ZAMBIA ARMY WARNS FORMER SOLDIER FOR IMPERSONATION
PRESS STATEMENT,
Lusaka …..01 February, 2026
The Zambia Army wishes to inform the general public that Lance Corporal Zimba Stephan, popularly known as BIMBA MAWELE on Social Media Platforms, is no longer a member of the Zambia Army. He was officially discharged from the Zambia Army on 16 January 2016.
His discharge was effected pursuant to Section 21 of the Defence Act, Chapter 106 of the Laws of Zambia, read together with Regulation 9 (3), item (xviii) (a) of the Zambia Defence Force Regulations.
Lance Corporal Zimba was discharged on grounds of disgraceful conduct not befitting a soldier of the regular force of the Zambia Army.
It has come to the attention of the Zambia Army that the former soldier has continued to make postings and engage in activities that may be misconstrued as representing the Zambia Army or the Defence Force.
The public is hereby advised that any statements, postings, or activities associated with Mr Zimba are entirely his own and do not in any way represent the Zambia Army or the Defence Force.
Furthermore, the Zambia Army has formally warned Mr Zimba to desist from posting old pictures of himself in military uniform. Failure to comply with this directive will result in further legal action being taken against him.
The Zambia Army remains committed to upholding discipline, integrity, and professionalism within its ranks, and will not hesitate to take appropriate measures against any conduct that undermines these values.
Economist Munyumba Mutwale believes Zambia’s manufacturing industry has the potential to strengthen the country’s economic systems through the creation of more locally owned manufacturing companies.
Mr. Mutwale explained that establishing more local firms would increase the availability of Zambian products and services within chain stores, while supporting other sectors.
He noted that this growth could help Zambia transition into a service-driven economy, with expertise in healthcare, education, and finance, all fuelled by consumer demand originating from the manufacturing sector.
He emphasized the importance of a stable and reliable energy sector to sustain production and ensure the availability of local goods for the market.
Mr. Mutwale further highlighted that the economy has improved significantly due to policies encouraging localization, including initiatives such as Buy Zambia.
He stressed the need to build strong local chains of products and services to enhance competitiveness and reduce dependence on imports. #SunFmTvNews
Lumumba Honored as AFCON 2025’s “Biggest Fan” in Heartwarming Diplomatic Gesture
In a touching and symbolic moment of appreciation, Lumumba received rare recognition after being specially invited by His Excellency M. Rachid Agassim, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), for his unwavering passion and support for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
The special invitation was extended to celebrate Lumumba as the “Biggest Fan” of AFCON 2025—a title that reflects not only his deep love for African football, but also his consistent enthusiasm, dedication, and spirited engagement throughout the tournament.
During a brief yet memorable ceremony, Ambassador Agassim presented Lumumba with an award in acknowledgment of his exceptional support. The moment marked a historic milestone in Lumumba’s life, as it was the very first award he has ever received.
The recognition came as a surprise and an emotional experience. Reflecting on the journey, Lumumba shared that if someone had told him at the beginning of 2025 that he would one day stand in such a moment of honor, he might not have believed it. But with gratitude and humility, he noted, “God always has a plan.”
The event highlighted how passion, positivity, and genuine love for a shared African experience—such as football—can lead to unexpected recognition and joy. It also reinforced the unifying power of AFCON, which continues to connect cultures, nations, and people across the continent.
For Lumumba, the award represented far more than a plaque. It stood as a symbol of hope, affirmation, and proof that even simple, heartfelt dedication can be seen and celebrated on a larger stage.
UN FACES FINANCIAL CRISIS AS MEMBER STATES FALL BEHIND ON PAYMENTS
By Anele Dlamini
#SDN, 30 January 2026
The United Nations is warning that it could soon run out of money after many countries failed to pay their required contributions, raising fears of a serious financial crisis within months.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the organisation’s financial problems are worsening and could lead to an “imminent collapse” by July if urgent action is not taken. In a letter sent to all 193 member states, he urged governments to either pay what they owe or agree to major reforms to the UN’s financial system.
According to Guterres, unpaid fees reached a record level by the end of 2025, amounting to about 77% of the total money expected. He stressed that the UN cannot operate budgets using funds that have not been collected.
The crisis has been made worse by financial rules that require the UN to return unused funds to countries, even when the money was never received in the first place. This month alone, the organisation was forced to refund $227 million it did not have.
The situation is already affecting daily operations. At the UN’s Geneva headquarters, energy-saving measures such as switching off escalators and reducing heating have been introduced in an effort to cut costs.
A major contributor to the crisis is the United States, the UN’s largest funder, which has refused to pay its full regular and peacekeeping budgets. President Donald Trump also withdrew the US from several UN agencies, calling them a waste of taxpayer money. Although the US pledged some humanitarian funding, it remains far lower than in previous years.
Other countries, including the UK and Germany, have also announced cuts to foreign aid, further straining the UN’s finances.
As a result, several UN agencies are scaling back their work. The UN human rights office has warned it may no longer be able to investigate serious abuses due to lack of funds.
Guterres said the future of the organisation depends on countries meeting their financial responsibilities, adding that the current crisis is unlike any faced before.
After KICKING OUT France, REJECTING Western control, and CHOOSING their own path Captain Ibrahim Traoré , General Abdourahamane Tchianni , and Colonel Assimi Goïta have forced the United States to come BEGGING for talks!
Washington ADMITS “policy missteps” and now wants to “normalize relations” translation: they need what Africa has!
➡️ Gold. Uranium. Rare-earth minerals.
➡️ The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) alliance is UNBREAKABLE.
➡️Russia stood with them when the West walked away.
https://youtu.be/PQGu6Lzyf04?si=ta2g1ZGKsthZ1s52
Now the US is scrambling to “re-engage” before they lose the Sahel forever!
This is what AFRICAN SOVEREIGNTY looks like! When you stand firm, even superpowers come knocking with respect!
The Sahel didn’t beg. The Sahel didn’t bow. **The Sahel WON.
US Lawmakers Press Prince Andrew for Epstein Testimony
US lawmakers have formally requested testimony from Britain’s Prince Andrew as part of an ongoing congressional probe into the network of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee have asked Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to appear for a transcribed interview, arguing that his long-documented association with Epstein could provide crucial insight into alleged co-conspirators and enablers.
The letter cites reports of shared travel, a 2011 email exchange suggesting close ties, and renewed allegations raised in the posthumous memoir of Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre.
The request comes amid Andrew’s deepening isolation within the British monarchy. He was recently stripped of his remaining royal titles and is reportedly being required to vacate his royal residence, marking another blow following his widely criticised 2019 BBC interview and a 2022 civil settlement with Giuffre.
While the move ramps up international pressure, Congress cannot compel a foreign national to testify.
Andrew has until November 20 to respond, though legal analysts say cooperation is unlikely, noting his previous refusal to assist US investigators.
STATEMENT FROM UKRAINE ON THE DISCOVERY OF THE BODY OF A KENYAN COMBATANT KILLED IN DONETSK
FROM QATAR TO THE TRENCHES: ANOTHER RUSSIAN FOREIGN MERCENARY ELIMINATED IN DONETSK REGION
January 31, 2026
At one of the positions of russian occupation forces, Ukrainian military intelligence identified the body of Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, a citizen of the Republic of Kenya, born in 1997.
The Kenyan national had been living and working in Qatar before later signing a contract with the armed forces of the russian federation and being assigned to one of the occupiers’ assault units.
The Kenyan national had been living and working in Qatar before later signing a contract with the armed forces of the russian federation and being assigned to one of the occupiers’ assault units.
