STATE HOUSE DISMISSES OASIS FORUM’S DEMANDS TO RECONSTITUTE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
By Nelson Zulu
State House Chief Communication Specialist Clayson Hamasaka has dismissed demands by the Oasis Forum to reconstitute the 25-member Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments, calling them unfounded.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Hamasaka says what matters at this stage is that the committee is capable of capturing the views and interests of the Zambian people and delivering a credible outcome.
He has emphasized that the committee is a technical body, not a political one, tasked with receiving and compiling submissions from citizens and stakeholders, not making final decisions.
Mr. Hamasaka has stated that the legitimacy of the process will ultimately be judged by the quality, content, and representativeness of the submissions it gathers.
He has since urged the public, political parties, religious groups, and civil society to actively participate by making written submissions, saying that broad-based engagement is the most effective way to ensure that diverse perspectives are reflected in any proposed amendments.
Mr. Hamasaka was responding to the Oasis Forum’s claims that the committee was formed without following established procedures or securing concessions from institutions such as the Law Association of Zambia, the Church, and political parties, among other stakeholders.
GRANT ME BAIL, PRISON CONDITIONS ARE PATHETIC AND DEGRADING, EX ZRA BOSS BEGS COURT
CONVICTED former Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda has pleaded with the court to release him on bail pending appeal, saying he is the sole provider for his three ailing brothers and that the conditions in prison are “pathetic and degrading.”
Chanda, who was sentenced to six years imprisonment with hard labour for abuse of authority and willful failure to follow procedure in the disposal of 22 government vehicles with some allegedly donated to the Patriotic Front (PF) for election campaigns, filed the application before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court.
His co-convict, former ZRA Director of Administration Callistus Kaoma, who received a nine-year sentence, also joined in the application.
In his sworn affidavit, Chanda argued that his continued incarceration would cause him and his family irreparable suffering.
He said his three brothers suffer from serious medical conditions that require expensive treatment and that he is the one responsible for meeting their medical bills.
He also submitted that prison conditions are “pathetic, degrading and unsuitable for someone with health problems,” warning that his own health could deteriorate if he remains in custody.
“That I have read and heard news articles and I have seen for myself for the day I have spent in prison to the effect that the conditions in prisons are very pathetic and degrading and not conducive for people like me who have health conditions which are likely to be worsened in such environment.”
Chanda stated that the process of hearing appeals in the Economic and Financial Crimes Division of the High court is lengthy, as it often takes months for case records to be typed, processed and transmitted to the High Court.
He said this delay means he could serve a significant portion of his sentence before his appeal is even heard.
“It will be in the interest of justice that bail is granted,” he stated, “as failure to do so will render the appeal nugatory and academic, since we may have served most of our sentences by the time the appeal is determined.”
Chanda also claimed that both he and Kaoma are not flight risks, reside at known addresses in Lusaka, and are willing to comply with any bail conditions set by the court.
https://youtu.be/Wd524mI6QCs?si=c1S8DbTLR-Kpcn65
However, Principal State Advocate Angela Kennedy opposed the application, arguing that neither Chanda nor Kaoma had demonstrated exceptional circumstances to justify their release.
Kennedy stated that poor prison conditions and family illness are not valid grounds for bail pending appeal and insisted that the five-month timeframe within which the appeal must be determined ensures the convicts will not serve a substantial part of their sentences before the matter is heard.
“The applicants have not shown any credible proof of medical conditions or prejudice that would arise from remaining in custody,” she said, urging the court to dismiss the application.
DPP ACCUSES ECZ OF SUPPRESSING VOTER REGISTRATION The Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP, says the ongoing voter registration exercise is failing, especially in the Copperbelt Province.
Party president, Antonio Mwanza claims the process is poorly managed and is stopping many young people from registering to vote.
In a statement released on Saturday,DPP President Antonio Mwanza did not hold back. He said the voter registration process in areas like Chingola, Kitwe, and Ndola has been characterised by what he called “gross inefficiencies and poor planning.”
Mr Mwanza claimed that many registration centres on the Copperbelt are consistently closed. He said equipment often does not work and staff are left with nothing to do. He blamed a lack of preparation by the Electoral Commission Of Zambia-ECZ.
The DPP leader listed several major failures. He said there has been no effective public awareness campaign, leaving many people unaware of how to register.
He also said there are too few registration centres, and that constant power cuts, or loadshedding, have paralysed the process because no backup generators are provided.
Mr Mwanza issued a warning to the Electoral Commission.He said if the ECZ continues with this, “negligence,” it will be responsible for destroying confidence in the 2026 general elections.
He called on church groups, civil society, and traditional leaders to join the demand for a transparent and credible registration process.
PF MAY ABANDON PARTY NAME IF LEGAL AVENUES FAIL – LUBINDA
PF acting President Given Lubinda says the party may consider using a different name if avenues being explored to get the name of the party back fail.
Lubinda adds that holding the PF together has been a difficult undertaking, especially after losing the 2021 general elections.
Speaking when he featured on Millennium TV’s Pulse Nation programme, Wednesday, Lubinda said his party was exploring a number of alternatives, including talking to Robert Chabinga, in order to get the PF name back.
When asked if the party had considered regrouping under another political party’s name, Lubinda affirmed that the option was open.
“That’s an option that is open for us to use. We could also say we’re having this convention under the auspices of the Patriotic Front. That’s also an option, we have options to use. One is to use the PF with or without having the registered name, the other is for us to abandon it and use another vehicle. It’s like a person who’s on a journey, you’re on the bus and the bus breaks down and the driver of that bus decides he’s going to sleep. He doesn’t want to repair the bus and another bus comes along and it’s empty. What do you do? It’s going in the same direction you are going, what do you do? You jump on the bus because it will take you to the same destiny that the original bus could have taken you,” he said.
“So we’re leaving those options open. We’re using all options including talking to Chabinga. Right now I won’t go into that because we haven’t concluded yet. I don’t want to pre-empt anything. You didn’t know about the conversations we were having with Miles Sampa until the conversations were concluded. So, we’ll leave it at that. All you ought to know is that we’re going to a convention at the end of November either under the PF name or under an alternative and we’re pursuing this including talking to Chabinga”.
Lubinda noted that the decision on whether or not to use a different name would have to be made before the party holds its convention.
He added that his party hoped that the Judiciary would give its judgement on the matter before the convention.
“We’re hoping, and I hope we’re not hoping against hope. I’m hoping the Judiciary will do what’s expected of them: that they’ll dispose of the matter that’s in court. You may have heard the last time when there was a status conference over this matter and later on there was a ruling on the matter, the court told us we have to go to a full trial. We’re hoping that this full trial can take place quickly and the judgement be handed down. And we hope that the judgement will entail that the party name and the certificate is given back to us, the bonafide owners of the party. And we hope that can happen before we go to the convention. If not, the party will have to make a decision, because we cannot have a convention without having a name and that decision will have to be made by the Central Committee before holding the convention. If we decide that because the name has not been given to us, we may decide that we’re using a different umbrella, we’re using a different name,” he said.
He added that Chabinga had the party name and not the people.
“Chabinga has the registered name called Patriotic Front. But does he have the party? No. The party is the people. The party is made up of the members. And where are the members? Are the members with Chabinga? No. The members are with us, the members of the central committee which was elected together with president Edgar Lungu in April 2021 which at the moment is being led by myself, that’s where the people are. The secretariat, I mentioned to you that the Secretary General’s Office and the Secretariat are going out, revitalising these structures. They are not answering to Chabinga, they’re answering to Raphael Nakacinda and in effect answering to the central committee that I head. So, we have the party and Chabinga has the registered name. We control the party, that’s what is happening. When we want people to move in one direction they’ll move, when we tell the people to stop moving, they will stop. We’re in control of the party machinery,” he said.
Lubinda lamented that holding the PF together had been a difficult undertaking, especially after losing the 2021 general elections.
