Poland’s Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski says Russian intel is waging a full-blown cyberwar, not just probing, but actively attacking Polish systems.
He warned in Berlin that Russian GRU operatives are trying to breach Poland’s cyberspace, targeting everything from government servers to private businesses.
Just hours earlier, a Russian national was arrested in Krakow for hacking multiple Polish companies, infiltrating databases, and messing with their contents.
Authorities say it’s not a one-off – he may be linked to an EU-wide cybercrime ring.
Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Poland’s been on constant cyber alert, and officials say these state-backed attacks will not be tolerated.
Zimbabwe Targets Single National Currency by 2030
Zimbabwe is taking bold steps toward restoring full monetary stability
The Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank has announced plans to build a strong foreign-exchange buffer, enough to cover three to six months of national needs — a key foundation for transitioning to a single national currency by 2030.
For a country that has weathered decades of currency turbulence, including severe hyperinflation and the shift to the US dollar back in 2009, this marks a major strategic shift.
The new ZiG currency is gradually gaining trust too now making up 40% of daily transactions, boosted by rising global gold prices that help reinforce its value.
Sadio Mané Transforms His Hometown With a FCFA 250 Million Ultra-Modern Bakery
Bambaly in Mali is witnessing a true revolution thanks to Sadio Mané and the Grand Moulin of Dakar
What was once a municipality lacking modern infrastructure is now home to a state-of-the-art bakery, a game-changing investment valued at FCFA 250 million.
Bambaly is quickly becoming a model for community-driven development.
MKP member of parliament Vusi Shongwe was kidnapped on Wednesday night in Tembisa.
Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) member of parliament and Ad Hoc Committee member Vusi Shongwe was allegedly kidnapped and coerced to withdraw money in Tembisa in Gauteng on Thursday.
According to reports Shongwe was.kidnapped along with another unnamed person who was travelling with him in his vehicle.
Shongwe was present during the Ad Hoc Committee sitting on Wednesday and Thursday during the appearance of the Mamelodi born and controversial businessman Vusi “Cat” Matlala, who wrapped up his testimony on Thursday night.
The kidnappers has since released him unharmed.
The party has since confirmed the incident and has requested parliamentary Speaker Thokoza Didiza to ensure the safety of the Ad Hoc Committee members who are investigating the crime infiltration within Saps, Judiciary and other law enforcement agencies.
In a letter address to Didiza, MKP Chief Whip Collen Makhubele the party was concerned regarding the safety and members of the Ad Hoc Committee particularly those from the MKP.
“As the Chief Whip of the MKP, I feel compelled to address the issue promptly and formally warn your office and the parliamentary administration about serious safety concerns that have risen. Theses concerns were previously raised during the Chief Whips Forum when the Ad Hoc Committee extension was discussed and highlighted in a letter sent to your office by Acting Leader of MK Party.
“I regert to inform you that Honourable Vusi Shongwe, an alternate member of the Ad Hoc Committee was kidnapped on the night of 26 November 2025 with another individual who was travelling in his vehicle. During the incidents, the kidnappers confiscated all three of his cellhpones , issued threats and coerced him into paying a substantial sum of money. A case was opened in Tembisa Police Station and investigations are currently underway, ” said Makhubele.
Makhubele further reuqested that Didiza prioritizes this matter and beef up security for the members of the Ad Hoc Committee.
“Any further delays or failure to address these threats not only endangers our members but also exposes parliament to potential
EDITOR’S NOTE | Representation Not a Birthright
Chawama has had no MP for the last five months. Tasila Lungu’s seat is vacant, not because voters changed their minds at the ballot box, but because their representative stopped showing up for work. Speaker Nelly Mutti invoked Article 72 of the Constitution after months of silence, missed sittings and ignored summons.
Opposition figures call it persecution. The record looks more like abandonment.
The facts are not in dispute. Tasila has been away from Parliament since June, following the death of her father, former president Edgar Lungu. The Speaker says she was given clear directives in July to return either within fourteen days of the burial or within fourteen days of the opening of the Fifth Session. She did not return. She did not seek written leave under Standing Orders 215 and 243.
She did not appear before the Committee on Privileges and Absences. For five months, the people of Chawama had a name on paper, not a voice in the House.
It is fair to acknowledge grief. Losing a parent is not a small matter, especially when that parent is a former head of state and the centre of a national storm. But grief does not suspend the Constitution. Chawama is not a private family estate. It is a constituency of ordinary residents whose lives depend on laws, budgets and questions raised in Parliament.
When an MP vanishes for almost half a year without formal permission, the issue stops being sympathy. It becomes accountability.
The opposition line is predictable. They say this is part of a wider pattern of targeting the Lungu family. They point to asset seizures, court cases and the burial saga. Some supporters frame Tasila as a victim of political vengeance. Yet none of these arguments explain why she did not write a simple letter, request extended leave, or appear before the committee that summoned her.
Rights cut both ways. So do responsibilities.
What happened today should worry every MP, not just those in the Patriotic Front orbit. If Parliament cannot enforce its own rules on attendance, then the idea of representation becomes theatre. You cannot draw a salary, claim privileges and then vanish from the chamber for months while citizens queue for voter registration and tax payers fund your office.
At some point the institution must choose between protecting comfort and protecting the Constitution.
Bill 7 debates have revived a favourite slogan on all sides: “the will of the people.” It is worth asking a simple question in Chawama. Whose will was served by five months of silence? Certainly not the marketeers, bus drivers, teachers and youths who expected their MP to argue their case on the floor.
Vacating the seat is painful, but it restores a basic principle. When a representative walks away from the job, the people must be given a chance to choose again.
This is not a judgment on Tasila’s personal pain. It is a reminder that office carries weight. If politics is to mean more than surnames and sympathy, then both government and opposition must accept that holding power includes being present, being answerable and being replaceable.
For reactions, write to editor.peoplesbrief@gmail.com.
ZAMBIANS URGED TO PRAY FOR SUCCESS OF BILL 7 DIALOGUE MEETING
Kasama Archbishop Ignatius Chama has called on Zambians to pray for the success of the dialogue meeting between President Hakainde Hichilema and the oasis forum this afternoon.
Speaking at the day of prayer rally on Bill 7 organized by the Oasis Forum at the pope square in Lusaka this morning, Bishop Chama said there is need for the country to place the process in God’s hands, seeking unity and peace.
He has urged the nation to restore its commitment to justice, goodness, and humility, guiding national laws and public life to protect the dignity and wellbeing of every person.
Bishop Chama has also encouraged citizens to seek god’s guidance as the dialogue continues, stressing that Zambia must rely on divine wisdom rather than confusion or conflict.
At the same event, Oasis Forum Chairperson Beauty Katebe has appealed to all parties in the dialogue meeting to approach the with openness and honesty.
The Oasis Forum will meet President Hichilema at state house this afternoon at 14:00 to discuss ongoing constitutional reforms.
IMENDA CRACKS DOWN ON LAWLESS CADRES, PURGES INDISCIPLINE IN UPND
Lusaka, 28th November 2025
UPND Secretary General Mr. Batuke Imenda has announced the immediate expulsion of cadres involved in violent, criminal, and disorderly conduct in Livingstone, Kitwe, and Mpika.
Speaking at Kambela Mazoka House, Mr. Imenda said the party will not tolerate individuals hiding behind UPND regalia to intimidate citizens or engage in criminal acts. He stressed that the ruling party stands on discipline, unity, and service to the people values that will not be compromised.
In Livingstone, youths wearing UPND attire were reported to have harassed citizens during NRC and voter registration, with one allegedly charging at police before being shot in the leg. In Kitwe, the SG suspended Mutuna Chifunda and the notorious Kennedy “King Lion” Musonda for threatening residents and brandishing weapons.
Meanwhile, in Mpika, youths claiming party affiliation vandalized and stole building materials from the Michael Chilufya Sata Level One Hospital construction site, using them to build personal shops an act Imenda described as “shocking and criminal.”
All individuals involved have been dismissed from the party pending police action.
Mr. Imenda reaffirmed President Hakainde Hichilema’s stance against the return of carderism, saying the UPND will uphold Regulation No. 7 of its constitution to maintain order and protect citizens.
This is the beginning of cleaning out the bad eggs, ” he said. “No one is above the law.
… a grown up man shouldn’t be saying such nonsensical things.
United Liberal Party (ULP) leader Sakwiba Sikota has described President Hakainde Hichilema’s remarks that people are opposing his government’s intention to amend the constitution because of where he comes from, as the “silliest” thing he has ever heard.
In an interview with Daily Revelation on Wednesday, Sikota said what President Hichilema said was the “silliest”
GENERAL SWORN IN AS INTERIM LEADER OF GUINEA-BISSAU AFTER COUP
MILITARY officials in Guinea-Bissau on Thursday named a general as the country’s transitional president.
Horta Inta-A’s inauguration came a day after soldiers toppled the civilian leadership in a swift power grab ahead of the announcement of the weekend’s election results.
In a statement, he justified taking control of the country saying it faced threats to its stability from politicians and drug barons, without providing any details.
The military government will oversee a one-year transition period starting from Thursday, it said in a declaration broadcast on state television.
“Created in response to the events of November 26, this new military entity immediately assumed supreme power in the state of Guinea-Bissau,” said the general at his swearing-in ceremony.
Guinea-Bissau is a notorious cocaine transport hub with a long history of military interventions in politics.
The coup came after incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias both declared victory in the Sunday polls.
Before the announcement of Inta-A’s presidency, Dias accused Embaló of staging a “fake coup” to derail the election because he feared he would lose.
The capital Bissau was mostly quiet on Thursday, with soldiers on the streets and many residents staying indoors.
African Union has condemned the coup and called for Embaló’s release. The deposed president’s whereabouts remain unknown
On Wednesday he told French media that he had been arrested by soldiers.
