A married man from Mutare, Zimbabwe, has been arrested after allegedly stabbing a soldier to death upon finding him in bed with his girlfriend. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, October 30, 2025, and has left residents of Westlea in shock.
According to reports from The Manica Post, the suspect, Kumbirai Mugona, popularly known as Gweja, allegedly attacked and fatally stabbed Abbiton Mangena, a soldier from Masvingo, after catching him in a compromising position with Mugona’s long-time girlfriend and side partner, Lucy Saunyama.
“The incident happened just after midnight when Mugona stormed into Lucy’s room and found the soldier naked. A fight broke out, and in a fit of rage, Mugona allegedly stabbed Mangena several times on the head and stomach,” a neighbour told the paper.
Mangena was rushed to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Witnesses described the attack as frenzied, saying the room and corridor were splattered with blood.
Neighbours revealed that Lucy and Mugona had been in a relationship for years, with Mugona providing financial support, paying her rent, and furnishing her room. Mr. Musa Chinamhora, one of the tenants at the property, recounted the horrific scene.
“That night, Lucy and Mugona were together fixing door handles. After some time, she went back to her room. A few minutes later, Mugona called her, asking if she wanted meat and bread. When she went outside to meet him, he stormed into her room,” he said.
“Lucy ran away, but Mugona found the soldier naked inside. Mangena screamed, ‘Pano hapanawo varume here, ndibatsireiwo?’ (Is there no man here to help me?). When I came out, he was bleeding and lying naked in the corridor,” Chinamhora continued.
“My wife and I begged Mugona to stop, but he said, ‘Ndoda kunyatsoburitsa humbowo kumapurisa’ (I want to show the police the evidence), before stabbing him again in the stomach,” he added.
According to witnesses, Mangena begged for help as tenants tried to assist him with water, but he lost too much blood before the ambulance arrived. “We called the police around midnight, and an ambulance came an hour later, but it was too late. Mugona then went to Chikanga Police Station and surrendered himself,” Chinamhora said.
Another resident, Mrs. Tendai Madziwa, said the tenants were deeply traumatised. “I begged him to stop, but he said he would kill the man and hand himself over to the police. He stabbed Mangena again in front of everyone. I have never seen anything so terrible,” she said.
She added that Lucy had moved in about three months earlier and seemed happy with Mugona until their relationship turned sour. “We all knew Lucy was dating Mugona. He often visited and stayed for days. We never imagined this would happen. Everyone here is still in shock.”
Residents expressed disbelief that Mugona, a married man with a wife and children living in Westlea, could commit such a violent act. Police in Manicaland confirmed that Mugona was in custody pending further investigations. Acting provincial spokesperson Assistant Inspector Chinyoka referred questions to Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who could not be reached for comment.
As of Friday morning, Mangena’s body remained at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital mortuary, awaiting post-mortem, while Lucy Saunyama was also taken in for questioning.
Cardi B confessed her hair hygiene is lacking in a social media video.
The “Bodak Yellow” rapper recently took to Instagram Live in what appeared to be a wig cap to divulge that it’s been months since she’s washed her hair.
“I haven’t washed my s**t in like two months,” she told fans in a video.
She later re-shared the video to X and added, “Matter of fact I’m lying, probably like three months, I don’t f**king know.”
“I probably got all types of roach eggs, mosquito eggs, everything in this bitch right here,” she said, pointing to her head.
Elsewhere in the video, the rapper, 33, shared her plans for her hair.
“I gotta oil down my scalp because tomorrow I’m going to do my real hair,” she divulged. “I’m going to wash it, and then around Wednesday I’m going to braid it.”
Some people on X were horrified by the graphic admission.
Russia has reportedly begun using a highly significant cruise missile in its attacks on Ukraine, the 9M729—whose secret development was the catalyst for the U.S. withdrawal from a major nuclear arms control pact.
According to Reuters, Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, has confirmed the deployment, stating that the missile, which can carry a conventional or nuclear warhead, has been fired at Ukraine 23 times since August. This marks the first confirmed use of the ground-launched 9M729 in combat.
The 9M729 missile was at the core of a major arms control dispute. The United States insisted that the missile’s true range violated the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which banned ground-launched missiles with ranges between 500 km and 5,500 km.
Citing Russia’s non-compliance, then-US President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the INF Treaty in 2019. While Russia denied the range violation, military analysts state the missile can fly much further than 500 km. A Ukrainian military source noted that one 9M729 fired on October 5 flew over 1,200 km to its impact site. Some estimates put the missile’s full range at up to 2,500 km.
Kyiv views the missile’s use as a direct challenge, with Sybiha stating it demonstrates President Putin’s “disrespect to the United States and President Trump’s diplomatic efforts.”
Western military analysts note that the deployment of the 9M729—which was originally designed to hit targets across Europe—expands Russia’s long-range strike capabilities against Ukraine. This comes alongside other recent escalations, including Russia’s testing of its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile and Poseidon nuclear-powered torpedo.
In response, Ukraine continues to press Washington to supply it with long-range Tomahawk missiles (which were not banned by the INF treaty because they are sea-launched), a move Russia has labeled as a dangerous escalation.
Prince Andrew allegedly brought 40 pr0stitutes to his five-star hotel in Thailand over just four days, according to royal historian Andrew Lownie.
Lownie claimed that the former Duke of York had the women escorted to his hotel room while he was on an official visit to Bangkok for the King of Thailand’s birthday celebrations, a trip reportedly funded by British taxpayers.
He alleged that the visits were “enabled by diplomats and others,” suggesting that Andrew’s behaviour was facilitated by individuals within his official entourage.
At the time, Andrew was serving as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment, a position he held between 2001 and 2011. However, according to Lownie, then–Prince Charles had advised former Prime Minister Tony Blair against the appointment, warning that Andrew would “only chase women and play golf.”
In his book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, Lownie described how the prince insisted on staying in luxury hotels rather than embassies during his overseas trips, often adding two weeks of private time to official visits.
Former Conservative MP and trade envoy Paul Scully told Times Radio that Andrew once booked out nearly an entire floor of Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel during a visit for the Thai king’s funeral, a stay that reportedly cost around £50,000.
The allegations come as Buckingham Palace begins formal steps to strip Andrew of his remaining official titles and evict him from Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Lownie further claimed that the prince used his trade envoy role not only for personal pleasure but also to advance private business connections, including arranging meetings in China for his associate David Rowlands and helping him secure a banking license in the Middle East.
“There remains a conspiracy of silence around Andrew’s dealings as Trade Envoy,” Lownie said, adding that official files from his 10-year tenure have yet to be disclosed.
Speaking to Sarah Vine, Lownie criticised Andrew’s conduct and its impact on the monarchy, saying, “If there had been proper scrutiny of Andrew during his time as Trade Envoy, some of these problems might not have happened.”
He concluded that the disgraced royal was bringing “disrepute on the whole institution” and should be “thrown under the bus.”
The South African government has condemned the United States’ decision to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, calling the move “misguided” and based on discredited claims of a so-called “white genocide.”
In a statement, the government said there was no credible evidence to support assertions that white South Africans were being systematically targeted or persecuted. It also cited an open letter published earlier in the week by prominent Afrikaners, who rejected the narrative entirely with some calling the US relocation scheme racist and politically motivated.
“The limited number of white South African Afrikaners signing up to relocate to the US is clear evidence that they are not being persecuted,” the government said.
The criticism came after President Donald Trump’s administration announced the lowest annual refugee cap in US history, just 7,500 people, while creating a special category for white Afrikaner applicants.
The move has sparked outrage in Pretoria, with officials accusing Washington of weaponising misinformation for political purposes.
South Africa’s latest crime statistics show no evidence that white citizens are more frequently victims of violent crime than any other racial group. The government stressed that violent crime affects all South Africans, and using it to justify racialised asylum policies is “deeply irresponsible.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration said the controversy stems from Trump’s long-standing opposition to South Africa’s land reform policy, which allows the government to seize land without compensation in exceptional cases.
Earlier in the year, Trump offered refugee status to Afrikaners, who are largely descendants of Dutch and French settlers, following the signing of the land reform law.
The dispute has further strained US-South Africa relations, especially after Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was expelled from Washington for accusing Trump of “mobilising supremacism” and “projecting white victimhood as a dog whistle.”
During a May 2025 Oval Office meeting, Trump reportedly confronted Ramaphosa, claiming that white farmers were being “killed and persecuted.” According to reports, Trump even held up a photo that he said showed body bags of murdered white South Africans — but the Reuters news agency later revealed the image was taken years earlier in the Democratic Republic of Congo, unrelated to South Africa.
Washington refused to comment on the photo blunder, though it later emerged that the White House video presentation also included misleading footage. Officials said the clip showed burial sites for murdered farmers, but investigators later confirmed it was from a 2020 protest, where crosses symbolised victims of farm attacks spanning multiple years.
The South African government said these distortions prove that the narrative of white persecution is a “manufactured myth” used to inflame racial tensions. It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting all citizens equally, regardless of race, and called on the US to “avoid importing falsehoods into its foreign policy decisions.”
