JAILING OF NAKACINDA USING ABOLISHED LAW WORRIES KALABA AS IT EXPOSES JUDICIARY

LUSAKA, Friday, October 24, 2025 – We are deeply concerned by the incarceration of Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Raphael Nakacinda, whose conviction and jail sentence raises more questions than answers. This judgment, based on the defamation of the President Law, is alarming because that very law was abolished and repealed by President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration

It is troubling that the Lusaka High Court has upheld a conviction anchored on a legal provision that no longer exists. This development undermines public confidence in the justice system and erodes the principle of equal application of the law.

Zambians will recall that on June 2, 2023, the late New Labour Party president Fresher Siwale was granted an absolute discharge by then Lusaka Magistrate Alice Walusiku after being charged under the same defamation of the President law. The court found that Mr Siwale had been prosecuted under an abolished and repealed provision.

We now ask. What is the difference between Mr Siwale’s case and Mr Nakacinda’s? Why has one citizen benefited from the repeal while another is being punished under a non-existent law? These are legitimate questions that demand honest answers from the authorities.

The rule of law must be applied fairly, consistently, and without bias regardless of political affiliation or personal sentiment. Whether President Hichilema and his administration agree with Mr Nakacinda or not, justice must remain blind and impartial. Anything less amounts to selective justice, which threatens the very foundation of our democracy.

Citizens First (CF) therefore condemns, in the strongest terms, the selective application of the law and urges the judiciary to uphold justice in its purest form free from political influence and double standards.

Issued by:
Harry Kalaba
President – Citizens First (CF)

 THE CANDIDATES | Makebi Zulu: From Body Politics to SECOND INDEPENDENCE

Makebi Zulu is back in the headlines, this time with political intent rather than legal argument. His name, once tied to the months-long drama surrounding former President Edgar Lungu’s unburied body, has returned to national discourse, this time framed by ambition and a call for “Zambia’s Second Independence.”

Zulu’s re-emergence has been swift and deliberate. Within days, he launched a new Facebook page, made two posts, and gained more than twenty-one thousand followers. The numbers alone signalled that his political capital, though dormant, was not depleted. Then came his appearance on The Emmanuel Mwamba Verified show, a platform known for shaping online political debate.

During the discussion, Zulu avoided open confrontation but left strong undertones. He spoke of justice, forgiveness, and the need for a moral awakening in national leadership. “We must rise above anger and vengeance,” he said. “Our institutions must reflect fairness, our politics must reflect love for country.” His comments triggered divided reactions online. Supporters praised what they called “a presidential tone,” while critics accused him of repackaging the same PF rhetoric in softer language.

The controversy surrounding Zulu has always followed his words. Earlier this year, he was among those accused of fuelling tension during the standoff over President Lungu’s body, at one point suggesting that President Hakainde Hichilema wanted to view it for ritual purposes, a claim that drew public outrage and deepened his political notoriety.

Yet his Independence Day message this week sought to recast that image. In a lengthy post titled Second Independence, Zulu positioned himself as a reformist thinker calling for economic and social renewal. “Independence was not just a date on the calendar,” he wrote. “It was a promise of freedom, equality, dignity, and opportunity for every Zambian. That promise remains unfulfilled for too many among us.”

He spoke of a nation captured by foreign interests, divided by tribe, and silenced by fear. “We see a government more interested in control than compassion,” he said, calling for “Independence 2.0”—a new liberation focused on economic empowerment, rule of law, and democratic accountability.

His second post was even more telling. “Leadership must first heal and then build,” he wrote. “It must restore faith in governance, protect citizens’ rights, and open opportunity for every community.” Without saying it outright, Zulu confirmed what many already suspected, he will contest the Patriotic Front presidency.

Reactions online have been intense. Some PF supporters hailed him as a disciplined alternative to the loud populism that has defined the party in recent years. Others questioned whether a man so tied to the “body politics” saga can truly lead a post-Lungu PF. Outside the party, many see Zulu’s entry as a test of whether ideas still matter in a political field crowded with emotion and survivalism.

What Zulu brings is structure. He speaks the language of law, governance, and moral order. His speeches blend constitutional reasoning with religious undertone. Yet what is missing is the grassroots pulse. PF politics thrives on the ground, not in polished statements. His Facebook followers may signal influence, but they do not yet translate into electoral muscle.

