THE Catholic Church cannot be prosecuted for receiving a donation, Movement for Good Governance leader Binwell Mpundu has said.
Mpundu, a Nkana member of Parliament has since urged the government to stop using “lawfare” to stifle critical voices.
Speaking in an interview with The Mast, Mpundu said the law should not be administered without using logic and common sense.
“Receiving a gift, in itself, does not constitute a crime. The Church’s life and mission depend on offerings and donations made in good faith by the faithful and well-wishers. If pastors are now expected to investigate the full legal and economic history of every donation before accepting it, the Church would be forced to abandon its primary pastoral work and become an investigative body,” he said.
Mpundu wondered how different the donation of a Toyota Hilux to the Lusaka Archdiocese, Archbishop Dr Alick Banda, by the previous administration was from the several donations President Hakainde Hichilema had continued making to churches and charities without similar scrutiny by recipients.
“If there were procedural irregularities in disposing of public property, accountability should rest first with those officials responsible for that process, not with Church leaders who received a donation in good faith. Singling out one Archbishop for such treatment inevitably raises questions about motive,” he said.
He said confidence in the impartiality of those in authority was weakened when law‑enforcement bodies focus on clergy and critics while appearing less visible in tackling large-scale corruption and economic crimes by those close to power.
“This creates a climate of fear, shifts attention away from pressing national issues, and undermines belief that the fight against corruption is genuine rather than selective. When the Church’s prophetic voice is intimidated, the poorest, who rely on that voice, are the most harmed,” Mpundu said.
Mpundu said he had since petitioned the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) on the need to issue a statement affirming the right and duty of the Church and its leaders to receive legitimate gifts in good faith and to speak openly on governance, justice, and human dignity without fear of reprisal.
“The Church must state a united pastoral stance declaring that the harassment or selective targeting of one bishop on account of his moral teaching or pastoral witness is an attack on the Church’s mission as a whole,” he SAID.
Mpundu also proposed a High‑level engagement between the church and State to express concern over the treatment of Archbishop Banda and to urge that investigative institutions act with impartiality, proportionality, and respect for the Church’s work.
If the President is Unwell, Just Say It, Don’t Stress, Don’t Panic
#BanaBaabo~ Being ill should never be framed as weakness. What is weak, however, is the painfully transparent desperation displayed by M23 in their attempt to concoct an alleged poisoning narrative, clumsily assembled through a laughable, poorly structured AI generated essay 🙉🤷🏾♀️🙄.
Let’s not insult public intelligence, the fingerprints are obvious. I can tell exactly who put it together, even with a robot 🤖 doing most of the heavy lifting.
When incompetence is this loud, it doesn’t need exposing,it exposes itself. I can spot it from a mile away, and so can anyone paying attention.
You know that Zambians are superstitious, ati bottled water was aimed at chani chani 😷😩.
Guys when a person opts to be the head of State, citizens have the right to know about the health of their Kachema… end of. It’s should no longer be hidden like akasaka ka dobo 🚬 🌿
BURIED TREASURE: THE COUNTRIES SITTING ON TRILLIONS 💰
From oil-soaked deserts to mineral-rich forests, some nations are quite literally standing on fortunes worth tens of trillions of dollars. According to data from Statista (2021), Russia tops the global league table, boasting an eye-watering $75 trillion in natural resource wealth, driven largely by oil, gas, coal and vast mineral reserves.
The United States comes second with $45 trillion, thanks to its mix of coal, timber, natural gas and precious metals. Close behind is Saudi Arabia on $34 trillion, where oil remains the backbone of national power and influence. Canada follows with $33 trillion, rich in timber, oil sands and minerals.
Further down the list are Iran, China, Brazil and Australia, all packed with energy resources, metals and agricultural wealth. Rounding out the top ten are Iraq and Venezuela, both heavily dependent on oil.
But while these numbers are staggering, experts warn: natural riches don’t always translate into prosperity, how resources are managed makes all the difference.
GOVT REASSURES THAT ALL FARMERS WHO SUPPLIED MAIZE TO FRA WILL BE PAID BY JANUARY 10
Government has re-echoed assurance that farmers that outstanding payments for maize supplied to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will be concluded by January 10, 2026.
Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, confirmed that 90 percent of the funds have already been released to banks, with the remaining 10 percent expected to be disbursed today, 7th January, 2026.
Speaking during a press briefing yesterday, Mr. Mweetwa attributes the delays, to the fiscal pressures caused by the drought, emergency maize imports and electricity imports to stabilise power supply..
He notes that these decisions were necessary to safeguard lives and keep the economy running.
He further notes that some delays in payments have also arisen from challenges in transitioning farmers to new digital payment systems.
Mr. Mweetwa says the Ministry of Agriculture is engaging banks and farmers to resolve these issues and ensure swift disbursement.
GOVERNMENT URGED TO REGULATE FIREWORKS DISPLAYS BY RESTRICTING THEM TO DESIGNATED AREA.
Medical for Quality Healthcare in Zambia (MQHZ), has urged the government to regulate fireworks displays by restricting them to designated areas away from residential neighborhoods, limiting their duration and timing.
Speaking in an interview, MQHZ Director General, Dr. Quincy Mwabu, said while a complete ban on fireworks may be difficult to enforce due to cultural and social traditions, urgent measures are needed to protect public health.
Dr. Mwabu’s comment follows the recent incident where a 76-year-old woman of Lusaka died of high blood pressure (BP) triggered by loud fireworks.
He said loud fireworks can trigger panic and accidents, further emphasizing that loud fireworks can pose serious health risks, particularly for older adults and people with high blood pressure, heart conditions, or anxiety.
Dr. Mwabu, said sudden, intense noises can trigger dangerous spikes in blood pressure, potentially leading to life-threatening medical emergencies further calling on Healthcare facilities to be prepared during festive periods to respond promptly to cases triggered by fireworks-related stress, ensuring timely care for vulnerable individuals.
And Dr. Mwabu, has called on the government through the Ministry of Health to conduct public awareness campaigns to highlight the risks for vulnerable populations.
UNZA Graduate working as Bus Conductor on Town-Mtendere Route
Dr Rozious Siatwambo Wrote;
Bane, this story stopped me in my tracks.
A University of Zambia graduate, Bachelor of Education in Sociology of Education and Civic Education, class of 2019… today working as a bus conductor on the Mtendere–UTH route.
Some people will rush to call this failure. I call it character.
At 33, Timothy Banda chose dignity over pride, responsibility over excuses, movement over waiting. He understood something many of us struggle with: idleness is more dangerous than any temporary job. Work is work. Honest sweat is never shameful.
While waiting for formal employment, he did not fold his arms and blame the system. He picked up what was available, because bills don’t wait, mouths don’t wait, and responsibility does not pause for your CV. He is taking care of his elderly grandmother and two children left behind by his late brother. That alone tells you the kind of man we are talking about.
