Dr. Given Lubinda Stops at Luangwa Bridge En Route to Chipata for Funeral of Former Malambo MP
Luangwa Bridge — The Acting Chairman of the Tonse Alliance and Acting President of the Patriotic Front (PF), Dr. Given Lubinda, made a brief stop at Luangwa Bridge to greet residents while en route to Eastern Province.
Dr. Lubinda is traveling to Chipata to attend the funeral of the former Malambo Member of Parliament.
He is accompanied by several senior leaders, including:
1. President Wright Musoma
2. MCC
3. MCC Mwakalombe
4. MCC Kibombwe
5. MCC Silumesii
6. MCC Kapeta
7. MCC Ng’ambi
8. MCC Kavumbu
9. Dr. Zumani Zimba, National Coordinator of the Tonse Alliance
They are expected to be joined at the funeral by district officials from various regions.
Raphael Nakacinda’s defiance ended where the law began on Tuesday. Hours after the Lusaka High Court upheld his 18-month jail sentence for defaming President Hakainde Hichilema, the Patriotic Front faction secretary general surrendered himself to authorities, Bible in hand, insisting he would “continue to speak even in detention.”
His final words outside the High Court captured both defiance and denial. “I am privileged today to go into prison for speaking for the Zambian people,” he declared, claiming persecution under a repealed defamation law. To his supporters, it was martyrdom. To the judiciary, it was justice.
Judge Anne Malata-Ononuju’s ruling was unambiguous. She dismissed Nakacinda’s appeal in its entirety, describing his remarks as “a deliberate intent to harm.” The court found that alleging the President coerced judges to subvert democracy was not political criticism but an assault on judicial independence. In her words, “Such statements erode public trust in the judiciary and cannot be protected as legitimate speech.”
Nakacinda’s conviction stems from his 2021 remarks that President Hichilema was summoning judges at his private residence to frustrate PF court cases. The claim, made without evidence, now defines one of the most consequential political imprisonments since the UPND took power.
At the High Court grounds, PF acting president Given Lubinda stood by his ally, visibly shaken, clutching Nakacinda’s pillow. Lubinda later told sympathisers that the ruling marked “a coordinated effort to silence PF voices,” warning that “the President is coming for everyone.”
But even within PF ranks, that narrative is losing force. Critics note that most of the convictions facing party figures from Bowman Lusambo to Chishimba Kambwili, arise from offences rooted in arrogance and impunity rather than ideology.
The courts are enforcing laws once passed by the same party now crying foul.
Nakacinda will now serve his sentence through the election year. His jailing is both a political and symbolic defeat for a movement struggling to regain moral ground.
For the PF, the question remains: how long will defiance stand where reform is needed most? #ThePeoplesBrief
⬆️ THE CANDIDATES | Miles Sampa: The Loud Man Trying to Reclaim a Party He Broke
The man behind the megaphone is no stranger to noise. Miles Sampa has built an entire political identity around disruption, visibility, and unpredictability. Yesterday, he rode through the dusty streets of Lusaka, standing through the roof of a black Range Rover, urging citizens to register to vote. It was vintage Sampa, dramatic, populist, and polarising. The kind of performance that stirs order and unsettles the establishment.
In Zambia’s political theatre, few figures command as much curiosity as Sampa. He thrives on controversy, feeds on chaos, and yet keeps returning to the centre of the script. Once a trusted ally of the late President Michael Sata, he has since fought, lost, and reclaimed power within the Patriotic Front more times than most politicians change campaign slogans.
His relationship with the party is both intimate and adversarial, like a man who burns a house only to insist he is the rightful heir to its ashes.
The PF presidency he grabbed in 2023 remains his greatest gamble. Declaring himself party leader after a disputed convention, Sampa forced the PF into a constitutional crisis that crippled its legitimacy for months.
His actions split the party and allowed rival Robert Chabinga to seize control of PF’s registration documents at the Registrar of Societies, effectively locking Sampa out of his own creation. What was meant to be a coronation turned into an implosion.
Yet, he refuses to fade. In August this year, he petitioned the High Court to nullify his own 2023 election to pave the way for a new, inclusive convention. Two months later, he has announced his intention to contest again, this time promising to unite a party he had fractured. To his critics, it is another contradiction. To his followers, it is resilience.
Sampa’s political journey has always been one of reinvention. From Deputy Minister of Finance to Mayor of Lusaka, and back to Matero Constituency as MP, he has navigated the corridors of power with the agility of a survivor.
His public persona, loud, theatrical, sometimes erratic, hides a tactical mind that understands Zambia’s emotional pulse. He speaks directly to frustration, poverty, and the street-level anger that formal politicians rarely touch.
But can he convert noise into structure? Can a man who once divided the PF now convince its rank and file to hand him the presidency again? Many within the base still see him as the architect of the party’s internal chaos, the man who handed its legal control to outsiders and weakened its moral claim to leadership.
Others quietly admit he remains the only PF figure with grassroots energy and urban appeal.
As the PF heads toward its long-awaited convention, Sampa faces the same question that has followed him for a decade. Is he the future of Zambia’s largest opposition party, or its final act? His campaign is built on visibility, his confidence on spectacle, his appeal on defiance.
But in politics, noise does not always translate to numbers.
The next few weeks will tell whether Miles Sampa is staging a comeback or rehearsing a farewell.
Next in “The Candidates”: The populists, the pragmatists, and the dark horses shaping Zambia’s 2026 race.
STAKEHOLDERS CONCERNED ABOUT RECENTLY RELEASED TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROCESS
Constitutional lawyer Tresford Chali has raised concerns over the recently released Terms of Reference for the ongoing constitutional amendment process, describing them as unclear.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Chali notes that the document largely replicates provisions already found in the draft constitution under bill no. 7.
Mr. Chali says this limits the committee’s ability to conduct a broad and independent review, effectively reducing its mandate to that of endorsement rather than objective scrutiny.
He has further expressed concern about the timeline of the process, noting that since bill 7 remains legally active in the National Assembly until December, the committee’s work is indirectly constrained by that deadline.
Meanwhile, another lawyer Isaac Simbeye has noted that despite the publication of the Terms of Reference, the committee remains illegal because its operations are not anchored to any clear legal framework, nor tied to a specific timeline.
While appearing on the Phoenix FM’s Let the People Talk Program yesterday, Constitutional Amendment Technical Committee Spokesperson Dr. Landilani Banda assured that the committee is committed to completing its work in the shortest time possible although he did not provide a specific timeframe.
SP ACCUSES ECZ OF POLITICAL SABOTAGE OVER VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE
Lusaka…. Wednesday October 22, 2025 – Socialist Party (SP) General Secretary Dr Cosmas Musumali has described the ongoing voter registration as “Political Sabotage.”
Dr. Musumali says his party is skeptical about the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) saying the party has on several occasions engaged the ECZ but nothing positive came through.
He said generally, the ECZ has failed the people of Zambia.
He said this when he and SP President Dr. Fred M’membe featured on Hot FM’s “SP Hour” radio programme.
“One key point is that Phase One of the mass voter registration exercise has come to an end and we are getting into Phase Two, so if you look at Lusaka, the entire Lusaka Province, only less than 10, 000 people have been registered. So Lusaka is at 9, 248 that is for the entire Lusaka during this exercise, that is unacceptable,” he said.
“And it’s not surprising because short quick visits in the centers showed that many people were unaware of what was going on. The issue of public awareness was very inadequate. In some areas also the issues we mentioned equipment, late coming, internet etc was a big problem. So Muchinga only registered 3, 990 during Phase One, Central has 5, 148 again it’s a big joke.”
He said this is an important matter and it cannot be ‘business as usual’.
He called for public pressure in order to change the status core.
And Dr. M’membe said things are not well, but they can be corrected if there is goodwill if there is no intention of excluding some of the people.
Dr. M’membe observed the need to change things in the remaining weeks emphasizing that the exercise is not going well as ECZ wants to predict.
“Yesterday we sent a letter to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Mrs. Mwangala Zaloumis. That letter arose from the conversation I had the night before. I received a call from my brother Mr Harry Kalaba, he raised concerns about the ongoing voter registration. How in certain provinces only 10, 000 NRCs are being issued. Ten thousand the entire province! After he raised concerns about his visit to Luapula and what he saw, we agreed that we send a joint letter to the ECZ,” he stated.
