COURT: “Solwezi’s Golden Dust: Mundubile & Zulu Face Sedition Plea”
…as the nation seeks answers to tough democracy questions
✍️ Op Ed by Amb. Anthony Mukwita—5th Oct 26
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“The delightful book, the Bible says: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
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LUSAKA—I write today not as a Diplomat or Author, but as a fly on the wall in Solwezi, a dusty, impoverished mining town more than five hundred kilometres northwest of Lusaka near the border with Angola and DRC.
Solwezi is rich in copper and gold, yet its people live in abject poverty, a paradox documented by verified studies.
In August, they welcomed leading opposition leader Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu with euphoria, gusto, and hope of change.
They “handed him the keys” to their famished rich town of poor people at a public rally ahead of the polls.
Today, if allowed, they, Solwezi people, will only sneak a glance at the duo of Brian and Makebi, through the tinted windows of a heavily cordoned police bus, guarded by heavily armed state police.
Mundubile and Zulu appear in court for plea and possible trial start after being charged with sedition — though they were first charged with treason on 29 August 2026, after surrendering to police on 27 August following refuge at the UN Mission.
By Zambia’s Constitution, suspects must face a judge within 48 hours. Yet, verified, they have languished in detention for 39 days without a treason court appearance.
Brian 55, ever the constitutional lawyer, whispers hope: “We remain strong, for justice delayed is justice denied.”
Makebi 44, charismatic, adds with quiet defiance: “Our spirit cannot be shackled, even behind iron bars.”
One of their lawyers, Sakwiba Sikota SC, delivers his trademark cynicism: “If calling for election results is treason, then perhaps breathing itself is next on the charge sheet.”
Friends of the duo echo the irony, noting how Zambia’s Alcatraz — Mukobeko Maximum Prison — has become home to not only Mundubile and Zulu, but also Bishop Trevor Mwamba 68 from Cantebury, Cambridge educated lawyer George Chisanga, and businessman Patrick Mwansa, husband to former first daughter Tasila Lungu, also a former lawmaker.
The symbolism is heavy. Mukobeko, 150 kilometres north of Lusaka, has swallowed Zambia’s brightest minds, away from the curious supporters who once filled Lusaka’s streets.
What does Mukobeko signify in history?
The Count of Monte Cristo comes to mind — men of stature reduced to prisoners, plotting redemption. Or Joseph in Egypt, sold into slavery, yet destined to rise, history not moi.
Ironically, President Hichilema himself once sat on Mukobeko’s cold floors before ascending to State House released via lobbying from local, church, and international community such as Patricia Scotland from the Commonwealth then, under predecessor H.E Edgar Lungu mhsrip.
I do believe it was a sad never to be repeated 127 days.
The disputed poll of 13 August remains unresolved. Even H.E Hichilema admitted as much during his swearing in on 1st September.
Former Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya’s cold blooded death at 50 hangs over the nation like a curse, his widow, and children wont see this this Christmas or ever again.
Criticism has poured in from the EU, UN, AU, SADC, Amnesty International, and Zambia’s church mother bodies.
Yet hopefuls like Harry Kalaba, CF President and Rev. Nevers Mumba, Prince Akashambatwa Lewanika mwana wamulena call for dialogue, insisting “peace cannot ignore arbitrary arrests and Kafwaya’s widow’s grief.”
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, a SADC boss, has refused to congratulate President Hichilema, while Muhabi Lungu brands the election “bogus” and Dr Neo Simutanyi shakes his head in disbelief
The toxic environment is stifling, sad, and suffocating say observers.
Yet, as I sit here, self deprecatingly, just a fly on the wall, I dare to hope.
Because today, in Solwezi, the world is watching. And just perhaps, this could be the start of a beautiful day of justice in Zambia. A day in court as per law required.
As the Spanish would say: “La esperanza es lo último que se pierde” — hope is the last thing lost.
The delightful book, the Bible says: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
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Amb. Anthony Mukwita is published Author & International Relations Analyst.
It is good that people are documenting their position so that posterity can see who the real traitors are.
If every presidential or parliamentary candidate declared themselves winners in a election, there would be total confusion. And possibly even civil war. Within minutes aof Mundubile declaring himself winner, supporters ran amok in the streets of Lusaka.
This clear desperation to gain political power illegally is related to the entire treason case. This is why it is being dealt with first. Niggaz are going to be in chucks for a long time.
What does the Zambian law states when one candidate declares him or herself as winner instead of the mandated body(ECZ). And two wrongs don’t make a Right, comparing a situation that one person stole and was not apprehended is totally misplaced..if Mr.Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu committed a crime and the law enforcement officers are convicted then let them face the wrath of the law. I sometimes wonder why our so learned lawyer spend time arguing instead of interpretating the law as per constitution. Don’t bring South African president in this issue because he a lot of pending issues in country.viva Zambia, we are moving on.