Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK was not “involved in any way” in the US operation in Venezuela, but he is seeking more information before commenting on it.
Starmer says he has not spoken to President Trump about the US’s capturing of President Nicolas Maduro.
“No I haven’t and it is obviously a fast moving situation and we need to establish all the facts”, he said in remarks recorded for UK broadcasters.
The prime minister added “what I can say is that the UK was not involved in any way in this operation”.
Asked if he would condemn the action as number of UK MPs, some from Labour’s left and some independents, already have, Starmer said “I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump. I want to speak to allies. As I say I can be absolutely clear we were not involved in that”.
He went on “as you know, I always say and believe we should uphold international law.
But I think at this stage, fast moving situation, let’s establish the facts and take it from there”.
Commenting on the implications for UK citizens in the South American country Starmer said “there’s about five hundred there in Venezuela, and we are working with the embassy to make sure they are well looked-after, safeguarded and get appropriate advice, and we are working at pace with the embassy on that. It is a small number, but it is an important number, so that is what we are doing there”.
STATEMENT CONDEMNING U.S. MILITARY AGGRESSION AGAINST VENEZUELA
At 2:00 a.m. local time on 3 January 2026, the United States launched military strikes against multiple sites in and around Caracas and the adjoining states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. These attacks targeted military installations and civilian areas alike, resulting in a direct assault on Venezuelan sovereignty and the lives of innocent people.
The Socialist Party unequivocally condemns this act of war, which constitutes a flagrant violation of Article 2 of the United Nations Charter prohibiting the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. This is not merely aggression—it is a war crime under international law.
The gravity of this situation has escalated further with the alarming disappearance of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has confirmed that following this brutal attack, the whereabouts of President Maduro and the First Lady are unknown. While the Trump administration claims to have captured and removed them from Venezuela, Vice President Rodríguez has rightly demanded that the United States provide immediate proof of life for both President Maduro and the First Lady. This potential abduction of a sitting head of state represents an unprecedented escalation in imperialist lawlessness.
The United States has made abundantly clear that this war, which it has imposed on Venezuela, is about oil and nothing other than oil. It is a naked exercise in resource plunder, dressed up in the rhetoric of democracy and human rights. Washington cannot tolerate a government in Caracas that insists on using Venezuelan oil wealth for the benefit of the Venezuelan people rather than ExxonMobil and Chevron.
The Trump administration had threatened to carry out land strikes against Venezuela for months and even declared the Venezuelan government a “terrorist organization”—a transparent pretext for bypassing the U.S. Congress to take unilateral military action. This calculated preparation for aggression exposes the lie of American “democracy” and “rule of law.”
The United States will not prevail in Venezuela. It will face determined resistance not only from the Venezuelan people and their Bolivarian Armed Forces, but from the peoples of the world who refuse to return to an era of open colonial warfare.
We call upon progressive governments worldwide, and all peace-loving peoples to:
Condemn this illegal military aggression in the strongest possible terms
Demand the immediate cessation of all U.S. attacks against Venezuela
Demand immediate proof of life for President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores
Support Venezuela’s right to self-determination and sovereignty over its natural resources
Mobilize international solidarity to defend the principles of the UN Charter
Recognize this attack for what it is: an attempt to impose a colonial war and seize Venezuela’s strategic resources
No to violations of the UN Charter.
No to War.
Yes to Peace.
The era of unchallenged imperialist aggression is ending. From Caracas to Kabul, from Baghdad to Bamako, the peoples of the Global South are rising to defend their sovereignty. History is on the side of those who struggle for justice, not those who drop bombs to steal oil and kidnap elected leaders.
Aluta Continua!
Dr. Fred M’membe President, Socialist Party Zambia January 3, 2026
If it is confirmed that Nicholas Maduro has been detained and taken out of the country, attention will turn to who will govern Venezuela next.
Apparently, there will be no further attacks, and Donald Trump would consider himself satisfied with having removed Maduro. But that raises the question: will Chavismo remain in power without Maduro?
If that happens, there are three figures to watch closely: Vice President Delcy Rodríguez; Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello; and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.
All three appeared on television hours after the attack and could assume leadership.
Both Padrino and Cabello wield significant influence within the military, which could remain loyal to either figure. The role of the armed forces will be key in determining who takes the reins.
Rodríguez, by contrast, holds greater civilian and economic power and does not have the same access to the military ranks as Cabello and Padrino.
The other major unknown is what the opposition, led by María Corina Machado, will do. After claiming victory in the July 2024 elections, the opposition is demanding real political change and may not be satisfied with Maduro’s removal from the presidential palace alone.
ZCCB STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY WITH ARCHBISHOP ALICK BANDA AND THE CATHOLIC FAITHFUL IN ZAMBIA.
“In the world you will have hardships, but be courageous: I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)
2nd January 2026
We, members of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), express our unwavering solidarity with Archbishop Alick Banda and all the Catholic faithful in Zambia in the face of ongoing attacks against the Church’s mission and leadership.
We are aware that Most Reverend Alick Banda, Metropolitan Archbishop of Lusaka, has been summonsed to appear before the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit of the Drug Enforcement Commission on Monday, 5th January 2026. This was contained in a letter of summons delivered to him on 31st December 2025.
As ZCCB, we view this action as an attempt to suppress his voice as a Shepherd of the Archdiocese of Lusaka and a member of ZCCB. Archbishop Banda has faced consistent name-calling and what we can now recognize as state-sponsored persecution. We consider it an abuse of authority for the ruling party to utilize state machinery against an individual due to his stance on national governance and his efforts to hold the government accountable.
The Catholic Church has, for many years, stood as a beacon of faith, justice, and service to the people of Zambia. Today, as attempts are made to silence her prophetic voice and undermine her pastoral mission, we affirm that the Church’s role in defending truth, justice, and human dignity cannot be diminished or suppressed.
We therefore condemn all forms of intimidation, harassment, and persecution directed against the Catholic Church and her leaders. Such actions not only wound the “Body of Christ”, the Church, but also threaten the moral fabric and unity of our nation. The Church’s voice must remain free to speak truth to powers that be, to comfort the afflicted, and to guide Zambia toward a future rooted in our motto: One Zambia One Nation!
Once again, the ZCCB expresses full solidarity with Archbishop Banda during this period. We reaffirm that it is morally wrong to use state institutions to persecute those who hold dissent views and/or provide oversight on matters of governance. Dialogue and mutual respect should be the way to go.
We exhort the Catholic faithful and all people of good will to continue praying for calm, peace and unity in our nation, especially as we get closer to this year’s general elections.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Prince of Peace, intercede for us!
Signed for and on behalf of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB),
Most Rev. Ignatius Chama, Archbishop of Kasama and President of ZCCB
The US operation in Venezuela appears to have been carried out with “impressive speed,” likely with the involvement of special operations forces, according to a munitions and intelligence specialist.
N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director of the research company Armament Research Services, told CNN Saturday that the operation “appears at first blush to have been carried out with impressive speed and precision.”
“The mix of visible aircraft, the known presence of certain US vessels, and the nature and volume of the reported strikes in the imagery circulating online immediately suggested that a raid using special operations forces (SOF) was underway,” he said.
“In addition to at least a dozen helicopters, the operation will have been supported by a robust air package comprising both fixed and rotary wing assets, including specialist aircraft,” Jenzen-Jones said.
The operation would have required a large amount of planning, but so far, the “number and nature” of the strikes reported suggests a “limited target set.”
For its part, Venezuela has “robust air defence systems and locally distributed military, paramilitary, and law enforcement forces” in Caracas, Jenzen-Jones said, meaning that a raid such as this should have been “difficult to conduct with the speed and precision exhibited here.”
