NORTH KOREA IS NOW RECEIVING UKRAINIAN KIDS TAKEN FROM RUSSIAN-OCCUPIED AREAS
Ukraine kids -taken from towns Russia controls- are being sent almost 9,000 kilometers (about 5,600 miles) to camps in North Korea.
Ukraine’s human rights chief, Dmytro Lubinets, says these kids face military-style training, pro-Russia propaganda, and strict bans on speaking Ukrainian.
It is a system designed to erase their identity.
A Ukrainian rights group told the U.S. Senate they have tracked 165 places connected to this program.
Some are in Russia, some in Belarus, and now in North Korea too.
2 teens named Misha and Liza were found in a camp.
They described long days of drills, political songs, and lessons praising North Korean soldiers, while being forced to drop their own language completely.
Ukraine says Russia has taken about 19,500 kids since the invasion started.
Only around 1,800 have been returned.
The UN responded with a resolution demanding every deported child be brought home.
91 countries supported it, while 12 rejected it, including Russia and Iran.
Russia’s own children’s commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, admitted that up to 700,000 Ukrainian kids have entered Russia during the war.
She is the official in charge of children’s policies for the Kremlin and is accused of organizing or approving the transfers.
That is why the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for her and for Putin, charging them with the illegal deportation of Ukrainian minors.
This is all happening while Russia grows closer to North Korea.
Reports say Pyongyang sent 11,000 to 12,000 soldiers to help Russia in 2024, which creates a network that makes these child transfers even harder to track.
Zelensky says there will be no peace deal until every child is found and returned.
Putin personally approved the chemical weapons operation in Salisbury to kill the Skripals
The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the Main Directorate of the Russian General Staff, Russia’s military intelligence agency known as the GRU, and 11 individuals.
“The report concluded that the GRU is responsible for the death of a British citizen on her own soil, after President Putin personally approved the operation to poison [Sergei and Yulia] Skripal with the Novichok nerve agent.”
The attempted assassination of the Skripals led to the death of British citizen Dawn Sturgess, who in 2018 accidentally found a perfume bottle containing the Novichok chemical weapon.
It had been discarded by GRU officers Alexander Mishkin and Anatoliy Chepiga (operating under the aliases Petrov and Boshirov).
“The actions of Petrov and Boshirov, their superiors in the GRU, and those who authorised the operation – up to and including, as I established, President Putin – were extraordinarily reckless. They, and only they, bear moral responsibility for Dawn’s death,” said the head of the inquiry, Lord Anthony Hughes.
London asserts that the toxin was developed and stored by Russia in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
In response to the inquiry’s findings, the UK imposed new sanctions on the GRU and several of its operatives.
British authorities also accuse them not only of the Salisbury operation, but of “preparing a terrorist attack in Ukrainian supermarkets,” targeting civilians.
The Government of Argentina, through its Central Bank, has released a special edition coin celebrating the legacy of one of the country’s greatest football icons, Diego Armando Maradona.
The commemorative coin features an engraved image of Maradona’s famous goal against England during the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match in Mexico,a goal that went on to be named the Goal of the Century.
According to the Central Bank, the coin is meant to honour Maradona’s extraordinary contribution to football and his everlasting influence on Argentina’s sporting identity.
In the design, Maradona is captured mid action, dribbling past English defenders before scoring the iconic goal that sent Argentina into global football history.
Sports history of Maradona in 1986 performances remain unmatched with his dribbling skills, creativity and leadership propelling Argentina to its second World Cup triumph.
Maradona’s journey to greatness began long before 1986. In 1979, he led Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Youth Championship, showcasing the raw talent that later mesmerised the world.
He also helped Argentina claim the Copa América in 1989, further cementing his status as one of the most influential players of his generation.
The Central Bank says the coin will circulate alongside regular currency, symbolising how deeply Maradona’s legacy is woven into the everyday life of Argentines.
Collectors and football fans around the world are expected to seek out the coin with many seeing it as a rare piece of football history.
For many Argentines, the coin represents more than just currency it is a tribute to a national hero whose memory continues to inspire.
The unveiling ceremony is expected to be followed by a nationwide campaign honouring Maradona’s achievements and inviting citizens to celebrate his enduring legacy.
Kimora Lee Simmons and Kim Porter were friends when the latter was alive. And though she is no more, Simmons, 50, recently revealed that she still has a connection with Porter’s family, as she’s a “surrogate mom” to the twin daughters that the late model shares with embattled music executive, Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Per PEOPLE, Simmons opened up about being a mother to other children she did not birth during an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of Today with Jenna & Friends. The veteran model and fashion designer made mention of Porter’s 18-year-old twin daughters Jessie and D’Lila, saying that they were part of her kids “on the side.”
“I have my kids, and then I have kids on the side,” Simmons said on a lighter note. “I have a stepdaughter, well, an additional daughter. I have another son, bonus son, who’s on the show, Jaden, another one who’s just been with us for many, many years. One of my friends who passed away, Kim Porter, I have all of her kids. Even though some of them at adults, but some of them are 18, twins.”
Simmons was also asked if the Combs twins reach out to her. “Yeah, they’re with me. I just got off the phone with them! I’m a lot of people’s mom,” she replied.
APorter passed away on November 15, 2018, in her Los Angeles home. The coroner previously filed the model and actress’ cause of death as “deferred” before updating it to lobar pneumonia.
Combs shares his son, Christian, 27, and twin daughters, Jessie and D’Lila, with Porter. He also has a son, Justin, 31, with stylist Misa Hylton and shares his daughter, Chance, 19, with Sarah Chapman. His seventh child, Love, was born in 2022. He shares her with model Dana Tran. Quincy, 34, whose mother is Porter, is Combs’ adopted child.
Simmons, on the other hand, shares daughters Aoki, 21, and Ming, 25, with her ex-husband Russell Simmons. She also has a son, Kenzo, 16, with ex Djimon Hounsou, while she shares a son Wolfe, 10, with Tim Leissner. Simmons is additionally a mother to an adopted son named Gary.
BILL 7 IS IMPERIALISM Vs SOVEREIGNTY: THE MAIN ISSUE!
There is an African proverb that “a foolish person eats the meat and the wise one attempts to get the spilled soup on the ground”. This is what the most nauseous Bill 7 is all about. It’s one of the most unnecessary waste of time and resources at a time that our nation has numerous problems that beg urgent action to save lives.
To be sure, the British ate and they are still eating the real meat and we the owners of the country have since 1968 been debating about the useless and tasteless dirty soup on the ground! This is collective national foolishness and all of us are guilty including some of the most big mouthed on Bill 7 today. They are forgetting their own most infamous Bill 10. There is no difference between the two and both were born in evil and darkness.
It’s only a foolish citizenry that can even entertain submitting to or even debating the contents thereof! Debating Bill 7 is a debate on the perpetuation of a colonial law and a denial of our sovereignty, which came by iron and blood during the days of CHACHACHA!
In 1964, the colonial British Government enacted the Zambia Independence Act of 1964, Section 65 of the Laws of England. This colonial statute granted the Crown (Queen or King) the power to issue an Order in Council (let’s say Statutory Instrument) to issue regulations on how the soon to be Republic of Zambia was going to be governed. Accordingly, the Crown used this UK legislation to issue the Zambia Independence Order in Council (Statutory Instrument). This Order had Schedule Two and it’s this Schedule 2 we have all, in our collective national foolishness of 61 years, been referring to us “The Constitution of Zambia”! How foolish!!
In 1968, UNIP used the Inquires Act of UK to conduct the referendum to remove the Referendum clause in Schedule Two! Apparently, Schedule Two provided for the holding of a Referendum if Zambians (not Cabinet or Parliament) wanted to amend any clause in the schedule. The British did this because, like all their former colonies, they expected the people of Zambia to immediately hold a Constituent Assembly to craft a homegrown Constitution in exercise of our new sovereignty as an Independent Republic.
In 1972, thriving on the ignorance of citizens, the UNIP Government used the UK Inquiries Act again and appointed the Chona Constitutional Review Commission on how to run a one party state dictatorship. By 1973 Cabinet had its way and imposed dictatorship on Zambians.
In 1990, the UNIP Government used the UK Inquiries Act again and appointed the Mvunga Constitutional Review Commission on returning to multiparty democracy.
In 1996, the new MMD Government, like UNIP, used the Inquiries Act of UK to appoint the Mwanakatwe Constitutional Review Commission and the target was to introduce clauses to bar Kenneth Kaunda from running for President of Zambia on the UNIP ticket. This process was rushed and it was in election year. It was only meant to keep the ruling MMD in power since the KK return to politics had gained traction in the nation.
In 2003, the MMD new deal administration of Mwanawasa used the same foreign UK Inquiries Act to appoint the Mungomba Constitutional Review Commission. This was not an election year.
Although President Mwanawasa made a mistake to use a colonial Act of Parliament to appoint the commission, his administration was genuinely committed to providing leadership to get the country to exercise sovereignty in crafting and enacting a homegrown constitution. The new deal administration was agreeable to the will of the people to adopt the constitution through a Constituent Assembly, although President Mwanawasa chose the wording “Constitutional Conference”. This conference was going to draw Zambians from every walk of life to decide on the basic charter of the land. This was the closest that our country came to what was going to be the first ever Constitution of Zambia. Unfortunately, President Mwanawasa died.