After a brief period of training, Mogesa was killed during a so-called “meat assault” in the Donetsk region.
Russian forces did not evacuate the body of the deceased foreign mercenary while his family received neither compensation nor any explanation from the russian side.
In addition, the mercenary was found to be carrying passports belonging to two other Kenyan citizens — likely individuals recruited under similar circumstances and potentially destined for future assault operations.
Clinton Mogesa could have continued to live and work safely in prosperous Qatar. Instead, he became yet another confirmation that, for the russian army, foreign nationals are treated as expendable resources, sent to their deaths.
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine warns foreign citizens against traveling to the russian federation or accepting any form of employment on its territory, particularly illegal work. Traveling to russia carries a real risk of being forcibly deployed to assault units without adequate training and with little to no chance of survival.
Undocumented Mozambican national, Arrested in DJ Warras Murder
Police have made a significant breakthrough in the high-profile murder investigation of popular media personality Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock with the arrest of a second suspect.
Gauteng’s Serious and Violent Crimes Investigation Provincial Investigation Unit, acting on crime intelligence, apprehended a 25‑year‑old undocumented Mozambican national in the Marathon informal settlement in Primrose, Ekurhuleni, at about 20h00 on 30 January 2026.
The operation, supported by Crime Intelligence and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police, took place without incident.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 2 February 2026, on charges of murder and contravention of the Immigration Act.
This arrest follows the earlier detention of Victor Mthethowakhe Majola, who was arrested in connection with the case and denied bail by a magistrate on 26 January 2026 amid concerns he might evade trial.
DJ Warras, a well‑known DJ, radio and television presenter, and entrepreneur, was fatally shot in central Johannesburg on 16 December 2025.
Police continue to investigate, with sources indicating the latest arrest could be a key step toward identifying those responsible for planning and executing the murder.
PF EXPELLS BRIAN MUNDUBILE & CREW THAT STAGED ILLEGAL TONSE ALLIANCE CONFERENCE
CENTRAL COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS FOLLOWING A MEETING HELD ON 31st JANUARY 2026
“In this regard, the Central Committee resolved that the following individuals, among others who attended the purported illegal Tonse Alliance elections, have relinquished their membership of the Party by their actions and conduct:”
• Hon. Brian Mundubile • Hon. Stephen Kampyongo • Hon. Lukas Simumba • Hon. Francis Kapyanga • Hon. Japhen Mwakalombe • Hon. Davis Chisopa • Hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya
• Hon. Melisiana Chibwe • Hon. Emmanuel Tembo • Hon. Lazarous Chungu • Mr. Abuild Kawangu • Mr. Mwila Yumba • Mr. Daniel Mwango • Mr. Luka Monta
STATEMENT OF RESOLUTIONS OF THE PARTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE
31 January 2026
THE President’s Opening Remarks
Opening the meeting, the President Given Lubinda welcomed members of the Central Committee and thanked them for their continued dedication to the Party and to the people of Zambia.
He observed that January had been both demanding and defining-testing the Party’s unity, discipline, and clarity of leadership. He emphasised that the Party would respond to these challenges with compassion where required and firmness where necessary, guided by its Constitution, values, and legacy.
Following deliberations, the Central Committee resolved as follows:
1. Mourning and Solidarity
The Central Committee expressed its deepest condolences to His Royal Highness the Paramount Chief Chitimukulu (Mwine Lubemba) on the passing of Abasano ba Mfumu Bernadette Mwamba following a road traffic accident.
The Committee resolved that the President of the Party shall lead a delegation of Members of the Central Committee (MCCs) to Kasama to personally commiserate with His Royal Highness and the bereaved family.
The Committee further mourned the passing of His Worship Morgan Mwape Musoma, Mayor of Mpika, who passed away on 29th January 2026. It was resolved that the President shall also lead a delegation of MCCs to Mpika to attend the burial and convey the Party’s condolences to the family and the people of Mpika.
2. Safeguarding the Legacy of the Sixth Republican President
The Central Committee reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding and honouring the legacy of the Sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, whose mortal remains are yet to be interred. The Committee resolved that the Party shall remain united and vigilant in protecting his political, constitutional, and national legacy.
3. Engagement with Traditional Leadership and National Events
The Central Committee approved the resumption of the Party participation in traditional ceremonies as part of grassroots mobilisation, national engagement, and respect for Zambia’s cultural heritage.
The Committee further resolved that the Party shall continue to participate in all relevant national events, including but not limited to Youth Day and Women’s Day commemorations, as part of its commitment to national unity, inclusivity, and civic responsibility.
4. General Conference Preparations
The Central Committee reaffirmed that preparations for the Party General Conference are underway.
The Committee noted that a 10-member Electoral Commission, duly constituted in line with the Party Constitution, will commence visits to Party structures on 1st February 2026 (tomorrow) for verification, engagement, and assessment purposes. The Electoral Commission shall thereafter report its findings and recommendations to the Members of the Central Committee (MCCs) for further guidance and action.
5. Tonse Alliance Matters
(a) Status, Leadership, and Membership of the Tonse Alliance The Central Committee reaffirmed that the Party remains the anchor party of the Tonse Alliance, as expressly provided for in the Preamble to the Tonse Alliance Constitution, which states:
“RECOGNIZING that the parties in the Alliance acquiesce to the position that the PF shall play a leading role in ALL Alliance affairs within the context of structures, bodies or organs created by this Constitution.”
The Committee further resolved that the purported entity referred to as the “ECL-PF Movement” does not exist. Regulation 43 of the Party Constitution unequivocally requires that all Party organs be registered with the Office of the Secretary General (Secretariat). Any structure not duly registered is illegal, null and void, and shall be treated as such for all purposes.
The Central Committee formally accepted the departure of the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP), Christian Democratic Party (CDP), and Umodzi Kumawa from the Tonse Alliance. However, consistent with the Party’s democratic ethos, the door remains open for these former Alliance members-like all other opposition parties-should they choose to submit themselves to the legitimate leadership and structures of the Tonse Alliance.
The Committee resolved that the decision to sever ties with the aforementioned parties be formally communicated to the Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders for appropriate action.
The Central Committee further resolved to strengthen due diligence processes prior to the admission of any new Alliance partners in order to safeguard unity, legality, and organisational coherence.
(b) Party Discipline and Organisational Integrity The Central Committee reaffirmed and adopted Resolutions 1.2 and 1.3 of the MCC meeting held on 27th January 2026, as follows:
1.2 The Central Committee reiterates that any association with the purported extension of the Party, or with any entities operating outside the legitimate Tonse Alliance-in which the Party is the anchor party under the chairmanship of Acting President Hon. Given Lubinda, as appointed by the late H.E. Edgar Chagwa Lungu (MHSRIP)—remains illegal. Any member of the Party who associates with the breakaway Tonse shall attract severe disciplinary action as provided for in the Party Constitution.
1.3 For the avoidance of doubt, any member of the Party who associates with the breakaway illegal Tonse shall be deemed to have exited their membership of the Party.
In this regard, the Central Committee resolved that the following individuals, among others who attended the purported illegal Tonse Alliance elections, have relinquished their membership of the Party by their actions and conduct: • Hon. Brian Mundubile • Hon. Stephen Kampyongo • Hon. Lukas Simumba • Hon. Francis Kapyanga • Hon. Japhen Mwakalombe • Hon. Davis Chisopa • Hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya • Hon. Melisiana Chibwe • Hon. Emmanuel Tembo • Hon. Lazarous Chungu • Mr. Abuild Kawangu • Mr. Mwila Yumba • Mr. Daniel Mwango • Mr. Luka Monta
6. Conclusion and Engagement with Local Government Leadership
In conclusion, the Members of the Central Committee noted with appreciation the presence of Lusaka-based Councillors, who attended the meeting following an invitation extended by the MCC.