“In practice, corruption, poor training, lack of maintenance, and other factors significantly reduce this threat,” he said.- CNN
Don’t panic, Bishop Banda will clarify Hilux donation with lawyers – Fr Muyunda
MONGU Diocese Catholic priest Fr Ignazio Muyunda says Catholic faithful must remain calm following the summoning of Lusaka Archbishop Dr Alick Banda by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), stating that the Archbishop is innocent and the matter will soon be resolved.
Fr Muyunda explained that the matter which relates to a Toyota Hilux donated to the Archbishop years ago,can be clarified fully in the presence of lawyers, hence there is no reason for panic.
“Be at peace…! The matter of our Archbishop will be resolved soon. He will explain in the presence of lawyers how the donation was made to him and the matter will be settled. No cause for alarm or panic because he never stole and he is innocent,” Fr Muyunda said.
He described the issue as straightforward and requiring only explanation.
Fr Muyunda also warned politicians against exploiting the matter for political gain, urging them not to turn a legal process into a divisive political or religious debate.
“Please, the politicians don’t try to turn this matter into a political game to fuel tension between the Church and State” he said.
The priest assured that the Zambia Episcopal Conference will provide guidance and updates should any new developments arise.
He called on the faithful to avoid unnecessary drama and trust that Archbishop Banda’s explanation will settle the matter.
The DEC summon of Archbishop Banda in connection with the investigations surrounding a ZRA Toyota Hilux gifted to him, has attracted attention and sparked debate on social media, with some opposition voices urging citizens to accompany the Archbishop in solidarity.
WASHING PF DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC IS CHILDISH – MUMBI
FORMER PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri says she will not join the “childishness” of discussing internal party matters in public.
Phiri says any party grievances should be discussed internally, as the PF is a family of people who are on speaking terms.
On Wednesday, Given Lubinda reminded members that he has powers of the party presidency, which he can use to create offices or dismiss members he thinks are a threat to the party’s security.
Earlier, some party members, including presidential aspirant Greyford Monde and Christopher Shakafuswa challenged him to provide evidence for his claims that the party had no money and that he had been using his own funds to finance by-elections.
Asked to comment on that in an interview, Phiri said as a cultured woman, she believed in resolving issues through closed-door meetings.
“And as you rightly said, I’m one of the old members of the Patriotic Front and one of the oldest members of the Central Committee. By the way, in case you didn’t know, I was the first national youth chairperson of the Patriotic Front and my secretary was Eric Chanda.
Honourable Chishimba Kambwili took over from me and I was the deputy secretary general when we were ruling. These matters, I don’t want to join a bunch of childishness to be discussing bedroom matters in public. The matters which you have asked me, I have direct access to Honourable Lubinda and if I have any grievances or if I have any concerns, I talk to the people concerned directly,” she said.
“I’m a woman who is cultured. You don’t resolve problems in the public domain, you solve problems in closed-door meetings. So, I will not join the bunch of childishness of those who want to comment, I’m not a kid. I’m a wife, I’m a mother and I’m a grandmother.
Even party matters to me, they are the same. We are a family as Patriotic Front and if there are some grievances, they are not to be discussed in public. We are all on talking terms, I would rather talk to the people concerned than me coming to the newspaper and washing dirty linen in public. I will not be part of that”.
She added that although there were issues within the PF under Michael Sata and Edgar Lungu, there was no washing of dirty linen in public.
“Being a cultured wife, a cultured woman, a cultured mother, a cultured grandmother, I will not join the childishness of those who want to wash dirty linen in public; I refuse. There were so many things which were happening underground, under the leadership of Michael Chilufya Sata.
And most of you know that I was very close to him. Just as much as I was very close to the late Edgar Chagwa Lungu. You never saw us washing dirty linen in public. We can talk about those things privately. And me, I refuse to be part of the people who are discussing sensitive party matters in public. I will not lower myself to that,” Phiri said.
Meanwhile, Phiri advised party members to remain calm and help choose the direction for the party by selecting a leader.
“To the party members, I call upon them to be calm. Where we are now, it’s the party members who should choose the direction we should go. It’s them who should give us a leader whom they want.
Even me, when I was deputy secretary general, it was because of the membership we had. That’s why I was called that. If there is no membership, there is nothing. And in our Bemba saying, we say, for a river to flow, there have to be stones. When a chief is saying, ‘I’m a chief,’ it’s when there are people,” said Phiri.
“When there is nothing, you can never call yourself a chief. You can never call yourself a president; you can never call yourself a king. So where we are, as we start 2026, the people themselves have to decide. It’s not the amount of money; it’s not the amount of wisdom. It’s not about how long somebody has been there, it’s the people’s choice”.
MAKE NO MISTAKE, OPPOSITION WILL UNITE – MAKEBI ZULU
Renowned Constitutional Lawyer and Patriotic Front (PF) Presidential Aspirant Makebi Zulu has reaffirmed that the opposition will unite against those attempting to derail Zambia’s progress.
Mr Zulu stressed that make no mistake, the opposition stands ready to defend the country’s future.
He emphasised that together they will work to restore not only confidence but also the trust of fellow countrymen and women.
Mr Zulu disclosed that they met on Friday evening with Mr Kasonde Mwenda, President of the Economic Freedom Fighters.
He also noted that they engaged with Mrs Mulenga Kapwepwe, one of Zambia’s towering female leaders, whose commitment to national development remains steadfast.
Mr. Zulu said this is part of ongoing efforts to build a stronger and more responsive opposition to the current regime, which he said has brought the country to its knees economically, socially, and politically.
He said these engagements reflect a growing resolve among opposition leaders to work together in the interest of the Zambian people.
KASAMA LAWMAKER ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO RECONTEST, ENDORSES UPND MAYORAL CANDIDATE
PF Kasama Central Member of Parliament, Sibongile Mwamba, has announced her intention to recontest the Kasama Central parliamentary seat in the 2026 General Elections.
However, Ms Mwamba did not specify the political party under which she intends to stand, citing ongoing internal challenges within her current party that have made it difficult for her to make a definitive decision.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker has reaffirmed her commitment to supporting UPND mayoral candidate, Bywell Simposya, in the forthcoming Kasama Central mayoral by-election.
She also urged Kasama residents to vote for Mr Simposya, emphasizing the need for continuity in the district’s development agenda.
Ms Mwamba made these remarks during a radio programme on Kasama Radio yesterday.
In a move that has raised eyebrows across the political landscape, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Antonio “Mourinho” Mwanza has dramatically softened his long-held stance against the ruling UPND government—marking a striking departure from years of relentless and often scathing criticism, even when the UPND was still in opposition.
Now, in a tone that contrasts sharply with his past rhetoric, Mwanza says he is ready to work with the UPND administration “in the national interest,” offering what he describes as practical solutions to ease the hardships facing Zambians.
Speaking on Radio Phoenix’s Let the People Talk program in Lusaka on Friday, Mwanza declared that the DPP is prepared to collaborate with government on issues affecting citizens, setting aside political differences in favor of what he called the greater good.
This shift comes just days after Mwanza openly criticized fellow opposition parties, arguing they lack both the capacity and credibility to defeat the UPND in 2026. He bluntly stated that no opposition party currently has the muscle or organization needed to dislodge the ruling party from power, accusing them of failing to present viable alternative policies.
Mwanza acknowledged the reversal, conceding that the DPP had previously ruled out any cooperation with the UPND.
“We said very clearly as DPP that we could never work with the UPND, and I said it here on Radio Phoenix,” he admitted. “But now we are saying no—we must work together on issues affecting Zambians, and we are ready to do so.”
He added that the DPP has developed what he termed “brilliant and practical” proposals, which the party is willing to submit to government for possible implementation.
“We have solutions, and we are ready to put them forward for the UPND to implement,” Mwanza said.
Beyond politics, Mwanza also turned his attention to governance, urging the government to give the public a clear and unified explanation for the recent reduction in load-shedding hours. He warned that contradictory statements from senior officials have only deepened public confusion.
