Thu Sep 10 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — Brigadier General Laston Chabinga served as a flag officer in the Zambia Army, holding executive command of the 3 Infantry Brigade headquartered in Ndola, the administrative and industrial hub of the Copperbelt Province. As active Brigade Commander around March 2017, he directed the military’s strategic and operational envelope across critical regional defense and economic corridors.
The 3 Infantry Brigade serves as a primary defensive and logistical node, integrating specialized combat and support formations across the Copperbelt:
- 10 Medium Regiment: Stationed at Kalewa Barracks in Ndola, this artillery formation comprises two Fire Direction Artillery Battalions and a Multiple Rocket Launchers battalion, providing heavy indirect-fire support for northern operations.
- 1 Commando Battalion: Based in Ndola, this special forces unit is tasked with rapid response operations, counter-insurgency, and high-value reconnaissance.
- 1 Engineer Regiment: Located in Mufulira, this regiment delivers tactical bridging, explosive ordnance disposal, and combat engineering support.
General Chabinga’s command required overseeing complex troop deployments, maintaining high combat readiness, managing heavy logistics and tactical equipment, and coordinating operational maneuvers alongside other security agencies.
Following his retirement from active service, General Chabinga maintained a prominent civic standing as a national war veteran. In November 2025, he joined President Hakainde Hichilema, defense chiefs, cabinet ministers, and diplomats at the Ndola Cenotaph for Remembrance Day ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Strategic Command Analysis: Brigadier General (Rtd) Emeldah Chola and the Zambezi River Authority (2015)
1. Command Leadership Profile: Brigadier General (Rtd) Emeldah Chola
In the 2015 fiscal year, the strategic oversight of the Zambezi River Authority (the Authority) was spearheaded by Brigadier General (Rtd) Emeldah Chola. Her leadership reflects a dual-command role, serving as the Authority’s Chairperson while simultaneously holding the senior governmental post of Permanent Secretary in Zambia’s Ministry of Energy and Water Development.From a strategic standpoint, her tenure in 2015 focused on treating the Zambezi River as a critical bilateral energy frontier. Her Strategic Command Objectives included:
- Regional Socio-Economic Security: Prioritizing the Authority’s output as a stabilizer for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), specifically through the advancement of the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme and the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KDRP).
- Institutional Governance and Ethics: Enforcement of high-level corporate conduct via the Board Charter and Employee Code of Ethics to ensure institutional integrity.
- Human Capital Optimization: Overseeing the transition to the “Balanced Scorecard Performance Management System,” a tactical shift designed to align departmental performance with the overarching corporate strategy.
- Fiscal Asset Management: Maintaining a positive liquidity position through strategic investments in fixed deposits to secure counterpart funding for critical infrastructure rehabilitation.
2. Institutional Command Structure and Governance Framework
The Authority operates as a bilateral corporate entity, governed by parallel legislation in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its mission is to manage the Kariba Dam complex—a critical regional energy node—and develop further hydroelectric potential along the Zambezi River.
Council of Ministers and Board of Directors (Fiscal Year 2015)
Body,Republic of Zambia,Republic of Zimbabwe
Council of Ministers,”Hon. Dora Siliya, MP (Energy & Water Development, from Oct 2015); Hon. Alexander B. Chikwanda, MP (Finance)”,”Hon. Patrick A. Chinamasa, MP (Finance & Economic Development)”
Board of Directors,Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Emeldah Chola (Chairperson); Mr. Felix Nkulukusa (until Oct 2015); Dr. Ronald Simwinga (from Oct 2015); Mr. Mukutulu A. Sinyani (Independent),Mr. Partson I. Mbiriri; Mr. Willard L. Manungo; Eng. Israel Rwodzi (Independent)
Functional Operational Commands
The Authority’s internal architecture is divided into four strategic departments:
- Finance: Manages resource mobilization, strategic budgeting, and risk mitigation.
- Water Resources & Environmental Management: Responsible for hydrological intelligence, water quality surveillance, and the regulation of river flows for power generation.
- Projects and Dam Safety: Executes the primary technical mission of dam monitoring, maintenance of the Kariba Complex, and the implementation of stability initiatives in displaced communities.
- Corporate Services: Provides the administrative logistics suite, including legal affairs, human resources, and board secretarial services.
3. Operational Analysis: Strategic Infrastructure and Asset Management
In September 2015, the Authority executed the 10th five-yearly inspection of the Kariba Dam since 1970. Facilitated by Tractebel Engineering, this mission served as a baseline intelligence-gathering exercise prior to the commencement of the multi-year Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project.
Technical Intelligence: Alkali Aggregate Reaction (AAR)
The primary structural threat to the Kariba arch is Alkali Aggregate Reaction (AAR), a chemical swelling of the concrete.
