Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

LUSAKA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Wednesday.

-- About 100 teachers have been dismissed after they were found with forged academic or professional certifications in the on-going qualifications clean-up exercise, Zambia's Teaching Service Commission has said.

Stanley Mhango, the chairperson of the government agency in charge of the teaching profession, said the affected teachers were sacked after they admitted to having forged their qualifications. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- The Zambian government has expressed confidence that the targeted 850,000 tons of copper production will be achieved by the end the year in view of the strong indication of increased production by various mining firms.

Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Christopher Yaluma said preliminary indications showed that copper production targets would be met as mining firms have ramped up production after dealing with challenges experienced in the last three years. (Times of Zambia)

-- The Zambian government has threatened to deport any foreign employer who does not respect the country's labor laws and mistreats workers.

Minister of Labor and Social Security Joyce Simukoko said her ministry has been receiving disturbing reports of some foreign employers who were in the habit of beating, insulting and locking up workers for unknown reasons. (Daily Nation)

-- Youth from Zambia's governing party have given a popular musician a deadline to withdraw his newly-released controversial song which seems to take a jibe at the levels of corruption and theft by government.

The youth, from the Patriotic Front (PF), have asked satirical musician Chama Fumba popularly known as Pilato, to withdraw the song released this week which addressed alleged theft, irresponsibility and corruption being perpetrated by those in government. (The Mast) Enditem