The Councillors were led by Her Worship, the Mayor of Lusaka, Ms. Chilando Chitangala. The MCC reaffirmed the Party’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with local government leadership in advancing service delivery, democratic accountability, and people-centred development.
The meeting concluded with a Tonse Alliance membership signing ceremony for new members and the renewal of membership for returning partners. In total, nine (9) political parties and eleven (11) civil society organisations (CSOs) formally signed up to the Tonse Alliance.
OPPOSITION FORCES SET FOR HISTORIC UNITY CONFERENCE IN LUSAKA
Zambia’s opposition political parties, civic leaders and democratic change movements are set to converge in Lusaka next month for what organisers describe as a historic national conference aimed at forging a unified government-in-waiting ahead of the 2026 General Elections.
The Council of Elders for Ethical Leadership, Democracy and Development (CEELDD) says the three-day National Conference of Democratic Change Advocates, scheduled for 19th to 21st February 2026, will bring together opposition parties, civil society organisations, youth and women’s formations, faith and traditional leaders, and independent citizens.
According to CEELDD, the conference seeks to jointly shape and endorse a coordinated leadership alternative at a time when the country is facing mounting economic pressures and growing public frustration with governance.
CEELDD Chairperson Lombe Chibesakunda says the initiative is intended to demonstrate that Zambia’s democratic forces can transcend political divisions and present a credible, accountable leadership team anchored in constitutional values.
The conference will be organised and hosted by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a non-partisan policy institution known for facilitating national dialogue since the return of multi-party democracy.
Further details on participating organisations and media accreditation are expected to be announced in the coming days.
COUNCIL OF ELDERS FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP, DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (CEELDD)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Historic National Conference to Unite Democratic Forces and Present a Government-in-Waiting for Zambia
The Council of Elders for Ethical Leadership, Democracy and Development (CEELDD) is honoured to announce that the National Conference of Democratic Change Advocates will be held from 19th to 21st February 2026 in Lusaka.
This landmark gathering will, for the first time, bring together multiple opposition political parties, democratic change movements, civic leaders, youth and women’s formations, faith and traditional leaders, and independent citizens to jointly shape and endorse a unified government‑in‑waiting for Zambia. It is a decisive step towards offering the nation a credible, principled, and prepared alternative to govern.
This historic conference is being organized, hosted, and conducted by the Center for Policy and Dialogue (CPD), in collaboration with key national stakeholders. CPD is a long‑standing, non‑partisan policy research institution that has, since the re‑introduction of multi‑party democracy, played a vital role in facilitating inclusive national dialogue and consensus‑building.
At a moment of deep economic strain and democratic fatigue, this initiative seeks to renew hope by demonstrating that diverse political actors and citizens can rise above division, act together in the national interest, and present a ready, accountable leadership team anchored in Zambia’s Constitution and values.
Further details on participating organizations, program, and media accreditation will be shared in due course.
Signed,
Lombe Chibesakunda Chairman, CEELDD
Released by the Communications & Media Committee National Conference Planning Steering Committee
GIVEN LUBINDA PLEDGES TO BACK FLAG BEARER TO BE CHOSEN BEFORE END OF FEBRUARY
By Brian Matambo | Lusaka, Zambia
Patriotic Front President Given Lubinda has pledged his full support to the Patriotic Front, the Tonse Alliance, and to the party’s flag bearer who will be democratically elected before the end of February.
Speaking this afternoon at a Tonse Alliance and Patriotic Front signing ceremony in Lusaka, Lubinda struck a measured and unifying tone, stressing that the forthcoming flag bearer need not be himself. He noted that several members have expressed interest in leading the party and that the ultimate decision rests squarely with the membership of the Patriotic Front.
Lubinda underscored that the selection of a flag bearer is not a ceremonial exercise but a weighty responsibility that demands humility, discipline, and collective backing. Whoever emerges from the process, he said, will carry a demanding national mandate and must therefore receive the unreserved support of both the Patriotic Front and its alliance partners.
In a moment that drew attention to continuity and legacy, Lubinda publicly pledged allegiance to the party founded by Michael Chilufya Sata, to the Patriotic Front as stewarded by Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and to the Tonse Alliance, which he reminded the gathering was established to strengthen unity among opposition forces. He committed himself to supporting, without reservation, whoever the Patriotic Front elects as its flag bearer.
With February fast approaching, Lubinda appealed to Tonse Alliance partners to play a stabilising role during the internal electoral process. He described the Patriotic Front as the anchor party within the alliance and urged members to guard its cohesion carefully, allowing it to proceed to a conference that is free, fair, and credible. Only a process grounded in unity and consensus, he said, can produce a candidate capable of commanding broad national confidence.
Lubinda deliberately avoided commenting on how other political formations are managing their internal elections, stating that such matters fall outside his concern and that each party must live with the consequences of its own choices.
Closing his remarks on a reflective note, Lubinda said his overriding desire is that, when Zambia’s political history is written, he will be remembered as having stood firmly on the right side of democracy.
🇿🇲 BRIEFING | PF Draws the Line, Expels Mundubile Camp After Tonse Showdown
The Patriotic Front has formally severed ties with Brian Mundubile and a cluster of senior figures who participated in what the party describes as an “illegal Tonse Alliance conference,” escalating the opposition rupture into open political combat.
Meeting on Saturday, January 31, the PF Central Committee resolved that Mundubile and others had, by their “actions and conduct,” relinquished their membership of the party. The resolution names a long list of casualties, including former ministers, MPs, and party officials, signalling that this was not a symbolic reprimand but a decisive purge.
Those expelled include Brian Mundubile, Stephen Kampyongo, Mutotwe Kafwaya, Lukas Simumba, Francis Kapyanga, Japhen Mwakalombe, Davis Chisopa, Melisiana Chibwe, Emmanuel Tembo, Lazarous Chungu, and several party officials and organisers.
The message from the Lubinda-led camp is unambiguous: crossing into the Mundubile-led Tonse structure is treated as political defection, not dissent.
PF National Chairperson Jean Kapata sharpened the language further, rejecting the legitimacy of any entity styling itself as the “ECL/PF Movement.”
“There is only one PF which President Lungu left. The so-called ECL/PF Movement does not exist,” Kapata said, urging those invoking Edgar Lungu’s name to “respect President Lungu even in death” and to stop what she termed masquerading.
Kapata reaffirmed that the late president left Given Lubinda as Acting President of the PF and Chairperson of the Tonse Alliance, and that this chain of command remains intact until altered by a properly constituted PF General Conference. In her framing, PF remains the anchor party of Tonse, and any parallel centre of authority is illegitimate by default.
The expulsions come as PF prepares for an elective general conference scheduled for February, with party officials insisting preparations are at an advanced stage despite ongoing court injunctions and parallel political manoeuvres.
Elections Chairperson Dr Frank N’gambi reiterated that PF structures remain focused on the conference, even as the party bleeds senior figures to the Mundubile camp.
The tone of the resolutions reflects a party in bunker mode. This is no longer an internal disagreement managed through quiet negotiation. It is a declaration of political war over legitimacy, symbols, and the right to inherit Edgar Lungu’s political legacy.
PF’s leadership is betting that discipline and clarity will stabilise its base. The Mundubile camp is betting that momentum, MPs, and an alliance vehicle will outweigh formal party lines.