Still, his timing is sharp. With the PF convention weeks away and the opposition space widening, Zulu’s reappearance complicates the race. He is controversial, calculated, and increasingly visible. Whether that visibility becomes viability remains the question.

Next in The Candidates: The populists, the pragmatists, and the dark horses shaping Zambia’s 2026 race.

© The People’s Brief | Ollus R. Ndomu

ZAMBIANS HAVE ALREADY SHIFTED FROM UPND – KBF

By News Diggers

Opposition leader Kelvin Bwalya Fube (KBF) says Zambians have shifted their support away from the ruling UPND and are now seeking a new political voice and direction.

Commenting on remarks by UPND member Paul Moonga, who recently mocked some 2026 presidential aspirants claiming they “could not even fill up Chief Mungule’s palace” yet wanted to form political parties, KBF said such statements reflect fear rather than confidence.

“Why is he afraid?” KBF asked in an interview on Thursday. “It is every citizen’s constitutional right to aspire for leadership and stand in an election. We cannot block people because democracy allows everyone to participate.”

KBF added that the UPND was now thin on the ground, arguing that citizens were demanding genuine leadership and accountability.

“For me, it shouldn’t bother Moonga whether or not those people have structures. Maybe they have other strategies. Politics is dynamic and Zambians have made it clear they are ready for change,” he said.

FARMERS CRY FOUL AS DELAYED FRA PAYMENTS THREATEN 2025-2026 PLANTING SEASON

As the 2025–2026 farming season approaches, anxiety is spreading among smallholder farmers across Zambia who have yet to receive payments for maize supplied to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). Many say they are struggling to prepare their fields due to lack of money, threatening the country’s food production and rural livelihoods.

The Democratic Union (DU) has voiced strong concern over the situation, warning that the delays could have devastating consequences for both the farmers and the nation’s food security. DU President Ackim Antony Njobvu described the ongoing delays as “an insult to the hard-working men and women who feed this country.”

In his Independence Day message to President Hakainde Hichilema, Njobvu said it was “deeply worrying” that a huge number of farmers remain unpaid months after delivering maize to the FRA. He said the government’s silence on the matter has caused panic among farmers as the rainy season begins.

“It is unacceptable that some farmers who supplied maize as far back as July have still not been paid,” Njobvu said in an interview from State House. “People are panicking because the rains are here and they have no money to buy seed or fertilizer. How do we expect them to plant without resources?”

Njobvu accused the Ministry of Agriculture of “incompetence and inconsistency,” saying the leadership has failed to prioritize payments to the very people sustaining the country’s food chain. He said it was time for the President to take direct action.

“The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Reuben Mtolo Phiri, has been sleeping on duty,” Njobvu charged. “Farmers have been patient for too long. The President must intervene personally and ensure that every farmer is paid without further delay.”

In districts such as Kapiri Mposhi, Mumbwa, and Katete, farmers told Kumwesu News they are losing hope as they wait for payments that never seem to come. Many have resorted to selling livestock or borrowing at high interest rates to purchase inputs for the new season.

“I delivered 150 bags of maize in July and have not received a single kwacha,” said Agnes Banda, a widow and small-scale farmer from Katete. “The rains have started, but I can’t afford seed or fertilizer. If the government doesn’t pay us soon, we will go hungry.”

Njobvu said such stories highlight the human cost of government inefficiency, noting that while officials attend meetings in Lusaka, ordinary farmers in rural Zambia are sinking deeper into debt.

“We cannot talk about economic growth when the people who produce our food are left unpaid,” he said. “Every delay pushes a family closer to poverty. Every unpaid farmer is a hungry household.”

“When you delay paying farmers, you delay food security,” adds Njobvu explained. “The consequences extend beyond the farm gate they affect the entire economy and every Zambian household.”

Njobvu said the Democratic Union would continue to hold the government accountable for its promises, stressing that agriculture remains the foundation of national stability.

“Farmers are not asking for charity; they are asking for fairness,” he said. “They have delivered the maize now the government must deliver the money. If we fail to pay our farmers, we are failing our nation.”

As the rains fall and fields await planting, the clock is ticking. Without swift government action, Njobvu warned, Zambia risks entering the new season with uncertainty and a food crisis that could have been prevented.

