SADC Slams Tanzania’s ‘Sham Election’ as Hichilema Courts Controversy

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has dropped a political bombshell calling Tanzania’s 2025 general election a “sham” but what’s grabbing even more attention is President Hakainde Hichilema’s decision to attend the inauguration of Samia Suluhu Hassan, the very leader at the center of that controversy.

According to SADC’s preliminary observation report, the Tanzanian polls were anything but democratic marred by intimidation, abductions, arrests of opposition figures like Tundu Lissu, and an internet shutdown that silenced both voters and monitors. The mission, led by former Malawian Speaker Richard Msowoya, concluded that Tanzanians were simply “not able to freely express their will.”

Yet, as the dust of repression settled in Dar es Salaam, there was President Hichilema smiling and shaking hands at an inauguration that the regional bloc itself had described as a mockery of democracy.

For many Zambians, this move hits differently. The same man who boycotted Zimbabwe’s 2023 inauguration, citing electoral irregularities, is now cheering on a regime accused of killing protesters and jailing opposition leaders. Talk about selective morality.

Political parties back home are not letting it slide. Andyford Banda of the People’s Alliance for Change (PAC) called Hichilema’s presence in Tanzania “shameful and deeply concerning.” He said Zambia once the moral compass of Southern Africa is now “sending the wrong signal by legitimizing a stolen election.”

Citizens First leader Harry Kalaba was even sharper. “President Hichilema cannot continue to preach democracy on international platforms while practising selective morality at home,” he said. “He refused to attend Mnangagwa’s inauguration but runs to bless Suluhu’s, what changed? Is democracy now judged by friendship?”

The irony writes itself. This is the same president who rose to power on the promise of reform to repeal repressive laws like the Cyber Security Act and fix the dreaded Public Order Act. Instead, opposition figures today face arrests under those very same laws.

Political commentator Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa didn’t mince words either. Writing on his social media, he said, “It makes perfect sense that Hichilema, who stayed away from Malawi’s democratic transition after the leader he supported lost, is going to attend the inauguration of Madam Dictator. Birds of the same feather flock together.”

Indeed, for many observers, Zambia’s leader seems to be walking a tightrope between diplomacy and duplicity. In 2008, the late President Levy Mwanawasa stood tall and condemned Zimbabwe’s election violence, even when others chose silence. Today, Zambia’s voice for democracy sounds more like a whisper or worse, an endorsement of tyranny.

As the 2026 general elections loom, critics warn that what happened in Tanzania should be a cautionary tale not a networking opportunity.

©️ KUMWESU | November 3, 2025

3/11/25

STOP INCITING YOUNG PEOPLE TO RISE AGAINST GOVERNMENT

We have noted with concern that some sections of society have taken turns to incite citizens particularly young people, to rise against their government alleging that government has failed to deliver to citizens’ expectations when in fact not.

However, it’s worth noting that the UPND government under President Hakainde Hichilema’s visionary leadership has offered young people more opportunities than any previous administration has done, including tertiary education, life saving skills training, government grants, bursaries and loans for youth led enterprises, and many other youth empowerment iniatives and programs.

Government is paying meal allowances at universities which others had scrapped, school feeding programs in areas that were deliberately marginalized by previous administrations.

It’s a known fact that this government has employed the highest number of young people within four years of coming to power, mainly in health, education, defence and security services , as well as reintroduction of national service for the young people, a significant number of whom the Republican President is paying for.

More so, the Republican President has continued to engage young people at various fora, on how they can become successful entrepreneurs through participating in locally initiated economic activities.

All in all, this government has done exemplary well to improve citizens’ welfare, particularly youths both in urban and rural areas like Western Province.

In view of the foregoing, it’s rather unfortunate that President Hakainde Hichilema’s usual armchair critics are inciting citizens particularly young people who are beneficiaries of government empowerment iniatives, as a result of President Hichilema’s focused leadership to rise against their elected government.

We call upon citizens particularly youths of Zambia to ignore the rantings of unpatriotic and disgruntled elements whose sole desire is to distablize and disrupt the peace and unity the country is enjoying under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema.

WESTERN PROVINCE UPND MEDIA TEAM.