Bane, let me say this clearly: education is not wasted because you are not yet in the office you imagined. Education trains your mind, your discipline, your perspective. It does not expire because you are temporarily wearing a different uniform.
We have made a mistake in society by ranking dignity according to job titles. That’s why people would rather sit at home broke than be seen doing “small jobs.” Yet the same people will ask God for progress. Progress comes through motion.
I always say this: you don’t wait for motivation to work; work creates momentum, and momentum attracts opportunity.
Timothy’s story reminds me of my own early days, selling books, standing in traffic, doing what needed to be done while holding on to the bigger vision. Purpose is not cancelled by detours. Sometimes the bus you are conducting today is simply transporting you to tomorrow’s breakthrough.
To the youth, hustlers, graduates, and tamanga: don’t despise honest work. Don’t let pride rob you of provision. Don’t confuse waiting with preparation. Do something. Move. Learn. Serve. Show up.
And to Timothy Banda, if you ever read this: your resilience speaks louder than any title. God sees you. Zambia sees you. And your season will come. May God bless your hustle muntu wanga.
Bane, remember this: no honest work delays destiny.
21st Century International Relations: Africa, a Global Superpower in a Multipolar World
By Dr. Malusi Mncube, PhD Research Associate (Politics & International Relations), University of Johannesburg Founder & Principal Consultant – Dr. Malusi Mncube Global Management and Diplomacy Advisory
To: Chairpersons, Secretariats, and Policy Officials African Union (AU) BRICS Secretariat CODESRIA Relevant Trade Unions and Regional Policy Bodies
Subject: Sovereignty at Risk: The Venezuelan Kidnap and the Emerging Multipolar Contestation
Dear Colleagues and Esteemed Leaders,
I am writing to draw your urgent attention to the recent kidnapping against President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela, an act that represents a direct nullification of internationally recognized sovereignty. This incident is not isolated; it is emblematic of an emerging pattern of bellicose great power contestation where established norms of international law and sovereign equality are increasingly subordinated to unilateral enforcement strategies.
Venezuela serves as a strategic node where the mechanisms of coercion economic sanctions, asset seizure, regime recognition doctrines, and the threat of military intervention, intersect with the broader architecture of global resource and development governance. The implications for Africa and the Global South are immediate: states pursuing resource nationalism, South-South cooperation, and infrastructure-led development are increasingly vulnerable to external coercion.
China’s unprecedented 72-hour ultimatum to the United States, demanding the release of President Maduro and respect for Venezuelan sovereignty, signals the collapse of tacit imperial restraint. The confrontation demonstrates that sovereignty can no longer be assumed secure under a unipolar system; multipolar resistance is asserting itself, yet the absence of robust crisis management and agreed-upon norms increases the risk of escalation. The Venezuelan case is therefore a bellwether for similar future conflicts in other parts of the Global South, including Africa
Key Takeaways for Policy Consideration:
Sovereignty Nullification as Systemic Risk: Venezuela exemplifies how unilateral action by dominant powers undermines the principle of sovereign equality. African states must recognize that economic, political, and infrastructural vulnerabilities can be weaponized in the absence of coordinated resistance. Multipolar Coordination and Strategic Autonomy: The rise of China,Russia BRICS, and allied Global South actors provides an opportunity to assert collective defence of sovereignty. Institutional mechanisms, through the African Union, AfCFTA, and regional financial arrangements should be strengthened to mitigate exposure to external coercion.
Infrastructure and Development as Frontlines: Ports, railways, energy grids, and digital networks are no longer neutral assets; they are strategic infrastructures embedded within global power competition. Protecting these assets requires both legal insulation and regional solidarity.
Preventive Policy and Early Warning: Coordinated diplomatic, financial, and strategic monitoring of high-risk scenarios, including potential great power escalations, is essential to safeguard the interests of the Global South.
I submit this letter and the accompanying study not only as an academic assessment but as a strategic call to action. The Venezuelan kidnapping is a warning: if sovereignty is not actively defended through institutional coordination and multipolar solidarity, states in the Global South may face similar pressures and coercion, with destabilizing consequences for development, security, and peace.
I respectfully urge the African Union, BRICS, CODESRIA, and allied organizations to take cognizance of this pattern, to convene relevant policy discussions, and to explore mechanisms for collective protection of sovereignty, economic resilience, and infrastructural security across the Global South.
RAMAPHOSA URGES UN ACTION AFTER US CAPTURE OF VENEZUELA’S PRESIDENT MADURO
SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep concern over recent US military action in Venezuela, calling for the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Ramaphosa warned that the developments pose a serious threat to regional stability and international peace, urging the United Nations Security Council to intervene.
Speaking on the issue, Ramaphosa said the capture of President Maduro constitutes a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. He stressed that the Security Council is the only international body mandated to address matters of peace and security and called on it to exercise its collective wisdom to resolve the crisis.
Ramaphosa cautioned that the incident could set a dangerous precedent, effectively giving “carte blanche” for military interventions against sovereign states. He said such actions undermine the global rules-based order and must be addressed through multilateral institutions.
International reaction has been sharply divided. China and Russia have led condemnation of the US move, describing it as unlawful and destabilizing, while other countries have voiced support, deepening global divisions. Africanews
US DISCUSSING OPTIONS TO ACQUIRE GREENLAND, INCLUDING USE OF MILITARY, SAYS WHITE HOUSE
US President Donald Trump has been discussing “a range of options” to acquire Greenland, including use of the military, the White House said.
In a statement, the White House told the BBC that acquiring Greenland was a “national security priority”.
It comes after Trump repeated over the weekend that the US “needed” Greenland, a semi-autonomous region of fellow Nato member Denmark, for security reasons.
The White House statement was also issued hours after European leaders rallied behind Denmark, whose Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, warned on Monday that any attack by the US would spell the end of Nato.
The White House said on Tuesday: “The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilising the US military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief’s disposal.”
Nato is a trans-Atlantic military group where allies are expected to go to each other’s aid in case of external attacks.
On Tuesday, six European allies backed Denmark in a joint statement.
“Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations,” the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark said.
Stressing they were as keen as the US in Arctic security, the European signatories of the joint statement said this must be achieved by Nato allies, including the US “collectively”.
They also called for “upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders”.
A South African man has ignited intense debate after calling on US President Donald Trump to arrest President Cyril Ramaphosa, drawing direct comparisons to Venezuela, where Nicolás Maduro was taken into custody.
He claims that in other countries, leaders in similar situations would already be arrested, and questions why different standards appear to apply from one nation to another. His comments have spread rapidly on social media, dividing public opinion.
The statement has left many asking a simple but powerful question:
👉 Is it right or wrong for a South African to call for foreign intervention against President Ramaphosa, using Venezuela and Maduro as the example?
