A PASTORAL STATEMENT ON THE CONTINUED DETENTION OF HON. BRIAN MUNDUBILE AND MR. MAKEBI ZULU

A PASTORAL STATEMENT ON THE CONTINUED DETENTION OF HON. BRIAN MUNDUBILE AND MR. MAKEBI ZULU.

Grace and peace to our nation.

I have prayed. I have waited. I have searched my Bible and my conscience. I cannot keep quiet any longer.

Today, while prison authorities and police are transporting Hon. Brian Mundubile and his running mate Mr. Makebi Zulu from Mukobeko Maximum Prison in Kabwe to Solwezi for court tomorrow, I must speak as a pastor.

I do not have a party card. My only party is Jesus Christ. My only constitution is the Bible and that of Zambia. My only tribe is Zambia.

THE SIMPLE FACTS:

Hon. Brian Mundubile was a presidential candidate in the election of 13th August 2026. Mr. Makebi Zulu, a lawyer, was his running mate. Their names were on the ballot paper we all saw.

On 14th August, a joint operation was conducted at their premises. During that operation, Mr. Mutotwe Kafwaya is reported to have died, according to family and counsel. We await a public report on the circumstances. May his soul rest in peace.

On 27th August, the two leaders were taken to Mukobeko Maximum Prison. Today is 5th October. They have been held in Maximum Prison for 39 days. They have not yet been allowed to take plea on the main treason allegation before a Judge.

What is the allegation? According to documents now before Solwezi Principal Resident Magistrate Mambwe Mukonde:

Mundubile is alleged to have written: “Our PVT shows we are leading. Let ECZ continue counting and announce results.”

Makebi is alleged to have written: “Mundubile will address the nation. Stay on standby.”

That is what is on record; two Facebook posts. For that, 39 days in Maximum Prison?

WHY MY CONSCIENCE IS TROUBLED, THE BIBLE SPEAKS:

1. Justice must be quick, not delayed: Ecclesiastes 8:11 says: “When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.”

When justice is delayed for 39 days, we teach the nation to fear the law instead of trusting it.

Our Constitution says when you arrest a person, take him to court within 24 hours where practicable and up to 48 hours where the intervening period involves a weekend/public holiday, and for treason within 14 days. These men have not taken plea for 39 days. Even a common suspect is taken to court in 24 hours. How much more a presidential candidate?

2. Do not use power to crush: Proverbs 22:22 says: “Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court.”

Amos 5:24 says: “Let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like a never-failing stream.”

Justice is a river. It must flow. It must not be blocked in a prison cell. When we arrest first and look for evidence later, we turn justice upside down. We make prison the courtroom.

If there is credible evidence of treason, let it be brought to court tomorrow in Solwezi. Let a Judge see it. Why keep alleged evidence from the court for 39 days?

Even State House Chief Communications Specialist, Mr. Clayson Hamasaka, said, “An arrest establishes neither guilt nor persecution.” I agree. So let an arrest not become punishment.

3. Do to others what you wanted done to you: Matthew 7:12 says, “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”

President Hakainde Hichilema stood for president for 16 years. He lost five times. He was never kept in Mukobeko for standing. He was given bond, went to court, and went home. That tolerance is what made Zambia respected, and it is what made him president.

If we enjoyed that kindness, how can we deny it to others?

4. Blood cries from the ground: Genesis 4:10 says, “Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.”

A life was lost on 14th August in the operation that led to these arrests. A family is still asking how. As a pastor, I cannot preach healing when a family is still waiting for truth. Healing begins with truth.

ANSWERING THOSE WHO WILL INSULT ME:

You will say: “You are opposition.”

My answer: I am not. Opposition does not quote the President’s own example of tolerance. Opposition does not offer to meet government. I am offering to meet the Honourable Minister of Justice anytime to help bring dialogue.

You will say: “Leave the courts alone.”

My answer: I am not leaving courts alone. I am asking the State to take these men TO the courts. For 39 days they have been kept away from plea. I want the courts to work.

You will say: “It is treason, they cannot get bond.”

My answer: Treason is non-bailable only after a Judge has taken plea and committed the accused to High Court. For 39 days, plea has not been taken. You cannot use a law that has not been applied. For sedition, the law clearly allows police bond. A Facebook post cannot keep a person in Maximum Prison.

MY APPEAL AS A PASTOR

I am not asking for acquittal. Only a court can do that.

I am asking for three simple things that both the Bible and the Constitution demand:

1. First, grant Hon. Mundubile and Mr. Makebi police bond and let them appear in court from home, as provided for all persons awaiting plea.

2. Second, produce them quickly before a competent Judge to take plea on the treason allegation, so that a Judge, not a prison officer, decides on liberty.

3. Third, provide the nation with a report on the reported death of Mr. Mutotwe Kafwaya during the operation of 14th August, so his family can find peace.

You cannot teach Zambians that to contest an election is to risk detention in Mukobeko. That is not democracy. That is fear. And you cannot build One Zambia, One Nation on fear.

As a servant of God, I remain ready and willing to sit with the Honourable Minister of Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and our church mother bodies at any hour to discuss peace, justice, and healing for our nation.

May God grant our leaders a second thought. May God heal Zambia. May God comfort the family of Mr. Kafwaya.

Rev. Peter K. Nsama.
Sunday 5th October 2026.
One Zambia, One Nation and One Human Heart.