UNDERSTANDING DELIMITATION

….Why ECZ can redraw boundaries without changing the Constitution

By Augustine Mwewa — Independent Aspiring Member of Parliament

In recent months, many citizens have asked whether the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) can carry out delimitation — the redrawing of constituency and ward boundaries — without changing the Constitution. This question is both important and timely, especially as our nation continues to grow in population and development.

The short answer is yes. The ECZ has constitutional authority to conduct delimitation exercises without amending the Constitution, provided it operates within the limits already set out in the supreme law of the land.

The Constitutional Basis

Article 58 of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 gives the ECZ this power in clear terms. It states:

“The Electoral Commission shall delimit the constituencies and wards for purposes of elections to the National Assembly and local authorities.”

This means ECZ can review and adjust boundaries for constituencies and wards to ensure fair and balanced representation. The same Constitution adds that the number of constituencies is to be prescribed by an Act of Parliament. Therefore, as long as ECZ operates within what Parliament has approved, no constitutional amendment is required.

Article 159 also reinforces this by providing for the delimitation of wards for local government elections. The framers of our Constitution anticipated that population growth, urban expansion, and community development would require periodic reviews — and they empowered ECZ to act accordingly.

The Electoral Process Act: Detailing the Procedure

While the Constitution gives the authority, the Electoral Process Act of 2016 provides the procedure. It guides ECZ on how delimitation should be carried out, emphasizing factors such as:

Population size and distribution

Geographical and community interests

Accessibility and communication links

Stakeholder consultation, including political parties and the public

After consultations, ECZ submits its report to the President and Parliament for information and record, ensuring transparency and accountability.

When a Constitutional Amendment Is Needed

A constitutional amendment only becomes necessary if delimitation goes beyond adjusting boundaries — for instance, if it changes the total number of constituencies or alters the structure of provinces and districts.
In such a case, Parliament must amend the relevant law (such as the Electoral Boundaries Act), or in some situations, amend the Constitution itself if the change affects constitutional definitions.

Why This Matters to Citizens

Delimitation ensures equity in representation. When populations grow unevenly, some constituencies may end up with far more voters than others, weakening the principle of “one person, one vote.” Through delimitation, ECZ ensures that each constituency represents roughly similar population sizes, making Parliament more balanced and democratic.

Key Takeaway

ECZ can conduct delimitation without changing the Constitution, as the Constitution already empowers it to do so. A constitutional amendment is only required if the exercise alters the overall structure of representation or the number of seats in Parliament.

Final Word

As citizens, we must remain informed and engaged. Understanding the difference between constitutional authority and statutory procedure helps us appreciate how governance functions in practice. The goal is not to politicize delimitation but to ensure that every Zambian’s voice carries equal weight in our democracy.

Augustine Mwewa
Bahati Independent Aspiring Member of Parliament

MUNIR IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN JAIL, HIS CASES ARE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED – LAWYER

FORMER Lumezi Independent MP Munir Zulu’s lawyer, Joseph Chirwa, says his client is a political prisoner as all cases against him are politically motivated.

On Friday, the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court acquitted Zulu in a matter where he was charged with expressing hatred, ridicule, or contempt for persons because of race.

It was alleged that on March 28, 2023, in Lusaka, Zulu uttered words to the effect that: “I’m a villager from Lumezi, but I can tell you that villagers from Lumezi are more intelligent than villagers from Bweengwa,” an expression allegedly showing hatred, ridicule or contempt against the villagers from Bweengwa.

Zulu is currently serving a jail sentence for libel and was also convicted in another case of seditious practices.

But in an interview, Saturday, Chirwa said the acquittal was the right thing to do, as Zulu was not even supposed to be in court or jail for anything.

“As you know, all the cases against Mr Zulu are politically motivated. They are trumped-up charges. He’s not even supposed to be convicted for any of those offences, even those that are in court. In a normal country, he’s not even supposed to be convicted. That is the right thing. He was not supposed to be in court in the first place. He’s not supposed to be in court for anything. He was not supposed to be in jail for anything. Truly speaking, in a democratic society, a functional society, a society that respects the rule of law, Munir Zulu was not supposed to be in jail. There’s no crime he committed whatsoever. He’s a politician, some of those comments that he’s accused of making, he made them in parliament where he enjoyed immunity. There’s no substance in whatever Munir Zulu was committed to the court. He’s not supposed to be in jail. He’s a political prisoner,” he said.

