Court adjourns Kambwili unlawful assembly case to September as he calls for fair campaign rules
The Lusaka Magistrate Court has adjourned the unlawful assembly case involving former Cabinet minister Chishimba Kambwili to September 10, 2026, as the defence continues, while Kambwili has urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to ensure equal treatment of all presidential candidates during the election campaign.
Lusaka, 31 July – The Lusaka Magistrate Court on Wednesday adjourned the matter in which former Cabinet minister Chishimba Kambwili is charged with one count of unlawful assembly to September 10, 2026, for the continuation of the defence case.
Kambwili was initially jointly charged with Charles Kakula. The pair faced charges of unlawful assembly and riot, while Kakula was also charged with expressing or showing hatred, ridicule or contempt against persons on the basis of race.
However, in May 2024, the State discontinued proceedings against Kakula, leaving Kambwili to continue facing the unlawful assembly charge.
According to the prosecution, Kambwili is alleged to have, on January 26, 2023, in Lusaka, unlawfully assembled with others who have not been identified, with the intention of committing an offence or causing a breach of the peace.
Outside the courtroom, Kambwili appealed to the Electoral Commission of Zambia to administer the ongoing presidential campaign programme fairly, arguing that all candidates should be afforded equal opportunities.
He alleged that the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) was benefiting from incumbency, claiming President Hakainde Hichilema had been allowed to revisit provinces after completing the five-day campaign period allocated to candidates.
Kambwili said the campaign schedule should be applied uniformly to all contestants, maintaining that no candidate should receive preferential treatment.
He further claimed that opposition political parties had been denied permits to use helicopters during campaigns, while the President was allegedly using government helicopters, creating what he described as an uneven playing field.
Kambwili warned that electoral fairness extends beyond polling day and begins with the management of the campaign process, urging the ECZ to ensure equal treatment of all presidential candidates throughout the election period.
The matter returns to court on September 10, 2026, for the continuation of the defence.
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