The reported military takeover is the latest in a string of coups and attempted coups in Guinea-Bissau since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974.
It is also the most recent in a surge of military takeovers in West Africa, where democracy has been challenged by disputed elections that analysts say could embolden militaries.
The PF faction DARK PRAYERS organised by their Secretary General MUKANJO Banda have flopped terribly at the Cathedral.
MUKANJO must not use the church for political advances as even the church goers decided to stay away.
PF faction LAZ legal Advisor Lungisani Zulu wanted his MALUKULA MACABRE ZULU to speak but the ZCCB representative refused stating that the whole DARK PRAYERS were turning into some drama and have lost their credibility.
Meanwhile, the PF faction choir organised by Brian AIRPORT Mundubile was singing outside the church building much to the annoyance of lonely John KANSTITUSHONI Sangwa.
This afternoon this clique of corrupt PF faction thieves is scheduled to meet President Hakainde Hichilema at State House with the exception of bitter tribalist MUKANJO Banda who has refused to go there. Koswe is right in his MUKANJO and he better shares this money he mobilised and was keeping for Edgar Lungu before he died or Koswe will start eating it one leaf by one leaf.- Koswe
TASILA MWANSA LUNGU LOSES CHAWAMA PARLIAMENTARY SEAT AFTER SPEAKER DECLARES IT VACANT
Lusaka 28th November 2025
By Jack Makayi
Chawama Member of Parliament Tasila Mwansa Lungu has lost her parliamentary seat after Speaker of the National Assembly. Nelly Mutti officially declared it vacant, citing prolonged and unexplained absence from the House.
The announcement, made in Parliament during Thursday’s afternoon sitting, brought an end to months of speculation and public debate surrounding Ms. Lungu’s continued absence following the death of her father, former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
Speaker Cites Constitutional Obligations
In her ruling, Speaker Mutti said the National Assembly had exercised “maximum patience and procedural fairness,” noting that Ms. Lungu had repeatedly failed to return to Parliament or formally engage the Office of the Speaker within the timeframe she had been given.
“In accordance with standing orders and the constitutional, the Chawama Constituency seat is hereby declared vacant, “she said, drawing murmurs across the chamber .
The speaker explained that MPs are obligated to maintain active presence in the House unless granted official leave, adding that long-term absenteeism undermines the democratic rights of constituents.
Months of Absence
Ms. Lungu’s absence began early this year amid a prolonged and highly publicised legal dispute surrounding the repatriation and burial of her father’s remains in South Africa.
While she initially applied for compassionate leave, her continued absence extended beyond the period approved by Parliament.
A July directive from the Speaker had ordered her to report back to Parliament either within 14 days after the former president’s burial or within 14 days of the opening of the fifth session of the National Assembly—whichever came first.
Despite reminders, Ms. Lungu reportedly did not make contact or return to Lusaka for parliamentary duties.
Constituents Express Mixed Reactions
In Chawama, reactions were swift and divided. Some residents welcomed the decision, arguing that the constituency had gone “too long without an MP,” leaving development projects stalled and community issues unattended.
“We sympathise with her situation, but we also need a functioning representative. Live has to go on,”said chand mulenga ,a market trader in John Howard.
Others, however, felt the decision lacked compassion.
“She was grieving her father under complicated circumstances. The government should have been more flexible, “said a resident who declined to be named.
Political Implications
The declaration of the seat as vacant paves the way for a by-election, which the Electoral Commission of Zambia is expected to schedule within 90 days.
Political analysts say the race for Chawama—historically a competitive constituency—could reshape Lusaka’s political map.
The Patriotic Front (PF), Ms. Lungu’s party has accused the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) of using the situation to weaken the opposition, though no formal statement had been issued at press time.
No Immediate Response From Lungu
Efforts to reach Ms. Lungu or her representatives were unsuccessful.
Sources close to the family say she is still dealing with private family matters related to her late father’s estate and legal proceedings abroad.
HH DOESN’T LISTEN, WHEN HE DECIDES, NOT EVEN GOD CAN CHANGE HIS MIND – KAMBWILI
MWE Lesa wesu twafweni, bushe ba President besu mwabafumishe kwi (God help us, where did you get our President), wondered Chishimba Kambwili, echoing the same remarks he made years ago regarding the then-president, Edgar Lungu.
He says what President Hakainde Hichilema is doing regarding the constitutional amendment process is unbelievable, noting that the entire Constitution making process usually takes not less than two years.
Meanwhile, Kambwili says when President Hichilema invites people to State House to dialogue, he lectures them instead of listening.
Speaking on KBN TV’s ‘The Big Hour’ programme, Wednesday, Kambwili said the constitutional amendment process undertaken by President Hichilema’s government was an abomination.
“Let us learn to be sincere. Where have you ever seen consultation of the people within 15 days? Where? When I heard that there will be consultation of citizens in terms of the constitution amendments and the period that was given was, I think, from the 28th of October to the 15th or 16th of November, I said ‘yangu tata mayo ngechi chaisa chinshi?’ (I said oh my God, what is this that has come?) Because to me, in Bemba we say ‘mipamba’ (it is an abomination). When you are doing consultation, you go district by district physically, not virtually. You go to the Provincial [capital] and say we’ve consulted Northern Province, Northern Province is not Kasama. You go to Choma and say we’ve consulted the people of Southern Province, Choma is not Southern Province,” he said.
“So, when you look at all these things that the President has done, there are things that have never been done. Anyway that’s why he likes saying it is the first time. And this is the first time in a wrong way because I can’t believe that people were consulted. The Constitution making process, from appointing the Technical Committee to coming up with the draft, takes not less than two years. But this one, Mwelesa wesu twafweni, bushe ba President besu Mwe Lesa mwabafumishe kwi?’ (Our God help us, where did you get our President?) Where did you get this HH nokutuletela (that you gave us) because what the man is doing is unbelievable. We have become a laughingstock. If I were him, I would have just said, ‘forgive us people of Zambia, I heard your voice that you don’t want this, we move on, we are going to have the elections based on the old Constitution.’ Because he is not being truthful”.
Meanwhile, Kambwili said when President Hichilema invited people to State House to dialogue, instead of listening, he lectured them.
“I want to thank the Church mother bodies together with the Oasis Forum because they have shown leadership despite the fact that the man announced that I am going ahead. They have said on Friday we are going to meet him. Well done Oasis Forum, two wrongs don’t make a right. Go and try your luck but the way I know my brother, he is one-way traffic.
When he decides that I am going to do this, nobody, not even God, can tell him to change his mind, but that is not leadership. That is not leadership, Mr President, you need to listen to the people. You are exercising that power that you have, that has been given to you by the constitution, in the interest of the people of Zambia. And once the people of Zambia say we don’t want this, please stop this, you won’t lose anything,” he said.
“Saying sorry is not a weakness, it is actually a strength. So we expect the President to provide leadership even at this late hour over the constitution making process. And he will be a big man. Everyone will say we had a President who listened, but let’s watch the space. The problem that my brother has [is that] what he calls dialogue is not actually dialogue at all. When he invites people to the State House to dialogue, instead of listening to them, he goes to lecture them.
I have been told by one Bishop when I was asking him that we are now getting out of hand in this country, why can’t you go to State House [to] advise the President. This Bishop told me, ‘my dear brother, I will never go to State House for dialogue because the last time we were there, instead of the President listening, he was just lecturing to us, we never even had an opportunity to pour out our hearts to him.’ So my brother must change in all aspects and learn to listen to others. There is no dialogue that is one-sided”.
And commenting on his party’s wrangles, Kambwili argued that good things came out of confusion.
“Amidst confusion comes a very good and positive thing. You know democracy is about people aspiring, so many people competing. And where there is competition, there are bound to be differences, like what is happening in the PF, but once that is sorted out and everybody comes together… you remember what happened when president Michael Sata died, there was confusion, and HH took advantage.
Let him be complacent, let him continue to be complacent that there is confusion in the PF. Akamona ichalengele imbwa nokwata amasengo (he will see what made a dog not have horns). So, for me this confusion in PF is very healthy unless there are no people [who can resolve it], it cannot be resolved. Look at what was just happening two days ago, it’s gone, it’s resolved. So out of this confusion, but I am not encouraging the confusion, but all I can tell you is that out of confusion comes good things,” said Kambwili.
EDITORIAL | Kalaba and Makebi Want an Alliance, Who Will Bow?
Harry Kalaba and Makebi Zulu have announced that they intend to “work closely together” to defeat President Hakainde Hichilema in 2026. It is the latest attempt at stitching together an opposition front that has spent four years fighting each other while accusing the ruling party of division. The statement carries the voice of desperation and ambition in equal measure. It also reopens a familiar question in Zambian politics.
Who leads when two men who both want power stand on the same stage?
Kalaba left the Patriotic Front after years of frustration under Edgar Lungu’s leadership. He built Citizens First as a personal vehicle for 2026 after finishing third on the DP platform in 2021. His reading of that election has always been self-serving. He insists that since Lungu came second and is now dead, he must inherit the second position by default.
Kalaba told podcast audiences that “Hichilema’s shoe is mine” and that he is positioned to take over the State House corridors next year. His political logic has never been shy. It has only been bold and convenient.
Makebi Zulu, on the other hand, is fully PF. He has campaigned for PF structures while insisting he is the natural successor to Lungu. He is still fighting for the PF presidency at a suspended convention. The Lubinda-bloc is split into three blocs: Mundubile’s base, Lubinda’s wing and Makebi’s loyalists who believe he can revive PF’s brand. Even now, his alliance talks with Kalaba sit awkwardly beside his presidential ambition inside PF.
The two roads cannot run parallel for long.