“It has not been an easy time to hold the party together especially after having lost elections in 2021. Discerning viewers and discerning Zambians will recall that after the elections of 2021, a lot of people left the Patriotic Front. A lot of them remained mute, they didn’t want to be associated with the Patriotic Front. There were some who even tendered resignations openly, publicly, they said I’m no longer this or the other, but indeed there were some who stood firm. They believed in the future of the Patriotic Front and they held the party together at great cost to themselves,” he said.
“A lot of people had to suffer all sorts of indignation and all sorts of frustration. A lot of our people who stood by the party were subjected to unnecessary searches at their homes, accounts frozen, businesses closed. I am one of those typical examples who was doing business and the government is holding on to their money. Since 2021 this government has not paid me. Why? Because of my sacrifice to hold on to this party”.
Meanwhile, Lubinda said those who accused him of wanting to sell the PF to the Socialist Party were either sponsored or wanted to bring confusion.
“Those making those allegations, what you have to bear in mind is that some of them were coming from a position of spoiling. They wanted to spoil. There were some who were doing it because they may have been sponsored. I’ve said that it has been clear to any person who has been following politics in Zambia for the last five years that UPND wants PF destroyed and they are using all sorts of methods. Is anything strange if some people were sponsored to create internal problems? That wouldn’t be strange to me. There are some issues that are internal but there are others also that are fostered from outside. And when you hear people say Lubinda wants to sell PF to the Socialist Party when actually what I have been doing is exactly what president Edgar Lungu wanted us to do: ‘unite all opposition political parties.’ That has been our agenda,” said Lubinda.
“On the 28th of October 2023 when president Lungu decided to come back into active politics, what was his message? His message was, ‘I cannot watch the democratic space being destroyed, I have come back to active politics with one intention, to bring all political parties together.’ So, when some people saw me fraternising with other political parties under the United opposition Front, it suited them to try and create an impression that they were the ones who were more loyal to the Patriotic Front than I am, Raphael Nakacinda, but time has vindicated us. There’s no person who can be more loyal to the Patriotic Front than myself. I am completely engrossed in ensuring that the Patriotic Front succeeds”.
Mwaliteta Suspends Matomola Likwanya for threatening the Community Development, Permanent Secretary
United Party for National Development ( UPND) Lusaka Provincial Chairperson, Obvious Mwaliteta has suspended Lusaka District IPS for gross misconduct.
Likwanya stormed the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services and expressed anger that the contracts were not being given UPND cadres.
He pledged to have the Permanent Secretary, Ms Angela Chomba Kawandami fired.
“You are hereby suspended from your position and party pending further investigation, due to your misconduct at the Ministry of Community Development which brought the name of the party into disrepute as per our Party Constitution.”
“Since you have violated the UPND Constitution and Disciplinary regulations, you are by copy of this letter advised to stay from active participation in all party activities until a thorough investigation that has been instituted is concluded”
This was our earlier story:
We will have PS Fired -Matomola
UPND Youth Cadre, Matomola Tom Likwanya has pledged to immediately have the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ms Angela Chomba Kawandami,fired.
Matomola led a group of UPND youths went to dictate who should be granted contracts under the Ministry.
Both President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND Secretary General, Batuke Imenda habr a solemn duty to reprimand cadres defiling the public sector.
KELVIN KAUNDA OFFERS JOB OPPORTUNITY TO VIRAL GRADUATE LISA KAOMA IN POWERFUL ACT OF FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATION
He shared……..
I have decided to offer Lisa Kaoma employment at a named hospital here in Lusaka.
Lisa deserves a second chance; a chance to show that one moment of youthful excitement should not define her career or future. The young lady was recently cited for misconduct, after her graduation video went viral.
While some chose to judge her, I chose to see passion, confidence, and joy. She is a reminder that our young professionals are human too – and sometimes, all they need is guidance and encouragement, not condemnation.
It is our vision to provide our youths with decent jobs and business opportunities.
On this National Day of Prayer, Fasting, and Reconciliation, I believe the best way to live the message is through action; by forgiving, restoring, and giving others a reason to hope again.
Because leadership is not about punishing mistakes – it’s about creating second chances. ❤️
If anyone has Lisa Kaoma’s phone number or email address, kindly inbox me. She needs to report for work on Monday, 20th October, 2025. #SunFmTvNews #
Day of National Prayer, Fasting and Reconciliation, Lessons from South Africa and Ethiopia
Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba Wrote;
When I moved to South Africa as Zambia’s High Commissioner, I was shocked to learn of the in-fighting, polarisation and divisive spirit where Zambians engage in angry fights, gossip and long pitied battles dividing families at the Embassy and in the Zambian Community.
I made it my mission to bring and build a team amongst my diplomatic staff and to forge genuine sense of unity in the Zambian Community despite the political differences that usually perpetrated the unnecessary tensions.
I soon found an opportunity to help deploy patriotism, love and unity using national events.
National Days; Africa Freedom Day(25th May), Independence Celebrations (24th October) and Day of National Prayer, were important to me.
To this extent, we went to great lengths with the Zambians and the business communities (you know these activities are not funded by government) to host elaborate events.
At these events, the Zambian Community abroad is well-organised if you give them space and bring them together. The families cooked delicious Zambian or African meals,the business community many times, met cost of banquets halls (Sheraton Hotel is not cheap especially for Independence Celebrations where we were hosting South African Ministers and Ambassadors from other countries).
We used these events to forge a sense of unity in the community to help overcome the polarization in this PF/UPND divisive environment.
South Africa became special to us .
The Zambia Association in South Africa (ZASA) had a visionary leadership. We grew in establishing a register, the identity and numbers of registered Zambians in South Africa, from about 4,000 to 15,000 with their addresses and phone numbers.
This helped in times of crisis such as the xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals.
The Day of National Prayer was designed in the way that it was inter-denominational, with choirs organised by the catholic community, and homilies and sermons by pastors from across other faiths.
If you look at the pictures, you will find that Zambians from Capetown, Durban, East London, Mafikeng and other town and cities began to troop for the national events, at their own cost and sacrificing work days, taking leave, as these events are usually not national days in South Africa.
When we were transferred from South Africa to Ethiopia, we found a small community of about 100 families, Zambians, mostly professionals working for the African Union (AU), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Catholic Church.
But even in Ethiopia, wiyh such a small number of Zambians, we worked with the Association of Zambian in Ethiopia (AZE) to begin to gather Zambians to unite in hosting these events.
But in all this, I found words of encouragement from a renowned Zambian Medical Doctor living in Capetown.
“The Embassy is warm now, welcoming, and truly carrying a Zambian spirit of One-Zambia-One-Nation. I feel at home to be here. I stopped coming to the Embassy before you as every service, even a travel document was nightmare, we were treated like we are fake, or foreigners, or conmen. Imagine suffering the shame twice. South Africans treat as foreigners and then your own Embassy gives you similar treatment”
I began to share my story and best practices with fellow ambassadors who were facing similar tensions in their communities to help foster of a snense of unity among Zambians living abroad.
IT’S YOUR TIME, YOUTHS MUST TAKE OVER LEADERSHIP IN 2026 – CHITIMUKULU
NOW IS the time for you, the Zambian youths, to take over the leadership of the country by registering en masse ahead of next year’s general elections, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people has said.
Speaking to Lwansase Radio in Northern Province on the sidelines of the Mukulapembe Traditional Ceremony, the Chitimukulu said the youth could only take over government if they registered in large numbers to vote and elect their peers into government next year.
“So, now you want old people to continue governing you? It’s your time as youths to take over the government and lead. But you can only do that if you elect youthful leaders, and you can only elect or participate in the election if you register to vote ahead of next year’s general elections,” he said.
