BREAKING:
Move Brian Mundubile & Makebi Zulu back to Lusaka now
…orders Judge Musona over sedition
By Court Reporter | Lusaka, 5th November 2026
In a landmark decision today, High Court Justice E.L. Musona has ordered that the sedition case against leading opposition leader Brian Mundubile and his vice Makebi Zulu be moved to a subordinate court in Lusaka from the north-western mining town of Solwezi.
The ruling ends weeks of uncertainty that forced the duo to endure a grueling 440-kilometre rough ride busing to and from Kabwe to Solwezi during hearings.
Justice Musona’s immediate task was to decide a jurisdictional dispute: whether the Mundubile Makebi sedition case should be heard in Solwezi or transferred to Lusaka.
Justice Musona said in his decision that the, “persons (Mundubile and Zulu) reside in Lusaka, a fact which was not disputed.”
He added, “they (Mundubile and Makebi) were apprehended there, and were in custody there.
The circumstances collectively establish a stronger connection with Lusaka and support the conclusion that Lusaka is the more convenient and appropriate forum rather than Solwezi.
He said, “accordingly, I order that the matter be transferred to the Subordinate Court holden at Lusaka. I so order in the exercise of the power vested in me under Section 80 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Leave to appeal is granted,”
Justice Musona’s order is dated the 5th day of November, 2026,
The State charged Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu with two counts of seditious practices under Section 57 of the Penal Code.
Reports state that the allegations arose from Facebook livestreams and posts made after the 13 August 2026 General Election.
The State initially wanted to try the duo in Solwezi and even lined up a handful of witnesses following the sedition charges on 11 September.
The allegations reported include that Brian Mundubile, an opposition presidential candidate, published material claiming that his party’s Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) showed that he had won the presidential election.
That the broadcasts allegedly called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to resume vote counting of a halted process.
That Makebi Zulu, Mundubile’s running mate, allegedly posted a statement that Mundubile would address the nation and urged members of the public to remain on standby.
This sedition case is different from the treason case where Mundubile and Makebi are co-charged with 16 others.
That treason docket includes 68-year-old retired Anglican Bishop Trevor Mwamba, George Chisanga, Patrick Mwansa and others.
The two cases have often been conflated in public debate. The Court in Solwezi today dealt only with sedition.
Why does the decision matter?
It stops the punishing logistical burden. The accused will no longer be bused over a 440km rough terrain between Kabwe and Solwezi for hearings and trials.
It affirms convenience and fairness as jurisdictional principles. Residency, place of arrest and custody matter.
It also brings the case closer to witnesses, family, lawyers and the media in Lusaka, as justice must be seen to be done, where the alleged online publications were made.
Source: Court Records