🔥 ANC DEFENDS MADURO: Why South Africa Is Being Dragged Into Venezuela’s Crisis — And What It Means for Ordinary South Africans 🇿🇦🇻🇪
The ANC has publicly called for the release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, escalating South Africa’s involvement in a highly controversial international crisis. The ruling party says its stance is based on anti-imperialism, respect for sovereignty, and opposition to foreign interference, particularly by the United States and its allies.
But this position is raising serious questions at home.
🔎 Why is the ANC involved?
The ANC has a long history of solidarity with governments and movements that supported it during the struggle against apartheid. Venezuela, under Hugo Chávez and later Maduro, was seen as part of a global bloc opposing Western dominance. The ANC argues that Maduro is being targeted for political reasons, not justice, and that his detention represents a dangerous precedent where powerful countries arrest or remove leaders of weaker states.
⚠️ Why this matters to South Africans
South Africa is facing deep domestic crises:
High unemployment
Load shedding and infrastructure collapse
Rising food and fuel prices
A weakened rand and slow economic growth
By taking a strong stance on Venezuela, the ANC risks:
Straining relations with key trade and investment partners
Undermining South Africa’s image as a neutral mediator
Distracting from urgent local issues affecting millions of citizens
There are also fears that aligning too closely with controversial leaders could expose South Africa to economic retaliation or diplomatic isolation, which would directly hurt jobs, trade, and investment.
🌍 The geopolitical risk
The Venezuela issue sits at the center of a global power struggle involving the US, Russia, China, and regional Latin American states. By openly siding with Maduro, the ANC is effectively choosing a side in this conflict — a move critics say could compromise South Africa’s foreign policy independence.
🧭 What the ANC needs to do
Many South Africans are calling on the ANC to:
Prioritise South Africa’s national interests over party ideology
Focus on diplomacy and international law, not blanket political loyalty
Clearly explain how this stance benefits South Africans
Invest the same energy in fixing local economic and governance failures
❓The big question
Should South Africa be defending foreign leaders accused of serious abuses — or should it be focusing on fixing its own house first?
💬 Your view matters: Is the ANC standing on principle, or risking South Africa’s future for ideological loyalty?
💔 KZN MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER OF DJ WARRAS — SOUTH AFRICANS CONFRONT CRISIS OF VIOLENCE
Johannesburg is reeling after the tragic shooting death of popular DJ Warras on December 16, 2025. Police have confirmed that Victor Majola, a man originally from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, is facing murder and premeditated murder charges in connection with the fatal incident.
The shocking event took place in one of Johannesburg’s busy nightlife districts, where witnesses say an argument escalated, ending with gunfire that claimed the life of DJ Warras, a local artist known for his vibrant presence in the city’s music scene.
⚖️ LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS
Victor Majola has been formally charged with: • Murder • Premeditated murder
He is currently in police custody as investigations continue. The case has drawn widespread attention, not only because of DJ Warras’ popularity, but also due to the broader conversation it has sparked about crime and societal blame in South Africa.
🖤 SOUTH AFRICANS REACT
Social media and community forums are filled with grief and frustration. Many are calling for: • Stricter crime prevention • Accountability for violent acts • Reflection on why fellow South Africans are turning against each other
Citizens are also using this tragedy to highlight the need for unity, urging society to stop blaming foreigners or history alone and start addressing crime and violence within communities.
This incident serves as a harsh reminder that South Africa’s biggest enemy might be internal divisions and unchecked violence, not just external factors.
💬 What do you think needs to change to prevent more tragedies like this? How can South Africans start taking responsibility for their own communities?
Maduro’s “Anti-Stealth Shield” Backfires: China’s $Million Radar Fails Against US Forces!
Maduro thought he had the ultimate defense for Caracas — China’s YLC‑8E “anti-stealth” radar, advertised as capable of detecting America’s F‑22 and F‑35 stealth fighters. He spent millions, claiming it would stop US air attacks. But when the real test came, it failed spectacularly.
💣 Here’s what went wrong: • Total radar blackout – US electronic warfare planes jammed the YLC‑8E, rendering it useless almost immediately. • Missiles couldn’t lock on – Without radar guidance, Venezuela’s air defense network was paralyzed.
• Stealth tactics exposed – US jets and drones bypassed defenses without detection. • Training & maintenance gaps – Many radar units were poorly maintained and operators were unprepared for real combat.
• Overhyped hardware – What China promised in brochures did not match battlefield reality.
📌 Why the US dominated: ✔ Advanced electronic warfare – Jamming, deception, and suppression disabled Venezuelan defenses. ✔ Stealth & strategy – Coordinated stealth aircraft and drones avoided radar detection entirely. ✔ Careful planning – US intelligence mapped radar sites, vulnerabilities, and blind spots.
😱 The shocking outcome: Even with the “world’s best anti-stealth radar,” Maduro’s capital was left exposed, and Chinese military advisers reportedly couldn’t believe the failure. The system that was supposed to be a fortress ended up useless against modern US air power.
⚠️ Lesson: In modern warfare, technology alone doesn’t win battles — integration, strategy, and electronic warfare capabilities matter more than flashy hardware. Maduro’s gamble backfired, leaving Venezuela vulnerable and embarrassed on the global stage.
Putin Stays Silent as US Snatches Maduro: Is Russia Afraid, Strategizing, or Watching Its Ally Fall? – Moscow’s Close Ties with Venezuela Tested Amid Global Tension
The world was shocked as the United States successfully captured Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro in a bold operation, leaving many questions about Russia’s reaction — or lack thereof. Vladimir Putin, Maduro’s long-time ally, has remained unusually quiet, raising speculation about Moscow’s strategy and intentions.
Russia and Venezuela have shared deep political and economic ties for years. Moscow has provided Venezuela with loans, military support, and oil deals, making Maduro one of Putin’s closest international partners. Despite this, there has been no official condemnation from Russia, no public threat, and no sign of intervention. Analysts are debating whether Putin’s silence is a calculated strategy or a sign of caution.
Some experts argue Putin may be “playing it smart,” weighing the risks of confronting the US directly, especially after Venezuela’s operation showcased America’s reach and military precision. Others say it could reflect the limits of Russia’s power to protect allies abroad, showing that even a close partnership can be tested under global pressure.
Social media is ablaze with opinions. Some accuse Putin of abandoning Maduro, while others suggest his silence is a masterstroke — waiting for the right moment to respond or negotiate behind the scenes.
🌎 The incident has sparked global debate: Can Russia protect its allies in today’s world, or is even a powerful Moscow forced to “close its eyes” when the US acts? The situation continues to unfold, and international eyes remain on both Russia and Venezuela
7 EUROPEAN NATIONS BACK DENMARK ON GREENLAND AFTER TRUMP ADVISOR REFUSES TO RULE OUT MILITARY ACTION
France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, UK, and Denmark issued joint statement today affirming Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland. Response to Trump administration rhetoric suggesting U.S. control.