“Nomba mulefwaya abakote e balesala? Kabili ba yufi abafwile ukusalwa. Bafwile ba yufi basala bayufi banabo. Nomba ifwe nga twasala, twakulasala abakote banensu. So imwe mwe balumendo imwe kano mulembeshe pakuti musale abalumendo banenu, bayufi balemwininako. Nomba ngatamulelembesha abakote bakulasala abakote banabo” meaning if the youth did not register in large numbers and elect their fellow youths, the old people would register and elect their fellow old people.
He said it was heartbreaking that young people had turned into stone throwers and tools for violence instead of taking up leadership positions.
The Chitimukulu urged youths across the country to take part in the mass voter registration exercise if they were to redeem themselves from the shackles of poverty and other injustices by taking over the government.
“It is good for our young people to concentrate on voter registration going on now. You need to vote for your fellow youths into leadership. How will these same youths around get into power if they cannot vote? How will they take up leadership positions if they are not elected?” he said.
“Kanshi imwe cawamako muleposako amano mwe mayufi. Lembesheni pakuti mulete amayufi yanenu. Pakuti mwingile mu buteko mutekeko. Nga aba bene ba yufi mwaba nabo bakengila shani mu buteko ngatabalelembeshe ukuvota? Nimwebo mufwile ukubengisha ngamulefwaya imisepela ukuteka. nimbwebo mwingacita decide. Imwe bene mwalembesha mwabula no musepela mwamusala aingila mu buteko,” he said meaning it is you the youths who must elect your fellow youths into government.
He warned the youth against engaging in illicit activities.
The Chitimukulu said there was no need for the youths to continue being tools of violence when the nation was in dire need of a youthful leadership.
“So, now you want to be a tool of violence, throwing stones? No way. Stop that. Go and register to vote for your fellow youth so that he may consider you in government. Electing people into leadership is your duty as a citizen, and you have to participate rather than complain,” he said.
“Even HH is a young man. We need more youths to lead us; it is your time to take over leadership of the nation, and that time is now.”
The Chitimukulu said the youth were in the majority and therefore could take over the government by electing their peers.
The mass voter registration began on Monday and will last for one month, ending next month.
ing Party ZANU PF has agreed that President Mnangagwa has to rule until 2030:
ZANU PF has decided that President Emmerson Mnangagwa should stay in power for two more years, until 2030.
The party has instructed Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is also the party’s Legal Secretary, to start the legal process to make this happen by October 2026. This means ZANU PF wants to change the current law, since the Constitution says the President’s term should end in 2028.
The resolution was made at the 22nd ZANU PF National People’s Conference, where delegates unanimously agreed to extend President Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028. They said his leadership has brought stability, economic recovery, and development, and that he should continue leading the country beyond the current constitutional limit.
The conference also directed both the party and the government to take all the legal, constitutional, and administrative steps needed to put this resolution into effect before the next party conference.
If implemented, the move would allow President Mnangagwa to stay in office until 2030, going beyond the limit set by the Constitution. This could also mean changes to the national election schedule, including the possible cancellation of the 2028 presidential elections, to make way for the extended term.
DESPERATION OF RELEVANCE OR LACK OF SENSE OF HUMOR?
Kach Zambia writes
Miles Sampa posted this yesterday, using a dead and unburied body’s picture for voters awareness isn’t just wrong but sensitive.
I can’t understand the motive, the message he’s trying to put across, is it for numbers or political relevance? Has Boba TV run out of viewers or it’s lack of sober mind to judge what’s wrong or right?
I respect Hon Sampa, I am actually his fan in the way he relates with people, but using my beloved Lungu’s image for awareness of any kind is Totally unacceptable and lack of Ubuntu.
There was drama at the Kosyam Palace in Quagadougou when President Traore refused to take a picture with Fred M’membe as the Zambian opposition leader was deemed a security threat.
M’membe wanted to take a picture with President Traore but he was blocked and stopped from coming near to the Burkina Faso President.
After causing commotion, M’membe was ordered to just go and sit in the audience just like any other ordinary invited guest.
He is likely to come back home today, though he is still trying hard to push for a meeting with President Traore, though he was told Traore can’t meet him.
Patriotic Front Presidential Aspirant Joseph Willah Mudolo has called for a lewdership that seeks long-lasting solution for the country.
He has mocked State House which has has shown desperation by unleashing a smear campaign against him.
State House through their rogue online newspapers have engaged in dedicated smear campaign against the Zambian businessman based in South Africa.
Mudolo laughed; “Let them focus on the serious issues affecting the nation. We are determined to emancipate the country. This is what we are focused on as credible Opposition to find solutions for our country, to demonstrate alternative policies that can lift our people out of poverty.”
Mudolo refused to answer to desperate smear campaigns against him insisting that his time is usually spent on working hard and finding economic and political solutions for Zambia and his mission to get the country out of poverty.
“On this day of National Prayers, Fasting and Reconciliation, we spent time praying for our country, seeking God’s face to intervene, requesting for strength to overcome this difficult period in the life of our country.”win
SOMEONE USED MY NAME TO CALL OFF U17 GIRLS FRIENDLY AGAINST MOROCCO – KEITH
FAZ President Keith Mweemba has expressed deep disappointment over what he describes as an “act of sabotage” that led to the cancellation of a planned international friendly between the Under-17 Women’s National Team and Morocco.
Speaking in an interview, Mweemba revealed that the association had arranged three high-profile friendly matches for the Copper Princesses ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, but only one against Colombia, eventually took place.
“We had arranged three friendly games against Colombia, Canada and Cameroon,” Mweemba said.
“But I think we all know that there is a political situation in Cameroon, so the friendly could not materialise. Unfortunately, they communicated that they were unable to make it, but everything was signed and arranged in advance.”
Mweemba added that the planned friendly against Canada also fell through due to logistical complications on the North American side.
“Then with Canada, I think there was a little bit of a technical problem on their part,” he explained.
“So what we did, when we realised that the other two friendly games could not take place, we spoke to our Technical Director, Mr Lyson Zulu, to arrange a match with a high-profile team in Morocco. We wanted their senior team to play with our under-17 girls and everything was arranged, the pitch, everything was done.”
However, just as the young Copper Queens were preparing to take to the field in Morocco, the match was mysteriously cancelled, with a false message allegedly circulating that Mweemba himself had ordered the friendly to be called off.
“The day when the game was supposed to take place, there was communication, I don’t know if we can call it anonymous communication, but I have the messages,” Mweemba revealed.
“The Technical Director shared them with me, where somebody, we don’t know how, communicated to the parties and said that me, as FA President of Zambia, was in Dubai and that I cancelled the friendly game.”
The FAZ boss said he was shocked by the claim, insisting he was in Ndola at the time, attending the Zambia vs Niger World Cup qualifier and the FIFA Club Management training.
“It was very surprising because I was in Ndola, and we know that Zambia was playing Niger,” Mweemba said.
“When the friendly could not take place, I was very shocked, but what disappointed me most was my name being brought into the picture, that I had given instructions that we didn’t recognise the friendly and it was cancelled. Obviously, we haven’t told the nation about that, but it is quite disappointing.”
The FAZ President hinted at internal foul play, describing the incident as possible sabotage meant to disrupt the team’s preparations.
“I think this is something we need to follow up on, and we need to get to the bottom of it because it is a very serious issue,” he said.
“How can I even give such an instruction when we want our girls to be adequately prepared for the World Cup? There must be some kind of sabotage somewhere, but we don’t want to accuse anyone because it’s unfair to speculate. I clearly take that one to be an act of sabotage.”
Despite the setback, the Copper Princesses managed to bounce back with a commendable 1-1 draw against Colombia, thanks to a late equaliser from captain Mercy Chipasula.
“Fast forward two, three days later, we played Colombia. We were trailing 1-0 but the girls showed character and came from behind,” Mweemba said.
