Harry Kalaba has entered the 2026 race with a dramatic pledge. Speaking on the KennyT One on One podcast, he vowed to “personally bury Edgar Lungu” if the funeral standoff continues into next year. He framed his promise as an act of cultural honour and spiritual duty, arguing that Lungu has suffered “unimaginable humiliation” under the UPND government.
“If Lungu will not be buried before elections, me myself, I will put this matter to rest when I win next year,” Kalaba declared. He said Lungu “deserves honour for the seven years he ruled this country,” and urged the government to have compassion “softened by the Holy Spirit.”
It is a compelling soundbite. It is also a political message dressed in funeral cloth. Zambia is now five months into a burial crisis that has moved from a family dispute to a High Court battle in South Africa, and from diplomatic tension to campaign talking points. Kalaba has seized the moment, just as Makebi Zulu has done for months. The body of Edgar Lungu has quietly become political capital.
But a simple question remains. If these men care deeply about Lungu’s dignity, why has his body stayed in a foreign morgue for almost half a year? Why has the opposition, the family and the State failed to produce even one joint meeting? Why must a former president rest only when it suits someone’s manifesto?
Kalaba insists he is filling a moral vacuum, saying he came out “number three” in 2021, that Lungu was “number two,” and that by “political arithmetic” he now moves up the ladder. He even claimed Hichilema’s “shoe is big” but “needs me because that is my foot size.” The confidence is theatrical. The logic is thin.
Burial is not policy. It will not electrify a new grid. It will not process copper. It will not reduce mealie meal prices. It will not stabilise the kwacha. It will not create a job for a single Zambian. If anything, the fact that Lungu’s body has remained in cold storage from June to November is evidence that the political class, across all factions, has failed to rise above personal ambition.
If Kalaba becomes president, yes, he will have the legal authority to organise a state funeral. But what if Hichilema wins again? Does Lungu remain in a freezer until 2031? And if Makebi Zulu wins the PF presidency and loses the national election, will he still be blamed for a burial he has no power to execute?
The truth is that this matter never required elections. It required maturity. It required the family, the State and responsible intermediaries to sit down and resolve a constitutional and cultural dispute with dignity. It required the same leaders who now shout on podcasts to show up in quiet rooms when it mattered.
Instead, a former president’s remains have become a campaign banner. A solemn issue has become a stage prop. Zambia deserves better.
If the opposition wants to be taken seriously, they must present citizens with a plan for economic governance, food security, energy investment and constitutional clarity. Not a promise to bury a man who should have been buried months ago.
For reactions, write to editor.peoplesbrief@gmail.com.
BILL 7 REJECTED! MUNDUBILE DEMANDS MPs RETURN “DIRTY MONEY” AS PUBLIC OUTRAGE GROWS
Tonse Alliance Chairperson for Parliamentary Affairs Brian Mundubile has declared that Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7 has already been rejected by Zambians and should not proceed, warning MPs accused of receiving bribes to support it to “return the money immediately.”
His statement follows allegations by respected political scholar Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa, who revealed that some Members of Parliament were being offered up to K3 million and government-linked contracts to back the controversial bill.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka, Mundubile condemned the alleged bribery, saying it was shameful that lawmakers would accept money at a time when elderly farmers are sleeping at FRA depots, waiting to be paid for their grain.
He argued that MPs already receive salaries and allowances and should not be taking funds meant for vulnerable citizens, stressing that no patriotic Zambian would support a bill that was “rejected before it even entered Parliament.”
Mundubile said Bill 7 poses serious risks to the country’s democratic order, and urged legislators to join the Oasis Forum in peaceful demonstrations designed to stop the amendment process.
He insisted that the Alliance would stand firmly with citizens, describing the bill as undemocratic and unacceptable, and warning that parliamentarians who support it are betraying their constitutional oath
At the same event, PF Chairperson for Legal Affairs George Chisanga distanced his party’s MPs from the bribery allegations, stating that those under the “real leadership of the Patriotic Front” were not among those implicated by Dr. Sishuwa.
Chisanga said the PF will engage Dr. Sishuwa to obtain the names of the allegedly compromised MPs so they can be de-campaigned in their constituencies for betraying public trust.
He reaffirmed that PF MPs remain committed to defending the Constitution, even if it means facing suspension, and pledged that they are ready to sign social contracts with the public declaring that they will not support Bill 7 under any circumstance.
STAKEHOLDERS REACT WITH MIXED FEELINGS TO PRESIDENT HICHILEMA’S CALL FOR CONSTITUTIONAL DIALOGUE
By Raphael Mulenga
Some stakeholders have expressed mixed reactions to President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent call for dialogue on the constitution amendment process.
President Hichilema has invited the oasis forum, the organizers of a planned peaceful protest to state house where structured, solution-oriented discussions can take place
The invitation follows a planned protest by the oasis forum to state house this Friday over the proposed bill 7, which it describes as rushed, non-inclusive, and centered on election interests.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Social and Political Anthropologist Dr. James Musonda has criticized the president’s approach, stating that the handling of public dissent reflects an attempt to suppress democratic expression.
Dr. Musonda notes that genuine dialogue would have allowed for further postponement of the amendment process, even beyond the 2026 general election period.
But the house of clergy Zambia has welcomed President Hichilema’s call for engagement with the oasis forum, with executive director, Reverend Jimmy Ng’ambi commending government’s willingness to listen.
He says the president’s actions show openness to dialogue rather than an attempt to shrink democratic space.
RECENT INCIDENTS CAN’T INDICATE THAT UPND IS A VIOLENT PARTY – BWEENGWA MP
BWEENGWA UPND MP Kasautu Michelo says people cannot conclude that the UPND is a violent party from the three recent incidents of violence.
Michelo says the country cannot compare the UPND’s three incidents of violence to the violent activities that happened under PF.
Early this month after President Hakainde Hichilema was stoned in Chingola, Michelo said the UPND was ready to protect the Head of State and would unleash cadres on criminals who wanted to kill the President.
Following the Chingola incident, some UPND cadres stormed the PF secretariat in Lusaka and damaged property. And recently, Given Lubinda was abducted by UPND cadres in Kabwe.
Speaking on Prime TV’s Matters Arising, Saturday, Michelo argued that the three scenarios of violence did not indicate that the UPND was a violent political party.
“I can tell you that under UPND, yes, the last two weeks or one week and some days, about 10 days, there were a little bit of pockets of violence here and there. And you can mention them, the Chingola one, the PF secretariat one and yesterday’s Given Lubinda. Three scenarios. The Zambian people must get this clearly, three incidents of late and in how many days? I think in the space of two weeks, one to two weeks but UPND has been extremely very peaceful, from the time we got power and the President even announced that no more violence in this country and people adhered to [that pronouncement]. But because of what happened in Chingola, I think you have seen some people are hyper, the situation was a little bit hyper. This is the reason you’ve been seeing, I think these three scenarios we have experienced in the country,” he said.
“These are three scenarios and you cannot say just three scenarios that UPND is a violent political party. If we compare the different thousands of scenarios of violence under PF, [the] thousands of violence [incidents], you can’t compare it with these three scenarios. I know quite alright that Zambians can’t go back to PF because they understand how PF ruled them. They didn’t control their cadres in terms of violence but I am telling you the truth; going forward as a UPND cadre if you engage yourself into a violent activity, you are on your own. If in these last 10 days there were these three scenarios, it must not continue going forward. If it continues, whoever is going to get involved is on their own and will be arrested”.
Further, Michelo urged youths to avoid violence, warning that whoever was found wanting was on their own.
“The youths must get this clearly that please once you engage yourself into violent activities, even if you are sent by somebody, even if you are given money, don’t do it. If somebody gives you money, just chew that money but don’t engage yourself into violent activities, don’t because when the police officers start investigations and find that you are the ones who have acted, you will be punished for that and it is not good,” he said.
Michelo said it was regrettable to see the country going back into violent activities.
“It’s quite very important that the people of Zambia know that the words I think I used were not what I meant and this is the reason why I should apologize to the nation. I think you heard even from the President that there must be no cadreism, thuggery, hooliganism, beating up people. I think he echoed that sentiment of late when we started seeing some pockets of violence from Chingola, PF secretariat up to yesterday’s Given Lubinda’s attack. So, it is something that is very regrettable, we are leaders, I am a leader, it is something that is very regrettable to see our country going back again into violent activities. All I can request, [I am] urging all the Zambian people, the youths, women, elders of this country that we must not engage ourselves in violent activities. Zambia is a peaceful nation and we should not go back to the days of violence, it is not good,” said Michelo.