Stephen Miller, Trump’s homeland security adviser, refused to rule out military action. Called Greenland a “colony that should join the U.S. for Arctic security.”
His wife Katie posted image of Greenland in U.S. flag colors. Caption: “SOON.”
That’s not diplomacy. That’s a threat with graphic design.
Denmark and Greenland rejected U.S. overtures. Cited 1951 U.S. defense pact and UN principles. Translation: We already have agreement, you already have Thule Air Base, back off.
European coalition forming tells you how seriously they’re taking this. Seven nations don’t issue joint sovereignty statement over abstract threat. They do it when threat becomes concrete.
Timeline context:
Trump tried buying Greenland 2019, got told no.
January 3, 2026: Trump invades Venezuela with 150 aircraft, captures president from fortified compound.
January 6, 2026: Miller refuses to rule out military action on Greenland, wife posts “SOON” with U.S. flag colors.
Europe watching Trump demonstrate he’ll actually use force for territorial objectives. Now he’s eyeing their ally’s territory. They’re forming defensive coalition.
But here’s the problem. Joint statements don’t stop 150-aircraft operations planned over five months with embedded CIA teams
Venezuela’s government also rejected U.S. pressure. Issued statements about sovereignty. Called invasion “kidnapping.”
Didn’t matter. Maduro’s blindfolded on USS Iwo Jima.
White House insiders claim Donald Trump refused to back Maria Machado’s presidential bid in Venezuela for one explosive reason: she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize — an honour Trump reportedly believed should have been his.
According to officials, the mood could have flipped overnight. “If she had rejected it and said, ‘I can’t take this, it belongs to Donald Trump,’ she’d be Venezuela’s president today,” one source alleged.
DENMARK WARNS NATO COULD COLLAPSE OVER GREENLAND: PM SAYS US THREATS RISK SHATTERING POST-WWII SECURITY ORDER
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has issued one of the strongest warnings ever directed at a NATO ally, saying the world must take the US president seriously over renewed talk of taking Greenland — but stressing that any military action against a NATO member would destroy the alliance itself.
Frederiksen said Greenland is not for sale, not negotiable, and not a bargaining chip, reminding the world that the Arctic territory is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and protected under NATO’s collective defence framework.
She warned that if the United States were to use military force against another NATO country, it would mark a historic rupture:
NATO would effectively cease to function
Trust among allies would collapse
The global security system built after World War II would be fatally undermined
The Danish leader described such a scenario as unthinkable but dangerous to ignore, arguing that alliances only survive on mutual respect for sovereignty and international law.
Greenland, while autonomous, has repeatedly rejected any idea of foreign control. Its strategic importance — rich in minerals, close to Arctic shipping routes, and hosting a US military base — has made it a geopolitical flashpoint amid rising global tensions.
Frederiksen’s message is clear: if a superpower turns its weapons on its own allies, the rules-based world order collapses — and no country would be safe.
💬 What do you think? Could NATO survive an internal military conflict? And what does this mean for global power politics in an increasingly unstable world?
ZeeHistoric Moment: Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar Visits Somaliland After World‑First Recognition!
In a bold diplomatic move, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has made history by visiting Somaliland, becoming the first senior Israeli official to set foot in the self-declared republic after Israel officially recognised its independence just days ago.
Somaliland, which declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, has long operated as a separate government, but until recently it had never been recognised as a sovereign state by any UN member country. Israel’s recognition has now opened the door for international attention and new alliances.
During his visit to Hargeisa, the capital, Saar met with top officials, including President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro). Their talks focused on strengthening diplomatic ties, boosting trade and investment, and exploring security and development cooperation between the two nations.
The visit marks a major milestone for Somaliland, which has campaigned for decades for formal recognition, and signals Israel’s growing diplomatic reach in the Horn of Africa.
The trip has sparked mixed reactions: while many celebrate Somaliland’s new status and the potential for economic growth, Somalia has condemned the visit, calling it a violation of its territorial integrity. Other nations in the region are watching closely, as this recognition could reshape East African geopolitics.
For Somaliland, this is more than a diplomatic visit — it is a moment of global visibility and a step closer to being recognised on the world stage. 🌟
“We will not risk the lives and health of Azerbaijanis for anyone.
When we were in trouble, we were left alone.
Despite our sympathy for Palestine, it did not protect us either.
Azerbaijan has always supported Palestine and the creation of its state, but the affairs of Arab countries should be decided by the Arab countries themselves.”
The US is trying to take Greenland from Denmark by negotiating directly with the authorities there – The Economist
The US is developing a draft agreement with Greenland that could be offered directly to the island’s authorities, bypassing Denmark.
The proposal involves a Free Association Agreement — where the US provides funding and improvements in living standards, while Greenland hands over all defense matters to Washington, but the island retains internal self-government.
Trump’s strategy has two main goals:
The first is to deepen divisions between Greenland and Denmark.
The second is to open direct negotiations with the island, bypassing Copenhagen.”
MACHADO DEDICATES HER NOBEL TO TRUMP – SYMBOLISM WITH A TIMER ON IT
This is no longer subtle.
María Corina Machado says she dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump the moment she won it. Not after the operation. Not retroactively. The same day the prize was announced – October 10 – she spoke with Trump directly.
That timing matters.
She’s framing Trump not as a late-stage enforcer, but as part of the moral arc that led here. January 3, she says, will be remembered as “the day justice defeated a tyranny.” That’s not flattery. That’s a legitimacy transfer in progress.
Important caveat: Nobel Prizes aren’t transferable. Everyone knows that. Machado does too. When she says she wants to “give it” or “share it,” she’s talking politics, not protocol. Symbols, not statutes.
Context sharpens the message. Trump is openly asserting U.S. control. Allies are lining up. Rivals are screaming sovereignty. Machado is racing to lock the narrative before Venezuela’s future gets negotiated without Venezuelans.
Prediction: this accelerates recognition battles. Expect pushback from Europe, eye-rolls from Oslo, and full-throated applause from Trump-aligned capitals. The prize becomes a prop in a larger legitimacy war.
This isn’t about medals.
It’s about who gets to say this was justice -and who gets written out of the ending.
EU Leaders Rebuke President Trump Over Greenland Comments: “Sovereignty Is Not Negotiable”
European Union leaders have criticised US President Donald Trump following his recent comments about Greenland, warning that such remarks challenge international norms and the sovereignty of nations.
EU officials and several European heads of state stressed that Greenland is not for sale, pointing out that it is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and that its future can only be decided by its people. Leaders said any suggestion of taking control of another territory, even rhetorically, creates unnecessary tension at a time of rising global instability.