History is unforgiving. PF has never produced a leader who shared power. When Lungu rose in 2015, everyone who contested him was shoved aside or punished. Before that, Sata’s party culture was defined by a single centre of power that tolerated no internal rival. PF’s DNA has never allowed dual leadership.
Every ambitious figure imagines himself as the one chosen by cadres, the one ordained by the spirit of the Copperbelt, the one destined to stand at the Supreme Court steps on inauguration day. This is the same party culture Kalaba came from and the same party culture Makebi still fights to command.
The statement released today tries to present unity as strategy. It quotes the late Edgar Lungu as the inspiration for a united opposition and claims that Zambia needs “stronger together” politics. It sounds noble. It reads like a clean script. But the question remains untouched. Who will lead this alliance? Who will withdraw his ambition for the other? Who will kneel so that the other stands? In politics, ego is not a footnote. Ego is the engine.
https://youtu.be/TR-US9J8VX0?si=Rt132TEqPugyHg0p
Kalaba and Makebi both believe they are presidential material. They both believe they can push Hichilema out next year. They both believe they can command the Bemba-speaking belt. They both believe they can tap into PF’s wounded base. They both believe the current government has created enough electoral anger to open the door for change. None of them is prepared to be a running mate. None of them is prepared to sit quietly in the back seat.
Their alliance is built on a shared grievance, not a shared ideology. They are bonded by their hostility to Hichilema and their nostalgia for Lungu. They are energised by the burial dispute, by the mobilisation around Bill 7, and by the emotional momentum that PF leaders have tried to harness since June. But a movement cannot rely on anger alone. It needs structure, command lines and clarity. Right now, this alliance has none.
The political truth is simple. If these two men work together, only one of them will appear on the ballot. Kalaba wants the presidency through Citizens First. Makebi wants it through PF. Both paths cannot lead to State House at the same time. Someone will have to lower his ego. Someone will have to step aside. Someone will have to admit that ambition without numbers is noise.
Until that happens, this alliance is not strength. It is theatre. A negotiation between two men who want the same throne. A partnership of rivals hoping to look united long enough to survive the next news cycle.
We have seen this before. It rarely ends well. For now, the only certainty is that both men want to lead. The question is whether either one is prepared to follow.
NO CONFERENCE NO CAMPAIGNS-PF Provincial Chairpersons
Seven Provincial Chairpersons of the Patriotic Front have decided to boycott meetings with any presidential candidates.
The Provincial Chairpersons in question are From Copperbelt, Central, Luapula, Eastern, Muchinga, North Western, Western and Southern Provinces.
They have formally written to PF Acting President Given Lubinda to respond to their grievances over the repeatedly postponed elective conference and the removal of two provincial leaders from Lusaka and Northern Provinces.
According to the group, the elective General Conference has been postponed too many times and have warned that this partern has severely undermined the patience and confidence of both party officials and the wider public.
https://youtu.be/TR-US9J8VX0?si=Rt132TEqPugyHg0p
In their letter to Hon Lubinda, the Chairpersons insist that a new and final date for the General Conference be set no later than 15 December 2025.
They are also not happy with the recent removal of the Northern and Lusaka Provincial Chairpersons stating that Hon must reverse the decision in the interest of fairness, stability and party unity.
“Sir, we strongly urge you to reconsider this action, as it has dampened our morale and that of our members. The two affected Chairmen have worked tirelessly to keep the Party together in their respective provinces. This calls for your leniency and your fatherly consideration toward our colleagues.”
The seven Provincial leaders have resolved that no meetings will be held with the Acting President or any presidential candidates until the two issues are addressed.
They have warned that both internal and external pressure on the party has reached a critical level and have unanimously chosen to suspend all engagements until they receive a response to their application.
MP MUKOSA PETITIONS HRC OVER ALLEGED RIGHTS ABUSES AT KULIMA TOWER
Chinsali Member of Parliament Hon. Kalalwe Mukosa has written to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) demanding an investigation into alleged human rights abuses at Lusaka’s Kulima Tower Bus Station.
In a letter dated 27th November 2025 and stamped as received by the Commission, Hon. Mukosa reports complaints from bus drivers who accuse station chairperson Nicholas Banda of brutalising them and subjecting them to physical and emotional abuse.
The MP expressed concern that the drivers’ rights may have been violated and urged the HRC to take “necessary actions to ensure the protection of the drivers’ rights.”
Meanwhile President Hakainde Hichilema has announced the establishment of a Special Drivers’ Desk at State House, aimed at addressing challenges faced by drivers across the country.
https://youtu.be/TR-US9J8VX0?si=Rt132TEqPugyHg0p
In a statement, President Hichilema said drivers play a critical role in sustaining and moving the economy, making it important for government to prioritise their welfare. He explained that his advisory team will coordinate the new desk, which will work alongside a technical committee consisting of selected drivers to ensure first-hand input and effective collaboration.
The President noted that the initiative fulfils a commitment made to drivers before the UPND formed government, emphasising the need for inclusive and participatory economic growth.
MAKEBI ZULU OUTLINES VISION FOR ZAMBIA IN MILLENNIUM RADIO INTERVIEW
Lusaka, Zambia – November 27, 2025
Aspiring president of Zambia, Hon. Makebi Zulu, has pledged to deliver credible leadership and practical solutions to the country’s pressing challenges, during his appearance on Presidential Bid and National Affairs, a program aired today on Millennium Radio in Lusaka.
Zulu, a prominent figure in the Patriotic Front (PF), emphasized unity, reconciliation, and a people-centered approach as the foundation of his presidential ambition. He dismissed fears of political uncertainty within the PF, insisting that the party remains democratic, mature, and capable of offering Zambians a viable alternative.
Zulu stressed that the PF is not short of options despite current disputes over its future. He argued that genuine reconciliation, even with political rivals, is necessary if it serves the aspirations of Zambians.
“If reconciliation responds to the aspirations of the Zambians, who are we to say no? We should be reconciliatory in our approach,” he said.
He added that the party is committed to credible internal processes, including trimming down candidates before convention, to ensure unity and readiness for the 2026 elections.
Zulu questioned the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND)’s record since taking office in 2021, accusing it of failing to translate economic policies into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens. He cited persistent issues such as food insecurity, load shedding, youth unemployment, and poor agricultural performance.
“You can’t talk about inflation rate and people still haven’t eaten. You can’t be talking about the dollar and people still haven’t eaten,” Zulu argued, insisting that governance must address bread-and-butter issues.
He contrasted PF’s infrastructure investments including airports, hospitals, and roads with what he described as UPND’s lack of visible achievements despite continued borrowing.
On Zambia’s mining sector, Zulu called for stronger local participation and beneficiation. He criticized artisanal mining licenses awarded under UPND, claiming they often exclude local communities. He proposed reviving PF’s cooperative-based artisanal mining model, where government and the Bank of Zambia would purchase gold directly from local miners to build national reserves.
“You can’t have a resource in your house that benefits outsiders while locals are excluded. We must strengthen cooperatives so that beneficiation goes to our people,” he said.
Zulu also addressed Zambia’s ongoing energy crisis, condemning the government for failing to deliver on promises to end load shedding. He argued that exporting electricity while citizens face up to 21 hours of blackouts is unacceptable. He pledged to prioritize domestic supply, revive stalled projects such as the Lusiwasi Dam and Katete wind farm, and explore nuclear power development.
“Every country knows for industry to thrive; you must have energy 24-7. Leadership must respond to that reality,” he said.
Zulu further insisted that Zambia is not a business enterprise but a nation whose leadership must uplift all citizens, especially the vulnerable. He promised a sectoral approach to economic growth, targeting agriculture, mining, and energy, while connecting youth to industry and employment.
ANDD URGES POLITICAL STAKEHOLDERS TO AVOID REGALIA AT OASIS FORUM PRAYERS
Lusaka… Friday November 28, 2025 (SMART EAGLES)
Advocates for National Development and Democracy (ANDD) has called on all political leaders and cadres planning to attend today’s OASIS Forum prayers at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross to refrain from wearing political regalia, saying the gesture is essential to preserving unity and the solemnity of the national event.
ANDD Executive Director Samuel Banda has told Smart Eagles that political attire risks shifting attention away from the purpose of the gathering, which is to seek God’s guidance ahead of the scheduled dialogue meeting between President Hakainde Hichilema and OASIS Forum representatives at State House.
“We urge all stakeholders to put the nation first and avoid wearing any political regalia during the prayers,” Mr. Banda said.
“This is a sacred moment for unity and reflection. Politicizing it by displaying party symbols would undermine the broader interests of the Zambian people.”
Mr. Banda encouraged all political parties intending to participate to instead wear neutral clothing, noting that Zambia’s reputation as a peaceful and Christian nation is built on mutual respect, dialogue, and non-partisan engagement at national events.
He praised both the OASIS Forum and the Government for embracing dialogue regarding the contentious Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7, which has attracted public criticism.
“We commend the efforts by both parties to come together and listen to the concerns of citizens,” he said.
“From our interactions and observations, it is clear that the majority of Zambians do not support Bill No. 7. In the interest of unity, peace, and democracy, we call upon the Government to immediately withdraw the Bill and align with the will of the people.”
Mr. Banda expressed hope that today’s dialogue meeting would result in constructive engagement and meaningful resolutions, particularly regarding the Constitutional Technical Committee and the issues raised by the public.
He concluded by urging all stakeholders to approach both the prayers and the dialogue process with humility, respect, and a shared commitment to national development.
Lunte Member of Parliament Hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya Writes:
BILL7 DIALOGUE IS THAT ELECTRICAL OFF AND ON.
Stop Bill 7. Zambians have clearly spoken their mind on Bill 7. Zambians have rejected Bill 7. Zambians do not want Bill 7.
Because Bill 7 is a poisonous Bill, Government must drop it completely. Other than its being poisonous, Bill 7 has been declared now and void by the constitutional court.