“So we drafted the letter and signed it, it was sent yesterday to Mrs. Zaloumis asking for a meeting with her. We didn’t raise any complaints there, we just said there are serious concerns we have, let’s meet and discuss this. And we told her that we are not writing on our behalf only, but also on some of our fellows in the opposition. We have not yet received the response, probably it’s too early. We hope we will get a feedback from her before the end of the week.”
Meanwhile, Dr. M’membe has expressed shock following an appeal by the ECZ for the opposition to help sensitize the people on the ongoing voter registration exercise.
He said the ECZ has never defended the rights of the opposition political parties in meeting the people.
“ECZ has realized there is an issue of voter registration sensitization now they are asking the opposition political parties to sensitize the people. How do we do it? There is a Public Order Act. Has ECZ ever defended our right to organize people and sensitize them? And sensitization can not only be in this one month or so, it takes time,” he stated.
Meet Kenneth Kaunda — The Malawian Who Became Zambia’s First President
The story of Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s founding president, begins not in Lusaka, but in the hills of northern Malawi, Nkhatabay in particular. The Livingstonia Mission, established in 1875, trained many Malawians who would later spread education and Christianity across Central Africa. Among them was David Kaunda, a teacher named in honour of Dr. David Livingstone.
After his training, David was sent by the Mission to Lubwa in what is now Zambia to serve as a teacher and assistant missionary around 1904.
It was at Lubwa that David met and married Helen Nyirenda, a fellow Malawian woman from Henga in Rumphi. The couple settled among the Bemba people, and in 1924, their son Buchizya, later known as Kenneth David Kaunda, was born.
The Kaunda household, built on Christian faith, discipline, and education, became a foundation for Kenneth’s life and vision.
Kenneth’s early education began at Lubwa Mission School, where his father taught. After completing his primary education, he attended Munali Training Centre in Lusaka between 1941 and 1943. There, he trained as a teacher and returned to Lubwa to serve as a schoolmaster.
In the 1940s, Kenneth’s path took a political turn. The colonial injustices he witnessed pushed him into activism. He joined the Northern Rhodesia African National Congress (ANC), later breaking away to form the United National Independence Party (UNIP). His charisma and courage made him the face of Zambia’s independence movement.
In 1964, Zambia gained independence, and Kenneth Kaunda became the country’s first President, guiding it through nation-building, education reforms, and Pan-African diplomacy. For nearly three decades, he was the symbol of Zambia’s unity and moral integrity.
Despite his leadership, questions about his nationality followed him. Because his parents were from Malawi, some opponents argued that he was not a “true Zambian.” In 1972, Kaunda formally renounced any claim to Malawian citizenship.
Yet, during the 1991 multiparty transition, his citizenship was again challenged. Courts found he had renounced his Malawian citizenship but had not formally applied for Zambian citizenship, briefly rendering him “stateless.” The issue was later resolved, and his Zambian identity affirmed.
Kaunda’s bond with Malawi remained strong. Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda of Malawi had known his father, David, during his teaching years at Chilanga in Kasungu , and the two presidents shared mutual respect. Kaunda often visited Nkhata Bay, where the Livingstonia Mission once thrived, a symbolic return to his family’s spiritual roots.
Kenneth Kaunda’s life tells the intertwined story of Malawi and Zambia, two nations linked by history, faith, and education. From a missionary’s son in Malawi to the founding father of Zambia, his legacy stands as a reminder that Africa’s borders may divide land, but not the spirit of its people.
TREAT PEOPLE WELL, FOR YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY WILL BECOME IN FUTURE
By Vernon Johnson Mwaanga (VJ)
“Rupiah Banda served under me, while Amusa Mwanamwambwa was my Press Secretary,” says Vernon J Mwaanga
When you hold a senior or leadership position, do NOT look down on anyone because you can never predict what the future holds.
“Amusa Mwanamwambwa was my press Secretary when l was Ambassador to the United Nations, but he later became my boss when he served as Speaker of the National Assembly while l was serving as Member of Parliament”.
“When l was Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Rupiah Banda served under me, but life revolved and he later became my President, the Head of State.”
“Life has taught me that, how you treat people today will determine your future relationships either with them or with others.”
“Life is a revolving door, some come in, while others go out. It revolves to the extent that you submit to people who once submitted to you.”
“Treat people with respect and goodness regardless of their status”.
Patriotic Front (PF) member Chishimba Kambwili has been arrested by the Immigration Department while serving a prison sentence on a different charge.
His lawyer, Kennedy Mambwe has confirmed the arrest, saying it is in connection with his client’s failure to present himself to an immigration officer when he exited the country in 2024.
According to the Zambian Government, Kambwili was scheduled for evacuation to South Africa for medical treatment in 2024 but instead opted to travel to Zimbabwe.
On January 30, 2024, an unidentified Zimbabwean man allegedly presented Kambwili’s passport to an immigration officer at the Chirundu border post.
That same year, Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu disclosed during a press briefing that Kambwili had contravened immigration laws by crossing into Zimbabwe without completing exit formalities, in violation of Section 16(1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010.
The Act requires any person exiting the country to appear before an immigration officer for clearance.
Before this arrest, Kambwili was scheduled to be released on October 23, 2025, after serving a five-month prison sentence for making tribal remarks.
With this latest development, he remains in custody until bond is secured.
LUBINDA VOWS TO SEEK BAIL FOR NAKACHINDA, CLAIMS PF SECRETARY GENERAL JAILED FOR “SPEAKING FOR ZAMBIAN PEOPLE”
By: Thomas Afroman Mwale
Acting Patriotic Front (PF) President Given Lubinda has announced that the party will do everything possible to apply for bail pending appeal for jailed PF Secretary General Raphael Nakachinda, arguing that Mr Nakachinda has gone to prison without being convinced he committed a crime.
Mr. Lubinda claimed that the PF member was jailed merely for speaking on behalf of the Zambian people, adding that he was quoting others, not expressing personal views when he made the statements that led to his conviction.
The former Justice Minister explained that Mr. Nakachinda had appealed both his conviction and sentence, expressing dissatisfaction with the subordinate court’s verdict insisting that he should be granted the opportunity to be heard by the Court of Appeal.
Mr. Lubinda said that Even now, the former Water development Minister has gone to prison unsatisfied stating that anyone who believes in justice should not stand in his way but allow him to be heard until he exhausts all legal options up to the apex court.
Addressing the media, Mr. Lubinda urged PF members to remain steadfast, suggesting that Mr. Nakachinda’s incarceration is part of a broader effort to cripple the machinery of PF and Tonse alliance
The Lusaka High Court has upheld Mr. Nakachinda’s 18-month conviction for defaming President Hakainde Hichilema, following allegations that the Head of State summoned judges to his residence in an attempt to influence judicial decisions. #SunFmTvNews
DON’T RELY ON TRIBALISM, IT’S WRONG TO USE TRIBE TO STAY LONGER IN POWER – KATELE
THERE’S nothing wrong with identifying oneself with their tribe, but it is very wrong for a government to use tribalism and regionalism to stay longer in power, veteran politician Dr Katele Kalumba has said.
Dr Kalumba, a former minister of finance in the Movement for Multiparty Democracy administration, said in an interview with The Mast although tribalism had existed in Zambia even before the country attained independence, it had become more open after the country’s reversion to multiparty politics.
He said the vice was more evident and divisive today than ever because those in government were using it to sideline other tribes and regions in order to stay longer in power, which he condemned as primitive.
“They want to stay in power. What is new is saying ‘now our person is in office’. Equally, every president that wants to stay longer than the term of office is prescribed by the Constitution [and not by tribe or region],” Dr Kalumba said.
“Tribalism, regionalism won’t go away. No, but what is dangerous and what is problematic is to use it as a basis of securing privilege out of the public purse.”
He said it was unfortunate that some members of Parliament (MPs) had been supporting the enactment of bad laws on the basis of tribe and region.
“If somebody is gagging us, stopping us from talking, why should you go in Parliament and approve that? What is wrong with you? You go to Parliament to talk and then you go to Parliament to gag yourself?” Dr Kalumba wondered.
He said the seed of tribalism was planted, nurtured and funded by colonial masters by giving some tribes and regions preferential treatment in the distribution of resources and provision of social services while marginalising others.
“Some tribes got preference for education. Others were left behind. Now we’re saying this is not new. I’ve said if you go to my Facebook page, Bemba tribalism. When Bembas come to power, there’s tribalism, when Easterners come to power, there’s tribalism, when Southerners come to power there’s tribalism,” Dr Kalumba said.
He said there was tribalism among the losers even during [Dr Kenneth] Kaunda’s time, citing 1968 when late former freedom fighter Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe stood for the position of vice president.