“When we hear the Chief Government Spokesperson, the Vice President, and the Minister of Energy, each gives a different reason. Then ZESCO comes with another explanation altogether,” he said.
Mwanza called on ZESCO Limited to issue a single, professional, and comprehensive statement explaining the improved power supply. He further urged the utility to urgently address public complaints that electricity units appear to be depleting faster than before, saying transparency is essential to restoring public trust.
For a man once known as one of UPND’s most uncompromising critics, Mwanza’s newfound conciliatory tone has sparked curiosity—and suspicion—about what lies behind this political about-face. Whether it is pragmatism, strategy, or genuine concern for national unity, one thing is clear: Antonio Mwanza has changed his tune, and the country is watching closely.
CELESTINE MUKANDILA URGES GOVT TO HALT CDF PROGRAMMES OVER LEGAL CONCERNS
Patriotic Front faction Deputy Secretary-General and lawyer Celestine Mukandila is urging government to temporarily suspend Constituency Development Fund –CDF– programmes until subsidiary legislations are reviewed.
This follows the passage of Bill 7 into law last year, which may have created inconsistencies between the Constitution and existing statutes.
Speaking to Phoenix News in an interview, Mr. Mukandila explains that recent constitutional changes necessitate a review of laws like the CDF Act and Local Government Act to ensure legality, warning that proceeding without harmonized regulations risks operating in a legal vacuum.
Mr. Mukandila has noted the need for clear commencement dates and role definitions to prevent conflicts of interest and has advised expediting the review process to provide legal certainty for councils and ensure development programmes proceed on a firm statutory footing, avoiding future litigation and governance disputes.
FINAL PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY TO REOPEN MULUNGUSHI TEXTILES AFTER US$140 MILLION INVESTMENT
By Nelson Zulu
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga says final preparations are underway to bring Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe back into operation after securing a US$140 million investment in new machinery.
Mr. Mulenga has confirmed to Phoenix News that government and Mulungushi Textiles management have procured and installed brand-new equipment and plan to auction outdated machines currently on site, with test runs to validate technical readiness before a formal re-opening is underway.
He has cited the lack of cotton as the reason for failure to re-open the facility by 23rd December 2025, as earlier announced, and revealed that about 3,000 cotton farmers have been contracted to supply the raw material.
Mr. Mulenga added that an initial harvest has been encouraging, however noting that further crops are needed to ensure adequate stock once production starts.
He is hopeful that the company will re-open soon after the completion of technical and logistical issues is resolved and projects the plant to create between 400 and 500 direct jobs, with further indirect employment across the value chain once functional.
PROTESTS IN IRAN SPREAD RAPIDLY AS CLERIC REGIME WARNS US AND ISRAEL TO BE LEGITIMATE TARGETS.
As nationwide protests continues to spread across Iran on Friday, the regime’s hardline Parliament speaker warned the U.S. and Israel that American forces and bases in the region would be considered “legitimate targets” if Washington intervenes in the country’s ongoing political unrest.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf made the comments after President Donald Trump said earlier Friday that the U.S. would take action if Iran uses force against demonstrators. It comes as protests entered a sixth day and appear to be spreading, with Iranian opposition groups claiming at least eight deaths.
“The disrespectful President of America should also know that with this official admission, all American centers and forces across the entire region together with his puppet dog Netanyahu a Zionist will be legitimate targets for us in response to any potential adventurism,” Qalibaf wrote in Persian on X.
“Iranians have always been united and determined to act in the face of an aggressor enemy,” he added.
Qalibaf’s threat emerges as the United States maintains a substantial military presence in the region.
Roughly 40,000 active-duty U.S. troops and War Department civilians are deployed across the Middle East, according to Military Times , citing Pentagon officials. Forces are stationed in countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Syria, according to Reuters .
Trump said earlier Friday that the United States is “locked and loaded and ready to go” if Iranian authorities violently suppress demonstrators.
“If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The Iranian opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) claimed Friday that protests have spread to at least 44 cities across 19 provinces, with at least eight people killed in clashes with security forces over the past two days. The group said the youngest victim was 15 years old. The claims could not be independently verified.
According to the NCRI, demonstrations and street fighting intensified overnight, with protesters blocking roads, throwing stones and setting fire to police vehicles in multiple cities, including Marvdasht, Semirom, Darreh-Shahr, Ramhormoz and Azna.
The group also claimed demonstrators burned a statue of slain Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Lali, in Iran’s Khuzestan province.
Funerals of those killed in the uprising turned into angry demonstrations against the clerical dictatorship, NCRI reported.
In Zahedan, in Iran’s southeast near the borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, demonstrators rallied after Friday prayers, chanting slogans including “Death to the dictator” and “Death to Khamenei.”
The unrest marks Iran’s most significant protests since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody sparked nationwide demonstrations. Iranian officials say the current unrest has not reached the same scale or intensity.
In recent demonstrations, some of the most severe violence has been reported in western Iran, where videos circulating online appear to show fires burning in streets and the sound of gunfire during nighttime protests.
In a message to the protesters, the President-elect of the NCRI, Maryam Rajavi, said that the protesters have “struck fear into a weakened enemy.”
“Scenes of your courage, valor, and steadfast resistance captivate the conscience of the world,” Rajavi said. “Therefore, from here, I say to the clerics, the Revolutionary Guards, the Basij forces, and their intelligence agents: whatever measures you take, you will not be able to silence people who have resolved to overthrow the clerical regime.”
“You may kill, you may wound, you may arrest and imprison, but you will not escape the relentless wrath of this nation. And let this stand as an explicit warning to all those who order and carry out these crimes and killings: the courts of a free Iran are awaiting you.”
Meanwhile, exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of Iran’s former shah, praised Trump’s “decisive leadership” and tough stance against Iran’s ruling clerics.
Pahlavi said Iranians are risking their lives to end 46 years of rule by the Islamic Republic.
“[The people] have entrusted me with a message along with a great responsibility: to strive for the revival of the relationship that Iran once had with America; a relationship that brought peace and prosperity to the Middle East,” Pahlavi wrote on X.
“I have a clear plan for a stable transition in Iran and enjoy the support of my people to achieve it. With your leadership in the free world, we can leave behind a lasting legacy of enduring peace.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry has condemned what it called an “act of armed aggression against Venezuela” by the United States, calling any “excuses” given to justify such actions “untenable.”
“We reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan people and our support for the Bolivarian leadership’s course of action aimed at protecting the country’s national interests and sovereignty,” a statement from the foreign ministry said.
The ministry added that Latin America must “remain a zone of peace.”
“In the current situation, it is important, first and foremost, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue,” the statement said. “Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, interference from outside.”
The Russian Embassy in capital city Caracas is operating as usual, according to the ministry, which added: “At present, there is no information about any Russian citizens who have been affected.”
The US arrested Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to stand trial in the US, according to a Republican senator who says he spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“He informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant,” Utah Sen. Mike Lee posted on X early Saturday.
“This action likely falls within the president’s inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack,” Lee added.
Earlier Saturday morning, Lee had raised concerns about the strike, writing on X: “I look forward to learning what, if anything, might constitutionally justify this action in the absence of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force.”-CNN
The Trump administration has for years said that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was a criminal and has looked to prosecute him through the US legal system.
In 2020, during President Donald Trump’s first term, Maduro was charged in the Southern District of New York for “narco-terrorism,” conspiracy to import cocaine, and related charges.
The Trump administration offered a $15 million bounty for the arrest of the Venezuelan leader. That bounty was increased to $25 million in the waning days of the Biden administration, in early January 2025, and was increased to $50 million in August 2025 after Trump took office for a second term and designated Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. The administration has claimed that Maduro is the leader of that group, which it describes as a criminal organization.