What is most surprising is that despite Zambians having rejected Bill 7 and its unconstitional standing by court declaration, HH wants to go ahead and enact it whatever it takes.
Why should HH enact a law which has been so rejected by the people?
Why is HH so desperate to ammend the constitution at all costs, even to the extent of making the constitutional making process as president driven?
What risks does the current constitution pause to HH personally, which it does not pause to the general citizens to justify this degree of desperation which he has exhibited?
HH has gone to the extent of claiming that the people of Zambia hate him so much. Accordingly, he has admonished that he did not choose to be born where he was born, as though implying that there is something wrong with where he was born. Some people have said that this is emotional blackmail which is certainly childish to be deployed at presidential level.
While HH discouraged the OASIS Forum from peacefully protesting in disapproval of enacting Bill 7, warning that more powerful people could meet them. Pictures have surfaced over the Internet showing those who matched in Choma, in solidarity with Government’s intention to enact Bill 7. Those who gave HH solidarity in Choma were not met by more powerful people. Instead they were given protection by Zambia Police Service.
The case of Bill 7 is like an electrical switch. There is no middle ground. It is either OFF or ON. Once Bill 7 is switched off by HH, we shall support him. On the other hand, no amount of machinations will work for HH including the so called dialogue, if Bill 7 remains switched ON. There shall be no support for HH.
The constitution cannot be amended because of HH. The constitional ammendment process cannot be president driven. Let it be known to HH that the constitution is not his personal document – it belongs to the citizens – he must listen to the citizens.
A Namibian councillor literally named Adolf Hitler has once again won his small local race, retaining his seat in the Ompundja constituency in northern Namibia.
Adolf Hitler Uunona, a longtime member of the ruling SWAPO party, has now held the position for around two decades and just secured victory yet again in the latest regional elections.
Uunona first went viral years ago after winning with roughly 85% of the vote, when it emerged that his full legal name matched that of the Nazi dictator.
He insists his father “had no idea” who Hitler was when he named him, and stresses he has no connection to Nazi ideology, describing himself instead as a civil-rights-minded local politician focused on infrastructure and social issues.
UPND YOUTH CHAIR REAFFIRMS PARTY’S STANCE AGAINST POLITICAL VIOLENCE
THE United Party for National Development National Youth Chairperson, Gilbert Liwaniso has stated that the party remains firmly committed to rejecting political violence, a directive he says all party members and youths are fully aware of.
Mr. Liwaniso explains that since the party’s inception into government in 2021, President Hakainde Hichilema issued a clear directive against cadrism and political violence.
He has credited this policy as a key reason for the prevailing peace in the country and affirmed the party’s unwavering stance on the matter.
He has emphasised that no act of violence will be tolerated, whether from ruling party or opposition members, stating that the Zambian people are peace-loving as they go about their daily activities.
ITS NOT ALIEN FOR ZAMBIANS TO REFUSE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS DEEMED NOT IN NATIONAL INTEREST – MUNTHALI
… says the insistence to push Bill 7 has now taken a dangerous turn into outright discrimination and the suppression of democratic rights.
LUSAKA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2025 [SMART EAGLES]
CITIZENS First party national chairlady Faith Munthali says it is not alien for Zambians to refuse a constitutional amendment they deem not in their interest.
In a statement released to Smart Eagles this morning, Ms. Munthali said Zambians rejected the infamous Bill 10, and are now refusing Bill 7.
She said the will of the people is consistent, yet the government’s insistence is not.
“This insistence has now taken a dangerous turn into outright discrimination and the suppression of democratic rights. The Oasis Forum and other civic groups, seeking to exercise their constitutional right to a peaceful demonstration against Bill 7, were denied permission. Meanwhile, groups in Livingstone who supported the Bill were given the green light to proceed,” she said.
“This selective application of the law by the police is a blatant act of discrimination and reveals an administration willing to silence dissenting views We call upon the Inspector General of Police to advise police command to see beyond partisan politics and uphold the law equally for all citizens,” Ms. Munthali said.
The CF national chairlady said a number of times, through the voice of President Harry Kalaba, Citizens First party has advised the government to drop the issue of Bill 7.
“The public’s position is clear: some have not understood the Bill because of its complexity, and those who have understood it see no meaningful difference from the rejected Bill 10. The government’s refusal to listen and its determination to propel Bill 7 forward, while simultaneously denying its opponents the right to protest, shows unmistakable traits of dictatorship,” she said.
She said the demand of the Citizens First women is simple and that is to let democracy flow.
“If Bill 7 is truly meant for the benefit of all Zambians, then allow Zambians to decide, just as they decided to vote for you. If the majority say “no,” leave it. To continue pushing against the clear will of the people demonstrates that this Bill is not for Zambians, but for the few individuals who drafted it,” she adds.
Come to think of it: when 2.8 million Zambians voted for the UPND, you rightly declared that “the Zambians have spoken” and called for respect of their decision. Today, the same Zambians have spoken on Bill 7. Why can you not say the same today—that they have spoken and their view should be respected? Hatred and love will always be present in politics. However, it is the duty of a government to do the right thing, regardless. Do the right thing, and people will regroup themselves in love or hate clubs. But first and foremost, fulfil your mandate,” she said.
The CF womens leader has since called on the UPND government to immediately allow peaceful demonstrations against Bill 7, heed the voice of the people and withdraw the Bill and direct state institutions to act impartially and uphold democratic rights for all.
“The mandate you were given was to govern for all, not to rule over those who disagree with you. It is time to listen,” she said.
YOU CAN’T DEVELOP THIS COUNTRY THROUGH CADRELISM – NJOBVU
… condemns the attack on a police officer by the UPND cadres at a toll gate on the Copperbelt.
LUSAKA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER, 28, 2025 (SMART EAGLES)
DEMOCRATIC Union party President Ackim Antony Njobvu says his party does not condone any form of violence and has condemned the attack on a police officer at a toll gate on the Copperbelt by cadres who were in the entourage with UPND national youth chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso.
Speaking when he featured on the ‘Peoples Concern’ program on Revelation TV last night, Mr. Njobvu said cadrelism will never develop the country but instead requires leaders that are responsible and able to reason and generate ideas that benefit citizens.
“As a party we will never allow any form of violence. Us young leaders in DU we want to change the atmosphere, we want to change the governance style in this country where people should compete on ideas and not physical competition. We want to put it on record that us as a party we condemn any form of violence at any level, we want proper leaders, leaders that are responsible enough, people who are able to reason, people who are able to generate ideas not those who are violent,” Mr. Njobvu said.
“You can’t transform this country through cadreslism. One of my aspirations is that we need to reach a stage where we begin to find solutions for this country and this can only happen if we get great minds in leadership roles, but if we get cadres in leadership roles then we continue being at the same place, so for me and DU we condemn violence on a police officer on the Copperbelt, we condemn the attack in Chiwempala on President Hichilema, we condemn the attack on the PF secretariat and on Hon. Given Lubinda, ” the DU leader said.
And Mr. Njobvu said President Hichilema has been misreading the frustrations of Zambians hence his assumption that they hate him.
” The best thing is for President Hichilema to drop Bill 7, it has divided us and for us to be united as a country let’s drop the constitutional amendments and mend the relationship with the church and also President Hichilema should stop issuing divisive statements. It’s not necessary especially that we are going to the General elections next year,” Mr. Njobvu said.
Mr. Njobvu also reminded the Head of State that the Church always speaks for the vulnerable people in the country adding that government should not allign the church to partisan politics.
” The Church have said no to Bill 7 because they stand with the people and the weak, they also stand for justice and promoting freedoms of citizens. All of us are equal before God and anything that disadvantages citizens, the church will not stand with that,” He said.
“Government should understand that the Catholic church covers the whole country and they receive complaints from the people and have a true picture of what is happening in society. You can’t separate church and politics and that can never happen,” He said.
HERITAGE | The Palace Coup That Shaped Barotseland’s Future
The figures in these fading photographs stand like guardians of a forgotten conflict. Manyengo tribesmen gather in a loose circle, their bodies marked by the dust of Lealui, their dance offered not to a celebrated monarch but to a contested ruler. The man they salute is Akufuna Tatila, a brief and troubled occupant of the Barotse throne.
His reign, framed by intrigue and unrest, lasted barely a year from 1884 to 1885. Yet it shaped one of the most dramatic political reversals in the history of Barotseland.
Akufuna’s rise followed a palace coup that stunned the kingdom. Lubosi, later known as Lewanika, had been forced into exile after being toppled by Ngambela Mataa. The new arrangement placed Akufuna, the son of Imbua, on the throne while his sister Maibiba was dispatched to Nalolo to balance the royal equation.
But behind the façade of order, the real authority remained in the hands of the Ngambela who saw in Akufuna a manageable figure rather than an independent Litunga.
The second photograph, more intimate and stark, reveals a man caught in demands beyond his reach. Akufuna could speak only Mbunda and could neither understand nor communicate in Siluyana or SiKololo, the principal languages of governance.
This linguistic barrier widened the gap between him and the Barotse aristocracy. It also exposed him to mockery and suspicion at a time when legitimacy in the Lozi state depended heavily on ritual speech, diplomacy and the ability to command loyalty across a vast territory.
Mataa soon lost faith in the very man he had elevated. Akufuna’s lack of authority and growing isolation threatened the Ngambela’s own grip on power. As frustration deepened, Mataa attempted to engineer another replacement, this time favouring Sikufele of Lukwakwa. Sensing danger, Akufuna fled first to Sesheke, then to the Batoka region, where he sought shelter among the people of Siachitema.
His short reign entered the historical record as an experiment in rule without cohesion and authority without a shared language.
While Akufuna drifted into the margins, Lubosi was gathering support. Some who had opposed him now viewed him as a stabilising force. Mambari slave traders, driven by commercial interests, joined his coalition after receiving promises of favourable terms.