Denmark received strong backing from across Europe, with EU leaders reaffirming that territorial integrity and international law must be respected, regardless of a country’s size or strategic importance. Some leaders cautioned that comments like these could strain transatlantic relations and send the wrong signal to the rest of the world.
European officials acknowledged Greenland’s growing strategic value due to Arctic security, climate change, and natural resources, but insisted that cooperation must be based on dialogue and mutual respect, not pressure or public statements.
The issue has sparked wider debate:
Is President Trump raising legitimate strategic concerns, or crossing diplomatic red lines?
Should powerful nations openly discuss control over foreign territories?
Does this set a worrying precedent globally?
EU leaders made it clear: Europe stands united behind Denmark and Greenland, and sovereignty is not up for negotiation.
MADURO’S SON BACKS DELCY RODRÍGUEZ AS NEW PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA
After the U.S. captured Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela, his son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, came out publicly saying he fully backs Delcy Rodríguez as the new acting president.
Delcy is Venezuela’s Vice President and one of Maduro’s closest political allies, known for her hardline stance and longtime loyalty to the regime.
Trump said Delcy would work with Washington to “make Venezuela great again” which has people wondering if this was the plan all along.
Rodríguez is now leading the country, and Maduro Guerra says he’ll “unconditionally support” her leadership as Venezuela enters total political chaos.
“Hard Work and Grace” – Funke Akindele Breaks Her Own Record as Behind the Scenes Hits N1.7 Billion
Nollywood filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has solidified her title as the “Queen of the Box Office” by shattering her own previous cinematic record. Her latest release, Behind the Scenes (BTS), has reportedly grossed a staggering N1.7 billion, surpassing the N1.6 billion benchmark set by her 2024 hit, Everybody Loves Jenifa.
A Testament to Focus
Celebrating the milestone on Instagram, Akindele attributed the feat to divine grace and sheer dedication. She used the opportunity to advise her followers and young creatives to remain consistent and avoid distractions in their pursuit of success.
She wrote:
“Hard work and grace have brought me thus far. In all you do, stay focused, zero distractions, and remain grateful for every opportunity you’re given,”
27 Years of Grit
Reflecting on her 27-year journey in the industry, the filmmaker acknowledged that the path was not always smooth. She emphasized that stepping out of her comfort zone and maintaining patience turned her process into purpose. She also paid special tribute to her fanbase for their unwavering support.
She stated:
“Over the years, I’ve always valued my fans because without them, I would be nobody,”
Still Showing
The record-breaking film, Behind the Scenes, remains available in cinemas nationwide as fans continue to flock to see the movie that has redefined Nollywood’s box office standards.
MWIIMBU COMMENDS POLICE FOR PROFESSIONAL HANDLING OF ARCHBISHOP BANDA’S DEC APPEARANCE
By: Sun FM TV Reporter
Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Jack Mwiimbu, has commended the Zambia Police Service for the professional manner in which they handled the appearance of Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda before the Drug Enforcement Commission’s Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit on Monday
Mr. Mwiimbu noted that the conduct of police officers during Dr. Banda’s questioning at the DEC head office in Lusaka was markedly different from what was experienced in the recent past, when appearances by high-ranking individuals or leaders before law enforcement agencies were often marred by chaos.
He recalled that such events previously involved the discharge of tear gas canisters and the firing of live ammunition, incidents that frequently resulted in the loss of lives.
The minister has since encouraged the Police Service to continue upholding high standards of professionalism for the benefit of the nation.
This is according to a statement issued by Principal Public Relations Officer, Mwala Kalaluka.
ZAMBIA’S KWACHA IS THE WORLD’S BEST PERFORMING CURRENCY
Zambia’s currency, the Kwacha, has extended its rally into 2026, appreciating nearly 10% against the US dollar since early December 2023, following a directive from the authorities that restricted foreign exchange use and encouraged companies to convert dollars into local currency.
On Monday, the Kwacha surged almost 4%, marking its largest single-day increase since October 2023, and reached a two-year peak the following day.
Market experts indicate that this uptrend was driven by sellers offloading dollars due to anxiety surrounding the central bank’s currency directive issued on December 26, 2025.
Additionally, corporations contributed to the Kwacha’s strength by converting foreign exchange for settling tax obligations and funding operations for the new year.
Contributing factors to the currency’s rise also include soaring copper prices and the recent introduction of yuan-denominated mining tax payments, which began in October.
On the London Metal Exchange, three-month copper futures climbed by up to 4.98% to a record price of 13,090 per ton. Zambia ranks as Africa’s largest copper producer, following the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Zambian government anticipates that the yuan will be used in 15% of mining tax settlements in 2024.
Furthermore, Zambia’s credit markets have benefited from this rally, with dollar bonds due in 2053 rising by 0.74 cents to trade at 71.51 cents on the dollar as of Tuesday afternoon in London.
For several days, the online narrative was clear and relentless. President Hakainde Hichilema had disappeared. He had collapsed. He had been privately evacuated to South Africa. Opposition-aligned platforms amplified the claims, feeding a familiar election-season instinct to frame uncertainty around power as weakness.
Then came the counter-image.
Not a press briefing. Not a medical bulletin. But a brief stop at the Daniel Munkombwe Toll Plaza in Choma. The President greeting motorists and workers, exchanging handshakes, smiling for phone cameras. A small moment, but politically deliberate. Today, the President was briefly live from his ranch.
Presence as denial. Visibility as response.
Over the last two days, State House aides have been privately dismissing the rumours as “noise,” confirming that Hichilema had been in Choma since December 31 on what they described as a working holiday.
One aide told The People’s Brief, “There was no urgency to rebut speculation formally. Sometimes you let the story exhaust itself, then you appear.”
He is now set to appear again.
On Wednesday, the President is expected to hold a major public engagement in Choma, drawing participants from all 15 districts of Southern Province. Officially, the meeting is framed as a response to requests from citizens seeking direct interaction with the Head of State. Politically, it carries deeper undertones.
Southern Province is not just home territory. It is UPND’s historic base, red since the days of Anderson Mazoka, and part of the wider uncontested red base where the party currently holds every parliamentary seat.
Provincial minister Credo Nanjuwa says the engagement will allow citizens to raise both local and national concerns, with Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 expected to feature prominently. Behind the scenes, aides describe a broader intent.
“This is about re-anchoring the message,” one senior official said. “Explaining decisions in a familiar space, in a familiar language, and reconnecting emotionally.”
Language matters here. Since UPND’s ascent to power, the Tonga speech community has become more visible in national political discourse, including in Lusaka. Politics amplify dialects. For supporters, this signals inclusion and confidence.
For critics, it feeds long-standing anxieties around identity and power. The President’s choice to begin his renewed public engagement in his birthplace inevitably sharpens those undercurrents.
