burns.

"Police medical report form was issued to her. No arrest made as the husband bolted the area after the act. Meanwhile,a manhunt has since been instituted to bring to book the culprit," Mweemba says warning couples against resorting to violence against each other whenever they have a misunderstanding.

©️ TV Yatu April 16, 2026.
FILE IMAGE: Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba.

15/04/2026

Husband Pours Hot Cooking Oil on Wife's Face

By Christopher Miti

A 34 year old woman of Chikaya Compound in Lundazi District is nursing serious burns on the face after the husband poured hot cooking oil on her for coming home late.

The victim sustained burns on the face, left ear, eye and left side of the neck.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba said the incident occurred around 23:00 hours on Monday.

Mr Mweemba said brief facts of the matter are that on the material day both the suspect Robby Sipuni and the victim Ketina Ng'andu went to their respective work places leaving their four children in the custody of their maid who knocks off at 18:00 hours.

He said Mr Sipuni aged 52 returned home early and started cooking for the children while his wife arrived home at 22:00 hours.

Mr Mweemba said when questioned, the victim claimed to have gone to visit a friend and this resulted into a dispute leading to the pouring of hot cooking oil on her face by the husband.

He said the victim reported the matter to Lundazi Police station yesterday.

Mr Mweemba said the suspect was charged and arrested for assault occassioning actually bodily harm and is expected to appear in court today.

05/04/2026

Everyone has the right to live free from poverty and the chance to thrive.

Yet, too many people worldwide are forced to choose between food, shelter or education, often facing stigma, discrimination and disrespect.

The Sustainable Development Goals aim to help eradicate poverty so all people, everywhere, can live with dignity and prosperity.

03/04/2026

Chadiza man kills friend over K3 debt during drinking spree!

A 37-year-old man of Chief Mlolo in Chadiza District, Eastern Province, has been murdered by his friend following a quarrel over a K3 debt during a drinking spree.

Agrippa Banda of Kamthira Village was struck on the head with a pan brick by Christopher Nyirenda of Chikwa Village around 19:00 hours yesterday.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba said the two friends were drinking opaque beer (Chibuku) at Mutiyonse Lungu’s house in Thebwe Village before the incident.

Mr. Mweemba explained that the deceased began demanding repayment of the K3 debt, which the suspect denied owing. After the quarrel escalated, community members advised them to go to their respective homes.

Minutes later, Nyirenda allegedly attacked Banda with a pan brick, causing him to collapse. Banda was rushed to Chanida Health Post and later Chadiza Police Station, where he died.

Mr. Mweemba said a manhunt has since been launched to apprehend the suspect, who is currently on the run.

-ZNBC

02/04/2026

On Thursday’s World Autism Awareness Day, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of autistic people to communities worldwide.

“Like anyone else, autistic people should be able to shape their own lives — and help to shape our shared future. They bring talents, perspectives and contributions that make the world a better place,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, calling for their full inclusion and participation in society.

"Through equal education, fair employment and accessible health systems, we can ensure that autistic people have the opportunities they deserve to participate and thrive,” he stressed, adding:

“Embracing diversity strengthens us all.”

28/03/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐡 🌿
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10