Tanzania’s electoral commission declared on Saturday that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had won, with nearly 98 percent of the votes, an election that set off violent protests across the country this week.
The result hands Hassan, who took power in 2021 after the death in office of her predecessor, a five-year term to govern the East African country of 68 million people.
Protests erupted during Wednesday’s vote for president and parliament, with some demonstrators tearing down banners of Hassan and setting fire to government buildings and police firing teargas and gunshots, according to witnesses.
Demonstrators are angry about the electoral commission’s exclusion of Hassan’s two biggest challengers from the race and what they described as widespread repression.
Tanzania’s main opposition party said on Friday hundreds of people had been killed in the protests, while the U.N. human rights office said credible reports indicated at least 10 people were killed in three cities.
The government dismissed the opposition’s death toll as “hugely exaggerated” and has rejected criticisms of its human rights record.
Reuters could not independently verify casualty figures.
Authoritarian Arithmetic: When 85% Becomes the New 50% — Mnangagwa and the Art of Constitutionalised Dictatorship:
By Reason Wafawarova
When President Emmerson Mnangagwa speaks of “breaking barriers” and “vision beyond elections,” he is not dreaming of economic transformation. He is plotting the burial of constitutional democracy — one legislative amendment at a time. His latest pursuit of a 2035 presidency is not a political accident. It is part of a regional trend in which incumbents have learned to trade ballots for legality, and coups for constitutions.
Gone are the days when African dictators needed tanks, militias, and ballot-stuffing in the dead of night. The modern strongman drafts his tyranny in perfect English, hands it to Parliament, and calls it reform.
1. From Mugabe’s Fear to Mnangagwa’s Fraud:
Robert Mugabe ruled through violence, fear, and the theatre of blood. The 2008 election remains the most infamous illustration of this barbarism. After months of delay in announcing results, it became evident that Morgan Tsvangirai had beaten Mugabe — though narrowly short of the 50% plus one required to avoid a runoff. What followed was a state-engineered campaign of terror: beatings, killings, displacements. The opposition withdrew to save lives, but its name stayed on the ballot.
Mugabe won 85.1% in a re-run that had no opposition, no voters, and no moral standing. It was an election without contest — a ritual of affirmation, not a test of legitimacy.
Mnangagwa was part of that machinery. He watched, learned, and refined the lesson: that terror is costly, messy, and internationally embarrassing. What if you could achieve the same result through legality — through Parliament, procedure, and constitutional vandalism masquerading as reform?
Thus emerged the Breaking Barriers Initiative, an audacious project to legalise political eternity. The target is not the opposition anymore; it is the Constitution itself.
2. The Tanzanian Template: Calm Repression:
If Mugabe’s Zimbabwe was a dictatorship drenched in fear, Samia Suluhu Hassan’s Tanzania offers a softer, quieter method — repression wrapped in calm.
In October 2025, President Hassan secured an 85.4% “landslide” in an election that saw fewer than 15 million of 37.6 million registered voters turn out. Her opponents were conveniently eliminated: one jailed and facing the death penalty, another disqualified on “technicalities.”
Protests were banned. Tanks patrolled Dar es Salaam. A “wave of terror,” Amnesty International called it — abductions, torture, disappearances. Yet, to the international community, Tanzania looked stable. No gunfire, no chaos, no CNN headlines.
Hassan has mastered the authoritarian art of silence. Where Mugabe ruled by fear, she rules by invisibility. The streets are quiet because everyone is afraid to speak. The prisons are full because the ballots are empty.
Mnangagwa admires this model deeply. He sees in it a reflection of his own ambition — to replace the sound of gunfire with the sound of gavels, to use law instead of bullets, to perfect the dictatorship without the disorder.
3. Rwanda: The Mathematics of Perfection:
If Tanzania perfects silence, Rwanda perfects numbers. In 2024, Paul Kagame claimed victory with 99.5% of the vote and a reported 98.2% turnout. Opposition leader Victoire Ingabire was, as usual, behind bars. The “competition” was Frank Habineza, rewarded with 0.5% of the vote for his civic participation. The polling stations were empty, yet the statistics overflowed. Kagame’s Rwanda has become the mathematical summit of modern autocracy. The fewer the voters, the higher the turnout. The fewer the candidates, the bigger the victory.
Mnangagwa understands this arithmetic. His dream is not to mimic Kagame’s precision but to borrow his logic: that legitimacy can be manufactured in spreadsheets. You do not need real voters when you have real statisticians.
4. Uganda: The Science of Endless Continuity:
Then there is Yoweri Museveni — Africa’s grand professor of incumbency. His has been a 39-year lecture on how to stretch time itself.
Museveni’s constitution once limited presidents to two five-year terms. Then came an amendment to make it three. Then four. Then five. When the age limit threatened to disqualify him, it was simply deleted.
In every election since 1996, opposition leaders have been arrested, teargassed, or barred. His main rival, Bobi Wine, has spent more time under house arrest than on the campaign trail. The police have become an electoral commission of their own, deciding who may speak and who may breathe.
Museveni’s genius is in branding — every constitutional mutilation becomes a “continuation of stability.” Each violation of law is repackaged as “reform.”
Mnangagwa has borrowed that vocabulary. He calls it the Breaking Barriers Initiative. Museveni calls it the Path to Peace. Both are the same story: men who mistake their longevity for the nation’s stability.
5. Mnangagwa’s Copybook:
From Mugabe, Mnangagwa took the ruthlessness of power. From Museveni, he took the legal manipulation. From Kagame, he learned control by fear disguised as order. From Hassan, he borrowed calm repression.
His 2035 project is the fusion of these methods. Where Mugabe sent militias, Mnangagwa sends bills. Where Mugabe silenced critics with the gun, Mnangagwa silences them with the bribe. Where Mugabe rigged the ballot box, Mnangagwa rigs the law. It is tyranny, civilised.
The goal is not simply to stay in power. It is to erase the very idea that leadership can change hands — to turn the presidency into property, and the Constitution into a footnote.
He now points to the region as justification: “Why are we criticised for seeking stability when others rule unopposed and the world applauds them?”
It is the dictator’s favourite excuse — comparative sin.
6. The ANC’s Irony:
South Africa stands as a reluctant contrast. Its ANC recently sank to 40% of the vote — a humiliating fall by African liberation standards. Yet that loss was democracy’s victory. It showed that political mortality is not national collapse. It showed that legitimacy comes not from inflated numbers but from accountability.
Mnangagwa, by contrast, looks at South Africa and sees failure. To him, 40% is weakness, not maturity. He envies Kagame’s 99%, Hassan’s 85%, and Museveni’s eternity. He cannot comprehend that democracy is supposed to humble leaders, not immortalise them. If anything, South Africa’s fragmentation — the emergence of MK, EFF, and DA — is proof that freedom works, even if messily. The noise is not dysfunction; it is evidence of choice.
7. Authoritarian Arithmetic:
Across the region, a new arithmetic governs power.
85% without opponents counts as a landslide.
99% turnout with empty polling stations counts as participation.
40% with real competition counts as crisis.
This is the new political mathematics of Africa’s strongmen — where legitimacy is inversely proportional to freedom, and where democracy is celebrated most loudly where it least exists. Mnangagwa’s bid for a 2035 presidency is simply the Zimbabwean chapter in this continental syllabus of control. But there is a difference.
Mugabe at least understood that tyranny is sustained by fear. Mnangagwa believes it can be sustained by cleverness — that a constitution rewritten in legal jargon is safer than one destroyed by violence. Yet the outcome is the same. When the law serves only to entrench the ruler, it ceases to be law at all.
8. The Cost of Legality without Legitimacy:
A country cannot legislate its way out of illegitimacy. The more Mnangagwa bends the law to his will, the more brittle it becomes. The day the law finally breaks, so will his rule.
Zimbabwe’s tragedy is not just that its elections are stolen. It is that its democracy is being murdered in broad daylight — not by soldiers in uniforms, but by lawyers in suits.
When the President becomes the legislator, the judge, and the beneficiary of every clause, the nation becomes a fiefdom with a flag.
And so Mnangagwa’s 2035 dream joins the gallery of Africa’s authoritarian arithmetic — Mugabe’s 85%, Hassan’s 85.4%, Kagame’s 99.5%, Museveni’s infinite continuity.
The numbers differ, the principle does not.
9. The Final Lesson:
Power in Africa has perfected its camouflage. It no longer roars; it whispers. It no longer steals the ballot box; it redefines it. It no longer shoots the opposition; it sues them.
But tyranny, however elegantly dressed, remains tyranny. Mnangagwa’s project to rewrite Zimbabwe’s destiny under the guise of reform is not a show of strength. It is an act of fear — the fear of facing the people, the fear of expiry, the fear of accountability.
And yet, like all the others before him, he forgets one truth of history: you can ban elections, bribe the courts, and muzzle the media — but you cannot legislate legitimacy. The 85% will always haunt the 50%.