At a time when the slave trade still operated in Barotseland, armed alliances shaped political outcomes and delivered influence to those who could negotiate both loyalty and violence.
Lubosi’s return was swift and uncompromising. The confrontation that followed ended with the deaths of Mataa, Silumbu, Numwa and Sikufele. Their fall cleared the path for Lubosi’s restoration in 1885.
He would rule as Lewanika I until 1916, guiding Barotseland through a period marked by centralisation, missionary presence and the early encroachments of colonial power.
These photographs, published in 1887 by François Coillard of the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society, freeze the moment before that transformation. Coillard’s lens captured not only faces and gestures but a kingdom in transition.
The images stand as evidence of a political storm that reshaped Barotseland and defined the legacy of one of its most significant rulers. They tell us that history is not distant. It lives in the struggles, ambitions and fragile alliances that built the Zambia we know today.
GOVERNMENT UNLOCKS K2.3 BILLION FOR SOLAR ROLLOUT AS CDF IS RESTRUCTURED
Lusaka… Thursday November 27, 2025 (SMART EAGLES )
The Government has unlocked K2.3 billion (US$100 million) to kick-start a nationwide solar energy programme, following a major restructuring of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has announced.
Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Nicholas Phiri said the financing marks one of the largest single reallocations of CDF resources since the fund was established, describing it as ‘a strategic investment in national energy security and long-term revenue generation for Local Authorities.’
He explained that the US$100 million initial investment for the newly created Presidential Constituency Energy Initiative (PCEI) is a combination of US$40 million from the CDF and US$60 million from ZCCM-IH, forming the first tranche of a US$200 million (K4.6 billion) national solar rollout.
“The Ministry has concluded the restructuring of the CDF 2026 in order to release funds needed to translate this policy guidance into tangible project deliverables,” Mr. Phiri said.
“An initial equity contribution of 100 million dollars will be immediately made available to commence the works.”
According to the Ministry, the restructuring of the loan and disaster components of the CDF will release K826 million (US$35.9 million).
However, a K94 million shortfall remains, prompting each constituency to contribute about K5.9 million, of which approximately K603,000 will come from community projects.
Mr. Phiri stressed that the reallocation has been done in line with the CDF Act No. 1 of 2024 and will not derail existing 2026 community projects or Presidential priorities such as maternity annexes, water and sanitation facilities, and chiefs’ palaces.
He also highlighted concerns over low loan recoveries under CDF, noting that although K1.6 billion has been injected into the loan portfolio since 2022, only K163.7 million, a recovery rate of 9.7%, had been repaid by September 2025.
“We will intensify stakeholder engagement to ensure that all CDF loans are recovered so that the facility can revolve and be extended to other recipients,” he said.
Mr. Phiri further underscored that the energy investment will generate new income streams for councils, calling it ‘a significant milestone in enhancing Local Authority Own Source Revenue, as all the 156 Local Authorities will earn dividends arising from their equity contribution.’
He assured the public that the initiative, managed by the Ministry of Energy with support from the Ministry of Finance and ZCCM-IH, will be executed with strict financial oversight.
“The Presidential Constituency Energy Initiative will be implemented with the highest level of urgency, efficiency, accountability, and technical vigilance,” he said.
“This transformative programme remains critical to the financial sustainability of Local Authorities while contributing to national energy security.”
“VIOLENCE WILL NOT BUILD ZAMBIA” — NJOBVU ROARS AT POLITICAL CADRES
Democratic Union (DU) Party President Ackim Antony Njobvu has issued a strong condemnation of the recent attack on a police officer at a Copperbelt toll gate, calling the incident a painful reminder of the entrenched culture of cadrelism that continues to undermine Zambia’s development agenda.
Featuring on The People’s Concern programme on Revelation TV, Mr. Njobvu said the country must urgently detach governance from violent political behavior if it is to progress. He stressed that sustainable development demands leadership built on ideas, responsibility, and innovation not intimidation.
“As a party, we will never allow any form of violence,” he said. “We are young leaders in DU, and we want to change the atmosphere of politics in this country. People should compete on ideas, not fists. Zambia cannot develop under the weight of cadrelism.”
Mr. Njobvu warned that violence erodes public trust and slows economic growth, noting that no nation has ever transformed through political thuggery. He added that Zambia’s future depends on elevating thinkers, innovators, and reform-oriented citizens into leadership positions.
“You cannot transform this country through cadrelism,” he said. “If we continue putting cadres in leadership roles, we remain stuck in the same place. Great minds build nations, not violent groups. That is why, as DU, we condemn the attack on the police officer, the violence in Chiwempala targeting President Hichilema, the attacks on the PF Secretariat, and the assault on Honourable Given Lubinda. Violence is violence no matter who it targets.”
Turning to the heightened national tension surrounding Bill 7, Mr. Njobvu urged President Hakainde Hichilema to withdraw the proposed constitutional amendment, arguing that it has divided the country at a critical time when unity and economic focus are needed.
“The President has misread the frustrations of Zambians,” he said. “People do not hate him they are simply frustrated by the cost of living, unemployment, and lack of tangible development. The best thing is to drop Bill 7 and rebuild trust. As we head into next year’s general elections, the nation needs healing, not polarizing statements.”
Mr. Njobvu also emphasized the irreplaceable role of the Church in safeguarding national values, social justice, and the voice of the vulnerable. He cautioned government against drawing the Church into partisan political battles.
“The Church stands with the weak and with justice,” he said. “Their position against Bill 7 reflects the concerns of citizens across the country. Government must understand that the Catholic Church spans every province, every district its leaders hear the true stories of communities. You cannot separate the Church from national affairs. They speak for the people.”
The DU leader’s comments add to mounting public pressure around governance reforms, state Church relations, and rising political tension, as the country edges closer to the 2026 general elections. His call for a return to idea-driven politics aligns with growing demands for leadership that prioritizes economic stability, social protection, and national cohesion over partisan confrontation.
COURT TO DELIVER JUDGEMENT IN LIVINGSTONE MAYOR CORRUPTION CASE
LUSAKA Magistrate Trevor Kasanda, sitting at the Livingstone Magistrate Court, is today expected to deliver judgement in a case in which Livingstone Mayor Constance Muleabai is accused of soliciting K120,000 and obtaining K180,000 from Mark Gabites as an inducement to facilitate the cancellation of property rates bills at the Livingstone City Council.
Ms. Muleabai was found with a case to answer on both counts but denied all charges during her defence.
The State, represented by Gloria Muyunda and Lucie Hamweemba from the Anti-Corruption Commission presented 11 witnesses as evidence, arguing that the testimony was sufficient to prosecute the accused.
Throughout trial, Ms. Muleabai has been appearing while on bond, which has been extended since the day of her arrest.
She is being represented by Boniface Chiwala and McQueen Zaza of Chiwala Boniface Messres Legal Practitioners.
ISRAEL WARNS EMBASSIES OF DANGEROUS AREAS IN BEIRUT AS BOMBING CAMPAIGN LOOMS
The Israeli Ministry of Defense has reportedly sent messages to foreign embassies, international government bodies, and the International Committee of the Red Cross warning of dangerous areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Specific streets were identified in Haret Hreik, Bir Al-Abed, Muawad, Hadath, Al-Mreijeh, and Al-Ruwais.
Additional areas mentioned include Tahwitat Al-Ghadir, Al-Barakat, Al-Ouzai, Al-Basta Al-Tahta, Ras Al-Nabaa, and Palestinian camps in Beirut.
Earlier this week, Lebanese outlet Al-Jadeed reported that Israel has received U.S. approval to “take action” in Lebanon.
This follows last week’s Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs that killed Hezbollah’s acting chief of staff Ali Tabtabai, the first strike on the capital’s outskirts in months.
Israel maintains Hezbollah is rebuilding military capabilities in violation of ceasefire terms.
FIFA could face legal action following its controversial decision to suspend Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo’s ban and allow him to play in Portugal’s first two World Cup games.
This comes after the governing body took the extraordinary step of suspending the final two games of a three-match ban issued to the 40-year-old superstar after he was sent off for elbowing Ireland’s Dara O’Shea in a qualifier earlier this month.
Ronaldo sat out Portugal’s final World Cup qualifier – a 9-1 thrashing of Armenia, and is effectively now free to play for his country.
However, Daily Mail Sport understands that those who are drawn to play against Portugal in the matches he should have been banned, could make a claim at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a bid to overturn the controversial suspension and uphold the original punishment. A panel would sit in Switzerland before delivering a verdict.
Other countries whose players will miss matches due to suspensions that have not been similarly reduced may also be monitoring the situation.
Any aggrieved party would have to demonstrate that they are directly affected by the decision and that there is a legal interest worthy of protection, according to those with knowledge of the situation.
FIFA’s disciplinary code states that a player should serve ‘at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing, punching, kicking, biting, spitting or hitting an opponent or a person other than a match official’.
However, Article 27 of the code states that a FIFA judicial committee can ‘fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure’.
FIFA said: ‘In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the serving of the two remaining matches has been suspended under a one-year probation period.
If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked and the remaining two matches must be served immediately at the next official match(es) of the Portuguese representative team.
This is without prejudice to any additional sanctions imposed for the new infringement.’
FIFA say their disciplinary panel is ‘fully independent’.
The family of Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan is demanding to see him amid concerns for his well-being following rumours that he has died in prison.
Khan has been locked up since August 2023 as he serves a 14-year sentence on corruption charges, one of dozens of cases he says were made up to keep him out of politics.
His sisters have in recent weeks been repeatedly denied a visit with Khan, and say they are becoming increasingly worried about his health.
It comes amid online rumours that the ex-PM had d!ed in Adiala jail, with multiple social media accounts spreading unconfirmed reports about his death.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party condemned the ‘despicable’ rumours regarding Khan’s whereabouts.