There were serious tribal divisions then which are still haunting the country.
“If you remember, in 1968 when Kapwepwe was running as vice president, I think somewhere around there, there was tribalism. There’s tribalism in North-western Province,” Dr Kalumba said.
“The Lundas and the Luvales cannot see eye to eye. There’s the Chewas and the Ngonis who cannot see eye to eye. But at the base of it, as Zambians, because there was no Zambia before 1964, the whites entrenched these and linked it to superior distribution of resources, including education, for example.”
He appealed to Zambians to respect and derive political power from the country’s Constitution instead of tribe and region.
Dr Kalumba described tribalism as a tendency to define one’s own kind as being privileged.
“That is what is not needed. What is wrong is defining when you are in power or you have access to power that ‘only my people should have access to the distribution of material resources, or even power itself’. That is wrong,” he said.
“Tribal identity is not a problem. Being a Tonga, being a Bemba, being a Chewa, being a Tumbuka, being a Nsenga, being a Bwile, being a Shila, or Luvale, or Lenje, there’s nothing wrong.”
Citizens First and Socialist Party Presidents Harry Kalaba and Dr. Fred M’membe have officially written to the Electoral Commission of Zambia ECZ requesting for a meeting.
The duo wants to meet the Electoral body to address serious concerns regarding the ongoing voter registration process.
Mr. Kalaba has told Smart Eagles that transparency, fairness, and inclusivity are not negotiable in a democracy.
“Together with President Fred Mmembe of the Socialist Party, we have formally written to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) requesting a meeting to address our serious concerns regarding the ongoing voter registration process,” Mr. Kalaba said.
And in a letter addressed to ECZ chairperson Mrs. Mwangala Zaloumis, the two leaders say they have written on behalf of fellow opposition leaders to discuss urgent matters.
“We have some very serious concerns with the ongoing voter registration, which we would like to discuss with you,” the letter reads in part.
ZWW to write ECZ on why certain regions have higher voter numbers – Muhabi
Zambia We Want (ZWW) secretary general Muhabi Lungu says the organisation would write to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to explain why there is a higher registration of voters in some regions as opposed to some.
According to phase 1 of the voters registered by ECZ, data showed that Muchinga Province lagged behind in terms of the voters captured with 3990 voters.
This was announced yesterday during a press briefing by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chief electoral officer Brown Kasaro. The highest in terms of the voters captured was Copperbelt at 16,550, followed by Luapula at 14,106 and then Southern 11,223, Western 10,486, Lusaka 9,248, Northern 8,949, North Western – 8,244, Eastern 7973, Central 5148 and finally Muchinga t the tail end at Muchinga 3990
But Lungu who attended the press briefing, said he did not want
“REGISTER TO VOTE . DO IT FOR NAKACINDA,” LUBINDA URGES ZAMBIANS
LSK. Tue. Oct 21, 2025/ Smart Eagles
Patriotic Front acting President Hon. Given Lubinda has decried the incarceration of Tonse Alliance and PF SG Hon. Raphael Mangani Nakacinda describing it as an act of severe injustice.
Hon. Lubinda bemoaned that Nakacinda could be convicted and sentenced for merely quoting what people had told him.
“All he said was he had been informed that something was going to happen . And just for that, he has gone in, ” Hon. Lubinda said
He said the PF would now do all It could to appeal the sentence in the court of appeal, emphasising that Hon. Nakacinda deserved to have his case heard to its logical conclusion.
And Hon. Lubinda has called on all PF members and well-meaning Zambians to go out in large numbers and register to vote in next years elections stating the only present they would give to Hon. Nakacinda, for speaking for them, Was to kick out the current regime in the elections .
” Am requesting you to be steadfast. It’s always darkest before the dawn.
He said the pattern of arresting strong members of the party to weaken the establishment was visible for all to see.
“Our previous acting SG Hon. Chilangwa was also arrested . The agenda is to cripple the party, but let me warn them that where Nakacinda has come from, there are still many . Just like when Chilangwa went in, Nakacinda emerged, so will another SG emerge,” he emphasised.
He took time to urge the PF members to be ready as the arrests would not end at Nakacinda.
” This is a government of scared little men. They won’t stop at Nakacinda. So, let’s be ready to be arrested. Zambia does not belong to one political party. It is for all of us. One Zambia one Nation. Alluta Continua!!” He said.
JAILED PF SECRETARY GENERAL RAPHAEL NAKACHINDA VOWS TO CONTINUE SPEAKING FOR ZAMBIANS FROM PRISON
By: Thomas Afroman Mwale
Jailed Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Raphael Nakachinda has vowed to continue speaking for the Zambian people, even from prison.
Mr Nakachinda described his incarceration as a privilege, saying he has been jailed for defending the people of Zambia, after being convicted for allegedly defaming President Hakainde Hichilema under a law he said was repealed.
Speaking at the Lusaka High Court, where he surrendered himself following the issuance of a bench warrant by High Court Judge Anne Mary Kachenga Malata Ononuju, who earlier upheld his 18-month conviction.
Mr. Nakachinda challenged PF members to summon courage and continue defending Mother Zambia, insisting that the pursuit of democracy requires sacrifice.
He emphasized that between 2021 and 2026, it is those who are aware of their rights and are truly patriotic who will remain committed to fighting for democracy and freedom.
The Tonse Alliance Secretary General said the journey to achieve freedom and victory is punctuated with many challenges further alleging that institutions of government are under threat from individuals who, according to him, do not respect the rule of law.
Mr. Nakachinda was found guilty of making false claims that President Hakainde Hichilema summoned judges to his residence to influence their decisions and help create a one-party state. #SunFmTvNews
CHIPATA RESIDENTS SAY I’D MAKE A GOOD LEADER – MUNDUBILE
MPOROKOSO PF Member of Parliament Brian Mundubile says residents of Chipata have described him as a potential leader because of his courage in addressing their concerns and his consistent representation of citizens in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Mundubile says his visit to Chipata was aimed at promoting voter registration and encouraging villagers to register despite various challenges.
Speaking in an interview, Monday, Mundubile said the reception in Chipata District had been overwhelmingly positive, with many residents expressing appreciation for his work.
“The message is well received, and most of them actually surprised me. I didn’t realise that most of them have been following our work in Parliament very closely. And they appreciated the fact that we’ve been able to represent them in Parliament in some of the difficult areas, especially areas to do with agriculture. They appreciated that we’ve been speaking for them in advising government to deliver inputs timely and also over the payment for the maize that they delivered, they really appreciated that,” he said.
“They also expressed gratitude over the continued engagement with government over load shedding. So I think I was particularly elated to know that members of the public, ordinary Zambians, actually do follow our work in Parliament, and they singled me out as a candidate that they felt would make a good leader because I did not display any fear in addressing their concerns. The mood is quite favourable in Chipata District; I think I’ve been received by different sections of society”.
He said villagers in Chipata raised serious concerns about the short voter registration period, which had left many unable to register.
“Well, my main mission to Chipata was to go and look at the ongoing voter registration exercise. So we visited certain areas, not necessarily polling stations, to raise awareness on the importance of voter registration. And we did our part in encouraging people in villages to turn out in numbers and register as voters.
I just had one last meeting this morning at Luangwa, where they expressed concerns regarding the lack of information and also the number of days that have been allocated to these areas. So, there was a very big complaint that the number of days they are allocating per station is too short, especially that there wasn’t sensitisation before. So, most of them complained that they needed more time because many of them are coming from far-flung areas, and the transport system in these areas is simply non-existent,” he said.
He added that many villagers were struggling to reach registration centres due to long distances and poor transport options.
“Some jump on lifts, trucks, canters, and most times they just walk. So, looking at the distances that they have to travel and the number of days that were allocated, they feel that they’ve been disadvantaged, and many of them are saying they have been unable to register because of that.
So, our message still remains that whatever it takes, they must ensure that they register as voters so they can participate in next year’s election. So, specifically, that was the mission, and I’m very proud that we were able to cover a number of areas and urged some party officials to impress it upon others that they should continue supervising this voter registration process. So I think that was a very successful trip,” said Mundubile.
UPND WINNING WITH OVER 1 MILLION VOTES IS WISHFUL THINKING – MULUSA
FORMER Minister of National Planning and Development Lucky Mulusa says the idea of UPND winning next year’s election with over a million votes is wishful thinking.
Mulusa further says Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi is misleading President Hakainde Hichilema.