What is clear is that the opposition battlefield has shifted from rhetoric to hard lines. PF has fired its shot. The next phase will test whether expulsion restores authority or accelerates fragmentation as Zambia edges closer to the 2026 elections.
KASAMA MAYORAL ELECTION WAS STOLEN-GEORGE CHISANGA MP
Hon. George Chisanga, who was Campaign Manager for the Tonse Alliance Wrote;
“I usually do not respond to armchair critics who take the highest pedestal, purvey lies and subjective opinions about matters that they know very little about I will therefore not go into detail in offering my response to the flying allegations leveled against me at the risk of dignifying them and giving them credence”
“But this I must say;”
1. Anyone who wants come and see the works I have done in Lukashya ( as an Opposition MP) is welcome to join me on one of the trips I make to the constituency in my interactions with the residents of Lukashya If such armchair critics choose the lazy path I invite them to find the study of Transparency International and Jesuit Center for Theological Reflections on the utilization of CDF countrywide and establish how Lukashya fairs.
2. The election of the Mayor of Kasama was not lost It was robbed Those who know Kasama Central and Lukashya can attest to how easily it is for a corrupt politician or government to “win” a rigged election using Lukashya
3. Any born leader and patriot knows or must know that there is nothing an MP can do to restrain a voter who falls for immediate financial gratification in the environment of abject poverty and in the process fail to remember and appreciate the project of construction of community schools and Health Workers house and others works done and made by the efforts of the area MP when exercising (or misusing) the right to vote Social media is awash with discussions on the polls for the Kasama Mayoral loss It will be important for people to acquaint themselves with the discussion especially ones engaged in by objective thinkers.
4. A leader who loses his position for reasons of refusing to be bribed or bribe voters maintains his integrity – l will forever strive to be such a leader of course not being oblivious of my human frailties.
5. the PF problems are more deep rooted than many people (including some leaders) are able to envision By the same reasoning we will continue to fail to resolve the real problems dogging the PF and it’s leadership if we continue to use less than average intelligence and avail ourselves to genuine and well intended kind counsel aimed at resolving problems of and uniting the membership of the party which still enjoys patronage among a cross section of society We should choose objectivity and genuine love over subjectivity and the pretence of love laced with hatred Societies are always faced with choices – reason together as brothers and sisters and succeed or perish together as fools – ultimately the choices we make always determines our fate
“THERE IS ONLY ONE PF WHICH PRESIDENT LUNGU LEFT. THE SO-CALLED ECL/PF MOVEMENT DOES NOT EXIST,” JEAN KAPATA .
…Stop masquerading!Respect President Lungu even in death…
Sat. Jan 31, 2026/ Smart Eagles
Patriotic Front National Chairperson Hon. Jean Kapata has put to rest the debate about an entity calling itsself the ECL/PF movement, stating in no uncertain terms that no such movement exists , is alien to the PF Party and that it was not a creation of the Late President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
Hon. Kapata has warned the people behind the said movement to respect the late President even in death and desist from Masquerading as a legitimate entity because there is only one PF that President Lungu was leading and subscribed to before his demise.
She stated that President lungu had left Hon. Given Lubinda as Acting President of the PF as well as Chairperson of the Tonse Alliance and that would not change. She emphasised that PF, being the anchor Party of the Tonse Alliance, as left by President Lungu, only recognised one Chairperson and that was Hon. Given Lubinda being that he is President of the Anchor Party, PF.
She said the only time this position would change was if President Lubinda was not retained as President after the General Conference.
Hon. Kapata said this at the signing ceremony for new Tonse Alliance Partners that were admitted into the Alliance this evening.
Hon. Kapata took time to call upon all opposition political parties to unite for the sake of the Zambian people.
The Patriotic Front is scheduled to have its elective general conference this February.
The PF Central Committee, which had met earlier in the day, reaffirmed through its elections Chairperson, Dr. Frank N’gambi, that preparations for the forthcoming conference had reached an advanced stage.
THERE IS ONLY ONE LEGITIMATE PF, ONE TONSE ALLIANCE WHICH ARE UNDER HON. GIVEN LUBINDA
SASYDA, under the leadership of President General Ibrahim Kabwe Mwamba, reaffirms its unwavering support for Hon. Given Lubinda as President of the Patriotic Front (PF) and Chairperson of the Tonse Alliance.
We unequivocally recognize the Patriotic Front as the anchor party of the Tonse Alliance and reaffirm our full commitment to the unity, cohesion, and progressive advancement of the alliance.
SASYDA remains steadfast in supporting leadership that promotes solidarity, democratic values, and inclusive national development. We stand ready to work with all alliance partners to strengthen cooperation and deliver meaningful progress for the people.
Issued by: Southern African System for Youth Development Agenda (SASYDA)
KALABA’S WHATSAPP REPUBLIC COLLAPSES AGAIN IN KASAMA
The Candidates’ Editorial
Breaking news: Harry Kalaba has lost again. Shocking—except to everyone who understands that Citizens First is not a political party but a motivational speaking club trapped inside a WhatsApp group.
Judging by the noise from Kalaba and his digital cheerleaders, one would expect CF to at least scare voters. Instead, it keeps scaring itself with another humiliating performance at the polls. Kasama has now joined the long list of places where CF showed up loudly, campaigned dramatically, and left with votes you can count using one hand—while the other hand scrolls WhatsApp.
Kalaba has been “building” this party since before 2016. Nearly a decade later, the construction site still has no foundation, no structure, and no tenants—just press statements and spiritual beliefs in growth.
Every election loss is celebrated as “momentum,” every zero is marketed as progress, and every embarrassment is blamed on everyone except the man at the centre.CF is the only party in Zambia that loses consistently yet insists it is on the verge of victory. If delusion were votes, Kalaba would be President by now.
Unfortunately for him, elections are decided by voters—not by feelings, fantasies, or group chat affirmations.Kasama has spoken again: Citizens First is not a rising force, it is a political myth that refuses to die.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HH AND ECL HH within a year, 4 years now; pupils who could never afford quality education are now going to boarding schools freely with funding from CDF.
No one is troubling our poor parents or relatives in town over school fees. How much was the cheapest secondary school 5 years ago? Now, that’s what we call real change- the change that impacts people in the most rural areas than just focusing in towns.
It is evident, Eastern province was underperforming because of poverty; but, since the declaration of free education when HH came into office, the province is topping at grade 12 for the past 4 years. HH has invested more in citizens than infrastructure; that’s leadership.
He has increased the number of beneficiaries of higher education loans, even adding institutions like Levy University which never benefited from student loans ever since. Even the grade 7, 9 drop outs or let’s say any citizen with an NRC today has an opportunity to at least attain a skill fully funded by CDF.
In only 4 years, HH and his government have employed more than any other government ever did: since independence, if you choose to use ratios. We can go on and on
On 13th August, it is going to take a f00l with a child at a secondary school on CDF and a child in primary and junior secondary school benefiting from free education to vote for someone else than HH
Today presidency looks attractive because of HH, his successes have made leadership to look easier.
Above all, I don’t support HH as a person but I % support his works! Even if what he has done and still doing was done by someone else, I would still stand in solidarity.
Since the last fuel price review on 31st December 2025, the international price of Petrol declined by 7.89%, falling from US$73.25/bbl to US$67.47/bbl.
Diesel prices also fell by 3.80%, from US$79.93/bbl to US$76.89/bbl. Similarly, Kerosene/Jet A-1 declined by 4.05%, from US$82.00/bbl to US$78.68/bbl.
