Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

LUSAKA, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Saturday.

-- Armyworms have been spotted in three districts in the southern part of Zambia, raising fears of the spread of the crop-munching pests.

Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale said his office has received reports of army worms in three districts, which have also been spotted in some districts in the eastern part of the country. (Times of Zambia)

-- Zambian President Edgar Lungu has advised judges against being swayed by outside influence when passing judgments. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- The Zambian government said punitive measures have been provided in the revised Public Financial Management Bill to punish permanent secretaries for failure to provide necessary information to the Auditor General.

Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba said while there was improvement on provision of responses, failure to avail supporting documents by permanent secretaries who were controlling officers in ministries during audit process was unacceptable. (Daily Nation)

-- A court in Zambia has acquitted two former public workers of charges of abuse of office and theft by public servant involving millions of money relating to the award of an oil supply deal.

The court acquitted Charity Mwansa, who was permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Charles Mulenga, a former director of energy in the same ministry, as there was no evidence linking the duo to the crime involving the award of the deal to Trafigura Oil. (The Mast) Enditem