“This allegation, this claim, that the Maduro regime is a narcoterrorist organization is not on the basis of political talk or speculation. It is on the basis of evidence provided to a grand jury in the Southern District of New York that returned an indictment,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a press conference last month.
Trump said in a social media post early Saturday that Maduro had been captured “in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement” and promised more details later in the day.
Republican US Sen. Mike Lee of Utah said he spoke with Rubio on Saturday morning and the top US diplomat told him “that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by US personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant.”
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said in a post on X that the administration’s operation brought “a new dawn for Venezuela.”
“The tyrant is gone. He will now — finally — face justice for his crimes,” Landau wrote.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US army’s Delta Force. Delta Force is the US military’s top counter terrorism unit.
President Donald Trump announced early Saturday morning that the US carried out a “large scale strike against Venezuela” and that President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and removed from the country.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” he wrote on Truth Social.
“This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago,” he added.
In a brief phone interview with The New York Times shortly after his announcement, Trump hailed what he called a “brilliant operation.”
“A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people,” Trump told the Times. “It was a brilliant operation, actually.”
According to the Times, Trump declined to answer questions about whether he’d sought congressional authority for the strike, saying he’d address it at his upcoming news conference.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez says the government doesn’t know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.
US President Donald Trump announced early Saturday morning that the US carried out a “large scale strike against Venezuela” and that Maduro and his wife had been captured and removed from the country.
“We demand immediate proof of life from the government of President Donald Trump regarding the lives of President Maduro and the first lady,” Rodríguez said in an audio call to state-run VTV Venezuela.
She added the US attack has cost the lives of officials, military personnel and civilians across the country.
Venezuela’s Defence Minister has announced an immediate deployment of military forces across the country.
Speaking in Spanish in a video address, Vladimir Padrino López called for a united front of resistance in the face of “the worst aggression” ever against Venezuela, adding that Venezuela was following “Maduro’s orders” that all armed forces will be deployed.
“They’ve attacked us but they will not subdue us,” says the defence minister.
He said Venezuela is currently gathering information about the number of people killed and wounded, and confirmed the Fort Tiuna military installation in Caracas was attacked.
Lopez insisted the country would resist the presence of foreign troops in the country.
“This invasion represents the greatest outrage the country has suffered,” he added.
NOT DEC VS THE CHURCH: WHY ZAMBIA MUST REJECT FALSE NARRATIVES
Lawyer Simon Mwila Shares….
As a lawyer, I understand and respect the mandate of law enforcement institutions. As a Catholic, I also understand the role of the Church and its shepherds in speaking to the conscience of the nation. It is from these two positions that I reflect on the recent matter involving Archbishop Dr. Alick Banda and the Drug Enforcement Commission.
On the legal side, Mr. Nason Banda, the Director General of DEC, is carrying out a difficult national duty. The fight against financial crime, corruption, and illicit activities demands firmness and resolve. The law gives the Commission authority to summon any citizen where necessary, and exercising that authority does not, on its own, amount to wrongdoing. Institutions must be allowed to function without fear or undue pressure.
On the side of faith, Archbishop Dr. Alick Banda is not just another citizen. He is a spiritual leader whose voice carries moral guidance for many Zambians. The Catholic Church has, over time, played an important role in peace building, national reflection, and dialogue. When such a figure becomes part of a legal process, public reaction is naturally heightened, not because he is above the law, but because people listen to him and trust his moral voice.
This is where wisdom becomes critical.
When law and faith intersect in a politically sensitive environment, procedure alone is not enough. How authority is exercised, and how it is communicated, matters deeply. Calm, quiet professionalism reassures the nation. Noise and speculation unsettle it.
Sadly, this is also the space where some politicians rush in to manipulate events. Instead of allowing institutions to do their work with sobriety, they frame the issue for political gain, inflame emotions, and divide citizens along religious and political lines. Pushing a narrative that DEC is fighting the Catholic Church is irresponsible, dishonest, and dangerous. It cheapens both the law and faith, and it insults the intelligence of the Zambian people.
This matter is not a contest between institutions or individuals. It is not DEC versus the Catholic Church. It is two men, both serving Zambia in different ways, caught at a difficult moment. One is charged with enforcing the law. The other is charged with guiding conscience. Both roles are necessary. Neither diminishes the other.
What this moment calls for is restraint, humility, and mutual respect. The law must remain firm, but it must also be wise. The Church must speak, but it must also promote peace. And politicians must resist the temptation to exploit every situation for short term political gain.
Zambia does not need heightened tension at the moment. It needs sober citizens, mature institutions, and leaders who put the country above politics. 📌 .
Simon Mulenga Mwila – Aspiring Mayor of Lusaka. (DBA-Candidate, MBA, LLM, LLB, Legal Practitioner, Commissioner for Oaths, Notary Public, Staunch Catholic)
WEEKEND DIGEST | Church, State and the Election Year Fault Line
Zambia enters into the new year with an old tension resurfacing: where does the Church’s prophetic role end, and where does partisan politics begin.
At the centre of the storm is the Drug Enforcement Commission’s decision to summon Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda over an allegedly irregularly acquired vehicle linked to the Zambia Revenue Authority. The DEC insists the move is procedural, investigative, and non-political. Opposition figures and sections of the Catholic clergy say otherwise.
⚫ What was Said, and Why it Matters
Rev. Fr. Augustine Mwewa, President of the Local Catholic Clergy, has taken the strongest public position so far. He framed the summon not as an isolated legal matter but as part of a broader pattern of intolerance by the UPND government toward the Catholic Church.
“This is not just about a vehicle,” Fr. Mwewa said. “This is about intimidating the Church for speaking truth to power… a declaration of war against the Catholic Church.” He went further, urging citizens to “protect their voters’ cards” and warning of shrinking democratic space as the country approaches the 2026 general elections.
This language is significant. Once a religious leader moves from moral critique into electoral mobilisation, the line between prophecy and politics begins to blur.
⛔ The State’s Position
The DEC has been consistent in its response. Director General Nason Banda has said the summon relates to a specific individual named in official records, not to the Catholic Church as an institution. He has stressed that it is not a charge, that vehicles linked to the case are already in DEC custody, and that the process is meant to allow explanations before conclusions are drawn.
In short, the State is arguing law, not doctrine.
The Unresolved Gap
What remains unanswered publicly is the substance. The debate has shifted quickly from what happened to what it represents. Very little has been said about how the vehicle was acquired, under what authority, or whether procedures were followed. Until that factual gap is filled, both sides will continue to speak past each other.
Are Some Priests Calling for Regime Change?
Not explicitly. But undertones matter. When a senior cleric links an investigation to “war,” urges citizens to guard voters’ cards, and frames the moment as a democratic struggle ahead of elections, the message inevitably takes on political colour. In many jurisdictions, such statements would place the speaker squarely in the political arena, even if wrapped in religious language.
This does not invalidate the Church’s right to speak. It does, however, change how the State is likely to interpret the posture. Governments tend to treat overt political mobilisation, even from pulpits, as opposition activity rather than neutral moral guidance.
Historical Context Zambia Cannot Ignore
Zambia has walked this road before. Churches played a decisive role in the transition from Kaunda to Chiluba, and later in moments of constitutional crisis. But history also shows that when religious leaders are perceived to align too closely with partisan causes, their moral authority fractures along political lines.
Globally, Catholic clerics have been investigated, prosecuted, and even jailed without it being framed as persecution of the Church itself. Locally, Pentecostal leaders have faced courts and prisons without triggering claims of Christianity under siege. This inconsistency is now part of the public debate.
Where This Leaves the Country
This episode sits at the intersection of law enforcement, faith, and election-year politics. The risk is escalation: investigations framed as persecution, accountability recast as oppression, and faith mobilised as a political shield.