- Deformation Status: Geodetic measurements in August 2015 confirmed that the spillway area has experienced the most significant distortion—approximately 80mm from the 1963 baseline.
- Long-Term Trend Analysis: Critically, data indicates a slowing trend in AAR-induced deformation over the last 15 to 20 years when compared to the initial years following the dam’s impounding.
- Strategic Risks: Despite the slowing trend, the dam faces risks from retrogressive erosion in the plunge pool and instability at the river banks, which could compromise long-term performance.
Tactical Engineering Priorities (2016–2022)
- Plunge Pool Reshaping: A projected two-year operation to increase energy dissipation efficiency from spilling jets and to strengthen the identified fault area.
- Spillway Refurbishment: Aimed at replacing second-stage concrete and realigning built-in parts to prevent AAR-related jamming of stop-logs. This includes the fabrication of a new emergency gate and a higher-capacity gantry.
4. Resource Management and Hydrological Command
The 2015 period was defined by a “hydrological drought” induced by a strong El Niño forecast, which predicted a 90% likelihood of below-normal rainfall. This necessitated a downward revision of water allocations from 45.00 milliards to 40.50 milliards.
Hydrological Output: Water Allocation vs. Actual Usage (2015)
| Power Station | Water Allocated | Actual Used | % of Allocation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kariba North Bank (Zesco) | 20,250.00 | 23,509.98 | 116% |
| Kariba South Bank (ZPC) | 20,250.00 | 20,321.50 | 100% |
| Combined Total | 40,500.00 | 43,831.48 | 108% |
The total inflow for 2015 was recorded at 28.50 milliards , a 46% decrease from 2014. By year-end, live storage had receded to 22%. In accordance with the Flood Control Rule Curve , the spillway gates remained closed throughout 2015 as levels never reached the threshold requiring excess discharge.
Technological and Surveillance Assets
- Mukunganyika Houseboat: Commissioned on May 11, 2015, this vessel serves as a mobile environmental surveillance platform , supporting the monthly Lake-wide Environmental Monitoring Program.
- Data Collection Platforms (DCPs): Six of the 15 hydrometric stations utilize automatic DCPs for near real-time satellite data transmission.
- Digital Command Suite: The Authority utilizes the Hydstra database for hydro-meteorological records and is preparing the Mike Hydro Basin modeling software for 2016 implementation.
5. Strategic Civil-Military Operations (CMO) and Stability Initiatives
To maintain regional stability and mitigate the historical impact of displacement, the Authority administers the Zambezi Valley Development Fund (ZVDF) , supported by 2% of water sales revenue.
2015 Infrastructure and Stability Projects
Zambia:
- Kalomo District: Handover of six boreholes in the Nkandazovu area to secure water supply.
- Gwembe District: Progress on Hamatuba Primary School (1×3 and 1×2 classroom blocks) and Hamatuba Clinic (maternity and admission wards); construction of Kota Kota Clinic and School.
- Chirundu District: Upgrade of the Lusitu Irrigation Scheme with a high-capacity pump, reducing energy costs by 30%.
- Siavonga/Sinazongwe: Rehabilitation of the Syambwakkale Dam and development of the Nkandabwe Irrigation Scheme .Zimbabwe:
- Kariba District: Completion of classroom blocks and staff housing at Chikuro Primary School.
- Hurungwe District: Electrification of nurse housing at Sengwe Clinic; construction of Chiroti Clinic and staff quarters.
- Binga District: Development of the Mlibizi Irrigation Scheme .Bilateral Visibility: The Authority maintains regional relevance by providing logistical and financial support for traditional ceremonies within riparian chiefdoms, utilizing these engagements to project institutional transparency and bilateral cooperation.
6. Institutional Sustainability and Future Directives
The Authority’s long-term mission is codified into five Key Strategic Objectives (Goals 1-5) , focusing on the safety of the Kariba Complex (Goal 1), the utilization of the Zambezi River (Goal 2), operational efficiency (Goal 3), corporate image (Goal 4), and rigorous monitoring (Goal 5).
Key Strategic Initiatives
- Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme (BGHES): A primary effort under Goal 2. In 2015, the Scoping Report was approved and released. The approved commercial structure dictates that the dam remains an Authority-owned asset, while power plants are developed via Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
- Automation of Oversight: The acquisition of the Teammate Audit Management and Data Analytics system in Q4 2015 represents a shift toward automated governance, allowing for real-time remote reviews and risk-based audit planning.
- Network Overhaul Project: Phase one was completed in November 2015, involving server virtualization (VMware/HyperV) and LAN refurbishment across all four regional offices to enhance ICT security and operational continuity.