Chirwa said politicians were using courts to clamp down on progressive individuals, arguing that they should instead reserve courts for cases involving murder or those who abuse the country’s resources.

“The politicians are using the court to clamp down on progressive individuals like Munir Zulu. Tell me, how many politicians would have gone to prison for making comments on politics? All politicians would have been in jail. We are wasting the court’s time, but it’s a pity that we are using the court to clamp down on progressive politicians like Mr Zulu. He is not supposed to be in jail for anything. There’s no crime committed,” he said.

“Let’s use the court for proper things, for people who abuse the resources of the country, for people who kill people, not for political comments. For example, if I say I’m tired of load-shedding, then I should go to prison? He’s a political prisoner convicted on trumped-up charges, false accusations. I can say that all the cases against Mr Zulu are false. Trumped-up, where you cook something. Here, when you go to the definition of sedition, there’s no sedition whatsoever”.

He stressed that politics was a game of competing ideas.

“Politics is a game of competing ideas, the way even the president in opposition would say that he would drop the dollar by 14 hours as soon as he’s sworn in, [and] electricity will be restored. President Sata even said within 90 days of my presidency, Zambia will be like London. So when now you’re in opposition and tell them that this person didn’t tell the truth, he lied. Where are the 90 days? Where is the dollar? That’s politics. Politics is about projecting what the other person is not doing well. So there’s no case that Mr Zulu was convicted for that fits the shoe,” said Chirwa.

News Diggers

Fistfights, Factions, and Fury: PF Central Committee Meeting Erupts Into Chaos

Lusaka, 2 November 2025

What was meant to be a decisive meeting to chart the Patriotic Front’s path toward the 2026 general elections turned into a storm of shouting, shoving, and near-violence, as deep divisions and ethnic rivalries ripped through the party’s Central Committee on Sunday afternoon.

The meeting, held at the PF Secretariat in Lusaka and chaired by Acting Party President Given Lubinda, drew about 50 senior members, including Jean Kapata, Nkandu Luo, and Kampamba Mulenga. But before long, unity gave way to open hostility.

The main point of contention was whether the party should hold an extraordinary convention to elect a new party president and presidential candidate ahead of the 2026 polls.

Supporters of Lubinda argued passionately that he should be endorsed directly by the Central Committee as the PF’s flagbearer, bypassing what they described as a “wasteful” convention. However, a rival faction, mainly younger members and provincial leaders, insisted on a democratic process, demanding a full convention to elect new leadership.

The debate quickly turned ugly and volatile. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as tempers flared. At one point, Stardy Mwale and Chomba Chipili, the party’s provincial chairpersons for the Copperbelt and Northern Province, respectively, reportedly lunged at Celestine Mukandila, a close Lubinda ally, after he cited legal arguments against the convention.

“People were shouting, chairs were almost flying, it was that bad,” said one committee member who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It stopped just short of a full-blown fight.”

After hours of fierce wrangling, the Central Committee narrowly voted in favor of holding the convention. It was agreed that the event will take place on 29 November 2025 at the PF Provincial Office in Ndola.

Due to financial constraints, the gathering will be limited to around 350 delegates, with a budget of less than K3 million.

To raise funds, presidential aspirants will each pay a K200,000 nomination fee, while candidates for Central Committee positions will pay K1,000. Nominations open on 3 November, and campaigning will officially begin once fees are paid. Those who had previously paid will not be charged again.

The meeting also confirmed that all members in good standing will be eligible to vote and stand for the presidency. This clarification followed questions about whether Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, a potential frontrunner, should be allowed to contest given his pending court cases.

Lubinda’s supporters reportedly opposed Chilufya’s participation, arguing it could “tarnish the party’s image,” but the committee ultimately ruled that no member will be disqualified on that basis.

In a surprising twist, the committee agreed to form an ad hoc team to quietly explore the creation or adoption of another political party amid ongoing court disputes over PF’s ownership.
However, members agreed that this issue was too sensitive and confidential to discuss openly, fearing leaks and political repercussions.