The test for institutions is restraint and clarity. The test for the Church is whether it can defend its prophetic voice without collapsing into partisan campaigning. And the test for citizens is to separate evidence from emotion.
As Zambia inches toward the elections, this will not be the last collision between law and politics. How this one is handled will set the tone for those to come.
At The People’s Brief, we will continue to track facts, interrogate gaps, and provide context over slogans.
CONDEMNING THE ARBITRARY SUMMONING AND HUMILIATION OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF LUSAKA BY THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION
By Dr. Sebastian C. Kopulande Aspiring Presidential Candidatet- People’s Party | Catholic | Former Seminarian Date: 3 January 2026
I wish to express my deep concern, outrage, and unequivocal condemnation of the decision by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) to summon the Archbishop of Lusaka, His Grace Dr. Alick Banda, for questioning on Monday, 5 January 2026.
As a Catholic, conscious of the Social Doctrine of the Church, a former Seminarian, and a citizen deeply committed to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and freedom of conscience, view this action not as an innocent administrative procedure, but as a politically motivated act of intimidation aimed at embarrassing and silencing the Catholic Church and its clergy.
This development fits into a clear and disturbing pattern that has been pursued by the UPND Government since assuming office, a pattern marked by hostility toward the Catholic Church whenever it speaks truth to power, defends constitutionalism, or stands with the suffering poor.
Yes we have never forgotten the closure and locking out of Archbishop Banda from his Cathedral of the Child Jesus and statements such as “Archbishop Banda is the Lucifer of Zambia”, which, to date, has gone uncondemned and unpunished.
The Catholic Church and indeed other Christian Churches in history, have, for decades, played a vital role in Zambia’s moral, social, and democratic life. They have educated our children, healed our sick, mediated political conflicts, and spoken courageously against injustice regardless of which party is in power. To now subject a Catholic Archbishop to the coercive machinery of the State, without transparency and in a politically charged environment, is a grave assault on religious freedom and moral authority.
The UPND Government’s long-standing antagonism toward Archbishop Banda and the Catholic Church is well documented in public discourse. What is deeply troubling is the apparent instrumentalisation of a law-enforcement institution to pursue what appears to be a personal or political agenda. This undermines public confidence in the independence and professionalism of the DEC and erodes the very foundations of democratic governance.
Let me be clear:
• The Church is not an enemy of the State, it has never been and it will never be as it carries out its prophetic mission. • The clergy, in both the Catholic and other Christian Churches, are not criminals for preaching justice, peace, and accountability.
• Criticism of government excesses is not subversion; it is a democratic and moral duty of every citizen of the Republic.
Zambia is not, and must never become, a State where religious leaders are harassed for holding moral positions that are inconvenient to those in power. History, both in Zambia and beyond, teaches us that when governments begin to persecute the Church, civil society, and independent voices, democracy itself is in grave danger. I therefore call upon:
1. The Drug Enforcement Commission to immediately explain, with full transparency, the legal basis and necessity for this summons beyond simply stating that “no one is above the law” which we all know, although we are also aware of incidences of departure from this principle.
2. President Hakainde Hichilema to publicly distance himself from any action that undermines religious freedom and the independence of State institutions and re-assure the nation as he did on 29th December 2025 on the collaborative relationship between the Church and the State; and
3. All Zambians of conscience, regardless of faith or political affiliation, to stand in defence of the Church, constitutionalism, and the rule of law.
Kindly stand well advised that: • Silencing the Church will not silence the truth. • Intimidation will not erase moral authority. • And history will judge harshly those who abuse State power to settle scores or
KWACHA ENDED 2025 AMONG WORLD’S STRONGEST CURRENCIES- KAPATA
By: Agness Nakazwe
The Zambian kwacha closed 2025 as one of the world’s strongest-performing currencies, a development attributed largely to soaring global copper prices.
According to Ministry of Information and Media Director and spokesperson Henry Kapata, the kwacha’s appreciation was directly linked to copper prices rising sharply to near-record levels of about US$13,000 per tonne.
He explained that the surge was fuelled by tight global supply and increasing demand from electrification projects, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence–driven infrastructure.
By late December 2025, the kwacha had appreciated by 24% against the US dollar. On December 29, it strengthened further by 0.6% in a single trading session, reaching one of its strongest levels of the year.
Mr Kapata noted that as of December 31, the currency was trading at approximately K22.55 per dollar, reflecting relative stability at mid-market levels. #SunFmTvNews
NJOBVU APPEALS TO PRESIDENT HICHILEMA TO PARDON 34 CHIWEMPALA YOUTHS
Democratic Union President Ackim Antony Njobvu has appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to pardon the 34 youths from Chiwempala in Chingola who are facing serious criminal charges following last year’s unrest.
Speaking in the spirit of love, forgiveness and national reconciliation, Njobvu said the appeal is in line with President Hichilema’s New Year message which emphasized unity, dialogue and healing.
REDUCING LOAD-SHEDDING HOURS IS NOT DUE TO THE UPCOMING GENERAL ELECTIONS – LEVY NGOMA
By: Thomas Afroman Mwale
Special Assistant to the President for Political Affairs, Levy Ngoma, has assured Zambians that the improved and stable electricity supply across the country represents a permanent solution to the load-shedding crisis that has plagued the nation over the past two years.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Chawama ahead of the upcoming parliamentary by-election, Mr Ngoma dismissed speculation that the improvements are politically motivated in the run-up to the 2026 general elections.
He emphasized that President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership is focused on long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.
The former Sinda MP highlighted consistent government policies, including the continuation of the Cash for Work Program and Constituency Development Fund (CDF) initiatives, as key drivers of ongoing development efforts.
HOUSE OF CLERGY BACKS RULE ofLaw, URGES DISCRETION IN DEC SUMMONS
The House of Clergy of Zambia has reaffirmed that no individual—regardless of clerical status, public office, or social standing—is above the law.
National Executive Director Jimmy Ng’ambi says the organisation has taken note of the Drug Enforcement Commission’s decision to summon Archbishop Alick Banda to appear before its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit.
Mr. Ng’ambi says the House of Clergy supports government and investigative institutions in carrying out their lawful mandate without fear or favour, stressing that the enforcement of the law must apply equally to all citizens.
However, he has raised concern over the growing practice of publicising investigative summons on social media. Mr. Ng’ambi warns that premature disclosure can create unnecessary division and damage reputations, even where individuals are later cleared of wrongdoing. He emphasises that the presumption of innocence must always be protected.
He adds that there is nothing unusual or improper in the DEC inviting any citizen, including senior clerics, to assist with investigations, and cautions against politicising or sensationalising such processes.
Mr. Ng’ambi has called on government, the church, political actors, and the public to allow due process to take its course, guided by fairness, professionalism, and discretion.
He says Zambia’s collective interest lies in upholding the rule of law, safeguarding human dignity, and ensuring justice is done without bias, intimidation, or public spectacle.
CHITIMUKULU WELCOMES DELIMITATION, CALLS FOR UNDERSTANDING OF BILL 7
January 3, 2026
Kasama- Senior Chief of the Bemba people, Chief Chitimukulu (Mwine Lubemba), has expressed support for the delimitation provisions in Bill 7, saying the move will help address challenges faced by vast constituencies.
The traditional leader made the remarks when Mr. Levy Ngoma, the Special Adviser to the President for Political Affairs, paid a courtesy call at his palace, where he conveyed goodwill messages from President Hakainde Hichilema.
Speaking on behalf of the Head of State, President Hakainde Hichilema, Mr. Ngoma wished Chief Chitimukulu long life and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to national governance.
Mr. Ngoma revealed that Bill 7 has been enacted into law following approval by a majority of Members of Parliament, despite earlier misinformation about the Bill.
He explained that one key clause provides for constituency delimitation to ensure fair sharing of national resources, especially in large areas.