“Captain Mercy Chipasula scored, and the game ended 1-1. That is good enough considering that the first time the Under-17 went to the World Cup, they didn’t have a friendly game as you heard from the coach.”
Mweemba expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress under coach Carol Kanyemba, emphasising that the draw against Colombia gave the technical bench key insights ahead of their opening World Cup fixture.
“The U-17 girls are well prepared for the World Cup,” he affirmed.
“I have been in constant touch with Coach Carol Kanyemba. I have watched them before, and they have a very good team. We would have loved to have at least not less than three friendly games, but we hope this is good enough. If we can come from behind and get a result, it gives hope to the coaches to know the areas to fine-tune before Sunday’s game.
Mweemba confirmed that FAZ Executive Committee Member Colonel Priscilla Katoba and Technical Committee Member Kenneth “Bable” Malitole were already in Morocco to support the team as they prepare to fly Zambia’s flag high on the global stage.
HON. CHARLES MILUPI REPRESENTS PRESIDENT HICHILEMA IN CONDOLENCE VISIT TO THE Rt. HON. RAILA AMOLO ODINGA’S FAMILY
Nairobi, Kenya – 18 October 2025
Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Charles Milupi, has paid a courtesy call on the family of the late Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, at his residence in Karen, Nairobi.
Hon. Milupi, representing President Hakainde Hichilema, signed the Book of Condolence and conveyed a heartfelt message of sympathy to the Odinga family. He was accompanied by the Zambia Chargé d’Affaires to Nairobi. Mr. Exnobert Zulu.
In his condolence message, Hon. Milupi stated:
“On behalf of President Hichilema and the people of Zambia, we come to pay our respects to a great statesman and pan-Africanist. The late Raila Odinga left an indelible mark on African politics, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”
Hon. Milupi highlighted the longstanding and robust bilateral relations between Zambia and Kenya, emphasizing that in times of grief, nations come together to show solidarity.
In response, Idah Betty Odinga, widow of the late Prime Minister, expressed deep appreciation for President Hichilema’s message of condolence, noting that it was among the first she received following the announcement of her husband’s passing. She fondly recalled the warm relations between her family and Zambia, including their support during the 2025 CHAN tournament and cooperation in the African Union.
Earlier, President Hakainde Hichilema released a statement mourning the passing of Prime Minister Odinga:
“It is with great sorrow and a heavy heart that we extend our deepest condolences to the people of Kenya, the Odinga family, President William Ruto, and all those touched by the life of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who has passed on. Former Prime Minister Odinga was a towering advocate for democracy, a fearless voice for justice, and an unwavering servant of the people. His journey inspired generations across our continent. We celebrate his many contributions, from advancing constitutional reforms and championing inclusive governance to fostering dialogue in times of crisis. His legacy will endure. We pray for all those grieving, and may Prime Minister Odinga rest in eternal peace.”
The visit by the Zambian delegation underscores the strong diplomatic ties, mutual respect, and solidarity between Zambia and Kenya during this period of national mourning.
Issued by: Zambia High Commission, Nairobi Email: Nairobi@grz.gov.zm
SADC and African Union are watching as President Samia Suluhu-Hassan
Several key opposition figures and parties in Tanzania have been restricted from participating in the upcoming general elections scheduled for October 29, 2025.
Once hailed as a progressive leader and top woman President in Africa, Suluhu has abandoned Democracy and barred major candidates descending Tanzania into a full dictatorship.
Main Opposition Party Barred: The main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), was barred from the elections in April for failing to sign a mandatory code of conduct agreement
Second-Largest Opposition Party Candidate Disqualified: The presidential candidate for Tanzania’s second-largest opposition party, Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo), Luhaga Mpina, was also initially disqualified from contesting the elections, leaving President Samia Suluhu Hassana
CATHOLIC CHURCH IS FAILING ABUSE VICTIMS, VATICAN PANEL SAYS
THE Vatican’s child protection commission accused senior Catholic leaders on Thursday of being too slow to help victims of sexual abuse by clergy and implement new safeguarding efforts in an unusually critical internal report on the issue.
For decades, the 1.4-billion-member Church has been shaken by scandals across the world involving abuse and cover-up, damaging its credibility and costing it hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements.
The new report, only the second by a commission founded over a decade ago, faulted Church leaders for not providing information to victims about how their reports of abuse were being handled, or whether negligent bishops had been sanctioned.
It also said the commission’s own requests for information about safeguarding protocols had not always been answered and the Italian Church had failed to provide full details.
“In many cases … victims/survivors report that the Church has responded with empty settlements, performative gestures, and a persistent refusal to engage with victims/survivors in good faith,” said the report.
One long-time advocate for victims praised the new document. “This report should serve as a wake-up call to Pope Leo,” said Anne Barrett Doyle of the group Bishop Accountability, which has tracked Catholic clergy abuse for decades.
The Vatican commission, created by the late Pope Francis in 2014, had been roiled by the resignations of several of its members over the years and only issued its first annual report last year.
The new report, spanning 103 pages, is the commission’s most substantial text yet and is frequently critical of Church leadership, without naming individuals. Its main subject is the issue of reparations for abuse victims, but it also evaluates the Church’s safeguarding efforts across 22 countries and in one senior Vatican department.
The department surveyed is the Dicastery for Evangelisation, a sprawling operation that is responsible for overseeing the Church’s operations in most developing nations.
The report said the dicastery has only one official tasked with handling issues of safeguarding. It also said that a lack of clarity in distribution of work on abuse cases with other Vatican departments “can create confusion and delays in initiating investigations and handling complaints.”
Among the countries evaluated by the new report was Italy, long a Catholic bastion that has been slow to address abuse by clergy.
The report criticises the country’s bishops for not working closely with the Vatican commission, saying that a questionnaire about safeguarding practices sent by the group to all of Italy’s 226 Catholic dioceses was only answered by 81 of them. South Korea, another country evaluated, had 100% participation.
The Italian Bishops Conference spokesperson said it would issue a full statement later in the day, but that some bishops had already communicated with the Vatican before the requests were received.
IVORY COAST’S FORMER FIRST LADY CAMPAIGNS AHEAD OF PRESIDENTIAL POLLS
SIMONE Gbagbo, the former first lady of Ivory Coast, has spent the week campaigning in the southwestern part of the Ivory Coast.
She is the surprise inclusion in the list of five candidates cleared to contest the upcoming presidential election.
Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara is widely expected to secure a fourth term in the 25 October vote. But Gbagbo, whose ex-husband Laurent lost to Ouattara in the 2010 poll, believes otherwise.
“I want us to participate in the elections because, I believe that we can win,” she told supporters in Guberoua, the village of her campaign manager and former minister, Charles Blé Goudé.
Widely seen as the “power behind the throne” during her husband’s time in office from 2000 to 2011, she was known as the “iron lady” because of her reputation for being tough.
Of the five candidates, two are women. Simone Gbagbo and Henriette Lagou, a former minister.
“I think this idea [women’s candidacy] is much less shocking now than it would have been 20 or 30 years ago,” said Gbagbo.
“Ivorian women are now recognised and can be found in all sectors and at all levels of responsibility. So, confidence in women has increased.”
The stakes in this presidential election are high for the country of approximately 33 million inhabitants, the world’s leading producer of cocoa with strong growth in gold production.
In addition to Gbagbo and Lagou, several other political figures are in the running including Ouattara, Jean-Louis Billon of the Democratic Congress, and independent candidate Ahoua Don Mello.
With several key political leaders barred, including her ex-husband, there have been fears of post-election instability.
Simone and other contenders are stepping up calls for a peaceful campaign as the parties of disqualified candidates call for demonstrations.
“Doing brutal violent actions, I don’t think it pays off. I would like to call on them [the organisers of protest marches] to abandon this path and choose the voice of the vote,” said Simone.
Winning the presidency after a long, active, and sometimes controversial career in Ivorian politics, would make the 76-year-old the country’s first female president.