The new Rupiah Banda led MMD was equally committed to the process and truly the Constitutional Conference was appointed and sittings commenced at Mulungushi Conference Centre. Unfortunately, the RB government started scheming to find a way to introduce clauses to require a degree for one to stand for President of Zambia. It was Michael Sata of PF who the regime was attempting to bar, especially that Zambia was closer to elections. CSOs and the Church campaigned against this political mischievousness. As a humble man, RB listened and the making of the new constitution remained in limbo.
The PF government appointed a technical committee to review the submissions of Zambians in the 4 commissions durong the UNIP and MMD eras. However, after the death of President Sata, the new President Lungu went back to the same old abuse of state power by abandoning the holding of the constitutional conference in favour of using parliament since PF had majority seats. Foolishly, PF abused its parliamentary majority to amend the same British Schedule Two and this is why the piece of paper we wrongly call “Constitution” is cited as “The Constitution of Zambia Amendment Act No. 2 of 2016”. It’s simply an amendment of the colonial schedule.
Prior to the 2021 elections, the PF foolishly introduced Bill 10 in the name of including progressive clauses in the “constitution”. Zambians, through CSOs and the Church, resoundingly rejected this. Bill 10 died.
In view of the forgoing its unthinkable that a sane leadership can even imagine the idea of self political preservation in the name of the same old song of “progressive clauses” as the basis to perpetuate the same colonial schedule.
Our being governed by a foreign schedule, which all governments we have had so far, have been amending for ephemeral ploys to continue in office at the expense of common good is embedded in evil – it emanates from the pit of darkness. This is more spiritual than it’s physical.
UPP calls on Zambians to intensify midnight prayers to dethrone the altar of evil in our land including dethroning the colonial yoke which is still on our necks by law (Schedule Two).
The UPP-led Government SHALL, in year one, effect the Proclamation of Zambia’s Independence by giving Zambians an opportunity to exercise their sovereignty to craft and enact the first ever Constitution of the Republic of the United Kingdom of Zambia.
LUBINDA IS ABUSING HIS POWERS, WE WILL PUSH BACK POLITICALLY – MPANKATA
PF’s Emmanuel Mpankata says he will not accept the changes that Given Lubinda has made to the party and he will push back politically. Mpankata says in his quest to become the PF president, Lubinda is losing it and is misleading the masses in the party.
Earlier this week, Lubinda appointed Mwenya Matafwali as Deputy National Chairman for Youth and member of the central committee.
He also appointed Tasila Lungu, Warren Liywali, Lawrence Sichalwe, Alinedi Phiri, Brave Mweetwa and Goodson Banda as members of the central committee, among other appointments.
This follows the decision to remove from the central committee Mpankata, who was also national chairperson, Brenda Nyirenda and Christopher Shakafuswa, over a week ago. -News Diggers
Barely a week ago, I warned that the law would follow every Member of Parliament who votes for Bill 7. I wrote that the ruling of the Constitutional Court was final, binding and not subject to the whims of political ambition. Many thought it was rhetoric. It was not. It was simply the truth standing in its God given authority.
Today, that truth has returned with a heavy tread.
Munir Zulu and Celestine Mukandila have now dragged the entire National Assembly to the Constitutional Court for contempt. Not a select few. Not only the Speaker. The whole House. Every MP who participated in proceedings on a bill the Court had already declared unconstitutional. This is not common in our history. It is the law waking up and demanding respect in its loudest possible voice.
The summons served on Parliament are clear. They reference the earlier ruling in Munir Zulu and Celestine Mukandila versus The Attorney General, where the Court held that constitutional amendments cannot be initiated without broad public consultation and must originate from an independent expert process. By all established authority, Bill 7 is null. It is void. It is dead in law.
Yet Parliament attempted to breathe life into a dead Bill. That act has now placed the House in the crosshairs of contempt proceedings. It is not politics. It is not theatre. It is deliberate disobedience to the Constitution.
This morning’s session at the Constitutional Court has added an even more serious dimension. The State attempted to remove the President from the proceedings, arguing immunity. The Court agreed to remove him for now. But the petitioners are not convinced. Their lawyers emerged and made a statement that should shake anyone holding power with careless hands.
They argued that immunity and personal capacity are completely different concepts. Immunity shields a sitting President from criminal prosecution. It does not shield him from being cited in his personal capacity when he is accused of breaching the Constitution. They cited Kenyan precedents where presidents must answer individually for constitutional violations. They argued that government is an institution represented by the Attorney General, but a President is a person who must answer personally if the breach is his own act.
Their message was sharp. If the President breached the Constitution in the course of advancing Bill 7, then he must answer for it personally. And if the Court finds that he breached the Constitution, then by the logic of the same Article 106 that was used against the late Edgar Chagwa Lungu, he would not be eligible for the 2026 election.
They reminded the public that this was not their invention. It is already in the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court. The Zombe ruling stands on the record. You cannot apply it when convenient and ignore it when it becomes uncomfortable.
Once again, the law remembers.
What we are witnessing is not a routine legal process. It is the Constitution asserting itself. It is the judiciary stepping forward where Parliament stumbled. It is a reminder that no office is too high to be examined, and no chamber is beyond accountability.
The contempt summons speak directly to the heart of the matter. Parliament acted in defiance of a binding judgment. The Speaker presided over proceedings that violated a court order. Ministers participated knowingly. MPs raised their hands knowingly. Their names are in the Hansard. Their participation is on record. They cannot later pretend confusion or ignorance.
This is exactly what I warned. Votes may be cast in the heat of politics, but the consequences are cold, permanent and legal. When power shifts, those who tried to alter the Constitution unlawfully will not hide behind party lines. They will stand alone before the law.
Zambia is a nation founded on respect for the Constitution. It is a moral foundation, a civic foundation and a spiritual foundation. Scripture teaches that God is not mocked. Those who take bribes, those who pervert justice, those who accuse the innocent, and those who oppress the weak all stand under judgment. The nation may be patient, but Heaven is not blind.
In the last week, we saw Parliament cheer as it walked toward an act the courts had already prohibited. Today, we saw the same Parliament summoned back to the place of silence and reckoning, the courtroom.
We are in a constitutional season. Every action carries weight. Every vote leaves a footprint. Bill 7 is no longer a political proposal. It has become a mirror revealing the conscience of those who pushed it forward.
Zambia has not yet fallen. The very fact that the Court has intervened shows that the pillars of the Republic still stand. But those who undermine the Constitution must understand the truth they tried to outrun. The law has a long memory, and it will follow them.
If you want, I can prepare a second version directed at citizens, or a third version aimed at MPs directly, warning them of the legal and political consequences in sharper language.
Constitutional Court Removes HH from 2026 Candidature Case
By Hannock Kasama
The Constitutional Court has ruled to remove President Hakainde Hichilema from proceedings challenging his candidature for the 2026 General Elections.
The decision follows an application by Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha, who argued that the President cannot be sued over decisions relating to his executive functions.
Delivering the ruling, Constitutional Court Judge Mudford Mwandenga upheld the application in a matter brought forward by Patriotic Front (PF) Presidential Candidate Brian Mundubile and Tonse Alliance Youth Chairperson Celestine Mukandila.
In his affidavit supporting misjoinder, Mr. Kabesha further contended that the Constitution prohibits civil proceedings against the Republican President in matters executed in his private capacity.
A ‘Frozen Christmas’ President in Pretoria …the sad story of the sixth president of Zambia Edgar Lungu
Amb. Anthony Mukwita wrote-
5 Dec 25. In twenty days, more than one billion Christians across the globe will celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
In Zambia, the only nation on the continent constitutionally declared Christian, jingle bells will ring, Christmas trees will sparkle, and chickens and turkeys will find their way into boiling pots or ovens.
Even the poorest households, scraping by on a dollar a day, will somehow summon the miracle of a chicken stew with curry.
For a moment, the darkness of load shedding will be forgotten, church bells will toll, and prayers will rise in gratitude for life itself.
Yet amid the rice, the chickens, the turkey, the wine and ales, one haunting question hovers like a restless spirit: Is Zambia’s sixth President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, spending Christmas frozen in a seven foot steel refrigerator in Pretoria at sub-zero temperatures?
Six months have passed since June 5th, the day he breathed his last. Six months of legal wrangling, diplomatic spats, and a widow’s tears.
Six months of a nation watching in disbelief as its former Commander in Chief remains unburied and frozen in state.
If there were a Guinness World Record for “longest unburied president in modern Africa,” Zambia would hold the shameful crown.
Zambia would walk the hall of shame for being heartless according to observers.
ECL’s widow, Esther Lungu, stares into space, her eyes long dried of tears after mourning for half a year. His daughter Tasila Lungu, his grandchildren, his friends—all pray for closure.
But the Attorney General digs in his heels, refusing to allow burial in South Africa as the family wishes. Analysts ask: what would Zambia lose if Lungu were buried in South Africa? Rain? Sunshine? Moonlight? Sleep? The economy is on its knees already. What moral compass guides a nation that denies a family the dignity of laying its patriarch to rest?
In sixty one years, six Zambian presidents have died. None was frozen. None was denied burial. None was left hovering between Pretoria and Lusaka, restless. Frozen, brittle and tired.
And so Zambia mourns. The world watches with awe and surprise. “Where are you from?” someone asks. “Zambia–the country where a president has not been buried yet.”