“One important clause is delimitation so that development resources are shared fairly,” Mr. Ngoma said.
He further revealed that the number of constituencies will increase from 156 to 226, with 70 new constituencies.
In response, Chief Chitimukulu welcomed the law and noted that constituencies such as Malole are too vast and would benefit from delimitation. He emphasized the need for civic education.
“People must be informed so they can appreciate the Bill,” the Chief said. He called on government and stakeholders to engage communities to build public confidence.
Mr. Ngoma is in Northern Province to check on various government developmental projects.
When receiving the Hilux in very suspicious circumstances from his PF friends, Bishop Alick Banda was alone.
When ownership of the vehicle was changed and the white book there, the details there it’s Alick Banda not even the Church name is appearing.
Please let’s not drag the Church and its members into this questionable back door dirty deal. The Catholic Church is rich and capable of buying its own brand new vehicles.
Now why should he get a crowd and entire Church involved to answer questions that are personal, that’s abuse of the church – Dillon Mayangwa
Trump says US has ‘captured’ Venezuelan President Maduro amid large scale strikes
US President Donald Trump says the US has carried out “large scale strikes against Venezuela” and “captured its leader, President Nicolas Maduro” and his wife.
Here’s the statement from Truth Social in full:
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.
“This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
TRUMP THE “PEACEMAKER” LITS THE SKIES OF THE VENEZUELAN CAPITAL WITH EXPLOSIONS
BREAKING NEWS: CNN is reporting multiple explosions over Caracas as President Nicholas Maduro accuses the US of the military invasion of his country.
It’s an act straight from the US playbook of its foreign policy – if you can’t secure regime change through political means, send in the military.
Noriega of Panama knows this play very well.
When he tried to shake off America’s hold on him, the US government manufactured a war on drugs with Noriega as the villain.
Being the most powerful military on earth, the US moved in and extracted Noriega from the Vatican embassy where the tanks parked outside while blasting loud rock and roll music into the mostly quiet premises of the Papa Nuncial.
What arrogant and abusive display of power!
Now, here is the mother of all ironies: Trump has cast himself as the peacemaker.
He even campaigned for a Nobel Peace Prize which, luckily, he didn’t get.
Ever since he went back to the White House, he has been searching for peace in the Russia/Ukraine 4yr-war.
At the same time, he has been working round the clock to restore a permanent peace in the Middle East.
But how does a man who has invested all he could in ending wars start one where there has been not even a remote suggestion that the US could be attacked?
Clearly, this is not a man genuinely committed to peace.
No wonder Putin doesn’t take him seriously! Or else, how do you explain that despite several peace overtures, Putin is showing no signs of backing down?
With no clear genuine arbiter for peace, how shall peace come to troubled regions of the world?
With the powerful nations disrespecting the UN Charter and other international laws, how is the global system expected to serve as the foundation for co-existence and world peace?
Or, is planet earth doomed and headed for self-destruction?
🇿🇲 EDITORIAL | Archbishop Banda & Church Persecution Narrative
Zambia is drifting into a dangerous argument, one that confuses institutions with individuals and accountability with oppression. The summoning of Archbishop Alick Banda by the Drug Enforcement Commission has now been framed by sections of the opposition as a full-scale war by President Hakainde Hichilema against the Catholic Church.
This framing is not only inaccurate, it is intellectually dishonest and politically reckless.
Let us begin with the facts. The DEC has summoned Archbishop Banda in connection with a specific matter: a motor vehicle belonging to the Zambia Revenue Authority that was irregularly disposed of and later found in his possession. The Commission has stated, on record, that the summon is procedural, investigative, and not a charge. It is issued to a named individual whose name appears in official records, not to the Catholic Church as an institution. The vehicle is in DEC custody. The paper trail exists. These are verifiable facts, not political opinions.
What the opposition has done since is to deliberately blur this line. Statements from Fred M’membe, Harry Kalaba, and others recast a legal process into a religious crusade. Language such as “Calvary,” “carrying the cross,” and “war against the Catholic Church” is emotionally powerful but analytically hollow. It shifts the conversation from evidence to symbolism, from law to mobilisation. This is not accidental. It is strategy.
This is where the framing collapses. The Catholic Church is not Archbishop Alick Banda. No church, Catholic or otherwise, enjoys immunity from the law through its clerics. Across the world, Catholic priests, bishops, and even cardinals have been investigated, prosecuted, and convicted for financial crimes, abuse, and corruption.
The Vatican itself prosecuted Cardinal Angelo Becciu, once a powerful papal adviser, and sentenced him to prison. No one claimed the Vatican was persecuting the Catholic Church. Accountability of a cleric was treated as accountability of a person.
Zambia is not an exception to this global reality. Pentecostal pastors, prophets, and church founders have appeared in Zambian courts, some convicted and jailed. At no point did the nation erupt into claims that Christianity itself was under attack. The silence then, contrasted with the outrage now, exposes the inconsistency. If the principle is that summoning a cleric equals persecution, then every prosecution of a religious figure in Zambia’s history becomes suspect. This position is untenable.
The opposition’s narrative also suffers from selective memory. The Patriotic Front, now loudest in accusing the State of persecution, presided over an era in which public institutions were looted, assets irregularly disposed of, and state property handed out as patronage.
It was under PF that vehicles from ZRA and other agencies found their way into private hands. It is those very transactions that are now under scrutiny. To demand accountability while in power, then cry persecution when accountability arrives out of power, is not moral consistency. It is political convenience.
What is happening now mirrors an older PF habit: framing every challenge through identity. When Hichilema was in opposition, it was tribe. Tonga versus the rest. That framing poisoned national politics and permanently damaged PF’s standing in large parts of Southern Province and beyond. Today, the same logic is being repurposed. Not tribe, but religion. Not Tonga, but Catholic. It is the same tactic, dressed differently. And it carries the same risk of backlash.
The truth is simpler and less dramatic. Archbishop Alick Banda is a Zambian citizen. He has rights. He also has obligations. If his name appears in records relating to irregular disposal of public assets, the law requires explanation. Appearing before investigators does not strip him of his priesthood, nor does it diminish the Church’s prophetic role. It affirms a basic democratic principle: no one is above the law, and no one is beneath its protection.
Turning a summons into a street procession may energise supporters, but it does not answer questions. It also risks dragging the Church into partisan warfare, something the Catholic Church itself has historically resisted, even while speaking boldly on governance. The Church’s moral authority is strongest when it stands above political games, not when it is conscripted into them.
Zambia needs clarity, not confusion. The DEC must follow the law professionally and transparently. Archbishop Banda must be treated with dignity and fairness. And the opposition must stop weaponising faith to shield individuals from scrutiny. A church is an institution. A cleric is a person. Accountability is not persecution.
At The People’s Brief, our position is simple. Facts matter. Context matters. History matters. And truth is not improved by noise.
Don’t pit DEC against Church, they are not fighting, lawyer tells divisive politicians
OPPOSITION-inclined lawyer Simon Mwila Mulenga says it is irresponsible, dishonest and dangerous for some politicians to champion a narrative that the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) is fighting the Catholic Church.
Mwila’s comments come in the wake of calls by some opposition leaders for citizens to come out in numbers and accompany Lusaka Diocese Archbishop Alick Banda who has been summoned by DEC for questioning over a Zambia Revenue Authority Toyota Hilux he dubiously received as a personal gift from his political comrades, the PF, before their fall from power back in 2021.
Weighing in on the issue, the youthful lawyer observed that some politicians were now shamelessly rushing to manipulate the matter for cheap political mileage.
Mwila said instead of allowing law enforcement institutions to soberly carry out their duties, certain politicians were deliberately inflaming emotions and dragging the nation into unnecessary religious and political divisions.