“This is not just about money,” he concluded. “It’s about respect, survival, and the future of our agriculture. Paying the farmers on time is paying for Zambia’s tomorrow.”

KUMWESU
October 25, 2025

GOVT SAYS IT REMAINS OPEN TO CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROCESS

Government says it remains open to constructive criticism regarding the ongoing constitutional amendment process, noting that it is expected for some concerns to arise.

Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa has assured that the UPND administration is committed to a transparent process and has encouraged citizens to submit their views through the established Technical Committee.

Mr. Mweetwa has told Phoenix News that the Technical Committee will serve as the formal platform for public contributions, adding that the committee’s recommendations will guide the consolidation of submissions received.

He has stressed that the amendment process seeks to build broad national consensus and ensure that the final outcomes reflect the interests of the majority rather than individual agendas.

PN

Power Must Serve the People, Not Control Them – Makebi Zulu

As Zambia commemorates sixty-one years of independence, Makebi Zulu has delivered a stirring national address calling for what he termed “Zambia’s Second Independence” a new era focused on economic freedom, social justice, and the restoration of democratic values.

In a statement issued this morning, Hon. Zulu reminded citizens that independence was not merely a historical milestone but a living promise a pledge of freedom, equality, dignity, and opportunity for every Zambian.

“Independence was not just a date on the calendar. It was a promise a promise of freedom, equality, dignity, and opportunity for every Zambian, regardless of tribe, region, or status,” he declared.

The Presidential aspirant states that despite six decades of sovereignty, the vision of the nation’s founding heroes remains unfulfilled. He pointed to unemployment among the youth, the struggles of small-scale farmers, and the shrinking space for free expression as symptoms of a deeper national crisis.

“Too many of our young people are jobless. Too many farmers struggle to survive. Too many voices are silenced for daring to speak the truth,” he said.

He has called on citizens to embrace “Second Independence 2.0” a movement aimed at achieving economic and social liberation to complement the political freedom secured in 1964 by Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, and others.

Counsel Zulu argued that the Zambia of today must be one where the nation’s wealth benefits its people first, power is balanced, and justice serves all not just the powerful.

“We see an economy that serves foreign interests before serving our own people. We see tribal divisions where unity once reigned. We see a government more interested in control than compassion,” he observed.

Addressing the youth directly, the young Nyuuuu Presidential aspirant has urged them to take ownership of the country’s future through active civic participation.

“You are the drivers of Second Independence 2.0. This is your generation’s call to duty. The freedom of tomorrow depends on your action today. Register to vote your voice is your power,” he emphasized.

He further called for national unity, respect for the rule of law, and a return to governance guided by compassion, moral courage, and service to the people.

The learned counsel concluded with a hopeful message, declaring that “Independence 2.0 is not a slogan but a movement of hope a movement to reclaim the heart and soul of our nation for democracy, for justice, for equality, and for the future of our children.”

“Our journey begins today,” he said. “Our freedom is not behind us it lies ahead. Let us rise as one people and complete the work our forefathers began.”

As the nation reflects on sixty-one years of self-rule, Hon. Zulu’s message resonates as both a challenge and an invitation to every Zambian, and especially the youth to transform independence from a memory into a mission.

BEYOND THE FLAG AND NATIONAL ANTHEM: THE UNFINISHED JOURNEY TO ZAMBIA’S TRUE

By Anthony Kasandwe, MP for Bangweulu Constituency

As Zambia marks yet another Independence Day, the air is once again filled with song and celebration. The flags rise high, the anthem echoes across the nation, and the memory of the freedom fighters who delivered political liberation is rightfully honoured. Yet, beyond the festivities, a deeper reflection beckons: has Zambia truly attained the full meaning of independence, or have we merely completed the first chapter of a much longer story?

True independence, Kasandwe argues, must go beyond the symbolic gestures of sovereignty. It must be a lived experience he freedom not only to choose leaders but to live lives defined by dignity, opportunity, and purpose. He questions what freedom means to citizens still bound by poverty, hunger, and inequality. “What does sovereignty mean to a mother walking miles for clean water, or to a child studying by candlelight?” he asks. Political independence, he notes, must be secured at the water tap, in the classroom, and in the clinic.

He points to access to essential socio-economic services as the foundation of genuine freedom. While political self-rule laid the groundwork, Kasandwe emphasizes that it is quality education, affordable healthcare, and social protection that give citizens the tools to build their futures. Citing development economist Amartya Sen, he stresses that true progress is about expanding people’s capabilities their real freedoms to live the kind of lives they have reason to value.