In addition, the exchange rate during the month of January 2026 appreciated by 10.6%, strengthening from an average of K22.30/US$ at the beginning of the month to an average of K19.94/US$ at monthend.
Based on the foregoing and the need to manage pump price volatility, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has revised the pump prices of Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene and Jet A-1 downwards.
Specifically, the pump price of Petrol has been adjusted from K29.92/litre to K27.88/litre, Diesel from K25.11/litre to K24.50/litre, Kerosene from K23.88/litre to K22.24/litre and Jet A-1 from K25.53/litre to K23.80/litre.
The movements in the pump prices are as indicated below.
GOVT TO ROLL OUT SINGLE NATIONAL ID CARD NEXT YEAR
GOVERNMENT says it will roll out a single identification card project beginning next year as part of efforts to modernize the country’s identity management system.
Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security Principal Public Relations Officer Mwala Kalaluka has told Phoenix News that government has already enrolled over one million citizens on the Integrated National Registration Information System, marking significant early progress toward the establishment of a fully unified national identification system.
Mr. Kalaluka explains that once introduced, the single ID will replace multiple forms of identification, including the National Registration Card-NRC, passports and other government-issued documents.
He says the ministry is already conducting public sensitization campaigns across the country to educate citizens about the upcoming changes and the benefits of the new system.
The single ID initiative builds on Zambia’s ongoing civil registration modernization under the integrated national registration information system, a digital platform designed to capture and manage identity data more efficiently.
Learn from Ghana on Gold and incorporating Small-scale Miners
Ghana’s new gold regulations, centered on the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Act 1140 and enhanced monitoring, resulted in a record-setting year for earnings in 2025.
By October 2025, small-scale exports alone hit $8 billion, with total gold export revenues exceeding $10–$11 billion, driven by formalized trading, reduced smuggling, and high global prices.
As President Mahama visits Zambia, do not be shy or use the tendency to begin to give empty lectures, please learn from Ghana.
STATE VISIT TO ZAMBIA BY HIS EXCELLENCY MR. JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
WHAT IS PRESIDENT HICHILEMA LOSING BY RESPECTING HIS PREDECESSOR’S WISHES?
By Thandiwe Ketiš Ngoma
The controversy surrounding the burial of Zambia’s Sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has exposed a troubling and unnecessary standoff. It raises a fundamental question that the nation can no longer avoid: what exactly is President Hakainde Hichilema so determined to gain by presiding over his predecessor’s funeral at all costs?
The UPND government continues to justify this insistence by repeatedly invoking the phrase “state funeral.” Yet this argument collapses under even the lightest legal and procedural scrutiny.
There is no law, whether constitutional, statutory, or customary, that requires a sitting President to personally preside over a state funeral. There is none.
Protocol is unambiguous. The Head of State may delegate representation. This is standard practice in Zambia and across the world. State funerals are conducted in honour of the office and the nation, not as a mechanism for enforcing the physical presence of a sitting President, particularly where that presence has been expressly rejected.
If a state funeral can lawfully proceed without President Hichilema, then the question becomes unavoidable. Why is he insisting on presiding over it despite being clearly, formally, and repeatedly informed that his presence is unwelcome?
Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu left explicit and unequivocal instructions regarding his burial. He stated clearly and without ambiguity that his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, should neither preside over his funeral nor be anywhere near his remains. These were not rumours, political gossip, or afterthoughts. They were formally communicated to the Government of the Republic of Zambia.
Yet, in defiance of these wishes, President Hichilema, acting through Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha, has chosen not only to override the expressed will of the deceased but also to drag a grieving family to court, effectively holding their loved one hostage and preventing burial.
Let us be clear. This is no longer about protocol. It is about power.
One must ask plainly and without fear: what is in the body of Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu that President Hichilema insists on presiding over it come rain or sunshine?
Is there something supernatural? Is there something symbolic? Or is this simply an exercise in dominance so extreme that it defies logic, law, and decency?
For over eight months, the remains of a former President of the Republic of Zambia have been left in a morgue in a foreign country, not because burial was legally impossible, but because of political stubbornness. This fact alone should trouble the conscience of every Zambian.
The Lungu family has acted lawfully, respectfully, and strictly in line with the wishes of the deceased. Yet the state, led by President Hichilema, has chosen coercion over compassion and litigation over restraint.
Respect for the dead begins with respect for their wishes. Anything short of that is not honour. It is authority masquerading as protocol.
President Hichilema must confront a simple and honest question: what does he actually lose by delegating this duty?
The answer is obvious. He loses nothing.
The state funeral would still take place. The dignity of the presidency would remain intact. The nation would still mourn. And a family would finally be allowed to bury their loved one in peace.
Instead, this relentless insistence on personal involvement has fueled public suspicion, deepened national division, and invited questions that need never have been asked.
In a country that claims to value humanity, family, and tradition, the right course of action is glaringly clear.
Step back. Respect the wishes of the deceased. Allow the family to bury their loved one now.
ANC Plans a March Against the United States — Is South Africa Picking a Fight With the World’s Biggest Economy Instead of Fixing Its Own Collapsing House? While Crime, Gang Violence and Unemployment Are Destroying Communities at Home
South Africa is burning from the inside — yet our leaders are looking outward.
The ANC, led by Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, has announced plans to march against what they call “US imperialist aggression.” This move has sparked outrage and confusion among ordinary South Africans who wake up every day to a very different reality: crime out of control, gang violence terrorising townships, record unemployment, collapsing services, and a shrinking economy.
South Africans are asking a simple but uncomfortable question: 👉 Why are we protesting foreign powers while our own country is falling apart?
Right now: • Violent crime and murders are among the highest in the world • Gang violence rules entire neighbourhoods, especially in the Western Cape
• Unemployment remains devastatingly high, particularly among the youth • Businesses are closing, investors are nervous, and skilled workers are leaving • Police stations are under-resourced and communities feel abandoned
Yet instead of mobilising mass action against crime syndicates, drug lords, corruption networks and failing municipalities, the ruling party wants to mobilise people against the United States — the biggest economy in the world and one of South Africa’s most important trade partners.
This is not a symbolic protest. It carries real consequences.
Marching against the US sends a loud message to global investors that South Africa is hostile, unstable and politically reckless. It risks: • Reduced foreign investment
• Trade retaliation and economic isolation • Job losses in export-dependent industries • Further weakening of the rand • Loss of access to key markets and partnerships
At a time when South Africa desperately needs jobs, capital, skills and growth, antagonising a major global economic power is not bravery — it is economic self-harm.
Even more concerning is the silence on other global abuses. Critics point out that the ANC often chooses which injustices deserve outrage and which do not, based on ideology rather than principle. This selective activism makes South Africa look inconsistent and unreliable on the world stage.
South Africa does not need international enemies. It needs internal solutions.
What the country should be focusing on: • Crushing organised crime and gangs • Fixing the police and justice system • Creating real jobs, not slogans • Rebuilding infrastructure and electricity supply • Making South Africa safe for investment and business • Putting citizens’ safety and dignity first
Marches will not stop bullets. Protests will not create jobs. Foreign blame will not fix broken leadership.
South Africa’s biggest threat is not Washington. It is crime, unemployment, corruption and misgovernance at home.
Until leaders confront that truth, no amount of marching will save this country.
ISRAEL DECLARES SOUTH AFRICA’S TOP DIPLOMAT UNWELCOME — TEL AVIV ORDERS IMMEDIATE EXPULSION AFTER WHAT IT CALLS HOSTILE AND FALSE ATTACKS BY PRETORIA ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
The Israeli government has taken a dramatic diplomatic step against South Africa, accusing Pretoria of waging what it describes as false, hostile, and one-sided attacks against Israel in international forums.