The irony is cruel. Had he not died of a heart condition, Edgar Lungu would have celebrated his 69th birthday on November 11th, dancing his awkward funky chicken with family and friends. Instead, his spirit waits, trapped between steel and silence. His birthday too was in a fridge.
https://youtu.be/KTtR0k31aQ4?si=pbAy2n4oMPtBPWCR
Christmas is about love, forgiveness, and unity. It is about the birth of the Son of God who sacrificed His life for humanity. As the Bible reminds us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
Is it not time, then, for Zambia to be a peacemaker? To compromise? To let a family bury its father, grandfather, and husband? To let a nation heal?
The satire writes itself: a government that once sacrificed to free colonized neighbours now fails to free its own leader’s body. A country that built bridges, roads, and schools now builds only a bridge of shame between Pretoria and Lusaka.
And yet, amid sorrow, hope flickers. Perhaps between today and Christmas, Edgar Lungu may “rise from the fridge like Jesus” and be allowed burial at last. Perhaps Zambia will rediscover its huge heart, the one that once defined it.
As the French say: “La douleur passe, mais la beauté demeure”–pain passes, but beauty remains.
Apart from divine intervention, whom else can grieving Zambians turn to in order to plug this half year long black hole in their hearts, this hollow space and pain?
Who in the leadership will say, “Enough of this…let my man rest.”
Let us choose beauty. Let us choose unity. Let us let Edgar Chagwa Lungu rest. —-
Credit: Amb. Anthony Mukwita, Author & International Relations Analyst. Author of “Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s Rough Journey to State House.”
UKWA HAS CHANGED IT’S NAME TO WOZA OPPOSITION PARTY TO REMOVE HH FROM POWER WITH FULL FORCE.
By ECL Tv
A new opposition alliance has been unveiled, bringing together several political parties under the WE’RE ONE ZAMBIA Alliance (WOZA).
Alliance Chairperson Sakwiba Sikota says the formation is driven by a need to unite citizens and help Mother Zambia amid what he describes as rising concerns over alleged dictatorship and shrinking democratic space.
Mr. Sikota says the Alliance believes the current environment mirrors past moments in Zambia’s history when citizens stood together against the one-party state and fought controversial constitutional reforms.
He highlights ongoing public resistance to Bill 7, complaints over restrictive cyber laws, and increasing tribal and regional tensions as key reasons for the coalition’s formation.
The Alliance, he adds, aims to present a balanced leadership team, mobilise youths and civil society, including the diaspora and commit to zero tolerance for corruption.
The Parties include New Heritage Party, People’s Alliance for Change, United Liberal Party, United National Independence Party and Zambia We Want.
UNITE, PICK ONE LEADER, OASIS FORUM TELLS OPPOSITION
5th December 2025
OASIS Forum Chairperson Beauty Katebe has urged the opposition to choose a leader whom they will all support, stating that having many candidates on the ballot will split their votes.
Meanwhile, PF Avting President Given Lubinda says many stakeholders would have been satisfied with the Constitution amendment process had the correct procedure been followed.
Speaking when a consortium of opposition political parties paid a courtesy call on the Oasis Forum, Thursday, Katebe advised the opposition to weigh their leaders and pick one, adding that the UPND was taking advantage of the confusion in the opposition
“It’s good that we are here together, and also, this gives me an opportunity, without permission from my colleagues, to speak to you as our opposition leaders. We are looking at you, we are watching you, we are seeing the confusion that is there and we are worried as Zambians. That is what is going to make the ruling party have the energy and the character that they have today because they are seeing the confusion that is in the opposition. You know yourselves, you know who can lead. You weigh yourselves and say, ‘for this time around, we cannot all be presidents.’ When we weigh ourselves, we can know one or two that we can depend on to say, ‘this one can be our leader,’” Katebe advised.
“So, this is an assignment to you as well, go back and work on who should be your leader and support that one person. For as long as you all remain presidents and appear on that ballot paper, I can assure you, votes will be split, and what you want to achieve, you will not achieve. The last one is that, we wrote a letter to the members of parliament trying to appeal for them not to support Bill 7 in case it slips through our hands and goes to Parliament. Unfortunately, the day we delivered the letter, Parliament refused to receive the letter on behalf of the members of parliament. We will take this opportunity to deliver the letter through you, to the members of parliament”.
Katebe stressed that the Oasis Forum was not opposed to some of the contents in Bill 7, but the Constitution amendment process itself.
“Bill 7, for us, we are not actually dwelling so much on the clauses, we are dwelling so much on the process. The process is a nullity, which renders Bill 7 an illegality, and that is where we are basing our argument. If you tell us to go to the clauses, definitely, we will be swayed because there is the issue of inclusion, and this has been our mandate that we have been fighting for; it’s actually our advocacy point. So, if we begin to look at the clauses, we may even abandon the thing that we are doing for the Zambians, because what we are doing is to have a Constitution that is going to stand the test of time because it was created on the basis of a proper process that will inform the content,” said Katebe.
“This is not the first time we are standing with well-meaning Zambians to defend a matter that threatens the peace or constitutionalism. For example, in the last few events that we have stood with people like yourselves, I think we’ve done it very well and it has been supported, even by the UPND, which is in government today. The elephant in the room is actually threatening the independence of the arms of government. Why do I say so? The judiciary ruled against this Bill to proceed. I think we saw at some point the legislature calling on the executive to take back the Bill in Parliament, quite strange. Then, we don’t have the independence of the three arms of government, and if we don’t have that, then we don’t have anything that we are going to depend on as Zambians. If the executive is going to rule over the legislature, [and] the executive is going to rule over the judiciary, then we are as good as not living in a country worth living in”.
Meanwhile, Lubinda noted that while in opposition, the UPND was against Bill 10, but the process leading up to Bill 7 had proven that Bill 10 underwent a better consultation process.
“Had this process begun four years ago, had all the people who submitted to this process been identified, had all those people been brought together in a forum to debate their submissions, had the process been guided by an Act of Parliament, had the committee at Parliament provided not less than 45 days to the public to go and engage with parliamentarians on the process, I don’t think I would have been here. I would have been quite well satisfied that people were consulted. And yes, you as Oasis Forum and others, stood shoulder by shoulder with Hakainde Hichilema, as president of opposition UPND, opposing a product of four years of work, a product that was guided by an Act of Parliament, a product that was presented to the people through government Gazette Notice, a product that was subjected to people’s interrogation through 45 days of committee sitting at Parliament. At the end of it, we saw UPND MPs celebrating the fall of Bill 10,” he recalled.
“You stood tall over that process. The process that this Bill has undergone falls far short of all previous Constitution amendment processes, and the first ones I would expect to stand tall again are those UPND MPs who objected to the passage of Bill 10. If you were sincere then, when you stood up and said Bill 10 hadn’t been a product of consultation, I challenge their sincerity, all of them. I challenge the sincerity of the President of the Republic of Zambia, was he sincere then when he said Bill 10 did not meet the required consultation threshold? If he’s a sincere man, he and his Cabinet and all his MPs ought to stand tall again and reject Bill 7 because it is a product of a highly shambolic process”.
Lubinda further questioned how government intends to use what came out of the work of the Technical Committee.
“By the way, the Technical Committee that was set up by President Hakainde must tell us at which point are their findings going to dovetail Bill 7 because the current Bill 7 which is in Parliament was presented to Parliament even before that Committee commenced its work. No one has told us how they intend to use the product of the Technical Committee to inform Bill 7. And as for the MPs from the Patriotic Front, here is an opportunity for you to stand tall on behalf of Zambia, the current generation and generations to come,” said Lubinda.
And Citizens First Deputy Secretary General Dr Kasese Bota noted that if Bill 7 is passed into law, stakeholders have a lot of work to do to ensure that what will be done is undone at some point.
Meanwhile, Zambia We Want president Kapembwa Simbao said the UPND is lying to people by suggesting that they are pushing for Constitution amendments so that they can delimitate constituencies because MMD carried out a delimitation of constituencies and a report is available.
CALL FOR CONSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY: ILLEGAL ACTIONS AROUND BILL 7 NOW WARRANT IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS
By Rev. Dr. Kelvin Mugala Dated: 5th December 2025
The ongoing defiance of the Constitutional Court by the UPND Government in the attempted reintroduction of Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 has created a constitutional crisis unprecedented in the Fourth Republic. The deliberate decision by the Minister of Justice to revive a bill already declared a nullity, and the Speaker’s acceptance of this illegal action, amounts to systemic violations of the Constitution, particularly Article 1(1), which explicitly states that any act or omission that contravenes the Constitution is illegal.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), the Church, civil society, traditional leaders, and legal practitioners nationwide have all confirmed the same legal truth: Bill 7 is illegal, unconstitutional, and cannot be resurrected without obeying the Court’s directives.
In view of these escalating violations, we now call for constitutional accountability — including impeachment and removal processes against all officers who have acted outside the law.
1. PRESIDENTIAL LIABILITY UNDER ARTICLE 108
The Constitution places the ultimate responsibility for upholding constitutional order on the President. Where multiple public officers violate the Constitution simultaneously — and the President either directs, permits, or fails to stop these violations — the President becomes legally and personally liable.
Under Article 108, the President qualifies for impeachment for:
Violation of the Constitution
Gross misconduct
Abuse of authority
Contempt of Court
Allowing or directing unconstitutional processes
The illegal reintroduction of Bill 7, in direct defiance of a ConCourt ruling, satisfies these grounds.
2. SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY — REMOVABLE UNDER ARTICLE 82
By accepting an illegal request and facilitating a bill the Court has declared a nullity, the Speaker has:
Violated the Constitution
Acted contrary to the ConCourt judgment
Breached national trust in the legislative process
MPs must now consider initiating a motion for the Speaker’s removal.
3. MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL — LIABLE FOR MISCONDUCT
Although ministers are appointed by the President and cannot be impeached, they are not immune from legal consequences. The Minister of Justice’s decision to revive an illegal bill, and any advice from the Attorney General enabling this illegality, constitutes:
Abuse of authority
Misconduct
Violation of Article 1(1)
Contempt of Court
These actions warrant immediate removal, disciplinary action, and possible prosecution.
4. NO PUBLIC OFFICER IS ABOVE THE CONSTITUTION
The Constitution makes it clear: Every public officer is bound by the rule of law. Every action that violates the Constitution is illegal. Every officer who participates in illegal conduct is accountable.
The collective violation of the Constitution through the Bill 7 process is therefore not a political disagreement — it is a legal breach that demands firm constitutional remedies.
OUR NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION
1. We call upon Parliament
To uphold its constitutional duty by initiating the appropriate removal or impeachment proceedings against all those who have violated the Constitution.
2. We call upon opposition MPs and Independents
To defend the Constitution and refuse to legitimize illegal conduct through silence or inaction.
3. We call upon civil society, the Church, and traditional leaders
To continue amplifying the call for accountability and protection of Zambia’s democracy.
4. We call upon the Government
To immediately withdraw Bill 7 and comply fully with the Constitutional Court ruling, failing which impeachment becomes the only lawful remedy.
CONCLUSION
Zambia must not allow a precedent where leaders feel empowered to defy the Constitution, ignore the judiciary, and manipulate constitutional processes for political ends. The illegal actions surrounding Bill 7 strike at the heart of our democracy.
We therefore call for constitutional accountability without fear or favour — including impeachment of the President, removal of the Speaker, and disciplinary actions against ministers and public officials involved in these violations.
No office is above the Constitution. No leader is above the law. Zambia must be governed by constitutional order — not political expediency.
Issued by: Rev. Dr. Kelvin Mugala Advocate for Good Governance & Constitutionalism 5th December 2025
THE only achievement the United Party for National Development has scored is issuing speeches on the economy that do not reflect reality, New Heritage Party President Chishala Kateka has said.
Kateka told The Mast in an interview the UPND had failed to align its economic statistics with the daily reality being lived by the people.
“The New Heritage Party would like to weigh in on the recent exchange between Minister of Finance Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane and former deputy minister of finance Dr Mbita Chitala. For us, the most striking feature of the recent exchange is not the disagreement over arithmetic but the quiet revelation that Zambia may be living in two parallel economic universes,” she said.
Kateka said there is a seemingly a parallel economical trajectory that the UPND is championing.
“In one universe, the numbers are clean, the charts rise steadily and the country appears to be marching toward prosperity. In the other, citizens sit in the dark while factories fall silent, and the promise of growth feels like a story best told around a campfire,” Kateka said.
She said Dr Musokotwane is failing to cut a distinction between nominal and real Gross Domestic Product.
“That distinction matters. But the Minister’s comfort ends there. His argument is statistically sound but developmentally hollow. It rests on the assumption that what is measured must necessarily be meaningful,” she said.
Kateka said unfortunately, Zambia’s economic reality has a persistent habit of escaping the neat boundaries of national accounts.
She said a country cannot claim transformative economic growth when its per capita improvement is barely enough to buy a loaf of bread.
Kateka said beyond this, the conventional GDP framework does not know how to count the dollars that quietly slip out of the country through complex mining structures.
“Production is booked as growth while the proceeds take a one-way flight to offshore destinations. The Minister’s rebuttal offers no comfort on this point. He chooses the safety of technical correctness over the discomfort of structural truth,” she said.
Kateka said the electricity crisis exposes Zambia’s economic truth even more starkly.
She said there is no government that prioritises energy export while putting the local demand in serious danger.
“There is the curious matter of electricity exports. Even as domestic power tightened, Zambia continued to export substantial quantities of power to neighbouring countries. Governments have been known to renegotiate commercial contracts when national welfare is in danger. Ours, it seems, prefer to keep the lights on in foreign capitals while its own industries stagger in the dark,” Kateka said.
She said you cannot have a government that prioritises political over technical expertise, especially in managing the country’s energy sector.
“Experienced reservoir professionals were shown the door and replaced with individuals who may have had political blessings but not hydrological expertise. Reservoir levels do not fall by diplomacy. They fall by mismanagement. The deeper problem is that Zambia has mistaken coping mechanisms for strategy. Solar panels appear by the truckload,” Kateka said.
She said it is only under the UPND that the word diversification makes its way into speeches with theatrical regularity.
Kateka said Dr Musokotwane offers no vision for how Zambia intends to escape the gravitational pull of commodity dependence.
MATTERS ARISING | Political Heat Rises as Bill 7 Fractures Institutions & Alliances
The constitutional debate moved into an even sharper phase on Friday following a new round of statements from key actors on opposite sides of Bill 7. What began as a legal and procedural contest has evolved into a multi-front political confrontation involving civil society, the executive, the legislature, opposition blocs and professional bodies such as the Law Association of Zambia.
This week closes with deeper polarisation, hardening rhetoric and open questions about the path forward.
The strongest signal came from Oasis Forum Chairperson Beauty Katebe, who on Thursday hosted a consortium of opposition presidents at her offices. In remarks that were blunt and unusually political for a civil society platform, she told the opposition to resolve their leadership confusion before the 2026 election cycle is lost.
“We are looking at you, we are watching you, we are seeing the confusion that is there and we are worried as Zambians,” she said, adding that the ruling party is taking advantage of what she described as a fragmented opposition field.
She went further, urging them to settle on one presidential candidate: “For as long as you all remain presidents and appear on that ballot paper, I can assure you, votes will be split.”
Her statement drew immediate political interpretation. State House Political Advisor Levy Ngoma privately characterised her remarks as “broadly political”, arguing that the Oasis Forum is drifting into overt political space.
This is consistent with the UPND’s emerging narrative that the Forum is no longer a neutral actor in the constitutional debate.
The same Thursday, Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa responded sharply to remarks by PF presidential hopeful Chishimba Kambwili, who warned that MPs who vote for Bill 7 could face arrest in a future regime.
Mweetwa dismissed the threat as reckless, stating: “Legislative processes fall within the law. They cannot be criminalised. We are governed by constitutional provisions, not emotional reasoning.”
This was a direct counter to Kambwili’s claim that Bill 7 is unconstitutional and a political trap for MPs.
In parallel, the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) entered the field with one of its most forceful statements since the Bill 10 era. LAZ President Lungisani Zulu warned of a possible constitutional crisis, stating that both the Government and the National Assembly must “immediately withdraw” Bill 7 because its reintroduction violates a standing Constitutional Court ruling.
He added: “Disregarding the Constitutional Court’s directives poses grave risks to our constitutional democracy. When leaders tasked with upholding the Constitution ignore it, public trust erodes.”
LAZ’s intervention places renewed pressure on Parliament, which resumed consideration of Bill 7 on Tuesday.
The atmosphere was further complicated by remarks from PF Acting President Given Lubinda, who resurrected the Bill 10 history while standing beside Katebe. He argued that the UPND, which rejected Bill 10 on grounds of inadequate consultation, cannot now defend Bill 7 whose process he described as “highly shambolic”.
Lubinda challenged the ruling party’s consistency, stating: “If you were sincere then, you must be sincere now.”
Other opposition leaders echoed warnings that passage of Bill 7 would require future governments to “undo” the amendments, signalling a long political fight even if the Bill secures the required two-thirds majority.
Meanwhile, the litigation front escalated as Munir Zulu and Celestine Mukandila filed a sweeping petition in the Constitutional Court, seeking to summon the Speaker, her deputies, the Clerk and all MPs for alleged contempt linked to the Bill’s reintroduction.
This marks one of the broadest legal challenges to Parliament in recent memory.
Through all this, the arithmetic inside the House remains the decisive battlefield. With UPND holding ninety-seven MPs without including allied independents, and small-party MPs while visible fractures in the PF Lubinda bloc continue to mount within the PF base with some of its MPs expected to cross the aisle when the final vote is taken.
This fear explains the sharp internal attacks seen on social media, where PF supporters have begun naming members of the Select Committee as potential “sellouts”.
State House, sensing momentum, has demanded that the consortium of opposition leaders submit clause-by-clause objections by Sunday, 7 December.
Clayson Hamasaka said: “The opposition letter condemns Bill 7 but does not point to a single clause. We now invite them to demonstrate the same clarity Hichilema showed during Bill 10, if they can.”
The line is a deliberate rhetorical contrast between President Hichilema’s targeted objections to Bill 10 and what State House portrays as vague political theatre from current opposition parties.
By Friday evening, Zambia stands at a junction where law, politics, procedure and public perception are colliding. Bill 7 has become more than a legislative item. It is now a test of political organisation in the opposition, a test of institutional coherence for civil society and a test of constitutional stewardship for the Government.
The coming days will determine whether the debate sharpens into confrontation or matures into structured negotiation. What is clear is that the national mood has shifted.
NEW ALLIANCE FORMED TO ‘DEFEND DEMOCRACY’ AND UNITE ZAMBIANS
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
A new opposition alliance has been unveiled, bringing together several political parties under the WE’RE ONE ZAMBIA Alliance (WOZA).