Recently, Milupi said with the mushrooming of many people vying for the presidency in the coming elections, the gap between the UPND presidential candidate and the nearest rival would be a lot wider than it was in 2021.
In an interview, Saturday, Mulusa said elections in Zambia have usually been between the top two candidates and therefore, it doesn’t matter how many candidates participate.
“That is wishful thinking. Any political analyst who has followed Zambia’s electoral history will notice that more often than not, regardless of how many political parties are contesting, the electorate apportions votes to only two candidates.
The rest usually get less than the number of spoiled votes. We’ve had as many as 14 candidates standing for the presidency, but the voters have never ever distributed themselves amongst all the 14. Usually, it has always been between the top two candidates, and the rest would be getting less than one per cent. So, it doesn’t matter how many political parties would be there or how many candidates would be there. The fact of the matter is only two, and at most three candidates will get votes worth anything,” he said.
Asked on the chances of the opposition closing the gap the UPND won with in 2021 and winning next year, Mulusa said if the electoral environment is made uniform, the opposition is capable of beating the ruling party.
“If the electoral environment is made uniform and perfect, the opposition is capable of beating the current ruling party. But the electoral environment is not free and fair. You notice that there’s been more voter registration in Southern province, a smooth running of voter registration in the province for a long period of time before the same exercise was started in other places in the country. And even at the moment with the [mass] voter registration, people changing voting polling stations and that kind of stuff has been implemented, it’s full of problems,” he responded.
“You go there, either they don’t have power or the machines are not working. And yet the same exercise was being taken in the strongholds of the UPND, and the machines were perfect, everybody was being paid, and there were more voter awareness campaigns than we are seeing right now. If the environment were to be made free and fair, I don’t think the UPND would have any chance of coming back.
I mean, the citizens are already talking, they’re already complaining. And even the President himself has acknowledged that according to the information he has received, his MPs are going to lose, and his councillors are going to lose. But he’s being told nicely that he himself will go through. And he’s pleading for the voters to give him councillors and MPs to work with. But the mere fact that he has admitted that his councillors and MPs are going to fail is indicative enough that he has picked up on something that is close to reality on the ground”.
Mulusa said Milupi was misleading President Hichilema and only trying to attract favour from him, therefore making misplaced statements.
“Honourable Milupi is trying to attract unnecessary attention and favour for himself from his boss. So, he’s making those misplaced statements. These are the people that mislead the sitting president. They’ve been there before. RB was misled in a similar manner. ECL was misled in a similar manner, where they make you believe you are winning, but in fact not. People should concentrate on the negative sentiments on the ground and work on them, and not hear such praises. They just make you have some false sense of comfort. But the reality is different. People are not happy. People are suffering,” said Mulusa.
ANYONE participating in the work of the illegal constitutional reform technical committee will refund all the illegal allowances they will pocket from the national treasury, opposition Tonse Alliance acting chairperson Given Lubinda has warned.
And All People’s Congress leader Nason Msoni says accountability should start with the committee advising Hichilema to do the right thing instead of allowing an illegal arrangement to mutilate the country’s Constitution.
Recently, President Hakainde Hichilema appointed a 25- member technical committee to consult citizens on amendments to the Constitution and come up with a draft allegedly without following the law.
“It is only right for people to do things in the right way. On that committee we have former judges, individual lawyers, members of the Church and civil society, and what we hope should have happened was to advise the President to do the right thing,” Lubinda said.
He said lawyers had spoken about Hichilema’s committee as illegal, stakeholders had said it was illegal.
“So, why should you spend public funds on an illegality? I have to remind those individuals sitting on the committee that an illegality is an illegality, and what comes out of it is illegal, and all the money spent on it will have to be paid back one day. And those participating in an illegality will be made to account for their actions. This is a timely warning,” Lubinda warned.
He was commenting on remarks by former Law Association of Zambia President Linda Kasonde, the Church, Civil Society Organisations that Hichilema’s Technical Committee on the amendment of the Constitution is illegal because he has not done it under the Inquiries Act as the law demands.
Lubinda said individuals appointed by Hichilema to sit on the illegal committee should bear in their minds that they would be held accountable soon for receiving illegal allowances and using State facilities illegally.
He said the treasury would be doing a disservice to the nation if it funded an illegality, warning that anyone authorising or making such payments would pay back all the allowances and would be prosecuted for abuse of office and other related crimes.
Lubinda, the acting Patriotic Front President, wondered why the United Party for National Development was in a hurry to amend the Constitution using shortcuts when the law was clear on the procedure.
He said it was strange that Hichilema, in a bid to advantage himself ahead of the 2026 general elections, was ready to abrogate the Constitution.
“This is very strange, and it is a wake-up call to our people to be vigilant. These guys in government today don’t mean well for our people. They will push for this agenda to amend the Constitution, but we have warned those individuals that they will one day be answerable. They have no immunity at all,” Lubinda said.
He said senior lawyers had already guided what the President needed to do if he wanted to continue with the amendments.
“We don’t support the amendments at all, and nobody is supporting the amendments. However, if he wants to, then let him do the right thing. Let him follow the procedure. Let him withdraw Bill 7 from Parliament,” Lubinda said.
Meanwhile, All People’s Congress (ACP) leader Nason Msoni says accountability should start with the committee advising Hichilema to do the right thing instead of allowing an illegal arrangement to mutilate the country’s Constitution.
“We urge those men and women on that technical committee to seriously reflect on the law and procedures. Let them listen and reflect. Zambians have spoken and the best they can do is to urge Hichilema to respect the will of the people,” Msoni said.
Last week, former LAZ president Linda Kasonde said the creation of the Constitutional Technical Committee under Article 92 instead of the Inquiries Act was illegal.
Kasonde said the technical committee appointed by Hichilema to collect views for the amendment of the constitution was shrouded in secrecy.
Tonga people are united, politically, it’s practically impossible for Tonga to stand against a Tonga at a presidential level.
Don’t talk about President Hamududu standing against HH, both of them stood against ECL. Have you heard Hamududu talking against President HH?
These Tongas are so united with their Chiefs possessing a very strong power and influence.
On the other hand, we have every Jim and Jack from the Bemba land and the east standing to challenge President HH next year, do you need a Prophet to tell you that it may take another 100 years to remove power from the Tongas because United will always win against the divided?
This is not a tribal post!
Am just trying to ask our brothers and sister to learn something from the Tongas instead of victimizing them.
A Tonga can never see a Tonga cry and walk pass so long you are crying in a Tonga language.
THE chaos that has characterised the ongoing voter registration is deliberate as part of the preparations by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to rig the outcome of next year’s general elections, Brian Mundubile has alleged.
Brian Mundubile, who is Mporokoso member of Parliament and an opposition Patriotic Front Presidential aspirant, said the lack of publicity, unprepared staff, unreliable kits and inactive registration centres were all deliberate.
He also condemned the absence of clear deployment plans.
“Voter registration is under way. It is way too important to be approached with the indifference that we have witnessed so far, with insufficient publicity and advertising. We believe mishandling and mismanagement of the registration process is a precursor to rigging, and we shall not allow ECZ to create an enabling environment for electoral malpractice,” Mundubile told journalists in Lusaka Thursday.
The mass voter registration exercise opened on Monday, October 13 and ends on November 11.
But Mundubile said he was “deeply disappointed” with the clear lack of preparedness on the first day, with most centres not having materials and staff.
He noted that the staff had clearly not been briefed about the exercise, and the centres had no signage and no registration kits.
“Reports coming from various constituencies and districts are that the staff from ECZ arrived and the exercise commenced without the deployment plan having been released. We saw that a day after, or so, we saw on social media people providing some deployment plans for certain areas. That is really a flaw in that process,” Mundubile said.
He said in cases where the centres had registration kits, the reports coming from various constituencies were that most of the registration kits were non-functional, or were simply malfunctioning.
“We have also learned, with disappointment, that these registration kits were actually sent out without having been tested here in Lusaka before being distributed. We are aware, and have been part of this electoral management process, as members of Parliament, and indeed members of political parties, we know that many a time this equipment arrived in the country in good time, and various tests were done or conducted to ensure that the equipment was functional before being deployed,” Mundubile said.
“So we want to call upon the ECZ to think through these challenges that have surfaced very early, and begin to look at extending this particular registration period.”
Mundubile was also alarmed by the civil registration for national registration cards (NRCs) was not ongoing.
“So, this has caused further challenges in most of these areas, because people expect that the two processes could run side by side, where people who had no opportunity to register for NRCs, or who indeed only qualified now, could quickly register, do their civil registration by way of NRC and proceed to register as voters,” he said.