“I think the major word is an apology. That time I was a little bit emotional about what happened on the Copperbelt in Chingola where the President was stoned. I think the selection of words was wrongly put in a statement. I am aware that the President doesn’t tolerate violence. I am aware that the President doesn’t tolerate hooliganism and I am aware that the President doesn’t tolerate beating people. Even fighting amongst citizens, it is the reason why I said I think it quite very important for me to apologize to the people of Zambia for the selection of words I used ‘cadreism is back in Zambia’. Otherwise, I just want to urge the people of Zambia, that let us remain peaceful and not engage in violent activities”.
DONT BE SCARED TO SPEAK ABOUT INJUSTICES AND WRONG THINGS CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN THE COUNTRY – VICAR GENERAL FOR KASAMA ARCHDIOCE
Tuesday, 25th November, 2025
‘Be strong, don’t be scared to speak the truth, injustices and wrong things,’ Vicar General for Kasama Archdiocese, Very Reverend Father Rodgers Fikwamo, urged Priests and Catholic Christians of Kasama Archdiocese.
‘Reminding someone to fulfil what he promised you is NOT a case,’ he adds.
‘Ekelesha nangu bamutuke, bamusalule ala takapwe, nakuba ngabamutuka nokumusalula elyo awaminako,’ Very Reverend Father Rodgers Fikwamo.
Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Kasama, Very Reverend Father Rodgers Fikwamo said this through the Homily he delivered in the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist Parish this morning (Tuesday 24th November 2025).
This was during Tuesday morning Mass to welcome Parish Priests from all the thirty-five (35) Parishes and three (3) Sub-Parishes of Kasama Archdiocese who have come to attend a two-day Parish Priest’s meeting at Motomoto Pastoral Center.
SINKAMBA QUESTIONS “MYSTERIOUS” 420,000 NEW VOTERS IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE ………. RAISES FEARS OF PARALLEL REGISTRATION
Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has sounded the alarm over a shocking claim attributed to Southern Province Minister Credo Nanjuwa, suggesting that the province has allegedly registered 420,000 new voters a figure far above the numbers officially released by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
Sinkamba said the announcement raises the spectre of two parallel voter registration exercises: the legitimate, nationwide process conducted by ECZ, and another “known only to the UPND government”.
He pointed to ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro’s last official update on 18 November 2025, which reported a total of 1,028,503 new registrations across the entire country, with Southern Province accounting for only 143,397 new voters at that time.
According to ECZ’s own figures, the provinces with the highest new registrations so far were the Copperbelt (165,848), followed by Southern Province (143,397), and Lusaka (120,026). Sinkamba stressed that the Commission has not issued any further update since then making Nanjuwa’s figure “statistically impossible”.
He argued that unless ECZ publicly disowns the minister’s statement, the country risks entering the 2026 General Election with “two different voters’ registers” in Southern Province one compiled by ECZ, and another allegedly compiled by political actors.
Sinkamba described the situation as “deeply suspicious” and warned that such inconsistencies could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
He called on the Commission to urgently clarify the matter, stating that transparency is the only way to prevent a potential electoral crisis.
UPND’s TOXIC BILL 7 WILL NOT HAVE OUR VOTE – PF MPs
Opposition Patriotic Front Members of Parliament led by Parliamentary Affairs Chairperson, Brian Mundubile, have maintained their position not to support the widely rejected Constitutional Amendment Bill 7.
Speaking at a Media briefing in Lusaka this afternoon, Mr. Mundubile reiterates that Bill 7 will and should not be supported by opposition MPs on the floor of the House.
Meanwhile, Shiwang’andu MP, Stephen Kampyongo, has challenged the UPND Government to channel the money it allegedly wants to use in bring weak opposition MPs towards paying farmers who hitherto have not been paid by the Food Reserve Agency -FRA..
And PF Chairperson for Legal Affairs, George Chisanga, said the party would be engaging the Oasis Forum on possible ways of collaboration, including the possibility of signing a social contract as an assurance that MPs would not support the ill fated Bill 7.
He appealed to other MPs who might have been approached with bribes by the UPND administration to be strong and resist the temptation of betraying members of the public who sent them to Parliament as people’s representatives.
DO NOT CAUSE CONFUSION IN OTHER PARTIES CAUTIONS BISHOP MULANDU OF MPIKA DIOCESE
The statement by the Right Reverend Edwin Mwansa Mulandu, Bishop of the Mpika Diocese, that no one should interfere with the running of other political parties and that all candidates and parties must be allowed to participate in general elections is a powerful declaration striking at the heart of democratic legitimacy.
What Bishop Mulandu said is rooted in the ideals of political pluralism and procedural fairness, which underscores the belief that free and fair elections are contingent upon an unhindered political space where competition can thrive.
Interference, whether by state apparatus, incumbent powers, or even surrogates of the state, fundamentally undermines the electorate’s ability to make informed choices, thereby eroding the very foundations of representative governance.
According to Bishop Mulandu, the essence of a free and fair election lies in the equal opportunity for political expression and organization. When established parties or ruling establishments actively obstruct, harass, or disenfranchise opposition groups, the contest ceases to be a genuine reflection of the people’s will.
Bizwell Mutale announces bid for Member of Parliament — presents economy-driven platform to transform Munali Lusaka, 25 November, 2025— Bizwell Mutale has formally announced his candidacy for Member of Parliament for Munali constituency, unveiling a focused, economy-driven policy agenda designed to deliver jobs, improve public services, and strengthen safety and opportunity for youths, women, students and vulnerable traders across the constituency.
“Munali has talent, enterprise and resilience,” said Bizwell Mutale. “My campaign is rooted in practical, measurable policies that grow the local economy and ensure every resident — especially our young people, women, students and traders — can access skills, markets and public services. I am ready to work with communities, civic leaders, business and government to deliver results.”
A platform built on economic growth and inclusion. Mutale’s manifesto centers on leveraging local economic growth to expand opportunity and public services. Key pillars include: 1. Local economic development and employment - Create a Munali Economic Growth Plan (MEGP) prioritizing light manufacturing, and market-led services to generate sustainable jobs.
- Launch a constituency public works program for immediate employment — road repairs, sanitation block construction and drainage projects — with priority hiring for local youths and trainees. 2. Youth empowerment and skills - Implement vocational training partnerships with technical colleges and private sector employers to align skills with market demand.
- Introduce internship and work-placement guarantees with local businesses and NGOs for graduating students. - Support sports, arts and community leadership programs to build confidence and keep young people engaged and productive.
3. Women’s economic inclusion and social support - Create a Women’s Market Upgrade and Microfinance Scheme to improve safety, storage and trading conditions and provide low-interest loans to scale women-led enterprises. - Support childcare facilities and flexible training schedules to help mothers access skills and work.
4. Students and education support - Expand bursary and mentorship programs for talented but disadvantaged students, partnering with universities, colleges and private sponsors. - Improve learning environments by renovating classrooms, providing ICT hubs and ensuring safe transport routes to schools.
5. Protection for vulnerable traders - Formalize vendor spaces with secure, hygienic stalls and fair licensing, coupled with capacity-building on bookkeeping, digital payments and market linkages. - Introduce a rapid-response support fund to assist traders affected by disasters, evictions or economic shocks.
Public services and infrastructure Mutale’s plan emphasizes tangible improvements to everyday services: Health - Strengthen partnerships with NGOs and health ministries to secure medical supplies and health education campaigns.
Roads and infrastructure - Accelerate repair and maintenance of major arterial and feeder roads within Munali. - Invest in safe pedestrian walkways, street lighting and drainage systems to reduce accidents and flooding.
Land security and safety - Champion community land registration initiatives and accessible dispute-resolution mechanisms to protect tenure for homeowners, traders and small-scale investors. - Work with local authorities to modernize land information systems and provide clear, affordable pathways to formal title where appropriate. - Strengthen community policing partnerships, neighborhood watch programs and youth engagement to improve safety and reduce crime.
Water and sanitation - Expand piped water access by prioritizing high-need neighborhoods and securing funding for boreholes and mini-supply schemes where main supply is delayed.
- Construct and rehabilitate public sanitation blocks and household toilet subsidy programs to reduce open defecation and improve public health. - Implement solid waste management improvements, including regular collection schedules and recycling initiatives linked to job creation.
Safety and community resilience - Develop a constituency emergency response plan for floods, fires and public health incidents with trained volunteers, early-warning systems and a rapid-response fund.
Accountability, partnerships and timelines Mutale pledges transparency and measurable outcomes: - Publish a Munali Progress Dashboard with quarterly updates on targets (job creation, clinic upgrades, road kilometers repaired, water connections among other issues .
“Change is not only about promises — it is about concrete plans and collective effort,” Mutale said. “I am ready to lead, to listen and to deliver for Munali.”
Banda describes her removal from acting DG position at ZAMMSA as beautiful
My removal from the position of acting director general at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) is beautiful and I give God the glory, says Jane Banda.
And in her farewell speech to workers at the agency this morning, Banda is said to have told staff that “there is nothing wrong in doing what is right.”
