Tonse Alliance Interim Chairperson Dr. Danny Pule has ruled out the return of a Patriotic Front –PF- faction to the alliance, even if the former ruling party resolves its leadership disputes.
Dr. Pule states that the legitimate PF, headed by Mr. Robert Chabinga, cannot associate itself with the alliance, adding that the PF faction recognized by courts and represented in parliament is Mr. Chabinga’s and is not part of Tonse Alliance.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Dr. Pule has noted that the expelled group lacks legal standing, making its return unlikely and unnecessary.
He revealed that the PF faction in the alliance had plans to wait until April to elect its presidential leader, which nearly crippled the alliance’s preparations for the 2026 general elections.
He explains that the delay was untenable at a time when rival political parties have already unveiled their candidates.
Dr. Pule has assured the public that the alliance remains intact, focused and ready for the 2026 general elections and will not collapse despite internal turmoil.
GOVERNANCE and Human Rights Activist Brebner Changala has called for the immediate retirement of Lusaka Division Deputy Police Commanding Officer Ronald Zambo if he does not resign on his own for being unprofessional.
And Changala says the people of Zambia will decisively sort out President Hakainde Hichilema and the united Party for National development (UPND) in the August general election.
Last Monday, a combative Zambo ordered paramilitary police officers to tear-gas and forcibly disperse peaceful members of the Catholic Church including bishops, priests, nuns and religious who escorted Catholic Archdiocese of Lusaka Archbishop Dr Alick Banda to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) headquarters in Lusaka.
Changala said Zambo should resign on moral grounds for on many occasions trying to prevent citizens from lawful assembly with the latest being an attempt to tear-gas the Catholic faithful who accompanied Archbishop Banda.
“He’s on my record to have ordered the police to throw tear gas in the name of the President when the faithful were trying to be given way to escort Dr Alick Banda into the DEC premises,” he said.
Changala told The Mast in an interview Zambo’s order to tear-gas the faithful who peacefully accompanied Archbishop Banda was an abuse of authority.
He commended the junior police officers for not obeying Zambo’s instructions saying the incident could have resulted in serious injuries among the people which could even have led to death.
“Carrying out instructions to tear-gas the faithful was the worst which could have happened. It was fortunate that the officer that was being told to throw the tear gas refused to obey the instructions,” Changala said.
He said Zambo’s behaviour should be scrutinised and if found wanting he should be retired without benefits.
Changala said the democratic space in the country had in the last four years been shrinking and the opposition had never been given space by the police to assemble peacefully.
“We have lost four years failing to actually mobilise, assemble and associate. Hichilema always unleashes the police like he did to Archbishop Banda’s sympathisers. It was a war zone. And yet, that was a peaceful procession by the faithful,” he said.
Changala said Zambo’s behaviour last Monday was an attack on fundamental religious beliefs, national unity and peace.
“We have an authoritarian leader in our midst in Hichilema and his brutal Zambia Police [Service],” he said.
Changala said Hichilema had turned against the very Zambians that had voted for him in 2021 and would deal with him in August.
“Hichilema is an elected leader who has turned against the voters. The very people who put him there in power. But this will be dealt with in August. People have decided to let him go,” he said.
Changala said the same opposition Hichilema claimed was divided would shock him in the August general elections.
He said since independence the country had never been divided in the manner it was currently because of Hichilema’s divisive rule.
Last week, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu praised the police for the “professional” manner in which they handled the crowd during the appearance of Archbishop Banda.
The senior Catholic Church clergyman was summoned by DEC over a second-hand Toyota Hilux van he received as a gift after it was bought as “obsolete” from the Zambia Revenue Agency (ZRA).
The commission’s money laundering unit recorded a warn-and-caution statement from him, which could lead to his arrest.
A cross-section of the Zambian society has condemned the call-out and warn and caution statement as part of the ongoing vicious persecution Hichilema has unleashed on Archbishop Banda for being critical of his rule.
Christian Democratic Party –CDP- President DAN PULE says he is consulting leaders within the Tonse Alliance on whether he will contest the 2026 general election as a sole presidential candidate.
This follows his endorsement by the party as its presidential candidate for the 2026 polls after he went unopposed at a convention held over the weekend.
Professor PULE said the party intends to take part in the elections at all levels.
He added that the convention was conducted peacefully and that the police were informed about the meeting in advance.
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8
One reads this verse and cannot help but admire how accurately it captures our current political gymnastics. It is almost prophetic in how well it describes saying one thing in the morning and its opposite by lunchtime.
Apparently everyone who disagrees with the UPND is PF. At the same time PF is dead. In fact PF is so dead that it is responsible for everything. Yet we are also informed there is no opposition in the country. One wonders who exactly people are arguing with so passionately every day. Ghosts perhaps. Political zombies maybe. It takes real madness to fight a dead political party.
Then comes the mature democratic engagement. Insults. Mockery. Name calling. I do not mind criticism. Not at all. But it is impressive how a simple Sunday photo of me holding a Bible triggered an investigation into the age of the Bible rather than the message inside it. Even more impressive was how my personal experience at Bookworld with mothers turned into a full scale online battle. Clearly these are the urgent national issues of our time.
Some contributors went a step further and called me a monkey. In my own country. By my own people. For expressing an opinion. I have never insulted anyone. I have never insulted any leader I disagree with. But apparently that is outdated behaviour. These days disagreement requires dehumanisation. I have blocked a few offenders. Not because I am weak but because even patience has standards.
I am also informed that I am too old and must retire. Too old to retire. I am 73. People elsewhere are contesting public office at 80. Every Saturday I walk over 20 kilometres. I am a senior youth. More energetic than some of you insulting me who are young in age but permanently exhausted. If your 60 year old parents cannot walk or express themselves at home please keep that advice for them. As for me I am just starting life. Frank Katongo Mutubila is still a vibrant Kopala boy. Ifwe tatukota tushimafye.
I am told that if I keep raising issues of social justice political tolerance and fairness I will be insulted until I stop. That strategy will not work. Try other methods. I am old school. I was born for moments like this. I have seen worse. At least in the past when you made a mistake people confronted you openly. Straight talk. Today someone smiles and eats with you then creates five pseudo accounts to attack you using names from other regions. It is quite weird and very unfortunate.
If we are not worried about embracing diverse views, then we are heading in the wrong direction, I have never seen a developed country that became so without taking on board diverse perspectives, I am worried about the country we are shaping for our children and grandchildren, a country where churches, which are cardinal in nurturing morality, are now treated as enemies, cry, my beloved country, our beloved country, and here we go again, a barrage of insults, the new Zambia.
But let us be serious for a moment. We could build a stronger community if we tried listening to each other. Some things can be fixed through dialogue. Sometimes we simply need to live and let live. We cannot all be choir members especially when the song being sung is inappropriate for the congregation. And until we learn to apply one standard to ourselves and another to no one else James 1:8 will continue to read less like scripture and more like a daily political commentary.
TRIBAL BLACKMAIL MASQUERADING AS SCHOLARSHIP: A DANGEROUS NARRATIVE ZAMBIA MUST REJECT
Professor Jones Kasonso’s call for Zambians to vote strictly along tribal lines is not only reckless but intellectually lazy, politically poisonous, and morally indefensible. It is the kind of argument one expects from desperate political operatives, not from someone who carries the title of “Professor.”
To openly suggest that “Tongas should vote for HH while other tribes vote for somebody else” is not an analysis of Zambian politics; it is a crude incitement to ethnic polarization. It is an open invitation to dismantle the very foundations upon which Zambia was built. Let us be blunt: this is tribalism, raw and unfiltered.
Even more absurd is the claim that President Hakainde Hichilema “cannot win because Tongas are only 13% of the population.” This statement is not just wrong. It is embarrassingly shallow. Zambia has never elected a president on the basis of tribal population size. Not Kaunda. Not Chiluba. Not Mwanawasa. Not Banda. Not Sata. Not Lungu. And certainly not Hichilema. Presidents are elected because they build national coalitions, not tribal ghettos.
To reduce President Hichilema’s electoral victory to Tonga arithmetic is an insult to millions of Zambians across all provinces who voted for him. It is a deliberate attempt to delegitimize a democratic mandate by weaponising ethnicity. That is not scholarship, it is propaganda.