Mundubile said felt that the voter registration exercise should be extended to December 31 from the November 11 deadline that was earlier pronounced.
When Truth Becomes A Crime: KBN TV and the Capture of the Zambian Mind
By Dr Mwelwa
There comes a time in every democracy when silence becomes the loudest betrayal. That time is now. The attempt to muzzle KBN TV is not about journalism; it is about control — the same control that slowly strangles nations until truth gasps its last breath. When a regime fears questions more than lies, it reveals not strength but insecurity disguised as power.
The Independent Broadcasting Authority was not created to protect politicians from criticism. It was created to protect citizens from propaganda. Yet today, it has become a weapon aimed not at lawbreakers but truth-tellers. They have forgotten that Section 6 of their own Act forbids them from bowing to any authority — yet here they kneel, before the throne of politics, pretending it is law.
The government that once cried for press freedom now trembles before it. They chant democracy in the daylight but whisper censorship in the dark. If a journalist cannot question why justice moves swiftly for some and not for others, what remains of our Republic? When editorial independence becomes a crime, tyranny has already found a home.
The nation must remember: those who silence others today will one day need to be heard — and there will be no one left to speak. Every dictatorship begins with one journalist warned, one editor summoned, one TV station threatened. Then suddenly, the truth becomes contraband.
KBN TV has refused to compromise. That refusal is not arrogance — it is patriotism. For when all others choose safety, those who choose truth become the last defenders of conscience. The pen is not just an instrument of ink; it is a weapon of light. And light, no matter how small, terrifies darkness.
Let the IBA hear this clearly: a government that fears the media fears the people. The attempt to intimidate one newsroom is an insult to every citizen who still believes in democracy. The day a journalist must ask permission to tell the truth is the day the Constitution becomes a prop in a political theatre.
History has no sympathy for regimes that fight the truth. They always lose. Those who captured institutions before — the courts, Parliament, the police — believed themselves invincible too. But the graveyards of power are full of men who thought the same.
If this government believes “Bally will fix it” means fixing the media into silence, then it is not fixing but breaking the nation’s moral spine. A democracy without dissent is not a democracy at all — it is a decorated cage.
To those who still have courage left, stand with the truth. Today it is KBN TV; tomorrow it will be every voice that refuses to praise what is wrong. Truth is not partisan. It is sacred. And when the last camera goes dark, the nation itself will lose its reflection.
Credit Bangwe Navile YOU ASKED FOR HIS PROFILE? HERE IT IS – MAKEBI ZULU
Makebi Zulu is a distinguished legal practitioner, he was born on 25th December 1981. Mr. Zulu commenced his education journey at Lusaka Boys Primary School, where he was enrolled in 1989 to 1995, after which he attended Munali Junior Secondary School (1996 – 1997) and Munali Senior Secondary School (1998 – 2000).
Driven by a passion for justice and governance, he pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of Zambia from 2001 to 2005, followed by his advanced legal training at the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) from 2006 to 2007, where he successfully qualified and was admitted to the Bar in February 2008. Here’s a professionally refined and inspiring version of the paragraph, tailored to elevate Makebi Zulu’s journey with clarity and dignity:
Makebi Zulu’s legal career commenced at the Ministry of Justice, where he served as a Learner Legal Practitioner from 2006 to 2008. Later that year, he joined the Legal Aid Board as Legal Aid Counsel, deepening his commitment to public service and access to justice. In 2009, he was selected to participate in a Law and Justice Course hosted by the Danish Institute for Human Rights under the auspices of the Danish Ministry of Justice. The programme, themed “Strengthening the Capacity of Access to Justice in the Legal System in Zambia,” was designed to support Zambia’s reform efforts and expand justice delivery in the country through providing an overview of international human rights standards.
From 2010 to 2013, Mr. Zulu practiced with Ferd Jere and Company, where he honed his litigation and advisory skills across a broad spectrum of legal matters. In 2013, he further enhanced his expertise by completing the Law Association of Zambia’s Commercial Law training, equipping him with advanced competencies in corporate and commercial practice.
In 2013, building on a foundation of diverse legal experience and a deep commitment to justice, Mr. Zulu established his own legal practice, where he continues to serve as Managing Partner, providing leadership and legal expertise. His practice is widely recognized for excellence, integrity, and innovation in legal service delivery.
In 2016, Mr. Zulu transitioned into public service successfully contesting the 2016 General Elections and being elected as Member of Parliament for Malambo Constituency. That same year, he was appointed Minister for Eastern Province, a role he held until 2021. During his tenure, he championed regional development and community empowerment, solidifying his reputation as a principled and results-driven leader.
Mr. Zulu pursued and earned a Master’s Degree in Constitutional and Administrative Law at the University of Lusaka in 2021. In the same year, he was awarded a Certificate in International Standards on Freedom of Expression from the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, under a UNESCO-sponsored programme.
In 2022, Makebi Zulu embarked on a journey to strengthen his spiritual formation at Rhema Bible Training Center. Through disciplined study and ministerial preparation, he successfully completed the rigorous two-year bible training and was awarded a Diploma in 2023, marking a significant milestone in commitment to his faith and service to the Lord.
https://youtu.be/tFQAgWTI5kQ?si=hoMPmCbXZf0OS4L4
In 2024, he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting from the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education, where he was honoured as the Best Graduating Student – a testament to his dedication to legal excellence and scholarly rigor. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Constitutional Law at the University of Lusaka, further deepening his expertise in governance and constitutional jurisprudence.
Makebi Zulu presently stands as an influential voice in Zambia’s legal landscape, combining advocacy, and public leadership to shape a just and accountable society. His journey reflects unwavering commitment, intellectual depth, and a profound belief in the transformative power of law. As a champion for the voiceless, he consistently amplifies the concerns and needs of those often overlooked, bringing a vital perspective to the forefront of public discourse.
“UPND CANNOT BE TRUSTED WITH THE CONSTITUTION!” — NJOBVU
Democratic Union (DU) President Ackim Antony Njobvu has strongly criticized the government’s decision to proceed with constitutional amendments under the framework of Bill 7, describing the process as “non-transparent, ill-timed, and politically motivated.”
Speaking following the unveiling of the Terms of Reference for the Technical Committee on Constitution Amendment, Njobvu expressed deep disappointment, questioning the government’s insistence on pushing forward with the reforms despite repeated calls for broader citizen participation.
“I am unhappy and disappointed. I don’t know why the government has continued to insist on amending the Constitution when we have told them several times that the process is not transparent,” he said. “The timing is not right, and the process was not initiated by citizens.”
According to Njobvu, the ongoing exercise undermines public confidence because it is being driven by the executive branch, rather than emerging from a people-led consultation process.
“For the process to be transparent, it must be initiated by sober, ordinary citizens people who do not have any vested interests or bias,” he stressed.
He accused the government of limiting national dialogue by restricting discussions to issues contained within Bill 7, a move he said silences citizens’ voices on broader constitutional concerns.
“Why is the government still limiting the issues to what is in Bill 7? We want the process to be open so that citizens can submit what they want included, not what the government wants to amend,” he argued.
The opposition leader further questioned the credibility of the Technical Committee, saying it appeared to have been formed with “preconceived conclusions.”
“How can the public contribute when the technical committee already comes with its hands full? The process can never be transparent as long as it was not initiated by citizens,” Njobvu added.
He also raised concerns about timing, citing the ongoing voter registration exercise and the approaching 2026 general elections as key distractions that make meaningful participation impossible.
“We have only a few months to the general election. Everyone is focused on registering as a voter. It makes no sense to engage in such an important process at this time,” he said. “If the government means well, they should restart the process after the general elections.”
Njobvu pointed out the absence of a clear timeframe for the constitutional review, questioning how the committee could consult all 114 districts before elections.
“Without a timeline, it’s impossible to know if the process will be truly consultative. How will they visit all 114 districts with so little time left?” he asked.
The DU leader accused the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) of manipulating national institutions to advance its political agenda, warning that the Constitution must not be used as a “tool for convenience.”
“No one trusts the UPND government anymore. They’ve been deceptive and manipulative. It’s always about mangala to (money). We can’t trust them with such an important national process,” he said.
Njobvu called for the withdrawal of Bill 7 and the initiation of a new, citizen-driven process after the elections — one rooted in grassroots consultation rather than executive imposition.
“If the government truly wants to capture the aspirations of Zambians, they must go to the people without any pre-written agenda. Let Zambians say what they want included in their Constitution,” he urged.