Alliance Chairperson Sakwiba Sikota says the formation is driven by a need to unite citizens and help Mother Zambia amid what he describes as rising concerns over alleged dictatorship and shrinking democratic space.
Mr. Sikota says the Alliance believes the current environment mirrors past moments in Zambia’s history when citizens stood together against the one-party state and fought controversial constitutional reforms.
He highlights ongoing public resistance to Bill 7, complaints over restrictive cyber laws, and increasing tribal and regional tensions as key reasons for the coalition’s formation.
The Alliance, he adds, aims to present a balanced leadership team, mobilise youths and civil society, including the diaspora and commit to zero tolerance for corruption.
The Parties include New Heritage Party, People’s Alliance for Change, United Liberal Party, United National Independence Party and Zambia We Want.
_In Response to Remarks Attributed to Mr. Davies Mwila in News Diggers,Published on 4 December_
I have taken note of the assertions made by Mr. Davies Mwila in the News Diggers publication of 4 December, headlined *“PF Is Dead.”* In that article, Mr. Mwila alleges that I “ganged up” with the United Party for National Development (UPND) to remove the Patriotic Front (PF) from power. Such claims are not only historically inaccurate but deliberately misleading.
For the avoidance of doubt, *my engagement with the UPND in 2021 was a direct consequence of my expulsion from the Patriotic Front* an expulsion orchestrated and championed by Mr. Mwila himself, together with several senior officials at the time. When I strongly Opposed to the third term Bid by our Late 6th Republican President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu and they are the same people that Mislead Him, precipitating the political fallout we witnessed. To now feign innocence is an affront to collective memory and an insult to the intelligence of the Zambian people.
Once expelled, what exactly did Mr. Mwila expect of me, return to a party that had formally and publicly disowned me? Leadership demands honesty, moral courage, and accountability. It is therefore regrettable that instead of confronting the consequences of their own decisions, some former PF leaders now seek to drag my name into political mud in a futile attempt to rewrite history.
The ongoing leadership paralysis within the PF has not only destabilised the party but has brought it to the brink of institutional collapse. The *death of the PF*, which Mr. Mwila now loudly proclaims, did not occur overnight; it is the direct result of years of internal mismanagement, factionalism, and a refusal by key leaders to accept responsibility for their actions.
My invitation to the PF to consider working with *Zambia Must Prosper* was made in good faith, as a constructive gesture aimed at providing a pathway out of their deep-seated leadership crisis. Whether they accept that hand of renewal is a matter for their conscience and political maturity. What is undeniable, however, is that *the PF, in its current fractured state, is unlikely to appear meaningfully on the 2026 ballot.*
As someone who grew within the PF family, and who had the honour to work with both the late 5th Republican President, *Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata*, and the late 6th Republican President, *Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu*, I feel a profound sense of obligation to rescue the movement from its own engineered decline. But the cracks within the party are now *structural* too deep to be repaired by nostalgia or denial. The Zambian people are demanding for credible leadership, and *I intend to provide exactly that*.
Zambia Must Prosper will not participate in politics of sycophancy, insults, or unproductive theatrics. Our focus is on offering tangible, evidence-based solutions to the challenges facing our nation. The country requires leaders who confront reality not those who cling to failed strategies while pretending innocence.
To Mr. Mwila, my simple counsel is this: own your mistakes, acknowledge the consequences, and correct them while time still allows.
I remain committed to advancing principled, ethical, and visionary leadership through Zambia Must Prosper. The future of our nation demands nothing less.
Kelvin Fube Bwalya (KBF) President – Zambia Must Prosper
MWILA BITTER AFTER BEING REMOVED FROM CENTRAL COMMITTEE, HE THOUGHT HE’S UNTOUCHABLE – PF
FORMER Cabinet Minister Jean Kapata Davis Mwila is the least qualified person to speak about PF; he is bitter and frustrated after being removed from the Central Committee, charges PF acting National Chairperson Jean Kapata.
Meanwhile, PF faction Deputy Secretary General Celestine Mukandila says Mwila should just go and rest because the party lost the 2021 elections because of him.
Recently, Mwila, who is former PF Secretary General, advised PF members to find other political parties where they could stand and move forward, so that Given Lubinda could remain with a ‘shell’ since the party was no longer there.
Mwila added that there was no difference between President Hakainde Hichilema and Lubinda, describing both as destructive leaders who promote divisions.
Reacting to this, Kapata urged party members not to be swayed by figures like Mwila, stating that if he wished to leave the party, he was free to do so.
“Hon Davies Mwila is the least qualified person to speak about the life, direction, or future of the Patriotic Front. His outbursts must not be accorded any seriousness whatsoever, especially coming from an individual who is clearly driven by bitterness and personal frustration rather than the interests of the party. Let it be stated plainly: Mr Mwila was removed from the Central Committee, and his anger stems from the fact that he believed he was untouchable in the PF. This is a timely reminder to all members that discipline is the backbone of loyalty, and no one is more important than the collective will of the party.
The Patriotic Front does not exist to serve individual ambitions or selfish agendas. It must not be forgotten that Davis Mwila served as Secretary General at the very moment the PF suffered a historic and humiliating electoral defeat, losing by over one million votes. That record loss stands as a direct indictment of his failed leadership and his inability to manage the party effectively when it mattered most,” said Kapata.
“As Acting National Chairperson, I am calling on all committed and loyal members of the Patriotic Front to remain calm, focused, and not allow themselves to be swayed by disgruntled individuals like Davis Mwila, who should be offering an apology to the membership instead of issuing reckless statements. The PF remains strong, united, and moving forward with clarity of purpose. As we prepare for the General Conference, I urge all members to stay steadfast, disciplined, and unwavering.
If Mr Mwila wishes to leave the party, he is free to do so. We will not beg him to stay. We are fully aware that he has a preferred presidential candidate and is attempting to stage-manage an outcome through shortcuts and manipulation. Let him be reminded: the Patriotic Front has one legitimate and non-negotiable process for choosing its president an elective General Conference. That process will proceed, and it will not bend to personal schemes or hidden agendas”.
On the other hand, Mukandila said Mwila lacked the moral authority to comment on party unity or elections after presiding over the defeat in the 2021 general elections.
“I think at this point it’s extremely important to note first that Honourable Davies Mwila is speaking from a point of bitterness because he was removed from the Central Committee. He’s no longer a member of the Central Committee nor does he hold any portfolio in the Patriotic Front. So, he is speaking from a point of bitterness.
However, it’s also important to note that a person of the stature of Honourable Given Lubinda who has managed to hold the party for a good four years without having any defections whatsoever should never be compared to a person like Hakainde who clearly is showing signs of being a dictator. So, you cannot compare a person who holds the party and holds the unity of the party for four years with one who has got tendencies of a dictator. So, Honourable Mwila might have to be advised at this point to go and rest because we lost elections in 2021 because of him,” said Mukandila.
“He was secretary general, he was at the helm of the party and we lost elections. So, at this point he doesn’t have any moral right to speak to issues of unity, to speak to issues of even holding on to a political party, or even issues to do with winning an election. So, I think at this point we need to give it up to Honourable Lubinda. He has held this party. We have not had defections from the PF going elsewhere or joining the ruling UPND because of the quality of good leadership that Honourable Lubinda has shown the Zambian people.
So, in essence, all we can say is I think at this point it’s important to ignore those that want to continue seeking for political relevance and let’s focus on developing the unity of the country and ensuring that we get rid of this dictatorial, autocratic government of the UPND, of President Hakainde, because he has clearly shown that he wants to sit on the Constitution looking at the reintroduction of Bill 7. Honourable Mwila’s advice is empty, no one can even listen to him. How do you want to listen to someone who lost you an election?”
Bill No. 7 Currently Undergoing Parliamentary Committee Scrutiny
The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, N.A.B. No. 7 of 2025 (Bill 7), a Bill that has generated significant public interest, is currently undergoing scrutiny by a Parliamentary Select Committee, as by law established.
When a Bill is deferred, it is re-introduced in the same form in which it previously stood. Once re-introduced, it proceeds to the next stage of parliamentary procedure. In the case of Bill No. 7, that stage is scrutiny by a Select Committee, mandated to receive submissions, examine the Bill clause by clause, and prepare recommendations for the House.
Why Should Members of the Public Care?
The public should be attentive to both the Bill before scrutiny and the Select Committee Report, each for important and distinct reasons.
(a) Concern About the Bill Before Scrutiny
The Bill as originally presented to Parliament forms the official baseline of proposed constitutional amendments.
• It reflects Government’s initial proposals; • It reveals what is being changed, added, or removed from the Constitution; • It sets the tone and parameters of national debate.
Public scrutiny at this point enhances transparency, ensures accountability, and alerts citizens to provisions that may carry risks, omissions, or positive reforms deserving public support.
(b) Concern About the Committee Report
The Select Committee Report is equally crucial because it:
• Summarises all public submissions; • Highlights stakeholder concerns; • Recommends specific amendments or areas requiring review; • Directly shapes how Members of Parliament will vote.
Some of the most substantive changes to a Bill occur because of this Report. Therefore, while the Bill reflects the initial intent, the Committee Report shows how that intent has been challenged, strengthened, or weakened through public input and evidence.
Expected Steps on Bill 7, as per Parliamentary Procedure
Following established parliamentary procedure, the remaining steps before Bill 7 is put to a vote are as follows:
1. Completion of Public Hearings by the Select Committee (Where are here)
The Committee continues to receive written and oral submissions from:
• Institutions, • Experts, • Civil society organisations, • Citizens, and • The Technical Committee on the Constitution.