The timing also aligns with a wider campaign rhythm. Another State House aide described the recent quiet as “strategic silence before movement.” While public attention has been dominated by church–state tensions and opposition mobilisation in Lusaka, the ruling party’s machinery has been active elsewhere, particularly in regions once considered out of reach.
Across the Northern Circuit, Presidential Political Adviser Levy Ngoma has been on the ground for weeks, engaging local leaders and consolidating support in territory historically loyal to the Patriotic Front since the Michael Sata era. Several local government officials who previously identified with PF structures have either crossed over or begun cooperating openly with UPND.
A source familiar with the northern strategy said, “The objective is not instant conversion. It’s to dismantle the idea that the region is permanently locked.”
The stakes are higher because the electoral map has expanded. With 226 parliamentary constituencies now in play, the 2026 election is increasingly about arithmetic rather than rhetoric. Two sources familiar with UPND planning say the party believes it can secure as many as 140 parliamentary seats if opposition fragmentation persists, a target viewed by critics as ambitious but taken seriously within ruling party circles.
This ambition feeds opposition fears, some speculative, that UPND is positioning itself for long-term dominance. Claims that a large parliamentary majority could be used to re-engineer constitutional changes to remove presidential term limits abound, though no formal proposals exist.
What is clear is that UPND is investing heavily in ground organisation, aided by international networks, strong fundraising capacity, and incumbency advantages.
By contrast, the opposition remains divided and reactive. The PF’s internal fractures persist, and its prevailing alignment with sections of Catholic clergy has energised its base while narrowing its political bandwidth. “They are fighting symbolism,” one ruling party strategist observed. “We are counting wards.”
As President Hichilema prepares to address supporters in Choma, the optics are carefully calibrated. Home ground. Large crowds expected. Familiar cultural cues. A listening posture. It is a reminder that incumbency does not always translate into distance, and that campaigns can be relaunched quietly, through presence rather than proclamation.
Whether this strategy resonates beyond the red stronghold remains the central question. But one fact is now clear. The President is no longer absent from the political stage. He is repositioning. And as August 2026 approaches, the contest is shifting, steadily, from noise to numbers.
ZAMBIA CLARIFIES ACCEPTANCE OF MINING TAXES IN CHINESE YUAN
FINANCE and National Planning Minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane has clarified that Zambia’s move to accept part of mining tax payments in the Chinese Yuan (RMB) is a strategic measure aimed at reducing costs associated with servicing Zambia’s debt to China.
Addressing the press in Lusaka Tuesday, Dr. Musokotwane has noted that most of the loans contracted from China are denominated in RMB, not US dollars, meaning repayments must be made in the same currency.
The Minister says allowing part of the taxes to be paid directly in RMB helps the government avoid currency conversion costs that arise when changing dollars into yuan, including bank charges, commissions, and fees.
He has stressed that savings made from reduced conversion costs can be redirected to critical public needs such as health, education and social services.
Dr. Musokotwane has added that the arrangement is based on prevailing economic circumstances and may be adjusted in future if conditions change, emphasising that the policy is guided by prudence and efficient management of public resources.
Meanwhile, Bank of Zambia Governor Dr. Denny Kalyalya says the inclusion of the Chinese Renminbi in Zambia’s reserves and tax payments framework is not new, noting that the currency has long formed part of the country’s reserve basket.
He says many countries, not only Zambia, hold RMB as reserves, but these are often reported in US dollar terms.
Dr Kalyalya hss explained that the current arrangement simply increases the proportion of RMB, which last year accounted for about 1.3 percent of Zambia’s reserves, in line with the country’s liabilities to China.
PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT BRIAN MUNDUBILE (BM8) HITS THE GROUND AS CENTRAL, COPPERBELT TEAMS ARE ANNOUNCED.
Lusaka – Tuesday, 6 January 2026 (Smart Eagles)
Presidential Aspirant Hon. Brian Mundubile (BM8)’s campaign teams for Central and Copperbelt provinces have been unveiled.
Addressing the media today, BM8 Campaign Team Member Hon Davies Chisopa announced that Amon Chisenga will lead the main campaign body on the Copperbelt, with the Women’s League being led by Dorothy Mukupo while the Youth Wing will be headed by Don Mungulube.
He said each provincial team will comprise 72 members, a structure aimed at strengthening coordination and grassroots mobilization.
For Central Province, Hon Chisopa stated that the main campaign will be headed by Billy Sichamba, the Women’s League by Dorothy Ng’ambi and the Youth Wing by Elias Silumba.
He added that campaign teams for the remaining provinces will be announced in due course.
Hon Chisopa has since warned against the intimidation of campaign members stating that the Patriotic Front Constitution does not prohibit members from supporting a candidate of their choice.
He said that internal democracy must be respected as the party prepares for its elective conference.
“Do not allow yourself to be intimidated. Last year in October, the PF Central Committee resolved that the party would proceed to a conference in November. This was later rescheduled to take place this year. In the meantime, we have continued to mobilize and have extended our campaigns to the grassroots,” he said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the United Nations to stand firm and force the United States to respect international law, warning that no country is above the UN Charter.
Speaking at the 31st annual Joe Slovo commemoration in Soweto, Ramaphosa said the UN must defend the core principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and self-determination that bind all member states. He reminded the global body that the Charter explicitly forbids the use of force or threats against another nation’s independence or borders, branding such actions as outright aggression.
His remarks follow explosive claims that US President Donald Trump recently ordered the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores in Caracas, accusing them of narco-terrorism and acting against US interests.
Ramaphosa suggested the move exposed Washington’s true agenda: imperial dominance driven by oil. Venezuela holds the world’s largest oil reserves.
He demanded the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, warning that global peace depends on respect for international law.
MEXICO SLAMS U.S. STRIKE ON VENEZUELA WHILE QUIETLY ASKING, “ARE WE NEXT?”
Mexico’s government just condemned the U.S. military operation that reportedly removed Maduro, calling it a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty.
But behind closed doors? There’s growing anxiety that the same playbook could eventually land on their doorstep.
According to a new analysis, Mexico is nervous.
With ongoing friction with the U.S. over cartels, migration, and fentanyl, there’s a sense that Washington’s tolerance for “difficult neighbors” might be shrinking fast.
President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration is trying to strike a careful balance: distancing itself from Venezuela’s collapse without attracting too much attention from a White House that just greenlit a bold cross-border power move.
It’s clear that the Venezuela strike sent a clear regional message… and Mexico’s reading it very carefully.
When diplomacy is optional and “behavior change” comes via drone, every country in the neighborhood starts wondering where they stand on the list.
Osimhen speaks out after controversy: “The Weight Is on Me”
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen finally addressed the backlash over his behavior during Nigeria’s recent Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Speaking candidly, the forward reflected on the pressure of leading the Super Eagles.