He emphasized that opposition parties are ready to participate in a transparent process, but not one that “appears designed to serve political interests.”
“It will be very difficult for us to support a process that is neither transparent nor inclusive,” Njobvu concluded. “We need safeguards — otherwise, the entire exercise risks being another political project disguised as reform.”
ECONOMIC expert Kelvin Chisanga has warned that Zambia’s growing reliance on domestic borrowing is choking the private sector, especially small and medium enterprises.
Mr. Chisanga says government’s continued issuance of Treasury bills and bonds has made it harder for SMEs to access affordable credit, as commercial banks now prefer investing in safer, high-yielding government securities.
He adds that this trend is pushing up interest rates and creating a liquidity squeeze for the productive private sector.
Mr. Chisanga has urged government to adopt a coherent funding strategy that reduces exposure to domestic debt and rebalances capital access between the public and private sectors.
He further cautioned that a domestic debt default would be far more damaging than the external default recorded last year, warning that it could cripple the banking system and destabilize the economy
SUSPENDED United Party for National Development Lusaka District information and publicity secretary Matomola Likwanya says he led a horde of the ruling party’s cadres to the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to find why a contract to supply 100,000 phones was awarded to one individual.
Likwanya was suspended last Friday by Lusaka Province UPND Chairperson Obvious Mwaliteta for what he described as gross misconduct and insubordination.
However, Likwanya has taken to his Facebook page to defend his actions.
He said he did not lead a team of cadres to demand contracts or threaten the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry but to demand answers on various dubious contracts.
“We never went to the Ministry of Community Development to get contracts; we went to inquire on how they awarded a tender to someone who was the third-best bidder and left out the first-best and second-best bidder,” he wrote.
“Secondly, we wanted to find out how they awarded one person a contract to supply 100,000 phones and to date that person has not supplied,” Likwanya said
He wondered how the same companies were the only ones being awarded contracts to supply fertiliser at the ministry excluding others.
“We wanted to find out why we have the same companies that supply fertiliser at the Ministry and so many issues such as why the same names appear to get Social Cash Transfer, including others who are not even eligible and are well-to-do. I have all this data at my fingertips. So, please, let’s not get there,” Likwanya said.
He described the news about him and other cadres storming the PS’s office demanding contracts as propaganda peddled by known individuals.
Likwanya denied ever submitting any company profile to the ministry for his companies to be considered for contracts.
“I just wanted you to know that because others are buying into this propaganda that we went to ask for contracts, and I went to insult. I have never submitted any profile to that ministry; they have the records. I have accepted the suspension for the respect I have for the party and the president, even when it’s only me who was suspended when we were the four of us, and my suspension letter was not sent to me but rather posted on social media,” he said.
Likwanya accused the opposition of being behind the propaganda.
“We are buying so much into the propaganda of the opposition, and we act based on what the opposition directs us to do. We have so many of our people who fought for UPND, and nothing has happened to them in terms of supporting them as citizens. We have been preaching about the Access to Information Bill that every citizen can walk into any office and access information. But today it’s a crime to get information, most especially since I was elected as information publicity secretary for Lusaka,” he said.
Likwanya urged others never to be intimidated but to stand firm and speak out against any ills.
“We must not be intimidated with arrests for simply visiting a public office to inquire about a public tender. We were not even called to explain what happened, but they made a decision based on one side of the story. Sometimes silence is good, but not at this point where someone wants to tarnish my reputation and try to make me look violent.
Use the same energy you are using to bring us down to uplift us who have been loyal to you for many years. I shall remain in UPND as this is not an expulsion from the party, and I shall continue to write and post about the good works of the President,” Likwanya said.
SOCIALIST Party National Youth Chairperson Kelvin Kaunda says he will listen to what citizens will decide and take up the position they say he should take up in leadership.
Meanwhile, Kaunda says Dr Fred M’membe has on numerous occasions told SP leaders that if Zambians decide any of them should lead the party, he is willing to support them.
Kaunda recently shared a video where he offered himself for leadership.
In an interview, Thursday, Kaunda said public leadership belongs to the people, so he will listen to what they will decide.
“Public office belongs to the people. It’s not for me to give myself a position, it’s for the Zambian people to have a final say. All we have done is to present ourselves for leadership. Public office does not require any of us to impose ourselves. These positions in the public sector belong to the people, and therefore it is the people’s responsibility to have a final say. Ours is to listen. In my video, I did mention that we are willing to serve, we are willing to listen, and we are willing to lead. So after the video, we are now at a point where we are listening to the Zambian people, and we want to continue listening. There has been a lot of reaction coming from the public good,” he said.
“So our role now is to listen and listen very attentively, because that is the greatest test of any leader worth their salt, their ability to listen. It is not for me to begin pitching myself up saying this is the position and this is what I want. No, we want the Zambian people to say, ‘this is what we want you to do. This is where we think you ought to be.’ And we’ll spend a bit more time in the coming days paying attention, listening to what the people are saying, getting people’s reaction. Until then, that’s when we’ll be able to take a position”.
When asked if he has presidential ambitions, he said he can lead at any level.
“I mean, how do I respond to that question: Do I have presidential ambitions? Look, we all aspire to lead, and we can lead at any level. Any leader can lead at any level. MPs are leaders, councillors are leaders, mayors are leaders, presidents are merely leaders. We are all leaders at the end of the day. It’s about time and chance. And it’s not for me to say, ‘now I want to be a president.’ No. It’s the Zambian people, because these positions do not really belong to us, no. It’s not for me to say I want to be an MP now. You know, there was a moment I wanted to become an MP, but there was no opportunity for me to do that, and I understood. Maybe the Zambian people are saying I’m not yet ready. So we will wait to hear from the Zambian people,” Kaunda said.
“The beauty with us as Socialists is that we don’t place a lot of premium on positions. If today, perhaps, I wanted to aspire as a mayor of Lusaka, and someone else pitches up who is a member of the Socialist Party, and who is more popular than I am, I would simply step aside. That’s how we deal with matters as Socialists. So, we are not so obsessed with titles. I think for us, it’s about having to lead collectively. That’s what sets us apart: leading collectively”.
When further asked if his aspiration is within the Socialist Party, he said it’s a vehicle that he is using.
“SP is where I belong, and that is a vehicle that I’m using. That’s a platform where I am. I’ve never left SP, and there’s no record to that effect that I left SP. You’re alive to the issue of the United Opposition Front. You’re also alive to the issue of Tonse. So, what if all these political party leaders come together, and then they pick on you, what would you do? So, it’s about what the others are saying. What are the Zambian people saying? So, there is nothing that suggests that I’ve left SP, no. Nothing suggests that I’ve declared a Presidential candidate, no. All I have done is to present myself for leadership. The rest is for the Zambian people to have a final say,” he said.
“The rest is incumbent upon the Zambian people to give us a sense of direction, because these are public offices; they are not personal-to-holder offices. They don’t belong to any one of us. They belong to the Zambian people, ultimately. So, it must be given the latitude to have a final say”.
Meanwhile, when asked If M’membe would let him lead SP if Zambians decide that he should lead at presidential level, Kaunda said the SP leader has on numerous occasions told his members that if Zambians decide any of them should lead the party, he would support them.
“Dr Fred M’membe is on record, not once, not twice, but a couple of times. And he has told us, ‘Comrades, if any amongst our leaders, if the Zambian people want any one of us amongst the leaders,’ he says he’ll be glad to support such a one. Because what is important for us is collective leadership, as I said earlier on, as opposed to individual leadership. When Comrade Fred is leading, we are all leading. When Comrade Musumali is leading, we are all leading. When I’m leading, we are all leading. When another Comrade is leading, we are all leading. There is no one single individual who can provide solutions to the challenges of our time; that’s where we are,” said Kaunda.
“And if you listen to my video very attentively, there was a call for all of us to stand together. There was nowhere where I said, ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that, I’m presenting myself for this and that.’ No, all I was saying, we were saying in that video is, ‘shall we stand together?’ It was an invitation to stand together. Let’s stand together as leaders. It doesn’t matter who’s going to lead us. What is important is for us to be able to stand together and to be able to participate in the leadership of this country, that’s all”.
MATAMBO ORDERS CLOSURE OF CHINESE-OWNED MINE OVER DUST POLLUTION ON COPPERBELT.
COPPERBELT Province Minister Elisha Matambo has ordered the immediate closure of U-Metal Mining, a Chinese-owned company, following numerous complaints from residents over excessive dust emissions.
