Zambia Railways Limited Public Relations Manager Sombe Longwani Ng’onga says the train that was halted in Mapepe, Chilanga District, following reports of suspected cholera cases among passengers has since proceeded towards Livingstone.
Speaking in an interview with Diamond News, Ms Ng’onga says the train departed Mapepe at around 01:20 hours after passengers on board underwent screening and vaccination as a precautionary measure.
She said the train was supplied with water across all nine coaches before resuming its journey, explaining that the water supply had been disrupted by a technical fault after the genset broke down, preventing water from reaching the coaches’ facilities.
Ms Ng’onga further explains that the train had experienced technical challenges that required repairs in Kabwe and Lusaka’s Misisi area on Sunday.
She says the technical faults were since attended to, allowing the train to continue its journey.
She says the prolonged stop in Mapepe was necessary because the health and safety of passengers remained paramount.
Passengers were screened, vaccinated and kept under observation for several hours before the train was cleared to proceed.
Ms Ng’onga has acknowledged that passengers had become anxious and were eager to continue their journey after spending a considerable amount of time at Mapepe, adding that their concerns were understandable.
She further says government officials visited the area to assess the situation and coordinate the response. Those present included Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary – Technical Services Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Eng. Fredrick Mwalusaka, Disaster Risk Management Division National Coordinator Norman Chipakupaku, and Zambia Railways Limited Acting Managing Director Ms Mwendabai Mwalusi Bulaya.
Meanwhile, Chilanga Town Council reports that 475 passengers were vaccinated on Monday evening, hours before the train departed Mapepe.
By Mutinta Hamusankwa