What Professor Kasonso is effectively advocating is tribal segregation at the ballot box. By his logic, Zambia should abandon national politics altogether and convert elections into a census of ethnic enclaves. This thinking does not belong in a modern democracy, it belongs in failed states where ethnicity replaced citizenship. And let us address the hypocrisy head-on. One cannot claim to be fighting “HH & Tonga tribalism” while simultaneously demanding that non-Tonga citizens unite against Tongas. That is not anti-tribalism; it is reverse tribal mobilisation, cloaked in fake concern for national unity.
Zambia’s peace has never been accidental. It has been preserved precisely because generations before us rejected this kind of poisonous thinking. One Zambia, One Nation was not a decorative phrase. It was a deliberate rejection of ethnic politics. Those who now mock or undermine it are playing with fire.
Academics have influence. When professors abandon responsibility and start legitimising ethnic hostility, they embolden the worst instincts in society. History is unforgiving to intellectuals who provided “theories” that justified division, exclusion, and conflict.
Zambians are tired of being dragged backwards. The real issues confronting the nation are economic recovery, debt restructuring, jobs, corruption, public services, and national development, not tribal headcounts. No amount of ethnic fear-mongering will put food on the table or restore dignity to struggling households.
President Hichilema is not in office because of Tonga votes. He is in office because Zambians across tribes, regions, and languages rejected incompetence and chose change. That reality will not be erased by cheap tribal arithmetic. Zambia’s democracy will not be held hostage by divisive rhetoric, whether it comes from politicians or professors. Those who have no ideas resort to tribes. Those who have no vision resort to fear. Zambians must reject both.
CHILUFYA DEMANDS RESPECT FOR LUBINDA …..as PF members in Luapula Province endorses him for party presidency
PATRIOTIC Front structures in Luapula Province have endorsed Chitalu Chilufya as their preferred candidate for the party presidency ahead of the PF’s forthcoming internal elections.
Speaking after the endorsement, Dr Chilufya appealed to party members to respect PF acting President Given Lubinda, warning that he will not tolerate any form of disrespect toward the party leadership.
“Mr Lubinda has played a key role in bringing the party together during a difficult period, and he therefore deserves respect,” Dr Chilufya said. “I will not allow anyone to bring confusion or disorder in the Patriotic Front.”
Dr Chilufya emphasised that the ultimate decision on who will lead the party and emerge as the 2026 presidential candidate will be made by delegates at the party convention.
“The party membership will decide at the convention who should lead them into the 2026 general elections,” he said. The former Minister of Health further assured PF members and the nation at large that the party remains united and intact, despite what he described as attempts by the ruling UPND to destabilise it.
“The Patriotic Front remains strong and united. No manoeuvres will succeed in destroying the party,” Dr Chilufya said. Dr Chilufya also called for unity and discipline among PF members as the party prepares for its convention, saying internal divisions would only weaken its ability to effectively challenge the ruling party in 2026.
He urged party structures at all levels to focus on rebuilding confidence among members and the general public through issue-based politics.
He further said the PF under new leadership would prioritise economic recovery, job creation and improved public service delivery, adding that the party remains committed to offering Zambians a credible alternative government.
Dr Chilufya said the PF would emerge from its internal processes stronger, more organised and ready to reclaim power through democratic means.
Luapula PF assures CC of support in the forthcoming convention By Hegar Chola Patriotic Front (PF) party structures in Luapula Province have endorsed former Minister of Health, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya as their preferred candidate for the party presidency ahead of the forthcoming PF general convention.
Representatives of party structures at constituency, district and provincial level from across the province say they are confident that Dr. Chilufya possesses the leadership qualities and experience required to lead the former ruling party.
Speaking on behalf of the PF structures, provincial information and publicity secretary Fewdays Mwape noted Dr. Chilufya’s past performance in government and within the party, describing him as a visionary leader who can restore the PF back to it’s previous position.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chilufya has welcomed the support from Luapula Province and called for unity and discipline among party members as the convention draws closer.
He said the show of support from grassroots structures is a clear indication that the PF remains strong and popular on the ground despite being in opposition.
He has appealed to party delegates in Luapula and across the country to entrust him with the party presidency, stating that his track record and previous successes in public service demonstrate his capacity to lead.
He pledged that, if elected PF president, he would focus on rebuilding the party and working towards improving the lives of Zambians.
The PF presidential hopeful also urged fellow aspirants and party members to uphold unity and mutual respect within the party.
He has called on members to respect Acting PF President Given Lubinda, whom he credited for playing a critical role in safeguarding the party during a challenging transition period.
HOW DID ASIAN AND INDIAN COMMUNITIES BECOME SO SUCCESSFUL IN SOUTH AFRICA – WITHOUT BEE, LAND OR MINES?
Many South Africans often ask a serious question: How did Asian and Indian communities build so much wealth in South Africa without benefiting from BEE, large land ownership, or control of mines?
The answer lies in history, culture, sacrifice, and business mindset.
When Indians and other Asians arrived in South Africa, most came with nothing. They faced discrimination, segregation, and limited opportunities. They were not given farms, mining rights, or government tenders. Instead, they focused on trade, small businesses, and education.
They started as shopkeepers, traders, tailors, hawkers, factory workers, and professionals. Families lived modestly, saved every cent, reinvested profits, and built businesses slowly over generations. Children were pushed hard in school to become doctors, engineers, accountants, lawyers, and entrepreneurs. Education became their “land”. Business became their “mine”.
Strong family structures also played a big role. Families pooled money together, helped each other start businesses, avoided debt, and passed knowledge from one generation to the next. Community networks supported one another with capital, mentorship, and trust.
Instead of waiting for government support, they created their own opportunities. Instead of depending on political connections, they built private companies. Instead of focusing on consumption, they focused on ownership – shops, factories, transport, property, and wholesale trade.
https://youtu.be/Fo4fauqBHzs?si=9YX680sS8MqKr7Kk
This is why today many Indian and Asian South Africans are strong in retail, manufacturing, property, medicine, law, IT, and finance. Their wealth did not come from BEE deals, land redistribution, or mining shares, but from decades of discipline, entrepreneurship, education, and long-term planning.
The lesson is powerful: Wealth is not only built through politics or natural resources. It can also be built through mindset, unity, hard work, patience, and passing opportunity from one generation to another.
This is not to attack anyone. It is to show that development is possible even without special programmes — if a community builds a culture of skills, savings, business ownership, and education.
🚨BREAKING: Trump Says China Can Buy Venezuelan Crude Only Under US Control – Oil at Gunpoint
The mask is fully off now.
Donald Trump has openly stated that China and Russia will only be allowed to buy Venezuelan oil under US control, treating Venezuela’s energy sector as something Washington has the right to manage, seize and redistribute. That is not diplomacy, this is ownership.
At a White House meeting with US oil executives, Trump reportedly claimed that if the US doesn’t take over Venezuela’s oil industry, China or Russia will. This statement alone says it all, Venezuela isn’t viewed as a sovereign country, it’s viewed as a prize.
According to Reuters, one of Washington’s explicit goals behind its actions in Venezuela is to send a message to China: stay out of the Americas and weaken China–Venezuela energy cooperation.
China’s response was calm and direct, as it always is.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that Latin American countries are sovereign nations with the right to choose their own partners and that China will continue deepening practical cooperation with Venezuela and other Latin American countries regardless of changing circumstances.
Meanwhile, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced that Washington will “indefinitely” control Venezuelan oil sales, including existing stockpiles and all future production. Revenue would be placed into US-controlled accounts, with funds supposedly redistributed later “for the benefit of Venezuelans.”
What does this mean exactly? Oil seized first and promises later.
The plan also includes bringing US oil majors into Venezuela, supplying equipment and services to stabilise production and creating compensation mechanisms for American companies investing there. Trump himself claimed Venezuela would hand over 30–50 million barrels of sanctioned oil, sold at market price, with proceeds overseen by him.
Now read that again: The US president publicly claiming personal oversight of another country’s oil revenue.
All of this follows the US military operation earlier this month that forcibly removed Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro and his wife and transferred them to the United States, an act widely condemned and seen by many as resource-driven regime change.