Residents of the Ipafu area along the Chingola–Solwezi Road have expressed concern that the dust poses a serious health risk, lamenting that their repeated complaints have gone unresolved.
Mr. Matambo described the situation as unacceptable, emphasising that no economic activity should endanger the lives of citizens.
He has since directed the local authority and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency to collaborate in addressing the problem and ensuring environmental compliance.
Mr. Matambo has further instructed members of the District Joint Operations Committee to enforce the law and ensure that the company adheres to environmental and public health standards before any resumption of operations.
Hezekiah Rabala Ochuka was a Senior Private in the Kenya Air Force who briefly claimed power during a failed coup attempt on August 1, 1982. Born on July 23, 1953, in Nyakach, Kisumu District, Ochuka joined the military in 1976 and rose to the rank of Senior Private Grade-I, one of the lowest in the service.
In the early hours of August 1, 1982, Ochuka led a group of low-ranking Air Force personnel in seizing control of key installations in Nairobi, including the Eastleigh and Embakasi airbases and the Voice of Kenya (VoK) radio station. From the VoK studios, Ochuka announced the overthrow of President Daniel arap Moi’s government and declared himself chairman of the self-styled “People’s Redemption Council.”
The coup was poorly organized and lacked broad support. Many soldiers engaged in looting rather than securing strategic targets, and crucially, the army and General Service Unit (GSU) remained loyal to the government. By mid-morning, loyalist forces had retaken the VoK station and other key positions, effectively quashing the coup within approximately six hours.
Following the failed coup, Ochuka and his deputy, Sergeant Pancras Oteyo Okumu, hijacked a military aircraft and forced the pilot to fly them to Tanzania. Initially granted asylum, they were extradited to Kenya in November 1983 after a political agreement between Presidents Julius Nyerere and Daniel arap Moi. Ochuka was court-martialed, found guilty of treason, and executed by hanging on July 10, 1987, at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.
The 1982 coup attempt had significant repercussions for Kenya. It led to the disbandment of the Kenya Air Force, which was later reconstituted with a new command structure. The event also prompted the government to tighten its grip on power, resulting in increased political repression and the declaration of Kenya as a de jure one-party state later that year.
IVORY COAST IS ON FIRE AGAIN OUATTARA’S 4TH TERM SPARKS ANGER
My African brothers and sisters… Can we talk?
The streets of Ivory Coast are boiling with protest and pain. Thousands of people — mothers, students, workers — are shouting “Enough is enough!” because President Alassane Ouattara wants to run for a 4th term in power.
People are tired. They say this is not democracy anymore — it’s “one man’s kingdom”. And guess what? The government responded with tear gas, arrests, and silence. Over 200 people have been detained just for demanding their rights.
But here’s what makes my blood boil the most
When a leader wants to stay in power forever, the African Union and ECOWAS suddenly lose their voices. They can’t see, can’t hear, can’t talk. But the moment the people rise up to defend themselves, these same organisations suddenly wake up shouting: “It’s unconstitutional!” “We condemn this!” “We are suspending this country!”
Really? Where are they when the people suffer? Where are they when leaders treat our nations like family inheritance? Do these organisations even work for us, the ordinary people — or for the powerful and privileged born with a silver spoon?
My people, this is not just about Ivory Coast. It’s about Africa — about all of us watching our leaders turn power into personal property while the youth have no jobs, no voice, no future.
How long will we keep quiet? How long will we let them decide our destiny while we struggle for daily bread?
The people of Ivory Coast are standing up not just for themselves — but for every African tired of being ignored.
NIGER REWRITES ITS HISTORY, FRANCE’S VERSION TO BE BURNED FOREVER
My people, something powerful is happening in Niger Republic — and it should inspire the whole of Africa!
General Tiani and the CNSP government have decided to rewrite Niger’s true history — not the one written by France , not the one that hides the truth, but the real story of our people, our culture, and our heroes.
They are bringing together professors, historians, and leaders to make sure that from now on, our children will learn our real history in schools — not the lies the colonizers fed us.
Can you imagine that for years, our history books were written by the same people who enslaved and controlled us? They made us forget who we are, where we come from, and how great our ancestors were!
But Niger said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Now they are ready to burn the fake history and build a new chapter — one that speaks the truth of Africa’s pride and power.
What if all African countries did the same? What if we all rewrote our history and taught our children who we truly are? Wouldn’t that change everything?
Burkina Faso and Russia Seal Landmark Cotton Partnership — A New Chapter in Africa’s Industrial Revolution
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso — Burkina Faso is charting a bold new course toward industrial self-reliance as President Ibrahim Traoré spearheads a groundbreaking partnership with Russia to transform the nation’s cotton industry.
The strategic agreement focuses on cotton processing and value addition, aiming to boost exports, create thousands of local jobs, and equip young Burkinabè with technical training in textile manufacturing and industrial engineering.
Once a traditional exporter of raw cotton, Burkina Faso is now shifting gears to become a regional hub for finished textile production — a move hailed by economic analysts as a critical step toward Africa’s industrial sovereignty.
“This partnership marks the rebirth of African industry — led by Africans, for Africans, with trusted partners who respect our sovereignty,” a senior government official said during the signing ceremony in Ouagadougou.
The deal also aligns with the vision of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), strengthening regional cooperation and reducing dependency on Western supply chains.
With Russia providing advanced machinery, training programs, and investment capital, Burkina Faso is positioning itself as a model for Pan-African economic transformation — one driven by raw potential and strategic diplomacy.
As President Traoré often emphasizes, “Africa’s wealth must serve Africans first.”
Regina Daniels and Ned Nwoko have reconcîled and are already back together again. (Allegedly)
Ned Nwoko reportedly bought her a 2025 Rolls Royce Phantom worth over $600k (N800-million) after she went to him accompanied by her mother and apologîzed for everything. Ned also wired $200k (N293-million) into Regina’s bank account so she’ll stop feeling like she has Nothing.
After that, Regina Daniels immediately made a video advising young women to NEVER LEAVE any man who spends his MONEY lavishly on them like the Queens they are
You see anything that concerns people who have connected private pãrts, avoid it. 2 Bluetooth devices that have connected before can always connect again
CAMEROON’S BISHOPS CALL FOR CALM AFTER OPPOSITION DECLARES ELECTION VICTORY
CAMEROON’S influential Catholic Church has called for calm, as fears grow that violence could erupt once official results from the presidential election are declared.
Opposition candidate and ex-government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary has declared himself the winner of the 12 October election, saying he defeated 92-year-old President Paul Biya, who is seeking to extend his 43 year-rule by seven more years.
Tchiroma’s declaration was criticised by both the government and Biya’s ruling party, with several officials describing it as illegal.
Cameroon’s Constitutional Council has not yet released the final results. It has until 27 October to declare the winner.
Tchiroma’s defiance and promise to defend what the 76-year-old calls his victory has raised fears of violence in the central African nation.
In a statement released by the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC), Catholic Bishops expressed the need for peace and stability.
The clerics said they hoped that the official result would reflect the will of the electorate, and “nothing will be changed by any authority involved in this exercise”.
The Catholic Church is highly respected and is viewed as a moral voice of the nation. It’s statement echoes the sentiments of many, who have urged the Constitutional Council to ensure that the result is not rigged.
Some of the Church’s prelates have been outspoken in their criticism of Biya and how he has governed.
In January, Monsignor Yaouda Hourgo, Bishop of the Diocese of Yagoua in the Far North region, said it was preferable for the “devil” to take power, rather than for Biya to seek re-election.
“We’re not going to suffer any more than this. We’ve already suffered enough,” he said in his homily.
Following protests over alleged fraud, the Constitutional Council said it would begin hearing complaints on Wednesday. Its verdict will be crucial in determining who will be the next president.
In a message to the judges, the Catholic Bishops reiterated a simple message: “The truth shall set you free.”
Poland has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of possible arrest if he crosses its airspace for a summit with US President Donald Trump in Hungary.
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Putin for allegedly deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine, an accusation the Kremlin denied. This obligates the court’s member states – including Poland – to arrest Putin if he sets foot on its territory.
“I cannot guarantee that an independent Polish court won’t order the government to escort such an aircraft down to hand the suspect to the court in The Hague,” Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told Radio Rodzina.
“And, therefore, if this summit is to take place, hopefully with the participation of the victim of the aggression, the aircraft will use a different route.”
Last week, Trump said he aims to hold a summit with Putin in the Hungarian capital Budapest within two weeks in a push to end the war.