Banda was the fourth person in one year to have operated in the DG position. During this period, there was Victor Nyasulu who was removed following the 61 drugs container scandal, and was replaced by Luke Alutuli, who in turn was also replaced by John Kachimba. Dr Kachimba was suspended in August this year to allow investigations into alleged pilferage of medicines and medical supplies. In his place, Banda was appointed to act in an interim acting capacity by the minister of Health Dr Elijah Muchima..
But the operations at the institution have raised several questions as there has been no board appointed to serve at the agency in the past one year since the Dr Anna Chifungula led board was dissolved by Muchima last year.
Banda spoke with Daily Revelation today after she was removed from her position, and after the newspaper was informed that she gave her farewell speech to the employees today, where she told them that “there was nothing wrong in doing what was right.”
She confirmed having given a farewell speech to the staff earlier today.
EIGHT-CSO CONSORTIUM BACKS BILL 7 PROCESS, MOVES TO JOIN OASIS FORUM COURT CASE
An eight-member Consortium of Governance Civil Society Organisations has applied to join the Oasis Forum petition against Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7, positioning itself as an interested party defending the ongoing reform process.
At a media briefing in Lusaka, Acting Consortium Chairperson Solomon Ngoma, who also heads the Acton Institute for Policy Analysis Centre (AIPAC), said the group will not allow what it terms “selective participation” to derail months of constitutional work already undertaken.
Ngoma revealed that the consortium stands ready to obtain a police permit to march to State House in solidarity with the constitutional amendment process, arguing that thousands of citizens took part in earlier consultations and expect their submissions to be respected.
He noted that although the consortium initially had reservations about the government’s limited consultations, it chose to support the reforms after successfully lobbying President Hakainde Hichilema to defer Bill 7 and allow for broad-based national engagement through a Technical Committee.
Ngoma questioned the sudden opposition from organisations such as LAZ and NGOCC, stating that these groups participated in earlier stages and even had representatives on the Technical Committee. He suggested that their complaints imply a process is only legitimate “when their preferred individuals are included”.
The consortium maintained that the Technical Committee received “thousands upon thousands” of submissions from citizens nationwide and that halting the process through court action undermines public expectations.
To protect the integrity of the reforms, the consortium has now filed an application to be joined in the Oasis Forum’s Constitutional Court petition, insisting that no civil society organisation is more legitimate than another in matters of national interest.
Ngoma warned against politicising the reforms or mobilising protests, saying the country’s security environment demands caution. He added that if others call for demonstrations, the consortium will equally apply for its own peaceful march in support of the amendment process.
The briefing, held at Mika Hotel in Kabulonga, was attended by leaders of the eight organisations, including SACCORD, GEARS, ZCLU, CAAPOV, the Anti-Political Violence Association, and others who reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the Bill 7 process continues without disruption.
Kumwesu Media will continue monitoring court developments and the evolving national debate surrounding Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7.
THE CHURCH MUST REMAIN A MORAL COMPASS — NOT A POLITICAL TOOL
In Zambia’s evolving political landscape, the role of the Church remains both indispensable and delicate. The Nation looks to religious leaders for moral direction, spiritual nourishment, and unity. Yet, the growing tendency by some clergy to wade into partisan politics threatens to blur the sacred lines that preserve the integrity of the Church.
The Church in Zambia should not take sides in political battles. Its mission is spiritual, not political. When Church leaders become entangled in partisan interests, they risk being compromised by politicians whose primary aim is to advance their own agendas. In such scenarios, the clergy face a dangerous conflict of allegiance, attempting to serve both God and political masters. That, by any measure of faith, is untenable.
Equally, politicians must refrain from enticing or manipulating clergy for political gain. A religious pulpit should never become a campaign platform, nor should religious authority be used to sanitise political ambitions. When political actors attempt to pull Church leaders into partisan trenches, they weaken an institution meant to stand above everyday political contestation.
Congregants, too, have an important responsibility. They must be vigilant and resist being led by clergy who have become political instruments. If Church members allow their leaders to be used as tools for political advancement, then the Church risks becoming an extension of political parties, whether ruling or opposition. This would erode public confidence in religious leadership and damage the spiritual fabric that holds communities together.
Pastors, Reverends, Fathers, Bishops and other clergy, whether from the Seventh-Day Adventist, United Church of Zambia, Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Evangelical Church, Baptist Church, New Apostolic Church, or Jehovah’s Witnesses, must not be allowed to drift into partisan activism. Those who feel compelled to engage openly in politics should do so transparently by resigning from their clerical responsibilities. It is more honourable and honest for clergy to step into full-time politics than to use the pulpit to preach political messages under the guise of speaking for the “voiceless”.
For Zambia to maintain a strong moral foundation, the Church must remain a neutral, principled guide for all citizens, regardless of political affiliation. When clergy remain faithful to their sacred calling, the Church can continue to unite, inspire, and uplift the Nation. But once it becomes entangled in partisan conflict, it risks losing both its authority and the trust of the people it seeks to shepherd.
The Church must serve God. The politicians must serve the people. And the two roles must never be confused.
G20 RECOGNISES ZAMBIA’S REFORMS AND DEBT PROGRESS IN LEADERS’ DECLARATION
By Best Jere
The G20 Leaders’ Declaration released in South Africa has recognised Zambia as one of the newest members of the Compact with Africa, noting reforms undertaken by Compact partners to enhance their investment climate.
The leaders’ declaration commends the South African G20 Presidency for strengthening the Compact through the launch of its second phase (2025–2033), supported by a World Bank multi-donor fund.
Zambia is also listed among the four countries that have received debt treatment under the Common Framework, alongside Chad, Ghana, and Ethiopia.
The declaration has welcomed the recent progress made under the framework five years after its creation.
The G20 has further noted that many low- and middle-income countries continue to face high financing costs, large external refinancing needs, and outflows of private capital, which can limit fiscal space and development capacity.
SUPERIOR STATE INTELLIGENCE NETWORKS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ZAMBIA
The Catholic Church in Zambia has an intelligence network superior to that of the Zambian government intelligence agencies.
This is one of the reasons the Catholic Church is arguably the most powerful organisation in Zambia.
This is what renders its pronouncements on governance issues not merely moral commentary but vital, well-informed geopolitical assessments.
This perspective hinges on the Catholic Church’s unique structural proximity to the people, enabling it to gather granular, ground-level data that formal Zambian government apparatuses often miss or wilfully ignore.
When the Catholic hierarchy speaks out against practices that threaten democracy and risk anarchy like what Priests, Bishops and Catholic organisations are doing now against the unconstitutional amendment process or Bill 7, it does so from a foundation of sound, decentralised, top-notch intelligence, making its voice a legitimate and essential barometer for any responsible government.
The core of this argument lies in the formidable Catholic Church’s organisational architecture – the best in the world.
Unlike the Zambian intelligence agencies, which operate through hierarchical, often clandestine channels reliant on formal reporting, the Catholic Church’s structure is deeply embedded within the lived reality of the Zambian people. Archdioceses, dioceses, parishes, pastoral ministries within the government structure, lay groups, and countless outstations form a continuous, organic network extending into the most remote corners of Zambia.
This solid structure facilitates an informal, yet constant, flow of information regarding social grievances, economic hardships, and instances of administrative malpractice.
Bishops, Priests and catechists serve as trusted intermediaries, individuals whose perceived impartiality often grants them access to truths that citizens would be hesitant to share with government officials or State agents fearing reprisal.
Besides, Catholic Bishops and Priests possess privileged information derived from the penitent’s spiritual accounting, information that they cannot share with anyone, under any circumstances, due to the severity of the inviolable principle known as the Seal of Confession. And some of these penitents operate at the centre of Statecraft.
This proximity creates a repository of tacit knowledge concerning community stability, resource allocation fairness, and localised political tensions that surpasses the capacity of the already technologically backward Zambian intelligence-gathering operation.
Zambian intelligence agencies, by their nature, are often susceptible to instrumentalisation. Their focus tends to be securitised, prioritising threats to the ruling power rather than holistic societal well-being.
Reports that filter up the State chain are subject to political filtering, which is intended to either inflate perceived successes for President Hakainde Hichilema or downplay destabilising realities in order to maintain a positive narrative for the executive, as seen in Chingola, where President Hichilema was stoned and had to be whisked away.
In contrast, the Catholic Church’s mandate, grounded in its Gospel teachings, obligates it to emphasise truth, justice, and the common good—one of the reasons its intelligence system surpasses that of the Zambian government.
This orientation naturally steers its intelligence gathering toward monitoring the health of the social contract.
If you were unaware, when the Zambian Conference of Catholic Bishops issues a pastoral letter or statement on the constitutional amendment process, electoral integrity, corruption, tribalism, or violence, it is synthesising thousands of localised intelligence observations or reports, some of which come from State intelligence reports on President Hichilema’s desk at State House, rather than simply reacting to high-level political gossip.