According to Israel , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar jointly decided that South Africa’s senior diplomatic representative in Israel, Minister Shaun Edward Byneveldt, is now persona non grata — a designation that effectively makes him unwelcome in the country.
Israel says this decision follows two major developments:
First, what it calls South Africa’s sustained campaign of accusations against Israel in international institutions, which Israeli officials argue are politically motivated, misleading, and aimed at isolating the Jewish state rather than encouraging dialogue or peace.
Second, Israel points to South Africa’s unilateral action against Israel’s Chargé d’Affaires in Pretoria, a move Tel Aviv describes as baseless, hostile, and damaging to diplomatic norms.
As a result, Israel has ordered that South Africa’s top envoy leave Israel within 72 hours.
Israeli officials have also made it clear that this may not be the end of the matter. They warned that additional diplomatic, political, or bilateral measures could follow, depending on how South Africa proceeds in its stance toward Israel.
This latest move marks a serious escalation in already strained relations between the two countries and signals how deeply fractured diplomatic ties have become amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Question for discussion: Has South Africa’s confrontational approach toward Israel strengthened its moral standing globally — or is it now costing the country strategically, diplomatically
Early morning reports indicate that Clive Shamwana has died. He was an entrepreneur and business executive, best known as the Founder and Managing Director of The Proper Group and the Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of Denmark to Zambia
Early Career: After returning to Zambia from the UK, Shamwana worked in banking (Meridien BIAO) and the mobile communications industry.
Telecel Zambia: He previously served in a leadership role at Telecel, where he was involved in a significant dispute with the Communications Authority regarding roaming agreements and the use of an earth station.
He was also the son to the famous treason trialist and former Attorney General Edward Jack Shamwana.
Shamwana is best known for his involvement in a 1980 attempted coup against the government of Kenneth Kaunda. He was sentenced to death for treason but was eventually pardoned and released in 1990 after a decade in prison.
TRUMP BLASTS OMAR, DEMANDS JAIL OVER MINNESOTA FRAUD BILLIONS
Donald Trump just did what no one in Minnesota’s ruling class will do: he said the quiet part out loud.
While Democrats mumble about “irregularities,” Trump flatly called the massive Minnesota fraud what it looks like to normal people — a looting of taxpayers.
On Truth Social, he warned the “Theft and Fraud in Minnesota is far greater than the 19 billion originally projected. ” Not a rounding error.
Not a paperwork glitch.
We’re talking tens of billions vanishing while working families get lectured about “paying their fair share. ” And he didn’t tiptoe around the political royalty involved.
Trump singled out Ilhan Omar and Gov. Tim Walz, saying Omar “should be in jail” and blasting Walz as either breathtakingly corrupt or too clueless to run a lemonade stand, let alone a state.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration — the same people who weaponize the FBI over parents at school board meetings — apparently saw this mountain of fraud and shrugged.
The message is obvious: if you’re part of the protected Democrat class, the rules simply do not apply.
In contrast, Trump’s position is brutally simple: if you steal from Americans on this scale, you face real consequences, no matter your title or identity group.
That’s exactly why the media screams at him — because he threatens the cozy little arrangement that keeps their friends rich and unaccountable.
WHERE DOES SAMIAH PHIRI FIT IN A TEAM THAT ALREADY HAS BARBRA BANDA AND RACHEAL KUNDANANJI? 🇿🇲🇺🇸
Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji are two of the most lethal forwards in world football — record-breakers, history-makers, and the two most expensive African women’s footballers ever.
Their pace, power, movement, and finishing place them among the global elite.
So the big question is: Can Samiah Phiri break into a frontline already dominated by these two giants?
Analysts have taken a deep dive into Phiri’s playstyle, tactical intelligence, and versatility to understand exactly what she brings to Nora Häuptle’s system — and why her profile might be the missing piece that elevates the Copper Queens to another level.
HENRY KYEMBA: THE TOP OFFICIAL WHO RAN AWAY FROM🏃🏾♂️🇺🇬 UGANDA AFTER REALIZING idi Amin dada USED TO EAT HUMAN MEAT
He Minister of Health (later Minister of Foreign Affairs) He was One of Idi Amin’s closest civilian advisers Educated, respected, and deeply inside the regime
This was not a small official Kyemba sat at the heart of power. Kyemba later revealed that he fled after witnessing extreme brutality, and after becoming convinced that Idi Amin was capable of cannibalism. Seeing mutilated bodies of ministers and officials
Discovering that Amin allegedly kept human body parts in refrigerators Being told by insiders that Amin sometimes tasted human flesh Realizing that no one — not even ministers — was safe
Kyemba understood one thing clearly: If Amin could kill and eat his enemies, then no one was untouchable. In 1977, while on an official trip to London, Kyemba defected and refused to return to Uganda. Soon after:
Amin declared him a traitor Kyemba would almost certainly have been killed if he returned, Kyemba later wrote a famous book: “A State of Blood” (1977) In it, he described: Mass killings Amin’s madness Cannibalism allegations How ministers lived in constant fear How power in Uganda had turned into organized terror
This book became one of the most important insider accounts of Idi Amin’s rule. Cannibalism was never proven in court But multiple insiders, including Kyemba, soldiers, and diplomats, reported similar stories
Idi Amin himself never denied it clearly — he mocked the accusations, which made them more believable to many. Henry Kyemba was the highest-ranking government official to flee
He ran after realizing Amin had crossed every human limit His escape helped the world finally understand how dark Amin’s Uganda really was..
During the AFCON final, a lady approached Sadio Mané to congratulate him, but she was politely stopped by Mané himself.
This action later raised questions, and journalists asked him why he reacted that way.
Sadio Mané responded:
🗣️🗣️ “I don’t think she should take it as a problem. The way she approached me was indecent, and I don’t respect that. However, my family was present at the stadium, including my wife.
She could easily feel uncomfortable or jealous. I didn’t mean any harm—I was simply protecting my dignity and, most importantly, respecting my wife.”
Donald Trump is known to flaunt his pro sports endorsements, but he lost one Saturday.
Ryan Garcia, the right-wing, former champion boxer who is known for his Trump support and who was previously expelled by the World Boxing Council for repeatedly hurling racial slurs against Black people and disparaging Muslims, over the weekend announced that Trump has gone too far for his own moral tastes.
Writing on social media, Garcia said, “This is my public declaration and announcement, I’m reclining my past support for Donald Trump.”
He then added, “Anyone that was involved in any thing to do with that island and what they were doing, I just can’t support in anyway. Children need to be protected, everyone knew better f— that. Justice for all.”
In a follow-up post, he wrote, “To everyone saying that trump is innocent and was proven false. I’m not taking chances, I only stand with the kingdom of God you guys can go to hell and back defending your political figures and parties. I stand with God and that’s it.”
This is my public declaration and announcement, I’m reclining my past support for Donald Trump.
Anyone that was involved in any thing to do with that island and what they were doing, I just can’t support in anyway.
Children need to be protected, everyone knew better fuck…
Tesla CEO Elon Musk went on a frantic online posting spree Saturday to insist his innocence after being named in the Justice Department’s latest release of files on Jeffrey Epstein, files that in some cases blew holes in his previous denials.
“No one pushed harder than me to have the Epstein files released and I’m glad that has finally happened,” Musk wrote Saturday in a social media post on X, which he owns. “I had very little correspondence with Epstein and declined repeated invitations to go to his island or fly on his ‘Lolita Express,’ but was well aware that some email correspondence with him could be misinterpreted and used by detractors to smear my name.”