This phase concludes once all evidence has been gathered.
2. Committee Deliberations and Report Writing
After hearings close, the Committee will:
• Analyse all submissions; • Review the Bill clause by clause; • Agree on recommendations and proposed amendments; • Prepare a formal Report for the House.
3. Tabling of the Committee Report Before the Full House
The Select Committee Report is presented to Parliament.
It informs MPs of:
• The Committee’s findings; • Stakeholder positions; • Recommended changes to the Bill.
This Report is central to shaping the parliamentary debate.
4. Second Reading (Debate on Principles)
The House debates the principles and intent of the Bill.
• MPs discuss the Bill’s merits, objectives, and policy implications. • At the end of the debate, the House votes on whether to proceed.
Because Bill No. 7 seeks to amend the Constitution, a two-thirds majority is required.
5. Committee of the Whole House (Clause-by-Clause Consideration)
If the Bill passes the Second Reading:
• MPs resolve into a Committee of the Whole House; • Each clause is examined in detail; • Amendments may be proposed by Government or in line with Select Committee recommendations.
This is where actual textual changes are made to the Bill.
6. Third Reading (Final Vote)
The Bill is read for the third time.
• Debate is brief and procedural; • A final vote is taken; • A constitutional amendment again requires a two-thirds majority.
A successful vote means the Bill has passed Parliament.
7. Presidential Assent
Once passed by Parliament, the Bill is submitted to the President for assent. Upon Presidential assent, the amendments become part of the Constitution of Zambia.
A SIMPLE CHATGPT SEARCH TELLS YOU THAT, YOU CAN’T PROSECUTE MPs AND THE SPEAKER FOR DOING THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL JOB IN PARLIAMENT ============
The problem is that many people don’t read in Zambia, including those who are educated. This is why they keep losing cases and blame it on our courts.
Lusaka Lawyer Celestine Mukandila and Munir Zulu have commenced contempt of court proceedings against Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha, Speaker Nelly Mutti and all MPs for presiding over and participating in Bill 7 proceedings, which the Constitutional Court ruled to be unconstitutional.
Others cited include Minister of Justice Princess Kasune, First Deputy Speaker,Honourable Attractor Malungo Chisangano, MP, the First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
However, in Zambia, MPs enjoy certain privileges and immunities that allow them to perform their legislative duties freely, without fear of intimidation or interference. These protections are provided under the Constitution of Zambia, the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, and parliamentary tradition.
1. Freedom of Speech in Parliament
MPs have immunity for anything they say during parliamentary proceedings. This means:
They cannot be sued (for example, for defamation) for statements made on the floor of the House.
They cannot be arrested or punished for expressing political opinions during debates.
This immunity applies only within Parliament or its committees, not outside.
2. Immunity from Arrest During Sessions
MPs have limited immunity from arrest while Parliament is in session, except in serious cases.
They cannot be arrested in civil matters (e.g., debt-related issues) during:
A sitting of the National Assembly
The period 5 days before the sitting
The period 5 days after adjournment
However, this does NOT protect them from criminal arrest.
3. No Immunity from Criminal Prosecution
Unlike the President, MPs do not have constitutional immunity from criminal cases.
If an MP commits a criminal offense—such as corruption, assault, theft, etc.—they can be arrested, charged, and prosecuted.
Parliamentary privilege does not prevent criminal investigations.
The only protection is that police must avoid arresting MPs inside the parliamentary precincts without the Speaker’s permission, out of respect for Parliament’s independence.
4. Privileges Within Parliament
MPs also enjoy:
Protection from interference in the performance of their duties
The right to unfettered access to Parliament
Certain protocol security considerations
Any attempt to intimidate, arrest, or interfere with an MP’s work without following proper procedure can be treated as contempt of Parliament.
Zed Farmer sued for alleged failure to pay K400,000; warns lawyer, “don’t just come, my big dogs will bite you”
RENOWNED business woman popularly known as Zed Farmer, Maria Zileni Zaloumis, has been sued by a property company for allegedly failing to pay K400,000 accrued rentals.
And in the communication seen by Daily Revelation, Zaloumis has asked the property owners why they rushed to court when they had not finished with her and inspection of the house.
In this case, Hua Jiang Investments Limited has sued Zaloumis and Misheck Mwala as first and second defendants. According to an affidavit verifying facts filed on December 2, 2025 by Atima Jussa, a property manager at Hua Jiang Investments Limited, Zaloumis and Mwala entered into a lease agreement with the company on April 6, 2023, for the lease of house number 44 Mwambula Road, Jesmondine, in Lusaka.
Jussa stated that the duo had been in occupation of the said property until November 9, 2025 when they handed over the keys to the company. The property manager stated the defendants had accrued rental arrears amounting to K400,000 by the time they vacated the premises.
“That the 1st and 2nd defendants have failed and/or neglected to settle the said debt despite repeated reminders,” read the affidavit in part. “That the 1st and 2nd defendants are truly and justly indebted to the plaintiff in the sum of K400,000, the same being the debt owed to the plaintiff. I truly believe that the defendants have no defence to the plaintiff’s claim.”
TV Yatu through Daily Revelations Newspaper learns that, Fericore Sibanda of Kangombe and Associates, she stated that she had asked the owners of the property to get back to her after inspection but this did not happen. She complained that the move was a plot to destroy her.
“That’s why I said get back to me after inspection, which you did not. Ahh this is a plot to destroy. Anyway, court it is. I will also file don’t worry,” Zaloumis stated, adding that she was disappointed with the rush to take her to court.
Zaloumis also indicated that she was going to involve her mother.
“Anyway, I will involve State Counsel Mwangala Zaloumis then we move,” stated Zaloumis.
She warned that if this ends up on social media, they should prepare for a law suit.
“But if this ends up on social media please prepare for a law suit which will for a law suit which will even be bigger than what you have sued for. I don’t tolerate unnecessary fights,” she said.
Chat seen by Daily Revelation between Zaloumis and the property company lawyer “Fools! Over excited lawyers who have nothing to do…” | Zaloumis warned the property representative not to start a fight they could not finish. She stated that she had received a writ of summons without being contacted to sit and discuss a payment plan.
“Next thing I receive is a writ of summons. If you want to fight Atima I am extremely prepared because you have not given me a chance to even hand in receipts for the work done on the house. Let’s see who is who between your client and me,” Zaloumis stated. “No problem let the court process begin. I have just come out of jail. We have a very good defence here. Okay let me stop talking.”
Zaloumis told the lawyer that she lived in Kabwe and that he could go and serve her the documents there to make his job hard. “You can serve them on my farm, call me when you are ready to come,” she stated, but warned the lawyer not to just go as he might be bitten by her big dogs.
Zaloumis stated that hunger made people to do the unthinkable but it was fine as she understood, TV Yatu learns through the Daily Revelations Newspapers.
MWEETWA SLAMS KAMBWILI’S CLAIMS AS FANTASY Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, has responded strongly to former Information Minister Dr. Chishimba Kambwili’s recent statements.
Mweetwa called Kambwili a “dreamer” and “fantasizer” for claiming that Members of Parliament might face jail time after a future change in government for supporting Bill 7.
Dr. Kambwili, who is also a former Member of Parliament, made headlines this week when he suggested that lawmakers who back Bill 7 should prepare for serious consequences if the political landscape shifts.
He warned that a new government could seek revenge on those who support the controversial bill. At a media engagement on Friday, Mweetwa stated, “These comments are baseless and show a lack of understanding of our democratic processes.”
He added, “We live in a country where democracy and the rule of law are respected. No one should be thrown into jail for their political beliefs or actions, especially when the law is being followed.”
Mweetwa emphasized that the government welcomes open discussions and debates on legislation, including Bill 7, which aims to amend laws related to political parties and elections. He encouraged MPs to engage in constructive dialogue rather than spreading unfounded fears.
“Let’s focus on building our nation together, rather than sowing division and fear among our leaders,” Mweetwa urged. Mweetwa also reminded the public and politicians alike that threats of imprisonment for political opinions are not part of Zambia’s values or legal framework.
As the debate around Bill 7 continues, Mweetwa’s comments are a call for unity and respect within the country’s political discourse.
For now, all eyes remain on the parliamentary discussions as the nation watches how this bill will shape Zambia’s political future.
By Henry Chilombo, MCC & Chairman – National Mobilization, Citizens First (CF)
On Wednesday, Citizens First welcomed the State House acknowledgement of a letter delivered by opposition leaders even as we expressed reservations about the communication tone from the President’s team. Many citizens warned us against being optimistic. Today, regrettably, we find ourselves back at the default setting: dismissiveness and political arrogance.
A State House press release dated 4th December 2025 challenged the opposition to identify even one clause in Bill 7 that threatens democracy. Citizens First accepts that challenge comprehensively and factually.
This is not rhetoric. It is constitutional analysis. 1️⃣ Undemocratic Introduction of Proportional Representation Bill 7 proposes 43 new proportional representation seats: 20 Women 20 Youth 3 Persons with Disabilities But instead of these individuals being directly elected by the people, they are to be selected by political parties based on the Electoral Commission’s post-election allocation of seats. This undermines: Universal suffrage Direct representation The independence and credibility of elections It transfers power from voters to party elites creating fertile ground for corruption, chaos and domination by the ruling party. If proportional representation must come, it must remain within the ballot box, and those elected should not be party-list appointees.