BEIJING’S FAVORITE VOICE JUST TOOK THE MIC IN TAIWAN
Taiwan’s opposition just crowned a new leader – and Beijing couldn’t have scripted it better.
Cheng Li-wun, a former lawmaker who proudly calls herself Chinese and preaches “peace through unity,” just won the Kuomintang chair race with 50.2% of the vote.
The KMT, once Taiwan’s ruling party and now China’s preferred political pen pal, suddenly has a leader who echoes the mainland’s talking points almost word-for-word.
Her pitch? Ditch the saber-rattling, embrace the “1992 Consensus,” and stop pretending Taiwan’s defense buildup can match Beijing’s firepower.
Her warning: “In the competition of defense spending, Taiwan will always be the loser.”
President Lai’s government – and Washington – are watching this like a slow-motion car crash. The KMT already controls the legislature.
With Cheng at the helm, it could block Lai’s 23% military budget increase and kneecap his push for air-defense upgrades.
Beijing calls her a partner. Taipei calls her a risk.
Either way, Cheng just turned Taiwan’s biggest opposition party into China’s most effective soft-power victory this year.
TRUMP ADMIN REPATRIATES SURVIVORS OF CARIBBEAN DRUG STRIKE INSTEAD OF PROSECUTING
The Trump administration just dodged a legal minefield.
Two survivors of Wednesday’s U.S. military strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean are being sent back to Colombia and Ecuador rather than detained or charged, officials confirmed Saturday:
“The two survivors are being transferred to State Department custody for repatriation to their home countries.”
This is the sixth strike since September.
Trump called the survivors “unlawful combatants” and claimed authority to summarily kill suspected smugglers like enemy combatants—a legal position widely disputed by experts.
Repatriating survivors avoids the thorny question: is drug smuggling really an armed conflict?
Holding them at Guantánamo could have forced courts to answer that.
Source: New York TimesIN REPATRIATES SURVIVORS OF CARIBBEAN DRUG STRIKE INSTEAD OF PROSECUTING
The Trump administration just dodged a legal minefield.
Two survivors of Wednesday’s U.S. military strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean are being sent back to Colombia and Ecuador rather than detained or charged, officials confirmed Saturday:
“The two survivors are being transferred to State Department custody for repatriation to their home countries.”
This is the sixth strike since September.
Trump called the survivors “unlawful combatants” and claimed authority to summarily kill suspected smugglers like enemy combatants—a legal position widely disputed by experts.
Repatriating survivors avoids the thorny question: is drug smuggling really an armed conflict?
Holding them at Guantánamo could have forced courts to answer that.
Malawi’s Ruling Party says no to political prostitution
By: Malawi24
Malawi’s Rulling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has declared that it will not welcome into its ranks individuals who were once members of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) or those known for shifting political allegiance whenever there is a change of government, describing them as “political opportunists.”
DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba said the party has a clear policy that bars individuals who previously served in the MCP government, as well as habitual party defectors, from joining the DPP.
Namalomba argued that those who participated in the MCP-led administration contributed to the country’s economic and social hardships, accusing them of mismanaging national affairs.
“These people destroyed our property, attacked our members, and now that the elections are over, they want to join our party? We know they are greedy, Our leader, Arthur Peter Mutharika, has made it clear that he does not want greedy individuals in his government. He wants people who are ready to serve Malawians.” said Namalomba.
However, MCP Deputy Publicity Secretary Ken Msonda dismissed the DPP’s position as unnecessary finger-pointing, urging the opposition to focus on addressing issues affecting citizens.
“The campaign period is over; let’s look ahead. We cannot stop people from leaving or joining political parties. Even now, some Members of Parliament who won under other parties are joining the MCP, while others are moving to the DPP. That’s normal in politics,” said Msonda.
Commenting on the matter, political analyst Wonderful Mkhutche commended the DPP’s stance, saying it could help curb political opportunism—a growing trend where individuals switch parties merely to remain close to power.
Mkhutche, however, cautioned that such policies often fail to bring meaningful reform unless supported by strong internal structures and consistent enforcement.
“All political parties should establish internal regulations that discourage frequent party-hopping among politicians,” he advised.
The DPP’s declaration comes amid reports that several politicians from various parties have recently defected to the opposition, reigniting national debate over loyalty, integrity, and the moral conduct of political leaders within Malawi’s multiparty democracy. #SunFmTvNews
🚨REGIONAL | Madagascar’s Colonel Randrianirina Sworn in as President After Military Takeover
Madagascar has entered a new and uncertain chapter after Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the head of the country’s most powerful military unit, was sworn in as president on Friday morning, following a dramatic coup that ousted Andry Rajoelina and sent shockwaves through the Indian Ocean island nation.
The swearing-in ceremony took place under tight security in Antananarivo, marking the culmination of a military takeover that began earlier this week when soldiers loyal to Randrianirina seized control of the presidential palace and announced the suspension of the constitution. The move drew swift condemnation from regional and international partners, including the African Union and the United Nations, both calling for a swift return to civilian rule.
In his brief inaugural address, Randrianirina described himself as “a servant of the Malagasy people” and vowed to restore stability, dignity, and social welfare in a country long crippled by poverty and political turmoil. “We have taken this responsibility not out of ambition but out of duty,” he said. “Our mission is to protect the nation and rebuild it for all Malagasies.”
The 51-year-old colonel, who once governed the southern Androy region, carries a reputation for discipline, humility, and nationalist conviction. His rise is as remarkable as it is controversial. Only a year ago, he was held in a maximum-security prison without trial, accused of plotting a mutiny against the very government he has now replaced. His release in February set the stage for a resurgence that many now see as both redemptive and destabilizing.
Randrianirina has promised to lead a transitional government for up to two years, combining military and civilian leadership before new elections are held. He insists his administration will focus on social programs and restoring national confidence, but critics warn that Madagascar’s history of coups rarely ends with stability.
The capital remained tense but calm on Friday, with the army maintaining checkpoints across key installations. Rajoelina’s whereabouts remain unknown, though reports suggest he fled the country soon after the takeover.
As the Malagasy flag was raised and the national anthem played at the swearing-in, the sense of uncertainty hung heavy. What began as a rebellion within the barracks has now reshaped the political order. For millions of citizens struggling under economic hardship, the question is whether this new leader will bring reform or repeat history.
Madagascar has endured more than a decade of political turbulence since Rajoelina’s first coup in 2009. Today’s ceremony closes one chapter but opens another—one that will test the island’s fragile democracy and the world’s tolerance for military rule in an era when citizens are increasingly restless with civilian governments across Africa.
SUDAN : RUSSIA & SUDAN WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A NEW GLOBAL PAYMENT SYSTEM KHARTOUM WANTS TO FREE ITSELF FROM WESTERN CONTROL, FINANCE MINISTER JIBRIL IBRAHIM MOHAMED DECLARED TO SPUTNIK AFRICA.
Here are his comments on the new direction for SUDAN and the continent: Training, Innovation, and Digital Payments.
Describing the new protocol between SUDAN and RUSSIA, Dr. MOHAMED stated:
“This is just a step towards enhanced cooperation between the two central banks, as payments could in the future be dematerialized rather than via SWIFT or other means.” Beyond SWIFT
The PAPSS, a pan-African payment and settlement system, will allow the abandonment of its Western counterpart, the minister stated.
“This is what the BRICS countries are trying to achieve with BRICS Pay. And I hope this is also what African countries are trying to do with PAPSS.” Trade in local currencies
“With PAPSS, we pay with our own currencies. This will, of course, ensure the stability of the exchange rate and the economy as a whole, which will promote the development of trade between AFRICAN countries.”