China didn’t fire a shot, China didn’t seize leaders and China didn’t declare ownership of foreign oil. Yet it’s China being told to “stay away.” China is not the villain here and many are starting to realise this.
This is about control, oil flows, currencies, leverage and enforcing a hemisphere where access is conditional on obedience. Beijing’s restraint here is important, so take note: no escalation and no bullshit. Just a steady insistence on sovereignty, lawful cooperation and what is right.
“The Same Warrant is on My Head” – Regina Daniels Allegedly Targeted by Ned Nwoko Over Missing $40,000
Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has publicly accused her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, of orchestrating the arrest of her family members following allegations of theft.
The Theft Allegation
Speaking during a live interview with media personality Daddy Freeze, the actress revealed that her brother, Sammy, and a close family friend were arrested on the senator’s instructions. She explained that Nwoko has accused her family of stealing a substantial sum from his residence a claim she vehemently denies.
She stated:
“No, it’s confirmed, it’s true, and it is Ned, and I’ve confirmed it, it is Ned. There’s a warrant on everybody. The same warrant is on my head. He’s saying that we stole 40,000 dollars from his house, whereas he doesn’t even keep money in the house.”
Intimidation Tactics
Regina insists that the allegations are fabricated and serve as a tool to intimidate her following her departure from the marriage in October 2025, which she attributed to domestic violence.
She recounted a tense situation where bystanders had to intervene to prevent a second arrest attempt on her brother, noting that the indiscriminate issuance of warrants has left her entire family living in fear.
A Zimbabwean woman is shining on the global stage.
Natalie Payida Jabangwe, a computer engineer and business executive, has emerged as one of Africa’s most influential leaders in fintech and digital financial services, now steering a US$1 billion innovation fund aimed at transforming entrepreneurship across the continent.
Jabangwe is the Chief Executive Officer of the Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation, where she leads a flagship pan-African startup fund designed to back young innovators, scale technology solutions, and drive inclusive economic growth.
Born in the United Kingdom around 1983, Jabangwe returned to Zimbabwe as an infant. She attended Dudley Hall Primary School in Norton and Chinhoyi High School before returning to the UK for higher education.
She holds a BSc in Computer Engineering from Middlesex University and earned a scholarship to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She later completed an Executive MBA at Imperial College London, specialising in hi-tech strategy, corporate turnaround and brand management.
She also holds a Master’s degree in Organisational Leadership from the University of Oxford through the Tutu Fellowship.
Her career spans senior leadership roles across global and African institutions.
At Sanlam Group, Jabangwe served as Group Digital Executive Officer, overseeing digital strategy and a US$600 million budget across 34 African markets, India and Malaysia.
She rose to continental prominence as CEO of EcoCash Zimbabwe between 2014 and 2021, becoming one of Africa’s youngest fintech chief executives.
Under her leadership, EcoCash grew to serve over nine million users, processing more than US$16 billion annually — a figure equivalent to over 70% of Zimbabwe’s GDP at the time.
Earlier in her career, she worked as a Senior Mobile Financial Services Consultant, shaping digital strategies across 52 countries and contributing to major global deals, including a Retalix acquisition and a strategic PayPal partnership.
At just 21 years old, while interning in the office of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, Jabangwe helped develop the city’s first information technology security policies, marking an early sign of her focus on systems, security and scale.
Her leadership has earned global recognition.
She was named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2018, served on the UN Secretary-General’s Digital Financing Taskforce, and acts as an ambassador for UN Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. She is also a Desmond Tutu Fellow and a Choiseul 100 honouree.
Jabangwe currently sits on the board of Wesgro, the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape.
Widely regarded as a champion of financial inclusion, women in STEM, and Moonshot Leadership, Jabangwe advocates for technology-driven, bottom-up economic models that expand opportunity, close inequality gaps and place Africa’s future in the hands of its innovators.
🇩🇰🇬🇱🇺🇸 Denmark to meet US on Greenland after Trump ramps up acquisition threats
Denmark said on Sunday that Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio next week to discuss Greenland.
The talks follow requests from both Denmark and Greenland amid escalating statements from President Donald Trump about acquiring the Arctic territory.
On Friday, Trump said the United States would “do something on Greenland whether they like it or not,” arguing that if Washington does not act, “Russia or China will take over.” His administration has also not ruled out the use of military force to gain control of the mineral rich island.
The rhetoric has drawn sharp reactions across the region. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sweden is “highly critical” of the US language toward Denmark and Greenland.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that threatening a NATO ally would cause “everything to stop,” raising the prospect of a serious rupture within the alliance.
From “Catch-Up” to Cut-Through: China’s AI Moment Has Arrived
For years we were told China would never catch up in AI. Yet Chinese “AI tiger” startups MiniMax and Zhipu AI smashing their Hong Kong debuts, confidence surging, risk-taking rising, and innovation accelerating at a breakneck pace.
The U.S. still has more computing power. They’ve poured obscene amounts of money into infrastructure. But that advantage comes with a weakness — waste. China are being forced to innovate. Smaller hardware. Smarter algorithms. Co-design that squeezes every drop of performance out of limited resources. Constraint breeds creativity, It always has.
Even former OpenAI researchers now say it, There’s a real chance a Chinese company becomes the world’s leading AI firm within 3–5 years.
Why else would Trump suddenly allow NVIDIA to export H200 chips to China? Because the strategy isn’t to “kill” China’s AI — it’s to manage it. Feed just enough capability to keep U.S. firms ahead today, while delaying China’s independent breakthroughs tomorrow. Control the pace. Apply pressure at “the right times.”
But China doesn’t wait for permission. They’re building our own EUV lithography. They’re fast-tracking AI and chip listings. China are backing a new generation of entrepreneurs who aren’t afraid to take Silicon-Valley-level risks — with Chinese characteristics.
This isn’t about copying anymore. This is about out-engineering under pressure.
The West still has scale. China has momentum, and momentum, once it tips, is almost impossible to stop.
🍦 A Zimbabwean Turns Indigenous African Fruits into World-Famous Ice Cream: The Rise of Dr Tapiwa Guzha from Harare to Cape Town’s Most Inventive Dessert Empire
From the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe, to the bustling corners of Cape Town, South Africa, Dr Tapiwa Guzha is rewriting the dessert story with his groundbreaking ice cream brand, Tapi Tapi. At just 39 years old, this molecular biologist has turned his passion for science and African heritage into a global culinary sensation.
Unlike ordinary ice cream makers, Dr Guzha uses indigenous African fruits that were once overlooked — including baobab, tamarind, masawu, marula, and monkey orange — creating more than 60 unique flavours. Some are sweet, others tangy or smoky, but all tell a story of African culture, innovation, and pride.
What sets Dr Guzha apart is his scientific approach. As a trained molecular biologist, he applies lab techniques to perfect flavour, texture, and preservation, ensuring each scoop is both delicious and nutritious. His methods combine traditional knowledge with modern science, turning local fruits into luxury desserts that rival the finest European gelato.
Tapi Tapi has become a controversial attraction and a must-visit for food lovers and tourists alike. Critics and customers alike are amazed that African fruits can be transformed into world-class ice cream, challenging long-held assumptions that global culinary innovation only comes from the West.
Beyond the scoop, Dr Guzha’s work carries a powerful message: African creativity and resources can compete on the global stage. He has turned ingredients once considered humble or “wild” into a symbol of pride, proving that innovation, science, and culture can blend to create something extraordinary.
From Harare to Cape Town, Dr Guzha is not just serving ice cream — he is serving a scoop of African ingenuity, heritage, and bold entrepreneurship that the world can taste and celebrate.
Shocking Footage at Beitbridge: South African Soldier Punishes Suspected Illegal Cross-Border Traveler at Limpopo Rive
A video circulating online shows a South African soldier punishing a man caught trying to cross illegally from Zimbabwe into South Africa near the Limpopo River, close to the Beitbridge Border Post. The footage highlights the strict measures authorities are taking to control one of the busiest border areas in the region.
The Beitbridge crossing is a major gateway for thousands of people moving between Zimbabwe and South Africa daily. While many cross legally for work, trade, and family visits, authorities have been stepping up patrols along the river to prevent illegal entries and enforce border regulations..