“When we did not qualify for the World Cup, everyone called just me out. They forgot about other players. That’s when I understood the weight is on me,” Osimhen said. He added that, despite Nigeria scoring three goals in recent matches, players must remain vigilant. “Yes, we scored three goals already, but in football, five goals can be scored in three minutes. That’s why we did not have to relax. The whole country is counting on us, and if we fail, they’ll drag us everywhere—especially me.”
Osimhen also defended teammate Ademola Lookman, emphasizing their strong bond. “I love Lookman, he is my brother and he understands that was just football. Everyone wants Nigeria to win the AFCON and it doesn’t come easy. We must do our best.”
The striker’s statement underlines both the immense expectations on Nigeria’s stars and his personal commitment to carrying the team through the tournament. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 #AFCON2025 #Osimhen
WEZI KAUNDA’s ASSASSINATION DURING THE MMD REGIME-Police arrests two suspects. However, Mulenga claims that his co-accused, Banda, is innocent.
The 47-year-old son of Kenneth Kaunda (KK), then former president of Zambia, was fatally shot on 4th November , 1999 on Wednesday, at night in the driveway of his home in Lusaka.
Wezi Kaunda, a successful businessman and retired army major who was a rising figure in his father’s opposition United National Independence Party (UNIP), had been the target of death threats; but chose to remain in the country his father led to independence from Britain in 1964, the party spokesman said.
Wezi, who was the chairman of the opposition party’s key Lusaka provincial district branch; expected to assume a top post in the opposition party the following month, was returning home with his wife and had pulled into their driveway when he was accosted by four gunmen, Muhabi Lungu, said in a telephone interview (The New York Times, Nov. 5, 1999/ The Guardian, Sunday 14 Nov, 1999).
According to Didre (Wezi’s wife), Wezi told the gang: ‘I am Major Wezi Kaunda. Please take my car, take whatever you want. I am not resisting. Spare my life and my wife. Just take the car.’
But the gang replied: ‘We know who you are. Do you think we don’t know? Shoot him.’ The men ordered Kaunda out of the car and shot him in the stomach, back and shoulder. He was rushed to hospital, where he died a few hours later. The car was found abandoned, but nothing had been stolen (The Guardian, Sunday 14 Nov, 1999).
KK’s head of security, Mr Moyce Kaulung’ombe, said the motive for the shooting was political.
“Major Wezi was trailed by the people who killed him. They knew what they were looking for. He was murdered for political reasons. This is clearly an assassination,” he said.
A police spokesman, Mr Richard Mwanza, said one suspect had been arrested. Three others were still on the run.
Wezi Kaunda, was at the same time chief aide to his father, the main rival to then President Frederick Chiluba and was KK’s third son and the most politically active.
Unlike his father, Wezi Kaunda did not have a bodyguard.
A spokesman at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka said that Wezi was able to talk for a while after being admitted at around 9 p.m. that Wednesday night.
Mr Basil Kabwe, administrative secretary of KK’s UNIP, said: “It is well known that Wezi was a thorn in the flesh of this government (MMD), and his death must be put at their doorstep. The rabid hatred for Kenneth Kaunda and his son has tragically ended in the ghastly death of Wezi,” he said (The Irish Times, 5 November, 1999).
But, KK said that his son’s enemies included both people within President Frederick Chiluba’s government, and “rebels” within the UNIP.
Though, Police said they believed car hijacking was the motive for the murder.
Otherwise, the first suspect, Moses Mulenga, appeared in court and was charged with murder and aggravated robbery while KK’s daughter, Catherine; fearing for her safety if she were to return to Zambia, was granted asylum in South Africa (BBC, 8 November, 1999).
Additionally, KK was said to be out of the country when his son (Wezi) was killed and was en route back to Zambia the very night.
According to The Guardian, Sun 14 Nov 1999 three senior Scotland Yard detectives were sent to Zambia to assist in solving the case, highlighting its international profile and the attention it received back in Britain.
Interestingly, when the suspect appeared in court, he was not satisfied with the charge, “My Lord, I do understand that I am charged with aggravated robbery and murder but the actual thing which transpired was assassination,” Mr Mulenga (one of the two suspects) said, according to a court report in the Times of Zambia.
Mr Mulenga, a bus driver before his arrest, gave no indication of who had ordered the assassination. But he said that one suspect who was still at large, and another who was shot dead by the police, were also involved.
However, Mr Mulenga said that his co-accused, Amon Banda, was innocent.
”I have so far explained details of our plot to the necessary authorities but no appropriate action has been taken,” Mr Mulenga told the court (BBC- 8 May, 2000).
Before Wezi’s assassination, KK’s car was attacked in March 1999 in a similar incident. A gunman opened fire on his car as he stopped to enter the grounds of his residence. Although the Lusaka police, as well as its rapid deployment unit, inspected the scene, the police did not publish an official report of the incident ( Human Rights Watch, November 4, 1999).
🇿🇲 VIEWPOINT | Kambwili, the Hilux, & the Politics of Perpetual Outrage
Chishimba Kambwili’s comments on the Drug Enforcement Commission’s summoning of Archbishop Alick Banda are explosive, emotive, and deliberately absolutist. “Nobody in their normal senses would support what has happened,” he declares, framing the DEC action as an attack not just on an individual cleric but on the entire Catholic Church.
It is a familiar Kambwili register. High voltage. Moral certainty. No space for nuance.
But facts matter. The DEC did not summon the Catholic Church. It summoned Archbishop Alick Banda as an individual named in records relating to a Toyota Hilux previously linked to the Zambia Revenue Authority and already forfeited to the state. The Commission has repeatedly stated that the process was routine, investigative, and not a charge. That distinction is not cosmetic. It is foundational in a constitutional system where individuals, regardless of office or faith, may be asked to account for possession of public property.
Kambwili’s argument rests on two claims. First, that the matter should have been handled “behind closed doors.” Second, that gifts to clergy and traditional leaders are normal and therefore beyond scrutiny. Both claims collapse under closer inspection.
Investigations are not negotiated on the basis of optics, and “normality” is not a legal defence. If anything, Zambia’s recent history of asset stripping, disguised as generosity, is precisely why investigators now follow trails that were once ignored.
The statement “touch one priest, you touch all of us” is politically potent but legally hollow. It deliberately collapses institutional accountability into collective identity. This framing turns due process into persecution and invites confrontation where none is legally required. It is also inconsistent. Clergy across the world, Catholic and otherwise, have been questioned, arrested, and even convicted without those actions being interpreted as wars against faith itself.
Zambia is not inventing a new standard.
There is also an unmistakable political undertone. Kambwili has been largely absent from meaningful national influence since the PF’s electoral defeat. His voice now rises mainly in moments of outrage, not policy. In a PF that is deeply fractured, with competing centres of authority and shrinking organisational coherence, outrage has become a currency for relevance. The louder the statement, the more it travels. But travel is not traction
Public sentiment reflects this shift. Online reaction to Kambwili’s remarks has been divided, with a visible portion of citizens rejecting the idea that religious status confers immunity from questioning. Many Zambians, shaped by years of elite impunity under PF rule, are wary of arguments that sound like a return to “some people must not be asked.” That skepticism is not anti-church. It is anti-exception.