In the arithmetic of authoritarianism, numbers are easy to invent. What’s impossible to fake is consent.
According to African Intelligence, Suluhu reportedly held separate phone calls with Presidents William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni on the evening of Wednesday, October 30, as the post election crisis threatens to destabilise the East African nation.
The outcome of the phone calls is yet to be fully established, but Suluhu could have probably sought the support of the top members of the East African Community in the wake of the post election violence.
The claims of the phone call come amid reports that Suluhu has kept western embassies in the dark over her next steps, with reports indicating there has been no contact between her government and them.
Protesters have accused the government of undermining democracy, as the main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, remains in jail and another key opposition figure was disqualified from the election, bolstering Suluhu’s chances of winning.
Since Wednesday, protesters have engaged police in running battles, with Tanzanian police firing tear gas and live bullets to disperse them.
Gunfire was heard in the northern city of Mwanza, while clashes broke out in the capital, Dodoma, and the main city, Dar es Salaam, which is under heavy security with major roads blocked.
Deaths in Tanzania & the UN’s Reaction Reports from Tanzania have revealed that tens of people have been killed as a result of the protests, but Opposition leaders have claimed close to 700 people have been killed.
Kenyans, who were cautioned against getting involved, were among the people shot as the protests spilled over to the Tanzanian-Kenyan border in Namanga.
The United Nations, through its human rights office, reacted to the news of the deaths, expressing serious concern at reports of at least 10 people being killed by security forces during election-related demonstrations in Tanzania.
The agency noted that security forces had used firearms and teargas to disperse demonstrators, urging them to refrain from unnecessary use of force, including lethal weapons.
“We are alarmed by the deaths and injuries that have occurred in the ongoing election-related protests in Tanzania. Reports we have received indicate that at least 10 people were killed,” UN human rights spokesperson Seif Magango said from Geneva.
Communications & Internet Blackout Over the election period, the Suluhu administration also imposed an internet and communications blackout on election day, silencing victims and preventing documentation of abuses.
Local and international journalists have since reported intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and censorship.
Among those detained is a Kenyan journalist, Shoka Juma, attached to Nyota TV, who was nabbed while allegedly crossing over to monitor civilian movements at the Lunga Lunga border point.
Diamond Deletes All Posts Supporting President Samia Suluhu
Tanzanian music star Diamond Platnumz has reportedly deleted all photos and videos showing his support for President Samia Suluhu Hassan from his social media pages.
The move has sparked massive debate online, with fans divided over whether it’s a political statement or just a strategic rebranding.
Some believe Diamond is distancing himself from the government amid the ongoing
Sources claim Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz has quietly crossed into Kenya, as tensions rise back home.
Protesters in Dar es Salaam and other cities have allegedly vowed to “greet” him for being a vocal supporter of President Samia Suluhu, despite widespread anger over the recent election results.
The artist, known for his bold public stances, has gone silent on social media — sparking rumors that he’s seeking safety outside the country.
Fans are now debating whether Diamond’s move is self-preservation or betrayal.
THE Patriotic Front (PF) says its Central Committee will on Sunday meet to discuss key matters surrounding the party’s upcoming General Conference, including a proposal to open the presidential race beyond the nine candidates who paid the K200,000 nomination fee.
The nine contenders who successfully filed nominations for the party presidency are Mansa Central Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Chitalu Chilufya, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba popularly known as (GBM), Lunte MP Mutotwe Kafwaya, Chishimba Kambwili, PF chairperson for information and publicity Emmanuel Mwamba, Mporokoso MP Brian Mundubile, Greyford Monde, and Matero MP Miles Sampa.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mwamba said the Central Committee would also deliberate on strategies for the ongoing mass voter registration exercise, as well as the party’s stance on the Technical Committee tasked with consulting citizens and drafting amendments to the Constitution.
“It is important for Zambians to note that previously, we have rejected the Technical Committee as undesirable,” Mwamba said.
He said the former ruling party would seek to ensure that its internal processes and national engagement strategies align with its broader goal of strengthening democratic participation ahead of the 2026 general elections.
JOHN SANGWA SAYS PRESIDENT HICHILEMA CANNOT RESOLVE ZAMBIA’S CHALLENGES EVEN IF GIVEN A SECOND TERM
By Joseph Kaputula
Movement for National Restoration – MNR founder John Sangwa says President Hakainde Hichilema can never transform the nation even if he was to be given a second term of office.
Speaking when he featured on the Friday edition of “Let the People Talk” program on Phoenix FM, Mr. Sangwa emphasized that Zambians have lost trust in the Head of State and the UPND administration, alleging that the country has been divided.
He has also accused President Hichilema of not respecting the rule of law and the Constitution as evidenced in proceeding with the amendments.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sangwa has described the constitutional reform process as flawed, accusing members of the Technical Committee on Constitutional Reform of betraying the public by agreeing to serve on the consulting team.
He has also alleged that the amendment process is being designed to give the ruling UPND an electoral advantage in 2026, and called for a more inclusive and extended consultation period to ensure broad public participation.
SATA WAS RIGHT ON HH BEING ‘UNDER-5’ – MUDOLO … Hichilema is not a bad person, he just didn’t prepare to rule Zambia
PF presidential aspirant Willah Mudolo has said President Hakainde Hichilema is not a bad person except he did not just prepare to address Zambia’s problems.
And Mudolo says PF members who will be delegates to the party convention can express their support for him without formerly endorsing him, until the party opened up the campaigns for the presidency.
Speaking with Daily Revelation yesterday, Mudolo said Zambia needed a ready made leader with a transformational national programme to take over in 2026 because the country could not afford to go through another period of misery.
He said Zambians should not dwell on politicians who have been in politics for a long time without transforming the country. His advice for those who had been in politics for a long time was to step aside and leave room for the new brains to drive the country forward.
Mudolo said he did not initially agree with late president Michael Sata’s monicker of President Hichilema as “an under five politician”, but the President’s own failures to govern the country had proved him right.
“In his (Sata’s) own intellect and wisdom, he had foreseen and he seems to have known what our current President’s
Speaking for Lungu’s Family Has Made Makebi Think He’s Popular – Chipoka
By Shadreck Jere
LUSAKA – Commerce Minister Chipoka Mulenga says lawyer and politician Makebi Zulu has mistaken media attention for popularity, arguing that his prominence stems only from issuing statements on behalf of former president Edgar Lungu’s family.
Speaking when he appeared on Radio Phoenix’s “Let the People Talk” programme, Mulenga said Zulu’s name frequently appeared in the news not because of his political work, but because he had attached himself to the Lungu family’s affairs.
“Makebi Zulu thinks he is popular because he’s been speaking for the Lungu family. Once he stops talking about them, nobody will hear about him again. Popularity should come from hard work and service to the people, not from seeking attention through other people’s issues,” Mulenga said.
Mulenga, who is also Member of Parliament for Chingola, urged Zulu to focus on contributing positively to the political discourse and helping rebuild his party rather than engaging in what he described as attention-seeking behaviour.
“It’s time some of our colleagues stopped the politics of drama. People want leaders who bring solutions, not those who thrive on controversy,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Commerce Minister dismissed reports suggesting that the government had stopped electricity exports to Namibia amid ongoing load-shedding in Zambia.
He explained that exports were continuing under existing agreements, emphasizing that halting power supplies abruptly would damage Namibia’s power infrastructure and strain regional energy cooperation.
“We have not stopped power exports to Namibia because doing so would harm their systems and breach our bilateral arrangements. What government has done is ensure that domestic supply is prioritized while honouring our export obligations in a responsible manner,” Mulenga clarified.
He added that government was investing in renewable energy projects and infrastructure expansion to increase power generation and stabilize supply both for local consumption and export in the long term.
“The goal is to ensure Zambia becomes an energy hub in the region. We are not just managing today’s challenges — we’re planning for a sustainable energy future,” he said.
UPND MEDIA DIRECTOR MARK SIMUUWE RESPONDS TO DR. LESLIE MBULA’S REMARKS
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has noted remarks attributed to former Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Leslie Mbula, quoted by Radio Phoenix suggesting that Zambia risks instability similar to recent unrest in Tanzania.
While we respect his right to express an opinion, such statements are unfortunate and misplaced, especially when coming from individuals who have directly benefited from the goodwill and inclusiveness of the New Dawn Administration. It is important that national discourse is guided by honesty, fairness, and a sense of responsibility.
Under President Hakainde Hichilema and Vice President Mutale Nalumango, Zambia has remained one of the most peaceful and democratic countries on the continent. Citizens continue to freely express themselves, the media operates independently, and opposition parties function without intimidation.
The New Dawn Government has demonstrated unprecedented openness in engaging stakeholders on governance matters, including constitutional reform, decentralization, and social policy. Constructive criticism is welcome, but it must be grounded in truth and national interest, not personal frustration or double standards.
It is concerning when some individuals, who have family members appointed to senior public service positions by this very administration, choose to publicly attack the same government that has demonstrated fairness and inclusivity. Leadership and dialogue require integrity, when one is in a position of privilege, it is only fair to engage respectfully and responsibly.