2️⃣ Abolition of By-Elections: A Voter Power Grab Bill 7 removes by-elections completely replacing democracy with appointment. If an MP’s seat becomes vacant, the party headquarters simply selects a replacement. This:.
Denies citizens the right to choose their own MP Encourages party intimidation or expulsion of MPs Locks seats into party ownership rather than public mandate History proves that Zambians often change parties during by-elections. Bill 7 eliminates that possibility of shielding the ruling party from accountability.
3️⃣ Excessive Unelected Representation and Executive Control Bill 7 raises the number of unelected MPs from 8 to 53, including 10 Presidential nominees.
This massively:
Weakens the electorate’s authority Inflates executive leverage in Parliament Creates a Parliament answerable more to State House and party leadership than to citizens
4️⃣ Expanded Presidential Powers and ECZ Risks
Bill 7 increases Executive influence over independent commissions such as ECZ even extending the President’s power to dissolve Parliament on vague grounds. This violates the spirit of: Separation of powers Checks and balances The supremacy of the Constitution It is Bill 10 all over again only repackaged.
5️⃣ Constitutional Safeguards Ignored
Important democratic protections such as: The Bill of Rights Campaign finance transparency Safety for women in politics …are conspicuously missing. Instead, the Bill introduces repeated “as prescribed” clauses allowing critical rules to be changed at will without a Constitutional amendment.
This transfers constitutional power from Parliament to regulation, from the nation to whoever holds power. Conclusion: Power Belongs to the People Not Political Gatekeepers
Bill 7, in its current form: ✔ Dilutes direct representation ✔ Centralises power into party elites ✔ Weakens Parliament ✔ Undermines the independence of oversight bodies ✔ Threatens the sovereignty of voters Citizens First therefore demands:
1️⃣ Remove the 43 unelected proportional representation seats 2️⃣ Retain by-elections as a democratic right 3️⃣ Protect the independence of ECZ and Parliament 4️⃣ Ensure all constitutional reforms are rights-driven and people-centered The challenge was issued and the facts are now clear.
Bill 7 is a threat to democracy. Citizens First under the Leadership of President Harry Kalaba will continue submitting clause-by-clause objections because Zambia belongs to its citizens not to political convenience.
Signed: Henry Chilombo MCC & Chairman – National Mobilization Citizens First (CF)
GOVERNANCE EXPERT CAUTIONS AGAINST INFLUENCE OF NON-ELECTED GROUPS IN ZAMBIA’S DEMOCRACY
By Constance Shilengwe
GOOD governance and Human-Rights Advocate Wesley Miyanda says that in a democracy like Zambia, it is important to recognise the difference between elected representatives and non-elected groups who often speak loudly but have no formal mandate.
He argues that political legitimacy comes from elections, not activism, and that only those chosen by citizens have the authority to shape national policy. Citing the example of Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew, he notes that strong and accountable leadership comes from elected officials, not pressure groups.
Mr. Miyanda warns that attempts by groups to force government action through demonstrations, petitions, or foreign-funded advocacy can weaken Zambia’s young democracy. He says policymaking should be rational, long-term, and protected from emotional pressure.
He acknowledges that civil society, churches, and traditional leaders play an important advisory role, but stresses they should advise not dictate government decisions.
According to Mr. Miyanda, national interest must outweigh sectional or activist interests, and if anyone wishes to determine policy, the path is simple: win elections and earn the mandate.
He concludes that while President Hakainde Hichilema should listen to all voices in the spirit of democracy, no group should attempt to arm-twist the government into making national decisions.
A pre-dawn collision on the Solwezi–Chingola road has claimed two lives and left several others injured in Mushindamo District. The crash happened at about 04:45 hours opposite Kabombomene Primary School, on a curve long known by local drivers for limited visibility and tight manoeuvres.
Police say the accident involved a Zhong Tong bus belonging to Likili Bus Services, registration BCF 220ZM, which was heading to Chingola with sixty-four passengers, and a Scania truck bearing Tanzanian plates. Preliminary findings show the truck was overtaking another vehicle on the curve when the bus collided with the rear trailer.
The bus driver, Anthony Mwamba of Lusaka, died on the spot along with the bus inspector, George Gondwe of Mushitala Compound.
Both men were trapped inside the damaged cabin. Officers at the scene described the impact as severe, with the front section of the bus crushed beyond recognition.
Five passengers sustained serious injuries and remain admitted at Solwezi General Hospital. Thirty-two others were treated for minor injuries and discharged. Bodies of the deceased have been placed in the Solwezi General Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examinations.
Police say the truck driver, believed to be a Tanzanian national, survived the crash and fled the scene. Investigators are working to trace his whereabouts and review the truck’s movement logs as part of the inquiry.
The Zambia Police Service has urged motorists to exercise extreme caution when overtaking on narrow and curved stretches of the highway.
A full accident report will be issued once investigations are complete.
ZCID ADVOCATES FOR MIXED MEMBER PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION TO CREATE MORE INCLUSIVE PARLIAMENT
THE Zambia Centre for Inter-Party Dialogue has advocated for the adoption of a Mixed Member Proportional Representation electoral system, stating it could lead to a more inclusive parliament.
The organisation’s Executive Director, Doren Mwamba Njovu, explains that the hybrid system which combines the existing first past the post method with proportional representation is designed to address concerns about fair representation and marginalised groups.
According to Ms. Njovu, the proportional component of MMPR would allocate parliamentary seats based on a party’s overall national vote share.
This, she argues, would ensure the voices of women, youth, and persons with disabilities are better represented in the legislative body.
She notes that this reform aligns with long standing advocacy from various stakeholders, including political parties and civil society organisations, who have criticised the current system for resulting in inadequate representation.
Embassies demand answers from Samia Suluhu Hassan — ‘Release bodies, free political prisoners now’
A coalition of European and Western diplomatic missions — including those of the United Kingdom and Canada — has issued a blunt warning to the government in Dar es Salaam. In a joint statement, the 17-member delegation demanded that all bodies of those killed during post-election protests be handed over immediately to their families. They also called for the release of all political detainees and insisted that any remaining prisoners be given full access to legal representation and medical care.
The embassies described verified reports of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and the suspected concealment of dead bodies by security forces — serious violations that demand independent, transparent investigation. They warned that failure to act would irrevocably damage Tanzania’s international credibility.
Estimates of the post-election death toll in Tanzania vary sharply. CHADEMA claims around 700 deaths, while some rights groups allege 1,000–3,000. The government has not released figures, and the UN has only confirmed at least 10 fatalities so far.
More than 200 people have been charged with treason, with over 240 arrests linked to the unrest. The exact number jailed remains unclear amid limited official transparency.
Kris Jenner is once again owning her truth — this time with her signature humour.
The 70-year-old momager got fans talking after a new episode of The Kardashians showed her in Paris with Kim Kardashian, casually discussing the work they’ve had done, People reported.
During their chat, Kris joked that her nose is “probably the only thing on my face that’s real,” confirming once again that she had a facelift ahead of her 70th birthday. Kim, 45, quickly chimed in with her own disclaimer, saying her teeth are real and she’s “never had a veneer.” Kris then playfully asked her daughter to “bend over” — a cheeky nod to the years of speculation around Kim’s famous curves.
Kris’ refreshed look had already sparked headlines earlier in the year when she appeared at Lauren Sánchez Bezos’ star-studded Paris bachelorette party. After fans debated her transformed appearance online, it was confirmed she received aesthetic enhancements from New York plastic surgeon Dr Steven Levine.
The reality star later addressed the procedure herself in an August cover interview with Vogue Arabia, saying she had a facelift 15 years ago and felt it was time for a “refresh.”
“I want to be the best version of myself, and that makes me happy,” she said.
Ghana And Burkina Faso Signs Free-Roaming Agreement to Cut Cross-Border Phone Costs
Ghana has finalised a new free-roaming agreement with Burkina Faso, allowing citizens travelling between the two countries to receive calls without additional charges.
This will reduce high communication costs and strengthen digital integration not just in the two countries but across West Africa.
Under the agreement, mobile subscribers who cross the Ghana–Burkina Faso border will no longer pay traditional roaming fees for receiving calls or texts.
Travellers will now enjoy local-rate communication services without hidden or extra charges.
Ghana also signed similar free-roaming agreements with Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and The Gambia.
This is the Africa we want. Next should be a boarder-less Africa. We can do it.
Mattie Crockett, an 82-year-old African American woman from Sledge, Mississippi, has been charged with murder after authorities say she shot her 75-year-old boyfriend at their home. He later died from his injuries.
The Tunica County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call around 3:15 p.m. reporting a shooting. The caller, later identified as Crockett, admitted to shooting her boyfriend, James Larry Jr.
According to WAPT, deputies and emergency responders arrived at the home on Tibbs Road and found Larry with a fatal gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Crockett was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and later released. She was then transported to the Tunica County Jail and appeared before a judge, who set her bond at $100,000.
The sheriff’s office continues to investigate the case and is asking anyone with information to come forward. No further details have been released at this time.
Dangote announces plan to become world’s largest fertiliser producer by 2028
Aliko Dangote, chairman of the Dangote Group, says his company will become the world’s number one fertiliser producer by 2028.
Speaking on Thursday at the Imo economic summit, the billionaire said the group is investing heavily in fertiliser and plans to grow output from 3 million tonnes of urea to 12 million tonnes in the next three years.
“We are investors and I can tell you in the next three years, the programme that we have in the group, we’re investing heavily in fertiliser,” he said.