Musk has previously stated that Epstein had “tried repeatedly” to get him to visit his island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but that he had “declined” the invitations. However, the newly released Epstein files include emails from Elon Musk that appear to contradict that account, showing Musk “practically begged for an invitation” to the island, known as Little Saint James.
Musk also previously stated in 2020 that Epstein had “never toured” one of his SpaceX facilities. Among the newly released files is an email exchange that appears to contradict that statement.
“It appears Elon Musk personally invited Jeffrey Epstein to visit him at SpaceX in [2013],” reads a social media post on X from the account for the “TrueAnon” podcast, which has more than 40,000 paid subscribers on the crowd-funding platform Patreon.
In response to the revelations, Musk spent much of Saturday morning replying to users on social media defending him.
“Correct,” Musk wrote in response to a social media post that labeled attacks on Musk over his relationship with Epstein as “completely absurd.” “Exactly,” he wrote in response to another social media post that credited Musk as being the “primary reason” that the Epstein files had been released at all.
No one pushed harder than me to have the Epstein files released and I’m glad that has finally happened.
I had very little correspondence with Epstein and declined repeated invitations to go to his island or fly on his “Lolita Express”, but was well aware that some email…
💥 Developing: TRUMP ACCUSERS BILLIONAIRE BACKER EXPOSED IN EPSTEIN ISLAND VISITS
The billionaire who quietly bankrolled E. Jean Carroll’s case against Donald Trump didn’t just write checks — he went to Epstein’s world.
Newly released Justice Department files now show Reid Hoffman discussing trips to the island, the New Mexico ranch, and that infamous Manhattan townhouse.
These aren’t rumors; they’re emails.
One message reads, “Reid will spend the night at 71st,” while another calmly notes, “Reid Hoffman will go to the ranch for the weekend” — as if visits to a convicted sex offender’s properties were just another networking event.
Meanwhile, this same Silicon Valley kingmaker was sold to Americans as a noble defender of “democracy” and “women’s rights” while he poured money into a politically timed lawsuit against a former president.
Corporate media rushed to amplify the accusations against Trump, yet somehow forgot to mention that the accuser’s key benefactor was cozying up to Jeffrey Epstein.
Step back and look at the pattern: the same rarefied circle that jetted off to Epstein’s island keeps popping up behind the lawfare campaign against the one man who threatened their grip on power.
When Trump challenged their globalist game, they didn’t debate him — they tried to bury him under lawyered-up accusations funded by the very people now surfacing in Epstein’s files.
The Third Term Syndrome: Why African Presidents Fear Retirement
In many African nations, the presidency is meant to be a chapter, not a lifetime appointment. Yet time and again, leaders who once spoke eloquently about democracy develop a sudden allergy to retirement as their final term approaches.
This condition often called the Third Term Syndrome is marked by constitutional amendments, court gymnastics, or “popular requests” that miraculously beg the president to stay. What begins as public service quietly mutates into personal survival.
At the heart of this fear is not always hunger for power alone, but fear of what comes after power. In systems where institutions are weak and politics is deeply personalized, stepping down can mean exposure. Former presidents worry about prosecution, loss of protection, revenge from rivals, or the collapse of business networks built while in office. Power becomes a shield, and retirement feels like walking naked into a storm.
There is also the problem of identity. For decades, the state revolves around one man. He appoints, dismisses, commands, and decides. Over time, the line between the president and the nation blurs. Leaders begin to believe sometimes sincerely that without them the country will collapse. This mindset has justified extended rule in countries like Cameroon under Paul Biya, Uganda under Yoweri Museveni, and Rwanda under Paul Kagame, where constitutions were revised to reset term limits in the name of “stability.”
Surrounding the president is another powerful engine of the syndrome: the inner circle. Advisors, generals, relatives, and business allies thrive only while the leader remains in office.
To them, retirement is not statesmanship; it is disaster. They whisper warnings of chaos, exaggerate threats, and manufacture public endorsements. By the time the leader hears the people’s voice, it has already been filtered through fear and self-interest.
The tragedy of the Third Term Syndrome is not just prolonged rule but postponed progress. Young leaders are locked out, institutions are weakened, and citizens lose faith in elections. Ironically, the very instability presidents claim to prevent is often what their refusal to leave creates.
History is kinder to leaders who know when to exit. Mandela proved that power can be exercised and surrendered with dignity. In Africa’s future, true strength will not be measured by how long one rules, but by the courage to let go.
Gold Without Mines: Africa’s Billionaires With No Visible Businesses, The Wicknell Chivhayo Debate
Across Southern Africa, few figures embody the phrase “gold without mines” like Wicknell Chivhayo. His rise into extreme wealth appears sudden to the public eye, marked not by factories, export records, or large workforces, but by a loud display of luxury and generosity.
Expensive cars are gifted publicly, cash donations are announced online, and wealth itself becomes the headline. For supporters, this is proof of success and divine favor; for critics, it raises a simple question Africa keeps asking: where did the money come from?
Chivhayo has been linked to high-value government contracts, particularly in the energy sector, which he cites as the foundation of his wealth. Yet the gap between publicly visible business activity and the scale of his lifestyle fuels ongoing debate.
In economies where audited financial disclosures are rare and transparency is weak, perception fills the vacuum left by missing information. When wealth grows faster than explanation, suspicion naturally follows. Not because success is hated, but because clarity is absent.
What complicates the discussion is the power of generosity. By distributing wealth openly, Chivhayo has positioned himself as a benefactor rather than a hoarder.
In many African societies, giving disarms criticism; questioning a giver is seen as ingratitude. But generosity does not replace accountability. A proverb reminds us: “The hand that gives today must still explain how it harvested.” Charity answers hunger, not questions.
The real issue is bigger than one individual. Wicknell Chivhayo represents a wider African dilemma, a system where wealth can be celebrated without being understood. When riches appear disconnected from production, innovation, or jobs, young people learn the wrong lesson about success.
Africa does not suffer from lack of wealth; it suffers from lack of transparency. Until wealth tells its full story, the mystery of gold without mines will continue to shadow the continent’s future.
Over the past few hours, there has been some deliberate misinformation circulating on social media platforms suggesting that the People’s most preferred 2026 Presidential Candidate Makebi Zulu has withdrawn from the presidential race.
We have noted with grave concern the circulation of misleading statements by certain individuals falsely claiming that Mr Zulu has withdrawn from the race, while he remains firmly in the 2026 race and with more energy and vigour.
It is unwise for anyone to intentionally distort our Presidential Candidate Mr Makebi Zulu’s call for unity within the opposition. We will not succumb to the ploy of individuals who lack political maturity or are acting as tools of desperate governing establishment.
Hon. Makebi Zulu has made it abundantly clear that leadership is not about ego or selfish ambition but about putting the nation (Zambia) first and doing whatever it takes to deliver victory and the real change that the people so desire.
We would like to categorically state that these claims are false and misleading. Our Candidate Hon. Makebi Zulu will be on the ballot in the August 2026 Presidential Election.
Hon. Makebi Zulu’s recent remarks on Radio Phoenix during the “Let the People Talk” programme have been misinterpreted by some sections of the public. His statement emphasized his willingness to make personal sacrifices, should the people so decide, in the interest of opposition unity and the broader liberation of Zambia. This reflects his commitment to democratic values, unity, and national progress.
This gesture demonstrates that Hon. Makebi Zulu is a selfless and patriotic leader who prioritizes the collective interests of the nation over personal ambition, unlike others who have taken rigid positions that undermine unity.