According to a statement posted on his Facebook page, Mwila warned that framing the ongoing DEC process as an attack on the Catholic Church was not only dishonest but dangerous to national unity.
“Sadly, this is also the space where some politicians rush in to manipulate events. Instead of allowing institutions to do their work with sobriety, they frame the issue for political gain, inflame emotions, and divide citizens along religious and political lines,” Mwila said.
He described claims that DEC is fighting the Catholic Church as reckless propaganda meant to score political points at the expense of national stability.
“Pushing a narrative that DEC is fighting the Catholic Church is irresponsible, dishonest and dangerous. It cheapens both the law and faith, and it insults the intelligence of the Zambian people,” he said.
Mwila stated that the matter before DEC is a legal process involving an individual and not a battle between institutions, warning that politicizing it risks eroding public trust in both the justice system and the Church.
He said Zambia has previously paid a heavy price when politicians weaponised sensitive national issues, adding that the current situation calls for maturity, restraint and responsible leadership.
The lawyer cautioned that exploiting faith for political survival was a dangerous path that could leave lasting scars on the nation.
On Thursday, DEC director general Nason Banda publicly warned Archbishop Banda against bringing a group of followers when he reports to the commission.
Addressing journalists in Lusaka, Banda confirmed that the Archbishop had been summoned in connection with investigations surrounding a Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Toyota Hilux vehicle that was allegedly gifted to him several years ago.
Banda stated that the summon was not politically motivated and dismissed claims that the government was targeting the Catholic Church.
But some opposition leaders have issued statements urging Catholics to accompany the Bishop for the interview.https://kalemba.news/…/dont-pit-dec-against-church…/
SHOULD HICHILEMA BE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW HISTORIANS WILL REFLECT HIS LEGACY?
He should and he must. He owes it to the Zambian people who made him President. He also owes it to his children.
The office of President is, theoretically, an expression of the collective aspirations of a whole nation.
So, the office holder can’t afford to be selfish not to think about the implication of their decisions and actions on the rest of the country.
If Hichilema doesn’t think about his legacy, perhaps someone must ask him how he feels about how his six predecessors are remembered.
This is not a rhetorical question. It’s meant to ascertain what reference material he will leave behind to inform decisions by those that will step into his shoes.
This is also important for how his children negotiate the social contours of life where their father’s story will be invoked from time to time.
If he wants his children to have less controversy to navigate, he must honestly interrogate his current record in office.
Some of the men that have occupied the office of President are fondly remembered while others are not.
I can only imagine how their children feel when they hear how their fathers are remembered.
Frankly, honestly and fairly, you want your children to inherit a good legacy, a good name.
How Hichilema is going to be remembered is exactly how different people have and continue to experience his rule.
Some will remember him for the jobs he will have created for them while others for forcing their fathers into exile.
Others will remember him for his solar projects while others for the loss of their small businesses due to power deficits that dominated the better part of his term in office.
Others will remember him for driving away cadres from bus stops and markets while others will remember him for his mingalato which led to the legal death of the Patriotic Front.
Others will remember him by the political conflicts that defined his relationship with his predecessor culminating in one of the culturally and morally bizarre standoff in history when the latter could not be buried for months!
For professional historians, I don’t know which aspects of Hichilema’s rule will receive emphasis.
But the President has the opportunity to invest in the construction of the kind of legacy he wants to be remembered by.
One of the reasons why it’s an established tradition for former US Presidents to put in writing their time in office is because their legacy is important as a point of reference for future generations.
Hence the importance of taking good care of one’s record while in office.
IN DEFENCE OF MAYOR CHILANDO CHITANGALA: FACTS OVER FICTION
Yesterday, I came across social media content by blogger Simon Mwewa – popularly known as Simon Mwewa Lane (SML) – in which he portrayed Lusaka Mayor Chilando Chitangala as a leader allegedly focused on building a private empire at the expense of her mayoral responsibilities.
To begin with, Mr. Mwewa is well within his democratic rights to express his opinion and to state that Lusaka needs a new mayor. His voter’s card entitles him to vote for himself or anyone else of his choosing. However, I have always maintained that in trying to market Person A, one should not heap falsehoods on Person B.
Performance can be assessed through different lenses, and in this era of social media – where platforms can either illuminate the truth or dangerously distort it – we sometimes attack those who deserve praise and applaud those who least deserve it, especially when judging political leadership.
Mayor Chitangala may not be as visible on social media as her predecessor, Hon. Miles Sampa, nor as vocal as some of her critics, including Mr. Mwewa. This relative restraint may have fueled calls from SML TV suggesting that “in 2026, Lusaka needs a mayor who loves the city,” a statement that implicitly suggests the current mayor does not. That implication is what necessitates this response.
Ask any councillor at the Civic Centre – whether UPND, PF, or Independent – and they will confirm that it is not easy to pass a motion or application without clearly demonstrating to the mayor how it benefits the council and the city. Councillors, myself included, will also attest that when it comes to dedication to duty, Mayor Chitangala is second to none. Even at meetings or workshops some might casually officiate and leave, she remains fully engaged, attentive, and expects the same level of participation from those accompanying her.
A simple review of council minute books will reveal that almost every council meeting details Mayor Chitangala’s packed daily schedule – often stretching late into the night – reflecting her commitment to duty. These minute books can be accessd easily through room 300 at civic centre.
I have often joked with Mayor Chitangala that her academic background – two Master’s degrees – has made it difficult for councillors to pursue deals which do not fall under the functions of the council as she scrutinizes every comma and full stop in council minutes, making it nearly impossible for anyone, including herself, to selfishly benefit or advance personal empires through council processes.
It is also important to clarify how council decisions are made. Resolutions originate at committee level, where the mayor does not vote but attends as an ex-officio member. These resolutions are then presented to the full council, which the mayor chairs while superintending over 38 councillors. While she may guide discussions, dissatisfied councillors can always push matters to a vote. Where a two-thirds majority is required, neither PF nor UPND can act unilaterally. This underscores the fact that the mayor’s office does not operate in isolation but functions collectively with councillors.
Therefore, an attack on Mayor Chitangala – accusing her of prioritizing a private empire over council functions – is effectively an attack on the entire council, as mayoral functions are carried out through delegated structures involving councillors, the board, and management.
The mayor’s deep love for Lusaka may not be apparent to Mr. Mwewa and others, largely because she is not a “social media presenter.” Alternatively, some may deliberately ignore her work due to political considerations as we approach August 2026. However, history will record that while she was “social media shy,” she delivered results that some “social media-excited” leaders never achieved.
Beyond many other initiatives delivered in collaboration with the board and management, Mayor Chitangala has personally played a key role in securing the following resources for the benefit of the council – not her family or private interests:
1. Youth Climate Fund – Bloomberg Philanthropies: USD 150,000
2. Early Childhood Development (ECD) Project – Big Win Philanthropy: USD 10,000,000
8. City GAP Fund – Drainage Improvement Project – GIZ & African Development Bank: USD 100,000
9. CityGAP Programme (Drainage System Improvement) – USD 100,000
10. DRR4Africa Project – ICLEI: USD 2.4 million Strengthening disaster risk reduction in unplanned settlements across Lusaka.
I have listed only ten examples to illustrate the point. This is not an attempt to silence Mr. Mwewa. He may have posted his comments emotionally – perhaps influenced by past issues between his firm and the Lusaka City Council over an unsuccessful lease bid – or based on information supplied by individuals at the Civic Centre who view the mayor as an obstacle to advancing their private business interests through the local authority.
I therefore invite Mr. Mwewa to return to the drawing board, conduct thorough investigative journalism using verifiable records available at the Civic Centre and the Ministry of Local Government, and then present a comprehensive and evidence-based analysis demonstrating how Mayor Chilando Chitangala has failed to love Lusaka or to perform her mayoral duties due to an alleged focus on a private empire… as for voting for another Lusaka mayor this year, that right remains entirely his!