This is one of the reasons the State panics whenever the Catholic Bishops issue a pastoral letter or statement.
The implications of the Catholic Church’s superior intelligence-gathering capability are profound for effective governance.
A government that ignores the Catholic Church’s warnings like what President Hichilema’s administration has been doing, does so at its peril, effectively choosing to operate blindfolded while relying on a potentially biased internal dashboard.
Consider previous periods in Zambia marked by heightened political tensions, such as the authoritarian tendencies during Kenneth Kaunda’s regime, the unconstitutional third-term campaign during Frederick Chiluba’s administration, disputes arising from closely contested elections, or the political violence in Mongu during Rupiah Banda’s tenure. Often, the early signs of potential unrest—the subtle shifts in community trust, the hardening of opposing viewpoints, the localised economic despair fuelling anger—are first articulated through pastoral letters or Bishop statements.
By the time these issues register as quantifiable threats on the State intelligence radar, the situation has already passed the point of easy de-escalation.
Therefore, listening to the Catholic Church becomes a proactive measure of risk management, ensuring that governance remains attuned to the genuine needs and frustrations of the governed majority.
Furthermore, the Catholic Church’s legitimacy as a voice of the people is reinforced by its moral authority. In many Zambian contexts, the Church, especially the Conference of Bishops, stands as one of the few institutions capable of mediating societal divides. Its interventions are not viewed as partisan lobbying but as essential custodianship of national values.
This unique moral capital of the Catholic Church grants its intelligence analysis significant weight.
When the Catholic Church critiques poor governance practices or illegal constitutional amendments that risk destroying democracy and causing anarchy, it is issuing a warning based on an assessment of irreversible social breakdown, an assessment derived from its unparalleled grassroots presence.
We hold a strong view that the structural and moral framework of the Catholic Church in Zambia grants it a unique, arguably superior, form of societal intelligence compared to State agencies. Its deep integration across dioceses, parishes, outstations, small Christian communities, lay groups, and pastoral ministries within government organs ensures a continuous, unfiltered stream of information concerning the nation’s pulse.
If President Hichilema’s government is committed to stability and true democratic health, recognising the Catholic Church not as a political competitor but as an indispensable early warning system is crucial.
To disregard the Catholic Church’s carefully articulated concerns regarding governance is to wilfully reject the most comprehensive assessment available of the dangers that lie beneath the surface of official reports, thereby increasing the very risk of anarchy it seeks to avert.
Any government that wages war against the Catholic Church for criticising poor governance is ultimately fighting itself and thus engaging in a losing battle.
OPPOSITIONS SHOULD STOP USING OUR FORMER PRESIDENT EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU’S PICTURES IN THEIR CAMPAIGNING.
Our former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu never died while in the office for them to continue using his pictures to gain muscle in their campaigning.
Secondly, we have not yet buried the president and according to our Zambian culture is so disrespectful because it shows as if oppositions are celebrating his death.
Inshort, if they feel Edgar Chagwa Lungu did might things that can never be easily forgotten then we need to bury him before they start using his pictures for legacy purpose.
However, iam demanding that all the presidential aspiring candidate who have printed regalias with our loved late President Edgar Chagwa must stop it or make sure he is put to rest first before they start using his pictures for polical gains.
Lastly, PF aspiring candidates have really disrespected Edgar Chagwa Lungu in his death by showing their interest to be presidents because almost everyone who was close to him now is aspiring to be the president.
If our late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu comes back to life he can be very much disappointed more than the way iam disappointed.
Last week, Kenya sent a high-level delegation to Uganda following statements by President Yoweri Museveni claiming that landlocked Uganda has a right to the Indian Ocean, warning of potential conflict if access was blocked.
The delegation, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi, held talks with Museveni at Mayuge State Lodge. The discussions focused on calming tensions and strengthening cooperation between the two countries. Mudavadi emphasized that Kenya remains committed to providing safe and free passage for Uganda’s goods through the port of Mombasa, in line with international law and existing bilateral agreements.
Beyond the Indian Ocean issue, the two leaders discussed regional integration, trade, infrastructure development, and security cooperation. Mudavadi highlighted that Kenya and Uganda share strong economic and political ties, and that continued collaboration is vital for growth and stability in East Africa.
The meeting sent a clear message: while Kenya supports Uganda’s access to the Indian Ocean, any disagreements will be resolved through dialogue, legal frameworks, and mutual cooperation, not confrontation.
The talks also provided an opportunity to strengthen communication and cooperation between the two countries. By addressing potential points of tension directly, both sides reinforced their commitment to maintaining friendly relations and preventing misunderstandings from escalating.
Additionally, the discussions highlighted the economic importance of the Indian Ocean for Uganda and other landlocked East African countries. Smooth access to seaports is critical for trade, imports, and regional development. Both leaders agreed that cooperation over port access and infrastructure projects would remain a priority moving forward.
ZAMBIAN RESIDENT IN SOUTH AFRICA WARNS AGAINST POLITICISING THE PULPIT
A Zambian resident in South Africa, Farai Ruvanyathi, has expressed concern over the growing tendency by some Catholic priests in Zambia to employ politically charged language from the pulpit, describing it as a distortion of their mission.
Mr. Ruvanyathi emphasized that the pulpit is a sacred place meant for proclaiming the word of God, not for partisan mobilization or coded threats against government.
He urged the Church to champion dialogue, mediation, and peaceful engagement, noting that the authority of a Catholic priest is rooted in the Church’s ancient spiritual mission rather than political office or personal wealth.
Mr. Ruvanyathi further explained that priests shape belief, strengthen identity, and uphold the continuity of sacred tradition. He stressed that a homily is not just another speech, but spiritual guidance that carries profound influence over the faithful.
SAPS confirms Hawks investigation into Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and others over alleged recruitment of 17 South Africans into Russia–Ukraine conflict
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit is investigating MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla in connection with allegations that she helped recruit 17 South African men who are now stranded in the war zone in Ukraine.
The case was opened by her half-sister, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube, who filed an affidavit at Sandton police station. According to the complaint, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, together with Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza, allegedly lured the men to Russia under the promise of “security-guard training.”
Instead, the men claim they were handed over to a Russian mercenary group and deployed to fight in Ukraine’s Donbas region, without fully understanding the contracts they signed, which were reportedly written in Russian.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that an enquiry docket has been registered and the matter escalated to the Hawks for further investigation.
Zuma-Mncube alleges that the recruitment may contravene several laws, including the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, as well as general fraud.
Family members of the trapped men, many of whom come from KwaZulu-Natal, say they are desperate for their return. Thuthukile “Thuthu” Zuma, another sister, described the situation as deeply worrying: “They are desperate to come home and scared for their lives.”
The DA (Democratic Alliance) has called for accountability, warning that the incident exposes how South African youth could be exploited by foreign military interests.
This controversy comes as broader concerns rise over the recruitment of foreign fighters by both sides in the Russia–Ukraine war. The South African government has said it is pursuing diplomatic channels to bring the men home.
The Hawks investigation is ongoing, and no formal charges have yet been announced.
The gloves are off. Japan just placed medium-range missiles on Yonaguni Island – a speck of land so close to Taiwan (110 km) you could practically swim the Strait on a dare.
Beijing’s predictable meltdown – calling it a “red line” and screaming about militarism – is the price of admission.
China knows that Prime Minister Takaichi’s recent talk of defending Taiwan just got backed up by actual steel and high-explosives.
This is Tokyo’s way of saying: The post-war Pacifist era is officially retired.
Yonaguni, a remote island barely 28 square kilometers, is now the ultimate choke point.
It’s no longer a sleepy outpost; it’s a live-fire sensor platform and a frontline deterrent.
Any move on Taiwan now has to factor in Japanese missiles firing from behind the main event.
Prediction: The “red line” threats are just noise. China’s real response will be to increase its own military probing around the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, turning a tense strait into a volatile, high-stakes game of chicken.
The military balance of power? It just tilted east.
XI ON THE PHONE WITH TRUMP: “TAIWAN RETURNS TO CHINA – THAT’S THE POST-WAR ORDER”
Xi Jinping on a call with Trump:
Taiwan’s “return to China” isn’t negotiable – it’s part of the post–World War II world order.
Xi’s message: China and the U.S. once fought fascism together – so maybe they should team up again to “protect” the outcomes of WWII.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s government is reading this like, “Yeah, absolutely not.”
And Japan? Already signaling it could respond militarily if China attacks Taiwan – which Beijing is now calling a “diplomatic crisis” because Tokyo said the quiet part out loud.
Xi tried to sweeten the call by bragging that U.S.-China ties have “stabilized” since Trump eased tariffs and Beijing restarted soybean shopping.
But this line about Taiwan is the real headline.
This wasn’t a request – it was Xi testing how far Trump will bend before the real Taiwan showdown begins.