In the video, the soldier is seen confronting the individual immediately, demonstrating the tough stance South African forces are taking against illegal crossings. This incident comes amid reports of rising numbers of people attempting to cross the border outside official checkpoints, often risking dangerous river routes.
Social media has been buzzing with reactions, as people debate the intensity of border patrols and the challenges of managing cross-border movement. The footage underscores the ongoing crackdown by South African authorities to secure the Limpopo border and ensure that only legal crossings are allowed.
The Beitbridge Border Post remains one of the most critical and high-traffic crossings in Southern Africa, and authorities continue to intensify efforts to curb illegal entries and protect border operations.
📰 Gwede Mantashe Assures South Africans: President Ramaphosa Will Step Down Peacefully, No Coup or Force Like Previous Leadership Transitions 📰
ANC veteran Gwede Mantashe has publicly assured the nation that President Cyril Ramaphosa will leave office in an orderly and proper manner when the time comes. Speaking to the media, Mantashe emphasized that unlike some of South Africa’s past leadership transitions — which were marked by coups, forced resignations, or political turmoil — Ramaphosa’s departure will follow constitutional processes and democratic principles.
Mantashe highlighted that stability in leadership is crucial for the country’s economic growth, social cohesion, and political confidence, especially as South Africa navigates complex issues such as local government reform, crime reduction, and economic transformation. He also underlined that the ANC is committed to ensuring that power transitions are peaceful, transparent, and respect the will of the people, sending a strong message against political interference or undemocratic tactics.
This assurance comes amid speculation about future leadership changes, with some critics drawing comparisons to the abrupt exits of former presidents who faced pressure to step down. Mantashe’s statement aims to calm nerves, reinforce political stability, and restore public trust in South Africa’s governance.
📌 Why It Matters: A peaceful and orderly transition not only strengthens South Africa’s democracy but also reassures investors, civil society, and international partners that the country remains committed to law, order, and constitutional norms.
👏 South Africans can take comfort in knowing that, according to Mantashe, the next leadership changes in the country will be by the book, without chaos, and in full respect of democratic processes.
A white Zimbabwean man named Terry William Kelly (73), who invested millions of US dollars into his lodge named Chewore Lodge, has lost the property after Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court cancelled a 25-year lease agreement.
Chewore Lodge is a well-known safari destination with visitors from around the world. Kelly operated the lodge for 15 years through his company, Suscaden Investments, under two leases and a settlement agreement issued by ZimParks, which accepted rent and treated the lease as valid for many years.
The courts later ruled that the lease was invalid because it did not have clear approval from the responsible minister. Although the lease document carried the former Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri’s signature and a former ZimParks official confirmed it was received through official channels, Minister Muchinguri denied signing it.
Because no one could prove she personally signed the document, the courts ruled against Kelly. This decision ignored the fact that the government allowed Kelly to operate for years and benefited from his investment and rental payments.
Kelly now faces eviction without compensation due to a failure within government processes that was beyond his control. The state’s acceptance of the lease for years was dismissed, leaving Kelly to bear the full loss. As a result of the Supreme Court ruling, Kelly is expected to lose all the millions of dollars he invested in Chewore Lodge, a high-end tourism project in the Zambezi Valley.
Charles Awuzie Wrote South African Warships joined by China, Russia, and Iran, are currently doing a joint military show off on South African waters.
The BRICS joint naval exercise called “Will for Peace 2026”, running from January 9 to 16 in their territorial waters near Simon’s Town and False Bay, close to Cape Town. This spot is super strategic, right where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, guarding one of the world’s busiest global shipping routes around the Cape of Good Hope!
South Africa is leading as the host nation, providing the naval base, logistics, training grounds, and full support at Simon’s Town Naval Base, while China is heading the overall drills as part of the bigger BRICS Plus family (original BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, plus new members like Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and UAE).
2. Russia: Corvette Stoikiy (No. 545) and oiler Yelnya
3. Iran: Expeditionary base ship IRIS Shahid Mahdavi (No. 110-3), forward base ship IRIS Makran (No. 441), and corvette IRIS Naghdi (No. 82)
4. South Africa: Valour-class frigate SAS Amatola (F145) and Warrior-class patrol vessel SAS King Adam Kok III (P1573)
5. Plus UAE corvette Bani Yas, with Brazil, Egypt, and Ethiopia joining as observers.
South Africa is stepping up big time as Africa’s leader in safeguarding key sea routes that carry oil, goods, and trade for the whole continent (sometimes over 30% of global shipping diverts this way!).
This is Africa rising, with South Africa showing the way through united BRICS power! Proud for the continent!
Check out these powerful shots of the warships from China, Russia, Iran, and South Africa gathered and flexing together in South African waters.
“Mutual Consent” – Xabi Alonso Exits Real Madrid as Arbeloa Takes Charge
After a tenure lasting just eight months, Xabi Alonso has stepped down as the manager of Real Madrid. The Spanish giants confirmed that the separation was reached by mutual consent following a period of instability and mounting pressure.
Arbeloa Steps Up
Moments after announcing Alonso’s departure, the club revealed his successor: Alvaro Arbeloa. The 42-year-old former Spain international, who has been part of the club’s coaching setup since 2020, has been promoted from the B team to lead the senior squad. His first test will be an immediate one, as he takes charge for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey round-of-16 clash against Albacete.
A Turbulent Reign
Alonso arrived with high expectations last summer, fresh off a Bundesliga title win with Bayer Leverkusen, to replace Carlo Ancelotti. However, despite securing victory in 24 of his 34 matches, his leadership was marred by critical failures in high-stakes games.
The team currently trails rivals Barcelona by four points in La Liga and recently suffered a defeat to them in the Spanish Super Cup final. Additionally, heavy losses to Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, and Manchester City eroded confidence in his project.
Clash of Styles
According to analysis from Guillem Balague, the friction was tactical rather than personal. He noted that Alonso’s exit resulted from:
“a clash between a coach with a clear methodology and players who want to rely on instinct.”
The Club’s Tribute
Despite the abrupt end to his management, Real Madrid released a statement honoring Alonso’s legacy as both a player and coach.
The club noted that he:
“will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans”
🚨 Governments Around the World Consider Banning X (Formerly Twitter) Amid Growing Concerns Over AI Misuse, Deepfakes, and Safety Failures 🚨
A growing wave of global scrutiny is hitting X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, as more governments consider restrictive measures or outright bans. The platform has faced rising criticism over its handling of harmful content, AI-generated deepfakes, and sexually explicit material, leaving authorities around the world questioning whether it can be trusted to operate safely
🇬🇧 In the United Kingdom, officials have warned that if the platform does not take strong action to control AI-generated content and enforce safety standards, a full ban could be considered. Concerns center around X’s AI chatbot, Grok, which has been linked to creating and distributing non-consensual and sexualized deepfake images, putting vulnerable communities at risk.
🇦🇺 Australia is also keeping a close watch, with regulators emphasizing that platforms must comply with strict online safety laws. Authorities are warning that failure to act on harmful AI-generated content could trigger serious consequences, including the possibility of limiting or banning access.
🇨🇦 In Canada, lawmakers are debating how to hold X accountable for user safety and compliance with Canadian laws, particularly around child safety and illegal online content. While a full ban isn’t on the table yet, discussions are ongoing, and the pressure is mounting.
🌏 Other countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and several European nations, have already taken temporary measures against X’s AI tools or launched investigations into its practices. These actions reflect a global concern over emerging AI technology and social media responsibility.
📌 Why This Matters: Governments are increasingly saying that platforms like X cannot operate unchecked. With AI tools capable of producing harmful content at scale, authorities are demanding greater accountability, stronger safety measures, and adherence to local laws — or face the risk of being blocked entirely.
💡 The rise of AI on social media is forcing the world to rethink how online platforms are regulated, and X is at the center of this global debate. Users and governments alike are watching closely — and the next few months could be decisive for the platform’s future in multiple countries
The family of a 23-year-old student k!lled in protests in Iran have said that they had to sift through hundreds of young people’s bodies to find her.