The broader irony is hard to miss. The PF, which presided over years of blurred lines between state assets and private beneficiaries, now frames investigation as oppression. The same political culture that normalised gifts from public institutions is outraged when those gifts are examined. This contradiction weakens the moral force of the protest. Kambwili is not wrong to argue for respect, dignity, and restraint. Those principles matter.
But they do not cancel accountability. In trying to turn an administrative inquiry into a civilisational clash, he risks confirming what many already suspect: that this is less about protecting faith and more about reviving a political voice that has lost its centrality
Zambia’s democracy does not require silence from law enforcement, nor does it require hysteria from politicians. It requires clarity. On that score, Kambwili’s intervention generates more heat than light.
SUNDAY CHANDA WILL LOSE HIS SEAT FOR BETRAYING ELECTORATES – MUMBI
FORMER PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri says Kanchibiya PF MP Sunday Chanda should say goodbye to his parliamentary seat because he has betrayed his constituents by aligning himself with the UPND.
Meanwhile, Mpika PF MP Francis Kapyanga says individuals like Chanda are politicians who always want to align themselves with the government of the day because they are in politics to serve their own interests.
On Sunday, Chanda said all credible political indicators point to President Hakainde Hichilema retaining office in this year’s general elections.
In an interview, Monday, Phiri said Chanda’s political career will also come to an end just like other politicians who had been moving from one party to another.
“Even those in our time, when I became a member of parliament for the first time in 2006, those who went to the NCC, the indicators according to them were pointing that Rupiah Banda was going to win the elections, did he win? No! Did those members of parliament who were adopted by UPND win the elections? That was [the] end of [their] political career. They are there, Faustina Sinyangwe, Elizabeth Chitika, Reverend Sampa Bredt, that time, Luapula province remained with one MP who was loyal to the party, where are they, even today, they are nowhere to be seen,” said Phiri
“So, Sunday Chanda, let him comfort himself but me as an old politician, and a very stable one who has never been a political prostitute, I can tell him he should say goodbye to his seat in Kanchibiya because he has betrayed the people who took him to Parliament and Zambians don’t like that. He should even look at people like [Robbie] Chizyuka, he went against his party which was UPND [and] Mr Chizyuka is history so he’ll be part of the Chizyukas very soon. His not the first one, there have been there before. If you look at Sunday Chanda’s political life, has he been stable? He moves where there’s bread. He was MMD, when they lost, he came to PF, that’s how he survives, moving where he’s able to eat, [and] that’s his survival”.
https://youtu.be/Oo0DueB4M14?si=SFbfcG0aV2SzO9jj
Meanwhile, Kapyanga highlighted that Chanda’s statement was meant to appease the UPND because he may want to defect.
“In politics, that’s where you’ll find all sorts of people, including those that are just there for themselves, people that are just there to represent their interest and usually, these ones, they always want to align themselves with the ruling party at that particular time. Even if you check the records of some of the people from PF that are supporting President Hakainde Hichilema today, you’ll realise that these are just what they call in Bemba, the kandiles, they just want to be where the food is and in so doing, they start issuing statements that appease those in power. So that they can find a position on where they can land after an election or even before the election so soon, you’ll see them defecting. What they are doing now is that they are trying to level the ground on which they’ll land when they defect from PF to where the food is currently,” he noted.
“Most of their statements will not even be objective statements; they’ll just be soothing words for those in power to receive them. Such statements, I’m sure, they are not new and you can also check the records of the people making such statements, you’ll realise that they have always wanted to align themselves with the ruling party; they’ve never been in opposition. They insulted Michael Chilufya Sata on behalf of MMD, when Sata formed government; they jumped ship and joined PF. They insulted President Hakainde Hichilema on behalf of PF, when President Hakainde Hichilema formed government, they went a little bit mute and later resurfaced with what they called politics of objectivity and all that and later they started calling President Hakainde Hichilema nice names such as hardworking, no, CDF is working, just for them to cut their path which they’ll use to get to UPND”.
He stressed that citizens were eager to change government.
“So, these statements are not the reflection of what is happening on the ground, that statement is just a reflection of their interest. The true picture on the ground is that the people are eager, in fact, they can’t even wait for the election, they want to change the government and they are happy that they are in 2026 and they are positioning themselves to change the government.
You don’t need an opposition, a bigger or small opposition for the people to change the government, the people themselves just need to, in unison, decide to change the government, which the Zambian people right now have done. In unison, they are saying they are going to change the government and the choice is theirs now to look, oh, which one amongst the opposition, we have more than 20 opposition leaders positioning themselves, the people will get one and make that person president,” said Kapyanga.
“What the UPND enjoyed in 2021 is not political popularity, they only enjoyed a protest vote, people protested against PF, people did not want PF whatsoever, they never wanted PF and they looked around and said oh, this same guy, and they picked on the UPND, that is what they are going to do even this year. They are going to look around and see which one, oh, this one and that’s what they are saying.
To suggest that all indicators point to the fact that they’ll win, if they’ll win, why are they themselves panicking, they don’t want the opposition to gather, they don’t want new opposition political parties to be registered. They’ve strangled PF and they’ve even gone [to] an extent of pouncing on UNIP, you can imagine the panic and the fear of losing. That indicates that even the UPND themselves know that winning the 2026 general elections is an uphill battle”.
Nobody in their right senses would support DEC for summoning Alick Banda – Kambwili
ACID-mouthed PF member Chishimba Kambwili says nobody in their right senses would support the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) for summoning Lusaka Archdiocese Archbishop Alick Banda.
In an interview, Kambwili said Archbishop Banda’s case had been blown out of proportion by the commission.
He said the summoning of the clergyman should have been handled behind closed doors, without unnecessary drama.
Yesterday, the Archbishop was summoned by the Commission over a Toyota Hilux he received as a gift from his PF comrades back in 2021 which was reportedly acquired dubiously.
Kambwili accused the UPND of interfering in church affairs and attempting to intimidate individuals with opposing views.
He further said the Catholic Church would rise in support of its leader, adding that many men of God and traditional leaders had received gifts in the past without being questioned.
“There is nobody in their normal senses who would support what has happened. The Catholic Church works as one, touch one priest, touch one bishop, and you touch all of us. Whoever touches the anointed ones touches everybody,” he said.
“We shall not allow politics to interfere with the running of the church. What has happened to the bishop is unfortunate. These are issues that should be handled away from the cameras, devoid of drama, but the government has decided to play politics over a matter in which a man was gifted. How many men of God have received gifts in this country? How many chiefs have done so?”