Source: ReutersHE PHONE WITH TRUMP: “TAIWAN RETURNS TO CHINA – THAT’S THE POST-WAR ORDER”
Xi Jinping on a call with Trump:
Taiwan’s “return to China” isn’t negotiable – it’s part of the post–World War II world order.
Xi’s message: China and the U.S. once fought fascism together – so maybe they should team up again to “protect” the outcomes of WWII.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s government is reading this like, “Yeah, absolutely not.”
And Japan? Already signaling it could respond militarily if China attacks Taiwan – which Beijing is now calling a “diplomatic crisis” because Tokyo said the quiet part out loud.
Xi tried to sweeten the call by bragging that U.S.-China ties have “stabilized” since Trump eased tariffs and Beijing restarted soybean shopping.
But this line about Taiwan is the real headline.
This wasn’t a request – it was Xi testing how far Trump will bend before the real Taiwan showdown begins.
Belgium, which is sitting on most of the cash pile, wants all 27 members to share the legal blowback.
Classic EU move: solidarity… but with disclaimers.
The vibe? Peace plans are slow, fragile, and filled with brackets. Money, on the other hand, moves fast – and Europe is using it to say one thing loudly:
No matter what Trump negotiates, the EU isn’t letting Ukraine go broke.
⬆️ EDITORIAL | Allow The Protest, Take Bill 7 to Parliament; Don’t Hold the Constitution Hostage
Zambia has a long history of peaceful civic action. The Oasis Forum marched during the Chiluba third term saga. Citizens protested Bill 10 under President Edgar Lungu. Students, churches and trade unions have taken to the streets at different moments of national strain. Protest is not a crime. It is a constitutional right. President Hakainde Hichilema should allow the November 28 demonstration to proceed without intimidation. A democracy that fears citizens on the street is a fragile democracy in.
The second reality is equally important. The constitutional amendment process attracted thousands of submissions from citizens, civil society, traditional leaders and institutions. The technical committee travelled to all provinces. They held meetings at provincial centres. They entered chiefdoms. They met churches and local organisations.
People who wished to speak spoke. People who wished to refuse also refused. That is democracy. But refusal to participate cannot be a passport to suspend the process or erase the voices of those who engaged in good faith.
Some faith leaders and activists now demand that Bill 7 be withdrawn because they chose not to participate. That argument is hollow. The window for submissions closed. The technical committee completed its work. What remains is simple. Publish the submissions. Table the bill in Parliament. Let the elected representatives vote for or against it. The country cannot set a precedent where those who boycott a process gain the power to annul it.
This is why the Home Affairs Minister’s warnings sound misplaced. Jack Mwiimbu says protests will divide the nation. In truth, his statement only paints the government as defensive and insecure. The President has invited the organisers for dialogue. That is the correct approach. No police threat, no moral scolding and no public sermon will build trust. Trust is built by transparency.
Publish the report. Present the bill. Allow protest. Allow debate. Allow Parliament to do its work.
The opponents of Bill 7 must also prove their central claim. They insist the amendments favour President Hichilema. They warn that elections will be delayed. They tell citizens that the President will gain two extra years. These warnings have circulated for months without a single clause being quoted to substantiate them.
Zambia deserves serious arguments, not fear packaged for illiterate consumption. If the bill gives Hichilema an advantage, opponents must show the clause, the line and the legal path. Anything less is political theatre.
The government also carries blame. The communication around Bill 7 has been weak. The timeline never looked credible. No technical committee can analyse thousands of submissions in weeks. The process was allowed to lose public confidence when transparency should have been the default. The administration must fix this by publishing the submissions and explaining how the committee handled them. Silence has created suspicion.
Only openness will cure it.
Civil society and the clergy also hold responsibility. Highly placed sources say the Oasis Forum is ferrying people from the northern circuit for the November 28 protest. While this remains unverified, it raises uncomfortable questions. If outrage is genuine, citizens come on their own. When protests require logistics from faraway regions, it begins to look less like a public uprising and more like political mobilisation with a moral badge. That perception, whether accurate or not, damages the credibility of the message.
The next step is clear. Let the march proceed. Let the President host the dialogue. Let the submissions be published. Let Bill 7 be tabled in Parliament. Let MPs debate it. Let the country see who stands for what. Zambia cannot afford a culture where any group that refuses to engage declares a national veto. That path will destroy reform, paralyse governance and turn every future amendment into a street contest.
The Constitution belongs to all citizens, not to one church, one forum, one faction or one administration.
For reactions, write to editor.peoplesbrief@gmail.com.
Six Catholic Cabinet Ministers Oppose Planned Church Protests on Constitution Amendment
By Hannock Kasama (ZNBC)
Six Cabinet Ministers who are members of the Catholic Church have strongly opposed planned protests by some sections of the Church and other groupings against the Constitution Amendment Process.
The ministers warned that such protests will not unite the country but instead risk dividing both the nation and the Church.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Defence Minister Ambrose Lufuma said the Church must remain a beacon of hope and dialogue, not a source of division. He described the planned protests as divisive, regrettable, and counterproductive at a time when Zambia requires collective wisdom and unity over contentious issues.
Mr. Lufuma urged the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia, Council of Churches in Zambia, and other Civil Society Organisations to pursue dialogue rather than confrontation.
Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu added that President Hakainde Hichilema has already reached out to the Zambia Council of Catholic Bishops, offering an olive branch for formal engagement at State House on the amendment process.
The six ministers opposing the protests are Ambrose Lufuma (Defence), Jack Mwiimbu (Home Affairs and Internal Security), Mulambo Haimbe (Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation), Felix Mutati (Technology and Science), Doreen Mwamba (Community Development and Social Services), and Sheal Mulyata (Lusaka Province).
TANZANIA’S GOV’T DECLARED ILLEGITIMATE BY THABO MBEKI FOUNDATION
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation has issued a strongly worded statement declaring that the United Republic of Tanzania currently lacks a legitimate government, following the country’s general elections held on 29 October 2025.
According to the foundation, the results announced by the Independent Electoral Commission of Tanzania failed to reflect the will of the people. Instead, it argued, the current leadership was imposed through a combination of force and manipulation.
“The current government of the United Republic of Tanzania is not legitimate; rather, it has been imposed on the people through a combination of coercion and fraudulent practices,” the Thabo Mbeki Foundation said.
The statement drew on findings from SADC and African Union election observers, who reported widespread irregularities and noted that voters were unable to freely exercise their democratic rights. The foundation emphasized that Tanzania urgently needs a new political beginning to restore public trust and democratic integrity.
Beyond its political critique, the foundation also extended condolences to families who lost loved ones in the violence that followed the election. It reaffirmed its respect for Tanzania and its citizens, describing them as true friends and long-standing partners.
KELVIN KAUNDA URGES MUNDUBILE TO SETTLE FOR A SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE
…warns PF over Convention delays ahead of 2026 elections
Lusaka… Monday November 24, 2025 – Mr. Kelvin Kaunda has raised a matter of urgent national and political concern regarding the Patriotic Front’s continued postponement of its long-overdue national convention.
In a statement issued to the media, Mr. Kaunda said Zambia was moving steadily toward the 13th August 2026 General Elections, yet the country’s largest opposition party remained “uncertain and unstable” at a time when the nation required a vibrant and credible opposition to sustain democratic checks and balances.
He argued that politics were dynamic and demanded “readiness, clarity, and decisiveness,” stressing that the PF was in dire need of stable and legitimate leadership if it was to reposition itself as a serious contender in the upcoming polls.
According to him, the repeated postponements of the national convention had created unnecessary anxiety among members while weakening the party’s capacity to reorganize and present a united front to the electorate.
Mr. Kaunda said the delays were no longer seen as mere administrative issues but were increasingly perceived as a deliberate attempt to frustrate and demoralize progressive members who sought a stronger, more democratic PF capable of offering alternative leadership.
He further noted that the party had for too long awaited the rise of Hon. Brian Mundubile, whom he described as a leader whose integrity and consistency had earned him widespread support as far back as 2021.
He stated that Mr. Mundubile’s acceptance had been reaffirmed across various sectors, including the Church, traditional leadership, trade unions, and grassroots members.
He warned that Zambians could not be expected to wait indefinitely for his leadership to be formally endorsed through a legitimate convention.
Mr. Kaunda appealed to Mr. Mundubile and other progressive members to consider settling for a “special purpose vehicle” should the national convention fail to proceed as scheduled on 29th November 2025.
He said the future of the PF and the health of Zambia’s multiparty democracy could not be held hostage to “endless delays.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Kaunda urged the PF leadership to rise above internal maneuvering and act decisively in the interest of both the party and the nation, insisting that “the Zambian people deserve nothing less.”