Rubina Aminian, 23, a fashion student at Shariati College in Tehran, was k!lled after leaving the college and joining protest gatherings on the evening of Thursday, January 8.
Sources close to her family told Iran Human Rights that the young Kurdish woman was shot from close range from behind in the head.
Upon hearing of her k!lling, her family travelled to Tehran to identify her.
They were met with lots of bodies of protesters who had been k!lled in the past week but weren’t allowed to take her for burial.
Rubina’s mother said: “It wasn’t just my daughter; I saw hundreds of bodies with my own eyes.”
A source close to her said: “The family was forced to search among the bodies themselves to identify their daughter, and they undoubtedly saw many of the bodies of young people k!lled during the protests.”
Her family described Rubina as “a young woman full of joy for life and passionate about fashion and clothing design, whose dreams were buried by the violent repression of the Islamic Republic.”
Eventually the family managed to free her body but found out that the army had surrounded their home in Marivan, preventing her burial. She was buried on the roadside between Kermanshah and Kamyaran.
Her name emerged as one of at least 500 protesters k!lled in Tehran since mass demonstrations threatened to topple the regime.
an threatened to attack Israel and US bases if Donald Trump launches strikes over the brutal crackdown on anti-government protestors.
Meanwhile, enormous crowds of Iranians defied threats they would face the de@th penalty to gather across the country on Saturday night, Jan. 10, in the largest challenge to the rule of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Hundreds of protestors are feared to have been k!lled in the past three days by security forces loyal to the regime, which is fighting for its survival.
Iran is under an internet blackout, but verified video has emerged showing protestors taking over the streets in Tehran’s Gisha district and clashing with security forces in the city of Mashhad.
The de@th toll in the crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran has spiked to at least 538 people, activists said.
More than 10,600 people have been detained, said the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
Of those k!lled, 490 are protesters and 48 are members of the security forces, it said, warning the toll is likely to go up.
With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult.
The Iranian government has not offered any overall casualty figures for the demonstrations.
Khamenei has labelled the demonstrators a “bunch of vandals” seeking to “please” Trump.
The latest anti-government protests in Iran began on December 28, 2025, over rampant inflation.
They have since spread to more than 100 cities.
The regime imposed an internet blackout, which reportedly applies to international phone calls, on Thursday, Jan. 8, according to internet freedom watchdog NetBlocks.
Despite this, images have emerged of protests across the country, as well as a huge fire ripping through a government building in Karaj, near Tehran.
Hospitals are said to be facing a “completely chaotic” situation, overwhelmed with de@d and injured patients.
An Iranian social worker who attended a protest in Tehran on Friday told CNN that the demonstration turned into a “nightmare” when security forces began attacking people on the streets.
She said: “Bullets, who knows, tear gas, whatever you can think of, they would fire them. And it was very terrifying.”
The virtual US Embassy for Iran has warned American citizens to leave the country without delay as nationwide unrest continues to escalate.
“Leave Iran now,” the embassy said in a security alert, urging its nationals to plan for departing Iran without assistance from the US government.
“If you cannot leave, find a secure location within your residence or another safe building,” it added.
The advisory urged US citizens in Iran to expect continued internet outages, plan alternative means of communication, and, “if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Türkiye.”
US-Iranian dual nationals must exit Iran on Iranian passports, it said, adding that the Iranian government does not recognise dual nationality and would treat dual citizens solely as Iranian citizens.
“Showing a US passport or demonstrating connections to the United States can be reason enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone,” it said.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on “any and all” countries doing business with Iran amid a government crackdown on growing anti-government demonstrations.
While Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran if authorities there use lethal force to suppress the protests, he has also expressed willingness to explore the possibility of diplomacy with Tehran.
Reports indicated that Trump was briefed on several options to move against Iran besides conventional military air strikes.
CBS News reported that the wide array of military and covert tools could include cyber operation options and psychological campaigns to disrupt Iranian command structures, communications, and its state-run media.
Citing two Pentagon officials, the broadcaster said cyber and psychological operations could be deployed separately or at the same time, though a final decision has yet to be made.
It also reported that Trump’s national security team was expected to discuss updated Iran options at the White House on Tuesday.
Trump said on Sunday that his administration is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and is considering “very strong options” as the reported death toll in ongoing protests continues to rise.
“We’ll make a determination,” Trump said, adding he had been receiving hourly reports on Iran, without providing information about when, where or how the US would act.
The US-based rights group HRANA reported on Sunday evening that the de@th toll has surpassed 500, and that more than 10,000 people had been arrested. They noted difficulty sourcing reliable information, with Iran maintaining its internet blackout nationwide.
Anthony Joshua has paid tribute to his friends who di£d while travelling with him in Nigeria.
The boxing star took to his Isntagram Stories to tag his late friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele’s Instagram accounts as he made a short post directed them.
Joshua wrote: “@HEALTHY_MINDSET X @SINA_EVOLVE
“THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING MY BROS
“BOTH OF YOU REALLY HELPED ME.
“I DON’T USE SOCIALS TO VOICE MY FEELINGS BUT I WANT TO SAU I AM THANKFUL FOR THE TIME THE BROS SPENT MITH ME.”
He added: “I just felt like saying it. If you don’t like it, try and do something about it.”
Sina Ghami was Anthony Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach while Latif “Latz” Ayodele was his personal trainer and a trusted part of his inner circle.
They both di£d on January 29 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Nigeria while travelling with the professional boxer.
Iranian officials said on January 12 that the country is prepared for war but remains open to dialogue with the United States, as President Donald Trump continues to warn of possible US intervention amid a violent crackdown on anti-government protests.
Speaking to foreign ambassadors in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran is “not looking for war,” but is ready for it if necessary, according to multiple media reports. His remarks came a day after Trump said he was weighing military options against Iran.
Anti-government protests have entered their third week after soaring prices and the collapse of the Iranian rial triggered mass demonstrations in late December. Human rights groups say the unrest has spread across major cities and dozens of towns nationwide, marking the most significant challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership since 2022.
Norway-based group Iran Human Rights said it has confirmed at least 192 protester deaths since the demonstrations began. The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency reported more than 500 deaths across hundreds of locations and said over 10,600 people have been arrested and transferred to prisons. Iranian authorities have not released official casualty figures.
A government-imposed internet blackout that began on January 8 has severely limited communication with people inside the country, complicating efforts to independently verify information.
Protests in support of demonstrators inside Iran have also emerged in several international cities, including London and Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, a driver plowed a U-Haul truck into a large crowd during a rally on January 11.
Araqchi claimed the protests were “under total control” and accused what he described as terrorists of exploiting Trump’s warnings to provoke violence in hopes of drawing foreign intervention. Iranian leaders have repeatedly accused the United States and Israel of fueling the unrest.
Trump has warned Iran’s leadership against killing protesters and said on January 11 that the US military was reviewing “very strong options.” He added that Iranian officials had reached out to negotiate and that a meeting had been scheduled, though he suggested the US could still act before talks take place. Trump said the discussions would include Iran’s disputed nuclear program.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said contacts between the two countries remain open through Switzerland, which has traditionally served as an intermediary. He said Iran “never left the negotiating table” but accused the US of sending contradictory messages.
Addressing a large crowd in Tehran’s Enqelab Square, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Iran is fighting on multiple fronts, including economic, psychological, military, and what he described as a war against terrorism.
Araqchi also claimed that since the protests began, 53 mosques and 180 ambulances have been set on fire, adding that “no Iranian would attack a mosque.”
In a brief video clip released by the Vatican, the two were seen shaking hands and smiling as they sat at the pope’s desk in his official office in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.
In a statement published on X by the Venezuelan political opposition coalition, Comando con Venezuela, Machado said she sought the pope’s help in seeking the release of more than 1,000 political prisoners “and for an immediate transition to democracy.”
“Today, I had the blessing and honor of being able to share with His Holiness and express our gratitude for his monitoring of events in our country,” Machado said. “I also conveyed to him the strength of the Venezuelan people, who remain firm and in prayer for Venezuela’s freedom, and I asked him to intercede for all Venezuelans who remain kidnapped and missing.”