The Bangweulu lawmaker further calls for an inclusive and equitable society where no one is left behind. Independence, he says, loses meaning if it fails to uplift women, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural communities. “A tree cannot thrive if only its highest branches receive sunlight,” he writes, underscoring that the nation’s true strength lies in the empowerment of all its citizens.

Kasandwe concludes that political sovereignty must be matched with economic empowerment. When prosperity is concentrated in the hands of a few, he warns, it breeds a new form of colonialism internal dependence. The MP calls for economic diversification, innovation, and fairness to drive Zambia’s next phase of liberation.

“This Independence Day,” Kasandwe writes, “let us celebrate not only the heroes of our past but also commit to being the architects of our future a future where independence is not just a date in history, but a daily reality for every Zambian.”

GET MONEY, EAT FOOD BUT VOTE WISELY? A MISGUIDED ADVICE FROM FR. CHONDE

When Catholic Priest Fr. Chalwe Chonde recently told Zambians to “get the money and eat the food” offered by politicians but still “vote wisely,” his remarks immediately stirred public debate. While his message may have been intended to empower citizens to exercise independent judgment despite political handouts, the advice risks reinforcing the very culture of voter manipulation that undermines Zambia’s democracy.

In many parts of the country, elections are often accompanied by the distribution of cash, mealie meal, cooking oil, and t-shirts — a practice meant to sway voters rather than address their long-term socio-economic needs. This form of political clientelism turns poverty into a weapon, exploiting the hunger and desperation of the electorate. Against this backdrop, Fr. Chonde’s message, though seemingly pragmatic, could easily be misinterpreted as legitimizing vote-buying.

The priest’s statement — “get the money and eat the food, but vote wisely” — fails to consider the psychological and moral pressure such transactions exert on voters. Once a citizen accepts money or food from a politician, it becomes morally and socially difficult to vote against the giver. The exchange creates an implicit debt — a sense of obligation — that compromises free choice. In practice, very few voters manage to separate the gift from the vote.

Religious leaders, especially from the Catholic Church, have historically played a central role in shaping moral and civic values in Zambia. Their voices carry immense authority, particularly during politically charged times. It is therefore crucial that their messages are unambiguous and consistent with the Church’s long-standing stance against corruption and exploitation.

A more appropriate message from Fr. Chonde would have been to urge citizens not to accept money or food from politicians seeking votes. Such a position would reaffirm moral integrity, discourage vote-buying, and promote a culture of accountability in politics. Citizens must be reminded that the “free” money or food they receive today often translates into five more years of poor governance, unemployment, and deepening poverty.

As the 2026 General Election draws nearer, Zambia faces a defining moment. The nation’s democracy will be strengthened not by clever slogans but by the moral courage of both leaders and citizens to reject corruption in all its forms. Voters must understand that true empowerment does not come from short-term handouts but from making informed choices that hold leaders accountable.

Fr. Chonde’s call for Zambians to register and vote was spot-on — participation in democracy is indeed a sacred duty. However, his message on political gifts should have been clearer: do not sell your vote for a meal. The power of the ballot is too precious to be traded for bread that will not last the night.

Photo credit: Radio Icengelo

Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba writes:

If President Hakainde Hichilema is serious with his denial that he had nothing to do with the disruption and cancellation of an annual overnight prayer snd worship service, he should immediately fire the Minister of Home Affirs and Interior Affairs, Jack Mwiimbu or the Inspector General of Police Graphael Musamba.

Or we should regard that the statement is mere rhetoric, like many previous statements of threats are?

Televangelist Apostle Sunday Sinyangwe and founder and overseer of Shalom Embassy Ministries, has always held this independence prayer overnight prayer worship for the last 20 years.

THERE’S STILL ROOM FOR HH TO RESPECT ECL FAMILY WISH – KAPWEPWE

24th October 2025

AUTHOR Mulenga Kapwepwe says there is still room for President Hakainde Hichilema to respect the wishes of the Lungu family and allow them to do what they want regarding former president Edgar Lungu’s funeral.

Mulenga, who is also the daughter of freedom fighter and veteran politician Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, says President Hichilema should respect the Lungu family’s decisions the same way former president Kenneth Kaunda respected the wishes of the Kapwepwe family.

