President Hakainde Hichilema has restated that Government is considering reviewing the law on cattle rustling to stiffen punishment against livestock theft.
He said livestock thieves deter development hence the need to stiffen punishment to about 15 years imprisonment.
The President was speaking on Sunday evening when more than 200 community members who included Namwala District United Party for National Development (UPND) party officials went to greet him at his Naminwe Ranch Namwala District where he is spending time on a working visit in.
The Head of State also encouraged the community to take advantage of the increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) loans to enhance their well-being.
He said that in the 2024 budget, CDF was expected to increase further in order to accommodate more developmental programmes.
He said CDF would remain a game-changer in the development of sectors such as health, education, water and sanitation and many more.
The President said his administration would continue to encourage hard work among Zambians because hard work paid.
And Southern Province Minister Cornelius Mweetwa called on Zambians to emulate President Hichilema who from time to time visited the farms and encouraged hard work.
And Namwala District Council chairperson Abel Moonga reported that more than 93 clubs and cooperatives were empowered using the 2022 CDF allocation.
Mr Moonga said a lot had been done in Namwala under the increased CDF that included building of classroom blocks, Water provision to rural health centres as well as education facilities.
And in a Facebook post, Mr Hichilema urged Zambians to put in their best in everything that they did, reports CHUSA SICHONE.
President Hichilema said this while undertaking farm activities at his ranch.
“We call upon each one of you to put in your best in everything you are doing. May God bless you for your continued hard work,” President Hichilema said yesterday. ZANIS/TIMES OF ZAMBIA