According to the statement, the opposition leader reiterated to the pope that the will of the Venezuelan people was seen in their electing Edmundo González, whose victory in the 2024 election was overturned by the Venezuelan election authority, which was loyal to Maduro.
“Machado highlighted the spiritual struggle Venezuelans have faced for years and said that finally, with the accompaniment of the Church and unprecedented pressure from the U.S. government, the ‘defeat of evil’ in the country is drawing near,” the statement read.
Comando con Venezuela said that Machado also met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, after her meeting with the pope.
The pope’s meeting with the opposition leader comes just over a week after Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured Jan. 3 in a U.S. military operation ordered by President Donald Trump.
Maduro and his wife were transported to New York, where they are currently facing narco-terrorism conspiracy charges.
Heineken chief executive Dolf van den Brink resigned unexpectedly on Monday, January 12, ending a six-year tenure that began during the pandemic and unfolded through a turbulent period for the global beer industry.
The brewer confirmed that van den Brink, who became CEO in June 2020, will step down on May 31 and remain on as an adviser for eight months thereafter. The supervisory board said it has begun searching for a successor to lead the company, which owns brands including Heineken, Amstel and Tiger.
Both van den Brink and supervisory board chairman Peter Wennink said the transition comes only months after the group set out its new strategy through 2030, arguing the company had “reached a stage where a transition in leadership will best serve the company in further executing its long-term ambitions.” Van den Brink said he would remain “fully focused” on executing the strategy until his departure.
Shares in the world’s second-largest brewer were down around 2% in early European trading after the announcement.
His exit makes him the latest consumer-sector leader to depart amid sustained pressure on household budgets and weaker demand for discretionary products. Brewers in particular have struggled to revive beer sales, with consumption repeatedly affected by weather, geopolitical uncertainty and changing habits among younger drinkers. The emergence of weight-loss drugs seen as potentially reducing food and beverage consumption has also unsettled investors.
Heineken has faced criticism for lagging peers on cost efficiency and shareholder returns. Whoever succeeds van den Brink will inherit the task of delivering on the company’s 2030 plan, which prioritises investment behind selected brands and markets and sets targets on sales, profit and cost savings.
During his tenure, van den Brink navigated pandemic shutdowns, inflationary shocks, currency volatility in key markets such as Nigeria and Vietnam, and investor backlash over forward guidance. He also oversaw acquisitions in India and South Africa and a major restructuring effort. In 2025, the brewer clashed with European retailers in a pricing dispute that led to its products being temporarily removed from some store shelves.
US prosecutors have launched an inquiry that could lead to a “criminal indictment” of the Federal Reserve, Chairman Jerome Powell said on Sunday, January 11, accusing the Trump administration of escalating “threats and ongoing pressure” over monetary policy.
Powell appeared in a video statement confirming that the central bank received grand jury subpoenas on Friday, January 9, related to his June Senate testimony about renovation costs for Federal Reserve office buildings. He described the subpoenas as “pretexts” linked to months of conflict with President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized the Fed for not cutting interest rates more aggressively.
“The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President,” Powell said. He called the move an “unprecedented action” and part of the administration’s broader campaign of “threats and ongoing pressure.”
The inquiry comes as Trump has intensified public attacks on Powell since winning re-election, demanding faster rate cuts in a break with decades-long norms around Fed independence. The central bank is mandated to keep inflation low and unemployment stable, using interest rates as its main tool.
Trump told reporters he had no knowledge of the Justice Department’s inquiry. “I don’t know anything about it, but he’s certainly not very good at the Fed and he’s not very good at building buildings,” he said when asked about Powell.
Markets reacted nervously as trading opened Monday, January 12, with the US dollar weakening against major currencies and benchmark 10-year Treasury bonds sliding. Gold prices rose amid uncertainty. Strategists warned that further political interference could hit investor confidence, with ING’s Francesco Pesole noting the market mood resembled the “sell America” sentiment seen during Trump’s trade tariff disputes.
Lawmakers from both parties condemned the investigation as a threat to the central bank’s independence. Republican Senator Thom Tillis said the Justice Department’s credibility was now at stake, adding that he would block confirmation of any new Fed nominees “until this legal matter is fully resolved.” Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer accused the administration of targeting anyone who refused to “fall in line behind Trump,” calling it an assault on the institution.
Powell’s term expires in May, and Trump has signaled he will choose a successor based on their willingness to cut rates immediately. The president has previously suggested removing Powell but instead focused criticism on cost overruns at the Fed’s Washington headquarters, where renovation estimates rose by roughly $600 million last year.
Trump made a surprise visit to the construction site in July, where he and Powell, wearing hard hats, argued over the price tag in front of staff.
A California mother has been found guilty of murd£ring her 2-year-old daughter after the child drowned in the family’s swimming pool while the mom was drunk and chatting with men she met on dating apps.
Kelle Anne Brassart, 45, was convicted Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, of second-degree murd£r and felony child endangerment in the dr0wning de@th of her daughter, Daniellé Pires, at her home in Turlock, according to a statement from the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.
Brassart called 911 around 3:30 p.m. Sept. 12, 2025, to report that her daughter was floating in the pool and unresponsive, prosecutors said.
First responders pulled the toddler from the pool and attempted life-saving measures, but she could not be revived.
Surveillance footage later showed the 2-year-old had been left unattended outside for an extended period before falling into the pool, prompting authorities to immediately launch an investigation.
Investigators found that after calling for help, Brassart “remained in the home and never attempted to rescue Daniellé,” District Attorney Jeff Laugero said.
Prosecutors said Brassart spent about 45 minutes on her phone talking to men she met on dating apps while her daughter was left unattended.
Brassart told investigators she was unable to reach her daughter because of a leg injury and claimed she required the use of a wheelchair, Laugero said.
However, evidence presented at trial showed she was able to walk and stand without assistance, including footage showing her driving and attending nail appointments before the drowning.
“Brassart possessed a walking boot and crutches in the home,” Laugero said.
“Video evidence was introduced at trial showing her walking and standing without the use of a wheelchair prior to the drowning.”
Prosecutors also said officers observed signs of impairment at the scene, and empty liquor bottles were found inside the residence.
A subsequent blood alcohol test showed Brassart’s level measured 0.246% at the time of the incident — more than three times California’s legal driving limit.
The child’s father, Daniel Pires, who was at work that day, had allegedly asked Brassart not to consume alcohol while caring for the child, the Turlock Journal reported.
Court records also show she had been ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
“This is a case where the defendant knew, and she didn’t care,” prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Sara Sousa told the court during the trial. “She didn’t care that her daughter was at risk; she didn’t care that she wasn’t watching her, because all she wanted to do was be selfish and get drunk.”
Prosecutors also revealed Brassart was on probation for child abus£ at the time of the dr0wning, and that another child under her care had previously been hospitalized for nearly a week after ingesting medication, according to SFGate.
Following the conviction, Sousa slammed Brassart further for failing “in her duty to care for her child.”
“She not only failed in her duty to care for her child, but she did it in a way that was so reckless and indifferent to human life that her conduct amounted to second-degree murd£r,” Sousa said.
Brassart is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 5 and faces 15 years to life in prison.
The only way remaining is for UPND to fail to reach the 50+1% mark, and then go for the second round elections. This would force the opposition and their members to work together and rally behind one remaining candidate, giving them a chance.
Unity, which has been much talked about, will be forced because it will be a two-horse race. This can only happen if the opposition agrees on the same slogans and campaign message: “No UPND” or “Everything New” from the start.
If they can’t agree on a presidential candidate, they should at least agree on the message and campaign slogans, basically telling the people “Anything but UPND”. This create one powerful force. However, they still run as individuals since they cant agree. This is like the World Cup qualifiers – it’s a mathematical chance considering the time and lack of organisation.
The only problem with winning elections like that is it will mean a confused government that might not even be close to UPND. Are we ready for a confused government just to remove UPND?
No single opposition party will manage to beat UPND, all things being equal.These people doing almost 5 press conferences every day in Lusaka. The way things are moving with the opposition, they will probably have a few parties getting about 7%, and the rest even below regretted or spoiled ballots.
UPND, as well, to guarantee their win, need to finish the fight in the first round; second, it can fail to get up – oh, these things happen. And make sure you the former President Lungu is put to rest, this is very important – wish I could explain more but spiritually matters we leave to those who are spiritual.