Speaking on KBN TV, Wednesday, Kapwepwe said it was not necessary for government to insist on being part of former president Lungu’s funeral because no law dictates such terms.

“If the government has done more than enough, let them allow the Lungu family to do what they have…

News diggers

I’M NOT SCARED OF JAIL – MUNDUBILE

2026 presidential aspirant Brian Mundubile says he is not scared to be jailed because the country needs redemption that will come through leaders like those already convicted.

Mundubile says he is resolved to contest the 2026 general election under the PF ticket.

Responding to a question on Hot FM’s Hot Seat programme, Thursday, Mundubile said leaders must remove fear in order to lead Zambia.

“Not at all, this is about the Zambian people. As leaders, we have to remove fear; we should have no fear. If as leaders we embrace fear and begin to walk in reverse, who is going to serve the Zambian people? I know and I feel the pain of many families today.

I have in mind Nickson Chilangwa, I have in mind Ronald Kaoma Chitotela, I have in mind Kalumba Chifumbe, I have in mind Chishimba Kambwili, Joseph Malanji, Bowman Lusambo, Munir Zulu, Maureen Mabonga and many others. These are people who are serving jail sentences not because they did something wrong; they are serving their jail sentences today because they held a different political view. Because they did not agree with President Hakainde Hichilema, they did not agree with the UPND, so they found a clever way of putting them away,” Mundubile said.

“So, the fact that this country needs redemption, that redemption will come through leaders like ourselves. The Zambian people chose me as a Member of Parliament; I’ve been serving for the past nine years. I’ve been a leader at parliamentary level, at ministerial level, so they expect more from us. For Nickson Chilangwa, Chitotela, Malanji, Kambwili and now Nakacinda, their hope is in those of us that still have voices to speak. So I’m not scared at all. I’m going to step up and speak for those that can’t talk, speak for the vulnerable, speak for the weak, and indeed provide hope for the people of this country.”

He said he is firmly resolved to contest the 2026 presidential election.

“Yes, I am firmly resolved to contest the presidential election in 2026. What gives me the confidence, firstly, is you, the people, that have come forth, looking at the leadership that I’ve provided in areas where I have been given an opportunity to serve. And secondly, what gives me the confidence is I love Zambia; I love the Zambian people. I’ve looked at what the Zambian people are going through.

Clearly, the Zambian people need a leader who will look out for the poorest of the poor, consider the aspirations of the Zambian people, and be able to take this country forward. The discussion on the street for years immemorial has always been about the potential that Zambia has, potential in the agricultural sector, potential in the mining sector, potential in the tourism sector. It can’t be potential every day; that potential has got to be realised,” he said.

“The only gap that there is, is a leadership gap. So, with the right leadership, a leadership that I believe strongly I’ll be able to provide, we will be able to realise that potential which resides in this beautiful country called Zambia. What I’ve said here before is that we’re going for a convention, and when we go for that convention, the leader that will be elected is the one we’ll all support, including myself. I’m ready to be led.”

Meanwhile, Mundubile noted that although Zambia gained its political independence in 1964, the country still remains economically dependent on foreign investors.

“I may not have been there during independence, but of course, when you look back at what Zambia was like before independence, what our forefathers went through and how they fought their way to freedom, 60 years later you realise that we may not be truly independent as it were. Yes, politically we may be independent, but economically we are not yet independent because the country is still being controlled by foreign investors.

Even the potential that I spoke about, we have a mindset that only foreign investors can come and develop this country. It’s only foreign investors that would run these mines; it’s only foreign investors that would run these hotels. So, as we talk about independence, we should broaden the discussion. My position, therefore, is that yes, in 1964 we got our independence, but economically we are not independent,” said Mundubile.

“If you look at where we are today, some of the freedoms that we got after independence, we don’t even have them today. Look at how many Zambians are failing to talk today, Zambians that are going to call in to this programme and not identify themselves. They can’t speak; they can’t even identify themselves. They would rather say they are ‘AI’ or something else. So, in as much as we would like to celebrate this independence, a deep reflection will tell us that we are not really independent. The only difference is that before 1964 we were colonised by foreign powers, but today the country is being run by Zambians, and yet Zambians themselves, other citizens, cannot speak.”

News Diggers