When Parliament gets unexpected visitors… and this one stole the show.
A bizarre scene unfolded inside Pakistan’s Senate on Thursday when a donkey casually walked into the chamber during a scheduled session. The animal wandered across the red-carpeted floor between wooden desks as lawmakers reacted with amusement, cracking jokes and comparing the visitor to politicians.
No official explanation has been issued on how the donkey entered the high-security building, leaving the incident as a memorable — and comical — moment from the proceedings. Source: No credible source available for this event. Based solely on the user-submitted news update.
Premier League club, Arsenal has officially signed highly-rated Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero from Independiente Del Valle.
The two brothers, who had travelled to London to go through formalities, will officially sign in August 2027 when they turn 18 after reaching an agreement with the Gunners.
Confirming the news in a statement, Arsenal said on the club’s website: ‘Arsenal Football Club have reached an agreement to sign twin brothers Edwin and Holger Quintero from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle, with the twins due to join us in August 2027.
‘The highly rated 16-year-olds who have grown up in Esmeraldas, Ecuador will arrive at the club when they turn 18. They will follow in the footsteps of our very own Piero Hincapie, who was born in the same region of Ecuador and is also a product of Independiente del Valle’s famed academy.’
Waxing lyrical about the pair’s talents, the club added: ‘Edwin and Holger are recognised as two of the most exciting young talents in South America, displaying consistent and impressive performances at youth level for club and country. Both players have been capped at the U17 international level for Ecuador.
‘Edwin is left-footed, quick, and a skilful dribbler. He operates as a right winger, likes to take on opponents, and has a catalogue of skills.
‘Holger is a technically gifted, right-footed, attacking midfielder who links play with his progressive vision and also possesses the ability to beat opponents with quick feet.
‘We will be collaborating closely with Independiente del Valle on the development and wellbeing of both Edwin and Holger until they arrive at Arsenal.
‘Everyone at Arsenal is excited to welcome the Quintero twins to the club in the near future. The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.’
Edwin and Holger are recognised as two of the most exciting young talents in South America.
Edwin is left-footed, quick, and a skilful dribbler. He operates as a right winger, likes to take on opponents, and has a catalogue of skills.
Holger is a technically gifted, right-footed, attacking midfielder who links play with his progressive vision and also possesses the ability to beat opponents with quick feet.
Meghan Markle’s father has had his left leg amputated below the knee in life-saving surgery.
Thomas Markle, 81, underwent a three-hour operation on Wednesday, Dec. 3, to remove a blood clot, which resulted in the amputation of his left foot and lower leg.
Mr Markle has been in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Cebu in the south-central Philippines since Tuesday, Dec. 2, according to his son and Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr.
The former TV lighting director was taken to hospital after falling seriously ill at his home in the East Asian country, where he permanently lives.
“My dad is being very brave. His foot turned blue and then black,” his son Thomas Jr told the Daily Mail last night. “It happened very quickly. I took him to a local hospital and they did some scans and an ultrasound and said the leg had to be amputated.”
He continued: “There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or de@th.”
Meghan has been estranged from her father since 2018 when she married into the royal family.
Mr Markle, who is in stable condition following the surgery, will remain in an intensive care unit. One of his doctors said the next two or three days are critical as the leg could become infected, Thomas Jr said.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder for the 2020 death of George Floyd, is now seeking a new trial, arguing that multiple errors and misconduct during the proceedings violated his constitutional right to due process. Chauvin’s latest filing, submitted on November 20, 2025, asks the court not only for a retrial but also for an evidentiary hearing to examine what he claims were serious problems with jury instructions and the handling of forensic testimony central to the case.
According to Fox News LA, this new appeal, Chauvin argues that the instructions given to jurors misstated Minnesota law, which he believes prevented them from properly evaluating the charges. He also revives arguments previously rejected by the Minneapolis Court of Appeals in 2023, asserting that the trial court failed to safeguard the fairness of the proceedings. His defense team says the new filing presents evidence and expert analysis that were not fully considered during the original trial.
A major focus of Chauvin’s request involves the medical findings surrounding George Floyd’s death. The filing recounts the work of Dr. Andrew Baker, the medical examiner who conducted the autopsy and concluded that Floyd died from “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression,” while noting he did not find injuries consistent with asphyxia. According to the appeal, four other physicians later reviewed the case and attributed Floyd’s death to asphyxia—opinions Chauvin argues were influenced heavily by video footage rather than universally accepted medical methodology.
Chauvin’s filing also states that he has retained a group of physicians from the Forensic Panel, who he says will testify that the state’s expert witnesses relied on techniques that are not widely accepted in the scientific community. In addition, a forensic video analyst from Critical Incident Review is expected to highlight limitations of relying on video recordings to determine the precise cause of death. Chauvin’s team alleges that the exclusion or mishandling of these perspectives during trial amounted to a violation of his due-process rights.
The filing further challenges testimony related to Minneapolis police training. At trial, three police supervisors stated that pinning a suspect with a knee to the neck was not consistent with department policy. However, Chauvin now submits 34 sworn statements from current and former Minneapolis officers who say the knee-to-neck restraint technique was, in fact, part of their training and had been used within the department. Other law-enforcement experts maintain that the maneuver is no longer found in modern training manuals and should only be used briefly until a suspect is restrained.
Chauvin remains incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Big Spring, Texas, where he is serving his federal sentence connected to the same incident. His scheduled release date is November 2037, but the outcome of this latest legal effort could shape future developments in his long-running appeals process.
THIS IS HUGE: The U.S. just released its new National Security Strategy, and it’s a major shift in tone, focus, and global positioning.
For the first time in years, China is not labeled the “primary threat” or “pacing challenge.” Instead, the top priorities are clear: – secure the homeland ️, – reassert control in the Western Hemisphere (hello, Monroe Doctrine 2.0),
– rebuild domestic industry , and then manage competition with China, mostly on economic terms.
Taiwan? The document calls deterrence “a priority”, but notably adds “ideally” when referring to maintaining military overmatch. Translation: it’s not guaranteed. The U.S. now openly says defending Taiwan depends on allies in the First Island Chain doing far more.
Even more striking: zero mention of “democracy vs. autocracy.” No ideological crusade. Just cold, pragmatic statecraft.
This isn’t just policy, it’s a signal. Alliances are transactional. Power is relative. And America admits it can’t go it alone.
A Zimbabwean man who stole another person’s identity to pose as a registered nurse for over four years and earn nearly £200 000 through the fraudulent scheme has been sentenced to prison in the United Kingdom.
Ashton Guramatunhu, 46, of Middlepark Road in Dudley, was sentenced to 40 months at Liverpool Crown Court on December 2. He earlier pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation.
Prosecutors said that in late 2014, Guramatunhu registered with a nursing agency in Warrington using the identity of a legitimate nurse to secure work.
Between Jan. 1, 2015, and April 5, 2019, he worked at six nursing homes in northeast England. Investigators estimate he earned £172,920.94 through the scheme.
The fraud began to unravel in January 2019 when the real nurse was contacted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council about an incident and concerns over his fitness to practice at a care home where he had never been employed.
The matter was reported to Cleveland Police, triggering an investigation. The case was transferred to Cheshire Police in 2020 after officers confirmed Guramatunhu had been registered with the Warrington agency.
Following the sentencing Detective Constable Naomi Sargent, who led the investigation said:
“Guramatunhu should never have been working as a nurse. While he had been to university, his previous convictions meant that he was not suitable to work in the care sector.
“He put the lives of innocent patients at risk, purely for his own financial gain, and I have no doubt that he would have continued his offending had he not been arrested.
“The sentence handed to him by the court reflects the severity of his actions and I hope that it acts as a warning to others.
“I would like to take this as an opportunity to thank all of the officers who have been involved in the investigation, including colleagues at Cleveland, Northumbria and Durham Police, along with staff from our Economic Crime Unit who all played key roles in helping to bring Guramatunhu to justice.
SEARCH FOR LONG-MISSING MALAYSIA AIRLINES FLIGHT MH370 TO RESUME
THE search for the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will resume on 30 December, over a decade after the aircraft with 239 people on board vanished, Malaysian authorities have said.
This fresh search, which will run for 55 days, had begun in March but was suspended shortly after because of poor weather conditions.
“The latest development underscores the [Malaysia’s] commitment to providing closure to the families affected by this tragedy,” the transport ministry said on Wednesday, according to local media.
Flight MH370, a Boeing 777, disappeared in 2014 while travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and sparked the largest search in aviation history.
Exploration firm Ocean Infinity is leading the current search under a “no find, no fee” arrangement. It will receive $70m (£56m) if the wreckage is found, Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook earlier said.
Previous attempts include a multinational search involving 60 ships and 50 aircraft from 26 countries, which ended in 2017, and a 2018 effort by Ocean Infinity ended after three months.
Flight MH370 lost contact with air traffic control less than an hour after take-off on 8 March 2014, and radar showed it had deviated from its original flight path.
It remains one of the greatest aviation mysteries, which continues to haunt the families of those on board. Over the years, many had called for a new search, noting their struggle to find closure.
The incident has also given rise to a host of conspiracy theories, including speculation that the pilot had deliberately brought the plane down or that it had been hijacked.
An investigation in 2018 found that the plane’s controls were likely deliberately manipulated to take it off course, but drew no conclusions behind it.
Investigators said at the time that “the answer can only be conclusive if the wreckage is found”.