And Democracy works way when there is competition; otherwise, we will create a god in HH. That’s dangerous for everyone – the Opposition, UPND, to even his friends and HH himself. We need competition so that even if HH wins, we get an improved HH who can deliver Business reforms and National Unity.
Contrary to reports circulating on social and online media suggesting that Shepherd Bushiri has died, verified information confirms that these claims are false.
The deceased has been identified as Frank Bushiri, a former midfielder for Tel-One Football Club, who passed away yesterday in Gweru, Zimbabwe. The misinformation appears to have arisen from confusion caused by the similarity in surnames.
Shepherd Bushiri, the leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Church, is alive, and no credible source has confirmed reports of his death.
The public is urged to verify information from reliable sources before sharing, especially on sensitive matters involving loss of life.
🇿🇲 EXCLUSIVE | Inside Tonse Alliance’s Reset: Zumani Explains the Post-Lungu Power Struggle
The Tonse Alliance is navigating its most consequential moment since its formation, following the death of former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Appearing on Diamond TV on Sunday evening, Tonse Alliance lead consultant and chief architect Chris Zumani Zimba offered the clearest public account yet of how the coalition was designed, why it has fractured, and what comes next as Zambia edges closer to the 2026 general election.
An Alliance Built Around One Man
Zimba was explicit that Tonse was never conceived as a broad, open-ended coalition. “The Tonse Alliance was designed around the comeback of Edgar Lungu into politics and to allow him to contest for 2026,” he said, adding that the alliance constitution “specifically enshrined Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu by name as the alliance chairman and 2026 presidential candidate.”
According to Zimba, the architecture was deliberate. He said Tonse was crafted to guarantee Lungu a clear presidential path without internal competition, after his fallout with the United Kwacha Alliance. “We wanted an alliance which doesn’t bring competition to him but guarantees him as the candidate and main stakeholder,” he explained.
The Vacuum After June
That personalised structure, Zimba acknowledged, became the alliance’s biggest weakness after Lungu’s death. “The moment he died in June last year, we had a leadership crisis because everything crumbled. It was centred around his presidency and candidature,” he said, describing the period since then as one of “political darkness and leadership crisis.”
Members, he noted, began demanding constitutional amendments to open the path for a new flag bearer. “They joined Tonse not because of PF, but because they believed in the leadership of Edgar Lungu,” Zimba said, arguing that change became unavoidable once that leadership was gone.
Why PF Became the Fault Line
The sharpest point in Zimba’s remarks concerned the Patriotic Front. He insisted that PF, as a legal party entity, was never formally part of Tonse. “PF as a party has never been part of Tonse,” he said. “We never wanted to transfer the drama by bringing PF because they would have been petitioning the alliance through the courts.”
Zimba framed the decision to remove PF from its status as “anchor party” as a risk-management move, not a political purge. “That faction brings political liabilities. It makes us to be held at ransom because they want us to delay for them to fight legal battles,” he said.
Movement Versus Party
In place of PF as a party, Tonse has retained what Zimba called the ECL-PF movement. He described it as a pressure group made up of MPs, councillors and grassroots supporters personally loyal to Lungu. “Edgar Lungu went to Tonse with his own followers,” Zimba said. “Those that believed in him. That movement still has structures and membership countrywide loyal to ECL.”
He stressed that this distinction explains why PF MPs remain active within Tonse’s parliamentary structures, even as the party itself has been sidelined.
Leadership Wrangles and Trust Deficits
Zimba also shed light on internal tensions involving senior PF figures. He said disputes escalated when Given Lubinda declined to hand over authority after Dan Pule returned from medical treatment abroad. “That refusal is what triggered the wrangles,” he said, portraying the conflict as institutional rather than personal.
Searching for a Flag Bearer
With August 2026 approaching, Zimba acknowledged urgency. “We are now under panic because of indecisions and delays,” he said, adding that Tonse must quickly elect “a legitimate chairman and a legitimate presidential candidate” to restore direction.
He confirmed that the Forum for Democracy and Development is currently being used as a provisional special purpose vehicle, pending a full Tonse congress that will determine the final electoral platform.
Mundubile and the Unspoken Calculations
While Zimba did not mention names directly, his remarks land amid growing speculation that PF presidential aspirant Brian Mundubile is positioning himself for a larger Tonse role. Analysts note that as PF’s legal and organisational crisis deepens, Tonse’s restructuring creates potential entry points for figures seeking an alternative national platform.
A Coalition at a Crossroads
Zimba closed by insisting Tonse remains a viable alternative to the ruling United Party for National Development, citing public frustration with economic conditions. “Very soon we shall have a new chairman and a presidential candidate,” he said. “From there, political direction and political hope shall be restored.”
For now, Tonse stands at a crossroads: reconstituting itself after being built around a single personality, while racing against time to present a coherent challenge in 2026. The coming months will determine whether its reset produces clarity—or simply deepens the uncertainty already gripping Zambia’s opposition landscape.
ONLY CONVENTION CAN RESOLVE PF WRANGLES – MUNDUBILE
BRIAN Mundubile has said only a properly constituted elective convention from which a universally accepted Patriotic Front (PF) president would be elected accepted would be able to resolve the persistent wrangles and squabbles that have engulfed the former ruling party.’
Mr. Mundubile, the PF presidential candidate says the ongoing confusion in the former ruling party would not be resolved through selective or contested processes but through a convention that would allow the wider membership to decide the leadership.
“A PF president who is accepted by all can only emerge when the party goes for a convention. The conclave mooted by the PF council of elders was a noble proposal that came from eminent persons who merely wanted us to narrow down the numbers to make it easier to select a leader at the convention,” Mr Mundubile said.
He explained that the proposal to hold a conclave aimed at narrowing down the number of presidential candidates to two was, in principle, a good and noble initiative which he said he had initially supported.
However, Mr. Mundubile, who has since been asked to exculpate himself for allegedly creating parallel structures within the PF said he later withdrew after realising that there were underhand manoeuvres intended to sideline him from the PF presidential race.
“When I realised that the environment was not conducive and that there were machinations behind my back to try and remove me from the race, I decided to pull out and wait for the convention,” he said.
Mr. Mundubile said that his decision to pull out of the conclave did not mean that he had withdrawn from the PF presidential race.
“That must be put straight. I have not pulled out of the presidential race. I merely pulled out of the conclave. The differences and wrangles in our party would only be resolved through a well-organised and constituted elective convention. It is the convention that is going to give us a president that will be accepted by all and resolve our persistent wrangles,” he said.
Mr Mundubile was reacting to an exculpatory letter dated January 10, 2026, signed by PF acting deputy secretary general (administration) Celestin Mukandila, charging him with gross indiscipline and alleged violations of the party constitution. Mr. Mundubile said it was difficult for him to respond to the charges because the party was operating under a court injunction obtained by a Mr. Morgan Ngona and Robert Chabinga.
“We were scheduled to go to the conference on November 29, but an injunction was filed in the Kabwe courts. That injunction stopped us from proceeding with the conference,” he said. He said the injunction also barred party leaders from holding meetings and using party letterhead.
“So when I see letters written in defiance of that injunction, I honestly don’t know how to react,” Mr. Mundubile said. He explained that the situation was further complicated by his ongoing court case challenging his earlier expulsion from the PF.
“I was expelled together with seven others, and we have been in court for close to two years. Now there is a suspension within an expulsion. It’s very confusing,” he said.
Mr. Mundubile appealed to PF members to remain patient, assuring them that the party would resolve its internal differences and eventually present a united and credible opposition. “Governance is about the people. Whatever we do as leaders must assist the people. A leader will soon emerge,” he said.
STOP WASTING PEOPLE’S TIME IF YOU CAN’T UNITE, KAPYANGA TELLS OPPOSITION
MPIKA PF MP Francis Kapyanga says the opposition should stop wasting the public’s time if they fail to heed the calls from Zambian people for unity.
Kapyanga says there is need for a strong opposition to hold the ruling party accountable, noting that the current opposition has been largely dominated by “jokers and money mongers”.
In an interview, Saturday, Kapyanga said the country could not afford to have a failed party in government and also a failed opposition.