As President Hichilema has repeatedly emphasized: “Let us have order, bane.” Zambia’s democracy must be exercised with civility and respect. Those in leadership or public influence must model maturity and patriotism, not sow divisions or create unnecessary alarm.
The UPND government remains committed to protecting freedom of expression, ensuring peace, and upholding good governance. But with those freedoms comes a shared duty to build, not destroy; to engage, not insult; and to act in the best interests of the country we all love.
⬆️ EXPLAINER | The Makebi Experiment: Sympathy Politics & Power Calculations
Commerce Minister Chipoka Mulenga’s recent remarks have thrown a sharp beam of light onto the uneasy intersection of grief, ambition and national politics. Appearing on Radio Phoenix, Mulenga argued that Makebi Zulu’s sudden prominence is not born of broad political appeal but of circumstance. “Makebi Zulu thinks he is popular because he has been speaking for the Lungu family,” he said, adding that once the funeral conversation ends, “nobody will hear about him again.” The statement was less an insult than a challenge: prove your constituency beyond tragedy.
Makebi Zulu has positioned himself as a defender of the late Edgar Lungu’s wishes and a guardian of constitutional dignity. It is a posture built around solemn language, legal framing and moral conviction. “Leadership must first heal and then build,” he wrote recently, calling for a return to balance, justice and constitutional discipline. Yet the timing and theatre surrounding his interventions have drawn scrutiny. From public statements demanding access to the former president’s remains to court-side microphones and media calls, his visibility is intertwined with a moment of national grief.
It has fuelled a growing perception that the former Eastern Province minister has tethered his political ascent to a coffin that has travelled farther than many living leaders. In an era where sympathy can move crowds faster than manifestos, commentators have begun to ask whether Makebi’s rise is anchored in empathy or opportunity. He speaks about national healing, yet his most defining political moment rests in a dispute about the dead. Moral duty or calculated symbolism? Zambia’s political watchers remain divided.
This matters because the late president’s body has become both artefact and argument. For some within the Patriotic Front base, the fight over burial is proof that the former head of state is being denied dignity. For critics, the prolonged delay feels tactical. Power circles whisper that the body has become a political hostage, suspended between remembrance and mobilisation, a physical reminder meant to sustain emotion in a race still gathering its candidates. Makebi has acted as chief custodian of this emotional capital. But emotional capital alone does not build viable national coalitions.
Makebi’s posture draws on inherited sympathy rather than earned structure. He speaks with appeal, but does not yet speak from a command centre with district chairs, youth brigades and provincial ground troops. His critics point to this vacuum. Chipoka describes it as the illusion of prominence created by microphones rather than movement. “Popularity should come from hard work and service to the people,” he said, urging Zulu to build rather than perform. The line cut deeply because it struck at an uncomfortable truth: a rising public profile is not the same as a rising political base.
Then there is the question of morality and tone. Makebi’s messages carry scripture, unity, forgiveness and dignity. They are crafted to sound noble, almost priestly. Yet politics in Zambia is not a cathedral; it is a marketplace, a courtroom and sometimes a battlefield. To survive the PF terrain, a candidate must master mobilisation, endure factional heat, and inspire loyalty in corners where sermons hold less weight than strategy. In that regard, what Makebi brings in polished language he lacks in lived political muscle. Former secretaries general measure power not in applause but in province counts. On that ledger, his campaign remains conceptual.
Still, one should not dismiss him. New voices are part of every political season, and some begin exactly this way: a moment, a microphone, a movement that grows by accident then intention. Makebi represents a strain of opposition thought that wants to divorce PF revival from the era of command politics. He frames himself as a sober alternative within a camp often shaped by emotional politics. But ambition needs scaffolding, and scaffolding requires patient assembly. Sympathy opens the door; structure keeps it open.
The question for the PF base is simple yet decisive: is this a man building a future, or a man riding a moment? For now his challenge is clarity. Beyond funerals, beyond constitutional language, beyond righteous tone, what is the project? Who are the allies? Where is the machinery? Until those answers arrive, his presidential path will remain more narrative than network.
Editor’s Note:
The People’s Brief EXPLAINER traces context beyond headlines. It examines actors, motivations and political undercurrents to help readers engage with events through informed understanding rather than surface noise. For anything, write to us on editor.peoplesbrief@gmail.com
THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has acquitted Munir Zulu in a matter where he was charged with expressing hatred, ridicule or contempt for persons because of race.
It was alleged that Zulu, on March 28, 2023, in Lusaka, did utter words to the effect that, “I am a villager from Lumezi, but I can tell you that villagers from Lumezi are more intelligent than villagers from Bweengwa”, which expression shows hatred, ridicule or contempt against a group of persons namely the villagers from Bweengwa.
When the matter came up for Judgement before Lusaka Magistrate Amy Chilangwa, Friday, the court found Zulu not guilty of the charge.
Magistrate Chilangwa noted that Bweengwa was a constituency which included various people and not only Tongas. She further held that Zulu’s statement could have been misinterpreted.
“Bweengwa is a constituency that has many people, not only Tongas and that the statement did not specify a particular person or tribe and the accused did not make the statement on the prohibited grounds. In my findings, it is clear that it may be an expression made which may be to others a case of misinterpretation. The accused person is not guilty of expressing hatred, ridicule, or contempt for persons based on race, tribe, place of origin, or colour, contrary to Section 70(1) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia,” said Magistrate Chilangwa.
Meanwhile, speaking shortly after he was acquitted, Zulu said he wanted to talk to President Hichilema, adding that change was coming.
“Bavuta torture (they are torturing us), but change is coming. Nifuno kamba na HH (I want to speak to HH),” said Zulu.
Bail Application for Raphael Nakacinda Comes Up on Monday
The matter in which Patriotic Front Secretary General and Tonse Alliance Secretary General, Raphael Nakacinda has applied for bail pending appeal, comes up before Lusaka High Court on Monday 3rd November 2025.
High Court judge, Anna Malata-Ononuju upheld the conviction and 18month imprisonment sentence of Nakacinda on criminal defamatio, by the lower court.
The defamation charges stemmed from his statement thst disclosed unproven that President Hakainde Hichilema was holding irregular meetings with judges to influence judicial outcomes.
Stakeholders have condemned the prosecution and conviction of Nakacinda based on a Criminal Defamation of the President, two years after the law was reoealed and abolished.
JUST PREPARE FOR ELECTIONS, DON’T BANK ON INCITING YOUNG PEOPLE TO RIOT FOR YOU TO ASCEND TO POWER @20:00HRS
I am disappointed to note that the recent riots in Tanzania have sparked excitement among some individuals, with a few even wishing for similar chaos in Zambia.
However, this perspective is not only myopic but also irresponsible. Leaders should not crave power at the expense of national stability and progress.
Inciting young people to riot is not a viable means of ascending to power. History has shown that such tactics often fail and instead set a country back.
The consequences are dire: loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and setbacks in development.
Examples from countries like Mozambique, Kenya, South Africa, and Cameroon demonstrate that riots and unrest rarely lead to the desired change in government. Instead, they often result in suffering for the citizens and a lack of progress.
The cost of inciting violence far outweighs any potential benefits, and any responsible leader should not choose the route of inciting young people.
2026 is coming prepare yourselves, not banking on inciting young people, I can assure you, you will not succeed.
TAYALI THE PUBLIC LAWYER OF THE PUBLIC COURT OF OPINIONS!!!
CSOs CALL FOR HALT TO FLAWED CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM CONSULTATIONS
A coalition of leading Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has expressed serious concern over the ongoing public consultations on Zambia’s constitutional reforms, describing the process as “flawed, restrictive, and lacking transparency.”
In a joint statement released on Thursday, the organisations including the Alliance for Community Action, Transparency International Zambia, Chapter One Foundation, the Free Press Initiative, and MISA Zambia warned that the legitimacy and credibility of the constitutional review process are under threat due to procedural and structural shortcomings.
The CSOs revealed that from October 27 to 29, their monitors observed consultations by the Technical Committee in five provinces Eastern, Northern, Central, Western, and North-Western and found numerous irregularities.
Among the key issues highlighted were limited public awareness, with many citizens reportedly unaware of the process or how to participate, and the absence of procedural guidelines, which allegedly led to cases of suggestive questioning and manipulation of public submissions.
The statement further cited poor communication of venues, lack of translation services, and inadequate submission platforms, particularly for rural citizens, as major barriers to genuine participation.
More alarmingly, the CSOs alleged that in some instances, citizens were made to sign pre-written submissions they did not understand and were then paid off a practice they said undermines the authenticity of the public consultation process.
“It would be in the interest of the nation for this process to be halted,” the statement read in part. “However, if it continues, government and the Mushabati Committee must improve the integrity of the process.”
The organisations urged the Technical Committee to improve communication by sharing details of sittings at least three days in advance through community radio and digital platforms, and to provide interpretation services in local languages.
They also called for clear and consistent procedural guidelines to ensure citizen independence and prevent manipulation of submissions.