PAPSS will simplify trade and strengthen economic stability, the minister hopes. Reduce AFRICA’S debt burden
“Paying via PAPSS reduces costs and increases trade. Your need to repay your debts to Western institutions will decrease. This will allow you to save substantial amounts of money. This money will be used for the development of AFRICAN countries.” On Sputnik’s role in AFRICA
“AFRICANS need a second or third point of view. If we only listen to one side, it becomes a stereotype,” says Dr. MOHAMED.
“We are convinced that Sputnik’s work enriches our understanding and helps AFRICANS gain a different perspective,” he concluded.
Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has hit back at KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi with a R10-million defamation countersuit.
The high-profile clash follows Mkhwanazi’s own R5-million lawsuit accusing O’Sullivan of damaging his reputation with allegations of corruption. O’Sullivan’s legal team, Ulrich Roux & Associates, filed the counterclaim on October 10, demanding that Mkhwanazi retract his remarks made at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and in the Ad Hoc Committee or face a full damages payout.
The dispute stems from explosive testimony before the Madlanga Commission, chaired by Justice Retired Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, which is probing criminality, political interference, and corruption within South Africa’s policing structures.
Mkhwanazi, who testified last month, alleged that O’Sullivan operated as a “foreign agent” linked to intelligence networks such as MI6, Mossad, and the CIA, and that he worked closely with former IPID head Robert McBride to influence police investigations.
O’Sullivan the founder of Forensics for Justice has dismissed the claims as “wild fabrications” designed to silence whistleblowers and derail his upcoming testimony before the same commission. He argues that Mkhwanazi’s statements have inflicted “severe reputational and financial harm.”
Among the remarks cited as defamatory are Mkhwanazi’s September 19 claim that O’Sullivan was implicated in an unspecified crime in KwaZulu-Natal, and his October 8 call in the Ad Hoc Committee for citizens to “take drastic action” if the government failed to rein in O’Sullivan’s supposed influence over policing.
O’Sullivan says the fallout has gone beyond the courtroom.
“I’m now receiving threats… That’s the result of a senior police official telling Parliament that the country should take drastic action against me,” he told BizNews. “That’s not how a democracy works.”
The case has become one of the most closely watched sagas, exposing deep divisions at the top of South Africa’s law enforcement agencies as the inquiry digs deeper into allegations of corruption and abuse of power.
Tomorrow our nation bows in prayer, yet the heavens are heavy with unanswered questions. How do we approach the altar when our politics are deceitful, our justice selective, and our unity fractured by hypocrisy disguised as holiness?
The burial impasse of President Edgar Lungu reveals our moral decay. Even death cannot unite us. We politicize funerals, divide families, and desecrate dignity. A nation that cannot bury its dead in peace has already buried its conscience.
Voter registration centres remain deserted in Mansa. The people who gave power are now treated as afterthoughts. How shall elections be credible when even registration is selective, inaccessible, and manipulated for political convenience?
In Mfuwe and other by-elections, democracy has become a theatre of deceit. Vote buying replaces persuasion. Civil servants act as campaigners. Fear is the ballot’s shadow. How can the people’s will speak when their stomachs are bribed to silence?
The Socialist Party cried foul. The opposition endured violence. The police stood aloof. ECZ hid behind silence. This is not democracy — it is democracy’s ghost wearing a mask of legitimacy. Truth has become contraband in our politics.
Bill 7 lurks in Parliament like a viper in the grass. A constitutional amendment born of secrecy cannot serve justice. Its timing before the election is not reform but manipulation. Power seeks permanence through constitutional deceit.
The Technical Committee created under Article 92 instead of the Inquiries Act is illegal. Its hidden terms of reference betray motive. Why hide what should unite the nation? Lawfare now replaces leadership. Control replaces consultation.
Meanwhile, the altar of national prayer awaits. The government speaks of peace, but peace without justice is pretense. The Day of Prayer risks becoming a spiritual distraction — a political incense to sanctify national sin.
President Hichilema calls for unity, quoting Psalm 133. But unity cannot grow in soil poisoned by inequality. It is mocked when prisoners are denied lawyers, journalists beaten, and political rivals demonized. Unity without justice is hypocrisy.
Leadership has turned divine callings into political slogans. “One Zambia, One Nation” has become “One Party, One Privilege.” God is not mocked. He demands repentance, not ritual; righteousness, not rhetoric. We must act our way into holiness.
The coming 2026 elections loom like a test of national conscience. Will we choose truth over tokenism? Or will we trade destiny for deception? Elections without fairness are not competition — they are coronations masked as democracy.
Those in power must remember Saul, who lost his crown for disobedience, and Nebuchadnezzar, who lost his mind for pride. When leaders use law and prayer as shields for arrogance, judgment soon follows in silence and chaos.
Tomorrow’s altar calls for repentance, not performance. Let the President approach as servant, not ruler. Let ministers kneel in humility, not pride. Let prophets speak truth, not comfort. Only then will heaven listen to our lament.
The youth watch with weary eyes. They are hungry for hope, not speeches. The widow, the farmer, the jobless graduate — they are Zambia’s prophets now, reminding us that faith without justice is idolatry.
If we do not amend our ways, our national prayer will be an echo bouncing off hollow walls. The soil of Zambia cries for integrity. Even the dead, like Lungu, remind us: without peace, no rest is found.
How then shall we approach the altar? With hands clean or covered in injustice? Tomorrow’s prayer must not be another ceremony. It must be a national confession. Only truth can reconcile us with God and with ourselves.
CREATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE UNDER ARTICLE 92 INSTEAD OF THE INQUIRIES ACT IS ILLEGAL – LINDA KASONDE
The fact that the terms of reference of the Technical Committee appointed to consult the people of Zambia and make amendments to the Constitution have not been released suggests that the terms of reference may not be in the best interests of Zambians. The duties of the Technical Committee are public, and therefore the terms of reference and the proceedings of the Technical Committee must be open to public scrutiny.
It is also worth nothing that the Constitutional provisions under which the Technical Committee has been appointed, being Articles 92(2)(f) and 92(2)(j) do not give the President with the powers to create this kind of committee. All previous Constitutional Commissions and Technical Committees have in the past been created under the Inquiries Act which prescribes the powers of a Commission or Technical Committee to undertake an exercise such as a constitutional review process.
Without being properly constituted by a prescribed law, that is the Inquiries Act, the creation of the Technical Committee is illegal. The fact that the terms of reference are being withheld from the public adds to the disquiet that the process may lead to undesirable results. I would urge all well-meaning Technical Committee members to consider resigning if indeed their mandate does not meet the needs and will of the people of Zambia.
Death is Not Always Physical, and Laura Miti is Dead: The Edgar Lungu Funeral and Amai Doti’s Embarrassing Sycophancy for President Hichilema
By Thandiwe Ketiš Ngoma
Laura has become such a sycophantic and zealous praise singer for President Hakainde Hichilema that she can’t see anything wrong with his behaviour on any subject.
I sometimes fear that if President Hakainde Hichilema started undressing in public, Laura Miti would focus on his beautiful skin rather than his disturbing nakedness.
Her latest article on why President Lungu remains unburied, four months after his death, is such a classic defence of President Hichilema that it would make even the most hardcore UPND cadre envious of her insatiable appetite to bootlick.
Let us take what she says one by one.
We learn from her opening paragraph that the focus of Laura’s writing is not on why President Lungu remains unburied, but on mocking the reasons given by his family. Let us now listen to Laura, who has never criticised President Hakainde Hichilema in any way over the prolonged burial impasse.
Laura: 1.“Newborn- President Lungu left instructions that his body should be transported home in a private plane. His reasons were that he travelled for treatment as a private citizen, after the government had refused to evacuate him. So, he left strict instructions for his body to return the same way.”
Me: Of particular importance here is Laura’s failure to acknowledge that it was very strange for President Hichilema to show interest in transporting Lungu’s dead body when he had opposed his leaving the country for medical treatment. Any sane Zambian who follows current affairs would know the circumstances under which former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu left the country.