Bulgaria signaled it would allow Putin to use its airspace if this could help secure peace in Ukraine, Bulgarian News Agency BTQ quoted Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev as saying.
Any trip to Budapest would require Putin to cross the airspace of other EU countries. All these states are ICC members, but Hungary is in the process of leaving.
The Trump-Putin summit is facing uncertainty. Though Trump had said the summit would take place within weeks, the Kremlin says no date has yet been set.
ATLETICO MADRID FURIOUS WITH ARSENAL OVER LACK OF HOT WATER AT EMIRATES
ATLETICO Madrid’s players and staff were enraged by a hot water shortage at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, where they trained in pouring rain before Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Arsenal.
Atletico complained to Arsenal at around 6.45pm about the situation, which meant their players were not able to shower in the away dressing room after their training session.
The hot water problem is understood to have been resolved by 7.30pm, by which point Atletico had already left the stadium to shower at their London hotel.
Sources say the Spanish side were due to train at the Emirates until 7.30pm and would therefore have been able to take hot showers as usual if they had not cut short their session. The hot water outage affected both dressing rooms.
Arsenal have apologised to Atletico, but Diego Simeone’s side remain furious about the situation.
Diego Simeone speaks to the press Diego Simeone (pictured) and his players are not happy about the lack of hot water Credit: Getty Images/Harry Murphy In Marca, the Spanish sports newspaper, it was reported that Atletico are “incredibly angry” and “don’t understand why a modern venue like the Emirates, and in a tournament like the Champions League, doesn’t have something so basic”.
And Carrusel Deportivo’s reporter in London has described “monumental anger” in the Spanish club’s travelling party.
Article 11 of Uefa’s regulations on infrastructure states that “stadiums must be equipped with… showers with hot water” in order to host Champions League matches. There is no mention in Article 11, however, of whether these rules also apply to training sessions the day before the game.
Arsenal have made a perfect start to their Champions League campaign, winning games against Athletic Bilbao and Olympiacos without conceding a goal, and are hoping to continue their good form against Simeone’s side.
Atletico are currently fourth in La Liga but will be a dangerous opponent. They have won four of their last five matches, including a thrilling 5-2 victory over rivals Real Madrid.
FORMER BOXER MIKE TYSON IN KINSHASA FOR 50th ANNIVERSARY OF ‘RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE’
AMERICAN former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson arrived in Congo DR to mark the 50th anniversary of the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on October 19, 2025.
Tyson met with young boxers as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
After watching athletes training on the streets of the capital, Tyson addressed the young boxers at the historic Ali-Foreman Stadium.
I can’t categorise Kambwili’s release as a pardon – Wife
Imprisoned former Information minister Chishimba Kambwili’s wife, Carol, says she would not categorise her husband’s release from prison as a pardon because he has already served his five-month sentence.
Speaking with Daily Revelation today, Carol said Kambwili could be released before October 25, 2025 owing to the fact that the day falls on the weekend.
Information has swirled around that Kambwili could be among those who would be ‘pardoned’ for release from prison on Independence Day, October 24, 2025.
Nakachinda had two courts, (Magistrate and High Court) sharing the same opinion that he had committed a crime by falsely claiming that President Hichilema had summoned judges at his home to give them instructions.
Our advice to PF leadership, tame your tongues, stop the bitterness, stop smearing innocent citizens, walk within the law, then you’re safe.
INJUSTICE; JAILING POLITICAL OPPONENTS ABUSING A REPEALED LAW
A person cannot be jailed for a repealed law because once a law is repealed, it is no longer in effect and has no legal force.
However, if you committed a crime while a law was active and were convicted, that conviction stands even if the law is later repealed.
At the time of the repeal, Nakacinda was NOT convicted.
Infact the DPP discontinued the cases regarding defamation of the President following the repeal of the law.
For future offenses: You cannot be charged or jailed for an act that occurred after the law was officially repealed.
Hichilema has shifted cases of those defaming him to new cyber laws that are acting as the sane as criminal defamation of the President.
Mrs. Justice Anne Mary Kachenga Malata Ononuju until recentlty was the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE).
She has jailed PF Secretary General Raphael Nakacinda and has issued a bench warrant as he was not in court.
Nakacinda was appearing in another matter at the Magistrate Court.
Ononuju is among the new batch of judges appointed by President Hakainde Hichilema.
WE REFUSE TO BE A COMPROMISED MEDIA HOUSE AS IBA’s MALIDO SUMMONS KBN TV FOR HEARING
A KBN TV EDITORIAL IN SELF DEFENSE
The UPND administration has become synonymous with a desperate regime that wants to capture every institution of governance and use them to silence dissenting voices.
They have done so shamelessly at the Registrar of Societies where they have defied both logic and law to impose Chabinga as a defacto PF leader.
They have captured the courts where judges can’t sign consent judgments. They think this is normal, they think that’s how to hold on to power. They captured the National Assembly where the Speaker is an extension of the executive. This is both immoral and illegal.
This is a regime that wants to do everything outside of the law, but is quick to fix anyone or any institution perceived not to be in agreement.
If that’s what “Bally will fix it” means, then Bally and his cohorts should be fixed out of power next year. We can’t affort to have a nation where illegalities become legal.
This is a government that sold our mines without parliamentary approvals and they want the citizens to clap or to be quiet. This is the regime that has ignored the Constitutional Court ruling that rendered Bill 7 unconstitutional, but has gone ahead to constitute a technical committee illegally using article 92 instead of the Inquiries Act.
As if that’s not enough, the regime has recircled Bill 7 and turned it into terms of reference for Constitutional amendments.
Having conquered all, it now seems their last arsenal is targeted at silencing critical media voices like ourselves here at KBN TV by turning the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) into a political tool they can deploy at their convenience.
We are not surprised that IBA has summoned us for a hearing tomorrow, 22nd October, 2025 at 09hrs over flimsy charges they are calling breaches.
We know IBA are professionals, but they are operating under very difficult circumstances and subjected to political pressure. We sympathise with them and we hope they will not become another compromised judiciary or another compromised ECZ or another compromised police service. We strongly refuse to become a compromised media house.
Ideally, as a media house, we are supposed to be speaking for others, but when we start speaking for ourselves, the nation must know it’s time to stand up for justice and democracy.
It’s very shocking that IBA in its letter of 29th September 2025, wrote to us over what it termed “Content Likely to Disrupt Public Order.” Guess what, this is in relation to a simple post on Malawi general elections in which President Peter Mutharika won the Presidency for the second time.
Anyone who watched the Electoral Commission of Malawi announcing the results would have known that Justice Anabel Mtalimanja, used the local language almost throughout the assignment.
Therefore, our 24th September Facebook post said “It’s admirablable how Malawians use their local language officially. Let’s try here, “alebwelelapo pamupando.” Contextually meaning, if we were using a Zambian local language, we would have said Mutharika, alebwelelapo pamupando.
Not withstanding the fact that IBA doesn’t regulate social media, it was shocking to see a letter from IBA citing that single line as having “the potential to stir up public emotions and disrupt public order and peace.”
We do not see anything in that vernacular line with the potential to disrupt public order and peace. If this is not politically motivated intimidation, then what is it?
The above came shortly after another letter dated 5th September, 2025 in which IBA accused KBN TV of falsehoods and hate speech after we exposed complaints of unfair dismissals at Football House in a story titled “Football House Tense Up in Tribal Purge.”
Again, this was an investigative expose’ which FAZ in a press statement, confirmed staff separation but refused to disclose the reasons.
Our investigation and editorial judgment met journalistic ethical standards and we were justified in publishing the said story, again, on our Facebook page and it didn’t warrant IBA’s interest.
In today’s letter dated 21st, October, 2025, essentially a summon for a hearing, among many breaches IBA has cited, is KBN TV’s discussion to question how the case involving Mariah Zaloumis, daughter to Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson, was hurriedly changed from murder to manslaughter and subsequently she along with her co accused were released on bail pending trial.
Meanwhile, there’s a case of the former ZRA Commissioner General, Dr. Kingsley Chanda, whose bail, pending appeal, has been rejected. He joins a long list of Chitotela, Chilangwa and Munir among others.
If the media can not discuss and critically analyse such matters, then who will?
Does IBA want KBN TV to stop talking in the face of such injustices. No, KBN TV will not and if keeping quiet and self censorship are the new requirements and qualifications for us to keep the IBA licence, then we probably don’t need it. IBA might as well start regulating Koswe.