In a statement on X, the party demanded that the ‘current government and the interior ministry immediately and clearly dismiss and clarify the rumour and immediately arrange a meeting between Imran and his family’.
‘A formal and transparent statement should be issued on behalf of the state regarding the health, security, and current status of Imran,’ the party said.
A spokesperson for PTI also said no one has seen Khan since November 4, and no reason had been given for not having a meeting.
Khan is being denied visits and medical support despite his status of a former prime minister.
‘His health is our concern. We are worried about his illegal isolation,’ spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari said.
Khan’s family and party members have protested outside the jail in the garrison city of Rawalpindi in recent days demanding to see him.
His sisters, Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Dr Uzma Khan claimed they were recently ‘brutally’ assaulted outside the prison while demanding to see their brother.
Prison rules allow Khan to meet outsiders at least once a week, although jail authorities can suspend such access.
There have been long gaps spanning weeks when Khan was not allowed to meet outsiders, the party said.
Local media reported that the 73-year-old former international cricketer might be moved to a high-security prison to make meeting him more challenging.
A jail official told Reuters that the former premier was in good health, and that he was not aware of any plans to move him to any other facility.
He spoke on the condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.
The African Union (AU) Election Observation Mission, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, and the West African Elders Forum have expressed serious concern over the coup d’état announced by the armed forces of Guinea-Bissau.
In a joint statement released on Thursday following the post-election situation in the country, the heads of the missions and forum noted the orderly and peaceful conclusion of the voting for the presidential and legislative elections. They decried the disruption of this process by the military.
The statement was signed by former President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, Issifu Kamara, and former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan.
The missions commended the people of Guinea-Bissau for their strong civic engagement, and the professionalism demonstrated by polling staff, security personnel, presidential candidates, and party agents throughout the voting process.
“Despite these encouraging developments, we express deep concern with the announcement of a coup d’etat by the armed forces, while the nation was waiting for the announcement of the results,” the statement read.
It was noted as regrettable that the military announcement came shortly after the missions had concluded a meeting with the two leading presidential candidates, who had assured them of their willingness to accept the will of the people. “We deplore this blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process and the gains that have been achieved thus far.”
The organizations urged the African Union and ECOWAS to take all necessary steps to restore constitutional order in the country. They also raised alarms over the arrests of top officials, including those in charge of the electoral process, and called upon the armed forces to immediately release the detained officials to allow the electoral process to proceed to its conclusion.
The joint statement concluded by calling on the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm, and reaffirmed the organizations’ commitment to supporting the country on its democratic path. They underscored the importance of preserving peace, stability, and the well-being of the people during this sensitive period.
The military officers declared they had seized power and announced the removal of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and the suspension of the electoral process just as the nation was waiting for the election results. Military sources confirmed that President Embalo had been arrested but was being “well-treated.”
Despite working together several times over the years, T-Pain and DJ Khaled’s relationship has turned sour.
T-Pain recently vented about DJ Khaled during an interview with Shannon Sharpe for Club Shay Shay. While discussing the 20th anniversary of his debut studio album, T-Pain suggested that his former collaborator is not to be trusted, expanding his complaints to cover the broader lack of loyalty within the music industry as a whole.
“Nobody is your brother. Nobody,” he stated. “Everybody’s your brother while they can use you. That is the quickest and most consistent thing that I’ve learned through this whole thing.”
T-Pain continued, generalizing his experience: “I’ve had fcking DJ Khaled and everybody tell me, ‘I’m your brother.’ Do not believe that sht! Like, DJ Khaled knows how to move, he knows how to do things with different people. But it’s not [just] a DJ Khaled thing—that’s just the first person I can think of. You gotta think about how many people I’ve helped throughout their career. Everybody is like, ‘Oh my God, thank you so much. You’re my brother’ … And then none of that sht was reciprocated. None of that sht meant anything.”
T-Pain and DJ Khaled collaborated numerous times over the years, including on the popular tracks “All I Do Is Win,” “I’m So Hood,” and “Go Hard.” Their professional relationship began to decline around 2013 after Khaled increased his collaborations with Future. At the time, T-Pain publicly accused Khaled of replacing him with the other artist during an interview with VIBE.
Years later, T-Pain reflected on the disagreement during an appearance on Drink Champs. He recalled the fallout: “Future didn’t get mad … He ignored the whole thing … And then Khaled hit me like, ‘That’s what you doing?’”
“I was like, ‘Yeah, bro. You said that [Future’s ‘Bugatti’ hook] was his and I didn’t have anything to do with it.’ He was like, ‘Look back at the video.’ I looked back at it and I was like, ‘Okay, I don’t have a rebuttal for this.’ I was like the worst f*cking friend ever. Khaled was like, ‘Take the post down! You used my artist in a smear campaign!’ And I was like, ‘[sighs].’ I kinda still stand by what I said.”
T-Pain released his debut studio album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, in December 2005. Since then, he has released several other iconic projects such as Epiphany and Three Ringz.
France will introduce a voluntary military service of 10 months beginning next summer, becoming the latest EU country to signal preparations for potential conflict amid growing concerns over Russia.
President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the expansion of the military, focusing on volunteers mostly aged 18 to 19, and said, “A new national service will be introduced, gradually starting next summer,” during a speech to troops in Varces-Allieres-et-Risset. This makes France the first major European nation, and the first with nuclear capabilities, to restore military service.
Macron emphasised that volunteers would be deployed “only on national soil” and not sent to the frontlines in Ukraine. According to the Élysée Palace, participants will undergo “serious” combat training intended to “reaffirm the importance of preparing the nation and its morale to face growing threats.” Officials hope to enlist 3,000 volunteers in the first year, with the programme potentially expanding to 50,000 annually as the military says it is “preparing for a confrontation with our countries by 2030.”
The move comes as the threat of a Russian attack continues to loom over Europe. Only days ago, France’s top general warned the country “must be prepared to lose its children,” while the United States has signalled that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defence. The International Institute for Strategic Studies noted that “most European armies struggle to meet their recruitment targets and retain trained personnel, as well as to generate a sufficient reserve.”
Several European nations already operate some form of conscription, including Nordic and Baltic states. Finland maintains one of the world’s largest reserves through universal male conscription, Sweden has reinstated selective conscription with mandatory registration for both genders, and other countries continue to rely heavily on national service to bolster readiness.
In the UK, General Sir Richard Barrons warned that Britain has not invested in “the things it needs for a long war,” saying key capabilities have been allowed to “wither.” He rated civil defence “one out of 10” and criticised institutions for operating under the assumption that prolonged wars are no longer possible. Speaking at the Long War Conference 2025 in Whitehall, he said the UK must prepare for the possibility of an extended conflict, cautioning that, given the current pace of production, “at best, we will be quite ready in about 10 years.”
Vladimir Putin has again insisted that Europe has nothing to fear, saying Russia has no intention of launching attacks in the future.
The Russian president dismissed such claims as “outright lies and nonsense” while publicly acknowledging the US-brokered peace plan for Ukraine for the first time. He said Russia is now ready for “serious” talks and confirmed that a US delegation will visit Moscow next week. “There was a line of questions put forward for discussion,” he said, adding that there are no “final versions”.
Putin made the remarks during a meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation’s security council in Kyrgyzstan, where he addressed member states including Belarus. He used the occasion to claim that Russian forces had fully encircled Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in the Donetsk region.
He also commented on one of Volodymyr Zelensky’s stated red lines for ending the war, the surrender of currently occupied Ukrainian territories. Warning that Russian troops are advancing quickly, Putin said, “If Ukrainian soldiers leave the occupied territories, then we will cease hostilities. If they do not leave , we will achieve it by military means.”
Taking one of the final questions at the security council meeting, Putin asserted that signing documents with Ukraine’s current leadership is “pointless”.
The comments came shortly after France announced that a limited form of military service will be introduced next year, twenty-five years after the country ended conscription. President Emmanuel Macron said the measure is a response to rising fears of a conflict with Russia, stating, “The only way to avoid danger is to prepare for it.”
Mthuli Ncube Introduces New E-Commerce Tax Targeting Streaming Platforms And Online Content Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has launched a major new tax initiative aimed directly at the digital world. The new e-commerce tax will target payments to streaming platforms, online content providers, and other digital services. The announcement was a key part of the 2026 National Budget presented on 27 November 2025. This move confirms the government’s plan to tap into the growing digital economy, following warnings from the tax authority that it would leave no one behind.
The new tax is called a Digital Services Withholding Tax. It will be applied to money sent to international online companies. The goal is to ensure these foreign platforms contribute to the national treasury.
What The New Tax Targets: Your Digital Spending The budget statement from the Ministry of Finance provides a clear list of the services that will be affected by this new tax. The government is specifically targeting payments made to “offshore digital platforms.”
According to Minister Mthuli Ncube, this includes three main categories:
“e-hailing fees, online content charges and satellite-based internet access fees.”
This means the tax could directly apply to a wide range of everyday digital services used by Zimbabweans. For example, this includes payments for international ride-hailing apps like inDrive and Uber. It also targets “online content charges,” which covers subscriptions to global streaming services like Netflix, Showmax, Disney+, and YouTube Premium. Furthermore, payments for music streaming on Spotify or Apple Music would also likely be included. The tax also explicitly names “satellite-based internet access fees,” which would target services like Starlink.
This initiative builds on a warning from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra). On 26 September 2025, Zimra Commissioner for Domestic Taxes, Misheck Govha, stated their intention to ensure everyone pays their fair share.
“We have no one we are going to leave behind as far as registration is concerned, for those who are BNBs and inDrive,” said commissioner Govha.
How The Tax Will Work And What It Means For You This new tax will function as a withholding tax. This means the deduction will happen automatically during the payment process. The responsibility will fall on local banks and financial institutions inside Zimbabwe.