He had to escape Zambia, taking advantage of the arrival of the UN Special Rapporteur, to sneak onto the Airlink plane that was about to depart. The airport official who took the risk of aiding his escape for medical treatment, namely Paul Kasonde, who held the position of Manager for Aviation Security, was dismissed from his job for clearing President Lungu’s departure.
After his death in South Africa, we were informed by the family that his wish was that in the event he died while in South Africa, his remains should be returned to Zambia in the same manner that he left the country privately. What is problematic here is not the family’s decision to honour his wishes, but President Hakainde Hichilema’s interest in a dead Lungu to the point where he even sent a plane to collect his body before he called the family to convey his condolences.
What was urgent for President Hichilema was not mourning with the family or lightening their burden, but ensuring that the body of his predecessor was transported to Zambia in a government aircraft. Laura doesn’t see anything wrong with this shameful behaviour of President Hichilema. For her, the problem is the Lungu family’s desire to facilitate the return of their beloved one, now deceased, in the same manner that he had left the country using private means.
Laura: 2. “Toddler – President Lungu said he did not want his successor anywhere near his body. So President Hichilema must undertake to officiate the funeral while keeping a long distance from the body.”
Me: Here too, Laura mocks the Lungu family’s desire to honour his wishes that his successor should stay away from his funeral. She sees absolutely nothing wrong with President Hakainde Hichilema’s insistence that he must attend the funeral, thereby declaring himself as chief mourner.
Laura does not explain why President Hakainde Hichilema, who enjoyed no close relationship with former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, was suddenly struck by a bout of such uncontrollable love for his predecessor that he could not stay away from his funeral. Even the devil would be envious of the extent to which Laura is prepared to go in defence of President Hakainde Hichilema, the man she has publicly described as “the best president of Zambia ever.”
Laura: 3. “Teenager- The government changed the burial programme. They are also paving the road to Chifwema, meaning the route for the daily passage of the body from the residence to Mulungushi has been compromised.
Me: It is a fact that the government changed the burial programme without the involvement of the family. For instance, as part of his self-assigned designation as President Lungu’s chief mourner, President Hakainde Hichilema changed the programme to make sure that he would receive the body on arrival at KKIA Airport, take it away for 30 minutes to an unknown place within the airport terminals so that he could have a private moment with it, and ensure that no member of the public was allowed to view the body before him on the day that body viewing was to commence.
Laura doesn’t see anything wrong with this strange and fetish-like behaviour by her “best president of Zambia.” The problem, she would like us to believe, is the decision by the deceased’s family to take issue with HH’s odd and bizarre conduct.
It is also a fact that the government announced, at short notice, that the road to Chifwema, where President Lungu’s body was to lie in state for the duration of the mourning period, was to be closed for impromptu repairs. The Lungu family reacted as any normal people would, asking why the repairs were scheduled for the very period during which President Lungu’s body was to be taken to and from Mulungushi Conference Centre for body viewing.
Embarrassed by the exposure, the government rescheduled the road repairs to a later date, prompting the Lungu family to commit to bringing the body as scheduled. But the government again made alterations to the funeral programme, forcing the family to consider burying President Lungu in South Africa.
Again, Laura finds no issue with the conduct of the administration of her “best president,” including the fact that the said road repairs have never been resumed.
Laura: 4. “Adult – We are going to bury in South Africa to ensure that we prevent President Hichilema from taking possession of the body, literally or figuratively.”
Me: The family’s decision to bury former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu in South Africa was made after the above-highlighted breaches of trust, which demonstrated more than anything else the determination by President Hakainde Hichilema to force himself onto a funeral where the grieving family had told him in very clear and unambiguous language that he was not welcome.
When the funeral was underway in South Africa, Laura’s “best president” moved to block it for one reason—that the burial was taking place without his involvement. Until this point, the family had not spent a cent or a ngwee of taxpayers’ money, but Laura’s “best president” dipped his fingers into the public coffers to prevent the family from burying President Lungu where and how they wanted, simply to enforce his wish to be the chief mourner and access the body.
Laura, a historian (yes, Laura’s educational qualifications consist of a BA in Education and an MA in History) turned public accountability activist, finds nothing wrong with this wastage of potentially millions of kwacha of public funds aimed at meeting the individual desire of her “best president” to be the chief mourner.
By millions, I am referring to the money being spent by the administration of Laura’s “best president” on flying his officials such as Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha and Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa to and from South Africa, and on paying private South African lawyers representing the wannabe chief mourner’s regime.
Laura: 5. “Senile – The Secretary to the Cabinet has not written us the letter we want. The letter is to state to us that the accusation we made is untrue. The accusation we want denied, in writing, is that the Zambian government, through a group that did not include a single Zambian, and that, according to us, appeared at the mortuary, tried to carry out a post-mortem on President Lungu’s body. The post-mortem was to prove or disprove the claim, made by some random South African group, that he was poisoned.”
Me: Here, Laura finds nothing wrong with the failure by the Secretary to the Cabinet to commit to paper what he was telling the Lungu family on the phone—that Laura’s “best president” had nothing to do with the private investigator who popped up at the morgue, claiming that he had been contracted by the administration of Laura’s “best president” to secure access to the body.
Any sane adult would be troubled by the behaviour of the Secretary to the Cabinet. Why would anyone refuse to formally distance the government from claims that it had hired the private investigator to determine whether the former president was poisoned, if indeed the investigator was lying?
Even a child from Bweengwa can easily see that Patrick Kangwa, the Secretary to the Cabinet, was engaged in a cover-up and did not want to formally deny what could easily be proved to be true—that the private investigator is indeed an agent of Laura’s “best president.”
Laura has no problem with the revelation of her “best president’s” clandestine activities. Neither does she have any problem with the fact that the same government whose spokesperson had ruled out any foul play in President Lungu’s death only days after his demise is now wasting more taxpayers’ money hiring private investigators to establish if there was foul play in President Lungu’s death.
For Laura, the problem is the family—and we must all condemn them.
Conclusion
There is a lesson to be learnt from all this, and that is: it is how we end that matters. Having carved out a name for herself as a civil rights activist and human rights defender, Laura Miti has, since the election of President Hakainde Hichilema, turned into the very thing she spent decades fighting—an apologist for injustice, a defender of wrong, and a protector of those who abuse and torment the weak.
Not once since former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu died has Laura publicly shown empathy for the deceased’s family or expressed sympathy for their plight. This is a family that is yet to bury their loved one nearly five months after his death because of her “best president’s” refusal to stay away from the funeral.
Rather than asking her “best president” to leave the family alone so that they can bury their loved one as they wish, Laura is tormenting them even further and adding to their misery by mocking them.
Whatever incentive Laura’s “best president” has given her to make her immune from seeing his failings—including the cruel manner in which he has handled the funeral—must be greater than her previous reputation as someone outraged by injustice, who always took the side of the disadvantaged and the weak in any struggle with the powerful.
If my children were to ask me one thing that they must never be in life, my answer, even when woken up from sleep, would be instant: let them never be like Laura Miti.
ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION: VJ MWAANGA’S PRAYER DAY MESSAGE
Freedom fighter, VERNON MWAANGA has called on Zambians to uphold the values of unity and peace as the nation commemorates the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation on October 18, 2025.
In a statement issued to ZNBC News, Dr. MWAANGA said the day should serve as a time for deep reflection on the sacrifices made by those who fought for Zambia’s independence and peace.
He has reminded Zambians of the founding values of the country, anchored on the motto “One Zambia, One Nation,” championed by first Republican President KENNETH KAUNDA.
Dr. MWAANGA said the spirit of unity and selflessness that characterised Zambia’s independence struggle must continue to guide the country’s leaders and citizens alike.