“The opposition on the other hand, I was saying the same thing last week, to say, those in the opposition, if they are not interested to listen to the Zambian people who are saying, we want you united, they should stop wasting the Zambian people’s time. I even said it last week, that’s very unfortunate, I mean, we can’t afford to have a failed party in government, and also a failed opposition, the country can’t afford that.
Where would democrats be? Because we need a vibrant opposition that has to keep the party in power on its toes. Then you have the problem, the opposition has been dominated by jokers and those that are just the money mongers. But from our side, as PF, we’ve always called on our acting president [Given Lubinda] to go for a conference,” he said.
“Once we come back from the conference, we will all unite around one person who will win at the conference. Because currently, PF is the biggest opposition, going by numbers in Parliament, numbers in local government. After the conference, we will emerge stronger. And President Hakainde [Hichilema], including the UPND government, should not comfort themselves that now we have managed to suppress the opposition, they haven’t. The Zambian people are the biggest opposition”.
However, Kapyanga said that saying there was no opposition was a serious deception.
“In 1991, elections were supposed to take place in 1993, there was no opposition political party whatsoever. The only party that existed was UNIP. And by that time, UNIP was the strongest opposition political party in Southern Africa. But the Zambian people, who are the biggest opposition, opposed [former president Kenneth] Kaunda and made Kaunda to change the constitution to go for elections in 1991.
They had no party at that time. Then they decided to register the movement that they were using as a political party. Then they even found a candidate for that political party. That candidate won with a landslide. At that time, media houses, such as the News Diggers, the community radio stations, TV, did not exist, what only existed was the government propaganda machinery,” said Kapyanga.
“Today, information is spread within a minute. Tomorrow, when you post this article in News Diggers, my uncle in the village will read it. So, we have people now who are enlightened and have access to information in real time. This means that if a formidable candidate emerges from PF in February, the entire country will know that this is now the candidate that PF will use. And this is the special purpose [vehicle] they will use, since PF has been strangled. Saying that there is no opposition, actually, is serious deception”.
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia says it is in the final stages of preparations to undertake the delimitation of constituencies ahead of the 2026 General Election.
In a statement to ZNBC News, ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro said the exercise will be conducted in line with the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025 and will involve full engagement with stakeholders and the general public.
Mr. Kasaro said the delimitation process is expected to be completed before the certification of the Register of Voters, which is scheduled for April 30, 2026, in line with the 2026 General Election Roadmap.
He has assured stakeholders that the exercise is being treated with urgency to ensure it is concluded before the certification of the voters’ register.
Mr. Kasaro said the ECZ will continue to engage stakeholders throughout the process and provide timely updates as the exercise progresses.
Lubinda and Kambwili Set to Find a New Home in UPND – Tayali
By Current Zambia
Fugitive UPND member Chilufya Tayali has claimed that several senior Patriotic Front (PF) figures, including Given Lubinda and Chishimba Kambwili, are poised to defect to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).
Tayali said President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) has exhibited the kind of leadership that many Zambians have desired for a long time, describing it as inclusive, decisive, and national in character. He argued that this leadership style has made UPND increasingly attractive to members of the opposition who are disillusioned by internal wrangles within PF.
He further encouraged UPND members to warmly embrace the anticipated defectors, stating that the late UPND founding president wanted the party to be a home for all Zambians.
According to Tayali, President Hichilema has continued to honour that vision by opening UPND to citizens from across the political divide.
🇿🇲 CONTEXT | Kalimanshi Predicts PF Exodus as UPND Emerges as Default Destination
The defection of Innocent Kalimanshi to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) is increasingly being read not as an isolated political shift, but as an early signal of a wider realignment ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Speaking after being formally welcomed into UPND, Kalimanshi openly predicted that more Patriotic Front (PF) members would soon follow. “Ba PF bachili baleisa,” he said, suggesting that even senior and previously defiant figures within the former ruling party were preparing to cross over. His remarks come at a time when PF’s internal coherence has weakened significantly, both legally and politically.
Kalimanshi’s political background is well documented. During the PF era, he was part of the party’s grassroots mobilisation machinery and played a visible role in internal power struggles, including the 2014 extraordinary conference that installed Edgar Lungu as party president. His public apology to citizens for having “misled” them during PF’s time in power marks an attempt at political rehabilitation, but also reflects a broader reassessment taking place among PF-aligned actors.
The timing of this defection is critical. Parliament is expected to dissolve in May, a moment that traditionally triggers political movement as MPs, councillors, and organisers reassess their electoral survival. PF currently offers little certainty. The party remains fractured, its legal ownership contested, and its capacity to issue valid adoption papers for candidates unclear. For many ambitious politicians, that uncertainty is no longer manageable.
UPND, by contrast, has become the vessel of destination for defectors. It controls state power, dominates Parliament, and has demonstrated organisational stability. In urban areas like Chawama, where political mobilisation is driven by presence and networks rather than ideology, figures such as Kalimanshi bring local influence that the ruling party considers electorally useful, especially in by-elections and high-density constituencies.
However, this influx is not without internal tension.
Within UPND, there are growing concerns about party dilution. Long-standing members worry that an unchecked wave of defectors, particularly those associated with past violence or coercive politics, could undermine the party’s reformist image. Questions around discipline, ideological alignment, and internal democracy are beginning to surface more frequently.
There is also the practical issue of positions. As more former PF members join, competition for adoption, appointments, and influence will intensify. UPND’s leadership will be forced to balance inclusivity with loyalty, and pragmatism with institutional integrity. How the party manages this balance may shape its cohesion heading into August.
Kalimanshi’s claim that over 3,000 opposition members have already defected in Chawama underscores the scale of the movement. It also reflects a psychological shift. PF is increasingly perceived, even by its former enforcers and mobilisers, as a party without a future electoral pathway. Once that perception hardens, defections tend to accelerate.
What is unfolding now resembles less a battle of ideologies and more a migration of political survivalists. With PF unable to guarantee relevance or protection after Parliament dissolves, many of its remaining actors are choosing certainty over nostalgia.
The challenge for UPND is no longer how to attract defectors. It is how to absorb them without losing its internal coherence.
Zambia’s opposition landscape continues to shift as parties position themselves for the August 2026 general elections, with the Christian Democratic Party (CDP) formally locking in its leadership while keeping its options open within the broader alliance framework.
Dan Pule was elected unopposed as President of the CDP following the party’s National Convention held on 9 January 2026, a gathering that drew delegates and representatives from across the country.
The convention also endorsed Pule as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2026 elections, confirming his central role in the party’s immediate political strategy.
Party Secretary General Cephas Mukuka said delegates unanimously adopted the CDP Constitution and Manifesto, a move he described as providing the party with a clear ideological anchor and policy direction ahead of a competitive election year.
He confirmed that the convention resolved that the CDP would fully participate in the August polls.
Speaking at a press briefing, Pule framed the convention as a milestone moment, arguing that it strengthened the party’s internal legitimacy at a time when voter confidence in opposition structures is under strain.
His unopposed election suggests a consolidation of authority within the CDP, reducing internal uncertainty as the campaign cycle intensifies.
However, Pule was careful to situate his mandate within the wider Tonse Alliance, where he currently serves as Caretaker Chairperson. He stressed that his elevation within the CDP does not override the alliance’s collective processes or pre-empt decisions expected from the Tonse Alliance National Congress.
In a notable signal of flexibility, Pule said the CDP was prepared to act as a Special Purpose Vehicle, with or without his personal candidature, should the alliance elect another chairperson and presidential candidate.
He stated that he would “willingly accept” the outcome of the alliance’s democratic process and support whoever emerges as its flag bearer.
The statement reflects a careful balancing act. On one hand, the CDP has secured its internal leadership and electoral readiness. On the other, it has left room for alliance-level negotiations at a time when Tonse itself is undergoing structural and political strain following recent disputes over membership, leadership, and candidature.
For observers, Pule’s dual positioning highlights a broader reality in the opposition space: parties are hedging.
With uncertainty still hanging over alliance coherence and candidate selection, securing a party ticket offers insurance, while continued commitment to Tonse preserves relevance in a potentially broader coalition.