Patrick Mwamba Salubusa Councilor – Kapwepwe Ward 29 Chief Whip – Lusaka City Council (LCC) Facilitator – Inclusive Political Leadership
Colonel Mwizukanji Namwawa has been promoted to the rank of Brigadier. She is currently the Director of Legal Services in the Zambia Army.
She was promoted alongside other deserving officers who were elevated to higher ranks in recognition of their service and dedication to duty. The promotions were marked by a colourful rank insignia pinning-on ceremony held yesterday at Army Headquarters.
Before joining the army, Brigadier Namwawa was well known in the early 2000s for her music career, with hit songs such as Mr Big Star. She later enlisted in the Zambia Army and made history as the country’s first female and youngest full Colonel.
She is a qualified lawyer, having graduated from the University of Zambia, and previously worked at the Attorney General’s Chambers. Brigadier Namwawa also supports initiatives that promote and celebrate women’s achievements.
ZAMBIA IS BACK ON THE MAP – MR. ALEXANDER MUMBA SAKALA CALLS ON MATERO TO PREPARE FOR OPPORTUNITY
Lusaka, Matero – January 2026
By Wagon Media
Mr. Alexander Mumba Sakala, United Party for National Development (UPND) aspiring Member of Parliament for Matero Constituency, says Zambia has once again captured global attention following recent international recognition of the country’s leadership under His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema. This recognition sends a clear and powerful message to the world: Zambia is trusted again. Trust is the foundation of national development. When a country regains trust on the global stage, investors return, businesses expand, jobs are created, and government development plans become achievable. This renewed confidence is good news not only for Zambia as a nation or for Lusaka as the capital city, but also for communities like Matero.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR MATERO
Economic stabilisation at national level has direct benefits for communities. When Zambia’s economy is steady and trusted, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) resources become more reliable and effective. More resources reach communities, local councils function better, and youth empowerment programmes stand a real chance of succeeding. This is how development works — from national leadership down to constituency and community level. Matero must therefore be positioned to benefit from this progress, not to watch opportunities pass by.
OPPORTUNITY IS COMING – ARE WE READY?
Zambia’s growing global importance is anchored on several key factors: its rich copper and mineral resources, its strategic geographical location, and its stable and credible leadership. As new opportunities open up, preparedness becomes critical. Our youths must be equipped with skills, our small businesses must be organised and supported, and our leadership must remain focused on results. Development does not reward those who wait — it rewards those who prepare.
CHOOSING BUILDERS
Ba Matero, development is built, not wished for. The time has come to prioritise leadership that understands how resources work, knows how to attract investment, and can translate policy into tangible outcomes such as clinics, roads, skills centres, and sustainable jobs. Communities progress when they choose builders — leaders who deliver results and focus on long-term development.
HOPE FOR OUR YOUTHS
To the youths of Matero, your future matters. A stable economy brings more training opportunities, increased business activity, and greater chances to work, grow, and thrive. Your role is not to waste energy in unproductive online conflicts, but to prepare yourselves to seize the opportunities that are coming.
MY COMMITMENT TO MATERO
As your aspiring representative, Mr. Alexander Mumba Sakala pledges to focus on development, not drama. He will ensure that CDF works for the people, fight for jobs, skills development, and opportunity, and work tirelessly to ensure that Matero is never left behind.
CONCLUSION
Ba Matero, the future is opening before us. Let us move forward with unity, discipline, and vision. Let us believe in progress, believe in ourselves, and commit to building a better Matero together. God bless you. God bless Matero. 🙏🏽
THREE MONTHS LEFT: SHOULD LT GEN NHLANHLA MKHWANAZI BE SOUTH AFRICA’S NEXT NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSIONER?
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has just three months left in office, with his contract set to end in March 2026. Behind the scenes, discussions are already taking place about whether his term should be extended.
But many South Africans are asking a bigger question:
👉 Why stop at an extension? 👉 Why not appoint him as National Commissioner of Police from 1 January 2026?
If the Government of National Unity (GNU) is genuinely serious about restoring safety, dismantling criminal syndicates, and protecting ordinary citizens, then this is the moment to act decisively.
🔍 WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Across communities, social media, and civil society, there is growing sentiment that:
South Africa needs firm, visible, and fearless leadership in policing
Crime syndicates have become too powerful and too organised
Policing needs a leader who acts, not one who manages press statements
🏆 WHAT MKHWANAZI HAS ACHIEVED
Under Lt Gen Mkhwanazi’s leadership in KwaZulu-Natal:
Police operations became more aggressive against organised crime
High-profile criminals and syndicate-linked suspects were tracked and arrested
Officers were pushed to reclaim authority in crime hotspots
There was a noticeable shift from reactive policing to intelligence-driven operations
He openly confronted corruption and political interference, something few are willing to do
He built a reputation as a commissioner who: ✔ Is hands-on ✔ Commands respect from officers on the ground ✔ Is not afraid of powerful interests ✔ Understands organised crime, taxi violence, political killings, and gang networks
⚠️ WHAT HE IS CAPABLE OF DOING NATIONALLY
If appointed as National Commissioner, many believe he could:
Restructure SAPS leadership and restore discipline
Strengthen intelligence and crime prevention units
Target drug lords, construction mafias, and extortion syndicates
Restore public confidence in the police
Protect honest officers while isolating corrupt ones
❓ THE BIG QUESTIONS SOUTH AFRICANS ARE ASKING
Why let a tough, effective commissioner leave at such a critical time?
Can South Africa afford another “caretaker” police leadership?
Will President Cyril Ramaphosa listen to public sentiment on crime?
Is political comfort being placed above public safety?
🎁 A NEW YEAR’S GIFT SOUTH AFRICA DESPERATELY NEEDS
Appointing Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as National Police Commissioner from 1 January 2026 would send a clear message: 👉 Crime will no longer be tolerated 👉 Criminal syndicates will be confronted head-on 👉 The lives of ordinary South Africans matter
As communities remain under siege from crime, this decision could define whether 2026 becomes another year of fear — or the beginning of real change.
A heart warming video showing Emirates cabin crew celebrating a couple’s wedding anniversary mid flight has gone viral on social media, drawing widespread appreciation for the airline’s thoughtful gesture.
Emirates cabin crew surprised a couple with a mid air wedding anniversary celebration.(Instagram/napkin786) Emirates cabin crew surprised a couple with a mid air wedding anniversary celebration.(Instagram/napkin786) The clip was shared by a user with the handle @napkin786 and captures the special moment aboard an Airbus A380 cruising at 40,000 feet. In the video, members of the Emirates cabin crew are seen bringing out a cake and surprising the passenger’s wife, turning an ordinary journey into a memorable celebration.
A surprise above the clouds According to the caption accompanying the video, the celebration took place during a long haul flight when the crew decided to mark the couple’s wedding anniversary. The user wrote, “40,000 feet in the sky on the Airbus A380, celebrating our wedding anniversary with a surprise cake for my wife. Thank you Emirates for making this flight a lifelong memory. Thank you Emirates for making our sky high anniversary so special.”
The brief video shows smiling crew members presenting the cake, with the couple appearing visibly touched by the unexpected gesture.
Social media reacts The video quickly attracted attention online and sparked a wave of positive reactions from users who praised both the airline and its staff. One user commented, “This is such a beautiful gesture, moments like these make journeys unforgettable.” Another wrote, “Emirates crew always go the extra mile, this is pure class.”
A third reaction read, “Celebrating an anniversary in the sky, what more could anyone ask for.” Another user said, “This is why people love flying with Emirates, it is not just a flight, it is an experience.” One comment noted, “Small surprises like this leave a lifelong impact.” Yet another added, “Truly heart warming to see such care and attention at 40,000 feet.”