Hon. Makebi Zulu continues to respond to the calls of the people who are seeking genuine leadership to rescue Zambia from governance challenges that have contributed to economic hardship and social suffering.
For emphasis, Hon. Makebi Zulu has made it clear that he is prepared to serve the Zambian people and remains committed to delivering leadership rooted in maturity, discipline and national interest.
CATHOLIC BISHOPS WARN AGAINST DIVISION AHEAD OF 2026 POLLS …….ZCCB urges peace, issue-based campaigns, credible elections
The Catholic Bishops of Zambia have issued a strong moral and civic warning ahead of the August 2026 General Elections, urging political leaders, electoral institutions, and citizens to reject division, violence, and manipulation in favour of peace, integrity, and issue-based democratic participation.
In a Pastoral Letter dated 30 January 2026, the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) said Zambia stands at a defining crossroads, where the conduct of elections will either strengthen democracy or plunge the nation into political intolerance and social fragmentation.
The bishops observed that while elections offer an opportunity for national renewal, Zambia continues to grapple with serious challenges, including the high cost of living, unemployment, corruption, rising national debt, and growing political hostility, which threaten national unity.
ZCCB stressed that politics must be viewed as a moral responsibility and service to the common good, not a ruthless contest for power.
They warned that leadership driven by selfish ambition, exclusion, and abuse of authority erodes democratic values and undermines respect for human dignity, particularly among the poor and vulnerable.
The bishops described voting as both a civic and moral act, urging citizens to participate responsibly and make informed choices based on leadership character, policy direction, and national vision.
They cautioned against vote-buying, fear-mongering, and tribal alignment, stating that such practices distort the will of the people and weaken democratic legitimacy.
ZCCB called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to administer the electoral process with professionalism, independence, and impartiality.
They emphasized that transparency must be guaranteed at every stage voter registration, campaigns, polling, counting, and declaration of results warning that any breach of electoral integrity would amount to a betrayal of public trust.
The bishops expressed concern over the continued use of insults, tribal rhetoric, and character assassination in political discourse.
They urged political parties and candidates to focus on substantive national issues, including economic hardship, energy challenges, youth unemployment, debt management, poverty reduction, and national cohesion.
ZCCB reiterated that the Church remains strictly non-partisan, warning clergy against aligning with political parties or allowing church platforms to be used for political campaigns.
They clarified that the Church’s role is to form consciences and promote the common good, not to mobilise political support.
The bishops further urged political players and supporters to commit to peaceful acceptance of election outcomes and to resolve disputes through legal and constitutional channels.
They warned that no political victory is worth the loss of a single Zambian life.
As the country moves closer to the 2026 polls, ZCCB called on Christians and people of goodwill to pray for peaceful elections and responsible leadership.
They concluded by urging Zambians to reject tribalism and political hatred, reaffirming the national motto: “One Zambia, One Nation.”
SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGIST SAYS MUNDUBILE’S TONSE LEADERSHIP GIVES PF MEMBERS LEGAL ROUTE BACK TO ELECTIONS
By Raphael Mulenga
Social Anthropologist Dr. James Musonda says the election of Brian Mundubile as chairperson of the Tonse Alliance provides a lawful and viable platform for Patriotic Front-PF members to participate in future elections, following the recent Kabwe High Court ruling which restrained the party from holding a convention.
Dr. Musonda has described Mr. Mundubile’s election as a smart and timely decision, noting that it creates a clear opportunity for opposition realignment at a time when Zambia’s political landscape is undergoing significant change.
He says the development brings clarity and direction to opposition politics by offering an organized political vehicle through which pf members can regroup.
Dr. Musonda notes that the court ruling has effectively closed the pf chapter, making it necessary for its former leaders and members to rally behind a new political formation capable of competing effectively.
He has since urged all PF Members of Parliament to unite behind Mr. Mundubile, warning that continued fragmentation will weaken the opposition and disadvantage voters who are seeking an alternative voice.
🇿🇲 READER OPINION | Oasis Forum’s Exit from Court Was a Strategic Failure
By Haggai Muzeya
The Oasis Forum’s decision to withdraw its petition from the Constitutional Court challenging the legality of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 is hardly surprising. What is striking is not the withdrawal itself, but how predictable its ineffectiveness had already become.
The Oasis Forum, comprising the Law Association of Zambia, selected civil society organisations, and church mother bodies, missed a critical strategic opportunity to influence the constitutional reform process in a meaningful way. By the time the petition was withdrawn, the political outcome had already been sealed.
Rather than engaging constructively at decisive stages, the Forum chose to boycott both the Mushabati Technical Committee and the Parliamentary Select Committee. These were the two principal platforms where substantive compromises could have been negotiated, tested, and secured. Walking away from these processes was a political miscalculation.
Although LAZ submitted written proposals, it declined to defend them orally when its president, Lungisani Zulu, appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee. That decision was tactically unsound. Constitutional reform is not won through paperwork alone. It is won through engagement, persuasion, and presence. The refusal to orally advance proposals conveyed detachment and, to some observers, arrogance.
The boycott created a vacuum. That vacuum was quickly filled by individual Patriotic Front and independent Members of Parliament, whose submissions influenced key amendments. These included the retention of by-elections and adjustments to provisions on parliamentary dissolution and the Office of the Secretary to the Cabinet. These concessions made the Bill more palatable to Parliament and helped secure overwhelming two-thirds majorities at both Second and Third Reading stages.
As a result, the Oasis Forum’s long-standing influence over constitutional reform was significantly weakened. By the time President Hakainde Hichilema assented to the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025, the Forum had already been politically sidelined.
Looking ahead, the implications are clear. Future and potentially more contentious constitutional amendments are likely to proceed with little or no input from the Oasis Forum. A UPND government strengthened by parliamentary numbers after the 2026 general elections, and further bolstered by anticipated gains from the 40 reserved seats for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, will have less incentive to re-engage actors who opted out when engagement mattered most.
Responsibility for this marginalisation lies squarely with the Oasis Forum itself. Constitutional influence is not preserved through boycotts and court filings alone. It is sustained through consistent participation in the political process.
⬆️ Haggai Muzeya is a Political historian based in Kitwe.
I AM WILLING TO PUT ASIDE MY PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION, TO ALLOW OPPOSITION UNITY – Makebi
PF Presidential candidate Makebi Zulu says he does not hold the monopoly of intelligence and wisdom for him to insist on being the only Presidential candidate adding that, he is willing to play a role other than standing, in order to create a strong opposition force.
Makebi says he is willing to step down and fully support any other leader if the opposition can come together and choose another genuine person.
Meanwhile, Fred M’membe has also indicated that he is willing to step aside and support another person. Chishimba Kambwili has said the same.
SACCORD WELCOMES MOVE TO BURRY LATE FORMER PRESIDENT ECL BEFORE ELECTIONS
The Southern African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes SACCORD has welcomed the announcement that government is working on ensuring that late former president Edgar Lungu is buried before the forthcoming general elections.
Government recently disclosed that it is intensifying efforts to ensure former late President Edgar Lungu is laid to rest before the 13 august 2026 elections
Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka, SACCORD Executive Director, Arthur Muyunda, says he is hoping that this time around both parties will reach a consensus regarding the burial site.
“Both parties agreeing on the burial impasse of the late president, will not only fulfill the desires of Zambians but also remove the family out of distress,” said Mr. Muyunda.
He expressed concern and sadness that the body of the late president continues to be in a morgue 7 months after his death due to continued misunderstandings between government and the family.
He has called on both parties to do away with whatever made them not reach a consensus these past months so that the matter can come to a close.