“The Constitution is the supreme law of the land,” said Laura Miti, who signed the statement on behalf of the undersigned organisations. “It is imperative that the process of amending it be citizen-led, participatory, and legitimate.”
The coalition concluded by urging authorities to act swiftly to restore public confidence through transparency and inclusivity, warning that continued disregard of these principles risks eroding the credibility of Zambia’s constitutional reform efforts.
State House (s), African Leaders New Grave yard …It’s a new retirement home with no exit
Amb. Anthony Mukwita wrote-
“and just like a political phantom, no one saw 65 year old President Samia Suluhu Hassan coming in from the cold ‘disguised as a woman’…”
31 Oct 25
If you’re looking for a continent where political leadership is a game of “last man standing,” welcome to Africa — where presidents don’t retire, they expire.
The latest glut of re-elected geriatric rulers reads like a casting call for a remake of Cocoon, but with less charm and more constitutional tweaking.
Let’s start with Paul Biya, Cameroon’s eternal president, who just secured his eighth term at the ripe age of 92. That’s not a typo. Biya has been in power since 1982 — back when Michael Jackson was still black and the Berlin Wall was standing tall.
His secret? A constitution so flexible it could double as yoga pants. Biya’s electoral victory came with a modest 53.66% of the vote, which in Cameroonian math translates to “don’t ask questions, just clap”.
Then there’s Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, who at 83 years old just bagged another term. He previously promised not to run again, but apparently, promises in African politics are like New Year’s resolutions — made to be broken.
Ouattara’s constitutional maneuvering was so slick it should be taught in law schools as “How to Legally Ghost Democracy.”
And let’s not forget Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s strongman-in-chief, who’s been president since 1986 and is now approaching 81. He’s seeking re-election again, because apparently, the only thing more persistent than Museveni’s grip on power is the poverty rate in Uganda.
How do these leaders win? Easy. They score 90% of the vote in elections where opposition candidates are either jailed, barred, or mysteriously disappear like socks in a washing machine. It’s democracy, but make it dystopian.
Take Tanzania, for example. On October 29, the country went to the polls under the watchful eye of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
According to Amnesty International, Suluhu’s government jailed political threats and barred opposition candidates from the ballot, turning the election into a solo dance party. Democracy? More like autocracy with a ballot box.
This Tanzanian tale isn’t unique. Across southern Africa, unnamed regimes are perfecting the art of “electoral authoritarianism” — where elections happen, but the outcome is as predictable as a soap opera plot.
The youth, who make up the majority of the population, are left watching from the side-lines, wondering if leadership is a game reserved for the elderly elite.
Is democracy collapsing in Africa? If democracy were a patient, Africa would be the ICU. The continent’s young population — median age under 20 — is ruled by leaders who think TikTok is a mosquito repellent. The generational disconnect is so vast it could be mistaken for a canyon.
Even the global models of democracy aren’t helping. The United States, once the poster child of democratic ideals, now exports indictments and political chaos. If America is the lighthouse, the bulb is flickering.
Meanwhile, poverty levels remain stubbornly high in countries ruled by these octogenarian overlords. Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda — all boast impressive poverty statistics that rival their leaders’ ages. It’s almost poetic: the older the president, the poorer the people.
And let’s talk about graft. Corruption in Africa is like a family heirloom passed down from one aging president to the next. The older they get, the more creative the embezzlement. Public funds vanish faster than opposition rallies. Transparency? That’s for windows, not governments.
So what happened to “give youths a chance”? It was buried under constitutional amendments, state-sponsored arrests, and electoral commissions that operate like private clubs. The youth are told to wait their turn — a turn that never comes.
But all is not lost. As we cry for our beloved Africa, let us remember the words of Kofi Annan: “No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime.”
And Nelson Mandela, who warned: “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”
To dictators clinging to power like it’s a family heirloom, we offer this: “Dictators ride to and fro upon tigers which they dare not dismount. And the tigers are getting hungry.” — Winston Churchill.
Africa needs hope. It needs youth. It needs leaders who don’t see power as a retirement plan. Someone must give the youth a reason to believe again — not just in democracy, but in themselves. And that’s Mukwita on Point.
Amb. Anthony Mukwita is an Author & International Relations Analyst.
⬆️ REGIONAL UPDATE | Tanzania’s Unrest Escalate, Military Deployed
Tanzania’s largest cities are witnessing a surging wave of protests for a third straight day, with security forces deployed across Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, and key border crossings. Streets that once carried ordinary commuter traffic now carry the imprint of military boots, checkpoint controls, and smoke rising from scattered roadblocks.
Authorities maintain that these are isolated disturbances, but amateur footages and pictures from the ground suggest a broader rupture between the government and public sentiment.
Curfews remain in force in parts of the country. Civil servants are still instructed to work from home. Internet access is heavily impaired. Online banking, mobile payments, and communication platforms are slow or inaccessible. For many Tanzanians, daily life has narrowed to what is possible under police orders and intermittent connectivity.
The protests began after an election marked by barred opposition candidates, arrests, and a tightened political space. Tundu Lissu, the most prominent rival, remains on trial for treason and did not appear on the ballot.
Two deaths have been confirmed by rights groups, though the internet blackout has made independent verification arduous.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has not appeared on state media since unrest began on Wednesday. The only official voice today came from the Foreign Affairs ministry, calling for calm and insisting that national institutions remain stable. In regional diplomacy, silence from the presidency during heightened tension raises both speculation and unease.
Until she appears on record, her whereabouts and schedule remain unconfirmed.
Witness accounts reveal a charged atmosphere in Dar es Salaam’s Mbagala, Gongo la Mboto, and Kiluvya areas. Tear gas and bursts of gunfire sent crowds scattering as officers moved in.
In one clip verified by international media, a protester shouted, “We have been silent for so long. What have we been doing?” The cry was not simply a rallying call, but a confession of accumulated frustration.
The aftershocks stretch beyond Tanzania’s borders. At Namanga, the crossing into Kenya, bonfires burned through the night and traffic stalled. Truck drivers described long queues and shifting orders on whether cargo could move.
Kenyan authorities issued warnings and urged restraint, underscoring concerns about spillover in a region already tested by economic strain and security anxieties.
Election results continue to trickle out, with the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party holding overwhelming leads and Zanzibar’s President Hussein Mwinyi claiming above seventy-eight percent.
Opposition groups have rejected the tallies. Without a credible channel to contest outcomes, anger has spilled into the streets instead of courtrooms or commission halls.
The next forty-eight hours carry high stakes. If the curfew tightens further, if detentions increase, and if the military shifts from crowd control to containment, the unrest could escalate.
De-escalation would begin with a presidential address, a commitment to investigate force used against civilians, and transparent handling of contested results.
For now, we watches a country long regarded as a pillar of regional stability confront a legitimacy test in real time. The calm that Tanzania projects abroad is cracking under the pressure of a restless citizenry at home.
Former information and broadcasting services minister Dr. Dora Siliya has proposed that the minimum academic qualification for Members of Parliament and councillors be raised from Grade 12 to a university degree, while also calling for stronger affirmative action to address gender inequality in leadership.
Lusaka — Former information minister Dora Siliya has stirred debate after suggesting that elected leaders, such as MPs and councillors, should hold university degrees, arguing that higher education would improve the quality of political discourse and international engagement.
Speaking during an interview on Diamond TV on Wednesday, Siliya said the current Grade 12 requirement was outdated given the growing pool of educated citizens across the country. She pointed to progress made in upgrading the qualification for councillors from Grade 9 to Grade 12 as precedent for further reform.
“There was resistance when we moved councillors from Grade 9 to Grade 12. People said we wouldn’t find enough educated candidates, but now there are graduates in every district,” she said. “We should be raising the bar MPs and councillors should be graduates so they https://nkanionline.news/home/content/2f905d4c-1f45-4924-904c-d00b9c1d9dab
“NIKUPUSA! – NJOBVU BLASTS GOVERNMENT FOR PUSHING CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS AMID NATIONAL CRISIS”
Democratic Union (DU) President Ackim Antony Njobvu has strongly criticized the government’s ongoing constitutional reform process, describing it as ill-timed, rushed, and lacking transparency. Njobvu said the move reflects misplaced priorities at a time when the nation is grappling with pressing economic and social challenges.
Speaking during an interview on Pan African Radio, Njobvu questioned the government’s decision to pursue constitutional amendments without clear financial planning or public consensus. He noted that the reform process was not included in the national budget, raising concerns about how it is being financed.
“The process should be citizen-driven, not controlled by the executive. Right now, it lacks transparency and inclusivity,” Njobvu stated.
The opposition leader further argued that the creation of 91 new constituencies would place an additional financial burden on the state, diverting resources from critical sectors such as energy, agriculture, and social welfare. He accused the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) of manipulating national institutions to advance its political interests.
Njobvu urged the government to focus on addressing the country’s immediate challenges including the energy crisis, fuel shortages, and rising cost of living instead of engaging in what he termed as politically motivated constitutional changes.
