AN Absa employee has collapsed during the bank’s marathon today in Lusaka.

In a statement, the bank confirmed with deep sadness the passing of one of its valued colleagues who participated in the event.

According to the statement, the participant collapsed during the race and was immediately rushed to the hospital, where they tragically passed away upon arrival.

“Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we are unable to provide further details at this time,” the statement reads in part.

The bank added that while it awaits a full report on the incident and the cause of death, the safety and well-being of all participants remain a top priority.

It further stated that all recommended safety precautions for such sporting events were in place to ensure the safety of every runner, including the provision of medical facilities along the route.

“The Absa Zambia Board, Management, and entire team extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this very difficult time. We are committed to offering full support to the family and our colleagues as we navigate this tragic moment together,” the bank said.

(Mwebantu, Saturday, September 7th, 2024)

THE Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) has suspended Licensure Examinations scheduled for October and November this year.

This is follows the Kitwe High court granting an injunction involving Makunko Nsalange and 13 other medical graduates who challenged the Council’s mandate to administer LEX following the transposition of the February and March 2024 results.

HPCZ Registrar and Chief Executive Officer professor Fastone Goma said as directed by the Court, HPCZ will not proceed with the upcoming examinations.

“HPCZ wishes to inform the public and all relevant stakeholders that, following a court ruling dated 4th September 2024, the scheduled October November 2024 Professional Licensure Examinations (LEX) have been suspended,” he said.

Professor Goma said the Kitwe High Court has granted an injunction in a case involving Makunko Nsalange and 13 other medical graduates who challenged the Council’s mandate to administer LEX following the transposition of the February March 2024 LEX results.

He said while the Council awaits the resolution of the matter, all stakeholders that the process of application for LEX has also been halted and those who have already applied will be guided in due course regarding payments made.

“The decision also impacts all fresh medical graduates intending to be registered to practice their profession in Zambia, as they will have to wait for final determination of the case. We understand the inconvenience this may cause for candidates and it is our hope that the matter will be resolved in the shortest possible time,” he said.

Professor Goma added that HPCZ remains committed to quality assurance processes that the Ministry of Health has entrusted in the regulatory body.

(Mwebantu, Friday, September 6th, 2024)

A 45-year-old Luanshya gym instructor has been apprehended after he allegedly beat his wife to death.

Mwika Chilaisha is believed to have found his wife Lunar Kalaba aged 35 with another man who was half naked in the toilet of a bar that the couple owned.

Angered by the situation, Chilaisha who is also a stores man at Zambia Combined Cadet Force allegedly started beating the two, but the other man, Nathan Simukoko ran away.

Copperbelt Province Commanding officer Peacewell Mweemba said the incident occurred today between 01:00 and 02:00 hours at a bar known as ‘Paka Dry’ of Mpatamati area of Luanshya.

He said the incident was reported by the victim’s brother.

“Brief facts of the matter are that  Chilaisha and the victim (wife) operates a bar known Paka Dry within Section 25 in Mpatamatu. On September 4th, 2024 he was selling at his bar since the usual barman had followed a customer who was owing some money for beers. Yesterday,between 16:00 hours and 17:00 hours, his wife, Lunar Kalaba passed through the bar and asked the husband for a K5 which she was not given and she left,” he said.

Mr Mweemba said around 19:30 hours, the barman returned and resumed his work, while the suspect went home, leaving his wife at the bar.

“While he was sleeping, his wife went home with Nathan Simukoko a customer around midnight .When the husband tried to find out from the wife why she went with the customer home she responded that she had kept some fish for him in the fridge which he had gone to collect,” he said.

He explained that after a short period of time, the two left.

Mr Mweemba said after noticing that his wife had taken too long, the suspect decided to follow the wife and when he reached the bar premises, he heard some voices coming  from the toilet.

“He went there only to find Simukoko Nathan half naked and the wife also was in the toilet. He beat up the two of them. However, Mr Simukoko managed to escape and he remained with the wife who he beat until she became unconscious,” he said.

Mr Mweemba explained that upon being taken to the clinic by the bar man, the suspects wife was pronounced dead upon arrival.

(Mwebantu, Thursday, September 5th, 2024)