IT IS STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR SADC TO SEND THE ELECTORAL ADVISORY COUNCIL(SEAC) AHEAD OF ANY SADC ELECTION
By Dr Nevers Mumba
SEAC is not coming to Zambia in response to Amb Emmanuel Mwamba’s letter to SADC. They have instead advised Amb Mwamba to take advantage of the presence of SEAC which is coming to Zambia to air his grievances if he has any.
Please let us not distort the responses of such important institutions for political purposes. SEAC visits every SADC country at least six months ahead of a general election. This is the standard procedure.
Below is the response that SADC gave to Amb Mwamba’s letter in which he was accusing President Hakainde Hichilema of electoral practices for an election yet to be held:
In a letter responding to Amb. Mwamba, Ms Onalenna Nthase, Senior Secretary Directorate of the Organ on Politics Defence and Security Affairs, she stated that;
“The SADC Secretariat takes note of the concerns that you raised in the letter mentioned above, and of your readiness to travel to Gaborone, Republic of Botswana, to further make representations on the matter.”
“The concerns that you have raised fall within the mandate of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC), which, incidentally, is preparing to travel to the Republic of Zambia to carry out a post-election review mission in terms of Article 7.3. of the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021).”
“These reviews are critical to address any post-election conficts, or evaluate recommendations made by electoral observation missions, and as a platform through which Member States can be encouraged to implement all relevant recommendations emanating from the SADC Electoral Observation Missions (SEOM) and SEAC Reports.”
“Based on ongoing consultations with the Republic of Zambia, the Secretariat will communicate with your offices on the dates and venue for the SEAC consultations with electoral stakeholders in Zambia.”
“This will be the ideal forum for you to make the representations above.”
SADC uses the SEAC report as part of the mechanism to resolve post elections conflicts and as a guide in implementing the recommendations made by the SADC Electoral Observation Mission(SEOM).
Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba SEOM Head of Mission for the Zimbabwe Harmonized Election of 2023(SADC)
ALL DECISIONS I MADE ARE IN THE INTEREST OF PF – LUBINDA
PF Acting President Given Lubinda says PF members should not be worried as he has not made any decision that is not in the best interest of the party.
And Lubinda has questioned who he should reconcile with because he has not differed with anyone.
Speaking when PF members paid a courtesy call on him, Sunday, Lubinda said the party would hold a convention and he will do his best to ensure the programmes of the party were not frustrated.
“I will not and I have not made any decision in my position as president of this party or acting president as many would like to refer to me, which was in the interest of any particular individual, let alone myself. All the decisions that I have made and God help me, all the decisions that I will make, as I hold this position, will be in the best interest of the party, that you can rest assured. You need not worry, the party has been safe for the last four years, the party is going to the convention and I shall ensure that I do whatever I can to safeguard it. I shall ensure I shall do my very best to ensure that the party is protected, that the programmes of the party are not frustrated in the interest of all the members of the party and more so in the interest of the citizens of Zambia,” Lubinda noted.
“For those of you who were talking about reconciling and so on and so forth, while you were saying that, I was wondering, with who have I differed? With who [whom] should I reconcile? I have not differed with anyone whatsoever, and until I meet the assailants, the ones who beat me up in Kabwe, I am not able to reconcile with them. If the reconciliation is towards those who beat me up, I cannot reconcile with them before I hear why they beat me up and I can assure you that this is not the first time that people have attacked me”.
Lubinda stressed that he would continue to do the best to hold the party together.
“If it is to do with the party, and I heard you saying a lot of things about the party and so on, I want to assure you that ever since his Excellency president Edgar Chagwa Lungu, may his soul rest in peace, asked me to hold the fault in the Patriotic Front, I have done and will continue to do the best of my ability to hold everyone together and every decision that will proceed from myself in the running of this party, rest assured, will be done in the best interest of the party, all my decisions,” he added.
“Holding the position that I hold today is a privilege but also a duty which I owe not only to the members of the party but a duty that I owe the citizens of Zambia. Any disturbance in the Patriotic Front is a disturbance to the democracy of this country. I would like to therefore enjoin all of you my dear friends, to ensure that we hold together, in holding together, let us bear in mind that each one of us has a particular role, each one of us has a particular responsibility, [and] each one of us has a particular duty as is enshrined in our constitution. That is one thing that I would like all of us to respect and I will be the first to respect that”.
Lubinda further said he would address the nation regarding his attack in due time.
“The ordeal was not a pleasant one at all, it was a gruesome ordeal. However, I am to address the nation on that matter at an opportune time. The only thing I can say to you today, in appreciating your show of love to me, is to remind ourselves that every career has its own hazards. Unfortunately, for us in Zambia, we are also making violence become a hazard of politics, it not ought to be. Politics can be performed devoid of violence and we have to ask ourselves, why is this [this is] happening. My message to all of us this afternoon is that before we point at another person, let’s point at the man and the woman in the mirror. If every person points at the person in the mirror, and convinces the person in the mirror that we are going to get involved in politics which is devoid of violence, so shall it be,” said Lubinda.
“The people who engage in political violence don’t spring from Mars, they live amongst us and quite often, those people that we see confronting others do not act spontaneously, they plan. And quite often, those that are in the forefront are only but in the forefront, quite often, they are tools and every tool is controlled and very often the one who controls becomes invisible.
This is the reason why I appeal to all of us my fellow politicians that the onus is on all of us. There shall come a day soon, when I’ll address the nation on this matter, when I’ll address the press on this matter, when I’ll go into the details on this matter. All I can say to you now is that when the incidence occurred, I refrained from issuing a statement to the police; I did not say a word to the police. And you saw that the spokesperson of the police said that they had arrested a number of people and now they were inviting me to go and register my complaint, I certainly will do that”.
He added that he was beaten and injured but as at yesterday, a medical review confirmed that he had no fractures or physical injury except for a swelling on his gum, right knee and abrasions on his back.
…..Mundubile says his position has not changed on Bill 7.
Patriotic Front PF presidential aspirant Brian Mundubile has assured renowned Historian and Researcher Sishuwa Shishuwa as well as the Zambians in general that he as a member of Parliament for Mporokoso Constituency, he will not support the ongoing Constitution Amendment process known as Bill 7.
Speaking in an interview with Kbn Tv news, Mr. Mundubile says he acknowledges the crucial role Dr. Sishuwa is playing in preserving Zambia’s democracy and for that he must be applauded by all well meaning Zambians.
Mr. Mundubile said Dr. Sishuwa was right to challenge all MPs especially those from the opposition as well as independent MPs, so that they could state their position around this divisive matter called Bill 7. “Yes i’am one of the MPs who has been challenged by Dr. Sishuwa and he is very right we have to come out clear on this matter,” said Mundubile.
Mr. Mundubile has also called on those doubting his position to quickly turn to the internet and see videos of him denouncing Bill 7.
The Mporokoso lawmaker added that Bill 7 remains harmful to the Country and it will not be supported by him and fellow MPs who love the Country.
Speaking during Kbn TV’s Analysis program on Sunday evening, the historian said it was shocking that only two or three MPs have so far stated their positions on the controversial Constitution Amendment Bill number 7 currently before the floor of the House.
He also disclosed that so far ten opposition MPs have already been bought by the UPND to support the bill.
SADC to establish whether Emmanuel Mwamba really ran away from court cases in Zambia as advanced by the UPND Media Team ; whether he was really on bail and had his passport in his custody , whether he was able to travel in and out of the country freely, to also go to court to hear his cases freely.
This comes after Emmanuel Mwamba wrote to SADC accusing Zambia of human rights violations .
In response , the UPND Media Team wrote a letter to SADC, EU and US Embassy which gave a clear description of Emmanel Mwamba’s departure from Zambia.
This is important as it will also create a basis for understanding fugitives like EM and the malicious publications aimed at tarnishing the image of Zambia , in a country which has seen a lot of restoration of the rule of law.
A country where media houses are now freely featuring whoever they want.
A country where the President is a proponent of dialogue and engagement and not violence .
According to the Afro-barometer survey 2023, Zambia is on top of the list of the most democratizing states in the world .
⬆️ READER OPINION | Bill 7 Protest: Who Are The Majority?
I write after following your coverage of the November 28 protest calls and the debate around the constitutional amendment process. My concern is simple. The loudest voices against Bill 7 seem to be concentrated in very specific parts of the country. Without sounding divisive, anyone who reads the news can see the pattern.
The organisers who have approached my office, the clergy who are leading the conversations, and the civil society voices pushing hardest all appear to come from the same region. This is a fact that is visible in the media. It raises questions about whether this truly reflects national sentiment.
If the message is that the majority of Zambians are unhappy, then we must ask what measure is being used to make that claim. We have not seen mass mobilisation in Central Province. No large movement has taken shape in Southern, Western, Copperbelt, Luapula or Eastern.
Even in North Western there is silence. The biggest organised activity remains in Lusaka and in the Northern zone where Catholic leaders have taken strong positions. Does this represent the majority, or are these isolated but influential pockets?