“Amending the constitution at a time like this amounts to nothing but stupidity,” Njobvu said bluntly.
He called for the process to be halted and reinitiated after the 2026 general elections, under a framework that ensures transparency, inclusiveness, and broad citizen participation.
The outspoken DU leader also took a swipe at the management of public funds under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), describing it as another area of concern. He said giving out loans to individuals who cannot be traced for repayment demonstrates poor accountability and weak financial oversight.
“CDF needs serious restructuring. You can’t give loans to people you can’t trace — that’s mismanagement,” Njobvu added, urging voters to hold the government accountable in the upcoming elections.
Njobvu concluded by calling on Zambians to demand responsible leadership and policies that address the real needs of citizens rather than political expediency.
JUSTICE CATCHES UP AGAIN FOR INCARCERATED EX-MINISTER LUSAMBO
Kabwe | October 31 2025 – The Kabwe Subordinate Court concluded a case against five individuals, one of whom is former-Lusaka Province Minister Mr. Bowman Chilosha Lusambo testing the boundaries between political stature and legal accountability.
The five were charged with the offence of Unlawful Assembly, contrary to Section 74(1) as read with Section 75 of the Penal Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
The court delivered its judgment on October 29 2025, convicting Bowman Lusambo, Billy Sichamba, Saidi Chibwana, and Martin Simfukwe. Mathews Changwe was acquitted.
The case, prosecuted by Senior Public Prosecutor Ms. Elizabeth Sikute of the National Prosecution Authority Kabwe Office, stemmed from an incident on November 2 2023 at Brimas in Kabwe Town Centre.
The prosecution presented evidence from seven witnesses, establishing that the convicted individuals jointly assembled and conducted themselves in a manner that caused persons in the neighborhood reasonable fear of a breach of peace. The defence, which called five witnesses, had argued the gathering was a spontaneous reaction to Lusambo’s presence, not a premeditated assembly.
Following the full trial, the four convicted persons were each sentenced to eight months imprisonment with hard labour, suspended for twelve months. This suspended sentence permits the convicts to remain at liberty in the community, contingent upon them not being convicted of any further criminal offence during the suspension period. A breach of this condition will trigger the immediate activation of the eight-month prison term, to be served in addition to any new penalty received for the subsequent crime.
It is important to note that this conditional liberty does not apply to former Minister Bowman Lusambo, who remains in custody at Mwembeshi Correctional Facility serving a separate, unrelated sentence.
The National Prosecution Authority continues to execute its mandate to prosecute criminal cases in Zambia, upholding the provisions of the Penal Act and contributing to the maintenance of public order and safety.
High Court orders Fimba Upoke cadre to pay damages to Findlay for defamation
THE Lusaka High Court has ordered UPND cadre Frank Zimba, creator of the Facebook page “Fimba Upoke Dig,” to pay damages to businessman Harry Findlay for defamation after he accused Findlay of engaging in drug trafficking alongside late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
This follows a default judgment delivered by Judge Gaudentia Salasini, after Zimba failed to enter appearance or file a defence in response to Findlay’s lawsuit.
According to the judgement, Findlay was granted final judgment in default, compelling Zimba to issue a public apology, retract the defamatory statements from his social media platforms, and declare them false.
The court also granted an injunction restraining Zimba or his agents from publishing similar statements in the future.
In addition, the court entered interlocutory judgment for damages for libel and slander, to be assessed, together with interest and costs of the proceedings.
The case is from a video posted on July 28, 2025, titled “We are dealing with Mafias and a syndicate that want to paint HH black.” In the recording, Zimba allegedly made false and malicious claims linking Findlay and the late President Lungu to an international drug trafficking ring and a scheme to destabilise the 2026 general elections.
Findlay contended that Zimba went further to allege that he used diplomatic immunity and the presidential jet to move drugs abroad and influenced the Lungu family’s decision not to bury the former Head of State in Zambia to conceal the circumstances of his death.
Findlay told the court that the allegations had caused serious harm to his reputation, exposed him to public ridicule, and resulted in loss of business opportunities. Despite several demands, he said, Zimba refused to apologise or retract the statements.
Findlay sought damages for libel, an injunction, and a public apology, all of which the court has now granted.
Sibiya allegedly received millions from Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala
A protected witness has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala allegedly handed suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya millions in cash and gifts.
The testimony, delivered by Witness C for safety reasons, claims these payments included R2 million for a bed-and-breakfast and R300,000 for Sibiya’s son’s wedding.
Witness C said Matlala made the claims during a recorded conversation with police after his May 2025 arrest.
The payments, the witness testified, were part of a quid pro quo arrangement tied to a multi-million rand SAPS health-services tender, with some payments reportedly reaching R1 million a month.
Other alleged gifts included R200,000 left in a dustbin at Sibiya’s Pretoria office, 20 Impalas delivered to his property, and regular “money bags” dropped off at his home or a Sandton townhouse, sometimes via police officer Sergeant F.E. Nkosi.
The testimony also implicated KZN Hawks head Maj-Gen Lesetja Senona, who allegedly assisted Matlala’s company in securing the tender and received kickbacks. Witness C submitted WhatsApp messages as evidence of communication regarding contract payments.
Matlala reportedly grew frustrated with Sibiya when police raids on his properties continued, referring to the Sibiya as “a criminal” and a “pitbull,” and expressing fear for his own safety.
Sibiya has yet to testify before the commission. He previously told the Ad Hoc Committee that he knew Matlala as a service provider but was unaware of the tender’s details.
The Madlanga Commission continues its investigation into corruption and criminality within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
Zimbabwe has dispatched a substantial shipment of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to Botswana, which is currently facing temporary shortages in its HIV treatment programme.
The consignment, which left the headquarters of Zimbabwe’s National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) in Harare on 29 October, combines a donation and a loan facility, 20% of the drugs are a donation, while the remaining 80% will be reimbursed in kind.
Officials from both countries attended the send-off, including Botswana’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Sarah Molosiwa, and NatPharm Managing Director Newman Mazikwa. Ambassador Molosiwa described the gesture as a “vital expression of solidarity” between the two nations.
Botswana’s Ministry of Health and Wellness confirmed the arrival of the medicines in Gaborone, noting that they would help stabilise ARV supplies after procurement delays from international suppliers had created concern.
For Botswana, the immediate benefit is the stabilisation of ARV supplies for thousands of patients. For Zimbabwe, the gesture reinforces its diplomatic standing and signals a shift from a nation reliant on aid to one capable of extending support to its neighbours.
ZAMBIANS HAVE ALREADY RESOLVED TO SEEK CHANGE IN THE NEXT ELECTIONS
Opposition Democratic Union (DU) Leader Ackim Njovu has dismissed assertions that there is no strong opposition political party capable of unseating President Hakainde Hichilema in next year’s general elections, describing the narrative as misleading.
Mr. Njovu said some Zambians have lost confidence in the opposition because they continue to focus on recycled political figures instead of considering new leaders and emerging parties with alternative solutions.
He urged citizens to study his party’s manifesto and evaluate what the Democratic Union has to offer, saying fresh ideas and patriotic leadership can bring renewed hope for the country.
Mr. Njovu said the tendency by some voters to support politicians who offer handouts rather than ideas for national progress has contributed to Zambia’s slow development. He emphasized the need for citizens to change their attitude and focus on the country’s long-term growth.
He added that while his party may not have vast financial resources, it has the commitment and vision to deliver better governance and economic stability.
Mr. Njovu further argued that the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) is aware of the growing public dissatisfaction, which he said explains why opposition leaders are being targeted and arrested.
He maintained that the opposition remains active and strong across the country, and that the UPND should not be deceived into thinking it is guaranteed victory in 2026.
Mr. Njovu said public frustration over unfulfilled promises, persistent power challenges, and economic hardships has weakened the ruling party’s standing.
He added that the electorate has already resolved to seek change in the next elections, though they may not yet have declared their preferred alternative.
Remembering Michael Sata: The Rise, Rule, & Rupture of PF Project
Eleven years after Michael Chilufya Sata died at King Edward VII Hospital in London on October 28, 2014, Zambia still debates the movement he built, the politics he reshaped, and the unfinished questions his passing left behind. His death did more than trigger a power struggle. It exposed the fault lines in a party that came to power on anger, discipline, and a promise to repair a country tired of complacency.
Sata’s Patriotic Front did not arrive gently. It grew from frustration in compounds, bus stations, markets, and mine townships. It spoke the language of struggle and low patience for elites. PF cast itself as the voice of the ordinary person, fiercely pro-poor and openly hostile to what it viewed as foreign capture and technocratic neglect. The party’s slogan Donchi Kubeba was not comedy. It was a strategic message: take gifts from those buying votes, but vote for your liberation. It worked.
The PF’s rise rested on an urban coalition in Lusaka and the Copperbelt. Shared hardship cut across tribe. That urban base powered a new kind of political mobilisation. Cadres surged through bus stations and compounds, drumming energy into a campaign that felt more like a social revolt than a party exercise. Crowds danced, guitars strummed, and rallies followed what insiders called a church-service script: half music to stir emotion, a quarter promises to spark hope, and a quarter stern talk to demand seriousness.