KAUNDA URGES GENUINE UNITY AND HEALING ON NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Lusaka… Saturday October 18, 2025 – As Zambia marks the Day of National Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation, Kelvin Kaunda has called on citizens to embrace genuineness over hypocrisy in their pursuit of healing and national unity.
In a press statement issued to commemorate the occasion, Kaunda said the day served as a reminder of the power of faith, unity, and genuine reconciliation in building a peaceful and prosperous nation.
He noted that prayers should be accompanied by sincerity of heart, humility, and forgiveness, stressing that true healing could only come through honest reflection and action.
Mr. Kaunda warned against pretentious unity, urging Zambians not to observe the day with hypocrisy while harboring bitterness and division.
He said that genuine reconciliation could only begin when citizens accepted their differences, forgave one another, and worked together for the common good, regardless of tribal, regional, or political affiliations.
He further called upon the Church, which he described as the moral compass of the nation, to lead efforts in promoting healing and dialogue aimed at restoring national harmony.
Mr. Kaunda also appealed for dignity, compassion, and unity in resolving the ongoing impasse regarding the burial of former President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, saying it was time to lay him to rest peacefully and respectfully as “one Zambia, one nation.”
Addressing the youth, Kaunda urged them to reject political violence, hatred, and manipulation, reminding them that the future of the country lay in their hands.
He encouraged young people to be the generation that champions peace, tolerance, and development.
Mr. Kaunda also appealed to all eligible citizens to register to vote, describing it as an important civic duty.
He emphasized that participation in the democratic process was essential for shaping the nation’s future and called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to uphold the Constitution by ensuring transparency, fairness, and integrity in the lead-up to the 2026 general elections.
Meanwhile, Kaunda urged Zambians to recommit to peace, justice, and love, saying the country’s healing would only come through truth and sincerity.
“May God bless Zambia and all her citizens,” Mr. Kaunda stated.
Akon is taking an unexpected turn with his music, re-recording this entire catalogue as country music
In an interview with the Recording Academy, the Lonely and Locked Up singer, now fully independent, said it is a passion project with a honky tonk twist. “It’s an opportunity for me to actually do what I always wanted to do. Now that I’m fully independent and own my master recordings, I’m free to do what I need to do and put my money where I want to put it,” he says.
Akon is keeping things tight-lipped on the project, but hinted that it will be released by the end of the year.
In an interview shared on Instagram, Akon says, while it is what people expected, he can’t wait to see people enjoy it. #SunFmTvNews
MAZABUKA CENTRAL CONSTITUENCY 2025 CDF projects in progress :
1. Staff house at Siyowi primary school (Siyowi ward) 2. Mud drilling of 8 boreholes and equipping with handpumps in Siyowi ward ( Siyowi ward)
3. Completion of standard kitchen/dinning at Nanga secondary school (Nega Nega ward ) 4. Construction of a market shelter at Nega Nega market (Nega Nega ward)
5. Construction of a classroom block asaka new primary school ( Mugoto ward) 6. Construction of Girls dormitory at Mansangu secondary school (Mugoto ward)
7. Construction of a footbridge at kachembele community ( Mugoto ward) 8. Rehabilitation of kaonga primary school ( kaonga ward)
9. Purchase of physiotherapy equipment and construction of a concrete passage slab from the clinic to the mini hospital ( Kaonga ward) 10. Construction of two staff houses at kangila primary school ( chizobo ward)
11. Drilling and equipping of boreholes in lubombo ward ( Lubombo ward) 12. Construction of WDC and councillors office ( Mazabuka central ward) 13. Expansion of maternity annex at Mazabuka General Hospital ( Mazabuka central ward)
14. Drilling and equipping of 15 handpumps ( Mazabuka central ward) 15. Construction of a staff house at Magobbo primary school (Lubombo ward) 16. Construction of police post in Bennie Mwiinga ward
MINISTER of Health Elijah Muchima has summoned all provincial health directors to a meeting to account for medicines due to the persistent issuance of prescriptions to patients in public facilities.
Dr Muchima regrets that some patients are being given prescriptions despite drugs being in stock in hospitals.
He said Government has made efforts to ensure all health facilities are fully stocked with medicines, aligning with the New Dawn administration’s commitment to providing universal access to healthcare services for all Zambians.
The minister said this when he officiated at the 47th combined graduation ceremony for public and private nursing and midwifery colleges on the Copperbelt.
“Recently I was in Zambezi, where we found patients receiving prescriptions despite medicines being available. What is more concerning is that some of these medicines were nearing expiration.
“I am summoning all provincial medical directors to account for the medicine. Why should patients be given prescriptions when hospitals are fully stocked? That shall not be allowed,” he said.
The minister said over 2,000 nurses and midwives have graduated on the Copperbelt, assuring them that they will be employed.
ZAMBIA’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK SHOWS SIGNS OF STABILITY, IMF REPORTS
BY CHANDA MWANGO
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reported an improvement in Zambia’s economic outlook, with inflation decreasing to 12.3 percent in October 2025 and a projected GDP growth rate of around six percent.
The report highlights Zambia’s progress in recovering from years of debt distress, inflationary pressures, and fiscal instability.
Although Zambia remains classified as a low-income, heavily indebted economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, the IMF commends the ongoing macroeconomic consolidation under the government’s reform program.
Inflation, which peaked at 24 percent in 2021, has moderated due to stabilizing currency rates, improved food supplies, and energy interventions.
According to the IMF, Zambia has achieved steady external adjustment and fiscal stabilization following significant milestones in debt restructuring and the successful implementation of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Program.
The report emphasizes the importance of transparency in national account reporting and economic monitoring by the Zambia Statistics Agency and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.
While acknowledging ongoing challenges such as youth unemployment, a high cost of living, and electricity shortages, the IMF notes that increased public investment and expansion in the manufacturing, information and communication technology (ICT), agriculture, and energy sectors are beginning to restore confidence in the economy.
Zambia’s Foreign Minister Delivers Message from President Hichilema to President João Lourenço
Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, S.C, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Zambia, this morning delivered a special message from Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, to His Excellency Mr. João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola.
Hon. Haimbe, who served as Special Envoy of the Zambian Head of State, was received in audience at the Presidential Palace in Luanda. The message focused on strengthening the long-standing bilateral relations between Zambia and Angola in various sectors, including trade, infrastructure development, defence, and regional cooperation.
Speaking after the audience, Hon. Haimbe underscored that President Hichilema’s message reaffirmed Zambia’s unwavering commitment to deepening collaboration with Angola in pursuit of shared growth and prosperity.
“President Hichilema’s message underscores the importance of building upon our historic friendship to unlock new opportunities for our peoples,” Hon. Haimbe said.
The Foreign Minister was accompanied by Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security; Mr. Hamaundu, Permanent Secretary (Defence); Mr. Dickson Matembo, Permanent Secretary (Home Affairs); and other senior government officials.
Upon arrival in Luanda, the delegation was received by Ms. Roster Mubita Kapaya, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Angola, and His Excellency Dr. Elias Munshya, Zambia’s Ambassador-Designate to Angola.
The visit reflects Zambia’s continued efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic engagement with Angola, a close neighbour and key partner within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Both nations continue to pursue joint projects aimed at improving connectivity through road, rail, and energy linkages, fostering regional integration and mutual development.
GRIZZLY MINE SHINES AS GLOBAL EMERALD POWERHOUSE, GENERATING $48.6 MILLION ANNUALLY
Grizzly Mine in Copperbelt Province has emerged as one of the world’s top emerald producers, generating $48.6 million annually and yielding 60 million carats.
Speaking at the Russia-Zambia Economic Forum hosted at the University of Zambia, Emerald and Semi-Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) President Victor Kalesha praised the mine’s contribution to infrastructure, community development, and job creation.
Mr. Kalesha urged increased investment in local firms like Lufwanyama Emerald Mining, Grizzly Mining, and Chumwe, stressing that value addition in the sector could significantly boost Zambia’s economy.