The organisers and the media insist the Bill is dangerous. They say it gives the ruling party an advantage. They say it opens the door to power consolidation. Yet, to date, the public has not been shown the exact clauses that create those risks.
Many of us would like to read the specific sections that pose a threat. We hear warnings, but we do not see evidence. If this is a national crisis, the public deserves a clause-by-clause explanation.
I expected the media, including your platform, to take the lead in breaking down what is in the Bill. Instead, we continue to hear general statements with no supporting detail. If there are provisions that tilt the political field, let them be published in full. If there are changes that weaken institutions, let the public see them. People cannot protest against what they have not read or understood.
This is why I worry about the framing of this issue as a nationwide revolt. When support for the protest appears concentrated in only two regions, it becomes hard to claim national consensus. A constitutional debate must unite the country. It must reflect voices from all corners, not only the loudest or the most organised groups. National decisions cannot be driven by regional energy alone.
I urge the media to help citizens make informed choices. Break down the Bill. Publish the clauses. Separate fear from fact. If this reform is dangerous, Zambians will see it. If it is not, the nation will also judge for itself. What we need is clarity, not pressure. What we need is information, not emotion.
Submission by: Mwasha Kabanda
Editor’s Note (very important):
This article is part of our Reader Opinion Series. It does not represent the editorial position of The People’s Brief. We publish diverse viewpoints to enrich national dialogue. For submissions, email: editor.peoplesbrief@gmail.com.
BRIEFING | Southern Province Exceeds Voter Registration Target, Triggering Political Debate
Southern Province has become the first region to surpass its voter registration target in the ongoing mass registration exercise, recording more than 420,000 newly registered voters following the 15 day extension announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
Provincial Minister Credo Nanjuwa confirmed the figures during a meeting with the National Council of Student Unions in Livingstone, describing the turnout as “a strong expression of civic responsibility.”
He said the province had “gone beyond expectations” and called the high participation “a sign of democratic maturity across districts.”
National Council of Student Unions Chairperson Michelo Chizombe welcomed the surge, particularly the strong presence of young registrants.
“We are encouraged by the enthusiasm of young people. They are not sitting on the sidelines. They want to shape the future of this country,” he said, urging universities, colleges and skills centres to continue mobilising first time voters.
But the political reaction online has been swift. Opposition supporters have accused authorities of “paying disproportionate attention” to Southern Province because it is considered the ruling UPND’s traditional stronghold.
Some netizens argued that the registration surge reflects “a system designed to consolidate safe zones,” while urban districts with competitive political dynamics “struggle with logistics, slow queues and limited equipment.”
UPND supporters have rejected that claim, saying the extension of the registration period was uniform nationwide and that the turnout in Southern Province reflects local mobilisation efforts rather than administrative bias.
ECZ has not released provincial comparative data, but officials say final numbers will be published once the exercise closes.
The sharp reactions underlines the political sensitivity surrounding the voter roll as Zambia approaches the 2026 elections.
Turnout patterns have long been interpreted through partisan lenses, especially in strongholds where registration spikes can significantly alter national electoral arithmetic.
While the ruling party views the numbers as a sign of civic engagement, the opposition insists the distribution of registration resources remains uneven and requires external scrutiny.
Civil society groups have urged ECZ to publish district by district statistics to reduce speculation and build trust in the process.
For now, Southern Province stands out as the first region to cross its target, setting the tone for what analysts say will be one of the most closely examined voter registration cycles in years.
FRANK MUTUBILA WEIGHS-IN ON THE OASIS INTERVENTIONS
He writes…
HAVING observed every major constitutional shift in this country since the 1970s, one truth has remained constant, no amendment endures unless it is rooted in broad national consensus.
It is against this backdrop that the Oasis Forum’s recent interventions must be understood and commended, in the debate surrounding the contentious Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 7, the Forum has emerged as one of the few institutions willing to stand on the side of citizens, offering the scrutiny and public engagement that Parliament itself should provide.
What has been most unsettling, after more than fifty years of watching constitutional processes rise and fall, is the deafening silence from our Members of Parliament. Bill 7 carries profound implications for governance and the balance of power, yet those elected to speak for the people appear reluctant to question its provisions. If the allegations of financial inducements are true, they may explain both the quiet posture of MPs and the confidence within the ruling UPND that the bill will pass once it is brought before the House.
This pattern is not new, over the decades I have seen moments when Parliament defended democratic principles with courage, and moments when personal interest overshadowed public duty. Today only a small number of MPs still show the moral fortitude required to protect our democratic space, the rest appear content to drift with the political tide, even when the stakes involve the constitutional framework of the Republic.
Civil society voices are now urging the Oasis Forum to go further, calling for a public social contract that would compel MPs to declare their positions on Bill 7. Such openness is essential, it would help Zambians distinguish leaders who stand for the people from those driven by self preservation. This call for transparency extends even to some individuals seeking the presidency, whose conduct has raised doubts about their ability to place national interests above personal ambition.
After half a century of witnessing constitutional experiments, one lesson remains clear, constitutions that lack consensus do not endure, they divide, they weaken trust, and they undermine stability. Zambia cannot afford another divisive process, Bill 7 requires a genuine, inclusive, consensus oriented approach, one that respects the will of the people and the hard earned lessons of our constitutional past.
KREMLIN TO EUROPE: “THANKS FOR THE PEACE PLAN – WE HATE IT.”
Moscow just dismissed Europe’s counter-proposal to Trump’s 28-point Ukraine “peace plan,” calling it “completely unconstructive.”
Meaning: Europe didn’t hand over the territory, NATO veto, and timeline control Russia wants, so the Kremlin flipped the table.
Here’s the real tell: Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov basically admitted the U.S. plan works for Russia, at least in “many provisions.”
Europe’s version? Not so much.
That’s the geopolitical split in one headline – Washington floats compromises Kyiv hates, Europe digs its heels in, and Moscow plays them against each other.
Meanwhile Putin’s doing his usual mob-boss routine: He says the U.S. proposal could be a foundation for peace… but if Ukraine refuses, Russia will “advance further.”
Classic “nice country you got there, shame if anything happened to it.”
Expect Moscow to milk the divide: praising the U.S. plan just enough to pressure Europe and Kyiv, while hinting at escalation.
The Kremlin smells leverage, and leverage means one thing: they’re not done pushing.
The Israeli military has announced the dismissal of three generals and disciplinary measures against several other senior officers due to their failure to prevent the October 2023 assault by Hamas, which stands as the deadliest attack in the country’s history.
This action follows a call two weeks prior by the Armed Forces Chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, for a “systemic investigation” into the failures that enabled the onslaught. This occurred despite the government’s perceived reluctance to establish a state commission of inquiry, even amid substantial public pressure.
The list of high-ranking officers fired includes three divisional commanders, one of whom was serving as the military intelligence chief at the time. A military statement released Sunday affirmed that all three bear personal responsibility for the armed forces’ inability to prevent the attack launched by Hamas from the Gaza Strip. It is noted that these generals had already resigned from their posts prior to the formal dismissal announcement.
Disciplinary actions were also levied against the head of the navy and air force, alongside measures against four other generals and several additional senior officers across the chain of command.
The firings and disciplinary actions stem from the findings of a report compiled by a committee of experts appointed by the military chief. This report marked the conclusion of the army’s internal investigations into the October 7th attacks.
The investigation concluded that a “long-standing systemic and organisational failure” existed within the military apparatus.
The report also highlighted a critical “intelligence failure”—specifically, the military’s “inability to raise the alarm” despite possessing “exceptional, high-quality information.” Furthermore, the inquiry deplored “deficient decision-making processes and force deployment during the night of October 7, 2023,” pointing to widespread failures throughout the military’s command structure.
The latest proposal from US Leader, Donald Trump to end the war in Ukraine sent shockwaves through Kyiv’s international allies, particularly as the 28-point plan appeared to lean towards Russia’s hardline positions and offered limited security guarantees for Ukraine
Without consultation from the E3 nations (Britain, France, and Germany), the US proposal emerged, leading these three countries to swiftly develop a counteroffer.
European nations on Sunday, November 23 released its own counter-proposal. The new proposal takes the US plan as its foundation, and has several notable differences.
It remains understood that any final agreement, even if backed by the US and Europe, would still require Russian approval.
While tangible details on Ukraine’s security remain sparse, the European counter-proposal makes crucial amendments, particularly
concerning NATO.
The European plan opens more room for NATO in Ukraine’s future, a red line for Russia and a position Washington had seemingly moved away from. Specifically on membership, the European text states that Ukraine joining NATO would depend on a consensus among members, acknowledging that this consensus does not currently exist.
Regarding military presence, the E3 proposal agrees that NATO would not permanently station troops in Ukraine in peacetime, but it appears to leave space for a “coalition of the willing” to have greater involvement.