Sata governed with the same instinctive force. He believed in practical fixes over speeches and theories. He walked into hospitals, shouted at contractors in daylight, and demanded visible delivery. Roads and bridges became the spine of his programme. He framed development not as policy but as dignity. When HIV patients lined up, he cut the delay and ordered test-and-treat. When small farmers were evicted, he instructed their return. It was old-fashioned state activism driven by temperament more than ideology.
Yet the PF story was never simple. Enthusiasm spilled into coercion. Cadres sometimes pushed boundaries where police were slow or weak. The movement that promised discipline also produced trouble at bus stops and markets. And while Sata projected intolerance for low standards, the state often struggled to keep up with his pace and temper. His Presidency ran hot. He preferred confrontation over compromise and inspection over committees.
Guy Scott’s role as Vice President gave PF a cosmopolitan edge. The decision to elevate a white Zambian was tactical and symbolic. It defused tribal accusations and offered an inclusive image at a time when identity politics simmered. It also reflected Sata’s instincts: shock the system, break patterns, prove a point. Scott and Sata shared banter that doubled as policy rehearsal, using humour as a blade and shield in equal measure.
But the party Sata built could not survive his absence intact. When he died, Scott took over as acting president under the Constitution. The rules called for a national conference to choose a successor. Instead, the system inside PF snapped. Edgar Lungu’s faction bypassed the written process. Threats, force, and legal manoeuvres replaced party order. Scott later said PF “strayed very far, very fast.” The movement that began as a rebellion against rigged power dynamics ended up repeating them.
A decade later, the PF legacy sits in contrast. The party put roads on the map, restored state muscle, and gave the urban poor a political home. It also left cracks: cadre power, public debt clouds, and an internal culture that struggled to handle succession without intimidation. Zambia remembers Sata as the street fighter who became Head of State, the man who promised dignity to those ignored by the polished elite, and the leader whose fire lifted a movement but could not guarantee its discipline after him.
History will not treat Sata lightly. He proved that anger can build power and that charisma can rewrite political geography. He also showed that revolutions must institutionalise themselves or risk collapse when the voice at the centre falls silent. A decade on, PF is searching for its next chapter. Zambia is still asking whether populist reform can coexist with institutional order. And Sata remains, in memory, both a force of renewal and a warning about the fragility of movements built on urgency and charisma.
While remembering President Sata this October, the question lingers: did the PF plant enough seeds of structural change, or did the roots never deepen beyond the roar of rallies and the authority of one man? History will continue to answer. The streets where crowds once chanted Donchi Kubeba still remember. The country still debates. The legacy still burns.
🔥 Former South African President Jacob Zuma Receives Hero’s Welcome in Burkina Faso! 🔥
Former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma 🇿🇦, arrived in Ouagadougou this afternoon and was warmly welcomed by Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Karamoko Jean-Marie Emmanuel.
President Zuma emphasized that his visit is to support Burkinabe authorities in their vision of national sovereignty, pan-African unity, and the empowerment of African nations to control their own destiny. He reaffirmed his commitment to African solidarity, development, and the strengthening of ties between the continent and its diaspora.
During his stay, Zuma will host a conference on November 1, 2025, as part of the Delegation of Afro-Descendants activities, bringing together African leaders and the diaspora to reconnect, collaborate, and advance Africa’s collective progress.
A particularly moving moment was his meeting with members of the African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI) from the USA — including a 98-year-old elder returning to Africa in a wheelchair. They were granted permanent residency by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, symbolizing a heartfelt homecoming and the continent’s embrace of its children abroad.
This visit celebrates African pride, unity, and shared vision for a sovereign and prosperous continent, with leaders and citizens coming together to shape Africa’s future.
BREAKING NEWS NINE D£AD IN NAKONDE FROM STRAY BULL£TS AMID TANZANIAN TENSION
By Gladwell Simwawa
Nine people have di€d in Nakonde District Hospital between Wednesday and today, all from gunsh0t w0unds, as tensions escalate across the nearby Tanzanian border.
The first fatalities were three men struck by stray bull£ts in “no-man’s-land” on the day of the election.
Nakonde District Commissioner (DC) Marvelous Sikapizye has confirmed and revealed during a live radio program on Chete FM News on Friday Morning that all nine victims are male and from Nakonde and Tunduma rushed to Nakonde District Hospital for treatment but did not survive.
https://youtu.be/qo0RaqnwZRI?si=Gj0qk9yZ5qvLkOfe
The unrest in Tanzania, which has sparked the cross-border vi0lence, is reportedly linked to political disputes and accusations against President Samia’s administration.
The situation has disrupted daily life on both sides of the border.
In Tunduma, Tanzania, all shops have closed, and no vehicles are crossing into Zambia.
Only authorized personnel from security forces are moving along the streets.
Residents are being urged to stay indoors, and public gatherings are banned.
Stray bull£ts have also caused property damage, on Friday alone one hit a house in Katozi village, and another struck a power transformer for ZESCO.
Fortunately, no inju>ries were reported from these incidents.
Authorities have continue to warn residents to remain at home as the tense situation persists, especially in the busy Nakonde–Tunduma border zone, where Tanzanians and Zambians often meet daily for trade and transit.
Stray Bullet from Tanzania Damages ZESCO Transformer in Nakonde as Tension Spills Across Border
By Christabel Chulu
Two days after voting in Tanzania, rising post-election tension in the neighboring country has begun to affect life on the Zambian side of the border, with a ZESCO transformer in Nakonde damaged by a suspected stray bullet.
The incident happened near Kasama–Kasama station area in Nakonde, close to Amico, about 300 meters from the Zambia–Tanzania buffer zone.
The 200KVA, 11/0.4KV transformer, which supplies power to several commercial outlets, including Powertools, and residential areas in Katozi has been perforated on three fins, causing oil to spill to the ground.
The transformer stands about eight meters high.
When the Chete FM news crew arrived at the scene, transformer oil was still leaking, and gunshots could still be heard from across the border.
Fortunately, ZESCO immediately rushed to isolate the transformer to prevent further damage and ensure public safety.
A cartridge was also found on the ground about eight meters from the transformer, believed to be linked to the gunfire from the Tanzanian side.
Local trader David Bwalya, who witnessed the incident, has told Chete.FM News that he saw several people running from the buffer zone just before hearing a loud gunshot.
“Before we knew it, the bullet hit the transformer, we are sure it came from the Tanzanian side, if it had not struck the transformer, we do not know what could have happened,” he said.
Mr Bwalya has expressed fear over the escalating situation and concern for residents and traders operating near the border.
Power has since been cut off in parts of Nakonde as ZESCO works to assess and repair the damage.
The development comes amid growing unrest in Tanzania following Wednesday’s general election.
Reports indicate that tension remains high in towns such as Dodoma, Dar es Salaam.
A check at Tunduma this morning found shops closed and a curfew is in effect.
Supporters of opposition figures have accused President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government of suppressing democracy by barring key opponents from contesting the election.
Tundu Lissu, one of the strongest opposition figures, has reportedly been detained on treason charges, while another prominent rival was disqualified from participating.
At least one police officer and a civilian have reportedly been killed in the ensuing violence. Meanwhile, traffic at the Tunduma–Nakonde border has come to a standstill, with trucks unable to cross as tension persists.
In a separate incident along the Malawi–Tanzania–Zambia border area, three people,including a Zambian were shot and injured by suspected Tanzanian police on Wednesday.
The victims are currently receiving treatment at Nakonde District Hospital.
Local authorities in Nakonde have urged residents to remain calm and avoid border areas until stability returns to the neighboring country.
Tuko, a Kenyan news outlet reports that Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu’s location is unknown. This comes amid a communication blackout and ongoing post-election chaos in the East African nation – Details in comments.
Other unconfirmed reports indicate that Tanzanian celebrities including Diamond Platinumz have fled to Mombasa amid protests in Tanzania which are now targeting celebrities who promoted Samia Suluhu.
Senior government officials in Dodoma were also nowhere to be seen as thousands of Tanzanians flooded the streets to protest what they described as a shambolic election.
On Thursday, October 30, in the afternoon, chaos broke out at the Namanga border checkpoint as Kenyan and Tanzanian youth threw stones at Tanzanian police, who responded with live ammunition and tear gas canisters.
Two people were shot dead by police in the melee; Tanzanian national Kabuli Balayi and local Kenyan businessman John Kahindi. Their bodies were taken to a nearby mortuary. Two others, including a Kenyan police officer, were seriously injured.
This is according to a diplomatic source, even though the reports could not be verified independently. The preliminary election results were announced by the state-run Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation, which revealed that Suluhu had won commanding majorities in several constituencies.
The election also included votes for MPs and officials for the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago. Protests were called for by the main opposition party, Chadema, which was disqualified for refusing to sign a code of conduct, and its leader, Tundu Lissu, was accused of treason.