By the time the meeting adjourned, the atmosphere was described as toxic and fractured, with regional alliances hardening and trust collapsing among members.

Insiders say the events at the Lusaka Secretariat laid bare the PF’s internal power struggle, a battle not just for leadership, but for the soul of a party still reeling from its 2021 electoral defeat.

“This was not a meeting,  it was a battlefield,” one senior member remarked grimly afterward. “If things continue this way, the PF may not even make it to 2026 in one piece.”

Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa writes..

If Hichilema were truly listening, Bill 7 would be history

In response to my earlier comment that President Hakainde Hichilema does not actively listen to the views of other citizens on national issues, State House communications specialist Clayson Hamasaka has insisted that President Hichilema is a “listening leader.” The evidence says otherwise.

Hamasaka’s recent remarks, published in The Mast’s Saturday edition, try to recast a nationwide outcry as nothing more than “yapping.” But the facts around Bill 7 and the Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments tell a different story—one of defiance, not dialogue.

If Hichilema truly valued what citizens have to say, Bill 7 would have been buried the moment the Constitutional Court struck it down in the Munir Zulu case. Instead, his administration doubled down, appointing a Technical Committee with terms of reference lifted almost word-for-word from the discredited bill. This move ignored both legal precedent and public opinion.

The Court’s ruling was clear: Bill 7 was null. Yet the government chose a backdoor route, rebranding a rejected process and pretending legality through semantics. That is not listening; that is selective hearing.

Constitutional law experts such as John Sangwa and Professor Cephas Lumina as well as prominent civic leaders like Linda Kasonde have all called the committee unconstitutional. They warn that continuing any process based on Bill 7 is flat-out illegal. A leader who truly listens would not ignore such advice and judicial authority for political convenience.

A coalition of 37 civil-society organisations, including the Law Association of Zambia, has urged the government to pause this charade until after the August 2026 elections and to craft a proper legal framework modelled on Kenya’s 2008 Constitution Review Act. That, they argue, is how to secure legitimacy and inclusiveness in reform.

Hamasaka boasts that the President has met “over 200 people across the country.” But active listening is not about numbers. It is shown by action, not by how many meetings are held. Civil-society groups, church leaders, and traditional leaders have all given the same advice: disband the Technical Committee, stop the current process, establish a proper legal framework for future reform, and wait until after August 2026 for any constitutional changes.

These are not the cries of obstructionists; they are reasoned appeals rooted in law and common sense. The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops has warned that the current approach risks “further polarising the nation.” Chapter One Foundation, Transparency International Zambia, and Non-governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council have echoed that warning. Far from “yapping,” these voices have presented the very roadmap State House claims to be seeking.

When well-known citizens like Laura Miti say that “it’ll be HH’s Constitution, not the people’s,” they express what many people quietly feel: they are being left out of a process meant to include them. Instead of reflecting on this, State House attacks critics, calling them unpatriotic or politically motivated. This defensive reaction is exactly what former Secretary to the Cabinet Leslie Mbula warned about when he spoke of “the arrogance of power.” The government’s response to Mbula – attack first, think later – proved his point.

If President Hichilema really wants to show he is actively listening, the solution is simple: stop the illegal process, disband the committee, and start again in an open, legal, and inclusive way after August 2026, when the political climate is calmer and trust can be rebuilt.

Leadership is not about how many meetings one holds but about having the humility to act on what is learned from those meetings. So far, the President’s conduct reflects tone-deafness, not attentiveness. In a democracy, listening cannot be a slogan; it must be a reflex of governance.

Until Hichilema learns to listen to criticism as much as he listens to praise, Hamasaka’s claim that the President of Zambia “has ears and is ready to listen” will remain what it has always been: a hollow assertion and convenient myth used to defend an illegal process.

KELVIN KAUNDA SEEKS CLARITY ON SUSPENSION FROM SOCIALIST PARTY

By Chamuka Shalubala

Embattled Socialist Party Mobilization Secretary Kelvin Kaunda has expressed uncertainty over his suspension from the party, citing a lack of official communication.

A letter from party President Dr. Fred M’membe over the weekend, announced Mr. Kaunda’s removal from his position and the politburo, but Mr. Kaunda claims he has not received any formal notification.

