Update: Hichilema in Mandevu promises skills training for jobless youths and tells police to act on drug users

Update: Earlier coverage reported Adrian Banda's unopposed win of the Mandevu seat. New since then: the President's first public rally since the election, held in Mandevu on 5 November. President Hakainde Hichilema used a community engagement at Mutambe Grounds in Mandevu Township, Lusaka, on Thursday 5 November to say that young people involved in crime should be sent for skills training through the enhanced Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and to direct police to act against drug users who are terrorising residents. It was his first such public engagement since the general election. "On August 13, you elected me and the UPND. We are ready to work for you," he told the crowd, and thanked Zambians for giving the United Party for National Development (UPND) a majority of councillors, Members of Parliament and mayors and for re-electing him as President. He named water, roads and security as Mandevu's main challenges. He called water a basic necessity that needs urgent attention and said better roads would help people move about and support business in the area. ## Drug users and skills training Mr Hichilema said he knew that criminals had been terrorising Mandevu residents and limiting their movement. He directed security wings to help affected young people become responsible citizens and said those involved in crime should go through skills training so they become productive. He pointed to the skills development part of the enhanced CDF, which offers vocational training to young people. Speaking as Commander-in-Chief, he told police to take note of the drug problem and act against the people commonly called "junkies". "We want people to be moving about freely, not being afraid of being beaten," he said. ## The new MP The President introduced Adrian Banda as the Member of Parliament for Mandevu. Mr Banda was declared the winner after three opposition candidates withdrew from the by-election that had been scheduled for 5 November, so no vote was held. Mr Hic