According to the official budget statement, the tax will be withheld by “paying agents that include financial institutions.” In practice, this means when you use your local bank card, mobile money, or any other Zimbabwean payment method to pay for an international service like Netflix or inDrive, your financial provider will deduct the tax before the payment is processed out of the country.
For consumers, this could lead to several outcomes. The most direct impact could be an effective increase in the price of these services. If a streaming subscription costs US$10 per month, the new withholding tax would be applied on top of that.The exact amount of the tax rate was not specified in the budget statement.
Alternatively, the international platforms themselves could choose to absorb the cost of the new tax. However, the structure of the tax as a withholding levy on payments made to the platforms makes this outcome less likely, as the money is deducted before it reaches them.
The Bigger Picture: Other Tax Changes The new digital tax was not the only significant change announced. Minister Ncube also addressed the controversial Intermediated Money Transfer Tax (IMTT), commonly known as the 2% tax. He proposed a partial reduction in this levy.
The budget statement read:
“Review of Intermediated Money Transfer Tax from 2% to 1.5% in order to promote use of local currency and lower transaction costs. IMTT on foreign currency transactions will be maintained at 2%.”
This change comes after intense pressure, including a resolution from the ruling ZANU PF party in October 2025 demanding the tax be scrapped. However, the Minister also proposed a separate increase to the standard VAT rate. The VAT rate will increase by 0.5% to 15.5%, effective 1 January 2026.
News Diggers ‘opinion poll’ against President Hichilema rubbished by Zambians
More than a thousand of Zambians have trashed a News Diggers Facebook posting suggesting that thousands of people who are queuing up to register as voters as doing so to vote out President Hakainde Hichilema in August next year.
News Diggers posted today that: “We don’t know where you’ll get electricity from by August Mr President, but those hundreds of thousands that joined ECZ queues into the night yesterday aren’t your voters.”
But in reaction, hundreds of commenters dismissed the private newspaper’s unresearched prediction.
Here are some of the comments on the post:
Jimmy Mukwanya: Admin is happy because he or she thinks those are his boss, Fred M’membe’s voters.
Kingsley Chinyama: Can you care to tell us whose votes are those?
Kayeye Wisdom: Mwaakamba leti HH thinks futuristic and not just today. Check the unfolding gains from debt to fertilizers to the rail lines to the Lobito corridor to the free education. Its all about a better tomorrow.. methodical means exactly this.
Enock Njamba: My family members and I wish to distance ourselves from this misplaced statement by News Diggers. We got our voter’s cards to solemnly defend the God given leadership of his excellence the methodical leader HH, aka Bally wabonse. Under his leadership Zambia is taking shape even with power challenges. We shall get there soon.
Nkonde Chola: With due respect to the media, I thought they should use this time to sensitize the public on how a disaster induced crisis has affected us and how we should collectively work together to address the situation and in turn reverse climate change. Why is it that the crisis is been looked at using political lenses.
Beth Enock: So other people are waiting to vote for someone they don’t even know will be on the ballot by now. Mwaliba special
Brian Kaindama: My vote is secret! I don’t have power.. yes but my child is at the uni for FREE
WATERTIGHT REPORTERS: The power line from Tanzania is about to be complete and that’s where power will come from.
Ian Malekhanie: Going through the comment section, it’s crystal clear admin akamba eka
Bashi Katongo: Ukamba weka iwe ka Admin!
My family, my neighbours, my landlord and the headteacher at the school next to my house, together with the majority of those people in the long queues are all voting for Bally! He has our votes.
Mutale Mulenga Lengwe: If not him then who?
Mubita Namakando: And who told you that I went to get my votes card Because I want to change the government no I still give it to Bally7 Kwenyu family
Pumulo Mwandamena: Are you reporting on behalf or its you admin saying it?
Hon. John Banda: My daughters were on the queue and they are proudly voting for president Hakainde Hichilema
Evans Mpasela: My voters card is for me to vote for HH
Brian Sibuku: Also tell us a better candidate than HH amongst the current opposition leaders.
Ba Barca: I took my voter’s card yesterday, and I’m voting for HH
Susan Kalyalya: So they will vote for you te?
Lister Mwiinga: Says who. They are divided. Maybe they are not yours too. Who knows
Riinniah Zulu: At least I managed to have my young nieces and nephews register as voters. I support them by way of giving them monthly pocket money.
I made it clear to them that HH must win or all the support will go towards school fees. They are so excited. They registered yesterday.!!
Am still continuing the campaign.
Purity Mutupa: Unfortunately I am one of his and I managed to get!
Mukungu Victor: They are Joseph MWENDA’s voters ai?
Prudence Mfune Chunda: The truth is not to be hidden.
Tizzy Mwanza: Maybe I should also get my voters card and vote for HH…
Kumoyo T. Makai: Whose voters are they? Sean Tembo?
Benjamin Siachilimbu: So that’s what they told you? Because I got mine yesterday and I’m voting for him!!!
Mathews Kapulu: I got mine yesterday just for him.
Natasha Mukusulo Mutepuka: But we are 2.8 million just a friendly reminder.
Lee Miyanda: says who?
Yusuf Simfukwe: who said that?
Prisca Musonda: How do you know
Norah C Banda: my vote my secret
Willliam Mbuyanda: Indeed Zambia has a sober President, hard working, he has made history of employing thousands of civil servants within a shirt period of time, he has brought free education, and re-introduced students meal allowances, students bursaries are accessed via increased CDF, from K1,600,000 to K36,000,000.
Zambia now has peace, serenity is was never there be for HH won the election 2021, and Zambian people did not know whether they would wake up the following day, but now the narrative is different, peace reigns.
Come 2026, HH7 is winning.
Sumili Mirriam Sitali: Ukamba weka iweh!!
Prescovia Mulenga: Elo I will still vote for HH.
Kavo Sanga: You will be surprised. Don’t ever overestimate humans.
Simba TheLast Don: They are whose voters?
Chilufya Chileshe: The youths are the kingmakers. What are they saying?
Michalangelo Pengasus Mate: If only you know how the young stars like this guy despite his flaws you will be shocked.
Wise Sinzumwa: Ine nabang’anda yandi we’re voting HH
Simon Mwaze: elo ine it is not a secret I am voting for HH in 2026.
James Zimba: fact, there will be minimal to no loadshedding by next year.
There are hundreds more of such comments laughing off the posting by the newspaper.
Voter registration started on October 13, 2025 and ended on November 11, 2025.
It was extended from November 12, 2025 to November 26, 2026 and again extended from November 27, 2025 to November 29, 2025. This means that by November 29, 2025 when voter registration closes, it would have run for 48 days.
People are trekking to registration centres in huge numbers to register as voters.
Hakainde Hichilema has reduced the presidency to a theatre of pity, grievance, and tribal victimhood. Instead of national leadership, the country is fed a constant monologue about how Zambians supposedly hate him because of where he was born. This tired chorus has become the predictable response of a head of state who no longer understands the people he governs.
It is disturbing, to say the least, that a man who received 2.8 million lovely votes four years and three months ago now sees hatred everywhere from the same people and regions that voted for him. Wherever there’s criticism, Mr Hichilema sees hatred. To Mr Hichilema, accountability is hatred. To him, civic objection is hatred. Every legitimate disagreement with him is conveniently recast as hostility against his tribe. To disagree with him is to disagree with his entire tribe, region. This is not leadership. It is gaslighting, emotional manipulation of the highest order.
When a president begins to narrate governance challenges through the lens of personal victimhood, it signals a dangerous departure from democratic responsibility. Leaders are expected to extinguish divisions, not ignite them with careless and reckless statements. Yet Mr Hichilema has done precisely that. He has introduced tribal and regional undertones never seen before in this country, deepening tribal and regional suspicions and suffocating national unity.
The truth that many fear to confront is simple: Mr Hichilema has proved to be one of the most tribal-minded President Zambia has ever produced. His governance record tells the full story. Senior government posts, parastatal boards, contract allocations, diplomatic missions, and even middle – and lower-level appointments have been heavily tilted towards his own tribe and region. From chief executive officers to cleaners, familiar surnames dominate as if a coordinated ethnic takeover of state institutions has been quietly unfolding. This is not a perception. It is a lived reality that Zambians observe daily. Just a random check at CEEC, Lusaka City Council, ZESCO, and UTH reveals mind-blowing and shocking evidence. This is ignoring the police and other key state institutions.
What makes this more offensive is the hypocrisy. The same man who promised to dismantle tribalism when PF was seen to be engaging in it has now turned around and made it a central pillar of his governance doctrine. This can not be dismissed as coincidence. It is systematic. It is deliberate. It is brazen.
Instead of accepting responsibility, Mr Hichilema buries the nation in a mixture of self-praise and self-pity. Many of his public addresses have become performances of “me this, me that,” as though he is the only Zambian President to ever face criticism. He portrays himself as a constantly wounded victim, even in cases where evidence clearly contradicts him. He speaks as though the entire country owes him quiet obedience, even in the face of visible governance failures.
Zambians are not blind. They see the contradictions. They see the tribal preferences. They see the arrogance. They see the widening gap between what was promised and what has been delivered. They see a president who has become so intoxicated with self-righteousness that he can no longer accept the existence of patriotic citizens who simply demand accountability.
What Mr Hichilema fails to understand is that many people from his own tribe are not interested in participating in his ethnic project. It’s embarrassing them, and they do not want to be used as shields for his failures. They do not want their heritage weaponised to protect political incompetence and dishonest. They will be the first to reject him when the hour of reckoning arrives because they know that tribalism destroys even those it is intended to benefit.