Mr. Kaunda has told Phoenix News in an interview that he has seen his suspension letter on social media and has tried to reach Dr. M’membe through Patriotic Front Information and Publicity Chairman Emmanuel Mwamba’s online program, but has been unable to get answers.

He notes that the letter does not provide any reason for his suspension, thereby fueling speculation among party members and the public but states that he will wait for official word from the party before commenting further on the matter.

Mr. Kaunda’s suspension comes after he allegedly called for leadership renewal within the party and declared his intention to challenge Dr. M’membe for the party presidency ahead of the 2026 general elections, citing declining performance in by-elections and communication breakdowns within party structures.

PHOENIX NEWS

ZRA HIRES EXPERT INVESTIGATORS TO STRENGTHEN FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

The Zambia Revenue Authority has strengthened its anti-corruption drive by recruiting seven expert investigators to boost transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in revenue management.

The new officers will serve as internal watchdogs, tasked with probing misconduct, enforcing the Authority’s Code of Conduct, and collaborating with other investigative agencies such as the Anti-Corruption Commission, Drug Enforcement Commission, and Zambia Police.

Speaking when he welcomed the new investigators, ZRA Commissioner General Dingani Banda said integrity remains the institution’s core value and called on the officers to serve with courage, professionalism, and honour.

“Your work is not fashionable, but it is vital. You will investigate misconduct and corruption to safeguard our institution’s integrity and public trust,” Mr. Banda said.

He further emphasized the importance of the Internal Affairs Unit in closing revenue leakages and reaffirmed management’s full support for the team.

ZRA has also urged members of the public to report any suspected corruption or unethical behaviour when dealing with the Authority, stressing that public collaboration is key in fighting corruption and building a fair, transparent tax system for all Zambians.

By Simon Mulenga Mwila

To our artists currently being hired to sing praises for UPND Government and President Hakainde Hichilema I hope you are being paid well, because music is a business. But please, don’t forget that art is also a voice of the people.

We are living in a time when families are struggling to put food on the table, youths can’t find jobs, corruption is growing, and load-shedding has become part of our daily routine. Amid all this, it’s painful to see talented artists, the same ones loved by ordinary citizens using their gifts to glorify a system that’s clearly failing.

I know there’s nothing wrong with getting paid for your craft. You deserve to earn from your hard work. But when your lyrics become tools to polish the image of those oppressing or neglecting the people, you have crossed a line. You are no longer entertaining but you are endorsing.

Every song that praises what’s wrong is like pouring perfume on decay, it may smell nice for a while, but the truth always comes out.

Music should inspire, heal, and speak truth to power not silence it. The greatest artists in history didn’t sing for presidents, they sang for the people. They stood on the side of truth, even when it wasn’t profitable.

So to our artists… We love you, we support you, but please remember: when you sing for the powerful, you silence the powerless. Don’t trade your voice for a cheque. Because when the music stops, it’s the people not the politicians who will still be standing with you.

Please ba  musician speak for us. Don’t sing against us.

Chanda pulls NCP out of Tonse Alliance, accuses Lubinda of trying to hijack his party

THE opposition New Congress Party (NCP) has finally cut ties with the confusion engulfed Tonse Alliance, accusing its acting chairman Given Lubinda and some PF-linked members of hypocrisy and interference.

According to NCP president Peter Chanda, the party has completely withdrawn from all alliance affairs and will not take part in any of its activities going forward.

Chanda claimed the decision followed growing tension and underhand tactics by individuals he described as ‘PF-aligned operatives’ within the alliance who tried to control the NCP for their own benefit.

“I have observed with great concern that Mr. Given Lubinda and other Tonse Alliance members have been attempting to use backdoor tactics to hijack the NCP for their own political benefit as we approach the elections,” Chanda stated.

The NCP leader said the party’s departure was long overdue and pointed to the continued confusion within the alliance, which he said is now tearing itself apart between factions linked to Lubinda and Patriots for Economic Progress (PEP) leader Sean Tembo.

“The NCP is not available for any Tonse Alliance business, now or in the future,” he declared.

He further disclosed that the NCP will hold a General Congress in the coming weeks where he plans to seek re-election as party president and set a new political direction ahead of the 2026 general elections.

By George Musonda

Kalemba November 2, 2025