By contrast, the original Trump proposal had demanded that Ukraine constitutionally bind itself not to join NATO and outright prohibited any NATO peacekeepers on the ground. Separately, European leaders made no changes to the item concerning Ukraine’s eligibility for EU membership.
The language on Ukraine’s post-war rebuilding is significantly firmer in the European revision. The new proposal insists that Ukraine must be “fully” reconstructed and financially compensated, explicitly including funds drawn from seized Russian sovereign assets.
See the full European backed deal below
1. Ukraine’s sovereignty to be reconfirmed. 2. There will be a total and complete non-aggression agreement reached between Russia and Ukraine and NATO. All ambiguities from the last 30 years will be resolved. (Point 3 of U.S. plan is deleted. A draft of that plan seen by Reuters said: “There will be the expectation that Russia will not invade its neighbours and NATO will not expand further.”)
4. After a peace agreement is signed, a dialogue between Russia and NATO will convene to address all security concerns and create a de-escalatory environment to ensure global security and increase the opportunity for connectivity and future economic opportunity. 5. Ukraine will receive robust Security Guarantees 6. Size of Ukraine military to be capped at 800,000 in peacetime. 7. Ukraine joining NATO depends on consensus of NATO members, which does not exist. 8. NATO agrees not to permanently station troops under its command in Ukraine in peacetime. 9. NATO fighter jets will be stationed in Poland
10. US guarantee that mirrors Article 5 a. US to receive compensation for the guarantee b. If Ukraine invades Russia, it forfeits the guarantee c. If Russia invades Ukraine, in addition to a robust coordinated military response, all global sanctions will be restored and any kind of recognition for the new territory and all other benefits from this agreement will be withdrawn.
11. Ukraine is eligible for EU membership and will get short-term preferred market access to Europe while this is being evaluated 12. Robust Global Redevelopment Package for Ukraine including but not limited to: a. Creation of Ukraine Development fund to invest in high growth industries including technology, data centres and Al efforts b. The United States will partner with Ukraine to jointly restore, grow, modernize and operate Ukraine’s gas infrastructure, which includes its pipeline and storage facilities
c. A joint effort to redevelop areas impacted by the war to restore, redevelop and modernize cities and residential areas d. Infrastructure development e. Mineral and natural resource extraction f. A special financing package will be developed by the World Bank to provide financing to accelerate these efforts. 13. Russia to be progressively re-integrated into the global economy a. Sanction relief will be discussed and agreed upon in phases and on a case-by-case basis. b. The United States will enter into a long-term Economic Cooperation Agreement to pursue mutual development in the areas of energy, natural resources, infrastructure, AI, datacenters, rare earths, joint projects in the Arctic, as well as various other mutually beneficial corporate opportunities. c. Russia to be invited back into the G8 14. Ukraine will be fully reconstructed and compensated financially, including through Russian sovereign assets that will remain frozen until Russia compensates damage to Ukraine.
15. A joint Security taskforce will be established with the participation of US, Ukraine, Russia and the Europeans to promote and enforce all of the provisions of this agreement 16. Russia will legislatively enshrine a non-aggression policy towards Europe and Ukraine 17. The United States and Russia agree to extend nuclear non-proliferation and control treaties, including Fair Start 18. Ukraine agrees to remain a non-nuclear state under the NPT 19. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant will be restarted under supervision of the IAEA, and the produced power shall be shared equitably in a 50-50 split between Russia and Ukraine. 20. Ukraine will adopt EU rules on religious tolerance and the protection of linguistic minorities. 21. Territories Ukraine commits not to recover its occupied sovereign territory through military means. Negotiations on territorial swaps will start from the Line of Contact.
22. Once future territorial arrangements have been agreed, both the Russian Federation and Ukraine undertake not to change these arrangements by force. Any security guarantees will not apply if there is a breach of this obligation 23. Russia shall not obstruct Ukraine’s use of the Dnieper River for purposes of commercial activities, and agreements will be reached for grain shipments to move freely through the Black Sea
24. A humanitarian committee will be established to resolve open issues: a. All remaining prisoners and bodies will be exchanged on the principle of All for All b. All civilian detainees and hostages will be returned, including children c. There will be a family reunification program d. Provisions will be made to address the suffering of victims from the conflict 25. Ukraine will hold elections as soon as possible after the signing of the peace agreement. 26. Provision will be made to address the suffering of victims of the conflict. 27. This agreement will be legally binding. Its implementation will be monitored and guaranteed by a Board of Peace, chaired by President Donald J. Trump. There will be penalties for violation.
28. Upon all sides agreeing to this memorandum, a ceasefire will be immediately effective upon both parties withdrawing to the agreed upon points for the implementation of the agreement to begin. Ceasefire modalities, including monitoring, will be agreed by both parties under US supervision.
South Africa’s opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, has criticised African heads of state for what he described as “unacceptable silence” following recent confrontations between President Cyril Ramaphosa and the US administration.
Malema accused African leaders of failing to defend South Africa during moments of “geopolitical intimidation,” arguing that the continent’s inaction undermines continental solidarity.
“South Africa takes the bullets for this continent in SADC, in Africa, and on the global stage,” Malema said.
He claimed that when Ramaphosa was “ambushed at the White House” four months ago and criticised again last week, not a single African leader publicly defended him.
Malema contrasted this to Europe’s strong show of unity when Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky faced diplomatic pressure in June, saying European leaders “defended their own without hesitation.”
He warned that Africa risked repeating past mistakes, including the isolation of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, if continental leaders fail to stand together.
“When President Zelensky faced similar attacks in June, every European leader stood up immediately. They defended their own without hesitation, without fear because true allies protect one another in moments of geopolitical intimidation.
“But here at home? We watched an African leader get verbally attacked by the US President and his team, and not a single African head of state publicly stood with South Africa. Not one.
“This is the same script they used when they isolated Gaddafi, weakened him through silence, then move in when the continent is divided,” he said.
Malema’s remarks come in the wake of the recently concluded G20 Summit held in Johannesburg, the first such gathering on African soil.
The summit ended on 23 November with a joint declaration committing to “multilateral co-operation” on climate and economic inequality. The declaration was adopted despite the United States boycotting the meeting.
President Ramaphosa said the agreement demonstrated that “shared goals” outweighed the divisions among nations.
US President Donald Trump, however, decided to abstain, citing a debunked claim involving South Africa’s white minority. The ceremonial handover of the G20 presidency, originally scheduled for Sunday, was postponed and will be completed by junior officials next week.
Global leaders reacted to the US absence with mixed views. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said it “didn’t matter much,” insisting multilateralism remained strong.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, however, criticised Washington’s move describing it as a not good decision.
Delegates at the summit also agreed to pursue efforts toward “just, comprehensive, and lasting peace” in conflict zones including Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
New details have surfaced about the home singer D4vd was renting at the time authorities discovered the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas in the trunk of his impounded Tesla.
According to photos published by TMZ, the 20-year-old singer, who has now become a suspect in the mystery de@th, was living in a rental with a freezer that was allegedly large enough to have contained a body.
This comes after investigators recently shared that Rivas’ body had been decapitated and frozen before its discovery.
On Sunday, the outlet published a photo from the rented house that showed a kitchen equipped with a large KitchenAid refrigerator and freezer combo.
The freezer portion was described as having a height of about 74 inches, a width of around 14 inches, and a depth of an estimated 27 inches, with the temperature reaching as low as -8 degrees Fahrenheit.
The body of Rivas, who was reportedly 5’3″ and weighed 120lbs, was found in a bag with the victim’s arms and limbs cut off, allegedly making it possible to fit in the appliance if the shelves were removed.
It was also gathered that a social media clip from September 2024 shows the singer — real name David Burke — in a house with an appliance box in the background that could have been a freezer.
Sources linked to the investigation claim that when the teen’s corpse was found, in addition to having severed limbs, it had was beheaded and chopped into pieces.
Her remains are said to have been ‘partially frozen’ and thawing in the Tesla by the time they were found, insiders told TMZ.
As a result, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner may not be able to determine the cause of death, it was added.
While D4vd has been named as a suspect, he has not been charged with any crime.
A second suspect has also been identified in Rivas’ death, according to a podcast on the TMZ network.
Defense attorney Mark Geragos and TMZ Founder Harvey Levin revealed their findings in an episode of their show 2 Angry Men.
Identical twin actors gave married to identical twin sisters who were pregnant at the same time.
The Shire Twins, both Nollywood actors, shared photos and videos from their pre-wedding photoshoot.
The photos show them wearing identical outfits while posing with their identical twin brides in matching outfits. The twin sisters were pregnant and seemed to be similarly far along in their pregnancy journey.
The actors announced in the caption that their wives have given birth to girls.
Nollywood actors have left congratulatory messages for them, wishing them well on their wedding and on their birth of their daughters.