In 2026, the ballot box will deliver a lesson so unforgettable that Mr Hichilema will remember it for the rest of his political life. Not because Zambians hate him. Far from it. It will be because the nation is exhausted. Exhausted with excuses. Exhausted with victimhood. Exhausted with ethnic politics. The nation is exhausted with a president who has shown no shame in dividing the country while pretending to unite it.
Zambia deserves better. A president must unite, not fracture. A president must lead, not complain. A president must elevate national identity above personal insecurities. But Mr Hichilema has chosen the opposite path, and the consequences will fall squarely on him.
The people of Zambia will not allow their nation to be turned into a tribal battlefield. They will not surrender their democracy to emotional manipulation. They will not be silenced by narratives designed to hide incompetence. The Zambian voter will speak loudly, firmly, and decisively.
And when that day comes, Mr Hichilema will stand face to face with a truth he has avoided for too long. Zambians rejected tribalism before, and they will reject it again, regardless of who practices it.
DON’T PRESIDENCY LIKE A SIDE HUSTLE, IT IS A FULL TIME JOB, HON MUNDUBILE TELLS HH.
……….says the President must prioritise the Zambian people over business.
Lusaka……..Thursday, November 27, 2025. (SMART EAGLES 礪)
Patriotic Front Presidential Aspirant Hon Brian Mundubile has reminded President Hakainde Hichilema not to take Presidency as a side activity because it is a full time Job.
Speaking to the media, Hon Mundubile said the President should stop prioritising business at the expense of the interests and aspirations of the Zambian people.
He said finding solutions to the suffering of the Zambian people should be the priority for President Hichilema.
“Presidency should be centred on finding solutions for the Zambians people. What we are seeing is that presidency is now a side activity. What is prioritised is business. Why do I say so, when there is problem in the mining sector with a foreign entity, those challenges because they concern business. When it comes to the challenges of exporting power and Maize, those Challenges are resolved immediately.
When it comes to the challenges facing the Zambian people, the people that voted for you, we start getting excuses.
Ifwe we are worried by nakulu mutinta namakasa, atwala amataba. To date, nakulu mutinta has not been paid.
If the same energies in the exporting of Maize, you put to nakulu mutinta, Zambia will be a better place,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hon Mundubile said President Hichilema Missed an opportunity to unite the Zambian people during his Press Conference.
He has also urged the Head of State to come clean and tell Zambians the truth that the reason there is loadshediing is because power is being exported.
And Hon Mundubile has urged the President to change the lens in the manner he looks at the Youths.
“Focus on bringing innovation, sit down with them. Do not deploy them and give them names as powerful people. My call to you is that there is a better way we can work with the Youths. The Youths of today are leaders of today and tomorrow. Let’s us work with them, we are not going to direct them. The Youths can help resolve some of the challenges the UPND is facing,” he said.
OUR PRESIDENT ALWAYS CLAIMS THAT WE HATE HIM: LET’S UNDERSTAND HIS PROBLEM, HE MAY NEED OUR HELP, COLLECTIVELY ==================
Both as a leader of leading political party in opposition as well as Head of State of the Republic of Zambia, President Hakainde Hichilema has constantly claimed publicly that Zambians hate him. He says he does not know what he has done to us Zambians to deserve such hate, which claims is venom that one can even touch.
Initially, the claim of hate was not physical. Now he claims the hate has become physical, since he says one can even touch it.
Instead of rebuking him, lets first understand his problem. May be, that can help us help him.
To start with, lets understand the sort of people who constantly claim they are hated. A person who constantly claims they are hated by others might be described using several terms, depending on the underlying reasons for their beliefs.
Common descriptions include:
Paranoid: This term describes someone who exhibits a persistent, irrational suspicion and mistrust of others, believing they are being persecuted or hated without evidence. Is he just paranoid?
A malcontent: This person is perpetually dissatisfied and complains frequently, often believing they are unfairly targeted or disliked. Is he just a malcontent?
A drama queen/king: This informal expression is used for someone who exaggerates situations, often to seek attention or sympathy, by making their personal struggles (like being “hated”) seem more severe than they are. Is he just a drama king?
In a psychological context, constantly feeling hated could be a symptom of:
Persecutory delusions: A fixed, false belief that one is being targeted, harmed, or hated by others. Is he just suffering from persecutory delusions?
Paranoid personality disorder (PPD): A chronic condition characterized by pervasive distrust and suspicion of others’ motives, interpreting their actions as malicious. Is he just suffering from PPD?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD): Individuals with BPD often experience intense emotional shifts and may interpret social interactions negatively, sometimes believing people hate them due to their fear of abandonment. Is he just suffering from BPD?
While these terms describe the behaviour, if the feeling is persistent and significantly affects the person’s daily life, it might indicate a deeper psychological issue requiring professional help.
So, instead of rebuking or making fun of his constant claim of being hated, it is important we understand his underlying problem. May be, that way, we could collectively help him. After all, as President of the Republic of Zambia, he is constitutionally entitled to our resources, financial and otherwise.
HICHILEMA IS CLEARLY NOT FIT TO LEAD ZAMBIA ANYMORE
Let me state the truth with absolute clarity: Zambia is now standing at a dangerous crossroads because of Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s reckless insistence on forcing Bill 7 down the throats of citizens who have overwhelmingly rejected it.
His double standards, political arrogance, and deliberate manipulation of constitutional processes have reached very dangerous proportions.
This is not leadership. It is the conduct of a man who has lost his moral compass and forfeited the legitimacy to govern.
The President cannot, on one hand, pretend to invite dialogue with the Oasis Forum and other stakeholders, and on the other hand rush to the podium to announce that constitutional amendments will proceed regardless of what citizens say. That is deceit. That is political dishonesty. And that is the purest form of hypocris and lack of respect for others.
If Mr Hichilema was genuinely committed to hearing the voice of the people, he would not pre-empt the outcome of the very dialogue he claims to be calling for. His actions confirm that his so-called call for dialogue is nothing but a political gimmick designed to buy time, weaken public resistance, and mask his desperate hunger for constitutional engineering.
The burning question remains: what is so urgent in Bill 7 that Mr Hichilema cannot wait until after the elections? Why is he refusing to listen to the majority of Zambians who have clearly said no to these rushed and suspicious amendments?
The answer is as disturbing as it is obvious. Bill 7 is crafted to benefit him personally. It is tailored to tilt Zambia’s political architecture in favour of those he wishes to empower and permanently weaken those he seeks to silence. This is not about national interest. This is about political survival.
If passed, Bill 7 will hand Mr Hichilema and his chosen allies a constitutional weapon with the potential to entrench themselves in power. The proposed adjustments to representation risk giving disproportionate influence to specific regions, creating a Parliament structurally skewed to favour one demographic while marginalising others.
What kind of president willingly promotes a constitutional arrangement that sows division while destroying the delicate balance of national unity? What kind of leader pushes amendments designed to create an uneven political playing field in a country built on the promise of equal representation?
This behaviour is not only irresponsible. It is a betrayal of the very democratic principles Mr Hichilema claimed to stand for.
The country is watching in disbelief as the Head of State deploys state machinery, propaganda networks, and political spin doctors to sugarcoat Bill 7. Yet beneath all the polished talking points lies a dark truth. Bill 7 is a Trojan horse. Once it enters our legal system, it will give Mr Hichilema the tools to manipulate the Constitution with unprecedented ease.
No president should ever have such power. Not Kaunda. Not Chiluba. Not Mwanawasa. Not Lungu. And certainly not Hichilema.
The most painful part is the mocking posture Mr Hichilema has adopted toward citizens. He speaks as though Zambians are children who cannot understand the dangers buried within the bill. He addresses the public as though our fears are unfounded, our opinions irrelevant, and our concerns uninformed.
This is an insult to the collective intelligence of a nation that fought for democracy, defended civil liberties, and removed governments that attempted to tamper with constitutional stability.
Mr Hichilema is proving, through his conduct, that he has become the very thing he once condemned. A leader intoxicated by power. A leader closing his ears to the people. A leader who believes he alone understands what is best for Zambia.
But Zambia is not a personal kraal, estate. It is a sovereign Republic with citizens who have the right to say no when their president attempts to alter the constitutional foundation of their nation without genuine consent.
Let us be blunt. A president who refuses to listen to his people no longer has the moral fitness to lead them. A president who manipulates constitutional processes for personal political advantage cannot be trusted with the future of the nation. And a President who dismisses national consensus is a danger to the very democracy he swore to protect.
Bill 7 has exposed Mr Hichilema’s true colours. It has revealed a leader who is now operating in defiance of the people. A leader prepared to fracture national unity for political gain. A leader who has crossed the line between democratic authority and authoritarian ambition.
Zambia must reject Bill 7. Zambia must confront the painful truth that the man currently occupying State House has drifted dangerously far from the democratic path he once promised to walk.
The people of Zambia deserve a leader who listens, not one who imposes. A leader who unites, not one who divides. A leader who respects the Constitution, not one who schemes to rewrite it for personal advantage.
Mr Hichilema is clearly no longer fit to lead this nation.
The sooner he realises that Zambia will not tolerate constitutional betrayal, the better for our democracy and for the generations that will come after us.
CLARIFICATION ON MISLEADING SOCIAL MEDIA CLAIMS IN KASAMA.
November 27, 2025-The Zambia Police Service has noted with concern false information circulating online claiming that Police in Kasama have summoned Archbishop Ignatius Chama and that there was an incident of political violence at a radio station called “Radio Maria.”
We categorically refute these claims. Police in Kasama have not summoned Archbishop Chama, nor are there any investigations involving him. Additionally, there is no radio station named Radio Maria in Kasama.
Investigations have been instituted to identify those spreading these false claims.We strongly warn that fabricating or circulating false information is an offence under the Cyber Crime Act No. 4 of 2025
The Zambia Police Service will take stern action against anyone attempting to mislead the public or cause unnecessary alarm.
Issued by: Godfrey Chilabi Public Relations Officer.