The British government announced that the airports in Arusha and the one near Mount Kilimanjaro were closed, and that international flights to and from Dar es Salaam had been cancelled.
ZAMBIANS STRANDED IN TANZANIA AS FLIGHT TO LUSAKA CANCELLED AMID ONGOING UNREST
A number of Zambian nationals have been left stranded in Tanzania following the cancellation of the Air Tanzania flight to Lusaka due to the current political unrest and protests taking place across the country.
The situation has disrupted normal travel schedules, with reports indicating that several other flights have also been suspended as authorities work to manage growing tensions in major cities.
Passengers scheduled to travel from Dar es Salaam to Lusaka have been advised to remain calm and stay in safe locations while awaiting further communication from Air Tanzania and the Zambian High Commission.
Regional officials are monitoring the situation closely as the unrest continues to affect transportation and public movement within Tanzania.
Breaking: Congregation of protesters are now marching to occupy Tanzania state house
And Tension Still High At Kenya -Tanzania Border as Unidentified Kenyans wrote To Ministry of Interior and state Security Seeking a Go-ahead of fee Hows To Be allowed To Enter Tanzania and Help Their Brothers .
Kenya Ministry of Interior and State Coordination has Warned Kenyans That Matters of Tanzania is Domestic and Kenya is Not At any point able to Break the International Law on Sovereignty of Tanzania a Brotherly State..
Matlala allegedly paid R150,000 for failed hit on ex-girlfriend Tebogo Thobejane
Testimony at the Madlanga Commission has revealed that alleged criminal Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala allegedly paid R150,000 for a failed assassination attempt on his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane. The 2023 attack left Thobejane injured and another woman paralysed.
Witness C told the commission on 30 October 2025 that Matlala arranged the payments in two instalments R50,000 days before the 12 July 2023 shooting, and R100,000 the day after through a business account belonging to Nthabiseng Nzama, the daughter of one of Matlala’s co-accused, Floyd Tiego Mahusela.
Matlala was arrested May 2025, in a high-profile operation in Midrand, and formally charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to kill and money-laundering linked to the 2023 plot against Thobejane.
His wife Tsakani, and three others also face charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering.
The attack occurred on the N1 highway near Sandton, Johannesburg, leaving Thobejane shot in the foot, while a passenger suffered a spinal injury that resulted in paralysis. Due to ongoing safety fears, Thobejane has fled South Africa.
The commission also heard claims linking Matlala to drug trafficking, money lending, and the disappearance of businessman Jerry Boshoga. He has previously secured a R360 million SAPS contract, later cancelled, and reportedly funded political campaigns.
Matlala’s bail application has been denied several times over concerns he posed a flight risk and danger to the public.
Proceedings against him and his co-accused have been postponed to 11 November 2025.
FORMER SECRETARY TO CABINET WARNS ZAMBIA RISKS TANZANIA-LIKE UNREST IF CITIZENS’ VOICES ARE SUPPRESSED
By Lukundo Nankamba
Former Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Leslie Mbula, has cautioned that Zambia risks facing a situation similar to the current unrest in Tanzania if political leaders continue to suppress citizens’ voices and fail to engage in genuine consultations on contentious national issues.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Dr. Mbula has expressed sadness over the post-election protests in Tanzania, where opposition supporters have taken to the streets to condemn the polls, citing political favoritism, intimidation, and restrictions on free speech.
Dr. Mbula has stressed that the Tanzanian experience should serve as an important lesson for Zambian leaders as the country heads toward the 2026 general elections, emphasizing the importance of listening and responding to public grievances related to governance.
He has pointed to the ongoing constitutional amendment process, which has sparked widespread public debate and criticism, urging government to take citizens’ concerns seriously and address them constructively.
Dr. Mbula has further noted that Zambia’s continued peace and stability depend on the political leadership’s openness to dialogue and its commitment to protecting citizens’ right to free expression.
TWELVE INDIVDUALS APPREHENEDED AS POLICE WARN POLITICAL PLAYERS TO ABIDE BY THE LAW WHEN EXERCISING THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLY OR HOLDING PUBLIC PROCESSIONS
October 30, 2025-The Zambia Police Service wishes to inform members of the public that yesterday October 29, 2025, Chibombo and Liteta Police Stations conducted a joint operation which resulted in the apprehension of twelve (12) individuals for the offence of Conduct Likely to Cause the Breach of Peace.
Those detained at Liteta Police station include the following:
1. Susan MulengaMwelwa, aged 64, of katuba. 2. EdahChikusu, aged 72, of Katuba, 3. Honourable Jean Ng’andweChisenga, aged 36, Member of Parliament for Mambilima Constituency. 4. Jean Chikubesho, aged 69, of Chibombo new boma.
5. Abraham Shimanimamba, aged 26, of Shaputa, Chipepo rural in Kabwe District. 6. Alex Shimanimamba, aged 20, of Shaputa, Chipeporural in Kabwe District. 7. NaphtalyChulo, aged 72, of MutembeaMoyo, Chadiza. 8. Christopher Mwenge, aged 50, of Kasukwe in Kasama a Lawyer.
The following were detained at Chibombo Police Station: 9. MordenMusala, aged 65, ofshibuyunji. 10. Austen Mumvalama, aged 50. 11. Francis Cheleka, aged 50. 12. Ernest Malupande, aged 55, a farmer.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the group was found unlawfully assembled at the residence of Mr. Christopher Mwenge around 20:53 hours, waiting to be addressed by Hon. Brian Mundubile, who was later seen passing through Chisamba Security Checkpoint en route to Lusaka.
Police officers engaged the group and advised them to disperse peacefully; however, the detained individuals defied lawful orders and remained at the scene, prompting police to act and apprehend them, while others managed to escape. All the detainees are in police custody. Their release is dependent upon them paying the Admission of Guilty fine for the offense.
The Zambia Police Service wishes to remind all political players and citizens that the right to freedom of assembly and association is guaranteed under the laws of Zambia, but such rights must be exercised within the confines of the law. Anyone wishing to hold a public meeting, procession, or assembly must seek prior notification from the regulating authority as stipulated under the Public Order Act.
The Zambia Police Service further emphasizes that operations of this nature are not politically motivated but are carried out in the interest of maintaining public order, peace, and security for all citizens, regardless of political or social affiliation. The Service remains non-partisan, professional, and committed to upholding the rule of law at all times.
We therefore urge all political parties and their members to observe the law at all times and to liaise with the nearest police station when planning public activities, in order to maintain peace, order, and public safety across the country.
The Zambia Police Service remains committed to protecting the rights, freedoms, and safety of all citizens, while ensuring that law and order prevail in every part of the country. Issued by:
WE ARE HAVING SLEEPLESS NIGHTS TO ADDRESS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CHALLENGES – PRESIDENT HICHILEMA
By: Augustine Kapambwe
President Hakainde Hichilema has urged Zambians, especially young entrepreneurs, to harness emerging economic opportunities by strengthening linkages between large corporations and small-scale enterprises.
Speaking at the 2025 Macro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Cooperatives Indaba held at the Kenneth Kaunda Wing of the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, President Hichilema emphasized that Zambia’s private sector growth must be rooted in collaboration and local value addition.
He noted that several industrial projects are now sourcing raw materials directly from local producers, creating stable markets for farmers and MSMEs.
Citing a starch and glucose factory that consumes over 126,000 metric tons of maize annually, the President said such partnerships illustrate how small producers can supply large industries and benefit from guaranteed demand.
President Hichilema also announced that government will collaborate with financial institutions and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to develop a detailed action matrix identifying specific support areas for MSMEs, including financing and market access.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to resolving power supply challenges affecting households and industries, citing ongoing efforts to fast-track equipment delivery for the 300-megawatt Maamba Phase 2 and 100-megawatt Chisamba Energy projects.
These investments, he said, are vital to stabilizing electricity supply and sustaining industrial productivity, adding that his administration remains “sleepless” in tackling the issue.
President Hichilema concluded by stressing that Zambia’s path to sustainable development lies in connecting MSMEs to domestic and regional markets, and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship driven by innovation and strategic partnerships. #SunFmTvNews
The Minister of Justice was all over the news proudly claiming massive turnout to the Mushabati Technical Committee on the Constitution.
Did not know whether to be sad or annoyed.
A massive turnout for a mostly unannounced 2 days sitting per district. The first day was reserved for traditional leaders.
Today, the sham was worse. All councils were asked to host online submissions. The Commitee groups still sat in the provincial capital, receiving submissions from all districts.
Let’s take Eastern Province for an example. It has 15 districts other than Chipata. Citizens were to head to their respective councils to make submissions.
So, if you were 2nd on the queue in your district, you were really 16th because you had to wait until the first in each district had their turn.
We won’t even go into how many people in vast districts could get to the council and be coherent while talking to a screen, probably for the first time in their lives.
The disrespect for citizens is outstanding.
Government has not even pretended this is not about laundering Bill 7.
I wish they would at least not rub the insult in, by making ridiculous statements like – there is a massive turn out.
